Well we have made it to the end of term and while it has not been as eventful as we usually would have hoped for we are grateful and blessed that we have not had to endure loss. The value of community has been reinforced time and time again and we have supported each other through all of the different challenges. We pray that next term will be an opportunity to focus on what really matters and to finish the year on a positive high. This Friday we will finish the term with a K-10 celebration with a tabloids afternoon (if the weather is kind to us!) and a sausage sizzle. All staff and students thoroughly deserve a break from the routines of school and we look forward to two glorious weeks of rest and relaxation. We pray that everyone stays safe and students return refreshed and rejuvenated on Wednesday 14 October. Any updates on restrictions and protocols for schools will be communicated via schoolzine over the holiday period.

On Sunday Fr Lolesio confirmed 21 of our students in a lovely celebration of their commitment to their faith. While we were socially distanced and numbers were restricted it was still a significant moment in their faith journey. Thank you to Mrs Maxwell, Mrs Niddrie, Mr Winsor, Mrs McLeod and Mrs Winsor for their dedicated efforts to prepare our students for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

On 17 August, NSW announced guidance to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission impacting NSW schools including the deferral of school-related social activities. If NSW can keep notifications low and testing rates high within this age group, Year 10 graduation ceremonies should be able to proceed in Term 4, starting from 12 November 2020. At this stage we are also planning for the Award ceremony but there are specific guidelines in place if we intend to video record and live stream the presentation. We will keep you informed of any decisions that will impact on the important events at the end of the year.

Please find attached a letter addressed to all parents and carers regarding Catholic school funding. It is in response to misleading information in an ABC news article.

Response_to_Misleading_ABC_News_Article_on_Catholic_school_funding.pdf

Today I was privileged to be a part of the Infants “Being Thankful” liturgy. It was a heart warming expression of the children’s faith and understanding of all that we have been blessed with in our lives. The respectful manner and reverence that our littlest students demonstrated was powerful and the genuine expressions of their faith were inspiring. Thank you to the wonderful Infants teachers for preparing the students.

I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday and hope that the holidays are kind to all. I hope that it is restful for all and that we can return safely to enjoy all that Term 4 has to offer.

Remember – this message from Princess Diana

“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.”

God Bless. In a world where you can be anything…. Be kind!

Mrs Nicky Trinder

Principal

Dear Parents

You would not you give your child the keys to the car and let them drive off down the road without lessons. It is the same with devices. The following information from Safe on Social on Parent resilience strategies provide a few tips which help your children to navigate the online world better. Please read the bulletin and have those conversations with your sons and daughters about what is ok and not ok to share online and how to support their friends (and therefore themselves). Try to talk with them about shared concerns like identity theft and unauthorised access if it pops up in mainstream media. Tap into their interests so you know what they are really into online, and use this to mitigate risks together. And finally set you children some digital chores or homework.

SoS_Cheat_Parent_resilience_strategies_2020_T3_W_9.pdf

When we return to school in Term 4 all students will be in their full summer uniforms. Just a reminder that black socks are worn with the sports uniform and girls must wear white mid-calf length socks and the boys wear grey mid-calf length with their respective summer uniforms.

Regards

Mrs Katie Thompson

Assistant Principal

Sacrament of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist

The sessions for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist will take place on Thursday afternoons, over a period of 5 weeks (4 lessons plus a twilight retreat including First Reconciliation), as indicated below. With the obvious time constraints, it is critical for your child attend all the preparation sessions and the final Twilight Retreat, to adequately prepare our candidates for the reception of First Reconciliation which will be held at the Twilight Retreat and First Eucharist. If there is an unplanned inability to attend a session, please advise Fr Lolesio as soon as possible.

Venue: Sacred Heart School Library

Time: 3.30pm - 4.30pm

Session 1: 15th October

Session 2: 22nd October

Session 3: 29th October

Session 4: 5th November

Session 5: 12th November (Twilight Retreat)

Twilight Retreat and First Reconciliation: 12th November 3.30pm - 6.30pm (shared supper.

Sacrament of First Eucharist Celebration: Sunday 15th November (11.00am Mass)

Primary Sport - Southern Sports Academy

The Academy is now calling for nominations for the 2021 AFLW, GOLF, NETBALL, HOCKEY and RUGBY Programs.  The nomination deadlines, selection and trial details and further information can be found on the forms for the 2021 squads.  

For further information or to nominate for 2021 please visit, http://www.ssa-nsw.org.au/nominations

Tickets need to be returned no later than this Friday sold or unsold as a legal requirement. The draw will be on Friday 16th October first week of Term 4.

Please be advised that the P & F will not be holding the Colour Run.

Harden Kite Festival

As you would know 2020 has been a different year for us all & the Harden Kite Festival has not been able to be held in its traditional format this year.

The Harden Kite Festival would like to offer you all our free virtual competitions and activities.

We have 2 competitions, which I have attached;

- Kids Colouring Competition to win a kite, entries close 13th Oct 2020 @9pm

- Photo competition to win cash, entries close 16th Oct 2020 @9pm

Entries can be scanned and sent via this email or shared on social media.   

Our activities on our https://hardenkitefestival.org/festival-activities/ include;

Local Kite Flying Maps

- Open areas for public to fly kites

- Hilltops Road Trip Map (attached)

Kite Flying Videos

- Launch and Fly a Kite

- Tie down your Kite

- Attach items to your Kite Line

Kite Making Tutorials

- Simple Bird Kite

- Kite Brooch

- Delta Paper Kite

- Stained Glass Kite

- Simple Paper Kite

- Traditional Kite

Introduce our Professional Kite Flyers

- Learn about kite flyers & how they got into kite flying

Virtual Kites Stall

- Kites for sale

2020 Survey

- Would love some responses from kids of what they want to see at next years Harden Kite Festival Link: hardenkitefestival.org/hkf_survey/

Our sponsors this year, Commonwealth Bank, Blantyre Farms, KP Carmody & Co Solicitors & Attorneys have made it possible to offer these free competitions to win some cash & kites.

This year more than ever we want to encourage everyone to fly a kite, get outside in the beautiful Spring Weather and create memories during these school holidays.

We would greatly appreciate it if you could share with parents, friends and family. We shall miss seeing you this year. Hopefully next year we shall see you all at the Harden Kite Festival, Saturday 9th October 2021!

Let us know how you go with the activities and competitions. Please let me know if you have queries and we appreciate your support of the Harden Kite Festival.   

Kind Regards,

Lucy Targett

Harden Kite Festival Committee

HKF_Virtual_Colouring_Competition.pdf

HKF_Virtual_Photo_Competition_Conditions_of_Entry.pdf

Hilltops_Spring_Campaign_Passport_ONLINE.pdf