Month: September 2020

Paul Claudel reminds us of the childlike wonder one can experience at the liturgy

29 September 2020

“et voilà que le drame sacré se déployait devant moi avec une magnificence qui surpassait toutes mes imaginations. Ah ! ce n’était plus le pauvre langage des livres de dévotion! C’était la plus profonde et la plus grandiose poésie, les gestes les plus augustes qui aient jamais été confiés à des êtres humains … Je…

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Why a boys only school?

24 September 2020

In a boys only school context strong bonds of friendship and camaraderie with peers and teachers develop in such a way that the influence and impact of positive role models has its maximum effect. Boys will gain confidence in their academic potential without the fear of being compared to girls, who often mature more rapidly…

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AQA training for Chavagnes teachers

22 September 2020

As Chavagnes is an official examination centre for AQA, the UK’s main examination board, our staff benefit from specially tailored training provided by AQA to help them deliver the teaching in line with the examiners’ expectations. In addition, our Deputy Head, Mr Patrick Long is an AQA examiner himself. Our focus on understanding the requirements…

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Feast of St Matthew

21 September 2020

Happy feast of St Matthew the Apostle. Today we remember especially all our past pupils who beat Photos: marble relief of St Matthew on the altar of the College Chapel; Holy Mass for today’s feast.

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Leading UK Catholic boarding school for boys

21 September 2020

The last remaining UK curriculum Catholic secondary boarding school for boys is situated not in the home counties, but a short hop across the channel near Nantes, France. Founded as France’s first post-Revolution minor seminary in 1802 then refounded as an international college in 2002, Chavagnes International College provides a UK-style curriculum with British GCSEs…

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Jolly boating weather today …

19 September 2020

Today’s little sortie at Clisson … This came to mind: Jolly boating weather And a hay harvest breeze, Blade on the feather, Shade off the trees, Swing, swing, together, With you bodies between your knees. Skirting past the rushes, Ruffling o’er the weeds Where the lock stream gushes Where the cygnet feeds. Let us see…

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Spanish at the lunch table

16 September 2020

Today was our first Spanish speaking lunch. It was a great success. Special thanks to Padre Sebastian Fernandez. Hoy día fué nuestra primera comida de habla española. Fué un gran éxito. Gracias al Padre Sebastián Fernandez de la Fraternidad de San José Custodio.

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Mr Maguire gets them tinkling the ivories

16 September 2020

We are happy to announce that Mr Liam Maguire will be offering piano and flute lessons on Wednesdays this year to any boys who are interested. Here, young Owen is having his first lesson.

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Saint Peter’s Cocoa Club

16 September 2020

One of our new Masters, Mr Martland has begun hosting a new evening club in the Saint Peter’s Room on weekday evenings. Open to juniors at Chavagnes International College, the Catholic boys’ school in France, the grandly named “Saint Peter’s Cocoa Club” is really just a book club which brings together boys of different nationalities…

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The task of guiding souls

16 September 2020

A parent sent us this today … A quote for you today: “What grander task can anyone have than that of guiding souls, of training the young? I esteem him who understands how to mold and educate youth more highly than the painter, the sculptor, and every other artist, whoever he may be.” -St. John…

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