This week’s prayer recognises national NAIDOC Week celebrations that will be held across Australia next week to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

SHC Student Free Days

Yesterday, the College made the decision to ask Year 8 students (Thursday) and Year 9 students (today) to stay at home. This week, we have had a substantial number of teachers unwell with influenza, Covid and winter colds affecting many. With so many teachers away, we could not guarantee that all classes could be covered even with the use of CRTs.

Related to this, we have a number of student free days planned for Term 3. These dates relate to College events that will have an impact on the availability of either teaching staff or classroom spaces, namely the Year 10 Alpine Camp and the Frayne Speech Festival. As a result, remote learning days are planned as follows:

• Monday 18 August: Remote learning day for Year 7
• Tuesday 19 August: Remote learning day for Year 8
• Thursday 21 August: Remote learning for Year 11
• Friday 29 August: Remote learning day for Year 9

Specific correspondence will be sent to families early next term confirming these dates and details for the days.

End of Term Arrangements

Second term for all students concludes tomorrow with arrangements for the start of next term detailed below:

Friday 4 July All students conclude at 2.30pm for mid-year holidays

Monday 21 July Student Free Day (RE PL Day)

Tuesday 22 July All students commence Term 3

SHC Prospective Staff Open Day

As many in the community will be aware, Victoria is struggling with significant teacher shortages and the prospect that such shortages will continue for the next three – five years. Sacred Heart College has been privileged to continue to attract high quality teaching applicants over recent years; a trend that reflects the College’s excellent reputation as well as the opportunities available in the Macedon Ranges.

However, the College needs to be proactive in ensuring that high quality applicants continue to join the College as enrolment numbers increase. To support this, Sacred Heart College will be holding an open day for prospective teaching staff. This initiative will allow prospective staff to see the College, meet senior staff and hear about the school and our plans moving forward.

I encourage any members of the Sacred Heart College community who are teachers or may have friends in the teaching profession to consider registering for the event. It is being held on Saturday 9 August 2025 from 11.00am – 12.30pm. Full details will be available on the College website from the start of next term.

Hoping all students, families and friends of the Sacred Heart College community enjoy a safe, restful and warm mid-year break.

Yours in Mercy,

Dr Darren Egberts

Principal