Our School

Whatever you do, do to the best of your ability

At Sacred Heart Girls’College, New Plymouth, we care for our students personally. Staff are highly qualified and our Vertical Form and House systems ensure that students have the opportunity to relate to all groups. Their academic, physical and spiritual growth is developed and nurtured.

We are proud of our academic achievements, the wide variety of extra – curricular activities in which our girls participate and of the family atmosphere, which pervades the College community.

The College buildings are well maintained on an attractive, spacious site. Since the College was established, its motto “Age Quod Agis” (whatever you do, do to the best of your ability), has been one that we are proud to live by. Each one of us is encouraged to Live the Mission through Ako, Manaakitanga and Wāhine Toa.

Mrs Barbara Costelloe,  Tumuaki Acting Principal

School Carving

I te timatanga ko te Kupu
Na te Atua te Kupu
Ko te Atua ano tau ate kupu
I te timatanga

In the beginning was the word
And the Word was God
And God is the Word
In the beginning

This Maori carving representing Hine Ahu One, the first mortal female created, carved by Bryce Manu, is especially appropriate to our school and was presented to Sacred Heart Girls’ College by the leaving class of 1993.   The head and face are typical of Taranaki and Te Atiawa tribes with the distinctive pointed shape representing Mount Taranaki. The notches in groups of three (pu nga werewere) on the forehead and mouth depict the raukura, three feathers worn in the hair by the Taranaki and Te Atiawa tribes, meaning “Glory to God, Peace on Earth, Goodwill to all mankind”.

Designs on the arms and legs represent nga hau e wha, the four winds and our students come from north south east and west to become kotahitanga, one people, one race, one school. The lower mouth depicts the female element. On a marae women are the first and last to greet you. A greeting call or karanga is uttered by a women as you enter the gates of a marae then after a kaumatua (male elder) has finished his speech a women will sing a waiata or song to support what he has said.

Hine Ahu One was the creation of the 71 children of Papatuanuku, Earth Mother and Ranginui Sky Father but the nose above the lower mouth represents “Tihei  Mauri  Ora” the breath of life given to Hine Ahu One by Tane I Te Wananga as he pressed his nose to hers, thus breathing life into her so that she would come into being.

The pu nga werewere in the border surrounding this taonga (treasure) consecrate it to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

School Song