Principal's 11-18 Newsletter - Edition 28 - March 2026

A word from the Head 11-18

Stephen Ward

Although this term is shorter than the first, there has certainly been no shortage of activity in all areas of school life - it is wonderful to see just how much has been packed in!

We have always had a strong international outlook as a school, with our modern languages department in the vanguard of enriching students’ cultural experiences as well as developing their linguistic skills. In addition to the plethora of clubs and societies, there are also the many overseas trips and exchanges the department runs, with the now long-established Japanese Keio exchange featuring prominently this term. But it is far from only in modern languages that students benefit from these experiences: our renowned annual Cambridge Model United Nations (CamMUN) conference, which features in this edition, run by a committee of our Sixth Form students and with schools from around the world in attendance, is a case in point.

Elsewhere, sport goes from strength to strength, with not only county but regional and national success in hockey, football and netball, as well as outstanding individual achievements. It is testament to the dedication of students and staff that we continue to push the boundaries and raise levels of performance, and I know expectations are high for going even further in the years ahead.

The end of this term is the time of year when our current student leadership team hands over the reins to the incoming team, selected from our current Year 12 and Year 10 students. As ever, I was impressed by the incredibly strong field of applicants for these important roles and it was a very difficult task to make the final selections, but I know that the new team, led by our new Heads of School Maha A and Philip L, will do a superb job over the coming 12 months.

Stephen Ward Head 11-18

Latest News

Year 12 Cambridge Physics Experience

By Susan Passmore, Head of Physics

The Physics department recently enjoyed their annual trip with Year 12 to the University of Cambridge for their Cambridge Physics Experience which included a tour of Corpus Christi College and practical activities at the Cavendish Laboratories.

Highlights of the day included completing a practical to accurately measure the local value of gravity, working alongside Physics students from other schools and getting tips about applying to top universities like Cambridge.

CB1 Geography Trip

The Year 10 Geography students recently completed some fieldwork. This was to investigate the differences between regenerated and non-regenerated parts of CB1. In theory, regeneration should lead to improvements in the local environment. However, real-world outcomes do not always match the theory. It was therefore important to use a range of methods to test this idea out. These included carrying out environmental quality surveys and conducting questionnaires. Back in the classroom the students mapped and graphed the data.

Overall, there does seem to have been an improvement in environmental quality in regenerated places, although a large part of this is simply down to the brand new buildings rather than more greenery.

Stephen Perse Students to Shine at the Cambridge Corn Exchange!

We are absolutely thrilled to share the wonderful news of a significant achievement for two of our talented students. Following a rigorous audition process that saw over 80 young performers from across the region competing for just a handful of roles, both Amalie H (Year 8) and Charlie B (Year 9) have been cast in the Cambridge Operatic Society’s upcoming production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

This represents a fantastic milestone for our students, who will be performing at the prestigious Cambridge Corn Exchange. Working under a fully professional creative team with West End and UK Tour credits, they will gain invaluable experience in a high-standard theatrical environment.

• Amalie has secured a coveted position as a Young Ensemble Member, a testament to the hard work and dedication she displayed throughout the audition rounds.

• Charlie has landed the principal role of the television-obsessed Mike Teavee, showcasing his talent and energy.

We are incredibly proud of both students and are delighted to see their confidence and skills recognised on such a public stage.

Production Details & Tickets

The production runs during the Easter holidays, from Wednesday 1 April to Saturday 4 April 2026. Please note that there are two separate casts of children performing across the various show dates.

Show: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Venue: Cambridge Corn Exchange

Dates: 1st – 4th April 2026 Tickets

Tickets: Available from £20 – £36

Booking Link: www.cornex.co.uk/events/charlie-and-the-chocolatefactory

Please join us in wishing both Amalie and Charlie the very best of luck for their upcoming performances!

Latest News

GCSE and A Level Drama and Theatre - Frantic Assembly Workshop and London Theatre Visit

By Helene Barrell, Head of Drama and Theatre

On Friday 6 February our Year 10 and 12 Drama students joined forces to take part in a devising workshop led by Michelle, an associate movement director from renowned theatre company Frantic Assembly.

With their signature style of weaving stylised movement sequences into realistic dialogue scenes, Frantic Assembly create original work that is highly innovative and visually engaging. During the workshop the students explored a series of devising methods and building block techniques that they can use to inspire their own performance work.

Our Year 12 A Level students are currently studying the work of Frantic Assembly in depth with the intention of creating their own piece of performance in the same style.

On Saturday 7 February we travelled to the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith to watch a performance of the company’s production, ‘Lost Atoms’, an emotionally charged two-hander exploring the breakdown of a relationship through a series of flashbacks that beautifully showcased the company’s physical theatre style.

Cambridge University Psychology Department Research Project

Some of our Year 12 and 13 students volunteered to take part in postgraduate research with Cambridge University Psychology department. Students took part in computerised tasks on social processing in adolescence.

Many of the students were psychology students and gained a first hand experience of what is involved in contemporary research, a thoroughly interesting experience!

Handmade Pasta at Italian Club

The Italian Club put aside exercises and verb conjugations for flour and rolling pins to enjoy an authentic Italian culinary experience: pasta making. To capture the true spirit of an Italian Sunday, students channelled their inner ‘nonne’ (grandmothers), recreating that classic atmosphere of making dough while sharing plenty of chats. Using the school’s pasta machines, students made both tagliatelle and bow ties (in Italian farfalle, butterflies"). It was an enjoyable experience filled with laughter and hands-on learning; while the grammar was put on hold, their appreciation for Italian culture and hopefully the taste of their handmade creations has never been higher!

Year 7 student, Lucy said: “First, we decided what type of pasta we were going to make. We had the choice of tagliatelle or farfalle. I made tagliatelle using a pasta machine and a rolling pin to flatten the dough. Then, I rolled the dough up gently, and cut the ends off to make mini rolls. Finally, I unrolled the ‘mini rolls’ and there was my tagliatelle! They tasted better than I had expected, and I really enjoyed this experience.”

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Explore the New Stephen Perse Cambridge Website

We are delighted to announce the launch of our brand-new website! Following months of development, the new stephenperse.com is now live, offering a streamlined, modern experience that better reflects the vibrant life of our schools.

Designed with our community in mind, the site features a fresh look, intuitive navigation, and a wealth of new content. Whether you are looking for the latest news from our social channels, details on our sustainability initiatives, or information on our upcoming open events, everything is now just a click away. www.stephenperse.com

Exceptional Early Offers from Top US and Canadian Universities

By Dr Mark Woodward, Head of Overseas and Post-qualification Applications

Just before Christmas two of our Year 13 boarders received the excellent news that they had been admitted to the prestigious New York University (NYU) in the US on the Early Decision application process.

Applying to US colleges is an involved process, with multiple essays and references for each student and both of these also had to provide portfolio material as well. Both students have a strong Mathematics background at Stephen Perse Cambridge, but Zoey is looking to major in Fine Art while Sophia is to study Game Design, a fascinating modern course which is also offered in the well-respected Tisch School of Arts.

Since coming back this term, two more of the boarding community at Stephen Perse Cambridge have received offers for overseas universities. Emma will be going to study Psychology at McGill University in Quebec, one of the top universities in Canada and one of only three in the province that teaches in English. Coming from Andorra on the FrenchSpanish border, this continues a long journey in her on-going education. While Amelia has received offers from Western, University of Toronto and Waterloo in Canada and now must make up her mind which excellent institution to attend to study Life Sciences.

These are just four of nearly twenty students who have applied to a range of overseas universities this year, ranging from popular North American choices to Ireland, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia. Many times, this is as a back-up for competitive UK applications but increasingly students are looking for new and different opportunities in the next stage of their education. Stephen Perse Cambridge is pleased to have a dedicated member of the Guidance team with over ten years experience in supporting students in this field and also hosts representatives from overseas universities and works with organisations like The University Guys, Study Options and Guidewell Education to provide the best support for our students.

For more information contact Dr Mark Woodward, the Head of Overseas Applications, on msw@stephenperse.com

Year 9 Production of ‘Alice’, by Laura Wade (abridged)

By Helene Barrell, Head of Drama and Theatre

In just over eight weeks, my fabulous cast of talented actors and theatre makers worked incredibly hard to bring this fantastic show together. From the very first rehearsal they threw themselves into the madness of the Wonderland world, bringing to life both familiar characters from the original story and creating new ones to fit the ensemble style of the play.

They also fully embraced my slightly crazy idea to incorporate movement sequences involving cabbages, signposts and dancing lobsters (all inspired by lines in the original text), contributing to the realisation of these with enthusiasm and creativity.

Behind the scenes, students from my Sixth Form theatre backstage enrichment class and Year 9-12 backstage club were challenged with making some rather unusual props and costumes including fluorescent pink flamingo ‘puppets’, hedgehog ‘hats’, a multitude of cabbages in a variety of sizes and realistic fake jam tarts. They also helped customise and coordinate some fabulous steampunk-themed outfits for the Wonderland characters. During the performances a team of theatre tech students from Years 10-12 expertly managed the backstage areas and operated sound and lighting equipment, supported as always by the wonderful Drama department staff.

The two final performances were absolutely brilliant and so incredibly polished, which is a tribute to the hard work and professionalism of everyone involved.

Year 12 Guidance Day: Expert Advice for Students and Parents

By Jacq Paris, Head of Sixth Form

Wednesday 4 March 2026 saw the annual Year 12 Careers and Guidance event. The students met in small groups with a range of UK universities to learn more about university and the application process.

The talks titles were

• Durham Colleges: An introduction to collegiate universities.

George Richards

• Lancaster Applying to competitive universities.

Edward Bartley

• Newcastle Personal Finance.

Laaaiba Hameed

• Nottingham Personal statement.

Samar Tantush

• Oxford Brookes

Getting the most out of your UCAS / HE fair; utilising university subject taster events.

Stuart Tolley

• UEA

Study abroad and placement years.

Lois Braysher

• Warwick Choosing a university and course.

Special thanks to Dr Mark Woodward and Dr Allison Curry for stepping in to cover this topic as Warwick were unable to attend on the day.

All the talks were well received, one student commented:

“The guidance event on Wednesday 4 March was particularly helpful in answering several practical questions I had regarding both the university application process and university life. Despite the process of considering both specific courses and universities beginning fairly early on, I believe that practical information can occasionally fall by the wayside.

For instance, the talks discussed the structure of different universities in more detail: collegiate versus non-collegiate, campus universities as opposed to non-campus universities.

These are choices that perhaps do not seem so significant during the application process, but - so I have learned - may make a substantial difference to the university experience. A highlight of the day for me was the final talk, during which we were shown contrasting samples of stronger and weaker personal statements.

In my own opinion, it was reassuring to be given concrete examples during the task, which had previously seemed very nebulous in scope. It was a day of rapid information, which had both its positives and negatives.

Although they were useful, there were many things to remember - and to report home later. Thankfully, the evening event for both parents and students was helpful in explaining some of these things. I found the panel format particularly useful, since it enabled us to hear the perspectives of several different universities on key issues, such as the correct way in which to utilise our super curricular engagement.”

The representatives kindly stayed on to represent their universities at the evening event for parents and were joined by Mike Nicholson, Director of Recruitment, Admissions and Participation, University of Cambridge. Also, previously Director of Admissions at Bath, Essex and Oxford Universities. Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, Dr Curry posed the questions raised by parents to the panel across a range of topics and drew out some sage advice.

At the evening event, Mr Matthew Rudd, Head of Oxbridge Admissions, gave a presentation about Oxbridge applications, aptitude tests and the support offered at Stephen Perse Cambridge for all students. Mrs Paris outlined UCAS predicted grade process and outlined the timeline for the year ahead. The key message to students was to focus on both achieving the grades and engaging in a range of super curricular activities. Quality rather than quantity as it is the ability to reflect and discuss these activities

in personal statements or at an interview that the universities are looking for.

Parents also took the opportunity to meet with Dr Mark Woodward who specifically supports students applying to overseas universities which, along with our Oxbridge applications, has been particularly successful for the current Year 13.

Next, Year 12 will be visiting the Universities Fair at the Excel Centre in London on 23 March to explore what an even wider range of universities have to offer.

CamMUN 2026 Secretariat Perspective

By Year 13 student, Emma D

Over the last weekend of January, the Year 13 Secretariat and Stephen Perse Cambridge staff hosted CamMUN 2026. With over three hundred delegates coming from all over the world from countries like Belgium, Turkey, and Greece, the atmosphere was incredible.

Delegates debated in fourteen different committees, like the World Trade Organisation, World Health Organisation and the Committee for the Safety of Women. The Crisis Committee even featured a special live actor, whom the delegates had to interrogate to conclude whether he committed the crime of AI terrorism. We also introduced two new committees this year: the Commission of Population and Development and International Civil Aviation Organisation. Delegates had to research their country’s position before the conference and form alliances and create resolutions with delegates who they found had similar positions. For those who didn’t want to be a delegate, we had plenty of other positions available. For budding writers, this year we introduced a new position: Stephen Perse Cambridge students worked tirelessly as journalists throughout the three days, reporting on events in the committee rooms and releasing a newspaper report at the end

of each day for teachers and students to read. Those in the upper years, or seasoned MUN attendees took on roles of chairing, facilitating the debates between delegates and even getting to bang the gavel!

The highlight of the weekend was definitely the social at The Tivoli. There was pizza, Greek dancing, crazy golf, a free photobooth, and shuffleboard. Delegates got to relax, forming friendships outside the committee rooms. On day three, we ended the conference with a closing ceremony, where we awarded ‘Best Delegate’ and ‘Best First-Timer' for each committee. It was an amazing weekend and we’re already starting to plan CamMUN 2027!

As a member of the Secretariat, I can truly say organising CamMUN has been the most rewarding experience, from designing merchandise, to growing our social media, I have learnt skills which will benefit me for life. By far the most enjoyable aspect was working with the most incredible team of Year 13s, and seeing all our hard work come to fruition. CamMUN is offered from Year 10 upwards, with Year 9 being able to volunteer as runners and journalists. If you would like to get involved next year, you can attend MUN Club to gain experience and keep an eye on our website and Instagram!

CamMUN 2026 Delegate Perspective

By Year 11 student, Thomas K

The conference began on Friday with an introduction from this year's Secretariat, followed by a talk given by Dame Menna Rawlings, the first female ambassador to France.

Her talk was very interesting, a sentiment I feel was shared by everyone in the room, and hearing about her journey to become ambassador was very inspiring particularly considering the difficulty of finding success in a challenging and predominantly male field.

After this, we left for our committee rooms where we met our chairs, and the other delegates. I was representing Canada for the World Trade Organisation and right away, I could tell that everyone in my committee was very friendly and our icebreakers ended up lasting the whole afternoon!

Feeling refreshed the next day, we returned to our committees and spent a full day engaging in thoughtprovoking and challenging debate with topics in my committee like ‘Combatting the use of protectionist trade policies in the international market’. After passing many resolutions, we closed out the day with a trek to The Tivoli where this year's social was held!

The social (notably the mini golf and shuffleboard table) was enjoyed by all. The food was delicious and the drinks were practically endless, making for surely one of the best social events CamMUN has ever seen.

On the final day, we closed our debates with many more resolutions passed, and a few moments of rivalry, making for an intense last day. I think everyone in our committee enjoyed the quality of the debate, perfectly moderated by Conor as our chair.

The conference finished with the awards ceremony, with awards handed out for Best Delegate, Best First Time Delegate and two honourable mentions, accompanied by much shouting and standing ovations as well as an award for best chair which was given to the chair of our committee!

Stephen Perse Cambridge did spectacularly well when it came to awards, taking home numerous honourable mentions and Best First Time Delegate awards going to Igor (UNODC) and Marcelo (CPD) in Year 11, Latika (UNHCR) in Year 10, and Best Delegate awards going to Rishu (Crisis Committee) in Year 12 and me (WTO) in Year 11.

Covering Global Fashion Weeks for JKKSPACE

By Year 12 student, Noah R

I have always had a love for fashion, and for many people, their dream is to attend a big fashion event and truly experience what it’s like on the inside. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend various fashion weeks, including Paris, London and Copenhagen.

I manage the PR and content for an independent fashion publication called JKKSPACE Magazine. The team and I cover around seven fashion weeks annually between us, across women’s and men’s categories. Through our relationships with brands and PRs in the industry, we are lucky enough to have been invited to some incredible shows, including Hed Mayner, Acne Studios, Rick Owens, Vivienne Westwood and more. The fashion media industry is very challenged at the moment, as conglomerated publications like Vogue increase magazine and subscription prices and produce celebrity-focused issues which fewer readers want nowadays.

This leaves a desire for rawness and a fresh insight into an industry that is so heavily gate-kept by those inside it. Increasingly, newer online publications are pulling back the curtain and involving the ‘outsiders’ that have so long been kept away from the industry. This is part of what JKKSPACE does: creating a community of independent creatives who long for access to the industry and highlighting those with unnoticed talent.

The magazine produces biannual issues celebrating all creatives in the industry, including designers, models, illustrators and more. My love for design through owning my own brand has really benefited from being able to go to shows and immerse myself in an industry that not many people my age have access to. Attending fashion weeks is always a bit surreal and is something I certainly do not take for granted.

Year 9 Student Rosanna Supports the Little Princess Trust

During the Christmas holidays, Rosanna, a Year 9 student, donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust. We asked Rosanna to share her story with us. Here it is, in her own words.The Little Princess Trust (LPT) is a charity that provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to children and young people who are suffering from cancer or other conditions that result in hair loss.

The charity relies on hair donations (minimum donation 30cm) and fundraising to cover wig making costs and support cancer research. Did you know it takes up to eight donations to make one wig? Having learned about the LPT charity I decided to take the plunge and commit to donating my hair. As I didn’t want to end up with really short hair, even though I already had longer hair, I continued to grow it for about two years.

When people learned about what I was doing they told me I was ‘brave’ and that they couldn’t do the same thing. Personally, I was happy to help the charity and quite excited. My mother supported me and helped me set up the LPT fundraising account. Thank you to everyone who supported me - you helped raise £1400.

When it came down to my haircut, I felt very excited and I really liked the end result. The haircut took about an hour and involved my hair being braided into the sections that would be donated and then cut - the other hairdressers in the salon took turns to come and watch - they also donated to the fundraising too! After the donation my hair was washed, cut and blow dried. My friends and family really liked my new hairstyle and I do too.

What I’ve honestly learnt from this journey is that it can be fun! In my case I have helped someone else feel more like their old self, helped to raise awareness and fundraise and it’s been a good motivator making my haircut make a difference. So, if anyone is thinking about growing and donating their hair or taking on another charitable activity, and making a difference, go for it! Commit to doing it, tell others, don’t change your mind. Anyone can make a difference and help others in the process. Just take a moment, you never know if or when you may need help.

Bookings Open for the 2026 Guild Reunion and 145th Birthday Celebration on Saturday 27 June!

by Helen Cornish, Director of Development

The Annual Reunion and 145th birthday celebrations bookings are open now for Stephen Perse Guild members, with bookings for parents and guardians of current students from 1 May 2026. Where:

Senior School, 1.30pm - 4.30pm.

What:

• Alumni vs. current students netball match, 2-3pm, Sports Hall

• Summer Art Exhibition, 1.45pm - 3pm, VAC

• Archive exhibition, throughout, Dining Room

• Guided tours depart from the Activity Space canopy, 2pm and 2.15pm, maps will be provided for those who would like to take a self-guided tour instead

• Reunion photos for Guild members, 3.15pm, MUGA staircase

• Celebration tea with music from current students and speeches, 3.30pm to 4.30pm, Senior School Hall.

How and what to book:

• Guild members who completed Sixth Form (at SPF, Perse School for Girls, other) in 2019 or earlier, current parents and guardians£14.50 per person

• Guild members who completed Sixth Form (as above) between 2020 and 2025£4.50 per person

• If you would like to mark the 145th anniversary with a gift to the Guild Opportunities Fund included in your booking, there are three options:

• Celebration ticket, including a gift of £30.50 and a Stephen Perse Cambridge pin badge£45 per person

• Jubilee ticket, including a gift of £130.50 and a Stephen Perse Cambridge notebook£145 per person

• Build your own ticket and gift combination - select your entry ticket and then add the gift amount of your choice in the donations box at check out.

You are welcome to book any combination of tickets that is suitable for your party.

• Guild members are welcome to bring guestsplease book an adult or gift ticket for each

• Children accompanying a Guild member or current parent/guardian are free of charge, but please book a child ticket for each one, so that we can track numbers for catering and safety planning

• Those requiring assistance to access the event may book one companion ticket free of charge.

Gifts included with your ticket booking will be acknowledged as early gifts to Guild Giving 2026 on 1 and 2 July and contribute to our aim to raise £45,000 for the Guild Opportunities Fund.

We look forward to welcoming Guild members and parents and guardians of current students to this special Guild reunion and the school’s 145th birthday celebration.

Library Update

By Iayat Riaz, Head Librarian 11-18

We were delighted to launch our World Book Day celebrations at the Senior School with a series of inspiring literary events for our students across Years 7 to 9.

Across the week, our students had the opportunity to meet prize-winning authors, hear about their creative writing process, and to take part in inspiring initiatives designed to spark a lifelong love of reading.

Matt Goodfellow Enchants Year 7 with Stories and Poetry

Our Year 7s were delighted to receive a visit from the prize-winning author and poet Matt Goodfellow who enraptured their morning with stories that were both inspiring and humbling from his best-selling book, The First Year.

Matt spoke to our students about how his own experiences as a primary school teacher working in Manchester helped to inform the genesis of Nate’s story which explores first year in Senior School as a Year 7 student. Many of our own Year 7s felt that Matt was ‘the best poet we have had’ as they felt inspired by the way in which Matt made their own voices feel heard through the rhythm of poetry.

Our Year 7s were delighted to conclude their visit with Matt with a trip to the Senior School Library where students received signed copies of The First Year which gave our students a wonderful memento of a morning that celebrated the power of storytelling and the importance of their own voices.

A.F. Steadman Unlocks the Magic of Skandar for Years 7 and 8

As part of our celebrations for Year 7 Reading Week last year, parents of students in Year 8 will remember that we welcomed award-winning author A.F. Steadman to the Senior School on Tuesday 13 February 2025, where Annabel introduced her best-selling Skandar series to students in Years 6 and Year 7.

With more than 400 students joining Stephen Perse Cambridge from twelve different schools across East Anglia, this was a remarkable afternoon, celebrating the magical pleasures of children’s literature as every student left the event with their own personally-signed copy of A.F. Steadman’s Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

In recognition of 2026 as the National Year of Reading, and as part of our World Book Day celebrations this year, we are delighted to be able to follow up on last year’s visit from Annabel by giving an exclusive copy of her new book Skandar and the Secret Element to all students in Years 7 and 8. Our students were delighted to receive Annabel’s new book and were thrilled to continue the next adventure by placing the next chapter of Skandar’s story directly into their hands.

Powerful Stories, Lasting Impact: Margaret McDonald at Stephen Perse Cambridge

On World Book Day itself, we were privileged to receive a visit from the 2025 Carnegie Medal winner Margaret McDonald, who spoke so eloquently to all of our students in Year 9 about her remarkable debut novel, Glasgow Boys

Her reflections on masculinity, identity and resilience, explored through the prism of what it can mean to grow up Glaswegian and working-class, sparked thoughtful discussion and served as a sobering reminder of the extraordinary power stories have to open up complex but vital conversations. Many of our Year 9 students found Margaret’s experiences within the publishing industry to be insightful and encouraging with a focus on developing creative resilience and felt that Margaret’s very authentic delivery of her talk made some of them ‘feel like you have known her forever.’

Students received signed copies of Glasgow Boys, bringing a memorable World Book Day to a close and reaffirming the profound importance of stories in helping young people understand both themselves and the world around them.

Holocaust Memorial Day with Eva Clarke

By Helen Kedie, Head of English

Year 10 students spent an entire day off timetable in order to participate in a series of workshops on the Holocaust. Mrs Stanley and Mr Frost provided an historical and religious context for this seminal moment in the twentieth century, while Mr Pegler discussed its geographical scale. And, once again, the students were given the opportunity to hear the living testimony of a survivor.

Our guest, Eva Clarke, shared her mother’s story of survival - from her incarceration in the Terezin ghetto to being deported to Auschwitz, and later to a slave labour camp in Freiburg. When Eva’s mother, Anka, arrived in Auschwitz, she was pregnant with Eva; had the pregnancy been discovered, mother and child would have almost certainly been sent to the gas chambers.

The climax of Eva's testimony described her mother’s harrowing seventeen-day journey in an open coal wagon, without food and with barely any water, as the Nazis retreated from the advancing Allied forces. By the time the train reached Mauthausen, Anka weighed just five stone (35kg). Eva was born weighing only three pounds, on 29 April, 1945 just one day after the Nazis had run out of gas for the chambers and less than a week before the camp was liberated by American forces. This was a story about many things, but luck was key.

The theme for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day was bridging the generations. For Year 10, hearing Eva speak was a bridge across eighty years. The importance of oral history cannot be underestimated - it is an experience that cannot be replicated in a history book or on film.

When a survivor of the Holocaust stands before you the statistics of "six million" suddenly have a face and a name. Eva showed the students some of her family’s photographs, a powerful reminder that the victims of Nazi ideology were human beings.

As the number of Holocaust survivors dwindles with each passing year, time is running out to hear the voices of the last generation who experienced the terrible atrocities of the Holocaust. In a world that feels increasingly divided and intolerant, we still have much to learn from these powerful testimonies.

The theme for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day was bridging the generations. For Year 10, hearing Eva speak was a bridge across eighty years.

Music Department Update

By Matthew Rudd, Director of Music

Year 10-13 concert - Britten’s War Requiem in Ely Cathedral

On Saturday 7 March, The Singers took part in a monumental performance of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem in Ely Cathedral. 240 performers, made up of four choirs, three soloists and a professional symphony orchestra combined to give an incredibly powerful and moving account of this twentieth century masterpiece.The sopranos and altos from The Singers formed the children’s choir, a highly demanding offstage part which they sang to an incredible standard. The tenors and basses, meanwhile, joined the chorus of 165 voices, experiencing the overwhelming power of singing in a work of this scale. It is likely to be a memory that lasts a lifetime.

Year 9-10 soloists concert

In addition to a number of concerts featuring our big ensembles and choirs this term, we also run a series of Soloists’ Concerts. On Wednesday 25 February it was the turn of Year 9 and Year 10, who delighted us with a programme of more than 20 items, performed on a wide variety of instruments and in an even wider variety of styles.

Chamber Orchestra and Singers Concert

On Friday 6 February, The Singers and Baroque Ensemble visited the Church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs (OLEM) to perform an ambitious programme of choral classics and baroque solos. Items by the choir included Monteverdi’s Beatus vir, for choir, two violins and orchestra, and Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine and movements from his Requiem, both accompanied by string quartet and piano.

Two members of Year 13 gave splendid solo performances accompanied by the Baroque Ensemble; Jason C sang Bach’s beautiful aria Schlummert ein, and Flora H gave a stunning performance of Telemann’s virtuosic Suite in A minor for recorder and strings.

Scaling New Heights: This Term in Adventure Learning

By Russ McAlinden, Head of Outdoor Education

It has been an exhilarating term for our Adventure Learning Programme (ALPS). From the forest floor to the high ropes, students across the school have swapped the traditional classroom for the great outdoors, embracing opportunities designed to challenge their limits and foster meaningful progression and stretch.

Leading the Way: Year 9

For our Year 9 cohort, the focus this term has been on the ‘inner compass’. Students have been diving deep into the worlds of:

• Leadership: Taking the helm during group expeditions.

• Problem Solving: Navigating complex team-based outdoor puzzles.

• Personal Development: Building the resilience needed to tackle the transition into upper secondary life.

It’s been inspiring to watch them move from following instructions to making strategic decisions under pressure.

Pushing Boundaries: Year 11, 12, and 13

Meanwhile, our senior students have been busy redefining their comfort zones. For the Year 11s and Sixth Formers, the stakes were literally higher as they tackled:

• High Ropes Courses: Testing their nerves and physical coordination at height.

• Mountain Biking: Navigating rugged terrain that demanded focus and stamina.

• Indoor Climbing: Mastering technical skills and building trust through belaying and teamwork.

These activities aren't just about the adrenaline rush; they are about proving to oneself that "impossible" is just a starting point.As we wrap up a fantastic term, it’s clear that the spirit of ALPS is thriving.

"Adventure is not just about the destination; it’s about the person you become along the way."

Whether it was a Year 9 student finding their voice as a leader or a Year 13 student conquering a fear of heights, every participant has demonstrated the courage to grow.

If You Go Into the Woods Tonight

7pm Thursday 30 April and Friday 1 May 2026

Directed by Becky Jones, with choreography by Karen Revill of the Maple Dance Academy.

Year 7 presents a deliciously dark double bill of Hansel and Gretel and Ashputtel, inspired by Carol Ann Duffy’s stage adaptations of tales by the Brothers Grimm.

ALPS Conquers the Brecon Beacons

By Russ McAlinden & Millie Hunt, ALPS Team

Over a weekend in March, 10 students from Year 7, 9 & 10 swapped the library for the rugged landscapes of South Wales. From cloud-shrouded summits to enchanted forests, the trip offered a perfect blend of technical challenge and ‘storybook’ scenery.

Saturday: A Test of Navigation

The group set their sights on Fan y Big, standing at an elevation of 717m. However, the mountain had other plans for the view. Students spent the day immersed in a thick blanket of cloud, with visibility dropping to a mere 50m. While the panoramic vistas were hidden, the conditions provided a premier classroom for navigation skills. Students relied on map and compass work to find their way across the ridge. The descent proved equally entertaining, involving a fair amount of ‘bog-hopping’ as the group navigated the saturated Welsh terrain.

Sunday: Into the Fairy Tale

Sunday offered a complete change of pace and scenery. The group headed into the heart of waterfall country, exploring the lush valleys and ancient woodlands that the Brecon Beacons are famous for.

The day’s highlights included:

• The Moss Floor: Walking through forests with carpets of deep green moss and vibrant fungi.

• The Waterfalls: Passing a series of dramatic cascades that gave the landscape a magical, storybook atmosphere.

• Sheltered Trails: A welcome break from the wind, allowing the group to enjoy the botanical side of the park.

The weekend was a resounding success, proving that even when the clouds roll in, there is plenty of adventure to be found in the Beacons.

"The contrast between the stark, misty ridges on Saturday and the lush, green waterfalls on Sunday made for an unforgettable trip."

Beyond the Classroom: Why Year 9 is the Perfect Time for DofE Bronze

By Millie Hunt, Assistant Head of Outdoor Education

For many Year 9 students, the school year is a significant turning point. It’s the bridge between the foundations of Key Stage 3 and the high-stakes environment of GCSEs. Amidst the mounting academic pressure, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) offers a vital escape, not by doing less, but by doing something different.

The Bronze Award is specifically designed for students aged 14 and above, making it the hallmark of the Year 9 experience. It isn’t just an extracurricular ‘add-on’; it is a transformative framework that builds the ‘soft skills’ that textbooks simply cannot teach.

The Four Pillars of the Bronze Award

The Bronze level requires a commitment of at least six months, during which students navigate four distinct sections. This structure encourages a balanced lifestyle, ensuring that physical health, community spirit, and personal hobbies all get their time in the sun.

Why Year 9? The Benefits of Starting Early

Starting the DofE journey in Year 9 provides a unique set of advantages that ripple through a student’s entire secondary school career.

1 Building ‘Muscle Memory’ for Resilience

The Expedition is often the most feared and then the most loved part of the award. In Year 9, being responsible for your own navigation, kit, and meals, often in the rain or with a heavy pack, builds a specific kind of grit. When these students face a difficult exam paper or a personal setback a year later, they can look back and think, "I navigated a mountain in a storm; I can handle this."

2 Enhancing Wellbeing and Social Ties

Recent impact reports show that over 60% of participants feel more confident and independent after their Bronze Award. For Year 9s, who are often navigating changing social circles, the DofE fosters ‘social capital’. Students work in teams with peers they might not usually talk to, creating a sense of belonging and shared achievement.

3 A Head Start on the ‘Future Self’

While university and jobs might feel like a lifetime away, the Bronze Award is a recognised mark of achievement that stays on a CV forever. It provides concrete evidence of leadership, time management, and commitment, qualities that are often hard to prove in a standard school report.

4 The Joy of Autonomy

Unlike the classroom, where the curriculum is set, DofE is entirely student-led. A Year 9 student chooses their own skill and their own volunteering goal. This autonomy is often the first time a young person feels like the CEO of their own development.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Badge

The Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award is a challenge, but it is one designed for success. It rewards effort over talent, making it one of the most inclusive ways to build character.

For a Year 9 student, it is the perfect introduction to the world outside the school gates. a world where tenacity, kindness, and a good map (and perhaps some dry socks) are the keys to success.

Section Typical Commitment What it Involves

Volunteering 3 Months Helping at a local charity, coaching a junior sports team, or environmental work.

Physical 3 Months Improving in a sport, dance, or fitness activity (e.g. football, swimming, or even yoga).

Skills 3 Months Developing a nonphysical hobby like coding, cooking, playing an instrument, or photography.

Expedition 2 Days, 1 Night Planning and completing an adventurous journey in a small team, including an overnight camp.

Note: Students must choose one of the first three sections to extend for an additional three months, totalling six months for that specific goal.

DofE drop-in support sessions are being offered to all participants on Monday afternoons in N5 3.35pm to 4.30pm

Modern Languages Department Update

Celebrating the Year of the Horse

By Guo Laoshi, Head of Chinese

Our 2026 Chinese New Year celebrations were a vibrant success, filled with energy, creativity, and plenty of school spirit! In the Senior School and Sixth Form, our Karaoke Competition became an instant highlight. We were thrilled by the sheer variety of entries, including some truly excellent and entertaining performances, and the Chinese classes are currently buzzing with excitement as students cast their votes for the ‘most popular song’ and ‘best singer’.

The creativity didn’t stop there. Our Chinese Calligraphy Club members displayed incredible focus while painting traditional ‘Horse’ characters and pictures, resulting in a beautiful festive display that has brightened up our classrooms and hallways. Meanwhile, the Year 5 & 6 Chinese Club put together a superb video of the ‘Happy New Year’ song in Mandarin, showing off both their language skills and their festive spirit. Between designing custom Year of the Horse stamps, crafting intricate paper cuttings, and building their own 2026 calendars, it has been a fantastic time celebrating this special tradition together!

Spelling B Competitions

By Sandrine Parente, Head of French

This term, our Year 7 students of French, German, and Spanish have successfully taken part in the Stage 1 and Stage 2 Spelling Bee competitions, organised by Routes into Languages. In preparation, students learned up to 150 words in their chosen language and competed with great confidence and style. Many students have been practising not only in lessons, but also at home and in our clubs, including the Polyglot Club and the Heritage Learners’ Club. Their hard work and perseverance have truly paid off. Three winners, one for each language, have now been selected to move on to Stage 3, the regional competition. They will prepare an extended list of 200 words for the next round, which will take place at the end of Term two or the beginning of Term three.

The three winners are:

• German: Louie T

• Spanish: Marcus G

• French: Matthew VD

We are very proud of all the students who participated and wish our finalists the very best of luck in the next stage!

Japanese Keio Exchange Programme 2026

By AJ Webster, Teacher of French

Four of our Stephen Perse Cambridge students were selected to partner four Japanese students from Keio University High School to take part in our annual exchange. Students did an intensive course of Japanese study in advance of the trip, and hosted the UK leg for their partner before jetting off to Tokyo. In the UK, the students took part in the CamMUN, bell-ringing at St Clements, visits to Ely Cathedral and the V&A museum and much more. In Tokyo they visited temples and shrines, the ultra-modern Sky Tree, took part in traditional woodworking and cooking and much, much, more!

Year 10 student, Darius K said: “The exchange program was very memorable, both in the UK and Japan. It was great to see my exchange partner really enjoying staying in the UK and meeting people in school, and it was fun to also take him around Cambridge and London. When I was in Japan, it felt so different from the UK. Their school was way bigger and had clubs such as baseball and Karate.

We also went to 鎌倉 (Kamakura) where there were lots of shrines and temples to visit, and a view to 相 模湾 (Sagami wan). One of my favourite moments was when my partner and I cycled around 六本木 (Roppongi) back to 芝浦 (Shibaura) at night, so we saw the beautiful lit-up Tokyo Tower and a lot of cool cars. Overall, it was an amazing experience, both in school and around Japan.”

Year 12 student, Lara B said: “The Keio exchange was a really beneficial and eye-opening experience that allowed me to fully immerse myself into Japanese culture and education. I think it was a unique way to take learning out of the classroom and was an experience I’m very lucky to have taken part in. Hosting my exchange partner gave me the opportunity to show her the UK through a personal lens and I’m glad to have made an international friend! Going to Japan gave me the freedom to engage with the culture and the language. I’d say my favourite part was interacting with the students at Keio and answering their questions about the UK. I’m really grateful I got to go on this trip and I hope that other students take this opportunity to go as well.”

Modern Languages Department Update

A Week of Language and Culture in Nice

By Ms Cox, Teacher of French

During the February half-term break, a group of Year 10 students (accompanied by Ms Cox and Mrs Blanchard) travelled to the French Riviera, to further their cultural and linguistic knowledge of French.

Days were spent exploring the Côte d’Azur - Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Eze and Antibes - as well as studying French at AlphaB Language School. Students stayed in French homestays in Nice, to give them the opportunity to speak French to their hosts in an authentic setting every evening. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the trip, with the added bonus of glorious sunshine every day.

Year 10 student, Amira said: “Visiting Nice was an amazing, unique experience that really immersed us in French culture. It challenged us in our French knowledge and really gave me confidence in my communication skills, as we navigated through conversations completely in French. The variety and independence on the trip meant that everyone with different interests could take something different from each excursion.

My group particularly enjoyed the free time, when we could explore the town, see tourist attractions and walk by the beach, and the trip to the perfumery in Eze. It was such a great feeling to all work together on our French skills and share our enthusiasm for the local area.”

Year 10 student, Emily W said: “Our trip to Nice was not only fun but very interesting. I found the lessons helpful towards my understanding of the language. We visited many places, my favourite being Monaco, as it was very pretty, and I got the chance to speak a lot of French to the locals.

My hosts were incredibly welcoming and we managed to hold conversations confidently, which helped my work in lessons at school. I was worried that my French wouldn’t be good enough, but once we got there, I realised I had all the knowledge I needed. It was an incredible opportunity.”

Les Trois Mousquetaires

By Sandrine Parente, Head of French

Last December, Year 7 took part in a French interactive workshop called Les Trois Mousquetaires led by a specialist language facilitator from the Freshwater Company. The facilitator took on the roles of both narrator and the brave D’Artagnan, guiding students through key scenes of the story. Students played the remaining characters themselves, developing their speaking and listening skills while bringing the story to life. French and English were seamlessly integrated throughout and kept students fully engaged!

Year 7 student, Alexandra C said: “Today, I saw an interactive French play based on The Three Musketeers, and I was genuinely impressed. The experience was fun and engaging, but what really stood out was the performer running the show. She was the only woman on stage, yet she carried the entire experience with so much energy and kindness. What I saw the most was how she made sure everyone in the audience got a chance to participate. Overall, it was a charming and memorable show, and her warmth and enthusiasm were a huge part of that.”

Year 7 student, Cara B said: “Yesterday when the Year 7 French students saw The Three Musketeers, we all had an awesome time! We really enjoyed ourselves and participated at every opportunity. The woman who was running it was filled to the brim with happiness and energy. She got through the story clearly and translated the parts we didn’t know. The participants had a great time acting when they were asked and spoke French smoothly.”

Year 7 student, Orla B said: “I think that the play was an amazing performance. I really liked it when we got to learn more pairs. I also liked that everyone could take part in the play, acting the characters. I really enjoyed watching it and learning more about the story.”

Year 7 student, Yousuf said: “I thought it was very funny, it was very funny because of how they were acting and I also liked how they involved the people who wanted to act.”

Year 7 student, Buyi said: “The rest of 7A and me really enjoyed the play because it was interactive and we got to learn new French words. We got to help the actress to contribute to the story and learn how the three musketeers became four. Overall, it was 8.5/10.”

Gold at the International AI Olympiad

By Year 12 student, Kseniia S

I’ve been honoured to compete at the International AI Olympiad in Slovenia, winning a gold medal. Being under the auspices of UNESCO, the Olympiad invited national winners from 24 countries, including the USA and China.

The Olympiads in AI are still in their nursery: since 2024, there have been only three individual events, and unfortunately, I am currently the only female gold medallist among them.

The competition had two five-hour rounds. The scientific round was akin to mathematical competitions: under a ticking clock, we derived and proved algorithms in machine learning and considered ethics that shape our systems. In the practical round, we developed a predictive healthcare model using users’ previous medical history.

Slovenia, with its enchanting mountains and verdant forests, inspired lively discussions on life and AI, shaping the Olympiad into an experience that rewarded my year-long preparation and gave clarity to my goals.

From Ljubljana, my trip took me to Krakow to volunteer at the Ukrainian Junior and Girls Olympiad in Informatics. Hosted in Poland for safety, the event opened up to nearly 60 participants from Ukraine. From being a Year 9 looking up at the senior holding a trophy in her hand to delivering a contest tutorial to an audience of eager participants, my role in informatics Olympiads has come full circle.

When you compete, you spend five hours in a small world, eyes locked on the screen and mind stresstesting hundreds of ideas. When you help organise the event, you see authors preparing problems until 2am and volunteers choreographing snacks, certificates and photos. The amount of work adults put into these events is proportional to the potential they see in us, something kids prove with every unexpected solution.

I am very grateful to our Sixth Form for treating these opportunities with understanding and consideration, despite them sometimes happening during term time, and seeing them as engagements that can shape my university and professional careers. Our school values ambition and individual growth, trusting me to be able to handle my education together with important international events.

Annual Geographical Association Worldwise Quiz

By Year 10 students, Mohan D and Darius K

On a Thursday evening at the start of February, two Stephen Perse Cambridge teams competed in the annual Geographical Association ‘Worldwise Quiz’ at Long Road Sixth Form.

This is a competition where 12 teams of three from schools across Cambridge answer Geography-related quiz questions, study satellite images and pore over OS maps in an attempt to get the highest score on the board.

Two Stephen Perse Cambridge teams: Henry G, Amnay B, Yanni S (all Year 10) and Samuel M (Year 8) as well as Darius K, Mohan D (both Year 10) and one of the Japanese exchange partners competed, with two out of our six competitors being first-timers. We (Mohan and Darius) got off to a flying start, achieving 15/15 in the anagrams and 8/10 in both the ‘Alphabet’ and ‘True or False’ and strategically using our joker (double points) on the crucial ‘Geography of Cambridge’ round, scoring full marks, picking up a key 20 points. Our fellow team was also making great progress, consistently scoring highly in the early rounds, picking up a respectable 46 points in the first half overall.

The second half was when our fellow team (Samuel, Henry, Amnay and Yanni) shone, using their joker to maximum effect in the brand new round of ‘Borderline Nonsense’, where deliberate mistakes and omissions in a world map had to be identified. The team picked up a well-deserved 20 points in this tense endgame round. This was in addition to a solid 14/15 in the tough Individual Challenge round showing great individual knowledge under pressure from all members of the team. As all this was going on, the tension was slowly rising, culminating in the longawaited drumroll to reveal the results of this year’s quiz. As it turned out, both the teams achieved exactly the same score of 91, which ended up with them in a joint fourth place along with Comberton VC, just short of the coveted top three.

Although we finished just short of prizes, we can say that we certainly enjoyed ourselves and both teams worked really well together, with a large and equal contribution from everyone. We would recommend the quiz to anyone interested in Geography!

Sports Update

By Charlotte Wells, Director of Sport

A Whirlwind Term of Sporting Success

While the spring term might have been short, our students certainly didn't get the memo to slow down. With some fantastic individual achievements alongside some impressive team performances.

From local fixtures to national arenas, the sheer volume of competition packed into these past few weeks has been amazing. Our elite squads have been busy making names for themselves on the big stage.

It’s been a season of high stakes and even higher achievements, including:

• Hockey: A great run leading to three Regional Tournaments and one National Final

• Football: Remarkable consistency resulting in three National ISFA Shield Semi-Finals.

• Netball: A fantastic developmental mini-tour to Condover Hall.

We have also seen fantastic participation and some stellar results within our regular fixtures calendar, including Hockey, Football, Netball, Badminton, Indoor Cricket, Indoor Athletics, Cross Country and Basketball. Whether it’s under the floodlights or in the sports hall, the energy and sportsmanship shown by all our students have been exemplary.

Read on for the full highlights and a closer look at the action!

Football

This term has seen a record-breaking number of national cup semi-finals for Stephen Perse Cambridge, highlighting the continued growth and success of football across the school.

Our Year 10 boys made the long journey to Liverpool to face Merchant Taylors’ in the ISFA Shield SemiFinal. In a closely contested match, the team showed great resilience and attacking quality, taking the lead on two occasions. Unfortunately, despite their strong performance, they were narrowly defeated 3–2, with both Stephen Perse Cambridge goals scored by Nathan B.

In our second semi-final, the U15 girls travelled to Manchester to take on Cheadle Hulme School in the ISFA Trophy. They came up against a very strong side and, despite their best efforts, were defeated. The girls demonstrated fantastic pride, determination and resilience throughout the match, refusing to give up and battling hard until the final whistle. Their efforts were rewarded with a well-deserved goal from captain Claudia B.

The 1st XI girls completed the school’s trio of semifinals as they faced King Edward’s Witley in the U18 Girls ISFA Shield. In an outstanding performance, the team dominated from start to finish. A brilliant hattrick from Sophie J, alongside a goal from Robyn S, secured a thoroughly deserved victory and a place in the final.

This achievement is even more special as this is the first year Stephen Perse Cambridge has had a 1st XI Girls’ football team. They will now face St Edward’s School, Oxford, in the ISFA Shield National Final at Beaconsfield Town.

We are extremely proud of all of our teams and look forward to hopefully bringing a second national title in two years back to Stephen Perse Cambridge.

Sports Update

Hockey

Boys Regional and County Success

Our hockey teams have had an outstanding run in recent competitions, bringing home several honours at both the County and Regional levels.

U14 Boys: Following a brilliant performance as County Runners-up, the boys went on to finish third in their pool at the Regional championships.

U16 Boys: A fantastic day of hockey saw the team secure three wins to become Regional Runners-up.

U18 Boys: The senior squad played some excellent hockey, finishing as County Runners-up.

Individual Achievements

Beyond our team successes, we are proud to celebrate several students for their individual representative honours:

Aoife CW, Imogen T, and Natalie G have all been selected for the England Talent Academy, a testament to their hard work and skill.

Dominic S and Henry G represented the Cambridgeshire U15 Boys in the East Regional Finals in Norfolk. Facing tough teams from Hertfordshire and Essex, they helped Cambridgeshire emerge as Tournament Winners!

Third in the Country: England Hockey Girls U16 Schools Vase 2026

On Monday 9 February our U16 Hockey team secured third place nationally at the finals of the England Hockey Girls U16 Schools Vase at the Nottingham Hockey Centre, a tournament bringing together high-level school teams from across the country.

The team finished in superb style, winning the 3rd/4th playoff 4-1, with goals from Natalie G (x3) and Darcy H. Earlier in the day, goals came from Sylvie G (x2), Darcy H and Freya K.

Congratulations to the whole squad for a superb performance: Orla C, Marissa S, Cecilia F, Felicity L, Elizabeth G, India C, Natalie G, Aoife C-W, Imogen T, Alice E, Yuting W, Kiana S-P, Darcy H, Freya K, Sylvie G and Zoe L.

A brilliant run to the national finals, finishing third in the country and improving on last year’s already impressive fourth place finish. Well done to everyone involved.

Sports Update

Netball

The netball programme has had an extremely successful season, both in terms of participation and performance. With 23 teams competing, strong results across multiple age groups and representation at regional level, the programme continues to demonstrate excellent player development, commitment, and competitive success.

Most notably, the U16 team had an excellent season, winning the County Schools competition and progressing to the Regional tournament, where they achieved an impressive third-place finish.

Several other teams have had particularly strong seasons:

• Our senior 2nd team and our U15B teams have been undefeated all season.

• Our 1st, U15A, U15C and U13A teams have won all but one of their own matches.

Congratulations to all teams on such consistent and successful results.

Under 13 and Under 12 Netball Tour

Some of our U13 and U12 players attended a netball weekend at Condover Hall, where they competed against other schools from around the country. They had a wonderful weekend that not only consisted of lots of matches, but they also undertook activities such as the zip wire and high ropes.

This event provided valuable match experience and team development opportunities. A great time was had by all and there were some fine results in the tournaments.

Tournament A

• U13A team

First place and Tournament Champions

• U13B team

Third place

Tournament B

• U12 team

Second place

Basketball

It’s been an action-packed few weeks on the court for our basketball teams, with players across all year groups displaying fantastic skill and sportsmanship.

Our U18 boys basketball team has been tested in several high-stakes fixtures recently. In a nail-biting encounter against King’s Ely, the game sat on a knifeedge at halftime. However, the team’s composure shone through in the second half, pulling away to secure a hard-fought 68-60 victory.

The squad also showed incredible grit during a recent triangular tournament. Despite playing with a depleted team, they narrowly missed out against The Perse before bouncing back to defeat Abbey College in a thrilling finish. A special mention to the Year 11s who stepped up to fill the gaps and compete at the U18 level - your contribution was vital!

District Tournament Updates

The U16 girls brought energy and determination to their District Tournament. Captained expertly by Tara, the team displayed excellent teamwork across their matches. After securing a convincing win and battling fiercely in a second tough game, the team is now eagerly awaiting confirmation on a potential spot in the finals!

The U16 boys faced a very high standard of competition in their District preliminary tournament. They worked valiantly against some tough opponents, holding their own in every match.

It was also a fantastic afternoon for our U14 boys. While they didn’t progress to the next round this time, the team showed promise and growth. We look forward to seeing this group develop in the coming seasons.

Sports Update

Indoor Cricket

U16 boys

Our U16 boys hosted IVC in an indoor cricket friendly; a game that was played with great spirit. Stephen Perse Cambridge 148 all out (Sanketh 53, Dhrona 34, Daniel 17, Ragahv 12)

Impington VC 116 all out (Igor 3 wickets).

U14 boys

The U14 boys played their first indoor cricket fixture away at IVC. Batting first, Stephen Perse Cambridge amassed 162/1 off 12 overs. Runs scored by Aniket (22), Toby (23), Adam (25), William (25), Arnav(14) and Zachary (13). In return, IVC were bowled out for 70, James and Thomas with 2 wickets each. A great effort all round.

U15 girls

The U15 girls played in the ECB County Indoor Cricket Competition. After bowling really well in their first game, they struggled to make an impact with the bat. However, they made up for it in the second match, winning convincingly. Well done to all the squad involved.

Tennis Triumph: Sophie J Crowned ITF U18 Singles Champion

Competing in Liverpool, Sophie J was crowned ITF U18 Singles Champion, winning the Singles title at the ITF U18 2026 Tennis Tournament, part of the ITF Junior World Tennis Tour.

This international tournament brings together some of the strongest junior players from around the world, and Sophie’s win is a significant achievement at this level of competition. Sophie was also a Doubles finalist, rounding off an outstanding week of highlevel tennis. We congratulate Sophie on this fantastic accomplishment.

Year 9 Student Rosie Crowned Regional Senior Foil Champion

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible sporting success of Year 9 student Rosie R, who recently competed in the 2026 Eastern Region Senior Qualifiers.

In a stunning display of skill and composure, Rosie competed in the Senior Women’s Foil category. She dominated from the outset, winning all her poules with ease. Her momentum continued through the knockout stages, where she remained undefeated in every direct elimination bout to secure the gold medal. By winning the regional title, Rosie has officially qualified for the British Senior Championships later this year. To achieve such a feat at the senior level while still in Year 9 is a testament to her dedication and talent. We look forward to cheering her on at the National finals!

Sportshall Athletics Regional Finals

The following students were selected to represent the Cambridgeshire Sportshall Athletics Team at the Sportshall Regional Finals at the UEA Sportspark in February:

• U15 boys team - Ollie M, Deron H, Jamie B

• U13 boys team - Isaac S, Joshua M,

• U13 girls team - Elizabeth K, Elsie M, Sofia P

The U15 boys team came second and just missed qualification for the national finals. It was so exciting to see all of our students competing with such determination.

Cross Country

Congratulations to Jamie B in Year 10 who came fourth at the Anglian Schools Cross Country Championships and has now secured a place at the English Schools Cross Country Championships. This is an absolutely outstanding achievement, well done Jamie and we wish him every success.