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Writer's pictureMr S. Jones

Headteacher's Weekly Update 8 - Friday 1st November 2024

Dear Parents/Carers


I hope this letter finds you and your families well; a Friday update for you following our return from the half term holiday.  I hope you all enjoyed your break and that the extra two days were appreciated.  In our longest term, I hope the benefits of the extended break will be felt by all, as we move into darker and colder days.


A short week this week, of course, but it was nice to see Year 11 families at Progress Evening yesterday, a crucial evening as Year 11 embark on their first set of mock exams next week, in preparation for their final GCSEs this summer.  We hope the feedback gleaned yesterday will be useful to students and families. Year 11 continues to impress us as a year group; continued hard work, resilience and sheer determination will inevitably lead to success.  Keep going one and all. 


Next Thursday, 7th November, is Tutor Parent Day.  Students have been booking their appointments for you and them to meet with the form tutor on the day.  You will have an opportunity to discuss the reward and consequence points they have received so far this year, attendance and punctuality data, as well as progress more broadly in school.  We hope you find the day useful. Year 11 will be in the midst of their Autumn Exams so will NOT have appointments.


On Tutor Parent Day, while students are away from school, they will embody the Kelmscott Way values of "We believe in a bright future" and "We aim high with ambition" through engaging in careers learning activities.  Students will have access to Xello, an interactive website that helps them plan for their futures.  Through Xello, students can assess their skills and interests, explore various educational and career pathways, and create actionable plans to reach their goals. Detailed instructions for completing these activities will be provided to students during form time next week and sent to parents via MyEd.


Today we welcomed representatives from KPMG to deliver literacy workshops to Year 9, helping our  students to practise their interview and CV writing skills.  Students learnt what it was like to work at KPMG, had the opportunity to practise interview scenarios with their peers, to write a CV and to discover what the world of work could potentially look like.


Also today, at lunchtime, the Art department held a day of the dead fiesta.  Welcoming KS3 students to enjoy their lunch while sample making Mexican tin art and watching some of Coco.  A one day only event this year, it was great to see the ofrenda where students can write down their wishes and messages to their ancestors. 


Families in years 8-11 will remember that we held our inaugural, and hugely successful, Classics Day last year.  Classics for All generously contributed to the costs incurred on the day; they are a wonderful supporter of the school.  They have also written about the event which you can read about here. Plans are afoot for another exciting Classics Day this year, more information to follow in due course.


The French and Spanish plays are selling out fast, but there are still a few more spaces available for both plays. These are always very well received by students, so be quick if you would like your child to attend. On Tuesday 19th November The French Theatre will perform 'Prendre sa Revanche'' Taking Revenge'.  The deadline to purchase a ticket for this performance will be Friday 8th November.  The Spanish Theatre will perform 'Primera Cita'' First Date' on Wednesday 4th December.  The deadline to purchase tickets will be 18th November.  Students may purchase tickets for these very popular performances via MyED.  


Dance Club, a new club for this year run by Ms Desouza-Snares, is back on Monday afternoons from 3:30-4:30pm in the activity studio. This club is open to both boys and girls and has proved very popular so far.  Any additional students that are interested in attending can see Ms Desouza-Snares for more details or simply turn up on the day.


Some excellent opportunities to signpost now from the Leyton Orient Community Trust, an exciting opportunity for students to participate in their Premier League Kicks Community Engagement Sessions.  These free outreach sessions are designed to provide a safe, inclusive space for young people to engage in sports, make new friends, and develop valuable life skills.  For more details please click on the highlighted links.  Youth Zone; a fun hangout space with activities like PS4 gaming, table tennis, and various sports.  Sports Sessions; football, Girls Youth Zone, Indoor Futsal, Leyton Youth Zone, Beaumont Estate Youth Zone and basketball sessions tailored for different age groups.


Nutritionists from the Waltham Forest BeeZee team, would like to introduce a new 8-week online programme called Beezee youth for young people aged 13 to 17.  The program is designed to support young people with their wellbeing in a way that fits in with their life.  The program will be delivered online with interactive activities and opportunities to learn from others in the group.  Session topics include:  Nutrition and exercise, nutrition and sleep, nutrition and studying, nutrition and mental health. More information may be found here.


Here are some work experience opportunities to signpost too, first Lloyds Banking Group Technology & Data Event Tuesday 5th November, 5pm - 6pm; for more information and to register please see here.  Secondly, on offer from Fragomen Law Firm for students interested in Law is an Immigration Law Work Immersive Experience on Wednesday 6th November & Wednesday 13th November from 6- 8pm - you must be able to attend both dates.  For more information and to register please see here


Finally, well done to the following students who topped the reward point charts for their year groups in the final week of last half term, with a particular well done to Charlie Adams, who topped the charts for the entire school. Keep up the good work.


  • Year  7, Ema Daugintyte in 7E with 29 points

  • Year  8, Charlie Adams in 8K with 44 points 

  • Year  9, Ghania Gharbi in 9M with 36 points 

  • Year 10, Lukas Petrovas in 10L with 40 points

  • Year 11, Alexandra Cocos in 11L with 35 points


With every good wish,


Mr Sam Jones 

Headteacher 

 


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