Dear Parents and Carers,

Last week we celebrated the Assumption of Mary. According to our faith, the Holy Mother, having completed her course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. It marks her return to heaven to be reunited with Jesus. While the bodies of both Jesus and Mary are now in heaven, there is a difference between the Assumption and the Resurrection/Ascension. Where Jesus arose from the tomb and ascended into heaven by his own power, Mary’s body was taken up to heaven by the power of her Son. For this reason, we use different words to describe each event. One is the Ascension of Christ and the other, the Assumption of Mary.

Mary urges all people, regardless of culture or beliefs, to open their minds and hearts to God. Mother Mary explains how to live more fully conscious of our presence and purpose here on earth, and how to prepare ourselves for re-entry into the spirit world after physical death. She is the masterwork of God and the start of God bringing mankind into communion with Jesus. I thank Miss Jackson, Mrs Conroy and Mrs Merillo, as well as our incredible students for preparing our very special mass to celebrate the Assumption of Mary.

Father Phil’s Ordination Anniversary

This Friday, we celebrate a remarkable milestone in the journey of a devoted servant of God, Father Phil, as he marks his 55-year ordination anniversary. This is a moment to reflect on his unwavering dedication, his tireless service, and the countless lives he has touched through his ministry.

The life of a priest is one of sacrifice, dedication, and boundless love. Father Phil has embraced this life with open arms, and his example has illuminated the path for us all. His humility, compassion, and steadfastness have shown us what it truly means to serve God's people.

As we celebrate Father Phil’s ordination, let us not only look back on his achievements but also look forward with hope and gratitude for the years to come. His ministry is a testament to the transformative power of faith, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

Father Phil, we express our deepest appreciation for the sacrifices you have made, the prayers you have offered, and the love you have shared. Your life's work has enriched our lives and brought us closer to God. May you continue to be a guiding light, leading us and our          parents and most importantly our children on the path of righteousness.           

Congratulations, Father Phil, on 55 years of dedicated service. May your journey ahead be filled with the same grace and joy that you have brought to all of us.

Science Week

Science Week 2024 at Sacred Heart was a thrilling exploration of the survival of living things, sparking excitement and deep learning across the school. Students had the opportunity to learn about conservation efforts in Sydney Harbour, view live footage of Australian oceans from a marine biologist and documentary photographer, and engage in a variety of experiments during a Big Science show.

Each lunchtime, our Year 6 Science and Tech leaders, along with the Environment team, hosted workshops for K-5 students, allowing them to explore experiments, technology, and habitats. The week culminated in a dramatic Coke and Mentos experiment, demonstrating how heat accelerates gas release, with the reaction shooting up as high as the second-floor balcony.

The week was a fantastic celebration of science, with every student enjoying hands-on Deep Learning experiences. A huge thanks to our very own, Mrs Petersen, who goes above and beyond for us at all of these events. She speaks so enthusiastically about ways in which she can engage our students and we thank her sincerely for all that she does.

NAPLAN
We have received further information regarding our NAPLAN results for 2024. Of the Top 15 SCS Schools relative to State average, our school achieved:

Year 3

• Reading 7th
• Spelling 9th
• Numeracy - 10th 

Year 5

• Reading - 4th
• Grammar & Punctuation 15th 

Overall, our school is above the National average for each of the 5 areas - Numeracy, Reading, Writing & Conventions of Language (Spelling & Grammar & punctuation) with Reading being a strength. 

This is an amazing achievement across 147 Sydney Catholic Schools.  Congratulations to our students for your incredible learning year round and to our teachers and parents who all contributed to this success.  

Uniform 

Thank you for the big improvement in ensuring your child wears their correct uniform.  We have seen a good improvement in our Sacred Heart Uniform being worn with pride. If we could ask you to check that your child’s name is on all items, especially hats and jackets, this would make a big difference to the ‘lost property’ items found with no name.  

Book Week - Week 5 

We are all looking forward to our Book week author and illustrator visits and our parade on Friday morning. Remember children can dress as their favourite book character or go with the theme “Reading is magic” and come dressed in cloak with a wand to spread the magic. All parents, family and friends are invited to join us for the parade at 8:45 am Friday. I hope you get a chance to visit our Book Fair, open mornings and afternoons until next Monday. 

A big thank you to Mrs Jago and Mrs Spano for all of their organisation and enthusiasm around this special week. 

Morning Drop Off

Just a reminder that there is also a drop off area near the school driveway, one spot in front of the driveway and two or three spots behind the driveway. Children dropped here just need to walk up Cardinal street to enter the school as usual. If you find yourself stopped in the line around this area, please pull in and try this space as it may help to drop off quickly, rather than just waiting in line for the 3 spots near the front office.  

Afternoon pick up

Carline seems to be going very well with everyone following the rules. It would also be a huge help if all cars had the name tag on the visor. This enables teachers to see cars from the crossing and call names to have the children lined up and ready to go.  If you need to order extra signs for relatives' cars, please call the office.  

Wishing you God’s Blessings, 

Jane Taylor

UpcomingGrade Masses, Fridays at 9.15am (all families welcome to join)

• 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

Sacrament of the Eucharist  

• First Holy Communion Masses- Saturday 7th September, Sunday 8th September and Sunday 15th September 

Father’s Day Mass, Friday 30th of August at 9.15am

Fathers and fatherly figures of our school community are warmly welcome to join us for Father’s Day Mass from 9.15am. If you will be joining us for the Father’s Day Mass, please click this link to advise (to ensure there is enough seating.) Thank you!

***If you would like for your Father’s Day family photo to be on display at the Father’s Day Breakfast & handball, please email your photograph to: kristen.jackson@syd.catholic.edu.au no later than this Friday, 23rd August.***

Celebrating the Anniversary of Father Phil’s Ordination after the Year One Family Mass this Sunday 25th August, outside the Parish Hall.

Year One families, if your child would like a special role at the Year One Family Mass and/or you are able to contribute a plate for the morning tea, please click this link.

Family and Faith

As we reach mid-term, we are already set on a busy term! So much is going on at home with our families, friends and at work.

We can’t change the circumstances we find ourselves in, but we can

ask for help and we can accept assistance when offered.

We can hand over our prayers and our longings to God and lean

into him. We can do no more sometimes, than hand them over

and then wait for God, in his timing, to respond. PSALM 33:8

Please continue to email me if you would like a prayer for whatever reason dedicated to you, your loved ones or, if you have a child or a significant young person in your life who is sitting the HSC next term. I will put them in my prayers.

You can also join me on Tuesday mornings, 9:15am at morning Mass at Sacred Heart Church followed by a coffee.

The Feast of St Vincent de Paul is celebrated on September 27th.

The Catholic Church remembers Saint VIncent de Paul, as the French 17th century priest known as the patron of Catholic charities for his apostolic work among the poor and marginalised. On this day we also celebrate St Gabriel and St Raphel.

Initiatives to remember this term are:

Please note that the playgroup this Monday has been cancelled due to our space being unavailable.

Remember - Matthew 5:16 "...let your light shine before others so they may see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven."   Amen to that!

Many blessings

Anna Macri

Family & faith educator

The Power of Reading

Dear Parents and Carers, 

It’s Book Week! The perfect time to reflect on the profound impact that everyday reading can have on our children! Reading is more than just a skill; it’s a doorway to new worlds, ideas, and perspectives that enrich our children’s lives in countless ways! Hence the theme for Book Week - Reading is Magic! 

The Importance of Regular Reading

When children engage in daily reading, they are building a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Consistency is key—it helps develop fluency, comprehension, and a love for books that can last a lifetime. Each reading session strengthens their vocabulary, improves focus and concentration, and enhances their ability to empathise with others. Reading regularly also supports academic success across all subjects, as it fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The Power of Vocabulary

One of the most significant benefits of regular reading is the development of a rich and expansive vocabulary. As children encounter new words in various contexts, they begin to understand their meanings and how to use them effectively. This growing vocabulary is crucial for comprehension; the more words a child knows, the better they can understand and engage with the text. A strong vocabulary is also a key factor in academic success. It allows children to express their ideas clearly, understand complex instructions, and grasp the content of different subjects more effectively. Whether it’s decoding a challenging text in English or understanding a word problem in Mathematics, a robust vocabulary empowers children to excel.

The Value of Diverse Genres

Exposing children to a wide range of genres is equally important. Whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or biographies, each genre offers unique benefits and insights. Fiction fuels imagination and creativity, while non-fiction introduces factual knowledge and real-world concepts. Poetry can inspire an appreciation for language’s rhythm and beauty, and biographies allow children to learn from the lives of others. By exploring different genres, children can discover what truly excites them, sparking a passion for reading that will continue to grow. This variety also helps them develop a well-rounded understanding of the world, as they encounter different viewpoints, cultures, and ideas.

Book Week is a celebration of everything that makes reading so magical. It’s an opportunity for us all to encourage our children to explore new books, discover new authors, and share the joy of reading. Setting aside extra time to read with your child, visiting the local library, or exploring new genres together reminds our children that reading is not just a school task, but a lifelong adventure. Together, we can instill a love of reading that will benefit them for years to come!

Happy Reading!

Nerissa McCartney

Leading of Teaching and Learning

Dear Parents and Carers,

Attendance is proven to impact student Wellbeing. As communicated last week we have recently updated our Student Attendance Policy and Procedures.  The use of Compass as our Student Information System (SIS) allows us to monitor attendance and for parents to communicate reasons for student absence. 

See below the key points within the updated policy:

• If your child is absent from school you must mark the absence on compass and enter a valid reason explaining the absence.
• All staff will mark the Class Rolls without errors and in a timely manner by 9am each day. 
• Class Teachers will regularly check the Attendance tab on their Class Page to monitor student attendance. 
• Teachers will contact parents/carers when a student has three consecutive unexplained absences.
• An automated SMS to notify parents is sent if their child is absent with a link to the portal so that  parents can add an attendance note (beginning Monday 19 August).
• Mrs Macourt (Leader of Wellbeing and Engagement) will continue fortnightly attendance analysis checks and follow up any concerns with teachers, parents and carers.

‘Grow Your Mind’ - Optimism & Positive Self Talk

We encourage our students to develop optimism by acknowledging ‘shark’ thoughts and ‘dolphin’ thoughts. Every time you catch yourself saying something negative, ask yourself, “Is there a ‘dolphin way’ to look at this problem?” More often than not, there will be a more positive way to view things! Life is full of ups and downs – sometimes it’s fair, sometimes it isn’t. Try and think if the thoughts you are having are helpful or not helpful, then challenge them! For example, a SHARK thought could be: “Oh no, I have to perform on the stage. I hate performing, I get so nervous and forget my place in the music.” Is this thought really going to help you with what you need to do? How else could you look at it? What would a DOLPHIN thought be? “It’s performance time! I am not so crazy about it, but I guess the more I practise being up on stage, the easier it will be.”

Practice acknowledging ‘shark thoughts’ and modelling ‘dolphin thinking’ with your children at home to promote more positive self talk.

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

Amanda Macourt

Leader of Wellbeing and Engagement

What a Week of Science!

This year the Science week theme centred around the survival of living things. The week kicked off with insights into conservation efforts in Sydney Harbour, thanks to our SIMS partners. Students were also treated to live footage of Australian oceans, presented by a marine biologist and documentary photographer, George Evatt which offered an immersive glimpse into marine life.

During the week, our Big Science show allowed students to engage hands-on with a variety of experiments, fueling their curiosity and understanding. Each lunchtime, our Year 6 Science and Tech leaders, along with the Environment team, led workshops for K-5 students. These sessions provided opportunities to explore experiments, technology, and habitats, further deepening their connection to the theme.

The week concluded with an exhilarating Coke and Mentos experiment, demonstrating how heat accelerates gas release. The countdown to the reaction had everyone on the edge of their ‘seats’, and the spectacular spray, that reached as high as the second-floor balcony, was met with huge cheers.

It was truly inspiring to see every student collaborating and sharing enthusiasm for science throughout the week.

Special thanks to our presenters SIMS Marine Science Institute, George Evatt Marine Biologist and Scienza Viva.

A big thank you to our wonderful teachers and our Year 6 leaders from the Science and Tech and Environment teams who gave up their lunchtimes to host workshops each day. 

Thank you also to SHM families for dropping off recycled materials for our habitat workshops. 

"Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious." Stephen Hawking 

Donations needed!

GARDENING SMOCKS                            

We are seeking donations of old but clean adult sized shirts for the students to wear as smocks when working in the garden.

Tubs will be left outside the Year 6 classrooms for donated items to be dropped off.

Mrs Petersen,

Deep Learning Coordinator

Get ready to step into a world of imagination and innovation at our Creative Arts Exhibition!

When: Week 9 - Thursday 19th and Friday 20th September 

Where: Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School - School Hall 

Join us to celebrate the vibrant creativity of our students as their artistic talents come to life. From dazzling paintings to inventive sculptures, prepare to be amazed by the wonders they’ve crafted! Your young Picassos and Monets have been working tirelessly, and we’re not just talking about the water spills and paint stains!

Here’s a delicious bonus: You can purchase a tasty sausage sizzle and a drink for just $5! But don’t wait—be sure to book your culinary delight on QKR which opens on Wednesday 28th August and closes 10 am on September 11th to secure your spot at the sizzle station.

Come for the art, stay for the atmosphere, and let’s make this an event to remember!

Warm regards,
The Creative Arts Team

Dear Parents and Carers,

The term is starting to get into the swing of things with some students’ sporting achievements and activities. 

We would like to congratulate Zachary Meacock for his recent selection in the U11 Academy Cup for the Sydney Swans youth academy. This is the official Sydney Swans talent development squad for NSW. If that was not enough, he has also already been selected and made it through to the U12 squad next year. Congratulations to Zachary for such an amazing achievement.

On Friday August 30th, Sacred Heart will also have four students representing us at the Pre to Post Athletics Championships held in Sydney Olympic Park. Students who are successful on the day of the championship will be given a selection note to progress onto the CPS (MacKillop) Athletics Championships on Wednesday 25 September 2024. Please wish the following students luck in their upcoming events:

• Olivia Doughty: Junior girls discus
• Gisele Camus: Junior girls 800m and Girls 10 years 100m
• Jorge Pyke: Boys 11 years shot put
• Olivia P: Senior girls long jump

Just a reminder to our Stage 2 and Stage 3 parents of our Interschool Sport Gala Days held this term. This is an initiative from Sydney Catholic Schools which began last year. It is a friendly competition between schools within the district to introduce students to new sports and also to allow for community between schools. The football gala day for Stage 2 will be hosted by Sydney FC so we are really looking forward to this term's initiative.

Year groups have been split into morning and afternoon sessions for the day. Parents are welcome to come along and watch, but please note that this is a non-competitive event and scores will not be counted as it is an initiative to increase participation in sport.

Stage 2 - Football (Soccer): Tuesday 3rd of September

Stage 3 - European Handball: Wednesday 18th of September

Lastly, I would also like to take this chance to recognise and wish the best of luck to the Sacred Heart Sports Club netball teams, all of whom are playing in the semi finals this Friday night. This is the first time that all of the teams have made it to the semis. Congratulations to the following teams below:

• Sacred Heart 1 - Under 12s (combined Yr 5/6)
• Sacred Heart 2 - Under 12s (combined Yr 5/6)
• Sacred Heart 3 - Under 11s (Year 5)
• Sacred Heart 4 - Under 11s (Year 5)
• Sacred Heart 5 - Under 10s (Year 4)

That’s all for now in sporting news. I look forward to giving you all further updates on our student achievements. Until next time!

Kind Regards,

Miss Austrie Calizar

Sports Co-ordinator

 NETBALL SEMI-FINALS