Chavagnes International College • Catholic boarding school for boys • www.chavagnes.org Archives

The Great Books: an inspirational summer course on the best of western literature, from Goethe to Homer, led by Professor Anthony O'Hear. 26th July - 4th August 2009. Read more ...

Information Days February 2009: Mr McDermott, Fr Talbot, Mr Aldridge and a VIth-former will be on the road in the UK from 7th-15th February presenting the work of Chavagnes to interested families and individuals at parishes throughout the country. Click here to find an information event near you.

December Newsletter online (photos of recent events.)

Chavagnes Nativity Play (photos)

Our 12-14 year-olds played Rugby 7s against l'Esperance, a local Catholic boys' school, on Thursday 27th November and won comfortably 80-30. Well done, lads! Some of the action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWuygGxRC9Q

Chavagnes Taster Week for potential pupils. From 16th to 20th February 2009, we are inviting boys from 9 to 17 to come and spend a week with us and experience the Chavagnes routine, join in a few classes, meet the other boys in their age group, participate in some fun activities and discover something of our region of France. The cost for this week (from Monday 16th to Friday 20th) is just 75 pounds or 95 euros. Please contact us at office@chavagnes.org if you would like to book a place.

Latest debate news: 'This house rejoices in Barack Obama's election as US President', proposed by Cathelineau and opposed by Charette. The motion was defeated at the end of an evening that included some spirited performances from both sides.

Mid October: Father Talbot's health has improved and he is back with us, celebrating daily Mass. Thanks for your prayers.

New guidance for interested families from the USA

For Christmas Events, click here

The term has begun positively: Play rehearsals for the Christmas plays have started; inter-house cricket and table-tennis have been popular events, with Rochejacqelein House leading for the moment in the House Point stakes ...

The oracy programme has begun with a poetry recital evening and continues on 15th October with our first debate of the year: "This House would have more sport at Chavagnes." An interesting motion, as we already have sport 6 days a week ...

Chavagnes on Vatican Radio: Vatican Radio recently broadcast a documentary feature on the College, including interviews with the Principal, Mr McDermott, Head Boy Jose Senosiain, plus Max and David from Year 7 and year 8 respectively. You can listen online at: http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=216419

All about the Choir Trip to Sicily, July 2008

Father Anthony Talbot takes over as our new chaplain in September. Fr Talbot is being seconded from the Archdiocese of Birmingham. He is a keen photographer and cabinet-maker and hopes to share these interests with pupils at the College.

15th-22nd July: The Choir enjoyed a trip to Sicily, as guests of the the Diocese of Trapani. We sang in two concerts and visited an ancient Greek temple and amphitheatre, historic churches, and of course the beach! We also enjoyed a day sailing with the Trapani Match Race club and a scout camp with the local Catholic scouts.

The last week of June, featured our annual Sports Day, Prize Day and theatrical productions; this year, we were treated to The Wizard of Oz and a special abridgement of Shakepseare's Henry V.

Thursday 22nd May, we celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi with Solemn Mass and a procession of the Blessed Sacrament around the grounds.

Thursday 8th May, the 11-13-yr-olds played a short cricket match of 12 overs each way against the British School of Paris, in Paris. (See photo below.) We lost 64-32, but very much enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of the BSP, and a stay with host families. Thank-you, BSP!

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The Choir sang at the Chavagnes retirement home on 10th December, for the retired priests of the diocese of Luçon on 12th December and for the retired Ursuline Sisters at Chavagnes on 14th December.

Our Carol Service was held at 9.30pm in the College Chapel on Saturday 15th December.

Soccer Fixtures Two matches were played (at home) against teams from L'Esperance College, Ste Cecile, on the afternoon of Thursday 13th December: Under 13s and Under 18s. The results were two defeats: 3:2 for the Juniors and (alas!) 10:1 for the Seniors.

The Christmas play this year was Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, directed by Dr Conlon and Mrs Lloyd. Two successful performances were held on Friday 14th December Saturday 15th December.

Sunday 9th December: Indoor Cricket at La Roche sur Yon and trip to McDonald's.

On Saturday 8th December, the College celebrated its Patronal Feast, the Immaculate Conception with a solemn sung Tridentine Mass at 12.20pm. A Table-Tennis tournament also took place during the afternoon, won by Charette House.

6th December, Feast of St Nicholas. The Fifth Boy-Bishop of Chavagnes, Jacques de Guibert, was installed in a ceremony that preceded Solemn Vespers. 11-year-old Bishop de Guibert presided pontifically at the service and then was given a banquet including the traditional boar's head. He decreed a later bed time for all boys and ordered the Masters to do the washing-up. Order returned at 10pm when His Junior Lordship was sent to bed and 'normal service resumed' ...

From 3rd -5th December, Visit of Professor Anthony O'Hear, Professor of Education at the University of Buckingham. During his visit, Professor O'Hear addressed groups of staff and boys on 'John Ruskin and Education' and 'Science and Religion'. Both talks stimulated lively questioning from boys and Masters and left us with plenty of food for thought.

Campagne Decoration Photo-shoot

The popular French interior design magazine, Campagne Decoration has just prepared a feature using the College's period staircases and dormitories as a backdrop (!), along with Jacques, Matthieu and Marc, three of our young French pupils. Look out for the January/February issue.

Photos of our All Saints Party (31st October)