SACRED HEART PRIMARY SCHOOL OAKLEIGH

Growth in Faith - Love of Learning - Education for Life

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SCHOOL PRAYER

God our Father,

Bless us in all that we do

and guide us in the choices that we make.

Help us to care for one another

and look after those who need special care.

Help us learn today

and when things get hard, help us to keep trying.

May we be friends to those around us

and feel secure and loved.

May we use the gifts that You have given us today wisely

fill our day with peace.

Amen.

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MISSION

At Sacred Heart School each child will have the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to participate meaningfully and actively in society through a motivating and challenging environment involving an up to date curriculum.

We aim to facilitate the growth in faith of each child through scripture, tradition and participation in the sacraments and prayer.

VISION

At Sacred Heart School our

goal is to provide a

learning environment,

which is inclusive,

stimulating, affirming and

safe, where there is a strong sense of justice and where all individuals are

valued and given equal opportunities.

We endeavour to live the gospel values and work in partnership with parents,

parish and community. We nurture and develop the whole person,

encompassing all learning areas while recognising individual talents and

needs.

Through participation in the traditions of our Catholic faith we strive to create

an active, vibrant community enriched by the diverse cultures our families

bring. At Sacred Heart School we cater in particular for children from Sacred

Heart Parish and children from the city of Oakleigh.

We value and respect cultural diversity. Our school emphasizes gospel values

of generosity, honesty, co-operation, courtesy, diligence and respect for self,

others and property. Opportunities are provided for the development of

community spirit among staff, parents and students.

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SACRED HEART CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL

Sacred Heart School is a vital part of the parish community, as well as a

significant presence in the local community. In partnership with families, we

provide a high-quality academic, social, physical and religious education.

Sacred Heart School provides a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment

focused on each child’s wellbeing, achievement, being challenged, creativity

and enjoyment.

Sacred Heart School leaders and teachers are committed to an education that

integrates and celebrates faith, learning and life. We provide religious

education and opportunities for faith development where prayer and

sacramental celebrations are integral to life. Students are encouraged to

engage in civic and public life, involving community service and working for

social justice.

At Sacred Heart School, parents are encouraged to become involved in their

child’s learning and engaged in school life. Working together, the school and

families create an effective learning environment and a climate of mutual

respect.

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YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING

Sacred Heart School provides a foundation of faith based on Gospel Values

and Catholic teachings. We assist each child to develop knowledge and

understanding, skills, capabilities and dispositions necessary for lifelong

learning.

At Sacred Heart School we have a particularly strong emphasis on engaging

students where high standards are maximised in all areas of the curriculum,

particularly in literacy and numeracy. Our school provides an environment

which encourages each child to be confident and excited about their learning

from the start of school life.

The child is at the centre of all learning at Sacred Heart School. We recognise

that students are individuals, each with diverse learning needs. Teachers

design learning experiences that are responsive to the different ways in which

students achieve their best.

Our school facilities enable each child to use and develop skills in various

technologies, as well as to learn in engaging and effective ways.

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OUR CURRICULUM

The curriculum is planned carefully to ensure the development of the whole

child, including intellectual, spiritual, physical, emotional and social

dimensions. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to be lifelong

learners who can respond creatively to the challenges of the future, including

rapid developments in science and technology, the environment, global activity

and social change.

Sacred Heart School meets the curriculum, assessment and reporting

requirements set by the Victorian and Australian Governments. We base our

curriculum on the Victorian Curriculum F–10.

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Our school invites and supports students to discover God’s presence in their

daily lives. Within a gospel-centred environment, students are challenged and

supported to understand themselves and the world in which they live through

a world view founded in Scripture and in the traditions of the Catholic

community; its stories, its worship, its experiences and its teachings.

Religious Education is at the centre of our school curriculum, and is reflected

in a visible Catholic symbolic culture and active sacramental and liturgical

practice. At Sacred Heart School, Religious Education explores students’ life

experiences in the context of Gospel Values and Catholic teachings. Children

engage in daily Christian Meditation and Prayer.

The School Sacramental

Program works in

partnership with the parish

and families to prepare

children to understand the

Sacraments of

Reconciliation year 3,

Eucharist year 4 (First

Communion) and

Confirmation year 6.

LITERACY

Literacy is fundamental to each child’s learning progress. Sacred Heart School

devotes a high level of resources to literacy programs to improve learning and

student achievement across all years of schooling.

We monitor student literacy achievement and use results to plan for growth in

all students learning. Student learning experiences build on understanding, as

well as consolidating and extending literacy knowledge and skills.

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NUMERACY

Numeracy provides students with essential mathematical skills and knowledge in number and algebra, measurement and geometry, and statistics and probability. At Sacred Heart School, we develop the numeracy capabilities that all students need in their personal, work and social lives.

To address the needs of all students, teachers use assessment data to develop learning experiences that build understanding, as well as consolidating and extending mathematical knowledge and skills.

INTERVENTION AND EXTENSION

Sacred Heart School sees the growth of all students of paramount importance. Through both our intervention and extension programs we are able to cater for students individual learning needs.

INTERVENTION: Programs are developed on individual learning plans for students who are not meeting the expected benchmarks. Class teachers and the intervention specialist teacher work together to develop programs for students who require intervention in order to have a positive impact on students’ growth and learning.

EXTENSION: Programs are planned and developed for students who are surpassing the expected benchmarks. Class teachers and the extension specialist teacher work together to assess, plan and develop programs to have a positive impact on students’ growth and learning.

INTEGRATED CURRICULUM

At Sacred Heart School, we use an integrated curriculum to structure the teaching and learning program. Students make meaningful links between different learning areas and support the exploration of ideas and themes of study, particularly through an inquiry approach to learning.

STEM integrates Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics into a cohesive learning environment around real life application. STEM is a dynamic, collaborative, creative and interdisciplinary approach.

This inquiry approach focuses on sustainability and establishing more sustainable ways of living. They also focus Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and Australia's engagement in Asia.

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CAPABILITIES

At Sacred Heart School, the capabilities: Personal and Social, Ethical,

Intercultural and Critical and Creative Thinking are explicitly taught and

developed. These capabilities encompass the knowledge, skills, behaviours

and dispositions that, together with curriculum content in each learning area

assist students to live and work successfully in today’s world.

TECHNOLOGIES

As a fully registered e-Smart School, Sacred Heart School encourages

students to apply their knowledge, practical skills and processes when using

technologies and other resources. Students create innovative solutions that

meet current and future needs. Being an e-Smart school there is a major focus

on keeping students safe online. The technologies learning curriculum

includes design and technology, and digital technologies.

Our 1:1 Chromebook Program supports our commitment to the Digital

Technologies curriculum. The program ensures students have uninterrupted

access to anywhere, anytime learning through developing digital literacies.

This prepares the students with the necessary skills to become active digital

citizens in a global community, increasing personalized learning, collaboration

and communication.

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HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Sacred Heart School promotes the development of a healthy lifestyle by

providing a well-organised and active environment in which students can

participate in a wide range of sports and physical activities. As well as

improving fitness, participation in sport and physical education, at Sacred

Heart School we develop a sense of fair play, self-confidence and an ability to

work with others as part of a team.

Each week there is a one-hour lesson focusing on fundamental skill development as well as a second lesson focusing on the application of these skills in minor and major games.

Additional Health and Physical Education programs include

Year F to 6: Gymnastics

Foundation: PMP (Perceptual Motor Program)

Year 1 and 2: Swimming

Year 3 to 6: Interschool Sport Human Sexuality Education

House sporting teams compete against each other on our Annual Sports Day.

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THE ARTS

Through the arts curriculum, teachers enable each child to explore the

dynamic relationships between the five arts subjects: dance, drama, media

arts, music and visual arts. Each child makes and responds to artwork in many

forms using various materials, techniques and technologies. Within all arts

subjects, design facilitates the creative and practical realisation of ideas.

Each week there is a one-hour lesson focusing on visual arts by a specialist

teacher.

Additional Arts education programs and projects include:

Year F to 6: Community Visual Arts

Community Performance

Concert and Assemblies

Year 6: Leave Your Mark

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LANGUAGES

Students at Sacred Heart School benefit from a quality language learning experience. The study of languages is an integral part of a broad and balanced education for all learners.

Each week there is a one-hour lesson focusing on languages in Italian by a specialist teacher.

Additional Languages projects include:

Year F to 6: Multicultural Day

Grandparents Day

WELLBEING

Children learn best when they are happy and safe. We achieve this through

activities and programs such as Day for Daniel, Circle Time, Seasons for Grief

and Loss, Monash Resilience Youth Survey, Wellbeing Family Nights and

Student Forums. Lunch time clubs assist in developing good peer relationships

and social acceptance which are important for the well-being and academic

success of the children.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT

DISCIPLINE and ANTI BULLYING

Positive behaviour management at Sacred Heart School allows for an

affirmative atmosphere in the classroom and supports student learning.

Teaching strategies that support positive behaviours begins by making

expectations clear, teaching children how to meet these expectations and

reinforcing children’s appropriate behaviour. When we need to address

negative behaviours for individual children, our Positive Behaviour

Management procedures enable us to work with parents and carers to develop

a personal behaviour plan.

MINI HEARTS: An initiative conceived by our year 6 Social Justice leaders.

Mini Heart tokens are given to reward and celebrate positive behaviour.

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CHILD SAFE

Sacred Heart School holds the care, safety and wellbeing of children and

young people as a central and fundamental responsibility of our school. We

are committed to protecting children from abuse and raise awareness of child

safety in the school and in the community.

We have a strong commitment to the rights of the child in regard to care, safety

and wellbeing of all students at our school. We have developed policies,

procedures and strategies to keep students safe from harm, including all forms

of abuse in our school environment. This includes online school environments

and in other locations provided by the school.

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STUDENT LEADERSHIP AND PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Sacred Heart School offers several leadership and peer support programs to

encourage self-awareness and personal development. The ‘buddy’ system,

where an older student is assigned to support a younger student, has two main

benefits. The older student learns to take on leadership and responsibility,

while the younger student knows they have a mentor at school to whom they

can turn for assistance.

Year 6 Student Leaders are positive role models for the rest of the students

and ambassadors for our school within the wider school community. These

students are encouraged to make an active and positive contribution to our

school and demonstrate leadership qualities such as teamwork, honesty,

determination, innovation and excellence. All Year 6 students take on a

leadership role in one of six key areas: Environment, Community, Social

Justice, The Arts, Sport and Technology.

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SPECIALIST SUPPORT STAFF

Specialist support staff work within our school to provide additional

assistance in the areas of counselling, assessment and services which

assists us in developing the best possible program for all students.

If required, your child may access the services of:

● Psychologists

● Speech Pathologists

● Visiting Teachers (hearing impairment, vision impairment, physical and

chronic health impairment)

● English as an Additional Language or Dialect

● New Arrivals School Advisers.

● Occupational Therapist

● Visiting School Nurse

● School Dental Van

● Other Specialist when required

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EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

AFTER SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM: Creative Music School conducts a

music program on school premises two days a week. The program offers

hands-on tuition in keyboard, guitar, violin, percussion and other instruments.

AFTER SCHOOL SPORT: Sacred Heart School coordinates the Sporting

Schools Program which offers free lessons in different sports each term. Sport

changes from term to term and has included hockey, badminton, equestrian,

ten pin bowling, golf and lawn bowls.

LUNCHTIME CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES: Students choose to attend lunchtime

clubs/activities including Dance, Games and Construction, Book, Chess,

Garden, Choir, Clay, Wellbeing, Coding and House Team Games.

TENNIS LESSONS: Tennis lessons are offered twice a week before school

by Hot Shots Tennis. It is a fun way for kids to learn how to play tennis.

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CAMP PROGRAM: All students from Foundation to Year 6 participate in our

camping program. This program takes into account the curriculum, social and

emotional needs of children and expands from onsite to offsite as the

children progress through the school.

● The focus for the camp alternates on a two year cycle.

Even Years: Outdoor Education Skills: team building and cooperative

skills e.g. Outdoor Education Camp

● Odd Years: Curriculum Focus e.g. Year 5-6 Australian History and

Civics and Citizenship in Canberra.

CANTEEN: Classroom Cuisine canteen service is available twice weekly and

is ordered online. Orders are taken until 8:30am on the day. The lunches are

delivered to the school by 10:45am. Parents have full control as there are no

over the counter sales.

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PARENTS AND SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

Effective partnership between parents and the school achieve improved

learning and better outcomes for students. At Sacred Heart School we

encourage and value parental participation in all aspects of school life

including class programs and community events. Partnerships are supported

through:

WELCOME NIGHTS: Our community is invited to our ‘Welcome Night’ where

the students present skills in a showcase of learning. Activities include dance,

drumming, circus skills and sport.

CURRICULUM AND INFORMATION NIGHTS: These nights support parents

such as: Literacy, Numeracy, Stem, Cyber Safety, Social Skills, Wellbeing and

Religious Education.

SACRAMENTAL AND FAITH NIGHTS: These nights support parents in

learning about the sacraments, how they are taught and how you can help

your child learn about their faith.

ASSEMBLIES: Years F to 6 showcase classroom learning with the school

community and are led by our Student Leaders. School awards based on

Catholic Social Teachings are presented to students.

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TEACHER, PARENT AND STUDENT LEARNING CONFERENCES:

Regular conference, both formal and informal are held throughout the school

year to discuss student learning.

PARENT ASSOCIATION: The Parent Association (PA) builds community

within our school. The PA plans and coordinates events and activities held

throughout the school year. The purpose of the PA at Sacred Heart School is

to build community with parents, students and staff as well as to reach out to

others in need in our community.

Key PA Events include:

● Second Hand Uniform Shop

● Cake Raffle (Patronal Care)

● Bread Run (Outreach)

● Disco

● Movie Night

● Sausage sizzles and Subway

Lunches

● Father/Son Big Day Out

● Mother Daughter Camp

● Mother’s and Father’s Day stalls

● Mother’s and Father’s Day

Breakfasts

● Footy Tipping

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HEALTHY EATING

At Sacred Heart School we encourage families to supply students with healthy

food choices. Students regularly need healthy food and water to maintain high-

level brain function. Opportunities for healthy eating are given at brain breaks

and at other eating times.

BRAIN BREAKS:

Students are

encouraged to eat small

amounts of brain-

healthy food such as

fruit and vegetables that

helps maintain energy

levels. Students have

the opportunity to

regularly sip water

throughout the day.

For the safety of

children who may have

severe nut allergies

(anaphylaxis) nuts and

nut products must not

be brought into the

school. All junk food is

discouraged.

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OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE (OSHC) Before Care, After Care and Holiday Care

OSHC provides a safe environment for all school age children outside of

normal school hours. Activities are both recreational and structured with

healthy food provided. Fees are reasonable and government rebates are

available.

OSHC is conducted by Camp Australia and is onsite at Sacred Heart School

as follows:

● Before School Care from 7.00am to 8.30am.

● After School Care from 3.20pm to 6.00pm daily.

● Holiday Program

SCHOOL FEES AND LEVIES

School Fees together with Commonwealth and State Grants pay the running

costs of the school. These costs include salaries; building works; furniture,

equipment, maintenance; light; power and heating; insurance, rates and

capital expenditure.

Student Levies contribute directly towards education costs and camps. The

levies cover all library and text books, classroom books and stationery, art

and craft materials, incursions & excursions, sacramental programs, sport,

swimming tuition and inter-school activities.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Fee relief is available to parents of students attending our school who are

suffering from financial hardship or hold a valid Health Care Card. An

additional government rebate is offered of $125 per child towards Camps and

Excursions to Health Care Card holders.

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CONTACTS

SCHOOL OFFICE:

Brian Martin Principal

E-MAIL: principal@shoakleigh.catholic.edu.au

Carmel Newsome Admin Officer

Loretta Ballas Admin Officer

EMAIL: office@shoakleigh.catholic.edu.au

ADDRESS: 2 Mora Ave Oakleigh

PHONE: 8574 4500

PARISH OFFICE:

Fr Raju Godavarthi Parish Priest

ADDRESS: 19-21 Johnson Street Oakleigh

PHONE: 9568 1206

Last Updated February 2020