Headteacher's Weekly Update 38 - Friday 10th July 2026

Dear Parents and Carers

I hope this letter finds you and your families well. As we approach the final week of this academic year, a Friday update from me as always.

Whole-school attendance for the week  29th June - 3rd July 2026 was 92%. 

Attendance by Year group:

• Year 7 93.97%

• Year 8 91.51%

• Year 9 91.32%

• Year 10 89.87%

  
  

Despite the sweltering conditions, our Sports Days and Activities Days were a success. Thank you for your understanding as we adapted plans in response to the heat. Our PE Department pivoted quickly to our contingency arrangements, ensuring students remained safe whilst still enjoying the experience.

Students demonstrated tremendous resilience and enthusiasm throughout. Whether competing on the track, taking part in indoor events, tackling the Nuclear Races course or enjoying Adventure Island in Southend, they embraced every opportunity with positivity. I visited Nuclear Races on Wednesday afternoon, admittedly with some concern about the weather, but was delighted to find students and staff thoroughly enjoying themselves—the slip and slide and lake slide proving particular highlights. Likewise, our Year 7 and 8 students took the travel disruption in their stride and still enjoyed an excellent day by the seaside.

A huge thank you to all staff for their flexibility, professionalism and commitment across both days. We have already begun discussions about next year, including moving Sports Days and Activities Days earlier into June to reduce the likelihood of extreme temperatures and broadening the range of activities on offer.

Students enjoyed their Sports Days, taking part in a wide range of events including the traditional 100m, 200m and relay races, alongside obstacle course relays, basketball shooting, target throwing and table tennis competitions. Throughout the day, every activity, including a sports day quiz contributed valuable points towards each form's overall total. The final results and point winners will be announced during next week's Celebration Assemblies, always one of my favourite occasions of the year as we recognise and celebrate the many achievements of our students. 

As promised, here are the results from our Year 9 Inter-Form Football Tournament. Congratulations to 9O, who were crowned champions after a closely contested 2–1 victory over 9S in a thrilling final. With 9S drawing level in the closing stages, the game looked destined for a dramatic finish, but 9O responded immediately to secure the winning goal. Congratulations also to Basad Ehsanyar, 9O who was deservedly named Player of the Match in recognition of his outstanding sportsmanship and consistent performance throughout the tournament. Well done to all students who took part.

Congratulations also to all Kelmscott athletes who proudly represented Kelmscott at this year's Borough Athletics Championship. I have pleasure in sharing the roll of honour here including 36 medals.  Some impressive results here, testament to student and staff hard work and commitment.

The forecast remains warm for next week, although hopefully not quite as extreme. Students are welcome to wear their PE kit throughout the week should they wish. Thank you to families for the speedy turnaround in washing kits this week—it has been greatly appreciated. Please continue to ensure students wear their lanyards, bring a refillable water bottle, apply sunscreen before school and wear a hat if appropriate.

Well done to our Year 9 and 10 students who supported Barn Croft Primary School's Chess Tournament this week. They helped officiate the competition with maturity and professionalism and were excellent ambassadors for Kelmscott. Another group of students have supported South Grove Primary School with their Sports Day. We are proud that so many of our students give their time to support others within our local community.

This week, we are delighted to announce the winners of the Kelmscott Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 competition. Three awards were presented, with judging carried out by our students, staff and the school's Climate Ambassadors, who organised the competition. We received more than 40 entries, the exceptionally high standard of photography made the judging process incredibly difficult.  Every student who entered should be extremely proud of their work. Their photographs will be showcased in the Kelmscott Wildlife Photographer Exhibition at the beginning of the next academic year. Congratulations to all of our winners and to every student who took part.

• Student Choice Award: Evelina Gorbeychuk (7C)

• Teacher Choice Award: Joel Guenther (8E) and Sonny Rowson-Brown (8S)

• Climate Ambassador Award: Flynn Steel (7C)

  
  

On Tuesday, our Kelmscott Wildlife Photographers of 2026 enjoyed a fantastic wildlife photography trip to Kew Gardens, where they developed their photography skills while capturing stunning images of birds, insects, flowers and plants.  The visit encouraged students to observe and photograph a wide variety of plants and wildlife from ecosystems around the world. In the Palm House, they captured images of rainforest features, including colourful flowers, buttress roots and drip-tip leaves, before exploring the Cacti House to photograph the unique adaptations of desert plants.Throughout the day, students demonstrated enthusiasm, creativity and a real passion for wildlife photography. We look forward to sharing their fantastic photographs at our exhibition next academic year.

In last week's update to families, I mistakenly stated that Cultural Day would take place on Wednesday 16th. This was an error, and the correct date is Thursday 16th July. Students who wish to celebrate their heritage by wearing cultural dress, colours or flags are welcome to do so free of charge. Students choosing to wear regular non-uniform are asked to make the usual £2 contribution. This is always one of the highlights of the school year, and we look forward to celebrating the rich diversity of our school community together.

Students with a passion for singing are invited to explore the opportunities offered by the London Community Gospel Choir Youth Choir. The choir welcomes young singers to develop their vocal skills, build confidence and perform as part of a vibrant musical community. Please see here for more information.

Finally, the Children's Commissioner has made one last request for more young people to complete The Big Future survey before the end of term. Fewer than ten students from our school have taken part so far. If your child would like to share their views on growing up in England today, they can complete the short survey here.

School closes for the summer holidays on Friday 17 July at 12.40pm, as is our usual practice. Please ensure arrangements are in place for students to travel home at this earlier time.

Congratulations to all reward points winners for the week 29th June - 3rd July 2026 with a special mention to Bea Burgess in 8L, who amassed the most rewards points last week with an excellent 39  points.

Rewards Points winners:

• Year 7, Andrei Handiuc in 7K with 26 points

• Year 8, Bea Burgess in 8L with 39 points

• Year 9, Victoria Zheng in 9T with 30 points

• Year 10, Ana Calciu in 10K with 23 points.

  
  

As always, thank you for your continued support. We look forward to one final week together before what I hope will be a restful and enjoyable summer break for all of our families.

With every good wish,

Mr Sam Jones 

Headteacher