As we welcome a new year ahead, our 2025 Marist Theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope: Look Beyond’, calls on us to journey toward a God of love, whose love we know and experience through human kindness, generosity and compassion.
To our Sacred Heart College community
Welcome to the 2025 school year!
I trust the Christmas break was peaceful and restful, and that our students, staff and families have returned refreshed, and ready to tackle the opportunities and challenges of 2025, head on!
The beginning of every school year is an exciting time of new starts, new relationships, new challenges, and new opportunities. Of course, amongst all of this, are the ample nerves, particularly for those new members of our community.
Last week, we welcomed:
- 354 new Year 7 students, and 24 new students across Years 8 and 9
- 44 new students into Year 10, and 21 new students into Years 11 and 12
- 53 new boarders into a Boarding House of 123 students
- 8 new teachers at Champagnat Campus, 10 new teachers at Marcellin Campus and 2 new teachers working across both campuses, and
- 3 new ESOs at Champagnat Campus, together with 12 new ESOs at Marcellin Campus, including 8 new old scholar tutors.
We offer a warm welcome to all of our new members of our Hearts family, and trust that their experience of all things Sacred Heart will be wonderful.
I also bring your attention to the outstanding results of the Class of 2024, which we will celebrate in the days ahead at the annual Laureate Assembly. Please see the College website, social media posts, and the article in this publication for further details. We are extremely proud of these results, and are already working hard with our Class of 2025 in an effort to improve on them further, this year!
Daniel Lynch
Principal
Celebrating the Class of 2024
Jaylen Atkins
2024 College Dux (ATAR 99.35)
Genny Patching
2024 Proxime Accessit (ATAR 99.25)
Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2024 on their outstanding academic results. All eligible students achieved their SACE, with 40.3% of grades being in the A grade band (an increase from 31.9% in 2023), and 91.5% being in the A or B grade band (compared with 86.5% in 2023). This cohort should be exceptionally proud of the combined efforts they have put in to reach these figures.
Congratulations to our 2024 College DUX, Jaylen Atkins, who earned an impressive ATAR of 99.35. We also congratulate Genny Patching, our 2024 Proxime Accessit, with an ATAR of 99.25. 26.2% of all ATARs were above 90 this year (an increase from 18.3% in 2023) and 49.8% were above 80 (compared to 40.9% in 2023).
We also offer our congratulations to the 40 merit recipients, who received an accumulated 46 merit awards in 2024. We look forward to celebrating these wonderful achievements at the Laureate Assembly next Friday.
Full Year 12 2024 results and the Class of 2024 video screened at the 2024 Year 12 Graduation can be viewed here.
Meet our 2025 Student Leaders – 2025 College Captains
In each Hearts News, two of our 2025 Year 9 and Year 12 portfolio Student Leaders will take part in a brief Q&A session so you can get to know them a little better. This week we meet 2025 College Captains, Keeley Carey and Edward Wilson.
Keeley Carey
2025 College Captain
Edward Wilson
2025 College Captain
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Keeley Carey, 2025 College Captain
What does leadership mean to you?
To me, leadership is about being present and doing what you can for those around you. Also, being able to collaborate with different people and gaining various perspectives is such a strong element that comes from leadership. Carrying out acts of service for the school and wider community, as well as being a role model for others by demonstrating positive values is also being a good leader.
What does being a Marist Leader mean to you?
To carry out acts of service and kindness towards others in a way that Mary would. Showing up for each other and fostering the sense of family spirit in simple ways.What Marist characteristic do you resonate with the most and why?
‘Simplicity’ because I believe simple random acts of kindness are some of the most simple but effective ways to demonstrate your love and care for someone. I believe happiness is found in simple pleasures such as time with each other and the world we have around us.What do you hope to achieve as a Leader this year?
I want to help encourage those around me to feel a sense of belonging and connection to the College and each other. I want to help create an environment where everyone feels as though they have a place in the Hearts community, but also generate a sense of curiosity to venture out and experience different aspects and areas of the school.
A teacher I admire at SHC is:
Ms Redemski, who was my Year 11 Homeroom teacher last year. She would show genuine interest and care for each of us, and was always wanting us to do our best. I found her compassion extremely comforting and helpful, especially when times got hard and I was seeking guidance. The impact she has left on me will be something I will hold onto and always be grateful for.
The best thing about attending SHC is:
The different opportunities we are presented with. From leadership and being able to come together and create initiatives, and raise concerns or areas of improvement as a student body is something very powerful that the school hones in on. The learning opportunities are wonderful; being able to book a meeting with a Careers Counsellor who has your best interest at heart and will do anything they can to ensure your learning is what is best for you, as well as the friendships that are created along the way. Being able to come to school and see my friends everyday as well as feeling welcome amongst all SHC students is something amazing that SHC fosters.Three words that describe my personality are:
Passionate. Positive. Approachable.My favourite book is:
‘The World’s Worst Children’ by David Walliams.My favourite song is:
‘Island in the Sun’ by Weezer.
Someone I admire is:
My mum. She is so creative and compassionate towards others; traits I try to embody within my leadership.On the weekend you will find me:
At the beach or with my best friends… probably eating!My greatest accomplishment or sporting moment:
So far it would be my success in winning the role of 2025 College Captain as well as going on the Fiji Immersion trip in 2024.What is your most prized possession?
My Claddagh ring. Its an Irish ring that all the girls in my family have and I never take it off.
What is on your bucket list?
Go to Italy. I completed Stage 2 Italian so my ultimate goal is to go to Italy and experience the life I learnt so much about.
What skill would you most like to learn?
How to sew.
If you were a superhero, who would you be?
Spiderman because I could get to places quickly via my webs.
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Edward Wilson, 2025 College Captain
What does being a Marist Leader mean to you?
Being a Marist Leader means following in the footsteps of Saint Marcellin Champagnat through the Marist characteristics. Being respectful of others and always listening to what people have to say, and leading with confidence are important traits as I feel they allow you to be someone people can trust and put faith in.What Marist characteristic do you resonate with the most and why?
I resonate with ‘Presence’ the most as a characteristic as it means to actually be in the moment and to get things done. To be able to be a leader you must put yourself out there and by doing that, fulfil the things you planned and promised to do.What do you hope to achieve as a Leader this year?
I am looking forward to being someone who can be relied on and put in the work. I want to be proactive in getting tasks done and improving 2025 at Sacred Heart for the better.
A teacher I admire at SHC is:
Mr Hildyard as he is a good leader within the community. When I was a Year 10 and 11 leader, he was always someone I could talk to when I needed a favour or some wisdom. He was always welcoming and good at speaking to the new students in Year 10 – I still remember him welcoming me when I arrived at Marcellin Campus, which made the whole transition so much easier.
The best thing about attending SHC is:
The community that we have. Within the school we have so many different areas of interest that people participate in such as music, sport, dance, art and so many more. Although sport is a major interest within the school, there is so much other variety, which makes it a unique place.
Three words that describe my personality are:
Encouraging, fair, and ambitious.
My favourite book is:
‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ by J.K. Rowling.
My favourite song is:
‘Fast Car’ by Luke Combs.
Someone I admire is:
My Nan who has worked hard to become a very successful business woman.
On the weekend you will find me:
In the pool, with friends or playing music.
My greatest accomplishment or sporting moment:
Being a part of the 2024 Immersions team in Fiji.What is your most prized possession?
Probably my photo albums from when I was little.
What is on your bucket list?
To travel around Europe and Australia.
What skill would you most like to learn?
How to change a tyre.
If you were a superhero, who would you be?
Superman because he can do everything.
A warm welcome for our Boarding families
The 2025 school year kicked off for our boarding families with all new boarding students arriving at their new ‘home away from home’ on Monday 27 January. This is always an emotional time for families who were well supported by our amazing Boarding staff, making our new boarders feel warmly welcomed. They were ably assisted by our wonderful Boarding Leaders, who went above and beyond to help our new boarders settle in.
A large number of our remaining boarders returned the following day, and as a community, we celebrated our Boarders Welcome Mass together in the Br McAteer Centre, followed by a lovely Welcome Dinner in the Boarders Dining Room.
It is a very special time of the year for our Boarding Community and it is lovely to connect with so many of our families at this time. A big thank you to Fr Michael who gave up his time and made the celebration so relevant and engaging.
The first week has flown by and all of our boarders have settled in well. A special shout out to our Boarding Staff and our 2025 Boarding Leaders who have been instrumental in ensuring our new boarders are well supported with their transition into our community. This was most evident as we engaged in activities together throughout our first weekend in residence, which included a Quiz Night and Karaoke, a ‘Beach Day’ and ‘Local Leave Day’ on Sunday. We sincerely thank our Activities Coordinator, Billy Campbell, for the time and effort he put into ensuring this all went smoothly and was enjoyed by our boarders.
Celebrating the beginning of the 2025 school year
Students and staff at both Champagnat and Marcellin Campuses celebrated the beginning of the new school year with a Mass at each campus. This provided an opportunity to launch the 2025 Marist theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope; Look Beyond’. This theme encourages us to follow Jesus, who is our source of hope. It is a reminder to go beyond surface-level living and to embrace life more deeply. Thank you to Fr Michael Brennan and Fr Pastor Mumburi, who led the celebration of these Masses, and to our staff and students, who participated with such reverence and respect for our Catholic tradition.
Following the Mass, Year 8 and 9 Student Leaders at Champagnat Campus were commissioned and an Academic Awards Ceremony was held to acknowledge students who achieved at the highest level among their peers in terms of academic excellence and personal responsibility towards learning in Semester 2 2024.
Year 7 Camp kicks off an exciting year at Sacred Heart College
The busy start to life at Sacred Heart College continues for Year 7 students as they headed to Camp the week. Students from Chanel, Chavoin and Marian headed out on Monday to Narnu Farm (Hindmarsh Island), Wallaroo and Willow Creek (Encounter Bay) for their three day Camp, while Fourviere and Montagne departed on Wednesday to Narnu Farm and Willow Creek.
Students participated in water activities (surfing, kayaking and raft making) as well as Beach Olympics, trangia cooking and team-building activities within their House. This gave our newest member of the Hearts community a chance to build on friendships and connections within their cohort.
During this time, Year 7 students not on Camp continued their transition activities in preparation for the resumption of subject lessons in Week 3.
2024 Immersions – Fiji and the Philippines
In late November, the 2024 Immersion teams departed for Fiji and the Philippines, spending two weeks visiting Marist communities, schools and other organisations. Our presence in such places has been constant for nearly 30 years, and the memories and learnings from our travelling groups are lifelong.
The Philippines Immersion team spent time with the Brothers in MAPAC (Marist Asia Pacific Centre), and from there visited Magsaysay Memorial College, PREDA, the Kuya Centre and Marist School, Marikina. In Fiji, the Immersion team spent the majority of their time with the Suva Marist community, visiting Marcellin Primary, the Kindergarten and the Marist Champagnat Institute (MCI). The wider community might recall the MCI visiting Adelaide last August, so this was an opportunity for some to reconnect, especially Fiona, Jess, Ed and Arjun, who billeted MCI students during their time in Adelaide.
On behalf of the Immersion teams, we are also very pleased to report that over $15,000 was transferred to the Brothers for the purchasing of school items and resources, as well as some much needed maintenance work. We are incredibly grateful to those in our very generous Hearts community, who donated to this cause throughout the year. Our travelling teams bore witness to the most simple of items and basic human needs, which are in fact, a luxury for some.
A special thanks to Kirstie Salter, Damien Cardone, Kurtis Harrison, and Br Des Howard (Philippines), Jacqui Schar, Samantha McLean and Damian Ruiz (Fiji) who were an amazing support for our students, and to Becc Bond, Rebecca Jasper and Sarah Doyle for their efforts throughout the year in preparing our Immersion teams.
We look forward to launching the 2025 Immersion program later in Term 1, and sharing some very exciting news about the future of the Immersion experiences offered to our Year 11 students.
Thank you from Vinnies
Following the donation of numerous items for the Vinnies Christmas Appeal, the College has received multiple letters of thanks from the presidents of the local Vinnies Chapters. On behalf of the Mission and MSol teams, we would also like to express our thanks to the many students and families who donated items at Christmas time. We have no doubt that many children and families benefited from our collective generosity. Thank you.
Arts & Music News
Champagnat Campus (Term 1 2025)
| Week 3 | Tues 11 February – Champagnat Music Ensembles Information sessions for students Week 3 – CEA Ensemble rehearsals begin |
| Week 4 | Wednesday 19 February – Year 8 & Year 9 Drama Excursion to view ‘Giant Garden’ (Slingsby) |
Marcellin Campus (Term 1 2025)
Upcoming events TBA
Sports News
As the new school year begins, we’re excited to welcome both returning students and those joining our summer sports program for the first time. Whether you’re continuing your sporting journey or trying something new, we look forward to seeing you out on the field, court, or in the pool representing Sacred Heart with pride.
Over the next two weeks, the summer sports season officially kicks off across a range of sports, including Badminton, Cricket, Girls Basketball, Swimming, Tennis, Touch Football, Volleyball, and Water Polo. It’s been fantastic to see our Year 7 students diving into their first experiences with school sport, bringing great enthusiasm and energy. Our senior students have also done a wonderful job embracing new teammates and building a strong sense of camaraderie.
Best of luck to all teams as they begin their season. Let’s make it a great year of sport at Sacred Heart!
Click here to view this week’s Sports Fixtures.
2025 CEA Winter Sport Nominations
Nominations are now open to students for winter season sports and activities which commence in Term 2 2025. Families are encouraged to complete the CEA Nomination Form with their child and ensure you have read the Sports Handbook prior to completing the nomination form.
Any questions you have regarding training and matches may be answered by referring to the information detailed in the Sports Handbook.
Winter Sport & Clubs CEA Nominations are to be completed by Friday 7 February 2025 and the form can be found here.
Strong start for First XI in pre-season victory over Carey Grammar
Before the 2025 school year officially commenced, the Sacred Heart College First XI boys’ cricket team was back in action on the Main Oval, taking on Carey Grammar School from Victoria in a pre-season trial match. It was a fantastic day of cricket, providing both teams with a valuable test before their respective seasons began. The Hearts boys showcased their skill and teamwork, posting an impressive total of 8/250 before bowling out Carey Grammar for 106, securing a strong victory. Beyond the on-field performance, the camaraderie was evident as the team came together for lunch at midday, reflecting the strong bonds within the group.
A big thank you to Carey Grammar for making the journey to South Australia – we look forward to future matches and continuing this great sporting connection.
Kicking off the season with Celtic FC
2025 promises to be an exciting year for soccer at Sacred Heart College. On 9 March, three Celtic FC coaches from Glasgow will arrive for a week-long visit, offering training sessions and mentoring for both male and female players across Marcellin and Champagnat. They’ll work closely with players, staff, and coaches, including the new First XI setup led by Stefan Mauk and Dylan Pierias.
Soon after, a group of players and staff will head to Glasgow (21-31 March) for the Celtic Academy Player Experience. There, students will train with the Academy and U18 teams, tour the club’s facilities, and attend matches at Celtic Park. Players from the 2024 group even received mentorship from Celtic Manager, Brendan Rodgers during one of their sessions. Staff will also have the chance to shadow Celtic Academy coaches and the Women’s First Team whilst connecting with international coaching networks.
In June (dates TBA), Sacred Heart’s partnership with Celtic will send male and female squads to the Northern Territory to compete against Celtic’s interstate partners.
This collaboration blends Sacred Heart’s strong academic foundation with Celtic FC’s expertise in player development, providing young athletes with specialised coaching, sports science support, and access to professional networks. With continued online and face to face mentoring and resources for both players and coaches, this partnership aims to nurture talent and create well-rounded individuals ready to excel both on and off the field.
Find out more about our partnership with Celtic FC here.
2025 Sports dates and events
Champagnat Campus (Term 1 2025)
| Week 2 | Boys Sport commences – Round 1 |
| Week 3 | Tuesday 11 February – Year 7 Swimming Trials Girls Sport commences – Round 1 |
| Week 4 | Blue Round – Girls & Boys Sport |
Marcellin Campus (Term 1 2025)
| Week 2 | Boys Sport commences – Round 1 |
| Week 3 | Wednesday 12 February – Girls Basketball Trials (Br Joseph McAteer Centre) Thursday 13 February – Girls T20 Knockout Cricket Round 1 (SHC Main Oval) Thursday 13 February – Boys Knockout Baseball Championships – Round 1 (Adelaide Angels Baseball Club) Girls Sport commences – Round 1 |
| Week 4 | Tuesday 18 February – Pre Sports Day Event – Girls 1500m (8am on the Main Oval) Tuesday 18 February – Pre Sports Day Event – Boys 1500m (1.30pm on the Main Oval) Tuesday 18 February – School Sport SA Cycling Championships (Victoria Park) Blue Round – Girls & Boys Sport |
Click here to view this term’s sports Fixtures and Results.
Click here to view the full College calendar of events.
