Headteacher's Weekly Update 28 - Friday 25th April 2025

Dear Parents/Carers

I hope this letter finds you and your families well; a Friday update for you, as always.  I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable Easter break.  It was lovely to have some sunshine over the holidays, and it's been great to see students return refreshed and ready to learn.  We've had a positive start to the term, and I look forward to the weeks ahead.​

We are very pleased to announce that our new AstroTurf pitch is now complete.  Students have been making the most of it during PE lessons and at break and lunchtime.  It's wonderful to see them enjoying the new space, and we're excited about the opportunities it offers for sports and recreation.​

Sticking with a sporting theme, this Wednesday, Kelmscott led a girls' rugby festival, bringing together teams from across the borough for a day of sport and camaraderie.​  I look forward to sharing more details with you in my update to families next week.

White Aura recently delivered a mindfulness, breathwork, and sound bath workshop for our Year 11 students.  The session was designed to help students manage stress, improve focus, and support their overall emotional well-being.

Year 11 student Ikram Abdullahi shared their experience: "My experience at the sound bath was truly unique. I found it deeply relaxing, especially during a time of significant stress. It gave me a much-needed chance to set aside my worries and focus on my breathing and inner calm. The soothing tones and vibrations created a peaceful, Zen-like atmosphere. I left the session feeling grounded, relaxed, and refreshed.”

As we look forward to a week of warmer weather with potential highs of 25 degrees forecast for next Wednesday a timely reminder about uniform;

In hot weather, there is a more relaxed approach to our uniform policy.  The first items of uniform to be removed should be the optional items:

1.)  Coat/jacket

2.)  School jumper

After this, the blazer can be removed, but this should be carried in the student's hand to ensure it does not get creased.

Top buttons should remain done up and ties worn please, although we do relax these rules, if temperatures rise yet further.  This will be decided on a day-by-day basis.  Students are expected to remain properly attired on their journey to and from home too, as they are still representing our school in the community.  We would be grateful if you could check your child’s uniform before they leave home for school.

With the warmer weather, it is essential that students bring a bottle of water to school, which they can refill during break and lunchtime.  We also kindly remind students to apply sunscreen before arriving at school to help stay protected throughout the day.  Thank you, as always, for your continued support in these matters.

Next Friday, we will celebrate Cultural Day at Kelmscott—an important annual event that fosters unity and appreciation for the diverse backgrounds within our school community.  It’s a day dedicated to honouring the rich tapestry of cultures that make up Kelmscott, promoting understanding and mutual respect.

Students are encouraged to wear clothing that reflects their cultural heritage, and staff are warmly invited to join in too.  Cultural dress or school uniform is permitted.  Students may also choose to wear national colours, face paint, football shirts, or flags; however, flags must not be waved inside school buildings and will be confiscated if done so.  Students who choose not to wear cultural dress are expected to attend in full school uniform, as this is not a non-uniform day.  Please note, there is no requirement for a charitable donation to take part in Cultural Day – it is a free event for all.

Students who would like to share more about their culture and the clothes they have chosen to wear are requested to come to W104 at lunchtime on the day.  

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has launched its 'Create The Card' competition in partnership with Warner Bros. Young artists are invited to design the official BBFC Black Card for the upcoming Superman film, set to release on July 11th.  The winning design will be displayed before every UK cinema screening of the movie. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their creativity. For more details, please see here. 

Young Professionals is hosting a Summer Conference at The O2 Arena on Tuesday, 15th July.  This event offers Year 11 students the chance to meet with over 20 global employers and gain insights into various career paths.  The morning session has already sold out, and the afternoon session is filling up quickly. Interested students should register soon to secure a place.  For more information and to register please see here.

Congratulations to our top reward points earners for the last week of term:

• Year 7, Sofia Dobynda in 7L with 35 points

• Year 8, Tobia Lullo in 8M with 48 points

• Year 9, Mitra Karimaghaee in 9S with 23 points

• Year 10, Mariam Jabeen in 10E with 39 points

• Year 11, Alexia Iordan in 11L with 26 points

  
  

A special well done to Tobia Lullo 8M, who topped the charts for the entire school with 48 points.

Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

With every good wish,

Mr Sam Jones 

Headteacher