Dear Parent/Carer and Friend of the School,

 

Ms Findlater to become Head of English at La Sainte Union – it’s good that La Swap will still benefit from her many skills

Ms Martin to become Head of Mathematics at Francis Holland School

Mr Nayar left at half term to become 2 i/c Science at Highgate Wood School

Ms McNamara to become 2 i/c Art at Bishop Challoner School

Mr Brockhouse to join the Design department at Carshalton School

Mr Wright to teach English and coordinate Gifted & Talented provision at Fortismere School

Mr Shah to become a Mathematics teacher at Whitmore School, Harrow

Ms Keller to join the Business department at Wembley Park High School

Ms Kennedy plans to travel and work in Australia

Ms Rall is seeking a new career in Travel & Tourism

Mr Simon Rose is moving with his family to California

Mr Hubbard to become Pastoral Leader at St Mary’s Academy

 

The staff of William Ellis have for long been its greatest asset and the above are no exception. In their own ways and over varying periods of time they have made a significant contribution to the life of the school and will be greatly missed by pupils and colleagues alike. We wish them every success and happiness in the future.

 

 

Mr Cathcart was appointed the new Headteacher in May and has since visited the school on several occasions. He has spoken to a full staff meeting, held initial discussions with several HODS and HOYS, been introduced to the Heads of the other La Swap schools, visited several local primary schools, met families at the WESPA Garden Party and School Concert and generally found his way around. We look forward to him starting in earnest in September when:-

 

Ms White and I will return to our ‘previous’ posts in the sixth form.

 

Other ‘acting’ posts will continue for one further term pending advertisements, namely Mr Croston as Deputy Head (KS4), Mr Xenophontos and Mr Scott as Assistant Heads, Mr Pratt and Mr Barrow as Head of Performing Arts and Music respectively and Mr Ballantine as HOY 10.

 

We have been fortunate to remain fully staffed for September 2008 by appointing talented and well qualified teachers:-

Ms Vowles will join the Science Department, though, as I write, is already at the Mill with Year 7 Camp

Mr Eastham (currently with Year 9 on Activities Week) and Ms Connell will join the English department. Ms Kay Kreizman will take up a full time post

Mr Cheng (a former WES pupil) and Mr Danso will join the Mathematics department

Ms Pearce will join the Art department

Mr Gunter will join the Design department

Ms Delisser will join the SEN department

Following the success of the scheme in recent years, the school has also secured the services of two individuals going through the Graduate Teacher Training Programme

Mr Egbinola (a former Learning Mentor at the school) will work with the PE department

Mr Bowles (a current Learning Support Assistant at the school) will work in RE, Citizenship & Philosophy

 

 

Years 7 - 10 Examination Week was well organised by all concerned and most productive. Most boys have had feedback on their own performance and tips to avoid making similar mistakes in the future. The results and other progress information will be shared with boys/families of new Years 8 – 11 through individual discussions on Tuesday 2^nd September. More details to follow in August.

 

It was an emotional and humbling experience to hear the heartfelt appeals from families seeking a place in the new Year 7 for their sons. Each would have been a welcome addition to the school, but the independent Appeals Panel judged that the school had correctly applied the admissions criteria in declining their application.

 

With youth-on-youth violence very much in the news, we were understandably a little anxious about the risks involved in the La Swap Induction Day held at the end of June. With meticulous organisation from the sixth form staff at Acland Burghley, where the event took place, and support from safer schools officers, the day went off quietly and with great success. We expect a strong enrolment from out own Year 11 pupils and ‘new entrants’ in September. No school can feel entirely isolated from the horrifically violent events happening in the immediate area and we have worked quietly and we hope effectively with colleagues from the Youth Service and Police to alert some of our boys to the risks involved in being affiliated, however remotely, with a gang culture.

 

The New Year 7 Induction Day took place on 2^nd July. All new pupils were invited to spend a morning at the school and their parents were welcomed that evening. Ms Schulte and Mr Dunne organised the day and it was good that Mr Cathcart could attend both sessions. Initial impressions were positive and we look forward to working with the boys and their families in the new year.

 

As I write Year 10 are well into their second week of work experience and are about to receive visits from their tutors or other members of staff. Even if most follow an entirely different career path, these weeks are often invaluable in introducing boys to the reality of the world of work. Particular thanks must go to Mr Parry who assumed responsibility for this programme late in the day and managed to find all the boys a placement.

 

The changeover of Year 7 groups of the Mill has also just happened. Reports from the first week are of record rainfall totals being matched by unrivalled enthusiasm on behalf of the boys. Nonetheless, we hope for better weather this week. Year 7 Camp is a major element in building a sense of community at the school and I wish to record my sincere thanks to all those involved in its success

 

Just last night there was the final in a series of successful music concerts over the school year (thanks to all those involved in the Music department)and news that the School had gained first prize in the Camden in Bloom School Frontage competition. The judges particularly commended the involvement of both parents and boys in the work. The gardening ‘greats’ were Nahid Isdani, Jack Swords, Eddie Pierce, Sajjim Miah, Benjamin Bullivant-Norris and James Groves from Year 7; Jake Limb from Year 8 and Syed Karim, Dean Murphy and Ricky Warman in Year 9. Ms Binks and Ms Archer also deserve acknowledgement for their efforts in leading the project so enthusiastically.

 

We look forward to the WESPA Awards evening on Monday and the end of a long term on Tuesday.

 

With Camden part of the Wave 5 government programme to refurbish every secondary school in the country, there is every likelihood of significant capital investment (current estimate is £11 million) in William Ellis in 2012. In building terms, this is a relatively short time scale and there has been much work undertaken by the school and the authority in articulating a vision for teaching and learning for the future.

 

Discussion of designs to date have been very much ‘blue-sky’ thinking but an interesting element of this has been the contribution made by a team of Year 8 students under the guidance of Mr Thomas at the Sorrel Foundation. They have spoken to a lower school assembly about the programme, issued a questionnaire trying to gain views on priorities for the development of the school from both a pupil and staff perspective and presented their ideas to an audience of other schools, architects, and local authority officers. They worked well as a team and impressed everyone with the quality of their contributions. The boys involved were: Alexis Friday, Connor O’Keeffe, Kyle Darroux-Rose, Joe Read; Nazmul Islam and Lorenzo Brewer.

 

As design ideas begin to ‘firm up’ over the next year or so into practical possibilities, we will need to extend the scope and scale of our consultation with interested parties, not least families at the school. I am confident that BSF is something you will hear much about in the years ahead.

 

You may well have heard that Year 9 SATS results expected in schools across the country earlier in the month have been delayed because of technical/logistical issues with the company responsible. The latest we have heard is that provisional results will not be available until 18^th July at the earliest. This is disappointing, to say the least, to schools and particularly pupils who are awaiting their results. The reality I’m afraid is that feedback may have to wait for early in the new term.

 

GCSE results will be available from William Ellis school Office on Thursday 21^st August from 10.00am.

AS & A2 results will be available for collection form LSU on Thursday 14^th August from 9.00am

 

Mr Forrest writes: 

"The knockout stages of the competition, between the 16 boys with the best records throughout the year, were keenly contested. The 'favourite' Morris Stranger (7CCH) made it through and is contesting a 3 game final with the 'surprise' finalist James Groves (7CCH).  However, it won't be possible to complete the final until the start of next year. Third place went to Cameron Edwards (7CCH) and Ozan Simsek (7CKN). All four players will receive small prizes for their efforts next term."

 

Mrs Balabhadra writes:

“On 24^th June 2008, the Camden Refugee Award Ceremony took place at the Irish Centre. The Camden awards acknowledge the academic achievement and contributions to school life of pupils in Camden. The Ceremony is linked to Refugee Week (16-20 June) which celebrates the sanctuary of refugees and their positive contribution to society. Among the students nominated for awards were Sebri Hasaballa (7OBA) and Ahmed Olad (12SFU) from our school. Faruque Ansari, Deputy Mayor of Camden, presented pupils with their awards while Helen Bamber of the Helen Bamber Fondation was the guest speaker.

 

It is difficult to understand the UK education system especially if you come from another country and are used to a different system. In response to requests from parents for more clarification and information in order for them to be able to better advise and support their children, a series of parents evenings called “The Curriculum explained¿ were held at La Sainte Union Catholic School (LSU). French-speaking Afro-Caribbean parents, Polish and Spanish-speaking parents of students from LSU and William Ellis School were invited to find out more what SATs and GCSEs are, what the levels and grades signify and what the expected rate of progression is from the end of KS2 to KS4.

 

Mrs. Williams, who is Deputy Head and Director of VI Form at LSU, gave a talk explaining these and addressing other matters such as options, proposed changes to the curriculum and, at VI Form level, issues such as funding, vocational, and non-vocational courses, and routes into university. French, Polish, and Spanish interpreters were available to help with queries. The meetings have proved to be very useful and upon request further meetings will be held. Parents interested in similar events where they can express their concerns and expectations are welcome to forward their enquiries to myself or Mrs A. Schulte.¿

 

I would like to place on record my thanks to all staff at William Ellis for their commitment and effort over the last two terms. It has not been the easiest of times but I could not have asked for more support. Equally I should also acknowledge the additional work that has fallen on the governors of the school and the increasingly close support and practical help offered by the local authority. At some of the lowest points I have been greatly encouraged by kind words from many parents and carers and the loyalty and good humour of the boys.

 

I have enjoyed my time as Acting Head (mostly!) and look forward to returning to my role in the sixth form. I trust that the holidays will be both relaxing and enjoyable and we look forward to welcoming your son back to school in September.

 

Yours sincerely,

  

 

Start of Term          Tuesday 2^nd September 2008**

End of Term           Friday 19^th December 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Start of Term        Tuesday 6^th  January 2009

End of Term         Friday 3^rd April 2009

 

 

Start of Term        Monday 20^th April 2009

End of Term         Friday 17^th July 2009