Founded in 1921, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School has also previously been known as Epsom Convent and Holy Cross Convent.

The Sisters of Mercy taught at the school until 1978. The school celebrates the Sisters, their Irish Founder Catherine McAuley, and Cecilia Maher, who led the first sisters to New Zealand in 1850, every year on Mercy Day – 21st September.

The school’s values are based on the Mercy values of Tika (Justice), Pono (Truth) and Aroha (Compassion). Our school wide behaviour expectations and the procedure for behaviour management are underpinned by our school values.

The School day begins in each classroom with prayers, often lead by the children, and prayers are also said before lunch and at home time.

The year starts with a whole school Mass led by the staff. Every Friday, a class attends Mass with the Parish. Twice during the year the school leads Parish Sunday Mass and every child is expected to attend with their family.

The Staff gather together every Thursday morning for prayer before school and the Catholic Character team prepares and leads liturgies for assemblies and any other special occasions.

Year 6 students attend a retreat at the beginning of the year.

The school teaches the New Zealand Religious Education Curriculum, which emphasizes the partnership between Parents, School and Parish in a child’s Catholic Education.

The Sacramental programme is taught in the Parish community and lead by our Parish Priest. This programme recognises the importance of parents as the first teachers of their children.

Every year school chooses and supports a charity with the funds raised from Mission Day. The collection from non-uniform day on the last day of the year is donated to the parish to support the breakfast club. ,