Deputy News 

Dear Parents and families, 

Another fortnight has passed and we are in full swing of our academic program this term. Although we've had  a bit of a heat wave this week our teachers and students have continued to work hard in all areas of the curriculum.  Our  structured literacy approach is being implemented right across the school including the Multi Sensory Language (MSL) approach from prep-2 and a structured literacy block continuing through the school up to Year 6. Explicit grammar and punctuation is being taught along with reading comprehension and writing compositions including The Writing Revolution program. This explicitly teaches all components of language (morphology, syntax and semantics) and is linked to topics taught in class. Feel free to come and have a look at what it looks like in the classroom. 

KABOOM

Last Thursday we had  perfect weather for the very popular and much anticipated Kaboom sports activities. We started off the session with the teacher and student dance off and a chance for new and not so new teachers to have some fun with our students. Mr Collis' dance skills continue to entertain us all.  Then the  students rotated around many  different activities in their house groups with the Year 6 leaders helping them navigate the fun and action filled activities. Watching the year 6's interact and engage with the junior students was so delightful. Ending the session with an icy pole topped off a very special day! Thanks to Mr Brown for organising the groups and encouraging our house spirit. We look forward to Athletics day down the track. 

SPELLING MASTERY

The Spelling Mastery program is well underway from years 3-6. I thank all the teachers and students for adopting this approach and learning  a new way to teach and learn spelling. 

Spelling Mastery is  an evidence based spelling program we have introduced from 3-6. It is very explicit and scripted and based on the student needs. This approach focuses on a phonemic and morphemic approach. 

• The phonemic approach provides beginning spellers with generalisations for spelling many words and parts
• The morphemic approach involves explicitly thinking about the smallest units of meaning in language which are called morphemes.
• This will transfer into their own writing - bases, suffixes and prefixes 

The students have been pre tested and placed into groups according to their needs but there is fluidity in this program so students will be reassessed throughout the year to ensure they are learning at the right level. I look forward to seeing our results in spelling improve over time with this evidence based approach. 

PARENT TEACHER CHATS

Thanks to all the parents who came along to our informal parent teacher meetings this week. It is a wonderful opportunity for your child's classroom teacher to get to know you and you to get to know them and pass on any important knowledge. It certainly takes a village to raise a child and the connection between teachers and parents is so important in your child's primary school journey. 

BUCKET FILLING 

I was fortunate enough to spend some time with the beautiful preps this week. I read  this wonderfulbook with them which is one of my favourites. We discussed ways that we can fill each other's buckets up by being, kind, caring and saying nice things to oneanother orjust giving our friends and teachers a big smile and then they fill their own bucket up in return. I can see that the preps are already good at filling up buckets around the school. I love watching their confidence grow as everyone embraces and includes our preps at Sacred Heart. Have a read of this beautiful story at home with your child. Happy Bucket filling!

LITTLE HEARTS PLAYGROUP

We started our first Little Hearts playgroup today with an overwhelming response from current and new families joining us this morning. It was  an absolute thrill to have our year 6 students join us and entertain our Little Hearts. They did a brilliant job reading a picture story book to all the children and parents. They experienced a little taste of what it's like to be a teacher. We even had heart shaped biscuits for morning tea this morning. A big thank you to Adele Whineray for helping out with tea and coffee this morning and welcoming our Little Hearts parents. 

PARENT HELPER'S COURSE

Thanks so much to all the parents who attended the parent helper's course this afternoon. It was a great turnout despite the heat. If you would still like to be a parent helper and were unable to attend, please don't hesitate to contact me. 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend and hopefully an opportunity to relax and refresh, 

Brigid Pennington 

Deputy Principal, Learning Diversity Leader and Literacy Leader