Gratitude plants smiley faces on everything it touches.

Richelle E Goodrich

Practising Gratitude With Kids

Dear Parents and Carers,

Yesterday we gathered to celebrate the beginning of our Lenten Journey 2022. We extend our thanks to Mrs Imbriano for preparing a peaceful and thoughtful liturgy for Ash Wednesday. Although it was impacted by our current restrictions, our Faith Leaders led us in prayerful reflection over the PA system so that we could be together in spirit. Many of the children have made Lenten promises as they enter this time of preparation for EASTER.

This week we received news that Mrs Julie Jillard, Learning Support teacher at Sacred Heart for many years, is unwell. We ask that everyone keep her and her family in your prayers over the coming weeks.

Teacher/ Parent Communication

During this first term we believe it is important for parents/carers to make time to meet with your child’s teacher(s) to talk about learning, pastoral care, great achievements, and/or support. There will be an opportunity for parents to catch up with their child’s teacher before the end of term but if there is something that you need to ask or communicate, please don’t wait, email the teacher(s) now so any concerns can be addressed early.

Please note that interviews will ideally be held online or outdoors to ensure the wellbeing and safety of everyone during these unusual times.

Take care and keep safe

Student Wellbeing and Behaviour Management (Part 2)

As children learn to be responsible self-managers STOP, THINK, DO can happen quite quickly and on their own. 

At other times staff use steps to guide the students through STOP, THINK, DO.

1. Warnings to STOP. Depending on the age of the class and the needs of the particular child, teachers will have clearly communicated steps to help correct and support a child to manage their behaviour in an appropriate way. These steps can be signals, move to a less distracted spot, rule reminders, moving the child away from the group or giving them an alternative activity, while still completing the lesson.
2. Time-out THINK time in class. Students are directed to leave the lesson/activity for a period of time. This guided time-out is followed by students sharing their thinking when they return to the lesson.
3. Classroom Time-out in class. During these sessions, students will be given opportunities to develop the social skills they need to make positive behaviour choices. Depending on the circumstance, the needs and age of the child, a plan is written for the child to GO with in order to respond appropriately the next time something goes wrong. 
4. Formal and playground time-out. This step is completed with a member of the leadership team. The plan will be sent home with your child and a phone call made. We ask that you discuss what went wrong and the plan your child has made; sign the time-out form and return it to school. It is kept as a reminder for the child to enact the plan they created.

If you wish to clarify any of our Student Wellbeing and Management processes please discuss it with your child’s teacher(s) this term.

Sacred Heart has drawn upon CECG policies in developing these school-based procedures for managing behaviour. Please visit the Catholic Education website - student safety and wellbeing policies. Click here

Sun Safe Policy

Sacred Heart is a sun safe school. We have processes to manage the risk of sunburn during periods of higher and/or longer UV exposure. 

The Community Council has reaffirmed our school rule of ‘no hat, no play’. If your child does not have a hat, or continually forgets to bring their hat outside, they will be asked to sit quietly in either of two nominated areas of the playground. (Kindergarten students are directed to play in the shade in the Kinder Courtyard.) This rule is to help students understand our commitment to sun safety and to take responsibility for knowing where their hat is. Please ensure your child’s hat is clearly labelled with their name.

Volunteer needed to help with Lost Property 

If you have 20 minutes spare a week to help us reunite personal items with their owners, we have the job for you! We need help to manage the mountain of lost property which accumulates almost daily. Please phone the office if you are interested. 

NAPLAN

NAPLAN planning is currently underway. All Year 3 and 5 students will be participating in the tests between 10-20th May. We will have a practice test to check all technology is working on Thursday 24th March.

Keep an eye out for the parent/carer support page and information about technology requirements to be sent via SZapp shortly.

How is your mental wellbeing?

Sacred Heart is a ‘Be You’ School.  Be You supports educators from early learning services and schools to develop a positive, inclusive and resilient learning community where every child, young person, educator and family can achieve their best possible mental health. 

Regularly we will include tips, articles and weblinks in the newsletter which may be of support to members of our community. We were reminded this week of two valuable websites. Their details and links are below. 

Teachers are able to pass on various articles and links to parents and carers. We also have a few books to lend out on various topics supporting child growth and development. Please reach out if we can support your family.

The Wellbeing Action Team - Anne Staines, Tash Barrenger, Brendan Mitchell & Kerry Wode

For Children up to 25 years of age - MindMap

MindMap - ACT Youth Portal is a dedicated portal for children and young people (up to 25 years of age) to help navigate Canberra’s mental health system and to find the right service and support. It is not a crisis support line, but it does provide links to them. 

MindMap – ACT Youth Portal is an initiative of ACT Health, Office of Mental Health and Wellbeing and is delivered by Marymead and supported by a broad range of local ACT organisations. MindMap

For Adults - Beyond Blue Mental Wellbeing Support Service

The last couple of years have been tough, and with everything constantly changing, 

it’s hard to find the right words to describe how we’re feeling. One moment we might be excited for the day and then the next, we can’t be bothered. Or maybe we might be hopeful for the future, and then feel really worried about it.

No matter how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting your mental wellbeing,

beyondblue have developed a range of information, strategies and expert advice to help support you. coronavirus.beyondblue

Yours faithfully,

• Please send a water bottle to school each day with your child. Our school bubblers are still closed due to COVID-19. 
• Playgroup will not be held next week, Tuesday 8^th and Thursday 11^th March
• Mrs Wode is after egg cartons to use for painting in Year 1 and 2. If you have any that you don't need could you please send them in with your child.
• Please keep an eye out for our Clean Up Australia message from Stage 3 Sustainability Leaders.

First Reconciliation

Please keep in your prayers, the Year 4 students preparing for their First Reconciliation next Thursday 10^th March at Sacred Heart Church.

Project Compassion 2022     

The season of Lent began with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

The theme of Project Compassion 2022 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.  We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Each family will receive a Project Compassion box next week.

The boxes can be returned to school at any time, with all Project Compassion boxes collected by early Term 2.

• MHOC 2022 First Reconciliation Session 4 will be held on 9 March and the First Reconciliation Celebrations will be held on 10 March.  Both start at 6:30pm and will be held in the Church.  
• MHOC 2022 First Holy Communion Session 1 will be held on 16 March at 6:30pm in the Church.
• Please join us for Monthly Morning Tea in the Parish Hall after the 8.30 & 10.00 Masses on 6th March.  Bring a new friend along or invite a stranger.
• Save the date:  Our Parish Sacrament of Confirmation programme enrolment window will open on 23rd March 2022. Our programme is for any child in Year 6 or above who has been baptised Catholic, and completed the other Sacraments of Initiation (First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion).  Details are available at:Sacrament of Confirmation and more information will be out soon.

Children’s Liturgy

“Jesus was tempted in the desert for 40 days! That’s a long time. Sometimes we get tempted to do the wrong thing and we need help from God to choose the right path.  Join us on Sunday at the 10am mass for Children’s liturgy and your child will get to make one of these decade rosary beads which is a great way to remember to pray, and to keep us on track!”

Position Vacant: Parish Office Coordinator – Sacred Heart Church.

Part-time, 2 days per week during school terms, 9am to 3pm.  12 month contract - option to extend. 

General office administration & coordination & administration of the sacramental programs.

Applications close Friday 25 February with a start date in March.

Email for a duty statement: attention Melanie Kerr Office Manager.

School Counsellor

Counsellor_message.pdf

Counsellor_message _pdf 78.81 KB

Free Parent Webinar – Parent guide to digital technologies and mental health.

This free webinar, hosted by the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT and delivered by the eSafety Commissioner, is designed for parents and carers of young people aged 10–18.  Parents and Carers can register Here

Date of the webinar will be Tuesday 8 March 7.30pm – 8.30pm

The webinar will cover:

• What do to about accidental exposure to content about suicide, self-harm or eating disorders
• Using games, apps, and social media to support mental wellbeing
• The pros and cons of digital mental health platforms
• strategies for young people to support friends online

 

Harmony Week           

Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.​ Sacred Heart has celebrated Harmony Week with special days and activities for a number of years. This year we are grateful for the small everyday ways that individuals share their family’s culture in our community. Each stage will undertake an activity to acknowledge and share the cultural diversity found in our school community. 

 

On Monday 21st March the whole school will have a ‘Harmony Week’ Dress-Up day . Children are invited to wear clothes with cultural significance or orange clothes/socks/ accessories to celebrate harmony and diversity in our community.

Class Parent Representatives

We are seeking expressions of interest for our 2022 Class Parent Representatives (CPR). It would be great to have a representative for each allocated class across Kinder, Stage 1 and Stage 2, with shared representation for our Stage 3 classes. The role of the CPR is important in fostering good communication in the school and assisting in the development of a strong school community. The CPR enhances the quality of relationships between teachers, parents/carers and the children. A quick guide on the responsibilities of a CPR are as follows:

• Develop a working relationship with the class teacher
• Get to know your class families
• Promote communication between the school and the parents/carers
• Encourage parent volunteers
• Point of coordination for the class

If you would like any further information on what is involved in the role of CPR, or if your are interested in volunteering as the CPR for your class, please contact the Front Office.

We would like to thank those that have already sent in their nominations to the office.

Positive Partnerships

Netball 2022

Registrations are now open for the Sacred Heart netball teams!

The 2022 season commences on Saturday 19^th March. Games are played at Arawang District Netball Courts in Stirling on Saturday mornings.  Training is likely to commence next week.

Coaches and managers will be in contact with players once teams are confirmed.

In 2021, Sacred Heart fielded two netball teams. The Cyclones (year 2/3) and the Tornadoes (year 4/5). Assuming numbers are similar to last year, it is likely we will be able to field three teams in 2022.

Team	Training Day
Year 2 (name TBC)	Term 1: Tue 3:30 – 4:30pm (school) Term 2: Fri 3:30 – 4:30 (school)
Year 3/4 (Cyclones)	Term 1: Saturday a.m. prior to game (at the game courts). Term 2: Thur 3:30 – 4:30 (school)
Year 5/6 (Tornadoes)	Mon 3:30 – 4:30 (school)

 

To Register

Click this link to register via the PlayHQ platform. 

1. Click on the ‘Registrations’ tab
2. Select the Competition you are registering for
   1. Arawang Junior Comp = Years 4,5,6 (or any year 3 children playing up in the year 4 team this year).
   2. Arawang NSG Yr 2 + Y3 Comp = Year 2 players.
3. Follow the steps to register your child
   1. Tip: when asked what school they attend – type ‘Pearce’

Not sure / have questions?

If your child is in year 1 and wishes to play or your child is in year 3 or 5 but did not play in the combined teams in 2021, or for any other queries, please contact Brooke for more information.

Fees

1. Netball association player and insurance fees are paid upon registration through the PlayHQ platform.
2. To cover administrative costs for all Sacred Heart netball teams, players are also required to pay a $15 fee direct to the school through the QKr App.

Uniform

Players play in their school uniforms (netball bibs will be provided)

 

Private Piano Tutition

Places for 2022 have now become available.

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
• Mr Craig Mewett Phone: 0409 151 887 / 6278 7382

 

Ash Wednesday Liturgy

3/4 White

3/4 White have been doing various activities this week including gardening, cooking and gymnastics.

Staff

Staff working as a team on Friday afternoon to get the RATS packed for families.

Congratulations to the following students celebrating their birthday this week 

Rhys M, Hope O, Marley D-G, Sreya G,

Molly F, Harrison H, Zara J

School Sport ACT

After three long years in the making, School Sport ACT is very pleased to announce the launch of the SSACT Scholarship Fund.

The attached document contains the Application Form and information, including;

• The School Sport ACT Scholarship Fund aims to provide assistance to families that may choose not to have their child trial for selection or accept the selection of their child to an ACT representative team, as they are unable to meet the financial requirements of competing.
• The Scholarship Fund is open to applications from students travelling interstate to attend a School Sport Australia Championship. Students attending an ACT hosted Championship are not eligible.
• To be considered, each application must be endorsed and signed by the student’s Principal. This will include a confirmation of enrolment status, attendance and endorsement for each applicant.
• To be eligible to apply, the applicant must be able to demonstrate financial need by providing evidence, of a minimum of ONE, of the listed items.
• In its inaugural year, the fund will support 25 Scholarships of $500 each.
• Assessment of applications and the allocation of funds are to be spread across the year so students from all 17 sports have fair access to assistance.

School_Sport_ACT_Scholarship_Fund_Application_Information_and_Form.pdf

School_Sport_ACT_Scholarship_Fund_Application_Information_and_Form _pdf 177.29 KB

MERICI COLLEGE ENROLLING NOW CAMPAIGN

A wonderful opportunity for prospective families to see the College in action, meet our students and attend the Principal’s Address, Year 7 and 11 Information Evenings and lots more.

We are enrolling now for 2023 and beyond!

Please visit Merici College for all dates and information for our Open Day, Be a Merici Girl Days and Talk and Tours. Register online now!

Open Day, Principal’s Address and Year 7 2021 Information Night: Tuesday 3 May

Be a Merici Girl Days: 29 April, 2 and 9 May

Talk and Tours: 30 March, 7 May, 20 August, 22 October