News list
It's a far from silent night in the stable – until Mary and Joseph arrive, bringing peace among the animals. Parents and pupils alike were treated to a magical nativity of colourful costumes, clear voices and tuneful, catchy songs with KG’s rendition of their Christmas story. The children performed the familiar nativity story but with a twist. Not Such A Silent Night is the story of Larry the lamb who runs away from his stable in Bethlehem. Larry soon realises that he’s made a terrible mistake and decides to return with some help along the way.
T2s were transported back to 1897 and the reign of Queen Victoria via the drama-based presentations and workshops delivered by ‘History Off the Page’. This truly cross-curricular experience rounded off their study of the Victorian era and the children experienced a range of sources including documents, artefacts, pictures and music, to bring to life this colourful period in history.
This year’s Shakespeare School’s Festival (SSF) performance of The Tempest by members of the Sixth Form was literally ‘out-of-this-world’. Mr Tim Clarke and Ms Drusilla Harris put on a truly cinematic spectacle that brought a breath of fresh air to one of Shakespeare’s most musical and mythical plays. Watching this exhilarating version of The Tempest was almost like watching an intricate painting burst into life. The cast and creative team totally transported the audience to a brand new, exciting world of adventure.
The Parents' Association Fireworks Night at St John’s College School always marks the real start of winter and is one of the most splendid displays in the area. This year parents, children and friends came out in large numbers to marvel at the rockets and Catherine Wheels in a cold, clear sky.
Form 1 experienced the world of ancient Rome with a Roman Day workshop. The children were transported back to Roman Britain with a recreation of life in the past including role-play, practical activities and hands-on experiences with Roman replica artefacts.
The Piazza was transformed into a multi-coloured rainbow of different playground designs on 18 October as all the children in Senior House embraced The Big Draw challenge. “The Big Draw Festival 2018 is all about letting loose, embracing happy accidents, discovery, and most importantly having fun with your weird and wonderful materials of choice!” (The Big Draw – www.thebigdraw.org)
Form 2 took part in a ‘Dancing with Dementia Patients’ project as part of their Responsibilities Development and as an extension of the school’s Outreach Development. Miss Worthington, Deputy Head of Junior Department, explained, “The aim was twofold: to provide Outreach Opportunities to Form 2 children to increase their understanding, compassion and self-awareness whilst also developing their sense of responsibility towards others in the local community. We believe that by doing this, children will be given opportunities to embody and develop the values of trust, compassion, love and
Two current St John’s pupils and two past pupils have had their poems shortlisted for the 2018 John Betjeman Poetry Prize. Their poems will be published in the annual anthology, together with the other 50 shortlisted poems. The annual John Betjeman Poetry Prize is a National Competition open to 10-13 year olds.
A delegation of four pupils were invited to The Palace of Westminster by UNESCO and ‘Voices of Future Generations’ to discuss key worldwide issues such as Sustainability and the Rights of the Child with children from schools around the country, focusing particularly on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Two of our talented pianists had the opportunity to take part in a Steinway & Sons piano masterclass at Steinway Hall, located in Marylebone, London. The day included a masterclass with Charles Owen, Steinway artist, a tour of Steinway Hall and the restoration centre, and an opportunity for the pupils to play on the Steinway’s world famous, concert grand pianos.