Dear Families.

We are halfway through the term already, and over the past two weeks, I have been grateful to have taken some long service leave to spend time with family abroad. When you have space from the busyness, you realise the joy of time together and that we live in a fantastic part of the world. Taking time to smile at someone or say a kind word can change someone’s day. With this in mind, I would like to thank our admin team. Whether supporting staff, assisting families, treating first aid, or keeping everything running smoothly, they do it all with kindness and care. They look out for our students daily, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and valued.

This week, parents/carers have had the opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher. Thank you to all who attended these meetings. These conversations can help build supportive partnerships, ensuring that students feel encouraged both at school and at home. By discussing progress, challenges, and goals, together we create a positive learning environment that fosters growth, confidence, and well-being.

Being More During Lent: A Season of Growth

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Lent, and Mrs Crouch has been supporting staff and students this week in celebrating Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday in readiness for this special time. Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, helping us grow closer to God as we prepare for Easter. It’s not just about giving things up but about ‘being more.’

Be More Prayerful

Set aside time for prayer, whether through the Rosary, Bible reading, or silent reflection. As a school, we pray together and strengthen our faith.

Be More Compassionate

Show kindness by helping others, listening, and participating in acts of service. Even small gestures bring us closer to Jesus' teachings.

Be More Giving

Share your blessings through donations, food drives, and supporting those in need. Giving reflects God’s love in action.

Be More Grateful

Appreciate what we have and express thanks daily. A gratitude journal or saying “thank you” often nurtures a grateful heart.

Be More Sustainable

Caring for God’s creation honours Him. Reduce waste, use less plastic, and conserve water to protect our world.

‘You can make a difference this Lent—pray more, give more, love more, and let your heart grow closer to God’

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours in partnership

Charlene Best

Principal

A Lenten Prayer: How to fast 

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling within them.

Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.

Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.

Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from disconnect, feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger; feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.

Fast from worry; feast on trust.

Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.

Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.

Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from hostility; feast on Non-Violence.

Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

Fast from personal anxiety, feast on external truth

Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.

Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.

Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.

Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.

Gentle God, during this season of fasting and feasting,

gift us with Your Presence so we can give to others in carrying out your work.

Amen

Naplan Testing

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.

Testing Timetable:

Congratulations to our 2025 Term 1 & 2 Class Captains, who were presented with their certificates and badges last week.

5/6 Kangaroos have had an amazing start to the 2025 school year, filled with excitement and new experiences! The students have bonded through team-building activities, including a challenging escape room that encouraged collaboration and problem solving and hands-on science investigations. We can't wait to see what the rest of the school year brings!

Medical Condition Updates:

If students have updated Medical conditions could parents please notify the school office by sending an email to shu@catholic.tas.edu.au stating 'Update regarding students Medical Condition' as its imperative that the school is aware of a medical condition that your child may have.

End of Day collection changes:

Please advise the office by phone or by emailing by 2.15pm of any change to pick up arrangements if their child usually catches the bus home to ensure our bus lists are correct by the end of the day.

Thank you for your support.

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 our Heart Reward recipients:-

• Toby, Connor, Gracie, Evie, Walker, Hayley, Charlie, Audrey, Ella, Eli

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

Our school community wishes to congratulate Mrs Ebony O'Keeffe and her husband Sam, on the safe arrival of their baby girl Maeve Joy. Maeve was born in early February and is bringing much love to those around her.

We are seeking interest in joining our SHU Advisory Board.

Our Advisory Board provides support to the Principal and works together to support the school community. If you are interested in becoming an Advisory Board member, please contact Mrs Crowden in our office to find out more information.

Thank you.

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.

Sacred Heart has been fortunate to have the opportunity to offer our Grade 4 - 6 students a chance to participate in St Brendan-Shaw College Instrumental Music Program. This program offers Music Soirees, Workshop Days, plus a Major Concert at SBSC at the end of the year. 

We would like to invite students and parents to attend a special evening held at 6:00pm on Thursday, the 6th of March, at St Brendan-Shaw College, where staff can answer any questions and/or students may have. Parents can also see and hear the various instruments students can learn to play, get to know the Music Specialists and learn how the Instrumental Music Program works.

Does this sound like something your child would be interested in?

Follow this link to sign up: https://sbsc.me/4fwTmfh