Latest News
| Principal's Message - Mr Craig Holmes |
Why we should continue to engage in improving teaching quality? There has always been debate as to what determines student achievement. Some say socio-economic status, some say family circumstances and some just born with it.” We now know with extensive research that schools and teachers have very significant impact on students’ learning and success. As a school we have a duty and responsibility to continually strive to improve teaching practice. Teacher collaboration is a positive way to improve practice. It leads to teachers reflecting on our pedagogy and the learning practices of our students, in other words, how we teach and how our students learn. When teachers work collaboratively with others, a strong learning environment is created. These professional conversations lead to teachers sharing ideas and experiences, sharing materials and viewpoints of others. We often overlook the valuable resources which exist within our own teaching staff. Through our Professional Learning Plan 2013 and our Collegiate Teams, we share innovative, creative and effective approaches to learning and teaching in our classrooms.We share information about best educational practices and we share materials, resources and ideas. We also encourage teachers to observe each other in the classroom and are building a framework for them to provide constructive and meaningful feedback around teacher performance. New teachers and those of us who are more seasoned, need to be encouraged and supported to continually seek improvement and growth in our professional practice. Here at Sacred Heart, we are committed to establishing a strong performance and development culture where we take collective and personal responsibility for improving our students’ learning and ournteaching practice. NAPLAN - NAPLAN testing took place this week for all Year 7 and 9 students. Using the valuable data which emerges from this testing and other data which is collected and used at the College, we can use this information to assess the learning needs for our students, focus on the differentiated learning as well as plan, design and deliver quality teaching programs required to maximise student learning outcomes. MIDYEAR EXAMS - This year midyear exams will be undertaken by all students in Years 9-12. Year 12 students will be undertaking Trial Unit 3 exams. Exams are an important part of the learning process both here at the College, and in the wider world. In terms of comprehension, formal exams show whether the student has really learnt something from the lessons and the subject as a whole. It helps identify topics that most students are having difficulty with, it also helps teachers in identifying those students who need to be challenged further or given additional support. Students should also see that exams help them to differentiate between homework and study; to be more organised and help consolidate their learning. Exams give students the opportunity to demonstrate how well they are able to apply what they have learnt under timed conditions. |
| Tertiary Information Session (TIS) - Ms Filina Virgato |
Following the presentation, students went to Quambi for an EXPO to talk individually with Tertiary institutions. These included, Australian Catholic University, Bendigo TAFE, Charles Sturt, Deakin University, La Trobe University, Longerenong College, MIBT, Monash University, NMIT, Photography College Studies, RMIT, Sports Therapy Institute, Swinburne University, The Gordon, University of Ballarat, University of Melbourne, Victoria University and William Angliss TAFE. Our Year 10 and 11 students also attended the EXPO to make them aware of future decisions they will have to be making. It was an invaluable experience for our students and all Year 12 students in the Macedon Ranges to have the opportunity to consider the various opportunities and options available to them. It encourages the notion that we are in a world where we are lifelong learners, regardless of the pathway we choose. Many thanks to Mrs Karina Wheeler and Mrs Julie Matricardi-Old for their exceptional work in putting this event together. |
On Monday 13 May, Sacred Heart College hosted the Macedon Ranges TIS event for all Year 12 students attending the Macedon Ranges Schools. The attending schools were Gisborne Secondary College, Braemar College, Castlemaine and Kyneton Secondary Colleges. La Trobe University delivered a presentation to all students in the Theatre and covered a range of topics including Higher Education, how to prepare for Tertiary Education and what Tertiary study will be like.| Religious Education Bursary - Mrs Margaret Leahy, Dir. Religion & Mission |
Thank you to those people and organisations who have contributed to the establishment of this bursary in 2012. As advertised previously, this Bursary is to be awarded to a student who has shown excellence in Religious Education and who has applied for post-secondary enrolment at a Catholic Tertiary Institution, in order to assist with their studies. If anyone else is interested in contributing to the fund we would be most grateful. For further details please contact: Mrs Margaret Leahy, Director Religion and Mission, Sacred Heart College (03) 54211230. For more information please contact: Mrs Margaret Leahy, Director of Religion and Mission, 54211251 |
| SHC and Macedon Ranges Youth Services - Live4Life Program |
Some of Live4Life's objectives are: - To coordinate interactive, consistent, evidenced-based education and awareness raising strategies for young people in Year 8, school staff and families across all Live4Life schools. - To access the ‘voice’ of local young people by creating participation opportunities that build the Live4Life model to reflect the needs of young people. - To measure the impact of Live4Life educational opportunities provided to school staff, on perceived barriers of stigma and negative attitudes towards mental illness in young people. For information contact Pauline on pneil@mrsc.vic.gov.au or visit www.live4life.org.au |
| Library & Information Services - Mrs Peita Rocard & Mrs Bronwyn Burke |
Oliver Catalogue – Home Access - Students are now able to access the Catherine McCauley Library catalogue, Oliver, on devices external to the college via the following address: oliver.shckyneton.catholic.edu.au/oliver. By clicking on OPAC Search students can access the catalogue and enter a search term in Quick Search. Students can also click on any of the links from the CMLibrary Home page, accessible from Simon. One such link, The State Library of Victoria Ergo Study Skills Page, ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/learn-skills/study-skills, may benefit some students. |
| Digitech - Ms Peita Rocard, Digitech Committee |
Students can access their timetables, College calendar and daily messages. Students can also access handouts and worksheets online via SIMON Learning Areas. If a student has been absent from class or mislaid documentation they are encouraged to download the relevant work to complete at home. Some subject areas have provided class videos for students to view. Assessment and homework task dates are added to SIMON for students to refer to. Parents can access the following items on PAM. Parent Access Module (PAM) details i.e. usernames and passwords were sent home with students on Friday 8th February. SIMON and PAM can be accessed via the icons above or on the College home page. Please contact the college via email: pam@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au if you require further assistance or information or if you require your login details to be re-sent. |
| Sacred Heart College 125th Anniversary, 2014 |
The College looks forward to 2014 with great anticipation as we will be celebrating the 125th Anniversary of this Mercy school. The planning for this has commenced. The College wants to hear from past students and members of the community who have stories, photographs, memorabilia, items of past uniform or any other relevant information. If you can assist, please contact our College Archivist, Mrs Sharon Lanteri on 54211221. |
