May 20, 2024
In true St James Sixth Form tradition, Year 13 enjoyed a Leavers’ Breakfast on their last day, where they were read their very own poem, inspired by Invictus, by William Ernest Henley.
For the unconquerable class of 2024!
“Out of the weeks that lie before you
With mind intent on your goal
Thank whatever strength is within you
For your unconquerable soul
Hazel, Hinduism will not thwart you
Louise, sociology will not defeat you
Skye, art history will not deter you
Em, biology will not confuse you
Paint a world more beautiful, Evie
Change society for the better, Milli
Converse in French with flair, Izzy
Bea, you make history look so easy!
Beyond this place of financial ill,
Zara, Stephanie and Anna master bonds
It matters not how many quotes, Keto and Odile
Your love of poetry your fear dissolves
Shruti, intent on your future in dentistry
Anabela, unperturbed by reactions in chemistry
The menace of further maths, Anoushka and Nianxi
Finds, and shall find, you unafraid – you’ll see!
Anika, you will not hesitate
No matter how dense the code
You are the master of your fate
You are the captain of your soul”
The Pause
At St James, we feel it is important to introduce our pupils to stillness and allow them to discover how to be inwardly free and deeply at ease within themselves. A short period of 5-10 minutes at the beginning and middle of every day is allocated to quietude in which pupils may meditate, contemplate or simply be still – according to their own spiritual inclinations.