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Dear Parents and Carers,
We had our AMAZING Spring Fair on Sunday and what a wonderful day it was for our community. A huge thank you to Lucy Kierath and Emily Billiau for leading this mammoth undertaking with such poise and a sense of calm at every stage. I know that the Spring Fair Committee and the P&F played an integral part in the planning, as well as many other parents and friends behind the scenes and on the day. I thank each and every one of you sincerely for your efforts, dedication and enthusiasm. A big thanks to the staff who were able to attend on the day and to our beautiful children who we do all of this for- I hope you had a great time and created many memories!
As we approach the end of any year, there are always bittersweet changes within school communities. The following staff will be leaving our Sacred Heart family at the end of 2024; Mrs Imlach, Miss Blake and Mrs Conroy.
Since joining our school community, Mrs Imlach has gone above and beyond, helping parents, students, and staff with kindness, efficiency, and a warm smile each day. Her role in our school administration team has been essential in making our school a welcoming and organised place, where everyone feels valued and supported. Whether assisting with daily operations, enrolments, managing countless details, or offering a comforting presence to all who walk through our doors, Mrs Imlach has embodied the true spirit of our school. I will miss her immensely but wish her only the very best as she embarks upon the next step in her life journey. I hope she enjoys some downtime with her precious family and friends and follows some of her own passions. You will be missed!
During her time with us, Miss Blake has contributed immensely to our school community, showing particular dedication to the areas of School-wide Positive Behaviours for Learning and Gifted and Talented in her role as a Coordinator on my Leadership Team. More importantly, her compassion, innovation, quality teaching and care for her students has made a lasting impact on them, particularly in her role as the Year 6 teacher, where she prepares them for the future and challenges them to be the best people that they can be. We wish her so well at Reddam House, North Shore as the Year 3 teacher in 2025. All the best, Miss Blake!
Mrs Conroy has inspired our students with her creativity, passion, and dedication to the arts. Through her innovative lessons and encouragement, she has helped countless students discover their artistic voices, develop confidence, and explore self-expression. Her influence has extended beyond the classroom, as she’s brought our community together through her contributions to the countless school masses, our annual Art Exhibition and our end of year Nativity Reflections. We know she will continue to share her incredible talent and love for the arts when she takes up her new role in leading Media and Visual Arts at Reddam House, North Shore.
The time is near for Mrs Roache to welcome her little one into the world. Her last day is Week 4, Friday 8th November and we send Mrs Roache and her husband love and best wishes for the journey ahead. Until the end of the year, we have employed Ms Jessica Gowing to teach 1 Gold for five weeks and Mrs Leisa Galloway for one week. Both teachers are well known to our community and will continue teaching the Year 1 program organised by Mrs Roache and Miss Hollingsworth.
Thank you, to each of you for all you have done for our community. You will always be a valued part of the Sacred Heart family.
Last Friday, we celebrated World Teachers’ Day. It is an opportunity for us to celebrate our amazing teachers and thank them for their care, passion and skill in educating, inspiring and supporting our students. We thank Claire Tynan and our P&F for the beautiful high tea provided for our staff to enjoy! VERY much appreciated.
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.
May God bless all our families.
Leanne Meehan
Executive Principal
Swimming
Our Blue classes are certainly enjoying their swimming lessons. Lane Cove Swim school is very organised and the children are receiving instruction based on their current skills. We have been very impressed with our students being respectful and responsible during the lessons. Just a reminder for the rest of the week and for our Gold classes next week - students should wear swimmers under their sport uniform and bring:
- T-shirt, robe or hooded towel to wear to and from the pool
- sandals, crocs or thongs to wear to and from the pool - students should have sports shoes on while at school
- Towel
- Goggles - these are optional (though recommended)
- underwear
BYOD - Year 2 Parent Zoom Thursday 7th November - 6pm
An information session will be held via Zoom for all Year 2 parents. This session aims to explain the schools policy for BYOD - ‘Bring Your Own Device’ and the requirements for students from Year 3 onwards. We held this session last year and our Year 2 parents found it very usual when planning to purchase an iPad for 2025.
Zoom link https://scscatholic.zoom.
Amadeus
Year 2 Instrument selection - 14 November
The Amadeus instrumental program begins in Year 3. To facilitate this, our tutors will introduce our Year 2 students to the types of instruments available for them to learn, during an interactive workshop. Once the students have ‘had a go’ of some of the instruments, each child will choose their preferred three instruments. The tutors, along with Mrs Luscombe, will then allocate preferences depending on the range and size of instruments we have available. If you have a child in Year 2 and there is anything you would like us to be aware of regarding your child’s choice, please email the office before 14 November.
Instruments - final lessons for the year
The last Amadeus Instrumental lesson for Years 3-6 will be in week 6 with the concert in week 7. We ask that students leave their instruments in their classroom after the concert. All instruments will be cleaned and checked by the tutors during weeks 8 and 9 and repairs organised if needed. We plan to return instruments once checked so that students may continue to play over the holidays.
Concert - 28 November 2:00 pm - Years 3 - 6
Our second Amadeus concert for the year will be held on November 28th starting at 2:00 pm in the hall. The timing of an afternoon concert allows the Amadeus teachers to tune instruments, set up the concert space and have final rehearsals before they showcase the students' learning throughout the year. All parents and carers are warmly invited to attend.
Around the classes
Deep Learning around the School
Mrs Petersen Deep Learning Coordinator
Kindy have their ducks in a row!
Kindergarten has been buzzing with excitement as students dive into learning about how living things grow. Their "Jack and the Beanstalk" bean plants are shooting up quickly, with the first beans expected to appear any day now. Last week, students also welcomed a batch of eggs and had the incredible experience of watching them wiggle and hatch. These fluffy new arrivals will soon be exploring their cosy new home—and maybe even taking a dip in their pool! It’s a fantastic hands-on way to learn about life cycles, growth, and change, while also practising reading and writing to share their discoveries and spark their curiosity.
Year 3 Buzzing with Learning!
Year 3 students had an exciting visit from Rooftop Bees as part of their studies on the features of living things. The classroom was abuzz with excitement as students got a close look at a busy beehive and learned all about the bee life cycle. They discovered how bees pollinate plants and produce honey, gaining a deeper appreciation for these incredible creatures. As a sweet bonus, each student took home a jar of honey made by the very bees they met! It was an exciting hands-on experience that highlighted the important role bees play in nature.
Year 6 is Cooking up a Storm!
As part of their Ozfeast unit, Year 6 students are teaming up with OzHarvest to explore the world of food preparation, nutrition, and reducing food waste. By integrating lessons from Mathematics, PDH, Science, and sustainability, students are gaining practical skills for the kitchen. Each week, they whip up a nutritious meal, learning how to creatively use ingredients that might otherwise go to waste at home.
Gifted Education
Miss Ashley Blake Gifted Coordinator
Seahorse Saviour
This term a group of students from kindy to Year 6 are participating in an immersive and collaborative project of saving the White’s Seahorse. The end goal: Building the ultimate Seahorse Hotel. So far our students have worked together to build their knowledge on seahorses and the challenges that they face.
Wishing you God’s Blessings,
Jane Taylor
Assistant Principal
Whole School Masses & Liturgies
This Friday, 1st of November we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints, followed by All Souls’ Day on Saturday, 2nd of November. Year Four will lead us in a whole school Mass for All Saints’ Day this coming Friday at 9.15am. On Monday, 4th November we will join in prayer at the morning Assembly for All Souls’ Day.
Year 3 First Reconciliation Program, 2024
- 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. All Year 3 students to wear Sport uniforms.
Year 3 First Reconciliation Ceremonies held at Clifton Gardens Church
- Tuesday 19th November- 5:00pm and 6:30pm
- Wednesday 20th November- 5:00pm
Upcoming Grade Masses- Fridays at 9.15am
- 8th November- Year One
- 15th November- Year Three
- 22nd November- Year Two
- 29th November- Year Four
- 6th December- Year Five
Term 4 Family Mass dates- Sundays at 9am
Where the term Halloween comes from? Halloween falls on October 31st and is short for All – Hallows. The Eve which celebrates the day before something. Halloween falls the day before All Saint’s Day. Therefore, Halloween in its earliest understanding was related to the evening before All Saints Day, a very holy Catholic feast day.
I encourage the families to attend the whole school Mass on Friday, November 1st, All Saints Day. Alternatively, find a Mass time which suits your family. All parishes will have Mass and prayers for All saints Day Friday November 1st and All Souls Day, Saturday November 2nd for those who have gone before us. Prayer and remembrance is a significant way to keep the memories and stories of loved ones alive.
Fr Mike has an excellent take on the Saints that you might enjoy as well as an understand our role in the communion of Saints.
ALL SAINTS DAY Explained ? What is All Saints Day? From History/Bible/ Catechism ? You Need to Know!
Blessing of the Animals last Sunday at Sacred Heart Church was absolutely beautiful. It was great to see our school families with their pets getting a blessing from Fr Phil. The pets were so well behaved and loved the extra attention from other parishioners. It was a nice way for our school families and our parish families to come together for a blessing with their very loved pets.
November Mass offerings at Holy Family Church.
During the month of November, we remember those who have passed away. November Mass offering envelopes are available this weekend for repose of the souls of loved ones.
Also, Holy Family Church has Anointing Mass for the sick, Friday 1st November, midday in Sacred Heart Church. All are welcome.
Sydney Street Feast 2024 - Volunteers Welcome Friday 15 Nov.
Archbishop Anthony Fisher will host a free luncheon for Sydney’s homeless in the forecourt of St Mary’s Cathedral 12-2pm.
Volunteers from parishes are invited to help serve food & sit and accompany guests during lunch. A great opportunity to show support and solidarity with fellow Sydneysiders experiencing homelessness.
Register your interest at
https://bit.ly/StreetFeast2024
In the Catholic tradition, November is a time to remember all those who have died, especially our loved ones.
We pray for them and the repose of their souls, and celebrate their lives. We also remember all those who left this life alone, with no one to pray for them.
In the month ahead I encourage you to use and share this Online Book of Remembrance with your colleagues and your community. You are invited to add the names of your family, friends, loved ones and others who have passed, so that as a community we can remember them in our prayers.
We know the power of prayer ... but when a few or a group get together and pray for a cause, the force of this is hard to refute.
Please remember, I am here to pray for you and your family members. I can take your intentions with me to Tuesday morning Mass. If you have a need just reach out to me.
These prayers always remain confidential. anna.macri@syd.catholic.edu.au
Reminder of FE Initiative groups for you to join and enjoy.
- No Playgroup this Monday 4th due to reconciliation retreat in parish hall.
- Next playgroup is Monday 18th November. Open invite for any parents with children aged 0 - 5yrs
- Walking for Wellbeing Group, every Tuesday morning, 8:45-10am. Meet at Cardinal St front gate
- Meditation and Prayer every Wednesday 9:15am. We begin with morning Mass in the church followed by coffee/morning tea at a local cafe
Anna Macri
Family & Faith Educator
This term, our Kindergarten and Year One students are diving into the fascinating world of Living Things through a fun and integrated ‘Deep Learning’ approach that brings together Reading, Writing, Science and Creative Arts. This cross-curricular method helps students make connections between subjects, allowing them to apply what they learn in multiple ways and really deepen their understanding.
Kindergarten – Discovering Ducks!
In Kindergarten, students are absolutely thrilled as they watch real ducklings hatch and grow right in their classroom! This hands-on experience (including cleaning up their mess!) has sparked so much curiosity, encouraging them to observe the life cycle of ducks up close while learning about their characteristics, habitats, and needs.
Through an integrated approach, Science is connected with Reading, Writing, and Creative Arts, giving students many chances to explore and express their understanding of living things. They engage with both imaginative and informative texts about various animals and insects, building their literacy skills while deepening their scientific knowledge. As they read about the features and behaviours of living things, they also practise writing to organise their ideas. This helps them use descriptive language to describe what they’ve learned about life cycles and habitats of various animals.
In Creative Arts, the children have taken their observations of ducks and turned them into beautiful visual representations using oil pastels and paint. This creative process helps them connect what they see in real life with how they express it artistically. By blending art with inquiry-based learning, students develop a well-rounded understanding that combines knowledge and creativity. Their ‘duck artworks’ are adorable!
Year One – Watch It Grow!
For our Year One students, the Watch It Grow! integrated unit is all about exciting hands-on learning, starting with the baby chickens hatching right in their classrooms! This amazing experience sparks their curiosity as they explore how living things change, grow, and reproduce through both scientific inquiry and creative expression linking to Reading, Writing, and Creative Arts.
In Reading, they dive into both fiction and non-fiction texts about living things, enhancing their comprehension and vocabulary. Through Writing, they organise their scientific knowledge and construct clear, descriptive texts that explain processes like plant growth or animal development. This helps them communicate scientific concepts effectively. In Creative Arts, students visually interpret their learning by using artistic expression to represent life cycles and the characteristics of living things. This blend of creativity and observation encourages them to think critically and share their learning in exciting ways.
Integrated teaching and learning is all about bringing together different subjects like, Science, literacy, and the arts, to create a more meaningful experience for our students. By linking these areas, children can build and apply their knowledge across various contexts, reinforcing their understanding in a cohesive way. This approach not only strengthens essential skills like reading, writing, and creative expression but also expands critical thinking and problem-solving abilities - and, most importantly, it’s a lot of fun!
The benefits of integrated learning include deeper engagement, fostering interdisciplinary connections, and helping students see how their learning applies to the real world. It allows children to approach learning holistically, making connections between subjects and building a more comprehensive and lasting understanding. We’re excited to see the joy and enthusiasm our students are bringing to their exploration of living things in both Kindergarten and Year One this term!
Nerissa McCartney
Leader of Teaching and Learning
Learning Links is offering upcoming parent webinars on supporting children through the transition to primary school and high school. These sessions, led by experts, will provide practical tools and strategies to help support your child’s learning and well-being at home in preparation for the transitional change. See the links below for further details and enrolment information.
Parent Webinar: The Transition to Primary School
When: Tuesday 5 November 12:00-1:00pm Enrol Here
About the webinar
The transition from preschool to kindergarten is an exciting time in your child’s life.
What you’ll learn:
In this free webinar for parents/carers, we’ll talk about the changes in routine that kindergarten brings and the skills your child will need to start their first year of school off successfully. We’ll share practical strategies you can implement at home to support your child’s development.
Parent Webinar: The Transition to High School
When: Monday 4 November 12:00-1:00pm Enrol Here
OR
Wednesday 4 December 1:00-2:00pm Enrol Here
About the webinar
The transition to high school is an exciting time in your child’s life.
What you’ll learn:
In this free webinar for parents/carers , we will help you to develop skills for preparing their child for the transition to high school. Specific strategies regarding organisation, travel and managing the revised demands of school will be provided.
Webinars are run via the secure Zoom platform. Parents have the opportunity to ask the professionals questions about the information and strategies discussed, and will also receive a copy of the presentation and recording following the session.
IMPORTANT: ROAD SAFETY REMINDERS
Road safety around our school is essential for the well-being of all students, staff, and families. We ask all parents and carers to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Drive within the school zone speed limit: This limit is set to ensure the safety of children and pedestrians. Slowing down helps prevent accidents, especially during busy drop-off and pick-up times.
- Avoid U-turns over double lines: Making U-turns across double lines can endanger children and other pedestrians, disrupting traffic flow and creating unnecessary risks. Please use designated turning points to help keep our children safe.
- Be vigilant around Cardinal Street: Extra care is needed on Cardinal Street during morning and afternoon peak times. Watch for children crossing and always follow directions from school staff.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us create a safer school environment for everyone.
Have a wonderful week and remember to keep refilling that cup.
Amanda Macourt
Leader of Wellbeing and Engagement
We are now into week 3 of the school’s sporting newsletter. Term 4 has already started off busy within the sporting sector, and I look forward to giving you the latest news and student achievements.
In last week's sporting edition, I had noted that Zachary Meacock was away in Armidale for the Boys Teams MacKillop Trials. A very exciting update came from his mum stating that MacKillop had won their State Championships defeating the CIS team 6/136 v 10/69. MacKillop had also won all of their 4, 100 over games throughout their tournament. In even more great news, Zachary has been selected in the State team to represent NSW at the School Sport Australia Cricket Championships (National Championships) which will be held in Adelaide during the 30th of November - 6th of December 2024.
Yesterday, the Pathways for Cricket reset in preparation for the 2025 school year, and we had Ignatius Findlay and Zachary Meacock represent Sacred Heart for the Conference Cricket Trials. Both were successful in their trials and will progress onto the Sydney Cricket trials which will occur next week Tuesday 5th of November. Congratulations to both Iggy and Zach on their selections and best of luck for their trials.
Term 4 has been really busy getting ready for the 2025 sporting calendar. On Wednesday November 6th, we will have the following students representing Sacred Heart at the Basketball Boys Conference Trial:
- Jorge Pyke
- Archie Montgomery
- Lachlan Savage
On November 11th, the following girls will also be representing Sacred Heart at the Basketball Girls Sydney Trial:
- Elle Stuart
- Eve Grover
- Harper Wong
- Alma Pyke
- Lea Schmidt
- Gisele Camus
We wish these students the best of luck as they begin their sporting Pathways journey.
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. If you wish to make any changes to your student’s event, please email me. 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
