Principal's Message - SHC Kyneton

QUICKLINKS

Prayer

On this Ash Wednesday, we gather as a community of faith, ready to take up the challenge of Lent—to grow in mercy, act with justice, and walk as Pilgrims of Hope. This 40-day journey leading to Easter calls us to reflect, repent, and renew our hearts, opening ourselves to God’s love and transformation.

The ashes we receive today remind us of our frailty and dependence on God. As we hear the words, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," we are called to humility, renewal, and hope. The ashes are not just a sign of our mortality, but an invitation to start fresh, to turn away from what holds us back, and to embrace a life of compassion, service, and faith.

Lent is not just about giving something up, but about taking something on—choosing to grow in kindness, generosity, and love. Like the ancient Year of Jubilee, where debts were forgiven and lives renewed, we too are offered a chance to begin again.

As we enter this season, let these ashes be a sign of our commitment to change, a reminder of God’s endless mercy, and an invitation to walk forward in faith, hope, and love.

The beautiful words above featured prominently in the series of Ash Wednesday liturgies held for all students yesterday in the Sacred Heart College Chapel. The season of Lent remains a profound time of reflection in the Christian calendar and provides a dedicated period for those of faith to prepare for the events of Easter.

The Ash Wednesday also reminded students and staff of the importance of using Lent as an opportunity to support Caritas Australia (the key development arm of the Catholic Church). Every classroom and key points across the College will have Caritas giving boxes to allow students and staff the opportunity to give alms in support of those more vulnerable and in need than ourselves.

College Advisory Council

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 2025 College Advisory Council membership currently includes:

Paul Strang - Chair
Darren Egberts -  Principal
Sr Madeline Duckett rsm
Sally Emerson -  Parent
John Gordon -  Past parent
Emma Hemsley -  Parent
Bronwyn Kome -  Parent
Sam Weir/Haley Galloway -  Deputy Principals
Matthew Shaw -  Business Manager

Thanks to those parents and members of the College community who have offered support in recent months.

College Activities

The ongoing warm weather has benefited a range of important College activities:

Today, the College bade bon voyage to students and staff from our French sister school Lycee Notre Dame du Roc. Students and staff have been in the school for more than two weeks and were generously hosted by Sacred Heart College families. The College is enormously enriched by this relationship and the opportunities it provides for both schools and the broader College community. Special thanks to Kim Twilley, Cecile Slootjes and the College Language staff for all the work leading into and during the visit.

Congratulations to our junior students after two full weeks of camps. Our new Year 7 students spend three days at Kinglake with the camp providing a fantastic conclusion to the first phase of transition into secondary school. Currently, our Year 8 students are enjoying the balmy autumn weather on the Surf Coast with a long weekend ahead for rest and recovery.
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.

Bereavement - Your prayers are asked for the Cichy family who are mourning the loss of Alan and Sylvia Richards, Uncle and Aunty of Daniel 9B and Lukas 11B. Our thoughts are with your family at this sad time.

Yours in Mercy,

Dr Darren Egberts

Principal