Extracurricular
We believe that pupils can learn as much outside the classroom walls as inside. We therefore place strong emphasis on providing a range of extra-curricular activities with a broad appeal. Such is the breadth and quality of this programme that it has earned us recognition from Education Extra and Sport England in the past. We have been awarded Healthy Schools Silver Award and International Schools status.
Here is just an overview of some of the activities that your child might get involved in: –
Clubs and Activities
Please click here to view the current Clubs Timetable (updated April 2024)
The following clubs take place after school or in the lunch hour:
| Football | Orchestra | Rugby | Cyber Security |
| Basketball | Dance | Prep | Studio Skills |
| French | Gymnastics | Classics | Geography |
| German | Choir | Young Investigators | Creative Writing |
| Spanish | Badminton | Eco-Schools | Debate |
| Drama | Dodgeball | Mandarin | Maths Puzzle |
| Lego & Games | Oregami | World Wise Quiz | Colouring Club |
| Knit & Natter | Computing | Interact | Film Club |
Trips
Recently our pupils have had the opportunity to visit Berlin, Austria, France, Iceland, and CERN in Switzerland, as well as participate in field trips such as the Eden Project and CAT Camp (Centre for Alternative Technology). Departments run regular weekend trips including retreats to Whitstable, field trips to Swanage, theatre trips and expeditions for the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.
Sports
All pupils are encouraged to particip
ate in extra-curricular sporting activities and we try to provide something to interest everyone. Click here for PE Clubs list. Lunch-time and after-school clubs focus on activities ranging from basketball to table tennis and include dance, rounders, rugby, athletics, cross country, football, hockey, cricket and fitness training. Through participation in, and enjoyment of, a variety of activities pupils are encouraged to develop their talents, character and sportsmanship within the Christian ethos of understanding and tolerance.
Pupils who show a particular aptitude for a sport may be selected for school teams and play competitively against other schools or within college in inter-form and house matches.
We are pleased to report that a number of our pupils have been selected to represent the area and County and have won a number of honours outside college.
Drama
Drama forms part of the curriculum from Year 7 and is available as a GCSE subject, however the extra-curricular opportunities are on offer to all pupils, regardless of ability, all year round.
Year 7 are invited to attend a drama club all of their own on a Monday lunchtime, older years are welcome to attend after school on a Thursday where an ‘Advanced’ club is on offer. Both clubs focus on skills development and devising of pieces for performance. Attendees are also encouraged to take part in various events in the school calendar such as liturgy and concerts. Every year the department runs an enrichment experience such as participation in Shakespeare Schools Festival, National Theatre Connections Festival and other local festivals. Pupils are selected based on their commitment to extra-curricular drama and in previous years have been lucky enough to perform at professional theatres such as The Marlowe in Canterbury.
The main event in the extra-curricular calendar is the annual Summer show which involves pupils from all years. Previous shows include ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie,’ ‘Grease,’ ‘Bugsy Malone,’ ‘Our House’ and ‘Back to the 80’s.’
Music
We have excellent facilities to promote and develop a learning and love of music. In addition to two spacious teaching areas and numerous practice rooms, we have a recording studio featuring all the latest digital mixing and recording equipment. The music suite is equipped with thirteen imac computers, running industry-standard software.
The work of our specialist music teachers is suppo
rted by the teaching of peripatetic teachers for guitar, wind instruments, brass, strings, percussion and voice. Pupils are strongly encouraged to make use of this facility.
The Music Department has a busy schedule of extra-curricular activities including two choirs, an orchestra, brass ensemble, a string ensemble, rock school, drumming club and ‘GCSE extra’. Pupils are encouraged to perform in front of their peers at assemblies and masses and in front of the wider community at events such as the Eastbourne Prom Concert, Summer Sing and at Parish events from Mass to Advent Services.
Fundraising for Charity
We promote a strong ethos of community living, whether that community is the college or the local, national and global community of which we are all part. Pupils are therefore encouraged to support charities and do something to help others. Each year the college comes t
ogether to raise funds for ‘Surviving Christmas’ in support of the homeless and the Love in a Box campaign. Mufti days have raised money for charities such as St Michael’s Hospice, CAFOD and Parkinson’s UK. We also have an annual fundraising project to sponsor disabled children travelling to Lourdes at Easter and to subsidise the transport costs of some of our year 11 pupils who act as helpers.
In addition, each Year Group adopts its own charity to support. In past years, CAFOD, Cancer Research, British Heart Foundation and Guide Dogs for the Blind have benefited in this way.