Over the next few weeks we will be bringing you some insights into different aspects of our life at Chavagnes International College, the international Catholic boarding school for boys. This week, we focus on sport and its importance in the development of boys.

  

Saint Paul, to the Corinthians, has this to say: "Don't you realise that the runners in the Stadium, all of them run, but only one gets the medal? You are to run in such a way as to win. Everyone who is in athletic training exercises self-control (but they do it to win a medal that will fade away...!); so I am running in such a way as not to be without purpose. When I box, I do it in such a way as not to land my blows on empty air - instead I let my body know who is boss, and I make it my slave... " (1 Corinthians).

  

School sport can be an important part of learning to think about important themes for a good life: the desire for excellence, teamwork, self-discipline, generosity, single-mindedness. The truths learnt in the atmosphere of effort and adversity that is created on the sportsfield are lessons that can forge the characters of strong and caring leaders who know about fighting for a cause with a generous and selfless spirit.

  

The second century St Clement of Alexandria, one of the first Christian teachers to develop a theory of education, underlines what for him are the two main formative benefits of sport: "to aim at not only a healthy habit of body, but courageousness of soul" and also the development of a taste for pushing oneself to one's limit, not out of pride, but simply out of a desire for excellence, or in Clement's words: "not for the sake of vainglory, but for the exuding of manly sweat!" (The Pedagogue; Bk III, Ch. 10).

  

Obviously, COURAGE and EFFORT, once developed as virtues, pay off in exam success in other subjects, and even in the spiritual life, the biggest test of all.

  

  

As part of a balanced school day, sport improves morale, assists brain function and boosts the immune system. By keeping active and busy, boys' minds and bodies are allowed to grow in a harmonious and natural way, open to God's grace.

  

Alongside popular team sports such as football and rugby, boys also get the chance to fish, swim, ride, hike or climb.

  

On summer evenings, there are always boys out playing tennis on the courts or enjoying a game of voleyball, while in winter, indoor strategic games such as chess are popular. About half of the boys at Chavagnes participate in our busy scout programme, which takes them on long hikes (as long as 100km), rafting, canoeing and orienteering. They also enjoy the occasional manhunt through the French countryside.

  

Our official games programme intends to provide each student with:

  

On 26th March 2014 our team of ten young fencers participated in the Pays de la Loire Regional UGSEL Championship. 9 out of 10 came back to school with Giold, Silber or Bronze medals for their categories!

  

And all of them are latter-day knights in shining armour too!

  

Well done, lads!

  

They are pictured here with their coach, Mr Tang. 

 

Help us to help the next generation of Catholic leaders: the fathers, priests, teachers, businessmen and politicians who will shape tomorrow's world. Our boys are taught to aim high, be adventurous and to love God.  You can help us by telling others about our work, by keeping us always in your prayers, or by supporting us financially with a donation. you can make a donation online by credit or debit card here.

  

Our College has two mottos: 'in electis tuis mitte radices' ("put down roots in those you have chosen") and 'Laudate Deum, principes!' ("praise the Lord, ye princes!"). We live by those words: the first is a prayer for our pupils and the second and exhortation to them. Our work is to ensure that the future of Europe is in the hands of young men who truly understand its past and care about its future, and who - most importantly - place Almighty God at the centre of their lives.

  

Next week, we'll drop you a line about music at Chavagnes, and why we think it is such an important part of a boy's education.

  

Please forward our news and information on to others who might be interested.

  

Thank-you for your support.

  

Yours in Christ the King,

  

Ferdi McDermott, Principal

  

Chavagnes International College
96 rue du Calvaire
Chavagnes en Paillers,
Chavagnes International College
+33 (0)2 51 42 39 82

For more information about all aspects of life at Chavagnes International College, visit www.chavagnes.org