Richard Berlie, head of St Anthony’s Boys’, and Donal Brennan, head of St Anthony’s Girls’, in London, on what makes their schools stand out.
Describe your careers so far.
Richard Berlie: St Anthony’s is my seventh school over a 25-year career, including Ampleforth, Emanuel School and Dulwich College, where I was the head of the Upper School. My last role was that of deputy head academic at Mander Portman Woodward in South Kensington. I have just completed two years as head of St Anthony’s Boys’.
Donal Brennan: Prior to my appointment at this school I was the headmaster of the Hampshire School, Chelsea for five years, having spent 25 years at Hill House International School, London.
What attracted you to the school?
RB: I felt a great affinity with the ethos of the school, especially the candour and enthusiasm of the boys. A prep school sets the foundations for pupils’ academic success and over the course of my career I have come to understand the fine importance of curriculum coherence and planning all the way from reception up to Year 13.
DB: My previous school was very large and well established and I saw St Anthony’s as an opportunity to be part of a young project and to develop a school, almost from scratch, through my vision and philosophy, with a golden thread of spirituality rooted in Catholic virtues and values.
What achievement are you proudest of since joining the school?
RB: The 11+/13+ senior school offers were excellent for the academic year just ended because of the hard work and dedication of the boys who were assisted by a really good preparation for their exams and interviews. A new faculty system is now in place focusing on English, Maths, Science, Humanities and the Creative Arts.
DB: The greatest achievement so far has been in opening our co-educational nursery. The addition of boys and children as young at two and a half has brought a new energy to the school.
What are the schools’ key values, ethos and vision?
RB: The school’s ethos is rooted in the Gospel and the teaching of Our Lord. I tell the boys that Almighty God has created them for some special purpose, that they are a unique creation and loved beyond all understanding by the Creator of all. It is a privilege to be a boy at St Anthony’s and because they have been given so many wonderful opportunities, much will also be asked from them.
DB: It is our nurturing family environment and high-quality education that makes us exceptional. We believe that children reach their true potential when they feel safe, secure and valued as part of a supportive community. Through our guidance, our pupils will flourish academically and go on to effect change, making a positive contribution to society through their academic abilities and moral and spiritual beliefs.
How do you incorporate the Catholic faith into school life?
RB: There are prayers each morning and at lunchtime. There is also assembly each week which all boys attend. A hymn is usually sung and I lead a reflection which is usually connected to the liturgical calendar. Boys attend Holy Mass once a term at St Mary’s Church in Hampstead. Our Chaplain Mgr Phelim Rowland regularly comes into school to speak with the boys. Charity fundraising has a long tradition and the boys raise thousands of pounds each year for the Catholic Children’s Society, Mary’s Meals, the Cardinal Hume Centre and the Passage, to name a few.
DB: The school has been acknowledged in recent diocesan inspections as having an outstanding commitment to Catholic life. As St Anthony of Padua himself said: “Actions speak louder than words.” Our girls lead in many charitable causes, from foodbank collections to bake sales to supporting refugee women.
In practice, what is the relationship between the girls’ and boys’ schools?
DB and RB: The schools share a nursery and foster close links through sharing sporting events, assemblies and reception class “play dates”, as well as a shared worship at Mass for Christmas and Easter. Staff also share resources with one another and have fostered a symbiotic working relationship, which continually helps to raise standards.
What kind of pastoral care do you offer at the schools?
RB: The pastoral programme (PSHE) is informed by Ten Ten, which is endorsed by the Diocese of Westminster. It is crucial that boys learn to make informed and moral decisions, especially in a world that can appear confusing or even hostile to those of any religious faith. The boys’ school employs the services of a professional counsellor once a week and this will be supplemented from September 2022 by the part-time work of a recently ordained Catholic priest.
DB: Each student is valued for their individual strengths and abilities and our staff take great pride in knowing all the children across the school. Children feel safe and secure and feel that their voices are heard here. Wellbeing activities are embedded in the curriculum and their effectiveness is constantly being reviewed and updated.
What advice do you give to leavers?
RB: “To thyself be true.” The school exhorts boys to be critical thinkers and learners, never afraid to question or analyse. They should hold fast to the values they have been taught by their families so they can come to understand that freedom and conscience and happiness all form part of one golden thread.
DB: Never be afraid of hard work, commit to the task in hand, focus until it is entirely finished, and then the feeling of satisfaction is greatest. I remind St Anthony’s girls to always be the ones to raise their hands, speak up, challenge wrongdoing, offer suggestions, support the weak, while being polite but always assertive.
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