Dear Parents and Carers,

Another busy and blessed week at Sacred Heart! The children appear happy and settled in class. They are very excited about their learning particularly in Science this week. Where is God in this difficult time? We can see his presence every day in our school. In our students and their teachers. In their curiosity, wonder and excitement at being able to learn every day alongside their friends guided by caring teachers.

Science Week 2020 - The Deep Ocean

Our school has certainly gone for a deep dive into the ocean this week. A trip to the library and Year 3 shows the extent of the work that all teachers and children have gone to, to learn about the depths of the ocean. The children have been happily sharing their learning about the ocean and in particular the effect of pollutants and rubbish in the ocean. Thank you to Mosman Council’s environmental team who visited. Thank you to Dr Alana Wylie from Eye Heart Science who updated us on the Deep Ocean scientific facts in grade groups. Thank you Mrs Petersen and all our teachers for making it such an exciting week.

The Library:

Year 3:

Writers Award: Congratulations to Elise from Year 5 who won a Silver Award in the NSW Department of Education Write On Awards. Our teachers and students have worked hard at improving our writing over the last few years and so it was very exciting to be able to acknowledge Elise and our teachers this morning at our assembly. Mr. Brierley continues to lead the extension groups in Mrs. Russell’s absence. The group of enthusiastic writers spent their morning outside engaged in their writing tasks. 

Mask Day: QKR

Next Friday 28th August our student leaders would like to hold a mask day. Children are encouraged to wear surgical masks or colourful masks for the day to “normalise” the wearing of masks. Homemade masks or a kerchief are acceptable. Our donations will go towards St Vincent de Paul. We would love cashless donations so a donation link has been set up on QKR so teachers and students will not have to handle coins. 

ICAS Tests:

This year ICAS tests have two windows of opportunity for testing. Our school will sit the tests in October. Only English and Maths will be offered this year as the Writing Test is unavailable.

Head Lice

A number of classes are reporting headlice. It would be a good idea if all families checked their children’s hair for headlice so we can eradicate this problem as soon as possible.

Further Covid Restrictions

Further restrictions for schools have been announced this week by NSW Health and NSW Catholic Schools.

The main changes that will affect our students are:

• Any student or staff member with any flu like symptoms must be sent home or be kept home and get a Covid test. The negative test result should be forwarded to the school. Return to school can only happen when symptoms are gone. If this needs clarifying please don't hesitate to contact the office.
• Schools should not be mixing with other schools for sport. This is why a number of our local schools have had to cancel sport. 
• Students who play for community clubs (our netball, soccer and basketball) are ok to go ahead but they must abide by the Covid safe plans in place by the various governing bodies of the associations they play for. Our training can go ahead as it is in grade groups.
• Term 3: No parent or student social activities are to be organised through the school.
• Term 3: No Kindergarten Orientation for 2021 can take place. We will look at this in Term 4.
• No parents onsite continues.
• Overnight excursions are not possible.
• Group singing is not allowed. 
• No staff meetings with all staff in attendance - we will revert to Zoom meetings for staff meetings.
• Parent and teacher meetings should continue to be via phone or Zoom with some exceptions allowed.
• Students may attend school only (no parishioners or parents) masses in year groups. For those students old enough to take communion the priests are following the Chancery guidelines where the priest santises and wears a mask before distribution of communion.
• There may be a change with some external providers. We are still looking into this with Sydney Catholic Schools  and will advise individual groups if there are any changes needed.

When discussing these restrictions with children please focus on what we still can do and the creative ways that we might be able to facilitate learning opportunities from this.

REMINDER: SCS TELL THEM FROM ME Survey - closes 28th August

Once a year Sydney Catholic Schools requests that we survey parents, teachers and students about their experiences at school. The following link will take you to the Sacred Heart 2020 survey. Link. The survey will be closed on the 28th August. It would be greatly appreciated if you could fill in the survey. This year’s survey is a very short one and relevant to this year's experiences so far. 

Regards

Julie Caldwell

Next date for the P & F meeting is Tuesday 15 September 7pm in the school hall.

If you have any agenda items that you wish to be raised , please email curransmr@yahoo.com.au

COMPASS: