1889

Wedge Street

On 29 July 1889 the Sisters of Mercy opened the High School and by 24 August the Sisters’ had opened The Convent of Mercy and a boarding and day school for ‘girls and young ladies’.

The Convent High School had previously been the site of The Collegiate School for young gents since 1865, however, prior to that the building had been the Robbie Burns Hotel which was one of the earliest built in Kyneton.

Indeed, the sisters opened the Convent High School in what had previously been the bar!

1892 - 1898

Sr Magdalen Gibson

Mother M. Magdalen Gibson
(1852 – 1919)
Principal May 1892-May 1898, May 1904-1907 AND 1909-1914

Mother M. Magdalen was one of the founding sisters of Kyneton and spent nearly fourteen years as both Principal and Superior. In 1908 she was elected a Provincial Councillor to the Mother General, M. Evangelist Doolan.

1907

Gabriel Sherlock Building

In 1906 the Sisters purchased land and a dwelling (originally the Royal Oaks Hotel) on the current site to replace the fire damaged (and then too small) building in Wedge St.

In 1907, the three-storey original section of the College was opened and blessed on 3 March by Archbishop Carr and named The Gabriel Sherlock Building after the Foundress and Mother Superior.

1926

The Chapel

Blessed and opened in December 1926 by The Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr Daniel Mannix. The Chapel and annex were built at a cost of £6,500. The Chapel is 89 feet by 25 feet and has a ceiling height of 20 feet.

The chapel altar was erected and dedicated to the memory of Dean Hegarty, and is built of marble with a carving in full relief of Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”. Two life sized angels mount guard over the Tabernacle, whilst in the sanctuary two more angels, sculptured by Amerigo Martino Barrenti, kneel in prayer holding ruby glass lamps.

The Chapel houses many dedications that have been donated over the years in memory of loved ones who attended the College such as The Stations of The Cross, numerous marble holy water fonts, a large framed tapestry, stained glass windows and lecterns.

1907 - 1909

Sr Genevieve Buckley

Mother M. Genevieve Buckley (1859 – 1918)

Principal July 1889-May 1904, 1907-1909 AND 1914-1918

Born Mary Anne Buckley 1859 in County Cork, Ireland. Sr Genevieve entered Geelong Convent in 1877 and volunteered to come to Kyneton with Mother Gabriel Sherlock in 1889.

In 1898 she was elected Superior at Kyneton, a position she held three times (1898-1904, 1907-1909, 1914-1918).

Sr Genevieve returned to Ireland in 1909 to recruit more sisters to Australia. Soon after her arrival back in Australia she returned to Kyneton and held the office of Superior until her death.

Sr Genevieve passed away 19 November 1918; she is buried in the sisters’ plot at Kyneton Cemetery.

1914 - 1918

Sr Genevieve Buckley

Mother M. Genevieve Buckley (1859 – 1918)

Principal July 1889-May 1904, 1907-1909 AND 1914-1918

Born Mary Anne Buckley 1859 in County Cork, Ireland. Sr Genevieve entered Geelong Convent in 1877 and volunteered to come to Kyneton with Mother Gabriel Sherlock in 1889.

In 1898 she was elected Superior at Kyneton, a position she held three times (1898-1904, 1907-1909, 1914-1918).

Sr Genevieve returned to Ireland in 1909 to recruit more sisters to Australia. Soon after her arrival back in Australia she returned to Kyneton and held the office of Superior until her death.

Sr Genevieve passed away 19 November 1918; she is buried in the sisters’ plot at Kyneton Cemetery.

1921 - 1927

Sr Teresa O'Brien

Mother M. Teresa O'Brien (c.1881-1959)

Principal 1921-1927, 1933-1939 AND 1940-1946

Mother M. Teresa O’Brien was appointed Superior of the Kyneton Community 1921-27, 1933-39, 1940-46 and Superior of the Trentham Community, 1918-21 and 1928-29. Mother M. Teresa was also Head Teacher at St. Mary’s School in Malmsbury.

1933 - 1939

Sr Teresa O'Brien

Mother M. Teresa O'Brien (c.1881-1959)

Principal 1921-1927, 1933-1939 AND 1940-1946

Mother M. Teresa O’Brien was appointed Superior of the Kyneton Community 1921-27, 1933-39, 1940-46 and Superior of the Trentham Community, 1918-21 and 1928-29. Mother M. Teresa was also Head Teacher at St. Mary’s School in Malmsbury.

1940 - 1946

Sr Teresa O'Brien

Mother M. Teresa O'Brien (c.1881-1959)

Principal 1921-1927, 1933-1939 AND 1940-1946

Mother M. Teresa O’Brien was appointed Superior of the Kyneton Community 1921-27, 1933-39, 1940-46 and Superior of the Trentham Community, 1918-21 and 1928-29. Mother M. Teresa was also Head Teacher at St. Mary’s School in Malmsbury.

1951 - 1955

Sr Brigid Bannan

Mother M. Brigid Bannan (c.1886-1966)

Principal 1927-1933 AND 1951-1955

Mother M. Brigid Bannan spent all of her religious life in Kyneton where she taught maths and was in charge of the boarders. She was Superior of the Kyneton Community from 1927-33 and 1951-55. In 1919 she obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Melbourne.

1959 - 1959

Sr Eymard Smith

Mother M. Eymard Smtih (1907 – 1992)

Principal January 1959 – November 1959

Mother M. Eymard Smith held numerous teaching positions before being appointed Superior at Rosanna, Kyneton and Coburg North and Fitzroy, Shalom community Geelong and Whittington. In 1960 and again in 1966 she was elected Provincial Secretary and Councillor. Shortly after, she was elected General Secretary and Councillor of the Australian Union of the Sisters of Mercy.

1966 - 1972

Mother Mary Justinian Gildea

Mother M. Justinian Gildea

Principal January 1968 – January 1972

Mother M. Justinian taught at Kyneton from 1961-1963 before being appointed Superior at Euroa. In 1966 she returned to Kyneton to take on the role of Superior and Principal. Upon completing her term as Principal at Kyneton Mother M. Justinian taught at Castlemaine and Geelong. In the 1980’s she was appointed Superior of Queenscliff then Terang.

1975 - 1978

Sr Vivian Dwyer

M Vivian Dwyer (1917 – 2011)

Principal January 1975 – 1978

Sr M Vivian Dwyer was a past Principal of Sacred Heart College Kyneton, from January 1975 – December 1978.

She was a Sister of Mercy for 73 years, and a teacher for 40 years, taking classes from primary through to tertiary level.

Sr Vivian lectured at Mercy Teachers’ College in Ascot Vale and studied after hours at the University of Melbourne.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Sr M Vivian was Principal of Mercy Teachers’ College and showed great leadership in the training of the expanded intake of first lay teachers.

Following this appointment, Sr M Vivian took on the role of Mercy Schools Supervisor.

1979 - 1983

Sr Denise Doyle

M. Denise Doyle

Principal January 1979 – January 1984

Sr. Denise taught at a number of Victorian schools before being appointed Deputy Principal at SHC Yarrawonga and then Colac. Sr. Denise became Principal at SHCK in 1979 to re-establish year 12 classes which had been discontinued in the 1960’s. With the recent re-introduction of co-education and year 12 classes, student numbers had increased from 85 girls in 1971 to almost 400 students by 1984.

1981

Quambi

Built in 1981, Quambi gave the College a much-needed structure where the community could gather as a whole. For the first few years the stadium was the venue for the Debutante Ball, and became a much needed space to hold Masses and indoor sport in bad weather.

The indigenous meaning of Quambi is ‘gathering place’.

1983

Buckley Building

With student numbers growing, and projected numbers expected to show further growth, more specialised buildings/areas were added. Buckley is a wing dedicated originally to manual arts and crafts but now also houses a dedicated automotive room.

Buckley was built in 1983 and named after Sister Mary Genevieve Buckley.

1987 - 1992

Sr Nancy Freddi

Sr Nancy Freddi

Principal January 1987 - December 1992

Sr Nancy taught at numerous Primary Schools for sixteen years before undertaking further studies, many of these schools were in the Heidelberg/Eltham area. Sr Nancy then went on to be Principal at Thomas’ Geelong and St. Bernard’s School East Coburg. Prior to her commencement at SHC she was Principal and Superior of the Convent at St. Joseph’s in Mildura. After leaving SHC Sr Nancy undertook Principalships at Mt. Lilydale College and Aquinas College on the Gold Coast, in 2006 she was elected to the Congregation Council.

1998

O'Neill Building

In 1997 a Capital Grant was received to build an eight-classroom ‘VCE wing’. The new wing was named the Patricia O’Neill Building and was officially opened and blessed on 1 September 1998.

Martha Mary O’Neill (Mattie), born 18 November 1878 in County Cork, Ireland. Mattie was educated at the Convent of Mercy girls’ school, Kyneton.

Sister Patricia was registered to teach at both primary and secondary levels She enrolled as an external student at Melbourne University where she completed a Diploma of Education in 1917 and a Bachelor of Art degree in 1919.

She taught at numerous schools as well as training sisters at the Novitiate Training College.

In 1939 Sr Patricia was elected Mother-General of the Sisters of Mercy in Victoria and Tasmania. During 1953 the Sisters of Mercy, then in 15 autonomous groups, were invited to unite. Eight groups joined the union, and in 1954 Mother Patricia was appointed the First Mother General of the Australian Union of the Sisters of Mercy.

Mother Patricia passed away on 25 November 1972 and is buried in the convent grounds at Newtown.

1993 - 2005

Sr Mary Moloney

Sr Mary Moloney
Principal January 1993 - December 2005

Prior to her appointment at SHCK Sr. Mary taught in a number of Mercy schools – Mercy College Coburg (1980), Sacred Heart College Geelong (1983-86) and St. Joseph’s Mildura (1987). In 1988 Sr. Mary was appointed to the position of Senior Mistress at SHCK and then to the position of Deputy Principal for 5 years, 1989-1992. During her time at the college enrolments increased from 550 to 700 students and significant building works took place including the Patricia O’Neill VCE area, the Mary Moloney Theatre and the Frayne Hospitality Centre.

2004

Mary Moloney Theatre

Built in 2003 and officially opened and blessed on 12 October 2004 by Bishop Joseph O’Connell. The Theatre is named after Sr Mary Moloney who was Principal at the College from 1993 – 2005.

The theatre has a seating capacity of 292 and is used for meetings, information evenings, concerts and College productions, as well as being hired out for events by the wider community.

Prior to her appointment at SHC, Sr Mary taught in a number of Mercy schools – Mercy College Coburg (1980), Sacred Heart College Geelong (1983-86) and St. Joseph’s Mildura (1987). In 1988 Sr Mary was appointed to the position of Senior Mistress at SHC and then to the position of Deputy Principal for 5 years, 1989-1992. During her time at the College enrolments increased from 550 to 700 students and significant building works took place including the Patricia O’Neill VCE area, the Mary Moloney Theatre and the Frayne Hospitality Centre.

2011 - 2018

Mr Craig Holmes

Principal – January 2011 – December 2018

Craig Holmes taught at a range of schools as well as leadership roles in Catholic Education Melbourne, enhancing his passion for contemporary learning which he brought to Sacred Heart college. During his time at the College enrolments continued to grow with the first six stream intake of students in 2013. Significant building, grounds and refurbishment took place under his leadership, including the Arthurson Atrium , The Dwyer Senior Learning Centre, side Chapel restoration, the science laboratory in O’Neill and the planning for an undercover basketball court. The College crest was renewed along with the introduction of the new uniform. The installation of the Mercy Heritage Trail and new signage at the College, commencing from the 125^th Anniversary in 2014 under his leadership.

2015

Vivian Dwyer Senior Learning Centre

Built in 2015, and officially opened by Annette Schneider RSM, Institute Leader and blessed by Bishop Terry Curtin on 11 February 2016. The Vivian Dwyer Senior Learning Centre is a two storey facility which caters for our senior students. Its modern design has the capacity for both closed and open learning spaces and incorporates the College’s Careers Department. It also has a common area for the senior students. The building is named after Mercy Sister and past Principal, Sr Vivian Dwyer.