We are now very settled into the term and there is lots on the horizon. Final assessments are looming already and teachers and students are working hard in preparation for these busy weeks in the classroom. Most students are now aware of the different expectations and the assessment/exam/test schedules. If at any time the students are unsure they are encouraged to speak with their teachers and/or coordinators/PCAs to help them make sense of their workload.

Thank you to everyone for their support of photo day. We are very relieved that we were able to have our annual school photos. In coming weeks the photos will be returned to school and distributed and we hope they become important memories of a very challenging and ‘interesting’ year.

The most recent updates for COVID restrictions have made little changes to our day-to-day operations. However, we are now relieved to relax the wearing of masks in the open. However the requirement to wear makes in the classroom will continue for all secondary students and staff. Our primary students are still encouraged to wear masks but it is not mandated. We are still waiting anxiously for some changes to the permissions for events and events. Currently work experience for our Year 10 students is on hold and we hope that this will change. The final weeks at Sacred Heart for our senior students could be very different from what we initially planned but we hope that it may still be fulfilling and of value. We are still maintaining COVID-safe practices and anyone presenting at school with COVID-like symptoms will be sent home and required to get a COVID negative test result to return to school.

As we are now back into the routine of school life and the ‘honeymoon’ period of being back together in the classroom and playground has started to wane, we now need to focus on how we interact and treat each other.  My mantra is always about being “kind” to each other. There is never an excuse NOT TO BE KIND. However, whether we can blame COVID and an over-reliance on social media in place of ‘normal’ human relations we have noticed an increase in behaviours that are definitely not kind. We are trying to encourage students to recognise that what they say over social media and in ‘overheard’ conversations can be deemed to be unkind. We need to appreciate that the communications that we send or say have consequences and that young people sometimes struggle to interpret tone and meaning behind lots of interactions. Despite social media advocating that we need to have lots of ‘friends’ often we are not being friendly. I would encourage parents to carefully monitor the chat groups that students are part of and some of the discussion and conversations that are happening in cyber world. The language and content may be inappropriate and many are oblivious to the impact that it is having on others. It is never an excuse to say “it was just a joke” or “ I didn’t mean it’ it is about how the communication is received that is the issue. The intention can be harmless (often it is not) but as we have seen the receiving of a message can do all the damage. As many of our community struggle with their mental wellness we need to be mindful of the messages that we send. We are trying to host another information session early next year with ‘Safe on Social’. This was a really popular presentation back at the start of 2020 that looked at the different apps and legalities. Stay tuned.

In coming weeks you will receive an email invite to join COMPASS through the parent portal. Please ensure that the email you have recorded at school is correct because this is where the invitation will be sent. COMPASS is our new communication/school information platform that will eventually replace Schoolzine. Please accept the invite and further instructions will be made available in coming weeks as to how to access the different information. It will include news updates, school reports, sickbay entries, permission slips and possibly small payments. Many schools are already using COMPASS and we have only heard good things. Stay tuned.

It was also remiss of me in last week’s newsletter to not acknowledge the wonderful efforts of Reuben Smith in 2W who competed in the Western Region Public Speaking last week. He was successful as the First Reserve for the Archdiocesan Finals. Congratulations!

Please remember to be kind – no act of kindness is ever wasted and it may just change someone’s day for the better.

God Bless

Ms Nicky Trinder

Principal 

October: The Month of the Rosary

Of course, the Rosary belongs to every month, but in October the Church celebrates this prayer in a special way: reminding us of its simple beauty and gentle power. In the company of Mary. it can be a time of grace for us to return to this prayer if we have let it slip away: or perhaps to discover for the first time. Below are the steps to praying the Rosary. The school does have Rosary Beads that we can lend if you need.

Stage 1 learning about and praying the Rosary together.

Walkable Rosary

As part of their unit on Prayer and devotion to Mary, Stage 3 created a walkable Rosary. Other classes have used the walkable Rosary as a way of deepening their connection with this beautiful Prayer.

Kindergarten and Year 7 2022 Transitions

Kindergarten

Wednesday 10 November

Wednesday 17 November

Wednesday 24 November

Year 7

Thursday 28 October

Wednesday 10 November

Thursday 25 November

Dear Parents,

School photos have now been taken. Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following the link below for 7 days from the day photos are taken, after which late fees/additional charges will be incurred.

NEW
advancedlife now offers Latitude Pay! To take advantage of LatitudePay and split the cost of your order into 10 small easy payments, simply order your school photos online as usual, set up a Latitude Pay account in just a few clicks and pay no interest or fees when you pay according to your payment schedule; it’s that easy.

2 easy ways to purchase before late fees apply:

1. LatitudePay – Click on the link below, set up an account during the online order process and split your payments across 10 weeks with no interest or fees, if you pay on time
2. Visa, MasterCard or PayPal

Or visit: www.advancedlife.com.au
And enter online order code: 94R TNP NPJ

School photography information:

• Online orders - do not require an envelope returned to your school
• Late fees - a late fee will be applied to each package purchased more than 7 days after photo day due to the additional cost of producing these packages separately
• Package delivery - photographic packages will be returned to your school for distribution approximately six weeks after photos are taken
• Previous Years’ photos - Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available to order under the 'previous years or group photo' tabs at your school’s advancedorder site when you click on the 'Order School Photos Here' button above. You can also order past packages, portrait images and gifts from your child’s unique, individual and secure advancedyou image archive site using the unique 9 digit image code found on packages you have ordered in the past

advancedlife would like to express our appreciation to Sacred Heart Central School for placing your trust in us. Please remember we offer a 100% money back guarantee on our products to ensure your peace of mind. We would also love to receive your feedback or resolve any issues you may experience as fast as possible, to ensure your satisfaction. If you have any questions, comments or feedback relating to your advancedlife experience please contact us at: www.advancedlife.com.au/contact