ISSUE 25: 12th August, 2022
Principal / Executive Leadership Team
Dear Parents, Carers, Staff, Students and Friends,
Welcome to the weekly news. We are officially half way through Term Three. It is amazing how quickly our year is moving. As usual, there have been lots of events happening and will continue to happen throughout the remainder of the term.
Staffing News
This week we farewell Mrs Kerryn Weaver as she commences her Parental leave from today. We wish Kerryn & Luke all the best for the impending arrival of their bundle of joy. Beginning this week, Mrs Danielle Gunn will join Mrs Emma Kotsiakos as the job share teachers of Year Five Myalla. Danielle will be working Thursday & Friday. Emma will now work Monday to Wednesday.
DOBCEL Circuit Breaker Long Weekend
This Monday 15th August is a School Closure day and the DOBCEL Circuit Breaker Long Weekend. We encourage everyone in our school community to take the opportunity to recharge the batteries in readiness for the second half of the term.
Year 3 Swan Hill Camp
The Year Three Camp to Swan Hill is being held this Thursday 18th August and Friday 19th August. We wish our Year Three students all the best for a fun two days at the Pioneer Settlement. Mrs Rowles, Mrs Beckwith, Miss Price, Mr Dashington and myself will be the supervising teachers for this camp.
ReLATE (Reframing Learning and Teaching Environments)
Today our staff have been involved in ReLATE (Reframing Learning and Teaching Environments) professional learning facilitated by The MacKillop Institute. This is our second ReLATE day as part of a three year journey. This is a research and evidence informed model supporting schools to create the preconditions for improved teaching, learning and wellbeing. ReLATE combines educational research, social science, behavioural theory and neuroscience and applies a trauma informed lens to improve outcomes.
After today we will form a School Implementation Taskforce (SIT). The SIT represents an integral group who will lead implementation. They are supported by clear guidelines, detailing each of the key tasks needed to create a lasting change in our school to better the teaching, learning and wellbeing of not only students but staff, leaders and the whole school community.
If we have a parent who would like to support our implementation of ReLATE through being involved in our SIT please don’t hesitate to let me know.
Parents & Friends (P&F) Organising Subcommittees
We plan to have a few P&F events over the next few months.
On Thursday 8th September we are planning to hold an RUOK breakfast. This will be a great way to educate our community how we can have conversations with people who are struggling with life.
On the evening of Friday 7th October we are planning to hold a parent social evening at the Mildura Rowing Club. We are looking for parents to form an organising committee to assist with planning of this event. If you are willing to assist please contact Katie McCoy on 0409 070 881.
Assembly
We have no Assembly this week due to our Year 3 camp.
Book Week
Book Week is from Monday 22nd - 26th August. The theme is ‘Dreaming with Eyes Open’. Monday 22nd August is the official Book Week dress up day. Throughout the week Mrs Collins will work with each class in library sessions with a focus on Book Week activities.
Athletics Carnival
We had a fantastic Athletics Carnival on Wednesday. This was a great school event and most importantly a wonderful day for our students. Our students were amazing in their performances, encouragement and support. Such a great day could not proceed without the co-ordination from Mr Burford/Mr O’Callaghan and the support of our many volunteers and staff. A fantastic SHPS community team effort and most importantly, another amazing day for our students. Athletics Presentations Assembly will be held on Monday, 22nd August in the Stadium at 2.30pm.
I hope everyone enjoys the break over the extra long weekend and I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday 16th August.
God Bless!
Mark Gibson
COVID Update
COVID is still out there in our community and we can expect that this trend will continue for some time. We would encourage families to continue with twice weekly testing at home to help prevent the spread. RAT tests can be collected at any time from the front office. We will still send these home at times throughout the term.
The COVID Schools Operations Guide has been updated to reflect that:
- Visitors and staff are no longer required to meet COVID-19 vaccination requirements to attend school.
- Staff and students must inform the school if they have tested positive to COVID-19 and isolate for 7 days.
- If a student or staff member tests positive through a RAT test, but they don’t have symptoms or have not been in contact with anyone who has COVID-19 it is recommended getting a PCR test within 48 hours and staying isolated at all times until they receive their result. If the subsequent PCR test is negative, you can return to school.
- Household contacts are required to test negative using a rapid antigen test on at least 5 out of 7 days if they are attending or working at a school onsite.
- Household contacts are required to inform the school that they are attending during the 7 day period.
- Social distancing, good hand hygiene, air purifiers and use of outdoor spaces for teaching are still recommended.
- Students and staff refrain from returning to school if they remain symptomatic.
- Parents/carers who are positive to COVID are able to leave isolation if other arrangements cannot be made to transport someone they live with to and/or from school.
- After having COVID you do not need to be tested if you have been re-exposed within 12 weeks of ending self-isolation.
- It is recommended that face masks are worn in indoor settings (except for close contacts, who must wear a mask indoors unless an exception applies).
- Everyone including students aged 8 years and above must wear a face mask when travelling on public transport, taxis or rideshare vehicles.
Religious Education
The Assumption of Mary
The Assumption of Mary is a Catholic doctrine of faith stating that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was assumed (or, taken up) body and soul into Heaven at the end of her life. Although Mary’s Assumption is not explicitly mentioned in Scripture, the Catholic Church cites numerous Scriptural passages as justification for this belief. This year, the Assumption falls on a Monday and due to our School Closure we will not be having a whole school Mass.
Ned & Annie Fyfe Baptism - Congratulations
2022 Sacramental Program Dates
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 and Teaching News
In order to provide the best opportunities for their students, teachers are constantly reading, learning and making changes to their practice to ensure lessons are engaging and meaningful. This week, teachers from the Middle and Senior units worked with Education consultant Tony Dalton. He led Learning Walks around the school, giving teachers a chance to learn with and from their colleagues. Each teacher has an action from the day that they will work on in their own classroom. Every classroom we saw was different, students were all engaged in their learning and working collaboratively with their peers. The opportunity was very affirming of the wonderful learning and teaching happening at Sacred Heart.
Learning Diversity News
Types of attention and activities that can improve attention:
There are various types of attention that kids can struggle with, each impacting function and independence in occupations of daily life for children in different ways. Mastering these types of attention are necessary for learning, safety, social skills, and function.
Many students can be distracted or struggling to concentrate and some are just ‘tuned out.’ Using attention activities can help kids pay attention in the class or at home. This poster came from the OT Toolbox which is a fantastic resource for therapists, teachers and parents. You can access the information and resources via the following link: OT Toolbox
Prep Unit News
Well done to all the Prep students on participating in their very first SHPS Athletics Carnival. Everyone tried their best, participated with AMAZING sportspersonship and had fun. As the weather begins to warm up please remember to make sure jumpers are named. We are finding a lot of jumpers but are unable to return them to their owners as they aren’t named.
Some reminders:
- Sounds to continue practising with your child/ren at home: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, r, f, o, c, d, h, e, n, g, l, k, u, b, j, w, ck, ll, ff, ss, sh, ee, qu, z.
- Learn all the tricky words at the back of the reading diary.
- Library day is Monday.
Show and tell reminder for this coming Thursday = even week.
We are still waiting on a couple of ‘Visiting Primary School Nurse Program’ envelopes to be returned. Remember the ‘Visiting PS Nurse Program’ provides a free service to all Prep students attending Primary School in Victoria.
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
A short yet entertaining week filled with laughter, cheering, chanting and FUN has concluded. Our Junior Unit Team would like to sincerely thank all our families, students and important people for the encouragement and time you have put towards supporting our school Athletics day and for accommodating the closure days.
We have included several photos from our Year 2 sleepover which our children are still talking about with great enthusiasm. Many thanks to our phenomenal staff for their involvement in making this camp super successful.
In Week 8, Bundaleer are presenting assembly. We will be celebrating Father's Day and sharing photos of the children with their dads. Could each family please send a photo of their Bundaleer child with their dad/s or special man to Mrs Pacher apacher@shmildura.catholic.edu.au by the 19th of August (Friday Week 6).
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
Excitement is building for our camp to Swan Hill next week! Some final reminders before our departure on Thursday morning.
- Please ensure your child has completed a RA Test either Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.
- Please arrive at school at 7:30am with all items packed. This includes recess, lunch and a water bottle (in a backpack), bedding (sleeping bag and pillow) and all other items listed on the packing list.
- $20 spending money in a labelled ziplock bag (to be handed to Mrs Beckwith at the bus)
- Any medications clearly labelled (to be handed to Mrs Rowles at the bus).
As always, if you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to contact Sophie Price or the Year 3 teachers.
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
The Year 5 students farewelled Mrs Weaver with a surprise party Tuesday afternoon as she has now commenced maternity leave. We thank Mrs Weaver for the many positive contributions she has made to the Senior Unit this year and we all look forward to hearing her exciting news in the coming weeks.
Year 5 Camp
On Tuesday, students will receive a note with the final details of their upcoming camp. This will also be emailed to parents. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
Laptops
Please ensure your child is charging their laptop each night. These devices are used regularly each day by students, and it is important for them to arrive each day with their laptop fully charged.
What a fantastic day we all had on Wednesday's Athletics Day. We are super proud of the effort, participation and sportsmanship students displayed throughout the 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
Library
CBCA Book Week
Book Week will be celebrated from Monday August 22nd through to Friday August 26th. We will be having a dress up day on Monday 22nd, so start putting your thinking caps on! The theme for Book Week this year is “Dreaming with Eyes Open”. Children may dress up in this theme, as a book character or in “comfy reading clothes”.
Scholastic book club issue #6 was handed out today. These orders are to be completed online by Thursday 26th August. See the catalogue for details.
Timetable:
Monday - No School
Tuesday - Illawarra, Amaroo, Minga, Karinya
Wednesday - Barramunga, Year 6, Mootwingee
Thursday - Yongana, Kyema, Myalla
Friday - Bundaleer, Waminda ***please note these changes for this week only***