Welcome from the Head
Dear Parents
Welcome to this week’s newsletter; our first since the start of term, and three weeks in which it seems summer has been, gone and come back again!
Last Friday we bid our Year 11 students fond farewell as they headed off, dressed as cartoon characters, for their study leave. Today, it was the turn of Year 13 who, following a highly entertaining week of curated fancy dress, set off for their revision timetables, having entertained us with a morning of memories and laughter. We wish both year groups the very best of luck as they enter this final phase of preparation before their GCSE and A Level exams; we are still here for you all!
It was a pleasure to welcome parents from Years 10 and 11, and the Sixth Form, for two Parents’ Forums in the past fortnight. These forums across the year groups have provided such a useful opportunity for us to share ideas and hear feedback from you, and we are grateful to those who have given their time to join us. Notes from the forums will be available shortly on the Parent Portal.
It has been a busy schedule for the Creative Arts, with Year 9 entertaining us in the theatre with atmospheric productions of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase and Teechers. The ‘80s soundtrack from the latter certainly brought nostalgia to the staff members in the audience. Our musicians sang in a beautiful Evensong in the Chapel with the choir from Dulwich College; this was followed by the Alleynian Blues singing in assembly. Behind this seemingly effortless entertainment lies so much talent and hard work – congratulations to all those who have taken part.
I very much enjoyed hosting our special group of Legators for tea last week; we shared many special memories of life at JAGS. This was followed by our vibrant London Professional Networking Event, attended by numerous alumnae and parents, and we look forward to our annual Alumnae tea next weekend. As ever, a big thank-you to Karen Doyle and her Development & Alumnae Relations team for all their work in embedding such strong links within the extended JAGS community.
In the meantime, members of Years 8, 9 and 10 enjoyed a wonderful trip to Italy, whilst Year 7 are very much looking forward to their movie night with Dulwich College tonight. Huge thanks to our wonderful JPA for all their work to make this event such a success.
Wishing you a lovely weekend,
Mrs Alex Hutchinson
Head
Dates for your Diary
- Thursday 15 May – 6pm – Year 12 Parents’ Evening (VWA)
- Monday 26 May to Friday 30 May – Half Term
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 4 Update
Last week, we bid a temporary farewell to our wonderful Year 11 students as they headed off on study leave in preparation for their upcoming GCSEs.
Year 11 have been an absolute joy to teach, lighting up the school, and we know they will continue to shine during their exams.
Their final week was filled with so much fun and laughter – from the classic shirt signings and the sharing of memories to an energetic Just Dance session and a cartoon-themed final day.
We wish them the very best of luck in their exams and, as ever, they know our dedicated staff are here to support them.
Sixth Form Update
We have been fully immersed in our Year 13s’ final week of lessons and, as I’m sure you will all be aware, have been dutifully abiding by the strict dress codes of each day.
On Tuesday, ‘Minions’ was the order of the day; Wednesday saw us dressed in a ‘Throwback to 2006/07’ (the students’ birth year); Thursday featured the classic ‘School Uniform’ brief; and Friday capped things off with the ‘Rhyme Without Reason’ dress code challenge.
Mat Weeks, Head of Sixth Form
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Class of 2025
As they head off on study leave, we hope the Class of 2025 enjoyed their send-off – complete with student performances, a Form Song throwback, a Leavers’ Brunch, and inflatable fun. Several teachers (including yours truly – aka Gru) have definitely enjoyed the week’s themes.
They have been such a wonderful year group, and we hope this week has been a fitting farewell. They deserve every bit of fun, and we know they are in great shape to sit their papers over the coming weeks. We wish them every success.
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Year 12
Carrying on the mantle from the Class of 2025 as the next set of role models in the Sixth Form community, Year 12 students have embraced their assessments with maturity and a wonderfully conscientious approach.
They appear to be very well set for the future, and it was a privilege to work with them this week during their Student Leadership training. They learnt about the art of leadership from Mrs Hutchinson, safeguarding from Dr Parrish and Ms Barnes, and presentation skills from Dr Lee.
This was followed by a discussion about expectations and a practical teamwork exercise.
They approached the afternoon with gusto, and we know they will embrace the opportunity to lean in to the school community through student leadership.
As they head off on study leave, we hope the Class of 2025 enjoyed their send-off – complete with student performances, a Form Song throwback, a Leavers’ Brunch, and inflatable fun. Several teachers (including yours truly – aka Gru) have definitely enjoyed the week’s themes.
They have been such a wonderful year group, and we hope this week has been a fitting farewell. They deserve every bit of fun, and we know they are in great shape to sit their papers over the coming weeks. We wish them every success.
Carrying on the mantle from the Class of 2025 as the next set of role models in the Sixth Form community, Year 12 students have embraced their assessments with maturity and a wonderfully conscientious approach.
They appear to be very well set for the future, and it was a privilege to work with them this week during their Student Leadership training. They learnt about the art of leadership from Mrs Hutchinson, safeguarding from Dr Parrish and Ms Barnes, and presentation skills from Dr Lee.
This was followed by a discussion about expectations and a practical teamwork exercise.
They approached the afternoon with gusto, and we know they will embrace the opportunity to lean in to the school community through student leadership.
Drama
Teechers
Year 9 Drama students lit up the stage during an ambitious double bill which took audiences on a rollercoaster of emotions.
In Teechers by John Godber, students served up a hearty dose of high-energy comedy which had the crowd in stitches.
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
Meanwhile, the haunting gothic drama of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Russ Tunney was a terrifying contrast – filled with suspense and an eerie atmosphere that kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
The successful run of shows is testament to the hard work, dedication and creativity of our talented performers, brilliant backstage crew, and supportive staff.
Well done to all involved!
Co-curricular
Italian Ski Trip
Our recent ski trip to Tonale, Italy, was an unforgettable adventure for our Year 8 and Year 9 students! We were blessed with beautiful weather and excellent snow conditions, making every moment on the slopes a delight. The sunshine was abundant, and one of the highlights was our fantastic disco night, where we witnessed some brilliant dance moves. Another special evening featured a feast of delicious pizza, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. The girls and staff had a wonderful time, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Faye Freeman, Teacher of Mathematics
Horse Riding Club
Horse Riding Club is just one of the many incredible co-curricular activities available to students. Led by Mrs Bournon, the club is open to riders of all levels and sees students travel to Dulwich Riding School each Thursday.
Estelle and Gwen tell us more:
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Estelle
“Thursday is my favourite day of the week simply because that’s the day we have Horse Riding Club. Lessons are great fun but very challenging. All the horses are gorgeous, well-behaved and safe. Our coaches are highly experienced, knowledgeable, patient and kind. I’m currently working on improving my cantering technique and looking forward to learning how to jump. I highly recommend the club to anyone wanting to learn to ride for the first time, or wanting to improve their skills.” Estelle (Y7)
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Gwen
“At Horse Riding Club, everyone has the opportunity to be pushed so that they can learn something new each week. Whether it’s flatwork or canter leads, it’s such a productive and enjoyable lesson. We all have such a fun time because we get to go on group lessons and try out different horses and ponies each time. Dulwich Riding School offers so many amazing horses that we can ride, and although there can be a few naughty ponies, most of them are extremely calm and nice to ride! Horse Riding Club is such a good way to improve your skills and make new friends.” Gwen (Y8)
“Thursday is my favourite day of the week simply because that’s the day we have Horse Riding Club. Lessons are great fun but very challenging. All the horses are gorgeous, well-behaved and safe. Our coaches are highly experienced, knowledgeable, patient and kind. I’m currently working on improving my cantering technique and looking forward to learning how to jump. I highly recommend the club to anyone wanting to learn to ride for the first time, or wanting to improve their skills.” Estelle (Y7)
“At Horse Riding Club, everyone has the opportunity to be pushed so that they can learn something new each week. Whether it’s flatwork or canter leads, it’s such a productive and enjoyable lesson. We all have such a fun time because we get to go on group lessons and try out different horses and ponies each time. Dulwich Riding School offers so many amazing horses that we can ride, and although there can be a few naughty ponies, most of them are extremely calm and nice to ride! Horse Riding Club is such a good way to improve your skills and make new friends.” Gwen (Y8)
Italian
Exploring Northern Italy
Over the bank holiday weekend, students from Years 8, 9 and 10 enjoyed a fantastic trip to Northern Italy, exploring the historic cities of Verona, Sirmione on Lake Garda, and Bergamo. Highlights included meeting their pen pals to practise Italian and immersing themselves in the rich culture and delicious cuisine of this stunning region.
Sustainability
Talking Trees
We are incredibly grateful to JAGS gardener Mr Rowling, who led a series of ‘Talking Trees’ tours across our grounds for students and staff.
The tours featured fascinating facts and insights into the beautiful trees and vibrant plant life here at JAGS, providing a greater understanding and appreciation of our surroundings as we strive to live more sustainably.
JAGS Alumnae
London Professional Networking Event
On Wednesday, we were delighted to host our second ever London Professional Networking Event.
The event, hosted by JAGS Governor Alexandra Loydon within the stunning rooftop space at St James’s Place Lombard Street office, brought together a wonderful group of alumnae and parents working across finance, property, entrepreneurship, law, and related industries. Year 12 and Year 13 students also attended, seizing the opportunity to network with an eclectic range of professionals.
Head Alex Hutchinson, welcomed guests and shared insights into life at JAGS today, the school’s exciting developments, and the vital role of the JAGS Bursary Fund in transforming lives. Karen Doyle, Head of Development & Alumnae Relations, spoke about the team’s ongoing work to deliver networking and reunion events, support bursary fundraising, and promote the newly launched 1741 Club.
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Women in the Finance Sector
As part of the event, attendees enjoyed an insightful panel discussion, Women in the Finance Sector: Working in an Ever-Changing World. Chaired by Alex Loydon, the panel featured JAGS alumnae Neeha Khurana (Class of 1991 / Founder of Citta Performance, Asset Management) and Efua Mercer (Class of 2001 / PwC Sustainable Finance Lead). We extend our sincere thanks to them for sharing their experiences and advice as women working in the finance sector.
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Getting in touch
If you have any questions about the 1741 Club or would like to discuss a donation, please contact Karen Doyle at karen.doyle@jags.org.uk.
If you have any questions following the event, suggestions for future networking opportunities, or access to a venue we could use, please don’t hesitate to contact the Alumnae Relations Team at alumnae@jags.org.uk. The support of the wider JAGS community is invaluable in helping us deliver future events.
As part of the event, attendees enjoyed an insightful panel discussion, Women in the Finance Sector: Working in an Ever-Changing World. Chaired by Alex Loydon, the panel featured JAGS alumnae Neeha Khurana (Class of 1991 / Founder of Citta Performance, Asset Management) and Efua Mercer (Class of 2001 / PwC Sustainable Finance Lead). We extend our sincere thanks to them for sharing their experiences and advice as women working in the finance sector.
If you have any questions about the 1741 Club or would like to discuss a donation, please contact Karen Doyle at karen.doyle@jags.org.uk.
If you have any questions following the event, suggestions for future networking opportunities, or access to a venue we could use, please don’t hesitate to contact the Alumnae Relations Team at alumnae@jags.org.uk. The support of the wider JAGS community is invaluable in helping us deliver future events.
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.