Message from the 

School Principal

Dear Sacred Heart Families,

As I take the time to reflect on our first term at Sacred Heart, I am both grateful and encouraged by the many ways that our commitment to the full flourishing of our Sacred Heart students is evident in all we do. 

 At the start of term, the educators focused on welcoming the children to the school year and building strong relationships and meaningful connections, ensuring every child felt known and valued.  Together we became familiar with the routines and practices that ensure children have every opportunity to engage in their learning and feel safe in all aspects of school life. 

I have been so impressed by how much our students have embraced learning with enthusiasm in all areas of the curriculum. In particular, I would like to make special mention of the Year 3 and Year 5 students who showed focus, resilience and a positive approach to NAPLAN and we look forward to seeing how much growth and improvement they have made over time. 

These moments and others like these remind us that when students feel confident and connected, they are able to thrive.

Our staff began the year by engaging in rich professional dialogue, strengthening a shared understanding of our Purpose, Vision and Mission and deepening our commitment to our Ways of Working Together. This collective clarity is evident in our classrooms, where learning environments have been thoughtfully designed to support engagement, independence and high-quality learning. It has also been reflected in our strong partnerships with families, particularly through our Parent Information Sessions and Parent/Teacher meetings, where open communication and a shared focus on each child’s wellbeing and growth were clearly evident.

Our sense of community has been a highlight of the term. Events such as our School Picnic provided a wonderful opportunity for families to connect, strengthening the relationships that underpin our school. These moments of togetherness reflect the spirit of Sacred Heart – one of welcome, inclusion and partnership. We know that when school and home work closely together, our students are best supported to flourish both socially and academically.

Living our faith and values has remained at the heart of our school life. Our Beginning of Year Mass, participation in the St Patrick’s Cathedral Mass during Catholic Education Week and the celebration of the Feast of St Joseph have provided meaningful opportunities for prayer, reflection and shared identity. Across these experiences, the reverence, joy and active participation of our students have been a powerful reflection of our Catholic identity in action. Together, these moments affirm our commitment to nurturing a faith-filled community where our Purpose, Vision and Mission are truly lived each day.

Easter Message

Today I have chosen to share with you part of the Easter Message of our Archbishop Peter Comensoli for you to reflect on and pause to contemplate his message for Catholics in Melbourne. 

Easter invites us to stand at the threshold from night into dawn. In the Gospel, we meet Mary Magdalen arriving at the tomb while it was still dark (John 20:1). She carries grief and confusion, yet a fragile hope. What she finds is not an ending but a beginning: the stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty. And before her stands the One who knows her name: Mary.

 

As dawn breaks, a quiet truth emerges: death has not had the final word; life has arisen. The resurrection unfolds like morning light. It does not blind, but illumines. It does not erase wounds, but transfigures them. Christ, the Light of the World, comes to meet us as the light we need. Christ is present; Christ is life.

 

Here in Melbourne, we see both vitality and vulnerability: generosity among neighbours, yet distance towards others. Into this world comes the risen Christ, shining light into every darkness and upon every life. To be a light is to reflect the One who brings hope, and to keep it alive in a world that can forget to hold in safety those in need. In our divided and conflicted world, Easter offers not escape but a way forward: to live with compassion, seek truth, build peace and stand for hope.

To the steadfast in faith: may this Easter renew your joy and courage.

To those who feel distant: the light of Christ is already seeking you.

To people of goodwill: Easter proclaims that life is stronger than death, love stronger than fear, and hope stronger than despair.

 

May the risen Christ bless Melbourne and all its people this Easter.

Archbishop Peter Comensoli

Easter Raffle Thank you!

On behalf of the school, I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone for your generosity of Easter Eggs, toys, craft activities and bags for the annual Easter Raffle. It is a highlight of the year and our children are so excited when they gather on the basketball court for the raffle and end of term farewell!

This year, we had over 90 prizes (yes, 90!) to give away which create many opportunities for our students to hear their name being drawn.

Thank you also to the contingency of parents who wrapped the many Easter Eggs into hampers for the raffle. It was a huge job but many hands made light work!

Expressions of Interest

If you are a tiler or plumber and are interested in supporting the refurbishment of the student toilets at Sacred Heart, please contact George Dimitrakopoulos (School Advisory Council Parent Representative) on george@gsystemsit.com.au.

George will be able to provide more information in regards to what is needed.

A Glimpse into the History of Sacred Heart 

Over the coming weeks, I will be sharing with you some glimpses into the history of our wonderful school. I hope you find them interesting and create a sense of belonging and appreciation of those who have gone before and created what we have today - which is something pretty special!

The decade of 1920 - 1929 saw an increase in student numbers and the arrival of Polish and Italian families to the school. By 1921, the teacher:student ratio was 1:116 which is very different to classrooms today. The inadequacy of the timber buildings was to be addressed and plans were formulated for a new school to be constructed.

 

The second Fr J Cusack built the present two storied school of six classrooms in 1930 and it was opened by Archdiocese Mannix on 18th May. The original timber school was moved adjacent to Steele St and was used as a school hall. The 1930's saw a steady increase in student numbers up to 391 in 1936. After a polio epidemic numbers dropped to 366 in 1937. 

As we celebrate Easter, may this special season bring peace and joy to you and your families and may the light of the risen Christ continue to guide us in all that we do.

Wishing everyone in or Sacred Heart community a blessed and joyful Easter and thank you, as always, for your support and engagement this term.

Yours in faith,

Kaylene

Kaylene Carlin

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL