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ISSUE 37: 1st December, 2023

Principal / Executive Leadership Team

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff & Students,

The theme for the second week of Advent is peace. Too often our understanding of the word “peace” is limited to worldly peace – the absence of war. But the word peace – as proclaimed by the angels to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus – has a much more spiritual significance. It has been a busy few weeks - let’s take the time to appreciate and enjoy the special school events that are planned for Week 10.

2024 Staffing

We have nearly finalised staffing for Sacred Heart in 2024. We still hope to fill some positions. Please see below our placements:

2024 Class Allocation

A letter indicating your child’s classroom teacher for 2024 has been sent home with students today. Thank you to staff, particularly our Unit Leaders, who have worked to ensure that learning groups are harmonious and sensitive to the learning and social needs of students. This has taken into consideration our transition trials, professional judgement and parent input. We thank parents for the input they have given.

Whole School Transition

On Tuesday, December 5th, our school will host an Orientation Day for all students. This day will allow our Grade 6 students attending St Joseph’s College (SJC) to explore what awaits them in High School next year. For those students attending SJC, there is a Parent/Student Information session on Tuesday evening. Students from Prep to Grade 5 will transition to their new class groups and rooms for 2024, marking an exciting moment. Additionally, we'll warmly welcome our 2024 Prep students back for the Orientation Day.

During this event, there will be an information session for 2024 Prep parents in the school stadium from 9 am to 10:30 am. For students not continuing at Sacred Heart in 2024, supervised activities occur in the Library with Mrs. Whitehouse.

Class Positions for rest of 2023

Classroom furniture movement took place today as classes prepare for the upcoming whole school transition day next Tuesday. As a result, several Year 3-6 classes have shifted to different spaces for the remaining days for the school year. Kindly discuss with your child/children to find out if they are learning in a new classroom.

Sing Along on the Oval

Join us for our Sing Along on the Oval this Wednesday, December 6th. Families are welcome to enjoy a picnic dinner on the oval from 5:15 to 6:00 pm, providing an opportunity to socialise with one another. Starting at 6:00 pm, each class will showcase a song they've learned in Performing Arts throughout 2023, featuring karaoke-style videos projected on a cinema screen for everyone to join in. The evening will conclude with our choirs performing Christmas Carols. We aim to be finished by 7pm. Don't miss this wonderful community event!

Kiss & Go and School Crossing

To help keep everyone safe during drop-off and pick-up please take note of the following rules at Kiss and Go and the School Crossing that should be followed both in the morning (8:10-8:45am) and afternoon (3pm-3:30pm):

Stay in your vehicle unless you need to assist younger students with their seat belts.
Aim to keep your car in the Kiss & Go area for a maximum of two minutes to allow others to use the space too.
Access the Kiss & Go only from Olive Grove, not 12th Street.
Please refrain from dropping off students outside of cars in Olive Grove.
KISS & GO AREA
Avoid performing U-turns within the Kiss & Go area.
For your safety, use the school crossing if you need to cross 12th Street.

Thanks for helping us keep our school safe for everyone!

School Reports

School reports will once again be accessible to parents through PAM and Simon Everywhere this coming Friday, December 8th.

Assembly

Our final Assembly for 2023 will be held this Friday, 8th December at 2.30pm in the Stadium. Term Four Principal Awards will be presented along with Hammertons Prep Books, Student Leadership presentations, Birthdays and any other special awards. Additionally, the announcement of the 2024 Student Leaders will take place during this Assembly.

House & School Captain Speeches

This week featured speeches by the 2024 House and School Captain candidates, showcasing their leadership skills and aspirations. Students in Years 3-5, alongside the 2023 Student Leadership Team and teachers, cast their votes. Congratulations to all Year Five nominees! The announcement of the House and School Captains will take place during the School Assembly on Friday, December 8th.

First Day for Students 2024

The first day back at school for students in 2024 is Tuesday, 30th January.

Important End of Year Dates

Whole School Transition (2024 Classes) - Tuesday 5th December
Year Six SJC Transition Day (2024 Year 7) - Tuesday 5th December
Singalong on the Oval (Student Performance) - Wednesday 6th December
Year One Fun Day - Thursday 7th December
Year Two Fun Day - Thursday 7th December
Final School Assembly (Special Presentations & Student Leadership Announcement) - Friday 8th December
Student Reports Released - Friday 8th December
Middle Unit Fun Day - Friday 8th December
Senior Unit Fun Day - Monday 11th December
Year Six Government School Transition Day (Non SJC students) - Tuesday 12th December
Graduation Dinner - Tuesday 12th December @ 6pm Willow & Ivie
Prep Unit Fun Day - Wednesday 13th December
End of Year/Graduation Mass - Wednesday 14th December @ 11.30am
Last Day Students School - Friday 15th December @ 3:10pm

Have a great week everyone and God Bless!

Mark Gibson

Religious Education

End of Year & Graduation Mass

Our End of Year & Graduation Mass will be held at the church on Thursday, 14th December beginning at 11.30am. Parents and friends are invited to join us for this special celebration.

Administration Updates

A reminder that the pink "2024 Payment options, Calculation Sheet" was due back at school on the 13th November. If you have any questions or have misplaced yours please contact the office.

Second Hand Uniform Shop

We do have our second hand uniform shop here at school as well, it is open most Fridays during assembly, however to ensure you dont miss it the best way to place an order is to jump on our website using the link below to pop an order in, Shayne will put it together for you if we have the sizes available and you will get a text message when it is ready to be collected from the office.

Second Hand Uniform Shop

Learning and Teaching News

Getting ready for 2024

As the end of the year is approaching, you may want to begin getting organised for your child’s new school year in 2024.
Here is a list of items that your child will need to bring to school in 2024 that you might want to start thinking about over the holidays:

Headphones - As per previous years, students will be required to bring a set of headphones to school to use with iPads and laptops.
Headphones should include a cord to plug in and basic style. We request that students do not have impractical headphones with extra decorations or materials attached.

Pencil Cases - In 2024 we request that students in years 3-6 bring their own pencil cases to school. It is important that the pencil cases come to school empty, as the school will supply the correct supplies needed. Please ensure the pencil case can fit a 30cm ruler inside.

Two small lunch boxes - Please clearly label your child's lunch boxes and containers. Students require two separate lunch boxes - one for recess and one for lunch.

At the beginning of Term 1, your child’s teacher will be sending a communication note home with the above information as well as anything else specific to their year level for 2024.

Semester Two Student Reports - Friday 8th December

Over the past few weeks, teachers have spent time assessing student work, reviewing student growth and writing a report that reflects the achievements of your child. This is quite an undertaking by teachers particularly at this time of year. I commend them to you for their commitment to and genuine care they have for your children and their academic and social growth. Reports will be released via PAM on Friday

Please read them carefully and consider the report alongside work samples which can be found on SeeSaw. Should you have any queries about your child’s report please contact the relevant teacher to arrange a time to meet in person and discuss.

Prep Unit News

This week in Literacy we have continued our learning about non-fiction texts. We learnt so many facts about cats and even had a visit from real life kittens! Mrs Collins brought in her tiny, little kittens... they were so cute and soft. A big thanks to Mrs Collins for introducing us to your gorgeous kittens and letting it be an important part of our learning. Coming up in Religion the Prep students will be learning about The story of Jesus’ birth and how he had lots of visitors and received gifts. They will be comparing it to their own birth stories. We ask that you talk to your child about how you celebrated their birth and some of the very special gifts they received and fill in the sheet that was sent home today. We will be drawing and writing about this in class next week. Please complete your sheet and return to school by Wednesday.

School Sing-A-Long - Wednesday 6th December

Wednesday night we are so excited to share in our School Sing-A-Long on the oval. Both Wahroonga and Cooinda are very busy rehearsing! The Prep students can wear Christmas colours, and accessories i.e; hat, socks, earrings etc.

The Prep students will be celebrating their Fun Day on Tuesday 13th December at the All Seasons Splash Park. Upon returning to school the students will enjoy chips and nuggets from Pan’s Takeaway. A note will come home on Monday outlining all the details.

Prep Unit Team Contact Details

Unit Leader: Mrs Rebecca O'Callaghan
Cooinda: Mrs Rebecca O'Callaghan - bocallaghan@shmildura.catholic.edu.au
Wahroonga: Mrs Wendy Collins - wcollins@shmildura.catholic.edu.au

Junior Unit News

CONGRATULATIONS to many of our Year Two students who received the Sacrament Reconciliation for the first time last Wednesday night.

This week, Year One students have been consolidating their knowledge of chemical science. They have been applying their understanding by investigating the process of cooling and heating through making jelly and cupcakes. Students were able to articulate the process and enjoyed eating the end product!

BOOKS- Please have a check at home for any school books that might be there and return them to school asap.

We will be celebrating the final weeks of school with loads of fun:
On Tuesday we have our whole school transition where students will be working with their 2024 teacher and peers in their new rooms.

Wednesday is a night to remember and mark in the calendar as it is our End of Year Sing-Along. Families are welcome to enjoy a BYO dinner from 5-6 and the singing will commence from 6pm with each class performing a special song they have been learning throughout the year. It would be lovely to see as many Junior Unit students there as possible. ALL students are encouraged to wear Christmas clothing/Christmas colours.

Thursday is the YEAR ONE and YEAR TWO End of year FUN DAY!! Students may wear casual clothing on this day with shirts that cover their shoulders and covered in shoes. Year One Students need to be at school by 8.55am as they will be leaving for Woodsie Gem Shop at 9am. Please refer to the attached notes and contact your child/ren’s teacher/s should you require any clarification. Please respond on PAM with permission for this event by Wednesday 6th December.

Junior Unit Team Contact Details

Click on the teacher's name if you wish to email them.

Unit Leader: Mrs Katrina Groves
Karinya (Year 1): Mrs Katrina Groves (Monday-Thursday) & Mrs Christine Sherry (Friday)
Bundaleer (Year 1): Miss Hayley Moore
Barramunga (Year 2): Mrs Chris Carmichael
Nangare: (Year 2): Mrs Maree Irvin

Middle Unit News

Middle Unit Fun Day

On Friday the 8th of December (Week 10 - Next Friday!) the Middle Unit will be celebrating the end of the year with our Fun Day. We will be participating in a visit to the Wallis Cinema to watch the movie ‘Trolls 3’ (PG) and then coming back to school for some fun water play on our school oval.

We will be providing a snack of hot chips, if your child does not wish to have this please send along an alternative. We are still encouraging students to bring along their lunch for this day. Students are also permitted to bring along a water pistol to school for our water play on the oval. Water balloons won’t be permitted. Please ensure any items bought to school are clearly named.

The students will need to come to school in their sports uniform with sneakers. Thongs are not permitted at school. Children can wear their bathers underneath their sports uniform. Please ensure your child has the following things in a backpack or swimming bag, and they are clearly labelled.

Towel
Rashie top
Water bottle
Hat
A plastic bag to put wet clothes in
Change of underwear
A pair of shoes that can get wet

The school will apply sunscreen for all children, however if your child is sensitive to sunscreen, please supply this yourself.

Please respond on PAM with permission for this event ASAP. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher. We are looking forward to a wonderful day to celebrate 2023!

SSV Golf Event Horsham

Lacie Coffey has represented Sacred Heart in the girls junior golf competition today in Horsham and has finished in first place. She will now compete in the State Golf Primary State Finals in Melbourne on Wednesday 13th December. Congratulations Lacie!

Middle Unit Team Contact Details

Click on the teacher's name if you wish to email them.

Unit Leader: Miss Sophie Price
Amaroo (Year 3): Mrs Sarah Beckwith
Yongana (Year 3): Mrs Georgina Whitehouse
Mootwingee (Year 3): Mrs Jaimi Willersdorf
Minga (Year 4): Miss Sophie Price
Eumeralla (Year 4): Miss Rosie Lennox

Senior Unit News

YEAR 6 GRADUATION DINNER

Invitation were sent home with student this week. There was a confusion of day and date, the dinner is on TUESDAY 12th DECEMBER. Please ensure you have selected and paid for your child’s meal prior to Monday 4th December.

The organising committee are seeking parent helpers for the evening to assist with the following:

Sign-in (3 helpers): 5.45pm – 6.15pm

Sign-out (3 helpers): 8.15pm – 8.45pm

The school would also be incredibly grateful if anyone has the skills and availability to take

photographs of the kids throughout the evening.

If you can provide assistance with any of these on the night, can you please contact: Jen Chatfield

(0413 312 289) or Sarah Holmes (0418 477 557) and we can do up a roster for the evening.

The Year 6 students have a note about Kris Kringle within their classrooms. There is a $5 limit for the gift. We are encouraging students to hand make a gift rather than something bought from a store. Gifts will be exchanged on the last day of school, Friday 15th December.

A reminder for the last weeks of the year the expectations around uniform have not changed. Students need to be in correct uniform each day, this includes socks, footwear, jewellery and hair bands.

All Year 6 will be required to be in full summer uniform on Thursday 14th December for the Graduation Ceremony and Mass. The students will receive a commemorative gift at this ceremony. They will then have the opportunity to sign each others gift. There will be no signing of clothing on the last day of school.

Fun Day

On Monday the 11th of December the Senior Unit will be celebrating the end of the year with our Fun Day. We will going to the Merbein Pool for the day. Recess snacks such as chips, popcorn and muesli bars will be provided, if your child does not wish to have this please send along an alternative. Students will need to bring along their lunch for this day. Please ensure any items bought to school are clearly named.

The students will need to come in their bathers and are able to wear casual clothes over the top. We ask that they wear sneakers to school and bring slides or thongs to wear at the pool. Please ensure your child has the following things in a backpack or swimming bag, and they are clearly labelled.

Towel
Rashie top
Water bottle
Hat
A plastic bag to put wet clothes in
Change of underwear
A pair of shoes that can get wet

The school will apply sunscreen for all children, however if your child is sensitive to sunscreen, please supply this yourself.

Please respond on PAM with permission for this event by Friday 9th December. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher. We are looking forward to a wonderful day to celebrate 2023!