Love & Service Advent Calendar 2024 

Our digital Advent calendar offers a daily opportunity to pause, reflect and pray, as well as celebrate our school motto of Love & Service. You can expect an insight into collective worship, community service, and Christmas cheer. 

 

Day 1

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

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

/i/video/Advent_1.mp4

 

Day 2 

Our Youth St Vincent de Paul (Youth SVP) team are running a Christmas Gift Appeal in aid of The Catholic Children's Society.

We are seeking donations of gifts that will be given to children who are not expecting to receive anything this Christmas. Some are young carers, others have fled domestic violence, and many are living in temporary hostels.

Any gifts you can give will bring joy to these children at Christmas. Please drop your donations off at Reception before Thursday 5 December. Ms Bell and the Youth SVP team will then agree on the ages of the children your gifts are suitable for and arrange for them to be taken to these children, ready for Christmas Day.

Thank you in advance for your support.

/i/video/advent_2.mp4

 

Day 3

As we enter Advent, our SJSCAT Lay Chaplain, Caroline Moulinet, has created Advent booklets for each key stage. Our pupils explain how they have been using these at school and at home. 

You can access these Advent booklets here.

/i/video/Advent_3.mp4

 

Day 4 

We are thrilled to share with you the outstanding work from the First Form pupils who entered our annual Christmas Card competition.

The winning Christmas card will be available to purchase tomorrow! You can pay via ParentPay and your son or daughter may collect them from the school reception.

Cards are available in a pack of 12 for £10, or individually for £1.50. All profits made from sales will be donated to Aid to the Church in Need.

Well done to all the pupils that took part and thank you to Ms Knight, Head of Art for arranging this.

/i/video/4_Christmas_Card_Comp.mp4

 

Day 5

For Day 5 of the Love & Service Advent Calendar, Sister Finbarr Coffey provides a theological reflection on the Advent season. 

/i/video/Sr_Finbarr.mp4

 

Day 6

There is only one week until we draw the winner in our biggest Christmas Raffle yet. Get your tickets on ParentPay now and be in with a chance of winning one of these fantastic prizes!

/i/video/6_Raffle.mp4

 

Day 7

This Advent, our pupils are taking the time to thank others. The U12A Rugby Team would like to thank the Vaughan community for their support this season. They also have a very exciting announcement for day 7 of the Love & Service Advent Calendar!

/i/video/7_Sport.mp4

 

Day 8

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

Thank you to our Second Form pupils for these Advent readings, reflections, and prayers.

/i/video/8_Refelction.mp4

 

Day 9

Our Youth SVP team would like to thank everyone who has donated items for the Catholic Children's Society Christmas Gift Appeal. We have been humbled by the support of our community who have donated almost 100 gifts for children who are not expecting a gift this Christmas.

/i/video/9_Gift_Appeal.mp4

 

Day 10

On Day 10 of the Love & Service Advent Calendar, Monsignor Reader, School Chaplain, reflects on how Advent is about the hope that the Incarnation brings.

/i/video/Monsignor_Reader_Reflection_reduced.mp4

 

Day 11

Cardinal Vaughan will be selling crafts made by the First and Second Form Art Clubs; pupils from the Upper School; and members of staff at Portobello Market on Sunday 15 December from 10 am - 4 pm.

Please visit our stall and show your support. Funds raised will be shared between our chosen charity, Aid to the Church in Need, and art equipment for the Vaughan.

/i/video/11_Portobello.mp4

 

Day 12

Last Friday, 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 filling 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.

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 Will Lane, for joining.

/i/video/12_Tea_Part.mp4

 

Day 13

For day 13 of the Love & Service Advent Calendar, our Eco Club will be helping you be more sustainable this Christmas.

Thank you to our Second Form Eco Club members for the informative and inspiring message. 

/i/video/13_Eco_Club.mp4

 

Day 14

We are excited that Malakai's new Christmas video is now available! Click here to view this beautiful selection of Christmas music.

/i/video/14_Malakai.mp4

 

Day 15

Today we are here at Portobello Market, selling crafts made by the First and Second Form Art Clubs; pupils from the Upper School; and members of staff.

Funds raised will be shared between our chosen charity, Aid to the Church in Need, and art equipment for the Vaughan.

On this, Gaudete Sunday, which means ‘rejoice’, we can be happy and joyful knowing we are trying to do our best for others!

Come and visit our stall today, if you have the chance. We will be at 285 Portobello Road (on the corner of Lancaster Road) until 4 pm. Please note, our stall is cash only.

We look forward to seeing you all!

/i/video/15_portobello.mp4

 

Day 16

We hope that you will be able to join us on Wednesday 18 December 2024 for the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School's annual Service of Lessons and Carols at Our Lady of Victories Church, High Street Kensington.

/i/video/16.mp4

 

Day 17

Today we remember our much loved teacher and colleague Miss A Foley. 

Please pray for her family. 

Requiescat in pace, et lux perpetua luceat ei. 

 

Day 18

Thank you to everyone who attended our Sixth Form Carol Concert at St John the Baptist Church. It was a wonderful evening!

Very well done to our Sixth Form Choir and to Mr Motley, Assistant Director of Music.

/i/video/18.mp4

 

Day 19

Thank you to our OV community for all their support over this past year. It was good to see so many of you at the Carol Service last night.

If you were unable to attend, you can watch the service back here.

/i/video/19_carol_service.mp4

 

Day 20

Not long until Christmas! Last week’s performance of the Snowman was simply delightful and we enjoyed this event with our wider community and members of the Saint John Southworth Catholic Academy Trust.

/i/video/20_snowman.mp4

 

Day 21

Before the end of term, our pupils enjoyed a special Christmas lunch at school, sitting at tables arranged according to More, Mayne, Fisher & Campion houses. They were also joined by their teachers and made a Christmas cracker chain around the table.

A huge thank you to our school catering team who went above & beyond to give pupils a wonderful Christmas meal. Thank you from all of us!

/i/video/21.mp4

 

Day 22

A reflection from Caroline Moulinet, SJSCAT Lay Chaplain on the last Sunday of Advent from the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School Chapel.

/i/video/22.mp4