The Standard - Summer 2023

THE STANDARD

31 A trip to Buckingham Palace

32 The 109th Old Lyonian Annual (OLA) Dinner

34 Be part of Old Lyonian Football Association (OLFA)

Teeing off with the Old Lyonian Golf Society

35 Old Lyonians pip John Lyon to the post

36 OLs conquer Tough Mudder Turf Tank machine a great asset

37 1876 Fund supports pupils

38

Stet Fortuna Domus

It is with mixed emotions that I write my final end of term message, as I prepare to bid the School farewell after 14 fulfilling years, having joined John Lyon back in 2009. As the Head, it has been an incredible honour and privilege to witness our pupils’ individual and collective successes. And I must commend our teachers’ dedication in enabling John Lyon pupils to achieve their best. The tremendous support for the School from parents is hugely appreciated too. Together, we are a thriving educational community.

Once again, this term has seen our pupils achieve great things. I am delighted to highlight the continued efforts we have made on the sustainability front: competing alongside friends from our global Harrow Family of Schools, John Lyon has secured back-to-back wins in the international sustainability competitions – a testament to our commitment to environmental stewardship.

Our STEAM achievements have been remarkable, with the John Lyon VEX robotics team ranking as the UK’s top independent school robotics team at the World Championships in the US. What’s more, our students have also excelled in building and racing the Greenpower race car, showcasing their innovative powers and engineering skills.

All our Prep and Senior pupils came together as one School on Values Day and Enrichment Day, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration in our community. These events provided a unique opportunity for our students to enrich their educational experience by interacting and learning from one another.

We are very proud indeed of our School

community’s compassion and generosity, which have been amply demonstrated this academic year by the raising of almost £12,000 for various charities. Our participation in the Chemistry Olympiad and the Harrow Family Fifth Form Conference showcased our students’ academic excellence and commitment to their studies as they embraced these challenges to achieve outstanding results.

The Art and Music departments have flourished again, as evidenced by the exceptional A-Level and GCSE Art Show and the success of Junior Music Day. In both cases, the talent and creativity displayed by our pupils continue to impress and inspire.

On the sporting front, our pupils have demonstrated great teamwork and commitment to archery by winning the Silver Arrow competition against Harrow School yet again – for the eighth consecutive year. Additionally, our cricket teams have achieved notable successes throughout a season that climaxed with our annual Festival of Cricket week, and a stellar 1st XI win against the MCC side. We hosted a Girls in Sport workshop, empowering our female pupils and promoting gender equality in sports – as part of which it was a huge privilege to welcome leading international female sports stars to lead sessions in sunny Sudbury Fields.

This term’s excellent outcomes have reaffirmed the incredible potential within our community, and I have no doubt that the future holds more, even greater successes. I have every confidence in the staff and students – in the entire John Lyon community – to continue our upward trajectory and reach new heights while always upholding the values and principles we have worked so hard to establish. n

Miss Katherine Haynes, Head

FRONT COVER Pupils enjoying an archery lesson at Sudbury Fields.

Tribute to Miss Haynes

As the UK’s first female head of an HMC boys’ day school, Miss Haynes has seen herself as custodian of the School.

Always willing to roll here sleeves up and get stuck in and using her strong moral compass, she has developed and followed a collection of mantras such as ‘given that education is compulsory, children should have a right for it to be enjoyable’. In a world where examination results and achievement are seemingly paramount, this focus on joy has been a breath of fresh air at John Lyon.

Those that meet her instantly appreciate her warmth, wisdom, and professionalism, and a smile that puts one at ease. Drawn in by the twinkle in her eye, her sense of humour and quiet pioneering spirit, teachers talk of Miss Haynes’ empathetic, personable, curious, supportive and intelligent approach. Her unwavering dedication and inspirational leadership have had a profound impact on our school community.

Miss Haynes has never been too busy to give pupils, parents and staff her time – we have all felt fully supported by her firm but fair approach. She has personally selected over 1700 pupils during 14 admissions processes, taking an individual interest in every pupil and nurturing them throughout their time here. Since she overtly puts

pupils first, they recognise her kind-spirited encouragement, fondly remembering another mantra, that ‘pupils who are busy perform the best.’ The warmth with which parents greet Miss Haynes also speaks of the quality of the relationships between her and John Lyon families.

A lover of fauna as well as flora, with a keen interest in ornithology and wildlife, Miss Haynes has educated many of us in casual conversations on the way into school whilst simultaneously collecting conkers. Mucking in alongside pupils, the Head has literally helped with tree planting, which the pupils loved, taught Maths and entered every staffpupil art and photography competition, her work always to the highest standard. She has promoted the work of all departments,

Behind Oldfield House, 2009

making each feel special and their efforts particularly worthwhile. Whether it’s attending a long-range cathedral recital, a sports fixture in the rain, academic society lectures or an early morning bird watch, every school department has received unwavering support.

Being a head can be a thankless task at times, with many of us in the John Lyon community enjoying and seeing the fruits of her labour without seeing the hard work that has led to their success. Miss Haynes’ understanding of the economic and political climate has enabled the school to navigate some difficult times. Over the years, in a steady and relentless flow of governor meetings, she has championed fiercely first the pupils and then the staff that care for them. Going well beyond her remit, she has been a governor at several schools during her time here (including being chair of governors at one) and is one of only a

small handful of heads who are reporting inspectors. She really knows education.

Members of the Senior Leadership team recognise her as a shining example of an excellent Head: she cares passionately about the pupils, the staff and the School; she is able to combine planning strategically for the School whilst paying attention to the small details in the operational running; she is not afraid of making difficult decisions if they are right for the future of the School. Miss Haynes has achieved all of this in a quiet, caring way, never wishing to be in the spotlight.

Over the last two generations of senior school pupils, she has built John Lyon to be a School with a reputation for excellent teaching, an envious co-curricular programme and outstanding pastoral care. It has become a more modern, progressive school which still maintains its core values and history. She has lead the transformation

of the School’s estate delivering a range of state of the art facilities. She has grown John Lyon’s standing and relationship with the Harrow Family of Schools and laid the groundwork for an impressive and growing global outlook for our pupils. More recently the move to an all-through, co-educational school were bold decisions in a difficult climate, but Miss Haynes has left no stone unturned in the delivery of these projects, to the benefit of our whole community. There is no doubt that the School’s popularity and successes have increased during her tenure.

They say you reap what you sow and it is abundantly clear that Miss Haynes leaves an inspirational legacy for others to enjoy. By her expert hand, John Lyon has flourished into a progressive, diverse and welcoming School in which pupils and their individual passions thrive. On behalf of the whole school community, we thank her sincerely.

Red House lawn, June 2023

Speech Days

On Monday 3rd July at Harrow School Chapel, we celebrated our Senior pupils’ outstanding achievements and on the following day, Tuesday 4th July, we celebrated those of our Prep pupils at Trinity Church, Harrow. Congratulations to all on a terrific year! n

John Lyon wins back-to-back international sustainability competitions

Congratulations to our John Lyon Senior and Quainton Hall Prep teams for their exceptional success in the Harrow 451 Sustainability competition.

Both teams emerged victorious in their respective categories. This competition, organised by 8billionideas, brought together Year 1 to Sixth Form students from the Harrow Family of Schools including Harrow School and the Harrow International Schools as well as our John Lyon Senior and Quainton Hall Prep teams.

The Year 6 Prep team, comprising Aadam, Abdullah, Zayd, Krish, Anoushka, Siddharth and Aida, impressed the judges in Pathway 1 with their innovative concept, the ‘Power Shoe’, which harnesses kinetic energy generated while wearing the shoe and

converts it into electricity, which can be stored for later use. By using everyday physical activity to generate electricity, this revolutionary concept has the potential to make a significant impact on sustainability.

Our Senior team, composed of Akinyosoye (L6RSK), Reshaanpal (L6MEW), Yosif (L6RSK), Aryan (L6SJA), Mehmet (L6MEW), Danyal (L6MEW) and Laksh (L6QAC), claimed first place in Pathway 3, with their ingenious idea called ‘Grid Iron’. Their concept envisions recharging gym equipment while individuals exercise, thereby reducing the demand for electricity while promoting physical fitness. Additionally, the team proposed the development of a mobile app that allows users to track progress and compete with friends and family, so that it has the potential to gain traction as a social media phenomenon. They have even laid ambitious plans to take their vision further and present their concept to industry experts.

The Quainton Hall Prep and John Lyon

Senior teams’ achievements are testament to their exemplary ambition and dedication to creativity, enquiry, and innovation in the pursuit of sustainability. Taking part in this event has been a rewarding and valuable experience and a great chance for our pupils to engage with and learn from the global Harrow Family of Schools.n

John Lyon ranks as top UK independent school robotics team at World Championships

The achievements of our VEX VRC and VEX IQ robotics teams this season have been remarkable, culminating in their participation at the esteemed World Robotics Championships in Dallas, Texas.

Competing on this international stage in the world of robotics has been a dream come true for our teams, leaving them with cherished memories, outstanding successes and invaluable lessons that will guide them in the next robotics season, for which preparations have already begun!

Despite it being their first time competing at international level, both teams showed incredible composure and resilience, and returned from Dallas with an array of impressive accomplishments.

The VEX IQ team, consisting of Alexander (9AHJ), Aarav (9ND), Sulayman (9SRP), Ameya (9AHJ) – who was also a former pupil of our Prep School, Quainton Hall –and their robot JL Discovery, secured an astounding 2nd place finish among all UK teams and claimed an incredible 1st place among UK independent schools.

Our VEX VRC Team, comprised Yash

(10CKL), Hemang (10RMC), Tarun (10RMC) and Rafay (10CKL), and their robot JL Artax achieved a 2nd place ranking among UK teams in the skills category and earned a position in the top 50 out of over 500 teams competing worldwide.

Congratulations to both teams on their well-deserved accomplishments and we wish them the best as they embark on the next competition season, carrying with them the experience and success they have attained at this year’s World Championships.

The School is deeply thankful to CluedIn for their generous sponsorship and to Kaison Asset Management for their additional support in helping our VEX IQ team fulfil its robotics aspirations at the World Championships. Furthermore, we are immensely grateful to

the Lyonian Association and the 1876 Fund for their invaluable contributions to our robotics initiatives. Their support has made it possible to acquire robots and equipment, and participate in competitions, making for a considerable enhancement of our students’ educational experience.

“Participating in the World Championships was a dream come true for the team after countless hours of hard toil and we are very grateful to everyone who has supported us in this journey.” – Ameya, VEX IQ

team member

“This has been a life-changing experience for us, and we look forward to our future endeavours. Our thanks to Dr Weinberg, Mr du Plessis, and Mr Malhotra for their undivided support throughout our journey.”

– VEX VRC Team n

VEX IQ Team

Values Day

Values Day is an exciting annual fixture in our calendar. It not only provides us with a unique opportunity to reflect upon and promote our eight core values, but it also brings us together as one community: a 3-18, all-through school, from our Little Lyons Nursery right the way up to Sixth Form, to celebrate our wonderful community!

During this year’s Values Day, pupils demonstrated their creativity and innovation by participating in a wide range of activities, including sports, arts, STEAM, and audio-visual activities. They showed great ambition and true excellence by working tirelessly to produce their own songs, banners, sports challenges, and choreographed dance moves. Enquiring, imaginative minds were also fully engaged and stretched by investigating what a drama theatre of the future might look like.

After all these activities, pupils enjoyed values-branded cookies before creating their own noodle dishes and ice cream sundaes with help from our fantastic catering team. A massive thank you to the catering team for preparing a lunch for all that was both delicious and interactive!

During the day, a new section of the 145-heritage bench was unveiled. The bench, designed by Year 9 pupil Milo and Old Lyonian, Umut Yumac (OL 1998), was first presented to the John Lyon community at last year’s Value Day event. Its creation was made possible with the support of the 1876 Fund – a great example of the School’s resolve to continue fostering creativity and excellence.

The day was a great success and we look forward to building on our achievements for next year. n

STEAMing ahead at first

Greenpower race car event

Congratulations to our Greenpower race car team – Mattice (8GMM), Mikhail (9SRP), Romir (9WA), William (7JHA), Sulayman (9SRP), Ania (7CCG), Adam (7CJC), Shayan (7JEB) and Niam (7CJC) on the successful build of their car and participation in their very first race, which took place at Mallory Park Races.

The team has shown incredible enthusiasm and teamwork in the design and build of their car – and a 10th place finish out of 28 teams is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to their incredible engineering skills.

This has been another great STEAM opportunity for our pupils made possible by the generosity of Lyonian Association’s 1876 Fund. n

The Time of Our Lives in Spain

“From Sunday 26th March to Saturday 1st April, pupils taking Spanish in Year 9 had the opportunity to visit Valencia and we had the time of our lives. From fun lessons and authentic Spanish food to some amazing excursions, we enjoyed every minute of our trip. While having a good time, we also experienced city life in a different country, and we enjoyed being immersed in their culture and experiencing it first-hand.

Each of us stayed with a host family, with whom we had the opportunity to enjoy Spanish home life. The host families helped us to improve our communication skills in Spanish. It was helpful to learn how to communicate with a native speaker. We also had traditional Spanish dinners with our host families and ate Spanish foods such as bocadillos and paella.

From Monday to Thursday, we had language lessons at Taronja Spanish School. These were unlike ordinary lessons as we were able to interact with the locals and learn about the history of Valencia, as well as learn some more Spanish.

The best part about the trip was the exciting excursions. Every day, we were

able to visit a famous place in Valencia. These places were the old town, the Oceanogràfic aquarium, Mestalla Stadium – Valencia CF’s home ground – the beach, and Port Aventura theme park. We had a great time visiting different monuments and exploring the old town. Also, seeing all the aquatic life at the aquarium was amazing. The main highlight of the trip was Port Adventura theme park where we went on thrilling roller coasters.

I would highly recommend this trip to all pupils as it was an amazing opportunity to visit a new country and visit all the main attractions as well as improving our Spanish language skills. We had an amazing time in Valencia, and it will be a trip that we will never forget. A big thank you to the teachers for making this trip possible.” n

Ayaan (9AHJ)

Coronation of HM King Charles III

The School marked the Coronation of HM King Charles III with a special assembly focused on British values and the significance of the Coronation.

There was also a special themed lunch in the New Memorial Dining Hall, suitably decorated with bunting for the occasion, which was enjoyed by all.

Additionally, pupils were encouraged to take part in The Big Help Out, the nationwide initiative that was launched to mark this historic event. Many pupils

took part in litter picking activities in their local communities and a group of Year 7 pupils, Param (7CJC), Akshaj (7JHA) and Shrey (7CJC) also volunteered their time at the London Community Kitchen, helping to organise and sort donations for its Foodbank. n

Chess champion crowned

Congratulations to Dien (10SCA) for his outstanding victory in this year’s John Lyon Chess Championship. The competition, organised by students and guided by Physics teacher Mr Kay, unfolded over the spring term and culminated in an exhilarating finale held in May.

The finals witnessed a gripping clash between Dien and Jordan (U6PWM), where both players demonstrated unwavering focus and determination. Their calculated moves and strategic manoeuvres kept spectators on the edge of their seats, leading to a thrilling tie break to decide the winner.

The tournament has been an overwhelming success, attracting enthusiastic participation from chess enthusiasts. Plans for the next academic year’s competition are already underway, ensuring that this newly established tradition will continue to thrive. n

Harrow Family Fifth Form Conference

Nine of our Year 11 pupils, Jack (11MRF), Pranay (11NMB), Wesley (11KS), Jai (11CCN), John (11KS), Krish (11CCN), Yusuf (11KS), Giritharan (11NMB) and Ibrahim (11NMB) were selected to attend the Harrow Family Fifth Form Conference, which involves all the schools in the Harrow Family: John Lyon School, Harrow School and the Harrow International Schools.

The conference, which took place in June, aims to get pupils to think about their futures and is a wonderful opportunity for them to broaden their horizons. This year’s programme involved lectures, educational activities, team-building exercises, a theatre visit, networking opportunities, university advice and visits to several prestigious universities.

At the time of writing this issue of The Standard, our Year 11 attendees were actively participating in the conference. We look forward to providing a comprehensive account of their experiences and insights gained during the event in the next edition of the magazine. n

Quizzing for a good cause

The annual Staff Quiz Night took place on Friday 19th May at the Lyonian Pavilion, with over 50 staff members from the Prep and Senior Schools taking part. Quiz Mistress Mrs Grady put together an impressive array of challenging questions on a variety of topics and led the event with aplomb, while Mr Parry’s impressive DJ skills provided a lively soundtrack, ensuring an entertaining atmosphere throughout the evening.

During the event, an exciting raffle draw took place, which raised almost £300 for St Luke’s Hospice, a charity supported by the School community. A big thank you to all the staff who contributed to this terrific outcome!

We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the families of Niam (7CJC), Ved (7JEB), and Saffie-Rae (7CJC) for their kind donations of raffle prizes, which further contributed to the event’s success and charitable cause. n

Charity update

The School has continued fundraising for a number of charities – and so far this academic year we have raised £11,973. The most recent charity events have been the Art Postcard Auction and Go Purple Day. The Auction raised approximately £800 for St Lukes Hospice, the School’s primary local charity this year. Go Purple Day, organised by the Head Boy Team, involved a purple-themed mufti day and a milkshake, cake and purple wristband sale. We would like to thank the School community for their support of this and the many other charity initiatives over the course of the academic year. n

John Lyon supports EPQ qualification in photography

We are pleased to have supported The Photographers’ Gallery Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in Photography, a programme that helps students attain their EPQ without any financial burden and that has been generously supported by John Lyon’s Charity. John Lyon School played an important role this term by actively assisting with the moderation of project entries and offering our facilities to host the final EPQ presentations, which took place on Friday 21st April. n

A lesson in French cinema

“With approximately 40 Year 9 students, we embarked on a journey to the British Film Institute, on London’s South Bank, where we immersed ourselves in the world of French cinema.

For the first part of the visit, we watched a series of interesting short films, known as ‘courts-métrages’, that addressed societal issues such as mental health, the environment and diversity. A seasoned French teacher at the Institute guided us through the material in each film, giving us lots of explanation, and during this experience we found ourselves expanding our French vocabulary, which was great! We also discussed the films with our classmates, and everyone very much enjoyed hearing each other’s opinions on the films, as well as their understanding of them.

Following lunch, which we had while enjoying amazing views of London, we returned to the film institute, and watched a French drama masterpiece called Belle et Sebastien – arguably one of the greatest French films of all time! It is the story of a ‘feral’ dog and an orphan in the French Alps during World War II, living through the hardships of Vichy France. They try to foil a Nazi plan to capture French resistance fighters. Their adventures are very emotional, and we were all very captivated! To everyone, allez voir le film! (watch the film!)

Overall, the day proved to be an unforgettable experience, enhancing our grasp of the French language and culture.” Rishi (9WA) and Lucas (9AHJ) n

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh (DofE)

Just before the half-term break, Year 10 pupils headed out to the hills of Buckinghamshire to complete their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions.

They were blessed with ideal conditions – dry and bright but not too warm. Groups headed off from their respective start-points in either Great Missenden or Wendover, following the routes they had spent the previous few weeks planning. Walking and navigating independently, they only met their assessor once or twice at agreed points along their route. All groups arrived at the campsite in good time, and enthusiastically set up camp and thought about cooking dinner. The following day ran along similar lines as the first, with groups heading to the

finish in spectacular Tring Park. The pupils were excited to have completed their expedition, and although each group had experienced challenges, they met most of them with great resolve and determination to succeed. It is satisfying to learn that several groups are already hoping to build on their DofE experience by doing the Silver Award next year. n

“My experience at the Duke of Edinburgh Award, including the expedition itself, was superb! Not only have I picked up some valuable skills you may not get someplace else, but I have also made a difference by helping in my local area as part of my volunteering. I strongly recommend DofE whether it’s Bronze, Silver, or Gold as it makes memories you’ll never forget.”

William (10RMC) n

Outdoor Classroom Day

Once again this year, pupils enjoyed the opportunity to engage in their Art, English, Geography and RSP lessons outdoors. Studies have shown that working outside has many benefits for pupils and it was wonderful to see them learning while enjoying the advantages of being outside.

“Working outdoors was so unique and fun! We could enjoy the sun and the nature around us, which helped me to work better. Sitting outdoors gave us fresh air, which I think helped all of us work well. I would benefit from doing this again because it is peaceful outside and fun at the same time.”

Vanessa (8AJM) n

Chemistry Olympiad success

Earlier this term, Sixth Form Chemistry students took part in the 2023 Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad.

This event is a gruelling two-hour examination, and a true cerebral workout in which pupils are challenged at a level of chemical knowledge and understanding well beyond the boundaries of the A-Level syllabus.

We left the competition victorious with two Gold Awards achieved by Josh (U6PWM) and Varun (L6JCC) and two Bronze Awards, won by Avi (L6RSK) and Alex (L6SJA). At the best of times, it is no mean feat to win these rarely

attained awards – let alone against such fierce competition from other schools’ Upper Sixth pupils. Congratulations to our contenders for their truly remarkable achievements! n

Pupils brave waves along the East Coast

A group of enthusiastic Year 7 and Year 8 pupils embarked on a sailing trip along the East Coast during half term in May.

Their journey began on Monday 29th May, setting sail from Ipswich Harbour with their first mooring at Levington in their sights. During the trip, they navigated the River Orwell and the River Stour as well as facing the challenge of strong waves when they arrived in the Channel.

Making the yacht their home for five days, pupils truly experienced sailing life – working closely together to prepare meals and keep the boat ‘shipshape’. They even slept in hammocks! What’s more, they learnt how to drop and ‘weigh’ (raise) anchor, set sail and to tie a variety of tricky nautical knots, which they had plenty of time to practice on the voyage.

This trip was part of the School’s Outdoor Pursuits programme, on which previous trips have seen pupils learn power boating, skiing and much more. Open to pupils across the School, the programme is a great opportunity to try a range of exciting and challenging outdoor activities and acquire new skills.

“We will never forget this boat trip, which was a unique adventure. The entire crew was fantastic and had so many entertaining stories to tell us. We highly recommend this trip to anyone with an interest in sailing or wanting to try something different! ”

Dhanush (8AJM), Zail (8GMM) and Kian (8AJM)

“I learnt many things and made new friends. I learnt how to tie ropes, the different sails on a ship and I experienced the life of a sailor. I have also improved my cooking skills and learnt how to do different household tasks where I hope I can help my family at home. This was an amazing trip, and I can’t wait to do this again.”

Shlok (8ADH) n

CCF Pass-off parade

The Year 10 Combined Cadet Force (CCF) cadets completed their pass-off parade and received their berets in front of their proud parents as well as members of our Senior Leadership Team. Congratulations to all our cadets on their achievement, which signifies the completion of their basic training! n

Enrichment Day at John Lyon Senior for Quainton Hall Prep pupils

On Wednesday 14th June, we hosted Year 5 students from our Quainton Hall Prep at John Lyon Senior for their second Enrichment Day of the academic year.

Pupils embraced the day wholeheartedly, engaging in stimulating Mathematics, French and Drama-related activities. Members of the Head Boy Team also provided them with the opportunity to explore on a guided tour of the senior school site.

It was wonderful to welcome a good number of Year 5 parents at the end of the day for a series of short talks and a Q&A, along with tea and delicious cakes!

The pupils met two Old Quaintonian Year 8s during the day – Dhyan (8ADH) and Rehan (8ADH), and it was fitting too that Ayokanmi (L6RSK), an Old Quaintonian in Lower Sixth now, could meet the parents as part of the session.

We hope the Year 5s left inspired and that they are looking forward to their final Enrichment Day in the autumn. n

around the School

The School community has been actively engaged in its ongoing efforts to promote sustainability and create a greener environment. We highlight some of the amazing work that has been taking place.

A great learning experience at Powerday recycling plant

“We visited Powerday in Willesden just before Easter break to see how they recycle waste items and industrial waste from nearby areas. Following a tour of the plant, which was interesting and a real eye-opener, we spent the remainder of our day in their conference room creating our sustainability plan for the 2023-24 academic year.

Experienced staff from the plant were on hand to help us through this exercise, where we first analysed the feedback received from the sustainability surveys we carried out with parents, pupils, and governors. This exercise was valuable as it enabled us to get a snapshot of where we are and where we could improve. We reviewed the School’s electricity, gas and water usage data, and then brainstormed ideas on how the School could better conserve these resources.

Another area we looked at was animal conservation and ways in which we could improve those efforts by planting trees and supporting habitats in our area. We know that this can make a difference because, earlier this year, we did some work on beehive conservation in Sudbury Fields – and we now have a growing bee community.

It was a very beneficial day, as we left with many innovative ideas to help us continue our sustainability work for the next academic year. We are excited to build on the achievements we have made this year. ”

Rishi (9WA) n

Minimising food waste

Working in collaboration with our catering team, the School is proud to have significantly reduced plate waste over the last year. Year groups have had their plate waste weighed each day and the figures have been reported back to the students on the digital boards around the campus. We have also been keeping a record over the year to monitor fluctuations and see which year has the best, or rather least, plate waste.

Since Christmas, we have given this a big push and we are pleased to say we have been reducing our food waste by 10kg per week on average. This has been helped by effective menu planning, which has involved asking pupils what they would like to see on the menu – the result being a shift towards the use of more seasonal produce and greater education across the School community on making better choices.

Our efforts have been recognised by Harrow School and we have recently welcomed the opportunity to support their food waste reduction objectives. This has been an extremely rewarding project and both schools hope to continue collaborating on reducing our carbon footprints. n

Creating sustainable sites at John Lyon Senior and Quainton Hall Prep

We are thrilled to share our remarkable progress in creating environmentally friendly and sustainable sites across John Lyon Senior, John Lyon Sudbury Fields, and Quainton Hall Prep, thanks to the incredible efforts of our dedicated Grounds Maintenance team. Five years ago, the School made a conscious decision to replace ground upkeep and maintenance chemicals with organic materials. Since then, we have witnessed an astonishing transformation as bird species, wildlife, and wildflowers have flourished, in turn benefiting from and boosting an equally fast-growing bee and wasp population.

Some of the thriving wildlife has been spotted in footage from the two wildlife cameras we installed on Friday 3rd March for World Wildlife Day. As part of their Co-Curricular Programme of activities, pupils have been regularly reviewing the footage and have been thrilled to witness appearances by foxes, hawks, and hedgehogs among many others.

As the area continues to flourish through the Grounds team’s continued efforts, we expect to see even more wildlife species – and look forward to sharing what the cameras capture with the entire School community. n

Improving our air quality

“One weekend, I went to The Welcome Collection in London where they had an exhibition called ‘In the Air’. When I got back to School the following week, I explained the exhibition to Mrs Grady and we thought it would be a good idea to monitor our own air quality around the School. We borrowed two air monitors from the Physics department and measured the CO2 levels, HVOC levels and TVOC levels over an extended period. I took these readings at the start and the end of each School day, during term times and holidays.

During my experiment, Mrs Grady wrote a letter to all parents/guardians, explaining the impact of fumes and the importance of switching their engines off while waiting to pick up the children. After this letter was sent, there was a clear drop in all the measurements, which was amazing to see. This just showed the impact of our cars on the environment, and the change in levels was a positive sign that our parents were supporting our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint.

I would like to thank Mrs Grady for her support, and I feel proud to have been able to play a role in helping the School become a little more sustainable.”

Eric (9AJH) n

This graph created by Eric shows a reduction in CO2 levels from 10 January ownwards following a letter to parents from Mrs Grady.

Hawk captured on wildlife camera Grounds at Sudbury in full bloom

A-Level and GCSE Art Show

Once again, our A-Level and GCSE Art pupils captivated all who attended with their exceptional talent and skill.

Junior Music Day

On Wednesday 9th May we hosted our popular Junior Music Day for pupils in Years 5, 6 and 7. This year we welcomed pupils and staff from nine local schools, including our own Quainton Hall Prep School.

It was an eventful day with numerous interactive activities focused on music-making, which climaxed at the end of the day with a concert in our Boyd Campbell Hall for the parents, families and friends of the visiting schools.

This musical collaboration was a wonderful chance for our attendees to learn as well as a platform from which to share their knowledge and a great time was had by all. n

Summer Solos Concert

“At the Solos Concert on Thursday 18th May, I sang the song Perfect by Ed Sheeran. To be completely honest, it was an utterly nerve-wracking experience! However, once I began to sing, I somehow started to feel the song. I forgot how many people were listening to me and simply put myself into the song I was singing. Afterwards, I heard applause coming from the audience and felt proud of myself. I felt as though I had been rewarded for my work towards my performance.

I am so happy that I took part, as it was a great learning experience for me and it allowed me to practice even more, which is something musicians need to do all the time to get better. I also enjoyed listening to other pupils display their musical talents, especially some of the other singing pieces and violin pieces.

I would highly recommend other pupils with a passion for music to take part in future concerts – it is a wonderful experience, and I am already looking forward to the next one! ”

Samaaira (7JEB) n

Pupils showcase talents at NYCGB 40th anniversary concert

In April this year, Amaroo (8GMM), Sumeet (10RMC) and Yuv (10RMC) had the incredible opportunity to participate in the National Youth Choirs Great Britain (NYCGB) 40th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

As members of the National Youth Boys’ Choir, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for them.

The concert was a commemorative event that brought together more than 1,000 singers from various choirs affiliated with NYCGB. For these three students, it was a truly wonderful and unique addition to their musical journey at the School, expanding their musical horizons beyond their regular music activities. n

A Wicked trip for our GCSE musicians

Year 11 students had a valuable learning experience that greatly benefitted their GCSE Music coursework during their trip to see the popular musical, Wicked, in London’s West End. Designed specifically for our GCSE Music students, the outing deepened their appreciation for musical productions and inspired them with new and exciting ideas to incorporate into their coursework.

“We embarked on a magical trip to the Apollo Victoria for the captivating show, Wicked. During the interval, curiosity led us beneath the stage to the pit, where we had the privilege of conversing with a talented guitarist. He kindly shared his passion for music and demonstrated the intricacies of his collection of instruments, each of which emitted a unique charm. This encounter deepened our appreciation for music’s role in the performance, leaving a lasting impression.”

Masimba (11NMB) and John (11KS) n

A playwright amongst us

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to George (U6NGA) for receiving a High Commendation for his recent entry, In Bedford With Me, in the prestigious New Views Playwriting course.

The National Theatre has recognised George’s exceptional talent, stating that a Highly Commended play is one that, although it did not make the shortlist, deserves special recognition. This remarkable achievement is particularly significant as only 43 scripts

out of the 500 submissions have been selected as Highly Commended. Evidently, the readers and New Views Team were captivated by George’s unique piece of work and believed it deserved acknowledgment.

As a result of this distinction, the National Theatre will be inviting all Highly Commended writers, including George, to participate in an online workshop.

Congratulations once again to George for this outstanding achievement! We are truly impressed and look forward to witnessing his continued success in the field of playwriting. n

Join us for Made In Dagenham the Musical

Following the resounding success of the School’s 2022 musical production of The Sound of Music, performed at Harrow’s state-of-the-art, 350-seat Ryan Theatre, we are delighted to unveil our next theatrical endeavour: Made In Dagenham the Musical

With a flurry of passionate, memorable, and contemporary set-pieces, the show contains all the flamboyance of a West End musical as well as great moments of intimate storytelling and is sure to provide our pupils and the audience with an exciting and engaging experience.

Set to grace the stage in the autumn term on Monday 11th, Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th December 2023, this production promises to be a captivating experience for all.

Please save the date in your diaries, for what’s sure to be another fantastic John Lyon production.n

SPORT

The summer term has seen excellent team and individual successes across all of our sports, mainstream and non-traditional. Through greater engagement with the ethos of a healthy lifestyle and through the development of the idea that ‘sport is for life’, we have seen much-improved pupil outcomes and participation. n

Cricket

John Lyon pupils enjoyed a successful and engaging winter cricket programme and by Easter were excited to get outside to test their cricket skills on the field of play.

The season, so far, has been a successful one, in which John Lyon has been victorious in 62% of its cricket fixtures across the year groups. Notable performances this term have included:

• The 1st XI and U12s teams reaching the semi-final of the Middlesex County Cup

• U13s and U14s reaching the quarter finals of the Middlesex County Cup

• Kahil (U6JCC) scoring 86 not out against Westminster School

• Vinay (8JOC) bowling figures of 5-0 against Ibstock Place

• Up to 25 girls representing the School in matches against Oratory School and Orley Farm School

• Rhian (9AJH) scoring his first century for Harrow borough

Rhian (9AHJ)

Athletics

Athletics remains a popular sport at John Lyon, with over 40 pupils participating in cross country and track and field events during the academic year.

Following their excellent performances in the South-East Schools Championships at the end of the spring term, pupils started the summer track and field season in good form, with 30 pupils performing well at the Harrow Borough Track and Field Championships. Notable performances included Alex (9WA) – 2nd

In addition to the Borough Championships, pupils also participated in the Harrow Borough Athletics League, with notable performances from Alex (9WA) in shot put and discus, Billy (9AHJ) in 800m and Paaran (9AHJ) in 100m, helping the Year 9 team to victory within the Year 9 competition. It was also pleasing to see the girls’ team continue to perform well, with Sophia (7CCG), Sierra-Rose (7CCG), Laksha (7CJC) and Erin (7JEB) representing the School superbly against some strong opposition. n

place in shot put and discus; Tio (11MRF) –2nd place in 400m; Erin (7JEB) – 3rd place in 800m and Jayden (7JHA) – 2nd place in 800m.

Swimming and water polo

It is an exciting time for our swimmers with record numbers of pupils attending extra-curricular elite and swim development sessions.

Thirty pupils recently participated in the Harrow Swimming Gala and out of six schools, the Year 7 girls and boys were placed second overall, while the Year 8 girls came in third. The boys from Years 8, 9 and 10 won most of their individual and relay races, coming first overall – an outstanding effort from all our swimmers!

In water polo, the junior team have put their practice into action this term, playing their first fixture against Latymer in an extremely competitive game. n

Badminton

Our U16 Badminton team continued in fine form, beating Whitgift B and Wilson’s to set up a final against Whitgift A during May half term. We eventually finished as runners up; a fantastic achievement given this was our first outing in a competition for teams from across the South East and London. n

Y7 boys

Y7 girls

Y8 girls

Y9 boys

Y8 boys

Y10 boys

Women and Girls in Sport Workshop

Girls from Year 7 and Year 8, along with girls from five other schools, had an amazing opportunity to meet accomplished international hockey, netball, cricket and rugby sportswomen at a ‘Women and Girls in Sport’ event hosted by the School.

The event focused on the development of women’s sport in a discussion on the sporting arena’s highs and lows with Fiona Crackles, Tess Howard, Lily Walker, Grace Balsdon (England and GB Hockey); Kira Rothwell and Halee Robinson (England and GB Netball); Sarah Robertson and Charlotte Watson (Scotland and GB Hockey); Holly Hunt (England Hockey) and Emily Chance (Australian Rugby).

As well as sharing their personal stories, our guests spent some time giving the girls some practice sessions and tips on the field, which they all very much enjoyed. It was a wonderful event and everyone attending left feeling inspired to achieve more in sport.

“It was a fantastic opportunity to meet these talented superstars from various sporting backgrounds. While doing so, we bonded with other girls who enjoy sport as much as we do and discovered new talents and tricks and made new friends in the process. It was certainly a memorable day and I’m grateful I was able to be part of it.”

Jiya (8JOC)

“We were incredibly lucky to get the chance to ask the athletes questions about hockey, netball, and rugby and to also receive technical training from them. The workshop has certainly enhanced our skills and inspired us to be the very best in the field.”

Nancy (7JHA) n

Grace Balsdon (England and GB Hockey) demonstrating a hockey technique

We started the tennis season with a national cup fixture against a strong Hampton School team, which we unfortunately lost. Despite the loss, the team have learnt a great deal and with two stellar Year 9s, Michael (9WA) and Paaran (9AHJ) representing the team playing up against sixth formers, our prospects for the future in the sport are promising.

In Local Tennis Association (LTA) competitions, we had great performances from the U15s and U13s with both teams winning all their fixtures to date. The teams were preparing for the Harrow Borough Championships at the time of writing, and we wish them the very best for the competition. Keep an eye on our social media channels to follow the result! n

Pupils retain Silver Arrow

Building on our previous successes, the John Lyon archery team once again proved their mettle by successfully defending the Silver Arrow against our friends at Harrow School for the eighth consecutive year.

The afternoon of sport was nothing short of fantastic as our team of nine, including

Varun (U6JCC), Dhiren (U6JCC), Flynn (9ND), Rajveer (8JOC), Khush (9SRP), Sarim (L6MEW), Marcus (L6QAC), Gourav (L6MEW) and Leo (L6REM), achieved a remarkable score of 1,571, showcasing their outstanding skill and leading them to victory.

Out of the 16 competing archers, an impressive five from John Lyon secured spots in the top eight, with three of them reaching the top four. This outstanding performance is a testament to the team’s dedication and talent. We extend our

congratulations to the entire team on this remarkable achievement. Special recognition goes to Khush, who claimed fourth place overall, Gourav, who secured second place, and Sarim, who emerged as the overall winner of the event.

The thriving presence of archery at John Lyon is evident, and with continued high interest in the sport, we eagerly anticipate further success and growth in the future. n

Golf

This term has been a great success for golf at John Lyon. The School has played six fixtures against Harrow, Merchant Taylors’, Mill Hill, Old Lyonians and the staff and the pupils have represented themselves with pride. The size – and age – of the golf squad shows great promise, most of the golf team here being in their junior years. Later in the term we have the annual Head Boy’s Golf Challenge at Harrow School Golf Club, and we are very much looking forward to our South Carolina tour in October as well as a tour to Kent, which is being planned for July 2024! n

Shining in Gymnastics

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sport Scholar Lena (7CJC) for her remarkable achievements in the field of gymnastics.

Lena’s journey of success began earlier this year at the prestigious Elegance Cup held in Paris. Her extraordinary talent shone brightly as she secured an impressive tally of two gold medals and two silver medals. Undeterred by the challenge, she continued to excel at the Home Nations competition in Cardiff, where her exceptional individual performance on the floor earned her a silver medal. Furthermore, Lena’s performance in the team event played a crucial role in the overall success of the team, resulting in their well-deserved achievement of two gold medals.

Adding to her growing list of accolades, Lena recently emerged victorious in the English Championships, solidifying her position as a top contender in the sport.

We wish her continued success in her future endeavours in the sport. n

It has been wonderful to meet OLs who have taken the time to visit the School to reminisce and share their experiences.

During their visits, OLs have shared their stories of School life and it has been exciting for many of them to see the changes in buildings and environment as well as our pupils’ excellent work – in STEAM, in sport and right across the curriculum.

This is our second merged edition of news from The Lyonian and The Standard. This publication aims to reflect even more fully the vast range of interests, skills and activities that our School community enjoys and already we have had a very positive response from our OL readers.

Thanks to your continuous support and generosity to the 1876 Fund, we have

initiated several successful projects this School year and we are always keen to do more. If you would like to help us to keep ‘making a difference’ by becoming a donor, please contact me at Lyonianassociation@johnlyon.org.

We encourage you to stay connected and support the School in engaging, inspiring and empowering our pupils with your journey through our many events.

Have a wonderful summer and I hope to see many more of you return in the coming months.

A trip to Buckingham Palace

Friday 19th May saw four recent Gold Award-winners from the John Lyon alumni attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace in celebration of their achievements.

The newly appointed Duke of Edinburgh, HRH Prince Edward, was in attendance and spoke warmly from the West Terrace about the value and hugely positive impact of the award and the individual efforts and contributions of the young people in the audience. After the speeches, the Duke took a tour of the garden, listening to anecdotes about everyone’s experiences and congratulating individuals on their efforts.

The garden itself had been transformed for the occasion, with many smaller stages for guest speakers, including

TV adventurer Charlie Boorman, professional footballer, and Lioness Jill Scott MBE, and distinguished foreign correspondent John Simpson CBE.

The four Old Lyonians in attendance were Jay Desai (Class of 2020), Niale Emmanuel (Class of 2020), Antony Rogers (Class of 2020) and Sevan Keoshgerian (Class of 2013). Robert Ellis-Paul, who has been coordinating the Duke of Edinburgh’s award since 2018, and was also in attendance at the palace, recalls some of the expeditions of the class of 2020, who battled through heavy snow in the Peak District and showed great compassion and resourcefulness when they rescued a stricken sheep on their expedition in the Brecon Beacons. All the alumni present were keen to relate fond memories of the School and of the many challenges overcome and lessons learnt through participation in the DofE Awards.

The School sends huge congratulations to these four achievers: we are sure they will be a powerful inspiration to the many pupils working towards DofE Awards at all levels right now. n

Bharti Bhikha Alumni Officer n

The 109th Old Lyonian Annual (OLA) Dinner

How quickly it comes around!

The OLA Dinner was held on Thursday 23rd March at the New Memorial Dining Hall and over 80 Old Lyonians turned out in fine form to enjoy another wonderful evening together.

The evening began with the Head Boy, Youki, and Deputy Head Boy, Krish, providing a group of OLs who had not been back for many years with a tour of the School. They were all delighted by the many improvements in the School environment and the breadth and

depth of education the School offers these days.

Welcoming our guests, the Head, Katherine Haynes, gave a heartfelt speech about her experiences during her time at the School, explaining how it has evolved since she joined in 2009 and expressing her desire for its strong links with OLA to continue. Paul Matarewicz, OLA President (OL 1976), remembered those OLs who are no longer with us and then James Power, Friend of the School, said Grace before dinner was served.

It was wonderful to see many more recent former pupils attending the event, prompting lots of

intergenerational conversations, and many new connections and conversations about everyone’s progress since leaving John Lyon. After dinner, Paul led the traditional communal singing of ‘Forty Years On’, after which Katherine received a presentation of flowers from the OLA.

Several Old Lyonians have since written to say how much they enjoyed the evening and to pass on their compliments to our catering team on a most excellent meal. The OLs also enjoyed our exhibition of archive material dating back all the way from the present day to the 1940s.n

Be part of Old Lyonian Football Association (OLFA)

The OLFA reached the end of a long season, finishing in the top 3 in the Senior Division 3 and Intermediate Division 4 Final Tables, while the Old Lyonians 3rd Junior Team came 6th in the North London League.

With five 11-a-side squads, which include players from the Classes of 2008-2018 as well as a Veterans’ team, the Club is open to all former pupils, family members and friends. Matches take place on Saturdays, September to April, on the John Lyon School playing fields’ senior pitches.

Over the years, OLFA Chairman Ian Dennison (OL 1990-1995 and Old Quaintonian), has constantly been engaging with pupils to encourage them to join the team. To find out more and join one of the many teams that are part of the OLFA Club, please email Ian at iandenilson@yahoo.com or alternatively contact Bharti at bharti.bhika@johnlyon.org n

Teeing off with the Old Lyonian Golf Society

The last few months have been busy for the OL Golf Society with several events and competitions taking place.

OLs competed at Denham Golf Club in the West Region qualifying round of The Grafton Morrish. The weather was challenging and, struggling in difficult conditions, the OLs team narrowly missed out on qualifying for this year’s finals in Norfolk.

It was great to welcome debutants Zan (OL 2010), Vikash (OL 2006) and Ravi (OL 2010) who all helped to strengthen this year’s team. n

Left to right: David Lemmon (OL 2000), Vikash Set (OL 2006), Ravi Patel (OL 2010), Robert Palmer (OL 2003), Sam Koch (OL 2009) and Zan Khan (OL 2010).

Old Lyonians pip John Lyon to the post

The annual John Lyon v Old Lyonians fixture took place on Thursday 25 May at Sandy Lodge Golf Club. The weather was fantastic – unlike the conditions for this term’s earlier school fixtures – and the golfers played in beautiful sunshine and temperatures of 20°C.

The OLs ran out winners at the end of a fantastic match and all the games went down to the last two holes.

The OLs clinched two of the games with some outstanding putting on the last two greens, notably by Paul Harris

(OL 1968) who holed a 70-foot putt on the 17th green to win their match 2 and 1. Two of the other games went down to the wire and were halved in tension fashion on the 18th green. Despite the best efforts of the pupils and staff from the School, the OLs were the deserving winners.

Golf at John Lyon is continuing to grow exponentially, with pupils of all ages representing the School. The main body of the team comprises pupils in Years 9 and 10 – this is an exciting prospect for the future because these pupils are still to hit their peak, which will come as they move through the School. This October, the golf team will make its international debut, travelling to Hilton Head in South Carolina, USA to play

alongside other UK schools against their American counterparts.

Head of Golf at John Lyon Pete Muhley says, “It is an exciting time to be a golfer at John Lyon and we look forward to the future of the sport at the school”.

If you’re interested in golf, contact Mr Muhley on PWM@johnlyon.org or John Davies on john@jdretailproperty.com and let’s tee off together for an unforgettable golfing season! n

Top left to right: Phil Berry (Staff), David Jacks (OL 1980), Anooj Mehta (OL 2018), Paul Hickey (OL 1978), Paul Harris (OL 1968), Neil Yeomans, Mike Christelow (OL 1973), John Orchard (OL 1972). Hugh Wikner (OL 1964) also played but is missing from the picture. Bottom left to right: Arun (9AHJ), Aziz (9ND), Ameya (9AHJ) and Racheith (10MWV)

OLs conquer Tough Mudder

On Sunday 7th May, Old Lyonians Amar Malhotra (2018), Cameron Sanghera (2018) and Tarun Wagjiani (2018) joined forces to tackle the Tough Mudder event.

This gruelling obstacle course proved to be a true test of their cardiovascular endurance, strength, agility, teamwork, mental fortitude and unwavering determination. Facing each challenge head-on, from plunging into ice-cold tanks to scaling towering 12-metre walls and braving electric shock wires, Amar, Cameron and Tarun pushed themselves to the limits and their resilience and spirit shone through from start to finish.

In the spirit of giving back, the trio ran in support of MIND in Harrow, a local mental health charity they had previously fundraised for during their time at John Lyon.This cause holds special meaning for them as it promotes understanding and raises awareness about mental health. If you would like to contribute to their fundraising efforts, scan the QR code provided to access their Just Giving page. n

DEVELOPMENT OFFICE NEWS

Turf Tank machine a great asset for sport

The recent purchase of a ‘Turf Tank’ line-marking machine to mark out the football pitches automatically and accurately at Sudbury Play Fields has already proved a great help to the Grounds team in facilitating the OL matches each Saturday and it is saving staff many hours’ work. This would not have been achieved without the support of the 1876 Fund. Thank you again to all our supporters. n

1876 Fund supports pupils and projects

The 1876 Fund makes it possible to support exciting opportunities beyond the standard curriculum that can have an immediate and direct impact on our pupils’ education.

The Fund has enabled a team of pupils and staff to represent the School at the much-anticipated VEX World Robotics Championships in Dallas, Texas. Visit our website https:// www.johnlyon.org/john-lyonranks-as-top-uk-independentschool-robotics-team-at-worldchampionships/ for more details.

None of this would have been possible without the frequent, regular, and generous donations the Fund receives. In the last academic year, the Fund supported the

development of a GreenPower car, which recently took part in its first ever race.

STEAM is a group of subjects that inspires our pupils and develops multi-disciplinary skills – and, thanks to the 1876 Fund, these exciting, engaging and immensely valuable projects take STEAM inspiration to a whole new level!

You can support the 1876 Fund through regular giving or with a single gift. Many of our donors commit to giving £18.76 a

month – a small donation that will help enrich our pupils’ future learnings.

We are already considering projects for next year’s fundraising campaigns – and we will announce them at the beginning of the Autumn Term.

To get involved, please download a donation and gift aid declaration form here oldlyonians.org/pages/ the1876fund n

The Awards Fund

Over the years, Old Lyonians, parents, staff and friends of the School have made wonderfully generous gifts to support individual projects and bursaries.

after, sadly, he died in 2016. This fund has contributed to securing bursaries and will be amalgamated into the overall JLS Awards Fund for bursaries, which will be more effective for far longer.

We would welcome OLs, parents and friends who share our passion for ‘Giving the Gift of Education’ to support the Development Office in their endeavours. Please email lyonianassociation@johnlyon.org

The Geelan Fund was set up by Old Lyonians from the Class of 1976 who were passionate about launching a Bursary Appeal in memory of their friend Jeremy Geelan (OL 1968-1975)

Our goal over the coming academic year is to focus on promoting and increasing awareness of regular giving’s positive impact and establishing funds that will give young people from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to receive a John Lyon education.

A heartfelt thank you to all parents, staff and friends who have made donations to the various initiatives and campaigns over the years: we encourage others to follow your lead! n

In conversation with Amar Malhotra (OL 2018), Graduate Assistant, John Lyon

4. Which extra-curricular activities did you pursue at the School and what impact did that make on you?

7. What changes to the School have struck you since being back?

1. Which years did you study at John Lyon?

I studied at John Lyon from 2011 – 2018.

2. Where did you go after leaving John Lyon?

After John Lyon, I studied Geography at the University of Exeter. During my university holidays I worked at a warehouse that provides props for TV and Film. Some of the best props I came across were those used in James Bond, Games of Thrones and the new Fast and Furious 10.

3. What were your favourite subjects and why?

My favourite subject at school was Geography because I thoroughly enjoyed going on trips across the country and applying the knowledge from the classroom in real life. Honourable mentions go to Biology and Chemistry due to all the practicals and dissections, and Mathematics due to the satisfaction of completing a difficult question.

I completed the Duke of Edinburgh programme from Bronze to Gold. This meant that I developed my interpersonal skills and also resilience and perseverance. Completing all three levels of the award made me more resilient in the face of adversity. Furthermore, I am still good friends with the peers who I was with in my DofE groups. I was also part of the CCF, which developed my self-discipline and organisation. There was much overlap between the two in terms of fieldcraft and they both enhanced my confidence and leadership.

5. Why did you decide to apply for a role at the School?

Speaking to lots of people at university about their school, it made me realise how lucky I was to study at John Lyon and a lot of that stemmed from the staff who I interacted with. So, by applying to the School, I was hoping that I could potentially inspire a pupil in the future – and, in a way, it is giving back to the School community.

6. How did you feel being back at the School as an employee?

It was weird at first – the hardest thing for me was calling those who taught me by their first name and not Sir or Ma’am!

Thank you OLs

The biggest change has to be what was once M5 and M6, which are now the impressive DT and STEAM labs. The fact that there are pupils 3D printing or laser cutting their designs while there are other pupils working on their robots or the Greenpower car is awesome!

8. How would you like to see John Lyon School develop in future years?

For me, one of the biggest parts of my schooling career was the trips, I saw places and took part in activities that I would never have gone to of my own accord. So, as we bounce back from COVID and travelling becomes a bit easier, it would be great to see more adventurous trips occurring.

9. If you had one piece of wisdom to share with fellow Lyonians, what would that be?

Embrace curiosity – try new things with an open mind! Curiosity fuels your learning and helps you develop a deeper understanding of your surroundings. It is important to balance academics with your well-rounded development – so engage in physical activities, pursue new hobbies and interests, and do not neglect your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. n

We would like to thank all our Alumni who have given their time to share their experience in Careers Talks, Goldhawk Talks and Leavers Day and joined in panel discussions this term. n

Ian Dennison (OL 1995) Alex Doey (OL 2012) Adam Penny (OL 1993) Theo Gee (OL 2013)

Careers

This term we hosted two career events as well as an informative session on the application process for US admissions. Pupils who attended the event share their accounts of these events. n

Careers in Engineering event

“I think all the students who attended the talk would agree that it was a fascinating insight on the world of engineering that left everyone wanting to know more. I am now considering if I want to be an engineer. A former pupil at the school, Mr Alexander Doey and his colleague, Ms Emily Stagg, explained how engineering spans a vast range of jobs and careers, from aerospace to thermodynamics and chemical engineering. They both work at RED, an award-winning company that specialises in building services and ICT engineers.

The talk primarily focused on their roles at RED as well as their path from school to university. They talked about data centres and their importance in our society. These are dedicated buildings that store data from all around the world from all our applications. They spoke about the problem of cooling down the servers, which produce lots of heat. RED is also on a sustainability journey so are working on how this heat can be used to heat our homes. This sounds very exciting, and something I would want to hear more about in the future .”

Eric (9AHJ) n

Preparation for US admissions

“As we are preparing to apply to US universities, Mrs Bamrah, the Careers Advisor, kindly organised a US admission talk in mid-May, tailored to a small cohort of Lower Sixth students. Ms Edgell, the US Universities Advisor from Harrow School, came in to speak to us about the vast array of universities and colleges in the USA and the application procedure. She informed us about the Common App – the US college/university online application portal – which is the equivalent of UCAS. She provided useful hints and tips on when and how to fill in the application and advice on how to write the Common App essay. This essay is very unlike the UCAS personal statement, as its focus is completely different. The essay can cover any topic but is primarily a way for the university to understand a student’s character, background and values. We also learnt about the academic and social life of studying in the US as universities there are keen on students making the most of the extra-curricular activities on offer. Importantly, Ms Edgell also covered how to finance our studies and living allowance. It was fascinating to discover the many scholarships and bursaries available to international students. We cannot thank Ms Edgell enough for taking the time and effort to help us with our American dream.”

Ayokanmi (L6RSK) and Reshaanpal (L6MEW) n

Careers in Media event

Miss Katherine Haynes Head head@johnlyon.org

“Four representatives from the Media Sector came in to speak to parents and pupils about careers in media. Two of the speakers were Old Lyonians – Adam Penny (CEO of Connected Pictures) and Theo Gee (Freelance Director/Producer). They were joined by Arti Lukha (Senior ITN News Editor) and Lucy Dyer (Editorial Development Director at News Associates).

We learnt that media spans a broad spectrum of jobs from sound engineering to advertising, so it was fascinating to hear about each speaker’s individual journey. Adam spoke about how people, values and making a difference to the world motivated him.We got a glimpse of his video “Reinventing the toilet”, which he produced for the Bill & Melinda Gates

Foundation. Theo spoke about how young people could make their mark through social media and how marketing your own portfolio was a good way of getting into the business. Arti stressed the need to work hard, which is how she got to where she is now, covering breaking news stories such as “Partygate”. Lucy spoke about the different paths into journalism and how you could work anywhere in the country.

After the panel interview, I got to meet and ask the speakers some more questions. Overall, it was a fascinating afternoon exploring jobs in media and we thank the representatives for coming to our school. ”

McKenna (8AJM) n

Mr Simon Ford Headmaster

John Lyon Prep (Quainton Hall) headmaster@quaintonhall.org.uk

Cdr Gareth Mawdsley Chief Operating Officer coo@johnlyon.org

Open Day Dates

www.johnlyon.org/opendays

John Lyon School Middle Road, Harrow-on-the-Hill, HA2 0HN 020 8515 9400 www.johnlyon.org

@johnlyonharrow

Mr Andy Sims Deputy Head AJS@johnlyon.org

Mrs Rebecca Davies Senior Registrar 020 8515 9443 admissions@johnlyon.org