This Friday, on the Feast Day of St. Anne and St. Joachim, we come together to celebrate the grandparents in our school community. As a grandma, I feel truly blessed to hold such an important role and to experience the joy my three year old grandson brings to our family. We have had a huge response to our morning celebrations and will use our Parish hall as well as the church to celebrate Mass.  Morning tea afterwards will be held in the Parish hall and courtyard and we hope that grandparents can stay and enjoy the hospitality. 

In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI wrote this prayer for grandparents.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Miss Meehan who celebrated her beautiful wedding on Saturday.  May God Bless her and her husband Freddie as they begin their lives together.

New Families

Welcome back to all our students and teachers. It was wonderful to see all of the students' smiling faces and hear the buzz in the air when they caught up with their friends. We welcome our new students and their families to Sacred Heart this term.

Ava Collins-Eardley - 3 Blue

Nicholas Fitzpatrick - 1Gold

Charles Hector - 4 Gold

Teacher Professional Learning

Last term, our teachers continued their Professional learning, collaborating with other Sydney Catholic Schools in our Network. K-2 teachers worked on reading, Years 3 & 4 teachers on writing and our Years 5 & 6 teachers learnt more about the new Mathematics syllabus.  

On Monday we held a joint Staff Development Day with teachers from Blessed Sacrament to enrich our personal spirituality. Josie from St Vincent de Paul presented the day and then teachers prepared meals, sandwiches, snack packs and gifts which were used for the Sydney Night Patrol yesterday and for families in our local area.  Thank you to Miss Jackson and Mrs Tucker (Blessed Sacrament) for all of their work in organising the day. Thanks also to Mr O’Donohue who joined the St Vincent de Paul team last night.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN results have been dispatched from NESA and are expected to arrive at school this Friday. We will send them home to our Year 3 and Year 5 parents as soon as they are received.  

NAPLAN results are measured against 4 levels of proficiency:

• Exceeding
• Strong
• Developing
• Needs additional support

Our teachers analyse the results to assist with planning teaching and learning in the areas of reading, writing, mathematics, grammar, punctuation and spelling. 

In 2025, NAPLAN will be held from Wednesday 12 March to Monday 24 March.

Playground

Over the holidays, we completed the transformation of the primary undercroft area with paving. We are also moving some of the silver tables to this space so our primary students can enjoy somewhere to sit and ‘chill’. This area looks amazing and will be a beautiful space for BBQ’s and community events.  

School Pick up and drop off

You would have read the P & F newsletter regarding Road Safety and and Traffic updates and the requests that the P & F have made to Mosman Council. As we start the third term, just a reminder of how important it is to follow the correct traffic rules during drop off and pick up for the safety of all our students and families.  We are still receiving emails from local residents complaining of double parking or blocking of their driveways particularly in Bardwell and Wudgong streets. We only started opening Bardwell gate again last year, to help make pick up easier, so it would be a shame if we had to keep the gate closed due to a few people doing the wrong thing.   We rely on all parents, grandparents and carers to follow the usual road rules and to respect our neighbours. Council will conduct further patrols around school drop off and pick up times. For your information, a fine for double parking is $410 with 2 demerit points and for making an illegal U-turn, $410 and 3 demerit points.  

We have also adjusted the opening times of the Bardwell and Cardinal gates to closer to 3:00pm. This is again for the safety of our students and will give the teacher on duty at Kameruka time to arrive and ensure that students are only leaving with parents or carers.

Book Week - Week 5 

It’s time to think about those costumes as book week is quickly approaching. The theme this year is: ”Reading is magic” which gives you lots of scope for dress ups.  

Mrs Jago has organised some wonderful activities and events to celebrate. Here is the outline for Book Week:

BOOK FAIR: Tuesday 20/8 to Tuesday 27/8

Book Fair is open for parents from Tuesday 20/8 afternoon - 3.00 to 4.00pm and then each morning from Wednesday 21/8, 8:10 am to 9:00 am and afternoons until Monday 26/8, 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

AUTHOR VISIT 

MATTHEW LINN  is a Graphic Novel illustrator and author and will visit on Wed 21/8 

DAVID LEGGE is an illustrator who has produced many book illustrations and regularly illustrates for The School Magazine.  He will visit on Friday 23/8 

BOOK WEEK PARADE: Friday 23/8 morning 8:45 am - 9:30 am approximately 

Wishing you God’s Blessings, 

Jane Taylor

Assistant Principal

Combined Staff Spirituality Day with Sacred Heart and Blessed Sacrament staff

On Monday 22nd of July, the staff of Sacred Heart and Blessed Sacrament gathered to partake in our annual Spirituality Day. Each year we focus on the theme of either Head (scripture and tradition), Heart (liturgy and prayer) or Hands (living, transformation and service). This year our focus was around Hands. We were led by retreat facilitator Josie Charbel, through the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Josie shared heartfelt stories of working with a multitude of people across NSW who have experienced, or who are currently experiencing, homelessness.

Under the guidance of Josie & with the help of organisations who provide food and necessities for those experiencing hardship, the Sacred Heart and Blessed Sacrament staff were blessed with the opportunity to prepare hot food, sandwiches, gift packs and snack packs for those who need it most this winter. 

Thank you to all the staff who worked together to make a small difference for many out there who are facing crisis in their lives. Although we could only provide one night’s meal for someone out there, it has sparked much interest in what we can further do to continue the mission of Christ. 

Term 3 School Masses & Liturgies

Fri 26th July- Grandparents Day (Week 1)

-Open classrooms 8.45am

-Whole School Mass @ 9:15am

-Grandparents Morning Tea after Mass

Fri 9th August- St Mary of the Cross Feast Day (Week 3)

-Prayer at Assembly & Founder Acknowledgement (MacKillop House students wear sports uniform and a green accessory)

Thurs 15th August- Feast of the Assumption of Mary (Week 4)

Feast of the Assumption Whole School Mass @ 11:30am

Fri 30th August- Father’s Day Breakfast & Mass at 9.15am 

Term 3 Grade Masses- Fridays at 9.15am (families are welcome!)

• Friday 2nd of August- Year 3 Mass

• Friday 9th of August- Year 2 Prayer service for Saint Mary of the Cross @ Assembly

• Friday 6th of September- Year 1 Mass

• Friday 13th of September- Year 5 Mass

• Friday 20th of September- Year K & 6 Mass

• Friday 27th of September- Year 4 Mass

Term 3 Sacramental Program Dates

• Wednesday 24th July- First Holy Communion Family Night
• Saturday 25th July and Sunday 26th July- First Holy Communion Commitment Masses
• Wednesday 31st July- First Holy Communion Lesson 1 (5pm or 6.30pm)
• Monday 5th August- First Holy Communion Lesson 2 (5pm or 6.30pm)
• Wednesday 14th Aug- First Holy Communion Lesson 3 (5pm or 6.30pm)
• First Holy Communion Masses- Saturday 7th September, Sunday 8th September and Sunday 15th September

Term 3 Sacred Heart Family Mass Dates (all families welcome to attend!)

4th August- Year 3 families assisting and providing morning tea

11th August- Kinder & Year 6 families assisting and providing morning tea

18th August- Year 5 families assisting and providing morning tea

25th August- Year 1 families assisting and providing morning tea

8th September- Year 2 families assisting and providing morning tea

22nd September- Year 4 families assisting and providing morning tea

On the 22nd July we celebrated the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene was a disciple of Jesus. She was one of the witnesses of the Crucifixion and burial of Jesus and, famously, was the first person to see him after the resurrection.

On the 26th July, we Celebrate the Feast Days of Saint Anne & Saint Joachim, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was in the home of Joachim and Anne where the Virgin Mary received her training to be the Mother of God. This is why our devotion to Anne and Joachim is an extension of the affection Christians have always professed toward our Blessed Mother.

“ Grandparents are like stars. You don't always see them but you know they are there.”

I have sourced a few ways to Honour your own Grandparents:

• Hang a picture wall to show your family lineage.

• Cook a meal with your grandparents to learn a family recipe. 

• Sit with your grandparents to listen & learn about your Grandparents childhood. 

Prayer for the Blessing of Grandparents.

Lord god almighty, bless our grandparents with long life, happiness, and health. May they remain constant in your love and be living signs of your presence to their children and grandchildren.

We ask this through Christ our lord. Amen

I look forward to celebrating Grandparents Day with your families this Friday morning.

Many Blessing

Anna Macri

Family & faith educator

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to school for Term 3! 

This term we welcome you to attend our K-2 Parent Engagement Workshop on Mathematics, being hosted at Sacred Heart, Mosman, for both Sacred Heart and Blessed Sacrament parents of Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2. 

This Mathematics workshop will aim to explain and support you in your understanding of the development of number skills from Kindergarten to Year 2. We intend to provide you with a deeper understanding of how foundational skills in number evolve, along with practical tips for supporting your child's learning at home.

As a parent and/or carer, your engagement is essential to your child’s educational journey, and we see this journey as a partnership in which we work collaboratively as a community to ensure learning growth for all children. 

The sessions will be held in-person and will not be recorded or available via Zoom.

If you are able to attend please RSVP using the link: Please click here to RSVP if you wish to attend

We look forward to seeing you there,

Nerissa McCartney 

Leader of Teaching & Learning

Dear Sacred Heart Families,

I hope you had a great winter break and that the children are feeling refreshed and ready for another term of growing and learning together here at Sacred Heart.

GROW YOUR MIND PROGRAM

This term the teachers will continue to implement the ‘Grow Your Mind’ Program as part of the Personal Development and Health curriculum. Each grade will focus on specific content to support student learning and to build positive mental health and wellbeing. Some of the themes explored this term include: growth mindset, understanding consent, decision making, respectful communication, goal setting, mindfulness, friendships and problem solving. 

In my role I will also be working with small groups across the school to delve deeper into the content and provide extra support and strategies in a smaller group setting. If you have any questions at all about the program or would like any resources/support for home please reach out to me via email: amanda.macourt@syd.catholic.edu.au 

YEAR 5 LEADERSHIP DAY

In the final week of last term the Year 5 students participated in a Leadership Day facilitated by Mr Warren Hopley. Many of you would have met Warren at our ‘Boys Education Parent Session’. Warren is a renowned educator and has worked in many schools across Sydney and the Broken Bay Diocese.

The theme of the Leadership Day was ‘In Giving, We Receive’ with a focus on the idea that true leadership and fulfilment come from serving others and making a positive impact in our community. Our school focus on Student Leadership will continue this term.

2025 KINDERGARTEN COUNTDOWN: Your Ultimate Guide to a Confident Start

On Friday 16 August we will be holding a ‘School Readiness Expo’ for preschoolers and their families. The special event has been designed for parents of preschoolers to assist them and their children in getting ready for the exciting transition to Kindergarten. See the attached invitation flyer for more details. The morning will include: tips and insights from experienced educators and will allow for questions to be answered by the experts. We hope that you can join us! Please share with any friends or family with preschool aged children.

Have a wonderful first week back and remember to keep refilling that cup.

Amanda Macourt

Leader of Wellbeing and Engagement

Our favourite time in the Library is almost here- Book Week!

Book Week is an annual celebration of books and reading that takes place in many countries around the world to promote literacy and the joy of reading among children and adults alike. Integrating the theme "Reading is Magic" into a school environment can be a wonderful way to foster a love for reading and learning among students.

During Book Week at Sacred Heart, we have various activities organised - author visits, book fair, storytelling sessions and our themed dress-up day on Friday 23^rd August, where our students and teachers can dress as their favourite book characters. The aim is to encourage reading for pleasure, foster a love of literature, and celebrate the diversity of books available. It's a time when the spotlight is on books and their importance in education, entertainment, and personal enrichment.

We encourage you to look around home for things that you could use to conjure up a magical book character. Please don’t go to great expense, consider reusing costume pieces and get crafty with what you already have. Some book character ideas are-

Harry Potter etc; Roald Dahl characters eg Matilda, BFG; Merlin; Aladdin or Jasmine; Mary Poppins; Peter Pan or Tinkerbell; Alice in Wonderland; character from Wizard of Oz eg Dorothy or Glinda the good witch; Disney princesses; The Gruffalo or the Witch from Room on the Broom; Percy Jackson; Super Heroes; The Cat in the Hat; a Crayon from The day the Crayons Quit; a unicorn or a fairy. The list is endless, so many wonderful book characters to choose from!

To inspire and entertain us even more, we would love family members of our younger year grades, to video themselves reading a favourite story and sharing it with their child’s class. Please email your recorded story directly to your class teacher.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC), will conclude on Friday 23^rd August. Now is the time to enter books that have been read this year. Please email cecilia.jago@syd.catholic.edu.au if help is needed to enter reading logs. Kindy, Year 1 and Year 2 have been inspirational and proving the power of books by completing their personal challenges with their classes – super readers!

More details regarding our Book Week activities will be shared next newsletter.

Happy Reading!

Cecilia Jago and Josie Spano

If any families are leaving the school at the end of the year, please let the school office know as soon as possible. We have families who would be interested in spaces if any spots open up for 2025.