Sacred Heart started as a school and boarding facility called Sacred Heart College, founded by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions in 1884.

The school was next to the present St Joseph's Church and catered for primary & secondary students.

In 1960 the school moved to its present site and was renamed Sacred Heart Girls’ College.

The boarding hostel for up to 78 boarders, now called "Elizabeth House", was added in 1970.

The original school hall was demolished and rebuilt into new rooms for Māori, drama, music and general classrooms, opened in January 2012.