20 November 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

This week, Sacred Heart Primary School is undergoing our quadrennial school review process. We welcome Jim Midgely (Director of Teaching and Learning), Suzanne Cavanagh (Senior Education Leader) and Tyronne Maher (Principal of St Patrick’s School Allora) to our school as they will be conducting the review process. The purpose of this review is to provide Sacred Heart with quality and independent feedback to help us continue to improve learning outcomes for our students. The four domains that the report will be based on include teaching and learning, mission and identity, continual renewal and strategic resourcing and stewardship. I am looking forward to the panel’s support and assistance in providing direction for our school in the future.

This year we have made it our core business at Sacred Heart to improve the reading outcomes of each and every student. We have made it a priority to develop our literacy block with a focus on the Diocesan Reading Improvement Strategy and building the capacity of staff to collect and use data to track student progress to inform planning and teaching. As part of this, students have been participating in daily modelled, shared, guided and independent reading sessions. Those who have required additional support to improve reading outcomes have been provided with additional reading lessons 4 days per week, focused on the specific areas for improvement. Teachers have recently reassessed student reading levels and we have seen great improvements and growth across all year levels. It is a credit to both student and teacher dedication.

Next Wednesday evening is our school graduation ceremony where we celebrate the 2018 school year and individual student determination and achievements. Sadly, we will also be farewelling our Year Six students as they take the next step in their life journey onto high school. Many of these students will be going in different directions but I am sure they will keep striving to ‘become who they are’.

Have a great week.
Polly Crawford.

Prep/1 News

The last 3 weeks of school will be jam packed with important learning opportunities, assessment tasks and of course…fun! In the last article it was mentioned that Prep/1 students filled their persistence jar with pebbles and have opted for a water fight. A note has been sent home detailing the date (Friday 23rd November) of the water fight and what to bring. As assessment tasks finish up, it will begin to look a lot like Christmas. Prep/1 students will begin Christmas craft, create decorations to display around the room and participate in a Christmas nativity play. Let’s not forget about the Christmas carols at the end of the term…Yay! With so much coming up, make sure you don’t miss a day and remember, only 3 weeks left of Prep and Year 1!

Mrs Standfield
Prep/1 Teacher

Year 2/3 News

In the Year 2/3 class we have started the majority of our assessment. Thursday the 15th was a fun-filled day where students started their design assessment. Students had to create an object that will be able to attract heat in order to melt an ice block at a faster rate. Students had to make predictions, draw and label diagrams, list their materials and explain why they chose specific materials. This design assessment is linked with the students’ science unit, ‘melting moments’. The students and I look forward to putting our designs into practise. Only 3 weeks left of the 2018 school year!

Kind Regards,
Miss Fitzpatrick and the Year 2/3 class.
Year 2/3 Teacher

Year 3/4 News

Parents and Carers,

Assessment time has come quickly in Year 3/4. This fortnight we have been looking at measurement in Mathematics where the students have been enjoying hands on activities. In Literacy, students have been creating their own advertisements in Microsoft PowerPoint, and we have seen some great advertisements so far! It has been great to see the students enjoying their swimming lessons at the pool! Bravo to all students who have put in lots of effort!

Have a great week,
Miss Taylor.
Year 3/4 Teacher

Year 5/6 News

This week in 5/6 we have become quidditch commentators. Quidditch is a magical game involving broomsticks, three different balls and lots of speed and skill! Here is an example of one of our commentaries for the match. Look out for the punctuation used to show interruption! We have thoroughly enjoyed creating tension and humour in our writing. Well done team!

Emily Conlin
Year 5/6 Teacher

Class and Uniform Awards

Happy Birthday

Catherine McAuley Feast Day Liturgy

Last Tuesday, we celebrated the feast day of the Venerable Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy. This is especially important for our school, as Sacred Heart was founded by the Sisters of Mercy. Catherine McAuley was a clever, kind and generous woman who loved God and did what he asked her to do – care for the poor, open schools for young children, visit sick people in their homes and in hospitals and, the most important of all, to love and trust God. Like Catherine, we can let our kind and caring deeds be the proof of our love for Jesus and others. At the end of the Liturgy each class received a blessed Mercy cross to hang in their classrooms as a reminder of Catherine McAuley and our Mercy charism.

150 Years of Cunnamulla Celebrations

A big thank you to all students who represented our school with pride while marching or playing their instrument in the float parade during the 150 years celebration. Our float looked and sounded specular! Thank you to Mr Sloan for travelling down from Charleville to conduct our band members and to Lyn Hatchman for allowing us to borrow and decorate your truck for the parade. A wonderful effort Sacred Heart!

Health and Wellbeing Week 2018

As part of Health and Wellbeing Week 2018 students were presented lessons on Personal development, Sexuality Education and Protective behaviours for children. These lessons are a part of the Daniel Morcombe Curriculum and align with the ACARA subject Health and Physical Education strand Personal, Social and Community Health.

Also, as part of the week, students were visited by Constable Shannon and PLO Roneece from the local police station. They discussed safety messages with the students including ways to be safe around town and when using their bikes. Students enjoyed receiving safety rulers and sticker!

Writing Workshops

Next week, our Years 2-6 students will be participating in their second round of Writing Workshops down at the Town Library. Students have been focusing on improving their ability to write an engaging narrative. Students will be walking down and back from the library with the classroom teacher for their workshops. Happy writing!

Graduation

Next Wednesday, 28th November we will be holding our end of year Graduation ceremony. All students are expected to attend and to wear their white and green uniform. The evening will commence at 6pm, so if students could please arrive at 5:45pm it would be greatly appreciated. We also ask that all families please bring a plate to share for supper afterwards (e.g. finger food, sausage rolls, mini pizzas etc). I can’t wait to see everyone there.

Christmas Carols

Our school Christmas Carol Concert will be held on Wednesday 5th December and will commence at 6:30pm. All students have been practicing their performances in class. It will be an event not to miss!

Prep Transition Days

We have one Prep Transition Day left this term which will be held on Friday 30th November from 9-10:30am. If you have any questions, please phone or pop into the Sacred Heart Office.

School Swimming

Students partake in swimming lessons as part of the curriculum area Health and Physical Education and will be assessed. Therefore, it is important that students participate in swimming lessons each week, so they can learn the necessary swimming and safety skills. Students will need to bring togs, towel, swim shirt, $1 and thongs.

Swimming Times

Thursdays:

Prep/1 – 2:15-2:45pm
Year 2/3 – 12:15-12:45pm

Fridays:

Year 3/4 – 12:15-12:45pm
Year 5/6 – 2:15-2:45pm

Calling For Prep Enrolments 2019

Is your child born between 1st July 2013 and 30th June 2014? If so, your child is eligible to be enrolled for 2019. Prep Enrolment packages are now available at the front office or if you know of a child please come and collect a package. Prep interviews are now being conducted. Please contact the office to make an appointment.

Student Protection

Our Schools Student Protection Contacts are:

Mrs Kathleen Fagan (Teacher/Librarian)
Mrs Carolyn Crick (Admin Officer)
Mr Mike Thomason (School Guidance Counsellor)
Miss Polly Crawford (Acting Principal)

School Fees

School Fee accounts are now overdue,can these please be finalised before the end of Term. At Sacred Heart, we have several payment options for your convenience: Cash, Cheque, ETPOS, Direct Debit and Centrepay. For further details on these payment options please see the school office.

Direct Deposit Details

Tuckshop

Thank you to all the parents who volunteer, and cake cook for our school tuckshop. We are always looking for more volunteers, so if you are interested please let the office know. We just ask that cars be parked outside the school grounds to ensure student safety.

Tuckshop Roster

Sacred Heart Parish

Church Times

Saturday 24th November – Mass @6pm
Sunday 25th November – Mass @ Eulo
Sunday 2nd December – Eucharist Service @ 8:30am
Sunday 9th December – Eucharist Service @ 8:30am
Sunday 16th December – Mass @6pm

Sacred Heart Parish Clothing Shop

Sister Maureen has a Clothing Shop in the old Convent. They have a large range of Clothing including second hand school uniforms. Trading hours are: Wednesday, Thursday & Fridays 9am – 12pm

Fundraisers

Community News

Term 4 Important Dates