Principal News
Dear Sacred Heart Community
One of my favourite singers Cat Stevens sang in the 1970s, (I am showing my age), "Where do the children play?" Cat's question was answered on the 15th October at 8.30am for all our magnificent students, when they returned to Sacred Heart School. Of course a return to school is about more than playing with friends. We are keenly aware however that the biggest challenge for most of our students has been a lack of socialisation with their peers. We know that the vast majority of students need to feel a connection to their school, have a sense camaraderie and have confidence in the knowledge that they belong to a social group. The smiling faces displayed below of our students arriving on Monday, have been ever present as the week has continued. The reintroduction of classroom routines and associated learning has been almost seamless, because our students are so happy to be back at school. It would be remiss however to not acknowledge the great role our parents and guardians have played this year.
New Library Door
Last week some staff under the guidance of Rose Lee finished decorating the entrance to our new library. The theme behind the entrance is a reminder to all who enter, that the room is not just a library, but rather a world of exploration where you can be taken away to places you never thought you could go.
Congratulations Amanda and Brett
Yesterday our staff were able to come together and acknowledge our Year Five/Six classroom teacher Amanda's recent engagement. On behalf of our Sacred Heart community I would like to congratulate Amanda and Brett, and wish them every happiness as they embark on the organisation of their upcoming wedding. Amanda and Brett we are so happy and excited for you both.
Change of Governance - Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS)
New governance arrangements for Sacred Heart School will come into affect next year. It is expected to have a minimal effect on employment conditions for all members of staff in Catholic Schools. From 1 January 2021, MACS is expected to take over the management and operation of all parish schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, assuming the responsibility and role previously held by the Parish Priest.
This change has come after a lengthy consultation process with parish priests, principals and other key stakeholders in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
The proposed change will mean that all Sacred Heart Primary School Staff will need to transition to employment with MACS. This change involving the transfer of employment will have little, if any, effect on staff. Relevantly:
- Staff will continue to report to the principal, and the principal will continue to be responsible for the operations of the School
- However, the Principal’s line of reporting will change and I will be required to report to MACS
School Fees
All families will have received their invoice for any outstanding school fees earlier this week. As you will know, we have been transitioning to a new system that has affected our ability to send out invoices each term. Thanks to Maria we are gradually becoming more confident with the system and this period of transition will soon be behind us. Thank you to those families who have contacted Maria this week to pay fees. We would really appreciate outstanding accounts being paid as soon as possible. A reminder that for this year, we are aware of some families whose financial situation has changed due to COVID, and this may impact on their ability to pay fees. Please come and see me if this is the case so we can negotiate a fair fee.
Whilst Father Jan and myself try to keep our fees as affordable as possible (you will find that our fees compared to the neighbouring Catholic Schools are very reasonable), they play an essential role in providing the programs and resources our students require.
As a matter of due diligence, I will have to make contact if there are any families with outstanding invoices as the year draws to a close.
Please stay safe.
Yours sincerely
Mark Tierney
Principal