Term 2 - Week 10 (21st June, 2024)

From The Principal

Building a ‘Growth Mindset’ – Our ‘Why’ at Sacred Heart is ‘To nurture and empower, resilient, lifelong learners so that they can contribute to a positive future in a changing world’. The ‘lifelong learners’ part of our vision is arguably the most important part of this line. Without this mindset that we are continually learning and have the ability to do so, we are not able to adapt, adjust and contribute to the changing world that we live in. Our role as teachers and parents, is to foster this ‘growth mindset’ by focusing on children’s growth and effort above and beyond anything else.  
Reports were released on the portal on Wednesday. Sometimes we can find ourselves focusing on the ‘final mark’ instead of the effort and progress that our children have made.  

I offer the following points that might be of help in beginning to develop the desired ‘growth mindset’ in our children: 

Importance of Growth and Effort: 

• Learning is a continuous journey for children. 

• Instead of fixating solely on final grades, we should emphasize their effort and progress. 

• Recognizing improvement encourages self-belief and a positive outlook for future learning. 

Avoiding Fixed Mindset: 

• Conversations that downplay effort undermine growth. 

• Telling children that success is something they are born with perpetuates a fixed mindset. 

• We should avoid phrases like “I was never good at that either.” 

Developing a Growth Mindset: 

• Two strategies for parents: 

         Praise Effort, Strategy, and Action: 

• Encourage children based on their actions, not just outcomes. 

• Success is linked to effort and actions taken. 

         Provide Honest Feedback: 

• Constructive feedback helps children improve. 

• Balance positive feedback with areas for improvement. 

Conversations about school and progress should focus on their improvement in their effort. This encourages in our children a belief that the effort that they have invested has driven improvement and a belief that they can improve. This building of a self-belief that we can always improve, will set them up positively for the learning to come in Semester 2.  

Thank you - This being the last newsletter for the term and Semester 1, I would like to thank you for your continued support of your children and the extremely valuable home-school partnership that you continue to develop with your child’s teachers. I would also like to thank our teachers and all of our support officers for their tireless work this term. It is their energy and enthusiasm that continues to support our positive and vibrant learning culture, even on the most challenging of days. I wish everyone a safe break and look forward to seeing all children return to school on Tuesday, the 9th of July. 

God bless, 

Mr Tyronne Maher

From The APRE

Sacred Heart Day 

Last week we celebrated Sacred Heart Day. On Thursday, Fr Hermi came and spoke to the Year 2-4 students about the feast day and the importance of Jesus’ heart reaching out into the community today, through us. He gave students a quick run down of the history of Sacred Heart Day and his desire for us to be the Jesus of today! 

On Friday the weather reflected our day- it was magical. We started in the hall with a lovely liturgy where Year 2/3C and the choir both lead us in song. Students from throughout the school read prayers and bought forth symbols to reflect on the love of Jesus. We even made an artwork to be put up in the school during the prayers of the faithful. 

In the middle of the day, we headed to Queens Park. There we had a shared morning tea (biscuit, fruit and popper), participated in a variety of activities in our house groups and had pizza before returning to school. It was fantastic to see so many families come along and celebrate with us. There were even some families who made Jesus beads for themselves! Thank you to everyone who assisted in making the day magical… 

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 Mrs Katie Horne

Prayer of the Week

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. 

From The Middle Leader/Curriculum Co-ordinator

REPORTING TIME AT SACRED HEART 

As we approach the end of the term, it's time for our students' report cards. These reports provide valuable insights into your child's progress and achievements. We follow the Australian Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Authority (ACARA) guidelines, which use the A to E scale to assess student performance. 

Understanding the A to E Scale: The ACARA A to E scale helps us evaluate your child's learning outcomes. Here's a brief overview:

• A (Excellent): Your child demonstrates an exceptional understanding of the targeted knowledge, and they can apply and transfer these skills with excellence. 
• B (Good): Your child demonstrates a strong understanding of the targeted knowledge, and they can easily apply these skills to new situations. 
• C (Satisfactory): Your child demonstrates the expected level of the targeted knowledge and can apply these skills in routine/familiar situations.  
• D (Limited): Your child demonstrates a developing knowledge and application of skills. 
• E (Very Limited): Your child demonstrates an emerging knowledge and application of skills. 

Report Card Distribution: Report cards were published on the Parent Portal on Wednesday morning of this week  for parents to access. Please review them carefully and celebrate your child's achievements. If you have any questions or need further clarification, don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher.

We congratulate all students on their work and progress this first semester of 2024 and look forward to their continued growth in semester two.  

Thank you to our families for your continued partnership in nurturing our young learners! 

Mrs Charlie Barrett

From the Learning Support Teacher

Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Paediatricians Explained  

Many of our families have and are currently accessing the services of these specialists - but what is the difference between them? 

Psychologists are mental health professionals who can provide therapy and counselling. They are trained in human behaviour and aim to understand the social, cultural and environmental causes of mental health conditions and learning or behavioural difficulties.  They may provide some observation and assessment to inform the therapy they provide, which can also assist a psychiatrist or paediatrician to make a formal diagnosis. 

Clinical Psychologists are licensed psychologists who have conducted further study to perform various assessments to diagnose and treat mental illness, learning and behavioural difficulties. They have completed additional training in psychology (the study of the human mind and behaviour),but are not medical doctors.  They provide a more intense focus on assessment in addition to understanding the social, cultural and environmental causes of a mental health condition.  They can conduct assessments to diagnose conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Disorders (eg ADHD, ADD) but will generally refer to a paediatrician for final confirmation of a diagnosis. 

Psychologists and Clinical Psychologists tend to treat people with conditions that can be helped with therapy and counselling only including behavioural problems, learning difficulties, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress, grief and relationship problems.  They are not medical doctors and therefore cannot prescribe medication but can provide therapy and gather information for psychologist or paediatrician diagnosis. 

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed extra training to specialise in mental health.  They examine the causes, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental health and other medical conditions. They generally do not conduct assessment but work in collaboration with others eg psychologists, school guidance counsellors to inform diagnosis and treatment.  Psychiatrists can diagnose mental illness including formal diagnosis of ASD, ADHD, Global Developmental Disorder etc and can provide psychotherapy (counselling) as well medication. 

Paediatricians are medical doctors who have completed further study in paediatrics (children from birth to teenagers).  They generally use information obtained from psychologists and other professionals to diagnose and treat mental health and other medical conditions.  They generally do not conduct assessment but may refer a student for further testing by a Psychologist, Occupational Therapist or Speech Pathologist etc to ensure they have the relevant information to make an accurate diagnosis. Paediatricians can formally diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Global developmental disorder and provide recommendations for treatment including medication. 

Our School Guidance Counsellor, can conduct many of the assessments of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist for students who have been identified as having learning and/or behavioural concerns at school.  These results together with reports from the Guidance Counsellor, Learning Support Teacher and Class Teacher can be used by psychiatrists and paediatricians to make a diagnosis and inform treatment. 

Mrs Genny McNair

Prep Enrolment

The Arts

CHOIR:

Choir is currently working towards our performance for Sacred Heart Idol. Thank you for your continued support in this ensemble.  
If your child would like to be involved in the choir, please encourage them to come and join us. Every Thursday, 2.55-3.30 in The Arts Room. 

SACRED HEART IDOL:

This event is a fun talent competition and has been part of our school calendar for many years. The event is an ideal platform for our students to show off any special skills and talents they might like to share and is growing each year in popularity! This year our show will be on Thursday, 29th August in the school hall. Students need to be in Years 3-6 to enter this talent competition.  After the show, one student will be chosen from each category as a winner, an encouragement award and an award will also be given to an overall winner – The Sacred Heart Idol 2024.   

Auditions will be held during Week 5 at breaktime. A timetable with names for the auditions will be posted on the student's office window and The Arts window. Parents and members of the community are welcome to attend auditions and the Sacred Heart School Idol Final. 

It is the students’ responsibility to organise all props, costumes, music or any other materials they require for their performance. A student who is not prepared for their audition may not be rescheduled due to time restraints. If a student is absent on the day of audition, an alternative audition date will be given.   
Finalists for the competition will be announced after each audition day. 

All groups and individuals wishing to participate in Sacred Heart Idol must submit the below form by Friday, 2nd August. 

Please fill in the form below if you are wanting to participate in this fun event. 

DANCE EISTEDDFOD:

Congratulations to Senior and Junior Dance Club who performed this week at assembly. This was a great opportunity in preparation for the Toowoomba Eisteddfod.  

Parents were sent information on the portal regarding the costumes required for the eisteddfod. These are needed by Week 2, Term 3.  

SAVE THE DATE: 1-4th August 

Students will be performing at the eisteddfod during these dates. The exact times will be advised when we know. 

Senior and Junior Dance Club Performance

INSTRUMENTAL 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

Sport

Athletics 

The week prior to our Athletics Carnival was very busy. The Friday before, Mr Maher spent the day in the sun running the High Jump Finals. In the afternoon, all students from 9-13 years ran their 800m races and on Wednesday the 9-13 year olds had their 200m races. On carnival day, all students participated in a variety of field events and their sprints. I am so proud of the sportsmanship that students showed towards others and their kind and co-operative attitude. Congratulations to all of you, you should be proud of yourselves!  

Athletic Photos

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Congratulations to the Kelly House for piping Kattie and Byrne at the Athletics Carnival. Well done to the 2024 Age Champions: 

HOUSE POINTS

Kelly 905                                   Kattie 754                               Byrne 746 

Upcoming Track and Field Carnivals 

On Friday 18th July, some students will be representing Sacred Heat at the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Carnival. This is a fun day, where Catholic schools gather together to compete as schools in a fun and supportive environment. Early next term, nominations for Zone Track and Field will be sent out to families where children will be encouraged to attend. Mr Maher will be holding track and field sessions with students leading up to the event. 

 Mrs Katie Horne and Miss Elley Pinnuck

Mercy Values Awards

Early Departure Process

Should you need to pick up your child early from school for any reason, please ensure that you contact the office as soon as the arrangement is known rather than presenting at the school office without notice. Sometimes it takes staff a short while to locate a student and have them ready for collection, particularly if the school is short staffed or if there is an event is on at the school. 

Thank you for your support. 

Lost Property

All students’ property, ranging from uniform pieces, bags, lunch boxes and drink bottles should be clearly named.  There has been a large number of items handed into lost property and it is difficult to return lost items if they are not named. 

Thank you for your assistance. 

Playgrounds

Please be reminded that children are NOT permitted to play on the playground equipment after school under any circumstances.   

Thank you for your support. 

2024 Fee Schedule

The School accepts a Bank Transfer, Direct Debit or Centrepay as payment of fees.  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 a Public Holiday falls on a Uniform Shop day, the Uniform Shop will be closed.

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

Tennis Coaching 2024