A very warm welcome back to the Sacred Heart school community. I have been very heartened by the enthusiastic and calm way the children have settled into new classes and school routines. This is a great credit to you parents, and to our staff, for whom the children are our first priority.

Welcome to all of our new families – those with children in Kindergarten and those whose children are moving into other classes across the school. I would especially like to welcome our new staff and a special mention to Corey Strozer, our new SCECS (Sydney Catholic Early Childhood Services) Coordinator. Corey has hit the ground running and I am very much looking forward to working in partnership with him this year.

I ask our community to please make yourself known to our new parents and staff; I know you will want to make them feel part of this beautiful school community too. I wish all of our families abundant blessings during 2024.

With the SCS theme for 2024 in mind, ‘We journey together as joyful witnesses to hope’ let us look forward to the year ahead and the many opportunities we have to be the face of Christ and give hope to those we encounter each and every day.

I look forward to seeing you all at our P&F Welcome Night next Friday 16 February.

The way in which a student wears their uniform gives a clear message about how the student sees themselves and our school. As members of this community all students are expected to wear the uniform with pride, on the correct day and groom themselves appropriately. 

Students may wear their sport uniform to school only when they are timetabled on sport. Students should be in full school uniform at all other times.

May God bless all our families.

Leanne Meehan

PRINCIPAL

Welcome back to school for 2024.  It was so wonderful to see our students' smiling faces on the first day and to see how excited they were to reconnect with their friends. Luckily the smiles have remained and our classrooms are buzzing with enthusiasm for learning.   

This year we have a new Mathematics and English Syllabus for Years 3 to 6, in line with the K-2 Syllabus introduced in 2023. Our teachers participated in professional learning last year and have been busy planning the curriculum to meet these requirements.  During 2024 we have a number of our Staff Development days dedicated to either English or Mathematics.  Mrs Nerissa McCartney will lead and work collaboratively with teachers in all aspects of teaching and learning across both our school and Blessed Sacrament. 

We continue to focus on our core values of ‘Faith, Generosity and Courage’.  Each week our student leaders will explain what our values ‘look, feel and sound’ like by offering practical ways for students to apply our values in their interactions with their friends and teachers.  We have high expectations around behaviour and ‘personal space’ for all our students with clear expectations of our ‘hands to yourself’ (and feet) rule. Mrs Amanda Macourt is working with teachers and students to introduce a wellbeing program across Sacred Heart and Blessed Sacrament. This program helps students to understand the brain and emotions and as the year progresses will include further aspects of wellbeing.  

A special thank you to our Year 6 leaders who have been very proactive in ensuring the Kindergarten students have a positive start to school life.  At our opening school Mass on Friday, our Year 6 students will receive their leadership badges.  

Cyber Safety

Yesterday was Safer Internet Day - a worldwide event that raises awareness about online safety and encourages individuals and the community to create a better internet for everyone. Mrs Petersen has organised an incursion for all students in Years 1-6 today, along with teacher professional learning and a parent session focussed on the importance of Cyber safety.  So far we have over seventy families registered to join us tonight.  If you haven’t registered, you can still attend - 6:00 pm in the hall. 

Zing Activ

We partner with Zing Activ to provide some of our sport activities.  This year we have Dance in Term 1,  Athletics in Term 2 and Gymnastics in Term 4.  As part of our partnership they offer us the option to join their Interschool Dance Challenge for Years 3-6.  Last year we had over 130 students participate.  All students in Years 3-6 and their families are invited to attend.

Dance Fever Challenge - Tuesday 9th April

Venue - Hordern Pavilion

Time - 6pm (doors will open earlier) finish approx. 8.15pm

We will share further details about the event when at hand.  Parents are required to transport their child to and from the venue.  Details around how and when to buy tickets will be communicated when we receive them. We will also share details about what to wear once the ‘show dance’ theme has been chosen.  Please add this date to your calendar and join in the excitement of the night.  

NAPLAN

Students in Year 3 and Year 5 participate in NAPLAN, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy between 13-25 March.  If your child is in Year 3 or Year 5, please install the 2023 NAPLAN Locked-down browser on their iPad.  Students also need their own headphones to complete the tests as some of the questions require students to listen and then respond.  Specific dates for the tests will be advised. 

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

Building works

You may notice some painting and updates happening around our school.  The hall is being painted and custom built cabinets will be installed in a few weeks.  Our foyer area is being refreshed with painting, wallpaper and consistent carpet and our staff toilets (original to the building) are being redone.  

Information Evenings - Next week

Our class Information evenings are an opportunity for all parents to meet their child’s teacher and to hear about the expectations and learning for the year.  Teachers will share their class curriculum newsletter prior to the evening so you can read through beforehand.  If you have any general questions about class routines or expectations, please ask the teacher during the information evening, which is held in your child’s classroom.  Should you have children in multiple classes and can’t attend one of the sessions, teachers will be happy to share their slides afterwards.  

Tuesday 13th February - in your child’s classroom

Year 3 and Year 6 @ 5.30pm

Year 4 @ 6.00pm

Year 5 @ 6.30pm

Wednesday 14th February - in your child’s classroom

Kinder @ 5.30pm

Thursday 15th February - in your child’s classroom

Year 1 @ 6.00pm

Year 2 @ 6.30pm

Please remember that the evening is for general information about class routines and learning.  If you have specific questions or information you wish to share about your child, email the office and your child’s teacher can get back to you.  Teachers provide these sessions in their own time and we ask you to be mindful of this at the end of the session so that they can leave to be home with their own families. 

Pickup and Drop off

Our school is located within residential streets and we need to be good neighbours. We should all work together to make drop off and pick up safe for our students, as efficiently as possible for our parents/carers and to cause the least amount of inconvenience to our neighbours.  For those parents who are new to our school and as a refresher for existing parents, please be aware of the following rules and courtesies around pickup and drop off:

Before school

Our staff supervision starts at 8:10 am. The school gate is locked until this time. Please do not drop your child before 8:10 am as they are not supervised.  All students enter the school via the main gate on Cardinal street. 

Do not park in the drop off zone or no parking areas - council regularly patrols and the fines are quite high.  

After school

You can collect your child from Kameruka inside our school or carline.  Both the back gate on Cardinal street and Bardwell street open from 3pm for 15 minutes. 

Bardwell Street 

• Parents should follow road rules and only park where there is a safe spot - no parking across driveways or double parking.  

Carline 

• Parents should only use the carline for drop off or pick up if your child is able to get themselves in and out of the car from the curb side.  They need to buckle and unbuckle their own seatbelt.
• Students should have their school bag on the floor or seat next to them not in the boot. 
• Please be patient and wait for your turn - do not double park or pull out from the curb before the car in front of you.
• If your child is not ready at the steps, you may be asked to circle the block again so that we can keep the line moving.

Attendance

Teachers mark rolls directly onto the Compass system each morning.  The roll is a legal document and any unexplained absences are a concern for your child’s attendance record.  Please ensure as a priority that you record your child’s absence directly in Compass.  If you are unable to access Compass for any reason, phone or email the office to let us know of the reason why your child is absent so that it can be recorded.  There is no need to provide a follow up note.  

Late arrivals

Parents should enter the school to accompany their child if arriving after 8:50 am, as any students who enter without an adult are marked as an unexplained absence.  We ask parents to be diligent in accompanying their child to the office.  Once you arrive at the office, your child should go straight to class by themself and not wait for you to sign them in.  Parents should not go to the classroom as all late arrivals are automatically entered onto the Compass system once you sign your child in.    

Amadeus

Students should start to bring their instruments to school starting next week.  There are no lessons until the following week however our tutors will check sizing.  

Year 3

Year 3 will be new to the instrumental program so will be sized and allocated an instrument based on their preferences and amount of instruments and sizes the school has. 

No Dogs on school grounds

As much as we understand that dogs are an important part of family life, the ‘Companion Animals Act 1998 No 87’, prohibits dogs in some public places including school grounds. This means that parents and carers are not able to bring dogs onto the school grounds in the mornings or afternoons and this applies to dogs on a leash or being held.    

If you are bringing a dog on your walk, please tie the dog safely outside the school gate whilst you collect your child.  

Allergy Awareness

We have a number of children with known food allergies who have severe anaphylactic reactions.  In line with best practice guidelines we have an ‘allergy aware’ approach to minimise the risk of exposure to known allergens.  We ask parents to avoid packing lunches with peanut butter, nutella, nuts, chocolate bars with nuts or nut muesli bars.  Students should not share food, should not give food to others and should not leave food or packaging in the playground. 

Some of the procedures we have in place include:

• Keeping up to date medical information and individualised anaphylaxis care plans for each student at risk based on information from parents and medical professionals.
• Our staff are trained in the prevention, recognition and treatment of allergic reactions including anaphylaxis.
• We provide age-appropriate education for students with allergies and their peers to manage risks in school settings.
• We communicate in the newsletter about anaphylaxis management to help raise community awareness 
• We implement practical strategies to reduce the risk of accidental exposure to known allergic triggers 

All staff completed their annual CPR training last week which also included training in anaphylaxis awareness and administering of ‘Epi- pens’.

I am looking forward to an exciting year ahead.

May God’s love be with you. 

Jane Taylor

Assistant Principal

A very warm welcome to everyone in our Sacred Heart community. Here’s hoping that you all had a safe and happy break over the Christmas holiday period.

Our Sydney Catholic Schools theme for 2024 is: “We journey together, as joyful witnesses to hope.” How can we live this message, within our school community? In the words of Pope Francis, “through journeying together as joyful witnesses to hope, we help to build a civilisation of love.” As we share in the journey of hope this year, may our school community flourish with love and joy, in the presence of Christ.

Please see some of the upcoming important dates on our Term One Religious Education calendar:

Friday 9th February- Beginning Year Mass for 2024

Beginning Year Mass led by Year Six @ 9.15am, Sacred Heart Church

Shrove Tuesday, 13th February

Next Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Tuesday. It is the day when we begin to make preparations for the Liturgical season of Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday. On Shrove Tuesday, students will each receive a small pancake (pikelet) to eat with their classmates. For any child that has food allergies, please contact: kristen.jackson@syd.catholic.edu.au

Ash Wednesday, 14th February

Our K-2 students will participate in an Ash Wednesday Liturgy held in the school hall @ 12pm on Wednesday, 14th February. K-2 Parents are warmly welcome to attend. Students in Years 3 to 6 will partake in the Ash Wednesday Mass held at Sacred Heart Church @ 12pm. Years 3 to 6 parents are most welcome to attend. Following Ash Wednesday, children will bring home a Project Compassion box to raise funds for communities supported by Caritas. 

Sacramental Program for Term One

The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated in Term 2 of the school year, for students in Year 6 or students who have received their Sacrament of First Holy Communion. There is an online enrolment period which begins on the 20th of February and runs until the 6th of March.

Confirmation Family Night: Wednesday, 13th March @ 6.30pm

Confirmation Commitment Masses: 16th/17th of March (students can attend any Mass)

Confirmation Sessions begin in Term 2.

Confirmation ceremonies (Term 2): Thursday, 30th May & Friday, 31st May

School Grade Masses- parents are warmly welcome to attend! 

Each grade will visit the Church once a term to join Friday Mass at 9:15am. Parents are most welcome and we would love to see you there!

Friday 16th February- Year 5 Grade Mass @ 9.15am

Friday 23rd February- Year 1 Grade Mass @ 9.15am

Friday 1st March- Year 2 Grade Mass @ 9.15am

Friday 7th March- (no Grade Mass due to school photography day)

Friday 15th March- Year 4 Grade Mass @ 9.15am

Friday 22nd March- Year 3 Grade Mass @ 9.15am

Friday 12th April- Years K & 6 Grade Mass @ 9.15am

Harmony Day: On the 21st March in acknowledgment of Harmony Day, students and staff are invited to wear an orange accessory & bring in a gold coin, to support raising funds for Project Compassion during this Lenten season.

Holy Week Reflections: these will take place on Holy Thursday, 28th March at Sacred Heart Church beginning at approximately 9:30am.

Kindest Regards,

Miss Kristen Jackson

Religious Education Coordinator

Welcome back from holiday break, I hope you managed to have some quality time with family & friends.

It's an exciting to start Term 1 of 2024.    

This term has a few things happening, such as:

Presentation of the Lord in the Temple – Friday 2nd February

We celebrate forty days after Christmas, marking the day the Mary and Joseph would have bought Jesus into the temple. It shows him to be the firstborn son to belong to the lord.

I 4Give Day - Sunday 6th February

Aims to Increase forgiveness amongst communities.

Shrove Tuesday – February 13th  

Next Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday and historically, Church laws on fasting were much stricter than they are now. No oil, butter, meat, eggs, milk or sugar were to be eaten at all during Lent. The tradition of making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday began out of the need to clear the pantry of all the ingredients that were forbidden during Lent, so they would not be wasted.

To commemorate Shrove Tuesday the children will be sharing pre-packaged pikelets in their classes. 

Ash Wednesday – Feb 14th

Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It marks the first day of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter.  The ritual burning of the previous year's Holy Week palms, finalizing one's Lenten sacrifice, and the ashes are placed on our foreheads at Ash Wednesday Mass.

Holy week 24th – 30th March

Holy Week is the most sacred week in the liturgical year in Christianity. For all Christian traditions it is a moveable observance. 

Easter Sunday 31st March

Also, called Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD.

Some initiatives that I am holding this term are the Sacred Heart playgroup every Monday fortnight 9am-10:30am and Eat, Pray & Laugh every Tuesday 9:15am. 

Please come along, there is always Tea/coffee and lots of chatter.

 

With Ash Wednesday on 14th Feb, we begin our reflection on the journey of Jesus during 40 days of lent as we lead up to Easter. 

The three traditional pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Through the tree pillars of lent we journey to develop a closer relationship to God. The 40 days of Lent should be filled with reflection, service, and prayer. I will be attending this retreat day, and I would love to have you join me. Email me if your interested and we can meet out the front of the Cathedral and sit together. anna.macri@syd.catholic.edu.au 

A Lenten Retreat Day with the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia

Women of all ages are invited to join the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia for a Lenten Retreat Day. This day will focus on renewing the foundations of the spiritual life as we strive to live the Paschal Mystery throughout the year. The retreat day will include all day Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions, talks by the sisters, personal testimony, a Holy Hour, and discussion groups. Morning tea and lunch are included. A $20 fee.    
https://bit.ly/3RRAKfa​

During the 6 weeks of lent we also have:

Fr Mathew from our Holy Family parish will be leading a Lenten discussion group in the parish hall 7pm on Wednesdays starting 14th Feb. The groups will continue for 6 weeks of lent and unpack the steps of Jesus leading to easter. 

I will be attending a few of these evenings so please come along if or when you can. CLICK HERE to view the online booklet    

All welcome 

Cana Farm weekly Tuesday deliveries to Mosman area for veggie boxes & products. Check the website to place your order.

 Veggie boxes and products.  

farm@cana.org.au

Anna Macri, Family & Faith Educator      

WELLBEING UPDATE

Dear Sacred Heart Families,

Welcome to the 2024 School Year! I hope you all have had a rested and refreshing summer break and are ready for a wonderful year of growing and learning together here at Sacred Heart.

I have had the privilege of visiting all classrooms K-6 this week to meet the children and begin introducing them to the school wide ‘Grow Your Mind’ Wellbeing Program that we will be implementing this year. This program has a strong focus on brain awareness, emotional literacy and regulation, healthy relationships, mindsets, character strength education and consent education. This term the children and teachers will be introduced to the program. In Term 2 more detailed information about the program will be available to you through a parent session (which I will advertise for your attendance). Keep an eye out for this!

As part of the program, we introduce the brain through fictional animal characters. This is a playful and engaging way to teach the children about their brain and some of its core functions. See poster below: 

We all have mental health and it’s important to remember that, the teachers need to look after their Wellbeing as well. These are the little teacher wellbeing welcome packs I delivered to them last week: 

Remember to keep filling your cup. Have a great week! 

I look forward to meeting you all soon.

Amanda Macourt

Leader of Wellbeing and Engagement

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to another year of sport at Sacred Heart! I am looking forward to another jam packed sporting year alongside our Sacred Heart family!

On Monday the 4th of March, students who have progressed from last year’s swimming carnival will be representing Sacred Heart at the Conference Swimming Championships. Please wish any students you know that are progressing, good luck as they participate.

To start us off, our first Sacred Heart sporting event of the year will be the school’s Cross Country which will be held at Allan Border Oval on Tuesday the 12th of March for students in Year 2 to Year 6. Further details to come in the upcoming weeks.

Sydney Catholic Schools are also continuing with their Inter-School Sports initiative and our school will be taking part in Term 2 and Term 3. The dates and sports the children will be participating in are listed below:

Stage 2 (Year 3 and Year 4)

• 11 June - Football
• 3 Sept - Netball

Stage 3 (Year 5 and Year 6)

• 15 May Netball
• 26 June - Football
• 7 August - OzTag
• 18 Sept - European Handball

As our year begins, with sporting carnivals coming soon, please be reminded that SCS requires additional steps for parents to volunteer. If you are looking to volunteer for any sporting events this year, please read the communication on Compass sent at the end of last year and ensure to complete every step.

That’s all for now in sporting news. I look forward to an exciting year of sports and giving you all further updates on our student achievements throughout the year. Bring on 2024! Until next time!

Kind Regards,

Miss Calizar

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 16 February 2024.

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