Maintaining the Educational Vision of St. Angela Merici in Ursuline Schools

This dissertation focuses on the spirituality of St. Angela, her ideals for a good Catholic education, some historical background on the success of Ursuline schools over the years with the presence of the religious and the present state of Ursuline schools now with mostly lay leaders. The following elements will be dealt with as a basis of the research: The Ursuline charism and how Serviam is lived out in the school context today  Collaborative ministry focusing on how the lay leaders work together with the Ursuline community to continue to nurture the spirituality of St. Angela  The sacramental perspective  Fully human from the Catholic Perspective  Contemporary challenges to managerialism in Catholic schools The Ursuline spirituality and charism was analysed in terms of education and the educational vision of St. Angela. Following the literature review, a mixed methods approach was conducted with quantitative and qualitative analysis in the form of interviews with two headteachers of Ursuline Schools and two governors, supported by quantitative analysis in the form of a survey from teachers in three Ursuline schools. The research findings were analysed in the light of the literature review and my conclusions were formulated based on the outcome of the research. The findings were used to inform the recommendations that are suggested for the leaders of Ursuline Schools which focus on the maintenance of a balance between the influence of managerialism and maintaining the Ursuline spirituality and Catholic distinctiveness.