Welcome from the Head
Dear Parents
Welcome to this week’s newsletter; the first half of the Autumn Term has raced past, and we are now ready for our Half Term break. I hope all students attending school trips either with the CCF, or to the Azores, to Seville and to San Francisco have a wonderful time. Our thanks to all the staff who are leading and accompanying these trips; I have no doubt they will be the source of many wonderful memories for our students.
My thanks to all students who attended our major Open Morning on Saturday 5 October. It was a packed morning of visiting prospective families, and the students were fantastic department reps and tour guides. To quote from our visiting families: “I was really impressed by the student who showed us around. She was confident, poised and we loved her enthusiasm for everything she showed us. It was clear that she’s very happy at JAGS.”
“The Sixth Form tour guides genuinely loved being at the school and were so passionate about their time there and opportunities they have been able to take part in.”
“My tour guides were an absolute delight to be with; they were so happy, very funny and full of information.”
We always say that our students are our best ambassadors, and this feedback is testament to that fact.
Thank you to our parent community for their kind response to my letter regarding our fundraising for the James Allen Bursary scheme and membership of the 1741 Club. Please do see the article later in this newsletter if you are interested in further details.
The past few weeks have seen such an array of activities in this wonderful community. From the Botany Garden soundscape (who knew bats made such a noise?) to the hardy staff who decorated cakes (against the odds in the case of some of the forfeits …) in the Clarke House Charity Day; from our gentle lunchtime wellbeing activities to the beautiful resonance of the lunchtime concert and evensong in Christ’s Chapel; add in the thoughtful voices of KS3 and KS4 in their School Council meetings, and you get an image of the array of jigsaw pieces that each student pieces together to make her own JAGS experience. Half Term has closed with our sensational Performing Arts show; it is no wonder we are all ready for a rest!
Wishing all members of the JAGS community a happy and restful Half Term break. Term begins again on Monday 4 November, and we look forward to seeing all students upon their return.
With best wishes,
Mrs Alex Hutchinson
Head
Dates for your Diary
- Monday 21 October to Friday 1 November – Autumn Half Term
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.
Please complete this form by 8:30am on the morning that your daughter is absent.
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.
Year 7 Reflections
The first Half Term of the academic year has been filled with excitement for our Year 7s who have enjoyed so many new experiences as they settle into life at JAGS.
Below some volunteers from Year 7 share their thoughts on the Senior School so far:
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‘It has been a magical time’
“My first Half Term at JAGS has been a wonderful start to secondary school life. Every day I enjoy all of my lessons and I have had a great time making new friends. Everyone is really welcoming and it was very easy for me to make new friends. Teachers always make the lessons fun and I come out smiling.
“I also enjoy the tuck shops with their delicious chocolate chip cookies and the school food. There are many different authentic foods to choose from each day and the varied types of food from different countries makes me really eager to eat them every day. There are so many clubs to choose from and I always enjoy taking part in them during my lunch time. The staff at Pupil Reception are so helpful and open to any question if you are finding it difficult around JAGS. It has been a magical time at JAGS and I have settled in to secondary school really well.” Moji (7R)
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‘I am happy to be here’
“I have really enjoyed my first Half Term at JAGS. The school is such a fun and engaging space and the teachers are amazing and very understanding. The older students are also so helpful, especially when it comes to helping us find places we have never been before. I really love the variety of subjects and the amount of sports we have. I have enjoyed doing fitness this term using machines such as the treadmill, the step machine and the cycling machines. I have enjoyed acting out the mysterious scenes of Dark Wood Manor in Drama; learning about Edward the Confessor and the three claimants to the throne; and learning how to say my star sign in French. JAGS is such a great school and I am happy to be here.” Hawa (7L)
“My first Half Term at JAGS has been a wonderful start to secondary school life. Every day I enjoy all of my lessons and I have had a great time making new friends. Everyone is really welcoming and it was very easy for me to make new friends. Teachers always make the lessons fun and I come out smiling.
“I also enjoy the tuck shops with their delicious chocolate chip cookies and the school food. There are many different authentic foods to choose from each day and the varied types of food from different countries makes me really eager to eat them every day. There are so many clubs to choose from and I always enjoy taking part in them during my lunch time. The staff at Pupil Reception are so helpful and open to any question if you are finding it difficult around JAGS. It has been a magical time at JAGS and I have settled in to secondary school really well.” Moji (7R)
“I have really enjoyed my first Half Term at JAGS. The school is such a fun and engaging space and the teachers are amazing and very understanding. The older students are also so helpful, especially when it comes to helping us find places we have never been before. I really love the variety of subjects and the amount of sports we have. I have enjoyed doing fitness this term using machines such as the treadmill, the step machine and the cycling machines. I have enjoyed acting out the mysterious scenes of Dark Wood Manor in Drama; learning about Edward the Confessor and the three claimants to the throne; and learning how to say my star sign in French. JAGS is such a great school and I am happy to be here.” Hawa (7L)
Sixth Form Update
It has been quite a few weeks for our Year 12 and 13 students on their #SixthFormJourneyTogether.
As of Tuesday 15 October (the early UCAS deadline), I was so pleased to have hit send on 60 applications to university for Oxford, Cambridge, Medicine and Dentistry courses. Students and colleagues have worked flat out to ensure that the applications are as good as they can be. They are a bright bunch and we wish them every success in the rest of the selection process.
It is also notable that there are an equal number of talented, bright and highly academic students who have researched the various options open to them and decided they will apply for other exceptional courses in the UK and further afield in the USA. We look forward to providing continued support to students in their university applications; it is a genuine joy and privilege to read their personal statements and discuss the range and wealth of activities for their UCAS references.
Mat Weeks, Head of Sixth Form
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Living in the moment
As we mention frequently, life is about living in the moment and not always looking to the future. We have seen many of our Sixth Formers acting as guides at our Open Morning speaking so wonderfully on a formal and informal basis about the school. Students delivered an engaging and thoughtful Black History Month assembly, participated in various concerts and sports fixtures, performed in the astonishing Performing Arts show, devised tasty recipes from foodbank donations, and contributed their voice to Sixth Form Council sessions (pause for breath . . .) to name but a few of the things they have been up to!
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Personal development
And all the while, in addition to embracing the Fun, Kindness and Responsibility which so characterises their time in the Sixth Form, they are also, as ever, working hard to ensure they have the best foundations for great academic progress.
Thus, they are ensuring that their personal development, in all areas of life, embodies the main ethos of the school: a Passion for Life and Learning.
As we mention frequently, life is about living in the moment and not always looking to the future. We have seen many of our Sixth Formers acting as guides at our Open Morning speaking so wonderfully on a formal and informal basis about the school. Students delivered an engaging and thoughtful Black History Month assembly, participated in various concerts and sports fixtures, performed in the astonishing Performing Arts show, devised tasty recipes from foodbank donations, and contributed their voice to Sixth Form Council sessions (pause for breath . . .) to name but a few of the things they have been up to!
And all the while, in addition to embracing the Fun, Kindness and Responsibility which so characterises their time in the Sixth Form, they are also, as ever, working hard to ensure they have the best foundations for great academic progress.
Thus, they are ensuring that their personal development, in all areas of life, embodies the main ethos of the school: a Passion for Life and Learning.
School House Awards 2024
Social Mobility Champion
We are delighted to reveal that JAGS has been named Social Mobility Champion at this year’s School House Awards.
The award highlights the work being done by independent schools to support and increase social mobility. The category is sponsored by Christ’s Hospital School, which is widely admired across the sector for its far-reaching bursary support.
Hugo Middlemas, Director of Development at Christ’s Hospital School, picked JAGS as the winner, remarking the school “should be recognised for the steps it has made in growing its bursary programme. In its commitment, it is a good role model for other schools to follow”.
Read more HERE
1741 Club
We are reaching out to the whole JAGS community to help raise essential funds for the JAGS Bursary Fund. In today’s challenging climate, ensuring the sustainability of our bursary provision is more important than ever. At JAGS, we believe a world-class education should be accessible to all talented students, regardless of their financial background. Currently, over 140 students benefit from the James Allen Bursary scheme. This support covers not only tuition fees but also essentials like uniform, lunches, trips, and co-curricular activities, ensuring every student has equal access to all the opportunities JAGS has to offer. We invite you to watch our powerful new film highlighting the impact of this support here.
Our aim is to ensure that future generations of talented girls, regardless of financial means, have the same opportunities. To achieve this, we must keep our bursary provision sustainable, and that’s why we are excited to announce our first major fundraising campaign in many years. One way of supporting is by joining the newly launched 1741 Club, named in honour of our founding year and philanthropic beginnings. This is open to parents, alumnae, former staff and friends of the school. All members will be invited to an annual benefactors’ event hosted by the Head, receive a prestigious 1741 Club pin badge, plus much more.
To learn more about the benefits of joining the 1741 Club, click here or contact the Head of Development and Alumnae Relations Karen Doyle at Karen.Doyle@jags.org.uk. Thank you.
Open Morning – Student Speakers
One of the most common pieces of feedback we receive each Open Morning is simply how brilliant, passionate and impressive our students are. This is illustrated through all those who volunteer to support, whether that be as a tour guide or performer.
During our most recent Open Morning, members of Year 7 and the Head Girl team bravely volunteered to speak to the hundreds of prospective parents and students in the VWA. They shared what JAGS meant to them.
As only a select few from our community were on hand to see the students speak so eloquently and poignantly about their time at JAGS, we decided the speeches had to be shared.
The full speeches will be shared on our school website shortly, however, please find below a selection of quotes from our Head Girl team beautifully describing what JAGS means to them.
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Sara (Y13)
Sara (Y13), Deputy Head Girl:
“My own JAGS journey has been beyond incredible. I take pride in the fact that I’ve thrown myself into the opportunities on offer, and I hope you’ll all do the same. JAGS isn’t just where I come to learn. It’s where I’ve grown as a person, made the most wonderful friends for life, and found confidence in myself. I’ve discovered new passions and have created amazing memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Even in the tough moments, I’ve taken comfort from the fact the JAGS community is there to support me. It’s been an honour to give back to the community as Deputy Head Girl, and as part of this role, it’s been fascinating to see all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. I’ve seen first hand how every decision is made with students in mind. What’s been truly inspiring is the leadership team’s clear long term vision for the school, and their eagerness to innovate and take positive action.
“Looking at the person that I’ve become thanks to this school community, I know without a doubt that if I had to go back in time and choose my secondary school again, I would choose JAGS again and again. JAGS really is a place where the spark inside of you can ignite something so much greater. It’s a place where you can try new things and find joy in every little success along the journey. It’s a place where you can, belong, can grow and become the very best version of yourself.”
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Olivia (Y13)
Olivia (Y13) , Head Girl
“There is no such thing as ‘the JAGS Student.’ We are a diverse community with a wide range of beliefs and backgrounds, which enriches our view of the world. No two students are the same here, but what unites us is JAGS. Our school encourages us to follow our individual passions—whether that’s joining History or Dance Club—but we also come together for whole school activities. From the gingerbread-making competition to the Junior and Senior Maths Challenge, and finally, celebrating together at the end of the year on Founder’s Day.
“Reflecting on my own journey through JAGS, I can confidently say that this school has not only educated me but also shaped the person I am becoming. The friendships I’ve made, the challenges I’ve overcome, and the passions I’ve discovered have all been nurtured by the teachers and students here at JAGS.”
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Elsa (Y13)
Elsa (Y13), Deputy Head Girl:
“My JAGS peer group is amazing! I can confidently say that the majority of my favourite memories at JAGS have come from being around other students. I feel extremely proud to be surrounded by an incredible group of like-minded and supportive peers, and lucky to have been able to grow up alongside them. They are bright, driven and aspirational, but also silly and fun. Even when I am feeling down there’s not a day that goes by where I don’t have a smile on my face by the end of it. I will cherish the countless belly aching laughs and inside jokes forever, and the unlikely friendships, born from being desk mates or extra curriculars, also hold a special place in my heart. I have made lifelong friendships along the way and we have bonded so much over the years, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”
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Tessa (Y13)
Tessa (Y13), Deputy Head Girl:
“At JAGS, all the staff and teachers genuinely want you to succeed and reach your full potential. Form tutors are always there to support you with daily school life, whether it’s staying organized or communicating with teachers. The subject teachers are incredibly passionate about what they teach and are dedicated to helping students achieve their goals while making lessons enjoyable. Even if a subject isn’t your favourite (I was convinced French was my enemy!), the teachers find ways to help you connect with it and offer great support when you’re struggling—I even ended up taking French at GCSE! The pastoral care at JAGS is equally strong, with heads of year, form tutors, and school counsellors all focused on student wellbeing and always ready to lend a helping hand – this was especially valuable through Covid when I had to adapt to learning from home in Year 8 and 9. . . . .
“I am personally so grateful to the school for everything it has done for me – my teachers have helped me realise my potential, and the friends I have made here are ones for life. I cannot believe my time is almost over – the school has made me more confident, resilient and not afraid of failure, qualities my Year 7 self only dreamed of. “
Sara (Y13), Deputy Head Girl:
“My own JAGS journey has been beyond incredible. I take pride in the fact that I’ve thrown myself into the opportunities on offer, and I hope you’ll all do the same. JAGS isn’t just where I come to learn. It’s where I’ve grown as a person, made the most wonderful friends for life, and found confidence in myself. I’ve discovered new passions and have created amazing memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Even in the tough moments, I’ve taken comfort from the fact the JAGS community is there to support me. It’s been an honour to give back to the community as Deputy Head Girl, and as part of this role, it’s been fascinating to see all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. I’ve seen first hand how every decision is made with students in mind. What’s been truly inspiring is the leadership team’s clear long term vision for the school, and their eagerness to innovate and take positive action.
“Looking at the person that I’ve become thanks to this school community, I know without a doubt that if I had to go back in time and choose my secondary school again, I would choose JAGS again and again. JAGS really is a place where the spark inside of you can ignite something so much greater. It’s a place where you can try new things and find joy in every little success along the journey. It’s a place where you can, belong, can grow and become the very best version of yourself.”
Olivia (Y13) , Head Girl
“There is no such thing as ‘the JAGS Student.’ We are a diverse community with a wide range of beliefs and backgrounds, which enriches our view of the world. No two students are the same here, but what unites us is JAGS. Our school encourages us to follow our individual passions—whether that’s joining History or Dance Club—but we also come together for whole school activities. From the gingerbread-making competition to the Junior and Senior Maths Challenge, and finally, celebrating together at the end of the year on Founder’s Day.
“Reflecting on my own journey through JAGS, I can confidently say that this school has not only educated me but also shaped the person I am becoming. The friendships I’ve made, the challenges I’ve overcome, and the passions I’ve discovered have all been nurtured by the teachers and students here at JAGS.”
Elsa (Y13), Deputy Head Girl:
“My JAGS peer group is amazing! I can confidently say that the majority of my favourite memories at JAGS have come from being around other students. I feel extremely proud to be surrounded by an incredible group of like-minded and supportive peers, and lucky to have been able to grow up alongside them. They are bright, driven and aspirational, but also silly and fun. Even when I am feeling down there’s not a day that goes by where I don’t have a smile on my face by the end of it. I will cherish the countless belly aching laughs and inside jokes forever, and the unlikely friendships, born from being desk mates or extra curriculars, also hold a special place in my heart. I have made lifelong friendships along the way and we have bonded so much over the years, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”
Tessa (Y13), Deputy Head Girl:
“At JAGS, all the staff and teachers genuinely want you to succeed and reach your full potential. Form tutors are always there to support you with daily school life, whether it’s staying organized or communicating with teachers. The subject teachers are incredibly passionate about what they teach and are dedicated to helping students achieve their goals while making lessons enjoyable. Even if a subject isn’t your favourite (I was convinced French was my enemy!), the teachers find ways to help you connect with it and offer great support when you’re struggling—I even ended up taking French at GCSE! The pastoral care at JAGS is equally strong, with heads of year, form tutors, and school counsellors all focused on student wellbeing and always ready to lend a helping hand – this was especially valuable through Covid when I had to adapt to learning from home in Year 8 and 9. . . . .
“I am personally so grateful to the school for everything it has done for me – my teachers have helped me realise my potential, and the friends I have made here are ones for life. I cannot believe my time is almost over – the school has made me more confident, resilient and not afraid of failure, qualities my Year 7 self only dreamed of. “
World Mental Health Day
To mark World Mental Health Day last Thursday, Holst Hall was filled with a myriad of fun activities for our students to enjoy.
There were craft tables, a self-care station, a nature drawing stall (where students sketched flowers picked from the JAGS Botany Gardens) and even a special acoustic performance.
Thank you to our Pastoral Team for organising such a great event!
Charity
Charity Club
Our Charity Club went above and beyond this Half Term, collecting over 286kg (30 crates) of food and supplies for Norwood and Brixton Foodbank.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the collection. We are so proud to continue supporting such an incredible local organisation.
Clarke House Charity Day
The first House Charity Day of the year was phenomenal with Clarke House raising £1,023.18 for Alice’s Arc – a children’s cancer charity dedicated to funding research into finding a cure and less harsh treatments for Rhabdomyosarcoma.
From our student bake sale to a special Teacher Bake Off it was brilliant to see our community come together for such a good cause – a huge thank you to our House Captains and willing teachers for creating such a memorable event.
Author Visit
Elle McNicoll
After the joyous flurry in September 2024 of Year 7 activities based around Radhika Sanghani’s The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie, Year 9 enjoyed an hour with award-winning writer Elle McNicoll on Tuesday.
Hearing how Elle started out on her successful career as an author with an ambition to bring neurodivergent characters into good stories, Year 9 impressed her with their awareness of neurodivergence and their understanding of how unhelpful treating it as merely a business trend is – neurodivergence cannot be switched on and off on whim!
Both Radhika and Elle were able to inspire our students to consider career options as an author, journalist or screenwriter, or in related creative industries such as publishing and television and film. Key pieces of advice prompted by student questions included to read and write as often as possible and to believe in yourself, even when the going is tough.
Elle’s previous books have been hugely popular with our readers and Some Like it Cold – her latest title – proved no exception. We’re sure that Jasper will join Addy, Keedie, Cora and all the rest of Elle’s neurodivergent heroes as firm favourites for years to come.
Helen Stein, Head of Library and Archives
Performing Arts
‘One Night Only’
One Night Only, a celebration of Performing Arts at JAGS took place on Wednesday 16 October. Featuring a staggering 120 students from across the Senior School, performers dazzled audiences with performances from different musical theatre shows.
Year 12 students also got the opportunity to lead the choreography for their respective Houses as part of the annual House Dance Competition. As always there was also a brilliant team of students working behind the scenes on the technical elements of the show without which the show wouldn’t be possible. With performances from our elite dance company Encore as well the newly formed Spotlight Singers the talent on show was hugely impressive and challenged the ability of students to tell a story through song and dance.
MFL
European Day of Languages
Some of our JAGS Sixth Form MFL students led an exciting day of language activities with Year 1 and Year 2 pupils, celebrating the richness of multiculturalism and diversity within our community. The younger students enjoyed a fun introduction to how languages are taught at the Senior School, giving them a wonderful preview of what’s to come.
European Fun Fair at Smith Square
Students from all over the UK were invited by the European Commission to explore the cultures and languages of EU member countries at the European Fun Fair. Our Sixth Formers and members of the JAGS MFL Society had an enriching experience. They had the chance to learn about careers and apprenticeships in the EU Translation and Interpretation Units in Strasbourg and Brussels, even using the professional software that interpreters employ in the EU Parliament. Topics covered during the translation sessions ranged from new ice cream colour ingredients regulations to compulsory vaccinations and pet microchipping!
A special thank you to Europa House for providing such an inspiring afternoon for our linguists.
Cristina Sanchez-Satoca, Head of Spanish and Modern Foreign Languages
Italian
“One of the pleasures of studying Italian at A Level is the ability to immerse oneself in Italian culture, from literature to music, but unanimously we can agree that the cuisine trumps all! So, what better way to share our love for Italian with the school than through a pasta-making workshop hosted by the JAGS Italian Society. Last Friday, the Holst Hall flooded with Italian tunes as students poured into the hall, eagerly gathering round tables of gleaming dough and intricate pasta rollers. JAGS girls skilfully rolled, squeezed and twisted their ‘sfoglie’ led by Italian A Level students, producing an array of shapes from farfalle to tagliatelle to bring home. It was a wonderful event enjoyed by students across the school providing the chance to immerse themselves in the Italian language beyond the classroom.” Zoha (Y13)
Careers
WoW!
This year we have introduced World of Work (WoW) focus sessions which will be delivered each Half Term during form time. The focus for the first session was Careers across the Curriculum. Students had the opportunity to reflect on career opportunities that teachers have embedded into lessons or events and trips they have taken part in. Here is some of the feedback from students:
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Creative Carousel
“During this fun, eventful morning, I learnt how to be more creative and to think about even the wildest of ideas. I also learnt how to think about more magical, mystical ideas for creative writing and how to think of unique ideas for the one-of-a-kind bracelets that we made. Furthermore, I loved doing the dance and final performance as they helped me to increase my confidence to perform.” Anokhi (Y7)
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Radhika Sanghani Author Talk
“I enjoyed the talk because I found it interesting to learn about what it’s like to be an author and the behind the scenes of writing a book. This will help me consider future career options because it is good have an open mind about jobs in the future.” Elin (Y8)
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Elle McNicoll Author Talk
“I think the event was very interesting. I was surprised about how some publishers think that books that have neurodivergent people would not be successful, but Elle McNicoll proved them wrong.” Elleni (Y9)
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European Careers Trip
“I attended a talk by a Spanish entrepreneur who had moved to the UK and started her own business. She explained to us that learning another language opens a lot of doors in the industry and makes you more employable.” Charlotte (Y9)
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Working Lunch
Working lunch with Aleksandra Pedraszewska, Founder and Entrepreneur in Residence, at the University of Cambridge
“From this meeting I have gained an insight into the new and rapidly evolving world of AI and how companies aim to regulate it. More broadly, I found out the ways that studying economics can lead into different careers. Overall, I have learnt to be open minded to different pathways and careers.” Aliza (Y11)
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Alumnae Lecture Series
Year 12 Lecture with JAGS Alumna, Maria – BA Fine Art and Volunteering with the ORCA Foundation
“She inspired me to go out of my comfort zone and try new things!” Amy (Y12)
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Field Skills
Fields Skills Wildlife Management Course
“Over the summer, I attended the Field Skills for Wildlife Management course at Knepp estate. It was very useful in extending my knowledge about conservation in an academic and practical context and allowed me to learn a range of sampling techniques. I would recommend it for anyone who is interested in ecology/conservation.” Charlotte (Y12)
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Psychiatry Summer School
“The Psychiatry summer school was run by King’s College London University with specialists and professors including doctors who have first-hand experience in Psychiatry. They ran an essay competition which was based on your experience at the summer school and was judged by Professor Charlotte Wilson Jones (Professor of Psychiatry Education and Innovation and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist). It is an excellent opportunity to reflect on your experience at the summer school and (if you win!) get a certificate signed by her. We were given the whole of summer to think about this (so no time crunch if you’re busy) and is a great addition to your CV and an opportunity to think about what you learnt from the summer school as well.” Anvita (Y12)
“During this fun, eventful morning, I learnt how to be more creative and to think about even the wildest of ideas. I also learnt how to think about more magical, mystical ideas for creative writing and how to think of unique ideas for the one-of-a-kind bracelets that we made. Furthermore, I loved doing the dance and final performance as they helped me to increase my confidence to perform.” Anokhi (Y7)
“I enjoyed the talk because I found it interesting to learn about what it’s like to be an author and the behind the scenes of writing a book. This will help me consider future career options because it is good have an open mind about jobs in the future.” Elin (Y8)
“I think the event was very interesting. I was surprised about how some publishers think that books that have neurodivergent people would not be successful, but Elle McNicoll proved them wrong.” Elleni (Y9)
“I attended a talk by a Spanish entrepreneur who had moved to the UK and started her own business. She explained to us that learning another language opens a lot of doors in the industry and makes you more employable.” Charlotte (Y9)
Working lunch with Aleksandra Pedraszewska, Founder and Entrepreneur in Residence, at the University of Cambridge
“From this meeting I have gained an insight into the new and rapidly evolving world of AI and how companies aim to regulate it. More broadly, I found out the ways that studying economics can lead into different careers. Overall, I have learnt to be open minded to different pathways and careers.” Aliza (Y11)
Year 12 Lecture with JAGS Alumna, Maria – BA Fine Art and Volunteering with the ORCA Foundation
“She inspired me to go out of my comfort zone and try new things!” Amy (Y12)
Fields Skills Wildlife Management Course
“Over the summer, I attended the Field Skills for Wildlife Management course at Knepp estate. It was very useful in extending my knowledge about conservation in an academic and practical context and allowed me to learn a range of sampling techniques. I would recommend it for anyone who is interested in ecology/conservation.” Charlotte (Y12)
“The Psychiatry summer school was run by King’s College London University with specialists and professors including doctors who have first-hand experience in Psychiatry. They ran an essay competition which was based on your experience at the summer school and was judged by Professor Charlotte Wilson Jones (Professor of Psychiatry Education and Innovation and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist). It is an excellent opportunity to reflect on your experience at the summer school and (if you win!) get a certificate signed by her. We were given the whole of summer to think about this (so no time crunch if you’re busy) and is a great addition to your CV and an opportunity to think about what you learnt from the summer school as well.” Anvita (Y12)
SSLP
So, you want to work in . . . Dentistry?
JAGS were delighted to host the SSLP careers talk on Tuesday about careers in dentistry. We were joined by Dr Dipen Patel, and Deepika Sharma. Dipen is Principal Dentist and Director of three Dental Practices and Deepika is the senior Practice Manager at these clinics.
Sixth Formers Abigail, Alhena, Kiana and Nancy, had the opportunity to introduce the speakers and ask questions after their talk and we were joined online by students at seven other schools from the SSLP (Southwark Schools Learning Partnership).
Sport
What a fantastic Half Term it has been for the JAGS Sport Department. We have had over 300 students represent the school in competitive fixtures already, with the numbers attending after school clubs at an all-time high.
The effort and commitment the students have invested in these clubs is paying dividends with teams across all sports making progress in local, regional and national cup competitions. Our students continue to impress with their outside of school endeavours and as always, we love to hear about all their successes. Please do continue to send sporting success stories to Michael.Golding@JAGS.org.uk.
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Cricket
Excellent news from the world of Cricket, as September, Hennie and Sylvie helped Dulwich Women’s ‘Valkyries’ win the prestigious Surrey Slam. An absolute brilliant accomplishment by the students, made even more special by the final being played at The Oval in front of a very enthusiastic crowd. JAGS students have had a fantastic season with Dulwich, winning the Women’s Division Two to gain promotion, reaching the U15 Southern Counties final and also reaching the Regional U15 ECB T20 final.
Cricket has really taken off over the last couple of years at JAGS and we are excited to see the students in action later this year.
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Athletics
Back in July, Miss Fisken took the Year 9 and 10 Athletics Team to Stoke for the ESAA Track and Field Cup National Finals. The team performed incredibly well on the day and their overall performance was good enough to finish as National Runners Up. A fantastic achievement from this group of pupils.
The team consisted of; Annabelle. Ava, Olivia, Ayla, Eunice, Clem, Martha, Florence, Oyin, Pyale, Marly, Jackie and Emilia.
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Cross country
A very promising start to the cross country season from our JAGS runners. We have entered new competitions this year, performing very well in the Lee Valley Cross Country race back in September (in very warm conditions) as well as the Year 7 and 8 runners racing very well in the Harrodian Cross Country Race last week.
One of the highlights of the early season so far was the Junior Haskell Cup, hosted by RGS Guildford. JAGS performed well on the day and the team of; Izzy, Arabella, Jojo and Skyla finished in third place overall.
Year 7 sports scholar Skyla has made an incredible start to life at JAGS and her cross country running is certainly earning her lots of plaudits. Skyla recently entered the U13 Surrey Cross Country relays at Nonsuch Park. Skyla’s team finished 4th overall, but Skyla achieved a gold medal for the fastest lap (11.56 minutes over 3k).
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Football
The JAGS footballers have continued their form from last year, winning in the early cup rounds and continuing to impress with both attendance and style of play.
The Friday Night fixtures against Alleyn’s have proved early highlights, with over 100 girls from Years 7 and 8 out on the fields and ATP playing football.
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Hockey
The highlight of the hockey season so far has undoubtedly been the tour of Barcelona, brilliantly led by Miss Fisken, where students enjoyed a mixture of training, fixtures and sightseeing around the city. The fixtures were played at beautiful grounds and gave the students the opportunity to play local hockey sides of a good standard. Students have commented about how much fun they had on the tour and how well organised it was by Miss Fisken, along with Miss Huggett and Miss Thomas.
One student reported back that “It was just the best weekend ever. I loved being away with my teammates and getting to know them even more than I already do. I am now so enthused about the hockey season and cannot wait for our fixtures and the next hockey tour”.
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Netball
A busy first Half Term of netball has seen the annual weekend trip to Condover Hall for Year 8 and 9 pupils take place.
Unfortunately, the weather was not so netball-friendly, with heavy rain and thunderstorms throughout the weekend. The play was suspended on the Sunday but based on the Saturday results the Year 8 team were announced as the Cup winners!
A massive thank you to Miss Hodder and Miss Whyte for taking the pupils to this competition.
JAGS also had the privilege of hosting the prestigious Surrey Preliminary Netball Competition for the U19, U16, U15 and U14 age groups. The standard of play on show from all schools was very impressive throughout, particularly the U15 and U14 tournament (which had been touch and go due to poor weather and wet courts).
I am delighted to confirm that the U15 team managed to qualify for the Surrey Netball Finals Day, with the U19 narrowly missing out on goal difference in their competition. The competitions were organised expertly by Miss Whyte and there were multiple comments from visiting schools about how professional the organisation of the day was and how much they enjoyed playing at JAGS on the new courts.
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Swimming
JAGS swimmers have been training hard ahead of a busy second half of the Autumn Term. Numbers have been good at training sessions, with swim coach Emma Scott commenting: “The girls’ attitude and attention to their learning and development have been fantastic. You can really see the improvement in all the swimmers, from those that swim on a regular basis and are looking to compete in competitions, to those that are just starting out and developing their water confidence”.
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Water Polo
The U14 water polo team played their first round of fixtures at Alleyn’s School recently and came away with a comprehensive victory against Latymer Upper and a narrow defeat against Alleyn’s.
The match against Alleyn’s got off to a slow start, but our students grew in confidence and by the end of the game were playing well and could have scored more goals. The next round of the SWPL is at JAGS on Monday 18 November and the team are training hard to ensure they are ready for this round of fixtures.
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Sailing
Rosie’s selection for the British Youth Sailing Team recognises her potential to succeed at the highest level in Youth and Olympic sailing. Rosie has been selected on the basis of performance at selection events and potential shown in and around training and competitions observed by selectors. Rosie is currently on track, provided she continues to show the right behaviours, performances and progression within training and competition to represent Great Britain at European and World Championships next summer.
A huge congratulations to Rosie and we wish her all the best as she continues along this very exciting journey.
Excellent news from the world of Cricket, as September, Hennie and Sylvie helped Dulwich Women’s ‘Valkyries’ win the prestigious Surrey Slam. An absolute brilliant accomplishment by the students, made even more special by the final being played at The Oval in front of a very enthusiastic crowd. JAGS students have had a fantastic season with Dulwich, winning the Women’s Division Two to gain promotion, reaching the U15 Southern Counties final and also reaching the Regional U15 ECB T20 final.
Cricket has really taken off over the last couple of years at JAGS and we are excited to see the students in action later this year.
Back in July, Miss Fisken took the Year 9 and 10 Athletics Team to Stoke for the ESAA Track and Field Cup National Finals. The team performed incredibly well on the day and their overall performance was good enough to finish as National Runners Up. A fantastic achievement from this group of pupils.
The team consisted of; Annabelle. Ava, Olivia, Ayla, Eunice, Clem, Martha, Florence, Oyin, Pyale, Marly, Jackie and Emilia.
A very promising start to the cross country season from our JAGS runners. We have entered new competitions this year, performing very well in the Lee Valley Cross Country race back in September (in very warm conditions) as well as the Year 7 and 8 runners racing very well in the Harrodian Cross Country Race last week.
One of the highlights of the early season so far was the Junior Haskell Cup, hosted by RGS Guildford. JAGS performed well on the day and the team of; Izzy, Arabella, Jojo and Skyla finished in third place overall.
Year 7 sports scholar Skyla has made an incredible start to life at JAGS and her cross country running is certainly earning her lots of plaudits. Skyla recently entered the U13 Surrey Cross Country relays at Nonsuch Park. Skyla’s team finished 4th overall, but Skyla achieved a gold medal for the fastest lap (11.56 minutes over 3k).
The JAGS footballers have continued their form from last year, winning in the early cup rounds and continuing to impress with both attendance and style of play.
The Friday Night fixtures against Alleyn’s have proved early highlights, with over 100 girls from Years 7 and 8 out on the fields and ATP playing football.
The highlight of the hockey season so far has undoubtedly been the tour of Barcelona, brilliantly led by Miss Fisken, where students enjoyed a mixture of training, fixtures and sightseeing around the city. The fixtures were played at beautiful grounds and gave the students the opportunity to play local hockey sides of a good standard. Students have commented about how much fun they had on the tour and how well organised it was by Miss Fisken, along with Miss Huggett and Miss Thomas.
One student reported back that “It was just the best weekend ever. I loved being away with my teammates and getting to know them even more than I already do. I am now so enthused about the hockey season and cannot wait for our fixtures and the next hockey tour”.
A busy first Half Term of netball has seen the annual weekend trip to Condover Hall for Year 8 and 9 pupils take place.
Unfortunately, the weather was not so netball-friendly, with heavy rain and thunderstorms throughout the weekend. The play was suspended on the Sunday but based on the Saturday results the Year 8 team were announced as the Cup winners!
A massive thank you to Miss Hodder and Miss Whyte for taking the pupils to this competition.
JAGS also had the privilege of hosting the prestigious Surrey Preliminary Netball Competition for the U19, U16, U15 and U14 age groups. The standard of play on show from all schools was very impressive throughout, particularly the U15 and U14 tournament (which had been touch and go due to poor weather and wet courts).
I am delighted to confirm that the U15 team managed to qualify for the Surrey Netball Finals Day, with the U19 narrowly missing out on goal difference in their competition. The competitions were organised expertly by Miss Whyte and there were multiple comments from visiting schools about how professional the organisation of the day was and how much they enjoyed playing at JAGS on the new courts.
JAGS swimmers have been training hard ahead of a busy second half of the Autumn Term. Numbers have been good at training sessions, with swim coach Emma Scott commenting: “The girls’ attitude and attention to their learning and development have been fantastic. You can really see the improvement in all the swimmers, from those that swim on a regular basis and are looking to compete in competitions, to those that are just starting out and developing their water confidence”.
The U14 water polo team played their first round of fixtures at Alleyn’s School recently and came away with a comprehensive victory against Latymer Upper and a narrow defeat against Alleyn’s.
The match against Alleyn’s got off to a slow start, but our students grew in confidence and by the end of the game were playing well and could have scored more goals. The next round of the SWPL is at JAGS on Monday 18 November and the team are training hard to ensure they are ready for this round of fixtures.
Rosie’s selection for the British Youth Sailing Team recognises her potential to succeed at the highest level in Youth and Olympic sailing. Rosie has been selected on the basis of performance at selection events and potential shown in and around training and competitions observed by selectors. Rosie is currently on track, provided she continues to show the right behaviours, performances and progression within training and competition to represent Great Britain at European and World Championships next summer.
A huge congratulations to Rosie and we wish her all the best as she continues along this very exciting journey.
Open House
Last week saw our ‘Open House’ event in which all staff (both teaching and support) used free moments in their day to visit lessons around the school.
It was a wonderful day, buzzing with energy, in which we saw a huge number of exciting and innovative teaching practices. There was great use of the devices in lessons to enhance learning. Importantly, there was an excellent mix of device-based work, practical work, students working on paper or whiteboards and much more.
It was observed how staff and students selected the best tool for the learning taking place and students experienced a wide range of approaches to learning.
Our passion for life and learning was embraced by our staff learning from one another and sharing best practice.
Lucy Moorehead, Assistant Head (Staff Development)
JAGS Alumnae
On Friday 27 September, alumnae from the Class of 2019 were clearly delighted to catch up with each other and their former teachers as they gathered at the JAGS Copper Beech Cafe for a wonderful evening. We were so pleased to welcome 50 alumnae for such a fun evening.
The event was hosted by the Head Alex Hutchinson, who enjoyed seeing everyone and talked about life at JAGS and the incredible developments taking place at the school. Karen Doyle, Head of Development and Alumnae Relations, then shared the exciting plans to continue growing the alumnae community, including the upcoming events for 2025 and the important role of the Bursary Fund at JAGS.
We were joined by a number of teaching staff including Liz Allan, Debbie Lewis, Tracey Walton and Howard Peacock, amongst many others, who were excited to have the opportunity to catch up with so many of their former pupils and hear about their life since leaving JAGS. It was wonderful to hear about the diverse adventures, study and career paths the alumnae have taken. We look forward to seeing the Class of 2019 at alumnae events in future.