The Lyonian - Spring 2024

LYONIAN THE

THE HEAD’S END OF TERM MESSAGE:

Spring successes, exchanges, and milestones

We have achieved so much in this short term, celebrating numerous collective and individual successes across the entire School community, from Prep and Senior to Old Lyonians. As I reflect on our achievements, what particularly impresses me is the extraordinary energy, enthusiasm, and resilience consistently demonstrated by our pupils in every facet of School life. Among a wealth of exciting activities, our exchange with Harrow International School Bangkok is perhaps the brightest of many highlights. Our pupils spent a wonderful two weeks in Thailand while, at the same time, a number of pupils from Bangkok visited us to collaborate and get a taste of education in the UK. Earlier in the term, we also welcomed the Head and pupils from Harrow International School Bengaluru, a relatively new addition to our family, for a fun-filled football competition as well as archery. Exchange programmes like these offer up a host of exciting and unique worldwide opportunities for our pupils, and we look forward to many more in the future. You can learn more about our global Harrow Family of Schools on our website: www. johnlyon.org/school-life/harrowfamily-of-schools/.

Back in London, we were busy marking several important events in our calendar. Our Diversity Week, for example, fostered a great sense of unity within the School community, as we celebrated our differences and recognised uniqueness and individuality. I was impressed by the genuine spirit of appreciation, respect, and understanding that characterises John Lyon – and the week’s activities served as an important reminder of the values

of equality, diversity, and the inclusive atmosphere we strive to maintain.

On World Book Day, our Year 7 and Year 8 enjoyed a lunchtime quiz among other library activities. Meanwhile, our Prep School pupils celebrated with an extreme reading competition, which saw them reading in some unusual but creative places. It was heart-warming to see so many Prep parents and guardians getting involved too by coming in to read to pupils. The relationship and bond with our families is of the utmost importance to me and I thank you all for your open dialogue, support, and encouragement.

Music and Drama have been providing pupils with valuable opportunities and outlets for growth and self-expression.

From the Musician of the Year finals and Prep Solos concert to a thoughtprovoking production of ‘A Monster Calls’, pupils have shown great creativity, skill, and dedication in their respective arts.

I am pleased to announce that this year’s Talks-on-the-Hill event was very wellattended by a remarkable audience, drawn not just from the School community but also from local Harrow-on-the-Hill residents. Organised by our Excellence team, the event featured selected pupils, staff, and guest speakers shedding light on this year’s theme: “How”.

Our VEX robotics teams delivered impressive performances at the VEX Robotics National Championships in Telford. It is great to see high pupil participation in this area, and we are grateful for the ongoing support of the 1876 Fund, which has been instrumental in the continuous growth and success of our robotics provision.

The Careers team has been actively organising events tailored to our Senior pupils’ needs, providing them with invaluable insights on the wide array of career opportunities. Our recent Higher Education (HE) Fair was a resounding success, drawing participation from over 35 HE institutions, apprenticeship providers, and employers, who offered valuable advice and inspiration to our own pupils as well as to pupils we invited to join us from other local schools. I would like to extend my gratitude to our alumni, whose support contributes significantly to the success of these events.

It has been another busy season of sport packed with achievements, such as our Year 7 and Year 8 girls’ football teams’ impressive victories in the Harrow League fixtures against North London Collegiate School and Harrow High School. Our U15 boys and 1st XI football teams have also enjoyed a successful term and our Prep School swim team achieved a commendable tie for first place at the Aldenham Swimming Gala. I am very proud that we have established a Girls’ Sport Council involving Lower Section pupils in leading the development of girls’ sport at John Lyon. Fittingly, the Council held its first meeting on National Girls and Women in Sport Day!

As we look ahead to the summer and beyond, I am excited to share significant developments in John Lyon’s journey of transformation. I would like to introduce Mrs Jilly Mannion, our incoming Deputy Head (Pastoral), and Ms Jay Livesey, who joins us as our new Head of Sixth Form, both of whom will be commencing their roles as part of our Senior Leadership Team from April.

As I mentioned in my recent letter to parents and guardians, the expansion of our co-educational offering is well underway – and from September 2025, girls will be able to join the Sixth Form. This is a significant milestone for our School, reflecting our commitment to providing an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all, as we become fully co-educational at all formal entry points: 3+, 4+ and 7+ in the Prep and 11+, 13+ and 16+ in the Senior. I want to thank all our pupils for their hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm, and our parents and guardians for their continued support and partnership. I am incredibly proud of everything that we have achieved together this term, and I wish you all a restful and enjoyable break.

All best wishes,

Mrs Rose Hardy Head of John Lyon School

Budding young journalists interview the Head of Prep

Amelia (4KB), Younes (5CE) and Aiza (6JS) had the unique opportunity to interview our Head of Prep, Mrs Sonal Chatrath (SC). Here’s what they discovered.

Aiza: Why did you decide to join John Lyon?

SC: I was keen to work in a diverse school and one which has a senior school. John Lyon’s values align very well with mine, and it felt like the natural and perfect fit.

Aiza: What do you like about our Prep School?

SC: I particularly like how kind the children can be to each other. I like how the size of the School enables me to get to know all the children.

I also like that we are an all-through school where children can start their educational journey at three years old and continue until they are 18! This enables building strong relationships and bonds with peers and teachers alike. The facilities that come with being an all-through school are hugely advantageous - you have also experienced this when you go to the Senior School and Sudbury Fields weekly for sports and lunch. We have access to three outstanding John Lyon School campuses and share facilities with the prestigious Harrow School for key events in our School calendar.

Aiza: What would you change about the School?

SC: Whilst John Lyon School is a wonderful place to learn and teach, like anywhere else, there are always elements we wish to improve to become an even better place for all in our community.

There are some areas that need modernising, but we have already started work on that. For example, our recently refurbished lovely new library space. Next, our focus is going to be the science lab over the summer holidays. It’s an exciting time to be part of the John Lyon School!

Aiza: If you could teach any subject, what subject would you teach and why?

SC: English. I am fascinated with words and how one uses them. I have taught English as a subject, including classes to children for whom it is not their first language. I enjoyed that and found it most rewarding when a child who initially had no English language, is able to communicate in it.

Aiza: What advice would you give young girls wanting to become a leader like you?

SC: Most important is believing in your own abilities. Know that you have the potential to lead and make a difference. Be resilient. Leadership is not always easy and along the way, you will face setbacks so learn to bounce back and remain focussed on the goals you have set for yourself. Be authentic and embrace your unique strengths. Always believe in yourself and support other women in their leadership journeys.

Remember, leadership is a lifelong journey of growth and development. Stay curious and continually learn from new opportunities and experiences. Above all, lead by example. Always demonstrate integrity, empathy and courage.

Amelia: What was your childhood like? What were you like growing up?

SC: My childhood was very different to yours! I was born and brought up in Kenya and, whilst we had termly exams, there wasn’t the pressure of 11+. A lot of my childhood was spent outdoors as we did not have access to all the technology that the children have now. I enjoyed school, was on the school swimming team so started each day at 7.00am with swimming training. I spent all my spare time in the pool.

Growing up, I was quite a stubborn child, and this got me into trouble on occasions. I remember at the age of six or seven years old, a girl who sat in front of me in class had two bunches in her hair. I cut one of them off one day!

Amelia: How was your journey to becoming a teacher and working in education?

SC: I had a very interesting journey! I trained in Kenya where I taught for seven years after graduating before emigrating to the UK. I had a break from teaching for five years, during which time I had my first child. I owned and ran a nursery in Muswell Hill and ultimately returned to my teaching roots once again.

Amelia: What is the favourite part of your job?

SC: This is the favourite part of my job. Talking to the children here at our School and getting to know them better! I enjoy listening to their thoughts, getting to know children and also on some occasions, learning from them. I particularly like going to PrePrep to read stories to the young ones.

Most important is believing in your own abilities. Know that you have the potential to lead and make a difference.

Amelia: What has impressed you about the School so far?

SC: How hard the children work. They are ambitious for themselves, and I like to see them working towards reaching their goals. I have also been struck by the creativity of the children here.

Younes: If you were to describe yourself as an animal, which one would you be?

SC: I guess I would be an elephant. They are known for their resilience and empathy. They also exhibit deep appreciation for the importance of family and community bonds. They are gentle and compassionate

Younes: We have a lot of activities like sport, music, art, drama and Forest School. What are your passions outside of lessons and outside School?

SC: I enjoy swimming and continue to swim regularly. I also love cricket and follow India in international matches avidly. My favourite cricketer of all time is MS Dhoni, the former captain of the Indian cricket team! I played a pivotal role in starting girls cricket at my previous school.

Younes: If you had a superpower, which one would it be and why?

SC: Having the ability to read people’s mind. It would be so interesting to know what everyone is thinking about!

Younes: How would you define success?

SC: Continuous learning and becoming the best version of yourself.

Younes: Describe yourself in one word

SC: Resilient!

World Book Day celebrations

In celebration of World Book Day on Thursday 7 March, pupils brought the magic of literature to life as they came in dressed in a fantastic array of characters from their favourite books. This year’s theme, ‘Read Your Way’, which encourages everyone to embrace the joy of reading by letting go of expectations, was central to all the activities our pupils from Little Lyons to Year 6 took part in.

Leading up to the big day, we also offered up an ‘Extreme Reading Competition’ for all pupils. To enter, pupils simply had to submit a photo of themselves reading in an extreme place or position. All the entries received were superb, so our judges faced a very tough challenge in sorting through all the entries. Congratulations to our winners:

Little Lyons (Nursery): Shrey, Zac

Little Lyons (Reception): Elisa, Tilly, Dylan

Year 1: Sam, Yashvi

Year 2: Serenity, Layla

Year 3: Shayan, Ayra

Year 4: Inara, Asher

Year 5: Amy, Shreya

Year 6: Nikhil, Zalaan

As part of the celebrations, pupils from Year 3 to Year 6 enjoyed a visit from Zanib Mian, author of the popular ‘Planet Omar’ book series. Zanib shared with us her passion for writing and introduced her new book ‘Meet the Malik’s Twin Detectives’, signing copies for many of our pupils.

It was great to have so many parents and guardians involved for World Book Day, with several of them joining us during the week to read to pupils during breaktimes and lunchtimes. These sessions were a hit, bringing joy to the pupils and fostering a real sense of community. A big thank you to all the parents and guardians for their support and involvement.

Solos concert

On the evening of Wednesday 21 February, our Halliday Hall was filled with music as pupils showcased their musical talents at the Solos Instrumental Concert, warming the hearts of all who attended.

Playing a wide variety of instruments, pupils from Year 2 to Year 6 displayed a level of passion and dedication that was a testament to the passion and hard work that goes into learning a musical

Prep’s charity breakfast

It was wonderful to see so many parents and guardians turn up for our charity Big Breakfast event on Friday 9 February, which was organised by Friends of the Lyonian Association, a committee of parent/guardian volunteers and staff. The event raised £434.39 for Harrow Foodbank.

Mrs Chatrath, Head of Prep, commented: “It was heartening to witness the sense of community that the Prep School is renowned for.”

instrument. Well done to all who took

Forest School

Our Forest School, which takes place on our vast and impressive Sudbury Fields site, continues to be a firm favourite for our Reception to Year 3 pupils.

This term, rain or shine, pupils have boarded the School coach for the trip to Sudbury Fields to enjoy their weekly session, exploring the outdoors through a range of exciting activities. These have included scavenger hunts, tree identification, outdoor art, building structures using natural materials, story time and much more.

As well as being immensely enjoyable, these outdoor learning experiences help build a huge range of core skills, including developing confidence, communication, teamwork, leadership and resilience. They also foster an appetite for learning about the natural environment around them as well as the animals, insects, birds, and plants that make it their habitat.

Pupil artwork selected for Young Art Exhibition

Pupils from Reception to Year 6 poured their creativity into producing artwork to submit for the annual Young Art Exhibition, which will be held at the Royal College of Art. This exhibition raises money for vital research into children’s cancers, a cause the School proudly supports each year.

We are thrilled to share that 19 pupils’ pieces have been chosen for display in this year’s exhibition, which will be running from Tuesday 23 to Friday 26 April. Three of the chosen 19 pupils received a High Commendation, while judges awarded another three with a commendation for their creations – a truly remarkable achievement for our young artists. They look forward to seeing their creations on

display to pupils, parents/guardians and the public at the Royal College of Art.

Congratulations to Viya, Lily, Aisha, Evita, Durjayesh, Aarav, Daniel, Ayra, Aarya, Aadya, Tony and Lascelle from Reception to Year 4.

Congratulations also to Jasmine, Shreya, Nieve, Viraj, Meher and Eshan from Year 5 and Hiya from Year 6.

Safer Internet Day

On Safer Internet Day pupils from Year 3 to Year 6 participated in a live interactive BBC lesson, exploring the world of AI as well as valuable tips on how to keep safe online. Pupils were actively engaged, eagerly asking questions, and sharing their own personal experiences.

Additionally, Prep pupils listened to a presentation from some Year 7s from our Senior School, who made the trip down the Hill to Hindes Road to share their knowledge and what they had learnt about staying safe online. It was a great experience for our Senior pupils to share

their knowledge about these important subjects with their younger peers, who

in turn very much enjoyed the chance to engage with some of our seniors!

Highlights from recent trips

Headstone Manor

Year 4 had a wonderful learning experience at Headstone Manor in the form of a deep dive into the Anglo-Saxon era, followed by an enjoyable workshop, which helped them consolidate all they have learnt in the classroom.

London Transport Museum

Year 1 had a fantastic time visiting London on the tube. They boarded the Piccadilly line from South Harrow to Covent Garden and made their way to the London Transport Museum, where they enjoyed exploring the various types of transportation and seeing how the buses have changed over time.

Aldenham Swim Gala

Our Year 4, 5 and 6 girls and boys took part in the annual Aldenham Swim Gala at Bushey Grove this term and topped the standings in both the boys’ and girls’ categories, with 114 and 115 points respectively. Coming in joint first place with St Hilda’s Prep School, our teams continue to be excited and inspired by the spirited rivalry between schools.

Drama and Mini Mash-Up

Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and 2 showcased all their hard work from their Music, Drama and Bollywood lessons this term in an amazing Mini Mash-Up musical extravaganza! They performed confidently and professionally to a hall packed with proud family members.

A special thank you to Mr Haswell, Head of Music at the Prep School and Miss Shah, Head of Drama at the Prep School for a brilliant event.

John Lyon School and Harrow International School Bangkok exchange

As part of the Harrow Family of Schools, we are able to offer international exchanges, which give pupils a chance to explore different cultures and to broaden their global perspectives.

Late in February, a group of Year 9 John Lyon pupils, along with three members of staff, embarked on a memorable journey to Bangkok for an exchange hosted by Harrow International School Bangkok (HS Bangkok). This marked a significant milestone as the School’s first post-Covid exchange trip within the Harrow Family of Schools, which comprises a total of 14 schools.

For more information on our global Harrow Family of Schools visit: www. johnlyon.org/school-life/harrowfamily-of-schools/

Our pupils had a great time in Thailand, coming back to tell us of their memorable experiences, both cultural and educational, not to mention enjoying some fantastic weather and Thai cuisine! While in Bangkok, our Year 9s joined their Harrow

peers in lessons, which included learning the Thai language. They also explored the vibrant city of Bangkok, indulging in all sorts of activities, including a captivating dining experience at Baiyoke Tower –Thailand’s tallest building – and visits to iconic locations such as River Kwai Village, the Grand Palace and the Thai-Burma Railway. A real highlight for our pupils was a paddleboarding experience!

As part of the two-way exchange, John Lyon warmly welcomed a group of pupils from HS Bangkok to London. Overall, this experience has been enriching for the staff involved in supporting the exchange as well as for the pupils. It gave the visiting HS Bangkok pupils a taste of UK school life the John Lyon way as well as of broader British life through several social and cultural outings. As well as lessons at our Harow-on-the-Hill campus, activities there was a theatre visit to watch Hamilton, sightseeing in London which saw them witness the Changing of the Guard, a trip to Oxford and a tour of Windsor Castle, to new but a few.

Exchange programmes like this are a wonderful chance for pupils to step outside

their usual routine, to learn about different cultures, make friends, and gain confidence and independence. The positive response to the John Lyon – HS Bangkok exchange has been encouraging, and we look forward to organising more international learning opportunities for our pupils in the very near future. for our pupils in the very near future.

Speakers share perspectives on ‘How’ at this year’s Talks-on-the-Hill

This year’s Talks-on-the-Hill event, held on Thursday 8 February, was a great success. Organised by our Excellence team, the event has become a much anticipated gathering for the School community and our neighbours from in and around Harrow-on-the-Hill.

This year’s turnout was fantastic, and the capacity audience had the incredible opportunity to hear the perspectives of

the pupils, staff, and four external guest speakers presenting on the theme of ‘How.’

Among the topics covered, ‘How’ prompted engaging analysis on how to influence positive global change, how to master the art of learning to remember, and how 3D printing is changing the world.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our esteemed guest speakers: Hanuman Dass, Founder and Chairman of the Humanitarian Organisation Go Dharmic;

Talks-on-the-Hill really brings our community together and inspires us to keep that spirit of learning and curiosity alive.

Dr Namir Hassan, CEO at Zelluna Immunotherapy; Councillor Kethan Sheth, Local Labour Politician and Lawyer; and George Lawley, Former Political Researcher, for their contributions to the success of this event.

Skiing in Passo Tonale

We ended 2023 and started 2024 with the eagerly anticipated return of our annual ski trip. 42 pupils from Year 8 to the Upper Sixth headed to the slopes of Passo Tonale, one of the highest resorts in the Italian Alps.

With an exceptional week of sunshine, the five groups of differing abilities made terrific progress and the most advanced groups successfully skied the famously challenging 11.7km, ‘Pista Panabiso’. Overnight snowfall on the penultimate night provided an epic final day of fresh powder as the culmination of a fabulous trip.

The Hotel Adamello’s expert chefs indulged our group with sumptuous mealtime feasts that barely left room for the occasional ‘apres-ski’ snack. With Italy being famous both for its artisan pizza and gelato, the group could not resist tucking enthusiastically into a fourth meal of the day on many occasions at piste-side pizzerias and ice cream parlours.

Mr Lewis would like to extend his thanks to all participants for making it such a great trip with special thanks for all their hard work, to Mr Clarke, Mr Malhotra, Mr Parry, and Mrs Patel.

VEX Robotics

Our VEX Robotics teams took part in the VEX Robotics UK National Championships Final in Telford in March.

Facing some intense competition, both John Lyon teams gave their all and achieved some impressive results in their respective challenges. Team A comprising of Alex (10NJB), Harshil (9GMM), Joshua (9MRF) and Sulayman (10MLC) ranked 3rd in their division with Team C comprising Ameya (10NJB), Aarav (10LHF), Eric (10NJB) and Rian (7RMK) ranking 5th in their division at the end of a nail-biting finals match.

Well done to both teams on an outstanding effort – and here’s wishing them success for future seasons!

Preparations for the next robotics season are already underway and the teams are applying the learning and experience from Telford to their ongoing design work.

Joshua (9MRF) said of the experience:

“This was my first experience, and it was amazing. The robotics community at John Lyon is supportive, with everyone helping each other to repair robots and collaborate on game strategy. I have learnt a lot from VEX this year, such as the importance of time management and

communication. I am already looking forward to competing again next year and, hopefully, going to the World Championships”

Ameya (10NJB) commented: “It has been an incredible privilege to represent John Lyon at Nationals for a second year. Both our teams rose to the challenge supporting each other along the way. We benefitted from valuable experience gained at last year’s the Nationals and Worlds which, coupled with extreme dedication from all of the team members,

helped us achieve some great things this time around to build on for next year.”

We are very grateful to the 1876 Fund for the support that’s helped us provide these opportunities for students interested in robotics and programming. The Fund’s backing has made it possible for us to acquire robots and equipment – and to take part in these competitions.

Success for Lyonians at the 2024 British Biology Olympiad

Congratulations to our Sixth Form students who recently participated in the British Biology Olympiad (BBO) 2024, a challenging event for students aged 16 and above with an interest in Biology.

The competition involved two 45-minute multiple-choice papers taken in exam conditions, which challenged participants

to explore unfamiliar topics and apply their problem-solving skills. Our pupils rose to the challenge with commendable results: Hugo and Alexander (both U6SJA) secured Silver awards and Avi (U6RSK) and Caelum (U6EMM) attained Bronze awards, while another four students received high commendations, and six more were commended.

Dr Kochaj, Head of Biology, expressed

satisfaction, saying: “I am pleased with the enthusiasm and dedication demonstrated by our pupils. They not only showcased a deep understanding of the subject but also demonstrated their ability to apply their knowledge.”

Hugo (U6SJA), John Lyon’s top scorer, commented: “It was a great experience, and I enjoyed discovering links to topics we have studied at A-Level.”

Extra-curricular spotlight: Claymation Club

Claymation is a fun animation technique using movable characters and stop-motion recording – and it’s a common feature in childens’ films and cartoons.

The Claymation Club at John Lyon gives pupils with an interest in design, art and

technology, the opportunity to learn about, apply and experiment with the basic principles of animation. It also provides a platform to discuss the history of video effects and explore how the simplest of techniques can have a dramatic impact.

Among other projects during the term, the club’s pupils have created claymation

movies based on the School’s brand logo – visit our Facebook or Instagram @JohnLyonHarrow to view it.

The club opens doors to many other animation-related artistic disciplines beyond claymation – such as character design, sculpture, and 3D digital manipulation and interested pupils are invited to attend.

Co-Curricular Programme spotlight: Year 7 Drama Festival

This term, our Year 7s dedicated themselves to the preparation of a Year 7 Drama Festival, as part of their Friday afternoon Co-Curricular Programme of activities. Their efforts culminated in an entertaining production on Monday 18 March, in the Boyd Campbell Hall, for the School community, including family and friends.

Each of the four Year 7 tutor groups took to the stage to perform an abridged version of a play. This year’s plays were

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ‘Unman, Wittering and Zigo’, ‘Time Machine’ and ‘The Least Offensive Play in the Whole Darn World.’ Each play was complemented with full production value: lighting, sound and costume elements.

This festival is a fantastic way to introduce pupils to the world of drama and all it entails, with pupils immersing themselves in performing, design or technical support. Beyond the stage, it also reinforces the values of collaboration, creativity and

communication – all skills that go beyond the theatrical and into everyday life.

Embracing diversity at John Lyon

Week commencing Monday 19 February was Diversity Week at John Lyon, an annual event dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation for equality, inclusion and diversity. The aim, as always, was to unite the School community in celebrating differences and acknowledging everyone’s uniqueness.

Our Head, Mrs Hardy, opened this year’s activities with an assembly focused on the theme of diversity and throughout the week pupils delved into various aspects of diversity during their PSCHE sessions.

Active engagement was a key component, with pupils participating in a variety of sessions exploring dances and music from diverse cultures, such as Afrobeat and Bollywood.

The library hosted cross-Year group activities, including word-based games and a short film titled ‘Deep Sea Diving in a Wheelchair’, which was all about overcoming seemingly impossible barriers.

England Disability Cricket star Matt Askin conducted a workshop on diversity in sports, which was highly informative and left pupils with lots to think about. You can read more about this on page 26 in

the Sports section of this magazine.

Paula Riordan, an Old Lyonian, delivered a talk to our Sixth Form pupils about identity, delving deep into the qualities, beliefs and personality traits that characterise a person or group.

Even the food offering was all part of the experience! The catering team ensured that each day was a culinary adventure for pupils – a chance to explore Italian, Greek, Spanish, Mexican, and Lebanese cuisines.

The week’s success was evident in high levels of participation and engagement from all Year groups.

World Book Day

On Thursday 7 March, World Book Day, Year 7 and Year 8 pupils enjoyed a lunchtime quiz competition, as well as other activities hosted in the library.

French beyond the classroom at the British Film Institute

Pupils studying French in the Sixth Form and Year 11 enjoyed some enriching experiences of the language at the British Film Institute (BFI).

Sixth Form

Sixth Form students had the opportunity to listen to a lecture on French Cinema,

presented entirely in French, followed by a viewing of the French Film directed by Céline Sciamma, ‘Bande de Filles’, a story about a teenage girl in a rough Paris suburb navigating the struggles of race, poverty and misogyny.

Year 11

On Wednesday 21 February, some of

our Year 11 pupils enjoyed a trip to the BFI as part of their French GCSE studies. Alongside pupils from other schools, they watched three short films in French and engaged in related activities, including translations and crafting storylines in French. In the latter part of the day, they watched another Céline Sciamma film, ‘Tomboy’.

Even though the entire lecture was in French, the speaker’s clear and slow delivery made it easy for us to follow. This trip helped us solidify our understanding of ‘Le 7eme Art’ (the seventh art – film) as part of our French A-Level syllabus and improved our ability to comprehend spoken French.

Finn (L6RS)

This was a great way to put our skills into practice as we listened to the different characters in the films speaking in French. Overall, the opportunity to apply our French and experience spoken French outside the classroom environment was valuable.

Ravi (11MVW)

Solos concert

The solos concert on Tuesday 23 January was a wonderful way to start the new year. Pupils from Year 7 to Year 11 displayed their musical talents, performing a variety of challenging pieces on a range of instruments.

It was a fantastic opportunity for our young musicians, many of whom were

taking on the challenge for the first time. The concert featured two lovely duets –Rebecca (7DJW) and Charlotte (7NMB) from Year 7 sang ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ in beautiful harmony, and our Music Scholars, Soma (9JOC) on violin and Taichi (8BRD) on cello, delivered a charming performance of Bach’s ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’.

Our appreciative audience were thoroughly entertained and blown away by the high standard of music on display.

A big well done to our performers and a sincere thank you to the audience for supporting our talented musicians.

Musician of the Year

The Musician of the Year Final on Tuesday 6 February featured talented finalists from the House Music Competition back in January, making it an enjoyable evening packed with excellent performances. We were delighted to have Mr Alex Caldon, a freelance Music Director and trumpeter for the London Chamber Orchestra, as our adjudicator, who faced some tough decisions given the high standard of the performances.

Special mention goes to runners-up Rishab (10NJB) in the Grades 1-4 class and Aly (9JOC) in the Grades 5-8 class, while Khyan (10WA) won the Grades 1-4 category with his drum performance of Noam Lederman’s ‘Noisy Neighbour’. Amaroo (9JOC) took the top spot in the Grades 5-8 class and also earned the overall Musician of the Year award along with the de Mello Cup for his outstanding and confident vocal performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘The Music of the Night from The Phantom of the Opera’.

Congratulations to everyone, and a big thank you to the finalists for making it a wonderful evening. A huge thanks to Mr Caldon, too – not only for his adjudicating but also helping our musicians with his invaluable insights, advice and feedback.

Year 7 pupil reflects on Royal Academy of Music masterclass

I had the pleasure of attending a lunchtime concert and masterclass at School run by the Royal Academy of Music and, I must say, I was impressed at how professionally they performed. It was like something you would see on the stages of the Barbican or the Elizabeth Hall!

During the masterclass, guest members from the Academy

provided constructive feedback on performances by two talented pupils, a euphonist and a flautist. Being part of the concert band myself, I felt a bit like we were on the X Factor stage. Despite initial nerves, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and welcomed the valuable professional insights we received. This event offered a fantastic opportunity for music enthusiasts

like me to enhance our skills, and I look forward to the next one.

Catherine (7NMB)

Spring concert

The Spring concert was a delightful musical evening, thanks to the remarkable variety and exceptional execution of the performances. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all present.

New Steinway pianos for Music department

Back in January, Mr Jones, Mr Furniss, and Mr Marshall from our Music team visited Steinway Hall in Marylebone, considering which pianos were the best fit for the School’s needs.

We are delighted to now have two brand new Steinway grand pianos in the Boyd Campbell Hall and the Music Hall at the Senior School campus!

On Monday 26 February, our Head Mrs Hardy officially unveiled the stunning new instruments with a ribbon-cutting ceremony during a special assembly. As part of the assembly, Mr NowakowskiFox, one of our piano teachers, performed a mesmerising excerpt from a Beethoven piano sonata, and we also enjoyed pupil performances from Aly (9JOC) and Hugo (U6SJA).

Head of Music selected to perform at Westminster

Our Head of Music at the Senior School, Mr Furniss, had the wonderful opportunity to perform on the grand organ at Westminster Abbey on Sunday 4 February, as part of the 5pm concert series, which was featured in The Daily Telegraph.

The performance consisted of Widor’s March from ‘Symphony No.3’, a chorale prelude by JS Bach on ‘Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr’ (one of the final 18 Leipzig Chorales) and finally the mighty ‘Fantasia

and Fugue’ on the musical cipher B.A.C.H by F Liszt.

Reflecting on the experience, Mr Furniss said: “It was a great honour to have been selected to perform in a venue where great composers including Henry Purcell once held the position as organist, not to mention to perform on the organ, which has been used for many royal events and coronations. Despite my busy schedule as a teacher, I appreciate these musical opportunities, hoping they contribute to inspiring my pupils.”

Drama Production: A Monster Calls

The Drama department’s latest production, ‘A Monster Calls’, based on the novel by Patrick Ness, delved into the intricate relationships between people, highlighting the blurred lines between good and bad in individuals and leaving our audiences with much to think about.

It was once again, another well-executed production with excellent performances all round from the cast of pupils from Year 7 to Year 10.

WELCOME FROM THE DIRECTOR OF SPORT

As we approach the end of the spring term, we take the opportunity to celebrate our sporting successes.

Mr Adam Ling Director of Sport

Our U16 badminton team, who were victorious in the County final, will be representing Middlesex in the Regional competition at the end of this term. Girls’ football continues to flourish and our U13s have, for the first time, been entered into the Borough League with fantastic numbers turning up to training each week. Among the brightest highlights was the U15 football squad’s recent trip to Liverpool to play in the semi-finals of the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) National Cup. Despite their sterling efforts, they lost 2-1 in a very close encounter – nevertheless, reaching the last four in such a prestigious competition is a great achievement and a credit to their hard work and commitment over the past four years.

As always, my thanks go to the pupils and staff who are integral to the success of sport at John Lyon. The excitement across all age groups is evident from the number of pupils and families who turn up to enjoy competitive sport as we strive for our two main aims: participation and excellence.

Girls’ Sports Council

Our newly established Girls’ Sports Council met for the very first time on National Girls and Women in Sport Day! The Council is made up of Lower Section pupils who have put themselves forward to lead the development of girls’ sport at John Lyon, with the view to

Hockey

Another hockey season flies by with over 50 competitive matches played across all teams this term, including three County tournaments. Despite being relatively young – and mostly still in Year 11 –our Ist XI squad stood up to the task admirably, not least Louis (10LHF) and Paaran (10NJB), who have strengthened the team and play regularly, despite only being in Year 10. The team has been

strengthening girls’ sport at the School and create a culture for all girls, irrespective of ability, to pursue their sporting passions.

Stayed tuned for an update from them in our summer term edition of the magazine.

well marshalled by captain Sai (L6RS), and their resilience has resulted in some impressive wins against St James School and Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School. Lower down the School, our junior teams, including girls in both the Year 7 and Year 8 squads, continue to develop apace and as competition for places remains fierce, we look forward to another competitive season in 2025.

Badminton

Badminton has become a regular feature of the School’s success and our U16 squad continues to flourish on the County stage. They retained their Borough title and were victorious in the County final, beating Hampton School 4-1 to progress through to the Regional finals at the end of this term. Win or lose from this point on, we are extremely proud of the squad, who have taken the success of badminton at John Lyon to new heights. A huge thanks go to

this year.

Sonish (11LCA), Ishan (11CKL), Abishan (11CKL), Lalit (11SCA), Kabir (11SCA), and Khyan (11CKL) for their dedication

Football with Harrow International School Bengaluru

On Wednesday 21 February, we were delighted to welcome Head Master Mr Leale and pupils from Harrow International School Bengaluru for a competitively fought football match at our Sudbury Fields.

Congratulations to our visitors from India, who took a close 2-1 victory.

It is always such a great pleasure and a huge opportunity for our pupils to collaborate with other members of our global Harrow Family of Schools. We look forward to more such events with Harrow International School Bengaluru, as well as other members of our family. Read more about our UK and international schools here: www.johnlyon.org/ school-life/harrow-family-of-schools/

Football round up

Football at John Lyon continues to go from strength to strength, with more than 100 pupils representing the School in a variety of friendlies and Borough/ National competitions during the spring. As the season draws to a close, it’s pleasing to report that this academic year has been our most successful football season on record, with our U15 boys reaching the ISFA Trophy semifinal, the 1st XI reaching the ISFA Shield quarter-final and the U13s progressing well in the semi-finals of the Harrow Borough Cup.

The 1st XI has continued its fine form on the pitch, securing impressive victories against Harrow School, Highgate School, Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, and St Columba’s College. The team has shown tremendous commitment to both training and matches, and this has really shown on the field. Goals from Raul (U6QAC) and Kamran (U6EMM) have certainly shown the team’s quality, whilst the creativity of Jason (U6MEW) and Oscar (U6REM), the tenacity of Toby (U6RSK) and Alex (U6SJA) in midfield, and the resolute defending from the defence and goalkeeper have really enabled the team to perform at a very high level. Furthermore, the additions of James (11CKL), Alec (11CKL) and Stirling (10NJB) to the team this season have also helped the team begin their preparation for the autumn 2024 season – because it’s never too soon to start!

Following the success of the U15s in their National competition, their future looks bright as they move into the senior age groups next year. Victories against

Kimbolton School and Lingfield College were the pick of the games on their path to the semi-finals.

The U13 team has also continued their excellent progress within the Harrow Borough Cup competition by securing a place in the semi-finals following a comprehensive 7-1 victory over Salvatorian College. Goals from Jayden (8BRD) (4), Theo (8KS) (2), and Riley (7DJW) led the team to a comfortable victory. There were also notable performances from Luka (8MAL), Kobi (7NMB), and Keyarn (7NMB).

The Year 7 and Year 8 girls’ team has shown an incredible passion for football this term, with over 30 girls representing their House in the School’s inter-house football competition. At the time of writing, our junior girls have secured a commanding 4-1 victory in their opening league fixture against North London Collegiate School and have already followed this up with a resounding 10-2 win against Harrow

High School and a 8-2 win against Park High: three excellent wins on the bounce for U13 girls! With participation in girls’ football at John Lyon continuing to grow, the future certainly looks bright for years to come.

Sports Awards

At the end of each term, we look back across the season and celebrate the number of positive pupil outcomes that take place.

Our end of season awards lunches gives pupils the opportunity to listen to their peers’ successes and celebrate the range of sports that have taken place throughout the term. Following our girls’ hockey and boys’ football seasons, the following pupils received awards for their respective teams.

Girls’ School Boys’ Football

Team Manager’s Player Most Improved

12A Hafsah (7CCN) Arushi (7CCN)

12B Anaiah (7RMK) Elareiss (7DJW)

13A Sierra Rose (8MAL) Erin (8KS)

13B Laksha (8CJC) Zenyah (8MAL)

14A Jiya (9GMM) Fathima (9GMM)

Team Manager’s Player Most Improved

12A Jayden (7DJW) Keyarn (7NMB)

12B Matin (7DJW) Jacob (7DJW)

12C Garv (7RMK) Ethan (7RMK)

13A Mikhail (8BRD) Luka (8MAL)

13B Ayaan (8CJC) Ariyan (8CJC)

13C Viraj (8MAL) Dhyan (8KS)

13D Sohan (8BRD) Reyan (8MAL)

14A Blake (9AJM) Harrison (9AJM)

14B Zail (9GMM) Ajit (9AJM)

14C Krutarth (9ADH) Shahmeer (9MRF)

14D Vansh (9ADH) Swayam (9MRF)

15A Syrus (10MLC) Paaran (10NJB)

15B Seyon (10BJG) Daniel (10WA)

15C Aarav (10LHF) Lucas (10NJB)

15D Siddart (10WA) Adi (10BG)

Vitality Netball Nations Cup

On Sunday 21 January, girls from Year 7, Year 8, and Year 9, together with staff, enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch first-class international women’s netball at Wembley OVO arena at this year’s Vitality Netball Nations Cup. The tournament saw the world’s leading netball nations go headto-head and this year saw top teams from England, Australia, New Zealand and Uganda take part.

It was a real honour for Ella (8BRD), who was chosen to be the ball carrier for the first game. It was also fantastic to have

been able to see the home team, the Vitality Roses and the electric atmosphere combined with an impressive display of skill made for a truly great afternoon of sport. It really was an excellent way to start off the School’s netball season!

Junior Girls’ Netball

Our netball teams continue to demonstrate unwavering dedication, passion and talent for what is the spring term’s major girls’ sport, propelling our programme from strength to strength. From the thrilling victories on the court to the invaluable lessons learned through teamwork and perseverance, our girls

have not only excelled as athletes but also as exemplary representatives of our School’s spirit and values. The U13As have been the pick of our teams and remain unbeaten this season. There is real promise within our Year 7 cohort too, and at their recent Borough tournament, they finished 5th out of 13 schools.

Celebrating Diversity in Sport

During the School’s Diversity Week, which took place the week commencing Monday 19 February, our Sports department held a range of diverse activities from around the world.

Pupils experienced sitting volleyball, goalball, and Bollywood dance. This took pupils out of their comfort zones to broaden their understanding and celebrate some lesserknown sports and activities.

We were also privileged to welcome Matt Askin, former England disability cricketer. During his visit, Matt taught pupils a range of disability cricket skills and challenged them to adapt to different ways of playing sport. His lunchtime masterclass in blind cricket was hugely successful, and he proved that having a disability was not a barrier to performing at the highest level possible.

Pupil successes

Alongside our sporting success within School, it is always fantastic to hear of success that takes place outside the School gates. This term, we highlight the following pupils who have achieved excellence within their own sporting fields:

Inaara (7RMK) – Martial Arts and Football

After beginning kickboxing at the age of four, Inaara has maintained the dedication and commitment that saw her achieve a Junior First Degree Black Belt in January this year. When asked about her success, Inaara told us that: “It’s a great sport, which has helped me develop strength, self-discipline, and perseverance. These are all things I have been able to apply to my other sporting passions and studies. The best thing about getting this far, though, is that I have the skills to defend myself if there ever was a need!”

However, her sporting talents don’t stop there. Alongside martial arts, she also plays football for Brentford Girls and has just been offered a place with Watford Ladies FC. Most impressive of all is that she only started to take football seriously during the first lockdown, which proves that it’s never too late to get involved in sport!

Arjun (9ADH) – Swimming

Despite only joining us in September, Arjun has very quickly established himself as one of our strongest School swimmers. Arjun competed at the recent Harrow Borough Regional Qualifiers where he achieved his time of 1:21.33 in the 100m backstroke. His efforts have put him in consideration for Regional events. He is also the holder of the School’s Year 9 Freestyle

Rhian (10NJB) – Cricket

Rhian has been involved with Middlesex County Cricket Club’s U15 squad training programme. His sessions run bi-weekly and have given him the opportunity to work with the Middlesex CCC pathway coaches on an individual skill basis, whilst also incorporating team aspects with fitness and fielding work too. Rhian also has a personally tailored fitness programme, which he completes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at School. He hopes that this exposure to the County pathway will bring improvements to his cricketing skillset and, ultimately, that the experience and his hard work will result in him making the County squad for the season.

swimming record, an impressive 14.02s over 25m. Arjun has thrown himself into his swimming fully, after entering the competitive scene only 12 months ago. He is now swimming upwards of 11 hours a week for Harrow Swimming Club as well as attending our newly created Performance Squad sessions after School on Friday evenings.

Careers

Towards the end of the autumn term and leading into our spring term, our Careers department has been busy hosting a wide variety of career events aimed at pupils from Year 7 through to Sixth Form.

Careers in Law

We recently welcomed Barrister Pavlos Panayi KC, who delivered a session on what a career in law looks like as well as advice on navigating the path to becoming a lawyer.

Mr Panayi, a highly successful criminal lawyer, also spoke of his personal experiences, touching on his life as a barrister, and the fascinating, high-profile criminal cases he has covered. Following his talk, he hosted an informal Q&A session for some of our pupils who were considering a career in the legal field.

In January, our aspiring lawyers in the Sixth Form, along with Careers Advisor Mrs Bamrah, attended a Careers in Law

talk at Harrow School. This was another wonderful opportunity for our pupils to hear first-hand from two lawyers, James Marlow (Farrer & Co) and Sam Salt (Kirland & Ellis), on the various pathways into law and how there are different routes to get to where you want to be. Jack (L6JCC), commented after the event:

I learnt about the different careers in law, the ‘Magic Circle’ of the five most prestigious London-based international law firms, and most importantly an insight into a lawyer’s working day.

Careers in Medicine and Healthcare

Representatives from the fields of medicine, dentistry, veterinary, pharmacy, optometry, social work and podiatry recently joined us to enlighten pupils on the broad range of career options available in the healthcare sector.

A special thanks to all our participants, including our three OLs from medicine, pharmacy and dentistry respectively: Shai Patel (OL 1983), Amir Bhogal (OL 2015) and Ali Al-Naher (OL 2015). They were joined by Krisha Manandhar (Vet from Medivet), Henry Mcloghry (Surgeon Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Navy), Seema Shah (Optometrist at Insight Opticians) and Shivaani Patel (Podiatrist at the Arch Foot Clinic).

Degree Apprenticeships

We hosted a Degree Apprenticeship information evening this term to showcase the benefits of this alternative pathway to a career for parents/ guardians and pupils alike.

We were fortunate to have two external speakers join us for the event: Rianna Patel, who is currently undertaking a degree apprenticeship with Ridge, and Manisha Meghani from HSBC. Both guests shared with us valuable insights and information about what’s involved in a degree apprenticeship and explained the particular skills, outlooks and attitude employers will be looking for in their prospective apprentices. Pupils Yosif (U6RSK) and Reshaan (U6MEW) also shared their recent experiences applying for apprenticeships.

It was nice to see several parents/guardians and pupils taking part in the event, and feedback from both parents and pupils has been very postive.

Learning about student finance

We recently welcomed Daila Campbell from Brunel University London, who came in to speak to our Sixth Form pupils about student finance.

During the session, Daila explained the timeline and application process for student finance and further relayed some strategies and tips for soon-tobe undergraduates about many aspects of undergraduate life, including money management and budgeting. She also covered eligibility for bursaries and scholarships and explained the extra support available to students.

Practical sessions such as this are a great resource for our Sixth Form students, who are about to embark on the next stages of their life, and they all welcomed the opportunity to hear from her.

Careers in Entrepreneurism

Late in January, we hosted five entrepreneurs from various industrial sectors, who inspired us with their entrepreneurial spirit and insights on what it really takes to be your own boss.

This was a very popular event, reflecting the high level of pupil interest in setting up their own business. Indeed, our very own Lower Sixth goggles entrepreneur John (L6TCF) helped co-host the sessions during the event!

A very big thank you to all five panellists for their time and insights:

George Stavrinidis (OL 1985), who has a successful career spanning business and technology; Jinesh Vohra (OL 2002), Co-founder and CEO of Sprive; Zamiha Desai, Founder of RecommendAsian and ProfessionalAsian; Ketan Dattani, CEO of Buckingham Futures; and Reema Mavani, a businesswoman operating multiple restaurants.

Linking classroom learning to the real world

This term, we’ve been lucky to have employers from various sectors to support our classroom teaching.

Representatives from HSBC have reinforced our Year 8 Geography lessons with a talk on making sustainable choices and Year 10 pupils enjoyed solving problems related to hacking in a session delivered by a Colonel in the British army.

Meanwhile, with the help of representatives from HSBC, the Lower Sixth have been learning how, ‘Building a Growth Mindset’ can lead to career success.

Shahzeb (10WA), who took part in the Maths session with the Colonel in the British Army said:

I thought the problem-solving activity was fun, proactive and useful. The sergeant was very helpful. The session made me intrigued about how Maths is applied in a work situation.

Opportunities like these offer pupils the chance to understand how the subjects they are studying relate to the real world of work. The Careers department is grateful to all the employers who have joined us this term to support us in these endeavours.

Higher Education Fair

We held a Higher Education (HE) Fair on Friday 23 February, in which more than 35 HE institutions, as well as several apprenticeship providers and employers, all joined us in the Boyd Campbell Hall to advise, inform and inspire our pupils.

The event provided a great opportunity for pupils across Year groups to explore their education and career options after Senior School, and the turnout was incredible. More than 600 pupils attended – both from John Lyon itself as well as several other schools in the local area that we invited to join us to take part and

benefit from the event. It is important to us that we support our friends from the state sector so that we provide access to such opportunities to those across the community.

The spring term has been an exciting one for the Lyonian Association. We’ve had increased involvement across our School community, from current pupils, parents/guardians, staff and friends of John Lyon, as well as our network of Old Lyonians (OL). They have joined us in the many activities and events both supported and organised by the Association, which has been great.

The last few months have also seen an increase of new members joining the Lyonian Association, and I hope to see our network continue to grow in the coming months as we launch a dedicated alumni section on the John Lyon website, as well as a refresh of our existing alumni website.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our OLs for their contributions, from facilitating reunions, speaking at career talks, providing mentoring opportunities and participating in the annual community-wide Talks-on-the-Hill event and so much more besides.

This section of our magazine is devoted to news and stories about the Lyonian Association’s work as well as news and updates from the wider OL community, which I hope you find informative and engaging.

If you’d like more information or if you’re interested in supporting one of our forthcoming events, please do get in touch with the School’s Executive and Alumni Officer, Bharti Bhikha, at bharti.bhikha@johnlyon.org.

Please follow us

facebook.com/groups/lyonianassociation

@johnlyonharrow

@johnlyonharrow

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Upcoming dates in 2024 for your diary

Saturday 6 April: Cast of West Side Story Reunion

Friday 19 April: 110th OLA Annual Dinner

Thursday 23 May: Reunion of the Golden Era (OLs from 1950 to 1960)

Friday 21 June: 40 years Reunion

Wednesday 26 June: OLFC and the School Football Tournament

Monday 8 July: Senior School Speech Day

Tuesday 9 July: Prep School Speech Day

Tuesday 9 July: Head Boy’s Golf Challenge

Events

Former Head Boy Josh Banks (OL 2014) reflects on 10-year reunion

On Friday 2 February, over 45 Old Lyonians from the Class of 2014 cohort returned to John Lyon to mark 10 years since leaving the School. It was an opportunity to connect with old friends in an environment where so many of our memories were made.

The evening began at 6.45pm with the Prefect Team providing group tours of the School. In many areas, it was fascinating to see how much things have changed in the last 10 years – the former school library’s transformation into a fully seated dining hall being an outstanding example. It is worth noting that for the duration of this cohort’s time at the School, lunch was served in a takeaway box, with only a small area for pupils to sit down. Most of the time, we would take lunch in various places around the school.

We were also impressed by the level of investment in equipment and technology, especially in the Art department and in the robotics area. It is good to see John Lyon being proactive by investing in these vital skills for the future.

In other ways, though, the environment was remarkably familiar to the cohort that was the first to begin Sixth Form life in the Thomas Blackwell building. Previously, the Sixth Form were based in the Red House and the move at the time signalled Miss Haynes’ intention to place the Sixth Form ‘at the heart of the school community’ – something that was hard to achieve in the peripheral yet iconic Red House.

Following the tour was a buffet dinner and everyone expressed appreciation for the quality of the food on offer. It was here that we had the opportunity to

catch up with people we may not have seen in many years. One of the unique aspects of life at the John Lyon School is the relatively small Year groups compared with other schools in Northwest London. This helps create a sense of community that many of my friends from other schools do not enjoy in the same way. The opportunity to reminisce with our peer group was a welcome reminder of how fortunate we all are to have been part of that community culture.

Special thanks must go to the Prefects, who stayed behind to support the occasion, to the Catering team for putting on a tremendous dinner and to Mr Ling for giving up his Friday evening and contributing old photos. Huge thanks must also go to Mrs Bhikha and the Alumni Office for organising the event.

I’m obviously biased…but the Class of 2014 has a huge mix of individuals who have gone on to a plethora of interesting careers. From medicine to law, engineering to financial services and from entrepreneurship to professional sports physiotherapy. We even have a professional YouTuber and a videographer who’s worked with some of the biggest names in UK rap, grime and drill. There are academics, chartered surveyors, real estate developers and teachers. There are more professions than its possible to mention here.

This is a diverse cohort, who have very fond memories of John Lyon School and do want to give back to the community in some way. I would urge current pupils to take advantage of the mentoring and work experience opportunities available to them within the Old Lyonian alumni network.

If you think you or your child would benefit from connecting

with an Old Lyonian, please contact Bharti at the Alumni Office, who will be more than happy to put you in touch with the right person. We’re already looking forward to the 20-year reunion in 2034!

Prep School database for Old Quaintonians coming soon

We are working on a phased amalgamation of our Prep School’s (formerly Quainton Hall School) pupil data with our Senior School Old Lyonian online database to make it easier for Old Quaintonians to search for their former peers.

So, if you know or are in contact with pupils from the former Quainton Hall School, please do encourage them to join our community by registering their details on the Lyonian Association website: www.lyonian-association.org

Friends of the Lyonian Association

In January this year, we rebranded our Prep School under our John Lyon School masterbrand. This meant the Prep took on the John Lyon branding and identity, a significant step allowing us to be clear and consistent in our messaging as an all-through 3 to 18 school.

In line with this, the Prep School’s active community of parent and guardian volunteers has also rebranded to become

‘Friends of the Lyonian Association’. This group will work collaboratively with the Lyonian Association itself to continue delivering initiatives and activities for the benefit of the Prep School community alongside the Senior School.

We recently organised our first collective event: a charity ‘Big Breakfast’ attended by over 60 parents/guardians, staff, and pupils, which raised over £434.39 for Harrow Foodbank.

Stay tuned for details of future events

In addition, we’ll be looking to pull together the Prep School’s rich archive of photos, historical documents and other important items into an accessible format which we’ll also make available to members of the community.

organised by Friends of the Lyonian Association at the Prep School – your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Football tournament in memory of Joshua Beresford-Smart (OL 2020)

The family of Joshua BeresfordSmart (OL 2020), who passed away in 2021 aged 18 following a battle with a brain tumour, has set up a JustGiving campaign entitled ‘Team Joshua –JustGiving’ in his memory to fulfil his wish to raise awareness for brain tumour research. https:// www.justgiving.com/campaign/ teamjoshuafundraisinggroup

In support of ‘Team Joshua’, the Lyonian Association has teamed up with the School and the Old Lyonian Football Association (OLFA) to host a football tournament in the summer term for all OLs, current parents/guardians and pupils. If you would like to take part, please email Mr Adam Ling at asl@johnlyon.org

OL appointed Treasurer for Old Lyonian Association Council (OLA)

The OLA is the original alumni membership organisation for former pupils, masters and parents/guardians of the School. Its purpose is to facilitate social events and the promotion of friendship and fellowship between OL and OLAs as well as to increase collaboration between the School and the wider OL community.

We are pleased to announce that Mantej Kambo (OL 2018), currently training as an accountant at Deloitte, has been appointed Treasurer of the council.

1876 School Fund to support upcoming school projects

Thanks to our community’s generous contributions this year, we are pleased to report that our 1876 School Fund has undertaken the following projects that go beyond the standard curriculum, and which will no doubt enrich our pupils’ experiences at each of our three sites:

· Creation of an eco-garden in the Senior School

· Installation of new lighting to enhance drama productions at the Prep School

· New branded electronic cricket scoreboard at Sudbury Fields, which will have dual usage for our own pupils and for hire to external cricket clubs during summer months.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Anooj Mehta (OL 2018) talks about his passion for sport

I’m excited for what should be the best year of my life. I’m writing this from Melbourne, Australia. The feeling is still surreal – I’m going to be spending the next year on the other side of the world!

I’m going to be playing cricket for Ormond CC in the South/East division of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association. From what I have learned

since arriving here, Australian cricket is going to be nothing like I have ever experienced before – stark contrast to what I’m used to. It’s a variation between One-Day 40-over white ball cricket and Two-Day red ball 80-over cricket. I could not be more excited!

Alongside playing cricket, I’m going to be working in a bar, with the goal of owning my own sports bar one day. I previously worked at Sixes Social Cricket (think a bar with cricket nets – who would’ve thought?) Who knew endless scrolling on TikTok would provide a career opportunity?!

Not too long ago, I was at John Lyon opening my A-Level results. That day, I probably made one of the best decisions of my life. When I was applying for university, I was told to do something I was interested in. My mum recommended I look at the Sports Management course at University College Birmingham (UCB). Come results day, I rejected my unconditional offer to Nottingham Trent and chose to go to University College Birmingham (UCB).

I studied various modules such as Managing People and Performance, Economics of Sport, and Financial Strategy. Football was the key sport we used – but I wanted to stand out. So, for most of these assignments, I chose cricket, the sport I’ve been playing since

In line with the 1876 Fund, we are pleased to announce that we will be launching a new fund in the very near future to support projects and initiatives that will enrich our Prep School pupils’ learning and environment.

the age of six. Mr Ling was supportive of my academic career, advising me on some of my assignments. At the last minute I changed my dissertation on The Evolution of T20 Cricket. I also want to express my appreciation to Mr Peploe, who was a vital part in my research.

I graduated with First Class Honours and moved jobs within hospitality. Working at Sixes paved way for the next chapter of my life. For the first time in a year and a half, I wasn’t working and there was a lot of pressure to get another job. I was fed up with the UK and I needed a change of scenery. It had always been a desire of mine to live abroad, specifically to play cricket. I decided to go to Camp America, where I honed my marketing skills.

Now, I’m living my best life, enjoying the sun and trying to play as much sport as possible, mostly cricket! My advice for students? Do things you’re interested in, especially A-Levels, because you’ll naturally be good at what you enjoy. Don’t be afraid of trying new experiences because you never know where they’ll lead!

I believe that everything happens for a reason. If I didn’t reject that unconditional offer or take that first bartending job out of university, who knows where I’d be now? Finally, don’t be afraid to ask. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. G’day for now!

Societies

Teeing off

The School will be playing the OLs in April at Sandy Lodge. The popular Head Boy’s Golf Challenge, in which teams of OLs, staff, parents/guardians and pupils have a wonderful afternoon at Harrow School Golf Club, will also be taking place around that time.

The OL Golf Society golf season will commence in May. For full details, please visit lyonian-association.org/news/clubnews/207/207-Lyonian-Golf-Fixtures-

If you would like more information about joining the Golf Society, please contact John Davies (OL 1976), Chair at: john@retailproperty.com

OL Football Club update

The OL Football Club (OLFC) has had another successful season in the Southern Amateur League (SAL) – and after two wins and two draws in their first four league games, the first team have now been offered a place in Division 2. All five of our 11-a-side teams and our veterans team have also enjoyed a successful season.

On behalf of all the members of the

OLFC I would like to thank the School and grounds staff at Sudbury for providing pitches of such high quality and keeping them in perfect condition – in the annual SAL survey Sudbury was rated second out of 50 clubs for quality of playing surface, which is amazing!

Ian Dennison, OLFC Chairman (OQ 1990 and OL 1995)

In Memoriam

Pete Spracklen (OL 1968 – 1973): 30 October 1956 – 5 June 2023

Paul Easton (OL 1965 – 1972): 31 December 1953 – 20 February 2023

John Gladstone (OL 1950 – 1957): 11 July 1939 – 27 September 2023

Paul Graham (OL 1959 – 1964): 24 November 1957 – 26 February 2024

Get involved

Support us with Work Experience

We are always on the lookout for a variety of work experiences for our pupils. If you’d like to help by offering to host a work experience placement, we’re keen to hear from you. It could take the form of a week’s placement within your organisation or, as an alternative, perhaps you might consider offering a one-off ‘Insight Day’? This is where a small group of pupils visit your workplace to get a real feel for what a day working in your organisation is like.

If you’d like to help, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact Mrs Charn Bamrah in the Careers department: Charn.Bamrah@johnlyon.org

Interested in organising a reunion?

Reunion events are hosted to mark milestone anniversary years: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and so on. If you and your friends are approaching your milestone anniversary, why not organise a reunion with our support? Email us at lyonianassociation@johnlyon.org and we can start planning the event together.

Alumni Online Shop

You can purchase Old Lyonian merchandise at lyonian-association.org/shop.

We hope you’ll find the product range appealing – but we’re always open to suggestions. Ifyou have any ideas for products you would like to see in the online shop, please contact us at lyonianassociation@johnlyon.org.

John Lyon School Senior Campus

Middle Road, Harrow-on-the-Hill, London, HA2 0HN

John Lyon School Prep Campus Hindes Road, Harrow, London, HA1 1RX

www.johnlyon.org

admissions@johnlyon.org

@johnlyonharrow