Dear Families,

Welcome back, we have begun Term 4 with eagerness and motivation. The children have settled well and are looking forward to the exciting learning program we have planned for the term.

Our Big Idea is Connections which draws content from the key learning area of Geography- the students will learn about the animals and environments on differrent continents and their relationship to Australia. Our Religious Education focus will have a social justice focus as well as looking at the "Connections" Jesus invites us to have with him and each other.

The children in Grade 6 will be busy preparing for their time in high school and planning their graduation. Our Grade 5 students will look to theiir final years at primary school and be focussed on the leadership roles they are able to participate in.

Today I spoke with our Aboriginal students about the discussion that had been relayed to me by the SRC. The discussions are about the new Child Safe standards which came into effect at the biginning of Term . We have been delivering information about teh standards in the newsletter every fortnight in Term 3. The biggest change in the standards is about the inclusion of a separate standards about maming a safe place for Abvoriginal children.

Child Safe Standard 1 - Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.

We have asked our SRC to give us information about what we do at Sacred Herat to ensure this is happening. The SRC came up with many things like putting the flag up and celebrating days like National Sorry Day and NAIDOC week but the children felt that I needed to ask our Aboriginal students their thoughts. Hence my meeting today. We discussed how we could proactively make Sacred Heart a place of gathering for them and they all agreeed it would be a good idea to host an afternoon tea for Aborigianl families and invite their elders in for an opportunity to have questions about their own culture.

I am very proud of how all our children have embraced the intention behind Child Safe Standard 1.

Today we celebrated Mass which was the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary. This is celebrated in October due to it being Mary's Month ans we have been praying Hail Marys in the morning during Prayer. The children will be learing about the special beads used for this prayer during the first part of term. The children were BEAUTIFULLY behaved during Mass this morning, reading the responses and engaging with the singing and Father's Homily. I thank them for their self-control and respectful actions.

The last story I have to share was a delightful experience at lunch today. I had the pleasure of four of our students who brought a "Lunch with the Principal" meal ticket. They needed to agree on the food and we had a sumptuous lunch of chicken nuggets and chips, chocolate biscuits, chocolate pieces, melting moments, cowboy trail mix and various choices of lemonade. The conversation was delightful and I am looking forward to the children who have brought tickets for lunch in a fortnnight.

Blessings for the weekend,

Anne-Marie Robb   

Congratulations to the Larkin family on the safe arrival of Parker.

October is the month of the Rosary... many children have Rosary beads and do not get the oppportunity to use them. Here are the instructions. Father James mentioned in his homily at Mass today, all prayers are heard and that even if you say just one "Hail Mary" or one decade, Jesus will get the message from Mary.

O Immaculate Heart of Mary, Filled with goodness, show your love towards us. May the flame of your heart, O Mary, come upon all mankind. We love you so. Amen

The office is currently holding sun glasses, a pair of reading glasses and oddments of jewellery. Please call by the office if these items may belong to you.

A new size 6 bomber jacket which is labelled has gone missing.  Could you please check that it hasn't mistakenly been placed into your child's bag. Thank you.