Our Story
Honouring History, Embracing Tomorrow
A lot has changed at OLSHin the last decade… possibly more than in the entire 100 years before.
We’re a forward-thinking college that draws on the incredible achievements of those who have gone before us. The rest of the content is largely unchanged.
The Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart were founded in 1874. In 1885, the Sisters left France and settled in Australia. In 1947, the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart arrived in Adelaide to commence teaching in Kilburn. Kilburn was growing very rapidly and the Sisters were also asked to take responsibility for other schools.
They commenced secondary teaching at Enfield on 13 February, 1951. Classes were started in what had been the home of the Ragless family, in the first house in Adelaide built on the north side of the Torrens (on the site of the present tennis courts).
In 1995 the Daughters of our Lady of the Sacred Heart transferred ownership of the College to the Catholic Education Office. Joy Bedford was appointed as the first the non-congregational Principal. Maria Urbano was appointed as the second non-congregational Principal in 2016.
Our History
Our Crest
Our Crest expresses the origins, aims and spirit of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College. The Latin motto – Regnet Christus – means ‘May Christ Reign’.
By our actions we live out Jesus’ love, and in doing so we bring peace, joy, justice and hope to our community.
The heart, placed centrally, signifies Jesus’ love: the cross in the heart reminds us of love that perseveres: the flames indicate the power of that love: the crown symbolises the Kingdom of God. The Latin initials for Our Lady – Domina Nostra – by their position close to the heart show Mary’s close relationship to Jesus.
Our Houses
College Houses
Our College Houses are named after the significant faith figures in our history. Our House Leaders are responsible for building and maintaining a sense of College community that focuses on the traditional values of our founders, which at the heart of things is about relationships that exist beyond year level groupings.
In recent years the Houses have become a presence in the community throughout the year, expanding beyond the two traditional sport carnivals in Term 1. In this way House events include a variety of activities which will build community and allow the whole range of excellence contained in the members of each House to be on display for all to see.
The House Captains and Vice-Captains as a team (although they are from different Houses) share a positive view of the school, supporting all those activities and events upon which community spirit is built. As such they are positive role models throughout the College in respect to the relationships they build with the House Leaders from Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 who they work with in their House. In planning House events they assist in the development of leadership skills whilst working with the younger leaders and help evolve the concept of community building through shared activities across year levels.
Through their appointment process, with school-wide voting, and their work with the whole community, the House leaders model democratic processes which allow them to develop into informed citizens who take responsibility for the creation of spirit and energy in the community in which they live.
College Houses
Chevalier
Named after Fr Jules Chevalier who founded the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in 1874.
Hartzer
After Mother Marie Louise Hartzer who was the First Superior General of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
Xavier
After the great missionary, St Francis Xavier, who travelled the world and introduced Christ’s love to Asia.
Roncalli
After the surname of Pope John XXIII, the Pope who by calling together the Second Vatican Council, made great changes in the Church.
