News Release September 10, 2009 |
Fountain Academy of the Sacred Heart – the boys’ high school division of Sacred Heart School of Halifax – was officially opened today. Philanthropists Margaret and David Fountain and their daughter, Gwyneth along with Sister Mary Finlayson, provincial superior of the Society of the Sacred Heart, cut the ribbon on the brand new $4.5 million building. “We remain firmly committed to single-sex education at the high school level,” said Mark Bursey, chairman of the Sacred Heart Board of Governors. “We know from our experience and from educational research that boys and girls thrive in a single-sex academic setting. Separating them allows us to adjust our teaching methods to accommodate the significant differences between boys and girls in learning styles.” After more than 100 years of teaching only girls, the school admitted boys into the elementary division in the 1970s. In 2005 the school responded to requests from the families it serves and established a boys’ high school division. It was housed in the parish centre of Canadian Martyrs Church on Inglis Street. As the boys’ high school grew and then outgrew its location, Sacred Heart’s Board of Governors decided to build a new facility on its Spring Garden Road campus. In December, 2007 a $4.5 million capital campaign was launched under the leadership of Danny Chedrawe. The capital campaign has almost reached its $4.5 million goal and is scheduled to wrap up by the end of the year. “Sacred Heart is deeply grateful for the enormous support of Margaret and David Fountain as well as legacy supporters Fred and Nali George and the Patrick Power Trust,” said Mr. Chedrawe. The new three storey school teaches boys in grades 7 through 12. It has a capacity of 120 students and boasts a gymnasium, library, computer and science labs in addition to classrooms and seminar rooms. Its exterior design compliments the original structure which is designated a heritage property.
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