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End of year message from the Governors

Welcome to the first of regular updates from the governors of St Clement Danes.

This past school year has seen a number of new governors join the School Board, providing a range of skills and experience as well as insight from two ‘Old Danes’. The key responsibilities of the School Board are to:

•    ensure clarity of the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction

•    hold the Senior Leadership Team to account for the educational performance of the school and the achievements of its students

•    oversee the financial performance of the school and ensure that money is well spent.

The School Board’s Chair is Martin Day with Mohan Gharial as Vice Chair, supported by Governors Lynn O’Connor, Clare Steet, Nick Edwards, Palak Shah and Camilla Haggith-Khonje. Scott Kemp and Aideen Ward were elected Parent Governors this year and our Staff Governors are Debbie Harvey and Karen Ingleby, who recently took over this role from Emma Brown. As Headteacher, Toby Sutherland is also a Governor and we have been supported throughout the past year by Rachel Turvey as our Clerk. Richard Carey, of the Holborn Estate Charity, acts as an Honorary Governor.

Please follow the link to the Governance section on the website to find out more about us: https://www.stclementdanes.org.uk/389/governance
 

This school year has seen an impressive level of achievement and progress at St Clement Danes, as our students make the best of the opportunities presented to them. The governors are delighted to congratulate students and staff alike on the many and varied events, concerts and productions showcasing their skills and accomplishments. Although all of these demonstrated how St Clement Danes is delivering to the highest standards, the Remembrance Service commemorating 100 years since the end of the First World War deserves special mention, encapsulating the school’s ethos of ‘excellence, respect and trust’.

In June we invited the Holborn Estate Charity (HEC) Trustees to join a School Board meeting and were able to show them the significant improvements in the school’s buildings, including the new science laboratories, textiles room, food technology rooms and Learning Resources Centre, as well as the amazing new central corridor which has been welcomed by staff and students alike. These developments would not have been possible without the support of HEC and we are, needless to say, immensely grateful to them for their continued commitment to the school.

Alongside this, the school has benefited considerably from the support of the Anchor Fund and the Parents’ Association during 2018-19 and the governors would like to thank all those who support the school in this way. We also encourage every parent to play a part in ensuring that the outstanding provision at St Clement Danes can be sustained, either by giving their time to support the school or by contributing to the Anchor Fund, which provides the financial support necessary to deliver the educational standards and opportunities our students enjoy. Please visit: https://www.stclementdanes.org.uk/208/anchor-fund

Finally, a word of thanks to Mr Sutherland, the Senior Leadership Team and all the teaching and support staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the year. Their commitment and achievements are exceptional. This year there have been a number of staff receiving long service awards for 20 years at the school which is testament to the type of school that St Clement Danes is; long may this continue.

We look forward to our next school year and all the opportunities that this will bring, including welcoming our next cohort of Year 7 students. In the meantime, we wish all staff, students and parents a well-earned summer break.

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19th December

Charities Week 2025

The halls of St Clement Danes School have been buzzing with holiday cheer this week as the annual Charities Week is officially in full swing. As the Autumn Term draws to a close, pupils and staff have united to raise vital funds for three incredible causes: Endometriosis UK, Spread a Smile, and Herts Young Homeless. The school is alive with the spirit of giving, driven by a jam packed ‘Advent’ schedule designed to get everyone involved in the fundraising efforts. This year’s itinerary has been filled with exciting activities, ranging from pupil led lessons and a "Mystery Bucket" challenge to the competitive excitement of the "Elf Auction" and various competitions. Pupils have also enjoyed the classic "Sponge the Teacher" event and a visit to Santa’s Grotto, ensuring the festive atmosphere is matched only by the community’s generosity. Beyond the classroom activities, pupils have been sharing the festive spirit with the wider community. On 18th December, the SCD Senior Choir paid a special visit to Chorleywood Manor Care Home. The residents were treated to a beautiful selection of Christmas carols, featuring performances by members of the Chamber Choir, Evensong Choir, and the Barbershop Choir. Year 12 pupils Immy and Chrissie noted that "it was a very joyful occasion and it was lovely to see the residents joining in and looking so happy." The success of such a busy week relies heavily on pupil leadership, and the school extends a massive vote of thanks to Year 13 for their incredible hard work and dedication. Their enthusiasm have been the driving force behind this week's fundraising efforts. The week is set to conclude on Friday with the Grand Finale: the highly anticipated Sixth Form Revue, promising a spectacular end to a week of community, charity and celebration.