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Speech Day 2017

On Friday, the school celebrated the successes of its student body at the annual Speech Day.

With the junior event taking place in the morning and the senior prize giving after lunch, hundreds of gathered students, parents and guests were able to enjoy the speeches and musical items and celebrate the students’ success. Both events were accompanied by superb performances by the First Orchestra and excellent speeches by the Head Boy and Girl, Matthew Leveridge and Mia O'Connell. Chair of Governors, Mr Mike Brasier, began by welcoming parents, students and guests and praised the work of the school in the past year, in particular singling out the magnificent performance of the Verdi Requiem, saying that “no challenge is too great for this school and its students.” In her speech, Dr Valentine paid tribute to those receiving prizes and thanked the staff for their “day in day out pursuit of excellence and care for the students” finishing by reminding the audience that St Clement Danes is “probably still the best school in the world.” Local MP David Gauke presented the prizes at the morning event. In his speech he urged the students to “embrace new opportunities” which will help prepare them for an ever changing world of work.

In the afternoon, Mr and Mrs Galli-Atkinson, Road Safety Campaigners, presented the prizes and spoke. Their daughter, Livia, attended St Clement Danes and, aged 16, was killed by a motorist later charged with dangerous driving. Mr and Mrs Atkinson, who subsequently campaigned vigorously for sentences in such cases to be toughened, spoke to the students about the importance of educating people in order to reduce the chances of such tragedy being inflicted on other families.

As the day came to a close, the prestigious Poppleton Prize for service to the school was awarded – this year to Millie Chapman. Dr Valentine spoke about the vast range of activities Millie had been involved in during her time at the school – competing as part of a huge range of school sports teams, leading activities for younger students and taking part in music and drama productions. Dr Valentine also mentioned her work in her local community, where she set up an a cappella choir which we reported on here. The day came to a close with the First Orchestra’s second rendition of the National Anthem.

To misquote Dr Valentine, St Clement Danes probably does Speech Day better than any school in the world, and 2017 was no exception.

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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.