Faith and Mission

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Stall - Project Compassion

"On Tuesday 21 February (Shrove Tuesday) a group of Vinnies leaders from Years 7-12 came together and volunteered to prepare, cook and sell pancakes to our students and teachers.

It was a lovely day and gave us the opportunity to bond, chat, and raise money for the Caritas foundation!"

Alannah
Year 10

Project Compassion

We begin our annual Lenten Project Compassion journey by learning about Laxmi, a 16-year-old girl living in a remote district in Nepal where almost half of the population live below the poverty line. Tragedy struck when Laxmi was ten and her father passed away. Her father worked hard to pay for his children's education and, after losing him, Laxmi was at risk of falling further into extreme poverty.

With the support of Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas Nepal, Laxmi joined a child's club at her school. She developed the skills and confidence to become a leader, advocating for clean water taps at her school.Laxmi is now excelling in her studies and working towards her dream of becoming a civil engineer. She continues to be involved in the child's club, mentoring the next generation of young leaders at her old school.

To donate and learn more about Project compassion in 2023, please join our school page: https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/.../sacred...

You can also donate cash and coins to the Project compassion boxes located in each homeroom.

Harmony Week

All week at SHGC we have been celebrating Harmony Week with its 2023 theme “Everyone Belongs”.

Today at lunchtime, music from many cultures rang out across the courtyard and our student leaders ran a stall selling sweet treats, ribbons, badges, stickers and journals to raise funds for the Opening the Doors Foundation which supports educational opportunities for Aboriginal children.

Harmony Day on 21 March coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. On this date in 1960, hundreds of people were killed or injured while peacefully protesting against apartheid laws in Sharpeville, South Africa. As a proudly multicultural school community Sacred Heart Girls' College is committed to working towards the end of all discrimination based on race, culture and religion.

Catholic Education Week

“On Friday 17 March, at the end of Catholic Education week, seven Year 12 students accompanied by Ms Clarke and Ms Compton were privileged to attend the mass of St Patrick presided over by Archbishop Peter Comensoli. Catholic schools from all over Melbourne were united in community celebrating the contribution of Catholic education to our state.

Afterwards, senior students from various schools met at the Catholic Leadership Centre for lunch and to hear from speaker and musician Fr Rob Galea. His message of trusting in ourselves and God to overcome times of anxiety and self-doubt, provided us with a sense of encouragement and hope.”

Ashlee
College Captain

Oaklea Hall

Throughout Term 1, students from our the St Vincent de Paul conference and Oaklea Hall Team have been making regular visits to Oaklea Hall, a local aged care residence.

This long running program aims to build community connection and relationship. Activities vary each visit and include music afternoons, bowling, bingo and an afternoon tea in the Sacred Heart Girls’ College library. This invaluable initiative benefits both students and adults.

Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who continue to give their time and energy to this fantastic program.

Julia Stokes
Social Justice Leader

Palm Sunday Walk for Justice

“On Sunday, 2 of April, members of the Sacred Heart Girls’ College community rallied in support of refugees at the annual Palm Sunday Walk for Justice.

To begin the event, we heard from various speakers including a refugee woman, who spoke about the suffering people like herself face. In Australia, many refugees are not being granted permanent residency, causing detrimental impacts to their mental health.

During the walk from the State Library to Parliament House, we had various conversations with members of the public regarding the issue at heart. We encourage others to get on board, as showing support for these refugees is a step closer to justice. 

‘Say it loud, say it clear! Refugees are welcome here!’” 

 

Chloe and Ashlee

One practical way to support refugees and those seeking asylum is by contributing to the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project’s food bank. SHGC is collecting items until 5 April. Please bring your donations of basmati rice, cooking oil (vegetable and olive), honey, sugar, long life milk, toothpaste, toothbrushes and garbage bags and place them in the box outside the Mission and Ministry office.

​​Holy Thursday - Easter Liturgy

​On the night before He was to die, Jesus gathered with his disciples to celebrate the Jewish tradition of Passover. This was to be Jesus’ last supper with the disciples. During this meal he gave us the gift of the Eucharist so that He would always be truly present to us. He washed the feet of the disciples, a job usually undertaken by a servant, to show how to serve one another. Later, knowing that he was about to be betrayed by Judas and denied by Peter, he went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.

MacKillop Family Services Workshop

Our Social Justice student leaders recently participated in a workshop with fellow students from Marymede College at MacKillop Family Services.

Engaging in a number of activities throughout the day, comments from our students included: " I have learnt not to ask what is wrong with you but what has happened to you?” and “I now have a better understanding of trauma and how someone with trauma needs positive, trusting, and loving relationships to thrive".

One highlight of the day was learning about the Paws for Kids program which uses specially trained dogs to support young people and enhance their social, emotional and academic skills.

Student leaders will now share their learnings from the day with their peers and advocate for vulnerable youth in our community. 

Julia Stokes
Social Justice Leader