St Edmund's School Canterbury

Main annual events

The academic year runs from September to August, which is the reason for listing the main events as we have.

October: Open Day for the whole School

An annual feature of the school programme occurs on the second Saturday in each October. The school opens its doors to as many visitors as possible ranging from current parents, past members of staff and above all prospective parents seeking to be attracted to what is on offer from age 3 to age 18.

November: St Edmund's Day

November 16th is the anniversary of the school's patron saint St Edmund of Abingdon. The anniversary is celebrated in a variety of ways usually incorporating a full school service (occasionally in the Cathedral), a special lunch of "sausage and mash" and a range of off-campus activities - a visit to a London theatre or an afternoon of paint-balling. Not to mention ginger wine and doughnuts!

November: Michaelmas concert

Taking place in the School Hall, the Michaelmas concert is an opportunity to see the developing talents of the pupils as they perform a wide repertoire.

December: Drama Production

Every December the Senior School celebrates is dramatic talents by performing a variety of innovative productions. Over the years, a number of exciting performances have entertained pupils, parents, staff, past pupils and parents and friends of the School:

• "Encore" 2008
• "The Pierglass" 2007
• "Godspell" 2006
• "Return to the Forbidden Planet" 2005
• "Pippin" 2004
• "Grease" 1999.
• "Godspell" 1996
• "The Mikado" 1994
• "The Boyfriend" 1991

December: Carol Service

For many, the highlight of the school year is the carol service in Canterbury cathedral, which usually coincides with the last day of the Michaelmas term. The whole school family is invited to fill the Nave and enjoy a traditional carol service with its nine lessons, its favourite hymns and of course superb music provided by the school's chamber choir enhanced by the Cathedral Choristers.

January: Scholarships

The process of inviting pupils for a range of scholarships for both Junior and senior school begin in January with the assessments and awards taking place in early February. See the admission section for more details of the process and the awards.

March: Open Mornings

In the Pre-prep and Junior Schools, Open Mornings provide prospective parents the opportunity to meet the Master of the Junior School and the Head of the Preprep School and to visit the school during a normal school day. The visit the Pre-Prep and Nursery School comprises a personalised tour with the Head or a member of staff. At the Junior School, the tour is conducted by able Form 8 guides who give the visitors a view of the classroom activities and playgrounds as part of a normal school day. The tour is followed by a meeting with the Master.

March: Drama production

Every March the Junior School takes to the stage to showcase burgeoning talents of the younger members of the School community in front of audiences from other local schools, parents and friends. In recent years productions have included performances of "The King and I" 2008 and "Guys and Dolls" 2007.

March: Gala Choral and Orchestral Concert

Each year the music department holds a gala concert in the Quire of Canterbury Cathedral. The repertoire comprises mainly classical pieces preformed by the School Choral Society, Chamber Choir, Cathedral Choristers, Symphony and Chamber orchestras and with soloists and ensembles at the school.

June: St Edmund's Society summer gathering

Each year the Society returns with past pupils and teachers to celebrate long term friendships and commitment to the School. The gathering comprises a number of sporting activities played against current school pupils as well as opportunities to socialise and to complete the business of the Annual General Meeting.

June: Summer Serenades

In keeping with the sense of summer, the Serenades offers a lighter, more popular repertoire of music, performed by the school's Orchestras, Brass Ensembles, Big Band and Choral Society. The performances take place on the school grounds, sometimes in open air while other times in the School Hall.

June: Speeches and Prize Giving

At the end of June, the Junior School celebrates its academic year with parents and pupils with an evening of music by pupils, a guest speaker and the award of prizes in the School Hall.

July: Art Exhibition

The one night only exhibition celebrates the artwork of GCSE and A Level students. It takes place in the Art and Technology department.

July: Speech Day and Prize Giving

On the final day of school, the School community celebrate the achievements of senior pupils by the award of prizes, a Leavers Service and a summer ball. The speeches and prize giving take place on the terrace in front of the magnificent Victorian building. The School Chaplain performs the Leavers Service, while the summer ball takes place in special marquees.

August: SummerFest

For three weeks during the summer holidays, the school entertains children between ages 5 -15 in a number of courses led by qualified coaches and professionals in sports, drama and art.

August: Exam Results

Two Thursdays in August are eagerly - and nervously - anticipated by pupils and staff alike as A2, AS, and GCSE results are published. Recent history suggests that nervousness has not been necessary. The results have reached all-time highs which exemplify the quality of candidates and teaching now prominent in St Edmund's School Canterbury.