Hearts News – Thursday 23 May 2024 (Week 4 Term 2)

‘Now more than ever’ – We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures. (www.reconciliation.org.au)

To our Sacred Heart College community

2024 Kilmore Exchange

I am pleased to advise that the annual sporting exchange with Assumption College Kilmore in Victoria is now confirmed for 2024, returning to our annual calendar for the first time in three years. The Exchange will be held over Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 August 2024.

It is expected that more than 100 boys and girls from across many of our sporting teams will attend the weekend event, alongside coaches and staff.

More details will come in due course from Sports Coordinators and coaches. If you have any specific questions at this stage about the logistics of the Exchange, please contact Luke Hildyard at lukehildyard@shc.sa.edu.au. If you have questions about team selection, etc, please speak with your child’s coach or one of our senior years Sport Coordinators – Laura Breeding (Girls) at laurabreeding@shc.sa.edu.au or Gavin Pinnington (Boys) at gavinpinnington@shc.sa.edu.au. 

Year 12 Classes

The end of next week (Week 5) marks the half way point for Year 12 classes for 2024, leaving 80 school days remaining this year!

Interestingly, it is always the case in Year 12 that much more work is done in the second half of the year than occurs in the opening 3 months. 

So what does that mean for our students?

Whilst on one hand it means they have much to do in the weeks and months ahead, it is also means that most of the assessment for each of their subjects is yet to occur, and therefore, they have ample time to improve their grades and aim higher for this year. 

The College continues to offer significant support to our senior students. In addition to our expert teachers and ESOs, we have Library Workbacks and Senior Study in the library, and our old scholar tutor program is in full swing, just to name a few. 

Now is the time to make the most of these supports, to make some sacrifices by way of our social lives and plans, and to aim higher for the remainder of the year.

If any parents or caregivers wish to discuss how best to support their son or daughter at home, please reach out to specific subjects teachers in the first instance. Beyond that, I know our Heads of Learning and Heads of House remain ready, willing and able to support where required.

Daniel Lynch
Principal

‘Sea of Hands’ for a reconciled future

Today at Marcellin Campus, students and staff created a ‘Sea of Hands,’ illustrating their visions for a reconciled future at Sacred Heart College in honour of National Sorry Day. Tomorrow (24 May), Sacred Heart College will continue to honour National Sorry Day, acknowledging the strength and resilience of Stolen Generations Survivors. On Friday morning, students and staff from Champagnat and Marcellin Campuses will gather for a liturgy to reflect on the past and the ongoing impact of the Stolen Generation. 

This day encourages reflection on our collective role in healing as a nation. The inaugural National Sorry Day occurred on 26 May 1998, following the ‘Bringing Them Home’ report’s tabling in Parliament. 

National Sorry Day also marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June), which we will celebrate next week. The week will feature a variety of cultural activities, including music, art, dance, cooking, and more, fostering a deeper understanding and connection within our community, which we will feature in the next Hearts News in Week 6.

Celebrating the significant women in our lives

On the Friday morning before Mother’s Day, more than 100 mothers, grandmothers, and significant family members gathered in the Function Centre at Champagnat Campus. The guests enjoyed coffee and sweet treats as a gesture of appreciation for all that they do for our Sacred Heart College students. A presentation on the large screen displayed students’ thoughts about their mothers and about Mary, ‘our Good Mother’.

On the Thursday before, a small group of mothers, grandmothers and special relatives joined the Marian House Mass to celebrate and acknowledge Mary, our Good Mother, and all the mothers and motherly figures in our lives. Following this, guests and their students gathered in the Parlour at Marcellin Campus for afternoon tea to celebrate the significant women in our lives. We thank all those who attended and supported this event, particularly the P&F for the chocolates and prayer cards provided to the guests who attended. 

‘A Home for All Hearts – National Boarding Week 2024

Last week we celebrated National Boarding Week at Sacred Heart College, an initiative started by Australian Boarding Schools Australia (ABSA) to acknowledge boarding school communities in Australia. Boarding at Sacred Heart College commenced in 1905 for boys and in 1998 for girls. This year, 121 students from rural, regional and remote areas across the country call Sacred Heart College home.

Across the week, our boarding leaders and boarding leadership team worked together to hold a number of activities that showcased what boarding has to offer at Sacred Heart College. Sunday saw a group of boarders head to Adelaide Oval to watch the draw between the Adelaide Crows and the Brisbane Lions. For some of our boarders, this was their first AFL experience. On Monday, our boarding leaders attended Scotch College for a boarding leaders gathering. This gave our leaders a chance to mix with other boarding students/leaders from other colleges around Adelaide to discuss and share boarding house initiatives. They also had the opportunity to have a tour of the Scotch College Boarding House. Later that night, the boarders held a PJ themed schnitzel night dinner with a “build your own ice cream sundae” dessert bar.

On Tuesday, both the Boys and Girls Boarding Houses opened their doors to our staff community. We saw a large number of staff come through and participate in tours held by the boarding students. Some staff then joined the boarders for a BBQ dinner in the boarders dining room. A big shout out to all of the day school staff that took the time to support our boarders in their home away from home. The boarding students were then able to tour each other’s boarding house (which they normally cannot do). This created a real sense of excitement amongst the students.

On Wednesday night our community gathered to participate in a quiz night. This was a big success and  teams enjoyed a close result in the end. We covered a wide range of topics and it was an excellent shared experience for all. Then on Thursday night everyone enjoyed a relaxing evening with sporting activities running throughout the evening in the Br McAteer Centre, and the students looking forward to the exeat weekend and getting ready to return home to friends and family.

A huge shout out to our chefs and catering staff who embraced and supported National Boarding Week and helped make it a special occasion for all members of our boarding community.

Meet our 2024 Student Leaders – Year 12 Aboriginal Program Captain

Each week, our portfolio Student Leaders will take part in a brief Q&A session so you can get to know them a little better. In acknowledgement of National Sorry Day (26 May) and National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June 2024), we meet our 2024 Year 12 Aboriginal Program Captain, Crystal Edwards.

Student Leaders Day

The Student Leaders from across both Champagnat and Marcellin campuses came together for a Student Leaders Day on Friday 10 May. The leaders from Years 7-12 engaged in a range of activities that saw them focus on successful leadership dynamics and developing team problem solving skills.

The day began with an address from our Year 12 College Captains, Tom Dermody and Piper Ackland, and was followed by a session run by David Threadgold, who focused on practical leadership applications and group dynamics. Mrs Caldwell and Ms Porcelli then led the students in a collaborative planning session, which aimed to have students develop one cross campus focus per House.

To end the day, students participated in a range of physical activities led by Active Ed. While the competition was fierce, the Chanel House leaders took out the day! 

We look forward to the next opportunity to work together as a student leadership team! 

Year 12 “Retreat Day 4”

The Year 12 Retreat program continued on 14 May with House groups venturing off campus for “Retreat Day 4”, an opportunity to reconnect following a largely successful two night Year 12 Retreat experience in March.

The Year 12 cohort spent time considering the highlights and challenges of the year so far, the key moments to come in 2024 and what and who they are grateful for. A huge thank you to the Class of 2024 for their engagement in the Retreat and to the staff for their efforts in facilitating the day.

Helping create ‘Treasure Boxes’ for families in need

In a display of true Marist Mission in action, a group of Year 11 Game Changers students visited Treasure Boxes on Tuesday of Week 2, a not-for-profit organisation that provides personalised care packages, or “treasure boxes,” for babies, children, teens, and families in crisis. Our students saw first hand that each package is thoughtfully tailored by gender and age, and includes clothing for a year (both summer and winter outfits), essential hygiene items, and age-appropriate toys or games.

During their visit, our students eagerly worked alongside dedicated volunteers, immersing themselves in the vital behind-the-scenes work that keeps Treasure Boxes running smoothly. They engaged in a variety of tasks, from sorting donations by clothing type and size to assembling book bags, each filled with 10 donated books. They also created craft packs stocked with paint supplies and a smock, cut and tied tags for donated crochet blankets, and helped pack the treasure boxes.

All students agreed that this was an incredible opportunity to engage in ministry and make a tangible difference in the local community. It was wonderful to receive a lovely email from Treasure Boxes commending our students for their politeness and eagerness to help; a truly rewarding day for our Year 11 Game Changers, highlighting the power of community service and ministry.

Boots for Boxes

Following the excursion to the Treasure Boxes warehouse, we had the privilege of hearing from Rikki Cooke, the founder of Treasure Boxes. Rikki visited Marcellin Campus to present to students involved with our Game Changers and MSol groups about her passion for helping children and families in need through her organisation. Rikki’s presentation was also a timely opportunity for Montagne Student Leaders, who are currently leading a donation drive for Treasure Boxes through their ‘Boots for Boxes’ program. Boots for Boxes ensures children have equal opportunities to participate in sport by repurposing good condition football and soccer boots that have been donated.

It was inspiring to hear her story about why she decided to start the Treasure Boxes organisation, and to learn more about how we can make a direct difference in the community through donating, volunteering and spreading the word about Treasure Boxes. We thank Rikki for taking the time to visit and speak to our students.

Caring for our common home

Students from our social justice group, MSol (Marist Solidarity), enjoyed an afternoon at Somerton Park Beach last Monday, collecting litter along the beach and pathways. Equipped with gloves, trash bags, and litter pickers, students divided into teams and spread out across the beach. 

Despite looking clean from a distance, closer inspection revealed an array of litter ranging from cigarette butts to plastic bags and plastic bottles. After just an hour walking along the beach they had collected several bags filled with rubbish that otherwise would have entered the ocean.

Showing an appreciation for the natural world, the students demonstrated their dedication to keeping our local environment and ecosystems clean. It was a rewarding experience for the group to work together to achieve a great outcome for the community and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to care for our common home through our everyday actions. 

A morning of nature play

This morning we welcomed the youngest members of our Hearts Community for a morning of nature-based play in Walter Park at Marcellin Campus. Our Stage 2 Child Studies students thoughtfully prepared a diverse range of nature play activities for the enthusiastic toddlers and preschoolers, who engaged with each of the activities on offer. As part of their summative assessment, the students examined the benefits of nature play for children, as well as the sociocultural factors that may present barriers to this type of play. Congratulations is extended to our students for their efforts and a big thank you to the families that supported them in doing so – a wonderful morning was had by all! 

Adventure with Operation Flinders

For eight Marcellin students, Week 3 and 4 were a call to adventure. These students travelled over 650 km to Yankannina Station in the Northern Flinders Ranges to take part in Operation Flinders. 

Over an eight day period, these students walked more than 75km, carrying backpacks weighing approximately 15kgs. They slept in ‘hutchies’, cooked meals over a fire, and conquered a number of peaks on the property including Mount Rose and Yudlamoora. The students learnt about Adnyamathanha culture, participated in a High Ropes course, and took part in team building activities.

While they had a lot of fun, what was asked of these students was no mean feat. They endured blisters and sore muscles, they survived overnight temperatures under 2 degrees with little more than a yoga mat for insulation beneath them, and they learned to work together and support each other in a seriously remote environment, hours away from phone and internet reception.

It was a pleasure to see these students form connections, develop resilience, and find purpose – many reflecting that they were going to make differences in their habits and relationships at home. They should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.

Hearts place 1st for Fastest Pit stop

Congratulations to our Hearts Hydrogen Racing Team who competed in the Hydrogen Grand Prix Race Day at Findon High School. Competing against 18 teams, the HHR Team won first place for the Fastest Pit Stop at 28 seconds, and came in equal 7th place overall. The hydrogen fuel cell-powered, remote-controlled car had enough energy to complete 3 hours and 59 minutes of the 4 hour race, which totalled 259 laps with an average lap time of 29 seconds. A fantastic result! 

Thank you to staff members, Lyndon Parry, Blake Harding and April Carney for their support with this event.

Gen Bryant concert

On Wednesday, the Year 7s enjoyed a one-hour concert with Gen Bryant, an Australian contemporary Christian music artist, songwriter and Youth Minister from Melbourne. She has a passion for music ministry and travels across Australia to schools and parishes, sharing her stories, music and faith. Following the concert, Gen held a workshop for our liturgical choirs from both campuses.

Year 9 author visit – Tristan Bancks

Year 9 students were treated to an engaging presentation by well known author for kids and teens, Tristan Bancks. His books include Two Wolves, The Fall, Detention, Cop & Robber, the Tom Weekly series, Nit Boy and Ginger Meggs, a 100th anniversary book of brand new short stories based on characters created by his great-great uncle, Jimmy Bancks, in 1921.

Tristan’s books have won and been shortlisted for many awards, including a Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book, the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, ABIA, YABBA, KOALA, NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and Queensland Literary Awards. His new release, Scar Town, a thriller for kids and teens is nominated for a 2024 CBCA Younger Readers Award.

Tristan led the students on a journey through his approach to writing using a variety of tools and technologies. Whether it’s a voice note on a phone, a handwritten note card, a journal entry or a photo, a Spotify playlist or using speech to text; all play a part in the development of a novel. These different ways to approach writing across all curriculum areas gave students new ways and ideas on how to challenge themselves as writers and to improve their own writing skills.

Music News

Music in May

Our first music night for the year, Music in May, was an amazing display of the talent at Marcellin Campus! There were so many wonderful performances, like the drumline with their dynamic beats and the vocal ensemble singing beautifully. The guitar ensemble played lovely tunes, and the liturgy ensemble’s pre-show music was really special. The metal band was predictably loud and energetic, whilst the studio and stage bands were also amazing, bringing lots of energy to the stage with some familiar songs. It was a great night full of wonderful music that left everyone feeling happy and inspired! Well done to the students involved!

2024 Arts and Music dates and events

Marcellin Campus (Term 2 2024)

Click here to view the full College calendar of events.

Sports News

Reconciliation Round

To coincide with National Reconciliation Week (27 May- 3 June), South Australian school sports associations will this week (and next) celebrate a Reconciliation Round of sports fixtures. The round gives schools and students an opportunity to contribute to the national effort of making a significant change in mindset in Australia to achieve reconciliation.

The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2024, ‘Now More Than Ever,’ is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will, and must, continue.

Schools will acknowledge Reconciliation Round in a variety of ways including Welcome to Country and smoking ceremonies prior to games and  wearing Indigenous sports uniforms.  

This year, the First’s team uniforms for football and basketball were designed by Sacred Heart Year 12 student, Bonnie Dingaman. The story behind the design is about teamwork, like ants, they work together as one to get what they need, to get the job done. The design on the back of the guernsey represents  players coming together as one before and after a game. Thank you Bonnie for your hard work and dedication in creating such a meaningful design for our Hearts athletes to wear with pride. 

We ask our Sacred Heart students to keep the importance of reconciliation in the forefront of their minds as they represent the College in their sporting fixtures this week and next.

Pedal Prix power

On Saturday, 40 students from across the College took part in the 2024 Pedal Prix season competing in Race 2 at The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend. With limited time in the trikes due to training venue restrictions, the students quickly learned the basics, whilst returning riders helped out with their personal experiences of riding in previous events. 

The Bend has awesome facilities, allowing teams to set up in the Pit garages to support their teams, just like the V8 Supercars or Formula 1 teams. Spectators have great views from the grandstands and atop the main building over the entire track. The Bend has its own ‘crash corner’, a tight hair pain that saw a number of trikes roll over with riders on the very first lap! After the initial nerves wore off, our teams settled into racing and performed admirably achieving the following results:

BraveHeart (Seniors)
17th place in Category S3 with 78 laps and a fastest lap speed of 3:29 mins and the top speed of  48.536km/hr.

HeartBeat (Years 7-9)
38rd place in Category S2 with 50 laps and a fastest lap time of 4:39 mins and the top speed of 36.433km/hr.

HeartBurn (Year 9)
15th place in Category S2 with 66 laps and a fastest speed of 4:04 mins and the top speed of 41.676km/hr.

HeartAttack (Year 7)
32nd place in Category S2 with 54 laps and a fastest speed of 4:37 mins and the top speed of 36.677km/hr.

The overall winner on the day out of 171 teams was a community team – Wattle Racing, Gunyah with 114 laps and a fastest lap speed of 2:51.762 mins and the top speed of 59.315km/hr!

Special thanks to all who help with maintenance and support tasks to ensure the event runs safely and smoothly. Also, thanks to parents and families who pitched in to help out with a variety of jobs: track marshals, assistance with teams in the pits and those who supervised in The Paddock area.

We look forward to our next race on Sunday 16 June at Victoria Park Racecourse.

Mountain Bike Teams Championships

On Thursday 9 May, Sacred Heart entered several teams in the School Sport SA State Mountain Bike Championships held at the Sturt Gorge Recreation Park. Teams of 3-4 riders rode around the circuit trying to get as many laps completed in either a 2hr or 2.5hr time period. Well done to all teams who participated admirably.

MR Surfing Teams Trials South Australia 2024

On Thursday 9 May 2024 Sacred Heart College took 14 students to Middleton Point to compete in the MR Surfing Teams Trials South Australia 2024. The College was well-represented with two Under 16 Boys teams and two Under 19 Boys teams participating throughout the day.

Both Under 19 Boys teams had an impressive start. They performed strongly in their initial heats, with both teams securing second place, which advanced them directly to the finals. In the finals, despite a strong performance and considerable effort, both teams faced challenges with timing. Ultimately, they secured the 4th and 5th positions overall.

The Under 16 Boys Teams experienced a slower start. After the first heat, they found themselves in the Repechage Round. With good resilience, they placed 3rd in the Repechage Round. However, this result was just shy of qualifying them for the final heat. The Under 16 Boys teams finished the competition in 5th and 9th positions overall.

It was a great day to witness our Sacred Heart College surfers displaying their impressive talents and skill out on the water. Thank you to all students who participated in the day and congratulations on your efforts. 

Results can be viewed here: https://liveheats.com/events/238208 

Golf State Championship finals

On Wednesday 8 May, Sacred Heart had four participants qualify for the School Sport SA State Golf Championships. The boys finished in the following positions; Malachy Marshall – 6th, Blake Wilby – 7th, Campbell Hossack – 9th and Aidan Fitzgerald – 18th. From this tournament, Blake has been selected to represent South Australia at the National Schools event in Canberra. Congratulations to all participants on their well deserved placings!

CEA Knockout Sports (Champagnat and Marcellin)

Results from the last fortnight of Knockout Sports are as follows:

• Year 7/8 Boys Knockout Basketball (Round 1) – SHC (83) def Cardijn (22) & SHC (76) def Encounter College (57)
• Year 7/8 Girls Knockout Basketball (Round 1) – SHC (51) def Henley High (28), SHC (60) def Kildare College (6) and SHC (45) def Cedar College (17)

Student Sporting Achievements

Please note the images below are in order of names listed in the table above.

2024 Sports dates and events

Champagnat Campus (Term 2 2024)

Marcellin Campus (Term 2 2024)

Click here to view the full College calendar of events.