Handbook

Welcome to Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School South Mount Druitt. This is a multicultural Catholic school with a most dedicated staff, which has built up an enviable reputation for providing quality Catholic Education since its beginning in 1983.

The school works closely with the Parish. The Jesuit Priests from Emerton support the Liturgical life of the students and teachers in the important area of Religious Education. In all the other Key Learning Areas the school follows the syllabuses as directed by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).

Parents are encouraged to take a keen and active interest in their children’s education and the school prides itself on providing a safe and happy learning environment in which students are led to develop their skills, knowledge, attitudes and values to the full.

We also pride ourselves on being an ‘Open School’ where parents are welcome to come and discuss any problems – no matter how small – with the teachers, assistant principal or principal.

On behalf of the school community I welcome you to Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School. We trust that your years with the school may be long, happy and fruitful.

Mr. Glenn Patchell
Principal

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School opened in 1983 with two Sisters of St Joseph and two lay teachers.  Classes for one Kindergarten, one Year One and one Year Two were conducted in temporary classrooms.

The construction of Stage One of the permanent school buildings commenced in 1984 and were occupied in 1985.  By 1985, the Principal was the only representative of the Sisters of St Joseph.  Stage Two buildings commenced construction in 1987.  By then there were two classes each of Kindergarten to Year Three, and one each of Year Four, Five and Six.

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School was also included in the Disadvantaged Schools Program (DSP) from 1987, with successful submissions for Music and a Community Liaison project. Involvement in this project continued in 1988 with the funding for Music and implementation of a Language project being continued along with participation in “Meet-a-Mate”.

The Sisters of St Joseph withdrew in late 1988 and in 1989 a lay principal was appointed. Stage Three of the building project was completed in September 1989 and involvement in the DSP projects continued.

By 1990 student numbers were up to 396 and classes were two stream from Kindergarten to Year Six for the first time. The Official Blessing and Opening of the school buildings took place on Sunday 13th May 1990.  Bishop Bede Heather performed the Blessing and Mr Roger Price M.P. opened the buildings on behalf of the Federal Minister for Education. Sacred Heart’s involvement in the DSP program was discontinued at the end of 1990.

In recent years a major emphasis has been placed on Literacy and Numeracy as well as Religious Education.

In 2007, the school began a major building project which saw the refurbishment of Kindergarten, Year 5, Year 6, Library and Administration block.  

In 2010, thanks to the Building Education Revolution Project (BER) undertaken by the Government, we were able to construct our new Multi-Purpose Learning Area (MPLA). The Multi-Purpose Learning Area was officially opened and blessed by Bishop Anthony Fisher.

The Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) which covers the amphitheatre was redesigned in 2014 to provide a much more useful space for students in various weather conditions. In 2015 a shade structure was constructed adjacent to the basketball court to provide students with additional weather protection.

In October 2016 Information Technology was upgraded in every learning space to include 165cm (65 inch) television monitors connected to Apple TV, wireless document cameras and new iPads. This technology ensures our students are 21st century learners.  By 2017 the school purchased sufficient Chromebooks for every student in Years 3-6.  This program was extended to include Year 1 and 2 students in 2019.  

In Term 2, 2017 a major refurbishment of two buildings was undertaken.  Stage 3, Years 5 and 6, moved into their new agile learning space in late November 2017 and Stage 2, Years 3 and 4, occupied their agile learning space in May 2018.  These agile learning spaces are purpose built for 21st Century learning and teaching.  In 2020 the softfall in front of the MPLA was replaced with artificial turf, with handball courts and a Tossball Tower being installed. 

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide a quality education for our children in a Christ centred environment and to support, develop and promote the educative mission of the Catholic Church.

WE VALUE:

• Respect

• Hope

• Openness

• Love

• Compassion

• Trust

• Tolerance

• Dignity

WE BELIEVE:

• Children are the focus of all endeavours

• In a caring school community where all feel safe, valued and respected

• In an educational environment where we continually strive to meet the needs of children and the challenge of educational change

WE CELEBRATE

• Our Catholic tradition

• The uniqueness and achievements of the individual

• The richness of the diverse culture and background of our school community

VISION STATEMENT

• Faith community

We strive to build a strong and caring faith community where children meet and deepen their knowledge and love of Jesus.

• School community

We strive to provide an environment where pastoral care is evident in relationships which are based on respect, honesty, and affirmation.

• Learning environment

• We strive to make a difference in the lives of the children entrusted to our care by developing children who are happy, confident and independent.

• We strive to support the personal, spiritual and professional development of our staff by providing access to high quality professional development.

• Curriculum

We strive to provide a relevant and balanced curriculum reflecting student needs and current educational thinking.

• Partnership

• We strive to support, encourage and involve parents in understanding all aspects of their child’s education.

• We strive to promote the school and foster positive relationships with the wider community.

School Office Phone No. (02) 9208 0200

School Website: www.sacredheartmtdruitt.catholic.edu.au

School Email: sacredheartmtdruitt@parra.catholic.edu.au

Office Hours: The office is open from 8.30am to 3.30pm

School Hours: Student supervision is provided from 8.20am

Classes begin at 8.50am

Recess 10.50 to 11.20am

Lunch Commences at 1.20pm.  (Students eat lunch with their class at this time).  

Between 1.30 and 2.00pm is playtime.

Dismissal Students are dismissed at 3.00pm.

(Student supervision is provided until 3.30pm.)

SCHOOL UNIFORM DELIVERIES:

As long as you have ordered your child’s uniform on-line before 4:00pm on Monday afternoon, uniform deliveries are made by the following Wednesday and will be given to your child.  If you wish to collect the uniform from the school office, please make arrangements through the office for this to happen.   

If you would like to celebrate your child’s birthday at school, please send enough cupcakes or doughnuts with serviettes for the whole class. 

• Large, uncut cakes are not permitted. 

• Drinks, lollies or other food are not permitted as some students have food allergies.

• Birthday candles, sparklers and balloons etc. are not permitted.  

School Hours

• Student supervision is provided from 8.20 am

• Classes begin at 8.50 am

• Recess is between 10.50 and 11.20 am

• Lunch is at 1.20 pm (students eat lunch with their class at this time)

• Between 1.30 and 2.00 pm is playtime.

• Students are dismissed at 3.00 pm.

• Student supervision is provided until 3.30 pm.

It is an expectation that all students are picked up by 3.30pm.  

Before & After School Care 

A Catholic Out of School Hours Care (COSHC) is located at Sacred Heart. The COSHC opens at 7.00 am and closes at 6.00 pm for students who attend Sacred Heart. 

Buses and Transport

Please make sure your child’s teacher knows how your child will be travelling to and from school.

Many of our students travel by bus. This places great responsibility on each student to behave and to be aware of how their conduct affects others.

To apply for a School Opal Card, please visit the Transport for NSW Website and apply online.  This website contains lots of useful information for parents including eligibility criteria for students.  Lost Opal Cards may be replaced by submitting a request for replacement on the same website.

Parking 

• Parents are to park in the street when bringing students to or collecting students from school. 

• Parking is not permitted in the Church car park. 

• Please do not park illegally in driveways, no standing or bus zones in Nelson Street, as police do patrol these areas and fines will be imposed.

• A section of Edith Street has been designated as a drop off zone.  

• Please be mindful of the neighbours when dropping off and picking up your children.

Good manners will be insisted upon at all times, in the classroom and in the playground.  We aim to have a safe and happy playground environment.

It is expected all students will demonstrate respect for themselves and for the rights of others. Misbehaviour will not be accepted or tolerated. We are sure you would not want us to allow disruptive behaviour to interfere with your child’s education.  The school has implemented Positive Behaviour Support for Learning (PBS4L) initiative.  Our mantra is “we are safe, respectful and responsible”.  

The school draws students from South Mount Druitt and Minchinbury areas. Sacramental programs are undertaken at Sacred Heart Parish.

Sacred Heart is a feeder school for St Agnes Catholic High School in Rooty Hill.  Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) guarantees continuous education from K-12 for Catholic families who seek enrolment in the local Catholic high school via the enrolment procedure. 

Students in New South Wales are taught to use the NSW Foundation Style of writing, as shown below:

Telephone

On certain occasions the school will need to make urgent contact with parents by telephone (in case of illness or an accident), therefore it is essential that the school be informed if your home, mobile, work or emergency contact telephone number is changed.

Parents are expected to telephone the school if their child is unable to attend school due to illness. This will allow us to be sure of your child’s whereabouts each day. This absence must be followed up with a separate note from you to the class teacher to explain your child’s absence from school.

Absence Notes

We are required by law to keep written records of each child’s attendance at school. For this reason, if you know in advance that your child is to be absent please send a note explaining the circumstances or if your child is absent without notice, please ring the school and send a note when your child returns to school.

Notes are required for all absences including part absences i.e. late arrival or leaving early.

Planned absences of 5 days or more require an Application for Extended Leave.  Family holidays and travel outside of school holiday periods will be considered individually based on your child’s attendance, the intention of the extended leave and the impact on your child’s participation and progress at school.  

Leaving the School

Parents who wish their child to leave the school at any time during the school day for appointments or other special reasons must send a note. It is expected that parents will collect their children from the office personally at these times. Please do NOT go directly to your child’s class.  Parents will need to go directly to the office to sign children out.  Parents need to wait in the office and the student will be called.

Appointments 

Appointments to see your child’s teacher are to be made through the office.  

School Newsletter

A school newsletter goes home to parents once a fortnight, usually every second Wednesday.  This contains important information for parents about school activities.  Please contact the school if you do not receive your newsletter.  The School newsletter is also posted on our School website:

http://www.sacredheartmtdruitt.catholic.edu.au

Excursions 

Excursions provide opportunities for students to participate in experiences beyond the classroom, contributing to their learning growth and development.  Notes giving details and seeking permission for students to participate are sent home prior to all excursions.  Only students who have returned signed permission notes will be permitted to participate in excursions.

Medication

All medication must be sent to the office with a signed consent form from parents (or guardians). 

ASTHMA medications are to be kept in the office. 

• Only prescription medication will be administered after appropriate forms have been completed.

• Parents must provide in writing, signed and dated, details of dose, time and duration of the medication, the reason for the medication, and an acceptance of full responsibility in delegating the administering of the medication to the school. 

• All medication must be clearly marked with the student’s name and dosage. 

• A copy of a standard letter is attached.

Accidents or Sickness at School

In the event of a serious accident or sickness at school, the following procedure is followed:

• The school will ring the parents/guardians.

• If parents are unable to be contacted the school will ring the emergency contact person/s nominated by the parents. 

• If the injury or illness is considered serious, an ambulance will be called and medical assistance sought.  

At all times the school will take all reasonable steps to ensure the wellbeing of the student.

All Key Learning Areas (KLAs) are taught with particular attention given to the new Draft Religious Education Curriculum.  Integration is encouraged especially in English, Human Society and its Environment (H.S.I.E.), and Science & Technology.  The syllabuses prescribed by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) are followed. 

In 2010 Sacred Heart introduced Reading Recovery, an intervention program for students in Year 1 who were having difficulties with reading. This has made a tremendous difference to our students’ reading at Sacred Heart.  This allows us to have specially trained Reading Recovery teachers supporting students with reading in Year 1. This is a great opportunity for our students and the benefits can be seen in other grades.

Teachers ensure that the ability levels of all students are catered for within the classroom.

The use of Information Technology is integrated throughout all the Key Learning Areas. 

Assemblies provide opportunities for the Student Leadership Team to exercise leadership roles, for each class to demonstrate achievements and for students and staff to celebrate learning.

For the protection of other students in the school, the following periods of exclusion must be observed:

Chicken Pox Exclude until fully recovered - minimum exclusion for 7 days after the

first spots appear

German Measles Exclude until fully recovered - minimum exclusion for 5 days from

appearance of the rash

Infectious Hepatitis Exclude until medical practitioner certifies recovery

Measles Exclude for at least 5 days from the appearance of the rash

Mumps Exclude until fully recovered - minimum exclusion for 10 days from the

onset of the swelling

Streptococcal Infection Exclude until fully recovered

Whooping Cough Exclude until fully recovered - minimum exclusion for 3 weeks from the

onset of the whoop

Parents are asked to bring their child to the Kindergarten classroom in the morning during the first week and then leave immediately.

Our school office phone number is 9625 8733 and office hours are 8.30am to 3.30pm.

Medical Authority

Date:                     _________________________________

Student’s Address: _________________________________

                            _________________________________

 Dear Principal of Sacred Heart,

 RE: Notification and request for the Administration of Medication during school hours.

I request the school to administer prescribed medication at school, during school hours, to my

son / daughter __________________________________________ according to the following

medication details. (Child’s Name)

I / We accept and agree to observe the conditions imposed by the school and understand and

agree that it is my / our responsibility to inform the Principal of any changes involving the

administration of the medicine.

Yours sincerely,

________________________________________

(Parent/Guardian Signature) 

We believe parental participation is important in the education of students and to the vitality of the school.

We aim to enhance parents’ understanding of the curriculum and teaching practices through parent information programs.

Parents can also contribute to the school community through reading groups, class help groups and sporting programs.  Attendance at Masses, Liturgies, Assemblies, Open Days and Parent/Teacher conferences is strongly encouraged.

Is your child Ready for School?

In NSW, your child can start Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn five on or before 31 July in that year. By law, all children must be enrolled in school by their sixth birthday.

Going to ‘big school’ will be a change for your child. In the months leading up to your child’s first day at school you can help prepare your child for the changes to come by supporting your child’s development of these skills:

Language skills

Schools are very verbal environments and your child will need to be able to follow instructions and understand what teachers are saying, as well as being able to communicate what they know, want and need to teachers and peers. 

Motor co-ordination and skills

With many children in a class, it’s unlikely that your child’s teacher will be able to provide the one to one help that your child is used to at home. Your child will need well-developed co-ordination skills to dress and undress, unwrap lunch, use a pencil and scissors, and participate confidently in learning activities that require eye hand and motor co-ordination. 

Concentration and emotional maturity

At school, your child will need to be able to socialise, follow the rules of a game and play cooperatively with classmates. Your child also needs to be able to deal with the structured nature of a classroom and be able to focus on tasks, follow directions from teachers and cope with transitions from one activity to another. 

Social Maturity and Independence

There will be times when your child will have minimum adult supervision at school. This includes going to the toilet by themselves, dressing, and being able to follow a structured classroom routine. Your child will need to be able to deal with challenges like not always being the winner and complying with what a teacher asks of them, even if they do not want to.

Sonja Walker
Teacher & Kids First founder
© 2014 Kids First Children’s Services

Kids First Children’s Services have a free School Readiness Checklist that you can order from their website. 

The following checklist may assist you in determining if your child is ready for school.  Ask yourself, can your child:

Language:

• Speak in full sentences which are grammatically correct?

• Pronounce words correctly?

• Relate something just seen or experienced?

• Initiate conversation with both adults and children?

• Maintain a conversation?

• Make up a story when looking at pictures?

Manipulative:

• Use scissors?

• Hold a pencil?

• Tie shoe laces?

Physical:

• Run well with alternating movement?

• Hop?

• Climb confidently on outdoor equipment

• Catch a large ball?

• Throw a ball with direction?

Personal / Social:

• Finish activities started?

• Work alongside other children without distraction?

• Play cooperatively with other children?

• Separate easily from parents?

• Share toys and take turns when requested?

• Accept correction and some frustration without being upset?

• Show responsibility for own belongings?

• Follow the rules in a group game led by an adult?

• Recognise their first name when in print?

• Name colours?

• Count items?

• Name shapes?

Before coming to school your child should be able to: 

• give their full name (first & last), and age

• take jumpers or cardigans off and put them on without help

• put on socks and shoes without help

• use a tissue or handkerchief properly

• go to the toilet independently (be able to use toilet paper and flush the toilet)

• wash hands after using the toilet

• put toys and books away after use

• distinguish between ‘Recess and ‘Lunch’

Most of us, students, parents and teachers, begin the school year with all kinds of good resolutions. We adults would certainly like to do something to help the children in our care.  Here are some suggestions for parents, guaranteed to make any student’s learning more effective and enjoyable. Each idea, if acted upon, will help provide a foundation for what we, your partners in education, are doing at school.

• Fostering reading in the home

   Give books as presents and take the family to the local library occasionally. 

Establish the habit of daily reading to your child and encourage them to spend some time with a book before lights-out each night.

• Talk with your child about the stories they have written at school

Express interest in the content, helping the young authors to feel good about themselves as writers. Don’t be too critical about mistakes in grammar and spelling.

• After excursions, talk about the things that were seen and done

One of the most valuable results of student excursions is found in their use of language to relive and make sense of the experience.

• Cultivate your child’s curiosity

Encourage them to ask questions, to wonder about things, to have hunches and then to check them out. 

• Encourage imaginative play

When children dress up or play different types of make-believe games, they are developing the creative side of their personality.

Have a family policy that puts television and technology firmly in its place. That box in the corner can be a wonderful servant but a monstrous master! Limiting the time your child spends on technology or watching television leaves plenty of time for homework, hobbies, reading, play and family conversation.

Above all, be clear about the difference between pressure (which can destroy self-confidence and the excitement of learning) and encouragement (which stimulates growth and true achievement).

School fees are fixed by the Diocese of Parramatta. There is a concession if more than one child in a family is attending a Catholic school.

• School fees are payable within the first three weeks of Terms 1, 2 and 3.

• Parents facing any difficulties paying fees are asked to speak to the Principal.

• Fees may be paid by instalments upon arrangement.

• A Resource Fee is charged each year. 

• An Activity Fee is charged each year.

• A Diocesan Building Levy is charged each year.

When sending money to school for excursions, Bookclub, school fees, etc., please enclose it in a sealed envelope or snaplock bag clearly labelled with your child’s name and class, amount enclosed and the purpose.

If your child opens an account with the Commonwealth Bank they may have their deposits processed at school on Thursdays.

During the First Years of School: 

• Assure your child of your love.

• Provide him or her with opportunities to talk with you about things in general, about activities in school, and in particular about lessons, books and projects.

• Take time to read to your child each evening before bedtime. Classic stories and Bible stories are excellent reading material.

• Help him or her to stick to some type of daily schedule or routine for homework, television watching, and home responsibilities.

• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest each night. At least eight hours are needed for healthy minds.

• Provide him or her with a healthy diet.

• Be an example of the type of personality you desire for your child.

• Provide opportunity for your child to develop a spiritual faith that can be relied on during difficult growing years and fallen back on when Mum or Dad are no longer available for guidance.

From 1 April 2018, the immunisation requirements in primary schools were extended to secondary schools so that all school principals are required to:

• request an immunisation certificate at enrolment 

• record each child’s immunisation status in a register and retain copies of approved immunisation certificates for a period of 3 years after the child has ceased to attend the school

• provide a copy of a child’s immunisation certificate to another school that the child has transferred to (upon request)

• notify the public health unit if an enrolled child has a vaccine preventable disease, or if they reasonably believe that an unimmunised enrolled child has come into contact with someone who has a vaccine preventable disease

• exclude unimmunised children at risk of contracting a disease from attending school on the direction of a public health officer.

Parents should provide the school with one of the following immunisation certificates from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR):

• an AIR Immunisation History Statement for a child that is up to date, not up to date or can’t be immunised for medical reasons or has natural immunity, or

• an AIR Immunisation History Form for a child on an approved catch-up schedule.

The AIR automatically sends an Immunisation History Statement to parents in the mail after they complete their 4 year old immunisations and the GP/nurse sends the information to the AIR. Parents can request a copy of their child’s AIR Immunisation History Statement at any time (up to their child being 14 years of age):

• using their Medicare online account through myGov 

• using the Medicare Express Plus App

• calling the AIR General Enquiries Line on 1800 653 809.

For more information please ask for a copy of the Immunisation Enrolment Toolkit brochure or visit the NSW Health website – www.health.nsw.gov.au

Recess and Lunch: 

• Label lunch boxes and drink bottles with your child’s name.

• Label recess and lunch with “Recess” or “Lunch” (for the first five weeks) until students learn which is which.  

• Recess – a piece of fruit and/or another healthy snack

• Lunch - a sandwich and a drink

• Water especially for the hot summer months.  Poppers can be given for lunch but no soft drink, glass bottles or cans.

Make sure your child has enough food for the day but not too much.  In addition to the above, children will also need the following:  

• A spare change of underpants, socks, and uniform (shorts or dress) in a plastic bag

• handkerchief or tissues

• raincoat and rain hat (no umbrellas please)

• school hat clearly labelled with your child’s name (to protect children from sunburn, we have a ‘no hat—go undercover’ policy)

PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING WITH YOUR CHILD’S FULL NAME

Students will need a LIBRARY BAG

(available from the QKR Uniform App at $10.00 each)

Paint shirt (adult T-shirt) to stay at school

Uniform

• Full school uniform is to be worn at all times.

• School hats are to be worn by all children. NO HAT, GO UNDERCOVER applies.

• Hair ribbons should be blue or white.

• Girls only are permitted to wear a single pair of earrings.

• Boys are not permitted to wear earrings.

Hair Policy

Uniforms are purchased online by downloading the QKR App.  School hats are available from the school office for purchase.  

Boy’s haircuts must be sensible, normal cuts, short back and sides.  Rat tails are not permitted.  Girls must have their hair tied back if it is long, with blue or white hair ties or ribbons.  No colour should be put in children’s hair at any time.  Children’s hair is not to be shaved or have shapes or designs in it.

Second-hand Clothing Pool

Some second-hand uniforms are available from the school office at reasonable cost and in good condition.

Sacred Heart Uniform Price List

Available to purchase on-line through Oz Fashions

(delivered each Wednesday to the school)

BOYS

Ties $10.00

Blue Shirts S/S & L/S Sizes 4-18 $25.00

Grey Shorts Sizes 4-18 $30.00

Grey Trousers Sizes 4-18 $40.00

Sports Shorts Sizes 4-18 $25.00

Grey Socks $  5.00

GIRLS

Summer Dress Sizes 4-18 $59.00

Sky Blue Socks $  5.00

Winter Tunic Sizes 4-18 $63.00

Sky Blue Blouse (L/S) Sizes 4-18 $25.00

Tartan Tab Tie $11.00

Navy Tights $15.00

Sport Shorts Sizes 4-18 $25.00

Sport Skort Sizes 4-18 $25.00

GIRLS & BOYS

School Jackets Sizes 4-18 $60.00

Sport Pants Sizes 4-18 $30.00

Sport Jacket Sizes 4-18 $40.00

Sport Polo Shirts Sizes 4-18 $25.00

Sport Shorts Sizes 4-18 $25.00

White Sports Socks $  5.00

School Hats (Small, Medium & Large) $10.00 *

* Can also be purchased from the school office.  

ACCESSORIES

School Bag with Emblem (Backpack) $30.00

Library Bag $10.00

Art Smock $15.00

Raincoat – Navy or Yellow $25.00

• School Tracksuit for winter is to be worn on sports day only.

• If buying a parka please buy dark blue.

• Sneakers are NOT to be worn with school uniform.

• NO jewellery except watches, sleepers or studs for girls, First Communion or Confirmation medals.

• NO nail polish.

• If girls have long hair, it must be plaited or tied back.

• Boys’ hair must not cover the shirt collar. NO trendy hairstyles. NO gel is to be worn.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS IN THE CORRECT UNIFORM.

SOME SECOND HAND CLOTHING IS AVAILABLE FROM 

THE SCHOOL AT A REDUCED COST.

School term dates and holidays are generally the same as government schools.

The office is open from 8.30 am to 3.30 pm.