Dear Parents and Carers,

R U OK Day
Last week we celebrated R U OK? Day. On this day we’re encouraged to start a conversation and ask, "are you okay?". By listening and giving someone your time, you can show that you notice them and care. When someone is struggling, asking "are you okay?" can help them to feel less alone and better supported in seeking help. It can be hard to reach out when you’re going through a tough time. That’s why we’re asked to start a conversation that could help someone share what’s on their mind. It can also prevent little things from becoming a bigger issue. There are lots of resources online to help you feel more confident in starting a conversation.

SACRED HEART ART TRAIL
We are excited to invite you to Sacred Heart's Art Trail on Thursday 18 September from 4:30pm. Please note that there will be no food provided at this event. The format is also different to the Art Exhibition we have had in previous years but the quality of art on display will be amazing. I take this opportunity to thank Ms Morris for her passion and dedication to our Visual Arts program at Sacred Heart. Don’t forget to collect your Art Trail Passport upon entry for your chance to win an art pack.

SNAPSHOT OF DATES- TERM 4

As we move towards the end of Term 3, I wish all our students and their families a happy and restful holiday break.

Staff Emails
Sydney Catholic Schools is progressively moving our emails from gmail to Outlook. Given this change, we now ask that parents do not email teachers directly.  Instead, please email the office with attention to the class teacher’s name in the subject line. The office will then forward the email to the teacher.  This change will comply with the ‘Right to disconnect’ laws which mean that teachers do not need to check emails after school, and also ensure that we don’t miss any emails due to this Outlook changeover. Office email is: info@shmosman.catholic.edu.au

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind parents that emails should only be sent during working hours and that teachers will respond to calls, emails or requests for information or meetings in a reasonable timeframe.  Please be conscious that teachers are in class or on duty all day.

Canberra
Our students had a wonderful time on our recent visit to Canberra.   A special thank you to our staff Miss Jackson, Mrs Tracey, Miss Mawdsley, Mr Harton, Miss Calizar and Mrs Luscombe who all volunteered their time to accompany the students. 

Debating
Debating is well underway.  In Week 8, our Sacred Heart Teams competed against St Michael’s Lane Cove and spoke with passion.  This week both our Year 5 and Year 6 teams went to Blessed Sacrament to compete and spoke with confidence and enthusiasm for their topic.

Our last debate is at Marist College, North Sydney on Monday and we wish our teams good luck in delivering their arguments.  

Uniforms
Week 10 and Week 1 of next term are changeover weeks for our school uniform, a time where students may wear either summer or winter uniform depending on the weather.  All students should wear their full summer uniform from Week 2 of Term 4, Monday October 20.  A reminder again that our school uniform expectations include the correct socks and school hat.

Skipping showcase - Save the date - Wednesday 24 September
A reminder that Zing Activ are holding open skipping classrooms next Wednesday to showcase the students learning this term.  Parents and carers are welcome to come to school during their child’s lesson. The lessons run for 40 minutes throughout the day as follows.

8:40 am         Year 4

9:20 am         Year 3

10:00 am       Year 2

11:20 am       Year 6

12:00 pm       Year 1

12:40 pm       Year 5

2:00 pm         Kindy

Good news story
Violet, you are a star!  Congratulations Violet on your wonderful achievements in singing and acting and we all wish you the best as you start your lead role in Nabucco by Verdi, with the Cooperative starting September 30.  We are very proud of your success. Violet and her mum Phoebe, featured in the Mosman Daily Article.

Mrs Jane Taylor
Assistant Principal

A Look into Year 3 English: Exploring Argument and Authority

This term, Year 3 have been immersing themselves in the fascinating world of persuasion, focusing on the textual concepts of Argument and Authority, enriched by the powerful mentor text, Wandi by Favel Parrett.

In their shared reading of the text ‘Wandi’, the students have been exploring how an author presents a single, strong perspective, or argument. They've discussed Favel Parrett's main purpose for writing the book, to convince her readers of the need to protect Australian dingoes. Through this shared reading, the students have learned that an argument isn't always a formal debate; it can be a point of view that is presented and defended throughout a text.

They have also delved into the concept of authority. The students have discovered that an author's authority can come from their expertise, passion, or personal experience. Favel Parrett's deep care for dingoes gives her a powerful voice and makes her a credible author with a strong authority on this topic. By understanding her purpose, the students see how an author's authority can enhance the argument they are making.

What the Students Have Been Doing

• Analysing Wandi: The students have been looking at how Parrett uses language to make her argument. They have identified powerful verbs and descriptive vocabulary she uses to evoke empathy and highlight the importance of protecting dingoes.
• Developing Writing Skills: The students have applied their understanding of persuasive language to their own writing. They've learned to make deliberate language choices to have a persuasive effect on their audience.
• Creating Posters: To put their learning into action, the students designed and created posters about the importance of animal sanctuaries and the protection of dingoes. They used persuasive text and compelling images to convey their message.
• Spoken Presentations: The term will conclude with the students planning and delivering a spoken presentation to their peers. They will share what they've learned about the importance of sanctuaries, addressing questions like, "What wildlife is protected and why are they protected at the sanctuary?" This activity helps them practice presenting a clear argument with authority and confidence.

Making Connections in Teaching and Learning:
The English unit has a powerful connection to the students' Science learning this term. For their Science unit on endangered animals, the students chose a specific Australian endangered animal to research. They then created a diorama and a persuasive poster to raise awareness and convince others why it's so important to protect these animals. This project allowed them to apply their knowledge of argument and authority to a real-world scientific topic, blending their literacy and scientific skills in a meaningful way.

The teachers are so proud of the thoughtful and empathetic work the students have produced this term. Their understanding of how a text can be a powerful tool for change is a fantastic step in their literacy journey.

Well done Year 3! Your learning journey this term has been all about finding your voice and using it for a purpose.

Kind regards,

Nerissa McCartney
Leader of Teaching and Learning

At Sacred Heart, we continue to build a safe and respectful learning environment through our Positive Behaviours for Learning (PBL) framework. As families are aware, students who receive a major behaviour breach during the term are not eligible to receive the whole-school reward.

To strengthen the learning opportunity and foster the partnership between home and school, when a major breach occurs, we are introducing (from Term 4) a Behaviour Reflection Sheet. This will be sent home by the Principal or Assistant Principal for parents to complete with their child. The reflection encourages students to pause, think about their choices, and consider how they can make more positive choices in the future. Parents will then sign and return the sheet
to school.

In addition, if a student receives a second major behaviour breach in one term (either directly, or through the accumulation of three minors), a Student Support Plan may be put in place. This process will involve a face-to-face parent meeting, ensuring that school and home are working together to support each child’s success.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we work together to guide our students in making positive choices and creating a safe, respectful learning environment for all.

Amanda Macourt
Leader of Wellbeing and Engagement 

On Sunday 15th September we celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Sorrows. It commemorates the profound union of heart that existed between the Mother of the redeemer and the Saviour, through which she experienced many interior sorrows as a consequence of His Mission, but particularly during His Passion and Death.

On Saturday 21st we celebrate the Feast of Saint Matthew. Gospel author and one of the twelve apostles. Matthew’s gospel recounts how Jesus called him to abandon his wok as a money changer to follow him.

Please add these activities to your diaries/calendar for term 4. I hope you can join us so our groups get larger and our connections can grow stronger.

Over the next few weeks I will be praying for our HSC students who are about to sit for their exams. With the Holy Spirit guiding them, I pray they stay strong and confident. I encourage you, to remind the children to call on god for guidance leading up to and during the exams.

Many blessings

Anna Macri, 
Family & Faith Educator
anna.macri@syd.catholic.edu.au

Welcome to the final newsletter for this term. How this term flew by so quickly with a lot of major achievements and progressions within the sporting sector. 

To start off, next week on Wednesday 24th of September, we will have eight students representing Sacred Heart at the MacKillop Athletics Championships at SOPAC stadium in Homebush. The events include relay, 1500m, 800m, shotput and discus. We wish all of our students in attendance the best of luck for this event. Successful students will progress into the NSWPSSA Championship trials and make up part of the MacKillop team.

At the beginning of Term 4, an expression of interest google form will be released for students in years 4-6 (depending on the sport) for sporting pathway trials. Please keep an eye out for this in your emails if you are looking at having your child participate in the sporting pathways for cricket, tennis, basketball and/or AFL.

To close us off, I just wanted to remind parents that our annual swimming carnival is slowly approaching. This will occur at Lane Cove Aquatic Centre on Wednesday 19th of November. If you are able to spare time on the day, the team at Sacred Heart would greatly appreciate any parent volunteers. Please ensure that all documentation for volunteer clearance has been submitted to the school office. A Compass consent form will be released in the first week of Term 4, so please indicate your child’s events and swimming ability to the best of your knowledge to assist with the organisation of the day.

That brings us to the end of the term! I look forward to bringing you all more sporting updates next term. I hope you all have a restful and enjoyable Term 3 break. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone refreshed and rejuvenated for the final term of 2025!

Miss Austrie Calizar
Sports Coordinator

Dear Parents and Carers,

The Australian state and federal governments provide significant financial support for the education of students in our school system based on data we provide through the Census. These census collections also provide valuable information used to plan for the future educational needs of our schools in terms of the administration of programs and provisions of resources. 

The 2025 Non-Government School Census will take place on 1st August 2025. Please see links and attachments below in regards to collection of data and privacy notice

2025_Non_government_schools_census_privacy_collection_notice_1_.pdf

FRM_StandardCollectionNotice_V2_20240603_4_.pdf