Why study the Humanities?

“We call those studies liberal, then, which are worthy of a free man: they are those through which virtue and wisdom are either practised or sought and by which the body and mind is disposed to the best things. “ Pier Paolo Vergerio,
The Character and Studies Befitting a Free-Born Youth (c. 1402.)

At Chavagnes the study of the humanities is in the great tradition of liberal education. This kind of education is not simply a dry theory, nor is it restricted to those subjects now named humanities, although its principles are mostly clearly seen in our teaching of these disciplines.

Liberal education is the transmission of our great western cultural patrimony to our young. But it is more than that: its aim is to make every student his own man: free and capable of using his reason, fit to take part in the “great conversation” begun in fifth-century Athens and continuing to this day.

More at www.cursus.chavagnes.org

A truly bilingunal and bicultural education

At Chavagnes we are really beginning to experience now the originality and creativity that spring from the meeting of two cultures. This year three of our pupils (and this is the fifth year we have been doing this) sat for their French 'brevet' exams, validating the end of their Year 10 studies. We are pleased to tell you that all three passed the exams, one with a commendation : "Mention bien". Two of these boys also sat a number of GCSE subjects and will sit a few more next year.

Two of our young Frenchmen going rather early into our Lower VIth, one at 15 and one at 14 (!) this coming September are both looking into applying for Cambridge, but will hedge their bets by sitting the French Bac as well as the UK A-levels ... A visitor recently described one of these two as 'a perfect English gentleman'.

Meanwhile, of our English pupils, a number of them sat French GCSE early this year (boys from Year 9 or 10) and we expect some good results from them soon.

Another one of those bicultural moments was when our scouts ('Les Scouts de Chavagnes' as they call themselves) distinguished themselves by their gusty singing of "Rule, Britannia" on the Pentecost Chartres Pilgrimage ...

Floreat Chavagnes !

Macbeth (Christmas Play) and Carol Service - dates and times

This year's Christmas play (not chosen for any special seasonal relevance!) is Shakespeare's Macbeth. Rehearsals began in September and it looks like it is going to be a landmark for Chavagnes drama so far. In previous years we have staged Shakespeare's Julius Caesar and Twelfth Night, Marlowe's Doctor Faustus and a number of other ambitous plays, but this is certainly the most ambitious to date.

Performances: Sunday 13th December 2009 at 7pm
and Monday 14th December 2009 at 4.30pm.

Our Annual Advent Carol Service will take place at 8pm on Monday 14th.
For those who have reserved in advance, a light buffet supper will be available for those attending the production of Macbeth and wishing to stay on for the Carol Service.

In the week prior to the Carol Service, the choir will also be singing carols in a number of old peoples' homes, a local hospital and a prison.

Chavagnes scouts orienteering

The most popular sporting activity at Chavagnes this year so far is the weekly 10km orienteering challenge, with a generous reward for the winning house.

Chavagnes boys, pictured here in scout uniform, celebrate a successful trek on 9th October.

The new Chavagnes scouts will be making their promise in early November during a special overnight camp including an all night vigil of prayer modelled on the vigils performed by medieval knights.

Chavagnes celebrates St Patrick's Day

Click here for a press release about our recent St Patrick's Day celebration.

Chavagnes Choir sings Bruckner's Locus Iste

Bruckner's Locus Iste: Recorded June 2008. A beautiful rendition.

Translation: This place was made by God; an inestimably holy place. It is without blame.

Singing it in the beautiful College chapel, one can't help thinking it appropriate. Chavagnes IS a holy place, even if it is full of sinners. God bless. FMcD.

New sites relating to Chavagnes, Catholic private boarding schools for boys

Single-sex Catholic boarding schools for boys and girls; links, articles, comment.

http://www.boardingschools.catholic-education.eu/

http://boardingschools.catholicstudyabroad.com/ A site aimed at potential Chavagnes students from the USA and other long-haul locations. It includes information on a special programme of vacation travel to sites of cultural interest around Europe.

http://www.chavagnes.catholicstudyabroad.com/ Study at Chavagnes: a Guide for non-European students and, in particular, students from the USA.

So in summary Catholic Boarding Schools Information, and two sites offering a fantastic study abroad opportunity for those seeking a Catholic High School Study Abroad Program.

Chavagnes team takes to the road

Mr McDermott, Father Talbot, Mr Aldridge and Dominic O'Leary (VIth-former) will be taking to the road during February half term, on a special promotional tour (7th-15th Feburary).

Events are lined up in London, Brighton, South Wales, Lancaster and some other locations across the country.

Chavagnes 'Information days' are events at which include a talk on Chavagnes, accompanied by a DVD presentation, plus a chance to meet some of the protagonists ...

Stages d'Anglais

http://stages-d-anglais.chavagnes.info/

Information in French on our languages course for summer 2009.