As an alumna, I am deeply grateful for the Mercy education I received here at Sacred Heart College Geelong, and I am honoured to continue a legacy that began nearly 200 years ago in Dublin. It was there that Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, established the first House of Mercy on a radical premise: that education is the most effective way to uplift both a family and a community. Since 1860 Sacred Heart has stood as a beacon of excellence in education and faith.
Our College continues to be a welcoming and inclusive community where young people develop their spirituality, a love for learning and a lifelong commitment to social justice. The Catholic identity and charism of the Sisters of Mercy remain central to everything we do.
While we cherish our long history, we embrace a forward-looking, innovative approach to education. Our curriculum is designed to ensure learning is meaningful, has a real audience and empowers students to create the future.
As an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme College, we bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world application, fostering critical thinking and a deep sense of global responsibility. We believe this foundation in Years 7 to 10 sets students up for success in their chosen pathway across VCE, VCE Vocational Major, VET and SBAT Programs. Students also explore new horizons through our extended co-curricular offerings and learn beyond the College walls through our external industry partnerships, continuing to expose them to diverse ways of thinking and learning.
As time in modern education evolves, we recognise and embrace a student-centred approach that prioritises individualised learning experiences. Our vertical timetable allows students to accelerate not by age but by learner readiness, enabling them to study subjects across year levels. Our innovative timetable includes a dedicated Wednesday program designed to develop self-motivation and independent learning skills necessary for life after graduation.
At Sacred Heart, we also know that student wellbeing goes hand in hand with positive learning outcomes. Therefore, we prioritise student wellbeing through a strengths-based Positive Education framework that fosters a culture of safety, respect and active listening. This is deeply supported by our Mentor Group structure, which facilitates long-term mentorship and meaningful peer connections across year levels. These values are physically realised in our state-of-the-art Sports and Wellness Precinct, a facility designed to integrate physical, mental and emotional health, ultimately equipping students with the holistic resilience needed to thrive both academically and personally.
The story of Sacred Heart has always been one of women who stepped outside their 'proper sphere' to challenge injustice and oppression. My hope is that our students will use their voices to influence decisions that empower others, especially women, to create an equitable world. Faithful to this story, we remain firmly fixed on the future, ensuring our students are ready to make a positive difference in a rapidly changing world.
Anna Negro
Principal
