Sacred Heart Catholic School Mosman
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8 Cardinal Street
Mosman NSW 2088
Subscribe: https://shcsmosman.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email: info@shmosman.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 02 9969 6600

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Dear Parents and Carers,                                Picture_1.png                    

Hope is a recurring theme in the pontificate of Pope Francis. In his letter for the promotion of the Jubilee Year the Holy Father stated:

“We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire; that is why I have chosen as the motto of the Jubilee, Pilgrims of Hope. This will indeed be the case if we are capable of recovering a sense of universal fraternity and refuse to turn a blind eye to the tragedy of rampant poverty that prevents millions of men, women, young people and children from living in a manner worthy of our human dignity. Here I think in particular of the many refugees forced to abandon their native lands. May the voices of the poor be heard throughout this time of preparation for the Jubilee, which is meant to restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone.”

As we embrace this Holy Year proclaimed by Pope Francis, let us all be inspired to strengthen our relationship with God and others in both word and action.

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A very warm welcome to Mr Angus McGlade and Ms Alicia Butler. Mr McGlade will be our Learning Support Officer (LSO) 3 days per week across Kindergarten to Year 6. Ms Butler has been a tremendous casual at SH and has been working in Year 1 and Kindergarten so far this year. She will now be the Friday teacher each week in Year 1, working with Mrs Loveridge and one day per fortnight in Kindergarten with Miss Hollingsworth as she is released from class for her coordinator role.

A HUGE welcome to both Angus and Alicia to our Sacred Heart family! We feel lucky to have you both!

OPEN DAY
We are looking forward to welcoming our prospective parents and children to Sacred Heart at our upcoming Open Day on Tuesday 4 March.

*Principal Address will begin at 9:30 am followed by expo, school tours and morning tea

REMEMBER siblings can begin the enrolment process now for 2026!

SHM P&F and Welcoming Committee
The P&F Executive Committee volunteers for 2025 are: 

President: Claire Tynan-Woodlock
Vice President: Kate Montgomery
Shared Treasurer: Paul Graham
Shared Treasurer: Eimear O’Riordan
Secretary: Victoria McEvoy
Committee Members: Michelle Crone, Alex Lupis, Lorraine Lee

2025 P&F Meeting Dates:
Term 1 - 26 February **AGM 
Term 2 - 14 May 
Term 3 - 13 August 
Term 4 - 5 November

Kathryn Pearson and Kate Pairman have kindly taken on the responsibility of the SHM Welcoming Committee. In this role, Kathryn and Kate will check in and welcome new families, give advice and support and answer questions in regards to settling into school. They will also be present at school functions and can be contacted throughout the year. 

We thank all of our parent volunteers for their support, looking forward to a great year ahead!

Teaching Children Protective Behaviours: A Guide for Parentleanne_3.png

Ensuring the safety and well-being of our children is a top priority for all of us. One crucial aspect of this is teaching them protective behaviours to safeguard against sexual abuse. Here are some key strategies and resources to help you navigate this important topic.

  1. Open Communication
  • Encourage open and honest communication with your children. Let them know they can talk to you about anything, no matter how small or big it seems. Create a safe space where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns.
  1. Teach Body Autonomy
  • Educate your children about body autonomy. Explain that their body belongs to them and they have the right to say no to any touch that makes them uncomfortable. Use age-appropriate language to discuss private parts and the importance of keeping them private.
  1. Recognise and React
  • Help your children recognise inappropriate behaviour and teach them how to react. Role-playing different scenarios can be an effective way to practice responses. Emphasise that it's okay to say no and to tell a trusted adult if something doesn't feel right.
  1. Online Safety
  • In today's digital age, it's essential to teach children about online safety. Discuss the importance of not sharing personal information online and being cautious about interacting with strangers on the internet.

 

Resources for Support
Here are some valuable resources to help you further educate and protect your children:

  • MOORE Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse: Offers a variety of resources reviewed by experts for credibility and utility[1].
  • Keeping Kids Safe: Provides interactive resources and toolkits for different age groups to help children understand consent and recognise grooming behaviours[2].
  • Bravehearts: Features a guide for parents and carers, along with information sheets on various topics related to child sexual abuse[3].

By equipping our children with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves, we can help create a safer environment for them to grow and thrive. Remember, prevention starts with education and open dialogue. Mrs Macourt and I will be working across our K-6 classes on this theme this term. Further information to follow.

References
[1] RESOURCES FOR PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND CHILDREN
[2] Keeping Kids Safe Resources for Teachers, Parents & Carers
[3] Free Resources - Bravehearts

PARISH COCKTAIL PARTY- invitation attached

May God bless all our families.
Mrs Leanne Meehan
EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL

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