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Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable holiday break, filled with joy, relaxation, and quality time with your loved ones. As we step into this new term, refreshed and re-energised, it’s a wonderful opportunity to embrace the excitement and potential that lies ahead.
The start of a new term always brings fresh opportunities—whether it’s setting new goals, reconnecting with friends, or diving back into our learning and activities with enthusiasm. I have no doubt that this term will be filled with growth, achievements, and memorable moments for everyone in our school community.
To our students, we are so happy to have you back! We look forward to seeing your bright smiles in the classrooms, your eagerness to learn, and the energy you bring to our school. Remember, each day is a new chance to do your best, and we are here to support you in every way possible.
To our teachers and staff, thank you for your dedication and for the incredible work you do. Your passion for education and care for our students continue to make our school a special place. We are excited to see all the creativity, learning, and success that will unfold in the weeks ahead.
And to our parents, thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Together, we make this school community strong, and we look forward to continuing our work with you in ensuring a positive and successful term for our students.
Best wishes for a wonderful term ahead!
- Mrs Taylor is currently on Long Service Leave and will return in Week 3.
- Miss Calizar will be on leave from Week 3 and we have Mr Kenny joining our team. He is working closely with Miss Calizar this week and next week to ensure a smooth transition.
- P&F Meeting date change: now 6 November at 7pm
- End of Year function 30 November at 6:30pm Warringah Bowling Club
World Teachers' Day is an international day held annually to celebrate the work of teachers. The theme for this year's World Teachers' Day is ‘Valuing teacher voices: towards a new social contract for education’. It’s time to tip our hats to the incredible educators who shape our future. Let’s celebrate our teachers and thank them for all the work they do to educate, inspire and empower our children by wearing a fun hat next Friday. We will have a special high tea; kindly provided by our parents and a lunch for our teachers also next Friday 25 October.
Father Phil’s 80th Birthday
Next week, we will gather to celebrate Father Phil’s 80th Birthday. Eighty years is a remarkable achievement, but what makes it even more special is how Father Phil has spent those years. As our Parish Priest, he has been a shepherd to this flock, guiding us with wisdom, kindness, and a heart full of compassion. His dedication to the Church and to this community has been a shining example of what it means to live a life of service to God and others.
Over the years, he has been with us in our most important moments—officiating our weddings, baptising our children, comforting us in times of loss, and celebrating with us in times of joy. He has been a constant source of strength and inspiration, and his deep faith has touched the lives of so many.
As we celebrate his 80th birthday, we are reminded of the countless blessings he has brought to our school and parish and to each of us individually. His unwavering commitment to his vocation, his care for our students, our staff, his parishioners, and his love for God has made a profound impact on us all.
We give thanks for his life and for all the years he has shared with us. We pray that God continues to bless Father Phil with good health, peace, and joy in the years to come. May he always feel the love and appreciation that we have for him, and may he continue to be a guiding light in our community for many more years.
Our Spring Fair is on Sunday 27 October at Sacred Heart school from 12-4pm. Thank you so much to our amazing parents for all of their preparation to this point. All Spring-Fair related purchases are now open on Qkr and will close next Thursday at 10am. You will be able to purchase on the day also. We will once again have the giant slide this year and while it is a very popular addition to our fair, we did have a number of injuries due to the friction and heat last year. I ask that children wear long pants or perhaps pack some in your bag if it is a hot day.
Carols on the Court 11 December (5:30pm-6:30pm)
This year we will celebrate Christmas as a community with ‘Carols on the Court’. The aim is to ensure that our celebration is a special time for us all to come together as a community but also to remember the reason we celebrate at Christmas; the Birth of Jesus. There will be a Nativity reflection as well as singing from each class. Further details to follow.
Please note that this coming Friday, 18 October is a Staff Development Day (no students at school). Our teachers will not be on-site as they will be working in different schools across the diocese on our new curriculum. I know the timing is unusual and inconvenient but this is a system directive. Many thanks for your understanding!
May God bless all our families.
Leanne Meehan
Executive Principal
Welcome everyone to Term Four. Here’s hoping you all had a restful break with your families.
Here are some important upcoming dates in our Religious Education calendar.
Sacred Heart Special Events
Saint Francis’ Blessing of the Animals- Sunday, 27th October
To honour the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi during the month of October, we invite all Sacred Heart families to attend Sunday Family Mass & Blessing of the Animals, Sunday 27th October before the Spring Fair. Mass will begin at 9am then go home to collect your special pet or fluffy toy to be blessed at the Blessing of the Animals commencing at 10:30am in the Parish Hall grounds. We would love to see you & your pet or fluffy toy there! (see flyer below).
Whole School Masses & Liturgies
All Saints Day Mass led by Year 4- Friday, 1st November @ 9.15am
Remembrance Day Prayer Service- Monday, 11th November @ 8.40am
Year 3 First Reconciliation Program, 2024
- First Reconciliation Family Night- Wednesday 16th October @ 6:30pm
- First Reconciliation Commitment Masses- Saturday 19th/Sunday 20th October (families can attend any Mass within the Parish over this weekend)
- Lesson 1: Wed 23rd October- choose from the 5pm OR 6.30pm session
- Lesson 2: Mon 28th October- choose from the 5pm OR 6.30pm
- Lesson 3: Wed 6th November- choose from the 5pm OR 6.30pm
- First Reconciliation Retreat Workshops- Monday 4th November. This will not interfere with the Swimming Program. First Reconciliation workshops will be in the morning block and afternoon block. The middle block is free for the Swimming Program.
Year 3 First Reconciliation Ceremonies held at Clifton Gardens Church
- Tuesday 19th November- 5:00pm and 6:30pm
- Wednesday 20th November- 5:00pm
The Season of Advent begins Sunday, 1st December 2024
Advent Prayer Week One- ‘Hope’ - Monday, 2nd December at the morning Assembly
Advent Prayer Week Two- ‘Peace’ - Monday, 9th December at the morning Assembly
Advent Prayer Week Three- ‘Joy’ - Monday, 16th December at the morning Assembly
Year Six Graduation Mass- Thursday, 5th December @ 5.30pm
End of Year Thanksgiving Mass- Tuesday, 17th December @ 9:15am
The best way to celebrate the month is,
- Pray the rosary daily privately or with friends and family. ...
- Pray the rosary during the day—try not to postpone it until the end of the day or bedtime.
- If possible, use a book like “Holy Rosary” or an audio recording of the Rosary to help you enter more deeply into each mystery.
Attend Mass as public prayer is far more powerful than private prayer.
Feast Days to Celebrate the remainder of this month.
October 15th: Saint Teresa of Avila. A Carmelite and the Patron of loss of Parents, Religious, Sickness and pain, also a huge advocate of Prayer.
October 22nd: Saint Pope John Paul II. Born as Karol Jozef Wojtyla, the First non-Italian Pope in 400 years.
We pray for all the HSC students sitting exams this month. May God help them to remain focused, calm & confident and may God bless them on their journey ahead.
This Monday we have our first playgroup for Term 4. If you know anyone with toddlers that would like to come along, please share the flyer with them.
This Term we will be walking on Tuesday mornings after school drop off. If you need more information email me, I can also add you to our WhatsApp chat group.
Otherwise join in whenever you can.
Since October is the Month of Prayer, it could be a wonderful opportunity for you to join me at Wednesday's 9:15am Mass and pray for your loved ones. Remembering past and present people in our life. We all have many things going on in our lives & prayer can be a great way of giving reverently.
Alternatively, I would be happy to say a prayer & light a candle for your loved one if you send me an email with their name. All prayer dedications will remain confidential.
Many blessings,
Anna Macri
Family & faith educator
Welcome to the start of Term 4! We hope that the break has provided your family with rest and rejuvenation. As we enter this final term of the year, there is much to look forward to! As we embark on Term 4, our focus sharpens on curriculum and assessment as we guide students toward completing their academic year with success. This term is an important time for consolidating learning, assessing progress, and preparing students for the transition to their next stage of schooling.
As you are aware, we have a Staff Development Day early this term. Our teachers are participating in professional learning that aligns with the ongoing NSW Curriculum Reform—a comprehensive overhaul of the current K-12 curriculum. As part of this significant change, Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) is committed to supporting our system by creating and sharing valuable resources and offering targeted professional development opportunities. In line with SCS system priorities, our staff will be engaging in professional learning focused on K-2 Reading, Years 3-4 Writing, and Years 5-8 Maths. These sessions are designed to equip teachers with the latest strategies and knowledge to best support your child’s learning. We greatly appreciate your ongoing support as we work to implement these important changes,ensuring the highest quality education for all students.
Teachers will be sending home curriculum newsletters soon to provide parents and carers with an overview of the content being covered throughout the final term. These newsletters are a valuable resource, offering insight into the key learning areas and topics your child will be exploring. By outlining the focus of all key learning areas, these updates help you to stay informed about what is being taught in the classroom. This can support meaningful conversations at home, reinforce learning, and ensure a strong partnership between school and home as we work together to support your child’s progress.
As we approach the final stretch of the school year, it’s a great time to remind your children of the importance of maintaining a consistent homework routine and encouraging them to stay engaged in their learning. Whether it’s building good reading habits, staying on top of homework, or preparing for end-of-year assessments, your encouragement and support at home can make a world of difference. Regular reading continues to be one of the most valuable ways to support your child's academic progress, so we encourage families to set aside time each day for reading from a wide variety of genres. Don’t forget those times tables and counting practice!
At Sacred Heart, we value the partnership between parents and teachers. This collaboration is crucial to supporting your child’s learning journey. If you have any questions about your child’s progress please do not hesitate to reach out to their teacher. Ongoing communication is key to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to achieve their best, and we encourage all parents to remain engaged in their child’s education as we move through this busy and exciting term!
Nerissa McCartney
Leader of Teaching and Learning
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back, I hope you all had a lovely holiday break and that the children are refreshed and ready for their final term of learning in 2024.
School Wide Positive Behaviours for Learning (SPBL)
As communicated at the end of last term, we are in the process of rolling out a more succinct and clear framework around processes and procedures to manage behaviours. The SPBL committee has established three new school expectations; Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Kind. The awarding of Merit (academic) and PAWS (displaying of positive behaviours) awards will begin from next week (week 2) at the Friday morning assembly. The parents of the award recipients will be notified by email each Wednesday. PAWS tokens will be given out by teachers to reward positive behaviours displayed by children on the playground and in the classroom. Children will vote with these tokens for one of four end of term whole school rewards. After refining in coming weeks the processes and procedures to manage behaviours and consequences will be communicated with you.
As part of the ‘Grow Your Mind’ wellbeing program we use here at Sacred Heart, we apply an understanding of neuroscience with storytelling to teach students about their brain.
We use animal characters to represent the 5 key parts of the brain to make some basic brain science accessible, relatable & playful to children. This can help them understand their emotions, behaviours, and learning processes.
The animals provide purpose to the ‘Grow Your Mind’ wellbeing content. Teachers refer to the animals during activities such as calming our Guard Dog down with a mindfulness exercise. This might help the Wise Owl to wake up and make a good decision about what to do next—or waking up the Sensitive Octopus by naming our emotions to be a kind friend.
The teachers recognise that each child’s brain develops at its own pace and that tailoring support to their developmental stage can enhance their emotional wellbeing and academic success.
Refer to the infographics below to familiarise yourself with the Grow Your Mind animals and how they link to mental fitness skills.
Screen Safety Tips for Parents
In today's digital world, children are using screens more than ever. While technology offers wonderful learning opportunities, it’s important to ensure that our young students use it safely and responsibly. Find attached some simple yet effective screen safety tips to help you guide your children in developing healthy digital habits. Together, we can create a safe and balanced online experience for our kids!
Have a wonderful week and remember to keep refilling that cup.
Amanda Macourt
Leader of Wellbeing and Engagement
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to the week 1 sporting edition for Sacred Heart. The year has flown by so quickly, and we are already in the last term for the year. I hope both your families and children had a restful holiday break.
To open us up this week, we have Zachary Meacock currently representing Sacred Heart in the Boys MacKillop Teams Cricket trial. He has been in Armidale since Monday participating in the cricket trials and will return on Friday. A quick update from his mum regarding his state championships. Zachary’s Mackillop team won their match 8/262 v 10/67 - they are currently sitting at the top of table with a very high percentage. Zachary top scored yesterday and achieved a milestone - hitting 67 while also making the news - see link #4 featured playing three shots towards the end. We look forward to hearing more about his week-long experience and his results.
On this note, in Week 2 on Wednesday 23rd of October, Gisele Camus will also be representing Sacred Heart in the MacKillop Teams for Athletics for her 800m event at 2:50pm, we also wish her the best of luck. These two students should be proud of their results and how far they have come.
On Monday 28th of October, Jorge Pyke and Zachary Meacock will begin their journey for their Cricket Pathways for 2025. Both boys will be attending a Conference trial at Heffron Park in Maroubra to compete for a spot to progress to the Sydney trials.
To close off today’s sporting newsletter, this is a reminder to parents that Sacred Heart’s Annual Swimming Carnival will commence on Wednesday November 13 at Lane Cove Aquatic Centre. Please be sure to fill out the consent on Compass accurately with students’ events. This will assist in determining the timings and schedule for the day. We are also seeking any available parent volunteers for the day. If you are able to spare the time on the day, it would be greatly appreciated. Please ensure that you have forwarded your current Working with Childrens Check to the school office together with verification of having completed the Sydney Catholic Schools Online Induction - Safe Schools Expectations.
That’s all for now in sporting news. I look forward to giving you further updates on our student achievements. Until next time!
Kind Regards,
Miss Austrie Calizar
Sports Co-ordinator
Dear SHM Families,
The Spring Fair on Sunday 27th October is shaping up to be a fantastic event! Here’s a quick recap of the key points:
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Qkr Early Bird Pricing: Pre-sale for ride wristbands, tokens, food, and showbags is now available on Qkr. Buying early saves you money!
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Golden Wristband Competition: Purchase a pre-sale wristband for a chance to win a "Golden Wristband" for unlimited amusement rides (includes silent disco, excludes pony rides, petting farm and laser tag). The winner will be announced on Friday October 25th, and their wristband purchase will be refunded.
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Sacred Heart's Got Talent: Encourage your talented kids to register and showcase their skills! Details are in the flyer and registration can be done here: https://www.trybooking.
com/CWETR -
Cake Stall: Year 1, 2, & 4 families will soon receive boxes and details. Remember, all items must be nut-free and clearly labeled with ingredients.
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Book Stall: A morning carline book drop-off will be available on Wednesday 23rd October.
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Pre-Loved Clothing Stall: Donations can be dropped to the office by Wednesday 23rd October. Second hand school uniform items from our Clothing Pool will also be available on the day to purchase!
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Water Bottles: Please bring your own on the day to help reduce plastic waste.
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Help Needed on the Day: Please sign up to volunteer on the day here: https://www.
signupgenius.com/go/ 10C0C45A8A62FA6F8C07-51526631- 2024#/
Looking forward to a great Spring Fair, we encourage you to get involved and help make it a success! Keep an eye on class whatsapp groups for reminders and information.
2024 SHM Spring Fair Committee
- The link to the event: https://events.mosman.nsw.gov.
au/events/out-about-opening- concert-0 - Their band is called The Electrostatics.
- Venue: Balmoral beach
- Date: Friday 18 October
- Cost: Free, bring your picnic!
