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Prayer
Holy Spirit, be on our lips, that we may speak the truth in kindness,
put your glow in our eyes, that we may see what is good in life and in all people
Holy Spirit, burn in our ears, that we may hear with deep listening,
be in our arms and hands, that we may serve others with care
Holy Spirit, be in our legs and feet so that we may walk the earth with respect
and give thanks for its life-giving nourishment
Holy Spirit, brand our hearts with the eternal flame of your love,
that we may become the bearers of peace, beauty, hope, harmony and Reconciliation.
This week’s prayer reflects the significant commitment that Sacred Heart College took recently by commencing the journey towards becoming a FIRE (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) Carrier school. This program is a way for Catholic schools to promote respect, fairness and inclusion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples committing our school community to a covenant, a partnership towards reconciliation.
2026 Year 7 & 10 Laptop Purchases
Next year will be the third and final year in Sacred Heart College’s transition to a parent-purchase model of student laptops. In the first week of next term, families will be provided with details on the laptops to be purchased as well as access to the school portals to facilitate these orders.
As has been the case in previous years, parents are expected to purchase the nominated device via the school portal using the nominated provider (Learning with Technology). Sacred Heart College will not provide network access to devices purchased or sourced externally
At this stage, we anticipate the Year 7 device to cost around $1200 and the Year 10 device to cost approximately $1750.
Introducing the 2026 Senior Cabinet
Congratulations to all Year 10 & 11 students who applied for a Senior Cabinet position for 2026. Putting your hand up to be a leader is never easy and Sacred Heart College is blessed with the quality of young people who have the courage to do so.
Congratulations to those students selected as student leaders in the 2026 Sacred Heart College Senior Cabinet:
College Captain: Catherine Mahony, Sam Haslett (Sam is absent from the photo due to representing SHC at the State Basketball Final)
Faith Captain: Ella Takos (Absent from photo on the day)
Academic Captain: Matisse Donnellon, Stella Gray
Applied Learning Captain: Saffron Thek, Arabella Worm
Culture Captain: Mila Pereira, Erika Mifsud
Mercy Justice Captain: Blake Durrant
Public Speaking and Debating: Danika Wozniak
Sports Captain: Alex Daly, Wynta Callander, Holly McQueen
Wellbeing Captain: Elissa Mazou, Sophie Dunn
Sustainability Captain: Kacey Schulz
Arts Captains: Emily Turner, Charlotte Graham
Bereavement: Your prayers are asked for the Linton-Parker family on the recent passing of Rhoda Parker, grandmother of Declan, Year 11. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Yours in Mercy,
Dr Darren Egberts
Principal
FIRE Carriers - Kacey (Yr 11) and Saul Travers-Hucker
FIRE stands for Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education. It’s a project that promotes respect, fairness, and inclusion for First Nations Peoples.
FIRE Carriers are students and staff who are passionate about learning more about First Nations culture and history, and who want to share that knowledge in our school and community. Their role is to promote Reconciliation by helping us all build respect and understanding.
Last week I, Olivia from Year 7, Alex from Year 8, and Molly from Year 9 went to Melbourne with Ms Stehle and Mr Travers to be commissioned as FIRE Carriers.
It was an amazing experience.
We gathered in a space surrounded by powerful artwork, with symbols of the Aboriginal flag and the Catholic cross side by side. We learned about the history of the FIRE Carrier program, how other schools are putting it into action, and we came away with plenty of ideas for how we will help close the gap and make change happen here at Sacred Heart. I have a whole list of ideas in my notes just from listening to all the things different schools have done.
The commissioning ceremony took place outside in the garden. We stood in a circle, read out the role of a FIRE Carrier, and presented our Covenant we had been preparing to Elder Sherry Balcombe, who led the ceremony. She warmed her hands over the fire and then placed them near our heads, hearts, and hands, declaring us FIRE Carriers – people called to help bring change and respect into our communities. Being commissioned through the Fire Ceremony, which is different from a Smoking Ceremony, means we can now lead the commissioning ceremony at Sacred Heart. A Smoking Ceremony is a sacred cultural practice that only First Nations people can do, while the Fire Ceremony is how we were welcomed and given this role. We look forward to commissioning more FIRE Carriers next term.
Our Covenant is a living document that reflects our faith and values. It sets out goals and actions that we, as a school, commit to each year and is reviewed annually. It’s written together by staff, students, and the school community and is supported by our College Leadership Team. Through this Covenant we join with other FIRE Carrier schools in working for Reconciliation and cultural safety. You can read our Covenant here.
As part of the program, we also support the Opening the Doors Foundation, which helps First Nations families have greater choice in education and works to improve outcomes for First Nations students across Victoria. In 2025 the Opening the Doors Foundation has ensured that over 1000 First Nations students in Victoria have received vital support - From school uniforms to books, laptops and shoes. This support means opening doors that may otherwise have remained closed.
Being commissioned is only the beginning. We hope that our community will work with us in living out the Covenant because real change isn’t just needed, it’s needed now.
If you have questions about the FIRE Carrier program at Sacred Heart, you can contact Mr Travers
Student Bus Travel
Over the last month it has been identified in a number of ongoing instances, of students travelling on a bus they are not approved to travel on. This is a breach of the agreed conditions of travel that every student and their family have agreed to, and where an ongoing pattern is identified, it can lead to the student’s suspension from all travel under the school bus program.
Kyneton High School( Co-ordinating School) for the School Bus Program are working with the bus operators (Organ’s and Dyson’s) and their drivers to ensure that all attempts at unapproved travel are reported for follow up and consequences. To assist the identification of students, and to ensure they are only boarding their approved service, we implemented coloured bus passes this year. Every student has been provided with a card for each service they are approved to travel on.
From the commencement of Term 4, it is expected that every student will present their bus pass to the driver as they board the bus in the morning and the afternoon. If a student has lost their card, they should request a replacement from our Bus Coordinator, Melinda Plumb. If a student attempts to travel on another student’s card, it will be considered a breach of the conditions by both students with appropriate consequences to follow.
Please refer to the link below for general conditions of travel relating to appropriate behaviour on the school bus. If students witness inappropriate behaviour by other travellers, they are encouraged to report it through their school so that action can be taken. The drivers don’t always see all inappropriate behaviour as they are concentrating on driving the bus safely. It is therefore incumbent on all travellers to support the safe operation of the services by reporting problems.
If your child is not using the Government Bus Program anymore, can you please email Melinda Plumb mplumb@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au
Year 12 RE Service Groups
During their RE lessons this term, Year 12 students have taken part in a service group project. This demonstrated their understanding and practical application of everyday courage, and which reflect the Kingdom of God. These groups included: cooking for a food bank, tree planting and sustainability experiences, visiting residents at RM Begg in Kyneton, and creating crafts for McAuley Community Services for Women.
Students contributed to:
Preparing 150 sausage rolls
Cooking 12 kilos of bolognese sauce
Baking 150 cookies
Plating 120 trees with Campaspe River & Land Management Group
Creating approximately 50 soft toys, games and activities for young children
Conversations with 20 aged care residents
Some student feedback:
“Going to visit the seniors of Kyneton and surrounds was really fulfilling for both the seniors and us Year 12s as a group. I had a lovely time reconnecting with my old neighbour and a lot of my friends were able to form some meaningful relationships with residents. Music, laughter, wise words and smiles filled the rooms as we conversed, and we will all be forever grateful for this opportunity of connection.” Astrid
“It was such an insightful and eye opening experience to have Hayley from McAuley Services come in and talk to us about their mission. It was also such a bonding and unique experience to be creating toys for the children affected by these unfortunate circumstances and to know we were making a true difference. We have all been truly blessed to be part of this experience.” Alice
“As well as caring for the local environment, we also took a visit to 3 local op shops in Kyneton, including The Prevolved Pedlar, The Kindness Collective and Salvos and used our fast fashion knowledge to help out and get to know what happens behind the scenes. Overall, the group loved enhancing our local environment and helping our community out.” Monique
“The cooking service group for RE was a unique experience. It was interesting to prepare food for those who need it most. We learned skills vital for our future learning outside of school.” Jack
Thank you to the service group leaders and Y12 RE teachers: Mr Ben Gallagher, Mr Chris McBrearty, Mr Paul Matthews, and Mrs Philippa Spring.
Thank you to the Year 12s of 2025! May you continue to demonstrate the Mercy values in all that you go on to do.
Term 3: A big term of learning!
Recently I had the opportunity to spend half an hour in conversation with an astrophysicist - a scientist whose area of interest and expertise is the study of the cosmos. They held a deep mathematical appreciation of how the fabric of the universe has been formed and how it behaves. It was a remarkable conversation for many reasons, and I came away from it feeling joyfully humbled by the boundless capacity of the human intellect.
There were two things they said that have continued to resonate with me. Firstly, they observed that for any learning to stay with us, it must speak not only to our memory banks, but also, and more importantly, to our imagination. Their point was that our sense of imagination is at the heart of all our learning endeavours, and that as such, our imagination must be nurtured and treasured.
The second thing they said was that they considered the process of learning as being engaged in 'a conversation with the universe'. There is so much that we do not know - and this is tremendously exciting. Our universe is over 93 billion light years wide, and each school day we step a little closer to understanding the beauty and importance of our place within it.
This is the endeavour we embark on each day at Sacred Heart College. We reach out, with open hearts, and with a spirit of imagination, to engage in a conversation with the universe. And as people of Mercy, we proclaim with joy that this is a universe made from, and imbued with, the Spirit of love.
Over the past 9 weeks, there have been many 'conversations with the universe', as our students have engaged in rich learning experiences in classrooms, on ski slopes, on sporting fields, on the stage, in workplaces and in the company of each other. We hope that all students feel a sense of pride in their achievements and accomplishments over the past term, and that they all enjoy a well-deserved break over the holidays.
Term 3 SPIs (September 2025)
Thank you for your many conversations with our teachers over the past week as part of the Term 3 Student Progress Interviews. Our SPIs are an important means of working in partnership with you, as together we nurture the learning journey of each student.
If you were unable to book an SPI with a particular teacher, you may like to consider connecting with them via email early in Term 4. As a general rule, emails that outline 1-2 specific questions about your child’s progress may assist teachers to offer a learning-focused response.
Senior Boys Basketball – State Championships
Our Senior Boys Basketball team represented the school with pride and determination at the State Championships. The boys played incredibly well, winning all three of their pool games against Galen College Wangaratta, Ballarat High School, and Catherine McAuley College.
Captain, Sam Haslett, was a standout across the day, leading the team in scoring in every match and setting the tone with his leadership on and off the court.
After topping their pool, the team advanced to the final against Templestowe College. It was a hard-fought contest with both teams playing at an exceptional level. Despite a strong effort, our boys went down by 12 points.
To finish runners-up out of over 400 schools who entered the Senior Boys competition is an outstanding achievement. It was a fantastic day of competitive basketball, and the boys should be extremely proud of their efforts.
A special thank you to the parents who came along to support the team on the day.
VCE Music Recital - Celia Gall, VCE Music Teacher
The VCE Music Students each performed their complete program at the VCE Music Recital last Thursday 11 September. There was a large audience in attendance who really enjoyed watching these talented musicians perform.
They each created a 20 minute program during the year which included a variety of styles and techniques. Well done to you all.
Show Band - Josh McGuffie, Director of Music
The Sacred Heart Show Band were lucky to attend a special recording day, run by professional sound engineers Andy Irvine and Mark Lyall. The event was held in the hall of the Daylesford Brass Band.
The band recorded multiple songs, including Jungle Boogie, Old Time Rock & Roll, It Don’t Mean a Thing, Oye Como Va, Sesame Street and Burritos to Go. VCE students Amelia Walsh, Angus Smith and Lachlan Hyatt were also able to record songs they are preparing for their upcoming performance examinations.
The Show Band was ably led, as always by Sarah Gill, with assistance from Sue Morris and Mark Roberts. All had a wonderful time performing music, whilst also learning plenty about microphone placement and various recording techniques. Angus Smith and Kai Yai, Sacred Heart Music Captains, communicated their gratitude and appreciation to Andy and Mark for giving up their time, on behalf of the Show Band.
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.
Tuesday 7 October, 6:00pm to 7:30 pm
Mary Moloney Theatre
Free admission
Werribee Zoo - Sienna Telfer
The recent excursion to Werribee Zoo for our animal care class was a great experience that provided us with an insight in the field of professional animal care. We had the opportunity to see parts of the zoo that are generally closed to the public and get a behind-the-scenes look. We were shown how the keepers monitor the health of the animals and make sure their enclosures are enriched to suit their physical and emotional needs.
Seeing the veterinary facilities and learning how the zoo's staff provide care to such a diverse range of animals was one of the highlights. The significance of conservation, animal welfare, and how their daily schedules are planned to match the animals' natural behaviors were other topics we discussed with the keepers. Seeing how much effort and attention to detail they put into their job was fascinating.
The skills and responsibilities needed in the animal care sector were demonstrated to us on the excursion, which provided us with a real-world perspective that was closely related to what we study in class. It was memorable and educational at the same time.
Notre excursion en France! - Charlotte Graham
Last Friday, the Year 10 and 11 French students travelled back in time to the French impressionism exhibition at the NGV.
Filled with beautiful landscapes and inviting colours we got to see famous artists like Renoir, Van Gogh, Cézanne and many more. The aim of our excursion was to immerse the students in French culture, and of course to have fun exploring paintings from the peak of the Impressionist era.
The exhibition was absolutely stunning, each room carefully curated to suit the aesthetic and stories being depicted in each painting; everything down to the carpets were made to suit the exhibition’s purpose, meanings and messages. We unfortunately only had a little short of two hours to see the exhibition, but you could have easily spent many more studying the intricate and impressive details in each of the paintings; each one showing off unique skill and talent that these famous artists utilised to make their Impressionist pieces stand out.
We continued our French immersion by attending two French restaurants - 'Roule Galette' and ‘Croque-Monsieur’ - where they had huge selections of galettes and crêpes. There was so much to eat that we didn't know where to begin, everything was so delicious. But nothing beat 'La Lotus' - a crêpe that was filled with ice cream, homemade salted caramel and biscoff!
We highly recommend visiting the French Impressionism exhibition before it makes its departure across the world once again in October. You only get so many opportunities to say that you’ve seen Van Gogh! And the next time you're looking for a nice place to eat in Melbourne, go to Roule Galette for delicious French cuisine.
À bientôt!
Berthe Mouchette competition - Alice Conaglen
Earlier this year, the Year 12 French class was enrolled to participate in the ‘Alliance française’ Berthe Mouchette poetry and speaking competition . We all participated in a 7 minute long zoom call where we engaged in general conversation for a few minutes with an assessor and then recited a French poem by heart.
The options we could choose from were "Au bord de l’eau" by René-François Sully Prudhomme or “Aimer à perdre la raison” by Louis Aragon. There was some nervous excitement in the days leading up to the event, but overall, we all found it a wonderful experience and a good opportunity to practice our speaking skills in a slightly more formal avenue especially with our final oral exams fast approaching. I think we all got a lot out of the experience, myself especially.
I was lucky enough to be selected for the second round as a finalist. This event was also held over zoom on the 13th and 14th of September, however this component of the competition was only general conversation about my own engagement with the French language and culture. Overall, the experience has vastly improved my French speaking skills to strangers and made me more confident in my abilities.
Thanks to Madame Slootjes for her help in preparing us all for the competition and for generously giving her time to me in the week leading up to the finals. She’s an amazing mentor to all of us VCE French students and we couldn’t have done it without her. Merci!
Year 8 Live4Life Celebration
On Thursday 11 September, our Year 8 students came together to celebrate the culmination of their work with the council’s Live4Life program. After exploring important topics around teen mental health, they joined students from neighbouring schools to recognise their achievements and growth.
The day was full of fun, learning, and connection — from popcorn and a petting zoo to interactive activities with headspace and mental health promotion stalls. The highlight? A baby goat that quickly became the students’ favourite companion of the day!
Through the celebration, key messages about the importance of mental health, self-care, and seeking support were reinforced, providing a fantastic foundation for ongoing discussions in our pastoral care lessons.
A huge thank you to our Year 8 team for guiding and supporting the students, to Mr Carrol for his brilliant organisation, and to the dedicated Live4Life team for making the day such a memorable experience.
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.
HPE Week and Annual Staff vs Students Netball Match
Health and PE Week once again brought with it one of Sacred Heart College’s most anticipated and entertaining traditions – the Annual Staff versus Students Netball Match. The walls of Quambi were bursting with excitement as students from across the school packed in shoulder-to-shoulder to watch the clash of the year. The crowd was so loud that the poor umpires’ whistles barely stood a chance of being heard!
Over 40 Year 12s graced the court throughout the game, rotating in and out in an all-out effort to topple their teachers. Despite their sheer numbers, energy, and enthusiasm, the outcome was clear from the very first whistle: the staff were simply in another league. With calm leadership, sharp passing, and deadly accurate shooting, the staff outclassed the students in every quarter, powering to a commanding 20–8 win.
The students gave it everything - there were plenty of bumps, obstructions, and contacts as they tried to break down the wall of staff defence—but in the end, their efforts weren’t nearly enough. The staff played with poise, skill, and maybe even a touch of swagger, proving that experience really does trump youth (at least on a netball court!).
A huge thank you goes out to our umpires, who somehow managed to keep order despite the chaos and the deafening cheers, and to every player who took part in the spirited showdown.
The “Team of the Match” will be announced soon, though if you ask the staff, the answer seems fairly obvious already. Better luck next year, Year 12s - the trophy is staying right where it belongs!
On behalf of the HPE Staff
Career Pathways Presentation by the Australian Defence Force, with Corporal Boe Cameron and Corporal Alex O’Neill
The Careers Team recently held an information session with representatives from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) providing students an overview of career options and pathways within the ADF.
The session, aimed at senior students considering their future after high school, showcased various ADF career opportunities available and highlighted the broad range of roles from engineering and logistics to healthcare, trades, and leadership positions.
Students gained insight into the lifestyle, training, and education opportunities offered by the ADF, whilst speakers shared their personal stories and experiences, giving a genuine look into military life and the diverse paths available to recruits.
A key focus of the session was the variety of entry points into the ADF, including university sponsorships, apprenticeships, and the gap year program being popular for students wanting to gain experience before committing to long-term study or work.
A key message was the ADF offers more than just combat roles, it’s a large professional organisation requiring people of different ages, backgrounds, genders and skills, offering a variety of study and career opportunities that students may not have previously considered.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council - What's on over the holidays!
Prayer
Holy Spirit, be on our lips, that we may speak the truth in kindness,
put your glow in our eyes, that we may see what is good in life and in all people
Holy Spirit, burn in our ears, that we may hear with deep listening,
be in our arms and hands, that we may serve others with care
Holy Spirit, be in our legs and feet so that we may walk the earth with respect
and give thanks for its life-giving nourishment
Holy Spirit, brand our hearts with the eternal flame of your love,
that we may become the bearers of peace, beauty, hope, harmony and Reconciliation.
This week’s prayer reflects the significant commitment that Sacred Heart College took recently by commencing the journey towards becoming a FIRE (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) Carrier school. This program is a way for Catholic schools to promote respect, fairness and inclusion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples committing our school community to a covenant, a partnership towards reconciliation.
2026 Year 7 & 10 Laptop Purchases
Next year will be the third and final year in Sacred Heart College’s transition to a parent-purchase model of student laptops. In the first week of next term, families will be provided with details on the laptops to be purchased as well as access to the school portals to facilitate these orders.
As has been the case in previous years, parents are expected to purchase the nominated device via the school portal using the nominated provider (Learning with Technology). Sacred Heart College will not provide network access to devices purchased or sourced externally
At this stage, we anticipate the Year 7 device to cost around $1200 and the Year 10 device to cost approximately $1750.
Introducing the 2026 Senior Cabinet
Congratulations to all Year 10 & 11 students who applied for a Senior Cabinet position for 2026. Putting your hand up to be a leader is never easy and Sacred Heart College is blessed with the quality of young people who have the courage to do so.
Congratulations to those students selected as student leaders in the 2026 Sacred Heart College Senior Cabinet:
College Captain: Catherine Mahony, Sam Haslett (Sam is absent from the photo due to representing SHC at the State Basketball Final)
Faith Captain: Ella Takos (Absent from photo on the day)
Academic Captain: Matisse Donnellon, Stella Gray
Applied Learning Captain: Saffron Thek, Arabella Worm
Culture Captain: Mila Pereira, Erika Mifsud
Mercy Justice Captain: Blake Durrant
Public Speaking and Debating: Danika Wozniak
Sports Captain: Alex Daly, Wynta Callander, Holly McQueen
Wellbeing Captain: Elissa Mazou, Sophie Dunn
Sustainability Captain: Kacey Schulz
Arts Captains: Emily Turner, Charlotte Graham
Bereavement: Your prayers are asked for the Linton-Parker family on the recent passing of Rhoda Parker, grandmother of Declan, Year 11. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Yours in Mercy,
Dr Darren Egberts
Principal
FIRE Carriers - Kacey (Yr 11) and Saul Travers-Hucker
FIRE stands for Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education. It’s a project that promotes respect, fairness, and inclusion for First Nations Peoples.
FIRE Carriers are students and staff who are passionate about learning more about First Nations culture and history, and who want to share that knowledge in our school and community. Their role is to promote Reconciliation by helping us all build respect and understanding.
Last week I, Olivia from Year 7, Alex from Year 8, and Molly from Year 9 went to Melbourne with Ms Stehle and Mr Travers to be commissioned as FIRE Carriers.
It was an amazing experience.
We gathered in a space surrounded by powerful artwork, with symbols of the Aboriginal flag and the Catholic cross side by side. We learned about the history of the FIRE Carrier program, how other schools are putting it into action, and we came away with plenty of ideas for how we will help close the gap and make change happen here at Sacred Heart. I have a whole list of ideas in my notes just from listening to all the things different schools have done.
The commissioning ceremony took place outside in the garden. We stood in a circle, read out the role of a FIRE Carrier, and presented our Covenant we had been preparing to Elder Sherry Balcombe, who led the ceremony. She warmed her hands over the fire and then placed them near our heads, hearts, and hands, declaring us FIRE Carriers – people called to help bring change and respect into our communities. Being commissioned through the Fire Ceremony, which is different from a Smoking Ceremony, means we can now lead the commissioning ceremony at Sacred Heart. A Smoking Ceremony is a sacred cultural practice that only First Nations people can do, while the Fire Ceremony is how we were welcomed and given this role. We look forward to commissioning more FIRE Carriers next term.
Our Covenant is a living document that reflects our faith and values. It sets out goals and actions that we, as a school, commit to each year and is reviewed annually. It’s written together by staff, students, and the school community and is supported by our College Leadership Team. Through this Covenant we join with other FIRE Carrier schools in working for Reconciliation and cultural safety. You can read our Covenant here.
As part of the program, we also support the Opening the Doors Foundation, which helps First Nations families have greater choice in education and works to improve outcomes for First Nations students across Victoria. In 2025 the Opening the Doors Foundation has ensured that over 1000 First Nations students in Victoria have received vital support - From school uniforms to books, laptops and shoes. This support means opening doors that may otherwise have remained closed.
Being commissioned is only the beginning. We hope that our community will work with us in living out the Covenant because real change isn’t just needed, it’s needed now.
If you have questions about the FIRE Carrier program at Sacred Heart, you can contact Mr Travers
Student Bus Travel
Over the last month it has been identified in a number of ongoing instances, of students travelling on a bus they are not approved to travel on. This is a breach of the agreed conditions of travel that every student and their family have agreed to, and where an ongoing pattern is identified, it can lead to the student’s suspension from all travel under the school bus program.
Kyneton High School( Co-ordinating School) for the School Bus Program are working with the bus operators (Organ’s and Dyson’s) and their drivers to ensure that all attempts at unapproved travel are reported for follow up and consequences. To assist the identification of students, and to ensure they are only boarding their approved service, we implemented coloured bus passes this year. Every student has been provided with a card for each service they are approved to travel on.
From the commencement of Term 4, it is expected that every student will present their bus pass to the driver as they board the bus in the morning and the afternoon. If a student has lost their card, they should request a replacement from our Bus Coordinator, Melinda Plumb. If a student attempts to travel on another student’s card, it will be considered a breach of the conditions by both students with appropriate consequences to follow.
Please refer to the link below for general conditions of travel relating to appropriate behaviour on the school bus. If students witness inappropriate behaviour by other travellers, they are encouraged to report it through their school so that action can be taken. The drivers don’t always see all inappropriate behaviour as they are concentrating on driving the bus safely. It is therefore incumbent on all travellers to support the safe operation of the services by reporting problems.
If your child is not using the Government Bus Program anymore, can you please email Melinda Plumb mplumb@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au
Year 12 RE Service Groups
During their RE lessons this term, Year 12 students have taken part in a service group project. This demonstrated their understanding and practical application of everyday courage, and which reflect the Kingdom of God. These groups included: cooking for a food bank, tree planting and sustainability experiences, visiting residents at RM Begg in Kyneton, and creating crafts for McAuley Community Services for Women.
Students contributed to:
Preparing 150 sausage rolls
Cooking 12 kilos of bolognese sauce
Baking 150 cookies
Plating 120 trees with Campaspe River & Land Management Group
Creating approximately 50 soft toys, games and activities for young children
Conversations with 20 aged care residents
Some student feedback:
“Going to visit the seniors of Kyneton and surrounds was really fulfilling for both the seniors and us Year 12s as a group. I had a lovely time reconnecting with my old neighbour and a lot of my friends were able to form some meaningful relationships with residents. Music, laughter, wise words and smiles filled the rooms as we conversed, and we will all be forever grateful for this opportunity of connection.” Astrid
“It was such an insightful and eye opening experience to have Hayley from McAuley Services come in and talk to us about their mission. It was also such a bonding and unique experience to be creating toys for the children affected by these unfortunate circumstances and to know we were making a true difference. We have all been truly blessed to be part of this experience.” Alice
“As well as caring for the local environment, we also took a visit to 3 local op shops in Kyneton, including The Prevolved Pedlar, The Kindness Collective and Salvos and used our fast fashion knowledge to help out and get to know what happens behind the scenes. Overall, the group loved enhancing our local environment and helping our community out.” Monique
“The cooking service group for RE was a unique experience. It was interesting to prepare food for those who need it most. We learned skills vital for our future learning outside of school.” Jack
Thank you to the service group leaders and Y12 RE teachers: Mr Ben Gallagher, Mr Chris McBrearty, Mr Paul Matthews, and Mrs Philippa Spring.
Thank you to the Year 12s of 2025! May you continue to demonstrate the Mercy values in all that you go on to do.
Term 3: A big term of learning!
Recently I had the opportunity to spend half an hour in conversation with an astrophysicist - a scientist whose area of interest and expertise is the study of the cosmos. They held a deep mathematical appreciation of how the fabric of the universe has been formed and how it behaves. It was a remarkable conversation for many reasons, and I came away from it feeling joyfully humbled by the boundless capacity of the human intellect.
There were two things they said that have continued to resonate with me. Firstly, they observed that for any learning to stay with us, it must speak not only to our memory banks, but also, and more importantly, to our imagination. Their point was that our sense of imagination is at the heart of all our learning endeavours, and that as such, our imagination must be nurtured and treasured.
The second thing they said was that they considered the process of learning as being engaged in 'a conversation with the universe'. There is so much that we do not know - and this is tremendously exciting. Our universe is over 93 billion light years wide, and each school day we step a little closer to understanding the beauty and importance of our place within it.
This is the endeavour we embark on each day at Sacred Heart College. We reach out, with open hearts, and with a spirit of imagination, to engage in a conversation with the universe. And as people of Mercy, we proclaim with joy that this is a universe made from, and imbued with, the Spirit of love.
Over the past 9 weeks, there have been many 'conversations with the universe', as our students have engaged in rich learning experiences in classrooms, on ski slopes, on sporting fields, on the stage, in workplaces and in the company of each other. We hope that all students feel a sense of pride in their achievements and accomplishments over the past term, and that they all enjoy a well-deserved break over the holidays.
Term 3 SPIs (September 2025)
Thank you for your many conversations with our teachers over the past week as part of the Term 3 Student Progress Interviews. Our SPIs are an important means of working in partnership with you, as together we nurture the learning journey of each student.
If you were unable to book an SPI with a particular teacher, you may like to consider connecting with them via email early in Term 4. As a general rule, emails that outline 1-2 specific questions about your child’s progress may assist teachers to offer a learning-focused response.
Senior Boys Basketball – State Championships
Our Senior Boys Basketball team represented the school with pride and determination at the State Championships. The boys played incredibly well, winning all three of their pool games against Galen College Wangaratta, Ballarat High School, and Catherine McAuley College.
Captain, Sam Haslett, was a standout across the day, leading the team in scoring in every match and setting the tone with his leadership on and off the court.
After topping their pool, the team advanced to the final against Templestowe College. It was a hard-fought contest with both teams playing at an exceptional level. Despite a strong effort, our boys went down by 12 points.
To finish runners-up out of over 400 schools who entered the Senior Boys competition is an outstanding achievement. It was a fantastic day of competitive basketball, and the boys should be extremely proud of their efforts.
A special thank you to the parents who came along to support the team on the day.
VCE Music Recital - Celia Gall, VCE Music Teacher
The VCE Music Students each performed their complete program at the VCE Music Recital last Thursday 11 September. There was a large audience in attendance who really enjoyed watching these talented musicians perform.
They each created a 20 minute program during the year which included a variety of styles and techniques. Well done to you all.
Show Band - Josh McGuffie, Director of Music
The Sacred Heart Show Band were lucky to attend a special recording day, run by professional sound engineers Andy Irvine and Mark Lyall. The event was held in the hall of the Daylesford Brass Band.
The band recorded multiple songs, including Jungle Boogie, Old Time Rock & Roll, It Don’t Mean a Thing, Oye Como Va, Sesame Street and Burritos to Go. VCE students Amelia Walsh, Angus Smith and Lachlan Hyatt were also able to record songs they are preparing for their upcoming performance examinations.
The Show Band was ably led, as always by Sarah Gill, with assistance from Sue Morris and Mark Roberts. All had a wonderful time performing music, whilst also learning plenty about microphone placement and various recording techniques. Angus Smith and Kai Yai, Sacred Heart Music Captains, communicated their gratitude and appreciation to Andy and Mark for giving up their time, on behalf of the Show Band.
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.
Tuesday 7 October, 6:00pm to 7:30 pm
Mary Moloney Theatre
Free admission
Werribee Zoo - Sienna Telfer
The recent excursion to Werribee Zoo for our animal care class was a great experience that provided us with an insight in the field of professional animal care. We had the opportunity to see parts of the zoo that are generally closed to the public and get a behind-the-scenes look. We were shown how the keepers monitor the health of the animals and make sure their enclosures are enriched to suit their physical and emotional needs.
Seeing the veterinary facilities and learning how the zoo's staff provide care to such a diverse range of animals was one of the highlights. The significance of conservation, animal welfare, and how their daily schedules are planned to match the animals' natural behaviors were other topics we discussed with the keepers. Seeing how much effort and attention to detail they put into their job was fascinating.
The skills and responsibilities needed in the animal care sector were demonstrated to us on the excursion, which provided us with a real-world perspective that was closely related to what we study in class. It was memorable and educational at the same time.
Notre excursion en France! - Charlotte Graham
Last Friday, the Year 10 and 11 French students travelled back in time to the French impressionism exhibition at the NGV.
Filled with beautiful landscapes and inviting colours we got to see famous artists like Renoir, Van Gogh, Cézanne and many more. The aim of our excursion was to immerse the students in French culture, and of course to have fun exploring paintings from the peak of the Impressionist era.
The exhibition was absolutely stunning, each room carefully curated to suit the aesthetic and stories being depicted in each painting; everything down to the carpets were made to suit the exhibition’s purpose, meanings and messages. We unfortunately only had a little short of two hours to see the exhibition, but you could have easily spent many more studying the intricate and impressive details in each of the paintings; each one showing off unique skill and talent that these famous artists utilised to make their Impressionist pieces stand out.
We continued our French immersion by attending two French restaurants - 'Roule Galette' and ‘Croque-Monsieur’ - where they had huge selections of galettes and crêpes. There was so much to eat that we didn't know where to begin, everything was so delicious. But nothing beat 'La Lotus' - a crêpe that was filled with ice cream, homemade salted caramel and biscoff!
We highly recommend visiting the French Impressionism exhibition before it makes its departure across the world once again in October. You only get so many opportunities to say that you’ve seen Van Gogh! And the next time you're looking for a nice place to eat in Melbourne, go to Roule Galette for delicious French cuisine.
À bientôt!
Berthe Mouchette competition - Alice Conaglen
Earlier this year, the Year 12 French class was enrolled to participate in the ‘Alliance française’ Berthe Mouchette poetry and speaking competition . We all participated in a 7 minute long zoom call where we engaged in general conversation for a few minutes with an assessor and then recited a French poem by heart.
The options we could choose from were "Au bord de l’eau" by René-François Sully Prudhomme or “Aimer à perdre la raison” by Louis Aragon. There was some nervous excitement in the days leading up to the event, but overall, we all found it a wonderful experience and a good opportunity to practice our speaking skills in a slightly more formal avenue especially with our final oral exams fast approaching. I think we all got a lot out of the experience, myself especially.
I was lucky enough to be selected for the second round as a finalist. This event was also held over zoom on the 13th and 14th of September, however this component of the competition was only general conversation about my own engagement with the French language and culture. Overall, the experience has vastly improved my French speaking skills to strangers and made me more confident in my abilities.
Thanks to Madame Slootjes for her help in preparing us all for the competition and for generously giving her time to me in the week leading up to the finals. She’s an amazing mentor to all of us VCE French students and we couldn’t have done it without her. Merci!
Year 8 Live4Life Celebration
On Thursday 11 September, our Year 8 students came together to celebrate the culmination of their work with the council’s Live4Life program. After exploring important topics around teen mental health, they joined students from neighbouring schools to recognise their achievements and growth.
The day was full of fun, learning, and connection — from popcorn and a petting zoo to interactive activities with headspace and mental health promotion stalls. The highlight? A baby goat that quickly became the students’ favourite companion of the day!
Through the celebration, key messages about the importance of mental health, self-care, and seeking support were reinforced, providing a fantastic foundation for ongoing discussions in our pastoral care lessons.
A huge thank you to our Year 8 team for guiding and supporting the students, to Mr Carrol for his brilliant organisation, and to the dedicated Live4Life team for making the day such a memorable experience.
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.
HPE Week and Annual Staff vs Students Netball Match
Health and PE Week once again brought with it one of Sacred Heart College’s most anticipated and entertaining traditions – the Annual Staff versus Students Netball Match. The walls of Quambi were bursting with excitement as students from across the school packed in shoulder-to-shoulder to watch the clash of the year. The crowd was so loud that the poor umpires’ whistles barely stood a chance of being heard!
Over 40 Year 12s graced the court throughout the game, rotating in and out in an all-out effort to topple their teachers. Despite their sheer numbers, energy, and enthusiasm, the outcome was clear from the very first whistle: the staff were simply in another league. With calm leadership, sharp passing, and deadly accurate shooting, the staff outclassed the students in every quarter, powering to a commanding 20–8 win.
The students gave it everything - there were plenty of bumps, obstructions, and contacts as they tried to break down the wall of staff defence—but in the end, their efforts weren’t nearly enough. The staff played with poise, skill, and maybe even a touch of swagger, proving that experience really does trump youth (at least on a netball court!).
A huge thank you goes out to our umpires, who somehow managed to keep order despite the chaos and the deafening cheers, and to every player who took part in the spirited showdown.
The “Team of the Match” will be announced soon, though if you ask the staff, the answer seems fairly obvious already. Better luck next year, Year 12s - the trophy is staying right where it belongs!
On behalf of the HPE Staff
Career Pathways Presentation by the Australian Defence Force, with Corporal Boe Cameron and Corporal Alex O’Neill
The Careers Team recently held an information session with representatives from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) providing students an overview of career options and pathways within the ADF.
The session, aimed at senior students considering their future after high school, showcased various ADF career opportunities available and highlighted the broad range of roles from engineering and logistics to healthcare, trades, and leadership positions.
Students gained insight into the lifestyle, training, and education opportunities offered by the ADF, whilst speakers shared their personal stories and experiences, giving a genuine look into military life and the diverse paths available to recruits.
A key focus of the session was the variety of entry points into the ADF, including university sponsorships, apprenticeships, and the gap year program being popular for students wanting to gain experience before committing to long-term study or work.
A key message was the ADF offers more than just combat roles, it’s a large professional organisation requiring people of different ages, backgrounds, genders and skills, offering a variety of study and career opportunities that students may not have previously considered.
