The joyous affair gathered a crowd of over 150 guests, comprising current students and their families, returning alumni, staff, former teachers, and members past and present of the Board of Governors. Alumni from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000 onwards marked their presence and were happy to catch up with former classmates and teachers, visit the school and reminisce about the happy days they spent here. The anniversary program was rich with tributes and tradition. Headmaster Paul Morgan and Bilingual Section Principal Joana de Sousa delivered heartfelt speeches, while musical interludes by Yumei and Clarisse charmed the audience. Guests also enjoyed an exhibition of historical artefacts tracing the Section's nine-decade history, culminating in the cutting of the birthday cake. A moment of collective nostalgia arrived as attendees enthusiastically joined together to sing “It’s a Long Road to Freedom,” a reminder of cherished school days. Mr. Morgan focused on the Section's unique contribution to the students' lives: “Ninety is more than just a number. It symbolises generations of young people who have been given a unique giftthe gift of communicating in two languages, having a deep understanding of two cultures, all within one school... The Bilingual Section is a brilliant embodiment of our school’s motto, ‘Lux tua nos ducat’ – ‘Your Light Leads Us.’” Principal Joana de Sousa highlighted the Section's foundation of academic excellence and support for every student, defining its tradition as: “um ensino de excelência, que dá resposta a todos os alunos na sua individualidade, os apoia e encoraja a atingir o seu potencial e ensina o respeito pela diferença.” The
90th Anniversary of the Bilingual Section
Saturday 11 October 2025 will be remembered as a day full of celebration and gratitude as we marked the 90th Anniversary of the Bilingual / Portuguese Section at St. Julian’s. The Garden Party united students, staff, families, and alumni in a heartfelt tribute to our shared history.
was, by all accounts, an unforgettable tribute to a foundational part of the school's heritage. If you are in touch with other alumni, please do encourage them to sign up to our alumni platform, where they can find out about upcoming alumni events.
Joana de Sousa
Alumna & Ambassador of Class of 1988 & Bilingual Section Principalt
Founders’ Day Our School History
As we celebrate our 93rd year, I have been reflecting on the 52 individuals recognised as Founders of St. Julian’s School. Four of them are honoured daily through our House names, and during Founders Week assemblies, we focused on two in particular: Mrs Henrietta Franklin and Mrs Marguerite Bucknall, with the others to be explored in future years. Mrs Henrietta Franklin visited Portugal in 1932 to advise the committee establishing St. Julian’s. She helped define the school’s ethos—what we might now call our “Reason to Believe” - championing child-centred education and learning both inside and beyond the classroom. Her influence remains central to our identity. Today, she is also remembered as a leading Suffragist, commemorated on the plinth of the Millicent Fawcett statue in Parliament Square, and her portrait by John Singer Sargent hangs in London’s National Gallery. It was Mrs Marguerite Bucknall who brought Mrs Franklin to
Portugal. Inspired by Franklin’s work in educating her own son, Mrs Bucknall convened the pivotal meeting of the Lisbon Ladies’ Reading Room in March 1932, where the proposal for a new English-speaking, non-profit school was agreed. She went on to serve the school with dedication for many years. Today, we honour these two remarkable women whose vision and commitment helped shape the St. Julian’s we know and cherish.
Jonathan Burke
Deputy Principal KS4 History teacher & School Archivist
