Principal's News
Dear Parents/Carers,
Welcome to TWOsday the twenty second of the second month, TWO Thousand and twenty Two! On her way into school this morning Madeline Dooley (Gr2) told me (challenged me) to have a LOVELY DAY. I know it wasn't really a challenge, but I decided to make it one. I challenged Madeline to try to have a lovelier day than me and then at our morning briefing I challenged the whole school to try to have a lovelier day than me.
That’s a good contest to be part of isn’t it? Anyone can play. We all only have a limited number of days, may as well make as many of them as lovely as we can. Thanks Maddie.
PARENT TEACHER MEETINGS Parent Teacher meetings are proceeding as planned yesterday and today. Bookings can still be made through PAM. Please telephone the office for assistance if this method poses a problem.
One of our class teachers is now a “Close Contact” so she is arranging telephone meetings instead, as she is now isolating for 7 days as required.
Great to have parents back in the school yesterday. We’ve missed you too!
As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, some of our staff have underlying health issues and some are nursing very frail parents so I am doing my best to provide a safe and healthy workplace for them. The cooperation of parents with this is very much appreciated.
In practical terms, if you have elected NOT to be vaccinated or YOU do not feel comfortable about coming into the school to meet face to face due to your own vulnerabilities or circumstances then I would invite you to contact the school to book a telephone meeting with your class teacher.
The interviews will be conducted in our courtyard and in our large multipurpose room with the big doors open.
All parents are asked to wear a mask as are all of our teachers.
COVID-19 Thank you to everyone for continuing to cooperate with the Covid-19 protocols such as testing, reporting and isolating. The next lot of R.A.Ts will be sent home this Friday with the eldest child of each family.
I will continue to send an email to alert families about any positive cases, however it will only be sent to you if the positive case is in the same grade level as your child/ren. If you receive no email then it would indicate that there are no cases amongst your child’s immediate peers.
AUSLAN This year our school is introducing the teaching of AUSLAN, into the curriculum for Grades Foundation to Grade 4 students. AUSLAN is the sign language that people with a hearing impairment use to communicate. The language is to be learnt across our Colac district Catholic Primary schools and begins with some professional development for staff and students around “Deaf awareness”.
By pure coincidence I noticed this article on the ABC Website this morning that parents may find enlightening.
'Everyone can benefit': Learning Auslan gives you a new language and new culture
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM INFORMATION NIGHT Catholic children in Grades 2 and 5 are invited to join the Parish Sacramental Preparation Program for Reconciliation this year. Fr Michael has made himself available for the Sacrament to be celebrated on Tuesday March 29th and Thursday March 31st, during the second last week of first term.
Parents who would like their children to take part in this program must attend an Information Night about the sacrament on Thursday evening, (Feb 24th) either at 5:00 pm or 7:00pm at St Mary’s Church.
CONFLICTS AT SCHOOL One of the important roles that a school plays is in teaching us how to deal with the inevitable conflicts that happen when we put over 450 individuals into the same building and ask them to work and play together, sharing resources and the company of each other. For our students after 2 years of being locked away from each other this can be particularly challenging.
Like everything else, we all have to learn how to do this, and it’s important stuff. Individuals who can work effectively and positively with others are highly valued in any workplace and in any social setting. So how do we learn this sort of thing?
Practise, practise, practise, some guidance from experts and then more practise.
I have written in newsletters previously, that our kids need us, their parents/carers and teachers to be the Wise Elders of the tribe. They need us to listen when they have problems, but they don’t necessarily need us to solve every problem for them - this will rob them of the opportunity for PRACTISE. It’s more helpful to ask “What have you done to solve this problem already?” “Did it work?” “If not, why not, do you think?” “What do you think you could try next?” “Do you need my help?” - you might be surprised at the answer to this - if you’re not needed, you’re doing well! When you stop and think about it, we want our children to learn that while we are there for them, we trust them, we have faith in them and that they can learn to do things for themselves.
The adults who work at Sacred Heart are a great resource for parents, don’t be afraid to contact us if you feel unsure or are worried about anything at school.
This is particularly important if you are concerned about conflict between students at school.
We are in the privileged position of being able to hear both sides to any story and guess what? There are ALWAYS two sides to every story!
IT IS NEVER A GOOD IDEA TO CONTACT THE PARENTS OF ANOTHER STUDENT ABOUT CONFLICT BETWEEN STUDENTS AT SCHOOL. - Trust me. NEVER. Ring the impartial umpire instead!
So, if at any time, parents are worried about conflict at school or bullying and your child has asked you to help, you should contact your child’s class teacher for assistance a.s.a.p. That’s what we’re here for.