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.    

This month at St. Lawrence College, we have been celebrating D.E.A.R. Days – Drop Everything And Read! These special moments have been a wonderful way to support the UK’s National Year of Reading, a nationwide movement in partnership with the National Literacy Trust to promote reading for pleasure.

Alongside our D.E.A.R. activities, pupils have enjoyed creative den-building sessions, transforming spaces into cosy reading hideaways. We also introduced a fantastic initiative called Get Caught Reading—inviting families to share photos of children enjoying a book in the most unusual, imaginative, or unexpected places. It has been a joyful celebration of reading, creativity, and family engagement!

Between 6^th and 10^th June, Year 6 groups were taken on a trip to Milias Camps in Central Greece for an exciting few days of fun activities and group events. The teachers and pupils were treated to a range of things to do that included swimming, hiking up a hillside to an ancient castle ruin, walking an artistic river trail at Pavliani, learning archery, mountain biking and technical wall climbing too. The cabins were buzzing with the voices of excited children and the canteen meals were wolfed down by the children who worked up an appetite with all their non-stop activities and exercise! Take a look at the photos which show just how much they experienced at camp.

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 Year 10 pupils enjoyed a school trip to the stunning island of Santorini from Thursday 25^th –Sunday 28^th May. Their first day on the island commenced with a memorable visit to the archaeological site of Akrotiri to see the ancient town that had been frozen in time by ash from the volcanic eruption 3,600 years ago. Pupils were amazed to see how advanced the ancient homes were with earthquake proof designs, fully equipped bathrooms, water storage and sewage systems etc. Afterwards, they toured the Koutsogiannopoulos Estate to see how wine has been grown by the family on the island since the 1600s. Pupils learned about the history of wine and the machinery used as well as seeing the stages of the winemaking process. They then enjoyed some relaxation with a swim and a delicious lunch in a taverna on Perissa beach, famous for its black sand. After lunch, the Year 10 pupils went to the Industrial Museum of Tomatoes in Vlychada to learn everything about the small, cherry-sized tomatoes of Santorini! They saw how these famous tomatoes of Santorini are cultivated, processed and produced. Each pupil had the opportunity to make a Nomikos tomato paste tin can, to take home as a souvenir, using the machinery from the heyday of the factory. Then it was time to visit Oia to enjoy a walk around this well-known town and take plenty of photos.

The following day involved a boat tour over to the volcano in the middle of the caldera and pupils climbed to the top of the crater. They saw all the interesting volcanic rock formations and even smelt the sulphur gases that were being released from the fumeroles near the peak. Some of the Year 10s then braved the cold waters of the caldera to swim to the hot springs. There they bathed in the warm waters and enjoyed making body masks using some of the rich, mineral muds. Afterwards, the teleferik ride took them up to Fira, Santorini’s capital, to enjoy some free-time walking around the cobbled streets and shopping for souvenirs whilst appreciating the panoramic views out to sea. From Fira there was a walk along the top of the caldera past picturesque villages to Imeroviglii. The views were awe-inspiring! 

On the final day it was as if everyone had taken a step back in time in the traditional village of Emporeio. A wander around the quaint village allowed the pupils to catch a glimpse of the quieter side of life in Santorini. Before heading back to Athens everyone enjoyed a hearty meal in Fira.

All in all, the Year 10 pupils enjoyed an action-packed trip. They learned lots about the geography, history and culture of Santorini and much fun was had by all! 

Among the many clubs that St. Lawrence College pupils can choose from, we are especially proud of the following:

Greek Drama Club

Pupils of all nationalities and from all school years are encouraged to join this club, which meets twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays during break times.

The aim of the Greek Drama Club is to present something innovative for Greek National Celebrations, something of interest, but always related to that particular period in history. This usually includes a short play, Greek dances and songs.

Environmental Club

The Environmental Club meets once a week, usually on Fridays, and is open to all pupils in the senior school.

The aim of the club is to promote and raise awareness and understanding of environmental issues, to instil a sense of responsibility and personal commitment to protect and preserve the environment and to encourage pupils to learn more about some of the most important issues facing the world today –i.e. the benefits of recycling at home, endangered species, pollution, deforestation, and the fragility of the rainforests.

Another important objective of the club is also to give support to Greek environmental organisations, such as Arktouros and the Turtle Rescue Centre, by arranging visits and holding fundraising events.

Greek Support Club

The Greek Support Club aims to offer help to those who encounter difficulties with their Greek language skills. The club is open to native and non-native speakers alike, as well as to pupils from all years. It meets every Thursday at lunch time but participating pupils are encouraged to go and seek help any time they deem it necessary.

Yearbook Club

• The Yearbook that is produced each year is a highly prized possession for every pupil and continues to give those pupils great joy long after they leave our school. For that reason, it is important that the Yearbook is produced to the highest of standards – and that is the job of the Yearbook Club. This club is open to pupils from all years, but it is usually senior members of the school body who are the most productive in it.
• The aim of the Yearbook Club is for members to:
• Proof read yearbook pages which are being put together and critically assess them for necessary changes.
• Gather information/interview graduating pupils for the graduate page.
• Get assignments from departments or year groups to be used as resources.
• Promote regular contact with subject teachers so that club members keep abreast of events.
• Categorize resources gathered by grade, department or theme.
• Write text to go with the photographs that are to be used in the yearbook.
• Offer new ideas for the yearbook.
• Act as photographers if they wish and take photos of sporting events/other events for potential use.

Meetings happen about once per month, so that members can check on their combined progress and arrange new assignments. They usually take place during lunch break, however senior pupils often meet whenever they have free time during the day.