View Web Version

​Heartbeat

Issue 7 - May 2026

From the Principal/Tumuaki 


Over the past two weeks, I have made a conscious effort to get out and about to see our Sacred Heart students actively involved in extracurricular activities. I always value the opportunity to connect with parents and hear how things are going, and I am grateful for the honest and encouraging feedback shared.

 

It has been truly humbling to witness the extent of support surrounding our students. Parents, ex-pupils, grandparents, and extended whānau generously give their time through coaching, managing teams, umpiring, and sharing their expertise. This commitment enables our young people to access opportunities and thrive in sport and beyond. Thank you. Your contribution makes a real difference.

 

I was especially delighted to see our senior students stepping into leadership by coaching and supporting their younger peers. It is in these moments that the strength of our community is most evident. I felt incredibly proud to be part of Sacred Heart. As the Samoan proverb reminds us: "O le ala i le pule o le tautua"the pathway to leadership is through service.

 

Looking ahead, we are preparing to host the O’Shea Shield this coming Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. With approximately 270 students and 160 adults joining us, it will be a significant and exciting occasion. While there are always some nerves in the lead-up, I am confident it will be a wonderful event. I encourage you to come along to support our students if you are able.


Thank you, as always, for your continued support of our Sacred Heart community.


Ngā mihi nui

Katrina Kerr-Bell


TERM DATES



What's On


14-16 May - O'Shea Shield (see below)

19 May - Itinerant Music Concert

5.40-7.00pm PAC


20 May - School Board Meeting

7.00-8.30pm Library


26-28 May - CAA Exams

​29 May - Ngā Manu Kōrero 

1 June - King's Birthday Public Holiday

4 & 5 June - Open Mornings

Phone the office to book your visit



Seeking Volunteers

Sacred Heart College is looking for volunteer reader / writers to help us support students with class related tests and assessments over several days.

 You will need good handwriting, spelling, and communication skills. Typing ability may also be an advantage. Training would be provided.

 For more information please contact Supported Learning Lead / SENCO Kate Baird via email [email protected]


CAA Examinations

In Week 6, our students will begin the first round of CAA examinations. A range of workshops and support opportunities are available, and I strongly encourage you to speak with your student about making the most of these. As you are aware, achievement in the CAAs is now essential for accessing NCEA, regardless of performance in other areas.


Numeracy

​In preparation for the Numeracy CAAs and to help your child prepare, a number of activities are being organised over the next 3 weeks.


Education Perfect preparation is to be assigned under their class maths for Year 10, so will appear as an assessment under their current maths class.

 

For Seniors who still need it (Years 11-13), a class has been created in Education Perfect and they will be added to that class, called CAA Prep.

Week 4 – CAA Geometry Prep

Week 5 – CAA Stats Prep

Week 6 – CAA Probability Prep

 

Long Ako Weeks 4 and 5

Week 4 2023 Past paper 1 – Education Perfect assigned

Week 5 2023 Past Paper 2 – Education Perfect assigned.

Literacy

Long Ako Week 4 and 5 Wednesday – Workshops for Year 11, 12 and 13s who have not yet passed literacy.


Year 11, 12 and 13 students who have not yet passed Writing Literacy have been given a past paper to complete and submit for feedback.


All students can also access past papers on ‘Education Perfect’, which will be an enormous help.

Homework Club – In the Library

Each Tuesday 3.30pm-4.30pm in Weeks 3-6. Test papers, testing skills, tips and tricks.

First Foundation Scholarships Awarded

Year 13s Maya Christiansen, Zoe Perez and Mia Tutagalevao have been awarded First Foundation Scholarships. They travelled up to Auckland for their awards ceremony; we are immensely proud of them all. 


Via the First Foundation website: "These scholarships mean that students get $2,000 at the end of the final year of school and $4,000 per year for the second, third, and fourth year of university ($14,000 over four years) towards their university costs.


Students also get a dedicated mentor, who will help students settle into university life, overcome challenges and achieve their goals. 


Students also get exposure to the world of work. They are paired with an organisation that will offer them paid work in the professional world for at least four weeks each year."

Alumni Pacific Achievement

Pasifika at Te Herenga Waka - University of Wellington 

Student spotlight: Rebecca Sa'u

Rebecca Sa’u is in her fourth year of a conjoint degree, studying a Bachelor of Laws alongside a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in International Business and Samoan Studies/Matā'upu tau Samoa.

 

With proud roots in the villages of Faleula, Vaimoso, Satupa’itea and Apolima in Samoa, Rebecca is the daughter of Rev. Aneterea Sa’u and Emi Laisene Sa’u. She is also a Pasifika Student Ambassador, and the Secretary for Victoria University Samoan Students Association Inc. - VUSSA.


We are also proud of our SHC staff: Ms Taeao has been accepted into the doctoral programme and will complete her doctorate while balancing her role as Deputy Principal, and Miss Tuese is also working towards her doctorate. All three are outstanding role models for our students.

Pō Fiafia

Pō Fiafia Night was a huge success, raising just over $9,000 through tickets, food stalls, raffles and performances. The night was filled with vibrant energy, cultural performances and our Pasifika students celebrating all our Pacific Islands with pride. 

 

 Pō Fiafia night brought joy to not only our students but our families and our wider community. We were honoured to invite St Bernard’s College and St Patrick’s College Silverstream to join us in embracing the diverse Pasifika cultures through dance and music. 

 

A massive thank you to all our families, staff and to our community for your contributions and support. This night would not have been possible without you all. Your support helped make Pō Fiafia night a memorable night. 

 

Mālō  ‘Aupito!

Ana Vaka

Matāpule Pasifiki (Head of Pacific)

Education Review Office (ERO)

We are pleased to share that we have now received our confirmed ERO report. A link to the full report is included here for those who wish to read it. The feedback affirms the strength of our school, noting that "most learners experience consistently high levels of success and wellbeing" and that "students benefit from high-quality teaching practices and a responsive curriculum that supports their engagement and progress in learning".

The next steps identified align closely with priorities we had already identified in our Annual Plan. The key priorities are:

  1. Establish consistent assessment and reporting systems in Years 9 and 10 to provide insights into student progress and achievement over time, particularly in literacy and numeracy. (This relates to the new curriculum and the new reporting requirements from the Ministry.)

  2. Strengthen curriculum design, assessment practices and extension pathways to ensure students are consistently challenged and supported to attain excellence across NCEA Levels 1 to 3.

  3. Develop and implement effective strategies to increase students' regular attendance. (A whole community challenge.) As winter approaches, we are mindful of the increased risk of colds and flu. If your student is unwell, we encourage you to keep them at home to recover. At the same time, regular attendance remains a priority, as it plays a vital role in learning progress and wellbeing.

I want to thank the Board for its strong support and for upholding high standards of expectation and achievement. I also thank our staff and students for working so well together. I also acknowledge our staff for their continued focus on improving positive outcomes for our students, and our students for their commitment to learning.

News

O'Shea Shield

O'Shea Shield 2026 programme and events

Read More

Career News #4

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.

Read More

Enrolment

Find information about enrolling at Sacred Heart College

Read More

EOTC Fundraiser

We are organising a Pie and Savoury fundraiser to help support our students with their education outside of the classroom.

Read More

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 Tīpuna – a heart for our ancestors

We gain spiritual strength from Mana Tīpuna, 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 Mātauranga, 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