From 9^th-13^th October the senior school had some interesting events happening for Mental Health Awareness Week.

To get the ball rolling, on World Mental Health Day the assembly by Ms Perraki was all about ending the stigma attached to mental health. All pupils and teachers in the senior school wore stickers of a green ribbon for the day showing our support for reaching out and talking about mental health. Also, some Year 12 and 13 pupils took fun photos of senior school pupils and staff with helium balloons and our St. Lawrence College mental health matters photo frame at short break and lunch. It was incredibly popular, and it was great to see so many people enjoying the photoshoot!    

On Wednesday 10^th October all the senior school had extended form for ‘Friendship Form’. An older and younger form group were paired up and pupils had the opportunity to discuss scenarios about mental health support and the older pupils shares advice with younger pupils. We will have some more Friendship Form opportunities at regular intervals in the year to encourage the cooperation and interaction between different year groups. At lunchtime on Wednesday, Ms Michaelides ran a yoga session for staff and pupils to enjoy. The Year 7 and 8 pupils that attended really enjoyed the session. 

During the week the Art, PE, Science, EAL and PSHE lessons had an array of happenings related to mental health. Pupils in Years 10-13 did an activity about managing stress in form time to get pupils to consider how to manage pressures they may face.

Around school, wall displays also raised awareness of the importance of looking after your mental wellbeing and ending the stigma attached to mental health.

The Pastoral Team ensure that mental health is considered every day at St. Lawrence College, but this very varied week was much appreciated and supported by all our school community.    

On Sunday 11th November pupils, parents and staff from St. Lawrence College joined other school communities, representatives from countries all over the world and members of the public to honour those servicemen and women who have died defending freedom and protecting their country over the last 100 years. Remembrance Day is marked every year since 1919. This year’s Remembrance Day was extra poignant given it is exactly 100 years since the armistice that ended The First World War.  

This year’s service of remembrance in Athens was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery in Alimos. The service was directed by the British Military Attaché, Captain Tim Ferns and led by the Anglican vicar in Athens, the Reverend Canon Leonard Doolan. Pupils from Byron College provided readings, singing and music. This follows St. Catherine’s school pupils doing so in 2017 and St. Lawrence College pupils in 2016. 

Following the laying of wreaths by the ambassadors and representatives of countries such as the UK, Ireland, the USA, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Serbia, Canada, Romania, Australia, New Zealand and India among others, there followed the laying of wreaths by pupils of schools. Two of our Year 6 pupils, Max Stephenson and Leo Droggitis, both house captains in St. Lawrence College, laid a wreath on behalf of all pupils, parents and staff of our school.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn” (lines from ‘For The Fallen’, by Laurence Binyon)  

Due to a government imposed school closure, St Lawrence College is not currently able to physically open its doors to its student body. However, we are able to offer a comprehensive set of online alternatives under these unprecedented circumstances and have undertaken considerable efforts to cover every level of learning from FS1 right up to A' level classes.

The Early Years department is in regular contact with families to continue each pupil's development using the online Tapestry platform which is already a big part of the shared learning experience for our youngest children. In KS1, teachers are regularly distributing and receiving work via email and modifying it according to individual learners' needs. 

Right from KS2 (Year 3), to Year 13 for A' levels, the online Microsoft Teams Platform is being utilised successfully by all. It is new to some of our pupils and staff, but not all. Having said this, all pupils and faculty have adapted quickly to the whole situation and are making excellent use of the facilities the platform offers. 

Whilst nothing can replace face to face classroom interaction between teachers and learners, the features of this learning platform mean that lesson material is being delivered with live feedback, thus providing a valuable class experience for our pupils. Lesson material is provided and work handed in as it would be at school. Teachers, who log on for lesson time between 9 a.m. and the end of  the school day, give their classes real time support during lessons and tasks. The experience is proving worthwhile, thus we hold our teaching staff in high regard and thank them for the professional, dedicated effort they are making to ensure no one loses valuable learning time during our closure. 

We wish the whole St Lawrence College community the very best of luck and sincerely hope we all stay safe and healthy in these trying times. 

A very warm welcome to St. Lawrence College Junior School and Nursery.  St. Lawrence College is a friendly school where we provide a happy, secure learning environment so that everyone feels valued- an excellent extension of the best home! The warmth of our staff and pupils, the strong atmosphere of camaraderie and cooperation and a nurturing environment are evident throughout the school from the moment you walk through the entrance.

At St. Lawrence College we cherish our pupils and encourage them all to develop socially, emotionally, academically and physically to achieve their full potential in every aspect of their school life.  We pride ourselves on providing a learning environment where children grow and develop in safe and supportive surroundings, becoming creative thinkers and lifelong learners. All of our children are known, appreciated and respected as individuals who leave us ready for the next stage in their education with life skills which prepare them to be future global citizens. We promote high standards whilst fostering creativity and imagination, therefore, encouraging children to be reflective and self-motivated learners.

Our curriculum is exciting and innovative, giving all pupils the opportunity to be successful, develop their skills and enjoy their learning.  We work hard to create an environment where the enjoyment of learning is fostered and nurtured, allowing pupils to feel safe and confident to participate fully. We believe that school should be fun and indeed that school days should be the best days of our lives.  Our pupils are taught that mistakes are simply learning opportunities and to always strive to do their best.

We also firmly believe in a genuine partnership between home and school and consider the relationship with parents and carers invaluable. We all want the best for our children and it is only when this partnership is thriving that children flourish in our care.

Our team of dedicated staff look forward to welcoming you to St. Lawrence College Junior School and Early Years.

We are delighted to share the incredible experience of our recent ski trip to Mt. Parnassos in Viotia, which took place on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th February. 61 enthusiastic pupils too part, accompanied by our dedicated staff members, and it was an adventure-packed trip filled with unforgettable moments.

The first day of our trip kicked off with excitement as all pupils participated in a 2-hour ski or snowboard lesson, tailored to their individual skill levels. Under the guidance of certified instructors from the ski school, our Year 8 pupils embraced the challenge and showed remarkable progress on the slopes. After an exciting day on the snow, our pupils had the chance to unwind and enjoy some leisure activities. Some chose to try ice-skating at an outdoor rink, while others relished the apres-ski life with hot chocolate and quality time chatting with friends, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

On the second day, our pupils eagerly jumped back onto the snowy terrain, this time enjoying two additional lessons of 2 hours each. With determination and perseverance, many of them demonstrated remarkable improvement, demonstrating their newfound skills as confident skiers and snowboarders.

We are immensely proud of all our pupils for their exemplary behaviour and courage throughout the trip. From waking up bright and early at 6:30 am to ensuring all their equipment was organised and welcoming any challenge presented to them, they displayed commendable dedication and enthusiasm at every stage of this school trip.
A heartfelt thank you to all the pupils, staff, and parents for making this trip a resounding success.

Here's to many more exciting adventures ahead!

We are delighted to share the highlights of this year’s successful Year 8 ski trip to Mt. Parnassos, which took place on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th February. A total of 59 pupils started off on this exciting adventure, accompanied by our dedicated staff, making it a truly unforgettable experience for all.
The first day was filled with energy and enthusiasm as pupils participated in a 2-hour ski or snowboard lesson tailored to their individual skill levels. Under the expert guidance of certified instructors, working in very small groups, they embraced the challenge and made remarkable progress on the slopes. After an active day in the snow, pupils enjoyed a well-earned break, choosing between ice-skating at an outdoor rink or unwinding with hot chocolate while socialising with friends.
The adventure continued on the second day with two additional 2-hour lessons. With growing confidence and determination, pupils refined their skills and showed impressive improvement on the slopes. Whether they were beginners mastering their first descent or experienced skiers perfecting jumps and turns, everyone had the opportunity to develop their abilities and push their limits. Some pupils who had never skied before were confidently tackling the beginner slopes by the end of the day, while more advanced skiers took on new challenges, such as jumps and twirls.
We are incredibly proud of our pupils for their enthusiasm, resilience, and teamwork throughout the trip. Their exemplary behaviour made it an absolute pleasure to accompany them on this adventure. From early morning starts to the final run down the slopes, they displayed dedication, determination, and a positive spirit.
A huge thank you to our staff, pupils, and parents for their support in making this trip such a success. We look forward to many more exciting adventures in the future!

Back in May and June 2024 just under 250 pupils sat public examinations at our school and this week has seen the results of these IGCSEs, AS-Levels and A-Levels released. A record-breaking 1,176 separate qualifications were sat for by our pupils, and although 64 pupils will need to hang on until later in August for their GCSE Greek results, the vast majority of grades are now known, making it possible to celebrate the achievements of our pupils.

IGCSEs

Exactly 100 pupils sat for 731 GCSE/IGCSE qualifications. Of those, 29% resulted in an A* (“A-star”) and 49%, resulted in an A* or A grade. These percentages are well up on last year’s 20% and 42% respectively. Pupils whose performances stood out included Mainta Kourounlian who attained an A* in every subject, scoring 9A* in total; Leonidas Drongitis, Alexandra Mavromichali, Petra Todd and Jiayu Zhu who each achieved 8A* among their exams, while Mohamed Abdel Fattah, Sofia Tzagkaraki-Kaseta, Nga Sim Kimberly Wang and Xuefei Zhang each attained 7A*s among the IGCSEs they sat for. 

AS-Levels

Year 12 pupils sat their AS-Levels, where the highest possible grade is A (there is no A*) and where the AS-Levels are, essentially, the first half of what will become a full A-Level following Year 13. A grand total of 273 AS-Level qualifications were sat, with 44% resulting in an A grade, and 77% achieving in at least a C grade. This is up from last year’s 36% and 71% respectively. Pupils who achieved exceptional grades included Despoina Salachas (5A), Nicholas Lempidakis (4A1B) and Penelope Farmakidi, Theodora Farmakidi, Gerasimos Kazianis, Jiachin Lin, Andres Van Meek, Yifei Wang Konstantinos Zafeirakis and Marita Katsouridis all of whom achieved 4A.

A-Levels and Universities

At A-Level, where 202 qualifications were sat for in total, grades are vitally important as many pupils’ acceptance into their chosen university was dependant on the outcome of their A-Levels. The proportion of A-Level grades that were A* was 22% this year. This is up from last year’s 16% and is, in fact, the equal highest in our school’s history, barring the COVID years when exams were cancelled, and grades were awarded by school assessment. The proportion of A-Levels awarded A* or A was 41%, down from last year’s 45%, and the proportion in the A*-C range was 77%, slightly down on last year’s 81%. 

Individual stories of excellence from some of our pupils include Dimitris Grigoropoulos, Yun Li, and Ziqing Qian who each scored 4A*, Paris Larios and Yuhan Chen who each scored 3A*1A, Sofya Semenova (3A*) and Kristian Nersesian (3A*). Most remarkable of all was Huijie Su, who secured an amazing 5A*s, and who scored 100% on nearly all her exams this year. 

The UK remains the most popular destination for higher education among our school leavers, and this year we see our graduates starting degree courses at UK universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, King’s College London, University College London (UCL), City, Warwick, Lancaster, Southampton, Leeds, Exeter and Bath. 

Beyond the UK we have school leavers beginning degree courses at such institutions as diverse and widespread as Rhode Island School of Design, USA; Milan University for Modern Languages, Italy; EU Business School, Barcelona, Spain; Utrecht University, The Netherlands, Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA; and The Moscow Institute of International Relations in Russia. 

School reaction

Headmaster Phil Holden commented “These wonderful results, and the fact that so many excellent young people are leaving our school to begin the next chapter of their education in such a variety of locations, is a testament to the hard work of pupils and staff at St. Lawrence College. I congratulate our school leavers and thank the teachers throughout the school, the staff of St. Lawrence College, and the parents of our pupils for a collective achievement which we can all be proud of”.  

Back in May and June 2024 just under 250 pupils sat public examinations at our school and this week has seen the results of these IGCSEs, AS-Levels and A-Levels released. A record-breaking 1,176 separate qualifications were sat for by our pupils, and although 64 pupils will need to hang on until later in August for their GCSE Greek results, the vast majority of grades are now known, making it possible to celebrate the achievements of our pupils.

IGCSEs

Exactly 100 pupils sat for 731 GCSE/IGCSE qualifications. Of those, 29% resulted in an A* (“A-star”) and 49%, resulted in an A* or A grade. These percentages are well up on last year’s 20% and 42% respectively. Pupils whose performances stood out included Mainta Kourounlian who attained an A* in every subject, scoring 9A* in total; Leonidas Drongitis, Alexandra Mavromichali, Petra Todd and Jiayu Zhu who each achieved 8A* among their exams, while Mohamed Abdel Fattah, Sofia Tzagkaraki-Kaseta, Nga Sim Kimberly Wang and Xuefei Zhang each attained 7A*s among the IGCSEs they sat for.

AS-Levels

Year 12 pupils sat their AS-Levels, where the highest possible grade is A (there is no A*) and where the AS-Levels are, essentially, the first half of what will become a full A-Level following Year 13. A grand total of 273 AS-Level qualifications were sat, with 44% resulting in an A grade, and 77% achieving in at least a C grade. This is up from last year’s 36% and 71% respectively. Pupils who achieved exceptional grades included Despoina Salachas (5A), Nicholas Lempidakis (4A1B) and Penelope Farmakidi, Theodora Farmakidi, Gerasimos Kazianis, Jiachin Lin, Andres Van Meek, Yifei Wang Konstantinos Zafeirakis and Marita Katsouridis all of whom achieved 4A.

A-Levels and Universities

At A-Level, where 202 qualifications were sat for in total, grades are vitally important as many pupils’ acceptance into their chosen university was dependant on the outcome of their A-Levels. The proportion of A-Level grades that were A* was 22% this year. This is up from last year’s 16% and is, in fact, the equal highest in our school’s history, barring the COVID years when exams were cancelled, and grades were awarded by school assessment. The proportion of A-Levels awarded A* or A was 41%, down from last year’s 45%, and the proportion in the A*-C range was 77%, slightly down on last year’s 81%.

Individual stories of excellence from some of our pupils include Dimitris Grigoropoulos, Yun Li, and Ziqing Qian who each scored 4A*, Paris Larios and Yuhan Chen who each scored 3A*1A, Sofya Semenova (3A*) and Kristian Nersesian (3A*). Most remarkable of all was Huijie Su, who secured an amazing 5A*s, and who scored 100% on nearly all her exams this year.

The UK remains the most popular destination for higher education among our school leavers, and this year we see our graduates starting degree courses at UK universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, King’s College London, University College London (UCL), City, Warwick, Lancaster, Southampton, Leeds, Exeter and Bath.

Beyond the UK we have school leavers beginning degree courses at such institutions as diverse and widespread as Rhode Island School of Design, USA; Milan University for Modern Languages, Italy; EU Business School, Barcelona, Spain; Utrecht University, The Netherlands, Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA; and The Moscow Institute of International Relations in Russia.

School reaction

Headmaster Phil Holden commented “These wonderful results, and the fact that so many excellent young people are leaving our school to begin the next chapter of their education in such a variety of locations, is a testament to the hard work of pupils and staff at St. Lawrence College. I congratulate our school leavers and thank the teachers throughout the school, the staff of St. Lawrence College, and the parents of our pupils for a collective achievement which we can all be proud of”.  

May and June 2022 saw the return of public exams for our school’s eldest pupils. These were the first public exams to be held since 2019 as a consequence of the global pandemic. This year’s A-Level and AS-Level results have now been released and the results achieved by the Year 12 and Year13 pupils of our school are truly remarkable!

A-Levels

At full A-Level, which marks the final qualifications a pupil takes in a British school, 52 candidates took 170 A-Levels. This was a greater number of A-Level pupils and entries than ever before at our school. The standard of the grades achieved would be considered outstanding in any year. But when it is noted that because of the covid pandemic, these pupils had never taken public exams before (all exams were cancelled in 2020 and 2021) and that these pupils experienced disruption over the last two years through all manner of covid-related impacts and restrictions in school, their results can only be considered as brilliant.

Of all the A-Levels taken, 22% resulted in in A* grade and 54% in an A or A* grade. This was markedly up on the 20% and 51% respectively from 2019, which was the last time exams were held. Furthermore, an astonishing three out of every four (75%) of all A-Levels taken resulted in a grade in the A*/A/B range.

A number of exceptional performances stand out. These include Lin Ning Huang (3A*1A), Ioannis Kontomihos, Katrina Lemane and Danyl Tsaran (3A*), Athanasios Kapoutsis, Leda Persidi and Zoe Raptis (2A*2A), Isabella Karaiossifidi and Nikolaos Zairis (1A*3A) and Marina Vassiliadis (4A).

And on to higher education!

Our school leavers are heading off to universities both in the UK and elsewhere in the world. UK destinations include UCL, Lancaster, Sussex, St. Andrews, Edinburgh, Surrey and many other locations, while other school leavers have chosen universities in France, Italy, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and the USA for their higher education. Our school leavers will study a wide range of subjects, including Medicine, Politics Philosophy and Economics (PPE), Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, History, Applied Mathematics, Psychology, International Hospitality Management, Computer Science.

AS-Levels

At AS-Level, a whopping 85 pupils took 282 exams, which is comfortably the largest number of AS-Level candidates in a single exam session in the history of our school. As with those pupils who sat A-Levels, these pupils had never taken any public exams before as a consequence of the pandemic and also had experienced disruptions and restrictions through their recent education. Nevertheless, the collective performance of this large group was truly impressive and well up on the most recent AS-Level exams from 2019. This year’s cohort of pupils managed an A grade in 53% of all AS-Levels, compared to 41% in 2019. Likewise, this year an extraordinary 81% of all AS-Levels resulted in a grade in the A-C range (2019: 73%)

There were 16 pupils who scored four A grades, and standing out among those top performances were Nikolaos Synodinos with five A grades and Leandros Mandilaris with four A grades plus one B.

IGCSE

Pupils in Year 11 who sat their IGCSEs also have all their results now – well, nearly. They are still waiting for their GCSE Greek results which, being a different qualification from the IGCSEs, sees grades being released one week later. A full analysis of these results will appear in due course once the Greek results are known, but already it is clear that our Year 11 pupils have done very well indeed.

Reaction from the Headmaster

St. Lawrence College’s Headmaster, Phil Holden, commented “All these pupils have been through so much in recent years through no fault of their own. They have worked through lockdowns, online lessons, periods of having to self-isolate and quarantine, and restrictions in school in the classrooms, playgrounds, and extracurricular activities. It isn’t easy to wear a mask all the time in school, and to learn from teachers who are also wearing masks. What is more, it has been well-publicised in the British media that A-Level grades are down this year globally. Given all that, what a fantastic achievement it has been to see our pupils do so well at A-Level and AS-Level. I congratulate them, am immensely proud of them, and wish those who are leaving us the very best of luck. Likewise, I thank all the teachers and staff of the school who have worked so brilliantly and who have made it possible for our pupils to reach these dizzying standards. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful staff and I am in awe of their achievement through what has been such a challenging period of time for many reasons”.

Our Charity Ninjas Fundraising Events on 9th and 10th December were full of excitement, creativity, and festive cheer! Festive Jumper Day brought a splash of colour to our school, with pupils and staff wearing bright, sparkly, and super-creative jumpers. The winning designs in KS1 and KS2 were especially fantastic, with wonderful handmade creations that really wowed everyone.

The Charity Ninjas Holiday Stall was buzzing with activity across both days. Pupils loved selling handmade gift cards and wrapping paper, showing off canvas book bags with pupil artwork, and enjoying warm hot cocoa with mini marshmallows. It was brilliant to see everyone working together and having fun while raising money for a great cause 

All the money raised will be donated to PAAPAV (Branch for the Rehabilitation & Recovery of Children with Disabilities – Voula), formerly known as PIKPA Voula, supporting children and young people with disabilities. We are incredibly proud of our school community for spreading kindness, generosity, and festive joy!

 Charity Ninjas Festive Fundraising Fun! 
Our Charity Ninjas had an amazing time on 9th & 10th December, spreading festive cheer across the school! From bright, sparkly, and super-creative jumpers on Festive Jumper Day to the buzzing Holiday Stall, there was excitement everywhere.

 The KS1 and KS2 winning jumper designs truly wowed us with their fantastic handmade creations, and the Charity Ninjas loved selling gift cards, wrapping paper, and canvas book bags featuring pupil artwork. Pupils also enjoyed warming up with hot cocoa and mini marshmallows 

 All the money raised will be donated to PAAPAV, supporting children and young people with disabilities. We are so proud of our school community for showing kindness, creativity, and teamwork!

On the crisp evening of 17th October, our school grounds transformed into a vibrant celebration of the season as families, pupils, and staff gathered for the much-anticipated Autumn Festival. Children arrived dressed in delightful costumes, adding a splash of colour and creativity to the festivities. From trending memes to spooky Halloween-inspired outfits, the parade of costumes brought smiles to everyone’s faces.

Pumpkins — carved, painted, and creatively decorated were on display showcasing the artistic talents of our Junior school children and families. The glowing displays added a warm, festive charm to the evening. Music filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere and the rhythm of the evening was matched only by the buzz around the busy food stalls. There was something delicious for everyone to enjoy.

A special shout-out goes to the Junior School Charity Ninjas and the Senior School Services Society, who hosted a variety of engaging games for children. Their dedication to community service was truly inspiring.

The Autumn Festival was more than just an event—it was a celebration of togetherness, creativity, and the joy of the season. Thank you to everyone who helped make it a memorable evening!

On the evening of Friday, 20th June, St Lawrence College proudly hosted its 45th Annual Awards Ceremony. The event was a heartfelt celebration of learning, achievement, and the unwavering academic effort shown by our pupils throughout the year. Families, staff, and pupils gathered to honour excellence across all areas of school life. We were privileged to welcome Mr Panagiotis Ladakakos, President of the Hellenic Wind Energy Association, as our esteemed Guest of Honour. His inspiring words highlighted the importance of perseverance, innovation, and sustainability in today’s world. Our graduating class of year 13 pupils were a symbol of our hopes for the future generation of leaders. The evening was a memorable tribute to the dedication and accomplishments of our school community.

On Monday 16th June, a Junior School concert was held at 12 midday and a Junior/Senior concert was held at 7pm. Both concerts took place in the calm and peaceful surroundings of the Efilena estate and filled the hall with wonderful music. Families, music tutors and members of staff looked on proudly at the array of dedicated talent on show in front of them. It is always heartening to see such dedicated young learners take their moment to shine and we look forward to the occasion every year. Well done to all our bright and talented musicians.

We’re thrilled to share the wonderful success of our Festive Fundraising Day, hosted by the Charity Ninjas on Wednesday, 18th December! The day was filled with holiday cheer as staff and pupils showcased their creative side by wearing Christmas cardigans, winter woollies, and jolly jumpers, with many transforming old sweaters into festive masterpieces. A huge congratulations to our 1st place winners, Marianna in 2Tr and Lydia in 4B, who wowed the judges with their incredible designs and were each awarded a family ticket to XPLORE Entertainment Centre!

The Charity Ninjas’ handmade holiday gift cards and wrapping paper were a huge hit, selling out completely thanks to the amazing support from our school community. The delicious hot cocoa topped with mini marshmallows was another crowd favourite, adding a warm and cosy touch to the festivities. All proceeds from the event will support OLOI MAZI BOROUME (All Together We Can), a fantastic organization dedicated to social welfare, environmental protection, health, and education initiatives in Greece.

Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and supported this heartwarming cause. Together, we’ve made a difference and shared the true spirit of the holiday season. Wishing you all a joyful and healthy holiday season!

On Friday 13th December, the school gym here at St Lawrence College was transformed into a wonderful theatre full of Christmas spirit. Voices rang out loud and clear, as all our pupils sang a wide range of songs about this festive season. The choir and the Instrumental club took part too in creating the warmest, loveliest atmosphere of celebration. 

Congratulations to all our pupils who participated in the concert, and to all the members of staff who helped us put on a truly warm and welcoming celebration. Happy Holidays to all our children and families at this special time of year!