Principal's News
Dear Parents and Carers,
Our school plays an important role in our Parish’s Sacramental Program. Each year, children from our school, participate in the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and their First Communion. Grade 2 and grade 5 children (usually) participate in Reconciliation, where the focus of the Sacrament is on our flawed humanity and how important it is to learn to admit our failings and experience forgiveness as a way of strengthening our relationship with God and with each other.
As I have written many times before, children will inevitably experience some conflict at school. In our overall development as human beings it is important that we do have these experiences. Children learn to negotiate, compromise, listen to the views of others, problem solve and build resilience. Our school is a very safe place for this to happen. Sometimes the grown ups need to stay out of the way to ensure the children get a chance to practise these skills and sometimes the grown ups need to help. It takes WISDOM to know the difference.
Sacred Heart is very proudly a Catholic School. As such we use the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a model when we do have to help children sort these disputes out.
I have attached a link to this document here. Reconciliation - from Pastoral Care
Briefly though, it requires a trusting relationship where the child knows that they are in a safe space to admit what they have done wrong. Naughtiness passes, HONESTY and COURAGE are character traits that we want to encourage in our kids. And it takes honesty and courage to confess what we have done wrong.
We try to teach our children EMPATHY - by asking them to tell us how the other person might feel because of our actions or hurtful words...how might their Mum feel?
When the child demonstrates that they understand this they can prepare a sincere apology - one where they name their “sin”, where they explain that they understand the negative impact they have caused, and they ask for forgiveness.
If all of this has taken place sincerely, in my experience FORGIVENESS IS ALWAYS FORTHCOMING.
Penance is part of the Sacrament of Reconciliation - “What will you do to make up for this?” This ALWAYS involves a solemn promise to try not to do whatever caused the hurt again and is followed by a “Sign of Peace” It’s important that this is a physical sign. It may be a handshake, but at school it is more often a hug.
This is the model we use. We are a Catholic School. Feel free to try it at home.
Details about the Sacramental Program follow in today’s newsletter.
SCHOOL COUNCIL Our school council meets twice per term and is seeking some new members. Five of our current members are leaving the council at our A.G.M. to be held in March. They are: Leanne Klahsen, Rachel Amos, Ian Seuren, Zoe Barren and Simone Hay. All of these members have served 2 consecutive terms of two years, in other words four years in total and so we are looking for parents who may be interested in joining School Council.
The School Advisory Council provides a forum for discussion and discernment, where the
parent/guardian voice and perspective are available to inform and support the decisions made by the Principal for the good of school.
SAC Terms of Reference D.O.B.C.E.L.
A nomination form for school council is included in today's newsletter. It must be seconded by another parent from our school community and returned to the School Office by Wednesday March 8th.
PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS Years 1 to 6 P/T Interviews are to be conducted next week. Parents and Carers should book these interviews using PAM. These interviews are to be conducted primarily in the Multipurpose Room and are an opportunity for parents to meet their child’s teacher and for both parties to form a productive and supportive partnership in the very best interests of each and every student.
ASH WEDNESDAY Children in Grades 4-6 will be attending the 10:00am Parish Mass at St Mary’s Church this coming Wednesday, February 22nd. Children will be travelling by bus to and from the Church.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Church season, Lent where we prepare ourselves for Easter. Parents and Carers are welcome to join us.
Children in Grades 1- 3 will be conducting their own liturgy here at school.
SCHOOL CLOSURE Could all parents please note that our school will be closed on Thursday March 2nd. Our staff will be undertaking professional development in accordance with recommendations from last year’s School Review.