ISSUE 37: 10th December, 2021

Principal / Executive Leadership Team

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff & Students,

To describe how proud we are of our students, teachers, and our school parent community after this year would be an impossible - and lengthy - task. The resilience, dedication, flexibility, ability to think outside the square, and the passion with which each stakeholder supported our children throughout this pandemic has been heartwarming to witness. 

Incredibly, despite the interrupted year, our students have achieved wonderful results; a credit to them and all who assisted them with another strange year. 

You have all earned a rest. Please take the time to enjoy the company of loved ones this holiday break. I hope you have a blessed and safe Christmas, and I look forward to seeing you all back in 2022 as we, once again, partner together in ensuring our students have access to the very best educational experiences we can offer.

Pleasing Message from Year 5 Camp

While on Ballarat Camp we received a very pleasing phone call from a person who was dining with her husband at the same place our Year 5’s were.  They called the school and complimented our students for their behaviour and wanted to pass on how lovely the students were, interacting politely with each other and representing our school beautifully.  The students enjoyed receiving this compliment and it just shows how people in the community are watching and judging.  We were very proud of their behaviour on the camp and they have proved that they will be great leaders in 2022.

School Concert

Thanks to everyone for attending last Monday’s concert viewing and picnic. It was great for our school community to come together after the disruptions of this year. Well done to all students for their performances! It was a great show! Once again, thanks to Mrs. Clare Taylor, Gina DeAngelis and all teachers for preparing the students in such a short timeframe.  I would like to also thank Jarrett Farley and ‘ENG Media’ in Mildura for providing the screen for the event.  If you weren’t able to attend the viewing or just want to view it again we have included it below.

Key Dates

Students finish at the normal time of 3.10 pm on Tuesday.   We look forward to seeing students for their ‘first day’ back on Monday, 31th January 2022.

Student Leadership Lunch

The Student Leadership Team has their End of Year Lunch at the Pizza Cafe this Monday from 12.30 - 1.30 pm.  Mrs. Deacon and I will attend with our students.

Fun Days

We have plenty happening on Monday and Tuesday with year-level Fun Days.  Year Two students are off to Jaycee Park and the Splash Park on Monday.  Prep students are visiting the All Seasons Splash Park and our Year 3/4 classes are enjoying some time at the Irymple Pool on Tuesday.

End of Year/Graduation Mass

Thank you to everyone for attending our End of Year / Graduation Mass. Special thanks to Mr. O’Callaghan, Mrs. Guthrie, Fr Matthew Thomas and students who played a role in making this a special celebration.  It was great that so many children, parents, friends and staff could be in attendance to celebrate our year and to recognise our graduating class.  I was very sad that I missed this special event.  See photos in RE News. 

2022 Prep Families

Thank you to our 2022 Prep parents who attended our Parent Information Session on Tuesday.  For those that couldn’t make it we have attached the 2022 Prep Parent Handbook that gives important information including dates and ways that you can help transition your child into schooling life.  This is a huge change for many children and the booklet can be very useful.

Condolences

We express our sincerest condolences to Mrs. Rosmarie Zalec on the passing of her husband Edward last Sunday.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family at this very sad time.

School Reports

Reports were made available to families through SIMON today, 10th December.  These reports are once again different from our normal reports.  To access your child's report please click on their picture and then, on the Profile Menu, select 'Assessment Reports'.  From here you should be able to access their report for this semester and be able to look at previous reports.

Leaving Families

A special thank you to those families who are finishing up having children enrolled at Sacred Heart.  Unfortunately next Tuesday we are losing 160 years of contribution and partnership with the school. I hope you have found the partnership equally rewarding.  We thank the following families:

• Anderson family (7 years)
• Circosta family (10 years)
• Collins family (10 years)
• Deacon family (10 years)
• Doody family (10 years)
• Ernesti family (2 years)
• Fleri family (11 years)
• Floramo family (3 years)
• Fordham family (10 years)
• Irvine family (10 years)
• Liu family (11 years)
• Madafferi family (4 years)
• Monaghan family (10 years)
• Rule family (8 years)
• Siju family (7 years)
• Umback family (10 years)
• Birnie family (11 years)
• Considine family (3 years)
• Krecul Family (3 years)
• Townsend family (10 years)
• Wiseman family (3 terms)

School Magazine

A huge thank you to Mrs Collins and Mrs Kotsiakos who have put together a fantastic School Magazine. This is a fantastic reminder of our 2021 school year.  The magazine was delivered late today and will be sent home with students on Monday.

Year 1 Navy Hats

With our 2021 Preps becoming Year 1 students they will be required to begin wearing our School navy hats from the start of the 2022 school year.  Hats can be purchased from Totally Workwear. 

Congratulations

We congratulate Liana McLaer who has made the Vic Country Swim Championships in the 100m butterfly.  This event will be held in Mildura during the school holidays.  Good luck!

Important End of Year Dates

• Year Two Fun Day - Monday 13th December
• Middle Unit Fun Day - Tuesday 14th December
• Prep Unit Fun Day - Tuesday 14th December
• Last Day for Students Tuesday 14th December (3.10pm finish)
• Staff Finish - Friday 17th December

2022 Dates

• Staff Return - Friday 28th January
• Students Return - Monday 31st January
• Get to Know You Interviews - 8th & 9th February
• Beginning of School Year Mass - Thursday 10th February

I wish you all a Holy and Merry Christmas, and a safe, happy and prosperous 2022. Our staff looks forward to working in partnership with you in 2022.

God bless,

Mark Gibson

Religious Education News

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 11

Next

Yesterday we celebrated a beautiful end of year graduation Mass. It was wonderful to come together as a community to celebrate at this special time.

Prep Unit News

The Prep students are looking forward to their Fun Day at the All Seasons Splash Park this Tuesday. Thank you to everyone for responding with permission for our Fun Day. A reminder that students are asked to wear casual clothes with their bathers underneath. All children require a rashie, a hat and their own sunscreen if they have sensitive skin. Students are asked to bring their own snacks (recess) which we will eat before leaving for the Splash Park and students will be provided with a lunch of nuggets and hot chips when we return to school (please send along an alternative if your child does not wish to have this). Remember you can access the Fun Day note via SIMON Everywhere.

On behalf of Miss Sheridan and myself would like to thank all families for their support across 2021. We hope you have a very Merry Christmas and an enjoyable holiday break. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school in 2022!

Junior Unit News

Our Year One students had a terrific experience on Wednesday for their Fun Day. They celebrate the end of our school year together at the Wave pool, followed by a delicious lunch and craft opportunities.

On Monday, our Year two students will embark on their Fun Day at Jaycee Park and the Mildura Splash park which will be a great way to celebrate before they enter the Middle Unit in 2022.

Please ensure that you have given permission via PAM for this event. 

We are still chasing a number of ‘Take Home’ reader books that need to be returned. Please ask your child/ren to have a good look at home over the weekend and return these on Monday. 

Thank you Families for your endless support, guidance, patience and drive though yet another unpredictable year. We appreciate all your valuable contributions and are grateful for your ongoing open communication.

We are super excited to see all our students again in 2022 and wish you all a Holy, safe, enjoyable and memorable holiday time.

Middle Unit News

Thank you to everyone for responding with permission for our Fun Day at the Irymple Pool on Tuesday. A reminder that students are asked to wear casual clothes with their bathers underneath. All children require a rashie and hat and their own sunscreen if they have sensitive skin. Students are asked to bring their own recess which we will eat at the pool and students will be provided with a lunch of hot chips and an icy pole when we return to school (please send along an alternative if your child does not wish to have this).

This week we had our Kickball Competition Grand Final! Our winners were Mars Bars in Year 3 and Milky Ways in Year 4. This was a great opportunity for students to learn about teamwork and sportsmanship.

The Middle Unit teachers would like to thank all families for their support across 2021. We hope you have a very Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing everyone back at school in 2022!

Senior Unit News

We would like to wish all our students and their families a wonderful Christmas and a well-deserved rest during the summer holiday break.  Thank you for the support you have given throughout this interrupted and unpredictable 2021 school year. We wish our Year Six students continued growth and success as they embark on the next chapter of their schooling journey and we look forward to seeing our Year Five students back at school after the break.

Graduation Dinner

A HUGE thank you goes out to our parent committee for the work you put into coordinating and organising Wednesday night’s Year Six Graduation Dinner.  The students had a wonderful night celebrating together.  We sincerely thank Richard and Bec Rudd-Morfaw for once again keeping the students entertained with fabulous music.

Fun Day

The Senior Unit had a terrific day today at the Merbein Pool. They celebrated the end of the school year with their peers.

Next Tuesday (last day of school), we will be providing lunch, consisting of chicken nuggets and chips, for our Senior students as a way to acknowledge the closing of the 2021 school year. 

Library News

Thank you to all those who have sent back their books. There are still just over 70 books outstanding and we really need these to be in asap. Children can drop them into the returns slot in the library first thing Monday morning. These last few books have been sent home on notices so please check with your child if they have recently been given a note from the library.  If you are unable to find any books, please send me an email on wcollins@shmildura.catholic.edu.au so that I know parents have also had a look at home. 

I thank all the children for enjoying the many, many books we have in our library this year, and look forward to hearing about all the new books that are received for Christmas!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and an amazing New Year!

Awards - 2021 Maths Olympiad, 2021 Student Leadership, SHEC & WIGGS and our Term 4 Principal awards