Welcome from the Head
Dear Parents
Welcome to this week’s newsletter; I do hope everyone enjoyed a good half term break.
We returned to school and went straight into the Autumn Concert last week. Thank you so much to all our performers who had worked so hard to prepare under the outstanding guidance of the Music Department. It was a privilege to share the evening with friends and family of Barbara Kley, former Head of Music (1960 – 1994), whose generous legacy not only supports bursary provision for music lessons but also provided the magnificent new digital organ located in the Vaughan Williams Auditorium. The beautiful repertoire of the Madrigalists was an apt tribute to Barbara’s love of singing.
Our CCF Contingent has had a busy few days, proudly parading in Dulwich Village on Remembrance Sunday with the combined cadet corps of Dulwich College and Alleyn’s. Olivia, our Head Girl, also laid a wreath on behalf of the JAGS community. On Monday, the whole Senior School joined together for two minutes’ silence on the fields, with the CCF contingent on parade and the Last Post played so expertly by Nerys. I read an excerpt from a letter dated September 1938, in which Miss Edwards, the Head at the time, wrote to parents to prepare them for the possible evacuation of the school and the importance of sensible preparation, packing and punctuality in the event of evacuation. Her letter ends, ‘My Staff and I very much value the confidence you have expressed in us by entrusting your children to us and we will do our utmost for them.’
Our Year 9 drama students enjoyed a shared performance with Dulwich College last week. The Furies was a scratch performance put together with just three days’ rehearsal, and was very much enjoyed by all. Meanwhile, our senior students are busy with the final preparation for their show, Trojan Women and we are excited to see the result of all their hard work. The powerful play tells the story of the women of Troy who, in the wake of a devastating defeat, wait to be claimed by their Greek conquerors as slaves.
As you know, this year I am the President of the Girls’ School Association, and next week sees the annual GSA Conference in Manchester. It is set to be an inspiring two days, with fantastic speakers from the world of education, leadership, the armed forces and sport, not to mention time for the GSA Heads to gather to share good practice. I look forward to sharing the messages with the JAGS community on my return.
I know preparation has been at full throttle for tonight’s Quiz Night, hosted by the wonderful JPA. We look forward to seeing you there – may the best team win!
With my best wishes,
Mrs Alex Hutchinson
Head
Dates for your Diary
- Monday 18 November – 6pm – Senior Strings Concert (Holst Hall)
- Wednesday 20 November – 1.30 – Chapel Lunchtime Concert (Christ’s Chapel, Dulwich)
- Thursday 21 November – 7pm – Oxbridge Information Evening (VWA)
Reporting Absences
A reminder to all parents to use this form to report absence in the Senior School due to illness or to request absence for appointments. This form can also be found on our Contact page.
Additionally, when informing a teacher of any health issues your daughter may be facing, please remember to cc or School Nurse team on Nurse@jags.org.uk.
Key Stage 3 Update
KS3 students enjoyed a fun and engaging assembly led by Head of Section Mrs Bournon on the topic of resilience and becoming one’s true self.
Mrs Bournon illustrated her points with the help of a wide cast of stick insects (of which Timmy became a fast fan favourite) to provide students with knowledge that will live long in the memory.
Sixth Form Update
On Monday, 11 November, the whole school participated in the Act of Remembrance. Sixth Form students played a prominent role, ‘leaning into the school community’ to contribute to this collective act of respect through readings, music, and military service.
In other areas of school life, Year 12 students have given up their time at weekends and after school to volunteer, showing a larger-than-ever number of 16+ applicants around the school. We are very grateful for the positive impression they gave of themselves, the Sixth Form community, and the wider JAGS environment.
Mat Weeks, Head of Sixth Form
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Year 13
Whilst also participating in concerts, sports fixtures, and their student leadership roles—not to mention rising to the academic challenges of their A Level studies—Year 13 students continue to work very hard on their university applications.
UCAS forms are being sent off, news of interviews is starting to filter through, and students are also completing admissions tests and practice interviews.
I would also like to extend a big thank you to our Deputy Head of Sixth Form, Liz Allan, who has arranged 46 practice interviews for the ‘Friends of JAGS’ stage of the three-part practice interview process.
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World Kindness Day
We all enjoyed celebrating World Kindness Day on Wednesday, with every form completing a series of ‘kindness hearts’, each including a kind statement about another member of the form.
Through fun, kindness, and taking responsibility, JAGS Sixth Form students continue to maximise their progress in every sphere of their lives on their #SixthFormJourneyTogether. We salute them for it; they are a privilege to support.
Whilst also participating in concerts, sports fixtures, and their student leadership roles—not to mention rising to the academic challenges of their A Level studies—Year 13 students continue to work very hard on their university applications.
UCAS forms are being sent off, news of interviews is starting to filter through, and students are also completing admissions tests and practice interviews.
I would also like to extend a big thank you to our Deputy Head of Sixth Form, Liz Allan, who has arranged 46 practice interviews for the ‘Friends of JAGS’ stage of the three-part practice interview process.
We all enjoyed celebrating World Kindness Day on Wednesday, with every form completing a series of ‘kindness hearts’, each including a kind statement about another member of the form.
Through fun, kindness, and taking responsibility, JAGS Sixth Form students continue to maximise their progress in every sphere of their lives on their #SixthFormJourneyTogether. We salute them for it; they are a privilege to support.
Remembrance 2024
On Monday, the entire Senior School gathered on our playing fields to mark Remembrance Day and pay tribute to all who sacrificed their lives in war.
Mrs Hutchinson’s speech included a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by those on the home front during World War II and the impact on JAGS staff and students.
Elsewhere, four JAGS Combined Cadet Force (CCF) students had the privilege of forming a Guard of Honour for His Majesty the King, members of the Royal Family, and prominent UK dignitaries, including former Prime Ministers, as they gathered at the Cenotaph in central London for the National Act of Remembrance.
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Library display
Our Library and Archive team produced an incredible display providing a glimpse into life at JAGS during World War II.
It featured several letters written by the Head at the time, Miss Edwards, along with one from the London County Council. Miss Edwards comments on her “peremptory” tone in her 1938 letter regarding evacuation, while the LCC letter also registers frustration at the number of secondary school pupils still in London by March 1940.
The display also included a tunic donated to the JAGS Archive last Easter by Anna Ashford. It belonged to her mother, Norah Shalders, who wore it when she attended the school in the 1920s and 1930s. The tunic is an example of the kind of garment Miss Edwards referenced in her 1941 letter to parents/carers about second-hand uniforms after clothes rationing was introduced.
Our Library and Archive team produced an incredible display providing a glimpse into life at JAGS during World War II.
It featured several letters written by the Head at the time, Miss Edwards, along with one from the London County Council. Miss Edwards comments on her “peremptory” tone in her 1938 letter regarding evacuation, while the LCC letter also registers frustration at the number of secondary school pupils still in London by March 1940.
The display also included a tunic donated to the JAGS Archive last Easter by Anna Ashford. It belonged to her mother, Norah Shalders, who wore it when she attended the school in the 1920s and 1930s. The tunic is an example of the kind of garment Miss Edwards referenced in her 1941 letter to parents/carers about second-hand uniforms after clothes rationing was introduced.
Geography
São Miguel
During the half term break, the JAGS Geography Department took 46 students from Years 11 to 13 on an unforgettable trip to the Azores island of São Miguel – a lush volcanic island off the coast of Portugal.
We explored this breathtakingly green island by trekking through dense forests, soaking in natural hot springs, tasting dishes cooked underground using heat from magma chambers, and visiting vibrant botanical gardens, tea and pineapple plantations, as well as ancient lava tubes formed by extinct volcanoes.
It was an incredible experience to witness the many benefits this unique environment provides to the island community, as well as to understand the challenges they face living on volcanic land and within active volcanic calderas.
Emma Bailey, Head of Geography
Music
Autumn Concert
On Thursday 7 November, over 200 students performed to a packed crowd in the VWA for our Autumn Concert. Like several other events this term, the concert paid tribute to our former Director of Music, Gustav Holst.
The Concert Orchestra performed an arrangement of Mars from the Planets; the String Orchestra performed the St Paul’s Suite; the Symphonic Winds performed the Suite for Military Band and the Symphony Orchestra played the rarely heard Folk Songs from Somerset.
A special moment in the evening was the tribute to another former Head of Music, Barbara Kley. Miss Corp read a very moving tribute to her and her legacy and the Madrigalists dedicated their performance of Holst’s Eight Canons for Equal Voices to her. The concert concluded with a rousing rendition of Holst’s great Hymn Thaxted (known to us by the words: I Vow to Thee My Country) featuring the Symphony Orchestra bolstered by the organ in the VWA, which was so generously donated by Barbara Kley’s bequest.
Tommy Foster, Director of Music
History
Catapult Competition
The legendary Year 7 Catapult Competition returned to JAGS on Thursday.
It was obvious that students invested so much effort into building each catapult and we were treated to a fierce, nail-biting competition. However, there could only be one winner.
Huge congratulations to Alice for her incredible catapult!
Russian
Year 9 Russian students staged an end of unit celebration complete with performances of original songs and raps focusing on verbs in the present tense.
Art
San Francisco Trip
Sixth Form art students travelled to San Francisco over half term for a whirlwind week of art and culture. From the start, students delved into the city’s rich creative history through the “WHY SAN FRAN” activity, exploring why San Francisco became an artistic hub post-World War II.
They visited collections at the SFMOMA, De Young, and Legion of Honour, as well as receiving a special look at exhibitions by San Francisco-based artists Alan Rath, Mansir Nurullah, and Kota Ezawa. A behind-the-scenes tour of Fraenkel Gallery’s archives and the immersive Sound Hour experience at the Audium added unique insights into curatorial work and sound art.
The trip also provided an opportunity for staff and students to embrace their inner tourists with visits to the Musée Mécanique, Sutro Baths, Pier 39, and the iconic Palace of Fine Arts.
JAGS Alumnae
Easyfundraising
We are delighted to share our Easyfundraising initiative – just in time for Christmas shopping! Anytime you shop online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising free donations for the JAGS Bursary Fund through Easyfundraising. There are over 8,000 brands on board ready to donate – including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Amazon, M&S, John Lewis, ASOS and Booking.com – and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds.
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How to get involved
1. Click HERE and join for free.
2. Every time you shop online, go first to EasyFundraising to find the site you want and start shopping.
3. After you’ve checked out, the brand will donate to the JAGS Bursary Fund at no extra cost to you whatsoever.
1. Click HERE and join for free.
2. Every time you shop online, go first to EasyFundraising to find the site you want and start shopping.
3. After you’ve checked out, the brand will donate to the JAGS Bursary Fund at no extra cost to you whatsoever.