ISSUE 21: 12th July, 2024

Principal Message

Gospel Reflection

In the Gospel for the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we hear about Jesus sending out his disciples two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits and instructing them to take nothing for their journey except a staff. This passage reminds us of the importance of trust and reliance on God. It encourages us to embrace simplicity and focus on the mission of spreading love, compassion, and the teachings of Jesus. As parents and members of the school community, let us reflect on how we can support and guide our children in living out these values in their daily lives.

What’s on Next Week (Term 3 Week 1)

Coming up in Term 3, Week 2

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff & Students,

We hope everyone enjoyed a fantastic break. Term Three starts for all students and staff on Monday, July 15th. We're excited about the new term ahead and all the great things it will bring!

Parent Teacher Meetings were well attended in the last week of Term 2. Thank you to all parents for taking the time to discuss your children's progress and goals for Term 3 with their teachers.  Miss Moore's Wahroonga will do their catch up meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week at the original times that you were booked in.  We will remind parents of your meeting times on Monday.

We are thrilled to announce the tremendous success of our NAIDOC celebration in the last week of Term 2. Students engaged in various activities celebrating the rich heritage of our First Nations people. A highlight was Phillip Green's presentation on the survival technologies of Australia’s First People, which the students thoroughly enjoyed.

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School Sports Victoria (SSV) Division Football & Hockey

We wish our boys' and girls' Football and boys Hockey teams the best of luck at Thursday’s Division games. Football matches will begin at 9.45am at Mildura Sporting Precinct, and Hockey games will start at 10am at the Sunraysia Hockey Association field at the Aero Ovals.

Pupil Free Day - 1st Week Term 3

On Friday, the school will be closed for staff to participate in professional learning on Structured Literacy, aligning with our School Improvement goal to enhance literacy outcomes by fostering the capability of staff and teams in implementing best practice literacy instruction.

Staffing Update

Starting in Term 3, Mrs. Gunn will work in Eumeralla from Tuesday to Friday. Mrs. Pacher will be in Eumeralla on Mondays and in the Library on Tuesdays. When Mrs. Irvin goes on Long Service Leave in Term 4, Mrs. Pacher will take over her Library duties. In Week 2, Miss Brittany Huddleston will return from maternity leave, working until recess on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Grandparents/Special Friends Day

Grandparents/Special Friends Day is on Friday, 2nd August. The day begins at 9:15am with a gathering at the church, followed by family group activities and morning tea at the school. We should all be finished by around 11:30 am.  We are looking for parents to help with catering. If you can assist, please let us know.

Positions Vacant

We are currently seeking a Speech Pathologist and an Occupational Therapist for one day a week. If you know anyone who might be interested, please pass along this information.

God Bless!

Mr Mark Gibson

2024 Dates of Interest

Religious Education

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

Learning and Teaching

Welcome back to Term 3! In Week 1 we will be  undertaking our mid-year DIBELS testing. DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is a set of procedures and measures for assessing the acquisition of literacy skills. The subtests that are undertaken, assess a range of reading skills in accordance with age appropriate benchmarks. We will then use this data to inform our teaching and interventions for Semester 2.

SWPBS News

Congratulations to this weeks Ray White - Thumbs up Awards!

Chloe Watson

Caterina Bajer

Eliza Marciano

Our SWPBS focus for the beginning of Term 3 will be “Keeping our hands and feet to ourselves” 

Keeping our hands and feet to ourselves is not just about respecting personal space; it is also about promoting safety and consent. By teaching children and adults to respect personal boundaries, we empower them to establish and maintain healthy boundaries in all areas of life. Respecting personal space contributes to a safer and more inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Respecting personal space is essential for building positive relationships. When we invade someone’s personal space, it can strain the relationship and create tension. By respecting boundaries, we show empathy and understanding towards others, which fosters trust and strengthens connections. Healthy relationships are built on mutual respect and consideration for one another’s personal space.

Learning to keep our hands and feet to ourselves is a fundamental social skill that should be taught from an early age. By practicing social etiquette, we enhance our communication and social interactions. It is important to teach children and adults the importance of respecting personal space and provide them with strategies for developing and reinforcing these skills. This can include teaching them to ask for permission before touching someone, understanding non-verbal cues, and practicing empathy.

Wellbeing

Cultural diversity encompasses the variety of cultures, beliefs, and traditions present globally, contributing to a rich tapestry of human experiences and perspectives. By valuing every child's cultural background, we enable them to excel in all facets of life. Nurturing an environment of curiosity, open-mindedness, and respect for all cultures, will to only promote unity but a deeper appreciation of the nuances that distinguish us.

Inclusion is about more than just words; it's about fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for every child, regardless of their cultural background. When children and adolescents feel seen and valued for who they are, they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Valuing and understanding cultural diversity, helps our communities benefit from a wealth of perspectives and experiences, enhancing our collective capacity for empathy and innovation.

As parents and adult carers, instilling an appreciation for cultural diversity is vital to equip young people with the tools they need to navigate an increasingly interconnected world. Through leading by example and showing that kindness and understanding knows no boundaries, we can encourage them to embrace multiculturalism. This will not only prepare young people for personal success, but also for contributing to a world that views diversity as a strength. Through collective efforts, we can help pave the way for a more accepting and vibrant future.

In this edition of SchoolTV, learn how best to embrace and celebrate cultural diversity with your children.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Cultural Diversity - AU edition of SchoolTV

SHEC

This term we have had a number of students busy working around the school as part of our school SHEC (Sacred Heart Environmental Committee). Students have been focusing on recycling food scraps for our worm farms and compost and enjoyed a day of planting seedlings. Our SHEC program runs on Thursday at Lunch and Recess play and provides students an opportunity to learn about and promote the environment in hands-on practical ways. Thank you to Rosemarie Zalec for her ongoing work and passion in leading this program.

Foundation News

Year One News

The Year One students have had a fantastic term of learning. We hope everyone is enjoying their well deserved rest so we can begin Term 3 refreshed and ready! 

Show and Tell notes with topics were handed out to students ready for Term 3, if you can have a chat to your child to help prepare them before their show and tell day, that will enhance their understanding therefore they will feel more comfortable when speaking in front of the class. 

A reminder that on Friday 19th June there will be a Pupil Free Day as teachers will be attending a ‘Structured Literacy PD’. 

Library Days: 

Karinya - Tuesday’s
Bundaleer - Wednesday’s 

Year One Sport Clothes Days:
Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s

Year Two News

We have had a very busy Term 2 and the children have well and truly earned a break over these holidays! We look forward to seeing everyone back refreshed at the start of Term 3.

Children were given notes regarding Show and Tell for Term 3. Please note, there are a few differences between the classes due to our assemblies in this term.

Barramunga’s assembly will be on Friday 16th August and Waminda’s will be held on Friday 13th September.

We also look forward to our Year 2 sleepover which will be held on Thursday - Friday 8th/9th August. More information regarding this will be sent home early next term.

Year Three News

We have had another big week in Year Three as we headed into the school holidays. Year Three enjoyed the insights of Phillip Green who gave us an entertaining session talking about many aspects of Aboriginal culture. We were also fortunate enough to have some time with ‘hands on’ exhibits.

Narooma celebrated the end of Term by hosting the assembly. Well done to all of the students on their outstanding behaviour. They were all very excited to showcase some of their learning with you from Term Two.

As we look ahead into Term Three, we will be getting excited for our Year Three camp to Swan Hill on the 15th and 16th of August! More information will be distributed to families in the coming weeks.

 Thank you to all of the Year Three families for all of their support and dedication throughout the first half of the year. We hope you have a lovely, restful break over the school holidays, ready for an exciting Term ahead!

Sarah, Emma and Maree. 

Year Four News

During Week 11, Year Four was again very busy. On Tuesday we had a visit from Officer Jo Clarke from Mildura police. He spoke to us about bullying and staying safe online. He reiterated to us that keeping the community safe is the most important job for police officers, so we should never be scared to approach the police when we need help. Jo has extended an invitation for families to contact him should they ever need support dealing with issues, particularly those relating to cyber safety and cyberbullying. He also set us some very important homework, to look closely at all of the apps we use, especially the privacy settings we have set. Are our accounts set to private? Are location settings set to private? Do my gaming usernames tell strangers too much about my identity? Do I personally know everybody I am connected with? After Joe’s talk students gave some feedback on the messages they took away. Audrey recalled the types of bullying. Emmy said, “any type of bullying isn’t acceptable.” Oscar said, “ Bullying is not okay.” Harlow recalled that Joe’s talk was about teaching us life skills.” Dawson remembered Joe’s message about cyber bullying leaving a digital footprint.

Included below are some photos taken during the presentation. At the conclusion, Hamish thanked Joe on behalf of the Year Four students.

On Wednesday, we enjoyed the insights of Phillip Green who gave us an entertaining session talking about many aspects of Aboriginal culture. We were also fortunate enough to have some time with ‘hands on’ exhibits.

A few general reminders for next term; All Year Four classes have unit sport Monday and need to wear their PE uniform. All Year Four classes visit the library on Wednesday and require a library bag. Individual class days for PE with Mr Burford are; Illawarra -Tuesday, Myalla- Wednesday and Kyema- Thursday. Also please check with your child whether they need any stationary supplies such as eraser, sharpener, ruler, textas or coloured pencils. All grey lead and red lead pencils and pens (if your child has a pen licence) will be supplied.

Thank you to all staff, students, and families for your hard work and dedication throughout Term Two. It has been a busy term filled with many achievements. We wish everyone a safe, happy, and relaxing two-week break and look forward to seeing you in Term Three. Rest, relax, and rejuvenate!

Natalee, Jaimi & Cathryn

Year Five News

We have had such a big Term Two and all Grade Five students have certainly earned their break. We wish Margot and her family all the best as they leave Mildura to embark on a new adventure in Adelaide. We hope all families enjoy a relaxing two weeks and we look forward to seeing everyone in Term Three. 

Thank you to all parents and caregivers for coming to Parent Teacher Meetings. We loved seeing you all - our door is always open should you ever have a question or need to catch us at any time. 

Eumeralla will have some slight changes beginning next term!  Mrs Danielle Gunn will now become the classroom teacher from Tuesday to Friday while Mrs Amilea Pacher will still be the classroom teacher on a Monday. 

A reminder that on Friday 19th June there will be a Pupil Free Day as teachers will be attending a ‘Structured Literacy PD’. 

Have a wonderful break! 

Danielle, Jacinda & Amilea.

Year Six News

Melbourne Camp

A note was  sent home with students in the last week of Term Twop regarding our upcoming school camp to Melbourne. Please ensure you log into PAM and give consent, and check that your child’s medical details are up to date.

Library News

Italian News

The students at Sacred Heart have been busy and engaged in their learning! Making their own "Orologio" clock. This is a  hands-on way to practise telling time in Italian. It's great to see them actively participating in their education and being able to share their own daily routines as well. 

Prep students will be taking home their  Semester 1 activity booklet will  be a nice way for them to reflect on and reinforce what they've learned throughout the term.

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Student Awards

Principal's Awards

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