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Principal’s News
Dear Parents and Friends of Sacred Heart,
A warm welcome back to what is shaping up to be a very busy
fourth term at Sacred Heart. The children have certainly settled in
very well to the new term. In the first assembly of the new term
last Tuesday I reminded them that our learning should be exciting,
engaging and fun, using the examples of the Kindergarten, Year 5
and Year 6 Learning Expos at the end of last term. A high point for
me last week was my visit to the Year 4 rooms to listen to the
children talk about their learning in their science projects on the
theme of Space. I was greatly impressed by the level of
engagement shown by the children and their enthusiasm for the
topics that formed the basis of their inquiry questions. When
children are given the autonomy to make informed choices into
their areas of interest in a particular topic or theme, they become
highly motivated and invariably work with great delight. You can
see examples of Kinder, Year 6 and Year 4 children talking about
their learning on my last couple of blog posts.
One of the great challenges for teachers is to give students the
opportunity to experience a state of ‘flow’ in their learning. Such
engagement is akin to an athlete being ‘in the zone,’ think of Roger
Federer or Raphael Nadal in full flight, or indeed the German
football team’s mesmerizing performance against Brazil in the
recent World Cup. The state of ‘Flow,’ according to renowned
psychologist Csikszentmihalyi (say – cheeks sent me high), is a
state in which one is immersed in an experience that is rewarding
in and of itself, a state in which we feel we are at one with the
experience, in which “action and awareness are merged.” When
in a state of flow we enjoy both peak experience and peak
performance and demonstrate the very best versions of ourselves.
Csikszentmihalyi’s studies of ‘flow’ with children and adults show
that the often quoted piece of homespun wisdom, “No pain, no
gain,” is based on a myth that only through extreme and sustained
overexertion can we perform at our best. His research shows that
pain is not the optimal condition for peak performance. Rather,
there is a specific zone, a line between overexertion and
underexertion where we not only perform at our best but enjoy
what we are doing. We reach this zone when our activities
provide the appropriate level of challenge, when the task at hand
is neither too easy nor too hard. When the task is too hard our
children (and we ourselves) get anxious. When the task is too easy
our children get bored, listless and they mess around. They will
experience ‘flow’ when the learning task corresponds to their level
of ability or skill.
Research from Csikszentmihalyi and others, including Harvard’s Tal
Ben-Shahar, indicates that because many students experience
either anxiety or boredom at school, they neither enjoy it nor
Wednesday, October 15 2014: Term 4 Week 2
perform at their best. In short – a stressful environment leads to
anxiety and an environment devoid of challenge leads to boredom.
A note of caution, however. Tal Ben-Shahar, professor at the most
popular course ever at Harvard, lays out the challenge for all those
involved in helping our children to learn effectively:
“Educators, especially parents, confuse struggle with pain; wanting
to protect their children from pain, they cater to their children’s
every wish and rescue them from every challenge. In trying to
provide a ‘privileged’ life for their children, these parents deny
them the opportunity to struggle, thereby keeping them from
experiencing ‘flow’ as well as the satisfaction of overcoming
challenges.” (Happier – by Tal Ben-Shahar 2008)
Parenting Strengths Reading: Towards the end of this newsletter
is a short eNewsletter from Professor Michael Bernard, University
of Melbourne, on ‘Parenting Strengths that make a difference.’
The reading explores a number of the points made by Dr Steve
Zolezzi at his recent presentation to Sacred Heart parents in our
school hall. I commend it to you.
st
Positive Parenting Talk – Friday November 21 at 9.00 am in
School Library: I have invited Danielle Buckley to speak to parents
after Friday assembly on the above date. Danielle is a registered
psychologist with a passion for positive psychology and how it can
be used to support parents to bring out the very best in children,
focusing on their strengths, working on their areas for
development and building resilience in a tough world.
National Rosary Day: October is traditionally celebrated as the
month of the ‘Holy Rosary’ and yesterday, National Rosary Day,
the whole school gathered in the school hall and we recited and
reflected on the five decades of Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. It
proved to be a lovely and meditative experience for many children
who were truly ‘in the zone’ throughout the whole experience. In
a busy, noisy, fast-paced world it is wonderful to provide our
children with opportunities to tap into the spiritual sides of their
nature.
Bring Your Own Designated Device (BYODD) Meeting for parents
of children who will be in Years 3, 4 and 5 at Sacred Heart in
2015:
Parents of children currently in Years 2, 3 and 4 are invited to an
information evening in the school hall next Wednesday evening at
7.00 pm. During the evening you will hear about the school plans
to extend the current iPad initiative to incorporate Years 3 – 6 in
2015. There will be feedback from the iPad survey that parents of
Years 2 – 4 recently received as well as information provided by
representatives from the Sydney Catholic Education Office.
Planting Seeds for Tomorrow
8 Cardinal Street, MOSMAN NSW 2088 t: (02) 99696600 f: (02)9960 4312 e: info@shmosman.catholic.edu.au
www.shmosman.catholic.edu.au
Page 1
A number of our Year 5 students who have been using iPads this
year will be present and will talk about their experiences of using
the iPads as learning tools.
Staffing : On a final note, I am happy to be able to inform you that
planning for staffing at Sacred Heart for 2015 is well underway.
Wishing everyone a great week and thanking you for your support
for Sacred Heart.
Vince Campbell
Principal
Leaving Sacred Heart at the end of 2014
If your child will be attending another school in 2015 would you
please notify the school office, in writing, at your earliest
convenience.
Yr 6 – Selling Ice Blocks
Yr 6 will be selling ice blocks to raise money for their graduation
from this Friday, October 17. Ice blocks will be sold for $2 each at
second lunch break.
Yr 6 – Reach Foundation and Life Lessons
General News
2015 Kindergarten Orientation Dates
A huge thank you to Mosman Council, in particular to Jerome
Valencia (Youth Program Officer) for liaising funding and
facilitating workshops for Year 6 this year.
Kindergarten 2015 Orientation dates are as follows:
1. Wed, October 15: Parent Meeting in School Hall @ 7pm
2. Tues, October 21: Orientation morning 9.00am – 11.30am
3. Tues, October 28: Orientation morning 9.00am – 11.30am
Yeronga School Uniforms: Pop-Up Shop
Yeronga School Uniforms will be visiting the school on Tuesday,
October 28 to sell the new summer uniform from 9.00am –
1.30pm. Their Pop-Up Shop will be set up in the Parish Hall.
Year 6 have participated in workshops run by 'Rookys' which is
part of the 'Reach Foundation' and 'Life Lessons'.
These workshops focused on student well being especially
resilience building, positive peer dynamic, bullying, cyberbullying,
self esteem and getting ready for the transition to high school.
Socktober
Socktober is an initiative of
Catholic Mission and one way
which our school can fundraise
and engage in advocacy and
formation activities for
Catholic Mission during World
Mission Month in October.
School iPad Initiative
This has been implemented this year in the Year 5 classes and we
are looking to extend the program to other classes in 2015. There
will be a parent meeting at 7.00 pm on Wednesday, October 22 to
provide more information on this. At this meeting a number of the
Year 5 students will be showcasing their learning experiences using
the iPad devices.
Spring Fair News
Spring Fair – Saturday, November 15
Save the Date for this year’s Spring Fair – Saturday, November 15
from 2-6pm.
We are going to hold a 'Crazy
Sock Day' in Week 3 on Friday,
October 24 and every child can
wear crazy socks on this day
with their uniform and make a
gold coin donation for Catholic
Mission.
Children can wear crazy socks all over their body—what is the
most creative way they can wear socks?
Spring Fair – Pre-Loved Clothes
The holidays are over...and we now have the Fair to look forward
to! We would love your generous donations of kids clothes and
toys in need of a new home. You can leave them in the specially
marked baskets in every classroom. If you need us to collect, just
contact Julie Dodson and Michelle Giglio
Spring Fair – Bookstall
Donate excellent quality Books, CDs and DVDs to Sacred Hearts
Spring Fair Book Stall. Clear space for new purchases from Spring
Fair. Know that your favourite, hard to part with, books, CDs and
DVDs will find good homes and profits go back to the school. Boxes
for donations are available in each classroom.
Mission Captains 2014 - Zoe, Ella, Eliza, Chessie and Sophie
Double Dutch Skipping Program
Sacred Heart has run an advanced skipping program for the past 8
years. This program is designed for advanced skipping skills,
fitness and fun. The program is run of a Thursday: Years 1 and 2
first break and Years 3-6 second break. For more information go
to: www.trybooking.com/7782
Planting Seeds for Tomorrow
8 Cardinal Street, MOSMAN NSW 2088 t: (02) 99696600 f: (02)9960 4213 e: info@shmosman.catholic.edu.au
www.shmosman.catholic.edu.au
Page 2
Christmas Challenge
Reading Competition
The Christmas Challenge reading competition begins this week.
We are looking forward to many pages being recorded and
beginning a wonderful Christmas display around our school.
We are looking for donations of any spare (will not be returned)
red or green tinsel to help keep down the costs of our display this
term. Any tinsel donated can be brought directly to Mrs Edwards’
classroom (Mon-Wed) in Year 4 Blue. Thank you and Happy
Reading! Sam Edwards
Drivers are not allowed to make a U-turn across any of the
following:
1. a single continuous dividing line
2. a single continuous dividing line to the left of a broken
line
3. two parallel continuous dividing lines.
New School Uniform
As you already are aware, Sacred Heart is completely transitioning
to the new school uniform in 2016. Regardless of what year the
student is going into ALL students are required to be in the new
school uniform as of the first day of Term 1, 2016.
We will have a pop-up store available on Tuesday, October 28 with
try-ons available. If you have a child in Yr 4, this might be the best
time as they will have 2 years in the new uniform. Please note the
old school uniforms or non-Sacred Heart jumpers, shorts, pants,
socks and/or jackets will not be acceptable as the correct uniform
and all students will be required to adhere to the new policy.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to
info@shmosman.catholic.edu.au
Lost and Found
Could all parents look through their children's belongings for any
items of the school uniform that don't belong to them. Please pay
particular attention to their hats and jackets, and thoroughly check
your child's school bag and at home for stray labelled items. Please
return any found items to the school office or lost property box in
the assembly area.
Traffic Reminders
Reminder No. 1: Please DO NOT DOUBLE PARK in Bardwell
Road, Cardinal Street or in any streets surrounding the school as it
is highly ILLEGAL. Please use the school’s designated Drop-Off &
Pick-Up zone in Cardinal Street. FINE EXCEEDS $304 + 2 DEMERIT
POINTS
Does an accident have to happen before people take any notice?
Please adhere to the road rules as the safety of our children is
paramount
Car Line Pick Up Times
Where parents have children across the grades, younger children
will wait with older siblings and be picked up with them. The times
are as follows:
• Kinder & Year 1 from 3.00 to 3.05pm
• Years 1, 2 & 3 from 3.05 to 3.10pm
• Years 4, 5 & 6 from 3.10 to 3.20pm
Please display on your sun-visor your last name and the
child/children’s grade e.g. LEE 5B & 2B
Class Communication Network
The Head Class mums will send out all weekly communication to
the class mums on a Thursday, which will be issued to each year
group Friday morning for the following week. All notices for the
following week need to be submitted to the Head Class Mum’s by
9am on the Thursday at the latest to shmclassmums@gmail.com
Please submit notices in their finished format. Many Thanks
Annette, Sally & Elisabeth
Clothing Pool
Listed below are the RTA’s safety tips for drivers using a ‘Drop-Off
& Pick-Up’ area
• Always drop-off or pick-up your child from the designated
area, following the school’s procedures
• Drivers should remain in their vehicles at all times in the
‘Drop-Off and Pick-Up’ area
• Make sure the hand brake is applied when the vehicle is
stationery
• Never double park
• Never park across a pedestrian crossing
• Never undertake a U-turn in close proximity to the school
Reminder No. 2: Please DO NOT MAKE U-TURNS in Cardinal
Street. Not only are the U-turns dangerous and unacceptable they
are also highly illegal. FINE EXCEEDS $304 + 3 DEMERIT POINTS
The clothing pool is being run this year by Michelle Giglio and Julie
Dodson. If you require any second hand uniforms please email
them directly. All items $5. Email orders are always welcome.
Please email: shmclothingpool@gmail.com
Term Dates for 2014
Term 3: Mon, July 14
Term 4: Tues, Oct 7
to
to
Fri, Sept 19
Fri, Dec 19
Term Dates for 2015
Term 1:
Term 2:
Term 3:
Term 4:
Wed, 28 Jan 15
Mon, 20 April 15
Mon, 13 July 15
Tues, 6 Oct 15
to
to
to
to
Thurs, 2 April 15
Fri, 26 June 15
Fri, 18 Sept 15
Fri, 18 Dec 15
Planting Seeds for Tomorrow
8 Cardinal Street, MOSMAN NSW 2088 t: (02) 99696600 f: (02)9960 4213 e: info@shmosman.catholic.edu.au
www.shmosman.catholic.edu.au
Page 3
Sacred Heart School Uniform
Community Notices
The Sacred Heart-Online Uniform Shop is now live and on-line
ordering can now commence. The purchase procedure is as
follows:
1. www.yerongauniforms.com/shm
2. Select the item you wish to purchase
3. Choose your size
4. Add item to your cart
5. View your cart proceed to checkout
6. Log In – Register for purchase history
7. Select payment: Credit Card, PayPal, EFT
8. Select Delivery – Home: Roselands Store: Sacred Heart
Exemption from Attendance at School
Some important amendments to the Education Act 1990 have
resulted in significant changes and procedures governing school
attendance. Parents now wishing to exempt children from the
legal requirement to attend school for any length of time, must
apply to the Principal for an exemption. The Principal will
consider the application and decide whether to grant a ‘Certificate
of Exemption from Attendance at School.’ The Application for
Exemption from Attendance at School Forms are available from
the school office.
Anaphylaxis & Food Allergies
We have several children in our school who are severely allergic to
various varieties of nuts and certain foods. Their allergies are
actually life threatening, so we ask all parents to refrain from
sending their children to school with the following foods: nuts,
peanut butter sandwiches or dippers, nutella sandwiches or
dippers, muesli bars with nuts or nut-based products in them,
cakes or chocolate bars with whole or partial nuts in or on them,
satay flavoured noodles, meat or other products, chocolate coated
nuts, chocolate bars coated in or containing nuts (eg. Snickers or
Picnics). Please tell your child not to swap or trade their food with
others. Please also be mindful when sending in treats for your
child’s birthday. We prefer water iceblocks only. Many
sunscreens and lip balms contain certain nut oils which can also be
harmful to anaphylactic children.
Whole Day Absentees
As the attendance rolls are now electronic it is essential that if you
are late you or your child MUST sign in at the office before going
to the classroom. If you arrive after the starting time of 8.40am
they will be marked absent unless signed in at the office.
Parish News
Parish Bulletin
To view the Parish Bulletin please click on the link below.
http://www.shnparish.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75&Itemid=55
Planting Seeds for Tomorrow
8 Cardinal Street, MOSMAN NSW 2088 t: (02) 99696600 f: (02)9960 4213 e: info@shmosman.catholic.edu.au
www.shmosman.catholic.edu.au
Page 4
Planting Seeds for Tomorrow
8 Cardinal Street, MOSMAN NSW 2088 t: (02) 99696600 f: (02)9960 4213 e: info@shmosman.catholic.edu.au
www.shmosman.catholic.edu.au
Page 5
Planting Seeds for Tomorrow
8 Cardinal Street, MOSMAN NSW 2088 t: (02) 99696600 f: (02)9960 4213 e: info@shmosman.catholic.edu.au
www.shmosman.catholic.edu.au
Page 6
Planting Seeds for Tomorrow
8 Cardinal Street, MOSMAN NSW 2088 t: (02) 99696600 f: (02)9960 4213 e: info@shmosman.catholic.edu.au
www.shmosman.catholic.edu.au
Page 7
Planting Seeds for Tomorrow
8 Cardinal Street, MOSMAN NSW 2088 t: (02) 99696600 f: (02)9960 4213 e: info@shmosman.catholic.edu.au
www.shmosman.catholic.edu.au
Page 8