Newsletter 11 23 march 2016

SACRED HEART COLLEGE Tel: 011 081 2203 Reception: 011 081 2200 Fax: 011 648 5204 Website: www.sacredheart.co.za

PRE-PRIMARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER DATE: 23 March 2016

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Dear Pre-Primary and Primary School Parents

GENERAL: FOR ALL PARENTS Holy Week: Palm Sunday 20 March - Easter Sunday 27 March Holy Week is the most important week of the Christian year because, during Holy Week, we remember the days that led up to the death and resurrection of Jesus. During the last week of Lent, Christians go to special Masses and services. Sunday 20 March was the first special Mass because it was Palm Sunday and everyone was given a palm cross to remind them of the day Jesus entered Jerusalem with hundreds of people cheering. Today, when a famous person walks through a crowd, we might wave flags and throw confetti and streamers. In the land where Jesus lived, people waved palm branches as a sign of celebration. The crowd was happy and joyful.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week are days to ask for forgiveness from God. This is the time when churches have reconciliation services when people can make their peace with God and others. Thursday is known as Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday, and is the day when Jesus shared the Last Supper with his disciples. Maundy means ‘command’ and the day has this name because it is the day Jesus gave us the new command to ‘love one another’. At this supper, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples showing that his leadership style was one of service to others, and instituted the communion service, when he broke, blessed and ate bread and drank wine and shared these with the apostles.

On Good Friday, we remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus by following the Stations of the Cross and attending afternoon services. We think about any hurtful things we may have done to others that could have caused pain or suffering. We think about the huge sacrifice Jesus made for us. On Easter Sunday, we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

Christians believe this to be the most important festival of the year. Family members give one another Easter eggs, which symbolise the new life given to us by Jesus.

Stations of the Cross: Friday 25 March in the Orchard 2

The Brothers invite parents and learners to Stations of the Cross on Friday.

Swim-a-Thon Final Update: These are the final results from this year’s very successful Swim-a-Thon held on 5 March: The amount raised to date is R74 100.00 The following children raised the most money in each phase: Pre-Primary School R 505.00 Foundation Phase R3 250.00 Intermediate Phase R1 400.00

Grace Kamana in Grade R - Pink Group Senoamali Bathandwa in Grade 3D Arnav Moodley in Grade 5K

The three children will be called up to the stage at the phase assemblies next week and congratulated for their tremendous effort. Each child will receive a R250.00 Eastgate gift voucher as a reward for their wonderful effort. Thank you to their parents, who were no doubt also involved in raising the money.

The class that raised the most money was Grade 1N, which together raised R6 210.00. The Grade 1N children will all enjoy an ice-cream for their wonderful achievement.

We appeal to parents who have not returned the forms or money to do so as we really need to close off the books on this event.

From the PA: Three2Six Feeding Scheme At the end of the term, we shall be packing 100 hampers for the holiday period. To ensure the hampers are substantial, we shall be having a Tinned Food Drive on 4 April. Families are asked to donate tins of baked beans and/or pilchards.

We are collecting Easter eggs which will be given to the Three2Six children on Thursday 24 March. Please send your donation to either of the offices 3

any time before Thursday.

Condolences: On Saturday, one of our Grade 10 learners, Lerato Mphuthi, was tragically killed in a car accident. Lerato joined Sacred Heart College in Grade 6 and will be sorely missed by her teachers and classmates. Our sincere condolences go to her family and the High School teachers and learners at this very sad time. May her soul rest in peace.

Holidays Please note that school closes on 8th April at 11:00 and re-opens on 3rd May. Please contact Leah in aftercare if you require the Aftercare Holiday Programme.

April Fun Sports Holiday Clinic Monday 11- Friday 15 April. Active and fun activities for Grade R – Grade 6 children during the holidays. Please see newsletter insert or email attachment for pamphlet and reply slip’

HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR ALL PARENTS

Health & Safety takes a step up The ability of our school to respond to an emergency has improved with the purchase of an AED (automatic external defibrillator).

This device is used if a person collapses and resuscitation is needed – it guides the CPR and corrects the irregular heart rhythm. Many schools are equipping themselves with AED’s and most public places, like shopping centres and transport stations, will have them in the future.

Our AED will be in a metal cabinet on the wall in the corridor outside the main reception because it needs to be easily accessible at all times. Teachers and First Aiders are being trained to use it by the company representative.

If there are any parents, who would like a half hour demonstration, we would 4

be very happy to organise a time. The more people who are familiar with the device the better for all of us!

PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWS Recycling The children were introduced to Ronnie on Friday, who encourages paper recycling in the Pre-Primary School. Our children will be given a green bag and are encouraged to bring in paper to empty into our big green bin.

Teachers will keep track of how much paper is brought in and the child, who brings in the most paper over a certain period, will have a chance to wear the special “star recycler” badge.

Special Visitors Day We hope to see many visitors on this special day. Please let us know if you are unable to come or unable to send someone else in your place, as we would like to make alternative plans so that none of our children feel disappointed by not having a special visitor.

Congratulations We congratulate Bhaveer Patel’s family in Purple Group, who welcomed a baby brother, Kairav, on 6 March.

PRIMARY SCHOOL

International Bench Mark Tests: Annually, the Grade 3-6 children participate in the ACER/IEB International Benchmarking Test Programme. The tests are based on core English, Mathematics and Science skills and give teachers information about how our children score against international norms. It also enables teachers to adjust the curriculum on offer at Sacred Heart College if necessary. The 5

children who were awarded certificates are listed below. The certificates will be handed out at the Intermediate Phase Hymn Practice on Thursday.

We congratulate all who achieved certificates on their wonderful achievement.

UPCOMING EVENTS

24 March 25 March

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28 March 1 April 4 April 4 April 5 April 6 April 7 April 8 April

3 May

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Maundy Thursday Good Friday - Religious Holiday Stations of the Cross at SHC at 10:00 Holiday - Easter Monday PPS Special Visitor’s Day Three2six Canned Food Drive Grade 4 Easter Retreat Grade 5 Easter Retreat Grade 6 Easter Retreat Mass Term 1 Ends Grade 1-6 Sports, Cultural and Care Awards Farewell to Mrs Trassierra Inter-House Soccer and Netball Reports Issues at 11:00 Term 2 Starts

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