SURSUM CORDA | LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS
ABOUT
The Sacred Heart Difference
Established in 1962, Sacred Heart Primary School has a long and proud history of providing Catholic educational excellence to the Diamond Creek and wider community.
Strong academic and wellbeing focus, and collaborative parent partnerships, make up our inclusive curriculum that fosters holistic student growth.
Our bright, contemporary learning spaces – the result of a significant $3.5 million refurbishment – offer students an environment where they can thrive academically, socially and personally.
Our proud culture – in valuing difference and diversity – supports students to flourish and connects faith and life by encouraging relationships of respect, trust and acceptance, as inspired by Jesus Christ.
We take great pride in the education we impart and the values we instil as students enter their next phase well-prepared academically and socially for secondary school and beyond.
My name is Mrs Gina Murphy, and as Principal of Sacred Heart, I am privileged to lead our school, guided by our values, with each child at the heart of everything we do.
I bring a deep passion for student engagement and wellbeing, underpinned by extensive experience in learning and teaching, and a Master of Education (Wellbeing & Inclusive Education).
Our school vision is: “Working together to build a learning community that embraces faith, inclusion & personal excellence.”
Central to this - and the hallmark of a Sacred Heart education - is our commitment to student engagement.
At Sacred Heart, children thrive when they feel understood, belong and are connected to their learning. When engagement is intentional and sustained, confidence grows, curiosity deepens, and excellence follows - academically, socially and emotionally.
Engagement at Sacred Heart is not an extra; it is a school-wide support structure, a consistent and nurturing environment that allows every child to flourish.
We are recognised as leaders for our approach to learning and engagement across the education sector. We have been invited to share our practice through principal networks, system-wide conferences, and forums, including the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Flourishing Learners Conference and The Age Education Summit, and have been featured in local and international media.
We also publish our work on our Research & Innovation Hub [link], providing a peer-to-peer resource for fellow educators. This reflects evidence-based practice carefully implemented to make a meaningful difference for children.
Generations of families have entrusted Sacred Heart to shape their children’s special primary school years. We honour that trust through strong leadership, continuous innovation, enduring values, high expectations, and a commitment to ensuring every child is engaged, belongs and achieves their best.
This is the Sacred Heart difference.
Mrs Gina Murphy
Principal
PRINCIPAL'S WELCOME
THE SACRED HEART DIFFERENCE
WHY SACRED HEART?
For many parents, it’s the personalised attention and enhanced educational opportunities our Catholic school gives their child.
Sacred Heart offers a unique and enriched learning experience for all students, Catholic and non-Catholic, in a nurturing and supportive environment.
We do this through our smaller class sizes - bolstered by learning support officers in each year level - and by having greater flexibility and autonomy to shape our specialised curriculum, which education experts urged should be the benchmark for state schools.
Our approach caters to your child’s individual learning style, helps them thrive personally and academically, and allows us to respond to their individual needs.
We emphasise character development, values and a strong sense of community, fostering a well-rounded education that prepares your child for life-long success.
Our strong focus on partnership encourages parental involvement and engagement as collaborators in your child's education.
This ethos extends across the School, Parish and wider Sacred Heart community to form a vibrant network of families with shared educational and social aspirations.
Ultimately, it is our strong values, identity and commitment to educational excellence that sees parents choose Sacred Heart as we best align with the values, goals and individual needs of their child and family.
VISION & VALUES
VISION
"Working together to build a learning community that embraces faith, inclusion and personal excellence"
MOTTO
Sursum Corda – Lift Up Your Hearts
At Sacred Heart Primary School, our motto reflects who we are and what we seek to nurture in every child: hearts lifted in faith, learning and community.
MISSION
Grounded in Catholic faith and values, Sacred Heart Primary School is a vibrant and nurturing learning community dedicated to faith, inclusion and personal excellence, inspired by our motto, Sursum Corda – Lift Up Your Hearts.
We seek to lift hearts through faith, learning and community, forming young people of compassion, confidence and purpose.
We provide a holistic and personalised education that celebrates diversity, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and supported.
Through diverse and engaging learning experiences, we empower students to grow socially, emotionally and academically, embracing challenges and developing confidence.
By building strong partnerships with families, our parish and the wider community, we inspire students to act with integrity, compassion and responsibility, contributing positively to society as people of faith, empathy and purpose.
VALUES
• Faith: We are guided by Catholic teachings, fostering spiritual growth and living out Gospel values in all we do.
• Inclusion: We foster a welcoming, inclusive environment where everyone feels safe, respected and valued.
• Community: We prioritise strong relationships between school, parish and families, creating a supportive network that enriches the lives of all.
• Responsibility: We cultivate leadership and responsibility, encouraging students to contribute positively to their community and the world around them.
• Excellence: We are committed to academic and personal excellence, fostering a love of learning and curiosity that lasts a lifetime.
• Respect: We uphold the dignity of every individual through compassion, justice and a deep commitment to social responsibility.
MEET THE TEAM
Our Sacred Heart staff are skilled, committed educators who share a passion for Catholic education, high-quality teaching and student wellbeing.
Sacred Heart is distinguished by a culture of professional growth that takes teaching beyond the traditional classroom.
Our educators continually refine and extend their practice through professional development, keeping up-to-date with the latest research-informed approaches and taking their teaching careers to the next level today and into the future.
This culture of learning sustains and renews our teachers’ passion for education, supporting them in their chosen vocation and protecting what drew them to teaching - to remain happy, fulfilled, life-long educators.
Our Research & Innovation hub allows teachers to share insights from professional learning and practice. For families, this provides visibility into what our teachers are learning and how this knowledge directly enriches your child’s classroom experience.
For fellow educators, Sacred Heart’s Research & Innovation hub provides practical insights and shares our approach to educational excellence, offering leadership and inspiration across the wider education community.
Guided by our motto, Sursum Corda - “Lift Up Your Hearts” - our team prepares students to thrive academically, socially and emotionally, ready for the next stage of their learning journey and beyond.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Our school thrives on a strong, connected community where families, staff and Parish work together to create a nurturing and supportive environment for every child.
The Sacred Heart community is defined by its warmth, inclusivity and shared values - with each enrolment, we welcome not just each child, but also each family.
We are proud of the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a Catholic community, where faith, values and shared purpose extend beyond the School grounds.
Students flourish in an environment where we work in partnership with parents and families to support their growth, creating lasting friendships and cherished memories along the way.
Our school is celebrated across generations for the connections it fosters, as past students choose a Sacred Heart education for their own children, joining the vibrant network of families, staff and parish that makes our community so special.
GETTING INVOLVED
At Sacred Heart, we are fortunate to enjoy fantastic parent partnerships that support and enrich our community through their involvement.
We understand that some parents have more time than others and we are very appreciative of all levels of parent support.
Opportunities to get involved
We love having parent helpers in our classrooms in Terms 2 and 4, assisting on excursions or popping in for a shift in the Tuckshop - students love to see mum or dad behind the counter.
You can nominate for the School Advisory Council (SAC) and participate in the decision-making processes regarding educational policies, curriculum and matters of finance and resources within the School.
Alternatively, by becoming involved in the Parents & Friends Association (P&F), you will play a vital role in the fundraising and social activities of the School.
We warmly invite you to be involved in many ways:
• School Advisory Council (SAC): Participate in key decision-making on curriculum, policies and School resources.
• Parents & Friends Association (P&F): Contribute to fundraising and social events that enrich School life.
• Year Level Representative: Support communication and engagement within your child’s year level.
• Maintenance Group & Working Bees: Help maintain our facilities and grounds.
• Classroom & Excursion Helpers: Assist teachers and join your child’s learning experiences firsthand.
• Tuckshop Volunteers & P&F Event Helpers: Engage with students and families in fun, practical ways.
We truly value and appreciate any involvement. The wonderful parents that make up our community are a huge part of what makes Sacred Heart such a great School.
To get involved, please email principal@shdiamondcreek.catholic.edu.au
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
At Sacred Heart, we are committed to building strong, meaningful partnerships that enrich the learning and development of children and community members of all ages.
We warmly welcome collaboration with early learning centres, kindergartens, aged care services, disability support organisations, and other community groups, and we are proud to offer opportunities that support children, families and educators alike.
Access to Our Spaces & Facilities
We invite your service to make use of our school’s high-quality spaces and facilities. Sacred Heart offers a spacious community centre, sports oval, pottery kiln, specialised STEM equipment, Kitchen Garden, library and a range of other resources.
Whether you are planning special events, workshops, physical activities or enrichment programs, we are pleased to collaborate in making these spaces available.
Excursions & Enrichment Experiences
Sacred Heart provides engaging, hands-on learning experiences that complement early years programs and broader community initiatives. Our educators offer interactive and age-appropriate sessions across various curriculum areas, making excursions to our school a valuable extension of your learning environment.
School Readiness Visits
To support smooth and confident transitions into primary school, we welcome school readiness visits from early childhood services. These sessions give children a positive and reassuring introduction to school life, helping them build familiarity, confidence and excitement as they prepare for the next stage of their learning journey.
To arrange your visit, please email principal@shdiamondcreek.catholic.edu.au
GROUNDS & FACILITIES
NEW BUILDINGS
Our bright, contemporary learning spaces - the result of a significant $3.5 million refurbishment - offer students an environment where they can thrive socially, emotionally and academically.
