The Lyonian - Summer 2024

LYONIAN THE

Global achievements and collaboration

My first year as Head of John Lyon School has been filled with so much activity, endeavour, and achievement. It is an enormous privilege to lead this School and to witness all it has to offer our pupils as they embrace the opportunities afforded to them and participate and thrive in pursuits both within the confines of the classroom and beyond. We have seen huge success on our coed front, with girls progressing happily through the years and our Sixth Form now accepting registrations from girls at 16+ for a September 2025 start. We held a ‘Breakfast with the Head of Sixth Form’ event, which saw a number of current and prospective John Lyon families in attendance – and in similar vein this autumn, we will be opening up a series of informal coffee mornings for families interested in 16+ to visit our Harrow-on-the-Hill campus and meet our Head of Sixth Form. From a practical perspective, in January, I added trousers to the uniform list for all, to give girls the freedom to choose between a skirt or trousers. We have also changed the title ‘Head Boy’ to ‘Head Prefect’ to reflect our diverse co-ed community more accurately. Our incoming Head Prefect is Jack, and I very much look forward to working with him.

Continuing with the Sixth Form theme, I was delighted to learn that two of our biologists secured gold medals in the Sixth Form Biology Olympiad, placing them in the top 5% in the UK. What an outstanding feat!

As you will know, we are not a typical school. We are part of something much

bigger. John Lyon School sits within John Lyon’s Foundation and is part of the global Harrow Family of Schools –an enviable opportunity that enables pupils to take advantage of some exciting international opportunities. This term alone there has been much collaboration across the Family, including John Lyon winning the Harrow International Sustainability competition – for the third year running – with Senior and Prep teams involved, the Harrow Fifth Form Conference, Prep and Senior Speech Day and Sports Day events held at Harrow School’s campus, a US university admissions event opportunity and, off the back of this year’s successful Thailand exchange, a date in the diary for next year’s Harrow International School Bangkok exchange. Prep pupils also gathered at Harrow School for the YESfest Sustainability conference along with 100 children from other schools.

Our annual Values Day took part across all three campuses: Prep, Senior and Sudbury Fields. Our entire community, from our youngest Little Lyons to our oldest in the Sixth Form, came together for a series of engaging, fun activities themed around our eight Values. We also marked key events in our calendar, such as Mental Health Awareness Week and Pride Month.

Our Year 5 pupils visited our Senior campus for Enrichment Day, when Prep pupils learnt more about life at our Senior School. Meanwhile, our Year 6 pupils enjoyed an unforgettable trip to Château de Warsy in France. The Prep summer fair rounded off the academic year on a high note, with a great many pupils, families, and staff in attendance – a terrific community event, run by the Friends of Lyonian Association.

I was also very proud of our community’s charitable endeavours this term, in which we collected donations for some very worthy causes. This included a student-run rock concert, which raised £310.47 through ticket sales to be split between St Luke’s Hospice and UNICEF, and the Art Postcard Competition and Auction, which raised £452 for UNICEF while

simultaneously promoting the arts and creativity in general.

On the sporting front, both our boys and girls U13 football teams secured significant victories in the Harrow Borough League, our swimmers performed exceptionally in the Borough Gala and our Prep boys’ and girls’ teams came first and second respectively at the Inter-School Swimming Gala hosted in our Senior School pool. There were further team successes in cricket, our major summer sport, and athletics too, while individually, one of our Year 8 girls became the 2024 English Champion in rhythmic gymnastics.

It is important to us that we provide our pupils with as much advice and experience as possible, to enable them to flourish in Higher Education and post-education, too. Chiming rather nicely with our sustainability initiatives, we hosted a Green Careers event this term to promote the green sector. It was a chance for pupils to meet some truly inspiring external speakers. We also facilitated several exciting work experience opportunities for pupils throughout our Senior School.

As I reflect on my first year as Head of this superb community, I am hugely thankful to pupils, parents, guardians, staff, and governors for your support and enthusiasm. You have welcomed me with such warmth, and I am thrilled to work with you to achieve the best possible outcomes for our pupils. It has been a tremendously busy and successful term and academic year at John Lyon. Until we are back again in September – and best of luck to those awaiting their public examination results in August – please allow me to take this opportunity to wish you a happy, peaceful, and restorative summer.

All best wishes,

Mrs Rose Hardy Head of John Lyon School

Q & A: Meet Jack (L6JCC), our new Head Prefect

What made you want to be a Head Prefect?

John Lyon School has given me so much, and I saw the role of Head Prefect as a fantastic leadership opportunity to give something back to the School.

I have benefited not only academically, thanks to the expertise and encouragement of the subject teachers who are all passionate about sharing their knowledge in their specific fields, but also from the diverse range of opportunities beyond the curriculum that the School offers. I wanted to encourage others to be aware of how fortunate they are to be at John Lyon and to encourage them to take advantage of the many opportunities that this wonderful School provides.

How did you find the Head Prefect application process?

There were a few steps involved in the application process but it was fairly straightforward. The process began with a 600-word application to be part of the Senior Prefect Team, House Captain, or Subject Prefect. From this initial application a shortlist of potential Head Prefects was made and we each delivered a two-minute speech to the community, which was followed by a School-wide vote. The final step of the process was an interview with the Senior Leadership Team and the outgoing Head Boy, Toby.

The process took place after the University Prediction exams, so we had the time to consider applying, develop our proposals and refine our applications. The process was thought-provoking and encouraged self-reflection. It was a great learning experience, and I believe it will be particularly helpful in the build-up to the university application process.

How did you feel when you found out you were Head Prefect?

THRILLED! I was called to the Head’s Office on a poetically sunny day and was full of nervous excitement as I approached the Red House to meet Mrs Hardy, who gave me the news herself.

I would like to add that I feel very honoured to have been selected from a strong group of candidates who are my peers and good friends. I look forward to working with them to deliver positive change for the School.

What are your plans for the School as Head Prefect?

When I applied to be Head Prefect, I had several ideas about what I wanted to do should I be selected. Amongst them were:

• Looking at how more outdoor seating areas can be provided for pupil use around the campus. It is something that I think can be improved and would make the outdoor space significantly more accessible for all.

• Working with the Student Council to improve facilities at Oldfield and in the Lyon playground, such as the goals at Oldfield or the table tennis table.

• Improving the awareness of and access to the Old Lyonian network. It is not something I was aware of, or made use of, until recently, but I now see how interesting this is and how useful it can be to pupils throughout the School. Old Lyonians can give such incredible insight into a range of careers, experience and interests that we can all learn from.

What is it like being in a co-ed school?

When I started at John Lyon, it was an all-boys school. Girls were introduced to Year 7 when I was in Year 10. Initially the changes were only small, subtle, and measured – but as the number of girls in the School has grown the change is

becoming more noticeable.

My year group will be the penultimate year group to be only boys and there are already noticeable changes in the range of extra-curricular opportunities as the School begins to offer a broader range of sports and other activities. The girls here have been instrumental in helping to shape these and the Girls’ Sports Council was recently set up by female pupils. This year’s school production ‘Made in Dagenham, The Musical’ was a fitting example of the positive change at John Lyon – it was a female-orientated musical exploring women’s rights in the 1960s. It is nice to see that many of the female roles are now played by our pupils here at John Lyon.

I think being co-ed is very positive and John Lyon provides a great experience for girls and boys alike at the School.

What are your favourite John Lyon memories?

Finishing my GCSEs! I have some great sporting memories including winning against Charter House – one of the strongest and most well-renowned football schools in the UK – in the IFSA tournament in Year 10 and also beating Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in our annual fixture in Year 11.

I’ve really enjoyed taking part in four School drama productions including ‘The Tempest’ and more recently ‘Made in Dagenham, The Musical’.

Most importantly, I will cherish so many memories with the amazing friends I’ve made. We have a great year group, and everyone supports one another and gets on really well.

What do you like most about the School?

The School helps pupils thrive through a good balance between academics, sport, music, drama, and extracurricular activities. At John Lyon, pupils

Being co-ed is very positive and John Lyon provides a great experience for girls and boys alike at the School.

are encouraged to be themselves, develop their own interests and find their own passions.

The staff are very supportive and have time for everyone. I’m especially grateful for their support and help, particularly now as I pursue my ambition to read History at Oxford.

How else do you embrace School life? Are you involved in any extra-curricular activities?

I love sport and try to get involved in as much as I can. One of the highlights of my year is Cricket Week, which takes place at the end of the summer term and provides a great opportunity to play the game against a range of very competitive senior teams, including the MCC.

I have also taken part in some of the

drama productions and debates against other schools and I’ve presented at the Academic Society too.

When I started in Year 7, we were encouraged to try a whole host of activities from art and debating, to mountain biking, public speaking and more. Having had the opportunity to embrace every aspect of school life like this from the start is a great way to find out what you enjoy as you get involved in as much as possible.

What advice do you have for pupils at the School or who will be joining the School?

Get involved with everything! Make the most of as many opportunities as you can – both academic and extracurricular. Our academic staff have an unbelievable breadth and depth of

knowledge and are always there to help – John Lyon is a great place to develop your existing skills and interests as well as to take advantage of a huge number of opportunities to try something new.

What would you say to someone joining us for Sixth Form?

Do it! It’s a small, friendly place with a relaxed Sixth Form space and a newly-refurbished Sixth Form café. Classes are generally small and we get lots of support from our A-Level teachers. There is continuous emphasis on balancing academics with activities outside the classroom and we are actively encouraged and supported to prepare for life post-Sixth Form. This includes UCAS support, Oxbridge mentoring, careers discussions, university visits and so much more.

Speech Day

We celebrated the outstanding achievements of our Senior School pupils on Monday 8 July and Prep School pupils on Tuesday 9 July at two Speech Day events. These annual award events took place at Harrow School’s historic Speech Room. Congratulations to all for a terrific year!

John Lyon wins International Sustainability Competition for third year running

In a repeat of past successes, John Lyon recently secured victory in the Senior category of the Harrow International Sustainability Competition for the third consecutive year. Organised by Harrow School’s Sustainability Committee, this annual event provides a platform for pupils from across the Harrow Family of Schools, of which John Lyon is a part, to explore current sustainability challenges in depth and work towards innovative solutions.

This year’s theme was ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’, and teams from both our Prep and Senior Schools dedicated significant time to the generation of creative ideas to help reduce our carbon footprint, with diverse entries ranging from practical concepts – including a sustainable iPhone stand – to a fashion exchange platform promoting clothing recycling and reuse. Well done to all the teams rising to the challenge – and special congratulations to John (L6TCF) and Mark (L6TCF), our

winning Senior team. Supported by Mr Fletcher, Head of Business, their project, ‘Bear Peas’ – a school community trading app and website – thoroughly impressed judges with its innovative approach, community focus and feasibility. Backed by a compelling pitch and video presentation, the project quickly emerged as a clear standout.

John (L6TCF), commented:

“The competition was amazing – I’ve learnt new skills, such as video editing, as well as softer skills including time management and working to a deadline. I am over the moon that our hard work has paid off and that we have won the competition for a third year in a row. This would not have been possible without Mr Fletcher’s expert guidance.”

Congratulations to Rian, Dhiyan, Krish and Inaara (all 7RMK) too, the team whose online fashion exchange point idea earned them a notable mention when the judges praised their innovative yet realistic concept for its alignment with the competition’s objectives.

Reflecting on the experience, Inaara (7RMK) said:

“This was the first time I have taken part in a challenge like this, and it was a great learning experience – one that has helped me to gain valuable insights into sustainability.”

This international annual initiative is yet another reason why we are proud to be part of the diverse and pioneering educational community of the Harrow Family of Schools. Scan to learn more about our global Family:

Celebrating our School Values

Each summer term, pupils and staff from the Prep and Senior Schools come together to reflect on and celebrate the eight core values that define our School: Ambition, Excellence, Community, Creativity, Enquiry, Heritage, Innovation and Resolve.

This year, on Friday 10 May, everyone from our Little Lyons to the Sixth Form came together for a special Values themed event, where they took part in a series of engaging, fun activities. At Sudbury Fields, pupils relished several sporting challenges including netball, football and sports conditioning, as well as a militarystyle obstacle course, where Resolve and Ambition were clearly on display as they pushed themselves physically and mentally in the spirit of teamwork and determination.

Back at the Senior and Prep School campuses, Innovation, Heritage, Excellence, Creativity and Enquiry were the themes at the forefront of activities

as pupils enjoyed interactive Drama and Music sessions and collaborated on STEAM and Science activities, which involved designing and experimenting with various structures. Meanwhile, our Prep School was highlighting Creativity and practical skills with a range of art activities as well as cooking lessons.

Opportunities like these are a great way to reinforce our Values, and the afternoon proved to be a great experience for all involved. It was wonderful to see pupils interacting, collaborating, and learning with peers from different year groups across the School. The event not only celebrated our Values but also served to

strengthen the bonds within our School community, fostering an environment of mutual respect and shared goals.

Embracing Mental Health Awareness Week

We celebrated Mental Health Awareness Week, emphasising the importance of maintaining positive mental health and wellbeing. Research indicates that regular exercise can greatly improve our mood and overall health – as reflected in this year’s theme: ‘Movement’.

Throughout the week, pupils from our Little Lyons Nursery and Reception through to the Sixth Form participated in various age-appropriate assemblies

and activities, all of which encouraged open discussions about mental wellbeing, the importance of self-care, and ways to support each other.

Highlights from the week included a yoga session and an interactive Mental Health Awareness event in the Senior School library, where students engaged in several themed activities focused on wellbeing and health. As part of our participation in ‘Wear it Green Day’, a national initiative to raise mental health awareness, a sea of green flooded the Prep and Senior

campuses as pupils and staff dressed in green in a vibrant display of mutual support.

It was heartening to see the entire School community come together to mark this important week.

Buzzing with excitement as new beehives installed at Sudbury Fields

World Bee Day, which occurs on 20 May each year, highlights the crucial role bees play in keeping our planet healthy. Some 90% of wild plants and one in three bites of all the food we eat rely on pollinators to reproduce – so it would be hard to overstate how vital bees are to our ecosystem.

This year, in recognition of World Bee Day and as part of our continued sustainability efforts, both the Prep and Senior Schools came together to install two new beehives at our Sudbury Fields site. Our youngest pupils, Little Lyons from Nursery and Reception, who had been learning about ‘mini beasts’ in class, took a lead role in the installation. They first took part in a special lesson with Dr Andrews, Teacher of Chemistry at the Senior School, exploring bees’ lifecycle, a year in a beekeeper’s life, and even enjoying a honey-tasting session. This was followed by a trip one sunny afternoon to Sudbury, where they helped assemble the hives, learning about all their parts, from floor, brood and super-sections through to introducing the queen excluder and roof before finishing with the insertion of 44 wax foundation frames.

There is now great excitement about the arrival of a colony of bees and what further learning and practical tasks pupils at both the Prep and Senior Schools can look forward to. Ideas include extracting honey in the Science laboratories, gathering wax to make wax bars and candles and even making beeswax soap! The hope in the longer term is that the honey might be sold for charity with the pupils designing the labels for the jars… In any event, it’s sure to “bee” a productive endeavour!

We look forward to the exciting learning opportunities our new bee colony will bring – as well as the positive contribution it will make to the sustainability of our School and the wider community.

Sports Day

Sports Day across the entire school, from Prep to Senior, were fantastic celebrations of athleticism and team spirit. Pupils cheered each other on, earning valuable points for their Houses. Congratulations to Halliday, who were crowned Prep School winners, and to Norwood for taking the Senior School victory. Well done to all participants for their dedication and enthusiasm!

Success at annual Inter-School Swimming Gala

Our Prep School hosted its annual Inter-School Swimming Gala on Friday 3 May at our Senior School campus. Teams from Alpha Prep School, Holland House School, St Hilda’s Prep School, and Buckingham Prep

School joined our own squad of 25 pupils for an afternoon of friendly competition.

The atmosphere poolside was filled with enthusiasm as pupils displayed their swimming talents. Despite facing stiff competition, our Prep teams put forth

commendable efforts, resulting in the boys clinching first place and the girls securing second.

Congratulations to all our swimmers on their individual and collective accomplishments.

Year 2 visit the Natural History Museum

Year 2 had a terrific day out at the Natural History Museum in Tring. As they wandered through the museum, they were fascinated by and enjoyed looking through a wide and wonderful variety of exhibits, from tiny insects to

magnificent birds and mammals. They particularly enjoyed the ‘hands-on’ polar workshop, where they literally got a feel for animal furs, feathers, and bones while learning about creatures that live in icy environments.

This experience provided valuable handson learning opportunities and while the pupils enjoyed learning about the amazing diversity of life on Earth, they were at the same time developing a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Solos concert

On the evening of Thursday 20 May, our young musicians took to the stage to display their considerable musical talents. These solo shows are a fantastic way to encourage self-expression and confidence in our pupils, so a big well done to everyone who took part!

Summer Spectacular

On Monday 17 June, our Summer Spectacular at Trinity Church was a delightful evening of musical talents as pupils from Years 3, 4 and 5 took to the stage. Year 3 performed ‘Better Place’, Year 4 ‘Sunshine’, and Year 5 ‘Someone to you’.

There was also a selection of solo performances from a selection of pupils from Year 3 to Year 6. Danny (Year 3) performed a magical piece on the piano entitled ‘Rush E’, Jessie (Year 4) played ‘Scarborough Fair’ on the harp, Aryav (Year 5) played ‘Minuet in G’ and Tia (Year 6) performed ‘Someone you Loved’ on the piano with excellent singing.

A huge well done to all the pupils involved. It was a lovely evening and a fantastic opportunity for them to share and celebrate their musical talents with their loved ones. They performed with great commitment, confidence and energy.

The Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Little Lyons and Pre-Prep enjoyed a very special Teddy Bears’ Picnic on Thursday 13 June, along with music and dancing.

All the pupils brought in a teddy from home and our very own Chef Mark at the Prep School treated everyone to a delicious outdoor lunch, featuring pizza, vegetable crudités, spring rolls, brownies and more!

The pupils loved eating outside together with their friends and teddies, and with the weather onside it was an enjoyable and much-loved experience for our younger cohort.

Summer Fair

Our annual Summer Fair was once again a huge success, raising over £3,000. The weather was on side as families enjoyed an afternoon filled with delicious food, home-baked treats, games and Bollywood performances.

A heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers for their help. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Anil Kavia and Manju Sharma-Bhatt, our outgoing Co-Chairs of the Friends of Lyonian Association –Parent Prep. During their tenure, they have worked tirelessly, organising events such as School Discos, an International Supper and much more, benefiting the entire School community. We are truly grateful for all that they have done. As they depart, we warmly welcome our new Co-Chairs, Bhavna Varsani and Aditi Patel.

Year 5 enjoy Enrichment Day at Senior School

The Senior School was thrilled to host Year 5 for an Enrichment Day at our Harrow-on-the-Hill campus.

The pupils had an exciting morning, where they delved into advanced geographical

concepts in one session, and then got creative designing and manufacturing personalised door signs in the new DT lab, as well as exploring new sporting activities, including parkour.

The pupils had an excellent day getting

a feel for life at our Senior campus. We look forward to hosting more Enrichment Days in the next academic year to further immerse pupils in Senior School life and provide them with opportunities to build on their learning and prepare them for transition between Year 6 and Year 7.

Year 6 experience cultural immersion on memorable trip to France

Year 6 pupils embarked on an unforgettable leavers’ residential trip to the picturesque Château de Warsy in France. This stunning eighteenthcentury mansion, in scenic grounds near the small town of Montdidier in Picardie, provided the perfect backdrop for an enriching cultural experience.

A French immersion programme gave them ample opportunity to hear, speak and absorb the French language, while their days from dusk to dawn were filled with a dynamic mix of sports, cultural activities, and sightseeing adventures.

This trip not only broadened their cultural horizons but also fostered a deeper appreciation for the French language and way of life. It was particularly rewarding to witness the pupils confidently trying out their French with the locals and making the most of their time with friends in such a beautiful setting. It truly was a wonderful trip – and one we are sure our leavers will remember for years to come.

Harrow Family Fifth Form Conference

In June, Year 11 pupils Hemang (11LCA), Neel (11TM) and Leo (11LCA) took part in the Harrow Family Fifth Form Conference, which involves the global Harrow Family of Schools: John Lyon School, Harrow School and all the Harrow International Schools around the world.

The event engages pupils in a range of

practical opportunities that aim to expand their horizons beyond the classroom.

This year’s event featured a trip to Blenheim Palace and Oxford as well as to London’s West End to watch the popular show ‘Stranger Things’. In addition, pupils were involved in activities that gave them insights into universities and careers, as well as community service and volunteering.

One of the most valuable aspects of the event for our pupils was the chance to interact with peers from across our Harrow Family of Schools. The week’s activities left them with more than just memories – it also offered personal enrichment and a broader perspective on the world around them.

Scan now to read more about the Harrow Family of Schools:

Harrow International School Bangkok exchange for 2025

After another successful exchange this academic year – where pupils had an incredible time, with many friendships and memories formed – we are delighted to be launching the Harrow International School Bangkok (HISB) Exchange for March 2025. The exchange is an annual event where 24 of our Year 9 pupils and staff go to Bangkok, and they send the same number from their community to London to visit

us at our Harrow-on-the-Hill campus. The exchange will combine attendance at some School days at HISB with multiple day trips, evening activities and meals out, with the middle weekend being a visit away to either a Thai national park or island. Parents and guardians have been emailed about this exciting opportunity and we are accepting expressions of interest.

Gold medals for Lyonian biologists in the UK’s top 5%

Following the success of the Sixth Form Biology Olympiad, Year 9 and Year 10 pupils were entered into their equivalent Biology challenge, in which 45,400 UK pupils took part this year.

This challenging competition included questions on the School curriculum and also rewarded those who have enriched and broadened their knowledge of the subject by reading books and magazines, watching natural history programmes, taking notice of biology-related current

affairs, and by generally being aware of natural flora and fauna’s importance.

Three John Lyon pupils – Lucas and Arun (both 10NJB) and Amaroo (9JOC) –were awarded gold medals, putting them in the top 5% of the country. Another seven pupils received silver medals and 24 received bronze, while an impressive 46 more were either ‘commended’ or ‘highly commended’.

Lucas, who scored the highest across the year groups, said: “I am thrilled with

the gold medal – I was able to apply my biological knowledge to new contexts and really enjoyed the tasks.”

Dr Kochaj, Head of Biology, added: “I’m delighted by the number of medals our pupils have won. My prediction is that many of these pupils will go on to top Russell Group universities, including Oxbridge, and eventually become excellent doctors, researchers, and policymakers.”

Sustainability round up

Eco-friendly water bottles in Sixth Form Café

In collaboration with our catering team, who have eliminated single-use plastics from all areas of our food service, we are excited to introduce a new type of reusable water bottle, which is now available for purchase from the Sixth Form Café.

These plant-based bottles are made from sugar cane pulp, contain 0% BPA, and feature a slim design for easy reuse. The company behind them, Bottle Up, pledges to donate 100 litres of safe drinking water to communities worldwide for each bottle sold.

We’re very proud to be a part of this initiative, which offers our pupils yet another way to make environmentally friendly choices.

Reducing food waste

Our commitment to reducing food waste is ongoing –in fact, since the start of this academic year alone, the School has reduced its overall food waste consumption by an average of 30kg.

We now have a permanent food waste board in the New Memorial Hall displaying the latest weekly food waste figures, which are also shown on our digital boards around the School for the entire community to see.

Celebrating World Bee Day with honey on the menu

We make every effort to serve seasonal foods whenever possible as it helps raise our pupils’ awareness of various foods and highlights the environmental benefits of eating seasonally and locally. On World Bee Day, on Monday 20 May, local honey featured as a key ingredient in the School’s menu for the day!

CCF Biennial Inspection

On Friday 15 March, we were delighted to welcome Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison DSO, MBE (OL 1985) for our first Biennial Inspection. Lieutenant General Harrison is one of the highest-ranking officers in the British Army and he is the Colonel Commandant of the Parachute Regiment and Deputy Commander of United Nations Command in South Korea.

The Biennial Inspection is a requirement from the Ministry of Defence that all cadet organisations undergo. During the inspection our cadets performed a range

of activities including the Honour Guard, Corps of Drums, a First Aid simulation, Command Tasks, Code-Breaking, Camouflage and Concealment and Section Attack. Lieutenant General Harrison was joined by other VIPs, including Colonel Ian Denison OBE as well some of our Old Lyonians.

Despite the challenging weather conditions, the event went off without a hitch and our visitors had nothing but praise for our cadets’ efforts. Congratulations to all the cadets and contingent staff who worked tirelessly to make this first inspection a success, with special mentions to Corporal Vansh (L6PKC), who won the inaugural

Colin Nunn trophy for shooting, and to the team of Troop 3 who were awarded The Gurney Cup for Physical Drill and Efficiency.

Opal Coast visit

During the first week of the Easter break, pupils visited the Opal Coast on a French cultural trip. On their arrival in France, pupils enjoyed a language tuition lesson at the Université du Littoral in Boulogne-sur-Mer. During the trip pupils soaked up French culture on visits to a local bakery, where they learnt how to make a French loaf, and a chocolate factory, where they learnt about the chocolate-making process and tasted some

delicious handmade chocolates. They also completed a town-trail activity in St Omer. Additionally, time was spent at the Nausicaá Centre National de la Mer, the largest aquarium in Europe, there was a visit to Boulogne-sur-Mer’s old town and evening activities at the château, including cheese-tasting and crêpe-making. They also enjoyed some downtime at the beach. Un voyage inoubliable!

The trip to the Opal Coast in the Easter holidays was extremely enjoyable. The language session at the university was interesting and I expanded my French vocabulary. The château we stayed in was really nice and provided much entertainment and the boulangerie and chocolate factory were both fascinating, and I learnt quite a lot. I thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful experience of visiting the Opal Coast and would definitely go again.

Nikhil (9ADH)

I think I speak for the whole group when I say that we thoroughly enjoyed this trip. Moreover, the trip was also immensely eye-opening and educational. We learned a lot about French as a language by listening to native speakers and trying to understand what they were saying, as well as the information we were taught in the language tuition session. Other than the language skills we acquired there, watching the interesting processes of making bread and chocolate were also amazing experiences that we all were fond of.

Samaaira (8KS)

Carnegie Prize shadowing trip

A group of excited members of the Carnegie Prize Shadowing Club joined Librarian Mrs Halsey and English teacher Miss Waller, on Tuesday 11 June, for a fun afternoon on our annual trip to St Helen’s School to discuss our favourite titles from this year’s Carnegie Prize shortlist.

Together with fellow pupils from St Helen’s School, Merchant Taylors’ School

and Northwood College, the pupils impressed all the librarians and English teachers present by fully engaging in sharing their opinions on the nominated books’ plots, themes, characters and front cover images.

Listening to other people’s perspectives allowed the pupils to develop further their own understanding of the novels and increased their awareness of the variety of literary techniques used by the writers.

The trip was really fun! It was interesting to meet other children who had studied the same books and it was a great experience. I liked seeing all the presentations and performing my own with the other girls from our School. Overall, I would love to do it again and will definitely be joining Carnegie Prize Shadowing Club next year.

Rebecca (7DJW)

Each group presented their ideas with flair, confidence, and great enthusiasm. The runaway winner was ‘Crossing the Line’ by Tia Fisher.

John Lyon hosts collaborative Heads of Biology event

We were delighted to host the Haileybury-St Benedict’s Biology Group meeting at John Lyon this term. Facilitated by Head of Biology, Dr Kochaj, discussions covered a range of topics including general enrichment, co-education, AI, and the Biology curriculum.

The meeting served as an excellent opportunity for our School to collaborate, learn from and share experiences with Heads of Biology from Abingdon School, Berkhamsted School, Brentwood School, Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, Haileybury School, Latymer Upper School, Mill Hill School, Oakham School, St Albans School, St Benedict’s School, St Columba’s College, St Edmund’s College, The Perse School, and Harrow School.

CCF trip to Army Reserve Centre

Our CCF cadets had a unique opportunity this term as they took part in a ‘Meet the Army’ event, which took place at the Army Reserve Centre in Uxbridge.

The cadets took part in several army focused activities, from tag archery and flight simulation to attempting the climbing tower and building a tank and a military kit for show and tell. These activities provided them with valuable

hands-on experience and helped them further develop their skills and broaden their knowledge.

Pupils achieve Paddle UK Discover Award

On Saturday 11 May, a group of John Lyon pupils undertook their Paddle UK Discover Award.

This built upon the experience pupils had gained in kayaking as part of the School’s Co-Curricular Programme and from the previous paddling taster day run as part of the School’s Outdoor Pursuits Programme. To attain the award, pupils had to show mastery of some essential skills in their kayaks, including stopping, going backwards, rafting, and escaping and recovering from a capsize. The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and all were successful in achieving the award. Look out for the next level – the Explore Award – in next year’s Outdoor Pursuits Programme.

Junior Music Day

Our annual John Lyon Junior Music Day proved a success once again as 215 pupils and 25 accompanying staff from nine schools gathered for a fun day of music-making.

The day-long event on Tuesday 7 May saw pupils taking part in choir, orchestra, and percussion sessions, learning new pieces of music before coming together for a grand

performance in the Boyd Campbell Hall, which was filled by parents and guardians of the attending pupils.

The amassed orchestra performed two contrasting items which filled the Boyd Campbell Hall with sound, whilst the choir (really a choral society given its size!) delivered renditions from the world of Jazz and also the show ‘Joseph’. The percussion group played a bespoke arrangement by

Summer Showcase

Our Summer Showcase featured pupils from Year 7 through to the Sixth Form, all of whom delighted audiences with a splendid evening of music. Performances included those from the Chamber

Orchestra, the Concert Band, the Flute Choir, the Guitar Ensemble, the Jazz Band, the Percussion Ensemble, Pride of Lyon’s, the String Ensemble, and the String Trio.

our own drum teacher Mr Huntington.

Thank you to Alpha Prep School, Newton Farm Infant and Primary School, Princess Frederica Primary School, St George’s Catholic Primary School, St Jérôme Church of England Bilingual School, St John’s Church of England School, Weald Rise Primary School, Whitchurch Primary School, and pupils from our Prep School for joining us for this year’s event.

Highlights included the Chamber Orchestra performing an arrangement of Rachmaninov’s ‘Vocalise’ with Hugo (U6SJA) soloing out the melody on violin, and Pride of Lyons singing a close-harmony version of ‘Blackbird’ by The Beatles.

Secret Postcard Competition raises money for UNICEF and promotes the arts

The 2024 Secret Postcard Competition and Auction, which took place during May, was a wonderful School initiative that encouraged and promoted involvement in the arts, while raising money for charity.

This year’s chosen charity was UNICEF, and the competition involved over 100 original pieces of artwork contributed by pupils, parents/guardians and staff from the Prep and Senior Schools, as well as from a selection of professional artists including Maya Coleborn, Sarah Levin, Vika Gorbikyamka, Andra Placiutescu, and Kaya Kligh.

Bidding was open to everyone in the John Lyon community, including friends and family, during the two-week auction period, which was followed by a special exhibition for all at the heart of our campus in The Mall with all entries on display.

It was fantastic to see such a high level of engagement with this initiative and we were pleased to have raised £452 for a very worthy cause. Thank you to everyone for their contributions.

A-Level and GCSE Art Show

Once again, our A-Level and GCSE Art pupils captivated all who attended with their stunning examination pieces.

In search of artistic inspiration

Year 10 pupils visited the National Portrait Gallery and the Mall Gallery (not to be confused with The Mall on our campus!) in London to seek inspiration for their end-of-year art projects.

The trip provided a valuable practical learning experience outside the classroom, allowing the pupils to explore various styles of portraiture, which they all thoroughly enjoyed.

Rocking for a charitable cause

Wesley (LP6WM) channelled his passion for music into a meaningful cause by organising a charity rock concert featuring bands from the School community. Here, he shares his story.

As someone obsessed with music, especially performing songs, I wanted to create another opportunity for other bands and myself to perform in a smaller, more intimate environment while raising money for UNICEF and St

Luke’s Hospice. With the tireless help of Mr Rao, Drama Technician and Mr Marshall, Head of Music Technology who directed all the audio-visual components of the event, we put on a spectacular show.

Our bands – including Amplified, 4X7, The Torched Roses, and myself – performed rock and pop songs, which our audience enjoyed tremendously. I am so proud of everybody who performed and help set up the show. Thank you to Romir (10WA) who did a wonderful job presenting the show. We

raised £310 for charity. A big thank you to everybody who bought tickets and donated –you were a fantastic audience! I can’t wait to do this again!

Rock and Pop Concert

The School’s bands united to thrill the audience with this popular summer term event, playing well-known rock and pop hits. Four student bands performed individual sets with songs stretching across several decades, before the R&B Group finished the night off with rousing grooves, with lead vocals sung by Yusuf (L6JCC), Amaroo (9JOC) and Zara (9AJM). As always, it was a fantastic evening of music!

Coming soon:

Following the resounding success of the School’s 2023 musical production of ‘Made in Dagenham, The Musical’, performed at Harrow School’s state-of-the-art, 350-seat Ryan Theatre, we are delighted to unveil our next theatrical endeavour:

‘The Addams Family

– The Musical Comedy’.

‘The Addams Family’ is a musical comedy that brings the beloved, eccentric

characters of the eponymous family to life. Centred on the macabre yet charming family, the story unfolds as Wednesday Addams, the daughter, falls in love with a normal young man, Lucas Beineke. When the Beineke family is invited to dinner, chaos ensues as the two families collide.

Amidst dark humour and whimsical songs, secrets are revealed, relationships are tested and, ultimately, the importance of love and acceptance is highlighted. The musical celebrates the quirks and oddities of the Addams family at the same time as

delivering heartfelt and moving messages about family and individuality.

Set to grace the stage in the autumn term 2024 on Monday 9, Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 December, the production promises to be a captivating evening of entertainment involving select pupils from across the Senior and Prep Schools.

Please save the dates in your diaries for what will be another fantastic John Lyon production.

WELCOME FROM THE DIRECTOR OF SPORT

It’s hard to believe that we are nearing the end of another academic year – a time to reflect on our successes, both on and off the field, and give thanks to all the pupils, parents/guardians and staff who dedicate their time to making sport at John Lyon a success.

It gives me great pleasure to watch our young sportspeople thrive across so many different disciplines, and I am particularly pleased to see the rise of some our specialist sports – swimming in particular has grown tremendously in stature and our recent success at the Borough Swim Gala shows what enormous talent we have at our disposal.

I thank those of you who love sport for making my job so enjoyable – and if you’re still looking for an activity to get enthusiastic about, please take the time over the summer to think about what being physically active means to you. Then, at the start of next term, step out of your comfort zone and give your chosen sport a go!

Spring term awards round-up

At the end of each term, we look back across the season and celebrate the number of positive pupil outcomes that take place. Our end-ofseason awards lunches give pupils the opportunity to hear all about their peers’ successes and celebrate the range of sports that have taken place throughout the term – as well as to be presented with their awards.

Girls’ netball

Team Manager’s Player Most Improved

12A Elareiss (7DJW) Shrina (7NMB)

12B Mya (7NMB) Aanya (7CCN)

13A Zenyah (8MAL) Saffie-Rae (8CJC)

13B Ameera (8MAL) Samaaira (8KS)

14A Nishka (9ADH) Naiya (9AJM)

14B Astera (9GMM) Dami (9JOC)

Girls’ football

Team Manager’s Player Most Improved

Year 7 and 8 Inaara (7RMK) Hafsah (7CCN)

Boys’ football

Team Manager’s Player Most Improved

1st XI Toby (U6RSK) Raul (U6QAC)

Boys’ hockey

Team Manager’s Player Most Improved

12A Gabriel (7NMB) Aman (7CCN)

12B Xavier (7DJW) Zaid (7NMB)

13A Kirtan (8MAL) Talin (8KS)

13B Rohan (8CJC) Aaran (8KS)

14A Ollie (9MRF) Adam (9MRF)

15A Aaran (10WA) Oliver (10NJB)

15B Sachin (10MLC) Soren (10BG)

1st XI Louis (10LHF) Paaran (10NJB)

Boys’ badminton

Team Manager’s Player Most Improved U16 Sonish (11LCA) Khyan (11CKL)

Mr Adam Ling Director of Sport

Girls’ U13 football team champions of Harrow Borough

Since its introduction to the John Lyon games programme, girls’ football has grown exponentially over the last two years, highlighted by our U13 girls finishing the season unbeaten and champions of the Harrow Borough Girls’ League.

Following victories in the group stages over North London Collegiate (4-1), Park High (8-2), Avanti House (10-1)

and Harrow High (10-2) the U13 girls, led by Manager’s Player of the Year and team captain Inaara (7RMK), secured the Harrow Schools League title following a 3-2 victory over Pinner High School. Goals from Most Improved Player of the Year, Hafsah (7CCN) (2), and Sofia (7CCN) (1) gave John Lyon an unassailable lead with 10 minutes to go, with goalkeeper Ruby (8BRD) ensuring the win with two excellent saves in the closing stages of the

match. Congratulations to all the U13 girls on their tremendous achievement!

Borough football success for U13s boys

Our junior football U13 boys team began their Borough competition back in September and after league fixture victories and a 5-3 victory in penalties in the semi-final, they took to the field at Rayners Lane FC for the final against Nower Hill.

Nerves were quickly forgotten, and the team rose to the challenge of the occasion. Our magnificent 7-1 win demonstrated the determination and dedication that this

group of young footballers have put in throughout the season.

Jayden (8BRD) was outstanding in midfield and two goals apiece from Theo (8KS) and Mikail (8BRD) led the way. At the other end of the field the performance was no less impressive: for without several exceptional saves from keeper Raph (8MAL), the match could so easily have ended 7-all!

All-round swim success at the Borough Gala

Each week, more than 80 pupils, ranging from Year 5 to Lower Sixth, join our swim coaches for a 7.30am squad practice. It’s a great chance for boys and girls to work alongside each other, developing their stroke technique in a sport that enables cross-year group competition. Back in

November, we competed in our first swim gala and the season culminated with the Borough Championships at North London Collegiate School. It was evident that the teams’ training has paid off and in the girls’ competition Inaara (7RMK), Imaan (7CCN), Erin (8KS) (new school

record) and Nishka (9ADH) all placed 2nd in their respective events. In the boys’ competition, our squads finished in 1st place in 21 of the 25 events. Finn (8MAL), Asad (9JOC) and Arjun (9ADH) all set new School records and Aaran (10WA) excelled in the 50m freestyle race.

Cricket round up

As our major summer sport, cricket continues to be enjoyed by so many throughout the School.

We have been so lucky with our junior intake – Year 7 and Year 8 cricketers are particularly strong and both the U12A and U13A boys’ teams have reached the County Cup semi-finals. Jayden (7DJW) has been the pick of the batsmen – and Armando (8KS) and Rudra (8KS) have followed suit in the Year 8 team, with Armando demonstrating some impressive glovework in his 1st XI debut during Cricket Week.

The future of John Lyon cricket looks very bright indeed, and we look forward to continued success over the coming years. This is very much a co-ed sport. Our junior girls have also shown a real passion for the sport and have competed in a number of fixtures this term. Sofia (7CCN) and Shrina (7NMB) have been the pick of our Year 7 squad, and Sierra-Rose (8MAL) and Nishka (9ADH) continue to lead the way in our junior XI.

Our 1st XI continues to impress and, despite being a relatively young one this year, we have seen the team achieve many individual milestones along the way. Kesavan (10NJB) was awarded his baggy cap for a hat-trick and during Cricket Week he fought hard for his 81* with support from Jack (L6JCC), who chipped in with 76.

Cross country results

Year 5

Boys Girls

1st Place Nirvayesh Meher

2nd Place Aadam Ariana

3rd Place Shiven Annabelle

Year 6

Boys Girls

1st Place Nikhil Anya

2nd Place Ali Aiza

3rd Place Adam Summer

Year 7

Boys Girls

1st Place Keyarn (7NMB) Inaara (7RMK)

2nd Place Malek (7RMK) Elareiss (7DJW)

3rd Place Kobi (7NMB) Hafsah (7CCN)

Year 8

Boys Girls

1st Place Jayden (8BRD) Laksha (8CJC)

2nd Place Yusuf (8MAL) Lian (8CJC)

3rd Place Theo (8KS) Samaaira (8KS)

Year 9

Boys Girls

1st Place Blake (9AJM) Harsimar (9ADH)

2nd Place Nyle (9AJM) Raphaella (9MRF)

3rd Place Pranay (9GMM) Elsie (9GMM)

At the third time of trying, we were finally blessed with a spell of good weather so that we could run our cross country events. Unlike most years, where it is run as a Whole School event, Sudbury provided the backdrop this year to a competition that saw pupils from Year 3 to Year 9 compete for their Houses.

We saw an outstanding level of participation across all year groups and points were shared amongst the Houses. Hearty congratulations to the pupils listed below who achieved success within their respective year groups!

For our Year 3 and Year 4 cohort, this was their first introduction to cross country at John Lyon with the emphasis placed on having fun and participation. As such the event was run in a slightly different manner than the other year groups, with lesser emphasis on rankings.

It’s a ‘hole’ new game – our juniors took to Northwick Park to try their hand at golf

As another of our specialist sports, golf is taught to all of Year 7 as part of their Co-Curricular Programme. During the

summer term, pupils from Year 7 to Year 9 were offered the extra opportunity to work alongside our Head

of Golf Mr Muhley and Golf Pro, 60 pupils ventured to Big Shots at Northwick Park. The excitement of seeing a driving range, many for the first time, was evident and it wasn’t long before pupils found their stride with some coaching advice dropped in throughout the session. With a strong senior cohort, we are looking towards our junior pupils and are encouraging more to become involved in the game. A number of pupils showed plenty of potential and we look forward to more golfing events next academic year.

Individual pupil successes

Having witnessed several individual successes this term, we caught up with three of our up-and-coming sports stars.

Lena (8CJC)

Congratulations to Lena who has become the 2024 English Rhythmic Champion in gymnastics. Lena showcased her incredible skills at the English Championships claiming the all-around title, and victory in all three apparatus finals. Her dedication, hard work, and passion for the sport truly shone through, and we are proud of her outstanding achievement.

Blake (9AJM)

Before joining John Lyon, Blake had little experience with long-distance running. His talent became evident when he placed first in the Year 7 cross country back in 2021. He subsequently joined Harrow Athletics Club, where he now trains twice weekly and competes on weekends. This year, Blake finished fourth in the 800m at the Middlesex Schools Championships, qualifying for the South East Schools Championships, where he finished eighth overall. This is particularly impressive given that he is competing a year young and has already shaved 14 seconds off his personal best this season.

Alex (10WA)

Alex joined John Lyon with some prior athletic experience, having started as a runner with Hillingdon Athletics Club. During one competition, he had the chance to try shot put and discus – and he eagerly accepted the challenge despite having no prior experience. His coach was so impressed with his raw talent that Alex transitioned right away from running to throwing full time. He began training weekly, mastering new skills that have led to impressive personal bests of 25.46m discus and 9.72m in shot put. Alex’s goal is to surpass the 30m mark in discus by the time he reaches the top of his U17 age category.

Careers

Green Careers Event

On Monday 11 March, we hosted a green-themed careers event in which the audience listened to a panel of experts discuss how their jobs reduce environmental impact and why the green sector is an essential part of the labour market.

We were privileged to have a broad spectrum of representatives, including Thomas Beresford-Smart (OL 2015), a Junior Ecology Consultant at Arcadis – a world leader in delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions. It was also fantastic to see some of our parents on the panel: Asha Metul Shah, a certified Personal, Brand and Fashion Sustainability Stylist who heads Distinct Styling and Vivahcity and Gitanjali Bhattacharya, a former wildlife biologist and conservationist who conducted the first study on Indian rhinos.

They were joined by Rheya Soares, a Renewable Energy Analyst at TLS Energy, Emily Stagg and Dalvina Chin, engineers from RED Engineering, Kevin Beckles, a Social Sustainability Advisor at responsible waste management company Powerday, Vanessa

Mugari, a recruitment consultant from award-winning environmental health business Buckingham Futures, and Dr Mary Richards,

a Brunel University Division Lead for Transdisciplinary Studies in Global Change.

Upcoming Careers Events for your diary

Monday 7 October - Careers Networking Event

Monday 25 November - Careers in Technology

US university admissions information session at Harrow School

Paaran (10NJB) expressed interest in studying in the US and recently attended an information session on US university admissions, led by the US Universities Advisor at Harrow School.

As part of the Harrow Family of Schools, we are fortunate to access such valuable resources, which provide our pupils with a wealth of learning experiences.

Paaran shares his thoughts on the talk.

I attended a lunchtime session on US admissions as I am interested in future study in the US, and I was keen to learn more. The session was exceptionally informative, offering invaluable insights into the US university application process, including how to prepare as well as the timeline of when and how to apply. The main differences from the UK system are that students apply to the university and not to a particular course, degrees are four years long, there is more emphasis on the campus community and the focus seems more holistic.

Ms Edgell, the Harrow School Advisor

who gave the talk, provided a handout of useful information to take away and offered additional advice and support to all pupils. Attendees left with a clearer understanding and newfound confidence, and I would highly recommend this session to others who are interested in pursuing further studies in the US.

Thank you to Ms Edgell for the session and a big thank you also to Mrs Bamrah, our Careers Advisor, for organising the talk and for the continued support from the Careers department in highlighting the many pathways that are open to us for our desired careers.

Work Experience

Work experience is an integral part of our pupils’ learning journey, and the Careers department plays a pivotal role in supporting pupils in securing placements in their fields of interest.

In the autumn term, on Monday 16 September, the Careers department will host a Work Experience Session for parents/guardians with children in Year 11 and above. More details will follow in September 2024.

Here are accounts from pupils who have undertaken work placements this academic year, showcasing the diverse opportunities available. Some placements were sourced by the Careers department, others through connections between our Sixth Form students and our alumni community, and some through the pupils’ own initiative. If you are a parent/guardian or an Old Lyonian with a work placement opportunity to offer, we would love to hear from you. Please email careers@johnlyon.org

Cyrus (L6PWM)

Where was your work experience placement?

My work experience was at a GP clinic, the Wembley Park Medical Centre, run by Old Lyonian Dr Sanjay Patel, who Mrs Bamrah connected me with.

What specific skills or knowledge did you gain from your work experience?

I gained the chance to work alongside doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and healthcare assistants, each of whom showed me the specific skills and techniques needed for their respective roles in the medical centre. I learnt how to communicate with a team of healthcare professionals and how to follow the history of a patient to arrive at the correct diagnosis.

What did you enjoy the most?

I most enjoyed working with a healthcare assistant who would do annual reviews for patients, for example, recording height, weight, and blood pressure. The review took a structured approach, which allowed me to gain an insight into the diverse types of issues and problems arising.

How has it helped you think about what you would or wouldn’t like to do in the future? It helped me confirm that I want to do medicine.

McKenna (9AJM)

Where was your work experience placement?

My placement was in Priestmead Primary School in Kenton. As this was my former primary school, I decided to ask them for work experience.

What specific skills or knowledge did you gain from your work experience?

While I was looking after children, I developed teamwork skills as I had to work with other teachers and teaching assistants. As I had to run activities, I had the chance to acquire leadership skills.

What did you enjoy the most?

I enjoyed being around the children and inspiring them. They were good listeners and were keen to learn. This has encouraged me to work with young children again.

How has it helped you think about what you would or wouldn’t like to do in the future?

It helped me decide that teaching is a potential career path as it was a very positive experience.

Jack (L6JCC)

Where was your work experience placement?

I worked with Bob Blackman (MP) in his constituency office in Harrow East after applying for the role via an advert shared by the Careers department.

What specific skills or knowledge did you gain from your work experience?

It was an eye-opener on the day-to-day to operations of an MP in the lead-up to the elections. The skills I learnt were organisational, timekeeping and diplomacy as well as learning to work with people who had differing opinions!

What did you enjoy the most?

I especially enjoyed the last day, which involved a tour of the London offices, Conservative HQ, 10 Downing Street, and the Houses of Parliament with an emphasis on the history in relation to modern day politics. We also passed Rishi Sunak in the corridor!

How has it helped you think about what you would or wouldn’t like to do in the future?

It demonstrated the breadth of opportunity within a career in politics. The positives and negatives in different roles were highlighted and discussed amongst the group.

William (11LCA)

Where was your work experience placement?

My placement was with engineering firm Gresham Construction Ltd based in Knightsbridge and Notting Hill, which I got through my father.

What specific skills or knowledge did you gain from your work experience?

I gained lots of problem-solving skills where I had to take measurements and improvise with installing Kingspan roofing insulation. I developed my communication skills as I had to liaise with the Chief Civil Engineer, Quantity Surveyor and Materials Supplier. I learnt about the multi-faceted aspects of civil engineering and construction as well as the many components that go into building infrastructure.

What did you enjoy the most?

Gaining insight into the sector was amazing. Acquiring and developing new skills was also something I relished. I enjoyed working in a team environment and working with other engineering firms like Atkins. It was a new and memorable experience.

How has it helped you think about what you would or wouldn’t like to do in the future?

It reinforced that I would consider a future career in Civil Engineering. It has helped me determine my A-Level choices. The experience further developed my skillset and helped me understand where my strengths lie.

Mantek (10BG)

Where was your work experience placement?

British Airways Ground Operations Placement at Heathrow Airport. I applied for this experience after receiving an email from the Careers Advisor. It was a very competitive process.

What specific skills or knowledge did you gain from your work experience?

Gaining an understanding of all the operations that allow the airport to run smoothly was fascinating. Visiting BA’s HQ at Waterside, and Vanguard House, where all the pilots are trained and where the hangars are located, showed me how each area is critical to flight operations. I improved my communication and time management skills as I spoke with many staff, including pilots and aeronautical engineers.

What did you enjoy the most?

This was my first work experience. There were so many highlights from my five days there. Being in the buzz and excitement of Heathrow Airport was so much fun. Walking around the first-class lounges and seeing all the different long-haul aircraft as well as the aeroplane engines’ interiors was a real treat. I loved sitting in the cockpit and learning about the controls.

How has it helped you think about what you would or wouldn’t like to do in the future?

It inspired me to consider being a pilot. After speaking to various pilots, I found the role thrilling, especially the travel all over the world. I could also picture myself working in several different areas within an airport environment, whether that would be in technology or engineering.

Dylan (L6PKC)

Where was your work experience placement?

My work experience was online, with a company named Sprive, run by Old Lyonian Jinesh Vohra. The company does not have a permanent location, although we occasionally worked in a WeWork office in Old Street.

What specific skills or knowledge did you gain from your work experience?

I learned valuable research skills and developed my ability to work with people in a team with a shared goal. I enhanced my communication and creativity skills as I had a chance to share my ideas and reflections.

What did you enjoy the most?

Working with an Old Lyonian. I was inspired by Jinesh, after hearing him speak at the Careers in Entrepreneurship event at John Lyon and our Careers Advisor encouraged me to ask Jinesh for work experience, which I succeeded in securing after Jinesh recognised my eagerness and enthusiasm. I felt comfortable working with and learning from Jinesh. I also enjoyed working collaboratively with other team members and discussing initiatives at meetings at the end of the day.

How has it helped you think about what you would or wouldn’t like to do in the future?

This has solidified my desire to work in finance in a research/analyst role with a particular interest in stocks.

About the Association

The Lyonian Association aims to foster a strong sense of community and connection within John Lyon School, encompassing its alumni (Old Lyonians and Old Quaintonians), current pupils, parents and guardians, staff, and friends across the Prep and Senior Schools. This summer term has been particularly busy and productive for the Association. We’ve launched a dedicated section on our main John Lyon School website as an additional information hub for our community. Please take a look at https://www.johnlyon.org/lyonian-association/

There have been numerous reunions and events, including career talks and lectures for the pupil body, in which we have welcomed many alumni back to the School. In this section of the magazine, we highlight the Association’s work over the summer term. It has been wonderful for the School to connect with so many alumni, and we’d love even more of you to get involved. Additionally, we encourage all current pupils, parents, guardians, staff, and friends across the Prep and Senior Schools to learn more about the Association and its benefits.

For more information, please visit our website or contact Bharti Bhikha, the School’s Executive and Alumni Officer, at bharti.bhikha@johnlyon.org

Please follow us

facebook.com/groups/lyonianassociation

@johnlyonharrow

@johnlyonharrow

@johnlyonschool

Calling OL members and parents – looking for your support

The Old Lyonian Association (OLA) was formed in 1902, and since its inception, the OLA has formed and established a rich heritage as part of its valuable partnership with the School and is overseen by council members who are former students of John Lyon. Positions include a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and other key roles – and we are currently looking for a General Secretary who’s either an Old Lyonian, a member of the Association, or a parent/guardian – and who has experience either as a company secretary, charity secretary or similar and is willing to commit and volunteer a few hours a month to deliver the requirements of the role. If you’re interested and feel that you fit the bill, please contact Bharti.Bhikha@johnlyon.org for more information.

Clubs and societies

We are grateful to our OLs for their continued stalwart support of our sporting clubs – these offer a space to reconnect with fellow leavers from your leaving class, to network with those in similar or related industries, catch up with the latest sports, or even find others in your city. We also welcome parents to join our societies and have the opportunity to meet OLs and gain insights into careers and at the same time enjoy a round of golf, sign up to the Football Club or to be part of an industry-specific society – please contact us by email at lyonianassociation@johnlyon.org and we’ll put you in touch with the OL leading the relevant group. Pre-season training begins on Monday 22 July from 7.00pm to 8.00pm at Sudbury Fields and the OLFC are inviting current and new players - if you are interested, please also email lyonianassociation@johnlyon.org

Eyden Fund

We are excited to announce the establishment of the Eyden Fund, named in honour of Ms Agnes Eyden, who founded the original Prep School in 1897.

While the Senior School has the 1876 Fund, this new fund is specifically established for the benefit of the Prep School and will raise money through donations, as well as events organised collaboratively by the Lyonian Association and the Friends of Lyonian Association (FLA) – a group of Prep School parents and guardians committed to support the Eyden Fund.

The Fund will enable new initiatives at the Prep School that go beyond the School’s curriculum and budgets, enriching pupils’ learning experiences. For more information please scan here:

110th Old Lyonian Annual Dinner

On Friday 19 April, we warmly welcomed back nearly 100 Old Lyonians (OL) for our 110th Annual Dinner. Our Head, Mrs Rose Hardy, opened the dinner with a gracious welcome, highlighting the importance of the partnership between the Old Lyonian Association (OLA) and the School.

During the event, our OLs enjoyed a trip down memory lane with a tour of the

campus led by Lower and Upper Sixth prefects Asan (U6QAC), Ismael (U6REM), Wesley (L6PWM), and Jack (L6JCC). As they strolled through familiar corridors, classrooms and halls, the alumni shared fond memories and marvelled at the changes since their time at the School.

The tour was followed by a delicious three-course meal, which was enjoyed by all. Attendees caught up with old friends and current staff, sharing stories of their endeavours after leaving John Lyon.

It was a wonderful evening for all who attended, and Mr Paul Matarewicz (OLA President and OL 1976) reflected on the increasing engagement of OLs, which was evident in the impressive number in attendance.

We look forward to building on this event’s success as we continue to work towards increasing our engagement with our alumni.

OLs return for the CCF Biennial Inspection

We were delighted to welcome some of our alumni to our first CCF Biennial Inspection in March this year.

Thank you to: Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison DSO, MBE (OL 1985), who is now one of the highest-ranking officers in the British Army and is a Colonel Commandant of the Parachute Regiment and Deputy Commander of United Nations Command in South Korea, Colin Nunn (OL 1966) who donated the shooting award, Martin Mather (OL 1965), Peter Owen (OL 1966) and Robin Hooper (OL 1971).

OLs v pupils golf tournament

It was a close game of golf between OLs and pupils this term. John Davies (OL and OL Golf Society Chair), sent over this short play-by-play report for us:

The annual golf match against the School’s pupils took place on Thursday 18 April at Sandy Lodge Golf Club in sunny but windy conditions.

The standard of golf at John Lyon is improving year on year, so we knew we would have our work cut out. Leading from the front, the pairing of Paul Harris and Paul Martin secured our first point (Paul Martin shot six over gross), and despite their losing the last match on the final green, it was a very close encounter involving yours truly paired with Simon Flamank. It was a very close game throughout, but the overall result left us with an OL win by 2.5 points to 1.5 points.

A huge well done to all the OLs and

pupils who played so successfully. The alumni taking part were, John Orchard (OL 1972), Paul Harris (OL 1968), Guy Nyirenda (OL 1991), Paul Martin (OL 1983), Robert Palmer (OL 2003), John Davies (OL 1976) and Simon Flamank (OL 1976). And the pupils were Johnny (L6TCF), Ameya (10NJB), Arun (10NJB), Raphael (8MAL), Aziz (10LHF), Sahib(8CJC), and Raul (10LHF).

If you’re interested in joining your fellow OL golfers, sign up to our Golf Society here: https://lyonian-association.org/ clubs/view/olgs

Mayur Gupta (OL 2012) returns for Goldhawk Lecture

We were honoured to welcome Mayur Gupta back to our Goldhawk Lecture Series and Head Prefect lunch this term. As the founder of Career Accelerator, Mayur returned to share his experiences from his time at John Lyon and his journey beyond School, including his gap year. He spoke candidly about the highs and lows of his schooldays and subsequent career path, offering invaluable insights to our Lower Sixth students.

Mayur provided career advice to students interested in entrepreneurship, emphasising personal growth and development. He highlighted the importance of volunteering, continuous learning, and overall happiness. He also encouraged students to engage in discussions about their future plans and how his advice could benefit them.

In 2017, Mayur founded Career Accelerator, a youth organisation that supports individuals from diverse backgrounds in preparing for professional careers through employer support, employee volunteering, social impact initiatives, mentoring, and more. Today, Career Accelerator is a thriving six-figure business, partnering with over 30 state schools, 10 universities, the UK’s three leading LGBT+ career conferences, and 25 top businesses.

Mayur’s dedication to his cause has earned him recognition on the OUTstanding and Empower Lists multiple times, and he was named a LinkedIn Top Voice in 2022. He has also spoken at key events with The Economist, The Labour Party, and Teach First, and has contributed to two books: ‘DiversityEd’ and ‘26 Friends: Lessons to Learn Before It’s Too Late’.

If you are an OL and would like to share your career journey, provide guidance and experience, please email bharti.bhika@johnlyon.org

Golden Era Reunion: Celebrating the Class of 1954 and Beyond Reunions

In December 2023, Alan Poulton (OL 1954) proposed a reunion for his remaining classmates from the Class of 1954. After thoughtful discussions, it was decided to expand the reunion to include all former pupils who graduated between 1950 and 1960. Thus, the ‘Golden Era Reunion’ was born.

It was a pleasure to organise and host this event at John Lyon on Thursday 23

May. The weather was perfect, creating an ideal setting for our OLs’ tour of the School, followed by a delightful afternoon tea featuring finger sandwiches and fresh scones, courtesy of our excellent in-house catering team.

Attendees and their guests enjoyed reminiscing as they explored the archives and the afternoon was further enriched by two outstanding solo performances from two pupils, Soma (9JOC) on the violin and Aly (9JOC) on the piano. As a special treat,

Alan Poulton played the piano, leading everyone in a heartfelt rendition of Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’. We hope to do exactly that sometime soon!

The camaraderie and incredible stories shared offered a vivid glimpse into School life over 50 years ago. Witnessing OLs reconnect with old classmates underscored the enduring importance of the Lyonian Association and our alumni network.

40 years on reunion

It was a pleasure to welcome back Old Lyonians for their 40-year reunion on Friday 21 July, which, for many of whom, was their first time back since leaving John Lyon four decades ago.

All attendees were treated to a tour of the School from our Lower Sixth prefects Finlay (L6PWN), Zainul (L6PKC) and Rohan (L6RS), in which some OLs expressed their envy of today’s pupils having the luxury of an indoor pool – and the Sixth Form common room, which in their day was the School Dining Hall, known to all as Cloisters. The former classmates began to reconnect and reminisce over the archive material in the Refectory, and it was wonderful to see the group trying to name individuals in their year group from the whole class of 1984 photo

– not to mention some chuckles at the interesting 80s haircuts!

Guests continued their conversations while grabbing some delicious BBQ-style food

prepared by our terrific catering team, filling the Refectory with laughter at some of the shared stories. Guests were gifted a custom ’Class of 1984’ bookmark as a memento.

‘West Side Story’: 20 Year Reunion

Owen Peachey (OL 2004) first reached out to the Alumni Office in December 2023 with the idea of planning a reunion to mark the 20th anniversary of the School’s second ever production, which was ‘West Side Story’. Owen took a lead role in organising the reunion, bringing together Old Lyonians Ishil Mehta (OL 2006), Atif Siddiqui (OL 2007), Michael Betts (OL 2007), Stuart Onslow (OL 2007), Ali Milne (OL 2007) and Swaraj Thancanamootoo (OL 2004).

Owen reflects on the reunion and his time back at John Lyon:

‘West Side Story’ was the second production performed at the theatre following ‘Guys and Dolls’ in 2003. It was driven by Deborah Gibbs, the then

Head of Drama, and Stuart Miles, a former Director of Music, along with a multi-year cast of Lyonians and girls from schools in the surrounding area. These were the original productions that started the School’s tradition of performing annually at the Ryan Theatre. To honour this anniversary, several of the OL cast members who originally made up ’the Jets’ gang came together to the Ryan Theatre and the School to share memories of a time that was so formative for them.

It was an ethereal experience for those that attended, again being able to step onto the Ryan Theatre stage. It is very much a sacred space for those who have had the opportunity to perform on it while at the School, and that feeling has continued from 2003 to the present day for those fortunate enough to tread those hallowed boards again. From those who attended, many thoughts were shared on the brotherly bonds that

were forged during the time spent in the performing arts at John Lyon. They also shared their continued gratitude to Deborah Gibbs, Stuart Miles and the School for the personal growth, selfawareness, and fulfilment that ‘West Side Story’ (and countless other productions) gave them in their formative years.

During the tour of the School, more memories were shared in the Drama Studio, the Boyd Campbell Hall and Music School of productions and performances, notably the inaugural Sixth Form Leavers’ concert in 2004 and Shakespeare’s ‘The Comedy of Errors’ in 2003.

What was also clear was the genuine affection still held by those attending for their time at John Lyon. The performing arts are a great medium to empower human beings, and long may this generative tradition remain at John Lyon School.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Tom Marshall (OL 2015)

What did you enjoy the most whilst at the School?

I really got stuck into sports at John Lyon. I spent most lunch times during the autumn term in the cricket nets, and I played football and cricket every year up to 1st XI level.

What did you do after leaving John Lyon?

I went on a gap year to play a cricket season in Melbourne, Australia, immediately after leaving John Lyon. In the following September, I started my undergraduate degree at the University of Birmingham, graduating in 2019. After university, I played another cricket season abroad, this time in Auckland, New Zealand, which was slightly curtailed by the COVID pandemic. This made the job hunt really challenging when I got back to the UK, so I enrolled onto a master’s degree at Brunel University London and graduated in 2021.

Can you describe what you have done in your career so far?

After my master’s degree, I secured a job at the British Transport Police working as a Data Administrator and then a Researcher. I worked there for a year –give or take – and have since been at TfL working as a Performance Analyst.

How did your experience at John Lyon shape you and prepare you for the future?

For me, the sport side was important. Being able to work with the sports staff on a day-to-day basis was valuable and gave me a lot of confidence to go and do what I’ve done. The skills are transferable, and it has helped me throughout my degrees and early stages of my career to keep trying to make myself better through upskilling and pushing myself to the next opportunity, wherever that may be.

What has been your proudest moment so far?

It’s not necessarily a professional moment but having my master’s degree dissertation published in the journal ‘Psychology of Sport and Exercise’ is something that I’m really proud of. Are you still involved with the School? If so, why is this important?

I’ve just taken on running the Old Lyonian Football Club (OLFC) 1st XI. I’ve played for OLFC since I came back from my various travels. It’s been a way to stay in touch with some of my close mates from school and it’s even been an avenue to get some of them back into playing again. As someone who loves playing sport, I think it’s really important – especially as you get a bit older – to use it as a chance to see your mates. We’re always looking for new members and have a growing group of OLs playing in all of our teams (we have four XIs), although you don’t have to be an OL to join the club. We have preseason training every Monday evening in August at Sudbury Fields (where all our home games are), so if anyone is interested in joining, please feel free to come down and test it out! Please contact Bharti. Bhikha@johnlyon.org who can put you in touch with me.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a current pupil?

Use all the expertise and facilities whilst you’re at John Lyon. Regardless of whether you’re academically, sport, drama, or musically inclined, it’s a great place to be and the support is always there.