Hearts News – Week 4 Term 2 2026

Thursday, 21st May 2026

Students across Years 7–12 enjoyed celebrating Mother’s Day at Champagnat Campus with the significant women in their lives, recognising the love, support, and guidance they bring to our Hearts Community each day. 💙

To our Sacred Heart College community

Earlier this week I attended a meeting of the Principals of Governed Marist Schools from across Australia in Sydney. Andrew Boeyen (Sacred Heart’s Director of Business) joined me. In our meeting, we continued our focus on improved learning outcomes and school improvement, and again, I was able to celebrate the significant progress being made across the College.

It is with that I mind that I highlight two important deadlines which are fast approaching for our senior students, amongst their subject enrolment. The first is the due date for the AIF (Activating Identities and Futures), a compulsory component of the SACE, studied by our Year 12 students. The second is the final components of Stage 2 Integrated Learning Religion, a Year 12 subject studied by our Year 11 students. Both of these subjects are critical by way of SACE completion and ATARs, and therefore, must be treated as the priority they are in the coming weeks. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you are seeking any additional support as we approach the finish line.

I also offer my sincere thanks to the enormous number of families who have engaged in Learning Conversations in recent weeks, whether face-to-face, or by phone. We continue to trial the “dual delivery” of these important conversations to ensure we are available and in contact with families in a timely manner regarding their child’s learning. The relationship between families and the College is paramount to ensuring each student achieves their potential.

I also offer my thanks and congratulations to the hundreds of students involved in the Co-Curricular Program in Terms 2 and 3, the busiest time for our sports department; to our students preparing for Immersions, who have just returned from their Immersion Camp; and to our students and staff who represented the College, and indeed the Boarding House, at the recent Mildura Field Days.

Finally, please join me in wishing our senior Netball girls every success at the Marist Netball Carnival, to be held in Bendigo from Sunday. We have been the dominant team in recent years, despite going down to Lavalla College (Traralgon) by 1 in last year’s Grand Final! Whilst the exceptional quality of skill and play are always a highlight, the comradery, care and friendships are the true hallmark of the Marist Carnivals, which are played in great Family Spirit.

Daniel Lynch
Principal

Celebrating the significant women that shape our Hearts Community

The Hearts community came together at Champagnat Campus to celebrate Mother’s Day, welcoming a wonderful turnout of mothers, grandmothers, and other significant women who play an important role in the lives of our students.

Students from Years 7 to 12 gathered with their guests for a special morning tea, featuring a generous selection of baked treats from Orange Spot Bakery and barista-made coffee as a small token of appreciation for everything these remarkable women do.

Adding to the atmosphere, our talented Champagnat musicians entertained guests with a series of beautiful performances throughout the morning. Guests also received thoughtful gifts, created by our Marist Solidarity (MSol) group, who carefully crafted pipe cleaner flowers for the occasion.

It was a memorable morning dedicated to recognising and celebrating the women who help shape our lives, and we sincerely thank our families for sharing in the occasion.

A Home For All Hearts: Celebrating National Boarding Week 2026

This National Boarding Week (10-16 May) our students, families, and staff celebrated our wonderful boarding community in recognition of the unique experiences of our boarders who live away from home, and the strong sense of connection, independence, and belonging within our boarding houses. We also took time to acknowledge the friendships, traditions, and pastoral care that shape daily life in boarding, as well as the ongoing dedication of staff and families who support students throughout their journey.

This year’s National Boarding Week theme was ‘Echoes of Home’ – a celebration of the culture, tradition, memory, and community that shapes our boarders every day, and in every way. Our boarding houses proudly display the homes and locations of our boarders, which can be seen in some of the stunning photos below.

On Sunday night, the Hearts Boarding Community gathered together for a Mother’s Day and National Boarding Week themed Boarders Mass, which was followed by our catering team putting on a special dinner for our boarders – including a dessert bar to kick off the festivities for the week ahead.

Monday afternoon saw our community come together and support local businesses with a Local Leave Excursion to Glenelg. This initiative was well attended by our Boarding Community. A big thank you to Yochi at Glenelg for their involvement and support.

On Tuesday, our student leaders were invited to a Boarding Leaders Forum at Scotch College with other boarding leaders from schools across Adelaide. This provided them with the opportunity to learn about the importance of leadership and the ways to advocate for their boarding community. Our leaders then joined in an afternoon tea to mingle with other leaders and share stories and experiences from their boarding journeys.

Wednesday saw our annual ‘invite a staff member to dinner’ night. Teaching and ESO staff joined our boarders for dinner and tours of each Boarding House. This is always well received and gives staff the opportunity to experience boarding life, and for our boarders to showcase their home away from home. A big thank you to our wonderful chefs for making this night extra special!

Finally, we wrapped up National Boarding Week with a Quiz Night on Thursday evening. Zane, Acting Deputy Director of Boarding, was our quiz master and provided a night of great entertainment. We then celebrated with pizzas and prepared for the exeat weekend. This was meaningful and highly valued community time and our boarders thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Well done to everyone who was involved in celebrating boarding at Sacred Heart College and making National Boarding Week such a success.

2026 Immersion Camp

Year 11 students and staff participating in the 2026 Immersion program gathered at Nunyara, Belair, for an overnight formation camp last week. This event offered a valuable chance for teams representing the Solomon Islands, Philippines, India, and Sri Lanka to build relationships, strengthen their Marist faith, and start preparations for the year ahead.

The experience was wholeheartedly embraced by the students, who used the time to establish new bonds and enhance existing friendships. Throughout the camp, both staff and students displayed great spirit as they engaged in games, learned new dances, delved deeper into the Marist charism and commenced fundraising initiatives.

Families also participated through an initial parent information session, which allowed them to connect and discuss the significance of the Immersion program for their children. To provide further perspective, Year 12 students Bella and Emily shared videos they produced as part of their Activating Identities and Futures project, offering insights from the 2025 Immersion group. Mass, celebrated by Fr Michael, served as a beautiful conclusion to this meaningful gathering. We are excited to see the ongoing development of our 2026 Immersion teams.

Students shared their insights about the camp below:
Nulla – “I really enjoyed the camp. It was an amazing way to get to know everyone in my team and overall it was really fun.”
Ava – “My highlight of the Immersion Camp was meeting new people, as I have never really spoken to the people in my group before, so it gave me an opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone and make some new connections. I also liked all of the activities that we did, and reflecting on them together as a group, which made us learn more about each other. Seeing everyone attempt to dance was also pretty funny.”

Meet our Student Leaders – 2026 Deputy Boarding Captains

In each Hearts News, two of our 2026 portfolio leaders will take part in a brief Q&A session so you can get to know them a little better. As we recently celebrated National Boarding Week 2026 (10 – 16 May), we meet Year 12 Deputy Boarding Captains, Amon Clarke and Elka Hartwig.

Amon Clarke, 2026 Year 12 Deputy Boarding Captain

What does leadership mean to you?
To me it means supporting others by listening to them and helping them out in their day-to-day life

What does being a Marist Leader mean to you?
Representing the 5 Marist characteristics: Presence, Simplicity, Love of work, Family Spirit and In the way of Mary.

What Marist characteristic do you resonate with the most and why?
Family Spirit because I feel like being in the Boarding House is like one big family.

As a Leader this year, what is your main focus for the Hearts community and what do you hope to achieve?
I hope to bring our year level closer before we finish school.

A teacher I admire at SHC is:
Mr Cross. He’s my Homeroom teacher and he is always in a positive mood every morning.

The best thing about attending SHC is:
How close everyone is and how the teachers believe in us and want us to do well.

Three (3) words that describe my personality are:
Funny, smart and cool.

My favourite book is:
The Minecraft Handbooks by Mojang AB.

My favourite song is:
Mr Brightside by The Killers.

Someone I admire is:
My dad because of how hard he works for my family.

On the weekend you will find me:
Hanging out in the Boarding House with my friends.

My greatest accomplishment OR sporting moment so far is:
Winning multiple basketball tournaments.

The most memorable moment in my life so far was:
Going to America.

What is your most prized possession?
My PlayStation.

What is on your bucket list?
Travel to Greece.

What skill would you most like to learn?
I would like to be good at chess.

If you were a superhero, who would you be?
The Joker.
Elka Hartwig, 2026 Year 12 Deputy Boarding Captain

What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership, especially in a boarding setting, means being a positive role model who supports and includes others. It’s about creating a safe, welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong. A good boarding leader leads through actions – showing empathy, responsibility and respect every day.

What does being a Marist Leader mean to you?
Being a Marist Leader to me means leading by example and always looking out for others. It’s about being kind, approachable and helping create a positive environment where everyone feels supported and included.

What Marist characteristic do you resonate with the most and why?
Presence because it’s about being there for people. I like being someone others can open up to and feel at ease around, especially in a boarding environment where supports really matters.

As a Leader this year, what is your main focus for the Hearts community and what do you hope to achieve?
My main focus for the Hearts community is to create a more inclusive and supportive environment where every student feels a sense of belonging. I hope to achieve this by being approachable, encouraging positive connections and supporting others both socially and emotionally.

A teacher I admire at SHC is:
Ms Logan because she is an incredibly kind and compassionate person who is always willing to give up her time to support others. She consistently shows genuine care for her students and creates a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued.

The best thing about attending SHC is:
How supportive the staff are, not just at school but in the Boarding House. Also forming great friendships has been one of the best things.

Three (3) words that describe my personality are:
Humorous, respectful and passionate.

My favourite book is:
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han.

My favourite song is:
iloveitiloveitiloveit by Bella Kay.

Someone I admire is:
My mum because she’s someone I’ve always looked up to for guidance and support. She’s always there for me, and her strength and kindness motivates me to grow and do my best.

On the weekend you will find me:
Hanging out with my family and friends.

My greatest accomplishment OR sporting moment so far is:
Winning a netball premiership!

The most memorable moment in my life so far was:
Moving to boarding school, building strong friendships and becoming Deputy Boarding leader at Sacred Heart.

What is your most prized possession?
My dog.

What is on your bucket list?
To travel overseas.

What skill would you most like to learn?
Learning another language for when I go overseas.

If you were a superhero, who would you be?
Wonder Woman because she is strong and stands up for others.

Nature play at Alive and Sacred Heart

Our Stage 2 Child Studies students have been busy exploring the benefits of nature play for children, while also considering the sociocultural factors that can create barriers to outdoor play.

To bring their learning to life, students designed and facilitated a range of engaging nature-based activities, visiting Alive Early Learning and welcoming the youngest members of our Hearts Community on site for a wonderful morning of exploration, creativity and outdoor fun. It was a joy to see children connecting with nature through play while our students put their learning into meaningful practice.

Guest speaker shares South Australian history and Reconciliation journey

Recently, we were privileged to welcome Skye Krichauff from The University of Adelaide to speak with our Geography and Aboriginal Studies students. An ethno-historian who combines the disciplines of history and anthropology, Skye shared her extensive knowledge and experience from her work on the Australian Research Council linkage project Reconciling with the Frontier and the development of the South Australian Frontier and its Legacies website, launched during National Reconciliation Week in 2024.

During her presentation, Skye explored the complexities of South Australia’s colonial history and the research process behind the project, giving students valuable insight into how the past continues to shape contemporary issues within our region. She also highlighted the unique aspects of South Australia’s history in comparison to other parts of the country, encouraging thoughtful discussion and reflection among students. We are incredibly grateful to Skye for taking time out of her busy schedule to share her expertise and inspire our students through this engaging and informative presentation.

Marian lecture encourages us to live with grace

Staff, Marist Brothers and members of the Adelaide Marist Association gathered at Marcellin Campus last Tuesday evening to view the online Marian Lecture presented by Rev. Dr Sarah Bachelard. Through a deeply personal and inspiring reflection, she invited those present to imagine a life shaped not by striving, but by grace – a way of living grounded in openness, compassion and truth.

Her message offered a powerful reminder that, even in a fragmented and anxious world, grace is always present, gently inviting us towards courage, deeper faith, and participation in the healing of our world.

This year’s Marist Theme, ‘Full of Grace – Transform the World with God’s Love’ reminds us that grace is not abstract; it is the touch of God in the ordinary moments of life. When we receive it, live it, and become it, we do more than reflect God’s love – we help to transform the world with it.

Geography and Aboriginal Studies students explore environmental pathways

Our Year 10 and 12 Geography students, along with our Year 11 and 12 Aboriginal Studies classes, recently had the opportunity to hear from environmental management specialist Mr Graeme Noll, who shared his extensive experience working across terrestrial and marine environments in Australia. Mr Noll provided valuable insight into the diverse career pathways available within the environmental management industry, discussing the challenges and rewards of working in remote locations and within a FIFO (Fly-In Fly-Out) context. Students gained an understanding of the important role environmental professionals play in balancing economic development with environmental sustainability.

Mr Noll also spoke about the importance of collaboration and consultation when working on heritage agreements involving multiple stakeholders, including Traditional Owners, industry groups, government agencies and local communities. Through real-world examples, he demonstrated how respectful communication and shared decision-making can help create sustainable outcomes that protect both environmental and cultural heritage values. Students were highly engaged throughout the presentation and appreciated the opportunity to learn from someone actively working within the field.

Year 12 Economics insight with the Reserve Bank of Australia

Year 12 Economics students attended an evening session presented by senior members of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Students gained first-hand insight into the role of the RBA and the monetary policy tools it uses to help Australia achieve low inflation and unemployment.

Alongside a detailed analysis of the current Australian economy, students explored the challenges the RBA faces in achieving its inflation targets amid ongoing global uncertainty. They also developed an understanding of the potential “second-round” impacts on the economy that governments and policymakers may need to manage in the near future, particularly where inflationary pressures can conflict with employment outcomes.

The session concluded with thoughtful student questions about the challenges of home ownership, rising university costs, and the impact of AI on future employment opportunities. Sacred Heart students represented the school in an exemplary manner and greatly valued the opportunity to see how classroom learning connects directly to real-world economic issues.

Champagnat active lunch times – A student leadership initiative

The Year 9 Student Leaders Camp at the beginning of the year featured several discussions about how the leadership group could support activity, community building and fun at lunchtimes. It has been delightful to watch as our leaders and the Champagnat community have embraced a range of initiatives, with our wonderful student leaders courageously facilitating a range of lunchtime activities from ‘Just Dance’ Parties and Karaoke sessions to three-point basketball shoot outs and ‘Kick it in the bin’ contests. Students from all age groups have loved joining in the Wednesday activities.

Term 2 has seen the arrival of a new set of sports equipment, with purple bins popping up all over the place full of sporting equipment to support an increase in movement, game play and participation at breaktimes. It has been quite the sight to behold, with the ovals and courts teaming with students playing every imaginable game during the breaks. The collective responsibility and ownership of the equipment is palpable with a mass effort at the end of each break to collect the equipment and refill these highly valued new bins.

Year 10 Great Australian Trials – Old Adelaide Gaol Excursion

The Year 10 Great Australian Trials (GAT) classes went on their much-anticipated excursion to the Adelaide Gaol on Tuesday. Excited to be out of the classroom for a few hours (and raid the Mugshot Canteen!), students explored the Gaol’s yards, viewing the cells, visitor centres, and other facilities formerly used by the prisoners of South Australia.

While they enjoyed shutting each other in some of the cells, they gained keen insight into the real historical applications of concepts learned in class, including fairness, justice, capital punishment, and potential outcomes for wrongful convictions.
Students were able to ask questions of the expert tour guides and view the various instruments of confinement and punishment employed in our state’s history. This excursion is usually the highlight of the semester of GAT, and I have no doubt that this continues to be the case yet again.

Year 9s explore the justice system beyond the classroom

The Year 9 Business, Economics and Law students recently participated in an educational excursion to the Adelaide Magistrates Court. The purpose of this visit was to support their Civics and Citizenship studies, particularly their understanding of the legal system and the rule of law in Australia.During the excursion, students had the opportunity to observe real court proceedings. They witnessed a variety of cases, which helped them understand how laws are applied in everyday situations. Students observed the roles of key legal personnel, including magistrates, lawyers, defendants, and court staff. This provided valuable insight into courtroom procedures, legal terminology, and the importance of following due process.

The experience also highlighted the seriousness of legal consequences and the importance of responsible decision-making. Students were able to see how the justice system aims to be fair and impartial, reinforcing classroom discussions about equality before the law.

Overall, the excursion was highly beneficial and engaging, enabling our students to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world practice, deepening their understanding of Australia’s legal system and encouraging thoughtful reflection on justice and citizenship.

Arts & Music News

Watercolour landscape workshop

This term, Sacred Heart’s Year 10 Art students have been fortunate to participate in watercolour landscape workshops with South Australian educator Kate O’Reilly from the Art Gallery of South Australia.

These workshops provided students with valuable insights into the expressive possibilities of watercolour painting and the ways artists can use this medium to capture the beauty and atmosphere of the natural environment. Students explored the work of Albert Namatjira to unpack the importance of emphasising colour. Kate shared her artistic expertise and guided students through key techniques, including colour mixing, layering washes, creating visual texture, and building depth within a landscape composition.

Students approached the workshop with enthusiasm and focus, producing a range of thoughtful and creative landscape studies. The experience not only strengthened their practical painting skills but also deepened their appreciation of contemporary art practice and the diverse pathways available to artists.

Congratulations to all students for their enthusiastic participation and willingness to explore new techniques. We look forward to seeing how they apply the skills and inspiration gained from this enriching experience in their future Visual Arts projects.

2026 Music dates and events

Champagnat Campus (Term 2 2026)

Week 4	Thursday 21 May – Music in May, Br Stephen Debourg Performing Arts Theatre, Marcellin Campus (Superband, Drumline, Choir, Small Woodwind/Brass Groups), 6-8pm. Last minute (free) tickets available here
Week 5	Wednesday 27 May – Champagnat Drama Club (Wednesdays weekly), 3.30 – 4.45pm Thursday 28 May – Champagnat Dance Academy (Thursdays weekly), 7.30 – 8.20am
Week 6	Wednesday 3 June – Champagnat Drama Club (Wednesdays weekly), 3.30 – 4.45pm Thursday 4 June – Champagnat Dance Academy (Thursdays weekly), 7.30 – 8.20am

Marcellin Campus (Term 2 2026)

Week 4

Thursday 21 May – Music in May, Br Stephen Debourg Performing Arts Theatre, Marcellin Campus (Superband, Drumline, Choir, Small Woodwind/Brass Groups), 6-8pm. Last minute (free) tickets available here

Sports News

Reconciliation Rounds (22-30 May 2026)

Winter sport season is now well underway and it has been exciting to see all Sacred Heart teams showcase their commitment and team spirit each week. As we enter Round 4 we commence Reconciliation Round, held across Rounds 4 and 5, and its connection to the 2026 National Reconciliation Week theme, ‘All In’ – a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day.

All In makes clear that reconciliation is not a spectator sport and that all of us must step away from the sidelines and take action to make change.

We wish all our students a meaningful and successful Reconciliation Round, celebrating unity, respect and the power of sport to bring people together, strengthen relationships and foster a spirit of inclusivity.

School Sport SA Mountain Biking Championships

Congratulations to the 22 students who participated in the School Sport SA Teams Mountain Bike Championships at Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, Craigburn Farm on Thursday 7 May. Eight teams made up of boys from Years 7–9 represented the College in the challenging event, which required teams to complete as many laps of the course as possible within the designated time frame. Riders tackled demanding uphill climbs, sharp turns and technical sections throughout the day, demonstrating great determination, resilience and teamwork.

All students competed exceptionally well and represented the College with pride and true Hearts sportsmanship. A special congratulations goes to one of our Year 8 teams who achieved an outstanding result, finishing third overall in the competition. Thank you to all the parents/caregivers who came and supported the boys at the Championships.

Hearts surfers through to SA Team Surfing Finals

Twelve students from Sacred Heart College travelled to Middleton Beach last Friday to compete in the School Sport SA Team Surfing Championships. Heat 1 saw SHC finish on top, securing a direct place in the Finals Heat of the day. Heat 2 produced some strong individual scores, however a third place finish meant the team needed another big performance in the Repo Charge Round. The surfers responded brilliantly, holding top spot and earning a place in the Finals heat alongside the other SHC team. We are incredibly proud of both Sacred Heart teams, who have now qualified for the Finals Day on 12 June. Good luck to our surfers as they prepare for finals!

Results from the day can be found here.

CEA Statewide Knockout Sports (Champagnat and Marcellin)

Results from the last fortnight of Statewide Knockout Sports are as follows:

Year 7/8 Boys Basketball:
SHC (48) def by St Peter’s (53)
SHC (62) def Woodville High School (42) and have progressed through to the Finals Round.

Year 7/8 Girls Basketball:
SHC (38) def Henley High School (34)
SHC (38) def Brighton Secondary School (14)
SHC (55) def Cardijn College (38) and have progressed through to the Finals Round.

Student Sporting Achievements

Congratulations to the following students on their outstanding sporting achievements, listed below.

Elias Abboud (Year 7)	Selected in the School Sport SA U12 Boys State Football Team to compete in ACT in August 2026.
Evasha Shrestha (Year 7)	Selected in the School Sport SA U12 Girls State Cricket Team to compete in Newcastle, NSW in October 2026.
Millie Cakebread (Year 8)	Selected as a reserve for the School Sport SA Girls U16 Basketball Championships.
Orlando Eitel (Year 8)	Selected in the School Sport SA State Diving Team (10-19 years) to compete in Melbourne, Victoria in July 2026.
Brock Harding (Year 8)	Selected to compete in the Australian Intermediate League Baseball Championship in NSW in May 2026.
Portia Borrillo, Elise Heaney, Grace Morrissey, and Sophia O’Sullivan (Year 9)	Selected in the School Sport SA U14 Girls State Football Team to compete in Melbourne, Victoria in July 2026.
Keelan Harrison (Year 9)	Recently represented the Adelaide Crows NGA Academy in the annual U14 NGA Academy showcase game.
Morgan Kirkland (Year 9)	Competed in the Backyard Ultra at Victoria Park on Friday 15 May, covering a total distance of 67km.
Lucas Carr (Year 11)	Selected to represent School Sport SA at the School Sport Australia Diving – 10 to 19 years championship in Melbourne, VIC from Saturday 25 July to Friday 31 July.
Seth Harrison (Year 11)	Won two gold medals in the Team Pursuit and Individual Sprint cycling events in the YSD Track International Series in Malaysia from 8-10 May. Seth was selected as part of the 29-member AusCycling Development Academy to take part.
Leah McLean (Year 11)	Selected in the School Sport SA Girls U16 Basketball team, set to compete in the upcoming Championships in Melbourne, VIC from Saturday 25 July to Friday 31 July.
Harry Franz (Year 12)	Played in the SANFL Under 18 Team in the 2026 SA U18 v SA U20 match last Saturday alongside old collegians Jack Leys (SHOC ’25) and Kai Edwards (SHOC ’25). Sacred Heart old collegians Gus Downs (SHOC ’25), Luke Candy (SHOC ’25), Joel Parker (SHOC ’24) and Ned Atkinson (SHOC ’24) played in the U20 squad. Harry is in contention to represent South Australia at the upcoming AFL Under 18 National Championships.

Images below are in order of names listed in the table above.

2026 Sports dates and events