Tomorrow marks the 200 year anniversary of Catholic Education in Australia. The School Captains, Jack Murphy and India Bodycott will represent the school at the Mass at St Christopher’s Cathedral, Canberra to mark the occasion. Sacred Heart Central School is on the cusp of celebrating 140 years of Catholic Education in Cootamundra as well. There has been a significant contribution to providing a well-rounded education to our rural community and we have a proud and illustrious history that stretches back a very long way. Once a Sacred Heart kid always a Sacred Heart kid is an important recognition that we have a privileged position to influence and shape generations of students who value their connection to our school. If you have any stories of our alumni who have achieved great things please contact me at the school and we can share the stories to inspire future generations with hope.

At the end of next week, Friday 5 March, Mrs Anita Chesworth will begin her maternity leave to await the birth of her first child. We wish Mrs Chesworth every possible blessing and happiness as she begins this next exciting stage of her life. I am pleased to announce that Mrs Stacey Fry and Mrs Carol McIver will be taking on the responsibilities of Year 2 for the duration of Mrs Chesworth’s leave. We are very excited to have both ladies working with us and know that our Year 2 students will continue to thrive and learn until Mrs Chesworth returns in Term 3. Before Mrs Chesworth leaves she will complete a thorough handover with the new teachers and she will also be available for Parent-Teacher interviews. All our Infants teachers will be available on 1 March to meet with parents about the children’s progress and development. Please log in to the following web addresses to book your interview time:

Years 1 & 2 - https://shcscootamundra.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/19

Kinder - https://shcscootamundra.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/20

Tomorrow marks the 200 year anniversary of Catholic Education in Australia. The School Captains, Jack Murphy and India Bodycott will represent the school at the Mass at St Christopher’s Cathedral, Canberra to mark the occasion. Sacred Heart Central School is on the cusp of celebrating 140 years of Catholic Education in Cootamundra as well. There has been a significant contribution to providing a well-rounded education to our rural community and we have a proud and illustrious history that stretches back a very long way. Once a Sacred Heart kid always a Sacred Heart kid is an important recognition that we have a privileged position to influence and shape generations of students who value their connection to our school. If you have any stories of our alumni who have achieved great things please contact me at the school and we can share the stories to inspire future generations with hope.

At the end of next week 5 March Mrs Anita Chesworth will begin her maternity leave to await the birth of her first child. We wish Mrs Chesworth every possible blessing and happiness as she begins this next exciting stage of her life. I am pleased to announce that Mrs Stacey Fry and Mrs Carol McIver will be taking on the responsibilities of Year 2 for the duration of Mrs Chesworth’s leave. We are very excited to have both ladies working with us and know that our Year 2 students will continue to thrive and learn until Mrs Chesworth returns in Term 3. Before Mrs Chesworth leaves she will complete e thorough handover with the new teachers and she will also be available for Parent-Teacher interviews. All our Infants teachers will be available on 1 March to meet with parents about the children’s progress and development. Please look out for details about booking a time.

We continue to be informed and managed regarding current COVID protocols and despite the possibility of parents coming onto school grounds there are still expectations that students and staff take a COVID test if they display any symptoms and that parents can only transport their own child/ren to sporting or extra-curricular events. Thank you to all the families who support us in this protocol. Whilst we are slowly given more control of how we operate in the community we are still unable to invite parents to assembly presentations. Hopefully this will change in coming weeks but the Stage 3W assembly will proceed this Friday WITHOUT parents/guardians in the audience. We apologise for the inconvenience and we hope to record the assembly items.

Attendance is still our major focus and we are intent on improving the percentage of students who are present in the classroom each and every day. Please contact us in the first instance if there is a reason why your child/ren are not coming to school.

Our Year 9 students had a fabulous time on the South Coast last week. I had reports “it was the best excursion ever!!!!” The new accommodation at Tathra was excellent and the range of activities kept our students busy for three days. Thank you to Ms Buchanan, Mr Mooney and Mr Alderman for generously giving up their time to accompany the students. Hopefully we will have a full excursion report in coming newsletters.

Most families would have now received a Project Compassion box to display in their homes and collect valuable funds for Caritas. It is important for our school community to recognise the enormous responsibility we have to make the world a better place. We have been greatly encouraged to hear our young people talk about changing their attitude and appreciating the huge gap between us and Third World neighbours.

Our Year 10 leaders spent a lovely evening at the presbytery sharing a meal with Fr Loelsio, Sr Kathy, Mrs Murray and myself last Sunday evening. They were delightful company and very mature in their attitude, interactions and manners. It was a pleasure to spend an evening in their company.  They can be very proud of the people they are becoming. We aim to help our students become the very best version of themselves where they appreciate others and are kind and compassionate.

Our first community breakfast will be held tomorrow morning. You are most welcome to join the staff and students for a sausage sizzle and fruit from 8am as we reinstitute a valuable community activity. It is also Uniform Free tomorrow with all money donated to Beyond Blue. A gold coin donation will be collected in roll call first thing in the morning.

Please find attached below the annual Collection Notice for Parents/Guardians of 2021 Student Residential Address and Other Information. You are not required to do anything. our school is responsible for providing the requested details to the department; however, we encourage you to ensure that we have your most up-to-dtae and correct details for your family. Please read the letter to ensure you are aware of the legal obligations around confidentiality and privacy.

May the light of God surround us. The love of God enfold us. The power of God protect us. The presence of God watch over us. Now and forevermore. Amen!

When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty, my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup! Sam Lefkowitz

Collection_notice_for_parents.pdf