Hello! My name is Peta Mawn and I am the Leader of Diversity at Sacred Heart. I am very passionate about inclusion and valuing each student’s gifts and talents. At our school, inclusive education lies at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to creating an environment where every student feels valued, respected, and supported.

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School is committed to providing a supportive and positive learning environment in which every child's individual needs, skills and talents can be identified and nurtured so that they have a sense of belonging, a love of learning, and respect for themselves and each other.

Diverse Learning Opportunities

One of the pivotal programs we offer is the HUB program, designed to cater to the needs of diverse learners. In the HUB, students participate in small group activities outside of the traditional classroom setting, focusing on readiness to learn, social and emotional development, as well as fine and gross motor skill enhancement through engaging activities like sensory paths and active brain breaks. Currently there is a junior group from P-4 and a senior group from Year 4-6. This is a fluid program; students may join and return to classroom lessons when they have developed skills and are ready to learn.  

Students are selected to participate through a detailed and inclusive process. Teachers request support on Engage, the Diverse Learning Team meets and discusses student need and possible benefits of participating, documentation and data is analysed and specialists consulted. Parent communication is also an important aspect of participation, parental consent must be received.  

Hub sessions occur from 8.45am-9.40am, Monday to Friday. 

Life Skills and Hands on Learning Program

The HUB extends its support beyond academic domains through a life skills program, scheduled three times a week from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. These sessions are tailored around student interests and engagement, encompassing activities such as cooking, music, drumbeats, and learning about the world around them'. Students actively participate in planning, learning, and integrating culture and languages, while also gaining essential life skills such as financial literacy through excursions to local stores and visits from special guests and community elders. 

We plan this to relate to relevant curriculum descriptors and also links to personal and social capabilities. Mr Jonathan runs this program and will connect with classroom teachers about student progress. Students' participation within this program is also dependent on teacher voice and parent permission. 

Life skills sessions will occur three times per week- Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 2-3pm. 

High Potential Learners

In 2024 we began our High Potential Learners Program with wonderful success. In 2025, these sessions will run with Miss Hannah. The High Potential Learners Program aims to follow an inquiry-based learning approach with focus around STEM and language and culture. Student participation begins with teacher conferencing and permission will be gained from families. More information will come out about this program as it commences.

Specialist Support Staff

At Sacred Heart, we are committed to providing comprehensive support to ensure the well-being and academic success of every student. We are fortunate to have a team of specialist professionals who visit each term to offer their expertise. These include, but are not limited to:

• Psychologists
• Speech Language Pathologists
• Occupational Therapists
• Hearing Specialists
• Physiotherapists
• Inclusion, diversity and student engagement consultants

These specialists and consultants can work closely with our students and staff to address various needs. Additionally, we collaborate with external services such as Queensland Health and the NDIS to provide the best possible support. If you have any questions about your child's academic progress, well-being, or social skill development, the first step is to book a meeting with their class teacher.

NAPLAN National Testing

NAPLAN testing is an important assessment for our students, and it will take place in Weeks 7 and 8. All students are expected to participate unless a written request is made to withdraw your child. If you have any concerns or questions about NAPLAN, please speak to your child's teacher. Miss Zabel has also posted further information regarding NAPLAN testing within this newsletter.

Sound Scouts Hearing Screening

We are pleased to offer Sound Scouts testing for all new students and all Prep students. This screening tool helps assess students' hearing and identify if there may be a need for further testing by an audiologist. Ensuring good hearing is crucial for effective learning and development.

We are here to support you and your child in every way possible. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to reach out.

If you have questions about your child’s learning and progress or would like more support around academic progress, attendance, well-being and/or social skills please contact me and we can discuss this further. Pop into the office and book a meeting, see-saw message or email me: pmawn@cns.catholic.edu.au

Thank you for entrusting us to help your child to learn and grow.

Mrs. Peta Mawn
Leader of Diversity