New vision of science ... from our curriculum site

Science, where the senses and the intellect meet …
Science is about bridging the world of the senses – the tangible, the audible, the visible – with the world of the intellect – the far reaching patterns of abstract concepts which allow us to impose order and system on what we perceive through the senses. The College believes that both piers of the bridge should be buttressed. Through a rich program of practical activities the students are exposed to as much real experience of see, hear and touch scientific phenomena as possible. On the other pier, the College is committed to a careful and scrupulous teaching of scientific concepts, informed both by historical awareness of their genesis and the determination to impart ideas in a clear, rigorous, but accessible way.

See more at www.cursus.chavagnes.org

Gareth Usher, new Head of Science at Chavagnes

Here's a nice little article from yesterday's Derry Journal about our new head of Science.
http://www.derryjournal.com/news/local/new_french_role_for_derry_teacher_1_2870553

Chavagnes schemes of work

We're really getting organised at Chavagnes: check out our schemes of work for September 2011 : www.cursus.chavagnes.org and follow the links.

There are already SOWs for Physics Yr 8, Maths, Yr, 9, Greek and Music year 9, Music Year 8 and 9, English Year 10, plus Religion, History and Latin for most of Yrs 7-9 ...

It's hard work, but most classes and subjects should be available within the next week.

We'd welcome any feedback from parents and friends.

Chavagnes email newsletters now archived

Chavagnes Email Newsletter Archive

Just back from Chartres

Bishop Alain Castet to celebrate Mass of Thanksgiving

Bishop Alain Castet, our diocesan bishop, will be celebrating a Mass of Thanksgiving for the academic year at the College on Monday 20th June at 12 o'clock. All are welcome.

Shakespeare Week 2011

Plans for Chavagnes Shakespeare Week 2011 are underway. Check out updates at:

http://shakespeare.chavagnes.org/

When schoolboys get to punch their teachers ...

A fly-on-the-wall film about this evening at Chavagnes. Just an ordinary Tuesday evening, with boxing, chess, piano, detentions, tuck shop ... etc. With a sample of the choir singing Exultate Justi by Ludovico da Viadana.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFTfU567_fM

Father Talbot's photography

Our chaplain, Father Anthony Talbot, now has a website showing some of his photographic work. Please pay him a visit: http://www.anthonytalbot.com/

Going to school in France - blast from the past

Here's a little documentary film made by BBC Kent about Chavagnes International College a few years ago. Enjoy ...



(If it doesn't work, you can also watch at http://gloria.tv/?media=89445)

The boy featured in this clip was with us for five years (2002-2007) and left us with some great GCSE grades (A*s in French, German and Spanish, B in Latin and As in most of his other subjects, plus a B at AS-level Spanish taken early.) He was one of our founder pupils, so we are especially proud of him.

Rugby Chavagnes vs. Esperance

In an exciting Rugby 7s away game against Esperance (Thursday 17th June), our 11-14-year olds acquitted themselves well, losing 60-40, but with a particularly valiant second half. Well done, boys.

St Patrick's Night film

A few scenes from our St Patrick's Night party on 17th March 2010.

For more news and information, visit our official website at www.chavagnes.org

Mathematics success and Baroque music in March ...

In this year’s Intermediate Maths Challenge, aimed at the 13-16 age group, Paul de Guibert (13) achieved a Gold certificate and was invited to participate in the prestigious Pink Kangaroo Challenge, Benjamin Bellec (14) and David Mobbeerley attained silver cerrificates. Maximillian Micallef-Eynaud (13) achieved a bronze certificate.

The Intermediate Challenge is aimed at the top third of pupils in Year 11 or below in England and Wales, Year 12 or below in Northern Ireland and S4 or below in Scotland. The top 40% of students nationally receive a gold, silver or bronze certificate in the ratio 1:2:3 and each institution receives a Best in School certificate. Visit the official website for more information on the UK Intermediate Maths Challenge.

Meanwhile other pupils of all ages enthusiastically participated in World Maths Day on 3rd March against schools from around the globe. In WMD 2010 a total 1,133,246 students and 56,082 schools from 235 countries united to set a new world record by correctly answering 479,732,613 questions online. Chavagnes belongs to the international Mathletics project, which enables pupils to compete online at solving mathematical problems, challenging other young people from English-speaking schools all over the world.

Baroque evening

On 4th March the boys enjoyed an excursion to the local chateau of ‘La Chabotterie’ for an evening of baroque musique provided by Hugo Reyne (leader of the Symphonie du Marais) on the recorder and Yannick Varlet on the haprshichord.

Chavagnes Maths news

Further to our last post, we just heard that Dominic made such an impression in his new school (Year 10) that they put him in for Maths GCSE, almost 2 years early, just a few weeks after arriving, back in October/November. He walked away with an A, for which our congratulations. And thanks also to his teacher last year, Brother Moylan.

Brother is organising this year's UK Junior and Intermediate Maths Challenge at Chavagnes and we are hoping to follow last year's excellent performance with a few more Gold, Silver and Bronze certificates among our pupils. Watch this space ...

Top of the class ...

Although we always miss pupils who move on, we are always delighted to hear their news. Along with their Christmas greetings one family has just sent us these encouraging words:

"We often talk of Chavagnes life and are sorry we are no longer on the scene. Dominic seems now to be star pupil in all his subjects, thanks to his two years at Chavagnes. We hope you are flourishing and remember you all in our prayers."

Website popularity Chavagnes

The Chavagnes International College official website is getting approx 1,000 unique visitors per month. From 1st to 12th December we received 388 new visitors, with 71% of them adding our site to their favourites.

Woodworking Chaplain

In addition to being our resident school chaplain Fr Talbot also teaches photography and woodwork. Here he is with a mule chest he has just finished.

Chavagnes' Choir at the Maison du Clerge Le Landreau

Today our choir sang for the retired priests in Les Herbiers, a town not far from Chavagnes. We performed in the chapel there and were invited for a snack. We first visited them eight years ago, when the school opened its doors, and they always seem delighted to greet us. We now look forward to revisiting them in concert once again next year.

Macbeth theatre dress rehearsals ...

Some previews of our production of Macbeth (scheduled for 13th and 14th December at Chavagnes).

Lady Macbeth (Maggie Boyles) : "Out, damn spot ..."

Lady Macduff (Anna Boyles) and son (Bernard Lloyd.)

Mrs Asch's new poetry collection

Mrs Asch's first collection of poems is just about to published but will, alas, probably not be on time for Christmas presents. It could make a good Epiphany offering, however.

She has a blog about her book, Reflections, on which she is posting some of her poems.

Visit Mrs Asch's blog: http://ruthasch.blogspot.com