Come join us for our annual Bursary Fundraising Dinner at The Lord Nelson Hotel on South Park St. Tickets are $95.00 per person. Tables of 8 or 10 are available. Early bird draw for those who buy a table of 8 or 10 by March 22nd. Prize: 6:00 p.m. wine reception at the school for table with Sr. Wachter prior to event.
Call 422-4459 for tickets or purchase tickets online at shsh.fundraiserorders.com
Come and enjoy French Cuisine, silent and live auction and a dance!
click here for the poster
2.28.2013
2.26.2013
Alexander Sapp to Represent Canada at Youth Worlds in Cyprus!
Alexander Sapp, Gr. 11 at Fountain Academy of the Sacred Heart, and his partner Jake Megaffin race a 2 person sailboat called a 420. In August, they placed third at Youth Nationals in Gimli, Manitoba. They recently completed a regatta in Jensen Beach, Florida, where competitors from Canada and USA made up a fleet of 76 boats. They placed 11th, top Canadian boys, and qualified to represent Canada at Youth Worlds in Cyprus this July 11-20, 2013.
2.25.2013
Senior Sharks Move on To Provincials
The Senior Sharks earned themselves a place at the provincial championships this coming weekend by taking down the stiff competition at qualifiers this past weekend. The boys played with honour and acquitted themselves like gentlemen.
They play Pugwash on Thursday at 6 pm at Sommet, and would appreciate all of the fan support they can get. Stay tuned to the calendar and @FAathletics on twitter for reports on their progress and upcoming games.
They play Pugwash on Thursday at 6 pm at Sommet, and would appreciate all of the fan support they can get. Stay tuned to the calendar and @FAathletics on twitter for reports on their progress and upcoming games.
Science Fair Winners Honoured
Elementary Update 2/21
We were blessed to have
author/singer/drummer/Poet Laureate Shauntay Grant with us all day
Tuesday. In our morning assembly she
performed three of her books and a funky rap of childhood memories. She encouraged all of us, especially the
resistant writers, to imagine “What if…?” to get the ideas flowing.
Shauntay made special appearances in
Junior Primary and Senior Primary, where students spontaneously got up and
danced to the beat of her rhythms and rhymes.
Selected students in grades 4, 5, and 6 participated in special writing
workshops with the inspiring African Nova Scotia artist.
Next week, we continue our celebration
of African Heritage Month with a special presentation by the Maritime Centre of
African Dance. We are richer and more
enlightened when we experience the diversity of culture in this city… And for our children, and folks like Shauntay
Grant, The City Speaks in Drums!
Stand,
you’ve been sitting much too long
There’s
a permanent crease in your right and wrong
Stand,
there’s a midget standing tall
And
a giant beside him about to fall
-
Sly
Stone
Jr. High Provincial Debating Tournament Results!
Brian Casey, our Sacred Heart Debating Coach, is pleased to report on the results of yesterday’s Junior High Provincials which were held at Middleton Regional High School.
Three teams from Sacred Heart and two from Fountain competed; all acquitted themselves very well.
The Sacred Heart "A" team of Rory Flynn, Anya Friesen and Catherine Burke successfully defended the provincial title, defeating a team from Halifax Grammar School.
In addition, our Sacred Heart "C" team of Maria Samman, Emma McLean and Robin Short were 5th and our Fountain Academy team of Aristides Milios, Andy Samman and Robert Sapp were 6th and the Fountain Academy "B" team of Keegan Martin, Torsten Sinclair and David Sapp were 11th. Our Sacred Heart "B" team, of Sarah Bjornson and Sophie Moryto, lost a member Saturday morning to sickness and so placed 13th despite strong individual performances by Sarah and Sophie.
In individual results, our students captured 9 of the top 18 spots:
This was easily Robin Short’s best tournament, and I anticipate that it contributes to family harmony that the Sammans tied for 14th spot. Aristides and Andy who always vie for top spot from Fountain were only 4/100ths apart.
It is gratifying to see some of our debaters move up the standings as they prepare for larger responsibilities in the coming year. There are so many things to get right in a debate – content, rebuttal, delivery – that it typically takes two years for a student to get everything to gel. Our top 9 debaters have all been doing it for two years or more (except for Emma McLean who seems to have figured it all out in record time).
Nova Scotia sends an 8 person delegation to the Junior High Nationals in Vancouver in May. The team is usually made up of the top 8 students from the junior high provincials.
As a result of the tournament, Rory and Anya will represent Nova Scotia at that event, along with students from the Grammar School, Truro Junior and Middleton.
Catherine Burke, as the 6th place student, would have qualified to attend but Nova Scotia’s rules provide that only two students can go from each school. We are hoping Nova Scotia will be offered an additional spot and Catherine will qualify for that opening (which is not subject to the restriction).
Our participation in the tournament was made possible by the volunteers who cheerfully got up at 6am to drive the debaters to Middleton. My thanks to Heidi Sapp, Maya Churbaji, Denise MacDonell and Kathryn Bjornson.
We are required to supply judges to be able to participate in the event and I thank on behalf of the participating debaters Meaghan Carlson, Clarissa Brisseau, Patricia Donnelly, Andrew Aven Gillis, Heidi Sapp, Maya Churbaji, Denise MacDonell and Kathryn Bjornson.
We hope to get some of our debaters back on their feet for the Donahoe Cup, which we host at the school April 13 and 14th. More details about that in the weeks to come.
2.15.2013
Elementary Update 2/14
"There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done, nothing you can sing that can’t be sung, nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game – it’s easy."
There has been a lot of doing and singing this week. We’ve been celebrating kindness, friendship, and love in colourful ways. And, for the record, according to some of our younger boys, tough guys do wear pink!
Amidst the busy-ness of Open House preparation, we have taken the time to stop and come together as a community of faith. Yesterday, we entered into the journey of Lent with a somber and moving Ash Wednesday Liturgy. I would like to share yesterday’s Prayers of the Faithful with you because the message resonates so well with us here and now in all that we strive to do and be:
That all of us try to follow Jesus’ example, we pray to the Lord.
Take My hand and walk with Me.
That we try to help people who need friends and are lonely, we pray to the Lord.
Take My hand and walk with Me.
That we try our best to be kind to each other in words and actions, we pray to the Lord.
Take My hand and walk with Me.
That we say we are sorry when we hurt one another, we pray to the Lord.
Take My hand and walk with Me.
That we try to be peacemakers in school and at recess, we pray to the Lord.
Take My hand and walk with Me.
Celebrating Children’s Art
The inaugural, now First Annual, Sacred Heart Elementary School Art Show was a raging success because of to the hard work and dedication of our students and teachers. I want to send particularly loud thank yous out to D’Arcy Wilson, Barbara-Ann O’Halloran, Janet Gray, Nicole Ferguson & Sharon Bennet for their tireless dedication to this important cause. Of course, we would be nowhere without the artistic vision and talents of our student artists, musicians, and ambassadors. Thank you all for coming out and bringing your friends. We will do this again…
Open House this Sunday
We open our doors to the public on Sunday afternoon for our annual open house. Presentations, activities, and displays from Junior Primary all the way up to grade 12 are designed for you. Open House runs from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m., but elementary school student activities should conclude by 3:00 p.m.
For those new to our school, all elementary students attend Open House in dress uniform, starting at 1:00 p.m.
Please make sure your child is primped and punctual. Thank you.
And the birds up on the wires and the telegraph poles
They can always fly away from this rain and this cold
You can hear them singing out their telegraph code
All the way down the telegraph road
2.14.2013
Congratulations to our Sr. Girls Basketball Team
Sacred Heart senior girls basketball team won the NSSAF Div 4 Capital Regional Championship this week!
Way to go, girls!
Way to go, girls!
Alumnae Profiles!
Profile of Alumna, Neesha Rao, Class of 2004 Harvard Graduate!
I started Sacred Heart in grade nine, when I was fortunate to receive a scholarship to attend the school through grade twelve. I have fond memories of my time at Sacred Heart and know that the education I received was critical to helping me succeed in university and beyond.
While at Sacred Heart, I was deeply involved in the school’s debating program. Under the guidance of the school’s dedicated coach, I was able to develop strong skills in analysis, argumentation and public speaking. My fellow teammates and I were very successful throughout all of our time debating for Sacred Heart, consistently placing in the top five of provincial and national tournaments. I placed first in many competitions and was given the opportunity to represent Canada at the World Schools Debating Championship in Stuttgart, Germany in 2004. Debating at Sacred Heart was a wonderful extracurricular activity that encouraged me to grow intellectually while working with others.
My other extracurricular experiences at Sacred Heart were similarly challenging and exciting. For three years, I participated in the Aventis Biotech Challenge, working with other students and a professional mentor over the course of many months to develop and conduct a high-level scientific experiment. In grade eleven, my partner Colleen Connolly and I placed first at the provincial level in this competition and ended up ranking second nationally. I was also a member of the choir and liturgy choir, and co-founded the Global Citizens club.
My extracurricular activities at Sacred Heart were rooted in the strong academic education that I received. By grade twelve I had taken Advanced Placement exams in English language, European History and French Language.
When I applied for university, my extracurricular and academic experiences helped me to be successful in applying to schools. The support that I received from teachers while applying to university was something that I am not sure all students in high school are fortunate enough to have, and spoke directly to the spirit of community and genuine interest that Sacred Heart teachers possess. While I received a significant scholarship to attend McGill as well as a Millennium scholarship, I ended up accepting an offer of early admission to attend Harvard University.
While at Harvard, I was prepared to excel in my history, social sciences, and French classes thanks to the education I received at Sacred Heart. Perhaps most importantly, the confidence that I developed while at Sacred Heart helped me to succeed as a leader in a university full of ambitious and intelligent people. At Harvard, I was the Vice President of the school’s first musical group dedicated to black creativity and spirituality, which is also the school’s largest multicultural organization. I served as a research assistant for a professor exploring the history of the French legal system’s treatment of the country’s Muslim citizens. I was awarded a competitive fellowship from the Center for Europe Studies to teach English in Krakow, Poland for a summer. The summer before my fourth year, I conducted thesis research in Bangalore, India with a fellowship from The South Asia Initiative at Harvard. I graduated from Harvard with Bachelor of Arts degrees, with honours, in one of the school’s most intense programs, social studies, as well as with a language citation in French.
Currently, I am a research assistant at a health policy think tank in Washington, DC.
In September 2012, I will begin law school at McGill. At Sacred Heart, few values were emphasized more than social justice. It is a value that stuck with me in university as I chose my research projects and extracurricular activities, is with me presently as I work on public health care policy, and will follow me into law school as I plan to focus on public interest and human rights law.
Neesha Rao
Massey Journalism Fellowship for 2011-2012 - Elizabeth Bowie, Class of 1998
Elizabeth Bowie, Class of 1998, has been awarded a Massey Journalism Fellowship for 2011-2012. Each year, Massey College chooses several mid-career journalists to join the College. The goal is to get out of the daily grind, and take a year to broaden her horizons in the unique and intellectual environment that is Massey College. As part of the fellowship, she has been given nine months off from CBC, and can take classes at the University of Toronto. She is part of the Massey community, which is made up of junior and senior fellows, including Michael Ignatieff, Margaret Atwood, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Julie Payette.
Elizabeth commented on her years at Sacred Heart: "My years at SHSH continue to play an enormous role in shaping my path. Sacred Heart taught me that if you work hard, show concern and courtesy for your neighbour, and dare to be true, good things can happen."
Massey Journalism Fellow 2011-2012
CBC Radio producer
Congratulations, Elizabeth, from your Sacred Heart Family!
Profile of Dr. Rohini Bannerjee, Class of '93 - current parent
It was back in 1981 that Marilyn first greeted Rohini at Sacred Heart School. After two weeks in Mrs. Jones’ Primary class, Rohini was promoted to Grade One where, at the age of 5 years, her love of the French language began in the Bilingual English-French Programme. In Junior and Senior High, Rohini was both participant and judge at the Concours d’Art Oratoire French public speaking contest. She soon became an active member of the Debating team, a team whose many successes at the Provincial level included the 1993 Saint Mary’s University High School Debating Championship whereby her winning team out-argued the Halifax Grammar School team, one of whose debaters was Karim Mukhida, her future husband! Rohini was a member of Student Council throughout Junior and Senior High School and won several School awards including the McBirney, Judith Simms Sapp, University Toronto Book Prize, Debating, Boyd Family, French award, Alumnae Award, amongst others. Along with the generosity of the Bursary Programme, Rohini held an Entrance Scholarship both in Grade 7 and Grade 9 which she maintained throughout her schooling.
Encouraged by the Social Action Programme established at Sacred Heart, Rohini avidly volunteered at the IWK both in the Outpatient Department and later as a French translator. Her interest in Women’s Health issues eventually led her to volunteer at the local Planned Parenthood Clinic. Her volunteerism earned her the title of 1992 Nova Scotian “Volunteen.”
From 1987 to 1993, Rohini worked in the After-School Programme, having been in the programme herself throughout Elementary School. It was then in Grade 10, that she began working at the Portry during the summer, a position she held for eight years. Rohini’s Portry experience continued on during the academic year throughout High School and even after Graduation as the evening Event Receptionist and also as Saturday Receptionist for the Maritime Conservatory of Music (Performing Arts) when it was initially housed at Sacred Heart. In between working at the Portry Desk, Rohini also managed the Uniform Shop for two summers.
After being granted University scholarships in Ontario, it was at Dalhousie University as a Canada Scholar that Rohini chose to pursue her BSc. When her first year French professor discovered she was a student of the late Madame Michelle Wilson, he was convinced she would study French as a career and so signed her up for the Dalhousie Aix-en-Provence, France Year Abroad Programme. She credits her love of French language to Mme Wilson, her passionate and brilliant Elementary French teacher. Despite Rohini’s pre-med path at Dalhousie with courses including Neuroanatomy and Philosophy of Biology, she chose to follow her passion for French literature and in 1997, graduated with an Advanced Double Major in Biology and French and later in 1999, completed a Masters in 19th century French literature at Dalhousie. During her time at Dalhousie, Rohini was still active at Sacred Heart, working at the Portry and volunteering first as the Treasurer, then Secretary and later as President of the Sacred Heart Alumnae. In 2000, Rohini began her Doctoral studies in French & Francophone Literature at the University of Western Ontario during which time she returned to Halifax in 2001 and married HGS 1993 Grad, Dr. Karim Mukhida (old Debating rival but later Neuroanatomy study partner!). In 2004, Rohini and Karim returned to Halifax from Toronto where she was teaching French from Grades 2-5 in the Jewish Education Board while writing her PhD thesis, and joined the Sacred Heart Faculty teaching Grade 10 Honours French. In 2005, she and Karim welcomed their first son Ishan. Doctorate in hand in 2006, Rohini landed a tenure-track position at Saint Mary’s University in the Department of Modern Languages and Classics as Assistant Professor of French Studies (International Francophone Studies) in 2007. She is also Faculty member of Asian Studies and Graduate Faculty of the Joint Master of Arts in Women and Gender Studies at SMU and MSVU. Rohini is the Faculty Advisor for the World University Service of Canada for Saint Mary’s University and was an active member of the Student Refugee Program Selection Committee. Her primary area of research is in contemporary Indian Ocean Francophone literature and Cultural Studies in particular, she focuses on the multicultural and multilingual island of Mauritius resulting in conference presentations and invited talks across Canada and the US, UK, Spain, Belgium and most recently, Mauritius. Rohini also holds a cross appointment as Assistant Professor with the Department of French Studies at Western where she has been teaching translation since 2000.
In December 2009, Rohini and Karim welcomed their second son, Vikesh and in 2013 welcomed their third son, Suvan! Balancing motherhood and her academic career has only been possible because of her husband and family’s support and in addition, to the strong work ethic she earned throughout her 12 years at Sacred Heart. She credits a long line of Sacred Heart educators for all her successes, many of whom remain Faculty to this day. Rohini looks forward to her three sons joining the Sacred Heart family as she anticipates many more Sacred Heart successes for them in the years to come.
In Grade Primary we did a project where we wrote what we wanted to be when we got older. Many of my peers wrote down doctor, vet, lawyer - and many of them are on their way to achieving those dreams. My dream was to be an Olympian. After following my sister, Talia’s (Class ’98) footsteps into sport, I wanted to be the best in the world. I never thought that this couldn’t be possible and while attending Sacred Heart that dream became an attainable goal. Training everyday while going to school became the norm for me and I fell into a relatively rigid schedule that I chose to follow. Dragging my Dad to 5:30 am practices throughout most of the Fall and Winter, it soon became a yearly routine and way of life that I loved. I started racing for Canada in the summer of Grade 10, where I raced in the 2001 Junior Championships in Curitiba, Brazil. Since that summer, I have raced in over twenty countries, collected over thirty international medals including two Gold and two Bronze Pam American Games Medals from 2003 and 2007.
In 2003, I graduated from Sacred Heart School. We had a number of lifers in our graduating class and I was one of them. However, I did not celebrate with them at our prom nor attend my own graduation. I only ended up in the grad picture by the miracle of computers. Instead of being with my peers and teachers, I was racing in Poland as part of Team Canada in the sport of Flatwater Sprint Kayaking. Years later when I graduated from St. Mary’s with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy, I would once again miss graduation for a regatta in Poland. Throughout my years at Sacred Heart, I learned how to balance school and be an athlete. I would leave for a month each spring to attend a training camp in Florida. I never once ran into trouble with teachers while I trained; they tolerated my late appearances because of my 5:00 a.m. practice schedule four times a week. Throughout University I found that I was able to communicate easily with professors in missing time and working with them from a distance. I can only attribute my ability to approach and work one on one with these professors from my time at Sacred Heart.
Olympian! Jill D'Alessio, Class of 2003
At the age of 19, I attended the Summer Olympic Games in Athens Greece competing in the K4 500m. We placed 8th overall and the Canadian Canoe/Kayak team as a whole, had its best result ever. Lining up for the Olympic final knowing that the world was watching and that I would lead my team to the finish line is a memory that will forever be etched in my mind. Every bead of sweat, every early morning wake up, every curse word uttered from pain, and every sacrifice made were all worth it just to experience each moment that Olympic summer.
Every four years I chase a new Olympic dream. I faced numerous obstacles and injury on my journey to the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and did not make it. It was upon my reflection after these games that I started to assess what kind of athlete and person I was becoming. I recognized that whether it is sport, academics or life only I can control my own actions and my own effort. It becomes very easy to solely focus on an end result and ignore the individual steps it takes to get there. I returned once again to the basic steps of focusing on the little steps and reducing the stress of expectations and pressures that are created by only thinking about the result wanted. I am one year into my quest for the Olympic Games in London 2012 and I am happier and more confident in my training. I have the courage to take each step deliberately towards my dream. Sacred Heart equipped me with the tools I needed to strive for success. I value and appreciate the support I received and still receive from this close knit group.
When I come back to speak to the students about setting goals and going after their own dreams I do this because I want to give back what little I can to this community that gave and taught me so much. I was taught how to be a leader within these brick walls; if I can inspire at least one girl (or boy now) to be brave enough to be the best they can be, in any endeavor, through sharing my story and experiences then I feel as though the legacy that is created through a Sacred Heart education may be passed along to yet another generation.
Dr. Krista Donaldson Awarded an International Social Innovation Fellowship in PopTech
Dr. Krista Donaldson is a Sacred Heart alumna who is making the world a better place!
Dr. Krista Donaldson attended Sacred Heart School of Halifax from 1984 through 1988. She is currently the CEO of Design Revolution which designs and puts into production products to improve the lives of the four billion people who have incomes of less than $4 per day. She was awarded an International Social Innovation Fellowship in PopTech, an international design and social development organization. Krista is a design engineer who has worked and taught in Kenya, South Africa, Iraq and Burma. She is also a Rainer Arnhold 2010-2012 Fellow.
She considers Pictou, NS her home and spends time there each year with her husband and two children.
Krista is the author of a very successful book for high school seniors and freshmen engineers: The Engineering Student Survival Guide. She spent five years in Kenya working at Kickstart...then called ApproTech...designing and putting into production treadle pumps to irrigate crops. She trained workers for factories in Nairobi and Arusha to manufacture them. She does well in Swahili from formal training on Zanzibar and in Nairobi as Kswahili is somewhat different from street Swahili. She also worked with the single artisans making products beside the road to improve the quality and cost structure of those items. Much of the research for her PhD comes from her time in Nairobi.
Congratulations to Krista from all of us at Sacred Heart School!
Alumnae Profile - Dara MacDonald, Class of 2004
I started at Sacred Heart in Grade 7, following in the footsteps of my sister Charlotte’s very successful first few years in the Elementary School! Over the years at Sacred Heart, I benefited greatly from the commitment of its faculty to fostering critical thinking, international engagement, and personal development in their students. While at Sacred Heart School of Halifax (SHSH), I was heavily involved in the Kids Help Phone Student Ambassadors program, co-founded the Global Citizens club, and pursued Advanced Placement courses in English Composition and Spanish Language. My high school years at Sacred Heart were central to developing my love for the social sciences and humanities. I distinctly remember being pushed by Mrs. Horne to constantly ‘read more, about everything’ – a habit that has served me well in holding my own with current classmates and colleagues! I can trace my interest in international politics to Miss Scott’s ever-engaging Grade 12 History class, and my enduring curiosity for Latin American issues and the vagaries of the Spanish language to Sra. Marquez’s kind and enthusiastic encouragement in many years of Spanish classes and AP preparation. I remember my years at Sacred Heart as full of lasting friendships, intellectual excitement, and rewarding community involvement.
After graduating from the high school in 2004, I took up my university studies as a Bell Scholar at Mount Allison University, in Sackville, New Brunswick. My years at Mount Allison, for which I was exceptionally well-prepared by the kind and challenging guidance of Sacred Heart teachers, were some of the most rewarding and fun I have had yet! At MTA, I completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours with First Class Distinction) in International Relations, with Minors in Hispanic Studies and Development Studies, and was involved in several activities around campus. The interest in social action that I developed first at SHSH continued through my work as President of the WUSC local committee, the campus arm of a Canadian NGO focused on poverty, education, and refugee issues. Through this work I also served as the Conference Director for the Uniterra Atlantic Symposium 2007 (‘Education for All: Traditional Provision, Alternative Models & Development Effects’).
My involvement in student leadership at Sacred Heart also inspired me to get involved with student government at Mount Allison, serving on residence executive in my second year of studies and as Vice President Academic Affairs for the Mount Allison students’ union in my fourth year. These extracurricular activities were nicely complemented by my introduction to research work through assistantships for Dr. Rob Summerby-Murray on the project ‘Heritage as Spectacle: interpreting deindustrialised landscapes in Maritime Canada’ and Dr. Judith Weiss on the project ‘José Antonio Ramos y Aguirre: The Construction of the Cuban Intellectual’ during my last years of study. The interest in Spanish that Sra. Marquez’s classes at Sacred Heart inspired was also well served at Mount Allison, where I worked as a laboratory instructor for the Intermediate Spanish course and took a summer abroad at the Universidad de Granada, in Spain, as an advanced student of the language. I was also fortunate to experience teaching firsthand, having a chance to lecture, mark, and give exam guidance as a Purdy Crawford Teaching Intern for the Geography of the Developing World course at MTA.
In the fall of 2008, after graduating from Mount Allison, I moved to the U.K. to take up a Rhodes Scholarship at the University of Oxford. Currently, I am reading for an M.Phil. in Development Studies at St. Antony’s College, to finish in July 2010. My thesis research at Oxford has integrated growing interests in education, Latin American cultures, and childhood poverty. Entitled “Reproducing Inequality?: The Process of Secondary School Abandonment in Rural Highland Peru”, my thesis deals with the causes of secondary school dropout in rural Peruvian indigenous communities. Supervised by researchers at the Young Lives project, a 15 year study of childhood poverty in 4 countries funded by the British government, my research work has served to further broaden my understanding of poverty, social inequality, and children’s issues in Latin America. While at Oxford I have also taken advantage of the wealth of student activities available here, working as the Grants Officer for the Rhodes Scholars’ Southern African Forum (an NGO run by current scholars that funds grassroots development projects in Southern Africa) and the representative of my M.Phil. course to the academic administration. Without the early encouragement from Sacred Heart teachers and community, I would not have been able to develop the skills that brought me to Oxford, an opportunity which has been immeasurable.
After finishing my Master’s degree at Oxford in July 2012, I will be working on education issues with a development NGO or multilateral agency in Peru for the next year. After this, I plan to take up a Master’s of Public Administration in the United States, to help prepare me further for a professional career in international development focused on education policy in Latin America. I look forward to visiting the teachers and staff at Sacred Heart while stopping for a brief break in Halifax this coming summer!
Dara MacDonald, Class of 2004
Vanessa MacDonnell, Class of 1999 Profile
I am a graduate of the Class of 1999. The years I spent at Sacred Heart instilled in me a strong sense of self and of community. Being a part of this community of inspiring and intelligent women was a formative experience, one from which I continue to benefit. I often reflect upon the important role that Sacred Heart has played in preparing me, my sister Jasmine, and many young women like us, for a life of work, family, and faith.
In my final year at Sacred Heart, I served as Head Girl. I received the Birks Medal for leadership, the Governor General’s medal for highest average in the graduating class and the O’Dea Trophy for most outstanding graduate.
After graduating from Sacred Heart, I studied science as an Oland Scholar at St. Francis Xavier University. I served as a student representative on the Board of Governors and as Executive Vice-President of the student-alumni association, SALUTE-X. I also co-founded the Model United Nations Society, which gave me the opportunity to attend the 2002 Harvard National Model United Nations. I received multiple awards for community involvement while at St. FX, and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science (Biology) with Distinction.
After completing my undergraduate degree, I pursued studies in law. Following my graduation from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, I articled at a major Toronto law firm and was called to the Ontario bar. In 2007-2008 I completed a judicial clerkship for Justice Louise Charron at the Supreme Court of Canada.
In 2008, I received a Harvard University Association in Canada scholarship to pursue graduate studies at Harvard, where my research focussed on Canadian and comparative constitutional law. After graduating from Harvard, I married Leo, a criminal lawyer and former law school classmate. I recently accepted a term faculty position at the University of New Brunswick Law School.
There is no doubt that my experiences at Sacred Heart have influenced my academic and career paths. These experiences gave me self-confidence, a drive to succeed, and a strong grounding in Catholic values. In this way, a Sacred Heart education prepared me not just for future studies, but for life.
Alumna Stars as Wendy in Peter Pan at Neptune Theatre!
The way I remember it, I decided to go to Sacred Heart for one reason and one reason alone... they produced a musical every year. Yeah, sure, they also had great academics and lovely teachers who really cared and all that... but... MUSICALS! That's what my life's been about for as long as I can remember and when I met a few Sacred Heart girls through a summer theatre camp, I knew I wanted to go to school where they did. Once I started at SHSH, the other wonderful things about the school became apparent, like the small class sizes and the teachers really knowing who I was and what was important to me. When I first arrived at Sacred Heart, there were auditions for Brigadoon and I was cast as the sultry Meg. Now, granted, I didn't understand what half of her lines meant at the time, but people laughed and the "magic" happened. Next was No, No, Nanette, followed by Guys and Dolls (in which I had to play a "Guy"... THAT was a learning experience!), and then the finale ultimo, Annie Get Your Gun, which was one of the most amazing experiences I could have asked for to round off my Sacred Heart Experience. We had so much fun and while we were rehearsing for that show, I auditioned for and got into Sheridan College's Musical Theatre Performance programme (using a monologue from Annie Get Your Gun!).
So right out of high school, I packed my bags and left for Oakville, Ontario to learn how to be a Broadway Baby. It was intense. I was in class or rehearsal 5 or 6 days a week from 8:30am to 8pm (plus rehearsing on my own after that). But I was prepared thanks to the combination of my Sacred Heart schedule and all of my after school activities, which meant that I had a pretty grueling schedule all the way through high school. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
Since graduating from Sheridan, I've been lucky enough to have played some pretty excellent roles at some wonderful theatres. Most recently I played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the gorgeous Citadel Theatre in Edmonton and right now I'm rehearsing Wendy in Peter Pan at Neptune (and happy to be a little closer to home!).
Sacred Heart also helped to teach me a strong work ethic. In my spare time between shows, I've recorded my debut album, which I've just put on sale on my website at www.blairirwin.com (which is another project I created in between gigs!) and wrote and performed two One-Woman Shows that I produced in Toronto, where I am now based.
The Sacred Heart family encouraged me to follow my passion from the get-go and that is something that I will never forget. Because I was allowed to follow my dreams while in high school, they just grew bigger and bigger and I felt that nothing could stop me. I've been chasing those dreams ever since. Now, when someone questions my career, instead of thinking "Yeah... you're right.” The odds are tiny... maybe I should find a plan B,"I say... "Why NOT?" and that is something that no one can take away from me.
(Sarah) Blair Irwin, Class of 2001
I started Sacred Heart in grade nine, when I was fortunate to receive a scholarship to attend the school through grade twelve. I have fond memories of my time at Sacred Heart and know that the education I received was critical to helping me succeed in university and beyond.
While at Sacred Heart, I was deeply involved in the school’s debating program. Under the guidance of the school’s dedicated coach, I was able to develop strong skills in analysis, argumentation and public speaking. My fellow teammates and I were very successful throughout all of our time debating for Sacred Heart, consistently placing in the top five of provincial and national tournaments. I placed first in many competitions and was given the opportunity to represent Canada at the World Schools Debating Championship in Stuttgart, Germany in 2004. Debating at Sacred Heart was a wonderful extracurricular activity that encouraged me to grow intellectually while working with others.
My other extracurricular experiences at Sacred Heart were similarly challenging and exciting. For three years, I participated in the Aventis Biotech Challenge, working with other students and a professional mentor over the course of many months to develop and conduct a high-level scientific experiment. In grade eleven, my partner Colleen Connolly and I placed first at the provincial level in this competition and ended up ranking second nationally. I was also a member of the choir and liturgy choir, and co-founded the Global Citizens club.
My extracurricular activities at Sacred Heart were rooted in the strong academic education that I received. By grade twelve I had taken Advanced Placement exams in English language, European History and French Language.
When I applied for university, my extracurricular and academic experiences helped me to be successful in applying to schools. The support that I received from teachers while applying to university was something that I am not sure all students in high school are fortunate enough to have, and spoke directly to the spirit of community and genuine interest that Sacred Heart teachers possess. While I received a significant scholarship to attend McGill as well as a Millennium scholarship, I ended up accepting an offer of early admission to attend Harvard University.
While at Harvard, I was prepared to excel in my history, social sciences, and French classes thanks to the education I received at Sacred Heart. Perhaps most importantly, the confidence that I developed while at Sacred Heart helped me to succeed as a leader in a university full of ambitious and intelligent people. At Harvard, I was the Vice President of the school’s first musical group dedicated to black creativity and spirituality, which is also the school’s largest multicultural organization. I served as a research assistant for a professor exploring the history of the French legal system’s treatment of the country’s Muslim citizens. I was awarded a competitive fellowship from the Center for Europe Studies to teach English in Krakow, Poland for a summer. The summer before my fourth year, I conducted thesis research in Bangalore, India with a fellowship from The South Asia Initiative at Harvard. I graduated from Harvard with Bachelor of Arts degrees, with honours, in one of the school’s most intense programs, social studies, as well as with a language citation in French.
Currently, I am a research assistant at a health policy think tank in Washington, DC.
In September 2012, I will begin law school at McGill. At Sacred Heart, few values were emphasized more than social justice. It is a value that stuck with me in university as I chose my research projects and extracurricular activities, is with me presently as I work on public health care policy, and will follow me into law school as I plan to focus on public interest and human rights law.
Neesha Rao
Massey Journalism Fellowship for 2011-2012 - Elizabeth Bowie, Class of 1998
Elizabeth Bowie, Class of 1998, has been awarded a Massey Journalism Fellowship for 2011-2012. Each year, Massey College chooses several mid-career journalists to join the College. The goal is to get out of the daily grind, and take a year to broaden her horizons in the unique and intellectual environment that is Massey College. As part of the fellowship, she has been given nine months off from CBC, and can take classes at the University of Toronto. She is part of the Massey community, which is made up of junior and senior fellows, including Michael Ignatieff, Margaret Atwood, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Julie Payette.
Elizabeth commented on her years at Sacred Heart: "My years at SHSH continue to play an enormous role in shaping my path. Sacred Heart taught me that if you work hard, show concern and courtesy for your neighbour, and dare to be true, good things can happen."
Massey Journalism Fellow 2011-2012
CBC Radio producer
Congratulations, Elizabeth, from your Sacred Heart Family!
Profile of Dr. Rohini Bannerjee, Class of '93 - current parent
It was back in 1981 that Marilyn first greeted Rohini at Sacred Heart School. After two weeks in Mrs. Jones’ Primary class, Rohini was promoted to Grade One where, at the age of 5 years, her love of the French language began in the Bilingual English-French Programme. In Junior and Senior High, Rohini was both participant and judge at the Concours d’Art Oratoire French public speaking contest. She soon became an active member of the Debating team, a team whose many successes at the Provincial level included the 1993 Saint Mary’s University High School Debating Championship whereby her winning team out-argued the Halifax Grammar School team, one of whose debaters was Karim Mukhida, her future husband! Rohini was a member of Student Council throughout Junior and Senior High School and won several School awards including the McBirney, Judith Simms Sapp, University Toronto Book Prize, Debating, Boyd Family, French award, Alumnae Award, amongst others. Along with the generosity of the Bursary Programme, Rohini held an Entrance Scholarship both in Grade 7 and Grade 9 which she maintained throughout her schooling.
Encouraged by the Social Action Programme established at Sacred Heart, Rohini avidly volunteered at the IWK both in the Outpatient Department and later as a French translator. Her interest in Women’s Health issues eventually led her to volunteer at the local Planned Parenthood Clinic. Her volunteerism earned her the title of 1992 Nova Scotian “Volunteen.”
From 1987 to 1993, Rohini worked in the After-School Programme, having been in the programme herself throughout Elementary School. It was then in Grade 10, that she began working at the Portry during the summer, a position she held for eight years. Rohini’s Portry experience continued on during the academic year throughout High School and even after Graduation as the evening Event Receptionist and also as Saturday Receptionist for the Maritime Conservatory of Music (Performing Arts) when it was initially housed at Sacred Heart. In between working at the Portry Desk, Rohini also managed the Uniform Shop for two summers.
After being granted University scholarships in Ontario, it was at Dalhousie University as a Canada Scholar that Rohini chose to pursue her BSc. When her first year French professor discovered she was a student of the late Madame Michelle Wilson, he was convinced she would study French as a career and so signed her up for the Dalhousie Aix-en-Provence, France Year Abroad Programme. She credits her love of French language to Mme Wilson, her passionate and brilliant Elementary French teacher. Despite Rohini’s pre-med path at Dalhousie with courses including Neuroanatomy and Philosophy of Biology, she chose to follow her passion for French literature and in 1997, graduated with an Advanced Double Major in Biology and French and later in 1999, completed a Masters in 19th century French literature at Dalhousie. During her time at Dalhousie, Rohini was still active at Sacred Heart, working at the Portry and volunteering first as the Treasurer, then Secretary and later as President of the Sacred Heart Alumnae. In 2000, Rohini began her Doctoral studies in French & Francophone Literature at the University of Western Ontario during which time she returned to Halifax in 2001 and married HGS 1993 Grad, Dr. Karim Mukhida (old Debating rival but later Neuroanatomy study partner!). In 2004, Rohini and Karim returned to Halifax from Toronto where she was teaching French from Grades 2-5 in the Jewish Education Board while writing her PhD thesis, and joined the Sacred Heart Faculty teaching Grade 10 Honours French. In 2005, she and Karim welcomed their first son Ishan. Doctorate in hand in 2006, Rohini landed a tenure-track position at Saint Mary’s University in the Department of Modern Languages and Classics as Assistant Professor of French Studies (International Francophone Studies) in 2007. She is also Faculty member of Asian Studies and Graduate Faculty of the Joint Master of Arts in Women and Gender Studies at SMU and MSVU. Rohini is the Faculty Advisor for the World University Service of Canada for Saint Mary’s University and was an active member of the Student Refugee Program Selection Committee. Her primary area of research is in contemporary Indian Ocean Francophone literature and Cultural Studies in particular, she focuses on the multicultural and multilingual island of Mauritius resulting in conference presentations and invited talks across Canada and the US, UK, Spain, Belgium and most recently, Mauritius. Rohini also holds a cross appointment as Assistant Professor with the Department of French Studies at Western where she has been teaching translation since 2000.
In December 2009, Rohini and Karim welcomed their second son, Vikesh and in 2013 welcomed their third son, Suvan! Balancing motherhood and her academic career has only been possible because of her husband and family’s support and in addition, to the strong work ethic she earned throughout her 12 years at Sacred Heart. She credits a long line of Sacred Heart educators for all her successes, many of whom remain Faculty to this day. Rohini looks forward to her three sons joining the Sacred Heart family as she anticipates many more Sacred Heart successes for them in the years to come.
In Grade Primary we did a project where we wrote what we wanted to be when we got older. Many of my peers wrote down doctor, vet, lawyer - and many of them are on their way to achieving those dreams. My dream was to be an Olympian. After following my sister, Talia’s (Class ’98) footsteps into sport, I wanted to be the best in the world. I never thought that this couldn’t be possible and while attending Sacred Heart that dream became an attainable goal. Training everyday while going to school became the norm for me and I fell into a relatively rigid schedule that I chose to follow. Dragging my Dad to 5:30 am practices throughout most of the Fall and Winter, it soon became a yearly routine and way of life that I loved. I started racing for Canada in the summer of Grade 10, where I raced in the 2001 Junior Championships in Curitiba, Brazil. Since that summer, I have raced in over twenty countries, collected over thirty international medals including two Gold and two Bronze Pam American Games Medals from 2003 and 2007.
In 2003, I graduated from Sacred Heart School. We had a number of lifers in our graduating class and I was one of them. However, I did not celebrate with them at our prom nor attend my own graduation. I only ended up in the grad picture by the miracle of computers. Instead of being with my peers and teachers, I was racing in Poland as part of Team Canada in the sport of Flatwater Sprint Kayaking. Years later when I graduated from St. Mary’s with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy, I would once again miss graduation for a regatta in Poland. Throughout my years at Sacred Heart, I learned how to balance school and be an athlete. I would leave for a month each spring to attend a training camp in Florida. I never once ran into trouble with teachers while I trained; they tolerated my late appearances because of my 5:00 a.m. practice schedule four times a week. Throughout University I found that I was able to communicate easily with professors in missing time and working with them from a distance. I can only attribute my ability to approach and work one on one with these professors from my time at Sacred Heart.
Olympian! Jill D'Alessio, Class of 2003
At the age of 19, I attended the Summer Olympic Games in Athens Greece competing in the K4 500m. We placed 8th overall and the Canadian Canoe/Kayak team as a whole, had its best result ever. Lining up for the Olympic final knowing that the world was watching and that I would lead my team to the finish line is a memory that will forever be etched in my mind. Every bead of sweat, every early morning wake up, every curse word uttered from pain, and every sacrifice made were all worth it just to experience each moment that Olympic summer.
Every four years I chase a new Olympic dream. I faced numerous obstacles and injury on my journey to the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and did not make it. It was upon my reflection after these games that I started to assess what kind of athlete and person I was becoming. I recognized that whether it is sport, academics or life only I can control my own actions and my own effort. It becomes very easy to solely focus on an end result and ignore the individual steps it takes to get there. I returned once again to the basic steps of focusing on the little steps and reducing the stress of expectations and pressures that are created by only thinking about the result wanted. I am one year into my quest for the Olympic Games in London 2012 and I am happier and more confident in my training. I have the courage to take each step deliberately towards my dream. Sacred Heart equipped me with the tools I needed to strive for success. I value and appreciate the support I received and still receive from this close knit group.
When I come back to speak to the students about setting goals and going after their own dreams I do this because I want to give back what little I can to this community that gave and taught me so much. I was taught how to be a leader within these brick walls; if I can inspire at least one girl (or boy now) to be brave enough to be the best they can be, in any endeavor, through sharing my story and experiences then I feel as though the legacy that is created through a Sacred Heart education may be passed along to yet another generation.
Dr. Krista Donaldson Awarded an International Social Innovation Fellowship in PopTech
Dr. Krista Donaldson is a Sacred Heart alumna who is making the world a better place!
Dr. Krista Donaldson attended Sacred Heart School of Halifax from 1984 through 1988. She is currently the CEO of Design Revolution which designs and puts into production products to improve the lives of the four billion people who have incomes of less than $4 per day. She was awarded an International Social Innovation Fellowship in PopTech, an international design and social development organization. Krista is a design engineer who has worked and taught in Kenya, South Africa, Iraq and Burma. She is also a Rainer Arnhold 2010-2012 Fellow.
She considers Pictou, NS her home and spends time there each year with her husband and two children.
Krista is the author of a very successful book for high school seniors and freshmen engineers: The Engineering Student Survival Guide. She spent five years in Kenya working at Kickstart...then called ApproTech...designing and putting into production treadle pumps to irrigate crops. She trained workers for factories in Nairobi and Arusha to manufacture them. She does well in Swahili from formal training on Zanzibar and in Nairobi as Kswahili is somewhat different from street Swahili. She also worked with the single artisans making products beside the road to improve the quality and cost structure of those items. Much of the research for her PhD comes from her time in Nairobi.
Congratulations to Krista from all of us at Sacred Heart School!
Alumnae Profile - Dara MacDonald, Class of 2004
I started at Sacred Heart in Grade 7, following in the footsteps of my sister Charlotte’s very successful first few years in the Elementary School! Over the years at Sacred Heart, I benefited greatly from the commitment of its faculty to fostering critical thinking, international engagement, and personal development in their students. While at Sacred Heart School of Halifax (SHSH), I was heavily involved in the Kids Help Phone Student Ambassadors program, co-founded the Global Citizens club, and pursued Advanced Placement courses in English Composition and Spanish Language. My high school years at Sacred Heart were central to developing my love for the social sciences and humanities. I distinctly remember being pushed by Mrs. Horne to constantly ‘read more, about everything’ – a habit that has served me well in holding my own with current classmates and colleagues! I can trace my interest in international politics to Miss Scott’s ever-engaging Grade 12 History class, and my enduring curiosity for Latin American issues and the vagaries of the Spanish language to Sra. Marquez’s kind and enthusiastic encouragement in many years of Spanish classes and AP preparation. I remember my years at Sacred Heart as full of lasting friendships, intellectual excitement, and rewarding community involvement.
After graduating from the high school in 2004, I took up my university studies as a Bell Scholar at Mount Allison University, in Sackville, New Brunswick. My years at Mount Allison, for which I was exceptionally well-prepared by the kind and challenging guidance of Sacred Heart teachers, were some of the most rewarding and fun I have had yet! At MTA, I completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours with First Class Distinction) in International Relations, with Minors in Hispanic Studies and Development Studies, and was involved in several activities around campus. The interest in social action that I developed first at SHSH continued through my work as President of the WUSC local committee, the campus arm of a Canadian NGO focused on poverty, education, and refugee issues. Through this work I also served as the Conference Director for the Uniterra Atlantic Symposium 2007 (‘Education for All: Traditional Provision, Alternative Models & Development Effects’).
My involvement in student leadership at Sacred Heart also inspired me to get involved with student government at Mount Allison, serving on residence executive in my second year of studies and as Vice President Academic Affairs for the Mount Allison students’ union in my fourth year. These extracurricular activities were nicely complemented by my introduction to research work through assistantships for Dr. Rob Summerby-Murray on the project ‘Heritage as Spectacle: interpreting deindustrialised landscapes in Maritime Canada’ and Dr. Judith Weiss on the project ‘José Antonio Ramos y Aguirre: The Construction of the Cuban Intellectual’ during my last years of study. The interest in Spanish that Sra. Marquez’s classes at Sacred Heart inspired was also well served at Mount Allison, where I worked as a laboratory instructor for the Intermediate Spanish course and took a summer abroad at the Universidad de Granada, in Spain, as an advanced student of the language. I was also fortunate to experience teaching firsthand, having a chance to lecture, mark, and give exam guidance as a Purdy Crawford Teaching Intern for the Geography of the Developing World course at MTA.
In the fall of 2008, after graduating from Mount Allison, I moved to the U.K. to take up a Rhodes Scholarship at the University of Oxford. Currently, I am reading for an M.Phil. in Development Studies at St. Antony’s College, to finish in July 2010. My thesis research at Oxford has integrated growing interests in education, Latin American cultures, and childhood poverty. Entitled “Reproducing Inequality?: The Process of Secondary School Abandonment in Rural Highland Peru”, my thesis deals with the causes of secondary school dropout in rural Peruvian indigenous communities. Supervised by researchers at the Young Lives project, a 15 year study of childhood poverty in 4 countries funded by the British government, my research work has served to further broaden my understanding of poverty, social inequality, and children’s issues in Latin America. While at Oxford I have also taken advantage of the wealth of student activities available here, working as the Grants Officer for the Rhodes Scholars’ Southern African Forum (an NGO run by current scholars that funds grassroots development projects in Southern Africa) and the representative of my M.Phil. course to the academic administration. Without the early encouragement from Sacred Heart teachers and community, I would not have been able to develop the skills that brought me to Oxford, an opportunity which has been immeasurable.
After finishing my Master’s degree at Oxford in July 2012, I will be working on education issues with a development NGO or multilateral agency in Peru for the next year. After this, I plan to take up a Master’s of Public Administration in the United States, to help prepare me further for a professional career in international development focused on education policy in Latin America. I look forward to visiting the teachers and staff at Sacred Heart while stopping for a brief break in Halifax this coming summer!
Dara MacDonald, Class of 2004
Vanessa MacDonnell, Class of 1999 Profile
I am a graduate of the Class of 1999. The years I spent at Sacred Heart instilled in me a strong sense of self and of community. Being a part of this community of inspiring and intelligent women was a formative experience, one from which I continue to benefit. I often reflect upon the important role that Sacred Heart has played in preparing me, my sister Jasmine, and many young women like us, for a life of work, family, and faith.
In my final year at Sacred Heart, I served as Head Girl. I received the Birks Medal for leadership, the Governor General’s medal for highest average in the graduating class and the O’Dea Trophy for most outstanding graduate.
After graduating from Sacred Heart, I studied science as an Oland Scholar at St. Francis Xavier University. I served as a student representative on the Board of Governors and as Executive Vice-President of the student-alumni association, SALUTE-X. I also co-founded the Model United Nations Society, which gave me the opportunity to attend the 2002 Harvard National Model United Nations. I received multiple awards for community involvement while at St. FX, and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science (Biology) with Distinction.
After completing my undergraduate degree, I pursued studies in law. Following my graduation from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, I articled at a major Toronto law firm and was called to the Ontario bar. In 2007-2008 I completed a judicial clerkship for Justice Louise Charron at the Supreme Court of Canada.
In 2008, I received a Harvard University Association in Canada scholarship to pursue graduate studies at Harvard, where my research focussed on Canadian and comparative constitutional law. After graduating from Harvard, I married Leo, a criminal lawyer and former law school classmate. I recently accepted a term faculty position at the University of New Brunswick Law School.
There is no doubt that my experiences at Sacred Heart have influenced my academic and career paths. These experiences gave me self-confidence, a drive to succeed, and a strong grounding in Catholic values. In this way, a Sacred Heart education prepared me not just for future studies, but for life.
Alumna Stars as Wendy in Peter Pan at Neptune Theatre!
The way I remember it, I decided to go to Sacred Heart for one reason and one reason alone... they produced a musical every year. Yeah, sure, they also had great academics and lovely teachers who really cared and all that... but... MUSICALS! That's what my life's been about for as long as I can remember and when I met a few Sacred Heart girls through a summer theatre camp, I knew I wanted to go to school where they did. Once I started at SHSH, the other wonderful things about the school became apparent, like the small class sizes and the teachers really knowing who I was and what was important to me. When I first arrived at Sacred Heart, there were auditions for Brigadoon and I was cast as the sultry Meg. Now, granted, I didn't understand what half of her lines meant at the time, but people laughed and the "magic" happened. Next was No, No, Nanette, followed by Guys and Dolls (in which I had to play a "Guy"... THAT was a learning experience!), and then the finale ultimo, Annie Get Your Gun, which was one of the most amazing experiences I could have asked for to round off my Sacred Heart Experience. We had so much fun and while we were rehearsing for that show, I auditioned for and got into Sheridan College's Musical Theatre Performance programme (using a monologue from Annie Get Your Gun!).
So right out of high school, I packed my bags and left for Oakville, Ontario to learn how to be a Broadway Baby. It was intense. I was in class or rehearsal 5 or 6 days a week from 8:30am to 8pm (plus rehearsing on my own after that). But I was prepared thanks to the combination of my Sacred Heart schedule and all of my after school activities, which meant that I had a pretty grueling schedule all the way through high school. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
Since graduating from Sheridan, I've been lucky enough to have played some pretty excellent roles at some wonderful theatres. Most recently I played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the gorgeous Citadel Theatre in Edmonton and right now I'm rehearsing Wendy in Peter Pan at Neptune (and happy to be a little closer to home!).
Sacred Heart also helped to teach me a strong work ethic. In my spare time between shows, I've recorded my debut album, which I've just put on sale on my website at www.blairirwin.com (which is another project I created in between gigs!) and wrote and performed two One-Woman Shows that I produced in Toronto, where I am now based.
The Sacred Heart family encouraged me to follow my passion from the get-go and that is something that I will never forget. Because I was allowed to follow my dreams while in high school, they just grew bigger and bigger and I felt that nothing could stop me. I've been chasing those dreams ever since. Now, when someone questions my career, instead of thinking "Yeah... you're right.” The odds are tiny... maybe I should find a plan B,"I say... "Why NOT?" and that is something that no one can take away from me.
(Sarah) Blair Irwin, Class of 2001
2.13.2013
Sacred Heart Open House Sunday, Feb. 17th from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Everyone is invited to the Sacred Heart School OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, February 17th from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Come see the school in action with lots of activities, demonstrations and musical performances.
There is something for all ages - preschool to grade 12 (boys and girls!)
Click here for the wonderful programme for your planning convenience!
There is something for all ages - preschool to grade 12 (boys and girls!)
Click here for the wonderful programme for your planning convenience!
2.12.2013
HEADMISTRESS' LETTER - February 12, 2013
HEADMISTRESS' LETTER
February 12, 2013
Dear Families and Faculty,
Thank you for the positive feedback regarding the re-enrollment process. We sent the Re-Enrollment email invitation around 12:30 yesterday, by 12:40 a student was officially re-enrolled for 2013-14. If you did not receive the information via email, please check your quarantine/spam folder, call school for assistance, or simply log into our website (shsh.ca) under the "parent" tab and it will take you to it. You have the option to re-enroll and pay online (credit card), or to download the contract for submission with a cheque or e-banking payment receipt. Please click Re-Enroll Now.
We are seeking student actors for a promotional video this Monday (2/18). To limit disruptions, we want to film on a non-school day, so we need students at school to work with Egg Studios. This is a great learning opportunity for students (and free!). If your child can participate from 8am-5pm (or some part there of), please contact Barb Martell (bmartell@shsh.ca or 422-4459).
ENGAGED ... that's our community!
Last night, we had a wonderful Art Show in the Elementary School; an age-appropriate vibe of sophistication prevailed as our young students described the creative process for their photography, pointillism, collages, drawings, and paintings. Boys and girls shared their artistic talents by singing and performing on the piano and trumpet.
The high school boys and girls whipped up a robust Winter Carnival last week (and adults enjoyed getting into singing acts and basketball games). We have boys in Quebec, Senior Boys and Girls Basketball playoffs in process, our Jr. High girls handily defeated GSH last night, and today a large group of high school girls celebrated a Spanish Fiesta complete with Salsa and Tango lessons.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday at our Annual Open House, and in the meantime, have a heart-warming Valentine's Day.
Stay dry in the midst of the cold soup outdoors!
Cheers, Sr. Wachter
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PRAYER CORNER
People have asked my thoughts on the Pope's decision to resign at the end of the month. For me, one significant benefit of his decision is that it will serve to humanize the institutional Church. Too often, the Pope is viewed as a super-human, holier than thou, or a status of beyond reach. Jesus was human, humble, and accessible to people. By acknowledging his infirmity, he is bringing a welcome human dimension to the Papacy.
Today is Mardi Gras ... or, as I'm learning the popular Nova Scotia lingo ... Pancake Tuesday. Liturgically it is Shrove Tuesday, the eve of Ash Wednesday which begins the Lenten season. It is a time to stretch oneself spiritually, and the "doing of this" often manifests itself in a practice of adopting a commitment to either refrain from or to do something meaningful. I value relationships, so I am going to commit myself to writing a letter a day to a friend or family member who lives away .... well, as I told the older boys on Monday, I am not a perfectionist so I will seek to live up to my goal at least 36 of the 40 days of Lent.
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PARENTS' GUILD
The Parents' Guild is planning a Family Skate at the Oval on Sunday, February 17 @ 7pm. Remember, we do not have classes on Monday the 18th, but request your support with the filming!
The next Parents' Guild meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 19 @ 7pm in the Parlour. All are welcome.
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CALENDAR
RE-ENROLL NOW (www.shsh.ca)
In the first 24 hours, 24 students have re-enrolled!
February, 2013
13 Ash Wednesday Services
14 Thursday, Happy Valentine's Day
14-15 Sr. Boys Basketball Regional Tourney
17 Sunday, Open House at 1pm, attendance required
18 Monday, No School, Open House Holiday
School Video Production - all welcome - 8am-5pm
19 Tuesday, Ski Trip to Wentworth,
Parents' Guild Meeting, 7pm - All Welcome
21 Thursday, Gr. 9 Students and Parents -
Information Night to prepare for senior high school
23 Saturday, Scholarship Exam (Gr. 9 for Gr. 10)
Jr. High Debate Provincials @ Middleton
2.07.2013
February 4, 2013 - Celebrating Winter!
| Headmistress Letter, February 4, 2013 |
Dear Families and Colleagues,
I have a few important items to communicate regarding the 2013-2014 academic year:
* the re-enrolment process will begin February 11;
* this year, enrolment contracts will be submitted online;
* applications for financial assistance are due February 28 (this applies to all who seek financial assistance for next year - current recipients need to complete the online application for the 2013-14 budget year).
I am proud of our hardy Canadians for braving snowy mornings so beautifully. We do not just survive winter, we celebrate it! In fact, this week is Winter Carnival for our Gr. 7-12 boys and girls, and among the many activities is an outdoor lunchtime BBQ! In Omaha during winters of 1964-67, my father and older brother made ice rinks on our front yard ... some wonderful childhood memories are coming to the fore here in Halifax. I look forward to (finally) putting on skates this Thursday evening to join our elementary families at the Oval while the high school students are on campus for Carnival Night.
Please see below for additional news - good winter reading!
Warmly,
Sr. Wachter
P.S.: My SF 49ers did not win last night. Many of you acknowledged this during morning arrival today - it is a good lesson that we can be united in loss as well as victory. The Ravens played to win ... and, to the many Patriots fans out there, I feel your pain!
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| Prayer Corner (Requests may be sent to Patricia Nichols or Sr. Wachter) |
Please join us in holding the following in your prayers: Cynthia Ghosn, Grade 9 is ill.Chris Horne's mother died last week. Sheryl Penny's aunt died last weekend in Cape Breton. The maternal grandfather of Luc and Mathieu Lefrancios (Mae Seto's father) died a week ago. Owen Sperry, age 5 (not a student of SHSH but connected to several of our families) died in a car accident recently, and I promised the prayers of our community.
Several of our students are engaged in sacramental preparations, so we pray for those making their First Reconciliation and Communion in these weeks and throughout the spring.
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Sacred Heart News Notes
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With regard to winter weather, our Rule of Thumb for communication is this: if the public schools announce closure, then as soon as possible we will post on our website and have a messsage on our phone system indicating whether we are open or closed. It worked well this morning and I am grateful to my advisors and communicators.
In March, we will formally request contact information to send invitations to our April 26 Grandparents' Day. Please know that grandparents are also welcome to attend our Open House on February 17.
You recently received our Strategic Plan 2012-2017. On Wednesday, February 6, we will offer two opportunities for people in our community to participate in the vision; please join us at either 8:45-10am or 6:45-8pm.
Last Friday, we welcomed over 60 student visitors to our school during the day, and at night the successful bidders of Cache-Cache enjoyed a fantasically fun evening at school.
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| Parents' Guild |
The Parents' Guild is sponsoring a Family Skate for the elementary families at the Oval this Thursday at 7pm.
Mark James, our Guild President is serving a one-year term; the Nominating Committee of the Guild will convene to begin the process of naming a President for the 2013-14 year.
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2.06.2013
Elementary School Art Show - Feb. 11-15
The Elementary School is hosting an Art Show called "Many Different Lights" from February 11th to 15th.
https://www.shsh.ca/document.doc?id=179
https://www.shsh.ca/document.doc?id=179
2.05.2013
Sacred Heart Celebrates Winter Carnival Week!
Sacred Heart Celebrates Winter Carnival Week - Feb. 4th to 7th
Girls:
Pinkified Monday
Twin Tuesday
Boys:
Mash Up Monday
Tim's Tuesday - be as Canadian as you can be!
Wacky Tacky Wednesday - dress up in the tackiest/cheesiest attire
Typical Thursday - regular colour day - wear what you like! And, skating at the Oval
BBQ at lunch for all Gr. 7-12
Girls:
Pinkified Monday
PJ Wednezzzzzzday
Regular color day on Thursday -skating at the Oval and a lip sync.Boys:
Mash Up Monday
Tim's Tuesday - be as Canadian as you can be!
Wacky Tacky Wednesday - dress up in the tackiest/cheesiest attire
Typical Thursday - regular colour day - wear what you like! And, skating at the Oval
BBQ at lunch for all Gr. 7-12
2.04.2013
Bring a Friend Day - A Blast
Over 60 friends from around the HRM came to spend the day with us last Friday. Everybody enjoyed their time and some Sacred Heart treasures. We will have a Grades P-9 visiting day on March 22nd.
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