Today we celebrated our Traditions Day Mass where we acknowledge the strong foundations and heritage that our school is built upon. The charisms of the Mercy and Lasallian traditions are built into the fibres of our school were we endeavour to live out their values of Mercy, Compassion, Justice, Service, Excellence, Welcome, Inclusion and Respect. We add to these aspirational values our own vision of Learn, Lead, Live and we have a clear mission to mould a community where everyone is treated with respect and dignity, where everyone is valued and appreciated and where everyone works together to build a better future. Thank you to Mrs Maxwell and Stage 4 for their leadership of the Mass. It was a glorious celebration of our wonderful school and the blessings that have been given.

Congratulations to Gillian Hunt who will represent the Western Region at the Archdiocesan Public Speaking Finals in Term 4. She was successful in claiming victory in the Year 6 division over the speakers from the other Western Region schools. Joshua Ismay contested the Year 5 division and was superb in his efforts and presentation. He is to be congratulated for making the finals. We are proud of the efforts of all our students who have worked very hard to develop such important skills like public speaking, and to their teachers who invested such passion in their teaching.

Next week will see our Year 10 and Year 9 cohorts embark on their excursions to Sydney and Melbourne respectively. It will be an action packed week for both of the groups as they visit some of the important sites of each city. Year 10 will visit, the SCG, Jewish Museum, Taronga Zoo, Madame Tussads just to name a few. Whilst Year 9 will enjoy the MCG, Melbourne Gaol, the Theatre amongst other exciting venues. A huge thank you to Ms Buchanan and Ms Marsay for their coordination of such mammoth undertakings and to the staff who will accompany them. It is a generous commitment of staff to give up their time for early mornings and late nights to supervise excited teenagers in big cities. We wish them a wonderful week full of memories. We look forward to reporting on their adventures next term.

Please be aware that there will be no school for next Thursday 22 (National Day of Mourning) and Friday 23 (Professional Learning Day). Students will finish Term 3 on Wednesday 21 September and will return on Tuesday 11 October. Catholic Education have again given schools the option to hold pupil free days to compensate for the lost release and planning time due to lack of casual staff and COVID. We have tried to avoid inconveniencing families so we will be holding the pupil free day on the last day of this term – 23 September. This will also allow the students returning from the Stage 5 excursions the opportunity to sleep in after their late night arrivals.

We had the most fabulous time with our newest students for 2023. Our intake for Year 7 and Kindergarten for next year spent some valuable time learning about Sacred Heart and enjoying all that we have to offer. Year 7 participated in a range of secondary subjects and Kinder experienced the routine and wonder that is Early Stage One. It was delightful to see so many new students and welcome their families to our community. 2023 promises to be a year filled with adventure, challenges and success. We look forward to sharing the journey with them.

Next term we will return to school with students able to wear their summer uniform. There will be a two week transition from winter to summer to allow students the chance to find and/or purchase the required items. We are also looking at selecting a dress short design to complement the girls summer uniform. Local suppliers are investigating options that are economical and suitable for all shape and sizes. Hopefully we will know in the coming days.

God Bless

Ms Nicky Trinder