1. Sanskrit word
2. Meaning “complete, infinite, full”
3. Used to describe our true Self MAGAZINE I 2023
Purna Magazine is the 2023 edition of the St James Girls’ School magazine, a round-up of our academic year, encompassing the true essence of life at St James.
As I begin my first year at St James Senior Girls’ School, it is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to the 2023 edition of our school magazine.
As we celebrate the endeavours and achievements of the last year, there is no more fitting title for the magazine than Purna, which in Sanskrit means ‘complete, infinite, full.’
There is no doubt that St James Senior Girls’ School is a very special school, where every pupil is supported, challenged and inspired to be the very best version of herself. As this magazine shows, girls at our school have a myriad of opportunities to develop confidence in their own unique combinations of skills and talents, as well as a deep and enduring appreciation for the value of community, unity and potential of the human spirit.
As we look ahead to the coming year, I am excited to build on the successes achieved under Sarah Labram’s leadership and am grateful for the warm welcome from the St James community.
Emma Bell Head
Sarah Labram
Did you know that Mrs Labram wanted to be a pilot? She had watched an episode of Wings and rather liked the idea of being in amongst those handsome pilots! Thankfully, she decided not to be a pilot, but to be a teacher at St James, where she had been a pupil since her early years.
She was an outstanding Classics teacher and her pupils said that she brought the subjects to life with her enthusiasm and deep understanding.
Her intelligence and wit are beautifully balanced, along with her meticulous eye for detail. These qualities made her the obvious candidate to step into Mrs Hyde’s shoes when she retired.
During her headship, the school was graded as Excellent in all areas, both in Academic Achievement and in Personal Development; a wonderful result for the school and a testament to her strong and steady leadership.
Some Year 10 students, when asked to describe her said she was, “lively but controlled”, “caring, inspiring, poised and stable”. One said she would always remember the warmth of her smile and her positive friendliness.
Mrs Labram has had a positive impact on so many young lives and we are grateful for all of the love and care she has given over the years.
Her contribution to the life of St James has been considerable and she will be sorely missed.
Poem dedicated to Headmistress Sarah Labram:
I am quite amazed
To be standing here
On this planet, that is essentially a big wet rock
Floating through space.
What were the chances that I would be born?
That life would emerge at all?
That the stars in the sky would line up the way that they do,
And the sun would not explode in 3, 2, 1.
It hasn’t, but there was still a chance.
There was a chance I wouldn’t come here
To this stage, on this day
Or to this school
Or to this earth.
But I did, and I’m glad.
I’m glad I met you.
It was worth it.
At some point, there is always a curious link between the beginning, and the end.
The fall, and the creation.
We are delighted to announce we have been shortlisted for the Independent Girls’ School of the Year category in this year’s Independent Schools of the Year Awards, held by the Independent School Parent magazine.
This specific category aims to recognise all-girls’ senior schools which offer an outstandingly rich experience for its students, and we take great pride in shaping confident, self-aware and capable young women who feel ready to make a positive impact in the world. We look forward to hearing about the final results in the Autumn Term!
Such is my favourite question to ask What is the difference
Between the beginning, and the end?
Are they not the same?
We know that you cannot have one without the other, but maybe they are not separate.
Every beginning is an ending, and every ending is a beginning.
Ending something is a risk, As is beginning.
Take risks
Because taking risks is the condition of there being life.
All of life is an act of faith an act of gamble.
We all make decisions, and those decisions lead to outcomes, and those outcomes lead to more decisions, much to my dismay.
To take a risk is the most powerful thing that can be done.
It is a surrender.
Love is an act of surrender to another person.
You don’t know the outcome.
To leave or to stay, both are risky.
But neither are boring. That is the nature of risks. That is the nature of life.
This poem
Has gone on for too long now, I think.
I’ve become distracted.
I apologise.
I’m going to miss you.
Coming here was worth the risk.
Olivia T, Poet Laureate (Year 11)
Hebe
W
Gratitude turns what we have into Enough.
Aesop
It feels surreal to be saying a final goodbye. I feel very privileged and honoured for the friends I have made here; I speak for the rest of Year 13 when I say the support from our teachers has been unwavering, throughout COVID, online lessons and exam seasons – they have been unflagging in their support for us. Our success is their success.
I have made many mistakes, but school has given me the space and tools to learn from them and develop resilience.
Saying goodbye is bittersweet: a mixture of happy memories, nostalgia and apprehension of what is to come.
I would like to say goodbye to our beloved headmistress, Mrs Labram. She has been an integral part of my time here and has encouraged me to challenge myself.
She has led the school with such grace, poise and devotion, it is difficult to imagine St James without you, Mrs Labram. Thank you.
To those of you whose journey at St James is still unfolding, here are some words of advice; put yourself out of your comfort zone every once in a while.
Don’t worry about friendships - the truest friends will stay with you to the end.
Appreciate your family. And finally, be grateful, recognise what you DO have, rather than what you don’t.
As Aesop says, “Gratitude turns what we have into Enough”.
I wish everyone the best for the future and to strive for the best.
It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to. Tolkien
I joined St James in Year 7; I was around 5” tall, scared of everyone, and only interested in Minecraft, Pokémon and the Lord of the Rings.
I like to think that my horizons have broadened since then: I am now 5”4, I still like Pokémon, Minecraft and Lord of the Rings, but the outstanding guidance at St James has also helped me discover my passion for engineering, which I plan to pursue at university.
What will I miss about St James? First and foremost, the definite sense of belonging to a tight-knit community; the familiar faces, but also the everyday challenges, and the teacher's pervading, contagious enthusiasm.
I will remember all my teachers with fondness and gratitude but would like to extend a special thank you to Mrs Labram, Mrs Saunders and my brilliant form tutor Ms Chaudagne, who have supported me and guided me over the past few years, building up my confidence for the next part of my journey.
I am not so well versed in Aesop, but I would like to end with a quote from Tolkien: “It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
I am grateful for how St James has prepared me to step onto that road, encouraging my own enthusiasm, my resilience and my courage.
It has been a very special year in the Music and Drama Departments where students’ talents have really come to the fore.
Arts Week began with the uplifting sound of African drums permeating the school as students from KS3 and KS4 took part in an African Drumming workshop which gave students an insight into the culture of West Africa as well as an immersion into their musical heritage. The whole school was treated to a talk from the visiting African Drumming practitioner and a performance from some of our students.
Mark Goldthorp, a West End actor, writer and puppet master taught some of the students how to use and perform with Muppet puppets. This culminated in a performance in Assembly by Year 10 and 11 students of The Muppet Show theme, rehearsed in very quick time, and was so liked, they had to perform it twice!
For our annual House Arts Festival, students from all year groups performed in front of a very supportive audience and Mark Randle, actor, singer and adjudicator for the day. Everyone was struck by how confident the students were and by their wide range of talents, from classical piano to contemporary popular music. Alongside the more experienced students who had performed at previous events, we also had younger students making their debut. It was truly inspiring to see how many younger students were prepared to get up on stage.
The standout performances were Ms Holliss’ Year 11 form with their own enthusiastic performance of Don’t Look Back in Anger by Oasis, which was greatly appreciated by the whole school, and also the modernised drama performance of Faust.
Although a celebration of talents, the House Arts Festival is also a competition, and this year’s winner was Genevieve!
The Spring Term culminated with our joint senior schools Performing Arts Gala, which we had the pleasure of hosting. It was a great evening of musical and drama performances. Thank you to all our senior students and to our Senior Girls’ and Senior Boys’ Directors of Music and Heads of Drama for showcasing such commitment and talent.
Since my appointment as Head of Drama in September, I have been thrilled by the response of the students with some outstanding work being produced in all year groups.
Their willingness to go the extra mile and take risks in their rehearsals has been an absolute credit to them and the school. This has ranged from an outstanding joint performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat from our senior boys and girls, arts festivals and concerts, to super ensemble efforts by Year 7. Congratulations to all our St James senior drama students for their outstanding performance in the joint school production!
Next year, we are going to perform our own version of the Odyssey, working with Year 5 and 6 in the Prep School to produce an innovative, colourful and exciting version of this classic. Also look out for the Year 7 workshop version of James and the Giant Peach in December!
John Herriman, Head of Drama
The St James Summer Concert was the ultimate celebration of the talents and commitment of both the boys’ and girls’ schools. Students from both schools joined together to perform orchestral and choral compositions alongside performances from accomplished soloists. Performances were of a high calibre and the bar has been set high for future St James concerts!
The library has had an exciting year! Three hundred and twenty-five new resources were added. We also hosted two award-winning authors and an internationally renowned performance poet. Three book clubs read 22 books (and devoured countless digestive biscuits in the process), the Creative Writing Club entered two poetry competitions, six commendations were issued for creative Shakespearean World Book Day costumes and Year 7 all took part in the nation-wide Poetry by Heart competition, delivering an impressive array of Shakespeare projects.
All these fun events support a reading culture that is enthusiastic and collaborative, where enjoyment and challenge go hand-in-hand. The library provides a hub of learning that supports all students and departments in the school, signposting resources and actively teaching information and media literacy skills for life, from Year 7 to Sixth Form EPQ project lessons.
But don’t take our word for it!
These are some comments from our ‘customers’ this year:
I like the library because it has various books, and every genre I can think of. It also has lots of decoration and looks beautiful. I really enjoyed meeting Katya Balen.
Suki - Year 7
This year I really enjoyed when authors visited. I loved Penny Joelson’s books and the writing exercises we did with Katya Balen were really fun.
Sienna S - Year 7
I’ve really enjoyed all the author visits because I find them all really interesting. I especially liked the Sophia Thakur visit because she was so enthusiastic about what she does and it was cool to hear about her experiences.
Pip (Phillipa) - Year 7
Things I enjoyed about the library this year: when Penny Joelson came to visit; biscuits in Bookworms Club; all the interesting books; the online library. Amelie - Year 7
The exciting Science Week took place in March, with students investigating the effect of the length of blades on the speed of helicopters and being able to observe the specimens of their choice under microscopes.
Year 7 took part in the Science fair investigating how various factors affected hydrogels.
Over the course of the year, Zoology Club members prepared and delivered presentations on topics of their choice, brought their pets to school to give presentations on their characteristics, looked after and studied the biology of chicks and delivered an assembly on what they learnt.
Year 10 students worked independently to deliver assemblies on the topic of Geology. Year 8, 9 and 10 took part in STEM days, spending an entire day working collaboratively on various robotics and engineering projects and competitions. Getting comfortable with trial and error was one of the main takeaways, and the girls also enjoyed learning more about all the career paths available in the field.
It has been another bumper year for History of Art A-Level with the largest Year 12 cohort amongst Humanities subjects at St James Sixth Form!
Year 13 finished their two-year course in excellent form and applied dedication, reason and quality essays to their final examinations. Year 12 enjoyed their first-year topics on Renaissance Art and Architecture, War and visual analysis skills. Students appreciated the interdisciplinary elements of the subject, as well as the extra one-to-one support sessions as they fostered academic confidence and visible improvements.
We have really made History of Art enjoyable through our stimulating class dynamics, the day trips to museums and galleries and of course, the fascinating global course content through which the entire history of humanity and civilisation is taught. In a fast-paced, digital world which uses the immediacy of images as its main form of communication, there is little wonder why visual literacy is deemed so important.
In Autumn Term, Year 12 and Year 13 art historians had a wonderful day at the National Gallery and Tate Britain. Some of the key artists studied were Jan Van Eyck, Hans Holbein, Titian, Caravaggio, Holman Hunt, Morisot, Millais, George Stubbs and Chris Ofili. The girls learnt an extraordinary amount such as the study of intricate applications of paint, materials, techniques and processes, and the importance of size and scale in propagandist art.
The girls were impeccably behaved, and the trip also served as wonderful opportunity for both year groups to bond and share their passion for History of Art with each other.
A major goal of the History department is to encourage independent learning and provide stimulating project ideas for students.
This year, Year 7 have been engaged on several projects based around Stonehenge, Ancient China and a Victorian childhood. Year 8 have worked on a Black Death board game as part of their Cold War studies. Year 10 have looked at the political tensions inside 1960’s Berlin from the CIA’s point of view, while Year 12 have explored cultural and social change from the 1980’s to the 2000’s through music, drama, television, sport and more. Students have shown great enthusiasm and creativity!
The spiral curriculum builds on student understanding of 21st century challenges. Year 7 have explored what it means to be a sustainable city using the Egan Wheel of Sustainability and the three pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic, social) as a foundation. The winners of the sustainable city competition were Bea, Carla and Lily, who based their design on Mexico City and tackled the subsidence issue by improving the city’s sewerage system. They also created a creature that roamed the city capturing carbon from the atmosphere and converting it into oxygen to reduce air pollution!
Students also looked at the problem of desertification in Burkina Faso (already been in newsletter) and were tasked with creating a solution. The winning design developed by Carla and Lydia (Yr7) was the Desert Bike 101 which incorporated a filter system to clean dirty water so it can be reused for domestic consumption. Our students have incredible imaginations and are becoming real agents for change, finding solutions to modern challenges.
To go beyond the curriculum, different educational and exciting trips were organised:
Year 7 went to Shepherd’s Bush Market with UrbanWise London to investigate food sustainability and Windrush migration.
Year 8 discovered the BBC Earth Experience narrated by David Attenborough which focused on the geography of hope and global sustainability, while Year 9 explored the physical characteristics of the tropical rainforest biome through The Living Rainforest workshop on sustainable futures.
day collecting data from the River Tillingbourne to show downstream change, and a day collecting data from Ashstead and Brockham to investigate the impacts of counterurbanisation and suburbanisation of the green belt.
Year 10 went on residential to FSC Juniper Hall near Box Hill in Surrey, as part of their geography GCSE fieldwork. Students spent a
Several interesting A-level lectures were also hosted at the Royal Geographical Society, with a focus on A-level topics including Earth Life Support Systems and Human Rights.
The highlight of the year for the Computer Science department was our participation in the Fujitsu series of virtual events called the “Girls in ICT” Insight Event to celebrate the UN International Girls in ICT Day.
The event aimed to inspire and educate female students in secondary school in the UK about careers in the ICT sector. Students were able to ask questions in the live event relating to salaries, career prospects and training. Year 7 participated in the webinar which featured talks from successful women in the industry and cover various professions such as software developer, IT technician, computer scientist, programmer and web designer!
During the academic year, the English department at the school fostered a dynamic and enriching learning environment with a multitude of engaging activities and events.
The year kicked off with the exhilarating Poet Laureate Competition, which highlighted the poetic prowess of Madeleine R and Olivia T.
Year 7 students impressed everyone with their creativity during the Chocolate Bar Project, creating astounding products, while Year 8 students displayed their wit and creativity during the lively “Battle of the Shakespearean Insults”.
The study of Shakespeare came to life through dramatic in-class readings, delighting Key Stage 3 and 4 students. A Pub Quiz provided a fun yet educational challenge for our GCSE students, fostering teamwork and knowledge retention.
Enriching cultural experiences were also offered, with Year 12 attending “A Streetcar Named Desire” and Year 10 enjoying the English St James Senior Girls’ School Film Premiere for “An Inspector Calls”. The year concluded with a celebration of literature, as Year 12 indulged in an Afternoon Tea, dressing up as characters from their A-level texts.
The English department continued to provide support to students, whether through well-attended additional clinics for extra guidance, or during Easter holiday interactive revision sessions, infused with drama and games to aid Year 11 and Year 13 students in their exam preparations.
This academic year was a resounding success, nurturing students’ love for language, literature and performance while fostering a supportive and encouraging academic community!
Maths, being a core but sometimes feared subject, has so much to offer to students!
All our lower, middle and upper school students were entered for the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Maths challenges by the UKMT (Maths Trust). They all had superb results, achieving several certificates, in all different teaching groups.
Students in Year 10 and 11 were also given the opportunity to study for the Level 2 Further Maths qualification, and many took on the challenge!
This year, the Sixth Form students were strong both in numbers and in motivation to make progress and achieve the highest possible results. We are absolutely delighted that numbers in A-Level Maths remain very strong and that next year we will offer Further Maths A-Level again!
It has been another exciting year of engaging with a rigorous and robust programme of study in Religious Studies and students have continued to impress us with their outstanding commitment
and effort in the subject.
The school organised many visits and conferences to further theoretical learnings.
In Year 8, students visited the Hare Krishna Temple, experiencing a Hindu ceremony firsthand.
Year 9 students explored Judaism at the London Jewish Museum, understanding the challenges faced by practicing Jews in modern society, particularly regarding keeping kosher.
For Year 10, a visit to the London Buddhist Centre offered students the chance to converse with Buddhists and engage in a mindfulness session.
Year 11 students attended the GCSE Candle Conference with Dr. Peter Vardy, debating the existence of God and the ethics of warfare, abortion and euthanasia.
The Year 13 A-level Candle Conference delved into Christianity’s relevance in contemporary society, the historical significance of the Bible and Early Church, and the Liberation Theology.
These experiences nurtured open-mindedness and critical thinking, providing invaluable insights into various religious practices and ethical dilemmas, to enrich students’ academic journey.
As we look to next year, we are excited about developing the department and facilitating more opportunities for students to develop their religious literacy, develop their own spirituality, and connect with a diverse range of people, including those from the Sikh Community and Holocaust Survivors.
This year has seen our students thriving in the study of Sanskrit, with a large number of them achieving excellent results in internal and external examinations. The students new to the school in Year 7 were extremely enthusiastic, as were those coming from our Prep School.
Year 8 enjoyed exploring the Maha-bha-rata and developing their calligraphy skills while Year 9 started mastering the recitation of verses from the Bhagavad Gita, which form part of the new IGCSE set texts.
Year 9 and 10 enjoyed a trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum to see artefacts connected with the Sanskrit tradition. Meanwhile, Year 11 and 12 pupils enjoyed six days in Malta focusing on IGCSE Sanskrit and A-level Hinduism respectively. The whole trip gave a more rounded and deeper view of the Sanskrit
language, both through the Bhagavad Gita verse that formed the theme of the trip, and the evening seminars led by our guest speakers from Malta University.
In June, Year 12 pupils enjoyed a trip to the Hare Krishna temple near Watford, and also a trip to Oxford University, as many St James students have gone on to study Sanskrit at Oxford.
A record number of Year 11 sat the GCSE in Spanish and French this year, across five different teaching groups. For the first time in the history of GCSE orals, every single GCSE candidate sat the speaking exam with a smile!
Most Year 8 have started studying Spanish alongside French, and are now able to tell you all about themselves, their family, their school and where they live - all in the present tense, since there is nothing like the present.
Year 12 and 13 have learned about the history of French cinema, South American dictatorships and the role of monarchy in modern Spain amongst many other themes; most of them will be spending part of the summer in France, Spain or Québec, and practise their chosen language. Overall, it was a very busy, fruitful year for all.
In EPQ (Extended Project Qualification), we had seven dedicated hardworking students crossing the finishing line. Their topics were eclectic and thought-provoking:
• Should sign language be taught in schools?
• How have perceptions of Franco’s era varied in contemporary society?
• Can Animal Assisted Therapy help prevent mental health disorders, and should this be funded?
• Where do we draw the line on what we call art?
• Can the death penalty be abolished completely, globally, within the next five decades?
• Does SeaWorld cause more harm than good?
• Can we engineer a safe future for marine organisms?
The Year 7 Personal Endeavour Projects proved very popular, and many students created amazing posters and scrap books with the outcomes of their research.
The Horizons group also selected some varied and wonderful topics and presented them in front of a small audience maybe for the first or second time in their entire life!
As part of Academic Enrichment, we also continued hosting regular Minerva talks with some exciting speakers. We had Kate Moss (the psychoanalytic psychotherapist, not the model!) talking about Carbuncles into Pearls: Reparation through art in visible difference, Marc Cuddigan spoke about the amazing business model Ella’s Kitchen has been using for years, and Taib Dzulkiflee demonstrated how to make and (maybe) sell you own blockchain crypto NFT! We can’t wait for more amazing talks next year.
This year, we introduced a unique Character Education curriculum comprising of 3 key parts of St James’ distinctive personal development programme: Philosophy, PSHE (including Career, Citizenship and RSE) and Think & Thrive by Thoughtbox.
We welcomed outside speakers from It Happens Education, The Collective Futures Project, Streetwise Defense, Elent Financial Education, The Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation and the RAP Project.
Year 9 also completed the .b mindfulness course, designed to give students tools to help them cope with the everyday stresses and strains of adolescent life, and improve their concentration and general mental health.
Congratulations to everyone in Year 12 who has trained to be Mental Health Champions and will be supporting and mentoring our younger students next year!
My favourite aspect of Character Education was the fact that each topic we covered taught us the best ways of dealing with different predicaments, so everything we learnt could be applied very practically, and widened our perspectives on what’s to come as we get older. The overall openness of each lesson created a safe, respectful space where I felt we could all express our opinions and create interesting discussions (some of which led to heated debates!). I’m very grateful for all the talks, lessons and ask-it-basket sessions.
Mira M, Year 10
The aspect of Character Education that I enjoy the most are the visits from guest speakers. They offer an opportunity for nuanced information concerning prevalent topics not normally covered as part of the curriculum, and space for questions to be answered by an expert in the field. This year, I especially appreciated the session with Amber from the Collective Futures Project regarding gender identity and the relevant terminology, especially considering the fast rate at which we must adapt with our changing world and how critical it is to be aware of inclusivity in our language. She was incredibly understanding, as well as very open-minded to all queries we threw at her, as are all of the guest speakers we are lucky enough to host. Many thanks must go to our pastoral team for their immense dedication and effort into crafting our lessons this year.
Malaika C, Year 10
Throughout Year 12 and 13, we have had a wide range of talks in our Wider Perspectives classes. These ranged from Internalised Misogyny to Conflict Resolution and more. I especially found the talk on “The Big Leap” by the RAP Project useful. The Big Leap focused on staying safe at university, navigating Fresher’s Week and socials, together with going out more and travelling abroad. This helped me to feel far less intimidated by university life and more confident with travelling abroad and my street smarts!
Maya M, Year 13
For me, the highlight of our Wider Perspectives lessons has to be the session on Conflict Resolution and Restorative Conversations with Mrs Holder. It was very engaging and helpful. Being able to walk through various scenarios demonstrated that it is integral to understand both sides when it comes to conflict and resolving it.
Olivia M, Year 13
What a journey it has been at St James this academic year, as we embarked on delivering the Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE.
From the moment I stepped into this school, I was elated to discover that the students themselves had advocated for the introduction of this GCSE. Their sheer passion for the subject was the driving force behind a wonderful first year.
The course itself mixes theory and practical work seamlessly. Throughout the year, the girls have delved into a wide array of captivating topics within the curriculum from food nutrition and health to the intricacies of food science, learning about food safety, to delving into the concept of food provenance and tracing the origins of the ingredients.
The course is not just about theoretical knowledge; it is also about getting your hands dirty and unleashing your inner chef! The girls have become adept at an impressive array of dishes. From the delicate art of crafting fresh pasta ravioli to preparing lemon meringue pie. It is this harmonious blend of theory and practice that makes this such awe-inspiring course to teach and an equally captivating subject to study. Witnessing their dedication has been a constant source of inspiration.
Next year the journey continues, and we eagerly look forward to our next cohort starting the course and the current students producing dishes for their NEA and final grade in Food Preparation and Nutrition.
Jonathan Bradley Head of Food & Nutrition
This year in the Teaching Kitchen, Chef Suzie and I developed recipes from all over the world, with various regional inflections and based on the season.
Our Fall menu included Crispy Polenta & Garlicky 'Shrooms, and as the weather cooled, we cooked up Winter Warmer Root Stew and Buttery Mash. Just when we were all getting over our cold weather vegetables, the wild garlic appeared! To chefs this is always a relieving moment: the very beginning of the new season that will soon give us English asparagus and strawberries. In the Teaching Kitchen, we celebrated with Cauliflower Cheese Vol-au-Vents feat. New Season’s Wild Garlic Leaves.
Despite not using Nutella, our Pancake Day take on Masala Dosa & Coconut Sambal was a big hit.
Chef Suzie and I were surprised by the undisputed most popular recipe which I describe as the love child of two great Asian dishes: Green Thai Curry and Egg Fried Rice = Green Egg Fried Rice (with a little nod to Dr Seuss in there too!).
Everyone absolutely loved it, and a solid 90% of students added a little (and in some cases a lot) of chilli, which was a personal mission of mine!
This year, Year 7 also all got to do a wonderful bit of putting back into the community; in groups of 12 over the year, they all prepared an afternoon tea for guests that came from local care homes.
A first course of three kinds of finger sandwiches was followed by scones with cream and jam and then a trio of cakes (carrot, brownie and lemon drizzle) to round off. The students made pretty much everything from scratch on the day, served it to our guests then sat down and enjoyed not only their hard work but also some interesting chats too!
Chef Allegra
My personal favourite memory was when we made sushi. I have always loved cooking, so this class has helped me become more confident in preparing meals and learning basic skills such as weighing, chopping and cleaning up after ourselves.
Pola C - Year 7
The school’s annual Speech Day and Prize Giving Ceremony took place at the Royal Geographical Society, where an ambiance of pride and excitement permeated the air. Parents, guests and our entire school community assembled to honour and celebrate our students’ extraordinary achievements.
The evening started with an exhibition, a remarkable display unveiling the brilliant projects and art pieces of our students across diverse disciplines.
Beyond academic prizes, the main event was a commendation of virtues such integrity, perseverance and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on others.
To all the deserving winners, we extend our heartfelt congratulations, and to the ever-supportive and splendid St James community, our deepest gratitude for being the driving force behind our students' success!
In the Sixth Form, the academic year was filled with engaging activities and remarkable academic progress.
For a strong start to the year, Year 12 went on an Induction trip to Stubbers Adventure Centre, using team-building and leadership skills through thrilling activities like high ropes, raft building and stand-up paddleboarding.
A workshop was also held on developing a Mastery Mindset: studying efficiently performing under pressure and enhancing communication and leadership skills.
Social events included joint activities with our Senior Boys’ School for the Year 12 Dinner Dance or the Year 13 Fun Quiz Night.
Sixth Formers also had the opportunity to network with inspiring individuals such as snowboard-enthusiast and small business start-up, Jen Ashton, or alumna Ruth Nicholls, a successful Dragons’ Den participant.
The Sixth Form offered various clubs, including D&D, choir and Lower School debating.
The Sixth Form Centre also welcomed Year 10 students to experience life in the Sixth Form through dedicated Sixth Form Experience Days, providing insights into their academic journey ahead.
Preparing for the future led to Year 12 visiting the University of Surrey, attending educational sessions on personal statements, student finance, budgeting, UCAS Apply and a hands-on workshop on cooking nutritiously on a budget.
Community engagement involved supporting Kensington Primary Academy through reading with younger pupils. Additionally, Year 13 students led fundraising efforts, organising an Art Sale, a Music Night and Silent Auction, raising more than £3,500!
My personal favourite psychology talk was given by Catherine Loveday, a professor of neuropsychology. She explained her research into the role of music as a powerful cue for our personal memories, and its importance in supporting our sense of identity and attachment to others.
I particularly enjoyed this as I believe attachment is the most intriguing topic we have learnt this year. We investigated caregiver-infant interactions and how that reciprocal emotional bond is so important for healthy social development, influencing our later relationships in adult life. Psychology has encouraged me to be more reflective, empathetic and holistic in my outlook. It has been amazing to learn in such a warm and open environment and I look forward to all the course has to offer next year.
Em F, Year 12
History of Art teaches you to evaluate and question the values of present-day society by studying those of the past. The entire history of humanity and civilisations is taught through the fascinating global course, which is supported by entertaining lessons and regular visits to galleries, which provides an incomparable ability to experience the true size and scale of a work of art. History of Art is taught entirely from scratch in Year 12, with no prior knowledge necessary. This was hugely reassuring for me, and I have learnt more in this subject in one year than any other. In a fast-paced world which uses the immediacy of images as its main form of communication, there is little wonder why the visual literacy skills gained through History of Art are deemed so important.
Anna D, Year 12
Martin Scorsese, Emma Watson and Stephen Fry. What do these three famous names have in common? Well, they all have an English Literature degree!
In an era of rapidly advancing technology and a shifting educational landscape, some may question the relevance and importance of studying the works of Shakespeare, Dickens and Austen. However, I firmly believe that studying English Literature is a transformative experience.
Taking this subject at A-level has nurtured my critical thinking skills. In lessons, we encounter layers of symbolism, themes and motifs that require us to analyse, interpret and evaluate. This equips us with the tools to critically engage with any form of information that we encounter in our lives. It sharpens our ability to think independently, to weigh evidence and to construct wellreasoned arguments. Moreover, it allows us to explore the vast and intricate tapestry of human experience.
Odile dG, Year 12
It was another competitive Sports Day this year, with students demonstrating their resilience and team spirit, supporting each other throughout the competitions. The weather, however, was not on our side, which meant that the event had to be terminated prematurely without the relays being run. Thank you still for all your brilliant efforts and enthusiasm!
Year 7
1st Lily F 2nd Ada Z
3rd Pola C
Year 8
1st Jeanne R
2nd Viola P
3rd Flo D
Year 9
1st Pearl R 2nd Faustine M 3rd Georgia K
Year 10
1st Millie P 2nd Charlotte G 3rd Emily B
Year 11-13
1st Manon W 2nd Skyla R
3rd Zara L
Grace O
Natalie M
Overall House Cup
1st St Helena
2nd St Genevieve
3rd St Margaret
4th St Catherine
Throughout the year, the girls showed great progression, gaining local, regional and national success, while bonding and developing in character.
The seniors had a challenging season, being made up of players as young as 15. Despite this, the team rose to the challenge of playing schools with full teams of players aged 17-18.
Many of the games were extremely close but one of the highlights was winning 6-2 against St George Ascot. The team finished 4th in Division 3 of the National Schools Competition.
The U14 team had an extremely successful season, winning 81% of their games and gaining success over schools such as: St Paul’s, St George’s Harpenden, St Albans High, Abbot’s Hill and St George’s Ascot.
At the Tri-County Tournament, the team became regional champions!
The team entered their first year at the National Schools Competition, playing incredibly well but missing out on the quarter finals.
The U13 team had a pleasing season. Many games were close in score: one of the highlights was winning 11-4 against St Albans High and St George’s Ascot. They also entered the National Schools Competition, learning about the tournament and how to use each player’s strengths.
The U12 team was one of the largest St James has had. All enthusiastic to learn and understand the sport, they were immersed in many games and learning experiences to help develop them for the future. They competed in the Tri-County Tournament and placed 3rd.
Esther B (Year 7) was selected for the England Talent Pathway!
The participation in netball continued to be high and there were some very strong performances!
There were significant wins for each year groups against Sacred Heart, Queens College, Queens Gate, Fulham School, Portland Place and More House.
In the U13 regional ISA competition, St James performed brilliantly, winning all four of their matches in the group stage. In the quater finals, they beat King Alfred School and, in the semifinals, won against Akeley Wood reaching the final, where they sadly lost by 2 goals against Abott’s Hill but still qualifying for the National competition.
Next season, we look forward to the introduction of an ISA competition for U14 and U16 age groups.
Our annual competition took place just before the Autumn half term, with the whole school taking part.
The overall results are as follows:
1st St Genevieve
2nd St Margaret
3rd St Helena
4th St Catherine
In February, St James took a team to the Regional ISA Cross Country Competition. This is a large competition with 15 schools taking part and over 70 competitors.
Matilda A-L finished 7th
Lilly F finished 10th
Ada Z finished 12th
Pola C finished 22nd
Cindy L finished 41st
Yasmin A finished 45th
Following these great performances, the Year 7 team finished 4th out of 15!
Matilda A-L and Lilly F qualified to compete for London North at The National Competition.
Pearl R finished 15th
Margaux P finished 24th
Kaira R finished 33rd
Faustine M finished 41st
As a team of four runners, Year 9 finished 6th. This is a great result as some schools had nine runners for this age group.
Skyla R finished 6th
Sophia B finished 7th
Charlotte G finished 9th
All three runners qualified for the National Competition and as team, they finished 2nd.
Despite it being Exam Week, St James Senior Girls’ took an athletics team to the ISA competition.
All competitors performed brilliantly in their chosen event, and we are still waiting for some of the final results. However, the notable results we have so far:
Lily F (Year 7) won the long jump
Amirah D (Year 9) won the discus
Ada Z (Year 7) came second in the 200m
Poppy S (Year 7) came second in shot put Charlotte G (Year 10) came second in the long jump (2cm behind first place)
Suki K (Year 10) came third in javelin
Mimi C (Year 8) came second in the 800m
Scarlett O’M (Year 10) came second in high jump
Matilda A-L (Year 7) came third in 800m and 100m
Viola P (Year 8) came third in javelin
Year 7 relay team came third
It has been a fantastic football season with regular fixtures returning for the first time since the lockdowns!
The U18 team started the season strongly with a 1-0 win against Westminster in the English Schools FA Cup and finished the season very well coming runners up in the ‘Heads Up’ tournament.
The U14 team also had great success, beating Putney in the English Schools FA Cup before securing a win in the Hammersmith and Fulham tournament, beating local schools such as Latymer and St Pauls’. Three of the squad were chosen to represent Hammersmith and Fulham in the London Youth Games following this tournament win.
Our U13s also had great success, winning the ISA Southern England regional tournament against schools with great football pedigree such as Ardingly College and the hosts, Lingfield College. This meant that they qualified for the National Finals, held at the FA Headquarters in Burton. It was a wonderful experience for all of the team and they should be very proud of their efforts this year!
Year 7 spent three adventurous days at Nanpantan Hall in Leicestershire during Activity Week.
Because we live in the city, we don’t all get enough wilderness, so it was delightful to hear bird sounds we haven’t heard before and see animals like sheep, pigs and birds.
We viewed a unique panorama from the top of the hill, stretching for miles and we had fun survival activities in the woods – shelter building and fire-lighting. We had to use flint and steel and we felt proud when our fire finally lit.
There were two pigs who live in the woods – their job is to eat brambles. They were very friendly and we fed them vegetables and our left-over pasta. They were orange with ginger eyelashes. Their skin was rough and hairy, and they liked it when we scratched their backs with a broom.
After arriving at Buddens on Monday, we set up our very comfy tents in our own section.
The students enjoyed an incredible variety of activities, such as paddle boarding, climbing, kayaking, raft building, bell boating, fire lighting, night line, abseiling, mega stand-up paddle board, crate stacking, axe throwing and archery. Everyone had a great time and thoroughly embraced living in nature!
Year 9 enjoyed an adventurous week in Sicily. We waded through the Alcantara Gorge, a spectacular canyon bordered by 50-metre-high basalt walls, formed by the Alcantara River and lava flows from Etna.
We hiked Mt Etna, Europe’s tallest volcano, and also one of the most active in the world. Of course, we then cooled off with plenty of gelato in the local towns of Catania, Syracuse and Taormina!
My trip to Florence was so much fun! I got the chance to see pieces of art I thought I’d never see in my life. Michelangelo’s David was probably the most impressive piece because of the way he managed to represent the human body in such a realistic way, even though it is marble. It was also interesting observing things that had been present for a long time, such as the Ponte Vecchio bridge: it was fascinating how even after all this time it was intact and still standing. Staying with my friends in our hostel was one of my highlights, laughing with them every night and hanging out in the daytime, I miss every second of it. The views were incredible and most definitely worth the long walk in the heat. Having pizza three consecutive days was something I never thought I’d experience either, but it was so tasty! I loved my trip there and I hope to go again!
Lily-Satrina J
On a sunny June morning, Year 11 took off to Paris - what an excellent way to celebrate the end of the GCSE exams!
We stayed in a typical Parisian hotel in the 17th Arrondissement; each day was packed with just the attractions you would expect: Musée des Invalides, tour Eiffel, bateau mouche, Notre Dame, Montmartre - but not so packed that we couldn’t enjoy an ice cream in le Jardin des Tuileries, or a quick shopping foray onto the Left Bank. (Some) French was spoken and a good time was had by all!
During Activity Week, Year 12 went to Poland. We only stayed for three days but those days were full of enriching activities. The main site was Auschwitz, a concentration camp from the Second World War where it is estimated that 1.1 million people were sent to their death by the Nazis.
While there, we had a tour around the remains of the camp and were able to look at the exhibitions set up. Seeing this was harrowing as the atrocities committed are hard to comprehend, however it was an immensely important trip to have done as it is vital to remember important historical events such as the Holocaust. Being there in real life let us truly see the scale of what happened and to expand our knowledge on the brutality experienced. Hearing about the awful conditions some people had to face, changed us to further appreciate everything we have and how lucky we are to have the privilege of being with loved ones, and even still having our identities (something that was stripped away from the camp prisoners).
We were also lucky to have an in-person talk from a holocaust survivor. To hear such a story from an actual survivor was moving and an opportunity that not one of us will forget.
Next, we had a tour of the Jewish quarters in Krakow. This taught us much more on Jewish life from before the Holocaust and the oppression they faced even prior to World War II.
We also had time to have activities that were more light-hearted. These included visiting the salt mine, which was so much more than we expected, with enormous and divinely decorated rooms filled with salt-crystal chandeliers and recreations of famous art works, such as the last supper, carved from salt.
Lastly, we had free time to roam the streets of Krakow, known for its beautiful architecture. Here we could browse the market stalls and buy traditional Polish food which were absolutely delicious.
I would like to thank Mrs Saunders and Mr Allen for organising and taking us on the trip as we all found it extremely worthwhile and important while also fun at times where appropriate. And a huge thank you to Mr de Mattos for driving us to and from the airport!
Stephanie C
Almost 30 students in Year 10 will earn their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award this year, which is a fantastic achievement!
In all, the students contributed 377 hours of their time which equates to £1813 in social value!
The diversity of activities has been impressive!
They have volunteered in the local community by supporting the Sunday service at the local church, helping in the Fara Kids charity shop and in our local school community by supporting Year 7 in cookery club, helping the Year 7 lacrosse team and working as Pupil Librarians.
They physically improved their aerobic fitness and strength by taking part in track running club, lacrosse, ballet and the local park run.
They also improved their competency in LAMDA, singing, cookery, Arabic and art.
The Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award will now be offered to all Year 12 students!
This involves the Volunteering section (12 or 18 months), the Physical and Skills sections (one section for 12 or 18 months and the other section for 6 months), the Expedition section (4 days/3 nights) and the Residential section (undertaking a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights).
They have completed: Volunteering section: 3 or 6 months
It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. – Rosie
DofE was a great learning experience that we will not take for granted. – Isabelle
It was fun because we got to know our friends better over the hours of walking. – Elena
For the volunteering section, I volunteered at the school library where I did the Pupil Librarian scheme. It was very useful to learn how the library works. For the physical part, I did my track running on a Tuesday afternoon for six months. And lastly, for the skills section, I attended singing lessons which I really enjoyed. – Sophia
If you were ever thinking about doing DofE, I would definitely recommend doing Bronze as it teaches you leadership, perseverance and teamwork which are all good for your personal growth. – Isabelle
Physical section: 3 or 6 months Skills section: 3 or 6 months
Expedition section: 2 days 1 night
This year’s chosen charity was Missoni Onlus: an Italian humanitarian organisation.
I honestly believe that our visit to your school has made a good impact on our residents. They enjoyed it and were moved, especially by your student’s Beethoven piano piece. Hoping we can come back again.
St Vincent’s House Care Home
The school has organised a variety of fundraising initiatives throughout the year to raise funds for this worthwhile cause. Examples include the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion disco organised by the Inclusion team, the ‘Pie Day’, organised by the Maths department, bake sales and various no-uniform days throughout the year. Students have enjoyed getting involved, working in teams and coming up with creative ideas to raise money.
The community service afternoon teas led by Year 7 for elderly care home residents were a great success too. Students have enjoyed making a range of delicious treats with Chef Suzie and Allegra, and hosting residents to an afternoon of tea, cake and entertainment.
In addition, our Year 12 mentoring programme was another great initiative: every week, Sixth Form students spent time at local primary schools to help children with their literacy and numeracy skills.
Community action is an essential part of life at St James. It has been a privilege to be the Sixth Form Community Action Representative this year and I am sure the school will continue to organise exciting community service and fundraising events in the years to come.
Eliza G
With an emphasis on selfmotivated creativity, students have enjoyed learning basic woodworking through making a few simple projects such as a frame and a Tower of Hanoi puzzle. Leatherwork, electronics and metalwork are also some of the other options explored in the club!
Some of this year’s STEAM club projects included:
‘Operation’ game
Wooden box ornament
Shock cord & wooden cube 3D puzzle
Key chain from copper
Wooden framed ornament
Mystery object
Emily B
Abigail P
Eleanor M
Isabelle A
Lea B
Jennifer W
The Lower School Classical Society has continued to be very creative. After they learned about Roman Baths, they created a film explaining how they were heated and how to take a bath Roman-style. Well done to Nicole J who edited it!
mosaic tiles, discovering what a skilled craft it is. The pupils' designs were very varied and inventive.
Politics Club & Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Club have both enjoyed an excellent year. Both these clubs provide a forum for discussion and debate as to the political and cultural questions that are dominating the news agenda.
In EDI Club we have always tried to provide a 'student voice' and encouraged studentled presentations; to this end, we have had very valuable contributions about the struggle of women in Iran & Afghanistan. The World Cup in November gave us the chance to focus on LGBTQ+ rights, set against the atmosphere in Qatar. The arrival of Rishi Sunak at Number 10 also provided spotlight for a wider discussion about diversity in UK politics.
Politics Club has also kept the spotlight on British and World politics with regular analysis and updates on characters such as Liz Truss, Kwasi Kwarteng, Boris Johnson and 'Partygate', Keir Starmer, the SNP and the fall of Nicola Sturgeon, as well Donald Trump, Fox News and Carlson Tucker. Both clubs taken together, we have had a very loyal audience - with some sessions attracting as many as 40 attendees, as the appetite for all things political is very healthy at St James!
Our Eco Club consists of committed students developing green initiatives. The club’s highlights include advocating for a school smart meter and a green energy supplier.
Another project was educating the school community on environmental issues, which was carried through by hosting a food sustainability talk from Holyrood Howe (our school catering company) and a Year 11 student talk in association with the Politics Club to discuss the key takeaways from COP27.
The Christmas Market was, as ever a wonderfully festive event, with gingerbread making, Father Christmas, mulled wine, games and a lovely market.
The playground came alive with a live band and food court, whilst some characterful goats at the petting zoo kept everyone entertained. The event raised £8,292.94, to be split between the two schools and their charities. Thank you to our wonderful team of parent volunteers who ensured a fun and successful event!
This year saw the return of the Earsby Street Quiz Night with parents and staff from the Senior Girls’ and Prep School battling it out for the Quiz Cup.
Dr Craven was an excellent Quiz Master who kept quibbling in check! Despite valiant efforts from the Year 7 and Year 9 parents’ tables, it was the Prep School teachers’ team who were once again victorious.
This year’s Art Sale in March displayed some of the wonderful Year 12 and 13 artists, as well as the works by parents, teachers and alumni across the St James Schools.
Parents came to browse whilst nibbling on choux buns and sipping prosecco. Over £3,500 worth of art was sold, of which 25% went to the Year 13 Ball.
Our biggest event of the year was the fantastic St James Summer Ball in June. Parents and staff from across the three St James Schools gathered for the first ball in 7 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 dad Waqar Siraj for being our auctioneer on the night!
Our biannual Careers Forum was an excellent opportunity to welcome alumni and parents into the school to share their knowledge and experience with the girls.
They gave fascinating talks about their varied careers and the sometimes-circuitous routes they took to reach their goals.
Alumni both young and old joined us for some festive drinks and nibbles at the Alumni Christmas Drinks, to reminisce about old times and peruse the archives.
We were also treated to a performance by up-andcoming singer-songwriter, alumna Anna Bea.
The annual Alumni Sports Matches were held again in March and the alumni managed to field a strong lacrosse team, enabling them to draw with the school team, which made for a great game.
Rooted in our philosophical traditions, we support and nurture the intellectual, emotional and spiritual development of boys and girls from 2-18.
To discover what makes our family of schools in London and Surrey so unique, please visit our Open Events.
Individual tours at any of our schools can also be booked throughout the year by appointment. www.stjamesschools.co.uk