People matter most
As an integrated Catholic primary school for 5 to 13 year olds our overarching Catholic character framework is integral to every element of the school and its interactions with students and community.
We have a rich history based on our founders’ values:
- Help others in need
- Everyone matters
- Aspire to make a difference
- Respect God in everyone
- Take God’s love with you
All members of our community are expected to model these values as part of our commitment to developing well balanced students equipped to succeed.
Links between our Sacred Heart Charism and the NZC Values
Our school has a rich and diverse history founded on the values of the Society of Mary (Marist Brothers), the Society of the Sacred Heart, and the Sisters of Mercy.
Founding Societies
Society of Sacred Heart
(Madeleine Sophie Barat)
Their Values
Love of the Heart of Jesus
Love and service
Hearts open to the world and people’s needs
Marist
(Marcellin Champagnat)
Their Values
Living in the way of Mary
Love of work
Family spirit
Presence
Simplicity
Mercy
(Catherine McAuley)
Their Values
Compassion
Service
Concern for the poor and vulnerable
Justice
Hospitality
Respect
These qualities together make our ‘charism’. Over time, and with the help of the community, the three sets of values were distilled into simple phrases that are more accessible to our students and wider community.
They are an integral part of our Vision and are expressed as the ‘Heart for Living’ core values that we live by as a learning community.
The chart below shows how our charism is reflected in the NZC Values
Our Charism
NZC Values
Equity, Integrity
Diversity, Equity, Community and Participation
Excellence, Innovation, Inquiry and Curiosity, Ecological sustainability
Integrity, Diversity
Excellence, Integrity, Ecological sustainability
Creative student-focused learning and responsive school, key for this family’s four
Although we only have two of our children at Sacred Heart School as of this year, we did however have all four of them at the school until the end of 2019.
We have found that the sense of community at the school has been one of the major pluses, that and the fact that the David the principal and of the teachers at the school have always been very approachable and responsive to any questions regarding our children's education, and if we have had any issues by the time that we have spoken with the teacher, it was generally already dealt with.
With regard to the standard of education provided we have always been very pleased, as there is a tremendous emphasis on creativity, and student centred learning, but first and foremost the wellbeing of the child. We are and have always been more concerned about the happiness of our children than academic achievement, yet at Sacred Heart we feel that there has always been a fantastic balance between the two.
This year our oldest son started as a year 9 at Roncalli and our daughter started at Craighead as a year 7, neither of them had any struggles to catch up or to adapt to their new schools as they had been so well prepared by the team at Sacred heart.
I can only judge on how my children have responded to the education and care provided, but both my wife and I have found it to be first class and a perfect fit for our children. Many thanks, Sacred Heart School
Rob Hunt - current or past parent of a child at Sacred Heart School
Growing a heart for living and a heart for learning in a Catholic context
Sacred Heart Primary School
54 Heaton Street
Timaru 7910
New Zealand
