Newsletters

Spring Term - 13th June 2025

Welcome to our latest news update, including another international visit to William Ellis and, below, details about the WESPA Awards evening on 14th July and LaSWAP convert on 15th.

Year 11 and 13 students are beginning to finish their exams, and we hope to see them all at the NRA celebration event on 25th July for Year 11 and the LaSWAP Leavers Celebration in Camden on 26th. Meanwhile, Year 10 students begin their exams in just over a week - more information is available on the Year 10 page of our website.

International Evening 2025

A reminder that International Evening will be taking place on Tuesday 1st July and booking is now open! We hope you'll be able to join us for this wonderful event which brings the school - students, families and staff - together to celebrate the many cultures that make up our community. Please see the WESPA Round Up below for further information and to book your ticket to attend.

Year 10 Achievement in the London Youth Games

Mr Levitt writes:

Jake in 10L represented the Borough of Camden at the London Youth Games last weekend. Jake participated in the Indoor Rowing Competition, which took place at the Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub on Saturday 8th June. Competing alongside hundreds of secondary school students from across London, Jake finished 8th in the Year 10 event, a fantastic result for someone who joined rowing club only this year.

Indoor rowing club is every Tuesday after school in the fitness gym.

William Ellis Students representing Camden Athletics

Mr Levitt also writes:

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent Camden in the London School Athletics Championships this month.

Year 7:
100m - Michael 7F
800m - Noar 7K
Shot Putt and Discus - Theo 7L

Year 8:
100m - Evan 8B*
Discus - Bobby 8K

*Evan has also been selected to represent Camden this month at London Youth Games

Year 9:
100m and 200m - Joshua 9B
800m - Rowan 9K
Long Jump - Zephania 9K
High Jump and Triple Jump - Idriss 9K

Year 11:
Javelin and Triple Jump - Rufus 11K
High Jump and Long Jump - Theo 11K

Wir sind alle Studenten von William Ellis!

Ms Holderer writes:

On Thursday, 5th June, we welcomed four teachers and 33 students from Germany for a visit in school. They use an English language text book for German students that centres around a character who attends William Ellis and our school figures prominently in the book!

The students took a tour of the school with Mr Altman and Mr Parry and then joined our Y9 students for a speaking carousel in their German lesson.

Here is what two students said about the event:

"The German School Exchange was both educational and exiting. It was a great opportunity for me and my class to learn German while the other students learn English. We got to ask each other a set of questions in the language we were learning and translate the reply we got. The questions were familiar, and it tested our vocabulary. For example, we asked things like "What can you do in your town?" and "What are you doing on the weekend?" I learnt new words like activities that we don't do in England but they do in Germany. It extends my vocabulary and gives me more things to look forward to if I go there. We even got some time for us to come up with our own questions to push ourselves and learn more about German culture. For example, I asked, "What is your favourite food?" and "What is your favourite sport?" that taught me handball is very popular where they live, and most people like ice cream. Overall, it was very fun and exciting, a new experience for me. It made learning German even more interesting." - William, Year 9

"I think that the program is a great opportunity for students to see how useful learning a language is. It also boosts confidence knowing that you can speak to native speakers and they will understand." - Alfred, Year 9

Key Stage 5 Music Technology Enrichment

Mr Hansom writes:

Last week I met with ex William Ellis student and Music producer Nigel Godrich.

Nigel has been working with many artists over the last two decades but is mostly known for his work with Radiohead and Beck, contributing to the sale of more than 20 million albums worldwide.

We are really looking forward to working with him more with our LaSWAP students in Years 12 and 13 as part of our Music Technology course. We are planning to deliver masterclasses in recording and also visit Nigel’s studio in Camden to see some of the equipment he would use in his job as producer and engineer. Needless to say the students can’t wait to get started!

Camden Foodbank

William Ellis has a long-standing collaboration with Camden Foodbank, regularly collecting donations for them during seasonal appeals such as at Christmas and Easter, and supporting them annually with one of our Non Uniform Days.

Throughout this half term we are collecting non-perishable food items such as canned goods, pasta, rice, cereal, and essential hygiene products (e.g. toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, sanitary products and toilet rolls).

If you are able to spare an item or two from your store cupboard, or make an additional purchase when you do your weekly shop over the next few weeks, please do drop them in to us. Items can be handed in at Reception weekdays 8am-4pm, and will be passed on to the foodbank for distribution to local families in need.

You may instead (or also) wish to make a financial donation directly to the Foodbank. This can be done via the QR code above, or you can follow this link to find out about donations via cheque or Direct Debit.

Creative Health Camden's June Programme:

Try being part of Camden Concert Band and Camden Youth Jazz Band

It’s the time of year when Camden Music is on the lookout for the best secondary instrument players in the borough to join its most senior and advanced groups. These groups are lucky enough perform at the Royal Albert Hall and other London venues, as well as in national music festivals such as Music for Youth in Birmingham. On Sunday 6 July, Camden Concert Band, which performs music from films and shows and light classical music, and Camden Youth Jazz Band are inviting players to join them for short, free rehearsals at Camden School for Girls, Sandall Road, NW5:

• Camden Concert Band, from 12noon to 1pm on Sunday 6 July
• Camden Youth Jazz Band, from 3pm to 4pm on Sunday 6 July.

Find out more and register by Tuesday 24 June.

Hands-on KS3 Workshops at London AI Campus Opportunity Centre 

These workshops are part of Camden's ongoing series of after-school activities at the London AI Campus, giving KS3 students the opportunity to explore a range of hands-on AI topics, including machine learning, data science, and real-world problem solving. The first session, which took place earlier this week, was a great success and Camden are keen to welcome even more KS3 students to take part!

Workshops take place every Tuesday from 4pm to 5pm and will continue until mid-July. Students can sign up for individual sessions or join the remaining sessions in the series. Register via the sign-up links on the Camden Learning website or by using the form here.

Camden Community Wealth Fund's Diversity panel

The Camden Community Wealth Fund was launched earlier this month and the initiative is looking for applicants to its Diversity Panel, helping to decide how to invest £2 million in local businesses that are run by a diverse group of people. Anyone aged 18+ who lives, works or studies in Camden can apply but Camden are especially keen to hear from people who:

• are d/Deaf or disabled
• are from a Black, Asian or other ethnic community
• have a low income or receive benefits
• run a local business

Panel members will be paid, and there will be flexible and accessible ways to take part. Apply by 6 August via the online application form or complete a paper application form at any Camden Library.

For more information, email CommunityWealthFund@camden.gov.uk

European Football Academy Trials 28th-29th June

The European Football Academy invite youn people aged 4-18 to join their free Open Trials on 28th-29th June 2025 with the European Football Academy - an Ofsted-registered academy offering premier football coaching.

This offers the opportunity to train with UEFA-qualified coaches in a secure environment whilst developing friendships and life skills. Past participants have progressed to professional academies including Arsenal, Chelsea, and West Ham.
 

Trial Information 
📅 Dates: 28th & 29th June 2025 
📍 Locations:

• Archbishop's Park (Waterloo)
• Kennington Park (Kennington)
• Paddington Recreation Ground (Maida Vale)
• Whitefield School (Brent Cross) 

To register, visit https://europeanfootball.academy/open-trials or email info@efalondon.com for further information.

Paid Opportunity for Young People aged 16-24

City Hall are looking for young Londoners aged 16-24 who are passionate about making London a better and safer place for young people to thrive. Apply now to join their agenda-setting Young People’s Action Group (YPAG). These changemakers ensure the voices and opinions of young people influence policy and funding decisions to benefit young Londoners and their communities.

This would be a paid role. Candidates would need to be available at least twice a week in the evenings and during the days in half term breaks and summer holidays.

Click here to find out more about YPAG and to register for an Open Day.

Camden Summer University - bookings now open 

A reminder that children and young people aged 13 to 19 who are educated in Camden can sign-up for Camden Summer University.

You can choose from over 70 free courses in creative arts, media, fashion, sport, cookery, work and life skills. The programme runs from 24 July to 22 August at venues across the borough, including London Zoo, the British Library and Euston Skills Centre. View courses and book places online now!

Yours faithfully,

Izzy Jones

Headteacher