Statement made on 25 November 2010 by Senator Jane Cordy
Hon. Jane Cordy:
Honourable senators, Holy Angels High School is the only public all girls school east of Montreal. I am a proud graduate of Holy Angels, and I can attest first-hand to the excellence of the school. It is known in Cape Breton as "the convent" and the students are known as "the convent girls" or "the angels."
Since the school was established in 1885 by the Sisters of Notre Dame, it has been educating generations of young women in Cape Breton. In fact, my grandmother was a graduate of Holy Angels. The "convent" was and continues to be a special place to go to school. It provides a nurturing, safe environment in which to learn. As one student said, "It is a place where young women can go to any teacher and feel trust and comfort." The student experience at Holy Angels gives them confidence to take on life's challenges.
When I was a student at Holy Angels, the principal at the school was Sister Peggy Butts, who was later Senator Peggy Butts. Honourable senators in the chamber who were fortunate enough to have known Sister Peggy will understand what an inspiration and role model she was for the students. The current principal, Theresa MacKenzie, also a Holy Angels grad, believes passionately in the model that allows students to grow from young girls to young women.
Honourable senators, in the 1950s, Holy Angels High School was handed over to the Nova Scotia Department of Education. It was only after this transfer that the sisters who were teachers received a salary. The sisters kept ownership of the building and charged a modest rent to the province that did not even cover the operating expenses of the school.
The Sisters of Notre Dame have made a tremendous contribution to the education of young women in the Sydney area. I want to thank the congregation publicly for all they have done.
Unfortunately, the sisters have made the difficult decision to put the school building up for sale. Honourable senators, because of this situation, the school is in danger of closing.
On Tuesday, November 10, a group of students, parents and teachers travelled to Halifax to present a petition and to make their case to the provincial government to find a way to keep their school open.
The Nova Scotia Department of Education has yet to make any decisions. It is my sincere hope that a solution can be found to allow future generations of young women in Cape Breton the opportunity to attend Holy Angels High School. I want to take this opportunity to recognize Holy Angels High as a great Canadian institution of learning.