Sacred Heart College, Sorrento


Sacred Heart College is an Australian independent Roman Catholic co-educational secondary day school located in the northern suburb of Sorrento, Western Australia. Established in 1967, the school provides a religious and general education to approximately 1,400 students from Year 7 to Year 12.
The college is situated on overlooking both the Indian Ocean and Hillary's Boat Harbour. Facilities include extensive playing fields, hard courts for many sports, a performing arts centre, science labs, computer labs, gymnasium and specialised rooms for engineering, wood and art.

History

The college was founded in 1967 by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions who originally operated the school in many areas around the Perth metropolitan area and certain country areas. When founded, the college was a single-sex school for girls. As the need for education due to population growth in local areas, Sacred Heart accepted a group of boys into the college in 1977. This school provided boarding opportunities and the land to the north was sold to local residents in order to fund further development of the school.

Founding order

The Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions were founded by Euphrasie Barbier in 1861. Barbier was born in the town of Caen, Normandy, in the French countryside. Her parents were working-class people and encouraged hard work. When Barbier turned 19, she entered the congregation of the Sisters of Cavalry. She took the name Sister Mary of the Heart of Jesus. She moved to England for 10 years but returned to Lyons to form the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions with an aim of missionary peace. Her congregation was a success and grew rapidly. The sisters arrived in Perth in 1897. Today, the college maintains the philosophies of the sisters through some extra-curricular activities such as Young Vinnies, which provides donations for the St Vincent De Paul Society. The college also runs an annual "Vietnam Mission" which provides students with an insight of poverty and justice issues.

Notable alumni