Newsletters

Spring Term - 20th June 2025

Welcome to our latest news update, including information about celebration events for Year 11 and 13 students and LaSWAP Taster Day on 27th June, and Year 8 camp in the first two weeks of July. There have been work-related learning opportunities in Science and Politics, as well as the continuation of a full summer of sports activities and student success.

Year 11 Presentation Evening and the End of Year Art, Graphics & Film Show

Year 11 Presentation Evening takes place on Wednesday, giving students, their families and staff an opportunity to celebrate our Year 11 boys as they complete Key Stage 4 and acknowledge all the hard work, dedication, and progress they have made in their time at William Ellis.

Year 11 survey: https://forms.office.com/e/iiPqHARUEb

There will be a formal presentation of certificates in the hall at 6pm, followed by a barbecue in the playground.

We hope that families joining us for Presentation Evening will take some time to view the work on display in the art rooms before 6pm.

We know that Year 11 students have had intense exam period that is now all but over, and we hope a successful five years up to this point. We would like to invite parents and carers of Year 11 students to complete this short survey about the experiences that their sons have had at the school. An opportunity for students to give their feedback directly will be shared with them separately.

Year 8 Camp

The final Key Stage 3 Camp of the year is now less than two weeks away, with students all spending 4 days at The Mill to mark the end of Year 8.

As a reminder, forms 8F and 8L are attending the first week (1^st July - 4^th July), and forms 8B and 8K are attending the second week (8th July - 11^th July). Many families have returned consent form already, either digitally or on paper. Those families who have not must please do so as soon as possible. Please click here for the online consent form.

Year 8 camp is a key part of the outdoor education curriculum and all students are expected to attend the trip.

Students who do not attend camp for any reason must still attend school every day for an alternative educational provision.

If you have any questions or concerns about Year 8 camp, please contact Mr Hallam, Head of Outdoor Education.

Don't forget that our Parents Association, WESPA, hold regular sales of good quality pre-owned uniform. Please contact WESPA for more information.

Year 7 Cricket

Mr Levitt writes:

Congratulations to the Year 7 cricket team who came runners-up in the LSDN Cricket Shield this week.

Some of the team had only started playing cricket in their PE lessons this year and performed brilliantly on a very hot summer's day.

A special mention to Maiwand, Harry and Michael for their controlled, aggressive batting and Omar, Muhammad and Nabil for their outstanding bowing spells throughout the competition. All backed up by some excellent fielding from Albie, Mohamed and Rayan. Well done boys!

Cricket club is on Mondays after school.

Lunchtime Mandarin Club

Ms Rodgers writes:

Year 10 students have been working very hard at lunchtimes & after school on Wednesdays this term on their Mandarin! Special shout out to Joseph in 10B who has taken it on as a third foreign language, alongside his French and Spanish too! 
 

Year 10 Food Technology

Ms Sinnott writes:

Year 10 students have been making dessert this week and are realising the importance of making smooth custard!

Year 12 Chemistry Trip

Ms Rowland writes:

Our Year 12 Chemistry A-level students  visited the University of Oxford’s Chemistry Department for a hands-on day in their undergraduate teaching labs last week.

They had the opportunity to synthesise hydrazone compounds with potential antibiotic properties using a range of advanced techniques.

During the session, students worked with equipment and methods including reflux, vacuum filtration, infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). It was a great chance to apply what they’ve been learning in class to real laboratory work, and to get a feel for university-level science.

After the lab, the group toured Hertford College and learned more about what it’s like to study at Oxford. The visit gave students a taste of university life and an inspiring look at where chemistry could take them.

Year 12 Careers in Politics Talk

Ms Kritz writes:

In a room of unusually-attentive teenagers, the trainee English teacher, Thomas Engel, told us of the many lives he has lived. We listened intently - it was hard not to.

Thomas's career began in the world of politics; he worked in the UK and South African parliaments, then served as a Special Advisor in the Blair government. From there he undertook a series of consulting roles and held leadership positions in corporate communications - including Head of Communications for the Natural History Museum, which was apparently not as cool as his mother found it to be.

As his story developed, so too did our questions. We learned his favourite book, his highest salary (enough to elicit a gasp) and about the time he spilled a pint on his daughter’s head at a protest against the Iraq War.

He was optimistic but not irrational about the state of politics:

“Has politics, in general, changed from when you worked in government?”

“Yes, it has.”

“For better or worse?”

Well.

Primarily, though, he encouraged us that not knowing what we want to do is a good thing. Try! Be surprised!

That, we can do.

Camden's Windrush Homecoming Celebration – 22th June 

This celebration takes place on Sunday 22 June, from 12pm to 7pm at Talacre Town Green. There will be Caribbean music, carnival costumes, arts, crafts, sports and delicious food. This one-day, free event is a chance to celebrate and explore Camden’s rich Caribbean heritage, culture and community spirit. There is no need to book, just turn up on the day! Find out more.

Camden's Summer Family Kitchen at Home

Families with children aged between 2 – 11 years are invited to register to join the cook along programme and will receive £30 food e-vouchers towards ingredients of the recipes.

This programme is starting on the 7th August 2025 and will be first come first served - spaces get filled up very quickly so book today!

Register for Family Kitchen at Home

Adolescent to Adolescent Relationship Abuse - Free online webinar for parents and carers, 25th June

This is a free online webinar for Camden and Islington parents and explores adolescent to adolescent relationship abuse, including coercive control and emotional abuse, how parents and carers can spot the signs and how they can talk with their children and young people if they’re worried, as well as what to do if young people are being abusive to their partner. It runs on Wednesday 25 June, 6pm to 8pm – find out more and book your place. 

Build The Way - architecture traineeships for 18 to 25 year-olds 

Build The Way is a nine-month entry-level architecture traineeship for young people aged 18-25*. This opportunity  provides an alternative and accessible route into a career designing and making buildings, spaces, cities, and communities. Applications for the 2025 programme open on 4 July. A webinar for interested candidates is being held on Monday 23 June, from 6pm to 6.30pm via Google Meet, sign-up here or, if you have any questions, please email info@buildtheway.co.uk.

Each trainee is paid London Living Wage for a 32-hour week, with an additional one day a week for their professional practice and to undertake an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) at the London School of Architecture. Experience is not necessary; places are offered to those who can show a passion for design and cities. Find out more here

*Please note that applicants must be aged between 18 and 25 at the start of the traineeship in October 2025. 

Yours faithfully,

Izzy Jones

Headteacher