Padre Paul, Wycombe Abbey’s New Chaplain
13 November 2024 - All
It is with pleasure that I am able to introduce myself as the new Chaplain to Wycombe Abbey.
I am a citizen of both the UK and New Zealand, and after spending time in New Zealand, I decided to move to the UK. Most of my career has been in the Army in New Zealand as a Chaplain (although I did have some years in the British Army too). It was a role I enjoyed very much, and I left at the right time for the right reasons with fond memories and good friends. As I left the Forces, my wife (Julia) was able to reinvest her energy into her role as a social worker whilst I held as much of the reigns as I could of being the main at-home parent of our two sons (Joshua and Caleb) for a short spell. Julia and the boys remain in New Zealand until early December when they abandon what looks to be shaping up to be a fine and warm spring and summer to come to a somewhat cooler winter in the UK. Julia is bracing herself! We’re all somewhat used to Christmas on the beach with a barbie (the cooking kind, not the doll kind), and a cold, dark one will feel a bit weird.
It’s a funny thing when starting a new role in which, after only a few months, things are still so new, but so much has already happened, and Wycombe Abbey is always full of life during term time, with the girls and staff working hard both academically and socially. There is something energetic about the place. This is not entirely dissimilar to the military, nor is the concept of living life to a ‘by the bell’ schedule or wearing a uniform. Both have a disciplined approach to learning, and both have a committed community. One key difference is the nature of that community; after only a short time, I have felt very welcomed. The staff and their families, filled with business of their own, have been friendly, engaging and supportive as I begin to navigate school life. Equally so, the girls of Wycombe Abbey have been talkative, interested and fun to be around. I am often impressed at how engaging these young people are, how full of passion and how even when they are having a bad day, they will share a smile and a greeting. I am conscious I see with the eyes of a Chaplain, but I find the girls of Wycombe Abbey to carry themselves with a grace that sometimes appears lacking in parts of the world. It impresses me.
‘Life is life’ as my alarmingly deep seven-year-old often remarks, as a summary of everything. Not everybody has a good time every day because that’s sometimes how life goes in big and small ways. I am really pleased to be here as a part of the life of the School and to hopefully help catch the moments where life isn’t super but have a lot of fun when it is.
I look forward to continuing in my role, learning the ropes, and getting to know both my colleagues and the girls as their chaplain.
Padre Paul
Chaplain
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