Hearts News – Thursday 5 June 2025 (Week 6 Term 2)

From 27 May to 3 June, Sacred Heart College came together to celebrate Reconciliation Week 2025 – a time for all Australians to reflect on our shared history, celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and work together towards a more just and unified nation.

To our Sacred Heart College community

Being a pilgrim of hope means carrying light into dark places, not because everything is perfect, but because we believe it can be better. It is helping a friend who is struggling, staying kind when you feel tired, or starting again after failing. It is very practical. It is choosing hope over despair, again and again.

St Marcellin, whose feast we celebrate this week, said, “Let it always be said of the Little Brothers of Mary as it was of the early Christians: See how they love one another.” That kind of love, quiet, faithful, real, shows the world that hope is not just an idea. It is a way of living. Hope is not naive or blind. It is gritty. It is choosing to show up, to speak kindly, to forgive, to begin again. It is saying “yes” when it would be easier to walk away.

Pilgrims of hope are not perfect; they get tired, make mistakes, and doubt themselves. But they keep going. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, they walk together, not always knowing what is ahead, but trusting that Jesus walks with them.

We are all pilgrims in some way. That is what we celebrate together as Marists this week. Our hope grows not in comfort, but in the dust of real life, through shared meals, quiet prayers, laughter, tears, and getting our hands dirty in love. That is where God meets us. That is where hope lives.

Daniel Head
Deputy Principal

‘Bridging Now to Next’ – National Reconciliation Week 2025

From 27 May to 3 June, Sacred Heart College celebrated National Reconciliation Week, honouring this year’s theme, ‘Bridging Now to Next’, which urges us to reflect on the ongoing connection between past, present, and future, encouraging all Australians to step forward together to build a more united and respectful nation.

Across the week, the College’s Aboriginal Program Leaders organised a meaningful and engaging series of events that invited students and staff to deepen their understanding of Aboriginal culture and identity. Year 12 Aboriginal Program Captain, Jordan Horne, designed a striking Indigenous hair ribbon that has since been proudly worn by hundreds of students (and some staff!) as a visible symbol of support and respect.

In partnership with the Tjindu Foundation, students also enjoyed a special treat (Indigenous-themed donuts) while learning about the important work the foundation does in supporting young Aboriginal people.

The week culminated in a powerful gathering at Marcellin Campus, where Year 12 students, Jordan Horne, Kelis Jackson-Martin, and Aboriginal Education Program Support Officer, Joey Crowby, shared stories of their cultural heritage and the inspiration behind the College’s Indigenous sports uniforms. Adding to the atmosphere, Ed Wilson and Kayne Seaman showcased their musical talents with traditional Australian ballads.

Students were also encouraged to connect with peers they didn’t know well, fostering inclusive conversations about multiculturalism and Aboriginal Australia. At Champagnat Campus, student leaders, guided by Ms Mikayla Reid, presented thoughtful ideas on how each individual can contribute to positive change.

Elder Uncle John Lochowiak offered a warm Welcome to Country and shared powerful reflections on his lived experience, while Ms Fleur Van den Berg and the Yil Lull Choir delivered a stirring musical performance that resonated with the audience.

To mark National Sorry Day, on Monday 26 May, the College community gathered together online for the National Sorry Day Liturgy, coordinated by Directors of Marist Mission, Ms Barrile (Champagnat) and Mr Fernandez (Marcellin). Delivered with care and conviction by our student leaders, the Liturgy was a time of reflection and collective prayer, asking for wisdom and courage as we journey together toward reconciliation and a more unified future.

Celebrating the Feast Day of St Marcellin Champagnat at Marcellin Campus

Today, staff, students andmembers of the Sacred Heart College community gathered at Marcellin Campus to celebrate the Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat with a special Mass led by Fr Pastor Mumburi. In 1999, 26 years ago, Marcellin Champagnat was canonised as a Saint of the Catholic Church. Known for his dedication, humility, and strength, St Marcellin continues to inspire generations of Marists around the world.

During the celebration, we also took the opportunity to honour the Marist Brothers who reside on campus, acknowledging their remarkable combined contribution of 345 years of service to Marist schools and communities.

Champagnat Campus will hold their celebratory Mass tomorrow. At both Feast Day Masses this week, the College has taken the opportunity to celebrate the contribution of 14 staff who have exceeded 30 years of service to Marist education. Totalling 499 years of service, the following staff were recognised and will be presented with a certificate from the National Director of Marist Schools Australia, Dr Frank Molloy:

Congratulations to these staff for their dedication and servcie to the Marist community. Champagnat staff will be recognised at the St Marcellin Feast Day Mass at Champagnat Campus tomorrow.

Meet our Student Leaders – 2025 Aboriginal Program Captain

In each Hearts News, our 2025 portfolio leaders will take part in a brief Q&A session so you can get to know them a little better. To mark Reconciliation Week, this week we meet Year 12 Aboriginal Program Captain, Jordan Horne.

Operation Flinders: Marcellin students take on the challenge

Rocky terrain, cold nights, and more than 75 kilometres of hiking – this was the reality for 10 Marcellin students who recently took part in Operation Flinders in Week 4.

Travelling over 650 kilometres from the comforts of Marcellin Campus, the group ventured to Yankannina Station in the Northern Flinders Ranges, where they spent eight days immersed in an outdoor experience designed to test resilience and build character.

Each student carried a 15kg backpack as they navigated rugged landscapes, slept under hutchies, prepared meals over open fires, and climbed peaks such as Mount Rose, Yudlamoora, and Mandarin Caps. Along the way, they embraced the opportunity to learn about the Adnyamathanha people and their culture, while also taking on adventurous challenges like Via Ferrata climbing and abseiling.

This journey was far from easy. The students faced blisters, muscle soreness, and sharp bindi prickles, not to mention overnight temperatures dropping below 7°C, with only a yoga mat between them and the cold ground. Despite the tough conditions, they adapted, persevered, and supported one another in the remote outback environment.

Through this experience, they formed deeper connections, stepped outside their comfort zones, built resilience, embraced gratitude, and took time for reflection. Their achievements are something they should be proud of.

Year 9s discover greatness at SASI

On Friday 23 May, Ms Hext and Ms Schar’s Year 9 Sport Science classes were excited to explore the cutting-edge new SASI (South Australian Sports Institute) facility at Mile End, a rare opportunity to step inside the heart of elite athlete development in SA.

The day began with students participating in a series of tests  as part of SASI’s Talent Search Program, designed to identify athletic potential across a range of sports. They then enjoyed an in-depth tour of the state-of-the-art facility, where they explored how cutting-edge technology is used to enhance elite athletic performance.

To conclude the excursion, students attended a Q&A session with an Olympic powerlifter, who shared her inspiring journey to the Games and spoke about the support SASI provides to high-performance athletes.

The experience was both informative and inspiring, offering students a real-world glimpse into the dynamic field of sport science and the exciting career paths it can offer.

Paringa Hall welcomes visitors for the History Festival Tour

Sacred Heart College proudly opened the doors of Paringa Hall and the College Chapel to the public on Saturday 24 May as part of the Holdfast Bay History Tour, a feature of the South Australian History Festival held each May.

Built in 1882, Paringa Hall is an iconic landmark and now forms the heart of the Marcellin Campus. Originally the grand family home of pastoralist James Francis Cudmore, the building has played many roles over its 143-year history, including serving as classrooms and a boarding house.

Visitors enjoyed guided tours through the hall’s elegant rooms and hallways, hearing fascinating stories about its early days and the ways it has evolved over time while still preserving its rich heritage.

Guests shared personal links to the College and local history, with many revisiting the site as former students or curious long-time locals.

We thank the City of Holdfast Bay for supporting this event. Discover more about our history here.

Arts News

Senior Dance Showcase

Last night’s Dance Showcase was a vibrant celebration of creativity, courage, and commitment. Our talented Year 10, Stage 1, and Stage 2 dancers took to the stage and delivered moving, high-energy performances that reflected months of hard work and artistic growth.

From contemporary pieces that explored personal stories to dynamic ensemble works bursting with rhythm and flair, each performance was a testament to the dancers’ dedication and passion. The audience was captivated by the skill, emotion, and teamwork on display, and the atmosphere was electric from start to finish.

We are so incredibly proud of what these students have achieved. Their willingness to take risks, support one another, and push their creative boundaries was evident in every moment on stage.

Thank you to our families, friends, and staff who came to support the performers. It means so much to our dancers to share their work with such an encouraging community.

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul.” – Martha Graham

2025 Arts & Music dates and events

Champagnat Campus (Term 2 2025)

Marcellin Campus (Term 2 2025)

No upcoming Arts/Music events during Weeks 6-8.

Sports News

As we almost reach the  halfway point of our winter sports season, it’s been an exciting and rewarding first six weeks of competition. The enthusiasm and pride  shown by our students each week has been commendable. Whether it’s indoors on the court or out in the winter air on the field, our teams have put their best foot forward in a team-first approach.  

Of particular note, the last two rounds of sport have celebrated Reconciliation Round with the theme ‘Bridging Now to Next‘ in the forefront of our minds. Our students are to be commended for the way in which they have demonstrated unity and respect, showing the power of sport in bringing people together to strengthen relationships.

With the upcoming long weekend, there will be a brief pause in our sports schedule. We encourage everyone to enjoy this well deserved break, recharge, and spend quality time with family and friends.

We look forward to seeing all our teams back in action next week, ready to tackle the second half of the season with renewed energy and determination.

Stay tuned for upcoming fixtures and results as we continue to celebrate the achievements of our sports teams. Let’s keep the momentum going for a successful season.

Hearts take home Silver at Marist Netball Carnival

Sacred Heart College had the privilege of co-hosting the 2025 Marist Netball Carnival alongside Cardijn College. The event welcomed 17 Marist schools from across Australia to Adelaide for three days of competition at the St Clair Recreation Centre.

The Carnival began on Sunday 25 May with a special evening at Sacred Heart College as teams arrived and gathered for the Opening Mass and Carnival Dinner. The night was made memorable with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by John Lochowiak, setting the tone for an inclusive event driven by Family Spirit. A lively scavenger hunt followed, giving students a fun opportunity to bond with peers from other schools.

The competition got underway on the Monday and our Sacred Heart Marist netballers came out firing, playing seven games and finishing the day undefeated, securing a place in the Championship Top 8 division. Tuesday proved just as thrilling, with another seven strong performances. A highlight was the closely fought match against Lavalla College, another undefeated team. In a nail-biting finish, the Hearts team came out on top by just one point.

After a well-earned team dinner and recovery, the girls returned on Wednesday 28 May ready for finals. A victory over Assumption College in the semi-final secured their spot in the Grand Final, once again facing Lavalla College. The atmosphere was electric as all schools gathered to watch the match. The game was a true showcase of talent, teamwork, and determination. Despite a valiant effort, our Hearts girls fell just one point short, earning the silver medal in a game to be proud of. The College is extremely proud of the efforts of all 12 Marist netball players and we congratulate them on a fantastic performance. 

We also congratulate the below players who were selected in the All Australian Team and the Highly Recommended Team of the Tournament:

Thank you to all participating schools for making this Carnival such a great success and for the friendships, memories, and sportsmanship shared along the way.

CEA Knockout Sports (Champagnat and Marcellin)

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

• Year 7/8 Girls Knockout Basketball Round 1 – SHC def by St Francis De Sales / SHC def Modbury High School progressing to Round 2 – SHC def Concordia.
• Year 7/8 Boys Knockout Basketball Round 1 – SHC (63) def St Francis (24) / SHC (40) def Modbury (18) progressing to Round 2 – SHC (64) def Brighton (44).
• Year 9/10 Girls Knockout Soccer – SHC (1) def Cardijn (0) / SHC (0) def by Woodcroft College (1)
• Year 9/10 Boys Knockout Soccer – SHC (5) def Cardijn (4) (penalty shootout) / SHC (0) def by Woodcroft College (3).
• Year 9/10 Girls Knockout Volleyball – SHC (2) def Botanic (0) / SHC (2) def SAC (0) / SHC (2) def Temple (0) / SHC (2) def St Mary’s (1) / SHC (2) def St Peter’s (0). The team now progresses to Round 2 of the competition.
• Year 9/10 Boys Knockout Volleyball – SHC def Temple Christian College / SHC def Nazareth / SHC def by Pulteney / SHC def by Adelaide Botanic / SHC def by Thomas Moore College. 
• Open Boys Knockout Soccer – SHC (1) def ASMS (0) / SHC (0) def by Woodcroft College (1)
• Open Girls Knockout Basketball Round 1 – SHC (37) def by Henley (63) / SHC (63) def Cardijn (43). The team now progresses to Round 2 of the competition.
• Open Boys Knockout Basketball Round 1 – SHC def Pulteney / SHC def Cardijn. The team now progresses to Round 2 of the competition.
• Open Girls Knockout Football Round 1 – SHC (13.11.89) def Heathfield (0) / SHC (18.18.126) def Tatachilla (0). The team now progresses to Round 2 of the competition.

Student Sporting Achievements

Congratulations to the following students on their outstanding sporting achievements, listed below.

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

2025 Sports dates and events

Champagnat Campus (Term 2 2025)

Marcellin Campus (Term 2 2025)

Click here to view Sports Fixtures and Results.

Click here to view the full College calendar of events.