Dear Parents, Carers, and Members of our School Community,

Welcome back to Term 2! I hope this message finds you all refreshed and rejuvenated after a delightful Term 1 and Easter break. It's a pleasure to reconnect with our students, families, and staff as we embark on another exciting journey of learning and growth together.

Term 2 has already kicked off with a burst of energy and enthusiasm, particularly with the Year 3/4 Learning Teams setting off for their camp in Kyneton. It was heartening to witness our students eagerly diving into new adventures and experiences, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the warmth of camaraderie.

I extend a special note of gratitude to our dedicated Sacred Heart Learning Staff and the invaluable parent helpers, Lincoln Wellington and John Rus, who ensured a smooth and incredibly enjoyable experience for our students. Your unwavering support and commitment made all the difference, especially for those students experiencing their first time away from home. Your care and guidance created lasting memories and valuable lessons in independence, resilience, and friendship.

Despite the inevitable fatigue from their adventures, the students returned with beaming smiles and hearts full of stories. It's inspiring to see how these experiences foster personal growth, instilling confidence, problem-solving skills, and the spirit of teamwork in each and every one of them.

Uniform Reminder

Although the heat of the summer months is behind us, it remains important for our students to maintain a high level of sun-smart awareness by continuing to wear their school hats. In accordance with Sacred Heart's Sun Protection Policy, students are required to wear the school broad-brimmed hat that protects their face, neck, and ears whenever they are outside from 1st of September through to 1st of May.

Furthermore, as per the uniform policy, winter uniform is worn in Terms 2 and 3. However, parents are kindly asked to use their discretion depending on the weather forecast. Let's work together to ensure the well-being and safety of our students while promoting a sense of pride and unity in our school community.

Parents, please refer to the Sacred Heart Uniform Policy on our website for further clarification.

Exciting Upcoming Events:

Sacred Heart will be hosting our annual Open Day for prospective enrolments for 2025 on Wednesday, 8th May. Two information sessions will be delivered throughout the day: 9:30-10:30am and 5:30-6:30pm. These sessions will include a school tour through our wonderful learning spaces. Keep your eyes out for promotional material on our Parent Portal and Social Media platforms.

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and this year, along with our special Mother's Day Mass, we will be inviting all our incredible moms to join us in a special morning tea in the Mercy Centre. Save the date for Friday, 10th May. Further details will follow soon.

Mark your calendars for these exciting events and join us as we celebrate the spirit of community and togetherness at Sacred Heart School.

Australian Early Development Census (AEDC):

Our school will take part in the AEDC between May and July this year. The AEDC is a national census conducted every three years by the Australian Government, in partnership with state and territory governments. It measures how children have developed by the time they start their first year of full-time school.

The AEDC is voluntary and does not measure how well children are doing at school or how their school compares to others. Instead, it shows how children are growing and progressing in five key areas, highlighting what is being done well and what can be improved. AEDC data is used by schools, early childhood organisations, researchers, and governments to plan and improve services and supports for children and families. This is why it is important for all children in their first year of school to be included in the AEDC.

To learn more about how AEDC data is used, visit https://www.aedc.gov.au/.

A detailed parent letter will be sent out via our Parent Portal (PAM) over the coming week to provide further information regarding the survey.

Keeping our Students Safe at School:

Yesterday, we had a minor incident where a couple of teenagers were found sitting in the far end of our playground at the commencement of Second Play. When approached by one of our staff members, they quickly left the premises, thus not triggering a need for a lockdown process. Unfortunately, some of our students were drawn to the incident and then created a false narrative of the events, causing unnecessary concerned/stress to other students.

I kindly ask parents, particularly of our Year 5 & 6 students, to have a supportive conversation regarding keeping away from potential unsafe situations. It's crucial to emphasise the importance of not adding further 'stress/confusion' to a situation by fabricating facts and then sharing those facts through gossip.

Yesterday's situation was extremely well handled by our staff, and to that end, I thank them for their dedication to keeping our students and staff safe.

Let's continue to work together to create a safe and nurturing environment for all our students.

As we continue through the term, let's carry forward this momentum of enthusiasm and dedication. Together, let's create more moments of joy, discovery, and achievement, nurturing the potential within each of our students and strengthening the bonds within our cherished Sacred Heart School Community.

Wishing you all a term filled with success, growth, and endless possibilities.

God bless,

Jamie McDowall

Principal

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