Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to another term of learning at Sacred Heart. It has been heartwarming to hear the children’s many and varied stories of their break, with many taking the time to have a staycation, chilling out with family or catching up with people they love and care about. The holiday program at SHPS also offered exciting opportunities for those children whose parents had to work.

As we begin the new term, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your support and understanding as we navigate the winter season with staffing and teaching shortages. 

The Feast of Mary Magdalene Saturday

Saturday we celebrate the gift of Mary Magdalene. In her new book on friendship Sister Joan Chittister OSB describes Mary Magdalene’s implicit trust in, and unconditional love for, Jesus as the bedrock of true friendship. She stayed by Jesus’ side and did not desert him when things got tough. This type of friendship knows all, celebrates all and survives all.

As Sister Joan states:

Mary Magdalene is the woman whom scripture calls by name in a time when women were seldom named in public documents… She is named fourteen times – more than any other woman in the New Testament except Mary of Nazareth, the mother of Jesus (p 81).

She was there at the beginning of his ministry. And she was there at the end. She was there when they were following him in cheering throngs. And she was there when they were taking his life… She tended his grave and shouted his dying glory and clung to his soul. She knew him, and she did not flinch from the knowing. (p 82)

As we remember Mary Magdalene and her place in our faith story, let’s give thanks for the gifts of friendship in our own lives.

Staffing News

We congratulate Samantha and Dave Peake on the safe arrival of baby Olivia and send her all our love as she commences maternity leave. We welcome Mrs Jessica Pearson to our staff, joining Mrs Caroline O’Mara in teaching 1 Red.

Mrs Camille Corson will be joining Mr Jason French in teaching 2 Red (as per the letter sent out to Year 2 Parent via Compass).

Mrs Kerry Wode continues teaching 3 Red. STEAM lessons will be taught by Mrs Debbie McNiell. Library for all classes will be taught by Mr Aaron Fox.

Mrs Laura Stumbles and Mr Ben Sweeney will soon return from leave. We welcome Ms Ellen Fletcher and Mr Luke Morwitch who will be teaching their classes for most of the time.

Parent Information Note (PIN)

The Parent Information Note will be sent home via COMPASS tomorrow.

Upgrade news

Over the holidays we replaced the broken gate off Murhy St. These ambulance, delivery gates will be locked to protect the oval and playground. Next to the double gate is a single entry/exit gate. We have asked the children not to swing on the gates or climb the low fence adjacent to the gates.

School Virtues

The school has been on a journey to reevaluate the school virtues so that all members of the community are able to articulate and action them. All staff and students in stage 2 and 3 have been engaged in this process and using the data collected we have reduced the number of virtues from 7 to 4. Respect remains core and will continue to be the virtue we focus on to begin each new year. This term our virtue will be nurturing our mind through being COURAGEOUS. We will continue to place information in the newsletter so that you can support your children in having conversations about courage.

Take care and keep safe