ISSUE 8: 18th March, 2022
Principal / Executive Leadership Team
Dear Parents, Carers, Staff, Students and Friends,
In many ways, it feels like we have only just started the school year. In other ways it seems like we have been back for longer than we actually have. In either case, we now find ourselves at the end of Week 8.
St Joseph’s College Year 5 Visit
On Tuesday, 22nd March Year 5 students will be participating in a transition day at St Joseph’s College, Mercy Campus. Mrs Weaver and Miss Zappia will be attending. Students will travel by bus at 8:50 am and will arrive back at school by 2:15 pm. Students are asked to wear their sports uniform. Recess, lunch and drinks will be provided. Students do not need to bring anything.
St Joseph’s College Open Evening
Parents, children and family members are invited to attend St Joseph’s College 2022 Open Evening on Tuesday, 22nd March from 4pm to 7pm. This will occur at both the Enright and Mercy campuses. Parents are asked to report to reception on arrival. You do need to log on to the St Joseph's website to register for this evening.
School Sports Victoria (SSV) District Girls and Boys Cricket
Girls District Cricket is being held this Tuesday at the Aerodrome Ovals. The girls will be playing games against St Paul’s & Mildura South primary schools. The Boys District Cricket is being played this Wednesday. They will be playing games against St Paul’s & Trinity Lutheran College. We wish both teams all the best. Mr Burford will attend with our teams.
Parish Mass - Illawarra
We have Illawarra participating in the Parish Mass at the church next Wednesday 23rd 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.
Program Support Group (PSG) Meetings
PSG Meetings have been held on Wednesday and Thursday. PSG’s brings together key stakeholders who have relevant knowledge of, and responsibility for, a student. Through the meetings the participants plan and review implementation of inclusive educational practices for students who may have academic, social, emotional, behavioural, cultural, health and/or wellbeing needs. We would like to thank the parents who have attended these meetings and to Mrs Deacon who has facilitated them. Our last day of meetings will be held on Monday, 21st March.
Assembly - Myalla
Thank you to the School Choir for hosting today's Assembly. Next week Myalla will host the Assembly, which will be held in the Stadium at 2.30pm. After our assembly we invite parents and grandparents of students from Myalla who are attending to visit the classroom for an afternoon tea, meet fellow parents and to see some of the learning happening in the class. This idea came from our Parent Engagement meetings that occurred last week.
Congratulations
We congratulate Mr Burford and his wife Eliza on the safe arrival of their beautiful baby girl Isla last Friday. Both Mum and bub are going well, and Mr Burford is holding up okay as well! Enjoy this special time Jacob and Eliza.
Goodbyes
Today was the last for Noah Slorach at Sacred Heart, before their family moves to Queensland. We thank the Slorach family for their contribution to our school and wish them all the best!
Financial Audit
Last Wednesday we had our external School Auditor’s visit and ‘audit’ of our 2021 financial year. Well done to Mrs Avery on receiving very positive feedback.
St Patrick’s Day
What a fantastic St Patrick’s Day we had on Thursday. It was great to see everyone dressed in green and to see our students participate in many great activities across the school to learn more about St Patrick.
School Sports Victoria Division Lawn Bowls
Well done to Layla Baird, Cameron Beggs, Nate Bresnehan, Majorca Ficarra, Sienna Gray, Ivy Hunt, Tia Mondiwa, Archie O’Brien, Tiarna O’Brien, Macey Campbell, Chloe Rusike and Poppy Wilkes who represented Sacred Heart at the SSV Division Lawn Bowls on Wednesday. Students enjoyed the opportunity and represented the school brilliantly.
School Sports Victoria (SSV) Swimming
Jesse Sinclair, Grace Brown, Evie Smythe, Alana Chatfield and Freya McClaer represented Sacred Heart at the SSV Region Swimming yesterday. Well done on your fantastic efforts. Results as follows:
- Jesse Sinclair - 2nd Breaststroke
- Grace Brown - 3rd Freestyle
- Evie Smythe - 3rd Freestyle, 4th Butterfly
- Freya McClaer - 4th Butterfly, 4th Backstroke
- 12 year old girls (Evie, Grace, Alannah & Freya) - 4th Freestyle Relay
Class Contacts
We are seeking parents to volunteer to be class contacts for our classrooms in 2022. If anyone is able to assist or has any queries please contact Rebecca Siale on 0427 300 878. It would be great to fill these positions soon. We are investigating ways our class contacts can assist in strengthening the community as we return to more normal schooling.
Rapid Antigen Test Delivery #4
Please note that our next supply of RATs will be distributed to all families this Monday. Kits will be sent home with the eldest in the family on Monday afternoon. Let us know if you don’t receive these tests.
Strengthening Community in 2022
Last week we ran two ‘Appreciative Inquiry’ sessions with Tony Dalton, a Community Engagement consultant. The sessions were attended by staff, parents and students. This was a great opportunity to brainstorm ways we can renew and strengthen school community relationships in COVID/Post COVID times.
Participants came up with the key elements for events that should celebrate students, are in family friendly times, adequate notice is given with timely reminders, are well hosted events with outstanding hospitality and involve parents and students in the planning. It is important that we now spread the word amongst the school that community building is now a key focus and that families are being engaged in this process.
We do expect to have action from this meeting with decisions made on possible events in the near future. We have started with a simple example by inviting the class leading assembly back to their classroom to meet other parents, see their child’s classroom and to see some work they have been doing. Parents will receive an invitation from their child before they lead their class assembly.
COVID Cases
Over this week we have four COVID cases impacting the classes of Minga (Year 3), Mootwingee (Year 4) & Narooma (Year 6). 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
St Patrick’s Day Prayer
“Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”
Project Compassion
We hope that families are able to contribute to this year’s Project Compassion. Boxes will be due back at school by the end of this term - Friday, 8th April.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
We hope that lessons are going well for families at home in preparation for this Sacrament. Reconciliation will be held on Wednesday, 6th April. Please contact the Parish Office if you have any questions or Ryan O'Callaghan at school.
2022 Sacramental Program Dates
Sacrament of Reconciliation 2022 Year 3 & 4 students
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
General News
Learning and Teaching News
No news this week.
Learning Diversity News
No news this week
Prep Unit News
This week in Prep we have had lots of fun learning about St Patrick’s day and completing an activity with our buddies. We have also been doing lots of counting backwards from 50, 20 and 10.
Our mornings have now become a little busier with the borrowing of our home reading books every day. These books are to be read each night and returned to school the following day (with the Maggie Mouse reading diary) for the students to select a new book. Below is a quick reference checklist for reading and borrowing in prep:
- Monday = Enhanced Comprehension Book Pocket comes home and stays at home until Friday.
- Monday - Friday = Students borrow and read each night a ‘Home Reading Book’. The book is returned to school each morning for the selection of a new book. If you don’t return your book your child/ren will not be able to borrow a book.
- Monday - Friday = Reading Diary is to be at school each day. You will now need to record the ‘Home Reading Books’ in the diary each night… please see the photo below for an example.
Some friendly reminders:
- Students need to be at school on time each day (beginning of school is (8.38am). This allows them to settle into the morning routines and avoids disruption to learning. If you are arriving later than this time you need to come through the office and sign in.
- Show and tell needs to be small enough to fit into the small container (if you need to know how big these are please ask) and into school bags!
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
It was a sea of green, orange and white on Thursday with our students looking extra colourful for our St Patrick's day celebrations.
We got crafty, decorative and danced to all things Irish which brought laughter and smiles to all students and teachers involved. (We even had a visit from the newspaper!)
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
In Year 3 and 4 we have been having lots of fun with some Maths games last Friday and this week also. We have been practising our counting and mental strategy skills, as well as having lots of fun!
Year 4 Camp
This week we had a Year 4 meeting in preparation for our upcoming camp at Roses Gap in Week 10. At this meeting, your child would have received a hard copy note with all the important final details, including a packing list. This has also been emailed to parents. A reminder to please email sprice@shmildura.catholic.edu.au with any medications that your child will be bringing along on camp including the dosage.
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
Farewell Noah
Today we farewell one of our Year 6 students - Noah Slorach. We wish Noah and his family all the very best as they embark on their next adventure.
A few Year 6 students reflected on what they will miss most about Noah.
*I am going to miss your humour.
*I am going to miss how you always wear a jumper.
*I am going to miss you. You are a good friend.
*I am going to miss your laugh.
*I am going to miss playing footy with you.
*I am going to miss you joking around.
*I am going to miss the stories you tell.
*I am going to miss your smile.
*I am going to miss your helpfulness.
St Patrick’s Day
Students have spent the week learning about St Patrick and engaging in St Patrick’s Day activities including the Year 6 students completing an activity with their buddies. It was wonderful to see so many students dressing in green to celebrate the day on Thursday.
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
Just a reminder to forward any grade 3-6 choir audition videos to ctaylor@shmildura.catholic.edu.au by next Friday.
All grade P-6 students are reminded to bring a charged laptop/tablet with them to Performing Arts sessions, as well as working headphones.
Library
Why Do Kids Need Books?
Books help kids develop basic language skills and expand their vocabularies—much more than any other media.
Books are interactive; they demand that kids think. They give us new ways to think and new ideas.
Books develop and nourish kids’ imaginations, expanding their worlds. Picture books introduce young children to the world of art and literature. Novels and nonfiction books stimulate kids’ sensory awareness, helping kids to see, hear, taste, feel, and smell on an imagined level.
Books help children open up, to move beyond self-absorption and connect to other people. Books build connections and broaden our capacity to empathise; they help us to understand others. Books help us to become more compassionate.
Books answer questions.
Books create questions.
Books entertain and offer a great escape. They make us laugh and giggle. They make us cry.
Books — unlike many other entertainments –– are free for everyone. You can find the book you need, for free, at your school or public library.
Books are great companions. You are never lonely when you have a book to read.
Books comfort us. Books help us understand that no matter who we are, or what our experiences may be, we are not alone in the world.
BOOKS INSPIRE US TO DREAM.
BOOKS GIVE US THE TOOLS TO ACHIEVE OUR DREAMS.
https://thencbla.org/advocacy/why-do-kids-need-books/
Scholastic Bookclub Issue #2 is on the way and will be delivered to classrooms on arrival. If there are any issues, please email me on wcollins@shmildura.catholic.edu.au
Timetable
Monday - Mootwingee, Bundaleer, Yr 6, Yongana
Tuesday - Yr 5, Kyema, Barramunga
Wednesday - Eumeralla, Waminda,
Thursday - Preps, Amaroo
Friday - Minga, Karinya
Students of the Week
