Editorial Team
Editor: Sarah Harris
Principle Photography: Julie Nash and Paul Stott
Additional Photography: William Jeffreys, Chris Hitchcock, Ben Wassell, James Johnson,
In 1975, when the school was first established, its offering of meditation practices to refine the attention must have seemed revolutionary, now they have been widely accepted as beneficial and are even available on the NHS for stress reduction and well being. No other school has these practices so well understood and embedded as St James, with its mindful pauses at the start and end of each lesson and its bespoke philosophy programme.
These practices allow our pupils to discover inner space by creating gaps in their thinking. Without these gaps, thinking becomes repetitive, uninspiring and devoid of creative spark. A kind of artificial intelligence without the blessed kiss of true consciousness. The realisation subsequently follows that one is not one’s thoughts, but something much more profound and extraordinary, that our inner riches are unlimited, and all things are possible. This leads to greater playfulness, intimacy and deep humanity.
It is these most human of qualities of the heart that are going to be most needed in education, as we evaluate the impact of AI and the next stage in technological development.
The St James approach to education could not be more relevant to the challenges of the world of today; education is, if nothing else, a mind-making process and attention is the fundamental building block of awareness and consciousness. The mindful approach sharpens each pupil’s attentional capacities, which enables inner awareness and leads to greater outer learning.
St James pupils are skillful learners, who develop a profound sense of discrimination and use this to make the world a better place. The school is organised and structured to enable each pupil to achieve their potential; whether on the sports field pushing through limits; singing in harmony with others or playing in the orchestra; learning through experiment in our suite of Science Labs; travelling to the seats of European History and Renaissance on our activity week trips or, just taking a moment to ‘pause’ and rest in one’s own being as the busy world rushes by!
St James marries the best of traditional education with the latest discoveries in mindfulness and neurological development. It makes education a deeply human activity grounded in character development and as a practical response to the challenges of the times. It builds its pupils from the inside out so that they both know themselves and know where they are heading - it’s what truly all education should be!
David Brazier Headmaster
Within its DNA is a belief in human potential, a belief that a human being is the zenith of creation with an enormous yearning for that which is Good and True.
Our Year 8 squad emerged victorious in the ESFA National Cup, securing a thrilling win and earning the title of ESFA U13 National Champions. Their remarkable journey culminated in an unforgettable event, marking a significant milestone in St James’ sporting history.
The St James Year 8 squad achieved an extraordinary feat as they clinched victory in the ESFA National Cup, claiming the gold medal and etching their names in the annals of St James’ sporting legacy. The memorable event unfolded with an exhilarating display of skill, determination and teamwork.
The day commenced with the squad’s early morning rendezvous at school on 24th May, brimming with excitement and nervous anticipation. Upon arrival at West Bromwich Albion ground, the atmosphere became palpable, fueling the team’s sense of anticipation. The changing rooms revealed their new PlayStation sponsored FA playing kits, along with customised cup final warm-up tracksuit tops generously provided by their parents to mark the occasion.
The West Bromwich Albion Academy Dome served as the venue for the warm-up session, preparing the team for the main event on the pitch. It was evident that the boys were ready and focused as they made the two-minute transfer to the main stadium, accompanied by the reverberating sound of the crowd. Another brief warm-up ensued on the pitch, helping them adjust to the surface and soak in the electric atmosphere.
The match began with a strong start from the Saints, relentlessly keeping the opposition confined to their own half. Despite numerous attempts, they struggled to convert their chances into goals. The exceptional performances of Giles on the wing and Martin in goal ensured a 0-0 scoreline. However, the opponents capitalised on a long ball down the field, securing a 0-1 lead at halftime.
The halftime team talk infused the squad with positivity, dispelling any disappointment and reaffirming their confidence. Inspired by the words of their coach, the boys emerged for the second half with renewed vigor. Lovatt’s well-executed through ball found Giles, who brilliantly netted the equaliser, leveling the scoreline at 1-1. Minutes later, the Saints continued to exert pressure, leading to a penalty when Echebarria was fouled in the box. Giles’ attention-drawing actions allowed Lovatt to calmly convert the penalty, giving St James a 2-1 advantage.
In a valuable lesson, Mary Webb swiftly retaliated after St James celebrated their goal, snatching an impressive equaliser to make it 2-2. The match then progressed to a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. Prior to the decisive moment, the team was reminded to maintain composure and trust their abilities. All outfield players confidently dispatched their penalties, resulting in a tense 10-10 deadlock. It was now up to the goalkeepers.
Martin, St James’ goalkeeper, exhibited his brilliance by tipping an opponent’s penalty onto the bar, intensifying the stakes. With one penalty remaining, Martin seized the opportunity and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top corner, securing victory and the ESFA National Cup for St James.
The triumph of the Year 8 squad fills us with immense pride, regardless of the result. Their achievement has forever etched their names in St James’ sporting history. In recognition of this momentous accomplishment, the entire squad has been awarded a gold shell, the highest accolade at St James, by Headmaster, Mr. Brazier. The event remains etched in the memories of all involved, evoking emotions that continue to soar. St James extends its heartfelt gratitude to the entire squad for their exceptional performance, which made this a truly unforgettable occasion.
Mr Ben Wassell Director of SportFrom a dark afternoon at home in November, via a cold Croydon in December, to a wet March day in Essex, and finally a sunny May morning in the Midlands. I had the privilege to watch St James’ team triumphant progress to glory through each and every round.
It has been often debated what makes great teams successful. After going 0-1 down against St Aloysius, I saw the makings of a real team. They carried on playing technically excellent football, they supported each other, and they trusted each other. It really was a joy to watch. From that very first game there was a wonderful spirit, a beautiful balance to the side, and they were playing for each other. I caught Mr Jeffreys’ eye and there was a half-smile, a belief; there was true potential.
The scene was set on a sunny morning at The Hawthorns, a host to Premier League football for many years previously. My wife Cara and I, along with Leo’s brothers Josh and Joe, attended full of hope and pride. The coverage on the day was impressive, with video screens and multiple camera angles. The option to also watch the match on YouTube proved invaluable to our family in Canada, where alarms were set for their 6.30am kick off.
We started brightly but went behind following a swift counterattack. Goals from Cam and Archie after the break seemed to turn the tide. However, our opposition equalised straight from kick off and at full time it was all square. No extra time, so straight to the horror of a penalty shootout!
Other teams were shouted at by frustrated teachers. Other teams had superstars the size of an average year 12. But one after another they fell, cast aside by the better team.
Even against a very strong opposition in the final, the best team won through – every player performing to their ability, every player trying everything for their team, and then every player scoring their penalty. What an appropriate, or maybe even perfect, ending to the “fairy tale that came true…”
Thank you to St James Sports Department (you know why!), and even more, thank you to the players –you’re amazing…
Paul MartinWatching Leo walk the 50 or so yards to take his penalty, knowing that if he didn’t score St James would lose the final, was pretty much the most nervous I have ever felt watching football. Mr Jeffreys later told me that he caught sight of me and I believe I had my head in my hands!
For all eleven boys to score their penalties, under such pressure, was remarkable. Liam also became a hero in 60 seconds, saving a penalty at 10-10 then nonchalantly driving home his kick to seal the victory.
Congratulations to all involved, from those who supported both on the day and from afar to the players and the coaching staff, led admirably by Mr Jeffreys - you should all be extremely proud of this amazing achievement.
Paul MackleyIt was a perfect day for a Cup Final Blue skies, bright sunshine and an immaculate pitch at West Bromwich Albion’s ground The Hawthorns, until recently a Premier League stadium regularly hosting crowds of 26,000.
After seven rounds of knock-out football, the 125 teams that entered the competition were now down to two – St James versus Mary Webb School from Shrewsbury.
The atmosphere was raucous with our opponents bringing every pupil - around 300 - for the trip to the West Midlands.
While our support was smaller in number, it was big in spirit throughout a thrilling match with parents, teachers and all the boys from Year 8 singing and chanting their support with the help of at least one megaphone that had been smuggled in! The St James boys dominated the opening 15 minutes and should have taken the lead on a number of occasions. Despite our better passing moves and constant goal threat, St James fell behind to a smart counterattack when Mary Webb’s lone striker ran on to a long ball behind our defence.
Heads down at half time, St James showed real spirit in grabbing an equaliser straight after the break with a superb move out of defence by Max and a stunning forward pass from Archie (echoes of Trent AlexanderArnold!) over the defence for Cameron to run on to and beat their keeper. The stands erupted. 1-1. Game on!
A deftly taken penalty from St James and then a crushing counterattack from Mary Webb levelled the game at full time – 2-2.
Then the penalties and the nail-biting finish. Every outfield player slammed their shots home - even those that had never taken a penalty before in their lives. 10-10. The teams couldn’t be separated. It came
down to the goalkeepers and the moment for Liam to grasp the victory. He saved his opponent’s shot and confidently parried it away.
Cool as you like, he then slammed his shot high into the top right hand corner of the goal and their goalkeeper couldn’t get close to it. A stunning winner at the end of the genuinely stunning game.
The celebrations were wild as the players ran to congratulate Liam, while our captain immediately went to the opponents to shake hands and say thank you to the referee and linesmen.
The trophy was presented by Ella Toone, the Manchester United Lioness who scored the first goal for England in the Euro 2022 victory over Germany. A proven winner who delighted in seeing such a great game of football.
From the stands it was a mixture of joy, relief and amazement at how well the boys had played. Resolute in defence, strong in goal, creative in midfield and cool upfront when the chances emerged. And hugely brave during the penalty shootout with every single player on the team scoring.
Huge credit to Mr Jeffreys for coaching this group all season to shape a group of tournament winners. It was a deserved national cup victory and a foundation for future footballing success for St James.
Bravo boys! Nick GilesName: Martin L
Position: Goalkeeper
What football teams do you play for?
Ashford Town
What football team do you support?
Liverpool
Your personal highlight of the competition. Saving final penalty, and then scoring‘ top bins’ to win the cup.
Name: Furtado L
Position: Goalkeeper
What football teams do you play for?
I go to powerleague for Gk training
What football team do you support?
Arsenal
Your personal highlight of the competition. My personal highlight was lifting the cup after a well fought battle in the Final.
Name: Obhrai A
Position: Left Back
What football teams do you play for?
Halfords Colts
What football team do you support?
Brentford
Your personal highlight of the competition. Breaking into the team this year and having the opportunity to play leading up to the final.
Name: Lavery J
Position: Left Back
What football teams do you play for?
Walton & Hersham
What football team do you support?
Chelsea
Your personal highlight of the competition. My highlight was walking through the tunnel and out onto the pitch. It felt big and the pitch just started getting bigger and bigger. I couldn’t really feel anything - the moment was huge and then I started to feel the butterflies in my stomach. It was scary, loud and exciting. jumped up and down and then heard Mr Jeffreys familiar voice - I can’t remember what he said but it was calming.
Name: Fagen R
Position: Right Back
What football teams do you play for?
Tedlothian Lions
What football team do you support?
Fulham
Your personal highlight of the competition. Scoring my penalty.
Name: Coia G
Position: Centre Back
What football teams do you play for?
Stars FC
What football team do you support?
Arsenal
Your personal highlight of the competition
Probably winning the whole thing and my mate Liam scoring that great penalty.
Name: Shaw E
Position: Centre Back
What football teams do you play for?
St James
What football team do you support?
Liverpool
Your personal highlight of the competition. My highlight was when scored my pen and walked back to join my teammates felt relieved and overjoyed with happiness. I felt like this because if I missed thought no one would have forgiven me not even myself. Walking up to the ball to take the pen I have never felt so nervous but as soon as I took hold of the ball my mind was clear, the only thing I was thinking of was putting the ball in the back of the net. Sharing this experience with my best mates is something will never forget and cherish forever.
Name: Bains K
Position: Centre Back
What football teams do you play for?
St James
What football team do you support?
Chelsea
Your personal highlight of the competition. Making a good pass to Cameron.
Name: Giles C
Position: Left Wing
What football teams do you play for?
Watford FC Academy
What football team do you support?
Brentford FC
Your personal highlight of the competition. Leading the team out in the final and scoring the equaliser and scoring my penalty in the penalty shootout.
Name: Hirtan D
Position: Right Wing
What football teams do you play for?
TAP
What football team do you support?
Chelsea
Your personal highlight of the competition. The moment when we were waiting for Liam to take his penalty and then he scored, we all went running towards him.
Name: Mackley L
Position: Right Midfield
What football teams do you play for?
Staines Lammas
What football team do you support?
Brentford
Your personal highlight of the competition. Scoring my penalty and winning the game.
Name: Monterio-Pavia N
Position: Centre Midfield
What football teams do you play for?
JGS Football Academy and Doverhouse
What football team do you support?
Liverpool
Your personal highlight of the competition. Scoring the first penalty in the shoutout and playing centre back for one of the first times.
Name: Echebarria M
Position: Centre Midfield
What football teams do you play for?
Surrey County & Chelsea FC Academy
What football team do you support?
Real Madrid
Your personal highlight of the competition. Create the penalty that led us to the second goal. Winning the ball back to initiate the counter attack that led us to our first goal.
Name: Russell K
Position: Centre Midfield
What football teams do you play for?
Fulham FC Academy
What football team do you support?
Chelsea
Your personal highlight of the competition. Overcoming a serious knee injury and being in a brace for 6 weeks with the rest of my season being ruled out and then coming through rehab which in itself can be a lonely and then being able to play in the final was a good moment for me to end my season.
Name: Lovatt A
Position: Striker
What football teams do you play for?
Southampton
What football team do you support?
Tottenham
Your personal highlight of the competition. Scoring and assisting a goal and winning.
Name: Paul M
Position: Striker
What football teams do you play for?
St James
What football team do you support?
Manchester United
Your personal highlight of the competition. Liam’s penalty.
Cameron’s goal after half time.
The Harmony Project was founded by Richard Dunne, it is an education charity working with schools and educators in the UK to help them develop a new way of learning inspired by Nature’s principles of Harmony. Principles that teach us a way of life that is sustainable and well.
The Harmony approach to learning brings together subject-specific skills and knowledge around projects or enquiries of learning that take the learning beyond the classroom and apply it to the real world. Each enquiry references a principle of Harmony in Nature –Interdependence, the Cycle, Diversity, Adaptation, Health and Oneness. When learners understand these principles of Harmony, they learn what they need to do to live sustainably too. It is our lack of understanding of these principles that has led us to a place where the future well-being of our planet and its people is now at stake.
Harmony seeks to share this approach across the education sector nationally and globally through presentations, workshops and school support programmes. There is a teachers’ guide written to enable teachers and educators to implement Harmony principles and practices in their education settings. The guide is being promoted as a blueprint for Education for Sustainability with the Department of Education in England and it is informing case studies for the new Curriculum for Wales.
The Harmony Project aims to transform education to ensure it is fit for purpose in preparing young people to engage with the environmental and social challenges we face, not just to pass exams. The Harmony Project team work with educators to develop learning that is based upon a deep understanding of, and connection to, the natural world. Learning that will equip students with the skills they need to live more sustainably.
Richard Dunne The Harmony ProjectInitially, I met with Richard Dunne (Director of the Harmony Project and a previous headmaster) and David Brazier to discuss the merits of looking to incorporate Harmony Project Principles into an updated Lower School curriculum model. We wanted to understand how the merits of the Harmony Project might be integrated into St James Senior Boys’ School.
Stage two was to work with St James staff
Inset training was arranged to involve all the staff with the practical Harmony Principles and activities. Staff working in faculty-based groups were given activity sessions which incorporated the wellbeing elements. This led to discussions on how Harmony could be embedded into the Lower School curriculum as an initial project at St James.
Embedding Harmony into the curriculum
The final stage was seeing the plan embedded into the Lower School curriculum. Starting in the summer term with Year 7. With a Harmony Week of planned projects and collaborative based learning. Culminating with a display for Year 7 parents to view and engage with the work produced.
Harmony Week will be developed further to include next year’s Year 7 and Year 8. The aim is for Harmony Principles to be developed, shared and explored by all boys at the school.
Mr Adam Atkinson Young Head of Lower School
In my role as Deputy Head Academic, I am blessed to be able to visit lots of lessons, observe wonderful teachers with a deep love for their subjects, and students bursting with potential. Working in education, there is so much that fills the heart with hope but there are challenges too, some of them social, others shaped by educational policy that we must guard against if we want our students to thrive at school and the world beyond.
It might seem petty, but there are few things more depressing than the sight of a student using a correction pen in the classroom. One thing that is worse is the student that waits patiently, pen in hand, for the teacher to read out the correct answer, never daring to have a go first themselves, for fear of getting it wrong. Sir Ken Robinson in his famous Ted talk on the subject of creativity in education, said: “If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original. We stigmatise mistakes in school; mistakes are the worst thing you can make. We are educating our kids out of their creative capacities.” It makes sense, that in the digital world that we live in, where knowledge is so easily accessible in many forms, there is no need for young people even contemplate the need to get things wrong when it is all easily accessible to them at the click of a button. The advent of AI takes this a stage further, as they do not even have to format or integrate this information into their answers, it is all done for them. Furthermore, in the education system that we have, when so much rides on performance in terminal examinations, when a misplaced comma or digit could cost them a university place or a dream job, we cannot really blame our students for being reluctant to get things wrong.
Michael Gove’s educational reforms of 2016 mark the fateful culmination of a relentless push towards an examination heavy, knowledge-based curriculum that has been driven by politicians of all ideological persuasions for over fifty years. It is a policy driven by political imperatives, and one that flies in the face of what the best educational research tells us we should be doing, what the countries with the best educational systems are doing, and what the British economy tells us we need most.
We live in a golden age of educational research when knowledge of neuroscience and evidence-based studies have provided us with a better understanding of how young people learn most effectively than we have ever had before. What is more, the creative industries contributed over £119 billion to the British economy last year, 6% of its total output and 12% of exports. Yet what we have is a knowledge-based system, heavy on
examinations and light on skills or opportunities for creativity. One that looks back more to the nineteenth century principles espoused by Mr. Gradgrind than the needs of an increasingly complex twenty first century world.
An opportunity was missed to reform the system in the wake of the COVID pandemic in 2020 that exposed the limitations of our education system, weighted towards the socially advantaged and designed to suit those trained to learn in a particular way. Therefore, we are stuck with a broken system for the foreseeable future. However, all is not doom and gloom as there are opportunities to work around and ultimately within the system to make learning a more dynamic and meaningful experience for young people.
In developing a Creative Curriculum for the Lower School at St James Senior Boys’ School, my intention is to equip our students with the skills that will help them access a knowledge-heavy examination-based curriculum more successfully but also to equip them with the skills and aptitudes they will need for the world beyond school. It will provide them with a glimpse of what learning should be, before they jump onto the treadmill of GCSE and A Level examinations. More so now, university courses are being designed to focus on skills and to develop the skills and personal qualities required for the modern workplace. Our GCSE and A Level curriculum does not do this. If we teach these skills and nurture these qualities in our Lower School, it will help our students to access their knowledge-heavy examinations in a more dynamic way.
The leading educationalist Dylan William observes that the modern world is changing so quickly that much of what we teach our students will be redundant by the time they enter the world of employment, which is a sobering thought. He goes on to say: “The one really competitive skill is the skill of being able to learn. It is the skill of being able not to give the right answer to questions about what you were taught in school, but to make the right response to situations that are outside the scope of what you were taught in school.” When we talk about creativity, it is not in a narrow, abstract or potentially quite woolly sense, but in terms of teaching the higher order skills of evaluation, synthesis and analysis identified in Bloom’s Taxonomy, that will empower our students to think “outside the scope” of what they were “taught at school”, by being encouraged to think outside the constraints of an examination centric mindset.
We have started this process already with a Reporting system shaped by Carol Dweck’s concept of a “Growth Mindset”, with students encouraged to focus on personal targets based on nationally standardised data, rather than chasing examination grades. We have taken this further by redesigning the school day, so that lessons have more time for the students to reflect on what they have learned and how they can improve moving forwards. Metacognition and formative reflection is at the heart of our curriculum.
Evaluation
Judge the value of material
Synthesis
Formulate new structures from existing knowledge and skills
Analysis
Understand both the content and structure of material
Application
Use learning in new and concrete situations
Comprehension
Grasping the meaning of material
Knowledge
Remember previously learned material
Verbs: appraise, assess, criticise, defend, evaluate, justify, support
Verbs: compile, create, develop, generalise, integrate, propose
Verbs: analyse, compare, contrast, differentiate
Verbs: apply, carry out, construct, demonstrate, operate, produce, use
Verbs: comprehend, condense, describe, discuss, distinguish, interpret, locate
Verbs: define, describe, identify, label, list, match, name, outline, recall, recognise, reproduce, select, state
The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled. PLUTARCH
The Creative Curriculum will offer different methods of assessment that allow the students to develop a wider range of skills and to show their abilities in a wider range of ways. Oracy will be to the fore with assessment by the spoken word in Autumn Term across all subjects, along with a cross-curricular investigative task where the boys will be asked to present their findings to a panel of teachers. In the Summer Term there will be greater emphasis on project work, encouraging the boys to go deeply into their subjects, alongside other assignments focused on deeper and more integrated learning such as The Harmony Project, that will encourage them to look beyond their subjects to develop cross-curricular links but also to engage with the world beyond education. This is a radical approach to learning but we also recognise the value of traditional forms of assessments with interim assessments in Autumn and Summer Term, along with a full Examinations Week for Lower School in Spring Term.
We believe that the Creative Curriculum will allow us to realign our academic aims with the school’s ethos, identified in the three principles of Truth, Unity and Service. This will be underpinned by a St James Diploma that the boys will accrue points towards through project work, oral presentation, traditional assessments, and a record of service to others compiled during their time in Lower School. There will be different levels of award: Platinum, Gold,
Silver and Bronze. The Summer Term will culminate with an awards ceremony in which certificates are handed out and boys can display their project work to parents.
The Creative Curriculum is founded upon the “growth mindset” principle that attitudes and skills can be learned and are not innate. Our aim is to ensure all students have a firm grounding in the core and subject-specific skills necessary for success by the start of Year 9. The skills identified are central to academic success but also the qualities that underpin the school ethos.
The core skills that we have identified are: Collaboration, Organisation, Communication, Critical Thinking, Creativity and Reflection.
As we continue to integrate these skills into the ways that we teach, what is exciting with the Creative Curriculum is that it also allows us to build it into the ways that we assess. The Clubs sessions that the Lower School boys experience are designed to offer students opportunities to further develop the skills and attitudes that are the focus of our curriculum in a fun and independent way in areas such as: Adventurous Sports, Chess, Classics, Creating Comic Books, Computing, DT, Environment, French, Photography, Role playing, Gardening and Science. They will continue to play an important part in the development of the Creative Curriculum moving forwards.
We want our students to be fearless learners, risk takers but not reckless. With the advent of AI, the way students are formally assessed at GCSE and A Level will have to change, that is an inevitability whether politicians want to accept it or not. We believe that these changes will be for the better and that the forms of assessment we use will mirror these inevitable changes as well as offer a more holistic approach that will not only assess the whole student but allow him to show us his fullest potential.
Dr Steven Roberts Deputy Head AcademicYear 7 headed off to Debyshire on a coach to Dove Dale and Ilyam Hall YHA for a week of outdoor activities cementing friendships made this year. Laying down the foundations for the rest of their journey through the school.
Mr Lomberg from the Classics Department breathed new life into the Year 8 trip to Greece. Visiting the sites from the cradle of civilisation. The trip rounded off the two years of the Classics and Latin curriculum studied in Year 8.
In March, the St James annual Activities Week was back with a bang. All of the overseas trips were back following a three-year hiatus due to Covid. All the pupils from Years 7 to 10 were really excited and looking forward to the much hyped trips, and they were not disappointed.
The Camino beckoned for the Year 9 boys, this incredible trip was back on the map at St James. Admirably led by Mr Fraser and Year 9 staff, it became a journey of self discovery and friendship as the boys walked 120 km to the Cathedral in Santiago di Compostella. What they learnt about themselves on the way they will never forget.
And finally, the fabled trip to Florence and Luca was a reality for the boys in Year 10. Who enjoyed a personal guide to the cultural treasures in Florence from Dr Hipshon, bringing the Italian Renaissance to life. The experience of staying in a magnificent Tuscan Villa in Luca was rewarded at a dinner where the boys reflected on their own legacies and spoke eloquently as they delivered speeches of their own. Demonstrating appreciation for family members who had inspired them and allowing them the opportunity to consider their own futures.
An unforgettable week for all the pupils, a huge thanks to all the staff who made the trips happen.
Exciting times are upon us for The Creative Arts at St James. As part of the school’s drive to expand and develop the Arts, we have established a Creative Arts Faculty, where Heads of Creative Arts Departments (Music, Drama, ADT and English) have come together to plan and strategise for the longterm improvement and success of the Arts at St James. We believe that our strength lies in collaboration, working together and in planning an ambitious and varied programme of cross-creative events.
It is our ambition to embed a culture of performance at the heart of St James. As such we are always seeking new opportunities to showcase the pupils’ talents, to help them overcome their vulnerabilities and to experience the buzz and satisfaction that comes from hard preparation, leaving the comfort zone and achieving success. We hope to create a space in which all boys feel comfortable to share their artistic talent and that is inclusive to all talents, abilities and interests. We would also like The Creative Arts to be a place where the boys show leadership, take control, and are at the forefront of the artistic vision for the school.
We have expanded the outlook of our weekly singing assemblies to incorporate regular performance opportunities for boys, and this will soon grow to include contributions from the Drama department. Furthermore, we now offer weekly Tuesday lunchtime recitals in the chapel for a few boys to perform any repertoire they are preparing for exams or simply wish to ‘give it a go’ in front of a supportive audience. In addition to the usual concert schedule, we have added a cross-faculty ‘Creative Arts Event’, which showcases offerings from boys in all artistic areas of the school. This event is tied to our new annual outreach event, when we invite local primary school children in to experience some of the artistic magic of St James.
From next year, we will be inviting the boys themselves to start to lead the artistic programme. We are going to establish an ‘Arts Council’ with elected positions, for boys to start planning events and take ownership of what we perform and how we perform it. We will also be starting a student-led ‘review’ publication to report on the goings on in the faculty, interview any interested parties and keep everyone informed of our work. There will also be a scheme to reward and acknowledge excellence and effort across the Arts. Finally, we will be working closely with Dr Roberts and Mr AtkinsonYoung to grow the Arts in tandem with the Harmony Project and St James Diploma, such that the entirety of the boys’ efforts, academic and extracurricular, are fully nourished as part of a broad, holistic and enlightened education. Highlights of the next academic year include our first Creative Arts Trip to New York, and our main school show of Oliver!
An exciting time indeed to be an artist at St James, and we look forward to seeing you at our many events and sharing with you the fruits of the boys’ dedication and talents.
Mr Aidan Coburn Director of Music Senior Associate Leader
Arts Week this year was a resounding success.
The week started with a Photography Assembly, when the boys were given a fascinating talk by professional photographer Kate Carpenter, whose stunning, surrealist juxtapositions of nature and people left the room in awe, and the winners of the photography competition were announced. The boys were then treated to an ‘open rehearsal’ of the school show, Joseph and the Amazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat. I felt such pride in our boys, performing so courageously in front of their most intimidating audience – all their friends! And so a theme started to emerge: art as a platform to leave one’s comfort zone and overcome fears. The next day developed this theme, as a number of staff gave ‘bitesize’ talks and demonstrations of their secret artistic passions, revealing hidden sides to their lives that the boys (and their colleagues!) found fascinating. As part of the week, we ran music, Shakespeare-reading, and monologue-writing competitions rounding off with examples of excellence performed in our Lower and Upper Assemblies.
The Summer Concert this year was truly a culmination of remarkable musical achievements. In a break with tradition, the concert took place on our own grounds, starting with a charming ‘Garden Party’ on the refectory terrace. Whilst Pimms was served, we were graced with a number of performances on the lighter side, from Will S singing the Beatles classic ‘Yesterday’ with the coolness of a seasoned pro, to two pieces of far-eastern piano music played by Aakarsh M and Thomas C. This was also the first outing of our newest vocal ensemble, ‘The Barbershop Boys’.
The audience then moved through to the Moot Hall, beautifully decorated and set up for a formal concert. A series of impressively delivered solo items from both the Boys and Girls Schools interspersed a number of polished and refined ensemble performances. A real treat was to hear the boys and girls come together on only a day’s rehearsal to perform both as a joint choir and joint orchestra. As a choir, they sang the classic Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen with heartfelt passion, and the iconic Bohemian Rhapsody, accompanied, probably for the first time, by piano and organ duet!
After the audience came back from the interval, they were presented with a complete change of atmosphere as the Moot had been rearranged ready for The Gig. With glow sticks, a smoke machine and a disco ball, this was no ordinary school concert. The Year 11 rock band started us off with a skilfully delivered rap by Leo B, followed by an eclectic performance of Skyfall by Inaya A from the Girls’ School. The evening finished with the School Rock Band, fronted by Rowan R who worked the crowd with ease. With teachers, pupils and parents all up dancing as the gig came to a close, this was surely a night to remember.
The drama buzz began around the school and it was finally time to audition for the first post-Covid, joint-production with St James Senior Girls School: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. What a show this was! Working with the students in both the boys and the girls school was such an experience. Talent across the schools whether it be acting, singing, dancing or choreographing the dance numbers. I was speechless.
It’s always difficult producing a production, and to do it across two sites was a challenge, but one we gladly welcomed. The lead role of Joseph played by Noah S, was a role fitting for the student: he was outstanding as Joseph and every sold-out show was a hit. A fantastic way to end the Spring term.
A special mention needs to be made to the tech and stage team for all of their hard work this year, not only with the joint school production but with every event they have been involved in.
If it wasn’t for the leadership of Mr Prendergast and Oscar J, the team wouldn’t be what it is today.
More drama excitement came with Ms Howard-Andrews directing and producing the Year 7 play: Peter Pan. Lots of laughs, cheers and applause could be heard from the Moot Hall on the night of the performance. The boys undertook a huge challenge to put on a show complete with song and dance routines in only seven lessons! I think all the parents, family members and friends who watched can agree that they did a fantastic job. The confidence the boys built during this process really shone through; there was such a buzz among them and not a single student did not want to perform. I’m sure that in many years’ time, the boys will look back and be immensely proud of what they achieved, even in the extensive dance routines! The comradery that theatre creates is like no other and I am so glad the boys could create that within their year. And, this production raised over £600 for Great Ormond Street Hospital, who own the rights for the production. A fantastic feat!
Miss Jessica Yadav Head of DramaThe first tour was up to the Dix hut, a beautiful place that requires quite a trek to get to. We set out early on Sunday and began the ascent which included both crossing a melting glacier and a couple hours of rock climbing. The following morning, carrying 2 days’ worth of clothes, food and climbing equipment on our backs, we began our climb of 8 hours. This was our first experience of using crampons as the climb was mostly up a steep glacier which proved quite challenging. At the peak we were able to see both Italy and France as we were over 3,000m above sea level.
The school alpine Expedition is a bi-annual trip to Evolene in Switzerland where a dozen boys accompanied by Mr Johnson, Mr Prendergast, and for the past few years Mr Wassell, spend a week mountaineering up and down the highest peaks of the area and surrounding valleys of Evolene. Unfortunately, this year, Mr Wassell was unable to come and so we were accompanied by Jack White –a former student of St James.
The Alpine Expedition is split into three different tours, each tour is typically a climb up to an alpine hut where we spend the night acclimatising to the altitude, and then early the following morning a climb to a nearby peak from which we then start our descent back to the valley.
The next tour was up to the Burtol hut, an astonishing place that requires a series of very precarious ladders and wires to be reached and offers one of the most spectacular views of the trip. The next day for me was the most challenging of them all, waking up at 3am on a couple hours of sleep we made our way one-by-one down the ladders once more, but this time in pitch black. We did this so we could climb Tête Blanche, a huge glacier with a peak of 3,710m- an accomplishment for professionals let alone a dozen overly eager schoolboys. Despite the exhausting journey up it was one of the best experiences of the trip thanks to the view of the Matterhorn just as the sun was rising.
The next two days were filled by Via Ferrata and rock climbing. The Via Ferrata was both terrifying and incredible, it involved scaling sheer cliff faces under a picturesque waterfall and dangling ourselves over perilous drops. Unfortunately, we were unable to climb the 4000m mountain that we had challenged ourselves with due to the thunderstorm heading its way, and as you can imagine being over 4,000m high in a thunderstorm is far from ideal.
Instead, we enjoyed a day of rock climbing which was a nice way to end the week on.
The whole trip was such an incredible experience and will go down as one of my greatest achievements. I fully advise anyone reading this to put your name down for this trip, you will thank me afterwards. This trip was made possible by the incredible mountain guides that will always keep you safe no matter what you’re doing and the teachers who organised and put up with us for a week so thank you so much to everyone who made this incredible trip possible.
Bart N-D Year 12The new Year 7 students have for the first time at St James been given the opportunity to write command line code in the Python language.
Previously they used Scratch, which is block based and excellent, but they have experience from their primary schools. So the decision was made to introduce them to text based programming to begin to prepare them for the years ahead and ultimately GCSE and A Level Computer Science.
Students took to Python straight away and really enjoyed seeing the results of their efforts in a more industry-based way. This was also cemented in Computing Club on Friday afternoons where students used Minecraft Education and Microbits, again to create code, but this time to see the representation of their work in graphics and in objects, like robotic cars and lights on Microbits. Year 12 students had a big part in Computing Club this year by planning and delivering sessions themselves, which the students really enjoyed. The use of Sixth Form students with Year 7’s is very beneficial to all concerned, as they learn leadership and public speaking skills, and the Year 7’s see the older students in a setting they would not usually do so, thereby developing close links to the Lower and Upper parts of the school. The goal is to create competent coders by the time they reach the second year of GCSE and this starts with
results of a more embedded programme for computing and the students in those groups have shown a real aptitude for the subject.
excellent foundation being built. Year 7 students also learned about computational foundations, flowcharts and used spreadsheet functions, in addition to e-safety.
In Year 8 we created new schemes of work that built on Year 7, by adding more coding modules to look at how to create things that are a little more advanced, like number systems, lists and drawing, which means using loops and functions. They also learned about hardware, logic in computing and web creation, all of which helps to encourage enquiring minds, so vital for success in all areas of computing and information technology.
Our Year 9 and 10 GCSE groups completed a number of theory areas in the specification, but again were given opportunities throughout the year to do more advanced programming, being about half of the total time in the year. In Year 11 our completion of the specification in Year 10 meant we could review the entire course, while also being able to do more coding, in preparation for their final exams.
Moving forward to 2023-24 academic year, we will build on the progress made and encourage all computing students to experiment in their coding experiences to create more independent and confident learners.
In terms of facilities, we were fortunate to have a remodelled Computing Classroom, with new benches, carpeting and plans are forming for new hardware in the future. Our second Computing classroom is taking shape, the boys will have access to new high spec hardware for the new academic year.
This is an exciting period for computing based learning at St James. With continuity of staff and a streamlined and focused approach in the earlier years leading to more accomplished computing students for the future, ready to tackle the UK shortage in the IT related workplace. I am very proud to be a part of the St James family and look forward to many more years of creating a dynamic, exciting, ever-changing curriculum for our students.
Mr Andrew Michalski Head of ComputingIt has been an exciting academic year for the MFL department, where all students from Year 7 to Year 13 had the opportunity to study languages and enhance their understanding of the cultural aspect of the subject. Throughout the year, we organised a lot of activities in order to stimulate and encourage students’ learning.
Last September, in celebration of the European Day of Languages, the MFL department planned a wide range of activities.
Thanks to the invaluable help from our amazing catering staff and St James’ Friends, we organised an International Food Event Day where students had the chance to bake different types of European food.
During that week, Year 7 and 8 students had the opportunity to attend the ‘MFL Cinema’ to watch movies in French and Spanish. Additionally, our students Ivan S and Illia Z delivered an excellent Ukrainian lesson to pupils from the Upper School.
Our department was delighted to be involved in the Harmony Project for Year 7 and work closely with the Art department. Year 7 students created a French and Spanish menu, researched French and Spanish festivals, and designed posters. With the help of Mr. Saunders’ department, the students created beautiful traditional dishes using soft clay.
For our department, studying a language is not just about staying inside the classroom but also exploring the culture outside. Throughout the academic year, our students have had the opportunity to take part in several events. Year 8 were lucky enough to take part in a French film workshop at the BFI in London which Mme Choimet kindly organised. Year 9 and 10 French pupils went to the French Institute to learn about sports in Francophone countries and watch a film featuring the renowned Gérard Dépardieu.
Year 12 students took part in a challenging French Debate at St. Paul’s School, where they demonstrated great language skills and confidence in speaking French in front of a large audience.
Year 10 Spanish students had the opportunity to visit a Spanish restaurant, and to order and try Spanish food. Our Year 12 students went to Valencia as part of the Year 12 Exchange Programme, where they were immersed in Spanish culture and learned a lot about the history and traditions of the city.
As we look to the future of the department, our aim is to further increase our MFL activities with the purpose of explaining why it is important to study languages in our global society and offering more cultural experiences to our students.
Next year, we shall focus on the link between sports and language. We are planning to work with Futbol Lingo for Education by organising an assembly during which an expert will talk to the students about the importance that languages have in sports such as football.
We shall also continue to organise day trips outside the classroom, visiting and conducting workshops at the Instituto Cervantes and the French Institute.
To raise the profile of the MFL department further, we shall continue to offer trips for our Year 8 French students and student exchange programmes in Spain for the Year 12 and 13 Spanish students.
We believe that languages are crucial in today’s world, and learning a foreign language can make a difference in the future of our students. We are looking forward to passing on our knowledge and passion to our students next year.
Mr. Paolo Militello & Mme Virginie Quartier Head of Spanish & Head of MFLThe past year in Computing has seen some major moves forward in terms of both our provision for coding and devices.
Thank you to all the parents for their support this year, volunteering their time, donating items for Summer Auction and taking part in our events.
In September, we held our annual Outdoor Film Night. It was wonderful to welcome almost 200 people to the school for our screening of ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’. This is always a popular event and a great way to introduce the new Year 7s to life at St James. Thank you to all the parent helpers for their popcorn-making skills and excellent work running the entrance and bar. Money raised by the Friends purchased six table tennis tables for the school.
Parents also generously gave up their time to help run the International Food Stall in September and out on a wonderful Sports Day Buffet in aid of Harefield Hospital. Leftovers from both events were taken to the Stanwell Foodbank.
Our biggest event of the year was the fantastic Summer Ball in June. Huge thanks must go to the amazing Ball Committee, whose energy and enthusiasm ensured a wonderful evening. Parents and staff from across the three St James schools gathered for the first ball in seven years, to walk up the red carpet and enjoy a delicious meal, a caricaturist and an exciting auction. As soon as the band came on everyone took to the dance floor and danced the night away. The event raised over £10,000 for the St James Bursary Fund and was a fabulous evening of fun. Special thanks to Waqar Siraj for being our amazing auctioneer on the night!
It was also wonderful to catch up with some of our alumni this year. Both young and old alumni joined us at November’s Christmas Drinks to reminisce about old times and have a look through the archives. In March’s Alumni Matches the old boys managed to once again raise the trophy against the Whitton Lions before enjoying lunch and drinks at the school.
Ellie Mello Development ManagerYear 8 undertook a textiles project in Art to produce the St James shell logo as a whole class project.
They started by having a competition to design the parts of the shell using only circles. The winning designs were chosen and each class produced a huge shell using calico and felt. The boys then stitched using hand embroidery and decorated with ribbon and beads to embellish the shell parts. They then quilted the shell parts to add texture. They all created a name label using fabric pens and these were sewn together as patchwork to stitch below the shell. Once the shell was assembled we added the rope design of the St James Shell to emulate the school logo. The boys learned the importance of the shell to St James School. The scallop shell of Saint James is believed to promote courage, strength and hope. For centuries, the scallop shell, which is typically found on the sea coast in Galicia, northern Spain, has been the symbol of the Camino de Santiago, and its pilgrims – los peregrinos. The boys will experience the pilgrimage in Year 9. The resulting textiles work was stunning and very colourful. The work is displayed in school for posterity.
Mrs Elaine Wrigley Art Teacher
We bring together the whole school community of pupils, staff and parents to celebrate the academic year and recognise the significant achievements of the pupils. Both their academic achievements as well as their success in the sporting arena, the arts and their hard work in the progress they have made over the year.
Pupils from each year group are invited to make a speech about the year and what it has meant to them, their friends and peer group. With the return of the Activities Week trips, many spoke of the lasting impact of their experiences on the Camino trail for the Year 9’s. Others spoke of the amazing trip to Italy and the incredible legacy of the Italian Renaissance, while for Year 8 it was the wonders of the ancient world in Greece. All of the boys spoke with pride and passion recalling some unforgettable triumphs on the sporting field. Whether that be the U13 cup final win at the ESFA National Finals or the U14 cricket team winning the Middlesex Cup.
Our guest speaker this year was Richard Dunne from the Harmony Project. He spoke very eloquently about the principles of Harmony and how they can be brought to life in schools. Helping young people to understand how we can all live in a more sustainable way by incorporating nature’s principles of interdependence, the natural cycle, diversity, adaptation, health and oneness. We would like to thank Richard for raising our awareness of these issues and how they can be incorporated into school life. We are looking forward to seeing further projects using these principles around the school in the future.
An important part of the speech day celebrations is to bid farewell to our leavers, the pupils from Year 13 and Year 11. Both years are anxiously awaiting the outcome of their A Level and GCSE examinations, before moving onto the next step in their lives. All the leavers were presented with a Silver Shell in recognition of their contribution to St James and we wish them the very best of luck in their future endeavours.
The school’s flagship sport once again had a fantastic season with a number of notable highlights across the age groups. Our Under 16 team finished the season as Middlesex Plate champions, to go with the Middlesex Cup that they won when they were Under 13’s. The trophy was secured with an impressive victory over Grey Court in the final at Grasshoppers RFC, with a commanding score of 43-14. Historically, this has been the most successful rugby team St James has seen, so this was a fitting send off for them.
The abbreviated version of the game has always been a strongpoint of the St James sporting stable and, as is now tradition, the season kicked off with St. James hosting our own tournaments, featuring teams from Under 12 to Under 16. The Under 12 team stood out, emerging as champions and winning all of their games in the process, but all the teams results hinted at what would come.
Throughout the season, all the boys representing the school showcased exceptional sportsmanship and talent. The Under 12 team continued to excel, securing a commendable third place in the highly competitive London Oratory Sevens tournament. Their achievements demonstrated their abilities against some of the best rugby schools in the country.
Another highlight was the Under 14s, who made history by fielding an A, B, and C side for the first time ever at one of the tournaments. This milestone marked the growing depth and talent within the squad and bodes well for future seasons.
They say that success breeds success and that has certainly been a theme at St James over the last few years, but never have we seen anything quite like this. The success that we have experienced this year, in a range of different sports and across all three terms, is completely unprecedented for a school of our size.
This year, we really did experience something special, as we will describe for you here.
The Under 14 team proved to be the most successful team this year in the 15-a-side format. They lost only one game all season (in the National Cup) and won fifteen. The pre-season tour to the West Country set them up for a season that saw a number of notable victories including an outstanding win 57-0 against St George’s.
After a tough semi-final win over Grey Court (17-12) in the Middlesex Plate, they comfortably clinched the final against Fulham Boys’ School with a dominant 39-0 win at Grasshoppers RFC. The boys demonstrated an exceptional brand of rugby, combining physicality and attacking precision.
The other age groups all had excellent seasons with the 1st XV holding their own against some big names in the league that we were promoted to last year, the Under 15’s had a nice run in the National Cup and the U13’s played with an attacking freedom that would be the envy of most Premiership teams. Last, but by no means not least, the U12’s got their first taste of senior rugby and showed glimpses of what they are capable of against some of the best schools in Surrey and Middlesex.
Additionally, the Under 13s made it to the final of the Fulham Boys Sevens tournament, narrowly missing out on the title. Their impressive run displayed their determination and skill, earning them well-deserved recognition. This team have the potential to go a long way with the expansive brand of rugby they continue to play.
The season concluded with the House Sevens tournament, where a significant number of boys had the opportunity to represent their respective houses. The matches were characterised by excellent sportsmanship, with the players demonstrating their abilities to a high standard. Winners were Churchill in the Upper School and Marlborough in the Lower School.
Despite this being just our second season of playing Rugby League at St. James, our level of play and attainment has taken a quantum leap and the future looks bright. This year also marked a significant milestone in the context of our reputation as a school, as we proudly hosted the London and South East England qualifying tournaments for the first time, showcasing our school to the wider rugby-playing community.
Our Under 12s, 14’s and 16s showcased their exceptional skills and determination at the qualifiers, enjoying the benefit of ‘home-field-advantage’, earning themselves coveted spots in the highly competitive regional finals held at Brunel University.
With their commendable efforts in the regional finals, both the Under-12s and Under-14s gained the opportunity to compete in the National quarter finals and were both drawn away to Castleford Academy. Travelling up North, our teams engaged in intensely physical encounters against opponents who had won the tournament multiple times. Both teams gave good showings but the Under 12s only narrowly missed out on victory, which was a shame as it would have put them only a game away from a showdown at Wembley Stadium.
Participating in the national rounds was a valuable experience for all involved, providing our teams with an opportunity to measure themselves against the best sides in the country. The lessons learned and the memories created will undoubtedly fuel their motivation as they prepare for the upcoming season.
As with last season, this was another development season after the disruption caused by Covid, but it is safe to say that the programme is getting back on track and we look forward to big things in the coming years.
This year, we have developed to a point where we are able to regularly field both an U15 and an U16 team allowing the players to enjoy weekly fixtures. In addition to this we entered teams into the U13 and U15 ISA National tournament with the U15’s bringing home the Plate trophy.
Due to our growing reputation in this sport as a school who try to play an expansive, attacking style of hockey, Harrow school invited both our U14 and U15 teams up to their place which was a fantastic experience for all of our boys. Competitive hockey played with an enjoyable spirit on the pitch followed by dinner in the very grand dining hall. These fixtures will now become a yearly tradition and something for our boys to look forward to.
Another tradition that will be resurrected in October is the Senior Hockey tour. Next year a mixed team of U14 – U16 will travel to the heartlands of Belgium for a week at half term. Another opportunity to develop as players and make new memories.
This year saw the first dedicated term at St James for the highly supported sport of football and what a season we have had. Considering the success that we experience in a number of other sports it was felt that we could be highly aspirational for our footballers and entered most year groups into regional and national tournaments alongside playing in a packed friendly fixture list against local opposition.
Our Under 12’s had their first taste of football at St James and impressed with their talent. They showcased this throughout the season by finishing unbeaten in their friendly matches whilst narrowly missing out on progressing in the National Cup, only being beaten on penalties.
As you will already have read in this publication, this was the most amazing season for the U13 Football Squad, National English Schools Football Association Champions. An excellent achievement for all involved with many boys contributing in the qualifying rounds. With 126 teams entered nationwide and six qualifying rounds, the squad made the long journeys to Croydon, Essex and finally the competition final at The Hawthorns, the 30’000-seater stadium of Championship side West Bromwich Albion. The most perfect ending to the most perfect season winning 11-10 on penalties with the entire year group in support although watching was not for the faint hearted.
The U14’s and U15’s both competed at the National ISA 6-a-side championships. The U14’s being crowned National Plate winners
and the U15 age group, who were playing up a year against U16’s being crowned National Bowl winners. Our Year 11 and Sixth Form teams had limited fixtures as their crucial mock exams fall during this time, however, the U16 squad were unbeaten throughout the season and the Sixth Form are looking to bounce back next year by having a good run in the Society of Head tournament with the Year 11s adding to a talented bunch of Year 12s.
The Athletics season was a short one but that doesn’t mean that it was any less successful than its busier counterparts. The ISA Regional meeting at Bedford International Stadium saw 3 gold and 6 silver medals, and seven St James athletes qualifying to represent the school at the ISA Nationals. Our boys were clearly inspired by competing at the Birmingham Alexander Stadium, home of last year’s Commonwealth Games and we were unlucky not to bring home more medals. We came agonizingly close to medals, finishing 4th in the U12 4x100m Relay and a 4th in the U12 Shot but managed to bring home the Silver in the U14 Shot.
The tennis season is always a busy one but after entering more tournaments than ever, this one has been completely packed.
At the first tournament of the year, the ISA Regionals, all of the boys got their seasons off to a good start with the U13 doubles winning the Cup and the U15 doubles finishing up Cup runners-up.
Next up was the ISA Nationals, held this year at the impressive facility at Rugby school and our boys rose to the occasion winning the U15 Plate in the singles and coming runners up in the U13 doubles Cup. Almost more pleasing than the individual success stories on the court was St James being awarded the Sportsmanship award, underlining what we know already – our boys play hard but they play with an exquisite spirit and sense of fair play.
At the time of going to press, our U13 and U15 teams are through to the Semi-Finals of the LTA Youth County
This was, quite simply, the most successful season in the history of St James cricket and just rewards for all of the hard work that has been put into the programme over the last 5 years. The ability to hold ‘winter nets’ at our beautiful new sports hall has allowed us to prepare our players better than ever for the competitive season and additional coaching expertise has given us a level of detail that we have never had before.
Our U13’s were marginally the pick of the crop this year, playing 8 games and winning 7. Their one loss was in the opening game of the ISA Nationals, but this loss seemed to galvanise the team. The disappointment allowed them to perform under pressure later in the tournament, where they won the Plate, and also later on in the season. Where they went on the most wonderful run in the Middlesex Cup, beating QE Barnet in the final to be crowned Middlesex County Champions! The boys also had the privilege of playing against a Singapore Touring Cricket Side this year, which they won by 6 wickets. An absolutely outstanding season by all the boys.
The U14’s also had a stellar season but were unfortunate that they finished without any silverware. This seems hugely unfair considering that they beat the likes of Reeds, Cranleigh and Hampton on their way to the Surrey Cup Semi Finals, but this is the nature of sport and they are already fired up to right some wrongs next season.
Not far behind were our U15’s, who played 9 games and won 6, notably beating King Edward Witley in a Surrey Cup game, reaching the Middlesex Cup Quarter Final as well as achieving the ISA National T10 Cup Runners Up for 2023. Our U12’s also had a solid start and are now aware of the level that they need to be working towards next year and beyond.
Cup after winning their groups and all age groups are winding up to the big one – the ISTA National Championships, held at Eton College.
A wonderful season of tennis will be rounded off during the summer holidays when our players head off to Reims, France to get a taste of continental ‘hard court’.
We truly believe that every one of our pupils is a sportsman, and as more and more of them take the leap and begin to have faith, our athletes levels and therefore our collective level rises. We have always said that there is a ‘buzz’ around sport at St James but this is no longer a suitable metaphor for what we are presented with. The feeling of what is happening at Ashford is now more like a deep roar that is yet to reach its crescendo and we really can’t wait to see where this incredible energy will take us.
In the words of the great Sachin Tendulkar “Whatever level you reach, getting better never stops” and this fits the St James sporting philosophy perfectly.
Today when I woke up, I wanted to do something different, so I chose to go on an adventure. I thought to walk in the wilds of nature. Before I embarked on the adventure I needed to prepare. There were three elements of my adventure: I needed first to keep myself dry and warm with clothes, secondly, I brought with me a lot of water and food because on a walk I always must be hydrated, thirdly I brought a map with me it was the newest updated map there is, so there is no chance of me getting lost today.
The fact that I can freely walk anywhere made me excited for the adventure ahead. The weather today was looking fabulous there was no cloud in sight. It is going to be the perfect walk. I could not wait to get going it will be a great day. I have been thinking of this day for a long time to be one with nature.
At the start of the walk, it was difficult because the ground that I was walking on was uneven it was like walking up and down a mini hill. Once I got my rhythm nothing could stop me but by walking in the beating sun, I unexpectedly got extremely warm in my jumper, so I took it off. I took the opportunity to hydrate during the walk because it got ridiculously hot, so I guzzled down half of the first water bottle.
After hours of walking, I realised I got lost I was apprehensive. I took a moment to reflect and remembered that I brought a map with me. I took out the map and after I studied it for a moment I knew where I was and what direction to go.
The lush greenery around me was outstanding, I could not keep my eyes off it. A feeling of a faint gentle breeze brushing my face was nice and refreshing adding to the glorious scenery around me, it was like stepping into a fantasy world. Birds above my head were singing sweet
rhymes. I can also hear the dried leaves crunching under my feet after each step. Huge trees swaying with the soft calm wind, I can taste the pine trees and the fresh leaves.
After some time ahead of me was an imposing hill that was screaming at me to climb it. I struggled at first, there were a few big rocks standing in my way, I knew this was going to be tough, but I also knew that the result would be worth it. Once I got there the view was getting more mesmerising every step I took. My legs were struggling with fatigue as if I had weights on them, but I powered through it with the goal of reaching the summit. As I drew closer and closer there was a menacing steep rock right at the end which need confidence and courage to overcome it. I put all of my strength into it and I reached the summit. The view from the summit was unimaginable all that back breaking work to get to this point was all worth it even though my legs are about to give. I was proud of myself.
The weather started to change quickly and before long it was pouring rain and it will be a hard descent. The rocks were slippery so I had to be careful and go down them slow if not a disaster might happen. I kept going slow but at a steady pace, so I do not get into an accident, which the weather made that possibility a reality. Descending the mountain was harder than going up I had to be careful if not I might break or sprain my ankle. The rain went harder and turned into sleet and the temperature dropped. Night came and I could barely see a thing my visibility was completely gone.
I was so scared that I would not make it out of this journey safely but then I saw a group of people also on the mountain who are lost. Together we helped each other by always making sure everyone is safe and comfortable with the situation and then we worked together and sticked together all the way till the end.
On a calm summer evening, a young boy named Sage was meandering down a craggy country lane taking in the stunning scenery that surrounded him. The glow of the setting sun felt warm on his face, as he immersed himself in the unfamiliar environment. He was used to being fenced in by rows and rows of cramped houses and towering skyscrapers. The sounds that filled his ears were of passing loud bellowing trucks, planes flying overhead, construction sites at work, creating a continuous stream of pneumatic fire and ear-piercing police sirens. This was the norm, where his life was set. Sage and his mother were staying with his granny Emerald, (he had escaped his urban lifestyle). He had one thing on his mind - to find a whole new world...
Out the corner of his eye, Sage spotted a gargantuan mass of luscious green grand vegetation. Birds dipped and dived in and out of the tall treetops. The sun cast a heap of distorted shadows which suddenly sent a shiver down his spine. The bold forest sucked him in repeatedly, he imagined all the exciting possibilities that could be
waiting for him. Without thinking, Sage sprinted into the vast green land; he could not resist the temptation any longer. He disappeared, absorbed by the murky forest. His treacherous journey began. He cautiously walked on into the abyss that drew him in, but when he looked back, he could only see the dense forest behind him, leaving him all alone in the dark green herbage. He trekked on further. He stumbled upon a luminous ribbon-like stream, trickling on through the forest. After manoeuvring his way over it, he trudged on hearing and feeling the frail leaves crunch beneath his feet. He was left only with his intrusive thoughts, they did not help him, he quivered as he decided if he should turn back our venture on. He felt the whistling winds ruffle his hair. What was that...AAHHHHHH!
Unknowingly, he tripped on a crippled tree root that had reached the surface, it looked just like his grandma’s gnarly fingers. Rolling and tumbling uncontrollably, he dropped down somersaulting further and further finding himself in a whole new world...
by Babjot S, Year 9
It’s about 8:30 in the evening when I normally reach home from work. I normally commute home by a bus, and it will drop me on Gevvani’s Place which is the street I live in. My day was like any other day, cold and snowy. The street was an isolated desert. I kept walking, only hearing my footsteps crunch in the white snow crystals.
When I looked up, I saw a beautiful sight of snowflakes fighting their way down to the ground. As I filled my lungs, I could feel the heavenly, cold, earthly smell infiltrating my lungs.
I was only about 5 feet away from opening my door and seeing my family. Suddenly, a mountain of pain overtook my head as if I had been stabbed multiple times in the brain. My head hurt with a sharp sear as if someone had put a hot steel rod right through it.
My head throbbed in a symphony of pain. I lowered my eyebrows and squinted my eyes to lift my upper lip and open my mouth to scream but no sound came out, everything was going blurry, and I slowly lost consciousness and fell to the ground.
I woke up to the same cold, earthly smell of the snow except this time it was making me choke. The strange malodorous smell spiked my lungs. It was much colder and stronger than a skunk. The air around me felt as if it had a murderous intent. I got up to look around me and I was in the middle of a road. I tried walking around to see if anyone was around, but everything stayed still and calm as a dead ocean. On the left of me was a graveyard, a specific grave stood out to me in the middle although it was identical to the others. I fought over the thick snow as I was making my way to the grave. The snow had covered the names of the people. I lifted my hand to pick the snow up and throw it away. A sense of unease overlooked me as if I was being watched. Something in my brain told me not to keep going but I continued.
The name was slowly revealed. My eyes widened in terror. My heart must have almost skipped a beat. My hand stopped in its tracks as I tried to pull it back. The grave spelt, ‘Nibai Kagami’ and ‘Soana Kagami’. These were the names of my parents. It couldn’t be possible. I was told they had died in a car crash 36 years ago on an important trip, but their graves were never made.
I rushed out and at the corner of my eye I saw someone. I immediately turned back but all that was visible was a house which seemed to have been neglected. I could have sworn I saw someone, or am I hallucinating? The house seemed familiar, but it looked like no one was currently living there. As I took a step closer something clicked. I stood still for a few seconds as if the tight air had rendered me immobile. Suddenly, my eyes slowly grew, and my mouth wide open, not believing my eyes.
This was my childhood home. I kicked the thick sludgy snow away and hurried my way in. My eyes, dry as a shrivelled-out leaf, hurt as the cold breeze hit my eyes. As I entered, I was welcomed with a mirror on the wall, it was as tall as I was, maybe even taller. As I got a clearer look in the mirror, I bit my lip so hard that it started bleeding. It was a reflection of a younger me. I rubbed my eyes so hard, my eyes were bloodshot red. I still saw a younger me. I couldn’t trust myself at this point, was this reality? As I blinked, I saw a face behind me. My stomach churned like a knife was in me and someone was continuously turning it. My spine felt like collapsing and giving up. Immediately, I turned around and I was met with a silent spacious whistling breeze.
I hurried to the next bedroom, it felt like a race of time. I stopped, frozen. The air suddenly grew with bitter coldness, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I was at the alleyway, where on the opposite side was a pallid figure of a women with loose hair and a grey slivery dress which was torn apart, slightly floating above the rotten wood floor. I tried fighting with my brain as I knew this couldn’t be real, or is it? It looked like a creature, a creature not of this world. She had pale skin, just like the snow. It was impossible to make out her face as her hair was covering it. She slowly turned and glided to the other room, her hair slightly moved, and I was able to see half her face. It couldn’t be. My heart was in my throat. My own saliva was dried out. My throat felt as if I had drunk a cup of acid.
It was my mother.
As she gently drifted over to the next bedroom, I hurried along gasping for air. The door slammed shut just before I was able to enter, I tried opening it, but it didn’t work. Anything I tried was too weak. I mustered the strength to open the door. I just wanted a glimpse of her. My own brain was deceiving me, there was no way it was her. Suddenly, as I gave up, I heard the door unlock. I turned around faster than anything and broke my way through. The room was empty. What was this? The room had dull white walls, with the only thing in the room being a portrait and a mirror, covered with spiderwebs, on the opposite wall. The portrait depicted a picture of a younger me, except it was nothing like I remember. Were these my memories?
I heard a noise, I turned around startled and the mirror had long cracks. As seconds passed, more cracks started to form. Not knowing if this was reality, I rushed out to the front door, but it was closed, I screamed out loud, even though I knew there was no point. I gave up. The door slowly started to creek open and there she stood. All my organs felt like they had experienced torture straight from hell. The devil himself was in front of me. My limbs were immobile; even if I had tried moving, there was no point. The only thing on my mind was to run away and hide and stay hidden forever. Her rank, putrid breath permeated throughout my lungs. I wanted to throw up, but it seemed as if I had no control over my body. I had to win, by any means. I threw myself up to see her face, but my hand went straight through her. She put her pale white face directly in front of me. Her eyes were glistening red with a strange pattern, I felt multiple knifes stab me in the stomach. “KILL ME” were the words I wanted to say, if I had the strength. She raised her hand, and I felt her soft, sleek, slender fingers rub against my face. Her milky, scarred nails scratched against my rubbery skin. A long white bony knife followed out from her hand. A tear ran across my face as I closed my eyes.
This was the end.
I was awakened to the sound of traffic and cars bombarding my ears. I was next to a pole where I was surrounded by many people, I gripped the pole with my sweaty hands. Finally, it was over.
The lamp flickered, the same cold unease overtook me again; it must have been some sort of post traumatic stress. As everyone scurried of to their cars, on the opposite road, I saw someone.
It was her.
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