USE THIS: Newsletter Template 2025

On Wednesday 3rd December we had our annual privilege of singing our Nine Lessons and Carols in the magnificent church of St John’s Smith Square.  The service began with music played by Emily, Tamer, and Arman on the grand piano, and Jun on his violin. The bell ringers, led by Ms Pattenden, then rang In the bleak mid-winter, and We Three Kings of Orient are, before David (Assistant Curate at St Stephen’s) welcomed everyone by lighting the first candle on our Advent wreath.
The lessons were read by a mixture of staff and children, and the choir led the carols from the stage including two solo items, O Holy Night, and Mary did you know. Nine different children had the opportunity of singing solos during the carols, and another seven were lesson readers. Singing solos were Eleen, Ambra, Max, Tahlia, Zaeem, Sabyha, Adam, Ren, and Masa. Lessons were read by Kason, Ohm, Elsa, Max, Joshua, Muhammed, and Tahlia. At the end David gave us a Christmas blessing, and Mr Carden finished the service with a performance of Widor’s Toccata in F on the superb St John’s organ.

Everyday Wonders “The Girl from Aleppo” is a cantata written by Cecilia McDowall in 2018, which highlights the modern day disgrace of thousands of child refugees being forced to flee from conflict, particularly in Europe, in search of asylum.

Although it was inspired by events in Syria and Turkey when it was written, it remains painfully topical given the current European warfare in 2025.

Our school choir took part in a performance promoted by the Pimlico Music Foundation on December 4th, in St Gabriel’s Church, conducted by James Day. This was the third time in recent years the choir from our school have performed this work (previously for the Pimlico Music Foundation, and also for Westminster School in the Barbican), and the lyrics remind our children of the awful conditions endured by others of their age in different parts of the world.  Mrs McDowall was able to attend this performance which combined choirs from St Gabriel’s, ourselves and the Pimlico Music Foundation choir.

On Thursday afternoon, the 4th December, the school choir walked to Westminster School’s Manoukian Music Centre, where they made a video and audio recording of a new song “Christmas Bike” which had been written by pupils from Westminster after a workshop had been held in our school hall two weeks earlier. Under the direction of Mr Jago Thornton, ideas of lyrics and melodies worked out earlier (on
Thursday 13 th November) in the workshop were composed by the secondary children, and then learnt by our school choir.

The performance, accompanied by a small orchestra of Strings, Woodwind and Piano will appear on Facebook in the run up to Christmas. Mr Tim Garrard, Head of Music at Westminster, Miss Jorquera and Mr Carden, and other singers from Westminster, also took part in the recording. We are extremely fortunate to be invited to take part in these different musical activities by Westminster School.

On Monday afternoon, the 8 th December, the school choir paid its annual visit to the Abbey Community Centre in Great Smith Street, to sing a programme of Christmas songs and carols to the people attending the Day Centre.

This is a traditional visit which stretches back maybe more than twenty years, and the children have the chance to chat to their audience afterwards. Eight children (Eleen, Ambra, Amira, Nina, Tahlia,
Max, Ren, and Masa) had the opportunity to sing solos.

A polite reminder to parents and carers that we are unable to give over the counter or prescription medicines to pupils unless they have an agreed medical plan in place.

Should your child requires medication to be taken 3 times per day due to winter season illnesses, please give them their doses before school, after school and before bed time.

Alternatively, if you’re able to do so, you can pop into school during your child’s lunch break (12:30 – 13:30) to administer a midday dose if required.

Please do not put any medications, creams, ointments etc in your child’s book bag. This can be very dangerous for other pupils or adults who may have allergies or if other children access these items.

If you have any questions, please email the school office and a member of staff will get back you. Many thanks for your understanding with this important Health & Safety issue.