As Week 3 draws to a close we look forward to the combined Parish and School Vigil Mass and BBQ this Saturday 22 February at 6pm. This is where we present our new School Leaders and 2025 Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharist candidates to the Parish. The members of the Parish look forward to meeting with our students as they look to the school as the future of the Sacred Heart Parish. We hope that many students and their families will join us for the Mass and a BBQ tea to follow.

This week was also busy with the Information Sessions for Year 7 and New students, Infants and Primary students. The staff prepared thorough summaries of what to expect this year and all that happens in the daily life at Sacred Heart. If you missed any information, please make contact with the respective coordinators to have any material sent through to you.

Next week is equally as busy with the Infants Literacy Session on Tuesday night, the Soccer Gala Day on Wednesday, Touch Trials on Monday, WR Swimming on Monday, Catholic Education visitors and many more activities for staff and students. If you could please RSVP via SeeSaw if you plan to attend the Infants Literacy Session for catering purposes. Despite the busy schedules there is a lot of positive learning happening in every classroom. Our new students and staff have settled in and we have had a very positive start to the year. Over the coming weeks staff will be making contact with new families to check in with the transition to a new school and we would like to know if there are any ways we can support new students.

The Annual All Schools Coota Beach Volleyball was an outstanding success. The weather was kind to us and the rain only really began to fall as we put the garbage bins out for collection. It was a definite answer to prayer that the torrential rain that was predicted for the day held off until all games were over and the students had moved on. Thank you to our fabulous staff for all their efforts and our dedicated P & F for their tireless efforts in catering for over 600 students and staff. The next venture by the P & F will be the Colour Run on 14 March. Keep an eye out for the invitation and we hope to see you for the traditionally fun time being doused in colour.

This year we have changed the names of the Primary Classes and it has possibly created some confusion about the corresponding teachers on each class.

ES1Biladurang – Mrs Anita Chesworth (Mon, Tue, Wed) and Mrs Stacey Fry (Thur, Fri)

ES1Ngarrang – Mr Jack Niddrie (Mon - Fri)

S1BudyaBudya – Mrs Heather Hunt

S1Gilaa – Mrs Susie Alexander (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur) and Mrs Skye Gay (Fri)

S1Milbay – Miss Molly Baron (Mon, Tue, Wed) and Mrs Sharron Large (Thur, Fri)

S1Wandiyali – Miss Wendy Van Kerk Oerle

S2Barrandhang – Mrs Heather Gammon (Mon, Tue, Wed) and Mr Brad Winsor (Thur, Fri)

S2Gindaany – Miss Grace Sutherland (Mon-Fri)

S3Maliyan – Mrs Patrece Maxwell (Mon) and Mrs Julia McLeod (Tues-Fri)

S3Dyirridyirri – Ms Kylie Winsor (Nom, Tue, Wed, Fri) and Mrs Lyne Witenden (Thur)

S3Garru – Mrs Kaitlin Niddrie (Mon, Tue, Wed) and Mr Ian Bell (Thur, Fri)

At different times throughout the week Release from Face-to-face teacher – Mrs Kate Maher, Mr Ian Bell, Mrs Emma Randall and Mr Brad Winsor will take different classes to allow the class room teachers to complete preparation, standardized testing and administration tasks.

Don’t forget the NAPLAN testing period will begin on 12 March and will conclude on 24 March. We will send a schedule to the relevant students (Years 3,5,7 and 9) regarding the dates and times for their tests to help avoid any clashes with appointments and other commitments. Please try to avoid making any external appointments during this time.

Quickly following the completion of NAPLAN will be the Annual School Photos. These will be held on 26 March and will obviously be in full school summer uniform. Once again please note this important date to avoid missing out on the opportunity for school photos with the 2025 cohort. Order envelopes will be sent home. If your student does not bring them home or there are two households requiring an order envelope please let the Front Office know.

Everyday we hope our students come to school feeling safe and included. The need to be kind to all in our community is an important action that is not just meant to be hollow meaningless words and phrases. Being kind means that we accept everyone for who they are and we don’t make judgements about how someone looks, what they have or who they are. Kindness doesn’t cost anything but it could mean the world to someone else.

God Bless,

Ms Nicky Trinder

Principal.