Last week Natasha Tsitiridis, the managing director of Noesis Consulting, came to talk to the pupils in Key Stages 4 & 5 about planning and managing their transitions from IGCSEs to A-Levels and from school to university. The talks were engaging and informative and the feedback from the pupils was very positive. Most exciting of all was the fact that Natasha is a former pupil of ours here at St. Lawrence so as well as sharing her careers story and giving stellar advice, she was able to really relate to the choices facing our seniors.

Just as last term drew to a close, the Upper Sixth Biology pupils were taken on an educational visit to Biodynamics SA, a reputable private company specialising in molecular technologies and innovative scientific instruments. The leading molecular biologist, Dr Laura Benzonana, demonstrated the procedure of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a fascinating DNA amplification technique which is a critical part of the A level Biology syllabus. The demonstration was followed by a short lecture and an interactive discussion during which the pupils expressed great interest and enthusiasm. It was truly a valuable experience, which the class appreciated tremendously.

This week, our Year 8 pupils presented their projects on the topic of fast food.

The pupils’ research project on ‘How fast food affects health and the environment’, linked to the science department’s  unit on ‘food and digestion’, and gave the pupils the opportunity to explore various aspects of the topic in an open-ended manner. Thanks to their research on this unit, the pupils have been motivated to make positive decisions about their diets, as well as to take action and further and inform and educate our school community, through a poster presentation event.

The event took place on Monday13^th of January, with teachers and pupils from across the senior school visiting the Year 8 science class. During the poster presentation, the Year 8 pupils set their stations around the classroom and presented simultaneously, as their guests circulated and asked questions. They explained the controversies of the topic, described the conclusions and made proposals for the future, discussing their views.

There was definitely a real buzz around the room and our guests were impressed by the pupils’ presentation and debating skills. Several pupils expressed that the experience of researching the topic and what they had learnt through listening to pupils would encourage them to rethink their fast food consumption. Well done Year 8!

A ‘40 Year St. Lawrence College Reunion’ took place on Wednesday 18th December. It gave us all great pleasure to see former pupils of the school again, in some cases after many years, and it was a wonderful opportunity to catch up on their news and keep the St. Lawrence community alive.
 
Over 120 Alumni responded to our invitation. They came to compete against our current school teams in volleyball, football and basketball matches, representing their old school houses of Attica, Epirus and Macedonia. Beyond the sports field, they participated in a number of forensics and debate events. It was a wonderful opportunity to reminisce!
 
For this event our school decided to support PIKPA VOULAS and through a number of charity drives, ending on the day of the reunion, we managed to raise 6,182 euros to be able to purchase mattresses, which are urgently needed for the beds of the children in the orphanage of PIKPA VOULAS.
Dear alumni, you know that you are always welcome here at St. Lawrence College and it will always be our pleasure to see you. Don’t forget us, keep in touch!

We would like to thank our sponsors without whom this event would not have been possible:

Amigos Mexican Restaurant

Seacon

Subdued

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

On the 5th and 6th of December, the Greek Department organised a Greek book exhibition which was held by Kalendis Editions. There were many interesting books for all ages and levels. It was a great opportunity for the pupils to choose the books they liked for their Christmas reading.

On Sunday 8 December, debaters from all over Greece came to St. Lawrence to take part in the Athens round of the Cambridge University Schools Debate Competition. After 4 rounds of high level competition, 3 teams qualified for the finals, which will take place in Cambridge in March. Unfortunately, none of the qualifiers were from St. Lawrence this year (one of our teams came 4th). We wish the qualifiers from I.M. Panagiotopoulos, Moraitis and Pierce College all the best at the finals.

The photo shows some of the debaters preparing for round 3.

As part of the Greek curriculum, the Greek department organised an educational trip for all Year 7 pupils to watch the play “Odyssey”. Pupils were very enthusiastic about the plot and adventures of Ulysses. They realised the importance of having a goal in their life and working hard to make it happen. They also understood the danger of arrogance and the fact that it is not the destination that matters but the experiences one gains during the journey of life.

Well done to Y7 pupils!
 

On Wednesday 20th November 2019, Year 5 pupils who follow the Ancient Greek History course visited the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. The pupils toured the Prehistoric Collections including an educational programme on the main characteristics of these civilisations. They focused on architecture, weaponry, pottery, sculpture, wall-paintings, jewellery and burial customs. 

A week later, on Wednesday 27th November, some Year 6 pupils were taken to the Historical Museum of Athens where the Old Parliament is located. The children sat in the old auditorium there and learned about the Greek flag, traditional costumes, Greek heroes of bygone times and the story of the Revolution. They were interested in the Playmobil exhibition there too, which taught them about the past through interactive games.

Where better to learn about the vibrant history of Greece but here in the heart of the capital?

November 14^th saw our school take part in the under-16 girls volleyball tournament at ISA school. Six international schools took part. Our team managed to get 1^st place after  winning all games played, and in spite of the fact we had the youngest roster(4 Yr. 7 girls included).

On the same day our boys under 16 football team competed at St. Catherine’s school against 5 international schools and took 2^nd place losing only in the final against St. Catherine’s school.

Well done to all involved!

On Friday 15th November 2019, our youngest pupils in FS1 visited the Cultural Park in Keratea for a little olive farming fun in the sun. The traditional stone press for olives provided an interesting living history experience for them as they learned about where our food comes from and what it takes to make a little oil. 

On the evening of Monday 23rd September, the Chinese Embassy in Psychiko, Athens, held a wonderful celebration for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. A very interesting opportunity was presented to St. Lawrence College by the Embassy when it cordially invited our school to participate.

The St. Lawrence College choir was present and sang both the Greek and Chinese National Anthems, displaying unity and cooperation of these two close nations nurturing their growing relationship. Ms Romeos conducted the choir and Ms Papalamprou accompanied on the piano for this harmonious display of multicultural diversity.
 

On Wednesday 27th November 2019, some of our year 6 pupils attended a fascinating pottery workshop in the northern suburbs where they got to experience the use of a potter's wheel and feel the texture of real, wet clay as it oozed between their fingers. Their studies of everyday life in Ancient Greece had led them to appreciate that pottery was not just art, but a way of life for the Ancient Greeks. However, as it is so unfamiliar to our modern hands which are more used to holding a smartphone than a raw material like malleable clay, it was all very exciting! History in real life is very engaging!

Ms Mavrikou from Doctors of the World visited our school on Tuesday 26th November to thank our pupils for their generous donation of 1,500€, raised before the summer. She explained how the money will be used to help those in need at their clinics. St. Lawrence College Junior School pupils made a promise to continue their support of this organisation. 

On Friday 22nd November, 2019, Years 4, 5 and 6 headed back to school for an evening of fun at the annual autumn disco party. And what a lot of fun they had! The children danced, shimmied on down under the limbo pole, vied to be chosen to wear a 'Hat' in the dance off, and shared pizzas and drinks too. All round, they had a super time with their friends. Who needs to be a grown up, eh?

Ms Despina Panagiotopoulou and her team of staff in the canteen have been helping the pupils of St. Lawrence College to do their bit for the planet with the launch of a full range of more environmentally friendly containers, cutlery, napkins, cups and biodegradable straws. A member of the senior school Environmental Club, when asked about her opinion on these changes that have been made in the canteen, commented, ‘With climate change posing a threat to life itself nowadays, it is important to see that our school is taking steps to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Reducing the plastic use in the canteen is showing pupils of all ages that even small actions can have a great impact!’

We are all very proud of the efforts that are being made at our school to reduce our ecological footprints and to consider the future of the planet.