Phones

We are now one week into our updated phone expectations and have already noticed a significant reduction in phone use around the school. Thank you for your support in helping us establish a more focused learning environment for our students.

As a reminder, our expectation remains clear: phones are not to be used during the school day. This requirement aligns with current legislation, which has now been in place for three years, and we will continue to apply it consistently across the school.

If a student is found using or having their phone out during the school day, the phone will be confiscated. Confiscated phones must be collected by a parent or caregiver on Friday between 3.20pm and 4.30pm.

As students may not have access to their phones if they are confiscated, we encourage them to carry any essential physical cards they may need during the week, such as bank cards or Snapper cards.  Your student is still able to contact you during the day using email or Teams on her laptop.

For security and accountability, all confiscated mobile phones are stored in a secure, locked location. A record is kept of each confiscated phone, including the student's name and the details of the confiscation, to ensure accurate tracking and the safe return of all devices.

We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing the importance of keeping phones away and out of sight throughout the school day. Your support helps us maintain a positive and focused learning environment for all students.

Welcome New Staff

We also say farewell to Bandana Reshmi.  Reshmi has been teaching in the Science department. Thank you for your dedication, expertise, and passion for Science.

Your contribution to the department has made a lasting impact on both students and colleagues.  Wishing you every success and happiness.

The first round of CAA assessments has now been completed, and students are able to access their individual results and feedback reports through their NZQA login. The results are also available on the school portal.

Our students performed well across the three assessment areas:

• Reading: 69%

• Writing: 82%

• Numeracy: 61%

We are proud of the effort shown by all students who participated in this first round. The second round of CAAs is scheduled for Thursday 10 September and Friday 11 September.

Students who did not meet the required standard in Round 1 will be automatically entered for Round 2. This ensures they have another opportunity to demonstrate their learning and progress.

In Week 3, we will send out detailed information to whānau regarding the logistics for Round 2. This communication will also be shared with Year 10 students who have not yet sat the CAAs. 

We appreciate your ongoing support and encouragement as our students work towards meeting their CAA requirements. The Literacy and Numeracy coordinators will be in contact re extra tutorials and what  students can do now to help with their preparation.

Lockdown Drill

On Thursday 30 July at 10:50am we carried out a lockdown drill to test our emergency procedures and processes. Parents/Caregivers should have received a text and email informing that the school was in lockdown, and another text / email informing that the lockdown had been lifted. Please email Anna Peszynski [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns relating to our lockdown drill.

School Policy Review

The following school policies are up for review this term.  Please click on this link for login access to SchoolDocs so you can provide feedback https://www.sacredheartcollege.school.nz/our-school/policies-procedures/schooldocs .

• ​School Community Engagement Policy

• Inclusive School Culture

• Enrolment Student Attendance

• Student Uniform / Student Dress Expectations

• Concerns and Complaints Policy

The annual Course Fair is taking place on Wednesday 5 August during period 5. This is an opportunity for students to investigate their subjects for 2027 and talk to different learning areas. Mrs Hueston has organised for 19 external industry and tertiary providers to provide a Careers Expo, and they will be setting up in the Gym. 

Please note Year 13 students will be released at lunchtime but are encouraged to visit the Careers Expo in the Gym from 1.45pm. All other students will be released at the slightly later time of 2.45pm.  Parents are invited to attend the Course and Careers Fair between 1.45 - 3.30pm.

Student Leadership 2027

The start of Term 3 sees our Year 12s consider leadership for 2027. It is a big but easy decision for many of our students who cannot wait to step up and lead our school with pride in any of the different leadership roles we have in our Kura. Applications opened on Wednesday 22 July following a successful Q & A session with our current student leadership team. We look forward to the applications and what our new leaders will bring to our school.

Any questions, please contact Sarah Jane Clifford-Duncan [email protected] or Sinapi Taeao [email protected]

At the end of last term, 200 of our students performed at the annual HuttFest event at Walter Nash Centre.  We are incredibly proud of our Te Huatai Katorika Kapa Haka, Junior and Senior Poly Clubs who all performed with such mana and represented Sacred Heart College, their whānau and cultures beautifully. All those months of rehearsals truly paid off. A heartfelt thank you to the entire village behind our groups – Year 13 leaders, teachers, staff, tutors, musicians, and all the aiga who supported them. We are extremely grateful to the HuttFest organisers for putting together the Power show at the last minute, ensuring our students didn't miss out on the opportunity to perform.

Year 12 Church Trip

On Tuesday 21 July the Religious Studies Department took all Year 12 students to Wellington to visit St Mary of the Angels and St Joseph's Church. As part of their study of the reforms introduced by Vatican II, particularly the impact on church architecture, students had the opportunity to see these changes firsthand.

The trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all and provided a valuable opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world examples, helping students deepen their understanding of the topic. All Year 12 students are now working on the related six-credit internal assessment.

Within School

Other Events

Floorball

Some exciting Floorball news with Jayde Ashton (B12NR) and Charlee Shirley (LO11UC) being selected in the New Zealand Women's U19 training squad.  These students will take the next step in the national team pathway as they prepare for the 2027 AOFC Qualification tournament in Hong Kong in January 2027.  All the best to Jayde and Charlee as they continue to develop as players and work towards earning their place in the final national team to be announced later this year.

(Based on Gospel values and embedded in all school policies and practice.)

Mana Atua –  a heart for God

We contemplate Mana Atua, the power of God, through God’s great love, represented by the Sacred Heart. We aspire to the spiritual virtues of faith, hope and charity.

As a community we pray together daily because “There in the sanctuary of his heart, he will keep you gathered together.” Euphrasie Barbier

Mana Tangata – a heart for people

We uphold Mana Tangata, the power and dignity of all members of our community, by showing manaakitanga – generosity and kindness, respect and inclusion.

Our strength as a community comes from following the cardinal virtues of wisdom (prudence), dignity (temperance), courage and justice.

“Be kind to everyone; give everything a good interpretation.” Euphrasie Barbier

Mana Tīpuna – a heart for our ancestors

We gain spiritual strength from Mana Tipuna, the Mission Sisters’ Charism and our school’s Catholic heritage.

The RNDM charism is “contemplation, community and mission”. Their mission is to take light, wisdom and social justice to the world.

 “We are all missionaries. Let us strive to imitate the qualities of Jesus.” Euphrasie Barbier

Mana Mātauranga – a heart for knowledge

We value Mana Matauranga, the power of a depth and breadth of knowledge and the education of the whole person. We aim for personal excellence and seek to realise our all-round full potential.  Behind our motto “Virtue and Knowledge” is the goal of gaining wisdom. “Whaia te maramatanga” – pursue enlightenment (wisdom).

“Develop their hearts and minds.” Euphrasie Barbier

Mana Whenua – a heart for the land

We honour Mana Whenua, the power of our earth, in our care for the environment and our aspirations to live in harmony with it. This is our place which we value. The three guardian spirits of Atawhai guard us, and our place. Mana whenua is also about protecting our wholeness and wellbeing as young women.

“Seek the fullness of life for the whole of creation.” Euphrasie Barbier