Welcome back to Term 3! It has been wonderful to see our children and hear about their holiday adventures. I hope you all had a restful break and are looking forward to another great term ahead.

I warmly welcome new students to our amazing community!

Matthew Zhao- 4 Blue

Bennett Zhao- 4 Gold

Sophie Jones- 1 Blue

Madeleine Persinger- 6 Gold

Olivia Persinger- 5 Gold

David Persinger- 2 Gold

Sadie Andrews- 1 Blue

The P & F Meeting has changed and will now be held in the school library on Thursday 27 July at 7pm.

All parents and families of Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Primary School are invited to a town hall meeting of our school community on Tuesday 15 August at 7.00pm in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall.

Sydney Catholic Schools Executive Director, Tony Farley and Director: System Performance, Kevin Carragher, will be announcing the future structure and leadership of Sacred Heart, Mosman following the recent review and community consultation.

This town hall will immediately follow the Holy Day of Obligation Mass already scheduled for 6pm so that those planning to attend do not miss out.

Parents and families of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Primary School have also been invited to attend the town hall.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Please register your attendance via the link below (or refer to previous Compass message)

Time: 6.45pm for a 7.00pm sharp start

Duration: 1 hour

Venue: Sacred Heart Parish Hall, 23 Cardinal St, Mosman

REGISTER HERE

On Friday 30 June, staff at Sacred Heart and Blessed Sacrament had a combined Staff Development Day facilitated by Jacqui Jones, Wellbeing coach, consultant & facilitator. Jacqui is also the author of 'The Greatfulness Guide' and Founder of the Greatfulness wellbeing program. Throughout the day, we explored mindfulness and wellbeing strategies for self and for use with our children. We thank Jacqui for leading us so beautifully throughout the day, for sharing her extensive experience and knowledge and for gifting us with a plethora of resources for each of our schools. I would also like to thank Mrs Luscombe for organising the morning tea and lunch for us all, your hospitality is very much appreciated.

On Monday 17 July, we continued our professional learning on the Rock and Water program. This play-based program equips teachers with the tools to help students develop self-confidence, ability for self-reflection and respect for oneself and others.  Teachers took the role of students and grounded themselves, found their centre through breath, learned ways to control reactive responses to what life throws at us, and to be confident in themselves. Ms Blake and Ms Hollingsworth have been facilitating this program with a small group of students but we are looking to expand this across K-6.

Sacred Heart participated in the Primary Network Public Speaking Finals at the end of last term. I had the privilege of being in the audience to hear our amazing students present their speeches on a variety of topics. It was wonderful to see proud family members in attendance also.

The competition was of an extremely high standard and it was very difficult for the judges to select the winners. I congratulate our children on their preparation and for their courage in delivering their speech to a large number of their peers and adults.

The results are as follows:

Stage 1

1st Mosman-  Xavier Lyon

2nd Waverley

3rd Leichhardt North

Stage 2

1st Glebe

2nd Mosman- Olivia Natal

3rd Leichhardt North

Stage 3

1st Lane Cove

2nd Waverley

3rd Mosman- Lucas Fenwick

Well done, Sacred Heart- I would call that a clean sweep!!!

I am also excited to share that these holidays, Violet Olds (1G) participated in her first district singing competition in Ryde. Solo singing - in the musical theatre section, Violet was awarded first place against a large number of young performers and proudly represents Mosman & Sacred Heart.

She performed “When I Grow Up” from Matilda the Musical. 

May God bless all our families.

What a lovely start to Term 3, with the teachers and students returning refreshed from a lovely break.  Going around the classes, the students are excited to be back with their friends and enthusiastic about the new content they will be introduced to this term.  

Staff Development Day 

To maintain teacher accreditation, our teachers are required to participate in professional learning which builds and improves their professional knowledge, practice and engagement across priority areas.  The priority areas identified by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) are:

• delivery and assessment of the NSW Curriculum/Early Years Learning Framework 
• student/child mental health
• students/children with disability
• Aboriginal education and supporting Aboriginal students/children

Our teachers ended Term 2 and started Term 3 with professional learning on student/child mental health with a focus on wellbeing. One day was presented by a wellbeing facilitator, Jacqui Jones and identified practical strategies that teachers can do with their students to promote student wellbeing.  The second day was an introductory course for ‘Rock and Water’, a program - which provides students with “a pathway to self-awareness, increased self-confidence and social functioning”.  You can see some of the photos of teachers participating in ‘Rock and Water’ on our Facebook page. 

Book Week

Reminder - Book week is coming soon so have a think about Book week costumes ready for our parade on Friday 25th August.  We will also have a ‘Book Fair’ from 21- 25 August, Book Week competitions and a Book Week Performance incursion on Tuesday 5th September.  

Parent Teacher Conferences

Our Parent Teacher Conferences will be held next week to give you the opportunity to discuss your child’s academic report and learning goals for Semester 2.  Please book a time with your child's teacher using Compass Conferences. 

NAPLAN

The individual reports for parents of Year 3 and Year 5 students are expected this week and we will send them home as soon as received.  From 2023, NAPLAN results are reported using proficiency standards, rather than numerical bands.  Students’ results are measured against 4 levels of proficiency:

• Exceeding
• Strong
• Developing
• Needs additional support

ICAS Assessments

In 2022, Sacred Heart Mosman offered parents the option of having their child complete an ICAS assessment  in Science, Mathematics or Spelling for students in Year 2 or above.  We will offer the choice of this assessment again in 2023 with Mrs Luscombe supervising any students completing the test. Should you wish your child to participate, please choose the tests you wish your child to do and pay directly to ICAS by the end of July, following the instructions sent via Compass.

Please note this is an optional activity and only a small number of children participated last year.  When deciding whether or not your child should participate, please consider the following:

• The assessment is provided solely by an external provider and many Sydney Catholic Schools do not offer this assessment 
• The test is not aligned with the teaching of our curriculum and we have no control over whether or not your child has learnt the content needed to answer the questions.  
• The assessment is designed as a ‘competition’ so is often aimed at higher levels and may be difficult for your child to complete
• Children sit the test at the allocated time (in line with ICAS dates) which means they will not do their normal class learning during that time and may miss sport, art, music lessons 
• The assessment is not connected to school reports or NAPLAN results and teachers cannot provide feedback on the assessment as it is an external company
• Students are provided with a certificate of achievement

Reminder - Attendance

In line with Sydney Catholic schools policy and procedures for Attendance, we now require an extended leave application for any leave of 5 days or more.  Parents or carers may seek permission for extended leave for their child to travel during school term. Extended leave is considered to be 5 or more days during the school term for the purpose of a family holiday, family business, bereavement or other reasons.  Parents or carers should complete and submit the Application for Extended Leave prior to commencing leave.  If the leave is approved by Miss Meehan, parents should keep the approval with them when travelling.  You can find the application on the quick links section of the newsletter.

Reminder - Permissions

All notes for excursions and sporting events are entered into Compass as an event.  Compass event notifications are emailed automatically to parents when the event is published. Events are set up this way as it connects to the roll to ensure student attendance is marked correctly. Please  regularly check Compass for events and complete permissions as only students with permission for events/ excursions are able to attend. If at any time you have difficulties with Compass, please email the office and Mrs Imlach can assist you.  

Wishing you God’s Blessings, 

Jane Taylor

Assistant Principal

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 provision of resources.

The 2023 Non-Government School Census will take place on 4th August 2023. ​​​​​​​

Please see the attached information in regards to collection of data and Sydney Catholic Schools Privacy Policy. 

NAIDOC WEEK, 2023

Australians recently celebrated NAIDOC Week during the school holiday period. NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration that is held across Australia in the first week of July, to acknowledge the history, culture and achievements of First Nation Australians and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The theme for NAIDOC Week 2023 is “For Our Elders.” This theme was chosen to reflect the important role that elders play in the lives of Indigenous Australians.

This week at Sacred Heart, we acknowledge and celebrate NAIDOC Week, 2023. 

Our Year Three classes will present a song for NAIDOC Week this coming Friday, 21st of July at the morning Assembly.

Upcoming Liturgies and Masses for Term 3

Grandparents and Special Friends Day- Wednesday, 26th of July

9:00am Open Classrooms

9:30am Outdoor Liturgy led by Year One and Year Six

10:00am Morning Tea for Grandparents and special friends in the School Hall

100 Days of Kindergarten- Thursday, 27th of July

We congratulate the Kinder class of 2023 as they prepare to celebrate their first 100 days of school!

K-6 Whole School Masses

Mary MacKillop Feast Day Mass- Tuesday 8th August @ 11:30am

Feast of the Assumption Mass- Tuesday 15th August @ 11:30am

School Grade Masses on Fridays at 9:30am- parents are warmly welcome to attend!

Year 4 School Mass- Friday, 21st of July

Year 2 School Mass- Friday, 28th July

Year 3 School Mass- Friday, 4th August 

Year 5 School Mass- Friday, 11th August

Year 1 School Mass- Friday, 8th September

Year K & 6 School Mass- Friday, 15th September

Sacramental Program dates

• First Holy Communion Family Night- Wednesday 19th July at 6:30pm
• First Holy Communion Commitment Masses- Saturday 22nd July and Sunday 23rd July taking place at all 7 Parish Masses- students can attend any Mass that weekend.

• First Holy Communion Program sessions

• Lesson 1: Wed 26th July choose 5pm or 6.30pm

• Lesson 2: Tues 1st August choose 5pm or 6.30pm

• Lesson 3: Wed 9th August choose 5pm or 6.30pm

• First Holy Communion Retreat Day: Monday 14th August

• First Holy Communion Masses: 26th August, 27th August and 10th September

Welcome back to Term 3. 

I am looking forward to meeting and spending time with as many of you as possible this term. I know some of you work or have other commitments, however if you feel like coffee and a chat maybe some laughs and morning tea, please come along to my Eat, pray, laugh on a Tuesday morning. We will meet next Tuesday 18th July and begin with a short morning mass at 9:15am, Sacred Heart church followed by a leisurely 10min walk for coffee in August The Old Place, 707 Military Rd Mosman. 

I will meet you at the front of the church at 9:10am otherwise please, feel free to meet for coffee & morning tea at the café, August The old place around 9:45 am. 

All are welcome, Sacred Heart families and beyond. Parents, grandparents & carers from our school and community. Bring your toddler/ toddlers.

There are many values and virtues to our Catholic faith. I have read a few over the last few weeks and have experienced some already while in my role as Family Educator here at sacred heart.

1. A personal commitment and desire to contribute to the building of God’s kingdom of truth and love.
2. An act of assistance to others and the community that stems from an internal commitment to help others through one’s area of work.
3. Compassion is a non-judgemental understanding of another’s need, which results in unselfish giving to meet that need.

These few Catholic values stood out, because last term I asked for donations for our playgroup which will begin later this term and the response so far has been great. I am so grateful for all the lovely toys, books, play costumes, furniture etc that have been received. The kids will have so much fun.

This weekend is the feast day of St Mary Magdalene.

We honour St Mary Magdalene because of her example of virtue & loyalty to Christ. She was a devoted disciple and close friend of Jesus during the time of his ministry.

Dear Partnering School,

We hope you all enjoyed a well earned school break!

SCECS are looking for members of our school community who may be interested in becoming a SCECS Team Member! We have over 40+ locations across Sydney and growing!

We would greatly appreciate your assistance in communicating these opportunities to your school families and their friends via Compass or your school noticeboards.

I've attached our recruitment flyer.

Thanks for your assistance.

Warm Regards,

Claire Palmer |  Business Development Manager

Sydney Catholic Early Childhood Services (SCECS)

2023 SCHOOL FEES