The past few weeks saw our debaters take part in competitions at Deree University and St Catherines School. Both competitions had over 65 teams participating and many of the St. Lawrence debaters were taking part in their first competitive debates. Our teams acquitted themselves well as always, with several of them ranking in the top half of very strong fields. The standout performers were Constantinos Zafeirakis and Theodora Farmakidi who qualified for the final in both competitions.

On Friday 24^th November, our dedicated junior school charity ninjas took off to the running track with Ms Diplas and completed as many circuits as they could all in the name of charity. It is always enjoyable for our eager young fundraisers to run for a cause – so they came prepared! With the knowledge of sponsors behind them, they walked, jogged and even broke into sprints as they covered the track as many times as they could. At the end of 40 minutes circling, they were exhausted but jubilant announcing their total “track record” to us all! Bravo children, you did really well yet again!

This November, Years 5 & 6 went on school trips to the Life in Space Exhibition at the Goudi Olympic Complex.  This exhibition brings children closer to the natural sciences and encourages them to grow their interest in learning about the positive impact of space technology on people’s daily lives (STEM). During the visit, pupils were encouraged to consider questions about why space research is so important; about how the International Space Station (the ISS) was built; and to explore how astronauts live in space. A fascinating topic to look into!

On Wednesday, 23^rd November, the PE department held an exciting, fun-filled day for families to raise money for this year's chosen charity endeavour that we have called Play for Thessaly. The aim of the day was to have fun, lots of laughs and plenty of energetic activities to create a sense of team effort and the pure enjoyment of participation. Our children were joined by their parents at the gym for a collection of physically energetic games. There were also raffle tickets on sale with some wonderful prizes including an all-expenses paid trip to see Panathinaikos BC play in Bologna next month, a luxury holiday on the island of Paros, meals out, jewellery and much more!

In November we wore odd socks to celebrate how it's ok to be different, and we learned about not crossing the line with teasing other people. Odd Socks Day is always a success! Our responsible and respectful pupils in Year 6 showed their schoolmates through an interesting assembly, what the difference is between harmless banter and hurtful bullying. ‘Do you know when to stop?’ they asked. This was the question that had our pupils thinking more deeply about the issue and we are sure they will keep talking and thinking about it.

The Golden English Theatre company brought their entertaining version of The Little Prince to St Lawrence on Tuesday 21^st November. Our pupils, from the youngest to the oldest made up audiences for each of the different versions of the play. The Little Prince is a beautiful story about loneliness, friendship, and love. On his journey through the universe, the little prince makes many observations about life and human nature. “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly: what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

On Tuesday, 14^th November, we hosted an American children’s author here at school. Mr Kentrell Martin is a writer of children’s stories which raise awareness of the issues surrounding being challenged by hearing loss. In our school where inclusivity and community are key values we live by, the opportunity to identify with such issues was invaluable for our pupils. 

Mr Martin entertained the children with a reading of his most popular book but also taught the children an array of signs from the American Sign Language (ASL) system of communication. Our pupils were totally enthralled and excited to discover this new means of communication from our delightful guest. We thank him for his time and effort with our children!

St. Lawrence College is pleased to be a Junior Duke School.

Junior Duke is not associated with nor endorsed by the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. It is an original and creative initiative from Capable Kids, and is an award that offers opportunities for growth, achievement and learning. It covers a wide range of practical, real-life skills. This Award has been running in schools since 2007 and has helped thousands of children aged 5 to 13 to realise their abilities and, for some, to discover new talents and passions.

In Quality Improvement and Professional Engagement (QUIPE) inspections at its original Scottish school, the report made special mention of the scheme and received a special commendation for its 'innovative practice.’ It was described as 'sector leading' and expansion was recommended.

St. Lawrence College has a well-established history of offering its pupil body more than simply classroom learning. This award is key in developing young children's life skills in a safe but adventurous manner, so is a welcome addition to our home learning programme. The award is voluntary, non-competitive and very family oriented. It does of course, require dedicated time out of school for successful completion of its annual goals. It is available for all pupils, starting from the Reception level children who strive for the Micro Duke award, through to children in Year 6 who persevere for the Platinum Junior Duke award.

“I hope that, over the years, thousands more children can achieve new heights and grow in confidence through taking up this Junior Duke challenge,” says founder, Dawn Waugh.

Further information can be found at Capable Kids - Creators of the Mini Duke, Junior Duke & Senior Duke Awards

On Monday the 20th of November our school participated in two school tournaments. The boys took part in the under 16 volleyball tournament hosted by ISA. Whereas the girls took part in the under 16 football tournament hosted by Campion.
The boys just narrowly missed out on the final by losing their final match in a tiebreak. The girls won their tournament scoring 7 goals in 3 matches and only conceding once.
Congratulations to everyone who represented our school so valiantly during these tournaments and a big thank you to our coaches Ms Dikaioulia and Mr Styliatis.

Our school hosted the Under 16 boys’ football and girls’ volleyball tournaments with six international schools taking part.
After a long hard-fought day both our boys and girls won their respective tournaments without a single defeat.
These excellent results, reflect all the hard work the team members put in throughout practises this academic year. Well done to all those who took part! And a special thank you to the coaches Mr Strzemiecki and Ms Dikaioulia!
 

With university application season in full swing, the first half of term saw several experts from the UK and US visit our school to discuss options both with Year 13s and with Year 12s who are just starting to seriously consider life after St. Lawrence College. At a mini university fair and presentation, representatives from four UK universities were on hand to talk to pupils both collectively and on an individual basis, giving them guidance and advice. This was followed just before the half-term break by a visit from a representative of St. Andrew’s whose interesting talk helped pupils understand why this university is one of the highest regarded in the UK. With the US becoming increasingly popular amongst our pupils, we were also pleased to be able to host a representative from Boston University who talked to pupils and also did a workshop with teachers on writing effective references.

During the half-term break, the Year 4 classrooms fell victim to some rather unwelcome visitors who left quite a mess behind them when they left. DRAGONS were caught on camera getting up to the kind of mischief only dragons can do, leaving tables and chairs overturned and books tipped out of cupboards! The children and their teachers were shocked to learn of this event so got straight to work tidying the messy rooms and writing newspaper reports about these terrible crimes. Evidence of the dragons’ presence was examined, eyewitnesses were interviewed, and the authorities were contacted to help solve the mystery of the dragons at SLC!

On Friday 27^th October, the whole of the Junior School gathered in the auditorium under a warm October sun, to honour the important historical event now known as Oxi Day. Our pupils proudly portrayed the events of 1940 with enthusiasm, respect and understanding of what had happened when the Prime Minister of Greece, Ioannis Metaxas refused to comply with the Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini’s demand for troops to enter Greece unopposed. He responded to the Italian ultimatum in French, the diplomatic language at the time, “Alors, c’est la guerre!” or “Then it is War!”. His courageous stand spread around the country with Greeks taking to the streets shouting “Oxi!”. This occasion is commemorated each year as a day that represents bravery and heroism for millions of Greeks all around the world. Our pupils participated in this national celebration with Year 6 pupils narrating the most important events of that historical period, reciting poems and literacy extracts and finally singing songs together with Year 5 pupils.

On Thursday 26^th October, our three Year 2 classes were taken to visit the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation as part of this term’s art & design curriculum on Portraits & Sculptures. The guides at this wonderful museum introduced the children to contemporary art pieces from both Greek and foreign artists including works by Cézanne, Van Gogh, Gaugin, Degas and Kandinsky. The pupils were taught about the use of colour in art and were especially happy to be given the opportunity at the end to create their own interpretations of what they had seen.

On Tuesday 24th of October, the Reception classes took a trip to Pedopolis in Glyfada to celebrate Hallowe’en as they explored this term’s topic of “Celebrations and Holidays around the World.” Each child decorated a pumpkin mask and played some traditional Hallowe’en games. They took part in an apple race and were very excited to carve a pumpkin. Each class had their own Jack O’ Lantern to take back to school. The children left with smiles on their faces as they had such a fun time investigating Hallowe’en!