Say a little prayer

Dominican Convent School is, of course, Catholic (small c as well), and this is an aspect which is by no means tokenistic. Although there are no longer nuns living on site, or involved in the day-to-day running of the school, they maintain a presence, attending the weekly church service, and represented on the management board.

The most noticeable aspect of Catholicism in the school is the place of prayer. The staff briefing each morning begins with prayer, grace is said before and after every meal, and prayers are said by all at the line-up which takes place three times a day.

Discipline is strictly enforced at these gatherings, silence, order and attention insisted upon most firmly. There are occasions when a certain tension exists between the religious and the secular messages given out; render unto Caesar, I suppose…