Welcome to Sacred Heart Central School for 2024. As we begin our first day of the academic year for our students we have so much to look forward to, so much to learn and so many things to accomplish. Already the day has been outstanding in how smoothly the school year has started. Our students were excited to be back, our staff were excited to be back and we welcomed so many new student and their families into our community. Our beautiful kindergarten children were seamless in their transition into the big school classroom. We had no tears, from students or parents, and the day started wonderfully well. We are so privileged that parents have chosen Sacred Heart to be part of the educational journey for their children. We take that responsibility very, very seriously. All other classes, littered with new students, have also begun the year on a positive note.

Our Primary Refurbishment program has finally been through the tendering process and we are waiting for notification of the successful tenderer and when work can start. Nothing appears to move quickly when it comes to Government Grants but we are very grateful for the support of the State Government and Catholic Education in providing the funds for a long awaited refurb. The transition to the Convent space has also gone very well. Over the holidays there was a lot of work in setting up the infrastructure, security, safety measures and all other things that are necessary for a classroom to function. Many families came through yesterday afternoon to view the classrooms and we were very pleased with the response. The children are already very settled and seem to be comfortable in the new spaces. The move has also necessitated a revision of the staffing for our large Stage 3 cohort. To ensure that all children’s academic needs are met we juggled our limited staffing to ensure that the large classes could be split three ways for the cores of Literacy and Numeracy. 3M (Mrs Maxwell & Mrs McLeod), 3W (Mrs Winsor and Mr Bell) are joined for the bulk of the day with 3S (Mrs Shoesmith) in teaching the core subjects including Spelling Mastery. There is more movement between the classes but this is being managed and the children are receptive to the expectations and procedures. In the afternoon the students will reform into 3M and 3W for the other KLA subjects including Library (Mrs Randall) and Creative Arts release (Ms Wade).If you have any queries please speak with the classroom teacher in the first instance or Mr Winsor as the Primary Coordinator. In the afternoon sessions both Stage 3 classes will be assisted by one or two of our highly capable Classroom Support Assistants to conduct the other KLA programs.

Our other staffing across the school is nearly finalised with a few tweaks still remaining.

ES1C Mrs Chesworth and Mrs Fry

ES1M Ms McDonnell

Stage 1A Mrs Alexander and Mrs Gay

Stage 1H Mrs Hunt

Stage 1B Miss Thompson

Stage 2N Mr Niddrie

Stage 2W Ms Van Kerk Oerle

Stage 2B Mr Winsor and Mrs Smith

We are very fortunate to have some wonderful new staff to our secondary space. Mr Peter Smith joins us from Hennessy as a very experienced Mathematics teacher, Mrs Kelly Byrne from Young High will pick up some of the TAS load, Ms Grace Moore joins the English Staff and MS Piffero will pick up some of the PDHPE load. Ms Buchanan will take over the reigns of the Secondary Coordinator and Ms Marsay will begin the big role as Assistant Principal.

It was a great sadness to hear of the passing of our beloved Mrs Kate Elrington from the Front Office staff just after Christmas. Mrs Elrington has bravely battled health challenges for most of her short life and she has always fought them with dignity, determination and positivity. We pass our deepest sympathies on to her husband Paul and sons Sam and Liam and their families, as well as her father Brian and her extended family. She will be greatly missed.

Next Thursday 8^th February will be the School Annual Swimming Carnival. More information will be sent home closer to the day regarding the organisation and expectations. It is classified as a normal school day so attendance is mandatory.

Our Opening School Mass will be held on Friday 9^th February at 12noon. Our newest students and Leadership teams will be welcomed into the school along with new staff. Everyone is most welcome.

The following week 16^th February will be the second instalment of the Coota All Schools Beach Volleyball Carnival. After the great success of last year with over 480 students we have grown to expectations of over 1000 students involved. This is a wonderful thing for our school (and a profitable fundraiser for the school) and our town. If you could help in any small way it would be greatly appreciated. We need umpires, catering staff, and general assistance with the operation of the day. Please contact the Front Office if you are available to assist.

Also please save the date for Infants, Primary and Year 7 Information evening on Tuesday 13 February. More details will be sent home regarding times and BBQ options.

I genuinely thank all of our parents and families for an excellent start to the new year and wish everyone the richest of God’s blessings as we begin to navigate the challenges of any school year. Remember it is vital that you contact the school if you have concerns rather than discuss them in the wider community. We can work together to solve any issue if we are aware of concerns.

Kindness is a great way to start the new year and I hope it can become the characteristic for which our school is known and recognised. If you have to choose between being extraordinary and kind – be extraordinarily kind.

Blessings

Ms Nicky Trinder

Principal