We have made it through the penultimate week for Term 1. It has been the biggest start to the year that I can recall in my experience. We have had it all it seems and still our students and staff have made the best of the opportunities this term. Thank you to all our families, students and staff for their commitment to the learning at Sacred Heart.

It is with sadness that I announce the resignation of Mrs Pamela Cohen effective at the end of this term. Pamela has been a very loyal and important member of our staff, in a variety of roles for a number of years and offered a wealth of experience and exceptional skills as an English, Art, literacy and Classroom support teacher. We thank Pamela for her many and varied contributions to our school and the passion she brought to everything that she did. She will be sorely missed. We wish her every possible happiness and blessing as she begins this new stage of her life and hope that she will continue to visit and be a “casual” part of our community.

This week has seen a very small outbreak of COVID in our secondary school. There have been two cases reported in the past days and there are many others who are isolating due to being close contacts. Please be vigilant in monitoring for symptoms and continue testing as needed. If you could inform the school, via the Front Office asap, when there is a positive case it would be greatly appreciated.

This afternoon we had a flurry of activity in the Infants space with the decorating of the Easter Hats for next week’s parade. It was lovely to see parents able to come in and volunteer as helpers in the classrooms. At this stage helpers are required to be vaccinated but for assemblies and information sessions there is no expectation of vaccinations. Hopefully as we edge towards the holidays we will see more and more things return to pre-covid normal. We will keep you informed of any changes as they come to hand.

Also today we saw the return of the Mock trial competition for 2022. The scheduling of a trial has been fraught with logistical nightmares and COVID afflicted opposition but today we conducted the trial virtually. Our Year 10 team conducted themselves with distinction and are shaping up to be one of our best teams yet in terms of dedication, effort and enthusiasm. They competed against the Riverina Anglican College this morning and were very polished in their legal knowledge and presentation. Congratulations to the team: Brock Holder, Lily Murphy, Sam Grewal, Dieter Dickinson, Harmony Whicker, Ashlyn Perry, Lucy Deep, Ned Murray, Niall Lambert, Chloe Anderson and Emma Shields. They will compete against Canberra Grammar in the new term.

Last night 17 students experienced the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. It was the culmination of many weeks of afternoon preparation and a twilight retreat. Thank you to Mrs Maxwell, Ms Van Kerk Oerle and Miss Long for their assistance in preparing the children and the lovely reverent celebration. They will make their First Holy Communion at the Parish mass on Sunday. Please keep them and their families in your prayers as they walk this important part of their faith journey. Thank you to Fr Lolesio and Sr Kathy for their prayerful and passionate support.

Yesterday our Rugby 10 teams competed in the Young Western Region Rugby 10s carnival and had the very best day. Both teams have made it through to the next level and we wish them every success in the next round. Please see the sports reports for further details.

Next week will be the final week for Term 1. We still have a host of things to get through next week and we are looking forward to the holidays and some R & R. We will conduct the annual Cross Country event next week for Years 3-10 at the Golf Course, Friday 8 April and hopefully the weather will be kind and our students will have the best day. We will also stage the annual Passion Play for our Faith community. All are invited to attend this wonderful commemoration of the Easter message and the Passion of Christ at 10am on Thursday 7 April in the church.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and enjoys the extra hour sleep – I know I will. Remember it doesn’t cost anything to be kind!

Kind regards,

Ms Nicky Trinder

Principal