語学校・ISSHアラムネ会長 Mayling Woo Clements（I81’）

A Tale of the Sacred Heart Schools in Japan

Once upon a time there were four very different women who set sail from Sydney, Australia on December 4th, 1907, upon the Nikko Maru with a mission set by Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat to extend the Society through the service of education encompassing the criteria to believe, learn, serve, connect and grow. Their names were Bridget Heydon, Mary Scroope, Elizabeth Sproule, and Mary Casey. They landed in Yokohama on January 1st, 1908, and found their way to Kogaicho Azabu on the 2nd to what was to be the first Sacred Heart establishment in Japan. None of the ladies had any idea or prewarning for the cold climate, very different culture, and living standards. They arrived at a very empty house eventually to be sleeping on futons on the floor and removing shoes with every entry into a home. Despite all their daily challenges and hardships, records showed they all showed undeniable“ joy and merriment” in their new home.

Mother Josephine Goetz, the immediate successor to Saint Madeleine Sophie, instructed her sisters traveling abroad to “Learn promptly the language and customs of the country. Criticize nothing. Constantly give the example of humility, modesty, and abnegation. Don’t make quick judgements nor appear to know it all.” Perhaps these instructions she gave to her“ foreigner” sisters trying to assimilate in the Japanese culture contributed to the sisters’ success to establish the Sacred Heart Society in Japan.

A second wave of eight teachers soon arrived from Europe. Two were from Ireland, two from France, two from Belgium and two from England arrived on February 8th which forced them to a larger space in Hiroo. On April 13th, 1908, the first students to Gogakko or“ Foreign School” were welcomed to what would later become the International School of the Sacred Heart.

Mother Heydon was known to love to sing while Mother Isbeque from Belgium played the piano. Songs in different languages could be heard echoing from the school. Music is, after all, a universal language everyone can enjoy. Without being able to speak the language, the sounds, emotions and lyrics can easily be remembered. As the school grew, the campus moved to Shirokanedai, the current location of Sankocho Japanese Sacred Heart School. The school did not move to Hiroo until 1948 and officially became the International School of the Sacred Heart. The iconic Tange building was completed in 1968 with additions made in 2011. Currently the school is preparing to renew the buildings to better educate the children for the future. The beauty of seeing so many young ladies have a high level of basic education, understanding of her own character, principles, and a guidance based on faith is priceless. Furthermore, the positivity born from this is endless. So, the tale of the Sacred Heart schools in Japan and around the world continues.

聖心女子学院外国人部（通称 語学校）全生徒 本館前 1916年～1917年：JASH資料委員会所蔵

インターナショナルスクール授業風景 終戦後：JASH資料委員会所蔵

ISSH 110th Anniversary Celebration

Class of 2024 Seniors Day of Reflection

参考資料：『小林聖心女子学院50年史』（1973年発行）