The annual sports day for Reception and Years 1,2 and 3 took place on the 7^th and 8^th of June respectively. Pupils came and performed exercises which showcased the skills they have developed in an array of sports such as gymnastics, football, basketball, field hockey and athletics. Our pupils got an extra confidence boost from all the parents who attended this fun event as they cheered for their children from up close.

Pupils wore their house colours and collected house points for their respective houses which resulted in some fantastic colourful photos taken from high above. At the end of the day, the results were announced. For Years 1-3, Macedonia finished in 1^st, Attica in 2^nd and Epirus in 3^rd and for Reception Epirus finished in 1^st place, Attica in 2^nd and Macedonia in 3^rd.

Pupils were ecstatic to have helped their houses and await with enthusiasm for the results from the whole academic year, which will be announced at the annual award ceremony on the 21^st of June.  

The pupils of year 4,5 and 6 enjoyed a few hours in the sun, with their parents in attendance while competing in one individual and two team events.

Pupils wore their house colours and competed against other houses in a display of speed during the running relays and strength in the tug of war.

In the high jump finals, pupils jumped as high as they could producing many thrilling moments. To honour their outstanding efforts, the top 3 boys and girls received medals from each year group.

The day was filled with joy, laughter, support for one another and friendly competition between peers, as pupils did their best to earn points for their respective houses.

For the past few weeks, pupils in year 8 have been working on a project in relation to a socio-scientific issue. What is a socio-scientific issue? It is a controversial socially-relevant issue that is informed by science. Some socio-scientific issues, relevant to our Year 8 science curriculum, are presented below through pupils’ project work: lithium batteries; energy drinks; veganism; smoking; fast food. During the project, pupils engaged in secondary research by collecting and analysing data from the internet. Then, they conducted primary research by creating surveys and/or planning experiments. Finally, they used information from their research to carry out an action with the aim of contributing to the raising of awareness.

Below you can find links of the pupils’ actions.

• a leaflet on lithium batteries by Tommy, Louis and Jia
• a video on energy drinks by George D., Jed and Sofia
• a leaflet on veganism by Georgina and Natalie
• a leaflet on smoking by Alexia
• a slide show on fast food by George H. and Meiran

Congratulations to everyone!

What a night was had! The pupils of Year 6 along with their happy teachers and other members of staff in St Lawrence College junior school trotted along to the Efilena Estate for our official graduation event – the Year 6 Formal Dance. The children were treated to an evening of fun and dancing with a super graduation photo booth to make memorable moments that last. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming with the DJ playing tunes that kept the kids on their feet right up till the end!

On Friday 26th of May, Year 4 visited the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation in Athens as part of this term’s art curriculum. The children thoroughly enjoyed a chance to appreciate the finer things in life, namely Art. They also had the opportunity to conjure up some artistic efforts of their own! Very original!

The annual swimming gala for years 7,8 and 9 occurred on 31^st of May. Over 80 pupils took part in the gala during which they competed, displaying the skills they developed throughout this academic year’s swimming lessons.

There were 3 school records that were broken this year. Melina Tsiklou broke 2 records for year 7 girls which stood since 2018. Melina achieved incredible times of 18.35 seconds and 33.33 seconds in 25m breaststroke and 50m freestyle respectively. In year 9 boys Ermolaos Mylonas broke the record which stood since 2014 for 25m backstroke by swimming it in 14.69 seconds.

 In a day full of heat, pupils enjoyed cooling off in the pool and the great atmosphere thanks to the parents who came and cheered from the stands. Well done to all the swimmers who participated and a special congratulations to all those receiving medals and breaking school records.

On Wednesday 31^st May the Reception classes went on a trip to the XPLORE Entertainment Centre at the Golden Hall in Athens. By spending time in the Oceans exhibit, the children learned all about marine life and took a closer look at different fish species. In the Science exhibition, they investigated how air, water and electricity work and had tremendous fun driving carts and investigating all about scary dinosaurs! 

For a week at the end of May, St Lawrence College junior school hosted a book exhibition with Kidzbooks so that children would have a chance to choose some super summer holiday reads. The wide array of books in all genres and writing styles inspired the children to make some great choices. They enthusiastically rushed to the library every playtime to buy their chosen titles – reading in the summer sun is ALWAYS fun! 

On Sunday 28^th May, at the Peace & Friendship Stadium, the municipality of Piraeus held a competition titled FIRST® LEGO® League Festival. Our team of budding Lego and Robotics experts from the junior school represented St Lawrence College and made us very proud. The pupils had endeavoured to create eye-catching Lego constructions and to control them robotically with focus and determination.

FIRST® LEGO® League introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children ages 4-16* through fun, exciting hands-on learning. Participants gain real-world problem-solving experience through a guided, global robotics program, helping today's pupils and teachers build a better future together.

They did very well and are sure to go on next year and achieve even more! Well done, children!

On Monday 29^th May, parents and other family members happily attended our Baby & Mini Sports Club event. Our mini athletes participated in a display of their physical skills and showed off what they were learning. You're never too young to start believing in a healthy lifestyle and our 2-and 3-year-olds certainly showed us that!

We were enormously proud of our little tennis stars who made their mini-tennis club coaches smile in their celebratory day on 25^th May. The children of the Early Years section enjoy access to a range of clubs and extra-curricular activities, so it was a real pleasure to showcase the skills of our youngest athletes in an open day event for family and friends.

All who attended enjoyed the event as they saw how much learning and physical dexterity has developed over the year. Bravo, children!

In late May, the St. Lawrence Charity Ninjas held another outstanding fund-raising event for a charity brought to our attention by the children themselves. They decided to raise money to support Operation Ocelot, an endeavour by the World Land Trust to purchase actual square metres of rainforest territory in Brazil. The protection which this gives the area being bought is a very real benefit to us all, no matter how far away the distance may seem.

“The children themselves are passionate about conservation and discovered this charity. I am proud of our pupils; their efforts mean a great deal!” commented Ms Diplas, our Deputy Head. A wonderful assembly followed by several days of activities including a Green-wearing day and a fun photo booth too helped us raise over €1,290 for this worthy cause. Congratulations to all our Charity Ninjas and the wider community giving its support.

Our Year 7 pupils recently embarked on an unforgettable journey to Lake Plastiras, and what an adventure it turned out to be! From thrilling outdoor activities to team building exercises and breathtaking hikes, the trip was filled with fun, learning, and unforgettable memories.

On the first day, the pupils wasted no time in diving headfirst into the various activities available at the lake. Canoeing, water biking, mountain biking, and archery were the exciting options that awaited them. The children revelled in the thrill of navigating the pristine waters, pedalling through the lake's glistening surface, and honing their aim with a bow and arrow. These activities not only provided a thrilling experience but also allowed them to discover new skills and interests.

The day was not just about adrenaline-pumping adventures; it also offered a chance for the pupils to bond with one another and develop their teamwork skills. Through team building activities, the children learned the importance of effective communication, synchronization, and positive spirit. It was heartwarming to witness their enthusiasm as they worked together, encouraging and supporting each other. Some of them even took advantage of a moment of rain to embark on a memorable lakeside walk, listening to the soothing sounds of nature.

The second day of the trip took the pupils and their teachers on a captivating hike to one of the peaks of the majestic Agrafa mountain. As they trekked through the rugged terrain, they were treated to breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding landscape. A quick snack break provided an opportunity for all of them to appreciate the beauty around and reflect on their journey so far. They then continued their hike, filled with a sense of achievement and wonder.

To culminate their hiking adventure, the children enjoyed a well-deserved lunch at the Agrafa hut, savouring their meal while sharing stories and laughter. It was evident that the trip had created lasting memories and forged new friendships among some of them. The journey back to Athens was filled with anticipation for future adventures and a sense of gratitude for the incredible experiences they had shared.

The Year 7 trip to Lake Plastiras was truly a remarkable experience for everyone involved. The pupils not only had the chance to engage in thrilling activities but also learned the value of teamwork, communication, and a positive outlook. The beauty of nature, combined with the spirit of adventure, made this trip an unforgettable one.

As we bid farewell to Lake Plastiras, our pupils carry with them loads of beautiful memories, newfound friendships, and a sense of excitement for the future. We look forward to witnessing their continued growth and the adventures that await them in Year 8!

On Friday, 5th May, Year 9 embarked on an exciting trip to Delphi. Our journey began at the site of the ancient oracle, where pupils immersed themselves in history. We then embarked on a memorable hike through the UNESCO world heritage site, following an ancient footpath that started at approximately 632 meters above sea level and descended towards the sea.

During our hike, we reached Chrisso, a picturesque spot where pupils paused to taste olives and learn about the various methods of olive processing. Our knowledgeable guides provided us with fascinating insights into traditional practices. Afterwards, we continued our descent towards Itea, where we would spend the night.

In the evening, the group enjoyed a delicious dinner at the hotel before venturing out for a leisurely walk as a group around the town of Itea. Many treated themselves to an ice cream at Archontikon before heading back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.

The following day, pupils were divided into two groups to embark on an exhilarating mountain biking adventure around the breathtaking Livadi Plateau. We engaged in entertaining games such as Shephard and Sheep, as well as team-building activities that enhanced our teamwork, critical thinking, and hand-eye coordination skills. Additionally, pupils had the privilege of participating in an archery lesson. Our instructors enlightened us on the art of attuning oneself with the bow and arrow, a skill that has been honed by humans for thousands of years.

The groups then either hiked back down the path we had previously taken or cycled through it, relishing the scenic beauty surrounding us. The groups joined together for a final meal together at a restaurant overlooking the magnificent plateau, creating lasting memories of our shared adventure.

The Year 9 trip to Delphi and Parnassos was an extraordinary experience, allowing us to delve into ancient history, appreciate natural wonders, and develop valuable skills. It was truly an enriching journey and an unforgettable few days!

Families of our junior school pupils were warmly welcomed to the Efilena Estate on Monday 15^th May for a fascinating workshop on children’s relationships. It was presented by our visiting school psychologist, Dr. Hadjipateras Giannoulis, and our school counsellor, Ms Stefania Zarri.

The topic was one which has great relevance for families today, namely ‘Dealing with peer conflict and bullying: promoting your child’s friendships’. After an interesting discussion, visitors were offered coffee and refreshments whilst having the opportunity to speak with both experts with their concerns and questions. A very fruitful morning for all, it has to be said.