Dear Parents and Carers,

COVID-19 Restrictions  

In line with the directions from CE and in line with public health directions, the following restrictions remain in place

Check in requirement

• All staff and visitors must check in using the Check in CBR app. 

Physical distancing and hygiene

• Staff, students and visitors must not attend school campuses if they are unwell. If they have symptoms of COVID-19. All staff, visitors and students will be required to physically distance where possible, and maintain appropriate hand and respiratory hygiene. Density quotients will apply in non-student areas (one person per two square metres indoor spaces).

Masks 

• Staff and visitors at all schools must wear a face mask indoors on school sites unless exempt, or under specific conditions.

There are a few updates

 Cohorting 

Schools will limit unnecessary physical interaction between students on school grounds and the mixing of student cohorts (those not routinely learning together). Cohort restrictions can be lifted for the purposes of participating in organised school activities.

New

Excursions and School Activities

School sporting teams can train together and participate in community sporting competitions and school sporting competitions. 

Athletics carnivals to resume from Term 2. Term 2 carnivals will need to take place off school site. Parents are able to attend outdoor events.

School assemblies, performances and concerts can resume, without cohorting restrictions. Parents/carers are not permitted to attend at this time. 

Take care and keep safe

We are going to be hopeful - Yes, families will be able to visit the school grounds!

We are going to be connected - We have three years of new families to show how much Sacred Heart loves a party!

We are going to be realistic - Hosting a huge fete takes a lot of planning and donations (Let’s not brag, but our past fetes have been AMAZING!)

We are going to have fun - Adults and children involved with lots of great food and frivolity.

So in 2022 we are going to have a -

School and Parish Community Multicultural Twilight Fair

on Friday evening 16th September 2022.

We need your help. We need your ideas. We need your joy at being able to plan something fun for our community. If we raise a few funds along the way - it will be a bonus!

How will you be involved?

Right now we need a planning committee. Talk to Kerry Wode or Anne Staines. Email the office and we will contact you. No experience needed, except the willingness to give a new idea a go. We will have our first meeting early in Term 2. Please join in the fun.

Yours faithfully,

• Please send a water bottle to school each day with your child. Our school bubblers are still closed due to COVID-19. 

ACT RAT Distribution

The ACT Government is making some changes to the way rapid antigen tests (RATs) are distributed to ACT school communities for the remainder of Term 1. RATs will continue to be available to staff and students on an as-needded basis-or in response to increased cases as necessary. If you require additional RATs please contact the Front Office Email

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 has received a Project Compassion box .

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

 

• MHOC 2022 First Holy Communion Session 4 will be held on 6 April at 6:30pm in the Church.  The children will Celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time on 7 and 8 April beginning at 6pm in the Church. 
• Our Parish Sacrament of Confirmation programme enrolment is now open until 27 April. 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
• Please join us this Sunday, 3 April for Monthly Morning Tea following both the 8.30am and 10am masses.
• All Primary-aged children are welcome to attend Children’s Liturgy at the 10am mass on Sunday.

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 you 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.

Easter Raffle

Thank you for your Easter Raffle donations so far. You still have time to donate to the Easter Raffle up until Tuesday 5th April. Next Wednesday 6th April, we will draw the winners. If you wish to purchase additional tickets, children can collect more at the Front Office.

Community Council Thank You

The community council would like to extend our thanks to Patrea Johnson for organising the fantastic Easter raffle.

The children are very excited at the sight of the overflowing baskets of goodies at the front office. Good luck to everyone.

School Mufti Day – Wednesday 6^th April

On Wednesday 6^th April the students are invited to wear casual clothing to school and make a gold coin donation to the Caritas Lenten Appeal, Project Compassion. A disco will be held throughout the day in student cohorts so please wear clothing appropriate for dancing.

                   

School Counsellor

Raising Children have a webinar next Tuesday 5th April: Encouraging better behavior in children. For more information CLICK HERE

Sport Australia

The Australian Government through the Sporting Schools initiative is encouraging school age children to take up sport. This is to engage children in living healthy, active and social lives. Here is a link to a web page that will help you to find a local club for you to get in touch with for a selection of over 30 different sports. With Winter sport getting under way, now is a great time to get involved.

Find a Club - Sport Australia

Private Piano Tuition

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

 

Facebook

Miss Klomp has a wonderful slideshow on Facebook that showcases what all the students have been doing in Term One.

Lions Club Book Presentation

Members from the Lions Club of Canberra Valley presented books to the school as part of the International Reading Action Program for Lions Clubs International. The Lions Club has been making an annual donation of books to the school over the last nine years. It is hoped the children will enjoy the new additions.

St Vincent de Paul Workshop

Wilson, the Youth Liaison Officer from St Vincent de Paul, visited Stage 3 last Friday 25th March. He ran a workshop about social justice and engaged the students in activities to promote their thinking about service and action. 

 

Congratulations to the following students celebrating their birthday this week 

Kathryn W, Michael S, Orla K, Amelia V, Willow Z.