From 1 September to 4 October 2026, we celebrate the Season of Creation – a time for all Christians to unite in caring for our common home. This year’s theme is ‘Living Water’. The Season of Creation is a global movement that connects churches, communities and families to protect our planet. It invites us to commit to ecological justice, safeguard biodiversity, stand in solidarity with vulnerable communities and embrace an integral ecology that recognises the interconnectedness of our world. During this season, we are encouraged to reflect on our personal impact. In the weeks to come, take some time to consider how your daily actions contribute to water pollution, affect sanitation or help nurture the environment through tree planting, ocean care and local conservation efforts.
It has been another very productive week at Sacred Heart. We have officially commenced the selection process for our 2027 College Captains. Following written applications, nine students were selected to participate in a group interview on Monday 31 August 2026. Each applicant was asked to propose a project they would like to pursue if elected. Working in teams of three, the students brainstormed ideas, developed action plans and presented their initiatives to a panel consisting of Kirra Spence – Student Leader Coordinator; Lauren Goulden – Mercy Community Engagement and Student Empowerment Assistant; myself; and our 2026 College Captains: Mathilda Garrido Lucay, Alice McLeod and Milla Jarman. On Wednesday 2 September, all nine candidates completed individual interviews. Six students will be shortlisted and will present speeches at next week’s whole-school assembly, after which student and staff voting will open. The three candidates with the highest cumulative scores across the four assessment stages will be appointed as the 2027 College Captains, with the final announcement made before the end of Term Three. Watch this space!
Next week, we are delighted to welcome our sister school, Istituto San Giovanni Bosco from Colle di Val d'Elsa, Siena, for their second visit to Sacred Heart in two years. The delegation of 29 students, accompanied by teachers Danila Ferro, Elva Consortini and Barbara Bernardeschi, will arrive on Monday 7 September and depart on Wednesday 16 September. Their visit will feature an exciting educational program, alongside sightseeing trips to the Ballarat Wildlife Park, the Great Ocean Road and Melbourne. A sincere thank you to our host families for opening their homes and offering our guests a warm experience of Australian life.
As we prepare to welcome our Italian visitors, we also extend our best wishes to our 20 Year 10 and 11 French students, along with staff members Cécile Brevet, Marcelle Korth and Eckhart Philip, as they embark on the French Immersion program. This trip was postponed earlier this year due to unrest in the Middle East. The group will depart for France on Tuesday 8 September and return on Sunday 27 September 2026. During their time away, students will follow a structured touring itinerary and stay with homestay families across two different towns.
At the start of Term Three and at the beginning of August, I reminded families about the importance of students arriving at school on time. Over the past weeks, the number of students signing in late at the beginning of the day has steadily increased, with some repeat offenders. I would like to remind you again that one of the College's expectations is punctuality. The school day begins at 8.50am, with a warning bell at 8.45am, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesdays, the school day begins at 9.00am with a warning bell at 8.55am. This week, students who have been repeatedly late to school have had emails sent home to their parents/carers. We will continue to address this issue, and again we ask for your assistance in working alongside our staff so that all students can become the best versions of themselves. Please remind your daughter to arrive at school punctually and be ready to commence class.
We wish all the fathers and father figures in our community a very Happy Father’s Day. I look forward to celebrating with the dads and daughters attending our Father’s Day ‘Fifth Quarter’ event on Monday 7 September 2026.
