Rebecca Clarey
In memory of a wonderful Director of Music and an even better person.
Rebecca was a very private individual, and from the outset she requested that her struggle with her illness be kept quiet.
The main reason she requested this secrecy was that she didn’t want to worry people; why should she worry people when all was going to be fine. I can hear her say it now.
Rebecca’s view that all was going to be fine was based on two things, the first of these being she was the most optimistic person in the world, the type of infectious optimism that you couldn’t help being swept up by. The second was because her faith told her that when she departed this world she will head to somewhere far more special. This meant that she was blessed with a wonderful sense of peace, a peace she maintained in those final moments in the company of her parents, her wider family and her visiting friends.
I had the pleasure of being one of those visitors and shared conversations with her where, despite her situation, she talked of her return in September and celebrated the success of the school’s results. She even had me send her the Music results breakdown so she could analyse the outcomes and unpick an issue relating to a grade in her A-level class, I kid you not. So optimistic, so positive, so driven, so Rebecca.
We will mourn her loss, but soon, we will just celebrate her life because through her positivity and optimism, her faith and love, her words and actions, that is what she has given us permission to do. There will be tears, but not too many; she wouldn’t be happy with us about that. Let there be smiles she would say, be optimistic about the future, celebrate your successes and do the best for those kids.
A gifted musician, an expert teacher, a loved colleague and a very dear friend, Rebecca will be hugely missed. Our whole school mass was said in her honour and in time we will find further ways to remember and celebrate her. On the 21st, we did that in prayer and song, two places she called home.
Paul Gower
Photos from the Spring Concert last year, which Rebecca organised and conducted.
Enlightening minds, uplifting hearts
Welcome to Salesian, our happy and thriving Catholic school and college community, a place where young people are nurtured to go out into the world and achieve great things!
Central to our mission is the belief that every child and student has God-given potential to make our world a better place and that the education and experiences they receive at Salesian, helps to provide the key to unlocking that potential.
Our mission here is characterised by the philosophy of the Salesian founder, St John Bosco. He stressed high educational standards but insisted on a friendly atmosphere in his schools where the idea of community could be fostered. Good relationships between all members of our community are key to everything we do. Our motto – ‘Enlightening minds, uplifting hearts’ – is taken from the writings of Don Bosco. We strive to ensure that every student feels genuinely loved at Salesian, in order that they develop into confident, capable young people who are determined to go out and make our world a better place; we call this “Building the Kingdom”.
We achieve these aspirations through strong pastoral support, excellent teaching and an extensive range of sporting, cultural, physical and social co-curricular activities. All this is delivered by an exceptional group of teachers and support staff who are totally committed to doing everything we can to ensure every child receives the best possible education.
Salesian has built a reputation for excellence that has been established since we were founded here in Chertsey over 100 years ago. Today, we are a mixed, comprehensive school meeting the needs of children of all abilities from 11-18 years. We provide for over 1800 students, including around 400 in our Sixth Form College, which is on its own specialised site. We are an academy and part of the Xavier Catholic Education Trust.
Our aspiration is to improve education for all and as part of the Xavier Teaching School Hub, we are dedicated to first class learning and teaching, professional development and supporting schools in difficulty. We also, through Xavier, play a key role in Teach SouthEast, the leading centre for initial teacher training in the region.
If you are interested in finding out more about learning, working, or training to teach at Salesian then please get in touch; we look forward to meeting you.
God bless,
Paul Gower
Headteacher

"It is not enough to love the young, they must know that they are loved"
Don Bosco was a priest in 19th century Turin who, inspired by the work of St Francis de Sales, founded the Salesians to care for the young; today there are hundreds of Salesian orphanages, care homes and schools around the world. Don Bosco famously said “It is not enough for children to be loved; they must know that they are loved. At Salesian School in Chertsey, we strive to live up to his ideal every day.
Don Bosco’s ethos was centred in love, relationships and high expectations of the young people in his care. The success of Salesian school is built on these foundations. A deep love and care for the students, a focus on the quality of the relationships and a strict approach to standards and behaviour.
building the kingdom
building the kingdom
building the kingdom
building the kingdom
building the kingdom
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Salesian School Chertsey
Catholic secondary comprehensive school
Salesian School
Guildford Road
Chertsey
Surrey
KT16 9LU
Salesian College
Highfield Road
Chertsey
Surrey
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