Week 8 Term 1

So much can happen in a week! Last week saw so much tragedy and yet throughout it all the depth of compassion and support that has reached across the sea has been a heart-warming sign of humanity. Tolerance, respect and friendship are lessons we must entrench in our students and community and that there is never a place for hate and judgement.

At Sacred Heart last Friday we celebrated Harmony Day and Anti-Bullying Day with a determination to strengthen relationships across the campus and to ensure that all students and staff never feel alone or isolated. It is never okay to bully and in a world where you can be anything – be kind! We marked this day with a variety of indigenous games across K-10 and then all students shared an ice cream together. Staff came to school decked out in an array of Hawaiian shirts as a show of standing together against bullying. We work very hard to stamp out bullying behaviour and keep the conversations going!

This week we have benefitted from the expertise of Mr Matt Sexton who has worked closely with K-2 teachers in supporting their teaching of numeracy as part of the LNAP project. It has been a wonderful opportunity to network with other teachers across the dioceses but also to look at new methods and different ways of teaching numeracy. Out students have surpassed all expectations and have been very willing and excited about taking on new challenges.

This afternoon we welcome all parents and students to the first of our parent-teacher-student interviews. The teachers are looking forward to identifying strengths and areas of challenge at each interview. Nearly all teachers are fully booked and there will not be the opportunity to make an appointment for this evening now. If you have missed out on making an appointment, please contact the Front Office to make an alternative time. Primary interviews will be held in the Infants Breakout Space and Secondary meetings will be Rooms 7 & 8 from 3.30pm until 7pm

The first discos will be held on Thursday 21 March at the Ex-Services Club. The Primary Disco is from 5.30pm until 7pm and the theme is the 80s. This will be followed by the Secondary Disco from 7pm until 9pm and the theme is ‘When I Grow Up’. All tickets must be purchased before the night.

Thank you to the dedicated parents who attended the AGM of the P & F last week and congratulations to the wonderful volunteers who have taken on the different roles that are necessary to continue to success of our Fundraising committee. A huge thank you to Mrs Melissa Finnigan who has diligently served our community by leading the P & F for the past 4 years. Melissa was farewelled at the AGM and has offered to support the transition of our new office bearers through 2019. Please read Melissa’s farewell speech attached below!

2019 P & F Executive

President: Mrs Bianca Jones                                    Treasurer: Mrs Jody Miller

Vice-President: Mr Aaron Walker                             Secretary: Ms Anne De Wright

We look forward to another successful year starting with our biannual fete next Friday 29 March from 5pm until 8pm. If you can assist in anyway please contact your class representative and don’t forget the different class donations to support our major fundraising venture. See you there!

As we draw closer to the end of the year please be mindful that we are beginning the administration and preparation for the online NAPLAN tests that will be held in early May. This is a new platform for the testing for our students and we will endeavour to prepare our students to use the online system. Over the last two weeks of this term there will be different opportunities to trial the online questions and to test our bandwidth and IT systems. These are not intended to be stressful for the students in any way and if you have any concerns please contact Mrs Katie Thompson or the class teacher. Please read the parent information brochure included below.

Hello, I'm Leila and I am 10 years old. I'm taking part in the World's Greatest Shave for the Leukaemia Foundation. I have always wanted to help people and this is a way that I can make a difference. Through the funds I raise and through donating my hair I hope I can help another family or child just like me.

Many people in the community have been affected by cancer and particularly blood cancer. Blood cancer claims more lives than breast cancer or melanoma and today another 35 people will be given the devastating news they have leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or another blood disorder. Thank you for your support and sponsorship.

Link to page: https://secure.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?RegistrationID=734913