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Principal News Term 1, Week 2

Dear Parents,

Welcome to our new year and all that it promises here at Sacred Heart in Highgate for 2023!

This is the first of our school’s fortnightly Newsletters, after what I’m sure has been a chance for families to enjoy a wonderful Summer break, enjoy plenty of rest, and maximise the opportunities to have fun together. To those families who are new to our school community this year, please ensure you have opted to “subscribe to our Newsletter” to ensure delivery to your phone or device every second Friday at the school’s website at  www.shpsh.wa.edu.au

On behalf of all our teachers and staff, I extend a very warm welcome to all families who have joined Sacred Heart this year. My hope for you as parents is that your association with our school is a long and happy one and that you experience a partnership that enables you to offer your support of and involvement in your children’s learning and faith development. It is now widely accepted that when a strong partnership exists between schools and parents, children fare better with their achievements and feelings of wellbeing.

Last night’s fabulous 2023 Welcome Carnival on our Oval, was a wonderful chance for everyone to commence the new year excitedly, and for existing and new faces to connect and enjoy coming together. I hope that you enjoy some of the photos in today’s Newsletter, together with our Social Media posts. A special thank you is extended to your hard-working 2023 Parents and Friends Executive and their Class Representatives for executing such a fabulous event to start the year.

Our new term continues to progress at a full pace, and our children and teachers seem to have made significant achievements over this past week at school. I’m very happy to have returned after a summer that seems to continue with warm days, and I envisage 2023 together as another wonderful year in which we continue to “Strive for Excellence”.

Accompanying today’s Newsletter is a graphic representation of the different communication platforms in use here at our school- I hope this provides some clarity for all, as this period in our school is one of communication and information that is ever-changing. The need to provide information about new and updated directives and plans to ensure the school remains as safe as possible for our students remains our focus and priority.

We have commenced the 2023 School Year with enrolments numbering 204 children, from 141 families, and 23 staff members. We welcome the return of our staff and embrace our newest teachers-

Miss Kate Durkin to Pre Primary,  Mr Daniel Fragomeni to Year Two, and Mrs Janine Milicich to the role of Music Specialist and Teacher of Italian. Mrs Sara La Rosa has had to delay her start at Sacred Heart as our Visual Arts Teacher, and in the interim, Ms Renee Byrne-King has assumed this position. We also welcome to Sacred Heart Primary School this year,  our new students and their families. I am sure that our School Community will make all our new and returning staff and students, feel at home and supported in their journeys here at our wonderful school.

All staff members will be commissioned to their roles at the Ash Wednesday Mass scheduled for Wednesday 22nd February at 9.00 am in the Church, and together with all our students, will be blessed at this time. I am sure our School Community will continue to make our new staff members feel welcomed and supported in their roles.

This year promises to be one of progress, some new initiatives, and in some areas, solid consolidation.

Catholic Identity

We begin the Church Lenten season this year, on Ash Wednesday in Week Four. Our teachers will speak to the children  about our challenge during this Lenten period, to wrestle with “Not being the villain, but trying hard to be the hero in our story.” Some of the tools we can call upon during this struggle will be our commitment during the forty days of Lent to three special things:

Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving (a commitment to the poor).

The distribution of ashes will be as we traditionally experience, with a signing of a cross on each person’s forehead.  Ask your children about what will look different in our Church during this season of Lent, and what colour is associated with this season-I’m sure our boys and girls will be happy to share their knowledge with you! (Hint- Our Catholic School Diary will also have some special and helpful information for you to explore as a family.) Perhaps, ask also about why the day before Ash Wednesday, (Shrove Tuesday) sees pancakes feature?

A special thank you to our Year Six students, for their preparations and service as they presented and led the first of our Assemblies yesterday. It is the beginning of their leadership roles and I’m confident they are going to conduct themselves admirably throughout the year.  The students will experience their special Blessing and Commissioning for the 2023 year, at our Opening and Ash Wednesday Mass.

I chanced upon the following reflection some time ago, and in the context of us all trying to become more like Jesus during this Lenten period, it may be useful as we embark on our 2023 Season of Lent – I hope you enjoy it!

FASTING AND FEASTING (DURING LENT)

LENT should be more than a time of fasting- It should also be a joyous season of feasting. LENT is a time to fast from certain things and to feast on others. It is a season in which we should:

Fast from judging others…feast on the Christ indwelling in them.
Fast from emphasis on differences…feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from thoughts on illness…feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute…feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from worry…feast on trust.
Fast from discontent…feast on gratitude.
Fast from suspicion…feast on charitableness.
Fast from self-concern…feast on compassion for others.
Fast from anger…feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism….feast on optimism.
Fast from complaining…feast on appreciation.
Fast from hostility…feast on friendliness.
Fast from personal anxiety…feast on the power of God.
Fast from idle gossip…..feast on silence or find a word of praise.
Fast from shadows of sorrow…feast on Christ’s glorious Resurrection.
Fast from unrelenting pressures…feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from problems that overwhelm…feast on prayer and confidence in God’s help.

Education

Our teachers have settled smoothly into routines, planning and timetables after their  Summer break, and are so pleased with the enthusiasm of their classes, as everyone tackles their studies.

We were delighted to be able to conduct the 2023 Parent Information Sessions as digital experiences. These sessions are planned as an opportunity to inform parents about curriculum content, classroom rules and routines, homework expectations etc. Our Teachers prepared comprehensive handouts and digital presentations, and the Curriculum Outlines for each level have been forwarded to all families via SeeSaw.

There were some materials distributed to all parents that were required to be promptly returned- in particular, the 2023 Student Details forms– please ensure that these forms are returned updated with any changes that have become necessary, or are returned directly to Class Teachers stating that the printed information is all correct, by Friday 17th February.

These current weeks in classrooms are important as the data collection period, and assessments and standardised tests are currently being completed. These results will enable teachers to plan for both necessary enrichment opportunities, and any needed intervention strategies. As always, preparation for any testing situation begins with adequate rest- these first weeks at school can be very tiring, and combined with our currently warm weather, can really affect our boys and girls- early nights are called for! All good work is grounded in good communication, and I urge parents to always make contact in the first instance, with their child’s Class Teacher if they have queries regarding their child’s learning and progress.

The expected warm weather that usually accompanies February, sees our school provide adequately for the children’s learning in their air-conditioned and air-ventilated classrooms, and their break times will sometimes see these areas and the air conditioning being utilised.  Please don’t forget to freeze water bottles and send along fruits and or vegetables only, for the afternoon’s Crunch and Sip break.  Children’s water bottles must accompany them every day, and these are permitted  (and the children are directed )to be refilled throughout the day from our chilled water fountain units.

As a school, we are very pleased and proud to acknowledge the recent outstanding accomplishments of the 2022 Year 12 students, who were the Sacred Heart Primary School  Graduating Class of 2016.

The following Western Australian SCSA Awards reflect the hard work and dedication of these students  over their educational journey. We await further tales of their successes and destinations, knowing that the learning and experiences provided to them as primary students may have encouraged them to constantly “Strive for Excellence”.  We send to them our hear-felt congratulations.

Parents are encouraged to forward to us, any further information regarding accomplishments and achievements of our past Sacred Heart students, including their plans for future study and selections.

General Exhibition

Myles Brown (Dux of Trinity College 2022)

Certificate of Distinction

Aerrylle Alea
Lauren Davidson
Patrick Jong – (and received a Subject Certificate of Excellence Award in 2021)
Mia Spanjich
Tom Sullivan
Kieran Thambiran –  (and received a Subject Certificate of Excellence A ward in 2021)
Anold Thomas

Certificate of Merit

Jemma Chung

Community

I value and appreciate the building of strong and positive relationships with our community. It is so vital in a Catholic School that we communicate with each other through the eyes of understanding and compassion – our attitude each day, will be a model of reflection to our students, parents, and to our community. I have been very impressed with the level of engagement that our students have already demonstrated over these past two weeks here at school.

The coming weeks will see the first of our two, high-functioning parents bodies within our school, the School Advisory Council and the Parents and Friends Association conduct their opening year meetings.

There are many positive and exciting initiatives planned to support our children, their necessary school resources and of course, the building of community, and we look forward to many happy occasions together this year. I would encourage everyone to watch for communication from your Class Representatives regarding events and plans, and additionally, to be on the lookout for casual get-togethers and play picnics in the park, that offer families the chance to forge friendships.

The  2023 School Advisory Council members are listed here, with the election of Office bearers for 2023, set to be conducted at the February meeting on Wednesday 22nd at 6.00 pm –  Mrs Erin Sullivan Ms Anka Burns, Mr Nick Muriale, Mrs Marina Maidment (P and F Association Nominee), Mr Malachy Docherty (Parish Council Nominee), Mr Darren Ballantyne,  Mr Jonathan Mackie together with ex-officio members, myself as Principal, and Fr Mark Payton-Parish Priest, and Council observers, Mrs Linda Robertson, Mrs Carolyn Perlini and Ms Renee Byrne-King.

The 2023 Parents and Friends Association Executive members are Mrs Berdine Forti-President, Mrs Claire Giumelli -Secretary, Mrs Jess Gibson-Treasurer, and Mrs Marina Maidment- Vice President and Nominee to the School Advisory Council.   

Stewardship

All classes have provided information regarding timetables and the updated 2023 Term Planner is available both within this document and also on the school website.  These items can become important fridge details! Please read these carefully and hopefully, our coming weeks should run fairly smoothly. The year’s Term planners are located on the school website, and we ask that you check this regularly,  for any necessary updates and changes.

View the 2023 Term Planner

Once again this year, Sports Uniforms on Friday will see our students wear their white Sacred Heart sports shirts, and their coloured Faction sports shirts are to be worn on Mondays or Tuesdays, at their Physical Education lessons with Miss Kate Witkowski.

Earlier last week, all families will have received the information regarding their Payment Plan options for the 2023 School and Tuition Fees. You are asked to attend to this and nominate your plan options in the coming days, returning the information promptly to Mrs Linda Robertson, our School’s Finance Officer.

Conclusion

In the realm of discipleship, I have witnessed a genuine spirit of generosity within our school community as this new year has commenced.  As we strive to lead by example and follow the call of Jesus’ service to others, we unknowingly have a profound effect on others. I would also like to acknowledge the hard work and preparation that you, our parents and guardians have accomplished over the summer break. The love and care that you have shown for your children, help in turn, to show love and concern for their friends and family. Thank you for fulfilling your vocation as a parent and guardian. This has such a positive influence on our boys and girls.

In a spirit of generosity, our Taj has decided to take action to support others, and as a school community, we encourage our families to support Taj and his cause – Please see the information below…..

“Our beautiful boy has decided it’s time he’d like to have his hair cut.

This will be his first haircut – it certainly holds a lot of emotion – however it is his choice and his alone, so we’re doing it!

In making this decision, Taj decided that he wanted to donate his hair to sick kids. Not only will his lovely locks be used to make a wig, but your donations to a cause that’s so close to our hearts will also allow Kids with Cancer Foundation to continue with their financial support of families who have a child suffering from cancer.

On Friday 17 February 2023, the anniversary of Taj’s grandfather’s passing to Leukaemia, Taj will be cutting his beautiful locks at Little Herbert’s in West Perth.

Please donate to Taj’s fundraiser, and share with your family and friends. Together we can all make a difference.

 

In closing, can I call for prayers for all families within our school community who may need them, and wish everyone well for this weekend. I thank you all for your hard work in getting the children back to school so well-prepared and fully equipped, and I look forward to seeing you at upcoming swimming training, Run Club, duty and our Assemblies.

Enjoy next week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sacred Heart Primary School

Highgate

40 Mary Street, Highgate WA 6003
(08) 9328 8817
admin@shpsh.wa.edu.au

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