24th June 2022
Student Protection Contacts
From The Principal
Dear Families,
Progress Over Product – This week sees us draw to the end of Semester 1, a semester of learning through challenge. I often ask our learners, “What were you challenged in today?” Sometimes, without even reflecting, their response is through a big grin: “Nothing, nothing challenged me today!” Of course, I don’t believe this as there is no day, for an adult or a child, that does not have some level of challenge to it. In fact, as teachers and parents, it is our role to purposefully challenge our children everyday so that they grow. Neurologists tell us, that every time we solve a problem, a new permanent connection is made in our brain. Unfortunately, be it for our own ego or theirs, we sometimes tend to focus on the outcome over the effort. This is what we call having a ‘fixed mindset’. The opposite, encouraging our children to own their improvement or failures, and having them focus on growth through effort, develops a ‘growth mindset’.
A ’fixed mindset’, is where we believe our learning is fixed. ‘You either have it or you don’t’, is a phrase we often hear people use. The problem with this mindset, is that those with it, will sometimes avoid things that are challenging for them or refuse to accept that the outcome was due to their lack of effort or preparation. The child that tells me that “nothing challenged me today”, is them thinking that this is what I want to hear. They want me to know nothing tripped them up because they succeeded at everything.
Developing a ‘growth mindset’, is about believing that while I might be challenged with something now, I will persist and get through this and, better still, I will be greater for it. People with a ‘growth mindset’ believe in the power of ‘yet’: “I am not good at converting fractions to decimals…..yet!” Children with a growth mindset are those we often refer to as happy and resilient. These children develop in this way when the adults around them every day focus on the progress they have made and not the product.
Unfortunately, as adults, our children hear us talk about different things and develop this idea that we’re only focused on the outcome and if the desired one isn’t reached, they are failures. They also hear us make excuses for them which they happily use when challenged. The following examples illustrate what we say and what effect this has on the mindsets of our children:
Remember to focus on the effort rather than the outcome. You’ll develop a child that is more resilient and accepting of challenge and feedback. They will also be happier with life in general.
Athletics Carnival – Last Friday was our Athletics Carnival. Our children are to be commended on their enthusiasm, good behaviour, and participation. Well done to ‘Kelly’ House on winning this year’s overall points tally and congratulations to our Age Champions. Thank you to our families for your support and contributing to a very pleasant day. Thanks to the P&F and our parents, the ‘Bake Sale’ was a big hit and a real treat for families. Thank you to Mr Toohey for his preparation of the children and the coordination of yet another, successful carnival.
Farewell Mr Toohey – As was announced recently, this week sees Mr Paul Toohey finish up as a full-time member of our staff. Paul has been a contributing and collaborative member of the Sacred Heart teaching team for the last 10 years. His professional approach and genuine care for all students has left an indelible mark on those that he has taught and worked with. On behalf of our entire community, we wish Paul and his family all the best for the future. We look forward to seeing him around our school very soon in his role as relief teacher.
Have a safe and restful mid-year break with your children. We look forward to your return on Tuesday 12th July.
God bless.
Tyronne Maher
Principal
From The APRE
Confirmation
Congratulations to all of the children who received the Sacrament of Confirmation last Monday night! We pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen and empower them with the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit. Congratulations to Benjamin Stinson who also received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
A call to help
There is an urgent need for warm clothes and blankets for the hundreds of seasonal workers arriving from the Solomons residing in Toowoomba, Oakey, Clifton and Pittsworth. They are shivering because of the cold. Considering they come from a warm country, this situation is quite new to them. Please help with warm clothes and blankets for these people. Most of them come to work in farms around Toowoomba. They are mostly large but some are small, mostly men and some women who are in need of our help. Please deposit at Mercy Community Diversity Hub, 104 South St, Rangeville ASAP or email Joseph Gamatia jgamatia@yahoo.com.au.
Thank you for your kind and generous consideration with this urgent request.
Changes to the Newsletter and Assemblies
As of next term you will notice a number of changes to do with our newsletter and whole school assemblies.
Newsletter
We will have two classes in focus each fortnight. This will ensure you will hear from each class once a term.
Assemblies
In order to maximise learning and also to ensure we continue to value our whole school Assemblies, they will move to fortnightly. We will have an Assembly every second Monday afternoon.
The Daniel Morcombe Foundation Website
Visit https://danielmorcombe.com.au/safe-bedrooms/ to access this helpful and informative resource for parents and carers and their children and teens. Safe Bedrooms is a suite of resources which equips parents and carers with the tools to lock predators out. Online grooming can happen to any child. However, 97% of Australian parents and carers hadn’t previously considered online grooming a threat. Safe Bedrooms provides information for parents and carers on how to recognise, react and report online grooming. Through the series of videos and resources, parents and carers can learn about the warning signs of online grooming, how to protect their children and what to do if they are concerned about a child. By becoming informed, parents and carers can keep their children safe online.
First day of Term 3
The first day for Term 3 is Tuesday 12th July.
Monday 11 July is a Pupil Free Day.
Best wishes for a restful holiday with lots of family time for all.
Mrs Alice Lucas
APRE
Prayer of the Week
Image accessed from: Pin on TA Designs (Formerly Creative Crafty Owls) (pinterest.com.au)
Class Awards
From Year 2/3A
Here we are at the end of Term 2.
Honestly, I am finding it hard to believe the Term is over, let alone Semester One.
We have had a great term learning lots of new and exciting things and we have noticed just how strong our English and Mathematical skills have come along.
I know the children are all looking forward to a break with many saying they cannot wait to sleep in and watch heaps of TV.
I hope you all have a very relaxing time away from the norm.
Keep happy and safe in all you do.
See you on Tuesday 12th July for the start of Term 3, Semester Two.
God bless.
Mrs Jacque Armstrong and Mrs Jodie Manley
From Year 5L
This week we have the sad task of farewelling Mr Toohey! He will be so very missed in 5L and at Sacred Heart as whole. During Monday’s Assembly, we offered up our prayers of thanks for Mr Toohey. Here’s a few of the students’ fondest memories of Mr Toohey:
Jye: My favourite memory is when Mr Toohey taught us sport in prep (way back in 2017). My favourite thing he taught me was tunnel ball, we had a lot of fun and I will miss Mr Toohey very much. There is a lot to miss about you, Mr Toohey, if I could write everything, I would.
Layla G: I will miss Mr Toohey because he takes us out to sport every Friday afternoon when we finish our work. My favourite subject he teaches is Science. I think it’s a bit funny that he moves the desks each week. I think most of 5L enjoy him teaching using Kahoot because it challenges us but is still heaps of fun. This is why I’ll miss Mr Toohey.
Kodah: My favourite memories with Mr Toohey are:
- Him being our Thursday and Friday teacher.
- I also will miss him because he takes us out to play sport on a Friday afternoon.
- And him teaching us all about the solar system and letting us research a planet.
Open Classroom
As a culminating activity for our HASS and Visual Arts assessments we opened up our classroom to our parents so they could share in our learning. Thank you to the parents who were able to make it into the class for this session!
Hospitality
In preparations for our Term 3 focus on the Mercy educational value of Hospitality, we have set goals to help us to be people of Hospitality. Ask your child to teach you our class handshake!
We hope you all have a restful break and I look forward to welcoming our new team teacher next term!
Mrs Alice Lucas
6B Thank You
6B Winter Appeal
The 6B Winter Appeal has been a huge success. A massive thank you must go to our Sacred Heart community for your amazing generosity. From your contributions and the hard work of our senior students we were able to raise and donate $361 to Base Services to purchase three Backpacks for Toowoomba’s most vulnerable.
In total 6B collected an overwhelming number of blankets and jackets for Civic Assist, eight bags of groceries for Rosies, ten bags of women and children’s shoes, clothing and toys, eight towels and a box full of toiletries for Tony’s Community Kitchen. Once again, thank you for your kindness and support in helping 6B to aid these fantastic organisations doing wonderful things in our Toowoomba community.
From 6B, Mrs Barrett and Mrs Anderson.
From The Arts
Sacred Heart Idol
Well done to all the students who performed for the Sacred Heart Idol. We were very impressed by the high standard of performances! What a wonderful way to showcase our students' talent.
Thank you to our judges, Mrs Sandra Neale, Miss Michaela Francis & Miss Emma Erdis. Also a huge thank you to Mrs Cherie Runciman and Mrs Debbie Menkins for all their preparation to ensure this annual event was such a huge success.
Congratulations to our 2022 School Idol Winners :
Vocal: Hayley W - 6B
Variety: The Incredible Joksters (Aiden, Cohen and Benjamin S)
Instrumental: Mia L - 6B
Dance: Madeleine & Charlotte M
Encouragement Award: Kaeci E - 4C
Overall Winner - 2022 School Idols: Liam B & Liam F
INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS WITH MISS JOY
If your child is interested in learning an instrument, please contact Ms Runciman. We will have some spots available with Miss Joy in Term 3. Get in early to make sure you do not miss out.
2023 School Fee Billing
Please be advised that school fee billing for 2023 will change. Currently school fees are generated each term - (Term 1, 2, 3 & 4), however, in 2023 all families will be billed for three terms - (Term 1, 2 & 3). This will mean that the school fee amount will be more per term but only over three terms. For example if your yearly school fee amount is $1800, you will be billed $600 per term for three terms.
You will still have the option to pay school fees over the entire school year, through direct debit or a bank deposit into the school’s bank account.
If you have any questions or need clarification, please don’t hesitate to contact the office.
Term 3 Tennis Coaching
The Uniform Shop
Thank you for your continued support of the school’s uniform shop.
Normal Uniform Shop hours:
Mondays & Thursdays 8.00am - 10:30am.
If Monday is a holiday, the Uniform Shop will open on a Tuesday.
Track pants (with logo) are now available.
Pencil cases (with logo) are at a special price of $5.00 each.
Red anklet socks (sizes 2-8 & 8-11) are at a special price of $8.00
SCHOOL BAGS: School Bags are COMPULSORY to the whole school. Do you have the correct bag?These are available from the Uniform Shop for $39.50 (with emblem).
SCHOOL PULLOVERS - This is a compulsory uniform item for Years 1 to 6.
SPRAY JACKETS are compulsory for students in Years 1-6 only.
PREP STUDENTS DO NOT REQUIRE SPRAY JACKETS!
FREE BUTTONS available for Boys’ red shirt, girls’ red and white blouse & Prep red polo.
The uniform shop carries donated pre-loved items (including items for Prep).
Thank you for all the donations to the uniform shop these are greatly appreciated. Please continue to support the uniform shop with donations. These can be left at the office.
*We accept Cash, EFTPOS or Layby* Please note: this is at the Uniform Shop ONLY
Ms Betty Davison
CONVENOR