Newsletters

NEWS AT WES - 8th November 2024

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Autumn Term - 8th November 2024

 

Welcome to our latest news update, including information for families about many upcoming activities in Camden.

Year 11 information event, mock exams and LaSWAP

Year 11 parents and carers are invited to an online information evening on Tuesday 12th November at 6pm, with information about intervention support, revision and mock exams. The link for the online meeting was sent out before the half term. We hope that we will also see many Year 11 students and families at the LaSWAP Open Evening on 28th November - more details and the sign-up link are here.

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Attendance Updates

As I write every week, good attendance and punctuality to school are essential to students' success. Our current school attendance is 91.2% - higher than last year, but still meaning that, on average, many students are missing too much learning. Our top attending forms are 11K, 10K, 9B, 8L and 7F, and congratulations to over 400 students this week who have had 100% attendance.  

Winter Entertainment Evening

On 10th December the Music and Drama Departments will present an evening of Winter Entertainment, from 5:30-7pm. There will be performances from students across the school, including monologues from our LAMDA actors, group drama pieces from KS3 and a range of musical performances. Look out for more information soon about tickets, timings and fundraising!

Farewell to Mr Keeshan

Just before the half term break, staff past and present gathered to say farewell to PE teacher Mick Keeshan, who has retired after 35 years working at William Ellis.

Mr Keeshan taught many hundreds of students in this time, including generations of the same families, and has always been one of the members of staff that former students are most delighted to see and reminisce with if they happen to return to school.

This week's Camden New Journal reflects on Mick's time with us and his local roots. Read the article here.

We wish Mick all the best in his retirement and hope that he will still visit us from time to time. He was joined by present and former staff to celebrate and recognise the exceptional contribution he has made to the William Ellis community.

Winter Activities at Lauderdale House

Our school works in partnership with local historic site Lauderdale House on a number of creative projects in English and Art.

Lauderdale House runs a variety of activities and events for young people throughout the year and have asked us to share their winter programme with you.

This includes exhibitions, concerts, family workshops, a Christmas craft fair and more. Many of the activities are free.

To find out what's coming up in the coming weeks and months, please see the 'What's On' page of the Lauderdale House website.

Kentish Town City farm Young Farmers programme

The Kentish Town City Farm's Young Farmers programme opened this week for new applicants for January. This project has been an integral part of the farm since it was founded over fifty years ago. Hundreds of young people have volunteered on the farm, with many going on to become vets, veterinary nurses, farmers, and more!

Young Farmers is open to anyone aged 8–16 years and is free to attend. Sessions run on weekend mornings.

Young farmers learn many skills, including all aspects of animal care – from mucking out and feeding, to animal handling skills and health checks.

Please see the Young Farmers webpage for further information.

Camden Special Parents Forum November events (SEND notices)

The following in-person events are coming up this November at the Camden Special Parents Forum:

Tuesday 12th November 12pm-2pm at the Kentish Town Congregational Church: Movement, Relaxation & Lunch The first one was a big hit so do sign up for this one fast as spaces are limited! The KIDS key workers will be joining us again cooking up a delicious light lunch which will be served after a lovely and gentle session of movement and relaxation led by Karen Rodriguez who is a special yoga teacher and also leads the Camden portage early years team. This wellbeing session is suitable for all levels. Please do let us know if you have any allergies when booking. This is a great session to relax, unwind and enjoy the company of other parents/carers and also have a chat with the KIDS keyworkers who help provide support and guidance to families. There are very limited spaces so please sign up as soon as possible.

Wednesday 13th November 10:30am-11:30am at the Greenwood Centre, Kentish Town  The Forum Coffee Morning: The coffee morning is an informal space to talk and meet other parents, gain some insight from each other and share tips and talk about anything else you would like. We will have hot beverages, biscuits and snacks available for you all. Please do sign up to let us know you are coming so we can cater to the correct numbers. There will also be an opportunity to get some help filling out the Special Parent Forum Carer survey if you have not had a chance to do so due to requiring some assistance.

Monday 18thth November 10:15am-12:30pm Our wonderful Walk and Talk on Hampstead Heath: This is a very popular and well attended event and happens come rain or shine so please do check the weather and dress appropriately. Alison Turner who leads the walk will be taking us on a path that leads us to Kenwood House where we stop off for hot beverages, more banter, baked goods and lovely laughs with a dash of high spirits makes for a lovely start to the day. Meet by the water fountain/cafe/toilets on Hampstead Heath by the Parliament Hill side of the Heath near the tennis courts. Please contact Alison Turner directly to sign up, and also if you have to cancel last minute so we don't wait: 07788 521693.

Tuesday 26th November 10:30am-2pm Intro to SEND workshop  at the Greenwood Centre, Kentish Town: This very informative session will be delivered by Julie Bidgway who is the manager for Camden SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service). The workshop will cover definitions used within Special needs and Disabilities, Education processes for children and young people with SEND and so much more. Sign up for this session is essential so we can plan the workshop space and refreshments.

Wednesday 27th November 10:30am-12pm Family Hub coffee morning (parents/carers of 0-5 year olds) at Harmood Family Hub, 1 Forge Place, Ferdinand Street, NW1 8DQ:  This coffee morning is aimed at Parents/ carers of children aged 0-5 years. Staff members from the KIDS play worker team and family hub will be in attendance. Our coffee mornings offer a great opportunity to talk to other parents, service providers and key workers about the challenges and joys of living in Camden with a child with additional needs. Also a great opportunity to let us know what is important to you as a parent/ carer of a younger child with SEN/D and find out what’s available, talk and/or listen, get advice from other parents and members of the team.

The Special Parent Forum Survey: In case you have missed it, we have left it open for your responses. It will only take a few minutes of your time, here is the link https://forms.office.com/e/xPaGBbHGaU (If you do require any help filling it in, we will be available at the next coffee morning taking place on the 13th of November to assist you with this).

To sign up to any or all of these events or for more information please contact Aishatu Mohammed Aishatu.mohammed@kids.org.uk / 07385 003 662.

To find out more about the Camden Special Parents Forum, please click here.

Yours faithfully,

Izzy Jones

Headteacher

This Week's WESPA Round-Up:

Dear families,

I hope you all had restful and enjoyable breaks. Many parents have asked if there are easy ways to help raise money for school. Here are three quick ideas that have enabled us to buy equipment, hire facilities, fund awards and run free events for our school community.

Easyfundraising

For those new to the idea, Easyfundraising is one of the easiest, most free ways to make money for our school. All you have to do is do your regular shopping through Easyfundraising and the shops you use give us a proportion of what you spend. It’s incredibly simple and easy to do - just sign up here. 

https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/williamellispa/

Thank you to the 90 supporters who already do this - we have raised nearly £3000 so far! Just imagine if we all did this…

Standing Order

Thank you to the parents who have chosen to donate regularly. It is really helpful for budgets and planning how we can support our boys. If you'd like to set up a regular standing order or make a direct donation please email williamellispa@gmail.com 

There are about 900 students at WES. If each WES family contributed £1 a month, this would raise £10,800 a year which is enough to hire a minibus or buy 10 new Mac computers for the music department.

We understand that parents may like to donate to a particular cause that is important to them and, in this event, it is possible for WESPA to ring-fence funds and coordinate with school directly. 

Fundraiser

WESPA runs regular fundraisers that raise money for school. Please do join in when you can. It’s not just about the money and is also a lovely way to meet other parents and have some fun. Our next fundraiser will be Winter Entertainment on 10th December at school.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming AGM on 27th November and in the meantime, have a great weekend!

Best wishes,

Al

Chair WESPA

Coming Up...

Year 12 Graphics October Gallery Project Trip
All Day
08
November
Year 10 Architecture Careers trip
8:30am – 1:00pm
12
November
Year 11 Information Evening (online)
6:00pm – 7:00pm
12
November
Year 11 Art & Graphics Trip to the Natural History Museum
All Day
13
November
Year 13 Economics Trip to Europe House
9:00am – 2:00pm
13
November
Year 9 Poetry Society Workshop
11:15am – 3:00pm
14
November
Year 12 Graphics October Gallery Project Trip
All Day
15
November
Year 9 Drama 'Souls' Workshop
All Day
15
November
'Under Armor' Fitness Event Trip
1:15pm – 3:00pm
15
November
Year 9 Poetry Society Workshop
11:15am – 3:00pm
21
November