Hearts News (Week 4 Term 4, Thursday 9 November 2023)

Last week we farewelled our Year 12 Boarders at the 2023 Boarders Graduation Dinner.

To our Sacred Heart College community

As we begin to near the end of the final term for 2023, there continues to be much to be celebrated amongst the Hearts family. 

Our 2023 Year 12 cohort are currently sitting their exams. We wish them every success and look forward to their final celebration at the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony at the end of Week 7. We also wish our Year 9s all the best as they come to the end of their Rite Journey program, which acknowledges and supports their transition from adolescence to adulthood. We will honour and celebrate their ‘Homecoming’ at the end of Week 7.

Tomorrow, Champagnat Campus will hold its annual Sports Day. We hope all students have a wonderful day in the race for the coveted Championship Shield and Spirit Cup!

Daniel Head
Deputy Principal

Year 12 Boarders Graduation Dinner

Last Friday the Sacred Heart Boarding Community farewelled the Class of 2023 boarders at the Year 12 Boarding Graduation dinner. Hosted by Heads of Boarding, Gabby Reeves and Jason Dam, the dinner was held at the Kooyonga Golf Club with 138 families and staff in attendance, including Brothers from our Sacred Heart College Community, and Director of Boarding, Robert Gill and his family who recently welcomed a new addition and was having some well deserved paternity leave. We were also very fortunate to have Br Joe Hughes fly over from WA to assist with the presentation of individual awards.

The gathering was very heartfelt as we farewelled the 2023 Year 12 cohort along with some families who have spent considerable time in our boarding community. The evening included a short summary of each student’s intentions for next year, followed by the presentation of their graduation certificate and a small gift from the Boarding Community. This was presented to each student by College Principal, Daniel Lynch and Boarding Registrar, Julie Raymond. 

Congratulations to the following students who were the recipients of special individual awards:

• Overall Year 12 Contribution to Community – Isabel Bryksy and Sam Pridham
• The La Valla Award – Arli Lowe 
• The Brother Denis Wright Award – Brock Vandeleur.

We also welcomed our guest speaker for the evening, old scholar, Gertie Spurling (SHOC ‘08), who was a boarder at Sacred Heart College and graces our TV screens each night as presenter for 7NEWS Adelaide. Gertie gave a very entertaining speech which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Her main message for our graduating cohort was “never give up trying new things until you find a path in life you are passionate about.” 

It was a fantastic night that could not happen without the tireless attention to detail by Boarding Registrar, Julie Raymond! Thank you, Julie and to all who assisted on the night.

Year 9 Rite Journey Camps

Over the first three weeks of term the Year 9 students and their Rite Journey mentor teachers have accepted the challenge of the Rite Journey Camp, “The Abyss”. Camp is one of the high points of the Rite Journey program with a challenging three days of hiking and camping in the beautiful surrounds of Deep Creek Conservation Park. 

Students worked together to face a range of challenges including challenging full day hikes and  planning and preparing all of their own food. Students were also called to be reflective in solo activities that prompted them to consider the types of young people they want to be and how they would like to move forward into the senior years of schooling. 

The Rite Journey program seeks to foster independence, personal responsibility, empathy and gratitude. Three days with a few less creature comforts and a significant physical challenge, the students were able to enjoy the simple pleasure of  nature, laughter  and good conversation. 

Cross-generational pen pals

All year our Year 9s have been participating in The Rite Journey, a program aimed at building our young people up to be kind, compassionate and considerate adults. One crucial element of this program is the outreach work each class undertakes, which challenges the students to consider something more than their own lives and the things that directly impact them.

This year Mr Salerno’s class paired up with Meals on Wheels to engage in a ‘cross-generational pen pal project’, inspired by the ABC’s hit series ‘Old People’s Home for Teenagers‘, a show that follows seniors and teenagers participating in activities designed to help build their confidence and resilience, learning and leaning on each other as they strengthen their sense of self. 

Much like the show, our outreach work aimed to connect our young people with individuals who are often isolated in hopes of building a meaningful relationship that would enhance the wellbeing of both the younger and older participants. A class of 22 boys were paired up with an older person who they then exchanged a series of letters with, discussing their lives, interests, families and even their personal struggles. These letters were exchanged across terms 2 and 3, finally culminating in a joint lunch at West Adelaide Football Club yesterday. The lunch was an opportunity to finally put a face to a name, and further solidify their bond.

Watching from afar, it looked like old friends reuniting as opposed to pen pals meeting for the first time. The buzz in the room was truly electric, with each and every individual engaging in meaningful conversation while they shared a laugh and a meal. We were proud to see the students step out of their comfort zones and broaden their perspectives, with each and everyone of them coming away from the exercise with a little wisdom imparted on them. 

Year 12 2024 Student Leaders Camp

This week, our Year 12 (2024) leaders set off on a two-day formation camp at West Beach, providing an opportunity for the leadership team to work towards their goals, and aspirations for next year. Steve Lacy from Leading Teams also supported the students in creating a trademark and their agreed upon values for 2024. The camp also saw our leaders live out our Marist Characteristic of Family Spirit, as they challenged themselves and each other to break out of their comfort zones, and create new bonds and friendships, which has strengthened them as a team. Thank you to the staff who accompanied these students.

Game Changers Year 10 Leadership Camp

At the end of Week 1, our Year 10 Game Changers group embarked on their La Valla Leadership Camp to Phillip Island Adventure Resort with students from Marist schools all across the country. Run by the Marist Youth Ministry team, 14 of our Year 10 Game Changers participated in the three-day camp, which consisted of workshops and presentations focused on the development of the students’ leadership and personal skills and their faith. It also provided an opportunity to reflect as they enter their senior years of high school.

Throughout these sessions, students were given opportunities to share their stories, experiences and values with their friends and in small groups. Partnered with the many team building activities on the camp, students developed significantly stronger bonds and relationships with their peers and with students from other Marist schools. 

There were many highlights of the camp including a quiz night, mini golf, high ropes activities and free time spent with their friends. One of the most notable aspects of the camp was the family spirit on display. The relationships formed and strengthened between peers created a strong sense of community that these students will remember and continue to build on throughout their schooling journey. 

Year 8 Art Gallery excursion

In Week 3, Year 8 Visual Arts students took part in an Art Gallery excursion, rotating through three different activities. The first of these activities was a self-guided tour of the SA Art Gallery. During this time, students had the opportunity to visit both the Vincent Namatjira and Tarnanthi exhibitions, as well as the Gallery’s general collection of works. Year 8s had the opportunity to see Vincent Namatjira’s Archibald Prize-winning portrait of former AFL player, Adam Goodes. Students also participated in a walking tour of the East End of the CBD, where they explored and reflected on numerous murals. Finally, students took part in a comic drawing workshop, facilitated by the educators from the SA Gallery. It was a great cultural experience for everyone involved!

Water Wheels and turbine design excursion

Our Stage 1 (Year 11) Scientific Studies students embarked on an exciting and educational journey to Flinders University Tonsley earlier this term, where they were supported by the university’s dedicated student ambassador team. The focus of this excursion was water wheels and hydroelectric turbine design, providing our students with a hands-on experience in the world of engineering and sustainable energy production.

During the visit, students were organised into teams and tasked with applying their knowledge of the engineering design cycle to create water wheels geared towards hydroelectric turbines. The objective was to harness the kinetic energy in a water flume efficiently to produce electricity. This hands-on approach allowed students to see the real-world applications of their classroom learning.

Flinders University Tonsley, with its cutting-edge civil engineering teaching labs, provided the perfect environment for this educational endeavour. Our students had the privilege of using industrial testing apparatus to assess and refine their prototype creations, gaining valuable insights into the practical aspects of engineering design.

This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to apply their knowledge, develop practical skills, and foster a deeper appreciation for sustainable energy solutions. We are immensely grateful to Flinders University Tonsley and their student ambassador team for making this experience possible.

Arts News

Some exciting events this fortnight at Marcellin Campus with the Year 12 Exhibition and the Dance Showcase. We have such talented students who work so hard to produce amazing work. It is wonderful that Arts subjects allow us to share the work of our wonderful students with the wider community!

Keep an eye out for the Champagnat Arts night coming up and the Year 10 Drama performance. 

Year 12 Art, Photography & Design Exhibition

On Thursday 2 November, we celebrated the opening of the Visual Arts, Design and Photography exhibition in the Br Stephen Debourg Performing Arts Centre at Marcellin Campus. It was a successful evening with so many supportive parents/caregivers, family and friends in attendance. College Principal, Daniel Lynch officially opened the exhibition and awarded three Principal’s Choice Awards for his personal favourite Design, Visual Arts and Photography pieces. A huge congratulations to the following winners:

• Jazzy Kilsby – Visual Arts Award
• Emerson Aristidou – Design Award
• Sophie Suter – Photography Award. 

The exhibition will be on display until 17 November. Please feel free to come and have a look in the Debourg foyer.

Year 10 and 11 Dance Night

Last night the Year 10 and 11 Dance Night showcased our senior dance students’ talents. The Year 10 class performed a contemporary piece, ‘Way Down We Go’ and an uplifting jazz dance, River Deep, Mountain High’. Abi Hunt (Stage 1 Dance) performed two solos, one titled, ‘Who I Am‘, and an emotive dance called, ‘The Letter’, from hit musical Billy Elliot. The students also presented their own choreographies, including Year 10 Dance Films and a Stage 1 performance on climate crisis.

We were also fortunate to have the incredible Jasmine Eramiha and Piper Ackland (Stage 1) perform for us as a musical interlude. Thank you to the Arts ‘family’ for all their assistance on the night as well as our family and friends who came along to support us. Congratulations to all the dancers for their stunning performances!

Year 11 Music students record at TAFE’s College of the Arts

Year 11 and Certificate III VET Music students recently travelled to Adelaide College of the Arts on Light Square in the CBD to collaborate with the TAFE SA Certificate IV Audio Engineering students to complete a series of demo recordings. Their visit also included a personal tour of the incredible facilities available to Arts students, and was followed up by a special performance forum featuring students studying a Diploma of Music. The students would all agree they were blown away by the quality and craftsmanship in their performance. We look forward to receiving our completed recordings post mastering and sharing with families at the end of the year. 

The Arts dates and events

Champagnat Campus (Term 4)

Marcellin Campus (Term 4)

Click here to view the full College calendar of events.

Sports News

As we reach the halfway point of summer sports in Term 4, our College has seen a wide array of sports teams participating in knockout competitions. We want to extend our congratulations to all students who have proudly represented the College while away from school during this busy term. We also want to wish the best of luck to all the teams that have advanced to the next stages.

Beach Volleyball Championships

Sacred Heart entered two teams in the South Australian School Beach Volleyball competition held at Glenelg Beach yesterday. Our teams performed exceptionally well with the girls team going through undefeated and winning the gold medal, whilst the boys went down in the grand final in a hard fought game, coming away with the silver medal.

Congratulations to the following students:

SHC Girls Beach Volleyball – Gold Medallists:

• Neve Jamieson
• Kate Miyasato
• Naomi Miyasato
• Ann Sadanand.

SHC Boys Beach Volleyball – Silver Medallists:

• Nathan Anglo
• Jovanie Dedman 
• Ethan Jamieson 
• Marcus Traegar.

Surfing Championships

Last Friday our Sacred Heart surfers braved the cold and gusty conditions at Middleton Beach for the 2023 Surfing Championships. Our squad included both Champagnat and Marcellin students, and the day started off on a tough note with a slow start in the first heat. This forced us into the repo charge round where we made a strong comeback, accumulating 16.15 points, securing the first-place spot, and taking our ticket to the semi-finals. However, it was in the semi-finals that things took a bittersweet turn. We came oh-so-close to advancing but were narrowly edged out in the final moments due to a point deduction. Time was up and some of our teammates were still riding the waves.

Overall it was a great day and opportunity for our surfers to display their unique skills out on the water. Well done to everyone involved and we look forward to seeing the team in action again next year!

SA Interschool Chess Championships

Well done to the Sacred Heart Chess Club for placing 2nd in the Chess School SA State Finals, despite being down a few players due to Rite Journey Camps. All played well and showed great sportsmanship and respect to their opponents and other schools. Special mention to Ansh Moramganti, Sebastian O’Loughlin and Xavier Eitel, all who placed in the top 10!

We look forward to competing again next year, and welcoming a new group of Year 7 Chess players in 2024.

7/8 Girls Knockout Touch Football champions

Congratulations to the Year 7/8 Knockout Girls Touch Football team, composed of students from Champagnat Campus, who took home the Statewide Knockout Touch Football title last Thursday! 

Under the guidance of coach Nathan Armiento, the girls went through undefeated in the minor rounds and more impressively conceded 0 tries against. In the Grand Final, the girls came up against a tough Golden Grove and pulled through with a 3-2 win in the drop-off stage.

Well done girls for your dominant and consistent display of skills and team work to achieve the ultimate success. This makes it two years in a row we have now brought home the Statewide Knockout title. The future is looking bright for Touch Football at Sacred Heart College.

CEA Knockout Sports (Champagnat and Marcellin)

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

Year 7/8 Boys Knockout Cricket – SHC (0/82) def Underdale High School (10/72)

Year 7/8 Boys Knockout Volleyball – SHC placed 4th overall out of 8 teams and second in the pool.

Year 7/8 Girls Knockout Touch Football Finals – SHC placed 1st overall and were awarded Statewide Champions.

Year 7/8 Boys Knockout Touch Football Finals – SHC placed 4th overall out of 8 teams and second in the pool.

Middle Knockout Table Tennis – SHC placed 2nd in the pool, being defeated by St Peters College.

Year 7/8 Girls Knockout Tennis – SHC (3-30) def Tatachilla Lutheran School (3-19); SHC (6-36) def Brighton Secondary School (0-5); SHC def Seaview High School (in a tie break)

Year 7/8 Boys Knockout Tennis – SHC (2-24) def by Tatachilla Lutheran School (4-32); SHC (1-13) def by Brighton Secondary School (4-26); SHC (0-4) def by Seaview High School (4-24)

Middle Boys Knockout Baseball Finals – SHC (12) def Marryatville High School (1); SHC (0) def by Seaton High School (7) 

Year 7/8 Girls Knockout Volleyball – SHC (2) def Seaview High School (1); SHC (0) def by Hallett Cove R-12 School (5)

Student Sporting Achievements

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

Sporting dates and events

Champagnat Campus (Term 4)

Please note: There are no dates for Marcellin Campus at this time.

Click here to view the full College calendar of events.