Headteacher's Message
Welcome back. I hope you all had a calm and restful Easter break, hopefully with a little sunshine. It’s been great to see the children return with energy and enthusiasm for the new term ahead.
Although this half term is a short one, it’s already shaping up to be a very busy few weeks, packed with trips, events and exciting opportunities for learning. Our Year 6 pupils are now in the final stretch of their SATs preparation, with tests beginning next week, from Monday 12th May. The children have been working incredibly hard, and we’re very proud of their focus and effort. Please ensure they arrive on time each morning during SATs week to allow a calm and settled start before the tests begin.
Over the break, we were delighted to have new playground apparatus installed in the Paxton playground, and it’s been a big hit across all year groups this week. Thank you to the PTA for their continued hard work running events and raising funds, your efforts make a real difference to our outdoor spaces and our children’s enjoyment of them.
As ever, please keep an eye on the school calendar and text messages for information about upcoming events and ways you can get involved.
We’ve been enjoying some wonderful weather, and hope it continues into the rest of the term. As the temperatures rise, please make sure your child brings a water bottle to school each day, and that jumpers are clearly labelled with names. This helps everyone stay comfortable and makes it easier to return any misplaced items.
Crinkle Cragg Climbers!
Huge congratulations to Year 5 for their absolutely incredible Djembe drumming performance this afternoon! We were truly blown away by the energy and skill they displayed. This performance was a fantastic culmination of all their hard work learning African drumming, and it was clear how much dedication they’d put in. Thank you to everyone who joined us to watch their fantastic performance, we’re so proud of each and every one of them!
Year 6 SATs Breakfast
A reminder that all Year 6 children are welcome to arrive from 8:30am next week for a soft start and some light breakfast snacks in class. This earlier start is a great way to help everyone arrive in good time, feel calm, and settle in before their SATs each day.
School Council
School Council has been busy working on ways to encourage more children to travel to school actively. After carrying out hands-up surveys across the school, we found that while around half of our pupils currently walk, scoot or cycle to school, 70% would actually prefer to! We’ve been exploring the barriers to active travel and how we can help overcome them.
As part of our efforts, Year 6 took part in Bikeability sessions, Year 2 had scooter training, and Dr. Bike came in to check our bikes were safe and ready to ride. Following an inspiring visit to the TfL headquarters, the School Council shared their ideas with Mr Hyde and we’re excited to launch a set of walking challenges in the lead-up to our Walk to School Week (19th–23rd May). See the letter here for all the information. We hope lots of children get involved!
Pond and Garden Update
Our new pond is flourishing! It’s now filled with water, established with some aquatic plants, and already home to a few tadpoles. We’ve even spotted some damselflies visiting! We added some tadpoles to the pond, who have been feasting on midge larvae, helping to create a thriving little ecosystem. Meanwhile, Year 3 have been busy planting marigolds, nasturtiums, and sunflowers for our walled garden. Everything is coming along wonderfully and we can’t wait to see the flowers bloom!
Bee Garden - Update
Buzzing for Volunteers! 🐝 Thank you to those parents who have already volunteered to help with our proposed bee garden. We can now confirm the project is set to launch in October where parents and children can join Mrs. Jupp to create this space. If you’d like to volunteer, please contact the school office or keep an eye out for the sign up in September.
Topic Launches!
It’s been a whirlwind start to the new term, with all year groups launching their new topics and learning for the term.
Year 1 had a wonderful drama workshop, exploring movement and imagining how plants feel growing.
Year 5 are getting stuck into the colourful world of graffiti, asking the big question: is it art or crime? They’ve begun exploring how graffiti compares to street art and what it means in different contexts.
And Year 3 had a fantastic morning in Wells Park, enjoying the sunshine as they launched their new topic, Getting to the Root of It. The children explored the park, observing local plants and flowers, and spent time creating detailed sketches of what they saw. It was the perfect way to kick off their learning! See more from their topic launches in this week’s Class News ⤵️
Magnificent Manga!
Alongside all their SATs revision, Year 6 have been continuing their brilliant work on Manga art. This term, they’ve been exploring the work of Japanese comic book artist Peach Momoko, who creates striking illustrations using inks and watercolours. The children have loved seeing how she reimagines familiar characters in the Manga style and have been learning the techniques that make her work so distinctive. They’ve been particularly focused on drawing facial features, including side profiles, with fantastic results!
Financial Literacy
As part of our PSHE curriculum, we’ll be exploring financial literacy across the school this term. To help bring this important topic to life, we’d love to invite parents and carers to come in and speak with the children about real world experiences related to money; whether it’s budgeting, saving, running a business, or working in finance. If you’d be happy to share your knowledge or story with a class or group, please get in touch here. Your insight could make a real difference in helping children connect their learning to everyday life. 
Birthday Reminders
A polite reminder notice regarding birthday cakes, treats and party bags
Please note that we do not share birthday cakes, treats or party bags.
Staff will not be able give these out.
Some of our children have very severe food allergies and must avoid certain foods. This makes these children very vulnerable and it is important that they do not consume foods that may contain items that may cause an allergic reaction. Many parents would rather limit and monitor the amount of treats (sweets, cakes, chocolate and biscuits) eaten by their child/ren.
You are welcome to hand out your treats at the end of the school day to the adult collecting the children so they can check the ingredients before their child consumes the items.
We look forward to celebrating your child’s birthday safely.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Lost Property
We can’t emphasise enough how important it is for parents and carers to clearly label children’s school jumpers, jackets, coats, bookbags, water bottles and lunch bags with their name.
This helps us to return any lost and found items quickly to their rightful owner/s.
Please speak to the School Office or Mrs Jupp about lost property. All unnamed lost property will kept for a term, any unclaimed items will be sent to the local charity shop to benefit our wider school community.
Pre-loved school uniform is also available from Kids Support Tree – in addition to our official school uniform provider Wearabouts in Sydenham.
Highlights from Class
Year 5 Science Spotlight
Year 5 have been diving into their Forces topic in science with some brilliant hands-on investigations! As part of our learning on water resistance, we designed
Year 6 SATs Practice and Manga Masterpieces
Year 6 have shown real focus and determination during our recent mock SATs. Well done to everyone for giving it their best! Alongside all the revision,
Nursery – Splashing into Summer!
Nursery have had a lovely start to the term, settling smoothly back into routines. With the warmer weather, we’ve been enjoying water play indoors and out, and there’s
Year 3 – Roy Lichtenstein
In art this week, Year 3 have been getting to know the bold world of Roy Lichtenstein. We explored his famous Ben Day dots and his limited colour palette,
Year 3 Plant Explorers!
Year 3 launched their new topic Getting to the Root of It with a brilliant visit to Wells Park. The children explored local plant life, took bark rubbings
Reception – Caring for Our Planet
Reception have been exploring what it means to be Environmentalists! We’ve had thoughtful class discussions about looking after the planet, particularly the ocean. This week we created
Wow!
Wow! What a welcome back to school we’ve had today. We’re SO excited about our brand new Crinkle Crags Climber in the Paxton playground. It’s super
Year 1 Drama, Drawing & Digital Fun
Year 1 had a wonderful start to the term, launching our new topic with a lively drama workshop, we even became trees! In computing, we’ve started exploring Sketchpad and
Letters sent home
Reception Newsletter 07-05-2025
Year 6 SATs Week Breakfast
Year 6 Trip to Frylands Wood 23rd May, 2025
Year 1 Curriculum Letter – Summer 1
KG Bake Sale – Friday 2nd May 2025
Nursery Curriculum Letter Summer 1 2025
Year 4 Curriculum Letter – Summer 1
Year 2 Curriculum Letter – Summer 1
Year 3 – Summer 1 Curriculum Letter 2025
Year 5 – Summer 1 Curriculum Letter
Year 6 – Summer 1 Curriculum Letter
Governors' and Friends News
the Governors
The KG Circle
If you would like to hear more about our plans for fundraising and or influence how we spend the fundraising with the school, then please come along to a KG Circle coffee morning. The next meeting will be on Friday 16th May at 9.00am in the Music Room. We will be using some of this time to brainstorm the Summer Fair and what fun activities can take place.
We are lucky to have Property World sponsor our Summer Fair on Friday 20th June for another year. This is a great source of fundraising for the KG Circle. To fully benefit from this sponsorship, we’re asking for your permission to place a Property World board outside your home for the month of June. The boards not only help to promote our fair, but for each board placed the school earns a generous £10! If you are able to help with this sponsorship drive, then please complete the form below by Friday 16th May 2025https://forms.gle/dJ63f5AYUjMLFAuu6
If you’re available to help with the Summer Fair either in the lead up or for an hour on the day, please get in touch with pta@kelvingrove.lewisham.sch.uk We need all the hands we can get!
Thank you for supporting our fundraisers this term, the Movie Time events were a great success raising £300 for the KG Circle and the Bake Sale on Friday was also a great fun, who doesn’t love cake and ice cream! We will look to run more Movie Time events next academic year.We are always here to hear your suggestions and ideas on how to get more people involved. Feel free to contact us on: pta@kelvingrove.lewisham.sch.uk
The KG Circle
Join our Facebook Page or contact us pta@kelvingrove.lewisham.sch.uk
Community News
Kids Support TRee
We hope you all had a lovely Spring Break!
Please see the attached poster for more information on items that we can and can not accept. All donations can be left with the office. If you are in need of any school uniform, please fill out the form using the link here.
Simone Daniels will be in touch with you to confirm when the items are ready to collect.
Keep an eye on our noticeboard in the main playground for all the latest news, updates and ways to help.
Simone Daniels
#KST #GIVEBACK #TCT
Our gofundme page, with all donations going directly to the Kelvin Grove Community Centre is here.
Instagram: @kidsupportree
Twitter: @kidsupportree
Facebook: Kid’s Support Tree
Family Craft Saturdays
Join Horniman Museum’s volunteer team on Saturday afternoons for family craft activities inspired by the Museum’s collections. Learn about some of the 350,000 objects in the Horniman’s collections, and discover more about music, nature, wildlife, and the world around us.
Get stuck into some crafts and have fun with Horniman’s wonderful volunteers at these free, drop-in sessions.
When: Saturdays
Time: 2.00pm- 4.00pm (last entry 3:30pm)
Tickets: Free
Perfect for children aged 3 and above. (Children must be accompanied by an adult).
🌺 May🌺
10th May– Buddhist Wesak Lanterns
Celebrate the important Buddhist festival with the upcoming May full moon and create a paper Wesak Lantern.
17th and 24th May– Bumble Bees
Create your own little bumble bee and learn about the importance of these buzzy friends to celebrate World Bee Day.
31st May– Seedling Pots
Decorate little seedling pots and plant your own seeds this National Children’s Gardening Week.
🌻 June🌻
7th June – Paper plate Crabs
Create a little crab for World Ocean Day.
14th and 21st June – Green Collages
This Great Big Green Week we are celebrating green spaces by creating big green collages! Join us to make your own collage.
28th June– 🌈Rainbow bracelet
Celebrate Pride with us by making your own rainbow bracelet!
Location: Education Centre – near the entrance
Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ
Crystal Palace Subway Market
Handmade Palace is back with not one but two Markets in May. We are thrilled to be working with the Crystal Palace Park Trust for a return to the renovated Subway. Taking place on Saturday 10thMay & Sunday 11th May from 10.00am until 5.00pm.
Expect 40 stallholders each day offering the best of the best in local handmade art and crafts. In addition there will be food and drink stalls, plus a bar.
Havelock Walk Open Studios
Welcoming visitors to Havelock studios for two weekends during Artists’ Open House and Dulwich Festival.
Including resident artists, some visiting fine artists and designers, with food provided by Canvas and Cream.
Come along and explore the studios and artisan market in Forest Hill.
Havelock Studios
14 London Rd, London SE23 3JA
Story Time Sydenham Library
Join us on Thursday mornings for Story Time in the children’s library.
This is a very relaxed event: one of our volunteers will be in the children’s library ready to read… well, whatever the children want! We have oversized books for larger groups, but we can just as easily read any picture book or board book from our collection – just grab it and ask!
Our Story Time sessions are free to all and there is no need to book – simply drop by and say hello.
Open every Thursday from 10.30am – 11.30am.
Where:Sydenham Library
210 Sydenham Rd, London SE26 5SE
Crystal Palace Market
A weekly market open every Sunday in Crystal Palace Park, you’ll find a range of the best traders in SE London!
Seasonal fruit and veg. Organic farm butchers. Fresh fish. Locally baked bread. Small batch cakes and biscuits. Cheeses. Farm made pies. Charcuterie. Olives. Pasta. SAUCES. VEGAN CHEESES. Biltong. KIMCHI. Raw honey. BONE BROTH. Olive Oils. Natural wines. Craft beer.
AWARD WINNING STREET FOOD
Open every Sunday from 10.00am – 3.00pm.
Where: Crystal Palace Park
Thicket Rd, London SE19 2GA
Knit and Knatter
Every Saturday at Sydenham Library, the Knit & Natter circle comes together to knit (or crochet, sew, stitch, embroider…) and also, and much more importantly, to natter.
Led by Wendy, this is a friendly group of like-minded crafty souls, and a fixture in the library’s week. Bring your own projects along and get some advance, admire other people’s handiwork, and swap tips and stories.
Knit & Natter is free and there is no need to book. However spaces at the library are extremely limited at the moment, so it may be worth calling ahead on 020 8778 1753.
Knit & Natter run a second weekly session at Ignition Brewery from 2.00pm-4.00pm on a Thursday, which currently has more spaces available.
Open every Saturday from 11.00am – 1.00pm or alternatively on Thursdays from 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Knit & Natter runs every Saturday except when the library is closed – please do check around holiday times, etc.
Where:Sydenham Library
210 Sydenham Rd, London SE26 5SE
Horniman Market
Located on the Bandstand Terrace, you will find stalls selling seasonal fruit and vegetables, artisan bread and cheese, organic meat and delicious street food.
Alongside food stalls, you’ll find body care, clothing, jewellery, design and craft; most are locally produced, ethical and many use environmentally friendly materials, natural and organic ingredients.
Open every Sunday from 10.00am – 3.00pm.
Where: Horniman Gardens
Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ
Ask a Councillor
Ask a public question at a council meeting
Saturday 17th May
Your councillors can raise your concerns with the relevant teams and get back to you.
Come along to open advice surgeries.
Anyone who lives, works or studies in Lewisham can make an enquiry or raise an issue at a full Council meeting by asking a public question. If there is an issue you want the Council to look at, or an area where you believe we can make improvements, a public question is a good way to bring it to the Council’s attention.
Your question may lead to an investigation or review of the issue you raise and could be relevant to other residents affected by the same issue.
Find out more at https://lewisham.gov.uk/mayorandcouncil/influence/councilmeetings
When: Saturday 17th May
Time: 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Where: Sydenham Centre
44A Sydenham Rd, London SE26 5QX
Family Design Challenge - Young V&A
Family Design Challenge is an opportunity for the whole family with children 3-14 years old to get hands-on and creative with a variety of materials. Run every second Saturday in Open Studio in the Design Gallery, please see below for dates and themes. Sessions are timed drop-in and last approximately 30mins, please note last entry is around 3.30pm.
Days and Time: Open every weekend other Saturday 12.00pm – 4.00pm.
Location: Open Studio, Design Gallery
Young V&A, Cambridge Heath Road
Bethnal Green, London, E2 9PA
Price: Free
See more information online here
Family Events at Tate
Tate Modern
Uniqlo Tate Playmake Studio, The Joy of Not Knowing
Come and discover the unknown inspired by joyful artworks in Tate’s collection.
Let your imagination run wild with a variety of hands-on activities for the whole family, all using recycled materials sourced right from within our galleries. You’ll be encouraged to imagine and explore magical futures by creating props and costumes made from sensory, re-purposed materials. There’s something for everyone!
Perfect for artists of all ages, including our tiniest creators aged 5 and under.
Under 5s
On Wednesdays, we offer special activities just for them featuring themed storybooks, sensory exploration and more. Using everyday materials and objects we’ll explore new ways of seeing the world and create fresh, joyful perspectives.
Please note that you may be asked to queue at busy times.
See the webpage for more details.
Days and Time: Every weekend and Fridays
All the family: Saturday – Sunday at 10.30am – 6.00pm (Last entry 45 minutes before event finishes.)
Price: Free
Tate Britain
Play Studio
Play Studio Under 5’s Pop-up
Try on a cape, climb through a tunnel and play peekaboo using artist-designed play items, in this mid-week Play Studio Pop-up for under 5s.
This pop-up was designed in collaboration with India Harvey.
9th May 2025 at 10.30am–5.00pm
16th May 2025 at 10.30am–5.00pm
23rd May 2025 at 10.30am–5.00pm
POSE by Harold Offeh at the Play Studio
Dress-up, move and play with different ways of expressing yourself through performance, music and making in our creative learning space for children, young people and families.
Inspired by the ways artists portray themselves and others, Play Studio: POSE by Harold Offeh invites you to react to artwork at Tate Britain in your own way, while discovering something new about yourself in the process.
Make something together inspired by the stories you’ve encountered in the galleries, or relax with under 5s next to the sand trays, collections of objects and books.
Visit the Play Studio page for full details
Days and Time: Open every weekend and Fridays during term-time from 10.00am – 5.00pm.
Location: Learning Gallery. Entry via Manton or Millbank Entrance
Price: Free