Over the past week, the athletics track was alive with energy, excitement, and the sound of cheering as our annual running events took place for the junior school.

Pupils from Years 1, 2, and 3 sprinted their hearts out in the 60m flat race. The top three fastest runners from each house (Attica, Epirus, and Macedonia) advanced to the finals. A huge congratulations goes to the three fastest runners in the final, who earned medals for their incredible display of speed and determination!

Meanwhile, pupils in Years 4, 5, and 6 took part in trials during their PE lessons to qualify for the 80m and 150m races. The finals were held in front of their parents, giving them a chance to show the results of their hard work. Medals were awarded for their great effort and impressive performances.

Adding to the excitement, our enthusiastic parents got in on the action in the Mommy’s and Daddy’s races! Medals were awarded to our fastest grown-up participants, and we thank them for bringing such great energy to the event.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the pupils who competed and cheered each other on, as well as to the families and staff who supported them throughout.

Year 8 pupils were taught Statistics in their Mathematics classes near the end of term, and they happily did a project on everything they learnt, either on their own or in pairs. It was the most pleasant of ends for our young mathematicians who worked with enthusiasm for their projects in class and at home.

On Saturday 8th of March, Ms Kladouchou, Ms Galata and some of the pupils of our school’s Services Society visited «Εταιρία Προστασίας ανηλίκων Πειραιά-Καλός Ποιμήν» a children’s orphanage, in order to deliver some of the gift boxes assembled earlier this year. We must thank everyone who had donated towards this important cause as we all saw in person that it meant so much to the children who received the presents! We stayed for about 5 hours with them and had plenty of time to eat souvlaki and play all together. It was a heartwarming and moving experience, as we learnt about the many hardships these children faced from their early years to young adulthood. An eye-opening experience too for the pupils as, in their words, “it showed us different ways of how people live and made us realise how fortunate we are, it definitely gave us a new perspective of life”.

As for the teachers, it was an honour for both of us to escort such loving and caring pupils there. Having observed the dedication, the love, and the care with which they worked before Christmas to prepare the presents given, we knew they were good kids. But they were not just good, they were brilliant, so warm, so loving towards the kids there! It was really emotional and encouraging for the future to see how young people can engage with each other immediately. We thank them deeply for that.
 

Congratulations to both of our IA Bronze groups for successfully completing another challenging and rewarding practice journey on the majestic Mount Helicon. Over the last two weekends, our IA pupils had the incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in the breathtaking views of Mount Helicon, located in the heart of Boeotia, within the historical region of Thespiai, celebrated in Greek mythology.

Throughout the weekend, both groups tackled two extensive hikes, testing their endurance and teamwork while surrounded by the vibrant beauty of nature in full bloom during the spring season. The pupils hiked independently, navigating the mountain with only their maps and compasses—skills they had honed during their lessons prior to the expedition. These hikes were an excellent way for them to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting, all while enjoying the peace and serenity that comes with being surrounded by nature.
As night fell, the groups came together, sharing spooky stories and bonding over the camaraderie that comes with such an adventure. After a long day of hiking, they relished a well-deserved hot meal, which they prepared themselves, further strengthening their skills and independence.

The experience on Mount Helicon not only tested the pupils' physical limits but also provided them with invaluable lessons in teamwork, leadership, and self-reliance. These weekends were a true testament to their determination and growth, and we look forward to watching them continue to build on these experiences as they move toward their final expedition.
 

On Thursday, April 3rd, our Under 16 boys' and girls' football teams participated in a tournament hosted by St. Catherine's School, with five schools taking part.

The boys started the day with a narrow 1-0 loss in their first match but quickly bounced back, winning all three of their remaining games. As a result, they finished in second place and were awarded a trophy and medals for their outstanding effort. Whereas the girls played four matches, drawing two and narrowly losing two.  

All team members enjoyed the experience and are eager to participate in future tournaments. A big congratulations to everyone for demonstrating excellent sportsmanship, and a special thanks to the coaches Mr. Strzemiecki and Mr. Styliatis for their hard work with their respective teams.
 

On Friday 21st March, our Year 8 pupils embarked on an unforgettable educational trip to Marathon, organised by the Greek department. This excursion provided a unique opportunity to explore an important part of Greece's historical and cultural heritage.

The trip began with a visit to the Marathon Dam and Lake, where students learned about the historical significance of the dam in supplying water to Athens. The pupils then enjoyed a scenic hike to the Byzantine chapel of Agia Paraskevi and the historic Kalentzi stone theatre, where they gained insight into the area’s cultural past.

In addition to these fascinating visits, students took part in engaging team-building activities in nature, helping to develop both their collaboration and leadership skills. They also visited the Marathon Run Museum, which houses an extensive collection dedicated to the history of the Olympic Marathon.

The day concluded with a guided tour of the Marathon Tomb, the burial site of the 192 Athenian soldiers who fought in the legendary Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. This significant historical site offered our pupils a deeper understanding of Ancient Greek history and the importance of this battle.

The trip was both educational and inspiring, leaving our pupils with lasting memories and a greater appreciation for the rich history of Greece.

On Thursday, 27th March, our U14 boys and girls basketball teams competed in their respective tournaments. The boys went undefeated in the pool stages and reached the final, securing second place after a hard-fought match against ACS.

The girls, also undefeated throughout the tournament, finished in second place after a draw with Campion School, losing out on goal average.

Congratulations to all our players and coaches for their excellent performance and teamwork!
 

“Argonautic Expedition”

On Thursday, 20th March, the Years 3 and 4 pupils had the exciting opportunity to watch the play “Argonautic Expedition” (Αργοναυτική Εκστρατεία) at the Christmas Theatre. The performance was a captivating journey into Greek mythology, bringing the ancient myth of Jason and the Argonauts to life in a way that was both engaging and educational. The play skilfully introduced the children to the story of Phrixus and Elle, setting the stage for the legendary Golden Fleece and its importance in the adventure that would follow.

As the story unfolded, the pupils were transported into the mythical world of ancient Greece, starting with Jason’s birth in Iolkos and his upbringing by the wise Centaur Chiron on Mount Pelion. The play vividly portrayed Jason’s thrilling quest with the Argonauts, captivating the audience with its dramatic scenes and colourful characters. The children were enthralled by the performance, enjoying the blend of mythology, action, and adventure. It was an unforgettable experience that deepened their understanding of Greek mythology while keeping them fully engaged in the story.

On March 19th, our school celebrated the 25th of March anniversary, Greece’s National Day, with great enthusiasm and pride. Year 6 pupils took part in a heartfelt play that portrayed key moments in Greek history, while both Year 5 and Year 6 pupils danced traditional Greek dances and sang timeless songs. These performances not only showcased the students' creativity but also provided them with a deeper understanding of the significance of this important event in Greece’s struggle for independence.

The day was a wonderful reminder of the strength and resilience of the Greek people. We are incredibly proud of our school community, which wholeheartedly embraces the Greek spirit. Together, we celebrate the past, honour our heritage, and continue to shape a bright future for the generations to come.

As we celebrated British Science Week (7th – 16th March), our children made the most of the opportunity to do all things scientific. 

There were STEM challenges for the whole school throughout the week. Our KS2 classes saw the children involved in the challenge of making a catapult with a minimum set of simple resources and as little adult input as possible. They were amazingly successful in some cases! Our Reception and KS1 classes had the children find the best way to camouflage an egg with just a simple set of items. 

They even camouflaged themselves afterwards to see how it worked in real life! Creativity, ingenuity and learning can be such fun!

This March, the pupils of St Lawrence College were lucky enough to see comedy performances of The Little Prince and The Golden Ticket by the Golden English Theatre company. The Golden Ticket was a play inspired by Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and was an immersive experience for the children as it involved some audience members interactively. They laughed their socks off!! 

Thank you to the actors who put on such an energetic and entertaining run of performances for all our children to enjoy.

Friday, the14th of March is celebrated worldwide as the International π -day. This special day was also celebrated in our school by the Mathematics Department with KS3 pupils being involved in hands-on π activities. Our traditional pie sale was a success, with pupils bringing in impressive circular pies and the proceeds collected will be donated to support Salvia – The Greek Association for Burn Survivors. All Year 9 pupils, formed a human chain of π digits to understand, by displaying it themselves, that π is a never-ending decimal number.  Both the pupils and the teachers enjoyed the important mathematical day with all their hearts!

On Friday 14th March, we were very pleased to hold our annual Junior School Science Fair in the gym. The pupils from Years 3 to 6 took their chance to showcase their scientific understanding and shine like real scientists.

There were some truly outstanding entries, and the judges had to think long and hard about what the children, working on their own or in groups, had managed to achieve. There were chemistry experiments, physics investigations, biology experiments and even challenging AI related studies, all presented with flair and confidence by our young learners for their peers, teachers and parents too. 

Thank you to our Science Leader, Ms Maniatis, for putting on such a wonderful event which was enjoyed by all who attended. 

At St Lawrence College, safeguarding is a top priority, ensuring that all pupils feel safe, supported, and valued. As part of this commitment, we recently partnered with The Safeguarding Alliance to provide specialised safeguarding training for our Greek-speaking auxiliary staff. This training complements the regular child protection and safeguarding training that all teaching staff receive.

 On 12th March, we hosted in-person training sessions delivered in Greek, ensuring that our staff fully understood their safeguarding responsibilities. The training covered best practices, statutory requirements and the vital role each and every staff member plays in protecting our pupils.

 By offering this training in Greek, we reinforced our commitment to ensuring that safeguarding is clearly understood, effectively implemented, and embedded into daily practice. This initiative promotes trust, enhances pupil well-being, and reassures families that their children are in a safe and supportive learning environment.

On March 12th, our Under-16 boys’ and girls’ basketball teams achieved great success in their respective tournaments.

The girls travelled to Campion School, where they faced four different teams. They won all four games by an impressive average margin of 17 points! The girls were thrilled to bring home gold medals just in time to cheer on the boys, who were up against St. Catherine’s in the final.

The boys’ final was full of dramatic moments. With just 30 seconds left on the clock, they were trailing 27-30. They quickly tied the game with a clutch 3-pointer. Then, with 18 seconds remaining and the game tied at 30-30, the boys regained possession. In a stunning turn of events, they scored the winning basket just as the buzzer sounded the end of the game, securing a dramatic comeback victory. The players celebrated alongside the girls, who cheered them on from the stands.

A huge congratulations to both teams for their outstanding performances, and a big thank you to our coaches, Ms. Tzavella and Mr. Karamatsios, for their hard work with the teams.