I hope this letter finds you and your families well; a Friday update for you as always. We’ll begin with Year 11 who now have a matter of days left at Kelmscott, with just a handful of exams to complete next week before it is all wrapped up for them. We are looking forward to the Year 11 Prom next Friday to celebrate their successes, and their time at Kelmscott in general.
It was fantastic to see so many of you at our Celebration Evening on Thursday Evening. Coming together for the first time in a number of years to celebrate some of the achievements of our students, was a real treat for me. With only one award per year group per subject, I know there were many students who missed out on an award this year. I hope they are not too despondent, instead choosing to use it as motivation to win an award next year. Well done to all the winners this year though, particularly Peter Gibson in Year 11 who won the Headteacher’s Award.
On Wednesday evening we celebrated the achievements of the boys involved in The Smiling Boys project. It was wonderful to see their portraits hung so professionally on boards and to hear from our students, their parents and the leaders of the project, to find out more about the impact the programme is having. We plan to run the project again next year for a new group of students as it was such a roaring success this year.
It was also the final session for the ICEE Year 10 project, where they have been developing the skills required to thrive in life after Kelmscott. It was another fantastic success, with hugely positive feedback from students and the facilitators. One hundred per cent of students involved would recommend the project to their peers. One student said the following, which I thought was powerful, “I’ve learned a lot, these workshops have introduced new concepts, developed my mind-set and perspective. It has changed my view of myself and the world around me for the better.”
It has been pleasing to see more opportunities for students to enrich their learning, on school visits this week, with Year 10 out at the Royal Observatory on Thursday and Year 12 exploring Epping Forest.
Many thanks to those of you that have responded to the parent survey we have sent, enquiring about parent/carer preferences as to whether Parents’ Evenings are in person or by phone. The vast majority of responses so far have been for them to remain in person. We have kept the survey open for an additional week, to give other families a chance to respond, if they would like.
After a hot week, weather-wise, in school, please ensure that your child comes to school next week, with a water bottle, so they remain hydrated throughout the day.
We have a non-uniform day next Friday, 24th June, participating students should bring £2 in to give to their form tutor, which will go towards our hardship fund.
Finally, congratulations to Kaleab Fikadu in 7L who amassed the most rewards points last week, keep up the good work.
Yours sincerely
Mr Sam Jones
Headteacher