The first meeting of the Sacred Heart College Student Leadership Cabinet for 2026 brought together student leaders from across the year levels to begin turning ideas into action. Building on the momentum from their Leadership Formation Day at the end of 2025, students met with teacher leaders to continue developing their plans and priorities for the year ahead.
A key feature of the meeting was the collaboration between Senior and Junior Leaders. Our Senior Student Leaders worked alongside their junior counterparts, sharing ideas and offering guidance as they refined initiatives for their respective year levels and the wider College community. This mentoring approach supports the development of leadership skills, while strengthening connections across the Student Leadership Team.
Throughout the session, students focused on shaping practical actions that can be implemented during the remainder of Term 1. These plans will continue to evolve, with progress and new ideas to be shared at the next Student Leadership Cabinet meeting scheduled for early Term 2.
Alongside the productive discussions, the meeting also provided an opportunity for leaders to connect socially. Students enjoyed a Subway lunch together and spent time getting to know one another, strengthening the sense of community and shared purpose within the Sacred Heart College Leadership Team.
We look forward to seeing the energy, ideas and commitment of our student leaders continue to shape and enrich life at Sacred Heart College throughout the year.
Darren was appointed Principal of Sacred Heart College in January 2019. Darren has had almost 30 years experience in teaching and leadership across a number of Victorian Catholic secondary schools. These include eight years as Principal of Mercy Regional College, Camperdown; nine years as Deputy Principal and Director of Mission at Mount Lilydale Mercy College; seven years as a Chemistry, Religious Education and Science teacher as well as REC at Sacred Heart College, Geelong.
Darren has been committed to a lifetime of study and professional development. After completing his initial degree of Bachelor of Science and Graduate Diploma of Education at the University of Melbourne, he continued his study by completing a Graduate Diploma of Religious Education, a Masters of Religious Education and a Doctor of Education, all at Australian Catholic University. In 2018, Darren participated in the Enhancing Catholic School Identity programme in Leuven, Belgium.
Darren has a deep and passionate affiliation with the Mercy tradition and charism and believes that Mercy schools must be “…committed to holistic education; determined to ensure that each student flourishes academically, spiritually, emotionally, socially and physically”.
The purpose of the Catholic school is to provide “… an authentic Christian education, where students are called to embrace the essence of the Gospels, to flourish as whole human persons” and “… to provide exemplary learning experiences for the students who attend”.
Darren was appointed Principal of Sacred Heart College in January 2019. Darren has had almost 30 years experience in teaching and leadership across a number of Victorian Catholic secondary schools. These include eight years as Principal of Mercy Regional College, Camperdown; nine years as Deputy Principal and Director of Mission at Mount Lilydale Mercy College; seven years as a Chemistry, Religious Education and Science teacher as well as REC at Sacred Heart College, Geelong.
Darren has been committed to a lifetime of study and professional development. After completing his initial degree of Bachelor of Science and Graduate Diploma of Education at the University of Melbourne, he continued his study by completing a Graduate Diploma of Religious Education, a Masters of Religious Education and a Doctor of Education, all at Australian Catholic University. In 2018, Darren participated in the Enhancing Catholic School Identity programme in Leuven, Belgium.
Darren has a deep and passionate affiliation with the Mercy tradition and charism and believes that Mercy schools must be “…committed to holistic education; determined to ensure that each student flourishes academically, spiritually, emotionally, socially and physically”.
The purpose of the Catholic school is to provide “… an authentic Christian education, where students are called to embrace the essence of the Gospels, to flourish as whole human persons” and “… to provide exemplary learning experiences for the students who attend”.