We are not a collection of communities from diverse backgrounds to form an alliance; we are one community.
Maya Angelou
Sporting News
Due to an error in not sharing our sporting news last week, it has got pride of place at the top of this week’s newsletter!
Our fantastic runners recently took part in the annual CSSA Cross-Country event, competing against children from 25 schools. Our Year 3 and 4 pupils tackled the 1km course, while our Year 5 and 6 runners took on the challenging 1.25km race. We could not have been prouder of every child who represented our school. From start to finish, they gave 100% effort, showing remarkable resilience, courage and determination. Just as importantly, they were incredibly supportive of one another, cheering on their teammates and competing with huge smiles on their faces. It was a superb team performance all round! Their efforts were rewarded with an outstanding 3rd-place finish out of 25 schools! This is a fantastic achievement and one that we are immensely proud of.
A very special mention goes to Reggie, Mimi and Mia, who were recognised by the event organisers with sportsmanship awards — a wonderful reflection of the way they represented our school. We would also like to congratulate Sofia A, Oscar, Vinnie, Winnie and Nico, who all produced fantastic individual performances to finish inside the top 10 in their respective races!
Well done to every single runner. Third out of 25 schools is an incredible team achievement — you represented our school brilliantly!
Our boys’ football team recently travelled to Talacre Sports Centre to compete in an indoor football tournament against other local schools. The boys were fantastic throughout and produced some excellent football, finishing the competition unbeaten! Across their four matches, the team recorded two wins and two draws, showing great teamwork, determination and resilience. With the final standings incredibly close, the boys finished in a brilliant 2nd place, narrowly missing out on the top spot on goal difference.
A special mention goes to Omar, who was in fantastic form and scored all three of our goals during the tournament! We would also like to recognise Ted, who produced a series of brilliant performances across all four matches and made a huge contribution to the team. Well done to all of the boys who represented the school so brilliantly. An unbeaten tournament and a fantastic second-place finish to be very proud of!
Last week it was the turn of our girls’ football team to compete at Talacre Sports Centre, and what an outstanding tournament they had! The girls played six matches, recording an impressive three wins, two draws and just one defeat. Their fantastic performances earned them 17 points and top spot in the table, making them our indoor football tournament champions! Every member of the team played their part, showing excellent teamwork, effort and sportsmanship throughout.
A special mention goes to Noa, who was superb in attack and demonstrated some excellent passing and creativity. We would also like to recognise Paisley, who was playing in her very first football tournament. She showed tremendous courage, gave everything for the team and displayed fantastic sportsmanship throughout the competition. A huge congratulations to all of the girls on a brilliant achievement. Top of the table and thoroughly deserved champions — well done!
Black History Month 2026
At Holy Trinity, we believe that every single child’s history, heritage, and background carries equal value. Celebrating Black History Month (BHM) enriches our shared British and global history. By learning about the diverse individuals who shaped our world, our children learn to appreciate the unique value of every person in our school community and beyond. We are delighted that Y4’s collective worship kicked off this special month so wonderfully! Throughout October, our classes will be learning about both famous and every day people, stories and inspiring artists. We also very much look forward to our whole school celebration on Friday 16th October and hope that lots of families will join too!
Mitzvah Fundraising
On Thursday 19th November we will have our annual Mitzvah Day. Ahead of this, we need to do some fundraising for the activities the children will take part in on the day. The classes are hosting weekly bake sales and ask that parents support by bringing cakes and supporting the selling. The sales will be on a Thursday so that any left over cakes can be sold on Friday. Look out for further information from class teachers.
Attendance & Punctuality
We had another strong week of children coming to school every day with an overall attendance of 97.6%.
In terms of individual classes, well done to Y2 with 99.6% and Y6 with 98.5%!
Reception & Y5 were awarded the early birds for being at school on time.
A reminder that research consistently shows that attendance dropping below 90% significantly reduces a child’s academic success. Primary school provides the vital foundation for all future learning—the core developmental milestones missed through occasional days off simply cannot be replaced. We appreciate your continued support in helping your children arrive on time and ready to learn every day.
Dates for this half term
- Black History Month Celebration – Friday 16th October
- Flu Immunisation in school – Friday 23rd October
- Secondary Transfer deadline -Saturday 31st October. Parents are encouraged to arrange to speak to Mrs Goll to talk through options – please contact the school office to arrange a time.
- Parent/teacher meetings – Tuesday 10th, Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th November (information about sign-up will be sent out by the school office before the October half-term. Meetings will be after school).
- Parent/teacher/SENDCO review meetings (for children with EHCPs/ENGs) – w.c. 16th and 23rd November (information about sign-up will be sent out by the school office before the October half-term. Meetings will be after school).
- Primary School Assembly Bangers at Holy Trinity – Thursday 19th November – Come along for a fun evening singing all your assembly favourites from ‘Give me oil in my lamp’ to ‘If I were a butterfly!’
- Christmas Nativity and Musical – w.c. 7th December (exact days and times for shows to be shared soon).
- Christmas Cabaret with Fr Philip – Friday 11th December an evening of song with our parish priest in aid of the organ appeal.
PiP Fundraising & Airconditioning Update
We continue to have another big target of at least £13,000 for the 2026/27 year ahead so planning has already started!
• We’d love new members to the PiP organising committee and the wider PiP group who help with events. It’s fun and a great way to support the community. Get in touch with your year group PiP rep.
• Regular Giving is the easiest way to support the school and creates really valuable reliable income. £5 per month adds up to a big impact so please consider setting up a monthly donation via this link.
We are delighted to share some fantastic news: planning permission has officially been granted for the installation of our KS2 classroom air conditioning system. We are now moving forward with the next steps, which include manufacturing the acoustic covers and finalising the installation schedule. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you for your incredible support and patience while we worked hard to get this important project off the ground. We look forward to sharing further updates with you soon as the work begins.
Secondary School Open Events
Many secondary schools have completed their open day/evening events however the following schools still have opportunities for parents of children in Y5 & Y6 to visit:
- Haverstock School: every Thursday morning from 8th – 22nd October from 9-10am
- William Ellis School: 14th October from 9-10:30am
- La Sainte Union: 13th & 15th October from 9-11am; headteacher coffee mornings: 21st & 22nd October at 9am
- Maria Fedelis School FCJ: every Tuesday 9-10am during term time
A reminder to Y6 parents: the closing date for secondary transfer applications is 31/10/26. For more information, go to: https://www.camden.gov.uk/secondary-school-admissions
Christian Vision
Toward love and good deeds
At the heart of our school are high expectations and depth in faith that inspire us to grow, flourish and work together to achieve our full potential. It is our intention that we all develop our fullest sense of self, both individually and collectively.
Hebrews 10: 24
This week, we reflected on the Creation Story in Genesis. This story provides a powerful blueprint for how we live, learn, grow, and flourish together as a school community. In the beginning, when God shaped the world—placing every star in the heavens and every creature upon the earth with deliberate intention—it was all rooted in care: a deep, intentional love that declared each part of creation ‘good’ and called us to care for one another and for the world around us so that every child may grow in confidence and wisdom.
The act of bringing light, beauty and order out of darkness took divine courage and reminds us that every new step, challenge, or discovery in our school journey needs us to step forward bravely with faith and perseverance. God’s ultimate vision for creation was intended for us to live in true co-operation, called to work together, share in one another’s joys, and lift each other up through the highs and lows. By weaving our values of care, courage and co-operation throughout our daily school life, we actively mirror how God created the world: building a warm, inclusive, and inspiring environment where every single child is nurtured, valued, and empowered to shine.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
Genesis 1:31
NEWS FROM HOLY TRINITY CHURCH
We have a lot coming up in the next few weeks at Holy Trinity Church!
Sunday 18th October: Harvest Festival and Pet Blessing – 9.30am Mass. Bring along non-perishable items for the local foodbank, and all pets are welcome to come to be blessed and celebrated!
Holy Trinity Choir: We are looking to recruit new members for this fun group who sing once a month at Holy Trinity Church, as well as at the amazing Carol Service. No previous experience necessary.
Youth Alpha; For children in Year 5 and Year 6 (and above) will begin on Tuesday 6th October at 4.30pm in the Hall. The sessions explore faith and include games and cooking, they last around 1 hour. For more information contact Fr Felix at frfelixtrimbos@gmail.com
Save the Holy Trinity Organ: The Holy Trinity pipe organ is in urgent need of restoration. This will cost around £45000. The church receives no outside funding and so we are looking to raise money to restore this instrument which has introduced generations of Holy Trinity Pupils to the wonders of organ music. You can ‘sponsor a pipe’ for £20 here: https://givealittle.co/c/45Dru2yGkwbNywapN3IHu3
OPAL update
Once a fortnight in school, we hold OPAL assemblies with the children. This is a chance for us to: celebrate the wonderful play that has been happening across school; update the children on any new play zones or equipment; give shout-outs to children who have been showing the 3Cs at playtime; and to problem-solve any common problems together, such as how we share the equipment or resolve issues effectively. Here are some examples of some of our OPAL assembly slides:
If you are interested in reading more about our approach to play, you can access our play policy here.
Many thanks to those of you who donated to our OPAL fund in September. We are currently raising funds for scooters and bikes for our KS2 children. We now have plenty of smaller wheeled items for the infants, but want our juniors to join in the fun too! If you are able to donate any amount to the fund, big or small, please click here. If you have any second hand bikes or scooters for older children (Y3-Y6) in good condition that you’d like to donate, please leave them by the blue OPAL donations bin outside the church hall. Many thanks for supporting our children’s wonderful play!
The Holy Trinity Way
In school, our strapline for positive behaviour is ‘strong on boundaries, big on heart.’ Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing some in-school strategies with you that might be helpful for at home too.
Behaviour tip: Eye level
When you speak to your child about their behaviour, it is going to be a calmer conversation if you are at eye level rather than standing over them… but there are refinements to that. Being lower than their eye level is also extremely useful if you want to avoid confrontation and encourage more cooperation. Sitting alongside can also support, or walking and talking. The voice becomes more powerful and your presence signals low demand and safety.
Occasional Places
On occasion we have spaces in which to welcome new children and families to our school. You are the ones that know us best, so if you know of any family looking for a school place, please do advise them to contact the school office to find out if we have any places. They are also very welcome to visit.
Class Pages
Class teachers have updated class pages with information about the new school year. Please click on the links below to visit your child’s class page. Keep an eye on the class blog for photos too.
- Reception – parents, look out for information from Ms See about accessing Tapestry.
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
- Year 5
- Year 6
Welcome Back to 1st Camden Scouts!
It has been fantastic to welcome everyone back after the summer break! Our Squirrels, Beavers, and Cubs have returned full of energy, ready for the term ahead.
We’ve made the most of the lovely weather during our first few sessions. The group went on an exciting treasure hunt around the neighbourhood and spent time looking for signs of autumn in the park. Using the natural materials they collected, the young people created impressive artwork and built floating boats to test out. With our cubs, we had a look at quadcopters, their components and how they fly.
A big thank you to Fr. Philip for his continued support, hosting us in the church hall!
Join the Adventure
Whether you’re interested in signing up your child or volunteering as an adult leader, we’d love to hear from you! Get in touch at this link.
– Where: Holy Trinity and St Silas Church Hall
– When: Mondays from 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM for Squirrels and Beavers (Reception, Y1, Y2, Y3) and 5:45 PM – 7:00 PM for Cubs and Scouts (Y4, Y5, Y6).
Camden Music Service
From Y1 onwards, you can sign your child up to learn an instrument in school. For more information and to download the Camden Music Service application form, please click here.
Coach Steve’s Camps
Church & Community Centre Calendar and Events
Half-term free and low-cost sports and physical activities (Deborah Bush, Deborah.Bush@camden.gov.uk)
Find free and low-cost sports and physical activities during half-term week (26 to 30 October) for children of all ages, including Kids Swim for a Quid, free Girls Get Moving Monday, free Active Wednesday, Arsenal in the Community free football sessions, Multi-Sports Camp and Mini-Gymnastics Camp. Find and more and book places, email sportsdevelopment@camden.gov.uk, or call 020 7974 8754.
Pirate Castle’s canoeing and kayaking – youth programme and school holiday scheme (Kal Webb, kal@thepiratecastle.org)
Term-time Pirate Club youth paddlesport sessions run weekly throughout the year, apart from during school holidays when their Holiday Schemes take place. All Pirate Club sessions are progressive and led by Paddle UK coaches and instructors. From absolute beginners to more experienced paddlers, there’s no better way for children aged 8 and above to have safe, adventurous fun, let off steam and learn new skills on the Regent’s Canal in the heart of Camden Town. Find out more.
With a focus on adventurous fun, discovery and learning, Pirate Castle’s School Holiday Schemes provide affordable opportunities for 8 to 17 year-olds to experience kayaking, canoeing and canal boating on the Regent’s Canal in a safe, supportive and stimulating environment that welcomes everyone. Gain skills, have lots of laughs, make friends and explore Camden’s waterways. Suitable for children with mild to moderate additional support needs. Find out more.
D/deaf accessible Family Festival at the British Library on 17 October (Lilu Dewan, Lilu.Dewan@camden.gov.uk)
Enjoy an exciting free, fun day inspired by books and stories at Family Festival: Stories, Sign and Shine on Saturday 17 October, from 12noon to 4pm at the British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB. Come and enjoy many wonderful and interactive family learning activities, performances and workshops based on the International Year of Reading. It will be a fun and creative day celebrating the joy of sharing stories and exploring together, with activities signed in British Sign Language. For more details, please visit the British Library’s website.
Family Kitchen at Home
For families with children aged between 2-11 years old. A four week healthy cooking programme for families providing opportunities for further cooking techniques and to cook and eat healthy meals together. Families who register will get £30 food e-vouchers towards ingredients for the recipes. To register your interest, please click here
Family support
We highly recommend the free counselling service for parents through Camden. You can find out more and register your interest via this leaflet.
Supporting your neuro diverse child
Emotional Wellbeing Website for Young People and Families
NCL Waiting Room was produced with the help and input of young people, families and professionals. It aims to be a ‘one-stop shop’ for information on specialist mental health services, community groups, emotional wellbeing and self-care resources.
It allows young people and their parents or carers to search for, filter and share resources based on their needs and preferences.
You can visit the website here and try out the Support Hub resource navigation feature here.
Other Community Initiatives
Learn to cycle this term: https://www.bikeability.org.uk/
Camden Library
Camden Library Activities
We highly recommend these. Click here for the catalogue.
Term dates for 2026 – 2027
| First day of autumn term 1 | Friday 4th September (INSET days Wednesday 2nd & Thursday 3rd) |
| Half term | Monday 26th October to Friday 30th October |
| First day of autumn term 2 | Monday 2nd November |
| Last day of autumn term 2 | Friday 18th December |
| INSET DAY | Monday 4th January 2027 |
| First day of spring term 1 | Tuesday 5th January |
| Half term | Monday 15th – Friday 19th February |
| First day of spring term 2 | Monday 22nd February |
| Last day of spring term 2 | Thursday 25th March |
| INSET DAY | Monday 12th April |
| First day of summer term 1 | Tuesday 13th April |
| Half term | Monday 31st May – Friday 4th June |
| INSET DAY | Monday 7th June |
| First day of summer term 2 | Tuesday 8nd June |
| Last day of summer term 2 | Wednesday 21st July |