ISSUE 2: 31st January, 2025

Principal Message

Gospel Reflection

In this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 4:21-30), we see how Jesus, after speaking in the synagogue, is rejected by His own people. They struggle to accept that someone so familiar to them could be the fulfillment of God’s promise.

As parents, this passage reminds us that sometimes, truth and growth can be met with resistance—even within our own homes. Our children may not always welcome guidance or correction, but our role is to lead with patience, love, and consistency, just as Jesus continued His mission despite rejection.

May we, as families, create a space where faith can grow, where love overcomes doubt, and where we encourage our children to embrace God’s calling in their own lives.

What’s on Next Week (Week 2)

Coming up in Term 1, Week 3

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff & Students,

Welcome to the 2025 school year! It has been an absolute joy to see our students and families back at school this week. The excitement, anticipation, and smiles have been wonderful to witness as everyone walked through the gates, ready for another year of learning and growth. It’s amazing to see how much some of our young people have grown over the holidays!

A special welcome to our 2025 Foundation Foundation students, who began their journey with us on Wednesday—it was a delight to see their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.

We also extend a warm welcome to all new students, families, and staff joining our Sacred Heart community this year. We hope you quickly feel a sense of belonging, connection, and support as we embark on another fantastic year of learning together.

Welcome New Staff

As we begin another exciting year at Sacred Heart, we are thrilled to welcome some wonderful new staff members to our school community. Each brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and enthusiasm that will enrich the learning environment for our students. Please join us in giving them a warm Sacred Heart welcome!

Rachel Slimmon: We’re excited to welcome Rachel Slimmon as the Year 5 Waminda classroom teacher! With experience teaching at St. Paul’s in Mildura and Our Lady’s in Merbein, Rachel brings a wealth of knowledge, particularly in structured literacy and SWPBS, aligning perfectly with our school’s focus areas. In 2025, she will be furthering her expertise through the Teacher Excellence Program, working alongside experienced educators from across the state. Outside of school, Rachel enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters and even coaches her daughters' netball teams at the Wentworth District Football Netball Club.

Miss Brieanna Galvin: Miss Brieanna Galvin joins us as the Year 1 Yongana classroom teacher, bringing valuable experience from St. Augustine’s Parish School is Salisbury near Adelaide. Passionate about student wellbeing, innovative teaching, and creating supportive learning environments, she is excited to inspire our young learners. Having recently moved to Mildura, she loves being near the Murray River—so you might spot her out and about, enjoying a walk with her dog along the riverbanks!

Jackson Pallot: We’re delighted to welcome Jackson Pallot as a Learning Support Officer in Year 6! With a passion for mentoring and personal growth, Jackson brings great experience from both his leadership role in retail and coaching young athletes at the Eagles Baseball Club. Teaching runs in the family—his sister is already in the profession, and he’s exploring whether he’ll follow in her footsteps. Outside of school, Jackson keeps busy playing baseball for the Eagles (where he’s also Vice President!) and cricket for Mildura East.

Meg McManus: Miss Meg McManus joins us as an LSO in Year 5, bringing a diverse background as an au pair, swimming instructor, and allied health assistant. Passionate about education, she is eager to apply her patience, communication, and teamwork skills to support students. Meg loves working with children and is also a keen netballer, proudly representing the Imperial Football Netball Club.

Karen Hogarth: Mrs. Karen Hogarth joins us as an LSO in Year 3, bringing over 22 years of experience in child and family-centered services. With a strong background in trauma-informed practices and child advocacy, she is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for all students. Karen enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and daughter and loves traveling to visit family in the United Kingdom and America.

Demi Zanoni: Miss Demi Zanoni, a former Sacred Heart student, returns as an LSO in Year 2 after recently completing Year 12 at St Joseph’s College, Mildura, where she proudly served as College Vice Captain. Passionate about education, she is excited to gain hands-on experience before pursuing a Bachelor of Education. A dedicated cricketer, Demi plays for Mildura West and is striving to reach the highest level, currently also representing Melbourne Cricket Club.

Alanna Kurtzer: Miss Alanna Kurtzer joins us as an LSO in Foundation, bringing six years of experience from St Albert’s Catholic School in Loxton. With a strong background in one-on-one student support, literacy intervention, and early childhood development, she is passionate about helping students flourish in a nurturing and inclusive environment. Alanna enjoys exploring new places and spending time with family and friends in Loxton and Adelaide.

We are incredibly excited to have them on board and look forward to the energy, knowledge, and care they will bring to our students and school community. If you see them around, be sure to say hello and help them feel at home at Sacred Heart!

We are also pleased to welcome back Mrs. Georgina Whitehouse(Digital Technology) from her maternity leave.

Beginning of Year School Mass

Join us for our Beginning of School Year Mass at 9:30am on Friday, 14th February, at the Sacred Heart church. It’s a beautiful way to come together as a community, all parents and friends are warmly invited. During this celebration, the 2025 Student Leadership Team will be presented with their badges.

Get To Know You Meetings (GTKY)

GTKY Meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, 11th February, and Wednesday, 12th February, starting at 3:20 pm through to 5:30pm. Please book a slot through PAM (Simon Everywhere) before 1 pm on Tuesday 11th. This is an excellent opportunity for parents to discuss their child with the teacher, and to begin fostering a strong home-school partnership.  If booking issues arise, contact the School Office for assistance.

Parent Information Sheets

Look out for organisational details for classrooms sent home with students on Monday. Bring any questions about this information to the Get to Know You Meetings (GTKY) with your child's teacher. Additionally, complete the GTKY Meetings questionnaire to share your child's strengths, challenges, and interests during the meeting.

SIMON Calendar

All important 2025 dates have been entered into the School Calendar on SIMON. Be sure to check it regularly for updates and events.

Fee Statements & Payment Reminder

Fee statements were sent home on the first day of school (yellow). Families with a Health Care Card may be eligible for rebates through the Camps, Sports, and Excursion Fund. Thank you to those who have already submitted their applications! If you hold a current Health Care Card and haven’t yet applied for 2025, please visit reception to complete the form—don’t forget to bring your card, as we need a copy to attach. Rebates will be applied once Centrelink confirms eligibility, and updated statements will be issued accordingly.

For families who opted to pay via the internet, payments should have started from January 15. Please check your Fee Payment Option sheet for amounts and due dates. If you haven’t started your payments yet, we kindly ask that you catch up on any missed installments at reception to keep your account up to date. Thank you for your cooperation!

New CDF Pay App for Canteen Orders

A reminder that all canteen orders must now be placed through the new CDF Pay App. Please note that you will need to create a brand-new account and add your child’s details. You also have the option to use the CDF Wallet, which allows you to add funds in advance and use them for future orders.

Thank you for your support in making the transition to the new system smooth! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the school office.

Sacred Heart Camps Program 2025

Our camps and excursions program is designed to progressively build independence, resilience, teamwork, and real-world learning in a supportive and engaging environment. Slight adjustments have been made to align with award agreements and camp venue risk and compliance while maintaining valuable learning experiences for all students.

• Foundation – 100 Days of Foundation Incursion  (Date TBC)

• A fun and memorable milestone celebration for our youngest learners.
• Engaging activities reflecting on growth, friendships, and learning.
• Students dress up as 100-year-olds, fostering creativity and imagination.

• Year 1 – Extended School Day Incursion/Excursion (9:00am – 8:00pm) (Monday 26th May)

• A structured introduction to extended school activities.
• Includes shared meals, engaging activities, and teamwork-building experiences.
• Fosters independence, resilience, and confidence in a supportive environment.
• ​​Year 2 – Full-Day Adventure Day (7:30am – 9:00pm) (Friday 30th May)
• Students embark on a local excursion, engaging in exciting, hands-on experiences.
• Prepares students for overnight camps in the coming years by having breakfast, lunch and dinner in a similar way to normal camps.
• Fosters independence, resilience, and confidence in a supportive environment.

• Year 3 – Swan Hill Overnight Camp (Thursday 14th - Friday 15th August)

• A one-night camp introducing students to history and early settlement life.
• Engages students with interactive experiences at the Pioneer Settlement.
• Includes the Pioneer Home Life Program and the Sound & Light Show.

• Year 4 – Campaspe Downs Adventure Camp (Wednesday 2nd- Friday 4th April)

• A two-night outdoor camp focused on teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience.
• Adventure-based activities encourage students to step outside their comfort zones.
• Builds confidence, friendships, and collaboration in a safe environment.

• Year 5 – Sovereign Hill & Ballarat (Two-Night Camp) (Date TBC)

• An immersive history camp exploring the Gold Rush and Eureka Rebellion.
• Students experience life during the Gold Rush, including hands-on activities.
• Focuses on democracy, governance, and historical impact on Ballarat and beyond.

• Year 6 – Melbourne Cultural & Leadership Camp (Three Nights) (Monday 15th - Thursday 18th September)

• Explores Melbourne’s cultural heritage through museums, galleries, and historical sites.
• Encourages independence, teamwork, and real-world learning.
• Visits to science centres, zoos, and government institutions enhance understanding.
• Physical activities promote health, resilience, and secondary school readiness.

Safety First: Drop-Off & Pick-Up Reminders

To keep our school community safe, please follow the Kiss & Go and school crossing rules during drop-off (8:10-8:45am) and pick-up (3:00-3:30pm). Stay in your vehicle unless assisting young children, limit your stop to two minutes, and access Kiss & Go via Olive Grove only. Avoid U-turns and unsafe drop-offs, and always use the school crossing when needing to cross a road. Morning entry is only through 12th Street or Tamarisk Grove, while the same entry points and Olive Grove gate near the Art House is the supervised exit after school. Let’s work together to ensure a safe and smooth transition for everyone!

God Bless!

Mr Mark Gibson

Religious Education

2025 Sacramental Dates

Sacrament of Confirmation (Year 3 & Above) 

Parent Information Session - Wednesday, 2nd April

Celebration of Sacrament - Friday 30th & Saturday 31st May & Sunday 1st June

Sacrament of Holy Communion (Year 4 & Above)

Parent Information Session - Wednesday, 2nd April

Celebration of Sacrament - Friday 20th, Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd June

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Year 2 & Above)

Parent Information Session - Wednesday, 15th October

Celebration of Sacrament - Wednesday 26th November

Please see note below that was sent home with students today.

Learning & Teaching

Structured Literacy - DOBCEL FLARE Project

At Sacred Heart, we are committed to the Structured Literacy methodology known as DOBCEL’s FLARE Project, an evidence-based approach to best practice literacy instruction. For more information on this methodology, please refer to the flyer below.

As part of DOBCEL's FLARE Project, participating schools are collaborating with La Trobe University's SOLAR (Science of Language and Reading) Lab to assess the effectiveness of this approach. Please see the relevant documentation for further details.

Seesaw

2025 Seesaw classes have been set up in readiness for posting student’s learning this year. Previously linked parent accounts will continue to be linked to your child in their new class. If you are having trouble logging into your parent account please contact your child’s teacher. Alternatively you are able to click the link below to find your child’s class.

• Foundation - Minga (Mrs O’Callaghan) https://app.seesaw.me/s/971-334-334 
• Foundation - Eumeralla (Miss Moore) https://app.seesaw.me/s/682-141-150 
• Year 1 - Amaroo (Mrs Groves) https://app.seesaw.me/s/353-933-882 
• Year 1 - Yongana (Miss Galvin) https://app.seesaw.me/s/202-680-953 
• Year 2 - Mootwingee (Mrs Carmichael) https://app.seesaw.me/s/300-422-374 
• Year 2 - Nangare (Mrs Collins) https://app.seesaw.me/s/196-341-270 
• Year 3 - Narooma (Mrs Beckwith) https://app.seesaw.me/s/169-518-550 
• Year 3 - Dourim (Mrs Willersdorf) https://app.seesaw.me/s/889-347-021 
• Year 4 - Myalla (Mrs Rowles) https://app.seesaw.me/s/472-544-524 
• Year 4 - Illawarra (Mrs Johnson) https://app.seesaw.me/s/506-753-157 
• Year 5 - Barramunga (Mrs Deacon) https://app.seesaw.me/s/743-456-423 
• Year 5 - Waminda (Mrs Slimmon & Mr Burford) https://app.seesaw.me/s/791-121-556 
• Year 6 - Cooinda (Mrs Campbell) https://app.seesaw.me/s/487-478-733 
• Year 6 - Wahroonga (Mrs Zaxos) https://app.seesaw.me/s/990-738-952 

Learning Diversity

Dogs Connect Program

At Sacred Heart we are privileged to be part of the Dogs Connect program. Our Wellbeing Dog Coco attends school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. During her time at school she visits all classrooms and spends time with students in the yard during break times. To enable us to ensure this is a positive experience for all students and Coco please complete the Wellbeing Dog Connect form via PAM by Friday 7th February as Coco will commence her classroom visits at the beginning of week 3.

Speech Therapy

It is routine practice at Sacred Heart Mildura to assess all students at the beginning of the year, and then regularly throughout the year, to ensure that we are teaching students at their level and providing extra time and support for students where needed. Sometimes further assessments are required to assist us in catering to individual student learning needs.

As part of this process the school has employed Emma Livingstone, a Speech Pathologist, to support development of students’ language, articulation and communication skills. As part of Emma’s role at Sacred Heart she may complete the CELF 5 , (Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals - Fifth Edition) to assess Receptive and Expressive Language Skills to ensure we continue to cater for all students' learning levels and needs. Students who demonstrate a need for ongoing support may be included in intervention programs run by the speech pathologist, Learning Support Officer (LSO) or as part of a support group with a teacher.

RECEPTIVE LANGUAGE 

This area assesses a student’s ability to understand language used by others. This includes the ability to follow instructions, the understanding of words and concepts and the interpretation of varying grammatical phrases/sentences. 

EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE 

This area assesses a child’s ability to communicate their needs and intentions to others and includes the ability to combine words in phrases/sentences and use grammatical structures. 

If indicated, a further assessment of your child’s Pragmatic Language will also be carried out. Pragmatic language refers to the social aspects of language. It includes the ability to use language effectively and appropriately in different social situations, taking into account the listener, the context, and the social rules governing communication. It encompasses both verbal and nonverbal skills. 

Once the assessments are completed, the school will provide you with a copy of the report. As these assessments are beyond the regular educational assessments that are completed by school, the school would like to obtain your written consent. Please provide consent by completing the Speech Therapy Consent form via PAM.

Please note: If further assessments are required to be carried out by staff from the Catholic Education Office Ballarat (CEB), a psychologist, or if your child should be referred to a paediatrician, a meeting will be arranged with the Learning Diversity Leader and additional paperwork for those referrals will need to be signed.

 SWPBS News

Our SWPBS focus this week is focused on establishing school and classroom routines and expectations.

In a busy school year, routines are the unsung heroes that help students thrive. Whether it’s the morning routine, moving around the school or lining up after breaks, establishing and sticking to a routine provides structure, reduces stress, and sets students up for success both academically and personally.

Why Are Routines Important?

1. Consistency Helps Students Feel Secure: Routines provide a sense of predictability. Students know what to expect, which helps them feel more confident and less anxious about the school day. This stability is especially important for younger children or students navigating new environments.
2. Promotes Better Time Management: Routines teach students how to manage their time effectively. By following a set schedule, they learn the importance of prioritising tasks, staying organised, and meeting deadlines—skills that will serve them well throughout their academic careers and beyond.
3. Boosts Focus and Concentration: When students know what comes next in their day, they can focus more easily on the task at hand. A well-established routine can reduce distractions and improve a student's ability to stay on task, making it easier to absorb information.
4. Encourages Healthy Habits: Regular routines can help students establish good habits, such as getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and setting aside time for studying or relaxation. These habits contribute to better overall well-being and academic performance.

Supports Positive Behavior: Having a clear routine helps students understand expectations. With a structured environment, they can develop self-discipline and personal responsibility, which leads to better behavior in and out of the classroom.

School TV

In this edition of SchoolTV - Happiness & Gratitude

Happiness is a term that captures a huge variety of positive emotions such as humour, serenity, optimism, joy, pride, inspiration, love and hope. Happiness means different things, to different people and is essential to your understanding of emotional literacy. Throughout history, philosophers, religious writers and poets have pondered on the meaning of happiness and how it might be achieved. In the last few decades, scientists and psychologists have researched this further by studying a field of science called positive psychology.

The result of this research suggests there is a strong correlation between gratitude and greater happiness. Practising gratitude helps you shift your focus to positive memories or experiences, noticing the good in your life. Over time, this will re-wire your brain to create new neural pathways, increase your state of happiness and overall wellbeing.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents and care-givers will learn how to achieve happiness and the benefits of practising gratitude.

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 Happiness & Gratitude edition of SchoolTV

Foundation News

The Foundation students have had a great week working with their teacher, getting to know their classmates and settling into school routines. We have also spent a lot of time with our Year 6 buddies: playing games, doing activities, reading stories and eating recess and lunch together.

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Some reminders for the beginning of the year:

- Each morning the students need to do their jobs before finding something to do. They need to bring into the classroom from their bag their drink bottle, lunch container, snack container and brainfood container. 

- The school library books are borrowed every second Friday (starting the 7th of February) and returned on the following Friday. If your child does not bring back their books or does not have their library bag on library day they will not be able to borrow new books.

- Your child’s library bag needs to be at school every day - kept in their school bag.

- Sports days are Thursdays and Fridays for Eumeralla and Tuesdays and Fridays for Minga. Sports uniform needs to be worn on these days with sports shoes.

- Please begin to bring in a pair of headphones for use on the iPads.

- Remember to use 2 small containers for recess and lunch so that they fit into our fridge. The time frame the students have to eat their lunch and snack is short so packing a sandwich and one other thing is often enough and then 2-3 snacks for recess. Here is an example of the perfect-sized snack and lunch containers.

 Brainfood needs to be in a small container and placed on the tables in the morning. This is to be a small fruit or vegetable snack only.

Next week we begin our work in Religion. To assist with our learning we ask that each student email their teacher a family photo by Monday. This will be printed and displayed in our classrooms on our ‘Family Tree’. Minga - bocallaghan@shmildura.catholic.edu.au and Eumeralla- hmoore@shmildura.catholi.edu.au .

We came across this article that we thought might be extremely helpful as we transition to school. Karen Young Article

Foundation Rest Days: 

Students will have the following days/dates as a rest day from school:

Year One News

In Year One, we have had a fantastic start to the school year. The children have settled in quickly to their new learning spaces, making new friends and embracing their learning with enthusiasm. We are delighted to welcome our new students, Zahra Muhammed Nishil and Brayden Bussenschutt to the Sacred Heart school community.

Here are some quick reminders for our Year One families:

• Please send named headphones to school with your child.
• Please ensure all students bring their brain food, lunch, recess, and drink bottle clearly labelled.
• Please ensure your child brings their library bag every day as we will begin borrowing books as of Monday. 
• Please ensure your child has a hat every day.

Sports Days:

• Amaroo: Wednesday and Friday
• Yongana: Tuesday and Friday

Library Day:

Both classes have their library sessions on Wednesday.

We are looking forward to seeing you all at the Get to Know You Interviews!

Below is a photo snapshot of our first week.

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Year 2 News

 The Year Two children and teachers have had a great start to the school year. Everyone has settled into their new classroom while making friends and embracing their learning with enthusiasm. We are delighted to welcome our new student Jaime Lei to the Sacred Heart school community. We are excited to have Miss Emily Cheek and Miss Demi Zanoni working with the Year Two children as LSO’s. Both Emily and Demi are past students of Sacred Heart which makes it even more exciting.

Here are some reminders for our Year Two families:

• Send named headphones asap
• Ensure all students bring their brain food, lunch and recess in separate containers

• Ensure that all water bottles are named 

• Ensure your child brings their library bag everyday as we will begin borrowing books as of next week. 

Sport Days:

Nangare: Wednesday and Friday

Mootwingee: Monday and Friday

Library/Show & Tell Day:

Both classes have their library sessions and Show & Tell on a Friday. 

Please refer to the hard copy S&T roster that came home with your child this week. If you have misplaced this, let your child know to collect another one.

Looking forward to a year of learning, happiness and blessings.

Mrs Collins & Mrs Carmichael

Enjoy a selection of photos of our first week in Year Two.

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Year Three News

We have had a wonderful start to the year in Year Three! All students are settling into their new classrooms and have enjoyed getting to know their peers and teachers further. Over the next two weeks, Year Three students will be preparing their Class Captain speeches, which is an exciting milestone for them. We would like to welcome our new students Ryan Chirayth and Samantha Sabijon to Sacred Heart Primary School! 

Here are some quick reminders for our Year Three families:

Please send named headphones to school.

We are currently experiencing difficulty fitting all children’s lunch boxes into our allocated fridge space. We would appreciate the use of smaller lunch boxes, or if fridge items are separated into smaller containers and clearly named. 

Students will be taking their pencil cases with their stationery supplies home on Friday, to be named. Your child will be provided with an optional printed set of paper labels, You may have a different type of name labels, this is ok to use as well. Thank you!

In Year Three the homework expectation is for students to be reading for 10 - 15 minutes every night. Students will be explicitly taught how to borrow a ‘good fit’ book. They will be asked to borrow three books, one to keep at school. Please ask your child to pack their library bag daily, as it’s also used for taking home notes. 

Days to remember:

Library

Both classes are Wednesday

Sport

Narooma is Wednesday and  Friday

Dourim is Tuesday and Friday

We are looking forward to seeing you all at the Get to Know You interviews! 

Below is a photo snapshot of our first week.

Jaimi and Sarah

Year Four News

In Year Four we have had a positive start to the year and have  returned refreshed and ready to learn! We welcome back all families as well as a new student, Scalett McGlynn to Sacred Heart Primary School.  We look forward to seeing all parents/ carers at our upcoming  Getting To Know You Interviews. 

Reminders

• All stationary your child will need has been supplied. It will need to be fixed or replaced if broken or lost. 
• All students must have named over the ear headphones at school as soon as possible.
• All students require a named water bottle every day.
• All students must have a named hat.

Days to remember:

Library

Both classes are Wednesday, please remind your child to bring their library bags. 

Sport

Illawarra- Tuesday and  Friday

Myalla - Monday and Friday

Natalee & Cathryn

Year Five News

We are so excited to be in our new learning spaces, and all students have settled in well to their school routines. This week students have revisited their classroom expectations and begun learning about the structural features of living things and how adaptations help them to survive in their environment. Ask your child about their opposable thumbs experiment we completed today!

Please remember to bring in a set of named headphones to use in the classroom if you haven’t already.

Days to remember:

Library

Barramunga - Monday

Waminda - Friday

Sport

Barramunga - Monday and Friday

Waminda - Wednesday and Friday

Year Six News

Our students have had a fantastic first week, settling into their new class and getting to know one another. They have enjoyed a range of fun and engaging team building activities and it has been wonderful to see them work together and tackle the challenges. The students have loved spending time with their Prep buddies, helping them settle in and guiding them through their first days of Primary School. 

We’re looking forward to an exciting term ahead! 

Reminders:

Time Capsules

Students are asked to bring in a clean glass jar to use to make their time capsule.

Headphones

Students are reminded to bring in a pair of named headphones for them to use at school.

Days to Remember:

Sports Days

Cooinda - Wednesday and Friday

Wahroonga - Thursday and Friday

Library

Cooinda - Friday

Wahroonga - Wednesday

Library

It's been great to see so many students keen to borrow straight away this year! Most students in Years 1-6 have now visited the library, seen the many changes to the space and had the chance to borrow. Although the library is smaller this year, almost all of our books are still available for students to look at and borrow. 

Each class has a designated library session time on either a Wednesday or Friday (Foundation students will visit fortnightly on Friday afternoons). Your child will need to bring a library bag on their day to be allowed to borrow. This is to ensure the books are protected and stay in good condition for many years. 

Parents are welcome to come into the library on a Wednesday or Friday before and after school to have a look and read with your child if you like. 

Book Club Issue 1 has been distributed to all students this week. Orders will close on the 12th of Feb.

A big thank you to the parents who volunteered to cover some books throughout the holidays. This means we now have more books available for the Junior Unit students for their Take Home readers. If you are interested in helping with book covering in the future please let me know and I'll be in touch later in the term. apacher@shmildura.catholic.edu.au

First Aid

Welcome back everyone! It’s great to see students and families again and I look forward to a wonderful 2025.

Just a reminder to families with students who have anaphylaxis, asthma and allergies that there are alot of plans that need updating this year. You would have received a hard copy notice at the end of last year and an email from me too, if you could please follow this up as soon as possible that would be wonderful.
These plans include ASCIA Anaphylaxis and Allergic Reaction Plans as well as Asthma Action Plans. These plans are only able to be filled out by a GP.
I would love to continue to support your children to the best of my ability and these plans and indate medications play a crucial role in this.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Ebony- First Aid Officer

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

In the mornings, the Olive Grove gate will remain closed, so students and visitors can only enter through the 12th Street or Tamarisk Grove gates. After school, only the Olive Grove gate near the Art House will be open and supervised by a staff member. This change aims to enhance student and traffic safety.

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.  This app is powered by Flexischools and  you will need to create an account.  Please download the CDF Pay App and ensure you create an account (the previous CDFPay doesn't transper over to the app).

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

Foundation

• Eumeralla Miss Hayley Moore - Thursday & Friday
• Minga Mrs Rebecca O’Callaghan - Tuesday & Friday 

Year One

• Yongana Miss Brieanna Galvin - Tuesday & Friday
• Amaroo Mrs Katrina Groves - Wednesday & Friday                             

Year Two  

• Mootwingee Mrs Chris Carmichael - Monday & Friday 
• Nangare Mrs Wendy Collins - Wednesday & Friday

Year Three

• Narooma Mrs Sarah Beckwith - Wednesday & Friday  
• Dourim Mrs Jaimi Willersdorf - Tuesday & Friday

Year Four

• Illawarra Mrs Natalee Johnson - Tuesday & Friday              
• Myalla Mrs Cathryn Rowles - Monday & Friday

Year Five

• Barramunga Mrs Jacinda Deacon - Monday & Friday
• Waminda Mrs Rachel Slimmon/Mr Jacob Burford - Wednesday & Friday               

Year Six

• Cooinda Mrs Jo Campbell - Wednesday & Friday
• Wahroonga Mrs Regan Zaxos - Thursday & Friday