Holland Park School In The Know Spring 1 Edition 3 2026
In The Know
Dear Parents,
of another half term, we also pass the halfway point of the year strong and purposeful half term, marked by a positive Ofsted inspection, several well attended parents’ evenings, and a wide range of trips, including our recent visit to Spain. As ever, I remain deeply proud of our pupils. Their manners, conduct, and general demeanour consistently stand out, and this is something visitors to the school remark upon time and again I would like to acknowledge that the rank order process for Years 8, 9, and 10 did not run as smoothly as it should have A combination of technical and human errors meant that some information was not as accurate as it needed to be. I apologise sincerely for this. We understand how high stakes this data is for both pupils and parents Our students take their outcomes seriously, and it is our responsibility to ensure clarity, accuracy, and trust in these processes. I am confident that the issues have now been resolved. Following half term, the ranking assemblies will take place, but they will be reframed as Celebrations of Achievement This change reflects our values Progress matters We will celebrate pupils who have made significant strides forward, not only those who sit at the very top Achievement is about growth, effort, and perseverance, as much as it is about attainment. While working hard and achieving well are important, so too is being kind and doing the right thing Alongside exam results and marks in books, we want to recognise pupils who consistently show integrity, generosity, and quiet leadership The children who volunteer to help, who look out for others, and who make good choices when no one is watching deserve recognition Over the next term, we will review our reward systems to ensure these qualities are more visibly celebrated. This half term has also seen the launch of our Cultural Capital Passports This edition of In the Know highlights pupils who have already begun collecting stamps by engaging fully with the opportunities on offer. In addition, our programme of extra challenge for our most able pupils, initially focused on Years 7 and 8, will launch before Easter While some pupils will be invited to take part in the first instance, the programme is designed to be inclusive, and any pupil who wishes to participate will be warmly welcomed Further details will be shared through the newsletter and displayed
Best wishes,
Dame Sally Coates
In The Know
Pyjamas with a purpose |
Ms O Tukacevska
During Charity Week, we invited students and wear pyjamas to school, with the school uniform if they preferred reminder of something simple yet
In The Know
A BIGGER BOOK BY DAVID HOCKNEY BACK ON DISPLAY IN THE ATRIUM
We are very pleased to share that our signed collector’s edition of A Bigger Book has been placed back on display in the school atrium This remarkable publication was generously gifted to the school by renowned textile designer Celia Birtwell, a long standing friend and muse of David Hockney. Her decision to place such a significant and valuable work in a school setting was deliberate It was given not to be stored away, but to be seen, studied, and lived with by young people Limited to 9,000 copies worldwide and individually signed by Hockney, the book is part of Taschen’s celebrated SUMO series At 50 x 70cm and weighing 35kg, it is presented on a specially designed bookstand by Marc Newson It is, quite literally, an artwork in its own right What makes this gift so special is not simply its scale or rarity, but its accessibility It sits in the heart of the school, in the atrium, where students pass it each day They can pause, turn its vast pages, and encounter more than sixty years of one of Britain’s most influential artists
From early art school drawings to the iconic pools, from portraits to Yorkshire landscapes and digital works, the book offers an immersive visual journey through a lifetime of creative thinking Hockney famously wrote, “A book like this shouldn’t have much text ” He believed that pictures should speak for themselves In placing this work at the centre of our school, we are making a clear statement about the importance of looking closely, thinking independently, and engaging directly with great art. We are incredibly fortunate to have this signed edition in our care Its return to the atrium is a reminder of the generosity of those who believe in education and the arts, and of the responsibility we have to ensure that our students experience culture not as something distant, but as something present and alive in their daily lives
In The Know
Handball Tournaments | Mr D James
As part of our ongoing partnership with England Handball, this week and last Schools from across West London purchased handball goals, generously funded by the PTA interest and participation in handball across the school excellent spirit, showcasing both sporting commitment
The Years 7 and 8 girls took part in a challenging and competitive tournament, showing both resilience and clear development across their matches The opening game proved difficult, with a 10–2 loss against a strong Putney High side Despite this setback, the team responded positively, demonstrating improved organisation confidence to secure a convincing 6–2 win over Instituto Cañada Blanch Momentum continued into the next fixture closely contested 3–3 draw against Elthorne, where the determination and teamwork throughout The tournament with a defeat against Putney High’s second team, rounding demanding series of games against tough opposition. Trixie standout performer, finishing as the team’s top goalscorer goals and making a significant impact across the tournament the team’s effort, attitude, and ability to recover from setback were commendable, resulting in a well deserved finish
The Years 7 and 8 boys showed strong resilience tournament, finishing in third place. After a 9–3 opening Ealing Fields, the team responded with an emphatic 11 Instituto Vicente Cañada Blanch A narrow 10–8 loss followed, before the boys ended the tournament convincing 9–0 win against Burlington Danes Demetrius were joint top scorers, each finishing with ten goals, playing in the team’s success
The Years 9 and 10 girls opened their tournament with 0 victory, setting a positive tone They were then tested sides in Ealing Fields and Putney High, resulting in tough opposition Lira finished as top scorer with three team secured a solid third place finish overall
U16 Boys Basketball vs St Thomas More Language College
The U16 boys played their first fixture of 2026 against St Thomas More Language College The game was closely contested from the outset, with the score remaining tight for the first three quarters and STM leading by just two points Unfortunately, injuries to two players in the final quarter disrupted momentum and STM pulled away to win by 15 points Abenezer G was named Player of the Match for his performance and leadership
Years 7 and 8 Girls Basketball | Community League Finals
The Years 7 and 8 girls competed in the final round of the Community Basketball League earlier this month The team arrived understandably nervous but excited to play in a competitive league format A slow start in the opening games was followed by a much stronger finish, with improved confidence and teamwork evident in the later matches This strong end secured an overall third place finish Sophia S was named Player of the Tournament
In The Know
Volleyball Friendly vs St Thomas More Language College
Year 9 and 10 boys and girls took part in their first volleyball friendly against St Thomas More Language College in a mixed gender fixture. The match was played in excellent spirit and went play and teamwork was encouraging Years 7 to 9 will also face Year 10
Boys Football vs The Hurlingham Academy
The Year 10 boys suffered a frustrating 2–0 defeat against The long periods and creating chances, HPS were unable to convert throughout Special recognition goes to the defensive unit and Ernest B, Duuren G, Henry T, and Hakim A We are hopeful for more fixtures.
Year Boys Football Hammersmith Academy
In The Know
Jack Petchey “Count On Us” Maths Competition | Ms O Shibiko
We’re excited to announce that Holland Park School will be taking part in the Jack Petchey “Count On Us” competition this year! Pupils in Years 7, 8, and 9 have already been preparing in Maths lessons and the Puzzle Club, and we will select five pupils to represent the school at the regional heat Selection will be through an internal competition taking place on Thursday, 5th March at 4:00 pm at the school Pupils do not need to sign up in advance, they can simply turn up on the day but we would appreciate it if they could register their interest beforehand. We are also looking for parent volunteers to help with scoring and tallying games; if you are confident with quick counting and keeping score, please sign up Forms: Parent: Count on Us - Parent – Fill out form Pupil: Count on us - participation – Fill out form
UKMT Success | Ms J Casela
We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of our Year 10 mathematicians in this year’s UKMT Intermediate Mathematical Challenge A special congratulations goes to Alisa Riskin, who is our only pupil to qualify for the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge Olympiad This is an outstanding accomplishment and reflects exceptional mathematical reasoning and problem solving level Alisa is pictured with Ms Casela, our UKMT has supported pupils throughout the competition We are equally proud of the wider Year pupils achieving Bronze, Silver, and Gold certificates awards recognise strong performance competition that challenges students well standard curriculum Congratulations to all involved hard work and commitment
In The Know
UKMT Intermediate Mathematical Challenge | Ms J Casela
This year’s UKMT Intermediate Mathematical Challenge was a significant success, and we are delighted to share both the results and accompanying photographs Out of 190 students who took part, 110 achieved a Gold, Silver, or Bronze certificate, reflecting an excellent level of mathematical thinking and problem solving across the cohort In addition, 12 students have qualified for the next school, in Room 1 09 Congratulations
Year 9
Hugo R – Grey Kangaroo, Gold (BiY)
Ilyas G – Grey Kangaroo, Gold
Year 10
Alisa R – Hamilton 2026, Gold (BiS)
Eddy Y – Pink Kangaroo, Gold
Giacomo F – Pink Kangaroo, Gold
Nat H – Pink Kangaroo, Gold
Haris K – Pink Kangaroo, Gold
Anabella F – Gold
Year 11
Sara M – Pink Kangaroo, Gold (BiY)
Ka Hei K– Pink Kangaroo, Gold
In The Know
Sixth form 'Speed A Level
One hundred or so Year 12
Levels they were interested its appeal, its challenges, exchange of thinking across below) - two of our Year 13 foundation of what we hope
In The Know
Jamie’s Farm Residential | A Week of Growth and Challenge
Story Success | Mr A Waterhouse
are delighted to share that Sara Madan (Year 11) has achieved 3rd place nationally in the 2026 Six Word Story Competition, run by the creative writing charity First Story and supported by Penguin Random House The challenge invited students to craft a complete story in just six words, testing precision, imagination, and depth of meaning From 950 entries across 26 schools, Sara’s entry, “Judged cover. Book swallowed me whole ”, stood out for its originality, with judges praising its insight and creative impact This is an exceptional achievement and a testament to Sara’s writing skill and thoughtful engagement with language
We are pleased to share highlights from a highly successful week spent by a group of our students at Jamie’s Farm. Throughout the residential, students worked exceptionally hard, showing resilience as they faced personal challenges while building strong, supportive friendships They approached the week with openness, saying yes to new experiences and making the most of every opportunity During their stay, students took part in a wide range of activities including farming, cooking, crafts, log chopping, therapeutic horse work, and countryside walks. Living and working together gave the group valuable time to reflect on their behaviour and achievements, with daily opportunities to give compliments, recognise success, and take part in one-to-one reflection with staff Particular highlights included students overcoming initial apprehension and homesickness, confidently taking on the challenge of lambing, and showing genuine kindness and encouragement towards one another The week concluded with a celebratory reflection, where students heard positive feedback about their growth and contributions, supporting their confidence and self-belief We would like to thank Ms P Askew and Mr L Levin for their outstanding care, patience, and commitment to the group. Their involvement, alongside the Jamie’s Farm team, ensured that the learning from the week will continue back in school, helping to embed the impact of this experience We are grateful to Jamie’s Farm for providing such a meaningful programme and look forward to continuing this partnership in the future
Supporting WWF through the London Marathon | Mr B Douglas
Mr Douglas will be running the 2026 TCS London Marathon in support of WWF, helping to tackle the climate crisis and protect the natural world our pupils are growing up in As a Geography teacher, he sees first-hand how rapidly our planet is changing and how this affects the places young people explore, enjoy, and learn from. WWF works to restore habitats, protect wildlife, and safeguard the future for the next generation To donate, click the link here
Running the London Marathon for The National Brain Appeal | Ms P Bertie
I am hugely excited that in April I am running the London Marathon for The National Brain Appeal This is a very important charity to me and my family because of the work they do into researching rare neurological conditions, such as Guillain- Barre. I would be so grateful for any support to spur me on in my training! Link to donate, click the link here
In The Know
Year 9 Research Project Day | Mr S Sridhar
On Monday 9th February, students of 9B/Sc2 took part in an exciting Research Project Day in science Working in groups, students were assigned topics linked to their schemes of learning and were encouraged to research further to extend their knowledge This Inspire and Enthuse activity aimed to build scientific oracy and confidence in presenting to a wider audience Students impressed with well-prepared presentations, including one group who created a 3D DNA model to support their explanation The top two groups were awarded Golden Tickets for Aspiration, and the enthusiasm and effort shown by all students were fantastic to see Research projects like this help students deepen their understanding of curriculum content, develop independent enquiry skills, scientific ideas students to
In The Know
Cultural Capital in Action | Year 7 at the V&A
To celebrate the launch of our Cultural Capital initiative, introduced by Mr Farrell, Ms Wedlake spoke with a group of Year 7 students who recently visited the Victoria and Albert Museum Asia Beckford-Rogers, Dashiell McAvoyOrtiz, and Valentin Riskin kindly shared their reflections on the experience and what they gained from it
Where did you visit as part of our Cultural Capital initiative?
Valentin: The V&A in South Kensington on Exhibition Road
Who did you go with and when?
Asia: I went with my mum and sister in the holidays. Dashiell: I went with my mum and sister at the weekend. Valentin: I went with my mum during the holiday
What did you enjoy about the V&A?
Dashiell: It was very diverse, with lots of textiles and fabrics from many different countries. My favourite part was the American Indian section, especially the hats, which looked really cool.
Valentin: I liked that it had lots of different things, not just sculptures but textiles and art as well. There was so much to see. My mum and I visited the Marie Antoinette section and I loved the very extravagant dresses.
Asia: I liked how it gave you information about the world hundreds of years ago. I really enjoyed the section about kings and queens, especially Queen Victoria’s painting and the photographs in her exhibition.
Would you go back, or is there somewhere you would like to visit next?
Asia: Yes, definitely
Dashiell: I preferred this visit to a previous exhibition I’d seen at the V&A, so it was really nice to go back again.
Valentin: I didn’t get to see the large sculpture section, so I’d definitely like to return to explore that.
What would you say to friends who are thinking about visiting?
Dashiell: It’s very interesting and helps you think about how people live in different parts of the world. In England we’re used to a certain way of life, but other countries have very different food, clothing, and traditions, which I enjoyed learning about.
Asia: I’d recommend the V&A because it helps you understand history. It’s really interesting and helps you learn about different countries.
Valentin: I’d recommend it because it’s a fun way to spend the day with your family while learning about different
cultures. It’s not just fun, it supports your learning, and I enjoyed using this knowledge in my lessons
These thoughtful reflections highlight the purpose of our Cultural Capital initiative: encouraging curiosity, cultural understanding, and meaningful learning beyond the classroom
In The Know
Coffee Morning | SEND Support and Careers Pathways
Our next Coffee Morning is on the 23rd of March from 9-10AM We are expecting an Autism Advisory teacher to come as well as having a short presentation from Robert on careers pathways
Biodiversity Club | Ms P Grewal
We are delighted to share a recent achievement from our Biodiversity Club This week, a group of students took part in the RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch, carrying out a bird survey across the Reading Garden and MUGA areas of the school During the session, students carefully observed and recorded the bird species they saw, applying fieldwork techniques while developing their understanding of local biodiversity The Big Schools’ Birdwatch is a national citizen science project run annually by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, inviting schools across the UK to contribute data that helps scientists monitor bird populations and understand how wildlife is thriving in different environments As a result of their participation, students received individual certificates, and the school was also awarded a certificate signed by Sir David Attenborough, recognising our contribution to this important national initiative The students showed excellent engagement and pride in their work, while developing skills across science, geography, and data collection. Well done to all students involved for their commitment and enthusiasm
David Attenborough
In The Know
BFI Study Visit | Ms T Hart
During the visit, students watched a range of French film extracts from different time periods, followed by a live discussion conducted entirely in French The event provided a valuable opportunity to hear authentic spoken French in a real cultural context, beyond the classroom, and to engage with students from other schools Below is Thuraya’s reflection on the experience:
Témoignage en français:
*"Notre sortie de français au British Film Institute a été la meilleure sortie de sixième que j’ai faite jusqu’à présent, avec un bon équilibre entre le plaisir et l’apprentissage Nous avons regardé plusieurs extraits de films français de différentes époques, puis nous avons participé à une discussion avec le public C’était très intéressant d’entendre du français authentique et de voir comment la langue est utilisée dans des situations réelles, en dehors de la classe, ainsi que de découvrir l’avis d’élèves d’autres écoles. L’événement s’est déroulé entièrement en français, ce qui m’a d’abord un peu inquiété en tant que non-natif Cependant, à ma grande surprise, j’ai compris pratiquement tous les mots. Avoir l’occasion d’écouter du français authentique pendant une longue période m’a permis de voir combien mes compétences de compréhension orale ont progressé C’était le meilleur moment de la sortie pour moi Ces progrès sont certainement grâce à mes professeurs de français à Holland Park, qui nous encouragent toujours en donnant les consignes en français, en nous faisant poser et répondre aux questions en français, et en organisant des débats en français Je suis très reconnaissant pour cette expérience ” - Thuraya, Year 12
English translation: "Our French A-level trip to the British Film Institute has been the best sixth form trip I have been on so far, striking the perfect balance between fun and education We watched several clips from French films spanning different time periods, which were then opened up for public discussion. It was fascinating to hear authentic French and observe how the language is used in real contexts outside the classroom, as well as to learn how the films resonated with students from other schools The event was hosted entirely in French, which initially made me apprehensive as a non-native speaker However, my surprise, I practically understood every word. Being able to listen authentic spoken French for an extended period and recognising how much my listening skills have improved was undoubtedly the highlight of the trip This progress is certainly thanks to my French teachers Holland Park, who consistently deliver instructions in French, encourage us to ask and answer questions in French, and engage us debates in French I am very grateful for the experience ”
This visit was a wonderful example of language learning brought to life, building confidence, cultural understanding, and independence in Sixth Form students
In The Know
In The Know
MURDER MYSTERY PLAY
There have been several murders at the manor, but whodunnit? Was it the suspicious butler, the flirtatious French maid, or perhaps Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench, or Mrs Peacock in the study with the knife? Inspired by the iconic Cluedo board game, this hilarious whodunit is packed with outrageous suspects, sharp humour, and plenty of twists, keeping cult fans and newcomers laughing as they race to uncover who did it, where, and with what. The show takes place at Thorpe Lodge, Holland Park School, Airlie Gardens, Campden Hill Road, London W8 7AF, on Friday 13th March and Saturday 14th March 2026, from 6.30pm to 9pm. Tickets are £15 and available now on Eventbrite, and the event is a family-friendly show open to the public, so friends are very welcome This is a joint VVVVV
PTA FUNDRAISING UPDATE
We’re £17,000 closer to our £75,000 goal. From quiz nights to BBQs, wreath making to hot chocolate cafés, every event has played a part. Thank you to everyone who has supported along the way. Let’s keep going and continue supporting our school
. SECOND HAND UNIFORM
Open every Tuesday, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm at the school uniform shop We are always in need of stock! If you have any uniform items in good condition that you would like to donate, please drop them off at the school reception or bring them directly to the uniform shop on Tuesdays Students are always welcome to pop in, and our lovely volunteers will be happy to assist with sizing and let them know when specific items are available fundraiser for Holland Park School PTA, supporting school staff and learning programmes, and Earls Court Community Trust, raising funds for their summer show in June Come along, enjoy the performance, and support two local charities in an evening of laughter, suspicion, and last-minute revelations that make this a crime not to attend
In The Know
What a fantastic evening. A huge thank taken first and second place once again, A special thank you to our brilliant well-judged questions and plenty of made the event possible. Ying and Yuri prepared rice for 120 people and supported the cooking team with extra curry. Thank you also to Sam, Rebecca, Yuri, Ying, and Amanda for the delicious homemade curries, which were very popular on the night. Together, we raised just under £700 in ticket sales, with a further £600 raised through the raffle and refreshments A big thank you to Amanda and Petya for organising the prizes and running the raffle It was lovely to meet parents and guardians from across different year groups We look forward to seeing you all at the next event
GETTING TO Know… Ms Aya Benfellahi
Head of Year 9
A half termly feature where we introduce a different member of staff!
1.What is your favourite food? I don’t actually have a particular favourite food; I tend to hyper-fixate on certain things. At the moment it’s a chicken 2.Caesar salad or Toblerone, or the 3.Dubai Chocolate Buns from Home 4. Croissant (insane) - it really just 5.depends on the day
2. Where would you most like to visit? I’ve always wanted vv
to go to Paris (shock horror I’ve never been!) There’s something about France that I’ve always been drawn to, probably because I’m part French, and I can definitely see myself living there.
3. What would your ideal superpower be? I’d love to be able to talk to animals I’ve always felt drawn to them, whether it’s a small hamster (not mice) or a horse I think being able to talk to my cats would be quite cool
4. What was your favourite book as a teenager and why? Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin. It’s the one text I’ve read around 30 times in my life It’s extraordinary, and each year I return to it (always as a summer read), I come away with a completely different perspective from the year before
5. What skill do you wish you had? Anything maths or physics related My friends and family know I’ve always found both subjects fascinating, and there’s something quite beautiful about watching problems being solved I also have a slightly odd habit of collecting science and maths books, even when I don’t fully understand the maths
6. What did you want to be when you were growing up? Like most children, I oscillated between different ideas of who I wanted to be, and in many ways I still do For a long time I considered becoming a professional ballerina, then that shifted to wanting to be a corporate lawyer or working in the geopolitical space, which I did for a little while I never had one fixed career in mind, so the question, “What do you want to be when you’re older?” was always difficult to answer.
7. Tell me can’t remember to avoid idea that the closest other morning woke up late, that lack of
8 What would your teachers have said about you when you were at school? I was a regular student at secondary school I got on well with most students and teachers, completed all my work to a high standard, and took part in lots of extracurricular activities - including interviewing Dame Janet Baker, performing in productions, and competing with the swim team My main ‘slip-up’ was very randomly deciding to split-dye my hair in sixth form Safe to say my Head of Sixth Form was not impressed to see me half blonde, half brunette. Other than that, I just got on with things
9. Who is the most famous person you’ve met or bumped into? I had a chat with David Beckham and two of his children, Romeo and Cruz not too long ago They were grabbing a coffee at the (now sadly closed) Starbucks by Holland Park Station, and we got talking while waiting The most famous person I’ve met, though, is probably The King My partner and I attended the Chelsea Flower Show when he was there - nice guy, quite funny.
10 What sport do you watch and which teams or players do you support? I find most sports a bit boring, but I do enjoy
Wimbledon. I don’t support any particular teams; at Ascot, I usually just go for the horse with the best name.
