St Claudine's Day and Fun Day

We celebrated Foundress's Day on Wednesday last with the students, from all sections, presenting poems, songs, little plays and tableaux based on the life of Claudine Thevenet, the French nun who began the Congregation of Jesus and Mary, in Lyons, almost 200 years ago.

The school has a strong tradition of fostering the values that Claudine believed in: tolerance, patience, courage, sincerity, forgiveness, and a love and care for the poor and those less fortunate than ourselves.

A tiny percentage of the school roll is Christian so seeing the Muslim students throwing themselves whole heartedly into the celebrations was great, proclaiming the sayings of Claudine, and singing the hymn, "Great and Glorious Claudine".  I found it all quite moving.  (You'll find that hymn on YouTube, should you be intereted!).

I took so many photos that day ... and the following day. 

The second day was called Fun Day. 
To begin with the senior school staged their items. 
The programme on the previous day would have been far too long, especially for the younger pupils, had the seniors' performances been included then.

While that was going on little food stalls were being set up on the grounds.
The ice cream man came, the gol gappa and biryani* man came, the school canteen man had his drinks and chippies on sale, Pizza Hut was there, the coffee vendor and the burger man all came to sell!
There was a real festive atmosphere around.
All the children had money to spend. 
They were tired little bunnies going home that day!


* Biryani is a Pakistani/Indian mixed rice dish.  The combination of rice and meat, cooked separately is then combined with spices and seasonings.  This is put into a large vessel, layered, with yoghurt added and sealed firmly to trap the aromas.  The Biryani is then cooked over a slow fire/dum.  Biryani is ofter reserved for special occasions...weddings, birthdays, festivals...  
The Sisters sometimes have it as a main dish in a meal.  It's far too spicy for me so I'll be given a simpler form! (See how I'm being spoiled?)

You'll see the big container of Biryani in the 'Food' photo video.




I hope you won't find the number of little videos too much.  It's just that I have so many photos I want to share with you!

Enjoy.





https://quik.gopro.com/v/y2ooxPyIh3/ ........  We're Ready


https://quik.gopro.com/v/DnNSVue5I0/  .....  On Stage


https://quik.gopro.com/v/S9jkVVztTv/  .......  Fashion and Flair


https://quik.gopro.com/v/pq9tif7Sji/  ............ Food


https://quik.gopro.com/v/qEmpmx6cTF/ ..... The Students


https://quik.gopro.com/v/nMbdGBldnH/ ...... The Fun Day Fun!