In The Know Summer 2 Edition 6-compressed

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Dear Parents & Carers,

It is lovely to introduce the final edition of ‘In the Know’ of this year with a round up of all the news and events of this term My thanks to all the contributors and Ms Tukacevska for editing and putting it all together We end the year well and although for personal reasons I was not able to attend the Ethos awards, I am incredibly proud of all the children who received awards and their contributions to our school community They are a credit to the school and their families. We have so many delightful young people here and there are so many more who deserve recognition and praise On that matter, I apologise for the lack of action with the Golden tickets which has occurred because of the change of Headship However, early next term pupils who have earned 10 Golden tickets will be invited on a special Golden ticket trip – a celebration of their outstanding effort, behaviour and commitment to school values Pupils are requested to keep hold of their tickets over the summer and submit them to me at the start of next term I will be in the library every Monday lunchtime to receive them This trip will be the final one of its kind before we transition to a new and exciting Golden ticket system. More detail on that next term! School will be open over the holidays and premises will be working hard New fire doors are being installed, the frontage of reception will be mended (finally) and there will be a deep clean I wish all of the parents and pupils a restful and happy summer break. I am really looking forward to next year and continuing to lead this wonderful school

With best wishes,

In The Know

In The Know

This year’s Year 11 Prom was nothing stunning, exciting new venue, The evening was a celebration to remember. From the glamorous outfits to the joyful dancing, the event sparkled with excitement and pride as students marked the end of their GCSE journey. A heartfelt thank you to Ms Ogidi, Mr Andrews, and a few dedicated Year 11 Parents who helped bring the evening to life. Their efforts in setting up such a beautiful venue created the perfect atmosphere for students to celebrate together, laugh freely, and make lasting memories. It truly was a night of joy, elegance, and well-earned celebration Full set of edited prom images will be sent out shortly via a dropbox link.

In The Know

The Year 13 End of Year Leavers’ Dinner was a dazzling celebration of all that our students have achieved With live music setting the tone, delicious catering by Portobello Pizza, and joyful laughter echoing through the evening, it was a night to remember.

A special mention must go to Ms Pugh, who stole the show (as well as organising the whole evening) in her elegant and vibrant dress, as well as Ms Mohammadzadeh and the incredible site team for helping to put on such a fantastic event Their effort and attention to detail ensured that the night was truly special for our leavers - a perfect send-off as they move on to the next exciting chapter.

Ms Tukacevska

In The Know

On Tuesday 15th, Ms Boden managed to organise for some of the household cavalry horses to stand outside school as the children came into school despite not knowing the king (a question she was asked multiple times after the event) The household cavalry is a mounted regiment in the British army that fulfils the ceremonial roles around London. We were even lucky enough to host Apollo, one of the drum horses who can often be seen going up and down the Mall on major royal occasions The horses live in Hyde Park barracks and normally take their morning exercise around Hyde Park so it was not too much of a detour for them to visit us The horses thoroughly enjoyed getting so many carrots and polos and are keen for another visit in the future The soldiers commented on how friendly teachers and students at Holland Park were and loved answering all the fabulous questions.

In The Know

AN EVENING OF ART: GCSE END OF YEAR SHOW

In The Know

Another outstanding year for our GCSE Artists and Photographers. The 2025 cohort has been an absolute pleasure to teach, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have supported their creative journeys over the past two years Their dedication and hard work have resulted in GCSE projects of A-level standard, showcasing boldness, diversity, and creativity We are proud to share that our body of work has been recognised by the exam board and will be used as training material for Edexcel moderators next academic year, as well as being featured as the online exemplar for GCSE Art on Edexcel's website Looking forward to seeing lots of these budding artists return in September to continue their studies at A level

Ms Tukacevska

In The Know

On 27th May, we waved goodbye to the Class of 2025 It was a lovely farewell in the Reading Garden, complete with cupcakes, a homemade chocolate cake that read and I quote “Apologies for my attendance”, and an impressive array of artworks on the back of shirts I must say, as Head of Art, I was genuinely impressed by the creativity on display when students were left to their own devices! I can’t speak for them, but judging by the many smiles, tears, and bursts of laughter, it was a heartfelt and memorable send-off.

In The Know

In The Know

On Tuesday evening, Holland Park School hosted its annual Ethos Awards – a celebration of the exceptional achievement, effort, and character demonstrated by our students throughout the year We were delighted to welcome over 400 students and their families into school for what was a truly special occasion Guests arrived to welcome drinks and canapés in Thorpe Lodge, before making their way to the main hall for an inspiring evening of recognition. The event featured thoughtful speeches, outstanding musical performances, and a strong sense of pride from everyone involved Awards were presented across a range of categories, recognising both academic excellence and the values that lie at the heart of our school These included Subject Awards for excellence and most progress, Rank Order Awards for students who finished top of their year group or made the greatest improvement, and Sports and Performing Arts Awards celebrating talent and dedication Head of Year Awards recognised all-round contribution and attitude, while Ambition Awards celebrated students in each key stage who have consistently demonstrated our core values of Aspiration, Integrity and Respect. The evening concluded with the presentation of the prestigious Head’s Cup, awarded to the student who has shown exceptional character, leadership and impact during their time at Holland Park. Thank you to all staff who helped make the evening such a success And most importantly, congratulations to every student who received a nomination or award – you represent the very best of Holland Park School, and we are incredibly proud of you

In The Know

In The Know

In The Know

In The Know

HOLLAND PARK SCHOOL KS3 ACTIVITIES DAY – A CELEBRATION OF A

FANTASTIC TERM

To mark the end of a busy and rewarding term, over 600 Key Stage 3 students at Holland Park School took part in a vibrant and varied Activities Day, designed to celebrate their efforts and provide an opportunity to connect, explore, and unwind Students chose from an exciting selection of trips, including adventurous outings to Go Ape, go-karting, sailing, and an immersive Escape room experience, alongside enriching visits to Legoland, the Science Museum, and the zoo Each trip offered something unique - whether it was the thrill of racing, the challenge of solving puzzles under pressure, or the joy of hands-on learning and discovery One highlight came from the sailing trip, where over 40 students set sail for the very first time accompanied by Ms Bertie and Ms Keane - a memorable and confidence-boosting experience that will stay with them for years to come The day was filled with energy, laughter, and shared moments, not only among students but also staff, who kindly volunteered to accompany the trips and enthusiastically got involved in the activities, helping to make the day truly special KS3 Activities Day was a wonderful celebration of our school community and a well-deserved reward for the dedication and spirit shown throughout the term

Ms Bott

In The Know

In The Know

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: YEAR 9 SCIENTISTS TAKE

ON STEM CHALLENGES

Last week, twenty of our highest attaining Year 9 Scientists attended a four-day STEM Camp designed to broaden students’ understanding of science and engineering This involved a series of practical activities including the creation of lead-acid batteries, electrical transformers, and hovercraft models These activities extended students understanding of core concepts in physics and chemistry and introduced students to scientific equipment and content normally delivered beyond GCSE On the final day students delivered extremely comprehensive presentations based on research they themselves had undertaken, exploring any one of the learning points covered during the STEM Camp Examples included presentations evaluating the benefits and limitations of fuels and the national grid Students received a talk from a leading climate change researcher, who commented that ‘they were highly engaged and asked insightful questions; they were a credit to themselves and to the school’ Sessions were delivered by Stephen Hearns of STEM Learning UK and the Institute of Physics. Students also had the opportunity to hear from one of our Year 13 students, Daniel McGrath, on his experiences of studying GCSE and A Level Sciences and the reasons why he has chosen to pursue a STEM degree

Mr Baptiste

‘For me, I completely and utterly enjoyed the STEM camp in its entirety I found the theory lessons particularly on Monday regarding energy stores and transfers helpful. Furthermore, providing multiple practicals based on electrical circuits and batteries (eg fruit batteries) significantly broadened my knowledge. I would like to thank the facilitator Stephen Hearns for being so concise (with the teachings) and enthusiastic with each lesson It really inspired me Overall, this science camp has been extremely valuable and important for me and my future’ Olivia Kalocay Year 9

SCHOOL PRODUCTION

As the academic year comes to a close, there is one question that students keep asking me: “What is next year’s school production?”

Well, the enchantment never ends in this romantic and beloved take on the classic fairytale so without further ado, we can proudly announce that we will be presenting Disney’s Beauty and the Beast on the 10th, 11th, 12th of December 2025 at 18:00 in the Main Hall Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr Menken and Tim Rice

Students who wish to participate in this event will be able to attend auditions in September, which will be advertised at the start of the Autumn Term We recommend that you watch the film, listen to the beautiful music and consider whether you wish to enter this enchanted world There are many roles in the show, and we will be hoping to have our biggest cast ever, largest orchestra and a committed backstage team

See you in September for this ‘tale as old as time’!

In The Know

LIFE OUT THERE 2025

Last Thursday we were delighted to run our second alumni event 'Life Out There' Around fifty former HPS sixth form students returned to the school to talk to our current Year 12 students about A Levels (how to succeed in them), life at university and life in employment It has quickly established itself as a real highlight of the school calendar and it was a delight to both reconnect with students of days gone by and to see them impart wisdom to our year 12s of today!

Mr Arnold UKMT JUNIOR KANGAROO MATHS CHALLENGE –RESULTS

On the 10th of June 2025, 15 bright Year 7 and Year 8 students proudly represented our school in the UKMT Junior Kangaroo Maths Challenge, a prestigious follow-on round to the Junior Mathematical Challenge The results are in – and we couldn’t be prouder! Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding performance and dedication Well done to all participants for embracing the challenge and showcasing their mathematical talent on a national stage We look forward to seeing your continued success in future competitions!

In The Know

We are delighted to share that Matilda Kraft in Year 12 has been named one of just four winners of the Rex Nettleford Essay Prize at Oriel College, Oxford Matilda’s outstanding essay explored the complex question of whether religious groups should apologise for the conversion of indigenous peoples from traditional belief systems This remarkable achievement is a testament to Matilda’s intellectual depth, determination, and thoughtful scholarship The entire school community is incredibly proud of her success Congratulations, Matilda!

Mr Arnold

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH PROJECT 2025

Murder on the moon, is it a crime? To what extent can the brain make rational economic judgements? Does gender bias contribute to the misdiagnosis of women in healthcare? These are just a smattering of titles from the many excellent submissions to this year's Sixth Form Independent Research Project competition Shortlisted candidates were put through their paces in a public viva on a sweltering Friday afternoon in May. Our teacher panel (Mr Baptiste, Mr Wright, Ms Cornes, Mr Arnold, Ms Hart) deliberation was intense, yet we finally agreed upon First Prize going to Eden Reid (Can machines achieve consciousness?), and Runners Up prizes to Matilda Kraft (What is the role of misinformation in tuberculosis prevention and treatment?) and Bob McEwan (How far can we push the limits of aerodynamic engineering in road cars?) Congratulations to them all, as well as to all students who submitted We hope that you enjoy their pursuit of academic enquiry (for its own sake!) as much as we did

Ms Hart

SELL THAT SNACK

Three months of work culminated with the Grand Final of the City Pay It Forward Enterprise Challenge at the Drapers Hall The lavish surroundings helped motivate and raise the aspirations of the students who had made the final to represent United Learning against the Harris Federation Two teams from each trust made it to the final after school and regional finals. Harris were the holders having won last year but I am happy to report that is no longer the case! Our team of Year 8's (other teams were all Year 9's) 'Bloomin' Crunch' with their product of flower flavoured crisps did brilliantly in front of a very supportive audience of parents and dignitaries The evening and the programme will live long in the memories of the students that took part not only for the learning but the fun and the challenges they faced and overcame!

Mr Mc Carthy

In The Know

YEAR 10 & 12 WORK EXPERIENCE

Work Experience for the 330 students in Year's 10 and 12 took place between the 7th and 11th July this year. Students were involved in a whole host of experiences including visiting employers, working online and coming into school to attend a course The amount and variety of employers this year has outstripped anything we have seen before Special mention among a whole host who could be mentioned needs to go to Kaldor Ltd / Pugpig for taking on many students and yet again offering a fantastic week of learning Many students gained certificates for their virtual work experiences, but the most important aspect of the whole week was the learning RBKC ran a Creative Changemaker course full of learning about the workplace on Friday and students loved the relaxed manner in which the course was delivered I have had many students come to me expressing how they really enjoyed their week, but I do realise that without parental support this most important aspect of a child's education simply couldn't happen

PUGPIG WORK EXPERIENCE WEEK

Last week, students took part in a dynamic work experience programme at Pugpig, gaining an in-depth introduction to the world of software and digital publishing Throughout the week, they explored a range of roles across the company, from coding and product development to sales, analytics and design. Highlights included developing their own product ideas to help publishers engage younger audiences, designing app prototypes, building simple AI tools, and learning how to identify and fix bugs Alongside these hands-on sessions, students also received practical advice on CVs, interviews, and routes into tech careers - from university pathways to coding bootcamps A full and inspiring week offering a real insight into the tech industry!

Mr Mc Carthy

In The Know

It gives me enormous pleasure to announce that our Year 7/8 girls' football team won their tightly contested Championship final match against Burlington Danes Academy 2-0 at QPR's Loftus Road Stadium The fixture was held at Loftus Road as a reward for their 'Invincibles' season in the QPR School's League where the girls went unbeaten in nine games- winning eight of them The team took full advantage of Loftus Road by entering in the player's carpark (albeit in the minibus), using the home team's dressing room (for finishing top of the league) and walking out onto the pitch before kick off with their names being read from a Tannoy with pride and lead the team passionately in their team talk before the match In the first half, both teams battled for clear cut opportunities on an adjusted small sized pitch Alana Andrews Shervington had a great chance, but the first half ended in a stalemate as their goalkeeper made an excellent reflex save At the start of the second half, Elelta Tesfamichael, playing left wing, broke the deadlock with a cultured left footed shot into the corner of the goal and Aurora Parker made a smart block to keep Holland Park in front Finally, Amelia took the ball past two players and secured the championship with a low driven shot past their goalkeeper, fittingly she was named player of the match from the QPR community coaches too The presentation took place in the stands next to the family and friends and the trophy is now on show in the school's cabinet behind reception.

Purse

In The Know

This afternoon, the Year 7 cricket team competed in the Middlesex Cricket Tournament at Barn Elms, delivering strong performances against top schools in the borough Dash impressed with both bat and ball, taking five wickets in a single match against Richmond School and hitting multiple sixes throughout the tournament Albert was named Bowler of the Tournament for his outstanding fast bowling and spin technique, consistently preventing opponents from completing their runs The whole team contributed to a successful outing, showing great potential for future success.

Ms Belgout

The Year 9 and 10 girls’ football team competed in the QPR School League finals, finishing the season with an impressive second-place result While the final score wasn’t in our favour, the team delivered a strong performance following a remarkable season. Our captain and top goal scorer, Maana, kept us in the game with a powerful free-kick goal in the first half Year 9’s Maram also made a brilliant contribution, calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to add to our tally Over the season, the team has shown outstanding teamwork, commitment, and technical ability We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing how they build on this success next year

Ms Belgout

A selection of 9 year 7 girls and boys made their way to Gunnersbury park to compete in the final Handball competition of the year. For many of them this was their first time playing as a team, where they all rose to the challenge of competing against 6 teams Throughout the day Holland Park showed great enthusiasm, sportsmanship and determination There hard work and talent helped them secure a finals position where they came home with a silver place medal The player of the match was Marius, who displayed great communication and skill in his role as goalie

Ms Nandwa

In The Know

The boys tennis season saw HPS complete in the Middlesex Tennis Schools League HPS played four fixtures against a some strong private schools I am very proud to report that our record of played four won two lost two saw us finish in a very respectable third place in our group, The team consisted of Pau A, Kazuma K, Rafi Z and Alex F All four boys played some excellent tennis throughout the competition the most impressive aspects being the consistency of their ground strokes and their determination to never give in no matter the score More broadly speaking attendance at tennis club has been strong throughout the summer term This bodes well for next year‘s team as we have some very strong year 7 and 8 players at Holland Park School. Well done to all year 7and 8 boys for their hard work at tennis club and for the tennis team this year

Mr Huxley MIDDLESEX TENNIS SCHOOL LEAGUE

We have just finished a busy period of Duke of Edinburgh expeditions at Holland Park School Just after the Easter break the Silver and Gold level students spent the weekend in Purbeck, Dorset They successfully navigated their way around the local countryside, before spending their evenings cooking, pitching their tents and playing teambuilding games before some well earned and rest This was just a practice expedition, but it stood them in good stead for the real thing, theytheir assessed expedition in the Brecon Beacons, Wales The conditions in Wales were more challenging, with rain, wind and periods of fog testing their navigation skills to the limit I am pleased to report that all students successfully passed the expedition section of D of E at both Gold and Silver levels This is a testament to the hard work and dedication that they have put in over this year The bronze level students had completed their practice navigation on Richmond Common in February Last weekend saw them complete their assessed expedition on The South Downs The heat wave conditions made this an extremely testing weekend and the task of walking 10k over undulating terrain was extremely challenging. However, like the Gold and Silver students before them, the bronze level students all passed this part of the award Well done to all students that took part

Mr Huxley

In The Know

On 8th June, the year 10 boys football team competed in the QPR Plate Final against BDA This was a reward for the team finishing 3rd in a competitive league The game started well for Holland Park with an excellent goal, from long range, by Elvis. Holland Park controlled the rest of the match despite some goals in reply by their opponents Sufyan and Jomari both scored excellent doubles to leave the final score as a 5-3 win Sufyan was also awarded player of the match! An excellent team performance to round off a good year for the team.

Mr James

Friday July 4th, the annual Holland Park School tennis tournament took place at Campden Hill Lawn Tennis Club

A competitive student tournament was held before the staff also competed in a doubles event 24 students participated with Seb B winning the boys event and Giulia G winning the girls event. Seb was then victorious over Giulia to be crowned the Holland Park School champion In the staff event, two competitions took place A trophy and a cup, with 36 staff competing in a doubles format Ms Bertie and Mrs Hill were victorious in the cup whilst Mr Zaini and Ms Hurn won the trophy. A fantastic day of tennis and many thanks to our hosts Campden Hill Lawn Tennis Club

Mr James

In The Know

The year 9/10 boys tennis team have enjoyed a successful season, winning their local Middlesex division The team will now compete against UCS in the Middlesex final that will take place in September The team were victorious over Ealing Fields High School, Latymer Upper School, JFS and Mill Hill School Mateo C, Teo M, Seb B, Harry P, Nikita V and Lachezar S all played excellently The team will be hoping for victory in September!

Mr James

The This season, the Year 9 and 10 girls took part in the LTA tennis competition and demonstrated outstanding determination and progress, competing against a series of strong and experienced opponents. Throughout the season, the team showed resilience, sportsmanship, and a commitment to improvement that was evident in every fixture A highlight of the season came from Giulia in Year 10, who delivered an impressive performance in her singles match against Francis Holland Giulia secured a well-earned victory with a score of 6–4, showcasing her composure and consistency under pressure Grace, also in Year 10, stepped up to compete against North London Collegiate School and earned a special commendation from a member of staff for her unwavering resilience and exemplary sportsmanship Despite a challenging match, Grace displayed excellent tennis skills and won a total of four games, falling just two games short of securing the singles set Special recognition goes to Molly in Year 10 for her consistent commitment throughout the season, having participated in every LTA fixture Molly particularly stood out in the doubles matches, where her powerful and skilful backhand shots played a key role in a closely contested match against City of London School for Girls Overall, the Year 9 and 10 girls delivered a commendable season of tennis. They consistently demonstrated a willingness to learn, a drive to improve, and admirable team spirit Their efforts this year lay a strong foundation for continued success, and we look forward to seeing the team develop further in next year’s LTA tennis season

In The Know

HOLLAND PARK SCHOOL Summer 2 2025

In The Know

On Sunday 22nd June, our Year 7 boys’ football team competed in the final of the QPR Schools League After a tightly fought encounter against Fulham Boys School, the boys were narrowly defeated 2-0, just missing out on the title this season Despite the result, the team deserves enormous credit for their commitment, attitude, and skill throughout the campaign There is no doubt they’ll be strong contenders for the title next season After the final, the following students received individual awards: Golden Boot –Troy Hayden, Playmaker – Tommaso Pallotti, Most Improved – David Smerkis, Manager’s Player of the Season – Elmer Cure, Players’ Player of the Season – Troy Hayden, Well done, boys, on a fantastic and successful season!

Mr Purnell

On In June, ten of our Year 12 students embarked on an expedition to the Knoydart Peninsula in Scotland to hike a section of the challenging Cape Wrath Trail. Starting in Inverie, Britain’s most remote town accessible only by ferry, the students covered over 50 km with 1,500 m of ascent and descent over four days They wild camped along the route, finishing their journey in Glenfinnan During the expedition, the students learned about rewilding projects in Knoydart from a local ranger and completed two beach cleans, helping to leave the beautiful landscape in an even better state than when they arrived The students exhibited incredible resilience throughout the expedition, facing challenging conditions including high winds, rain, and relentless midges! Well done to our ten students for accomplishing this incredible feat! Photo credit: Ned Heylar

Mr Purnell

In The Know

The Year 7 & 8 Tennis tennis team played their last match of the season on the 16th of June against Latymer Upper School The girls were off to a strong start but faced the challenge of hot weather as they played They showed composure and great team work and sportsmanship The player of the match was Hazel who won her singles match 62. The girls have dedicated alot of hours towards training during school, before and after school to be the best they can be Although the team did not finish in first place over all, the girls are eager to come back stronger than ever next season

KING’S COLLEGE – MATHS BATTLE

We are proud to share that Sara Madan in Year 10 took part in a high-level Maths Battle on Saturday 24 May, held at King’s College, University of London The event, hosted by Parallel, brought together top-performing students from across London A Maths Battle is a unique combination of academic challenge and competition: teams of six work against the clock

to solve complex problems, then face off in a dynamic round of presenting and critiquing each other’s solutions - a true blend of mathematics and debate Sara was selected to represent the Senior Parallel Team in recognition of her exceptional engagement with the Parallel Academy’s weekly tutoring programme Though the team did not win overall, they performed exceptionally well, solving most of the questions and presenting several rigorous proofs This was a brilliant achievement and we commend Sara for her commitment, confidence, and mathematical insight.

Ms Bailey

Ms Nandwa

CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESS IN SCIENCE –NATIONAL COMPETITIONS HIGHLIGHTS

This term, Holland Park students have excelled in two prestigious national competitions: the National Scientific Thinking Challenge and a series of UK Biology Competitions Across year groups, our students demonstrated curiosity, discipline, and impressive scientific reasoning In the National Scientific Thinking Challenge, held on 9th May, six Year 10 students competed against thousands from across the UK Anahita Bruges and Mykhailo Marchenko achieved Gold Awards, placing them in the top 10% nationally Ryan Francis and Sebastian Cockcroft earned Silver Awards, ranking in the top 25%, while Sara Madan received a Bronze Award with a score in the top 40% Sarah Saifan also performed admirably, contributing to a strong overall showing from the school Their success reflects both ability and commitment - well done to all In the UK Biology Challenge, which encourages students to think beyond the curriculum, both Year 9 and Year 10 pupils achieved notable results Tal Plaut (Y9), Rainbow Wannares, and Anahita Bruges (Y10) received Silver Awards, scoring between 85–90% Bronze Awards were awarded to several students across the year groups, including Olivia Kalocay, Eddy Ye, Mykhailo Marchenko, and Sara Madan Many others, such as Kira Orlova, Isabel Nazari, Tomas Brieva, and Sahar Ramani, were Highly Commended, while students like Deniz Akpanar and Sebastian Cockcroft were Commended. Participants including Sarah Garmyany, Harry Putwain, Kenrich Kwok, and Waad Mohamed also contributed to the school’s strong presence in the competition It was a brilliant showing from both year groups At a more advanced level, our Year 12 students took part in the UK Biology Intermediate Olympiad with excellent results Andre Bouverie earned a Gold Award, while Adam Al-Eissa and Alex Keat secured Silver Bronze Awards were achieved by Levon Nersessian and Rogan Pinto Several students were also Highly Commended, including Kyriakos Karagiannis, Noor Maged, and Bebhinn Shannon Their achievements reflect the depth of scientific talent at Holland Park.

Ms Sridhar & Ms Francis

Y12 BIOLOGY TRIP TO OXFORD NANOPORE

Ms Francis and Ms Dora took 10 of our Year 12 ALevel Biology students to the STEM London Calling event hosted by Oxford Nanopore Technologies The students were introduced to the company and its groundbreaking work through an engaging talk and group activities. They attended a studio interview hosted by Zoe McDougall, Head of Global Corporate Affairs, featuring international educators, and explored live demonstrations showcasing cutting-edge scientific technologies.

Ms Francis & Ms Dora

In The Know

On Monday 7th July, several HPS students proudly represented Holland Park at the City Pay It Forward 2025 Enterprise Challenge Grand Finale, held at the historic Drapers’ Hall in the City of London The evening brought together 250 guests, four secondary school teams, and a panel of judges to celebrate entrepreneurial thinking and real-world problem-solving City Pay It Forward is a volunteer-led charity committed to improving financial literacy and social mobility Their Enterprise Challenge gives young people the chance to develop business ideas, pitch to professionals, and build essential life skills through hands-on experience Congratulations to all the students who took part and thank you to the Drapers’ Company for generously hosting this inspiring event

Mr Mc Carthy

MP VISIT & YOUTH PARLIAMENT

At the beginning of July our students got to interact with our local MP, Joe Powell on two occasions in a week Mr Powell has supported the school before with two visits as a Labour candidate, but this was the first time he address the students as our MP He didn't disappoint and left the Year 12 students impressed by his open manner and the fact that he addressed issues that meant something to them. He spoke about national and local issues facing young people answering frankly to some pointed questions posed Afterwards he didn't fly off but took the time to answer further individual questions which was really impressive

In addition, on a different day our students visited the houses of parliament, got a tour and had a session led by Mr. Powell. This was for our students that have engaged with the Youth Council and again Mr Powell emphasised how important he thought it was to engage young people in politics and the issue that concern them We look forward to maintaining this wonderful relationship with out local MP

Mr Mc Carthy

As a reminder, if your child will need to use their Office 365 account while travelling overseas, please let us know in advance so we can make sure everything runs smoothly

Simply email our IT Helpdesk at hpsit@unitedlearning.org.uk with:

•Your child’s name

•The countries they’ll be visiting

•The dates of travel Letting us know early helps us set things up in time for your trip.

Thank you for your support!

GETTING TO Know…

Mr Shani Nahi

Reprographics & Administration Officer

A termly feature where we introduce a different member of staff each half-term!

What is your favourite food?

favourite food is probably steak with a salad – it is the best combination! I also love sushi; Italian, and Mexican cuisines, as well as anything my mum

2. Where would you most like to visit?

I’d really love to visit countries in the Middle East There’s a city in Saudi Arabia called Al-Ula that I’d

love to go to, and I’d love to see Egypt to experience the desert, the pyramids, and all the amazing history I’d also love to explore more of Europe - Montenegro, Switzerland and Italy are at the top of my bucket list!

3. What would your ideal superpower be?

I’d love to be able to fly - or speak every language in the world. Both would be incredible!

4 What was your favourite book as a teenager and why?

I read a lot as a teenager and loved so many books that it’s hard to pick just one. Reading was something I really enjoyed, so choosing a favourite is tough

5. What skill do you wish you had?

I wish I could sing or play a musical instrument It’s such an incredible talent, and I really admire people who can do it I suppose, like most things, it’s something you can improve with practice!

6. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I wanted to be a dance teacher and run my own dance studio I also thought about becoming a primary school teacher

7. Tell me about a time you failed at something. I failed my driving test twice (the practical part!), but I’m actually a good driver now!

8. What would your teachers have said about you when you were at school?

I remember in kindergarten; the teachers could always tell when I was unhappy - I had a very specific frown I’d pull while sitting silently! When I was older, I did speak to friends a bit too much in class Overall, I was a good student!

Who is the most famous person you’ve met or bumped into?

Surprisingly, I don’t think I’ve bumped into anyone famous yet - which is odd, as I thought that would happen when I moved to London!

10. What sport do you watch, and which teams or players do you support?

I don’t really watch much sport (no judgement, please!). But I do enjoy going to basketball or football matches in don’t particular - I just enjoy the

HOLLAND PARK SCHOOL

Artist of the Term

ELENORE | YEAR 11 | A PORTRAIT OF A FRIEND | OIL ON CANVAS 2025

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