January seems a distant memory as we look back at the phenomenally busy Spring Term. With achievements in every arena, our pupils and staff have been brilliant. The collective effort of the School community really is the beating heart of St John’s, and every individual has a reason to be proud this term. Amidst engaged learning and arduous examination preparation, the variety of life at St John’s has provided many opportunities, and some truly fantastic achievements.
Whether in the classroom or beyond it, we hope our pupils are excited and inspired by the vast array of opportunities available to them. We have enjoyed a series of academic successes this term, including winning the National Rotary Debate Competition and participation by pupils throughout the School in the chemistry and mathematics Olympiads with gold, silver and bronze certificates awarded. Pupils have also made wonderful contributions to extended studies and projects such as exploring politics within The Eagle magazine and using their creativity and imagination with the new Writer’s Block magazines, created both by and for our pupils.
Outside the classroom, and sometimes even the School itself, pupils have enjoyed enriching experiences such as trips to parliament, street art workshops, live theatre, exhibitions and much more! Our pupil led Equality & Diversity group hosted a fantastic exhibition of the pupil entries from their recent art competition, which celebrated LGBTQ+ history month.
Our sports teams have travelled across the country representing St John’s, come rain or shine. On Saturdays, it has been amazing to see an average of more than 550 pupils competing across football, rugby 7s, netball, swimming, and shooting.
This term has been one of many sporting successes too, including:
- The U13 girls’ hockey team reached the National Tier 1 semi-finals, placing third in the country, while the U14 girls became National Tier 2 champions, and the U19 girls came second in the National Tier 2 final.
- In netball, the U13s, U15s, U16s and 1st VII all reached the Surrey County Finals Day, with the 1st VII making the National Tier 2 quarter-finals.
- Our senior swimmers came second at the National Bath Cup.
- Our U13 football boys reached the national quarter-finals and the 1st XI reached the last 32 of ISFA.
- The U16 rugby 7s are Surrey finalists and the U13s have reached the semi-finals.
- The U16 rugby 7s reached day 2 of Rosslyn Park and U18 girls finished in the last 16.
Our performing arts programme has been as vibrant and busy as ever! We began the Spring Term with our bi-annual fringe musical, ‘Songs for a New World’, before swiftly moving on to the annual Forbes Music Competition, which saw over 100 pupils take part. The Winners’ Recital, staged just after half term, displayed the breadth and depth of music making across all age groups and showed the exciting talent coming up through St John’s.
On Wednesday 2 March, our vibrant Performing Arts Department went on tour to perform in the prestigious London venue of Cadogan Hall. Over 100 pupils from the Lower Third through to the Upper Sixth delighted a buoyant and appreciative audience with over two hours of music. Each performance was themed around animals, with the central piece of Saint Saens’s The Carnival of the Animals performed by the Sinfonia, with its virtuosic piano duet deftly played by Will (Upper Sixth) and Jacob (Lower Sixth).
We then held our inaugural Lower School musical theatre cabaret ‘Anything Can Happen’. Alongside these events, our fantastic lunchtime recital series has continued with vigour, showcasing the incredible, varied talents of pupils from across the School.
One of the most thrilling parts of the post-pandemic return to school has been the ever-competitive house competitions! These events are packed with energy, enthusiasm, and high spirits, which truly reflects the heart of St John’s. House events had been sorely missed, and it has made the whole school smile to see them back in such fine form. This term saw the introduction of some new events, to add to the exciting schedule – house chess, dodgeball, rowing, and photography! Cups and awards were given in the final assembly of term, just minutes after the final house football match took place!
The results from this term, are as follows:
House Photography – West House
House Unison – South House
House Part Song – Haslewood House
House Film – North House
House Debating – Gloucester House
House Indoor Rowing – East House
House Chess – West House
House Pancake Race – West House
House Boys Cross Country – West House
House Girls Cross Country – Joint award to Hawkins House and South House
House Dodgeball – East House
House Hockey – East House
House Netball – Intermediate – South House
House Netball – Seniors – Hawkins House
House Football – Fourth Form – Surrey House
House Football – Lower Fifth – Montgomery House
House Football – Upper Fifth – West House
House Football – Seniors – East House
Lower School House Netball – Orange House
Lower Third Cross Country – Orange
Upper Third Cross Country – Yellow
Lower Third House Football – Green House
Upper Third House Football – Red House
