We are very nearly “officially” halfway through the first term. The heat the past couple of days has been very trying for all our students and staff but they have managed to stay cool by being smart and resourceful. As autumn begins hopefully, we will have some blissfully balmy days to see the term out but the weather is definitely one thing we cannot control.

It was so lovely to see so many parents and community members turn up for our first community breakfast. We were served fluffy pancakes and fresh fruit thanks to the Mercy House staff. It is important that we continue to make connections with our community and parish because they are important in maintaining the culture of our school. Our Parish members have been praying that we find a solution to our staffing dilemmas and this week we can announce that Mr Pierre Hennequin will take on some of the Stage 4 HSIE classes and support out Wiradjuri LOTE classes. We are very grateful to Mr Hennequin for his versatility and willingness to take on an additional load. The Child Studies class will continue to be taught by Mrs Black until the end of Term One and then Mrs Piffero will take over the reins of the class. We are indeed blessed to have talented and highly qualified teachers in our school.

Please remember that attendance at school is a legal requirement. Students of a school age are required to attend every day where they are able. Please encourage your child to attend every day as it definitely makes it more challenging to catch up when the class moves on in their absence. This is a challenging cycle for students who don’t like school. The more they are away the more they miss and the more they stay away because school is additionally challenging. Long term holidays are to be “approved” by the principal in that the school needs to be aware of extended absences before the event so that measures may be put in place to support the learning whilst the student is away from school, if it is suitable.

School fees have gone out to all families. There was an issue with the coding and some Year 10 student had Year 9 written on their accounts. This message was distributed by CE Finance:

Term 1 Invoicing

Term 1 invoicing has been finalised and statements have been distributed.

Some schools have identified that on some family statements, occasionally the Year level of a student displayed was incorrect on the fee statements to families.  The issue was identified early, analysed and the root cause corrected. The calculation of school fees is correct, it is the year level displayed on the family statements that was incorrect.  Analysis indicates that it is impacting students in Year 10, in 2024.

Today was a super special day because we began practice in earnest for the 2024 iteration of the Sacred Heart Musicals. This is the 11^th instalment of a long tradition at Sacred Heart. COVID played havoc with our ability to rehearse and perform a school production. However, I am very biased in firmly believing that the play is a wonderful opportunity and experience to learn and contribute to something wonderful. Our small band of students excitedly took the stage today and learnt their roles. It is a huge challenge to find time for rehearsals but we have shifted the performance dates from the end of Term One until the middle of Term 3 (dates to be finalised asap). Our students have always risen to the challenge and I believe that these students are also exceptional. I can’t wait to see what they can do. Stay tuned for updates and sponsorship options. Thank you to the staff members who are behind ensuring that 2024 is a play year!!

As always I harp on about being kind. This is the antithesis to making someone feel less. If ever you are aware of incidents that do not fit in with our mantra of being kind then please contact us so that we can make an informed response or can investigate what may have happened.

There is never a reason not to be kind.

God Bless

Ms Nicky Trinder

Principal