Senior school assemblies
Assemblies create a chance for pupils to gather in a larger group, comprising a significant proportion of the school, in order to listen, learn and sometimes contribute to a key theme. As such, an assembly is a special moment in the week of a pupil’s schooling.

All pupils attend one of two assemblies per week while in senior school. As well as performing an administrative function, the purpose of an assembly is to raise awareness on a topic. This is often part of the delivery of the PSHE programme, initiating a topic that will be explored further in form classes. It might be to report on the activities of pupils in other spheres of the school, such as trips or debating or sporting tournaments. Or perhaps the assembly simply aims to provoke reflection among pupils on some aspect of global or local current affairs.

For example, in recent months, senior school assemblies have covered themes as diverse as examination preparation techniques; the dangers of tobacco and e-cigarettes; code-breaking and cryptology; the ethics of depicting animals as humans in photography; issues related to bullying; the results of a school photography competition and a celebration of origami – where all children created a paper box following live instruction.

Assemblies also provide an opportunity for collective commemoration. This is the case of anniversaries, with assemblies held for Remembrance Sunday and for Greek celebrations such as “Oxi Day” (28th October) and Greek Independence Day (25th March). Special assemblies may be called to commemorate major current affairs. The Peshawar school massacre of December 2014 and the Paris bombings of November 2015 both triggered whole school assemblies where pupils were given the opportunity to reflect quietly and collectively as a group.

Junior school assemblies
Every morning at 8.40am, all pupils in the Junior School assemble in the playground to meet their teachers, before being admitted into class.  Here the Headmistress and Deputy Headmistress greet the children to say good morning, make any important announcements and wish them a good day.  Very often morning assembly is also a time when we discuss whole school initiatives, acknowledge pupil achievements and have pupils present a variety of topics to the rest of the school.

Class assemblies are held on Fridays for all classes in Years1-6. Pupils prepare for several weeks to present a topic that is related to specific PSHE and Citizenship themes that they have been learning about. The children are encouraged to have their thinking extended by each assembly and often take part in follow up activities on the theme presented.

All of our assemblies follow themes and issues that we feel are important for our pupils to understand as they prepare for life in the modern world and also to cope with everyday life in school.  Such themes as learning about values, respect and tolerance, diversity, building resilience and being proud of who we are.

Throughout St. Lawrence College’s history, thousands of our pupils have gone on to study at some of the best universities in the world, travelled far corners of the globe and of course met their professional goals.

In all these years, we have had the pleasure of chatting to you in person about your lives, and we know that some of you have become great scientists, lawyers, bankers, engineers, artists, parents and generally turned into responsible and interesting adults.

...thousands of our pupils have gone on to study at some of the best universities in the world...

What we would like to do now, is to share your stories and these great achievements. Please help us to do that by completing the questionnaire below. We would love to be able to use these stories to share on our websites, in printed media, on our social media channels – and of course in our classrooms, when we talk to current pupils about where and what our alumni have gone on to do.

Stories such as yours help us to inspire current generations of students and of course illustrate so accurately why we are so proud of each and every one of you!

Many thanks and I look forward to hearing from you,
Dimitris Karakostas - Business Manager

Every summer, for one month, St. Lawrence runs a highly successful summer programme suited to children aged from three to fourteen.

Each year we renew old friendships and make new ones. We guarantee a special experience for our pupils, offering optimum learning and superb sports facilities.

...learning, fun and adventure in a healthy balance.

Summer at St. Lawrence offers a vibrant, warm environment in which children can further develop their skills, academically, socially and in a wide variety of sports and activities.

The programme offers learning, fun and adventure in a healthy balance. Those who wish to strengthen and reinforce their Cambridge Primary skills may do so, while others can:

•    develop and improve their spoken English, at all levels

•    become clearer and more confident speakers in English

•    concentrate on a sports/water sports-based programme

•    explore the multimedia and IT centre

•    enjoy the arts and crafts centre

Do join us for an unforgettable summer adventure!

Our pupils are our ambassadors and it is therefore essential that they convey the highest possible standards of behaviour and appearance.

All pupils attending St. Lawrence College, up to and including Year 11 must wear the prescribed school uniform when attending school, or when participating in a school-organised event outside normal school hours.

Our uniform policy and items succeed in:

• promoting a sense of pride in the school and in the pupils’ personal appearance
• engendering a sense of community and identifying pupils with the school
• supporting positive behaviour and discipline
• being comfortable, smart and practical for a day’s activities
• being flexible enough to be suitable whatever the season or climate
• preventing pupils from creating a distraction in class by coming to school in fashion-conscious clothing
• making pupils feel equal to their peers in terms of appearance
• taking into account health and safety
• providing good value for money by specifying clothing that is hardwearing enough for any pupil’s day

The school shop operating within the administration building provides a wide variety of uniform clothing items, i.e. shorts, trousers, sports bottoms, T-shirts, polo shirts, jumpers, sweatshirts, fleeces or hoodies and more.

Please refer to our Junior and Senior school policies for more specifics.

At St. Lawrence College, we take your children’s health and safety very seriously and have two qualified nurses on site to cater for the needs of our community here at school. In case of a pupil being in need of medical care due to sickness, injury or an ongoing medical condition, we are able to offer professional help.

The school has a well-equipped nurses’ station, with a suitable area for treatment and a bed for pupils if pupils need to rest and recover after an incident. Our nursing staff are able to treat minor injuries, attend to illnesses, administer prescribed medication and offer support to pupils with on-going conditions. In all instances, they communicate any treatment given at school to parents/carers by phone, email or in the homework diary, and will always contact parents/carers immediately in case of emergency.

Their responsibilities also include monitoring and recording the pupils’ well-being and physical development as well as working with pupils, teachers and parents to promote good health and well-being for all pupils.

Parents are asked to complete a medical questionnaire before their child joins St. Lawrence College, and they are always welcome to contact us to discuss any particular concerns at any time.

The School is situated in an ideal geographic location. It is close to the southern suburbs and easily accessible via the main motorway, Attiki Odos, which connects the airport region where we are located, to the northern and western suburbs of Athens. We offer a comprehensive bus service to most areas of Athens and Pireaus. The cost of this service is specified in the accompanying transportation document.

Our fleet comprises various types of buses, all of which are fully air-conditioned, with comfortable, safe seating. Our manned bus drivers are fully qualified and children are assisted by capable, experienced bus monitors. Our scheduled bus routes are designed to accommodate pupils’ transport needs and take them as close as possible to their places of residence, so as to ensure minimal travel time for children.

Zone A': Agia Marina - Markopoulo - Koropi - Kitsi - Korbi - Vari - Varkiza - Vouliagmeni - Kavouri - Pigadakia - Voula - Glyfada - Hellinikon - Sourmena - Argyroupoli - Kalamaki - Alimos - Agios Dimitrios - Ilioupoli.                                                    

Zone B’: Saronida - Lagonissi - Keratea - Kalyvia - Porto Rafti - P. Phalero - N. Smyrni - Kallithea - Kareas - Ymmitos - Holargos - Papagou - Agia Paraskevi - Pallini - Drafi - Halandri - Daphne - Koukaki - Plaka - Kolonaki - Moshato - N.Phalero - Pangrati - Vyronas - Zographou.

Zone C': Piraeus - Kastella - Amfiali - Nikaia - Korydallos - Haidari - Exarheia - Patissia - Galatsi - Ampelokipi - Vrilissia - Kifissia - Kefalari - Marousi - Pefki - Kokkinara - N.Psychico - P. Psychico - Filothei - P. Pendeli - N. Kifissia - Melissia - N. Erythraia - Drosia - Fokaia - Anavyssos.

The St. Lawrence College campus is ideally located at the south eastern suburbs of Athens, 15 minutes by car from the airport and Glyfada, 30 minutes from Kifissia. The well-designed and well-equipped school setting consists of a wooden, earthquake resistant construction all at ground-floor level, situated in a 20-acre peaceful country environment.

...situated in a 20-acre peaceful country environment.

The school is constantly undergoing considerable expansion and refurbishment through considerable investment to cater for our growing school roll. The school currently features a modern suite of science laboratories, state of the art computer labs, a junior school library, a purpose built study room in the senior school, a 400-seat open-air amphitheatre, an Exhibition Centre, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, an Olympic-size heated swimming pool, an all-purpose air conditioned indoor gymnasium and a full size 11-a-side football pitch. Plans are underway for construction of significant additions to the school in the foreseeable future and should enhance our wealth of resources even more.

The school’s extensive facilities serve to complement the high academic standing of St. Lawrence College and provide the foundation for its many educational and extra-curricular activities.

Learning beyond the classroom is a vital part of every child’s education, and educational visits, excursions, and trips to places of interest form an integral element of this experience.

We are committed to enriching the relevance of pupils’ learning by arranging off-site visits, where appropriate, as an extension of the curriculum. These opportunities broaden children’s horizons, deepen their understanding, and bring learning to life in meaningful and memorable ways.

All pupils in the Early Years and Junior School have the opportunity to attend several school trips throughout the academic year, and we take full advantage of all that is available in the surrounding Attica region. Popular destinations include the Athens Digital Planetarium, the Attica Zoological Park, the Archaeological Museum, and many other sites of cultural, historical, and scientific interest.

we take full advantage of all that is available in the surrounding Attica region

In addition, the PE Department organises a range of inter-school athletic tournaments for pupils in Key Stage 2. These visits to other schools provide opportunities for friendly competition, with the emphasis placed on participation and enjoyment in new and stimulating surroundings. St. Lawrence College is also proud to act as a host for such events, welcoming pupils from other schools to share in these valuable experiences.

At St. Lawrence College, giving back is central to who we are. Through charitable work and fundraising, pupils, parents, and staff support both local and international causes, learning the importance of empathy, respect, and responsibility.

From refugee aid in Greece to supporting charities such as the Red Cross, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Smile of the Child, The Salvation Army, Save the Children, and ActionAid, our community is dedicated to making a positive difference.

learning the importance of empathy, respect, and responsibility

Fundraising events are always met with enthusiasm — from non-uniform and “crazy-hair” days to raffles, bake sales, craft sales, sponsored walks, and collections of needed items. Pupils see first-hand the impact of their efforts through assemblies, visiting speakers, and staff-led presentations.

Much of this work is driven by our Charity Ninjas club, whose energy and creativity inspire the whole Junior School to get involved and show compassion in action.

Extra-curricular clubs provide pupils with wonderful opportunities to make new friends, stay active, and develop new skills in a safe and supportive environment. At St. Lawrence College, we offer a wide range of clubs — from infant activities to chess — ensuring there is something to suit every interest. Clubs run both during the school day (at lunchtime and within school hours) and after school from 3:30–4:30pm and are available to pupils from Foundation Stage 1 through to Year 6. Our outstanding facilities, including a 25-metre heated outdoor swimming pool, outdoor tennis courts, an all-weather pitch, a large sports hall, and an athletic running track, support the breadth and quality of the activities on offer.

opportunities to make new friends, stay active, and develop new skills 

Team Sports

Many of our clubs encourage teamwork and physical activity through both indoor and outdoor sports. Popular choices include football, rugby, tennis, basketball, volleyball, karate, rhythmic gymnastics, dance, and more. All sessions are led by fully qualified, professional coaches, who bring their expertise to provide high-quality coaching for pupils of all abilities.

Swimming

Swimming is not only a life-saving skill but also the gateway to many enjoyable water-based experiences. At St. Lawrence College, we offer afternoon swimming lessons for pupils aged 2½ to 18, taught by friendly, caring, and fully qualified instructors. Structured lessons cater for all levels, from water-confidence classes through to advanced club swimming.

Music

Music is at the heart of our school culture. We believe it is a creative and social art to be enjoyed by all, and our after-school Music School provides pupils with the chance to explore their musical interests. Instrumental tuition is offered in piano, guitar, violin, and drums, with pupils also able to prepare for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) examinations.

Other Clubs

Alongside sport and music, pupils can enjoy a variety of other activities across the year. These include Choir, Drama, Chess Club, Art Club and Robotics.

Practical Details

At the end of the summer term, families receive information outlining the full range of clubs available for the following academic year. This includes details of the age groups, times, and any associated costs, helping families to plan ahead and choose the activities best suited to their child’s interests.

Rationale

opportunity for the development of self-reliance, self-discipline, self-confidence and responsibility for learning

also strengthens the link between home and school

quality of homework more important than quantity

complementing and reinforcing classroom learning

fostering good lifelong learning and study habit

Aims

to encourage parent/carer partnership in learning

to encourage dialogue between parents/school, school/pupils and pupils/parents

to revisit objectives taught in school

to enhance and support learning

to encourage good learning habits

to be interesting and enjoyable

What homework involves

a short amount of homework to complete

research for a project &  topic work

reading, comprehension or grammar

a maths exercise or specific mental maths skills

spelling lists

Greek, French,  Chinese, Spanish  tasks

Role of the Class Teacher 

to make it purposeful

to reward and praise children

to mark homework and give feedback

to provide an explanation for parents

to give an easy-to-follow routine

to take equal opportunities into account

Role of the Pupil

to discuss homework with parents/caregivers

to complete homework tasks within set time frames

to follow up on comments made by teachers 

to seek assistance when difficulties arise 

to organise their time to allow for homework

Role of Parents /Caregivers

to praise the child for their efforts

to help their child develop a approach with talk and positive discussions

to ensure there is a balance between homework and recreational activities

to communicate with teachers about concerns

to check the homework diary each day

to discuss homework with the child

to provide a homework area without

to use methods suggested by the teacher to assist

to check the child’s efforts to learn basics such as times tables

to encourage reading for pleasure

How long should be spent on homework?

through KS2 time spent on homework will gradually increase

years 3 and 4: up to 30 minutes daily

years 5 and 6 homework will increase to 45 minutes, apart from time spent reading for pleasure

language teachers may assign homework once a week

these time estimations are only guidelines

Assessment in KS2

Summative assessment is commonly referred to as assessment of learning, in which the focus is on determining what the student has learned at the end of a unit of instruction or at the end of a grade level. Summative assessment helps determine to what extent the instructional and learning goals have been met.

What summative assessment is done in KS2?

Weekly reviews in Years 3 & 4 each Friday morning progressing to weekly tests in Years 5 & 6

Spelling lists

Mental maths skills

Regular English comprehension and grammar

Regular maths

Science unit tests according to each year’s  Cambridge curriculum requirements

Year 3: plants, life processes, classification of animals & plants, material properties, forces & motion, scientific enquiry

Year 4: the human body, animals in their environment, states of matter, sound, electricity & magnetism, scientific enquiry

Year 5: plants, changes in states of matter, light, the earth & beyond, scientific enquiry

Year 6: the human body, animals in their environment & feeding relationships, the environment, material changes of state, forces & motion, electricity & magnetism, scientific enquiry

Language attainment tests

End of year tests of attainment in  foreign languages: Chinese, French, Greek, Spanish

Regular unit/topic tests throughout the year

Cambridge Progression Tests

In term 3 in Year 6, official tests from Cambridge are sat in the 3 core subjects: English, maths & Science.

What formative assessment is done in KS2?

Formative assessment is commonly referred to as assessment for learning, in which the focus is on monitoring student response to and progress with instruction. Formative assessment provides immediate feedback to both the teacher and student regarding the learning process.

The most common procedures of formative assessment include the following.

Feedback. A teacher provides oral or written feedback to student discussion or work. For example, a teacher responds orally to a question asked in class; provides a written comment in a response or reflective journal; or provides feedback on student work.

Observation. A teacher observes and records a student's level of engagement, academic and/or affective behaviour; develops a plan of action to support that student; implements the plan; and continues to record observations to determine its effectiveness.

Portfolios. A growth portfolio can be used to create a record of student growth in a number of areas. For example, a teacher may use writing portfolios to collect evidence of a student's progress in developing writing skills.

At SLC Junior School, we ensure that home learning is given to each child as and when it is needed, in order to reinforce the learning that has taken place in school.

Our Home Learning Policy sets out the aims and expectations for each stage of a child’s learning journey. The policy ensures that tasks are purposeful, age-appropriate, and designed to support progress while encouraging independence and positive learning habits.

support progress while encouraging independence and positive learning habits

In Reception and Key Stage 1, we emphasise the importance of learning together and sharing the experience. We encourage parents to participate alongside their child in a set of essential, regular tasks set by the class teacher. These may include reading together, practising flashcards, or completing a short numeracy activity online.

In Key Stage 2, home learning provides an opportunity for pupils to take greater responsibility for their own learning. We place more value on the quality of homework than the quantity, so tasks are only assigned where they are useful in consolidating a concept or skill taught in school. This might include a written activity, a project, or preparation for an upcoming assessment. Pupils are also given specific daily tasks on platforms such as Spelling Shed, Bug Club and DoodleMaths/ DoodleTables to strengthen essential skills.

We believe that well-chosen home learning tasks complement and reinforce classroom teaching, help to establish positive study habits, and strengthen the partnership between home and school. The Home Learning Policy makes these aims clear and provides guidance so that parents, pupils, and staff share a consistent understanding of expectations at each stage.

The assessment of pupils takes two main forms: formative and summative.

Formative assessment takes place daily. It allows teachers to monitor children’s progress across all subjects and ensures they receive the feedback they need to move forward in their learning. Teachers continually assess understanding in order to adapt planning and meet the needs of every child in each lesson. This ongoing process also informs longer-term planning, ensuring that every pupil is supported to make sustained progress.

adapt planning and meet the needs of every child 

Summative assessment provides a snapshot of performance and usually takes place at the end of a unit, term, or academic year. At St. Lawrence College, we combine information from standardised testing systems with teacher judgements based on classroom observations to ensure accuracy and reliability. Class teachers carry out regular assessment of academic achievement, with differentiation applied at every stage to meet individual needs.

Cambridge Early Years and Primary Insight Assessments

In the Early Years, two baseline assessments give teachers a snapshot of where children are in their learning when they begin school or nursery: ASPECTS (for 3–4-year-olds) and BASE (for 4–5-year-olds), both developed by Cambridge Insight. These provide valuable information about each child’s starting point.

From Year 1 onwards, pupils take part in Cambridge Primary Insight (for ages 5–11), a broad range of digital, adaptive, formative assessments from Cambridge Insight. These are used for diagnostic purposes and to track pupil progress effectively over time.

In Key Stage 2, assessment is supplemented by in-house subject reviews, and in Year 6, pupils undertake end-of-year attainment testing based on the Cambridge Primary curriculum. These tests measure pupils’ knowledge, understanding, and skills in the core subjects of English, Mathematics, and Science.

Special Educational Needs/ Learning Support:

Every child is unique and has different learning needs.

We aspire to promote inclusive education throughout the school and cater for the needs of our students.

All teachers are teachers of SEN and differentiation is an integral part of teaching; this may involve multi-sensory and creative approaches, which facilitate an effective and productive learning environment.

We understand that we have pupils of varying skills and abilities and it is essential that we identify their additional learning needs through observations or screening. 

Some pupils require additional support to achieve their potential and reach their goals.

For some students, the additional support may be temporary, and others may require assistance on a more long term basis either through in-class support, one- to- one withdrawal or small group. 

We create individually tailored educational programmes to meet our pupils’ needs, where necessary.

We have a committed learning support team consisting of: an experienced Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), Learning Support Coordinator and learning support assistants.

We aim to provide an environment that develops self- confidence and personal success by finding what children are good at and encourage their strengths.

We listen to parents, advise accordingly and act on their concerns.

We liaise with external specialists for better understanding of our pupils’ needs.

Key Stage 2 is for children aged 7 to 11, covering Years 3 to 6. At St. Lawrence College, this stage typically has a three- or four-form entry, with class sizes of up to 24 pupils, allowing for individualised attention and meaningful teacher-pupil interaction.

Teaching is delivered through a unified curriculum that blends the Cambridge Primary Programme for core subjects with the National Curriculum for England in the foundation subjects. This broad and balanced curriculum includes History, Geography, Computing, Art and Design, Physical Education, Music, and Greek, and is structured to ensure smooth, progressive learning both within and across year groups.

As pupils progress through Key Stage 2, the curriculum naturally broadens to reflect their growing cognitive and academic development. Greek continues to be taught across the key stage, and native speakers have the opportunity to follow a Greek Language History course.

the curriculum naturally broadens to reflect their growing cognitive and academic development

A strong emphasis is placed on ongoing formative assessment to identify each child’s needs and sustain learning momentum. Strategies such as metacognitive questioning encourage pupils to reflect on their thinking. Termly summative assessments in the core curriculum enable the effective tracking of pupil progress and achievement, supporting targeted teaching and academic planning. These are complemented by weekly spelling and times tables quizzes.

In Year 6, pupils take the end-of-year attainment tests in English, Mathematics, and Science during May. Ample support and preparation ensure each pupil approaches these assessments with confidence and readiness.

Reading plays a central role across the key stage. In lower Key Stage 2, reading is closely monitored and pupils are given level-appropriate books to practise at home. Alongside this, guided reading sessions provide focused support to develop comprehension skills and reading confidence. As their fluency develops, reading becomes increasingly independent, guided by individual choice and teacher recommendations to foster a love of literature. To further nurture this enthusiasm, our Reading Challenges encourage pupils to explore a wide range of texts and celebrate their progress as growing readers.

High-quality novels are studied as part of the English curriculum, helping pupils develop comprehension skills, broaden their vocabulary, and build confidence in reading through structured class discussion and analysis.

Pupils learning English as an Additional Language (EAL) are supported with a tailored approach. While integration into mainstream lessons is based on individual readiness, EAL pupils are included in subjects such as Physical Education and Art from the outset to promote confidence and connection.

By the end of Year 6, pupils are fully prepared for the transition to secondary education. They leave Key Stage 2 as confident readers, competent mathematicians, curious scientists, and reflective learners — equipped with the resilience and academic foundation needed for success in the next stage of their education.