Dear Parents and Carers                                                                                                                                                                           

Thank you to all our parents who have attended our virtual Parent Teacher meetings so far this week. It has been a pleasure to connect with you all. Our final meetings will be held this evening and tomorrow evening. Please note the change to the Year 6 start time. A note will go to each grade with a link and a reminder on the day of your grade's meeting. Slides from the presentations will be sent out by the end of the week.

Thank you so much to the parents who have volunteered to be class parents. A note will be sent home later this week letting you know you know who are our class parents for the year.

Our Opening School Mass 

Our Opening School Mass was a significant one for the school as it marked the beginning of our Year Six student’s journey as leaders. Thank you to Mrs Edwards, Mrs Lozina and Miss Jackson for preparing the mass. It was a step forward to be able to hear our school song played again by Liam Jowitt and sung by Miss Jackson and Miss Conroy. 

Professional Learning at Sacred Heart

Planning Sessions

As with many other professions, teachers are continuously learning. Over the past week the teachers have engaged in planning sessions with our school leaders. This planning ensures that our teachers are compliant with NESA regulations. It also ensures our teachers are well supported as they begin their learning journey with your child and that they have the most accurate data which will give them a full picture of each child’s needs.

CPR

Our annual CPR training was held last week. Our teachers all have to undergo annual testing in CPR, as well as bi annual training in anaphylaxis and asthma management. The school defibrillator (which all teachers are trained in) is located in the staffroom.

Current Covid  Please see NSW Health for the most up to date information. NSW Health.

Please note the information about children not coming to school unwell.

Our School Office stars!! 

A very big thank you to Mrs Ingrid Carvalho and Mrs Sheryl Imlach who keep our office running smoothly with such efficiency and good humour. The beginning of the school year is a very busy time for them as we return to school. With Census coming up the pace gets even more frantic so I know you will bear with us if non urgent enquiries are not dealt with on the same day but within a few days. For our newer parents:

Mrs Carvalho ’s role is that of Senior Administrative Officer

Her role encompasses reconciling all the school’s finances, dealing with all school fees, all maintenance issues around the school, many government compliance requirements, tendering for contractors, issuing contracts and liaising with our uniform suppliers. As well as the day to day running of the office.

Mrs Sheryl Imlach’s role is as Administrative Assistant

Her role encompasses all enrolment enquiries, maintaining student records, providing admin support to staff and the Leadership Team, communication to parents via the newsletter, website and Facebook, managing sick bay and medication, ensuring compliance with medical plans and WHS. As well as the day to day running of the office.

As you can see our office staff have very complex roles and we are fortunate that our school has such hardworking, dedicated and compassionate staff providing a warm welcome to our school and ensuring that our school runs very efficiently.

Australian Government Census Requirements

As part of the Census process we are asked to remind families to keep the school informed of any change in residency status (especially permanent residency Visa holders who may have recently become Australian citizens).

As part of the Census process we need to inform parents, guardians and staff about the use of the personal information you have given us through your enrolment application. From time to time we are required to provide students details and background data to government agencies, particularly during Census time. This information is contained on the SCS Privacy Policy and the Sydney Catholic Schools Standard Collection Notice.

The next few weeks…these dates are also contained on the sidebar of our newsletter and the calendar on the homepage of Compass.  Please note that there may be some changes to these dates if NSW Health directives change. 

Week 3  

Parent Teacher meetings: see above

11th February - Year Six grade mass

12th February - Year Six jersey fitting

12th February - Netball Grading

Week 4

16th February - Shrove Tuesday

16th February - New Teachers Mass St Mary’s Cathedral

17th February - Ash Wednesday

17th February - New Parents Grades 1-6 breakfast

17th February - Kinder Soccer “come and try” after school

18th February - Eastern Region Swimming Carnival for school representatives

19th February - Census Day

19th February - Kinder Welcome event

19th February - Netball Grading

Week 5

21st February - Netball Grading

23rd February - P and F AGM

25th February - Cross Country - more information to follow.

26th February - Kinder Welcome event

I hope you have a lovely week!

Regards

Julie Caldwell

SHARED FOOD OR GIFTS

This is a quick update to our previous requests that students not bring special foods to celebrate birthdays or special occasions. This extends to presents, cards or gifts that may celebrate special days in their lives. 

Teachers will celebrate the student birthdays or other occasions such as farewells within the classroom. We are unable to accomodate gifts and foods while the risk of COVID-19 is present.

We hope that all students and families can understand.

ABSENCES DURING SCHOOL TIME

If your child needs to go to a Medical appointment during school time, please forward an email to the child's teacher as well as info@shmosman.catholic.edu.au

as early as possible on the morning of the appointment.  This will ensure that staff are aware of the child's whereabouts and that they can be signed in and out of school via Compass appropriately.   To collect your child, please come to the Cardinal Street entrance of the school and press the buzzer.  Once we can see you, we can send your child out to you.  Please do not remain in your car. 

DROPPING ITEMS OFF TO SCHOOL 

If you need to drop any items to the school, eg. lunch boxes, drink bottles, iPads, sport uniforms etc. please ensure that they are clearly labelled.  Once you press the buzzer at the Cardinal Street entrance of the school, we will ask you to leave the item(s) on the table downstairs in the foyer for us to collect and deliver to your child in the classroom.  We have many deliveries of this nature on a daily basis.

Safer Internet Day

Tuesday the 9th of February marks the day of Safer Internet Day. This week, students and teachers started and continued the conversation about how we can enhance our online experience and to safely express ourselves and opinions. Online usage and engagement is part of our everyday lives and will continue to be so. We encourage all parents and family members to have these conversations with your children to ensure that their online usage and engagement is safe and enjoyable and how that looks like in their homes. 

Healthy Lunchbox Week

Nutrition Australia is celebrating Healthy Lunchbox Week. On average, students consume one third of their daily food intake at school. The food they eat at school plays a crucial role in their ability to focus, energy levels, engagement and interaction with others. Hangry is a real thing! (The combination of being so hungry you get angry). Here are some tips to planning a healthy lunchbox:

1. Make time to prepare. Have fresh fruit and vegetables, milk and yogurt, bread and crackers all bought in advance.
2. Shop wisely and save money. Buy fresh fruit and vegetables in season to ensure good quality and value for money.
3. Make your own snacks. For example snack packs from fresh ingredients which you can buy in bulk.
4. Look after the environment. Put sandwiches and other items in reusable containers. This uses less packaging and creates less rubbish.
5. Choose a variety of foods from the 5 food groups (see table below).
6. Include a bottle of water. No need for sweetened drinks such as juice, cordial or soft drink as these contain too much sugar which is not good for teeth. Non-water drinkers usually start drinking water with the example of other children. Freeze a small quantity each night and top up with cold water in the morning for a cool summer drink.
7. Keep food cool. In warm weather freeze a water bottle or put a small ice pack in the lunchbox.
8. Remember to involve your children in the making of their lunch!

Tip of the week: Give yourself time to breathe. With the hustle and bustle of the start of term and for some, multiple children at different schools, keeping structure and stability in the household, it is very real to forget about our own wellbeing and what keeps us grounded. Aim to keep 15 minutes reserved for ‘you time’. Whether it’s finishing that coffee uninterrupted or walking your beloved house pet (who we all know is the boss of the house), find that time and space that allows you to be the best for others. 

Welcome to the 2021 Football season – registrations to play Football (soccer) for Sacred Heart are now open. We always welcome new players from K-6. Season starts 17^th April ending with Gala day on 28^th August. Please register using this LINK and see attached for all registration information. More info can be found https://www.shmsportsclub.org.au/football

Reminder – SHM Netball Registrations close THIS FRIDAY

Registrations for the 2021 netball season will close this Friday 12^th February. The first grading session for Juniors (Years 4, 5, 6) will take place at school this Friday afternoon.

The SHM Sports Club website has all the information you need including registration links and grading times: www.shmsportsclub.org.au

COMPASS: