This weekend we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration. 

“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.”

Matt 17:1-2

Welcome back

We welcome back Mr Sweeney (Monday 31st) and Mrs Stumbles (today) after a well deserved break. 

Congratulations

We congratulate Mrs Meg Bauldry and her husband Teague on the announcement that they are expecting their first child. We send them every blessing as they prepare for their baby's arrival later this year.

Peer Support 

Next week will be our last peer support session for 2023. We congratulate our student leaders on the way in which they have led peer support. Their leadership skills have been extraordinary and we are very proud of them.

We thank our Stage 3 teachers for providing this opportunity for our children and organising this extremely valuable program.  

Take care and keep safe

Lockdown

Today the students and staff had a practise of our lockdown procedures.

It’s an impressive new gate and pathway!

During the holidays, we had a new gate and paths installed at our Murphy St entrance. This huge improvement will provide us with a safe and more accessible pedestrian entrance. 

We have been asked if we will continue the fencing along the oval. As funds become available, through future fundraising activities, we hope to continue the fence at least until the corner. This will also increase the visibility of the school along Murphy St.

Our choir performed their favourite song at our school assembly last week. Here they are singing ‘Naughty’ from Matilda. Thanks Mrs Riley

Year 3 enjoyed a sunny afternoon on the playground investigating the concept of perimeter.

Our staff pray together many times each week. We wanted to share the ‘art inspired’ prayer gracing our prayer space last week.

Yours faithfully,

On Tuesday 1st August, executive members of the Community Council met. Topics discussed included an update on planned fundraising for the remainder of 2023 with a focus on the Colour Run for Term 4, a look at quotes to replace the sound system in the Hall and the work being led by Catholic Education on the role of School Boards and Community Councils (which aims to enhance transparency and formalise strong partnerships between Councils and Schools). Council members also discussed the school survey results and agreed that a presentation on these, accompanied by an in-depth discussion, will occur at the next open meeting on 22nd August.

Please pop the open meeting date in your calendars! We will have wine and nibbles beforehand in the maker-space for those attending in person. This will be the first time we provide a hybrid online option for the meeting and we hope this allows more people to participate. We look forward to seeing you in person or online, whichever suits you best. 

Jac Hrast

Community Council Chair

Why are virtues important to our Sacred Heart community?

The Sacred Heart Crest, which is an integral part of our school, has the motto, “Virtue and Knowledge” on it. These words were taken from The Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, the first educators here at Sacred Heart and give our school a belief and purpose in all that we do.

We want to continue to live out this vision which have been part of our school for over 50 years. As a community, we want to focus on being the best versions of ourselves and in doing so, create a connected and loving community.

Recently the staff and students in Stage 2 and 3 have inquired into our school virtues. With their insights and feedback, we have refreshed our whole school virtues.

We now have four virtues:

• Respect
• Kindness
• Courage
• Gratitude

This term our school virtue is courage.

Courage

The Greek philosopher Aristotle believed that courage was as virtue – a marker of moral excellence. Courage is the ability to do something difficult even when there's risk.

Courage is something magical that happens inside us to make us push through fear, self-doubt, anxiety, and do the things that feel hard, risky or frightening. 

Having courage helps children to persevere against challenges, and in the process, it raises their self-esteem. When children feel good about themselves and see that they have the personal power to make courageous choices, they are more likely to lead personally satisfying and successful lives.

To build courage in our children, we encourage bravery, persistence, and integrity. Through everyday experiences, children can develop the self-knowledge to give things a go through small achievable steps such as: 

• Asking for help when they need it
• Trying new things and challenging themselves
• Taking risks with their learning
• Having a strong mind, grit, and determination
• Doing the ‘right’ thing in a difficult situation
• Admitting to mistakes

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.”

Kinder celebrated "100 days of Kindergarten" last Friday and had a wonderful time dressing up and completing special activities. 

This term, in Science Week, Sacred Heart will be beginning our whole school enrichment program.  Students will be again taking part in the different STEM opportunities for 6 weeks from Friday the 18th August.  Each session will run for approximately an hour on Friday afternoons between 12.45-1.45. 

In order for these sessions to run smoothly we require your help!  We are asking for students from Years 3 - 6 to get all of the apps for the individual rotations added to their iPad.  Children from K- 2 will have devices, if needed, supplied.  The reason behind this is that even though they may not necessarily require each app to participate in their course, the teachers may look to integrate the use of these apps across the other areas of the curriculum. All of these apps are free! Volunteers are more than welcome to help in any of the sessions.  

Our Tuesday group are now having a mini Irish Dance class at the end of playgroup with Leanne McGrath from McGrath Irish Dance in Phillip,

Thank you Leanne for generously donating your time to provide this amazing experience for our playgroup children.

On Thursday author Mrs Deb McNeill came to Playgroup to read her book 'Derek the Waste Warrior'. Deb is currently teaching STEAM to some of our classes on Thursdays.

Last Thursday some of the students participated in Tennis as a part of this terms lunch clubs.

Congratulations to the following students celebrating their birthday 

Iris S, Adriana L, Asher M, Shaun S, Cohen T.

Private Piano Tuition

Places have now become available for 2023

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

CHESS!!

Learn to be a chess champion! Coaching for students at Sacred Heart Primary School is held on Tuesdays from 11:00am to 11:45am, starting on 18 July 2023.

Learning and playing chess helps children develop their logical thinking and problem solving skills, improves their concentration and focus, while also being a great source of enjoyment. Activities include group lessons on a demonstration chess board or interactive whiteboard, puzzle solving and fun practice games.

Students earn merit awards by making checkmates, or by displaying skills and positive qualities, which all good chess players strive to develop.

Each student in the Chess program will also receive access to Chess Squad
https://www.chesssquad.com/ which is an online teaching/playing platform.

If your child is interested in taking part in the class, please  EMAIL for an enrolment form.

For all enquiries, please contact Sydney Academy of Chess on (02) 9745 1170.

Our Robogals volunteering team is holding a Science and Engineering Day at The Australian National University on Saturday 5^th August (10:00am – 2:35pm) We would love to have some of your local students or children of your colleagues attend the event!

The event is open for all genders, we especially encourage girls and gender diverse students to register to align the core aims of the Science Challenge. The event is directed for students ages 8 – 15 years old. We will be holding 3 different exciting workshops which are:

1. Electronics
2. Robotics
3. Science experiments and circuits

Each workshop will be 1 hour and 45 minutes in length with a short lunch break mid-way through the event.

I have attached the SED event flyer for your perusal. If possible, could you please circulate the attached flyer within your networks?

Date:                                     Saturday 5^th August

Time:                                     10:00am – 2:30pm

Location:                              The Australian National University (Specific room TBC)

Cost:                                      FREE

Registration link        

Flyer:                                     (Attached)