On Wednesday 12th September, Salesian College Farnborough had a surprise visit from a coachload of staff from Salesian schools in Brazil! This was a very late arrangement, but by the time the coach drove into the College at 9.30am, the Headmaster and his team had devised a programme to welcome them and introduce them to the College.

Among the group there were four Salesian priests, three Salesian sisters, several head teachers and other senior staff. They had been visiting schools in Finland and the UK on an educational tour, but had somehow forgotten to let our Provincial Office know they were in the country! They went first to the College Chapel, where the Headmaster, assisted by a translator from the group, described the background of the school and showed them photographs of activities undertaken by the students. Then boys from Year 9 conducted tours of the College, ending in the refectory for a cup of coffee.

There followed a session with the Deputy Head, including questions and answers, a short visit to Saint John Bosco House (where the community was on retreat), and finally a Mass in Portuguese in the College Chapel. Despite the language barrier, the visitors communicated their great appreciation for the welcome they had received, and their joy at ending their tour with the Salesian Family.

Fr Patrick Sherlock SDB, College Chaplain