Dear Parents/carers,

Seeing our staff and students working hard in the first few weeks to establish routines and expectations has been wonderful. By setting up the classroom and clearly establishing expectations, teachers set the stage for a year of growth, learning, and success. The start of the year is crucial for fostering a positive environment that will help students feel confident and engaged in their learning journey.

Our families play a vital role in strengthening our school community. Your trust, involvement and partnership in your child’s education are deeply valued and we appreciate the many ways you support your children and our school. 

Please note some start-of-the-year reminders:

Sacred Heart staff value the partnerships between home and school; effective communication is important to us. When needing to communicate with teachers, please arrange a convenient appointment time by emailing the class teacher. Immediately after school and before school are not suitable times to have a conversation with class teachers regarding concerns. 

Please make appointments where feasible for children out of school hours. We understand that at times this is not always possible. But please be aware that interruptions during class time impact children’s learning.

Any parent/carer that comes to the school during the school day, please ensure you report to the school office first. It is a requirement for you to sign your child/ren in and out during the day.

Yours in partnership

Gretchen Lane

Deputy Principal

During weeks 4 and 5 our Prep students will undergo an initial assessment in PAT Early Years Reading and Maths. PAT Early years reading 'is an assessment of pre-literacy and early reading skills, covering print conventions, decoding, listening comprehension and reading comprehension'. 'PAT Early Years Maths is an assessment covering the early development of mathematical skills with a strong focus on number. A range of measurement, space, and statistics skills are also assessed, with limited coverage of algebra and probability.' These assessments 'have been specifically designed for the first two years of formal schooling' (ACER, 2025).

These assessments will be carried out on iPads, in small groups within the Prep classrooms and will be facilitated by an adult. These assessments will provide teachers with data on early learning development and inform future planning. Preps will undergo a second assessment later in the year.

Direct Explicit Teaching - Focus on Norms and Routines

From inspiration offered by the works of Tom Bennett during staff Professional Learning at the beginning of the year our staff have been working hard to establish and refine norms and routines at Sacred Heart. 

Last week, all classes took part in a PBS (Positive Behaviour Support) tour that aimed to remind students of our norms/ expectations in shared areas. For the most part students were able to name these norms/ expectations without adult support. There was an emphasis on safety and learning during these tours so that students were aware of why a particular norm/ expectation is in place.

Within classrooms, teachers have been focusing on establishing class routines such as lining up, transitions between tasks/ learning areas, moving around the school and whiteboard protocols during learning tasks. The establishment of these routines may take time at first, and require reteaching at times, however long term they are aimed at increasing time spent on learning tasks and ensuring clarity on shared expectations.

The 2025 National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will occur in Term 1, from Wednesday 12th March to Monday 24th March. Students in Grade 3 and Grade 5 will participate in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy assessments.

SHU Student ICT Agreement

As part of your child's enrollment at Sacred Heart Catholic School Ulverstone, they have acess to and use a range of digital devices. 

This Acceptable ICT Use agreement applies when digital devices, technologies and the internet are being used at school, for school-directed learning, during extra-curricular activities.

Your consent is required for your child to use digital devices at SHU. Please discuss the agreement and expectations with your child/ren and provide your consent via the Compass app asap.

Recycling Materials

As part of Technology lessons, we require clean recyclable materials - boxes, lids, cartons etc. Could donations please be made to the link area. 

Please ensure any materials that are brought in are cleaned first. Your donations are much appreciate and I know the students will love creating with these. 

eSafety - Parent resources and webinar

The eSafety website provides a range of resources, articles, advice, for parents on a range of online safety issues. This website also provides a range of information and resources for children and young people. 

eSafety webinars

Register your interest in these sessions at https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars .

Car Park Reminders

As part of our PBS and celebrating success, staff look to catch our students actioning our school values of being Compassionate - Honest - Inclusive - Grateful - Sustainable.

Congratulations to this week's Heart Reward recipients:-

• Connor D
• Ella B
• Toby C
• Hayley M
• Audrey F
• Gracie
• Walker
• Charlie M
• Eli
• Evie

As a reward for their kind gestures, these students are invited to an afternoon surprise tomorrow with Miss Allison and Ms Richards.

Please keep yourself updated with current Catholic Education Tasmania Guidelines and Policies via this link.

Sacred Heart staff value the partnerships between home and school; effective communication is important to us. Please see below the expectations for using our platforms and communication channels. 

Please remember that our hard-working staff have the right to disconnect and will respond to communication within their hours of work.