Houses
At SPH we pride ourselves on our strong community which is actively shown through our ever-growing House System, where all pupils and staff are assigned to one of the 7 houses.
Exciting Changes to the House System at SPH
As we begin the new academic year, we are excited to announce some significant changes to the House system here at SPH.
With students now representing 31 different countries and speaking over 36 languages other than English at home, this is a fantastic opportunity to evolve the House system to better reflect the diversity and values of our school community.
Each House will now be named after a new saint—individuals whose stories and faith will serve to inspire our pupils. In addition, each House will represent one of the key principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST), providing a meaningful foundation for house identity and action.
For the first time, each House will not only have a Head of House but also Sixth Form House Leaders who will take a lead on planning events and sharing ideas. It’s a great opportunity for leadership and student voice across the school.
Houses
Acutis House
Carlos Acutis was a young Italian teenager who used his love of technology and faith to spread the message of the Gospel. Born in 1991, he had a deep devotion to the Eucharist and created a website documenting Eucharistic miracles around the world.
Carlos lived an ordinary life with extraordinary faith, often helping the poor and standing up for classmates who were bullied. He believed that everyone had a unique role to play in God’s plan and used his skills for the good of others. He died of leukaemia at just 15 years old, offering his suffering for the Church and the Pope. Carlos was beatified in 2020 canonised as a sin in September and is admired especially by young Catholics. He is a powerful example of the Catholic Social Teaching principle of the Right to Work, as he believed that talents and abilities are gifts from God meant to be used to serve others. Through his digital work and service, Carlos showed how work can have dignity and purpose. His life reminds us that even young people can make a big difference through faith and action.
CST Principle – Right to work
Bakhita House
St Josephine Bakhita was born in Sudan in 1869 and was kidnapped as a child, sold into slavery, and suffered terrible abuse. Eventually, she was brought to Italy, where she gained her freedom and became a Catholic. She joined the Canossian Sisters and spent the rest of her life serving others with love, kindness, and humility.
Despite her painful past, Josephine forgave her captors and dedicated herself to helping those in need, especially the poor and suffering. She became known for her gentle spirit, joyful faith, and tireless work in her community. Josephine Bakhita is a powerful example of the Catholic Social Teaching principle of the Common Good. She used her freedom not just for herself, but to serve others and bring peace and healing. Her life shows how working together in love and solidarity can lift up everyone. By caring for the whole community, especially the vulnerable, she reminds us that the good of each person is connected to the good of all.
CST Principle – The Common Good.
Bernadette House
St Bernadette of Lourdes was a poor, uneducated girl from France who experienced a series of visions of the Virgin Mary in 1858. Despite being dismissed and doubted by many, Bernadette remained humble, truthful, and faithful to what she had seen.
Through her, Mary revealed the healing spring at Lourdes, which became a place of pilgrimage and hope for the sick and suffering. Bernadette later became a nun and lived a quiet life of prayer, service, and illness, never seeking fame or attention. Her life is a strong example of the Catholic Social Teaching principle of dignity. Though the world saw her as insignificant, God chose her for a special mission, showing that every person has inherent worth and value. Bernadette treated others with respect and carried herself with grace, even through suffering. She reminds us that human dignity is not based on status or success but on being made in the image of God. Her faith and humility continue to inspire people today.
CST Principle – Dignity of Life
John Paul II House
St John Paul II was born in Poland in 1920 and became one of the most influential popes in history. He lived through war, Nazi occupation, and communist rule, which shaped his deep commitment to human rights, freedom, and peace. As pope, he travelled the world, reaching out to people of all nations, faiths, and backgrounds, always promoting forgiveness, dialogue, and unity.
He played a key role in the peaceful end of communism in Eastern Europe, especially in his home country of Poland. St John Paul II is a powerful example of the Catholic Social Teaching principle of peace. He believed that peace is not just the absence of war but the presence of justice, respect, and love. He encouraged people to build peace in their everyday lives through kindness, truth, and standing up for what is right. His life shows that true peace comes from God and grows when we treat every person with dignity and compassion.
CST Principle – Promoting Peace
Francis House
St Francis of Assisi was born in Italy in the 12th century and gave up a life of wealth and comfort to live simply and serve God. He saw all of creation—animals, nature, and people—as a gift from God and treated everything with deep respect and love. He often preached to birds, called the sun and moon his brother and sister, and lived in harmony with the natural world. St Francis believed that caring for creation was a way of praising God and recognising His presence in all living things. He is the patron saint of ecology and is a powerful example of the Catholic Social Teaching principle of caring for creation. His life reminds us that the earth is not ours to use and abuse but a shared home to protect for future generations. St Francis teaches us that when we care for nature, we care for each other, especially the poor who are most affected by environmental harm. His message is more important than ever today.
CST Principle – Caring for Creation
Romero House
St Óscar Romero was the Archbishop of San Salvador in El Salvador during a time of great violence, injustice, and civil unrest. He originally lived a quiet life, but when he saw the suffering of the poor and the oppression by the government, he began to speak out boldly against injustice, violence, and corruption. He used his position to defend the voiceless and stand alongside the people, especially those who were suffering most.
Even when threatened, Romero continued to preach peace, justice, and love from the pulpit and on the radio. He was assassinated in 1980 while celebrating Mass. St Óscar Romero is a powerful example of the Catholic Social Teaching principle of solidarity. He believed that we are all part of one human family and must stand together, especially with the poor and oppressed. His life shows that true solidarity means not just feeling sympathy, but taking action for justice and peace. Romero reminds us that faith calls us to walk with others in love, even when it comes at great cost.
CST Principle – Solidarity
Teresa House
St Teresa of Calcutta, also known as Mother Teresa, was born in Albania in 1910 and dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor. She moved to India, where she founded the Missionaries of Charity and began working in the slums of Calcutta, caring for the sick, dying, and abandoned. She believed that every person, no matter how poor or weak, deserved love and dignity.
Mother Teresa often said she saw the face of Jesus in the people she served. Her whole life was centered on putting the needs of the poorest first and bringing them comfort, hope, and peace. She is a powerful example of the Catholic Social Teaching principle of prioritising the poor. She didn’t just talk about helping the poor—she lived among them, touched their wounds, and shared in their suffering. Her life reminds us that we are called to love not just with words but with actions, and to always stand on the side of those most in need.
CST Principle – Prioritising the Poor