Weekes' Weekly News

Dear Sacred Heart Kew Families,

The lift is on the boat (travelling all the way from Italy). You really can’t stop progress! 

Apologies in advance to all those who work in the Architecture/Building industry, please forgive my simplistic construction language found below.  I can report that all is well in our beautiful old School Hall building. The majority of the demolition works have been completed and now the fun really begins. Holes have had to be ‘hand dug’ (instead of machine drilled) due to the hardness of the soil underfoot and lack of internal space/access required. Many a wheelbarrow has been seen exiting the front double doors, tipped out, refilled, repeat on repeat. Back breaking work from where I was standing. The concrete flooring/foundations for the Lift have been laid and the old internal stairs have been removed. Stairway to heaven, more like stairway to nowhere at present. 

When you strip a building back to its original state, it’s amazing what one finds. Turns out no expense was spared when construction of this timeless gem first began. Quality red gum floorboards, double, triple (I actually lost count) thick brick walls, hidden words scribbled underneath removed pinboards and shelves, cables, cables and more cables, in fact, a vast web of cables found underneath floorboards, some not appearing to connect to anywhere in particular. You would think that a building that was constructed in the late 1800’s, early 1900’s (foundation stone laid in 1901) would show some elements of wear and tear. Maybe even exhibit some crumbling down sections throughout. Not an internal crack to be sighted - they certainly don’t build them like this anymore. Upstairs, ash and smoky remains are still visible on the internal structural beams, from the fire that took hold in 1948. 

At each site meeting I seem to be learning new words. Needles, footings, core holes and propping, I often take my hard hat and fluro vest off feeling much more educated, even if I do need to google these words when I get back to the safety of my Office. I also learnt that we have some budding future builders in our school yard. Apparently one particular individual said to one of the builders on Tuesday ‘I hope this thing is going to be finished by July!’ I wonder how he has worked out this timeline… 

I also ‘relearned’ a few other things as I enjoyed the privilege of sitting in the ‘call back’ auditions for our School Musical (Disney Frozen Jr.) It’s easy to forget just how very talented all our children are, not just our Year 4, 5 & 6 children. As these children walked into the MPR as children, and then instantly, came to life as ‘Elsa, Kristoff, Anna, Sven, Olaf and Queen Iduna’ and others, I was totally head spun. One thing I didn’t need to learn or relearn is that not everyone wants to be in the spotlight. Or at least I thought this, before being totally wowed! Acting has never been my thing. I sat there asking myself why would someone put themselves through this? Apart from learning some new songs (I really should watch Frozen), I learnt that some extremely tough calls will need to be made, but whichever way they fall, Disney Frozen Jr. will be spectacular, thanks to our very talented and brave children.  

Speaking of all things brave, well done to all our Year 3 and Year 5 children who sat the annual NAPLAN tests during the week. I am sure that not everyone wants to do this either. We all know that NAPLAN does not assess the whole person. It doesn’t assess values, kindness or compassion, social/emotional intelligence, levels of empathy, passions or creativity. It also does not assess your child’s character, determination and grit. No test can and ever will. Just as we do with other assessments we will look at each child’s NAPLAN results, assessing the areas in which they achieved, and the areas that require further focus and development. Regardless of the outcome, and more importantly, we will continue to celebrate and support all our children as they develop not just in their academics, but also in all other areas here at Sacred Heart Kew.  

Wishing everyone a lovely NAPLAN free weekend. 

Kind Regards,

Ed Weekes 

School Principal