News list
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.” Extract from 'For the Fallen' by Laurence Binyon
Odd Socks Day on 13th November was a show of solidarity against bullying as children and staff at St John’s joined schools across Britain to raise awareness of bullying and to bring lasting change to children’s lives. This day also provided another opportunity for the children to have fun, be themselves, and spread awareness of the core values Anti-Bullying Week promotes in connection with Anti-Bullying Alliance.
T1’s rendition of their nativity production, Christmas with the Aliens, centred around the traditional Christmas story being retold to some alien visitors. Stranded on earth with their broken spaceship, they meet a group of schoolchildren about to rehearse their Christmas play. Invited to watch, the aliens discover an amazing story they want the whole universe to hear. But will the aliens be able to mend their spaceship and travel back to outer space whilst also learning what the true meaning of Christmas is along the way?
Form 3 turned back the clock to 1536 and lived a day in the life of Tudor times in the reign of King Henry VIII. The life and times of this period, including the worry of being caught up in a plot or being treated by the best in medical expertise at the time (i.e. being given very bad medicine and being given a hole in the head!) was brought to life for Form 3 with a ‘History Off the Page’ Tudor Workshop.
St John's has hosted a wealth of informal lunchtime and evening concerts this term and the whole school community is looking forward to the two Services in Preparation for Christmas at St John's College Chapel this week. In the week prior to these Services talented musicians across Senior House performed this year's Piazza Brass concert. Our musicians and music teachers alike donned festive jumpers, hats and sparkling tinsel to create a festive atmosphere with some even draping the instruments themselves.
Last month, St John's College Choir hosted its first ever 'Cushion Concert' conducted by Director of Music, Mr Christopher Gray in the serene surroundings of the College Chapel. The free family-friendly concert included performances of engaging classical and crossover pop classics from Purcell's Sound the Trumpet to Gary Barlow's Sing, as well as the beautiful folk song, Shenandoah. The concert had a relaxed feel as families and children were encouraged to bring a cushion to sit right up at the front to enjoy the performan
St John’s joined fellow schools to play in bicentenary celebration rugby matches at the birthplace of the sport - Rugby School. Two hundred years ago, in 1823, William Webb Ellis took the ball in his arms and ran with it on The Close at Rugby School; the game known as football subsequently became named rugby football and is now known globally as rugby.
As part of their Enrichment Afternoon programme, the children in Forms 3 and 4 took part in 'The Big Draw Festival'. The Festival is a worldwide celebration of drawing which promotes the universal language of drawing as a tool for learning, expression and invention. This year the Festival focused on the five senses - touch, sight, sound, taste and smell, exploring the way we process the world and internalise our experiences through their senses.
Before half term our two Kindergarten classes took a trip to Cambridge market in the centre of the city to buy some vegetables to make soup with back at School. Getting to the market involved a trip on our school minibus as well as a short walk past historic Colleges and well-known sites to reach the market stall. The cross-curricular trip was a real-life lesson in managing money, an adventure out of the School grounds, and a chance to learn about seasonal vegetables and cooking.
The children in Forms 4 and 5 were treated to a captivating and often humorous adaptation of the Young Shakespeare Company’s touring production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’. The Young Shakespeare Company specialise in introducing Shakespeare's plays to a younger audience. They skilfully involve the children by stopping at crucial points in the play, explaining the key plot lines and seeking audience participation.