Welcome back to Term 4!

We have now completed Week One of Term 4 and it has been a very big week. In typical fashion we have filled every possible moment of the week with learning, activities and opportunities. We are all excited to be back as we race towards the end of the year. It will pass in a ‘blink’ and in no time we will be celebrating Christmas and moving into the New Year.

This week we welcomed everyone back to our classrooms and we were very glad to see everyone. The weather has definitely shifted to summer temps and our students are happy to enjoy the sunshine and the opportunity to run around. Our staff began the week with the annual Spirituality Day where we reflected on the liturgical theme for 2025  - ‘Let you Light Shine’ and realised the different ways we can be a light to others to help them to grown in the Spirit. Thank you to Mrs Maxwell who devoted many hours to leading the staff day.

Our Year 7 2026 cohort joined us for the day on Wednesday 15 October. It was lovely to have all the new students join with our current Year 6 students to experience the routine and content of the different subjects on offer in Secondary. Thank you to Ms Buchanan for her organisation and for Ms Moore for her enthusiasm to be the Year Advisor for our new Year 7s. We have another transition date on the 27 November when our students will be involved in the election of the 2026 School leaders.

Last night we held the inaugural Kinder Readiness Information session. We were very pleased with the number of parents who came to listen to the experts talk about how to help prepare your child for ‘Big School’. Georgia Bradbury (Occupational Therapist), Georgie Butt (Speech Therapist) and Natalie Cowled (Counsellor) led sessions that focused on different strategies that parents can do at home to help their child make the transition. They talked about everything from ‘Turn Taking’, muscle development, pencil grip, limits on screen time and separation anxiety. It was a wonderful presentation that we will definitely run again next year to help parents with the diverse essential skills needed for Kindergarten. Thank you to Mrs Chesworth for her passion and leadership. Thank you to Mr Niddrie, Mrs Fry, Mrs Maher and the rest of the Infants staff who supported the evening.

Next Thursday we will continue the Kindergarten Transitions on 23 October. Once again our 51 students will join the Infants crowd to help prepare for a smooth transition to ‘Big School’.

The Rosary Liturgy today was an opportunity for our Stage 2 Students to lead the school community in the decades of the Joyful Mysteries. It was a reverent and special liturgy where we prayed for the intercession of Mary for our special intentions and for peace in our world. Thank you to Ms Sutherland for her leadership of the students and to the Stage 2 teachers for their support.

Next week we have our Year 9 students depart early on Monday morning (2am) for the annual City immersion experience. This year the students will travel to Sydney with Ms Buchana, Ms Moore, Mr Smith and Mrs Kingwill to experience life in the big smoke. They will attend a show, visit the zoo, travel across Sydney, attend the Jewish Museum and so many other exciting opportunities. We wish them safe travels, lots of sleep and a wonderful week free of incident. We look forward to the photos and the report in future newsletters.

Our Primary students will also travel to Boorowa for the annual Touch and Netball Carnival on Friday 24 October. This is a highlight of the years calendar and we are expecting another wonderful day. Please contact the class teachers if you have any questions about the day.

We will welcome another fantastic Science immersion on Wednesday 22 October when the Aqua Avengers land at school. AQUA AVENGERS is a 30-minute live, in school performance that teaches while it entertains, inspiring Year 3-6 students to think about how their personal water use and everyday bad habits affect their community - and the world beyond. Thank you to Mr Winsor for his organisation.

Earlier this week, on a COMPASS announcement, posted a summary of the imminent changes to the Social Media Ban for under 16 years of age. This is a really significant and important piece of legislation that is internationally ground-breaking. It is well worth the read to ensure that your children are aware of the changes and what it means before it comes into place. Please check COMPASS for the document to ensure you have the discussion with your child/ren.

As we race towards the end of the year, take time to savour the special memories and moments that are made. Our Year 10s only have a little over a month left at Sacred Heart and we will miss their presence, interactions and contributions. Make the most of every moment.

Remember; ‘Be a little kinder than you have to…..”

God Bless.

Ms Nicky Trinder

Principal