From the Principal
Through all the miracles of life, God is speaking
Age Quod Agis – Pay Attention – Me Aro!
‘Around us, life bursts with miracles – a glass of water, a ray of sunshine, a leaf, a caterpillar, a flower, laughter, raindrops. If you live in awareness, it is easy to see miracles everywhere. Each human being is a multiplicity of miracles. Eyes that see thousands of colours, shapes, and forms; ears that hear a bee flying or a thunderclap; a brain that ponders a speck of dust as easily as the entire cosmos; a heart that beats in rhythm with the heartbeat of all beings. When we are tired and feel discouraged by life’s daily struggles, we may not notice these miracles, but they are always there.’
Thich Nhat Hanh
Show more
Through all the miracles of life, God is speaking
Age Quod Agis – Pay Attention – Me Aro!
‘Around us, life bursts with miracles – a glass of water, a ray of sunshine, a leaf, a caterpillar, a flower, laughter, raindrops. If you live in awareness, it is easy to see miracles everywhere. Each human being is a multiplicity of miracles. Eyes that see thousands of colours, shapes, and forms; ears that hear a bee flying or a thunderclap; a brain that ponders a speck of dust as easily as the entire cosmos; a heart that beats in rhythm with the heartbeat of all beings. When we are tired and feel discouraged by life’s daily struggles, we may not notice these miracles, but they are always there.’
Thich Nhat Hanh
The invitation is to slow down, look up and let the ordinary become extraordinary again, or as Euphrasie Barbier called it ‘listen to the whisperings of Grace’ and Lent is as good a time as any to do just that.
If you ‘pay attention’ to us on Facebook, you would have seen the outcome of the invitation for alumnae to join us at our Garden Party recently. What a wonderful occasion for our former students and staff – spanning the best part of 75 years – to reconnect, reminisce and remember their time when they were the heart of Sacred Heart. It was wonderful to see so many of our Mission Sisters who were able to join us too – former students, teachers and Principals themselves; it was a privilege to welcome them home. Thank you for the kind words on the day and since, and we appreciate your ongoing support through our “Better Together” Donor Wall – more on the new alumnae website HERstory.
We are midway through the first term of 2026. There have been scheduled opportunities for whānau to meet with staff – this is an important settling-in time for new students, and a re-settling time for returning students. If you have any concerns about your daughter being unsettled, please contact their CCM Companion for support.
Finally, whatever you gave up or took up for Lent, may your perseverance and discipline pay off.
Kia pai te ra whakataa – have a restful weekend.
Dedication Mass
"My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices… for God has done great things for me."
What a beautiful and meaningful occasion our Dedication Mass was this morning. A group of our students were commissioned as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist — a profound step of service, reverence and faith. To be entrusted with bringing Christ to others is no small thing, and these young people stepped forward with grace and commitment. A genuine Magnificat moment, and one our whole school community can celebrate with joy.
The Garden Party Success
When Old Connections Find Their Way Home
When the ground broke on our latest building project in late 2024, it sparked a question that felt too good not to act on - how do we celebrate this when it is completed? And more importantly, how do we share this moment with the women who have walked these halls?
Out of many brainstorming sessions, the Garden Party was born.
Months of planning unfolded as we watched the project transform the school around us. A date was set – Saturday 21st February, 2026 – and to anchor the day, we invited Alumna, Kerre Woodham, broadcaster, and storyteller extraordinaire, to bring her trademark warmth and wit as our guest speaker, and she did not disappoint.
Over 250 tickets were sold. The catering filled the corridors with the most wonderful aromas, the drinks were chilling, and – as if on cue – the sun arrived right on time.
Sacred Heart women came from near and far; from Australia, and from the length of Aotearoa. Name tags in hand, a cool glass of bubbles at the ready, the air filled with the joy of reunion. Classmates found each other, and old staff were welcomed back with open arms. Sisters reunited. And you could hear it through the year groups that gathered - “Is that Sister Clare? Oh my gosh, she looks amazing!”
Those stories carried beautifully into Kerre’s address, a hilarious and heartfelt reflection on her own days at Sacred Heart. But the afternoon’s most unforgettable moment came when Kerre spoke warmly about a teacher who had always believed in her – Mr Simons. Mid-story, she called out on a whim, "Mr Simons, are you here?" and then, at the back of the hall, a hand went up. Kerre squealed, leapt from the stage, and made her way through the crowd for a long-overdue hug. The hall erupted – everyone clapping and cheering as this utterly unplanned, long-overdue reunion unfolded right before us.
The day also offered a meaningful opportunity to introduce our Better Together Donor Wall. Alumnae jumped at the chance to purchase a disc to be etched with their name and the years they attended – a lasting legacy embedded in the very walls of the school they loved. Donations from the wall will provide essential funding that directly supports our Mission: we believe every student is unique and has the potential to change the world for the better – me aro ki te haa o Hineahuone.
After Kerre’s address, guests were invited to tour the school – to walk familiar halls, peek into old classrooms, and let the memories rush back. As Kerre herself said when she stepped into one of the rooms: "There it is. That’s the smell I remember."
We must acknowledge our remarkable young women who volunteered for the afternoon, looking after guests and guiding tours, all of them proudly representing today’s Sacred Heart.
The afternoon drew to a close amidst the sounds of conversation and laughter, our talented musicians providing the perfect backdrop. What happened at the Garden Party went beyond a reunion. It was women who had grown up within these walls who found their way back to one another. And we’re only just getting started.
Our HERstory website has now launched…. a place to reconnect, celebrate, and welcome our Alumnae back.
Penny Thompson
Marketing & Communications Manager
HERstory Website
Meet Amiria
Kia Ora Whānau!
Kō Amiria Te Rangi tōku ingoa, I’m the new Strength & Conditioning Coach for the kura! I’m an ex-Sacred Heart student, graduated in 2022, was the Māori Perspective Leader in Year 13, and played netball throughout my time here – while giving a few other sports a go too!
Since then, I’ve been studying at Wintec and completed my Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science last year, and I’m looking forward to continuing on with my Master’s.
Outside of studying and mahi, I’ve been involved in coaching netball at the kura, working with different levels of rugby, and giving back to the community that gave so much to me! I am so excited to work with students on developing their fitness or even just introducing them to a new environment. It’s such a joy to see all the different personalities walk through the gym doors, and I can’t wait to get to know them all!
Fitness Centre Membership:
Your membership gives you access to the gym at lunchtimes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Senior students may also access the gym after school on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, provided they are accompanied by another Senior student.
Until the end of Term 1 – only $10.
From Term 2 – $30 per term.
Strength & Conditioning Sessions:
Mondays & Wednesdays
3:15pm – 4:45pm
In the Fitness Centre
Now is the perfect time to get winter sport-ready!
Fitness Centre Membership
Physio Services
Meet Amanda
Amanda is the Director of Active Health Waikato, a proud SHGC Old Girl, and a current school parent. She specialises in knee, ankle, and adolescent sporting injuries, with experience supporting athletes from school sport through to high performance.
Amanda will be on-site every Tuesday and Friday from 11am to 3pm, in the Physio Room, located next to the Fitness Centre by the Gym. Students are seen at an allocated time and return straight to class — keeping disruption to their day to a minimum.
For more info and how to book
PE Department
Level 1 PE Takes on the City
On Friday, 27th February, our Level 1 PE cohort came together for their first challenge of the year – Rogaining!
Students pulled buffs from the box to determine their teams, set up their rogaining app, and carefully studied the map to plan their journey. With 90 minutes on the clock, teams aimed to collect as many points as possible, travelling through Hamilton East, along the Waikato River Path, and around the beautiful Hamilton Gardens.
The focus of the challenge was promoting kotahitanga (unity) in action. Students demonstrated a range of strategies, including leadership, effective communication, support and encouragement, and cooperation. It was awesome to see teams working together, making decisions under pressure, and pushing themselves physically and mentally.
Some teams ran over 9km, with a cohort total of more than 100km covered in just 90 minutes – an incredible effort!
Congratulations to the Black Team for scoring an impressive 530 points and celebrating their win with a crisp blue Powerade.
We’re so proud of the determination, teamwork, and energy shown by all students. What a fantastic way to start the year – we look forward to building on it at our Raglan camp in Week 8.
Sports News
Central Zones Athletics
Congratulations to our students who competed on Tuesday at the Central Zones at Porritt Stadium!
A special shout-out to Elizabeth Bayer, who made her debut in the Para section and claimed 1st place in Discus — a fantastic achievement. Thank you to Erin, our Sports Coordinator, for making this special moment possible.
The following students placed in the top five, qualifying them for Waibop Champs in Tauranga later this month:
Junior Girls
Isla Watkins – 100m 1st, 200m 1st
Jasmine Shawyer – 800m 1st, 1500m 2nd
Aleigha Elliott-Brown – 300m 5th, Long Jump 5th, Triple Jump 3rd
Willow Arnold Galo – High Jump 3rd
Kulaea Falekaono-Seager – Javelin 1st, Discus 1st, Shot Put 1st
Intermediate Girls
Emily Vowles – 3000m 3rd, 1500m 2nd
Sophie Peters – 800m 2nd
Heidi Maarhuis – Discus 4th, Shot Put 5th
Intermediate Girls Relay – Ava Mills, Sophie Peters, Bobbie Wilson and Sienna Casson 2nd
Senior Girls
Samantha Cundy – High Jump 1st, Long Jump 5th
Brilee Davies – Long Jump 3rd
Elizabeth Bayer – Para Multi Discus 1st
Life-Saving Skills for Life
Our Gateway students have been busy adding a very important skill set to their repertoire! Over the course of their First Aid training, they learned how to stay calm and take charge in an emergency – from performing CPR and using a defibrillator, to handling choking incidents, burns, breaks, and wounds.
The hands-on training gave students a real insight into the world of a Paramedic, tackling everything from simulated accidents to real-life scenarios.
We are thrilled to share that every single student walked away with a First Aid Certificate, valid for two years. A brilliant achievement – and skills that will serve them well for life!
SET FREE 2026
Set Free Youth Festival has been gathering young people for 16 years as a primary outreach of the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton. Our team is committed to making Set Free a place of encounter, community, and transformation, where young people are reminded they are deeply known and loved by God. At its core, Set Free creates space to encounter the Father’s love, be renewed by the Holy Spirit, and experience a Church that is alive, vibrant, and unapologetically Catholic.
Set Free is for Year 10-13 students and is running from 7-9 April 2026 at St Peters School, Cambridge.
More Info
Study Abroad
Interested in studying abroad?
AFS exchange for Senior students
AFS Intercultural Programmes has been providing student exchange opportunities for young Kiwis since 1947.
With programmes ranging from 4 weeks to a full academic year and over 50 destinations, we are the original student exchange organisation in New Zealand.
An email has been sent to Yr 11 and Yr 12 students about an AFS presentation on 10th March, during school time. Please check your inbox!
In addition to the AFS presentation at school, students and their families are invited to the Student Exchange Expo to find out more.
Round the World Student Exchange Expo
Sunday, 29th March 2026
1pm – 4pm
Waikato Masonic Centre, 298 Barton Street, Hamilton
The event will be supported by many returnee students who have been on an AFS exchange. They will be available to talk about their experiences and their host countries.
Whether you’re interested in a high school study abroad programme, a short intercultural summer programme or hosting a student in New Zealand – come along and get advice from the people who’ve done it!
Our Vision
Ignite the Passion: inspiring young women to change the world – me aro ki te hā o Hineahuone!