A time to reflect and connect: The Class of 2025 gathered at various locations across the state for their Year 12 Retreat in Week 6.
To our Sacred Heart College community
As Term 1 progresses, our community has been busy with reflection, celebration, and achievement. Year 12 students embraced connection and personal growth on Retreats, while we welcomed students from Okayama Sozan High School in Japan for a week of cultural exchange. I extend the College’s sincere thanks for the families who have generously hosted students.
The Game Changers Connect Night explored the Marist theme, Pilgrims of Hope: Look Beyond, and in sport, our partnership with Celtic FC saw elite coaching sessions, with four students set to train in Glasgow, departing tomorrow! Excitement is also building for The Wizard of Oz musical and upcoming Harmony Week performances. And, as always, amidst all of this was our usual teaching and learning, including the enormous undertaking of NAPLAN for about 700 students!
This is only a tiny snapshot of the breadth and diversity of the College and a testament to the vibrant life of our community. Thank you to all staff, students, and families for your contributions and support in making these experiences possible.
Daniel Head
Deputy Principal
Reflection, connection, and growth at Year 12 Retreats
It was a time for reflection and connection for the Class of 2025 during Week 6 as they headed to various locations across the state in House groups for their Year 12 Retreat. The three-day Retreats enabled space for personal reflection, small group activities and the opportunity for the Year 12 cohort to build stronger relationships with one another in their final year of schooling. The Retreats also provided a wonderful mix of fun and games, talent shows and dress up days, and story telling where students were able to build on their Family Spirit.
Following their return to school, the Year 12s were given the opportunity to comment on their Retreat experience, some of which can be read below:
“Retreat was probably the best experience in my 12 years of schooling; Every part of the Retreat resonated with me personally.”
“I loved the candle activity, where we all got to give a candle to someone who we want to grow our relationship with, or to just say thanks! It was a really wholesome experience.”
“I loved forming bonds with others in my House. Hearing stories from those you don’t know very well was really inspiring.”
“The talent show was a clear highlight of the Retreat, where students could express themselves without fear of judgement, leading to classics, comedies, and everything in between! Also, the mini-games and conversation starters were crucial to develop a strong bond amongst peers in the House, which otherwise may not have been possible at school.”
The Year 12 cohort are to be applauded for their engagement and enthusiasm on Retreat. They returned to school following the weekend more unified, caring and respectful of each other’s stories.
A huge thanks to the House and Homeroom staff who expertly prepared for, led and guided our Year 12s through the Retreat.
Meet our Student Leaders – 2025 Sports Leaders
In each Hearts News, two of our 2025 Year 9 and Year 12 portfolio leaders will take part in a brief Q&A session so you can get to know them a little better. This week we meet Year 9 Sports Leader, Lachlan Gill, and Year 12 Sports Captain, Rachel Hayball.
Lachlan Gill
2025 Year 9 Sports Leader
Rachel Hayball
2025 Year 12 Sports Captain
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Lachlan Gill, 2025 Year 9 Sports Leader
What does leadership mean to you?
To me leadership means always setting the right example for all to follow.What does being a Marist Leader mean to you?
Being a Marist Leader at Sacred Heart is really special as I can always try to make the community better here and help everyone enjoy this great school as much as I do.What Marist characteristic do you resonate with the most and why?
I resonate most with Family Spirit as everyone being involved and enjoying themselves is important to me. No one should feel like they don’t belong or can’t enjoy what they do.What do you hope to achieve as a Leader this year?
This year I hope to contribute towards further improving the sports and sports programs here at Sacred Heart so that more students can become involved and find a new hobby or even a new sport.A teacher I admire at SHC is:
The teacher I most admire at Sacred Heart is Mr Jiannis because he always makes learning in the classroom fun and is always positive, bringing a great attitude to school that is contageous.The best thing about attending SHC is:
The best part about being at Sacred Heart for me is the sport and the opportunities we get as students.Three words that describe my personality are:
Ambitious, positive and honest.My favourite book is:
The Treehouse books by Andy Griffiths.My favourite song is:
‘The Thrill’ by Wiz Khalifa and Empire of the Sun.Someone I admire is:
The two people I admire most are my mum and dad.On the weekend you will find me:
Kicking the footy, at the beach if its hot or going out with mates.My greatest accomplishment or sporting moment:
Being involved in State footy teams and my favourite memory is from Year 8 footy intercol.The funniest moment in my life was:
When I went crabbing with my friends and one of them got their ear pinched by the crab claw.What is your most prized possession?
My team signed 2004 premiership guernsey.What is on your bucket list?
I want to travel to Greece and Ireland – definitely top of the list.What skill would you most like to learn?
I would like to learn how to rainbow flick a footy over my head.If you were a superhero, who would you be?
Spider-Man because he can get anywhere quickly and has the best super powers. -
Rachel Hayball, 2025 Year 12 Sports Captain
What does leadership mean to you?
To me, leadership means leading by example, helping others and making a positive difference.What does being a Marist Leader mean to you?
Being a Marist Leader means living out the Marist characteristics everyday, creating a sense of belonging and serving others.What Marist characteristic do you resonate with the most and why?
I resonate most with Family Spirit. I love working with and helping others.What do you hope to achieve as a Leader this year?
To get to know more of the Sacred Heart community, make a positive impact on at least one person and get more students involved in school sport activities.A teacher I admire at SHC is:
Ms “J” because she is a great teacher, coach and person, and cares about her students.The best thing about attending SHC is:
All the amazing opportunities that are provided, the sport and the people.Three words that describe my personality are:
Hardworking, caring and bubbly.My favourite book is:
‘Tomorrow When the War Began’ by John Marsden.My favourite song is:
‘The Scientist’ by Coldplay.Someone I admire is:
Georgie Horjus (Adelaide Thunderbirds player).On the weekend you will find me:
At the beach.My greatest accomplishment or sporting moment:
Winning the 400m Woman’s Stawell Gift final.What is your most prized possession?
My car.What is on your bucket list?
To travel.What skill would you most like to learn?
How to play the guitar.If you were a superhero, who would you be?
Wonder Woman because she can fly and is strong.
Welcoming Okayama Sozan High School in cross-cultural exchange
This week Sacred Heart College welcomed 12 students and two staff from Okayama Sozan High School in Japan for a week-long homestay program. Our Hearts families greeted the guests at the airport on Saturday morning before commencing a weekend of showing them the sights around Adelaide.
On Monday the travelling party were welcomed to Marcellin Campus with an orientation session and morning tea, before beginning their timetabled classes. Some highlights of the school week have been an Australian landscape painting workshop, an AFL class, and a visit from some native Australian animals. The group also visited Champagnat Campus on Wednesday, meeting some of the middle school Japanese classes.
A huge thank you goes out to our host families for your generosity in opening your homes to the visiting students. Thanks also to Ms Ewer, Mr Kay, Mr MacGregor and Ms Santrac for organising the specialist lessons that the group was able to engage in. Special thanks to our Hearts host students and the Stage 1 and 2 Japanese classes for the enthusiasm and genuine care with which you approached the program. An experience such as this not only fosters linguistic and cultural understanding, but can also create life-long bonds between host families.
We thank our Okayama Sozan High School guests for visiting Sacred Heart College and wish them a safe journey home tomorrow. Whilst their time with us has been short, they have left a cherished and lasting mark on our students, and we are sure their new Australian friends look forward to seeing them again soon.
Year 9s commence Rite Journey Program
Sacred Heart College’s Rite Journey program for Year 9 students commenced on Thursday of Week 6 with the Calling Ceremony. The evening, which brought students, families and staff together, was one of deep reflection, as students shared gratitude letters with their parents and caregivers, marking a symbolic farewell to their childhood. This was a truly meaningful occasion, with students leaving the ceremony uplifted by the love and support of their families, ready to embark on the path toward adulthood.
We were also honoured to have Andrew Lines, co-developer of The Rite Journey, as our special guest speaker. He shared valuable insights with families on how to create a meaningful rite of passage for their child, offering guidance on how we can support, acknowledge, and celebrate their transition into adulthood.
Celebrating International Women’s Day
The City of Holdfast Bay offered a wonderful opportunity for three Sacred Heart students to attend the International Women’s Day breakfast on Friday, 7 March, at the Adelaide Convention Centre, in partnership with the City of Holdfast Bay. This initiative, proposed by the Council, aimed to engage youth in raising awareness and creating opportunities to acknowledge and celebrate the social, economic, political, and cultural achievements of women. Congratulations to Year 11 students Maya, Hayley, and Lily, who represented the College with excellence in celebrating International Women’s Day.
Game Changers gathering for first Connect Night of 2025
On Wednesday evening, over 30 students from Sacred Heart and Cardijn College gathered for the first Connect Night of the year. Taking place once a term, Connect Nights are an integral aspect of the Game Changers program, allowing Year 11 and 12 students to build connections with their peers, engage in spiritual formation and deepen their sense of Marist identity.
Centred around the Marist theme for 2025, Pilgrim’s of Hope; Look Beyond, staff and students engaged in a number of activities to consider their personal journey in 2025, how they will prepare for this journey and how they can plant ‘seeds of Hope’ in their communities along the way. A combination of reflective and creative activities enabled students to delve deeper into their aspirations for the year ahead and the qualities they will grow throughout the journey as they encounter successes and challenges.
It was a privilege to be joined by Brother Bryan Leak, one of our Marist Brothers living at Somerton Park, who shared about his own journeys and the lessons that were learnt throughout these experiences.
We look forward to the next Connect Night during Term 2 which will take place at Cardijn College.
Student Leaders make their mark at National Leadership Summit
Year 11 leaders, Henry Thur and Charlotte O’Sullivan, proudly represented the College last Friday at the 2025 Leadership Summit at St Peter’s College.The Leadership Summit provided an opportunity to discover more about themselves as leaders and how they can contribute to our school through its leadership program. The program also gave them the opportunity to discuss with other school leaders on how they approach their leadership roles and how to incorporate our own College values.
The day covered three different sessions on Self, Others and Community. These different sessions allowed Henry and Charlotte to view their leadership through different perspectives to learn how to serve themselves, others and the community. Through these different discussions with different schools and their leadership approaches, Henry and Charlotte have come back to Sacred Heart with collaborative ways to lead and further develop their leadership within our community.
Arts & Music News
The Wizard of Oz Musical set to wow audiences
Rehearsals for our upcoming musical production of The Wizard of Oz are in full swing, and the cast and crew are bringing the story to life with incredible energy and dedication. From perfecting musical numbers to refining character performances, our students are demonstrating remarkable growth in both confidence and skill.
Behind the scenes, our creative team has been hard at work. Costumes are taking shape, with vibrant designs that highlight the magical land of Oz. Set and props are also coming to life thanks to the hard work of our production team who have been working behind the scenes. Props, from Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers to the Emerald City gates, are being carefully crafted to enhance the theatrical experience.
With tickets now on sale, excitement is building. We can’t wait to share this magical journey with the school community!
Tickets available via Trybooking here.
2025 Music dates and events
Champagnat Campus (Term 1 2025)
| Week 8 | Harmony Week Performances |
| Week 9 | Friday 28 March – Champagnat Sports Day Drumline and Superband performances |
| Week 10 | Monday 31 March – Friday 4 April – Arts Week at Champagnat Campus Wednesday 2 April – Adam Page Incursion & Performance Thursday 3 April – Year 9 SACE Art/Design Exhibition Excursion |
Marcellin Campus (Term 1 2025)
No upcoming dates
Sports News
Sacred Heart College welcomes Celtic Football Club Coaches
Sacred Heart College had the incredible honour of hosting three elite coaches from European football powerhouse, Celtic Football Club. Coaches James Quail, Ru MacInnes, and Thomas Kelly arrived from Glasgow on 9 March and spent the week across both our Marcellin and Champagnat Campuses, delivering high-quality coaching to our male and female athletes.
Our First XI Soccer team had the privilege of working with the Celtic coaches, alongside our newly appointed Head Coaches, Stefan Mauk and Dylan Pierias, to fine-tune their skills and strategies ahead of the upcoming season. The visiting coaches also implemented intensive day clinics for our Year 7, 8, and 9 students, ensuring that young athletes were exposed to top-tier training methods. Additionally, they extended their expertise to the broader community by hosting public sessions, making the most of their time in Adelaide.
Sacred Heart College is immensely proud of its strong partnership with Celtic Football Club and deeply grateful for the world-class coaching their staff provided. This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to developing outstanding football talent.
As a continuation of this incredible opportunity, tomorrow four exceptional and dedicated students, Ollie Perkins, Alfie Carmichael, Rhiannon Zovi, and Elise Rake, will travel to Glasgow, Scotland to train at Celtic’s world-class Soccer Academy. These students will experience training at the U14 to U18 levels, gaining invaluable insight into what it takes to excel on the international stage.
We extend our best wishes to our four student-athletes, as well as to teacher and Head of Soccer, Kurtis Harrison, and Boys Sports Coordinator, Gavin Pinnington, who will accompany them on this journey. We have no doubt they will represent Sacred Heart College with pride and distinction.
This remarkable experience highlights our ongoing dedication to fostering elite soccer talent, and we look forward to strengthening our bond with Celtic Football Club in the future.
Tennis Individual Championships
Congratulations to six of our Year 7 male students who proudly represented Sacred Heart at the School Sport SA Individual State Tennis Championships at Peake Gardens Tennis Club on Friday, 7 March.
Competing against some of the state’s top young players, they showcased remarkable determination, skill, and resilience throughout the tournament. The matches were intense, featuring long rallies and hard-fought points. Despite the tough competition, our students remained composed and displayed incredible grit on the court. Most importantly, they exemplified outstanding sportsmanship, demonstrating respect and humility in both victory and defeat.
Well done to:
- Charles Braithaite
- Charles Gow
- Harvey Hastwell
- Will Klingberg
- Charlie Piasente
- Charlie Tierney.
A special congratulations to Charlie Gow, who put on an impressive performance and advanced to the semi-finals.
Student Sporting Achievements
Congratulations to the following students on their outstanding sporting achievements, listed below.
| Ruby Arcadiou (Year 10), Chloe McArdle (Year 10) & Summer Robinson (Year 11) | Selected in the Adelaide Thunderbirds Talent Emerging Academy program for 2025. |
| Eira Dalzell (Year 11) | Will represent Australia in the Disabled Waterski team at the IWWF Oceania Water Ski Championships 2025 in New Zealand from 27-30 March. She will also be competing in both the Disabled And Abled Bodied competitions in the 2025 Waterski Australian National Titles in Port Macquarie in April! |
| Riley Attenborough (Year 12) | Successfully made the Australian U20 Men’s Lacrosse Field team to compete at the 2025 World Lacrosse U20 Men’s Championship in South Korea on 15 – 22 August, along with old scholars Hudson Robb (SHOC ’24) and Will Dallisson (SHOC ’24). |
Please note the images below are in order of names listed in the table above.
2025 Sports dates and events
Champagnat Campus (Term 1 2025)
| Week 9 | Monday 24 March – Catholic Girls Athletics Carnival at SA Athletics Stadium Monday 24 March – Year 8/9 Boys Soccer Trials Tuesday 25 March – Catholic Co-Ed Athletics Carnival at SA Athletics Stadium Tuesday 25 March – SA Schools Teams Chess Championships at St Martin De Porres Wednesday 26 March – 7A & 9B Intercol Cricket at SHC Champagnat Wednesday 26 March – Year 8/9 Boys Basketball Trials Thursday 27 March – Year 9 Boys Football Trials Friday 28 March – Champagnat Sports Day (Early 1.10pm dismissal) |
| Week 10 | Monday 31 March – Year 7 Boys Football Trials Tuesday 1 April – Year 8/9 Girls Football Trials & Girls Soccer Trials Wednesday 2 April – Year 8 Boys Football Trials & Year 8/9 Boys Basketball Trials Thursday 3 April – Year 9 Boys Football Trials |
Marcellin Campus (Term 1 2025)
| Week 9 | Monday 24 March – Catholic Girls Athletics Carnival at SA Athletics Stadium Tuesday 25 March – Catholic Co-Ed Athletics Carnival at SA Athletics Stadium Sunday 30 March – Marist Basketball Carnival departure |
Click here to view Sports Fixtures and Results.
Click here to view the full College calendar of events.
