Message from the Principal

Women in Leadership Dinner

Last week, a group of staff attended the Annual Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools Deputy Principals Association Women in Leadership Dinner. This year’s event was particularly special, as the guest speaker was Sacred Heart alumni Fiona Hayes (Class of 1993), now CEO and Managing Director of 7‑Eleven Australia.

Fiona shared insights from her leadership journey, reflecting on the enduring influence of her Catholic education and the strong values shaped by her family and school community. She spoke about her “top five leadership truths,” each grounded in a clear sense of purpose and integrity.

A message that resonated strongly was her reminder that career pathways are rarely linear. Fiona spoke candidly about leaving school without a defined plan, beginning a Health Science degree with the intention of pursuing Occupational Therapy, and gradually discovering where her strengths lay.

Her advice for young people was both simple and powerful: pursue what you enjoy, remain open to growth, and seek work that offers a sense of purpose. It is a message that aligns closely with what we hope for all our students as they begin to consider their own futures.

Fiona also reflected fondly on her time at Sacred Heart, recalling the encouragement she received to speak up for herself and for others, and to understand leadership as service. These values continue to shape our community today, and we remain proud to see them lived out in the achievements of our alumni.

Enjoy this edition of The Heart