From the Acting Principal
Age Quod Agis – Pay Attention – Me Aro
Earlier this week, we gathered as a community for the term’s Age Quod Agis Celebration. Age Quod Agis is our school motto, emblazoned on our crest for over 140 years. It reminds us that real growth comes from a quiet, daily commitment to giving our best.
This celebration was a wonderful chance to honour the ākonga who live out this virtue, and to recognise the perseverance, hard work and resilience that brought them to the stage. The Year 13 Retreat was another special moment, giving our young women time to reflect, connect spiritually and celebrate their journey together.
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Age Quod Agis – Pay Attention – Me Aro
Earlier this week, we gathered as a community for the term’s Age Quod Agis Celebration. Age Quod Agis is our school motto, emblazoned on our crest for over 140 years. It reminds us that real growth comes from a quiet, daily commitment to giving our best.
This celebration was a wonderful chance to honour the ākonga who live out this virtue, and to recognise the perseverance, hard work and resilience that brought them to the stage. The Year 13 Retreat was another special moment, giving our young women time to reflect, connect spiritually and celebrate their journey together.
We were also thrilled to welcome members of the Black Ferns squad for a training session with our students. It was a powerful reminder of what purpose and dedication can achieve, and our young women loved learning from such inspiring role models.
As our senior students commence study leave, Age Quod Agis becomes a practical call to action. We encourage all ākonga to make the most of this time by setting strong routines and keeping their standards high, drawing on the discipline they have built throughout the year.
Kia pai te mutunga wiki roa – have a good long weekend.
Altrusa Youth Award
Congratulations to Year 12 Jessica Sylvester on receiving the 2026 Altrusa Award. Jessica is a true example of Age Quod Agis, receiving the award every term this year. She serves as Head Librarian, Peer Tutor and Co-Leader of Beloved & Blessed Group, and has completed more than 110 hours of service. She also won the Chanel Shield Impromptu Speech section on her first attempt.
Beyond the school gates, she serves at Mass on Sundays, leads RCIC groups, advises the Ministry of Education through Waikato YSTAG, and was recently honoured with the Sri Lanka Friendship Society Waikato Rising Star Award. Alongside it all, she continues to aim high academically, building on her NCEA Level 1 Excellence Endorsement.
Jessica will receive her award at a presentation with the Mayor next week.
Congratulations Jessica!
Year 13 Retreat
A Call to Celebrate
On Friday 16 October, our Year 13 wāhine took time to reflect on and celebrate their final year at Sacred Heart Girls’ College, remembering the highs, the challenges, and everything in between.
They wrote gratitude letters, shared advice for the Year 9s starting next year, and left heartfelt messages for one another. Year 13, wherever your journey takes you beyond these gates, may it be filled with joy, hope and peace.
ChemQuest
A Reaction Worth Celebrating
Earlier this week, two of our Year 12 teams, The Atomic Thinkers (Chloe Hilario, Lizzie Barr, Jessica Sylvester) and So Basic (Elyssah Castillo, Shalom Laban, Janna Lupoy), represented our kura at the University of Waikato’s annual ChemQuest competition. Competing alongside more than 20 teams from across the Waikato, we combined our chemistry knowledge with pop culture and plenty of out-of-the-box thinking.
From waving glowsticks in the dark to watching balloons burst into flashes of fire, the evening was full of memorable moments – and of course, pizza!
When the results were announced, The Atomic Thinkers were thrilled to find out we had placed fourth equal alongside a team from Cambridge High School.
Whether we tackled tricky questions or watched spectacular demonstrations, ChemQuest reminded us that chemistry can be as exciting as it is challenging.
Jessica Sylvester
Arts & Culture Awards
Celebrating Arts & Culture
Last night, the CAC came alive for our annual Arts & Culture Showcase & Awards Evening. Our ākonga delivered inspiring performances across Drama, Music, Dance and Culture, and we celebrated the year’s achievements with our Arts Awards. Congratulations to all students who were recognised; our major award recipients are listed below:
| Dance | Dance Award for Excellence in Dance | Ava Duncan |
| Drama | Kirsty Burmester Memorial Award | Emma Wilkins |
| Drama | Catherine Ryan Memorial Award | Catherine Scanlon |
| Drama | Watson Cup for Outstanding Performance | Christian-Ly Filipo |
| Vocal | Katherine Wiles Award for Vocal Excellence | Kate Hoang |
| Music | McMullin Trophy | Zara McIntyre |
| Music | College Cup | Adison Monasca |
| Music | Stewart Stanbridge Cup | Celeste Tane |
| Kapa Haka | Te Puia Family Trophy | Kokona Imayo |
| Kapa Haka | The Aorangi Group Holdings Trophy | Celeste Tane |
| Pasifika | The Kutia Family Trophy | Eniketi Piliu |
| Pasifika | The Morehu Family Trophy | Henaka Tusa Soagia |
Sporting Success
A big few weeks in the world of rugby refereeing
Year 10 student Raine Duncan recently completed her Level 1 Refereeing Course, led by World Rugby referee Maggie Cogger-Orr and Matthew Conger from the Waikato Rugby Union. The jam-packed three hours covered everything from note-taking and analysing game footage to practising signals and whistle tones.
She has quickly put her training into action. Raine was water carrier for referee Chloe Sampson at the Farah Palmer Cup match between the Waikato and Auckland women’s teams. She then made her debut at FMG Stadium as Assistant Referee for a three-way fixture between Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Counties Manukau, before carrying water again for the FPC game that followed.
Last weekend, Raine ran touch for the curtain raiser at FMG Stadium before the Black Ferns game, where she was also the referee’s water carrier during the match. Love your mahi, Raine!
Student Success
Caitlyn Soars at Senior Cadet Course
Congratulations to Year 11 Caitlyn McKenzie, who passed her Senior Non-Commissioned Officer course with high achievement during the term break. Caitlyn has been an Air Training Corps cadet with Morrinsville #31 Squadron since she was 13 and earned the rank of Corporal at 15.
The week-long course at RNZAF Base Auckland in Whenuapai brought together cadets from across New Zealand and covered leadership, instructional techniques, parade appointments, and the ethos and values of the NZ Cadet Forces. Caitlyn’s success means she can now be promoted to Sergeant.
She was also given the honour of leading her group onto the prizegiving parade and presenting the cadets to the Base Commander, after achieving 100% in her drill assessment.
North Island Interschool Agility Championships
Year 12 students Kyla Browne and Georgie Searle didn’t just compete at the North Island Interschool Agility Championships on 26 September. They organised the whole event! After months of work on entries, sponsors, prizes and ribbons, they ran a fantastic day for junior dog handlers.
They also had great results for Sacred Heart. Georgie won Secondary Jumpers with Chaos, and Kyla, competing with borrowed dogs, placed 2nd in Secondary Open with Azmin and 5th in Secondary Agility with Denver. Well done, girls!
International News
Growing Our International Whānau
Two students have joined our international family this term: a big welcome to Isabella, and welcome back to Jolene, who returns after spending a short time with us earlier this year. Congratulations also to Emily, who received a Badminton award at last term’s Winter Sports Awards Assembly.
Hobbiton remains a favourite destination, and last weekend Namwan and Rada enjoyed a great day out with international students from other secondary schools. Check out the photos!
We continue to receive enquiries for 2027, and we’d love to hear from caring families who may be able to host an international student.
Kapa Haka Award
Huge congratulations to Kokona, who received the Te Puia Family Trophy for the Most Improved Kapa Haka Performer at Thursday night’s Arts & Culture Awards. Kokona has embraced kapa haka with such wonderful energy and passion, and her enthusiasm has been infectious among her peers. We will certainly miss her when she returns to Japan at the end of the year. Congratulations, Kokona!
Homestay Families Needed
We are looking for caring host couples and families in Waikato to welcome our international students into their homes in 2027. Hosting an international student can be such a rewarding experience!
- You and your family will get to know a different culture, traditions and perspectives first-hand.
- You’ll get to rediscover our region, taking a student to your favourite places
- As a host family, you will earn extra income.
For more information, contact Lisa Cowen: lcowen@shgcham.school.nz
Dance Success
Aurora Dances Her Way to Wellington
Huge congratulations to Year 10 student Aurora Flay-Boukaram, who earned top marks in her recent NZAMD (New Zealand Association of Modern Dance) dance exams and a scholarship nomination in Hip Hop. Aurora will head to Wellington later this month for the NZAMD Scholarship Awards. We wish her all the best!
Our Vision
Ignite the Passion: inspiring young women to change the world – me aro ki te hā o Hineahuone!