ISSUE 25: 3rd September 2021

Principal / Executive Leadership Team

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students & Staff

Our whole school community wishes the fathers, grandfathers and men who provide love and support for the children of Sacred Heart a happy Father’s Day this Sunday.  Thank you to families for sending in your Father’s Day photos and to Mrs Collins for putting together a wonderful video for everyone to enjoy.

Our staff have donated money to go towards a $50 voucher that can be handed onto a father or fatherly figure for each year level.  This voucher is for the City Heart aims to support some of our local businesses that are doing it very tough currently.   Our winners listed below can pick up their vouchers from the school office:

• Year Prep:  Scott Curran (Emma) 
• Year One:  Abel Ruiske (Jayden & Chloe)
• Year Two:  Thomas Marciano (Aria-Rose & Domenico)
• Year Three:  Felice Cirigliano (Victoria & Addyson)
• Year Four:  Ben Kerr (Ivy & Lexi)
• Year Five:  Jason Hunt (Ivy & Spencer)
• Year Six:  Richard Morfaw (Zandjay & Halo)  

Dear Lord, 

We give thanks, Creator God, for the fathers in our lives. Fatherhood does not come with a manual, and reality teaches us that some fathers excel while others fail. We ask for Your blessings for them all and forgiveness where it is needed.  This Father's Day we remember the many sacrifices fathers make for their children and families, and the ways – both big and small – they lift children to achieve dreams thought beyond reach. So too, we remember all those who have helped fill the void when fathers pass early or are absent; grandfathers and uncles, brothers and cousins, teachers, pastors and coaches and the women of our families. For those who are fathers, we ask for wisdom and humility in the face of the task of parenting. Give them the strength to do well by their children and by You. In Your Holy name, O God, we pray. 

Amen 

Remote Learning is expected to continue for all schools in Victoria until the end of Term Three.  However, with the possibility that Regional areas could open up sometime next week, there is a possibility that school might return before the end of Term Three.  As we have learnt from previous lockdowns the landscape can change very quickly, so we will continue to monitor the situation and update everyone accordingly.  Remote Learning is in place until we know otherwise!  Once again, a huge thank you to all students, staff and families for your understanding, support and flexibility.  We are very proud of our whole school community.    

Week 9 is Wellbeing Week at Sacred Heart.  This week is aimed to raise awareness of mental health issues worldwide by encouraging people to take personal ownership of their own mental health and wellbeing.  Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well being.  It affects how we think, feel and act.  It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices.  Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through to adulthood.  We need to engage in positive mental health practices as this is important when dealing with and managing challenging experiences. Each day this week there will be a specific focus aimed to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for everyone in our school community.  

Our Wellbeing Week will include RUOK? Day on Thursday, where we will be having a ‘Tools Down Day’ from recess (11am) onwards for all students, staff and parents.  Please note the following on this day:

• All students, parents & staff are encouraged to wear something yellow.
• There will be no learning after 11am.  
• Students learning onsite can be picked up after this time (optional).  
• Any students who require supervision after this time will be supervised by Sacred Heart staff at school, doing some fun activities.
• We encourage everyone to use this time to focus on your own mental health and wellbeing.
• There are some terrific resources available on the RUOK? website, including resources specifically for Educators.
  

From 11-11:30am on Thursday parents, students and teachers who are working/learning from home are invited to do a ‘drive by’ on the 12th street side of the school, so that the students and teachers on site can connect with their friends/classmates/teachers who are offsite. The students and staff onsite will be waiting at the fence,  for you to drive past and say hello and RU (really) OK? Please make an effort if it’s possible to undertake this little activity with your children so that they can see some of their friends. 

It was a big effort coordinating PSG Meetings last week via Zoom.  Well done and thank you to Mrs Deacon for her hard work in organising and coordinating these meetings and thank you to both teachers and parents for your valuable input.

Due to the ongoing lockdown and restrictions, we have decided to cancel Parent/Teacher Meetings that were scheduled in the last week of Term Three.  Parents are encouraged to contact classroom teachers via email or phone if you have any concerns regarding your child’s learning.    

God Bless!

Mr Mark Gibson

School Advisory Council (SAC) Report

Our School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting will occur on Tuesday 7th September at 5:15pm. This meeting will be held via Zoom.  Our agenda with our link to the meeting will be emailed to our SAC members.

Parents and Friends (P&F) Report

Nothing to report this week.

Religious Education News

Sacramental News

Year Four First Eucharist

For children who celebrated their Reconciliation earlier in the year.  All registration forms need to be returned to the Parish Office by 4pm on Friday 27th August. First Eucharist weekend will occur on:

Saturday 23rd October 6pm 

Sunday 24th October 9am 

Sunday 24th October 5pm

The Parent Information Evening that was scheduled to be held on Wednesday 1st September has been postponed and will be held at a later date (new date TBC).  For further information please contact the Sacred Heart Parish Office on 5021 2872 or email Sr Helen pastoral.mildura@ballarat.catholic.org.au 

Parish Bulletin for September 4th & 5th

Will live stream Mass from 6pm this Saturday at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpujOBwu7YYU-LzjhmqE_VQ 

Ryan O'Callaghan (Religious Education Leader)

Learning Diversity & Wellbeing News

Thank you to the parents who attend the Program Support Group (PSG) meetings via Zoom from Friday of last week to today! Your commitment to the education and support of your children is outstanding. Thank you to the teachers and Learning Support Officers who have made adjustments to our students' learning programs over the past term. The PSG meetings are a time for parents, teachers and other stakeholders to come together to review the specific needs of our children and to discuss future goals and recommendations. Minutes taken will be emailed out to parents for their records over the next couple of days. 

Learning & Teaching News

Nothing to report.

General News

Now that the AFL Footy Home & Away rounds are complete we are happy to announce the winners of our Family Competition.  

1st Prize Ben Evans 

2nd Prize Ryan O'Callaghan

3rd Prize Max O'Callaghan

Please call into the office to collect your prize money.

Prep Unit News

Nothing to report this week.

Junior Unit News

Thank you to all the children for your photos and snapshot of what you have been doing at home. We love receiving these and will be super excited to see you all in real life very soon.

We wish all our families a restful weekend and hope that you enjoy celebrating the special men in your life this Sunday.

Middle Unit News

The Middle Unit has had another busy week of Remote Learning. Students are to be commended for  the positive attitude they are showing! Year 4 students had their Science Immersion Days on Thursday and Friday this week. They learnt all about life cycles and how this is maintained in the Daintree Rainforest by the important animal the Cassowary. Year 3 will also participate in these Science Immersion Days in the coming weeks. 

Today we dressed in our pyjamas for Zoom which was so much fun!

Thank you for your ongoing support. A reminder that if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher. 

We wish all Dad’s and special men a very Happy Father’s Day for Sunday.

Senior Unit News

Nothing to report this week.

Student Leadership Groups

Nothing to report this week.

Library News

Scholastic Book Club issue #6 has begun to arrive. Some orders are yet to be received so please be patient. Orders will be delivered to onsite children or available for pick up from the office. Parents will be notified to collect orders for children who are learning from home.

Weekly Awards

Students of the Week 

There are no Student of The Week Awards this week.

Ray White Awards

There is no Ray White Awards this week.