As the number of enrolments continued to grow, there was an increasing need to seek out Catholic lay teachers. The school motto, “Onward in Faith” called Catholic education into a new era of reliance on lay staff for the passing on of the Catholic faith.

In 1979, there were three Presentation Sisters and five lay teachers at Sacred Heart School. By 1987, teaching staff had grown even further with only one religious sister remaining. Many Catholic lay teachers went to McAuley College in Brisbane for their teacher training.

During this time the children crossed the road to play on the grounds of St Ursula’s College as there was not enough space for them to run around at Sacred Heart School. Popular activities included playing with balls, hula hoops, elastics, marbles, and swinging on the monkey bars. St Ursula’s College continued to grow and there was increasing pressure on available space for primary and secondary students. Plans for the future began to emerge.

As there was no tuckshop at Sacred Heart School, the children greatly looked forward to visits from Mr O’Grady’s pie van. Purchasing lunch in this way was considered to be a real treat!