On Friday 22 November 2024, we honoured and farewelled our wonderful Class of 2024. 

The special event began with the official Graduation Ceremony, held this year in the Katsumata Centre at Kardinia International College, and it was a most auspicious occasion. The graduates were each presented on stage with their graduation certificate, and it was a wonderful way to acknowledge every one of the attendees and the hard work they have put into their final year at SHC.

Then it was onto GMHBA Stadium, for a delicious meal and the opportunity to let their hair down and celebrate being together for the last time - or at least until they return for future reunions!

We wish our Class of 2024 all the best for whatever comes next. We are confident SHC has helped to prepare them for a fulfilling and rewarding life, and we hope they go forth with Bold Hearts, Fierce Minds and Courageous Spirits. 

We will close for the Christmas break on Thursday 19 December 2024 at noon, and will reopen at 8.30am on Monday 20 January 2025, with teaching staff returning Tuesday 28 January 2025.

Students will recommence on Thursday 30 January 2025.

We wish all our College community a safe and relaxing break, and look forward to seeing many of you in 2025!

Our Year 7 students enjoyed their recent trip to Werribee Zoo. Please read below a couple of student's who have provided their reflections on the trip.

The Year 7 Zoo Trip was a very exciting experience and a lovely opportunity to learn, grow and bond. I very much enjoyed spending time and making memories with my friends but it was also a wonderful learning and sightseeing adventure.

The last time that I was at Werribee Zoo was when I first moved to Portarlington about five years ago, and we were new to discovering new places and seeing exciting and beautiful things. Being at Werribee Zoo now, five years later, was a wonderful time for me, especially with new friends in a new environment.

We saw many animals from fuzzy little meerkats to tall, lanky giraffes. My favourite exhibit at the zoo were the lions and wild dogs. The lions were fierce and eye-catching. I even managed to get a video of two lions fighting and jumping off trees. The wild dogs were adorable animals, and when it started raining, they all ran to shelter, some sitting on each other’s heads to get out of the rain!

One of my favourite memories of the day was while taking a group selfie with a lion, a sneaky raven flew down from a tree and stole my friend’s lunch! The food was in a plastic bag so the raven was ripping it to shreds, and when it finally got the food out, it flew away. It was a hilarious moment that’ll be discussed for a long time!

Another one of my favourite memories was when my friends and I all started dancing to the “We’re going down to the Werribee Zoo” song and we had the whole dance recorded. After we’d moved on from the dance part we were screaming the song out on our way to the hippos.

The safari tour was very thrilling. We saw so many different animals and I learnt so much more about animals. I even found some animals that I didn’t even know existed. I even found my family, a tower of giraffes, all brothers, and saw a tiny baby rhino and its mum, having a great time running around and eating food.

This’ll be a fantastic day that I’ll remember hopefully forever. All the photos and videos and moments will be a special part of my journey at Sacred Heart. I can’t wait for more exciting adventures and spending special time with my friends and making new connections with peers.

- Annabelle McAleer

My friends and I loved going to the zoo – it was such a fun experience for us to have! We loved the independence of being able to wander around and look at the animals by ourselves because in Primary School we did not get that opportunity.

Our favourite animals to see were the giraffes because they came so close to the safari bus. We also loved seeing the baby rhino, the gorillas and the monkeys. I loved seeing the Australian animals like the koala and kangaroo because I had been researching them for science!

My friends and I had a wonderful day and we are very grateful that we got to go on this excursion.

- Leah James

On Friday 1 November, five SHC Geelong students from Years 8 to 11 had the privilege to attend the recording of Radio National's 'Big Ideas’ program at the Shrine of Remembrance. Hosted by the ABC’s Natasha Mitchell, the discussion explored what commemoration might look like in the next 90 years, (the Shrine of Remembrance turns 90 this year!) The discussion also asked how younger generations find meaning in traditional services such as Anzac Day and Remembrance Day and what these days mean to them.

The panel featured William, a Shrine Young Ambassador, Year 11 student Zachary, a Spirit of the Anzac Prize winner and ADF cadet drone operator and Michelle from Melbourne University, who spoke from her Korean heritage about war commemoration. 

Two of our students feature in the program - Sofia Castello (34:33) and Georgia Naylor (52:20). You can hear Sofia and Georgia by clicking here. Sofia speaks about her desire to learn more about her Australian culture with regards to going to war, having already learnt much of her Italian ancestors and their participation in war. Georgia eloquently speaks of the need to learn from the mistakes of the past, so that war is always seen as a last resort.

When opportunities arose, we engaged in conversations, exploring what commemoration means to us and how we can make these commemoration more meaningful to our generation. We all came away with a deeper understanding of remembrance and an even greater appreciation for those who have served.

Congratulations to the students who participated in the CGSAV Softball on Thursday 24 October at Stead Park, Geelong. Sacred Heart College competed against three Melbourne Catholic schools – Santa Maria, Academy, and Mount St Joseph’s. SHC competed well against tough opponents throughout the day. Games ran for 50mins and it was the team with the most runs at the conclusion of time that won. 

Our Inters won the Grand Final claiming the victory, and congratulations to Isla Hanna-Phillips who took out best player of the game. Our Juniors competed against some tough teams to come second and our Seniors showed some great sportsmanship and skill to finish to finish third. All students should be proud of their effort.

Thank you to Junior coach – Mrs. Mandy McMahon, Intermediate coach – Mr Bo Chudosnik, and Senior coaches – Mrs Jenny Goding and assistant trainee Mia Carroll.

RESULTS:

TEAM:

Georgia McInerney - Year 11 Siena

Congratulations to Georgia on receiving her Shodan (Black belt) in Kyokushin Karate on Saturday 16 November at Victorian Power Karate - Bannockburn. 

It was a hot, four hour, intense grading, which included 20 x 1 minute contact fights against other black belts. The temperature hit 32 degrees, but Georgia gave it her all, and showed her spirit. Well done, Georgia!

Congratulations to the following students who competed over the weekend of Saturday 26 - Sunday 27 October at the Vic All Schools Track and Field Championships at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park, Melbourne.

Erin Foley - Year 12

U/20 400m – 2^nd 60.41

U/20 100m Hurdles – 1^st 16.05

Lily Corp - Year 11

U/18 100m – 3^rd 12.55

U/18 400m – 63.13

Mia Rayson - Year 10

U/17 400m – 3^rd 60.62

Isla Bradshaw - Year 10

U/17 400m – 5^th 59.62

Karla Boras - Year 10

U/17 Triple Jump - 1^st 12.66m

Bella Leahy - Year 9

U/16 100m – 13.42

Billi Mooney - Year 9

U/16 100m – 14.07

Maisie Ryan - Year 9

U/16 Triple Jump

Tilly McBain - Year 9

U/15 400m – 3^rd 60.52

U/15 90m Hurdles – 1^st 13.04

Stella Peters - Year 8

U/14 100m – 2^nd 12.70

Congratulations to the following students who competed over weekend 2 at the Victorian All Schools Track and Field Championships at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park, Melbourne.

Erin Foley - Year 12

U/20 400m Hurdles – 1^st 66.31

Isla Bradshaw - Year 10

U/17 800m – 2^nd 2.19.67

Karla Boras - Year 10

U/17 Long Jump – 3^rd 5.50m

Maisie Ryan - Year 9

U/16 Long Jump – 17^th 4.09m

Tilly McBain - Year 9

U/15 200m – 1^st 25.64

U/15 200m Hurdles – 2^nd 29.55

Stella Peters - Year 8

U/14 200m – 5^th 26.67

Congratulations to the following students who participated in the 2024 Australian All Schools Track and Field Championships in Brisbane, Queensland recently. Well done on your fantastic achievements and the hard work and dedication you have put into your individual events.

Karla Boras Year 10

U/17 Triple Jump - GOLD - 12.85 PB

Tilly McBain Year 9

U/15 90m Hurdles – GOLD - 12.73 SB

U/15 200m – 6th - 25.33 SB

U/15 200m Hurdles – SILVER - 28.11 SB

From Tuesday 26 to Wednesday 27 November, selected members of the 2025 ELT team attended a camp to reflect on leadership styles, goals and initiatives for 2025. 

Leaders attended the two day conference where they were involved in interactive workshops that will equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to ensure a successful year ahead in their leadership role, whilst at the same time reflecting on our Mercy Heritage.

The camp also provided leaders with the opportunity to collaborate, build connections and to get to know one another before their roles officially commence. It was a most enjoyable two days, with lots of planning achieved and fun had!

Thank you to all our amazing leaders; we look forward to seeing what you will bring to SHC in 2025!

Recently the Year 7 cohort participated in the annual Year 7 netball competition, competing for the trophy. This year all four Houses competed with 2 teams per house in order to see who was the best of the best. 

We would like to thank the students who volunteered their time to umpire and the coaches and players for giving it their all each week.

The Grand Finalists were Siena B vs Loyola B, with Loyola B taking out the win, 14-12. Congratulations Loyola B!

Well done to all players, coaches, umpires, scorers and cheer squad for coming along every week.

Mia Carroll, Sports Trainee

Thank you to our two sport trainees, Mia and Tyler for organising and coordinating the Year 7 House competition over term 4. They have done a fantastic job!

Results:

Rounds 1 - 3

Semi-Final:

Loyola A (JAN) vs Siena B (DBO) 6-7, Siena B won

Loyola B (JPO) vs Siena A (AEH) 14-6, Loyola B won

Grand Final:

Loyola B (JPO) vs Siena B (DBO) 14-12 Loyola B won

On Saturday 30 November, SHC hosted our Annual Regatta on the Barwon River. Despite the torrential downpour, we managed some amazing results on the day.

Our three Intermediate rowers joined forces with one of our Seniors and a Junior coxswain to compete in the Open Division 3 quad, placing first. What an amazing result, and a fantastic achievement for our rowers - Laura Ahearn, Riley Dalley, Rio Smith and Matilda Host, coxed by Eden Smith, who were coached by Max. Congratulations also to Rio Smith, who won the Year 9 single scull both on this day and the preceding Saturday. We are looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season will bring for all our skilful rowers.

Thank you to the amazing parents and students who supported the regatta by volunteering their time to help in running the event and selling goods, and for cheering our rowers on. Your help and support were very much welcome and appreciated.

Please see below the results from the day which featured our talented SHC rowers:

2024 RV Schoolgirls - Sacred Heart Regatta, Barwon River, Geelong, Saturday 30 November 2024

Coxed Quad Scull Year 8 Division 5

SHC 1 - C Final 4th (G.Garrett, E.Smith, A.McLeod, S.Kay, Cox: E.Boyle)

SHC 2 - B Final 3rd (Z.Schoemaker, R.Liston, E.Walker, I.Heer, Cox: M.Kerr)

Coxed Quad Scull Year 8 Division 3

SHC - A Final 3rd (E.Stevens, Z.Lister, Z.Williams, M.Sandhu, Cox: I.Graham)

Coxed Quad Scull Year 8 Division 2

SHC - C Final 3rd (L.Christian, M.Kerr, A.D'Orsa Kerr, E.Boyle, Cox: M.Host)

Coxed Quad Scull Year 8 Division 1

SHC - C Final 3rd (Z.Van Dreumel, M.Dow, Z.Taylor, S.Baranski, Cox: I.Graham)

Single Scull Year 9 Division 1

SHC - A Final -1st (R.Smith)

Coxed Quad Scull Year 9 Division 2

SHC - B Final 3rd (R.Smith, Z.Van Dreumel, M.Host, R.Dalley, Cox: E.Smith)

Coxed Quad Scull Year 9 Division 3

SHC - A Final 1st (M.Host, L.Thomas, L.Ahearn, R.Dalley, Cox: C.Schouten)

We also had a successful Regatta the week before, on Saturday 23 November. Please see the results from this event below.

2024 RV Junior & Inter Schoolgirls - Loreto Toorak Regatta, Barwon River, Geelong, Saturday 23 November 2024

Coxed Quad Scull Year 8 Division 5

SHC - C Final 3rd (A.McLeod, E.Walker, G.Garrett, E.Smith, Cox: Z.Lister)

Coxed Quad Scull Year 8 Division 4

SHC - B Final 3rd (Z.Schoemaker, M.Sandhu, Z.Williams, E.Stevens, Cox: R.Dalley)

Coxed Quad Scull Year 8 Division 2

SHC - B Final 3rd (L.Christian, E.Boyle, M.Kerr, Z.Lister, Cox: I.Graham)

Coxed Quad Scull Year 8 Division 1

SHC - C Final 2nd (S.Baranski, A.D'Orsa Kerr, Z.Taylor, Z.Van Dreumel, Cox: E.Smith)

Single Scull Year 9 Division 1

SHC - Final 1st (R. Smith)

Coxed Quad Scull Year 9 Division 2

SHC - C Final 2nd (Z.Van Dreumel, R.Smith, R.Dalley, S.Baranski, Cox: E.Smith)