On Tuesday 6th October, the Geography Department organised an exciting educational trip to Sounio National Park for 79 Year 7 pupils, accompanied by eight members of staff. Blessed with beautiful sunny weather, the day offered a wonderful opportunity for pupils to explore the natural landscape, develop their geographical skills and enjoy learning outdoors.

 The main aim of the trip was to introduce pupils to map reading and navigation in preparation for the Map Skills unit in their Year 7 Geography syllabus later this year. Organised by Trekking Hellas, the orienteering activity challenged pupils to use a hand-drawn map of the forest and a compass to navigate the route and locate hidden treasures along the way. As they explored the woodland, pupils developed their observation, problem-solving and navigational skills in a practical and engaging setting.

 The trip also provided an opportunity to discover more about the area's physical and human geography. Pupils learnt about Sounio's mining history, particularly the extraction of copper and silver and observed a variety of rocks, including some showing signs of oxidation. They also explored how firebreaks are created to help prevent forest fires from spreading and discussed the different human and physical factors that can contribute to wildfires.

 After their hike and exploration, pupils took part in team-building activities that encouraged collaboration, communication and friendly competition. Working together to complete a range of challenges, they discovered the importance of teamwork, strategy and supporting one another.

 The day was thoroughly enjoyed by both pupils and staff. It was a valuable opportunity to step outside the classroom, connect with nature and see Geography in action. Through exploration, discovery and teamwork, our Year 7 pupils gained a deeper appreciation of the landscape around them while developing skills that will support their learning throughout the year.

 A big thank you to Trekking Hellas for organising the activities and to all the staff who helped make the day such a memorable experience! Also, a heartfelt thank you to all our parents for their support and for allowing their children to join us on this special day.

With university applications in full swing, there have been lots of opportunities over the last two months for our Year 12s and 13s to think about the future and life after St. Lawrence College.

We have been delighted to welcome European universities with representatives visiting the school from places such as EHL in Switzerland, VUB in Belgium, MODUL in Austria, ESSEC in France and UCL and the University of Bath from the UK. We also had a fantastic workshop for our A Level Art and Design pupils presented by a visiting academic from Central St Martins in London which saw them exploring the creative process in a fresh and unexpected way.

Finally, this week, has seen our Year 13s being given the opportunity to have a 1:1 session with our ex – parent, and now qualified careers coach, Ms Helen Stephenson, who, through a variety of activities, gives each pupil a chance to reflect on their strengths and skills and explore possible career pathways and available resources online. Ms Stephenson flew over from the UK especially to run these sessions and will be back in school later in the year to meet with Year 12 pupils.

We are delighted to present our second Virtual Art Gallery, showcasing the creativity, talent, and artistic achievements of our IGCSE and A Level Art pupils.

This exciting exhibition celebrates the individuality, imagination, and technical skills of our young artists through a diverse collection of inspiring artworks.

We warmly invite you to explore the gallery and enjoy the wonderful work of our talented pupils.

View the exhibition by clicking here

On 21st and 30th September, our Year 12 and 13 pupils enjoyed two inspiring visits to the National Gallery of Greece and the Goulandris Museum. Exploring diverse artworks and artistic perspectives enriched their cultural understanding, strengthened their critical awareness, and provided valuable inspiration for their Cambridge portfolios.

At the start of the school year, St Lawrence College was delighted to welcome parents and pupils to an important and informative presentation focusing on self-harm in children and young people.

During the morning session, parents heard from a professional child psychologist, Dr Katingo Hatzipateras, who explained the symptoms of self-harm, factors that contribute to it, and practical strategies that families can use to support children who may be struggling. The event provided valuable guidance on recognising concerns early and promoting emotional wellbeing.

Attendees also listened to a powerful and inspiring account from a former sufferer about her experiences and recovery journey. Her message of hope, resilience and seeking support had a profound impact on everyone present.

Following the parents' session, pupils from Years 7 to 9 joined the event for an age-appropriate talk tailored to young people. The presentation offered advice on managing difficult emotions, supporting friends responsibly and understanding where to seek help when needed.

At St Lawrence College, we are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our school community, and we are grateful to our speakers for helping to raise awareness of this important issue.

Following an impressive selection process with many excellent applicants from SLC Year 6 this September, we now have new House Captains for Attica, Epirus and Macedonia Houses.

Our newly appointed House Captains delivered their introductory speeches during a whole-school assembly, showcasing their confidence, enthusiasm and leadership potential. The standard was exceptionally high; the House Captains spoke with maturity and passion, demonstrating that they are ready to take on their important roles within the school community. 

We look forward to seeing the positive impact these young leaders will make throughout the year!

Back in May and June 2026 public exams dominated schooling for our eldest pupils. Across nine weeks, a grand total of 1106 public exam qualifications were sat by 228 pupils from Years 11, 12 and 13. These IGCSEs, GCSEs, AS-Levels and A-Levels taken by our pupils are also sat at the same time in British schools around the world and in the UK as well. The anxious wait for results is now over, with exam candidates learning how they fared as exam results were released over the past two weeks. 

IGCSEs/GCSEs

622 individual IGCSE and GCSE qualifications were sat by 81 pupils across Year 11 in May and June of 2026. The results achieved were markedly better than last year and represent a typical successful year’s set of results when compared to recent years. 28% of all exam results were an A* (up from 21% in 2025) and almost half, at 47%, resulted in either an A* or an A grade (up from 46% last year). 88% of all exams scored at least a C grade. 

There were many individual stories of excellence.  Konstantinos Christoforos, Laura Nersesian, Ioannis Retalis and Xinwei Athina Su each scored nine A* grades. Aikaterini-Amalia Grammi-Trigkatzi and Ruijie Su both attained eight A* plus one A grade. Three other pupils, Georgios Depolo, Georgios Kotsonis and Sotiris Zafeirakis each earned seven A*s among their results.

AS-Levels

AS-Levels represent the halfway point through an A-Level course as well as being a stand-alone qualification. They are taken at the end of Year 12. In May and June 2026, 86 pupils sat a grand total of 291 AS-Levels at St. Lawrence College. This represents an almost 20% increase on 2025, when 73 pupils sat 243 AS-Levels. 

By far the most common outcome among the AS-Levels taken was an A grade, with 100 of the 291 AS-Levels sat resulting in that top grade (there is no A* in AS-Level). As a proportion, this is 34% and thus slightly lower than last year’s 37%. The proportion of the 2026 AS-Levels that resulted in at least a C garde was 74%, which is the fourth best performance over the past five years.

Individual excellence abounded. Four A grades were achieved by George Anastassiou, Koralia Datsiou, Hyeyoon Hailey Jun, Anna-Lena Lampropoulou, Marios Lempidakis (plus one B), Shangzheng Li, Zhu Julia Min and Constandinos Stathis. Ioanna Nikolopoulou attained 3As and 1B while Sophia Fotakidis, Tina Liras and Konstantinos Lymperopoulos each scored 3As.

A-Levels

A-Levels represent the pinnacle of British school educational qualifications and are taken by Year 13 pupils as they finish their schooling. In 2026, at St. Lawrence College, 61 pupils sat for a total of 193 A-Levels. 11% of these resulted in the top grade of A*. This was a higher proportion than in 2025 (10%) and also above the proportion across all A-Levels taken in the UK (9.5%). 

37% of our A-Levels resulted in either A* or A grade, which was comfortably higher than the proportion across the UK, which is reported as 28%. Nevertheless, our 37% was, by a fraction, our lowest in the last three years and thus, a mild disappointment. More pleasing was that 84% of all A-Levels sat resulted in at least a C grade – a proportion that sits favourably with recent school history and is well above the UK’s 78% figure. 

Once again there were some remarkable stories of individual excellence in performance. Athina Christoforou and Zhuoxuan Snow Ying each attained 3A*1A, George Tzoutzourakis managed 2A*, 2A,1B and Sofia Tzagkaraki-Kaseta scored 2A*, 2A. Other notable achievements included 2A*,A,B from Nikolaos Zafeirakis; 1A*,3A from Mohamed Abdel Fattah; and 1A*, 3A from Alexandros Vasileiadis. Xuefei Alice Zhang scored 4As, while Iliana Batzi, Maida Kourounlian and Max Stephenson each attained AAA.

On to university

These school-leaving children now progress to universities all over the world to study a range of degree courses as diverse as the locations of universities they are preparing to attend. Among the courses our school-leavers will study are Philosophy, Politics and Economics; Medicine; Law; Philosophy and Theology; Finance; Business Economics; Applied Medical Science; Hospitality Management; Chemical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering.

And where are they going? The biggest single destination by country is still the UK, with the University of Sheffield, the University of Nottingham, the University of Durham, the University of Bath, the University of Exeter, Queen Mary London and University College London (UCL) all admitting St. Lawrence College school-leavers this year. 

A growing proportion of our pupils now go beyond the UK for their higher education however, and this year we see school-leavers heading to universities around the world, including Les Roches, Marbella, Spain, CUNEF Universidad, Madrid Spain; the University of Groningen, Netherlands; and the University of Southern California, USA. Some pupils will stay in Athens, with more than one school-leaver enrolling at the University of Nicosia (Athens campus). 

The headmaster’s reaction to results

Speaking about the results from all public examinations, headmaster Phil Holden declared himself very satisfied. “What we have seen here, as we see every year, is that pupils who apply themselves consistently achieve very high standards in the public exams; whether that is at IGCSE, AS-Level or A-Level. Naturally I congratulate our pupils on their success, but I also congratulate, and thank, our wonderful teachers who made this success possible through excellent teaching across all the many years of schooling that led up to our pupils’ public examinations. Success at school is not measured entirely by grades in exams. Nevertheless, qualifications still matter to pupils and educational institutions alike. All our school community can take pride in what our pupils have achieved this year”.

On 16th June 2026, our Year 4 classes enjoyed an exciting and educational visit to the Eugenides Foundation Planetarium in Athens. The children were delighted to take part in this special experience, which brought their learning about space to life. During the visit, they watched the film Beyond Earth in the impressive dome theatre, exploring the wonders of our Solar System. The trip inspired curiosity and fascination, leaving the children with a deeper understanding of space and many questions to explore back in the classroom.

On the evening of Friday 5th June, our Junior School Drama Club delighted an audience of friends and family with their fantastic performance of The Wizard of Oz. The children brought energy, creativity and confidence to the stage, retelling this well-loved and challenging story with their own unique flair.

Accompanied beautifully by the school choir, the production was full of humour, lively songs and expressive acting. The fast-moving pace kept the audience completely enthralled, with every moment showcasing the pupils’ hard work and dedication.

Throughout rehearsals, the cast demonstrated teamwork, perseverance and a real passion for performing. On the night, they shone with confidence and enthusiasm, truly captivating everyone watching.

A huge well done to all the children involved — you should be very proud of your wonderful achievement!

Our recent “Clubs on Display” event was a fantastic celebration of talent, dedication, and new skills developed in our after-school programmes. Pupils from Rhythmics, Dance & Movement, Karate, and Cheerleading proudly performed their routines, showcasing their hard work and progress. Each group impressed the audience with energy, coordination, and confidence. Parents gathered in the gym to watch and support, creating a warm and encouraging atmosphere. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the children’s achievements and the vibrant spirit of our school community.

This term, our school came alive with the sound of rhythm as every year group, from our youngest children to our oldest students, took part in exciting percussion workshops. Guided by expert instructors, the children learned to feel the beat and connect with rhythm in an energetic and engaging way. Using drums of all shapes and sizes, they worked together to create a vibrant cacophony of sound that echoed throughout the school. The workshops inspired creativity, teamwork, and a joyful appreciation of music.

On 11th June, our Year 6 juniors celebrated their graduation with a memorable prom party at the beautiful Efilena Estate. The evening marked the end of their primary school journey and the exciting beginning of senior school life. Dressed in their finest, the children enjoyed music, dancing, and time with friends in a joyful atmosphere. It was a special occasion filled with laughter, pride, and reflection, creating lasting memories as they prepared for the next chapter.

The annual Junior Duke Picnic Party on 11th June was a wonderful celebration of achievement and life skills. Children who successfully completed their ten Junior Duke challenges were proudly presented with certificates and badges in recognition of their hard work. Parents joined in the celebrations, making the event even more special. Everyone enjoyed a relaxed picnic together, with treats including ice cream and popcorn. It was a joyful occasion, celebrating perseverance, confidence, and the children’s growing independence.

On 22 May 2026, the Reception and Early Years children enjoyed an exciting trip to Playmobil, filled with exploration, creativity, and fun. The children had the opportunity to immerse themselves in imaginative play, discovering different themed areas and creating their own stories together. The visit encouraged curiosity, teamwork, and creative thinking in a lively environment. It was a joyful experience for all, leaving the children with happy memories and inspiring their love of learning through play.

On Thursday, 28th May, the Senior School Drama Club delighted audiences with a captivating performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare in the St. Lawrence Amphitheatre. Beginning at 20:30, the evening showcased the students’ talent, creativity, and dedication to the dramatic arts. With engaging performances, imaginative staging, and lively energy, the cast brought Shakespeare’s magical comedy to life. It was a wonderful celebration of theatre, warmly enjoyed by all who attended.