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(03) 5421 1200
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Prayer
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
This week’s prayer is the very well-known Prayer of St Francis of Assisi and celebrates peace; its call to peace is universal yet particularly compelling as the world is catapulted into further conflict. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent families – parents, children, grandparents – whose lives and communities are destroyed by the violence of others regardless of the intent behind the attacks.
Related to this, the College took the difficult decision this morning to cancel the scheduled College Language tour to France. This decision is in response to the travel risks that have arisen from the current international conflict, and by the challenges with flights that have also resulted from the conflict.
Sacred Heart College Open Evening
Later this month (Thursday 26 March) is a special opportunity for the College to showcase its capacity to offer a holistic, contemporary and engaging education to prospective students and families. The College’s Open Evening will see all areas of the College’s academic and co-curricular programs on display. The evening is directed towards families considering secondary school options and, in particular, targets primary school children (aged 9 – 11) with activities that provide tasters of life at Sacred Heart College.
Additionally, the evening includes presentations by the Principal, the College’s Head of Junior School and other key staff.
Parent Involvement – College Advisory Council and College Finance Committee
Two important groups that support the operations of Sacred Heart College are the College Advisory Council and the College Finance Committee. I am looking for additional members for each committee with the departure of some longstanding members. A summary of the responsibilities of each group (as detailed by Mercy Education) is included below:
- The College Advisory Council provides a forum for discussion and discernment, where parent voice and community perspective are available to inform and support the decisions made by the Principal where students’ wellbeing and outcomes are paramount.
- The Finance Committee is responsible for the oversight of and summary reporting to College Advisory Council of the following aspects of school finances: financial performance of the College; policy matters relating to finance or capital works; recommendations on the annual budget.
I would welcome expressions of interest for either group from interested parents with appointments at the discretion of the Principal. Membership of each group is normally for two year cycles with two or three cycles preferred. Interested parents are invited to email the Principal’s Executive Assistant, Loretta Hanns (lhanns@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au).
College Music Captains
Sacred Heart College has a long and proud history of excellence in Music education with outstanding students and a fantastic teaching team. This year, the College has decided to formalise the appointments of senior students as Music Captains (and include these as part of the Senior Student Cabinet). I would like to congratulate Inga Foerster and Levi Gordon on their appointment to these roles.
College Activities
Congratulations to our Year 8 students who are enjoying the balmy autumn weather on the Surf Coast with a long weekend ahead for rest and recovery. The chance to experience the breadth of activities available in Anglesea as well as reinforcing friendships from Year 7 is a special one. There will be student reports and more photos in the next newsletter.
Last week, I was privileged to be a part of the annual Year 7 Commissioning Mass, and it is always special to reflect on the journey that these young people and their families have in front of them over the next 5 – 6 years. The next time the whole cohort will gather together at this type of event will be their Graduation Mass in October 2031!
Next week, the national NAPLAN testing period commences for students in Year 7 & 9. Although the College does not explicitly prepare students for the tests, they provide important diagnostic information for students on their learning progression as well as for Sacred Heart College on the efficacy of our pedagogy and curriculum.
Bereavements: Your prayers are asked for the following families who are mourning a loved one recently. The Byham family on the passing of John Emerson, grandfather of Henry Year 9 and Claire Year 12. Also the Whykes family on the passing of John Emerson, grandfather of Heidi Year 7. The Stewart family on the passing of Phillip Cowen, grandfather of Oscar Year 11. The Oliveri family on the passing Yvonne Kingley, grandmother of Kye Year 10.
Yours in Mercy,
Dr Darren Egberts
Principal
Learning together: Working Memory
Throughout 2026, an area of focus in our own ongoing development as educators is an appreciation of the role that working memory plays in learning. In our teaching teams and in wider conversations across the school, we will be consistently raising working memory as a key topic for discussion. For example, when making plans for our pastoral program, we will be reflecting on the knowledge that working memory is strengthened within relationships of trust and care. When addressing the challenge of student mobile phone use, we will be noting that environmental elements that divide our attention also diminish our working memory. And when trialing retrieval practices in our classrooms as part of our own action-research, we will do so with the confidence that information retrieval has benefits for both long term memory and working memory. This year-long conversation about appreciating the role that working memory plays in learning is one that we invite all families to take part in with us. As a starting point, you can find a helpful diagram depicting the relationships between environmental distractions and working memory via this link.
Senior School Learning Culture
As our Year 10s are beginning to experience, life in our Senior School entails a cultural shift, as our students take on more fully the attributes of young adulthood. There are many joys to be experienced within this shift, such as the changing dynamic of teacher-student relationships, and the greater access to choice and decision making in the direction of their studies.
Continuing to build a culture of learning that has a spirit of independence and initiative at its heart is the shared work of students, staff and families. Students who make a point of arriving at class on time, actively contributing to class activities and proactively seeking teacher feedback and advice position themselves well to experience success in their learning.
In the coming weeks of this term, we will be trialling some new approaches with our Year 12 students, in order to affirm their capacity for independence and responsibility. Beginning from the week following Year 12 Retreat, Year 12 classes where a teacher is absent for a lesson will not be staffed with a casual relief teacher. Instead, these classes will be provided with work for completion which can be undertaken independently in their ordinary classroom space. Year 12 VCE VM classes that have an absent teacher will continue to be staffed, due to the practical nature of these classes.
We will also begin to look at new arrangements for study periods that fall in a Period 1 or a Period 4, with Year 12 students to be given the option to conduct their study periods off site if they choose to. Further details about this item will be shared with Year 12 students and families before any arrangements are finalised.
Today, Sacred Heart celebrated International Women’s Day, which falls on Sunday 8 March.
We showed our support by wearing a pop of purple to school, and in Homeroom we learned about the significance of International Women’s Day and received purple IWD ribbons. The Year 7 students also joined in the celebrations by painting their fingernails purple to show their support.
Throughout the day, the usual school bells were replaced with music by inspirational female artists, adding to the celebratory atmosphere across the school.
At lunch, an IWD trivia session was held, where 11 teams competed using their best female-related general knowledge to win a tray of muffins. With topics ranging from women in sport to inspirational women in society, it was great to see so many people involved.
Overall, IWD at Sacred Heart was a huge success. It highlighted the core messages of International Women’s Day: that gender equality remains a present and relevant issue in Australia, and that it is important to celebrate the contributions of women in our society and within our own lives.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the activities, wore something purple, and helped make the day such a success.
Happy International Women’s Day! 💜
Year 7 Commissioning Mass
We recently welcomed our Year 7 students and their families to Sacred Heart College through our Year 7 Commissioning Mass.
The evening began with a simple picnic on the College grounds. Families had the opportunity to meet one another, connect with staff, and begin forming relationships that will support the years ahead. There was a strong sense of welcome as our newest students gathered for this important milestone.
As a Catholic school in the Mercy tradition, celebrating Mass is central to who we are. Mass is where we come together as a community to give thanks, listen to God’s Word, and ask for guidance for the journey ahead. Beginning the year in prayer reminds us that our learning, relationships, and shared life are grounded in faith.
During the Mass, each Year 7 student was called forward by name and presented with a candle. Inspired by Catherine McAuley’s call to be “shining lamps,” the candle symbolises the light of Christ and the beginning of their journey at Sacred Heart. It connects our students to 180 years of Mercy education in Australia and to the generations who have gathered in our Chapel over the past century.
For some families, this may have been a new or unfamiliar experience of Mass. Moments like these remind us of the quiet power of ritual. In gathering, listening, responding, and pausing together, we mark significant milestones with intention. In a fast-moving world, ritual invites us to slow down and recognise what truly matters.
Students and families made commitments to embrace the opportunities for learning, growth, leadership, and service that Sacred Heart offers.
We warmly welcome the Year 7 Class of 2026. From this good beginning, may mercy flourish.
Student Leadership Cabinet Launches the Year with Purpose
The first meeting of the Sacred Heart College Student Leadership Cabinet for 2026 brought together student leaders from across the year levels to begin turning ideas into action. Building on the momentum from their Leadership Formation Day at the end of 2025, students met with teacher leaders to continue developing their plans and priorities for the year ahead.
A key feature of the meeting was the collaboration between Senior and Junior Leaders. Our Senior Student Leaders worked alongside their junior counterparts, sharing ideas and offering guidance as they refined initiatives for their respective year levels and the wider College community. This mentoring approach supports the development of leadership skills, while strengthening connections across the Student Leadership Team.
Throughout the session, students focused on shaping practical actions that can be implemented during the remainder of Term 1. These plans will continue to evolve, with progress and new ideas to be shared at the next Student Leadership Cabinet meeting scheduled for early Term 2.
Alongside the productive discussions, the meeting also provided an opportunity for leaders to connect socially. Students enjoyed a Subway lunch together and spent time getting to know one another, strengthening the sense of community and shared purpose within the Sacred Heart College Leadership Team.
We look forward to seeing the energy, ideas and commitment of our student leaders continue to shape and enrich life at Sacred Heart College throughout the year.
Year 7 Reflection Day - Jessie 7A and Annie 7B
On our Year 7 Reflection Day there were many exciting things that happened. Caritas Ks was an opportunity for us to understand what some people in other countries have to go through every day to access clean water. We did this by carrying buckets full of water around the oval as many times as we could. 7B achieved a total of 158 laps! We also did this to raise money for Project Compassion. Thank you to those who donated to support us.
We then had a Chapel tour and Q&A led by Mr Travers-Hucker. Year 7s asked very interesting questions such as, “What does INRI on Jesus’ cross mean?” and “what is the balcony in this chapel used for?”
Also on Reflection Day we split into our Houses: McAuley, Nightingale, Chisholm or O'Neill. The Senior and Junior House Captains led the session to introduce us to the history of our House. We made posters, ribbon pins, and learned a chant or song that we can sing at the upcoming swimming and athletics carnival - a way to show our house spirit! We also played many games including tunnel ball and silent ball. After that, the Year 9 Peer Support Students supplied us with icy poles!
In our last session for the day, we designed and drew Candles of Hope which were displayed in Quambi for our Year 7 Commissioning Mass. In each session on Reflection Day, we learned about our school and the many different and interesting parts of being a Sacred Heart student.
All together the day was a blast. We can't wait to see how much we raised for Caritas Ks.
Feel free to donate to project compassion: https://www.projectcompassion.org.au/fundraisers/year7reflectionday/project-compassion
Senior Religious Education
As part of their study of Ancient and Indigenous Spirituality in Religious Education this term, our Year 10 students were privileged to hear from Sacred Heart’s own Mr Peter Webb. Mr Webb returned to the College this year after spending much of 2025 in the remote community of Jarlmadangah in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Drawing on his lived experience, Mr Webb shared valuable insights into the richness of community life and the ways in which culture is deeply interwoven with tradition and spirituality. He encouraged students to recognise the uniqueness of every culture and community, reminding us that there is much to learn when we take the time to listen with openness and respect.
We thank Mr Webb for his generous sharing of stories, photographs and reflections.
Meanwhile, our Year 12 students have been exploring the concepts of being “mind full” and “mindful,” reflecting on how contemplation and prayer can help us navigate the challenges of daily life. As part of this learning, Mr Chris McBrearty generously shared his experience of walking the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela — a journey that was not only physically demanding, but also deeply reflective. His message resonated strongly: a journey is not simply about reaching the destination, but about the growth and learning that take place along the way.
We extend our sincere thanks to Mr McBrearty for sharing his story and encouraging us all to reflect on our own journeys.
This week has been a busy week for the arts. We have officially launched three arts related clubs which are open to all year levels; DramaLlamas, That Singing Thing, and Whimsical Wednesday’s!
‘That Singing Thing’ is our school choir and we meet in the music room every Tuesday lunch. We had our first rehearsal last week where we were joined by about ten students and we started learning the song “Zombies”.
We have also launched ‘DramaLlamas’, which was a huge success, we had a huge number of students throughout the junior school levels come along and participate in a range of fun ‘improv games’ and drama activities.
Our Art’s Club, ‘Whimsical Wednesday’s’ started this week by encouraging the Year 7s to come try some water colour painting. The students each did a painting, either inspired by the fruits and flowers on display, or from their own imagination. Each student’s art was very unique and all were very creative.
Additionally, our Unit 3 Theatre Studies class had an excursion to see the new Malthouse production ‘Black Light’, which is one of the plays on this year’s VCE Theatre Studies Playlist. In Unit 3 Theatre, students analyse two professional performances and evaluate the relationship between the written script and its interpretation on stage, including decisions that have been made about acting, direction and design. They also write about the play on the end of year exam.
‘Black Light’ follows four First Nations women who are stuck together during a time where the world is drastically changing. On the Malthouse website they say “Black Light is a play about finding our way back to ourselves, to Country and to the people we love, when everything else tries to tear us apart.” and the play explores intergenerational wisdom, trauma, and survival in a colonial world".
Everyone really enjoyed the play and we stayed back to ask the actors and assistant director some questions that can further help us in studying the play. Overall, it was a great day out and we look forward to working on it more.
We have lots more Arts Events happening between now and the end of term, so please check out the calendar and attached and to see what's coming up!
Intermediate Boys Volleyball
The Year 9/10 volleyball day was a mix of tough lessons and proud moments. We came out strong in our first match, but despite some great rallies and solid teamwork, we ended up losing that one.
The second game was even more challenging, and although we tried to stay positive and communicate better on the court, the other team was just too consistent.
By the third match, we were determined not to go home without a win. Our serves were sharper, our passes were cleaner, and everyone gave it their full effort. When we finally won that last game, it felt so rewarding because we didn’t give up after the earlier losses.
Even though we lost two matches, the day taught us resilience, teamwork, and how good it feels to finish strong.
Amy Vanderham
Intermediate Girls Volleyball
On Friday 20 February, 16 Year 9 girls represented our school at the Interschool Volleyball Competition. It was a really fun and active day where everyone worked together and supported each other.
Group One played first against Hume Secondary College. They were a strong team and made us work hard for every point. There were some challenging moments, but our teamwork and constant encouragement helped us stay positive. We had some great rallies and won some awesome points, which led to an exciting win. Everyone was proud and we celebrated before getting ready for the next game.
Group Two then played against Mount Ridley, who were also very strong. We had some great saves, long rallies and lots of cheering from the sidelines. Even though we tried our best, we unfortunately lost and didn’t move on to the next round.
Even though we didn’t get to play a third match, the day was still a success. We had lots of fun, bonded as a team and enjoyed meeting other schools. We left feeling proud, with stronger friendships and big smiles on our faces.
Calista Smith - Year 9
Lexie Cameron Competes In Interschool Dressage Competition
Year 10 student Lexie Cameron recently represented Sacred Heart College Kyneton at the Geelong Grammar School Dressage Day, held at Werribee on Friday 27 February 2026 as part of the interschools competition.
Competing with her horse Farn, Lexie completed two dressage tests during the event. In her first test she achieved a strong 69.167%, followed by 62.5% in her second test.
While there was no placing on this occasion, Lexie was very pleased with the results and performance overall. The event also marked an important milestone, as it was Lexie and Farn’s first time competing together at an interschools competition.
Congratulations to Lexie on a great effort and a successful first interschools outing with Farn. We look forward to seeing what they achieve next.
Intermediate Boys Cricket
Due to the amount of teams on the day and the late start, we were only able to compete in one game. Sadly by the time we were able to commence our game, we were reduced to 30 min innings which worked out to be an 8 over game.
Sacred Heart were able to reach 3 for 44 in their 8 overs after some very good bowling from Hume Secondary College.
In reply Hume managed to get the runs in 5 overs reaching 1 for 45 in that time. Our boys tried hard but were unable to match Hume on the day.
Asthma Action Plans
We are pleased to inform you that Sacred Heart College takes its responsibilities to students with Asthma very seriously.
Thank you to those parents who have taken the time to have their child’s Asthma Action Plan completed by a Medical Practitioner. If you have not had your child’s Asthma Action Plan completed for the 2026 school year, could you please have this completed by your child’s Medical Practitioner and uploaded to your child’s PAM medical profile at your earliest possible convenience.
If you have any queries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Jalna Holmes, Health Centre Coordinator, at the College on 54211200.
Medication Safety
Students cannot keep medications in their school bags, lockers or on their person due to safety concerns. To ensure safe administration and storage of medications, any student requiring medication while at school must hand their medication into FIRST AID where it will be stored in a locked cupboard. Medication needs to be clearly labelled with the student’s name and in its original packaging. All medication needs to be accompanied by a completed Medical Authority Form. A Medical Authority Form can be found on PAM and on the College website or via this link https://www.shckyneton.catholic.edu.au/our-college/policies-and-forms
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact Health Centre Coordinator, Jalna Holmes at the College on 5421 1200.
Sacred Heart College is proud to be a FIRE Carrier School.
FIRE stands for Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education. Facilitated through Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, the program invites Catholic schools to make a clear and practical commitment to reconciliation through faith, learning, and action.
As a Catholic School in the Mercy Tradition, this commitment reflects who we are. Reconciliation flows from our Gospel call and our Mercy values of justice, respect, compassion and courage.
Through the FIRE Carrier program, we are also partnered with the 'Opening the Doors Foundation,' which works to improve educational outcomes for First Nations students across Victoria. In 2025 alone, more than 1000 students have been supported with essentials such as uniforms, books and laptops. This work of justice removes barriers and helps ensure education becomes a genuine pathway for young people to flourish.
At the heart of our commitment is our Covenant. It declares our intention to stand in solidarity with First Nations peoples and to walk the path toward meaningful reconciliation. The Covenant is guided by three pillars: Spirituality; Practical Reconciliation and Justice; and Cultural Recognition and Awareness.
As part of living these commitments, we are updating our address lines to acknowledge that Sacred Heart College is located on Taungurung Country. We warmly encourage families and community members to include “Taungurung Country” when addressing mail to the College, and to learn about the Traditional Custodians of the land where you live, work, and play.
Naming Country acknowledges more than 60,000 years of resilient connection to land, culture and community, and reminds us that reconciliation begins with truth and awareness.
As a Mercy community, we remain committed to walking the path of reconciliation, gently and justly, together.
Debating
Our Junior and Senior debaters have launched this year’s competition with enthusiasm and confidence.
In Round 1 of the Debaters Association of Victoria (DAV) online competition on Wednesday afternoon, our D Grade team — Ben, Hugh and Bailey — presented the affirmative case that camping should be free in all national parks across Australia. In a closely contested debate, they were narrowly defeated by just one point.
Competing in C Grade - Matilda, Stella and Charleigh argued that airlines should be banned from overbooking flights. The team secured a well-earned victory while further refining their skills and teamwork.
Rounding out the evening, our Senior team — Will, Levi and Eamon took the affirmative position on the topic that the cosmetics and fashion industries do more harm than good. The team delivered a strong performance to claim the win, with Levi recognised as Best Speaker for the debate.
Congratulations to all our debaters on an excellent start to the season!
If you would like to read more about our Parent Engagement Program, click the link below. It includes the dates of the coming events for 2026.
School Fee Payment Plan for 2026
School Fee Payment Plans must be completed each year, unless you are paying in full before 28 February 2026.
If you are paying School Fees in full by 28 February 2026, please deduct $250.00 per child before making the payment.
Should you be experiencing financial difficulty please contact the college Accounts Department on 5421 1218 for a Confidential Concession Application.
School Fee Payment Plan Document 2026
Health Care Card Holders – Camps, Sport & Excursions Fund (CSEF)
Camp, Sport & Excursion Fund (CSEF) is a $400.00 payment provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families with the cost of camps, excursions and sporting funds. To be eligible you will need to hold a means tested concession card or you are a temporary foster parent. Should your application be successful the college will match the $400.00 funding.
Eligible parents receive an $800.00 Credit Per Student on their 2026 school fees, when the above funding and discounts are applied.
The 2026 Application Form is now available on the College Website or attached below - https://www.shckyneton.catholi...
Youth Mental Health Action Group
Have your voice heard. Help shape what comes next!
Something new is coming for youth mental health promotion in the Macedon Ranges — and you could be part of it!
In 2026, Macedon Ranges Shire Council is launching a brand-new mental health program for secondary schools, created with young people, not just for them. This locally designed program will reflect the real experiences, strengths and challenges of growing up in our community — and we want young people at the centre of shaping it.
Council are looking for young people in Years 9–11 to join our new Youth Mental Health Action Group. This is your opportunity to work alongside other students from across the shire to design initiatives that actually matter, share your ideas, and help influence real change.
Along the way, you’ll build confidence, grow your leadership and public speaking skills, strengthen your resume, meet new people, and be part of something bigger than yourself — all while helping improve mental health and wellbeing for young people in your community. There is also the opportunity to be paid for your contribution to our co-design workshops.
Want to find out more? Join our online Information Night on Wednesday 11 March from 6–7pm (students and parents/guardians welcome). We’ll explain what’s involved and answer any questions you might have.
Register for the Information Night here: https://yoursay.mrsc.vic.gov.a...
Or to skip that step and join the group, feel free to contact Anna Macfarlane, Mental Health Programs Officer – Secondary amacfarlane@mrsc.vic.gov.au
