JAGSnews

Our new Assistant Head is put through her paces by the Student Leadership Team

What was your last role?

I had a similar role as Director of Staff and Student Development at my previous school, St Marylebone CofE School. I have also been lucky enough to work in the corporate sector, in a prison and on a farm!

What is your role at JAGS?

My role at JAGS is Assistant Head (Staff Development) and Music Teacher (the greatest job in the world).

What attracted you to work at JAGS?

As I sat in the reception nervously awaiting my interview, every person who came through reception smiled warmly and said hello. Then this beautiful sound floated out of the VWA. With many years of experience, I was confident I was right that this gorgeous sound was a recording. It wasn’t, it was the Symphony Orchestra rehearsing. The interview concluded with a student panel in which the students were warm, welcoming and encouraging but not for a second did they shy away from asking tough and challenging questions. I loved this combination.

What kind of student were you?

I worked hard, I loved Maths and I was lucky enough to find my home in Music.

What do you want to achieve in your time here?

I’m not sure where my time here at JAGS will take me. I will do my very best and put the people of this wonderful school at the centre of my work here. First I have to figure out how not to get lost!

The new Year 7s have exploded onto the scene here at JAGS. The sense of excitement on their first day was palpable and it has been an absolute pleasure to see how well they have settled and bonded since joining the senior school.

Their first fortnight will surely have felt like a whirlwind as they have been getting to grips with new routines, timetables, their co-curricular choices and learning teachers’ names. Their enthusiasm is infectious and they have been such a delightful group to get to know.

Lina, the Chaplain’s faithful hound, has never had so much attention and I know that she will be sadly missed by all the girls when Reverend Cecile moves on to her new parish.

It was lovely to meet so many Year 7 parents at the Information Evening. For the first time in a long time the beginning of term has felt like normal service has resumed.

Myfanwy Bournon, Head of KS3

It’s a new academic year and the possibilities are endless: I cannot wait to see how this year unfolds! When we spoke to Years 10 and 11 in their year group assemblies last week, we reminded them that they do not have to be brilliant all the time, but to focus more on the processes they follow, to work consistently and sensibly, involve themselves in plenty of co-curricular activities and to make sure that rest and relaxation are prioritised. Along the way, we are here to support and guide all members of the section and we are so excited to work with all our students this year.

At the time of writing, our Year 11 Geographers are getting ready to go on their field trip to Slapton Sands this weekend, and meanwhile co-curricular clubs are up and running. Year 10 have had their first taste of the enrichment courses they elected, and there is a positive buzz in all the corridors. We hope that your daughter has enjoyed the return to school as much as we have.

Anna Jones, Head of Key Stage 4

In July, 66 JAGS musicians travelled to the Salamanca region of Spain to perform a series of concerts in a variety of breathtaking venues.

It was the first international trip undertaken by JAGS since the beginning of the pandemic and marks a welcome return to travel for students and staff alike. We look forward to many more trips in the year ahead as the world once again opens up for pupils to explore.

“What a delight to be back touring with Holst Choir and Symphony Orchestra again! Sixty-six pupils gave four concerts in six days in central Spain – an extraordinary achievement and massively enjoyable!

“Venue 1 – an open-air one because the old church didn’t have a roof. Venue 2 – another open-air performance, this time in a 14th century castle, with the evening breeze whistling through the battlements as we made music – or tried, since the music kept blowing off the music stands!

“Venue 3 – in stark contrast, a state-of-the-art theatre with air conditioning was welcome relief from the heatwave!

“Nothing much could have beaten Venue 4 – the medieval cathedral in Salamanca to an audience of 500 appreciative locals. We received a 5-minute standing ovation after our rendition of Zadok the Priest and Jerusalem.”

Peter Gritton, Director of Music

The start of the school year has seen us enter our preseason period and we have had over 500 pupils attending sessions showcasing their ability and skills. During preseason we focus primarily on our traditional sports, with the return of our full co-curricular timetable commencing on Tuesday 20 September.

This year, as we have Games afternoons for Year 10s, we have been able to extend our Rowing Programme to more pupils. We now have 91 pupils signed up for the programme, ranging from Year 10 to 13, and are looking forward to seeing their progress across the year.

Michael Golding, Director of Sport