|  | The history of Holy Trinity school is certainly a fascinating one: founded by refugee French nuns at the turn of the 20th century it was saved from closure in the late 1980's by a group of parents.
The school is planning to celebrate its centenary with a historical booklet containing the history and origins of the school.
They're also holding a get together for friends and former pupils of the school on the 5th of July.
Royal connections
The school owes its origins to the Trinitarian order of Nuns, which dates from the 12th century and was founded by two French priests, John de Matha and Felix de Valois.
In a sign from heaven a white stag came down to drink in a stream of running water; between its antlers it bore a cross of red and blue.
St John de Matha, in a vision during his first Mass, was shown the Habit that his spiritual children were to wear: a white scapular with a red and blue cross.
Felix was a prince of the Royal House of France, hence the crown and fleur de lys.
These are symbolised in the school badge and in the names and colours of the first two houses of the school formed in 1948: De Valois, red and De Matha, blue.
Fleeing from France
In 1884, following anti-clerical persecution in France, small groups of sisters were sent abroad. Four sisters arrived in England and settled in Bromley, Kent.
 | | Reverend Mother Marie de Valois |
A property, Willow Bank, in London Road was purchased for them and in 1887 it opened as a school with 3 pupils.
In 1903 two nuns were invited by Bishop (later Archbishop) Isley of Birmingham Mere Louise, to Kidderminster on 16th June 1903 to investigate the possibilities of opening a Convent and school.
Sister Marie de Valois and Sister Marguerite de Jesus took out a seven year lease on Elderslie, a large house with a park, lawns and huge gardens.
Language tuition
The nuns brought a touch of foreign fascination to Kidderminster and Margaret Phelan, who began at the Convent in 1931, recalls her mother and her aunts speaking of the popularity of walks along the Birmingham Road as people hoped for a glimpse of the newly-arrived nuns speaking in a strange language.
Adults, however, as well as children, were able to take advantage of teaching at the Convent – an advertisement of 1912 offers classes in conversational French for adults.
In 1908, a contract was signed between M Adam and the Order stating that they could continue renting until 1910 and then buy the property.
The nun's leave
In December 1985, The Trinitarian Order announced that they were unable to continue the school as the headmistress was well into her seventies and that there had been no new vocations from the school for quite a number of years; they wished to use their funds to enable The Order to continue its good works overseas.
 | | Pupils at the school |
The nuns left Elderslie in July 1986 and went to live in a house in Imperial Avenue, Kidderminster. They still continued their charitable work. In 1990 they moved to the Convent at Bromley to be cared for in their old age. So ended the Trinitarian Order connection with Kidderminster.
However, the parents and lay staff didn't want the school to close and formed a committee to raise the finances to buy the property.
They registered the school with the Charities Commission and appointed the first lay Head, Mrs Butwilowska, and (September 1986 to May 1990) followed by Mrs Susanne Bell (May 1990 until December 1996).
The school name was changed to Holy Trinity School – an independent school with charitable status, governed by a board of Trustees. At present The current headmistress Mrs Elizabeth Thomas, (1997 to August 2003), will be retiring at the end of this academic year and will be succeeded by Mrs Yvonne Wilkinson in September. The new Millennium saw the appointment of a business development manger and a forward thinking and active Trustee body, under the leadership of Mr Malcolm Owen, continues to give the school positive support and guidance. In recent years Holy Trinity has gained Investor in People status, the National Sports Mark and most recently the Early Years Gold Award from the Birmingham partnership. The school maintains a top position in the government league tables for GCSE and A level and continues to retain its top position within the Wyre Forest district. Celebrating their Centenary, the school is not only looking back and celebrating their history, they are also looking forward and are focused on the challenges ahead as they begin a new century.
| If you have memories of the school or want to go to the event of the 5th of July the contact Mrs Maggie Skinner on 01562 822929. |
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