Saint Walburga
St. Walburga, after whom the School is named, was a member of a Saxon family, several of whom were regarded as saints. She became a nun of the Abbey at Wimborne, where she lived for many years. In the year 748 an appeal came from the Saxon St. Boniface for help in his great work of spreading the Gospel in much of what is now western Germany, and St. Walburga was one of a large party who volunteered for this work.

Eventually she became Superior of the Abbey at Heidenheim, which was a double monastery for nuns and monks. There St. Walburga ruled the community, and took her share in working for the local people. She is reputed to have had particular skills in the practise of medicine. St. Walburga died in 779, her principal shrine being at Bichstatt. Her feast is kept on 10th May.

ST. WALBURGA'S SCHOOL    -   1877 TO 1977
The Foundation
The 'marine village' of Bournemouth had by 1861 become well established, particularly as a winter resort for invalids who were attracted by the mild climate and the beauty of the surroundings. In that year the population was already over 1,700, and was increasing rapidly.

The nearest Catholic church was St. Mary's at Poole - the Christchurch mission had not then been opened. In the autumn of 1862, however, Mrs. Washington Hibbert, who was staying for the winter at the Belle Vue Hotel, arranged for Father Mochler, S.J., of Lymington, himself a semi- invalid, to say Mass in a room at the Hotel.

Somewhat similar arrangements were made by other visitors during the succeeding years until 1868, when no such facility was available. Mr. Harnett, also a visitor, then paid for a bus to take the few local Catholics to Poole each Sunday.

In the autumn of 1869 Mrs. Washington Hibbert rented Astney Lodge in Branksome Wood Road (that part of the road is now named St. Stephen's Road), a lease for twelve months being signed on 12th October. This house she made available for two Jesuit Priests, Fathers Brownbill and Eccles, who came there to live and opened a small public chapel in it.

During 1870 a site on Richmond Hill was obtained on which a temporary church was built. This was later replaced by the Sacred Heart Church opened by the Bishop of Southwark on 5th February 1875.

The number of Catholics gradually increased, so that consideration was given to the provision of education for the children. With the help of a group of volunteer ladies some classes were commenced in one of the Windsor Cottages, which were on Richmond Hill, and had been purchased.

Something more permanent was already in mind in 1876, when it was suggested that the land adjoining Pine Cottages in Branksome Wood Road might be considered as a site for a School. These Cottages were in the part of the road since named St. Stephen's Road, in fact very near to the site on which St. Stephen's Church stands.

Then in 1877 St. Joseph's Home for Invalids at "Blenheim", Lansdowne Road, lent a room for the classes to be established on a more formal basis. A teacher was engaged, and the St. Joseph's School was commenced in the autumn of 1877. It may be noted that St. Joseph's was founded in 1873 by Lady Georgiana Fullerton (pictured below) and supported by her and her friends.



It was situated at the junction of Lansdowne and Madeira Roads. Lady Fullerton had written a number of books in the mid-19th century, had become a Catholic and devoted much of her income to the support of Catholic causes.

The teacher left the School in the summer of 1878, and at the same time the Home found itself unable to spare the room any longer. The arrangement at St. Joseph's had been a temporary one, and in July 1878 Fr. Wynne had been urging on the Province of the Society of Jesus the desirability of buying Pine Cottages, one of which could be used for the School; later a school could be built on the site.

Urgent action became necessary, so that premises were rented at 1, Avenue Villas, Avenue Road, and St. Joseph's School was transferred to Avenue Road in the Autumn of 1878.

Avenue Villas were on the south side of the road approximately the present steep flight of steps leading down to the Central Gardens near the War Memorial.

In August 1879 the name of the School was changed to St. Walburga's, and thus it can been seen that there has been a corporate continuity from the commencement of St. Joseph's School in the autumn of 1877.

After the teacher had left in 1878 the School continued with voluntary teachers, but in late 1879 the Religious of the Cross were asked to take charge of the School.

These Sisters had come to this country from France in 1871 and with the help of Lady Fullerton in finding a suitable house had opened a convent in Branksome Wood Road. On 15th April 1871 they had commenced a boarding school there for girls, and had also taken some day pupils.

The Sisters commenced teaching at St. Walburga's on 12th January 1880, with Mother Biggin in charge. The Rev. Mother and other members of the Community paid frequent visits and also helped in the teaching in the initial stages. The Fathers from the Sacred Heart Church come to the school several times a week, and continued to do so during the succeeding years.

One or other of them often took catechism classes; they sometimes arranged treats for the children, and took a full part in the life of the school. In addition, the ladies of the parish showed great interest in the School, and seldom called without bringing sweets or other little gifts, as well as helping with the Christmas tree and with outings.

These ladies included Miss Galton, Miss Paley, Lady Heathcote and her daughter, Mrs. King, Mrs. Jackson, Lady Kervin and Miss Kervin and Lady Pullerton.

When the Sisters came to the School in January 1880 there were 50 pupils on the roll, and only the downstairs of the house was required, the upper floor being let. The Mother General of the Order visited the School in April, bringing a gift for each of the children. A School outing to Fordingbridge took place on 5th July.

On 11th October Mother M. Field became in charge of the School, with Mother Biggin as Assistant. There was a prize day in December, attended by the Priests, several of the Sisters and ladies of the parish. Lady Fullerton gave buns and oranges to the children.

A Christmas Tree and party was arranged for 4th January, at which each child received three presents. The school money for the year 1880 amounted to £6. 17s. 2d., including "fire and book money".

The number of children rose slowly, reaching over 40 by January 1881. Mother Hustler became the Head Mistress on 26th September of that year. On 18th March 1882 Father Waterworth, the Superior, died; the older children attended the Requiem, and afterwards went by horse bus to the funeral at Stapehill, where many of the Jesuit Fathers serving in the area had been buried.

When a group of children from the School made their First Communion on 28th October 1882 they were given a breakfast of eggs, bread and butter, hot buttered tea cakes, biscuits and a plum cake. The events of these early years give a glimpse of social conditions of the age.

From April 1882 the upper floor of the house was taken into use by the School for classroom purposes. By January 1884 the number of children was 44, consisting of 14 boys, 8 girls and 22 infants. During the Christmas holiday of 1884 some additional lavatory facilities were provided.