About Us
Sacred Heart Secondary
Sacred Heart Secondary School (SHSS) is located in secluded Oakford Priory, about 40km outside the city of Durban on the north coast of the KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. It was taken over by the Dominic Sisters of Oakford shortly thereafter. In 1903, the owners of the property and the Oakford Sisters established St Mary’s as another girls school for Whites on the same estate.
in 1980, St Mary’s was closed and the SHSS for African girls were established and relocated to St Mary’s premises where it remains today. In 1982, the Dominic Sisters handed over the running of the school to the Department of Education, making SHSS a public school.
As the oldest continuously run educational institution, Sacred Heart Secondary School remains committed to providing an academically rigorous education to students who will walk out of school ready for lives of leadership and service to their community. From literacy to music and art, each day at the Sacred Heart Secondary School is filled with activities that are both enriching and fun.

Everyday at Sacred Heart Secondary School is like a blessing with the active students and talented staff members around.
SP Hlongwa — Principal
Champion School at a Glance
Mission Statement
Our mission at Sacred Heart Secondary School is to develop the unique abilities and potential of each child by offering an enriched educational program. We strive for excellence through a hands-on approach. Rich traditions rooted in our innovative curriculum grow productive, caring, and intellectually curious citizens.
Our Core Values
Our Philosophy
We, at Sacred Heart Secondary School, follow a child-centered educational approach. We make sure that it is based on scientific observations from birth to adulthood. We believe that a child is naturally curious and is capable of initiating learning in a supportive and thoughtfully prepared environment.