Miss Hamalis’ Bulletin – Monday 9 March 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. These cancellations are due to school events such as Parents’ Evenings, as well as staff absence for residential trips and sporting fixtures. For the clubs listed below, please collect your daughter at the usual time or sign her up for Late Owls.

Whilst we endeavour to limit on-the-day cancellations, these may occasionally occur due to staff or external club leader absences. In the event of an on-the-day cancellation, you will always receive a text message informing you that the club has been cancelled. In these circumstances, your daughter may remain in Waiters for the duration of her scheduled club time (no collection during Waiters), be collected at the usual end of day dismissal time or be signed up for Late Owls.

Both advance and on the day cancellations 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.

The Year 13 Young Enterprise teams will be heading to Brent Cross Shopping Centre on Saturday 14 March, where they will be selling their products to the public throughout the day. If you happen to be nearby, they would be absolutely delighted to see a friendly face from the Channing community. Please do stop by to say hello and perhaps pick up a unique gift or two while supporting these talented young entrepreneurs.

We are also thrilled to share the wonderful success our pupils enjoyed at the recent Young Enterprise Spitalfields Competition. With more than 20 ambitious teams from across London and the South East competing, and only five trophies available, the competition was incredibly strong. We are delighted that Channing was awarded two of the five major prizes, a fantastic achievement that reflects the creativity, professionalism and entrepreneurial spirit of our pupils.

Huge congratulations go to Seeds&Greetings, who won the award for Best Sustainability and Social Impact. Their beautiful eco-friendly gift cards offer a thoughtful way to share a message while caring for the planet and, with Mother’s Day approaching, they make a particularly lovely and meaningful gift. We also celebrate Interlinked, who received the award for Best Customer Service. Their innovative range of accessories allows you to personalise everyday items such as water bottles, laptop bags, iPads and even Yondr pouches with stylish charms and attachments.

Finally, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Junior School parents. Your enthusiasm, encouragement and thoughtful feedback throughout this process have been invaluable in helping the teams refine their ideas and grow in confidence. The support of the Channing community has made a real difference to their journey.

Drama ~ Tuesday 17 March, 6 – 7pm
This talk will be led by Mrs Lynch (Drama Teacher) and members of the Junior School Senior Team, in Fairseat Hall. The session will offer valuable insight into Drama at the Junior School and the journey the girls go on from Reception to Year 6. If you would like to sign up to attend, please use the link provided: Drama at Channing (Reception – Year 6).

Supporting with English from Home (Y1 – Y6) (Rescheduled) ~ Tuesday 21 April, 6 – 7pm
This talk will be led by Miss McHard and Mr Westerman (English Leads) and will focus on how you can support your daughter with her English learning from home. During the evening, they will share practical strategies to help develop both writing and reading skills, offering guidance on how you can build confidence and embed strategies taught in school.

Please note that the names of those who previously signed up have been added to the new form. If you would like to sign up to attend, please use the link provided: Supporting with English from home (Y1 – Y6)

This week is the final week for Goodwin House to donate items to the Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation’s (AWTF) food bank. The AWTF aims to support families in need with emergency food parcels, and provides hot meals and fresh fruit and vegetables to over 200 hundred homeless people in the local area. 

If your daughter is in Goodwin House, please ask her to place donations in one of the blue, labelled Food Bank collection bins in the courtyard by Friday 13 March. Although the donations will mainly be from Goodwin, all members of the community are, of course, very welcome to donate.  

This term, the AWTF Food Bank is desperately in need of the following items: tinned corned beef, tinned tuna fish, pasta and Easter eggs.

Please ensure all items are long-life produce, as regrettably, fresh items cannot be donated and that all donated items are within their sell by and use by date. 

Many thanks in advance to Goodwin House for all your support!

We are delighted to inform you that we have invited Skipping Workshops to work with our school, teaching different skipping skills to every form. Years 3-6 will have their workshops on Monday 16 March, and Reception-Year 2 will have theirs on Thursday 19 March. The workshops will be followed by a whole-school showcase.

Skipping Workshops have presented demonstrations in over 3000 schools and are the longest most experienced company in the UK. To help children & parents interested in encouraging skipping we have a series of brief videos that illustrate various skills & challenges https://www.skipping-workshops.co.uk/ 

 Their aim is to introduce modern and traditional skipping games including individual rope tricks, speed skills and Double Dutch, back into the playground.

We are excited to invite all parents to our Open Classroom Event on Tuesday 24 March, from 4-5pm. This event offers parents the opportunity to visit their daughter’s classroom and explore the work that she has produced in her books. 

This is an informal event designed to celebrate your daughter’s progress. Parents will be able to browse through books and projects, with their daughters guiding them through their work and sharing what they have learnt. This is a fantastic chance to engage with your daughter’s education and see firsthand how she has grown academically. 

Additionally on this date, Miss Hamalis will be hosting a Parents’ Tea Party with Mrs Brant (Deputy Head) and Mr Davies (Deputy Head Academic): a relaxed opportunity to spend time together and get to know one another better. We are looking forward to sharing plenty of tea, cake and chatter with you all.

This year, the KS2 Music Showcase will take place on Thursday 26 March, 6.00pm -7.30pm. Year 4, Performing 

Arts Leaders and all Music Ensembles are invited to perform at the concert. More information will be sent directly to the parents/ carers of those involved to provide a detailed overview of the rehearsals and evening event. 

Tickets are available to buy via this link.  Please note that this concert is usually a sell-out, so we recommend booking early.

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. 

• Friday 13 March 1.00pm ~ Why Sleep Matters: Evidence, Myths & Practical Strategies 
• Tuesday 17 March 12:30pm ~ Living with Loss: Grief Beyond the First Year

Wallace Chess Camps provide children with the opportunity to practise and develop their chess skills through a range of structured activities across a four-day programme.

Across the four-day programme, children take part in a wide range of activities designed to build confidence, concentration and strategic thinking. The sessions include structured chess lessons, puzzles, problem-solving challenges and a variety of enjoyable chess games such as “Fox and Chicken”. There is also time each day for breaks and outdoor activities, helping to ensure a balanced and enjoyable experience.

The camp is open to children aged 4 – 14 and welcomes everyone from complete beginners through to experienced tournament players. An Elite Camp option is also available at both venues for more advanced players who would like an additional challenge.

Dates – Bookings are for the full four-day week.
Week 1: Monday 30 March – Thursday 2 April
Week 2: Tuesday 7 – Friday 10 April
Week 3: Monday 13 – Thursday 16 April

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

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

If you would like to find out more or make a booking, please follow the link below:
https://wallace-chess.class4kids.co.uk/

Join Juliette and Marcy this Easter holiday for fun gymnastics camps for children in Years 1- 6.

Gymnastics Camp at Coldfall
Week 1: Monday 30 March – Thursday 2 April
Week 2: Tuesday 7 April – Friday 10 April
9:30am – 3:00pm. Late pick-up until 4:00pm available
Open to both girls and boys.

Gymnastics Camp at St Mary’s Hampstead
Monday 13 April – Wednesday 15 April
9:30am – 3:00pmThis camp is for girls only, in keeping with the school setting.

Children will enjoy gymnastics on floor, bars, beam, trampette and vault, along with games and creative crafts throughout the day.

Bookings: https://jth-sport.classforkids.io/
Enquiries: jthsport@gmail.com

This June, Channing Junior School pupils in Years 2 – 4 will have the opportunity to participate in the online First Mathematics Challenge (FMC). Your daughter must be aged 7-9 in the week commencing 8 June, in order to take part. 

The FMC is an annual and national mathematical challenge devised to challenge reasoning skills and to encourage pupils to think outside the box. The questions asked are not necessarily subjects that have been covered in the curriculum by this time, but they can create a great starting point and lead to discussions later in the year. The questions will encourage your daughter to show her perseverance and to approach problems in a logical manner.

The FMC will be taken online, during one Mathematics lesson within your daughter’s timetable in June. There will be a total of 20 multiple choice questions, beginning with easy questions to encourage pupils in their own ability and gradually getting harder throughout the Challenge. Alternative work will be planned and supported for this lesson, for girls in each Form who do not wish to take part. 

In the FMC, pupils get:

• 45 minutes to answer the questions
• the chance to take part in a national challenge
• 10 easy questions to start with (to boost their confidence)
• certificates for effort and achievement presented by the school

Additionally, in preparation for the FMC, practice papers and answers will be provided to those pupils wishing to take part, so they can work through these at home. This will be in lieu of the weekly Mathematics homework set by the Form Teachers.

This year, the FMC is open to pupils in Years 2-4. However, please be aware that it is devised to be a challenge. As such, we would not encourage pupils to sit it unless they feel comfortable and confident. 

If you would like your daughter to take part, please complete this google form by Friday 27th March. Form Teachers will review the entry list and nominate any extra girls, who they think would both enjoy and excel from taking part in the challenge.

The Whittington Health Charity is inviting young artists to take part in a creative competition to design the cover of its official 2026 ‘Get Well Soon’ card. 

Creative Brief
Designs should reflect themes of hope, comfort and recovery. Pupils are encouraged to use warm, uplifting and inclusive imagery with calm, reassuring colours suitable for a hospital setting. The front cover can include a simple message such as ‘Get Well Soon’ or it may be left without text.

Submission Guidelines

• Artwork must be original 2D work (e.g. drawing, painting or digital illustration).
• Designs must be created in one of the following sizes:
  • 125mm x 125mm, or
  • 120mm x 170mm

• Submissions can be on paper or can be a clear photograph or scan of the artwork.
  • If you are handing in a paper copy, please leave it in the Office for the attention of Miss Wright. Your daughter’s full name and school must be clearly written on the back. 
  • If you are emailing a scan or photograph of your daughter’s submission, please email it directly to Miss Wright, dwright@channing.co.uk, ensuring that your daughter’s full name is clearly written in the body of the email. 

Key Dates

• Competition closing date: Thursday 16 April, 4.00pm 
• Winners announced: Friday 24 April

Prize
The winning design will be professionally printed and used as Whittington Health Charity’s official ‘Get Well Soon’ card. The winner will also receive a complimentary copy of their card. 

This is a fantastic chance for pupils to share their artistic talents while creating something meaningful that could bring comfort to patients.

Next week will be the first two Houses’ opportunity to submit their cake for the House Baking Competition: 

• Monday 16 March: Goodwin 
• Tuesday 17 March: Sharpe

If your daughter would like to enter, on Monday (Goodwin) and Tuesday (Sharpe), please drop your daughter’s cake entry (in a secure box/ tin, which is clearly labelled with her name) to the tables in the courtyard. Please ensure it is left on the correct table, labelled with ‘Reception and Key Stage 1’ or ‘Key Stage 2’. 

At the end of the day on Monday and Tuesday, all entries will be sold in the courtyard to raise money for the Whittington Hospital Children’s Ward. The bake sale will run between 3.00pm and 4.00pm. Anyone is able to buy the cakes – not just those in that House. 

As a reminder, the guidance for the competition is: 

• Entries must be cakes, cupcakes or cookies/biscuits only.
• Bakes must be designed and made by your daughter, with only some adult support for safety. 
• Shop bought cakes, cupcakes and biscuits/cookies are not permitted.
• Each bake must show a clear connection to the House, whether through colour, theme or animal. We are looking for something that clearly represents the House in some way.
• Pupils may enter individually or in pairs (maximum of three per entry), but pairs/ threes must be from the same House.
• There will be two rounds when judging:
  • Visual presentation
  • Taste
• Judging will be carried out by the Year 6 House Captains, overseen by Miss Wright, who will each sample a small portion.
• When creating the cake, please note the following:
  • No nuts are permitted.
  • All entries must include a full list of all ingredients. 
  • Allergens must be clearly labelled.

Happy baking!

Head lice are not serious, but can be very annoying. Research has shown that infections of head lice occur just as often in school holidays as during term time. Despite young children being the most affected, it is a community problem rather than a school problem. As a school, we need to follow the advice as outlined by Public Health England:

• School nurses should not send out letters informing parents about any incidents of head lice.
• There is no need for a child who has head lice to stay away from school.
• Routine screenings/ head inspections should not be carried out at school. 
• Parents should be encouraged to check their children’s hair regularly using a nit comb on wet hair.
• Parents should be advised to only treat if live lice are found.

Click the link for further information.

Following this guidance, we do not share information to or regarding specific cases as this could result in bullying and unkindness towards individuals and/or groups or children and/or parents. We do; however, include half termly reminders in the Bulletin in order to remind you to check your daughter’s hair. If individual parents would like to share information with other parents in their daughter’s form, you are, of course, able to.

If you are at all worried about head lice, or feel you need more advice, then you should consult our school nurse, your health visitor, pharmacist, or family doctor.

We encourage everyone to check their daughter’s hair and treat it if any live lice are found. It is thought that if we all do this three times per year, once every school term, then we will eventually reduce the spread of lice.

If your daughter took part in last week’s Swimathon or if you’d just like to donate, please send your donations to the below link ensuring that the girls name is included in the donation: https://www.justgiving.com/page/channingswimathon2026

We have already raised enough to fund over 7000 meals, so please help us to reach our 10000 goal.

We are delighted to confirm the star-studded line up for North London Laughs Comedy Night at Alexandra Palace Theatre on Thursday 14 May.

https://www.alexandrapalace.com/whats-on/north-london-laughs/

This is a charity comedy night in aid of the Gastroenterology Department at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

We are looking forward to inviting the Channing Junior School family to the annual Chanfest celebration on Sunday 7 June in the school grounds. Tickets will go on sale after Easter. 

If you have any contacts in the catering industry who would be interested in running a stall, please contact us on jschanningassociation@gmail.com 

• Leavers’ Party: Friday 5 June (arrival from 18.30pm) at “Twenty at N20”
• Tea Party & Rounders Match: Tuesday 30 June at 1.30pm (at school) Parents invited.

• Thursday 14 May: North London Laughs Charity Comedy night, Ally Pally, with Channing parents offered first access to tickets. 
• Sunday 7 June: Summer fair ‘Chanfest’ held in the grounds of the Junior School