Term 4 - Week 8 (22 November, 2024)

From The Principal

Dear Families, 

The Power of Collaboration - Strengthening Parent-Teacher Partnerships: At our school, we believe that the partnership between parents and teachers is crucial for the holistic development of our students. Parents bring invaluable insights into their child’s unique needs, strengths, and interests. This personal knowledge helps teachers tailor their educational approaches to better support each student’s learning journey. 

Teachers, on the other hand, bring a wealth of professional expertise in education. They understand the curriculum, effective teaching strategies, and how to foster a positive learning environment. By combining this expertise with the intimate knowledge parents have of their children, we can create a more supportive and effective educational experience. 

We encourage open communication and regular collaboration between parents and teachers. This can be achieved through parent-teacher conferences, regular updates, and involvement in school activities. When parents and teachers work together, we can ensure that every child receives the support they need to thrive both academically and personally. 

We invite all parents to actively participate in their child’s education. Your involvement and insights are invaluable to us. Together, we can build a strong foundation for our students’ future success. 

Up Morning and 2025 Classes – This morning, our children took part in our ‘Up’ morning. At this time, all children, including our 2024 Prep children, moved ‘up’ to their classes of 2025. This important routine serves the purpose of establishing the very important relationships between students and with their teacher. This introduction also reduces some of the natural anxiety that change causes. All of the children were very excited and had an enjoyable morning with their 2025 classmates and teacher.  

In 2025 we welcome Mrs Rae Hamilton as our Learning Support Teacher, Miss Emily McKewan as our Year 2M classroom Teacher and Mr Luke Bourke as our Year 4M Teacher. 

A little about each of our new staff: 

Mr Luke Bourke has been a Primary School Teacher for the past seven and a half years. He began his teaching career in his hometown of Inverell, NSW, and more recently, he has been teaching at Tamborine Mountain College in the Gold Coast Hinterland. His roles have included being a Classroom Teacher for Years 3-6, a Specialist PE Teacher for Pre-Prep-6, and a School Sport Coordinator. His passion for teaching stems from getting to know the strengths and personalities of all his students, as well as creating a safe and student-centered learning environment that provides students with the opportunity to grow socially, emotionally, academically, and on the sporting field. He is looking forward to joining and meeting everyone involved with Sacred Heart Primary School, Toowoomba, in 2025. 

Miss Emily McKewen is thrilled to return to Sacred Heart in 2025 after spending her final practical experience placement in our Prep C classroom this year. She greatly admires the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere that makes Sacred Heart such a wonderful place to learn and grow. 

Over the past four years, Emily has had the privilege of working with Toowoomba Hockey, teaching students across the Darling Downs how to play a sport she has loved and played for 16 years. Alongside this, her teaching journey has allowed her to work with students of all ages and abilities, deepening her passion for education and creating supportive, engaging learning environments. 

What excites Emily most about teaching is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives. She is eager to create a classroom where students feel inspired to explore, learn, and thrive. Emily looks forward to connecting with the students, families, and staff at Sacred. 

We welcome Mrs Rae Hamilton to the role of Learning Support Teacher. Rae is currently serving as the Director of Wellbeing and Education Support Coordinator at Peace Luther Primary School in Gatton. With a strong emphasis on promoting inclusion and wellbeing, her responsibilities include behavioural analysis, managing complex specialist letters and reports, moderating and submitting to the NCCD, and conducting stakeholder briefings within her community. 

Having recently settled in Toowoomba with her family, Rae brings a wealth of experience from working across various school systems and diverse demographics in New South Wales, Queensland, and the Northern Territory. After three years in Gatton, she is excited to work closer to home. 

Rae looks forward to collaborating with you to help students achieve their full potential through guidance, support, encouragement, innovation, and insight. 

Mrs Kaylene Bruggemann, our Physical Education Teacher in 2025, holds a Bachelor of Education in Sport, Health and Physical Education Primary, a Master of Educational Wellbeing, a Graduate Certificate in Religious Education, and a Diploma of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing.  

Kaylene has a strong connection to Sacred Heart, as her three children attended the school for all of their primary education, and she worked in administration here for eight years. She is looking forward to rejoining the Sacred Heart Community to share her love of sport and physical activity with all of the Sacred Heart students. 

Our Class Teachers for 2025 are as follows: 

Prep C           – Ms Jesse Curtis 

Prep N           – Mrs Melissa Nelson 

Year 1R         – Miss Sarah Reed 

Year 1T         – Mrs Angela Tevelein 

Year 2M        – Miss Emily McKewan 

Year 2C        – Miss Meghan Curtin 

Year 3C        – Ms Allison Campbell 

Year 3/4M     – Mrs Jodie Manley 

Year 4B         – Mr Luke Bourke 

Year 5R         – Miss Madelyn Robinson 

Year 6B        – Mrs Charlie Barrett and Mrs Jacque Armstrong 

Farewell – While we welcome some new faces to our team, we are also farewelling some very valued members of our team.  

After a long and commendable career in Catholic Education, Mrs Jan Watkins, our Teacher Librarian, has flagged her intention to take long service leave commencing in 2025. Her contributions to Catholic Education and to Sacred Heart, in particular, spans decades. She looks forward to travelling and spending time with her grandchildren. 

Mrs Gen McNair, our Learning Support Teacher (LST), is retiring from teaching. Gen is looking forward to taking the time to support her parents and assisting in the running of their farm at Oakey. We will farewell Gen at the end of this year and celebrate her contributions to education. 

Mr Reilly Young joined us as our Year 2 Teacher mid-way through term two this year and has been a wonderful part of our learning team and the lives of our students. He has recently been successful in gaining a teaching position at St Patrick's, Allora, much closer to home, beginning in 2025. 

God bless, 

Mr Tyronne Maher

From The APMI

A person of Integrity

This term we have focused on the Mercy value of Integrity. We generally fall back on explaining Integrity as doing the right thing even when no one is watching.  This week I saw students who chose to act with Integrity. One student picked up rubbish without being asked, another student stopped to see if a classmate was ok after they tripped over, and another student resisted the urge to jump in the puddles or run out into the rain while walking to the toilets. During our Assembly on Monday afternoon, one student from each class will receive a special Mercy award for being a person of Integrity. “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18), reminds us that it's not what we say but our actions (and especially when we know no one is watching) that truly matter. 

Compassion in Action  

Thank you so much for your support of the Mini Vinnies’ Christmas Appeal! Some classes have even filled multiple washing baskets for families in need. During our Assembly on Monday afternoon, we will have a representative from St Vincent de Paul here at school to speak to the school community about the impact they have made to so many families this Christmas! 

Colour Fun Run 

A great afternoon was had by all! Thank you to the Student Representative Council (SRC) members for getting this initiative off the ground and a special thank you to Mrs Katie Horne for all her work in organising the event! We raised just over $15 000 which will help to purchase new reading resources! Thank you to everyone who came to cheer the students on and for all the families who raised such amazing funds for our school!  

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Remembrance Day  

On Monday of Week 7 we gathered in our classrooms to take the time to reflect on the sacrifice so many people have made to keep us and others safe. Students from 2J lead us in a special prayer celebration which focused on mateship and being kind to everyone. Thank you to Mr Young and the students from 2J for leading us in prayer as well as sharing with us the beautiful song!  

Instrumental Music Concert  

Congratulations to all the students who performed at the Twilight Instrumental Concert last week! It was an absolute privilege to see you all perform. You should all be so proud of yourselves. Thank you to Mrs Cherie Runciman and Miss Jessie Joy, for all your work to bring the Arts to life here at Sacred Heart.  

Sacramental Program  

Our Parish’s Sacramental Program for 2025 is coming up early next year. This program is for baptised Catholic children who are at least 8 years old. I will send home a printed-out version of the form that families will need to complete and return a section to our Parish Office if you are interested in your child participating in the Sacramental Program next year.  

Christmas Concert

Please mark the 29th of November on your calendars (if you haven’t already done so!) for our Christmas Concert. This is always one of the highlights of the year for our school community and not a night to miss! 

 Mrs Alice Lucas

Prayer of the Week

Student Protection Contacts

School Student Protection Contacts (SSPC) 
Our school has five School Student Protection Contacts. Mr Maher, Mrs Jackman, Mrs Lucas, Mrs Barrett and Ms Campbell. These are nominated staff members to whom students, staff and parents can raise concerns related to student safety. Although School Student Protection Contacts receive additional training, all school staff receive regular training and information to enable them to respond to student protection concerns. 

From The Middle Leader/Curriculum Co-ordinator

ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING AT SACRED HEART 

We are fast approaching the finalisation of Semester Two assessment and report card writing for our students of Sacred Heart for 2024. The purpose of report cards is to ensure that parents/caregivers receive information around every student’s academic growth and to provide some insights into their social emotional development, including their learning behaviours. Our goal is to empower you with information you need to support your child’s learning journey effectively. These report cards will be uploaded to the Parent Portal and will be live in Week 10 on Wednesday 4th December. 

Mrs Charlie Barrett

From the Learning Support Teacher

Speaking in sentences – A Lifelong Skill 

How often do you ask a question of your child and you get a single word response or perhaps just a yeh or neh?  A single word or very short reply is generally enough to get their message across.  However, encouraging our children to respond in more complete sentences has many benefits to learning. 

It builds oral language skills – As young children use more words and phrases, they develop a larger vocabulary and become more skilled in speaking. 

It helps English Language Learners gain more practice – This is important for both our very young children learning English as their first language and EALD children.  It helps children learn word tenses (‘I threw the ball’ rather than ‘I throwed the ball.’); correct pronoun usage (‘he/him for male and she/her for female or ‘He lost him’s shoes’.) and many more.  

It builds skills in listening – Children actually listen more and feel listened to when others expect and encourage them to speak more completely.  Really listen to your child’s response and build on this by showing interest and prompting more information with open ended questions eg That is interesting…Tell me more.   

It enhances writing skills – When writing children are encouraged to write how they would say it.  In this day of texts and emojis we need to have students speaking in complete sentences so that when we tell them to write how they would say it – we are meaning – in a complete sentence.  Children are more able to edit their own errors when they have good oral language skills – they can actually see the mistakes. 

It helps children become comfortable with public speaking – Speaking in complete sentences builds confidence with speaking to others beyond their friends and family.  Children feel more comfortable speaking in front of their class and even larger groups.  

Confidence in speaking is a life-long skill.  People can judge us by the way in which we speak.  People who speak with confidence are more likely to be considered more reliable and capable in what they do.  This is very important when moving onto high school and during job interviews.  It is also a great skill to have when solving problems and conflict or even just getting across your point of view. 

As teachers, good modelling and expecting children to respond in complete sentences, is the easiest adjustment and the most effective intervention we can make to help our students learn the English language.   

Developing confidence in speaking is the greatest gift that we as parents can give to our children.  Please take the time to speak with them and really listen to what they have to say. 

Mrs Genny McNair

Classroom Awards

Prep Enrolment

The Arts

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 the Christmas Concert and starting repertoire for 2025. 

Choir members will be dressed a local Bethlehem people for the Christmas Concert. They will require a plain over coat/dressing gown and a tea towel or scarf as head dress. Can you please start sourcing these items and let me know if you have any concerns. 

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.   

DANCE CLUB:

The students have been busy working towards their performance for the Christmas Concert: An Animals Christmas Carol is NEXT FRIDAY. 

 Junior Dance Club - Moths and Spiders 

Senior Dance Club- Black and White Dogs 

Junior Dance Club Equipment 

Black bike shorts for girls or plain shorts for boys Bike Shorts - Kmart 

Long sleeve black t-shirt Plain Long Sleeve T-shirt - Kmart Please bring by Friday 8th November. (We need to sew things to the shirt) Please let me know if you are happy to donate this shirt to our dance costumes. 

Black canvas shoes or black jazz shoes 

Senior Dance Club Equipment 

Black long leggings Plain Full Length Leggings - Kmart 

White t-shirt Short Sleeve Plain T-shirt - Kmart Please bring by Friday 8th November. (We need to sew things to the shirt) Please let me know if you are happy to donate this shirt to our dance costumes. 

Cheap black or white tutu shirt Adult Tutu -Black - Party planet (choicethediscountstore.com.au) This is something that will be returned to students. 

Black canvas shoes or black jazz shoes 

If you have any concerns about the costume, please contact Ms Cherie Runciman. 

INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM:

Congratulations on all the students who attended the Twilight Concert on Wednesday 13th November. We had a lovely evening of entertainment showcasing the students who have been involved in the instrumental program this year. I would like to thank the Parent Engagement Network for providing refreshments.  

Thank you to Miss Jessie Joy for an outstanding year of instrumental teaching here at Sacred Heart. We are very lucky to have such an energised, supportive and talented tutor here at Sacred Heart. 

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If you are interested in having lessons in 2024, please contact Cherie Runciman cherie.runciman@twb.catholic.edu.au 

Christmas Concert: An Animals’ Christmas Carol 

The Christmas Concert is NEXT FRIDAY.  

Please make sure you have your costumes ready to go!! Below is a table that lists each class and the item they need. Can I please reinforce that the clothing needs to be plain and have no patterns. You may be able to turn the clothing inside out. I have supplied links for some items. 

Ms Cherie Runciman

Sport

Sport Report 

Our Swimming Carnival was a wonderful day! Thank you to all the parents who came along to cheer the students on. Congratulations to all the students for trying their best and I was impressed to hear several children setting swimming goals for next year’s Swimming Carnival. Please see below for the results:  

CRICKET LESSONS:

Next week in PE we have a Development Officer from QLD Cricket delivering a cricket lesson with all our classes. There is no need for the children to bring anything in for these lessons; all of the equipment will be provided.  

 Mrs Alice Lucas and Mrs Kara Wann

Tiny Hearts Playgroup

HAIR WITH HEART - RUBY'S BIG CHOP

You can help by joining 'Team Ruby' and register for a chop yourself or by making a donation to help with wigs or other vital equipment. Time, date and Venue of Ruby's big Chop is to be advised.

Vera Lacaze Kindergarten - 60 Years Celebration

The Uniform Shop

Uniform Shop hours:
Mondays (THIS INCLUDES PUPIL FREE DAYS) & Thursdays 8.00am - 10:30am.  If a Public Holiday falls on a Uniform Shop day, the Uniform Shop will be closed.

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.

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.

Thank you for your continued support of the school’s uniform shop.

 Mrs Fay Rhodes
Uniform Shop Convenor

Sacred Heart Parish

Tennis Coaching 2025