From the Principal
He mihi teenei ki te whaanau whaanui
This week is Social Justice Week – an opportunity to be inspired as active participants in promoting peace in our hearts, peace in our homes, and peace in our world. Imagine a world of peace!
Ka tiimata tonu te rangimaarie i roto i a koe – peace begins with you.
Kia tau te rangimaarie i runga i a koutou katoa – let peace settle upon us all.
Have a restful weekend – kia pai te raa whakataa.
Winter Tournament Week 2023
Teams from Sacred Heart attended the Winter Tournament Week from 28 August – 3 September. Our heartfelt thanks go out to the staff and parents who spent the week with our teams and also to our passionate supporters who encouraged them from the sidelines. It was indeed an amazing week for all involved with some outstanding results and credit goes to the players for their dedication and grit demonstrated throughout the week.
The Netball Premier Team dug deep at the Upper North Island Secondary School competition (UNISS) played in Hamilton. The team battled hard through illness, injury, and some very tough games. They kept their chins up and made us very proud with their sportsmanship. The tournament ended with a few more losses than wins, but the work was done to stay in B grade for another year. This young team along with the up-and-coming talent will be exciting to watch.
The First XI Girls’ Hockey Team spent the week in Auckland competing in the Chica Gilmer Cup Tournament. There was a combination of wins and losses on Monday and Wednesday with the team doing exceptionally well in making it into the Top 8. Unfortunately, the team lost their 5/6 playoff, however, bounced back the next day to win their 7/8 playoff game. It was a nice way for some of our departing players to finish their hockey time at school.
It was an exciting week for the First XI Girls’ Football Team in Rotorua as they played in the Maurice Hulme Tournament. The girls’ goal was to finish in the top 3, which meant they would have a chance of qualifying for the Nationals in 2024. They successfully got through the group phase with 4 wins and 1 defeat. A nail-biting quarter-final win placed them in the semi-finals. The girls then lost a heartbreaking penalty shootout to Selwyn College. They came back fighting to win the 3rd/4th playoff with a 1-0 win over Howick, avenging their only defeat from the group phase. The team received some outstanding feedback from other teams/coaches and Stella Peterson won MVP of the tournament.
Our school Rock Climbing Team, which was only formed this year, spent the start of the week competing in Mount Maunganui, at Rocktopia. Whilst none of the girls qualified to climb on the second day, one was very close. We are super proud of how the girls have progressed throughout the year and how the sport is growing and developing here at SHGC.
Our Equestrian Team travelled to Taupo for the week to compete at the National Equestrian Centre along with 70 schools, 63 teams and 300 riders. By day two our young team took control of the competition and never looked back. Placed 1st overall in the Arena Eventing Teams Competition, 2nd in the Secondary Schools (SS) Jumping Competition, 5th overall in the SS Dressage Teams Competition, and 16th overall in the SS CTR Teams Competition, accumulating enough overall points (1076) to become North Island Secondary School Eventing Champions!
Mark McAlley, Director of Sport
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Duke of Ed: Bronze Tramp
After many hours of theory and practical learning at school, the 29 new 2023 Bronze Duke of Edinburgh participants put all their skills to practice during the two-day, overnight camping weekend at Karangahake Gorge at the end of August. Working in groups tramping, cooking, completing map and compass work, learning river safety crossing skills, and trying (unsuccessfully!) to light a campfire. The setting was beautiful and the weather was perfect albeit very cold overnight!
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International News
Instead of sitting exams this week, some of our short term students had a special programme of study with additional English lessons, as well as some fun activities. On Tuesday, we visited several opportunity shops in Hamilton East and later that day Luca was lucky enough to visit a dairy farm to help out with the milking. On Wednesday we had a brief history lesson via a walk through Memorial Park, and Thursday involved volunteering with Vinnies.
Meanwhile, our Director, Collette Tuioti, continued her marketing trip efforts in Phuket, Thailand and Seoul, South Korea participating in education fairs, visiting schools, meeting potential students, and adding to her knowledge of popular K-pop bands!
Enrolment applications for Term 1, 2024 are starting to come in, so we will soon be looking for caring families to welcome an international student into their home. Watch this space.
Dance Showcase
At the end of August, our Level 1, 2, and 3 students presented another successful Senior Dance Showcase. Students presented works by choreographers Tupua Tigafua, Tamzin Naicker, and Miriana Wetere-Ryder. They also presented some of their own original choreography. We were supported by our whānau from Marian Catholic School, who came across to view our technical rehearsal. Students then performed this wonderfully eclectic and colourful collection of dance to our school whānau with two evening shows.
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Te Hui Ahurea
On Friday 25th August Sacred Heart proudly hosted Te Hui Ahurea, the Waikato Catholic Kaahui Ako Cultural Festival. The performances of the day that came from our WCKA schools were outstanding. The atmosphere was buzzing and it was great to have so many whānau and friends onsite to support our tamariki. It was a fantastic way to bring school communities together to benefit our learners and we feel very fortunate to have hosted and supported this event. Special thanks to all involved.
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NCEA Changes Info Evening
Notice Board
Student Appearance
At Sacred Heart, in addition to our uniform expectations, we maintain high standards for our students’ appearance. Please remember the following:
- Hair: Well-groomed, discreet hairstyles worn up/tied back off the face in one ponytail, plait or bun. Hair styled in two braids or more should be fixed as ‘one’ and worn to the back. Hair is not to be worn loose on the shoulders. Obviously dyed hair or extreme hairstyles are not permitted.
- Jewellery: The following may be worn: a wristwatch, a small chain with a medal, cross or taonga, worn discreetly. Fashion chains are not permitted. One pair of simple gold or silver studs or small sleepers worn in the lower ear lobe. Jewellery worn in any other piercing is not permitted and will need to be removed.
- Makeup: Makeup is not to be worn, this includes false eyelashes.
- Nails: Clear nail polish only is permitted.
For more information about the General Conduct & Behaviour Code click here.
2024 Production – High School Musical
The combined St John’s College & Sacred Heart production has been announced. Check out this great website for more details and the audition form.
Attendance Reminder
If your daughter will be absent from school during the day for any reason, please email the Student Coordinator: absences@shgcham.school.nz or phone the school 856 7874 option 1, giving a reason for her absence. If a student will be absent from school for an extended period of time, whānau must inform Miss Gunn. Please email her PA, Ms Ritchie at pa@shgcham.school.nz explaining the reason for her absence, before the absence commences.
Our Vision
Ignite the Passion: inspiring young women to change the world – me aro ki te hā o Hineahuone!