Welcome from the Head
Dear Parents
Welcome to this week’s newsletter, reaching you at the end of our first fortnight back at school in 2026. It was super to see the school fill up again after the Christmas break, and it never ceases to amaze me how quickly our students settle back into routine after their time away.
We had our termly JPA Committee meeting last week; thank you to our fabulous team of parent volunteers who are already planning events for this term and next. Their hard work is hugely appreciated: not only do the JPA events bring our community closer together, but they also help to raise money for the James Allen Bursary Fund throughout the year.
As we continue work on our next School Strategic Development Plan, which will guide our vision for the next five years, we are committed to gathering feedback from all members of the JAGS community. We are grateful to all parents who have already completed the survey and kindly invite those who have not yet done so to share their views by next Friday via the link HERE.
At the start of this week, we were transported back to the American West for Year 10’s production of Echoes of the Frontier. Exploring themes of identity, memory and the voices history leaves behind, the Year 10 ensemble’s atmospheric recreation of the tale of legendary outlaw Sadie Quinn was a thoroughly immersive evening of drama. Well done to everyone! Continuing in the busy cycle of creative life at JAGS, on Thursday we shared Year 13’s A Level Art Exhibition, Fragmented Worlds, a brilliant showcase of our artists’ unique visions, talents and hard work. Tonight is our annual PopFest – and we are really looking forward to cheering on our performers from across the year groups.
Well done to Year 11, who have been so impressive throughout the period of their Mock Exams for the past fortnight. I hope you can all have a well-deserved rest this weekend!
With best wishes,
Mrs Alex Hutchinson
Head
Dates for your Diary
- Thursday 29 January – 6pm – Multicultural Evening (VWA)
- Saturday 31 January – 4pm – Holst Choir: Evensong Trip to Greenwich (Old Royal Naval Chapel)
- Monday 2 February – 6pm – UCL Classics Theatre Trip (Bloomsbury Theatre)
- Tuesday 3 February – 6pm – Year 11 Parents’ Evening (VWA / Dining Hall )
- Thursday 5 February – 8:45am – Y11 Classics Trip to British Museum
- Friday 6 February – 5:30pm – Joint Evensong with Dulwich College (Christ’s Chapel, Dulwich)
- Friday 6 February to Sunday 8 February – Exploring Christianity Trip (Shatterling, Kent)
- Monday 9 February – 6pm – Chamber Music Festival (Holst Hall)
- Wednesday 11 February -7pm – Sixth Form Information Evening for Year 12 Parents (VWA)
Reporting Absences
A reminder to all parents to use this form to report absence in the Senior School due to illness or to request absence for appointments. This form can also be found on our Contact page.
Additionally, when informing a teacher of any health issues your daughter may be facing, please remember to cc our School Nurse team on Nurse@jags.org.uk.
Travelling to JAGS
We kindly ask that visitors and parents do not wait on either side of East Dulwich Grove or its side roads, including Great Spilmans.
Second-hand Uniform Sales
Second-hand Uniform Sales will take place between 7:45am and 8:30am in the VWA on the following dates:
- Friday 6 February 2026
- Wednesday 4 March 2026
- Wednesday 13 May 2026
- Wednesday 3 June 2026
Please note these are student-only events. Both cash and card payments will be accepted.
Sixth Form Update
The new year started with a powerful and timely message for the Sixth Form community during Mrs Hutchinson’s welcome back assembly: treat oneself as one would treat one’s friend. In other words, it is just as important to be kind to ourselves as it is to others.
As we move into the mock A Level season, alongside news of university offers for Year 13 and Higher Education considerations for Year 12, this message feels particularly important. It is all too easy for students’ wellbeing to be affected by self-critical thoughts and feelings of inadequacy when comparing themselves to others. The message was truly on point for the overarching themes of the #SixthJourneyTogether: Fun, Responsibility and Kindness.
Year 12 students have embarked upon this term’s lecture series with an introductory session outlining the Higher Education and Careers programme, followed this week by a lecture focused on how to choose a university and course. At the time of writing, they are also busy preparing their entries for the New Year Sixth Form Challenge, centred around the theme of Jamuary.
Mat Weeks, Head of Sixth Form
-
Continued . . .
University offers for Year 13 students are currently arriving thick and fast, from a wide range of institutions and across a variety of subject areas. Students’ minds are certainly being sharpened for the weeks ahead, and there is a strong sense of determination across the cohort as they look towards their mock examinations after half term. This follows a revision workshop delivered by Elevate Education last week, which provided practical support and motivation.
In the sometimes dreary and dull days of January, as ever, the Sixth Form community never fail to brighten the spirit.
Happy Weekend.
University offers for Year 13 students are currently arriving thick and fast, from a wide range of institutions and across a variety of subject areas. Students’ minds are certainly being sharpened for the weeks ahead, and there is a strong sense of determination across the cohort as they look towards their mock examinations after half term. This follows a revision workshop delivered by Elevate Education last week, which provided practical support and motivation.
In the sometimes dreary and dull days of January, as ever, the Sixth Form community never fail to brighten the spirit.
Happy Weekend.
New Appointments
Kristina Lewis
Deputy Head Academic
Joining as Deputy Head Academic is Ms Kristina Lewis, who was previously Deputy Head Academic at Blackheath High School and before that Assistant Head (Teaching & Learning) at Francis Holland School.
Kristina brings an innovative and rigorous academic vision, grounded in robust pedagogical research and exemplary classroom practice. She has a deep appreciation for curriculum design and the processes of learning, and is committed to fostering an environment in which intellectual curiosity, scholarly ambition, and a genuine love of learning can flourish.
She read History at the University of Cambridge before completing a master’s degree in politics and education at UCL. She is passionate about empowering young women to think critically about the world and to use their voices with purpose and confidence. Kristina will also be teaching in the History and Politics department.
Looking ahead to her new role, Kristina commented: “I am most excited about getting to know the girls and hearing their stories about what makes JAGS such a special place to learn and flourish. Together with their teachers, I look forward to shaping our academic offering so that we continue to pave the way for the adults of tomorrow.”
Craig Batty
Deputy Head Community & Co-Curricular
Mr Craig Batty joins as Deputy Head Community & Co‑Curricular. With previous experience at Sydenham High School GDST and Wimbledon High School GDST, Craig brings extensive expertise in girls’ education, alongside over a decade of experience as Deputy Head Academic. He has a deep understanding of how an inclusive approach enriches a school community.
Craig will also teach in the Biology Department. He studied Marine Biology at Bangor University, where he developed a passion for outdoor pursuits that continues to this day. Outside of school, Craig sings in a local choir, plays the piano, and enjoys baking bread.
Reflecting on his appointment, Craig said: “It is a privilege to join such a dynamic, vibrant, and diverse community, and I am excited about the journey ahead. I believe in a holistic approach to education, where academic excellence dovetails with pastoral care and participation in co‑curricular and community activities. These opportunities help girls build self‑belief and confidence, empowering them to step into the world with a passion for life and learning.”
Social Impact Report
Social Impact Report 2024-25
We are proud to share highlights from our latest Social Impact Report – a reflection of the values that have shaped JAGS since 1741.
Covering the 2024–25 academic year, the report showcases our continued commitment to James Allen’s philanthropic vision and the positive impact of this work within our community and beyond.
Read the report in full HERE
Drama
This week, our Year 10 theatre company, In the Wings, transported audiences to the dying edge of the American West with their evocative performances of Echoes of the Frontier.
The memory play, written by the Drama Department’s very own Lewis Newman, explored freedom, survival, and the cost of change, framed by the arrest of legendary outlaw Sadie Quinn.
After a short but intensive rehearsal period, the company worked as a tight ensemble, collaborating to create a production full of nuance and emotional depth. Through evocative storytelling and layered performances, the cast brought to life a world of love, loss, and resilience as Sadie and her band of women fought to carve out their place in a changing landscape.
A huge congratulations to the cast and crew for their creativity, commitment, and teamwork in producing such a memorable and moving piece of theatre.
Art
Fragmented Worlds
Last night, we were treated to an incredible evening of creativity at Fragmented Worlds, our A Level Art Coursework Exhibition.
The evening showcased the unique works of our brilliant Year 13 students, the culmination of their personal investigations.
Each piece reflected not only technical skill but also striking individuality and originality, demonstrating the confidence with which our students have developed their creative voice during their studies.
MFL
UK Linguistics Olympiad
On Tuesday afternoon, it was wonderful to see so many aspiring linguists engaging with complex language puzzles, testing their logical thinking and pattern recognition skills as they competed in the UK Linguistics Olympiad. The event offered an exciting glimpse into the analytical nature of linguistics and encouraged students to think creatively beyond the curriculum.
JAGS Alumnae
Head Alex Hutchinson is delighted to host our inaugural 1741 Club Benefactors’ Reception, a special evening taking place on Thursday 12 March 2026, dedicated to celebrating the generosity of the parents, alumnae and others in the JAGS community who so kindly support the JAGS Bursary Fund.
Guests will enjoy canapés and drinks in the Prissian Theatre and will have the opportunity to hear inspiring stories from alumnae about how much a life‑transforming JAGS bursary has meant to them, as well as to connect with fellow supporters who believe in the power of a JAGS education.
The 1741 Club Benefactors’ Reception is open to all who have made a donation to the JAGS Bursary Fund. All regular donations, no matter their size, ensure that future generations of talented JAGS students can benefit from the exceptional education we offer.
If you would like to join this incredible circle of supporters—and receive an invitation to the 1741 Club Benefactors’ Reception—we would be delighted to hear from you. To discover more about the 1741 Club and how to support the JAGS Bursary Fund, please click here or contact Karen Doyle at Karen.Doyle@jags.org.uk to discuss this further.
Founders Day 2025
Our Founder’s Day 2025 Bake Off winners were treated to a wonderful Tuscan cooking course at The Dolce Vita Kitchen, led by local Dulwich mum, Ilaria Bianchi. The group of Junior, Senior and Teacher Bake Off winners spent the morning learning authentic Italian techniques – from making fresh pasta to creating indulgent Italian desserts – and picking up tips to elevate their skills, which will hopefully inspire some show-stopping entries in next year’s competition! Thank you to Ilaria for donating this fabulous prize!
