Sacred Heart Schools Conference

Celebrating a contemporary Sacred Heart Education

From Thursday 25 to Sunday 29 August, Kincoppal–Rose Bay hosted the Sacred Heart Schools Conference, which, for the first time, featured student voice.

The 2022 conference theme was “Celebrating a Contemporary Sacred Heart Education.” The program included a Liturgy in the historic KRB Chapel followed by series of structured opportunities which enabled those gathered to reflect on the words of our Wisdom Women St. Madeleine Sophie Barat and Sr. Janet Erskine Stuart. Conversations and reflections explored what is needed for educators to be able to provide a contemporary Sacred Heart Education into the future.

Principal, Maureen Ryan, stated it was an absolute privilege to host the 2022 conference, especially as it is the first conference held in person since 2019; "Our community was delighted to be joined by so many members of our Sacred Heart Network including rscj, Directors of Sophia, ANZNET Board Chairs and Directors, Principals of Baradene College, Stuartholme School, Sacré Coeur, Duchesne College and Sancta Sophia College, as well as staff and students from our sister schools.”

Director of Global Education at KRB and conference organiser Sarah Daff said the conference provided students and staff with the opportunity to meaningfully engage in dialogue about our contemporary Sacred Heart Education; “Through this process, our students were empowered to use their voice to be co-creators of their future education. In speaking with the students, they discussed the valuable insights they gained from listening to staff and hearing the passion and expertise they have in developing educational environments where the individual is seen and heard. This mutual exchange promotes a trusting relationship which will continue to build communities where every member can flourish.”

The inclusion of a student voice saw students from Baradene College, Stuartholme and Sacré Coeur join KRB student leaders to lead sessions with staff on the Friday and participate in a Sacred Heart leadership program over the weekend. Emma Kennedy, KRB Head Girl for 2022/2023, reflected on the similar thinking that became evident throughout the conference between the students at the different Sacred Heart schools; “A Sacred Heart is synonymous to community and this is a term that reflects a collective understanding of the values and acts as a motivator to respond to the calling to use our position of privilege for those who cannot - to stand tall as strong, educated women and create change that goes beyond oneself and, most importantly, to be a person who cares for others and thrives by engaging with the community, to be the person that listens and encourages others through genuine love.”

The student voice was empowered to highlight issues that, as young people in today’s society, they feel need to be addressed in a Sacred Heart education, such as mental health, inclusion and addressing the challenges of climate change. Students articulated concrete ideas for implementation as well as overarching approaches;

"We feel that a renewed focus on the fundamental ideas within the Sacred Heart mission, the core, transcendent and enduring truths that are the basis of our education, are how we can ensure that our mission as a whole is relevant to all and continues to be a supportive source that can provide guidance in times of need."

2022/2023 Head of Liturgy, Myfanwy Hill-Caulfield