-
-
(03) 5421 1200
-
Prayer for our Common Earth
Eternal God, the whole world is full of your glory.
We bear forth the anguish of creation in the time of the
climate crisis to you.
In your grace, grant us the opportunity to do good,
as your created co-creators.
Jesus Christ, you have walked the earth
and live in our midst.
Make us sensitive to the suffering of humankind
and the entire creation.
Strengthen us in our endeavours to create a life of dignity,
in justice and solidarity with those who live and will live.
Holy Spirit, power of courage and self-control,
you speak to our consciences.
Comfort us when we suffer and are plagued by anxiety.
Make us worry when we are numb in the
calmness of complacency.
Re-create us to become what we are:
one humanity under the same sky.
This week’s prayer reflects on the universal Church’s ongoing call to integral ecology, to care for our common home. Recent weeks have seen a series of challenging even catastrophic weather events: once-in-a-century floods in North Queensland, severe heatwaves in WA, SA, Victoria and NSW, and terrifying bushfires across the nation. This prayer reminds us of Pope Francis’ prescient words in Laudato Si, that Christian mercy and justice challenges each of us to confront climate change as an existential crisis.
Welcome back to all students and families as the first week of the 2025 school year comes to a close. It was a joy to have students back on site on Monday and Tuesday and particularly the College’s newest enrolments (including 167 Year 7 students); I’m sure that each of them has experienced the very best of Mercy hospitality this week.
Beginning of Year Activities
The first two weeks of the school year have been busy for students and staff with a number of significant events:
- The first whole school gathering was held in Quambi yesterday with the celebration of the College’s Opening Mass. The mass explored the 2025 College theme, “Pilgrims of Hope” and was led by College Chaplain, Fr Declan. Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved.
- Last Friday, the teaching and education staff enjoyed a full day of professional development with renowned clinical psychologist, Andrew Fuller. The day was titled “Understanding the adolescent brain to empower inclusivity” and challenged teachers to reflect upon what recent developments in neuroscience in adolescents mean for learning outcomes in our classrooms.
- The Year 7 Transition program has been very successful with students working through a variety of activities designed to facilitate their start at Sacred Heart College. The program includes a visit to 'Splash' in Craigeburn this Friday.
- Over the next couple of weeks, parents have the opportunity to begin the school year with a casual chat to students’ homeroom teachers and Year Level Leader. Please check the College calendar for dates and times for these.
Holiday Works
Over the Christmas/New Year break, the College was a bustling construction site with a range of projects undertaken internally and with the assistance of external contractors. These include:
- Landscaping works to more closely link the Year 7 Hilary building with the portables behind and adjacent recreational areas.
- Refurbishment of the existing Principal’s office into a consolidated Year 7 – 12 Student Reception immediately adjacent to College Reception.
- Construction of new student entrance to Reception via the western side of Gabriel Sherlock.
- Removal of cypress trees on eastern edge of property.
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 Assistant, Loretta Hanns (lhanns@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au).
Bus Travel Update
Thanks to all students and families who have supported the changes to bus travel arrangements this year. Any students or parents with questions are asked to contact SHC Bus Coordinator, Melinda Plumb (mplumb@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au).
Importantly, any families or students who have been allocated a seat on a bus route and are not using that seat are asked to contact SHC and let us know.
Yours in Mercy,
Dr Darren Egberts
Principal
