-
-
(03) 5421 1200
-
Loving God,
As our Year 12 students enter their final week of classes, we give thanks for the journey they have shared, the friendships they have formed, and their personal growth we have witnessed.
May they carry the spirit of Mercy into the future, showing compassion, respecting the dignity of others, and having the courage to embrace new beginnings.
As they face exam preparation, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead, grant them peace, confidence and hope. Help them recognise that they have much to offer the world when they work with zeal.
May Catherine McAuley’s legacy inspire them to make a difference wherever life leads them.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.Amen
Year 12 Final Classes and Graduation
One of the many joyful moments in the rhythm of a school is the time of great pride and celebration when Year 12s reach the point of their graduation. Warm congratulations are offered to all members of the Class of 2026, who have this week completed the last classes of their secondary education, and have celebrated this milestone achievement in their final Year 12 Assembly and Graduation Mass.
The Year 12 Assembly brought together the entire College community, from Years 7-12, for one final gathering with the Class of 2026. It was an opportunity to reflect on a journey that began as Year 7 students in 2021 and to celebrate the many achievements, friendships and memories formed along the way. The assembly also featured the presentation of several special awards, acknowledging excellence, leadership and contribution to the College community.
Year 12 Awards Ceremony Booklet
A meaningful part of the Year 12 Final Assembly was the official transition of leadership from the 2026 Senior School Captains and Cabinet to the incoming 2027 student team. Outgoing leaders welcomed the new Captains and Cabinet members by presenting them with their leadership badges, while the 2027 College Captains received their blazers in recognition of the important role they will undertake in the year ahead.
A noticeable absence from the assembly was College Captain Sam Haslett, who has recently relocated to the USA after accepting an offer to attend Iowa United Preparatory Academy in Des Moines, Iowa, an elite basketball preparatory academy. We were delighted to include a video message from Sam as part of the assembly, allowing him to share in this important occasion despite being overseas. We are incredibly proud of all that he has achieved and wish him every success as he embraces this exciting international opportunity. Further details of his achievement can be found in the letter below.
Later that evening our Year 12s and their families gathered in Quambi to celebrate the Graduation Mass. This offered a time for faith filled contemplation on the years spent at the College and what it means to be a person of Mercy. We prayed that our students remain connected to the Mercy story and challenged the Class of 2026 to live their lives as shining lamps, as beacons of hope, as bonfires of Mercy - or in the words of Catherine McAuley, “…be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.”
For the many who are now beginning their preparations for the VCE exams, we offer our best wishes and remind them to make good use of the study supports available at the college over the coming weeks. For those who step more immediately out into the world of apprenticeships, vocational education and workforce entry, we congratulate them on their accomplishments and hold excitement in our hearts for the adventures they will encounter. We look forward to celebrating with all Year 12 students and their families at the Graduation Dinner, which will be held following the end of the VCE exam period.
Year 12 Continuing the Tradition - Walking Through the Mercy Doors
Mercy Day Celebrations at Sacred Heart College
Mercy Day is an annual celebration across the global Mercy family, recognising the opening of Catherine McAuley’s first House of Mercy on Baggot Street, Dublin, in 1827. This worldwide celebration is traditionally held on 24th September, however adjustments are made for our own context, due to the timing of the school calendar.
While Kyneton’s challenging weather patterns have interrupted our plans in recent years, we are looking forward to relaunching our own Mercy Day celebrations this year, with a day of fun, food and activities. This special event will also be an opportunity for us to put our Mercy values of Compassion and Service into action. You will by now have received an invitation to pre-purchase a $10 package of tickets for the event, with the profits from these purchases to be donated to Mercy Works. Mercy Works is the development arm of the Sisters of Mercy in Australia and Papua New Guinea, and their projects take place in Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Timor-Leste, supporting access to education, healthcare and opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods.
Pre-purchasing a $10 package of tickets for the day will provide students with their casual clothes contribution, as well as five tickets that may be used to purchase a BBQ lunch, a snack and participation in some fun activities. There will also be an opportunity to purchase additional tickets, which can either be used on the day or offered as further donation to Mercy Works.
We are looking forward to a gentle celebration on the day, with plans to rebuild towards a significant event in the school calendar from 2027 - in which year Mercy communities across the globe will be celebrating the 200th Mercy Day.
2027 Student Digital Device Provision
The college will continue with current arrangements for the provision of student digital devices, with students entering Year 7 and Year 10 in 2027 purchasing their device for school use via the college process. Digital devices must be purchased via this process in order to access the school network and maintain the onsite technical support. Current Year 9 families are reminded to refer to the updated email sent on Tuesday 6th October, which details the options for making this purchase.
The choice of digital device purchased for Year 7 and Year 10 is made in collaboration with the College’s IT teaching specialists and IT system staff with a strong focus on students' education needs and value for money. The recommended device for both Year 7 and Year 10 in 2027 has similar specifications and performance to more expensive options and therefore offers our families value-for-money along with high performance. Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) warranty and support are included within the purchase price.
We do appreciate that purchasing a student laptop is an expensive component of modern education. Families who require financial assistance are encouraged to lodge a confidential concession application, which is available via this link.
Bereavements: Your prayers are asked for the following families who are mourning the passing of a loved one recently. The Williams family on the passing of Danny Williams, grandfather of Freya Year 8, the Lander family on the passing of Kenneth Roger Tobias, grandfather of Jarvis Year 10, and the Ellis family on the passing of Mick Clover, uncle of James Year 11. Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time.
Parent Engagement Evening with Dr Michael Carr-Gregg
We were delighted to welcome Dr Michael Carr-Gregg to the College for our recent Parent Engagement Evening. Dr Carr-Gregg is one of Australia’s most respected child and adolescent psychologists. He completed his PhD on teenagers living with cancer and, in 1985, founded CanTeen, the national support organisation for young people affected by cancer. He has since worked with organisations including ReachOut and BeyondBlue, was a founding member of the National Centre Against Bullying, and is the author of a number of bestselling parenting books, including Surviving Adolescents and When to Really Worry. Many families will also know him from his long-running work as a parenting commentator on radio and television.
It was an excellent evening, and we were pleased to see so many parents and carers in attendance. Dr Carr-Gregg spoke about practical ways to build resilience in young people, and shared techniques parents can use to support their children when they are facing anxiety. He also gave particular attention to how families can support Year 12 students as they prepare for the upcoming VCE examinations, offering sensible, reassuring advice for this busy and often stressful time.
It was an illuminating evening, made all the richer by the many thoughtful questions from our parent community. Our sincere thanks to Dr Carr-Gregg for his time, his expertise and the warmth with which he engaged with our families.
Our New Wellbeing Mural
This week our new Wellbeing Mural was hung in its permanent home outside the Wellbeing House, and it has already brought wonderful colour and joy to the area.
The mural was imagined and designed by our 2026 Wellbeing Captains in partnership with our Arts Captains, and was created by students during our combined Wellbeing and Arts Week last term. It is a lovely reflection of the creativity, care and community spirit of our students, and a bright welcome for everyone who visits the Wellbeing House.
Thank you to our Wellbeing Captains, Sophie Dunn, Elissa Balancy Mazou, Anna Dunn, Matilda Gibson and Molly Cusack, and to our Arts Captains, Charlotte Graham and Emily Turner, for their vision and leadership in bringing this project to life.
High Street Pedestrian Crossing
All families are reminded that the only point of road crossing along High Street before and after school is the designated pedestrian crossing, under the supervision and direction of the crossing guard.
Families using High Street to drop off or pick up students must only park in areas where it is safe to do so, and must not park over driveways or in spaces designated as No Standing.
We ask that families please routinely remind students that they must cross High Street at the correct point, whether they are walking home, walking to the bus stop or walking to a waiting car. Thank you for helping to keep all of our students safe.
Well Done Senior Boys Netball!
Our Senior Boys Netball Team were awarded the Spirit of Sport Award at the School Sport Victoria State Netball Day in recognition of their outstanding sportsmanship, positive attitudes and fair play.
The award celebrates schools that demonstrate the values of respect, teamwork and integrity throughout state finals. Our team represented Sacred Heart College with pride, demonstrating that sport is about more than just the result. Their encouragement of teammates, respect for opponents and positive approach to competition made this achievement particularly special.
Congratulations to the team on this well-deserved recognition and for being such positive ambassadors for our school!
Year 8 students enjoyed playing pétanque, a traditional French game where players take turns throwing metal boules as close as possible to a small target ball.
The activity was a fun way to practise French culture while developing teamwork, coordination and friendly competition!
Rescheduled Year 10 Immunisations
The Year 10 Immunisation session has been rescheduled for Sacred Heart College students and will occur on Monday 26 October 2026.
The Year 10 Outdoor Recreation class will be undertaking their Great Ocean Walk and will unfortunately miss the rescheduled session. To ensure these students receive their scheduled vaccination, they can visit their Medical Practitioner or attend one of the Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s immunisation sessions. Information regarding sessions and times can be found at https://www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Li...
Should you require further information please do not hesitate to contact me via email at jbholmes@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au or call the College on 54211200.
Parent Helpers Needed
We are seeking parent helpers to assist with our upcoming Year 10 immunisation session on Monday 26 October 2026 from 9.00am to 12.00pm.
We would love to hear from parents and carers who are registered nurses or have current First Aid training and are willing to lend a helping hand on the day.
Your support will help ensure the session runs smoothly and that our students feel comfortable and supported throughout the process.
If you are available to assist, or would like more information, please contact Health Centre Coordinator, Jalna Holmes on 54211 200 or via email on jbholmes@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au.
It is with great pleasure that I invite you to our Junior School Showcase, a wonderful evening celebrating the talents, dedication, and achievements of our Year 7, 8, and 9 students.
Date: Wednesday 21 October 2026
Time: 4:00pm-7:30pm
Location: Sacred Heart College
The Junior School Showcase is a special opportunity for our students to demonstrate to our Sacred Heart community their skills, passion, and ability to flourish. We are incredibly proud of the work our young people have undertaken this year, and we know you will be too.
PROGRAM FOR THE EVENING
Year 7 - Learning Gallery (4:00pm-5:30pm)
Hilary Learning Spaces
Our Year 7 students will host an open classroom and learning gallery, displaying classwork curated by their teachers. Students are looking forward to showing you around the College and sharing their learning journey. Hilary Learning Spaces will be open and staffed until 5:30pm, and families are welcome to arrive with their Year 7 student at any time in that window. After 5:30pm, Year 7 families are still very welcome to enjoy the rest of the Showcase, but the classrooms will be closed.
Year 8 - Make a Difference Projects Presentation (4:30pm-6:00pm)
Lower and Upper Dwyer Learning Spaces
The Year 8s will present their Make A Difference Projects, which have been a focus of their Religious Education studies. Students have investigated issues of social and environmental injustice and developed initiatives to promote positive change. Their passion for making our world a better place shines through in this work. Year 8 students will be with their projects for the full 90 minutes, with a short break for each homeroom. Before 4:30pm, Year 8 families are welcome to visit the Year 7 Learning Gallery, and the Year 9 Expo is open all evening.
Year 9 - Expo Projects (4:00pm-7:30pm)
Atrium and Quambi
The flagship event of the evening is our Year 9 Expo, where students will showcase their passion projects. These projects are the culmination of a year’s dedication and hard work. From refurbished cars and boats to handcrafted textiles, the variety and breadth of learning on display is remarkable. Year 9 students will stay at school after 3:24pm to set up and will have pizza before the Expo opens.
Some students will have items available for purchase should you wish to support their entrepreneurial endeavours. In previous years, families have found it handy to bring some cash, but there is absolutely no obligation, and many students won’t be selling anything.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- Entry: Access is available via High Street or Begg/Ross Street. Parking is available on the basketball courts only, which are accessed from Begg/Ross Street.
- Arrival: Families are welcome to arrive at any time within the 4:00pm-7:30pm window. Please check the program above for the times each year level is open.
- Everyone welcome: This is a big community event. Siblings, grandparents, extended family, and friends are all welcome.
- Engagement: We warmly encourage you to visit and chat with as many students as possible. They have worked hard and are eager to share their achievements.
- Uniform: All students are expected to wear their school uniform.
- Supervision: The school day finishes as normal at 3:24pm. Students are only supervised during the times allocated to their year level in this letter, so Year 7 and 8 students will not be supervised between the end of the school day and the start of their session.
- Photography: You are welcome to take photos of your own child, but please avoid photographing other students and do not share images of them online. The College will be taking photos on the night and will make these available to families.
This evening promises to be a true celebration of learning, creativity, and the spirit of our Junior School students. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing in the joy of our students’ accomplishments. If you have any questions, please contact me at mcarroll@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au.
One thing that librarians love to do is collect data! We use the data from these statistics to guide our resource collection, to develop our programs and to support student learning. Here’s some fun stats that we’ve gathered this year.
📖 We have added 391 new books to the collection this year!
📖 We have added 91 ebooks to our digital collection!
📖 We have added 61 audiobooks to our digital collection!
📖 We have loaned out over 3034 resources to staff and students!
📖 7G has are the highest borrowing homeroom at the time of writing this article, with 267 loans and 7A are close behind with 263! (Great reading Year 7s)
What other statistics would you like to see? Drop us a line at library@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au - we love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.
Our Year 12 Literature class marked our final ‘official’ lesson with a cake, celebrating the life-changing capacity of reading and engaging with literature.It has been a year of hard work, grit and plenty of discussion as students tackled the detective noir of The City & The City, through to the feminist reclamations of The World’s Wife. Along the way, we watched some rather confusing adaptations of As You Like It, wrestled with the difference between a couplet and a perfect rhyme, and wrestled with some wonderfully complex ideas.It has been an absolute delight to teach this crew of thoughtful, curious and hardworking students. What a privilege to spend a year reading, questioning and thinking alongside them.
Year 7 and 8 Students Kick Off DAV Debating Season
Last week our Year 7 and 8 debating teams officially commenced their DAV (Debaters Association of Victoria) debating season, tackling the motion: “That health star ratings should be mandatory in Australia.”
Round One challenged students to explore the role of health star ratings in helping Australians make informed food choices. Debaters considered arguments surrounding public health, consumer awareness and personal choice, developing their skills in constructing persuasive arguments, delivering rebuttals and thinking critically about this issue.
This first round provided an excellent opportunity for our students to build confidence, collaborate with their teammates, and put their debating skills into practice. It was wonderful to see our younger debaters embrace the challenge and engage thoughtfully with both sides of the argument.
A special thank you goes to our senior debaters, Kate Hemphill, Stella Egberts and Tilly Matthews, for generously sharing their experience and supporting our Year 7 and 8 students. Their guidance and encouragement have helped our younger students prepare for competition and develop confidence as emerging debaters.
On the last day of term three, our Tear 10 French class had the opportunity to take the train to the ‘Alliance Française de Melbourne’ to learn about science in French.
Throughout the day we had many workshops on different topics such as sustainable construction, the use of AI in medical imaging and women in science. Not only did these presentations help us improve our french listening skills, we also got the chance to learn about and discuss many issues in modern science.
Overall we had a fantastic day and even had time to stop for sushi and bubble tea before catching the train back to Kyneton.
What an incredible HPE Week at Sacred Heart College Kyneton! This year’s HPE Week was officially our most attended HPE Week ever, with huge numbers of students getting involved, plenty of staff joining in, and even more students coming along to watch, cheer and enjoy the action.
The before-school activities were a fantastic way to start each day, with the Soccer Shootout, Bowl the Teacher (Cricket) and Downball proving to be massive hits. The highlight of the cricket was undoubtedly Archer Todd from 7B, who managed to bowl Mr G out with his very first ball! Archer’s celebration said it all – much to his delight, and perhaps not quite as much to Mr G’s!
The lunchtime activities kicked off with an extraordinary 200+ students heading down to Quambi for Downball. It was loud, energetic, competitive and, most importantly, full of great spirit. After the scores were level following the games, the Seniors managed to edge out the Juniors in the final 5 v 5 shootout, securing bragging rights… at least for now!
The lunchtime Soccer Tournament was equally intense, with heaps of goals scored, passes made, shots taken and some impressive saves keeping the games close. Player of the Day went to Sam H from 7D, who demonstrated excellent skill, sportsmanship and a genuine enjoyment of the game.
Overall, the week was simply amazing. A huge thank you to all the staff and students who participated, helped organise activities, cheered from the sidelines or simply came down to watch. Your enthusiasm, support and willingness to get involved made HPE Week such a memorable celebration of sport, participation and the SHC community.
Tighe Thrum – Year 11 - USA!
Recently I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Arizona in the USA as part of a group of 27, including 17 athletes. Throughout the trip, I competed in three races, each featuring approximately 110–120 runners. I placed 12th in the first 3km race, 7th in the second 3km race, and 19th in the final 5km race, where I achieved a personal best time of 17:43.
Beyond running, one of the highlights was meeting American athletes and swapping team gear, allowing us to connect and share our experiences. We also visited some amazing attractions, including the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Universal Studios and Disneyland. Overall, it was a surreal experience that allowed me to challenge myself as a runner, meet new people and create memories that will last a lifetime.
National School Improvement Partnerships - Parent and Caregiver Survey (PaCS)
Sacred Heart College is inviting parents and caregivers to participate in the Parent and Caregiver Survey (PaCS), developed by Curtin University, to help us better understand the school climate and identify opportunities for improvement.
The survey provides an opportunity for families to share their perceptions and experiences of the College. Your feedback will help inform our planning and support our ongoing commitment to creating a positive school environment in which every student can flourish.
An email will also be sent to families with further information about the survey and instructions for completion. The survey is completely anonymous, with responses collected and analysed independently by NSI Partnerships. The College receives aggregated feedback reports, not individual responses, ensuring your confidentiality is protected.
We encourage all parents and caregivers to take a few minutes to complete the survey. If you have more than one child at the College, you may choose to respond separately for each child to reflect their individual experiences.
To participate: Visit www.NSIPartnerships.com.au and enter the code SHKparents in the Start Questionnaire field.
Thank you for your time and valuable contribution to our College community.
Sensory Swim Session
Monthly Sensory Swim Sessions are commencing at Kyneton Sports and Aquatic Centre on the last Saturday of each month, 6pm 7pm. The Sensory Swim Sessions will commence on Saturday 31 October and will continue to run like this for the next six months (except in December and March when it will be the 2nd last Saturday of the month).
During the one-hour session, the lighting will be dimmed, music will be turned off and the environment will be adjusted to minimise sensory stimulation. The pool will be available specifically for people who wish to participate in the lower sensory session. Participants are welcome to attend with their own support person/s or other supports as required.
Sensory Swim Sessions are a proud partnership between Omnia Community Health and Macedon Ranges Shire. For more information contact 0447 629 863 or head to Aquatic entry fees and programs - Macedon Ranges Shire Council.
Kyneton CFA - 2026 Get Fire Ready Session
Kyneton Fire Brigade is teaming up with Social Foundry to bring the residents of Kyneton and surrounds a targeted Get Fire Ready Session. Head back to school (just for the afternoon), where a CFA presenter will walk you through everything you need to feel ready for this fire season.
While the grown-ups take a lesson in fire safety, kids can head to a separate room for our popular Fire Wise Kids program, full of games and activities.
There will be tea, coffee and nibbles for the grown-ups, plus take home info packs and kids activity kits to keep the learning going.
Click the image below to register your place.
Daylesford Youth Theatre & inside Out Dance Theatre Present
Click the image below to book.
MRSPAG - A night out with the Blokes of the Macedon Ranges
Click the image below to book.
Macedon Ranges Soccer Club
Click image below for website.
