Headteacher's Weekly Update 13 - Friday 5th December 2025

Dear Parents and Carers

I hope this letter finds you and your loved ones well; a Friday update for you as always.  It has been another full and positive week in school, so I wanted to share some key updates with you.

Thank you once again for your patience and understanding on Tuesday when we had to close the school due to the local power cut and subsequent electrical fire, affecting the extractor on the roof of the canteen.  The word fire is always unsettling, but our teams responded swiftly and impressively to ensure that no one was ever at risk.  Aside from the lights being out, students would not have known anything was amiss.

A new extractor is being installed on Saturday morning and it is likely that normal service will resume by midweek.  I will, of course, update you if there are any unforeseen issues.

Attendance - Last week, our whole-school attendance was 91.90%. We know this is a challenging time of year in terms of seasonal illness; please check the NHS website for helpful advice on how deal with colds and flu.  We encourage everyone to keep aiming high, every day in school counts towards learning and achievement.  Here is the breakdown by year group:

• Year 7  - 95.15%

• Year 8 - 92.71%

• Year 9 - 92.62%

• Year 10 - 88.22%

• Year 11 - 90.56%

  
  

As I mentioned in my update to families last week, next Friday 12th December, we are delighted to be hosting ‘A Victorian Experience featuring The Importance of Being Earnest’ from 6.15pm–7.30pm.  On the same evening, from 5.00pm–6.00pm, we will hold our Illuminations Evening, showcasing the exceptional work of our GCSE Fine Art, Photography and Media students.  If you would like to attend either (or both) events, please email our Events Coordinator, Linda Cottrell, at l.cotterell@kelmscott.waltham.sch.uk  These occasions are the result of significant hard work and reflect the creativity we value so strongly at Kelmscott.

Sports now, Monday saw the Kelmscott girls’ basketball team travel to Buxton for their second match of the season.  It was a challenging game against a well-organised opposition, and although the team put up a strong fight, they narrowly missed out on the win.  Lina Boultouak (10O) was a standout performer, scoring the points and playing nearly the entire four quarters.  The team will now focus on their next away fixture on Wednesday against Walthamstow School for Girls.  We wish them and all our athletes, the best of luck

On Wednesday, a group of seven students from Years 7, 8 and 9 took part in the Panathlon Xtend competition, a brilliant programme created for Key Stage 3 students.  Competing against seven other schools, our team, Myah Farrugia (8S), Amira Farrugia (8E), Mikel Arusha (7L), Ibrahima Sillah (7L), Reuben Allon (8L), Alfie Higgins (9S) and Jay Lokombo-Basase (8M) demonstrated exceptional teamwork, determination and sportsmanship throughout the event.  We are thrilled to announce that Kelmscott placed first and have now qualified for the regional finals.  Every student excelled across a range of adapted sports, including curling, basketball and tennis. Their hard work paid off as they proudly returned with gold medals and a very impressive trophy.  A huge well done to all the students involved for their outstanding achievements and exemplary conduct.  We are incredibly proud of you.

Our Classics author, John Taylor, had another successful day on Monday. He taught two Year 11 lessons focusing on exam content, and a Year 7 history lesson on Julius Caesar and Augustus.  During the lunchtime session on Greek mythology and ancient Crete, John was particularly impressed by the enthusiasm and engagement of the attending Year 7 and 9 students.  Many had also participated in the Oxbridge session last week, demonstrating real ambition and embodying our key STORM characteristics.  Special mentions go to Lennie (7L), Macy (7M), Roisin (7M), Ivo (7K), Andrei (7K), Tobia (9M) and Ruxandra (9S).  

Congratulations to Nilufar (7L), Anaya (7L), and Claire (7L) for winning the Classics Greek Myth competition last week.  Mr Hailes was extremely proud of all students’ performances during Thursday’s lunchtime session.  John found it difficult to decide, highlighting just how impressed he was with the preparation and dedication shown by all.

In Monday’s after-school session on Greek mythology, students explored key themes and the origins of famous myths, contributing thoughtfully and demonstrating exemplary behaviour.  The students represented Kelmscott at its very best.  We are very grateful to John Taylor for his inspiring sessions and to Mr Hailes for organising these enriching events.

Today, Year 11 students participated in a Latin workshop focusing on some of the more challenging aspects of the GCSE specification. John provided top tips and strategies to support students’ preparation for their exams. 

We are very fortunate to offer such a wide range of co-curricular opportunities at Kelmscott, with something to inspire every student. This week, Ms Christen shares an update on the growing success of our new Debate Club:

‘Interest in the club has been strong, each session has welcomed an enthusiastic group of 5–15 regular attendees from Years 7–10. The club has established a warm, collaborative atmosphere where students engage thoughtfully, listen respectfully and challenge ideas with confidence.  Recent sessions have explored different debating structures and included lively activities such as continuum, balloon and alleyway debates.

Students are now preparing for an informed debate on the assisted dying bill,  a complex topic they are approaching with impressive maturity and sensitivity. Looking ahead, we aim to welcome even more  students to the club and build meaningful links with organisations such as UCL and Debate Mate to broaden our debating opportunities even further.’  Interested students should see Ms Christen at Debate Club, on Monday in W101, after school from 3:15 to 4:00pm.

We have been made aware of a few incidents of negative behaviour around Thomas Gamuel Park after school.  These do not always involve Kelmscott students, though we often end up being blamed, so to speak.  If your child passes through this area on their way home, please do speak to them about the importance of representing themselves and our school positively in the community.  As a proud community school, this matters deeply to us. Wearing the Kelmscott uniform comes with a responsibility to act with kindness, maturity and pride at all times.

Finally, congratulations to our top reward points earners for the week of Monday 24th – Friday 28th November 2025.  Olive Crawford (9T) and Jude Cambridge Brown (10K) led the way with outstanding efforts.  Well done to both of you and to all our year-group reward points winners for their fantastic achievements.

➪ Year 7, Abigail Michale in 7O with 20 ponts

➪ Year 8, Adeena Imoru in 8C with 19 points

➪ Year 9, Olive Crawford in 9T with 22 points

➪ Year 10, Jude Cambridge Brown in 10K with 22 points

➪ Year 11, Mathilda Eisenstein 11O with 21 points

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.

With every good wish,

Mr Sam Jones 

Headteacher