Deputy News 

Dear Parents and families, 

In my role as the Learning Diversity Leader I   have had the privilege to meet with parents, teachers and LSO's  over the past few weeks in our PSG  meetings (Program support Group). It has been affirming to celebrate the goals and  achievements of the students in this program and all the hard work from the teachers, LSO's and parents alike. It takes a village to raise  a child and there has certainly been a  team approach to supporting our most vulnerable students, whether it is academic or social and  emotional needs our staff are doing an amazing job to ensure all students meet their full learning potential. The growth and development of all our students is so reassuring and makes us the love the job we do. 

HANDWRITING & FINE MOTOR SKILLS

Throughout the course of this year and especially this term student goals have been set around handwriting. The junior teachers have been doing writing sprints each day to practise their handwriting, ensuring that they sit with the correct posture, use the correct pencil grip, ensure the formation, shape and size of their  letters are correct and to know where so sit the letters on the line. We use dotted third lines in their work books and on paper to support students in prep to year 4 with their handwriting and any older students that need it. If you are concerned about your child's handwriting, please see your classroom teacher, practise certainly helps, it's just like anything the more your practise the better you will be. Fine motor skills also need to be practised and  developed and activities like pegging pegs on a line, squishy balls, play dough and cutting all develop these skills. Feel free to come and talk to me if you have any concerns. My door is always open. 

PREP STORYTIME

Last Thursday I had  a wonderful time joining the preps for their first ever camp. It was so wonderful watching the excitement throughout the day and see the prep room transformed into  magical wonderland of lights and cushions ready for their special evening. We dressed in our PJ's and oodies read stories and sang songs and enjoyed a delicious pizza dinner. Congratulations to all the preps and especially Miss Maloney for organising a memorable evening for all.

FATHER'S DAY CELEBRATIONS

Last Friday our Mackillop hall was packed to the rafters with dad's visiting our school for morning tea before a beautiful assembly and then visits to the classroom. It was so special t welcome all the dads, grandparents and special friends to our community. 

Thanks to the P & F for the beautiful Father's day stall, those dart boards were very popular that we sold out twice and the chocolates were a hit and very tempting gifts across the school. I personally liked the cookbooks and candles.  A special thanks to Nat Flatt and Lisa Mare and all the mums who ran the stall on both days, I'm sure the dads were very grateful for their carefully chosen gifts. 

DAD'S  FOOTY MATCH 

Simon and I enjoyed the community feel at the annual footy match last Saturday. Sacred Heart certainly likes to celebrate. The sun was shining and the spirit was high. Although the competition was strong it was still a great day. With  a carnival feel along with face painting and a jumping castle for the kids and  a band to create the  wonderful atmosphere.  A big thanks to Anthony McCabe and the Dad's club. I had the privilege of helping out with picking out the winning tickets for the raffle and many people in our community won  some great prizes. Luckily I didn't win the 10kg of chocolate, that could have been too tempting!

 LITTLE HEARTS PLAYGROUP

It has been absolute pleasure to be part of our Little hearts playgroup, welcoming some current and  new families into our community. We have had some fun with games, read some stories and played outside in our playground before the big kids come out to lunch. Our Year 6 students have been so beautiful with the babies and pre-schoolers and its a sought after job to do to come to playgroup amongst our senior students. We couldn't be prouder. 

 YEAR 5/6 PUBLIC SPEAKING COURSE 

What  a showcase of a term of learning for our 5/6 students who had their public speaking graduation this week. It was  an absolute pleasure to watch the growth in these students from when I've taught them several years ago.  A tear or two may have been shed when some awards were given out! Mr Collis even had to give a few off the cuff speeches. Thanks to all the staff for their commitment to this program and Sandra De Geest. These students are well equipped for the future and have a growing  confidence which is such  a pleasure to watch. 

SPRING BREAK 

This has been a jam packed term and we can't under estimate the grit and stamina our children have shown to get through these past few weeks. We are all tired and exhausted as its our first term 3 in in 3 years, so we are all looking forward to a long awaited Spring break. I do hope parentsand families and students enjoy a time to refresh  and rest over the holidays, ready for  a full and exciting term ahead. 

Wishing you all  a safe, healthy and happy weekend and a well deserved holiday break, 

Brigid Pennington

Deputy Principal , Learning Diversity & English Leader