In The Know
Dear Parents,
pleasure that I write a brief introduction to round up what has been a really wonderful term here at Holland Park School I have been so impressed with our pupils, particularly our Year 11 and Year 13 students, whose approach to study, examinations and the final weeks of school has been characterised by maturity, resilience and determination It has also been encouraging to see our younger pupils beginning to prepare seriously for their own assessments, with revision cards proving one of the most popular takeaways from the Proud Table each Monday lunchtime
As always, this edition of ‘In The Know’ is packed with the events, achievements and adventures of our pupils Looking ahead to next half term, there is still much to celebrate as we approach the end of another successful academic year together
A reminder that details of upcoming events can be found in this edition Unfortunately, we will not be able to hold our annual Sports Day at the Linford Christie Stadium this year due to resurfacing works taking place on the track While we will organise activities in school instead, it will certainly not be quite the same as having access to the full athletics facilities We very much look forward to returning next year for an even bigger event We will also continue to monitor the weather carefully over the coming weeks and will communicate any temporary adjustments to uniform expectations if temperatures rise significantly For now, short-sleeved shirts are permitted, although blazers should continue to be worn unless otherwise stated. Finally, please note that school will finish early at 1:30pm on 25th June In addition, 26th June will be a staff training day and the school will therefore be closed to pupils I hope you enjoy reading this edition of ‘In The Know’ and, as ever, thank you for your community
Best wishes,
Dame Sally Coates
In The Know
We said a farewell to our Year 11 students beautiful leavers’ assembly The morning music, thoughtful speeches from both students and a moving photo montage capturing memories across the years There was a real sense of reflection, celebration and pride as students looked back on their at school together Unsurprisingly, there were more few tears Following the assembly, students gathered outside in the sunshine to sign shirts, take photographs spend time together before the next chapter begins celebrations continued in the Reading Garden, students enjoyed cakes and one final opportunity to memories with friends and staff
We are incredibly proud of the young people they become and wish the entire Year 11 cohort every success happiness for the future
In The Know
In The Know
WILLIAM DE MORGAN AND THE PEACOCK ROOM
The richly patterned ceramic tiles in Thorpe Lodge’s “Peacock Room” were designed by William De Morgan, one of the most important ceramic artists of the Arts and Crafts Movement Working closely with figures such as William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones, De Morgan became celebrated for reviving traditional decorative techniques and combining them with highly imaginative design
The tiles reflect the strong influence of Islamic art and design on De Morgan’s work During the late 19th century, he studied Turkish, Persian and Syrian ceramics in great detail, particularly while contributing to the decoration of the Arab Hall at nearby Leighton House in Holland Park. This experience shaped his distinctive visual language, visible here through the repeating floral motifs, intricate vine-like patterns, and luminous turquoise, cobalt and deep blue glazes
The fireplace surround in the Peacock Room demonstrates De Morgan’s fascination with symmetry, rhythm and decorative craftsmanship The flowing botanical forms are inspired by Iznik pottery from 16th century Turkey, while the finely painted details and layered glazes reveal the technical experimentation for which he became renowned De Morgan was particularly interested in lustre and colour effects, developing techniques that gave his ceramics their jewel-like intensity and depth
In The Know
Installed within Thorpe Lodge during the height of the Arts and Crafts movement, these tiles connect the building to the wider artistic culture of Victorian Holland Park, where artists, designers and collectors embraced craftsmanship, historic influences and richly decorative interiors. Today, the Peacock Room tiles remain one of Thorpe Lodge’s most striking surviving decorative features, combining architectural beauty with exceptional ceramic design
Ms O Tukacevska
In The Know
Building Skills, Confidence and Opportunity | Mr Robert McCarthy
Many trips and events have happened to maintain the wonderful offer Personal Development offer provided to students This is an offer which is aimed at widening their knowledge and appreciation of the world of work It builds skills and competencies that they will need in addition to the academic foundations they gain throughout their time with us I am delighted to say that Careers education is very much a collaborative approach with all sorts of activities happening across different departments.
Facilities department put me in touch with Arup Arup are a global engineering firm that invited us to a day with their environmental department, and it opened up opportunities that our year 12's hadn't even considered We went to their lab and watched 3D re-enactments of how sound is affected by walls, how architects compared and decided on the glass used on the cross at the top of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and other effects to help decide the best effects for new developments
I visited Lloyds HQ for a Careers Day where they emphasised the acquisition of skills in addition to academic achievement It undermined my determination to provide events where these much sought after skills like communication, teamwork, critical thinking, organisation and others can be developed We did an exercise which I intend rolling out to staff about what Lloyds HR are looking for in new recruits They provided 6 C V's and asked which would we hire? Needless to say, the focus wasn't just on academics which they regard as a given but on skills AI and its role in the future workforce was also mentioned and this is another area of focus for me in the future.
DofE has flourished building the skills of every student that takes part This year we have an exceptional 12 students gaining their Gold Award But my main skills building focus is on the upcoming work experience from 6th to 10th July I would like to thank parents for their support and patience with this difficult but vital task for our students Some Year 10's will be doing DofE for two days during work experience week, but they have been encouraged to find placements for the other three days As we near the end of this academic year, plans and bookings are already in place for our next successful year
Grace Dances to International Success
We are delighted to celebrate the incredible achievements of Grace, who recently competed in the North of England Championship (Ball Room Dancing), securing an outstanding 2nd place in the competition Following this success, Grace went on to compete at the prestigious Blackpool Junior Dance Festival, a world-renowned international event, where she achieved an impressive 8th place finish. This result places Grace and her partner among the top 12 Under 14 Ballroom Standard couples in the world As a result of these remarkable accomplishments, Grace and her partner are now officially ranked as the top English couple in Under 14 Ballroom Standard dancing. This is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to Grace’s dedication, discipline, and hard work We are incredibly proud to celebrate her success with the Holland Park community
In The Know
Bright Sparks | Ms O Shibiko
Dr Simon Singh came in this week to deliver very special Bright Sparks session on ciphers and puzzles As an additional treat for
Years 10 and 12, he also gave a lecture on the mathematical history behind Fermat’s Last Theorem - one of the most famous mathematical mysteries ever solved, finally proven by Sir Andrew Wiles
Count on Us | Ms O Shibiko
The Mathematics Department is thrilled to announce that our Year 9 team has successfully progressed through the regional heat and will now compete in the final! The pupils demonstrated fantastic teamwork, resilience, logical thinking and mathematical creativity throughout the competition We are incredibly proud of their achievement and look forward to supporting them in the next round
National Physics Success | Mr C Baptiste
Our Year 12 Physicists, Luqua Li and Peter Bosnyakov, attended at 2 day residential at King's College, Cambridge University for having come Top 10 in the National Physics Partners 'What Lights Up Your Light of Physics?' competition, winning £400 for the school to use on Physics equipment plus a Wave Ripple Tank Their project focussed on the modelling of a quantum computer using polarisers and light interferometry devices Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionise diagnosis of genetic diseases and can solve problems in Physics that current computers have too slow a processing speed to enable. Luqua and Peter's project involved research into complex matrices and quantum physics principles to effectively model how quantum computers work at the microscale level Both students spoke eloquently about their project and answered the questions posed to them by 4 leading Physicists, with superb detail, passion and enthusiasm, impressing the judges The students got the chance to visit the university's Physics Cavendish Laboratory, to hear from leading Cambridge Physics lecturers and to observe a mock Cambridge interview delivered by a Tutor for Admissions and current undergraduates, gaining an insight into the university's Physics teaching and tutorial system Our school is delighted to have recently become a National Physics Hub with Physics Partners, a leading National organisation that supports schools with Physics mentoring and coaching Well done Luqua and Peter!
In The Know
Developing Analytical Skills for A Level Success | Ms P Howitt
Students in Year 13 Biology attended an A level Data analysis workshop The session focused on building crucial exam techniques, helping students confidently interpret, analyze, and evaluate complex biological data for their upcoming A-level exams
The session was delivered by Dr Lauren Edwards, an experienced educator with a PhD in Ecology Dr Edwards is a former Head of Biology and a current A-level Biology Examiner. She currently teaches science and A level biology alongside working at Primrose Kitten , where she creates comprehensive A-level and GCSE biology revision resources, exam papers, and teaching videos to support students nationwide
Year 10 Students Investigate One of Science’s Greatest Mysteries | Mr I Fidele
On Thursday the 30th April, 9 of our high-attaining Year students were given the exciting opportunity to attend Carly Howett’s "Where Are the Aliens?" lecture at the Royal Society, delivered as part of the British Physics Olympiad Annual Physics Lecture. The lecture offered students fascinating insight into one of science’s greatest mysteries whether life exists beyond Earth Dr Howett took students on a journey across our solar system, exploring worlds such as Mars, Venus and the icy moon Europa, where scientists believe vast oceans may lie beneath the frozen surface Students also learned how groundbreaking missions such
In The Know
London Calling 2026 - Oxford Nanopore Technologies conference |
Ms S Sridhar
Ten of our Year 12 A Level Biology students recently attended the 2026 Oxford Nanopore Technologies conference, where they explored cutting-edge DNA sequencing technology and met scientists working at the forefront of biological research Students learned about the role of DNA sequencing in understanding genetic diseases, epigenetics and cancer research, while also discovering how Nanopore technology works by detecting changes in electrical current as DNA passes through tiny nanopores These sessions brought many A Level Biology concepts to life through real-world scientific applications Throughout the day, students worked alongside scientists, asking questions about STEM careers, university pathways and current research. They heard about exciting applications of sequencing technology, including newborn disease screening, wildlife conservation and wildlife forensics Students also explored specialist areas such as transcriptomics, bioinformatics and whole genome sequencing. The conference included a range of hands-on activities, from practising laboratory pipetting techniques to interviewing scientists and taking part in a workshop investigating how DNA sequencing can help combat wildlife crime The experience was incredibly inspiring for students, with some even securing work experience opportunities through highlight Level classroom
Maths Challenge Update |
Ms J Casela
The year 7's and 8's did so well with 87 out of 128 students getting either a Gold, Silver or Bronze certificate (please see below the names of certificate holders)
Kindly also congratulate Bruce Falcone, Piper Krupnik, Renat Rafikov, Eva Madan, Hamza Noor, Ermuun Munkhbayar, Anna Di Odoardo, Milo Marsden for qualifying to compete on the next Kangaroo round, and most especially, Vigo Lee (Y8) for getting through to the Olympiads!
In The Know
Name Certificate
Bruce GoldBiY
Piper Gold
Kaio Gold
Rayn Gold
Bonnie Gold
Alec Gold
Tim Hei Gold
Ali Silver
Luca Silver
Vivienne Silver
Miles Silver
Romaysa Silver
Olivia Silver
Trixie Silver
Emily Silver
Nassar Silver
Nia Silver
Kainun Silver
Dashiell Silver
Arya Silver
Misha Silver
Brian Silver
Noah Silver
Shayan Silver
David Bronze
Vigo (JMOlympiad) GoldBestinSchool
Renat (JuniorKang) Gold
Eva (JuniorKang) Gold
Hamza (JuniorKang) Gold
Ermuun (JuniorKang) Gold
Anna (JuniorKang) Gold Milo (JuniorKang) Gold
In The Know
Trip to New York | Mr L Farrell
The week before half term, a group of students travelled to New York City for a five-day trip that proved to be an exceptionally powerful and memorable experience For many, it was their first time in the United States (or on a long-haul flight), and the combination of iconic landmarks, cultural exposure, and shared experiences made it a genuinely formative part of their time at school The itinerary was deliberately ambitious In three days, students visited the United Nations Headquarters, the Empire State Building, the High Line, Times Square, the 9/11 Memorial Museum, the Statue of Liberty, alongside exploring areas such as the West Village and Chelsea Market. The visit to the United Nations stood out in particular, giving students a tangible insight into global decision-making and international relations As one student reflected, it “gave me a bit of understanding of what to expect when study politics and economics” whilst another mused about the possibility of a future diplomatic carrier: “Being UN ambassador seems like an interesting career choice that I may keep in mind as a back-up in case I want to change what I want to become later in life ” When reflecting on the most enjoyable parts of the trip, ww
students consistently emphasised both the iconic experiences and the shared moments with friends ,as well as building new relationships with peers they did not previously know well There was also a clear sense of growing independence: for many, this was their first experience of long-haul travel without family, which “allowed me to feel more mature” and more confident navigating new environments. Another described the spontaneity of city life, recalling how being “a bit late to our meeting point, we we decided to take a taxi - who else jumped into a yellow cab in New York?!” These moments capture not only the excitement of the city itself, but also the sense of independence and responsibility that students developed over the course of the trip Students were also reflective about what made the trip successful. Their advice to future cohorts was simple but telling: “don’t take the trip for granted,” “savour your time,” and “make the most of it all ” There was also a practical recognition of the physical demands of the trip, with one student noting the importance of being “prepared for long walks and to wear very comfortable shoes ” Parental feedback strongly reinforced this picture Parents consistently described the trip as a “fantastic” and “formative” experience, noting both the enjoyment and the longer-term impact Many commented on how enthusiastically their children spoke about the trip on their return, often recounting experiences in vivid detail In some cases, this extended into further independent learning - for example, one parent noted that their child “was fascinated by the UN institution and has made a lot of research on this after coming home ” The opportunity to build new friendships and to see teachers in a different context was also highlighted as a significant strength Just as importantly, parents recognised the complexity of delivering
a trip of this scale While the experience itself felt seamless, there was a clear appreciation of the planning, communication, and responsibility involved Overall, the trip combined cultural capital, academic enrichment, and character development in a way that is difficult to replicate within the classroom It broadened horizons, deepened understanding of GCSE content, and built confidence and independence - creating shared memories that will last well beyond students’ time at school I would like to extend a huge thank you to Mrs Bertie, Mr Egleton, Mr Gammon, Mrs Hill, Mr Jasniak, Mr Sykes, and Ms Tucker for accompanying the trip.
Year 12 Welcome Award -Winning Historian and Journalist Barnaby Phillips | Ms T Hart
Form was delighted to welcome Phillips - an historian, award-winning journalist, lecturer and conservationist - who addressed all Year 12 students on Friday He gave a vivid account of two of his books: 'LootBritain and the Benin Bronzes' and 'The African Kingdom of Gold - Britain and the Asante Treasure'. He was a TV and radio reporter for 27 years, working for the BBC and Al Jazeera English, and his books have won several awards such as Prospect Magazine, NPR and the Daily Telegraph's Book of the Year Year 12 students responded enthusiastically to his nuanced scholarship with cut-throat questions on the key question of if, when and how to return treasures raided and auctioned under British colonial occupation The spirit of academic enquiry permeated his approach as he also analysed the legal framework underpinning such well-publicised debates Several students were equally excited to carry the conversation on off-stage, which Barnaby kindly indulged
In The Know
Murder, Mystery and Laughter | PTA (Ms I Marks)
Thorpe Lodge opened its doors to a play based on much-loved family favourite, Cluedo, and the biggest question on everyone’s mind when entering this beautiful building was: how do you bring a board game to life? The answer, it turns out, is a witty script, superb cast, excellent direction, and clever set design Under the direction of Inge Marks, this production had all of that in bucket loads Impressively, Inge Marks also took on the role of Mrs Peacock, delivering wonderfully comic performance filled with impeccable timing, sharp wit, and larger-than-life energy that had the audience laughing throughout The story follows six guests invited to a dinner party at Boddy Manor by the mysterious Lord Boddy, only to be instructed not to reveal their real names Instead, they adopt the nowiconic aliases of Colonel Mustard, Mrs Peacock, Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs White, and Mr Green Alongside them are Wadsworth the butler, Yvette the maid, and the cook, and what follows is a hilariously chaotic evening of slapstick, puns, gags, farce, and a body count that would make Quentin Tarantino blush The familiar elements of the game were the weapons, the rooms, and the classic and how” combinations, including Professor Plum in the lounge with the were woven seamlessly into the particular highlight was the ingenious incorporated seven rooms into a single with scene changes that felt almost precision It was a joy to watch The impressed throughout, including Mariela White and Barry Potts as Professor mention must also go to Henry Johnson whose slapstick energy particularly motion sequence in the second half the evening
In The Know
The humour came thick and fast: some jokes were corny, others more contemporary, many visual, but nearly all landed well with the audience A particularly memorable moment involved the body of Yvette dramatically falling from the balcony, prompting audible gasps before quickly turning into laughter Before the performance, I wondered whether familiarity with the board game would be necessary However, with a mixed audience and a clear, accessible script, it quickly became apparent that prior knowledge was not required Everything about the production the script, performances, and staging made for an entertaining evening for all A huge thank you must also go to the wonderful parents who volunteered and
In The Know
TheThe PTA Colour Run was back absolutely fantastic event atmosphere was buzzing incredible turnout and even the foam machine adding excitement! A huge thank you goes amazing parents who volunteered their time and energy to help make the day such a success - throwing colour powder, selling drinks, and stamping cards with enthusiasm and smiles throughout Your support truly helped create such a memorable experience for all the children. Special thanks must also go to Eva van der Heul, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring everything together Her dedication and hard work were key to making the event run so smoothly
We've only raised £190 and we are hoping to raise at least £1000 If you haven’t already, the sponsorship donations are still open. Every contribution really does make a difference and goes directly towards supporting our fantastic school and helping to provide even more exciting opportunities for our children Donate here Thank you for your continued support!
In The Know
The PTA Sponsored Colour Run | Mr D James
Wednesday afternoon’s Sponsored Colour Run competition was an afternoon of joyful excitement coupled with a strenuous test of muscular endurance 97 students ran laps for their respected houses and their charity The event was superbly organised by the PTA who provided a foam machine and copious amounts of powder which resulted in an explosion of colour, smiles and laughter everywhere! On the next slide is the breakdown of the results and achievements of the students who raced Out of the 97 students who ran the Colour Run 101 laps were recorded which is an average of 10 5 per student Holly acquired 3rd Place with 25 students running 234 laps Moray achieved 275 laps with 28 students which resulted in 2nd Place However on top of the leaderboard with a staggering 314 laps from 27 students is Argyll who gained 100 HPs AND 1st Place! A special shoutout goes to these two boys who managed an incredible 18 laps Sophus I 7AKH, Luka F F d S 7AKH Valentin R 7JDA and Eva M both ran 16 laps, Zahra A 7HJA finished 2nd place for the girls with 15 laps and Iyana B 7JDA in 3rd place with 14 laps
In The Know
Images from the first highly successful Bright Sparks session on Public Speaking, led by Mr R McCarthy The session began in the 4th floor English classroom before quickly moving onto the 4th floor bridges, much to the surprise and admiration of many staff, who witnessed students confidently practising their projection and public speaking skills across the building. A huge thank you to Mr McCarthy for delivering such an engaging session, and to Ms O Shibiko for organising the Bright Sparks programme
Sweets in a Jar | Mr M Purse
Tuesday and Wednesday Sweets in a Jar competition brought all students together who showed superb teamwork and support for one another. In total, 485 students guessed how many sweets were in a transparent jar for the chance to win all the sweets in the jar The range of guess really bewildered many students as two Linas 8PGR and 9IVA guessed 67 The highest sweets were in the jar Various KS4 and KS5 students used mathematical (volume of a cylinder, area of a circle and density) to get an advantage with others getting their rulers out and turning the sweets jar upside down to understand the size of the sweets from all angles A special mention goes to Ms Khan who took the sweet jar on her break time duty on Wednesday and added to the fun by asking Dame Coates (her guess was 284), teachers and lots of students for their guess of the sweet jar! As the final guesses were added to the tally, the sweets were counted and we had a clear winner with one student Avey 7ISY who guessed 268 sweets and was spot on, winning 100 HP for Wycombe Second place was Sammy 12SSR with 269 who awarded Argyll with 50 HP and finally Omar 7JWE who guessed 268 sweets to win 25 HP for Holly House Well done to everyone who participated and for making this such a fun event enjoyed by all students from Year 7 all the way up to Year 13!
In The Know
Portrait Competition | Ms K Tucker
Earlier this year, students took part in our Portrait Competition, which was split into two categories: Art Aptitude and Non-Art Aptitude. We were incredibly impressed by the creativity, effort, and talent displayed across all entries The standard of work was exceptionally high, and the judges had a very difficult time selecting the winners!
In the Art Aptitude category, first place was awarded to Zuzu (Year 7 Argyll), with Tim (Year 7 Argyll) in second place and Sara (Year 7 Holly) in third.
In the Non-Art Aptitude category, first place went to Arrow (Year 8 Holly), followed by Lana (Year 9 Moray) in second place and Tudor (Year 7 Moray) in third
A huge thank you to everyone who participated and contributed such fantastic work We hope to see even more
In The Know
Girls’ House Basketball
The Girls’ House Basketball teamwork, and competitive Congratulations to all houses so proudly
Year 7
Year 7 students showed sportsmanship throughout featured fixture, Moray secured an encouraging display from
Year 8
The Year 8 final saw Holly impressive performance second half with only remarkable resilience and
Year 9
Year 9 produced some of the competition. Argyll game before Isra scored victory for Argyll In the Moray 2–1 after a closely
Year 10
Argyll claimed victory in Year 10 with teamwork and strength in depth throughout competition Holly finished runners-up, Alisia leading the team impressively, while great determination despite difficult fixtures Well done to all students involved for their resilience, and excellent representation of
A Star for Mr Baptiste
In a truly memorable gesture, Mr Baptiste’s entire Year 13 Physics class recently came together to purchase and name a star in his honour Knowing his passion for Astrophysics, students chose a star located in the constellation Ursa Minor and officially named it “Baptiste” The class presented the certificate in a velvet black box, complete with the star’s coordinates and registration details, during a surprise visit to his classroom It was a thoughtful and meaningful gift that clearly reflects the strong relationships built between staff and students over the course of their A Level studies Mr Baptiste shared that he will greatly miss this cohort and has proudly kept the certificate displayed in his office
Ursa Minor
In The Know
Boys Basketball wrap up | Ms L Nandwa
The U14, U16, and U18 boys had their end of season tournament in the West London Partnership Basketball league All three teams saw themselves reaching the semi finals The U18 and U14 teams advancing to the finals, playing against St Pauls and St Thomas More respectively During the U16 tournament, the boys showed great teamwork and determination throughout the whole game against Latymer Upper, with Abenezer.G and Elijah CB, being the players of the game where they showed great leadership skills and lead in scoring The U18’s in their final game, started off with a strong lead and maintained it until the final minutes where St Pauls closed the gap with the final score ending in a two-point difference The players of the match were Ousmane and Issa K, who were influential in controlling the pace of play and helping to maintain the team's composure The U14’s in a crazy twist, had a very similar outcome and play to that of the U18’s. Even though the game ended in a loss, it was the most exhilarating and intense game that HPS has played this whole year This game was a great show of what consistency in practice and looks like in a game situation The key decisions made by Demetrius into the 4th quarter. Their key decision making and shooting made them the season and with them scoring their season bests Although this season all three teams in comparison to last year All of the boys have continued and outside of the school, highlighting their love and dedication for the game
Yr 7/8 Girls Football Tournament | Ms M Abbott
On Thursday 12th March, the Yr7/8 girls football team played in the School Games football tournament They finished the group stage at
Rugby
Tournament | Ms M Abbott
March, the Yr9/10 girls took part in their first netball academic year! We faced some very tough opposition, single game where we didn’t score, and considering new team, they played exceptionally well I was very many officials and teachers from other schools how well the girls represented the school, and how for each other We finished 6th overall, which is a . I want to give a big shoutout to Camilla for being team and scoring some incredible goals, and to Sarah –teachers said she was against!
Years 7–9 competed in the LYG T1 Rugby Competition against seven schools The junior team narrowly missed out on third place, finishing 4th, while the senior team secured 5th after several hard-fought scrimmages Players of the tournament were Asia B and Emilia M
Basketball
The U14–U16 boys’ and girls’ teams took part in the RBKC Annual Basketball Competition, each playing three matches. Holland Park saw several dominant performances, including a 30–7 win over St Thomas More The U16 boys finished runners-up, with Issa K named Player of the Tournament The U14 boys’ and girls’ teams also secured second place, narrowly losing their finals by a single point in the closing seconds Leon M and Mina A were named Players of the Tournament
In The Know
Volleyball
The mixed volleyball teams travelled to Hammersmith Academy for a round robin tournament The senior team secured a convincing 3-set victory, including a 25–8 set win, with Eden R named Player of the Tournament The junior team also finished victorious, winning their side of the tournament with a strong 25–12 set performance. Reda B was named Player of the Tournament
Year 7 Boys Football
The Year 7 football team has enjoyed an excellent season so far, with around 50 students regularly attending training sessions After early cup exits, the team has grown in confidence and cohesion, currently sitting 3rd in the league with five wins and two losses Highlights include a commanding 12–1 victory over Phoenix Academy With three fixtures remaining, including key matches against West London Free School and Kensington Aldridge
Fresh, colourful and made for busy school days, the new Holland Park Deli Bar is now available daily in the Dining Hall Students can choose from a range of grab-and-go boxed salads, including Chicken Caesar Crunch, Mediterranean Couscous Pot, Rainbow Protein Salad, Greek Style Salad Box and Falafel & Roasted Veg Bowls, with prices starting from just £2 20 There is also the option to build your own salad bowl, allowing students to mix and customise their lunch with fresh ingredients each day Side salads are also available for just 50p The new deli bar offer has already proved popular with students looking for lighter, healthy lunch options across the school day Click here for the full menu.
In The Know
Strong Performances at the London Schools Athletics Competition | Mr A Huxley
Holland Park students represented the school brilliantly at the London Schools Athletics Competition, held on Wednesday 13th May at Mile End Stadium Students competed across a range of events, including the 100m, 1500m, Shot Put and High Jump We are delighted to report that the behaviour, sportsmanship and effort shown by all students throughout the day were exemplary Holland Park entered four teams: Junior Boys, Junior Girls, Intermediate Boys and Intermediate Girls, with points awarded based on performances in each event
Top point scorers included:
Junior Boys: Sophus I – 15 points
Junior Girls: Iyana B – an exceptional 22 points
Intermediate Boys: Joel L and Daniel P – 14 points each
Intermediate Girls: Beatrice L – 14 points
Overall, Holland Park finished a highly respectable 7th out of 14 schools
Congratulations to all students who took part and represented the school so positively.
Launch of Holland Park School as a new National Physics Partners Science Hub | Mr C Baptiste
Physics Partners is a leading national organisation that works to support schools across the country with training of teachers teaching out of specialism Steve Hearns of Charterhouse School and Physics Partners will be delivering training to teachers from a range of schools in Central London on a termly basis Steve's first session at our school covered the topics of Forces, part of the AQA GCSE specification, with the sharing of tips on how best to teach this topic effectively. As science teachers we are required to teach all three of Biology, Chemistry and Physics up to and including GCSE Given the reducing numbers of Physics degree holders coming into the teaching profession Physics Partners plays a vital role in supporting the subject knowledge and pedagogic content knowledge development of teachers without a Physics degree.
A Midsummer Night’
s Performance | Ms O Tukacevska
Students and families recently enjoyed a wonderful evening of performance at our Shakespeare Evening, celebrating the hard work and talent of students involved in Shakespeare Club Over the past term, students have been practising a range of Shakespearean monologues and scripts, developing both their confidence and performance skills During the evening, they had the opportunity to perform these pieces in front of family and friends, bringing Shakespeare’s words to life with impressive expression, characterisation and stage presence It was a lovely event and a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase the dedication and courage involved in performing live theatre. Thank you to all families who attended and supported the evening A special thank you to Ms Meggason for organising such a successful and memorable event
School Summer Calendar | Events this term
In The Know
GETTING TO Know… Mr Ikhwan Zaini
Attendance & Pastoral Administrator
A half termly feature where we introduce a different member of staff!
1.What is your favourite food? Narrowing it down to just one dish is difficult because I love trying different cuisines and exploring new flavours. I may be slightly biased but Malaysian food would definitely be at the top of my list If I had to choose one dish, it would be Nasi Lemak which is a
traditional Malaysian meal that includes coconut rice, boiled egg, fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumber and sambal, typically served on a banana leaf You can customise it with different toppings but I personally love it with fried chicken It’s a real nnn
comfort meal for me and one of my favourite dishes growing up If anyone is interested in trying it, I would highly recommend a Malaysian restaurant in Paddington called Tukdin.
2. Where would you most like to visit? I love travelling although I haven’t had the chance to do much of it recently Growing up, I was fortunate to travel quite a bit with my family and those eeeee experiences gave me a real appreciation for different cultures and places. I use an app called Been to track the countries I’ve visited and so far I’ve been to 20 countries (around 10% of the world). Hopefully that number continues to grow! One destination that has been high on my list for years is Iceland, largely inspired by the film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
3 What would your ideal superpower be? There is only one correct answer for me and that’s flight Who wouldn’t want to fly? Aside from how convenient it would be, I think being able to soar through the skies freely would feel incredibly peaceful and exciting at the same time Although teleportation might be more practical, it doesn’t quite offer the same thrill that flying would.
book that really Gets Cold, which I would highly recommend
5. What skill do you wish you had? I wish I were more musically talented Most of my childhood revolved around sports although there was a brief period when I tried learning the guitar Unfortunately, I struggled to get the hang of it and stopped lessons after only a month (something I definitely regret now) I’ve always admired musicians who can master multiple instruments so naturally One person who really amazes me is Jacob Collier. Watching his performances, it almost feels as though music is a second language to him
6 What did you want to be when you were growing up? My career aspirations changed constantly when I was growing up At different points, I wanted to be an astronaut, an architect and many other things in between The dream that stayed with me the longest however, was becoming a professional footballer (something I know many of our students can probably relate to as well) My dad was incredibly supportive of that ambition and even sent me to the UK at 16 to join a football academy
4 What was your favourite book as a teenager and why? Reading was not a major hobby of mine when I was younger, so most of the books I read were the ones assigned at school One that I really enjoyed was Lord of the Flies I found the story Fascinating and genuinely looked forward to our English lessons because of it In recent years however, I’ve developed a real interest in reading, particularly Japanese fiction. One ee
7. Tell me about a time you failed at something. After two years of academy football, I was released without receiving any offers from professional clubs I attended several trials afterwards but was unable to secure a contract At the time, it was extremely disappointing but it taught me some valuable lessons about resilience, discipline and not taking opportunities for granted I realised that pursuing a dream requires consistent hard work and commitment Some of my friends who eventually became professional players showed incredible dedication through extra training sessions and gym work in their own time. Something I now recognise the importance of much more clearly
8 What would your teachers have said about you when you were at school? I was generally quite well-behaved at school and only received one detention during my entire time in secondary school, a statistic I’m still quite proud of! I was fairly quiet in lessons but I occasionally struggled to stay awake due to all the extracurricular activities I was involved in. I represented my school in several sports teams and eeeee
captained most of them I was also a prefect and was named Sports Captain in Year 11. Overall, I think most of my teachers would probably have described me as a sporty and dependable student
9. Who is the most famous person you’ve met or bumped into? While I was at university, I worked part-time at the Odeon Cinemas in Richmond which happened to attract quite a few celebrities During my time there, I met people such as Tom Hardy, Nick Frost and Roy Hodgson. The cinema was connected to a Costa Coffee where I also worked as a barista and I once made a drink for Liam Hemsworth! Since working at Holland Park, I have also spotted celebrities around the area too, including Eddie Redmayne and Will Poulter. I’ve never asked for photos though, I’m usually too shy and prefer not to interrupt them
10. What sport do you watch and which teams or players do you support? I enjoy watching sports in general but football is definitely the one I follow most closely. I’ve supported FC Barcelona since I was young I also enjoy watching badminton, especially during the All-England Championships and the Olympics One of my favourite current players is Kunlavut Vitidsarn from Thailand and my all-time favourite would have to be Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia As my mum is from Thailand and my dad is from Malaysia, those are always the two countries I support during international competitions but it can get a little awkward when they have to play against each other!
PARK SCHOOL Artist of the Term
OLIVE | YEAR 13 | OIL ON PAPER (A1) 2026
HOLLAND