10 October 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Welcome to Term 4! I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable break. It was great to see the students refreshed for an action packed term of learning. Be sure to check out the important dates at the end of the newsletter. I would like to congratulate Arny Simpson and Fred Bruwer who have been married in South Africa over the school holidays. We are looking forward to seeing some wonderful photos.

NAPLAN Online

NAPLAN is moving online next year from the current paper-based tests to computer-based assessments. This week our Year 2, 3 and 4 students had to opportunity to practice using the online program in order to prepare them for next year.

NAPLAN, which is a part of the National Assessment Program (NAP), is how Governments, Education Authorities and Schools can determine whether young Australians are reaching important educational goals. Moving NAPLAN online brings many new opportunities for students and teachers that are limited or not possible with paper-based tests.

Some of the main benefits of students taking part in NAPLAN Online include:

Better assessment – and more precise results. NAPLAN Online uses a tailored test or adaptive design, where the test automatically adapts to a student's performance and asks questions that match the student achievement level, allowing the student to demonstrate their knowledge. This provides teachers and schools with more targeted and detailed information on students’ performance on the tests. Tailored testing also provides an opportunity to broaden the scope of the assessments.

Faster turnaround of results - Delivery of assessments online significantly reduces the time it takes to provide feedback to schools, students and parents, so teachers can respond more quickly to learning needs.

More engaging - ACARA research into online assessment has shown that students have engaged well with electronic tests.

As technology develops, ACARA aims to further refine the delivery of the tests to best use the available technology to provide increasingly sophisticated assessments and valuable feedback to teachers, parents and education authorities.

Have a fantastic week.

Polly Crawford.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent/Teacher interviews are held twice a year in Term 2 and Term 4. These take place after school and run for 15 minutes. They are a valuable opportunity for parents to discuss their child/children progress across all aspects of school life.

Interviews will be taking place in Week 4 of this Term (October 29th – November 2nd). I encourage every parent to make an appointment. Please see or phone Mrs Crick to book an interview time.

School Swimming

School swimming begins this week. 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

Sports Camp

In the last week of Term 3, a number of our Year 5/6 students attended the small schools sports camp in Thargomindah along with many other schools in and around our district. Students participated in number of sports including dance, rugby league, swimming, tennis, basketball and personal training. The students thoroughly enjoyed their coaching sessions and mixing with students from other schools.

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 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.

Prep Orientation Days

We will be holding Prep Orientation days this Term. If your child is turning 5 by the 30th June 2019, they are able to attend these orientation dates. Watch this space for confirmed dates and times. If you have any questions please phone or pop into the Sacred Heart Office.

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

There are a number of school fee accounts that are now overdue. Can these please be attended to immediately as Term 4 fees will be billed soon.

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

We are desperately seeking volunteers and cake cookers for our tuckshop canteen. Without people willing or able to help out we will be unable to have tuckshop two days a week. If you are able to volunteer on either a Monday or Friday, could you please let the school office know.

Sacred Heart Parish

Church Times

Sunday 14th October – Eucharist Service @8:30am
Sunday 21st October – Mass @6pm
Saturday 27th October – Mass @6pm
Sunday 28th October – Eulo Mass @8:30am

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.

Community News

Swimming Club sign on is tomorrow night, Thursday 11th October at 6pm at the swimming pool. Swimming club starts next week, and all members need to be signed on before the first meet. For more information please see Yvonne Brain.

Term 4 Important Dates