Educa.Dor - St Dorothy's Schools

Our International Dorothean Community

Educa.Dor refers to the Dorothean style of education, inspired by the charism of St Paula, and interpreted in the context of the ‘signs of the times’, a principle strongly emphasised by the Second Vatican Council.

The aim of this initiative is to strengthen the Dorothean family by forming the lay people involved in this mission, and imbuing them with the spirit of St Paula, who gave special love and attention to the poorest and those most in need of care.

The programme started in 2014, when the Sisters decided to bring all Dorothean educational institutions together to work on the same theme, inspired by the mission and vision of St Paula. Essentially, we are all on a single journey, though it may take different paths, depending on the various realities we experience.

Our objective is to reach out to our students with love and simplicity, and help them learn how to convey this love to others and thereby contribute to the transformation of society in the light of the Gospel. And we do this by creating special moments (including both spiritual and fun events) to celebrate our charism throughout the year, such as learning about St Paula’s life (through different activities during lessons and class-teacher time), celebrating her birth (with a birthday party) and her feast day (during our Thanksgiving Mass at the end of the scholastic year), live-ins, Prayer Spaces, etc.

Each year, all Dorothean educational centres in Europe focus on a common theme that is explored in depth, and is developed further from year to year. This year, our theme is: “As we journey, travel light.” In this way we aim to strive to free ourselves from what does not allow us to be guided by the Holy Spirit. It is also about focusing on what is important and necessary and making ourselves “poor at heart” so that we are able to open up to God and others. Through this simplicity we can discover what truly enriches our lives. This allows us to embrace lightness, flexibility, generosity and creativity.

Previous Educa.Dor Themes

2023-2024

The theme for 2023-2024 focused on "As We Journey, Let Us Love And Embrace Our Reality." During this period, we aimed to love and accept the people and situations we encountered in our daily lives. This approach encouraged us to become active, involved, compassionate individuals who were open to reality and others, drawing strength from their presence. It required us to broaden our hearts, step out of our comfort zones, and serve others, embracing those we met and accepting our realities. This was achievable only through God's immense, welcoming love. We rested in the assurance that if God had placed us in this small portion of history, He would provide us with what we needed.

2022-2023

Following the General Chapter of the Sisters of St Dorothy, which took place earlier in 2022, the theme for the 2022-2023 scholastic year was Hospitality. This theme built on the previous one and emphasised having a welcoming attitude, being human in our interactions with others, and having companions to support us throughout life. It also involved seeking God and His will in our relationships, being in the company of others throughout our journey and theirs, supporting others and being supported by them, and continuing to create open communities.

2021-2022

During this scholastic year, we embraced the theme of "Creating Open Communities", drawing inspiration from St. Paula's approach to education. This initiative focused on fostering environments that awakened and empowered both personal and collective qualities, while also strengthening trust and encouraging reciprocity among individuals. Through these efforts, we aimed to promote altruism and meaningful relationships, creating a foundation for joyful and fulfilling communities. This approach was designed not only to cultivate happiness but also to nurture gratitude, resilience, and interconnectedness. By integrating these values into our educational framework, we sought to prepare our students to become part of a society rich in social capital, fostering their cognitive, emotional, and social development.

2019-2020-2021

The word “passare” was intentionally left untranslated because the Italian term carries a profound and multifaceted meaning. For us, “passare” embodies the ideas of passing on, passing through, transformation, inheritance, transmission, and connection—whether in personal, social, or historical contexts. It reflects our commitment to passing on the legacy of our faith, inspiring others to grow and strive to become the best versions of themselves, while respecting individuality. Through “passare,” we aim to share a part of ourselves that bridges past and present, paving the way for the future, and to accompany others throughout the journey of life.

2018-2019

That scholastic year, a common theme for all Dorothean schools was again adopted: The Experience of God in Jesus Christ and Life. The aim was to unite all members of the schools’ communities through St Paula’s teachings. This theme embraced the spirituality of St Paula by fostering a profound experience of God in Jesus Christ through both the significant events and the small moments of life. It encouraged reflection on human values, the ways to love others in everyday reality, and the personal journey shared with others, with the goal of transforming humanity into one great family as God’s children.

2017-2018

This scholastic year, we embraced the theme "The Experience of God in Jesus Christ and Life", aiming to unite all members of the school communities through the teachings of St Paula. Rooted in her spirituality, this theme invites us to encounter God in Jesus Christ, not only in life’s significant moments but also in the small, everyday experiences. It encourages reflection on human values and inspires us to express love for others in our daily interactions. By sharing this personal journey with one another, we strive to transform humanity into one great family, united as children of God.

2016-2017

The theme for scholastic year 16/17 was “Friendship.” The aim was to bring together all members of the schools’ communities, focusing on drawing closer to one another through building friendships.

2015-2016

The theme for that scholastic year was "Family Spirit" within the context of the teachings of St Paula. Efforts were made to involve all students, members of staff, and parents/guardians. It was hoped that the project would provide deeper meaning to their pastoral work and community values.