At Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, diversity and self-expression are celebrated through food, arts and culture
For 75 years, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College has been proudly cultivating a multicultural environment. With over fifty cultures represented in their student body, diversity is a celebrated pillar of College life. Girls are welcomed to bring their full selves to school, with opportunities across food and art providing platforms for self-expression. The result is a campus where every girl feels at home in the classroom, knowing her identity is what makes the College a place to learn and belong.
“Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College is a vibrant reflection of contemporary Australia, with students representing 52 cultural backgrounds,” says OLSH College’s Acting Deputy Principal, Sonia Venour. “This diversity is inherent to who we are and is experienced daily in classrooms, friendships and across the broader life of the College.”
Nearly half of OLSH College’s pupils were born overseas, and five per cent are international students. The College actively celebrates that multicultural identity through campus experiences. Their Cultural Diversity Day brings together the global backgrounds of all girls by sharing traditional food, music, dance and dress. This year, student leaders also introduced OLSH Vision: the Eurovision-inspired event featured a global lunch and schoolwide dance, celebrating the diverse backgrounds of students.
The presence of numerous cultures shapes and strengthens OLSH College’s community. Girls gain exposure to—and understanding of—different traditions, customs and beliefs. This richness of perspective results in a cohort that learns from each other, as well as their teachers.
At home, over half of the College’s students speak a language other than English. This linguistic diversity is recognised and supported by the curriculum’s language options: in years 7 and 8, the College offers Chinese, Vietnamese and Italian, with elective pathways continuing through SACE.
Food is another key part of cultural identity, and any students with a passion for cooking are able to explore this in the College’s curriculum, facilities and programs. Food and Nutrition topics are introduced early and can be followed electively in Years 9 and 10, through to SACE Stage 1 and 2. On campus, the College offers a fully equipped commercial kitchen that provides students with an industry-level learning environment.
“Beyond the classroom, students engage with food through service and sustainability initiatives,” says Sonia. Heart’s Kitchen is offered in Years 10 to 12, during which students prepare meals for Fred’s Van, a service operated by Vinnies to provide support for those experiencing homelessness. Meals often feature produce grown in the campus garden, which is maintained by the College’s Earth Care Club.
Self-expression through dance, drama and music is also encouraged at OLSH College. In 2024, the Hartzer Building was opened, a thoughtfully designed space with a dedicated dance studio. A new performing arts theatre is slated for the future, with professional lighting, sound and backstage facilities that will support drama productions on a greater scale.
The College’s curriculum provides pathways to the arts, too. From Year 7 onwards, students gain foundational learning in Visual Arts, Music, Dance and Drama. Opportunities continue through SACE and co-curricular programs.
Major performances showcase students’ artistic talent. The annual Dance Showcase brings together SACE Dance students and those from co-curricular groups, like Hip Hop Crew and Dance Enrichment. The school musical, held every two years, allows students to work collaboratively on the stage and behind it, from performance to set design. Whatever their medium, the College’s facilities provide countless opportunities for girls to explore the arts, and the campus culture encourages their passion for them.
At Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, these diverse offerings across food, arts and culture cultivate a vibrant, inclusive campus life. The College makes every girl feel seen, valued and supported in her schooling. To experience their facilities and discover a culture that values inclusivity and belonging, College tours can be booked year-round.
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College
496 Regency Road, Enfield
08 8269 8800
South Australian Style Magazine 