Houses

An introduction to the St Gregory’s Houses

When students join us at the start of Year 7, they are randomly allocated to one of our four houses: Bakhita, Acutis, Kolbe or Teresa. They will remain in their house group for Tutor time throughout their school journey, fostering a strong sense of belonging and community. Each house is led by a member of the Senior Leadership Team and provides opportunities for students to engage in friendly competition through inter-house events, including Sports Day, Saint Day liturgies, attendance challenges, and contributions to school life. House achievements are celebrated and rewarded at the end of each academic year.

Acutis

House Leader: Mrs R Walker

House Colour: Yellow

Feast Day: 12 October

House Acutis is named after Blessed Carlo Acutis who is popularly referred to as the ‘patron saint of the internet’ and the ‘first millennial saint’. Born in May 1991, Acutis was an Italian teenager who had a deep devotion to the Eucharist and who used his knowledge of technology to spread the Catholic faith. From childhood, he chose to attend Mass daily, prayed the Rosary and the ritual of the Eucharist became his lifelong passion. His dedication reminds us of the power of faith and technology when used for good.

Acutis’ deep fascinated with computers and technology, led him to teach himself programming from a young age. He used this passion along with his love of the Eucharist to create a website which catalogued Eucharistic miracles from around the world. His aim was to inspire others to grow closer to Jesus and his website became a tool of religious instruction for many parishes across the world.

At fifteen years of age, Blessed Carlo was diagnosed with leukaemia. Shortly before his death in 2006, he offered his sufferings for the Pope and for the Church. He was beatified in October 2020 and is expected to be canonised in the near future.

Bakhita

House Leader: Mrs S Hawkins

House Colour: Green

Feast Day: 8 February

House Bakhita is named after St Josephine Bakhita who is celebrated as a patron for freedom, resilience and the fight against human trafficking. Born around 1869, St Josephine Bakhita was a Sudanese-born woman who endured the horrors of slavery before becoming a Catholic and a nun. Bakhita was kidnapped by slave traders as a child and was sold multiple times. She suffered brutal treatment and unimaginable hardships.

In 1883, she was sold once more and taken to Italy. Eventually she found refuge with the Canossian Sisters in Venice and it was here she encountered Jesus and the Christian faith. After being baptised, she joined the Canossian order and dedicated her life to prayer, service and sharing her story of faith, forgiveness and freedom. Bakhita was known for her gentle spirit and deep compassion and was canonised in 2000 by Pope John Paul II.

Kolbe

House Leader: Mr M Gainey

House Colour: Red

Feast Day: 14 August

House Kolbe is named after St Maximilian Kolbe who is remembered as a martyr and as an enduring witness to the power of selfless love and faith. Born in January 1894, Kolbe was a Polish Franciscan friar. He is known for his profound faith, his devotion to the Virgin Mary and for self-sacrificial love.

During World War II, Kolbe was arrested by the Nazis for sheltering Jews and Polish refugees in his monastery. While he was imprisoned in Auschwitz, he volunteered to take the place of a fellow prisoner who had been condemned to die, offering his life so that another might live. He died in August 1941 and he was recognised as a servant of God and was canonised by Pope St John Paul II in 1982.

Teresa

House Leader: Mrs A Morrissey

House Colour: Blue

Feast Day: 5 September

House Teresa is named after St Teresa of Calcutta who was a nun and missionary. Known for her unwavering dedication to the poor, the sick and the dying, Teresa continues to be an inspiration to service and solidarity with those in need.

Born in August 1910 in Skopje, at the age of 18 Teresa joined the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland. In December 1929, she departed for her first trip to India where she was moved by the suffering she witnessed in Calcutta. In 1950, she received permission from the Holy See to found her own order, The Missionaries of Charity, whose primary task was to serve the poorest of the poor with compassion and dignity. Her faith and humility inspired many people, even when she was faced with her own profound spiritual struggles. In 1979, Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize for her work with the destitute. She was canonised by Pope Francis in 2016.