The new year: a time of reflections and promise for us all. Headmistress Marion Gibbs started the term with brilliant news that we have approval for our plans for the James Allen's Community Music Centre, subject to conditions. The meeting on 15 December was packed with interested, local people and it was great to see everyone there - parents, pupils, staff, governors, alumnae, members of the JAGS Choral Society, Dulwich Helpline. We can't wait to get going on a project which will inspire great music-making and listening for the whole community in a beautifully designed landmark building. You can read more about the campaign on our website: www.jags.org.uk/jacmc

The JACMC will be a hub of musical expression, like the excellent concerts given by South London Youth Orchestra on 22 December. Since we launched SLYO holiday courses in August 2010, the 3rd orchestra has doubled in size and the 40 young members had fun playing 'Pink Panther', 'The Great Western' and 'Jingle to the World'. What a journey they made from Day 1 to Day 3! The 80-strong 2^nd and 1^st orchestras also showed terrific levels of concentration and skill with a programme including pieces by Sullivan, Schubert, Mancini and Rimsky Korsakov (SLYO 2) and Bizet and Dvorak (SLYO 1). New friends, new challenges, new musical experiences and the chance to work with superb tutors and conductors.  No wonder the parents and families were thrilled. www.jags.org.uk/jasspa/slyo

Good luck to all those taking exams this term, or waiting on news of university applications. Congratulations to Naa Acquah, Y13, who has passed all 7 modules of the European Computer Driving Licence - a major achievement.