Day 1

On the First Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of hope.

Thank you to our First Form pupils Henry, Jayden, Daineal, and Noah for these Advent readings, reflections, and prayers.

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Day 2

For Day 2 of the Love & Service Advent Calendar, Malakai B, Fourth Form, sings O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

Thank you Mr Price, Director of Music, for this stunning arrangement.

 

Day 3

For Day 3 of the Love & Service Advent Calendar, Sister Finbarr Coffey, Teacher of Religious Education and Philosophy, reflects on the true meaning of Advent.

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Day 4

For Day 4 of the Love & Service Advent Calendar, we asked our pupils to wish the Vaughan community Merry Christmas in a different language to celebrate the languages spoken at Cardinal Vaughan. From French to Polish to Igbo to Amharic, faith unites us all.

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Day 5

For Day 5 of the Love & Service Advent Calendar, our Head Prefects share the ways that we display our school motto, 'Amare et Servire', by helping those most in need.

Thank you, Head Girl and Head Boy, Keoni M and Alistair L, and our Deputy Head Prefects Oscar D, Dorothy F, Peter K, and Francesca K for demonstrating love and service in action to ensure that the school ethos is carried across all areas of school life.

We filmed with the pupils in our Chapel in the Addison Building.

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Day 6

On this Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we share the Vespers for the First Week of Advent sung at Our Lady of Victories, Kensington by the Schola Cantorum, directed by Director of Music, Mr Price and accompanied by Mr Evans on the organ, for BBC Radio 3's Choral Evensong which broadcast on Wednesday 6 December.

The service, celebrated by Monsignor Roger Reader, School Chaplain, includes readings from pupils Jonathan S, Tom F, and Matteo A, as well as music including William Byrd, Tomás Luis de Victoria and an introit by our patron, Sir James MacMillan. In addition, thank you to our altar servers, Arthur B, Simao M, and Sean K for supporting during the service.

Thank you to all involved, especially Ben Collingwood, Producer at the BBC, for supporting the Schola and ensuring the recording ran smoothly.

Mr Stubbings. Headmaster commented: “This is actually the second time that Cardinal Vaughan has performed Choral Evensong for BBC Radio 3, becoming the only state school in the UK to have been asked twice. At a time when state funding in school music is subject to cut after cut, it’s an extraordinary achievement and testament to the talent of our pupils and the exceptional leadership and dedication of Mr Price and his team. The recording last week was simply magnificent, demonstrating why the Schola Cantorum are fully deserving of the national and international recognition they receive. Thank you to our readers, Altar Servers and Monsignor Reader for celebrating the service.”

Congratulations to all those involved. You can listen to the full service here.

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Day 7

Yesterday, Cardinal Vaughan hosted its annual Senior Citizen Christmas Party, an event that honours senior residents from across the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and local neighbouring boroughs. Over 120 senior citizens attended.

Cardinal Vaughan first launched the initiative in 1990 and over 30 years later, it is going from strength to strength. The school’s Big Band, directed by Mr Price, Director of Music, performed classic show tunes while the school’s Lower School choir serenaded guests with carols and filled the hall with Christmas cheer. In addition, former parent and long-time supporter of the school, Stephen Kelly, performed a set of traditional Irish songs. The school provided a festive afternoon tea which was served by the volunteers from our Sixth Form.

Local resident John commented: “The music has really moved me, and it’s been a wonderful celebration and the pupils have really looked after us.” Another local resident agreed: “Cardinal Vaughan always provide us with a wonderful event every year, and everyone leaves feeling happy and very cared for. Thank you, it means the world to us.”

Mr Stubbings, Headmaster commented: “We are honoured to host the annual senior citizen’s party. This has been a tradition here at the school since 1990 and it is important for us to support and celebrate our local community. The Vaughan motto is to ‘Love and Serve’ and this event really encapsulates this. We are all really proud of the Sixth Formers who look after the local residents and our pupils that performed, it is a chance for us to really make a difference and support the community.”

In addition, huge thanks to Mrs Mars and Mrs Boyle, retired long-serving staff members of the school, and to Mr Kehoe, Deputy Headmaster. Each year they volunteer to help run the event and without them, it would not be possible. Thank you to the Mayor, Councillor Preety Hudd, for joining.

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Day 8

On the second Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of peace.

Thank you to our Second Form pupils Xavier H-P, Tyler A L-I, Jonathan S, and Cameron B for these Advent readings, reflections, and prayers.

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Day 9

For Day 9 of the Love & Service Advent Calendar, Monsignor Reader, School Chaplain, reflects on how Advent is a time of anticipation and hope when we look out for light in the darkness.

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Day 10

For Day 10 of the Love & Service Advent Calendar, our Eco Club will be helping you be more sustainable this Christmas.

Thank you Richard P, Xavier H-P, Pablo G, and Kaleb H for the informative and inspiring message. 

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Day 11 

Last week, our Sixth Form attended an Advent Carol Service celebrated by Monsignor Reader, School Chaplain. The Sixth Form choir, conducted by Mr Motley, Assistant Director of Music, sang accompanied by Tom N, Lower Sixth, on the organ.

Thank you to our readers, Head Girl, Keoni M, Head Boy, Alistair L, and chorister, Dezelene E-E.

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Day 12

This is your last chance to enter the Love & Service Christmas Raffle!

Tickets are £10 for a roll of 10 and can be purchased via ParentPay. The raffle closes at lunchtime tomorrow, Friday 15 December.

All funds raised from the raffle will go directly towards the Pupil Support Fund, offering many pupils opportunities which their circumstances would otherwise not enable them to access. Thank you for your support!

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Day 13

On Day 13 of the Love & Service Advent Calendar we share 'Carols from Kensington' with Tom N, Lower Sixth, playing O Come All Ye Faithful on one of our school organs in Addison Hall.

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Day 14 

Last Wednesday, members of the Schola Cantorum sang with Grammy Award winning jazz singer Gregory Porter at the Royal Albert Hall.

Here is a clip of them singing with Philly Fraser, her charity single 'Make Believe' featuring a solo from Kaelan O'S, Third Form.

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Day 15

On the third Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of joy.

Thank you to our Third Form pupils Kaelan O'S, Simao M, Arthur B, and Tom F for these Advent readings, reflections, and prayers.

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Day 16

We hope that you will be able to join us for the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School's annual Service of Lessons and Carols, which will be celebrated at Our Lady of Victories, High Street Kensington on Tuesday 19th December 2023 at 7.30 pm.

If you are unable to attend, the service will be broadcast live here.

This beautiful video of the Vaughan's Carol Service was made by Old Vaughanian, and former Schola member, Calum Currie.

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Day 17 

 

Day 18

Many thanks to those who attended last night's Carol Service at Our Lady of Victories. Extra special thank you to the alumni and former parents who attended the drinks reception before the service, it was lovely to come together in celebration of Christmas, and to Kathleen Brooks (OV 1999) for reading at the service. 

The service was broadcast live, so you can watch the full service here.

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Day 19

For Day 19 of the Love & Service Advent Calendar, we share a Christmas message from Old Vaughanian and current Teacher of PE & Head of First Form, Mr Brett. Thank you to our community of alumni, governors, parents, and staff for your continued support of the school. 

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Day 20

Far Day 20 of the Love & Service Advent Calendar, we share Carols from Kensington with 'Tomorrow shall be my dancing day' from Dancing Day by John Rutter, performed by the Schola Cantorum with harpist Zita Silva on its recording of music of Christmas music for boys’ voices and harp, Hodie! (2021).

Listen to the full album here.

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Day 21

On December 23, we proclaim the coming Christ with the last of the “O Antiphons” read by Toby Y, Fourth Form.

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Day 22

On the final day of Advent, Sean K, Fourth Form, lights the candle of love as we await the coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

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