From the Acting Principal
Kia ora e te whānau,
As you can see from the photo, I am looking after Ms Gunn’s office while she is away. Our whole school community holds her in our prayers as she farewells her parents in Ireland and embarks on a period of contemplation and study that calls for some well-earned time away. Kia ora, Catherine!
If you have visited the college recently, you will have seen the large signage on the front wall of the west wing: "Ignite the passion: inspiring young women to change the world – me aro ki te haa o hineahuone." Every day I am lucky enough to see real demonstrations of the amazing abilities and attitudes of our students. We are fortunate to share in their challenges and successes. This newsletter celebrates some of those achievements, and I want to recognise former Head Girl Lushomo Thebe, who will soon be representing women globally in New York. More details below. Our students — and ex-students — are changing the world for good. Sister Euphrasie would be proud!
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Kia ora e te whānau,
As you can see from the photo, I am looking after Ms Gunn’s office while she is away. Our whole school community holds her in our prayers as she farewells her parents in Ireland and embarks on a period of contemplation and study that calls for some well-earned time away. Kia ora, Catherine!
If you have visited the college recently, you will have seen the large signage on the front wall of the west wing: "Ignite the passion: inspiring young women to change the world – me aro ki te haa o hineahuone." Every day I am lucky enough to see real demonstrations of the amazing abilities and attitudes of our students. We are fortunate to share in their challenges and successes. This newsletter celebrates some of those achievements, and I want to recognise former Head Girl Lushomo Thebe, who will soon be representing women globally in New York. More details below. Our students — and ex-students — are changing the world for good. Sister Euphrasie would be proud!
In the sporting arena, on behalf of our entire school community, I wish all the best to our students competing in Summer Tournament Week next week. All those early-morning and late-evening practices are about to pay off! A huge thank you to the unsung heroes — the parents — who show up as taxi drivers, gear coordinators, sports psychologists, and banks. Thanks, too, to the coaches and volunteers who give their time to make it all possible.
Our Rowing Squad heads to Twizel for the Maadi Regatta, our Equestrian Team competes at St Peter’s, Futsal players travel to Wellington, and our Waka Ama team heads to Rotorua. Emily Nagel is competing at the NZ Secondary Schools White Water Kayaking Championships in Kawerau, and Josephine Mumby takes on the Triathlon NZ Championships at Mount Maunganui.
Travel safely, everyone, and all the very best — GO HEARTS!
HERstory
Sacred Heart Alumna on the World Stage
Former Sacred Heart Girls’ College Head Girl, Lushomo Thebe, is representing New Zealand on one of the world’s most significant platforms for gender equality.
Lushomo, a Zambian-Kiwi lawyer and governance trailblazer, is attending the United Nations 70th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York as the YWCA National Delegate and part of the World YWCA NGO Delegation. She will also join the 20th Helvi Sipilä Seminar as a panellist, where she will speak to the advancement of women’s leadership on the global stage.
CSW70’s priority theme focuses on strengthening access to justice for all women and girls — promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, and addressing the structural barriers that continue to hold women back.
It’s a role that feels fitting for Lushomo, who has built a career grounded in advocacy for women’s rights, migrant rights, and youth leadership. A prominent member of the YWCA National Board in Aotearoa New Zealand, she currently serves on the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee.
Sacred Heart Girls’ College is incredibly proud to see one of our own contributing to these vital global conversations. Lushomo, you are an inspiration.
Sporting Success
Emily Nagel – Representing Aotearoa on the Water!
We are incredibly proud of Year 12 student Emily Nagel, who has been selected to represent New Zealand in canoe slalom for the 2026 international season!
Emily’s selection reflects her outstanding performance, dedication to her sport, and commitment to the values that make a true representative athlete. She will compete in International Canoe Federation World Cups and World Championships. Congratulations Emily!
Christian-Ly Rolls into Auckland Rep Squad!
Lawn bowls might not be the first sport that springs to mind for a Year 12 student — but it’s a sport that’s attracting more young people every year, and one of our own is leading the charge!
Year 12 student Christian-Ly Filipo has earned a spot in the Auckland Representative Squad, and what a journey it’s been to get there. Shortlisted last October, Christian-Ly has worked her way through the Auckland development pathway — from a Top 20 squad, to Top 12, and now into the elite Top 8. Along with here team, Christian-Ly represented Auckland at the Octagonal National Tournament in Tauranga last weekend and WON! Congratulations Christian-Ly!
Waikato BOP Secondary School Athletics Championships
Eight of our girls travelled to Tauranga to compete at the Waikato BOP Secondary School Championships — and what a day it was. A top-three placing earns automatic selection to the Waikato Bay of Plenty Athletics team, who will compete at the North Island Secondary Schools Championships in Papakura on 28–29 March. Congratulations to these girls, what an outstanding effort!
Junior Girls
Isla Watkins — 1st 100m, 1st 200m
Jasmine Rasmussen Shawyer — 1st 800m
Aleigha Elliott-Brown — 3rd Triple Jump, 13th Long Jump
Willow Arnold Galo — 6th High Jump
Kulaea Falekaono-Seager — 1st Hammer Throw, 1st Discus, 1st Shot Put, 2nd Javelin
Intermediate Girls
Emily Vowles — 3rd 3000m, 7th 1500m
Senior Girls
Samantha Cundy — 3rd High Jump
Elizabeth Bayer — 1st Para Multi Class Shot Put
Learning Outside the Classroom
It has been a busy term so far for students getting out of the classroom and into our communities.
Our Year 9 and 10 Tāniko Local History classes have been exploring the neighbourhood on foot, heading out each week with teachers to discover the history on their doorstep. Students have visited Memorial and Steele Park to explore early European history, walked the river path to learn about the area’s Māori history, and ventured to Lovegrove Lane to discuss early art and culture. It has been a wonderful opportunity to connect with our place and see local history come to life.
Meanwhile, the Year 13 General Science class travelled to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari for a field trip supporting their predator control internal assessment. Students learned about the history of the maunga and the engineering behind its predator-free fence, walked through the sanctuary, and climbed the tower for a bird’s eye view of the taiao — treated to a stunning chorus of birdsong along the way. The class spotted kōkako, kākā, kererū, and tuatara in their natural habitat, and some very lucky students even caught a glimpse of a kiwi during the daytime.
International News
Time has flown by in the International Department!
We started the year by welcoming 12 new students, and not long after, three girls from China joined us for a two-week taste of life at a New Zealand school. Our returning long-term students settled quickly back into school routines, well prepared for the year ahead.
This week we’ve greeted two more new arrivals, and next week we’ll be farewelling three girls – a flurry of comings and goings that keeps our team beautifully busy!
Our students have already packed plenty in, enjoying camp, a visit to Hobbiton, and a special Mayoral Welcome.
School Production
Oliver! — but not as you know it
Sacred Heart Girls’ College and St John’s College proudly present Oliver!, the Dickens classic, transformed for 1990s Aotearoa — set between Northland and Auckland, where the struggle is real, and the heart is unmistakably Kiwi.
Supported by an enthusiastic group of Year 5 & 6 students from Marian Primary School, this cast is bursting with talent, commitment, and pure joy.
March 26 & 27 — 7pm
March 28 — 2pm & 7pm
Clarence St Theatre
Adult – $34
Child (2 – 10yo) – $23
Buy Tickets
Wanted!
Outgrown or upgraded your netball shoes?
Give them a second life! If your old pair of netball shoes is still clean, tidy, and has some real court time left in them, drop them into our collection box at the Sports Office. One player’s upgrade is another player’s game-changer!
Please only donate shoes you’d be happy to receive yourself — quality donations only, thanks!
SHGC Gear
We have done another production run of our popular Gear Bag just in time for winter sports!
BUY NOW
Our Vision
Ignite the Passion: inspiring young women to change the world – me aro ki te hā o Hineahuone!