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JAGSnews

29th November 2024: Issue 66

Welcome from the Head

Dear Parents

Welcome to this week’s newsletter. The drop in temperature has resulted in a frosty fortnight here at JAGS during what has been a very busy time for our entire community.

As you know this year I am proud to be the President of the Girls’ Schools Association. Last week it was a privilege to share the stage with so many inspiring speakers at the annual Conference in Manchester and celebrate the enduring impact, legacy and vitality of girls-only education. Please do see the article later in the newsletter for further details of the Conference and the launch of the GSA’s film Captain of their Ships.

Eco Week 2025 marked another successful step in our journey towards greater sustainability and saw many different branches of the school come together; from our Botany and Grounds teams to our Catering Team and Eco Champions, teaching staff, and local businesses. For Years 7 and 8, this spirit of collaboration continued further as they took part in a variety of team-building activities alongside students from Dulwich College. Thank you also to the representatives from our African Caribbean Society, who hosted a wonderful event this week showcasing outstanding culinary expertise and a great array of activities.

Meanwhile, our Senior Students delivered a series of outstanding performances in their production of The Trojan Women. This powerful production showcased exceptional talent both on stage and behind the scenes; well done to everyone involved. Our musicians have also had a busy fortnight, with beautiful repertoires in the Strings Concert, the lunchtime concert and a memorable Evensong in Southwark Cathedral.

This week we welcomed the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) to JAGS. Thank you to everyone who completed the ISI questionnaire; your contributions were invaluable in helping the inspectors gain a true insight into our community. It is likely that the official report will be published next term; the visit went very smoothly, and students and staff were delighted to share with the inspectors so many opportunities to reflect on all that makes our school community so exceptional, across the academic, pastoral and co-curricular life of the school.

On a separate note, this term we have been reviewing our use of social media as a school and have decided to reduce our activity on X (formerly known as Twitter) from the end of this term. Please refer to the details later in the newsletter for the best ways to follow our many activities online.

Thank you so much to the JPA for organising such a fantastic quiz night last week, and to all those who attended such a fun evening. For another year, modesty prevents me elaborating too much on the staff team’s victory!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, and with my best wishes,

Mrs Alex Hutchinson
Head


Dates for your Diary

  • Wednesday 4 December – Year 12 Spanish trip to BFI
  • Thursday 5 December – 7pm – Winter Concert (All Saints Church)
  • Wednesday 11 December – Year 9 Japanese trip to Japan House
  • Thursday 12 December – Year 12 German trip to BFI
  • Friday 13 December – 12pm – Term Ends

 

 

 


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

 

 

 

 



Sixth Form Update

Inspections encourage periods of reflection. Taking the time to review activities and progress, while identifying strengths and areas for improvement, is vital in the life of a school – not only for the whole community but also in terms of student development across all areas, from academic to pastoral to co-curricular. It has been a real privilege to see how the Sixth Form community has embraced the inspection process, helping the ISI inspectors gain valuable insight into their school experiences and their #SixthFormJourneyTogether. We are incredibly grateful to the many Year 12 and 13 students who have shared their perspectives through the student voice.

Mat Weeks, Head of Sixth Form

  • The Trojan Woman

    Life, of course, has not been placed on pause! Whether performing in The Trojan Women, supporting the production backstage, rehearsing for the Dulwich College production, performing in recent concerts, or preparing for the upcoming Winter Concert, students have continued to contribute wholeheartedly to the school’s performing arts. Needless to say, academic standards, sporting achievements, and UCAS application activities have also been progressing with the customary student vim and vigour.

  • Well done

    A big well done to all students for the responsibility they have shown and the kindness they continue to extend towards themselves and one another. Wishing everyone a restful and well-deserved weekend!

Drama

The Trojan Women

Audiences were transported to the fallen ruins of the city of Troy for our Senior production of The Trojan Women.

This week’s run of performances marked the culmination of months of hard work by the cast, crew, and Drama Department.

Our students on stage did themselves proud with a series of heartfelt and mature performances, while the polished and professional efforts of those behind the scenes elevated the production. We are also grateful to the Dulwich College students who joined the cast and likewise delivered stellar performances.

Eco Week 2025

Eco Week returned to JAGS with a series of fun, creative, and informative activities for students and staff to collaborate on. The week began with an inspiring assembly led by this year’s Eco Champions, who introduced the activities and shared the thinking behind them.

Old favourites, such as the Eco Fair, Food Waste Weigh-In, and Clothes Swap, made a welcome return – often with an updated twist. This year’s Eco Fair was bigger than ever, featuring opportunities to create autumnal bouquets, sample socially sustainable coffee from Redemption Roasters, explore eco-focused careers, and taste delicious zero-waste dishes.

The Incredible Edibles club contributed wonderful produce for our Catering Team, highlighting the school-wide collaboration. It was particularly delightful to see Junior School pupils join in, visiting the site to explore the Botany Garden and enjoy a spot of pond-dipping.

 

GSA

GSA 150: The Time is Now

Last week, the Girls’ Schools Association, of which JAGS is a proud member, celebrated its 150th anniversary.

Our Head, Alex Hutchinson, who is the current President of the GSA, gave an impassioned speech at the annual conference in Manchester. In her address, she issued a rallying cry to stand up and protect young women’s opportunity for a girls-only education.

The speech also took time to honour the contributions of those who established the GSA, acknowledge the incredible work of generations of members and look to an exciting future ahead.

It was wonderful for JAGS to take such a prominent role in celebrating this landmark, as hundreds of colleagues from across the country gathered to mark the great strides made in girls’ education.

During the conference, the GSA premiered a commemorative short film – Captains of Their Ship – which recognised the unique community of girls, headteachers, alumnae, and the collective power and purpose of girls’ schools.

To view Captains Of Their Ships, click HERE

Remove

Music

The Music Department has had another very busy week. On Monday 18 November, we hosted the Senior Strings Concert, featuring nearly two hours of top-quality music-making by our string players in Year 10 and above. On Wednesday 20 November, we returned to Christ’s Chapel, Dulwich, for a lunchtime recital. The programme included performances by music scholars in Years 7, 9, and 13. Later that day, we took the 55 singers of the Holst Choir to Southwark Cathedral (by train—it was Eco Week, after all) to sing the office of Choral Evensong. The singers were inspired by the stunning surroundings, generous acoustics, and large congregation. They performed Richard Shephard’s responses for upper voices, the evening canticles in C minor by Dyson, and Cecilia McDowall’s anthem Bless to Me This Day.

Preparations are now fully underway for the Winter Concert on 5 December at All Saints’ Church, West Dulwich. The concert will feature a performance of Bach’s Magnificat and the first movement of Bruch’s Violin Concerto with the senior choirs and orchestras and also the Christmas Concert with the Concert Orchestra, Chorale, Bel Canto and Wonderbrass.

Tommy Foster, Director of Music

(Photo: JAGS Winter Concert 2023)

Collaboration Days

Last week, Years 7 and 8 enjoyed a series of wonderfully eclectic activities alongside their Dulwich College counterparts as part of our ongoing Collaboration Days.

From blood spatter analysis and the construction of marble runs to Olympic Village planning, it was brilliant to see the students working together to solve problems.

Co-curricular

African Caribbean Society

A huge thank you to our Sixth Form student leaders in the African Caribbean Society, who pitched, planned, cooked, and served an incredible feast for staff and students.

Careers

As always, the JAGS Careers Department has been busy organising valuable networking events and work experience opportunities to support our pupils as they consider their next steps.

Follow the tabs below to learn more:

  • Tech Role Models

    Inspirational Role Models working in the Digital Tech Sector 

    “I found the insight into the diversity and nuance of careers in the technology sector truly enlightening. The scope of responsibility and opportunity available to individuals in the field were completely unlike what I had previously associated with tech. It totally defied my stereotype of the career as one that was perhaps more desk-oriented and not requiring much interpersonal interaction—something I now know to be completely untrue. There are so many different and exciting paths to follow, as demonstrated by the fascinating range of jobs held by the speakers, which they described with both insight and immense passion.” Kyra (Y13)

  • Essential Employability

    Year 9 Essential Employability Talk

    The session was led by our partner organisation InvestIN, aiming to empower Year 9 students to identify the transferable skills essential in the workplace. It also encouraged them to reflect on the skills they have been developing through activities both in and out of school, as well as in their Curriculum Plus lessons.

    “I really enjoyed the talk as it helped me understand that everyone has unique skills to offer. I also found the personality quiz and partner discussions particularly enjoyable.” Nuna (Y9)

    “I found this workshop very useful as it helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses. I also learnt about the SOAR (Situation, Opportunity, Action, Reflection) method and how I can transfer skills between different careers and work experiences.” Iyla (Y9)

  • Green Careers

    Green Careers stall at the Eco Fair 

    Students from all year groups attended the Eco Fair held in the Holst Hall last week. The Sixth Form Careers Committee organised a Green Careers Quiz, challenging students to identify various careers from pictures of people at work. The stall proved very popular, with lucky dip prizes up for grabs!

  • InvestIN: Banking

    We are proud to be an InvestIN partner school, and several students participated in InvestIN’s immersive career experiences this term to learn more about a variety of careers, including Investment Banking, Law, Medicine, and Psychology.

    Read on to hear about their experiences below:

    Banking

    “This day of work experience, hosted by InvestIN, was both informative and engaging, providing invaluable insight into the structure of an investment bank. We learnt how different areas, such as sales and corporate finance, collaborate on projects and explored the various routes into investment banking as a career.

    “Additionally, we participated in activities such as simulating a trading floor and creating a client pitch as a mock bank competing for a project. I thoroughly enjoyed these activities, as they allowed me to step into the role of a trader or investment banker while developing key skills in communication, negotiation, and teamwork.” Bititi (Y13)

  • InvestIN: Law

    Law

    “I found the event incredibly engaging from the start and gained a lot from the experience. The day was organised very effectively, ensuring that our attention was maintained throughout the six-and-a-half-hour programme. The day was roughly split into two parts: the first focused on being a solicitor, and the second on being a barrister. For both sections, we had a guest solicitor or barrister join the programme to give a brief talk on the differences between the two roles, their day-to-day responsibilities, their work cultures, and the pathways into each profession.

    “I found the focus on distinguishing between the two roles especially helpful, as before the event, I was unsure about which one would suit me best due to my limited understanding of the differences. After the event, I now have a clearer idea of the advantages and disadvantages of both roles and feel more confident in making an informed decision about which path to pursue.

    “Another aspect I enjoyed was the programme’s level of interactivity. In the solicitor section, attendees participated in a role-play case about settling a dispute between two corporations. We worked together in small groups to formulate our main arguments and then debated against another group, ultimately reaching a settlement. I really appreciated the opportunity to apply what we had learned in a hands-on scenario.

    “In the barrister section, we took part in a mock murder trial, watching cross-examination interview videos, listening to 999 calls as evidence, and debating as either the prosecution or defence.

    “Finally, I found InvestIN’s clear PowerPoint slides showing the various routes to becoming a solicitor or barrister—at undergraduate, vocational, and pupillage levels—extremely valuable. The day concluded with a Q&A session, where it was helpful to receive informed answers to questions such as “Is a conventional Law degree considered better than a non-Law degree and Law Conversion course by law firms/chambers?”.

    “Overall, I am very glad that I signed up for the experience.” Eliza (Y12)  

    “The InvestIN Law Event was a fantastic experience, and I would absolutely recommend it to aspiring lawyers. My favourite part of the day was the mock murder trial, where we had to collaborate on building a defence and delivering closing speeches. It was both fun and informative. InvestIN also provided us with plenty of useful advice on how to become a lawyer and where to find work experience opportunities. Overall, the InvestIN event was highly engaging, leaving us both enthused and with a deeper understanding of law.” Nneoma (Y12) 

  • InvestIN: Medicine

    Medicine

    “The InvestIN Young Doctor weekend offered a truly valuable and hands-on experience of what it’s like to be a doctor. We worked together on real medical case studies, which not only challenged our critical thinking but also gave us a glimpse into the diagnostic problems doctors face every day. We also received expert advice on medical school applications, which helped to clarify the different paths into various specialties. The mock interview session was especially useful for improving my communication and interview skills.

    “One of the best parts of the weekend was practising suturing a wound, which gave me a sense of the precision and care required in the field. The virtual reality emergency scenarios were another highlight, providing an exciting and interactive way to practise responding to life-threatening situations. Overall, the experience gave me a clear and well-rounded understanding of what pursuing a career in medicine truly entails.” Eemaan (Y12) 

     

  • InvestIN: Psychology

    “I attended the InvestIN Young Psychologists’ programme at UCL and found it to be an extremely insightful event. The course covered the various branches of psychology in detail and provided me with a wealth of information about typical careers, such as forensic psychology, clinical psychology, and child psychology. As someone who didn’t have much information about the day-to-day work in each career prior to the course, I found it both informative and interactive. The professionals were very kind and willing to answer questions, which made the course even more enjoyable. This experience has given me valuable insights into careers in psychology, helping me to make a well-informed decision about my future career path.” Malathi (Y12)

SSLP

Student Voice Conference – AI & Digital

This year, the Southwark Schools’ Learning Partnership is focusing on the theme of AI.

Earlier this month, five Year 10 JAGS students joined pupils from 13 other SSLP schools for a special Student Voice conference centred on our digital future.

The conference began with three guest speakers exploring different aspects of AI.

First up, Rob Campbell, Technical Recruiting Manager at Meta, provided an in-depth explanation of the various types of AI, the engineering behind it, and AI-related career paths, including roles such as software engineers, researchers, ethicists and policymakers, and game developers. After his talk, Rob was inundated with questions from students eager to learn more. One student remarked, ‘When I arrived this morning, I had no idea what I wanted to do in the future. But after listening to this talk, now I know!’

  • Continued . . .

    The second speaker, Dr Kitty Hung from The Chartered Institute of IT, began her talk by asking the students to imagine what the world might look like in 2034. She developed this vision by exploring how AI – with human intervention – could contribute to solving some of the world’s pressing challenges, such as climate change, food shortages, and healthcare. After answering questions and comments from the students, Kitty said, ‘I am so impressed by their tech knowledge. The future of tech is in magnificent hands!’

    The final guest speaker of the morning was Tony Guillan, a curator, producer, consultant, and Head of Digital at Southbank Centre. Tony presented various ways in which artists are using AI to enhance their work and invited students to reflect on the ethical implications of adapting images and voices, particularly in terms of ownership and rights. He then encouraged the students to get creative by designing a gaming world and considering the potential interactions between non-player characters.

    After lunch, the students joined project groups to explore areas of AI they believed could be further developed in SSLP schools. With the guidance of mentors from Oppidan Education, the students engaged in debates and discussions, building on the insights shared by the morning’s guest speakers. This process encouraged them to critically and creatively examine the potential of AI.

    Some of the project areas the students hope to explore include:

    • AI and supporting learning
    • AI and digital wellbeing
    • AI and entrepreneurship
    • AI and ethics
    • AI and creativity

Library

CWISL CWIZZ

Students from Years 7 and 8 travelled to Dulwich College to compete in the CWISL CWIZZ—an annual literary quiz run by the Children’s Writers and Illustrators for Stories and Literacy (CWISL) organisation.

The event is a fun way to test students’ knowledge of both contemporary and classic books, as well as their covers. Run by YA authors and illustrators, the quiz was enhanced with book extracts and prize draws. A raffle was also held, and JAGS students won an author visit (details of who and when to be announced!).

While both teams demonstrated outstanding knowledge and worked well together, it was the amazing Year 7 team who took home the trophy, previously held by Elmgreen School.

Congratulations to Sophie, Sephy, Héloïse, and Caroline!

Grace Rawlinson, Librarian

Follow the links below to hear from the students first-hand:

  • Caroline (Y7)

    “Lady Luck must have been smiling upon us during the CWISL CWIZZ. The quiz kicked off with a round of questions concerning characters’ clothes and accessories and continued from there.

    “First, they awarded the third, second, and first prizes for the best Year 5 or 6 groups. Then, the overall prizes were announced. The suspense was both awful and brilliant as the third and second places were called out. I remember convincing myself that we weren’t going to win, but still, I couldn’t stop my heart from hammering.

    “Finally, the award for first place was called out: “JAGS Team B.” For a moment, we all hesitated. I was sure I must have misheard it—but no! We were awarded the prize, a shield adorned with silver plaques commemorating past winners, and were each given a certificate.”

  • Carolina (Y8)

    “Even though fun was the main objective, we actually did very well! Our Year 8 team achieved an honourable score, but it was the Year 7s who really excelled. Unexpectedly, they won the entire competition! With an amazing 46/51, they achieved the highest score of the day.

    “The prize was a fantastic afternoon of fun (and a very smart-looking shield that we get to keep for the year!). We are incredibly proud and hope everyone involved thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

    “If you are a Year 7 student who would like to participate next year, please come along to Book Club on Thursdays for a chance to help us win again!”

JAGS Alumnae

Medical Society Dinner 2025

We are thrilled to announce that the JAGS Alumnae Association Medical Society Dinner on Friday, 7 March 2025, is also open to JAGS parents.

The dinner will provide a fantastic opportunity for the JAGS alumnae and parent communities involved in medicine and healthcare, including veterinary medicine, to connect and network.

The evening will feature a special guest speaker, Dr Sridevi Kalidindi CBE, a JAGS parent and international award-winning Consultant Psychiatrist, academic, author, executive and leadership coach, resilience expert, World Health Organisation (WHO) advisor, UK Government advisor, board chair, charity trustee, and entrepreneur.

Additionally, a group of Year 13 students aspiring to study medicine at university will join the event, offering them a chance to learn more about the realities of medical school and a career in medicine.

For more information, visit our Events Page.

1741 Club

The newly formed 1741 Club is open to current and former pupils, parents, staff, friends, and those wishing to support JAGS bursaries on an ongoing basis, regardless of the amount you choose to donate. Our aim is to ensure that future generations of talented girls, regardless of financial means, have the same opportunities. To achieve this, we must keep our bursary provision sustainable, and one way of supporting this is by joining the 1741 Club, named in honour of our founding year and philanthropic beginnings.

All members will be invited to an annual benefactors’ event hosted by the Head, receive a prestigious 1741 Club pin badge, and enjoy much more.

To learn more about the benefits of joining the 1741 Club, click HERE or contact the Head of Development and Alumnae Relations, Karen Doyle, at Karen.Doyle@jags.org.uk. Thank you.

Social Media Update

 We hope all JAGS parents enjoy following life at school via our various social media platforms.

You may have noticed that in recent months we have moved away from using X/Twitter as part of our social media activity, and we are now beginning the process of deactivating all accounts linked to the school. By their very nature, social media trends and behaviour move quickly, and X posts no longer generate the same traction that they previously did.

We aim to keep you updated via the most versatile and flexible platforms, and hope you will continue to follow us via InstagramFacebook, and LinkedIn.


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