Jessica's Newsletters

Newsletter Friday 9th January 2026

Fri 09 Jan 2026 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

Happy New Year. I hope you had a lovely break. It is wonderful to see everyone back. The children have arrived back with big smiles and very positive attitudes. The children had a great time playing in the snow.

Please remember to check the school calendar for any dates this term. You can link this to your own calendar, which can be helpful. There are many events to look forward to, including assemblies, parents’ meetings and many other dates which are all listed there.

Please remember not to bring mobile phones into the school when dropping off or collecting your child. Also, remember that Year 5 and 6 students are not allowed to bring smartphones to school. You can sign the pact at https://www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/parent-pact-results?school=england%2F131706, which supports delaying the introduction of smartphones to our children.

Please remind your child to bring a coat to school, as the weather can be cold. Please ensure all items are named, as we often find gloves, scarves, and hats left around the school.

We can only administer prescribed medication that needs to be taken four times a day. We cannot keep unprescribed medicines, creams, or lip balms at school. Please give any prescribed medicines directly to the office, not to your child and avoid leaving them in their bags, due to allergy and safety concerns.

We are now providing birthday treats for the children. To accommodate allergies and keep things straightforward, we no longer accept cakes. We think it’s lovely for children to receive something from us. Thank you for your support with this.

Below is some information about a cricket club in Stoke Newington and a tennis opportunity:

Come and play cricket at Stoke Newington Cricket Club. We are proud to have revitalised cricket in East London, creating a lively hub on Hackney Marshes. Since 1999, we’ve become one of the most successful junior clubs in the capital. Our mission is to give as many young people as possible the chance to enjoy and play cricket at the highest level they can. Our successful junior teams from Under 8s to Under 17s often win local leagues and compete for County honours. Last summer, two boys and three girls from the club were selected for Middlesex County Squads, and one of our former juniors made her first-class debut for the Middlesex Women’s team. Our team of professional coaches runs weekly training sessions year-round for children aged 5 to 17. Indoor training begins on the weekend of 9/10/11 January at four venues in Hackney: Bridge Academy, Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy, Britannia Leisure Centre, and COLA Shoreditch Park. All dates and times are listed at:

https://www.stokenewingtoncricketclub.com/training

No booking is required, and the first two sessions are free. After children settle in, there is an annual membership fee of £25 (which includes a free club shirt and cap) plus £75 for this term’s nine sessions, or a proportional fee if joining halfway through. For more information, contact Duncan Holden at sncc@btinternet.com or visit our website: stokenewingtoncricketclub.com

Calling All Future Tennis Stars (Under 8s)

Is your child the next Wimbledon champion, or do they love to run, jump, throw, and play? A special Tennis Talent ID & Fun Session is being held at Mossbourne Academy, and your child is welcome to join. This two-hour session will be energetic and inclusive. Whether your child is trying a racket for the first time or already has a solid forehand, our coaching team looks forward to seeing them.

Event Details

When: Saturday, 10th January 2026

Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Age Group: Under 8s (Red Ball Level)

Where: Mossbourne Academy

Cost: Free

Led by Coach Javier Lee, the session will include:

- Skill Activities: Developing coordination and ball skills.

- Action-Packed Games: Ensuring fun throughout.

- Mini Matches: Showcasing skills in a friendly setting.

This isn’t just a taster; it’s an insight into the Hackney Tennis Performance Programme. We aim to give everyone opportunities, and some players may be invited to join our specialised HT sessions for further development. Need more info? Contact Coach Javier at javier@hackneytennis.co.uk

Have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher

Newsletter Friday 19th December 2025

Fri 19 Dec 2025 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have reached the end of another term, and it has been a wonderful one. The Year 2 and Key Stage 2 children were fantastic during our Christmas performance on Tuesday. The children sang confidently and with smiles. The songs were not easy and they did exceptionally well. The children playing instruments, reciting poems, and hosting were also outstanding. Well done to all the children, and thank you for attending and for your support, especially those of you who stayed until the end. Your presence truly means a lot to the children.

The children enjoyed parties this week and had a special guest who gave each child a gift. They had a great time, and it was lovely to see their smiles.

We sadly say farewell to two teaching assistants, Oli and Maddison. Oli is pursuing a course in child mental health practice, which is fantastic, and Maddison is moving back to Canada. We thank them for their hard work and we will greatly miss them. We are pleased to welcome a new Year 5 teaching assistant, Admira. We are still looking for a new teaching assistant for Year 3. I am sure you will join me in thanking all our staff who work incredibly hard to give the children the best possible opportunities.

I want to thank you for being such wonderful families. We are very fortunate to have such kind and supportive parents and carers at Betty Layward. Thank you for your ongoing support and kindness.

I hope you have a very lovely holiday.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Happy Hanukkah.

See you in 2026 (on Tuesday, 6^th January)

Jessica

Headteacher

Newsletter - Friday December 12th 2025

Fri 12 Dec 2025 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

We hope you have had a good week. We thoroughly enjoyed the Year 1 and Reception nativity performances this week. The children were outstanding, singing and speaking with great confidence. I was very impressed. We are extremely proud of the children and they should be proud of themselves. They were truly amazing. The Nursery delivered a fantastic performance today, and it was lovely to see them singing with big smiles. They delighted everyone with their joyful Christmas singing this morning, filling the room with festive cheer. Their bright smiles, confident voices, and heartfelt enthusiasm made the performance a truly special moment for everyone. Thank you to our parents and carers for coming.

All the children enjoyed their Christmas lunch today, and their hats looked amazing. It’s wonderful to see the children having such a fantastic time.

Our Year 2 to Year 6 performance will take place at St Matthias Church on Tuesday at 10:15am. We look forward to seeing you there.

The Betty Layward Chess team performed exceptionally well at a chess tournament last week, finishing 2nd out of 12 schools. It was a brilliant performance and the whole school is very proud of them. Huge congratulations to the team. Well done to Sacha, Gene, Jacob, George, Al, Henry, Lorcan, Kevin, Cyrus and Lucas.

The Winter Fair was a great success on Saturday, and it was fantastic to see so many of you there. A big thank you to the organisers, volunteers, and everyone who donated. These events truly make a difference for the school, and it was a very memorable occasion.

The classes have been entertaining the children with Elf on the Shelf, and I have attached some photos for you to enjoy. The children love coming into school in the morning to see what the elf has been up to.

We have added a new area to our Opal Play. The children are full of excitement as they zoom around the playground on scooters. They have built imaginary tracks, take turns, cheer each other on, and find new ways to play together. We are currently asking for donations to restock our Opal resources. Donation crates are at the front of the school. We would especially appreciate wellies and waterproofs.

Our road safety officers are on site in the mornings to keep the entrance clear and ensure no one is using their mobile phones. They do an excellent job and are really helping. Please listen to them if they ask you to move. We need to keep the entrance free of obstruction. I appreciate your support with this.

We will finish on Friday at 1pm, and there will be no after-school club. Please collect your children at 1pm and please do not be late.

Have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher

Newsletter Friday 5th December 2025

Fri 05 Dec 2025 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

We hope you had a good week. Thanks to those of you who attended or helped at the Quiz night. The organisation and time invested in it are incredible and it was a fantastic evening. Thank you to the organisers and the hosts of the quiz rounds. It is always a great night and the bonus is that it also raises money for the school.

We look forward to seeing you at the Winter Fair tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who has offered to help. We couldn’t do this without volunteers, and it raises a significant amount of money for the school, which is much needed as budgets become tighter. There are some fantastic raffle prizes, so please buy some tickets through this link https://app.galabid.com/bettylaywardraffle/items and share it with your family and friends. Thank you also for all the donations. We look forward to seeing you at the fair tomorrow.

Year 5 enjoyed an exciting orienteering trip to Hampstead Heath this week, where they applied their geography map skills to navigate the area. Despite the weather not being in their favour, they demonstrated remarkable resilience and teamwork, making the most of the adventure and turning it into a memorable learning experience.

On Tuesday, a group of Year 5 and 6 children participated in the Hackney Schools Cross Country League at Hackney Downs Park. It was a cold, crisp day, ideal for a cross-country race. The boys went first and performed really well, with Otto finishing in the top 20 and Devon in the top 30. The girls went next, and despite a slow start, Mia W and Aurora finished in the top 10. What a tremendous effort from everyone. We look forward to more success in the new year.

Year 2 had a wonderful visit to the Museum of the Home, exploring various rooms from the past, present, and future. Afterwards, they made collages of their own homes, choosing pictures and creating drawings that represented them. The children received praise from the museum staff for their excellent behaviour and were told they were the best-behaved school ever to visit.

Poppy, in Year 3, held her own table-top sale for charity last Sunday. It was a bright, sunny day, and she set up a table outside her house with home and children’s items for sale, along with some cakes. She decided to raise money for North London Action for the Homeless. Poppy made posters, gathered customers, and ran the stall with her Mum. It was a lovely experience, and the neighbours were very generous. A delivery driver even pulled up and gave cash. Poppy is amazing and raised £215, which they plan to take to NLAH. Well done, Poppy.

Our Christmas events are coming up very soon. I hope you have marked them in your diary. Please refrain from bringing food or hot drinks into the hall or church during these performances. For the Reception and Year 1 Nativity, only three adults per family are permitted. You have received tickets for your year group's performance today.

Next Friday is Christmas Jumper Day, so your child can wear a Christmas jumper if they wish, and non-school uniform. It is also our Christmas lunch that day. Here is the menu.

Christmas Menu 2025

Roast Turkey & Gravy (halal)

Chipolatas (pork free)

or

Cheese & Veggie Puff Pastry Slice (gl, milk)

Roast Potatoes & Mixed Vegetables

Cranberry Sauce, Sage Stuffing (gl, egg)

Wholemeal Dark Chocolate Brownies & Ice Cream (gl, milk, egg)

or

Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream

Please remember to book your child into Premier next week, as there are only clubs on Thursday. We cannot book them into Premier ourselves. We have also noticed some parents and carers arriving very late for pick-up. We do not always have staff available to look after children at this time and parents and carers being late can cause the child to become upset and worried. Please ensure you arrive on time for pickup. Thank you.

Have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher

Newsletter Friday 28th November 2026

Fri 28 Nov 2025 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you had a good week. The dates for all our Christmas events are on the calendar, so please take a look and add them to your diary.

We will have a non-uniform day next Friday, and we kindly ask if children could bring in donations for the Winter Fair. These may include bottles of unopened alcohol, new toiletries, new children’s games, toys, and new or nearly new children's books. Any contributions are very much appreciated, and we look forward to receiving them. We also require volunteers for the fair, so if you are able to help, it would be greatly appreciated, as we cannot run these events without you. Thank you for your support.

Year 1 and 2 attended workshops with ACEN (African Caribbean Education Network) this week, where the children took part in activities that promoted anti-racist practices, celebrated Black identity and cultural heritage, and equipped them with the skills and confidence to challenge inequality in life. The children were using the vocabulary of fairness, equality, and inclusion. They contributed thoughtfully and responded well, and we are very proud of them. ACEN has been working with us over the past few years, and this is what they say about the school: "Working with your school is always a personal favourite for the ACEN team. It’s clear that meaningful work, particularly around racial inclusion, difference and empathy, is already embedded before we even arrive and that you do not approach this as a ‘one and done’, but as an ongoing journey for staff and students alike. The children ask thoughtful, reflective questions, staff lean in with genuine curiosity, and the school radiates a strong sense of community ethos. It is evident that you have created a happy, safe and welcoming setting where diversity and inclusion are woven through both the curriculum and the wider school culture. We are proud to support your continued work and to help students connect with diverse stories, histories and identities in meaningful ways.” We enjoy working with ACEN and are very proud of the work we are doing with them.

Today, we were delighted to welcome Marion, who works for the United Nations, to our school. She spoke to the children about the UN’s member countries and their vital roles in promoting peace, cooperation, and global wellbeing. Marion also shared fascinating insights into her own work supporting the UN’s efforts to care for the planet and address climate change. The children were thoroughly engaged and asked thoughtful, insightful questions throughout her visit. A big thank you to Barbara Pick for organising this wonderful opportunity and to Sacha for running the exciting UN quiz during the assembly.

In OPAL, this week, we have been enhancing our water play by creating imaginative potion-making activities that encourage creativity, exploration, and sensory learning. The children have really enjoyed using the water in this way. We have also added table tennis to our OPAL Play. This week, we were very fortunate to receive a donation of loose parts to support our construction development. Thank you very much for any donations to our OPAL Play. We are very grateful for anything you can donate, as the children are amazing at finding new ways to play with almost anything.

On Tuesday, 25th November, a group of Year 5 and 6 children took part in the Hackney Primary Schools Cross Country League at Hackney Downs Park. This was our second race and the squad was very motivated after their first experience. The boys started the race with Otto finishing in the top 20, followed by Lorcan, Deniz, and Devon in the top 30 out of 175 boys. The girls’ race followed, with Aurora and Mia finishing in the top 10, followed by Indy and Gwen in the top 20 out of 175. Well done to all the participants; we are all very proud of you, and a big thank you to the parent volunteers supporting us.

We have two new co-opted governors: Shevelle Furlonge, a parent at the school, and Adrienne Archibald, who works for Amazon. They were interviewed by members of the governing board. Shevelle was successful for several reasons, notably the valuable perspective she offers as a member of an underrepresented group within our parent community, which will enhance the board's diversity and inclusivity. She is a strong and motivated candidate who expressed a desire to “give back to the school that has given so much support to her and her family.” Adrienne was successful as she addressed the gap in IT expertise identified in the recent skills audit of the Governing Body. She lives locally, is highly motivated, and brings substantial IT experience that will be of great benefit to the board. We are very pleased that they have joined our governing body and our wonderful school community.

We look forward to seeing some of you at the quiz this evening. It’s always a fantastic night. Thank you to the volunteers and organisers. Your hard work is greatly appreciated.

Have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher

Newsletter Friday 21st November 2025

Fri 21 Nov 2025 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have enjoyed a wonderful week filled with sunshine and cold weather. Our School Improvement Officer from Hackney visited and was genuinely impressed with the children’s learning behaviour and their level of engagement. She observed their dedication and we were very proud to show her around.

This week, Buttercup Class went on a fantastic trip to the Houses of Parliament. They began with a tour and were lucky enough to see many well-known politicians, including former Prime Minister Theresa May. Afterwards, they took part in a workshop exploring the history of Parliament, British democracy, and even 'Parliamentary ping-pong' (which isn’t what it sounds like!). What an exciting and educational day Buttercup Class had.

The children are really enjoying Opal and all the different activities it offers. Your support makes a significant difference during our playtimes, and we couldn’t run Opal sessions without your generous donations. Thank you for all the kind donations that enable such play experiences. Our children are fully engaged with Opal play, showing creativity and imagination with all the items we receive. To make our outdoor play areas even more stimulating, we are collecting a variety of resources and equipment for the children to use during play. These don’t need to be brand new—many items can be reused or recycled.

We would be very grateful for donations of any of the following:

• Clean pots, pans, utensils, and kitchen items (for our mud kitchen)

• Tarpaulins, ropes, cable reels (for building and den-making)

• Costumes, fabric, old suitcases or bags (for imaginative play)

• Small world toys, toy cars, or figures

• Buckets, crates, pipes, tyres, or planks

If you have any of these items at home and are happy to donate them, please bring them to school and there is a labelled area where you can put them.

You may have noticed our wonderful school road safety officers. These children have volunteered to help keep the school entrance clear and safe for all children to enter. You might be asked to move if you are standing in the wrong place. They will also let you know when the gate is closing. A big thank you to all these children and their dedication to their role.

Please remember, we can only administer antibiotics if they need to be given four times a day. You would need to come into the office and complete a form if this applies. We cannot provide Calpol or any other medication unless a doctor prescribes it. We also ask that children do not bring in any creams, medicines, or lip balms, as other children could get hold of them, which is not safe, especially if children have allergies. Thank you for your support with this.

Have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher

Newsletter Friday 14th November 2025

Fri 14 Nov 2025 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

It was wonderful to see you at the parent/carer meetings yesterday. The teachers really enjoyed meeting and talking with you about your child.

This week, Year 6 impressed us with a fantastic assembly inspired by Grim Tales, based on the classic stories collected by the Brothers Grimm. During their assembly, Year 6 explored how these traditional stories have changed over time and the important lessons they contain. The children performed confidently, with humour and excellent storytelling skills. Well done, Ruby class.

Year 5 Saffron went on an exciting trip to the Houses of Parliament. They enjoyed a guided tour, where they even had the chance to sit in the House of Lords. Afterwards, they took part in an interactive workshop that included a sensory activity, helping them explore the different sights, sounds, and objects in Parliament. It was a memorable way to learn about how Parliament works and experience history firsthand.

On Thursday, Year Four Cerise had a very special visit from two musicians from the London Symphony Orchestra and a music composer. Together, the children created their own piece of music with the professional musicians and performed it to Fuchsia class. Descriptions like "outstanding” and “amazing” were used to describe their performance.

On Tuesday, 11th November, a group of Year 5 and 6 children took part in the Hackney Primary Schools Cross-Country Competition at Hackney Downs Park. The course was around 2km long, and the children did an incredible job at the event. Everyone showed excellent effort, determination, and team spirit throughout the races. We are very proud of how well they represented Betty Layward — from their positive attitude to their outstanding contributions. Well done to all the runners for giving their best and making us all very proud.

I was fortunate this week to be invited to Highbury Fields School, where 12 of our girls joined in September. The children gave me a tour of the school and afterwards, I enjoyed tea and biscuits with them. It was lovely to see them so settled and happy in Year 7. Some staff members were also invited to a tea party at Stoke Newington on Wednesday, where we enjoyed seeing the Year 7 pupils, their work, and discussing secondary school with them. It was a pleasure to see how happy they are in their new secondary school.

Al, Coco, and Simiy, children at Betty Layward, met local Clissold ward Councillor Sade Etti at her drop-in session this week. Both families attended to discuss the way cars speed down Church Street beside Clissold Park, outside homes, to see if additional traffic measures could be introduced to reduce the risk of a serious accident. The children were all fantastic and spoke to her about their concerns, and Coco showed her on a map where the problem was. Al also mentioned an accident involving a child from BL about a year ago at the crossing. We hope she genuinely took on board what they had to say and she was very pleased to hear from them. Well done Al, Coco and Simiy for raising this important issue.

We are delighted to share that our school continues to develop our OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) project. OPAL supports children in learning through play, fostering creativity, teamwork, resilience, and a love of the outdoors. Recently, we acquired some kayaks, which the children have enjoyed playing with and transforming into see-saws, vehicles, castles, and many other imaginative creations. To further enhance our outdoor play spaces, we are seeking a variety of resources and equipment for the children to use during playtime. These don’t need to be brand new — many items can be reused or recycled. We would be very grateful for donations of any of the following:

- Clean pots, pans, utensils, and kitchen items (for our mud kitchen)

- Tarpaulins, ropes, cable reels (for building and den-making)

- Costumes, fabric, old suitcases or bags (for imaginative play)

- Small world toys, toy cars, or figures

- Buckets, crates, pipes, tyres, or planks

If you have any of these items at home or know someone who could donate them, please bring them to school or contact us to arrange a suitable drop-off time. Your support makes a big difference. Thank you for helping us provide our children with a rich, creative, and joyful experience.

BETTER Open Weekend on 22nd & 23rd November, where all Hackney leisure centres will offer free activities throughout the weekend. The theme is 'Try Something New'. There will be opportunities to access these free activities at various centres: gym sessions, group fitness classes, badminton, and pickleball. In the pools, there will be free Swimbies taster sessions, taster sessions for junior swim school classes, and adult beginner swimming lessons. There are also some free spaces at West Reservoir's Youth Club, allowing young people to try out the water sports club. The activities will be hosted at Britannia LC, Clissold LC, King's Hall LC, London Fields Lido, Queensbridge SCC, and West Reservoir. Please see the link: https://linktr.ee/hackneyleisurecentres, where you can view and book all the free sessions.

Have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher

Newsletter Friday 7th November 2025

Fri 07 Nov 2025 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you enjoyed a lovely half-term break and it's wonderful to see the children back this week.

This week, Year 6 visited Hoxton Street Monster Supplies to take part in a Gothic fiction writing workshop organised by the Ministry of Stories. The workshop offered a great opportunity for pupils to dive into the Gothic genre, which they have also been studying in their class writing lessons. Pupils were given a selection of intriguing, themed objects to inspire their stories and they rose to the challenge, creating some wonderfully eerie and imaginative pieces. The session encouraged them to develop ideas freely and creatively, resulting in some truly impressive writing.

On Wednesday, Year 4 Cerise enjoyed an exciting trip to The Barbican Centre, where they watched the London Symphony Orchestra perform. They appreciated the chance to sing, perform various rhythms and listen to the dynamics and techniques employed by many professional musicians. It was a wonderful musical experience.

Year 2 welcomed Perform this week for an engaging workshop all about the Gunpowder Plot. They journeyed back in time to 1605, hiding out under the Houses of Parliament, waiting to steal Guy Fawkes' matches and thwart the Gunpowder Plot. They also discussed fireworks and how to stay safe on bonfire night.

This week, we were very fortunate to have a visit from the London Fire Brigade at our school. The firefighters worked with Year 2 and Year 5, teaching us about fire safety and the vital role they play in keeping people safe. The children in Year 2 learnt what to do if there is a fire, how to stay safe at home, and how to call 999 in an emergency. They also talked about smoke alarms and the importance of having them in every home. The Year 5 pupils participated in more detailed sessions, learning about fire prevention, emergency procedures, and how to make safe choices as they grow older. They also discussed how firefighters work together as a team and the different types of equipment they use. Everyone really enjoyed meeting the firefighters and had plenty of opportunities to ask questions. It was an exciting and educational experience that helped us understand how to stay safe and appreciate the vital work carried out by the London Fire Brigade.

This week during OPAL play, the children had an amazing time outside in the playground. They loved exploring and playing with the crunchy autumn leaves—throwing them in the air, making piles, and inventing their own leaf games. There was plenty of laughter and imagination everywhere. We also worked together to clean our brand-new kayaks, ensuring they’re clean and ready for more exciting adventures. Teamwork made the task enjoyable, and everyone showed great care and responsibility while playing together.

Hackney Council is hosting two exciting festive art competitions this year, in which we will be participating. The first involves designing the official festive greeting card for the council and the second requires creating an image for the t-shirt worn by Hackney’s float during the New Year’s Day Parade in central London. The theme for this year’s parade is 'Celebrating Diversity’, so designs should reflect this vibrant and inclusive spirit. All entries must be submitted on the square template provided and handed in by Monday, 1st December. There will be prizes for runners-up and overall winners, so we would love the children to get festive and showcase their artistic talents.

We were delighted to have five candidates for the Parent Governor elections. Thank you for voting. We received a total of 309 votes, which was fantastic, and the results were very close. We now have two new parent governors, Cheikh Tato and Kezia Tobin. We look forward to welcoming them to the board. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Shevelle Furlonge, Josie Marwick, and Emily Ware for their time and support as candidates. I truly hope to involve them in school life in some way, as I very much appreciate them putting themselves forward.

We have decided to stop requesting treats for birthdays, such as cakes, due to increasing allergy concerns. Instead, we aim to do something special for each child on their birthday, keeping it a surprise to help them feel celebrated. Thank you for your support with this.

There is an app that children have been telling me they are using, and I am aware that there is a chat room on it. This app is called Zepeto and lacks built-in parental controls, which poses risks for your child if they are using it. It is also designed for children aged over 13/14, and the child should be entering their birthday to ensure they are the correct age. Please look at this link about the app-

N:/Downloads/zepeto.pdf

Please ensure that the children are not bringing money or sweets to school. Thank you for your support with this.

Have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher

Newsletter Friday 24th October 2025

Thu 23 Oct 2025 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

I can't believe we've already reached the end of our first term. It has flown by. What a wonderful term we've had. I'm so pleased with how our Nursery and Reception children have settled in. Every day, the children impress me with their enthusiasm and effort. We are immensely proud of them.

This week, we were especially excited to welcome Emma Louise from BBC Newsround, who joined us for a special assembly. Emma spoke about her career in journalism, shared inspiring stories from her time in the media, and answered some brilliant questions from our pupils. Everyone loved hearing about what it’s like to work on Newsround and how she helps tell important stories to young people across the UK. Some children were fortunate to ask questions about Emma Louise’s career.

Yaw Busia, the parent of Kwame in Y2, also came in to share his remarkable experiences working in TV and film, as well as at Disney. The children were captivated to learn about what happens behind the scenes in the entertainment industry and left feeling genuinely inspired. Thank you, Yaw, for sharing your exciting stories of standing firm and working hard.

This week, our school was filled with colour, music, and joy as we celebrated Black History Month during our after-school event. We enjoyed a visit from author Annie Campbell, who shared her book Made of Magic. We also saw performances by the school choir, listened to readings, and watched singing and dancing. Thank you very much to Laura and Nora for helping us organise this event, and to those of you who were able to attend. During Black History Month, the children engaged in learning and creativity, exploring inspiring stories, influential figures, and the rich cultures that have shaped history and continue to inspire us today. From lively African drumming workshops and energetic carnival sessions to beautiful art displays and class performances, every child had the chance to shine and celebrate together. A huge thanks to our wonderful staff, families, and visitors who helped make the month so memorable. It was a genuine celebration of unity, diversity, and joy, reminding us all that Black history is everyone’s history.

Last Wednesday, a group of children visited ABBA Voyage. We watched ABBA take to the stage in a completely new way. They appear as digital avatars and perform their incredible songs. We loved it and were very impressed. It truly has to be seen to be believed.

Last Friday, a group of Year 6 pupils visited Hackney Town Hall as part of the No Place for Hate Poster Competition to mark National Hate Crime Awareness Week. The children participated in workshops beforehand, which helped to raise awareness of what constitutes a hate crime and how to report it or seek support as a victim or witness. They were invited to create a poster to promote Hackney's No Place for Hate campaign. Six children were selected as finalists and invited to Hackney Town Hall, where the winners were announced. A huge congratulations and well done to Reine and Mia-Rose for finishing third in the competition. We are very proud of all the children who participated and want to thank them for their efforts.

On Tuesday, Year 5 Saffron impressed us with their class assembly all about the Norse epic poem Beowulf. The poem tells the tale of an evil creature called Grendel, who wreaks havoc upon the people of Denmark. It is then that the brave hero Beowulf is summoned to put an end to this vile creature's reign of terror. The performance was full of wonderful moments, and the children delivered their lines with clear voices and great expression. Well done, Saffron class. You were confident and brilliant.

We had a lovely Grandparent Week this week and thank you to all the Grandparents who came to visit. It was very nice to have you. Levi and Kobe’s Grandparent, Mike, spoke to a Year 4 class about his triathlon career and showed the children his racing bike, explaining all the different parts and how they work. He talked about how he trains for swimming, cycling, and running, and shared how much he enjoys what he does. He has competed in many world triathlon events and travelled all over the world through the sport. His message to the children was inspiring. He encouraged them to find something they love and to persevere with it. Fuchsia class were engaged and loved hearing about Mike's experiences.

Thank you to those of you who have booked appointments for parents’ meetings. Please remember to do so.

I hope you have a very lovely, well-deserved half term break,

Jessica

Headteacher

Newsletter 17th October 2025

Fri 17 Oct 2025 Jessica

Dear Parents and Carers,

We've had a wonderful week, full of engaging activities for Black History Month, including visits, workshops and in-class learning. This week, we welcomed a guest from ACEN - the African Caribbean Education Network - who shared insights about Notting Hill Carnival and Claudia Jones, the founder of the first indoor Caribbean Carnival in 1959. At Wednesday's assembly, a former Parent of Betty Layward, Ingrid Karikari, came in to speak to the children as part of our Black History Month celebrations. Ingrid talked to the children about her Ghanaian heritage, her experiences studying at Cambridge University and her exciting career in technology. She spoke about how her life and career had evolved in so many ways, but what remained the same was her dedication and pride in her family and her identity. Emily Ware, a Parent of a child in Year 2, came in this week to share their story, teach us about Black History, and inspire us to dream big, work hard and be proud of who we are. Emily was incredibly motivational and shared her life journey, highlighting her commitment to hard work, resilience and determination in standing firm and reaching her full potential. We wish to say a massive thank you to Emily and Ingrid for coming in to share their stories.

Our children enjoyed an energetic African drumming workshop for Black History Month. A skilled drummer led them to follow different rhythms, work as a team and create their own patterns. They learned that drumming is an important part of African culture, handed down through generations. The workshop was lively and vibrant and it was a great way to celebrate African musical traditions in a fun and meaningful way.

Please join us for our Black History Month event on Wednesday at 3:30 pm in the hall. The event will feature performances, an author, singing and tasty food. We hope to see you there.

Next week is Grandparents' Week. It would be wonderful to welcome Grandparents to share stories about their school days, read a story or discuss topics of interest.

Have a lovely weekend,

Jessica

Headteacher