Catholic Education Week: Blackfriars, OLSH join for Hearts & Hounds

Take a group of Hounds and add a lot of Heart.

Students from Blackfriars and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart yesterday came together for the second annual Hearts & Hounds Day.

As part of Catholic Education Week, Blackfriars Year 8 students headed to OLSH, at Enfield, for a series of engaging and collaborative activities designed to build social, communication and leadership skills.

The day was organised by senior student leaders from both schools, with Blackfriars’ 2025 Prefect group also attending.

Blackfriars and OLSH students at OLSH for Hearts & Hounds.

“Collaboration between an all-boys school like Blackfriars and an all-girls school such as OLSHC offers a range of important educational and social benefits, especially at the Year 8 level, where students are still developing interpersonal and emotional intelligence,” Blackfriars Assistant Principal Religious Identity & Mission Angela Collins said.

“It’s affirming for the future to see these young people collaborating together and using their own initiative to generate a day where they get to meet new friends and learn how to get along with a wide range of people.

“Initiatives like this help build not just social confidence, but also the kind of interpersonal skills that will serve our boys well into the future.”

Blackfriars Year 8 students at OLSH for Hearts & Hounds.

Year 8 student Thomas Vu enjoyed the day.

“Hearts & Hounds helped me connect to the girls and understand their nature, especially through the quiz when working together was key,” Thomas said.

Blackfriars Prefect Matthew Brown said the day was a “fantastic opportunity for the Year 8s to build meaningful connections, while also giving us Prefects the chance to learn from their leadership team and grow together”.

“The day was both fun and engaging, encouraging positive interaction between students from both schools and allowing everyone to meet new people in an enjoyable setting,” Matthew said.

“These kinds of collaborations are incredibly valuable, as building strong connections play a vital role in our overall school experience.”

Blackfriars Prefect Matthew Brown and International Student Captain Reach Chay with leaders from OLSH for the Hearts & Hounds Catholic Education Week initiative.

OLSH Acting Deputy Principal Sonia Venour was proud to host Hearts & Hounds in 2025 and “support our students as they develop leadership, communication and collaborative skills”.

“Seeing students from both schools work together with such enthusiasm and respect highlights the power of partnership in education,” Ms Venour said.

“We look forward to bringing our students together again for Hearts & Hounds in 2026.”

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