Miss Hamalis’ Bulletin – Tuesday 5 May 2026

Please find the email contact details of the staff: JS Key Contact information. Please could we ask that your specific query is directed to the appropriate individual and anything of a more serious nature is directed to a member of the Senior Team. Please note that Miss Hamalis needs to approve all requests for absences so please send them via the Junior School Office: jsoffice@channing.co.uk. 

In order to prevent unnecessary awkwardness and/or embarrassment, please remember to address members of staff by their title and surname. 

Please be mindful that staff may not pick up emails immediately (teachers will, of course, not be checking emails when they are teaching, running clubs or supervising pupils at break and lunchtimes) and may choose to take time to investigate the matter before responding. However, they will endeavour to answer your queries within 24 hours. Please do not think that a lack of instant response means a lack of interest on the part of the member of staff. 

Please note that staff are not expected to reply to emails outside normal school hours, weekends or during school holidays. If you have an emergency which needs to be dealt with before school next opens, please email: jsoffice@channing.co.uk. Please do not send communications or information to communication@channing.co.uk or info@channing.co.uk.

You can find the Channing Promise on the school website. This is something the whole school community upholds and underlines our values of respect, tolerance and inclusivity. We know you will be nothing short of respectful in your communications with staff and you can expect the same in return.

Please see below for details of clubs that will be cancelled in advance this half-term due to events or residential trips. These dates are also reflected in the SOCS club calendar. We encourage you to check this section and your SOCS calendar regularly to stay up to date with any club changes or amendments.

Please note the dates for the upcoming residential information talks for parents and carers in Years 4 and 3.

These sessions will be led by the staff attending each trip and will take place in Fairseat Hall. When you arrive, please wait in the courtyard to be signed in by a member of staff.

The talks are an opportunity for you to receive key information about the trip and ask any questions you may have. If you are unable to attend, all relevant information will be shared with you via email afterwards.

• Year 4: Wednesday 6 May, 8.30am – 9.00am
• Year 3: Thursday 7 May, 8.30am – 9.00am

You are warmly invited to visit the Scholastic Book Fair, which will run from Tuesday 12 May – Friday 15 May. The girls will be able to choose from a selection of popular and engaging titles at a pop-up bookshop in the library. 

Please see the timetable below for when you are invited to visit with your daughter. If you are unable to visit on your allocated day, you are welcome to come along on another day. KS2 pupils can also visit to buy books with their vouchers during lunchtimes.

You can buy Scholastic book vouchers in advance here to use at the fair. To ensure the school receives rewards for purchases, please enter the name of our school – Channing Junior School – on the form. You will then receive a confirmation email with the voucher to print out. It is possible to make card payments at the fair with your smartphone, but as there is a form to fill in, we encourage you to buy a voucher in advance to make transactions quicker on the day. 

Due to the book fair, the library will be closed in the mornings before school next week. Returned library books can be put in the ‘library returns’ tray in your daughter’s form room as usual.

Year 6 may visit the Book Fair on the afternoon of Friday 15 May after they return from the Isle of Wight, should they wish to.

Please be reminded that the deadline for all of the girls to hand in their Junior Duke booklets is Friday 12 June. The Certificate Assembly will be held on Monday 22 June to celebrate their hard work and achievements. Thank you for your support!

We will be holding Summer Term Practical ABRSM music examinations over one or two days during Monday 15 – Wednesday 17 June for candidates at the Junior School only. These examinations are also open to candidates who have practical music tuition outside of school, providing their teacher has stated that they are ready to take an ABRSM Practical examination this term.

We need parental consent before we enter candidates, therefore you need to click the link and complete the online form by 4pm on Thursday 7 May at the latest. Regrettably, we will be unable to process late applications.

Due to ongoing access issues at Stanhope Road, we are unable to drive vehicles onto the field. This restriction impacts our ability to provide essential facilities, such as additional shaded areas and sufficient portable toilets, for a full-scale event.

To ensure that all pupils will still be able to take part in Sports Day safely, we have adapted the event as follows:

Friday 12 June: Key Stage 2 – Stanhope Road

Key Stage 2 events will still take place at Stanhope Road but will be split into two sessions to manage site capacity:

Years 3 & 4 (Lower KS2): 9.00am – 10.15am

• You will be able to drop-off at school or at the field on this date. Specific details regarding direct drop-off will be shared via Google Form by Form Teachers closer to the event. 
• Pupils will return to school with their forms to resume lessons, and can attend after school clubs and Late Owls as usual.

Years 5 & 6 (Upper KS2): 2.00pm – 3.20pm

• Pupils will follow their usual timetable in the morning and head to the field after lunch, escorted by school staff. 
• Collection will be from the field at 3.20pm.
• Only those attending Karate or Late Owls, will be escorted back to school by staff.
• A Google Form for collection will be shared by Form Teachers closer to the event. 

Special Treat: During lunchtime on 12 June, the CA has kindly arranged for every pupil to receive an ice cream from ‘Gussy,’ our long-standing Sports Day visitor. These will be enjoyed on the playground after lunch.

Friday 26 June: Reception & Key Stage 1 – School Grounds

Events for the younger girls will now be held on Founders’ Friday. These will be held at school to ensure appropriate access to facilities.

Reception: 8.45am – 9.45am
Years 1 & 2: 1.00pm – 2.00pm 

• Dismissal for Founders’ Friday will follow the afternoon session.

Information for Visitors

Parents and carers are warmly invited to attend the school-site events. However, please be mindful that space is limited. We kindly ask that you remain within the designated viewing areas, as the rest of the school will be in lessons and the girls will be moving between classrooms.

Summary of Changes

• Reception Friday 26 June ~ Location: Junior School Site, Time: 8.45am – 9.45am
• Year 1 & 2 Friday 26 June ~ Location: Junior School Site, Time: 1.00pm – 2.00pm
• Year 3 & 4 Friday 12 June ~ Location: Stanhope Road, Time: 9.00am – 10.15am
• Year 5 & 6 Friday 12 June ~ Location: Stanhope Road, Time: 2.00pm – 3.20pm 

We are delighted to invite all parents to our Open Classroom Event on Friday 26 June from 3.00 – 4.00pm.

This is a wonderful opportunity to visit your daughter’s classroom, as well as our specialist classrooms and explore the work she has produced in her books and share the learning she has enjoyed this year.

This is an informal, celebratory event where you will be able to browse books and projects, with your daughter guiding you through her learning and sharing what she has achieved across the year. It’s a fantastic chance to engage with her education and see firsthand how she has grown academically. In addition to classroom learning, specialist teachers will also be sharing highlights of learning in their rooms/spaces, and in the library, giving you a broader insight into the curriculum and co-curriculum.

Please note that all of the girls must be collected at their allocated dismissal time between 2.00 – 2.30pm, as no after-school clubs or Late Owls provision will be running on this day, to ensure the staff at school have adequate time to prepare the classrooms. We kindly ask that you collect your daughter at her dismissal time and then return to school for the event between 3.00 – 4.00pm. If you have time between dismissal and the start of the event, we recommend enjoying a visit to Waterlow Park or the surrounding local area.

Dismissal Times:

2:00pm: Reception (side gate)
2:10pm: Year 1 (main gate)
2:10pm: Year 2 (side gate)
2.20pm: Year 3 (main gate)
2.20pm: Year 4 (side gate)
2.30pm: Year 5 (main gate)
2.30pm: Year 6 (side gate) 

Alongside the Open Classroom, Miss Hamalis will be hosting a Parents’ Tea Party with Mrs Brant (Deputy Head), Mr Davies (Deputy Head Academic), Miss Jackson (SENCo), Miss Kilanko (Learning Support Teacher), Ms Francis (Alumnae Engagement & Archive Manager) and Mrs Mitchell (Development Manager) in Fairseat Hall. This will be a relaxed opportunity to spend time together, meet other parents and enjoy tea, cake and conversation.

We very much look forward to welcoming you.

We have collaborated with Tooled Up Education: an invaluable digital library of evidence-based resources on all aspects of parenting, education and family life. Founder, Dr Kathy Weston, has collated the best and most up-to-date research from around the world and distilled it into usable, easy to understand resources which can be instantly applied to daily life. Channing Pin: cha0706

 For more information about this resource, see the dedicated section below. 

For upcoming Tooled Up courses and events please click here. 

• Thursday 7 May 12.30pm ~ Starting Primary School: Building Confidence, Friendships and Independence 
• Monday 11 May 12pm ~ What should parents know about discord?
• Monday 18 May 7pm ~ Finding our Feet with Friendships in the Early Years
• Tuesday 19 May 12.30pm ~ ADHD, Autism and Culture: Rethinking Diagnosis
• Thursday 21 May 12.30pm ~ Trauma – Responsive Workplaces

Join Juliette and her coaching team this half term for two action-packed days of gymnastics fun.

Coldfall School, Muswell Hill
Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 May
9.30am – 3.00pm (late pick-up available)

Children will have the opportunity to train across floor, bars, beam, trampette and vault, alongside a range of games and creative activities to ensure a balanced and enjoyable experience.

Led by an experienced and supportive team, the camp is designed to help gymnasts develop their skills, build confidence and enjoy an active and engaging holiday in a positive environment.

Book now: https://jth-sport.classforkids.io/camp/17

Enquiries: Juliette
jthsport@gmail.com

Each day, children develop their understanding of chess through engaging lessons in tactics and strategy, alongside the ever-popular “jokes time” and plenty of time outdoors enjoying football and other activities. It is a relaxed, supportive environment where every child can grow in confidence and enjoyment.

The camp is open to children aged 5 – 12, whether they are complete beginners or experienced tournament players, with an Elite Camp also available at both venues.

Dates: Tuesday 26 May – Friday 29 May  Full week booking only – 4 days

Times:  Half day: 9.00am – 1.00pm, Full day: 9.00am – 4.00pm 

Locations:  Swiss Cottage, Kensington (St Mary Abbots Centre)

To book, visit: https://wallace-chess.class4kids.co.uk/

The Junior Book Prize is a UK-wide competition to find three child (8 -12 years) judges for the 2027 Children’s Booker Prize. 

The successful child entrants will each get: the eight shortlisted books to read and keep; a judges’ medal; a trip to London for a fun day choosing the winner with the adult judges; a bespoke portrait by Beano illustrator Nigel Parkinson; a Beano comic strip capturing their judging experience; and another trip to London for the ceremony at Young V&A, which will feature a red carpet with VIP guests, entertainment stations, and the chance to present the winner/s their trophy on stage.   

The three child judges will be announced alongside the shortlist on Tuesday 24 November. Entries must be received by Tuesday 2 June. 

For more information and how to enter on behalf of your daughter: click here.

Unfortunately, we have again received several complaints recently about parents parking on double yellow lines as well as on the zigzag lines outside the school. This creates a real risk to parents and pupils, in particular blue badge holders within our school community, as well as members of the general public.

Please be mindful of our neighbours, the local community and other members of the Channing community when you drive and park during morning drop off and afternoon collection by driving sensibly and parking legally. In order to help alleviate traffic and parking issues in the village, we offer Early Birds from 7.30am and have staggered collection times. 

It is fantastic to see many of you organising ‘park and stride’ (parking a few roads down and walking), as well as arranging car shares if you live close to other Channing families.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming the Channing Junior School community to our annual Chanfest celebration on Sunday 7 June in the Junior School grounds.

The Junior School will be transformed into an exciting festival, hosting: zorbing, hair braiding, go-karting, nail painting, inflatables, a tombola, laser tag, and of course games and prizes to be won! We will also have food and drinks stalls.

Buy your tickets now: https://buytickets.at/channingjuniorschool/2096514

If you have any preloved toy items (books, puzzles, games, soft toys, etc) to donate to the tombola or very small items for the ‘prize stall’, please place them in the blue labelled bins in the courtyard.

Every year, a Scholastic Book Fair is held in school to enable girls of all ages to buy books from a range of popular titles. A successful fair means that we are offered a wonderful selection of free books for the library and classrooms.

We are inviting parents to assist Ms Jupp (Librarian) with the fair after school between Tuesday 12 May – Friday 15 May.  This will involve tidying the book fair shelves, assisting with sales and a little bit of crowd control. Please sign up if you are able to help: Scholastic Book Fair sign up

Come and join the star-studded line up for North London Laughs Comedy Night at Alexandra Palace Theatre next Thursday 14 May: North London Laughs < Alexandra Palace. This is a charity comedy night in aid of the Gastroenterology Department at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The CA is recruiting and confirming Form Reps for the next school year 2026/27. If you would like to continue or step into the role for your daughter’s form, or if you have any questions, please email jschanningassociation@gmail.com. 

The CA Reps are parent volunteers that help run CA-organised events and activities for our girls and their families, to organise form/year group socials, and to manage subs/arrange seasonal gifts for Form Teachers. You are supported by the Co-Chairs throughout the year.

• Leavers’ Party: Friday 5 June from 6.30pm at “Twenty at N20”.
• Y6 Tea Party and Rounders Match: Tuesday 30 June at 1:30pm (at school). Parents invited.

• Thursday 14 May: North London Laughs Charity Comedy night, Ally Pally – see details above
• Sunday 7 June: Summer fair ‘Chanfest’ held in the grounds of the Junior School
• Sunday 7 September: Pre-term picnic, Highgate Woods