News and Events

Sisters Relinquish Ownership & Governance Of College

This year, Sacred Heart College chose an outdoor venue for its annual commencement event.   The weather was kind as the community gathered in the forecourt of the Josephite Mission and History Centre. 

This place is a sacred site for the Sisters of St Joseph and generations of students of Sacred Heart College.   As the liturgy began, the assembly was bathed in the late afternoon sunshine.  This occasion marked the historic transfer of ownership and governance of the College from the Sisters of St Joseph to the Archdiocese of Hobart after one hundred and three years.   

A highlight of the ceremony was a procession of honour.  The College orchestra, conducted by Mr Peter Warren, accompanied the singing as, from the four corners of the site, students carried treasured items from the past as a reminder of their heritage.   Firstly, from the Saye building, the original schoolroom where the first sisters taught, came the clerical collar which had been worn by Fr Julian Tenison Woods.  This was a gift from Mary MacKillop to Sister Francis McCarthy and her little band of Sisters when they stayed with her in North Sydney en route to Tasmania in 1887.  Then followed: one of the books written by Father Julian; a crucifix presented by the Parish of Sacred Heart to the school in the early days; and finally, the current College Mission Statement.  

Those gathered were reminded that ‘With these precious items we honour those who have gone before us and the legacy we inherit.  We are the custodians of the past. With the help of God, we look forward in hope to the future.’

Speaking on behalf of the Sisters of St Joseph, Sister Jill Dance reminded those gathered that in transferring the property and governance of the College 'we are also passing on to the Governing Council, the Board and Staff the responsibility of preserving and nurturing the heritage of this community, a responsibility which the sisters have held for the past 103 years.'

In accepting the governance and management of the College on behalf of the Archdiocese, Archbishop Doyle offered his assurance ‘that the Josephite charism will be honoured within the College’ and said that he looked forward to the continuing involvement of the Sisters of St Joseph in the College.

Mr Craig Deayton, Principal of the College, gave a vote thanks to the Sisters on behalf of the College community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ceremony concluded with the commissioning by Archbishop Doyle of the student leaders for 2011.