Dear Parent/Carer and Friend of the School,

We have had, as usual a very busy half term. At the time of writing Year 11 boys are involved in their GCSE Mock Examinations which continue up to the end of the term. Results and reports will be issued in the New Year and there will also be an opportunity for parents/carers to meet with subject teachers to review performance and set targets for the exams in the summer.

We now have a new website which I think is a real improvement upon the previous site. A Governors’ sub-committee led by Karen Dorn, Neil Aberdeen (a parent at the school) and assisted by two members of staff – Mr Hamilton and Mr Dunne has led to a much more sophisticated and informative site.

It can be viewed on  www.williamellis.camden.sch.uk  and we expect a lot more to be added to the site as the academic year progresses.

One of the highlights of the half-term was the concert dedicated to the memory of Richard Knight who so sadly passed away in August of this year. Attended by Richard’s partner, Carolina, friends and family as well as by staff, governors, parents and boys the concert – on Thursday, November 30^th - featured students from William Ellis, Parliament Hill and La Sainte Union – both past and present. The variety of music and the standard of music very much reflected Richard’s musical interests and his wonderful contribution to William Ellis School. The concert was hugely enjoyable and a fitting tribute to Richard’s work at the school. Ms Brennecke describes the evening within this newsletter.

On Wednesday, November 29^th, the school was invited by the British Council to host a visit from a delegation of educational managers from Saudi Arabia. (as part of a fact finding trip including visits to Australia, Austria and Britain.) They were shown around the school by a number of Year 11 students and were greatly impressed not only by their guides but by many of the activities including observation of lessons, meeting with staff members and talking to groups of students. Obviously it is quite an honour to be asked to host such a visit and the school, as ever, did itself proud.

The boys at the school have been very busy and involved in a number of impressive events. These include the National Mandarin Competition in which boys took part both as individuals and as a team. They achieved a creditable fifth in very stiff competition and much credit is due to the boys themselves and to their Mandarin tutor Xia Yu Shi. A more detailed description can be found elsewhere.

Boys have also taken part in National debating competitions this term as well as making preparations to compete in the National Youth Government project. A group of Year 10 and 11 students will organise a debate in the Camden Council Chambers along the lines of a Parliamentary debate. This will be filmed so that the school can take part in the National Citizenship Foundations Youth Government Competition. An exciting and worth while exercise.

Axel Landin (Year 11) writes:

“Every year the Citizenship Foundation runs the “National Youth Parliament Competition in which participating schools must put together a parliament of 20 or more students and recreate the House of Commons. William Ellis will for the first time be entering a team of Year 11s who will stage a Parliamentary debate and Prime Minister’s questions. The session will be video-taped and sent to the Foundation to be judged by a board which last year included members of the Cabinet. The winning school from across the country will visit the Commons and the Lords, and have tea at Number 10. This will be part of the Citizenship coursework for Year 11.

On Wednesday, November 29^th, Year 8 enjoyed a PHSE day based around the theme of Prison (and how not to arrive there!). The day was a great success and included speakers and facilitators from the Police, Fire and Ambulance services. Congratulations to Mr Nayar for his organisation.

Year 9 students, meanwhile, have taken part in an “Employability in Business and the Community Day" again with a series of outside speakers and facilitators.  Another successful learning experience for our boys – Congratulations to Ms Coppel for co-ordinating the event.

THE RICHARD KNIGHT MEMORIAL CONCERT

 Miss Brennecke writes:

“William Ellis School celebrated the life and achievements of its Director of Music; Richard Knight with a concert on Thursday 30^th November. Richard sadly lost a long, courageous battle with cancer over the summer.

It was a highly charged, emotional evening, but the theme of the night was remembrance and celebration – and that, it most certainly was! All performers were selected for their connection with Richard, whether it be the La Sainte Union 40-strong Choir or the ex pupils’ Jazz Band (with some former students coming all the way from their universities outside of London just for the evening). Every performer made a short speech, telling a story about Richard or giving their thanks as a pupil, and it was very touching to hear how much Richard had affected peoples’ lives, as well as his contribution to music making, not only at William Ellis but through Richard’s wider role outside of the classroom as an Advanced Skills Teacher.

As with Richard’s music tastes; the concert was an eclectic evening, with performances ranging from the GCSE students’ performance of John Cage’s 4’33 of silence (Louie Oestreicher and Adam Ludlow) through to the pounding finale of Mr Barrow’s Clash medley (Cal McRae, Hugo Hewitt & Patrick Oddi).

The evening was opened by the William Ellis & Parliament Hill Big Band, which was an ensemble that Richard started, and during stage breaks the audience were entertained by our DJ pupils (Glodi Miessi and Dwayne Robinson).

 It was wonderful to see former William Ellis music teacher Steve Dula return to perform with the ex pupils’ Jazz Band, and even Lorna Bailey (Head of Music at Parliament Hill School) sang as part of a vocal trio.

Guest of honour was Richard’s wife Carolina, and she was presented with a cheque for £500, raised by the pupils participating in a sponsored practice. During her very moving speech she said that the concert had exceeded all her expectations, and was a most enjoyable evening.

Almost another £500 was raised by the collection on the evening. Proceeds will go toward the Ecuadorian Rainforest Fund, a charity supported by Richard and his family.

Miss Brennecke and Mr Barrow would like to thank everyone that made this concert a success, from the performers to those behind the scenes. A special thank you goes to the Music department Peripatetic Instrumental Tutors.

Should anyone wish to write a review of the concert or have photos of the evening, please e-mail Miss Brennecke  -(brennecke@williamellis.camden.sch.uk).

YEAR 7 CHESS

Mr Forrest writes:

“An increasing number of boys have attended Year 7 Chess Club since half-term, Room 13, Thursday lunchtimes. Pupils with very good records so far include Remus Bigg (7DBA), Ming Shun Sam Thong (7DBA), Sebastian Humphreys (7OTA), Jake Barrett (7OTA) and Ryan Downie (7OTA).

The 16 boys with the best records towards the end of the year will play-off in a knock out competition."

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As ever, I would like to remind all boys that attendance on a regular basis is a vital part of succeeding at school. Similarly there are a number of boys who do not bring in all their school equipment regularly. Please remind your son to always bring pens, pencils, ruler and other specific subject equipment to school. We expect boys to take responsibility for this and to be prepared for all lessons during the week.

I am quite sure that amongst many of the gifts received by boys this Christmas will be a mobile phone. Could I ask that boys continue to abide by the school guidelines of not using phones in the school building and suggest that boys do not bring expensive phones to school. PC Dwyer informs me that mobile phone theft continues to be an issue in Camden with teenage boys particularly at risk. It would be a very good idea, therefore, to ensure that phones, i-pods etc. are covered by your personal or home insurance if your son uses them on a daily basis and travels with them to and from the school.

The school has accumulated a lot of un-named lost property. It would be helpful if parents could name all belongings but in particular blazers and PE kit so that we can return items to their owners.

FREE SCHOOL MEALS

It is important that all boys (Years 7 - 13) who are entitled to a Free School Meal register with the School even if they do not regularly take a meal. Assessment Forms can be obtained from the School Office (020 7692 3803)

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School reopens for pupils on Monday 8^th January 2007 at  9.40am (Registration).

Finally, I hope you all have a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas season and send you my good wishes for the New Year.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

RICHARD TANTON

Headteacher

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TERM DATES 2006 - 2007

SPRING TERM

Start of TermMon 8 January 2007

End of Term   Fri 30 March 2007

Half Term       Mon 19 Feb- Fri 23 Feb 2007

SUMMER TERM

Start of Term               Start of Term Mon 16 April 2007

End of Term                 End of Term   Fri 20 July 2007

Half Term       Mon 28 May- Fri 1 June 2007

 Inset Day        Friday 20 April 2007

 

Friday 6 April 2007                Good Friday

Monday 9 April 2007              Easter Monday

Monday 7 May 2007              Bank Holiday

Monday 28 May 2007           Bank Holiday

 

DIARY DATES

Mon 8 Jan      START OF TERM

                        9.40 : Registration

                        9.50 : Period 1

Tues 16 Jan     Year 10 Science Modules (pm)

Wed 24 Jan    LaSwap Open Morning at WES

                        (School Closed all day for Years 7 – 10 )

Thurs 25 Jan   Year 9 Parents’ Evening

Tues 30 Jan     Acoustic Concert

Thurs 1 Feb    LaSwap Open Evening at PHS

Wed 7 Feb      Year 11 Science Modules

Thurs 8 Feb    International Evening

Wed 14 Feb    Year 10 & Year 11

                         Drama Performances

Thurs 15 Feb Rock Concert

19– 23 Feb     HALF TERM

Thurs 1 Mar   Year 11 Parents’ Evening

3 – 11 Mar      Junior Ski Trip

Wed 7 Mar     Year 11 Science Modules

Thurs 8 Mar   Year 7 Information Evening

Fri 16 Mar       WESPA Quiz

Wed 21 Mar   Year 12/13 Progress Review 2

                        Year 10 - ‘Insight into Employability’

Thurs 22 Mar Year 8 Parents’ Evening

Tues 27 Mar   GCSE Concert

24-25 Mar       WESPA at the Mill

Fri 30 Mar     END OF TERM