The Society of the Sacred Heart in Australia and New Zealand established its first foundations in New Zealand in 1880 and in Australia in 1882.
Until the mid-1970s religious Sisters carried the administration of the Society’s Schools and assumed this responsibility in Parish Schools and University Colleges. After this the responsibility devolved to lay Principals.
In the mid-1970s governance of Society Schools moved to School Councils and subsequently in Australia, School Boards were incorporated under civil law as companies limited by guarantee, with accountabilities to the Society. Directors of the Boards continue to be appointed by the Provincial and her Council, and have included RSCJ as far as possible. In New Zealand, with a different system of education and civil law, the School in Auckland became integrated in 1985 with accountabilities to the government as well as to the Society for its special character.
New Zealand
On 19 January 1880, a group of five sisters reached Timaru. In 1905 the Society spread from the South Island to Island Bay in Wellington, in the north, and then to Baradene in Auckland in 1908.
The Society founded a number of schools and a teacher’s college. Over time the RSCJ relinquished their involvement, apart from Baradene College, which today continues as a Sacred Heart School.
Religious Institute Schools
Auckland (Baradene College) was founded in 1909 as a boarding school for girls. Day students were enrolled and the boarding school closed in 1985. This School continues as a Sacred Heart School.
Timaru a boarding school for girls was established in 1880 and handed over to the sisters of Mercy in 1934.
Wellington a boarding school for girls was established in 1905 and closed in 1985 because it was unsustainable.
Christchurch a secondary day school was established in 1963 and closed in 1976 because of lack of students.
Parish Schools
Wellington a parish primary school was established in 1905, administered by the RSCJ until 1985, when it was transferred to the parish due to lack of RSCJ personnel.
Christchurch RSCJ administered a parish primary school from 1959 but withdrew through lack of personnel.
Teacher Training College
Auckland Loreto Hall was founded in Auckland in 1950, sponsored and supported by the Bishop of Auckland and administered by RSCJ. Initially it was for members of religious orders, but later admitted lay students. The Society withdrew in 1973 because of lack of personnel.
Australia
In May 1882, five sisters arrived in Sydney. The sisters expected to set up a day school but were asked to set up a boarding school because there were few in Sydney at the time. Claremont, on the hill at Rose Bay was chosen as the site for the first Sacred Heart School in Australia; by 1888 there were three boarding schools and three free schools.
Religious Institute Schools
Sydney a boarding school for girls was established at Rose Bay in 1882. In 1942, the primary boarders were evacuated to the country because pf the threat of war, and in 1944 a primary boarding school was established near Bowral, NSW. This was closed in 1965. Day students were enrolled in the primary school and later in secondary school. In 1909 a weekly boarding and day school was established at Elizabeth Bay. In 1971 these two schools were amalgamated, moving to the site at Rose Bay and known as Kincoppal-Rose Bay. The primary school is co-educational and the secondary school for girls includes boarding.
Melbourne a boarding school for girls was established at Glen Iris in 1888. Later day students were enrolled. This continues as a Sacred Heart School and is known as Sacré Cœur.
Brisbane a boarding school for girls was established at Toowong in 1920. Later day students were enrolled. This continues as a Sacred Heart School and is known as Stuartholme.
Diocesan and Parish Schools
Melbourne the Society undertook the administration of Christ the King Primary School, Braybrook from its foundation in 1956 until 1972 when a lay Principal was appointed. In 1966 St John’s College, Braybrook a diocesan secondary co-educational school was opened and was administered by an RSCJ Principal until 1976 when a lay Principal was appointed.
Sydney the Society undertook the administration of St Therese Parish Primary School, Sadlier from its foundation in1967 until 1995 when a lay Principal was appointed.
University Colleges
Sydney Sancta Sophia College, a residential college for women within the University of Sydney, was founded in 1926 and was administrated by an RSCJ Principal until 1991. The College is owned by the Bishops of New South Wales and is governed by a College Council.
Brisbane Duchesne College, a residential college within the University of Queensland for undergraduate and postgraduate women students, was founded in 1937. It was administrated by an RSCJ Principal until 2006. The College is owned by the Bishops of Queensland and is governed by a College Council.