Pastoral Care at Notre Dame
One of Notre Dame School’s many strengths is the level of pastoral care applied and available to every single pupil in the school, from Nursery right through to the Sixth Form. In the spirit of Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac, our foundress:
“We are all educators.....
accompanying young people in their efforts to build
their lives for today and tomorrow”
These words embody our mission
Notre Dame is a Roman Catholic Independent School with a strong ecumenical tradition, respecting the faiths and cultures of all members of our community.
Our mission is built on a 400-year tradition, strengthened by the presence of the Sisters of the Company of Mary Our Lady.
We believe that fulfilment comes through the recognition and nurturing of individual potential in all areas of endeavour:
By emphasizing personal, moral and spiritual development, based on Gospel values, enabling each member to become a valued participant in the life of the community.
By striving for personal academic excellence, offering learning experiences which will challenge each pupil.
By providing wide-ranging opportunities, seeking to identify and develop talents in artistic, cultural and sporting pursuits.
By fostering a strong relationship between family and school.
In this way we seek to prepare young women for their role as responsible citizens of the wider world following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
Based on Founding Principles
Notre Dame is a school of the Company of Mary Our Lady. This school – and approximately 300 other educational centres around the world (ranging from nurseries to university colleges and hospitals) – exists primarily because of the vision of St. Jeanne de Lestonnac, our foundress. The Company of Mary Our Lady has been a teaching order since 1607. Notre Dame Cobham was founded by the Order in 1937.
Notre Dame is a Catholic Independent School which welcomes families from all religious denominations. Whilst helping our Catholic children to deepen their understanding of our faith, we teach universal tolerance and understanding of all religious beliefs. Notre Dame is a happy school where Sisters, staff and girls are treated with mutual courtesy and consideration.
The School’s commitment to the growth and development of each student is given practical and concrete expression in its structures of care:
To help the pupil recognize her own capacity and potential
To accept and find ways to overcome herself; to aspire not to have more but to be herself.
To find ways of stimulating and helping each pupil according to her needs, keeping in mind her real situation and family and social background.
To encourage a sense of responsibility in her work and life.
To promote the social dimension of the educative process in team-work and co-operation.
To help the pupil take pleasure in her work, relationships and formative activities.
Notre Dame School promotes an atmosphere in which the needs of every individual are recognized and the highest standards of concern for others are fostered.
Pastoral care lies at the heart of our Mission and the school recognizes its responsibility to the whole person and endeavours to prepare its pupils fully for adult life in all its aspects.
All members of staff share the responsibility for providing pastoral care within the school, and are part of a team ready to support and encourage the girls in their welfare and progress.