From the Principal
Our first Pānui of the year welcomes you to our learning community where Whakapono-Faith, Tūmanako-Hope and Tika-Justice shape our Vision, Mission and mahi. Nau mai, here mai, hoki mai anoo – welcome back again – and a special welcome to our new students and their whānau who have joined our Community this year – over 260 new families are now a
part of Sacred Heart: may they soon feel a sense of belonging as we awhi and companion them along the journey.
This is our Year of Whakapono (Faith) expressed through meaningful relationships, where we create space and opportunity to hear and share our Faith story and where we practice a radical inclusiveness and hospitality – Manaakitanga – where all are welcome. Our Gospel focus for the year is The Woman at the Well (John 4:4-42); this woman’s encounter with Jesus the Christ led to her to convert, believing and proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah: this early example of transformative Missionary Leadership reminds us of the radical call to the Gospel – Good News – at every interaction, something sacred is at stake!
... and so it begins – 2024:
As we step into this new year, Lord,
Restore our spirits.
Renew our passion for sharing your wisdom
And nurture our compassion
For those in need of greater support.
Transform us as we seek to transform:
Guide us as we seek to guide;
Open our minds and hearts
As we seek to open minds and hearts
To the Good News of Justice and Peace.
Show more
Our first Pānui of the year welcomes you to our learning community where Whakapono-Faith, Tūmanako-Hope and Tika-Justice shape our Vision, Mission and mahi. Nau mai, here mai, hoki mai anoo – welcome back again – and a special welcome to our new students and their whānau who have joined our Community this year – over 260 new families are now a
part of Sacred Heart: may they soon feel a sense of belonging as we awhi and companion them along the journey.
This is our Year of Whakapono (Faith) expressed through meaningful relationships, where we create space and opportunity to hear and share our Faith story and where we practice a radical inclusiveness and hospitality – Manaakitanga – where all are welcome. Our Gospel focus for the year is The Woman at the Well (John 4:4-42); this woman’s encounter with Jesus the Christ led to her to convert, believing and proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah: this early example of transformative Missionary Leadership reminds us of the radical call to the Gospel – Good News – at every interaction, something sacred is at stake!
... and so it begins – 2024:
As we step into this new year, Lord,
Restore our spirits.
Renew our passion for sharing your wisdom
And nurture our compassion
For those in need of greater support.
Transform us as we seek to transform:
Guide us as we seek to guide;
Open our minds and hearts
As we seek to open minds and hearts
To the Good News of Justice and Peace.
Help us listen more deeply
To the world and to your Word,
So we can walk with those in our care,
Attentive to the Wisdom that
Calls us all to the Kingdom of God.
(Adapted from a prayer by Jane Deren)
It is also the time of the year when our recent graduates are taking up their places at university, embarking on their gap year, or discovering the joys of gainful employment. We wish them all well and hope that the years at Sacred Heart Girls’ College have contributed to their ongoing formation as young wāhine with a Heart for the world! Euphrasie Barbier, the founder of the Mission Sisters, reminds us, ‘where charity and union of hearts reign in community, the Lord is there. Guard this precious treasure well’.
Me aro ki te hā o Hineahuone – take heed the strength and dignity of women!
Early finish Thursdays
This year, we continue with our early finish on Thursday afternoons – 1:00pm.
From 1.30pm our staff engage in various professional learning and development opportunities that help us fast-track school-wide improvement.
This arrangement allows our staff to continue the important work required to strengthen our Sacred Heart Girls’ College teaching programmes. These early finishes happen every second Thursday, starting on Feb 22nd. I hope this helps.
Buses:
The school bus services don’t change on these Thursdays. Our library is open for ‘read & wait’ time for their bus. The only exception is the Te Awamutu bus; this service is at school at 1:00 pm.
Our early finish dates through to the end of the Term are:
- 22nd February
- 7th March
- 21st March
- 4th April
Whanaungatanga Programme
The start of our school year is not like others. Instead of spending time in the classrooms for the first week back at school, all 940 students and staff challenged ‘educational norms’ by putting curriculum learning on hold and developing meaningful relationships with students, teachers and their whānau.
Whanaungatanga, building relationships, started with a whole school Pōwhiri and continued with student mentoring activities, guest speakers, goal setting and learning conversations. The week wrapped up with competitive house events, laying the foundation for a supportive and nurturing environment. This was a very successful week of bringing our Kura and wider community together, and we can’t wait to do it again in 2025.
News Article
Phones away for the day!
We would like to thank the students, whānau, and the broader school community for conscientiously adhering to the new government regulations around the use of student phones at school. We understand that it has been a significant shift in mindset for our students, but it has been gratifying to witness meaningful interactions among them during break times, devoid of screen reliance. Experience in other schools indicates that once embedded, the absence of phones not only makes learning more effective but leads to more positive social interactions – something we all want!
Welcome Agatha Soagia
This year, we welcome Agatha Soagia as our Director of Catholic Character & Mission Charism. Agatha is a New Zealand-born Samoan hailing from the Fatausi, Savaii, and Moamoa villages. She grew up in Australia for most of her childhood until her family returned to New Zealand in 1998. Completing her last two years of High School at St Mary’s College in Ponsonby, Auckland, she set her sights on becoming an educator. She discovered she was passionate about being a good catholic educator along that journey. Her Catholic values are at the core of who she is as an educator, co-creator in learning and agent of change.
Agatha has been teaching for 17 years, and over the years, has been fortunate enough to develop her practice in a range of positions, such as Director of Religious Studies at both St Mary’s School, Avondale and Sancta Maria Catholic Primary School in Flat Bush, Leader of Learning and within School Leader in Kāhui Ako. She has also taught choir and Pasifika cultural groups.
“I am excited to be part of the Sacred Heart Girl’s College whānau and look forward to leading staff and students with our Catholic Character and Mission Charism”.
We are so grateful to have Agatha join our Kaiako and welcome her wealth of experience as she takes up the important role of Catholic Character in our Kura.
International News
It has been a busy couple of weeks for our seventeen new international students. They are settling in with their wonderful homestay families, have participated in the Whānaungatanga programme and completed a two-day International Department orientation.
Our new students come from Japan, Thailand, Taiwan and China – we will let the pictures tell the stories!
Rotary Youth Exchange 2025
The Rotary International Youth Exchange programme is a one-year exchange designed for students aged 16 or 17 in January of the year they leave New Zealand. Students in this programme leave in January to spend a year living in another country, learning the language and culture and attending school there.
To go on the exchange, students must apply through a local Rotary club to be sponsored (applications close mid March 2024), attend a further interview and selection process by the District Committee responsible for administering the programme, and then participate in a series of orientation days. This process ensures that the students are well-prepared for their year away and will be good ambassadors for New Zealand.
Please read the Application Form carefully. Any questions can be directed to the contacts below.
If you would like further information, please contact Chris Dare at Chris.Waikato.SR@gmail.com or Paul Higson RYEChair@rotary9930.org
Application Form
Our Student Centre
Need to leave School during the day for an appointment?
Are you going to be late?
The Student Centre is the hub of our school and a ‘go-to’ place for our students, where they will find the answers to any questions they may have. Please make sure if your daughter has an appointment during the day or they need to leave early, parents/caregivers MUST let the Student Centre know beforehand. Students then need to sign out and sign in, if they’re returning.
If your daughter will be away for any reason, please inform the Student Centre first thing in the morning. This can be done via the app, phone or email.
Phone: 07 856 7874
Press 1 for absences or 2803 to speak to our Student Centre Liaison team.
Email: absences@shgcham.school.nz
We have SHGC Merchandise!
Exciting news alert!……..Drumroll, please... We’re thrilled to unveil our brand-spanking-new SHGC Merchandise Shop online! Whether you’re cheering from the sidelines, gearing up for an event, or just need a trusty bag for all your sports gear, we’ve got you covered with some seriously stylish SHGC goodies.
Once you’ve purchased, swing by the Notre Dame front desk whenever is convenient and collect. Easy peasy, right? Get ready to show off your SHGC pride in style!
Shop Now
Notice Board
School Calendar
View what’s on, Term dates and more HERE.
Learning Conversations
A reminder if you haven’t already: all whānau should have booked a time with their CCM companion to put goals in place for the year. Please email your companion to make a suitable time.
There will also be an opportunity for you to meet the subject teachers on Monday 25 March from 3:30pm – 6:00pm. Pencil this date in your diary and check for booking information closer to the time.
Why Student-Led Learning Conversations are important?
Research confirms that students’ reflecting on their learning enhances achievement. Student involvement in conferences makes learning more active, fosters self-evaluation, and encourages responsibility. This approach aligns with effective pedagogy in the New Zealand Curriculum, creating a solid home-school partnership.
For more information on Learning Conversations – Click here.
Accounts Reminder
When setting up payments from Sacred Heart or Mission College please remember to put your child’s student ID in as the reference.
If you have any queries, please contact Maree Thomas in Accounts E: mthomas@shgcham.school.nz or P: 07 856 7874 extn: 2829
Do we have your current address?
If you’ve moved or are moving, please update your details with us.
Attendance Reminder
If your daughter will be absent from school during the day for any reason, please phone the school 856 7874 option 1, or email the Student Coordinator: absences@shgcham.school.nz giving a reason for her absence. If a student will be absent from school for an extended period, whānau must inform Miss Gunn. Please email Ms Ritchie at pa@shgcham.school.nz explaining why she is absent – e.g., a holiday during term time.
School Parking
Please use our Cook St entrance to pick your daughter up before and after school, as no parking is available at the Firth St entrance. Also, do not park on the broken yellow lines in Firth St as it is illegal and creates a safety hazard when students cross the road to catch their school buses. Finally, please do not park in the numbered school car parks at any time, as these are reserved for staff.
Our Vision
Ignite the Passion: inspiring young women to change the world – me aro ki te hā o Hineahuone!