Dear Community,

Tomorrow is a significant day for our school community: the Sacred Heart Feast Day. This day, deeply rooted in our school's history, is a time for us to come together and celebrate the love and compassion of Jesus Christ, symbolised by his Sacred Heart. We have planned activities to make this day even more special for our students.

For our primary school community, this feast day is an opportunity to reflect on the values of love, kindness, and compassion central to our faith and teachings. It is a time for us to come together in prayer, celebrate with special activities, and strengthen the bonds within our school community. This day helps our children understand the importance of caring for others and living out the teachings of Jesus in their everyday lives.

Our celebration will begin with a Mass at 9:30am, during which parents and families are welcome to join us. Following the Mass, students will engage in various fun and meaningful activities to enrich their understanding of this day. Students are asked to wear sports uniform.

We will enjoy a sausage sizzle lunch, providing a fantastic fellowship and community spirit opportunity.

Hoping you can join us for Mass tomorrow at 9:30.

Vinnies CEO Sleepout

This year, I am participating in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout for the seventh time. This event, held on Thursday, 20 June, at Parliament House, is a powerful initiative to combat homelessness in our community. It's one of the coldest and darkest nights of the year in Canberra, symbolising the harsh reality of homelessness in our region. Over the years, I have raised over $70,000 for this vital cause.

My participation in the CEO Sleepout stems from a deep commitment to helping those less fortunate. On the night I can bring a sleeping bag, clothes and a pillow- that’s it! I’m given a couple of pieces of cardboard, a cup of soup and a cup of tea and find a place to rest for the night (not much sleep happens!) As a Vinnies Night Patrol leader, I witness firsthand the profound impact that homelessness has on individuals and families in our region, and this is just one small way I can raise awareness of homelessness. The funds from this event go directly to vital services the St. Vincent de Paul Society provides, including crisis accommodation, food, healthcare, Night Patrol vans and support programs to help individuals rebuild their lives.

To further support this cause, Sacred Heart School will host a 'Pyjama Day' next Friday. We encourage all students and community members to wear their pyjamas to school and bring a gold coin donation. All proceeds will support the Vinnies CEO Sleepout and the fight against homelessness.

Feel free to throw in a few dollars …or pass on to friends or family… https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/david-austin/canberra

Thank you for your continued generosity and commitment to making a positive difference in our community.

Enrolment reminder

The enrolment period for Catholic schools has ended, and I am currently interviewing new families. We have a very healthy enrolment for Kindergarten next year, and I encourage you to pass on to friends and families that it is not too late. Offers are sent at the end of June, and following this date, there are no guarantees, as Catholic Education will determine the number of classes per school. Your enrolment form must be lodged as soon as possible if it has not already been filled out. There are no guarantees, including siblings, if forms are not returned by 19 June. Please spread the word!

Disco

Our student disco last Friday evening was a fantastic success! With over 80% of our students in attendance, the hall was filled with energy, excitement, Taylor Swift songs and plenty of dancing. A huge thank you to the parents who volunteered their time to assist and the staff members who also attended, ensuring the evening ran smoothly.

I must also mention a humorous note: I was informed in the staffroom that day that all staff members dress up for the disco. Feeling the spirit, I wore a costume, discovering I might have been 'led down the garden path!' Nevertheless, it was great fun and added to the joy of the evening. (I do love a dress-up though!)

Thank you all for making it such a memorable event for our students.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our many students who represented Sacred Heart at the Woden/Weston Cross Country Carnival on Tuesday at Stromlo. Our students showcased exceptional determination, sportsmanship, and school spirit throughout the event. Thanks also to Mrs Riley for supervising and cheering. Well done to all our participants for their outstanding efforts and for making our school proud!

In faith and partnership,

David Austin

Principal