



It can perhaps be the case, looking back as an adult on your time in education, that the summer term seemed to be dominated by preparation for and then sitting exams. The fullness of the School’s calendar both since the return from the Easter break and looking ahead through the rest of this term certainly turns this presupposition on its head in the case of our students.
Between Rock School gigs, lunchtime concerts at St Paul’s, Jazz on a Summer’s Evening, the Year 7 and Year 8 productions and the Visual Arts Centre Exhibition, displays of creativity abound. Sports tournaments, including a fantastic National Title win for our U15 girls football team, a rock climbing weekend, the Year 7 and 8 cricket tour and Bronze DofE practice expeditions, as well as the usual schedule of fixtures and, of course, Sports Day itself, mean students can make the most of the warmer weather by getting active outside.
The Year 7 and Year 8 residentials and Year 9 Battlefields trips offer unique opportunities for personal development and, importantly, allow for students and teachers to solidify relationships outside of the school environment.
A real range of interests and skills are evident amongst those involved in a gamut of extra-curricular visits, running from an MUN conference to the English Chess Championship finals and a computer game design festival, while academic trips still pop up every other week, with Year 10 Geographers off to Iceland, and Art students to London, Year 8 to Cambridge Central Mosque with their RS teachers and the German Exchange group taking their partners to Sandringham and the seaside.
Sixth Formers are looking ahead at different options for their next steps beyond school with the Overseas University Fair and Degree Apprenticeship Workshop. Year 11 will be celebrating the end of GCSE exams with a barbeque and prom, and Year 13 marking the end of their school careers with the leavers’ service and also prize-giving.
So, plenty for everyone to be getting involved with outside of an exam hall, and we very much hope all of our students find these experiences enjoyable, enriching and rewarding. But it wouldn’t be the summer term without a brief mention of the public exams already underway: we are so proud of the maturity and positivity our Year 11 and Year 13 cohorts have shown so far in rising to meet the challenge of these important milestones in their educational careers, and we wish them the very best with their remaining (I)GCSEs and A Levels over the coming weeks.
Abbey Jones Senior Deputy Head 11-18
Match report by Mr Guffick and Mr Cooper
Stephen Perse Cambridge U15 girls' football team is celebrating winning the Independent Schools Football Association U15 Girls Shield, a national football competition (ISFA). After securing victories in the first four rounds of the competition, the team beat St Dunstan’s College 3-1 in the final on 1 May.
On a blisteringly hot day on 1 May, our U15 girls’ football team made history at the County Ground in Letchworth, becoming the first ever Stephen Perse Cambridge side to be crowned Champions winning the ISFA National U15 Shield. With the sun beating down and the stakes sky-high, the girls arrived knowing they were just one win away from glory - and they didn’t disappoint.
From the first whistle, Stephen Perse Cambridge took control of the game, dominating possession and looking the more dangerous side. Their bright start was rewarded when captain Alice E unleashed a thunderbolt from the edge of the box, sending the ball soaring into the top corner for a well-earned 1-0 lead.
The pressure continued to mount on the St Dunstan’s defence, with the Stephen Perse Cambridge attack hitting the woodwork and forcing multiple sharp saves from the opposing keeper. Just before half-time, the team doubled their lead. After Amelie B created space and fired in a testing shot, the goalkeeper spilled the effort into the path of our ever-reliable poacher Elsa D, who coolly slotted home to give us a 2-0 cushion at the break.
Inspired by a team talk from Mr Guffick & Mr Cooper, the girls came out firing once again in the second half, knowing the next goal could seal the title. St Dunstan’s fought back with determination, testing goalkeeper Orla C with two solid chances, both of which were expertly kept out.
But it was the Stephen Perse Cambridge captain, Alice E, who put the result beyond doubt, dancing through the midfield with poise before driving a low shot into the bottom corner to make it 3-0. Though St Dunstan’s managed a late consolation, it was too little too late as the final whistle confirmed an unforgettable 3-1 victory.
Roared on by an incredible crowd of travelling parents and supporters, the U15 girls proudly lifted the ISFA Girls Shield - marking a new chapter in Stephen Perse Cambridge sporting history. We could not be prouder of their achievement. This team has shown incredible resilience, teamwork, and skill throughout the season. It’s everything they deserve.
A huge thank you to all the parents and staff who made the journey - you were truly the 12th player!
ISFA U15 National Shield Winners Squad
Claudia BF
Amelie B
Joanie B
Juliet BF
Elsa D
Thea K
Phoebe O
Stella C
Orla C
Mya D
Alice E
Natalie G
Catriona R
Juliet R
At the beginning of the Easter holidays, we were thrilled to take delivery of a magnificent gift from Stephen Perse Cambridge parent, Rose Jiang: a Steinway Spirio|r Concert Grand Piano, made even more special by it being the first delivery of its kind to any UK independent school.
The piano’s first public performance was at the Stephen Perse Guild Reunion on 26 April, and like Stephen Perse Cambridge itself is rooted in tradition, moving with the times - it blends excellence in traditional craftsmanship with remarkable new teaching technology. For example, a maestro in New York’s Steinway Hall can now lead a live masterclass here in Cambridge, with the keys moving in real time and the music heard exactly as played, not through speakers or compressed audio. It also means a parent overseas - say, in Shanghai - can visit a Steinway showroom and hear their child’s performance from Cambridge live. Students can practise with accompaniments recorded by their fellow musicians, teachers or maestros, prepare for concerts and explore endless musical possibilities.
The Steinway Spirio|r opens up new and exciting avenues to further enhance our already outstanding musical provision, as exemplified by the significant number of students taking GCSE and A Level Music and taking individual instrument lessons, and our co-curricular programme with seven choirs, eight chamber music ensembles in regular rehearsal, Big Band and Rock School. Our music programme is enjoyed by everyone throughout the school and led at student level by our Music scholars and by our expert Music Department staff, headed by Matthew Rudd and Cherry Blanchard.
Alongside her gift of the wonderful Steinway piano, Rose also made a gift to the Guild Opportunities Fund to support bursary and scholarship students in accessing educational and co-curricular opportunities, such as our “rare breeds” orchestral instrument lessons and joining the school’s music tours.
You can learn more about how staff and students visited Steinway Hall in London last term to choose the piano, see highlights of the delivery and enjoy excerpts of some of our most talented musicians getting to know the piano on delivery day in this film, kindly made by our colleagues at Steinway & Sons.
Once again we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rose and her children for this extraordinary gift, which will be enjoyed by current and future generations and allow us to further develop our outstanding musical opportunities for students. It will truly embody how independent thinking leads to exceptional outcomes!
"May music bring joy to every student's heart, and may the Steinway piano fill Stephen Perse Cambridge with the most beautiful melodies."
Two of our students are celebrating being chosen to represent the UK at international Olympiads this summer. Year 11 student, Kseniia S, is the first ever female student to represent the UK at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), while Year 13 student, George D, is part of the team representing the UK at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics.
The academic Olympiads are national competitions in which students compete against their peers from across the country, to recognise academic excellence in specific subjects. Top performers are invited to national team selection camps and have the chance to be chosen to represent the United Kingdom on the international stage.
Remarkably, Kseniia, holder of one of our Conflict Bursary awards, was the top-performing UK female student in the British Informatics Olympiad and ranked fourth overall to become the first ever female student to represent the UK in the International Olympiad in Informatics, which will take place in Bolivia in July. She has also been selected to compete in the European Girls Olympiad in Informatics in Germany and the Western European Olympiad in Informatics in Italy, which will both take place in June.
Earlier this year, George ranked in the top one per cent of students nationally in the British Physics Olympiad (BPhO) overall. He also achieved a Gold award in the British Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (BAAO), which placed him in the top 17 students across the country and secured him an invitation to the BAAO UK team selection camp in Oxford at Easter.
Following the selection camp, George will now represent the UK at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics in August, in Mumbai.
In addition to their classmates’ success, students from our school won three Gold Awards (placing them in the top five per cent nationally), three Bronze Awards (ranking in the top 35 per cent nationally) and three Certificates of Participation in the UK Linguistics Olympiad (UKLO) Round 1, a language analysis competition. The Advanced Level Linguistics Olympiad students solved challenges across 14 languages including Bassa, Bété, Ejagham, Karajá, Matsés, Apinaye, Tsafiki, Seri, Guambiano, Teribe, Tlapanec, Yakan, Amuzgo and Hebrew, as well as logic puzzles in proto-Basque, SENĆOŦEN, Cherokee and Egyptian.
Our students also scored highly in the British Biology and Chemistry Olympiads, with Charlie S., and Emma B., qualifying for the selection round for the British team, which will compete in the International Biology Olympiad 2025. In the UK Chemistry Olympiad, two students from our school secured places in the top 40 out of 16,200 entries and one was invited to the national team selection camp.
In total, students at our school won 10 Gold Awards across five academic Olympiads this year, showcasing their skills as mathematicians, linguists and scientists. Year 12 and 13 students also secured 12 Silver Awards and four Bronze Awards in the national competitions.
Commenting on the students’ successes, Richard Girvan, Principal, Stephen Perse Cambridge, said:
“We are tremendously proud of the achievements of all of our students who took part in the Olympiads this year. These competitions aren’t just valuable for demonstrating our students’ academic abilities, but they strengthen important skills, including complex problem solving, critical thinking and communication, which will be crucial for them in their future academic endeavours. At Stephen Perse Cambridge, we have a rich legacy founded initially in women’s education, developing pioneers in academia and science, from code breakers at Bletchley Park during World War II to young women who are pushing the boundaries of informatics in our co-educational school today. The success of our bursary students, such as Kseniia, also highlights how important it is to ensure that all children and young people with determination and potential have access to outstanding academic and enrichment opportunities and we are proud to be able to offer these”.
In total, students at our school won 10 Gold Awards across five academic Olympiads this year, showcasing their skills as mathematicians, linguists and scientists.
Nearly 150 Senior School and Sixth Form students recently showcased their musical talents in choir and orchestra performances at the West Road Concert Hall.
A highlight of the Spring Concert was the traditional Year 13 concerto performances with the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras.
This year's soloists included Jay R (Mozart - Bassoon Concerto, 1st movement), Catherine B (Saint-SaënsIntroduction and Rondo Capriccioso), Sara W (Chopin - Piano Concerto No. 1, 2nd movement), and Aleyna T (Samuel Barber - Violin Concerto, 1st movement). The event celebrated the students' dedication and musical skill.
A team of six talented chess players from Stephen Perse Cambridge have emerged as the East Anglia Regional Champions in the English Schools' Chess Championship. The decisive final match took place on 18 March against Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form in Norwich.
The Stephen Perse Cambridge team, consisting of Ruben E (Year 11), Haytham S (Year 8), Andrew L (Year 13), Gabriel N (Year 11), Bethan C (Year 9), and Chevonne H (Year 9), travelled by train to compete in the away fixture. Their strategic prowess resulted in an impressive four wins, one draw, and only one loss across the six matches.
This overall victory secures Stephen Perse Cambridge's place in the prestigious National Finals of the English Schools' Chess Championship, which will be held in Nottingham on 25 and 26 June. The school community is celebrating this significant achievement and looks forward to supporting the team as they compete at the national level.
Mme Parente welcomed the Alliance Française to Senior School to present the French DELF Junior B1 certificates to our gifted Year 13 students.
The six students are:
● Bethany R
● Tamsin L
● Juliette G
● Rohan A
● Catherine B
● Alison H
The Alliance Française emphasised the benefits of learning French and other languages, inspiring students to keep exploring language studies as they move into the Sixth Form. The DELF Junior is an official Diploma of French Language Studies issued by the French Ministry of Education and is recognised worldwide. The junior version of DELF is for teenagers between 12 and 18 years old. It is divided into four levels. At Stephen Perse Cambridge, the DELF B1 is part of our enrichment course in the Sixth Form.
The Alliance Française is a key institution around the world in promoting the French language and Francophone culture and, we are very lucky to have it right here in Cambridge, a place where the French language and culture thrive. It is a hub for those passionate about learning French and engaging with the Francophone world.
This cultural moment blossomed right alongside with La Semaine de la Langue Française et de la Francophonie 2025 - an annual celebration of a language spoken by over 321 million people across five continents. So, prenez la parole! Speak out!
The Alliance Française is a key institution around the world in promoting the French language and Francophone culture and, we are very lucky to have it right here in Cambridge.
By Tom Wigington, Teacher of Physics
Originally organised by the late Ms Coulson, I was delighted to continue this legacy by taking our Year 12 and Year 13 students to the BMW Mini Factory in Oxford along with Dr Law. A mix of Economics, Business Studies and Physics students attended, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the challenges in modern product development, engineering and logistics.
We got to see the ‘Just in Time’ and ‘Just in Sequence’ principles in action as thousands of components were brought together in the vast factory, and how robotisation and digitalisation are bringing manufacturing into the twenty-first century. Our students also got to enjoy viewing some of the vintage and classic cars in the museum, from some of the original designs of the fifties to rally-winning cars.
We are proud to announce the publication of The Eights, the debut novel by alumna Joanna Miller. Set in Oxford in 1920, the book tells the story of the first female students admitted to the university. Miller's novel follows four young women from different backgrounds who forge a strong friendship as they navigate this historic moment. The Eights explores their aspirations for equality against the backdrop of post-war England and the challenges they face.
Joanna, a former student of Stephen Perse Cambridge, has crafted a compelling historical fiction debut that shines a light on a pivotal era for women in education. The school community extends its warmest congratulations to her on this exciting achievement.
We applauded contributions and commendations in Drama, Art, Music, and beyond, alongside our shining sporting achievements and outstanding results in academic competitions, including numerous Olympiad Gold awards. The students' engagement with the wider world was also celebrated through their participation in conferences and inspiring visits from leading speakers and authors. Special recognition was given to those awarded half and full house colours for their significant contributions to school life. Finally, the eagerly awaited House placings were announced, with Clark House triumphing in first place, followed by Street House in a commendable second, and Kennett House in a well-deserved third.
A small group of Year 7 Physics students had a packed and memorable day at the University of Cambridge at the end of last term. After spotting key scientific landmarks on the way to Churchill College, including where the electron was first discovered, they enjoyed a tour of the College and took part in a tower building contest. We all received a Churchill-branded 3D-printed duck as a unique momento.
The day ended in the state-of-the-art brand new Cavendish Laboratories where the students took part in challenging, hands-on experiments and intellectually stimulating activities. A brilliant experience for all involved.
Congratulations to the 80 students who took LAMDA Speech and Drama exams during the spring term. They all did exceptionally well with everyone achieving at least a pass grade and with a whopping 62 students achieving Distinction.
By Helene Barrell, Head of Drama and Theatre
Adapted by Helene Barrell from an original tale by Hans Christian Anderson, Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale, written in seven stories, is a wonderful fantasy adventure set in the North of Scandinavia.
When Kai disappears during a swirling snowstorm, his best friend Gerda goes on an epic and perilous journey to the far North to find him, and to bring him safely home again. On the way she encounters a great many unusual characters - all of whom were wonderfully brought to life by our talented Year 7 cast. We met devilishly wicked goblins with a plan to wreak havoc in the world, enchanted flowers in the Flower Lady’s magical garden, talking reindeer, crows, swallows and pigeons, a fairy tale prince and princess, fierce robbers, inhabitants of the far North sheltering from the worsening weather and of course the Snow Queen herself, with her entourage of Snow Bees.
This was very much an ensemble piece and almost everyone played several roles throughout the production. I was particularly impressed by how extremely organised the cast were backstage, ensuring they had the right props, puppets and costumes for each of their scenes, and by how wonderfully supportive they were of each other, both during the rehearsal process and during the performances themselves.
As with all of our productions, a large team of creatives worked extremely hard behind the scenes to create different elements of the production. Year 9 Backstage students created costumes for Bae the Reindeer and for the Snow Queen and her Bees, decorated the rose-covered window of Grandmother’s house and created the stunning backdrop for the wintry puppet sequences; Year 13 Enrichment Theatre students recycled and re-imagined some of the masks from last Year’s production of ‘The Odyssey’ into costumes and set for the magical flower garden; Backstage club members made ears for the wicked Goblins and coordinated costumes and made props for the Robbers.
A brand new team of Year 9-10 students coordinated the hair and makeup and worked as backstage and technical crew during the dress rehearsals and final performances. I thoroughly enjoyed working on this show and I am extremely proud of everyone who contributed.
As we closed the chapter on a busy and rewarding Spring Term, we took a moment to celebrate the continued success and spirit of our school’s House system. It had been a term full of enthusiasm, teamwork, and healthy competition, with pupils across all year groups getting involved and showing great pride in their Houses.
A real standout during this spring term was the InterHouse World Map Challenge, which saw creativity, collaboration, and geographical knowledge put to the test. Congratulations to Clark House, who took home the top prize.
The Inter-House Netball Tournaments brought fantastic energy to the courts, with pupils showing both skill and sportsmanship. Clark House dominated the lower years, winning in Years 7 and 8, while Sutherland claimed victory in Year 9. For the upper years, Street and Sutherland Houses shared the win in Years 10 and 11.
A particular highlight of the spring term was the charity afternoon organised by our Year 13 House Captains, who showed true leadership and community spirit. With a cake sale, raffle, candy floss, popcorn, and a classic “guess the sweets in a jar” competition, the event was a resounding success - raising over £500 during one lunchtime for the House Charities. A huge thank you to everyone who supported and contributed!
Throughout the spring term, pupils continued to earn house points for academic effort, extracurricular involvement, and positive contributions to school life. After an impressive performance across multiple events, we were delighted to announce that the overall winners for the spring term were Clark House - a huge well done to all involved!
The House system remains a cornerstone of our school community - encouraging leadership, cooperation, and a strong sense of belonging. A massive thank you to our outgoing Year 13 House Captains and we look forward to seeing what our new Year 12 House Captains will be getting up to over the next year.
Well done to everyone who took part this term. We’re already looking forward to the excitement of the summer!
GCSE AND A LEVEL
FRIDAY 20TH JUNE 2025
5.30PM TO 7.00PM
By Abbey Jones, Senior Deputy Head 11-18
The end of last term saw our outgoing Student Leadership Team hand over to a newly appointed group of Year 10 and Year 12 students. After successfully navigating a selection process including student and staff voting, application letters and interviews, the new team were introduced to the School and presented with their badges of office in a whole-school assembly just before the Easter break.
Our two new Heads of School, Conor G and Phoebe C, will be leading their team for the coming three terms. With the support of their four Deputy Heads of School, they will run Student Forum (where Reps from different year groups bring issues and discuss changes they would like to see in school), and meet regularly with Mr Ward and me, to feed back from Student Forum and share information more generally to ensure clear communication between the student body and school leadership.
The 13 Heads of House will be leading House Meetings, running competitions and charity events and organising their Houses for end-of-term events, aiming to accumulate as many House Points as possible to be in the running to win the House Cup (and associated build-your-own ice-cream sundae treat) each term.
Finally, the seven Committee Leads are already hard at work managing teams and making plans for various aspects of school life, from arranging pastoral and academic peer mentors to driving sustainability initiatives and planning social events for students of all ages.
We look forward to seeing how they all get on, both in terms of the impact their work will have on the life of the school and how the experience will shape their personal development over the coming year.
Heads of School
Phoebe C
Conor G
Deputy Heads of School
Merryn M
Nadia SP
Dylan C
Thomas K
Heads of House
Cattley: Robyn S and Isabel T
Clark: Riva R and Jennifer C
Kennett: Kate D and Daisy B
Pollock: Mia E and Ela G
Rose: Dillon F and Mia DG
Street: Emily W and Matilda G
Sutherland: Oliver J and Jake F
Committee Leads
Academic Mentoring: Aoife L and Nico K
Pastoral Mentoring: Neha V
EDI: Ruby C
Social Events: Mia R
Sustainability: Mouboni D
Wellbeing: Natalie T
By Matthew Cowley, Assistant Head of Outdoor Education
This year’s Year 8 and Year 9 ski trip took us somewhere truly special - the breath-taking Norwegian fjords. The journey itself was an adventure, with the coach winding through dramatic mountain scenery and icy lakes that made it feel like we’d stepped into a postcard.
Our accommodation was just as impressive, nestled beside Voss Lake with views that made the morning walk to the lift station feel like a dream. Each day started with a peaceful stroll along the water’s edge, and ended with tired legs and happy hearts as we made our way back after a full day on the slopes.
We were lucky with the weather - lots of sunshine and plenty of snow, perfect for skiing. The instructors were brilliant, guiding beginners through their first turns and challenging the more experienced students with tricks in the snow parks and faster runs down the mountain. “I didn’t think I’d get the hang of it so quickly,” said Izzy (Year 8), “but by the end of the week I was flying down the slopes!”
Evenings were just as memorable. We kicked off with the Voss Olympic Games, then slowed the pace with a movie night watching Megamind. One evening we enjoyed twilight skiing under Norway’s soft spring light, watching the sun dip below the mountains as we rode the gondola back to town.
Another highlight was a beach bonfire by the hostel, complete with games and marshmallow roasting. And the biggest adrenaline rush? Indoor skydiving, where every student got to fly (and spin!) in a vertical wind tunnel.
By the end of the week, everyone had improved massively, made new friends, and had stories to tell. It was the perfect mix of fun, challenge, and unforgettable moments.
Next stop? Claviere, Italy—bring it on!
By Russ McAlinden, Head of Outdoor Education
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) expedition section stands as a powerful crucible, forging resilience, teamwork, and self-reliance in young people. Stepping out of their comfort zones and into the natural world, participants at each level – Bronze, Silver, and Gold – undertake increasingly challenging journeys that mirror the unpredictable terrain of life itself.
At the Bronze level, the expedition serves as an introductory foray into the world of navigation, camp craft, and teamwork. Participants complete a training weekend and a qualifying expedition, each lasting at least two days and one night. Under supervision, they learn the fundamentals of map reading, compass work, pitching tents, cooking outdoors, and working collaboratively to achieve a shared goal. This initial experience lays the groundwork for understanding the importance of planning, communication, and mutual support – essential skills when facing smaller, everyday hurdles in life.
Moving up to the Silver level, the demands increase. Our expedition is a ‘back to back’ meaning the practice and qualifying expeditions are completed in the same week. Participants are expected to take on greater responsibility for planning their route, managing their resources, and navigating independently.
This stage cultivates enhanced problem-solving abilities and the capacity to persevere when faced with setbacks, much like navigating unexpected obstacles in one's career or personal life. The longer duration necessitates greater stamina and mental fortitude, mirroring the sustained effort required to overcome significant life challenges.
The Gold level represents the pinnacle of the DofE expedition. Lasting four days and three nights in wild country, these expeditions demand a high degree of self-sufficiency, leadership, and resilience. Participants operate with minimal direct supervision, relying on their honed skills in navigation, risk assessment, and teamwork to successfully complete their challenging journey.
The experience of navigating complex landscapes, making critical decisions under pressure, and supporting one another through demanding conditions directly translates to the skills needed to tackle major life transitions, lead effectively, and overcome significant adversity with confidence and determination. Across all levels, the DofE expedition is more than just a trek. It's a practical lesson in resilience when blisters appear, teamwork when the map reading goes awry, and self-belief when the summit seems distant.
The challenges encountered – the aching muscles, the unpredictable weather, the reliance on one's own abilities and the support of the team – are potent metaphors for the hurdles life inevitably throws our way. The satisfaction of completing the expedition, of overcoming these challenges through perseverance and collaboration, instils a profound sense of
accomplishment and a belief in one's capacity to face future uncertainties with greater courage and competence. The DofE expedition section, therefore, is not just an adventure; it's an invaluable preparation for the journey of life itself.
Photos from the recent Gold Practice Expedition to the Yorkshire Dales.
Dates for this summer's expeditions are
Bronze Training Weekends
Cohort A: 14/15 June
Cohort B: 21/22 June
Silver ‘Back to Back’ Practice & Qualifying 12-17 July
Gold Qualifying 12-16 July
Students make a splash as paddlesports hit the water this term. We have club sessions running on Monday and Thursday after school, coupled with Senior School sport sessions on Tuesday and Thursday.
Incorporating paddlesports into the Adventure Learning Programme really does give students the opportunity to expand their comfort zones, and also spend some much needed time outdoors exploring The River Cam.
A group of outstanding Stephen Perse Cambridge students recently attended a prestigious Duke of Edinburgh's (DofE) Gold Award celebration at Buckingham Palace this May.
The memorable event recognised the remarkable achievements and dedication of these young people who successfully completed all the challenging sections of the Gold DofE Award.
The following students were among those honoured at the Palace:
● Charlotte R
● Eleanor M
● George D
● Jaylan W
● Joseph W
Attending the celebration marked the culmination of their perseverance, commitment, and the wide range of skills and experiences they gained through the Gold DofE programme. Completing the award involved sustained effort in volunteering, physical activity, skills development, a challenging expedition, and a residential activity.
The Stephen Perse Cambridge community warmly congratulates George, Joseph, Charlotte, Eleanor, and Jaylan on this outstanding achievement. Their success serves as an inspiration to others to embrace challenges and strive for their own goals. The DofE Gold Award is a highly respected accomplishment, demonstrating resilience, leadership, and a commitment to personal development, all of which were rightfully celebrated at Buckingham Palace.
Year 10 to 13
By Cherry Blanchard, Assistant Director of Music
On Monday 28 April, 36 students from Years 10 to 13 gathered to perform with their bands for our 6th annual gig at The Portland Venue, Cambridge. There were first timers and seasoned performers amongst the pupils and a very large and appreciative audience of family, friends and teachers.
We heard an eclectic range of songs from Queen classics to Lana Del Ray and covers of the Killers, Arctic Monkeys and Kelly Clarkson and more.
A few students had written their own songs for their bands to perform: the Year 10 band Static (Caito, Lindy, Tilly and Anna) who write nearly all of their own material, and also Jake in Year 10 and Amélie-Grace in Year 13. The night was finished off with some heavy rock and metal - combining a past student, Toby, returning to sing a Pantera track with old friends and Mr Manners, stepping in at the last minute to help after a broken finger ruled out Jake from this difficult song.
Every year I am astounded by the way the students rise to the occasion, giving electric and charismatic performances, despite how nerve wracking it must be to perform to such a large crowd, up close in a professional venue. This year was no exception: the standard of playing was excellent and the singing commanding and joyful.
We are losing some great Year 13 musicians at the end of the year and shall miss hearing them play at The Portland but hopefully, with the plethora of young bands moving up through the school, there will be even more exciting performances to look forward to in years to come.
By Frau Freeman, Head of Modern Languages
A group of Year 10 and Year 12 students headed to Germany in the spring holidays to visit their German exchange partners for nine days and throw themselves into everything Germany, more specifically Bavaria, has to offer.
From the Olympia Park to the Zugspitze
The first weekend was spent with host families and our students had the opportunity to experience German family life first hand. They were treated with excursions to local sights: for some this included the Olympia Park and TV tower with views of the Alps, for others they were taken to Schloss Neuschwanstein, Ludwig II’s fairy-tale castle, and a couple reached the heights of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain.
Work experience placements for the Sixth Form students
The Year 12s participated in a five day work experience placement and were offered a chance to practise their German in a different context. They were in Kindergartens, hotels and one student was at a fitness centre. All these placements involved working closely with their colleagues, understanding more about their places of work and broadening their range of German vocabulary. Free-time was spent with their partners exploring Munich and several managed to make it to the Lenbachhaus to visit the Blaue Reiter collection.
Schule auf Deutsch
What better activity to do in the school holidays than going to school in Germany? The Year 10s had the pleasure of joining their exchange partners in lessons at the school. Even more pleasurable with the hour change and summertime kicking in. Many commented on the similarities and differences between their learning - however they all get homework and tests so there are some common themes.
Tour + Kultur = Kultour!
Alongside lessons, Year 10s took part in a cultural programme with Frau Freeman and Mr Oliver. On the first day they were given a tour of Munich city centre’s highlights, including the Asamkirche - a rococo church, and the St Michael Church Crypt with many of the Wittelsbacher family members. We ended up in the Hofbräuhaus to experience some oom-pah music and a Spezi (Coca cola + Fanta).
Other cultural activities included: visiting the Deutsches Museum, Europe’s largest science and technology museum; the Pinakothek der Moderne, a modern art and design gallery and Schloss Nymphenburg, the main summer residence for the Wittelsbacher royal
Mozart and salt mines
One of the highlights was a joint trip for the Year 10s with their partners to Salzburg and then the salt mines in Berchtesgaden.
They drove through the Bavarian countryside, past lakes and snow-capped mountains, reaching Austria and Salzburg in glorious sunshine. The group wandered through the beautiful Mirabellgarten, location for one of the songs from ‘The Sound of Music’, reaching Mozart’s Wohnhaus, where he grew up.
There was time to explore Salzburg’s city centre, marvel at the architecture and discover that there were many different Mozartkugeln - traditional Austrian chocolate pralines - which were the original? Which tasted best? This was difficult to agree on!
We proceeded to the salt mines at Berchtesgaden, where we entered the mountain by train. All the students enjoyed the experience and learnt more about salt. The highlights most likely being the almost vertical slides as well as the underground lake boat tour.
Auf Wiedersehen!
On the final day the group flew back to England, their suitcases full of Bavarian delicacies and happy memories! The German group will return their visit at the end of June and the Year 10s and 12s are looking forward to hosting them, sharing more about their lives in Cambridge.
Participating on a school exchange remains a super way to get to know another young person and their life in another country. The students returned with not just extended vocabulary lists and more confident German-speaking skills but also with new friends abroad. Who knows? These connections might continue for life?
"Sevilla no se puede explicar, hay que vivirla"Seville can't be explained, you have to live it.
In April 2025 a group of 28 Year 10 and Year 12 students had the invaluable opportunity to improve their Spanish and immerse themselves in the captivating culture and historical buildings that Seville has to offer.
This educational trip opened up students to the wonderful culture of the city in different ways: being taught by Spanish teachers in small classes concentrating on speaking skills and mingling with the locals whilst taking in its mixture of stunning scenery, rustic charm and colourful traditions. Spanish hosts played a role in introducing the students to their food and traditions and enabling students to communicate in Spanish. Seville is the most beguiling city. The architecture is extraordinarily beautiful, the gardens are lush and tropical and everywhere you look there are orange trees, with fruit sparkling. Palaces feature intricate brickwork and brightly coloured ceramics typical of the Mudéjar style. The mix of Christian and Muslim influences on the city makes for some dazzling buildings Students’ comments
“Before going to Seville I honestly didn't know what to expect, but the entire experience was unforgettable. In five days, we managed to fit so much into the trip. Some of my favourite things we did were visiting La Giralda, the Real Alcázar, La Plaza de España and immersing ourselves in the culture with an extraordinary flamenco show! I feel we perfectly balanced the engaging lessons at CLIC in the morning, learning about the history of the city with tours during the day and freely exploring the city in the afternoons. During the evenings and at night, our host families made sure we were comfortable and their warmth made all the difference to our experience. Finally, the entire trip would not have been possible without our teachers, Ms Escudero, Ms Juneau and Mme Cox who made the trip forever memorable.”
Radha
“In April, we went to Seville for our Spanish language trip which was invaluable to my learning of the language and a very enjoyable experience. We were given a unique opportunity to explore some of the city's most iconic sites, while improving our general language skills. I particularly enjoyed touring the city, seeing the Royal Alcázar and taking part in daily language classes which were great as we only communicated in Spanish, making it a difficult, but useful addition to our trip. All in all, I absolutely loved Seville and I really recommend any future Spanish language students to participate on the trip.”
Tom
“I had an amazing time on the Spanish trip. The lessons in the morning were all in Spanish and we had fantastic teachers. The cultural trips in the afternoon were interesting and gave me a new perspective of the city. I liked the fact that in-between the two, we were given some freedom to explore the city, get ice creams or play football. I loved the Spanish food we ate in restaurants at lunch, and suppers were cooked by our welcoming and kind host. I also liked the in-depth lessons about the city and its history. Overall, I really enjoyed the trip and would recommend it to anyone doing Spanish!”
Barnaby
“We visited lots of local monuments such as the Giralda, Cathedral, Alcazar and the Plaza de España and were given tours around the attractions in Spanish. Outside of visiting monuments we had lessons, where we learned new language skills and were taught about the local culture. Additionally, we had free time to walk around the city and try different foods, such as paella. Overall we learned a lot about the language and culture in Spain.”
Molly
By Helen Cornish, Director of Development and Communications
Saturday 26 April 2025 saw a group of staff and students hosting 60 alumni and guests for the Stephen Perse Guild Reunion. Guild members signed up from around the world and across the decades. We were delighted to welcome Veronica Greenwood for her 74th anniversary of joining the Guild, along with particular groups celebrating their 60th, 50th and 40th anniversaries, whilst our youngest members present had left only in the last few years.
Thank you to our Year 10 and Year 12 students who attended as guides and hosts and to Christopher for sharing his musical talents as we gathered for drinks. Christopher joined Sixth Form this year from North Cambridge Academy, our state school partner, and as guests arrived for pre-lunch drinks he played our new Spirio|r Steinway piano, gifted by one of our current parents, Rose Jiang. We are tremendously grateful to Rose for her gifts of this extraordinary instrument and to the Guild Opportunities Fund.
This generous gift continues a long tradition of philanthropy and innovation, values that have always helped our school to grow and to evolve as it has needed to over the years.
We are very lucky to have a deeply supportive community - Guild members, parents, staff, students and friends - who help us to champion diversity, inclusion, innovation, and of course the outstanding education that Stephen Perse Cambridge offers.
One example of that deep support is our bursary programme, which broadens access and opportunity and we were delighted to recognise Heather Kilpatrick and friends, who recently set up the Catherine Lennon Drama Bursary in memory of their friend and fellow Guild member, Catherine Lennon (née Smith).
This bursary will fund LAMDA lessons for a bursary student each year working towards one of the LAMDA medals, helping them gain confidence, build skills, and experience the joy of performance - a wonderful tribute to Catherine’s legacy. Gifts like those highlighted here serve to remind us that we are part of a lifelong community - one that gives back and passes opportunity forward to the next generation.
After lunch staff and students led tours around the Senior School site and enjoyed hearing what used to go on in the Dance Studio when it was a gym and exam hall, tales of the Peacock Parlour and memories of drama productions, sporting triumphs, musical performances and treasured events. We then rounded off the afternoon with the traditional Guild reunion cake and an update from the Principal, with a further chance to catch up with old friends and make new connections over tea. You can see the full picture gallery on our website.
Particular thanks to our student ambassadors Charlie B, Christopher T-S, Dylan C, Emily W, Harry D and Kamilia K and co-Heads of School, Conor G and Phoebe C, for being such good hosts.
2026 will be the school’s 145th birthday, so look out for next year’s special event to celebrate 145 years, from Perse Girls to Stephen Perse Cambridge!
On 30 April and 1 May our community of past and present students, staff and governors, families, friends and supporters came together to raise funds for the Guild Opportunities Fund and awareness of the positive impact that bursary and scholarship awards have on the life of young people, the adults they become, and the communities in which they go on to live and work.
Guild Giving 2025 was kicked off by Years 7-11 holding a non-uniform day at the end of the Spring Term to collect a pump-priming donation for each House in the Guild Giving fundraising competition. Several alumni, student families and staff also pledged generous challenge gifts that they would give to the Guild Opportunities Fund when certain milestone numbers of gifts were given.
Together, the student fundraising and challenge donors encouraged many other community members to join in giving their support: 181 donors made gifts of £30,707 to the Guild Opportunities Fund, which was a tremendous result for current and future bursary award holders.
Thank you to everyone who contributed gifts, arranged fundraising activities and events and shared their experiences of the positive power of bursary and scholarship support!
In the Guild Giving 2025 opening film, we heard from current student Amnay and alumna Isabel about how their financially assisted places changed their educational experience and the positive effects of that support.
During the 36 hours of the challenge period, we learnt more about bursaries and scholarships from all parts of our community, including:
● Former D C James award holder, Hibatullah, now reading Physics at Birmingham
● Two of our Ukrainian students, Kseniia, who will be the first girl to represent the UK at the International Olympiad on Informatics this year, and Viktor, currently sitting his A Levels
● Governor, Nat Segaren, and Principal Richard Girvan about why bursaries and scholarships are such an important part of the Stephen Perse Cambridge ethos
● Amnay’s father, Yacine
● Donor, Sophie Costello and, of course, much more from our bursary award holders, past and present.
You can see the full range of reels and carousels on our Instagram page at www.instagram.com/stephenpersefoundation
If you intended to make a gift, but didn’t do so yet, or would like to make a follow-on single or regular gift to the Guild Opportunities Fund, you can still do so at www.stephenperse.com/donate
Many donors shared their motivation for giving and their memories of their time at our school.
Thank you again for everyone’s support, together we make a real and positive difference to the lives of young people!
By Year 12 student, Amelia H
In March, we visited the Cranedale Centre in Yorkshire on a geography fieldwork trip.
We spent the first day in Scarborough, studying human geography. Our guide taught us how to use a variety of sampling strategies in order to collect data. We then had the opportunity to put our skills into practice by completing surveys around the town in pairs. The town is a historic seaside resort with a stunning coastline. However, as we visited it out of season it was really interesting to see just how much of an impact tourism would have on the vibrancy of the town if it was peak season. Later that evening, we analysed the data we had collected and learnt how to display it, providing us with useful techniques to use during our independent coursework investigation.
The second day was equally as engaging. We visited a number of locations along the coastline that had suffered from extreme rates of coastal erosion. It was fascinating to experience our previous learning in context and see first-hand just how much of an impact these geographical processes have had on the local communities. Our guide taught us lots more sampling strategies that will help us collect data for a physical geography coursework enquiry.
The classroom sessions were very helpful as we were taught how to undertake statistical tests to review our data.
The final day enabled us to put into practice everything we had learnt over the past few days. We created our own investigation and enquiry question. The study centre provided a range of equipment and we were able to explore the local village, choosing a location most suited to our own investigation. Once we collected our data in small groups we headed back to the classroom to analyse our results and perform statistical tests to reach our conclusions.
As well as being great fun, the trip was an extremely useful combination of practical fieldwork and engaging classroom sessions which allowed us to develop our practical geographical fieldwork skills and have invaluable guidance to allow us to confidently carry out our own fieldwork investigations later in the A Level course.
IT HAPPENED ON A TUESDAY. WHICH IS WEIRD, COS NOTHING INTERESTING EVER HAPPENS ON A TUESDAY. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT.
Year 8 are proud to present ‘Tuesday’ by Alison Carr. This one-act but action-packed play sees an ordinary Tuesday turn really weird when the sky above Lane End School suddenly rips open. Pupils and teachers are pulled up into a parallel world, whilst a new set of people start raining down from above. The two dimensions must work together to figure out what is going on, and how they can get things back to how they were.
The play, originally commissioned for the National Theatre Connections Festival in 2020-21, is funny, playful, (a bit sci-fi), but also covers some big themes: friendship, family, identity, grief, and responsibility.
What happens when your world is literally turned upside down and inside out?
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THURSDAY 3 JULY - 7:30PM
FRIDAY 4 JULY - 7:30PM
Refreshments available in the Senior School dining room from 6:15pm
Congratulations to Year 9 students; Safa S, Bridget B, Mikhail LS and Ellie C, who have had their artworks selected for the 2026 Protein Data Bank in Europe calendar which aims to convey scientific principles through student artwork.
They made mixed media pieces during their ‘Art & Science: Ecology’ course with Mrs Wilshaw, using acrylic paint, ink and digital techniques, to visualise specific protein structures and communicate their ecological ideas.
By Alison Bowden, Director of Catering
The Catering Team has been working hard across all our Stephen Perse sites, focusing on bringing added value, education, and a commitment to both delicious food and sustainability to our students.
Last term saw a vibrant array of themed days designed to engage and educate. Our Junior School enjoyed a lively Spanish Day, while Dame Bradbury's celebrated Pancake Day with traditional flair. We marked the Chinese New Year across all our locations, and our nurseries brought stories to life with World Book Day treats.
Our popular tasting tables continued to be a hit, introducing students to the vibrant flavours of pineapple, plums, and other exotic fruits. We also explored the fascinating world of foraging, sparking curiosity about seasonal ingredients.
In an exciting step towards greater sustainability, Holroyd Howe, our catering partner, has joined forces with Waste Knot. This initiative allows us to creatively utilise vegetables that might otherwise be discarded due to their size or shape. We've seen innovative transformations, with white cabbage becoming flavourful kimchi and red cabbage being expertly
pickled. Even apples of all shapes and sizes, along with cauliflower, carrots, rhubarb, and kale, have found delicious homes within our daily menus.
Caring for our students' dietary needs is paramount. We recently underwent a thorough audit by the Coeliac Society in our pursuit of accreditation. The feedback received was overwhelmingly positive, and we eagerly await the final confirmation.
With exam season approaching, we are now turning our attention to the crucial role of nutrition in supporting our Year 11 and 13 students. Our menus will be specifically tailored to provide the energy and focus they need during this important time.
Our menus are readily available on the school website for all Stephen Perse schools. Should you have any questions or specific dietary concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at catering@stephenperse.com. We warmly welcome you to visit our lunch provision at any of our sites (please give us advance notice) if you have any concerns about availability or your child’s dietary requirements. We always encourage our students to explore new dishes and are happy to provide larger portions upon request.
By KS5 History Society
Year 12 students accompanied the Year 8 trip on Monday 17 March 2025. We all had a really educational time and it was especially insightful, because it was not like a lesson where we are in a classroom, but actually immersed in the historical environment.
It was extremely beneficial for us as historians to learn about the customs and social life of Tudor court through the perspectives of one of the most prominent statesmen of the period, William Cecil, who constructed Burghley House. Talks were held diving into the life and history of William Cecil and his family, and linking the Cecil family to the royal family, and their gradual integration. This trip undoubtedly expanded our knowledge of the British side of our history course and it was very worthwhile.
Year 8 student, Nina B said: “When we went to Burghley House, I enjoyed the tour of the house. It was very interesting and I also liked how the lady who showed us around the house told us little details about each room.
For example, in one of the rooms, there were paintings of one of the late owners of the house’s friends, and in each painting there was a little animal next to the person. And the little animal in the painting represented the nickname of the person in the painting. Another thing that I found intriguing was the life of William Cecil and how it took him 30 years to build Burghley House.”
Talks were held diving into the life and history of William Cecil and his family, and linking the Cecil family to the royal family, and their gradual integration.
The cricket season opened on our first weekend back after the Easter break, with our 1st XI hosting Embley School a touring side from Hampshire for a pre-season T20 game.
In a hard fought and extremely close game, Embley chased down our total of 135 with just 3 balls to spare. There were some excellent contributions in the game from Pi C-F (61 off 49 balls), Neel K (49 off 41 balls) and Niketh K (3/28 off 4 overs).
We're absolutely thrilled to share the fantastic news of Year 8 student Izzy K's incredible success in synchronised skating. Izzy and her team, Team Stardust, recently took home the gold medal at the prestigious Steel City Trophy competition. Competing against 11 other teams in their category at the national event on Sunday, 2 March 2025, Stardust delivered an outstanding performance that earned them first place. What makes this even more exciting is that they are also this year's British Champions in their category!
All of our squads are working hard in lessons and training sessions and we are now looking forward to the season ahead.
Izzy shared her excitement with us, saying, "After three years or so of synchro, I think this season was the most successful and enjoyable since joining Stardust. My team was always very determined and supportive - we were like a big happy family. I am excited to have been selected for a higher level team next season and we may even compete abroad!"
A huge well done and our warmest congratulations to Izzy on her brilliant gold medal win! We are so proud of your achievement.
Well done to four of our students who competed in the County Schools Golf Championships: Igor H, Radha S, Ellie S and Ollie B. They all performed well in very cold conditions.
Particular congratulations to Year 10 student Radha who was crowned U16 handicap winner, U16 scratch winner and U18 handicap runner up.
A superb achievement!
Stephen Perse Cambridge hosted an excellent match v Sancton Wood Junior and Senior School teams recently. The Junior School Team led by Madeleine P, were a much younger team than their opponents but they fenced bravely and passionately to finish with 19 points to Sancton Wood's 27.
The Senior School team fenced a very close match and eventually won on the last point scored by Gabriel N against Sancton Wood's GB ranked fencer. Score was 27:26. It was an exhilarating and exciting match.
Rosie's Resilience: Gold Medal Win and Olympic Dreams
Despite a challenging period marked by injuries and coaching disruptions, 12-year-old fencer Rosie has achieved a stunning victory in the Leon Paul Junior Series U17 competition. Rosie, the youngest competitor in the category, faced a series of setbacks in the final, including a red card, a foil malfunction, and a snapped foil at a critical 14-14 score. However, she displayed remarkable resilience and focus, ultimately securing the gold medal with a decisive final hit.
Rosie's coach plans to intensify her training in preparation for key upcoming events, including the British Youth Championships U14, the GBR Selection European Finals U14, and the Leon Paul British Ranking Competition Cadet U17.
Rosie is aiming for a podium finish in the highly competitive U14 category and has aspirations to join the GBR Pathway program. Her long-term goal is to compete in the Olympics, with her coach suggesting the 2032 Games as a realistic target.
Public Schools Fencing Championships
Congratulations to Rosie R (left) and Alannah M (right) who competed at the Public Schools Fencing Championships. Both had some very tough opponents but gave their very best to finish 14th and 12th respectively.
Congratulations to Sophie in Year 11 who over the Easter holidays won her first National Grade 2 tournament. She is now the Welsh Junior Open champion.
A fantastic achievement and a testament to all of the hours and hard work Sophie has put into her training!
Our U14 Boys and Girls teams have progressed to the latter stages of the District Cup, and we await news of their semi-final opponents. Meanwhile, the U13 Girls are dreaming big, aiming to emulate the legendary 2022 side by booking their place in the National Final at St George’s Park.
Please see page 4 for the U15 Girls Win National Football Title. Football is truly thriving at Stephen Perse Cambridge. Here's to even more success on the horizon!
Congratulations to Pat P who competed as part of the U15 boys Cambridgeshire county sportshall athletics team at the National championships. Pat competed in the track, relay and triple jump and as a team they came 6th nationally, huge congratulations.
We had so much to celebrate as last term drew to a close, with our netball and hockey teams achieving some truly excellent results!
Netball Highlights:
Our netball programme was buzzing with activity, with over 150 matches played by our 25 teams, representing all ages and abilities. We were particularly thrilled with:
● Our U18 1st team, who qualified for Regionals and secured a fantastic 4th place overall after a close semi-final.
● Our U16A team, who triumphed at the County schools tournament, earning themselves a welldeserved spot at Regionals.
● The incredible achievement of four of our teams who went undefeated all season, and another seven who only experienced a single loss.
Our hockey teams were also busy with numerous fixtures, including four County tournaments and two Regional Tournaments. We were delighted to see:
● Our Year 7s are making great strides and playing some really good hockey.
● Our Year 8s showed resilience and hard work in some challenging matches, and their anticipation for moving to 11-a-side next year.
● Our Year 9s made a strong start to 11-a-side hockey, with our B team scoring plenty of goals. Our A team had a brilliant season, narrowly missing out on Nationals after a heart-breaking shuffles loss in the Regional Final, ultimately finishing as proud runnersup after winning four matches and drawing one on their journey.
● Our combined Year 10 and 11 U16 Regional side put in an impressive performance to finish as runnersup at their Regional Finals after a hard-fought final (0-1). A truly excellent effort from everyone involved!
● Our U18 Boys side also displayed some fantastic hockey skills.
We're incredibly excited about what next season holds for all our talented athletes!