We have a lot happening at Sacred Heart at the moment and many important items to share with our families and friends. The formatting error which prevented photo galleries from displaying in the last newsletter has been addressed just in time for us to share this week’s happenings. Please take a moment to go back to last week’s newsletter to see what you missed. 

Congratulations to Rylan G in Year 6. Rylan was successful at the Rostrum Public Speaking Quarter Final last week. We are so proud of her skills and wish Rylan well at the next level. Thanks to Mr Ben Sweeney for attending to support Rylan and her family on the night. 

I accompanied our school leaders and Mrs O’Mara to a special NAIDOC Week mass at St Christopher’s Cathedral last Friday. Schools from all over Canberra and Goulburn joined together to pray for and celebrate the achievements of young First Nations people united in the 2025 theme of ‘The Next Generation: strength, vision and legacy.’ Our student leaders share their thoughts later in the newsletter. At school, Year 3 hosted a beautiful liturgy and all classes joined in activities to understand and connect with Aboriginal culture.

Confirmation Preparation and Prayers

A number of our Year 6 students and their families begin the journey of preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation this evening. The Parent Information Session begins at 6.30pm in the church with Fr Emil. I ask our community to keep these young people in your prayers.

My Confirmation - yes many moons ago - still remains an important milestone in my life. Reading about the saints and how their faith helped them as ordinary people to do extraordinary things was challenging but a real moment of growth. Some might say ‘Grace filled’. It confirmed that yes I was important, my actions have meaning, and that as I travel through this life God will guide me. I still regularly wear the Holy Spirit ‘dove’ necklace my sponsor gave me and in moments of need and reflection know that the Holy Spirit has given me all the gifts I need to be the best person I can be.

I look forward to sharing my reflections with the Year 6 students over the coming week. Italians are excited to have the first saint from the current millennium. Saint Carlo Acutis (1991-2006) will be cannonised on September 7 this year. He will be named Patron Saint of Computer Programmers and Youth.

"Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth."

Mrs Jancia Morella 

It is with mixed feelings that I let our community know that we are farewelling Janica this term. Janica has accepted a promotion position to St Gregory’s Queanbeyan. 

Janica has been a much-loved staff member at Sacred Heart for 11 years, She has touched all of us across her roles as Classroom Support Teacher, English as an extra Language/Dialect teacher and classroom teacher. She will be missed by many, but we know that the seeds of joy and support she brought to all at Sacred Heart will continue to blossom forever.

Janica will be taking a few weeks leave before starting at St Gregs in Term 4, 2025, so her last day at Sacred Heart will be Tuesday the 9th September. We are advertising Janica’s position.

Classes and Staffing for 2026

It is the time of year when planning for the next year is underway. In light of this we would like to share the following:

1. Sacred Heart is growing! Next year we will be adding two more classes. We have two incoming Kindergarten classes and our current Year 1 has grown to the extent we can offer two Year 2 classes next year. This is exciting news for us which allows us to keep small class sizes but still accept new enrollments. So if a family is new to the area or is looking for a move to our wonderful small school please let them know about us. Prospective families simply contact the office to arrange an enrollment tour and meeting.
2. We have appointed two new staff for 2026 following a successful advertising period. Both bring a wealth of experience across a number of schools in Canberra to our talented staff team. 
1. Laura Matchett will be joining our staff in 2026 in the permanent role of Religious Education Coordinator.
2. Anna Williams will be joining our staff for the 2026 school year as Assistant Principal while Kerry Wode takes leave.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Many great discussions and actions resulted from the conferences held at the end of last term. If you missed the sessions, please contact your child’s teacher individually to schedule a conference in the coming weeks.

Year 3 Red are able to book a conference with Ms Schneider via Compass for this week and next.

On Friday we are excited to welcome grandparents and friends to Sacred Heart. All the details can be found below. Mrs Iles is even opening the library before school, for families who wish to arrive early to spend time together over a great book.

Yours in journeying together

Kerry Wode

Compass Notifications

Please refer to Compass for the following notifications:

• 3 Red Parent Teacher Conference Bookings
• 2026 Class News Year 1
• Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 sports day change
• Grandparents' Day Friday 1st August
• Parent Information Note Term 3

Arriving Late to School

We ask that families endeavour to arrive at school on time each day. Our playground is open from 8.30am, with the line up bell ringing at 8.55am. Arriving between these times allows your child a chance to greet friends, play, switch to school thinking, go to the toilet and start the school day on time with their teacher and classmates.

If on the odd occasion the morning does not go as planned and you arrive after the morning assembly, please bring your child through the front office. Office staff will help you to sign them in on the attendance roll and then assist your child to their room.

Locking Murphy St Gates

To improve building security, we are locking the gates along the fence off Murphy St after morning assembly each day. The fence has certainly been a help in keeping the kangaroos off our oval and our grounds more secure.

The school front door is always open during school hours.

NAIDOC Mass Reflection from our student leaders Josie and Lucy

We really enjoyed representing Sacred Heart at the Mass. Seeing how First Nation children proudly represent their culture was incredibly welcoming and warmed our heart. We were invited to have our faces painted with ochre to connect us all to country. It was truly inviting and left a message of how proud we should be of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.

Rising Star Tennis Academy are offering lunch time tennis lessons for 6 weeks.

If your child is interested, there is a first week FREE trial. If your child would like to go ahead with the lessons, then they will be $140 for the next 5 weeks. There will need to be a minimum of 6 students for tennis to go ahead. If you are interested, please email Laura Stumbles . 

This term at playgroup Tuesday children are learning Irish dancing with Leanne and Thursday children are dancing with Mrs, Simpson