Virgo Fidelis Convent Senior School
Encyclopedia
Virgo Fidelis Convent Senior School, is a Voluntary Aided
, Mathematics & Computing Specialist College, in the London Borough of Croydon
, England
. The school is for girls aged 11-18.
Virgo Fidelis is situated within extensive grounds at Upper Norwood, South London. The school has a strong Catholic Doctrine and the religious ideal of the foundress influences the school's ethos and educational methods.
The convent is part of the Congregation of Our Lady of Fidelity
, an international Roman Catholic Religious organisation, consisting of over 70 Sisters worldwide. It was founded in
France in 1831, where its Generalate is located at La Deliverande, Normandy
.
, King George III is reputed to have stayed there.
Virgo Fidelis Convent Senior School was founded on 14 September 1848 by Mother Saint Mary under the patronage of Cardinal Wiseman and with funds provided by her father Count Theodose le Forestier d'Osseville.
Hearing of the needs of Catholic orphan children on London’s Victorian streets Mother Saint Mary sought funding and support from the Catholic Church in England and the Papacy, building the first Catholic Orphanage in England since the reformation and forming the eldest of the French Order's daughter house’s, ‘the Congregation of Our Lady of Fidelity, at Upper Norwood’, London. It has also been known as 'the Orphanage and Convent at Upper Norwood', 'Virgo Fidelis Convent Schools' and 'Our Lady's School'.
Voluntary aided school
A voluntary aided school is a state-funded school in England and Wales in which a foundation or trust owns the school buildings, contributes to building costs and has a substantial influence in the running of the school...
, Mathematics & Computing Specialist College, in the London Borough of Croydon
London Borough of Croydon
The London Borough of Croydon is a London borough in South London, England and is part of Outer London. It covers an area of and is the largest London borough by population. It is the southernmost borough of London. At its centre is the historic town of Croydon from which the borough takes its name...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The school is for girls aged 11-18.
Virgo Fidelis is situated within extensive grounds at Upper Norwood, South London. The school has a strong Catholic Doctrine and the religious ideal of the foundress influences the school's ethos and educational methods.
The convent is part of the Congregation of Our Lady of Fidelity
Sisters of the Faithful Virgin
The Congregation of Our Lady of Fidelity is a Roman-Catholic female congregation founded in 1831 a La Délivrande by Henriette le Forestier d'Osseville and having for its primary object the sheltering and education of orphan girls....
, an international Roman Catholic Religious organisation, consisting of over 70 Sisters worldwide. It was founded in
France in 1831, where its Generalate is located at La Deliverande, Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
.
History
The school building was originally a hunting lodge belonging to the Earls of Bristol. Later, during the eighteenth century, the building became Norwood House , the residence of the notable socialite Mrs Mary NesbittMary Nesbitt
Mary Nesbitt was an English upper class socialite and courtesan who mixed in the elevated circles of government and royalty in late 18th century Great Britain. Her home, Norwood House, in Upper Norwood, then Surrey, now South London, became a meeting place for the rich and powerful.-Life:She was...
, King George III is reputed to have stayed there.
Virgo Fidelis Convent Senior School was founded on 14 September 1848 by Mother Saint Mary under the patronage of Cardinal Wiseman and with funds provided by her father Count Theodose le Forestier d'Osseville.
Hearing of the needs of Catholic orphan children on London’s Victorian streets Mother Saint Mary sought funding and support from the Catholic Church in England and the Papacy, building the first Catholic Orphanage in England since the reformation and forming the eldest of the French Order's daughter house’s, ‘the Congregation of Our Lady of Fidelity, at Upper Norwood’, London. It has also been known as 'the Orphanage and Convent at Upper Norwood', 'Virgo Fidelis Convent Schools' and 'Our Lady's School'.
Present day
The Congregation continues to this day, supporting children, young families and the community;- With children and young adults at its site in Upper Norwood, South London through Saint Mary's Family Centre
- Education for young with its independent Virgo Fidelis Preparatory School
- Education for 11-19 Year olds in its Voluntary Aided Virgo Fidelis Convent Senior School
- Providing the community with the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Fidelity, Upper Norwood. Under the Diocese.
- Community work by individual Sisters making visits within the community.