Sacred Heart School is located in the town of Sioux Lookout in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. We are approximately 330 km  northwest  of the city of Thunder Bay or about the same distance, east of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The other schools in our board are 100 km and 250 km south of us in Dryden and Fort Frances.

Sacred Heart School opened its doors to 110 students in  September 1926. Bishop Brodeur was largely responsible for the establishment of the school.
Four Sisters from the Loretto Abbey in Toronto were the first teachers and they taught at the school until 1940. They were replaced by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. During the 1960's, lay teachers gradually replaced the Sisters. In June of 1976, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary. In 1994, the staff and students moved into a new school located just a few blocks from the old one.

The New School

 On October 2, 1994, Sacred Heart School in Sioux Lookout was officially opened. The new facility was blessed by Rev. E. T. Kennedy, administrator for the Diocese of Thunder Bay. Father Henryk Augustynowicz, Sacred Heart's pastor, led a procession of students, trustees, parents, staff, and parish council members through the building. Each classroom was blessed and representatives in the procession placed crucifixes above the doorways.

Formal presentations were made in the gym with numerous visitors from the community in attendance. Mrs. Margot Saari, principal of Sacred Heart School, welcomed the audience and guests. Some of the speakers included: Rev. E. T. Kennedy; Jacqueline Dojack from the Ministry of Education; Frank Miclash, M.P.P. ; Deputy Mayor of Sioux Lookout, Margaret Kenequanash; Ken Bacon, architect; and Ben Esau from Penn-Co Construction. Director of Education Garry Bates; Angus MacLellan, Building Committee Chair; and Frank Bastone spoke on behalf of the Dryden R.C.S.S. Board.

There was a high degree of student involvement at this event as well. Amanda Zarecki and Luke Critchley presented Rev. Kennedy with a collaborative piece of artwork that was created by pupils from junior kindergarten to grade eight. Adam Button read "Setting Out", a poem about being on a journey with Christ. During the presentations Neil Carbone, a grade eight student, acted as master of ceremonies. The official opening of Sacred Heart School was concluded with inspirational singing from the school choir.

Bishop Brodeur's Account of the Founding of Sacred Heart School