Thank you for all your support throughout this first half term of the school year. It has been a real pleasure meeting so many of you at parents’ events and other occasions I am also very thankful for the values you instil in your children and the way you send them to school each morning in perfect uniform, ready to learn I hope you feel that we listen carefully to your feedback and respond promptly to any concerns
Next half term is filled with events and important milestones, particularly for Years 11 and 13, who will be sitting their mock examinations. These begin for Year 11 immediately after the break, and I know the half term holiday will involve plenty of revision Alongside exams, we have our Sixth Form Open Evening, the Year 11 Parents’ Evening, our first Parents’ Day, and of course, our school production of ’Beauty and the Beast’ I have always regarded the first term of the academic year as the most important It lays the foundations for everything that follows and sets the standards we expect Our rules are rigorous, and we maintain high expectations
In The Know
behaviour, manners, uniform, and academic performance within that structure, my aim is for every child to feel and happy. All children have different talents and and the challenge is to be truly inclusive while each individual to reach their potential and thrive many inspiring stories about what our pupils take part school We have budding Olympians, future stars of screen, and many others who give their time quietly others I am particularly proud of our Sixth Form who volunteer at lunchtimes and after school to younger pupils with literacy and numeracy. It is to see such kindness and leadership in action Know celebrates many of these successes, and my as ever, go to Ms Tukacevska for bringing it all together I hope you enjoy reading it, and I look forward to seeing many of you after the holiday Best wishes,
Dame Sally Coates
Live Music on the 4th Floor
Jackson Pollock meets Basquiat in Art
The Photography Studio
In The Know
Last Friday, the school came alive with colour, pride, and celebration as we marked our third annual Culture Day. This joyful event honoured the many cultural backgrounds that make our community so special Students and staff arrived dressed in traditional clothing, vibrant colours, and symbols representing their heritage from saris, kilts, and kaftans to thobes, kimonos, and embroidered shirts Mr Farrell found the Algerian football tops especially stylish!
But in addition to looking good, Culture Day also embodied respect, one of the three pillars of the Holland Park Way. It was a celebration of what makes each member of our community unique, and how these differences come together to make our school not only stronger, but arguably the most comprehensive in the country
Finally, the day provided a wonderful opportunity to raise money for our house charities Supported by our student leadership team, students who took part donated £1 to their respective houses. A big congratulations goes to Holly House, who raised the most!
Mr L Farrell
In The Know
DAZZLING DANCING
We were delighted to share that Grace B represented Great Britain at an international dance competition in Gillingham on the 6th and 7th of October. Earlier this year, Grace achieved outstanding success, becoming a UK Championship in Bournemouth remarkable five British proud of Congratulations,
DEPUTY LIEUTENANT AWARD RECOGNITION
We are proud to share that Zahra Ahmed received the Deputy Lieutenant Award in recognition of her dedication and service to the London Fire Brigade Cadets Alongside her school commitments, Zahra has shown outstanding commitment by attending weekly cadet sessions, supporting and teaching younger cadets, and proving to be a reliable and valued Officer Cadet within her unit She has also taken part in numerous London Fire Brigade events, including Remembrance Sunday and fundraising activities for the Fire Fighters Charity Zahra shared, “I am very grateful to have received this award and to be part of such an amazing community ” Congratulations, Zahra, on this impressive achievement!
FOOTBALL AND MENTORSHIP: SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION
We were proud to see Ryan E K featured in The Guardian article “Our lost teenage boys need mentors and role models. Football can help” by Richard Foster The piece highlights the work of the Lost Boys Taskforce, a new initiative led by Paul Barber, Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove Albion FC Inspired by his own experiences growing up, Barber aims to ensure that every young person in the UK has access to a trusted adult or mentor by 2035. The taskforce believes that mentorship through sport can transform lives, improving mental health, confidence, and academic outcomes for boys who may feel isolated or without guidance Ryan appears in the article’s photograph alongside his mentor, representing the powerful relationships the project seeks to build. The initiative plans to train 10,000 mentors through education and sport networks across England - showing how football can be more than a game; it can change lives (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/sep/25/lost-teenageboys-mentors-role-modes-football-help-taskforce)
In The Know
THE INDUSTRIAL CADETS BRONZE AWARD
We are incredibly proud of our students Annabella F, Olivia K, Nikita V, Alisa R, Harris K, Isabel N, and Giacomo F, who achieved the Industrial Cadets Bronze Innovative Award last academic year. This nationally recognised programme provides young people with valuable opportunities to develop key skills in science, technology, engineering and maths through hands-on experience and teamwork The students worked with commitment and creativity throughout the project, developing both their technical understanding and their confidence in real-world problemsolving Their success reflects the school’s continued encouragement of innovation and excellence across all subjects We look forward to supporting future cohorts in taking part in the Industrial Cadets programme and continuing to celebrate their achievements as part of our thriving STEM community
SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD WITH STUDY SKILLS AT HOME
As we approach the mock examination period, our school’s Educational Psychologists have put together a range of helpful resources for parents These materials are designed to support effective study habits, revision planning, and wellbeing at home You can access the Study Skills Resources for Parents using the link below, which includes practical advice and strategies to help your child prepare confidently for their upcoming exams Resources found here
KEY DATES NEXT TERM:
Parents’ Day
Thursday 11 December 2025 – Parents' Day Parents’ Evenings
Thursday 04 December 2025 – Year 11 Parents' Evening Open Evenings
Thursday 06 November 2025 – Sixth Form Open Evening
All events are published in the Parent found here
If you would like to share some exciting news or achievements to be featured in the Parent Newsletter or In The Know (our half-termly publication), please make sure to CC Ms Olivia Tukacevska when you email the school/Dame Sally: Olivia burley@hollandparkschool co uk)
This ensures your news can be included in an upcoming edition Alternatively, you can submit information directly using the following link: Parent News Submission Form
In The Know
A STEP BACK IN TIME: LATIN STUDENTS VISIT THE ROMAN BATHS
Our GCSE and A Level Latin students had a fantastic trip to the Roman Baths in Bath on Friday 26th September Walking through the ancient site felt like stepping back in time, with students captivated by the remarkable preservation and fascinating history surrounding them A highlight of the day was the “Bathing and Beauty in Roman Times” workshop,
where students explored how Romans cared for themselves nearly 2,000 years ago Connecting classroom learning to real artefacts and stories brought their studies vividly to life and showed how ancient customs still influence aspects of modern life. It was a memorable and enriching day for all involved!
Ms C Dona
Year 13 enjoyed a thrilling theatre trip to see the inspiring 'Witness for the prosecution’ accompanied by Miss Pugh and Mr Arnold The unique location made the evening feel immersive and breathed new life into this famous 'whodunnit' that kept all enthralled and captivated to the very last moment On numerous occasions the students could be heard uttering gasps of shock as the play revealed its explosive plot twists. Animated discussion followed about legal theatricality and legal ritual -is justice really about truth? How fair is our justice system? A huge thanks must go to Mr McCarthy for supporting the English department in organising the trip and for making this unforgettable evening possible Now who's for a staff production of an Agatha Christie play? maybe Mr Arnold might make a good Sherlock Holmes? Elementary my dear Watson!
Ms Pugh
In The Know
MIDDLESEX CHAMPIONS: YEAR
9 &
10 BOYS TENNIS TEAM
Our Year 9 and 10 Boys Tennis season as the Champions of range of schools from across Lachezar S, and Mateo C determination throughout achievement, and we also recognise their valuable contributions Middlesex champions, the School, the champions performance, they were opposition Congratulations excellent season – we are them defend their title next
Mr D James
EXTRA - CURRICULAR
This term saw the start of our extra-curricular programme at Holland Park With 60+ clubs the students have a wide array of activities to choose from. This meant that 733 students attended a club within the first term, with more expected in the next term A timetable of curricular be found here
In The Know
DOING IT ‘LIVE AND DIRECT’ AT HOLLAND PARK!
There was huge excitement across the school this week as AJ Tracey, Holland Park alumnus and award-nominated artist, made a surprise visit to speak with Year 11 and Sixth Form students in the Main Hall The rapper, known for hits such as “Ladbroke Grove” and “Butterflies”, returned to his former school for a special interview and Q&A session, sharing honest reflections on his journey from West London to international stages He spoke about determination, creativity, and staying grounded = messages that resonated powerfully with students preparing for their own futures. The event drew a full house, with staff and students alike filling the hall to hear him speak It was an inspiring and memorable afternoon, celebrating both ambition and the enduring pride of Holland Park’s alumni community
Ms O Tukacevska
TOP SCIENTISTS IN THE MAKING: STUDENTS VISIT
NEW SCIENTIST LIVE
Twenty of our top-ranking Triple Science students the New Scientist Live event at ExCeL London, an day that brought together some of the brightest science and technology. The event featured fascinating live demonstrations (including spectacular liquid experiments), and a wide range of interactive exhibits our students eagerly explored - safely equipped with and gloves, of course! Laith described the day “unforgettable experience” (and made the most of freebies), while Riccardo, Andreas, Chloe, and engaged in conversations with leading experts exploration, artificial intelligence, climate science, human biology The atmosphere was alive with curiosity innovation, leaving students inspired by the possibilities scientific discovery and with a renewed appreciation science shapes our world and our future
10 Year 12 students visited Wadham College, Oxford (where, incidentally, we have two Holland Park linguist alumni!) for a taster day (including ab initio Portuguese) and tour Against a national backdrop of dramatic decline in languages-learning (a third of state sixth forms do not even have a single student studying French, Spanish or German A level), we work hard to buck this trend and demonstrate the value and joy of languages for all in this next generation
Mr T Hart
FUTURE MEDICS: DR PETER HILL LAUNCHES THE HOLLAND PARK MEDICAL SOCIETY
With the first session of the newly re-established Holland Park School Medical Society, we were thrilled to welcome Dr Peter Hill, a consultant nephrologist who works at the Hammersmith and Royal Marsden Hospitals, to deliver a talk on the overview of a typical undergraduate medical degree, the possible career avenues one can take post-university, and to give advice on the application process for prestigious medical universities around the country. Dr Hill currently teaches medical students at Imperial College London and serves on the interview panel for undergraduate medical degrees, so hearing directly from someone so involved in both the medical field and the admissions process was an incredible opportunity for the students Around 20 students from Years 12 and 13 attended the talk, showing a real enthusiasm for learning more about what it takes to pursue a career in medicine, and Dr Hill gave first-hand advice on applying to top universities such as Imperial, preparing for interviews, and making the most of work experience placements. He also shared his own experiences from his career as a consultant doctor, helping the students to understand both the challenges and the rewards of a medical career Students left inspired, better informed, and more confident about taking the next steps toward a career in healthcare. We’re incredibly grateful to Dr Hill for giving up his time to speak with us, and for making the first Medical Society session of the year such an inspiring and valuable experience
YEAR 7 SPELLING BEE BUZZES WITH EXCITEMENT!
Palindrome, calamitous, magnanimous” - these were just a few of the tricky words tackled by our talented Year 7 students in this year’s Spelling Bee. Sixteen eager contestants, representing their houses with pride, took to the stage in a bee-autiful display of focus, courage, and quick thinking The atmosphere was positively buzzing as classmates filled the hall with warm support, cheering on every correct letter and sharing in the triumphs (and occasional stumbles) of their peers The competition was fierce, leading to a nail-biting finish that went into extra words before a champion could be crowned In the end, Kaio from Argyll emerged as the queen bee of the day, spelling his way to first place Close behind was Jack, also from Argyll, taking second, and Melissa from Moray securing a well-deserved third A huge congratulations to all our Year 7 spellersyou truly made this event un-bee-lievable!
Mr
K Tucker
Our recent ‘Guess the Flag’ House Competition was a lively and engaging event that brought students together for a friendly test of their geography knowledge This marked our first ever vertical house event, with students from Years 7 to 11 joining forces within their houses. Both students and staff were challenged to identify 40 flags from countries around the world, sparking curiosity and conversations about different nations and cultures The atmosphere was filled with excitement, teamwork, and plenty of laughter - along with a few surprising guesses! A huge congratulations to Holly Team 1 and 2, who achieved a perfect score by correctly identifying every flag, securing a well-deserved victory Argyll and Moray finished in joint second place, while Wycombe took the final spot - ready to come back stronger next time!
Mr M Purse
RUBIK’S CUBE COMPETITION
Wednesday’s (15/10/25) Rubik’s Cube Competition saw fantastic representation from all Houses, making it a true showcase of school spirit and friendly rivalry The annual event, now in its second year, brought together a room full of eager Year 7–9 competitors ready to test their speed, precision, and focus across three thrilling rounds The intensity in the room was palpable Both students and staff in the audience were holding their breath as the finalists raced against the clock During the finals, a visualiser projected the action onto a large screen, allowing everyone to admire the elegant manoeuvring of the cubes as the competitors worked furiously to solve their scrambles The difference between first and second place was less than a second, highlighting just how competitive the event had become Official timing equipment and competition-standard cubes added a professional touch, making every solve feel like a world-class performance The event closed out with a masterclass from Luqua, a sixth form student who wowed everyone by solving the final scramble in an astonishing 10 seconds! Well done to all competitors for their skill, focus, and lightning-fast solves By the end, the room was filled with excitement, nerves, and a shared sense of accomplishment, a fitting end to a fun and fiercely competitive event that continues to grow each year.
Toulouse - 9AHX 1st place securing 100 House points for Argyll Arad - 8MPR 2nd place : securing 50 House points for Moray
In The Know
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - DECEMBER 10TH, 11TH, 12TH AT 18:00 IN THE MAIN HALL
Since September, attendees of the School Production and Orchestra extra-curricular clubs have been working tirelessly to prepare for our annual school musical. This year we are presenting the musical Beauty and the Beast, which is based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature and includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr Menken and Tim Rice If you are interested in attending any of the shows on the 10th, 11th, 12th December at the time 18:00 in the Main Hall, then e-tickets can be purchased ParentPay from Friday 24th October. We look forward sharing this ‘tale as old as time’ with you!
Please note that we will not be selling tickets in person this year and therefore ParentPay is the only way to purchase tickets for the show.
Ms
A Chapman
LIVE FROM HOLLAND PARK: DEBUTS
This year’s first ‘Live From Holland Park’ event opened with a recital celebrating a series of exciting debuts, featuring talented new performers from Year 7 and Year 12 Their performances, alongside those of our more seasoned Holland Park musicians, filled the beautiful Thorpe Lodge Music Room with an atmosphere of creativity and confidence It was a wonderful evening showcasing both new familiar talent. We look forward to welcoming families friends back for our Winter Recital, which will take place Thorpe Lodge on Thursday 18th December at 18:00
Ms A Chapman
All students are invited to take part in this year’s United Learning Christmas Card Competition – a wonderful opportunity to showcase your creativity and have artwork professionally printed and shared across the trust.
How to Enter:
Open to all year groups
Create a Christmas card design inspired by one of the following themes: Joy to the World, A Christmas Story, Following a Star. Submit your design directly to Ms Tukacevska at: olivia.burley@hollandparkschool.co.uk
Deadline: 3 November 2025
Selection Process: Ms Tukacevska will choose the top three entries from Holland Park School to be sent forward to United Learning for final judging
Prizes:
The winning design across the trust will be printed as the official United Learning Christmas Card 2025 The winning student will also receive a £50 Amazon voucher and 10 printed copies of their card. Traditional Christmas imagery has been successful in previous years, but originality, imagination, and personal interpretation of the theme are strongly encouraged Get creative – and good luck!
YEAR 10 STUDENTS ATTEND CHELSEA FC FOUNDATION’S DIGITAL BLUE EVENT
The Chelsea FC Foundation recently hosted the Digital Blue Event at Stamford Bridge, and a group of our Year 10 Computer Science students were thrilled to attend The Foundation uses its strong partnerships to bring together leading industry professionals, and this event was no exception Students took part in four engaging workshops throughout the day: an AI session delivered by Microsoft professionals, a presentation from Autodesk on their CAD software (which they have generously offered for the school’s free use), an interactive session with Chelsea FC Foundation, and a coding challenge where students programmed a ball to cross the pitch and score a goal The day concluded with a networking session where students spoke with experts from across the tech and digital industries It was an inspiring, hands-on experience that deepened their understanding of technology and showcased the exciting career opportunities in the field.
Mr R McCarthy
The results are in for the UKMT Senior Mathematical Challenge, and we are thrilled to celebrate another year of
outstanding achievement This year, 77 out of 130 students earned a certificate - a fantastic accomplishment that reflects their problem-solving skill and mathematical talent. An additional 10 students have qualified to represent the school in the Kangaroo and Olympiad rounds on 19 November 2025 Congratulations to all students who took part for their hard work, perseverance, and enthusiasm for mathematics!
Ms J Casela
A POWERFUL TALK ON KNIFE CRIME
Recently, the brilliant Tom Hodges from RBKC spoke to our students about the crucial issue of knife crime. His talk was honest, informative, and deeply impactful, opening many students’ eyes to the reality and seriousness of the situation in London Tom shared clear facts about the causes and consequences of knife crime, speaking with passion about its devastating effects on individuals, families, and communities He highlighted that most stabbings involve the victim’s own knife, and strongly emphasised that carrying a knife for self-protection is both dangerous and misinformed.
We are grateful to RBKC Council for their continued support in helping us address such an important topic and in guiding our young people to make safe, informed choices
In The Know
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF PETER DOIG
Our Art Aptitude students in Years 7 to 9 recently enjoyed a fantastic trip to the Serpentine Galleries to explore Peter Doig: House of Music. The exhibition transforms the gallery into a listening space, merging painting, sound-systems and cultural storytelling Throughout the visit, students discovered how Doig blends music, memory and cinematic references - some works depicting spaces where music is heard, others showing the act of listening itself The experience offered our young artists a rich source of inspiration, encouraging reflection on how sound, place and visual art connect. It was a memorable, enlightening outing prompting our students to consider creative approaches and the power of mixed media in their own work Thank you to Ms Fitton for organising the trip and to the Art Department team for supporting our students throughout the visit
Ms O Tukacevska
In The Know
WINTER WREATH MAKING AND MORE…
PTA Festive Wreath Making Workshop
Craft Your Own Seasonal Door Decoration
Celebrate the festive season with a relaxing and creative workshop at Thorpe Lodge Under the expert guidance of Eva van der Heul, participants will design and craft their own 30cm fresh spruce wreath, using fragrant greenery, berries, pine cones, and ribbon – a perfect way to welcome the holidays
What You’ll Enjoy
Create Your Festive Masterpiece
Begin with a lush spruce base and layer seasonal foliage and natural decorations. Eva will guide you step by step, sharing professional tips to ensure your wreath looks beautiful throughout the season.
Seasonal Ambiance
Enjoy the scent of spruce and eucalyptus, gentle seasonal music, and a joyful, creative atmosphere in the tranquil setting of Thorpe Lodge.
Take Home Your Creation
Leave with a beautifully handcrafted wreath in a gift bag – and the confidence to make more at home.
All Materials Provided
30cm fresh spruce ring
Seasonal foliage, berries, and pine cones
Dried fruits, ribbon, and wire
Where: Thorpe Lodge, Holland Park School
Price: £65 per person (includes festive drink and nibbles)
Perfect for: All skill levels
In The Know
SECONDHAND UNIFORM SHOP
Open every Tuesday, 2:00 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
CALLING ALL CRAFTERS!
Do you love creating and making things? The PTA would love to hear from you! Whether you’re a student, parent, guardian, family member, or staff, we’d love your ideas or help We are planning a Craft Afternoon or Evening - more details coming soon - but we’d like you to get in touch if you have a talent, an idea for a stall, or would just like to volunteer. Interested? Email: pta hollandparkschool@gmail com or contact your year rep Let’s get crafty and have fun as a school community!
We’re excited to share our whole-school funding request, featuring the items the PTA hopes to bring to our community this year. Click here to take a look! Thanks to the incredible generosity of our parents and carers, we already have £12,000 raised and ready to go – and we’ll soon be updating you on which projects will be funded first. There are many ways you can help make more of the funding request a reality. Supporting our events is fantastic, but one of the most effective ways to contribute is through a tax-efficient donation to the HPS PTA via the Charities Aid Foundation. With Gift Aid, every £100 you donate becomes £125 of support for our students and staff. And if you’re a higher-rate taxpayer, the net cost to you is just £75.You can make a one-off donation or set up a direct debit here: cafdonate.cafonline.org/24597
A heartfelt thank you to all our supporters and volunteers – your generosity makes a genuine difference every day to the life of our school.
In The Know
INTERNATIONAL EVENING - A FEAST OF FLAVOURS
AND FRIENDSHIP
What a fantastic night! Our International Evening was a wonderful celebration of great food, great company, and our vibrant school community. It was fantastic to see so many parents come together to share their cultures and cuisines –the food was truly out of this world! A huge thank you to everyone who contributed their time, effort, and amazing dishes to make the evening such a delicious success
Don’t forget to sign up for our next event – the Wreath Making Workshop! It’s sure to be another fun and festive gathering you won’t want to miss.
