Holy Name Convent Secondary was founded by French Dominican nuns in 1902. These nuns arrived in Trinidad in 1868 not to teach, but to take charge of the Leper Asylum. After the eruption of Mount Peleé in Martinique in 1902 the French nuns began to give private lesson to a young Martiniquan girl named Leonie Marie Raynaud whose parents had died in the eruption. Following this a few parents who were impressed with the high standard of French tutorship petitioned the sisters to start a ‘private school’. The class quickly increased in number to thirty.
As the years passed by more pupils were taken in and the school became known as the ‘Notre Dame School’ named after the building in which the classes were held. The present foundations of the Holy Name Convent Secondary were laid by Sr. Jeanne Emmanuel Barriere (principal 1938-1961) and Sr. Bernadette Robert. Over the period of tenure by Sr. Jeanne two blocks were established resembling the present day structure in order to accommodate more classrooms for the school. Holy Name Convent Secondary, always admired for the high standard of education offered, was accorded the title of ‘Approved Secondary school’ in 1949 and then in 1957 the status of a ‘Government Assisted School’.
To build an environment of faith enabling our students to become mature committed Christians, to foster academic excellence and to encourage the development of varied talents in our youth.
We have envisaged that the Holy Name Convent student will be an all-rounded individual. Students will not only be academically sound, but will have to develop their persona by participating in a plethora of extra curricular events and activities offered in the school
In order for our goals to materialize, it is necessary to have the suitable resources and infrastructure in place which will facilitate the development of holistic individuals. The following areas will be revamped or introduced:-
Holy Name Convent Secondary School is composed of six major departmental clusters of subjects that are offered to students.
Holy Name Convent Secondary School has 4 school houses:
Dear Holy Name
Alma Mater,
My spiritual mother
My school forever
Dear Holy Name
We are your daughters,
Under your shelter
Sisters forever in joy and pain.
We vow to love and honour you
Whatever station or fame
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Cradle of light and love
Guiding us to rise above
For all you have given,
For all you have striven
We’ll cherish as home
Our dear Holy Name.
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Religious Sisters and caring teachers,
Moulding us scholars,
My Holy Name
You avail us the knowledge,
Put first things first,
Forever upwards,
We dare proclaim,
Action not words, you’ve taught us,
Veritas, let truth be heard
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With Jesus Christ to bless us all
We have one aim, strength in unity
A solid foundation.
Friendships and relations,
Ensure we’ll uphold you
As our dear Holy Name.
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Veritas, putting first things first
Veritas, teaching actions not words
Veritas, strength in unity,
Forever upwards we’ll be.
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Alma Mater,
My spiritual mother
My school forever
Dear Holy Name
We are your daughters,
Under your shelter
Sisters forever in joy and pain.
We vow to love and honour you
Whatever station or fame (2X)
Most Holy Name of Jesus
To Thee we homage pay
Give grace to us to Praise Thee
And bless Thee day by day.
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O yes till life is over
And then forever more
Most Holy Name of Jesus
We’ll love Thee and adore.
Most Holy Name of Jesus
We’ll praise Thee evermore.
No Name is half so tender
No Name so sweet as Thine
What hope for contrite sinners
How full of grace divine
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O Jesus God and Saviour
Teach us Thy Name to love
And when our course is ended
Take us to Thee above.