Academics
Sacred Heart Campus Library
A Case for Cultivating Civility
Good manners are more than old-fashioned etiquette. They help students communicate confidently, treat others with respect and build habits that will serve them throughout life.
What Makes The Difference?
What makes Sacred Heart different? From strong academics to the care families feel every day, one thing underpins it all: the love within our community.
Raising the Bar by Working Together
Great schools never stop asking how they can do better. This year, we’re challenging ourselves to raise the bar through personal growth and a stronger partnership among students, families and teachers.
When Tradition Meets Tomorrow
Renée FournierDirector, Marketing & Communications Traditions take time to become ingrained. At Sacred Heart School of Halifax, many of ours are over 100 years old. In some cases, even older. We love our traditions. We boast about them, in fact. They are woven...
AP vs. IB: Why We Choose Advanced Placement for Student Success
Craig PinchesVice Principal, Academics There’s a saying here at Sacred Heart School of Halifax, “We inspire our students to be the best in the world, and the best for the world.” We do this throughout the school at every grade level, but as a university preparatory...
The Sacred Heart School of Halifax Advantage: Personalized Paths to University Success
Lori WelshUniversity Prep Coordinator The future is bright for our graduates. Not just because the options are limitless, but because at Sacred Heart School of Halifax, we are very intentional about ensuring our Senior School students find the path, the opportunity,...
Learning Beyond Curriculum: Inside Our Elementary Enrichment Program
Nicole ParkhillElementary Teacher Engaged students are successful learners — and meaningful engagement begins when students are given choice, voice, and opportunities to explore their interests. At Sacred Heart School of Halifax, enrichment learning goes beyond...
The Junior Primary Program at Sacred Heart School of Halifax: Love-Centred Learning
Sharon Bennet,Junior Primary Director I didn’t enjoy school as a child, and some days I still can’t quite believe that I teach in a school! But it’s why I believe early childhood education should feel safe, joyful, and deeply welcoming from the very beginning. At...
The Shared Spirituality We Cultivate at Sacred Heart
Debora Campbell, Campus Minister December is a natural time to reflect on our personal faith, particularly in Catholic and other Christian traditions. It’s the time we welcome the Advent Season, which marks the beginning of a new year in the Catholic Church and a time...
Shining Light, Teaching Love — The Sacred Heart Elementary School Difference
Alison Comeau, Elementary School Counsellor A good theme can help provide context, give direction, and unite a group. Every year at Sacred Heart School of Halifax, we choose a school theme that has meaning for our students and staff and helps us connect to and...
The Joyful Noise of Play: Why Recess Matters
At Sacred Heart School of Halifax, we have four recess periods for our Elementary School students. That includes one we just added this school year, first thing in the morning, which is proving fundamentally important for waking up young bodies and minds and boosting alertness and focus for the day ahead.
Starting our 177th School Year: Tradition Meets Modern Learning
It’s hard to believe, but this September marks the beginning of our 177th School Year. What a legacy! Of course, it takes time to create a legacy. Time to establish traditions and earn a reputation. Time to build a community. In our time, we have laid the foundation for an education that is both timeless and modern, traditional yet innovative. It is this combination that ensures we continue to provide an unparalleled independent education in Halifax, and what guides us as we start the 2025-26 School Year.
This is the best day ever!
The Best Day EverSharon Bennet “This is the best day ever!” These words are music to the ears of any educator who puts considerable time and effort into thinking about and planning for the daily success of the children in their care. In our Junior Primary program, we...
Put Down Your Phone. Pick Up The Light.
Inspired by a homily from Sr. Donna Dolan, RSCJ Smartphones. These days, we all have them. They ring, ping, sing and generally control some of the smallest details of our lives. Back in the day, we never went anywhere without our wallets; now our phones are our...
Community — The Big And The Small
By Renée Fournier Community. It’s a simple word; only nine letters, but it has so many meanings and implications. It can be a place; a group; a collective; a concept. It can be big and small all at the same time. It can be local, national, or global; or a combination...
Gratitude Gives Us More Beauty To See
By Alison Comeau October means beautiful fall colours, crisp, cool mornings, and of course Thanksgiving here in Canada. And while Thanksgiving has recently come and gone, many of us are still basking in the glow of family, friends, and the spirit of gratitude in which...
The Extra In Extracurriculars
By Jared Griffiths Watching our recent Elementary School Musical production of Matilda JR. this month, I was struck not just by the incredible show of talent, but by how far the more than 70 students had come since the day they auditioned. And by that, I don’t mean...
The Dignity of Stories
By Kathleen Groves In September, when the days are still long and the sun bakes into my classroom during the late afternoon, one of the first lessons I teach is based on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story”. It is important that my...
Six Unexpected Travel Lessons Resulted In One Epic Trip!
By Patricia McMullen Pre-pandemic, the biannual trip to Europe with a group of students was one of my favourite school activities. As an ardent traveller, I am intimately familiar with the joys of travel and the excitement of discovering a new destination. To share...
Love Is Everywhere Here. Regardless Of The Date.
February is just about over, which theoretically means Heart Month is too. Of course, you shouldn’t stop thinking about the importance of your cardiovascular health, or for that matter, love. Isn’t it a shame that we “formally” celebrate love — one of the most...
A Case for Cultivating Civility
Good manners are more than old-fashioned etiquette. They help students communicate confidently, treat others with respect and build habits that will serve them throughout life.
What Makes The Difference?
What makes Sacred Heart different? From strong academics to the care families feel every day, one thing underpins it all: the love within our community.
Raising the Bar by Working Together
Great schools never stop asking how they can do better. This year, we’re challenging ourselves to raise the bar through personal growth and a stronger partnership among students, families and teachers.
When Tradition Meets Tomorrow
Renée FournierDirector, Marketing & Communications Traditions take time to become ingrained. At Sacred Heart School of Halifax, many of ours are over 100 years old. In some cases, even older. We love our traditions. We boast about them, in fact. They are woven...
AP vs. IB: Why We Choose Advanced Placement for Student Success
Craig PinchesVice Principal, Academics There’s a saying here at Sacred Heart School of Halifax, “We inspire our students to be the best in the world, and the best for the world.” We do this throughout the school at every grade level, but as a university preparatory...
The Sacred Heart School of Halifax Advantage: Personalized Paths to University Success
Lori WelshUniversity Prep Coordinator The future is bright for our graduates. Not just because the options are limitless, but because at Sacred Heart School of Halifax, we are very intentional about ensuring our Senior School students find the path, the opportunity,...
Learning Beyond Curriculum: Inside Our Elementary Enrichment Program
Nicole ParkhillElementary Teacher Engaged students are successful learners — and meaningful engagement begins when students are given choice, voice, and opportunities to explore their interests. At Sacred Heart School of Halifax, enrichment learning goes beyond...
The Junior Primary Program at Sacred Heart School of Halifax: Love-Centred Learning
Sharon Bennet,Junior Primary Director I didn’t enjoy school as a child, and some days I still can’t quite believe that I teach in a school! But it’s why I believe early childhood education should feel safe, joyful, and deeply welcoming from the very beginning. At...
The Shared Spirituality We Cultivate at Sacred Heart
Debora Campbell, Campus Minister December is a natural time to reflect on our personal faith, particularly in Catholic and other Christian traditions. It’s the time we welcome the Advent Season, which marks the beginning of a new year in the Catholic Church and a time...
Shining Light, Teaching Love — The Sacred Heart Elementary School Difference
Alison Comeau, Elementary School Counsellor A good theme can help provide context, give direction, and unite a group. Every year at Sacred Heart School of Halifax, we choose a school theme that has meaning for our students and staff and helps us connect to and...
The Joyful Noise of Play: Why Recess Matters
At Sacred Heart School of Halifax, we have four recess periods for our Elementary School students. That includes one we just added this school year, first thing in the morning, which is proving fundamentally important for waking up young bodies and minds and boosting alertness and focus for the day ahead.
Starting our 177th School Year: Tradition Meets Modern Learning
It’s hard to believe, but this September marks the beginning of our 177th School Year. What a legacy! Of course, it takes time to create a legacy. Time to establish traditions and earn a reputation. Time to build a community. In our time, we have laid the foundation for an education that is both timeless and modern, traditional yet innovative. It is this combination that ensures we continue to provide an unparalleled independent education in Halifax, and what guides us as we start the 2025-26 School Year.
This is the best day ever!
The Best Day EverSharon Bennet “This is the best day ever!” These words are music to the ears of any educator who puts considerable time and effort into thinking about and planning for the daily success of the children in their care. In our Junior Primary program, we...
Put Down Your Phone. Pick Up The Light.
Inspired by a homily from Sr. Donna Dolan, RSCJ Smartphones. These days, we all have them. They ring, ping, sing and generally control some of the smallest details of our lives. Back in the day, we never went anywhere without our wallets; now our phones are our...
Community — The Big And The Small
By Renée Fournier Community. It’s a simple word; only nine letters, but it has so many meanings and implications. It can be a place; a group; a collective; a concept. It can be big and small all at the same time. It can be local, national, or global; or a combination...
Gratitude Gives Us More Beauty To See
By Alison Comeau October means beautiful fall colours, crisp, cool mornings, and of course Thanksgiving here in Canada. And while Thanksgiving has recently come and gone, many of us are still basking in the glow of family, friends, and the spirit of gratitude in which...
The Extra In Extracurriculars
By Jared Griffiths Watching our recent Elementary School Musical production of Matilda JR. this month, I was struck not just by the incredible show of talent, but by how far the more than 70 students had come since the day they auditioned. And by that, I don’t mean...
The Dignity of Stories
By Kathleen Groves In September, when the days are still long and the sun bakes into my classroom during the late afternoon, one of the first lessons I teach is based on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story”. It is important that my...
Six Unexpected Travel Lessons Resulted In One Epic Trip!
By Patricia McMullen Pre-pandemic, the biannual trip to Europe with a group of students was one of my favourite school activities. As an ardent traveller, I am intimately familiar with the joys of travel and the excitement of discovering a new destination. To share...
Love Is Everywhere Here. Regardless Of The Date.
February is just about over, which theoretically means Heart Month is too. Of course, you shouldn’t stop thinking about the importance of your cardiovascular health, or for that matter, love. Isn’t it a shame that we “formally” celebrate love — one of the most...
There is something about turning the page of a really good book that never gets old. Which is why our Campus Library houses an incredible collection of books for students of all ages. But it’s also so much more; it’s a 21st Century print and digital resource for 21st Century students.
With a massive selection of thoughtfully selected resources, both digital and print, our Campus Library serves the entire student body, faculty, and staff. In addition to meeting academic and informational needs, the Library promotes a pure love of reading, supports intellectual curiosity (as rooted in our Sacred Heart mission), and nurtures informed, socially aware, and responsible students. Our Librarian is also very informed about current trends and issues in academia, such as the use of AI, and provides classroom support and guidance for students and teachers.
The Library is also a comprehensive suite of collections and services. For example, we frequently host author visits and book launches; we create personalized reading lists; we offer a year-long reading and literacy program to promote and encourage reading, reading comprehension, and writing skills; we provide access and borrowing privileges at Dalhousie, Saint Mary’s, and Mount Saint Vincent Universities through special partnerships; we have a Library website full of online resources including academic databases in English and French; and finally we have an online catalogue that pulls all of our resources together and even lets you personalize reading lists, write reviews, and send recommendations to friends.
Relationships. We know that the relationship between students and librarians is an important one. Our Librarian makes an effort to get to know the students, providing academic and reading support to the entire student body.
Literacy and Reading. Students develop a special relationship with our Librarian. Rich book conversations can often be overheard in the Library, as our Librarian chats with students about what they are reading, the latest book releases, or book suggestions.
Researching. Research skills develop early. At Sacred Heart, our Librarian regularly visits classes as early as Grade 3 to introduce basic research skills and internet safety. As your child grows, our Librarian hosts regular class visits in the Library to teach advanced research skills to support them on their academic journey.
Plagiarism and Academic Integrity. We know that understanding academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism is key to academic and long-term success. Our Librarian works with students individually and in groups for assistance with research papers and navigating citation formats required in academic papers.
Documentation Styles. Our Librarian assists students in constructing citations for a number of resources, including books, periodicals, and online resources. They are supported as they learn to create entries in various documentation styles, including MLA, APA and Chicago.
Online Resources. Today’s top libraries require an active, dynamic website that provides strong academic resources. Our Library website provides links to a number of EBSCO academic databases, as well as Encyclopedia Britannica. These resources support a variety of age groups. Our Librarian is always available to assist students in navigating these databases and to help identify which databases are useful for their purpose. Many of the databases are available in English and French.
Academic Support. Sometimes, students just need a space to work quietly or a faculty member they can approach for academic help. Through online curriculum catalogues and the support of teachers, our Librarian is aware of the larger assignments happening throughout the school each month. She prepares resources, identifies relevant books and periodicals, and provides guidance with assignments as needed.
“What a rich environment for younger children to explore, take learning risks and discover themselves and the world around them.”
Katie Aven
