School Uniform Reminder
Our uniform policy can be found on the Uniform page of our school website.
Please ensure that you have placed your orders for compulsory uniform items (blazer and PE kit) with our uniform supplier, SWI schoolwear, by 1st August to allow time for delivery before September. SWI have a New Starter Hub resource on their website which you may find useful. It includes a digital sizing tool and FAQs about the ordering process.
Year 7 ties can be purchased at the Welcome and Information Event on 8th July.
Our School's International School Status
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We are delighted that WES has been awarded International School Foundation Status by The British Council in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom.
The International School Award celebrates the achievements of schools that do exceptional work in international education. Fostering an international dimension in the curriculum is at the heart of the British Council’s work with schools, so that young people gain the cultural understanding and skills they need for life and work in today’s world.
It encourages and supports schools to develop:
• An international ethos embedded throughout the school
• A whole school approach to international work
• Collaborative curriculum-based work with a number of partner schools
• Year-round international activity
• Involvement of the wider community
William Ellis’s international work includes hosting French, Spanish and German language assistants, running a Mandarin, Arabic and foreign film club, taking students on residential trips abroad and day trips to the BFI institute in London for immersive workshops in the target language. The school also hosts international students. In February 2024 a German Year 10 student spent two days at William Ellis as part of his school work experience and the MFL department will also be hosting a French student in June.
We will be striving to continue to develop the work in this enriching area and hope to progress to Intermediate level and eventually to International School Award Accreditation in years to come.
We hope that you will join us at our annual International Evening on 20th June, where our whole school community comes together to celebrate our diversity with food, performance and activities for all ages.
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Ski Trip 2024
Mr Altmann writes:
Back to Ischgl (Austria) and Samnaun (Switzerland)!
Having visited this area of the Alps back in 2019, I decided that we should definitely return and explore some more. It was great to be back in a German speaking part of Europe, though coping with the local Austrian and Swiss dialects was a little tricky even for me!
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WES students with their instructors
I have always found cross border skiing rather fascinating; the food, architecture and language (or in this case dialects) can change from one valley to the next. Though you no longer have to ski through a turnstile and show your passport to a serious looking border guard, as I did as a boy!
The Föhn wind was whipping through this part of the Alps at the time, which caused some disruption, but boys and staff thoroughly enjoyed the trip regardless.
I could go on…but I think I’ll let the boys take over from here,
Donnie and Otis in 7B write:
Our ski trip to Austria and Switzerland at the start of the Easter break was incredible!
The main highlight was definitely going out of our comfort zones, seeing how it was my (Donnie’s) first time skiing, and how Otis did a ‘black run’ for the first time. Our ski instructors helped us improve and refine our skills. The ski resort was huge, spanning two countries! There was a wide range of slopes for all skill levels, I even managed to do a red run! The accommodation was very nice, too.
Aside from the skiing, we did many activities. Such as swimming and bowling. Our hotel rooms were very nice, we had lots of space and a storage area. We also watched a movie and ate pizza (which was delicious) in a pizzeria right next door to our hotel!
Our favourite activity, apart from the skiing of course, was the bowling because it was the Austrian version, where you had to knock down all the pins first. Our ski equipment was good quality and had lots of different sizes. We were very organised when getting on the coach to Isgall.
Overall it was an amazing experience where we got to spend time with our friends and learn how to ski and how to improve!
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Snowball fight!
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Our lovely pool
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Mr Altmann in Austria and Mr Levitt in Switzerland!
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Austrian bowling
Year 10 Art and Graphics 'Cabinet of Curiosities' Project
In partnership with Lauderdale House our very talented Year 10 Art and Graphics students have been taking part in a project inspired by nature and by the eccentric collections of former Lauderdale resident, James Yates. This is the second year that our students, along with Year 10 students from Parliament Hill School, have collaborated with Lauderdale House on this project.
Students have sculpted clay designs based on the raw natural materials from the grounds of Lauderdale House and have worked with wax to create moulds for bronze pieces which will soon be cast. They have also created gelli printworks and work in Sumi ink.
The work will be displayed as part of the Highgate Festival between 8th-30th June. Please visit the exhibition at Lauderdale House if you can.
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