To whom we owe so much

The ties that bind the United Kingdom and Portugal stretch back to the Treaty of Windsor, in 1386, a document that ratified an alliance that survives to our times. The Anglo-Portuguese friendship spans centuries and brought about many commercial and cultural exchanges.
In the first decades of the 20th century, Carcavelos was home to one of the stations of the Eastern Telegraph Company (ETC), the largest communications cable company in the world. Submarine cables were the links of that era’s information highway. The cable installed in Carcavelos connected Europe to Africa. Its maintenance and operation required the services of specialised workers. A large group came from the UK and settled in the region.
Despite the size and importance of the British community in the Lisbon area and its long-standing presence in Portugal, no School existed to serve its offspring. Traditionally, children were homeschooled or sent to England. 
In 1932, Mrs Bucknall, who had been connected to the Parents’ National Education Union¹ (PNEU), took the first steps towards the creation of an English-speaking School. Mrs Bucknall’s vision and perseverance were behind the many initiatives that led to the creation of St Julian’s. With great determination, she organised meetings with the British community and contacted PNEU for assistance and advice. Serendipitously, Mrs Franklin, a Hon. Secretary of PNEU was coming to Portugal on a short visit that year, during which she would be giving lectures on the aims and methods of the PNEU. Mrs Franklin’s assistance proved to be invaluable in setting up the innovative pedagogy espoused by the fledgeling School.
A committee was formed to examine the legal and financial aspects of founding a School and to find suitable premises. Mr Etherington-Smith was elected to this committee in addition to Mrs Bucknall and others. As first Chairman of the Board, Mr Etherington-Smith successfully guided the School until he departed for England in 1944.
The committee inspected several properties aiming to find a suitable building. At the time there was a serious outbreak of typhoid fever in Carcavelos and the Founders feared that some of the properties being inspected could be contaminated. Major Montgomery, Manager of the ETC at Quinta Nova, generously offered a part of its facilities for the establishment of the School. 
The support and recommendations provided by the British Ambassador, Sir Claud Russell, were of great importance during this period. In his role as Honorary Chairman, he was present at the St Julian’s inaugural party held on November 24th, 1932. This date is now celebrated every year as Founders Day.
The combined efforts of our Founders started the story of the leading British School in Portugal. They were true global citizens who made a difference. We owe them so much. Thank you.

André Abreu
Community Services and Communications Team

(1)The Parents' National Educational Union (abbreviated PNEU), founded in Bradford, Yorkshire in 1887, was an organisation providing resources and support for homeschoolers in the United Kingdom in accordance with the educational ideas of Charlotte Mason. For further information please visit Wikipedia and Fairfield School.