Founded in 1955, Marymount International London is part of a network of schools directed by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. The RSHM was established in 1849 in Béziers, France by Père Gailhac and Mère St. Jean. They expanded their ministry to the United States in 1877 and founded schools throughout Europe and South America thereafter.
Recognizing the need to empower young women, Mother Butler founded Marymount School of New York in 1926 with this vision:
“The aims of a Marymount education are manifold: to educate the heart and mind, and to provide for each student’s total growth, intellectually, spiritually, socially, and physically.”
A farsighted visionary, Mother Butler created a heritage of innovation, dynamic leadership, and compassionate citizenry for future generations. It was also out of this vision that young women were encouraged to seek an international education and Marymount London was created to promote active global citizenship. To ensure the continuation of our founders’ mission and vision, select faculty and staff members and our Grade 9 students return to Béziers each year to be immersed in the history and ongoing ministry of the RSHM.
The RSHM Network today
Marymount is part of the international RSHM network of schools, a borderless community that shares common goals, values, and vision. The RSHM network spans nine countries and three continents. Regular exchanges occur throughout the international network, and Marymount students identify themselves as global citizens. Equipped with the lenses of empathy and respect, Marymount students develop cross-cultural understanding by imagining possibilities through multiple perspectives.
Goals and Criteria of the RSHM Schools
Goal 1: To foster a personal relationship with God
Criteria
As a school community:
1. We make God known and loved through Christian living rooted in Gospel values.
2. We welcome and respect the diverse religions of the world.
3. We empower each individual to understand, live and bear witness to her or his faith, in a respectful awareness of others beliefs.
4. We promote personal and communal prayer and reflection through liturgies, multi-faith services and retreats.
5. We encourage sacramental preparation and active participation in worship.
6. We explore in our religious education program the relationship of humanity to God, through the study of Scriptures, history, traditions, theology, spirituality and ethical system.
7. We participate in the life of the local Catholic church and pursue positive relationships with the wider community.
Goal 2: To create unity through diversity
Criteria
As a school community:
1. We create an atmosphere of respect, forgiveness, openness and joy.
2. We cherish each of our members and are sensitive to the diverse talents, abilities and needs of each one.
3. We nurture positive and co-operative working relationships among and between students, parents, administration, faculty and staff.
4. We celebrate and share our diverse cultures and national traditions to enhance international understanding.
5. We foster an appreciation for the culture and customs of the country in which we live.
6. We maintain positive relationships with other schools and educational organizations.
Goal 3: To Instil a life-long love of learning
Criteria
As a school community:
1. We provide an educational program of the highest standard that recognizes and develops each individual’s potential in a stimulating environment.
2. We ensure balanced intellectual growth through an integrated curriculum.
3. We educate our students to communicate clearly, live cooperatively and function effectively in a global and technological society.
4. We develop an informed awareness of beauty in the universe.
5. We enable students to study and research independently, to think critically, to reflect wisely and to have informed opinions.
6. We maintain a high level of professional development.
Goal 4: To encourage and affirm personal growth
Criteria
As a school community:
1. We are dedicated to the harmonious growth of the whole person through each individual’s physical, emotional, intellectual, social, moral and spiritual development.
2. We conduct our relationships according to the principles of honesty, compassion, truthfulness.
3. We promote a high standard of self-discipline and instill a deep sense of personal responsibility.
4. We provide opportunities to develop skills for effective decision making and leadership.
5. We cultivate growth in self-knowledge and self-esteem.
6. We encourage appropriate independent action and effective participation in the community.
7. We promote a positive and responsible attitude toward physical and mental well-being.
Goal 5: To awaken a consciousness of social justice
Criteria
As a school community:
1. We respect the sacredness of life and recognize the kinship of all people as God’s children.
2. We integrate social justice and human rights issues into the curriculum.
3. We actively and compassionately respond to the needs of others, especially the powerless, the deprived and the marginalized.
4. We are committed to an active social service program.
5. We promote awareness of the interdependence and unity of all life.
Goal 6: To fulfil the mission of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary “That all may have life.”
Criteria
As a school community:
1. We share the spirituality, history, and traditions of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary and their Founders.
2. We are attentive to living the distinctive spirit of the RSHM mission, “That all may have life”.
3. We foster and sustain the RSHM spirit through programs in the formation of others for partnership and leadership within the school, a Catholic school, in a multi-faith setting.
4. We continue our partnership with the RSHM ministries in Africa, and support others needs identified by the General Chapter of the Institute.
5. We participate in the network of RSHM schools throughout the world.
