The SHC 2024 school year was officially launched on Wednesday 14 February at our Maguire Celebration. It was here that we were able to come together to formally recognise student achievements and overall excellence. 

An important part of our celebration was the opportunity to welcome back and acknowledge the outstanding achievements of the 2023 Year 12 cohort, and it was wonderful to be able to congratulate them for their hard work not only for last year, but throughout their years at SHC. We were also able to formally acknowledge our 2024 student leaders.

Our College Captains launched our theme for 2024, which is ‘Bold Heart, Fierce Mind, Courageous Spirit’. We will all certainly aspire to these worthy ideals throughout the year.

Our Year 7 students have enjoyed a fun and adventurous camp at Mill Valley Ranch in Tynong North the week of 26 February to 1 March. From all reports it was a fantastic experience for all those who attended!

Please read below a reflection of the camp from Maia Melendez Ishido.

I went to the Loyola and Clairvaux camp, and it was probably the best camp I've ever been on! Mill Valley Ranch was unlike any other camp I've been on, with its themed cabins and fun activities, but my favourite part was by far all the amazing activities we did! I loved canoeing with my friends, and making a long line of canoes stretching across the lake like a train. I also really loved being able to experience riding the horses, as it was my first real time actually riding them and going on a trail ride, doing the barn games and going on the low ropes.

Camp is where I met some great friends, who I probably wouldn't have met otherwise. I got to know the people in my class more, from their interests, the things we had in common and things that were different about each other!

I was really nervous when I found out I was sleeping in a wagon, I mean, sleeping outside in a wagon without a door, no bathroom and virtually no light? That sounds scary. However, it ended up being an amazing way to learn more about the people in the wagon with me, and it was a really fun experience!

Camp was an amazing experience to be a part of, and I'm really glad I was able to go, because I met so many new people, and did so many fun things.

Year 8 English students have been studying Baz Luhrmann's smash hit film Strictly Ballroom. 

As part of their preparation for their upcoming film analysis assignment, students in Miss Brain's class brought the characters to life with sparkles and glitter in these life size creative character representations. 

It was a great way to finish the week on a beautiful Friday morning!

A sunny morning greeted us on Tuesday 20 February for the CGSAV Triathlon at Eastern Beach, Geelong. There were 10 schools participating this year, with SHC representing Geelong and all the other schools representing Melbourne. The competition was tough and the team support was prominent, as was the sportsmanship.

The SHC teams were very competitive in all 3 divisions (juniors, intermediates and seniors). Well done to the entire team who represented us in such a competitive all-round effort, and special congratulations to the individual students who won medals for placing in the top 10. SHC came 1st in the junior section, 5th in the intermediates, and 7th in the seniors. The overall aggregate saw SHC finishing 5th, which was a fantastic effort.

Thank you to the SHC Staff and students for all their help and assistance on the day.

Final Scores at the end of competition:

AGGREGATE

JUNIORS

JUNIORS - SHC STUDENTS

INTERMEDIATES

INTERMEDIATES - SHC STUDENTS

SENIORS

SENIORS - SHC STUDENTS

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Congratulations to the following students on their recent achievements:

• Congratulations to Year 10 student Imogen Hall who represented Victoria at the Senior Nationals Box Lacrosse Championships recently. Imogen’s team played Western Australia in the Grand Final and won. Well done to Imogen and the Victorian team.

• Congratulations to Year 8 student Evie Lee who competed at the State Age Swimming Championships. Evie won 7 Gold Medals, 1 Silver Medal and 3 Bronze medals in her respective swimming events, a fantastic effort!

Congratulations to the students who participated in the School Surf Life Saving League competition at Cosy Corner, Torquay on Tuesday 20 February. The students competed in different events across the day including:

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

Well done to all the students on a fantastic effort!

A big thank you to staff members Declan Hargreaves, Lauren McGowan and Tanja Dunat-Timms who helped run such a smooth day.

Results:

Female Section: 7th - 46 points

Overall: 10th - 46 points

Team:

Year 7 & 8: Emma Henderson, Alice Walsh, Myla Stapleton, Erin Robertson, Matilda Jewell, Grace Tolley, Xanthe Essing

Year 9 & 10: Catherine Robertson, Bronte Tracey, Milla Browning, Lara Forward

Year 11 & 12: Jamie Flanagan, Molly Leith, Sian Hughes, Stella Draper

Tuesday 5 March - Committee for Geelong - Future Leaders Program Co-Design Workshop

On Tuesday 5 March, four members of the Student Leadership Team from Years 10 and 11 represented SHC at the Committee for Geelong, Future Leaders Program Co-Design workshop. The workshop consisted of a small working party of students from a number of schools within the Geelong region where the students explored the concept of leadership within the community, issues facing youth in Geelong and how their voice can help shape the future of our region. The students who participated are looking forward to seeing their insights in action through a proposed Future Leaders Youth Advisory Panel.

Below is a reflection from Leilani Mc Fadden Year 10 Learning Leader:

My experience at the Future Leaders Co-Design Workshop was so rewarding because I was able to meet with other open-minded students on matters that affect Geelong. This session made me think from different points of view on common issues that continue to affect everyone. My eyes were also opened to small businesses through Rob Brown's presentation. It was definitely a highlight of the day and focused on the small positive impacts that can help push Geelong in the right direction. I also found it interesting as to the future of Geelong and the transportation systems that need to be upgraded in order for it to become the city it will most likely be. Overall, I found the session to be very engaging and valuable to any future leaders.

Students who attended the Committee for Geelong Workshop - Alice Chomely, Sienna Thompson, Leilani McFadden and Bridie Larkins (seen in image below).

Thursday 7 March - Soroptomist Geelong - International Women's Day Breakfast.

On Thursday 7 March, ten Year 12 Leaders were honoured to be invited as guests on behalf of the SHC Alumni Committee to attend The Soroptomist Geelong - International Women's Day Breakfast. The event was hosted by Loretta Heart, where the leaders heard the stories of two inspirational refugees who are now students from North Geelong Secondary College. The main guest speaker was Lucinda Goodwin, a music photographer who shared her inspiring story and important life lessons on striving to achieve her goals in a male dominated industry.

Below is a reflection from a student who attended the breakfast:

It was so inspiring to hear how Lucinda was able to persist through the many setbacks she faced throughout her career. I had no idea how under-represented women are in the media industry. As a young woman aiming to go into a male dominated field, I found her speech both jaw-dropping and inspiring. Lucinda demonstrated that determination and the will to never give up is what makes you achieve your dreams. I will always remember Lucinda’s story as I embark on my own journey.