Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to Term 4, 2023. This term we will practise the virtue of gratitude. We will explore our call;

• to find the good in all people and circumstances
• to be open to what God sends us for care and compassion
• to practise gratitude and thankfulness
• to welcome others
• to care for the most vulnerable
• to see Christ in everyone we meet

By using this virtue in our day to day life, may we grow the spiritual gift of wonder and awe in this year of the spirit.

The Rosary and Mission Month

October is set aside by the Church as the month of the Rosary and Missions. Maybe you could bring the Rosary into part of your family prayer life during this time. On Friday we are highlighting the good work of Missions by celebrating Socktober and asking everyone to participate in Silly Sock Day. We thank Mrs Staff and the school faith leaders for their work in preparing for Friday.

Mrs Staines 2024 News

I will transfer into the Catholic Education Office as Religious Education and Faith Formation Officer.

I will commence in the position from the start of the 2024 school year. 

Please see below the full message from the director around my appointment.

I am very excited to be given this opportunity to further my skills and am looking forward to sharing from my experience working in education. 

Mrs Davis Long Service Leave

We wish Mrs Lisa Davis well as she takes 2 weeks long service commencing on Monday 16 October. During this time there will be no newsletter published. Reminders and information will be communicated on a Thursday via COMPASS.

Take care and keep safe

To the Community of Sacred Heart Primary School,

I am writing to confirm that Anne Staines has resigned from her Principal position at Sacred Heart Primary School, Pearce at the end of the 2023 school year.

I am pleased to announce that Anne will transfer into the Catholic Education Office with dual responsibilities as both Religious Education and Faith Formation Officer, as well as provide short-term backfill for Principals across the system.

Anne will commence in the position from the start of the 2024 school year.

Anne has worked as an educator for Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn (CECG) for over 40 years, and her wealth of knowledge will be valuable in this position.

Anne has held many positions throughout her career with CECG, including Curriculum Coordinator, Religious Education Coordinator, Assistant Principal at St Matthew’s, Page, St Joseph’s, O’Connor and St Thomas More’s Campbell, and Principal at St Benedict’s, Narrabundah and Sacred Heart, Pearce. 

During her time as Principal, Anne has represented Catholic Primary School Principals in the ACT as a member of Dare to Lead, ACPPA and APPA. 

I congratulate Anne on her appointment and wish her every continued success as she undertakes this important work, supporting Religious Education Coordinators across the Archdiocese.

COMPASS Notifications

We are going to trial a new schedule for COMPASS Notifications. The idea came out of the last Community Council open meeting.

We will schedule daily notifications to post from 3pm. This will hopefully mean less interruptions during the day for parents and carers. It also means that if you do receive a notice from COMPASS during the day, it will usually be about your child being absent or an announcement that we consider urgent.

Term 4 Summer Uniform

Students wear summer uniforms from the beginning of Term 4. As usual we will have a 2-week phase in period to help manage the change and weather. 

School summer uniform is worn with black formal school shoes and a school hat. 

A reminder that: 

• Students may wear their sport uniform and sneakers on the nominated days only. 
• Fingernails must be kept short. Nail polish is not allowed. 
• Hair should be of natural colour, of even grade (no shorter than a No 3 comb). Extremes are to be avoided. 
• Hair which is shoulder length and longer,  needs to be tied back with natural-coloured bands and uniform coloured ties or ribbons.

We appreciate your cooperation with our school uniform policy. Please refer to the Uniform Policy on our website for further details. https://sacredhps.act.edu.au/policies-forms

Fundraising and the 2023 Colour Fun Run 

The Colour Fun Run is our fundraiser for 2023. 

Our annual fundraisers are vitally important to our school for building our great school community, our visibility in the wider community and for raising funds for the important extra things that help our school run each day.

The Fete/Twilight Fairs are a huge event for the whole community. It is not just about raising funds, but about giving us a celebration. In 2022 our Twilight Fair raised $9500 for our school which was used towards the new fencing along Murphy St and upgrading the sound system in the hall.

The Colour Run/Walkathon is more focused within our school. In 2019, the walkathon raised $10000. Its funds were used for the outdoor area between the school and church, and phonics-based readers for the students. The 2018 funds purchased spheros and other STEM based equipment.

In 2023, we hope to raise another $10000 to go towards fencing along the kinder courtyard and purchasing classroom equipment for our maths daily review lessons.

Colour Fun Run Details  Friday 20th October

A note outlining all the details of the colour run, and a copy of the sponsorship forms, has been sent via COMPASS notification today.

If you have not responded to the COMPASS Event, asking for permission for your child to participate, you will also receive a notification today reminding you to attend to this. 

• Our event starts about 2.15 pm on Friday 20th.
• Sponsorship forms and donations are due by 9am Monday 30th.
• Prize draw will take place on Friday 3rd November. 

Sun Safety Policy

We are governed by CECG Sun Protection Policy and are an accredited SunSmart School. This means we follow guidelines for sun protection. The key points for families to note are:

• Our school and sports uniforms are designed to comply with SunSmart guidelines. This includes our school hats.
• No Hat - Play in shade. We have designated areas of the playground and indoor areas for children who are not wearing hats during lunch and recess.
• Wherever possible our outdoor activities will be scheduled during the early part of the day to avoid high levels of UV exposure.
• Sun protection is included in our curriculum.

Yours faithfully,

Sacred Heart Virtues

In Term 3, our school focus was on the virtue of courage. Students developed the self-knowledge and courage to give things a go through small achievable steps. They would ask for help if needed, took risks with their learning and made a conscious effort to do the “right” thing in difficult situations. We are very proud of all the students for the way they lived the virtue of courage in all aspects of school life. Many students were awarded ‘Virtue Tickets’ and a lucky few had their names drawn out to enjoy a pizza lunch with Mrs Staines.

Term 4 Virtue Gratitude

Gratitude is the feeling of being thankful and showing appreciation for what is in our lives. Thankfulness and appreciation are a pathway to a life of happiness and well-being. When you pause and recognise all of the wonderful things in your life, you feel happier. Appreciation keeps us focused on what is already good in our lives, and opens up the doorway to more goodness to flow into our lives. Gratitude also equips us to handle setbacks and failures in a more resilient way.

To build gratitude in our children, we encourage celebrating and expressing joy. Gratitude can be achieved through everyday experiences such as:

• Saying thank you with a grateful heart
• Talking or writing about the things in our life you are grateful for (Gratitude Journal or a Blessings Book)
• Supporting a charity or giving your service to others
• Perfoming acts of kindness

“Joy springs from a grateful heart.” Pope Francis

Our beautiful Floriade Community Garden. Thank you to Mr Fox and the students for creating a colourful, bright enviroment for our wider community.

Playgroup has recommenced for Term 4 and we all enjoyed reconnecting with our playgroup community.

The new shopping trolleys were very popular, as were the lovely toys and puzzles donated by Mrs Staines.

Stage 2 attended the 2 day Birrigai Camp in the last week of Term 3. They all had a fantastic time and learnt some great new skills. 

The last day of Term 3 saw the students and teachers come out in their favourite sports colours.

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 10th October 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.

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

Parish Office Manager – Inner North Parishes

 

People are invited to apply for the position Parish Office Manager, Inner North Parishes (encompassing Campbell, Canberra Central, O’Connor & Watson). This is a full-time position (subject to review in 12 months)

 

Essential Requirements:

• An understanding of and support for the Catholic Church and its teachings
• Excellent verbal and written, interpersonal and communication skills
• Computer literacy in MS Suite and database skills, (in particular PACS database)
• Act with tact & discretion, maintaining high levels of confidentiality, honesty, integrity, reliability and punctuality

Please email Deborah.foote@cg.org.au for a detailed copy of the duty statement and selection criteria.  Applications addressing the Selection Criteria with attached resume to Fr Anthony Riosa, SSS, anthony.riosa@cam.org.au  must be received by Friday 3 November 2023.

 

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