From the Principal

From the Principal

Tena koutou katoa
Nga mihi nui ki a koutou

As we move through the season of Lent, we pray for humility and walk back into our God’s open arms. Traditionally, Lent is a time of fasting, praying and giving. It still is, and there is also a contemporary context for this season of personal reflection and preparation for the Great Feast of the Resurrection ... we fast so we can feast on:

Living the Fast Life
Fast from anxiety; Feast on FAITH.
Fast from pessimism; Feast on HOPE.
Fast from judging others; Feast on JUSTICE.
Fast from words that pollute; Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; Feast on patience.
Fast from negatives; Feast on encouragement.
Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.

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Tena koutou katoa
Nga mihi nui ki a koutou

As we move through the season of Lent, we pray for humility and walk back into our God’s open arms. Traditionally, Lent is a time of fasting, praying and giving. It still is, and there is also a contemporary context for this season of personal reflection and preparation for the Great Feast of the Resurrection ... we fast so we can feast on:

Living the Fast Life
Fast from anxiety; Feast on FAITH.
Fast from pessimism; Feast on HOPE.
Fast from judging others; Feast on JUSTICE.
Fast from words that pollute; Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; Feast on patience.
Fast from negatives; Feast on encouragement.
Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion.
Fast from suspicion; Feast on truth.
Fast from gossip; Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; Feast on prayer that sustains.
Kia tau te rangimārie i runga i a koutou katoa.

Upcoming Dates

  • 13 MarYear 11 Retreat
  • 17-24 MarSummer Tournament Week
  • 25 MarFeast of the Annunciation
  • 25 MarSubject Learning Conversations
  • 28 Mar – 2 AprEaster Break
  • 11 AprOpen Day
  • 12 AprEnd of Term 1

The Year of Faith Mass

  • The Year of Faith Mass

Last week, we came together as a community of faith to share in the Eucharist during our first school Mass of the year.  

We ground our year in faith ~ whakapono so we may be committed to growing our faith through our sacred encounters with Christ and one another. 

As we journey towards the Cross this Lenten season, we are challenged to bring ourselves closer to God. Each week, our students will share a few Lenten reflections to start the school week with some prompts on how we can make this journey of self-reflection and change – a deep and meaningful one. This week’s reflection to start the school week is now on our Instagram story. Please use this as a conversation starter at home.


E te Ariki, te Reme o te Atua, 
Jesus Lamb of God, help us to see things we need to change in our lives to be more like you. 
Give us courage to act justly, love tenderly and to walk humbly even when it may challenge the status quo.
Amen.

(from Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Prayer card 2024.)

Athletics Day & Swimming Sports

  • Athletics Day & Swimming Sports
  • Athletics Day & Swimming Sports
  • Athletics Day & Swimming Sports

Athletics Day this year was once again a huge success at Sacred Heart, with massive participation from all houses, whether competitive, non-competitive, or just girls cheering on their mates from the sidelines; it was a day not to be missed. House spirit did not go unnoticed on the day either. Congratulations, Aubert, for bringing the heat, taking out the Athletics Day House Chant competition, and clinching the overall points for this event; you are again on top of the points table, but for how long?

Swimming Sports last Friday was also not just a competition; it was a celebration of unity, teamwork, and individual excellence. Students from all houses came together to showcase their swimming prowess and sportsmanship, whether competitive or non-competitive, making it a memorable day full of house points to gain. Aubert took out the house swim relay this year, boosting their already competitive stride in-house points – on top again! CONGRATS AUBERT!!

In my role as a sports leader this year, my team of sports ambassadors and I have worked hard to create a roster where we will host and set up games during Monday and Friday lunchtimes from the 4th of March onwards. Mondays will be set up in the gym, and Fridays will be on the turf; I hope to see some friendly competition come to light during these lunchtimes!

Chantal Dinan
Sports Leader

  • Athletics Day & Swimming Sports
  • Athletics Day & Swimming Sports
  • Athletics Day & Swimming Sports

Music News

  • Music News

Friday Sessions with Abby

Year 13 music student Abby Rollitt has been entertaining audiences on Friday afternoons at The Cook. She sings with seasoned professional Nigel Carpenter (The Piano Man). Abby is a singer-songwriter who is making her mark, not only at Sacred Heart, but also on the local music scene. She is a prolific songwriter working towards producing some of these professionally. Abby is the Heart Attack Barbershop Chorus Prefect for 2024. Thanks for sharing your gifts with us all, Abby.

 

  • Music News

Girls Rock Aotearoa

Girls Rock Aotearoa, a non-profit organisation that aims to empower young women, trans, intersex, takatāpui, and gender-diverse youth through music. They’re on a mission to amplify marginalised voices in the future of our music industry by encouraging these young people to make noise, engage in the musical community and lift each other up.

In July 2024, they’re holding To The Front Kirikiriroa – a school holiday programme coordinated by a committee of local women with careers in the music industry. For more information, check out our website and this video!

The programme will be held at Wintec Te Pūkenga School of Media Arts, Music and Performing Arts Department from 15-19 July 2024.

Please email Lynn Jamieson if you’re interested.

Celebrating our Students

  • Celebrating our Students

Equestrian

Last week, our Equestrian girls started the year with fantastic results at the Waikato Secondary School Showjumping Champs in Cambridge.

Team 2 – 3rd Place
Issie Kavanagh, Samantha Cundy, Mackenzie Falconer, Mackenzie Robert

Team 1  – 17th Place
Mackenzy Clarkson, Olivia Watson, Lauren Phillips, Nadia Lennon

Team 3 - 18th Place
Bonnie Lee Thompson, Lilly Sutton, Amelia Waters, Lily Frederikson 

Congratulations, girls. It’s a great start to the season!

  • Celebrating our Students

North Island Secondary Schools Rowing Championships

With AON Maadi Regatta just around the corner, our Rowing Squad had fantastic results over the weekend at the latest Regatta at Lake Karapiro. The squad made 4 A Finals and 3 B Finals, with the highlights being Lily Ashton and Georgia Kendrick winning the gold medal in the Girls u16 Double Sculls.

All the best to our crew heading down to Twizel for the AON Maadi Regatta in a couple of weeks. You can keep an eye on their progress through the Rowit website.

Off to the Nationals

SHGC Futsal Fundraiser – Wednesday 13th March

  • Off to the Nationals

Our unstoppable SHGC Futsal team is gearing up for the 2024 Futsal Secondary School Nationals in Wellington! Fresh off their Regional Championship win, they’re primed for another triumph! 

But before they hit the court, they need your support! 
Join us on Wednesday, 13th March, for a thrilling QUIZ NIGHT fundraiser at the Speights Ale House. Just $25 a ticket for a night of fun and fundraising! Let’s rally behind our girls and make it a night to remember!

Register below:
https://forms.gle/UYqiG8EqX5sdndAo7

Rotary Youth Exchange 2025

  • Rotary Youth Exchange 2025

The Rotary International Youth Exchange programme is a one-year exchange designed for students aged 16 or 17 in January of the year they leave New Zealand. Students in this programme leave in January to spend a year living in another country, learning the language and culture and attending school there.

To go on the exchange, students must apply through a local Rotary club to be sponsored (applications close mid March 2024), attend a further interview and selection process by the District Committee responsible for administering the programme, and then participate in a series of orientation days. This process ensures that the students are well-prepared for their year away and will be good ambassadors for New Zealand.

Please read the Application Form carefully. Any questions can be directed to the contacts below.

If you would like further information, please contact Chris Dare at Chris.Waikato.SR@gmail.com or Paul Higson RYEChair@rotary9930.org

Application Form

Notice Board

Accounts Reminder

When setting up payments from Sacred Heart or Mission College please remember to put your child’s student ID in as the reference.

If you have any queries, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Maree Thomas in Accounts E: mthomas@shgcham.school.nz or P: 07 856 7874 extn: 2829

Do we have your current address?
If you’ve moved or are moving, please update your details with us.

Attendance Reminder

If your daughter will be absent from school during the day for any reason, please phone the school 856 7874 option 1, or email the Student Coordinator: absences@shgcham.school.nz giving a reason for her absence. If a student will be absent from school for an extended period, whānau must inform Miss Gunn. Please email Ms Ritchie at pa@shgcham.school.nz explaining why she is absent – e.g., a holiday during term time.

School Parking

Please use our Cook St entrance to pick your daughter up before and after school, as no parking is available at the Firth St entrance. Also, do not park on the broken yellow lines in Firth St as it is illegal and creates a safety hazard when students cross the road to catch their school buses. Finally, please do not park in the numbered school car parks at any time, as these are reserved for staff.

Our Vision

Ignite the Passion: inspiring young women to change the world – me aro ki te hā o Hineahuone!