After experiencing a variety of French, Japanese, PE, RE, English, Hospitality, Animal studies, Food Technology classes, and various other activities our Japanese sister school visit came to an end. The Ibaraki Nishi High School visit concluded with a farewell pizza lunch with speeches by students in English and Japanese by both schools, a joint Nutbush dance and the giving of an omiyage (souvenir) to our exchange students. The morning of Friday 9 August saw Sacred Heart College host families come in to school to say their final goodbyes. There were many a tear shed by exchange students, host students and families alike, which displayed the great connections that were made over the 10 days and we are sure that the bonds that were made will continue well into the future.
We would once again like to express our gratitude to the generous SHC host families who opened their homes to the Japanese students, and to the broader SHC community who made them feel very welcome.
We are looking forward to visiting Ibaraki Nishi High School in 2025. Expressions of Interests to attend this trip to Japan will be going out in Term 4. Students eligible to attend will be Year 10 (2025) and Year 11 (2025). Keep an eye out for that communication.
The accompanying video displays some of the highlights of the visit from Ibaraki Nishi High School, Japan.
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”.