JAGSnews

It has been a busy start to the Summer Term and the focus has very much been on Year 11 getting the most from their final days in school before study leave begins. We have all been enjoying some lovely spring weather in our wonderful school grounds, and the Bank Holidays have added an extra break into our routines. Our language students have now taken their oral examinations, and the Year 11 Art cohort have completed their Art GCSE examination.

A huge well done to all involved.

Meanwhile, Year 10 Computer Science students enjoyed a valuable trip to the Science Museum, and the whole Year 10 cohort attended an informative PSHCE talk, led by Dick Moore, on how to maintain good mental health. I hope that everyone makes time for some rest and relaxation over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Anna Jones, Head of Key Stage 4

On Wednesday evening, Polly (Year 13) received the inaugural Edward Alleyn Award recognising her outstanding contribution to life at JAGS.

Dulwich Estate launched the initiative this year for students that have demonstrated the Alleynian virtues of creativity, enterprise and philanthropy.

Congratulations Polly!

Each Foundation school was tasked with choosing a recipient of the award, follow the link below to learn more about why Polly was chosen this year: 

In 1953, an anthem by Ralph Vaughan Williams called O Taste and See was sung at the Coronation of Elizabeth II. Avid readers of this paragraph will not need reminding that Vaughan Williams was a music teacher here at JAGS at the beginning of the 20th century, so we are thrilled that Holst Choir will be singing this beautiful, prayerful piece on the eve of King Charles III’s coronation in Christ’s Chapel at a prayerful Evensong – a joint occasion with Dulwich College Chapel Choir.

2023 is the year that falls between Vaughan Williams’s 150th anniversary last year and that of our other famous forebear Gustav Holst, 2024 being the 150th anniversary of the latter’s birth. It is easy to forget that Holst Choir is named after one of our two world-renowned composer-teachers so, later in term, Holst Choir will be whetting everyone’s appetite for #Holst150 at the Founder’s Concert with five songs actually dedicated by Holst “to the Choir of The J.A.G.S.” in 1905 – settings of extracts from Tennyson’s epic 19th century poem The Princess.

Peter Gritton, Director of Music

From over 7,000 entries, 10 JAGS students featured in the Royal College of Art exhibition which took place between April 25 and 28.   

Congratulations to Millie and Tilly, both currently in Year 12, for their award-winning works.  

Millie was awarded the Printmaking Prize for Year 10 & 11 entries, while Tilly won first place overall in the age category.  

To learn more about the inspiration behind the winning pieces, follow the link HERE 

Year 12 and 13 Art Historians visited the National Gallery’s outstanding exhibition on the Renaissance Sculptor, Donatello. Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance is the first substantial exhibition of the Florentine master ever mounted in Britain. The exhibition focused on Florence as a revolutionary centre of Renaissance Art and Donatello a genius of linear perspective, particularly in his carved reliefs. This was a fantastic opportunity for the Year 13s to revise in front of the artworks!

Rachel Dow, Head of History of Art

A beachside hotel, 30-degree heat and perfect sunshine. The Netball and Hockey Barbados tour was a hard sell but lucky for us our students were kind enough to volunteer their time to represent the school.

And, as ever, they made us incredibly proud.

Our Netball team racked up an impressive full house – recording eight wins from eight! The Hockey team likewise clocked a series of spectacular wins. Incredibly, Hockey played four matches with four different goalkeepers, one being former goalie for the Barbados national team, while others stepped up with no prior experience and saved the team from the jaws of defeat time and again.

Away from the sports action, students and staff made full use of the breathtaking Caribbean settings. Highlights included a speedy jeep tour of the island, a day spent lounging on a catamaran and snorkelling with turtles and four-foot tarpins.

During the Easter break our Chess Club participated in the National Schools Chess Championship. Their hard work and determination earned a terrific sixth place finish in the Girls’ Championships.

A great effort from all involved – well done!

Below Esme (Year 13) explains how the competition unfolded:

“On the weekend of 15th April, the JAGS Chess Team travelled to St Catherine’s School in Bramley to complete in the English Chess Federation U19 National Girls’ School Chess Championship Final. We had qualified for this exciting event by competing in the semi-finals in October 2022, and the team were very excited to take on even tougher competition.

“Over the weekend we each played a total of seven games against various schools from across the country. Between games we played and discussed our previous games and received excellent advice from Dr Larski. As a result of this, we all felt our chess improved a lot over the weekend.

“Overall, we finished 6th nationally, which we were thrilled with. It was a very enjoyable experience, and huge thanks to Dr Larski for taking us to this fantastic event!”