2025 Term 4 Week 4
Principal's Report
Learning at Sacred Heart Primary School Cunnamulla is not just about academics. While academics and content are definitely a focus and our Habits of the Mind encourage Curiosity, Metacognition and Persistence and help us to become 'good learners', we also focus on our Habits of the Heart which help us to become 'good people'. Belonging, Justice and Service help us to learn about how to create a safe, welcoming space in which people are treated fairly and with compassion and love.
To help us with our Habits of the Heart, we invited "Character Builders" to come to our school last week to complete a range of fun activities that help to build character. All students at school last Monday spent the entire day completing a range of activities that assisted with confidence, teamwork and other strategies that help us to make sure that we treat people in accordance with our Mercy values. The Character Builders staff also worked with our Yr 4, 5,6 students last Tuesday on leadership skills and help them to work out what kind of leader they would like to be. We are very grateful to have had Damon and Niamh travel out to share their passion and skills with our students.
We will continue our learning of the Habits of the Heart and Mind. Each class has been given the definition of a different habit and have been asked to come up with a way to help us remember what each of these mean. I am looking forward to hearing some songs or jingles and seeing some actions that will help us transfer those definitions into our long-term memory.
This week we will celebrate two important groups in our school. This Friday is World Teacher's Day - a time when we are able to thank our teachers for their hard work and dedication. We will also celebrate Grandparents Day - another group who willing share knowledge, skills and unwavering support to our students. Please join us on Friday to acknowledge and celebrate these people.
Principal
Mrs Cara Haig
Classroom Snapshots
Prep with Miss Ball
This fortnight in Prep, we've been exploring the story of Jesus, learning who he is, who his parents are, and why he is so important to Christians around the world. Students discovered that Christmas is a celebration of Jesus' birthday and have enjoyed learning about the Christmas story, including where it can be found in the Bible. We've also introduced key vocabulary related to this special time, such as Bethlehem, shepherds, angels, and more. It's been a joyful and meaningful journey into the heart of Christmas, and we will continue to develop our understanding of the Christmas story as the term progresses.
Year 1 with Miss Charlton
This fortnight we have continued to explore forces with a focus on push and pull. We have explored push and pull through moving our bodies to create a dance. The students identified and discussed which movements required push and which ones required pull, putting these into a sequence to create a short dance. We have also explored magnets and how they use the forces of push and pull to attract or repulse other magnets and magnetic objects. One of our experiments included making a hand reel fishing rod using cardboard, string and a magnet. We put these to the test in a “fishing game” to see if they would work and what would make them easier or harder to use
Year 2 with Mr Smith
In Year 2, we've been learning all about the moon's cycles and the planets in our solar system. It's been a fascinating journey through space! In Math, we've just finished exploring multiplication and division, and we'll keep practicing these skills throughout the term, so they stay sharp. We've also started our English unit on persuasive writing, where we're learning how to share our opinions clearly and convincingly. It's been a great start to the term across all subjects!
Year 3/4 with Miss Carter
This fortnight in Science, 3/4 have been exploring how materials are made and used, especially in packaging. Students have investigated the properties of different materials and considered why certain materials are chosen to protect, preserve, or present products. It’s been a hands-on and curious journey into the world of design and sustainability!
Year 5/6 with Miss Walker
This term, our students have successfully completed the Measurement unit in Mathematics, developing a solid understanding of length, capacity, and mass through hands-on activities and real-world applications. In English, we’ve been exploring the elements of poetry, to analyse structure, language, and meaning. Also, we have been crafting our own poems. Alongside this, students have been working to improve their reading fluency through targeted intervention sessions designed to support individual growth.
We were fortunate to have an incursion with Character Builders, which focused on fostering teamwork, creativity, and leadership. Year 5 students were especially encouraged to begin thinking about leadership roles and preparing for the speeches they will deliver early next year.
Extra Curricular Activities
Chess Club has finished for the year. Thank-you to all the students joined!
Tuesday – Instrumental Music Lessons Online
Wednesday - Run / Walk Club - 7.30am meet at the Quad (Yrs 2-6 Welcome) - Must bring hat and water bottle!
Thursday – Choir Practice – 8am Year 1 Classroom (All welcome)
Birthdays
Happy Birthday to the following students!
Maggie-Jo Powyer - 22nd October
Miss Walker and Mr Smith - 25th October
Class Awards
Uniform Policy
The school uniform represents the pride we have for our children and our school. A smart, neat and user-friendly uniform encourages the children to take pride in their appearance and in the school. The school uniform requirements:
Hats: Our school policy is ‘NO HAT – NO PLAY’. A green school hat must be worn and can be purchased form the office.
Jewellery: The only jewellery allowed is one set of fine studs or sleepers, a chain with some form of religious significance and watches.
Nail Polish: Nail polish is not to be worn.
Hair: Children’s hair must be neat and tidy. If hair is below the collar it needs to be tied back with appropriate white or green accessories. It is expected that hairstyles reflect the code of dress required by the school. The colouring of hair and unusual hairstyles are not acceptable.
Tuition Fees
At Sacred Heart, we have several payment options for your convenience: Cash, Cheque, ETPOS, Direct Debit and Centrepay. For further details on these payment options please see the school office.
Student Protection
At Sacred Heart the safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority. All children should grow up free of violence or exploitation and be able to learn in a safe and supported environment. Schools have a number of specific child protection reporting obligations that are detailed in our Student Protection Processes and Guidelines.
It is a legislative requirement that all non-state schools have at least two nominated staff members to whom a student can report the behaviour of another staff member that the student considers inappropriate. We call these specially trained staff members School Student Protection Contacts, or SSPCs. Each SSPC has been nominated by the principal in recognition of their integrity, approachability and knowledge in the area of student protection. Whilst students are encouraged to speak up to any trusted adult in the school community, it is important that they know they can access these specific staff members at any time should they have worries, queries or concerns. You will have noticed posters throughout the school depicting our current SSPCs. The SSPCs are also published on our school website along with information about our student protection processes. In everything we do at Sacred Heart Primary School student safety is our highest priority, therefore the SSPCs at our school are key personnel in our overall safeguarding processes.
If a student wants to talk to someone about harm, abuse or inappropriate behaviour toward themselves or others, they can speak to a trusted staff member or one of our School Student Protection Contacts (SSPCs). The SSPCs receive additional training and are identified in the student protection posters displayed around the school.
Summary documents have been developed for parents and caregivers about our student protection obligations and our broader strategy for maintaining safe school environments.
Further information on all of the above topics can be found on the Toowoomba Catholic Schools website at the link below:
https://www.twb.catholic.edu.au/parents-and-community/student-protection/
Our Schools Student Protection Contacts are:
- Mrs Carolyn Crick (Administration Officer)
- Mrs Cara Haig (Principal)
What's On
We are moving to the SENTRAL Parent Portal App for all our notices. This will be the NEW App for:
- Newsletters and Notices
- Permission Forms
- Academic Reports
- Lodge Absences
- Family Contact Details
Instructions have been sent home with your child/ren. Please see us in the office if you require assistance getting set up.
Tuckshop
Tuckshop is open on Fridays.
You can order and pay for lunches via the Flexischools app anytime before 8.30am on Friday morning.
Simply download the Flexischools app from the Apple or Google store and follow the prompts to create an account. Once set up, click “Order Food” to place your order and pay.
Important Dates
SACRED HEART PARISH MASS TIMES
- Sunday 2nd November - Eucharistic Service 9am
- Sunday 9th November - Eucharistic Service 9am
- Sunday 16th November - Eucharistic Service 9am
- Saturday 22nd November - Mass (and Confirmation / Communion) with Father Peter 5.30pm
- Sunday 30th November - Eucharistic Service 9am