St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls 130th Anniversary 1893-2023

On Wednesday 13th September 2023, the whole school community came together and welcomed RT Rev Philip Moger, the Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark to celebrate our Founders Day Mass.  

Marking 130 years of female Catholic education at St Philomena’s, the day provided an opportunity to reflect on the long and rich history of the school and unique Charism of the Daughters of the Cross. 

The Mass was a Votive Mass for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross which is celebrated on the 14th September. The theme for our current academic year is ‘Pilgrims of Faith’ in preparation for the Jubilee Year, ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and this 23/24 year we welcomed our largest year group to date, nine classes of Year 7 students joined in September. In 1893, the school opened with only nine girls.

Following Mass, the students  and staff enjoyed a community picnic and various fundraising activities took place throughout the afternoon, launching one of our ten core values, ‘Generosity’ raising money for our chosen House Charities.