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Foundress Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779 - 1865)
The first Sacred Heart School was founded in 1801 in Amiens, France, and began as a boarding school for girls. Since then, schools have been established in various locations in France, where the spirit of Christian values, high intellect, and effective action became the tradition of the Sacred Heart education for girls. In 1818, the first Convent of the Sacred Heart was established in America, later extending to South America, and in 1908, arriving from Europe via Australia, four Sacred Heart sisters grounded the foundation in Japan. Now, there are seven Sacred Heart schools from kindergarten to university in Japan, and 147 schools in 30 countries around the world, continuing the spirit of the Sacred Heart education.
Ms. Emi Fujiwara, Headmistress
Wonderful
Our world is full of wonder
Why are wild flowers so beautiful?
When did the universe begin?
Who am I?
And wonderful encounters that lead to today
We are formed by many wonderful encounters - family, friends, teachers, fleeting encounters, and encounters through the written word that transcend time and space. Even one word is connected to our current selves.
At the Sacred Heart School, Tokyo, everyone is a wonderful existence; each of us is a wonderful unique individual. On our beautiful campus, we can experience many encounters each day, and express and realize our wonders in an atmosphere of wise freedom. Through this, we discover our wonderful talents and endeavor to polish them.
When our children turn 18, they soar into the wider world from the Sacred Heart School, Tokyo. We therefore plant seeds that let them use their talents for others and blossom into wonderful flowers in their own destinations.
In the Middle and High School Sports Day, Grades 7-12 students compete by grade. Individual events such as the 100 meter race, team sports such as the obstacle race and tug-of-war, and various dance performances by grade take place. In the Primary School, Sports Day is held on the Feast Day of our foundress, Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat. Her words are recited in unison, and with Grade 6 students as leaders, students learn about her heart and compassion
The school festival is hosted by the Middle and High School. Planned and organized by the Mikokoro Festival Committee, students perform and exhibit their achievements from their classes, clubs, and committees. Games are also prepared and food sold on this day; thus, parents, students, graduates, along with hundreds of guests enjoy this large-scale event
This ceremony is held to celebrate the birth of Jesus through carols and prayers. High school students attend mass, and in the Middle school, selected students perform in the pageant created by Grade 9 students. In the Primary School, Christmas Wishing is celebrated in English with carols and a play, with Grade 6 students taking the lead.
Primary School students perform on stage or display what they learned throughout the academic year. Until Grade 4, students present their creative achievements from their Living Environmental Studies and Integrated Studies, Grade 5 students from their English classes, and Grade 6 students from their Music classes. In the year of exhibitions, all students display their art work and learn from each other.
The main gate was built by the architect Jan Letzel in 1909, who also constructed the Hiroshima Dome. These are the only two monuments of his in existence today in Japan, and this gate has been designated as a historic landmark of Tokyo. The brick-built gate is a design of Western classical architecture, while the turtle shell-shaped roof and turtles carved onto the two gateposts give it a Japanesque touch.
The Chapel was designed by Antonin Raymond in 1928. It stands as a place of worship for Mass, religious events and morning assemblies. Part of the wooden structure was brought over from a French chapel over 100 years ago, and the bench that the foundress Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat prayed is still in precious use today. There is an anecdote that when the Main Building was struck by a fire bomb and engulfed in flames during World War II, the fire miraculously extinguished in front of the Chapel doors, saving the sacred hall.
The architect Tadao Ando designed this multipurpose building in 2008 to commemorate the centennial anniversary of this school. The hall, with a seating capacity of 200, is located on the third floor, and small classrooms are on the first and second floors, creating a place for prayer, learning and integrated studies.
The green courtyard is the oasis where students come and go between classes. The many plants, including the symbolic metasequoia that overlooks the campus, express their beauty throughout the year. This is also the place where morning assemblies are held, and where children run around and play.
This painting shows the young Virgin Mary resting her hands at work and devoting her heart to God in front of a background symbolizing a hopeful future. Expressing the fundamental human lifestyle of prayer, thought and labor, and with the lily symbolizing innocent virtue, this painting is hung in every Sacred Heart school around the world to be looked upon as the model the foundress urged women to become.
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