Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Primary School (OLSH) is a Catholic primary school in the township of Merbein, situated on the Murray River 12 km from Mildura. OLSH has approximately 156 students and our community is made up of town and rural families from Victoria and New South Wales. Our school was originally established in 1928 by the Sisters of Mercy and maintains a strong commitment to the core values of love, trust, dignity, respect, freedom, forgiveness, self-awareness and self-discipline.

We provide a quality education with many opportunities for students to participate in a wide range of activities, with our excellent and modern facilities allowing the students to explore a vast range of learning and developmental experiences. The wellbeing of our students takes precedence, and we aim to create an environment where every child can be happy, safe and reach their full potential. At OLSH we aim to develop a strong love of learning through an extensive curriculum, based on shared, evidence-based pedagogical practices. We continue to explore how our children learn best by recognising their individuality and work to give every child an opportunity to shine.

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is focused on shaping well-rounded students who are given opportunities to explore and question the Catholic faith, and the spiritual growth of the individual is encouraged and supported through a comprehensive Religious Education program and participation in the life of the Church. 

Sitting alongside all learners are staff who are valued and appreciated, and who are encouraged to develop their teaching practices through a combination of professional learning and timely feedback from peers and instructors from outside our own school setting. 

At OLSH we work as a team, ensuring the best outcomes for our students by committing ourselves to our work wholeheartedly and supporting each other in our endeavours. In line with our Response to Intervention principles, we collectively care for all students in our school.

Our Crest

Our School crest has three main parts that tell part of our school story:

THE NAME: The School’s full title is named after Mary (Mother of Jesus), OLSH and is the Catholic  school of the Merbein Parish.

THE VINE AND CROSS: The vine leaves and grapes symbolise the link with our school and our community’s dependence on vines.  “I am the Vine, you are the branches.” (John 15:5)
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THE MOTTO: “United We Educate.”   This is the basis of all we do. 

Democratic Principles Statement

Australian society is defined, among other aspects, by a belief in elected Government; by a commitment to the rule of law, to equal rights for all before the law; and by a belief in freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of association. Our society is also tolerant of a range of religious, political, social and cultural beliefs and values in the context of the fundamental principle of our democracy.

The Education and Reform Act 2006 requires all education providers to operate in a manner consistent with this set of Australian democratic principles.

In accordance with the Act, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Primary School delivers curriculum programs and learning and teaching in a manner that supports and promotes the principles and practice of Australian democracy.

This includes a commitment to:

• elected government
• the rule of law
• equal rights for all before the law
• freedom of religion
• freedom of speech and association
• the values of openness and tolerance

Promotion and Communication of the Democratic Principles

​Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Primary School promotes and communicates the principles and practice of Australian democracy through the following strategies:

1. The Vision and Mission of the school express its Catholic orientation in the midst of diversity across all aspects of life. The school shares in the mission of the Catholic Church and its Vision and Mission expresses this relationship. Similarly, the inspirational nature of the Vision and Mission informs and invites all members of the school community into relationships in the life-giving work of the school. In dialogue, we learn from each other and flourish together. The Vision and Mission Statements are developed through dialogue that is representative of the school community.

2. The curriculum program is based on the Victorian Curriculum F-10 (which incorporates the requirements of the Australian Curriculum) and Awakenings (CEOB) and develops in students:

• a lifelong sense of belonging to, and engagement with, civic life as an active and informed citizen in the context of Australia as a secular democratic nation with a dynamic, multicultural and multi-faith society o knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the values, principles, institutions and practices of Australia’s system of democratic government and law, and the role of the citizen in Australian government and society
• knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the values, principles, institutions and practice of Australia’s system of democratic government and law, and the role of the citizen in Australian government and society
• skills necessary to investigate contemporary civics and citizenship issues, and foster responsible participation in Australia’s democracy
• knowledge, skills and capacities and dispositions to participate in the civic life of their nation at a local, regional and global level ( Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, 2016).

3. The school’s Australian Democratic Principles Statement and Vision and Mission Statement are available on the school website.

4. As part of the induction process, staff are made aware of the integration of the democratic principles into the curriculum and the life of the school.

5. Parents/guardians and students are provided with a handbook that outlines the curriculum and learning and teaching for each year level.