ISSUE 40: December 8th, 2022
Principal / Executive Leadership Team
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff & Students,
The third week of Advent is the candle of joy. Also known as the "shepherd candle", it is in this third week of advent that we rejoice for the coming King. The shepherds experienced joy at the good news of the birth of the Messiah.
Carols on the Oval
Thanks to everyone in our community for attending last night’s Carols on the Oval. Everyone enjoyed the singing, catching up and getting into the Christmas spirit. Thanks to Mr Barbary for the organisation and teachers for your work in preparing students. Our students did a great job!
Key Dates
Students finish at the normal time of 3.10pm on Wednesday. We look forward to seeing students for their ‘first day’ back on Monday, 30th January 2023.
Year 6 Graduation Dinner
We wish our Year Six students all the best for their Graduation Dinner which is being held at Willow & Ivie on Monday at 6pm. Have a great night!
End of Year/Graduation Mass
Our End of Year & Graduation Mass is being held at the church this Wednesday at 11.30am. There will be an early recess on Wednesday from 10.25am - 10.55am. Everyone is welcome to join this special celebration. There will be Reserved Seating for Year Six families.
2023 Prep Families
Thank you to our 2023 Prep parents who attended our Parent Information Session on Tuesday. For those that couldn’t make it we have sent home packs for students, a present from their buddy/buddies and a Prep Parent Handbook that gives important information including dates and ways that you can help transition your child into schooling life. This is a huge change for many children and the booklet can be very useful.
School Reports
Reports will be made available to families through SIMON on Monday, 12th December. To access your child's report please click on their picture and then, on the Profile Menu, select 'Assessment Reports'. From here you should be able to access their report for this semester and be able to look at previous reports.
Meeting Jessica Mauboy
Congratulations to Yongana students and Alice Siale who had the opportunity to meet Jessica Mauboy at the Back To Base Sound Check Party. This was an amazing experience for our students who put an entry into this competition.
Special Forever : Voices of the Children Exhibition
On Thursday night, children from Sacred Heart were present at the opening of the Special Forever : Voices of the Children exhibition. The exhibition is an environmental awareness project which features the writing and artworks of the vibrant young 'voices' of children from Sunraysia primary schools. This project is coordinated by Rosemarie Zalec. Some of our students from the middle unit have artwork or writing selected to be shown along with the winners of our Evelyn Smith Creative Writing Award. Three students, Baxter McCoy, Harlow Landkroon and Stella Willersdorf were invited to read their work out at the opening. The exhibition can be viewed for free in Gallery 5 at the Mildura Arts Centre, until Sunday January 29th. Families are encouraged to visit and have a look at the wonderful work!
Staff Thanks and Farewell
At the end of this school year we say farewell to some staff members. We wish Kyle Dashington (LSO) all the best as he ventures to Canada, Carrissa Ernesti (LSO) who is taking up similar work at St Joseph’s College and Tanya Littore (Canteen) who has resigned from her position. We also wish Courtney Sheridan and her partner George all the best as they are expecting their first baby early next year. We look forward to hearing some exciting news. We also farewell Mrs Maria Beer who has been an amazing contributor to the history of our school working at Sacred Heart since 1985. She has worked as a classroom teacher and has always been a hard working, diligent teacher who supports all students with their learning. All of these staff will be greatly missed and we wish them all the best.
Belinda Zappia and Jo Finlayson will be leaving us for twelve months in 2023. We look forward to them returning in 2024.
Leaving Families
A special thank you to those families who are finishing up having children enrolled at Sacred Heart. Unfortunately next Tuesday we are losing 192 years of contribution and partnership with the school. I hope you have found the partnership equally rewarding. We thank the following families:
- Beggs 10 years
- Bresnehan 10 years
- Calvi 12 years
- Clay 12 years
- Copley 13 years
- Daley 7 years
- De Rosa 11 years
- Dogan 7 years
- Fitzgerald 14 years
- Floyd 11 years
- Hendy 7 years
- Keyte 7 years
- Mammone 3 years
- Mondiwa 2 years
- Morello 10 years
- Ryan 4 years
- Schofield 7 years
- Siale 7 years
- Simmons 5 years
- Tuohey 9 years
- Walder 11 years
- Woollard 7 years
- Cruikshank 1 year
- Rusike 5 years
School Magazine
A huge thank you to Mrs Collins and Mrs Kotsiakos who have put together a fantastic School Magazine. This is a fantastic reminder of our 2022 school year. The magazine will be sent home with students on Tuesday.
Year 1 Navy Hats
With our 2022 Preps becoming Year 1 students they will be required to begin wearing our School navy hats from the start of the 2023 school year. Hats can be purchased from Totally Workwear. We highly recommend having their name embroidered onto the hat.
Before School Supervision in 2023
Sacred Heart will provide teacher supervision from 8.15am next year. Before this time, school staff will not be available to supervise students. Currently we have many students arriving before 8:15am. We are investigating ways that we can support families who do need to have care for their children before our supervision time commences at 8:15am. We are in the process of investigating interest for Before School Care. Please see below the link for a survey to parents for their interest in a Before School Care program at Sacred Heart PS Mildura. The link will be open until 5pm 21/12/2022. Depending on the amount of responses, we may look to survey the school community again in the new year.
Ideal Drop Off Time
Another change required before school will be the time that we open classrooms for students. Currently classrooms open at 8:20am and this will need to be at 8:45am in 2023. This will change our ‘ideal drop off time’ from 8:20am-8:30am in 2022 to 8:25am-8:40am in 2023.
Mildura Academy of Music and Performance
Many Sacred Heart students showed off their talents at the Mildura Academy of Music and Performance at the annual music concert on Wednesday night at Mildura Arts Centre. Drums, piano, guitar, singing, and violin were all showcased and the arts centre was “almost” a full house of parents, friends, and community members supporting the talents and efforts of these children, and their creative and passionate teachers. Our students were acknowledged for their talents, hard work and respectful and responsible behaviour throughout rehearsals and performances.
Important End of Year Dates
- Graduation Dinner - Monday 12th December @ 6pm
- Year Two Fun Day - Monday 12th December
- Senior Unit Fun Day - Tuesday 13th December
- Prep Unit Fun Day - Tuesday 13th December
- End of Year/Graduation Mass - Wednesday 14th December @ 11.30am
- Last Day Students School - Wednesday 14th December @ 3:10pm
2023 Dates
- Staff Return - Friday 27th January
- Students Return - Monday 30th January
- Beginning of School Year Mass - Thursday 9th February
You have all earned a rest. Please take the time to enjoy the company of loved ones this holiday break. I hope you have a blessed and safe Christmas, and I look forward to seeing you all back in 2023 as we, once again, partner together in ensuring our students have access to the very best educational experiences we can offer.
God bless,
Mark Gibson
Religious Education
End of School Year & Graduation Mass
Our End of Year & Graduation Mass will be held on Wednesday, 14th December beginning at 11.30am. All are welcome to join us for this special celebration.
2023 Sacramental Dates
Confirmation
- Parent Information Evening - Wednesday 29th March 2023 @ 7pm SH Church
- Sacrament of Confirmation - Friday 26th to Sunday 28th May 2023
First Eucharist
- Parent Information Evening - Wednesday 12th July 2023 @ 7pm SH Church
- Sacrament of Confirmation - Friday 25th to Sunday 27th August 2023
Confirmation
- Parent Information Evening - Wednesday 11th October 2023 7pm SH Church
- Sacrament of Confirmation - Wednesday 29th November 2023 7pm SH Church
Learning and Teaching News
Semester Two Student Reports
2022 has seen an entire year of face to face education at Sacred Heart. What we once took for granted, has this year been something that we have truly cherished. Over the past few weeks, teachers have spent time assessing student work, reviewing student growth and writing a report that reflects the achievements of your child/ren. This is quite an undertaking by teachers particularly at this time of year. I commend them to you for their commitment to and genuine care they have for your children and their academic and social growth.
Reports will be released via PAM on Monday.
Please read them carefully and consider the report alongside work samples which can be found on SeeSaw. Should you have any queries about your child’s report please contact the relevant teacher to arrange a time to meet in person and discuss.
SeeSaw Portfolio- How to Archive a Zip File
Click this link for the steps to download your child’s SeeSaw portfolio- that way you can keep copies of their work on your computer.
Prep Unit News
The Prep students are looking forward to their Fun Day at the All Seasons Splash Park this Tuesday. Thank you to everyone for responding with permission. A reminder that students are asked to wear casual clothes with their bathers underneath. All children require a rashie, a hat and their own sunscreen if they have sensitive skin. Students are asked to bring their own recess which we will eat prior to leaving for the Splash Park. Students will be provided with a snack at the Splash Park and a lunch of nuggets and hot chips when we return to school (please send along an alternative if your child does not wish to have this). Remember you can access the Fun Day note via SIMON Everywhere.
Well done Prep unit on your excellent Christmas Carols performances today… you were all spectacular!
On behalf of Miss Sheridan and myself would like to thank all families for their support across 2022. We hope you have a very Merry Christmas and an enjoyable holiday break. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school in 2023!
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! We have come to the end of another amazing year. All staff are truly blessed to have supported your child/ren on their educational journey in 2022 and thank you endlessly for your valuable contribution towards their success.
We wish our Year Two students a smooth and pleasant transition into the Middle Unit, and know that you will be well supported by our outstanding Year Three teachers.
BRAVO, BRAVO!! Congratulations Junior Unit students on your magnificent performance last night. The singing and dancing was phenomenal!
By now, our students' school work has come home and next week special gifts to go under your tree will follow. These gifts have been made with love and care. We hope you enjoy the hard work that our students have put into them. The classroom discussion about ‘where they might go’ was very humorous.
Today our Year One's raced around the maze, explored the hidden wonders of the cave and discovered polishing techniques at Woodsies Gem Shop. The students ate, shared their insights, reminisced on the year and laughed. Their manners and behaviour were outstanding which added to the success of the day.
This Monday Year Two students will set off to the Perry Sandhills and then travel to the Irymple pool to cool off (and de-sand) Please ensure you have given consent for your child/ren to attend.
Next week we reflect and light the rose candle of Joy, giving our appreciation to others. This is our prayer song for the last few days of the term.
We Light This Candle- Joy by Andrew Chinn (Advent, Third Sunday, Shepherds' Candle- Joy)
We are all very excited to see our families and students back in 2023 and wish you all a happy, safe and Holy holiday break.
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 Jaimi Willersdorf
Middle Unit News
We’ve had such a fun day today on our Middle Unit Fun Day. We had the best time watching ‘Strange World’ at the cinema followed by a swim at the Waves and chips for lunch!
As this will be the final newsletter of the year the Middle Unit teachers wish to thank everybody for their support this year! We wish you a safe and happy Christmas!
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
Year Six Kris Kringle
Just a reminder that the Year Six students will exchange their Kris Kringle gift on Monday.
Fun Day
On Tuesday, the Senior Unit will be heading to the Merbein Pool for a day of FUN to celebrate the end of the 2022 school year. Please refer to the note on PAM for more details.
Graduation Dinner & End of Year Mass
A HUGE thank you goes out to our parent committee for the work you have put into coordinating and organising the Year Six Graduation Dinner. The students are looking forward to celebrating the end of their primary school education Monday evening.
Next Wednesday at 11:30am we celebrate the end of the school year and acknowledge our Year Six students who will be finishing their time at Sacred Heart. We thank the Year Six students for the valuable contributions they have made to our school during their time here.
2023 Year Six Polo T-Shirt Orders
Thank you all so much for your quick response to ordering the commemorative polo t-shirts for next year. Information regarding the Commemorative Jumpers will be sent out via email next week.
We would like to wish all our students and their families a wonderful Christmas and a well-deserved rest during the summer holiday break. Thank you for the support you have given throughout the 2022 school year. We wish our Year Six students continued growth and success as they embark on the next chapter of their schooling journey and we look forward to seeing our Year Five students back at school after the break.
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 Maria Beer
Library
This Semester in the library has been amazing - we have had the opportunity to learn about authors, book reviews, non fiction books, have made books, and of course explored many new and exciting titles. Next year the library may look a little different as we hand over to a new library technician but all children will still have a weekly opportunity to visit and borrow from our extensive collection. I am also hoping that Santa delivers some wonderful new books to our students for Christmas this year!
I would like to thank those parents and grandparents who have helped out in various ways, whether by contacting books for us or even when helping children find lost books Your assistance has been greatly appreciated.
If parents/grandparents are looking for some reading material for yourselves over the Christmas break, we do have available a Parent/Teacher Book Swap in the library. Just pop in and have a browse.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Phil Kettle, a local author, who often pops in to have a chat. He has worked with quite a few of our students over the past few years. Recently Phil dropped in a box of books that our Year 1 & 2 students will all benefit from. It is wonderful to have an author living locally who encourages the children to read and write! We look forward to continuing our relationship with him. Thanks Phil!
Principal's Awards
- Prep - Veida O'Brien
- Year 1 - Aileen Kaur
- Year 2 - William Fangaloka
- Year 3 - Noah Stephens
- Year 4 - Isla Njegovan
- Year 5 - Alana Chatfield
- Year 6 - Milla Fitzgerald
Maths Olympiad
Well Done to our Maths Olympiad Participants!
