Celebrating the Anniversary of the Opening of the School

On Monday 17^th August we will celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the school’s official opening, 16^th August 1970.

We are asking that the children dress with a 70’s theme on the day. Headbands, jeans, bright coloured shirts or skivvy, or for those that have the goods, do the whole 70’s look. We are trying to give the children the opportunity for fun and celebrations in these challenging times. Please feel no pressure; just do as little or as much as you can. (Bring your red jumper too.)

We will gather as a school to begin our day with prayer. A special liturgy to pray for us and the Feast of the Assumption.

Stage 3 students will be organising Google Slides on every decade to share with the school throughout the week to visually display how life has changed.

To enhance the celebration, music from each decade will be played to replace the school bell. We will have a disco during the day and then finish the day with our first Book Buddy session.

The whole school will also be participating in National Science Week #Satelliteselfie. A satellite will fly over ACT and will capture an image from above. Sacred Heart will participate in the selfie on Monday 17^th August (or later in the week if the weather dictates!)

It would be appreciated if all students could wear (or bring) their red/maroon jumper (sports or school jumper) to wear for the image. We are expecting to have our participation in the Satellite Selfie filmed by the local ABC news.  Stay tuned for details of where to view the report.  If you want to know more about this Science Week Activity visit their website here.

Dear Parents and Carers,

Saturday 15th August, the Church celebrates the Feast Day of the Assumption of Our Lady when according to our faith, the Holy Mother, “having completed her course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory”.

Although defined as an article of faith by Pope Pius XII just over half a century ago, the Assumption of Our Lady into heaven has been accepted from back to the earliest of Christian times.

In normal times this holy day of obligation is a day when all Catholics attend Mass.

We celebrate the anniversary of the opening of our school 50 years ago, next Monday. As advertised in last weeks newsletter, we are encouraging the children to come to school in keeping with the look of the seventies, a quite diverse time in history when it comes to fashion. Please keep the costuming so that is suitable for the weather and for the children to play in eg platforms would not work for whole day activities.

ACT Election-Saturday 17 October

There are 8 weeks until the ACT Election and am sure you are seeing candidates from all parties at shopping centres (or even receiving phone calls from them). I encourage you to approach candidates at the shopping centres and mention or discuss the value of ACT Catholic Schools and quiz them on their party’s support for ACT Catholic Schools. 

In the ACT, there are 29 systemic Catholic Schools who educate 15 000 students. In Canberra, Catholic schools are very similar to public schools, with our schools having almost exactly the same average ICSEA score (1077-1076). Our schools are inclusive, support families from all backgrounds, and operate on a modest budget.

Did you know that when you compare the total funding that Catholic schools in each state/territory receive, the ACT are the second lowest funded Catholic schools in the country? This is particularly impacted by the ACT Government’s low funding of Catholic schools.

Have a chat to the candidates and mention that you are a parent in an ACT Catholic School and funding of Catholic Schools is an important issue for you.

 Take care and God bless,

• School Fees Due  A friendly reminder that school fees are now due. As per the COVID push notification that went out recently, if you are experiencing difficulties please contact the front office.

• Clothing Pool  Clothing Pool this term is by appointment only. Please ring the front office to book an appointment time. The days and times available are: Monday morning 8.30-9am, Tuesday and Thursday afternoon 12-2.15pm and Friday afternoon 12-3pm. Orders can also be made through the QKR App and then delivered to your child.

• YMCA School Holiday Program Holiday Care is confirmed for October school holidays! Check the YMCA website for details. The program allows you to enrol for days that your children will love.

• Book Week ( 19^th – 23^rd October) 

  Term 3 is usually when we celebrate the Children’s Book Council Awards (CBCA). Due to the pandemic, Book Week has been moved to next term. However, we will continue to share and explore the shortlisted books during library this Term.  We will celebrate Book Week during Week 2, Term 4, the 19^th-23^rd October. The theme to this year’s Book Week is 'Curious Creatures, Wild Minds'. 

Last week, on the 8th August, was Mary MacKillop Feast Day which honours Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. She was the first Saint of Australia and her influence in the country spread far and wide.

Mary MacKillop was an ordinary person who lived an extraordinary life; an unconventional life that saw her triumph over adversities and obstacles placed in her way. She truly was a woman who lived her life out of the ordinary.

“Never see a need without doing something about it.”

“Be a gift of love and compassion for one another.”

“Find happiness in making others happy”.

Mary MacKillop (1842-1909)

Prayer for the intercession of Mary MacKillop

By Scarlett 5/6 White

Dear Mary

You once said “I would rather be judged for any other sin than uncharitableness”. I would like to be able to say the same thing. Please would you help me to find opportunities to assist people in my community with their needs. Perhaps I could doorknock in my street with cupcakes, to lift everyone’s spirits after COVID isolation. Or maybe I could gather small bunches of flowers to hand around the neighbourhood. I could help with gardening or dog walking too.

I would also like to ask for your support in transitioning to high school as it is a big step and I am unsure as to whether I am ready. I know how important education was to you and it is the same for me. I hope I can persevere and put in as much effort as you did.

Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray with me.

 Amen

 Mrs Barrenger  - Student Welfare Officer

“We need to recognise that distinction between supporting and rescuing our children.” This is just one wise phrase out of many in this article ‘Parenting Through Your Child's Friendship Issues’ by Linda Stade

Read the full article by clicking here.  https://www.inspiringgirls.info/post/parenting-child-friendship-issues

Teaching Young People About Healthy Relationships

YOUR MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT: A WEBINAR FOR PARENTS

Wednesday 9 September 2020
8:00pm - 9:00pm AEST

In a world where young people are bombarded by adult themes, sexualised and destructive media messages, it can be hard for parents to feel confident to take on delicate topics with their child. In this webinar Collett Smart gives parents the tools to build a strong relationship with their child where no topic is off-limits and they can come to them with any questions.

Through your membership with Parenting Ideas, the entire school community can attend this webinar at no charge. There's no limit to how many people can attend,  just as long as they register by the listed expiry date. It's as easy as that! 

Teaching young people about healthy relationships

 Indigenous Garden at Sacred Heart Primary School 

 Naraganawali gawar, dambaliny, murring - Nurturing hearts, minds and spirits

We have recently completed the major works of phase two of our Indigenous garden space. This newly created space looks to live out our school motto of Nurturing hearts, minds and spirits (Naraganawali gawar, dambaliny, murring) with its design being based on gathering the community together to help care for its body and mind. 

The first section ‘Murring’ of the garden created a calming, spiritual focus for the community, looking to blend both Indigenous and Catholic culture together. So too has a conscious effort been made to achieve this aim in the second phase of the garden, ‘Gawar, Dambaliny’.  The design of the garden itself has been based upon a campsite theme with four circular garden beds being built.  Symbolising and embracing the theme of campsites and people coming together to share stories.  The plants within the garden have been selected for their tool, medicinal and bush food properties. The materials used for the garden have been sustainability sourced, with local trees being repurposed to create garden beds and earth from surrounding building sites being used for backfill and garden beds. 

In looking to the future, the school is engaging with an Indigenous Artist to create a mural for the space.  Sacred Heart has also been engaging with Greening Australia, to have an Indigenous plant expert visit the school and talk with students about how plants were used for different purposes. 

It is hoped that through the creation of this garden the students at Sacred Heart will be provided with tangible links to the surrounding Indigenous culture of the region.  Helping the staff and community to bring life to the curriculum in a meaningful and contextual way that deepens their understanding and respect for our Indigenous history and culture.

The Peer Support program at Scared Heart has provided support to all students to positively impact their wellbeing by strengthening relationships through a positive school culture. This year the Peer Leaders worked in small groups to provide students with social and emotional knowledge and skills. They had a shared language to help guide students through their emotional responses and interactions with others.

We are very proud of all student’s participation in the program. The Year 6 Peer Leaders demonstrated impressive management of their groups whilst being supporting and good role models to all.

BOOK WEEK

BOOKFACE CHALLENGE

 

Participate in our BOOK WEEK CHALLENGE. Take a photo of yourself or a friend/family member holding a book/magazine that aligns with your face/body.

 Email Mrs Borgia josie.borgia@cg.catholic.edu.au for your chance to win a Scholastic Book Voucher. Vouchers drawn Term 3, Week 10.

 How funny or creative will your idea be? Check out some ideas below.

Congratulations to the following students celebrating their Birthday this week 

Lily C, Jeremiah N, Claire G, Natasha L, Nathon R, Murray B, Shivon Y, Ansh B.