Proud of Our Past, Bold in Our Future

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, established in 1887, is located in the beautiful Torres Strait with two campuses on Waiben (Thursday) Island and Kirriri (Hammond) Island. Our Waiben Campus caters for Prep to Year 6, while our Kirriri Campus is for Prep to Year 2, with older students catching a daily ferry to the TI campus. We celebrate our remote location and Indigenous culture. The faith, life and values of the people of the Torres Strait are acknowledged through our learning environment.

With an enrolment of 150 students, our school community has a family feel where each child is known, valued and loved. Through our motto “All for Jesus,” we provide a unique and welcoming environment that recognises strong parish and school links, valuing partnerships with our parent and wider community. We acknowledge God’s presence in our everyday lives and are centred by our core values of peace, love, respect, justice, stewardship and self-worth reflecting the Gospel values.

Sacred Heart is a learning community, energised by both the legacy of its past and the challenges of the present. We follow the Australian Curriculum and are committed to promoting equality and excellence so that our students may realise their potential as successful learners, confident and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens.

To find out more about our great school book a tour, explore this website or contact the school where one of our friendly staff will be happy to assist you further.

Our beginnings… The Sacred Heart Fathers established the first Catholic mission in 1884, and a few years later, they were joined by the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, who began teaching on the convent's verandah upon their arrival. Our school officially started in 1887 and is the oldest school in the Cairns diocese. The two religious orders that founded our school shared with us their charism or “Spirituality of the Heart”.  This came from Jules Chevalier’s vision, focusing on Jesus’ loving heart as the way to live the Gospel. This spirituality invites us to embrace our own hearts and connect with God in a personal and profound way. It recognises that God’s love encompasses all creation, making our world sacred. By journeying into our hearts, we discover compassion, kindness, forgiveness, and the power to make a positive impact. It is a path of transformation, leading us to become vessels of healing and love for others, inspired by the compassionate heart of Jesus.

A rich history…

  • The school also operated a boarding school known as the “orphanage” until 1948.
  • A second campus on Kirriri (Hammond Island) was established around 1936.
  • In 1968, the Sisters of Mercy took over the running of the school.
  • In 1973, the new school building was built on Waiben Campus, replacing all existing classrooms and administration areas.
  • In 1995, the Kirriri campus was reopened on a new site with a new building.
  • The school celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2012, publishing a history book and building a new school library.
  • The first Lay Principal of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School was Miss Delia O’Donnell from Melbourne.
  • The Patrician Brothers served at the school for over 11 years.
  • From 2009 to the end of 2012 we welcomed the Marist Brothers to our school and parish community.

In recent years, Sacred Heart has undergone a period of revitalisation and improvement 

  • Renewal of School Vision and Charism
  • Development of Strategic Directions and an explicit improvement agenda, which is reviewed annually
  • Review of positive behaviour management policy and student wellbeing programs
  • Refurbishment and extension of buildings at our Kirriri Campus
  • Building a new playground at our Kirriri Campus
  • Building an additional classroom at our Waiben Campus
  • Significant growth in student numbers (from 100 to over 150)

The Future – We are excited by the upcoming major building project at our Waiben campus, which includes –

  • New classrooms
  • New student and staff amenities
  • Refurbished and improved playground facilities
  • New staff lounge and work preparation areas
  • Additional meeting rooms, offices and refurbished administration
  • Additional learning support space
  • Improved entrances, parking and vehicle access

Our school logo brings together Catholic faith and Torres Strait culture. At its centre is the Dhari (traditional headdress), honouring the rich heritage of the Zenedth Kes, with the Torres Strait pigeon (Keriba Meta) symbolising peace, belonging, and community. The Cross reminds us that Jesus is at the heart of all we do, while the names of Thursday Island and Hammond Island highlight our unity across two campuses. Framed in the colours of sea and light, the logo expresses our mission to live faithfully, celebrate culture, and be “All for Jesus.”

At the top of the crest is our school motto: “All for Jesus.” This is more than words. It is the heart of our mission. It reminds us that everything we do, whether in learning, play, or service, is done with love for Christ. It guides our school community to live with faith, generosity, and compassion.

Our Vision

To offer every student at Sacred Heart a world class Catholic education enriched by a lived experience of Zenadth Kes culture. 

Our Mission

Guided by the love of Jesus and inspired by Mary, the Mother of God, we honour our faith and culture, walking proudly in the footsteps of those who came before us. Enriched by the living traditions, languages, and wisdom of the Zenedth Kes, we welcome every child, ensuring they are known, valued, and supported to reach their full potential. Through care and respect, we strive for excellence in learning and life, serving our community and living the Gospel. With hope for the future, we share God’s love, shaping hearts and minds to live “All for Jesus.”