July 2019

Jul 2019
The Form 5 children ventured to the Jurassic Coast in Dorset during trips week in June. The four day course offered the children an exciting mix of water sports, wild camping and fireside feasts.  Trip organiser, Mr Simon Stearn, explained, “We had a lot of fun. There were some really enjoyable outdoor activities in a beautiful park of the country. The pupils were up for everything, from gutting fish to building shelters. It was tremendous fun and full of team building, new experiences and camaraderie. The children experienced the very best of the Jurassic coastline. ” By day, the
Jul 2019
On Saturday 6 July parents, pupils, staff and friends of St John’s gathered to mark the end of another successful academic year at the school. Parents and children had the opportunity to admire and celebrate the wonderful work that was on display around the school, at Byron House, Senior House and Whitfield House. After the prize-giving service in the marquee, families relaxed with a picnic lunch before the Form 1 to Form 6 children took part in an afternoon of sports. Guest speaker, Professor Sir Christopher Dobson ScD FRS FMedSci, Master of St John’s College, gave an
Jul 2019
The Form 6’s Leavers’ Programme started with an exhilarating trip to the Ardèche region in France. The children took part in activities such as kayaking, river walking, night-line, climbing and abseiling with a two day canoe descent of the Ardèche River with an overnight bivouac being the highlight of the week. The Choristers also had their own schedule of fun and varied activities during trips week as they remained in the UK due to their Choir commitments.  The two day descent involved camping under the stars on an overnight bivouac and, after learning the basics, the children set
Jul 2019
Our youngest Senior House children, Form 3, went to Edale Outdoor Activity Centre in Derbyshire for trips week in June 2019. The trip was designed to promote teamwork and leadership skills, encourage participation in new and exciting challenges and to practise all important listening skills. Set within some of the Peak District's most stunning countryside, Edale is ideal for walking, caving and climbing activities and the children also had the chance to tackle the open water with boat-based activities. The children were kept busy from breakfast to bedtime with a huge variety of land
Jul 2019
The Summer Concert at the West Road Concert Hall was, again, an extraordinary evening in a great venue that will long be remembered by those who came and all who took part. St John’s pupils took to the professional stage with joy, confidence and skill to play and sing a delightfully varied and balanced programme of first-rate quality. 230 children from Form 1 (Year 3) to Form 6 (Year 8) took part in the annual Summer Concert. The event included a Symphony Orchestra of 120 pupils, a Big Band of 30, a Chamber Orchestra of the 25 most experienced instrumentalists, and various smaller choral
Jul 2019
Great team spirit ensured that the Pre Prep Sports Day on 28 June was one of the highlights towards the end of term. It got off to a flying start and saw the children take part in competitive running and relay races. The children also competed in various novelty races which included a dressing up race, an obstacle race, an egg and spoon race and a sack race. A Pre Prep parent commented, “It was so seamless, the atmosphere was wonderful, the support from all the side lines was fantastic, the children competed exceptionally well and the organisation by the PE department made sure
Jul 2019
Form 2 set off on “The best trip ever!” according to one child overheard after the first activities had been completed. The trip was designed to develop the children’s independence and organisational skills and to challenge themselves with all the activities on offer. Hilltop is an Outdoor Education Centre based on the North Norfolk Coast and the trip included activities such as the high ropes course, a 15m climbing wall, a super swing, archery, The Big Zipper and The Amazing Air Jump (the first activity of its kind in England) and fun at the rocky seashore. The children were