Dear parents and friends,

Jesus teaches us the importance of striving to offer unconditional love. It is easy (says Matthew 5:38 – 48) for us to love those who love us back, those whom we know, who fit nicely and properly into our own context. It is not so easy to be open, welcoming and charitable to people or children who are not like us, not our best friends and those who annoy or hurt us. It’s a timeless lesson for adults and for children. Let us take the time to reflect upon and acknowledge our wrongdoings during the upcoming season of Lent and commit to change, whilst contemplating on what the Lord really did for us on the Cross.

Year 6 students were commissioned at our beautiful opening mass in Week One. I said to the students that anyone can wear a badge but leadership calls upon each of them to maximise the efforts of others, towards the achievement of a collective goal. Within each of their areas, I asked that they harness their own individual leadership skills to influence and lead in their own way. Leadership is a multifaceted construct involving a range of interrelated skills but the following are some attributes I would like them to remember:

• Be kind – it is the best reputation to have. When someone comes to you, say, "How can I help YOU?” “What can I do for YOU?" "What do YOU need?" That care for others will come back to you in ways you never anticipated.
• Be sincere – a reputation of being false will damage your credibility. Don’t try to be too “cool”. The energy you put into creating a false image would be much better spent on just getting out there and being a good friend and getting things done.
• Be honest – honesty builds trust, one of the most critical elements of solid leadership.
• Be positive – the world is better when you look on the bright side and help highlight the good in yourself and in others with humour and optimism.
• Be encouraging of others – if you want the best for others, people will recognise this fine quality and reciprocate that for you.

We wish the Year 6 leaders and all students at Sacred Heart every success for 2023.

We had our first P&F meeting for 2023, thank you to those who were able to attend. Just a reminder that you don’t need to wait for P&F meetings to discuss things that may be on your mind. Mrs Taylor and I are always available. 

A special thanks to Chris Janes for his service and commitment to our Sacred Heart community, as the P&F President, over many years. Chris will now move on from this role but we know he will remain a friendly and supportive face around our community. We thank Mark O’Neil for stepping into this role, I am very much looking forward to working alongside Mark this year. We also sincerely thank Stephanie Bailey, P&F Secretary, for her organisation and dedication to the role. Stephanie has gone above and beyond during her time and she will remain a close support to the incoming executive. Once finalised, we will announce the P&F Executive members for 2023. 

Below are some important dates for the year ahead that have now been confirmed:

• • • •      Welcome drinks: Friday 10 March 6.30 - 8.00pm
      •      Disco:  Saturday 27 May
      •      Fair:  Sunday 22 October
      •      End of Year Social Event:  Saturday 2 December* all dates for the year are in the public calendar 

Kathryn Pearson and Kate Pairman have kindly taken on the responsibility of Parent Liaison. 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 are looking forward to welcoming our prospective parents and children to Sacred Heart at our upcoming Open Day.

*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 2024!

During 2023, Sacred Heart and Blessed Sacrament will be engaging with their school communities to explore how they can both work more closely with each other. The objective of this engagement is to help shape the future of Catholic primary school education in Mosman and Clifton Gardens.

Community input is critical in understanding how we can continue to develop and improve the school experience for our students and we want to hear from our staff and families about the things that are most important to them. We will be rolling out an engagement program over 2023 designed to ensure that the school communities play an active role in exploring and collaborating on the future of both schools.

Over the next few weeks, you will be provided with details about the different opportunities that will be available to share your views in a coordinated community engagement process.

May God bless all our families.

Leanne Meehan

PRINCIPAL

I have loved seeing the smiling faces of our students as they arrive at school ready to start the new day.  Thank you to those of you who attended the P & F Annual General Meeting on Monday night and to our new executive committee.  I look forward to the events the P & F have planned throughout the year.  We are holding our Information Evenings for your child’s class this week in your child’s classroom. This meeting is face to face to enable you to connect with your child’s teacher and other parents in your child’s class.  

Goal Setting Sessions 

Session times are now open so you can click Compass to choose and book a meeting time with your child’s teacher.  The purpose of the session is to facilitate a conversation around how your child has started the year, for you to inform us of anything we need to know about your child and to set a specific goal for their learning.  The sessions are held in the classroom. If you would like your session to be via zoom, please let the teacher know and they will share a zoom link with you. 

NAPLAN

Students in Year 3 and Year 5 will participate in NAPLAN, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, starting 15 March.  If your child is in Year 3 or Year 5, please install the 2023 NAPLAN Locked-down browser on their device.  They also need their own headphones to complete the tests as some of the questions require students to listen and then respond.

You can find further information about NAPLAN on the following link: https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/for-parents-carers

Pickup and Drop off

Carline

Please be aware that only students who are able to get themselves into the car seat and buckle up are eligible to be picked up in the carline. Parents. Carers, grandparents should not get out of the driver seat. 

Before school

Our staff supervision starts at 8:10 am. Children should not enter the school gate before 8:10 am unless they are going to before school care.  Please do not drop your child before 8:10 am as they are not supervised.  Siblings of students here for training are not supervised and should stay in your care until 8:10 am

Amadeus

Thank you to the parents who have signed the ‘Amadeus Instrument Agreement’ on Compass.  If you have not yet signed, please do so that your child can take their instrument home.  We encourage regular practice to help students remember what they have learnt in each lesson and be ready for the next step in their learning each week. 

Basketball Training 

Thank you to Khai, the new head coach for Basketball, for a great start to the term.  Khai has requested that parent supervisors assist in the training session by ensuring students stay focussed and are participating well.  Please check in with Khai if unsure of how to assist. 

Around the classrooms

Kind regards,

Jane Taylor

Assistant Principal 

To the families of Sacred Heart,

The Year Five students are currently exploring the Religious Education unit ‘Morality and Justice’ as part of their learning this term. Together with the Year Six

Mission Team, the students would like to bring awareness of the devastating events that have occurred in Türkiye and Syria, as a result of the earthquake on February 6th.

This Friday, all students are invited to wear the colours of red and white Mufti clothing, in exchange for a gold coin donation. Donations will go towards helping those whose lives have been affected.

Show your support this Friday by joining as a community to bring a gold coin in exchange for red and white (closed shoes please).

Let us all keep the people of Türkiye and Syria in our prayers.

Thank you and God bless,

Year 5 students and Mission team.

Important dates

                            Shrove Tuesday- Tuesday 21st February

Class Parent volunteers are kindly providing pikelets for each student on Shrove Tuesday.

If your child has a food allergy or intolerance, please pack them a separate treat that they are able to enjoy on the day.

Ash Wednesday- Wednesday 22nd February

• Years 3 to 6 parents are warmly welcome to join in our Ash Wednesday Mass at 12:00pm, Sacred Heart Church.
• Years K to 2 parents are warmly welcome to join in our Ash Wednesday Liturgy at 12:00pm in the school hall.

Catholic Schools Week @ Sacred Heart- Monday 20th March to Friday 24th March

Sacred Heart Open Day- Friday, 24th March

Upcoming Grade Masses, Fridays @ 9:30am

• Year Three Grade Mass- Friday, 17th February @ 9:30am
• Years Four and One combined Grade Mass- Friday, 24th February @ 9:30am
• Year Two Grade Mass- Friday, 3rd March @ 9:30am

Upcoming Weekend Masses

• Kinder and Year Six Mass- Sunday, 26th February @ 9:00am
• Year Four Mass- Sunday 5th March @ 5:00pm

Kristen Jackson

Religious Education Co-ordinator

PAWS has landed at Sacred Heart. After several weeks of students finding footprints, fur and clues, PAWS has finally danced his way into all of our students and teachers hearts. Our PAWS puppy is our new ‘Sacred Heart School’ mascot. He will be around the school checking if students are following the PAWS expectations, he will drop by classrooms to teach them the PAWS rule for the week, and he will come to special events like our Big Blue Awards and carnivals. Welcome to Sacred Heart, PAWS. 

The data collected during the February Census flows into the start of year planning and through to Catholic Schools NSW’s reporting obligations to the Bishops and also to other organisations such as the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC).

The February Census will be finalised from schools’ Compass data at midday on Friday 17 February 2023.

Please see attached Sydney Catholic Schools Privacy Policy and Standard Collection Notice for your information.

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