ISSUE 9: 22nd March, 2024

Principal Message

Gospel Reflection

As we approach the Sixth Sunday of Lent, we stand on the threshold of Holy Week, a time of profound reflection and spiritual significance. This period invites us to contemplate the journey of Jesus towards his crucifixion and resurrection, embodying themes of sacrifice, redemption, and ultimate triumph over darkness. As parents and members of the Sacred Heart Primary School community, let us use this time to deepen our connection to our faith and to impart its lessons of love, compassion, and forgiveness to our children. May this season inspire us to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, embodying his teachings of kindness, humility, and unwavering faith. Together, may we embrace the hope and promise of Easter, celebrating the resurrection and the eternal light it brings to our lives.

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff & Students,

Congratulations to all our Year Three and Five students for successfully completing their NAPLAN Assessments over the past two weeks! Well done on your hard work and dedication.

Congratulations to our outstanding students who proudly represented the school at the School Sports Victoria Division Cricket finals. The boys' team showcased their skills on Thursday, while the girls' team demonstrated their talent on Friday. Well done to all participants for their commendable efforts!

Congratulations to Mrs. Whitehouse and husband Dakota on the arrival of her baby boy! Welcome Hamish Barry Whitehouse, born on March 18th at 8:48 pm, weighing 7.10 pounds.

Thank you all for your dedication and support throughout Term One. Everyone has made a fantastic start to the year. Wishing you all a joyful Easter and a restful break with loved ones. Look out for our next newsletter just before the beginning of Term Two on Friday, April 12th.

Palm Sunday Mass

We encourage members of our school community to attend Mass this Sunday, 24th March 9am as we begin the most sacred week on the Liturgical calendar.

Year 4 Roses Gap Camp

Best wishes to our Year Four students for their Roses Gap camp, departing Monday at 7 am and returning Wednesday afternoon. Accompanying staff include Mrs. Rowles, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Willersdorf, Mr. Gibson, Mr. Burford, and Mr. Goss. Following the camp, Thursday will be a non-instructional day, and students are encouraged to stay home. Supervision will be provided for those unable to stay home, overseen by Casual Relief Teachers.

School Sports Victoria Region Tennis

We extend our best wishes to Braxton Ficarra as he competes in the upcoming Region Tennis Finals in Swan Hill this Monday.

Parish Mass

Dourim and Narooma will attend this week’s Parish Mass at Sacred Heart Church on Wednesday morning at 9:30 am.  

Year 2 History Excursion

We extend our best wishes to our Year Two students for their upcoming Mildura History Excursion this Wednesday, which will take place at the Old Homestead in Mildura. During the excursion, the students will have the opportunity to learn from Bob Walton, a former teacher and passionate enthusiast of Mildura's history.

Confirmation Parent Session

An informative session for parents regarding the Sacrament of Confirmation will be conducted at the church this Wednesday at 7 pm. Attendance is expected from parents of students, predominantly Year Three, who have enrolled for this Sacrament.

Project Compassion Casual Clothes Day

We're hosting a Casual Clothes Day on Thursday with the option for a gold coin donation, with proceeds supporting Project Compassion. Families are encouraged to bring back their Project Compassion boxes to school by this Thursday.

School Assembly Eumeralla

Year Six Yongana will host our Assembly at 1:30pm on Friday. Following the assembly, Eumeralla parents are welcome to join an afternoon tea in their child's classroom, offering an opportunity to view student learning and to mingle and meet other parents.

End of Term Arrangements

This Thursday marks the end of Term One. Students will be dismissed at 2:10pm, with recess from 12:40pm to 1:10pm and assembly at 1:30pm.

God Bless!

Mr Mark Gibson

Religious Education

2024 Sacramental Dates

Sacrament of Confirmation (Year 3 & Above) 

Parent Information Session - Wednesday, 27th March

Celebration of Sacrament - Friday 17th, Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th May

Confirmation Registration forms have been sent home with all Year Three students.  The form needs to be completed and handed in at the Parish Office along with payment.  The Parent Information Evening is being held on Wednesday, 27th March at the church at 7pm.  Any students in Years 4-6 who haven’t received this Sacrament are welcome to register.  If you have any questions regarding this Sacrament please contact Carmel at the Parish Office or Ryan O’Callaghan at school.

Sacrament of First Eucharist (Year 4 & Above)

Parent Information Session - Wednesday, 28th August

Celebration of Sacrament - Friday 25th, Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th October

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Year 2 & Above)

Parent Information Session - Wednesday, 16th October

Celebration of Sacrament - Wednesday 27th November

ALTAR SERVERS GUILD

The parish is founding an Altar Servers Guild to provide practical training and ongoing formation to Guild members. The Guild will meet weekly during school terms. If you are interested in joining the Guild and becoming an altar server visit www.sunraysiacatholic.org/altar-servers or call the parish office on 5021 2872.

Learning and Teaching

SWBPS News

Students have been excited to receive their Thumbs up tokens this week as we continue to focus on positive behaviour in the yard.

Learning Diversity

Thank you to all parents and carers who attended student support meetings over the past 2 weeks. Minutes of the meetings will be emailed out before the end of term.

Please find attached some parental information in regards to NCCD.

Foundation News

WOW what a busy week! On Wednesday we visited the Church to look at all the symbols that tell us we are Catholic Christians. In Sport we have been on our Cross Country training (in readiness for next term) and doing lots of PMP activities (Perceptual Motor Program)

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This has been the first week with take-home readers… and the students are doing an AMAZING job. Remember the reader is a decodable book which means the students will be able to use their sounds to read most of the words. If there are high-frequency sight (a, I, the) words in the book please tell them the word. Take-home reading books need to be read each night and returned to school the next day where the students will choose a new book. Before reading the book, complete the ‘warm up’ page with your child.

Take-home reading books need to be recorded in your child’s reading diary each day - reading diaries are returned to school every day. The picture below shows how you fill in the reading diary.

Next week your child will bring home their holiday reading, please continue to keep a regular reading routine each night and practise our sounds and blending on the fluency charts.

Some quick reminders:

• Each morning the students need to do their jobs before finding something to do. They need to bring into the classroom their drink bottle, lunch container, snack container, brainfood container, reading book and diary. 
• The ‘Enhanced Comprehension’ books are returned to school each Friday. 
• Your child’s library bag needs to be at school every day - kept in their school bag.
• Brainfood needs to be a small fruit or vegetable snack that can be eaten in 5 minutes - cut up and in a small container.
• Sports days are Thursday and Friday - sports uniform is to be worn on these days.
• Read and record ‘Enhanced Comprehension’ and ‘Reader’ in the reading diary each night.
  

Year One News

We have had an amazing week of learning! On Monday we visited the Church and had a look at the Stations of the Cross symbols. The students learnt about the story of The Stations of the Cross and then made their own booklets. We encourage members of our school community to attend the Palm Sunday Mass this Sunday, 24th March 9am as we begin the most sacred week on the Liturgical calendar.

Thank you so very much for the time and effort put into the fabulous Family Trees that the students presented to the class. They really enjoyed telling us all about their families and they have completed a Seesaw task linking to this, we have sent the Family Trees back home this week.  

We will continue to post your child’s work onto SeeSaw, please take some time to look at their work samples.

Year One Stayback

In Week 2 of Term 2 on Wednesday 24th April, the Year One students will be having their Year One Stayback. A note will be going home with details about the Stayback, please keep an eye out for it in your child's bag.   

Year Two News

Students are looking forward to our excursion to the Mildura Station Homestead this coming Wednesday 27th March. This is planned as a wrap up to our Local History unit. Please ensure you have given approval on PAM for your child to attend this excursion and refer to the following letter for further details.

On Monday we continued our celebrations of St Patrick’s day. Children were able to ice a biscuit and decorate with a range of lollies. Check out our masterpieces!

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In Religion we have been focusing on the events during Holy Week in the lead up to Easter, which is the most important date on the Christian calendar. We will continue this learning early Term 2 with a focus on Easter Sunday and commemorating the resurrection of Jesus.

We will continue to post your child’s work onto Seesaw, please take some time to look at their work samples.

Year Three News

We can’t believe we are already in Week 8! This week we completed our final Naplan tests of mathematics and language conventions, well done to all Year Three students!

We will continue to post your child’s work onto SeeSaw, please take some time to look at their work samples.

This week in Religion we are learning about The Good Samaritan and how to be a good neighbour. 

Next week, we are looking forward to participating in the Parish Mass, on Wednesday morning.

Year Four News

Camp preparations are well under control. Thank you to everyone who has emailed through medical requirements. A reminder that ALL children need to be at school at 6:30am. They require their recess and lunch for the first day as well as a refillable water bottle and their school hat. Please make sure your child has a waterproof jacket and a plastic bag for wet items. It would be greatly appreciated if ALL clothing items are named. We also ask that if your child is bringing a sleeping bag, they are able to get it back into the covering bag.

Year Five News

One week to go before school holidays begin! The countdown is on! 

Eumeralla are busily preparing for our assembly, happening next week on Thursday! We would love to see as many of our parents and families there as possible. Students seem very excited by our assembly and are working hard to refine it! We will celebrate at the conclusion of the assembly in the Eumeralla classroom with afternoon tea and hope to see many of you there! It will be a lovely time to touch base with each other and celebrate the students' hard work. 

This week also saw the completion of NAPLAN for our Grade Five students. We are so proud of their work ethic and their determination to do their best. 

In Math’s students have started their unit on multiplication of 2 and 3 digit numbers, which will continue into Term Two. We are learning about Australian Democracy in Integrated Studies and also through our literacy time.

Next term we will be focussing on student handwriting and endeavouring to award students with their pen licence. This is something they will work towards from the beginning of the term and we hope to see some wonderful book work while students eagerly work towards this. 

We hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 

Danielle, Jacinda & Amilea 

Year Six News

This term during Visual Arts lessons, students have  investigated the Elements of Visual Art. They have explored Artistic techniques, with particular attention given to line, shape, form, colour, texture and space. Below are some examples of artwork students have recently completed.

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Year 6 students have been learning about natural disasters and how they affect the Earth’s surface. To complete the unit, students will be working in groups to create a structure that could withstand a natural disaster. Students have completed the design and planning phase for their project. Next week they will build their structure, so students have been asked to source some recycled materials from home for this.. 

We will continue to post your child’s work onto Seesaw, please take some time to look at their work samples.

Library

Scholastic Book Club:

The much-anticipated Issue #2 orders were sent home with students on Wednesday. Almost $70 in Scholastic Rewards was raised for SHPS, and this money will go towards funding a variety of books for the library for students to enjoy.

Harmony Day:

This week our Library sessions embraced and revolved around Harmony Day (March 21st). Most classes explored the originally Australian-only but now worldwide celebration covering the important topics of unity and diversity. Classroom teachers read relevant and age-appropriate books based on diversity and inclusion to their students. The results of the sessions provided an opportunity for a respectful and interactive discussion about what it means to stand as neighbours side-by-side and with empathy. 

Overdue Books:

As we are fast approaching the end of term, it would be wonderful if we could have all overdue library books returned asap. Even though I am in the library on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, books can be returned any week day and placed in the returns box. 

Holiday Borrowing:

With the Term break fast approaching, some classes will begin borrowing in preparation for the holidays. Most year levels encourage students to borrow extra books during designated library sessions. However, with various other school activities changing the timetable, students can also return and borrow before and after school on Tuesday and Wednesdays.

Camp Australia

A Word from our After School Care Provider - Camp Australia

Students of The Week

Note - Assemblies are now held fortnightly, Students of the week will be presented at these.

No awards this week

Ray White Awards

Safe 

Responsible 

Respectful 

Parent Information

Arriving and Leaving Safely

Kiss & Go

To help keep everyone safe during drop-off and pick-up please take note of the following rules at Kiss and Go and the School Crossing that should be followed both in the morning (8:10-8:45am) and afternoon (3pm-3:30pm):

• Stay in your vehicle unless you need to assist younger students with their seat belts.
• Aim to keep your car in the Kiss & Go area for a maximum of two minutes to allow others to use the space too.
• Access the Kiss & Go only from Olive Grove, not 12th Street.
• Please refrain from dropping off students outside of cars in Olive Grove.
• Avoid performing U-turns within the Kiss & Go area.
• For your safety, use the school crossing if you need to cross 12th Street.


Thanks for helping us keep our school safe for everyone!

Pick Up and Drop Off Points

These designated areas serve as convenient points for collecting or dropping off children at the school if you are walking in with them. Please ensure you find a suitable and permissible parking spot for your car in order to use these locations.

Riding Scooters & Bikes

Certain students walk, ride bikes, or scooters to school and are requested to use either the 12th Street entrance or the Tamarisk Grove entrance at the rear of the oval. Riding into or through the school grounds is not permitted.

Collect Children from School Grounds

Feel free to come into school to pick up your child directly from their classroom. It's an excellent opportunity to meet other parents, have casual conversations with teachers, and ensure your child is organised at the end of the day. If you choose this option, please park appropriately and be outside the classroom by the 3.10 bell; otherwise, your child will be directed to the supervised Kiss and Go area. Students and young siblings should refrain from using the playground equipment.

School Crossings

Students walking home are advised to use the school crossings on Twelfth Street, Walnut Avenue and Eleventh Street to safely avoid heavily trafficked roads. All crossings are supervised by a School Crossing Supervisor, and it's crucial to follow their directions.  We also encourage parents to model expected behaviours by using the School Crossings also.

Buses

Several of our students catch buses home from the St. Joseph’s bus stop on 11th Street. Each day a teacher gathers these children together and accompanies them to the bus stop to supervise until they are all safely on the bus.

Drop Off Times

Preferred 'Drop Off' Time: 8.25 - 8.45 am. For safety reasons, please refrain from dropping off students before 8.19 am, as there is no supervision provided.  Our gates open at this time.

Pick Up Times

Recommended 'Pick Up' Time: 3.10 - 3.25 PM. While we understand occasional delays, if regular or extending beyond 3.30 PM, please consider enrolling your child/ren in After School Care.

Walking or Riding Home

If your children walk or ride home or to your workplace after school, please submit written permission authorising them to leave unaccompanied. They must exit through the main 12th Street gate or accompany the 11th Street bus group through Tamarisk Grove.

Alternative Pick Up Places

For safety, we strongly advise against arrangements where children wait unsupervised at public pick-up locations like Walnut Avenue or St Joseph’s College.

EATING AND DRINKING AT SCHOOL

Healthy Eating

To sustain learning and promote healthy eating we encourage students to bring to school predominantly healthy food choices.

Brainfood

Students have a brain food break during the morning to keep children’s brains fuelled for learning. We ask that families send an extra fresh fruit or vegetable snack for children to have during this time. When sending the snack, please pack it separately from your child’s lunch in a small, named container so it can be placed on their desk each morning.

Lunch Snack

The main meal of the school day; a sandwich or roll, a salad or a slice of quiche. A healthy ‘treat’ may also be appropriate here that is healthy and gives long-term energy.  Lunch is eaten usually in the classroom from 11:25am-11:40am.

Recess Snack

We encourage parents to pack fresh fruit or vegetables in your child’s recess snack box.  You may like to pack one or two other snack items for them at this time.  This snack is eaten at 1:40pm.

Packing Food

 The school has a bank of refrigerators for the storage of students’’ food. For the ease of packing and unloading the fridges, we ask that parents provide separate, small, well-labelled containers or zip-lock bags for their child’s recess snack and lunch. Insulated ‘puffy’ lunchboxes and ice-blocks are not required.

School Canteen

Our School Canteen operates on a Wednesday and Friday and provides a range of lunch options at low cost.    The current menu and prices can be accessed through and ordered via the CDFpay website https://shmildura.cdfpay.org.au

OFFICE INFORMATION

Office Hours

Office hours will run from 8:20am to 4:00pm every day. Phone calls can be made starting at 8:00 am.

Change of Personal Details

If there are any changes to your contact details (address/phone number/emergency contacts), kindly inform the office by calling 50231204, emailing office@shmildura.catholic.edu.au, or visiting the office in person.

Simon Everywhere and Parent Access Module (PAM)

Simon Everywhere is an App for smart phones that allows parents to access all information relating to their child/ren such as reports, attendance and much more. It also allows you to update medical information, give permission for excursions, access teacher emails and also receive notifications from the school.

For parents familiar with PAM, the new App works mostly the same as PAM and you can still access PAM through the web site: pam.shmildura.catholic.edu.au, however the app has additional functionality such as Push notifications and the ability to sign in without having to enter your username and password each time.

1. Go to the App Store or Google Play Store and search Simon Everywhere
2. Download and open the App and Allow Notifications
3. Enter your name and phone number and press verify, you will receive a code via SMS
4. Click on 'Add School'
5. Select Sacred Heart Primary School, Mildura - Parent Access
6. Enter your PAM username and password. If you do not know your credentials, please call the school.

7. Click on the Home icon.
   

Simon everywhere works best when notifications are turned on. You can check the notifications setting on your phone to be sure by going to the Settings – Notifications – Then find the Simon Everywhere App.

Sickness at School

Children with severe colds, flus, or other debilitating illnesses must stay at home. Do not send the child if they have:

• Fever: Children with a fever over 38 degrees should stay home.
• Prescribed antibiotics: Keep a child at home for at least 24 hours if prescribed antibiotics for an acute illness.
• Diarrhea: Children with watery stool should return only after being symptom-free for at least 24 hours.
• Vomiting: Children who are vomiting should stay home until at least 24 hours after it has stopped.

After School Care

After School Care is available for Sacred Heart students and is located on our school grounds.  Camp Australia run this program for students from Sacred Heart Primary School and St Paul's Primary School.  The program runs from the Art House building which is located on Olive Grove.

Sacred Heart families can make use of the Camp Australia After-School Care Program that is held on the grounds of Sacred Heart.  The service is available from 3:10pm through to 6pm on school days.  A healthy snack is provided to children.  Registration needs to be done through the Camp Australia website www.campaustralia.com.au .  Further information can be obtained by calling 1300 105 343.  Each day the office will print out a list of students attending Out of Hours School Care and notify the students at the end of the day via the announcements.

Marking Child’s Absence 

1. Log into the App - SimonEverywhere or login via PAM (type pam.shmildura.catholic.edu.au in your address bar).
2. You can either log by clicking on the large blue calendar section that says Parent Notified Absences or you can click on the 3 menu lines at the top right-hand side of your screen. NOTE: On your phone it will appear below your child/ren’s name.
3. You will then need to click the blue + Add Absence button circled below
4. Then select your child, and in reason

If your family is going on an extended family holiday. Please contact the school to inquire about an Student Absence Learning Plan.

School Day

• 8:19 am - Gates open & students can access Courtyard
• 8:34 am - Access Courtyard and play on Oval (classrooms opening optional for teachers)
• 8.49 am - School day begins - classroom open
• 8:55 am - School starts.
• 9.55 am - Brain Break
• 10:55 am - Lunch Play
• 11.25 am - Lunch Eat
• 1.40 pm - Recess 
• 2.10 pm - Recess Finishes
• 3.10 pm - School finishes

Sports Uniform Days

Prep:  

• Cooinda (Mrs O’Callaghan) - Thursday & Friday  
• Wahroonga (Miss Moore) - Thursday & Friday  

Year One: 

• Bundaleer (Mrs Coffey & Mrs Priestley) - Tuesday & Wednesday 
• Karinya (Mrs Groves) - Tuesday & Wednesday 

Year Two:

• Barramunga (Mrs Carmichael) - Tuesday & Friday
• Waminda (Mrs Collins) - Monday & Friday

Year Three:

• Narooma (Mrs Beckwith) - Monday & Tuesday
• Dourim (Mrs Kotsiakos & Mrs Irvin) - Monday & Thursday

Year Four:

• Illawarra (Mrs Willersdorf) - Monday & Tuesday 
• Myalla (Mrs Rowles) - Monday & Wednesday
• Kyema (Mrs Johnson) - Monday & Thursday 

Year Five:  

• Minga (Mrs Deacon) - Monday & Wednesday 
• Eumeralla (Mrs Gunn & Mrs Pacher) - Monday & Wednesday

Year Six:  

• Amaroo (Mrs Campbell) - Tuesday & Friday 
• Yongana (Mrs Zaxos) - Monday & Friday
• Mootwingee (Mrs Thompson) - Thursday & Friday

Term Dates