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Sacred Heart College is a private Catholic school in Observatory, Johannesburg founded in 1889 by the Marist Brothers. It is distinguished among independent schools for the contribution made to fostering an inclusive society in South Africa. This diverse environment encourages all members of our community to benefit from the integration of children and teachers from a variety of ethnic, gender, religious and economic backgrounds. We equip children with a high-quality, academic education using 21st century skills and by incorporating the latest technology. We provide a faith-based education that produces learners who can think critically, find innovative solutions to challenges, and succeed in life.

France
The Marist Brother movement started in France. From 1817 onwards a priest Marcellin Champagnat ran a primary school in the village of La Valla, France. Supported by seven brothers, Champagnat educated children in the fundamentals of reading, writing and Christian teaching.

Koch Street
In 1889, Sacred Heart College was founded by three Marist brothers, who arrived in Johannesburg upon the Gold Rush in the neighbouring Witwatersrand. The first school for boys was established in Koch Street, where in 2 years enrolment had increased to 300 students.

Observatory
In 1924 Additional grounds were later constructed in Observatory as a result of the school’s rapid expansion.

Marist Brothers College
The Marist Brothers College high-school (as it was then called) opened in 1926. Eventually, the school grew, requiring a second primary school building in the Orchards of the Observatory location.

Integration of Ethnic/Religious groups
As many Jewish children attended the school in the 1950s the College organised for a Rabbi to give lessons every Friday. By this time many Chinese students were also being admitted to the school, despite the growing racial tensions in the country at the time.

Koch Street Closure
The Koch street premises had become overgrown with commercial properties during the 60s. As a result it was closed down. During this transitionary period the school was headed by Br. Neil McGurk. His vision for education in South Africa ultimately led the college to ignore government order and open its doors to boys of all races.

Sacred Heart College, Marist Observatory
In the 1980s the school name reverted back to Sacred Heart College. Along with this change came the introduction of girls in 1979 as a result of the amalgamation between Yeoville Holy Family Convent and St Angela's Ursuline School. The College transformed from an all-boys, all-white school to a multi-racial, co-educational institution over 2 years.

Apartheid - Era
Amidst rising political tensions in the country, leaders of the ongoing political struggle approached the College with the task of educating hundreds of young children from townships. The College welcomed this challenge fully despite the obstacles they would face with conservative families in the school.

Sacred Heart College today
Under the current leadership of the school's first female Head of College, Sacred Heart continues in their mission to provide an educational experience that is individual to the student and rooted in the Marist values.

Academics
The College has maintained a 100% pass-rate in the national IEB examinations for the past 20 years and a 98% Bachelor Degree pass. Students continue to study and complete degrees of choice.

Houses
Students at the College compete with one another in their respective houses. The four main houses being:


 * Benedict (Green), named after the school's founder St. Marcellin Benedict Champagnat
 * Geddes (Blue), named after Br. Joe Geddes
 * O'Leary (Yellow), named after Bishop David O'Leary
 * Valerian (Red), named after Br. Valerian (a former principal of the school and beloved teacher)

School Blazer
The Sacred Heart blazer is an important element of the school's history, culture and image. Its design is the standard for Marist schools in South Africa.

Colours Blazer
The highest honour of distinction the College can offer to a student is a full-colours blazer. This is awarded to students who have met specific criteria in a number of disciplines e.g. Academics, Sport, the Performing Arts, Music, Cultural activities (Chess) etc.

Its current design is that of a navy-blue College blazer with optional white-braiding.

Student Leadership
Sacred Heart College has maintained an active Student Representative Council since 1989 — when the previous prefect system was replaced by a less authoritative and more representative leadership structure. Today the College's Learner Leadership Council (LLC) is made up of matric students who are active members of the school and the greater community at large. In addition the High School has confirmed with the SRC structure which works with the LLC to give students an active role in school life. The Primary School also has leadership opportunities for grade 6s.

Sporting
As of 2020 the following sporting codes are offered at Sacred Heart College:

Term 1

 * Tennis
 * Basketball
 * Swimming
 * Cricket

Term 2

 * Soccer
 * Netball
 * Athletics
 * Hockey
 * Softball

Term 3

 * Basketball
 * Tennis
 * Athletics
 * Cricket
 * Swimming

Cultural Programs
The school's extensive cultural program as of 2020 is as follows:


 * Dance
 * Art
 * Chess
 * Choir
 * Coding
 * Gaming
 * Game Design
 * Mad Youth
 * Debating
 * Enviro-Club
 * Photography
 * First Aid


 * Marimbas
 * Marketing Club
 * Mosaic
 * Mandarin
 * Yoga
 * Tai Chi

Three-2-Six Project
Founded in 2008 by former Head of College Colin Northmore, the Three-2-Six project is an educational initiative that provides refugee and asylum-seeking children with a hot meal and 3 hours of education daily.

The project has grown to include support from additional schools in the surrounding Johannesburg East area like Holy Family College and Observatory Girls Primary School

It currently caters for more than 300 children.

Facilities
The College is equipped with the following facilities:


 * Chapel
 * Prayer room
 * Hall
 * 2 libraries
 * 2 AV rooms
 * 3 Computer labs
 * Design and Technology centre
 * Music centre
 * 2 tuck-shops
 * 5 soccer fields
 * 4 netball courts
 * 6 tennis courts
 * Heated swimming pool
 * 3 cricket ovals
 * 2 outside basketball courts
 * 6 cricket nets
 * Indoor sports centre
 * Fully equipped Gymnasium

Notable Alumni

 * Simphiwe Tshabalala, CEO of Standard Bank Group
 * Dr. Nicole De Wet, Senior lecturer, Associate professor at the University of the Witwatersrand
 * Wandile Molebatsi, Actor, Producer
 * Dr. Ridwan Mia, Plastic Surgeon, Led skin-graft operations on Isabella "Pippie" Kruger, Awarded National Order of the Baobab
 * Ndaba Mandela, Author, Mentor, Entrepreneur
 * Dr. Maria Phalime, Award-winning author, Speaker
 * Lord Joel Joffe OBE, Lawyer, Labour Peer of the House of Lords
 * Samuel Kinkead DSO DSC, WW1 fighter ace
 * John Charles Daly, Radio and Television personality
 * Ruli Diseko, CEO of Thakadu Group
 * David Balchin, Bio-chemist, Postdoctoral fellow (Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry), Group Lead at Francis Crick Institute
 * Hlomla Dandala, South African Actor
 * Lebogang Mashile, South African Actress, Writer and performance poet