Founded in 1889 in the dust of the gold rush, Sacred Heart has been providing an excellent standard of education for more than one hundred and twenty years.  Based on the Marist principles of our founding Saint Marcellin Champagnat, we offer a values based education that aims to produce children who can think critically and succeed at what they set out to do.

Educators in partnership with the church:  In a world where there are so many sources of division between people, there is also a hunger to build mutual understanding, respect, tolerance, justice, reconciliation, love and peace.  In the light of the Second Vatican Council we endeavour to witness to this love of God in every human community.  As educators in a Catholic School we believe in teaching as a vocation and consciously work to impart true human values to those in our care; values that stand as a challenge to the culture of individualism, secularisation, consumerism and materialism that young people are continually exposed to in the mass media, popular culture and even in many homes.

Child centred approach:  The College exists for learners.  A prevailing attitude of service towards learners among staff ensures that the energies of the school community are directed towards achieving the Vision an Mission of the College.  We believe in treating the child with respect and concern where our authority and discipline are motivated by love for those in our care.  We believe that “to educate young people, first we must love them, we must love them all equally”  (Marcellin Champagnat)

Partnership with the family:  Parents have both the obligation and the right to educate their children... (and they) are to consider schools as of great importance, since they are the principal means of helping parents to fulfil their role in education”  (The Code of Canon Law:  793 & 796).  We are committed at the College to developing the closest cooperation with parents in the education of their children. While learners of all religious persuasions are accepted and respected at the College, the school is still a Catholic school with a deep commitment to the traditions and practices of the Church.  All learners are expected to respect that and so are expected to attend all services and RE lessons at the College.  Learners are never excused from attending any religious event or observance at the school>