The awards are a celebration of the foundation of the lycée and a tribute to the founding sisters. They aim to keep alive in the present day an awareness about the school’s history and the people who shaped it, so that the values and experience of the past merge with the principles of contemporary education.
Twelve Notre Dame de Sion sisters arrived in Turkey in 1856, to take charge of a boarding establishment which became the first high school for young girls in Istanbul under the Ottoman Empire. Although there have been no sisters on the teaching staff since 2004, the values they sowed continue to flourish among the staff and pupils.
The prizes come under two main categories: “NDS Ethical Values Awards” and the “NDS Subject Awards”. The values awards recognise extraordinary human qualities that reflect those cultivated in the school by the sisters, while the subject awards mark achievement, not in terms of academic grades, but on the grounds of a spirit of initiative demonstrated in a particular field.
The ceremony was co-presented by students and staff members and included a musical interlude, during which a student gave a beautiful solo guitar performance on stage. There were also recorded interventions from four NDS sisters.
The event opened with a reflection on life in an archival recording of Sr Emmanuelle. “Everything can be summed up in these words,” she said. “It’s enough to love”. Sr Ania Bodzinska, who is Honorary President of the prize jury, gave a welcome on behalf of the Congregation. Sr Geneviève Vatin Pérignon (formerly Sr Anne Véronique) introduced the innovation prize, inviting action for the future: “There is always something to do. So do it!”. Sr Monique Harisboure, the last NDS sister on the teaching staff, reminded the students that sport is “a school for life” that teaches a team spirit, friendship and respect, all of which can be applied in other spheres.
The excitement and enthusiasm of the students as they applauded their classmates testifies to their authentic sense of belonging to the school community and connecting with its values. The Congregation of Notre Dame de Sion celebrates with all the final-year students, prize-winners and not, and wishes them courage and hope as they venture on into their young adult lives.
Charity prize awarded in the name of Sister Emmanuelle.
For setting up a solidarity project with a partner establishment.
Autonomy prize awarded in the name of Mother Louise Weywada.
For independent thinking and a creative spirit.
Perseverance prize in the name of Mother Elvira.
For managing to overcome great difficulty in their life.
Prize for respect for nature and protection of the environment, awarded in the name of Mother Solangia.
For raising awareness about environmental issues.
Innovation prize awarded in the name of Sister Anne Véronique.
For opening up an innovative perspective towards the future.
Courtesy prize awarded in the name of Sister Sophie.
For adopting and promoting a respectful approach towards others.
Science and Digital prize awarded in the name of Mother Marie-Berthe.
For taking part in and developing activities in maths, physics, chemistry, biology and technology.
French prize awarded in the name of Sister Isabelle.
For promoting a passion for French language and culture.
Humanities and Social Sciences prize awarded in the name of Sister Myriane.
For demonstrating and promoting open-mindedness and a methodical and analytical approach in History, Geography, Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy.
Sports prize awarded in the name of Sister Monique.
For taking part in and developing activities in various sports.
Arts prize awarded in the name of Sister Agnès.
For contributing to increasing interest in art and culture, thereby developing emotion, thought, perception, sensation and creativity at an aesthetic level.
Literature prize awarded in the name of Mother Fidélia.
For promoting a taste for literature and language, in order to develop original and critical thought.
Special Prize of the Jury
For a positive, generous, sensible and enterprising contribution to school life.
The award winners and presenters.