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(03) 5421 1200
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Prayer
O God our Father,
we thank you for giving us Carlo,
a model of life for young people,
and a message of love for all.
You made him fall in love with your son Jesus,
making the Eucharist his “highway to heaven.”
You gave him Mary as a beloved mother,
and you made him, through the Rosary,
a cantor of her tenderness.
Receive his prayer for us.
Look above all upon the poor, whom he loved and assisted.
And make our joy full, raising Carlo among
the saints of your Church,
so that his smile shines again for us
to the glory of your name. Amen.
This week’s prayer recognises the world’s newest saint, Carlo Acutis who was canonised by Pope Leo XIV in Rome last weekend. Saint Carlo is remarkable as the first saint to be recognised having been born post 2000. Carlo was an Italian youth born in Assisi who dedicated his short life to the Church and especially to the centrality of the Eucharist within the Catholic tradition. He is an inspiration to many young Catholics with tens of thousands present in St Peter’s Square in Rome for the canonisation.
A rich school term
As a quick scan through recent newsletters would attest, although this term will only be a short nine weeks, it has been amongst the busiest for Sacred Heart College in recent years. The quantity and variety of activities for students across a range of spheres (academic, performing arts, sport, camps, etc) reflects the importance the school places on providing a holistic education for young people and enabling them to grow into the best versions of themselves.
Alongside a celebration of the term, I would like to offer another genuine expression of thanks to the wonderful Sacred Heart College staff and community who have supported this rich educational program with many hours and days of additional work and supervision.
End of Term Arrangements
- Tuesday 16 and Thursday 18 September Student Progress Interviews (5.00 – 7.00pm)
- Thursday 18 September Term three concludes
- Friday 19 September Student free day
- Monday 6 October Term four commences
SHC Father’s Day Breakfast
Last Friday morning, almost 500 members of the Sacred Heart College community gathered in the John Arthurson Atrium to celebrate the annual Father’s Day Breakfast. It was a fabulous celebration on a beautiful albeit crisp Spring morning. The opportunity for our students to celebrate their fathers, grandfathers and father-figures was a very special occasion. Special thanks to Janet Monaghan, the VET Hospitality students, Anna Higgs, Rowena Rokesby-Alder and everyone who contributed to this major event. All photos taken at the event are available further on in the Newsletter.
2027 Year 7 Enrolment Interviews
This week saw almost 160 students and their parent engage in interviews ahead of 2027 Year 7 enrolment offers being made. This process is special with the opportunity to talk to parents and young people about what they hope for in a Catholic secondary education always humbling.
Parents and families who remain interested in applying for an enrolment at Sacred Heart College for 2026 or 2027 are warmly encouraged to contact the College Registrar, Ms Rowena Rokesby-Alder (rralder@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au) on 54211200.
Bereavement: Your prayers are asked for the Munro family on the passing of Margaret Deans, great grandmother of Isla, Year 9 and Lucy, Year 12. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Hoping everyone enjoys a safe, restful and happy holiday break.
Yours in Mercy,
Dr Darren Egberts
Principal
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Father’s Day Breakfast! It was a beautiful gathering filled with great food, music, and community spirit. A special shoutout to our amazing hospitality students and staff for their incredible work, and to our talented student musicians who provided the perfect soundtrack to the morning.
Thank You to Our Generous Local Businesses: Sacred Heart College extends heartfelt thanks to our local businesses for their generous donations in support of our Father’s Day Breakfast raffle:
- Sign Obsession
- Monsieur Pierre
- Sizzlin’ Sensations
- Sideshow Burgers
- Kyneton RSL
- Collies Cookies
With their generosity, and the support of our community, we raised $410 to assist the Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group (MRSPAG) in their vital work.
MRSPAG is a local, volunteer-led organisation working to reduce suicide and strengthen mental health across our community. The group was formed after data revealed suicide rates in the Macedon Ranges were rising, even as state and national rates declined. Through education, support, and connection initiatives, MRSPAG helps save lives and create hope.
With 75% of suicide deaths in Australia being male, this cause holds special meaning as we honour the fathers and father figures in our lives.
As a Catholic school in the Mercy tradition, we are called to respond with courage and compassion. Supporting MRSPAG is one way we live out the Gospel and contribute to a more connected, caring community.
Please see the link below for the full selection of photos taken at the breakfast. Hope you enjoyed the morning.
PAM notice: Interim Reports and SPIs (September 2025)
Dear families,
Please be advised that Interim Reports will be released from 4pm on Monday 15th September. These reports offer an insight into each student’s current Work Habits, as they have been observed in each of their classrooms. The Interim Reports provide a prompt for conversation, and are part of each student’s ongoing story of learning and progress.
Please also note that Student Progress Interviews will take place online via Microsoft Teams on:
Tuesday 16/09, 5pm - 7pm
Thursday 18/09, 5pm - 7pm
Bookings for these interviews will be available via PAM from 3:30pm on Thursday 11th September.
Bookings will close at 1:30pm on Tuesday 16/09, to allow teaching staff time to prepare for the interviews.
They will reopen the following day, ahead of the SPI session on Thursday 18/09, and close again at 1:30pm on that date.
When deciding to book an SPI, you are encouraged to look over the live reporting of classwork tasks and Assessment Tasks that are available on PAM.
If you are unable to book a time with a particular teacher, you may like to consider connecting with them via email early in Term 4.
Important Reminders for a Safe and Cohesive Community
At Sacred Heart College Kyneton, the safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. To ensure our College continues to be a secure and thriving environment for everyone, we'd like to share some important reminders about key College policies.
Understanding Parent Notified Absences (PNAs)
Our PNA system is a critical part of how we manage student safety. A PNA is designed to be used for genuine student appointments—like a visit to the doctor or dentist. When a PNA is logged, the College's duty of care for your child is temporarily handed back to you.
For the safety of all students and to ensure our emergency response plans are effective, students with a PNA must sign out at Student Reception before leaving College grounds. It's important that they do not remain on campus during this time. If a student returns to the College earlier than planned, they must sign back in at Student Reception so we can resume our duty of care.
Engaging in College Life
College events, including our regular assemblies, are a vital part of the Sacred Heart experience. They are an opportunity for us to gather as a community, celebrate achievements, and share important information. These events are compulsory, and the PNA system should not be used by senior students as an opportunity to miss them for 'study.' We encourage all students to participate fully in College life.
Behaviour and Community Expectations
Our high standards for student behaviour extend beyond the College gates and into the wider community. We expect our students to act as respectful and responsible representatives of Sacred Heart. Any behavioural issues that occur in the community that reflect poorly on the College may be addressed with school-based sanctions.
Protecting Your Parent Access Module (PAM) Details
Your Parent Access Module (PAM) is a secure tool for you to use. For the safety and integrity of our systems, please ensure that your PAM login details are not shared with your child. Student access to this module can lead to the misuse of the PNA system and other administrative issues.
Thank you for your partnership in fostering a safe, respectful, and engaged community at Sacred Heart College. Your cooperation helps us to provide the best possible environment for all our students to learn and grow.
This year’s Wellbeing Week was guided by five key pillars of mental wellbeing – emotional, spiritual, social, mental and physical – with each day offering activities that supported our students in a truly holistic way.
The week began with plenty of excitement as Farmer Darryl arrived on campus, giving students the chance to cuddle and connect with lambs, sheep, goats, rabbits, a calf and more. To foster the spiritual pillar, students embraced a calming mindfulness meditation and wrote heartfelt letters to their future selves during homeroom – a reflective activity that encouraged peace and self-awareness.
The social pillar came to life through a shared breakfast of donuts and fruit, creating a warm space for students to connect with friends and peers. On Thursday 11 September the school joined the national conversation for R U OK? Day with a sausage sizzle and the symbolic act of painting a single nail yellow – a simple but powerful reminder to check in with one another.
The week finished with an energetic burst of school spirit: a lively junior dodgeball tournament and a senior footy match, celebrating the physical pillar through fun and friendly competition.
A huge thank you goes to our dedicated Student Wellbeing Captains for their creativity and leadership in bringing Wellbeing Week 2025 to life.
Uniform Shop Hours for the Term Break
Thursday 2 October 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Returning for Term 4: Tuesday 7 October 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Main Office Hours for the Term Break
Monday 22 September 8:30am to 4:00pm
Friday 3 October 8:30am to 4:00pm
At Sacred Heart College, we value the partnerships formed between families, the College and Community. Our intention is to support parents/carers/guardians while raising awareness of the benefits of engaging in their child’s education. Studies have shown that a family’s engagement has a direct, positive impact on a child’s learning success.
We invite all parents in the Community to our approaching Parent Engagement event, the final for 2025. Guest speaker Sonya Karras of Whole New World will provide information on Safe Partying – further details provided in the advert below.
This is a free event, but bookings are essential.
Year 9 Alpine Ski Camp at Falls Creek
Our Year 9 students recently returned from their Alpine Camp at Falls Creek, where they had an unforgettable adventure in the snow. Staying at the Howman’s Gap campsite, which was beautifully covered in fresh snow, the group was greeted with excellent conditions for their time on the mountain.
For many students, downhill skiing was a brand-new experience. With the help of a skilled instructor, everyone learned the essentials of skiing — from stopping safely to making turns. Once the basics were mastered, students had the chance to challenge themselves on a variety of ski runs, putting their new skills to the test. While there were plenty of tumbles along the way, there were even more laughs, and it was fantastic to see everyone’s confidence and ability grow enormously over the three days.
The camp also included a session of cross-country skiing, where students learned how to use a different type of ski to travel up and down hills during a snow-covered hike. This provided a whole new challenge and added another highlight to the camp experience.
Although the mountain offered plenty of snow and some low visibility at times, students made the most of every moment and embraced all the challenges that came their way.
A big thank you goes to all of our Year 9 students who showed resilience, enthusiasm, and a willingness to give everything a go. We would also like to thank the dedicated staff who supported the camp and made this experience possible.
Junior Debating Competition
Our first round of junior debating competition commenced on Wednesday 10 September 2025. Our three junior teams competed against Hume Anglican Grammar, Lauriston Girls School, and Lyndale Secondary College. The topic was an engaging one: that it should be compulsory for fast food to have plain packaging. I am so pleased to report all three teams won their debate. The teamwork and leadership displayed amongst our students is to be commended.
Congratulations to the following students:
Benjamin Knight
Hugh Fogarty
Jasper Bailey
Liv Norman
Olivia Howes
Frida Valdo
Jonah Sacco
Angus Jewell
Archie Turner
VM Personal Development Skills - Arabella Worm and Piper Fox, Year 11
On Monday 1 September, our VCE VM Personal Development Skills class hosted a lunch in Frayne to encourage community cohesion. We invited staff and friends who have made a positive impact on our time at SHC. We served homemade pizzas, garlic bread, and chocolate cake catering to all of the dietary requirements needed.
It was so rewarding to have all of the staff and students sit together and enjoy a meal. We all enjoyed each other's company, and talked to people who make us feel special, and who have supported us through our time at school. We got a lot of positive feedback from our Google forms that we sent out. It was so nice to see that everyone had a good time.
Year 8 have had a busy and exciting term! From Live for Life sessions to spelling bees and trivia, there’s been lots happening. I have seen the cohort grow in confidence as they all try out new things, and it was lovely to see a range of them in the recent Frayne Speech Festival. Our busy period ended with a Live for life celebration on Thursday, where we celebrated the work students have done on teen mental health with surrounding schools.
Our year-level focus this term has been on compassion and respect. Together, we’ve been exploring what these values mean in practice—whether it’s respecting our classroom spaces, looking after the environment, or showing compassion in how we treat one another.
To celebrate students who really embody these values, Homeroom teachers introduced a new initiative this term. Students who stepped up— by giving things a go, showing kindness, or doing the right thing day in and out - were nominated by their teachers or year level leader, and recognised with canteen vouchers.
A big congratulations to our award winners:
- James Killick (8F)Gracie Cook (8E)
- Maggie Young (8F)
- Wilfred MacDonald (8A)
- Matilda O’Brien (8D)
- Alice McKenzie (8C)
- Cillian Durrant (8D)
- Sailor Christmass (8F)
- Mackinley Hardy (8B)
- Owen Vernon (8F)
- Viviana Wurcell (8G)
We are so proud of the way these students have shown compassion, respect, and a willingness to get involved in our year level.
Looking ahead, the SRC want to build on this momentum. Next term, they’ll be running a raffle where entries come from students who receive commendations for living out our Year 8 themes. It’s another fun way to keep recognising the effort and positivity that so many young people bring to our year level.
Year 7 Girls Soccer - Sierra Benedict & Aden Rix
In a fantastic display of teamwork and resilience, the Year 7 Girls Soccer Team fought hard all day at Regionals recently, led by their captain, Abby. The girls unfortunately lost in their opening game against Thornbury, but made a comeback to win their second game 2-0 against Montmorency, with exceptional goals scored by Abbigale Greer-Love and Bonnie Tracey.
With great hope for their third game, they opened by scoring one goal by Elsie Perry, and heading into half time, the girls were extremely optimistic for the opportunity to compete in the grand final. The second half, however, didn’t play so well in our favour. Although the girls made an exceptional effort throughout the day they couldn’t hold onto the lead and unfortunately fell short in a 2-1 loss to Pascoe Vale.
Harper Gleeson, our goal keeper, displayed an outstanding amount of skill and determination by stepping up to save countless shots. We couldn't have done it without her. A big thank you to the girls who put their best foot forward, representing our College at regional level. Although the results were not in our favour, the girls showed great skill and determination, highlighting their commitment to the team. We valued the opportunity to coach the girls, hoping to guide them again in future.
'Regionals' - Elsie Perry's Reflection - Year 7
This term we had the opportunity to go to our Regional Year 7 Girls Soccer Competition after making it through the first round. On the way there the bus was a buzz with a mix of nerves, excitement and curiosity about what the day had in store for us. After a quick briefing we got straight into games. Both sides took lots of close shots, and there were heaps of good dribbling and running from both sides. We had our fair share of synthetic grass burns and other twisted ankles, and a random injured jaw. We concluded that game with a tough 2-0 loss to Thornbury who turned out to be the nicest school we competed against all day.
In our second game we came back with the same great happy buzzing energy, ready to give this game all we had. Still plenty of amazing shots and, as a team, we were starting to become more comfortable with the ball, our positions and each other. After our amazing efforts we had a win of 2-1, with the goal scorers being Bonnie Tracy and Abbi Greer-Love. They both played really well all day.
We had one last game to play before we got to see if we made finals. We had a tough loss 1-0 to a 'win at all costs' team so we did not make the cut for the grand final, but we finished second!
Thank you very much to our coaches Sierra Benedict and Aden Rix. They are both amazing and nice soccer coaches. Thank you Mrs Boorman and Mrs knight for coming and cheering us all on, and also helping everyone who got injured. Thank you also to everyone who helped out on the day. Thank you to all the refs who did really well, and they also gave us some tips after the game. Finally, all the girls played amazingly and improved over the day, even though some of them had never played before. The opportunity was great and really recommended it for next year.
NMR Athletics - Damien Zanic, Sports Coordinator
Thirty students proudly represented our College at the NMR round of the athletics competition—a significant step up from the Mickleham round.
Congratulations to Tyler Fynch for winning first place in both the 800m and 1500m events! Tyler will now advance to the State round next term.
Several other students also performed admirably, securing second and third places in their respective events. Overall, our College finished 10th out of 46 schools competing. Brilliant effort, we are very proud of you all!
Second Place:
Piper Fynch 12/13 Girls 1500m
Maino Kome 14 Boys Javelin
Joseph Andrew 14 Boys 100m & 400m
Michael Brown 15 Boys 400m
Ralema Kome 16 Girls Discus
Third Place:
Rocco Scicluna 12/13 Boys 400m
Piper Fynch 12/13 Girls 800m
Lucinda Bowen 14 Girls 400m
Angus White 16 Boys 400m
Abbigale Greer-Love, Amalie Casselton, Niah Furness, Violet Donnelly 12/13 Girls Relay
Australian National Cross Country Championships - Tyler Fynch
Tyler Fynch, Year 9, represented Victoria and Sacred Heart College at the Australian Cross Country Nationals held during August at Victoria Park in Ballarat.
Tyler raced over 4km in the U16 individual event, with the course made even tougher by purpose built mud pits and logs to jump over, which are all traditional elements in a Cross Country Course.
Racing against the very best athletes across Australia, Tyler had an incredibly fast finish to cross the line for the Bronze medal overall and 1st Victorian.
Tyler with two other Victorians earned silver in U16 team points. The next day Tyler joined forces with 3 other Victorians in a mixed U18 2km Cross Country Relay, where they crossed the line 2nd.
Three national medals is an amazing achievement, Tyler. Congratulations!
Year 11 Legal Studies
On Monday, the Year 11 Legal Studies class visited the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to gain firsthand insight into Victoria’s legal system. Students observed real cases, including summary offences and bail hearings and had the privilege of being addressed by a Magistrate. This opportunity was incredible as students were able to ask questions about the cases being heard and deepen their understanding of courtroom procedures and the roles of legal professionals. The excursion provided a valuable opportunity to connect classroom theory with practical experience, sparking thoughtful discussions about justice, fairness, and the rule of law. Students were also able to reflect on how legal principles apply in everyday situations.
On Sunday 31 August, six incredible Sacred Heart students from Years 7, 9, and 10 rose bright and early to head to Melbourne for the JLTAV Junior Japanese Speech Competition — and did they shine!
In front of a crowd of 200, these young linguists showed true Mercy courage, delivering both set and self-written speeches entirely in Japanese. Their pronunciation, intonation, and fluency were outstanding — even when faced with challenges, they powered through with grace and determination. We are incredibly proud of their commitment and achievements.
Nic Needle Year 10
Lakshmi Lawn Year 9
Charleigh Ager Year 9
Bryndis Halvarsson Year 7
Jonah Sacco Year 7
Archie Turner Year 7
Media Celebration Evening 2025: A Showcase of Dedication and Talent
The 2025 Media Celebration Evening on Thursday 4 September, was a spectacular showcase, marking the culmination of tireless writing, filming, and editing by our talented Year 12 Media students. The night celebrated a diverse array of themes and genres, from horror and comedy to drama and thriller.
The audience was treated to eight incredible short films: Tom Holland's Heart of Gold, Harry Cusack's Mr Insanity, Harrison Tucker's Purgatorium, Thomas Corboy's A Disagreement, Liam Miszewski's The Grove Tapes, Rory Jane's Missing, Astrid Le Noury's Croissance, and Dylan Bunn's A Very Serious Film About Nothing At All. The works were praised for their resounding characters, beautiful cinematography, meaningful animation and hypnotic narration, with clever homages to famous works.
Complementing the films were two stunning photography exhibitions: Bridie Macpherson's insightful portraiture series, Through Their Eyes, and Archie Biddle's breathtaking landscape collection, Snow.
A very special thanks to Arts Leader, Ben Gallagher, for his invaluable leadership and passion. We also extend our immense gratitude to the parents, families, friends, and actors whose support on the night and throughout the creative process contributed so significantly to the success of every piece.
The Year 11 PE students have been looking at physical activity, the national guidelines, trends and assessing Physical activity and physical activity promotion. As part of the curriculum, we look at physical activities across different population groups. This has led us to engage with Kyneton Croquet club. We have had a relationship with Kyneton croquet club for many years, and we are extremely grateful that they let us visit and learn to play with them. The volunteers are always so welcoming, and we are very pleased to continue working with this amazing club and its community. The students have had an excellent time learning new skills and exercising their competitive spirit in a completely different environment.
As Work Experience Coordinator, it’s always a pleasure to reflect on the incredible journeys our students undertake as part of their work experience placements.
Work experience is more than just a week away from the classroom. It’s an opportunity for students to step into the world of work, explore possible career paths, and begin to build the skills and confidence they’ll need in the future. Whether they spent their week in a hospital, a primary school, a law firm, a construction site, or a local café, every student returned with new insights — and often a new sense of direction.
One student reflected:
“It was quite interesting and eye-opening to witness and help with all the work that needs to happen behind the scenes to keep the organisation running. It showed me how much thought should go into the career I choose to pursue, as there will be a lot more to it than initially meets the eye.” This kind of reflection captures exactly why work experience is so valuable — it bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world understanding.
A heartfelt thank you goes to all the employers who welcomed and supported our students — your time and mentorship are truly appreciated.
If any local businesses would like to offer placements next year, we’d love to hear from you!
An Invitation is Extended to the VCE 12 Drama and Year 12 VET Dance Performance
The students will perform their solo performances to an audience of family and friends, to get feedback for their upcoming VCE Solo Performance Drama and Dance exams.
Wednesday 17 September, 6:00pm to 8:30 pm
Mary Moloney Theatre
Free admission
There have been confirmed cases of Influenza, RSV and COVID 19 within the College.
These are contagious viral infections that can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications, including pneumonia. Virus’ spread by contact with fluids from coughs and sneezes.
The common symptoms are fever, a dry cough, body aches, feeling extremely weak and tired, sore throat and a runny or stuffy nose.
As these viruses are highly contagious, the College is taking every precaution to prevent further spread of the infections. If your child is unwell and/or showing flu/COVID like symptoms at school, they will be isolated and parents/emergency contacts will be called to collect them. We ask for your cooperation in keeping your child home if they are unwell and showing flu/COVID like symptoms.
The best defences against these viral infections are practising good hand hygiene, being up to date with available vaccinations and isolating if suspected or symptomatic of influenza or COVID.
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Jalna Holmes, Health Centre Coordinator, on 54211200.
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Prayer
O God our Father,
we thank you for giving us Carlo,
a model of life for young people,
and a message of love for all.
You made him fall in love with your son Jesus,
making the Eucharist his “highway to heaven.”
You gave him Mary as a beloved mother,
and you made him, through the Rosary,
a cantor of her tenderness.
Receive his prayer for us.
Look above all upon the poor, whom he loved and assisted.
And make our joy full, raising Carlo among
the saints of your Church,
so that his smile shines again for us
to the glory of your name. Amen.
This week’s prayer recognises the world’s newest saint, Carlo Acutis who was canonised by Pope Leo XIV in Rome last weekend. Saint Carlo is remarkable as the first saint to be recognised having been born post 2000. Carlo was an Italian youth born in Assisi who dedicated his short life to the Church and especially to the centrality of the Eucharist within the Catholic tradition. He is an inspiration to many young Catholics with tens of thousands present in St Peter’s Square in Rome for the canonisation.
A rich school term
As a quick scan through recent newsletters would attest, although this term will only be a short nine weeks, it has been amongst the busiest for Sacred Heart College in recent years. The quantity and variety of activities for students across a range of spheres (academic, performing arts, sport, camps, etc) reflects the importance the school places on providing a holistic education for young people and enabling them to grow into the best versions of themselves.
Alongside a celebration of the term, I would like to offer another genuine expression of thanks to the wonderful Sacred Heart College staff and community who have supported this rich educational program with many hours and days of additional work and supervision.
End of Term Arrangements
- Tuesday 16 and Thursday 18 September Student Progress Interviews (5.00 – 7.00pm)
- Thursday 18 September Term three concludes
- Friday 19 September Student free day
- Monday 6 October Term four commences
SHC Father’s Day Breakfast
Last Friday morning, almost 500 members of the Sacred Heart College community gathered in the John Arthurson Atrium to celebrate the annual Father’s Day Breakfast. It was a fabulous celebration on a beautiful albeit crisp Spring morning. The opportunity for our students to celebrate their fathers, grandfathers and father-figures was a very special occasion. Special thanks to Janet Monaghan, the VET Hospitality students, Anna Higgs, Rowena Rokesby-Alder and everyone who contributed to this major event. All photos taken at the event are available further on in the Newsletter.
2027 Year 7 Enrolment Interviews
This week saw almost 160 students and their parent engage in interviews ahead of 2027 Year 7 enrolment offers being made. This process is special with the opportunity to talk to parents and young people about what they hope for in a Catholic secondary education always humbling.
Parents and families who remain interested in applying for an enrolment at Sacred Heart College for 2026 or 2027 are warmly encouraged to contact the College Registrar, Ms Rowena Rokesby-Alder (rralder@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au) on 54211200.
Bereavement: Your prayers are asked for the Munro family on the passing of Margaret Deans, great grandmother of Isla, Year 9 and Lucy, Year 12. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Hoping everyone enjoys a safe, restful and happy holiday break.
Yours in Mercy,
Dr Darren Egberts
Principal
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Father’s Day Breakfast! It was a beautiful gathering filled with great food, music, and community spirit. A special shoutout to our amazing hospitality students and staff for their incredible work, and to our talented student musicians who provided the perfect soundtrack to the morning.
Thank You to Our Generous Local Businesses: Sacred Heart College extends heartfelt thanks to our local businesses for their generous donations in support of our Father’s Day Breakfast raffle:
- Sign Obsession
- Monsieur Pierre
- Sizzlin’ Sensations
- Sideshow Burgers
- Kyneton RSL
- Collies Cookies
With their generosity, and the support of our community, we raised $410 to assist the Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group (MRSPAG) in their vital work.
MRSPAG is a local, volunteer-led organisation working to reduce suicide and strengthen mental health across our community. The group was formed after data revealed suicide rates in the Macedon Ranges were rising, even as state and national rates declined. Through education, support, and connection initiatives, MRSPAG helps save lives and create hope.
With 75% of suicide deaths in Australia being male, this cause holds special meaning as we honour the fathers and father figures in our lives.
As a Catholic school in the Mercy tradition, we are called to respond with courage and compassion. Supporting MRSPAG is one way we live out the Gospel and contribute to a more connected, caring community.
Please see the link below for the full selection of photos taken at the breakfast. Hope you enjoyed the morning.
PAM notice: Interim Reports and SPIs (September 2025)
Dear families,
Please be advised that Interim Reports will be released from 4pm on Monday 15th September. These reports offer an insight into each student’s current Work Habits, as they have been observed in each of their classrooms. The Interim Reports provide a prompt for conversation, and are part of each student’s ongoing story of learning and progress.
Please also note that Student Progress Interviews will take place online via Microsoft Teams on:
Tuesday 16/09, 5pm - 7pm
Thursday 18/09, 5pm - 7pm
Bookings for these interviews will be available via PAM from 3:30pm on Thursday 11th September.
Bookings will close at 1:30pm on Tuesday 16/09, to allow teaching staff time to prepare for the interviews.
They will reopen the following day, ahead of the SPI session on Thursday 18/09, and close again at 1:30pm on that date.
When deciding to book an SPI, you are encouraged to look over the live reporting of classwork tasks and Assessment Tasks that are available on PAM.
If you are unable to book a time with a particular teacher, you may like to consider connecting with them via email early in Term 4.
Important Reminders for a Safe and Cohesive Community
At Sacred Heart College Kyneton, the safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. To ensure our College continues to be a secure and thriving environment for everyone, we'd like to share some important reminders about key College policies.
Understanding Parent Notified Absences (PNAs)
Our PNA system is a critical part of how we manage student safety. A PNA is designed to be used for genuine student appointments—like a visit to the doctor or dentist. When a PNA is logged, the College's duty of care for your child is temporarily handed back to you.
For the safety of all students and to ensure our emergency response plans are effective, students with a PNA must sign out at Student Reception before leaving College grounds. It's important that they do not remain on campus during this time. If a student returns to the College earlier than planned, they must sign back in at Student Reception so we can resume our duty of care.
Engaging in College Life
College events, including our regular assemblies, are a vital part of the Sacred Heart experience. They are an opportunity for us to gather as a community, celebrate achievements, and share important information. These events are compulsory, and the PNA system should not be used by senior students as an opportunity to miss them for 'study.' We encourage all students to participate fully in College life.
Behaviour and Community Expectations
Our high standards for student behaviour extend beyond the College gates and into the wider community. We expect our students to act as respectful and responsible representatives of Sacred Heart. Any behavioural issues that occur in the community that reflect poorly on the College may be addressed with school-based sanctions.
Protecting Your Parent Access Module (PAM) Details
Your Parent Access Module (PAM) is a secure tool for you to use. For the safety and integrity of our systems, please ensure that your PAM login details are not shared with your child. Student access to this module can lead to the misuse of the PNA system and other administrative issues.
Thank you for your partnership in fostering a safe, respectful, and engaged community at Sacred Heart College. Your cooperation helps us to provide the best possible environment for all our students to learn and grow.
This year’s Wellbeing Week was guided by five key pillars of mental wellbeing – emotional, spiritual, social, mental and physical – with each day offering activities that supported our students in a truly holistic way.
The week began with plenty of excitement as Farmer Darryl arrived on campus, giving students the chance to cuddle and connect with lambs, sheep, goats, rabbits, a calf and more. To foster the spiritual pillar, students embraced a calming mindfulness meditation and wrote heartfelt letters to their future selves during homeroom – a reflective activity that encouraged peace and self-awareness.
The social pillar came to life through a shared breakfast of donuts and fruit, creating a warm space for students to connect with friends and peers. On Thursday 11 September the school joined the national conversation for R U OK? Day with a sausage sizzle and the symbolic act of painting a single nail yellow – a simple but powerful reminder to check in with one another.
The week finished with an energetic burst of school spirit: a lively junior dodgeball tournament and a senior footy match, celebrating the physical pillar through fun and friendly competition.
A huge thank you goes to our dedicated Student Wellbeing Captains for their creativity and leadership in bringing Wellbeing Week 2025 to life.
Uniform Shop Hours for the Term Break
Thursday 2 October 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Returning for Term 4: Tuesday 7 October 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Main Office Hours for the Term Break
Monday 22 September 8:30am to 4:00pm
Friday 3 October 8:30am to 4:00pm
At Sacred Heart College, we value the partnerships formed between families, the College and Community. Our intention is to support parents/carers/guardians while raising awareness of the benefits of engaging in their child’s education. Studies have shown that a family’s engagement has a direct, positive impact on a child’s learning success.
We invite all parents in the Community to our approaching Parent Engagement event, the final for 2025. Guest speaker Sonya Karras of Whole New World will provide information on Safe Partying – further details provided in the advert below.
This is a free event, but bookings are essential.
Year 9 Alpine Ski Camp at Falls Creek
Our Year 9 students recently returned from their Alpine Camp at Falls Creek, where they had an unforgettable adventure in the snow. Staying at the Howman’s Gap campsite, which was beautifully covered in fresh snow, the group was greeted with excellent conditions for their time on the mountain.
For many students, downhill skiing was a brand-new experience. With the help of a skilled instructor, everyone learned the essentials of skiing — from stopping safely to making turns. Once the basics were mastered, students had the chance to challenge themselves on a variety of ski runs, putting their new skills to the test. While there were plenty of tumbles along the way, there were even more laughs, and it was fantastic to see everyone’s confidence and ability grow enormously over the three days.
The camp also included a session of cross-country skiing, where students learned how to use a different type of ski to travel up and down hills during a snow-covered hike. This provided a whole new challenge and added another highlight to the camp experience.
Although the mountain offered plenty of snow and some low visibility at times, students made the most of every moment and embraced all the challenges that came their way.
A big thank you goes to all of our Year 9 students who showed resilience, enthusiasm, and a willingness to give everything a go. We would also like to thank the dedicated staff who supported the camp and made this experience possible.
Junior Debating Competition
Our first round of junior debating competition commenced on Wednesday 10 September 2025. Our three junior teams competed against Hume Anglican Grammar, Lauriston Girls School, and Lyndale Secondary College. The topic was an engaging one: that it should be compulsory for fast food to have plain packaging. I am so pleased to report all three teams won their debate. The teamwork and leadership displayed amongst our students is to be commended.
Congratulations to the following students:
Benjamin Knight
Hugh Fogarty
Jasper Bailey
Liv Norman
Olivia Howes
Frida Valdo
Jonah Sacco
Angus Jewell
Archie Turner
VM Personal Development Skills - Arabella Worm and Piper Fox, Year 11
On Monday 1 September, our VCE VM Personal Development Skills class hosted a lunch in Frayne to encourage community cohesion. We invited staff and friends who have made a positive impact on our time at SHC. We served homemade pizzas, garlic bread, and chocolate cake catering to all of the dietary requirements needed.
It was so rewarding to have all of the staff and students sit together and enjoy a meal. We all enjoyed each other's company, and talked to people who make us feel special, and who have supported us through our time at school. We got a lot of positive feedback from our Google forms that we sent out. It was so nice to see that everyone had a good time.
Year 8 have had a busy and exciting term! From Live for Life sessions to spelling bees and trivia, there’s been lots happening. I have seen the cohort grow in confidence as they all try out new things, and it was lovely to see a range of them in the recent Frayne Speech Festival. Our busy period ended with a Live for life celebration on Thursday, where we celebrated the work students have done on teen mental health with surrounding schools.
Our year-level focus this term has been on compassion and respect. Together, we’ve been exploring what these values mean in practice—whether it’s respecting our classroom spaces, looking after the environment, or showing compassion in how we treat one another.
To celebrate students who really embody these values, Homeroom teachers introduced a new initiative this term. Students who stepped up— by giving things a go, showing kindness, or doing the right thing day in and out - were nominated by their teachers or year level leader, and recognised with canteen vouchers.
A big congratulations to our award winners:
- James Killick (8F)Gracie Cook (8E)
- Maggie Young (8F)
- Wilfred MacDonald (8A)
- Matilda O’Brien (8D)
- Alice McKenzie (8C)
- Cillian Durrant (8D)
- Sailor Christmass (8F)
- Mackinley Hardy (8B)
- Owen Vernon (8F)
- Viviana Wurcell (8G)
We are so proud of the way these students have shown compassion, respect, and a willingness to get involved in our year level.
Looking ahead, the SRC want to build on this momentum. Next term, they’ll be running a raffle where entries come from students who receive commendations for living out our Year 8 themes. It’s another fun way to keep recognising the effort and positivity that so many young people bring to our year level.
Year 7 Girls Soccer - Sierra Benedict & Aden Rix
In a fantastic display of teamwork and resilience, the Year 7 Girls Soccer Team fought hard all day at Regionals recently, led by their captain, Abby. The girls unfortunately lost in their opening game against Thornbury, but made a comeback to win their second game 2-0 against Montmorency, with exceptional goals scored by Abbigale Greer-Love and Bonnie Tracey.
With great hope for their third game, they opened by scoring one goal by Elsie Perry, and heading into half time, the girls were extremely optimistic for the opportunity to compete in the grand final. The second half, however, didn’t play so well in our favour. Although the girls made an exceptional effort throughout the day they couldn’t hold onto the lead and unfortunately fell short in a 2-1 loss to Pascoe Vale.
Harper Gleeson, our goal keeper, displayed an outstanding amount of skill and determination by stepping up to save countless shots. We couldn't have done it without her. A big thank you to the girls who put their best foot forward, representing our College at regional level. Although the results were not in our favour, the girls showed great skill and determination, highlighting their commitment to the team. We valued the opportunity to coach the girls, hoping to guide them again in future.
'Regionals' - Elsie Perry's Reflection - Year 7
This term we had the opportunity to go to our Regional Year 7 Girls Soccer Competition after making it through the first round. On the way there the bus was a buzz with a mix of nerves, excitement and curiosity about what the day had in store for us. After a quick briefing we got straight into games. Both sides took lots of close shots, and there were heaps of good dribbling and running from both sides. We had our fair share of synthetic grass burns and other twisted ankles, and a random injured jaw. We concluded that game with a tough 2-0 loss to Thornbury who turned out to be the nicest school we competed against all day.
In our second game we came back with the same great happy buzzing energy, ready to give this game all we had. Still plenty of amazing shots and, as a team, we were starting to become more comfortable with the ball, our positions and each other. After our amazing efforts we had a win of 2-1, with the goal scorers being Bonnie Tracy and Abbi Greer-Love. They both played really well all day.
We had one last game to play before we got to see if we made finals. We had a tough loss 1-0 to a 'win at all costs' team so we did not make the cut for the grand final, but we finished second!
Thank you very much to our coaches Sierra Benedict and Aden Rix. They are both amazing and nice soccer coaches. Thank you Mrs Boorman and Mrs knight for coming and cheering us all on, and also helping everyone who got injured. Thank you also to everyone who helped out on the day. Thank you to all the refs who did really well, and they also gave us some tips after the game. Finally, all the girls played amazingly and improved over the day, even though some of them had never played before. The opportunity was great and really recommended it for next year.
NMR Athletics - Damien Zanic, Sports Coordinator
Thirty students proudly represented our College at the NMR round of the athletics competition—a significant step up from the Mickleham round.
Congratulations to Tyler Fynch for winning first place in both the 800m and 1500m events! Tyler will now advance to the State round next term.
Several other students also performed admirably, securing second and third places in their respective events. Overall, our College finished 10th out of 46 schools competing. Brilliant effort, we are very proud of you all!
Second Place:
Piper Fynch 12/13 Girls 1500m
Maino Kome 14 Boys Javelin
Joseph Andrew 14 Boys 100m & 400m
Michael Brown 15 Boys 400m
Ralema Kome 16 Girls Discus
Third Place:
Rocco Scicluna 12/13 Boys 400m
Piper Fynch 12/13 Girls 800m
Lucinda Bowen 14 Girls 400m
Angus White 16 Boys 400m
Abbigale Greer-Love, Amalie Casselton, Niah Furness, Violet Donnelly 12/13 Girls Relay
Australian National Cross Country Championships - Tyler Fynch
Tyler Fynch, Year 9, represented Victoria and Sacred Heart College at the Australian Cross Country Nationals held during August at Victoria Park in Ballarat.
Tyler raced over 4km in the U16 individual event, with the course made even tougher by purpose built mud pits and logs to jump over, which are all traditional elements in a Cross Country Course.
Racing against the very best athletes across Australia, Tyler had an incredibly fast finish to cross the line for the Bronze medal overall and 1st Victorian.
Tyler with two other Victorians earned silver in U16 team points. The next day Tyler joined forces with 3 other Victorians in a mixed U18 2km Cross Country Relay, where they crossed the line 2nd.
Three national medals is an amazing achievement, Tyler. Congratulations!
Year 11 Legal Studies
On Monday, the Year 11 Legal Studies class visited the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to gain firsthand insight into Victoria’s legal system. Students observed real cases, including summary offences and bail hearings and had the privilege of being addressed by a Magistrate. This opportunity was incredible as students were able to ask questions about the cases being heard and deepen their understanding of courtroom procedures and the roles of legal professionals. The excursion provided a valuable opportunity to connect classroom theory with practical experience, sparking thoughtful discussions about justice, fairness, and the rule of law. Students were also able to reflect on how legal principles apply in everyday situations.
On Sunday 31 August, six incredible Sacred Heart students from Years 7, 9, and 10 rose bright and early to head to Melbourne for the JLTAV Junior Japanese Speech Competition — and did they shine!
In front of a crowd of 200, these young linguists showed true Mercy courage, delivering both set and self-written speeches entirely in Japanese. Their pronunciation, intonation, and fluency were outstanding — even when faced with challenges, they powered through with grace and determination. We are incredibly proud of their commitment and achievements.
Nic Needle Year 10
Lakshmi Lawn Year 9
Charleigh Ager Year 9
Bryndis Halvarsson Year 7
Jonah Sacco Year 7
Archie Turner Year 7
Media Celebration Evening 2025: A Showcase of Dedication and Talent
The 2025 Media Celebration Evening on Thursday 4 September, was a spectacular showcase, marking the culmination of tireless writing, filming, and editing by our talented Year 12 Media students. The night celebrated a diverse array of themes and genres, from horror and comedy to drama and thriller.
The audience was treated to eight incredible short films: Tom Holland's Heart of Gold, Harry Cusack's Mr Insanity, Harrison Tucker's Purgatorium, Thomas Corboy's A Disagreement, Liam Miszewski's The Grove Tapes, Rory Jane's Missing, Astrid Le Noury's Croissance, and Dylan Bunn's A Very Serious Film About Nothing At All. The works were praised for their resounding characters, beautiful cinematography, meaningful animation and hypnotic narration, with clever homages to famous works.
Complementing the films were two stunning photography exhibitions: Bridie Macpherson's insightful portraiture series, Through Their Eyes, and Archie Biddle's breathtaking landscape collection, Snow.
A very special thanks to Arts Leader, Ben Gallagher, for his invaluable leadership and passion. We also extend our immense gratitude to the parents, families, friends, and actors whose support on the night and throughout the creative process contributed so significantly to the success of every piece.
The Year 11 PE students have been looking at physical activity, the national guidelines, trends and assessing Physical activity and physical activity promotion. As part of the curriculum, we look at physical activities across different population groups. This has led us to engage with Kyneton Croquet club. We have had a relationship with Kyneton croquet club for many years, and we are extremely grateful that they let us visit and learn to play with them. The volunteers are always so welcoming, and we are very pleased to continue working with this amazing club and its community. The students have had an excellent time learning new skills and exercising their competitive spirit in a completely different environment.
As Work Experience Coordinator, it’s always a pleasure to reflect on the incredible journeys our students undertake as part of their work experience placements.
Work experience is more than just a week away from the classroom. It’s an opportunity for students to step into the world of work, explore possible career paths, and begin to build the skills and confidence they’ll need in the future. Whether they spent their week in a hospital, a primary school, a law firm, a construction site, or a local café, every student returned with new insights — and often a new sense of direction.
One student reflected:
“It was quite interesting and eye-opening to witness and help with all the work that needs to happen behind the scenes to keep the organisation running. It showed me how much thought should go into the career I choose to pursue, as there will be a lot more to it than initially meets the eye.” This kind of reflection captures exactly why work experience is so valuable — it bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world understanding.
A heartfelt thank you goes to all the employers who welcomed and supported our students — your time and mentorship are truly appreciated.
If any local businesses would like to offer placements next year, we’d love to hear from you!
An Invitation is Extended to the VCE 12 Drama and Year 12 VET Dance Performance
The students will perform their solo performances to an audience of family and friends, to get feedback for their upcoming VCE Solo Performance Drama and Dance exams.
Wednesday 17 September, 6:00pm to 8:30 pm
Mary Moloney Theatre
Free admission
There have been confirmed cases of Influenza, RSV and COVID 19 within the College.
These are contagious viral infections that can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications, including pneumonia. Virus’ spread by contact with fluids from coughs and sneezes.
The common symptoms are fever, a dry cough, body aches, feeling extremely weak and tired, sore throat and a runny or stuffy nose.
As these viruses are highly contagious, the College is taking every precaution to prevent further spread of the infections. If your child is unwell and/or showing flu/COVID like symptoms at school, they will be isolated and parents/emergency contacts will be called to collect them. We ask for your cooperation in keeping your child home if they are unwell and showing flu/COVID like symptoms.
The best defences against these viral infections are practising good hand hygiene, being up to date with available vaccinations and isolating if suspected or symptomatic of influenza or COVID.
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Jalna Holmes, Health Centre Coordinator, on 54211200.
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