From the Principal
Tena koutou katoa
Nga mihi nui ki a koutou
“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
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 do well… and so we become a well (human) being! If not today, then tomorrow:
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Tena koutou katoa
Nga mihi nui ki a koutou
“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
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 do well… and so we become a well (human) being! If not today, then tomorrow:
Today is a new day!
You can start fresh, wipe the slate clean and begin again.
Today you can embrace kindness, practice compassion, stand up for justice
talk to strangers and make new friends.
You can ask for help
offer hope
and listen with your courageous heart (to the ‘Whisperings of Grace').
You can work for the common good
love well
and today, and every day, YOU can be the change you want to see in the world.
Me aro ki te hā o Hineahuone!
Thank you to all those students who demonstrate our motto every day, Age Quod Agis – Pay Attention – Me Aro, especially those who represented us at the Chanel Shield public speaking competition last weekend – ka pai, team (and coaches and teachers). Events like this are a highlight for our community and a reminder that Catholic Education is about the whole person.
Kia pai te mutunga wiki – have a good weekend.
Chanel Shield 2026
Two days of faith, friendship and fierce competition
Sacred Heart Girls’ College was proud to host this year’s Chanel Shield, welcoming St John’s College Hamilton, Aquinas College Tauranga, John Paul College Rotorua, and Campion College for two days of competition across ten categories testing faith, knowledge and creativity – from Bible reading and scripture quizzes to speech, drama and poetry. Around 100 students took part across the five schools, including a team of 15 from Sacred Heart.
St John’s College claimed the shield for the second year running, with Sacred Heart a close second overall. Congratulations to our individual award winners:
- Gabrielle Neho – Māori Perspective Speech Winner
- Jessica Sylvester – Impromptu Speech Winner
- Thanya Pandian – Junior Speech Winner
Beyond these top honours, Sacred Heart students picked up many other notable placings across the full range of categories – a real reflection of the strength and depth of our team.
We also took home the Spirit of Chanel Shield Award, voted on by the students themselves and presented to the school that best embodied the values Chanel Shield is all about: faith, humility, encouragement, service, friendship and genuine respect for others.
Thank you to all of the staff and guest judges who helped bring the weekend together, and to our visiting colleges for making it such a special one. Bring on Chanel Shield 2027 in Gisborne!
RNDM Mission Appeal 2026
Supporting the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions
As a Mission School and proud partner of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions (RNDM), Sacred Heart is once again supporting the annual RNDM Mission Appeal. The Sisters have shared some wonderful stories of the work their appeal makes possible this year – a livelihood enhancement project supporting the Menubu Dulangan tribal community in the Philippines with a livestock enterprise, and pastoral care and faith formation work at their newly established mission in Lindi, Tanzania.
If you would like to make a donation, details are below:
Account Name: Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission
Account Number: 06-0529-0413665-03
Particulars: First Name Code: Surname Ref: Phone Number
To pay by debit or credit card, contact the Province Office on 04 939 1231 (option 1). For more information, email: office@rndm.org.nz
Thank you for your generosity in partnering with the RNDM Sisters and making a difference in the lives of families in the Philippines and Tanzania.
Student Leadership
On Being Bold, Dreaming Big
Earlier this term, we had the opportunity to attend the On Being Bold – Dreaming Big event. Throughout the day, we learned about the importance of financial wellbeing and investing, with tips from prominent leaders of well-known New Zealand companies. Aside from the incredible food, speakers from the New Zealand investment company Sharesies provided valuable insight into how investing can benefit our future. One quote that stuck with us was that it’s better to start investing now than later. So, start investing!
Alongside the financial advice, the speakers also covered “presenting your best self.” As teenagers, attending a job interview can seem impossibly terrifying, but we were given practical tips on how to show our best self, along with a discussion on “imposter syndrome."
The knowledge and new friendships we gained from this experience are truly something special. We urge you to seriously think about your future, particularly your financial well-being. The On Being Bold—Dreaming Big event is one we’d recommend to everyone!
Celeste Tane and Eniketi Piliu
Learn a new sport
Ever fancied giving pool a real go?
Sacred Heart is home to three top pool players who’ve travelled the world representing New Zealand – and the Hamilton Cosmopolitan Club is where they train. Now the club is inviting Sacred Heart students and their families to a FREE Have a Go evening, with coaching included.
Friday 21 August
5:30pm – 6:30pm
Hamilton Cosmopolitan Club, 32 Claudelands Road, Hamilton East
Bring the whole family — no experience needed, just come along and have fun!
Food & beverages available on the night
Learn a new sport, meet some seriously talented players, and enjoy a great night out together.
Please Register on KINDO
Register Here!
International News
Volunteering, Culture, and Quiz Nights
It’s been a busy fortnight for our international students. Alongside close to 50 hours of volunteering around the school, from the library to a range of other areas — several groups have also been out representing Sacred Heart.
We were especially proud of our Japanese students, who created close to 200 origami pieces as table decorations and spent many hours perfecting a traditional Sōran Bushi dance for the formal dinner marking the end of last week’s Chanel Shield.
Five of our girls, Sylvia, Teresa, May, Vinda, and Aeint, represented Sacred Heart at an International Student quiz night at Hamilton Boys’ High School.
Weekends have been just as full, with a day trip to Auckland taking in shopping in Newmarket, a visit to Bastion Point, lunch at Mission Bay, and more shopping at Sylvia Park.
It’s also been a week of comings and goings, with new arrivals settling in and two farewells; we wish Chloe and Jolene safe travels home.
We have more new students arriving in Term 1, 2027, so we’re still looking for caring homestay families — see the details below.
For more information, contact Lisa Cowen: lcowen@shgcham.school.nz
Leaver’s Dinner
This year we’re hosting a Year 13 Leavers’ Dinner at Vilagrad Winery, and we want every student to be able to attend to mark this special occasion.
The cost of a ticket isn’t easy for every family right now. If you’re able to pay it forward and donate a $69 ticket for a student, please email Maree Thomas: mthomas@shgcham.school.nz or phone: 07 856 7874 extn: 2829
Every act of generosity reflects the love of the Sacred Heart. Thank you for helping our Year 13s celebrate this milestone together.
Supporters Gear
With Winter Tournament Week just around the corner and our amazing Barbershop singers off to Nationals in Wellington in September, now’s the perfect time to nab your supporters’ gear! Brolly for the sideline, bag for your gear – we’ve got you covered.
BUY NOW
Our Vision
Ignite the Passion: inspiring young women to change the world – me aro ki te hā o Hineahuone!