ISSUE 35: 1st November, 2024

Principal Message

Gospel Reflection

In this Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 12:28-34), Jesus is asked, “Which is the greatest commandment?” His response is both simple and profound: to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself.  As parents and educators, this reminder speaks to us in a powerful way. It calls us to model compassion, kindness, and understanding in all we do, so that our children can grow in a world where love is the foundation. Each small act of love brings us closer to God and strengthens our community, creating a supportive, faith-filled environment for our children to learn and grow.

What’s on Next Week (Week 5)

Coming up in Term 4, Week 6

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff & Students,

Weekly Highlights

A huge thank you to everyone for their fantastic support during Mission Month! Our school community has shown incredible generosity, and we’re so appreciative of each family’s contribution. Special thanks to our staff for organising the events, activities, and icy pole days over the past four weeks. We ended our fundraising with a school-wide Colour Run today, which was a big hit with all!

Congratulations to our Boys & Girls Volleyball teams for their excellent performance at the Region Volleyball competition on Thursday in Swan Hill. Well done as well to our Girls Basketball and Boys Softball teams, who competed in today’s Region events in Swan Hill. Great effort by everyone involved!

Melbourne Cup Long Weekend

A reminder that the school will be closed this Monday and Tuesday for the Melbourne Cup long weekend. This is a great opportunity for everyone to take a mini break and recharge for the second half of the term. Enjoy the long weekend, however you choose to spend it!

2025 Classroom Structure, Transition & Class Placement

Yesterday, we shared information with families regarding the classroom structure, transition, and class placement process for 2025. Please see the attached document for full details.

Class Placement Surveys are available at the Office from Wednesday 6th November and due back by Monday, 11th November. These surveys allow parents to share any relevant considerations for their child’s placement next year. Please note that specific teacher requests cannot be accommodated.

If your family will be moving next year, kindly notify the office as soon as possible to help with planning. Thank you for your support!

School Sports Victoria State Athletics

We’re cheering on Pensamani Fangaloka as he heads to the State Athletics this Wednesday in Melbourne! Pensamani will be competing in Discus and Shot Put in the 12/13-year age group. Best of luck!

School Assembly (Wahroonga)

Foundation Wahroonga will host our Assembly at 2:30pm on Friday 8th November.  Following the assembly, Wahroonga parents are welcome to join an afternoon tea in their child's classroom, offering an opportunity to view student learning and to mingle and meet other parents.

School Sports Victoria Division T20 Cricket

Next Friday, our Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 teams will compete in the SSV Division T20 Cricket at the Mildura Sporting Precinct, starting at 9:30am. We wish our teams the very best of luck!

Ensuring Quality Time with Your Child’s Teacher: Schedule a Meeting for In-Depth Conversations

We value the strong relationship between our families and teaching staff, and we know that you may occasionally need to speak with your child’s teacher. To ensure that all conversations are meaningful and uninterrupted, we kindly ask that you make an appointment if you'd like to discuss anything in depth.

On-the-spot conversations, especially during school pick-up or drop-off, are often not the best time for teachers to engage in focused discussions about your child's progress or well-being. Of course, greetings or brief exchanges are always welcome, but for anything more substantial, please contact the teacher to schedule a time that suits both you and the teacher.

This process ensures that each discussion gets the attention it deserves and that teachers can continue giving their best to all students.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Upcoming Pupil Free & School Closure Days

Please take note of the following important dates:

• Monday, 4 November: School Closure Day
• Friday, 15 November: Pupil Free Day (SIMON Usage for Student Plans)

Also, the last day for students this year will be Wednesday, 18 December.

2024 Prep Transition Dates

Below are the details for the upcoming sessions:

• Session 2: Monday, 11th November, 8:45am – 1.30pm
• Session 3: Wednesday, 20th November, 5:00pm – 6:00pm (Buddy BBQ)
• Session 4: Tuesday, 3rd December, 8:30am – 1:30pm
  (Including a Parent Information Session from 9:00am – 10:00am)

We look forward to seeing our new students and parents at these sessions!

God Bless!

Mark Gibson

2024 Dates of Interest

Religious Education

Sacrament of First Eucharist (Year 4 & Above)

Congratulations to many of our Year Four students who celebrated the Sacrament of First Eucharist last weekend.  All were very special celebrations and well attended by family & friends.  Thanks to families for supporting students throughout the preparation phase and to Father Matt, Father John & Carmel Russo for their support and guidance.

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Year 2 & Above)

Celebration of Sacrament - Wednesday 27th November 5.30pm, 6pm or 6.30pm

Mission Month

As a conclusion to our month of Mission fundraising, we celebrated our Colour Explosion Run4Fun this afternoon. WOW, and what an afternoon it was!  The children loved getting wet, sprayed and covered in colour powder from head to toe while navigating an obstacle course around the school oval. Everyone looked as bright and colourful as a rainbow! So far through this event we have raised over $6,200 but it’s not too late to donate as we will keep the Australian Fundraising online donations open until 11th November. Ordering of prizes through this site will then be available from 12th-18th November. 

Our top 4 classes of fundraising so far are:

Year 2: $1835

Year 1: $1127

Year 4: $843

Year 3: $555

Thank you to all school families for your generosity throughout our Mission Month of fundraising. More accurate figures will come through over the next few weeks but our tally for the month is now close to $10,000. This includes sale of icypoles, silly socks day, casual clothes day, PJ day, Mission money line, lolly jar guesses, pie drive, crazy hair day and our hotdog/icecream day. It will be an absolute privilege to finalise the cheque and present it to Fr Michael McKinnon to be used in the remote communities of Yanaoka, Peru and to continue funding our many projects that have been set up over the years. 

Mrs Chris Carmichael

Learning and Teaching

Classroom teachers are in the process of completing a range of assessments to inform report writing, intervention and planning for 2025.  Please let your child/children’s teachers know if they are going to be away for an extended period.

We continue to encourage parents to have your child’s vision tested annually to negate any possible impact on learning. It is also recommended to have hearing tested at least once in primary schooling.  The summer holiday may provide an opportunity to have these appointments.

SWPBS

Our SWPBS focus this fortnight is “being a positive role model”

In a world often filled with challenges and uncertainties, the influence of a positive role model can be transformative. Whether in our families, schools, workplaces, or communities, these individuals have the power to inspire, motivate, and guide others towards achieving their best selves. But what exactly makes someone a positive role model, and how can we all embody these traits to uplift those around us?

A positive role model is someone who demonstrates values, behaviours, and attitudes that others admire and aspire to emulate. They are typically characterised by:

1. Integrity: They act with honesty and uphold strong moral principles.
2. Empathy: They show compassion and understanding, making an effort to relate to others’ feelings and experiences.
3. Resilience: They face challenges with a positive attitude and determination, demonstrating the importance of perseverance.
4. Commitment to Growth: They value learning and personal development, encouraging others to pursue their goals.

Positive role models create a ripple effect within their communities. When individuals witness someone making positive choices, it inspires them to do the same. This can manifest in various ways:

• In the Classroom: Teachers who inspire curiosity and a love for learning can ignite passion in their students, leading to academic success and a lifelong pursuit of knowledge. 
• In the Workplace: Leaders who prioritise ethical practices and employee well-being foster a culture of trust and collaboration, ultimately driving team success.
• In the Community: Activists and volunteers who dedicate their time to improving local conditions can inspire others to get involved, sparking collective efforts for change.

Being a positive role model doesn’t require grand gestures. Here are some practical ways to make a difference:

1. Lead by Example: Demonstrate the behaviours and values you wish to see in others. Your actions often speak louder than words.
2. Be Approachable: Create an environment where others feel comfortable seeking advice or sharing their struggles. Active listening can go a long way.
3. Share Your Journey: Open up about your own challenges and successes. Vulnerability can be a powerful tool for connection and inspiration.
4. Encourage Others: Celebrate the achievements of those around you, no matter how small. Recognition can motivate others to continue striving for their goals.

Stay Positive: Cultivate a positive mindset, even in the face of adversity. Your outlook can inspire resilience in others.

Let’s commit to being the role models our school’s need, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

 Schools TV

A Special Report: Navigating AI Relationships

Despite governments globally moving towards raising the minimum age for social media access due to mounting concerns about the negative effects on youth mental health and wellbeing, there's now an even newer challenge on the horizon - the rise of romantic and companion AI bots. These virtual companions are becoming increasingly popular with young people, raising serious questions about privacy, ethics, and the future of relationships in the digital age.

The rise of AI-powered relationships is offering a new frontier in human interaction. Initially emerging in the gaming world, AI companionship has evolved into mainstream culture, with apps providing personalised experiences that range from platonic friendships to romantic encounters. These interactions can blur the boundaries between real and virtual relationships, creating confusion and potential psychological harm.

Criminologists warn that children as young as 12 are accessing dating apps, often bypassing age restrictions, exposing them to sexual content and predatory behaviour. Researchers have also found that many adolescents are turning to virtual partners for validation, risking unhealthy emotional attachments that can affect real-life relationships.

As AI reshapes social dynamics, it's crucial to stay informed and engaged. While AI can enhance education and creativity, it also presents challenges around privacy, mental health, and misinformation.This Special Report will help you foster an open dialogue and balanced approach to help young people navigate this evolving digital landscape.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:

Foundation News

Well done and congratulations to all Foundation families and students for their fundraising efforts over the past four weeks for Mission Month. Your donations have been truly appreciated. Our final event ‘Colour Explosion Run’ today was a memorable way to end such a fantastic month. Congratulations to Karnvir and Jivanni on winning the lolly jars by guessing the correct numbers.

Wahroonga are preparing for their turn to host assembly. It is next Friday, November 8th at 2.25pm in the stadium. Please remember to practise the students’ assembly words every night after they do their reading. All Wahroonga parents are invited to attend afternoon tea following the assembly. If parents attending could please provide a small plate of food/nibbles that would be greatly appreciated.

Reminders: 

• No school Monday 4-5th of November 
• Pupil-free day November 15th
• Next week’s Show and Tell: Something that starts with the same letter as your name
• Mrs P has three more weeks working at Sacred Heart with her last day being Friday, November 22nd.

Year One News

We had a fun and eventful afternoon at our final fundraising event, the Colour Explosion!! Well done and congratulations to all Year One families for your fundraising efforts over the past four weeks for Mission Month. We really appreciate the time and effort you have all put into the events as well as your donations. Congratulations to Rani and Sophie on winning the lolly jars by guessing the correct numbers.

There is no show and tell next week due to it being a short week. 

Upcoming Important Dates:  

Monday 4th November: Closure Day
Tuesday 5th November: Melbourne Cup Day
Friday 15th November: Pupil Free Day

Year Two News

A big thankyou to all the Year 2 children and their families for their excitement and generosity towards our Lolly Jar guess competition. Both classes sold all numbers which raised over $220 for our Missions in Peru. Congratulations to Sid Ryan (Wam) and Sophie Roberts (Barra) who were our lucky winners this year. Sophie tells us that she also won the lolly jar in Prep! Wow, lucky girl!

Looking ahead, please save the date for our Year 2 End of Year Fun Day - Friday 6th December, 2024 where we will be going to the Mildura Wave Pool for a fun waves session. More details to come out closer to the date.

Year Three News

What a fantastic week we have had in Year Three! On Thursday we had our whole school hot dog and ice-cream day, as well as our Middle Unit Mission Month fundraiser, where students enjoyed wearing their pjs and watching a movie of their choice with popcorn and interval treats! Due to having extra treats we are going to offer every Middle Unit child the opportunity to purchase some of the excess stock. This will happen next Thursday at the recess break. Items will be 50c per item. We will initially limit purchases to 1 item per student to ensure  all students have the opportunity to buy. We will keep selling until they sell out!

We finished the week having lots of fun and raising money for Mission Month  with the Colour Explosion Fun Run!

Last Friday the Middle Unit also raised money towards Mission Month with the coin line, raising about $200 to this important cause. 

Looking ahead, please save the date for our Year Three End of Year Fun Day - Monday the 9th of December 2024. Details to be sent home soon. 

Have a great weekend!

Year Four News

Year Four has enjoyed a fun-filled and busy week. We began the week with our whole school hot dog and ice-cream day. Thursday we had our Middle Unit Mission Month fundraiser, where students enjoyed wearing their pjs and watching a movie of their choice with popcorn and interval treats! Due to having extra treats we are going to offer every Middle Unit child the opportunity to purchase some of the excess stock. This will happen next Thursday at the recess break. Items will be 50c per item. We will initially limit purchases to 1 item per student to ensure  all students have the opportunity to buy. We will keep selling until they sell out!

Today, we finished the week having lots of fun and raising money for Mission Month with the Colour Explosion Fun Run!

Last Friday the Middle Unit also raised money towards Mission Month with the coin line, raising about $200 to this important cause. 

Looking ahead: save the dates-

• Next Friday November 8th, some of our Year Four students will participate in inter- school cricket. 
• Monday 9th December 2024- Year 4 End of Year Fun Day - More details to follow soon. 

Photos from our Movie & PJ Day.

Have a great extra long weekend!

Natalee, Jaimi & Cathryn

Year Five News

No News this week

Year Six News

Graduation Dinner

Preparations for the Graduation Dinner are now underway. This will be held at Willow & Ivie on the evening of Tuesday December 10th, 2024. A big thank you to the organising committee for volunteering to coordinate this special event  for the Year 6 students.

Mission Month Fundraiser

The lucky winner of the Year 6 Lolly Jar competition was Harry Marciano. Congratulations Harry!!

Student Awards

No Awards this week

Library News

Scholastic Book Club Issue #7

We thank the parents and caregivers who placed their orders on this Issue of Book Club! The school will receive the books and items usually within two weeks. When they arrive at the SHPS library, the students will receive them from their classroom teacher/s. If you have questions or issues with Book Club, please do not hesitate to contact me rather than directly messaging Scholastic.

Looking ahead:

The last week for borrowing will be Week 7 for all classes. This allows times for students to finish their books and return them in Week 8 and 9.

Please note I rarely send overdue letters, as I converse with the students weekly. I appreciate the students, parents, caregivers and staff’s efforts when locating the students’ ‘missing’ library books—99% of the time, the books turn up! However, if a student has many overdue books after their last library session, a letter will be sent home. If this is the case, please don’t stress or worry, as a genuine effort to look for the book/s would be appreciated.

First Aid

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

In the mornings, the Olive Grove gate will remain closed, so students and visitors can only enter through the 12th Street or Tamarisk Grove gates. After school, only the Olive Grove gate near the Art House will be open and supervised by a staff member. This change aims to enhance student and traffic safety.

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