The School was founded by the French order of nuns, the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1888. Sacré Cœur, has its origins in the vision of Madeleine Sophie Barat, who founded the Society of the Sacred Heart in Paris in 1800. Growing up during the French Revolution in the small town of Joigny about 80 miles south of Paris, Sophie felt a strong call to religious life from an early age. Although her attraction was to a strictly contemplative life, her reflections led her to the realisation that an education based on Christian values was essential for a more just society to emerge from the upheaval of the revolution. Having an unusually strong classical education herself, she envisioned an education for girls which would develop each student's gifts to the fullest, lay the foundations for a solid, active faith including compassionate service to the poor, and awaken a thirst for lifelong learning.
Houses
There are four Houses, named after the school's founder St Madeleine Sophie Barat and Mothers Superior of the school; Digby, Duschesne, Stuart and Barat. The four house colours are red, green, yellow and blue. The four houses annually compete in an array of inter house competitions. These competitions include House Athletics, House Swimming and the House Arts festival.
Programs
In Year 8, students take part in a 2-week City Cite experience. The City Cite program aims to encourage high levels of personal organisation and responsibility, social competence, leadership and resilience. It gives the students an opportunity to learn in a different environment, and become familiar with their city whilst working independently and in groups. Students are accompanied and assisted by staff members throughout the City Cite experience. In Year 9, students take part in the Notre Monde program. The program takes place in a designated part of the school, and is composed of multiple units that run for 6 weeks each. The Notre Monde program allows girls to experience learning in a broad variety of environments. It covers numerous subjects, with a few being Social Justice, Visual and Creative Arts and International studies. iPads have been integrated into the program, with every student and staff member possessing one for the duration of the year. In Years 10 and 11, students are invited to partake in an international exchange program. The countries students are able to visit include:
In Year 11, students go on a three-day overnight retreat, with St Kevin's and Loreto. The focus of the retreat is on developing adult relationships and making decisions about the way they relate to their family, themselves, members of the other gender and most of all the way they personally relate to God.
Alumnae
Past pupils of Sacré Cœur may elect to join The Sacré Cœur Alumnae Association. The association for past pupils was founded in the 20th century. Members of the association are located in Australia as well as a variety of countries around the world. The association organizes many social outings, masses and events in conjunction with other schools such as:
