Term 3 - Week 4 (4th August)

Student Protection Contacts

From The Principal

Steering improvement – We seem to be bombarded daily with requests from businesses and organisations for feedback on their service or products. These results are used to improve their profit margins and hopefully, their service to us so that we can be assured of getting value for our money. The data we gather in our school, is not about providing a better product and, most of the time, it is not about providing better service. This is because we are not in the retail or service industry. Our work is in the preparation of young people for the future. This important task is complex work as we partner with you in the education of a human being.

This preparation and nurturing of a child, unlike a machine or product, cannot be achieved with an adjustment here and there, it is done with the complete engagement of you as the parent in the learning of your child and the determination of a teacher that all of their learners will progress. Alongside this teacher determination needs to be the child’s belief that they are a learner, and that the adults supporting this believe that they can achieve and that they are cared for. Thrown in with this, the other lessons learnt in the playground with their peers, you start to get an understanding of the complexity of school for a child. The data we (as a school) draw from assessments and surveys provides us with a point of reflection as to how we – students, teachers and parents - are all travelling.

NAPLAN (National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy) results were recently received by all schools in Australia. The reports parents receive give them an idea of how their Year 3 or Year 5 child was progressing in March of this year, in comparison to the rest of the nation against the Australian Curriculum. There is much contention around the use of such assessments, especially where media outlets and schools use these as the only benchmark to measure how they are improving for their children. At Sacred Heart, we take this data seriously, but use this data as part of a broader collection of information about a child. We combine results like this with our behaviour and wellbeing data, other assessments, classroom observations and your feedback, to determine our ‘next steps’ in continuously improving what we do every day for your children.

 While review of what we do is continuous, our school is reviewed every 4 years with our next review coming up early in 2025. The ‘Shaping the Future’ survey recently emailed to you, is information we collect from you as part of the partnership we have in the education of your child. We value your feedback and look forward to reviewing the information that this provides us with. If you have not seen this email, a link to the survey can be found below. Thank you for helping us to improve.
‘Shaping the Future’ survey - https://peoplebenchdata.limesurvey.net/264413?lang=en

Parent Engagement Network – Many of you will remember the move from the traditional ‘Parents and Friends Association’ (P&F) and school Board, to one group – the Sacred Heart Parent Engagement Network (or ‘PEN’). Over recent years, the PEN have worked hard on other fundraising initiatives. This fundraising, along with a levy collected by the payment of school fees, is used to improve student wellbeing and teaching and learning, at our school.

At our meeting on Monday night, it was determined that the accumulated funds of the last few years would be used on various items. One of these items being the completion of a vision that began 4 years ago with the parent group of that time – the ‘Nature Play Area’.  On Monday night, it was motioned that funds will be used this year on:

• Library resources
• Music resources
• Athletics and other sporting equipment (high jump trolley and soccer equipment)
• A handball court (pending quotes)
• A play fort area as part of the broader ‘Nature Play’ area.

It is our aim to have all of these things ordered and completed very soon with some of these items already on their way for the children.

On behalf of our school, I would like to thank not only this year’s committee, but committees from many years before, and you, the families who have volunteered and supported this work for the benefit of all our children. We are moving into a new era for this group where engagement of families in learning and building of community, will be our main goals. This is exciting work and I look forward to working with our PEN now and into the future, to achieve these goals.

God bless.
Mr Tyronne Maher

From The APRE

Catholic Education Week 2023
Last week, we celebrated Catholic Education Week! On Monday morning, we gathered as a school community for a whole school Mass. Tuesday morning, we invited our families into our classrooms and then families were welcome to stay on for a morning tea.

On Thursday, many of our Year 5s and 6s chose to represent our school at the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Netball and Touch carnivals. On Friday, our staff joined with over 900 of our colleagues from other Catholic Schools to reflect on why we choose to teach and work in Toowoomba Catholic Schools. At the end of this day of reflection, during Mass, each school was presented with a plant to represent planting seeds of Hope. This week, two of our prep students, Cole and Nevaeh, joined with our school principal, to plant the little Grevillea just outside the Office block and overlooking the Prep playground. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if in 6 years’ time we could re-create this photo for Cole and Nevaeh!

Mercy Values in Action
Our Year 5s lead a thoughtful prayer during this week’s Assembly all about our Mercy values. Last term I had surveyed the students in Years 3 to 6 to see how many of our students could identify our Mercy values of Hospitality, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence. In Term 2, only 60% of our Year 5s could correctly identify the 4 values. I let the Year 5s know that the goal was for at least 80% of students could correctly identify the values. Our Year 5s were then determined to know our values and what they look like in action. Some of our students asked for a redo, so I surveyed the students again and this time 100% of our Year 5s could correctly identify the values! This is Excellence in action!

First Nations
This week we were fortunate enough to have the team from Winangali Infusion visit our school to run workshops with each class. The students enjoyed Gamilaraay song, dance, language and art to strengthen their connection to self, country and culture. Our students benefited from the opportunity to listen, share, learn and understand in a fun and interactive environment.

Mrs Alice Lucas

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Prayer of the Week

From the Learning Support Teacher

What is the role of the School Guidance Counsellor?
We are very fortunate to have the services of Sarah Jackman in our school, particularly as Guidance Counsellors are in very short supply. 

One role of the School Guidance Counsellor is to support student well-being and this can best be achieved through a whole school approach with the promotion of programs like our Positive Behaviour for Learning program (PB4L), Zones of Regulation and Smiling Minds. 

Sarah can be used for short term intervention for students in crisis situations such as trauma or death in the family.  However, if a child is needing intensive, ongoing support it is recommended they be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist.  When time allows, she does conduct check-ins with particular students who have been raised previously.

Sarah is also qualified to conduct assessments including cognitive assessments and screeners for ASD and ADHD.  Sarah can complete reports based on these assessments but is not able to diagnose such conditions.  Once the assessments are completed a student may be referred to through a GP to a psychiatrist or paediatrician who can then make a diagnosis using these reports provided by the school.

Sarah is in our school each Thursday and every second Wednesday.

Mrs Genny McNair

From The Middle Leader/Curriculum Co-ordinator

Whole Body Listening and Being Ready to Learn
In the classrooms at Sacred Heart Primary School, teachers talk to the children about the importance of whole body listening and being ready to learn in our primary school environment. These valuable skills play a significant role in shaping our students' educational journey and personal development.

Whole body listening is an essential aspect of effective communication and active engagement. It encourages students to use their senses and body language to demonstrate attentiveness. By maintaining eye contact, sitting up straight, and keeping their hands and feet still, students show respect to their teachers and peers. This practice fosters better understanding, enhances concentration, and promotes a positive classroom environment where everyone's contributions are valued.

Equally important is being ready to learn. When students arrive at school prepared and mentally focused, they maximise their learning potential. Being ready to learn involves having breakfast, wearing the correct uniform, being punctual to school and approaching each lesson with enthusiasm and a positive attitude including a growth mindset. This empowers students to actively participate, ask questions, and contribute to class discussions, fostering a collaborative and engaging learning environment.

By cultivating whole body listening and readiness to learn, we equip our primary students with essential skills that extend beyond the classroom. These skills enhance their communication abilities, build resilience, and set them on a path to success both academically and personally.

We encourage families to reinforce these principles at home by promoting active listening during family conversations and creating a supportive environment that encourages curiosity and a love for learning.

Together, we can continue to nurture an atmosphere where whole body listening and readiness to learn are celebrated and cherished, empowering our young learners to reach their full potential.

Mrs Charlie Barrett

From The Guidance Counsellor

Parentline
Parenting is one of the most important and rewarding jobs that there is, but sometimes it can be tough. Parentline, is a free, confidential phone counselling service that is available to help support parents. You can phone for counselling support, and you can choose to give your name or remain anonymous. There are many reasons that parents need to contact Parentline, but the most common reasons are;

• Challenging behaviour and discipline
• Parent child Relationships
• Parenting strategies
• Parent relationships
• Parental mental and emotional health

Parents can contact parentline, via phone, webchat or email.
The fastest way to get support is via phone: 1300 301 300 or visit the website: www.parentline.com.au

Take care,

Sarah Jackman
Guidance Counsellor

Classroom Awards

Class In Focus

Year 1J

Year 1J has had a busy start to Term 3 with the Early Years’ morning, open classroom morning for Catholic Education Week, spending an afternoon with our Japanese friends and an afternoon of fun with the Winangali Infusion team focusing on Gamilaraay song, dance, language, and art.

During Spelling lessons, the children have been working extremely hard with the focused sounds each week.  Their favourite part is creating their spelling words out of the letter tiles. 

For Show and Share this term, the children have been asked to convince the rest of the class what their favourite book is and why.  I have enjoyed hearing about their favourite books and look forward to more sharing in the coming weeks. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Kind regards,

Mrs Hannah Jesshope

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Year 4G

This week 4G had the pleasure of attending the healing and well-being activities with the team from Winangali Infusion.  As a part of the NAIDOC celebrations, the children took part in Gamilaraay song, dance and art to strengthen their connection to self, country and culture.  The children participated in all activities with enthusiasm, with particular interest in the symbolism and elements used in aboriginal art.  

This directly corresponds with the Visual Arts unit we are working on this term in 4G.  The children have been exploring the elements of art and are developing an understanding of their use in various art works.  So far our studies have focused on the element of line.  Year Four has applied this art technique to hatching and cross-hatching when creating their own x-ray drawings, as well as producing a self-portrait using only one line. 

Mrs Jodie Manley

Sport News

NETBALL AND TOUCH FOOTBALL CARNIVALS
Many of our Year 5s and 6s chose to play Netball or Touch Football at last week’s Toowoomba Catholic Schools Netball and Touch Carnivals. Thank you to Ms Maddy Parkes-Moller and Miss Paige Cronk for your work in preparing the students for Touch and thank you to Mrs Hannah Jesshope and Mrs Tanya Kuss for your efforts to prepare the students for Netball.  By all accounts, the students enjoyed a great day of sport!

Please see our Year 6 leaders Sport Report:
TOUCH FOOTBALL On Thursday last week some of our Year 6 and Year 5 students went to Kearney Springs to play touch football for the Catholic Carnival. The Year 5 team won all the games with convincing wins! Good sportsmanship was shown by everyone and the students who did well during each game were Many and Charlie. The Year 6 team tied one and lost 4 games; good sportsmanship was shown by Atem and Meila. Thank you to Ms P.M and Paige Cronk for coaching and training us to prepare us for the day, everyone enjoyed participating on the day.

NETBALL Last Thursday the Year 5s and 6s played netball for the Catholic Carnival. The Year 6 team lost all their games but great sportsmanship was shown throughout the day. The outstanding players were Maddie, Julianne, Xander and Clare. The Year 5 team won 3 games and lost 3 games. The outstanding players for our Year 5 students were Lillie and Orla.

Thanks to Mrs Jesshope & Mrs Kuss for training the teams and supporting the students on the day. Everyone had a very enjoyable day.

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INTER-SCHOOL SPORT
We are back into Inter-School Sport after having a bye last week due to the pupil free day for Bishop’s Inservice Day! Our Year 5s and 6s will be playing Football (soccer) against a variety of schools here in Toowoomba.

Here’s the Sport Report from our Year 6 Leaders for their first game of Inter-School Sport for this term:
Soccer - Girls For the Year 5 and 6 Inter-School sport we played soccer against Darling Heights Primary School.  The Year 5 girls lost their game. Good sportsmanship was shown by Anita and Arlie.  The Year 6 girls lost with the score of 5-3 but good sportsmanship was shown by Meila and Benedict.

Soccer - Boys We played soccer against the Darling Heights State School, with both teams losing their game. Justin, Noah, Benjamin S and Liam showed great sportsmanship during our games; they performed with a resilient and positive attitude, trying their best. Everyone enjoyed playing soccer against Darling Heights and had a great time. Thank you to Ms PM for being a great referee.  

HOCKEY
This term, we have been very fortunate to receive funding from the Sporting Schools program which we are using to have specialist Hockey coaches from the Toowoomba Hockey Association run our PE lessons. The Year 1s to 2s started their Hockey sessions off in Week 3 and have another 2 weeks to go. Students are learning how to control the hockey ball with a hockey stick and then how to apply these skills to game situations.

Our Year 3s to 6s will start up their Hockey sessions next week and they will enjoy Hockey until the Year 5s and Year 6s leave for Camp!

WEST ZONE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
20 Sacred Heart students have been invited to trial for the West Zone Track and Field Team. The West Zone trials will occur next Tuesday 8^th August at O’Quinn Street Oval. We wish all of the students who will be trialling to make the West Zone team all the very best!

Mrs Alice Lucas

From The Arts

Sacred Heart Instrumental

Lessons are on Wednesday with Miss Joy, for Term 3.
There are still spots available for this year.

Tuition is available on: Guitar, Ukulele, Drums/Percussion, Voice, Piano.
If you would like to enrol your child, please fill in the online form below or contact me directly via email. Cherie.Runciman@twb.catholic.edu.au

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=_f1LV0RCBUK3EBaPWwxYDVbF2GR6D2hAo-dL1hpSKMRUQTBXNEcwWURNTk05MlgxNVJBRkRUQjI4Sy4u

Sacred Heart Choir

Every Tuesday afternoon 2.55-3.30pm in the Music Room.
The choir is available for all students in Year 3 to 6. We are currently working towards preparing new songs for Sacred Heart Idol in Week 8.
If you would like your child to be involved in the choir, please contact Cherie Runciman, cherie.runciman@twb.catholic.edu.au  or send them along next Tuesday after school. 

Sacred Heart Idol
Tuesday 29th August

Auditions will be next week during breaktime. 
We have had to extend the enrolment date till Thursday 3^rd August. Therefore, audition times will be emailed out to parents of students entered and posted on the student office window. Parents and members of the community are welcome to attend auditions and the Sacred Heart School Idol Final.

It is the students’ responsibility to organise all props, costumes, music or any other materials they require for their performance. A student who is not prepared for their audition may not be rescheduled due to time restraints. If a student is absent on the day of audition, an alternative audition date will be given.  
Finalists for the competition will be announced after each audition day.

Good luck to everyone !!!

From the Library

BOOK WEEK: 21st – 25th August 2023

Our Book Week activities will be held in Week 7 (21st - 25th August)

The theme for Book Week this year is “Read Grow Inspire” 

There will be the usual favourites:
Book Week Dress Up Parade – Thursday 24th August at 8.30am in the school hall. Students are invited to come dressed as their favourite book character or dress up around this year's theme. 

• Short Listed Titles: Reading of shortlisted titles & follow up activities.
• Reader’s Cup Competition: Tuesday 22nd until Thursday 24th August
• Book Fair opening times:
  * Monday 21st August:  CLOSED
  * Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd August:  8.00 - 8.30am and 3.00 - 3.30pm
  * Thursday 24^th August:  8.00 - 8.30am, 9.30 – 10.00am (FOR PARENTS ONLY) and 3.00 - 3.30pm
  * Friday 25^th August:  8.00 - 8.30am ONLY

We will be holding our annual Book Warehouse Book Fair during this week. There will be a large variety of books for sale at prices to suit everyone. This is a wonderful opportunity to buy some great books and help the library gain new resources as the school receives 30% of the total sales as our commission. 

We are looking for volunteers to assist with the running of the Book Fair. Our busiest times are during the first two days. Please contact the library if you can help during Book Fair opening times.

PEN Disco - 24th August

The Uniform Shop

Uniform Shop hours:
Mondays (THIS INCLUDES PUPIL FREE DAYS) & Thursdays 8.00am - 10:30am 
If Monday is a PUBLIC holiday, the Uniform Shop will open on the following Tuesday.

PLEASE NOTE: WE CAN NO LONGER ACCEPT DONATIONS OF PRE-LOVED ITEMS
Thank you for your understanding in this regard.

*We accept EFTPOS only - NO CASH OR LAYBY*  

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 

SCHOOL PULLOVERS - This is a compulsory uniform item for Years 1 to 6.

EMFIT Bootcamp

Community Notices

2024 Scholarship Applications now OPEN
Available for girls who are:

• Entering Years 7, 8, 9 & 10 in 2024
• Entering Year 7 in 2025

Sacred Heart Parish