Welcome from the Head
Dear Parents
Welcome to the final newsletter of the Spring Term 2022. We thoroughly enjoyed a dose of glorious Spring weather, alongside the first Multicultural Evening since 2015, the Spring Concert and our showcase musical event of the year at Cadogan Hall. Thank you so much to all staff and students involved in bringing the term to such a spectacular close.
Staff News
At the end of this term we say farewell to a number of staff, and thank them for everything they have brought to our community. Dr Andrew Low, Head of Physics, leaves us to take up an exciting new role as Director of Teaching Enhancement and Lecturer in Physics at the University of Liverpool, while Mr Tony Howes leaves the Biology department, having covered two maternity leaves, and we wish him well in his new role in Surrey. We also say farewell and thank-you to Ms Nancy Burley from the Marketing and Communications department, and Ms Ruth Harris from the HR department.
We are also very grateful to Ms Hedy Canessa for her commitment and care as Acting Head of Year 13 while Ms Rachel Barnes was on maternity leave. Rachel is now back at the helm of Year 13, and Hedy moves to her permanent role as Head of Year 10. We thank Mr Simon Jermond for his care and attention as Acting Head of Year 10.
We also say an enormous thank you to Ms Sam Payne, Deputy Head Pastoral, and Mr Laurence Wesson, Deputy Head Academic. Laurence steps down at the end of this term from his role, and Sam on 13 May, as we welcome our two new Deputy Heads into their roles. Under Sam’s tenure as Deputy Head Pastoral, she has been the driving force behind a complete overhaul of the pastoral care at the school, ensuring that our young people have a watertight support network that constantly evolves in these often turbulent times. Her visionary approach has led to a contemporary pastoral programme in which each student is known and nurtured as an individual. As Deputy Head Academic, Laurence has overseen our approach to teaching and learning, our curriculum and our use of assessment, reporting and data. His analytical and thorough approach has meant that each department is supported to offer an outstanding educational experience, and each student can make the most of the countless opportunities to enrich their learning. Sam and Laurence were both long-serving and committed members of staff before taking on their Deputy Head roles, with Laurence joining the staff in 2000 and Sam joining shortly afterwards in 2002. I am delighted that both will remain at JAGS; Sam teaching in the Art Department and Laurence teaching in the Biology Department. As they resume their full-time teaching commitments, so both will continue to share their inspirational teaching and learning with the current and future generations of JAGS students. I am sure you will want to join me in thanking Laurence and Sam for all they have committed to the leadership of JAGS.
I look forward to introducing our new staff in my beginning of term letter to you all.
Covid Update
The latest Government update is due today, Friday 1 April. If there are any implications for us here at school, we will update you before the start of the Summer Term.
Start of Term
Term begins for all students on Tuesday 26 April. We look forward to welcoming everyone back.
Year 11 and Year 13
For those families with daughters preparing for GCSE and A Level exams, I hope all involved will find a healthy and fulfilling balance of revision along with enough downtime to recharge their batteries. We are very proud of all our Year 11 and Year 13 students and are here to support them all in the final preparation for their public exams.
Wishing you all a wonderful Easter break.
Mrs Alex Hutchinson
Head
Dates for your Diary
- Friday 1st April – Term ends at midday
- Tuesday 26th April – Term begins for all pupils
- Monday 2nd May – Early May Bank Holiday
Reporting Absences
A reminder that the system for absences has changed earlier this year in the Senior School. Please use this form to report absence due to illness or to request absence for appointments. This form can also be found on our Contact page.
Teaching & Learning
Alice Mollison
Assistant Head Teaching and Learning
This week’s newsletter brings you an update from our languages department and a spotlight on our current training teachers.
We have some fantastic news, following on from our very successful UK Linguistics Olympiad earlier this term! We are thrilled to announce some superb results for JAGS students and we would like to thank our languages teachers for encouraging our students to achieve their best.
- At the breakthrough level, 28 Year 7s achieved the bronze certificate and 8 achieved the silver.
- At foundation level, Eloise in Year 8 achieved a silver certificate.
- At the intermediate level, we achieved 4 bronze certificates, 5 silver and 3 gold!
- At the higher level, congratulations to Beatrice who achieved a silver certificate.
All the students who participated are to be congratulated for their intellectual curiosity and willingness to take on this really challenging Olympiad!
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In other languages news, our A Level Spanish students recently headed into London, with Eve in Year 13 saying, “The A-Level Spanish students enjoyed a performance of “La Casa de Bernarda Alba” at the Cervantes Theatre. Everyone enjoyed watching the play, performed solely in Spanish be put to life, witnessing key moments including Adela breaking Bernarda’s stick in the final act. The actresses performed with passion and conveyed the tragicness in Lorca’s final work before his death”. Cristina Sanchez, Head of MFL, told me that after the visit Isabella, Year 12, made an amazingly professional animation encapsulating the main characters which you can see on the right hand side here!
In other languages news, our A Level Spanish students recently headed into London, with Eve in Year 13 saying, “The A-Level Spanish students enjoyed a performance of “La Casa de Bernarda Alba” at the Cervantes Theatre. Everyone enjoyed watching the play, performed solely in Spanish be put to life, witnessing key moments including Adela breaking Bernarda’s stick in the final act. The actresses performed with passion and conveyed the tragicness in Lorca’s final work before his death”. Cristina Sanchez, Head of MFL, told me that after the visit Isabella, Year 12, made an amazingly professional animation encapsulating the main characters which you can see on the right hand side here!
JAGS is committed to supporting training teachers and we are delighted to be hosting three trainees this term, in Art, Maths and Classics.
Here Chloe Lecuyer-Mayo, Trainee teacher of Art, and Imaf Guerziz, Trainee teacher of Maths, reflect on their time so far with us:
Hello, my name is Chloe, and I am training to be an Art teacher. I graduated from the University of Leeds in 2018 with First Class Honours in Fine Art, and since then have worked in Brand Design and as a Food Stylist for Film and Television. I decided to go into teaching because I was looking for a way to reconnect with my own artistic practice and because I am desperate to share my love of art, craft and design with young people!
Carrying out my second placement at JAGS is a real privilege, it has been an absolute joy to teach such creative, keen and determined critical thinkers and I have loved guiding them into refining technical skill and exploring big ideas. So far, I have enjoyed drawing maps of utopias with Year 7, creating large scale textile pieces with Year 8 and exploring sculpture with Year 9.
As an Art teacher in training, I am learning the best ways to teach technical skill, but I am also learning that teaching Art is equally about teaching history, politics, activism and philosophy. What has been great about working at JAGS, is having the opportunity to engage students in talking about big ideas. Discussing Object Oriented Ontology with Year 9 (a philosophical theory that I only just managed to get my head around in my final year of university) has been a particular highlight.
JAGS offers a fantastic variety of extra-curricular clubs and activities and it has been brilliant to have the opportunity to start my own club! On Monday lunchtimes, I run a club for some Year 8 students called DOUGH CLUB. We are making a dinner set out of salt dough, once this is baked and painted with food safe glaze, we will make fresh pasta and eat from our lovely handmade plates! We have had a great time using dough, which exists in different forms in every country around the world, as a starting point to explore ways in which art, design and food can lead to shared experience, understanding and communion.
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Hi, I am Imad Guerziz and I am training to be a Maths teacher, having studied Biomedicine at university followed by a Masters in Molecular Medicine. I have loved working at JAGS for a number of reasons. From the very beginning the Maths department have been extremely supportive and welcoming. The teachers have made me feel at home and involved in the department throughout the half term. The students at JAGS are extremely friendly and a pleasure to teach. All the students I have taught are extremely engaged and have very high aspirations; I have met some extremely talented students with a very bright future ahead of them. They also find some of my Maths jokes amusing which is very rare! Being a part of the school’s Biochemistry Society has allowed me to present my previous research which I hope has given students an insight into research-based subjects at university. I have also had the pleasure of watching excellent presentations led by students with a very high level of detail. Overall, my experience at JAGS has been amazing and I am sure the students will all achieve very highly and will go on to do expectational things in life.
Key Stage 3 Update
There is a real sense of excitement in the air as the Easter holidays creep ever closer. This break is much needed by staff and students alike and it will be a fantastic opportunity for the KS3 students to relax, recharge, read and get ready for the summer term. There is no homework set for the girls over the holidays but we do encourage them to read for pleasure as much as possible.
Year 7 returned from Hindleap Warren and have been sharing stories and memories of the trip. It was wonderful to see them enjoying the assembly last week and there was much laughter in the hall as the photographs of their muddy adventures scrolled on the screen.
Myfanwy Bournon, Head of KS3
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This week MFL screened Encanto in Spanish and they have had chance to spend more time outside in the sunshine. Multicultural Evening proved to be extremely successful and it was wonderful to see the students dressed up during the day to celebrate their own cultures. KS3 also had an assembly in the morning, given by our Equity and Respect prefects, and they delivered messages of tolerance, acceptance and inclusion which perfectly match our ethos as a diverse and inclusive community at JAGS.
Year 8 have received the news of their September residential with excitement. As they move into Year 9 and into their new forms, they will get chance to bond and settle with their group at PGL. There are many summer term events for everyone to look forward to as well!
We have had lots of students representing the school in the Spring Concerts and at Cadogan Hall. The musical talent on display has been wonderful to watch and I hope that more students will be encouraged to get involved in our musical ensembles.
All that remains is for me to wish you all a restful Easter Holiday. I look forward to welcoming the students back to school for the start of the summer term on the 26th April.
This week MFL screened Encanto in Spanish and they have had chance to spend more time outside in the sunshine. Multicultural Evening proved to be extremely successful and it was wonderful to see the students dressed up during the day to celebrate their own cultures. KS3 also had an assembly in the morning, given by our Equity and Respect prefects, and they delivered messages of tolerance, acceptance and inclusion which perfectly match our ethos as a diverse and inclusive community at JAGS.
Year 8 have received the news of their September residential with excitement. As they move into Year 9 and into their new forms, they will get chance to bond and settle with their group at PGL. There are many summer term events for everyone to look forward to as well!
We have had lots of students representing the school in the Spring Concerts and at Cadogan Hall. The musical talent on display has been wonderful to watch and I hope that more students will be encouraged to get involved in our musical ensembles.
All that remains is for me to wish you all a restful Easter Holiday. I look forward to welcoming the students back to school for the start of the summer term on the 26th April.
Key Stage 4 Update
The end of term is here and it has been a busy and productive one. We are tremendously proud of all members of Years 10 and 11, and their numerous achievements this term. We have enjoyed music performances, sports fixtures, PSHCE talks and fundraising initiatives. Year 10 are gearing up for their Duke of Edinburgh’s expedition this weekend, and specific congratulations must got to Charlotte in Year 10 who won the Worshipful Company of Educators’ Public Speaking competition. What an achievement!
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my huge thanks to Mr Jermond who has been a fantastic acting Head of Year 10 – I know that the students have really benefitted from his care and wisdom. After Easter, Miss Canessa will take on the role and look after Year 10 next term and throughout Year 11.
I do hope that everyone enjoys a restful break. Yes, Year 11 will want to spend time revising for the forthcoming GCSE examinations, but balance is key, and I hope that plenty of rest and relaxation will be factored into those revision schedules!
Anna Jones, Head of Key Stage 4
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KS4 enjoyed attending assembly together in the VWA last week to hear a talk from PLAN International as part of our International Women’s Day celebrations. All students then took part in some follow up discussions in their PSHCE lessons, focusing specifically on how to break the bias. We hope to continue these discussions over the coming weeks. Particular thanks must also go to some of our Year 10 students who are currently helping to plan initiatives to raise money for Ukraine, and we look forward to seeing the outcome of their efforts in the coming weeks.
KS4 enjoyed attending assembly together in the VWA last week to hear a talk from PLAN International as part of our International Women’s Day celebrations. All students then took part in some follow up discussions in their PSHCE lessons, focusing specifically on how to break the bias. We hope to continue these discussions over the coming weeks. Particular thanks must also go to some of our Year 10 students who are currently helping to plan initiatives to raise money for Ukraine, and we look forward to seeing the outcome of their efforts in the coming weeks.
Sixth Form Update
As we come to the end of an incredibly busy, fun and productive term, I would like to thank everyone involved in the Sixth Form community for their contribution to the positive spirit and effervescent atmosphere in and around the Sixth Form area. From the students to the schoolkeepers, to the cleaning, catering and administrative colleagues, to the form tutors, subject teachers, members of SSLT, pastoral and HE and careers teams and the student leaders, everyone has played their part!
The proactive, ‘can do’ approach was demonstrated perfectly by the Multicultural Day and evening event. The idea to rejuvenate Multicultural Evening was a key aim of the 2021-22 Head Girl team and Ore and Jhenica have shown the dedication and commitment (assisted by some key member of staff in Ms Payne, Miss McDonald, Mrs Billington and Ms Vanderpump) to produce a fantastic experience involving international food, dress and culture. Thank you. Many Sixth Form students performed in the event and a very proud Head of Sixth Form, along with a packed audience in the Prissian Theatre, was enthralled by the event.
Mat Weeks, Head of Sixth Form
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Alongside interesting and informative lectures, JAGS students have been delivering articulate talks themselves. The Sixth Form section assembly gave two students the opportunity to talk about how they have helped to effect positive change in the world around them. Mia spoke about her volunteer work with Barnado’s and Esme about her volunteering in the Climate Movement, focusing in particular on the efforts that were made to assist climate change volunteers in Afghanistan.
At this time of year Year 12 students provide a series of thought-provoking talks known as “JAGS Talks” in which they create and deliver a talk to their peers and assembled teachers on anything that interests them academically. This proves to be great experience in refining their public speaking skills and also their ability to deliver complicated and extensive research in a clear and accessible way. The “JAGS Talks” season kicked off with Caitlin and Laura’s engaging and highly professional talks and there have been many more most lunchtimes since then.
The Sixth Form assembly on 25 March provided the opportunity to thank so many Sixth Form students for their contributions to the life of the school and the wider community. Whilst impossible to mention everyone and everything, it was a pleasure to be able to celebrate the talents, efforts and enthusiasm of the community across so many different spheres, from sport, to drama, to the dance Show, to GB tag rugby, to the Chemistry Olympiad, to volunteering, to team and individual sport, and to the JAGS magical musical sound.
Well done to everyone and I hope that rest, recharge and relaxation follows in the Easter holidays in order to have a productive, successful and enjoyable summer term.
Alongside interesting and informative lectures, JAGS students have been delivering articulate talks themselves. The Sixth Form section assembly gave two students the opportunity to talk about how they have helped to effect positive change in the world around them. Mia spoke about her volunteer work with Barnado’s and Esme about her volunteering in the Climate Movement, focusing in particular on the efforts that were made to assist climate change volunteers in Afghanistan.
At this time of year Year 12 students provide a series of thought-provoking talks known as “JAGS Talks” in which they create and deliver a talk to their peers and assembled teachers on anything that interests them academically. This proves to be great experience in refining their public speaking skills and also their ability to deliver complicated and extensive research in a clear and accessible way. The “JAGS Talks” season kicked off with Caitlin and Laura’s engaging and highly professional talks and there have been many more most lunchtimes since then.
The Sixth Form assembly on 25 March provided the opportunity to thank so many Sixth Form students for their contributions to the life of the school and the wider community. Whilst impossible to mention everyone and everything, it was a pleasure to be able to celebrate the talents, efforts and enthusiasm of the community across so many different spheres, from sport, to drama, to the dance Show, to GB tag rugby, to the Chemistry Olympiad, to volunteering, to team and individual sport, and to the JAGS magical musical sound.
Well done to everyone and I hope that rest, recharge and relaxation follows in the Easter holidays in order to have a productive, successful and enjoyable summer term.
Music
Music is alive and well at JAGS! The Spring Term has been capped by prominent performances that have brought all the pupils’ hard work to fruition. “All That Jazz!” was held for the first time in the VWA and contained groups from both JAGS and Dulwich College, featuring Swing Beans – a jazz group in their final year at JAGS who started their musical journey together as a jazz group back in Year 8. Well over £200 was raised for LinkAge Southwark. Then the Spring Concert! Bel Canto, Chorale, half a dozen wind-and-brass groups and Concert Orchestra gave it their all throughout a scintillating evening in the VWA. The final event of term – the Choral & Orchestral Concert – was held this year in Cadogan Hall just off Sloane Square: well over one hundred Senior School pupils descended upon this glorious concert venue for an evening of beautiful music celebrating in equal measure the Platinum Jubilee and Vaughan Williams’ 150th anniversary. The evening culminated in a rendition of Zadok the Priest delivered by all JAGS musicians. Congratulations to Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra, Symphonic Winds, Holst Choir, Madrigalists and JAGS Choral Society for a wonderful performance. Special mention must be made of Year 13 Music Scholar Emily who capped the evening with Arutiunian’s Trumpet Concerto.
Sport
What a great term of sporting achievements for our JAGS pupils. We are coming to the end of our netball, hockey and swimming seasons and the end of an era for one particular year group. However, our pupils and staff are much looking forward to the summer term ahead, including sports such as athletics, tennis and cricket.
We would firstly like to say a huge congratulations to the Year 13s. It has been an emotional finish for our seniors, who had their last hockey and netball fixture ever this term! The PE Department would like to say thank you for all your years of hard work and dedication to your sports. What a journey you have all been on and it has been an absolute pleasure to be part of it! You will have been an inspiration to those in the younger years who will continue to love their sport as much as you have.
This dedication and commitment has been demonstrated by the some of our KS2, KS3 and KS4 pupils, who had competed in the National Schools Modern Biathlon Finals at The University of Bath. You ran so hard and swam so fast, resulting in some incredible individual scores! A special well done to the U14 team of; Jessica, Tabitha and Valentina who finished 3rd in the National Finals. What an amazing achievement!
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In addition to this, the rowing squad have had some brilliant friendly fixtures against local London schools. They have demonstrated their passion for rowing with early morning sessions before school, back to back sessions in their games afternoons and weekend fixtures in all types of weather conditions. Keep up the fantastic work! We are looking forward to launching the rowing programme for the current Year 9s – watch this space.
The whole school had a very exciting morning last week, special guest Kate Richardson Walsh, Hockey Olympic Gold and Bronze Medallist gave an inspirational assembly on her story as a Hockey player. Kate then spent time with the Hockey 1st XI, chatting about her pathway and passing on advice and guidance to the team. Kate then visited our Year 7 Hockey team, who were given some expert advice as they were heading to compete in the London Tier 2 finals. A great morning and huge inspiration to our pupils!
Well done to all squads who have shown fantastic commitment and enthusiasm to their training and fixtures so far this year. We have had an outstanding 150 netball and 130 hockey fixtures across all year groups since the start of September.
The PE department are very proud of all our students excellent sporting achievements this year and are looking forward to summer term to continue these successes!
In addition to this, the rowing squad have had some brilliant friendly fixtures against local London schools. They have demonstrated their passion for rowing with early morning sessions before school, back to back sessions in their games afternoons and weekend fixtures in all types of weather conditions. Keep up the fantastic work! We are looking forward to launching the rowing programme for the current Year 9s – watch this space.
The whole school had a very exciting morning last week, special guest Kate Richardson Walsh, Hockey Olympic Gold and Bronze Medallist gave an inspirational assembly on her story as a Hockey player. Kate then spent time with the Hockey 1st XI, chatting about her pathway and passing on advice and guidance to the team. Kate then visited our Year 7 Hockey team, who were given some expert advice as they were heading to compete in the London Tier 2 finals. A great morning and huge inspiration to our pupils!
Well done to all squads who have shown fantastic commitment and enthusiasm to their training and fixtures so far this year. We have had an outstanding 150 netball and 130 hockey fixtures across all year groups since the start of September.
The PE department are very proud of all our students excellent sporting achievements this year and are looking forward to summer term to continue these successes!
English
Last Wednesday, the English department took two Year 10 students, Anika and Charlotte, to a public speaking competition run by the Worshipful Company of Educators. It was a London-wide contest held at the Anglia Ruskin University in Farringdon. Schools such as Merchant Taylors, City of London Girls and City of London were competing. Both students did exceptionally well and we are delighted to report that Charlotte was awarded 1st place. She received a trophy and £100 of WHSmith vouchers. Congratulations to her!
MFL
It’s been another busy fortnight for the MFL department, as well as the Olympiad success and Spanish trip shared in Alice’s Teaching and Learning section above, we have also had the brilliant MFL Just Dance event and a French patisserie themed bake off. Pupils and teachers alike enjoyed throwing some shapes at the Just Dance event and lots of fun was had by all. Year 10 students took part in a bake off as part of their enrichment activity, Discovering French Patisserie. All of the entries were amazing. The winners were Rose and Olivia with their profiterole tree – congratulations to them!
History of Art
JAGS Art Historians visited the beautifully refurbished Courtauld Institute at the end of term to study their Renaissance collection, and look in particular at the work of Eduard Manet in the top galleries where Year 13 students Ore and Zeynap presented to the group on these key A level case studies. We also visited Kehinde Wiley’s stunning exhibition ‘Prelude’ at the National Gallery where students were entranced by his extraordinary landscape images.
Geography
Year 8 trip to Kew Gardens
We were able to take all of Year 8 to Kew Gardens for the day to learn about microclimates and ecosystems, applying the learning they have been doing in the classroom to real life contexts and environments.
Half of the day was spent using scientific equipment such as soil thermometers, anemometers, humidity and light sensors to collect data at different sites around Kew in order to suggest appropriate locations to grow certain plants. The other half of the day was spent exploring the Temperate and Palm Houses. Students were investigating all their amazing plants and how they are used, from everyday products to medicine to research. We also climbed the 118 steps up to the treetop walkway to get an amazing view across Kew and Southwest London.
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Eloise: I enjoyed the trip because it was amazing to see so many plants that are very rare and beautiful and also because it was lovely to learn about microclimates while being outside in the sun and green.
Nicole: I enjoyed the trip because there were loads of plants that I don’t normally see, especially in the greenhouses, and the weather that day was great. There were a lot of endangered plants and a small section with some carnivorous plants. I learnt that some plants can be used for food, medicine and still be poisonous, but it depends what part you use or how you cook it.
Students took part in a photo competition with winning entries here from Clara, Nerys, Pheobe, Rose, Luna and Bethel.
Year 8 Sustainability Careers Event
Twenty students from Year 8 took part in a Sustainable Start-Up Careers event. They learnt about the components of a start-up – the head; the idea, the heart; the people and the blood; the money. They discussed how to ensure a business is sustainable by looking at real life examples such as Airbnb and they took part in a challenge to design their own start up. We had business ideas ranging from a car which was run off solar and hydro power to a local sustainable restaurant. The winning team have a ‘horses mouth prize,’ they will be put in touch with a industry professional of their choice to have a meeting to discuss that industry and the pathways to entering that career.
The winning team of Tiffany, Shayna and Aileen said:
“I learnt that a business has many parts to it, like maintaining a good cash flow and that sustainability is very important. I found it very fun and interesting.”
“I learnt that sustainability supports a business by showing how a product can operate in a social and economic environment and I found it very interesting and beneficial.”
Eloise: I enjoyed the trip because it was amazing to see so many plants that are very rare and beautiful and also because it was lovely to learn about microclimates while being outside in the sun and green.
Nicole: I enjoyed the trip because there were loads of plants that I don’t normally see, especially in the greenhouses, and the weather that day was great. There were a lot of endangered plants and a small section with some carnivorous plants. I learnt that some plants can be used for food, medicine and still be poisonous, but it depends what part you use or how you cook it.
Students took part in a photo competition with winning entries here from Clara, Nerys, Pheobe, Rose, Luna and Bethel.
Year 8 Sustainability Careers Event
Twenty students from Year 8 took part in a Sustainable Start-Up Careers event. They learnt about the components of a start-up – the head; the idea, the heart; the people and the blood; the money. They discussed how to ensure a business is sustainable by looking at real life examples such as Airbnb and they took part in a challenge to design their own start up. We had business ideas ranging from a car which was run off solar and hydro power to a local sustainable restaurant. The winning team have a ‘horses mouth prize,’ they will be put in touch with a industry professional of their choice to have a meeting to discuss that industry and the pathways to entering that career.
The winning team of Tiffany, Shayna and Aileen said:
“I learnt that a business has many parts to it, like maintaining a good cash flow and that sustainability is very important. I found it very fun and interesting.”
“I learnt that sustainability supports a business by showing how a product can operate in a social and economic environment and I found it very interesting and beneficial.”
Maths
Monday 14th to Friday 18th March was Maths Week, and what an amazing week it was! Each day was filled with activities that all years could participate in. There was the Pi Recital competition where students recited digits of Pi and those who could do the most won prizes (the record was Serena in Year 8, with a whopping 110 digits!), and each contender was given a pie! There was also a Countdown competition which was a replica of the Maths portion of the beloved quiz show, and it was a joy to see so many students unleash their competitive side through Maths whilst playing. Another highlight was the Maths Trail, a mathematical version of a scavenger hunt, where questions were put up around the school consisting of problems that involved different parts of the JAGS grounds. I was so impressed to see students running around during rec and lunch to find these questions!
The week was delightful, and we’re thrilled by the participation from students all over the school which proved just how many of us have a love for Maths.
Abinaya, Maths Prefect.
Careers
Careers Committee
Thank you to the brilliant Careers Committee this year! The Year 13 students took on an important role initiating, supporting and delivering Careers & Higher Education events including the Careers assembly this term focusing on careers within the theme of sustainability. Their student voice has been highly influential. A big thank you at all those involved including Zoe, Aliyah, Daniyah, Alice, Evie, Hannah, Izzy, Asmara and Ammara.
JAGS Biennial Law Talk
Fifty students in KS4 and KS5 from Southwark Learning Partnership Schools joined the talk hosted at JAGS on Thursday 17th March. The focus was Post Graduate Law Conversion Courses, aimed at students thinking of a career in Law but considering studying an alternative undergraduate degree first. We were joined by three JAGS alumnae; Freddie Onslow, Ese Overo-Tarimo and Frances Snowball, all from different undergraduate backgrounds who have since completed or embarked on the post graduate conversion course (GDL and LPC). The panel also included Salome Verrell, Senior Lecturer at the University of Law who talked about the SQE which is the qualification route for post graduates since September 2021. The talk was well-received and students participated in a lively question and answer session, with honest and informative responses from our excellent panel.
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Morgan Stanley Step In, Step Up
The Morgan Stanley Step In, Step Up programme offers the opportunity for Sixth Form students to explore career opportunities in the banking, business and technology sectors. Two Year 12 students took part in the Insight to Banking event over February half-term:
“I participated in the Morgan Stanley Programme and I really enjoyed it! I learnt a lot about the different departments in the bank and also its culture, so it was quite useful. We also got to work in teams with other students to pitch a business idea to professionals (with someone helping us and giving us advice) which was a valuable experience, and the whole programme was interactive, so overall it was great! “ Vanessa
“I took part in the Morgan Stanley Step In, Step Up programme and it was insightful and gave me a great support system for starting a career in finance.” Anna
There will be further opportunities for Year 12 and Year 13 students to join Morgan Stanley’s insight programmes in the Summer Term.
IBM Futures Gap Year Programme
Congratulations to Sumaiya who has successfully gained a place on the IBM Futures 12-month gap year placement scheme. Application is competitive and includes various pre-application tests, an assessment centre and final interviews. This is an invaluable opportunity for Sumaiya to work with a world-leading company broadening horizons and gaining a head start in her career before embarking on her Civil Engineering degree in 2023. Very well done.
Women of the Future TSB Corporate Visit
In celebration of International Women’s Day and to coincide with National Careers Week, we were invited by the Women of the Future organisation to take part in a corporate visit to TSB. Pinky Lilani, CBE DL, welcomed attendees including Annie and Vanessa in Year 12, and challenged students to break the bias by being curious, courageous and kind. TSB colleagues from different departments within the bank explained their roles and how their work relates to TSB’s overall purpose. This was followed by a networking opportunity allowing students to speak to employees and find out more about their career paths.
The Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics
Well done to Emily, Georgia and Caitlin in Year 12 whose entry for the Oxford Uehiro Centre Practical Ethics and Responsibility competition 2022 was highly commended.
Advocacy Academy Talk
In February, Year 11 & Year 12 students heard from the Advocacy Academy about their Social Justice Leadership programme, a six-month course in social justice. Good luck to those who have applied to take part.
Careers and Higher Education Day
Year 12 students had a full day off timetable on 2nd March to take part in the Careers and Higher Education Day. A wide variety of talks and seminars were available to help students explore all future progression options including university in the UK or abroad, gap year, foundation courses, apprenticeships and other work-based opportunities. There were sessions on Employability, Super-curricular activities, CV writing and preparing for the UCAS Exhibition. The day culminated with our ever-popular Q&A panel. This year we were joined by representatives from Bath, Durham, Nottingham, UCL and Projects Abroad. Well done to our Year 12 students for their thoughtful questions. Thank you to JAGS staff and external providers Push, Plymouth College of Art, Young Professionals, Oxbridge Applications, African Impact and the panel representatives for such an inspiring and informative day for the Year 12s as they think about their plans for the future.
So you want to be ….. Law Talk
JAGS hosted the Southwark School’s Learning Partnership Careers event this term with a live webinar for KS3 students thinking about a career in Law. Four JAGS sixth formers hosted the event via zoom, introducing the two speakers and putting questions to them from the live JAGS audience and from other students who attended virtually.
Our two excellent speakers were Pam Dusu and Saud Aziz. Pam is a JAGS alumna, who read law at the University of Cambridge and is now a senior lawyer at energy developer Globeleq. Pam was joined by her colleague Saud, a trainee solicitor at Clifford Chance. They both talked about their life as lawyers, and students benefitted hugely from their passion and insight. A big thank you to the following Year 12 students for hosting: Emma, Isabelle, Grace and Shelline.
Morgan Stanley Step In, Step Up
The Morgan Stanley Step In, Step Up programme offers the opportunity for Sixth Form students to explore career opportunities in the banking, business and technology sectors. Two Year 12 students took part in the Insight to Banking event over February half-term:
“I participated in the Morgan Stanley Programme and I really enjoyed it! I learnt a lot about the different departments in the bank and also its culture, so it was quite useful. We also got to work in teams with other students to pitch a business idea to professionals (with someone helping us and giving us advice) which was a valuable experience, and the whole programme was interactive, so overall it was great! “ Vanessa
“I took part in the Morgan Stanley Step In, Step Up programme and it was insightful and gave me a great support system for starting a career in finance.” Anna
There will be further opportunities for Year 12 and Year 13 students to join Morgan Stanley’s insight programmes in the Summer Term.
IBM Futures Gap Year Programme
Congratulations to Sumaiya who has successfully gained a place on the IBM Futures 12-month gap year placement scheme. Application is competitive and includes various pre-application tests, an assessment centre and final interviews. This is an invaluable opportunity for Sumaiya to work with a world-leading company broadening horizons and gaining a head start in her career before embarking on her Civil Engineering degree in 2023. Very well done.
Women of the Future TSB Corporate Visit
In celebration of International Women’s Day and to coincide with National Careers Week, we were invited by the Women of the Future organisation to take part in a corporate visit to TSB. Pinky Lilani, CBE DL, welcomed attendees including Annie and Vanessa in Year 12, and challenged students to break the bias by being curious, courageous and kind. TSB colleagues from different departments within the bank explained their roles and how their work relates to TSB’s overall purpose. This was followed by a networking opportunity allowing students to speak to employees and find out more about their career paths.
The Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics
Well done to Emily, Georgia and Caitlin in Year 12 whose entry for the Oxford Uehiro Centre Practical Ethics and Responsibility competition 2022 was highly commended.
Advocacy Academy Talk
In February, Year 11 & Year 12 students heard from the Advocacy Academy about their Social Justice Leadership programme, a six-month course in social justice. Good luck to those who have applied to take part.
Careers and Higher Education Day
Year 12 students had a full day off timetable on 2nd March to take part in the Careers and Higher Education Day. A wide variety of talks and seminars were available to help students explore all future progression options including university in the UK or abroad, gap year, foundation courses, apprenticeships and other work-based opportunities. There were sessions on Employability, Super-curricular activities, CV writing and preparing for the UCAS Exhibition. The day culminated with our ever-popular Q&A panel. This year we were joined by representatives from Bath, Durham, Nottingham, UCL and Projects Abroad. Well done to our Year 12 students for their thoughtful questions. Thank you to JAGS staff and external providers Push, Plymouth College of Art, Young Professionals, Oxbridge Applications, African Impact and the panel representatives for such an inspiring and informative day for the Year 12s as they think about their plans for the future.
So you want to be ….. Law Talk
JAGS hosted the Southwark School’s Learning Partnership Careers event this term with a live webinar for KS3 students thinking about a career in Law. Four JAGS sixth formers hosted the event via zoom, introducing the two speakers and putting questions to them from the live JAGS audience and from other students who attended virtually.
Our two excellent speakers were Pam Dusu and Saud Aziz. Pam is a JAGS alumna, who read law at the University of Cambridge and is now a senior lawyer at energy developer Globeleq. Pam was joined by her colleague Saud, a trainee solicitor at Clifford Chance. They both talked about their life as lawyers, and students benefitted hugely from their passion and insight. A big thank you to the following Year 12 students for hosting: Emma, Isabelle, Grace and Shelline.