June 2015 newsletter

Saint Michael’s Cadet Force News
The younger cadets of the SMCF have formed a band, under the command of
Sergeant Major Barrett, who teaches Music to some of the Senior boys.
Thanks to a generous donation from Mr Christopher Newton, from Sussex,
they now possess a large collection of musical instruments (below right). The
band members were recently visited by Major Tex Calton, the National Music
Advisor for the Army Cadet Force.
The Major gave them a brief lesson and the fife players were able to show off
their accomplished rendition of ‘The British Grenadier’. They’ve certainly had
plenty of practice of that particular tune as fellow pupils and teachers will
readily attest! Major Calton was very impressed with their ability to march
and play music at the same time and has promised them a special uniform. He
says he will follow their progress with particular interest.
The SMCF senior officers have also acquired a smart new dress uniform
(right). The picture shows Sergeant Emmerich Jeindl, Staff Sergeant Anthony
Parkes, Sergeant Patrick Suter, Captain Gary Holden and Sergeant Major
Lawrence Barrett, with the SMCF banner.
St. Michael’s
School Newsletter
June 2015
“Once more unto the
breach….”
Dear Friends and Benefactors,
Just over three years ago we were inspected by Ofsted
(both dormitory and school). Before Easter they came
again to inspect the dormitory, promising the other
half of the inspection later in the year! The inspector
was particularly pleased with the behaviour of the
boarders. We were pleased to receive ‘Outstanding’
and ‘Good’ judgements overall. Please find, below, a
few of the interesting and accurate comments of the
inspector.
How to support St. Michael’s School
(i) Pray for the success of the school.
(ii) Attend work days at the school.
(iii) Sponsor a child.
(iv) Remember the school in your Will.
(v ) Financial support.

Cheque payable to “ST. MICHAEL’S SCHOOL.”

Standing Order to: Royal Bank of Scotland
Sort Code: 16-26-18,
Account No.: 10191323

International Transfer to
IBAN:GB63RBOS 1626 1810 1913 23
BIC (Swift) : RBOS GB 2L
St. Mich ael’s
Sc hool
Newsletter
The Abingdon Drama Club production of Henry V was enjoyed
by St Michael’s boys studying the play for English Literature
International GCSE. (see inside for a full report).
“"
Outcomes for boarders are outstanding. Boarders
benefit from excellent relationships with staff and
each other. Boarders clearly enjoy and fully embrace being part of the boarding
community. They speak most positively about being part of a caring community and
of making lasting and meaningful friendships. 'It is like a big family' is a comment
from a boarder. Boarders make significant progress in their lives and develop their
skills and confidence to an excellent extent. All boarders learn to be part of a team
whether this is taking part in shared chores or by being part of the cadet force.”
Obviously we are happy to see that Ofsted recognises the strength and quality of the
formation here, but our families and students, rather than government officials, are the
true means of testing our school’s quality. Therefore, if the boarding staff, teaching
staff and many volunteers are to be congratulated for this success, praise is also due
for the co-operation and patience of parents and the generosity of benefactors. Rest
assured of our prayers for all of your intentions.
In Maria, Rev. Fr. Patrick Summers
Visiting St Michael’s
Local MP Sir George Young has been among the highprofile visitors to St Michael’s School this year. Sir
George, who is retiring after more than 40 years service as
a Conservative Member of Parliament, gave a talk to the
Junior School (right) and to the Senior Boys.
He answered a wide range of questions on subjects such
as his relationship with his constituents, his previous role
as a government minister, and his knowledge of the
Queen’s wardrobe! It was fascinating to hear from someone who has spent so long at the heart of the democratic
process.
Also visiting the school were Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta
(to perform Confirmations), Father Alain Nely, Second
Assistant to the SSPX Superior General, and Major Tex
Calton (see back page).
In Memoriam
Mr Ronald Warwick, who
taught English at St Michael’s
from 1998 to 2009, died on
April 20th 2015.
Past and present staff, parents
and pupils joined family and
friends for his funeral which
was held at the school chapel.
Mr Warwick was a highlyrespected and much-loved
member of the St Michael’s
community. May he rest in
peace.
News from St Michael’s School
News from St Michael’s School
The latest Christmas Fayre (below and bottom right) raised around £11,000 for school funds. Parents
and pupils worked together to stage the event at the nearby Portal Hall. Friends of St Michael’s travelled from far and wide to attend the annual event, where they joined members of the local community.
Junior school pupils and teachers put on
a play entitled ‘The First Christmas
Tree’ (below left), also at the Portal Hall.
It told of the overthrow of the Tree of
Odin by Catholic monks, and its replacement with a small fir tree adorned with
candles.
The Orff Instrumentarium (bottom left)
performed a number of pieces, using the
new bass xylophone obtained thanks to
the generosity of the SSPX faithful.
Other recent initiatives have seen the
Junior girls learning Netball with the
help of an expert coach, and pupils visiting local nursing homes to sing for the
elderly residents.
Band of Brothers
600 years after his famous victory at
Agincourt, the exploits of Henry V
were recalled in Abingdon (left). The
local Drama Club staged a production
of Shakespeare’s play at the Unicorn
Theatre at the end of March.
Boys from the Senior 4 and Senior 5
classes went to see the play with Mr
Webber, Father Barrett and Brother
Bernard.
They were impressed with the quality
of the performances, especially from
Terry Atkinson who played the King.
They were also grateful for the opportunity to question the play’s director,
Michael Ward, about his approach to
the play. One unusual feature was that
all the French nobles were played by
ladies! But, Mr Ward assured us that
this was just to make sure female club
members could take part in a play with
few roles for women.
Ed Peacock, from Abingdon Drama
Club, said our boys were “a pleasure to
have in the theatre” and complimented
them on their knowledge of the play,
politeness, and “generally outstanding
demeanour.”
Important dates
4th July 2015: Trinity Term ends
14th September 2015: Michaelmas
Term begins
News of Old Michaelians
David Seeber (right), who left St Michael’s last Summer, is
now studying at the SSPX seminary at Flavigny, France, where
he received the cassock on the Feast of the Purification. Father
Holden was present at the ceremony, along with many of the
Seeber family.
Another old boy who has received the cassock, this time at the
SSPX seminary in Zaitzkofen, Germany, is Johannes Rehm.
Johannes left St Michael’s two years ago and spent a year doing volunteer work in India.
Finally, Mr Geoffrey Godber (above), who taught Senior
School Latin from 2013 to 2014, was clothed in the Capuchin
habit on the Feast of Saint Joseph, at the monastery of Aurenque, near Toulouse in France. Brother Bernadine Mary, as
Mr Godber is now known, received his habit together with fellow novice, Father Regis de Cacqueray, former District Superior of the French SSPX District.