A Festive Fundraising Day
We’re thrilled to share the wonderful success of our Festive Fundraising Day, hosted by the Charity Ninjas on Wednesday, 18th December! The day was filled with holiday cheer as staff and pupils showcased their creative side by wearing Christmas cardigans, winter woollies, and jolly jumpers, with many transforming old sweaters into festive masterpieces. A huge congratulations to our 1st place winners, Marianna in 2Tr and Lydia in 4B, who wowed the judges with their incredible designs and were each awarded a family ticket to XPLORE Entertainment Centre!
The Charity Ninjas’ handmade holiday gift cards and wrapping paper were a huge hit, selling out completely thanks to the amazing support from our school community. The delicious hot cocoa topped with mini marshmallows was another crowd favourite, adding a warm and cosy touch to the festivities. All proceeds from the event will support OLOI MAZI BOROUME (All Together We Can), a fantastic organization dedicated to social welfare, environmental protection, health, and education initiatives in Greece.
Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and supported this heartwarming cause. Together, we’ve made a difference and shared the true spirit of the holiday season. Wishing you all a joyful and healthy holiday season!
Teachers vs Pupils Games: A Fun-Filled Celebration
To mark the end of the Christmas term, we hosted the eagerly awaited ‘Teachers vs Pupils’ games. In this spirited event, a mixed team of our sixth-form pupils took on the challenge of facing a mixed team of teachers and staff in both football and volleyball.
The atmosphere was electric as hundreds of pupils from all key stages gathered to cheer on both teams. Many raised banners in support of their peers and teachers alike.
In Periods 5 and 6, the Over-16 football teams—made up of girls and boys—went head-to-head with the SLC staff team. It was a fierce match, with the teachers battling hard, but in the end, the pupils emerged victorious, winning 4-3.
In Periods 7 and 8, the spectators moved to the Indoor Gym for the volleyball match. This time, the teachers showed their strength and determination, refusing to be defeated again. After two incredibly close sets, they triumphed with a 2-0 victory. The final scores were 25-22 and 25-23, respectively.
Younger pupils are already eagerly looking forward to their turn to participate in these games in the years to come, hoping to continue this exciting tradition.
Y6 Last Day Treat
On our last day of term, Year 6 pupils took a trip which has become a rite of passage for this year group as they celebrate being in the final year of junior school. The children headed off for the local bowling centre in Glyfada, where they played together, roller skated, aimed for strikes in ten-pin bowling and jumped on the trampolines to their heart's delight.
With a party lunch to enjoy at the venue too, they came back to school at the end of the day just as full of beans as they had been at the start of the day. They headed off for home with a smile on their faces and good memories of all the laughs they'd had that day. The holidays are just round the corner, and they just can't wait!
Early Years & Reception Christmas Show
Parents, families and friends were invited to the St Lawrence Early Years and Reception Christmas Show. This festive event, titled "Santa Lost His Hat," was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the holiday season and showcase the hard work and creativity of our youngest learners. The children prepared a heartwarming performance filled with joy, music, and holiday cheer, held on Tuesday 17th December at the Efilena Estate. The story was told ever so enchantingly, and all were delighted to attend it and witness bundles of cuteness galore. Happy Holidays to Everyone!
Junior School Carol Concert
On Friday 13th December, the school gym here at St Lawrence College was transformed into a wonderful theatre full of Christmas spirit. Voices rang out loud and clear, as all our pupils sang a wide range of songs about this festive season. The choir and the Instrumental club took part too in creating the warmest, loveliest atmosphere of celebration.
Congratulations to all our pupils who participated in the concert, and to all the members of staff who helped us put on a truly warm and welcoming celebration. Happy Holidays to all our children and families at this special time of year!
Year 3 Out & About
On Thursday 5th December, as part of the literacy curriculum and the festive season, Year 3 took an outing to Paradise Park in Acharnes. The children made festive decorations and ornaments with clay and materials from nature and visited the chocolate workshop, guided by Santa's helpers.
During their visit to the Park Farm, they met and fed the sheep and even Rudolf too! They played in the newly renovated playground and participated in other fun activities to ensure a great day was had by all!
Christmas Elves
The Reception class children participated in Christmas festivities at ‘Votaniko Parko,’ in Koropi on Wednesday 11th December, as part of their topic, “Winter Holidays and Christmas.” The children took part in a specially designed programme, prepared by the Christmas elves, to learn about the uniqueness of this holiday. The elves left original and creative missions for our pupils to discover together in a special festive atmosphere of fun and cooperation. The day included games and the creation of a decorative ornament, which the children took away with them as a souvenir of their outing. What fun!
Our Swimming Team Shines at ACS Meet!
On Thursday, 12 December, our school’s swimming team took part in a swimming competition at ACS School. Seven schools participated, and our team of 15 swimmers from Years 8 and 9 performed incredibly well.
Our swimmers won a total of 13 medals—7 gold, 5 silver, and 1 bronze. This included 11 medals in individual events because of exceptional individual skills and 2 in relay races showcasing a fantastic team spirit.
We are very proud of everyone on the team for their hard work and fantastic achievements. Congratulations to all the swimmers!
Walk Like an Egyptian
Year 5 took a trip to the Ancient Egypt rooms at the National Archaeological Museum on 11th December to build on their learning in History this term and bring it to life. The children saw artefacts that filled in information about the crucial role of the River Nile and how Egyptians developed farming methods. They saw what the mummification process produced as they wanted to preserve bodies for the afterlife, and they peered at canopic jars for vital organs. It was a memorable experience for all.
A Memorable Tournament in Thessaloniki
From Thursday 5th until Sunday 8th December, our boys' and girls' Over-16 football teams participated in a 4-day tournament hosted by Anatolia School in Thessaloniki. For three consecutive years, we have proudly had at least one team reach the final.
This year, while our boys’ team didn’t make it past the group stage having lost to PIERCE, in their second game they displayed great effort with a 3-1 victory over AFS School. On the other hand, our girls’ team demonstrated outstanding resilience and determination, battling through extreme weather conditions to secure a spot in the final. With two wins (against Campion and PIERCE) and a draw (against St. Catherine's). In the final they faced the host school, Anatolia and despite coming up short after a hard-fought match, our girls were proud to finish in 2nd place—a fantastic achievement!
Special recognition goes to our exceptional centre-back, Stella Nouvaki, who was awarded MVP of the tournament. Additionally, we extend heartfelt congratulations to both teams for their exemplary behaviour, dedication, and incredible efforts throughout the trip.
A big thank you to our boys' coach and devoted teacher, Mr. Strzemiecki, as well as the girls' coach, Mr. Styliatis, for their unwavering support and guidance over the past three years. Their commitment has been instrumental in fostering the teams' growth and success.
Two Days of Football, Fun, and Fair Play!
On Tuesday, 26th, and Thursday, 28th November, our school proudly hosted an energetic and vibrant two-day mini-football tournament which welcomed over 300 young footballers from Years 5 and 6, representing our school and four other international schools. Both boys and girls took to the pitch with a shared aim: to enjoy the game and celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship.
The school grounds buzzed with excitement as teams demonstrated their skills, teamwork, and determination. Each match highlighted the players’ enthusiasm and love for football, showing that the sport is more than just a game—it is a medium for connection, learning, and growth. With every goal scored and every save made, the young athletes embodied the core values of resilience and camaraderie. Players from different schools built new friendships, cheering each other on and proving the power of sport to unite people from diverse backgrounds.
Congratulations to all the young footballers for their outstanding performances! This tournament was not only a display of talent but also a celebration of the joy and values that sport brings to our lives. A heartfelt well done to everyone involved—we look forward to hosting many more such events in the future!
Year 6 Trip to the Ancient Agora
On Monday, 25th November 2024, our Year 6 Greek History pupils embarked on an exciting journey back in time, visiting the Ancient Agora in the heart of Athens. Organised by the Greek Department, this incredible day brought history to life as pupils explored the fascinating evolution of the Ancient Agora through different eras.
The adventure began with a tour of the Ancient Agora, where pupils wandered through the remains of administrative buildings that once upheld ancient democracy, admired grand ancient temples, and imagined the hustle and bustle of the commercial centre. At the Stoa of Attalos museum, pupils were captivated by a variety of artefacts, gaining insight into how these items shaped the everyday lives of ancient Athenians.
The group followed the historic streets of Monastiraki to the Roman Agora, where they gathered, much like the Athenians of old, in the central forum to share their findings and reflections. The final stop was the awe-inspiring Tower of the Winds, the world’s first meteorological station. Pupils were amazed to learn how it combined a weathervane, water clock, and sundials to track time and weather in ancient times.
It was a day brimming with discovery, curiosity, and hands-on learning about ancient Greece. Our pupils returned filled with new knowledge and unforgettable memories of walking in the footsteps of history.
Year 7 trip to the “Don Quixote” play.
On Tuesday 26th November the MFL and Greek Departments organised an outing for our Year 7 pupils to watch a theatrical adaptation of the world-renowned novel Don Quixote by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, at the Kappa Theatre in central Athens.
The play was in Greek and was tailored for a young audience, incorporating innovative techniques such as live music and elements of shadow theatre. Pupils had the opportunity to explore a unique piece of work of Spanish and international literature, while also honing their Greek language skills.
Throughout the performance they were captivated by the adventures of the idealistic knight, with moments that evoked both laughter and emotion. Their interest was sustained until the end, and everyone left having had an invaluable experience.
Year 11 trip to Elefsina
On Wednesday 27 November, the Greek Department in collaboration with the Year 11 Pastoral team organised an educational trip for our Year 11 pupils to Elefsina, which was the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2023.
The pupils visited the archaeological site and museum in Elefsina as part of a multi-curricular excursion. This included the sanctuary of Elefsina, which was one of the most important religious centres of the ancient world. The goddess Demeter, goddess of the renewal of nature and the growth of grains, was worshipped there from the Mycenaean Era to the end of the 4th century A.D.
English-speaking guides told our pupils about Ancient Greek civilisation and practices and informed them about the history of this renowned site, as well as the sacred ceremonies – the secret Elefsinian mysteries that took place there at that time.
To culminate the day, the pupils visited the centre of Elefsina and enjoyed some free time with their peers. Ιt was an enjoyable trip that combined new knowledge with a well-deserved opportunity for bonding and discovery.
Climbing for Charity
Take a look at the fundraising efforts of one of our year 5 pupils. Jason Blandy recently hiked over 30km in very challenging weather conditions, over two days up Mount Olympus. He and his family did so to raise money for an international children’s charity called ‘Right to Play’. This charitable organisation works to protect, educate and empower children to rise above adversity. Using the power of play, children are helped to stay in school, withstand exploitation, prevent disease, and heal from war and abuse.
As a whole school community, we are exceptionally proud of Jason’s efforts over a gruelling and snow-covered two-day hike. He has already raised a fantastic sum, and we would like to share the link to his page in the case that any of our families would like to donate to Jason’s Just Giving page.