Headteacher's Weekly Update 31 - Friday 16th May 2025

Dear Parents/Carers

I hope this letter finds you and your families well; a Friday update for you as always. 

It has been a warm and sunny week at Kelmscott, the sunshine has certainly brought a positive energy across the school.  It has been another full and busy week – particularly for our Year 11 students who are deep into their GCSE exam season now.  We are very proud of how they are conducting themselves with real maturity, focus and resilience.

Below are some key updates from across the school:

This week our Drama department took students to the Old Vic Theatre in central London. Visits like these are incredibly enriching, offering first-hand exposure to professional theatre, building cultural capital and inspiring creativity that feeds into their own performances.  Our current Year 10 GCSE Drama students, along with a group of enthusiastic Year 9 students attended a performance of The Brightening Air.  Everyone enjoyed the excellent acting, creative staging, and the imaginative use of food on stage. The students also handled an unexpected fire drill at the end of the performance with great maturity.  We celebrated the end of the Year 11 GCSE Drama students’ Old Vic journey; they received certificates recognising their participation in eight performances, eight workshops, and technical theatre work experience over the past two years, a fantastic achievement.

We were delighted to launch our Scholars Programme this week – an exciting initiative designed to stretch and challenge our highest attaining students.  The programme will include university-style tutorials, enrichment sessions, and mentoring to support aspiration and academic excellence.

Selected Year 7 and 8 students attended an introductory workshop where they explored the concept of "home", drawing on George, the Poet’s, Mother Tongue and Mihika Bhattacharya’s The Language of Home, a winning entry in the Junior Orwell Youth Prize 2024.  Over the next four weeks students will critically evaluate various forms of media examining themes of identity, place and belonging before producing a final piece that reflects their journey through the programme.

I am  pleased to share the results of this year’s UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Maths Challenge; a national competition that involves solving complex problems under timed conditions.  Our students performed exceptionally well:

• 2 Gold medals – Congratulations to Tobia and David

• 2 Silver medals

• 8 Bronze medals

  
  

A terrific achievement, especially as Tobia and David will now go on to represent Kelmscott in the next stage of the competition.  A huge well done to all who took part.

This week marked the final athletics fixtures for our Year 9 and Year 10 students, with some outstanding performances to close the season.   Special congratulations to Lorence Doclis Capili in 9E, who achieved first place, on Thursday, in the shot put with an impressive throw of over seven metres.  Equally impressive was Hannah Arthur, 9O, who secured first place in the Year 9 girls’ shot put on Tuesday with a throw of 7.28 metres.  A massive well done to both students for their achievements.  Looking ahead, next week sees the start of the Year 7 and Year 8 athletics with the girls’ events beginning on Tuesday and the boys competing on Thursday. 

We have been alerted to a national concern involving a WhatsApp group called ‘add everyone’ circulating among young people which contains inappropriate, harmful and in some cases illegal content.  Although not specific to Kelmscott, it’s important that all families remain vigilant.

What can you do?

• Regularly check your child’s phone and online activity

• Talk to your child about who they are communicating with

• Remind them never to join or stay in unknown groups or share personal information

• Encourage open conversations – let them know they can talk to you or a trusted adult if they feel uncomfortable

  
  

As ever, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.  Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have concerns or need further support.

This week has also marked Mental Health Awareness Week – something that is prioritised every week at Kelmscott to be fair.

Some top tips to hold dear:

• Take time away from screens

• Make time to talk to someone you trust

• Try to get plenty of sleep and stay active

• Keep things in perspective – it’s okay not to be okay

  
  

We are proud to have a school counsellor available to support students and all members of staff remain committed to listening and supporting our young people.

Well done to all students who continue to work hard and contribute positively to school life, our reward points system recognises just that.

Well done to the top rewards points students from each year group:

• Year 7, Alexa Tikova in 7O with 34 points

• Year 8, Leo Webb and Andreea Dragomir both in 8L with 10 points each

• Year 9, Yana Dutchak in 9T with 27 points

• Year 10, Leah Higgins in 10M with 24 points

• Year 11, Esmond Poku Junior in 11O with 9 points

  
  

A special mention to Alexa Tikova who topped the chart for the whole school with 34 points, a brilliant effort.

The non-uniform day originally scheduled for 5th June will now take place on 22nd May for Years 7 to 10 only.  Please make a note of the new date.

A reminder that the last day of this half term is Friday 23rd May and school will finish at the usual time of 3.10pm.

Thank you for your continued support.  As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch with any questions or concerns.  Wishing you a restful and safe weekend ahead.

With every good wish,

Mr Sam Jones 

Headteacher