Dear Parents and Carers,

This is my final newsletter for the year! What a year it has been!

Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your welcome, hospitality and support this year. It certainly has been a year of triumphs and challenges but we made it through.

On a personal note, I would like to make special mention of Father Phil who I think is a model of great faith, passion and love for us all. We really are very blessed to be led by Father Phil and I thank him personally for his listening ear and wise words.

To all of the staff that make up this community, thank you!!!! I truly do feel as though I have known you all for much longer than just this year. We have shared many laughs as well as professional and personal challenges along the way but most of all the impact on me of my time with each and every one of you has been immeasurable.

As teachers we ask ourselves everyday how we can improve our teaching and learning, how we can motivate our children. We talk endlessly about new curriculum, models of assessment, habits of mind, and so on and after all the tinkering and debates we are no closer to understanding exactly what makes children engage and succeed. The only consistent factor is the role of the teachers themselves, whose abilities, passion, knowledge and enthusiasm is crucial in supporting their students to grow into confident, well-rounded citizens. I am pleased to say that those teachers are here at Sacred Heart, they care for their students and want what is best, they are willing to go the extra mile and they are lifelong learners. The teachers at this school entered this profession to make a difference and I know that the students and all of you understand this and appreciate it.

And now to the most important people, the reason why we are all here.... the children that make up Sacred Heart.  It would be nothing more than a building without them, they are a giftand have made my time here so special. I wish those in Year 6 and those leaving our school all the very best on the next step in their educational journey and those I will see next year, a beautiful and very Merry Christmas filled with many blessings.

Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and is a time of waiting and joyful anticipation for the coming of the Messiah. In the liturgy of the Church we await both the birth and the promised return of Christ. This week, we marked the first week of Advent with a special prayer at assembly where we lit our first Advent Wreath candle.

What do the candles mean?

• The first candle, called the “Prophet’s Candle,” symbolizes hope. The Old Testament prophets, especially Isaiah, waited in hope for the Messiah’s arrival.
• The second candle, called “Bethlehem’s Candle,” represents faith. Micah had foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, forging a connection between King David and his coming descendent whose kingdom and throne would be established forever.
• The third candle, called the “Shepherd’s Candle,” symbolizes joy. To the shepherds’ great joy, angels announced that Jesus came for humble, unimportant people like them, too.
• The fourth candle, called the “Angel’s Candle,” represents peace. The angels proclaimed that Jesus came to bring peace on earth—He came to bring people close to God and to each other again.
• The (optional) fifth candle, called “Christ’s Candle,” represents purity and light. It is placed in the middle of the wreath and lit on Christmas Day, commemorating the arrival of the Light of the World.

STAFFING

Kindergarten Blue: Miss Abbey Adamo         

Kindergarten Gold: Miss Sarah Morgan

*Mrs Nerissa McCartney 2 days per week (extra teacher)

1 Blue: Miss Jessica Hollingsworth               

1 Gold: Mrs Natasha Roache

2 Blue: Mrs Bridget Choi (M, T, W),  Mrs Kylie O’Callaghan (Th, F)          

2 Gold:**TBC (due to unexpected circumstances, the teacher we employed can no longer  fulfill the position for 2024, Mrs Taylor and I are currently interviewing)

3 Blue: Miss Kristen Jackson (M, T, W),  Mrs Jane Tracey (Th, F)                   

3 Gold: Mrs Cathy Curran (M, T, W, Th), Mrs Veronica Hunt (F)        

4 Blue: Mrs Emma McCoy                             

4 Gold: Mr Thomas O’Donoghue

5 Blue: Ms Liane Morris (M, T, W),  Mr Daniel Nokes (Th, F)     

5 Gold: Mrs Marilina Watson (M, T, W, Th),  Mrs. Anna Siokas (F)                             

6 Blue: Mrs Martina Petersen 

6 Gold: Miss Ashley Blake                       

*Mrs Sue Loughland (1 day per week 6 Blue and 1 day per fn 6 Gold)

CAROLS ON THE COURT

The children and staff have been working immensely hard on our upcoming Carols on the Court evening on 13 December. Although the feedback was to have it earlier, hence the original 5pm start time, we think that 6pm will accommodate more families during this very busy season.

We will now begin promptly at 6pm so your children should be dressed and at school at least 20 minutes prior. It is also likely to be quite warm but I can't do anything about the sun situation on the basketball court so I am asking that you consider this in your preparation. 

The spirit of Christmas is in the 'togetherness', it's in the thought to which you put into thinking about others, it's a selfless time, where we forgive, take stock of what's important and become 'better' versions of ourselves. So with that in mind we are not spending money on hiring stages and chairs this year. Alternatively, we will provide some courtesy chairs (approximately 350 chairs) around the perimeter of the court and we invite families to bring a picnic blanket or their own low chairs to sit on as there will be some spaces for that on the court in front of the usual assembly area and on the top balcony outside Year 2 and Year 3 classrooms (image below).

COSTUMES

Kindergarten: Farm animals (onesie or make your own) - Sheep - Horse - Donkey - Cow - Pig

Year 1: Angels - White pants/leggings, dress or skirt - White tops - Halo - Wings (any style)

Year 2: Stars - Black pants/leggings or shorts/ skirt / dress - Black top - Gold star headband or gold star on top - Gold tinsel pinned around the bottom of their top

Year 3: Shepherd - White top - Black pants / legging / shorts - Tea towel or scarf for their head - Material or long top or robe over the top - String for the headband and belt

Year 4: Angels - white & gold - White top with gold tinsel pinned/ sewn around the bottom - White pants/ legging/ shorts - Gold tinsel halo - Wings optional

Year 5: Kings - Cape / cloak - bright colours & can be ornate - Bright coloured tops - Black pants/ leggings / shorts / dress - or white tunic with bright belt (like the photo) - Gold or Jewelled crown

Year 6: Black pants/ leggings/ shorts - Christmas T- shirt ( red, green, white,) with a Christmas print. These might be a shirt that they have in KMart or Target to celebrate Christmas.

YEAR 1-6 return to school on Wednesday 31 January, 2024 

KINDERGARTEN begin school on Thursday 1 February, 2024

May God bless all our families.

Leanne Meehan

Executive Principal

Dear Parents and carers,

As I write this last newsletter for the year, I am reminded of some of the many events and learning opportunities that our students have had this year.  Feast Days, Masses, Sacramental programs, Dancefever, discos, sports carnivals and events, excursions, camps, incursions, Visual Arts exhibition, Science week, Book week, family celebrations, and everyday classroom success, all contribute to the vibrant life of our school community. 

I am thankful for our wonderful teachers and all that they do to ensure that all of our students have an education that looks at the whole child - their social, emotional, academic, physical and wellbeing needs. Congratulations to all of our students on their ‘Shine and Share’ sessions, where each child showcased something that they were proud of.  The variety of learning across the curriculum was evident in each classroom. 

I wish all of our families a Christmas filled with joy as we celebrate Jesus’ birth and a safe and happy holiday break. 

P & F Social event

A wonderful evening was celebrated last Saturday with many of our parents attending the P & F social night. We were all welcomed by our organisers, Sofe Stuart, Lucy Kierath, Kate Jones, Monty Montgomery, Lorraine Lee and Jackie Grover, all of the Year 2 and other class parent volunteers and our P&F executive. We enjoyed pizza and drinks while catching up.  Thank you to our P & F, to the parents who willingly gave their time to organise and set up the event, and to all the parents and teachers who attended to make the night such a success.

Classes 2024

As per my information in our previous newsletters, class organisation for 2024 has been underway. Our teachers, Mrs Miller, Miss Meehan and I have spent many days and much thought on this process to ensure that we have the ‘best fit’ of classes for all our students. We have taken into consideration many factors including:

• parent requests or information
• teacher observations or requests
• academic and well-being needs of our students
• diverse learning needs 
• social and emotional needs of our students
• friendships, ability to work together and overall class dynamic
• ratio of boys and girls in each class
• the mixing of both classes from this year to form new classes
• student friend preferences and individual circumstances

As you can imagine, this is a very comprehensive process. When considering parent requests we have achieved one or two aspects of the request.  Some parents shared a list of many friends they wanted for their child and we ask for your understanding that only one of two of these can be achieved.  Some parents requested their child not be with another child and we have honoured this where possible. 

Every child completed a 'friendship hand' where they listed five friends that they would like in their class.  The teachers clearly explained that they would have one friend in their class for next year. Our Year 6 buddies assisted Kindergarten in this process. We have checked student friend choices in line with their new class and are very happy to advise that every child has one friend of their choice for 2024.  Some children have more than one friend, depending on the class mix. 

Blue and Gold are the class names across our school.  If your child is in the same colour class for 2024, it doesn’t mean they have stayed in the class while others have moved.  All students from the Year level were joined and then mixed into two new classes. 

Our classes for 2024 are now finalised and no changes will be made (you can imagine that after completing this process, changing even one child would have a flow on impact to others). Next Tuesday afternoon is our ‘meet the new class’ & teacher session which provides opportunities for students to hear about some of the learning and expectations for 2024.  When your child tells you about their new class and friends that may or may not be with them, we encourage you to be positive about the year as this will be your child’s learning journey and a new class is a new opportunity for learning and friendships.  

Congratulations

Congratulations to Arabella Crone who won joint second place in the Year 6 category and also an Archbishops choice award in the Archdiocesan Christmas Art Competition.  Arabella and her family along with Mrs Conroy attended the ceremony on Sunday.  Thank you to Mrs Jackson and Mrs Conroy for the many weeks they set aside last term to work with the students who participated in the competition.

Awards Assembly

Our end of year awards assembly is on Thursday 14th December, starting at 8:40 am.  At this assembly there will be one award given for each grade for Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Deep Learning (which integrated Science, History and Geography), Creative Arts and Sport.  The teachers from each grade have chosen one student who has truly shown their skills in this curriculum area by achieving academically, showing progress, displaying consistent effort and overall excellence in the Key Learning Area.  

During this assembly, we also recognise our highest achieving student in Arrowsmith, our Year 6 students who have participated in the ‘Pope Francis Award’ this year. Parents are very welcome to join us. 

Extra Curricular activities

There are some changes to extra curricular activities next year:

Music Mates

Music mates have made the difficult decision to withdraw from Sacred Heart next year.  This is partly due to the limited uptake of their offerings this year and the requirement of teacher / student ratio to run their program effectively.  We have hired Music Mates to provide music and sound for our ‘Carols on the Courtyard’ next Wednesday. 

I Heart Science

As mentioned in Compass, I Heart Science has decided to finish all of their school associations for 2024.  We are currently negotiating with a company that provides coding workshops for students Year 3-6 for one morning a week next year and further details will be provided if successful.  They would need a minimum of 16 students a week for this to proceed,  

Cyber Safety

Mrs Petersen has organised a Cyber Safety program for students to coincide with e-safety week next year.  As part of the program , we also invite parents to a Cyber Safety Education session.  Please see the details below. 

Cyber Safety Parent Information Evening

Incorporating technology into learning is fundamental to our curriculum and teaching methodologies. Additionally, ensuring responsible and safe usage of technology within our school community is of utmost importance.

At Sacred Heart, prioritising cyber safety is a crucial aspect of utilising technology. We approach this commitment through multiple strategies:

• Implementing a protective firewall within the school network
• Enforcing the technology agreement among students
• Restricting the use of applications to those deemed appropriate for specific age groups
• Providing comprehensive cyber safety education

Cyber Safety for students

In Week 2 of 2024, we're excited to engage the expertise of ySafe to conduct a specialised ‘Digital Essentials’ program. These sessions are tailored to different age groups and educational stages, covering curriculum objectives from Kindergarten to Year 6.

The Digital Essentials program encompasses various critical topics, including privacy, online safety practices, understanding digital footprints, and addressing social media use among older students.

Cyber Safety Information Session for Parents

Protecting children in their digital worlds is an ever-evolving task for Australian families. Parents often seek guidance in how to manage screen time and navigate the world of games and social media. We are therefore pleased to help our parent community by offering an engaging education session with ySafe, Australia’s leading provider of online safety education. This practical, strategy-rich session will cover the most important points that all families need to know about online safety, including key information about social media and gaming, screen time recommendations and step-by-step instructions on how to set up a cyber safe home for children of all ages.

If you’ve ever struggled with getting your children off their games and into bed, worried about the content of the games that they are playing or felt concerned that your child was spending too much time in the digital world, this session is for you. 

YSafe will host this informative session for parents on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. Please save the date for this workshop ‘Empowering Parents in the Digital Age: Aligned Messaging, Capacity Building, and Creating Safer Online Environments.’ 

We would appreciate it if you could complete the attached RSVP form to indicate attendance.

For further information about technology at school or ySafe please click on ySafe or the BYODD program at Sacred Heart. 

We are looking forward to hosting this school event for our students and parents.

Wishing you God’s Blessings, 

Jane Taylor

Assistant Principal

• Family Masses and Pizza evening

It was wonderful to see Year Two families and Year Four families gather for their

Family Masses over the past two weekends. Year Four families brought in the first week of Advent, Hope. Mass was followed by delicious pizza in the Parish courtyard. 

Thank you to all who assisted on the evening and thank you to Father Phil, Father Mark and Father Matthew. An overall thank you to Sacred Heart families who have attended and participated in our Family Masses this year. The children enjoy having the time to stop and reflect with their loved ones then getting together with their friends for a play in the Parish courtyard or hall. A very special thank you to Year 1 and 4 parent, Aoife Carrick, who organises the Family Mass roster. 

It is a huge job and the school/parish are grateful for your support.

In Partnership,

Anna Macri (Family Faith Educator)

Kristen Jackson (Religious Education Coordinator

• Holy Family Parish Mass this Sunday, 10th December at 10:30am

We hope to see you at our ‘Holy Family Parish’ Mass this Sunday at Sacred Heart Church, presided by Archbishop Anthony Fisher. What a lovely opportunity to gather as a community in prayer and to celebrate the formation of Holy Family Catholic Parish Mosman.

• Year Six Graduation Mass, dinner & farewell

As the year Six students prepare for their Graduation Mass, dinner and final farewell to their journey at Sacred Heart school, let us keep these children in our prayers during this special time. We wish you well for your journey ahead and thank you for all that you have contributed during your time at Sacred Heart. God bless you all.

• St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers

Thank you to the Sacred Heart community for contributing to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper appeal for 2023! We had a great response and we are truly grateful for your contributions.

You will bring joy to those who need it most in our community, this Christmas.

• Our Sacred Heart End of Year Thanksgiving Mass will be on Friday, 15th December at 9:15am

Dear Parents,

As we begin advent lets understand the church Liturgical colour & seasons:

The season of Advent begins this week and continues through the four Sundays of Advent and ends Christmas Eve.

The first week of Advent focuses on the return of the Lord and the following week focuses more specifically on the anticipation of the birth of Jesus.

Rather than simply commemorating an historical event, Advent is a time of preparing our hearts to “receive” Jesus into the world each year.

Advent is traditionally marked by the colour violet. The same colour is used in Lent.

Join us in celebration of the formation of Holy Family Catholic Parish Mosman

On Sunday 10th December 10.30am at Sacred Heart Church for a special Mass with Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP. The Mass will be followed by a luncheon in the parish hall. For catering purposes RSVP by 1st December please.

Can you help on the day? If you are able to bring a savoury plate or help serve food & drinks or clean up at the end of the celebrations, please contact the parish office  ph: 8969 3200 or email secretary@holyfamilymosman.org.au .

There will be no 9am, 10am or 11am Mass on Sunday 10th December  - these Masses will be replaced by the special 10.30am Mass. 

Hymn to the Holy Family:

To listen to the opening hymn that will be sung at the 10.30am Mass on the 10th of December visit the link.  

Christmas at the Cathedral a festival evening at St Mary’s

14th - 25th December
Festivities begin at 5.30pm with Christmas market stalls, food, fun activities for the kids and live entertainment. For more information visit:
Christmasatthecathedral.org.au .

Bring the family and embrace the Christmas season.

Christmas tree of joy for Mackillop Grange

We hope you can join us in supporting our elderly community members from Mackillop Grange this Christmas.

Not everyone has family or someone to visit them during the festive times, so we have set up Christmas tree tags on the outside glass door of the school office. Please collect a tree tag & purchase a gift for our wonderful neighbours and help to put a smile on their face this Christmas. Please contact me if you have any questions – anna.macri@syd.catholic.edu.au

It has been a wonderful and fulfilling 6 months for me. I have met great people and made good friends. Thank you for making me feel so welcome in your Sacred Heart school community. I will advertise my 2024 initiatives and dates in the New Year -  I hope to see you then. For now, please stay safe, happy and enjoy the holidays.

Merry Christmas to you and your families. I look forward to fun times in 2024.

God bless, 

 

Anna Macri                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Family & Faith educator 

Dear Parents and Carers,

In Week 8 and 9 of school, Stage 3 had their Interschool Sports Gala Day. Year 5 and Year 6 were against surrounding schools in a friendly game of OzTag. It was great to see most students getting involved and giving it a good go. In Week 9, we were lucky enough to see a familiar and friendly face - Mr. D! It was a great surprise to the students who attended.

Students would have also received their ribbons from the finalised results and times from the swimming carnival. Progression notes will be given out to students at the start of 2024. Please note that the students selected to progress further will be the first two placed in their age group for the 50m Freestyle and every first placed winner for junior, 11 y/o and senior events as per the qualifying guidelines.

There will be Netball and Rugby League trials early next year in Term 1 for Pathways to MacKillop for girls and boys in Year 5 and Year 6. Further details and information to come once I confirm the venue for the trials and other logistics. (If your child is interested in trialling, please be sure to send me an email.) This will then determine whether a trial will be required. It will most likely occur during the first week of school, so please keep your eyes peeled. If you are able to assist in these trials and are familiar with the above sports, please reach out to me!

Sydney Catholic Schools and CSNSW will be offering a lot of sporting holiday programs throughout the break. If you are interested, please read the information below and/or refer to the attached flyers.

“We are thrilled to share with you a range of exciting holiday opportunities for your child/ren here at Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS).

Prepare them for a holiday experience filled with joy, growth and unforgettable memories with their friends attending these active offerings:

• Water Polo Camp: Dive into excellence as they learn the art of teamwork and water prowess.
• Golf Camps: Swing to success and master the art of the perfect putt.
• Table Tennis Camp: Full-body workout and improve your hand-eye coordination and reflexes.

Equip your child with skills, a love for physical activity, and nurture their spirit of competition, all while having fun.

For detailed information and to secure a spot, visit the following link tinyurl.com/scssportprgms.

“CSNSW SPORT is offering a fantastic school holiday opportunity for students enrolled in Catholic schools in NSW.

Our pilot AQUATHLON event is open to participation for students aged 8 years to 19 years with age divisions in both mainstream and multi-class events.

• 100m Swim & 1km Run Event (8 - 11 yrs)
• 200m Swim & 2km Run Event (12 - 19yrs)

Early bird registration for $35 has been extended to December 6th 5:00pm.”

That closes off a busy sporting year! Wishing you all a lovely and joyful break. May you and your families have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I will see you all for another sports packed year next year in 2024! Thank you all for an amazing 2023!

 

Kind Regards,

Miss Calizar

2023 SCHOOL FEES