Dear Community,

It’s incredible how time passes. Sometimes, an hour may seem like an eternity, yet weeks seemingly fly by so quickly that we are left wondering where the time has gone. Already, we are nearing the conclusion of Week 8, Term 3!

It is timely to ask what exactly we expect of our school. We have 150 families here at Sacred Heart, and no doubt every one would have different expectations at different times. But there is something special about parents sending their children to a Catholic School: a choice has been made. As a family, you have chosen this school for your child. For many in the Government education system choice of school is based mainly on the local offering, the most convenient school. But why have you chosen Sacred Heart for your child’s education?

Over the years, I have interviewed hundreds of prospective parents and children for Sacred Heart and other Catholic Schools. I have had the privilege of listening to many reasons why Catholic schools, and this school, have been chosen. Some of the reasons are purely practical: it’s on the way to work, my carer can collect easily from here, and it’s a feeder school to various Catholic high schools. For others, the reasons are philosophical; we want “values-based” education, we like the teaching style here, and we want structure or discipline for our child. Sometimes the reasons are bizarre; we like the uniform or the view!

Mostly, however, people speak deeply from their own spirituality and psyche. We want our children to belong; we want him/her to feel safe, to be loved and valued for themselves. We want our child to hear and know the stories of Jesus to think that they are part of a wider community – the Church. We want them to know right from wrong, to be treated with dignity, and to be in an environment where they learn to treat others with respect and dignity. We want our children to be known and loved, be part of daily life, and have special community celebrations.

All of these reasons speak powerfully of our longing and need to belong, our need for inclusion and acceptance, and a realisation that school is part of the whole journey of learning about life and how we are part of a wider world. Realistically, we can’t meet these expectations on our own. We can achieve great things together at Sacred Heart through genuine partnership based upon the core principles, philosophy, and faith underpinning our school’s foundation.

So, while some of the novelty and shine of the beginning of the school year is beginning to show some scuff marks and dust, we need to ensure that we do our best to keep up with our task. Working together is hard work but well worth it for the health and vitality of our school. Thank you for your continued support.

Stage 2 camp next week

Next Monday and Tuesday, our Stage 2 students will embark on their first-ever overnight excursion at Birrigai—an exciting milestone in their school journey! The camp promises to be filled with fun activities, new experiences, and plenty of opportunities for the children to build independence and strengthen friendships.

We wish all our Stage 2 students the very best as they take this big step, and we can't wait to hear all about their adventures when they return. A huge thank you to the dedicated staff members attending and supporting the camp. Your time and effort are greatly appreciated in ensuring the students have a memorable and rewarding experience.

Safe travels, and have a fantastic time, Stage 2!

Tournament of Minds, congratulations!

Congratulations to our outstanding students who competed in the ANU Tournament of Minds (TOM) competition last Saturday! Both teams proudly represented Sacred Heart, showcasing their creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork.

A special mention goes to our ‘Chocolate Brains’ team, who have progressed to the next round—well done!

We would also like to thank Mr. Fulton and Mrs. Filardo for accompanying and supporting our students on the day. A big shout out to Mrs. Wode, who served as a judge for both days of the competition. She has returned to school in need of a well-deserved rest!

Well done to everyone involved!

First Day of School next term

This is just a friendly reminder that the first day back for Sacred Heart students will be Monday, 14 October. Please note that our school does not have a Pupil-Free Day on this day, as this only applies to Government schools. We look forward to welcoming all our students back for an exciting Term 4!

Twilight Fair- Friday 8 November

Our much-anticipated Twilight Fair is fast approaching! Please mark your calendars for Friday, 8 November, as we prepare for a fantastic evening of fun, food, and community spirit.

To make this event a success, we need the support of our wonderful parents. Even an hour of your time can make a big difference. Please consider signing up to help on a stall—your involvement is critical to ensuring that this day is enjoyable for everyone.

Let’s come together to create a memorable and exciting community day. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

Claim the date: Grandparents Day

Please claim the date: Friday 29^th November. More information early next term.

I will be away next week attending the Australian Primary Principal Association (APPA) Conference. Thanks for allowing me the time away- it should be an excellent gathering. 

In faith and partnership,

David Austin