From the Heart Newsletter
27 August 2026
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
as the season of First Holy Communion fills our hearts with joy, we thank You for calling Your children to the table of Your Son. Jesus, Bread of Life, bless every child preparing to receive You for the very first time. Fill them with wonder, peace, and deep love for Your presence in the Holy Eucharist. May this sacred day become the beginning of a lifelong friendship with You. Amen.
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Last week was School Support Staff Appreciation Week. Unfortunately, our busy school schedule did not allow us to celebrate this occasion quite as fully as it deserved. Nevertheless, it is important that we pause and acknowledge the incredible contribution made by our support staff every single day.
We are truly blessed to have a team of dedicated and hardworking people who serve our school community with professionalism, generosity and care. Our sincere thanks go to our Administration Team, grounds staff, Mrs Ladyman in the canteen, our mainstream Education Assistants, Mrs S our Library Assistant, Mrs Harn our EALD Learning Support member, our Special Needs Education Assistants and our Care Service staff in our Out of School Care and Long Day Care. If I have unintentionally missed anyone, please forgive me. It is certainly not for lack of appreciation!
These staff members are often the quiet achievers of our school. They welcome families, support students, assist teachers, care for our grounds, prepare lunches, solve countless problems and provide a helping hand wherever it is needed. Simply put, our school could not function without them.
In fact, if schools were like a football team, teachers might get some of the glory, but our support staff are the trainers, water carriers, equipment managers and cheer squad all rolled into one!
Their daily commitment reflects our school values of Respect, Reverence, Responsibility and Resilience, and we are deeply grateful for everything they do. On behalf of our entire Sacred Heart community, thank you for your dedication, care and service. You make a difference in the lives of our students each and every day.
It was an absolute pleasure this week to join our 4-Year-Old Kindy students as they had their very own “Amazing Race” sports carnival. This is always a highlight for me every year as I get to enjoy a morning of watching the students participate in team games, doing their very best to use all their motor skills. The sense of fun and community spirit joining in cheering with our families is such a highlight. Thank you to our Kindy staff and all parents and grandparents who joined us for this special event.
This week, on Tuesday 8 September, we celebrated the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As a Catholic community, we give thanks for Mary's life and the special role she continues to play in our faith. Mary was conceived without original sin, which is why she is known as the Immaculate Conception. She was an extraordinary woman whose life was marked by deep faith, resilience, courage and wisdom.
Mary's example reminds us to trust in God, especially during challenging times. She is also a wonderful intercessor for us. I often explain to our students that most of us would find it very difficult to say "no" to our own mums! In the same way, when Mary lovingly presents our prayers and needs to Jesus, we can be confident that she is always advocating for us with a mother's love and care. While this is a simple explanation for our children, it helps them understand the special relationship between Mary and Jesus.
As we honour Mary this month, may we continue to follow her example of faith, kindness and service to others.
This weekend also marks a very special milestone in the faith journey of many of our Year 4 students as they receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. We keep these children and their families in our prayers as they prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time.
The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic faith. It is far more than a symbol or a tradition. It is Jesus himself, present to us in the bread and wine, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him. To receive Holy Communion is a sacred and reverent moment, one that nourishes our hearts, strengthens our faith and reminds us that we belong to God's family.
The dedication, preparation and reverence shown by our candidates throughout this journey has been wonderful to witness. We pray that this special occasion will be filled with joy, peace and a deep awareness of God's love. May their First Communion be the beginning of a lifelong friendship with Christ and may they always know that Jesus walks beside them in every step of their journey.
We wish all of our First Communion candidates and their families God's richest blessings on this sacred occasion.
May God continue to bless all members of our wonderful Sacred Heart community.
Warm regards,
Darlene Min
Principal
Sacred Heart Primary School, Thornlie
On Thursday 3 September, Sister Catherine Warner facilitated our First Holy Communion Retreat Day with our Year 4 students and two of our Year 5 students as part of their preparation to celebrate the Sacrament this coming Sunday. Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the true meaning of the Eucharist. They worked together as part of a team and reflected on their individual strengths. The children were encouraged to think about how they can follow the example of Jesus in their daily lives. All Year 4 children participated fully in the day as members of our Catholic school community. We are thankful to Sr Catherine for sharing her knowledge and time with us last week.
On Wednesday 2 September The Hearts Jazz Troupe and The Hearts Liturgical troupe were invited to a special dance showcase put on by the performing arts students from Lumen Christi College. It was a fantastic opportunity for our senior students to see other dance genres and what dance and performing arts looks like in a high school setting. The students thoroughly enjoyed the day, and it was so lovely to see past students from Sacred Heart School involved in dance at Lumen Christi.
Parish News
Weekend Mass Times
Saturday
Reconciliation 5.00 - 5.30pm
Mass 6pm
Sunday
Mass 8am and 10am
Children’s Liturgy available for students aged 5-8 years old at 6pm and 10am Masses.
If your child was born between 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 they will start 4 Year Old Kindergarten in 2027.
Enrolment forms can be obtained from the school office or via our website https://shthorn.wa.edu.au/enrolment-process/ We have had a wonderful response for kindy 2027, don't forget to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure a position. Enrolment interviews are well underway and there are a limited number of positions available.
Did you know we have a 3 Year Old Kindy at Sacred Heart? It is run through our Childcare Centre which means you are able to claim the childcare benefit. It is a great starting point in preparation for your child attending 4 year old kindy at Sacred Heart. Your child can attend once they turn 3 years old. For further information please contact Megan in our Childcare Centre on 9251 3014 or refer to our website https://shthorn.wa.edu.au/three-year-old-programme/
