Rebecca Clarey
In memory of a wonderful Director of Music and an even better person.
Rebecca was a very private individual, and from the outset she requested that her struggle with her illness be kept quiet.
The main reason she requested this secrecy was that she didn’t want to worry people; why should she worry people when all was going to be fine. I can hear her say it now.
Rebecca’s view that all was going to be fine was based on two things, the first of these being she was the most optimistic person in the world, the type of infectious optimism that you couldn’t help being swept up by. The second was because her faith told her that when she departed this world she will head to somewhere far more special. This meant that she was blessed with a wonderful sense of peace, a peace she maintained in those final moments in the company of her parents, her wider family and her visiting friends.
I had the pleasure of being one of those visitors and shared conversations with her where, despite her situation, she talked of her return in September and celebrated the success of the school’s results. She even had me send her the Music results breakdown so she could analyse the outcomes and unpick an issue relating to a grade in her A-level class, I kid you not. So optimistic, so positive, so driven, so Rebecca.
We will mourn her loss, but soon, we will just celebrate her life because through her positivity and optimism, her faith and love, her words and actions, that is what she has given us permission to do. There will be tears, but not too many; she wouldn’t be happy with us about that. Let there be smiles she would say, be optimistic about the future, celebrate your successes and do the best for those kids.
A gifted musician, an expert teacher, a loved colleague and a very dear friend, Rebecca will be hugely missed. Our whole school mass was said in her honour and in time we will find further ways to remember and celebrate her. Today, we did that in prayer and song, two places she called home.
Paul Gower
Enlightening minds, uplifting hearts
Welcome to Salesian, our happy and thriving Catholic school and college community, a place where young people are nurtured to go out into the world and achieve great things!
Central to our mission is the belief that every child and student has God-given potential to make our world a better place and that the education and experiences they receive at Salesian, helps to provide the key to unlocking that potential.
Our mission here is characterised by the philosophy of the Salesian founder, St John Bosco. He stressed high educational standards but insisted on a friendly atmosphere in his schools where the idea of community could be fostered. Good relationships between all members of our community are key to everything we do. Our motto – ‘Enlightening minds, uplifting hearts’ – is taken from the writings of Don Bosco. We strive to ensure that every student feels genuinely loved at Salesian, in order that they develop into confident, capable young people who are determined to go out and make our world a better place; we call this “Building the Kingdom”.
We achieve these aspirations through strong pastoral support, excellent teaching and an extensive range of sporting, cultural, physical and social co-curricular activities. All this is delivered by an exceptional group of teachers and support staff who are totally committed to doing everything we can to ensure every child receives the best possible education.
Salesian has built a reputation for excellence that has been established since we were founded here in Chertsey over 100 years ago. Today, we are a mixed, comprehensive school meeting the needs of children of all abilities from 11-18 years. We provide for over 1800 students, including around 400 in our Sixth Form College, which is on its own specialised site. We are an academy and part of the Xavier Catholic Education Trust.
Our aspiration is to improve education for all and as part of the Xavier Teaching School Hub, we are dedicated to first class learning and teaching, professional development and supporting schools in difficulty. We also, through Xavier, play a key role in Teach SouthEast, the leading centre for initial teacher training in the region.
If you are interested in finding out more about learning, working, or training to teach at Salesian then please get in touch; we look forward to meeting you.
God bless,
Paul Gower
Headteacher
Mr Paul Gower, Headteacher
"It is not enough to love the young, they must know that they are loved"
Don Bosco was a priest in 19th century Turin who, inspired by the work of St Francis de Sales, founded the Salesians to care for the young; today there are hundreds of Salesian orphanages, care homes and schools around the world. Don Bosco famously said “It is not enough for children to be loved; they must know that they are loved. At Salesian School in Chertsey, we strive to live up to his ideal every day.
Don Bosco’s ethos was centred in love, relationships and high expectations of the young people in his care. The success of Salesian school is built on these foundations. A deep love and care for the students, a focus on the quality of the relationships and a strict approach to standards and behaviour.
building the kingdom
building the kingdom
building the kingdom
building the kingdom
building the kingdom
NEWS
The latest news from our Salesian community.
Please join us in supporting Deborah’s incredible fundraising efforts by contributing to her Bowelbabe Fund and please remember Deborah, her family and all who are battling cancer, in your prayers.
2,726
Salesian School Chertsey
Catholic secondary comprehensive school
"Thank you to all 600+ who came to our College Open Evening last night, it was wonderful to see so many students and parents! We hope that you found the enthusiasm and information provided by staff and students helpful. We very much look forward to receiving your applications and welcoming you next year" - Mrs Bolton, Head of Salesian College
Please see our website for more information on the application process: museum.sundayiq.com/collegeadmissions/#howtoapply
#futuresalesians #oursalesiancommunity #openevening
"The year 7s have started their Salesian adventure in the best possible way" - Mr Betts, Head of Year 7. A perfect start to the school year with our excited new Salesians! We look forward to seeing the rest of you tomorrow. #firstdayofschool2023 #sunshine #oursalesiancommunity
Good luck to all the new year 7 students …(including my nephew)… you’re in good hands 🙏
Deb Ruskin have a scroll through the pictures
We couldn't be prouder of our GCSE students! 44% of all grades were 9-7 (A*/A), double that of the national average (22%) and 90% were 9-4 (A*-C) in comparison to the national figure of 67.3%. 88% of students passed English and Maths at grade 4 or above and 71% passed both at grade 5 or above.
Mr Bridgland and his Year 11 team deserve a special mention for all of their hard work and commitment over the last several years. Mr Bridgland, teachers and parents alike have worked tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcomes for all of our Year 11's so we'd like to thank you all on behalf of Salesian. Don Bosco himself would be delighted.
For further details and message from Mr Gower, please follow this link: salesian.surrey.s#oursalesiancommunityl#gcses2023n#CongratulationsC#salesiansions #salesians
Amazing - congratulations to you all #morethanjustaschool
Congratulations to all the students. And a massive thank you to the amazing teaching staff 💜
Brilliant from students and staff. Congrats everyone
Congratulations ❤️ 🎊 to all students and teachers. Amazing school, thank you so much for your dedication
Amazing 🤩
Brilliant achievement in challenging circumstances!
Amazing! Well done students and staff 👏👏
Thank you to all the Salesians faculty ! We are incredibly proud of our son and so glad he has finished his GCSEs from Salesians! The teaching faculty are a true credit!!
Fantastic results all round. Well done to all the students and teachers 👏 🙏
Congratulations on your GCSES AND A-LEVELS results 👏👏👏🎉👏🎉
Just fantastic! A testament to the incredible students and the dedication of the teaching staff. Well done Salesian School Chertsey once again you smashed it 👏🏻
Absolute phenomenal results. Incredibly proud of our son and all at Salesian. Thank you for everything. 🙏
Incredible results and hard work from everyone involved 👏
Absolutely amazing 🤩 well done to you all
Amazing teaching staff
Congratulations to all! We are incredibly proud of our son’s achievements 🤩
Congratulations to all students and teachers!Well done for your hard work and dedication 👏 🥳
Another record breaking year for Salesian. We bucked the national trend by improving our A-Level and Vocational results from last year. 42% of all grades were A*~A, 73% of grades were A*~B and a staggering 20% of students gained straight A*/A grades. We are all immensely proud of you.
A huge congratulations to all of our wonderful Y13's, parents and teachers who worked so hard over the last 2 years to achieve this amazing feat. A special thanks to Mrs. Young who's done a remarkable job over the years supporting and championing t#alevels2023l#salesianfamilys#oursalesiancommunityn#salesians#salesians
Well done everyone, thanks to all the staff and we second to special shout out to Mrs. Young - who must feel equally proud and relieved to finally see them go! 😜😍
Well done everyone 👏 such amazing hard work. 🌟
That's great stats!
Awesome Results!!!
Superb! Congratulations to you all. A very special Salesian family
Amazing! Congratulations
Well done & congratulations to all those getting their results! 👏🏽
Amazing , thank you for all your support & especially to Mrs Young the GOAT !! 🙌🏻
Fabulous results Well done 👏
Congratulations ❤️ 🎊 to all students and thank you teaching staff for being simply the best x
Amazing 🤩
Congratulations 🎉! Well done!!
Well done all
Fabulous results. Congratulations to all the students, parents and our incredible teachers at Salesian. We are so lucky to have them. X
👏 👏
Bravi
Fantastic news, congratulations to all the students and of course everyone at Salesian School Chertsey involved in their success 🎉
Extraordinary results. Congratulations everyone 👏 and a special mention to Mrs Young who's carried these kids emotionally at times. They'll never forget you xx
Fab news Kevin!
Congratulations to all the amazing year 13s celebrating their results yesterday and special mention for the amazing Mrs Young - such a legend.
Great news! Well done all!
Great news! Well done all!
Truly amazing 🤩
Fabulous
As part of the NHS’s 75th birthday celebrations last week, we had the incredible opportunity to donate £1,160 to Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Paediatric Team. Funded by an extra mufti day, we can’t thank the students, parents and wider Salesian community enough for your overwhelming generosity!
Our head students were invited to the hospital to learn more about what the Paediatric Team do and to see where the funds will be put to great use. Oak Ward Deputy Sister, Vicky Hall, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Salesian School students for this generous donation, and are so impressed by their fundraising efforts. This money will make a huge difference to the children and young people we look after and help to improve their experience in hospital.” #asphcharity #NHS75 #charity #oursalesiancommunity #thankyou Ashford And St. Peter's Hospitals Nhs Foundation Trust
We are so proud of what Salesian School Chertsey students have done for our Children's Unit and would like to thank everyone involved with this lovely initiative 💙💙💙
Salesian School
Guildford Road
Chertsey
Surrey
KT16 9LU
Call +44 (0)1932 582520
Safeguarding +44 (0)7979 181798
Salesian College
Highfield Road
Chertsey
Surrey
KT16 8BX
Call +44 (0)1932 578681
