On a delightful spring afternoon, I found myself seated with Anne Mills (fondly known as Webby during her school days) and her daughter, Petrina Wagener (formerly Mills), engaging in a heartwarming chat, reminiscing about our shared alma mater, Sacred Heart Girls’ College. Anne attended Sacred Heart in the 1960s, and Petrina, a student in the 1990s whom I had the pleasure of teaching, brought forth a treasure trove of memories, anecdotes, and reflections that spanned generations.
Our gathering was more than just a casual chat; it was a nostalgic journey — a chance to relive the camaraderie and bonds forged within the hallowed halls of Sacred Heart. As we exchanged stories, laughter, and heartfelt recollections, it was evident that the connection between mother and daughter, steeped in the traditions of Sacred Heart, added an extra layer of warmth to our gathering.
Anne’s stories of her boarding school days, where the nuns ruled with a firm hand and strict discipline were the norm, painted a vivid picture of her unique experience. She recalled a young, beautiful Irish nun working in the hostel, “She came from Ireland, and she was often very homesick. I admired them teaching teenage girls when I am sure many were not at all cut out to be teachers, but it was their “calling” I guess!!” She reminisced about the awe-inspiring figure of Sister Michaels, the Principal who seemed to glide down the corridors, her mysterious allure leaving students wondering about the woman beneath the habit. On the other hand, Petrina marvelled at the contrast between her schooling experience and that of her mother’s, noting the evolution of Sacred Heart over the decades.
Our conversation meandered through topics ranging from uniforms and dining hall etiquette to academic achievements and extracurricular activities. Petrina remembers the location of Sacred Heart as being pretty cool. “You could walk into town, go to Hamilton East, and I just loved that bakery next door; we would buy big loaves of bread.” Anne recalled having different meals every day of the week, and the best meal was Wednesday. “We had mince pies and afternoon tea, and when we returned from school, there were beautiful cream doughnuts. I loved Wednesdays. Night meals were light, like a salad, and Saturday mornings made me laugh as you would get things like luncheon sausage and lettuce.” Anne’s tales of boarding life and her parents’ sacrifices to ensure her education struck a chord with Petrina and me, serving as a poignant reminder of the value of family and perseverance.
Anne and Petrina were schooled under the Form 1, 2... etc. system, and it was not until Petrina’s last year, 1997, that the system changed, so instead of being in Form 7, she was in Year 13. Another change also occurred this year: the tradition of male house ‘saints’ names was changed to that of female saints after over 100 years. This was Principal Sister Pauline’s mission, and the Student Council ran design competitions for the new symbols. Mrs. Chris East sketched the photos and quilted banners were made.
Petrina fondly recalled her involvement in school productions and the vibrant atmosphere of Sacred Heart Day celebrations, especially her final year. The growing trend of inviting celebrities to judge house competitions created excitement. In 1997, Kerre Woodham, a well-known journalist and past pupil, and Matthew Cooper, a Waikato rugby player and All-Black, were the guests.
Yet amidst the nostalgia and laughter, our conversation also touched upon deeper themes of personal growth, faith, and community. Anne spoke of how her time at Sacred Heart instilled a sense of discipline and high expectations, shaping her into who she is today, “we were encouraged to strive for the best and be the best we could.” Petrina echoed these sentiments, noting how the values instilled at Sacred Heart had guided her through life’s challenges and transitions.
Sacred Heart helped cement the values and morals that were taught at home, that I took with me into ‘the real world’.
Over the last few years, Anne and Petrina have made some major changes in their lives. After spending all her married and working life in Hamilton, Anne left a job she loved at the Anglesea Clinic and a son and grandchildren to move to Mt. Maunganui, where she and Eddie can now enjoy being near another son and his children. Petrina, a confirmed city girl, has become a farmer’s wife. Her first reaction when her husband Rob took her to the farm was, “Is there a Star Bucks, a Les Mills?” It felt so isolated; Whangarei seemed like the end of the country, but now she says she couldn’t live in the city. “It is such a beautiful, peaceful area of NZ; it has a great community with many families and young children. There are a lot of wives, like me, who are not from there, and it is a great place for my two children to grow up in.”
As the afternoon sun began to wane and our cups of coffee dwindled, Anne aptly summed up our time together with a sentiment shared by all: “Gosh, we could talk for hours. We’ll have to do it again.” As we parted ways, the bond forged through our shared memories of Sacred Heart reminded us of the enduring power of friendship and community.