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NEWS AT WES - 11th September 2026

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Autumn Term - 11th September 2026

 

Welcome to our latest news update, with a special focus on extracurricular activities. Below you will find the timetables for our Music and PE clubs at lunchtime and after school, including new opportunities for students this year. We are also proudly sharing our most recent Camden Music Award, recognising the commitment and enthusiasm of our students in this area of the school in recent months. 

September is a great time to make a fresh start. After the long summer break, it is the perfect moment to build good habits at home. Small changes really can help your child do well, both in their learning and in how they feel.

Here is some good news. You do not need to know lots about Maths, Science or English to help your child. Studies show that the things which matter most are simple: showing interest, talking together and building good habits.

Pick one or two goals

Why not sit down as a family and choose one or two goals for this term? Here are some ideas:

  • Keep an hour free each evening for homework, study or revision. Students in Years 10 and 11 should aim for two hours.
  • Find a good place to work. It could be a quiet desk, the kitchen table, the local library or our Homework Club after school.
  • Check SatchelOne together each week so that nothing comes as a surprise.
  • Make reading part of family life. You could share a book each month or simply ask what your child is reading at the moment.
  • Agree some rules for phones, games and social media, and keep those distractions away while work is being done.
  • Focus on the basics: a good night's sleep, arriving on time, coming in every day and having the right equipment.

No two children are the same. One might love a planner and a checklist. Another might need a note on the fridge, or help to split a big job into smaller parts. Try different things and keep what works. For some young people, including those with additional needs, knowing what to expect each day can make them feel calmer and more in control.

A few minutes of talk

Helping at home is not only about checking homework. A short chat each day about school, learning and hopes for the future can be just as powerful. Here are some questions to get you started:

  • What new thing did you find out today?
  • What was the hardest part of your week?
  • When is your next test or deadline?
  • What is your plan?
  • Is there a big piece of work you could tackle one step at a time?

This doesn't need to be straight away - boys in particular benefit from some time to decompress, some food and physical activity after a day at school. But questions like these get young people thinking. They learn to look back on what they have done and to make good choices when things feel tough.

Information Evening for Year 7 Families, Monday 14th September

A reminder to Year 7 families that there will be an Information Evening at 4.15pm on Monday 14th September, where you will have a chance to meet key staff and find out more about the Year 7 Outdoor Education programme, which will begin with an activity day on 1st October and progress towards the camping trip at the Mill next Summer. This will also be an opportunity to raise any questions arising from the first week of secondary school.

Reminder: Early finish for students on 24th September

School will close early before our Open Evening on 24th September so that the site can be prepared for this event.

Students will be registered by their Form Tutor at lunchtime on this day and will be able to get a grab-and-go lunch from the canteen before leaving school.

A number of students will be asked to stay for the evening to act as tour guides and help with activities in departments. Families of these students will be contacted in the next couple of weeks with details.

We will also have a late start the following day. On Friday 25th September, there will be a late start for students. Registration will be at 9.35am.

Extra Curricular Clubs

Music:

Mr Stoner-Taubman writes:

We are excited to announce a range of FREE Music Lunchtime Clubs for students who want to develop their musical skills, try something new and make music with others! Whether you are already an experienced musician or are completely new to music, there is something for everyone.

 

BAND CLUB - MS1

Year 7 | Monday Lunchtime | With INTRA Music Tutors

Year 8+ | Wednesday Lunchtime | With INTRA Music Tutors

Join our professional INTRA music tutors and develop your skills as part of a band! Students will have the opportunity to play instruments, rehearse popular music and perform alongside other musicians.

 

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY CLUB - MS1

All Year Groups | Monday Lunchtime | With Mr Stoner-Taubman

Interested in creating your own music? Come along to Music Technology Club and explore the world of music production! Learn how to create beats, record music, use software and develop your own tracks.

 

KEYBOARD CLUB - MS1

All Year Groups | Tuesday Lunchtime | With Mr Stoner-Taubman

Want to improve your keyboard and piano skills? Keyboard Club is a great opportunity to learn new songs, develop your technique, and build confidence playing the keyboard.

All clubs are completely free and students of all abilities are welcome

The full extra-curricular timetable for Performing Arts can be downloaded here.

PE:

This term's Extra Curricular timetable can be downloaded from the PE page of the school website: https://www.williamellis.camden.sch.uk/pe-sport

Students who want to attend a club, should come to the PE changing rooms after school and register with the lead teacher.

They must wear full William Ellis PE kit to take part in an after school club and make sure to notify parents/carers that they will be staying in school until 4:20 to participate.

Other clubs for this term can be found here: https://www.williamellis.camden.sch.uk/student-and-family-information/extra-curricular

A Look Back at Sports Day Summer 2026

Mr Levitt writes:

Sports Day 2026 was another fantastic celebration of athletic achievement, teamwork and school spirit, as students from Years 7–10 travelled to the athletics track for a full day of competition.

Throughout the day, students competed in a wide range of track and field events including sprints, middle-distance races, relays, long jump, high jump, javelin, discus and shot put. The standard of competition was incredibly high, with students demonstrating determination, resilience and outstanding sportsmanship in every event.

A huge congratulations goes to all students who took part and represented their forms so positively. The atmosphere throughout the day was excellent, with students supporting one another and creating a memorable occasion for everyone involved.

Banner Competition: As always, the banner competition added colour and excitement to the day. Congratulations to the winning forms:

Year 7 – 7L
Year 8 – 8K
Year 9 – 9B
Year 10 – 10F

A special mention should also go to 8F, 8L and 8W, whose banners were of an exceptionally high standard and helped create a fantastic Sports Day atmosphere.

Overall Champions

After all events and banner points had been added together, the overall standings were:

L – 646 points
K – 619 points
B – 598 points
W – 564 points
F – 504 points

Congratulations to L, who were crowned the overall Sports Day Champions for 2026.
 

Record Breakers: Several outstanding performances resulted in new year group and school records being set:

Year 7

Josh – 100m – 13.46 seconds
Theo – 400m – 1:11

Year 8

Adam – 200m – 26.47 seconds
Maceo – Javelin – 25.30m
Nabil – Long Jump – 4.90m

Year 9

Robin – 100m – 12.28 seconds
Benjamin – 800m – 2:22
Evan – High Jump – 1.60m
Burgh Form – 4 × 100m Relay – 54.54 seconds

Year 10

Guillem – 400m – 1:02 (School Record)
Aaron  – Discus – 23.20m
Zephania – High Jump – 1.80m (School Record)

These performances were truly exceptional and demonstrate the talent and dedication of our students.
  

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all staff who helped organise and run the day, ensuring that every event operated smoothly and safely.

A special thank you goes to WESPA for generously providing ice lollies for all students at lunchtime. Their support was greatly appreciated and helped keep everyone refreshed during a warm and busy day of competition.

Sports Day 2026 was a tremendous success and a fitting celebration of effort, achievement and community spirit. We look forward to seeing what records can be broken next year!

A Message from the William Ellis Trust

All at the William Ellis Trust would like to extend a warm welcome to the new academic year, particularly to pupils and families joining us this year in Year 7 and other year groups.

We are an independent charity which works closely with the school, as well as being a key fundraising body within our community. Each year, we raise funds for and invest in a wide range of activities, opportunities and improvements on behalf of all pupils within the school. We also act as the voluntary-aided body for the school, and are responsible for appointment of school governors as well as helping ensure the upkeep of school facilities.

You can learn more about our work at www.williamellistrust.org.uk. As part of our work we run the Rather Use Than Fame Club, which is a regular giving initiative that raises funds for a wide range of projects. You can learn more about the club at https://www.williamellistrust.org.uk/the-rather-use-than-fame-club

If you’d like to discuss any elements of our work, please reach out to Will Durham, our Director, at wdurham@williamellis.camden.sch.uk


 

New Website for The Mill Trust

The Mill Trust has launched its new website this month.

As the stewards of this special place, the Mill Trust plays an important role in helping ensure the Mill remains a wonderful place for William Ellis pupils, as well as the many other schools that use the site each year.

In 2029, the Mill will celebrate its hundredth anniversary as a residential learning centre. The new website will become an important place for celebrating the site, as well as helping raise the funds required to ensure it moves into its second century of service in robust health.

Learn more about the Mill, and the work of the Trust, at the new website.

https://www.themilltrust.com/

Remix Dance: Free after-school hip hop and street dance classes 

Remix Dance runs free weekly after-school hip hop and street dance classes, as well as offering performance opportunities, to children aged 5 to 16 from the Regent's Park Estate and across Camden borough.

The after-school classes, which take place during term-time on Wednesday and Thursday, are now enrolling.

Wednesdays at Euston Community Hub, North Gower Street, NW1 2LY, is hip hop dance with boogie for children and young people aged 5 to 11 plus, with a homework and study support group running in a separate room.

Thursdays at Old Diorama Arts Centre (ODAC), 201 Drummond Street, NW1 3FE, is street dance with Mia for children and young people aged 5 to 11 plus. There are also Tuesday and Wednesday after-school homework and study support groups. Find out more and sign-up.

 

Nominations for the Camden Youth Awards 2026 

Nominations for the Camden Youth Awards 2026 are now open until 4 October. The Youth Awards recognise and celebrate the inspiring journeys of young people, the hard work and dedication of staff and voluntary sector projects that make a real difference to the lives of children and young people in Camden.

This year there are six award categories which are outlined in the Information Pack. Please read the pack and complete the online form to nominate a young person / group of young people aged 13 to 19 (up to 25 with learning difficulties or disabilities), staff member or project. The nominations will be reviewed, and winners selected by a panel of staff and young people from Camden Youth Council. Winners will be announced at an event on Wednesday 4 November, as part of Youth Celebration Week.

 

Strengthening Families Strengthening Communities (SFSC)

Targeted Early Help Camden will be running Strengthening Families Strengthening Communities (SFSC) face to face parenting programme (for parents and carers of children residing in Camden) from Thursday, 17th September to 17th December 2026 (13 weeks, no sessions during half-term) at Netherwood Youth and Family Hub in Kilburn. 

This programme targets parents/carers with children between the ages of 4 – 17 years and aims to cover the following:

• Improving parent-child relationship

• Managing challenging behaviour

• Conflict management, problem solving and solution building

• Decision making, healthy choices and negotiating skills

• How to use Family and Community resources

SFSC can support with travel costs and childcare. A meal will be provided during each session and SFSC also ensure parents/carers have interpreter present to support during programme.

Please note – this programme now has a new supplement added to it – Parental Conflict

Family life can be stressful: individuals deal differently with stress depending on their life experiences. When stressed, co-parents are more likely to argue. While arguing is a normal part of family life, there are positive ways of resolving issues rather than destructive personal criticism and contempt.

For more info and to book a place, please contact: referralsfamiliesinfocus@camden.gov.uk

 

Parent Event - Understanding Generation Alpha

Eton Academy are pleased to invite parents and carers to their first monthly parent event as part of their ongoing work to support parents and strengthen the partnership between home and school.

🌟 Understanding Generation Alpha: Helping Your Children Learn, Grow and Thrive in a Changing World

Led by Dr Amira Mohsen, professional trainer and counsellor, the session will explore how today’s children are growing up in a rapidly changing digital world, including:

  • Technology, social media and AI
  • Screen time and digital wellbeing
  • Communication with children
  • Resilience, independence and healthy habits

The session will include practical advice that parents can use at home.

📅 Friday, 25 September 2026
🕓 4:00–5:00 PM UK time
💻 Online | Registration required

👉 Register here:
https://zfrmz.eu/PaNNUjTbno9iKEyw8sL6

 

Best Start Family Hubs

Camden’s Children’s Centres and Family Hubs have a new name. They are now called Best Start Family Hubs, following the initiative's extension across the UK. Though you may see new branding and logos the service is still providing the same free, trusted support for families.

Find out more about our free Best Start in Life services at the families.gov.uk website.

Yours faithfully,

Izzy Jones

Headteacher

This Week's WESPA Round-Up:

Dear friends and families,

First of all, a very warm welcome to all new parents and carers of Year 7 students joining the WES Parents’ Association (WESPA) community!

As a parent or carer of a WES student, you automatically become a member of WESPA.  You have probably already met a few of us at the Open Evenings, Interview Days, or on WhatsApp, and we hope that you found our presence welcoming and helpful.  

WESPA plays an active and important part in school life at William Ellis. It is a great way to get involved, meet other parents and carers, and help make a positive difference to the experience of all our boys.

Throughout the year, we organise activities and raise funds to support the school. This helps provide things that enhance our boys’ education and school experience, but which would otherwise be beyond the school’s normal budget. Each year, we raise thousands of pounds and support school activities across drama, music and sport, as well as contributing to the maintenance of the school’s residential centre at The Mill. In recent years, our fundraising has helped to support school outings, sports equipment, educational visits for music and theatre groups, and improved play and learning resources.

We also organise a range of enjoyable events for the whole school community, including social gatherings, the Fun Run and the Winter/Summer Entertainment Evenings. We also provide refreshments at events such as concerts, plays and parents’ evenings.

We will be holding an online WESPA meeting shortly. The date and time will be shared through this newsletter and the respective Year WhatsApp groups. We would love you to join us, find out a little more about WESPA and, perhaps, become part of our fantastic team of parent volunteers.

Whether you have lots of time to give or can only help occasionally, every contribution is very much appreciated. WESPA is all about bringing our community together and making a difference  and we would be delighted to have you involved.

With our kindest regards,

The WESPA trustees

Coming Up...

New Year 7 Welcome & Information Evening
4:15pm – 5:30pm
14
September
Open Morning for Year 7 Admission September 2027
9:00am – 10:30am
16
September
German Exchange Trip
All Day
from 21 Sep until 25 Sep
21
September
Open Morning for Year 7 Admission September 2027
9:00am – 10:30am
23
September
Early close for Open Evening - Students dismissed at lunchtime
1:00pm – 1:45pm
24
September
Open Evening for Year 7 Admission September 2027
6:00pm – 8:00pm
24
September
Speak Out Challenge Workshop
All Day
25
September
GCSE Music Theatre Trip - 'Wicked'
1:00pm – 5:00pm
30
September
'Meet The Head' Event for Year 7 Transition 2027
4:00pm – 5:00pm
30
September