Catholic Life

At Sacred Heart College, a Marist Catholic School, Catholic life is woven into the very fabric of our community. Guided by our mission to embody the teachings of Christ, we foster an environment rich in kindness, inclusivity, and respect. From daily prayers to our commitment to social justice and service, every aspect of school life reflects our dedication to living out our faith.

Our students are encouraged to engage deeply with their spirituality, developing not only academically but also morally and socially. Through activities such as community service programmes and partnerships with charities like ADDO, CANSA, CHOC, we empower our young people to serve others and promote justice in the world around them.

At Sacred Heart College, we believe that education is not just about academic excellence but also about nurturing compassionate, responsible individuals who strive to make a positive impact in their communities. Together, we cultivate a vibrant Catholic identity that inspires our students to live with integrity, hope, and a genuine commitment to serving others.

ETHOS

Sacred Heart College is a Catholic Marist school, following the guiding principles of its founder St Marcellin Champagnat and his followers, the Marist Brothers.

Central to the educational philosophy of Sacred Heart College is the premise (belief) that “to teach children, you must first love them, and love them all equally” (St Marcellin).  This is not a “soft” philosophy of laisse-faire, but one in which clear guidance and education are offered on a basis of compassion, justice, dignity, respect for diversity and commitment to excellence.

While sensitivity and deep respect for diverse faiths and cultures are fostered, Marist teaching is firmly founded in gospel values, and the life and teaching of the Christian faith are celebrated through masses, assemblies, educational programmes and outreach projects.

OUR IDENTITY AS A CATHOLIC SCHOOL

ETHOS AND PHILOSOPHY

The College’s Vision and Mission Statement provides the best summary of the ethos that underpins all we do at Sacred Heart College. Perhaps this ethos can best be summed up by the expectations we have of the teachers at the school. These include:

• Teachers 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 teachers 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 students. A prevailing attitude of service towards students among staff ensures that the energies of the school community are directed towards achieving the Vision and 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 students 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 students are expected to respect that and so are expected to attend all services and RE lessons at the College. Students are never excused from attending any religious event or observance at the school.

PREPARATION FOR THE SACRAMENTS

The school prepares all Catholic students for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Communion and Confirmation. The Sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion are done in Grade 3 and Confirmation takes place in Grade 10 and 11. All the preparation is conducted in accordance with Diocesan policy regarding  preparation for these sacraments. To facilitate the process effectively the Catholics are taught separately to the rest of the class in these lessons.

MASSES

Once a term the whole College (Pre-Primary School to Grade 12) has a Mass, a major community celebration in our Community Centre. This is the only venue we have that can fit all 1100 students. In the first term the theme is an Academic Mass revolving around offering up the work of the year to the Lord. It is held as close as possible to the Feast of St Angela Merici, the founder of the Ursuline congregation, one of the participating congregations at the school. In the second term the Mass is held on the Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Marist Brothers teaching congregation. In the third term it is the Sacred Heart School Mass, a celebration of all that the school offers its students and its families.

In addition the Primary School has a Mass once a month and class Masses are held once a term for all classes in the High School. There are also occasional Masses for the Junior High or Senior High sections in the High School. The College also has occasional Ecumenical Services.

THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Reconciliation Services, with provision made for the Sacrament of Reconciliation individually in all classes, are held once a term for all grades from Grade 4 to Grade 12.

LIVING OUT OUR FAITH: RESPONDING TO THOSE AROUND US

Our identity as a Catholic school is probably the most obvious in our involvement in helping other people. This is aimed at providing charitable assistance to those less fortunate than ourselves, but it is also aimed at inculcating in young people the need to be of service and support to such people.
In Grades 10 and 11, all students are involved in a formal community, school and church (optional) service programme. Community service reaches out to the aged, disabled, orphaned, etc, and may be linked to job shadowing. School service provides assistance in, for example, the tuck shop or the Pre- Primary School. Church service is encouraged particularly among students preparing for Confirmation. The hours of service are recorded on a certificate and form part of the RELO programme.
The Primary School has a student leadership structure involving all Grade 6 students who are organised into eight committees, who facilitate service in the following areas:
• service to the school community
• outreach to the broader community
• fundraising for various charities
• peer education which is aimed at raising levels of respect, care and responsibility inthe school.

CURRICULUM

The Primary School follows the Lifebound Curriculum which has been developed by the Catholic Institute of Education. In the High School the curriculum is broadly based on the Cord Curriculum, developed by Brother Michael Burke. Both these programmes are widely used in Catholic schools in the country.

OUR INTERNAL MISSION

The College also has a Pastoral Care Committee to respond to the pastoral needs of the students, teachers and parents at the school. A counselling service is available at the school for students, parents and teachers who may need assistance from time to time.

ASSEMBLIES

Every school day starts in both sections of the College with a prayer and reflection based on a particular theme. The preparation of the assembly is shared between students, teachers
and the school chaplain.

Adopted by the Board of Governors
November 2000 Revised and edited November 2007, December 2016