Sisters of St Louis Wellbeing Hub Opened

On Friday 21 March 2025, the St Louis Academy community in Newmarket warmly welcomed Bishop Emeritus Alan Hopes to celebrate a special Mass, followed by the official blessing and opening of the newly completed Sisters of St Louis Wellbeing Hub.

The occasion was marked with heartfelt celebration, made all the more joyful by the uplifting music led by Director of Music for the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, David Grealy, whose contribution greatly enhanced the singing during the liturgy.

The beautiful new facility has been made possible thanks to an extraordinary gift of £100,000 from the Sisters of St Louis. Their generous donation has funded the creation of a multi-purpose space dedicated to supporting children with social and emotional needs, their families, and the pastoral and specialist teams who work with them.

The Sisters of St Louis Wellbeing Hub provides a confidential counselling space, a calming sensory room, a quiet retreat for support meetings, and a dedicated area for small group therapy sessions. The building is thoughtfully designed to offer a sense of peace and refuge — a place where children can feel safe, supported, and nurtured.

Sister Blathnaid travelled from Dublin to represent her Order and formally hand over the building to the school. She was present to witness Bishop Alan bless the Hub — a deeply meaningful moment for all involved.

Co-Chairs of Governors, Bethan Byrne and Marc Walker, expressed their delight at being able to add this exceptional pastoral provision to the school’s already ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted-rated Personal Development offering. They, along with the whole school community, are deeply grateful for the Sisters’ enduring commitment to the wellbeing of children.

Having served the Newmarket community for many decades, the Sisters of St Louis left a lasting legacy of love and care. Their desire to continue supporting future generations has found its expression in this project — a gift that will bless many lives in the years to come.

The building was designed and constructed by Eco Classrooms and Nurseries, chosen for their strong environmental credentials. With the support of the Diocese — particularly Helen Bates — planning and design were finalised, and work began in November 2024.

Nestled in a quiet courtyard, the Hub is a tranquil space flooded with natural light. A walkway wraps around the building, inviting moments of calm reflection, and wide glazed doors allow the room to open out to the surrounding environment, further enhancing the sense of openness and serenity.

The Sisters of St Louis Wellbeing Hub stands as a lasting testament to the love, vision, and generosity of the Sisters, and will continue their mission of care and compassion for generations to come.

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