Dear Sacred Heart Families,

As we come to the end of another wonderful year at Sacred Heart, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our families for your ongoing support, partnership and trust.

The Advent and Christmas seasons invite us to pause, reflect and make space for hope and peace. Amidst the busyness that comes at this time of year, I encourage you to take moments to celebrate the simplicity and beauty of the Christmas story and to cherish time with family and friends.

To each of our students, thank you for the joy, curiosity and energy you bring to Sacred Heart every day.

To our staff, thank you for your unwavering commitment to providing a learning environment where every child is known, valued and supported. I would also like take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the staff who will be leaving Sacred Heart at the end of this year. Their dedication, care and commitment to our students and community have been deeply valued and their contributions have helped shape the warm and vibrant culture we are so proud of. We wish them every success and blessing as they take on new opportunities and continue to share their gifts with others.

Special mention must be made of one of our longest serving staff members and art educator, Rita McEwen. After 28 years of dedicated service to Sacred Heart, we farewell Rita with deep gratitude and admiration. Her warmth, expertise and unwavering commitment has shaped the lives of countless students, leaving a lasting impact that will be remembered for years to come. Rita’s presence, wisdom and generosity of spirit have enriched our community in immeasurable ways and she will be profoundly missed. We wish her every joy and blessing as she steps into this next chapter of her life in retirement.

I would also like to wish our graduating class of Year 6 a wonderful last few days at Sacred Heart next week & wish you all the very best for the next phase of your education as you begin secondary school in 2026. You will always be part of the fabric that is Sacred Heart and know that you have left your footprint on our story as a school community.

To the students and families who are leaving Sacred Heart from other year levels, thank you for all that you have brought to our school. We have been blessed to be a part of your journey and know that you will carry a little piece of Sacred Heart with you wherever you go. We will miss you!

I wish all our families a safe, restful, and joy-filled Christmas break. May this festive season bring you peace, and may the new year ahead be one of hope and continued blessings for your family. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

With the blessings of Christmas,

Kaylene

Kaylene Carlin

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Step Up Day & Educators for 2026

On Step Up Day, students enjoyed the opportunity to spend time in their new classrooms, getting to know their 2026 teachers and classmates. The session allowed them to explore their new learning spaces, participate in activities and begin building the relationships that will help them feel confident and excited for the year ahead. It was a positive and energising way to support a smooth transition into the new school year.

As you know, we are welcoming Eleanor, Brighid, Laura & Breanna to Sacred Heart in 2026. Below are the educators and classes for next year.

Student Leaders 2026

It is with great pleasure that I announce the school student leaders for 2026. I congratulate all students who put their hand up for a role. The speeches reflected how important the opportunity is and how much it meant to each of them. I am confident that the leaders of 2026 will continue to show the outstanding leadership qualities that they have shown to date and wear their badges with both pride and honour.

Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Christmas Drive

Our Indigenous Perspectives Leadership Group have been working tirelessly throughout late November and early December to raise awareness and collect donations for the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, with a special focus on two families of boys who had suffered significant hardship in the past year. The two student leaders of the group, Maddison and Sadie, were particularly dedicated to ensuring the drive was a success.

Through the generosity of our Sacred Heart families, I had the pleasure of dropping off a car load of donations last week to the ministry, as well as $500 worth of Rebel Sport vouchers for the teenagers. Thank you to everyone who donated. It will make a real difference to the lives of those who will receive the donated gifts this Christmas.

Ruth was thrilled to accept the donation and has written a letter below and asked me to share it with our school community.

Dear Kaylene,

I would personally like to thank you and the school community, and pass on the thanks from the families for your overwhelming generosity again this year. I have had the pleasure of distributing all donations again and been touched by the smiles from the parents and carers. All recipients have been gracefully grateful.

This year your gifts have supported the children connected to Grandmothers Against Removal, the Elders and their grandchildren at ACES and the youth at Bert Williams Centre, Thornbury and a family associated with the centre.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and safe New Year.

Kind regards,

Ruth Willatt

School Advisory Council 2026 - Calling for Expression of Interest

What is the School Advisory Council?

School Advisory Councils (SAC) are advisory bodies which form an important expression of the educational partnership that exists between parents, schools, parishes and the wider community to support all students.

The SAC provides a forum for discussion and discernment, where the parent voice and perspective are available to influence the decisions made by the principal and parish priest for the good of school and parish where the wellbeing and outcomes for students is paramount.

More specifically, the role of the School Advisory Council includes:

encouraging the partnership and participation of school, parish and the wider community in the life of the school and parish
allowing school principals, parish priests and parents to work closely in the common mission they share.
providing a forum for discussion and discernment, where the parent voice and perspective are available to inform and support the decisions made by the Principal and Parish Priest for the good of School and Parish where the wellbeing and outcomes for students is paramount
ensuring that, at the local level, Catholic schools will remain 'actively embedded in the life of the faith communities of the local Church

When: The meetings are on Tuesdays at 6.00pm in the staffroom and the dates for next year are as follows: 10th March, 5th May, 16th June, 11th August, 13th October & 24th November (includes AGM)

VACANT POSITIONS

There are currently three positions available on the School Advisory Council and I strongly encourage you to put your hand up to join the group. All are welcome!

There will be a selection process as per the MACS guidelines for the operation of School Advisory Councils.

Please email Kaylene at principal@shnewport.catholic.edu.au with your Expression of Interest or if you have any questions.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST PERIOD WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY AT COB

THANK YOU!

I would like to thank all members of the School Advisory Council for their commitment and generosity of time over the course of the year. Their work and contributions to the Council has been very much appreciated.

I would especially like to acknowledge the outgoing members of the School Advisory Council, Hamish George, Zoe Wen and Aaron Greaves. Their dedication to ensuring the partnership between families, school and parish has continued to build on the very sound foundations by those who have gone before.

I would also like to thank Fr Samuel for his unwavering support and Marlene Monahan who continues to be instrumental in ensuring the links between school and parish continue to flourish through engagement with both the Parish Pastoral Council and School Advisory Council.

Future Parish Directions

You may aware from earlier communications coming out from the parish that the parishes of St Mary’s Williamstown and St Joseph’s Spotswood and Newport, encouraged by the Archdiocese, have taken the decision to explore options for working more closely in some form of collaborative partnership.

As a starting point, the parish now wishes to establish a process of discussion with parishioners in both parishes, not only about the need for taking this step, but to also ensure that the needs and aspirations of our three Church communities - St Margaret Mary’s Spotswood, Sacred Heart Newport and St Mary’s Williamstown - are fully taken into account when any decisions are taken.

The purpose of the attached letter is to lay out, for your consideration, our understanding of the need for partnership, the opportunities it could present for enhancing our joint mission, and a process designed to guide the development of a model of partnership that will best suit us all.

Secondary School Information

ST MARY'S COLLEGE