ISSUE 6: 3rd March, 2022
Principal / Executive Leadership Team
Dear Parents, Carers, Staff, Students and Friends,
We are sending our newsletter home earlier this week due to our Pupil Free Day tomorrow.
In light of the fear and fighting in our world, we remember in our prayers the people of Ukraine as they encounter the threat of fear and destruction. We pray…
Parents and Friends
On Thursday 10th March from 9am - 9:50am and a second option being 4:30pm-5:20pm in the school stadium we invite parents from our school community to a forum that will assist in reimagining or reinvigorating our community after COVID. This session will be facilitated by Tony Dalton who is an Educational Consultant in relation to Parent and Community Engagement. Through feedback we hope to prioritise what we do as a Parents and Friends group so that we can strengthen community relationships and engagement through fun and simple ways at Sacred Heart. We hope to have many parents present so that we have a good cross section of our community who provide lots of fresh and exciting ideas.
School Sports Victoria (SSV) Division Swimming Carnival
The SSV Division Swimming Carnival is being held this Wednesday, 9th March at Mildura Waves. We wish the following students all the best for this event: Grace Brown, Alana Chatfield, Freya McClaer, Jesse Sinclair, Evie Smythe and William Whelan.
Assembly
Illawarra is hosting next week’s Assembly, which will begin at 2.30pm in the Stadium on Friday.
Prep Rest Day
This Wednesday, 9th March will be the final Prep Rest Day for our Prep students who have done a great job of settling into school life at Sacred Heart.
Parish Mass - Dourim
We have Dourim participating in the Parish Mass at the church this Wednesday 9th March. Students will do some of the readings and jobs throughout the Mass. This celebration will begin at 9.30am and parents are welcome to attend.
Staff News
In very exciting news we have two staff members announcing that their family will be growing later in the year. Miss Abbey Madden is expecting in April and Mrs Clare Taylor in July. We congratulate each of them and their partners on this fantastic news.
Icy Poles
Icy Poles will be sold at lunch time on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Icy Poles are 50 cents each. This fundraising will go towards the Soup Kitchen, which has previously been funded through donations from Grandparents Day which hasn’t gone ahead in the last two years.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Breakfast
We had a very successful Pancake Breakfast on Tuesday. It was great to see families gathering at school to enjoy catching up and enjoying a pancake or two. A very big thank you to David and Cassandra Circosta from Banjo’s for donating the pancake mix, to Frank and Montanna Simonetta and Knights of the Southern Cross for cooking the pancakes and to the parents and staff who volunteered to set up and pack up. Well done everyone!
Ash Wednesday Mass
We had a fantastic Ash Wednesday Mass with St Paul’s Primary School yesterday at the Sacred Heart Church. Thank you to the students for their participation, Mr O’Callaghan and Maria-Stalla Blagus (St Paul’s REL) for their organisation and Father Matthew for leading this celebration.
NAPLAN 2022
Information regarding NAPLAN 2022 is being sent home with students in Grades 3 and 5 today. A copy is also attached or you can access it here:
If you have any questions regarding this year’s testing program please contact myself or Mrs Thompson.
COVID Cases
Over this week we have five COVID cases impacting the classes of Wahroonga (Prep), Narooma (Year 6), Waminda (Year 2), Karinya (Year 1) and Illawarra (Year 5). We encourage families to complete their twice weekly RA Tests as some cases within the school have had no symptoms but testing has indicated a positive test. Please inform the school of positive cases.
Students with any COVID-19 symptoms should be tested for COVID-19 and kept home even if they test negative on a rapid antigen test, until their symptoms subside. If students display symptoms at school they will go to the sick bay and parents will be called to collect their child.
Have a great weekend everyone and God Bless!
Mark Gibson
COVID Positive Case Procedures
Below is a summary of what you need to do in the event that your student or a member of your household produces a positive test result.
A student tests positive to COVID19, either through RA test or PCR test
- Isolate at home or in private accommodation for 7 days (inclusive of weekends) and do not attend school during this period.
- Inform the school that they have tested positive to COVID-19.
- Self report via https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/rapid-antigen-tests#report-a-positiveresult-on-a-rapid-antigen-test
- A negative test is not required to return to school following completion of 7 days of Isolation.
- Anyone who has recovered from COVID-19 is exempt from testing and quarantine requirements if they are re-exposed to a case within 30 days of testing positive.
- Follow the Checklist for COVID cases located at: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist-cases
A student is a household contact to a positive COVID-19 case:
- You have spent more than four hours with someone who has COVID-19 inside a house, accommodation, or care facility.
- Inform the school that the student is a household contact.
- Follow the Checklist for COVID contacts. https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklistcases
- Students must quarantine for 7 days (inclusive of weekends) and must not attend school during this period.
- Contact at school is not included in this definition, unless contact has occurred in a school based residential setting, e.g. school camp or boarding school.
A student has been in contact with a case of COVID-19 at school:
- If asymptomatic, students should continue to attend school and monitor for symptoms.
- If symptomatic, all students must stay or return home, take a rapid antigen test, or get a PCR test if a rapid antigen testing kit is unavailable.
- On receipt of a negative test result, and if well enough, the student can return to school.
- If students are too unwell to attend school, usual leave/absence policies apply.
Follow the Checklist for COVID contacts. https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist-cases
Religious Education
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. As we begin our Lenten journey, we pray for the humility to walk back into the open arms of God. Jesus teaches us to give, pray, and fast in private, and in this way show that we are followers of Jesus.
We often think that we should give something up for Lent - like chocolate (or school!) What if we were to take something up? Do something extra? During Lent we are called to be generous (give), move closer to God (pray) and fast (give something up in order to grow spiritually).
What is your Lenten Plan?
Give. How can I give joyfully, and not reluctantly or out of self-righteousness? Can I look into the eyes of my sister or brother living in poverty, seeking to understand their hopes and struggles, and give generously to bring healing?
Pray. How can I create space to pray to God? Can I close the door on the world, away from the hustle and bustle, to rekindle my relationship with God? Can I make time every day to do this, trusting that God’s grace will bring light to my life and to those around me?
Fast. How can I give up some of the things I normally indulge in to create more space for God? Can I give up chocolate or wine, complaining or arguing; and instead try to grow in love, peace and kindness for my neighbours near and far?
Sacrament of Reconciliation & Parent Information Session
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held on Wednesday, 6th April.
Please contact the Parish Office if you have any questions or Ryan O'Callaghan at school via phone or ryocallaghan@shmildura.catholic.edu.au
2022 Sacramental Program Dates
Sacrament of Reconciliation 2022 Year 3 & 4 students
Parents Information Night Wednesday 23rd February 7pm Sacred Heart Church
Celebration of Sacrament Wednesday 6th April 7pm
Sacrament of Confirmation 2022 Year 3, 4 & 5 students
Parents Information Night Wednesday 27th April 7pm Sacred Heart Church
Celebration of Sacrament Friday 3rd June, Saturday 4th June & Sunday 5th June
Sacrament of First Communion (Eucharist) 2022 Year 4 students
Parents Information Night Wednesday 7th September 7pm Sacred Heart Church
Celebration of Sacrament Friday 21st Saturday 22nd Sunday 23rd October
Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) 2022 Year 2 students
Parents Information Night Wednesday 12th October 7pm Sacred Heart Church
Celebration of the Sacrament Wednesday 23rd November 7pm Sacred Heart Church
Learning Diversity News
We are well into the swing of term one and it already feels like we are well into the year already! The impact of COVID -19 is still having an impact on our lives and we continue to problem solve to ensure that our students are receiving the support that will benefit their learning. Various supports and interventions have been implemented to help develop our students’ skills and knowledge in various areas: social/emotional learning, reading, writing, maths, physical and health.
Scheduled Program Support Group (PSG) Meetings: will take place on Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th of March. A face to face meeting would be preferable, but a Zoom meeting will be available to parents who cannot make the onsite meeting. Meetings will be scheduled due to the availability of classroom teachers on both days. Parents of students who have an Individualised Learning Program (ILP) will be sent an email.
Prep Unit News
This week in Prep we have been super busy learning about Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent. We have eaten pancakes, made ‘pancake people’ and participated in Ash Wednesday Mass to receive the ashes on our foreheads. Please have a discussion with your child/ren about these important days in our Catholic Christian calendar.
Some friendly reminders:
- All children should have headphones at school (named)
- We REALLY need 2 small lunch boxes for recess snacks and lunch so that they fit into our fridge containers.
- Home reading books and diaries can be kept at home all week until Friday. These picture story books you are sharing with your child/ren have comprehension questions you ask each night.
Next Wednesday is our last Prep rest day… then we will be at school every day of the week!
Home Reading:
Here is a bit of information and some tips about developing comprehension at home with our Home Reading Books and why it is so important…
Developing student’s oral language and comprehension skills through reading and talking about quality picture story books.
- When reading the story at home, sit your child close by or on your lap so you can both see the book. Place the question card by your side away from the child.
- If your child has trouble answering the question, use the prompts available on the back of the card or simply tell them the answer and then repeat the question.
- With practice your child’s skills will improve.
- For an extra challenge, ask your child to help you retell the story.
We would like this to be a positive learning experience, where children enjoy quality time with loved ones while developing their linguistic skills. This task is not designed to ‘test’ children. We don’t want your child to associate story reading with pressure, embarrassment and having the idea of having to get the answer right.
Reading a story multiple times allows for a deeper level of comprehension and a greater uptake by children of new vocabulary.
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
What an exciting week. After participating in burning the palm leaves/ class lenten promises, Shrove Tuesday Pancakes and Ash Wednesday celebrations, we truly exposed our children to a positive and informative to the Lenten Season. We encourage you to discuss these valuable experiences with your child/ren at home.
Some friendly reminders:
- All children should have headphones at school (named)
- Students need to be at school on time each day. This allows them to settle into the morning routines and avoids disruption to other students' learning.
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 Katrina Groves (Monday-Thursday) & Mrs Amilea Pacher (Friday)
- Bundaleer (Year 1): Mrs Maree Irvin (Tuesday-Friday) & Mrs Amilea Pacher (Monday)
- Barramunga (Year 2): Miss Georgina Hewitt
- Waminda (Year 2): Mrs Chris Carmichael
- Kyema (Year 2): Mrs Kim Taylor
Middle Unit News
Year 4 Camp
Last Friday permissions for Year 4 Camp to Roses Gap were made available to parents. Please log into your PAM account to access this. We have also added a few questions that we ask you to respond to on this form. Further information for our camp will be provided in the coming weeks.
Homework
Currently our homework expectation is student reading for 20 minutes each night. Diaries are asked to be filled in and brought to school each day.
Reminders
- Please ensure books have been covered.
- Year 3 students are encouraged to bring along a mouse to use with their laptop at school.
- Please ensure that your child has a set of named headphones at school.
- Please bring in a wire coat hanger for Art.
Middle Unit Team Contact Details
Click on the teacher's name if you wish to email them.
- Unit Leader: Miss Sophie Price
- Minga (Year 3): Mrs Cathryn Rowles
- Eumeralla (Year 3): Mrs Sarah Beckwith
- Amaroo (Year 4): Mrs Natalee Johnson
- Yongana (Year 4): Mr Corey Barbary
- Mootwingee (Year 4): Miss Sophie Price
Senior Unit News
Reminders:
- All children should have headphones at school (named).
- Students are expected to read for a minimum of 15 minutes per night. They are required to log this in their diaries each day.
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 Kerryn Weaver (Monday-Wednesday) & Mrs Emma Kotsiakos (Wednesday-Friday)
- Illawarra (Year 5): Miss Belinda Zappia
- Narooma (Year 6): Mrs Jo Campbell
- Dourim (Year 6): Mrs Xana Priestley
Performing Arts News
Over the next few weeks all students will be required to bring their charged laptops / tablets to their Performing Arts lessons.
Please ensure all students have a set of headphones at school for these tasks.
Choir students from grade 3-6 can send in an audition video before next Friday if they would like to audition for a solo or small group singing part. Please send a video singing either one of our choir songs or a song of your choice to ctaylor@shmildura.catholic.edu.au
Library
Scholastic Book club Issue #2
This was handed out early this week. All orders are to be completed online via LOOP by Thursday March 10th. Every order contributes to “Scholastic Dollars” that we can use to add to our school library.
Week 7 Library days:
Monday - Mootwingee, Bundaleer, Year 6, Yongana
Tuesday - Yr 5, Barramunga, Kyema,
Wednesday - Eumeralla, Amaroo, Waminda
Thursday - Preps,
Friday -Karinya, Minga
5 Reasons why Reading Aloud with Older Kids is the Absolute Best
When kids start reading independently or getting to that tricky tween stage, parents often stop reading with them. “They can read on their own, they don’t need me” is a popular refrain. We understand. It’s tough to build time into our busy schedules and when kids can do something for themselves, it’s tempting to scratch it off your never-ending to-do list. But parents who stop reading to their children at this point, miss out on an incredible opportunity to take a peek around their kids’ heads. Plus, it’s really fun to read aloud to kids who are a little bit older.
Here are five reasons why reading to big kids is the absolute best.
- There’s so much more variety.
- They’re old enough to actually ‘get’ it.
- You can get insight into what’s going on in their lives.
- You can impart life lessons without being preachy.
- The one-on-one time is priceless.
For more information, click here:
Brightly - 5 reasons why we should read aloud with older kids
Last year, a number of students, parents and Grandparents sent in photos of families reading together - I would love to have a new collection of these from this year! If you would like to send in some photos of the family reading together for future newsletters, please send them to me on wcollins@shmildura.catholic.edu.au
Students of the Week & Ray White Awards
No awards this week.