2025 Term 4 Week 4 Newsletter

Principal's Message

Dear Sacred Heart Community,

Welcome to Week 4! It’s hard to believe we’re nearly halfway through the term — the weeks are flying by as we move closer to the end of another school year. There’s a lot happening at Sacred Heart in the next six weeks, and we’re grateful for your continued support and involvement in our school community.

Remembrance Day Service – Tuesday at 10:40 am

This Tuesday, we will gather outside the Church at 10:40 am to honour Remembrance Day. This day holds deep significance in Australia as we pause to remember and pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed in times of war and peacekeeping.

We warmly invite parents and visitors to join us for this solemn and reflective service.

Every Minute Counts!

We’d like to remind families that every minute counts when it comes to school attendance. Lately, we’ve noticed a number of students arriving late, which means they’re missing out on valuable learning time.

Playground supervision begins at 8:30 am, and students are expected to be in class by 8:55 am, following our morning assembly. Our literacy block starts promptly, including programs such as Daily Review, Spelling Mastery (Years 3–6), and Initialit (K–2).

While we understand that occasional delays are unavoidable, consistent punctuality helps students start their day with the right mindset and ensures they don’t miss key learning opportunities.

Thank you for your support in helping your child arrive before 8:50 am each day.

Kindergarten Orientation – Next Thursday 13 November, 9:00–11:00 am

Next week, Thursday 13 November, we welcome nearly 50 new Kindergarten students and their families to Sacred Heart for our Orientation morning. From 9:00 to 11:00 am, our newest students will meet their teachers, explore their new learning environment, and begin building excitement for the year ahead.

Parents will also hear important information about our school and connect with other families. It is always an exciting day for our little pre-schoolers.

Community Council Open Meeting - Next Thursday 13 November, 6:30-11:00pm

Parents and carers are invited to our next Community Council Open Meeting. It's your chance to hear about what is happening around the school. A teacher will be presenting how an English Daily Review happens in Years 3-6. The open meeting directly follows the council meeting. Please email the office if you have items that you wish for us to consider adding to the agenda.

Class Allocations for 2026 – Final Reminder

A final reminder that any written concerns regarding class placements for 2025 (for current students in Years 1 and 2) must be submitted by tomorrow.
Please email your concerns to my email: david.austin@cg.catholic.edu.au. After this date, staff will begin reviewing class lists, and late submissions cannot be considered.

If your child is not returning to Sacred Heart in 2026 (except current Year 6) please complete the form located in this newsletter.

 Wishing you a great week ahead — and thank you, as always, for your partnership in your child’s education.

In faith and partnership,

David Austin

Principal

Assistant Principal

Emergency Procedures at Sacred Heart

Over the next few days staff and students will be practising our safety procedure for ‘Lockdown’.

Please refer to our ‘Emergency Policy Summary for Parents and Carers’ which will be sent via Compass notification. The summary lets parents and carers know how we will respond to an emergency situation at Sacred Heart, and how we need parents and carers to respond. This summary remains on the Compass portal all year to be readily accessible. 

Our communication plans include the step that most Compass notifications are posted to parents at 3pm. This means that if you were to receive a notification or email during the day, it may be information that we need you to know about more urgently.

Please talk to your child about safety drills. It is a great opportunity to talk about your family safety plans too.

NAPLAN Writing Markers

Pearson Assessment Services (PAS) is the contractor responsible for the marking of the 2026 NAPLAN writing responses for students in the ACT and NSW.

PAS are in the process of seeking expressions of interest from currently employed, recently retired, casually employed, graduate teachers and student teachers in their final year of study, with teaching experience in literacy, to participate in the marking of student responses for the 2026 National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assessment. Teachers maintaining their TQI registration will be able to receive 10 hours of TIPL. Contact Kerry Wode for further details 

Yours in working together

Kerry Wode

Reminders

Students Not Returning to Sacred Heart Primary in 2026

If your child is not returning to Sacred Heart Primary in 2026, please complete and forward the following document to the school office. This information is required for class organisation and government accountability. 

Save the date - Twilight Fair -366 days away!

 30th October 2026

We have an eager committee. We have stalls, like the big rides and a petting zoo, already booked.

We are seeking:

• food vendors - traditional and authentic flavours very welcome!
• Stall holders - showcase your personal business
• Sponsors - 2 major and several minor opportunities available

Can you help us? Or know family and friends who run great businesses? Let’s come together to make this our best Twilight Fair yet!

Contact Leanne McGrath & Kerry Wode (Fair Coordinators) around the school or email your ideas.

Year 3 and 4 Camp

Last week, Year 3 & 4 enjoyed a fantastic couple of days at Warrambui. Students participated in a range of different activities including frisbee golf, bush art, PNG cultural experience and initiative-based games. All of the students enjoyed the time away from 'regular' school, and the opportunity to be outside of their comfort zone.

The teachers were amazed at how all of the students embraced the camp experience and worked together to ensure everyone felt comfortable and supported in an unfamiliar setting. We also thank the teachers who supervised the camp - without your support and dedication, events and experiences like this simply don't happen!

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 101

Next

Melbourne Cup

On Tuesday, Year 2 enjoyed making facinators and bow ties to wear for Melbourne Cup Day. They paraded their beautiful work past the staff in the front office.

Mary Help of Christians, South Woden

MHoC Website

Please see in this week’s bulletin details for:

• The Office Manager Position at MHOC with applications closing 28 November,

• Lalith Perera is joining us for a Parish Retreat Day on 9 November and

• Please RSVP if you are coming along to the breakfast on 15 November to support the Overnight Camino of St Joseph for Men Walk (see notice).

Position Vacant – Parish Officer South Woden

People are invited to apply for the position of Parish Officer for Mary Help of Christians, South Woden Parish. This is a permanent part-time position of 24 hours per week (preference for Tues- Fri)

Essential Requirements:

• Experience with database packages & Microsoft Suite
• Strong communication and liaison skills
• Strong organisational skills
• Ability to work on your own, as part of a team, and take direction
• Understand and administer areas of church and regulatory compliance (eg. Parish sacrament registers, Working With Vulnerable People, WHS, child protection, copyright)
• Understanding and respect for the Catholic Church and its teaching
• Current experience in an office environment.

Salary will be subject to the Clerks Award.  For a copy of the Duty Statement please contact the Parish Priest, Fr Emil Milat 0414 523 036 or the  Parish Office Applications addressing the Selection Criteria and current CV to be sent to Fr Emil Milat by CoB Friday 28 November 2025

Birthdays

Congratulations to the following students celebrating their birthday this week.

Quinn W, Finn L, Harriet J, Prayansh R-B, Fraser M, Emilia B, Braxton G, Nathaniel M, Ananya T.

Awards

 Awards will be presented during the Friday morning assembly at 8:55am.

Saver Plus

Music Tuition

Private Piano Tuition

Those parents who are wanting their child/children to have piano lessons, can contact the teachers directly on the following contact numbers;

• Mrs Hildegarde Mendoza Phone: 0417 580 975
• Mrs Pam Cox Phone: 0418 442 203

Private Guitar Lessons

Those parents who are wanting their child/children to have guitar lessons, can contact the teacher directly on the following contact details.

Private Violin Lessons

Those parents who are wanting their child/children to have violin lessons, can contact the teacher directly on the following contact details.

• Peter Thorne: 0413 106 584 or   Email