Frequently Asked Questions
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Why a girls' school?
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Let’s Hear it From the Girls – Why They Like Going to Girls’ Schools! Girls’ schools are ideally positioned to educate, inspire and nurture the girls of today, who will be the leaders of tomorrow. In co-educational schools, girls have to compete with boys for attention and leadership positions. In single gender schools, every girl has a voice. Curriculums are tailored for girls, who are given opportunities to develop and excel. Girls’ schools are specialists in girls’ education. Below are some of the many benefits of choosing a single gender school for your daughter.
Academic advantages
Girls in girls’ schools achieve significantly stronger academic results than any other group in Australia. Without the competition from boys, girls are free to pursue academic excellence and each achievement is celebrated.
Role models and leadership
All the leadership roles in girls’ schools are filled by girls: from the captain of the football team to the head of the student body; from the first trombone in the school orchestra to the main part in the school play; and from student leadership groups to the leaders of every school club. Younger students see these female leaders as role models and learn that girls can lead in any field.
A tailored curriculum
Girls’ education is a specialised field. Teachers tailor their classes and curriculum for the girls. This means that students are more likely to be engaged with the content and the methods used in each subject. Girls are free to participate in class without the teacher’s attention being dominated by boys.
Counteracting negative influences
Girls can work through the challenges of adolescence without fear of embarrassment or harassment. Many girls’ schools run specific programs which counteract negative body imagery and ideals of how girls and women are portrayed in the media. Educators in girls’ schools believe strongly in helping girls to accept and be comfortable with ‘who they are’.
Global citizens
Girls’ schools prepare students to be citizens of the world, using rapidly developing technology and forming connections with girls in other countries. There is an emphasis on social justice and community as girls are encouraged to make connections with others outside the classroom walls.
Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia
The Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia created this short clip called ‘Why choose a girls’ school’.
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When should I enrol my daughter?
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We encourage you to submit an application for your daughter as soon as possible, as we have waiting lists for many year levels. Enrolment interviews for the intake years of Prep and Year 5 are typically held two years prior to the year of entry. Year 7 enrolment interviews are typically held three years prior to the year of entry. Please contact our Admissions Manager – Silvana Botter on 9835 2713 if you wish to discuss your daughter’s enrolment.
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Do you offer Scholarships?
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Yes we do. Scholarships are reviewed annually. Please see the Bursaries and Scholarships page for details.
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What programs do you offer for gifted children?
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High standards of learning are set for each student and are supported by a differentiated approach to tasks, so that the individual student’s needs are the focal point for teaching. Enrichment provides exciting challenges for all students. We have a Learning Enhancement Leader for both Joigny (Junior School) and Secondary School.
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Does my daughter have to be Catholic?
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As a Catholic School, Sacré Cœur shares the Archdiocesan priority of providing an education for Catholic students. However, as an Independent School, Sacré Cœur reserves the right to accept enrolments from students of other religions, denominations or other traditions and we enjoy a rich diversity of cultures and religions within our community.
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How many students are at the school?
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Sacré Cœur caters for a maximum of 775 girls in the school. This includes approximately 200 girls in the Junior School. There are no plans to exceed these numbers.
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What sports do you offer?
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Sacré Cœur is one of 24 member schools involved in Girls Sport Victoria (GSV). GSV caters for girls from Years 7 to 12 and provides enormous opportunities for interschool competitions in a wide range of sports, including netball, basketball, swimming, diving, cross country and soccer to name a few. Primary students are involved in district competitions, House sports and a comprehensive physical education program. Our Head of Sport is Mr Walter Tedde.
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Do you have out of school hours care?
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After school care is offered at Sacré Cœur and is available from 3.15 – 6pm.
Extend After School Care works in partnership with the School to provide this service and care is located on the School grounds with easy access to the oval and playground to encourage outdoor play.
Permanent and casual bookings are available.
To find out more including how to book, fees and Child Care Subsidy please visit Extend.
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Do you offer private music tuition?
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Yes we do. Sacré Cœur has a comprehensive private Music Tuition Program. Speech and Drama tuition is also offered. In addition, all students from Prep to Year 8 have Music as part of the core Curriculum. Our Head of Music is Ms Deidre O’Grady.
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Do you educate boys?
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Sacré Cœur is a school for girls and the School emphatically believes that girls perform better in a single gender environment. However, we recognise the importance of social and academic interaction with males, from time to time. In response to this we hold a number of academic, social and co-curricular activities with St Kevin’s College, De La Salle College and Xavier College.
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Do you have a special Year 9 program?
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Yes we do. Year 9 students participate in the Notre Monde program, an exciting on campus curriculum initiative designed specifically for Sacré Cœur students. Notre Monde, French for “Our World” encourages our students to explore “their world” through a series of six self-contained five week units which are cross-curricular and inter-disciplinary. They include units such as “My place in the World” (Global unit) and “Living within our Environment” (Sustainability unit). The outdoor education program is supported by a camp which includes a river journey (see a short clip here). The Year 9 curriculum is comprehensive, challenging and prepares the students for or the selection of their VCE subjects. Our Head of Notre Monde is Mr Neale Baker.
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Are you a boarding school?
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No, we are a day school only.
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Do your students need to have laptops?
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After careful review, we have taken the decision to introduce a compulsory notebook computer program in Years 7 and 9 in 2018. By moving to notebooks, we will be able to provide access to a wider range of digital learning resources, maximise the opportunities for integrating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) and maximise the use of our portal, Firefly.
Additionally, we have looked at many other school notebook programs, and based on their feedback and the particular demands on student technology in Years 8, 9 and 10, we have decided to operate our notebook program on a rolling two year cycle.
To reduce the financial impact on families, the cost of the notebook will be split over two years with each charge appearing on the Term 2 invoice of the school fees.
Currently, Prep to Year 6 students have class sets of iPads, Years 7 to 8 students have laptops, Years 9 to 10 have their own iPads and Years 11 and 12 students bring their own preferred device.
Answers to frequently asked questions about the notebook introduction can be accessed here.