This page aims to provide information of events other than those organised as part of the yearly programme of the Federation or its Associations.

Firstly, information will be given of forthcoming events and later we hope to show reports and/or pictures of  these events. The latter will stay on the website for 12 months following the date of the event when it is hoped to archive the material.

Before the start of the Covid Epidemic an obituary of Margaret Lawton was promised. This can be found in Saint Julie News 2020.

Obituaries of other previous BFNDA members can be found at the end of the copies of Saint Julie News available on the website.

Notification of any planned events would be welcomed.

Previous events

Former SND pupils may be interested in this link

http://s1.itseeze.co.uk/sites/snd2/sister-maura-o-carroll-honoured/

Notre Dame School Plymouth 150th Anniversary Celebrations July 16th 2016

On Saturday July 16^th 2016, Notre Dame School Plymouth was awash with sunflowers. Saint Julie’s flowers were visible wherever you went, from the arrangements in vases to the gifts of keyrings and lapel pins. The occasion was the Celebration Morning to mark the end of the 150^th Anniversary year of the school’s foundation.

The morning started with a short liturgy to give thanks for the work of the Sisters and those who followed them.

There then followed a wonderful performance of Shadowland (from the Lion King musical) by pupils of the school.

David Wells from the Plymouth diocese, whose role is to assist schools in the New Evangelisation, gave a lighthearted and interesting talk.

More entertainment followed with excerpts from the school’s latest production of Thoroughly Modern Millie.

The second guest speaker was Sr. Anne Mc Dowell SND. Her theme was St Julie’s vision for the education of the whole person- Head, Heart and Hands. She spoke about the work of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur since the congregation was founded. This was followed by a short video of the Sisters in Parbold.

More entertainment followed with dancing and singing by present pupils.

The Visitors then set off for light refreshments and tours of the school.

Two of the Sisters Sr Margaret Mary SND and Sr Mary SND who are also biological sisters and now live in Plymouth also attended.

The morning concluded with several former pupils singing the old school song ‘Ring Notre Dame’,

a closing address by the headmistress Mrs Katherine White and a final prayer.

The above pictures are published courtesy of ND Plymouth with thanks

Three former pupils among the many who attended in order to enjoy the celebrations and to reminisce about their schooldays

Phyllis Vosper (neé M^c Gowan) 1957-63, Oonagh Linehan (neé  Fitzpatrick ) 1939-51  Direct member BFNDA and  Bernadette George (neé Given) 1957 -63

Visit to Namur 7^th-9^th October 2015 organised By Diane Donovan (Southwark)

Thirteen of us set off from St Pancras on Eurostar heading for Brusssels on the way to Namur. Unfortunately we were not a full complement as some members had to withdraw because of ill health.After changing at Brussels for a local train we arrived in Namur at about 3pm local time. Those of our party who were staying at the Hôtel de Flandre then left us and the rest made their way to the Mother House of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.

                                                                             On entering we were greeted by this statue of St. Julie.

Sr. Marie welcomed us and showed us to our rooms.

This corridor was to become very familiar during our stay.

We were impressed with the little touches in our rooms such as fresh flowers and sweets. The rooms were very good considering the cost of accommodation.

The evening meal was at 6.15.p.m., after which a few ventured out “to sample the night life”, while others went to their rooms for a read and an early night.

The following morning, after breakfast, the rest of our party arrived for our visit to the Heritage Centre. [email protected]

 Sr. Marie, Sr Honorine and Sr.Margaret Walsh showed us around and explained some of the exhibits.

 We took a break to join the Sisters for Mass and afterwards some of us took the opportunity to see a bit more of the Heritage Centre before lunch.

Some familiar faces!

For further information about St Julie, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and their work

www.sndden.org

www.snduk.org

All our party lunched in the convent before setting out with Sr. Honorine to view the ‘first house’ i.e. the house where Sr Julie and her companions lived on arriving in Namur.

Our group then dispersed to do some shopping and further sightseeing

The snail is the symbol of Namur. The inhabitants apparently were known for speaking French very slowly!

We left after breakfast the following morning. We would like to thank all the Sisters of the Mother House in Namur for making our visit so enjoyable.