Sacred Heart Primary School Mildura eNewsletter

Principal / Executive Leadership Team

Dear Parents, Carers, Staff, Students and Friends,

Great to be back at school and to be able to see lots of smiling students and staff. I hope that everyone had a relaxing break and enjoyed the Easter holidays.

2023 Prep Enrolment Discovery Tours (Open Sessions)

Discovery Tours are a great opportunity for new families to see how learning happens in classrooms at Sacred Heart. To book a tour you need to go to https://shmildura.catholic.edu.au/book-a-tour

We have adjusted our schedule to provide more flexibility in times with the following dates and times available:

Tuesday 3rd May @ 9:30am
Tuesday 3rd May @ 6pm
Wednesday 4th May @ 9:30am
Wednesday 4th May @ 6pm
Thursday 5th May @ 6pm
Monday 9th May @ 9am
Tuesday 10th May @ 5:15pm
Wednesday 11th May @ 9:15am

We do have some spaces for tours if existing families would like to join us on any of the tours. Please book through the link above.

2023 Prep Enrolments are Now Open

We are currently taking enrolment applications for 2023 Prep Students. Enrolments will close on Friday 20th May 2022 at 4pm. We encourage existing families to apply now via the school website if you know your child will be attending Sacred Heart: (Click Here)

If you know of any new families who are looking at enroling we encourage you to share our enrolment processes that are outlined here.

Staff Wedding

We wish Miss Hewitt and her partner Dakota all the best for their special day on Saturday, 6th May. Miss Hewitt will be away from school from Wednesday, so as a school community we wish you a lifetime of many happy memories and wonderful experiences together.

School Hats

School Hats are not required to be worn at recess and lunch times as of this Monday, 2nd May. This will be a good opportunity to have them washed and returned to school ready for them to be worn again from the beginning of September.

GRIP Leadership Conference

Mr O’Callaghan and the Student Leadership Team will attend the GRIP Leadership Conference which is being held this Wednesday at the Mildura Function Centre. This is a great opportunity that concentrates specifically on training student leaders for their role this year. The style, topics, and content of this conference all focus on what the students can do right now. After the day we hope our leaders have a clear vision and ideas for their time as a senior student leader at Sacred Heart.

Mother’s Day Stall

Our Mother’s Day Stall will be held on Friday, 6th May and students will be able to purchase an item from the stall for $5. Parents can make payment through CDF Pay (which has been set up) or some may choose to bring in cash. Children will come as a class to the stall and choose from a range of items that will be available. If you are free and would like to help we will require parent helpers on the stall between 8:30am & 11am, please contact the office and leave your contact details and the time you are available. All money raised is used to purchase resources for your children.

Assembly

Amaroo and Mrs Johnson will host our next Assembly, which will be held on Friday, 6th May in the Stadium at 2.30pm.

SSV Division Cross Country

Good luck to the students who will be running at the School Sports Victoria (SSV) Division Cross Country at the Aerodrome Ovals on Thursday 5th May. Mr Burford and Mr Dashington will attend with Sacred Heart students.

Parents and Friends (P&F) Class Contact Information Meeting

We will have an important meeting for our allocated Class Contacts on Wednesday 11th May from 5:15pm-6pm. We see this role as a simple but important one that will have a focus on re-engaging our whole school community in 2022.

The purpose of this meeting is to clarify processes to be used such as communication channels, 2022 events/dates associated with your allocated class, complete induction processes for those that haven’t done so, clarify and answer questions in regards to the Class Contact role and to discuss the changing role of the P&F within the school. Other interested parents are invited to attend this P&F Meeting.

This will be the only P&F meeting Class Contacts will need to attend this year.

NAPLAN

In the week from 9th-13th May our Year 3 & 5 students will be participating in the ‘National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy’ (NAPLAN). Please see your child’s teacher if you have any queries or concerns regarding NAPLAN.

Return of Volunteers (Performing Work)

We are very excited to allow volunteers back into school. Units or classes may ask parents to assist with roles such as classroom helpers. Parents who do wish to volunteer at school are required to show evidence of 3 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. The nature of that evidence that needs to be provided could include a COVID-19 vaccine digital certificate, immunisation history statement, or medical exception letter or certificate, this must be provided to our school administration staff. All Volunteers (volunteers that attend an education facility and that work in close proximity to children, students or staff (including parent helpers) must meet the third dose vaccination requirements.

Additionally all Volunteers must sign in our School Visitor Management Software (Passtab) located in our school reception area. All Volunteers will be required to provide photo identification and a current Working with Children Check. This information will be stored within Passtab. Passtab will also prompt completion of an online school induction (completed annually), which provides information on emergency evacuation procedures and our Child Safe policies and procedures.

ANZAC Day

Thank you to all of our student leaders who proudly represented Sacred Heart at the ANZAC Day Commemorative Service. Thank you to Mr O’Callaghan for the organisation of the students. Thank you to the parents who brought the students along to this very important day outside of school time.

Sacred Heart Cross Country

Our Cross Country was a brilliant event on Wednesday which brought our school community together. Well done to all students for their efforts and thanks to all staff for contributing to the organisation and running of the day. Special thanks to Mr Burford for his overall coordination of the Cross Country and thanks to Ag Gray in the canteen and the Knights of the Southern Cross for preparing sausages for everyone. Well done to Kulkyne (Green) as the champion team for 2022!

COVID Cases

Over this week we have three COVID cases impacting the classes of Myalla (Year 5), Minga (Year 3) and Illawarra (Year 5). We encourage families to complete their twice weekly RA Tests if they have not been a positive case over the last twelve weeks. Please inform the school of positive cases.

Please refer COVID Positive Case Procedures outlined below to assist with positive cases of students or household contacts.

Have a great weekend everyone and God Bless!

Mark Gibson

COVID Update

The Victorian Government has announced some important changes to COVIDSafe measures for schools that will apply from the start of Term 2.

Face masks

From 11:59 pm Friday 22 April, face masks, while recommended, are not required in any school setting. This means students in grades 3 to 6, staff and visitors in primary schools are no longer required to wear face masks. Any student or staff member who wishes to wear a mask may do so, including those who are medically at risk.

Screening requirements

Students who have tested positive for COVID-19, and have completed their 7-day isolation period, now do not need to undertake rapid antigen test (RAT) screening for 12 weeks after their release from isolation. This was previously 8 weeks.

Household contacts

Students who are household contacts of a COVID-19 case are not required to quarantine. They may return to school as long as they undertake rapid antigen tests (RAT) 5 times during their 7-day period. They are required to notify the school that they are a household contact.

Students aged 8 years and above who are household contacts are required to wear face masks when indoors at school unless they have a valid exemption.

If a student household contact returns a positive RAT result, they must isolate for 7 days.

Vaccination requirements for visitors to schools

Parents, carers and other adult visitors (not performing work) are no longer required to show evidence of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

RAT screening program reminder

The testing recommendations will remain the same this Term for students and staff with to test at home twice a week. RATs were sent home at the end of last term. Should you have not received yours or need additional RATs please contact our office.

Thank you for your ongoing support in keeping our school safe and open.

Religious Education

Mother’s Day Mass

This Mass is being held at the Sacred Heart church next Saturday, 6th May at 6pm. We are inviting all Sacred Heart students, parents and staff to join in this mass to acknowledge all of the special women in our lives.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Thanks to the families that attended the information evening on Wednesday night. All students have now received their information folder which outlines all requirements for this Sacrament, including student lessons.

Parents are reminded that completed lessons need to be handed in at the Parish Office on the following dates:

Books 1-3 Monday 16th May
Books 4-5 Monday 30th May

If books are not completed and submitted then the candidate will not be able to receive this Sacrament.

2022 Sacramental Program Dates

Sacrament of Confirmation 2022 Year 3, 4 & 5 students

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

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) -

What is NCCD? Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (the Standards), Australian students with disability must be able to access and participate in education on the same basis as their peers. To ensure this, students with disability may receive adjustments to access education, based on the professional judgement of teachers, in consultation with the student and/or their parents, guardians or carers.

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) gives Australian schools, parents, guardians and carers, education authorities and the community information about the number of students with disability in schools and the adjustments they receive. The Australian Education Regulation 2013 requires all schools to report the data collected for the NCCD to the Australian Government on an annual basis.

Please find below an infographic which explains what is NCCD is and a fact sheet for parents and carers which further explains the process of the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability -

Learning and Teaching News

Seesaw Learning Portfolio

Children’s learning and work samples will continue to be uploaded to Seesaw. A great benefit of this is that it is in real time and you can get a sense of what is happening in the classroom for your child. Seeing the evidence of your child’s learning can be a wonderful way to start a conversation with your child about their day. Asking questions around what they found challenging, what made them proud or wonderings they might still have can be more focussed than ‘how was school today?’

NAPLAN

NAPLAN is coming up in Week 3 (10th-13th May) for children in Years 3 & 5. Children will need their laptop, fully charged each day and their own set of headphones. A great way to support your child throughout that week is to ensure a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast and stick to your normal routine.

General News

Prep Unit News

Welcome back to Term 2! We trust that everyone had a lovely break and is ready for a fun filled term of learning and experiences.

We are excited for the return of ‘parent helpers’ into the classroom during our Literacy block. A parent helper will assist a small group of students with a Literacy activity. Both Prep classes run their Literacy activities Monday through to Friday. The time parents will be required in the classroom will be from 9.30 - 10am. We do ask that younger siblings not attend so that parents are able to give their full attention to the small group they are working with. To be a ‘parent helper’ you will need to email Mrs O’Callaghan (email linked under this report) with the day and class you wish to assist in, attend the parent induction meeting (Tuesday 10th May @ 3:30pm in the Staffroom) and give your WWCC and vaccination status to the office.

Some reminders for the beginning of term:

Pronouncing the Alphabet Sounds
Please cover the term 2 reading diary in clear contact.
2 small lunch boxes: 1 for recess snacks and the other for lunch… this is so that they fit into our fridge containers.
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!
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.

Sounds to continue practising with your child/ren at home: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, r, f, o.

Here are some photos of how we have returned to school for term 2… ENJOY!

Unit Leader: Mrs Rebecca O'Callaghan
Cooinda (Year Prep): Mrs Rebecca O'Callaghan
Wahroonga (Year Prep): Miss Courtney Sheridan

Junior Unit News

A short but very busy and fun week has made settling back into school extra exciting. We welcome Ty Willersdorf to Karinya. We wish Miss Georgina Hewitt a tremendous last week as Miss Hewitt as she will be referred to as Mrs Whitehouse after Saturday 7.5.22.

Our Cross Country day was filled with laughter, cheering and encouragement as our students braved the elements and competed to their best ability. CONGRATULATIONS to all students for participating in the event and well done to Kulkyne.

A friendly reminder that ALL children should have their library bag, diary and nightly 'take home book' with them at school EACH day. Our students require working headphones (with a cord) to be kept at school which are used regularly. As the weather is getting cooler, please ensure that your child/ren have their jacket/ jumpers clearly labelled.

YEAR ONE children have Sport on Monday and Wednesday. They will need to be wearing their sports uniform on these days.

We are excited for the return of ‘parent helpers’ into the classroom during our Literacy block. A parent helper will assist a small group of students with Literacy activities. All Junior Unit classes run their Literacy activities Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The time parents will be required in the classroom will be from 9.30 - 10.15am. We do ask that younger siblings not attend so that parents are able to give their full attention to the small group they are working with. To be a ‘parent helper’ you will need to email Mrs Groves (email linked under this report) with the day and class you wish to assist in, attend the parent induction meeting (Tuesday 10th May @ 3:30pm in the Staffroom) and give your WWCC and vaccination status to the office before Thursday 5th May.

Next week, we celebrate Mother’s day with a Mother’s Day stall on Friday.

Here are some photos from this week:

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

Welcome back to Term 2! We trust that everyone had a lovely break and is feeling refreshed ready for an excellent term of learning.

Some reminders for this term:

Please ensure your child has a set of working over ear headphones at school that are named. This is particularly important for Year 3 students with NAPLAN coming up soon.

Nightly reading for approximately 15-20 minutes is our homework expectation. Children are asked to have their reading diary filled in and signed.

Library bags are to be at school everyday.

A reminder that students are not supervised prior to 8:15 in the morning. Classrooms open officially at 8:15 in the morning.

As the mornings are starting to become a little cooler we really encourage all children to have a jumper or jacket at school. We are still promoting airflow in our classes which may mean some students might get cold on these cooler days.

We also request that any urgent matters (such as where your child needs to be picked up etc) are phoned through to the office. During the day it can be difficult for teachers to get to their emails and the office is able to pass this information onto us promptly.

Year 3 Isolation Portal

Year 4 Isolation Portal

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

Some friendly reminders for Term Two:

Homework will begin for students next week. This will be handed out to students each Monday and is due back to school, completed, each Friday.
It is an expectation that students will engage in at least 15 minutes of reading each night as part of their homework. Please fill in and sign your child’s diary each day.
Please remind children to charge their laptops each night, ready for use each day.
Year 5 students will need a set of headphones at school for NAPLAN.

The senior students had a great day on Wednesday at our School’s annual cross-country event. We congratulate students on their positive involvement on the day.

Year 6 Isolation Portal

Year 6 Melbourne Camp

Next week, your child will bring home a note regarding what to bring on camp along with some other information and an itinerary of activities. If you have any questions regarding this camp, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.

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

Our Eisteddfod Choirs will be competing on Friday 17th June. More details will follow closer to the date. Please learn the lyrics to both songs as we will be rehearsing without lyrics in future.

Library

Thank you to those who returned their holiday books this week. Please ensure students bring their library bag and books to school each day, for classroom reading time in the middle and senior units and for classroom books in the junior units. Library bags are required to ensure our books are protected.

Scholastic Book club Issue #3

Catalogues were sent home this week. Online ordering will close on Tuesday 10th May. Please see the second last page of the catalogue for ordering options. Note: our school only accepts online ordering through “LOOP”. If you have any questions about Book Club, please email me. All orders contribute Scholastic Dollars to our school to allow us to add to our collection.