ISSUE 27: 17th September 2021
Principal / Executive Leadership Team
Dear Parents, Guardians, Students & Staff
God of believers, God of deniers, God of those who don’t know: faith assumes uncertainty.
The truth is hardly ever simple; the path ahead rarely clear.
We turn to you in part because we know not where to go.
Yet faith assumes assurance.
Faith remains, with hope and love, when all else fades away.
As we step forth with you today,
grant us faith to trust ourselves,
and let us believe in the good you provide
that is well beyond our knowing.
Amen.
Welcome everyone to this week’s newsletter.
It is hard to believe that we are at the end of Term Three after another very different term. Where has the time gone? I would like to thank all families for your continued support throughout our lockdowns this term. Our term certainly hasn’t allowed us to provide learning and teaching as we would normally do but we have strived to provide as much support as possible. The holidays are a perfect opportunity to slow down, take some time to relax and recover from all the highs and lows you have experienced throughout the term and recharge the batteries.
This Sunday, the Premier will be announcing guidelines for schools in Term Four. We hope that this announcement allows all our children to be back onsite from the start of Term Four. We will let parents know towards the end of the holidays about the arrangements for the start of the term.
Goodbyes
Today was the last for Alyssa and Chloe Watson at Sacred Heart, before their family move to Queensland. We also say goodbye to Noah Williams. We thank the Watson and Williams families for their contribution to our school and wish them all the best!
Junior Unit Social
Thank you and congratulations to Miss Taylor and the Junior Team who once again prepared an outstanding Junior Unit Social. Thank you to all who gave their time and energy to ensure this opportunity could go ahead for students at the end of a busy term.
Mission Month
In the first week of Term Four we will be celebrating Mission Mass on Thursday, 7th October beginning at 9.30am if restrictions allow. Our school's annual Mission Month fundraising activities begin on the first day back (for students), Term Four. A 'Mission Month Fundraising Activities' is attached below.
On Friday of the first week back at school students will be able to buy a 1 metre strip of duct tape for $2 to tape a teacher to the wall as our first major Mission Month activity. We invite those connected to the school community to vote for the teacher they would most like this to happen to.
Which staff member do you want to duct tape to the wall?
Principal Awards Term 3
Congratulations to the following students on receiving a Principal Award for Term 3 2021.
Prep - Levi Poulton
Year 1 - Alexander Henderson
Year 2 - Maggie McCoy
Year 3 - Ivy Hards
Year 4 - Sophie Evans
Year 5 -Alby Woollard
Year 6 - Ryder Fordham
Today students dressed up in their AFL colours for AFL Day.
Return to School Term Four
Well done to the students, staff and parents for their wonderful efforts throughout the term. We look forward to everyone returning for Term Four on Monday, 4th October refreshed and ready for a big Term Four.
God Bless!
Mr Mark Gibson
Religious Education News
Sacramental News Update
Year Four First Eucharist - First Eucharist packs will be sent home with all students who have registered for First Eucharist on Monday, 4th October (providing all students are back at school). There will be a cover letter included in this pack with all details regarding this Sacrament. There is no parent meeting in preparation for this Sacrament as current restrictions won’t allow for this. Parents are asked to confirm with the Parish Office between 5th-8th October their preference for First Eucharist Mass - we are hoping that the numbers will be increased to more than 20 in attendance before that time. It will be the same weekend as set before (23rd/24th October), however there will be additional Masses:
Friday 22nd October 6pm
Saturday 23rd October 9.30am
Sat 23rd October 6pm
Sun 24th October 9am, 12 noon & 5pm
Please contact the school or email ryocallaghan@shmildura.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions.
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
Nothing to report this week.
Prep Unit News
Well done to all the Prep students for a fantastic Term 3 of learning, despite the challenges remote learning provided us, all students engaged with their learning and navigated technology very well. Thank you to our wonderful prep parents for all your time, effort and hard work you gave to your children during learning from home.
During this last week of school we have had an art immersion… art nearly every day! The students have learnt about foreground and background through the story ‘Papa Please Get The Moon For Me’. They created a scene from the story that showed them climbing a ladder and reaching for the moon. Then we learnt about texture and the different art techniques we can use to depict different textures. The students then created an under the sea collage. We have had the best time using our creativity and making masterpieces.
We wish everyone a happy and restful term 3 break and encourage our students to continue to read and practice their tricky words. Remember that you have access to PMeCollection and Reading Eggs to also use!
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
Another term over and what a way to end it!
Our Junior Unit Social was a spectacular event where our children shone in front of the camera and their costumes were incredible. We are extremely appreciative and thankful for the magnificent persistence and resilience our students demonstrated throughout this term.
In Term 4, each student will need their own shoe box for a Science task. Should you have one (or a few) shoe boxes, we ask that you save them up over the holidays and bring them to school in Week One please.
We wish you all a tremendous and relaxing holiday break and encourage our students to continue to read and practice their tricky words over this time. Remember that you also have access to PMecollection and Reading Eggs should you wish to use it.
See you in two weeks!
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
Last week for RUOK Day, children in the Middle Unit worked together remotely to create a video promoting the themes of RUOK Day. Big thanks must go to Mrs K for putting this video together.
Well done to all Year 3 and 4 students for once again completing some fantastic learning during Remote Learning. We are all so proud of each and every student for how well they have engaged with learning during this challenging time. We are very hopeful to see all children back at school next Term.
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
We once again thank and commend our senior students for their dedication and efforts in learning remotely. We are very proud of the way they rose to the challenge of completing their work in what has been a rollercoaster of unusual circumstances. We wish you all a restful break and we hope to see everyone back on site in Term Four.
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
Nothing to report this week.
Weekly Awards
No awards this week.