How teacher absences are handled is a question that arises each Term. When a teacher is absent, our primary goal is to ensure students can continue their learning smoothly and seamlessly.
To this end, when a teacher is absent, all learning activities and set work for the missed sessions are uploaded directly to CANVAS for both student and replacement teacher access. This ensures that any covering teacher can step in and actively support the class.
Teachers follow strict notification protocols for planned absences (e.g., professional development, meetings or leave) so daily class cover can be organised effectively in advance.
Each Term, the College tracks class cancellation rates and the underlying reasons for staff absences. The data collected for Terms One and Two highlights that the vast majority of scheduled classes run as normal, and independent study periods account for only a small percentage of overall class time.
| Primary Reasons for Staff Absences | ||
|---|---|---|
| Absence Reason | Term One Share | Term Two Share |
| Sick Leave | 27.35% | 23.57% |
| Carer's Leave | 15.10% | 8.57% |
| School Camps | 10.20% | 30.71% |
| Time in Lieu (TIL) | 9.80% | – |
(Note: School activities, such as camps, account for a significant portion of planned staff coverage requirements).
Our approach to learning – and particularly our timetable design – is intentional. The overall philosophy is to help students transition from guided practice to independent, self-directed practice. By pairing robust online lesson planning (via CANVAS and Compass) with structured independent learning time, students develop essential skills in time management, self-regulation and agency. These traits not only keep learning on track during unexpected teacher absences but also prepare students for success in tertiary study and future careers.
Catherine McAuley was a visionary who defied the status quo, founding the Sisters of Mercy to provide education and healthcare to women and girls. Unlike other orders, the Sisters of Mercy, known as ‘the walking nuns’, served directly within their communities, embodying Catherine's courage and forward-thinking spirit.
Sacred Heart College is built on this legacy. In response to a rapidly changing digital world, the College has decided to form a new College Advisory Council Sub-committee – ICT and Cyber Risk Sub-committee.
This Sub-committee will support and make recommendations to the College Advisory Council (CAC) on key issues regarding cybersecurity strategy, projects, cyber risk management, privacy and compliance. The Committee also provides advice to the College Leadership Team (CLT).
Please see here for the ICT and Cyber Risk Sub-committee Terms of Reference. We invite you to express your interest in joining this Sub-committee.
Expressions of interest are also welcome for the other Sub-committees of the Advisory Council, which include:
Please email your expression of interest no later than Friday 7 August 2026 to: brvos@shcgeelong.catholic.edu.au
The College continues to manage some temporary staffing shortages within the Inclusion and Wellbeing Team. We are actively working through a range of interim solutions to ensure continuity of support for our students. The following staff will be available throughout Term Three to provide support:
In addition, the College has engaged One Red Apple Consultancy to review the pastoral support offered at Sacred Heart. The Review Report, which will be completed before the end of this Term, will help inform our planning for Term Four and beyond. If there are any urgent concerns or support needs, help is available from the following external services:
Important: If your concern is regarding the immediate safety of a young person, please contact 000.
Each year, the Australian Government Department of Education collects certain information about the College, its staff, and its student body as part of the non-government schools census collection (the census) and special circumstances applications. For more information, please read the linked circular here: Census Circular.
Families may be interested in reading the latest Catholic School Parents Victoria Newsletter, which can be accessed via the link here: Parent Newsletter.
As noted in last week’s update, we send our very best wishes to the cast and crew of Newsies, the Tri-School Production featuring students from St Joseph's, Sacred Heart and Clonard.
Additional details and booking instructions are provided below.
The production will run over three days and, by all accounts, promises to delight audiences!
| This Week | |
|---|---|
| Week Two | |
| Thursday 23 July to Saturday 25 July | Combined School's Production – Newsies |
| Next Week | |
|---|---|
| Week Three | |
| Tuesday 28 July | Year 7 Immunisations |
| Thursday 30 July | Loyola Feast Day |
| Future Planning | |
|---|---|
| Week Four | |
| Tuesday 4 August | Circle of Mercy 6.00pm to 7.30pm Celies – Sacred Heart College |
| Combined Band Concert Day 6.00pm to 7.15pm McAuley Hall – Sacred Heart College | |
| Wednesday 5 August | Subject Selections Close 9.00am |
| Year 12 Seminar Day Three | |
| Thursday 6 August | Artificial Intelligence Parent Information Evening 6.00pm to 7.00pm McAuley Hall – Sacred Heart College |
| Saturday 8 August to Wednesday 18 August | Timor Immersion |
Login details for the Subject Selection online system are dispatched in phases. Please see below the timeline based on each year level:
Strict Deadline: The system will close for all students at 9.00am Wednesday 5 August 2026.
Click below for a guide outlining everything you need to know about selecting subjects for 2027.
| Date | Thursday 6 August 2026 |
| Time | 6.00pm to 7.00pm |
| Location | McAuley Hall – Sacred Heart College |
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how we live, work and learn. At Sacred Heart, we are committed to guiding our students through this evolving digital landscape with confidence, integrity and balance.
We invite all interested parents and carers in our College community to join us for a comprehensive Information Evening dedicated to AI and e-safety. The evening will cover many topics devoted to this, including:
Our panel of experts include:
Whether you are highly tech-savvy or just beginning to explore these tools, this evening will provide you with practical insights and strategies to support every student. We look forward to seeing you there as we partner together to support our students.
We are pulling out all the stops for this year’s Father's Day Fifth Quarter Event, and we couldn’t hold back the excitement any longer. It’s time to drop our first VIP guest reveal…
Joining us on stage is none other than Geelong legend and three-time AFL premiership icon, Stevie J!
Known for his incredible skill, big-game brilliance and unmatched swagger, Stevie J is ready to bring the stories, the banter and the grit.
But hold your horses – VIP Guest Two is still strictly under wraps.
Can you guess who will be joining Stevie on stage? Here’s what we can tell you about our second star:
Think you know who guest two is? Head over to our social media post to lock in your final guesses before we share the whole lineup!
Keep your eyes peeled – ticket bookings and our final big reveal are dropping very soon!
| Date | Tuesday 4 August 2026 |
| Time | 6.00pm to 7.30pm |
| Location | Celies – Sacred Heart College |
| Online via Google Meet – Book Here |
Session Three – The Work: Addressing the Critical Concerns of Mercy with Renewed Courage
Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical urges a courageous, compassionate approach to artificial intelligence, insisting technology must serve human dignity and the common good. It warns against diminishing empathy or moral responsibility and calls for innovation guided by mercy, solidarity and protection for the vulnerable. Ultimately, true progress is measured not by technological power, but by our capacity to remain human and care for those most at risk.
Our keynote speaker is Fr Richard Leonard, a Jesuit priest and academic with a PhD from the University of Melbourne and degrees in arts, education, and theology. Former director of the Australian Catholic Office for Film and Broadcasting for 22 years, he has served on major international film festival juries (including Cannes, Venice, and Berlin) and lectured globally on faith and culture. He is an Honorary Fellow at ACU, has held visiting positions at UCLA and the Gregorian University, and currently serves as parish priest of North Sydney, Lavender Bay and Kirribilli.
Join us as we learn to widen the circle of Mercy and turn our Hope into a lived experience for all.
Please refer to the Compass News Feed for all year level reminders.
Compass will continue to be our primary form of communication with families, where we will share information for events, booklists, photo days, student reports, updates etc.
Students can access their timetables via Compass.
Students wishing to discuss potential changes to programs of study should contact Amanda Moody, Timetable Coordinator. Contact can be made via email at mljsubjects@shcgeelong.catholic.edu.au.
It is important to remind our College community of the high expectations we have of each other. The 'SHC Way' emphasises the importance of commitment to excellence and respect, including following school expectations.
Being a part of a community involves committing to the same norms and values. Please ensure you are aware of and commit to the following:
Students and visitors can enter and exit the College grounds via the Retreat Road pedestrian gates.
A reminder to families that the George Street gate is not to be used for student drop-off or pick-up. This entry is for staff and construction contractors only as it is not a designated pedestrian entrance. In the interests of safety, please use the Retreat Road pedestrian gates.
Alternatively, students may also enter via the Court Precinct on Aphrasia Street between 8.00am and 9.00am.
Notifying Absences via Compass
Families are asked to notify the College of absences via the Compass App. This can be completed by logging in through a web browser or via the app if on a device.
After selecting the reason for absence, you may wish to add further information about the absence.
While Compass will be the preferred method for notifying absences moving forward, families are still welcome to notify the College via SMS 0419 959 693 or via email info@shcgeelong.catholic.edu.au
Financial Assistance
I encourage our families who are experiencing financial hardship to please contact the College so that we may assist. Further details are available here.
College Policies
The following Mercy Education policies are available here: College Policies. They can also be accessed by clicking the links below:
Reception
For general inquiries, absences, or if you require assistance in being directed to a specific department, please contact Reception at:
Phone: (03) 5221 4211
Email: info@shcgeelong.catholic.edu.au
Mentor Group Teachers
For matters related to your student's education, the Mentor Group Teacher should be the first point of contact. Please refer to your child's timetable for their Mentor Group Teacher’s email address.
House Leaders
For any inquiries regarding your student's House, please contact the respective House Leader:
Finance
For all fee-related queries, please contact the Finance Department:
Email: areceivable@shcgeelong.catholic.edu.au
IT Help Desk
For IT-related assistance, please reach out to our Help Desk:
Email: helpdesk@shcgeelong.catholic.edu.au
College Admissions Officer:
For all inquiries regarding student admissions, please contact:
Email: admissions@shcgeelong.catholic.edu.au
To access 2026 Semester One Principal's Updates, please click here.
We thank You for calling us to the sacred ministry of Mercy education. As we gather today, we reflect on Your Word in the Gospel of Matthew. You have planted our students, families and staff as good seed in this College community.
Lord, our classrooms and corridors can sometimes mirror the field in Your parable.
We encounter moments of joy and growth, alongside challenges, behavioural issues and secular distractions that try to take root.
Grant us Your divine patience.
When we are tempted to judge hastily or give up on a student, remind us that You alone see the depth of their hearts.
Give us the grace to let Your timeline unfold, trusting that Your mercy can transform even the toughest soil.
Help us to focus on our primary mission: cultivating the good seed.
May our College be a sanctuary where Your truth is taught and Your love is felt.
Strengthen us to be like the mustard seed and the yeast – working quietly, faithfully, and patiently to transform our school community from within.
Amen
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