Newsletter 21-11-2025

Kirsty Gibbs

4 months ago

Headteacher's Message

We have certainly turned a corner with the weather, and this cold spell is a clear reminder that Christmas is not far away. Earlier in the week we had a problem with the heating in the Paxton Building, and while this is being resolved, temporary heaters have been placed in each classroom to ensure children remain comfortable and able to learn.

I do want to keep everyone focused on attendance as we move through the term. Our current whole-school attendance is 93.8%, with around 20% of children sitting below 90%. As we enter the season of coughs and colds, please continue to send your child to school unless they are genuinely too unwell to attend. Good attendance is essential, and we know the impact it has on children’s learning and long-term progress.

Last week you should have received a letter outlining our upcoming winter events, including next week’s Winter Fair. The PTA are working incredibly hard to bring everything together, and if you are able to volunteer even a small amount of time it makes such a difference and really strengthens our sense of community. Letters also included reminders about this term’s parent events. These begin from tomorrow and the children are very excited to welcome you into their classrooms. These opportunities to come together are always such a positive way to connect home and school.

As always, there is much to celebrate across the school. I continue to take visitors around to see our learning in action and they consistently comment on how articulate, polite and engaged our pupils are. We also continue to welcome new families, and while numbers are steady across the year groups, we do still have a few spaces should you know of anyone joining the local area.

We look forward to a busy, joyful winter period ahead.

Parent Events this term

A reminder of the upcoming parent events this term: details were shared earlier in the year group curriculum letters and again in yesterday’s Winter Event letters. Please take note of the dates and times. The children are very excited to share their learning with you.

Please save the date for your child’s Winter Show or Sing-a-long event, a reminder with timings and where to go will be sent to parents.

If your child is usually Packed lunch and would like a Festive Lunch on Wednesday 17^th December, please let the office know as soon as possible. Click the Menu to see what we’re serving.

See the letters ‘Key Dates for Winter Events‘ for each year group below ⤵️

Attendance Reminder

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.

Anti-Bullying Week

We celebrated Anti-Bullying Week with Odd Socks Day on Monday and meaningful activities in class. Children have been having thoughtful discussions about how we can make everyone feel welcome, heard and included. This tied in perfectly with our current behaviour sprint on Respecting Each Other’s Boundaries. Well done, everyone!

School Council

School Council have been busy this term discussing ways to make our school a safer and healthier place. We’ve been exploring how active travel benefits both the environment and our wellbeing. KS2 workshops hosted by Transport for London (TfL) will be coming into school soon to teach children about road safety, and Bikeability for Year 6 will be starting in the new year, including a visit from Dr Bike to ensure bikes are safe to ride.

Play

In School Council, children have been discussing the importance of having a good playtime to be ready for learning. They reflected on how play affects wellbeing, highlighting that it’s a chance to spend time with friends, get exercise, enjoy fresh air, and simply feel happy.

We also explored UNCRC Article 31, which sets out every child’s right to relax, play, and take part in leisure activities. Children shared how missing play affects them and explained how play helps them regulate their emotions, making it a vital part of school life.

Bernard's Bones!

Year 3 kicked off the week with a ‘sticky learning’ quiz to recap their topic from last term.

They were joined by Bernard, who came to see just how much the children had learned about the human body. Bernard tested their knowledge of bones and the functions of the skeleton, and Year 3 worked together to label him accurately. It was a fantastic way to refresh their memories and showcase their science expertise!

Y6 Science Exploration

Year 6 had a brilliant visit to the Centre of the Cell at Queen Mary University this week!
They loved exploring the interactive Neuron Pod and STEM Pod, suspended inside a real research lab. From learning about the circulatory system to seeing real human organs, it was a hands-on experience that brought their science topic to life. Year 6 were a credit to the school with their exemplary behaviour throughout the visit.

See more from their trip in this week’s Class News ⤵️

Achievements

We are incredibly proud of the wonderful achievements in Year 5 this term!

An-yi has been exploring different painting techniques outside of school and has produced some truly detailed and impressive artworks. In class, Year 5 have also been completing their portraits from last term, applying new skills to create realistic, expressive drawings.

We are also thrilled to celebrate Shingai’s fantastic sporting success. Shingai, who plays cricket at Beckenham Cricket Club, was nominated to trial for the Kent Regional Development Programme; part of the ECB’s national talent pathway. After completing several stages assessing batting, bowling, fielding and attitude, he was selected for the West Kent U10 Development Programme, the highest level available for his age group.

Wicked Art Competition

Fellow Ozians!

Are you ready to show off your creativity?

Into Film have launched an exciting competition for all young artists; Welcome to Oz! Into Film want children Design a thrilling poster for the magical land of Oz, complete with a catchy slogan to invite everyone to visit.

Prizes✨
Grand Prize: LEGO® Wicked Welcome to Emerald City set + Wicked: For Good merchandise bundle
Two Runners-Up: LEGO® Wicked sets + film merchandise bundles

How to Enter: Collect your entry sheets from Miss Gibbs and return your completed poster to her by Wednesday, 7th January 2026.

Amazing Alumni!

We’re thrilled to celebrate former student Sienna Arif-Knights, who has continued to shine since her time with us. After furthering her training, Sienna became a series regular in the popular children’s show Malory Towers. Even more exciting, she makes her National Theatre debut this week as Petrova Fossil in Ballet Shoes.
Congratulations, Sienna! We’re incredibly proud of all you’ve achieved!

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.

Dallas Road

We’ve recently received several concerns about cars parking on the pavement along Dallas Road. When the pavement is blocked (even partially) families, buggies, and children are forced onto the road, which becomes especially dangerous near the tight bend.

Please help us keep everyone safe by parking responsibly and leaving pavements clear at all times. And as the weather gets colder, we kindly ask drivers to avoid engine idling by the playground, those few minutes make a real difference to air quality for our children.

Thank you for doing your part to keep our school community safe and considerate.

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. This is especially important during these winter weeks where children have lots of extra clothing.

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

Year 1: Star Bakers!

Something delicious has been cooking in Year 1 this week! 🧁 We swapped our pencils for mixing spoons and put our culinary skills to the test.

Year 3 Find Their Balance!

We have been really busy in our gymnastics lessons this week, exploring the skill of balancing. It was great fun using the mats and benches to

Reception’s Gymnastics Adventure

We’ve had a fantastic time in PE this week as we’ve moved on to our new topic: gymnastics! We have been learning lots of different ways

Green Class biscuit decorating!

We’ve really been enjoying our special sensory afternoons in Green Class this week! We have explored lots of different activities, but we definitely have some favourites.

Year 6 Trip to Centre of the Cell

Year 6 had a brilliant time this week visiting the Centre of the Cell at Queen Mary University. We loved exploring the amazing ‘Neuron Pod’ and

Year 2 Global Explorers!

We’ve been travelling the world without even leaving the classroom this week! In our new Pole to Pole topic, we became geographers and explored our class

Blue Class Authors and Artists!

Blue Class have been incredibly creative this week! We’ve been busy writing our own exciting stories based on the legend of the Minotaur. It was brilliant

Year 6 Prefects Leading the Way!

The Year 6 Prefects have hit the ground running with our new roles! We’ve already started helping out around the school and this week we had

Year 3’s Dazzling Diyas!

We have been getting creative in Year 3 to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights. We learned all about why light is so important for the

The Governors

This term we have said goodbye to two valued Governors, Shakera Rahman and Monika Wilkowska.

Shakera’s contribution to the Governing Body has been invaluable over the years. As Chair of the Resources Committee, she led with clarity, commitment, and a strong sense of purpose.

Monika brought her expertise to the Governing Body and championed Mental Health and Wellbeing, going above and beyond by running wellbeing sessions for staff.

We are extremely grateful for all their hard work and dedication; they will be greatly missed.

Parent Governor elections will be held after Christmas, and we look forward to welcoming new members to the team. If you are interested and would like to find out more about becoming part of the Governing Body, please do get in touch at governors@kelvingrove.lewisham.sch.uk

The KG Circle

To celebrate the Winter Fair there will be an ‘Own Clothes Day’ on Friday 28^th November, children are invited to come to school wearing their own clothes, in exchange for making a donation for the Winter Fair.
We require:

Washed Soft Toys
Raffle Prizes – Prizes suitable for Children and Adults
Stickers or small toys (similar to those given in party bags)
Wrapped sweets
£1 Donation

Please hand any donations in to the School Office.

Raffle Tickets and Pre Pay Cards will be on sale on SCOPAY and we will be in the playground the week ahead of the fair with lots of fantastic prizes to be won.

The activities at the Winter Fair are limited by the number of volunteers who help on the day. For us to be able to run our Fair, we require 26 adult volunteers. If you’re interested in helping out on the day (even if for only an hour), please don’t hesitate to get in touch: pta@kelvingrove.lewisham.sch.uk

Thank you to everyone who has placed their orders for their Celebration Cards (and products). If ordered before the deadline, you’ll be able to collect these from the Winter Fair on Friday 5^th December. You can still order more products, but these will arrive later and you’ll need to pay a delivery charge.

Starting from Thursday 27^th November, The KG Circle will be hosting “Kelvin Grove Family Mornings” after drop off (9:00am) until 11:00am at Kelvin Grove Children’s Centre. This will be a free weekly parent – run group with tea, coffee and toys for little ones. Get to know other local parents and carers, entertain your little ones and help our school community grow. We hope to see you there.

And finally did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising free donations for Kelvin Grove Charitable Trust with easyfundraising? There are over 8,000 retailers on board ready to make a donation – including eBay, Argos, John Lewis & Partners, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S – and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds. All you need to do is:
1. Go to www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/kelvingrovecharitabletrust/ and join for free.
2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping.
3. After you’ve checked out, the retailer will make a donation to Kelvin Grove Charitable Trust at no extra cost to you whatsoever! There are no catches or hidden charges.

Thanks for all your support to date,

Sam, Emily, Kerrin, Mariam, Sara, Anita, Rebecca and Einat

The KG Circle

Join our Facebook Page or contact us pta@kelvingrove.lewisham.sch.uk

Community News

Kids Support Tree

We’re looking forward to seeing you all at the Winter Fair on Friday 5th December!

Come along to our stall, grab a bag, and fill it up!

We would really appreciate it if anyone is able to donate clothes hangers!

If you are in need of any upcycled uniform, please fill out the form below using the link here. We will get back to you regarding your request as soon as possible.

We are currently accepting donations of the following items:
Red School Jumpers/Cardigans (branded or non-branded)
Grey Trousers

Grey Shorts

Grey/ Gingham Dresses

PE Kits (Plain White T-shirts, Black or Grey Jogging Bottoms)

Please leave any donations with the School Office. Thank You!

Keep an eye on our noticeboard in the main playground for all the latest updates.

#KST #GIVEBACK

Christmas In Sydenham!

Santa is coming to Sydenham on Sunday 14^th December!

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.

Havelock Walk Open Studios

Winter Open Studios on Saturday 6^th and Sunday 7^th December 2025.

🕙 Time: 11:00am – 5:00pm on both days
💷 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

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.
Stay up to date through our online channels

Where: Crystal Palace Park
Thicket Rd, London SE19 2GA

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

Please note there will be no Family Craft Saturdays on 29^th November.

Perfect for children aged 3 and above. (Children must be accompanied by an adult).

Handprint Penguins 6^th December

Celebrate winter wildlife by turning handprints into little penguins. A fun, creative way for children to learn about animals that thrive in icy, snowy, places.

Paper chain characters 13^th December

Build your own snowman or reindeer with some winter magic and turn paper chains into winter characters for you to decorate your home.

Please note there will be no Family Craft Saturdays on 20^th and 27^th December 2025, and 3^rd January 2026.

Location: Education Centre – near the entrance
Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ

Knit and Natter

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.

Join us on 30^th November for a seasonal special edition of the Horniman Market! Stock up on Christmas presents and treat yourself to some seasonal foods.
The last market of 2025 will take place on 21^st December. We will return in 2026 on 11^th January.

Open every Sunday from 10.00am – 3.00pm.

Second-hand Sundays will return in 2026!

Discover a hidden treasure at Second-hand Sundays. From vinyl to clothes, toys to homewares, there’s something for everyone.

Second-hand Sundays take place alongside our Sunday Market.

Where: Horniman Gardens
Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ

See the full list of traders on their website here.

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.

23^rd 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