An Education Deep in History and Faith with Ferdi Mcdermott

Headmaster Ferdi McDermott tells the story of the founding of Chavagnes International College, a Catholic boarding school for boys in France. With great warmth and charm, Ferdi describes his school's history and the European revival of classical education. Most importantly, Ferdi explores the truth behind the idea that “a school without a chapel is like an angel without wings.”

Show Notes

About Our Guest

Ferdi McDermott studied Languages at Edinburgh University before a decade in Catholic publishing in London. In 2002 he founded Chavagnes International College, an international Catholic school for boys (www.chavagnes.org). He now combines leadership of the school with a lectureship in English literature at the Vendée Catholic university, ICES (www.ices.fr). He is pursuing a doctorate in Education through the University of Buckingham.

Notes

In this episode, Adrienne and Trae join Headmaster Ferdi Mcdermott on a journey through the French countryside and into the historic site of a Roman villa turned thirteenth-century monastery, turned junior seminary now operating as a Catholic boarding school for boys that offers a classical Christian education for students from all over the world. To support this good work, please visit their website here.

Some topics and ideas in this episode include:

• Living and Teaching in a Place with a Long History 
• Teaching and Modeling Physical, Intellectual, and Spiritual Virtues 
• The Key Role of the Chapel in the Life of a School 
• The History of Classical Education in Europe 
• The Influence of Ancient Egypt on Education 
• Traditional Catholic Education  
• What Makes a Good Teacher? 
• Why Should Teachers Sing to Their Students? 

Resources and Books & Mentioned In This Episode

• Letters to Captains by Andre Charlier 
• Godliness and Good Learning by David Newsome 
• John Senior on the cultural soil being depleted 
• “The Twelves Virtues of a Good Teacher” by Br. Agathon  
• The National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools (NAPCIS)
• “Lay Catholics in Schools” by The Sacred Congregation of Catholic Education 
• “The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium” by The Sacred Congregation of Catholic Education 
• “Divini Illius Magistri” by Pope Pius XI

Ferdi’s Favorite Quote (Corrected):

“To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.”
- St. John Henry Newman 

Don’t miss Mr. McDermott singing a hymn in honor of St. John Henry Newman at the end!

Please Support us on Patreon.
_________________________________________________________
Credits:

Sound Engineer: Andrew Helsel

Logo Art: Anastasiya CF

Music: Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Violins in B flat major, RV529 : Lana Trotovsek, violin Sreten Krstic, violin with Chamber Orchestra of Slovenian Philharmonic

 
© 2022 Beautiful Teaching. All Rights Reserved 

★ Support this podcast ★

What is Classical Education?

Classical Education is a podcast perfect for learning about the tradition of a liberal arts education. We invite you to join us on a journey in pursuit of the True, the Good, and the Beautiful as we participate in the great conversation and listen to the many voices coming from the world of classical education.