Principal News

Dear Sacred Heart School Community,

Prayer

Almighty and Everlasting God,

You have given the human race Jesus Christ our Savior as a model of humility.

He fulfilled Your Will by becoming Man 

And giving His life on the Cross.

Help us to bear witness to You By following His example of suffering 

And make us worthy to share in His Resurrection.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son.

Amen.

NAPLAN

The NAPLAN tests which commenced yesterday, are an annual assessment of all students in Victorian primary and secondary schools.  Tests are also conducted for all students in Years Seven and Nine. The tests assess both literacy and numeracy skills. 

As Jess and I wrote to the parents and guardians of our Year Three and Five students last week in preparation for the NAPLAN testing, it is important to remember to put these tests and the results they generate into some context. The NAPLAN assessment is individual tests conducted over a four day period. 

They give our school Sacred Heart, an indication of the quality of our teaching regime and how we are meeting the needs of our students. We examine the data carefully when we receive it both for individual students and trends across the school. 

The reality is however, the results form a snapshot of your child’s level of achievement at that time and place. Your child’s classroom teacher has a more encompassing and accurate understanding of their progress, resulting from the constant evaluation, assessment and reflection, that takes place on an ongoing basis in the classroom.

Students Using Sun Screen Lotion

As a SunSmart school, we encourage our students to apply sunscreen during terms one and four when going outside. Whilst we are not permitted to supply sunscreen, we do have a number of students who bring in their own sunscreen, and apply it themselves before going outside at recess, lunch and sport. I will ask all teachers with students in their class who have been given sunscreen by their parents, to again give them a reminder and time to apply their sunscreen. Please be aware that students are not allowed to share their sunscreen with others.

Harmony Day

As you will read in Kate's Wellbeing section of this newsletter, Harmony Day will be celebrated this year on Tuesday 21st March.

Harmony Day is a celebration of our cultural diversity – a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home. Held every year in March, Harmony Day coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

For our Sacred Heart School, this day has special significance. Our school and parish community is the epitome of cultural diversity. Our diversity makes up the rich culture of our school and is one of the reasons why so many parents enroll their children in our school.

Nominations open for Australia’s Best Teachers campaign 

News Corp has launched its ‘Australia’s Best Teachers’ campaign and Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) is a major partner. Australia’s Best Teachers aims to recognise the wonderful work of those in the profession by celebrating our most inspirational and innovative educators. 

The campaign calls on Australians to nominate the great teachers who have, and have had, an incredible impact on our students and all of our lives. A panel of expert judges will then select and announce the top 50 teachers on Saturday 6 May 2023. 

We have some great teachers at Sacred Heart Primary School and I would like to encourage the entire school community to contribute nominations via the following link: www.heraldsun.com.au/news/australias-best-teachers-news-corp-series-to-recogniseinspirational-teachers/news-story/7f3b0ccc1f8c2bdf4a7c56814c56b995

MACS joins ANZ, Teachers Mutual Bank, Care for Kids, Griffith University and PwC as a major partner of this campaign.

Foundation Class for 2024 Enrolments 

Enrolments for the 2024 school year Foundation classes, opened on Monday 6th March. I encourage families with younger siblings commencing school in 2024, to contact the school for an enrolment form in the next two weeks, or they can submit an enrolment form from our school's website online. 

If you have family, friends or neighbours who live in the area and are looking for a school for their child to start their education in 2024, spread the word about Sacred Heart.

Hot Cross Bun Orders

Our hot cross bun orders are going well. We would like to thank our magnificent families who have ordered buns and those families who have also made a donation. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. We are still accepting orders and will let you know when we haven't any more hot cross buns to sell.

A big thank you to the Haley family who have donated the hot cross buns. Because of their vey kind donation, this fundraiser has no overheads and so all money raised goes to our school. On behalf of our school community, thank you so much Dessy and Mark.

A Scene From Last Evening's Final Cricket Clinic

From the Parish Bulletin

A ship was sailing in the middle of the ocean when a storm suddenly developed. As the storm raged, the captain realised the ship was sinking fast. He called out loudly, “Anyone here know how to pray?” A man proudly raised his hand and came forward, “Aye captain, I know how to pray.” The captain replied, “Great, you kneel and pray while the rest of us put our life jackets on … we’re one short!”

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We have a beautiful new family who have joined our school community this year. Mum is on her own with her son and is urgently looking for some work. She has had a lot of experience in her former country of residence, working as a nurses assistant. If you know of any work in the "care" industry looking after people who need assistance, please let me know. I can vouch for this mum recommending her as a great worker with impressive personal qualities.

Yours Sincerely

Mark Tierney

Principal