Dear Parents/Carers
I hope this letter finds you and your families well; a Friday update for you as always.
This week, we have had a typically busy and enriching time at school, with a variety of activities and opportunities for our students to engage in learning, both in and beyond the classroom.
Science Week has been in full swing, with an ambitious programme of events that students have loved and engaged with exceptionally well. A huge thank you to the Science team for their hard work in putting this together. Highlights of the British Science Week included; Mobile Animal Zoo Visit – a hands-on experience that reinforced biology and ecology lessons, fostering empathy for animals and sparking interest in wildlife careers. Students were thrilled to interact with various animals, making classroom concepts come to life. Science Fair & Spelling Bee – The 2025 Science Fair saw a record 700 student participants, showcasing innovative projects in Life Sciences, Renewable Energy, Environmental Conservation, Robotics & AI, and Social Innovation. The event highlighted STEM’s role in tackling global challenges and inspired creativity and critical thinking.
The enthusiastic Year 9-11 members of the Old Vic Schools Club had an exciting week filled with drama workshops and a theatre visit. Professional stage managers from the Old Vic led an engaging session, giving students insight into the role of a stage manager. They took on practical challenges from the production of Oedipus, including a highlight—mixing fake blood for Oedipus’s bandages in the final scene. Students then attended a modern adaptation of the play at the Old Vic Theatre, captivated by the striking blackouts, sound and lighting effects, powerful acting, and contemporary dance. As always, Kelmscott students were impeccably behaved and earned praise from the stage managers for their enthusiasm and knowledge.
This week’s residential trip to Shoreham was truly unforgettable. Over three days and two nights, students took part in the YHA Generation Green programme, enjoying a range of outdoor activities that pushed them beyond their comfort zones. Their enthusiasm and exemplary behaviour made the experience even more special.
Activities included team-building challenges, walking, sketching, and a cozy campfire evening with s’mores and hot chocolate. Students embraced the opportunity to connect with nature, gaining a deeper appreciation for the environment and our impact on it.
A huge thank you to our fantastic team for their invaluable support in making the trip a success. We hope the students carry these incredible memories with them for years to come.
The Ancient Myth/Modern Takes workshops concluded this week with students presenting their final projects on reforesting Kelmscott and the surrounding area, drawing inspiration from the Myth of Erysichthon. It was inspiring to see students take the lead in discussions on environmental issues, showcasing how ancient myths can provide valuable insights for tackling modern challenges. Dr. Efi Spentzou, the project's founder, was deeply impressed by the students' dedication and perseverance, recognising their thoughtful approach to linking mythology with real-world solutions.
Turning to our athletes, on Monday 3rd March, our Year 8 boys resumed their season with a dominant 6-0 victory against George Mitchell. It was a fantastic team performance, Zain Mahmood (8K) stood out for his exceptional work ethic. Despite fasting, he displayed incredible energy, relentlessly pressing the opposition in the heart of midfield.
Just three days later, on Thursday 6th March, the team faced Buxton in what we anticipated would be a tightly contested match, given their similar record this season. The game remained deadlocked until the final nine minutes when a single mistake allowed Buxton to break through and score. The boys responded with relentless attacking pressure, spending the remainder of the game camped in the opponent’s half. Despite their determination, they were unable to find an equaliser, and the match ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat. Abdulmajid Senga (8M) was our standout player, using his blistering pace to cover his teammates and making several crucial tackles at the back.
Unfortunately, our final match, originally scheduled for Thursday 13th March, was unable to go ahead after multiple attempts to reschedule, as our opposition could not field a team.
The Year 7 boys delivered exactly what was asked of them last week, bouncing back with an impressive 3-1 victory against Lammas on Tuesday. Kelmscott dominated the first half, with Mustapha Kabba (8T) scoring twice to give the team a 2-0 lead at halftime. Lammas fought back in the second half, but a brilliant solo goal from Ronan Kelly (7K) sealed the win and earned him player of the match honours. There’s no fixture next week, but the team will be working hard in training as they prepare for their next match against Buxton in a couple of weeks.
A huge well done to all the boys and girls who have represented their football teams this season, your dedication and performances have been outstanding.
The Year 7s took on the Year 8 Buxton netball team in a friendly and competitive match, showcasing great teamwork and positive play from all. For the second week in a row, Kenza was named Player of the Match, delivering an outstanding performance and scoring an impressive eight goals. Well done to all the students who took part—we look forward to another exciting match next week against Chingford.
As mentioned in last week's update to families, I am pleased to share with you some photographs taken during the International Women's Day celebrations. To view the photographs please see here. What an event this was.
This Wednesday, I had the privilege of fasting in solidarity with our Muslim students and families—a practice I have now undertaken for the fifth year in a row. It was a brilliant experience once again, made even more special by the thoughtful colleagues who generously provided me with some delicious food to break my fast at sunset—something I wasn’t expecting but greatly appreciated. Throughout the day, I had some fantastic conversations with students, families, and staff, who further deepened my understanding of the significance of fasting and the discipline it requires. I look forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come.
As families are aware, we are in the process of transitioning all school communications to EduLink, and it is essential that all families sign up. If you have not yet done so, please prioritise this, as it will soon be our primary platform for communication, including for Year 8 and Year 10 online Progress Evenings later this year. All parents/carers have been sent a login email with details on downloading the EduLink One app and logging in, so please check your email and follow the instructions as soon as possible. If you require any support with this, please contact the school.
Waltham Forest Easter Holiday and Activity Food Programme bookings are now open. Running from Monday 7th to Thursday 17th April 2025, Waltham Forest Holiday Activity and Food programme will offer school-aged children and young people, who are in receipt of benefit-related free school meals, the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of fun activities and holiday clubs, and enjoy a daily meal during their Easter holidays. Eligible children will be entitled to four sessions across the Easter break. Booking is essential for all activities so book early to avoid disappointment. For more information and to book please see here. If you require any support with bookings, please contact:
For students considering a career in banking and finance, an exciting online careers opportunity is available with Lloyds Banking Group. This event will focus on how students can get into the banking and finance industry as well as sharing details of their Easter Work Experience Schemes that students can apply to directly after this session. For more details and how to apply please see here.
I am pleased to include here the new Parent Support Programme provided by the Family help lead for school, at the Queen’s Road Family Hub. For more information please see here.
A big well done to the following students who topped the reward points charts for their year groups last week:
Year 7, Osama Medjbour in 7L with 24 points
Year 8, Ibrahim Farooq in 8O, Bety Vacariu in 8T and Farhan Khalif in 8K each with 15 points
Year 9, Maroua Merrouche in 9T with 24 points
Year 10, Kadara Elnagar in 10O with 35 points
Year 11, Zainab Hussain in 11C with 15 points
A special congratulations to Kadara Elnagar, who topped the charts for the entire school with 35 points, an outstanding achievement - keep up the excellent work.
With every good wish,
Mr Sam Jones
Headteacher
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