Welcome from the Head
Dear Parents
Welcome to this week’s newsletter as we reflect on a fortnight in the life of the school being back in full swing this term. Last week, the Holst Hall was packed with stalls as our Head Girl team organised our inaugural Co-Curricular Fair. From debating to origami, there really was something for everyone, and it was a great reflection on the rich breadth of life here at JAGS.
We welcomed prospective parents last week to our first Open Morning of the academic year. Year 9 were fabulous tour guides, and the school was full of excited chatter as we showed families around the school. Preparations are in full swing for our main Open Morning on Saturday 4 October – thank you in advance to all parents for ensuring your daughters are ready to play their part in this event and will arrive at school looking smart and polished in good time! Full details will be sent out on Friday. In the meantime, please encourage your daughter to join the Open Morning group on Microsoft Teams. The link to join can be found within each year groups’ Microsoft Teams chat, where further information will be posted next week. Our Year 7 parents, freed now from the 11+ process, are hosted tonight by the brilliant JPA, who will welcome them to life in the JAGS Community: thank-you in advance to the JPA team for all their work preparing for this important event at the start of the school year.
It has been such an enjoyable start to term welcoming parents across the year groups. Parents from Years 8 and 10 attended our Welcome Evenings last week to share our vision for the year ahead. Year 11 parents also joined us for the Sixth Form Information Evening yesterday; my thanks to the Sixth Form team for hosting such a comprehensive and engaging introduction to life in the JAGS Sixth Form. I am also very much enjoying my individual meetings with Year 11 this term: they bring so much joy to our school and it is fantastic to hear all about their aspirations.
In exciting news from the Sports Department, last weekend Year 11 students Emilia and Jackie attended the Dynamic New Athletics (DNA) European Championships in Portugal, proudly representing Great Britain. Emilia, competing in the shot put, won her individual event, while Jackie placed fourth in the hammer throw – outstanding achievements for both athletes on the world stage.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Mrs Alex Hutchinson
Head
Dates for your Diary
- Monday 29 September – 7pm – Year 9 Parents’ Welcome Evening (VWA)
- Monday 6 October – 6pm – Mid-Autumn Festival Parent Reception (Holst Hall)
- Wednesday 8 October – 1:30pm – Chapel Lunchtime Concert (Christ’s Chapel, Dulwich)
- Tuesday 14 October – 7:30pm – Year 11 – 13 Madrigalists perform Dido and Aeneas (St George’s Chapel, Southwark)
- Thursday 16 October to Sunday 19 October – History and German trip to Berlin
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.
Sixth Form Update
At the time of writing, we are making the final preparations for the Year 11 Sixth Form Information Evening. A highlight of the school calendar, this event sees academic and pastoral teams working seamlessly with Year 13 student leaders to showcase the Sixth Form community and the passion for life and learning that imbues every aspect of Sixth Form life.
In addition to the ever-present mantra of fun, kindness, and taking responsibility on the #SixthFormJourneyTogether, Year 11 students and their parents will learn about the breadth of the A Level curriculum, Enrichment courses, Higher Education and Careers provision, and support for Overseas, Medicine, and Oxbridge applications.
Meanwhile, the Sixth Form community continues to embrace all aspects of school life – from the Co-Curricular Fair, organised by the Head Girl team and led by student society leaders, to sports, music, and drama rehearsals. Sixth Form lectures are ongoing, the co-educational enrichment programmes and Skills for Life sessions are underway, EPQ projects are progressing, and over 50% of this year’s applicants have already met the early UCAS deadline. A passion for life and learning truly knows no bounds!
Mat Weeks, Head of Sixth Form
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Continued. . .
We continue to be impressed by the excellent start Year 12 have made to their Sixth Form journey and they are learning from the best. Year 13 students have been exceptional role models, showing dedication and diligence in completing their UCAS forms and a conscientious approach to their studies.
Last, but by no means least, it was a pleasure to attend the A Level Pop-Up Art Exhibition this week. The creativity, innovation, and technical skill on display were outstanding, and all visitors were hugely impressed.
We continue to be impressed by the excellent start Year 12 have made to their Sixth Form journey and they are learning from the best. Year 13 students have been exceptional role models, showing dedication and diligence in completing their UCAS forms and a conscientious approach to their studies.
Last, but by no means least, it was a pleasure to attend the A Level Pop-Up Art Exhibition this week. The creativity, innovation, and technical skill on display were outstanding, and all visitors were hugely impressed.
Co-curricular Fair
Our first ever Co-curricular Fair was a fantastic success showcasing the incredible range of societies and clubs available. We are so grateful to our passionate student leaders and dedicated staff who run these clubs and worked so hard to showcase what makes them so special.
Amirah (Y13): “Last Thursday, JAGS hosted its first ever Co-curricular Fair! It was an initiative initially put forward by the Head Girl Team, designed to showcase the incredible range of clubs and societies our school has to offer. The event gave Year 12 and Year 13 students the chance to set up stalls and share their passion with the wider school community.
From Crochet to Film, Japanese to Law, Biomed to Mandarin, the fair highlighted the wide variety of opportunities available outside the classroom. Students from all year groups were able to browse the stalls, ask questions and sign up for activities that piqued their interest.
“The Holst Hall was packed to the brim with people from start to finish, and both the stallholders and the younger students were practically buzzing with enthusiasm. The atmosphere was vibrant, fun and full of community spirit – exactly what we’d hoped for when we first pitched the idea! It was great to see so many younger students inspired to get involved and older students eager to advertise their clubs and show their love for their activities.”
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Amirah continued. . .
“The fair was a huge success, with excellent feedback from students and staff alike! We are so proud of how it turned out and very thankful for our amazing Sixth Form community for going all out with their stall decorations and keeping the energy through the roof! We hope this marks the beginning of a fun, new school tradition.”
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Evelyn (Y7)
“I loved visiting the Co-Curricular Fair! Every stall was completely different, and I discovered a whole range of clubs that I hadn’t previously known were available. I particularly liked that many of the clubs are student-run and bring students together from across different year groups. Everyone at the fair was so enthusiastic and friendly, happily answering all of my questions. It was also useful to learn that any student is free to create their own club to suit their individual interests. I can’t wait to get started!”
“The fair was a huge success, with excellent feedback from students and staff alike! We are so proud of how it turned out and very thankful for our amazing Sixth Form community for going all out with their stall decorations and keeping the energy through the roof! We hope this marks the beginning of a fun, new school tradition.”
“I loved visiting the Co-Curricular Fair! Every stall was completely different, and I discovered a whole range of clubs that I hadn’t previously known were available. I particularly liked that many of the clubs are student-run and bring students together from across different year groups. Everyone at the fair was so enthusiastic and friendly, happily answering all of my questions. It was also useful to learn that any student is free to create their own club to suit their individual interests. I can’t wait to get started!”
Year 7 Author Visit
On Wednesday, Year 7 were thrilled to welcome Manga illustrator and artist Chie Kutsuwada for an inspiring day of workshops.
Students learned step-by-step techniques for designing their own manga characters, explored imaginative world-building through writing workshops, and discovered more about Japanese culture and language thanks to a wonderful presentation led by our Sixth Formers.
To round off the day, Chie kindly signed books and chatted with students, sharing further tips and advice.
Charity
Huge congratulations to our Charity Club and the wider JAGS community for collecting an incredible 270.66kg of donations for Brixton and Norwood Foodbank! Your generosity and teamwork are making a real difference. Thank you!
MFL
On Monday, students from across the school faced off in a lively and engaging MFL Quiz. From our enthusiastic new Year 7s to confident Sixth Formers, it was fantastic to see collaboration, quick thinking and impressive language skills on display. A big thank you to everyone who got involved!
Drama
Year 9 Film Course Launches
Our Year 9 Drama students have begun their exciting journey into the world of filmmaking. They are exploring acting for the camera, experimenting with camera angles, and learning the art of collaboration.
Over the coming weeks, they will be planning, shooting and editing their own film trailers. It’s wonderful to see students enjoy a new form of creativity and expression. We can’t wait to see them bring their ideas to life.
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English Department collaboration
Elsewhere, our English and Drama departments joined forces to deliver an immersive A Streetcar Named Desire workshop, making full use of the Prissian Theatre’s studio and lighting facilities.
With support from the Drama team, A-Level English Literature students worked alongside Mr Salomon for a scene read-through, brought to life under the ominous glow of green light.
Elsewhere, our English and Drama departments joined forces to deliver an immersive A Streetcar Named Desire workshop, making full use of the Prissian Theatre’s studio and lighting facilities.
With support from the Drama team, A-Level English Literature students worked alongside Mr Salomon for a scene read-through, brought to life under the ominous glow of green light.
Dance
Encore welcomes Christopher Tendai
Last week, our Senior Dance company, Encore, had the privilege of working with acclaimed West End choreographer and performer Christopher Tendai. Students rose to the challenge in an intensive two-hour technique workshop, before collaborating with Christopher to create an exciting new dance piece for 2025. This original work will make its debut at our Dance Show on 6 November. Don’t miss the chance to see our talented senior dancers in action!
Geography
Year 11 visit Slapton Sands
The Geography Department took 63 Year 11 students by train to Slapton Sands in Devon on Friday 12 September. We spent two days on the beach collecting data on beach profile and sediment size. This fieldwork was part of an investigation into the impact of longshore drift on beach characteristics and will support students in answering questions for their Paper 3 Geography exam in June.
We were very lucky with the weather: the sunshine appeared at exactly the right times while we were on the beach, and the torrential rain fell only when we were back at the field centre or on the train home. Well done to Year 11 for your enthusiasm, curiosity and hard work!
Emma Bailey, Head of Geography
Art
Everyday Pop-Up
Congratulations to our Year 13 Artists on their brilliant Everyday Pop-Up Exhibition! The studio was buzzing with visitors who came to explore the wide-ranging work created over the summer. It was a wonderful celebration of our students’ creativity, curiosity, and self-expression.
Sport
Athletics
It has been a busy summer and start to the Autumn Term for JAGS students, with several competing outside the school setting in international competitions.
We are incredibly proud of Year 11 students Emilia and Jackie, who represented Great Britain at the Dynamic New Athletics (DNA) European Championships in Portugal last weekend.
Competing in the Under 20s competition, both students performed exceptionally well against older and more experienced athletes. Emilia took first place in the shot put, winning her individual event, while Jackie achieved an impressive fourth place in the hammer throw.
The DNA Championships bring together Europe’s rising stars in an updated team-based format, and it is a remarkable achievement for two Year 11 students to feature at this level. Their success is a testament to their talent, dedication and hard work.
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Volleyball
We would also like to congratulate Jennifer (Y13) on an exceptional summer of beach volleyball success!
Over the summer, Jennifer proudly represented England at the U18 Northern European Beach Volleyball Championships, competing against top junior athletes from countries including Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland. Not only was this a valuable learning experience, but it also marked a milestone with her first FIVB international win.
In recognition of her exemplary attitude and sportsmanship, Jennifer was honoured with the St George’s Award by the English coaching staff – an accolade reserved for athletes who embody the spirit and values of the sport.
Her winning streak continued at the U18 UK National Beach Volleyball Championships, where she triumphed in the final against a pair ranked 4th in Northern Europe, securing the 2025 U18 UK national title.
Representing London at the Interregional Beach Volleyball Championships, Jennifer and her teammate dominated the competition, winning every match 2–0 and earning a third interregional gold medal for London.
Further recognition came with a nomination from Volleyball England to attend the British Talent Pathway Observation Weekend – a prestigious training camp for elite athletes from across the home nations, offering exposure to top-level coaching and collaboration with fellow international players.
Capping off the season, she also claimed victory at the UK Club Championships, bringing her total to an incredible four national titles in one season.
As the indoor volleyball season begins, Jennifer now turns her focus to competing with a team currently ranked in the top four nationally, with high hopes of reaching the national finals in May.
We would also like to congratulate Jennifer (Y13) on an exceptional summer of beach volleyball success!
Over the summer, Jennifer proudly represented England at the U18 Northern European Beach Volleyball Championships, competing against top junior athletes from countries including Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland. Not only was this a valuable learning experience, but it also marked a milestone with her first FIVB international win.
In recognition of her exemplary attitude and sportsmanship, Jennifer was honoured with the St George’s Award by the English coaching staff – an accolade reserved for athletes who embody the spirit and values of the sport.
Her winning streak continued at the U18 UK National Beach Volleyball Championships, where she triumphed in the final against a pair ranked 4th in Northern Europe, securing the 2025 U18 UK national title.
Representing London at the Interregional Beach Volleyball Championships, Jennifer and her teammate dominated the competition, winning every match 2–0 and earning a third interregional gold medal for London.
Further recognition came with a nomination from Volleyball England to attend the British Talent Pathway Observation Weekend – a prestigious training camp for elite athletes from across the home nations, offering exposure to top-level coaching and collaboration with fellow international players.
Capping off the season, she also claimed victory at the UK Club Championships, bringing her total to an incredible four national titles in one season.
As the indoor volleyball season begins, Jennifer now turns her focus to competing with a team currently ranked in the top four nationally, with high hopes of reaching the national finals in May.
Careers
Summer Recap
This summer, a number of students took part in a wide range of career-related experiences, including summer schools, work placements and courses designed to support their future career aspirations.
Below, students give us an insight into some of their experiences:
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Psychiatry Summer School
Amy (Y12): “During my time at the Psychiatry Summer School, I was truly inspired by learning about the many different branches of psychiatric care and hearing the personal stories of real patients. My favourite part of the course was the interactive group activities – roleplay scenarios in which we acted as psychiatrists supporting our ‘patients’.
This was an entirely unfamiliar but very enjoyable experience, which gave me valuable insight into the realities of working as a psychiatrist. It also helped me develop important life skills such as communication, teamwork, empathy, and resilience in the face of challenges.”
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Work Experience in Bangalore
Kritika (Y11): “This summer, I took part in work experience at a cancer and palliative care hospice in Bangalore, India. I recorded and transcribed interviews, wrote case notes on patients receiving end-of-life care, and helped prepare medical kits. I really enjoyed this experience, as it gave me valuable insight into a career in healthcare and the extensive research it involves.”
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Amazon Future Engineer North
Beryl (Y13): “Participating in courses related to careers or degrees you’re interested in is a valuable way to gain insight into the skills involved, while also making lasting memories.
“My interest in engineering led me to take part in the ‘Amazon Future Engineer North’ course, held at the University of Manchester by a charity called the Smallpeice Trust, in August. During the three-day course, I developed my teamwork skills by collaborating with others to create a company.
“Using knowledge from mathematics and physics, we assembled circuits and designed products. Programming and designing a LEGO robot was one of the highlights, as it helped me improve my coding skills (as well as being fun and highly relevant to engineering). I also enjoyed building my confidence by pitching with my team during a showcase, and seeing the hard work of other teams through their presentations.
“Away from the tasks, we had free time to get to know each other by playing sports and board games, watching films, and taking part in a fun general knowledge quiz. Since the course, I’ve kept in touch with many of the other participants and have reflected on this eye-opening and enriching experience in my personal statement.”
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Chemistry and Physics Summer School
Laila (Y13): “I thoroughly enjoyed the Chemistry and Physics Summer School at Swansea University. I had the opportunity to work with other A Level Chemistry and Physics students and even took part in practicals alongside current first-year Chemistry undergraduates. It was so much fun, and all the supervisors were extremely kind and accommodating.
“I also had the pleasure of being invited to UCL for a Biochemical Engineering Taster Day. PhD students prepared presentations for those attending, and we were treated to delicious food – free of charge. What I enjoyed most was touring the biochemical engineering labs at UCL and speaking with the PhD students about their current projects. I had so much fun and would 100% recommend the experience.”
Amy (Y12): “During my time at the Psychiatry Summer School, I was truly inspired by learning about the many different branches of psychiatric care and hearing the personal stories of real patients. My favourite part of the course was the interactive group activities – roleplay scenarios in which we acted as psychiatrists supporting our ‘patients’.
This was an entirely unfamiliar but very enjoyable experience, which gave me valuable insight into the realities of working as a psychiatrist. It also helped me develop important life skills such as communication, teamwork, empathy, and resilience in the face of challenges.”
Kritika (Y11): “This summer, I took part in work experience at a cancer and palliative care hospice in Bangalore, India. I recorded and transcribed interviews, wrote case notes on patients receiving end-of-life care, and helped prepare medical kits. I really enjoyed this experience, as it gave me valuable insight into a career in healthcare and the extensive research it involves.”
Beryl (Y13): “Participating in courses related to careers or degrees you’re interested in is a valuable way to gain insight into the skills involved, while also making lasting memories.
“My interest in engineering led me to take part in the ‘Amazon Future Engineer North’ course, held at the University of Manchester by a charity called the Smallpeice Trust, in August. During the three-day course, I developed my teamwork skills by collaborating with others to create a company.
“Using knowledge from mathematics and physics, we assembled circuits and designed products. Programming and designing a LEGO robot was one of the highlights, as it helped me improve my coding skills (as well as being fun and highly relevant to engineering). I also enjoyed building my confidence by pitching with my team during a showcase, and seeing the hard work of other teams through their presentations.
“Away from the tasks, we had free time to get to know each other by playing sports and board games, watching films, and taking part in a fun general knowledge quiz. Since the course, I’ve kept in touch with many of the other participants and have reflected on this eye-opening and enriching experience in my personal statement.”
Laila (Y13): “I thoroughly enjoyed the Chemistry and Physics Summer School at Swansea University. I had the opportunity to work with other A Level Chemistry and Physics students and even took part in practicals alongside current first-year Chemistry undergraduates. It was so much fun, and all the supervisors were extremely kind and accommodating.
“I also had the pleasure of being invited to UCL for a Biochemical Engineering Taster Day. PhD students prepared presentations for those attending, and we were treated to delicious food – free of charge. What I enjoyed most was touring the biochemical engineering labs at UCL and speaking with the PhD students about their current projects. I had so much fun and would 100% recommend the experience.”
Careers in Engineering
Aliza (Y12): “Last week, we were delighted to welcome Michael Palmer to JAGS. Michael was a student at Dulwich College from 1947–48, and his sister, Doreen Sylvia Jones (née Palmer), was School Captain at JAGS in 1948–49. Michael enjoyed a tour of the school and viewed photographs from the time his sister attended.
“Michael was a professional civil engineer and has been actively involved in promoting engineering as a rewarding career choice for women in New Zealand, where he lives. During his trip back to the UK, Michael visited Dulwich College to deliver a talk about his career, and kindly extended the invitation to JAGS students to hear about the fantastic opportunities available in the sector.
“For nearly 70 years, Michael Palmer worked as a civil engineer specialising in dams. I was fortunate to hear his stories about projects from around the world, from Ghana to Malaysia. It was incredibly interesting to learn how fulfilled he felt by his work, which significantly improved the quality of life for many people.”
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Nerys (Y12)
“The talk about a life in engineering was incredibly inspiring. I loved hearing from someone who still loves their career, even after spending a lifetime working. Michael’s passion for engineering and wealth of experience made for an engaging talk, leaving me eager to hear more.”
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Prisha (Y12)
“I was particularly fascinated by the range of overseas projects Michael has been involved in throughout his career. His passion for the profession was clear and shone through his talk, which was both engaging and inspiring for me and many others.”
“The talk about a life in engineering was incredibly inspiring. I loved hearing from someone who still loves their career, even after spending a lifetime working. Michael’s passion for engineering and wealth of experience made for an engaging talk, leaving me eager to hear more.”
“I was particularly fascinated by the range of overseas projects Michael has been involved in throughout his career. His passion for the profession was clear and shone through his talk, which was both engaging and inspiring for me and many others.”
JAGS Alumnae
50 & 60 Year Class Reunion
On Friday 12 September, we were delighted to welcome back alumnae from the Classes of 1964, 1965, 1974 and 1975 for their 50 and 60 Year Class Reunion, many of whom hadn’t returned to the school in decades. Guests travelled from far and wide to attend, including one alumna who journeyed from the United States to join the occasion.
The alumnae were greeted with welcome drinks in Holst Hall before setting off on a walk down memory lane with guided school tours. These tours offered a glimpse into how JAGS has evolved over the years, while still preserving the spirit and values that have always defined the school. Alumnae were delighted to see familiar spaces alongside new facilities, and many shared stories of how things used to be during their time at JAGS.
Following the tours, laughter and conversation flowed freely over a wonderful afternoon tea, featuring delicate sandwiches, scones and cakes. Holst Hall buzzed with stories of school days, shared adventures and life beyond JAGS, as classmates rekindled old friendships.
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Continued. . .
A highlight of the afternoon was the archive display, curated by Helen Stein, Head of Library and Archives, featuring photographs, uniforms and memorabilia from the 1960s and 1970s. The display sparked fond memories and animated discussions.
The 50 and 60 Year Reunion was a heartwarming occasion that brought together generations of JAGS women to reconnect with old friends and rediscover the school that helped shape their early years.
A highlight of the afternoon was the archive display, curated by Helen Stein, Head of Library and Archives, featuring photographs, uniforms and memorabilia from the 1960s and 1970s. The display sparked fond memories and animated discussions.
The 50 and 60 Year Reunion was a heartwarming occasion that brought together generations of JAGS women to reconnect with old friends and rediscover the school that helped shape their early years.
