The religious roots of female education in Sydney : a history of the Congregation de Notre Dame and Holy Angels Convent School, 1885-1911

Abstract

Holy Angels Convent School was opened in Sydney, Nova Scotia in 1885 by the Congregation of Notre Dame. The sisters had come to the town at the request of Father James Quinan, the Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish. This study examines the history of the Congregation in Sydney between 1885 and 1911 and the educational opportunities it provided for young women. As one of the first schools for young women in the town, Holy Angels offered a variety of educational programs designed to meet the needs of the young women of the town. They offered instruction in music, art, English and business. The thesis also analyzes the parental occupation, hometown, religion and age of the students, creating a demographic picture of the young women who attended the school. Finally, it examines the relationship between the Congregation of Notre Dame and the community, providing insight into the religious, social and educational conditions in the town in the late nineteenth century.