Welcome back to Term 4. We are already well into Week 2 and it will be Christmas before we know it. This is going to be a very big term with lots happening and even more to get through. The students returned full of enthusiasm and energy, glad to be back in the routine of school. With the gradual easing of restrictions we are busy planning a range of different activities and events to make 2020 memorable for all the right reasons. Most notably will be the K-10 Athletics Carnival and the Kindergarten 2021 transition. We are very excited that these two events will be able to proceed, albeit with some restrictions still in place. The Athletics Carnival will be held this Friday at Albert Park for the entire school population. We have merged the two carnivals for the first time in a very long time to allow smoother running of the day and to help build community. Considering that there are to be no spectators allowed and no parent helpers we require all staff to assist in the running of the carnival. Our Infants students will join us for several hours throughout the day and will participate in the traditional activities along with the entire school. We are watching very closely the weather predictions as there is significant rain forecast for Friday and Saturday. Hopefully the rain will be delayed long enough for us to finish the carnival as we would prefer not to push it into the hotter weather of November. Unfortunately in line with the new restrictions we are not permitted to have spectators.

The Kinder transition program for our 2021 intake will proceed on the 5 November. This is an invaluable experience for our little students to make a successful transition to “Big School”. We look forward to new families beginning their Sacred Heart journey and others continuing their strong family connection. We hope to conduct two sessions with a possible third and we are as yet unsure whether we will be permitted to invite them (or anyone) to the annual Advent Liturgy.

As we race towards the end of the year there is a lot still to happen in the classroom. Our secondary students will begin their final assessment period in coming weeks culminating in the annual yearly exams for some subjects. We encourage them to be putting in place some excellent study habits as they prepare for the examinations. Continual revision and checking in with the teacher about areas where they are unsure or require clarification are excellent skills to hone. In the coming weeks exam schedules and revision tasks will come home to help them prepare successfully. Secondary students are always encouraged to make use of the study sessions on a Monday afternoon. Many teachers will make themselves available to help the students “study” for the final assessments.

At this stage we have postponed all overnight excursions until the new year. With all the necessary COVID protocols and procedures we have thought it best to wait until 2021 to conduct some of the bigger excursions. The Year 8 and 9 trips of 2020 will become the Year 9 and Year 10 trips for 2021. Any payments and fundraising will carry over into the new year. Stage 3 will be participating in a day trip to Narrandera’s Lake Talbot at the end of the year and more information will be coming home very soon.

Like many events this year, we have had to postpone Book Week celebrations. We will be conducting the Book Fair in coming weeks in a virtual form for parents and all orders are taken on line. The students will be permitted to peruse the Fair and make suggests to their parents as they have done in the past. This is far from ideal but is the best solution in COVID times. To allow the students the chance to celebrate all things books we will be conducting our own Book Week Parade on Friday 30 October. All students are permitted to come to school dressed in their favourite Book Week character. We do not encourage you to spend copious amount s of time preparing costumes or spending an inordinate amount of money, many characters can be sourced from home cupboards but you could always recycle past costumes amongst your friends. This has worked very successfully in the past. It is always a delightful day for the students and it places the importance of reading at the very centre of the child’s experience.

Last Friday was the culmination of the P & F’s fundraising effort for 2020. The 600 Club raffles was drawn by Mr Mooney in the presence of the school body, staff and Fr Lolesio. The lucky winner was Mr Bob Noble who was very surprised and gracious in accepting his $5000 windfall. He promptly donated some money back “to buy something for the kiddies”. Then there were the 5 draws for $20: Ron Loiterton Real Estate staff, Mark Hutchinson, Neil Murray,   We thank all the families who bought and sold tickets and to the P & F committee who doggedly sold tickets down the street to make in excess of $5000 for the school. These monies will be spent on additional resources for our students.

It is refreshing to note in these challenging times that what we now ask of our leaders is more about community and wellbeing than dollars and financial policy. This comment from Jacinda Ardern the returning PM for New Zealand in identifying that kindness is a true hallmark of a leader. Let’s hope that this mantra becomes the shared vision for all our leaders.

Remember if you have to choose between being extraordinary or kind…Be extraordinarily kind!

Dear Parents,

As we begin Term 4, I would like to present again the very useful information on “Parental Controls in iOS12” sent out in Term 2. I have had a few queries around how to manage children’s screen time and this is just one strategy of many that could be useful for parents in this space. 

A new game called “AMONG US” has become the go-to Pandemic entertainment over the last few months. Kirra from Safe-on-Social has complied a great summary which does say that it is the most innocuous of games being played in the pandemic, if basic online safety rules are being followed. However, her summary does present the real values and hidden messages that could be spread amongst our young who do play the game. It is another great information tool that empowers parents to know what’s really happening in the spaces where our children play online.

See the attached link to access her newsletter on AMONG US.

https://www.safeonsocial.com/so/adNJZKY7y?cid=86611488-2a5c-48af-80af-cec42f57b8f0#/main 

UNIFORMS: Term 4 sees a return to the full summer uniform. The following requirements are taken straight from our uniform policy. Please ensure that your 

BOYS SUMMER UNIFORM: 

grey shorts, blue shirt, grey crew socks (mid calf length), black leather fully enclosed school shoes, or black leather elastic sided boots.

GIRLS SUMMER UNIFORM: 

blue check school dress or navy midford skirt or Culottes,  white Midford ‘Audrey’ blouse with logo (secondary only) or light blue blouse with logo . (primary only), white crew socks (mid calf length) & black leather fully enclosed school shoes or black leather elastic sided boots.

JEWELLERY, HAIR AND MAKE-UP: 

• A simple chain with a cross may be worn. Plain ring on ONE finger.
• A simple gold or silver bangle or bracelets. No bands including plastic or friendship bands.
• Two simple studs or sleepers per ear. Must be less than 0.5mm in diameter
• No nose piercings are allowed.
• Clear nail polish only.
• Hair neat and a tidy style at all times, no unnatural or ‘extreme’ hairstyles (as determined by the Principal or Principal’s delegate).
• No unnatural hair colours or divergent colours (eg blonde streaks in dark hair).
• Hair at shoulder length must be tied back at all times with plain hair bands or hair ties/ribbons in school colours only. (Blue, red or white)
• Minimal makeup is to be worn in Secondary

Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist  

Last Thursday our Yr 4 2020 Reconciliation and First Eucharist candidates began their preparation for these two Sacraments. Please keep these students in your prayers.

We encourage all candidates and their families to attend weekend Masses during this time of preparation.

Sacrament of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist

The sessions for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist will take place on Thursday afternoons, over a period of 5 weeks (4 lessons plus a twilight retreat including First Reconciliation), as indicated below. With the obvious time constraints, it is critical for your child to attend all the preparation sessions and the final Twilight Retreat, to adequately prepare our candidates for the reception of First Reconciliation which will be held at the Twilight Retreat and First Eucharist. If there is an unplanned inability to attend a session, please advise Fr Lolesio as soon as possible.

Venue: Sacred Heart School Library

Time: 3.30pm - 4.30pm

Session 1: 15th October

Session 2: 22nd October

Session 3: 29th October

Session 4: 5th November

Session 5: 12th November (Twilight Retreat)

2020 Marian Procession 

Due to COVID restrictions, the 2020 Marian Procession will take place online. Led by our ethnic communities, the event is an opportunity to pray the Rosary together as a community.

We encourage participants to gather online in hubs with members of their families, local parishes, friends, or just individually to pray the Rosary during the week leading up to the celebration of the live-streamed Multicultural Mass Sunday 25 October.

Find out more information and register for notifications at https://hozana.org/en/community/9352-marian-procession

Athletics_Carnival_2020_Menu.pdf

2021_School_Travel.pdf

Sacred_Heart_K_10_Athletics_Carnival.pdf

Year_10_HSC_Minimum_Standards_Tests.pdf

Year_10_PE_course.pdf

Primary Sport

2021 C&G Primary AFL Trials - Expression of Interest

Primary students currently in Year 4 and 5 who wish to participate in the Canberra Goulburn/Wollongong AFL Trials for 2021 are to nominate online at http://sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/nominations. Nominations close Friday 20th November 2020. 

Primary NRL Gala Days, Young - Boys Tackle and Girls League Tag 

Stage 3 - Wednesday 4th November (Week 4)

Stage 2 - Wednesday 18th November (Week 6)

No spectators can attend the carnival and students are to be dropped off/picked up by their own parent/caregiver. More information will be sent home with students. 

Secondary Sport

Brumbies Visit

In the last few weeks of term 3, the PASS class have been competing in a 'Mini Olympics' in various sports included in the Olympics or Commonwealth Games. As part of this experience, they have enjoyed sessions with Brumbies Rugby Development Officers, Rhianna Burke, Sammy Maxwell and Tom Martin, learning skills and game sense for Rugby 7s. We were lucky to have Brumbies Will Miller and Bayley Kuenzle from the current Super Rugby premiers team, visit our school with the trophy and spend time playing touch with students at recess. Thanks to all involved.

Southern Sports Academy Trials

In addition to the AFLW, Netball, Golf, Hockey and Rugby trials for 2021 Southern Sports Academy squads, Basketball is calling for nominations also. See the following email from the Southern Sports Academy CEO.

Good afternoon,

The Southern Sports Academy is excited to announce our Basketball Program is back up and running.  We are pleased to have Adam O’Callaghan as our new Head Coach.  Adam has been heavily involved in Basketball for over 20 years both as a player (NSW Country, WJL and State League) and coach (currently completing Level 2, worked with HP coaches from Basketball Australia and Basketball NSW, BNSW floor coach).

The Squad will be selected from the South West Basketball Tournament on the 5th / 6th December 2020 in Albury (Lauren Jackson Sports Centre).

To be eligible for consideration, nominees must be born between 2006 and 2009 inclusive. Committed to progressing to higher representation within the sport of Basketball; and currently residing within the SSA regional catchment.  Forms need to be returned to the Academy by Friday 27th November 2020.

All scholarship holders will participate in an ongoing program of intensive coaching covering all aspects of their sport. This program will include specific workshops in practical skill training, fitness testing, strength and conditioning advice, nutrition and hydration principles, recovery strategies and sports medicine advice.

Athletes will also attend personal development workshops designed to assist them with issues off the sporting field.                                                                            

Application forms are also available online at the Academy Web Page https://ssa-nsw.org.au/nominations-new-2https-docs-google-com-forms-d-e-1faipqlse8aneoiwdpk-ueu6wznvxwrtlsp7q9phjibw8t76vgsdcxga-formresponse/ 

If you require additional information concerning the program or the Southern Sports Academy, please do not hesitate to contact the Academy on (02) 6931 8111.

I look forward to your continued support.

Regards,

Mark Calverley

Chief Executive Officer

NSW Wheelchair Roadshow

On Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd October, presenters from NSW Wheelchair Sports organisation will be facilitating programs with the Secondary PDHPE and PASS classes. 

The focus of their presentation will be:

• PDHPE - Road Safety and Disability Awareness with Wheelchair Basketball games
• PASS - Physical Activity and Sport for Specific Groups with Wheelchair Basketball and AFL

The staff will participate in a Team Building and Disability Awareness session as well as games of Wheelchair Basketball, during the afternoon staff meeting.

Photos will be available in the next newsletter.

Year 10 PE - Lawn Bowls

As part of the PE course, Year 10 will be participating in Lifelong Recreation activities. 

The Cootamundra Ex-Services Club have offered us coaching and game time in Lawn Bowls for the next few weeks. They are generously providing this at no cost to the students.

We will use the school’s minibus to transport to and from the Ex-Services Club during our PE lessons. These will be labelled in the students 10 PDHPE Google Calendar and changes or updates will go out via Google Classroom.

If parents/guardians have any concerns, please contact Ms Withers prior to the sessions, on 02 69422612 during school hours.

If parents would like to join the Fete committe please contact Nancy Smith on 0428 424 804