Centenary Celebrations

September 2008 sees our 100th anniversary. Throughout academic year 2008-9 we will be holding a number of celebratory events. The planned schedule for these is given below. Further details will be published on this page closer to the time.

 

Summer 2008

 

·        Sports Tour to Australia & Hong Kong

 

 

Sept 2008

 

·        Timeline Archive Project launched formally (see below for details)

·        Launch of alumni section on website

·        Centenary merchandise available

·        Centenary school photograph

 

 

November 2008

 

College Birthday Celebration – 4th November

 

·        Celebratory Service of Worship – in school         

·        Birthday  party – at various locations on campus – all pupils, parents, staff invited

·        Mass - in College chapel

·        Centenary Dinner   - subscription/ black tie – to be held at Portsmouth Guildhall

 

 

Easter 2009

 

Replacement and rededication of cross on Scholes building.

 

 

Weekends throughout Spring/Summer terms 2009

 

Invitations to OJs  for ‘tea and tours’ in school (see below for details)

 

 

Summer 2009

 

Summer Fete/Ball at Fields

 

 

Autumn 2009

 

Centenary edition of the ‘Johannian’ published            

                     

The St John's Timeline Project

As an important part of our celebrations in 2008, we plan to inaugurate the St John's Timeline Project. This will be an alternative to the more tradtional published history, and will be compiled primarily in electronic form - though of course it will be possible to produce hard copy of any section. The overall structure will comprise three 'levels'. The first - as the name suggests - will be a summary timeline of key events, appointments, developments and so on. This will be supported by articles and extracts of written history - some drawn from published accounts, some 'original'. Then, and perhaps most excitingly, there will be another 'level' containing personal reminiscences of life at the College at various times in its history. It is hoped that this will gradually develop into a very substantial 'first-hand' account of school life over the years. Anyone associated with the College will be very welcome to submit material for this level of the Timeline - subject to editorial approval. Over time, this project will build into a comprehensive school archive. Whilst it is planned to launch the project formally in 2008, some work has already been done, and some contributions already received. It would be good to have a substantial 'work in progress' ready for the centenary. Any contributions should be sent to the College, either by post or by email to timeline-project@stjohnscollege.co.uk - for the attention of Mr A Steele, Deputy Headmaster.

 

An invitation to OJs to visit St John's

 

As an important part of its Centenary Celebrations, St John’s wishes to invite its past pupils to visit the College campus. During such visits, which will be held during the Spring Term of 2009, visitors will be offered lunch and will be able to tour the site in company of a senior member of staff.

 

The proposed schedule for these visits is as follows:

 

Sunday 8th February 2009: This visit will be intended primarily for those OJs who left the school before 1958, though any may attend should other dates prove inconvenient.

 

Sunday 15th March 2009: This visit will be intended primarily for those who left the school between 1958 and 1983, though again any may attend should other dates prove inconvenient.

 

On both of these occasions, the school will be open from noon to 4.00pm, with lunch available at 1.00pm. Throughout the afternoon, tours of the site will be conducted by the Headmaster and other senior members of staff. There will also be opportunities for OJs to meet informally to talk over old times.

 

The College will also be open to OJs on the afternoon of Saturday 18th April 2009, the day of the OJA dinner. On this occasion the hours will be from 2.00pm until the scheduled time for the pre-dinner Mass, which will be celebrated in the College chapel. Please note that lunch will not be served on this date, though refreshments will be available.

 

OJs who wish to attend any of the above occasions are requested in the first instance to register their interest by contacting Mr A Steele, Deputy Headmaster either by post at the school or by email at asteele@stjohnscollege.co.uk. Should numbers require that additional dates be arranged, this will be considered.

 

We look forward to welcoming you back to St John's.