This term we have been modelling the virtue of courage. With the Feast Day of Mary MacKillop on the 8th of August, it is a great opportunity to be inspired by Australia’s first saint and how her life continues to inspire us today—especially through the virtue of courage.

Mary MacKillop showed incredible bravery throughout her life. At a time when women had few opportunities, she stood up for what she believed in: providing education for all, especially the poor and those in rural communities. Despite facing criticism, hardship, and even excommunication, Mary never gave up. Her courage came from her deep faith and her belief that “never see a need without doing something about it.”

In our classrooms, we’ve been exploring what courage looks like in our own lives—whether it’s speaking up for a friend, trying something new, or standing strong in our values. Just like Saint Mary MacKillop, we are learning that courage doesn’t mean we’re never afraid, it means we choose to do what’s right, even when it’s hard.

We pray that our community of Sacred Heart continues to be inspired by Saint Mary MacKillop to act with courage in all we do and bring her respect for education and opportunities for all.

Grandparents Day

The joy of having our grandparents, friends and family has continued with us all week. It was lovely to welcome so many families to our mass, beautifully hosted by Year 3, and classroom visits. Thanks to those who made a huge effort to get here, including travelling long distances. See you again soon.

Bullying, No Way! Week

Next week we will mark this national week of awareness with classroom activities. Please be ready to support your child in conversations about bullying.

We do use variations in language to help children understand that behaviour can be selfish, rude or mean without being ‘bullying’.  Bullying is targeted, chosen to hurt and repeated even when you’ve asked the person to stop. We constantly model strategies to help the children respond to others and reflect on their own behaviours. 

Confirmation

Please keep the young members of our parish in your prayers as they begin their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. They attended masses on the weekend to enrol and now begin sessions each Wednesday evening with Fr Emil. Thanks Mrs Stumbles for supporting our Year 6 students and families on the weekend.

Colour Run Fundraiser

Our major fundraiser for the year will be a sponsored 'Colour Run'. Save the date for thursday 25th September. See first details later in the newsletter.

Yours in working together

Kerry Wode

Compass Notifications

Please refer to Compass for the following notifications:

• First meeting for Twilight Fair 2026
• eSafety Parent Webinars

• Whole School events - such as carnivals or fundraising days
• Class excursions

• Sporting gala days - such as oztag carnival
• Academic days - such as daVinci or chess competitions

Book Week Performance – Thursday, August 14

Celebrating Children's Book Week® 2025, the educational and interactive musical adventure Treasure Hunt is coming to our school! Students will be immersed into a highly interactive, educational musical adventure celebrating the Children’s Book Week® 2025 theme (Book An Adventure) and incorporating a selection of the CBCA 2025 Shortlisted Books.

The musical will send students of all ages on a treasure hunt exploring themes of sustainability and our relationship with the natural environment, as well as celebrating how books and reading create understanding and bring people of different backgrounds together.

The first round of TOMs competition is on the weekend 30-31st August. Each day TOMs needs about 30 judges to run the competition. Mrs Wode will volunteer on behalf of Sacred Heart again this year. However with 3 teams entering it would be good to have another judge from our community.

It would be a one day commitment and new judges are always supported by being placed with an experienced judge. 

Would you or someone you know be able to volunteer? It is also a great task for someone who has competed in TOMs previously - eg: a Year 11-12 student or older. 

Any questions please check in with Kerry. Otherwise here is the link to sign up.

Over the weekend, dancers from Sacred Heart competed in the McGrath Championships – a two-day Irish dancing event featuring competitors from NSW, South Australia and the ACT.

Our talented dancers achieved outstanding results, with many earning podium places and taking home prestigious awards. These results reflect their dedication, with each dancer training more than five hours a week.

Congratulations, girls! We’re so proud of you and can’t wait to see you take the stage at the upcoming State and National Championships.