Friday 19th December 2025

ELLINGHAM SCHOOL NEWS Christmas Edition

DIARY DATES

Christmas break

Monday 22nd December to Friday 2nd January

Inset Day

Monday 5th January

Children return

Tuesday 6th January

Year 6 - Natural History Museum

Monday 12th January

Year 1 - History Theatre Workshop

Tuesday 13th January

Year 4 - Trip to the Hindu Temple

Wednesday 21st January

Year 4 - Geography field work trip

Tuesday 27th January

Year 3 Class Assembly

Friday 30th January

Year 5 Mayan Day

Tuesday 3rd February

Year 3 Trip to the British Museum

Thursday 5th February

Year 4 Design and Technology Day

Thursday 12th February

Last day of half term

FOE Love Ellingham Sale

Friday 13th February

February half term

Monday 16th to Friday 20th February

Children return

Monday 23rd February

Dear Parents and Carers,

What an absolutely wonderful last week of term! The children have continued their learning, being engaged and focused as they completed their final written pieces in English for this calendar year. Sometimes, children are sent to show me their published work, and I love reading it out loud. I'm also able to see the progress they are making and it's wonderful to see.

In addition, the choir were on tour this week singing at the Garden Centre, there was a a Beauty and the Beast performance here on Thursday, it was Year 4 Ancient Greek day on the same day, and finally Pyjama Day today! I must admit, it's been so cosy wearing a dressing gown all day. Thank you to the School Council for organising the vote on this. I know the children have loved this unusual dress-down day!

The main focus of the week, however, has of course been Mrs Peters. Children, staff and parents have all taken time to remember the impact of Mrs Peters in their lives, and it's been a truly special remembering. Mrs Peters, you will be very much missed, but your influence will remain. We all wish you a most wonderful retirement.

I know Mrs Peters would like to extend a huge thank you to you all. She is grateful for your words and your gifts.

I would like to wish you all the most wonderful Christmas and Winter break. Ellingham is a very special community, and every member deserves this rest that is to come. Look after yourselves.

With warmest regards,

Margaret

Margaret Johonnett

Headteacher

Farewell, Mrs Peters

On Wednesday, staff presented a wonderful Celebration Assembly of and for Mrs Peters. Hosted by Mrs Pakes, it included a poem written by Mrs Kluer, a song written by Mrs Parkinson and a quiz written and delivered by Year 6!

Today, parents delivered their collection raised for Mrs Peters, and children spoke of ways in which Mrs Peters had inspired them over the years. Thank you, parents, for your generosity and kindness.

Christmas Performances

Last week, we were so lucky to enjoy the truly wonderful performances by Ellingham pupils. Both the Reception to Year 3 Nativity, 'Prickly Hay', and the Years 4 - 6 Concert were exceptional productions. We are so proud of our young performers. These are lifelong memories for our children, and your attendance and engagement makes them even more precious.

I would like to thank all the outstanding staff for their enduring hard work in making these events happen. From the initial work in deciding the content, the resourcing, rehearsals and practice, through to the administration and organising of the days themselves, there is so much that goes into making these productions happen. Staff team, thank you all of your amazing work.

Prickly Hay

KS2 Concert

Christmas Lunch

Attendance

Thank you for your attention to last week's newsletter on attendance. It's been good to get some feedback on the information raised. From next term, I will be sharing the attendance figures for each class. The class with the highest attendance will get a extra reward, to be decided by the class teacher! These are the attendance figures for each class since September.

Celebration certificates

Well done to these pupils for receiving the celebration certificate for this week's value, 'Inspiration'.

Winter Fair

Thank you so much to the Friends of Ellingham for the most fantastic Winter Fair on the 29th November. It was a brilliantly organised event with so many families attending. FOE were able to raise much needed funds. In the new year, we will go more into how the funds will be used to benefit all the children at Ellingham.

Thank you, too, to Compass for sponsoring the event.

Smiles2smiles

Thank you so much for all your donations to Smiles to Smiles during the festive activities. Your generosity was evident, and you managed to raise £225 for the charity. Thank you for thinking of others at this time.

LEARNING TOGETHER

Nursery

We wish you a Merry Christmas! The Nursery children invited their families to come and join them for a session of Christmas crafts and nibbles. As a thank you the children then performed a few Christmas songs.

Year 1 - Maple

Year 1 spread Christmas cheer in the community last week when they visited the local care home. The children delivered hand made Christmas cards to the residents and sang some of their songs from our recent Christmas production which they performed excellently in!

Year 3

Year 3 were getting festive in DT this week and completed their pop-up Christmas cards. Over the half term, they researched, designed, created and evaluated these products. We hope you enjoyed receiving yours and wish you all a very Merry Christmas from the Year 3 team!

Year 5

Year 5 have been investigating different animal life cycles this week and making comparisons between them. They looked at the similarities between birds and insects and then the differences between different types of animals such as mammals. They worked as a team to create their own life cycles of different animals.

Reception

After learning the story of The Gingerbread Man, it was time to get baking! We looked at a recipe, followed the instructions and made some delicious gingerbread men. Luckily none of them jumped out of the oven and ran away! We want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and we are excited to see you all in the New Year!

Year 2 - Oak Class

This week we have been busy with a whole host of Christmas activities, culminating in a Class Christmas party and a panto!

Thank you so much for all your kind and generous Christmas gifts and wishes. We have loved our first term teaching the children in Year 2 and look forward to the Spring Term! We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2026.

Year 4

Year 4 stepped back in time this week for a spectacular Ancient Greek Day! Our young historians became code-breakers as they deciphered the Greek alphabet, and showed off their artistic flair by sculpting traditional clay pots. The excitement continued on the field with our very own mini-Olympics, followed by a creative design session where students engineered formidable new armour fit for a Spartan warrior. To round off the day, we enjoyed a taste of the Mediterranean by sampling some fresh Greek salad. A huge well done to all the children for their enthusiasm and incredible costumes!

Year 6

Year 6 had the pleasure of reading their World War 2 stories to Year 5. In our English lessons we have been writing stories based on Rose Blanche by Roberto Innocenti. Year 5 were fabulous listeners and Year 6 enjoyed reading their creations.

SAFEGUARDING, HEALTH & WELLBEING

Get safe online

The following leaflet gives important advice on how to safe online during the festive break:

https://members.metengage.co.uk/AlertMessage/Attachment/856618B684C9A553D502EA8C4EAE98F6

The Safeguarding Team

This is the full safeguarding team in school. They are all trained to Level 3 and everyone in the school received the annual update of Safeguarding Level 2 training at INSET. If you are worried about a child, please let one of the team know.

Contact details: 020 8397 3864 or email: office@elp.rbksch.org to request a safeguarding call back. For pupil support, contact 020 8397 3864 or email: pupilsupport@elp.rbksch.org

Margaret Johonnett

Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

Jacqui Malherbe

Pupil Support & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

Sally Sephton

SENDCO & Designated Teacher (LAC/PLAC) Safeguarding Team Member

Esme Winn

Deputy Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Team Member

Lorraine Davis

Pupil Support & Designated Safeguarding Team Member

Natalie Harris

Kirsty Ruthven

Designated Governors for Safeguarding and Child Protection

Please see the poster for an event Community Crime-Fighting : Royal Borough of Kingston to be held at the Guildhall on Monday 8th December 2025 doors opening at 18:00hrs.

If you would like to attend and meet the Management and have your say then either click on the link or scan the QR Code on the poster.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-crime-fighting-kingston-tickets-1707860910959?aff=oddtdtcreator