Every child has a positive contribution to make to our community and to the wider society.
We believe and welcome children of all abilities and backgrounds, celebrate their achievements in and out of school and foster a strong sense of belonging. Our house system for girls from Reception to Year 6, named after saints, sees the girls take part in their feast day celebration, competing in inter-house sports and music events, and earning house points each week.
All staff play an important role in the pastoral care of the children and are alert to changes in behaviour, mood and friendship issues. Teachers spend most of their day with their class and they observe them at play when on duty, so they’re sensitive to the girls needs. Our PSHE programme which addresses all aspects of personal social and health education, including Relationships and Sex education.
We have an emotional literacy support assistant (ELSA) who is known to pupils throughout the school. The Youth Minister from Sacred Heart Church leads the year 6 chaplaincy team and supports the school in leading collective worship.
SCHOOL HOUSES
Our girls come together through our House system for assemblies, Feast Days and competitive opportunities, for example the House Music Festival and Sports Day. Pupils may also gain points for their House for academic achievement, conscientiousness and Serviam, following in the footsteps of St. Angela. Each half term the points are collected and the winning House is presented with the House Trophy.
There are four Houses, each named after a Saint:
St Catherine of Siena
St Catherine of Siena (25 March 1347 – 29 April 1380), was a tertiary of the Dominican Order and a Scholastic philosopher and theologian who had a great influence on the Catholic Church. In 1461 Pope Pius II proclaimed her saint and in 1866 Pius IX included her as one of the patron saints of Rome. In 1939, along with St Francis of Assisi, St Catherine of Siena was proclaimed patron saint of Italy by Pope Pius XII. In 1970 Paul VI conferred the title of Doctor of the Universal Church on Catherine and in 1999 she was proclaimed co-patron saint of Europe by Pope John Paul II. St Catherine’s Feast Day is on the 29th April. The House colour for St. Catherine is yellow.
St Cecilia
St. Cecilia is the acclaimed patron saint of music, especially church music, as well as that of musicians, composers, instrument makers and poets. Music holds a special place in our school. The members of St. Cecilia House celebrate her Feast Day on 22nd November. St. Cecilia’s House colour is green.
St Mary
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, holds a special place of honour in our school. She is commemorated in various festivals which celebrate her life. The month of May is traditionally dedicated to Mary and members of St. Mary’s House celebrate on a day in this month. Mary is traditionally portrayed in blue, hence St. Mary’s House colour is blue.
St Ursula
St. Ursula was an early Christian martyr who was the object of popular devotion at the time of Saint Angela and venerated throughout Europe. She was recognised as a patron of learning. Saint Angela chose to name her company in St. Ursula’s honour, hence the name Ursuline. Her Feast Day is celebrated on October 21st. The St. Ursula house colour is red, signifying her martyrdom.
