Sacred Heart marked the beginning of the Lenten season on Ash Wednesday with distribution of the ashes.
To our Sacred Heart College community
It is remarkable to think that this week marks Week 6 of Term 1, and following the long weekend, we will be more than halfway towards the Term 1 school holidays!
We have enjoyed a terrific opening month or so of 2025, and in recent weeks, some key College events have occurred, including:
- Year 7 Camps, where the newest members of our Hearts family were able to enjoy the outdoors with aquatic activities and importantly, form new connections across their House groups
- Last week’s Year 8 Camps provided an opportunity for students to strengthen their connections with their House groups and peers through a variety of team-building activities and challenges
- We enjoyed all the colour, life and spirit of Marcellin Campus Sports Day last Friday, and look forward to the Champagnat equivalent on Friday 28 March
- Our Celtic Player Development Camps commence next week via our excellent connection with Celtic FC in Scotland
- Boarding House staff are preparing for the important Lucindale Field Day, providing our Boarding House the opportunity to strengthen its connections via our existing and new boarding families
- Our Year 7 and 9 students are busily preparing for the important NAPLAN tests (a reminder of the need for charged laptops and headphones), and
- Our students studying Stage 2 subjects are submitting their first summative tasks; notably Progress Check 1 for our AIF students, and our Year 11 students studying Stage 2 ILRE who will be submitting their first summative task around now.
I wish all members of our community a safe and restful long weekend.
Daniel Lynch
Principal
The Lenten season begins: Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday
This Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) marked the beginning of the Church’s Lenten season, a time dedicated to prayer, fasting, and charity. Members of the Hearts community gathered in various ways to observe this significant day.
Champagnat Campus marked Ash Wednesday with a whole-campus liturgy, where students received ashes on their foreheads and reflected on the start of their journey toward Easter. The occasion also served as the launch of Project Compassion, with its 2025 theme, ‘Unite Against Poverty’.
At Marcellin Campus, students in Years 10 and 11 came together in House groups for prayer liturgies, with the distribution of ashes serving as a reminder to “turn their hearts to goodness”. Year 12 students participated in Ash Wednesday liturgies before dinner as part of their Year 12 Retreats, with the services led by our House Captains, who guided the prayers with deep respect and reverence.
On Tuesday, both campuses continued the annual tradition of Shrove Tuesday, hosting pancake stalls to raise awareness of the Lenten season and to fundraise for Project Compassion. Historically, pancakes were eaten on Shrove Tuesday as a way for households to use up ingredients such as butter, eggs, milk, and sugar in preparation for the period of fasting.
Meet our Student Leaders – 2025 Mission Leaders
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 Year 9 Mission Leader, Jaime Cruz, and Year 12 Mission Captain, Fiona Jenkinson.
Jaime Cruz
2025 Year 9 Mission Leader
Fiona Jenkinson
2025 Year 12 Mission Captain
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Jaime Cruz, 2025 Year 9 Mission Leader
What does leadership mean to you?
To me, leadership means being a good representative of the people, being a hard worker in everything you do, and being able to lead your peers with confidence.What does being a Marist Leader mean to you?
Being a Marist Leader means that we lead our community with hard work and collaboration, yet we embody the Marist values and carry on the Marist legacy in all of our work and leading.What Marist characteristic do you resonate with the most and why?
Simplicity as no matter who you are, or what you do, being your genuine simple self is a key part of being who you are and living your life the best you can.What do you hope to achieve as a Leader this year?
I hope to help implement more frequent charity fundraisers to raise money for those in our community and overseas struggling with poverty.A teacher I admire at SHC is:
Mr Maglieri. He always brings a sense of hardwork and determination to the classroom, but always has a smile on his face.The best thing about attending SHC is:
The variety of people and friends you meet in different classes, and of course the new gym and facilities at Champagnat Campus.Three words that describe my personality are:
Hardworking, friendly (I always try) and resilient.My favourite book is:
‘Murdle’ (a murder mystery storybook with logic puzzles) by G.T. Karber.My favourite song is:
‘T.N.T’ by AC/DC.Someone I admire is:
My parents because my Mum teaches me compassion and kindness, and my Dad teaches me hardwork and resilience.On the weekend you will find me:
Practising golf at the driving range, and playing soccer in my backyard.My greatest accomplishment or sporting moment:
Receiving the Good Samaritan Award in 2024.What is your most prized possession?
My family and friends – the most important people in my life.What is on your bucket list?
My bucketlist includes visiting Hawaii, going to Seoul, South Korea and living in Sydney for a year.What skill would you most like to learn?
To flick the soccerball over my head just like the pros.If you were a superhero, who would you be?
Spider-Man because who wouldn’t want to swing around Brooklyn as Spider-Man! -
Fiona Jenkinson, 2025 Year 12 Mission Captain
What does leadership mean to you?
To me, leadership means being trustworthy, open-minded, and genuine in your interactions with others. Being a leader means stepping out of your comfort zone to connect with your peers, so they feel comfortable and welcome.What does being a Marist Leader mean to you?
Staying true to your own values as well as the Marist characteristics, sticking up for yourself and others, and being a reliable friend who provides guidance when needed.What Marist characteristic do you resonate with the most and why?
Presence in building authentic relationships through attentiveness, and Family Spirit as we aim to make school a place where everyone feels appreciated.What do you hope to achieve as a Leader this year?
I hope to lean into the idea of Family Spirit that we have at Sacred Heart, and make an effort to create stronger connections between students. As a Mission Leader, supporting local organisations that are close to our hearts is very important to me as well.A teacher I admire at SHC is:
I admire Mrs Eaton for her welcoming and warm attitude. She always makes me feel comfortable and is easy to talk to.The best thing about attending SHC is:
Definitely the range of sport, music, and art opportunities available, which create a sense of community and allow people to display their talents. Also, the amazing opportunity to be apart of the Immersion program, which increased my confidence and allowed me to grow as a person.Three words that describe my personality are:
Friendly, adventurous, reliable.My favourite book is:
‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ by Suzanne Collins.My favourite song is:
At the moment, probably ‘Dreams’ by The Cranberries, ‘Club Can’t Handle Me’ by Flo Rida or ‘Lost’ by Frank Ocean.Someone I admire is:
My older sister, for her headstrong beliefs and for always pursuing her adventurous and fun passions.On the weekend you will find me:
Playing soccer, hanging out with my cousins, and working.My greatest accomplishment or sporting moment:
Being selected to be captain of my soccer team and winning MVP.What is your most prized possession?
My great great grandmother’s metronome, and my lip balm! I can’t survive without it.What is on your bucket list?
Travel around Australia and the world, see the Lantern Festival in Thailand, see the Northern Lights in Norway, and go skydiving and bungee jumping.What skill would you most like to learn?
Learn how to sing or cook really well.If you were a superhero, who would you be?
Frozone from the Incredibles because he has a cool super suit.
Collection Notice – 2025 student residential address and other information
The Australian Government Department of Education have requested that the College provides a statement of addresses and other information, in accordance with the Australian Education Regulation 2013 (Cth). Please click here to view further information.
Strengthening connections at the Year 8 Camp
Year 8 students from Champagnat Campus embarked on an exciting two-night Fleurieu Adventure Camp, travelling in House groups to Narnu Farm, Willow Creek, and Douglas Scrub last week. The camp provided a unique opportunity for students to learn beyond the classroom, taking part in a variety of activities and challenges that tested their teamwork and pushed them out of their comfort zones.
Some of the camp highlights included surfing, kayaking, mountain bike riding, and orienteering, as well as a valuable lesson in camp skills, such as cooking on a Trangia and setting up a tarp tent. The students approached each challenge with enthusiasm and true Family Spirit, strengthening relationships within their House groups and embracing the opportunity to try something new.
A big thank you to all the staff who supported the camps and to the students who fully engaged in the program, making the experience both fun and rewarding for everyone involved.
Launch of the 2025 Immersions
Building on the success of last year’s Immersion trips, the 2025 Immersion program was officially launched at the Year 11 Assembly last Thursday. The Year 11 cohort were inspired by reflections from members of the 2024 Immersion teams, who shared authentic accounts of their experiences in both Fiji and the Philippines. At the end of the assembly, many students seized the opportunity to ask questions, a valuable part of their discernment process in the coming weeks.
We are pleased to announce that in 2025, the College will offer an additional two Immersion trips (four in total), travelling to the following destinations:
- Fiji
- Philippines
- India (for the first time since 2019)
- Solomon Islands (the first time for Sacred Heart College).
Each Immersion trip is an opportunity to share our Marist Family Spirit through visiting schools, communities and organisations, to bear witness to the legacy of the Marist Brothers, and build lifelong friendships before, during and after the trips.
A huge thank you to the 2024 Immersion teams who attended the launch and shared their insights.
The 2024 Immersion video shown at the student launch can be found here.
2025 Teen Parliament scholarship winners
Congratulations to Sacred Heart College and Tjindu Foundation students Klara Harrison (Year 11) and Kelis Jackson-Martin (Year 12) for each winning a $10,000 scholarship in recognition of their advocacy for an inclusive and empowered future for Indigenous youth across Australia at The Advertiser’s 2025 Teen Parliament on Friday.
With federal speeches, political reviews, and Q&A sessions with Honorable Members in Parliament, Kelis and Klara were among 11 students honoured with scholarships for their powerful ‘Call for Change’ speeches in Parliament House.
The winners were celebrated at a parliamentary luncheon hosted by The Advertiser with our nation’s leaders – Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, and South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas – in attendance. The Prime Minister praised the girls for their efforts in shedding light on the challenges Indigenous students face when transitioning from high school to higher education and employment, and for calling for meaningful change.
Klara called for Indigenous students to have better support to transition into life after high school and wants to see programs specifically targeted at Indigenous students to ‘get exposure to different pathways’.
Kelis, a Year 12 boarder, wants bridging scholarships for rural and regional Indigenous students to stay in Adelaide between finishing high school and starting tertiary education.
Well done, Kelis and Klara!
Hands-on anaytical experience for Year 12 Chemistry students
Our Year 12 Chemistry students had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of analytical techniques during an immersive excursion to Flinders’ Bedford Park Campus. The highlight of the day was the Analytical Chemistry Workshop, where students engaged in practical experiments using Gas Chromatography (GC), High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) – essential techniques in modern chemical analysis. The AAS experiment was particularly significant as it served as a summative assessment task.
Alongside the lab experience, students explored the university campus, and attended a code breaking workshop and a Careers in STEM presentation, gaining valuable insight into future pathways in science. This excursion was an invaluable experience, reinforcing key SACE Stage 2 Chemistry concepts in a real-world context.
Arts & Music News
Musical Weekend rehearsals
Excitement filled the Debourg as students from Years 8–12 came together over the weekend for our much-anticipated Musical Weekend, an intensive and inspiring rehearsal for this year’s production of The Wizard of Oz. From the first warm-ups to the final run-throughs, the energy in the room was electric as the entire team worked tirelessly to bring this beloved classic to life.
Throughout the weekend, students not only refined their vocals, choreography, and character work, but also formed strong connections across year levels. Collaboration was at the heart of every rehearsal with everyone embracing the shared goal of creating something truly special.
With each scene, song, and step, The Wizard of Oz is coming to life in a spectacular way, and we can’t wait to share it with you! Tickets for the musical performances go on sale next Thursday 13 March and will run from Thursday 8 May to Saturday 10 May. Tickets can be purchased here.
Click here to view poster.
Year 9 Dance Excursion – A Quiet Language
On Tuesday, Year 9 Dance students experienced A Quiet Language, a bold and thought-provoking performance by the Australian Dance Theatre. With traverse seating bringing them close to the action, students were pushed out of their comfort zones, fully immersed in the movement and emotions of the show. The performance challenged perspectives on people, place, and politics through powerful storytelling. It was also great to see a connection to composer Adam Page, who inspired Year 8 students last year and will return in Arts Week (Week 10) this term. An unforgettable experience that sparked deep reflection and discussion!
Marcellin Dance students inspired by Fringe performance
Marcellin Dance students had the incredible opportunity to attend the Adelaide Fringe Festival on 20 February, immersing themselves in the artistry of Lewis Major’s Triptych. The performance showcased four striking contemporary pieces, each with its own unique concept and breathtaking lighting design.
From intricate movement sequences to powerful storytelling, Triptych left a lasting impression, sparking fresh ideas and creative energy among our dancers. As they now develop their own concept pieces, this experience has provided a rich source of inspiration, encouraging them to experiment with movement, space, and visual design in bold new ways. Stay tuned to see how this unforgettable excursion influences their upcoming performances!
Class of 2024 graduates to feature in SACE Art Show
It gives Sacred Heart College great pleasure to announce that two 2024 Stage 2 Visual Arts – Design students have had their work selected for inclusion in the 2025 SACE Art Show. This is a high accolade indeed and a testament to the quality of the work produced by Visual Arts students at Sacred Heart College.
Congratulations to Harry Booth (SHOC ’24) and Will Jaeger (SHOC ’24) for their outstanding work! Special thanks also to Sarah Melhuish for the critical role she played in supporting these students to realise their finished works.
The SACE Art Show is open to the public and school groups, alongside an online gallery for those who cannot attend in person. It will run from 18 March – 10 April at Light Square Gallery, Adelaide College of the Arts. We encourage the community to view the incredible work of our old scholars.
Music News
Live music at Marcellin Sports Day
Marcellin Sports Day kicked off last Friday and what would a Sports Day be without music! Students from the 7 – 12 Drumline started the proceedings by leading all Houses onto the Main Oval for the opening ceremony. A huge congratulations to all members of the Drumline, all of whom demonstrated a wonderful collaboration between the middle and senior years.
Throughout the day live bands and DJs entertained the crowds, showcasing their amazing talents. It was an enjoyable day of entertainment that truly proved how well music and sport complement each other. A big congratulations to all the musicians who took part!
Sports News
The College has seen yet another busy fortnight of sporting events to kick off the year! Our swimmers have battled it out in the pool in the annual A Grade Swimming Championships; our Marcellin students have celebrated their annual Sports Day; we have celebrated ‘Blue Round’ to raise awareness for mental health; and we are set to go into full swing with winter sports trials all whilst rounding out our Term 1 summer sporting fixtures! As we approach the long weekend, we wish our talented sportspeople a weekend of rest and recovery.
Marcellin Sports Day
Last Friday the Year 10-12 students competed in the coveted annual SHC Marcellin Sports Day with Chavoin House taking out the Marcellin Championship Shield for the fourth consecutive year, while Marian House claimed the Marcellin House Spirit Shield.
Students dressed up in their House colours to celebrate the athletic abilities and family spirit of our College, creating a muliti-coloured sea of red, purple, yellow, white and green. It was a great day of competition with students putting their sporting and fitness to the test in an array of events. The always-anticipated staff vs student relay was a highlight of the day. The staff led almost the entire race until the last 50m where the students took home all bragging rights and grabbed the win on the finish line.
A big thank you to the Maintenance and Grounds team who make sure the event runs smoothly each year by providing equipment and a brilliant track for our athletes to compete on. We also thank all staff who had a role to play in the organisation and fruition of the day.
We also congratulate our Age Champions listed below:
| Age Champions – Boys | Age Champions – Girls |
| Year 10 – Joel Wigzell (Chavoin) | Year 10 – Maddy Humphry (Marian) |
| Year 11 – Cameron Carson-Dawson (Marian) | Year 11 – Libby Pretlove (Chanel) & Imogen Woodruff (Chavoin) |
| Year 12 – Hudson Mellor (Montagne) | Year 12 – Matilda Wilmore (Marian) |
Adelaide United stars to coach our First XI
Sacred Heart College is delighted to announce Adelaide United duo, Stefan Mauk and Dylan Pierias, as First XI Head and Assistant Coach of our First XI Soccer team.
Stefan began his career with Melbourne City before moving to NEC Nijmegen in 2016. He later played for Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, and captained Adelaide before joining Fagiano Okayama in 2022. Known for his leadership and midfield prowess, he has been a key player throughout his career.
Dylan started with Melbourne City before becoming a key player at Western United. He later joined Central Coast Mariners in 2023 and Adelaide United in 2024, playing a crucial role in their A-League rise. Known for his speed and versatility, he has also represented Australia at youth levels.
Pre-season training kicks off on Monday and Wednesday of Week 7, in which sessions will be run with our 3 incoming Celtic FC coaches from Glasgow, Scotland. The First XI will continue their season preparation with trial matches and training before beginning their season in Week 1 Term 2.
Welcome to the Hearts family, Stef and Dylan! We wish you and the team all the best this season.
Champagnat represents in State Tennis Championships
Congratulations to seven of our female students from Years 7 to 9 who proudly represented Sacred Heart at the School Sport SA Individual State Tennis Championships, held at Peake Gardens Tennis Club on 3 March. Competing against some of the best young players in the state, they demonstrated incredible determination, skill, and resilience throughout the tournament.
The matches were highly competitive, featuring long rallies and hard-fought points. Despite the challenging competition, the students showed outstanding composure and grit on the court. More importantly, they displayed exemplary sportsmanship, graciously accepting both victories and defeats with respect and humility.
Well done to the following girls involved:
- Willa Bogatec (Year 7)
- Isobel Herreen (Year 7)
- Mayra Ramirez (Year 7)
- Lyla Nitschke (Year 8)
- Capri Domingo (Year 9)
- Charli Sander (Year 9)
- Zipporah Varcoe (Year 9)
A special congratulations to Mayra Ramirez, who put on an impressive performance and advanced to the quarter-finals.
A Grade Swimming Championships
Congratulations to the Sacred Heart College Swim Team who placed 6th in the School Sport SA A Grade Swimming Championships at the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre on 24 February. With a team of 22 students from across Years 7-12, our swimmers showcased great determination and talent, earning a total of 856 points across 94 events and securing 6th place overall. Well done to the following students:
- Owen Armstrong
- Jasmine Bevan
- Jobe Bevan
- Blake Biddell
- Charlotte Davies
- Holly Fanning
- Willow Fox
- Poppy Hateley
- Zachary Le Poidevin
- Fabian Lonic
- Cooper Newbold
- James Newbold
- Oscar Norman
- Anabelle Osborn
- Jessica Osborn
- Henry Raymond
- Alice Rose-Moss
- Rayza Shrestha
- Jada Smith
- Logan Turra
- Emilija Visockis
- Phoebe Warriner
We commend our students for their efforts, with a special acknowledgment to our younger swimmers for stepping up to compete in higher age group events. Thank you to our coaches, parents/caregivers, and families for their support throughout the evening.
Student Sporting Achievements
Congratulations to the following students on their outstanding sporting achievements, listed below.
| Scarlett Blethyn (Year 9), Kirralee Johns (Year 10), Chloe Nettle (Year 10) & Charlotte O’Sullivan (Year 11) | Selected in the SA U16 Girls Football squad to compete in the AFLW National Championships in April. |
| Hugh Strachan (Year 11) & Koby Moir (Year 12) | Selected in the U18 SA Metro Basketball Team set to compete in Brisbane in April. |
| Riley Attenborough (Year 12) | Selected in the final Australian Under 20s Men’s Lacrosse squad of 29 players from which a team of 26 will be selected to compete in the World Championships in South Korea in August. Good luck, Riley! |
| Rachel Hayball (Year 12) & Sophie Warren (Year 12) | Selected to represent SA in the U19 State Netball Championships being held on April 10-16 at Sydney’s Netball Central. |
| Brooke Hayball (Year 12) | Selected as a reserve for the SA U19 State Netball Championship team. |
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 6 | Friday 7 March – School Sport SA Boys Tennis Championships, Peake Gardens Tennis Club |
| Week 7 | Tuesday 11 March – Celtic FC Soccer Academy Training Clinic Tuesday 11 March – Year 8 Girls Netball Trials Wednesday 12 March – Celtic FC Soccer Academy Training Clinic Wednesday 12 March – Year 7 Girls Netball Trials |
| Week 8 | Monday 17 March – Year 9 Girls Netball Trials Tuesday 18 March – Year 9 Girls Football Trials Wednesday 19 March – Year 7 Girls Football Trials Wednesday 19 March – Year 7 Boys Soccer Trials |
Marcellin Campus (Term 1 2025)
| Week 6 | Friday 7 March – School Sport SA Individual Golf Championships |
| Week 7 | Tuesday 11 March – Celtic FC Soccer Academy Training Clinic Thursday 13 March – Summer CEA Photos, Br McAteer Function Centre Wednesday 12 March – Celtic FC Soccer Academy Training Clinic |
| Week 8 | Sunday 31 March – Marist Basketball Carnival departure |
Click here to view Sports Fixtures and Results.
Click here to view the full College calendar of events.
