3 September 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Thursday 12 September is R U OK? Day – a day when we’re reminded to ask, “Are you OK?” and to remember every day of the year to support people who may be struggling with life’s ups and downs. At Sacred Heart we know that regular meaningful conversations can make a difference. And you don’t have to be an expert to ask how someone’s going. Just a great mate and a good listener. This year in the build-up to R U OK? Day we’re shining a light on the times we should be asking our friends and loved ones this important question. We want everyone in our school community to know that if something’s up with someone you know – there’s something going on in their life or you notice a change in what they’re doing or saying – it’s time to trust that gut instinct and ask them “Are you OK?”

To spread this message, students will be participating in an R U OK? Day activity next Thursday and watching the R U OK? Clips: How to be a good friend and ask if you R OK? and Together It’s OK.

R U OK? is a national charity dedicated to inspiring all of us to have regular, meaningful conversations to support anyone struggling with life. You can learn more about the signs and how to ask R U OK? at the link below. Also check out the Mateship Manual

Have a great week.

Polly Crawford
Principal

Guidance Counsellor’s Report

Mental health conditions in children

We all experience difficulties from time to time, and kids are no different. But some children seem to encounter problems or feel the effects more so than others. It's estimated that around one in seven Australian kids experience mental health issues and about half of all serious mental health issues in adulthood begin before the age of 14.

Families are often in the best position to spot issues with a child’s emotions, thinking or behaviour. If a child close to you is having problems that stick around for more than a few weeks and interfere with school, home, friendships or daily life, it’s time to get some professional advice.

One of the best things you can do to support the kids in your life is to learn about how different issues present in children. You don't need to be an expert, but it can be really helpful to know what to look for and when your child or family member might need some extra support.

Signs of concern

If you’ve noticed some of the following changes in your child’s emotions and behaviour, talk things through with your GP or other health professional.

• Frequent, unexplained temper tantrums
• Unusual fears
• Difficulty going to sleep or staying asleep
• Sadness and feelings of hopelessness that don’t go away
• Avoiding friends or family and wanting to be alone most of the time
• Refusing to go to preschool or school on a regular basis
• Inability to get along with other children
• Hyperactive behaviour or constant movement beyond regular playing
• Noticeable disinterest or decline in school performance
• Frequent aggressive reactions (more than is reasonably expected in the situation)
• Difficulties with concentration, attention and organisation
• Any other changes from their usual way of acting over a short period of time

Beyond Blue has developed a very handy checklist for parents that can be accessed along with a broad range of resources at the link below.

Kids experience a wide range of emotions and behaviours as part of growing up, so any of these signs in isolation is not necessarily cause for concern. This list should be used as a guide only, but the more signs your child is showing and the more distressed they seem, the more important it is to seek some advice from a professional.

If you feel your child’s difficulties may be impacting on them at school, it is important to discuss these concerns with your child’s teacher. The teacher can look at ways they can support your child in their learning as well as make referral if appropriate to school counselling services.

School counselling is available at the school as well as via skype. For further information about this service please call me 46371463 or email mike.thomason@twb.catholic.edu.au

Mike Thomason
Guidance Counsellor

Prep/1 News

Week 8 is upon us and so much fun and learning has taken place. We had a wonderful morning at the Under 8’s day last Friday and spent quality time getting to know other students in the community. A big thank you to parents who joined us in celebrating children under 8 and keeping them in the spotlight for development. Last week in the classroom we learnt about the power of love, compassion and forgiveness in Religion. This tied in nicely with the fabulous Father’s Day craft students completed for their special someone. If you received a gift, we hope you loved it and were spoilt on Father’s Day.

In the coming weeks, in Prep/1, we will begin assessment tasks for each subject area. In English, students will replicate or recreate a nursery rhyme. In Science and Technologies, students will complete a weather report planner and perform as a weather reporter to their peers. In Religion students will be given a scenario in which they are to choose a good choice of action and explain how or why. In HaSS and Art, students will create an art piece and design an area around the school that acknowledges the Indigenous land in which the school is on. Assessment will continue weekly for Maths and HPE as students learn new content each week. Please ensure students come to school every day so they do not miss out on any key learning or assessment tasks.

Mrs Standfield
Prep/1 Teacher

Year 2/3 News

A fabulous ‘Night at Our Toy Museum’ was held on Tuesday 27th August in the Year 2/3 classroom. Students had a chance to showcase the information reports they had written about a toy they had chosen to exhibit in the museum. Along with this information, students also had their Story Creator app on the iPad and toy on display. What an exciting night it was as students made costumes and dressed up as a ‘life sized’ version of his/her toy. Amazingly, the toys “came to life” when the spotlight shined upon them! What an exciting evening it was! Thank you to all parents, guardians and friends who came along to share this evening with the students.

The Year 2/3 class are moving on to look at past and present games played in Cunnamulla. We will be playing some old-time games and learning some brand-new ones as well. We look forward to sharing our knowledge of how to play games through our procedural writing.

Mrs Haig, Mrs Shellshear and Mrs Behrendt
Year 2/3

Year 3/4 News

This fortnight year 3/4 have been learning about measurement and geometry in mathematics, the students have loved using concrete materials to calculate volume and area. In English this term we have been learning about poetry, the students have created a truffula tree forest of poems which include poetic devices such as, spoonerisms and neologism’s. The students have also, been learning how to write puns, to make our poems more entertaining for the reader. Highlights for the fortnight include going to see Cosentino and we all enjoyed the rodeo last weekend!

Miss Sor`e
Year 3/4 Teacher

Year 5/6 News

This term in science, we have been looking at different kinds of chemical reactions. These have ranged from evaporating and freezing to melting and burning. We even looked at reversible and irreversible chemical changes such as salt and water and burning chocolate. This week we delved into the experimenting world and predicted whether dissolvable aspirin would fizz and disappear faster in cold, warm or hot water. Most children predicted correctly but we all had our reasons for our predictions. Why do you think hot water makes aspirin fizz and dissolve faster? By week 9 we will all be fully aware why! Stay tuned.

Emily Conlin
Year 5/6 Teacher

Charleville Performing Arts Festival

Congratulations to our six students who performed at the Charleville Performing Arts festival last Friday 30th August. Under the instruction of our music teacher Mr David Pullen our Ensemble received a gold medal for their performance. Well done.

Class and Uniform Awards

Happy Birthday

Book Week

It was great to see all the different book characters that the students dressed up as for Book Week. Our winners were:

Prep/1: Chloe Fett - Queen of Hearts & Dallas Ramsay - Captain America
2/3: Maddison Hickey – Where’s Wally & Amy King – Wonder Woman
3/4: Ruby Schmidt – The man from Snowy River & Jesse Fett – Dr Strange
5/6: Gemma Mills – Katie Woo & Chloe Murphy – Alice in Wonderland

Under 8’s Day 2019

On Friday 30th August our students participated in Under 8’s day organised by KEYS (Keeping Early Years in the Spotlight) along with students from the Cunnamulla State School, Kindy and Mums and Bubs. Students were able to do numerous activities like:

Slime, Character/Book Corner, Painting, Colouring in, Obstacle Course, Sandpit Play, Kitchen Play,

Parachute Play, PCCM – Under 2 Sensory play, Bubbles, Construction, Musical Games e.g. Duck Duck Goose and Musical Chairs and a Circus Workshop
Also attending was the Emergency Services and CACH – Healthy Nutrition and Nose blowing and handwashing stalls

Father’s Day Liturgy

Last Friday 30th August, the 2/3 lead the Father’s Day Liturgy. It was wonderful to see all the Fathers, Grandfathers and Uncles there. We hope you all had a very happy Father’s Day last Sunday.

Cosentino Performance

Last Wednesday 28th August our Level 1 students were treated to a special performance from the great magician Cosentino. A great time was had by all.

Calling For Prep Enrolments 2020

Is your child born between 1st July 2014 and 30th June 2015? If so, your child is eligible to be enrolled for 2020. 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 will be conducted in Weeks 8, 9 and 10 of Term 3 (2nd September to 19th September). Please contact the office to make an appointment.

Uniform Reminders

The school uniform represents the pride we have for our children and our school. A smart, neat and user-friendly uniform encourages the children to take pride in their appearance and in the school. The school uniform requirements:

Hats: Our school policy is ‘NO HAT – NO PLAY’. A green school hat must be worn and can be purchased form the office.

Jewellery: The only jewellery allowed is one set of fine studs or sleepers, a chain with some form of religious significance and watches.

Nail Polish: Nail polish is not to be worn.

Hair: Children’s hair must be neat and tidy. If hair is below the collar it needs to be tied back with appropriate white or green accessories. It is expected that hairstyles reflect the code of dress required by the school. The colouring of hair and unusual hairstyles are not acceptable.

Child Protection Week (1st -7th September 2019)

Student Protection

Our Schools Student Protection Contacts are:

Mrs Cara Haig (Middle Leader/LST)
Mrs Carolyn Crick (Administration Officer)
Mr Mike Thomason (School Guidance Counsellor)
Miss Polly Crawford (Principal)

School Tuition Fees

Term 3 Fees have been sent home, these are due by Friday 13th September 2019. 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

This term Tuckshop will be held on FRIDAYS ONLY due to inability to source tuckshop volunteers. We are desperately looking for tuckshop volunteers! If you are interested in either Volunteering or Cake cooking, please contact Carla Mills on 0448130067 or Facebook.

Church Times

Sunday 8th September – Eucharistic Service @ 9 am
Sunday 15th September – Mass @ 6.00pm
Saturday 21st September - Mass @ 6.00pm
Sunday 22nd September – Mass @ Eulo
Sunday 29th September – Eucharistic Service @ 9 am
Sunday 6th October – Eucharistic Service @ 8.30 am
Sunday 13th October – Eucharistic Service @ 8.30 am
Sunday 20th October – Mass @ 6.00pm

Community Events

Drop-in Centre open on Wednesday and Friday for all ages.

Term 3 Important Dates