Message from the 

School Principal

Dear Sacred Heart Families & Friends,

As we move quickly towards the Easter holidays, there is a sense of excitement in the air. This month has been filled with many celebrations, experiences and achievements, all reflecting the Living Vision of Sacred Heart.  Here is a glimpse of what has been happening and what is to come.

🌟 CELEBRATING HARMONY DAY AT SACRED HEART 🌏

Yesterday we came together to celebrate Harmony Day, a significant day in our school calendar that highlights the importance of respect and belonging. Harmony Day serves as an important reminder of Australia's cultural diversity and the values of acceptance and inclusivity. It was wonderful to have many parents, carers and school friends join us in our school celebrations. A huge thank you to the educators who planned the day and families who worked with their children to prepare for the day or attended the day. 

Some of the images below capture the essence of the events yesterday and the wonderful opportunities for children to share their family stories, traditions and history. 

As we reflect on the significance of Harmony Day, let's each commit to playing our part in promoting harmony, diversity, and inclusion within our school and beyond. Let's celebrate our differences, learn from one another, and stand together as proud ambassadors of multiculturalism and unity.

📚 NAPLAN ASSESSMENTS📚

We are immensely proud of our Year 3 and 5 students over the past few weeks who have demonstrated exceptional perseverance, focus and resilience whilst engaging in the recent Naplan assessments. The educators endeavoured to ensure every child sitting the tests were able to achieve the best possible outcomes with a calm and peaceful environment. Regardless of any individual results, we are confident the children all did their very best and we are so proud of each one of them.

🌿 CELEBRATING PALM SUNDAY 🌿

This Sunday, we commemorate Palm Sunday, a significant day in our school and parish calendar. It marks the beginning of Holy Week, symbolizing Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Our school acknowledges this day and other events of Holy Week with prayerful celebrations each morning with each class level leading the prayers and sharing their understandings of Holy Week.  

🌟 YEAR 5 SCHOOL CAMP TO PORTSEA 🏕️

The Sacred Heart Camp Program is an important aspect of school life and the curriculum and is structured around the ideal of independence, with students developing skills and building connections with each other and the environment over time.  Our camps are a means of using different resources to enhance and enrich student learning.

In the first week of Term 2, the Year 5 students will be travelling to the Mornington Peninsula and staying at the Portsea Camp.  Portsea Camp is a beach adventure camp which develops:

• adventurous spirit 
• discovering their full potential
• making connections
• develop skills in various activities associated with outdoor education
• cooperation and teamwork

We wish our students and educators a rich and rewarding experience and look forward to hearing all about their experiences on their return.

As this is the final newsletter for the term, I wish each child and family an Easter filled with laughter, love and cherished memories for you and your loved ones. And as we continue our journey together as a school community, let us continue to spread kindness and compassion in our encounters with one another. 

I remain yours in faith and gratitude,

Kaylene Carlin

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Anaphylaxis Policy & Practices

As part of our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of all members of our school community, we would like to draw your attention to our school's Anaphylaxis Policy.

Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur rapidly and without warning. Even a small amount of the allergen can trigger a serious reaction in some individuals.

The policy is attached below and is also available on the school website or the school office.

To ensure the safety of all students, staff, and visitors, we have implemented a range of measures in accordance with Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools policies and guidelines which include risk management plans, communication plans & school wide practices that promote a nut & other allergen aware environment.  All staff at Sacred Heart school are trained in first aid procedures regularly which includes caring for a child or adult who is anaphylactic. 

 We rely on the cooperation and support of the entire school community to maintain a safe environment for students with allergies. We encourage open communication and cooperation among parents, students and staff to ensure the well-being of all.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all students. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our Anaphylaxis Policy, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Hall Works & Refurbishment

The main entry doors to the school hall have been out of action since the end of 2023. It has taken some time to identify the cause. After some investigation by builders and engineers, it has been determined that the eastern side of the hall near the kitchen has dropped causing the door to come out of alignment. The next step was to determine why this was occurring and we now have an answer to this. Over the next school holiday period, builders will be rectifying the problem with essential work that has been identified. Unfortunately this means that Camp Australia will not be able to operate during the school holiday period. Students will be able to attend another program at Kingsville Primary School. Please contact Camp Australia directly should you require care for your child during the holiday period.

Parent Year Level Representatives - School Advisory Council Initiative

Dear Sacred Heart School Community, 

As we gear up for the 2024 school year, the Sacred Heart School Advisory Council is seeking dedicated parents to step into the role of Parent Representatives for year levels. We are reaching out to caregivers across all year levels to actively contribute to fostering family and community engagement within our Sacred Heart community. 

Parent Representatives will play an important role in: 

• Brainstorming and actively contributing to fundraising efforts
• Involving the Sacred Heart parish in the broader school community
• Organising social events to strengthen connections between families
• Serving as a reliable point of contact for families with children attending Sacred Heart

If you are passionate about making a positive impact and would like to be a part of shaping the 2024 school year experience, we encourage you to express your interest in becoming a Parent Representative. 

Please email the School Advisory Council at sac@shnewport.catholic.edu.au. 

We look forward to hearing from you and working together to make Sacred Heart an even more enriching educational environment. 

Successful Parent Representatives will be invited to attend the next School Advisory Council meeting at 7:00pm on Tuesday April 30th. Warm regards, Sacred Heart School Advisory Council.