Message From Our 

Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Next Sunday we begin the Advent Season. Advent marks the beginning of the Church’s new year and is the season of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ. Each week during Advent, classes will present a reflection focused on each of the four weeks. These are always prayerful, lovely reflections and we welcome visitors to come along. Each year at this time we follow the Mercy example of giving and caring for others with our Christmas Appeal and Giving Tree. Through St Vinnies, we help our local families who may need some additional support this Christmas. We ask that the children bring along a clothing item or buy a voucher from a local business. These will be delivered to St Vinnies before Christmas and shared with others in our community. Hopefully we will show our generosity once again and enjoy the real spirit of giving this Christmas.

I am incredibly proud of our Year 5/6s who spent last week in Canberra. Staff, bus drivers and other presenters were full of praise for the wonderful way that each of our students engaged in activities, their exemplary behaviour and beautiful manners.  Students, staff and parent helpers had a wonderful time away and that is such a compliment to you as parents. Thank you so much to our staff, Emily Slaughter, Cath Basile, Reilly Young, Melissa Connors and Debbie Worm for the time and preparation spent ensuring that everything was carefully organised and that the time away was enriching. Thank you also to James Nihill and our parent helpers Kirsten Whitford, Peter Aitken, Andrew Nevins, Nathan Quinlan and Les Walsh for so generously giving your time and support so this camp could happen. It is a huge commitment for staff and parents to be away from their own families and other commitments for that length of time and we are very grateful to you all. Camps are an important part of our learning and as well as having fun, provide opportunity to develop independence and resilience in children away from their familiar environment. It was so good that these children were finally able to experience that and that they all made the very best of this opportunity. Thank you everyone.

The Social Justice Leadership Team and I joined members of Tatura RSL and local community at Mactier Park for the Remembrance Day service. Thank you, Kaidyn Walsh, Darragh Robbins, Ruby Dalton, Mimi Morrison and Hunter Worm for representing Sacred Heart so respectfully and laying a wreath on the cenotaph on behalf of our school. Classes at school also took time to acknowledge the significance of the day with a very reflective prayer service organised by Year 3/4s.

Could I ask families to finalise any outstanding 2022 fee account. Swimming charges have been rebated and new statements  sent out. It is expected that all fees are paid each year and not carried forward to the next year. If you are paying direct debit, please check to see that your account will be paid in full by the end of the school year. If not, please contact the office to amend your direct debit amount. As always, if fees create financial concern for you, I would encourage you to make an appointment to discuss the matter with me. 

Families will soon receive information explaining the 2023 school fee structure. This has been developed and is in line with Catholic Education Sandhurst’s recommendations. Please ensure you read it carefully and contact the office if you have any questions. We strongly encourage setting up direct debit and invite you to contact the office to set this up.

Each year, staff spend considerable time in forming the classes for the following year.  This process involves much gathering of information from previous teachers to ensure the best fit in class for all children. Work habits, special support, friendships, personality are all considered when making group placements.  

Our teachers are professionals who know that a balanced class structure is the most appropriate fit for all students. Parent requests are not necessary, as teachers are creating balanced groups that consider all children and not just one.  Our teachers have already worked with the children, so they are aware of the clashes between children and aim to avoid these situations for the betterment of all in the class.  We appreciate the vast number of parents who leave class placement up to our teachers and trust their professional judgement.

Last night SHSAC met for the final time this year. The annual Principal and Advisory Chair reports were presented. We welcomed our new SAC member, Kelly Hines and Katie Donaldson. Kelly is beginning her time at SH with the enrollment of Anthony in Foundation in 2023 and Katie will have Charlie in Year 1 and Will in Foundation.  Thank you for accepting the nomination to our SAC and we look forward to working with you in 2023. I would like to sincerely thank our School Advisory Council for the support and advise provided throughout the year.  Members have generously given their time and expertise to be a voice for our school community and ensure strategic directions continue to improve Sacred Heart. A special thank you to our Advisory Chair, Kylee Dewis.

We will celebrate the 2022 school year together with a Mass on Friday, 9th December at 9:15am. Following the Mass, presentations will take place and leaving students, staff and families will be farewelled. Everyone is most welcome to come along and join us for this celebration.

On December 14th the Sacred Heart Choir have been invited to participate in the Tatura Lions Club Christmas Carols. On that evening we will draw the winning raffle for our fundraiser, a Christmas tree full of scratchie tickets. We are asking families to donate a scratchie or two for the tree. Please send them along to the office. Raffle tickets will be for sale at our upcoming events or from the school office so please support this fundraiser. 

A reminder Monday 5th, December will be a student free day for all students as staff participate in a Curriculum Day. 

Don’t forget to come to the Mercy Centre tomorrow for our Art Exhibition.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus continue to watch over our school community and bless us always.

Pauline Hindson 

Principal