From the Acting Principal
Kia Ora e te whānau,
We made it! As Term 2 concludes, staff and students are looking forward to a well-earned break, although it should be noted that there are always opportunities for study during ”holidays”! This past term has presented some challenges for our kura as we farewelled Ms Wilson, managed staffing shortages (like most secondary schools in the motu) and started planning for the relocation of activities from C Block and the Hall while an engineering assessment is undertaken, to allow for strengthening and refurbishment work to happen, to mention just a few of the “Big Ones”.
However, WE are Sacred Heart, and the commitment, enthusiasm and loyalty demonstrated by students and staff have been incredible. This was clearly evident at last night’s ONE Sacred Heart Cultural Festival, which had to be moved to the gym at short notice. It was an amazing night led by our students, who shared their culture with such positivity that a few tears of pride were shed, both on stage and in the audience. My thanks to all who were involved behind the scenes to make the evening such a success. Make sure you see the photos and videos posted … everywhere, probably!
Next term, I hand the reins of management back to Miss Gunn. I want to thank you, our whānau, for your support through the term. It is a privilege to serve such an amazing kura.
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Kia Ora e te whānau,
We made it! As Term 2 concludes, staff and students are looking forward to a well-earned break, although it should be noted that there are always opportunities for study during ”holidays”! This past term has presented some challenges for our kura as we farewelled Ms Wilson, managed staffing shortages (like most secondary schools in the motu) and started planning for the relocation of activities from C Block and the Hall while an engineering assessment is undertaken, to allow for strengthening and refurbishment work to happen, to mention just a few of the “Big Ones”.
However, WE are Sacred Heart, and the commitment, enthusiasm and loyalty demonstrated by students and staff have been incredible. This was clearly evident at last night’s ONE Sacred Heart Cultural Festival, which had to be moved to the gym at short notice. It was an amazing night led by our students, who shared their culture with such positivity that a few tears of pride were shed, both on stage and in the audience. My thanks to all who were involved behind the scenes to make the evening such a success. Make sure you see the photos and videos posted … everywhere, probably!
Next term, I hand the reins of management back to Miss Gunn. I want to thank you, our whānau, for your support through the term. It is a privilege to serve such an amazing kura.
Ngā Mihi,
Dean
Cultural Evening
ONE Sacred Heart
What an incredible evening! Our gym was filled with colour, song, dance, pride and belonging from all around the globe as the ONE Sacred Heart Cultural Festival lit up last night. After weeks of rehearsal, our school community came together to celebrate the 16+ different cultures that make up our Sacred Heart whānau, each item shared with pride, joy, and gratitude.
Huge thanks to our Cultural Diversity Leader, Litia Qiqiwaqa, who MC’d the evening with class, and to Ms Singh for mentoring this event alongside her. This evening was a true reminder of the strength found in our diversity – ngā mihi nui to everyone who took part.
Photo Gallery
Catholic Character
Sacred Heart Day Melbourne
From June 24 – 28, Sophie (Head Girl), Kate (Deputy Head Girl), and I (Mission Leader) went on the annual exchange to visit Sacred Heart Girls’ College Oakleigh in Melbourne, under the care of Mrs Soagia. We experienced Aussie culture – an AFL “footy” game at the MCG (go Hawks!), a day at school with our host sisters, a trip to “Chaddy” (Chadstone mall), and more. Each of us was billeted with a Sacred Heart family, building new connections and strengthening old ones.
Being the first Mission Leader on this exchange was a real blessing. We explored what mission means to other RNDM schools, discussing ways to keep Euphrasie Barbier’s fire burning with our fellow Sacred Heart students – and it also sparked something in me.
During their Sacred Heart Mass, Father Elio shared a beautiful homily about a butterfly – that to grow beautiful wings, you first have to be a caterpillar, enduring the tough times that shape our identity.
This trip made me so proud to be part of Sacred Heart, and it was a pleasure to represent our school with mana.
Lachelle Riady
Catholic Character Scholarship recipients
The Catholic Character Scholarship exists to support students who are actively seeking to deepen their Catholic faith, and who demonstrate a clear commitment to living out that faith in service to others and their wider community. The scholarship supports students in attending events that provide formative experiences, strengthening and inspiring their faith journey well into the future.
This year, the scholarship has been awarded to two students who are attending the following events next year:
Jessica Sylvester, Year 12
- LifeTeen Summer Camp
- Set Free Festival
- LifeTeen Retreat
Petesa Ielu, Year 9
Congratulations, Jessica and Petesa – we look forward to seeing your faith journeys continue to grow.
Trash to Treasure
Year 9 English outing
In English, Miss Holt’s two Year 9 classes have just finished reading the young adult novel Trash. To wrap up the unit, the classes visited some of Hamilton East’s op shops, where the manager from Recycled Boutique spoke to students about recycling and reusing clothing – a great hands-on way to bring the book’s environmental and social justice themes to life.
Father x Daughter Breakfast
Last Friday, we hosted our very first Father x Daughter Breakfast – a wonderful start to the day for our Sacred Heart dads, granddads, and other important men in our students’ lives, alongside their daughters.
A huge thank you to our PTFA, whose small team worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this special event together. Their efforts meant our guests could enjoy a delicious spread of hot breakfast, pancakes, cereals, and fresh fruit, all while connecting over a shared morning.
Our guest speaker, Jamie McKean, set the tone beautifully, encouraging those in the room to think about connection and capacity – making time for themselves and for the young women in their lives, and finding balance across work, family, health, and friendships.
This was the first of what we hope will become a regular occasion – a chance for our Sacred Heart whānau to slow down and celebrate the special bonds between our students and the father figures who support them. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and we look forward to the next one.
Business Studies
Young Enterprise Scheme: The Pitch
Our Level 2 and Level 3 Business students took part in the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) Pitch Day at Wintec yesterday, presenting Challenge 2: The Pitch to a panel of judges. Each pitch is scored out of 100, and the girls received lovely feedback and encouragement on the day.
YES runs across four challenges with two more to come:
- Validation
- The Pitch
- Promotion & Sales
- Annual Review
We’ll find out how our teams have placed overall around September – watch this space!
Our Vision
Ignite the Passion: inspiring young women to change the world – me aro ki te hā o Hineahuone!