From the Principal
“Kia pau ōu mahara ki te tiaki i tōu ngākau, nō reira hoki ngā putanga o te ora – above all else, guard your Heart for it is the Wellspring of Life” Proverbs 4: 23
By the time you read this paanui, we will be halfway through the school year and students will be maximising their effort, attitude and behaviour for learning: Age Quod Agis – “Pay Attention”. When we ‘pay attention’ to our Head, Heart and Hands – we ‘attend’ to our thoughts, feelings and actions. When we think well and feel well, we will do well – and we have just recognised those students who have maximised their time and opportunities at school at our Age Quod Agis Celebration of Success. Congratulations to those students for demonstrating our motto every day at school, as well as those who represented us at the Chanel Shield public speaking competition – we came first in the three events related to Scripture – ka pai, team (and coaches/teachers).
It is also that time of year when relationships are tested, thanks to pressure and demands on students to meet deadlines, be in class, submit work for assessment, as they progress towards their achievement goals. Sometimes, we have to deal with the ‘fall out’ of students paying more attention to their own needs than those of others. We get it, so here’s something to contemplate: “the sacrament of friendship is part of God’s plan to help us become all we were meant to be; it is the process of opening ourselves to the care and wisdom of the other. Friendship extends us into places we have not gone before and cannot go alone.” Joan Chittister
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“Kia pau ōu mahara ki te tiaki i tōu ngākau, nō reira hoki ngā putanga o te ora – above all else, guard your Heart for it is the Wellspring of Life” Proverbs 4: 23
By the time you read this paanui, we will be halfway through the school year and students will be maximising their effort, attitude and behaviour for learning: Age Quod Agis – “Pay Attention”. When we ‘pay attention’ to our Head, Heart and Hands – we ‘attend’ to our thoughts, feelings and actions. When we think well and feel well, we will do well – and we have just recognised those students who have maximised their time and opportunities at school at our Age Quod Agis Celebration of Success. Congratulations to those students for demonstrating our motto every day at school, as well as those who represented us at the Chanel Shield public speaking competition – we came first in the three events related to Scripture – ka pai, team (and coaches/teachers).
It is also that time of year when relationships are tested, thanks to pressure and demands on students to meet deadlines, be in class, submit work for assessment, as they progress towards their achievement goals. Sometimes, we have to deal with the ‘fall out’ of students paying more attention to their own needs than those of others. We get it, so here’s something to contemplate: “the sacrament of friendship is part of God’s plan to help us become all we were meant to be; it is the process of opening ourselves to the care and wisdom of the other. Friendship extends us into places we have not gone before and cannot go alone.” Joan Chittister
This inspiring message invites us to seek and embrace friendship as it is embodied, particularly between women, between God the Creator and all of creation, and between all human beings: real friendship is learned in the real world, not the artificial world.
Mauri ora!
Kia pai te mutunga wiki – have a good weekend.
Chanel Shield 2025
Impressive Second Place
Last Friday and Saturday, fifteen of our students travelled to St. John’s College to compete in the inaugural Chanel Shield, a competition bringing together all five Catholic secondary schools in the Hamilton diocese. The weekend began with a beautiful pōwhiri and Mass, setting a tone of unity and reverence that would carry throughout the event.
The competition featured a diverse range of categories, including Māori Perspective speeches, debating, Junior and Senior oratory, impromptu speaking, poetry, dramatic performances, and Bible reading. Our students demonstrated exceptional talent across multiple disciplines, with several achieving outstanding results.
Gabrielle Neho delivered a particularly personal speech in the Māori Perspective category, earning second place with her speech about the personal meaning of kapa haka. In Senior Oratory, Honeylet Kabiling also claimed second place, delivering a challenging and inspiring speech about the Gaza crisis. Isabella McKenzie-Iakopo rounded out the day with a second place in Junior Poetry.
Day two proved especially successful for Sacred Heart, with Raivenne Sarmiento and ‘Ailini Veatupu taking top honours in Junior and Senior Bible reading, respectively. The weekend concluded on a high note as our team claimed victory in the Bible Quiz.
While the competition was spirited throughout, the weekend’s highlight was the Saturday evening community dinner, where all schools came together to share a meal and set aside competitive rivalries. The dramatic performances that followed showcased the remarkable talent across all participating schools.
When final scores were announced, St. John’s claimed the inaugural shield with Sacred Heart finishing second, just two points behind. While the competition was at times fierce, the true victory lay in the camaraderie and friendships formed between Catholic schools throughout the weekend – a reminder that faith and community remain at the heart of Catholic education.
Serving the Common Good
Recently, I had the opportunity to volunteer with the Common Good Foundation. Since 1983, it’s been at the heart of our Hamilton Diocese, providing grants to parishes and community organisations, making a real difference in our communities. Along with students from both Sacred Heart and St John’s, we volunteered for this great cause during their Caring Sunday Appeal – the Foundation’s main fundraising effort is to support their grants programme.
As volunteers, our role was to speak at Masses across Hamilton on Saturday, 26th and Sunday, 27th July. After Mass, we stood at the back of the church to invite donations, either directly or through the purchase of candles. We received training from Mrs Collie and learned more about the Foundation’s mission so that we could be prepared to engage with parishioners after Mass.
Volunteering for such a worthy cause reminded me that even small actions can contribute to something bigger. As one such volunteer put it, “Even quiet efforts can support a powerful mission.”
Jessica Sylvester, Year 11
Business Studies
Strap’n’Stroll
We are a group of Year 13 Business Studies students and are proud to introduce our innovative product, Strap’n’Stroll. An attachable and detachable backstrap for Birkenstock sandals.
Currently, many students wear double-strap Birkenstocks, which unfortunately do not meet the school’s uniform policy due to the absence of a backstrap. Rather than purchasing a new pair of regulation-approved Birkenstocks, which can cost up to $240, students can now buy our affordable and school-approved backstraps to make their existing sandals compliant.
Our backstraps are priced at just $20 per pair and can easily be attached and removed as needed, providing both flexibility and value.
Thank you,
The Strap’n’Stroll Team
(Tasmin Autridge, Georgia Kendrick, Milla Rusbridge, and Lucy Cowie)
Enterprise Trade Fair
Two of our Level 2 Business Studies groups – Fleur Fuse and Umbag – voluntarily gave up their Saturday morning to participate in the YES Trade Fair at Claudelands Farmers Market last weekend.
Both groups represented Sacred Heart brilliantly alongside business students from across the Waikato region. Their dedication paid off when Fleur Fuse won “Best Trade Fair Presence” and received $100 for their business!
Football Exchange
Our 1st XI Football team delivered some exceptional Football viewing at Tuesday’s three-way exchange with Epsom Girls’ Grammar and New Plymouth Girls’ High School at Jansen Park.
The day began with a heart-stopper against Epsom. Brilliant goals from Evie Wilson (Year 9) and Sienna Casson (Year 10) had us leading 2-1 for most of the match, until Epsom snatched a dramatic last-minute equaliser for a 2-2 draw.
But the real fireworks came in our final match against New Plymouth. Evie opened with a superb solo run, before our versatile goalkeeper-turned-winger Heiana Ralaimihoatra (Year 13) slotted home a precise finish just before halftime.
New Plymouth fought back early in the second half to make it 2-1, but then Sienna took over. First, she calmly restored our two-goal lead, then produced the moment of the day – a stunning run from the wing before curling an absolute beauty into the top corner. 4-1!
Congratulations to all our girls for a fantastic day that showcased skill, determination, and pure love of the game!
Caleb Wesselson, Sports Co-ordinator
Shopping for Good
New World Rototuna is going to deliver 1% of all sales back to our Student Retreat Programmes from registered Club Cards. Our students will benefit every time you shop at this supermarket!
We believe every young woman deserves this transformative encounter. That’s why the funds raised through this partnership directly support the ongoing development of our Student Retreat Programmes, ensuring it remains accessible, inclusive, relevant and impactful.
Your support is more than a donation: it is an investment in the development of faith, leadership and a hope-filled future for our Sacred Heart waahine. And you don’t have to do anything – except share your Club Card number. Whānau, friends, neighbours – all are welcome! It doesn’t matter how much you spend there or how often – every dollar counts.
International Homestays
We are searching for caring host couples and families in Waikato to welcome our international students into their homes. Hosting an international student can be such a rewarding experience!
What we’re looking for:
- A spare bedroom for your student to call their own while they’re here
- Three hearty meals a day (they’ll love trying Kiwi classics!)
- Transport to and from school activities
- Most importantly – a big heart and open mind
Ready to change a young person’s life while enriching your own?
For more information, contact Lisa Cowen: lcowen@shgcham.school.nz
Self-Defence Workshops
Street Smart Self-Defence – 21 Aug
The YWCA of Hamilton has joined with Sarah from Mind Set Self Defence (formerly known as SAFE) to host another awesome Street Smart Self Defence workshop.
Cost: FREE
Tickets: Click Here
Women’s MINDSET Self-Defence Workshop – 15 & 16 Nov
Hamilton Community Centres are offering subsidised self-defence courses for just $20 per weekend session. This is a great opportunity for students to learn valuable personal safety skills at an accessible price.
Cost: $20
Tickets: Click Here
PLEASE NOTE: Both workshops are rated R13, so only those aged 13 and above can attend due to the content taught.
Our Vision
Ignite the Passion: inspiring young women to change the world – me aro ki te hā o Hineahuone!