Governance

Sacred Heart College is governed by Marist Schools Australia (MSA) and the Principal is employed by the National Director of MSA. The College is a member of the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools and works in support of the Diocese of Adelaide and Port Pirie.

The role of the Sacred Heart College Council is to assist the Principal, on behalf of the College community, to fulfil their responsibilities relating to the College as a Catholic school, and to assist in the formulation of policy in areas such as finance, property, College operations, future planning, and the public profile of the College. 

Council members are appointed by the Regional Director following a process of nomination coordinated by the Chairperson and the Principal. Appointments are for a period of three years and reappointment is possible. The Council includes the Principal, the Finance Manager and a nominee of the Regional Director. 

Other positions are filled by parents or Old Scholars who have expertise in governance or a background in the necessary areas that exist – school governance, including education, finance, law or administration. 

The Council is assisted by the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee comprises accountants and financial planners who provide advice about fee structure, loans, auditing and financial modelling, while the Building Committee seconds expertise in the area of construction management and strategic planning. A number of its members are also Old Collegians of Sacred Heart College. 

Sacred Heart College
School Performance Report 2022

Marist Schools Australia Limited – College Governance Statement

Sacred Heart College is governed by Marist Schools Australia Limited (MSA Ltd). MSA Ltd is a public not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and registered with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission. Its purpose is to advance education and religion, specifically to make Jesus Christ known and loved and to ensure quality Catholic education in the Marist tradition through its schools.

MSA Ltd was formed by the Trustees of the Marist Brothers and the Association of St Marcellin Champagnat to strengthen the governance of the Education Ministry. Prior to the incorporation of MSA Ltd, the Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat Limited (MASMC Ltd, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee) was formed by the Trustees of the Marist Brothers to provide governance as well as spiritual leadership and formation for those engaged in the apostolic works, activities and operations of the Marists in Australia. MASMC Ltd is the sole member of MSA Ltd. The fundamental aspiration of Marist education as explained 200 years ago by the founder Saint Marcellin Champagnat is ‘…to make Jesus Christ known and loved through quality education’. This is the Mission of Marist Schools Australia Limited today.

From 1 January 2022 MSA Ltd governs, manages and operates twelve Colleges in Australia, including Sacred Heart College, and it is particularly focused on ensuring that the Colleges follow contemporary and best governance practices to maintain compliance with Australian legislation (including education legislation) and to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for students in line with the philosophy and values of Marist Education. MSA Ltd also provides professional learning, staff formation, youth ministry, and solidarity opportunities to Marist schools governed by Diocesan Catholic education authorities.

The Board of MSA Ltd consists of highly skilled and eminent Australian educators.  They have appointed the National Director to undertake the operations of the Education Ministry.  The National Director appoints the College Principal who conducts the day-to-day operation of the College and reports to the National Director via a Regional Director.

Sacred Heart College is one of 600 Marist schools throughout the world educating young people in 80 different countries. Marist education was founded by Saint Marcellin Champagnat in 1817, in the Parish of La Valla in the Rhone Alps.