Dear Parents and carers,

I am very happy that the students have had a great start to Term 2, and I am seeing more settled and respectful behaviours on the playground and in class.  As mentioned previously, we are focussing on the P component of PAWS this term - We participate - Be kind, Listen and Be respectful. 

A very practical way in which we can all show kindness and respect to members of our local community is through our Vinnies Winter appeal.  During our Sacred Heart Feast day this year, we will learn more about St Vincent de Paul and the works of Vinnies.  The hampers we make from the students' generous donations will be packed ready to share with Vinnies on our Feast Day.

Winter Uniform

Students should now be in full winter uniform.  Summer tunics should now be packed away and boys wearing shorts should wear navy knee high socks. Please remember that sports shoes are only worn with the sports uniform.

Year 5 Camp - May 25 and 26

The Year 5 camp permission note is now on Compass for parents to sign and the packing list was shared yesterday.  There is a zoom session for Year 5 parents, tonight, Wednesday 10 May at 6:30 pm, to explain everything you might need to know about camp and to give you the opportunity to ask any questions.  Zoom Link  Password: 313924

Big Blue Award

Our past sponsors Claudia Portale from McGrath Real Estate have now finished their connection with our school.

Anthony O’Gorman (father of Max and George) and partner at O’Gorman and Partners Real Estate Mosman has kindly offered to support our school with Sponsorship and the Big Blue Award, so given this we thought it was timely to update the structures around the award.

It will now be renamed as the Sacred Heart Blue Award for Faith, Generosity and Courage.  The reasoning behind this is to highlight the religious significance and link with our school values which  hopefully adds meaning to how special it is for a student to receive it.  The award is not linked to PAWS as we have all of our usual paws tokens, bronze, silver and gold awards which stand alone.

The award is given once a term for one student in each class.  We would like all students to have a vote in who they think should receive the award (as was done in the past) as well as the class teacher who then writes the award, stating the reasons why the student is receiving it.  The award will be given at an assembly in Week 10. 

Our teachers have spoken to the students to let them know that the award is very special and to encourage them to think about and notice who in their class is really living our school values of Faith, Generosity and Courage. 

Mathematics Expertise and Excellence

Congratulations to our teachers, Mrs Roache, Miss Blake, Mrs Petersen, Miss Monckton, Miss Adamo, Miss Hollingsworth, Mrs Choi and Mrs McCartney, on completing the Mathematics Expertise and Excellence Course through Sydney Catholic Schools.  This course is designed to build teachers' understanding of teaching the Mathematics Syllabus along with ways to use problem solving and a variety of teaching strategies to assist students in their development of mathematical skills.  Some of our teachers were awarded their certificates at assembly last week.

Sports Carnival - 31 May

As advertised, our sports carnival will be on Wednesday 31 May at Alan Border Oval.  We have partnered with ZING Activ to assist Miss Calizar with the organisation of the day.  

Zing Activ have scoped the oval for us and whilst it is not an actual athletics field, we will be able to run most activities including the usual running events as well as K-2 tabloid events and Years 3-6 events including shot put and discus. Unfortunately high jump and long jump into a sand pit is not possible.  Miss Calizar will share some information for students 8 Years old and above, that may be skilled at these two events, and wish to compete in the Mackillop level events.  Miss Calizar is also already looking at other more suitable athletics fields to book now for our carnival next year. 

The aim of our sports carnival is for the students to have a very fun, energetic primary school experience.  Whilst we will record running and track events times and distances for 8 year olds and above, we are not ‘Little Athletics’ and we ask parents to keep this in mind when working with teachers and other parent helpers. 

For us to run a carnival successfully, we seek parent support and assistance and so far have over 30 parent volunteers.  There are still many opportunities for you to get involved and if you are planning to attend on the day, please add your name to the  Volunteer note.

Changes to reporting NAPLAN results
We have been advised by ACARA, The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, that from 2023, NAPLAN results will be reported against 4 proficiency standards rather than numerical bands as in previous years.

NAPLAN reports will contain 4 easy-to-understand proficiency standards:

• Exceeding
• Strong
• Developing
• Needs additional support

The new reporting standards will provide parents, carers and teachers with simpler and clearer information about how students are performing.  The latest update is that NAPLAN reports to parents are expected in early term 3.

Student Toilets

Just a reminder for parents and carers regarding the student toilets.  These are only for student use and child protection issues may arise if parents or carers use these bathrooms while students are present.  Parents and carers are very welcome to use the facilities in the Library, Hall or the large accessible toilet tucked away next to Year 1 which is always open.

Kind regards,

Jane Taylor

Assistant Principal