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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
We are once again thrilled to be able to invite you all to our approaching College Open Day. This year the event will be held during Term 1 on Thursday 27 March, from 4.15pm – 8pm.
This event will offer a range of hands-on experiences for children, aimed those in Years 3 – 6, allowing them to immerse themselves in creative and learning opportunities, while parents discover more about the diverse educational offerings and supportive wellbeing structure that are central College life. Should you have friends or family who are considering a secondary school, please let them know about this event.
Bookings for our Open Evening can be made via the College website: www.shckyneton.catholic.edu.au
Student Reflections
From the electrifying 'leap of faith' to serene forest bathing, Kinglake forest adventures sure was a thrill. Kinglake gave us a chance to try out our boundaries, to step outside of our comfort zones, to build friendships, and to create long lasting memories. We did activities that tested our bravery, for example the free fall, leap of faith, and tree climbing. The foundation of other activities was teamwork, such as, the giant seesaw, survival relay and wildegaining. Kinglake truly was an adventure many students should experience, and I believe I can speak for all Year 7s when I say that! Grace Sinclair
Camp was great for the entire year level. We had loads of fun doing things like wildergaining, climbing and jumping off tall things, teamwork activities, gaga ball and volleyball. When we got there, it was slightly chaotic, but fun to see everyone's enthusiasm to be on camp together. It was fun and we really enjoyed it. Clyde Drago-Stevens
Last week we went on camp to Kinglake. One of the activities was the free fall and it was scary, but l had so much fun. Xavier Gordon
On camp we did lots of different activities, some were testing to see if we would step out of our comfort zone, some would be more about teamwork, altogether the camp was a great experience. It was great making new friends and meeting new people. I loved It! And learning the macarena was hilarious! Angus Jewell
Last week, the Year 7s reflected on what it means to belong to our College community, the global community and the Mercy and Catholic faith tradition. Students had the opportunity to explore the history of our College Chapel and ask questions about items and images. Students also took part in the ‘Caritas Ks’ challenge, carrying a bucket of water in solidarity with those who must walk long distances to access water. This activity is linked to our fundraising for Caritas’ Project Compassion campaign. To donate, please follow this link: https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/t/year-7-shck
Ash Wednesday: A Call to Reflection, Renewal, and Action
As a Catholic community grounded in the Mercy tradition, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our Lenten journey—a time of reflection, renewal, and commitment to living our faith through prayer, fasting, and charitable giving. Our recent Ash Wednesday prayer services provided a meaningful opportunity for students and staff to come together, acknowledge our call to transformation, and embrace the values that define us as a Mercy school.
At the heart of the service was the marking of ashes on the forehead. More than just a symbol of repentance, the ashes challenge us to reflect on how we live out the Gospel in our daily lives.
The words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” remind us of our human frailty, our dependence on God, and our call to renewal. As followers of Christ, we are called to turn away from selfishness and seek a life of compassion, service, and justice.
The Gospel reading from Matthew 6:1-6 reinforced this message, reminding us that our faith is not about outward appearances but about the sincerity of our hearts. In a world that often encourages recognition and reward, Jesus’ words challenge us to live with humility—choosing to serve not for praise but because it is the right thing to do.
This year, our college theme of ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ invites us to embrace Lent as a journey of renewal, where we turn our hearts back to God and rediscover His call in our lives. Just as the biblical Year of Jubilee was a time of restoration, forgiveness, and new beginnings, Lent offers us a chance to reset, let go of what holds us back, and step forward with faith, hope, and love. It is a time to repair what is broken, seek justice for those in need, and grow in our relationship with God and one another.
Lent is not just a season of giving something up; it is an invitation to take something on—to deepen our faith and commit to acts of charity and justice. One way we do this as a school community is by supporting Project Compassion, Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten appeal. Through our contributions, we extend the Mercy values of compassion, justice, and service beyond our own community, supporting vulnerable people around the world. Every donation—no matter how small—helps provide education, healthcare, and essential resources to those in need.
As we continue through this season of Lent, may we respond to the Prophet’s call to "act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with God" (Micah 6:8). Let us use this time to seek renewal, to grow in faith, and to walk as true Pilgrims of Hope, bringing love and mercy to those around us.
We encourage everyone to contribute in whatever way they can, helping to make a real difference in the lives of others. Donations can be made through any of the Project Compassion boxes around the college or by following this link: https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/o/sacred-heart-college-kyneton
This week we said “au revoir” to the visitors from our French sister school. For the past two weeks, SHC families have hosted two staff and twenty students from Lycee Notre Dame du Roc. This exchange is a central part of our languages program at Sacred Heart, and provides real life intercultural and language exchange opportunities for all of our students, not just those studying French.
The French students attended classes and participated in various activities around the school. It was such a pleasure to witness the strong bonds formed between the French students and their SHC host families. These relationships have also rippled out into the broader community, with many others in the region meeting our French visitors through sporting clubs, local events and on the school buses.
A big thank you to our generous host families, without whom the exchange program would not be able to operate.
The Sacred Heart College Parent Engagement Partnership aims to strengthen the collaboration between school, families, and the broader community by providing Professional Learning through quality presenters on a variety of current educational topics. These opportunities can provide parents with knowledge, strategies, and skills to support their child. We are thrilled to have Dr Billy Garvey as the first speaker for 2025 on Wednesday 12 March and know that all that attend will find the evening both enjoyable and informative. Links to Billy’s website and podcast are provided in the information below. These events are open to all in our local community so please feel free to share information about this event with friends and family.
Billy Garvey is a developmental paediatrician with over 20 years of experience working with children and families in various settings. As a senior specialist at one of the largest tertiary paediatric hospitals in the world, he works with families, trains clinicians and professionals who support children, and conducts research in child development and mental health. Billy is also the founder of Guiding Growing Minds (GGM), a social enterprise dedicated to giving all children the opportunity to reach their full potential and live rich, meaningful lives, and hosts the Pop Culture Parenting Podcast, which blends expert insights with pop culture references to provide practical strategies for parents and caregivers.
Last week, a group of dedicated students from Sacred Heart’s Green Team joined forces with the Campaspe River Landcare Group to help clean up our local environment. Armed with gloves, rubbish bags, and a strong sense of responsibility, the students worked along the banks of the Campaspe River, collecting litter, removing harmful waste from the ecosystem. Overall, 4.6 kilograms of litter was removed from the river environment near the school.
Their efforts made a visible difference, with plastic bottles, food wrappers, cans, plastic, and other debris removed to help protect local wildlife and keep the river pristine. Along the way, students learned about the impact of pollution on our waterways and the importance of conservation efforts.
The Campaspe River Landcare Group commended the students for their enthusiasm and hard work, reminding them that small actions can lead to big changes.
The Student Green Team meets at lunchtime every Day 7 in Lower Mercy. All students are welcome to attend and participate in sustainability activities.
We love to be able to highlight the achievements of our students beyond the school gate. If you would like to share some inspiring achievement about your child please email newsletter@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au
Lucinda Bowen
Lucinda started her soccer journey at Kyneton Rangers when she was seven, where she played for four seasons. She was also selected for the B.A.S.L rep squad twice and won the Victorian championship in 2022.
Lucinda then moved to metro soccer where she played for Calder United Soccer Club in the under 15s at 12 years of age, and in that same year was chosen to be apart of the Melbourne Victory Pre Academy. The same year she made her futsal debut for her team in Gisborne winning her first best and fairest and her team making the finals.
In 2024 Lucinda made her NPL debut at Calder United and also earned another spot at Melbourne Victory PAC again. Lucinda's futsal team won the championship and individually Lucinda won the best and fairest in the grand final with Lucinda netting three goals!
Lucinda was then chosen to play for West Vic State team for futsal and she travelled to Sydney in January to play against other state teams. The West Vic Girls made the semi finals.
Lucinda has also been lucky enough to train with Melbourne City Women's select team at end of last year. This year Lucinda is currently playing for the Preston Lions in the girls under 15 NPL side, and has been retaining in the Melbourne Victory Girls Accelerated Program.
She has also been picked to represent Australia in October in the girls under 15 national team playing in the UK against other nations Ireland Scotland and Wales for the Miller Gold Cup.
Well done Lucinda, the College is very proud of you!
Two of our talented students have had their artwork accepted to exhibit in the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Creative Arts Exhibition 2025. This is a wonderful achievement and we wish them well.
Eucalyptus Gargoyle – Stella Gray
Cards of the Round Table – Tom Holland and Errin Blain
If you would like to attend the exhibition, please click the trybooking link below for dates and booking information.
Bookings via TryBooking. https://www.trybooking.com/135...
NAPLAN 2025 at Sacred Heart College
All students are required to have their laptops fully charged and to have plug-in listening devices. VCAA regulations prohibit the use of blue-tooth devices; either Mice or Listening devices.
Students will have practice prior to the formal schedule beginning on Wednesday 12 March, and students who do not have plug-in devices will be provided with plug-in listening devices, and this cost will be billed to the school account for each family. Students will keep the plug-in listening device.
All tests will be conducted in their Homerooms under examination conditions.
Click on the link below to go to the VCAA website for information on the upcoming On-Line NAPLAN assessments Parent Information for NAPLAN
The School schedule is below:
Intermediate Boys Cricket
The Intermediate Boys Cricket team had a fantastic day out, showcasing their skills and sportsmanship in a terrific match. The weather was good, and the team played with energy and enthusiasm, making it a memorable day filled with exciting moments and great teamwork.
Game 1: SHC - 1 for 84 def Mt Ridley 3 for 34
Game 2: SHC - 2 for 48 def by Hume Grammar 2 for 49
Senior Boys Cricket
The Senior Boys Cricket team had an exciting day recently, securing a thrilling win in their first match with a dominant performance all around. However, despite their best efforts, they faced a tough loss in the second game, where they fell short but showed resilience throughout.
Game 1: SHC - 3 for 84 (Ethan Raynor 43 not out, Callum Large 20 not out) def Mt Ridley 2 for 38
Game 2: SHC - 2 for 48 ( Ethan Raynor 28) lost to Hume Grammar 2 for 49
Senior Boys Volleyball
The Senior Boys team played three games at the Y Leisure City in Whittlesea. Despite limited preparation leading up to the tournament our boys remained competitive but unfortunately were not able to secure a spot into the next round.
The day was enjoyed by all, and for the Year 12’s in our team, it marked their last opportunity to represent the College in Volleyball.
Hello and Welcome to the Arts Spot!
Our names are Emily Turner and Dylan Bunn and we are the Senior Arts Captains for 2025, as well as students in the Senior Media and Drama. We’ve both been Arts students for many years, and we are really excited to be a part of the Arts Leadership Team and make the school as creative and inclusive as possible for everyone.
The Arts Leadership Team is really eager to help expand and broaden the Arts Department here at Sacred Heart, and we have many amazing things planned for the arts in 2025, so we hope to see all our students at some of our events this year!
ARTS LEADERSHIP TEAM – 2025:
Emily Turner
Dylan Bunn
Jasper Bailey
Alice McKenzie
Mr Ben Gallagher (Arts Learning Leader/Performing Arts Coordinator) bgallagher@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au
Our Junior Arts Leaders, Jasper and Alice, will introduce themselves in the next newsletter.
One of the things we’re excited about this year is a range of lunchtime activities that we have planned on most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, for all Sacred Heart students to attend. These workshops are free and run by students and staff.
There’s an explanation of these workshops below and calendar of events for the rest of this term. Term 1 is a very busy term and we’ll have workshops running again in Term 2 and we encourage students to come along and join in.
If you’d like to find out more, email one of the team or students can come along to one of our Arts Group Meetings. Students can join the Arts Group Google Classroom to stay up to date, dd6ln7y.
MUSICAL MONDAYS:
'Music Mondays Live' - Regular live performances in the Music Room, Theatre or outside.
'Songwriting Sessions' - Turn your ideas or poetry into songs or bring your own original song ideas along to 'workshop'.
TERRIFIC TUESDAYS:
Art/Media/Photography workshops run by senior students and Arts leaders.
WEIRD WEDNESDAYS:
That Singing Thing (Choir) Love to sing? Want to make new friends and share your passion for music? Come be part of our school choir - no experience needed, just enthusiasm. In the Music Room (or Chapel) on Wednesday lunchtimes. Bring your lunch and come along for a sing.
FRANTIC FRIDAYS:
Drama Llamas! Love acting and creating with others? Want a space to unleash your creativity? Join the Drama Llamas! Get involved with improvisation games, devising scenes and creating play scenes in a fun, supportive space!
No experience needed - Just bring your imagination and let the drama begin. Friday lunches in the Drama Room.
'The Game' - LIVE ARTS themed quiz show - 'RocKwiz' & 'Spicks and Specks' meets 'Would I Lie to You'
SCHOOL PRODUCTION 2025
Also beginning in Term 1 is work on Sacred Heart’s school production, 'As You Like It' by William Shakespeare, reimagined in the early 1970s, which a lot of students and staff alike are excited about, considering the last production was 'The Dream' in 2022, when our current Year 12s were in Year 9!
The SHC Production will feature a live rock band providing a soundtrack of music from the late 60s early 70’s to Shakespeare's classic comedy.
“As You Like It” begins with a tense family situation: Rosalind, a witty and intelligent woman, who lives at the court of her uncle, Duke Frederick. After an unpleasant falling out, Rosalind and her cousin, Celia, are banished to the mysterious Forest of Arden. To ensure their safety, Rosalind disguises herself as a man named Ganymede, and Celia dresses up as a shepherdess named Aliena. While this is all happening, Orlando, the man Rosalind admires, faces harsh mistreatments from his older brother, Oliver. A similar falling out occurs between the two brothers, and Orlando escapes into the forest as well. While in the forest, Orlando, unaware of who “Ganymede” truly is, expresses his love for Rosalind, and Ganymede offers to help teach Orlando in the ways of love. However, a spanner is thrown into the works when a shepherdess, Phoebe, falls in love with Ganymede, which causes all sorts of trouble. In a triumph of love, joy, and self-reflection, the play finally concludes, ending a heck of an adventure.
If you think you might be interested, this might be just for you! And don’t worry, if acting isn't your forte, you might instead be interested in music, lighting and sound, backstage, front of house, and much, much more. Students can go to the Arts Group Google Classroom dd6ln7y for more information and to fill out an application form.
Canteen - Lunch Orders
The current lunch order system is My School Connect. Students can order and pay for their lunch online through My School Connect, however, if students would like to purchase items in the Cafeteria this can be done at first recess and lunch, they pay for these by cash, personal card, or their student card (no phones can be used for purchases).
Whilst second recess is unavailable to purchase items, students have access to the Atrium space.
Parents can set up an account via MySHC on the website, or click below.
School Fee Payment Plan 2025
If you have not returned your School Fee Payment Plan for 2025, please return ASAP or contact
accountsreceivable@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au should you require a form.
Early Payment of School Fees Discount
If school fees are paid in full by 28 February 2025, you will receive an early payment discount of $200.00 per student.
Concession Card Holders – Camps, Sport & Excursions Fund (CSEF
School Saving Bonus
Camp, Sport & Excursion Fund (CSEF) is a $250 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 $250.00 funding.
Eligible parents receive a $900 Credit Per Student on their 2025 school fees, when the above funding and discounts are applied.
The 2025 Application Form is now available on the College Website or attached below - https://www.shckyneton.catholi...
V/Line service changes – 6 to 31 March
Students who catch the V/Line train to and from school are advised that some morning trains will depart up to 5 minutes earlier starting Thursday 6 March.
A temporary timetable will be in place and the V/Line journey planner will be updated showing the new departure times.
Please check before travelling at vline.com.au or the V/Line mobile app.
For more information click here - https://go.vline.com.au/3Dc5pkc
United Netball
United Netball is a local netball club that welcomes players of all skill levels to join our teams and compete in the MRNA Winter Competition. We are still seeking expressions of interest to complete teams in the following grades:
* Year 7 – Boys and Girls
* Year 9 and 10 – Girls Only
Limited spots remaining! Registrations will close soon, so if your child is interested in playing, please reach out as soon as possible to secure a place.
For more information or to register interest, please contact Tatum Azzopardi (Club President) at 0432 601 254.
We’d love to have you join our club and be part of a fun and supportive netball community!
Sarah Harley
Secretary, United Netball
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
We are once again thrilled to be able to invite you all to our approaching College Open Day. This year the event will be held during Term 1 on Thursday 27 March, from 4.15pm – 8pm.
This event will offer a range of hands-on experiences for children, aimed those in Years 3 – 6, allowing them to immerse themselves in creative and learning opportunities, while parents discover more about the diverse educational offerings and supportive wellbeing structure that are central College life. Should you have friends or family who are considering a secondary school, please let them know about this event.
Bookings for our Open Evening can be made via the College website: www.shckyneton.catholic.edu.au
Student Reflections
From the electrifying 'leap of faith' to serene forest bathing, Kinglake forest adventures sure was a thrill. Kinglake gave us a chance to try out our boundaries, to step outside of our comfort zones, to build friendships, and to create long lasting memories. We did activities that tested our bravery, for example the free fall, leap of faith, and tree climbing. The foundation of other activities was teamwork, such as, the giant seesaw, survival relay and wildegaining. Kinglake truly was an adventure many students should experience, and I believe I can speak for all Year 7s when I say that! Grace Sinclair
Camp was great for the entire year level. We had loads of fun doing things like wildergaining, climbing and jumping off tall things, teamwork activities, gaga ball and volleyball. When we got there, it was slightly chaotic, but fun to see everyone's enthusiasm to be on camp together. It was fun and we really enjoyed it. Clyde Drago-Stevens
Last week we went on camp to Kinglake. One of the activities was the free fall and it was scary, but l had so much fun. Xavier Gordon
On camp we did lots of different activities, some were testing to see if we would step out of our comfort zone, some would be more about teamwork, altogether the camp was a great experience. It was great making new friends and meeting new people. I loved It! And learning the macarena was hilarious! Angus Jewell
Last week, the Year 7s reflected on what it means to belong to our College community, the global community and the Mercy and Catholic faith tradition. Students had the opportunity to explore the history of our College Chapel and ask questions about items and images. Students also took part in the ‘Caritas Ks’ challenge, carrying a bucket of water in solidarity with those who must walk long distances to access water. This activity is linked to our fundraising for Caritas’ Project Compassion campaign. To donate, please follow this link: https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/t/year-7-shck
Ash Wednesday: A Call to Reflection, Renewal, and Action
As a Catholic community grounded in the Mercy tradition, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our Lenten journey—a time of reflection, renewal, and commitment to living our faith through prayer, fasting, and charitable giving. Our recent Ash Wednesday prayer services provided a meaningful opportunity for students and staff to come together, acknowledge our call to transformation, and embrace the values that define us as a Mercy school.
At the heart of the service was the marking of ashes on the forehead. More than just a symbol of repentance, the ashes challenge us to reflect on how we live out the Gospel in our daily lives.
The words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” remind us of our human frailty, our dependence on God, and our call to renewal. As followers of Christ, we are called to turn away from selfishness and seek a life of compassion, service, and justice.
The Gospel reading from Matthew 6:1-6 reinforced this message, reminding us that our faith is not about outward appearances but about the sincerity of our hearts. In a world that often encourages recognition and reward, Jesus’ words challenge us to live with humility—choosing to serve not for praise but because it is the right thing to do.
This year, our college theme of ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ invites us to embrace Lent as a journey of renewal, where we turn our hearts back to God and rediscover His call in our lives. Just as the biblical Year of Jubilee was a time of restoration, forgiveness, and new beginnings, Lent offers us a chance to reset, let go of what holds us back, and step forward with faith, hope, and love. It is a time to repair what is broken, seek justice for those in need, and grow in our relationship with God and one another.
Lent is not just a season of giving something up; it is an invitation to take something on—to deepen our faith and commit to acts of charity and justice. One way we do this as a school community is by supporting Project Compassion, Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten appeal. Through our contributions, we extend the Mercy values of compassion, justice, and service beyond our own community, supporting vulnerable people around the world. Every donation—no matter how small—helps provide education, healthcare, and essential resources to those in need.
As we continue through this season of Lent, may we respond to the Prophet’s call to "act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with God" (Micah 6:8). Let us use this time to seek renewal, to grow in faith, and to walk as true Pilgrims of Hope, bringing love and mercy to those around us.
We encourage everyone to contribute in whatever way they can, helping to make a real difference in the lives of others. Donations can be made through any of the Project Compassion boxes around the college or by following this link: https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/o/sacred-heart-college-kyneton
This week we said “au revoir” to the visitors from our French sister school. For the past two weeks, SHC families have hosted two staff and twenty students from Lycee Notre Dame du Roc. This exchange is a central part of our languages program at Sacred Heart, and provides real life intercultural and language exchange opportunities for all of our students, not just those studying French.
The French students attended classes and participated in various activities around the school. It was such a pleasure to witness the strong bonds formed between the French students and their SHC host families. These relationships have also rippled out into the broader community, with many others in the region meeting our French visitors through sporting clubs, local events and on the school buses.
A big thank you to our generous host families, without whom the exchange program would not be able to operate.
The Sacred Heart College Parent Engagement Partnership aims to strengthen the collaboration between school, families, and the broader community by providing Professional Learning through quality presenters on a variety of current educational topics. These opportunities can provide parents with knowledge, strategies, and skills to support their child. We are thrilled to have Dr Billy Garvey as the first speaker for 2025 on Wednesday 12 March and know that all that attend will find the evening both enjoyable and informative. Links to Billy’s website and podcast are provided in the information below. These events are open to all in our local community so please feel free to share information about this event with friends and family.
Billy Garvey is a developmental paediatrician with over 20 years of experience working with children and families in various settings. As a senior specialist at one of the largest tertiary paediatric hospitals in the world, he works with families, trains clinicians and professionals who support children, and conducts research in child development and mental health. Billy is also the founder of Guiding Growing Minds (GGM), a social enterprise dedicated to giving all children the opportunity to reach their full potential and live rich, meaningful lives, and hosts the Pop Culture Parenting Podcast, which blends expert insights with pop culture references to provide practical strategies for parents and caregivers.
Last week, a group of dedicated students from Sacred Heart’s Green Team joined forces with the Campaspe River Landcare Group to help clean up our local environment. Armed with gloves, rubbish bags, and a strong sense of responsibility, the students worked along the banks of the Campaspe River, collecting litter, removing harmful waste from the ecosystem. Overall, 4.6 kilograms of litter was removed from the river environment near the school.
Their efforts made a visible difference, with plastic bottles, food wrappers, cans, plastic, and other debris removed to help protect local wildlife and keep the river pristine. Along the way, students learned about the impact of pollution on our waterways and the importance of conservation efforts.
The Campaspe River Landcare Group commended the students for their enthusiasm and hard work, reminding them that small actions can lead to big changes.
The Student Green Team meets at lunchtime every Day 7 in Lower Mercy. All students are welcome to attend and participate in sustainability activities.
We love to be able to highlight the achievements of our students beyond the school gate. If you would like to share some inspiring achievement about your child please email newsletter@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au
Lucinda Bowen
Lucinda started her soccer journey at Kyneton Rangers when she was seven, where she played for four seasons. She was also selected for the B.A.S.L rep squad twice and won the Victorian championship in 2022.
Lucinda then moved to metro soccer where she played for Calder United Soccer Club in the under 15s at 12 years of age, and in that same year was chosen to be apart of the Melbourne Victory Pre Academy. The same year she made her futsal debut for her team in Gisborne winning her first best and fairest and her team making the finals.
In 2024 Lucinda made her NPL debut at Calder United and also earned another spot at Melbourne Victory PAC again. Lucinda's futsal team won the championship and individually Lucinda won the best and fairest in the grand final with Lucinda netting three goals!
Lucinda was then chosen to play for West Vic State team for futsal and she travelled to Sydney in January to play against other state teams. The West Vic Girls made the semi finals.
Lucinda has also been lucky enough to train with Melbourne City Women's select team at end of last year. This year Lucinda is currently playing for the Preston Lions in the girls under 15 NPL side, and has been retaining in the Melbourne Victory Girls Accelerated Program.
She has also been picked to represent Australia in October in the girls under 15 national team playing in the UK against other nations Ireland Scotland and Wales for the Miller Gold Cup.
Well done Lucinda, the College is very proud of you!
Two of our talented students have had their artwork accepted to exhibit in the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Creative Arts Exhibition 2025. This is a wonderful achievement and we wish them well.
Eucalyptus Gargoyle – Stella Gray
Cards of the Round Table – Tom Holland and Errin Blain
If you would like to attend the exhibition, please click the trybooking link below for dates and booking information.
Bookings via TryBooking. https://www.trybooking.com/135...
NAPLAN 2025 at Sacred Heart College
All students are required to have their laptops fully charged and to have plug-in listening devices. VCAA regulations prohibit the use of blue-tooth devices; either Mice or Listening devices.
Students will have practice prior to the formal schedule beginning on Wednesday 12 March, and students who do not have plug-in devices will be provided with plug-in listening devices, and this cost will be billed to the school account for each family. Students will keep the plug-in listening device.
All tests will be conducted in their Homerooms under examination conditions.
Click on the link below to go to the VCAA website for information on the upcoming On-Line NAPLAN assessments Parent Information for NAPLAN
The School schedule is below:
Intermediate Boys Cricket
The Intermediate Boys Cricket team had a fantastic day out, showcasing their skills and sportsmanship in a terrific match. The weather was good, and the team played with energy and enthusiasm, making it a memorable day filled with exciting moments and great teamwork.
Game 1: SHC - 1 for 84 def Mt Ridley 3 for 34
Game 2: SHC - 2 for 48 def by Hume Grammar 2 for 49
Senior Boys Cricket
The Senior Boys Cricket team had an exciting day recently, securing a thrilling win in their first match with a dominant performance all around. However, despite their best efforts, they faced a tough loss in the second game, where they fell short but showed resilience throughout.
Game 1: SHC - 3 for 84 (Ethan Raynor 43 not out, Callum Large 20 not out) def Mt Ridley 2 for 38
Game 2: SHC - 2 for 48 ( Ethan Raynor 28) lost to Hume Grammar 2 for 49
Senior Boys Volleyball
The Senior Boys team played three games at the Y Leisure City in Whittlesea. Despite limited preparation leading up to the tournament our boys remained competitive but unfortunately were not able to secure a spot into the next round.
The day was enjoyed by all, and for the Year 12’s in our team, it marked their last opportunity to represent the College in Volleyball.
Hello and Welcome to the Arts Spot!
Our names are Emily Turner and Dylan Bunn and we are the Senior Arts Captains for 2025, as well as students in the Senior Media and Drama. We’ve both been Arts students for many years, and we are really excited to be a part of the Arts Leadership Team and make the school as creative and inclusive as possible for everyone.
The Arts Leadership Team is really eager to help expand and broaden the Arts Department here at Sacred Heart, and we have many amazing things planned for the arts in 2025, so we hope to see all our students at some of our events this year!
ARTS LEADERSHIP TEAM – 2025:
Emily Turner
Dylan Bunn
Jasper Bailey
Alice McKenzie
Mr Ben Gallagher (Arts Learning Leader/Performing Arts Coordinator) bgallagher@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au
Our Junior Arts Leaders, Jasper and Alice, will introduce themselves in the next newsletter.
One of the things we’re excited about this year is a range of lunchtime activities that we have planned on most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, for all Sacred Heart students to attend. These workshops are free and run by students and staff.
There’s an explanation of these workshops below and calendar of events for the rest of this term. Term 1 is a very busy term and we’ll have workshops running again in Term 2 and we encourage students to come along and join in.
If you’d like to find out more, email one of the team or students can come along to one of our Arts Group Meetings. Students can join the Arts Group Google Classroom to stay up to date, dd6ln7y.
MUSICAL MONDAYS:
'Music Mondays Live' - Regular live performances in the Music Room, Theatre or outside.
'Songwriting Sessions' - Turn your ideas or poetry into songs or bring your own original song ideas along to 'workshop'.
TERRIFIC TUESDAYS:
Art/Media/Photography workshops run by senior students and Arts leaders.
WEIRD WEDNESDAYS:
That Singing Thing (Choir) Love to sing? Want to make new friends and share your passion for music? Come be part of our school choir - no experience needed, just enthusiasm. In the Music Room (or Chapel) on Wednesday lunchtimes. Bring your lunch and come along for a sing.
FRANTIC FRIDAYS:
Drama Llamas! Love acting and creating with others? Want a space to unleash your creativity? Join the Drama Llamas! Get involved with improvisation games, devising scenes and creating play scenes in a fun, supportive space!
No experience needed - Just bring your imagination and let the drama begin. Friday lunches in the Drama Room.
'The Game' - LIVE ARTS themed quiz show - 'RocKwiz' & 'Spicks and Specks' meets 'Would I Lie to You'
SCHOOL PRODUCTION 2025
Also beginning in Term 1 is work on Sacred Heart’s school production, 'As You Like It' by William Shakespeare, reimagined in the early 1970s, which a lot of students and staff alike are excited about, considering the last production was 'The Dream' in 2022, when our current Year 12s were in Year 9!
The SHC Production will feature a live rock band providing a soundtrack of music from the late 60s early 70’s to Shakespeare's classic comedy.
“As You Like It” begins with a tense family situation: Rosalind, a witty and intelligent woman, who lives at the court of her uncle, Duke Frederick. After an unpleasant falling out, Rosalind and her cousin, Celia, are banished to the mysterious Forest of Arden. To ensure their safety, Rosalind disguises herself as a man named Ganymede, and Celia dresses up as a shepherdess named Aliena. While this is all happening, Orlando, the man Rosalind admires, faces harsh mistreatments from his older brother, Oliver. A similar falling out occurs between the two brothers, and Orlando escapes into the forest as well. While in the forest, Orlando, unaware of who “Ganymede” truly is, expresses his love for Rosalind, and Ganymede offers to help teach Orlando in the ways of love. However, a spanner is thrown into the works when a shepherdess, Phoebe, falls in love with Ganymede, which causes all sorts of trouble. In a triumph of love, joy, and self-reflection, the play finally concludes, ending a heck of an adventure.
If you think you might be interested, this might be just for you! And don’t worry, if acting isn't your forte, you might instead be interested in music, lighting and sound, backstage, front of house, and much, much more. Students can go to the Arts Group Google Classroom dd6ln7y for more information and to fill out an application form.
Canteen - Lunch Orders
The current lunch order system is My School Connect. Students can order and pay for their lunch online through My School Connect, however, if students would like to purchase items in the Cafeteria this can be done at first recess and lunch, they pay for these by cash, personal card, or their student card (no phones can be used for purchases).
Whilst second recess is unavailable to purchase items, students have access to the Atrium space.
Parents can set up an account via MySHC on the website, or click below.
School Fee Payment Plan 2025
If you have not returned your School Fee Payment Plan for 2025, please return ASAP or contact
accountsreceivable@shckyneton.catholic.edu.au should you require a form.
Early Payment of School Fees Discount
If school fees are paid in full by 28 February 2025, you will receive an early payment discount of $200.00 per student.
Concession Card Holders – Camps, Sport & Excursions Fund (CSEF
School Saving Bonus
Camp, Sport & Excursion Fund (CSEF) is a $250 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 $250.00 funding.
Eligible parents receive a $900 Credit Per Student on their 2025 school fees, when the above funding and discounts are applied.
The 2025 Application Form is now available on the College Website or attached below - https://www.shckyneton.catholi...
V/Line service changes – 6 to 31 March
Students who catch the V/Line train to and from school are advised that some morning trains will depart up to 5 minutes earlier starting Thursday 6 March.
A temporary timetable will be in place and the V/Line journey planner will be updated showing the new departure times.
Please check before travelling at vline.com.au or the V/Line mobile app.
For more information click here - https://go.vline.com.au/3Dc5pkc
United Netball
United Netball is a local netball club that welcomes players of all skill levels to join our teams and compete in the MRNA Winter Competition. We are still seeking expressions of interest to complete teams in the following grades:
* Year 7 – Boys and Girls
* Year 9 and 10 – Girls Only
Limited spots remaining! Registrations will close soon, so if your child is interested in playing, please reach out as soon as possible to secure a place.
For more information or to register interest, please contact Tatum Azzopardi (Club President) at 0432 601 254.
We’d love to have you join our club and be part of a fun and supportive netball community!
Sarah Harley
Secretary, United Netball