Newsletter 11

26 July 2024

Newsletter 11

26 July 2024

Today’s prayer is a very old prayer initially penned by St Ignatius of Loyola and then used regularly by Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy. I have included it in this week’s newsletter as next Monday marks the 135th anniversary of the founding of Sacred Heart College Kyneton.

“On Monday 29 July 1889, the High School under the patronage of St Thomas Aquinas was opened with 24 day students and Sisters M. Genevieve Buckley and Mechtilde Henry as its first teachers (on the Wedge St site alongside the Convent and Primary School.”

From “Faithful Always, Celebrating 125 Years, Sacred Heart College, Kyneton”

Sacred Heart College students and staff will mark this significant anniversary with a special homeroom prayer on Monday morning.

Year 7 2026 Enrolment Applications

Please find below, a short letter we have sent to the newsletters of the six Macedon Ranges Parish Primary Schools.

The partnership between parish primary schools and local Catholic secondary schools such as Sacred Heart College is an important one. We share the same foundations in faith and recognise parents as first educators of children.

I am writing today as you make the fundamentally important decision of which secondary school is right for your daughter or son. I am aware that there are local independent schools that are asking for early enrolment commitments to guarantee places at Year 7. Given that, it is important to note that the criteria for enrolment at Sacred Heart College (and all Catholic secondary schools in the Melbourne Archdiocese) gives priority to students who are enrolled in a parish primary school. Students who have received the sacraments have a higher priority but we expect all students who submit an enrolment application by the closing date (Friday 26 July 2024) and are enrolled at a parish primary school will be offered a enrolment place for Year 7 2026.

If you have any questions on this, please contact Mrs Denise Lawrence (Sacred Heart College Registrar) on 54211200 or dlawrence@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au.

Staff and Student Activities

A number of significant activities have been held following the return to Term 3:

  • A group of eight students and two staff travelled to the Kimberley region of Western Australia continuing the College’s rich and deep relationship with the indigenous community of Jarlmadangah Burru.  There are wonderful photos featured further on in the Newsletter.  The students are also excited to write about their experience in the coming weeks.
  • All Sacred Heart staff came together last Monday for a faith Staff Development Day. The day focused heavily on the continuing role of Mercy in Australia and in our school with guest speakers from Young Mercy Links, Mercy Works and from our own Sr Madeline Duckett rsm. Congratulations to Sam Weir, Director of Faith and Mission on his leadership of the day.
  • Last week was the College’s Child Safe Week, which annually provides an important opportunity to remind students and staff of the expectations with respect to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of young people.
  • This Friday 26 July, the College is hosting a gathering of Mercy Education Business Managers from across Australia. They are spending three days in Central Victoria between Bendigo and Kyneton.

At The Heart - Mid Year Publication

Please find below a link to our Sacred Heart College publication, At The Heart'. This fabulous booklet celebrates the great range of student activities that occurred in Semester One.

Yours in Mercy,

Dr Darren Egberts

Principal

At the Heart Newsletter

Enjoy reading our Semester One Publication.

NAPLAN results for 2024

Parents and carers of Year 7 and 9 students should, by now, have received their student’s NAPLAN results which were posted last week.

This document explains how to read the results, and a hard copy was included with the reports -  how to interpret NAPLAN reports

We are cognisant of the fact that NAPLAN is a just a single window into students’ abilities on a single day, however they do form part of the suite of tools we consider.

Teachers at Sacred Heart College will access NAPLAN along with Progressive Achievement Test data to develop teaching strategies for their classes that meet the needs of our students.

Debra McNaughton
Deputy Learning and Teaching


Subject Selection: 2025

Thank you to all of the families who attended last week's Year 11 (2025) Online Subject Selection Information Session. It is great to see such a high level of engagement from our families. The online session was recorded and is available on PAM - Subject Selection - Year 11 (2025). This folder also contains the slides from the session, along with the Course Manual and a range of other resources for the selection process.

Current Year 9 students will commence their subject selection process next week. This will include an information session for students, and an online information session for families. Communication for this session, including the link for the Zoom, has been sent to parent/carers/guardians.

Year Level (2025)

Student Information Session

Parent/Carers Information Session

Web Preference Subject selection due

12

Completed

Closed

11

Completed

Completed

Friday 19 July to Wednesday 21 August at 5 pm

10

Tuesday 30 July

Wednesday 31 July at 7 pm (Zoom)

Friday 19 July to Wednesday 21 August at 5 pm


Sacred Heart College 135th Anniversary

In the coming days, we will celebrate our 135th anniversary as a College community. In the middle of a chilly winter in 1889 the Sisters of Mercy began providing the opportunity for education to families in Kyneton and the surrounding region. From the early site at Wedge Street, with an inaugural enrolment of 28 students, to our current location on High Street and a student population close to 850, our College has seen significant change over the past century and a third. What has remained constant is the heart of Mercy that has brought rhythm to lives of the generations of students who walked through our gates, and the spirit of hospitality that has been offered to all. We will mark this special occasion with a celebratory prayer for all staff on Monday morning, and a time of shared prayer during Home Group on this same day.

Finding Communications, documents and much more

On Tuesday night all of the College ensembles, including the VCE music class, will be performing from 7:00pm in the Theatre. 

Everyone is welcome to attend and show their support for the talented and hard working musicians we have at this school. Performing will be every group from the percussion ensemble through to vocal and folk groups, with rock bands and the college show band. Entry is free, please be seated by 6:55pm.

On these cold nights come and warm up your musical soul!

Student Clothes Swap Extravaganza

During Sustainability Week at Sacred Heart, the Student Leadership Team is running a clothes swap event. The purpose of this event is to reduce textile waste and promote sustainability by giving pre-loved clothes a new home.

How it works:

  • Gather your clothes: Clean out your wardrobe and gather the clothes you don’t wear anymore. We're accepting clothing and accessories like: scarves, hats, belts and shoes for ages 12-18.
  • Drop off: Bring your clothes to the library before Friday, 30 August, and place them at the designated collection point. Items must be in good, clean condition.
  • Shop: Browse through the fantastic collection of clothes and pick out new-to-you items. Each piece is just $1 during Sustainability Week!

All proceeds from the Clothes Swap will support sustainability initiatives at the College.

Why we are holding this event

“According to the most recent National Waste Report in 2020–21, Australia generated an estimated 860kt of textiles, leather and rubber waste. This is more than 16 times the weight of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. A big part of this – about 300kt – is clothing waste. The average Australian buys 56 new items of clothing each year, which makes Australia the largest consumer of clothing in the world per capita (after the US). Over 1.4 billion units of new clothing come onto the Australian market each year, and over 200,000 tonnes of clothing end up in landfills around Australia every year – this is almost four times the weight of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. A further 105,000 tonnes of used textiles are exported from Australia every year, most of which ends up as waste in developing nations in a practice that has been dubbed “waste colonisation”. (Gbor & Chollet, 2024 p.1).

Reference

Gbor, N. & Chollet, O. (2024). Textiles waste in Australia Reducing consumption and investing in circularity [Review of Textiles waste in Australia Reducing consumption and investing in circularity]. The Australia Institute. https://australiainstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/The-Australia-Institute-Textiles-Waste-In-Australia-Web.pdf

Jarlmadangah Immersion

Our 2024 Jarlmadangah travellers arrived safely home on Sunday evening, and have now adjusted back to the cooler temperatures of our region. Over the coming days and weeks we are looking forward to hearing some of the many stories they have brought home with them, as they carry the story of our friendship with the Jarlmadangah Burru Community and the Nyikina Mangala school. 

Later in the term, we will be inviting current Year 10s to submit an application to join the Jarlmadangah Immersion in 2025. Year 10 students will be provided with further details about this via their student emails, Daily Notices and the Year 10 Google Classroom.

𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙨...

𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟏- After introducing ourselves to the Jarlmadangah community, we learned about the Jarlmadangah creation story. We gave our school gift of table tennis bats, balls and nets and spent time playing table tennis with the students.  We were taught how to use a throw net, and we then drove to a billabong and watched the locals use the throw nets to catch fresh water prawns known as ‘Jarramba’

𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐 - Today we started the day with sport, playing football and quoits with the students. We then went into our first lesson – Literacy - where students completed activities telling us about themselves. Next was reading and writing activities focusing on adjectives. We ended the day with an Arts lesson, doing paintings and face painting.

𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟑- We completed a literacy lesson on the weather along with activities, as well as a numeracy lesson on measurement, which involved making and flying different paper planes. Next was an arts lesson using different forms and textures.  After school we were taken on country by one of the elders where we went to a place of special significance.

𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟒- Today was our last full school day of teaching. For our numeracy lesson we set up a shop for students to use their understanding of money and addition, continued our study of adjectives in literacy, describing images and creating adjective flowers about ourselves.  In Arts and Craft, we tried ‘leaf printing.’ The students walked around the school collecting different leaves and sticks and used paint to create their own printed masterpieces.

After school, we continued our community service, painting the community office in the afternoon, before heading to ‘Dog Rock’ for a time of reflection and connection.

Intermediate Boys Basketball

The Intermediate Boys Basketball Team shot out the gate immediately, destroying our rivals Kyneton High School by 30 points. The boys carried the momentum over to the next game beating Craigieburn who had 7 players on the court! Unfortunately, the boys fell short against a well equipped Mount Ridley College. All in all the day was filled with many smiles, laughs and Cody singing California girls by Katy Perry. We’re very proud of the effort the boys put in, and how they represented the College.
Will King and Jock McQueen - Coaches

Intermediate Girls Basketball

Today the year nine and ten girls got the opportunity to play for Sacred Heart in the girls inter school basketball. They sadly lost their first game, the girls improved as the games continued and ended up winning the rest! They came out ready to play and had a ton of energy and played through some rough calls. Isabelle and I are very proud of the girls and how they handled different situations and were very mature. Thank you to the girls that put all their effort in and to help make today day possible!
Rachel Stewart and Isabelle Nicholson - Coaches

Victorian All Schools State Cross Country 

On Saturday 20 July, we had two of our students, Tyler Fynch and Sarah Fitzpatrick, represent SHC at the Victorian All Schools State cross country Championships. Tyler and Sarah braved the cold, wet, windy and muddy conditions at the challenging Bundoora Park course to produce some fantastic results.

Tyler 1st out of 109 starters in the Male U15 4km with a time of 13.13 to become the Victorian State Champion

Sarah 8th out of 51 starters in the female U17 4km in a time of 15.41

Tyler and Sarah have both qualified to represent Victoria at the Australian Cross Country Nationals held in Launceston at the end of August.

School Sports Victoria State Cross Country 

Held at the very muddy and slippery Yarra Valley racecourse on Thursday 18 July. Michael Brown and Jet Ager both competed in the boys U14 3km.

Michael - 17th in a time of 12.27

Jett - 53rd in a time of 13.35

Sadly Tyler and Sarah couldn’t race as the two state events were scheduled so close together.

Congratulations Tyler, Sarah, Michael and Jett on these fantastic achievements.

Intermediate Boys Football

The Year 9 and 10 Intermediate Boys football team travelled to McDonnell Reserve, Northcote on 24 July to compete in the second Round of AFL competition. The team coached by Year 11 students Lachlan Hall and Zane Steel finished the day with 2 wins and one close loss of just 2 points to Hazel Glen College, in the first game of the day. Game 2 saw a comprehensive victory over Northcote Secondary College who were unable to score as our team used their tremendous defensive work and hard running to advantage. The toughest challenge was the final game of the day against Greensborough Secondary College, who were seen by good judges as the team to beat. Sacred Heart prevailed in this clash with a very polished all-round performance by the entire team lead by Archie Maher.

Each member of the team completed their tasks, as allocated by the coaches, admirably and the whole team positively supported each other in all matches across the day. We are awaiting final results to see if the team progresses to the final for the Northern Zone Championship on 6 August. Well done to all, and thanks to Mr Walsh and Mr Walker for supporting the team on the day.

Lauretta Hanson Rides for Australia

We are so very proud of Lauretta Hanson’s achievements, and as a past student (Class of 2012), have always enjoy following her progress. Her recent selection in the Australian Olympic Cycling Team is fantastic news. Long serving staff members recall her passion for cycling during her years at the College and particularly her selection, while in Year 12, to ride with Cadel Evans, following his Tour deFrance win. Having a past student at these Olympics will make them even more exciting for all at the College – we will be loudly cheering for Lauretta and her team.

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 Parent Engagement Evenings in 2024

Bookings are essential.  Further information can be found on the College Website via this link Click Here

How parents can increase motivation and confidence in children - Part 2

How Parents can increase motivation and confidence in children - Part 1

One of the Kyneton Angling Club's youngest members has landed the biggest fish of the season! Lucas Davis (Year 9F) was on a fishing trip with his father and brother in Yarrawonga earlier this month when he caught a 115cm murray cod. It was an epic struggle on relatively light rod and gear.

Lucas has a technique that denies his years and speaks of many hours on the water and a commitment to his craft. Lucas and his family have been committed members of KAC for more than two years now and they have landed many fish in that time.

Any murray cod over 10cms is a fish that most anglers only dream of. Most never achieve this milestone, let alone when you are a junior.   Well done Lucas!

Open Day Information and Full List of University Open Days

Say goodbye to the hassle of making dental appointments, taking time off work, and disrupting your schedule just to ensure your child receives dental care. Smile Patrol is coming to Sacred Heart College, Kyneton on Monday 5 August 2024, so your child will benefit from dental care during school hours, so easy!

Smile Patrol provides free dental health education to all students. If your child is eligible under the Childcare Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) treatments can be done for free depending on the remaining benefits. If your child is not eligible, we will send you an email with an option for a private checkup. But to do this we need your consent.

To sign up you can visit: https://smilepatrol.com.au/con...

It’s very easy and takes less than 5 mins to complete.

For more information, please read the parent information handout.

Parent information handout.pdf

Should you have any questions regarding the Smile Patrol School Dental visit, please contact Jalna Holmes, Health Centre Coordinator via email jbholmes@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au or via phone 54211 200.

Macedon Ranges shire Council Youth Awards
Wednesday 4 September 2024
Kyneton Town Hall
Doors open at 6pm.

This year’s award categories include:

Willpower

Showing real character and perseverance, especially in the face of adversity.

Good deeds

Giving their time and energy to activities that support the wellbeing of another individual, group or community.

Pure imagination

Pursuing their passion for creativity through the arts.

Nicely played

Kicking recreational and physical activity goals.

Skilling it

Excelling in a mentorship program, workplace or business.

Well aware

Shining a light on important issues/social causes and raising awareness in the community.

Nominate now using this link https://yoursay.mrsc.vic.gov.au/youth-awards-2024