The weeks are just getting bigger and bigger as we race to the end of the school year. Our Stage 3 students have spent the past two days in Canberra with Mrs McLeod, Mrs Winsor, Mr Forsyth and Mrs Smith. They had an action-packed itinerary and had enormous fun. We will hear all the stories upon their return this afternoon. Our Year 10s wrap up two weeks of work experience and to all accounts they had a very valuable time being part of the work force and realizing that school is not such a bad place after all. Next week they will leave Sacred Heart for the last time and head off into the big wide world. We will celebrate the Graduation Mass at 11.45 on Friday and join together for a celebratory meal at the Club that night. They have been a wonderful bunch of young people who have shared their myriad of talents with the school and have been so capably supported by their PCA Ms Marsay. The Annual awards ceremonies will also be conducted on Wednesday 6 December at 10am for Infants and Primary students and then again at 12noon for the Secondary students. We congratulate all our students for their efforts and achievements this year. Unfortunately, not everyone can win a prize but hopefully everyone is happy and proud of all they attempted and accomplished this year.

The reports are entering the final phases of proof reading after many hours, days and weeks of preparation. Many hours go into assessments and moderation to prepare the reports and ensure their accuracy and consistency. This semester Catholic Education have reinstituted the reports as commendations and recommendations to highlight the areas of affirmation and development. With this increased workload and the extra comment dimension to the report there will no longer be the necessity for a phone call home to explain the points of praise and improvement. If you have any concerns when you receive the report there will be an opportunity to make an appointment with the class teacher in the final week.

This week we announced the new school leaders for 2024. This was after a thorough process of nomination, speeches, interviews and voting. We had outstanding students chose to stand for leadership in both Year 5 and Year 9. It never ceases to amaze us how articulate and enthusiastic our students are about the privilege of leading the student body for the next academic year. It is so hard to choose from the high calibre of students who contest the election and it is an unfortunate fact that not all can be elected and wear a badge. However, I am supremely confident that all our students will be leaders of their peers regardless of the badge or blazer. The student leadership team for 2024:

School Leaders: Thomas Peacey and Lucy Paterson

O’Shaughnessy Leaders: Nellie Ward, Amelia Smith, Polly Manwaring and George Clark

Mercy Leaders: Evan Lonnen, Ashlee Peacey, Charlotte Gay and Koby Bryant

De La Salle Leaders: Benjamin Piffero, Caitlin Cram, Oliver Daley and Reuben Smith.

The P&F committee met earlier this week in preparation for the first fundraising event for 2024 – the catering for the Schools Cootamundra Beach Volleyball Carnival. Mrs Heather Gammon has taken on the leadership of this catering and all volunteers are invited to send through their names to Heather for rosters for Friday 16 February. We will meet again early in the new year to ensure we have enough helpers and food for sale. We would love as many helpers as we can get.

Over the next two weeks we will start to prepare for the Primary classes move into the convent for the beginning of next year. Currently the Building Works is still in the tendering process but we hope the building will begin early in the new year. The Primary classes will take up residence in the convent for, hopefully, no more than 6 months and 1 class will be relocated to Secondary. While this will be a challenging space to be in it will save us a considerable amount of money by avoiding hiring demountables and we can retain maximum playground space. Small time pain for long term gain. The much-needed refurbishment will turn our tired primary building into a state-of-the-art learning space. We can’t wait.

Hopefully by next week’s newsletter I will be able to announce the final staff positions for 2024. It has been a challenge to ensure we secure quality staff for our school and we are looking forward to an exciting year with outstanding educators on every class.

Two weeks to go! Let’s make the most of these final lessons of 2023. Remember there is always a reason to be kind – especially at this time of the year.

Beyond Sacred Heart is a program designed to further prepare students for future endeavours. This year was the 12th time this program had been conducted and covered a range of activities, culminating in mock interviews on Friday 17th November.

On Monday 13th November, two former students discussed their journey since leaving Sacred Heart. The first of these presenters, Casey Beath, has worked extensively overseas in postings for the Australian Government and the second, Mikayla Sheahan, is currently studying Medicine at University, whilst also being involved in recruiting future university students. We then developed cover letters and resumes for their interviews on Friday. Mr Mark Gash from the Commonwealth Bank discussed banking options with the students, including loan application processes, managing credit cards and bank accounts successfully, and an outline of the impact of a poor credit rating.

On Tuesday 14th Nov, the students shared breakfast at E’Claires. After breakfast, students walked to either Jak+Jill’s or Deep’s Clothing to learn about appropriate attire to wear to a job interview.

Upon returning to school Mr Bill Godman and Miss Ella Ronning addressed the students on behalf of the Country Education Foundation regarding the assistance that is available to students as they continue their education or undertake work-based training.

Following this Mrs Cath Alderman and Mrs Leanne Parkman, the Stage Six Career Coordinators from Cootamundra High and Hennessy Catholic College respectively, presented information regarding their roles, subject selection, University admissions, TAFE and apprenticeship pathways and scholarship advice.

Jorja Holder and Chris Ryan from Fleming’s Real Estate presented information on renting accommodation, paying bonds and the legalities involved. The rest of the day was allocated to completing resumes, curriculum vitae (CV), and cover letters.

On Wednesday 15th Nov, the morning was devoted to learning and practising interview skills. In the afternoon, Mrs Jodie McPherson presented information on hair care and general grooming. This was followed by a session on applying suitable makeup for an interview, ironing shirts, cleaning shoes, and organising their attire for Friday morning.

On Thursday 16th Nov, students had a food challenge, for which they had to prepare and cook their lunch on a budget of $6 per person. Then they attended a session with Mr Paul Thompson and Mrs Andrew Alderman, on basic routine mechanical tasks associated with driving. Each student completed a checklist of tasks.

On Friday 17th in the morning, the interviews were held. The interviews were face-to-face and conducted at the school or in the Presbytery. Each student was allocated two interviews in the career areas they had selected. We assembled panels that included local professionals and business owners as well as others from Melbourne, Albury, Canberra, Wagga, and Sydney. After the interviews, we shared a morning tea with the panelists to allow further discussions and networking in a more relaxed environment.

The week concluded with the annual staff versus student volleyball challenge. Congratulations to Year 10 for a classy performance.

Thank you to Ms McGlynn and Mrs Deep for being the interview receptionists and grading the students on their presentation and manners.

We would like to thank all the community members and staff who were involved in making the program so successful and the students for treating the experience as a lifelong and valuable learning opportunity.

Good luck to Year 10 for your future endeavours and life Beyond Sacred Heart.

Term 4 Week 8

Primary

2024 Canberra/ Goulburn trials

Nominations are now open for students who wish to trail for the Canberra Goulburn 2024 sports. Tennis and Basketball trails for 2024 are all run in term 4. If your child is interested in trialling for these events registration is through the CSNSW Sport Website; https://csnsw.sport/help/help-guide-for-parents 

Canberra Goulburn Touch Trails

Congratulations to those students who headed to Canberra Last Friday to participate in the Canberra Goulburn Touch trails. We had three students attend. Alex Byne, Oliver Daley and Ava Sannazzaro. All reports were that our students tried their best and the competition was tough. 

Well done to Oliver Daley who made the Canberra Goulburn team and will now participate in the Mackillop selection next year.

Events Term 1 - 2024

Regards,

Wendy Van Kerk Oerle

Primary Sports Coordinator

Secondary Sport 

Secondary Volleyball Competition

As a bit of fun

Secondary Sport Dates

Events Term 4 - 2023

Events Term 1 - 2024

If you have any questions, concerns or would like to volunteer to help run teams, please contact me on 0269422612 or at megan.withers@cg.catholic.edu.au. 

Regards,

Megan Withers

Secondary Sports Coordinator