It seems almost surreal but already we are planning for 2021. In considering some of the unexpected events of 2020 it would seem somewhat futile to plan so far ahead. However, we are looking to promote all things good and wonderful about Sacred Heart so that other families recognise what a fantastic school we have in right here in town. We have entered into the enrolment period for all classes across the school for K-10 2021 and this an important time in the school year for us so that we can be adequately staffed in the coming school year. If you are aware of families who would be interested in enrolling their child/ren then please forward our contact details as we are very keen for them to visit and see all that we have to offer. The traditional information evenings are not permitted at this stage so we are offering a personalised tour and interview so that they may ask any questions and see what is on offer. Week 9 22 June – 26 June will be dedicated to prospective/possible enrolment tours. Accordingly, we also require information about students who may be moving on in 2021 to assist in our planning. CE requires all current information when they consider the level of staffing that they can and will offer in the new year.

Last week Mrs Kathy Holding (Principal) and Mrs Jessica McInerney (Dean of students) visited with our Year 9 and 10 students and presented a short expose on what Hennessy Catholic College Young has to offer students as part of a Catholic pathway in the Archdiocese. Three former students spoke about their experiences of Year 11 and 12 and offered sage advice about what to expect and how to manage the shift to HSC study. Max Tiernan, Ella Murphy and Ella Ronning spoke about the opportunities they have embraced and the challenges that senior study poses. We will be taking our Stage 5 students to visit Hennessy, when we are permitted, to help them recognise the importance of preparing as early as possible for the transition to Stage 6. For our students the importance of developing solid study habits and a positive attitude in Year 9 and 10 is not understated and will make the transition to Stage 6, or the workforce, that much easier and successful. Our senior students (especially Year 10) are nurtured and prepared for further endeavours far more intensely than at a 7-12 school because they are our exit point for our students. We invest heavily in preparing them to rise to leadership and academic challenges that they would not normally receive in a 7-12 school where the emphasis is on their exiting students at a Year 12 level. Once a Sacred Heart kid always a Sacred Heart kid resonates for many of our past students and we hope that how we prepare them for a life after Sacred Heart outweighs the supposed advantages of a bigger school.

As we settle back into school life post COVID we are continually evaluating and reassessing how we can best keep our community safe and healthy. While ever we are operating the canteen without cash it has proven that is not financially viable to have the canteen open on Mondays and Tuesday. This coming week orders will only be able to be made for Wednesday through to Friday because this is when the largest uptake of the service has shown to be. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but we cannot afford to run at a loss. Hopeful in the new term we may be able to return to normal operation.

This week Mr Mahon offered our Year 10 students the opportunity for an evening study session. Year 10 study is to be held every Tuesday night at 6-8.30pm in rooms 7 & 8. Over half the class seized the chance to study in  a supportive and independent environment, away from the distractions at home. A huge thank you to Mr Mahon for making this available to our senior students. Secondary study for all other years (7,8,9 )continues on a Monday afternoon from 3.20 until 4.30. We encourage our secondary students to take advantage of the opportunity to complete homework and assessments under the supervision of a range of different teachers. There are minimal distractions and the chance to develop independent and self-directed study skills. All students need to have a permission note from their parents indicating how they will be getting home at the end of the study session. The students will work in one of the secondary classrooms.

We have just received notification from CE that most of the sporting possibilities for Term 3 have now been officially cancelled. We had hoped that they may be returning to normal from Term 3 but they have finally made the call to cancel all Term 3 events and some of Term 4. Please see the list below from CE regarding cancellations. This is incredibly disappointing for some of our athletes and enthusiastic sport lovers but they have obviously erred on the side of safety.

Due to NSWCHS and NSWPSSA now cancelling all of their events in term 3 NSWCPS (MacKillop) and NSWCCC have followed suit, it is not viable for us to hold Canberra Goulburn events either.

Term 3 C & G sport cancellations are;

• 20^th July Canberra Goulburn Secondary Netball Championships
• 20^th August Canberra Goulburn Primary and Secondary Athletics
• We had discussed rescheduling Canberra Goulburn Primary Cricket and Touch Football – these will also be cancelled

We have received an update from the School Sport Unit on sport cancellations and we have subsequently updated our CCC / CPS representative sporting calendar for 2020. Please see the below update:

The following MacKillop/CPS, CCC and NSW All Schools Sports events have been cancelled for Term 3, 2020

• 23 July                      NSWPSSA & All Schools Cross Country
• 27 July                      NSWCPS Golf Tournament
• 27- 29 July                NSWPSSA Netball state championship
• 1 – 2 August             NSW All Schools 15s touch football trials
• 10 August                 NSWCPS 10 A Side Knockout
• 10 August                 NSWCPS Girls Rugby 7s Selections
• 18 August                 NSWCCC Netball Championships
• 18 – 20 August         NSWPSSA Boys Touch state championship
• 19 August                NSWCPS Hockey Gala Day
• 19 August                NSWCCC Rugby League Cup
• 25 – 27 August        NSWPSSA Rugby Union state championship
• 28 August                Polding Cricket Selections
• 31 August – 1 September                NSWPSSA Girls Rugby 7s
• 31 August – 2 September                NSWPSSA Golf state championship
• 1 September           NSWCPS Netball Carnival
• 1 – 2 September     NSWCCC Football Knockout Semi Finals/Finals
• 3 September           MacKillop Girls Cricket Selections
• 3 – 4 September     MacKillop Boys Cricket Selections
• 7 September           NSW Champions School Basketball Tournament
• 8 September           NSW Schools Football Challenge Cup
• 8 September           NSWCPS Netball Carnival
• 8 – 10 September NSWPSSA Boys Softball state championship
• 8 – 10 September NSWPSSA Girls Touch state championship
• 11 September        Polding Athletics Championships
• 17 September        NSW All Schools Netball Challenge
• 18 September        NSWCCC Athletics Championships
• 21 September        MacKillop Athletics Championships
• 22 – 24 September              NSWPSSA Girls Softball state championship

The following Sports events have been cancelled for Term 4, 2020

• 13- 16 October       NSWPSSA Boys Cricket championships
• 19 – 22 October     NSWPSSA Girls Cricket championships
• 24 – 25 October     CPS Basketball Challenge
• 26 – 27 October     NSWCCC Junior Boys Basketball Championships
• 28 – 29 October     NSWPSSA Athletics
• 5 – 6 November     NSWCCC Junior Girls Basketball Championships

We will provide further updates as they come to hand and we will update the CSNSW Sport portal to reflect the above information.

We will look to 2021 as our finest year after such a challenging 2020!

Remember, kindness does not cost anything and it is a gift we can all afford to give. Have a fabulous weekend, stay safe, stay well and count your blessings.

Go gently, be kind to yourself and others and God Bless.