St Paul's exists as a distinct community because it has Christ as its foundation. His teaching and example are the basis for its daily life, relationships and future hopes. It should be possible to meet Christ in all aspects of the life of the school and the spiritual dimension should underpin all its work:-

 

Learn to Serve

 

The example of service that Christ gave us when he washed his disciples' feet at the Last Supper should be what guides each person in the management of the staff and pupils for whom they have a special responsibility. Management in the school must reflect its Christian nature by putting the welfare and development of pupils and staff first and so putting Christ's example into practice. This we can teach through example the school motto: learn to serve.

 

Personal Relationships

 

 

The twin themes of love of God and love of neighbour should guide every member of the community, both pupils and staff. We should be a spiritual and not just a religious community so we can show our love of God through our relationship with him. It is through the respect, concern and care shown by all members of the school for each other, whether pupils and staff, that we can see love of neighbour in practice.

 

Spiritual Development

 

 

St Paul's should provide a setting where the faith of pupils and staff can mature. Our prayer and liturgy should enable pupils and staff to find a greater knowledge of and closer relationship to God, and the practical circumstances of daily life should be used to help us develop our consciences and moral judgement. It should be a setting where pupils and staff are allowed the freedom and opportunity to think about and develop their own principles and attitudes in the light of the teaching of Christ and his Church.

 

Curriculum

 

One of the early Church Fathers said: "The glory of God is each person fully alive." The curriculum at St Paul's should encourage excellence and achievement through the breadth of opportunity available, the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom and the motivation that comes from good relationships between staff and pupils. Each pupil is equally important and this should be reflected in the curriculum where all pupils should be encouraged to achieve their potential, and have their achievements recognised and praised.

 

All members of St Paul's should be encouraged to fulfill their ministry and use their talents to the full so that they can bring Christ to each other and to the wider community of the school.

 

A Community from which Christ is taken to others

 

St Paul's cannot be a community in isolation. Its members must go out to play their full role in the local church and bring their distinctive influence to bear on the wider community.

 

All pupils at St Paul's should be helped and prepared for the roles they can play in the community outside the school. They will be helped to develop the qualities of personal responsibility and commitment as well as the knowledge and skills which will equip them for later life.

 

We must look forward so that we can prepare pupils now for the changes and challenges that the wider world will present in their adult lives whether in the world of work, in the areas of moral and social issues or in the Church. They will be better able to bring Christ into all aspects of their lives and influence others by their example.

 

It is our responsibility to prepare all pupils so that they can fulfill their ministry in the Church and the wider world now and in the future. By taking Christ to others by their work and example they will be the leaven which helps to establish the Kingdom of God.

 

St Paul was one of the founders of the Church. As a young man he was a ruthless persecutor of the Christian faith. After his conversion to Christianity, he became the great missionary apostle of the young church. His work and his journeys are described in the Acts of the Apostles and in the many letters he wrote to the Christian communities around the Mediterranean.

 

 

 

Links to detailed biography

 

Historic House

The original house at the end of the Ridings in Green Street was built during the brief reign of William IV, at some point before 1865. It is a Grade 2 listed building. It has a Doric portico and was sometimes called the Manor House, being described as such in a map of 1865. In 1898, it was the home of William Anthony Mitchinson, the Lord of the Manor, who planted the avenue of fine chestnut trees, which is a feature of The Avenue today.

 

St Teresa’s Girls Covent School

The Sisters of Charity of St Paul’s purchased the house, also called ‘Sunbury Manor’ in 1926 and thus St. Teresa's Convent School was formed.

 

Cardinal Godfrey Catholic Boy’s School

Cardinal Godfrey school moved from its first home in Park Road, Ashford - today the site of Echelford school - to Manor Lane, Sunbury, in October 1975. It is known in the school as ‘South Site’.

 

Amalgamation - 1988

During the summer term of 1987, it was decided to amalgamate the boys school and girls school into one unified school. In September 1988, St Paul’s Catholic School was formed. The name of the school was to honour the Religious Order that first established Catholic secondary education in this area; the Sisters of Charity of St Paul’s. Students from both schools were invited to enter a competition to design the school badge and tie. The winners were Carla James and Michael Brown.

 

Headteacher

Edmund Kaye, was appointed as the first Headteacher of St Paul’s, a role he fulfilled until July 2006. Simon Uttley, the second Headteacher started in September 2005.