First of all, can I take this opportunity to wish you all a belated Happy New Year. Following our Charities Week before the Christmas break, I can now relay that the total amount raised was £15,542.41; a

staggering sum which highlights the commitment of the students in supporting valuable causes and the generosity of parents. The money raised will be split equally between the three chosen charities - The Chiltern Neuro Centre, Pumpkin’s Wildlife Hospital and Mission EmployAble. Thank you to everyone involved in Charities Week and all the initiatives and work behind the scenes which ensured that this was such a huge success; it is a great achievement and collective effort by everyone, the impact for the charities and those they serve will be tangible.

It has been an incredibly busy month for both staff and students. With their mock examinations over, we have been delighted to see many of our Year 13 students getting offers from their preferred universities, a number of these from Oxbridge and/or on competitive courses - it is an exciting time for them all. The first few weeks of the Spring Term have brought a wave of sporting success! A huge congratulations to the SCD Pole Vaulters who competed at the indoor South East Counties Championships Highlights include Noah, crowned U15 champion with a personal best of 3.60m. Isaac, finishing 2nd in the U17 category. Tom, securing 3rd place, and Will, achieving 6th place. An outstanding set of results from this hardworking group of athletes! The Year 10 footballers have also had a super start to 2025. After a slow beginning, they rallied to an impressive 6-2 victory over Grange Academy. Meanwhile, the U15 boys rugby team saw their impressive run come to an end after a spirited 47-28 defeat to a very strong Bishop’s Stortford High side in the Regional Final. It has been a remarkable journey, and to compete so well against tough opposition is a testament to their hard work and determination. Finally, a big thank you to Mr. Varsani and Mr. Taylor for organizing the Badminton Finals. The event was a fantastic success, with over 50 students taking part and showcasing their skills. These are fantastic achievements and the result of the commitment and hard work of both the students involved as well as the PE staff. 

Looking forward, there are many exciting events planned for the remainder of this half term; rehearsals are well underway for the whole school production of ‘Matilda’ with performances on Wednesday 5th, Thursday 6th and Friday 7th March promising to be a joyful evening of theatre showcasing the wonderful talent that St Clement Danes has to offer. This year’s Gym and Dance Show with a range of solo and group performances, promises to showcase the talent of our students. Tickets for both events are available on ParentPay and I look forward to seeing many of you there.  

Assemblies this week, led by Mr. Garvey, have marked Holocaust Memorial Day, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and reflecting on the importance of remembrance, education, and standing against hate in all its forms.

In my assemblies to all years at the start of term, I spoke about procrastination—what it is, how it works in our brains and bodies, and how, by understanding it, we can manage it better, take control of our own success, and develop our character. I linked this to our whole school vision: Success for all, Character development for all, and Dignity for all, exploring how these principles guide our daily actions and decisions. Whether it’s striving for personal goals, showing resilience in learning, or treating others with kindness and respect, our vision shapes who we are and who we aim to become.