Meet the new Co-Presidents: 

Gemma and Steph 

Gemma Rice - Van Heer (2014)

I graduated from Sacré Cœur  in 2014. Joining the school in Year 9, I immediately became engrossed in all that Sacré Cœur had to offer. I joined the Student Representative Council in Year 10, was able to enhance my argument and communication skills in debating and representated Sac at GSV netball and soccer. I loved being a part of the Sacré Cœur Netball Association as a player and then as a coach of my younger sister's team. I watched my Mum set up the Association as it's very first President! 

In the classroom I loved Legal Studies (Ms Cedro) and Psychology (Mr Scott), with some of my favourite memories being in those Year 12 classes. Being able to attend the same school as my younger sister, she in Joigny while I was in the senior school, was incredibly special for me. 

Since leaving school, I have completed a Bachelors of Psychology at Monash University and embarked on a career in Human Resources. Outside of work, I enjoy exercise including regular reformer Pilates classes and spending time at the park with my dogs. When able, I love to travel, including to the US where I still stay in touch with my exchange student from the Year 10 exchange program with Sacred Heart schools across the globe. It was an enriching experience that validated to me the Cor Unum spirit is widely and deeply embraced by the Sacred Heart Community. 

Since my younger sister has now graduated I felt that I wanted to deepen my ties with the school and become more involved as an alumnae. There is always a feeling of belonging and connectedness in the alumnae community and I am very much looking forward to representing the cohort as Co-President for the next two years. 

Stephanie Quinn (1985)

I joined the Sacré Cœur community as a Year 10 student in 1983 having moved from Brisbane to Melbourne with my family (Mum, Dad, Shan, Cecily, Verity and our dog, Raffa).   With the certainty of a 15 year old I knew this move meant my world was ending.  (My poor parents are fortunately very resilient and patient).  What I didn’t know was the precious relationships and opportunities offered by this new world.  Attending Sacré Cœur became one of the foundation stones of my life.  Whilst at Sac I did a smattering of Maths, Science and Arts subjects, played netball and rowed (thanks to the passion and kindness of Denis Bourke, Noni’s Dad), met wonderful and inspiring people (teachers and classmates) and formed friendships with some amazing women. 

After studying Economics/Law at Monash University (majoring in Accounting initially having failed Accounting 101), I went on to do my articles. Gap years hadn’t been thought of then (or at least not by me). In practicing law I fell into the area of insurance litigation. Since then, my various roles have all been in the insurance arena.  I’ve left and returned to the law on several occasions; in the interim working as insurance loss adjustor and for an insurance broker managing a claims team. These days I work part-time in a law firm and also in my own business as a claims insurance consultant.

When not working, I spend time with my family and friends – eating, drinking, chatting and sometimes going on great adventures. I have five awesome nephews, an amazing niece, six remarkable godchildren and a number of treasured friends and their families. 

My time as a student at Sacré Cœur was relatively short.  However, the lessons I learnt, the experiences I had, and the friendships I formed, were rich, invaluable and enduring.  At 15 years old I did not imagine that I would have life-long friendships with any of those Sac girls and that on various occasions over 30 odd years (or more) it would be with a sense of belonging and joy that I catch up with many of those who I first met when I was the “new” girl and my life was ending.

I believe that education can be a key ingredient in the development of the individual and society more broadly. I am reassured of this from attending class reunions over the years and AMASC conferences in Genoa, Sydney and Malta, my time of service on the Sacré Cœur School Board and membership of the Alumnae Committee. I can see that the benefits to the person and the community of access to, and opportunities for, learning, creativity, challenges and connection are recognized and valued.  

For the sake of one child, in this we are as one.