College Saint-Augustin

Presentation

The College Saint-Augustin is a free school subsidized in French Communauté of Belgium, founded in 1949, exempting a fundamental and secondary education. It is distributed on two establishments joined together in ASBL Educative community of the College Saint-Augustin .

Establishment of Gerpinnes

The first establishment is at Gerpinnes, with 13 avenue Reine Astrid. An education maternal, primary, secondary general as well as a technical secondary education of qualification are exempted there.

Establishment of Thy-the-Castle

The second establishment is at Thy-the-Castle, with 16 rue de la Thyria. A vocational training is exempted there.

History

All starts in…

During the inauguration and the blessing of the new buildings. (currently called Block A). canonic Seminar of the Regular Canons of Lateran by his Excellence Monseigneur Rasneur, bishop of Turned. These enormous buildings builds out of concrete and armed with iron bars were the first of the kind in Europe. Entirely conceived for teaching with boarding school. It included/understood a refectory, a gaming room and a workshop of joinery to the basement, classes and a big room of study on the first floor and finally two stages of small rooms. The Reverend Père Vissers, prior of the Religious community of the Canons of Lateran receives the official authorization of évêché of Turned to accept in Gerpinnes of the not-seminarists. So some teenagers who do not intend themselves for priesthood but wish to continue their humanities, are registered with the seminar. Thus the new orientation of the seminar takes shape at that time. Opening of the 7th preparatory one (last year of primary school education) and of the lower cycle of graeco-latin humanities. July 21st, a terrible fire devastates all the roof and the last stage of the priory. The rebuilding allows the addition of an additional stage by giving another form to the roof as well as the installation in frontage of the statue of Saint-Augustin bishop of Hippone (354 - 430), author of the Community rule of life followed by the Canons of Lateran. The Reverend Père G. Hesper becomes the first director of the secondary while assuming a load of professor of Latin and Greek. At the request of the Reverend Abbot Soetemans. graeco-latin humanities are continued until rhetoric. Consequently occasion, two laic professors are committed part-time, Sirs Gilles and Dumont. For the first time, the 4 rhetoricians left the College Saint-Augustin see their certificate of approved higher secondary education. World Fair of Brussels that the pupils of the college will visit… It is the year of the signature of the school Pact which wants to impose a school peace between the various networks of teaching.

From 1961 to 1970

End of the building work of a new boarding school (block B current) including/understanding three dormitories of 30 rooms each one, as well as a large refectory located at the ground floor. Assembling loan: 7 refundable franc million in 20 years. The Fathers continue to modernize and increase: the kitchen of the college is transformed in order to better meet the needs for the moment. The re-entry out of secondary appears poor for various reasons, in particular the opening of the College Saint-Magpie X in Châtelineau (secular clergy) and interest expressed for graeco-latin humanities with the profit of studies in more scientific matter misses it such Latin-Maths, Latin-Sciences, Scientifiques, Économiques. In order to guarantee a better recruitment in Humanities and to allow the primary section to be subsidized by the State on the basis of 24 pupil, opening of 5th and 6th years. The 7th preparatory one had never counted more than 18 pupils. A decree grants the versatility of the diplomas. January 8th, blessing and inauguration in the presence of the inspector principal Hermant of 4 new prefabricated buildings, necessary following the opening of the complete cycle of the primary years. March 9th, blessing and inauguration of a general sports room by the Reverends Pères Vissers, Van Zandbeeck, prior of the Religious community and Hesper, director of humanities.

In September, after consultation of the parents of 4th modern, opening of the 3rd economic one. It is subjected to the same conditions as those of the 6th modern one with an aim of not competing with the free teaching of Châtelet and Florennes. This section knew little success.

Mr Georges Lafontaine, holder of 5th primary education, succeeds Mr Danvoy at the post of head of school.

From 1971 to 1980

Following the councils of Mr Dumortier, then chief of cabinet-assistant of the Prime Minister for the time and in spite of the unfavorable opinion of the National secretariat of Catholic Teaching (SNEC). Monseigneur Carlier gives his agreement for the opening of the Scientists B (4th, 5th and 6th years).

During these black, Chanoines and laic years voluntarily assumes a certain number of hours of course and various services in order to avoid the closing of the college at all costs.

Whereas secondary education RENOVATES started on an experimental basis since 1969 in 24 secondary schools of the State. The college chooses this form of teaching and founds gradually it. Thus will develop with the college of new options in the various levels of studies. After 20 years of direction and overall steps to ensure the survival of the college, the Reverend Père Hesper asks to be replaced in his function. The Reverend Père De Rycke, the directing last religious takes his succession: of continuation, he will be confronted with all the innovations and the requirements of renovated.

Change of Organizing Capacity.

The Canons of Lateran entrust the responsibility for the management of their school to an Organizing Capacity composed Canons and the laic committed ones. December 13rd, the General meeting of the fourteen constituent members of the ASBL of the College Saint-Augustin meets for the first time. In form part

Bioul Jules, engineer; Hesper Gerard. priest; Charles Arthur, adviser of management; Lafontaine Georges, teacher; Damsin Andree-Helene. industrial; Laurent Etienne. notary; De Rycke Marnix, priest; Merny Georges. teacher; Dobbeling Daniel. priest; Christmas Daniel. teacher; Dries Antoine, priest; Roland Henry. teacher; Durieux Christmas. magistrate; Carrying Jean-Pierre. engineer

December 21st, the Board of directors of the ASBL of the Holy College Augustin. responsible for management day laborer of the school, meets in its turn. Progressive phasing-in of co-education in secondary education. The first 6 young girls had their brother registered at the school. They are today more than 400. The sign of relationship did not perduré.

For the first time since the existence of the college, laic, Mr Michel Pirson, educational supervisor, reaches the station of teacher-treasurer to replace the Reverend Père Hesper there. Following the request of the Reverend Père De Rycke to be raised of its functions, the Organizing Capacity of the college designates Mr Guy Al, former professor of economic scenes at the institute Saint-Joseph de Châtelet, like first laic director of the secondary and person in charge of the boarding school. In April. the college buys a minibus Mercedes (24 places) to ensure the transport of the pupils in particular towards the basin of swimming of Biesme.

In June of the same year, the Organizing Capacity of the ASBL gives its assent to take again the Vocational school Notre-Dame de Grâce of Thyle-Castle, property of the Religious Congregation of the Girls of Marie with Pesche, then under the direction of Sister Agnes.

However, each establishment will keep its own direction: thus, Mr Francis Gorez, French professor with Gerpinnes, will take up the duty of Professional principal of Thy-the-Castle.

During August and July, a prefabricated building of 254 m ² (4 buildings + 1 release) intended for the pupils of the elementary school is set up with the site of one of the sports grounds, located in the park of the college.

In September. Mr Philippe Vandenbosch. supervisor-teacher, succeeds Mr Daniel Christmas, as a person in charge of the discipline of secondary education.

August 28th, the Regular Canons of Lateran invite the members of the ASBL of the college to celebrate in their company the Saint-Augustin and consequently occasion to mark the 50e birthday of their arrival with Gerpinnes.

In September. the continuous increase of the school population, in particular out of secondary, requires at the same time the transformation of the courtyard into 2 classes (interior court of the college) as well as the dormitory (3rd stage of the block A) into 5 classes.

This same year, Martens the Reverend father ensures the direction of the boarding school.

With Thy-the-Castle, opening of the professional option HAIRSTYLE which will come to be added to the existing option CLOTHING.

From 1981 to 1990

The Parochial School Saint-Michel of Gerpinnes-Center (3 nursery classes and 3 primary classes) is taken again by the Elementary school of the College Saint-Augustin.

Opening of a technical section of qualification, option ASSISTANT-ACCOUNTANT (3rd and 4th years) which is prolonged on the DATA-PROCESSING option MANAGEMENT (5th and 6th years).

September 1st, the school population of the Vocational school of Thyle-Castle does not reach any more the requisite quorum to be able consequently to remain autonomous, it is taken again by Gerpinnes and so Mr Guy Al directs the two establishments.

Mr Francis Gorez initially, Mesdames Chantal Marchal and Francoise Leroy then will help it in his task by ensuring Thy-the-Castle management day laborer of the establishment.

In March, signature of the emphyteutic lease for one 50 years duration. between the ASBL Saint-Augutin College and the persons in charge of works décanales of the deanery of Walcourt, concerning the hiring of the school buildings of the establishment of Thy-the-Castle.

In October, the number of periods of course of professional practice allows the creation of a post of head of workshop on the establishment of Thy-leChâteau. Mrs Paulette Lechat, professor of arts domestic, is designated there. Mesdames Catherine Dejaiffe initially and Jeannine Derenne to then will succeed him this station.

Following the constant reduction in the number of interns (38) involving a budget deficit in operation of the ntemat and â the obligation to invest again to ensure a better infrastructure, the board of directors makes with regret the decision well to close the boarding school.

The gaming room of the interns located at the mezzanine of the block has is transformed into four classes and an office.

In October, the school population reaches 600 pupils out of secondary. The organizing Capacity indicates at the post of sub-manager: Mr Daniel Christmas then professor of history as humanities. Its function will be exerted primarily in the teaching field.

The Organizing Capacity of the college launches a great project of constructions of some hundred refundable franc million in 30 years, at the same time on the sites of Thy-the-Castle and Gerpinnes.

August 24th, of the pouring rain fall down suddenly on the center of the commune of Gerpinnes and its surroundings. The Biesme is transformed into a mud and water torrent and devastates all on its passage. It causes the death of several people and causes damage estimated at several hundreds of million francs. The college and the building of the Canons do not escape the floods.

Thanks to the combined assistance of the funds of the calamities and many gifts of various origin like to the devotion of the whole of the teaching staff, the college will be able to bandage part of its wounds and to maintain the date of re-entry of September 1st.

The Board of directors of the ASBL gives his agreement for the opening as of the 3rd year of the modern option second language English or Dutch, 4 hours week. In autumn, the Executive of the French Community issues to make economies to ensure its financial balance. In reaction, the teachers enter in strike… during more than one month. Their claims are hardly heard. This strike will mark them painfully… The end of Renovated prepares.

From 1991 to 2000

Mr Henry Bonnewijn, old titular of 6th primary education at the Private school Sainte-Marie de Morialmé, replaces Mr Lafontaine at the position of director of the Fundamental School of the College Saint-Augustin. June 30th. Mr Al, director of the college, puts a term at his career in teaching.

September 1st, Mr Soyeur, former professor of Germanic languages to the College Saint-Michel of Gosselies is appointed to replace Mr Al at the position of director of secondary education with Gerpinnes. Monseigneur Léonard, new bishop of the Diocese of Namur, goes â Thy-the-Castle. During this visit, it discusses particularly with the pupils the 7th professional one the option hairstyle after having shared the ten hours collation with the members of the teaching staff.

Mrs P. Potigny, chemistry teacher and physique of the college, succeed Mr Soyeur at the position of director. In Gerpinnes, the 3rd stage of the block B is arranged in classes grace in particular using some members of the teaching staff. Opening to Thy-the-Castle of one 2nd professional year basic training to replace the 2nd professional options hairstyle and clothing. Inauguration in the park of the college of the plain of sports. The year of the Fiftieth anniversary of the school and the 25e Anniversaire of the creation of the ASBL is also that of the 400e birthday of the realization by the sculptor Henri Libert of the mounting of Holy Rolande, underlined in the commune by imposing demonstrations.

Thanks to the assistance of the Walloon region, the secondary sections of Gerpinnes are seen equipped with a computer material (WIN).

With the re-entry of September, the school population reaches its highest number pupils since creation of the school: 718 for secondary education and 458 for fundamental teaching is a total of 1176 pupils.

Today

Project of Establishment

The objective of our college is to maintain the quality of its teaching while privileging a school for all.

He wants at the same time to exempt rigorous information and of " qualité" but is also given for objective to develop structures of assistance with the students in difficulty.

He would like to also stress quality of life in our school by making it possible to each one to open out, to be expressed, communicate and, thus, to be an actor with whole share within our community.

Lastly, the college does not want to lose sight of the fact the opening to the outside world by sensitizing the various members with the life extra-curricular, social, humane, cultural,…

Teaching

In Gerpinnes

With Thy-the-Castle

Organization

Organizing Capacity

Members of the Organizing Capacity

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