St Edmund's Day 2007

Date: Monday 19 November 2007

St Edmund Rich may not be the best known of Christian saints, nor the most eminent of Canterbury's Archbishops, but in the 1890s, when the Clergy Orphan School adopted the name of St Edmund's School Canterbury, a tradition began of celebrating his festal day of November 16th.

In 'the old days' the celebrations took the form of a special sausage'n'mash dinner; more recently, a toast to St Edmund has been offered in Ginger Wine and a doughnut! A full school service has always been a key element, and occasionally a half-holiday from the normal routine was introduced.

This year, after the Cathedral service on Thursday afternoon, the whole of Friday 16th November was given over to a wide range of pupil-driven activities which took the whole Senior School off-campus for the day.

Francophiles went to Boulogne by coach; those seeking physical thrills and spills went go-karting, quad-biking, or paintballing; those wanting a day in London, culminating in a theatre matinee performance, had a chance to see 'Chicago', 'Spamalot', or 'Mamma Mia'.; some played a day of golf at the Chestfield Club; and those, not wishing to venture too far afield skated at Gillingham, and went to the cinema in Ashford.

The end product was a fantastic day which was enjoyed by all who took a part. Best of all were the compliments paid to our pupils by activity managers and coach drivers alike, all of whom suggested that they do not necessarily like school parties, but 'ours were the best they had met'!

Many thanks to all the staff who led the expeditions. Yes, it was a long day, and a case of going the 'extra St Edmunjd's mile', but I do hope it was worth it. Planning for next year now begins - the same theme, of course, but variations, certainly!