Term 3 2024 Weeks 9&10
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Friends,
As we approach the final two weeks of Term 3, our students continue to demonstrate hard work and dedication. Sacred Heart has been well-represented at both the Coolah Multi-Purpose Centre and the Watershed Greenday event in Mudgee, where students embraced valuable learning and community experiences.
Our staff have also been enhancing their expertise by attending Professional Development days, focusing on Writing and the new Science and Technology syllabus, ensuring that our teaching remains engaging and current.
A warm welcome goes to Molly Burgess, a Work Experience student from Coolah Central School, who has joined us for a hands-on learning opportunity. Meanwhile, our students were treated to delicious bacon and egg rolls, made using eggs from our very own chickens!
We are also thrilled to have introduced new "Spheros" robots into our classrooms, inspiring creativity and excitement around technology.
In Weeks 9 and 10, we are excited to host our Little Hearts Kindergarten Transition Days, welcoming future students and their families as they prepare for their exciting journey into primary school.
In Week 10, our annual Mission Stalls will be held, with students taking the lead in organising and running their own stalls. We were delighted to welcome parents and children from Coolah Preschool, making it a truly community centred event filled with fun, creativity, and generosity.
Wishing everyone a restful and well-deserved break as we conclude another productive term!
God Bless,
Kylie Scott
Religious Happenings
The Season of Creation is celebrated annually from September 1 to October 4. It begins with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1 and concludes on October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, who is the patron saint of ecology. This period is dedicated to prayer, reflection, and action for the protection and care of God's creation.
The Season of Creation is a time for Christians worldwide to renew their relationship with God, humanity, and all of creation. It invites us to reflect on the beauty and intricacy of the natural world, recognise our responsibility as stewards, and rekindle our commitment to protecting it.
Reflection:
As we enter this season, we are called to embrace a spirit of gratitude and care. The Earth, in all its complexity and richness, reflects the wonder of God’s creation. Every tree, mountain, river, and living creature speaks to the creativity and love of God. How often do we pause to truly marvel at this gift? In the hurried pace of life, it’s easy to take nature for granted or to overlook our role in its protection.
Pope Francis, in Laudato Si', calls us to recognise the interconnectedness of all life and urges us to protect “our common home.” This season offers an opportunity to reflect deeply on our relationship with the environment and ask ourselves:
- Are we living in harmony with creation?
- Do we make choices that reflect care for the Earth and future generations?
- How can we adopt more sustainable practices in our personal and communal lives?
Action:
- Prayer for Creation: Begin each day with a prayer of gratitude for the gift of creation. Ask for the grace to be more mindful and intentional in caring for the environment.
- Simplicity in Living: Consider small lifestyle changes—reducing waste, conserving water, or being mindful of energy use. Every effort contributes to the preservation of creation.
- Community Engagement: Participate in or lead community initiatives focused on sustainability—plant trees, clean up local areas, or engage in discussions about climate change and environmental justice.
The Season of Creation reminds us that caring for the Earth is not just a task but a form of worship, an expression of our love for God and our neighbours. As we reflect, let us be inspired to act with compassion and urgency, ensuring the preservation of this sacred home for all living beings.
Important Dates
Term 3
27/9/24- Mission stalls- 1:10-2:40- all welcome
27/9/24- Last day of school Term 3
Term 4
14/10/24- School resumes K-6
15/10/24- Little Hearts Kindergarten Transition- 9:00- 11:00
16/10/24- Mass- 12:15 all welcome
22/10/24- Little Hearts Kindergarten Transition- 9:00- 11:00 + parent information session
24/10/24- P&F Meeting 3.30
25/10/24- Musica Viva- St Michael's Dunedoo
Reminders for parents
-Please remember that no supervision is provided at school before 8:30am
- Please send fruit cut-up in a separate container, ready for students to have at fruit break.
SPB4L Focus
Weeks 9 & 10
Responsible
Being a good sport - Positive Sportsmanship
Kindergarten
Our science lesson in week 9 was learning about how objects interact with surfaces in various ways, leading to different types of movement. Items like balls or cylinders, with curved surfaces, can smoothly roll due to their rounded shape when in contact with a surface. On the other hand, objects with flat surfaces are well-suited for sliding. The fundamental factor influencing an object's movement is its shape. We thought it would be fun to make sushi and rice balls to demonstrate this, as you can see it was lots of fun and very yummy!.
My New Gallery
On Tuesday, lunchtime week 10, for our geography lesson Kindergarten set off on foot with their maps, excitement and anticipation to the local park for a picnic lunch and play. Before we left, students had to find the park on google maps and look at it in relation to the school, they also had to look at different ways that they could walk there, then decide on the best route together, we think we chose the best route!
We hope everyone has a lovely holiday and look forward to Term 4.
Charlotte Hallett
3/4 Science Experiment
The Physical World strand focuses on light, heat and electrical energy and how contact forces affect the behaviour of objects. Years 3&4 developed their understanding of energy as a resource that can be generated and transferred. They investigated the interdependent relationship between energy and forces that affected the behaviour of objects. Students observed how energy and forces are used in the manufacture of products and in systems.
The experiment our students designed measured solar, light, heat and electrical energy forces; which resulted on our students creating 'Smores'. A very enjoyable experiment to say the least – who knew science could be so electri-frying!
Visit from Andy Jones
We had the pleasure of welcoming renowned children's entertainer and author Andy Jones to our school. The students had a blast with a lively session of dancing, singing, and laughter. Andy also shared his books and performed the song he composed for the Olympics.
Whole school visit to Coolah MPS Residents
Sacred Heart had the joy of visiting the delightful residents of Coolah MPS, where we fostering positive connections and enriching our community bonds. The day was a lovely mix of creativity, music, and heartfelt interactions.
Students and residents read stories and had great conversations together . Our talented students also performed a selection of songs, filling the room with melody and cheer.
The morning tea that followed provided a wonderful opportunity for relaxed conversations and meaningful connections. It was a pleasure to see the smiles and hear the laughter as everyone came together in this special gathering.
We look forward to future opportunities to engage with and support our local community, continuing to build bridges and create lasting, positive connections.
A heartfelt thank you to the residents and staff of Coolah MPS for their warm welcome and for making this visit so memorable for our students.
Green Day Mudgee
Our school recently participated in Green Day 2024, an event filled with environmental learning and fun! We were thrilled to be among the 700 students from the region who came together for this engaging day.
This year's theme, DIRT ALIVE, explored the incredible life beneath our feet and highlighted the essential role of healthy soil in supporting our environment. Our students took part in hands-on activities, attended inspiring presentations, and had wonderful opportunities to connect with nature and each other.
We’re excited to share the highlights and experiences from this memorable event!
Kindergarten Visual Arts With Mrs Pettet
Kindergarten have continued to prove themselves as budding artists throughout Term 3. Mrs Pettet has aimed to show the students that art can take many forms, whether it be a painting, a drawing, a sculpture, a photograph, a multimedia creation, a piece of music, or even a creative dance or drama piece. The photographs below show some of the students’ artworks. These include: student created fidgets, Father’s Day Superhero coasters and cards, plus Olympic torches and Olympic ring mobiles. The students have designed and created gold, silver and bronze Olympic medals for three different Olympic sports of their choosing. Recently they have sculpted and painted clay pinch pots. They’ve finished the school term with using different painting techniques to create artworks that include trees and flowers.
R U OK?
The R U OK? initiative encourages us all to connect meaningfully with those around us and to reach out to anyone who might be going through a tough time.
We had conversations with our students about the impact of simply checking in with each other. We shared some cupcakes to make the message even sweeter. You don’t need to be an expert—just a caring friend and an attentive listener.
Here are four simple steps for a conversation that might change a life:
- Ask, "R U OK?"
- Listen attentively.
- Encourage positive action.
- Follow up with them.
Let’s make a difference!
Mindfulness
“Mindfulness can help children calm their minds and make the most of their life, setting them up for career and relationships. It reduces their anxiety and improves concentration, productivity and sleep.”
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg
Community News
