The centrepiece of our return to school in September 2011 is without doubt the arrival of a new infant school. The survival of Notre-Dame des Jeunes, located in dated, run down buildings, was dependant upon strong and solid decision making. Our President and Board of Governors undertook the decision to re-construct a functional and pleasant modern infant school within the grounds of our Institution, close to the junior school. The building is progressing well, no doubt helped along by the clement weather of the past few months. We hope the children will be able to move into their new school when term begins in September or shortly afterwards. Comprising four class rooms, a dormitory and a play and development room, a canteen (run by the municipality), this construction is close to a sports centre and other facilities provided by our Institution. Everything is in place within an exceptional environment to give these young children a successful start to their education. The Headmistress and her staff of Notre-Dame des Jeunes have already adopted the spirit of our educational community.

For the last few years we have welcomed many students from Asia or America, many of them having been educated in Anglo-Saxon schools. The world being as it is, a large number of parents are called upon to move around in the course of their professional work. Upon their return, their desire to have their children educated within our school is not only an honour but above all a motive for us to equip ourselves with an ambitious policy for language teaching and learning. Teachers are involved in this project right from junior school through to the Lycée. A programme of certification in languages is constantly evolving, activities linked to the various twinning associations provide enrichment on a personal level and there are several study trips in place. However, we must aim even higher. We are reviewing our language learning objectives and further means and methods are being introduced as from September 2011. The cultural element of our educative policy is intricately linked to language learning and generates a deeper motivation to master languages. A knowledge of languages is more than ever a necessity for our students, be they following a scientific, economic or literary pathway. We still need to convince a few of our students however and the support of parents will help reinforce this message.

Within the 'Grand Collège' we are fortunate to have a recent and very modern science block located in a large area equipped with information technology. Other sites in turn are in need of refurbishment too. We only have to think of the Annexe, avenue Poincaré and more especially the Lycée. Indeed certain physics laboratories are very old and will be replaced within the context of a more global operation allowing us to equip ourselves with other necessary installations. At the same time, the biology laboratories in the Lycée will also benefit from long awaited improvements. All our projects, whatever they may be, require healthy management and the ability to raise the necessary funds. Of that there is no doubt! But they are above all proof of the determination of our governing board to grant us high quality means of working, an ambitious target which will benefit our students.

Our pastoral team, composed of so many rich elements, group leaders, catechists, teaching assistants and teachers are planning how we can contribute to the Centenary of the Diocese of Lille. The suggestions are numerous, choices will have to be made in conjunction with the organisers. This all serves to remind us that our Institution was from the beginning placed in 1840 under the patronage of Notre-Dame de la Treille and that pupils from Marcq have always been present at cathedral celebrations.

The Headmaster, Yves Quiniou