I hope that you were able to enjoy the term break and that your child has returned refreshed and excited for another term of learning. 

Winter Uniform 

We have seen a big improvement with students wearing the correct uniform on the correct day.  This week is changeover time and starting next week, Monday 6th May, all students should be in their full winter uniform. School and sport uniform days remain the same as last term Uniform Days for SHM, Term 2, 2024.

The Winter Uniform is to be worn by all students from Kindergarten to Year 6 every day during Terms 2 and 3 except for assigned sport days. The formal uniform consists of the following:

Girls:

• Shoes Black leather school shoes (Lace up or Velcro)
• Dress Navy Tunic (with SMH logo) & blue long sleeved shirt (with SHM logo)
• Socks Navy tights or navy knee high socks
• Navy fleece (with SHM logo) ● Tie Cross tab in navy & gold

Boys:

• Shoes Black leather school shoes (Lace up or Velcro)
• Shirt Long sleeved shirt with SHM logo
• Shorts Navy tailored shorts or long trousers
• Socks Navy knee high socks
• Navy fleece (with SHM logo)
• Tie in navy & gold

ACARA Item Trial

Each year, The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) selects schools to participate in an Item Trial.  The Item Trial is being held in approximately 480 schools across Australia throughout May and June.  Sacred Heart has two classes chosen to participate this year - 3 Gold and 5 Blue, on Friday 17 May.  The purpose of the Item Trial is to evaluate test items (questions) that are under consideration for inclusion in future NAPLAN tests. ACARA appoints a test administrator to our school to organise the Item Trial.

Our classes 3 Gold and 5 Blue will participate in two Item Trial tests on the day, for example, a Reading and a Numeracy test, a Writing and a Conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) test, or two Writing tests, taking approximately two hours.  Students in these classes need to have their headphones and iPad fully charged.  The Item Trial is about testing the questions, not about testing the students or their ability.  Hence, your child’s results are not reported to the school or to parents.  We look forward to this experience and assisting ACARA with the Item Trial. 

Sport

Dance - Our dance lessons have come to an end.  We had an exciting evening at the Zing Active dance challenge with around one hundred and twenty of our Year 3 - 6 students attending and showing amazing school spirit.  Some of our students won beautiful ribbons for their partner ballroom dances and overall we were awarded two big trophies - one for winning the school showdance with our ‘90’s dance mix’ and one for Year 5 as the winners of the best Year 5 group across all of the schools participating.  Additionally, our K-2 students showcased their dancing at school by performing some of the moves they had learnt throughout the term.  Thank you to the many parents who were able to attend the events and experience the program.    

Athletics - This term Miss Calizar, along with our partner Zing Active, will teach the skills and rules of Athletics.  Our Athletics Carnival is being held on Wednesday 29 May.  The event is at Rotary Athletics Field: Mowbray Rd W, Lane Cove North as this field provides access to high jump and long jump facilities and equipment hire.  If you haven’t done so already, please access Compass for details and to grant permission for your child to attend.  

Scope IT

We again partner with Scope IT this term.  They teach Arduino coding for Year 6 students, Web Design for Year 5 students, Minecraft for Year 4 students and Scratch Junior for Kindergarten Gold.  Kindergarten Blue, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 will participate in Scope IT lessons in Term 3.  All lessons are designed to provide deep learning opportunities and link with the classroom teaching and learning in Science or Geography. Thank you to Mrs Petersen for her organisation and partnership of this learning for our students. 

PAWS Rules

Thank you to Miss Blake who leads our whole school positive behaviours for learning.  This term, our Paws focus centers on 'We Participate'. This expectation emphasises kindness, respect, and active listening. In our school environment, this translates to using positive and respectful language, attentively following instructions, tidying up after ourselves, and greeting teachers and others with a cheerful "good morning". These valuable life skills extend beyond the classroom, shaping our students' behaviour and interactions both at school and at home, fostering a culture of respect and cooperation.

Reporting and Parent Teacher Interviews 

This term, our teachers provide a written report on your child’s academic achievement and effort which is available at the end of week 9.  Our written reports meet the specified requirements as set out by the Federal and State Government along with Sydney Catholic Schools. They provide information on a student’s learning in all of the mandatory New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) subjects as well as Religious Education.  For Years 1 to 6, teachers assess a student’s progress and achievement against learning standards, reported as elementary, basic, sound, thorough or extensive, as well as a general comment.  Kindergarten teachers assess student progress and achievement against three standards, basic, sound or thorough as well as a general comment.  This year, additional content areas have been added for English in line with the new syllabus.  As per government requirements, If you do not wish to receive a scale report for your child, please request this in writing.  

We will hold Parent Teacher Interviews at the end of the term to give you an opportunity to discuss the report and your child’s progress for Semester 1. 

World Oceans Day Competition