Principals Report
This week marks Week 3 of Term 3. As I walk through the classrooms it is wonderful to see the engagement of our students, busy at work. It has been an action-packed start to the term. So far, we have celebrated NADIOC Week, Grandparent's Day, Winter School Sports (Yr5/6’s),Parent/Child Sacramental Night and re-connected with the residents at Woods Point Aged Care. As I look through the calendar, we have more fun to come: Prep 100 days of learning, Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and Feast of the Assumption, author visit from Andrew McDonald(Real Pigeons books), Lightening Premiership, Learning Conversations and Book Week parade ...and that only takes us to the end of Week 6!!This Friday – 8th August – we celebrate the feast of Australia’s only canonised Saint, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. St Mary of the Cross MacKillop is a pioneering figure in education and social justice. Born in 1842, she co-founded the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, establishing schools for poor and isolated children across Australia and New Zealand. Despite facing opposition—including excommunication—her unwavering faith and compassion never faltered. She embraced suffering as part of her spiritual journey, taking the name “Mary of the Cross” to reflect her devotion. Canonised in 2010, her legacy continues to inspire Australians with her guiding principle: “Never see a need without doing something about it”.On Friday 15th August, I am looking forward to our school joining with the College to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary (not to be confused with the Ascension of Jesus, celebrated in May). Mass for the Assumption is at 10am at the MPB, all are welcome. I would like to warmly invite parents to a series of information session on the Science of Learning. These sessions have been specifically designed by Dr Jared Cooney Horvath for parents and carers, focusing on how to understand and support children on their learning journey.
• Session 1 – Stress, Tech and Sleep (Monday 1st September)
• Session 2 – Surviving Study – Understanding the three keys to learning and memory(Wednesday 17th September)
• Session 3 – Brain Development – Why we act like we do (link shared with parents following Session 2. Parents can then view this video at a time that suits)By better understandings the ‘brain science’ that underpins how we learn, we can create a learning environment and tailor our learning and teaching approach to better impact our students. More information will be shared in the coming weeks and can also be found in the letter included in this newsletter. Please save these dates (1/9 and 17/9).I am looking forward the upcoming Book Week Parade on Friday 29th August (Week 6). We willbegin the day with a parade around the undercover basketball area at 9am. Following this, thestudents will take part in Book Week activities. As in the past, students (and teachers) areencouraged to dress up as their favourite book character. This year’s Book Week theme is “Bookan Adventure!”Staff are also busy planning our annual Sacred Heart Breakfast and R U Okay Day. This event will take place on Thursday 11th September (Week 8), with breakfast starting from 7am. More information, including breakfast menus and our mega raffle will be share over the coming weeks.
Last night we held our first Sacred Heart School Advisory Council meeting. Thank you to AllyRatcliffe, Ingrid Inchbold, Maree Hawking and Marcus Cummins who are our parentrepresentatives on the council. Jamie McDowall, School Improvement Leader from CESL, is alsoan important part of the team. Fr Junjun, Bec Bridgeman and I complete the council, representingthe school and parish. The aim of the School Advisory Council is to provide our school community with a voice into the decisions made by the school. It also allows Bec and I to consult with SAC members on school matters and share information freely about the reasons behind important school decisions. As a council, we will meet twice per term.
Have a wonderful week everyone and I hope your team is winning, like Mrs Brewer’s, Mrs Boyer’s and mine (Go Saints!).
Take care and God Bless,
Jarrod
