Sacred Heart College Geelong
Encyclopedia
Sacred Heart College is a Roman Catholic day school
for girls located in Retreat Road, Newtown, Geelong, Victoria
in Australia
. Established in 1860 by the Sisters of Mercy
, the school quickly became recognised as a high class education establishment, with a liberal, comprehensive curriculum. Today the student population is approximately 1500. Sacred Heart's brother school is St Joseph's College nearby. It also has a sister school in Akita
, Japan
called Seirei. The current principal is Regina Byrne, with three vice-principals being Peter Morgan, Anna Negro and Martina Millard.
, petitioned the Sisters of Mercy
in Dublin to establish a community in Geelong. Mother Mary Xavier Maguire, Sr Mary Gabrielle Sherlock, Sr Margaret Mullally, Sr Joseph Manly, Sr Rose Lynch and Novice Aloysius Ryan arrived on 3 December 1859.. They immediately set about providing Catholic education for all who desired it. The boarding school
and day school that is now Sacred Heart College was opened for the beginning of the next school year with 12 pupils, 6 of whom were boarders. In 1861 the orphanage
was opened and very soon there were 50 girls being cared for. The Sisters also started a primary school in the area and after school hours were seen visiting the sick and aged in their homes and the hospital. Over 150 years of educational endeavour have seen Sacred Heart College establish a tradition of faith and academic effort that gives all who share in it a valuable opportunity for growth and life.
features the following elements:
The shield bears the school motto Virtus Vera Nobilitas, a Latin
phrase which means 'Virtue is true nobility' .
There are four houses, named after the home towns of some well known saints: Saint Ignatius of Loyola
, Saint Anthony
of Padua
, Saint Catherine of Siena
and Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
.
Houses meet several times a year to compete for the House Cup. Events include Athletics Day, Cross Country, Swimming Sports and the Mercy Arts Day. The houses are run by the House Captains, consisting of an Arts Captain, Sports Captain, Deputy Captain and a Year 11 House Assistant, as voted into the positions by their peers.
Sacred Heart also has a House Points system, which focuses on encouraging and acknowledging students who participate in the school community activities beyond the classroom or students who excel academically. By actively taking part in activities, students become eligible to apply for House Points. After accumulating a certain number of House Points, a student is awarded House Colours on their blazer for dedication and commitment to the school.
Some of the extra-curricular activities available are:
The orchestra and ensemble groups often represent the College at liturgical celebrations, school assemblies and other events.
Today, each student automatically becomes a member of the Old Collegian's Association upon her graduation from the College.
The College aims to provide education which inspires curiosity and challenges young women to make a difference. The curriculum enables students to develop critical skills and understand the structure of society, assisting them in the challenge of social reconstruction.
The College offers subjects in the following areas:
Some classes are also offered at brother school St Joseph's College at VCE
level, including Chinese.
Sacred Heart College the Victorian Certificate of Education, and has introduced the International Baccalaureate for middle years students
. Year Eleven and Twelve pupils may also choose to undertake a Vocational Education and Training or Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning
program.
with an outdoor mass
and a day of festivities. The mass, led by Bishop
Tim Costelloe, was attended by more than 5,000 people with some travelling from as far as the United States to be in attendance. Festivities of the day also included a heritage exhibition chartering the school's history, and performances by past and present students.
One of the highlights of the day was a flashmob
performed by the entire school community. It was the first of its kind to be performed in Geelong and featured the staff and students surprising the attendees by breaking out into dance. The performance was filmed and sparked much interest from the Geelong general public.
Day school
A day school—as opposed to a boarding school—is an institution where children are given educational instruction during the day and after which children/teens return to their homes...
for girls located in Retreat Road, Newtown, Geelong, Victoria
Geelong, Victoria
Geelong is a port city located on Corio Bay and the Barwon River, in the state of Victoria, Australia, south-west of the state capital; Melbourne. It is the second most populated city in Victoria and the fifth most populated non-capital city in Australia...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Established in 1860 by the Sisters of Mercy
Sisters of Mercy
The Religious Order of the Sisters of Mercy is an order of Catholic women founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. , the order has about 10,000 members worldwide, organized into a number of independent congregations....
, the school quickly became recognised as a high class education establishment, with a liberal, comprehensive curriculum. Today the student population is approximately 1500. Sacred Heart's brother school is St Joseph's College nearby. It also has a sister school in Akita
Akita, Akita
is the capital city of Akita Prefecture in the Tohoku region of Japan.As of June 11, 2005, with the merger of the former Kawabe District , the city has an estimated population of 323,310 and density of...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
called Seirei. The current principal is Regina Byrne, with three vice-principals being Peter Morgan, Anna Negro and Martina Millard.
History
In June 1859, the Archbishop of Melbourne, James Alipius GooldJames Alipius Goold
James Alipius Goold was an Australian Augustinian friar and the founding Roman Catholic Bishop and Archbishop of Melbourne in Australia.-Early years and background:...
, petitioned the Sisters of Mercy
Sisters of Mercy
The Religious Order of the Sisters of Mercy is an order of Catholic women founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. , the order has about 10,000 members worldwide, organized into a number of independent congregations....
in Dublin to establish a community in Geelong. Mother Mary Xavier Maguire, Sr Mary Gabrielle Sherlock, Sr Margaret Mullally, Sr Joseph Manly, Sr Rose Lynch and Novice Aloysius Ryan arrived on 3 December 1859.. They immediately set about providing Catholic education for all who desired it. The boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
and day school that is now Sacred Heart College was opened for the beginning of the next school year with 12 pupils, 6 of whom were boarders. In 1861 the orphanage
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
was opened and very soon there were 50 girls being cared for. The Sisters also started a primary school in the area and after school hours were seen visiting the sick and aged in their homes and the hospital. Over 150 years of educational endeavour have seen Sacred Heart College establish a tradition of faith and academic effort that gives all who share in it a valuable opportunity for growth and life.
College crest and motto
The School's crestCrest (heraldry)
A crest is a component of an heraldic display, so called because it stands on top of a helmet, as the crest of a jay stands on the bird's head....
features the following elements:
- The Laurel Wreath - a symbol of Victory, reminding us to give the best in all that we do
- The Sacred Heart of Jesus - this age-old symbol of the Sacred HeartSacred HeartThe Sacred Heart is one of the most famous religious devotions to Jesus' physical heart as the representation of His divine love for Humanity....
epitomises our life in ChristChristChrist is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach... - The Eagle - the king of birds, ever aspiring to the heights, reminds us to keep our ideals high, and our minds ever open to truth and beauty
- The Cross - surmounting all, is the symbol of our dediation to Christ and his Church
The shield bears the school motto Virtus Vera Nobilitas, a Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
phrase which means 'Virtue is true nobility' .
House system
Upon entering Year Seven, all girls attending Sacred Heart College are assigned to a House. If a member of their family has previously attended the school, they will be placed in the same house.There are four houses, named after the home towns of some well known saints: Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Loyola
-People:*Ángel Custodio Loyola , Venezuelan singer and composer* Carlos Díaz Loyola , Chilean poet, known as Pablo de Rokha* Ignacio Loyola Vera , Mexican politician...
, Saint Anthony
Saint Anthony
-People:*Anthony of Antioch , Martyr under Diocletian. Feast day: January 9*Anthony the Great , Egyptian Christian saint and Desert Father. Feast day: January 17 or 30...
of Padua
Padua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
, Saint Catherine of Siena
Siena
Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena.The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. It is one of the nation's most visited tourist attractions, with over 163,000 international arrivals in 2008...
and Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
Clairvaux
Clairvaux can mean the following:*Clairvaux, a former commune in France, now part of Ville-sous-la-Ferté. It is the home of**Clairvaux Abbey in France**Clairvaux Prison, France, on the site of the abbey*Saint Bernard of Clairvaux...
.
Houses meet several times a year to compete for the House Cup. Events include Athletics Day, Cross Country, Swimming Sports and the Mercy Arts Day. The houses are run by the House Captains, consisting of an Arts Captain, Sports Captain, Deputy Captain and a Year 11 House Assistant, as voted into the positions by their peers.
| House | | Padua | | Clairvaux | | Loyola | | Siena |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colour | Green | Blue | Red | Yellow |
| Named after | St. Anthony of Padua | St. Bernard of Clairvaux | St. Ignatius of Loyola | St. Catherine of Siena |
| 2011 Captains | Arts: Ashlen Rollauer Sports: Annabelle Nunan Deputy: Beth Anderson, Assistant: Emma Delaney | Arts: Jasmine Miller Sports: Elizabeth McKeown Deputy: Harriet Darley Assistant: Demi Grant | Arts: Ashley Koorn Sports: Molly Teague-Neeld Deputy: Georgia Russell Assistant: Luci Hedley | Arts: Jordan Walter Sports: Hayley Livingston Deputy: Kate Kearney Assistant: Abbey Turner |
Sacred Heart also has a House Points system, which focuses on encouraging and acknowledging students who participate in the school community activities beyond the classroom or students who excel academically. By actively taking part in activities, students become eligible to apply for House Points. After accumulating a certain number of House Points, a student is awarded House Colours on their blazer for dedication and commitment to the school.
Extra-curricular activities
The college has a comprehensive range of extra and co-curricula activities. These activities complement the academic program and provide students with opportunities to discover and develop personal skills and talents.Some of the extra-curricular activities available are:
- The Sacred Heart Rowing Club
- The Senior Vocal Ensemble
- Public Speaking and Debating
- College Orchestra and Chamber Group
The orchestra and ensemble groups often represent the College at liturgical celebrations, school assemblies and other events.
Old Collegians' Association
In 1924, a Past Pupils' Association was formed and this became predecessor of the Old Collegians' Association established in 1932. As well as the Geelong based committee, a Melbourne Group was formed in the 1930s and in 1981 a Western District Group was set up to bring together former students from that area, many of whom had been boarders.Today, each student automatically becomes a member of the Old Collegian's Association upon her graduation from the College.
Curriculum
The College offers subjects in the following areas:
- Humanities
- English
- LOTE - Italian, French and Japanese
- The Arts - Including theatre studies, music and visual art
- Mathematics and science
- Technology
- Health and Physical Education
Some classes are also offered at brother school St Joseph's College at VCE
VCE
VCE could refer to:* Victorian Certificate of Education, Year 11 and 12 qualification in Victoria, Australia* Vocational Certificate of Education, a Further Education qualification in the United Kingdom...
level, including Chinese.
Sacred Heart College the Victorian Certificate of Education, and has introduced the International Baccalaureate for middle years students
IB Middle Years Programme
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme is an educational programme intended for students aged approximately 11 to 16 . Thus, in the United States the programme is often taught throughout the middle school years and the first two years of high school...
. Year Eleven and Twelve pupils may also choose to undertake a Vocational Education and Training or Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning
Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning
The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning is a 'hands-on' option for students in Years 11 and 12 in Victoria, Australia.The VCAL gives students practical work-related experience, as well as literacy and numeracy skills and the opportunity to build personal skills that are important for life...
program.
150th Anniversary and flashmob
On April 18, 2010 the College celebrated its 150th anniversaryAnniversary
An anniversary is a day that commemorates or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event. For example, the first event is the initial occurrence or, if planned, the inaugural of the event. One year later would be the first anniversary of that event...
with an outdoor mass
Mass
Mass can be defined as a quantitive measure of the resistance an object has to change in its velocity.In physics, mass commonly refers to any of the following three properties of matter, which have been shown experimentally to be equivalent:...
and a day of festivities. The mass, led by Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
Tim Costelloe, was attended by more than 5,000 people with some travelling from as far as the United States to be in attendance. Festivities of the day also included a heritage exhibition chartering the school's history, and performances by past and present students.
One of the highlights of the day was a flashmob
FlashMob
FlashMob is a band formed in Nashville, Tennessee featuring Meghan Kabir. The band signed a record deal with Warner Brothers in spring 2010....
performed by the entire school community. It was the first of its kind to be performed in Geelong and featured the staff and students surprising the attendees by breaking out into dance. The performance was filmed and sparked much interest from the Geelong general public.
External links
- Sacred Heart College - Official website
- Schools Guide