WELCOME
About
Heathgrove is a project of the Association for Educational Projects Limited (AEPL), a not-for-profit company which aims to promote education and the development of character in accordance with the ideals of Christianity. Our company ABN: 22 001 350 410. We work in partnership with parents who share this vision.
Through all its activities, Heathgrove aims to provide a well-rounded formation for young women, help them develop their talents to the full, and use them in the service of society. This is achieved by encouraging academic excellence and fostering an awareness of the needs of others.
Association for Educational Projects Limited (AEPL) is committed to providing a safe, supportive and caring environment that enables children to develop their full potential as individuals.
AEPL has a Child Protection Policy which is available for downloading. The Child Protection Officer of AEPL is Gerald Santucci, Director of Snedden Hall & Gallop Lawyers, 0414 936 456.
OPUS DEI
Spirituality
The spiritual formation given to the girls at Heathgrove is entrusted to Opus Dei, a personal Prelature of the Catholic Church, which helps people find holiness in everyday life.
Opus Dei is a Catholic institution founded by Saint Josemaria Escriva. Its mission is to help people turn their work and daily activities into occasions for growing closer to God, for serving others, and for improving society. It promotes an awareness of the universal call to holiness, the radical idea that every person is called by God to be a saint.
Opus Dei complements the work of local churches by offering classes, talks, retreats and pastoral care that help people develop their personal spiritual life and apostolate. For more information on Opus Dei visit www.opusdei.org.au.
OPUS DEI
History
As the Second Vatican Council noted, every baptised person is called to follow Jesus Christ, by living according to the Gospel and making it known to others. The aim of Opus Dei is to contribute to that evangelising mission of the Church, by promoting among Christians of all social classes a life fully consistent with their faith, in the middle of the ordinary circumstances of their lives, and especially through the sanctification of their work.
Opus Dei was founded in 1928 in Spain and is currently established in 66 countries. Opus Dei has around 90,000 members, both men and women. 98% are laypeople, most of whom are married. The remaining 2% are priests.
Opus Dei's work of spiritual formation complements the work of local churches. People who join Opus Dei or attend its activities continue to belong to their local diocese. For more information please visit: www.opusdei.org.au
THE CENTRE
How it started
For the past 30 years various parents and volunteers - seeking to promote good values and develop the characters of young women - have run activities in their own homes throughout Melbourne. Since 1987 AEPL volunteers from Sydney with broad experience in working with young women encouraged and provided human, spiritual and professional input to these activities.
More and more women and girls started attending activities, and the dream of establishing a youth centre in Melbourne was realised in 1997. Since then we have worked at three different premises, and after two years of construction are now in our permanent home at 32 Havelock Road, Hawthorn East.
TRANSPARENCY
Parents and Volunteers
Heathgrove’s clubs and activities are run by volunteers who include parents, university students, teachers, and young professionals who are passionate about youth. All our volunteers have long-term relationships with the centre, go through an interview and screening process, hold valid Working with Children cards, and are trained by us in child safety.
Each girl is given a mentor who helps her to set and reach her personal goals. The mentors are available to meet with parents to talk about their goals and future aspirations.
We also have regular gatherings with the parents from each club to transmit the formation plan and to learn from their ideas. We hold frequent family events to create opportunities for both the girls and the parents to build and develop friendships.