Headteacher's Message
We have come to the end of a busy and joyful half term, filled with some lovely trips and whole school learning projects. It has been wonderful to see the children throw themselves into new topics and experiences with such curiosity and enthusiasm.
Across the school, all classes have made great progress. I have been especially pleased with our Reception classes this year, those rooms are a hive of purposeful learning and blossoming friendships. It was also lovely to see so many of you at Parents’ Evening this week. The partnership between home and school is vital, and your ongoing support makes a real difference.
We do, however, need to address our whole school attendance. Currently, our attendance sits at 92.3%, which is below the national average, and our school target of 95%. There is a clear link between attendance and progress: children who miss significant learning time simply do not achieve as well. Absence can only be authorised for illness or medical appointments that cannot be moved outside of the school day.
If you feel an absence is needed due to exceptional circumstances, please make an appointment with myself or a member of the attendance team so this can be discussed. Our KS2 results are currently 10% above national average, which is a testament to the strong teaching and the commitment of our children, maintaining good attendance is key to sustaining this success.
Thank you for your continued support.
Wishing everyone a restful half term break. We look forward to welcoming you back on Monday 3rd November.
Attendance News
A big well done to everyone for their efforts this term!
⭐ Reception were our top attending year group with 94.3% — what a fantastic achievement!
⭐ Azure Class (Year 4) achieved the highest class attendance at 96.4% — such brilliant commitment!
Let’s see who can take the top spot next term!
A reminder:
If your child is absent, please let us know before 9:30am either by completing the online form or calling the school office.
Absence Form
If your child is absent for more than one day, please contact us each day, unless it is part of a long-term illness already discussed with school.
Please note that holidays during term time cannot be authorised.
If you need to request an exceptional absence, please submit the form and arrange to meet with Mr Hyde to discuss it:
Exceptional Absence Request Form
Thank you for helping us support strong attendance, it really does make a difference.
Black History Month
During this year’s Black History Month theme of “Standing Firm in Power and Pride” we added new books to every class book corner to celebrate Black voices and stories. The children have been enjoying them hugely, bringing diverse perspectives into our learning and honouring the contributions of Black leaders, artists and change-makers.
Thank you to our wonderful Year 5 helpers for delivery the books to classes!
School Council
We’ve had a wonderful and busy first term in School Council! Our new representatives have settled in brilliantly, and we’re really enjoying our meetings. This week, we’ve been talking all about our playground. We discussed our three school rules; ‘Ready, Respectful, and Safe’, and what they mean at playtime. It’s been great working together, just like in our classes, to make sure everyone can have a fun and safe time outside!
Play
We love running around and playing busy games, but sometimes it’s lovely to have a bit of peace and quiet! We’ve been looking for the best places where we can curl up with a good book or get creative with drawing and colouring. We’re still collecting sticker books, craft bits, and magazines if you have any at home that you no longer need. We would love to use them on the playground! It doesn’t matter if some pages are already used. Please drop any donations off at the school office after half term.
Stone Age Takeover
Year 3 have fully embraced their Stone Age topic this term! Sculpting Skara Brae inspired clay pots, designing salt-dough necklaces, and even heading out to Devonshire Road Nature Reserve for a real Stone Age adventure. They’ve had a brilliant mix of creativity, curiosity and outdoor learning!
See more from their trip in this week’s Class News ⤵️
Celebrating High Flyers
A huge well done to everyone who has received a High Flyer certificate this term! We earn these by showing fantastic hard work and dedication in the classroom, being kind in the playground, and living our school values. It’s been wonderful to see so many children earning tokens and stickers for following our weekly behaviour sprints; we’ve seen great teamwork, kindness and care for our school environment. This week, Mr. Clark handed out lots of High Flyers in the Year 1 & 2 assembly to children who had been taking care of our school environment and looking after each other. A special congratulations to the incredible few who have already completed their bronze behaviour charts, well done!
Mastering Portraiture
Year 5 have been working so hard in art this term! They’ve been busy learning how to sketch facial features and practising techniques to make their drawings look more realistic. All classes have had great fun drawing from both life and from reference images. We’re really proud of the progress they have made in such a short time and can’t wait to see Year 5 put all their new skills together to create a full portrait!
Communication Reminder
We would like to remind all parents and carers of the correct channels for communication, particularly regarding pupil absence or when sharing concerns or messages for teaching staff.
All emails should be sent to the school office via the main admin inbox: admin@kelvingrove.lewisham.sch.uk
This ensures your message is seen promptly and directed to the appropriate member of staff without delay. This is especially important if you are trying to reach your child’s class teacher, as it allows us to ensure a timely and appropriate response. The admin email should also be used if you would like to contact Mr Hyde, or Mr Clark.
Please note that any year group email addresses provided in curriculum letters are for home learning purposes only and are not monitored for general enquiries or absence reporting.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
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 The Upcycled Uniform Shop – in addition to our official school uniform provider Wearabouts in Sydenham.
Highlights from Class
Reception’s Wonderful Week!
We’ve had a brilliant week in Reception! We are all settling in to our daily routines really well and enjoying exploring our classroom. We had lots
Year 5’s Rhythmic Journey with Djembe Drumming!
We’ve been having the most brilliant time in Year 5 continuing our music lessons with Djembe drums! Every week we are improving and honing our skills,
Year 1: Our Master Builders!
It’s been a busy few weeks of building in Year 1! We’re so proud of how the children are settling into their new routines and showing
Green Class’s Sensory Fun!
We’ve had a fantastic time in Green Class recently! We got to be really creative and had lots of fun making our very own Splat Monsters,
Year 6’s Amazing Maya Art!
We’ve been learning all about the fascinating Maya civilisation in our Art lessons recently! It was so interesting to study their incredible calendar system and look
Year 3’s Neolithic Pots!
Our Stone Age topic has taken over our Art lessons in Year 3 this week! We’ve been learning all about Skara Brae and got really excited
Year 3’s Stone Age Survival Day!
Year 3 had a fantastic trip to the Devonshire Road Nature Reserve recently, where we travelled all the way back in time to experience Stone Age
Year 2’s Super Science!
We’ve been super scientists in Year 2 this week! In our Materials topic, we wanted to find out which materials are absorbent and which are waterproof.
Letters sent home
SEND Coffee Morning for Parents
Diwali Menu
Parent Meeting, Year 6 France Residential Trip – July 2026
Year 6 Trip – Centre of the Cell 2025
Reception Newsletter 17-10-2025
Reception Parent Survey
The KG Circle Presents Halloween – Movie Time
Governors' and Friends News
The Governors
The KG Circle
- Bonfire Night Bake Sale – Wednesday 5th November – Please bring any bakes, homemade or store bought, (no nuts) to the school office
- Launch of “Family Fridays” – a new Under Five Stay and Play session at The Dovecot (previously the Children’s Centre)
- Restart of KG Circle Coffee Mornings – Friday 14th November
- Winter Fair Donation – Non Uniform Day – Friday 28th November – £1 or donation of requested items for Winter Fair
- Winter Fair – Friday 5th December – A request for volunteers will come out after half term.
- Festive Card orders delivered to school – Friday 5th December
Join our Facebook Page or contact us pta@kelvingrove.lewisham.sch.uk
Community News
Kids Support Tree
We hope you all have a fantastic half term!W
e are currently accepting donations of the following items:Red School Jumpers/Cardigans (branded or non-branded)
Grey Trousers
Please leave any donations with the School Office. Thank You!
#KST #GIVEBACK
Halloween In Sydenham!
With a whole host of events planned, there’s something ghoulishly great for everyone:
🎃 Parade of ghosts and ghouls 4.00pm – 5.00pm in the hight street 🧛
🎃 Fancy Dress Competition 5.00pm at the Sydenham Centre, 44a Sydenham Road, SE26 5QX
🎃 Tour the House of Horrors, 4.00pm – 7.00pm at the Poodle Club, £2 per person with proceeds going to Lewisham’s Food Bank
🎃 Dramatic Reading of Funny Bones, 6.00pm in St. Barts Graveyard 🪦 with Hot Chocolate served ☕
🎃 Haunted House Party, 7.00pm till Late at the Poodle Club, £10 Finger buffet, with a prize for the Best Fancy Dress! 🧛
Please click the flyer to enlarge for more details.
Gipsy Hill Football Club
New Players needed Aged 6 – 11!
Training sessions held every Tuesday and Saturday, Matches on weekends.
Please click the flyer to enlarge for more details.
Blackheath Fireworks
Join us on Saturday 1st November 2025!
Packed to the rafters with award-winning entertainment, huge fairground rides, food and drink, the newly invigorated festival promises to give the capital city one of its biggest and brightest Firework Weekend displays yet.
✨Gates and entertainment open at 5.00pm
✨Last entry is at 8.00pm
✨Fireworks display is at 8.00pm
✨Event closes at 10:30pm
For more info visit blackheathfireworks.com
Book your tickets here: www.seetickets.com/event/the-return-of-blackheath-fireworks/
Havelock Walk Open Studios
💷 Cost: Free Entry
📍 Location: Havelock Walk Studios, 14 London Rd, London SE23 3JA
We can’t wait to welcome you all to our studio in December.
Art, craft, music, food and festive fun! 🌟
See a list of Artists and Makers over on our website: www.havelockwalkstudios.com/ or Instagram: @HavelockWalk
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
Beckenham Fireworks
Beckenham Fireworks – Saturday 8th November 2025.
Beckenham Charity Fireworks is a family-friendly fireworks display with a fairground and stalls supporting local charities since 1946.
Gates open at 4:30pm, with a quieter display at 6pm with fireworks for smaller children and the main firework display at 7.15pm. Both displays are set to music.
Enjoy the fireworks, stay for the food and rides.
Get more information and Book your tickets online: www.beckenhamfireworks.com/
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
Family Craft Saturdays at Horniman
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).
Location: Education Centre – near the entrance
Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ
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.
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