Last Tuesday, January 28th, our Year 11 pupils had a very interesting day to themselves that more than one will remember for a long time. The whole Year, divided up according to their major subjects, visited top-line companies and institutions in several business sectors, to get a close look at their day-to-day work and so get an idea for the first time about what life is like in the professional world and hopefully of the positions they will hold in the years to come.

On Friday January 16th, all pupils from Year 8 upwards were treated to a performance of The Gentleman from Olmedo in the new school auditorium. Written by Lope de Vega, it is one of his most highly-rated comedies. Comments from pupils and teachers alike were very favourable. Activities like this help cater for our pupils’ needs for culture and are a fundamental part of the school curriculum.

Many of our Year 11 pupils have finished reading the first volume of the Quijote novels. As a reward for their efforts, and in order to broaden their knowledge both on the immortal Cervantes work itself and on his life and times, seventeen of them were accompanied by their teacher Don Rafael Lafuente on a visit to the Sociedad Cervantina (Atocha Street 87) in central Madrid, where an exact replica can be found of the printing press used by printer Juan de la Cuesta, who first printed the novel in 1605 in the exact same building.

Following the Holy Synod (wherein was discussed the pastoral challenge for families concerning evangelisation) Monsignor Javier Echevarría has summoned a year of devotion to the Virgin Mary in prayer for our families. During this year, at Retamar we will be especially mindful of Our Lady through specific details. We are certain that in this way we will be able to prepare our 50th Anniversary which, as you know, takes place next year.

Last Friday, our Year 11 pupils were treated to a lecture by Rafael Martín Aguado, an expert in social networks and modern media, who told them how to take advantage of modern technology and the use it can be put to in their professional and personal development. Conviction, understanding and sharing were the three words that the lecturer insisted on regarding their future.

Feliz Navidad desde el Colegio Retamar y Feliz Año Nuevo a todos.

The week before Christmas holidays is a very special one at this school. In one way or another all our pupils help to celebrate this very joyful occasion. As happens every year, we have Christmas carols, Nativity scenes, Christmas charity and the Three Wise Men. Click here for photos.

This coming Friday 19th at 12 noon there will be a Mass in the school oratory in honour of Don Rafael Permanyer who taught Physics and Chemistry at the School and who passed away in the early hours of December 15th following a long illness. He had been teaching at Retamar since 1979. Everyone from families and past-pupils are welcome to attend. May he rest in peace.

As you all know, our Year 4 pupils took part in the Christmas Carol competition organised by the Spanish daily newspaper La Razón. Not only did they take part, but they also got to the finals which will take place in the National Auditorium this Sunday in front of a jury who will decide the winner. You can see the video here.