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This week’s prayer celebrates all those in our families and communities who have mothering responsibilities; these beloved people in our lives are always amongst those most important to us and this weekend provides an opportunity to properly thank and celebrate them. At this time, we also remember those Mums who have passed away but remain cherished in our hearts.
This morning, the College was privileged to welcome more than 500 Mums, Grandmothers, students and even a few Dads as part of the annual Sacred Heart College Mother’s Day Breakfast. It is always a very special occasion with Mums presented with a flower by their son/daughter on arrival. Particular thanks to everyone who contributed to the preparations, running and clean up following the breakfast under the very capable leadership of Ms Janet Monaghan.
Makaratta Assembly
Yesterday, the whole school gathered for our fourth annual Makarrata Assembly. The two aims of the assembly were to:
- As a school community, face our history with honesty; and
- Celebrate the many achievements and contributions of contemporary First Nations Australians.
The College was honoured to have Taururung Elder, Uncle Mick Harding, present to lead the community in a smoking ceremony outside on the Junior Oval and then to hear from Mick on his experiences as a Taungurang man. In addition to Mick’s presence, the assembly included a number of memorable student presentations including a student voice choir who powerfully explored the Yoorook Commision initial report released in August 2023, a beautiful performance of Alice Skye’s song, “Friends with Feelings’ by Tahlia Connell and Angus Smith and an engaging reflection on the 2023 Jarlmadangah Burrr immersion.
Bereavement - Your prayers are asked for the Sundblom and Meadows families who are mourning the loss of Douglas Ott, grandfather of Jack Year 7, and Julie Meadows, grandmother of Miley-Kate Year 7, Bailey Year 9 and Leilah Year 11. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Yours in Mercy,
Dr Darren Egberts
Principal
Last Wednesday our senior debaters completed Round Three in the Debaters Association of Victoria debating competition, hosted by Ballarat and Anglican Grammar School. Both Sacred Heart College teams argued that 'Australia should implement a 4 day school week'. SHC Team 2 won their debate against Ballarat High School with Abigail scoring the best speaker overall. Our congratulations to all students involved, but particularly the winning members of SHC Team 2.
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.
If you would like to access all the photos taken from Mother's Day Breakfast, please click the link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo...
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.
One of our past Parent Engagement Presenters, Dr Jodi Richardson, has written an article which addresses a common concern amongst parents and carers. “How do I know if the anxiety my child or teen is experiencing is a cause for concern?”
Parenting in an Age of Anxiety
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
Thursday 6 June |
Michelle Mitchell – Parenting Teenagers |
Tuesday 6 August |
Bree Gorman – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion |
Thursday 15 August |
Sam Sequeira – Parenting with Purpose (Limited Numbers) |
Wednesday 13 November |
Maria O’Shannessy - The Parent Coach Workshop |
On Thursday 9 May we celebrated our annual Makarrata Assembly. Makarrata is a Yolngu word that means “coming together after a struggle”. The call for a national Makarrata Commission is a central theme of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and as a Mercy community we join in this call for truth telling and healing. The two aims of our Makarrata Assembly are to face our history with honesty, and to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of contemporary First Nations Australians.
This year we had the special honour of having Uncle Mick Harding present with us for the occasion. Uncle Mick is a Taungurung Elder, whose heritage on this landscape spans back over countless generations. Uncle Mick offered us a Welcome to Country and a smoking ceremony to begin our assembly, each of which assisted us to become more keenly aware of the land beneath our feet, and the country that our school is built upon. Today, and all days, we remember that we come to school on the unceded lands of the Taungurung People, and that we border the unceded lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung People on the opposite banks of the Campaspe River.
Year 8 Takes a Stand for Youth Mental Health!
On Monday 29 April Sacred Heart College's Year 8 students joined forces with students from Braemar College, Gisborne Secondary College, Sunbury And Macedon Ranges Specialist School for a powerful event: the launch of the Live4Life program!
Live4Life is an inspiring initiative with a clear vision: to empower rural communities like ours to support, improve, and invest in the mental health of young people. By working together, we can create a strong network of support and reduce youth suicide rates.
The launch event, held at Sacred Heart College's Quambi area and basketball courts, kicked off with an informative session. Students gained valuable insights into Live4Life's goals and the importance of prioritising mental well-being.
Following the session, the energy shifted to a fun and interactive zone! Year 8s had a chance to connect with their peers from other schools and participate in activities hosted by local community groups. These activities were a fantastic way to explore resources available and build connections with organisations dedicated to youth mental health.
The Live4Life launch was a resounding success! Our Year 8 students actively participated, demonstrating their commitment to creating a supportive and positive environment for themselves and their peers. This event serves as a reminder that we're all stronger together, and by working collaboratively, we can make a real difference in the lives of young people in our community.
Semester One Exams
Term 2 is ticking by and it’s only 5 weeks until the Semester Two Exams for year 10 and 11! While students are still learning the content for the exams, they are still able to start their revision.
The first step for revision is to plan how to maximise the available time in the lead up to the exams. This can be done by creating a revision/study timetable. A timetable will assist students to find the balance between revision, extra-curricula activities and part-time jobs.
The links to the YouTube provides information for students to create the revision/study timetable: How To Make An EFFECTIVE STUDY TIMETABLE.
Add in the fun stuff first (sport, Netflix, part-time job)
Focus on tasks NOT time
Make specific goals for each study task
Once identified specific tasks, estimate how much time is required to complete the task then add the tasks to your timetable. Break tasks into short and sharp to for effective study, for example 25 minutes with a 5 minute break in between stretch your legs or play with your dog
Review and reflect your study/revision timetable at the end of the week, then make the necessary changes.
There are a range of revision techniques students can use to help with focus and motivation. These techniques can be classified as passive or active.
Passive Revision Startegies | Acitve Revision Strategies |
Reading through notes | Flashcards |
Typing or writing out notes | Creating Rhymes, stories or Mnemonics |
Highlighting information in texts | Creating Mind Maps |
Study groups with friends | |
Online: Quizlet, Kahoot, Blooket |
Semester Two Subject Changes
Open on Monday 27 May and will close on Wednesday 26 June. Information about the process for changing a unit will be available on SIMON. Student timetables will be uploaded to SIMON for the start of Term 3.
Instructions for Semester 2 subject changes.
Students are to register their request to change subjects via a Google Form link that will be available on SIMON.
Mr Matthews will review the request for the unit change, and then communicate via email the outcome of your request.
If the change is not possible, due to a subject clash or the class is full.
If the change is possible, a Change of Unit Form and relevant instructions will emailed to the student, to finalise their request.
Any subject changes that could potentially have a significant impact on future career plans, students will be required to organise a Career appointment. Information the Change of Subject Process will be available to all students via Daily Messages towards the end of May.
Subject Selection: 2025
The process for Subject Selection (2025) will commence this Semester (refer to dates below, with more information relating to the specific year levels to be published in the lead up to the selection process.
Year 11 moving into Year 12 (2025): Tuesday 4 June
Year 10 moving into Year 11 (2025): Wednesday 17 July
Year 9 moving into Year 10 (2025): Tuesday 30 July
On Saturday 27 April the Year 11 Students had our Debutante Ball. Excitement had been felt all throughout the year level for many months as the girls got busy booking appointments and shopping for the perfect dress. The day we had all been waiting for had finally arrived.
Everyone's day started very early with one appointment after another, and as the couples came together for photos with their friends the nerves and excitement began to build. Many debutants arrived in style as couple after couple stepped out of limousines, and walked up the steps to Melrose, where all eyes were on them. Everyone looked amazing as they arrived.
When we arrived we were directed to the lovely photographers who snapped many incredible pics of the debutants and their partners.
By 5pm the countdown was on. We all hit the dance floor one last time before the big night, learning the art of dancing in our beautiful dresses and handsome suits. After an exciting and exhausting day of preparation it came time to put all our hard work on display for the many family and friends that attended the evening. It was officially time to dance. To set the night off right the gentlemen entered the spotlight and performed an energetic and fun dance to ‘Uptown Funk’, and then began the debutante presentations. As each couple was presented the nerves began to settle and we all patiently waited upstairs silently for our cue to walk onto the dance floor for our first dance of the night; ‘tustfall’. As the debutants graciously danced around the floor led by their partners all eyes and cameras were on us. Before we knew it all 3 of our formal dances were done and after a quick break we were all called back to the floor to dance 3 encore dances, and then to wrap up the night the girls stayed on the floor added some spice to the night as we danced to ‘Spice Up Your Life’.
The night was a tremendous success and could not have been if it wasn't for our awesome dance instructors, Gayle and Andrew, the numerous staff who stayed back for our dance lessons each Thursday and the friends and family who picked us up after those dance lessons, helped organise appointments and lifts to Melrose and of course Mr Diamond and Mr Matthews who put in lots of work behind the scenes to organise the night and make sure it ran as well as it did. Thank you to all who helped.
Earlier this week we welcomed Grade 5 students and staff from our local Catholic Primary Schools for a day at the College. As you can see from the happy faces they had a great time participating in a range of activities, with the support of our Hospitality and Peer Support students. A great opportunity to experience what school might be like beyond the primary years.
MUSIC EVENTS
Mothers Day Breakfast - students from the instrumental music program provided background music for your enjoyment at the Mother's Day breakfast on Friday 10 May.
Invitation to the Instrumental Music Recital Evening - Tuesday 28 May - 7pm to 9pm
All students who are enrolled in the Instrumental Music Program will be performing over three different venues at the school on Tuesday 28 May from 7pm to 8pm. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to gain experience performing and also for parents/guardians/families/friends to hear what has been learned in lessons. You also will have the chance to chat with the Instrumental Music Staff after the event.
Chapel - Voice/Woodwind/Brass/Piano
Music Classroom - Guitar
Theatre - Stings/Drums/Percussion
Rice Paper Rolls
In VET cookery, we concentrate on different cooking methods and cooking techniques. We also focus on the origin of the dishes we prepare and cook. Last week we made a stop at Vietnam and made delicious Vietnamese rice paper rolls with dipping sauce.
Throughout the course, knife skills and knife safety are a main focus each lesson.
This particular prac is a great way for the students to practice their knife skills cutting the vegetables. As you can see, they have done a fabulous job here!
Next stop….Italy!
We’ve had a busy start to the term in the Arts at Sacred Heart!
In the last few weeks, the Year 12 Theatre Studies students attended the ‘Top Class Theatre Studies’ concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre, also taking part in a Monologue workshop, where they were fortunate to work with a former SHC Year 12 Theatre Studies student. They presented their monologue and took us through their planning, stagecraft and acting choices. They also viewed 2023 Theatre Studies folios at ‘Top Designs’ at Melbourne Museum.
Year 11 and 12 Media students also attended ‘Top Designs’ and viewed Year 12 Media SAT folios, as part of the VCAA ‘Top Screen’ session. ‘Top Screen’ gives students a unique opportunity to view the creative processes of Victoria’s next generation of filmmakers, and see an eclectic selection of short films made by VCE Media students from 2023. This session included a Q&A panel with the student filmmakers and comments by the State Reviewer for VCE Media. Students also journeyed through the past, present and future of the moving image with interactive experiences and captivating stories at the ‘The Story of the Moving Image' exhibition at ACMI.
Theatre Studies students also attended Bell Shakespeare's fantastic play, ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream', at the Arts Centre this week, which they will analyse and write about it in their end of year exam.
Engagement in the Arts is an important part of life at Sacred Heart, so in the next few newsletters we will hear from our Arts leaders and find out why they enjoy being in this role. This week will hear from our Junior Leaders, Annabel Eshuys and Charlie Tracey.
Annabel Eshuys - Junior Arts Leader
My name is Annabel Eshuys, and I am one of the two Junior Arts Leaders here at Sacred Heart College. What I love about the Arts is the kind of diversity it can hold, and how different it can be, depending on the day, the artist and the location. I deeply love Performing Arts, and one of my goals while I’m Arts Leader is to support the Performing Arts Program at Sacred Heart. One of my favourite experiences was being a part of the production 'The Dream' in 2022, and I would love to be able to help other students get to be a part of those kinds of experiences.
Charlie Tracey - Junior Arts Leader
Hi, I'm Charlie and I'm one of the Junior Arts Leaders for 2024. I think that Music and Art have the incredible ability to teleport you, if you’re passionate enough, to another place where nothing else exists except you and the project you are working on. All of your problems mean nothing when you are in this otherworldly zone. That's what the Arts means to me.
Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity and I can't wait to continue to work with you and all the amazing arts leaders and staff!
CSEF Applications & Discount
If you are a current Health Care Card holder you may be eligible for the $250.00 from the Camps Sport & Excursion Fund (CSEF) per child.
Should your application be successful the college will match the $250.00. This will entitle you to a credit of $500.00 per child of your family account.
Applications close on Friday 28 June.
On Wednesday 8 May two sessions of Year 12 VCE students participated in Responsible Service of Alcohol training at the College. The trainer, Gary, from Education is Key, delivered the course content with 41 students successfully completing the course over the day.
The RSA is an excellent qualification to have for many reasons and can support future employment opportunities. Congratulations to all the students who worked hard to achieve their RSA.
We are hoping to offer the opportunity for another group of Year 12 VCE students to complete their RSA course in the coming weeks. Year 12 VCE students are asked to register their interest with Ms Campbell if they wish to participate in the next RSA.
Urapunga Op Shop is seeking donations of formal wear to support their upcoming NAIDOC Week Celebration Ball!
In our fast clothing society, here is an opportunity to donate formal clothing to help a remote community celebrate NAIDOC week.
They need the following items:
• Formal dresses for girls and women (12-70 years)
• Black Pants, button-up tops, ties, belts, and vests for boys and men (12-70 years)
All items of clothing will need to be in a wearable and clean condition.
Collection of clothing starts 6th May and the last day will be 24 May.
Staff and students will collect items during morning Homerooms.
This week is Languages Week at SHC. We are celebrating the joys and challenges of language learning and cultural exchange. Have you ever wondered why Languages are a compulsory part of the Victorian curriculum? There are many compelling reasons for students to learn a second (or third!) language. This infographic from Oxford University Press sums up some of these reasons:
This week, our Year 7 French students have been treated to a French mime and music performance, and our Year 8 Japanese students participated in a Judo workshop. Students from various year levels have also participated in lunchtime activities such as Kendama (the Japanese skill toy) and a French movie screening.
Senior Girls Netball
On Monday 6 May, two senior girls representative teams embarked on a trip to interschool netball at Boardman Stadium in Sunbury. After playing 3 back to back games, each against a variety of schools, both our A and B teams made it to the grand final. It was an SHC showdown! The A team took out the win and will now continue to the next round. An immense amount of talent and determination was shown across both teams throughout the day.
Lucy Munro & Isabelle Nicholson
Intermediate Girls Netball
On Monday 6 May, two Year 9/10 intermediate netball teams also went to Sunbury to play in the Mickleham Division Netball Competition. Our A team started the day off well and won their first game against Hume Grammar 27-0. Our B team also had a great win against Edgar’s Creek. Our A team then went on to win against Kyneton High School 15-5. This was a very good, competitive game. Our B team won two out of their three games, showing amazing effort and determination against some good teams. Our A team went on to win all their games, got into the grand final against Mount Ridley and came away with an 8-goal win. They will now progress to the next round. It was a great day and all the girls involved played brilliantly.
Anna Elliot
The 2024 Australian Track and Field Championships were recently held in Adelaide. The competition was of international calibre with Australian athletes chasing Olympic qualifiers and preparing themselves for the Paris Olympics. The Junior nationals were held during this event which saw three of our Sacred Heart College students compete.
Tyler Fynch - Year 8
Tyler raced in the U15 boys 1500m finishing 9th with a PB 4:14.54. His second event for the meet was the 3000m with a stella run to finish with the Silver medal in a PB time of 9:10.12, also breaking the 1500m and 3000m records for his age group in the Bendigo region!
Tyler was also Kyneton's solo competitor at the Australian Little Athletics Championships also held in Adelaide in April, competing for Victoria in the 1500m finishing in Silver 4:19.16
Hailey Stubbs - Year 10
Hailey Stubbs competed in the U17 girls Hammer throw placing 4th with a throw of 47.27m.
Sarah Fitzpatrick - Year 10
Sarah Fitzpatrick ran in the U17 Girls 2000m steeple finishing in 6th in a time of 7:36.09
It is an amazing achievement to qualify for this level of competition, congratulations to our three athletes on their outstanding results against the best in Australia.
Sacred Heart College is hosting a forum for families to contribute to the Macedon Ranges Youth Mental Health Advocacy Process.
The purpose of the Youth Mental Health Advocacy, is to advocate for the establishment of a youth mental health service in the Macedon Ranges. We aim for this to offer a flexible and accessible range of support and specialist services in the areas of mental and physical health, work and study support as well as alcohol and other drug services.
Currently we are putting together a needs assessment. Majority of the data available is pre-covid or not broken down into municipal areas so we do not have a true capture of the issues and gaps in the Macedon Ranges. The purpose of hosting a community engagement session with the Sacred Heart Community is to capture this information.
We have heard from parents and young people formally and informally that there are not enough youth mental health services in the area, but we are needing to gather this information more formally.
The community engagement session is to understand the gaps in mental health support and intervention for young people, by consulting with young people and their parents.
The questions we will be asking will include:
- What is your experience in seeking help?
- Who do you turn to for help? home room teacher, coach, parents, friends.
- What are the barriers in seeking help? Stigma, access (appointments, costs), not close to home, not realising support is available and helpful.
- Where would a positive mental health support system look like?
- Where would you feel comfortable in going for support?
For the session we will place attendees into smaller groups to discuss, with parents and young people put in different groups to allow more open discussion. All information will be recorded anonymously. There will also be opportunity to answer these questions via an online format for those who do not feel comfortable sharing in a group setting.
The community engagement session also aims to de-stigmatise, and allow others to know they are not alone in their experiences when trying to access youth mental health services.
Please use the following link to book your attendance. https://MRSC.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/132586
Last Wednesday the Year 12 Environmental Science class participated in an excursion to Mt Rothwell and Ecolink. Mt Rothwell is a unique sanctuary which runs captive breeding programs for threatened Australian native animals. The students were involved in trapping marsupials to gauge their health as well as a spotlight walk to observe the animals in their habitat. It was a fantastic excursion and a truly special experience.
Last Tuesday our Year 12 cohort had a session presented by former SHC student Tim Dettmann. Tim is an alumni from the class of 2004, being elected College Captain in that year and also achieved the prestigious College Dux award (although Tim suggests that his greatest claim to fame while at the College was that he was our legendary former tuckshop lady Delia’s favourite student).
After finishing his secondary school studies at Sacred Heart, Tim went on to complete a Physiotherapy Degree, receive an MBA and most recently joined the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He became a partner in his own Physiotherapy business (Keiser Australia) at the young age of 23 years, and over the last 14 years has built an organisation that helps 20,000 Australians every week with their physical and mental health.
Tim reached out to the College with an offer to speak with our students as a way of “giving back” to the place that he believed played such a large role in preparing him for success in business and the wellbeing field, flying down from Sydney specifically for the session.
For over an hour the Year 12 group were fully engrossed as Tim presented them with a series of anecdotes and research notes about such topics as:
• What he looks for, and doesn't look for, as an employer
• Exercise and the brain
• Exercise and mental health
• Exercise and physical health
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Managing stress and anxiety
• Bringing a High Performance mindset to study as well as reminiscing upon his own SHC experience.
We greatly appreciate Tim’s willingness to return to the College to provide such a wonderful presentation to our senior cohort.
David De Grandi
RMIT on Tour is coming to Bendigo for an Information Evening, Wednesday 29 May, 2024.
The session will cover all things RMIT - campuses / courses / pathways / special entry schemes & early offer programs, and you can hear from a current RMIT student and alumni about life and opportunities at RMIT.
Date: Wednesday 29 May / Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm / Location: Red Energy Arena Bendigo, 91 Inglis St, West Bendigo 3550
Scan the QR code to register.
Our sustainability leaders from Sacred Heart College participated in the 2nd Victorian Climate Change Education forum on Wednesday 1 May. This event, hosted by Sustainability Victoria Resourcesmart Schools and Deakin University’s Centre for Regenerative Futures, was a lively and inspiring day for students, teachers, and professionals engaged in climate change education. The main goal of the forum was to identify gaps in young people and educators' understanding of climate adaptation and resilience, as well as exploring potential solutions for leading a fulfilling and healthy life in a future affected by climate change.
Students were Frida Forester, Bridie Sutton, Holly Alderton and Charlotte Anaba.
Please be aware that from Monday 13 May, Gates 6 and 7 (at the staff car park) will be closed between 9:30 am - 2:30 pm.
Parents/Carers can access the Uniform Shop from High Street, via Gate 5.
Students are still able to access the Uniform shop through the staff car park.
