ℯNEWS October, 9 2026
Assembly
The theme for the assembly this week was ‘Be Co-operative.’ The children thought about what a team was and what skills were needed to be a good member of a team.
We looked at how some animals co-operate with each other and how we were involved in teamwork in school.
Ms Horgan, the drama teacher, presented LAMDA certificates to the children who had taken exams in the summer. Yet another great example of co-operation in the preparation for their exam.
Form Three, Four, Five & Six Trip to the British Museum
On Tuesday, Forms Three to Six headed off to the British Museum. In the morning, they split into groups and Forms Three and Four became ‘History Detectives’ looking for evidence across the Iron Age, Roman and Anglo Saxon galleries to discover what food was eaten and what decorations the people wore. We were amused to discover that mothers in Roman times might send their soldier sons items to keep them warm - 2 pairs of underpants would have come in useful in cold Britain.
Forms Five and Six investigated the images on the Parthenon marbles and then went to see ‘The Tree of Life’ an inspiring sculpture created from weapons that had been decommissioned after the civil war in Mozambique.
In the afternoon, the whole group went to see The Bayeux Tapestry. We were delighted that we were allowed to spend an hour looking at this amazing piece of art work. We were able to identify King Edward, Harold Godwinson and William of Normandy as well as many creatures and ordinary people who appeared along the almost 70 metres. We marvelled at the skill of the people who had designed and stitched this over 900 years ago.
LAMDA Awards
Our drama clubs provide pupils with a valuable opportunity to develop their confidence, creativity, communication and presentation skills through poetry and performance. Junior club children work on poems from LAMDA’s Introductory and Speaking Verse and Prose syllabi, while senior club students explore scenes from the Acting syllabus.
At the end of the summer term, pupils have the opportunity to take a graded exam at LAMDA (The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) which is one of the world’s leading speech and drama awarding bodies. These exams provide the children with a recognised record of achievement.
Pupils from Junior One up to Form Six took exams ranging from Introductory Stage One to Acting Grade Three. We are extremely proud that all the children passed with the highest awards of Merits (65+) and Distinctions (80+). Bravo!
ISA Art Competition
On Tuesday, Mrs Hampton joined fellow Heads and Principals at the regional ISA conference, where the annual ISA Art competition was held. Ms Foster, our Head of Art, submitted a wonderful range of work that the children have created over the past academic year.
Entries included a Klimt-inspired forest by Annalita and Faye in Form One, created in art club; Matisse-inspired parakeets by Pippa, Freya and Daralaye in Form Three; Alexander's Japanese textiles project in Form Six; Margaret's Cézanne-inspired still life in Form Five; and Klara's clay window with a view in two-point perspective, also from Form Five.
We were particularly proud to see our children win several top prizes across the various categories. First places were awarded to:
Oren in Form One and Luca in Form Six for their sketchbooks.
Eryna in Form Three for her vibrant rainbow weaving, inspired by the work of Alma Thomas.
Our Form Two class was also awarded first place for their imaginative Surreal cups and saucers.
Second place was awarded to Form Five for their motivational quilt, a collaborative textiles piece created at the end of Form Three as part of the "Take One Picture" project. Bravo to all of the children involved!
Art History Festival
To celebrate the Art History Festival, Form Two were thrilled to welcome a parent visitor; Ms Souroujon, who kindly came into the classroom to share the fascinating story behind a special 1860s Victorian Staffordshire nursery cup. Made from durable blue-and-white transfer-printed ironstone, this piece served as an "educational reward" in Victorian times; given to school children for outstanding attendance, diligence, and good behavior.The flower inside the bottom of the cup was meant as a surprise element to encourage children finishing their milk. The students were captivated as they examined the cup's intricate scene depicting children at play, and using a tea set, giving them a tangible connection to what everyday life, and schooling were like for young children over 160 years ago. What a great experience!
P.E. Lessons After Half Term
There are some changes to PE after half term. Junior One, Form One and Form Six will be having dance on Wednesdays.
On Friday, Forms Two and Three will take to the water and begin their swimming lessons and Forms Four and Five will be in the gym with Mr Brady at Kensington Leisure Centre. Form Six will remain in school as they prepare for their imminent 11+ exams.
Junior One and Form One will continue to have their games lesson nearby in Hyde Park.
House Points
Sussex: 906 Clifton: 856
Artwork of the Week
Alberto in Form Four, for excellent effort in practising drawing objects for a still life. Some strong cylinders and lovely shadows, well done Alberto!
Upcoming Dates for Your Diary
October
19th J1 - F5 Parents’ Meetings (No after-school clubs)
20th J1 - F5 Parents’ Meetings (No after-school clubs)
22nd Inset Day (No children in school)
23rd - 30th HALF TERM
