Hearts News – Thursday 8 May 2025 (Week 2 Term 2)

‘At the going down of the sun, and in the morning. We will remember them.’
On our return to school last week, we honoured and reflected on the sacrifices and service of past and present members of the armed forces for ANZAC Day.

To our Sacred Heart College community

Last week marked an important milestone for our Year 12 students – just 100 days remain of formal schooling for our Class of 2025 before SWOT VAC and final exams begin.

To the Class of 2025 – as you move into this final phase of your secondary school journey, we acknowledge the resilience, dedication, and hard work you’ve shown so far. The coming weeks will bring challenges, opportunities, and important decisions about the future.

Stay focused, support one another, and continue striving for your personal best. The foundation you are building now will carry you into the next chapter with confidence and purpose.

As the weekend draws near, we invite you to take a moment this Sunday to honour and celebrate the incredible women who shape our lives – mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, aunties, and all the significant women who nurture us with love and strength. May this Mother’s Day be a time of appreciation, reflection, and connection with your loved ones.

Please see our Term 2, Week 2 fortnightly Hearts News set out below.

Honouring service and faith on ANZAC Day

Over the holidays, Sacred Heart College Student Leaders took part in the ANZAC Day Dawn Services at Hallett Cove and Brighton, laying wreaths and paying their respects on behalf of the College community. 

Following ANZAC Day during Week 1, both Champagnat and Marcellin campuses held ANZAC Day Ceremonies to honour and reflect on the sacrifices and service of past and present members of the armed forces, including many old scholars. 

These gatherings also gave us the opportunity to gather in prayer for the late Pope Francis. Pope Francis was an inspiration to many, especially the lost and the marginalised, the very people that our Marist Mission is centred upon. Like Mary, he walked close to the margins, always focusing on  what is possible in God.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, And may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.

Commemorating Holy Week

Prior to the term break and Easter, the College community gathered in various ways to recognise Holy Week. At Marcellin Campus, staff and students came together in the McAteer Centre to relive the Stations of the Cross, where Jesus walked painfully to Golgotha, a place just outside Jerusalem.

On the final day of Term 1, a whole-campus liturgy was celebrated at Champagnat Campus in preparation for Holy Week. During the service, students took time to reflect on the key events of Holy Week and the final days of Jesus’ life on Earth.

After the liturgy, the winners of the Project Compassion Easter Egg Competition were announced. A few fortunate students also discovered the Jubilee Year (Pilgrims of Hope) mascot hidden under their chairs and received some Sacred Heart merchandise as a prize.

Meet our Student Leaders – 2025 Boarding Captains

In each Hearts News, two of our 2025 portfolio leaders will take part in a brief Q&A session so you can get to know them a little better. In celebration of National Boarding Week, which commences on Sunday (11 – 17 May 2025), we meet Year 12 Boarding Captains, Koiki Hughes and Anna McAuley.

Year 7s embrace Marcellin Campus experience

Marcellin Campus welcomed the Year 7 students for the day on Tuesday, sparking a wonderful collaboration between our youngest cohort and senior year’s students, and a wonderful opportunity for the newest members of our Hearts community to experience the other half of our College. The day was spent touring the campus, meeting the Brothers, learning about the rich history of Sacred Heart and Paringa Hall. The Arts community provided a special treat with a sneak preview of the College Musical, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, in which they were able to see the gifts and talents of our musical team, not only entertaining them, but also highlighting the rich learning opportunities available to all students. 

Announcing our 2025 Immersion teams

In 2025, the College’s Immersion program will increase from two to four destinations. We are delighted to announce the following Immersion teams who will travel to Fiji, India, the Philippines or Solomon Islands later this year.

We also congratulate and thank the following staff who will accompany our students throughout the year:
Fiji – Damian Ruiz, Madeleine Hayes and Billy Campbell
India – Brigitta Ragg, Oliver Garrett and Patrick McAvaney
Philippines – Damien Cardone, Nick MacGregor, Makayla Carey and Br Des Howard
Solomon Islands – Loren Ryall, Pat Fooks and Tim Fernandez.

Supporting Project Compassion with an Easter bake sale

In Week 11 of last term, students from the Marist Solidarity (MSol) group held a bake sale and ‘lucky egg draw’ to raise funds for Caritas’ Project Compassion. From honey crackles and brownies, to cupcakes and even biscoff cheesecake, students generously spent their weekend cooking up a storm in preparation for the bake sale. The lucky egg draw, which involved purchasing a mystery egg for a small donation, saw students vye for a chance at winning a bake sale voucher or a chocolate prize. A special thank you to the Year 11 Mission Leaders, Callum Nguyen and Eden Brown for their passion and efforts in driving this successful initiative, which raised over $600 for Project Compassion.

Years 7-9s take on the Big Science Competition

This morning, 26 students from Years 7–9 took part in the Big Science Competition, a national event open to students across Australia. With just 50 minutes to complete 35 multiple-choice questions, the challenge focused on interpreting and analysing unfamiliar scientific data.

This competition offers students the chance to apply their science skills beyond the classroom, encouraging critical thinking, curiosity, and resilience. We commend all students who participated for their love of learning and their courageous hearts in stepping up to this challenge. Their willingness to explore the unknown is something to be truly proud of. Well done!

Biology students explore adaptation and conservation at Cleland Wildlife Park

Last week, Stage 1 Biology students enjoyed an enriching field trip to Cleland Wildlife Park in the scenic Mount Lofty Ranges. This hands-on experience brought biological concepts from the SACE curriculum to life, directly supporting their upcoming Science as a Human Endeavour assessment.

A highlight of the excursion was a presentation by Andrea, one of the park’s conservation experts. She shared insights on South Australia’s endangered species and the challenges of extinction. Andrea explored the unique adaptations that have evolved in our native wildlife over thousands of years in response to Australia’s harsh and varied environments. Her passionate talk highlighted how these traits help species survive, yet also emphasised their ongoing vulnerability.

Andrea also stressed the importance of landcare and how scientific knowledge can drive meaningful conservation efforts. Her message about our shared responsibility to protect these fragile ecosystems resonated strongly with our students.

The day also featured a self-guided exploration of the park, where students had the chance to observe and interact with native species in their habitats. These encounters deepened their understanding of biodiversity, adaptation, and ecological interdependence, concepts we’ve been studying in class.

It was pleasing to watch the students’ curiosity and thoughtful engagement throughout the day. Their questions reflected a growing awareness of the environmental issues we face and a deeper appreciation for the role of science in addressing them. This memorable excursion not only enhanced their understanding of adaptation and conservation biology but also inspired meaningful conversations about environmental responsibility, both in the classroom and beyond.

Arts News

Opening Night magic begins tonight for College Musical, The Wizard of Oz

After eight months of dedicated rehearsals, the cast of The Wizard of Oz is ready to bring the magic to life with tonight’s much-anticipated opening performance! This week, students stepped into full production mode, embracing the excitement of working with orchestra, microphones, lighting, sound effects, costumes, makeup, and a truly stunning set.

The cast has already wowed Year 7 audiences and received an amazing response from visiting local primary schools, McAuley Community School and St Mary’s Memorial School. A special highlight was when young audience members got to meet the cast, take photos, and share in the theatrical magic. Many of the primary school students came up to performers after the show to high five Glinda or wave the Wicked Witch’s broom. They absolutely loved connecting with the Sacred Heart cast.

From witches, Munchkins, Winkies and flying monkeys, to Ozians, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion – and of course, Toto – the cast is ready to take audiences on a breathtaking journey down the yellow brick road. Don’t miss your chance to see this spectacular show – opening night is tonight! Book your tickets here!

2025 Arts & Music dates and events

Champagnat Campus (Term 2 2025)

Marcellin Campus (Term 2 2025)

Sports News

After a busy few weeks of trials, training and practice matches in Term 1, our Sacred Heart teams are ready for the competitive season of winter sport ahead. We are excited to be fielding an impressive 85 teams in winter sports competitions this season with  basketball, football, netball, soccer, squash and table tennis. 

Good luck to all our Hearts teams for the  winter sports season. Go Hearts!

Inaugural Marist Girls Cup: A celebration of talent, teamwork and Marist Spirit

Excitement turned into action in Week 11 as the first-ever Marist Girls Cup took place across Champagnat and Marcellin campuses, marking a milestone in girls’ sport. The atmosphere was electric as our Hearts teams, together with Cardijn College, proudly donned their school colours and took to the courts and fields to compete in basketball, football, netball, soccer, and volleyball.

More than just a competition, this Cup was a celebration of female athleticism, resilience, and Marist Spirit. Every match reflected not only skill and determination, but also the growing momentum behind high-quality girls’ sporting events. The camaraderie between teams, the support from the sidelines, and the passion displayed by every athlete made it clear – the future of girls’ sport is bright.

The games were exceptionally well supported, with students and staff turning out in numbers to cheer on their teams. The lunchtime fixtures, in particular, proved to be a fantastic showcase of female talent, drawing big crowds and creating an energetic atmosphere that added to the success of the event.

It was a dominant showing from our Hearts teams, who claimed victory in most contests, a testament to their preparation, teamwork, and competitive drive.

The success of this inaugural event sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting annual tradition. With strong performances, spirited sportsmanship, and enthusiastic support, the Marist Girls Cup  has firmly established itself as a key fixture on the sporting calendar.

School Sport SA Baseball Championships Finals

Another year of senior Knockout Baseball is done after losses to Seaton High School (3 – 6) and St John’s Grammar School (2 – 12) in the finals at West Beach. In Game 1 against Seaton, we managed to push a run across in the top of the first after an emphatic Liam Allen triple and a passed ball, but we promptly conceded 5 runs on mostly errors in the bottom of the inning. However, what followed was a tight contest where we held Seaton’s offense to a solitary run. Alongside Allen, Lucas Wilson impressed on the mound and had a single at the plate, while Hudson Pett and Benjamin Eyles had our other hits, and Angus Morgan worked two walks.

Game 2 was a dead rubber against St John’s that saw some positional experimentation and plenty of offense courtesy of a very short home run fence. Liam Allen was tidy on the mound and continued to hit the ball hard, while Angus Morgan kept having quality at bats and singled in the first. Blake Osborn also singled, and Cameron MacLean walked twice, but the main offensive highlight was Tennyson Gillies’ home run to center field. While the results weren’t in our favour, the boys competed with spirit and relished the experience of playing against numerous state representatives.

Tribute footy match to honour former staff member, Ash Young

In honour of former staff member and dedicated advocate to women in sport, Ashleigh Young, who sadly passed away in 2023, the 2025 Ash Young tribute match was more than just a game, it was a powerful reminder of the spirit, resilience, and community that football fosters. Congratulations to every single player from Wilderness School and Sacred Heart College who took the field and to all those who showed up in support. It was a team-wide effort, and one that will be remembered.

From the very first bounce, the energy was undeniable. Our team came out strong, setting the tone early with clean ball movement, sharp decision-making, and relentless pressure around the contest. The scoreboard quickly began to reflect the dominance, and by the final siren, we secured a comprehensive 11.5 (71) to 2.2 (14) win.

What stood out most was how every player contributed. Whether it was a crunching tackle, a clever handpass, a selfless block, or a goal-saving mark, each moment mattered. Our first-time senior players stepped into their roles with confidence and composure, proving they belong on the big stage. Their courage and determination didn’t just add to the performance – they helped define it.

But beyond the scoreboard, the match was played with emotion and purpose. We know that Ash would have been watching over both teams with immense pride. The spirit in which the game was played, competitive, respectful, and full of heart, was a fitting tribute. It was clear that every player carried her memory with them, honouring her in the best way possible by giving it their all and supporting each other.

To the supporters, families, and friends, thank you for your energy and encouragement from the sidelines. And to every single player who wore the jumper – you did yourselves, your team, and Ash proud.

Impressive results from our Hearts at SSSA Diving Championships

The School Sport SA Diving Championships took place on Monday (5 May) at the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre. Sacred Heart College was proudly represented by Orlando Eitel (Year 7), Matilda Bevan (Year 7), and Ava Moore (Year 9), who competed across a range of diving events including springboard, synchronised, and platform.

All three students delivered outstanding performances, achieving impressive results and bringing home a number of medals. We congratulate them on their dedication, skill, and success:

• Orlando Eitel – Gold in 12 year old  Boys Springboard
• Matilda Bevan – Gold in  10-12 year old Platform, 12 year old  Springboard and 10-12 year old Synchronised
• Ava Moore – Gold In 13-14 year old Platform & 15-16 year old Synchronised, Silver in 13-14 year old Springboard and Bronze in 13-14 year old Synchronised.

Well done to our talented divers for their achievements and representing the College with pride.

Sailing Championships

Our Sailing Team competed in the South Australian Schools Team Sailing Championship held over the first weekend of the recent school holidays. Sacred Heart competed against 10 other schools and 12 teams in the three-day competition and included multiple races in what is known as a ‘Swiss System’.

Things started well for our team and after a day and a half we took a 2 race lead in the championship. However as the wind dropped out  it turned into quite a tough challenge for our Hearts team as the race progressed. Our team finished 6th place overall. A big thank you to Dave Higgins for his dedicated work with the team in what are, sometimes, unfavourable weather conditions – and to the student team for their determination, hard work and dedication.

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.