Chaplain Commissioning at St Hilda’s: A Moment of Grace and Commitment
Today, St Hilda’s was graced with a profound and moving ceremony as we gathered to witness Father Philip, our new School Chaplain, being commissioned. This moment resonated with our community’s deepest values, a time to reflect on the role of spiritual guidance and support within our school.
Introducing Father Philip
Father Philip arrived from Gordonstoun School in Scotland but was born and raised in South Africa and spent the last 24 years in the UK. Father Philip trained for ministry with the Scottish Episcopal Church (Anglican) and obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Theology from the University of Durham. He also taught at various independent schools in the UK and South Africa.
In Conversation
In our latest newsletter, we were thrilled to present an exclusive interview with our Principal, Fiona Johnston, who recently sat down with Father Philip for an engaging conversation. This insightful discussion offered a unique glimpse into the vision, challenges, and aspirations that drive our school’s leadership and Anglican faith.
It’s great to have the opportunity to speak with you this week, Philip, as this Friday is a monumental occasion. The archbishop will join us as we formalise your appointment as our incoming School Chaplain at St Hilda’s. What does Friday mean to you?
Thank you! Yes, it’s an exhilarating time. The idea of the commissioning and being given that mandate by the Archbishop, the School Council, and the executive team is a great privilege and honour.
I’m looking forward to the commissioning because it has been such a joy to be accepted by the community, the staff, students, parents, and the Old Scholar Association (OSA).
Since joining us, Father Philip, you would’ve noticed that one of our values is belonging. What have you seen about how vital belonging is to the St Hilda’s Community?
You can see that belonging is imperative to the School’s spirit, especially in how the girls engage in their Year groups, homerooms, classrooms, and with me in the Chapel. They feel as if they belong. That this place, the Chapel, is theirs. They belong to it. They are part of it. This gives me a real opportunity to talk about how we, as an Anglican school, engage with the greater community of our school and the worldwide Anglican community. The value of belonging is excellent and something we can build on going forward.
Father Philip, if I asked you to fast forward to the end of your time at St Hilda’s, what would you like your legacy to be?
Fiona, I hope that time is not soon, but I want to have formed a foundation of faith within our students and community, irrespective of their faith and religion. The girls will own it, belong to it, and engage with it. That way, once they leave St Hilda’s as graduates and enter the world of university and working life, they will have a foundation to pin back to their time in Chapel at St Hilda’s.
Over the last two months since you joined us, Philip, it has been joyous to see you at so many St Hilda’s events. Could you share one of those highlights with us?
Philip – I thoroughly enjoyed the St Hilda’s Day services; they were stunning. The weather was terrific, and how everyone in the community engaged made it an extraordinary occasion for me.
Are there any occasions moving towards the end of the year for which you would like to see support?
Philip – The Christmas Carols and services we will host here will be an absolute joy and almost the ‘icing on the cake’ for my start at St Hilda’s.
