This is to report to you on developments in the European Network of Sacred Heart Schools.

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1 European Network Core Team Meeting in Rome 2012 Dear Colleague This is to report to you on developments in the European Network of Sacred Heart Schools. The European Network Core Team met again in Rome at the Trinità on November 22-24, Maria Luisa Campa, Head of School and Monica Sarale, Network and Exchange Coordinator of the Istituto Sacro Cuore della Trinità dei Monti, were very gracious in making arrangements and hosting us there. Also present were Reinhard Hallwirth (Vienna), Hildegard Gstach (Riedenburg), Sister Gitti Linhart (Central European Province), Javier Usoz (Spain), Kevin Foster (Newcastle), Hilary Thompson (Coordinator for England), Suzanne Rabillard (Coordinator for France), Olivier Bouissou (Nantes), Birgit Gmeindl-Oser (Exchange Coordinator Vienna), Ann Gregory (Guest Goals Coordinator Roehampton), Ann Miller (San Francisco Facilitator). Meeting With Superior General Sister Kathleen Conan - We were honored with a visit by the Superior General of the Sacred Heart, Sister Kathleen Conan and the Provincial for Italy, Sister Maria Teresa Devoto. We reviewed with Sister Conan the History, Mission and Progress of the formation and sustainability of the European Network, from its commencement with the mandate at the 2009 European Heads Meeting in Paris, to present, as reported on an ongoing basis to each of you. We first had prayers with the Superior General in Mater s Chapel. Without speaking for Sister Conan, who graciously spent time with us, we think it fair to say that she was very pleased to hear of the European Network formation and of the ongoing commitment of Sacred Heart educators in Europe to continue the ethos and mission of Sacred Heart education as begun by St. Madeleine Sophie, of course made real for today and the future. During the rest of the two day meeting we discussed the following: Joigny Hilary Thompson and Suzanne Rabillard have organized, with the help of Hildegard Gstach and Maria Luisa Campa, for an initial 3 years an annual formation meeting at Joigny, the birthplace of St. Madeleine Sophie. The first such session, which was attended by 25 staff members from a mix of Sacred Heart schools in Europe, was said to be a success, with the participants inspired by the sessions led by Isabelle Lagneau, RSCJ. The 2 to 3 days offer an opportunity for reflection, sharing and coming together in further commitment to Sacred Heart education. The next session will be in October Further details will be sent out re application later this term. It is intended that this will be an ongoing significant element of formation to mission to which all are welcome. Philippine Project Hilary Thompson, Kevin Foster and Monica Sarale organized this project for participation, at the discretion of each school, in a

2 prayer in the week of the Feast of St. Philippine Duchesne, last November. Sacred Heart schools from around the world sent their prayers, many of which can be viewed through a link on European Network of Sacred Heart Schools website This was a true moment of internationality. Thirty Five (35) schools in Europe, Taiwan, Africa, the US and Australia participated, with each school praying for a country in difficulty, such as war, hunger, disease etc.. A true success!! This was a simple and flexible project, which encouraged participation and we aim to have an international project annually. Dublin The next meeting of the Heads of European schools of the Sacred Heart will be in Dublin October 17-19, You will hear more from the Dublin Meeting Host Committee; Margaret Martin, Network Coordinator for Ireland, Scotland and Malta has invited Anna Gethings from their Network Trust to coordinate this event. Margaret has approached a key speaker from the Society and more information will follow on the theme and agenda. The Core Team discussed, particularly, the fact that this will be the first opportunity since the Paris 2009 meeting to report on progress made in the establishment of the European Network, and to obtain your input and hopes for the work of the Network and how it can and will be used to help each of the European schools of the Sacred Heart and the various country/provincial networks. The Dublin meeting promises to be very worthwhile spiritually and intellectually. A large participation is expected. Centenary of Janet Erskine Stuart Hilary reported on the Celebration of the Centenary of Janet Erskine Stuart which will be launched with a retreat in July 2013 and continues with various events in June 2014 in England. Details can be found on the England and Wales province website There were many productive reports of exchanges and work in individual European schools of the Sacred Heart all of which demonstrate the commitment to the values of Sacred Heart education and the determination more closely to link together to ensure the sustainability of Sacred Heart education in Europe. The following, briefly, are some of those reports: Comenius Project As you know there is a source of funding in Europe for international projects for school students. Sacred Heart schools around Europe could put together a project seeking Comenius funding. Kevin Foster is promoting a project between schools and has been in touch with some of you through network coordinators. This would involve one school per country with children between 10 and 12 years old. Hopefully, you responded to Kevin with interest in your schools. Anyone who wants additional information, or to sign up, may contact Kevin directly at Kevin.Foster@sacredhprim.newcastle.sch.uk.

3 Ann Gregory is the Goals Coordinator for Hammersmith Sacred Heart School in London. She was a guest at the Core Team meeting, and promoted enthusiasm with her report of all she undertakes as part of her role in school. The increase in awareness of the Goals of Sacred Heart education is promoted by making Goals visible around the school, including permanent and changing display boards as well as quotations from St. Madeleine Sophie. New staff are offered workshops to bring them into the circle of what is Sacred Heart education. Writings and programs are presented for students, staff and parents to embed the Goals and spirit of Sacred Heart education at Hammersmith. The Core Team members were excited to hear an example of Living the Goals in a school. Thank you to Hilary for inviting Ann to the meeting. Teacher Exchange There is ongoing discussion of the possibilities for Teacher Exchanges. As an example, Javier Usoz mentioned the opportunity for a teacher of Physical Education for students (4-9 years old). This would be a three (3) month opportunity at the Diputacion school in Spain (Barcelone). Please let Javier know if you are interested. Trinità, Rome, Proposal for Social Issues Program Monica made the suggestion for a program to include students between 15 and 18 years old from Sacred Heart schools around Europe to work on an issue of importance in society, such as Tolerance. A topic also could be a Goal of Sacred Heart education or another topic of broad interest and importance. The proposal is that a topic be suggested in advance; researched before by the students selected; involving student communication by internet before; culminating with five (5) days in Rome, the students living in host families, and meeting together at the Trinità. More details will be sent from the Trinità to other Sacred Heart schools in Europe, setting forth some of the parameters, and language ability required. At that time, of course, ideas will be welcome. International Choir Festival Olivier Bouissou and Suzanne Rabillard suggested and are working on the concept of a convocation of various of the choirs in European Sacred Heart schools to be held in France at Nantes in May 2014 or September/October More detailed information and invitations will be sent from Sacré Coeur Nantes when and if plans have solidified. Cultural Exchange Week in Vienna in 2014 Reinhard Hallwirth again set forth the possibility for summer 2014 of a week long Cultural Exchange to include about 20 students from various of the Sacred Heart schools of Europe. More detailed plans and invitations will be sent from Sacré Coeur Wien when plans have solidified. Website - Birgit Gmeindl-Oser and Hilary Thompson continue to work on the website of the European Network of Sacred Heart Schools. All are urged to

4 contribute ideas and events to the website by to One of the priorities once funds are contributed to or raised by the European Network would be to pay for some time for a webmaster to enhance the offerings and utility of the website, which will be to the benefit of all those wishing to share ideas, exchanges and events both in Europe and around the Sacred Heart worldwide network. European Network Fee We discussed the need for a reasonable fee to be paid by each school member of the European Network. That is subject to further discussion by the country networks and schools which are and will be members of the European Network. We look forward to your input and to further discussion at the Dublin meeting. Suzanne Rabillard told all that she will in June 2013 be retiring from her work with the Sacred Heart Network in France. After her many years in Sacred Heart education, including as Head of Nantes before her present work, Suzanne will spend more time with her family in both France and Greece. She will of course remain committed to the work of the European Network. We all look forward to seeing Suzanne at Sacred Heart events. Next Meeting of Core Team The Core Team will next meet in Dublin at the time of the Heads meeting in October We very much look forward to our discussions with you in Dublin to hear your views and hopes for how the European Network can support your individual schools and provincial networks. Corporate Entity The corporate status of the European Network of Sacred Heart Schools has now been confirmed by the authorities in Austria. There is a Bank Account which has been established. Schools and Networks will be able to send contributions to the European Network. We will provide details later. We look forward to discussing in Dublin priorities for the European Network, which will then dictate the expenditure of any funds. It is currently thought that as an initial matter, funds should be spent to enhance the European Network website, to serve as a centre for communications among all the Schools and Provinces of the Sacred Heart in Europe and beyond. We look forward to any thoughts you may have. Conclusion Relationships among the Sacred Heart schools in Europe are becoming increasingly close. There is enthusiasm for furthering the work of the Network and the opportunities presented. More and more exchange either in person or by internet/website of students and teachers at all levels are ways to increase the awareness of being part of something bigger than

5 one s own school being a part of a worldwide network of Sacred Heart education. We welcome input from all of you and look forward to getting together again in Dublin in October In the meantime we wish all of you a Happy and Blessed New Year. European Network of Sacred Heart Schools Core Team