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Autumn Term - 20th December 2024
Welcome to our latest news update, including next steps for Year 11, 12 and 13 students following their recent assessments, highlights of enrichment activities that have taken place at the end of term and support available for students and families over the holidays.
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January return
School re-starts for all students on Tuesday 7th January at 8:30am, and our term dates for this year and the 2025-6 academic year can be found at www.williamellis.camden.sch.uk/about-us/term-dates
Some students will have a few changes to their timetable the week they return. The correct timetables will be shown on MCAS and SatchelOne by 4th January.
We will be joined by a few new members of staff in the new term - we will introduce you to them fully in the first week back.
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Congratulations to Edwin in Year 8, whose design "Gospel Oak at Christmas" was chosen for our card this year.
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Year 11 mock exams and sixth form assessment information
Year 11 students returned to a normal timetable of lessons yesterday, after just over a week of mock exams. They should be praised for the seriousness and maturity they showed in preparing for and completing their exams. In January, they will receive:
Guidance on how to improve the way that they approach questions and their timing, and other aspects of "exam technique".
After this, Year 11 parents will receive a grade sheet showing the grades that students are currently working at and a predicted grade for the summer exam. Further intervention plans and revision materials will also be provided to students and their families early on next term.
Year 13 students have now completed their in class assessments and the results of these will be issued to students in January. Year 12 students will be completing their assessments in normal lesson time during the first five days of term.
Assessment data for Year 7-10
Some parents have fed back to us that they did not find the commentary on recent assessment grades as helpful as they would have liked. We have reviewed this document in light of that feedback and an amended letter explaining that grading is available here.
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PE & Sport
Boxing Club
Asuadoba in 7K writes:
My name is Asuadoba and I am a year 7 pupil and this is my review on Coach Colin's Boxing classes.
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I absolutely love Coach Colin's boxing classes at school because of the way he brings energy and enthusiasm to every session. He can make boxing feel exciting and empowering, even for beginners. Whether it is the fast-paced workouts or the sense of progress we make with each class, I always leave feeling stronger and more confident. His teaching style is engaging, and he creates a supportive environment where everyone feels encouraged to push themselves to their limits. The classes not only help build physical strength but also mental toughness, which is something I genuinely appreciate.
Through Coach Colin's classes, I have learned several important moves that have significantly improved my skills. I learned a lot about boxing and the jab is quick and helps set up other punches, while the cross is strong and can really land when timed right. The hook is a powerful punch that comes from the side, and the uppercut can be a game-changer, especially up close. I have also worked on defensive movements like slipping and rolling, which help me avoid incoming punches. We also worked on footwork, which helps you stay balanced and move around the ring smoothly. The way Coach Colin breaks down each move makes it easier to understand and apply in real situations, making each technique feel more natural with practice. Overall, the class taught me how to combine these moves to create a flow and stay ready for whatever comes next.
In every one of Coach Colin's classes, I felt a mix of excitement and challenge. At first, it was a little intimidating, but Coach Colin’s positive energy and clear instructions quickly made me feel comfortable. I could see the improvement in myself with each class, and that motivated me to keep coming to the lessons.
I would recommend Coach Colin’s boxing classes to anyone interested in learning this sport. The classes are not only about physical fitness, but also about building discipline and focus. I enjoy how Coach Colin emphasises proper technique and safety, ensuring that we train in a way that prevents injuries while still getting the most out of every workout. What I liked most was the sense of coming together and encouraging others to do better in the class—everyone is there to learn, grow, and support one another. It is this positive atmosphere that makes every session something to look forward to.
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WES Debating Club Trip - London Boys School Network Debating Competition
Jacob in 9W writes:
In November William Ellis took part in a debating competition against eight other boys' schools across London. I found the debating club trip very educating and fun. I took the role of summariser, and we debated topics including the use of AI in schools and the use of single-use plastics being banned. We reached the semi-finals which is better than what we expected and we are really proud of ourselves and hope we can come first next time.
![](/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/ADBF0421BDD58C35AC4160120A3E1568.png)
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Sixth Form Politics Trip to Parliament
Sadie in Year 12 writes:
In the Commons, papers were strewn across empty seats, subdued “here here’s” echoed around the chamber and Lee Anderson slept sound as a baby. “Of the people, by the people, for the people,” right? Abraham Lincoln wasn’t wrong. They really are no different to us.
Some gossipped incessantly, with quiet whispers, knowing grins and telling eyes. Some, clearly a little bit too like us, tapped away on their phones. Attempts were made, from what I can only assume were newer MPs, to disguise this behind a facade of papers or folders. But others evidently felt no qualms with their blatant phone-usage. There was a man with Union Jack socks. A woman on her phone and iPad. Another devoting his undivided attention to biting his nails. Calling each other “right honourable member” or, if they were lucky, “right honourable friend”.
![](/_site/data/files/images/auto_upload/74A24C1085F957EBC9D6753C54C12498.png)
The House of Lords was simultaneously more breath-taking and perplexing than the House of Commons. With its regal air and imposing architecture, you’d be forgiven for assuming you’d stumbled into a fifteenth century assembly of kings and queens. But then you see a bishop on an iPad. And peers lazing around the Sovereign’s Throne. Aside from the colour of the chambers, the most notable difference was the length at which a person held their phone away from their face. The Commons reigned this time, for surely the average distance from phone to face was no less than a concerning ten centimeters.
Parliament is a disconcerting blend of the old and the new. The weight of its importance and tradition runs deep. But microphones hang from the ceiling, cameras arm the flanks of the chambers, MPs lounge on their phones and... a bishop. With an ipad?
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Year 12 Physics Trip to Oxford University
Alexander in Year 12 writes:
The trip to Oxford was an eye-opening experience, we got to see the ins and outs of a university, seeing how the minds of undergraduates' work solving complex problems. We participated in 3 unique workshops; the first went into how super conductors could revolutionise train travel, not having to worry about friction as a limiting factor. The second had us thinking about tensile strength of materials such as steel, plastic, and other alloys, testing their strength against each other, waiting till one would give out. The last had us work out the age of the universe through calculating the distance of distant galaxies. All three workshops had their own practical to work through if that may be working with liquid nitrogen or emission spectroscopes. We finished off the day with a tour of Oxford University and its history behind the many years that it has stood for. This is a trip that you wouldn’t want to miss.
Lohan in Year 12 adds:
Oxford provided us with many useful insights on the requirements needed to get in a competitive school like it, and how a successful student can excel. Fortunately for me and the 5 others that were selected got to experience first-hand, in easier terms, what a physicist studying at Oxford University have to do in there day to day basis, this was particularly interesting as someone that wishes to study physics further in the future. I believe that this was something that really helped me figure out whether university was in fact something I was willing to commit to.
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Sixth Form Opera Trip
Ms Wilson, Director of Sixth Form, writes:
Sixth Form students had a wonderful trip to Covent Garden last week, for a trip to the Royal Opera House to see La Boheme. For many, it was their first experience of opera and there were a few who confessed that their parents had signed them up for the trip, but they weren’t convinced… but by the end, they felt very differently and were appreciative of having been “forced” to do something new and different! It is an emotional story, and when performed by artists of such high standards, it is almost impossible for an audience to remain dry eyed. Indeed, one of our students commented “I had run out of tears by the very end, as it was all so sad, and so beautiful!” Here is the link to the production they saw: https://www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/la-boheme-details. We look forward to more new and exciting opportunities next year, and another trip to the opera next Christmas!
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Winter Entertainment Evening
Ms Hughes, Head of Drama, writes:
On the 10th December around 50 students from Years 7-11 performed as part of our Winter Entertainment event. Performances ranged from musical solos, large group drama productions, speeches from finalists of the Speak Out Challenge and bands put together from students in Year 9 and Year 10. The event ended with a group singalong of Silent Night - what a lovely way to round off the term!
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Former student on TV!
Having played Prince Harry in last year’s series of The Crown, former William Ellis student Luther Ford is back on our screens, currently starring opposite Ben Whishaw and Keira Knightley in the acclaimed new Netflix series ‘Black Doves’.
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This villainous role (which couldn’t be further from his off-screen persona) demonstrates Luther’s acting talents. Those of you wanting to see Luther in action should be warned the series contains adult themes and so is not viewing for all the family!
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Free Holiday Activities
The Camden Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) winter programme runs from 23 December to 3 January and is open for young people aged 5 to 16 who live in Camden and are eligible for free school meals. The programme offers free, fun activities and nutritional education - from learning to make healthy meals, to creative activities, including photography, drama, arts and crafts, and sports such as football and basketball. A free hot meal is included as part of each day’s activities. Find out more on the link below:
Young Camden Foundation
Other activities on offer locally over the holidays and in January include:
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Yours faithfully,
Izzy Jones
Headteacher
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This Week's WESPA Round-Up:
Dear families,
Well done to all our new Y7s (boys AND parents) for navigating the first term at WES so brilliantly. It has been a cracker of a term - much to celebrate and much to look forward to going into the new year. If you missed anything, want to find out more or just chat with your year group, don’t hesitate to get in touch and we can add you to one of the many WhatsApp WESPA or year groups.
Whether it has been hands on deck, quiet contributions, running initiatives or supporting by simply coming to things, a huge thank you to all the parents, grandparents and other family members who have helped out over the term. Together we have raised a load of cash, bought and donated equipment for school (amps, handball goals, a film projector, chess sets, test tubes and other scientific glassware, Apple mac computers to name but a few), celebrated our awesome teachers with baking and home grown plants and possibly most importantly, brought love, teamwork and positivity to the school in abundance. Thank you.
Have a wonderfully restful and joyous break.
Best wishes,
Al
Chair WESPA
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