This fabulous cake, creatively baked by Zak in Year 7 and generously gifted to staff is a fitting celebration of the last few weeks of this term.
Following Year 7 camp fortnight, Year 8 activities week, Year 9 being promoted to Key Stage 4, Year 10 work experience and then a superb WESPA Awards Evening to celebrate the students’ achievements this year, this lovely gesture sums up the feelings of both staff and students.
The following news items are just a snapshot of the many activities throughout this busy term….
Some news items have already gone up as a main news event on our website. Details of the Year 11 Achievement Evening, SYDRC, and WESPA End of Term Awards and award winners will be posted separately, as will pictures of our Year 8, 9 and 7 camps this year.
WES Trailwalk for Charity
On the weekend of the 29th/30th July this year, four members of William Ellis Staff will be taking part in the Oxfam 100km Trailwalk across the South Downs.
Ms Concannon, Mr Rourke, Mr Wharton and Mr Bell are taking on the 65mile challenge. Mr Khan, the school’s Information & Systems Manager is also spending the weekend providing support to us as a team.
This is an endurance event starting at the (Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Portsmouth and finishing at Brighton racecourse) that requires us to complete the course within 30 hours, meaning no sleep and little rest. We will be following the South Downs way, and this particular 100km stretch includes an elevation change that means climbing an overall height more than that of Ben Nevis and Snowdon combined.
All the money raised goes to Oxfam with a significant portion going to the Gurkha Welfare Trust. Luckily for us it is well timed with a week to recover from work and then five weeks to recover before coming back to work! If you would like to sponsor us the link to our virgin giving page is below.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/WEStrailwalkers
DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD WEEKENDS
Some of our students braved the wildlife of the South Downs this term as practise for their Duke of Edinburgh silver award. Their qualifying trip was to West Dorset. Bronze award students visited Epping Forest and Ashdown Forest for their qualifying trip.
Year 10 taking part in DoE Silver Award
FAREWELL TO OUR CITY YEAR TEAM
The end of the academic year sees us having to say “goodbye” to our City Year team of volunteers. We wish them all the best for in their future careers and thank them for the extraordinary support they have provided to the school over the year. They’ve been invaluable help in the playground, running breakfast and homework clubs, helping with school trips and many, many other activities. They have organised numerous events for the boys, such as the now well established International Evening shown below. The graduation ceremony for the City Year London cohort will take place on 21st July in Victoria.
We will be welcoming a new team in September.
International Evening 201
BRASS ON THE HEATH
As usual the term has been packed with events/performances in dance, drama, art and music with trips to the theatre, an end of year art exhibition to coincide with the Year 11 Achievement Evening and music concerts at various locations such as St Martins Church, the Tower of London, Lauderdale House, and a fine performance on the heath bandstand with boys from Gospel Oak Primary School.
Mr Forbat, Head of Music, writes:
“On Friday 7th and Friday 14th July, boys in years 7, 8 and 9 (Ciaran, Alec, George D, Jem, Max, Jack, Teoman, George G, Josiah, Cameron, Manu Rob and Magnus) participated in a joint brass band performance with the year 5 and 6 students from Gospel Oak School Primary School at the Band stand on Hampstead Heath. This opportunity gave boys from Gospel Oak who are coming to William Ellis in September a chance to meet some of their fellow brass players. At Gospel Oak, every student in years 5 and 6 learns a brass instrument preparing them excellently for all the musical opportunities William Ellis has on offer, especially for brass players. Nine of the 12 William Ellis boys playing were themselves ex-Gospel Oak students who as well as performing enjoyed meeting their old teachers, playing familiar repertoire and reminiscing about their time from primary school.”
Striking flyer for Art Exhibition
YEAR 7 ORACY PROJECT
The English Faculty carried out an oracy project with Year 7s this year. This included creating an oracy curriculum for tutor time, the planning and delivery of a Deep Learning Day, and working
closely with Rosie Earl (speech and language therapist). Students and staff are positive about the benefits to students’ communication skills. We were nominated for a ‘Shine a Light’ and ‘Whole Education’ award for this work.
We were delighted that some of the boys involved were invited to the Camden Head teachers’ Conference in St Albans to deliver a 5 minute speech to head teachers both primary and secondary, throughout Camden – a rather scary prospect for many of us! The boys were a great hit and were great representatives for the project and William Ellis School. At the end of term the boys also presented their end of year speeches in the hall to their peers and staff. There was a range of different topics but it was clear all their levels of confidence had improved over the year.
YEAR 8 SCIENCE ACTIVITIES
he science department took Year 8 students to the Francis Crick Institute in Kings Cross for the Cracking Crick Science Show in July. Stefan Gates has a background in food science and is renowned for bringing many aspects of science to life through big-scale, fun and bizarre demonstrations. Year 8s also visited the London Zoo too during activities week.
PE & SPORTS ACTIVITIES NEWS
White Water Rafting
William Ellis School was invited to the annual school's festival at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, one of the major London 2012 Olympic Games venues.
The students spent more than 2 hours training and preparing to take a raft down the Olympic course. The preparations included having to jump straight into the cold, rushing water and float through the rapids, swimming to recover once through. This provided a bit of a shock to our young men, but they took it in their stride and had a great day.
Please take a look at the news story and photo gallery on the school website.
This year’s athletics team, managed by Mr Szymanski, at the Camden Athletics event on the heath:
SPORTS DAY
The WES Sports Day 2017 finally took place in June during a rather hot spell, after being postponed in May due to bad weather.he day was another huge success with al students taking part in some sort of competitive sporting activity throughout the day, culminating in an excellent finals afternoon. The results of the day are below. Please visit the sports sections of the school website to view a gallery of pictures from the event.
Overall winners – FENTON HOUSE!
Tug of War:
As part of the house sports competition we held the annual tug of war challenge for each year group. This event requires ach form to put out a team of 6 to take on all of the other form groups in their year to try and take the title of Year group Tug of War Champions!
Results were as follows:
| Y7 | Y8 | Y9 | Y10 |
1st | B | W | W | L |
2nd | W | L | F | F |
3rd | K | F | B | K |
4th | F | K | L | B |
5th | L | B | K | W |
Alumni News
Former student Kaylen Hinds has just completed a move from Arsenal Football Club to VfL Wolfsburg, in the German Bundesliga (their ‘Premier League’) where he will work with Arsenal great Freddie Ljundberg. Kaylen has already made his first start for the club in a 1 – 0 win against FC Hansa Rostock in their last pre season friendly match.
The only goal of the game was scored by Kaylen, opening his account for the club on his debut.
GOODBYE TO YEAR 13
After the stressful exam period for WES Year 13 students there was a final Leavers’ Celebration Assembly, alongside PHS leavers, with “fizz” and bowls of strawberries and cream! Ms White, Head of Year, put together a slide show of photos of students at various events during their time in 6th form. This was followed by a final “get together” of teachers and students at Dingwalls, Camden Lock in July.Exam results will be available for collection at 8pm on Thursday 17th August at La Sainte Union School. We have been told that Camden Cllr Nadia Shah, a former LaSWAP student and Mayor of Camden will be coming along to celebrate results with students. Look out in the local press for pictures.
NVQ SPORTS STUDENTS CELEBRATE TOO…
Lee Davis, NVQ Officer based at Talacre, writes:
“The ‘NVQ Sports’ class of 2016/17 attended a glitzy awards ceremony at the Camden Centre in Kings Cross on Wednesday 19th July 2017 to celebrate sporting achievements.
The students were given great praise and a warm applause for their volunteering, employment and qualifications gained and were invited to the stage in front of over200 people.
A special award ‘Fiona Brown NVQ achievement award’ was awarded to Jonny Phelan for his outstanding commitment to helping others.
For further information on the ‘sports education and training programme’ please visit www.camden.gov.uk/nvq or contact the WES 6th form office”
Fiona Brown
The school closed for the afternoon of Wednesday 28th June so that staff andstudents could attend the funeral of the Director of Sixth Form at WES, Fiona Brown. It was a most moving service at Golders Green Crematorium which was full with friends, family and staff and pupils from William Ellis and LaSWAP; with many having to stand outside watching the service relayed on screens. Close family and friends spoke lovingly of her life and her many achievements. A book of condolence, with messages from staff, parents and pupils has now gone to her family.
YEAR 12 LOOK TO THE FUTURE
On Monday 26th June there was a special “HEAP” Day (Higher Education and Progression) for Year 12 students across LaSWAP, hosted by La Sainte Union School. There were speakers on a wide range of subjects from a selection of universities based in London and the south east plus Matrix (law) Chambers with talks on Biological Sciences, Engineering, Geography and Environmental Science, Mathematics, Nursing and Midwifery, Pharmacy and Computer Science, “Applying for Medicine”, Sports Studies, Law – studying and working, Politics and International Relations, Sociology and Criminology followed by discussion groups and questions and answers. Our thanks to Madeleine Landreth, Higher Education Adviser for organising such an interesting and useful day.
Mr Newman has been leading his Economics and Business students on trips to various City firms and Queen Mary’s and SOAS Universities in the final couple of weeks of term to give them a taster of possible careers in this field.
A group of Year 12s are currently on an annual volunteering visit to Uganda with Mr Mangham and Ms Kendall. A life changing experience - we look forward to hearing all about it on their return.
YEAR 11 LASWAP TASTER DAY
After a “welcome” talk in the WES Library, LaSWAP hosted a “taster” day at La Sainte Union School for Year 11 students. They were able to try out 5 taster lessons of 30 minutes from LaSWAP subject specialists; speak to teachers of all subjects, and attend “subject drop in sessions”. Students were able to meet over a drink and snacks with other students they will get to know at LaSWAP and to find out about the LaSWAP induction programme.
We hope that as many WES boys as possible will continue to LaSWAP. Staff will be on hand on GCSE results day on Thursday 24th August from 10am in WES hall to help boys wishing to enrol/confirm their enrolment. Other enrolment days are Friday 25th and Tuesday 29th August.
Thanks to WESPA
The school has benefited more than ever this year from the support of WESPA, our parents’ association. They have tirelessly helped with refreshments at after school events and during the Year 6 transition interviews as well as fundraised via the now very successful table top sales @WESTableTopSale, quiz nights, shindig, sponsored runs and much more. The money they have raised has contributed to improving the school environment, awards for students, tickets for theatre trips and replacing worn out equipment. Please do support their events next year.
WESPA will shortly have their own page on the school website, so you will be able to check with them what is coming up and how you can help.
YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE
Inspire! led a “Get Ready for Work Experience” day with Year 10 to develop their understanding of work experience and how they can link it to future career aspirations, develop their understanding of the skills and qualities employers look for, gain confidence in promoting themselves in interviews and develop their problem solving and resilience skills to help them make the most of their work experience placement.
The boys then carried out their work experience during Year 7 camp fortnight at a wide range of businesses and locations. Some found it tough in the work environment but the majority found it a great experience as you can see:
A slide from a presentation giving feedback to the Crick Institute, Kings Cross by Owen:
An extract from a note sent to shop owner, Mr Patel, from Matth“I am writing to thank you for the opportunity you have given me to work at 64 Computers for my work placement. It was a wonderful experience and it significantly helped me builmy confidence in front of others and nourish my ability to act on instructions to provide an efficient service. Your advice has been tremendously helpful throughout the 2 weeks.
Over the course of the placement, I was able to meet and greet customers as they came in the shop. I usually asked if they needed help looking for a particular item or help with either booking in a parcel or scanning the parcel for collection. Helping customers was an incredibly rewarding experience and helped me a lot in building my self-confidence and customer service skills.”
Quad Courtyard Garden
Very many thanks to all the parents and staff and BOMA, Kentish Town, who donated plants to improve the courtyard beside the Learning Resources Centre. Ms Conran, who started the project, wrote:
“Thank you for supporting the WES gardening project. It has become the most wonderful space, enjoyed by all, and looked after by all. We have potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries, rhubarb and some very impressive marrow plants, not to mention peas, palms, coriander and an array of lovely flowers. I would give a special shout out to Mr Parry for his fantastic contribution but we would never hear the end of it.
strong team of students have emerged as our green fingered cadets and so manyothers have come along to help out or just chill out in this peaceful space. It has already become a popular place for pupils and teachers to eat lunch as well thlocation of a few Spanish lessons and even a small salsa class.
We have started work on a second area, clean-up has begun and we will be making improvements to this space when we return in September. Who knows where we will pop up next!”
Fundraising
Jack from the School Council requested a non-uniform day to support UNICEF on the last day of term. This is a great way of raising approximately £350- £400 – as long as everyone brings in a donation!
Deep Learning Day 6 “Walls or Bridges”
The last Deep Learning Day of the Year, suggested by Mr Pratt and organised by Ms Spiller, was on the topic of “freedom of speech” and how it relates to terrorism and included some sessions on radicalisation. We hope these sessions will broaden our boys understanding of our community, promote unity in society and encourage them to become independent thinkers.
Only Key Stage 3 students were involved this time, as Year 10 and 11 had exams.
Staff Goodbyes and Welcomes
We were sorry to say goodbye to the following teaching staff at the end of term. We wish them the very best for their future roles.
Mr P Lee, Deputy Headteacher
Ms H Spiller, Head of Humanities
Ms H Jones, Head of History
Mr C McNally, Head of DT
Mr C Bell, Philosophy Teacher
Mr R Leader, ICT Teacher
Mr P Iberi, RE Teacher
We welcome in September:
Ms A Conway, History Teacher
Ms S Elfons, Chemistry Teacher
NEW YEAR 7 - WELCOME
We are expecting 130 new students in Year 7 in September and we wish them all the best at WES. All boys have visited the school with their families for transition interviews; Mr Altmann, Head of Year 7 has been visiting them at their primary schools and we have hosted a parents’ Welcome evening, so we trust that they will settle in very quickly.