From the Principal

From the Principal

Tena koutou katoa
Nga mihi nui ki a koutou

He kai kei aku ringa – there is food in my hands.

This whakataukī has been on my mind as we move through Term 3. It speaks to resourcefulness and resilience and a reminder that even in challenging times, we already hold what we need to respond with courage and purpose.

Every day brings headlines that show just how interconnected, complex and sometimes fragile our global community has become. In the midst of these shifts, schools like ours carry a particular responsibility: to be places of formation as well as education. Our students are growing up in a world that asks them to be adaptable, ethically grounded and courageous, and they need adults who understand the world they live in – adults who model steadiness, discernment and hope.

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Tena koutou katoa
Nga mihi nui ki a koutou

He kai kei aku ringa – there is food in my hands.

This whakataukī has been on my mind as we move through Term 3. It speaks to resourcefulness and resilience and a reminder that even in challenging times, we already hold what we need to respond with courage and purpose.

Every day brings headlines that show just how interconnected, complex and sometimes fragile our global community has become. In the midst of these shifts, schools like ours carry a particular responsibility: to be places of formation as well as education. Our students are growing up in a world that asks them to be adaptable, ethically grounded and courageous, and they need adults who understand the world they live in – adults who model steadiness, discernment and hope.

While the pace of change is relentless and the pressures facing young people are very real, we are not powerless. We overcome hard times by drawing on what is already within our reach: the virtues that shape character, strengthen judgement and sustain hope. 

And lucky for us, we also have Pope Leo XIII. I was reminded recently of his salient reflection that we are all ‘choreographers of hope’. It is a striking image: hope is not passive, nor is it abstract. It is something we shape, teach and practise. Indeed, in a world that can feel fragmented, our daily actions and interactions – how we speak, how we listen, how we behave – become steps in a shared dance that uplifts us and those around us.

This is the work of Catholic education. It is the work of Sacred Heart Girls’ College: forming young women who understand their world, who contribute to it with courage and compassion, and who carry hope into every space they enter – me aro ki te hā o Hineahuone, take heed of the strength and dignity of women.

Mauri ora!
Kia pai te mutunga wiki – have a good weekend.

Upcoming Dates

  • 31 Aug – 4 SepWinter Tournament Week
  • 9 – 18 SepNCEA Level 1 – 3: Derived Grade Exams
  • 22 – 24 SepYear 12 Retreat
  • 13 OctWinter Sports Awards
  • 16 OctYear 13 Retreat
  • 22 OctArts Showcase Evening: 6pm – 8pm
  • 30 OctThanksgiving Mass & Senior Study Leave

Gateway Students

Brewing up new skills

  • Gateway Students
  • Gateway Students

Our Year 12 and 13 Gateway students recently completed a dynamic, two-day barista workshop designed to kickstart their journeys into the hospitality sector.

Throughout the intensive 2-day course, students gained hands-on experience operating commercial espresso machinery. They mastered crafting popular espresso beverages and learned to perfect texturing with various milk alternatives to meet modern dietary preferences.

Beyond the perfect pour, the workshop emphasised critical industry standards, including:

  • Health and Safety: Navigating a busy commercial hospitality environment safely.
  • Technical Maintenance: Essential daily machine cleaning and hygiene protocols.
  • Customer Service: Delivering high-quality, professional customer interactions.

The training provides a competitive edge for those already working in the industry, those seeking part-time employment, and those pursuing full-time hospitality career pathways.

Congratulations to all the participants for their focus, professionalism, and excellent coffee!

  • Gateway Students
  • Gateway Students

Lit Quiz Success

A quiz, a tribute, and a perfect score

On 12th August, Sacred Heart and the Waikato Children’s Literature Society hosted the annual Waikato/Bay of Plenty High School Lit Quiz at Marian Catholic Primary School, with 24 teams competing – three of them ours. Despite illness taking out a number of team members, it was a great evening testing students’ knowledge of much-loved literature, including this year’s NZ Children and Young Adult Book Awards finalists.

We opened the evening with a moment to remember Kathleen Wilson, who passed away a few months ago, loved the Lit Quiz and always spent a term preparing our students for it. She was excited we were hosting this year, and we missed her throughout our preparation. In her honour, students wore yellow ribbons in their hair and named their teams after her.

A special mention to Hearts for Kathleen – Jessica Sylvester, Carlene Roque and Chloe Hilario, who scored a perfect 10/10 in the NZCYA Book Awards round!

  • Lit Quiz Success
  • Lit Quiz Success

Duke Of Edinburgh

Bronze Practice Tramp: Karangahake Gorge

  • Duke Of Edinburgh

On 10th – 11th August, the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh group left school early to travel to Karangahake Gorge for our practice tramp. We parked the vans at Dickeys Flat and began our adventure. On Monday, we hiked the Dubbo 96 and Windows Walk tracks in a loop. Along the way, we read about the local history, used maps and compasses to navigate, and learnt about different plants. We stopped for lunch and used camp cookers, which was fun but tricky. Back at the campsite, we collected dry kindling, set up our tents and made dinner. At around 8pm, we attempted to make a campfire and got to try lighters, cotton with Vaseline, and flint and steel before heading to bed.

On Tuesday morning, we had breakfast, packed up and cleaned the campsite before hiking the muddy Dalys Clearing Track. We stopped at Dalys Clearing Hut for lunch and practised crossing a river safely. We then walked back to the vans, packed away the equipment, collected the trailer and drove home, tired but happy after a great two days.

Scarlett Mitchell, Year 10

  • Duke Of Edinburgh
  • Duke Of Edinburgh

International News

The International Department has had another busy fortnight. Last week we farewelled Haruna and Aurora at the end of their short stays with us, and we wish them well as they continue their educational journeys. While here, Haruna visited the University of Waikato, including sitting in on a lecture, to get a taste of campus life.

Last weekend, we joined students from Hamilton Girls’ and Cambridge High Schools and visited Taupō. All enjoyed an exciting Huka Falls jet boat ride followed by lunch at the Huka Prawn Park.

On Thursday, we were pleased to host the Vice Principal of Toyojoshi Senior High School in Japan. We also helped Yui celebrate her sixteenth birthday!

Board Of Trustees

Calling for Student Nominations

  • Board Of Trustees

Being a student Board Member provides students with valuable, real-world knowledge and experience. Students, a Nomination Form has been emailed to you, or you can pick one up from the Notre Dame Centre.

Please drop all nominations off at the Accounts office by Wednesday 2nd September, 12pm.

Please note: this is open to current students only who are in Years 9 – 12.

Social Justice Week

Leaver’s Dinner

  • 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.

Our Vision

Ignite the Passion: inspiring young women to change the world – me aro ki te hā o Hineahuone!