Sister Valerie Lawson 

 

 

Sister Valerie Lawson retired at the end of March 2000 after more than 20 years as Principal of Sacred Heart College. During that time there were many highlights in Sister Valerie's career, some of the most significant include: 

Integration: Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt, was the first Catholic Secondary School to be integrated into New Zealand's state education system.

Roll Increase: The school roll rose from 600 in 1980 to 820 in 2000.

Buildings Upgrade: The multi-million dollar building project began in the early 1980s, with the refurbishments and changing use of existing spaces.  Sister Valerie's vision and drive then brought to reality a number of magnificent new facilities for science, music, food technology, design technology, a refurbished library, three ICT labs, a gymnasium, a school canteen and formal entrance gates.

Fundraising: Sister Valerie's support, participation and enthusiasm ensured the success of the many fundraising efforts required for the purchase of equipment and the building of the gymnasium.  These included the Heart Beat Runs and four Festivals of Music and the Arts held in the Michael Fowler Centre.

International Connections: Exchange visits with Saint Catalina's in Japan began in 1989 and have fostered close and cherished bonds between the two schools.  The Japanese connection is further enhanced by annual visits from Natashi High School.

Proprietorship: In 1992 the Sisters relinquished proprietorship of Sacred Heart College to a new Trust Board chaired by Brian McKee.

In 1995 Sister Valerie received the Queen's Service Order for services to education. This award in her 16th year as principal at Sacred Heart publicly acknowledged her contribution to Catholic education and her outstanding leadership at Sacred Heart College.