Newsletters

Spring Term - 16th May 2025

Welcome to our latest news update, including celebrations for Cultural Diversity Day, information about summer Open Events for 2026 admissions next half term, and highlights of Year 8 rugby at the latest Saraacens tournament. There is also a reminder about communication within our school community.

We know that some of you will be reading this while helping Year 9s to pack for camp at The Mill. We hope that the forecast for sun comes true and that the students who attend take the opportunity to celebrate this important rite of passage at the end of Key Stage 3. All Year 9 students will start their GCSE courses when they return after half term.

Online safety and young people: the national picture

This article in last week's Camden New Journal shares some thoughts about what the proposed changes to rules around the responsibility of technology companies to safeguard young people. We know that many of our parents will welcome these changes.  When we spoke to new Year 7 parents in March, we were clear in our advice to them: a smartphone is not necessary, and the most helpful device for them is a laptop or computer.

Several London boroughs have already seen schools co-ordinate their approaches to mobile phones, and this conversation is already beginning in Camden. We will share further updates with you soon.

This Wednesday 21st May is World Day for Cultural Diversity. In tutor time this week, students will be discussing what cultural diversity means and how it can be celebrated. This is particularly important at William Ellis - we are proud of being a diverse school, and our languages curriculum is an important part of preparing students to work and live in different cultures and parts of the world. This is also an important part of our work towards the UNICEF Rights Respecting School Award. If you'd like to talk about the importance of cultural diversity at home and how it can be celebrated, you can find resources at https://www.un.org/en/observances/cultural-diversity-day

Student Leadership and Personal Development

Next Friday's Non Uniform Day will support Water Aid, a charity regularly championed by our Student Council at this time of year.

Students wishing to take part must make a £1 donation to this charity. This can be made via ParentPay. Students who do not make a donation are expected to come to school in full uniform on Friday.

Admissions for 2025 and 2026: transition meetings and open event dates announced

Last weekend we held our Year 7 admissions meeting day, and had the pleasure of getting to know our incoming Year 7 and their families one-to-one. It was a lovely day with a great atmosphere in the Sixth Form Centre as families came together to discuss the forthcoming move to secondary school, try sample uniform for size and chat to WESPA about the months and years that lie ahead. We are now starting to get a real sense of September's Year 7, and what each of those new students will bring to the dynamic of the cohort. We are all very excited to meet those students again and build on these relationships at July's Induction Day.

Thank you to all the members of WESPA who came on Saturday to help with uniform, refreshments and giving guidance to our new families.

We are also already starting to look ahead to admissions for September 2026, and will begin our programme of Open Mornings later this term.

If you or any friends or relatives have a son currently in Years 4 or 5, please let them know about these Open Events. To sign up for one of the Open Mornings in June please see our website.

We will also be at Camden's 'Moving On' event at the Francis Crick Institute on 5th June (4.15-6.45pm).

Places are still available for this free event. Please click here to book a timed slot. 

Appropriate Use of Parental Groups on Social Media

We know that many of our parents and carers are members of WhatsApp and other Social Media groups and forums for their sons' year groups and use these platforms to stay up to date with school news and interact positively with other families. This forms an important network that is predominantly used to enhance the sense of school community.

We would like to remind you of the importance of maintaining confidentiality regarding students and their families, and staff, when posting in these groups. Any concerns and complaints should be addressed to the school in private, by contacting an appropriate member of staff (usually your child's Head of Year in the first instance) or the Office Team. We will always take concerns seriously and carry out any necessary investigations privately and fairly for all parties involved.

HPV vaccine to protect Year 8 children against HPV-related cancers

The HPV vaccine helps protect against human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause a number of cancers. Research shows that over time the HPV vaccine will help save thousands of lives in the UK. One dose of the HPV vaccine is recommended for all children in Year 8, and Vaccination UK will be delivering these vaccines to year 8 boys at William Ellis on Friday, 23rd May. 

Completing your child’s consent form

Year 8 families should have received an email from Vaccination UK with a link  to complete an online consent form for your child to have the HPV vaccine at school.

You can also access the consent form at this link: https://ncl.schoolvaccination.uk/hpv/2024/camden

If you do not complete the consent form, on the day of the vaccinations your child will be brought to the vaccination area and Vaccination UK will phone you to seek consent for the vaccination against HPV. This makes the process a lot longer so please complete the consent form online as soon as you can.

If your child misses their HPV vaccine at school, they can have the vaccine for free at a local catch-up clinic – you can find dates and locations at www.schoolvaccination.uk/catch-up-camden

To give the best protection Year 8 is the recommended age for the HPV vaccine to be given. For more information on the HPV vaccine visit www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/hpv-vaccine/

For translated information on the HPV vaccine in 33 languages please visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/hpv-vaccine-vaccination-guide-leaflet

If you have any questions about the vaccine or completing your child’s consent form, please contact Vaccination UK at camden@v-uk.co.uk or 020 4603 3495.

Year 8 Saracens Rugby Tournament

Mr Lee writes:

In sport this week our Year 8 boys travelled to Saracens Stone X Stadium looking to emulate the success Years 7 and 9 had in the last few weeks by competing in a Rugby tournament. The tournament was made up of 5 schools playing in a Round Robin. The first group game saw Ellis take on Finchley Catholic School. Inspired by Lee, their manager, coach and minibus driver, Ellis showed no fear when competing against all their opponents. But it was Finchley who enjoyed a good spell of possession to begin with. Stubborn defending by Ellis saw them able to turn defence into attack with a glorious run by Omer with our first attack of the tournament. The next phase saw Ben sprint down the wing to open the scoring the first Try of the day. With their tails up Ellis soon added a second with a powerful run by Cooper doubling our lead. A truly professional performance saw Ellis run out winners by 2 Try’s to 0.

The next game was against a tough Latymar School, who clearly had experienced players in their team and took a 2 – 0 lead. Ellis dug in and managed to pull a Try back again through Ben scoring his second of the tournament. The game continued in an end to end fashion. Unfortunately for our boys, Latymer just proved too strong and added to their score before the end.

Next up were Ridge Free. Ellis were determined to bounce back from their last match and pressured their opponents from the off. A wonderful solo effort by Omer saw Ellis take the lead. But Omer wasn’t satisfied with 1 Try and soon after burst through again to make it 2 – 0. Ellis playing with confidence added a third through Cooper securing victory for Ellis. A late consolation by Ridge saw the game finish 3 – 1 to Ellis.

Our final game was to secure second spot against Croxley Danes. Some controversial refereeing saw Croxley open the scoring and adding to their lead shortly after. Ellis however, were not to be defeated and dug deep. Putting some clever moves together, Otis was then released to bundle the ball over the line and reduce the deficit. Confidence was growing within our boys and this time Donnie shook off several attempts to tackle him and bring the game level 2 – 2. With momentum on our boys' side, they pressed for a winner but we were unfortunately denied with the full time whistle blowing too soon. The game finished 2 – 2 and second place was shared by both schools.

A massive congratulations to all our boys who put in a performance that earned the right to don the Ellis jersey.  We should all be proud of their efforts.

Knife Crime Awareness Week

Camden and partners are hosting a free online workshop during Knife Crime Awareness Week, focussed on empowering and supporting parents and strengthening our communities

This free workshop and discussion, which can be signed up to anonymously, will be held from 6pm to 7.30pm on Tuesday 20 May.  It promises to be a powerful session which will include the experiences of two mothers deeply affected by knife crime, alongside insights from the Met Police’s Project Alpha on online safety. Participants will also be able to share their own concerns, thoughts, and feelings around knife crime.  

SEND Notices

Camden Music - Youth Voice panel members wanted 

Camden Music want to make improvements, and offer a wider range of musical activities and opportunities based on what young people want, and are looking for young musicians who would like to join their Youth Voice panel. The panel will meet to suggest ideas for making Camden Music even better and will represent the views of young people in Camden. The panel will meet at the Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt Street, NW1 1BD on Thursdays 5 June and 19 June, from 4.30 to 5.30pm. Food and drink will be available.

This is a fantastic opportunity for passionate young people who enjoy discussing ideas for change and working as a team. If you are interested, please email Caroline.Jeyaratnam-Joyner@camden.gov.uk by Wednesday 22 May with three reasons why you think you would be a brilliant panel member, and your first idea for change.

Time Keeps The Drummer – cast recruitment 

Fevered Sleep are an arts organisation that make original, innovative and award-winning work for children and adults. They want to share an opportunity for children to participate in their new show.

They’re looking for a group of confident, creative 8 to 11 year-olds based in Camden and Islington to take part in their latest performance, ‘Time Keeps the Drummer’. This is a new piece that they are touring the UK in 2025 and 2026, stopping at The Place and Arts Depot in London this Autumn. ‘Time Keeps The Drummer’ is a playful physical performance, full of bold images, improvised movement and dance. For each show, they recruit a new, local group of children, making every performance unique to its location. Children taking part don’t need formal dance experience – just enthusiasm. Full info on the project is on their website. Please also see a mini-recruitment pack.

Key dates:

• Deadline to register for casting day: 29 May
• Casting day: weekend of 7 to 8 June, location in Camden TBC
• Rehearsals: at The Place 18 to 29 August
• Performance at The Place: 13 to 14 September
• Performance at Arts Depot: 20 September.

Here’s the direct link for people to register interest in joining auditions on the 7 June and 8 June.

May half-term activities

Camden are running s programme of free and low-cost half-term activities for  young people of all ages during half-term week.

Please follow these links to find activities near you:

• Sport and physical activities, including free Girls Get Moving multi-sports session, Active Wednesday, free football coaching, Kids Swim for a Quid and more
• Holiday play schemes
• Youth activities.

Camden Opportunity Centres

Opportunity Centres are safe spaces where secondary school students can access new skills, participate in small group sessions, and access information and guidance on the world of work.

Opportunities are hosted after school and during holidays, and all are free to attend.

These sessions take place at the AI Campus Opportunity Centre in Charrington Street (which is now open to students in Years 7-11 for both activities and to use as a study hub) and the Euston Skills Centre Opportunity Centre.

Upcoming opportunities in June and July include AI workshops, short courses in animation, film-making and fashion and a financial literacy workshop. Students need no prior knowledge to take part.

Find out more here.

Yours faithfully,

Izzy Jones

Headteacher