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Holocaust Survivor shares his story with Year 9 students

On Monday 12th November, sixty Year 9 students were privileged in having the opportunity to listen to the story of Mr Alf Keiles, a Holocaust survivor, when he visited St Clement Danes School.

Miss Sacks, Subject Leader of Religious Studies said, ‘Alf had an amazing story. He told the students of an occasion when he shook hands with Hitler during his campaign to get into power.  Alf spoke of his persecution as a Jew. He told the students that by the age of 8 he had been assaulted many times and even stabbed twice, resulting in life long scars, due to the fact he was identified as a Jew.

When Alf was nine he travelled to Genoa with his twelve year old sister to try and take refuge in South Africa. They waited for the boat for four days, but then they received the news that South Africa was no longer taking Jewish children. Alf and his sister then travelled to Southampton, and, after waiting four days, discovered that one boat load of children was going to be allowed to enter South Africa. Therefore, Alf and his sister returned to Genoa, and were successfully evacuated to South Africa, where they subsequently settled.'

Miss Sacks added that Alf is a fascinating character, and the students were captivated by his story. Alf also has a passion for music, and is well known within the world of jazz.

Thank you to Mr Keiles for sharing his story with our students. It was a privilege for our students and staff to meet him. We are also grateful to Alf’s son, Glen, for helping to arrange the visit. Alf’s granddaughter attends St Clement Danes School and the three family members are shown in the photographs of Mr Keiles’ visit.

 

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26th February

Celebrating our inclusion in National Top 200 Sporting schools list

We are proud to announce our inclusion in the prestigious list of the top 200 sporting schools in the country, achieving an impressive 62nd place ranking nationally. This recognition, recently highlighted by the Watford Observer, places the school among the elite educational institutions for sporting achievement in the United Kingdom. The "Top 200" list is compiled annually by School Sport Magazine, which utilises a rigorous methodology to determine the most successful schools across the nation. Unlike subjective polls, these rankings are based purely on performance in national competitions. The magazine analyses results across more than 20 different sports and over 120 different national competitions, awarding points based on how far a school progresses. Particular weight is given to reaching the final stages of prestigious national cups and championships, meaning the list serves as a direct reflection of a school’s competitive reach and its ability to succeed at the highest levels of school sport. Our climb to the 62nd spot this year is a direct result of several standout performances on the national stage across a variety of disciplines. Our Senior Girls reached the ESFA Football National Semi-Finals, showcasing incredible teamwork and skill against the best in the country. Our golfers also excelled on the national stage, finishing as National Finalists ranked number 9 in the country in the English Schools’ Team Championship. Additionally, the Inter Boys squad demonstrated exceptional talent and athleticism by qualifying for the National Track & Field Final, while the U16 Boys’ determination saw them progress deep into their season to reach the National Vase Regional Final. These milestones represent countless hours of training, immense dedication from both pupils and staff and a tenacious competitive spirit that defines the St Clement Danes community. While the school is incredibly proud of these elite achievements and our high standing in the national rankings, we recognise that these statistics only tell part of the story. Our core values are built on the belief sport extends far beyond the trophy cabinet or a leaderboard. Our focus remains firmly on participation as well as performance, ensuring our programme is inclusive, meaningful and accessible for all, not just those competing at the highest level.  Sport is for all, and whether a pupil is representing the school in a national final or discovering a lifelong passion for physical activity in a lunchtime club, our goal is to create a culture where every pupil feels empowered to stay active. We remain committed to providing a diverse range of opportunities that cater to all abilities, ensuring every pupil can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of sport.  Congratulations to all our pupil-athletes, coaches and supportive parents who have helped make this national recognition possible.