Principals Report

Principal's Report

Welcome back to Sacred Heart and to the beginning of our 2026 school year. It has been wonderful to feel the energy and excitement around the school as we settle into Term 1. Our Preps enjoyed their very first day on Monday, and our Year 3–6 students have already dived into their two‑week swimming program. It’s been a fantastic start. 

This week we also welcome several new staff members to our Sacred Heart community: 

• Ana Howard – Leader of Learning and Teaching 
• Danica Smith – Year 4 Teacher 
• Eva Iannucci – Year 6 Learning Support Officer 

We also welcome back Meg Bonat to our Year 4 team. Please make our new staff feel at home when you see them around the school. 

Even after a full year here, I continue to be inspired by our students—their kindness toward one another and toward staff, and the way they have already settled so positively into their learning. They consistently rise to the high expectations set for them, and I imagine many are coming home quite tired after such full and productive days. 

At Mass on Sunday, Fr Michael (who kindly stepped in for a sick Fr Junjun) shared the Gospel of the Beatitudes (Mt 5:1–12). This beautiful passage invites us to look for God in the ordinary moments of our lives. It also challenges us to consider how we might make a difference in the life of another. This is the same message we share with our students: How can you make someone’s day better? 

A few housekeeping reminders as we begin the term. Thank you for your support of our school uniform policy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many brand‑new black shoes—clearly a summer of growth spurts. Please remember that all shoulder‑length hair (or longer) must be tied back, including for boys, even with mullet‑style cuts. Socks must be plain white, and school hats are compulsory this term. 

Our school office is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Students should not arrive before 8:30am on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, as supervision is not available. 

On Wednesdays and Fridays, students may arrive from 8:15am if they are attending our St Vinnies Breakfasts—thank you to Faye, Mittsy and their wonderful team for recommencing this week. 

On Fridays, students attending Tim’s Running Club may arrive from 8:00am. Running Club begins this Friday, 6 February. 

We also ask families not to arrive at the Orr Street pick‑up area before 3:10pm, as early arrivals block local roads before students are dismissed. If students are not collected by 3:30pm, we will contact families in line with our Child Safeguarding procedures. 

Important Dates – Term 1 

• Mon 2 Feb – Start of Yr 3–6 Swimming Program (2 weeks) 
• Mon 16 Feb – Year 4 Camp to Harrietville (return Wed 18 Feb) 
• Tues 17 Feb – Shrove (Pancake) Tuesday 
• Wed 18 Feb – Ash Wednesday 
• Thurs 19 Feb – Sacred Heart Swimming Carnival 
• Thurs 5 Mar – School Photos 
• Mon 9 Mar – Labour Day Public Holiday 
• Thurs 2 Apr – Last Day of Term 1 
•  

This Friday we will hold our first assembly for the year in the Mercy Centre at 2.45pm. Next Friday, 13 February, we will announce our official Year 6 Leadership roles for 2025. While some students will receive badges, we continue to view all Year 6 students as leaders of our school, and we rely on each of them to be strong role models for our younger students. 

Finally, you may have noticed work underway along Woods Road. We are installing a new two‑metre black fence to further strengthen our child safeguarding measures—and it will look fantastic once completed. 

Take care and God bless, 

Jarrod 

 Term Dates for the Year: 

TERM 1: January 27 to April 2 

TERM 2: April 20 to June 26 

TERM 3: July 13 to September 19 

TERM 4: October 5 to December 18