SJSS Events
Sir John Staples Society Inaugural Launch
On 28th February 2017 the Inaugural launch of the Sir John Staples Society took place at Prendergast School on the occasion of the Leathersellers' Court Visitation. We were delighted to welcome Lord David Blunkett who gave a wise, witty and compelling speech to an invited audience of the federation schools' pupils, teachers, parents and guests. He was introduced by student speeches. The launch was a great success.
Free summer holiday activities at the London Museum Docklands 7th - 26th August 2024
See details here.
Summer fun for the family!
Mostly Mozart LMP Community Concert - Sunday 30 January 2022
On Sunday, 30 January 2022 the London Mozart Players, together with 15-year-old violin virtuoso Leia Zhu, performed Mozart’s graceful and enchanting third violin concerto. Federation students and their families were thrilled to have the amazing opportunity of experiencing live classical music from this internationally celebrated chamber orchestra and its very special young guest, who is surely an inspiration for every fledgling and aspiring musician.
Summer 2021 at Shakespeare's Globe
We are delighted to be preparing to reopen our theatres for our Summer 2021 season on 19th May 2021.
The Globe has very friendly performances - with shorter timings - no intervals - and one can leave and enter freely to go to the bar, the ladies/gents, or even to the gift shop during the performance as the audiences are so much smaller because of social distancing. And tickets prices still start at £5.
We open with Midsummer Night’s Dream on 19th May
Then show Romeo and Juliet from 26th June
And finish the season with Twelfth Night on 29th July
Further info can be found here.
Margaret Casely-Hayford CBE
Chair, Shakespeare’s Globe
Classes at The School of Classical Russian Ballet
The School of Classical Russian Ballet runs a wide programme of ballet classes for children on its premises. Access is always available to local young children through subsidies provided by The School of Classical Russian Ballet. Means-tested bursaries are available for all those requiring them. The School has had a number of enquiries from children at the local schools in which they run ballet sessions. They would like to make sure that all the children in all the schools where they work and outside know that they are very welcome to take ballet classes at SCRB. Individual financial circumstances are not a barrier to training at any level within SCRB.
The Leathersellers' Federation of Schools very much supports this programme. Anyone interested in these callses can simply call, email, or pop in to the Ballet School, and they will be very happy to arrange a trial session for your child.
The SCRB are delighted that several youngsters from performance programmes are now taking regular lessons at the school on a subsidised basis.
To get in touch with the SCRB please use the contact details below.
Tel : +44 (0)20 7498 0498 or the email info@classicalballet.org
London Mozart Players - Saturday 1st February 2020
On Saturday 1 February some students and their families enjoyed attending a beautiful classical performance of the London Mozart Players at St John the Evangelist, Upper Norwood.
ROSSINI Overture to L’italiana in Algeri CHOPIN Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor, Op.11 . Pianist extraordinaire Howard Shelley and London Mozart Players bring Chopin’s glittering Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor to Upper Norwood in a special concert dedicated to giving the whole local community access to the best in classical music.
London School of Classical Ballet - The London Coliseum - 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th December 2019
Over 500 students and their families across the Federation enjoyed the amazing opportunity of seeing world class contemporary ballet performances at the Coliseum. This cultural event was extremely well received and appreciated by all that attended.
Modanse starring Svetlana Zakharova
Bolshoi ballet superstar Svetlana Zakharova pays tribute to Coco Chanel in her new programme. The evenings are part of the short season of Svetlana Zakharova sponsored by Chanel and MuzArts.
Radio & Juliet. Faun. McGregor + Mugler.
A thrilling triple bill including the world premiere of a unique collaboration between Wayne McGregor and Manfred Thierry Mugler. https://londoncoliseum.org/whats-on/radio-juliet-faun-mcgregor-mugler/
Garsington Opera - 16th July 2019
Garsington Opera is working in partnership with The Lord Mayor’s Appeal on an opera project with 250 young people aged from 11 to 18 from six London schools and we are delighted that students from two of our schools - Prendergast School and Prendergast Ladywell School - will be amongst those schools taking part!
Led by a professional creative team from Garsington Opera and inspired by Mozart’s Don Giovanni, the students will devise their own words, compose songs, sing repertoire from the opera and design the set and costumes. This culminates in a performance fusing the genres of rap, YouTube and opera with the young people at the heart of the piece and will take place to an invited audience on the afternoon of Tuesday 16 July 2019 at the Old Library in the Guildhall, City of London.
See Letter from The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor, Alderman Peter Estlin
London Mozart Players LMP 70th Birthday Season Classical Concert - 26th January 2019
Classical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and clarinet virtuoso Michael Collins share a birthday - 27th January - which was just two weeks ahead of the London Mozart Players’ own 70th anniversary. Federation students attended a special concert which marked this triple celebration, where Michael Collins performed two of Mozart’s acclaimed works at LMP's resident home, St John the Evangelist. It was a fantastic opportunity for students and a privilege to be able to attend. The students reported that it was a wonderfully enriching and beautiful concert.
Oxford & Cambridge Universities Outreach 2018 and Varsity Rugby Match - 6th December 2018
Students across the Federation attended the Varsity rugby match at Twickenham Stadium where Oxford and Cambridge students - men and women - met head-to-head at the home of England Rugby, Twickenham Stadium.
The students were also welcomed by the admissions departments of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge to present an insight into university life. This was an excellent day for our capable and gifted students making a real difference in terms of raising their aspirations to benefit from the quality of education at Oxford and Cambridge.
Mark d'Inverno - The Future of Creativity - 17th October 2018
Mark delivered an inspiring talk to sixth formers and some Y11 Prendergast Vale students on the 'Future of Creativity' bringing together lots of ideas from history, music, AI, creative practice and learning.
Mark, a renowned jazz pianist, invited as part of his talk a sixth former to join him on the piano which was greeted with delighted applause!
Speakers for Schools: Simon Stevens, Chief Executive NHS England - 25th September 2018
NHS England and NHS Improvement are working with Speakers for Schools to celebrate the 70th birthday of the NHS this year. The Federation was delighted to welcome Simon Stevens to Prendergast Ladywell School. Simon spoke to an audience of students from across the federation, inspiring them for careers in any of the 350 different jobs that 1.3 million staff undertake. A life changing talk from one of the most influential CEOs in England.
Visit to Fitzwilliam College Cambridge - 11th July 2018
Students from Y10 and Y12 experienced a 'Taste of Cambridge' in a visit to Fitzwilliam College on 11th July. After an Admissions talk, the students had a Q&A session and a college tour followed by lunch.
The students were then able to select an Academic Taster Sessions in the Sciences or Arts. The Academic Taster Sessions were delivered by the University's Director of Studies in Medicine & Veterinary Medicine and Director of Studies in English.
The visit was a valuable and aspirational experience for our students.
Apprentice 2018 Ravensbourne University - 27th June 2018
A selection of Year 10 and Year 12 Students from the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools undertook a visit to ‘Apprentice 2018’ on Wednesday 27th June 2018. This was an Apprenticeship event taking place at the Ravensbourne University to raise students’ awareness of the opportunities available for apprenticeships at all levels, including to degree standard. The students enjoyed an insightful and valuable day.
Speakers for Schools: Sir Brendan Barber, Chair of the ACAS Council - Talk to Federation Students
Date: 17th May 2018 | Time: 3:00pm | Venue: Prendergast Vale School
Sir Brendan Barber was appointed as the Chair of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) commencing January 2014. He was the General Secretary of the TUC from 2003 to 2012 having first joined the TUC in 1975. He is a member of the Banking Standards Board, the Board of Transport for London and of the Council of City University London which he graduated from with a BSc in Social Sciences in 1974. He is also a member of the Board of the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.
During his time at the TUC he sat on the Acas Council from 1995 to 2004, the Board of Sport England from 1999 to 2003 and the Court of Directors of the Bank of England from 2003 to 2012. He is a Visiting Fellow at the Said Business School, Oxford University, and a Visiting Fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford. In 2007 he received an Honorary Doctorate from the City University. Sir Brendan was knighted in the 2013 Birthday Honours for services to employment relations.
Museum of London - London Nights Exhibition - Private Viewing 9th May 2018
Y10 students from Prendergast Vale attended a private viewing held in celebration of the opening of the Museum of London's London Nights Exhibition. London Nights reveals the capital at night with a display of over 200 works by 60 photographers, ranging from the late 19th century to the present day, some never seen before. The Exhibition runs until November 2018.
Prendergast Ladywell students attending an England Rugby Open Training Session
Prendergast School Annual PrizeGiving (October 2017)
Prendergast School's annual PrizeGiving took place on Thursday 12th October at Goldsmiths College. Professor Mark d’Inverno, the Pro-Warden and a patron of the Sir John Staples Society, gave an inspiring talk as Principal Speaker and a performance on the piano. It was a fantastic evening of celebration of the achievements of students who were joined by proud parents, governors and guests. Professor Mark d’Inverno was very impressed as were many parents and the school received lots of good feedback.
A Trip to the Royal Ballet (September 2017)
EKATERINA KRYSANOVA AND SEMYON CHUDIN
MARIA ALEXANDROVA AND VLADISLAV LANTRATOV
OF THE BOLSHOI BALLET
With students of London Russian Ballet School
PATRON DAME GILLIAN LYNNE
Students from all 3 Federation schools had the wonderful opportunity of a trip on 18th September 2017 to The London Palladium to enjoy a superb performance of the 'Romantic Revolution' by the London Russian Ballet School.
LRBS is a vocational charity which teaches ballet to and educates young people from widely diverse backgrounds. Its outreach performance work reaches over 3000 children from unprivileged backgrounds each year. LRBS is proud that leading Bolshoi principals will present an outstanding programme with its pupils. This is an incredible opportunity to see world class artists and for LRBS students to perform with them, accompanied by award winning musicians. LRBS is continuing its collaboration with the Bolshoi Theatre to bring ballet and classical music to young people.
The trip was initiated by the Sir John Staples Society. The students from all the schools had a fantastic time.
A Visit from The Lord Mayor of London (June 2017)
Andrew Parmley, the 689th Lord Mayor of London attended a wonderful concert of music at Prendergast School on 8th June 2017. There was Gospel and choral singing, classical duets and solos, singer songwriters, pop, soul and blues performed by students from all 3 federation schools. All the performers were under 15 and displayed an impressive level of talent. The Lord Mayor, himself a practicing musician, former Director of Music, patron of the London Symphony Orchestra and Head Master warmly congratulated the students. The performance was watched by Governors, parents and students from all of the schools in the Federation. The visit had been organised by the Leathersellers’ Company and its Master Mr Ian Russell. The visit was a further development of the Sir John Staples Society which supports interest in the arts, music, commerce, politics, religion and science amongst the students.
speakers4schools programme (March 2017)
As part of the speakers4schools programme, British Journalist and BBC Presenter Justin Webb visited Prendergast Ladywell School and spoke with Y10 students focusing on:
- his career and experience – how he became a Journalist
- his experience of working in the media, particularly radio and TV
- the importance of effective communication – written and spoken – with consideration of audience
- his time in the US, including questions about his reporting of the Obama years and the Trump presidency
Justin Webb made a big impression with the students who enjoyed the experience. Many were considering a career in Journalism because it sounded so exciting and varied. We are confident that he brought new directions and impetus to many.
“Niall it was a real pleasure and I thought the kids were brilliant - bright and funny and full of questions. Did you all a great credit. The Inspectors should note! Stay in touch” Justin Webb.
England Rugby Open Training - Twickenham (February 2017)
On Friday 17th February, Ross McManus, Head of PE Prendergast Ladywell School, took a group of students from the Year 8/9 rugby team to Twickenham Stadium to watch the England Men’s team in an open training session. None of the students he took had ever been to Twickenham before so they were all very excited about the opportunity. They had photos taken with mascots and the famous statues before taking their seats and watching the England team in action. There was a welcome from the Head Couch, Eddie Jones, who was about to lead the England team to a record 17 victories (and counting). The training session as you would expect was fast, furious and highly technical. The skills on display were very impressive and a great lesson to young players. All of the students thoroughly enjoyed the day and learned a lot. They will be better players for the experience and one day, you never know, it may have been the seed that grew into a future England player.
