What a great start to the year! Already we have had many memorable moments and successes. Last week our students and staff began the year as we intend to conduct ourselves for 2020– with enthusiasm and kindness. It was lovely to see our older students caring for new students and welcoming them into our community. We offer all our new families the warmest of welcomes and look forward to a long and profitable connection. Saturday night’s Bingo was the epitome of community. Our P & F supported a very successful night at the S & C Club. New parents were invited and joined with existing parents to have a fun-filled night with many taking home prizes. We hope to be able to be involved in another Bingo night in August. Stay tuned.

Congratulations to Sam Gash (Year 9) and Mrs Michelle Baldry (Sacred Heart Parish) for the fitting recognition at the Australia Day Awards, where Sam was awarded the Sportsman of the Year Award and Mrs Baldry, the Cootamundra Citizen of the year, for their tireless efforts in their chosen fields, Rugby League and community work. Both set such positive role models for what we want our students and staff to aspire to be in their community. It is important to also acknowledge the members of our school, parish and wider community who came together on several occasions in the holidays to prepare care packages for the firefighters in our local district. It was heart-warming to see some of our youngest students working side-by-side with the older members of our parish to help in any way that we could. The amount of donations received was truly staggering. We will still look to make some contributions to our fire-affected communities in coming weeks. We are just waiting for advice on how best to help.

Don’t forget we will hold our swimming carnival this Thursday 6 February. If you are able to assist please contact Mrs Litchfield or Mrs Gale. We are always looking out for extra helpers. We would also love to see as many parents and families there to cheer on our students as they participate and try their best.

Another reminder; we will celebrate our Opening School Mass at 10am on Friday 7^th February. At this Mass we will invest our new School and House leaders for 2020. All families and members of the Sacred Heart Parish are very welcome. In recognition of the important part that our parish plays in our school community our leaders will also be presented at the Saturday 8^th February Vigil Mass at 6pm. Again, everyone is most welcome to be part of this mass and to join us afterwards for a BBQ tea on the school lawns beside the COLA.

Next Tuesday 11 February we will be hosting our Welcome and Information Evening for all new families K-10 (including our Kinder and Year 7 families). We also invite anyone new to the school in the past 12 months and all Year 5 iPad users as we will present information sessions on many school procedures, personnel and iPad specifications and advice. These will be in the Kinder rooms and rooms 7 & 8 respectively but we will come together for a BBQ tea in the Infants yard at the conclusion of the presentations. A letter will go home detailing the specifics of the evening and includes a RSVP for catering purposes. We, hope to see all our new and interested families there on Tuesday.

Thank you to everyone for such a great start; to our students, staff and families. May 2020 be the best one yet!!!

Everything happens for a reason. You may not see it now but sooner or later, God will reveal why He let things happen. Always remember that His way is better than our way and that His will is beyond our will. Put your trust in Him. And as St Mary of the Cross declares, “We must take things quietly and just do what our good God enables, and no more”. 

If you have a choice between being exceptional or kind, be exceptionally kind Blessings.

Mrs Nicky Trinder