Our VET Music experience at the Barwon Club was much more than expected. Performing was incredibly fun, and playing in front of an audience was a fantastic experience. All of the bands were brilliant, and the night was unforgettable. Three bands from Sacred Heart made the night truly special. VET music teacher, Rob Gador, organised a brilliant opportunity to perform at the BC on June 13th.

The first Sacred Heart band to take the stage featured the trio of Eliza Wilson on lead vocals and guitar, Felix Lees also alongside on guitar and Chriscelle Bachoco sharing the performance with guitar and bass. Their lineup of songs was great. They gave the audience a sense of wonder and enjoyment with their performance of hit songs.

The second band was Zoe Winiecki, on lead vocals alongside Alyssa Andrews, also on vocals, with our two dear Clonard friends, Tayla Boden and Jacqueline (Jac) Kolar. We also had a great feature from our guitar teacher, Mr Ben Baker who helped assist us on bass guitar. With a set list of hit songs, we truly rocked the stage!

Our last band performed with attitude, a list of heavy-hitting & 90s songs. Elsie Anderson was on lead vocals and guitar, Geneva Bridgen on guitar and backing vocals, Audrey Dickens on bass, and Violet Dillion on drums. Rocking out the stage with their music, it was a showstopper!

The turnout and support from parents and friends was fantastic, making the event even more special. All the preparation leading up to that moment on stage was worth it. Letting loose and having a good time while performing was simply the best—it’s hard to put into words, but let’s just say it was unreal!

For anyone wanting to become a musician or gain experience performing in front of a crowd, VET Music is definitely the way to go!

Zoe Winiecki, Year 10

Congratulations to the following students on their recent outstanding sporting achievements:

Football / Soccer

Congratulations to year 10 student, Eleanor Walsh, on being selected to play for U/15 Victorian Soccer Team at the upcoming National Youth Championships! 

According to Geelong Galaxy FC, Eleanor is a 'talented and committed player, always with a positive attitude and a smile'. 

Good luck Ellie, we wish you all the best in the Championships!

Photo courtesy Geelong Galaxy FC

Swimming

Congratulations to Evie Lee (Year 8) who competed at the Age Nationals for Swimming. Evie swam extremely well in all of her events. 

Evie also competed at Australian Open swimming Championships in the Freestyle for her age group. Well done on your efforts.

Evie represented the Catholic Girls Sport Association of Victoria at the Victorian Secondary Association Competition on Monday 6 May at MSAC in Melbourne. Evie came 1st in the 50m Butterfly, freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke. 

Equestrian

Congratulations to Darcie Fisher (Year 7) who has qualified for the State Horse trials in NSW.

Congratulations to Aria McLeod (Year 7) who competed at the Barwon Equine Show-jumping Tournament. Aria came 5th overall, a fantastic result.

AFL Football

Congratulations to Remy Sliwa (Year 8) on her selection for the Victorian Indigenous AFL Football team. Remy will play in the July holidays. A great effort, Remy!

Well done to Harriett O’Dwyer (Year 7) who has been selected for the Victorian SSV AFL 12 and Under Girls Team. As stated by a representative of the selection team, 'The competition to be selected in the Team Vic team was very strong, so to be selected is a proud achievement for you and your family to celebrate'. Well done Harriett!

Underwater Hockey

Congratulations to Sarah Joordens (Year 12) who has recently competed for the “Wonash” team at the Kings Cup Underwater Hockey Tournament in the Gold Coast.

Lacrosse

Congratulations to Imogen Hall (Year 10) and the U/18 Victorian lacrosse team who recently competed at the National competition. Victoria came 3rd overall. Well done Imogen!

On Thursday 30 June our SHC Cross Country team headed up to Yarra Bend Park to compete against other catholic schools in the division 1 competition. 32 students braved the windy conditions in the morning for a challenging 3km cross country course. The eight strong Catholic sporting schools in our division put up a tough test for SHC, with over 200 students competing across the morning in the three sections.

Congratulations to all our runners for successfully completing the 3km course and for giving your best effort on the day. Big thank you to staff Declan Hargreaves and Mia Carroll for assisting on the day. Well done everyone!

SHC Results:

Bianca Cheever, Sport Coordinator

On Thursday 16 May, 73 students travelled up to Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne to compete in the CGSAV Athletics. It was a perfect day for some running, throwing and jumping. Seven Catholic Girls schools competed in the Division 1 competition, and it was very competitive across the day in all the events. All our students gave a fantastic effort in their individual events and a big thank you all the students who stepped up to fill in spots for different events. 

Our Juniors finished 1^st overall, Inters finished 2^nd and Seniors finished 3^rd. Overall, it was close with Sacred Heart College, Geelong winning! Great effort by everyone. A big thank you to the staff who helped out throughout the day – Kelsey Marshman, Kate Ryan, Kendelle Hodges and our trainee Mia Carroll.

RESULTS

Juniors: 1^st

Intermediates: 2^nd

Seniors: 3^rd

Overall: 1^st

TEAM

Juniors:

Intermediates:

Seniors:

Last term our Year 7 French classes were lucky enough to participate in the Australian Olympic Committee's Amis 2024 Connect Program. This program aimed to connect Australian and French schools, giving teachers and students the opportunity to foster friendships and experience a cultural exchange, aligned with the Olympic values of Friendship, Respect and Excellence.

Students practised their French skills by exchanging texts, photos and videos with their partner schools and enjoyed learning about the French students’ lives. SHC PE staff were kind enough to embrace the Olympic spirit and ran mini-Olympic sessions (la France v l’Australie!) with replicas of the Paris 2024 medals designed and created by our very own master-craftsman Mr. Jon Bagge!

Students then experienced an immersive French cultural day in the last week of term where they sampled French food, dressed up in French outfits and celebrated all things French and Olympic.

What an exciting, international cultural exchange program uniting young people around the world, creating friendships and breaking down barriers in this very special Olympic year! Un grand merci à tous (A big thank you to all): staff members Kristen Smart, Geraldine Renkauskas, Bo Chudosnik, Emily Bensted, Jon Bagge, Sandra Kherrat, Alice McMillan et Sue Casboult.

Congratulations to our students who were involved in the sport aerobics FISAF Super Series on the weekend of Saturday 11 May - Sunday 12 May. The results were as follows:

Secondary Pre-Choreographed Teams Year 7 Final (Session 3)

SHC Stars - 3rd

SHC Dolphins - 6th

SHC Diamonds - 7th

SHC Hearts - 9th

Secondary Pre-Choreographed Teams Year 7 Final (Session 4)

SHC It Girls - 1st

SHC Fly Girls - 9th

Junior International - Female - Final

1st - Katie McKeague

Youth International Duo - Final

2nd - Katie McKeague

Youth National Pairs - Final

2nd - Ivy Burns and Phoebe Allan

Youth international female

6th - Izzy Morse

Youth national advanced female

6th - Savannah Smith

Junior Phase 2 Elementary female

3rd - Eden Cummings

Well done to all those who performed and gave their all!

On Monday 17 June, students travelled up to the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) to compete in the CGSAV Division 2 Badminton against other Catholic girls’ schools from around Victoria. All schools were very competitive across the day. 

The juniors won the Grand Final match to win overall, and Matilda Norman was awarded best on in the final. The Intermediates and Seniors who competed and fought hard in each and every game across the day finished a respectful 3^rd place overall. Well done to all competitors! 

Thank you to Declan Hargreaves for coaching on the day, Trish Morgan for conducting the trials leading into the competition day and our trainee Mia Carroll for assisting on the day.

TEAM

RESULTS

Initiated by the Geelong Heads of Music Association, on the evening of Thursday 20 June members of the junior and senior string ensembles, led by Georgie MacLucas, performed in a combined strings festival at Christian College Senior School.

After just a short rehearsal, parents and friends enjoyed an evening of music provided by 70 students from schools across the Geelong region. This was a great opportunity for our string students to play in a large ensemble and collaborate with other students to create music together.

‘Embracing the dignity and sacredness of the human person’

Commencing this term, all staff engaged in a Professional Learning day focused on supporting our community in embracing and promoting the dignity and sacredness of the human person through the lens of our Catholic Identity and Mercy traditions and creating respectful and just relationships.

We were fortunate to have Insightful presentations from guests, including the Very Rev. Dr. Kevin Lenehan, Clare Shearman from Heart of Life, and Kristy Elliott from Restorative Pathways, who shared their valuable knowledge with us.

Across the day, messages centred around the many relational aspects of what it means to be human. Staff were individually and collectively encouraged to reflect on how we uphold and honour the intrinsic dignity of every human person by recognising the importance of promoting positive relationships, prosocial behaviours, and restorative practices.

Moving forward, we look forward to continuing our work with Kristy when she returns later in the term to collaborate with our Middle Leaders, students and Mentor Group teachers.

‘The tender mercy of God has given us one another.’ Catherine McAuley

Well done to the students who represented Scared Heart College Geelong at the 2024 GISSA Junior Football Competition:

SHC 1 - Layne Harvey, Sienna Schmidt, Kaeli Oliver, Ruby Doyle, Remy Sliwa, Jemima Hood, Poppy Vickers, Sibella Lehmann, Abbey Walsh, Scarlett Farley, Piper Sach, Adelaide Buckby, Amelia Naylor, Georgia Naylor, Stella Smith, Mabel Allchin, Harriett O’Dwyer, Violet Miers, Asha Albones, Frankie Van Galen, Olivia McCormack, Emma Henderson, Addi Giles, Molly Brilliant, Grace Tolley and Olive Wearmouth.

SHC 2 - Amelie Ruyg, Lottie Cook, Ruby Slavkovski, Azalia Menzies, Olivia Shannon, Zoe Clarke, Harriet Taylor, Etiainne Vass, Myla Stapleton, Reese Liston, Ruby Reid, Phoebe Punchard, Betsy Walker, Willow Counihan, Serafina Fiala, Eden Smith, Alice Walsh, Lyla Kenny, Mia White, Rachael James, Zara Taylor, Amelia Jackson, Layla Kenny, Madeline Kennedy.

The competition was held at South Barwon Recreation Reserve in Belmont. SHC 2 battled hard in their Pool B games against Geelong Lutheran College, Cloard College Kardinia International College and The Geelong College and just missed out on a place in the finals. Congratulations to Amelie Ruyg who was awarded the medal for the best player from SHC 2. (Amelie, make sure that you try out for the Intermediate Team next year)

SHC 1 recorded some solid victories in their pool games. SHC 1 - 10.10.70 to Covenant College 0. 0 . 0, SHC 1 - 13.1.79 to Christian College Geelong - 0. 0. 0, SHC 1 - 4.11.35 to St Ignatius College 0.0.0. and SHC 1 - 10.4. 64 to Iona College 1.1.7.

In the Grand Final, Sacred Heart 1 avenged last year’s agonising one point defeat at the hands of The Geelong College and ran out winners SHC 1 - 4. 3. 27 to The Geelong College 0. 2. 2. I was so proud of you girls.

Choosing the best player for SHC 1 was no easy task. Any of Layne Harvey, Kaeli Oliver, Remy Sliwa, Jemima Hood or Scarlett Farley would have been worthy winners on the day, but I eventually awarded the medal to Sienna Schmidt. Sienna is a highly skilled, creative and humble player. She wins her own footy, brings her team mates into the play and is capable of kicking a telling goal.

It was also exciting to see a number of Year 7 students make their mark in both teams and establish themselves as future players for SHC. Violet Myers, Harriett O’Dwyer, Asha Albones, Olivia Mc Cormack, Addi Giles and Frankie Van Galen are just some of the names to watch out for in the future.

Thanks to Ms Bianca Cheever (Sports Coordinator) who coached SHC 2 and did all the lead up preparation for the day. Bianca is tireless in her efforts to ensure as many students as possible have the opportunity to compete in as many sports as possible at SHC. The time and effort she puts into her Co-ordination duties is amazing. Thank you to Mr Tyler Reid (PE Assistant) who also helped on the day and our two Year 10 student umpires Tessa Leen and Rio Smith. Thank you to the many parents who attended and supported the teams on the day. Your support was appreciated and it was nice to meet so many of you.

Year 8s - be sure that you try out for our Intermediate Team next year. Year 7s - make sure that you return to defend our title and attempt to go ‘back to back’. I’m confident that there are many of you from both Year Levels that are capable of following the elite pathway taking by a number of our Alumni now playing in the VFLW and AFLW. Dream big and let your talents shine.

Carl Tracey - Junior Football Coach

Congratulations to Year 8 student Aspen Edwards on her dance achievements this term.

Aspen attended the Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge for the first time, competing in the Intermediate Ballet Scholarship. 50 children took part in a class, with 20 selected to perform their solo in the semi-final and 8 chosen for the final. Aspen was thrilled to have received 1st place.

She attended the Hamilton Eisteddfod and received the following results: 1st Character, 1st Neo, 1st Contemporary, 3rd Classical, 2nd Ballet Scholarship Champ, 12-14 years Aggregate award.

On Sunday 16 June she competed in the Australian Institute of Classical Dance Senior Ballet and placed 1st out of 40 children.

Aspen recently competed in the Ballet Teachers Workshop and participated in a class, progressed to the semi-final and is 1of 20 children in the final in August out of 160 children in Vic.

Aspen is heading to Sydney the weekend of 20 - 21 July to compete in the Sydney Eisteddfod - Robert and Elizabeth Albert Junior Ballet Scholarship at the Sydney Opera House. She is one of 8 finalists - 3 girls and 5 boys. 

Congratulations on all your amazing achievements Aspen, and all the best in your future competitions!

With only three weeks left until the end of term, the Library staff decided to offer Fireside Reading bundles to the students of SHC to read over the holidays as the weather is usually cold, wet and miserable. Three library books, each from a different genre, were wrapped in paper and tied with a bow.

Sixty students excitedly signed up for a bundle. On the last week of term, they came and chose which bundle they would take home, similar to a lucky dip. After opening a bundle, one student exclaimed, "I love my books and they are all from great genres. I can't wait to read them!"

Well done to all who have participated in the 2024 Premiers' Reading Challenge. At time of writing, 137 students have entered the Challenge and between them have read over 1400 books! What an amazing effort! A couple of participants give their thoughts on the Challenge below:

The Victorian Premiers' Reading Challenge requires you to read 15 books from the beginning of January to the end of September. I found out about this challenge by talking to the library staff and I joined because I am always up for a challenge. As an avid reader I found the challenge easy to complete and enjoyed participating. I would definitely participate in the challenge again next year because it encourages me to continue reading and finding new genres. This is a great initiative to get people reading who usually wouldn’t. I would recommend this to anyone who wishes to try it out.

Ava Howie, Year 9

The Premiers' Reading Challenge is a competition between students to read the most books over the year, however, you don’t have to come first or second to get a certificate as you get one if you reach the challenge requirements. The challenge requirements are ten challenge books, which are books selected by the people in charge of the challenge, and five choice books, which are books that aren’t on the list and you choose to read them. I think that fifteen books is not an out-of-reach target and I believe that everyone at Sacred Heart College can meet the challenge's requirements. One of the books I read was sister heart which was an amazing and heart touching book. Another book I read was Percy Jackson which was such a capturing and enthralling book. I learned about the Premiers' Reading Challenge from the librarians who informed our class in our library session on a Tuesday. I joined the challenge because of the number of books I read in a year and the joy I get from reading and immersing myself in that fictional world. I’ve already read forty-two books and have met the requirements of the challenge and I think I will participate again next year.

Jemma Starick, Year 7