To our Sacred Heart Community
Celebrating our 2021 Laureates
We were delighted to host graduates and families from the Class of 2021 on Wednesday morning for our Laureate Assembly. Whilst this assembly is normally held in February, we had to cancel due to restrictions in place at the time. Nonetheless, we considered it important to persist and reschedule to recognise the extraordinary achievements of our graduates in their academic pursuits. We recognised over 70 students who achieved academic distinctions, SACE Merits, High Distinctions at University whilst in Year 12, Australian Tertiary Admission Ranks (ATARs) over 90.0, as well as recognising Lillian Orsilo’s Governor of South Australia Commendation, and our Dux, Ryan Kelton (ATAR 99.8), and Proximae Accessit, Ashan Iqbal (ATAR 99.6).
We hope that their achievements will inspire our current students who are on a similar academic pathway – especially Year 12s who are now on the home straight with only about 60 days of school to go!
Year 12 Formal
It was fitting that the week which commenced with the Year 12 Retreat concluded with the Year 12 Formal. In what is regarded as one of the most anticipated events in the College calendar, the Formal certainly lived up to its acclaim! There was a distinct sense of Family Spirit at the Adelaide Convention Centre throughout the night, and it was wonderful to see the camaraderie experienced at Retreat earlier in the week continue.
Special thanks goes to the Year 12 Leaders for setting the “Starry Night” theme, and for facilitating the Year 12 Formal Awards. In particular, our thanks goes to you, the parents and caregivers, for your preparations and sacrifices in the lead up to the Formal to make it a night to remember for the Graduating Class of 2022.
Farewell Br Joe
With much sadness, the Hearts community and Somerton Park Marist residence have recently farewelled Br Joe Hughes. After living in the Brothers’ residence at Somerton Park since 2015, Br Joe has returned home to Western Australia to be closer to his family. Over the past seven years, Br Joe has been a living example of what it means to be Marist – displaying a strong sense of Presence, Family Spirit and Love of Work.
Most significantly, the Boarding House will miss Br Joe’s presence, especially at mid-week Chapel and Sunday Mass. And I dare say that Br Joe will miss the Boarding community equally as much!!
On behalf of the Hearts community, we wish Br Joe all the best in the next phase of his life and offer a sincere thanks for his contribution to our College.
Year 9 Girls Rite Journey
This Wednesday, the Year 9 Girls Rite Journey classes had the privilege of listening to inspiring guest speaker, Dr Samantha Pillay. Dr Pillay is a surgeon, author and entrepreneur and was a finalist nominee for South Australian of the Year 2022. She spoke to the girls about gender bias and encouraged them to aim high when considering possible career paths.
End of Term 2 (Friday 1 July)
A reminder to families that Term 3 will conclude for students in Years 7-11 on Friday 1 July at the normal dismissal time (3.20pm at Champagnat and 3.30pm at Marcellin).
Year 12 students will undertake Year 12 Trial Exams from Monday 4 July – Friday 8 July.
All students will return to school for Term 3 on Monday 25 July.
We’ve had another rich week at the College, in which the true diversity of opportunities was abundantly clear. The Year 12 Formal last Friday night was an obvious highlight for those students (and I note that all of our students looked very impressive!) to a full weekend of sport, highlighted by the Year 9 footballers hosting Scotch College, Melbourne, on the War Memorial Oval at Marcellin Campus, through to two arts nights – Champagnat on Tuesday and Marcellin on Wednesday, a girls’ First XVIII football grand final on Wednesday afternoon, a re-scheduled Laureate Assembly recognising the exceptional achievements of our Class of 2021 not to mention the start of a new Semester at Marcellin and the wrap up of a busy term of learning and teaching across both campuses!
Another significant process that has unfolded across this week is the recruitment for our new Principal from 2023. Dr John Kyle-Robinson, Regional Director for Marist Schools Australia, and Ms Libby Denny, Board Director of Marist Schools Australia Ltd, spent several days at the College to consult with all key stakeholders; students, staff, families, Marist Brothers, and old collegians. In all, they spoke to over 90 people and have formed a view as to key priorities and some strategies that have emerged from the community. We are grateful for all parties who provided feedback and insights for this important consultative process. The process will continue to unfold over coming weeks as shortlisting and interviewing occur.
Daniel Head
Deputy Principal
