Today is World Teachers Day. It is celebrated annually to mark the work of all the educators across the globe who have taken up the challenge to change the world by teaching. We are very blessed at Sacred Heart to have such wonderful, dedicated and inspiring teachers. We have never claimed to be a perfect school with perfect teachers and perfect students. But we do claim to have perfect intentions about what we want for our students. The success we want for our students is “to become a person of autonomy, who commands respect, has a communal voice that can write and read effectively, can earn a good living and can contribute to community.” (ED Hirsch). This is dependent on the passion and generous efforts of our staff, the parents and our students. Yesterday I was part of the Diocesan Principals conference where we heard from keynote speakers about building the future for Catholic Education. The focus for CE for the coming years is noble in its aspiration and planning. In the 56 schools with over 21,000 students and 2,000 staff there is the mission to educate each individual to be fully human where people are at the heart of all we do! We look to provide an education that it equitable so that every student in our care has an opportunity to learn, progress and grow. We are in the business of teaching children and we are privileged to do so. Thank you to our wonderful teachers!

Yesterday we also held the first of our year 7 transition days. It was a wonderful success and I thank Ms Marsay for her organisation and planning. It was so lovely to see so many new students enjoying all that our secondary school had to offer. We have been very fortunate to secure 20 new enrolments for our 2021 Year 7 cohort. This is testament to our proud reputation at catering for all types of students and we look forward to all that this new cohort will bring and add to Sacred Heart.

There are no new changes to the expectations of life with COVID-19. The most recent updates for COVID restrictions have made little changes to our day-to-day operations. However, we are now relieved to relax the wearing of masks in the open. However the requirement to wear makes in the classroom will continue for all secondary students and staff despite it becoming very frustrating and annoying. We appreciate that it is not pleasant but we stress with all our students the need to wear them correctly at all times otherwise the exercise is futile.  Our primary students are still encouraged to wear masks but it is not mandated. We are still waiting anxiously for some changes to the permissions for events and events. Work Experience for our Year 10 students is still not permitted to go ahead. This is disappointing for our senior class but there is little we can do until we are given permission. We are still maintaining COVID-safe practices and anyone presenting at school with COVID-like symptoms will be sent home and required to get a COVID negative test result to return to school.

We will continue to insist that our students treat all they encounter with kindness and respect. Too many student excuse their behaviour as “just joking” but this does not negate the hurt that can be caused by insensitive exchanges. All students must take responsibility for their interactions, be it in person or on social media. Words hurt and there is never any reason for putting another person down or excluding them.

Thank you to everyone who raised money for our Uniform Free day this week – Socktober. It will be sent to Catholic Missions to help fund their charities and help those in need.

Don’t forget that in coming weeks you will receive an email invite to join COMPASS through the parent portal. We will upload all of the emails that we currently have on file in the coming week and the COMPASS invite will be sent to these addresses. If your email is incorrect then it will be a challenge to ensure that you receive all of the necessary information from school and even the reports when they are sent out at the end of the semester. 

Please remember to be kind – no act of kindness is ever wasted and it may just change someone’s day for the better.

God Bless

Ms Nicky Trinder

Principal 

The Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Course will help parents and carers to learn how to assist a young person, Primary and Secondary children, who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves, using a practical, evidence-based action plan.

The 2 day training will take place on 1^st & 2^nd December from 8.30am-4pm at the St Mary’s Parish Administration Centre, Campbell St, Young.

Places are limited to 20 participants, so parents and carers are encouraged to register early at Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/193148050017

Library_Permission_note.pdf

Year_5_Reflection_Leadership_Day.pdf

Year_9_Leadership_Day.pdf

Infants_Learn_to_Swim_Program.pdf

Primary_Sport.pdf

Calling all Superheroes!

Cootamundra Youth Council are hosting a Superheroes Trivia Night on Friday 19^th November, 6-8pm. 
They'll be games for all, food provided and prizes to be won.

At the Cootamundra RSL – Wattle Room

FREE ENTRY

More info at https://tinyurl.com/cyc-heroes