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Commemoration Service 2023

Commemoration Day on 24th November marked the celebration of the school's founding with a splendid service at the St Clement Danes Church in Holborn. It marked the 1,137th anniversary of the land allocation to the Danes by King Alfred the Great in 886, where the first church, later known as St. Clement Danes, was built. The school celebrated its forty-seventh year on its current site in Chorleywood.

The service was attended by students in Years 7, 11 and 13, VIPs, Old Danes, Trustees, Staff and Governors.

The service commenced with the Processional Cross carried in by Headboy, Sam James and the Acolyte Torches by Louie Green and Isabella Patterson. Reverend Mark Perry, Resident Chaplin to St Clement Danes Church, warmly welcomed the congregation.

The Year 7 Choir, Adult Choir, Chamber Choir and Orchestra, alongside the captivating solo performance of 'Pie Jesu Gabriel Faure' by Year 13 student Aine Cronnelly, filled the event with musical brilliance with their beautiful performances.

It was wonderful to hear the First Orchestra performing Year 12 student, Phillip Deeley’s, debut performance of his composition, Dies Irae.

Headgirl, Lucy Douglas, and Headteacher, Mr Sutherland, contributed to the service with insightful lessons and Reverend Andrew Prout delivered the final address. The symbolic 'The Anchor is Our Emblem' resonated with soloists, Maya Smart and Jayan Meggs, performing and the service ended with the enchanting Hallelujah Chorus by Handel.

It was a beautiful and memorable morning, with livestreaming for the remaining students who were based at school.

Thank you to all the staff involved, in particular Mr Butterfield, Miss Smart, Mrs Pullen, Mrs Maryubushi and Miss Ryan, for making the day truly special. 

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18th June

Pupil journalist Sam B secures national 'Student Voices' award

Our  talented pupil, Sam B, Year 9, has been named one of just five winners nationwide in the prestigious ' The Day's Student Voices Young Journalist Awards 2026. Sam B clinched the honour with a compelling, insightful opinion piece titled, “Life Isn't All Sunshine And Rainbows But It's Not Doom And Gloom Either.” The competition judges praised the passion, positivity and exceptional eloquence of Sam’s writing. As part of the winner's package, the article was officially published on The Day’s global Student Voices platform on 15th June, alongside the national announcement of the competition winners. Sam’s award-winning article takes critical aim at the modern media landscape, arguing that mainstream platforms rely on sensationalism and fear to drive reader engagement. The piece contrasts historical anxieties with today's relentless news cycle, which feeds on global catastrophes. While acknowledging real hardships, Sam warns that constant access to bleak updates is mentally exhausting and traps younger generations in a false sense of hopelessness.  Far from advocating for purposeful ignorance, Sam urges readers to stay informed while remembering how far humanity has progressed. The essay highlights that we are living in a golden age of technology and medical achievement.  Ultimately, the award-winning piece serves as a powerful reminder of humanity's inherent resilience and proven ability to thrive in the face of adversity. As Sam beautifully concludes, "It's important to keep positive, because whatever happens, humans always adapt and never lose hope." The entire St Clement Danes community extends its warmest congratulations to Sam on this incredible achievement