Dear families and carers,
We are delighted to invite you to School 21’s annual ‘Find Your Voice’ Oracy Exhibition on Monday, 9th February. The exhibition will highlight how oracy is at the core of everything we do, helping every student to find their voice. You will experience workshops, presentations and student demonstrations, showing how oracy supports literacy, relational practice, responsive coaching and opportunities for every student to speak in every lesson. The exhibition will begin at 2 PM, with light refreshments from 1:30 PM. A few spaces remain, so please do share this with friends who may be interested.
We will also be hosting a 'Future of Education' panel and are pleased to introduce the following speakers:
- Baasit Siddiqui – Director of Siddiqui Education & TV Personality (Gogglebox)
- Shonogh Pilgrim – CEO of Whole Education
- Agnes Fitzpatrick – Regional Director at ImpactEd
- John Barneby – CEO of Oasis Community Learning
This month will also feature Maths Rockstar Day, music events, creative projects, Chinese New Year and more.
We’re looking forward to welcoming you and sharing these experiences with our school community.
With warm wishes,
Moray Dickson
Headteacher, School 21
January School 21 calendar
| Date | Year group | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 3rd February | Workshop group | Creative Writing Workshop Newham College 10:30 AM – 1 PM |
| Thursday 5th February | Primary | Maths Rockstar Day – Dress up in a rockstar costume for school |
| Friday 6th February | Year 5 | British Museum Trip |
| Monday 9th to Friday 13th February | Year 5 – 11 | Inter-school Sports Week |
| Monday 9th February | All | Oracy Exhibition 13:30 – 5 PM |
| Tuesday 10th February | Reception – Year 4 | Winter Games Event 8:30-11:30 AM |
| Wednesday 11th February | Primary | History Sharing Event 3:15-4 PM |
| Wednesday 11th February | All | S21 Musician of the Year/ Tour Fundraiser Event 4:30 – 8:30 PM |
| Monday 16th to Friday 20th February | All | Half-term holidays – School closed |
| Monday 23rd February | All | School reopens 8:30 (breakfast club 7:45 AM) |
| Monday 23rd February – Friday 6th March | Year 11/Year 13 | Mock exams |
| Tuesday 24th February | Year 12 | Parents evening |
Congratulations to 7A, 7D and Amber for achieving the highest attendance, each with over 97%!
| Date | Details |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 11th February 4.30-8 pm | S21 Musician of the Year/ Tour Fundraiser Event |
| Wednesday 11th March- Friday 13th March 6-8.30pm | Sister Act The Musical Tickets will be on sale the week before half term- £5 each |
| Thursday 26th March 1.30-3.30pm | Y9 Battle of the Bands |
| Summer term | Community Choir Back with a new project |
Young Voices at the O2 Arena
An unforgettable experience!
Our Primary Choir took part in an incredible concert on Tuesday evening. 44 students visited the O2 Arena to sing in the Young Voices choir, with 8,997 children in total! The sound was phenomenal and our parents were cheering and dancing along in the audience. Thank you to all of the teachers and families for supporting this inspiring opportunity for our young singers.
Senior Category: Eli, Monet, Violet, Osassere, Marietou, Daiane, Nicolas, Leah, Stephanie, Louis, Aarjon, Obi
Junior Category: Yuxi, Nicole, Kai, Bella, Laura, Sadie, Aizah, Kaloyan
Small ensemble Category- Nicolas, Louis, Makai, Osassere, Leah, Stephanie, Daiane
We want to take 50 talented students on our international music tour this July, but we still need to raise £10,000 by April. You can make a difference!
Ways to help with funding
- Donate raffle prizes – vouchers, gift cards or gifts for our fundraising draw.
- Sponsor a student – £775 covers one child’s place on the tour.
- Sponsor tour hoodies/t-shirts – £2,000, with your logo travelling across Europe.
- Become a Friend of S21 Music – individual £30/year, corporate £1,500/year, with updates, badges and event invitations: Sign up here
- Spread the word – share this message with friends, local organisations or anyone who might help.
If you can help or have fundraising ideas, please email [email protected]. Every contribution brings these students closer to this incredible opportunity. Thank you!
What’s happening in S21 music this term?
Write an Opera
Our Year 4 students are starting a project to write their own operas as a class. They have already chosen a theme and started creating a story. The performances will be in July, so watch this space!
We would love some help with costumes, set and lighting, and fundraising. If you’re interested in collaborating (through time, expertise, materials, or sponsorship), please email [email protected].
Y5 Band Project
Our Year 5 have been excited to choose and discover which instruments they will be playing in their class band. They have all started their whole-class lessons and will be beginning lessons with their tutors after half-term. They’re especially excited to take their instruments home and practise regularly, building confidence, improving technique and getting even better with every session.
Rockstar Day – Thursday 5 February
Primary students are invited to dress as rockstars for a day of maths fun! The day will include maths challenges, times table battles, creative tasks and a special competition for the best rockstar costume. Each year group will have their own maths focus and the day will end with a celebration assembly. Get ready to rock your numbers!
Breakfast Club Information
Breakfast Club is free for all students Monday to Friday.
- Where to sign in: Main Reception
- Start time: 7:45 AM (except Wednesday – 8:00 AM)
Please do not bring children before the start time, as there will be no adults to supervise.
Thank you for helping us keep all children safe.
| Monday | 7.45am – 8:10am |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 7.45am – 8:10am |
| Wednesday | 8:00am – 8:20am |
| Thursday | 7.45am – 8:10am |
| Friday | 7.45am – 8:10am |
Chinese Club (Spring term): £50. More information: [email protected]
Lunch time club – Secondary
Human Rights Club Relaunch
School 21’s Human Rights Club is back! We’re raising awareness and supporting communities in Sudan, Congo, and Palestine through fundraising and advocacy. Join us every Thursday lunchtime in E14 to make a difference. To get involved, contact Mr Selwyn: [email protected].
The Creative Corner
A relaxed lunchtime club to make, create and connect. Students can try macramé, crochet, knitting and cross-stitch, or bring existing skills to share with others. Mondays, 12:50–1:25 PM, C09
Spaces are limited to 20 students (first-come, first-served). Year 7-Year 9 students are welcome.
Mix
KS3 Spanish Competition
KS3 classes are competing to stay in Spanish and build stronger spoken language skills. The winning class will enjoy a pizza and movie reward.
Absence reporting
Call 020 8262 2121 or email [email protected] before 8:30 am if your child is unwell.
Learning in action!
Year 1 visited the Young V&A to explore how toys have changed through history, Year 3 kicked off their Stone Age project by creating cave paintings, in Science, they investigated light, shadows and mirrors. Year 4 used explicit oracy strategies in every lesson to strengthen pupil voice, helping all children contribute confidently and respectfully. Alora Education delivered revision strategy sessions for Years 10–11 and Biology exam tips for Years 12–13, and Year 10 worked with KPMG to pitch sustainable phone concepts, such as a “forever phone” with replaceable parts, a phone swap scheme and unlimited software updates, with the facilitator highly impressed.
Happy Chinese New Year, Ramadan and Maha Shivratri!
For any queries regarding the school newsletter, please contact Sofia Flores at [email protected].
