ELLEN WILKINSON SCHOOL | ISSUE 144 | Fri 10th December | 2021
Message from MS KRUGER
The BBC has just revealed its list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2021. Natasha Asghar from the United Kingdom is one of the women that has achieved this honour: She made history this year when she became the first woman of colour to be elected to the Senedd or Welsh Parliament since it was formed, in 1999. A member of the Conservative party and regional member of parliament for South Wales East, Natasha Asghar is shadow minister for transport and technology. She hopes to launch a travel card which would encourage locals and tourists in Wales to use public transport and fuel economic growth. Before joining politics, she worked as a banker, TV presenter and radio DJ, and she has written two books. See the full list of the BBC’s 100 inspiring and influential women here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-59514598
Messages sent home last week on School Gateway or paper copy via students
Parents / carers of all students: • Information on Ealing's workshops and events for families • Change to Wunter concert Parents / carers of Y11 students: • Information on return to school Parents / carers of Y9 students: • Assessment sheet from interim report
Parent Notice: We will be issuing students with
another pack of COVID19 home testing kits before they leave for the holidays. If any parents would also like to receive additional testing kits for their use over the holidays, please email rapidtesting@ ellenwilkinson.ealing.sch.uk with your child's name and form and how many test kits you require. The additional test kits will be sent home with your child before the end of term. Parents are also able to pick up additional test kits from most pharmacies.
Upcoming dates
Week 13 December - 17th December 2021 th
The Week Ahead
Monday Year 7 Christmas Panto at lunchtime Wednesday Christmas Dinner in Canteen Glow Up Day Thursday Last day for year 12 and 13 students Friday Last Day of Term - early finish at 12:05pm PLAN UK Non Uniform Day - Festive Jumper Day
Monday
Meatballs and Spaghetti
Tuesday
Curry with Naan Bread
Wednesday
Mini Roast Dinner
Thursday
Quesadillas Herby Potatoes
Friday
Fish and chips
COVID Testing
Up to one in three people who have COVID-19 can spread the virus without knowing. This is because they have no symptoms. We are therefore asking all parents to encourage their children to test twice a week. By testing your child regularly you will help us to reduce the transmission of Coronavirus, minimise disruption to their education and to you and your household.
Firefly
Student and Parent
Calendar 2021-2022 Please note other events will be added to this calendar as they arrive
Autumn Term
Last day for students: Friday 17th December 2021 Christmas Holiday: Monday 20th December 2021 to Tuesday 4th January 2022
Spring term
First day for students: Friday 7th January 2022 (Covid testing will take place Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th January 2022) Half term: Monday 14th February to Friday 18th February 2022 Last day for students: Friday 1st April 2022 Easter holiday: Monday 4th April to Monday 19th April 2022
Summer term
First day for students: Wednesday 20th April 2022 Bank Holiday: Monday 2nd May 2022 Half term: Monday 30th May to Friday 3rd June 2022 Last day for students: Friday 15th July 2022 Staff Development Days students are not in school: all of these dates are included in the holiday dates above Tuesday 4th January 2022 Tuesday 19th April | Monday 18th July Tuesday 19th July | Wednesday 20th July Thursday 21st July *parental attendance required: please note some events may be virtual events Changes to school day: on days where times are altered from the standard school day students may not arrive on site before the allocated time, or stay on site after the allocated time; this is for safeguarding reasons. !students have shortened lessons and need to have their equipment for all lessons. +students have various activities and need to have only some of their equipment, more information will follow.
Communication school to home
Attendance at EWS
EWS uses firefly and the schoolgateway as the means by which we communicate with parents. Please click on the links below or on the school website to sign up to if you have not already done so. Contact Mr Pallister on the school number if you have any issues with signing up.
Attendance at EWS EWS attendance expectations: attendance over 95% and no or 1 lates a week. Supporting good attendance is the most crucial factor in both your child staying safe and achieving academically. As parents you can monitor your child’s attendance on the schoolgateway app and attendance and punctuality on firefly.
Gateway
www.ellenwilkinson.ealing.sch.uk
Other Notices Seasonal Books and Films: Why not cosy up with a good book and a good film this Christmas! There are some fantastic festive books that have been made into films so you can read the book and watch the film this holiday! Here are some of our Recommended Festive Book and Film Recommendations: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly businessman, views Christmas as a waste of time. However, this Christmas Eve he will be visited by three spirits who will show him the errors of his ways. This book is also available on Sora! A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig If you are one of those people who believe that some things are impossible, you should put this book down right away. (Because this book is FULL of impossible things.) Are you still reading? Good. Then let us begin... Read the book then watch the film on Sky Movies! The Abominable Snow Baby a short story by Terry Pratchett A town is thrown into disarray by a huge snowfall and the dramatic appearance of a 14feet tall Abominable Snow Baby! Read an extract online: https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/children/2017/ the-abominable-snow-baby-by-terry-pratchett-extract.html and watch the film on Channel 4! Check out our full EWS Book & Film Guide on Firefly or pick up a copy in the library! https://ellenwilkinson.fireflycloud.net/library/ trending-and-lending-this-month/december-seasonal-bookand-film-guide
Safeguarding & Wellbeing at EWS
EWS taking action to protect all members of our school community from harm Due to feedback from parents and guidance in KCSIE (link to the document is below) we will once more be informing parents of all our safeguarding procedures at EWS. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keepingchildren-safe-in-education--2 Keeping children safe online Please see the link to thinkuknow with advice and guidance about keeping children and young people safe over the Christmas break. https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents
Parent/carer workshop offer
We understand the challenges parents/carers are faced with when attempting to monitor and support children and young people’s use of the internet and social networking and we would like to offer some support through an online workshop. Please see details below:
Supporting your children to keep safe online
Monday 6th December 5.30pm – 6.30pm OR Thursday 9th September 1pm – 2pm. The session will cover the following: ∙ Advice and tips for parenting controls to keep children and young people safe online ∙ Sharing knowledge and raising awareness of the types of harm children and young people can be exposed to online ∙ Safety planning with children and young people regarding their online use ∙ What you can do and who you can contact when you have a concern about your child Please email office@ellenwilkinson.ealing.sch.uk for the attention of Ms Grahovac to register your interest in this online workshop and to receive the zoom details.
Click the link below to view the video made of staff and student contributions to
"This is My Story, It Makes Me Proud"
http://www.ellenwilkinson.ealing.sch.uk/3074/black-history-mon
What's on at EWS
On Thursday 2nd December, twelve year 8 students went to Notting Hill and Ealing High School to take part in The Faraday Challenge,STEM competition. This provided the year 8's an opportunity to creatively solve real-world problems. They really enjoyed applying their mathematical and scientific knowledge outside of the classroom, we are extremely proud of what they all produced and look forward to EWS taking part in more STEM events. Well done! Mousetrap Drama Workshops Professional theatre company Mousetrap visited Ellen Wilkinson on Tuesday 7th December to deliver a day of workshops to 78 enthusiastic Year 8 students. These sessions ranged from stage combat to SFX makeup and the students learnt many new skills, as well as learning more about the careers and possibilities that GCSE and A Level Drama can offer. Ruby Sweetman, 8ME, who participated on the day had the following to say about the workshops: ‘I thoroughly enjoyed the Drama workshops because I was able to experience lots of new things that I wouldn't have been able to without the opportunity, such as SFX makeup.’ More opportunities will become available in the coming months to ensure that students from all year groups are able to access Drama and the arts. Well done to the 10 girls from years 7 and 8 who represented the school at a football tournament in Brentside High School on Tuesday, November 30th. The girls played brilliantly. After 4 group games, the girls topped their group on 8 points after winning 2 games and drawing 2. They went on to reach the semi-final, where they were narrowly defeated.