Deputy News
Dear Parents and families,
Christmas is in the air and the tree is up in our foyer, the Carols are playing and the elves are back, but the work is still full steam ahead throughout our school. As many workplaces wind down we are winding up to some wonderful celebrations of an amazing school year over the next 2 weeks. Please be mindful that there is a lot going on and we are all tired, fuses are short and rest is required for us to smoothly get through the next few weeks.
STEM PROJECTS
Right across our school there have been a myriad of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) projects going on. Our maker space has certainly been used to its full potential and creativity is abound. We've had designs of toys and entertainment for Michael the rabbit and nativity scenes in 1/2 to incredible Zoo enclosures in in 3/4 to Cribs for baby Jesus in year 5. I had a visit from Sophie & Molly in my office this week sharing the process of their Zoo enclosure design. I was impressed that they were using the TWR model that we had used in our writing lessons previously.
TWR- The Writing Revolution
Following on from The writing Revolution lessons where the 3/4 students were writing about their Zoo Snooze experience. They have completed their final drafts about their amazing Zoo experience. I was so impressed with Owen's recount that I had to share it with you.
Zoo Snooze
On Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th of November 3/4T went to the Melbourne Zoo to learn about the animals. We did a zoo tour, night tour, and a scavenger hunt. We got there by bus.
When we went on the night tour we saw a lot of exquisite animals. The giraffes were whacking each other with their necks. We were so lucky to see the Snow Leopard climbing and hiding. It was so cute watching the Tassie devils sleep. An interesting fact that we learnt was that Tassie devils are born with a tumour that affects their life span.
We went on a zoo tour in the morning. The animals were way easier to see because it was light and bright. The red panda was the most wonderful thing I have ever seen. The reptiles were extremely cute, especially the snakes. The snakes were beautiful in all shapes and sizes. It was the first time seeing penguins they were so furry and cute and small
Overall at the zoo it was the best experience of my life. I mostly want to thank my teachers for making all of us have a great time.
By Owen M Yr. 3
SPELLING MASTERY
Earlier this week Alice Healey and I participated in the Spelling masterytraining. This is a new program that we are introducing from years 3-6 in 2023. This is a perfect follow on from our MSL (Multisensory structured language) program we run in prep, year 1 and 2.
Spelling Mastery is a six-level Direct Instruction series that teaches students dependable spelling skills by blending three approaches: the phonemic approach, the whole word approach and the morphemic approach.
Spelling Mastery explicitly teaches spelling skills through a highly structured direct instruction method involving:
- carefully sequenced curriculum of knowledge and skills
- explicit teaching of that curriculum
- flexible ability grouping, with a placement test placing students according to ability (rather than age)
- mastery learning, where children progress to the next level only when they have mastered the knowledge and skills of each level.
We look forward to introducing this program and seeing spelling improve across our school.
Congratulations Miss Tench
It was a pleasure to spend some time at the Sandy tennis Club watching Miss Tench play tennis for 24 hours for Dementia Australia,. It was wonderful to see so many Sacred Heart students and dad's participate and congratulations to Paul Claxton for his initiative in starting the fundraising event. You played some great tennis with Miss T by your side Paul. Thanks to all the families that went down to the club to support them.
LITTLE HEARTS PLAYGROUP
We started the festive season with our Little hearts today! We enjoyed our final Christmas themed little hearts playgroup today. We shared Christmas treats and dressed in a 'touch of Christmas'. Carol Mathias our LSO came with her guitar and we sang and danced to Christmas carols and Christmas songs. The yr 6 students did an exceptional job entertaining our little hearts and singing and dancing to Christmas songs. We had a lot of fun with the percussion instruments and of course the ever popular bubbles again. The sun was shining so it was a perfect morning to enjoy some lovely outdoor play. I would like to personally thanks Adele Whineray and Bridget Lynch for being instrumental in supporting playgroup this year. It is vey much appreciated that you go above and beyond for Sacred Heart. We welcome any local pre-schoolers to join us in the new year. Dates to follow.
KINDER VISITS
The Year 4 students had a wonderful time visiting Nagle Kinder. We enjoyed seeing our kinder friends making bliss balls and decorating their Christmas tree. It's always a special time that we cherish very much and we look forward to continuing this new community initiative next year.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS & PLAY
We look forward to celebrating our students talents on Thursday evening at a combined Carols and Christmas play. Please ensure your children have their named costume at school by Monday 5th December. We will have 2 dress rehearsals next week so everything they need needs to be at school. All students are to be at school by 5:45pm on Thursday evening. Please bring picnic rugs and picnics. Reminder this is an alcohol free event. We pray for a mild evening.
Wishing you all a wonderful and festive weekend, enjoy the sunshine and happy reading,
Brigid Pennington
Deputy Principal , Learning Diversity & English Leader