Welcome from the Head
Dear Parents
Welcome to this week’s newsletter, rounding off a dizzying first half of term. Years 11 and 13 are firmly embedded in their GCSE and A Level seasons now, and a big well done to Years 7, 8 and 9 for seeing their way so sensibly through their period of assessments.
Thank you to all members of the community who shared their time to run activities during Wellbeing Week; I very much enjoyed lunchtimes of stitching, drawing and puzzling! We have also come together as a whole school to celebrate the Big House Bash this afternoon; it’s been great to see JAGS students of all ages sharing an afternoon of enjoyment and laughter.
It was a privilege to be at the Dulwich Picture Gallery last week to see Year 13 student, Maria, presented as the JAGS nominee for the Edward Alleyn Award for demonstrating the Alleynian virtues of creativity, enterprise and philanthropy. Thank you so much to the Dulwich Estate for hosting the event so generously. For further information, please see our article later on in this newsletter.
The Key Stage 4 Section of the newsletter reflects on our recent afternoon for Year 10, in which we remembered Helena and her many contributions to the life of our school. Helena’s parents would also like to thank those in the JAGS community who attended her funeral, who spoke at the event, who sent messages of support and offered their help to the family. We all look forward to seeing the positive difference that the community’s fundraising efforts will make in Helena’s memory.
Last weekend we celebrated with around 90 alumnae, who visited the school for our annual Alumnae Weekend. Following welcomes and speeches, our alumnae set off on tours of the site, and then settled down to a fabulous tea in the Dining Hall. Friendships were rekindled, memories were shared and countless (and sometimes unprintable …) stories were regaled!
Gold medals to any eagle-eyed among you … who spotted that JAGS was the venue for this week’s Question Time!
We look forward to seeing Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 back in school on Tuesday 3 June. Wishing you a wonderful half-term break.
Mrs Alex Hutchinson
Head
Dates for your Diary
- Monday 26 May to Friday 30 May – Half term
- Monday 2 June – Staff CPD Day
- Tuesday 3 June – Term begins
- Wednesday 4 June – 7:45am to 8:30am – Second-hand Uniform Sale (VWA)
- Thursday 12 June to Monday 16 June – Year 12 Biology trip to Morocco
- Thursday 12 June to Saturday 14 June – Year 9 and Year 10 French trip to Camiers
Reporting Absences
A reminder to all parents to use this form to report absence in the Senior School due to illness or to request absence for appointments. This form can also be found on our Contact page.
Additionally, when informing a teacher of any health issues your daughter may be facing, please remember to cc or School Nurse team on Nurse@jags.org.uk.
Key Stage 3 Update
The KS3 students have been hard at work planning and revising for their exams. We have been incredibly proud of the way they have demonstrated diligence whilst also maintaining their co-curricular commitments.
There have been so many highlights this half term. It has been an incredibly busy time for us in KS3, with trips going abroad and closer to home, as well as in-school competitions and challenges.
As exams draw to a close and the staff begin the process of marking and providing feedback, it is important for all students to appreciate how hard they have worked and to congratulate themselves on all that they have achieved.
The Big House Bash was a perfect way to celebrate our wonderful community and all that we enjoy here at JAGS.
I wish all of KS3 a restful and relaxing half term. Take the opportunity to have a complete digital detox and do lots of reading!
Myfanwy Bournon, Head of KS3
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Anthea Bell Prize
A cause for celebration from our MFL department is the news that Victoria (Y8K) has been awarded the area winner for the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators in Italian. Her poem demonstrated real command of the language as well as a beautiful appreciation for the genre of poetry.
Huge congratulations to Victoria!
You can read the poem and translation below:
In un libro (Roberto Piumini)
In un libro ci si tuffa
come un birba nella zuffa,
come in mare il cormorano,
o un pigrone sul divano,
come un bacio sulla guancia,
come lingua nell’arancia,
come l’ape dentro il fiore
o l’amante nell’amore,
come avaro nel guadagno,
o la rana nello stagno.
In un libro si sprofonda
come pesce dentro l’onda,
come verme dentro il prato,
come lingua nel gelato,
come testa in un cuscino,
o cucchiaio nel budino,
come naso in fazzoletto,
o assonnato nel suo letto,
come scimmia nel suo mango,
o maiale dentro il fango
Victoria’s translation:
Into a storybook you fall,
Like a rascal in a brawl,
Like a cormorant in the sea,
Or a couch potato watching TV,
Like a kiss on the head,
Like a tongue in chocolate spread,
Like a bee in a foxglove,
Or a lover in deep love,
Like a hoarder with much gold,
Or a bear out in the cold.
Into a storybook you see,
Like a fish in the sea,
Like a player in a team,
Like a tongue in ice cream,
Like a person in a bed,
Or a fork in banana bread,
Like a nose in a tissue,
Or a panda eating bamboo,
Like a monkey in a tree,
Or a pig in debris.
A cause for celebration from our MFL department is the news that Victoria (Y8K) has been awarded the area winner for the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators in Italian. Her poem demonstrated real command of the language as well as a beautiful appreciation for the genre of poetry.
Huge congratulations to Victoria!
You can read the poem and translation below:
In un libro (Roberto Piumini)
In un libro ci si tuffa
come un birba nella zuffa,
come in mare il cormorano,
o un pigrone sul divano,
come un bacio sulla guancia,
come lingua nell’arancia,
come l’ape dentro il fiore
o l’amante nell’amore,
come avaro nel guadagno,
o la rana nello stagno.
In un libro si sprofonda
come pesce dentro l’onda,
come verme dentro il prato,
come lingua nel gelato,
come testa in un cuscino,
o cucchiaio nel budino,
come naso in fazzoletto,
o assonnato nel suo letto,
come scimmia nel suo mango,
o maiale dentro il fango
Victoria’s translation:
Into a storybook you fall,
Like a rascal in a brawl,
Like a cormorant in the sea,
Or a couch potato watching TV,
Like a kiss on the head,
Like a tongue in chocolate spread,
Like a bee in a foxglove,
Or a lover in deep love,
Like a hoarder with much gold,
Or a bear out in the cold.
Into a storybook you see,
Like a fish in the sea,
Like a player in a team,
Like a tongue in ice cream,
Like a person in a bed,
Or a fork in banana bread,
Like a nose in a tissue,
Or a panda eating bamboo,
Like a monkey in a tree,
Or a pig in debris.
Key Stage 4 Update
GCSE Season in Full Swing for Year 11
The GCSE exams are now well underway, and we are incredibly proud of our Year 11 students for the maturity, resilience, and hard work they are showing as they move through their busy exam schedule.
From early morning revision sessions to quiet focus in the exam hall, they are handling this important time with true determination. We continue to support them every step of the way and wish them the very best for the remaining exams.
Hannah Dodson, Head of KS4
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Year 10: First Steps on the GCSE Journey
Year 10 have now completed their end-of-year exams, finishing their final English paper last week. Well done to all students for approaching these exams with focus and effort. This marks an important milestone in their GCSE journey, and we look forward to reviewing their results and supporting their next steps towards success. We also look forward to meeting with parents at the Year 10 Parents’ Meeting next half term, where we will have the opportunity to discuss progress and plans for the year ahead.
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Remembering Helena – A Celebration of Life and Friendship
Year 10 recently came together for a very special afternoon to remember their classmate, Helena, who sadly died earlier this year. The Holst Hall was beautifully decorated in Helena’s favourite colour, orange, and students took the lead in organising a meaningful and reflective afternoon. Activities included bracelet making, art installations, and an open mic session where many students shared memories and spoke of the joy, humour and kindness Helena brought to those around her.
During the afternoon, it was also announced that over the next year, students will be fundraising in Helena’s memory for two important charities: CCLG (Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group) and King’s College Hospital. We are incredibly proud of the compassion, creativity and leadership shown by Year 10, and we look forward to seeing the positive difference their fundraising efforts will make in Helena’s honour.
If any members of the community would like to donate to this special cause, this LINK will take you to our fundraising page. We are very grateful for all the support we have received so far.
Year 10 have now completed their end-of-year exams, finishing their final English paper last week. Well done to all students for approaching these exams with focus and effort. This marks an important milestone in their GCSE journey, and we look forward to reviewing their results and supporting their next steps towards success. We also look forward to meeting with parents at the Year 10 Parents’ Meeting next half term, where we will have the opportunity to discuss progress and plans for the year ahead.
Year 10 recently came together for a very special afternoon to remember their classmate, Helena, who sadly died earlier this year. The Holst Hall was beautifully decorated in Helena’s favourite colour, orange, and students took the lead in organising a meaningful and reflective afternoon. Activities included bracelet making, art installations, and an open mic session where many students shared memories and spoke of the joy, humour and kindness Helena brought to those around her.
During the afternoon, it was also announced that over the next year, students will be fundraising in Helena’s memory for two important charities: CCLG (Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group) and King’s College Hospital. We are incredibly proud of the compassion, creativity and leadership shown by Year 10, and we look forward to seeing the positive difference their fundraising efforts will make in Helena’s honour.
If any members of the community would like to donate to this special cause, this LINK will take you to our fundraising page. We are very grateful for all the support we have received so far.
Sixth Form Update
The fun, kindness, and commitment on display during this afternoon’s joyous Big House Bash have been features running through Sixth Form life over the past fortnight.
Sixth Form House Captains and the JAGS Co-curricular Team worked hard to create an enjoyable, rich event that has spread positivity throughout the school – the very epitome of leaning into the school community.
Year 13 are now fully into the swing of their A Level exams, and we know that this conscientious and talented group will thrive. With their ‘Life Beyond JAGS’ and Leavers’ Days taking place next half term, there’s so much to look forward to and we can’t wait to welcome them back!
Mat Weeks, Head of Sixth Form
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Sixth Form Taster Day
It was a privilege to speak to Year 10 students on Wednesday morning to introduce their Sixth Form Taster Day. Students were given an overview of the JAGS Sixth Form journey, and the varied taster lessons and engaging activities planned for the day were outlined – all set to the tune of Pharrell Williams’ Happy.
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Linkage Southwark Afternoon Tea
We are grateful to the many Year 12 students who volunteered as kind, engaging and all-round super hosts for the Linkage Southwark Tea Party last week.
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JAGS Talks
Students have been delivering JAGS Talks on a wide range of themes, making the most of the opportunity to research areas of personal academic interest while developing their oracy skills.
The results have been outstanding – a fitting testament to the academic progress they continue to make.
Fascinating topics covered, including:
Who Owns Your Image in a Deepfake World?
What if Foreign Policy was written by Feminist theory?
The Evolution and Relevance of Monarchy
Can Capitalism Be Imposed At Gunpoint? Iraq, Neoliberalism, and the Collapse of Sovereignty
It was a privilege to speak to Year 10 students on Wednesday morning to introduce their Sixth Form Taster Day. Students were given an overview of the JAGS Sixth Form journey, and the varied taster lessons and engaging activities planned for the day were outlined – all set to the tune of Pharrell Williams’ Happy.
We are grateful to the many Year 12 students who volunteered as kind, engaging and all-round super hosts for the Linkage Southwark Tea Party last week.
Students have been delivering JAGS Talks on a wide range of themes, making the most of the opportunity to research areas of personal academic interest while developing their oracy skills.
The results have been outstanding – a fitting testament to the academic progress they continue to make.
Fascinating topics covered, including:
Who Owns Your Image in a Deepfake World?
What if Foreign Policy was written by Feminist theory?
The Evolution and Relevance of Monarchy
Can Capitalism Be Imposed At Gunpoint? Iraq, Neoliberalism, and the Collapse of Sovereignty
Edward Alleyn Award
We are proud to announce Maria (Y13) as the JAGS winner of the Edward Alleyn Award.
Maria joined the JAGS Sixth Form in September 2023 and quickly immersed herself in school life, demonstrating the creativity, enterprise, and compassion that define the Edward Alleyn values. Musically talented and highly creative, Maria has enriched school events with her performances, often blending her talent for singing with her love of languages. She was the proud winner of this year’s JAGS PopFest.
In drama, Maria gave a powerful performance as Poseidon in The Trojan Women, delivering a dynamic and heartfelt portrayal that captivated the audience. She is also an active and influential member of the African Caribbean Society, helping to organise a hugely popular lunch and leading assemblies. Working with the ACS, she curated a powerful mood board reflecting students’ responses to last summer’s UK riots.
Outside JAGS, Maria raises funds for the UCKG Charity, supporting initiatives for the homeless and victims of war, and participates in the “Lives Not Knives” campaign, advocating against knife and gun crime.
Maria balances all of this with academic excellence and has received an offer to read Modern Foreign Languages at the University of Oxford.
Big House Bash
We had so much fun at the Big House Bash – the perfect reminder of what makes our vibrant community so special.
Thank you to our wonderful Sixth Form organisers for bringing the youngest and oldest members of the community together for a joyful celebration of House spirit, with creativity and teamwork in abundance.
Wellbeing Week
Throughout Wellbeing Week (12-16 May), students were encouraged to take a moment to reflect on what self-care looks like in their daily lives.
Activities focused on being grounded in the here and now, whether through getting in touch with their artistic side, practising mindfulness through knitting and board games, or simply letting loose with a Just Dance marathon.
During Friday’s Wellbeing Walk through our historic Botanic Gardens, students were even treated to a rare moment: the birdsong of woodpecker chicks and blackcaps from their nests.
French
Blue skies and stunning sunshine were the order of the day as Year 8 students, along with Year 6 from the Junior School, caught up with their pen pals from Collège Saint Robert in Merville, France.
The afternoon provided the perfect opportunity for students to put their language skills to the test and forge new friendships before heading to our VWA for a brilliant musical showcase.
Religious Studies
This half term, Year 8 wandered as Natural Theologians through the Botany Gardens as part of their Religious Studies lessons. Among tulips in bloom and the quiet grace of medicinal herbs, they paused by the cuckoo plant, listened for the call of the green woodpecker, and considered the secret life hidden in the soil’s rich tapestry. Reflecting on nature’s intricate design and purpose, they pondered a timeless question: could such beauty and order be the echo of a divine hand?
Co-curricular
Beekeeping Workshop
Last week, students were left buzzing after a visit to the beautiful gardens of Bell House, Dulwich, for a special Beekeeping Workshop.
They learnt all about the lives and roles of bees within the hive, from the worker bees to the drones, and were even lucky enough to be granted a visit from a Queen Bee.
It was great to see our Eco Champions and Incredible Edible Club members collaborate and continue a JAGS tradition which stretches back to the early 1900s (just take a look at the final slide in our picture gallery on the right).
Combined Cadet Force
Gold Standard
Congratulations to Sofia (Y12) and Connie (Y12) who, last weekend, were chosen to represent London in Cadet Cambrian Patrol 2025 and helped the team earn the coveted Gold Standard.
The event, which is regarded as the most demanding competition in the CCF calendar, saw cadets complete tasks such as 35km patrols, destroying enemy positions in woods and open fields, dealing with casualties in a scenario where a helicopter crashed into enemy territory, and clearing a building to extract intelligence on the enemy.
They were the only section to complete the entire patrol route – and did so more than an hour before the final cut-off time.
Months of dedicated training culminated in a display of exceptional determination, resilience, and confidence throughout the weekend.
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CCF Regional Champions
On Sunday, the Dulwich College-JAGS Combined Cadet Force First Aid Team took part in the London District First Aid Competition at the Blackheath Cadet Training Centre.
Throughout the day, the cadets participated in two first aid scenarios, as well as two background activities: Public Order and the London Underground Emergency Response Unit.
After an action-packed day, the team emerged victorious and will go on to represent London at the National Finals later this year.
Congratulations to:
Heidi (Y12)
Eloise (Y11)
Ruth (Y10)
Beryl (Y12)
Alice (Y10)
Scarlett (Y10)
On Sunday, the Dulwich College-JAGS Combined Cadet Force First Aid Team took part in the London District First Aid Competition at the Blackheath Cadet Training Centre.
Throughout the day, the cadets participated in two first aid scenarios, as well as two background activities: Public Order and the London Underground Emergency Response Unit.
After an action-packed day, the team emerged victorious and will go on to represent London at the National Finals later this year.
Congratulations to:
Heidi (Y12)
Eloise (Y11)
Ruth (Y10)
Beryl (Y12)
Alice (Y10)
Scarlett (Y10)
Careers
Sixth Form students were invited to attend the JAGS Alumnae Association London Professional Networking Event on Wednesday 7 May at St James’s Place.
It was a fantastic opportunity for students considering a future career in business, finance or law to speak with attendees to learn career pathways and to seek advice. In addition to networking, there was a panel discussion: Women in the Financial Sector: Working in an Everchanging World.
Click the links below to read reflections on the event from our Year 12 students:
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Anjali
“The JAGS Alumnae Association event was a wonderful opportunity for members of the JAGS community to strengthen and build connections which will last them a lifetime. As a student, being able to attend such an extraordinary event has benefited me hugely and allowed me to see all the career options out there. I believe that the sense of community that was created is unmatched by any other event I have attended. I am very grateful to the Alumnae Relations Department for organising this event and look forward to more opportunities in the future.” Anjali (Y12)
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Amirah
“Although initially the experience seemed quite daunting, I quickly became comfortable talking to some of the JAGS parents and alumnae who were there. The evening was filled with interesting conversation: talks about the implementation of AI in the education and legal sectors and an alumna’s experience abroad during her secondment, to name a few. I also got to hear from two amazing speakers who shared their experiences in the corporate world and gave insightful advice to all the attendees. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the event and was able to form close connections within the JAGS community. I look forward to participating in more events like this in the future.” Amirah (Y12)
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Nellie
“The event allowed me to connect with people in the field I want to enter (finance) and gain valuable insight into what it’s like to work there. I also became more aware of the different strands within the sector and how there isn’t a linear path to enter the sector. I was very excited to go to this event, and it exceeded my expectations, as everyone there was great to talk to and open to answering my questions. I would recommend to students to go to the Networking event, as it is an amazing opportunity to connect with people you might not usually have the chance to talk to. I will definitely follow up from this event by connecting on LinkedIn with the people I spoke to and messaging them about their jobs if needed in the future.” Nellie (Y12)
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Sreya
“I found the networking event extremely useful, as it allowed me to hear real-world, practical experiences from people in positions I aspire to. It also helped me feel even more confident in my chosen career path and enabled me to develop connections that may guide me along the way!” Sreya (Y12)
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Aspiring Vets
JAGS welcomed aspiring vets from Alleyn’s School and Dulwich College for a fascinating afternoon discussing the veterinary profession.
Students gave engaging presentations on a range of topics, including snake venom, work experience, and the value of raw food diets for cats and dogs.
It was a great opportunity for students to find support and advice from like-minded peers.
“The JAGS Alumnae Association event was a wonderful opportunity for members of the JAGS community to strengthen and build connections which will last them a lifetime. As a student, being able to attend such an extraordinary event has benefited me hugely and allowed me to see all the career options out there. I believe that the sense of community that was created is unmatched by any other event I have attended. I am very grateful to the Alumnae Relations Department for organising this event and look forward to more opportunities in the future.” Anjali (Y12)
“Although initially the experience seemed quite daunting, I quickly became comfortable talking to some of the JAGS parents and alumnae who were there. The evening was filled with interesting conversation: talks about the implementation of AI in the education and legal sectors and an alumna’s experience abroad during her secondment, to name a few. I also got to hear from two amazing speakers who shared their experiences in the corporate world and gave insightful advice to all the attendees. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the event and was able to form close connections within the JAGS community. I look forward to participating in more events like this in the future.” Amirah (Y12)
“The event allowed me to connect with people in the field I want to enter (finance) and gain valuable insight into what it’s like to work there. I also became more aware of the different strands within the sector and how there isn’t a linear path to enter the sector. I was very excited to go to this event, and it exceeded my expectations, as everyone there was great to talk to and open to answering my questions. I would recommend to students to go to the Networking event, as it is an amazing opportunity to connect with people you might not usually have the chance to talk to. I will definitely follow up from this event by connecting on LinkedIn with the people I spoke to and messaging them about their jobs if needed in the future.” Nellie (Y12)
“I found the networking event extremely useful, as it allowed me to hear real-world, practical experiences from people in positions I aspire to. It also helped me feel even more confident in my chosen career path and enabled me to develop connections that may guide me along the way!” Sreya (Y12)
JAGS welcomed aspiring vets from Alleyn’s School and Dulwich College for a fascinating afternoon discussing the veterinary profession.
Students gave engaging presentations on a range of topics, including snake venom, work experience, and the value of raw food diets for cats and dogs.
It was a great opportunity for students to find support and advice from like-minded peers.
Sport
This half term has seen a thrilling spectacle of sporting action at JAGS, with tennis, cricket, and athletics leading the charge. The tennis courts echoed with determination as our players served up skill and resilience in every match. On the cricket field, the girls showcased impressive teamwork and sharp strategy, making significant strides and delivering standout performances.
Meanwhile, athletics brought out fierce competitors across track and field events, with students pushing their limits, achieving personal bests and with several school records broken. Adding to the excitement, our rowing squad made waves with a series of strong finishes in local regattas, demonstrating incredible strength, coordination, and endurance on the water.
Follow the links below to learn more:
Michael Golding, Director of Sport
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Athletics
Both the Years 7/8 and Years 9/10 Track and Field Cup teams performed brilliantly in the National Cup first round to earn a place in the Final, which is due to take place in Watford next term.
The Years 9/10 team were the top scorers across all regional qualifying rounds to go into the Regional Final as the team to beat. Emilia (Year 10), even broke the points scoring system, throwing her shot putt further than anybody has done before in this competition to the extent that they had to readjust the points system and award her an unprecedented 50 points!
Year 10 pupils Jackie and Marly competed in the ESAA Combined Events competition at Lee Valley earlier this week, with both pupils putting in strong performances across the course of the day. Marly had a fantastic day winning the London event, with Jackie finishing closely behind in third place.
We have had several school records broken already this term; Skyla broke the Year 7 800m record with a run of 2.23 minutes at the Track and Field Cup first round. Jackie set a new Year 10 record in the Hammer Throw, throwing a massive 46.09m at the Surrey Athletics Championships and Emilia (Y10) has not only broken the school shot putt record with a throw of 15.39m but has also been selected to represent England at the 2025 Pickering Memorial Competition
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Cricket
Our Under-13 cricket team progressed into the second round of the School Sport Magazine T20 competition after a dominating win against Alleyn’s in Round One.
Unfortunately, we lost to Forest School in the Second Round to exit this competition.
The Under-15 cricket team comfortably beat South Hampstead in Round One of the Cricket Paper Cup, September (Year 10) top scoring with 59 not out.
The most pleasing aspect of the programme this year has been the development of the hardball provision. We are now training twice a week at Griffin Sports Ground using their new net facility and now have a much larger number of cricketers than before accessing the programme. We are excited to see this programme go from strength to strength over the remainder of the term and into the next academic year.
We took 24 pupils from all different year groups to Lords Indoor Training Centre at the start of the term for a fantastic three-hour training session with four ECB coaches. The pupils worked hard on their batting, bowling and fielding techniques and have taken this training and advice into their matches and school training.
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Fencing
Well done to Eleanor (Year 8), who continued her incredible fencing season with a third-place finish last weekend out of 74 competitors in the EFC Under-14 event on Saturday, and then placed 12th out of 40 in the Under-17 event on Sunday.
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Rowing
Our J15 and J18 rowing teams have recently entered regatta season, spending the past few weekends competing hard and making huge improvements.
The J18 team performed well at Poplar Regatta last week, finishing in a time that would have secured Nationals qualification for them.
The J15 team also impressed, finishing in third place at Poplar Regatta, a 2000m race held at the Docklands.
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Rugby
A huge congratulations to Matilda (Y10) on her inclusion in the England Under-18 touring squad for the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup tournament, which is being held in Ireland. This is a fantastic achievement, and we are incredibly proud of Matilda’s progression over the past couple of years.
The Under-15 touch rugby team also won the South East Touch Championships and have therefore qualified for the National Final in Oxford at the end of June. The Under-13 team also competed and finished in a very creditable sixth place overall.
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Tennis
Our tennis teams have made a fine start to their respective cup competitions, with our Years 7/8 and Year 9 teams progressing to the semi-finals in the LTA and Surrey League competitions. The Under-18 team has also reached the Surrey County Cup quarter-final.
The JAGS Wimbledon competition continues to take place, with some very close matches. We are looking forward to seeing how this competition plays out as it nears completion, with the final taking place on Founder’s Day.
The JAGS Parent and Pupils Doubles Competition, which takes place on Friday 13 June, has just a couple of places remaining, so please sign up ASAP to enjoy a fun-filled evening of tennis.
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Water Polo
Our Years 7/8 water polo team travelled to Northampton School for Boys to compete in the Water Polo National Finals and performed incredibly well on the day. The team progressed to the semi-final, where we narrowly lost to Alleyn’s, moving into the third and fourth play-off match. The team finished the day in fourth place, a very creditable National Cup finish.
Both the Years 7/8 and Years 9/10 Track and Field Cup teams performed brilliantly in the National Cup first round to earn a place in the Final, which is due to take place in Watford next term.
The Years 9/10 team were the top scorers across all regional qualifying rounds to go into the Regional Final as the team to beat. Emilia (Year 10), even broke the points scoring system, throwing her shot putt further than anybody has done before in this competition to the extent that they had to readjust the points system and award her an unprecedented 50 points!
Year 10 pupils Jackie and Marly competed in the ESAA Combined Events competition at Lee Valley earlier this week, with both pupils putting in strong performances across the course of the day. Marly had a fantastic day winning the London event, with Jackie finishing closely behind in third place.
We have had several school records broken already this term; Skyla broke the Year 7 800m record with a run of 2.23 minutes at the Track and Field Cup first round. Jackie set a new Year 10 record in the Hammer Throw, throwing a massive 46.09m at the Surrey Athletics Championships and Emilia (Y10) has not only broken the school shot putt record with a throw of 15.39m but has also been selected to represent England at the 2025 Pickering Memorial Competition
Our Under-13 cricket team progressed into the second round of the School Sport Magazine T20 competition after a dominating win against Alleyn’s in Round One.
Unfortunately, we lost to Forest School in the Second Round to exit this competition.
The Under-15 cricket team comfortably beat South Hampstead in Round One of the Cricket Paper Cup, September (Year 10) top scoring with 59 not out.
The most pleasing aspect of the programme this year has been the development of the hardball provision. We are now training twice a week at Griffin Sports Ground using their new net facility and now have a much larger number of cricketers than before accessing the programme. We are excited to see this programme go from strength to strength over the remainder of the term and into the next academic year.
We took 24 pupils from all different year groups to Lords Indoor Training Centre at the start of the term for a fantastic three-hour training session with four ECB coaches. The pupils worked hard on their batting, bowling and fielding techniques and have taken this training and advice into their matches and school training.
Well done to Eleanor (Year 8), who continued her incredible fencing season with a third-place finish last weekend out of 74 competitors in the EFC Under-14 event on Saturday, and then placed 12th out of 40 in the Under-17 event on Sunday.
Our J15 and J18 rowing teams have recently entered regatta season, spending the past few weekends competing hard and making huge improvements.
The J18 team performed well at Poplar Regatta last week, finishing in a time that would have secured Nationals qualification for them.
The J15 team also impressed, finishing in third place at Poplar Regatta, a 2000m race held at the Docklands.
A huge congratulations to Matilda (Y10) on her inclusion in the England Under-18 touring squad for the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup tournament, which is being held in Ireland. This is a fantastic achievement, and we are incredibly proud of Matilda’s progression over the past couple of years.
The Under-15 touch rugby team also won the South East Touch Championships and have therefore qualified for the National Final in Oxford at the end of June. The Under-13 team also competed and finished in a very creditable sixth place overall.
Our tennis teams have made a fine start to their respective cup competitions, with our Years 7/8 and Year 9 teams progressing to the semi-finals in the LTA and Surrey League competitions. The Under-18 team has also reached the Surrey County Cup quarter-final.
The JAGS Wimbledon competition continues to take place, with some very close matches. We are looking forward to seeing how this competition plays out as it nears completion, with the final taking place on Founder’s Day.
The JAGS Parent and Pupils Doubles Competition, which takes place on Friday 13 June, has just a couple of places remaining, so please sign up ASAP to enjoy a fun-filled evening of tennis.
Our Years 7/8 water polo team travelled to Northampton School for Boys to compete in the Water Polo National Finals and performed incredibly well on the day. The team progressed to the semi-final, where we narrowly lost to Alleyn’s, moving into the third and fourth play-off match. The team finished the day in fourth place, a very creditable National Cup finish.
SSLP
SSLP Student Voice AI Conference
The SSLP Student Voice Project on AI has been ongoing all year, with students from across SSLP schools collaborating on a range of initiatives. JAGS students teamed up with St. Michael’s Catholic College to create an art competition that challenged the perception of art, and questioned whether AI-created work was an equally valid art form.
The submitted works were varied, and students had the opportunity to vote for their favourite. Other projects presented included a project on AI and ethics and an app to promote safe use of AI by young people. The students gave excellent presentations, and the event culminated with a celebratory disco.
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SSLP Aspiring Educators Dinner
The theme this year for the SSLP has been AI. The aspiring educators staff group met together on 6 May for the opportunity to talk in person over dinner. Lucy Moorehead, JAGS Assistant Head, led an inspiring, thought-provoking and encouraging workshop that was a timely reminder to remember to put the human experience and needs at the centre of our use of, and discussion around, AI in schools.
The work will continue, as one outcome of the dinner is the set-up of a Southwark Schools AI Educators Group, which will meet throughout the autumn term next year, to share AI good practice within the SSLP schools.
The theme this year for the SSLP has been AI. The aspiring educators staff group met together on 6 May for the opportunity to talk in person over dinner. Lucy Moorehead, JAGS Assistant Head, led an inspiring, thought-provoking and encouraging workshop that was a timely reminder to remember to put the human experience and needs at the centre of our use of, and discussion around, AI in schools.
The work will continue, as one outcome of the dinner is the set-up of a Southwark Schools AI Educators Group, which will meet throughout the autumn term next year, to share AI good practice within the SSLP schools.
JAGS Alumnae
Alumnae Reunion Tea 2025
On Saturday, Head Alex Hutchinson and the JAGS Alumnae Relations Team welcomed back over 90 alumnae for the Alumnae Reunion Tea.
The Holst Hall was packed for our flagship event of the year, with alumnae from as far back as the Class of 1949 to the Class of 2015, joined by former Head Marion Gibbs CBE, former and current staff and the new Head Girls team.
The occasion began with welcome drinks in Holst Hall before setting off on a trip down memory lane with school tours and enjoying an indulgent afternoon tea in the Dining Hall. Helen Stein, Head of Library and Archive, curated a fascinating archive display, which guests thoroughly enjoyed.
Everyone had a wonderful day meeting with friends old and new and hearing about what our JAs have gone on to do since leaving JAGS.
We are already looking forward to next year’s Alumnae Reunion!
JPA
Second-hand Uniform Sale
We are so grateful to the JPA for their work across so many areas of the school community. On Monday 30 June, the JPA will be hosting the second-hand uniform sale for our incoming Year 7 families. This is always a very busy event, and the JPA would be very grateful for any uniform contributions you could make in advance of this sale. We kindly ask that students drop off any donations to Pupil Reception, clearly labelled as ‘Second-hand Uniform Donations’.
Thank you.