Rather Use Than Fame:
Developing Respect, Responsibility and Resilience at William Ellis
Mr Chogah, PSHE Teacher, writes:
At William Ellis School, our Deep Learning Activities (DLA) continue to bring our motto, “Rather Use Than Fame,” to life by focusing on the development of character, values and meaningful behaviours that shape our students beyond the classroom.
As part of our PSHE programme, Year 8 students recently completed a series of sessions exploring misogyny, respect and relationships. These sessions challenged students to think critically about the impact of language, attitudes and behaviours, while encouraging them to take responsibility for how they treat others. A key focus has been supporting our boys in understanding what positive masculinity looks like — not through dominance or status, but through respect, integrity and self-control. Students demonstrated maturity in recognising the importance of being respectful and responsible, as well as the confidence to challenge harmful stereotypes and behaviours within their peer groups.
Alongside this, Year 7 students have been engaging in the “Working on Being Okay and Being Better” (WoBoB) wellbeing programme, delivered in partnership with Camden Mental Health Support Team. These sessions help students to better understand their emotions and develop the tools to manage them effectively. Through practical activities, students build resilience and reflection, learning how to regulate their responses and show compassion towards themselves and others. This early focus on emotional awareness is key in supporting young people to make positive choices and build strong, healthy relationships.
Together, these initiatives reflect our commitment to nurturing students who are not only academically capable, but who embody the values of being respectful, responsible and resilient. By embedding these principles, we continue to support our students in becoming thoughtful individuals who contribute positively to both the school and the wider community.
Key Stage 3 Fun Run
Mr Levitt, Head of PE, writes:
A big 'Well Done' to all the Key Stage 3 students who took part in the annual Fun Run for Year 7-9 students earlier this month.
The team results were:
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Year 7
|
- 7L
- 7W
- 7K
- 7B
|
|
Year 8
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- 8L
- 8F
- 8K
- 8W
|
|
Year 9
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- 9L
- 9F
- 9B
- 9K
|
A special mention goes to Harry in 8W, Otis in 9B and Bowie in 8F, who all completed the circuit in under 15 minutes.
The students completed a 3 kilometre circuit around our neighbouring Hampstead Heath, raising funds to expand our indoor rowing provision, with the aim of purchasing two additional rowing machines and several second-hand exercise bikes for the gym. The rowing club, led by Hugh Matheson (one of our governors and a former Olympic rower) has gone from strength to strength as his leadership has inspired a growing number of students to get involved and commit to regular training.
Eco Club's Rewilding Project
Eco Club students continue to visit the rewilding site in Kent, recently learning about the importance of healthy soil to the ecosystem. The students were fortunate to have Kelly Moss join them as they collected and compared soil samples. Kelly is a wild food foraging teacher who also has a deep passion for soil science and micro biology. Kelly began by teaching the boys all about soil and the animals, fungi and bacteria that make up this hidden world beneath our feet. The boys learnt that healthy soil is teeming with life - a single teaspoon of healthy soil can contain more microbes than there
are people on the planet!
The group have also learned about native reptiles and how to survey them. The group made reptile refugia out of corrugated iron. For fun the group decorated these and were joined by artist Sophia Marinkov Jones, who lent a hand. These refugia were placed out on site in areas that reptiles - like grass snakes - would like: near ponds for food, next to hay stacks for heat when laying eggs and near scrub to hide.
Meanwhile, back at school the hedgehog feeding station has been maintained and the pond has been surveyed to ensure its nutrient level is correct. We have had a visiting frog this spring, which is a good sign, hopefully meaning the pond will continue to appeal to amphibians.
Writer’s visit
Ms Danova-Balabhadra, EAL Coordinator, writes:
In March, our most dedicated members of the Year 7 and Year 8 Reading Club were treated to a visit from writer Robert Yurchesyn. Students learnt what Robert was like as a child and heard about his relationship with books and reading.
Despite being a reluctant reader, he developed a strong interest in Greek myths and the natural world, which later became key sources of inspiration in his writing. Robert read an extract from his novel Transformations and shared insights into the writer’s craft—the techniques and stylistic choices writers use to convey meaning, evoke emotion, and engage readers.
There were also engaging discussions on the theme of ‘transformations’, and students had the opportunity to write the opening of their own stories, imagining themselves being transformed into a variety of things.
Here are a few examples of students’ creative work:
Mali, 7W
“I woke up feeling small; that didn’t feel normal. I had feathers, a beak, a tail. That’s when I found out I had turned into a kingfisher. I freaked out but as I was to get out of bed there was no one to be seen, just me and an empty house, I thought I was dreaming………………. I didn’t know how to fly. That wasn’t easy.. I mean it looks easy, right? I kept trying, never giving up. Then in a blink of an eye, there I went up and up and away. I was a bird! How was that possible? I had to go on a mission to find my parents. I flew for hours and hours and when I landed, someone came up to me and said ‘You are beautiful. I thought she was making things up!’ A feather dropped and I looked up. A bright coloured bird reflected in the sun. Something caught my eye. Someone appeared: my mother.”
Anwar, 8F
“I woke up in the morning and saw myself soaring across the universe. Seeing planets and other stars passing by, I thought that was a dream. I could see everything, the Milky Way, the biggest planet Jupiter, alien spaceships. The sad thing was that I couldn’t feel anything, and I couldn’t smell anything because there was nothing in space, and I was just a sailing comet.”
Ronnie, 8W
“One morning I woke up and I was standing on four legs. I felt shorter and covered in a lot of hair. I also had a better sense of hearing and smell than usual, which was unusual. I was standing in the forest and felt hunger. There was smell of blood coming from behind a tree .”
Year 8 Drama Workshop with Donmar Warehouse
Ms Hughes, Head of Music & Drama, writes:
Last month some Year 8 students took part in a workshop with the Donmar Warehouse theatre. This was to help the company with their research and development for an upcoming touring schools performance called 'Hide', which is based on the novel Jekyll and Hyde.
The purpose of the workshop was for the playmakers to understand a little more about what happens in schools, and the opinions of our students on the rules we have here at school. Students played games, discussed their opinions and came up with improvised performances about their 'perfect school', including a free choice of subjects, Ronaldo as a PE teacher, no school uniform and Mini Eggs for lunch!
The workshop leaders were incredibly impressed by the quality of the work and the focus and thoughtfulness of all students.
All Year 7 and 8 students will have a chance to watch a performance of 'Hide', including the input from this workshop, on the 25th June!
Year 9 Art Camden Biennale Project
Ms Madsen, Head of Art, Craft & Design, writes:
Year 9 students have worked with a graffiti artist from On The Level Productions to create a mural in the playground. This was inspired by the artist Ben Eine, who students had studied this year. Ben Eine makes typography-based work inspired by lettering from fairground signwriters.
Students worked using stencils in layers and spray cans. We were able to take part in this project as we won funding from Camden Learning as part of the Art Biennale which takes place every two years across the borough.
The mural looks amazing, and has really improved the top playground as well as providing a reminder to students of the schools five 'R' values. Well done Year 9s!
Year 9 Music Trip to Pirate Studios
Mr Hansom, Music Teacher, writes:
In April our Year 9 students went to Pirate Studios in Camden and worked on their Podcasting, Doing, Production, and performance skills in a professional studio with our Sixth Form Music tech students and DJ Teacher Youssef.
The boys did an amazing job and created some really great results in only a short time. We can’t wait to go back with more students!
Virtual exchange with an International school in Chile
Ms Rodgers, Head of MFL, writes:
During March & April, Year 9 students have been learning about cultures and traditions in Chile, and have been learning about what life is like for young students in the country. We have established a link with Wenlock School in Santiago, and Year 9 students have prepared audio materials asking questions to the students there.
The school in Chile has received this audio and is in the process of sending their replies back. Students have also designed posters in Spanish describing their school life which have been shared with the students in Chile who are in the process of doing their own poster designs to send back.
Year 10 Drama Enrichment
Ms Hughes, Head of Music & Drama, writes:
On Friday 20th March, all Year 10 students visited the Globe Theatre to watch a production of Romeo and Juliet. This production was made for young people, and brought the play into the 21st century.
This performance, and a follow- up workshop, will support students' study of the play in English, as it forms part of their GCSE literature exam.
Last month Year 10 Drama students visited Central School of Speech and Drama to attend their Design and Craft event. This event showcases the work of drama school students who study technical theatre (lighting, sound, visual effects) and design (prop design, set design and costume). Our students were able to view the exhibition and speak to third year students about their work and experiences of university. They also had a tour of the campus.
Here's hoping we see some of our Year 10s at Central in a few years' time!
Middlesex University podcast project with WES
William Ellis School has partnered with Middlesex University on an exciting new project giving Year 10 pupils a voice on what it means to be a teenage boy in 2026.
The From The Boys project launched with workshops exploring masculinity, online influence, and the 'manosphere'. Next month, a group of pupils will undertake work experience at MDX Studios, learning interview techniques and audio production to create their own podcasts. The series will be released publicly in the autumn.
The value of our students' voices at the core of this project can't be underestimated. Their articulation of life as a teenage boy gives this project huge power — for the boys themselves, and for all those who recognise the importance of taking boys seriously.
You may have seen coverage of this story in local press, with articles featuring in The Ham & High and The Barnet Post. The project also featured on BBC London news on Friday 15th May.
The project is funded by the William Ellis Trust, The Hadley Trust, and The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust.
Year 12 Creative Industries Careers Talk
Ms Madsen, Head of Art, Craft & Design, writes:
In April, Year 12 Art and Design students attended a talk from Michael Moszynski. Michael is a William Ellis Alumnus who left in 1981. He studied at London School of Economics and went on to work at the Saatchi and Saatchi advertising agency. He worked on some high-profile campaigns including one forBritish Airways . He then set up his own agency, called London Advertising, and has won many awards for his work.
He talked to students about advertising agencies and how to stand out from other applications when applying to work in creative industries. Edie, a Year 12 graphics student, said her favourite tip was to personalise applications by using a pen to handwrite a letter and to send them via the post to stand out from other applicants.
He also spoke to students about the contentious topic of AI in creative industry. Oscar from Year 12 Graphics said he had learnt ‘how AI could help him to get an edge over other people in industry’. Students had some challenging questions for Michael as AI is a topic they have concerns around. They asked about how AI could be used ethically, to which Michael gave an example of using AI to make Law more accessible to everyone.
Students are also concerned about the environmental impact of AI; Michael said that this is a concern, however in some cases, for example by using AI in oil refineries, it could actually reduce the environmental impact of some processes by making them more streamlined to reduce emissions.
The talk was organised through the alumni network run by the William Ellis Trust. They are working to bring a range of alumni into school to speak with the pupils and students of today about their careers, areas of expertise and their memories of William Ellis and LaSWAP.
Year 13 Graphics Trip to London Zoo
Ms Madsen, Head of Art, Craft & Design, writes:
In March the Year 13 Graphic Communication class visited London Zoo. This was made possible due to the staff innovation fund as our school now has a year long school membership.
The students are working on their exam project on the theme of origins. They made primary source drawings of animals and also studied the zoo's marketing and brand identity.
It was a sunny day enjoyed by the students and the penguins alike!
Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition
Mr Hallam, Head of Outdoor Learning, writes:
A huge congratulations to LaSWAP Sixth Form students who completed their very challenging Silver Duke of Edinburgh award expedition this half term. Despite dramatic hills, steep cliffs and cold nights the students showed great resilience, resourcefulness and support for one another to get through the hike.
London Cavaliers Basketball Academy Launch
We are excited to be embarking on a new partnership with London Cavaliers as they launch a Full-Time Basketball Academy with LaSWAP, hosted at William Ellis.
This promises to be a high-performance post-16 programme combining elite academic study, daily training, European competition, and a direct pathway into senior National League and Championship basketball — for male and female student-athletes.
