St Augustin school was created in 1909 by Felix Fruchaud, the prest of the distric. He wanted to build a primary school for only boys because in the quarter there are many school but it's only for girls.
The school was open the 20th September 1909 at the 34A Saumuroise Street, there are just two teachers: one priest and one non-clergy. The first headmaster was priest Godefroy but too authoritarian, he resign after 4 years in this school, he will be replace by Mr Moreau. This new headmaster galvanized the school until his departure in 1921 (except during the First World War because he was a soldier). This years there had 100 pupils. |
Why St Augustin ?
This school called St Augustin because its geographical location line up with that of the parish of St Augustin, who disappeared during the French Revolution of 1789. Still the church of this parish exciste today.
Who is St Augustin of Cantorbéry ?
This parish called St Augustin in tribute to St Augustin of Cantorbéry. This man is a Benedictine monk who was chosen by Pope Gregory the first to preach the gospel among the Anglo-Saxons. He stopped at Angers during the trip to go in England.
This school called St Augustin because its geographical location line up with that of the parish of St Augustin, who disappeared during the French Revolution of 1789. Still the church of this parish exciste today.
Who is St Augustin of Cantorbéry ?
This parish called St Augustin in tribute to St Augustin of Cantorbéry. This man is a Benedictine monk who was chosen by Pope Gregory the first to preach the gospel among the Anglo-Saxons. He stopped at Angers during the trip to go in England.
In 1922, Mr Cragné became the headmaster after Mr Petiteau who stayed just one years.
Mr Cragné began with 38 pupils, he finished his career as headmaster in 1954 with over 300 pupils. He was an excellent teacher, he taught overthe famous trilogy of 19th century : to read, to write and to add up, he taught the history and geography of France, of the region (the Anjou), of the world but also the bible study ( the Old and New Testamen...), it's explain the school had an excellent level. Mr Cragné was appreciated by everybody. In 1945, the school is still developing, there are over 200 students. That same year the school founder, the priest became canon Fruchaud, leaving the parish at the age of 90 years, where he had worked the half his life. The 10th October 1954, Canon Lizé, inspector of Catholic teaching, rewarded Mr Gragné for his excellent work. |
In 2 years the school knew 3 big change :
Firsly, in 1954, St Augustin primary school moved at Colombier Street (there are just 300 meters between the former and new buildings) because the buildings were become too small. Everyody helped to install and to renoved the new buildings, even the priest Loubet. Moreover, the next years, Mr Cragné became a simple teacher, status he will keep until his retirement in 1960... he is replaced by brother Hormidas (Léon Pluchon) a brother of St Gabriel. |
Who are St Gabriel Brothers ?
The congregation of St Gabriel Brothers was founded by Gabriel Deshayes (1767-1841). This congregation is the result of Montfortian congregations, they even created by Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716). Brother Deshayes was the seventh superior general of congregations mentioned last, he decided to form a group specifically dedicated to teaching: it's the St Gabriel Brothers.
The congregation of St Gabriel Brothers was founded by Gabriel Deshayes (1767-1841). This congregation is the result of Montfortian congregations, they even created by Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716). Brother Deshayes was the seventh superior general of congregations mentioned last, he decided to form a group specifically dedicated to teaching: it's the St Gabriel Brothers.
Finally, the St Gabriel Brothers have promised to open a secondary school when they will arrive, so in 1955, the first class of Year 7 was created. The next year it's a class of Year 8 which was opened, and so on and so forth. At the beginning, Year 7 and Year 8 worked like primary school, but with the increase of the number of pupils (70 pupils in 1959 to 139 in 1963) and the creation of new subjects (ex : Latin or Spanish), the teachers are obliged to specialise in just one or two subjects.
In 1964, Brother Léon Pluchon, after a start very hard ( because he musted to convert, to clean the buildings, the playground and to replace the teachers absents) then some years tranquil, was remplaced by Brother Roger Drapeau, an other St Gabriel Brother.
In 1964, Brother Léon Pluchon, after a start very hard ( because he musted to convert, to clean the buildings, the playground and to replace the teachers absents) then some years tranquil, was remplaced by Brother Roger Drapeau, an other St Gabriel Brother.
At the arrival of Brother Drapeau, there are just one caretaker, one cleaning man, one secretary, one accountant and four cooks. The headmaster worked with teachers, the staff and parents : it's very important for Mr Drapeau. The new headmaster set about doing many intentions : some constructions, refurbishments, but also he developed a new teaching (scholastic and religious) and the parent jobs in school life.
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During his 16 years in St Augustin school, he was unveiling two bigs buildings: the buidings called “B” with 15 classroom (opened in September 1967) and “C” with 12 classroom (opened in September 1975). Moreover, in 1970, the original building called “A” was refurbished.
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In 1968, a class to improve was created (it was for primary school), it became a specialising education section in 1973 and in 1993 it changed of name, one more time, it called adpted professional and general teaching section (these last class is for secondary school) . This class is for slow and unstable persons, this pupils don't know either to read, to write, to calculate or to express, so they need a “special” class with few pupils. A second class was opened the next year. Today there are 8 class for secondary school.
Two years before his leaving, Brother Drapeau, set up the diversity in school so girls were accepted from 1978. It's was a very important date for the St Augustin school. The first year there were just 4 girls in school but in 1980, just the Year 10 classes and one class of Year 9 had only boys.
The June 22th 1980, during the charity fair, the pupil parents celebrate the 25th anniversary of St Augustin in Colombier street but also a enormous event... the departure of Brother Roger Drapeau, after 16 years in St Augustin school, as headmaster. Roger Drapeau were congratulated by everybody for the excellent work.
Two years before his leaving, Brother Drapeau, set up the diversity in school so girls were accepted from 1978. It's was a very important date for the St Augustin school. The first year there were just 4 girls in school but in 1980, just the Year 10 classes and one class of Year 9 had only boys.
The June 22th 1980, during the charity fair, the pupil parents celebrate the 25th anniversary of St Augustin in Colombier street but also a enormous event... the departure of Brother Roger Drapeau, after 16 years in St Augustin school, as headmaster. Roger Drapeau were congratulated by everybody for the excellent work.
His successor was Brother Jacques Jaffry but when he arrived in St Augustin he was at the end of his career because he was 60 years old. He stayed just two years in the school. From 1981, Mr Jaffry accepted to delegate the primary school organization to Mr Bourigeau, the class to improve founder in St Augustin.
To followed to Jacques Jaffry, it's the Brother Yvan Passebon who is chosen. This headmaster knowed 2 difficulties during his career in St Augustin school : the teacher trade union was on the increase and secondly, there were many financial difficulties. Still, thanks money donation, Mr Passebon could opened a building called “D” and refurbished the school hall.
In 1988, Mr Fallai replaced Mr Bourigault, and he became the primary school headmaster. The next year, two English section was created, just for Year 7, it was the first section in Maine et Loire. In this class, the last twenty minutes of French and History-Geography lessons are to sump up the lesson in English and in this section there is one more English lesson than the other classes. |
Brother Robert Bauvineau came after to Yvan Passebon. To begin with this new headmaster refurbished buildings and opened a nursery school in 1993. Furthermore, Brother Bauvineau developed the school exchange trips with England (Wigan, Liverpool...) in 1990, then Italy (Turin...), Germany (Osnabrück) and Spain in 1996. In 1993, a European section was created. This section is for Year 9 and Year 10, in this class there are one hour to discover the Europen Union and like the English section, there is one more English lesson than the other classes. This class travel in Brussels for Year 9, and in Poland or Germany or the Netherlands according to years, for Year 10. This plan was dropped during some years, then started again in 2001 by Mrs Grolleau and Mr Cognard.
From since 1990s, the school organised European weeks and English weeks. During those weeks, the lessons are turn to the European Union or according to year English countries. And finally, in 1995, the first humanitarian challenge was organised. This challenge excist to support the Brother Roger Drapeau actions in Brazil, place where he live since his leaving to St Augustin school. At the end of his carrer in St Augustin, Mr Bauvineau opened a new building, called “E”.
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In 1997, Mr Claude Chevalier became the first lay headmaster of St Augustin school. This headmaster strengthened the teaching of St Augustin and he reorganized headmaster council. Ten years after his arrival, Mr Chevalier is standed by Mr Christophe Martineau, the actual headmaster. Mr Martineau continue the work of his predecessors.
In 2015, a School Inclusion to Localised Unity (SILU) was created in school. This class is specially for mentally handicapped persons. |
A book was written about St Augustin History, from 1909 with just 20 boys to now with more than 800 pupils, it's very interesting (but it's in French).
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Régereau Alban and Ménard Guillaume.