ISSUE 4: 16th February, 2024

Principal Message

Gospel Reflection

As we embark on the journey of Lent, let us reflect on the significance of renewal and self-discovery. This First Sunday challenges us to embrace a period of introspection, inviting our children to explore the depths of their hearts and minds. Through prayer, fasting, and acts of kindness, may this season be a transformative experience, fostering a sense of spiritual growth within our school community.

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff & Students,

We enjoyed a wonderful Pancake Breakfast on Tuesday, bringing together many families and students. Gratitude to the Knights of the Southern Cross for cooking, Ag Gray for her organisation and to our parent helpers who assisted. Let's keep this tradition alive as it fosters our school community spirit.

On Wednesday, we celebrated Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent with St. Paul’s. Let's use this time for personal growth as we prepare for Easter. Special thanks to Father Matthew, Mr. O'Callaghan, and Maria-Stella Blagus from St Pauls for their organisational efforts, and to the parents who joined us.

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School Photos

School photos will take place on Monday, February from 9am, with all students required to wear their full summer school uniform. Students in classes with PE on this day should remember to bring their runners to change into. Online orders can be submitted until Sunday the 18th February.

Prep Rest Day

To support our Prep students in adjusting, rest days are integrated into the program until the Labour Day long weekend, with the upcoming one scheduled for Wednesday next week.

Student Drop Off

Thank you to families that are dropping students off at school after 8:19am of a school day.  Prior to this time students are unsupervised.

School Sports Victoria (SSV) Division Tennis

Best wishes to Mackie Barber, Thomas Colbert, Braxton Ficarra, and Ethan Madden-Hickey as they participate in Wednesday’s Division Tennis event at the Mildura Lawn Tennis Courts.

Staffing Update

Mrs. Danielle Gunn will return to Sacred Heart on Wednesday following parental leave, working in Year 5 Eumeralla from Wednesday through Friday. We extend our gratitude to Mrs. Whitehouse for her dedication in fulfilling the duties at the start of the school year.

God Bless!

Mr Mark Gibson

Religious Education

2024 Sacramental Dates

Sacrament of Confirmation (Year 3 & Above) 

Parent Information Session - Wednesday, 27th March

Celebration of Sacrament - Friday 17th, Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th May

Sacrament of First Eucharist (Year 4 & Above)

Parent Information Session - Wednesday, 28th August

Celebration of Sacrament - Friday 25th, Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th October

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Year 2 & Above)

Parent Information Session - Wednesday, 16th October

Celebration of Sacrament - Wednesday 27th November

ALTAR SERVERS GUILD

The parish is founding an Altar Servers Guild to provide practical training and ongoing formation to Guild members. The Guild will meet weekly during school terms. If you are interested in joining the Guild and becoming an altar server visit www.sunraysiacatholic.org/altar-servers or call the parish office on 5021 2872.

Learning and Teaching

It has been another big week of assessments undertaken for all students. This week classroom teachers administered the DIBELS Tests (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills). DIBELS is a set of procedures and measures for assessing the acquisition of literacy skills. They are designed to be short (one minute) fluency measures that can be used to regularly detect risk and monitor the development of early literacy and early reading skills in Foundation through to Year 8.

We commend classroom teachers for their hard work in administering all of these assessments in the last three weeks. These assessments form an important part of our work with the DOBCEL Structured Literacy Project, as well as being a large informer for Intervention programs this year.

Learning Diversity

As assessments are beginning to be completed, intervention groups will be established in the coming weeks. Parents will be informed of students who will be participating in interventions once this has been finalised. We aim to ensure interventions are the right fit for students and their learning needs.

Foundation News

This week we have worked on learning the sounds ‘s’, ‘a’, ‘t’, ‘p’ ‘i’, ‘n’ and ‘m’. We have been working really hard to learn the correct way to articulate these sounds to help us in our reading and writing. This video gives a fantastic example of the way to help your child with the articulation of their sounds at home. We have also been working really hard on writing our names the correct way… with one capital letter at the beginning and the rest of the letters being lower case. We have also learnt about syllables in words. Ask your child to show you the syllables in their name and other words!

The Foundation Information Session will be held on Thursday 29th February @ 3.30pm in Coonda. This is an important meeting to attend so that you gain an insight into how reading is taught at Sacred Heart and the expectations of home reading.

Some reminders:

- Each morning the students need to do their jobs before finding something to do. They need to bring into the classroom from their bag their drink bottle, lunch container, snack container and brainfood container. 

- The school library books are borrowed on Wednesday and returned on the following Monday. If your child does not bring back their books or does not have their library bag on library day they will not be able to borrow new books.

- Your child’s library bag needs to be at school every day - kept in their school bag.

- Remember to use 2 small containers for recess and lunch so that they fit into our fridge boxes. The time frame the students have to eat their lunch and snack is short so packing a sandwich and one other thing is often enough and then 2-3 snacks for recess. Here is an example of the perfect size snack and lunch containers. Please be mindful of students with allergies to nuts.

- Brainfood needs to be in a small container and placed on children’s tables in the morning.

- Sports days are Thursday and Friday - sports uniform is to be worn on these days.

Foundation Rest Days: 

Students will have the following days/dates as a rest day from school:

Friday 9th February

Wednesday 14th February

Wednesday 21st February

Wednesday 28th February

Monday 11th March

Year One News

Thank you for providing our students with rich vocabulary during their show and tell experience. This week our students enjoyed sharing something that they like or love, whilst their peers listened attentively and then asked some relevant and insightful questions. Next week’s topic is: My personal strength- What I am good at and why I am good at it. We are really excited to hear more about our students' qualities. 

Today our students have brought home their school work books. These books along with their diary will need to be covered in CLEAR contact and returned to school on MONDAY MORNING. Some students may need to finish colouring them in. Should you require additional time, please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher to arrange another day. 

Monday will no doubt bring extra sparkle, extra energy and extra enthusiasm! 

This Monday we have our school photo day with each class being called up for a group photo, then individual photo. If you would like to order a family photo, please ensure you have completed the online ordering details as soon as possible. ALL STUDENTS NEED TO BE IN FULL SUMMER UNIFORM.

BORROWING DAYS-  (All library books to be returned and new books borrowed) 

Karinya- Tuesday

Bundaleer- Wednesday

Year One students brought home reading comprehension books on Monday this week. These need to be returned to school each Friday to ensure that they are returned and ready for other students to borrow. 

After another warm week, we wish you a restful weekend.

Year Two News

We congratulate all Year 2 students on the wonderful way they are all settling into school. We have been working very hard in our assessments and it is great to see how hard the children are focusing.  We have been covering routines in Literacy and Maths, learning about the Season of Lent and developing our social skills with lots of group activities. Our art activity this week was a wonderful showcase of love and creativity, just in time for Valentine’s Day!

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Show and Tell on Friday will be the ‘even’ group for each class - Our Favourite book. Children are encouraged to bring along a favourite book and give a short summary of what the story is about, why they love this book, who gave it to them and when they received it. Children will then need to be prepared to answer some questions from the class about their book. 

We have begun uploading some work samples to Seesaw.  If you do not have access to your child’s 2024 account please let your classroom teacher know via email ASAP.

Year Three News

We are still waiting for some students to bring their headphones to school. It would be great if all children could have their headphones by the end of week 4.

Class Captain speeches will be finished by the end of Week Four.

You may notice that your child is coming home tired after school. They have had a fantastic, but very busy start to Term 1. We encourage them to have a healthy breakfast and a good night's sleep. 

We have begun uploading different items to Seesaw. If you do not have access to your child’s 2024 account, please let your classroom teacher know via email ASAP.

Year Four News

We are still waiting for some students to bring their headphones to school. Please bring them with your child, by the end of Week Four.

A note has been sent home on PAM about our upcoming camp, Week 9 of this term.

We have begun uploading different items to Seesaw, if you do not have access to your child’s 2024 account please let your classroom teacher know via email ASAP.

Year Five News

Eumeralla are excited to have Mrs Danielle Gunn begin on Wednesday the 21st of February. Mrs Amilea Pacher will still be working Monday-Tuesday in Eumeralla with Mrs Gunn working from Wednesday to Friday. We thank Mrs Georgina Whitehouse for covering Eumeralla in her absence.

We have begun uploading different items to Seesaw, if you do not have access to your child’s 2024 account please let your classroom teacher know via email ASAP.

Year Six News

Students have had a meeting with Mr Burford this morning around the expectations and processes. A note will be sent home with students outlining the processes of Interschool Sports and the SSV pathway. Attached for your information is a copy of the note.

Just a reminder of School Photos on Monday. Students must be in full school uniform, no PE uniform. As our daily schedule may be slightly affected on this day, Yongana students bring their runners for their PE lesson.  Please ensure no jewellery or nail polish and hair is neat and tidy. 

Library

Book Club News:

Orders for the Scholastic Book Club Issue #1 are now closed and finalised. Within a fortnight, orders are delivered to SHPS and given to students in their classrooms.

Camp Australia

A Word from our After School Care Provider - Camp Australia

Students of The Week

Note - Assemblies are now held fortnightly, Students of the week will be presented at these.

Cooinda - Elliott Farnsworth and Monty Cadmore

Wahroonga - Karnvir Singh

Bundaleer - Oliver Tallent

Karinya - Georgie Durie and Cooper Anderson

Waminda - Annabel Chigozie-Eke and Audrey Marciano

Barramunga - Kaitlin John and Logan Pike

Narooma - Daniel Ponthokkan

Dourim - Liliana Manno and Tessa Dean

Kyema - Jason Deiesi

Illawarra - Willow Butcher

Myalla - Emmy Guthrie

Eumeralla - Jacob Kotsiakos

Minga - Margot Miller

Amaroo - Ben Anstey and Lyla Parsons

Yongana - Johnny Guthrie and Addison Stafford

Mootwingee - Scarlett Strong and Ethan Madden - Hickey

Ray White Awards

RESPONSIBLE  - Vincenzo Cirillo

RESPONSIBLE - Brittney Henderson

SAFE - Sophie Mobilio

Parent Information

Arriving and Leaving Safely

Kiss & Go

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.
• 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!

Pick Up and Drop Off Points

These designated areas serve as convenient points for collecting or dropping off children at the school if you are walking in with them. Please ensure you find a suitable and permissible parking spot for your car in order to use these locations.

Riding Scooters & Bikes

Certain students walk, ride bikes, or scooters to school and are requested to use either the 12th Street entrance or the Tamarisk Grove entrance at the rear of the oval. Riding into or through the school grounds is not permitted.

Collect Children from School Grounds

Feel free to come into school to pick up your child directly from their classroom. It's an excellent opportunity to meet other parents, have casual conversations with teachers, and ensure your child is organised at the end of the day. If you choose this option, please park appropriately and be outside the classroom by the 3.10 bell; otherwise, your child will be directed to the supervised Kiss and Go area. Students and young siblings should refrain from using the playground equipment.

School Crossings

Students walking home are advised to use the school crossings on Twelfth Street, Walnut Avenue and Eleventh Street to safely avoid heavily trafficked roads. All crossings are supervised by a School Crossing Supervisor, and it's crucial to follow their directions.  We also encourage parents to model expected behaviours by using the School Crossings also.

Buses

Several of our students catch buses home from the St. Joseph’s bus stop on 11th Street. Each day a teacher gathers these children together and accompanies them to the bus stop to supervise until they are all safely on the bus.

Drop Off Times

Preferred 'Drop Off' Time: 8.25 - 8.45 am. For safety reasons, please refrain from dropping off students before 8.19 am, as there is no supervision provided.  Our gates open at this time.

Pick Up Times

Recommended 'Pick Up' Time: 3.10 - 3.25 PM. While we understand occasional delays, if regular or extending beyond 3.30 PM, please consider enrolling your child/ren in After School Care.

Walking or Riding Home

If your children walk or ride home or to your workplace after school, please submit written permission authorising them to leave unaccompanied. They must exit through the main 12th Street gate or accompany the 11th Street bus group through Tamarisk Grove.

Alternative Pick Up Places

For safety, we strongly advise against arrangements where children wait unsupervised at public pick-up locations like Walnut Avenue or St Joseph’s College.

EATING AND DRINKING AT SCHOOL

Healthy Eating

To sustain learning and promote healthy eating we encourage students to bring to school predominantly healthy food choices.

Brainfood

Students have a brain food break during the morning to keep children’s brains fuelled for learning. We ask that families send an extra fresh fruit or vegetable snack for children to have during this time. When sending the snack, please pack it separately from your child’s lunch in a small, named container so it can be placed on their desk each morning.

Lunch Snack

The main meal of the school day; a sandwich or roll, a salad or a slice of quiche. A healthy ‘treat’ may also be appropriate here that is healthy and gives long-term energy.  Lunch is eaten usually in the classroom from 11:25am-11:40am.

Recess Snack

We encourage parents to pack fresh fruit or vegetables in your child’s recess snack box.  You may like to pack one or two other snack items for them at this time.  This snack is eaten at 1:40pm.

Packing Food

 The school has a bank of refrigerators for the storage of students’’ food. For the ease of packing and unloading the fridges, we ask that parents provide separate, small, well-labelled containers or zip-lock bags for their child’s recess snack and lunch. Insulated ‘puffy’ lunchboxes and ice-blocks are not required.

School Canteen

Our School Canteen operates on a Wednesday and Friday and provides a range of lunch options at low cost.    The current menu and prices can be accessed through and ordered via the CDFpay website https://shmildura.cdfpay.org.au

OFFICE INFORMATION

Office Hours

Office hours will run from 8:20am to 4:00pm every day. Phone calls can be made starting at 8:00 am.

Change of Personal Details

If there are any changes to your contact details (address/phone number/emergency contacts), kindly inform the office by calling 50231204, emailing office@shmildura.catholic.edu.au, or visiting the office in person.

Simon Everywhere and Parent Access Module (PAM)

Simon Everywhere is an App for smart phones that allows parents to access all information relating to their child/ren such as reports, attendance and much more. It also allows you to update medical information, give permission for excursions, access teacher emails and also receive notifications from the school.

For parents familiar with PAM, the new App works mostly the same as PAM and you can still access PAM through the web site: pam.shmildura.catholic.edu.au, however the app has additional functionality such as Push notifications and the ability to sign in without having to enter your username and password each time.

1. Go to the App Store or Google Play Store and search Simon Everywhere
2. Download and open the App and Allow Notifications
3. Enter your name and phone number and press verify, you will receive a code via SMS
4. Click on 'Add School'
5. Select Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura - Parent Access
6. Enter your PAM username and password. If you do not know your credentials, please call the school.

7. Click on the Home icon.
   

Simon everywhere works best when notifications are turned on. You can check the notifications setting on your phone to be sure by going to the Settings – Notifications – Then find the Simon Everywhere App.

Sickness at School

Children with severe colds, flus, or other debilitating illnesses must stay at home. Do not send the child if they have:

• Fever: Children with a fever over 38 degrees should stay home.
• Prescribed antibiotics: Keep a child at home for at least 24 hours if prescribed antibiotics for an acute illness.
• Diarrhea: Children with watery stool should return only after being symptom-free for at least 24 hours.
• Vomiting: Children who are vomiting should stay home until at least 24 hours after it has stopped.

After School Care

After School Care is available for Sacred Heart students and is located on our school grounds.  Camp Australia run this program for students from Sacred Heart Primary School and St Paul's Primary School.  The program runs from the Art House building which is located on Olive Grove.

Sacred Heart families can make use of the Camp Australia After-School Care Program that is held on the grounds of Sacred Heart.  The service is available from 3:10pm through to 6pm on school days.  A healthy snack is provided to children.  Registration needs to be done through the Camp Australia website www.campaustralia.com.au .  Further information can be obtained by calling 1300 105 343.  Each day the office will print out a list of students attending Out of Hours School Care and notify the students at the end of the day via the announcements.

Marking Child’s Absence 

1. Log into the App - SimonEverywhere or login via PAM (type pam.shmildura.catholic.edu.au in your address bar).
2. You can either log by clicking on the large blue calendar section that says Parent Notified Absences or you can click on the 3 menu lines at the top right-hand side of your screen. NOTE: On your phone it will appear below your child/ren’s name.
3. You will then need to click the blue + Add Absence button circled below
4. Then select your child, and in reason

If your family is going on an extended family holiday. Please contact the school to inquire about an Student Absence Learning Plan.

School Day

• 8:19 am - Gates open & students can access Courtyard
• 8:34 am - Access Courtyard and play on Oval (classrooms opening optional for teachers)
• 8.49 am - School day begins - classroom open
• 8:55 am - School starts.
• 9.55 am - Brain Break
• 10:55 am - Lunch Play
• 11.25 am - Lunch Eat
• 1.40 pm - Recess 
• 2.10 pm - Recess Finishes
• 3.10 pm - School finishes

Sports Uniform Days

Prep:  

• Cooinda (Mrs O’Callaghan) - Thursday & Friday  
• Wahroonga (Miss Moore) - Thursday & Friday  

Year One: 

• Bundaleer (Mrs Coffey & Mrs Priestley) - Tuesday & Wednesday 
• Karinya (Mrs Groves) - Tuesday & Wednesday 

Year Two:

• Barramunga (Mrs Carmichael) - Tuesday & Friday
• Waminda (Mrs Collins) - Monday & Friday

Year Three:

• Narooma (Mrs Beckwith) - Monday & Tuesday
• Dourim (Mrs Kotsiakos & Mrs Irvin) - Monday & Thursday

Year Four:

• Illawarra (Mrs Willersdorf) - Monday & Tuesday 
• Myalla (Mrs Rowles) - Monday & Wednesday
• Kyema (Mrs Johnson) - Monday & Thursday 

Year Five:  

• Minga (Mrs Deacon) - Monday & Wednesday 
• Eumeralla (Mrs Gunn & Mrs Pacher) - Monday & Wednesday

Year Six:  

• Amaroo (Mrs Campbell) - Tuesday & Friday 
• Yongana (Mrs Zaxos) - Monday & Friday
• Mootwingee (Mrs Thompson) - Thursday & Friday

Term Dates