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Heartbeat

Issue 3 - March 2026

From the Principal/Tumuaki

This is our first digital newsletter. This means that you will be able to read it on your phone and click on live links. It is part of our attempt to make our communication more streamlined and user friendly. Our recent ERO review has provided very positive feedback. We will share the full report once we receive it. ERO noted our continued improvement in NCEA results, affirming the dedication of our students, staff, and whānau, and our belief that every student is gifted by God and capable of Excellence.

ERO also supported the priority we have placed on encouraging students to do their best. As a Catholic school, this aligns with our call to stewardship, fully using our God‑given gifts fully. We continue to promote good learning habits such as completing homework, seeking feedback, persevering through challenges, and taking time each day to reflect on learning.

While not all students will choose a university pathway, every young person deserves high expectations and the confidence that they can achieve more than they may realise. Our role is to walk alongside them as they discern meaningful pathways of service and contribution.

It has continued to be a busy and vibrant few weeks at school, with Athletics, the RNDM Senior Leaders Camp, dragon boating, tramps, bike trips, musical auditions, and winter sports trials. These activities help form the whole person, building resilience, leadership, teamwork, and belonging; values central to Catholic education. A huge thank you to those parents who have indicated you are able to support us in a wide variety of ways, coaching, managing a team, guiding our cultural groups; the list is endless. Remember to keep a close eye on the live calendar on the website.

As we continue through this busy season, may we support one another with patience, encouragement and hope, trusting that God is at work in the lives of our young people each day.

Katrina Kerr-Bell

TERM DATES

What's On

Athletics Day Tuesday 10 March

Non-Uniform Day Wednesday 11 March with stationery drive for Samoa

Winter Sport Trials - check the schedule

St Pat's & HIBS Junior Dances Friday 13 March

University Lunchtime Intro Sessions

Waikato Monday 16 March

Victoria Thursday 19 March

YAFA Friday 20 March

SHC Junior Dance Friday 20 March

Seeking Volunteers

For assessments we have a significant number of students requiring reader/writers. This requires people to read for a student and/or write their answers. Please email the office if you are able to assist. It is usually only an hour at a time.

Eligibility for Extracurricular Activities

A priority for all schools this year is improving attendance, and we are being closely monitored by the Ministry of Education regarding the strategies we use to support this. At the end of last week, we completed a review of all students' attendance.

We also want to make you aware that when a student's attendance drops below 80%, their eligibility to participate in extra‑curricular teams, events, and trips is closely monitored. In some cases, participation may be paused until their attendance improves. You will receive a notification from school if this is the case.

This approach ensures that students remain connected to their learning and are meeting the expectations set by both the school and the Ministry.

Attendance

Going to school every day is important for students to develop skills for lifelong learning. As you are aware the Government has set a target: by 2030, 80% of students are present for more than 90% of the term.

Our attendance rate for the Term 1 is currently 67% of students are at school 90% or more.

If your daughter is unwell then please keep them at home. If you believe they are well enough and require support getting them to school, please make contact.

MCLHTB Building Improvements Update

From 16 March, work will begin replacing the Euphrasie roof. The maintenance of our buildings and essential upgrades is funded through attendance dues and donations. This is expected to take 16 weeks. The final stage is a refit of Euphrasie in 2028-9

The $300 Proprietor's Donation supports enhancements beyond core maintenance, including renovations, new carpet and interior classroom upgrades. The new Mission House and its fit-out were made possible through funding from the Mission Colleges Lower Hutt Trust Board (MCLHTB), whose members work tirelessly to support ongoing improvement across our school.

We recognise that financial pressures are very real for many families at present. However, if you are in a position to do so, we encourage you to support the MCLHTB by contributing this donation. Please note that all donations are eligible for a 33% tax credit from IRD.

A link has been provided to upload your receipt and claim your refund. Click here for details

Thank you for your continued support of our school community.

News

Careers News

CareerWise displays events, tertiary news, scholarships, job opportunities, and other resources that will help students discover their future pathway. Here are some highlights shared with you in our latest newsletter.

Year 9 2027 Enrolments Open

Enrolments for Year 9 in 2027 are now open. Application forms are on our website, along with the enrolment requirements. Enrolments close on Friday 5 June 2026.

Year 9 Travellers Programme (Wellbeing Survey)

This term, our school is partnering with Skylight Trust to offer the Travellers wellbeing programme for Year 9 students. Travellers supports young people to navigate life's changes and challenges, build resilience, and strengthen their sense of belonging.

All Year 9 students are invited to complete a short wellbeing survey, and a small group will be invited to take part in the nine-week Travellers programme facilitated by trained school staff. The programme has been delivered in schools across Aotearoa for over 25 years and has helped thousands of young people develop confidence, emotional regulation, and healthy coping strategies. At the end of the programme, all Year 9 students will complete the wellbeing survey again. If your child is invited to take part in the programme, you will receive additional information about this, as well as the research component of the Travellers programme.

If you do not want your child to take part in the wellbeing survey, please let the school office know by Friday 20^th March. If we do not hear from you, we will understand this as consent for your child to be invited to complete the survey.

House Deans

Kia Ora, my name is Peter Miller and I am the Barbier House Dean. I teach Health, Maths, Physical Education and Social Studies as well as being the Numeracy Coordinator at SHC. I am very much looking forward to the year ahead and "getting amongst" bringing back the House spirit into our kura. It's going to be awesome. I am looking forward to seeing the one true blue house on top this year. Let's go Barbier!

Kia ora, my name is Claire Risk, and I am delighted to introduce myself as the sunshine yellow, Siena House Dean. I have been a Dean at SHC for four years, but I am enjoying taking on the new challenge of overseeing the pastoral care of a House with the range of year groups. Already I have seen the sisterhood flourish, with our Siena House Captain Christine Sa'u and Leaders Georgia Byrne and Daisy Robinson, as well as the Y12 Peer Supporters and other older students supporting our younger Siena members. I am a Physical Education teacher and love both playing and coaching sport, so you may see me on or off the netball court or the side of the touch pitch. I am looking forward to continuing to get to know Siena House members and their whānau and encourage parents to get in touch if they have any queries or concerns. Bring on the sunshine, support and success, Siena!

My name is Dave Young and I am the House Dean of Lisieux and I look good in pink! My other roles within school are teaching Science and Physics. Supporting me as House Dean are Sari Willis (House Captain) and Danika Ross and Jaja Maulolo (House Leaders). These three students bring with them enthusiasm, passion and human dignity. My main aim is to support the students to take ownership of their own learning and behaviour, so that when they leave SHC they have choices in life. I will also be there to help students make the right choices in life. We have six AKO teachers within Lisieux who are wonderful at supporting our students. Throughout the year there will be many House Events, which are a great mixture of fun and competitiveness and I know our team will participate to give us the best chance of winning the House Shield. Coming up shortly is Athletics Day, which is one of my favourite days of the year, as it will show what an awesome team Lisieux is.

History Classes Out and About

The History classes have all been out and about looking at how we can use the present to understand the past. Year 10 History visited St. James Cemetery during their lessons to look at how we can use cemeteries to learn about Lower Hutt's history. Year 11 History and Social Justice visited Pukeahu and Parliament to explore the concept of historical significance looking at whose voices are missing from our memorials and statues. Year 13 History visited the National and Turnbull libraries to learn how to use these places for research. They were incredibly fascinated by the diaries recording the 1855 Earthquake and the some of the original paintings commissioned by the New Zealand Company for propaganda purposes. They also visited the site of the former Kumutoto Pā and followed the 1840 Shoreline. Mrs Anna Peszynski, HOD Social Sciences

Year 13 Outdoor Education Day Tramp

On Friday 27 February the OED303 class went for a day tramp through the Remutaka Forest. This was a practice tramp for a multi-day tramp we are going on next week, as part of an Outdoor Education assessment. We started the walk from Catchpool Valley at 8.30am and despite some challenging and steep terrain up the Clay Ridge track and down the McKerrow track, the students kept up a good pace and completed the circa 16km hike in five and half hours. A fabulous effort. I was delighted with the positive attitudes and team spirit shown by the students, as well as their appreciation of the stunning New Zealand bush, Wellington harbour and Hutt Valley views. Thank you to Mrs Kerr & Mr Baxter for accompanying us. Miss Claire Risk, Assistant HOD Health & PE

Sport News

Outside School Achievements

Touch

Well done to Acacia Hemera (pictured) of AV13SB for being selected to the Under 21 Wellington Black Mixed Touch team and Jada Tetevano (AV13SB) for selection to the Under 21 Wellington Gold Mixed touch team.

Acacia's black team came third (bronze medalists) which was a great achievement.

Sailing

Some amazing sailing news with Sacred Heart student Mackenzie Knight (AV9FT) taking third place in the Starling division at the Wellington Region Schools Sailing Regatta held. at Paremata Boating club. A great achievement.

College Sport Wellington

Dragon Boating

Our teams had an awesome day out at dragon boating over the weekend. The A Squad came 3rd in the Minor final and B Squad came 2nd in the Plate final. Thank you to Enver (Coach), Amanda (Sweep), Jen and Michelle (Managers) along with our other fantastic community members who support our students in the programme.

Touch

A great day at the CSW Senior touch tournament today with our team taking the silver, losing the final against St Orans. Thanks for the amazing support of Al Tetevano (Coach) and Karen Wong (Manager).

Inbox Design

How to use to our SchoolBridge App

With the storm in Lower Hutt in February, we were made aware many caregivers don't have their SchoolBridge app notifications turned on. This is an important communication channel we use for caregivers, staff and students.

In your App Settings - please check that notifications are ON.

See below for an example of notification settings within the app.

Below is where to check your notifications on an Apple and Android devices:

If you haven't heard of SchoolBridge - Please download the app now:

SchoolBridge has many other features, such as being able to check finances, subject selection and booking conferences for Ako/Teacher Kōrero ā Whānau days.

Sacred Heart Values

(Based on Gospel values and imbedded 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 Tipuna – 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 Matauranga – 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

​Heartbeat