ISSUE 21: 6th August 2021
Principal / Executive Leadership Team
Dear Parents, Guardians, Students & Staff
In this time of COVID-19, we pray:
When we aren't sure, God,
help us be calm;
when information comes
from all sides, correct and not,
help us to discern;
when fear makes it hard to breathe,
and anxiety seems to be the order of the day,
slow us down, God;
help us to reach out with our hearts,
when we can't touch with our hands;
help us to be socially connected,
when we have to be socially distant;
help us to love as perfectly as we can,
knowing that “perfect love casts out all fear.”
Unfortunately, we have had to enter our sixth lockdown as a school community. We expect to return to school on Friday 13th August.
As you would have noticed today we are aiming to keep using the same format as our last lockdown for this period of Remote Learning. Juniors (P-2) online portal - and Middles/Seniors - Google Classroom. If parents or students need any support please don’t hesitate to call the school.
The school will be open for children of essential workers and vulnerable children. The school will keep the same list as last time and if there are additional names, families will need to email the office to let the school know that you require onsite supervision. office@shmildura.catholic.edu.au
Camp Australia has confirmed that after-school care will occur. Please book if you require this service.
We had a fantastic Athletics Carnival on Wednesday. This was a great school event and most importantly a wonderful day for our students. Our students were amazing in their performances, encouragement and support. Such a great day could not proceed without the co-ordination from Mr Burford & Mr O’Callaghan. Well done on organising a fantastic day. It was very disappointing that we couldn’t have parents attend the event but I hope you got to enjoy the many images and videos that were sent through to our Facebook page. I would also like to thank parents for your co-operation with our pick up and drop off procedures. This certainly assisted with congestion and safety.
We will be endeavouring to continue to hold school events where possible depending on restrictions that are in place. Below is a list of dates that have been updated recently and are now reflected in our calendar that is available both in SIMON (PAM) and in this newsletter:
- The Year Two Sleepover has been moved to Thursday, 4th November.
- Division Football & Hockey will now be held on Wednesday, 18th August.
- Region Football & Hockey will now be held in Swan Hill on Monday, 23rd August.
- Region Netball & Soccer will now be held in Swan Hill on Thursday, 26th August.
- The Junior Unit Social is scheduled to be held on Monday, 23rd August. We will monitor this and make a call closer to the date depending on where restrictions are at.
- School Closure Day that was scheduled for Friday, 3rd September has now been cancelled. This new date will be Friday, 5th November.
Today was the last for Max & Harry Gaylard at Sacred Heart, before their family go travelling around Australia, with no set time frame on when or if they will return to Mildura. We thank the Gaylard’s for their contribution to our school and wish them all the best for the journey ahead.
Unfortunately, due to the current lockdown we have had to changes a few dates. School Advisory Council meeting will now occur on Tuesday 17th August at 5:15pm. Our next Parents and Friends meeting will happen on Wednesday 18th August at 6pm. We invite any interested parents to attend.
We are seeing improvement in how parents are following regulations for our school Kiss & Go. Just as another reminder parents are not permitted to drop students off at the Olive Grove gate in the morning, drivers should enter Kiss and Go from Olive Grove (not Twelfth Street) and when picking up or dropping off students drivers should remain in their cars.
There has been ongoing discussion about the future distribution of Our Diocesan Community (ODC), the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat magazine, to school communities that usually is sent to families once a term. This will now be provided as a digital edition to schools in the Ballarat Diocese to align with current practices of distributing information to parents. We believe this is a good decision as it balances our school’s environmental sustainability responsibilities and reflects the leading communication method for parents. From now this magazine will be distributed through our newsletter.
As always, we are very grateful and thank all families for your continued support and understanding during these challenging times.
God Bless,
Mark Gibson
Religious Education News
Year Four First Eucharist
Please note that a First Eucharist Registration form has been sent home with all Year 4 students. Registration for First Eucharist needs to be handed in at the Parish Office by Friday 27th August. Following this, a Parent Information Session will be held at the church on Wednesday, 1st September at 7pm. If you have any questions regarding this Sacrament please contact the Parish Office or email Ryan O'Callaghan ryocallaghan@shmildura.catholic.edu.au
Mary MacKillop Feast Day
Mary MacKillop Feast Day is held every August 8th, in honour of the revered Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
Born in 1842, she became the first Saint of Australia, and her influence in the country has spread far and wide. She is recognised for her commitment to the poor and helping those who needed it the most in any way she could.
In 1866 Mary MacKillop and Rev. Julian Tenison Woods founded Australia’s first order of nuns, the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, and also established St. Joseph’s School in a converted stable in Penola, providing a free education to children from the area. In 1867 Mary MacKillop took vows and became the first mother superior of the sisters. The following year the sisters opened schools in other Australian cities. Mary MacKillop expanded the order’s educational and charitable endeavours and attracted new sisters.
In June 1995 Mother Mary MacKillop was beatified by Pope John Paul II. In February 2010, Pope Benedict XVI recognized Mary MacKillop as a saint. Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop was canonized in October 2010.
Mary MacKillop Prayer
Ever generous God,
You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop
To live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and constant in bringing hope and encouragement
to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy.
With confidence in your generous providence
and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop
We ask that you grant our request……………….
We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit
so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and openness.
Ever generous God, hear our prayer.
We ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Ryan O'Callaghan (Religious Education Leader)
Learning Diversity & Wellbeing News
Nothing to report this week.
Learning & Teaching News
Nothing to report this week.
General News
Prep Unit News
The Preps had the best time celebrating their 100th Day of School last Friday. They participated in a day of fun activities: cookie decorating, making crowns and a buddy activity.
Prep Unit Team Contact Details
- Unit Leader: Mrs Rebecca O'Callaghan
- Cooinda (Year Prep): Mrs Rebecca O'Callaghan
- Wahroonga (Year Prep): Miss Courtney Sheridan
Junior Unit News
WOW! What a great Athletics day. We hope that you’ve had a chance to check out your child/ren’s SeeSaw account and saw some of the footage via our school facebook page. We are extremely proud of our students' positive attitudes, respectful behaviour and sportspersonship throughout the day.
Our Junior Unit Olympics immersion day was a huge success this week with students enjoying learning about the history of the Olympics in both modern and ancient times. We are looking forward to the start of the Paralympics and engaging in conversations and learning about this history too.
Year 1 Olympics
Thank you very much for contacting your child/rens diary and work book then returning them to school promptly. We are extremely appreciative.
Today we begin Online Learning. Our students will need to access the Portal for their daily requirements. They will have SeeSaw tasks to complete as well as a daily Zoom that they are encouraged to participate in. Should you require any support or clarification, please contact your child/rens teacher directly. We thank you for your support, patience and flexibility.
We also say farewell to Harry Gaylard (Karinya) today, who is off on an exciting adventure around Australia with his family. We wish the Gaylard Family a very exciting and memorable experience. We look forward to hearing all about this trip in the future. Many thanks to the super talented Mrs Driscoll who whipped up another fantastic cake for everyone. Pikachu was a huge favourite with our children.
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 Chris Carmichael
- Barramunga (Year 1): Mrs Katrina Groves (Monday-Thursday) & Mrs Wendy Collins (Friday)
- Bundaleer (Year 1): Mrs Maree Irvin (Tuesday-Friday) & Mrs Wendy Collins (Monday)
- Waminda (Year 2): Miss Georgina Hewitt
- Kyema (Year 2): Mrs Kim Taylor
Middle Unit News
Due to the Lockdown, next week we will continue with online learning. The format will be very similar to our last period of Remote Learning. All learning tasks can be found on Google Classroom, and we will have a daily Zoom at 9:00am each morning with classes. Please continue checking your emails for any necessary correspondence.
We are still hopeful that our Year 3 Camp will be able to go ahead at the end of Week 6. We will communicate with families as soon as possible to confirm details depending on restrictions.
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 Xana Priestley
- Yongana (Year 3): Mrs Cathy Rowles
- Mootwingee (Year 3): Miss Sophie Price
- Minga (Year 4): Mrs Natalee Johnson
- Eumeralla (Year 4): Mrs Maria Beer
- Nangare (Year 4): Mrs Kerryn Weaver (Monday-Tuesday) & Mrs Emma Kotsiakos (Wednesday-Friday)
Senior Unit News
All Year 5 & 6 students have been given a book to read as part of Literature Circle groups. It is really important for students to read this book as part of their homework routine. Students have a specific number of pages that need to be read by a particular day along with an allocated role that needs to be completed.
Transition Back to Learning Onsite
As part of the students’ transition back to learning onsite last week, the Year 5 & 6 students engaged in a number of activities centered around their well being. The focus for these activities were Gratitude, Self-Efficacy, Hope and Connectedness. Students enjoyed participating in the various activities and reconnecting with each other.
Senior Unit Team Contact Details
Click on the teacher's name if you wish to email them.
- Unit Leader: Mrs Jo Campbell
- Myalla (Year 5): Mrs Sarah Beckwith
- Illawarra (Year 5): Miss Belinda Zappia
- Narooma (Year 6): Mrs Jo Campbell
- Dourim (Year 6): Mr Corey Barbary
Student Leadership Groups
Nothing to report this week.
Library News
Future event: Children’s Book Week Awards 2021
The 2021 theme of CBCA Book week is “Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds”. At this stage Sacred Heart are planning on participating in activities during the Nation-wide celebrations from August 21st - 27th. On Friday 27th August, students and staff are encouraged to dress up as a character from an ‘Old World, New World, or Other World”. Some ideas are:
Old world - Mary Poppins; Cave man; an Egyptian; Anne of Green Gables; pirate; Sherlock Holmes; Robin Hood….
New world- astronaut; alien; rocket ship; Star Wars character; (Junior students could use their junior unit social costume!!).....
Other world- Harry Potter (Wizarding world); Minecraft; Bilbo Baggins; monsters; pokemon; Ranger’s apprentice;Alice in Wonderland; tinkerbell; Mad Hatter….
Weekly Awards
Students of the Week
There are no Students of the Week Awards this week.
Ray White Awards
There are no Ray White Awards this week.