We hope all our students and staff have had a restful and relaxing break and are ready for another year of learning and personal achievements. 

A reminder that the College Reception is now open, with teaching staff returning Friday 27 January, and all students returning for the start of the school year on Tuesday 31 January.

In 2022 we introduced a new history subject called Time Traveller. Time Traveller is a history-based subject that focuses on local Australian History – the Geelong Region. 

Exploring the history through different lenses and perspectives, students were immersed in the different eras through research and practical application with our educational partner The National Trust. Throughout this subject students explored the life of the Wadawurrung Pre- and Post-European settlement, the impact of colonisation, the first settlers stories of Geelong and the impact of the Gold Rush on Geelong and Victoria. Exploring local mansions and visiting Sovereign Hill, students have been challenged to immerse themselves in the time period under study. 

Recently, students completed their own individual research into an inquiry question that interested and framed their in-depth research. Aligned to the school's learning framework of Universal Design for Learning, students were given freedom and choice in how they represented their knowledge. Displayed below are some the amazing pieces of work that were produced. Well done students!

Richie McCann, Leader of Innovation and Networks

From 30 January 2023, in line with the first day of term one, existing school bus Route N2 will be realigned to operate via Grubb Road, Ocean Grove. The service will be called Route N2 – Ocean Grove to Geelong via Grubb Road. 

Realigning Route N2 will reduce overcrowding on the Ocean Grove to Geelong school bus corridor and provide better travel options for students. Route N2 will operate one AM trip from Ocean Grove to Sacred Heart College on school days only.

Below is the new timetable for Route N2.

AM timetable – Route N2

SHC students travelling from the main Ocean Grove Interchange who normally caught the N2 in 2022, can instead catch the N8 in 2023.

These school services are operated by McHarry’s Buslines and information will also be available via their website shortly.

I am honoured to be selected as a Shrine Young Ambassador for 2023. I have been a member of the Drysdale RSL Women’s Auxiliary since I was 1 year old. I was able to join as my great-grandfather and my great-great grandfather fought in the war. It is important we remember the sacrifices made by those who served and has given us freedom today. To apply for the position, I needed to complete an online form outlining why I wanted the join this role.

I wanted to become a Young Ambassador because I want to make sure that the ones who sacrificed their lives are never forgotten and continued being remembered as people who helped us get the freedom we have today. I also wanted to learn more about World War I and World War II so I can understand and appreciate the world I live in today.

Sophie Nisbet, Year 9

Please see below important information from the City of Greater Geelong about Aphrasia Street road closure for part of 2023, between Talbot Street and Pakington Street.

Dear Resident,

RE: Aphrasia St, Newtown – Road Reconstruction and Drainage Works

The City of Greater Geelong’s Construction Unit will be starting work the week beginning Monday 09 January 2023 to reconstruct Aphrasia Street, Newtown between Talbot Street and Pakington Street. These works include the installation of new underground drainage, kerb and channel, footpaths and road surfacing.

Works are expected to be completed by the end of May 2023, weather and Covid conditions permitting.

Road Closure – Whole Project

To allow works to be completed safely and efficiently a full road closure is required between Pakington Street and Talbot Street (please see works area on map below).

Property Access

Whilst works are being completed there will be no vehicle or pedestrian access to the front of properties on Aphrasia Street between Pakington and Talbot Streets. When safe to do so, pedestrian access will be reinstated whilst the road construction phase is still taking place.

Further information will be provided regarding these works closer to the start date.

We apologise for any inconvenience and will endeavour to minimise disruptions as much as possible.

In 2022, I was approached by former staff member Dr Gillian Turner looking for some capable Year 7 writers to be part of a Youth Arts Project to take place at the Geelong Gallery in September. ‘Reconnection’ was an initiative of ‘Music at the Basilica Inc.' and looked to allow various forms of the Arts to come together and perform/present after the Covid enforced shutdown of the last two years.

I chose two talented young writers from each of my Year Seven English classes and met with the students and Dr Turner at the Geelong Gallery one Sunday afternoon in July. The students were given time to explore the gallery and choose a piece that they would respond to in writing with the idea to present their pieces later in September. After drafting their pieces, the girls met regularly with Dr Turner and myself, editing and rehearsing the presentation of their work.

On Sunday September 18, the girls presented their pieces, supported by the Sacred Heart College String Ensemble. It was a magical afternoon as the girls shared what they had created, inspired by their chosen images.

Thank you to the many parents, patrons and staff who attended and supported the girls. Below is a selection of their writing pieces and the artworks that inspired them. Thank you to Dr Turner for the invitation to be part of such a rewarding project.

Carl Tracey, English staff

‘Old Australian Giants’ by Henri Tebbit

Ava Howie 7H

The artwork I chose is called Old Australian Giants by Henri Tebbit. I chose this artwork because it reminds me of happy memories of my cousins and I at Halls Gap when we ran through the mass of trees that surrounded our cabins.  I call my piece, 'In a place out of time’.

In a place out of time Long ago

Stood a tree

taller than all the trees

The trunk was thick as an elephant Its emerald leaves glittering

A breeze blew a seed off Spiralling to the ground A bird came and took it Sharp talons attached

Many mountains were crossed

It landed in grassy plains Earth, stone and water covered it A sapling was born.

Many suns and moons passed The new tree stood tall

Its canopy spread wide

Time elapsed White man came New sounds

Whack

The forest fell

a resounding thud echoed Homes to be made

Homes had to be destroyed

A seed blew away The gust taking it far It landed

It grew knobbly and wonky

Man wanted more, Trees fell

Knobbly and wonky No good

Left there

It was so imperfect that it was perfect

In a place out of time Long ago

Stood a tree

Lily Mulroyan 7H

Lily also chose the same artwork as Ava, but her inspiration was the golden frame around the artwork:

Waiting for sun

The golden frame

Reminds me so much of Dino's mane

The burnt log and long, tall trees making mountains in the background

The golden, early morning sun shines on one side of the tree leaving the other waiting for light

Almost all of the shades of green and brown are spread all over the landscape

And leaves from the summer before lay there burnt and dry

Tall ferns and grass making you feel like an ant

An Australian national park waiting for the sun.

’The Dawn of Night’ by John Ford Paterson (1896)

Piper Black 7I

Piper was inspired by the painting The Dawn of Night by John Ford Paterson (1896) for her short story of the same name.

The cabin was rickety and old, mould regenerated on its external timber walls.

No one ever came to visit as we were too deep in the forest.

It was only Grandpa and me...the woods were all I knew!

……….

Green trees thrived in the swampy ground… and mushrooms grew all over the fallen log that lay in the marsh…It was beautiful!

……….

For years I had lived according to one rule, NEVER LEAVE THE CABIN AT NIGHT!

Grandpa always had good reasons for everything he said, so I had no reason to disobey him. But sometimes I felt lonely.

It was like ‘THIS LIFE’ was too little!

……….

Curiosity got the better of me early one evening. Just after the warm sun had disappeared over the hills, I tossed and turned in my bed. How could I sleep without knowing what was out there

in the darkness?

I then made my decision!

Peeking inside to check if Grandpa was asleep, I could see the room was largely empty, except for a tall cupboard and bed that hosted a lump covered with blankets…Grandpa.

‘Step outside’ I whispered to myself, ‘No harm done!’

……….

My only desire was to explore. The moon, the shadows, the darkness.

Grabbing the door handle, I breathed deeply, preparing myself.

I closed my eyes and all at once I twisted the handle, opened the door and stepped outside. A frosty bite greeted my skin and it was deathly quiet.

………

The fresh smell of forest rain entered my nose and I laughed in delight. How could Grandpa have not shown me this?

Even without sight, it was magical. With anticipation, I opened my eyes. The tall trees that I thought I knew so well cast murky shadows on the floor. They were strangers, as was the sky.

Instead of the bright blue that I was so used to, red and purple hues were painted above me. No clouds interfered with the enchantment.

……….

I turned whilst still looking up. I stopped dead.

It was everything I had dreamed of.

I had never seen the moon before but I instantly knew that THIS was it.

It gave off a silvery light, making the atmosphere dreamy and mysterious. It wasn’t perfect...

Shadows freckled its surface but I didn’t mind. It bewitched me.

……….

The forests’ power was pulling me in. Slowly, I took more and more steps off the deck until my bare feet hit the undergrowth.

Grandpa would be furious but the night was so alluring.

……….

In no time at all, I was surrounded by trees. I did not know that I had travelled so far. It was as if an invisible voice had guided me more and more into the depths. And the feeling around me had

changed. The world was different when it was dark.

No warmth to make me feel at home. No daylight to show me safety. Only the sharp edges of the woods.

……….

Strange noises hidden in the night increased my growing fear. My initial wanderings became more purposeful. I was trying desperately to get back to Grandpa.

But the further I went the more lost I became.

……….

I don’t know when I started crying.

All I knew was that tears made my cheeks soaked and my eyes puffy.

I cursed my curiosity. A twig snapped to my right and I sucked in a breath.

I turned my head to the sound. Despite still being watery-eyed, I could see that nothing was there. Nothing but forest.

Am I going mad?

……….

A waving branch drew my attention to a large eucalyptus tree, so close it was overwhelming.

The tree appeared to have a face. It was pained and tortured, seemingly crying for help.

This was my tipping point. I screamed and ran furiously. I had to get away.

……….

Running and running and running until my legs could no longer bear it.

I collapsed.

I knew then that I would never return home!

The woods would continue to engulf me.

……….

I quietly sobbed…driven to insanity!

I should have stayed with Grandpa!

……….

With a final push, I looked around, willing something that I remembered to appear.

But the colours were dull, only shades of grey.

Except THERE!

Next to what appeared to be a raspberry bush, was a pair of glowing, red eyes.

I tried to run but my legs would not obey.

The eyes grew into an animal which showed in the moonlight.

Hunger was written in its body language; the giant wolf licked its lips.

My scream echoed through the night.

We held our first ever House Football Competition during Living Mercy on Monday 28 November last year, whereby Clairvaux took on Siena in the opening match followed by Loyola and Padua fighting it out in the second game. Both games showcased great skill, speed, tenacity and sportsmanship.

I want to congratulate all the players, coaches, runners and first aid staff for participating in two fantastic games. A huge thank you to all students and staff who came down to watch. It was great to see everyone cheering on your house and friends in the game, and most of all having FUN!

A special thank you to our umpires: Field – staff Richie McCann, Boundary - Ariel Van Der Poll and staff Macy McKoy and Goal Umpires - Hayley Hunt and staff Fiona Biggs. Thanks also to staff members Mick Symes for marking out the ground with lines for the game (the oval looked amazing), Jack Andrews for being the MC along with student Sophie Ford, Music/Sound maestro Nam Huynh and Narelle Dickson for timekeeping our games.

RESULTS:

GAME 1
Siena 0 - Clairvaux 18

GAME 2
Loyola 17 - Padua 22

Well done to Clairvaux and Padua for winning their games.

Every year, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause to remember those men and women who have served and those who have died in all wars and peacekeeping operations.

The service began with a burning ceremony in which Uncle Mik Edwards and Jungala welcomed us to the Bunurong country and the Remembrance Day ceremony.

Then followed an introduction to the day, when it was first celebrated 104 years ago in 1918. Then at 11.00am the minute of silence began. Being present at the Shrine at this time was quite important to me, and I felt so fortunate to be in such occasion. I closed my eyes and lowered my head as the last post began to play, remembering those who fought for our country. When I opened my eyes, I was met with the gorgeous Shrine of remembrance building, which was incredibly powerful to witness on such a wonderful day.

One of my duties on the day as Young Ambassador was handing a wreath to the state opposition leader Matthew Guy as well as laying a wreath at the front of the Shrine on behalf of all the Victorian schools.

After the ceremony, everyone gathered in the sanctuary around the stone of remembrance, which is carved with the bible text "greater love hath no one." At 11am, a natural ray of sunlight enters the Sanctuary, illuminating the word LOVE on the Stone of Remembrance.

However, because it was such a dreary and cloudy day, the beam of light was rarely visible. So, everyone gathered around the stone, waiting for the single second when the sun would shine through, which was so beautiful to watch when it finally happened.

Sofia Castello, Year 9

Congratulations to all the students who competed in the first House Cricket competition held during November last year.

Thursday 10th November
Batting Team: Loyola/Clairvaux - 89 runs
Bowling Team: Padua/Siena - 2 wickets (Isabella Torney, Ally Croft)

Thursday 17th November
Batting Team: Padua/Siena - 56 runs
Bowling Team: Loyola/Clairvaux - 2 wickets (Tia McGarth, Tamryn Van Rooyen), 1 catch (b - Alyssa Bolger, c - Tia McGarth)

Teams: 

Padua/Siena - Macy Lee, Isla Hanna-Phillps, Edwina McKenzie, Heidi Armstrong, Ally Croft, Isabelle Torney, Jasmine O’Donnell, Mary Rolfe, Isabel Ballesteros
Loyola/Clairvaux - Tia McGarth, Georgia Pritchard, Amelia Power, Sophie Jordan, Lucy Gummer, Scarlett Birrell, Tamryn Van Rooyen, Alyssa Bolger.

The winning houses were Loyola/Clairvaux! Well done to everyone who participated. 

A special thank you to staff Colin Cunliffe and Richie McCann for umpiring the games which were held over lunchtime.

Congratulations to the 17 students who participated in the School Surf Life Saving League competition on Wednesday 16 November at Cosy Corner, Torquay. The students competed in different events across the day including:

Beach – Flags, Sprints, Beach Relay, and Water – Swim, Wade Relay, Board Race, Aqua Cameron and Super Relay.

At the end of the day SHC came 1^st in the Girls division by over 100 points to Peninsula College. In the Overall division which was both boys and girls combined, SHC came equal 1^st with Peninsula College. Well done to all the students on a fantastic effort!

Also, a big thank you to Mrs. Casee Graham, Mr. Bo Chudosnik who helped run a smooth day with their great organisational skills and preparation before the day. To our trainees Tess and Macy, thank you for your help being water safety for the morning session and to our parents who came to support SHC.

Team:

Year 7 & 8: Mac Allen, Lily Franklin, Bella Leahy, Ella Martin-Alcaide, Catherine Robertson, Zoe McCardel, Milla Browing, Chloe Reyntjes.

Year 9 & 10: Chloe Walsh, Jamie Flanagan, Kayla Forward, Molly Leith, Stella Draper.

Year 11 & 12: Georgia McCardel, Claudia Draper, Zoe Honey, Jess Paranavitana.

Congratulations to the following students who last December travelled to SA Athletics Stadium in Adelaide to compete at the 2022 Chemist Warehouse Australian All Schools Track and Field Championships, representing Victoria: Year 11 - Chantel Glogolja, Year 10 - Erin Foley and Year 8 - Isla Bradshaw. A fantastic effort to be selected to represent Victoria against the best in Australia.

Results

Chantel Glogolja U/18 Pole Vault - Silver Medal

Erin Foley U/17 400m Hurdles (Timed Final) - 7th

Isla Bradshaw U/15 800m (Timed Final) - 4th

Well done to all students on a truly fantastic effort!

Our 2022 Year 9 and Year 10 RE Through The Eyes of Art students have created some wonderful artwork, which you can view here: http://bit.ly/3YitNWV

For the latest Principal's Update to Families, please click here.