Term 1 - Week 10 (28th March, 2024)

From The Principal

Every Minute Counts – We have often heard the saying in our schools that ‘every day counts’. This is true, however late arrivals and early departures impact your child’s academic and social emotional progress too.  

We know that our children need to know the routines and expectations to have them feeling safe, setting them up for success in the year. When a child is late by 20 minutes each day in a week, this equates to an hour and forty minutes of learning per week. It is in this same 20 minutes each day, that the day is set up in the minds of learners, preparing them emotionally and getting them ‘ready to learn’. Arriving 20 minutes late, also means that children miss their play time. This is a time where friendships are formed through sharing and problem solving – valuable learning for every child. 

Getting all children to school on time is extremely important.  This is especially important for those children who experience some anxiety in separating from families. Delaying arrival for those children who are experiencing anxiety is something we do, thinking we are supporting our children. However, arriving late, can increase anxiety in our children. Think of how we feel when we are running late for an appointment. 

If you are having difficulty getting your child to school on time, please make a time to see your child’s teacher. There are strategies that we can introduce that will help your child navigate this difficult transition. Let’s make every school minute, learning time. 

Welcome Mrs Karyn Miller – This week we welcomed Mrs Karyn Miller to our administration team. Karyn has worked in primary schools for many years in different roles, in addition to being a published children’s book author. Additionally, Karyn has a Diploma in Education Support as well as qualifications in Social Media Marketing and Digital Marketing. You will see Karyn in our office each Monday and every Tuesday morning. She is very much looking forward to being part of our school community.  

2024 Toowoomba Catholic Schools Excellence Awards - The staff in our schools, kindergartens, Outside School Hours Care and office are formally recognised through the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Excellence Awards. 

Each year, nominations are called for from school staff, parents and community members to acknowledge the outstanding work of our school’s teachers, school officers, (office, library and classroom) leaders and volunteers. From these nominations, finalists are selected and at a special award's dinner during Catholic Education Week, the recipients are announced. 

The awards are in 10 categories across three areas and capture the varying career phases, roles and responsibilities that enable Toowoomba Catholic Schools to provide high quality education and care in a distinctively Catholic environment. 

Please click here and scroll to the bottom of the web page to complete a nomination for someone you would like acknowledged and considered for the award. 

Enjoy the Easter Break – With the end of term break, comes Easter. This is a very special time to spend with family and friends. The Easter Message is one of new life and new beginnings, expressed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. I would like to thank our entire team for their energy, enthusiasm and passion they have brought to your children’s learning in this first ten weeks of the year. I would also like to thank you, our families for your continued support of your child’s learning. I wish you all a blessed and relaxing Easter break. 

God bless, 

Mr Tyronne Maher

From The APRE

How can it be the end of Term 1 already! How the term has flown by… 

This week we have been celebrating one of the Catholic Churches most important weeks- Holy Week. Last Friday, Mrs Cherie Runciman lead the school in our Easter Pageant. The students re-told the story of Easter in a fun, engaging and musical way. It was lovely to go into some of the classrooms afterwards and see the students reflecting on the story and making connections between the bible and the pageant. Thank you to all the staff, students and families for working together to make it an amazing reflection of the Easter Story! 

Easter Pageant

Over the past few weeks we have been very busy celebrating and supporting diversity. Last Thursday the Mini-Vinnies and Student Representative Council (SRC) organised a free dress day to raise money for St Vincent de Paul. The focus was on including everyone and ensuring that all feel like they belong. We are very lucky at Sacred Heart to have students from a diverse background to share their culture and beliefs with us! 

Harmony Day

Throughout lent, we have been listening to different stories of how Caritas Australia has reached out to support families and communities throughout the world. We have listened to the story of Ronita, who had dropped out of school and Caritas helped her to gain an education, a job, and be able to support her family. Leaia and her family had a water tank set up at their house to insure that they have a consistent clean water supply and Memory was also granted an education. She attended a college to train as a carpenter and is the first women in her community to achieve this. Yesterday, Mrs Horne and the Mini Vinnies group collected donations from each class that will go to Caritas to continue to help people like Ronita, Leaia and Memory.  

Caritas

Thank you for all your support this year to reach out to those in our community that are in need! 

This term the SRC were driven to make an award that reflects our Mercy Values. They designed an award that will be handed out to one child in each class at the final assembly of each term. This term our awards were to students who show Compassion to everyone they encounter.  

Congratulations to our Compassionate award Winners:

 Mrs Katie Horne

Prayer of the Week

From the Learning Support Teacher

Hearing Health 

Over the last two weeks we have been running hearing screeners for Prep students through the Sound Scouts program.  This app has been created in association with Hearing Australia.  It has been a priority of the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office to screen all prep students as well as other students with possible hearing health problems. 

It is interesting to note that a simple head cold or ear infection can impact the hearing of a child. 

Below are two Sound Scout hearing results of a student that were conducted last year, one week apart.  The student was recovering from a head cold when the first test was conducted.  Although this student did not have hearing concerns, when they were ill, their hearing was considerably impacted.   

Some students who are recovering from illness may have their hearing impacted for some time as fluid can remain within the ear.  This can be a recurring problem for some children and can impact their learning at school.  If this is an ongoing problem the student may need a referral to an audiologist for further assessment.   

Hearing health and associated hearing loss can impact everyone. 

It is important to educate your child on good hearing practices around the home everyday, including: 

• Wearing hearing protection for loud activities 
• Make children aware of dangerous volume levels when using personal music devices 
• Practice BREATH BLOW COUGH WASH CHEW DAILY 

Mrs Genny McNair

From The Middle Leader/Curriculum Co-ordinator

As we approach the end of Term 1, it's time to reflect on the incredible journey of learning, growth, and achievement that our students have undertaken. We are immensely proud of each student's dedication and hard work. 

The end of Term 1 marks not only the culmination of various learning milestones but also an opportunity for our students to recharge their batteries and rest before embarking on the learning and adventures that await in Term 2. It's a moment to celebrate achievements, both big and small, and to acknowledge the resilience and commitment that our students have demonstrated throughout the start of 2024. 

During this break, we encourage families to engage in activities that bring joy, relaxation, and a sense of accomplishment. Whether it's spending quality time together, exploring the outdoors, or simply enjoying some downtime; the goal is to rejuvenate and return for Term 2 with renewed energy and enthusiasm. 

As we bid farewell to our first term, let's celebrate the collective success of our students and look forward to continued growth and learning in the upcoming term. Wishing you all a restful and joyous Easter break! 

Mrs Charlie Barrett

Student Protection Contacts

School Student Protection Contacts (SSPC) 
Our school has five School Student Protection Contacts. Mr Maher, Mrs Jackman, Mrs Horne, Mrs Barrett and Ms Campbell. These are nominated staff members to whom students, staff and parents can raise concerns related to student safety. Although School Student Protection Contacts receive additional training, all school staff receive regular training and information to enable them to respond to student protection concerns. 

Prep Enrolment

Easter Raffle

Thank you to everyone who supported 1R, 1T and 2J with the annual Easter Raffle by buying raffle tickets and donating eggs.  Through your generosity, we were able to raise over $2000 which will go towards the Caritas Lenten Drive, and literacy and numeracy resources for our classes.   

Much love
Miss Reed, Mrs Tevelein, Mrs Kuss and Mrs Jesshope

The Arts

Easter Pageant 
Friday 22nd March 

Well Done to everyone involved in the Easter Pageant this year, you all did a wonderful job! Congratulations to 6B for working so hard at learning all their lines. 

Parents, thank you for coming and supporting the students. It makes all the hard work worth while when the students can look out into the audience and see your faces their smiling back at them. 

Choir 
Open to students in Grades: 3-6 
Thursday after school 2.55 – 3.30pm (Music Room)   
2024 Performances: Easter Pageant, Toowoomba Eisteddfod, Sacred Heart Idol, Christmas Concert, School Masses. 

Dance Club 
Junior Dance Club (Year 3 and 4) – Thursday during lunch 1 – 1.40pm (Music Room)   
Senior Dance Club (Year 5 and 6) -  Friday during lunch 1 – 1.40pm (Music Room)   
2024 Performances: Easter Pageant, Toowoomba Eisteddfod, Sacred Heart Idol, Christmas Concert 

Sacred Heart Band
Open to students in Grades: by invitation by Miss Jessie Joy 
Wednesday during lunch 1 – 1.40pm (Music Room)   
2024 Performances: Easier Pageant, Sacred Heart Idol, Christmas Concert 

Instrumental Program

We have been running the instrumental program here at Sacred Heart School for 2 years and currently have over 10% of the school population learning an instrument with our wonderful music tutor, Miss Jessie Joy. 

Thank you to all the parents who are supporting their child/ren in their music education and have enrolled them already in the 2024 program. There are still spots available for this year. If you would like to enrol your child, please fill in the online form below or contact me directly via email.   Cherie.Runciman@twb.catholic.edu.au 

Ms Cherie Runciman

Class Awards

2024 Fee Schedule

Term 1 School Fees have been charged to family accounts and sent via email and were due on 27th February 2024.    The School accepts payment as a Bank Transfer, Direct Debit or Centrepay.  To set up an automatic payment please complete the Direct Debit Form below.  If you need assistance please contact the School Office.

The Uniform Shop

Uniform Shop hours:
Mondays (THIS INCLUDES PUPIL FREE DAYS) & Thursdays 8.00am - 10:30am 
If Monday is a PUBLIC holiday, the Uniform Shop will open on the following Tuesday.

PLEASE NOTE: WE CAN NO LONGER ACCEPT DONATIONS OF PRE-LOVED ITEMS
Thank you for your understanding in this regard.

*We accept EFTPOS only - NO CASH OR LAYBY*  

SCHOOL BAGS: School Bags are COMPULSORY to the WHOLE SCHOOL.
Do you have the correct bag?  These are available from the Uniform Shop for $39.50 

SCHOOL PULLOVERS - This is a compulsory uniform item for Years 1 to 6.

SPRAY JACKETS are compulsory for students in Years 1-6 only.
PREP STUDENTS DO NOT REQUIRE SPRAY JACKETS!

FREE BUTTONS available for boys’ red shirt, girls’ red and white blouse & Prep red polo.

Thank you for your continued support of the school’s uniform shop.

 Mrs Fay Rhodes
Uniform Shop Convenor

Sacred Heart Parish

Sport

Congratulations Max French!

Max has been selected to represent the Darling Downs region for Touch Football. This is an amazing achievement as there were many students who tried out, but only a small team was chosen. Well done Max, we are so proud of you and your achievement! 

Rookies to Reds:

Cobb & Co Museum - East School Holiday Workshops:

Friendship Bracelet Weaving Workshop

Tennis Coaching 2024