Congratulations to our International Award Bronze team for successfully completing their final expedition last weekend, marking the end of their IA programme. The Year 10 pupils embarked on a two-day hike on the island of Kea for two days, culminating in a refreshing swim at Pisses beach, where they also camped for a night, cooked their own meals and bonded under the starry sky.
Throughout the IA programme the pupils demonstrated resilience, stretching their comfort zone and trying new things. We hope that the skills and experiences gained from this programme will benefit them in their future endeavours. We are proud of their achievements and the personal growth each student has shown. Well done to everyone!
 

Congratulations to our International Award Silver team for completing a three-day expedition to Mt Menalon last weekend! The pupils hiked for three days in the mountain and tried to find their way using just a map and a compass. They hiked in groups making their own decisions and when they reached their destination they camped there for the night. The pupils demonstrated great stamina, hiking more than 20 kilometres in three days while carrying their own equipment, and amazing team building skills, making sure each member of the group would make it to the final destination! Well done to all our Y11 IA pupils!

On March 12th and 14th, our boys, and girls under 16 basketball teams took part in tournaments hosted by ACS.
Our boys won both of their group stage games against St.Catherines and ISA. In the final the boys once again won against Campion and received the 1st place trophy and gold medals for their incredible performance.
The girls also managed to advance to the final were in a close game they lost to ACS and finished in 2nd place out of 5 schools.
Well done for all the hard work that both teams put in during their training sessions and we are glad the results reflect their efforts. Finally, a big thank you to Mr Karamatsios and Ms Tzavella for their outstanding work with their respective teams!
 

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 Over 16 boys’ football and girls’ volleyball tournaments on Wednesday the 18th of October. 
There were six schools that took part in the boys' tournament. After one draw and one win the group stage our team advanced to the final. In the final we lost to St. Catherine's ultimately finishing in 2nd place. Following this very pleasing display, our boys now look forward to competing in the Aegean tournament in Thessaloniki, which commences on the 30th of November. 
Both the girls Under 16 and Over 16 team took part in the volleyball tournament where 5 schools took part. The Over 16 team managed to get into the final where they faced Campion. After a very close final which was decided via a tie break, our girls finished in 2nd place. 
Congratulations to all our athletes for their excellent display in this tournament and a big thank you to the coaches Ms Dikaioulia and Mr Strzemiecki for all the effort they put into preparing our teams for this big event.

The IA Bronze group have successfully completed their final two expeditions of the year over the past few weeks. The practice expedition was completed in Western Parnitha, with pupils hiking from the village of Fyli to the Fyli Fortress, where they camped, before returning to Fyli the next day. During this journey all groups focused on improving their navigational skills, using physical and human features in the landscape to help them navigate as well as compass bearings. The final expedition to Kea was an opportunity for pupils to showcase what they had learnt over the year with all pupils demonstrating excellent skills and knowledge. The pupils enjoyed two days of brilliant hiking from Coressia to Pisses in beautiful weather whilst taking in the wonderful vistas offered by Kea as well as the local flora and fauna, including vibrant wildflowers, snakes and spiders (which some pupils were not too keen on!). The first day ended at the beach of Pisses which allowed students to relax, play ball games on the beach and swim. A speedy return to the port on the second day was made by all groups, passing the Monastery of Agia Marina and through the Flea valley, and then it was back on the ferry to Lavrio.  It has been a pleasure to guide this group through their IA Bronze and we have immensely enjoyed seeing these pupils develop into independent, confident and resilient young adults.

Parents of our junior school and Early Years Foundation Stage pupils are invited to a parental workshop that will be presented by our visiting school psychologist, Dr. Hadjipateras Giannoulis, and our school counsellor, Ms Stefania Zarri.

Dr. Hadjipateras Giannoulis and Ms Zarri will be presenting on the topic of ‘Dealing with peer conflict and bullying: promoting your child’s friendships’.

The workshop will take place on Monday 15th May at 9:15-11:00 a.m., and will be held at the Efilena Estate, next door to the school campus. There will be time for questions and coffee and refreshments will be available. Parents will be able to drop off their children at the school gates and continue to make their way up Anemon Street to park inside the Efilena grounds.

If you would like to attend the workshop, please contact juniorschool@slc.gr

On the 9^th of March our U16 girls basketball team participated in a tournament hosted by ACS school.

Four schools took part in a round robin format. Our girls finished in 2^nd place with wins against St. Catherine’s and Campion and one loss against ACS.

On the 21^st of March our U16 boys basketball team took part in a tournament hosted by our school. Six schools took part in this tournament. The boys won both of their group stage games and advanced to the final. In the final after a close game they lost to ACS.

Congratulations to all the team members on their 2^nd place finishes and a special thank you to the coaches Ms Tzavella and Mr Karamatsios.

On Saturday 11^th March the IA Silver group departed school for their final expedition. The 6:00am start meant there were many bleary eyes and sleepy faces, especially amongst the Year 11s who had only just finished their mock examinations. The promise of a weekend hiking as well as a rocky ferry journey rapidly increased everyone’s energy levels. Once we had arrived pupils finalised their routes and had them checked, and then embarked on the day’s hike from Tinos town to Volax.  The pupils battled high wind speeds and variable weather as the steep slopes tested their fitness and navigation skills, especially the ascent up to Exomvourgo. However, on arrival to the camp the weather settled and pupils were able to enjoy a beautiful sunset over the boulder fields of Volax (see photo!). The next day involved returning to Tinos town via a different route, with the charming Cycladic-style villages of Falatados, Mountados, and Karia all taken in as well as stunning panoramic views of Mykonos, Delos, and Syros in the distance. Well done to everyone involved for such a mature and diligent attitude!

Make sure you watch the video!

On Wednesday 15^th February 2023, our school hosted a mini-basketball tournament for a lot of very excited Year 6 pupils. Another five international schools from Athens took part (ACS, BYRON, CAMPION, ST. CATHERINE'S and DES). A total of one-hundred-and-sixty young basketball players participated and played in teams of three for a riveting two hours in a packed gymnasium. There was a real sense of unity and cooperation as well as friendly competition of course. Many parents and pupils cheered along for the players creating a great experience for all those who took part.

Our next basketball event will take place in March when this time it will be the turn of Year 5 pupils to revel in the electric atmosphere. Good luck to all!

On Wednesday the 1^st of February our boys and girls under 14 basketball teams took part in a school tournament hosted by Campion.

In the girl's tournament 4 schools took part. Our girls first faced St. Catherine's and won comfortably which meant they would face ISA in the finals. The girls beat ISA and won the tournament.

In the boy's tournament 6 schools took part. The boys faced ISA for their first match which they won. In a must win match against ACS to reach the final the boys won again. In the final, the boys faced and lost to St. Catherine's, ultimately finishing in 2^nd place.

Congratulations  to all participants for such great results and a special thank you to the coaches Mr Karamatsios and Ms Tzavella for their exceptional work with their respective teams.  

On Thursday 15^th December, the FS1, FS2 and Reception classes performed their Christmas Concert, ‘Our Merry Little Christmas Party!’ at the Efilena Estate which is located next door to our school campus. The air was filled with a joyous Christmas spirit as the children performed ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.’ Everyone danced along and joined in with the fun finale, ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town.’ The show was quite the success! Well done, boys and girls!

From Thursday the 1^st until Sunday the 4^th of December our over 16 boys and girls football teams took part in the Aegean tournament hosted by Anatolia College in Thessaloniki.  

There were 13 schools taking part in the boy’s tournament. The schools were split into 4 groups. In the group stage our boys faced Ellinogermaniki Agogi on Friday were they comfortably won 3-0. In their next group stage game, our boys faced Campion and despite going 1-0 down, they managed to bring it back winning 3-1 and won their group. In the semi-finals our boys faced Pierce College. Unfortunately, after a tight game our boys lost to the eventual champions 1-0 which meant that our boys managed an amazing 3^rd place finish! 

In the girl’s tournament 8 schools were split into 2 groups. In their first game of the tournament our girls faced host team Anatolia College and after a very close game they lost 1-0. In their second group stage game our girls bounced back beating Athens College 1-0. In their final group stage game, our girls faced American Farm School and easily won 5-0. The girls advanced to the semi-final where they faced St.Catherines. Our girls were losing 1-0 until an incredible late game equaliser which meant they went on to a dramatic penalty shootout. The girls won the penalty shootout 8-7 and advanced to the final where they would face once again host team Anatolia College. It was a storybook ending for the girls who managed to win 1-0 and avenge their only loss in the tournament.  

All the boys and the girls celebrated together the girl’s 1^st place finish as a spectacular trip full of positive energy, fun and passion for the game, came to an end. 

The players were pleasantly surprised by the parents and Mr Holden, who travelled all the way to Thessaloniki as they cheered and showed never ending support from the side lines.  

Congratulations to all the boys and girls who represented our school in such an admirable way and a special thank you the coaches Mr Strzemiecki and Mr Styliatis.   

At the end of September a group of thirty Year 11s and 12s embarked on their first expedition for the International Award Silver scheme. This expedition is one of two they must complete and includes three days hiking and two nights camping, whilst carrying all their provisions and equipment themselves. Over the weekend, the pupils navigated and hiked from the picturesque village of Elati to the stunning hilltop settlement of Karytaina on routes they had planned in groups. In total the groups covered over 50km with a lot of ascent and descent. A particular highlight for all the students was the second day in which they hiked down the Lousios Gorge, passing through several cliffside monasteries, over many waterfalls and enjoying wonderful views down the gorge. The effort and resilience of all pupils was particularly impressive on a route which tested their fitness, navigation and map-reading skills. The fact all students made it to the end is a testament to their brilliant endeavour, with the fatigued faces, bodies and feet evidence of what they had put into the three days. Well done to all pupils involved and I wish them a well-deserved rest before the next expedition in Spring!

On Tuesday 18th of October for the first time since covid struck our school took part in an interschool football and volleyball tournament hosted by ACS. Six schools participated in the boys over 16 football tournament and five for the over 16 girls’ volleyball tournament.

Our boys first game was against host team ACS where they found themselves in a very difficult situation losing 2-0 until late in the game. After fighting hard, the boys managed to score 2 goals in the last minutes of the game and drew 2-2. Then in a must win game against St. Catherines our boys showed their class and comfortably beat them 2-0 and advanced to the final where they faced Byron College. In the final although tired after back-to-back games the boys really came together as a team and simply could not be stopped, winning the game 5-0 and bringing home the gold.

Our girls’ volleyball team took part in a tournament format where they had to face all 4 other competing schools. The first game they defeated Campion in a close game 2 sets to 1. In the 2nd game against ISA our girls dominated the game from start to finish and won 2-0. In the 3rd game of the day the girls faced St. Catherines were they again won 2-1 after a hard fought match. In the last game of the day and with our boys’ football team cheering on from the stands our girls faced the host ACS to determine the winner of the tournament. The girls had a rough start going 1-0 down in sets and losing by 5 points in the second set. However, they managed to bring it back after a combined team effort and proceeded to win the second and third set ultimately winning 2-1 and not tasting defeat the whole tournament.

All our boys and girls celebrated their wins together in a wonderful moment for both of our teams chanting Lawrence in an iconic post covid moment.

A big congratulations to both teams for winning the trophies for our school and a special thanks to the coaches Mr Strzemiecki and Ms Dikaioulia.