Dear Sacred Heart Community

Lockdown

As the rumours circulated today that we were possibly going into lockdown, I decided to delay publishing this week's newsletter so that if a decision was made by our premier, you could be informed in this newsletter. It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform you that our premier has just announced an eight day lockdown starting from eight o'clock tonight. Sacred Heart School will be closed as of tomorrow and up until the end of next week.

Because this variant of the virus is so contagious, I am asking parents to please only send their children to school, if both parents are working and cannot work from home. It is a fact that with this variant, children are far safer at home than with other students and staff at school. We do not want the virus infiltrating our school community as it has in other states with increasing prevalence. If your family meets this criteria, please email me tonight and let me know what days your child will be at school.

mtierney@shpreston.catholic.edu.au

Our staff will meet in the morning and begin planning for your child's learning in more detail. You will be contacted during the day about the procedures for the next six school days. As in previous lockdowns, my thoughts and prayers are with our families as we face this challenge together again.

First Reconciliation

After a false start last term when we had to go into lockdown and cancel many events, we are keeping our fingers and toes crossed that our Year Three candidates can receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation next Tuesday. Congratulations to our candidates as they embark on the next stage of their faith journey.

Isheanesu Fortunato Glendon Jacob

Yianna Adam Roery

Student Representative Council

Our Student Representative Council (SRC) members were presented with their badges on Monday at our morning assembly. Each class from Year Prep to Year Three/Four elected two students to represent them, and each of our Year 5/6 classes elected one representative. Our SRC members will meet with our four school leaders under the guidance of Kate on a regular basis, to discuss ways we can improve our school. The SRC is a forum by which our students are given an opportunity to have their ideas heard. Before each meeting with Kate, our SRC members will conduct their own class meetings so they can be a voice for all our students. Congratulations to:

Year Prep: Arvin and Laura Year One: Brenton and Natalie

Year Two/Three: Aleisha and Adam Year Three/Four: Amelia and Jaxon

Year Five/Six: Isabelle and Ryan

School Production/Concert Date

As mentioned in last week's newsletter, our school production/concert is being planned. This week's staff meeting was spent looking at the script and allocating scenes to classes. The period ahead promises to be exciting with our students being given opportunities to develop their performing arts skills. I must admit that our school concert at the Thornbury Theatre in 2019, remains one of my best experiences during my time at Sacred Heart School. Our performance this year promises to be another great experience for our school community.

I can let you know that the concert will take place on Thursday 11th November. We are currently finalising the venue and should be able to let you know next week.

Sacred Heart Creative Writing Competition

Our Year Six students, Anni and Hana have organised a creative writing competition for all of our students. Our students can submit a variety of pieces of writing such as recounts, poems, narratives (stories), information reports, etc. Pieces of writing will be judged for creativity, spelling and punctuation. Parents and guardians can help with ideas but we ask that assistance not be provided beyond this. Prizes will be awarded to a student in each Year Level whose writing is adjudged the best. A big thank you to Anni and Hana who have shown great leadership in using their mature senses of initiative to organise this competition.

Enrolments

Whilst enrolments for Year Prep 2022 students attending our school officially closed at the end of last term, we still have some positions available. We also have some positions in other classes as well for 2022, so please spread the word to your family, friends and neighbours who live in the area, that Sacred Heart School is well worth considering for their child's primary schooling years.

Thank You

Thank you to Stefanie Ricardo, mother of Liam and Connor and Mekha

Meenakshi, mother of Nirav who have answered Gerry's call for volunteers to help cover new library books. Your time is greatly appreciated. Thank you to the families who have donated baby products for the Nano Nagle Network. This is a great cause helping young mums who have gone back to study.

Welcome Back

It was great to see the Northern Suburbs best School Crossing Supervisor, our very own Jodi back with us this week. Whenever Jodi is absent from the crossing, I am always inundated with questions about her status and concerns about her wellbeing. Jodi is certainly a very important part of our community, diligently keeping our families safe each morning and afternoon.

Congratulations

A big congratulations to our Year Prep student Emma whose developing sense of responsibility and independence was recognised with a Principal's Award this week. Well done Emma

Please take care.

Yours Sincerely

Mark Tierney

Principal

eSafety Commission Free Webinar for Parents

eSafety's parent guide to popular apps

Learn how to help young people safely use popular apps including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.

This webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people aged 8-13.

It will cover:

an explanation of the popular apps used by young people
case studies, research, and targeted advice
ways you can support the young people in your life to have safe, enjoyable online experiences.

Dates: Monday 16th August at 12.30 - 1.30 pm

Tuesday 31st August at 7.30 - 8.30 pm

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars

Denise Esposito - ICT Leader

Classroom News