Dear Community,

Welcome back for Term 2. Seeing everyone enthusiastic and ready for a busy and productive term was very pleasing. It is always great for us all to have a break from school, recharge our batteries, and spend extra time at home with our families. The weather in Canberra was magnificent, so I hope you enjoyed your time at home. Teachers have spent much of their holidays preparing and planning this term's teaching programmes and are enthusiastic and ready for the term.

A special welcome to three students who have joined us this term: Tom and Archie (Year 5) and Nicholas (Year 6).

We also welcome Chelsea Wills as a Classroom Support Assistant who will remain with us for the rest of the year.

This term, Mrs Amy Kelly will teach full-time in Year 6, Vanessa Miller will have an extra day in the library, Sarah Salter will be in Year 2 White on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and Catherine Wills will help in the library, too (all filling in for Aaron Fox’s absence). Mrs Laura Stumbles is the Acting Coordinator for this term.

The position of Coordinator from Term 3 has been advertised extensively, and we should have a decision mid-term.

Enrolment 2025

Officially, the enrolment period for Catholic schools started on Monday, April 29, and finishes on Friday, May 31. We will have an Open Day next Monday, May 6, from 9-11 am and 3:30-6 pm.  Please spread the word, and if you know families interested in Catholic education at Sacred Heart, please have them contact me—I am pleased to show them around our fantastic school.

Enrolment forms are available on our website and can be completed until May 31.

At enrolment time we stop and think about our school and what makes it different from other schools. I quote Dr Mike Gaffney, former Head of Education Services at the CEO: “Catholic schools are supposed to be different. Good Catholic schools are more than ‘good schools’ in the secular sense. In addition to academic excellence and equitable social support and community spirit, they provide genuine witness to God’s love to students, staff, parents and all who engage in the school. Pope Paul VI put it this way – that the proper function of a Catholic School is to create a special atmosphere animated by the Gospel spirit of freedom and charity for the school community.

In difficult situations then that arise, it is always worthwhile reflecting on What would Jesus do – in these circumstances? Our actions should really demonstrate that we are different.”

Mothers Day Breakfast

We look forward to our Mother’s Day breakfast next Friday, May 10th. Our breakfast will be held in the school hall from 8 am to 8:50 am and will include bacon and egg rolls, fruit salad, yoghurt, muffins, and juice.

After breakfast, we will have Mass in the Church at 9:30 am, you are all welcome to attend.

After the Mass, we invite all parents and guardians to visit the classrooms and engage in a learning journey with their child/children. This is a wonderful opportunity to see our students' progress and achievements.

ANZAC Day

During the break, we also celebrated ANZAC Day, when we remember all the Australian and New Zealand men and women who have served and continue to serve their country so that we can live in peace and security today. Many have suffered severe injuries or trauma from war or paid the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives for their country. As today’s generation, we remember them, lest we forget.

On Tuesday, our student leaders led a very moving ANZAC Day service, including the Last Post and Rouse. Thanks, Mrs Imbriano, for planning this vital service on the first day of term.

Semester Reporting

Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn (CECG) has communicated to schools regarding reporting to parents/guardians. CECG has advised schools that comments will not be required on Semester 1, 2024 reports but that they should prioritise parent/teacher conferences for every family in Term 2. These meetings provide the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, their strengths, challenges, and future areas of focus. Parent Teacher Conferences will be held in Week 10. A Semester Report will be sent home as in previous Semesters, providing A-E grading and attendance information.

CECG has advised schools that Semester 2, 2024 reports will have a general comment for all children. This general comment will provide a summative comment for the year, areas of achievement and areas to focus on for the following year. A-E grading and attendance information will remain as usual.

We would encourage all parents/guardians to engage with their child/ren’s learning regularly, connecting with their class teacher/s regularly to discuss learning progress.

In faith and partnership,

David Austin

Principal