From the Principal (Thursday 28 July)

To our Sacred Heart Community

2023 Principal Announcement

Congratulations to Mr Daniel Lynch, who will commence as Sacred Heart College’s 21st Principal in Term 1 2023.

Daniel is a well known and highly regarded leader in Catholic education and a valued member of the Australian Marist community. Currently the Principal of Christian Brothers College in Adelaide, a position held since 2019, Daniel has excelled as a leader of faith and learning. Daniel has also been Deputy Principal at Nazareth Catholic College Adelaide and Sacred Heart College as well as the Director of Pastoral Administration at Saint Michael’s College Henley Beach. In each of these positions Daniel has consistently demonstrated significant leadership skill and capacity with energy and enthusiasm.

Daniel holds a Master of Educational Leadership from the Australian Catholic University in which the major areas of focus were academic excellence and change management in a Catholic context. He also holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of South Australia with majors in Economics and Legal Studies. Daniel is currently engaged in further post graduate study in Governance at the Australian Catholic University. 

Daniel is accredited to lead Religious Education in the Archdiocese of Adelaide. He is a Parishioner at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Henley Beach. Daniel is married to Jess and they have three children, Eliza, Ruby and Ted.

Vale Dean Wills, Sacred Heart Hall of Honour inductee

The College is saddened to learn of the passing of Old Scholar and revered Hall of Honour inductee, Dean Wills (SHC ‘49) on Saturday 16 July 2022.

Dean was awarded a scholarship to attend Sacred Heart in 1947, but left just prior to matriculation as he needed to earn a living. He studied accounting at the SA School of Mines (now the University of South Australia).

His outstanding business career spanned 46 years and included the positions of Managing Director of WD & HO Wills, Chairman and Managing Director of Coca-Cola Amatil, Chairman of Transfield Services Ltd and directorships with Fairfax Holdings Ltd and Westfield Holdings Ltd. 

He served as Deputy Chairman of the Australian Grand Prix, Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He was awarded the Sir Charles McGrath Award for his contribution to marketing in Australia and received the Businessman of the Year award in 1990 by Australian Business Magazine.

On his passing, Dean’s daughter, Deb Williams,  wrote to the College:

“I wanted you to know just how much Sacred Heart College meant to him. He talked often of his time at school and referred to it as “life changing” giving him access to a classical education and a discipline of learning that stood him in great stead throughout his extraordinary business career. He was proud to be associated with SHC and delighted that his grand nephews Will, Oscar and Chester Forster and cousins Amelia and Harrison Bau have been or are currently students there. We will treasure his memory as a titan of Australian business and he will be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Wills family.

Year 9 Food Technology students create ‘Pie of the Month’

Over the course of Semester 1, the Year 9 Food Technology students developed their culinary skills in meeting a Design Brief set by Brighton Jetty Bakery. The students were asked to create a pie for the bakery’s ‘Pie of the Month’. The idea was that they were to research and design a pie that was unique and easily replicable in the bakery, with the winners being invited in to make their pie, which was then sold as the ‘Pie of the Month’ at Brighton Jetty Bakery. 

David and Dahlia Matkovic, the owners of Brighton Jetty Bakery, were on hand to judge the winners from over 100 contestants. On Monday 18 July, Year 9 students Amelia Wilson and Jasmine Barclay were involved in the production of their ‘Supreme Pizza with Salami and Green Capsicum’ pie, which was then sold at the bakery. The pie was an immediate hit with the community, with sales made as the pies came out the oven. 

Congratulations to Amelia and Jasmine, and a big thank you to David and Dahlia for their amazing support over the course of the semester.

Year 11 RAP experience

Yesterday our Year 11 students took part in the SA Metropolitan Fire Service Road Awareness Program (RAP), a powerful presentation about road safety and being a responsible driver. 

Led by Firefighters, Jarrad and Nigel who work in road crash rescue, the presentation provided a confronting and realistic insight into road crash trauma. The students also heard from Michael, the father of a crash victim, who retold his personal story of how a crash can dramatically change lives. Tonight, our parents will also have the opportunity to experience the presentation.

Many thanks to the MFS for educating and empowering the next generation of drivers, helping to keep our young people safe on the roads!

SHC Staff attain MHFA Accreditation

Congratulations to 66 of Sacred Heart College’s staff who attained their Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) accreditation through Handling Health at the end of last term.

Much like physical first aid, Mental Health First Aid teaches practical skills using an evidence based action plan to guide the support required as a first responder. It increases confidence and mental health literacy and as a result teaches you what to do when someone tells you “I am not OK”.

Our team now have the tools and capability to support others who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing a mental health crisis or experiencing a worsening of a current mental illness. 

This training could save somebody’s life – a courageous and necessary investment in our staff and students, both professionally and personally.

Some feedback from participants included:

“I would recommend that all teachers and those studying education at uni complete this course. It would be extremely helpful to all.”

“I think it is a course every educator, sports coach or person working with others should have to do.”

“I feel more positive and confident to have mental health first aid conversations.”

“A brilliant course… relevant and helpful.”

“It was excellent – accessible content, practical strategies and relevant. Thank you.”

“I feel empowered with knowledge and skills to better support my students, family and friends.”

Subject Selection

Over the coming weeks we commence our process of Subject Selections for 2023 with our current Year 10 and Year 11 students. Students will be led through this process starting with information sessions at school, continuing discussions with their Home Room teachers and supported by our Careers and VET team. 

Parents will have received information about our Subject Selection Information Evenings where they have the opportunity to learn more about SACE and post-school pathways which can influence the selection process. 

Parents of current Year 10 students are invited to attend on Thursday 4 August at 7.00pm.

Parents of current Year 11 students are invited to attend on Wednesday 10 August 2022 at 7.00pm. 

Both sessions will be held in the Debourg Performing Arts Centre.

Walk a Mile in My Boots

Sacred Heart College students and staff will gather early on both Thursday (Champagnat) and Friday (Marcellin) mornings in Week 3 to ‘Walk a Mile in My Boots’ in support of approximately 6,000 people who are currently experiencing homelessness in South Australia. The aim of the walk is to increase awareness about homelessness in our community and to raise much needed funds for the Hutt St Centre.

This year, our fundraising goal is $6,000 and we are aiming to exceed last year’s total of over $5,000.

You can donate to this cause here.

Business Lunch Celebrating Robert Stigwood (SHC ‘50)

The Sacred Heart College Foundation and Old Collegians invite families to attend our Business Lunch celebrating Robert Stigwood (SHOC ‘50) and his many donations to the College Foundation, including his Music Memorabilia featuring the Bee Gees.

Robert was a music entrepreneur and film producer and is known internationally for his contribution to the music industry. He is perhaps best known as manager of the Bee Gees and Cream, theatrical productions like Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar and film productions including Grease and Saturday Night Fever. In 2015, he was inducted into the South Australia Hall of Fame and established a fellowship program which mentors local musicians.

The luncheon will be hosted by ABC ‘Bald Brother’ John Kenneally (SHOC ‘69).

Friday 2 September 2022
12.00pm – 3.00pm
$80 per head for a 2 course lunch & drink on arrival

The Highway Hotel, 290 Anzac Highway, Plympton SA 5038

RSVP by Monday 22 August via TryBooking

For a table of 10 or further enquiries, please email foundation@shc.sa.edu.au

View/print full invitation here.

Mission Australia drop-in sessions for families of students with a disability

Mission Australia will be visiting both Marcellin and Champagnat Campuses to provide information to families of students with disability. These visits aim to assist students and their families to gain access to and engage with relevant supports and services, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), in response to the challenges faced by students, families and schools in this domain, as identified in the CESA Students with Disability Review.

Parents are invited to visit either campus during the following times to speak to a Mission Australia staff member to ask questions about how to access individualised support from Mission Australia.

Champagnat – 30 August (Week 6) 1.45pm to 4.45pm in the Allied Health Room next to Front Office.

Marcellin – 1 September (Week 6) 1.45pm to 4.45pm in the Reconciliation Room.

For further information, please click here.

Mask wearing in schools

In line with recent recommendations provided by SA Health, Sacred Heart College would like to remind families that with the significant increase in COVID-19 cases, it is recommended (not mandatory) that students in years 3 to 12 continue to wear face masks when indoors to help reduce the spread of the virus. 

Families are encouraged to ensure your child brings a mask to school each morning. 

Students are also reminded that when travelling on public transport, students aged 12 years and over are required to wear a mask.

For further information or clarification on mask wearing and staying COVID-safe, please refer here for recommendations provided by SA Health, jointly signed by the Director of Cathoic Education SA, Dr Neil McGoran and the Chief Public Health Officer, Dr Nicola Spurrier.

We thank you for helping keep our community COVID-safe.

2021 School Performance Report

Sacred Heart College’s 2021 School Performance report, which provides insight into various aspects of the College in 2021, is now available via the College website at www.shc.sa.edu.au/our-college/governance

As we commence Term 3 we do so acknowledging the appointment of the next Principal at Sacred Heart – Mr Daniel Lynch. His appointment provides time and space for a comprehensive handover and provides assurance to the Hearts Community that it will continue to thrive under the leadership of an experienced and highly respected Catholic Educational Leader and well known former Deputy of the College. I look forward to working closely with Daniel over the remainder of the year in preparation for his commencement in January next year!

Wishing you all wellness!

Steve Byrne
Principal