Dear Parents and Carers

It was so wonderful to have our students back onsite today. The excitement, positivity and shared laughter is truly heartwarming. Thank you to you all for caring for your children so well and supporting their wellbeing. This ensured they were ready to begin the first day and be engaged in their learning. Thank you to all staff who have provided safe and supportive environments. The hubs and classrooms look amazing and so welcoming. As stated in the last email, our theme this year  is “Together We Flourish” and the positive and welcoming feeling today sees this already in action.

Here are some photos for you to enjoy.  

Prep 2022: We welcomed all our Prep students today and they were absolutely awesome. Welcome to Ava Bonacci, Billy Chapman, Connor Clark, Billy Counihan, Reggie Crapp, Asher Creak, Azarah Curnow, Georgiana D'Arcy, Elsie Dalton, Evie Dangerfield, Albert Dickinson, Alfie Douglas, Stella Duffield, Jasmine Dunn, Maddy Dunne, Zoe Edwards, Charlie Greenwood, Ted Guyett, Winnie Hinch, Mackenzie Hirsch, Lulu Jeanes, Indie Keenan, Jack Knowles, Harper Lancaster, Seb Learey, Griffin Lindsay, Eadie Lister, Leni Malouf, Lachlan Marr, Mason McCluskey, Jed McNamara, Sadie Molloy, Freddie Montgomery, Hamish Morrow, Daisy Mulcaire, Jack Muling, Isabelle Mussetti, Hudson Nancarrow, Charlie Osment, Jeremiah Perkins, Sophie Reid, Lily Rutherford, Bodhi Selig, Jack Sheather, Dyllan Simons, Harley Smith, Patrick Songsaeng, Campbell Sorace, Ted Stanley, Isabella Swain, Talei Tuicolo, Chelsea Tyers, Oscar Ward, Ivy Wellard, Indi Wheeler, Robyn Wilkin, Harry Young.

New Families: A warm welcome also to our new families:

Alex Knowles, Lenny Jeanes, Chase Scott, Spencer Scott, Sienna Scott, Louis Grantham,  Max Grantham, Ava Dupe, Percival Evans, Penelope Evans, Samuel La Terra, Charlie Howson, Xavier Butcher, Mila Butcher, Harry Lavars, Jack Lavars, Chaise Scanlon, Urija Edwards, Safira Talaue, Dantes Talaue, Ruby Ritchie, Peppe Sottile

COVID Information: Thank you all for your cooperation with the Covid requirements. Click Here for a copy of the Back to School update for you to refer back to as required. Just to let you know. One change from my letter has been made today and it involves the reporting of positive cases. Please phone the school if you have a positive case in your family and we will record it for you. We will also notify the school community via a letter.  Catholic schools are no longer using the Vic Ed Portal asmentioned in my first letter. You also have to record your case with Vic Health as per community expectations. 

Rapid Test Kits: Hopefully you are all going well with the testing and thank you for your cooperation with this. There will be another delivery prior to Week 3 and we will distribute those by placing in your child's bag to bring home. This will most likely be  Friday 11 February. 

Here is a concise visual copy also of our current COVID Safe Plan.

Home Learning for COVID cases and isolation reasons: If you inform us of a case in your family or your child will be home for Covid reasons, whilst your child will be noted as absent from school, we will provide learning activities in the areas of literacy and numeracy. You can make a decision as to whether or not your child completes the work, as we are aware some students may not be feeling well enough to do so. The activities are based on those being completed in class, so that your child will return to school feeling confident that they have not missed out on important learning. There will be an opportunity for your child to communicate with their class and classroom teacher, or Learning Support Teacher (via Google Meets) if your child would like this.

Grounds and Maintenance Thank You: As mentioned we have had quite a few families supporting the watering and garden maintenance over the break and again on the weekend. I’m sure you would all join me in recognising and thanking these wonderful volunteers who volunteered their time to ensure our students returned to clean and tidy spaces in their playground. A huge thank you to Pearce Fay, Jason and Amy Bonnacci, Todd Wombwell, Chantelle and Jimmy Dalton, Kellie Clark, Mark Monahan, Chantelle & Jimmy Dalton, Elise & Josh Miller, Mark Rattray-Wood, Cam Spolding, Suze McLeish, Mark & Kate McLean, Fiona & Xavier Cadorel, Mark & Regina Paganini and Courtney Said.

The grounds look amazing and from the students and staff a huge thank you.

There were also others who volunteered but were not required and we thank you for offering and will call on support in the future. At this stage we are still working towards a community Working Bee on Sunday 27 February 10 am -12 noon if guidelines allow. 

Student appointments during the day: Please email your classroom teacher regarding appointments during the day so they can ensure your child is ready at the office. Of course, in an ideal world, appointments will be made close to the start or end of day where possible but we know this cannot always happen. Therefore  an email to the teacher helps with the organisation at the office. 

Labelling: Lost property and unlabelled containers are a problem each year at school. Please ensure all is labelled and it will find its way home.

Meet and Greets: These will happen in Week 3 of this term and an Operoo will be sent out for you to select a time. You can also take the option of attending in person or online. Please ensure if attending in person you are double vaxed and are wearing your mask, hand sanitising and social distancing. 

Sports Uniform Days for all Year Levels: 

The following Days are when your child will wear their sports uniform.

Prep (Red Hub) - Tuesday and Friday

Year One (Green Hub)- Wednesday and Friday

Year 2 (Blue Hub)- Thursday and Friday

Year 3 (Yellow Hub)- Wednesday and Friday

Year 4 (Purple Hub)- - Thursday and Friday

Year 5 (Purple Hub) - Tuesday and Friday

Year 6 (Orange hub) - Tuesday and Friday

Thoughts and prayers: Please keep the entire Sacred Heart Community in your thoughts and prayers on the extremely sad passing of one of their beloved staff members, Belinda Matthews, who died peacefully from a brain aneurysm on Friday evening. Many of you will know Belinda if your older children attended Sacred Heart. I personally know she was an amazing, dedicated, passionate and caring teacher for my own daughters. Please also keep her family in your prayers. 
    

Finally, a huge thank you for your support and respect as our new year begins. It is truly a pleasure and privilege to work in service for you all. You are an amazing community. 

It is so important to all of us, that we have our students back onsite and with hope and optimism we look forward to a great year together. I will continue to update you of any communication that may come our way in the coming fortnight.

Wishing you a happy, safe and healthy fortnight ahead.

Kerryn