I hope this letter finds you and your families well; a Friday update for you as always.
This week is National Anti-Bullying Week; it was pleasing to see Heads of Year lead assemblies on this important topic, specifically around self-control. The importance of being kind to one another in our school community is something we live and breathe each and every week, of course, not just during specific weeks such as this one. I’m sure this is something you work hard to instil in your child too.
The Science Department organised for the Astrodome to visit on Wednesday this week, an excellent opportunity for students to be introduced to the fascinating world of astrology; feedback was very positive indeed.
The Classics Department pulled off quite a coup this week, showcasing an exhibition, curated by Professor Michele Ronnick and loaned to us by St Gabriel’s School. For our students to have the opportunity to explore the journeys of twelve black Classicists, and how they have shaped/changed our perception of Classics today, is truly wonderful. We’re proud to be one of the only state schools in the country to have Classics on the curriculum for all of our students, and opportunities like this, only go to enrich our offer yet further.
The Classics Department would also like to make students and families aware of an online webinar to hear from Dame Mary Beard, an internationally renowned English scholar of Ancient Rome, who will be talking through her own Classics journey, and key influences in her life. Details on how students and families can get involved on Wednesday 30th November at 7pm can be found by following the link. https://classicsforall.org.uk/news-and-events/events/evening-mary-beard
The LBWF has produced a fully inclusive Post 16 Choices brochure aimed at young people from Year 9 who are choosing their GCSE options, Year 11s looking at their next steps after GCSEs and Year 12 next steps. The brochure also contains advice where young people can access independent careers advice. The brochure is available in the MyEd app via the School Information button or via the link below. https://www.flipsnack.com/bigkid/stu10383_post16prospectus_a4_nov22_v4/full-view.html
Monday afternoon sees the England men’s football team compete in their first game at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, hoping to emulate the success of the women’s team earlier this year. The match kicks off at 1pm but we have made the decision not to show the game, or close school early as a result. Had the game fallen at a similar time of the day but later on in the tournament, we may have been more minded to consider this. Having checked the timings for the latter parts of the tournament, should we progress to those stages, school will not be adversely affected as kick off times are not during school hours, pleasingly.
I will be sending a Christmas card to members of our school community in the coming weeks. The Art Department has kindly offered to run a competition for us, with a student creating a design for that Christmas card. The competition begins next week; students should speak to a member of the Art Department for more information. The prize is a wallet of Uniball Posca pens and seeing their design transformed into our bespoke Kelmscott Christmas Card for 2022.
Some advance notice of the next parent/carer focus group session that is taking place on Tuesday
29th November from 2:15pm. This is an opportunity for us to hear your perspective. On the agenda for this second such meeting of the year are; Tutor Parent Day and how we can make this better still, and the Climate Action Charter, amongst other things. We look forward to seeing many of you there.
KS4 students who kindly helped during the many events we have had at school, e.g. Open Evening and Progress Evenings, were rewarded on Thursday with a complimentary fish and chip lunch. KS3 students who kindly gave their time, have a cinema experience complete with popcorn, hot chocolate and marshmallows, to look forward to soon; many thanks and well done to all who have helped at these important events.
Finally, well done to Sara Giuvela in 8S who amassed the most rewards points last week with twenty-four,
keep up the good work.
Yours sincerely
Mr Sam Jones
Headteacher