News list
The Sixth Form were eager to get their hands dirty and wade into the river, despite the chilly weather, when they visited Epping Forest Field Centre, a Special Area of Conservation for their Geography Field trip. Head of Geography, Miss Grant explained, “We practised working together in groups, learned about delegation of tasks, our role of responsibility to the group as a whole and how to sustain interest and high quality work in inhospitable surroundings, whilst also learning about the changing course of riversâ€.
The Choristers embarked on a festive tour to the Netherlands with the Â鶹Դ´ College Choir before Christmas. At the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam the Choir performed an afternoon concert of Christmas favourites in one of the world's finest concert halls. The Â鶹Դ´ Choir was accompanied by Herbert Howells Organ Scholar Glen Dempsey and two other Johnian musicians: cellist Laura van der Heijden and baritone Gareth John (a former choral scholar). The Choir also performed at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht, Kathedraal
The School took part in several Remembrance events in November 2018 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice in 1918 that signalled the end of the First World War. A two-minute silence was observed at both Byron House and Senior House to commemorate those who fought and died in this War and in conflict since this time, signalled by the Last Post played by two of our pupils.
Our festive ‘Services in Preparation for Christmas’, held over two days in the magnificent Chapel of Â鶹Դ´ College, once again heralded the start of the season with a range of carols, poems and readings all presented by the children. The carols and readings were interspersed with 5 congregational hymns. The Services provided a sense of calm from the busy nature of this time of the year and created up a contemplative mood to help prepare for Christmas.
Humanitas Charity runs a primary school located in the remote, rural community of Ayensuako in southern Ghana. It forms part of Humanitas’ Education Matters programme. St John's continues to support this school through Humanitas and the children had an update in assemblies at both Senior House and Byron House about the success of the project, as well as workshops for some year groups. The school buildings at Ayensuako have now been painted and a library is being established which will be used by the entire village.
Parents and pupils alike were enchanted by T1’s modern nativity, Christmas with the Aliens. The traditional Christmas story is retold to some alien visitors who become stranded on earth and meet a group of schoolchildren rehearsing their Christmas play.
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 Â鶹Դ´ 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.