Sacred Heart Primary School Mildura eNewsletter

Principal / Executive Leadership Team

Dear Parents, Carers, Staff, Students and Friends,

Welcome to this week's newsletter.

RUOK Breakfast (8th September) Orders

On Thursday 8th September from 7:45am we will hold a school community breakfast to coincide with RUOK day.

Our breakfast is free for students, parents and guardians. To assist with catering you will need to complete an order via CDFPay. Parent orders can be added to your child's order. For example - if two parents and one child are attending, order x3 bacon & eggs rolls on the child's account. Contact the school office if you have any questions.

Bacon & egg rolls, fruit salad, corn flakes and rice bubbles will be available. Meals will be packaged according to orders received so please ensure we finalise our orders before Thursday 2nd September. People will not be able to turn up on the day and receive breakfast.

Father’s Day Stall

Our Father’s Day Stall will be held on Thursday 1st September 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.

Staffing Update

In some exciting staff news, Miss Courtney Sheridan our Prep (Wahroonga) teacher and her partner George are expecting a baby in February next year. Congratulations Courtney! As a result we are looking for a new classroom teacher in 2023 and have commenced advertising for this position.

Next Friday 2nd September is Mrs Xana Priestley’s (Year 6 Dourim Classroom Teacher) last day before going on Maternity Leave. We wish Xana and her husband Daniel all the best for the upcoming birth and we look forward to hearing some exciting news in the coming weeks. We thank Xana for her work with Dourim this year and look forward to seeing her back in the future.

Assembly - Bundaleer

Bundaleer will host our next Assembly, which will be held in the Stadium at 2.30pm on Friday 2nd September.

PSG Meetings

PSG Meetings are being held this Monday 29th August, Wednesday 30th August & Thursday 1st September in the Boardroom. See below for additional information.

School Sports Victoria (SSV) Division Mini Olympics

Good luck to the students who will be running at the School Sports Victoria (SSV) Division Mini Olympics at the Aerodrome Ovals on Thursday 1st September. Mr Burford and Mr Dashington will attend with Sacred Heart students.

Chatime - Sunraysia Schools Guest Speakers

This Friday at 11.30am special guest speakers Anthony Koutafides (former Carlton superstar) and Jenna Hudson (The Self Love Club) will be talking to our Year 4-6 students. This will be held in the Stadium. The session will go for 1 hour and cover various topics, including positive mental health, self-esteem, healthy lifestyle, positive body image and goal setting etc. We thank Chatime Mildura who are sponsoring this special event.

Insight SRC School Improvement Surveys

A random number of families will be sent a School Improvement Survey next week. The survey is conducted by Insight SRC on behalf of our school and Catholic Education Ballarat. The main aim of the survey is to assist us as a school to gain an understanding of parent perceptions of their children’s experience at school. The survey will need to be completed online by Friday 9th September. It would be greatly appreciated if this survey could be completed by those families who receive information on how to complete the survey.

School Hats

Please ensure children start returning school hats to school as they need to be worn at recess and lunch from 1st September.

Finalising school numbers

It is at this time of year that we begin to forecast how many students will be attending our school in 2023. These forecasts are very important as it tells us how many classes will be required for 2023. This of course impacts on how many teachers we need and how many classrooms we need. Subsequently, I ask that all parents advise me if children will be leaving Sacred Heart at the end of this year. Thank you.

School Advisory Council (SAC) Report

With the year going so quickly, the SAC members find themselves supporting the preparations and planning for 2023. Our last two meeting have focused on;

the implementation of the ReLate program
Prep and junior classes – Phonics approach and its relevant data collection
the status of our annual action plan
2023 school fees and enrolments
Upcoming AGM
Discussion surrounding new Agreement changes and the updated Policies for Child Safety and Safe Standards

As an advisory committee, general discussions occur regularly outside of the formal meeting such as the Athletics carnival and the upcoming Father’s Day Stall and RUOK Breakfast. All members agree following the past two years of COVID restrictions, these events have created a positive vibe around the school community.

God Bless, Taryn Hunt - SAC Chair

SIMON Everywhere Update

SIMON Everywhere has been upgraded to improve the functions of the app. In order to access the app you will need to upgrade to the new version of SIMON Everywhere via the App Store. We know that this is now available. Please see our Admin staff if you are having any issues.

Family Footy Tipping Results

With the Home & Away AFL season coming to a close, we can announce this year’s Family Footy Tipping winners. Finals are not included in the competition. Well done to all participants (we had 64 in total) and we hope to see everyone back next year to have another go. Winners are asked to see Candy Fleming at the front office to receive your prize money.

Congratulations to:

1st place - McKenna Farley 147 (522)
2nd place - HamFam09 147 (546)
3rd place - Max O’Callaghan 144

School Sports Victoria (SSV) Division Golf

Division Golf was held today at the Mildura Golf Club. Well done to Cameron Beggs, James Clay, Nicholas Walder & Alby Woollard who represented our school at this event. Thanks to Grant Beggs who attended with our students. James Clay was the overall winner, Cameron Beggs 2nd & Nick Walder 3rd. James & Cameron have now qualified for the State Finals. Well done boys!

Year 5 Ballarat Camp

Our Year Five students return from Ballarat this afternoon. They are all exhausted after what has been a wonderful experience for them all. A big thank you to Mrs Zappia, Mrs Kotsiakos, Mrs Thompson, Mrs Beer, Mr Burford and Mr Dashington for their organisation and coordination of the camp, and for their supervision and care of our students throughout the camp. From all reports the students had a great few days and represented the school with pride. Great effort by all!

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

Sacrament of First Communion (Eucharist)

The Parent Information session for this Sacrament is being held on Wednesday, 7th September at the church beginning at 7pm. Registration forms and information have been sent home with all Year Four students today. Registration form and payment needs to be made at the Parish Office by Tuesday, 6th September. Please contact the Parish Office or Ryan O’Callaghan at school if you have any questions.

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 Diversity News

PSG Meetings will be held beginning Monday 29th August. They continue on Wednesday 31st August and Thursday 1st September. Parents have been emailed a letter which explains the PSG meeting procedure and have been given a scheduled day/time in which their child(ren)’s PSG meeting will be held. If you have not confirmed a meeting time with the school, please contact the office prior to the meeting.

Your child’s Term 3 goals were also attached to the email for you to read prior to the meeting. Please be prepared and jot down anything that you wish to discuss at the meeting that is related to your child’s learning goal(s). Meetings are 20 minutes in length and we follow a strict agenda to optimise the meeting discussions.

There are students whose parents will be new to the PSG meeting process and the meeting will be a time to explain procedures and processes and their child’s Individual Learning Plan (ILP).

Prep Unit News

We looked AWESOME… on Monday all dressed up to celebrate the beginning of Book Week. Congratulations to both our students and parents for organising these costumes to make the day special.

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, ch, y, v, x.
Learn all the tricky words at the back of the reading diary.
Library day is Monday however due to change with Mrs Collins timetable ALL prep students need to return their library books each FRIDAY.

Show and tell reminder for this coming Thursday = even week.

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

WOW! Monday was exceptional! Our Junior Unit children looked absolutely fabulous in their Book Week costumes. We thank our families for organising these clever costumes as it made Monday's day extra wonderful. Congratulations to all our students for their appropriate manners during our Athletics Day Assembly and congratulations to all winners.

On Thursday we had a visit from the talented Jane Walters who works at Bunnings. Her patience, creativity and kindness allowed for our students to create masterpieces that some special people may receive on 4.9.22.

The Year One stayback is quickly approaching on 8.9.22 and a note was sent home on Tuesday with the details.

In the coming weeks we have a Father’s Day stall (2.9.22), R U OK Day breakfast (8.9.22), Year 1 Stayback (8.9.22) and our SHPS Showcase (13.9.22).

Bundaleer is hosting assembly (2.9.22) and we CANNOT WAIT to see them light up the stage.

Year 1: Show and Tell- Can you please send a photo of your dad/awesome man you wish to celebrate to Mrs Pacher: apacher@shmildura.catholic.edu.au

Isolation Portal

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

How fantastic was our Book Day dress up on Monday! This week Middle Unit students have enjoyed doing lots of Book Week themed activities during their literacy lessons. We have also commenced construction on our local history themed dioramas! If your child has any items at home they wish to use for their piece please send them along to school. We can’t wait to share our work with you at the end of term at our Showcase.

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

Book Week

We were all so impressed to see our students dressed up on Monday to celebrate the beginning of Book Week. Congratulations to both our students and parents for organising these costumes to make the day special.

Year 5 Camp

Our campers have had a wonderful time exploring the historical Sovereign Hill over the past few days. They’ve braved the chilly weather to pan for gold, venture down old mines and experienced the amazing Aura Sound and Light show along with many other engaging learning experiences. We look forward to hearing about the memories they have made when they return this afternoon. You can see photos of their time in Ballarat on our school’s Facebook page.

Farewell

Next week will be Mrs Priestley’s final week of teaching Dourim before she commences her maternity leave. She will be very missed! We wish Xana and Daniel all the best for their upcoming arrival.

Year 5 Isolation Portal

Year 6 Isolation Portal

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 Danielle Gunn (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

What a fantastic Book Week we have had! The children enjoyed coming to school dressed up as their favourite book character, and many teachers also joined in the fun! Our amazing Learning Support Officers certainly had everyone looking for the Green Sheep! Students participated in Book Week activities in the Library and in their own classrooms. It is certainly wonderful to be able to celebrate these events as a school community. Huge thanks to parents for assisting in organising children’s costumes!

This issue is now closed. Orders have been sent off and will hopefully arrive in the next two weeks. As usual, if you do ever have any book club issues, please contact Mrs Collins in the library.

All students in Years 3-6 will need their devices during library days over the next few weeks. Please remind students in Year 4-6 to charge their devices and bring them to school.

Thank you to Anna Cavallo and Barb McDougall for covering nearly 600 Take home books for our junior students! This is an enormous job and is appreciated by staff, students and parents.