Some wonderful person left on my desk today a small card that said: ‘Today I will enjoy the small moments”. This was such a lovely gesture and a powerful reminder that as we race to the end of the year we so often let so much wash over us as we are so busy finishing the year and making plans for the next year that we miss so many “small moments” of joy and wonder. A school is a place that is filled with joy and wonder every moment of every day. Today our Kinder students were making paper planes and the enthusiastic joy in the making and flying was delightful. The simple pleasure of a paper plane has lasted for generations and our little students were no exception.

Our Year 10s begin their final week of classes next week as their time at Sacred Heart draws to an end. They will have their final assessments and examinations next week. This is such an exciting time for them as they sit on the cusp of new adventures. Our Year 9 students will assume the mantle of Leadership after their Leadership Day in week 7, after their exams are over. Our Year 2 students will also experience some time in the Primary space in coming weeks to ease their worries over a new beginning. There are so many exciting times ahead that we need to savour and enjoy the opportunities and experiences that we are given.

An important date for parents to mark in their calendar is the information evening on 4 December where we will host a presentation by Kirra Pendergast, a leading international expert in online safety. We were privileged to have had Kirra present in 2020 just before the world went into lockdown. By a country mile it was the best attended parent information evening we have ever had. It was standing room only.  She founded the cybersafety platform ‘Safe on Social’ to inform and educate parents, teachers and students about the perils of the online world and how to navigate the risks that are found there. She also consults internationally to police, government agencies, professional sporting teams, universities and private enterprises. This is such a coup for our small town and we hope that parents make the most of this opportunity to listen to her and to learn from her vast research and experience. Please consider joining her Facebook group Safe on Social to learn more about what she does, can offer and ways to be safer online. Stay tuned for more information about the evening.

Our Annual Touch Carnival will take place next Friday 15 November. This is on of the calendar events for our school for the year. Traditionally we play host of schools from across the diocese to compete in the Archdiocesan Touch Carnival. Ms Withers has done a mountain of work to make the day run successful and this year we have had to change venues unexpectedly. Thanks to the generosity of the Coota Rugby Club and Cootamundra High School we will be holding the carnival at the joint venues. Cootamundra Shire will man a crossing to enable the students to cross Mackay St safely. Carnivals of this size require a lot of helpers and we are desperate for anyone with some time to spare to help with managing teams, the canteen and refereeing. Please email megan.withers@cg.catholic.edu.au if you are able to help.

Our refurbishment is slowly making progress and each day draws us closer to moving back in. We are grateful for the commitment of Catholic Education and the Building Grant Authority for the funds. We plan to be back in our new learning spaces on Day 1. Speaking of Day 1, please note in your diaries that our students will return for 2025 on Tuesday 4 February. Teachers will return to school on 31 January and 3 February and the Front Office will be open.

Thank you to all the families and students who joined with the parish to celebrate the Vigil Mass on Saturday night. The Mercy House students were responsible for the ministries of the Mass and the students were outstanding in their respect, reverence and reading. It was so nice to have families and young people share in the celebration of the mass and we welcome any families who would like to come anytime.

Next week we will mark halfway through the final term for 2024. It has passed so quickly. So please take some time this weekend to enjoy the small moment. Be kind to yourself this weekend so that you can be kind to others next week.

God Bless.

Ms Nicky Trinder

Principal