Our junior oval was a hive of activity this morning, as our newest cohort of Year 7 students arrived for their first day here at SHC. There were squeals of laughter as students caught sight of friends as they arrived, and many hugs were exchanged. After finding their name stickers, the students made their way to their House banner, where they met their House Leader and fellow House peers. Then it was off to begin their first day at SHC.

We give a big, warm welcome to our newest students, and wish them all the best as they embark on their SHC journey. May your time here at SHC be full of joy and many exciting discoveries!

SHC is now open for another year! We look forward to welcoming our teaching staff back on deck from Tuesday 28 January, and our students on Thursday 30 January.

We hope everyone has had a relaxing break, and are ready to jump into their classes and get started on their learning journey for 2025!

The 2025 Swimming Carnival has been swum and won, with Siena emerging as the victors! It was a day of fierce competition and skill, with many swimmers and divers achieving amazing personal results. Congratulations to all competitors; we admire your resolve and spirit as you battled it out in the pool.

The swimming trials were conducted in the morning, with finals occurring in the afternoon. Lots of fun activities throughout the morning – house activity, novelties and diving. It was great to see so many students out having fun and participating in the different events offered to them during the day. The houses showed great colour and imagination through their different themes: Clairvaux – Aussie Summer, Loyola – Loyola’s Rewind, Padua – Under the Padua Pool Party, Siena –
Under the SEA-NIA.

The fashion by the pool and house cheers were once again well supported by all House members.

Results for 2025:
House Cheers –
1st – Siena
2nd – Loyola
3rd – Clairvaux
4th - Padua

House Fashions by the Pool

College Classic: Top 10 quickest freestyle times
Well done to the following students who were the top 10 quickest times to get into the 50m College Classic. It was a close race right until the touch at the end. Year 11 student
Georgie McIntyre from Padua took out the race in 29.93.10secs to Year 12 student Chloe Walsh- Padua following behind in 31.38secs. Georgie McIntyre, Chloe Walsh, Alice Walsh, Natalia Musies-Khoury, Lilian Spolding,
Scarlet Gilmour, Indiana McDonald, Matilda Biberow, Emma Henderson, Macy Lee.

Individual Diving Medalists –
Juniors –
1st - Babette Lloyd Year 8 PADUA 34.8
2nd - Matilda Learmonth Year 7 LOYOLA 26.6
3rd - Lily Harris Year 8 PADUA 26.4
Equal 4th - Violet Smith Year 7 CLAIRVAUX 24.5
Equal 4th - Tessa Kanellos Year 8 CLAIRVAUX 24.5
Intermediates –
1st - Winter Davies Year 10 LOYOLA 27.2
2nd - Maya Simanjuntak Year 9 PADUA 26.6
3rd - Zoe Van Dreumel Year 9 SIENA 26.4
Equal 4th - Mia Hislop Year 10 SIENA 23.1
Equal 4th - Maggie Harriott Year 10 CLAIRVAUX 23.1
Seniors –
1st - Allegra Kuc Year 11 CLAIRVAUX 31.6
2nd - Remi Butcher Year 11 CLAIRVAUX 31.5
3rd - Lucy Crooks Year 12 SIENA 30.8
4th - Sarah Starinskas Year 12 LOYOLA 29.2

Year Level Champions:
Year 7:
1st - Zarah Gilmour SIENA 20
2nd - Sienna Stapleton CLAIRVAUX 16
3rd - Violet Smith CLAIRVAUX 14
Year 8:
1st - Alice Walsh PADUA 16
2nd - Ariana Hall CLAIRVAUX 14
3rd - Lilian Spolding SIENA 12
Year 9:
1st - Scarlet Gilmour SIENA 24
2nd - Ava Neill LOYOLA 22
3rd - Alegria King PADUA 14
Year 10:
1st - Natalia Muises-Khoury CLAIRVAUX 24
2nd - Sienna Lucas SIENA 18
3rd - Charli Hill SIENA 8
Year 11:
1st - Macy Lee PADUA 18
2nd - Madison Rafter SIENA 16
Equal 3rd - Georgie McIntyre PADUA 8
Equal 3rd - Allegra Kuc CLAIRVAUX 8
Equal 3rd - Amelia Shell PADUA 8
Year 12:
1st - Chloe Walsh PADUA 26
1st - Matilda Whittakers CLAIRVAUX 14
Equal 3rd - Lucy Crooks SIENA 8
Equal 3rd - Meg Fitzgibbon CLAIRVAUX 8

Overall House Points Total:
1st – Siena 879
2nd – Padua 820
3rd – Clairvaux 751
4th – Loyola 730
Bianca Cheever, Sport Coordinator

MAGUIRE CELEBRATION

Date: Tuesday 18 February 2025
Time: 5.15pm for a 5.30pm start
Location: Sacred Heart College – Talbot Street Oval

We are thrilled to invite our College community to our annual Maguire Celebration, an event that holds a special place in the life of our College community. This special event on our school calendar brings our community together to officially launch the academic year and celebrate our students' achievements.

The Maguire Celebration will take place at Sacred Heart, and students will be encouraged to remain at school for a House BBQ prior to the commencement of the celebration.

This event is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the achievements of 2024 while officially launching the 2025 school year with excitement and purpose.

The Maguire Celebration features:

• Inspiring performances from our talented choir and instrumental bands.
• Speeches from our 2024 Dux, who will share insights from her academic journey.
• Reflections from our 2024 College Captains and a welcome address from our 2025 Captains as they share their vision for the year ahead.

This event is a time for the Sacred Heart community to come together, recognise and celebrate the accomplishments of our students, and embrace the exciting opportunities that 2025 will bring.

We greatly value your presence at this celebration and hope you can join us for this memorable event. Please save the date in your calendar and join us for an inspiring start to the new school year.

On the afternoon of Tuesday 4 February, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming our Year 7 and new families to SHC at our Meet and Greet event – a fantastic opportunity for parents, carers, and students to connect, engage, and feel right at home in our community!

When families arrived, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as they met their child’s Mentor Group Teachers and House Leaders. It was an excellent chance to put faces to names, ask questions, and for all attendees to share the experience of starting a new school year at a new school. Conversations flowed, connections were made, and the spirit of SHC indeed came to life!

Following the Meet and Greet, families were invited to an insightful presentation in the Large Gathering Space, designed to give them a deeper understanding of what it means to be a student at SHC. 

Topics covered included:

• The IB and assessment – helping students thrive academically
• Visible Wellbeing and Respectful Relationships – fostering a positive school environment
• Mercy Works – embodying our values in action
• College support services – ensuring every student feels empowered
• Parent committees – an exciting new format encouraging greater involvement in our community.

The enthusiasm from families was incredible, and we are thrilled to see so much interest in the many opportunities SHC offers and how students can be involved.

To all our new families, we extend a heartfelt welcome to SHC! We are so excited for the journey ahead and look forward to growing, learning, and celebrating together.

We are pleased to inform you that Arthur Reed Photos will be taking our school photos for 2025 on the following dates:

• Wednesday 5 February

• Tuesday 11 February – Catch-up Day and Sibling Photos (Bookings required)

Please note that students must be in full, correct uniform (not sports uniform) for their photo, including blazers. For those with hair longer than shoulder length, it must be tied back, and makeup must be kept to a minimum (no false lashes/eyelash extensions). Students can wear a single pair of earrings. We kindly ask that students adhere to these guidelines to avoid re-taking a photo on the catch-up date. 

Ordering can be completed online after the photo day using the unique code provided to all students via email on Thursday 30 January.

For sibling photos, please book via this link by Tuesday 11 February.

You will be notified when the photos are ready for viewing and ordering online. All orders will be sent directly to your home.

If you have any questions, please email Arthur Reed Photos' Customer Service Team at customerservice@arphotos.com.au or phone (03) 5243 4390 (Option 1).

For additional information regarding school photos, please refer to the attached document.

Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to capturing these special moments!

Tuesday 11 February marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, and it is fitting that we celebrate on this day the wonderful science faculty we have here at SHC! With dedicated and knowledgable teachers and students hungry to learn, we continue a strong tradition of teaching and learning about the world through science.

We asked some of those who are involved in science at SHC for their thoughts on what science means to them, and the importance of it in their studies and future career paths.

Celebrating International Day of Women in Science holds great significance for me, having worked in this field for the best part of 35 years. It can be said that women bring new perspectives and diversity to research where groundbreaking discoveries are made, as well as their leading the way to improve gender equality. This day honours women scientists all over the world and encourages young women to further engage in science, inspiring them to pursue all interests no matter what.

I would love to encourage as many students as possible at SHC to study science through to year 12. Science subjects keep our students engaged in areas which have the breadth to develop their interest in areas beyond their imagination and providing them with multiple opportunities for more specialised future pathways once leaving school. Studying Science allows them to be problem solvers, to be creative and to also be an inspiration to other young women, so that together they can make a difference in the world. We want SHC students to know that the world can ‘truly be their oyster’; that they can turn their dreams into a reality!

I was privileged to attend SHC and graduated in 1984. I loved Maths and Science and in Year 12, the subjects I studied included Chemistry and Physics, as well as Pure Maths (Methods today). I also wanted to study Biology, but as I continued to study a language, I picked this up at university. My love of science began as a child as I loved to solve problems; something science was able to do most of the time! I was inspired by my teachers, who always reminded us that ‘we could do this!’ The support I was given enabled me to grow as a person, to feel valued in this field and empowered me to believe that I could do anything I wanted to do. My teachers were there to give me one-on-one assistance when required; something I continue to do with my students today. Having worked as a Medical Laboratory Scientist and now working as a Chemistry/Science teacher, I hope to inspire my students to pursue their interests in a field that is forever changing, and for them to bring their inquisitive minds to the fore.

Franca Bonanno, Chemistry and Religious Education teacher

International Day of Women in Science is a chance to recognise the incredible contributions women have made—and continue to make—in scientific fields. Science is all about curiosity, problem-solving, and innovation, and it’s essential that we encourage young women to see themselves as future scientists, researchers, and innovators. At SHC, we strive to foster a love of science in all students by building confidence, curiosity, and critical thinking skills.

As a former SHC student, my passion for science was nurtured by inspiring teachers who encouraged problem-solving. I studied Chemistry & Biology, and I remember the teachers being so passionate about their subjects it encouraged me to pursue science further. That same encouragement and support are what I hope to pass on to my own students today.

Deb Bohan, Chemistry and Core Science teacher

Student Reflections:

I am studying Chemistry, Biology and Psychology because I am passionate about science and find those areas fascinating. I plan to progress into the field of Biomedicine or Pharmaceuticals and develop medications to improve the lives of people struggling with illness or work in discovering new ways to screen for and treat cancer (and maybe add a Dr onto my name in the process). I am so grateful that SHC allows me to pursue my passions and make a difference in the world.
- Matilda Moroney 11SIEBE

For me, studying Chemistry is something that I've always been interested in, as I love understanding more about the way the world works, and Chemistry allows me to broaden my knowledge about how even the smallest particles in the world interact with one another. Similarly, studying Psychology allows me to understand how people and our brains work on a higher level. In the future, I aspire to work in a science related career, that would be being somewhere in the field of psychology, potentially working with people to help understand themselves and their minds.
- Evelyn Downie 11LOGR

I chose to study both Chemistry and Biology for VCE as I find them to be very interesting subjects that can provide context as to how the world works around us. In terms of my career aspirations, I am interested in pursuing a career in allied health, possibly as a Physiotherapist or in Occupational Therapy (OT). Both fields would allow me to combine my passion for health science with the opportunity to help others. Additionally, Chemistry and Biology can be common prerequisites for university, giving me the flexibility to enter a variety of courses.
- Chloe Rees 11CLTRM

I chose to study Science, particularly Chemistry, Biology and Physics, because I wanted to find answers to the questions I had. My interest has grown over time, thanks to supportive teachers and the wonderful opportunities I've been fortunate enough to encounter. In the future, I hope to keep building on that interest and continue along the science path.
- Angela Joseph 11LOFBO

I chose science because I love learning how things work! I’m considering a career in medicine

- Annika

I enjoy science because it helps me understand the world. I’m thinking of studying Marine Biology

- Sienna

I find chemistry and biology fascinating, and I hope to work in optometry

- Selina

Congratulations to the students who competed fiercely in the School Surf Life Saving League competition on Tuesday. The students participated in different events across the day including: Beach – Flags, Sprints, Beach Relay and Water – Swim, Wade Relay, Board Race, Aqua Cameron and Super Relay.

After a tremendous effort in the water and beach events, the Sacred Heart team dominated, winning the girl's section overall. Well done to everyone involved in achieving such an amazing result!

A big thank you to staff Declan Hargreaves, Lauren McGowan, and Bo Chudosnik, and our trainees Olivia Mairos and Evie Ryan who helped on the day.

Team: 

Zarah Gilmour, Scarlet Gilmour, Emma Henderson, Harriett O’Dwyer, Myla Stapleton, Alice Walsh, Xanthe Essing, Erin Robertson, Alegria King, Mac Allen, Ruby Dokos, Cara Henderson, Catherine Robertson, Sasha Naughtin, Lara Forward, Georgie McIntyre.

The sun was shining as our athletic students competed in the annual SHC Triathlon after school on Wednesday 5 February. The Eastern Beach and Gardens was a perfect setting for the Years 7 to 12 students, as they participated in a 150m swim, 3km bike ride and 1km run.

Congratulations on such a monumental effort, to all those who competed. Your desire to achieve your best was certainly on display for all to see, and we admire your grit and determination!

Results:

Junior
1st Harriett O’Dwyer – Year 8 Loyola
2nd Lillian Spolding – Year 8 Siena
3rd Grace Tolley – Year 8 Siena

Intermediate
1st Mac Allen – Year 9 Siena
2nd Ruby Dokos – Year 9 Padua
3rd Matilda Norman– Year 9 Padua

Senior
1st Maggie Clatworthy – Year 12 Loyola
2nd Juliette Downes – Year 12 Loyola
3rd Neve Van Der Sant – Year 12 Siena

Library Lovers’ Day was celebrated on Friday 14 February with what is becoming our annual Blind Date with a Book. 

Students were able to choose by number only, from the red wrapped novels on offer. The choice of reading material being unknown then becomes a challenge to possibly venture into an unknown genre and extend leisure reading. 

Students from all year levels elected their blind date and in the process will further develop their literacy skills in an enjoyable and novel experience.

The evening of Tuesday 18 February saw us officially launch our school year at our annual Maguire Celebration. Those in attendance were treated to a truly enjoyable evening, where award presentations were interspersed with entertaining musical and dance performances, as well as video shorts that encapsulated what it means to be a part of SHC. 

The celebration allowed us to come together to acknowledge student achievements and overall excellence, and it was wonderful to honour our students and give them the recognition they so richly deserve. Academic awards were given to worthy recipients from each House - congratulations to all who received such prestigious awards! We welcomed back high-achieving students from our 2024 Year 12 cohort, which allowed us to congratulate them for their hard work and diligence, both for last year and over all their years at SHC.

We formally acknowledged our 2025 student leaders, and we look forward to the energy and ideas they will bring to the College in 2025.

An important part of the evening is always the unveiling of the theme for the year. This year, our theme is Be the Light that Inspires Hope, and what a fitting theme this is for us to aspire to! May we all strive to inspire hope both in ourselves and in those around us.

Thank you to all who made this special evening such a wonderful event. Your meticulous planning and vision ensured it was a fabulous evening of entertainment and celebration. This event is always a highlight of the College calendar and really is a fabulous way to kick off the year! 

A sunny morning on Tuesday 18 February made this year’s CGSAV Triathlon at Geelong Eastern Beach quite spectacular. There were eight schools participating this year, with SHC representing Geelong, with all other schools from Melbourne. The competition was tough, team support very prominent as was the sportsmanship.

The SHC teams were very competitive in all 3 divisions (Juniors, Intermediates and Seniors). Well done to our SHC team who represented us in such a competitive all round effort and congratulations to the individual students who won medals for placing in the top 10. SHC came 2^nd in the Junior section, 4^th in the Intermediates, and 5^th in the Seniors. The Overall Aggregate saw SHC finishing 4^th.

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

SHC INDIVIDUAL PLACINGS

Juniors

Intermediates

Seniors