Headteacher's Message
As we come to the end of our first half term, I want to celebrate all the fantastic learning that has been taking place across the school. The children have settled so well into their new year groups and classrooms, embracing new topics, routines and the challenges that come with a new school year. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm for learning and the progress they are already making.
Thank you to all the parents and carers who joined us for Parents’ Evenings. These meetings are such an important opportunity to share how children are getting on, celebrate their achievements and discuss the next steps in their learning. The partnership between home and school is so valuable, and we really appreciate you taking the time to meet with teachers.
As you know, attendance continues to be a big priority for us, and we have spoken regularly this term about the importance of being in school every day and on time. I am pleased to share some fantastic attendance achievements from this half term. Year 3 reached our school target of 95%, with Year 5 just ahead at 95.3%. At class level, a huge well done to Mint Class, who achieved an impressive 97% attendance, closely followed by Lilac Class at 96.6%. These are great achievements, and I hope we can build on them across the school next half term.
We will continue celebrating attendance in our Monday assemblies, with our new attendance trophies and books awarded to classes in recognition of their achievements. It is important that we recognise and celebrate these successes while continuing to work together to improve attendance for all our children.
Looking ahead, we have another busy and exciting half term planned, with new learning opportunities, trips and experiences for the children to enjoy. There is plenty to look forward to, and we will continue to share information about upcoming events through our newsletters, letters and school website.
Finally, I would like to wish all our children, families and staff a calm and restful half term break. Thank you for your continued support throughout these first few weeks. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Monday 2nd November.
Year 3 Pots!
Year 3 have been getting creative with clay this term in Art, making their very own Skara Brae-inspired pots! the children had a fantastic time shaping the clay and carefully carving out their intricate designs into the surface, taking inspiration from the Stone Age settlement. We are so proud of their creations.
Just look how amazing they turned out!
Nursery Places
Is your child turning 3?
We would like to remind families that children are entitled to a nursery place from the age of 3, and we currently have spaces available in our nursery.
Our nursery provides a caring and nurturing environment where children can learn, play and develop their confidence as they take their first steps into school life.
If your child is approaching 3, or you would like to find out more about the spaces we currently have available, please contact the school office. We would be very happy to answer any questions and have a chat with you about what we can offer.
Reading Magic!
📚✨ Something exciting is taking shape across KG!
Our teachers and children have been working together to create wonderful new book corners in classrooms and shared spaces, bringing a little extra magic to reading!
From jungle adventures and journeys into space to Azure class and Lavender class exploring the wonderfully imaginative world of Dr Seuss, and Brass class diving into manga and graphic novels, every reading corner is being designed with our children and their interests in mind.
We can’t wait to see these creative spaces come to life and inspire even more of our children to develop a love of reading!
Stay tuned for some exciting reveals after half term!
Free Breakfast Club
It was wonderful to welcome Ellie Reeves MP to our school community recently. She spent time with us hearing about the work we’re doing and the opportunities we’re creating for local families, including our new Free Breakfast Club initiative.
We want to help give local children the best possible start to their day, while creating a welcoming and supportive space for families in our community.
Our Free Breakfast Club launches after half term!
Free places are available to all children in Reception – Year 6, every school day from 8:15am to 8:45am, giving children a positive start to their morning.
There is no cost to families, but all places must be booked in advance through ParentMail.
We look forward to welcoming children to breakfast club!
Parent Governors Needed!
Parent Governor Vacancies (November Elections)
Help shape the decisions that matter most to our pupils. We have two parent governor positions opening up this term. No experience necessary!
Binta Claus is Coming to Town
A Christmas Book with a Special Purpose
We are delighted to share a wonderful fundraising initiative created by a KG Family! Together, Theodor, Eloise and Mark Gee have written a new children’s Christmas book, Binta Claus Is Coming To Town, to help raise funds for our Year 5 residential trip to Farms for City Children.
Farms for City Children offers children from inner-city schools the opportunity to experience life on a farm. Although the charity subsidises these visits, some families still face financial barriers, and fundraising can help make this valuable experience accessible to more of our pupils.
All money raised through this book campaign will go towards funding farm places for disadvantaged children, including pupils from Kelvin Grove. There are also a range of rewards available for supporters who donate.
If you would like to support this fantastic initiative, you can find out more, purchase the book and help spread the word through the Crowdfunder page below.
Find out more and support the campaign:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/fundraising-farm-stays-kelvin-grove-pupils
A huge thank you to this KG family for turning their creativity into an opportunity to support our children!
Highlights from Class
Year 3 Skara Brae
Year 3 have been getting creative with clay, making their very own Skara Brae-inspired pots! First, we explored designs in our sketchbooks, experimenting with patterns and
Year 5’s Portrait Sketching
Year 5 were very excited to begin their Art lessons this week, learning how to sketch realistic portraits. We started by drawing eyes from life and
Reception News
Reception have continued to settle beautifully into their new class this week. They are loving their new environment, enjoying stories, practising their letters and making lots
Year 2’s Science Fun!
Year 2 have had a brilliant start to the year and have particularly enjoyed our Science lessons so far. We have investigated how easily germs can
Year 1 News
Year 1 have settled beautifully into their new routines and expectations. We are enjoying having a bigger playground and making the most of all the games
Year 3 New’s
Year 3 are having a fantastic start to the year! In Maths, we have been adding three-digit numbers and learning how to partition them using part-part-whole
Year 4’s Music Maestros
Year 4 have been enjoying collaborative music lessons this week. Working together in groups and as a whole class, we played the Pink Panther theme using
Year 5 Into Africa
Year 5 have had a wonderfully musical start to the year! We welcomed IROKO Theatre into school for an exciting African dance and storytelling workshop, helping
Letters sent home
Parent Governor Election November 2026
Year 4 Into Film Festival 2026 – Wednesday 18th November 2026
Festive IQ Cards
KG Community Garden – Volunteers needed!
Year 5 Into Film Festival 2026 – Friday 6th November 2026
Year 6 Trip Into Film Festival 2026 – Wednesday 25th November 2026
Year 4 Trips to Surrey Docks Farm – November 2026
Year 6 Centre of the Cell Trip and Heart Dissection Workshop Autumn 2
SEND Coffee Morning – Wednesday 21st October 2026, 9:00am
Lewisham Mental Health Support Team – Coffee Morning
Help with Secondary Transfer applications
Governors' and Friends News
The Governors
We would like to thank Mark Gee for all his valuable input and commitment as a governor at Kelvin Grove. Governors play an important role in supporting our children, staff and wider school community, and we are grateful to Mark for the time and care he has given to helping our school move forward.
Following our recent Full Governing Body meeting, where we discussed our priorities for the year ahead and how best to support the school, we are now preparing to hold elections to fill two parent governor vacancies.
Being a parent governor is a wonderful opportunity to bring your perspective as a parent into the life of our school, work alongside staff and fellow governors, and help shape the future of our KG community. We would love to hear from parents and carers who are interested in getting involved.
As always, if you have any questions or want to know more about being a parent governor please get in contact via governors@kelvingrove.lewisham.sch.uk
The KG Circle
As we reach the end of term, a big thank you to everyone who has supported the KG Circle over the past few weeks. Thank you to everyone who bought treats at our bake sale and to those who came along to our AGM. Your support, ideas and involvement help us bring our school community together and create exciting opportunities for our children.
We are also looking forward to getting started on our Community Garden, made possible by the fantastic news that we received £1,500 through the Tesco Community Scheme. Thank you to everyone who voted for us using the blue tokens! We hope to begin work in November, with opportunities for families to come together and help build raised beds, move materials and plant. If you would like to get involved or hear more about the project, please sign up here.
You can raise FREE donations for Kelvin Grove Charitable Trust EVERY time you shop online. Just use #easyfundraising! Over 8,000 retailers will donate, including all the big names like John Lewis & Partners, BT, Expedia, Argos, ASOS, Just Eat, Uswitch and many more! Please support us through the link here.
There is plenty more to look forward to, and we are excited to bring our community together for more events and activities next term. In the meantime, thank you for being part of the KG Circle and helping make our school such a special place.
We look forward to seeing you after half term!
Emily, Meredith, Mariam, Dana and Sam
Join our Facebook Page or contact us pta@kelvingrove.lewisham.sch.uk
Community News
Kids Support Tree
We are currently working to move the uniform shop to new premises, so we are not accepting any uniform donations at the moment. Please do not bring or leave donations at the school office.
We are incredibly grateful for all the donations and support we have received, and we would like to thank the office team for everything they have done to support the uniform shop, from receiving and sorting donations to helping us secure new premises.
We will let you know as soon as we have any updates and are able to accept donations again. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we work through this transition.
In the meantime, you can still request upcycled uniform. Please fill out the form using the link here, and we will get back to you regarding your request as soon as possible.
Keep an eye on our noticeboard in the main playground for all the latest updates.
Wishing you all a wonderful half term!
#KST #GIVEBACK
Halloween in Sydenham
Spooktacular Halloween Fun in Sydenham! 🎃👻
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm | High Street Trick or Treating
Put on your best costume and visit participating local shops along the high street for some early evening treats.
5:00 pm | Fancy Dress Competition (The Sydenham Centre)
Show off your outfits! Prizes will be awarded for Best Under 7s, Best 7 & Over, and Best Homemade Costume.
5:30 pm | Funnybones Dramatic Reading (St Bart’s Churchyard)
Gather in the churchyard for an atmospheric, spooky storytelling session of the classic tale Funnybones, complete with warm hot chocolate.
7:00 pm – Late | Haunted House Party (The Poodle Club)
Keep the celebrations going with music and fun (£5 entry), featuring a prize for best fancy dress.
7:30 pm | Film Club Horror Special (The Sydenham Centre)
Catch a classic Halloween screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (small admission fee applies).
Cub Scouts
Come and join our Cub Scouts! 🐾
Looking for something fun, exciting and different for your child? Our Cub Scouts section is a great place to make new friends, try new things and have amazing adventures.
Every week during term time, Cubs (aged 8-10 ish) get the chance to take part in a variety of activities – from games and challenges to storytelling and crafts. We also plan outdoor adventures, camps and expeditions where the Cubs work together to learn new skills. Along the way, they’ll build confidence, learn to work as a team and discover things they never knew they could do.
Whether they’re adventurous, creative, curious or just looking for a great group of friends, there’s something for everyone.
⏰ 6:15–7:15pm
If your child is ready to have fun, make friends and get stuck into some exciting adventures, we’d love to welcome them!
🐾 Come and join the pack!
Contact us at cubs@2ndsydenhamscouts.org.uk
Moving Matters FC
⚽ Grassroots Football Opportunity
Moving Matters FC, a local grassroots football club based in Tooting, is looking for new players to join their team. Playing on Sundays, the club offers children the opportunity to build confidence, develop teamwork skills and enjoy the fun of playing competitive matches in a supportive environment.
If your child enjoys football and would like to get involved, please see the flyer below for more information.
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.
Location: Open Studio, Design Gallery
Young V&A, Cambridge Heath Road
Bethnal Green, London, E2 9PA
Price: Free
See more information online here
Bellingham Beats – Dance Classes
Bellingham Beats – Dance Classes
Bellingham Beats is offering dance classes for children aged 5–11 from September 2026. The sessions are a great opportunity for young people to develop their dance technique, creativity and choreographic skills while having fun.
Families can find out more information and enrol using the link below.
Find out more and enrol
Girls' Football South London
Girls’ Football – South London Girls Football League
The South London Girls Football League (SLGFL) begins its second season on Sunday 13 September at Colfe’s Leisure Centre, SE12 8AW.
This year, the league is offering Under-7 and Under-8 football for girls in Years 1, 2 and 3, providing a positive, welcoming and girls-only environment to experience structured football matches.
Complete beginners are very welcome, as are girls who already play football. Players can join individually, with friends or as part of an existing team, so there is no need to already belong to a football club.
Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Sydenham Hill Wood Family Events
Free Family Nature Activities
Looking for something to do over the summer? London Wildlife Trust is running a range of free family learning events at Sydenham Hill Wood, including wildlife discovery, nature crafts, bushcraft, storytelling and outdoor activities for children of all ages. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore local woodland and connect with nature as a family.
For more information and to book, visit: London Wildlife Trust Family Learning Events.
Family Events at Tate
Tate Modern
Uniqlo Tate Playmake Studio, The Joy of Not Knowing
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.
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