Miss Hamalis’ Bulletin – Monday 22 June 2026

Posted: 22nd June 2026

Miss Hamalis, Head Of Channing Junior School

Dear Parents & Carers

One of the highlights of the sporting year at the Junior School is undoubtedly Sports Day. Last Friday, our Key Stage 2 girls enjoyed a wonderful day of competition, teamwork and House spirit. From the photographs, conversations and stories shared afterwards, it was clear that the day captured everything that makes sport at the Junior School so special: determination, encouragement, friendship and, above all, joy.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming our EY and KS1 families for Sports Day on Friday. In light of the current weather forecast, we will continue to monitor conditions closely and will let you know as soon as possible if any changes to the arrangements are required. Please see below for further information about the event.

My sincere thanks go to our PE Team: Miss Bolton (Head of Sport), Miss Grayson (PE Teacher) and Mr Carvalho (PE Assistant), whose dedication, enthusiasm and careful planning make opportunities like these possible. Sports Day is the culmination of months of learning, training and participation, and we are incredibly fortunate to have a team that inspires our girls to develop both a love of sport and the confidence to challenge themselves.

Whilst there were certainly some impressive performances on the track and field, what stood out most was the way the girls embodied the values at the heart of our school. Sports Day is about far more than winning races. It is a celebration of teamwork, perseverance, encouragement and belonging. Throughout the day, girls from Waterlow, Spears, Goodwin and Sharpe came together to support one another, celebrate successes and rise to challenges. The cheers from the sidelines, the congratulations offered after events and the pride shown in every House reflected the very best of our community.

Our Channing Characters were evident throughout. Perseverance Squirrel encouraged girls to keep going when they were tired, Resilience Robin helped them bounce back when things did not quite go to plan, Bravery Mole inspired them to step outside their comfort zones and Empathy Rabbit reminded them to celebrate the achievements of others. These qualities matter far more than any finishing position and are a key reason why sport remains such an important part of school life.

The impact of sport extends well beyond the playing field. Through sport, children develop confidence, resilience, self-discipline and leadership skills. They learn to work collaboratively, cope with setbacks, strive towards personal goals and celebrate the success of others. Just as importantly, sport provides opportunities for friendship, happiness and a sense of achievement that can stay with them long after the final whistle has blown.

As I reflect on the sporting year, I am incredibly proud of all that our girls – and staff – have achieved. Whether representing the school in competition, participating enthusiastically in PE lessons, attending clubs, trying a new activity for the first time or cheering on their friends from the sidelines, they have embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm, determination and positivity.

The Autumn term provided an energetic and inspiring start to the year. Teamwork, ambition and determination were on full display, from the girls’ enthusiastic participation during Netball Week to their successes in swimming, gymnastics and cross-country. We finished 2nd out of 16 schools at the Haringey Year 5 and 6 Cross Country event, whilst Emily S (6KP) achieved an outstanding 3rd place out of 60 runners.

The Spring term brought further sporting success. Rachel K (4EW) secured an impressive 3rd place out of 46 runners in the UCS Cross Country competition, whilst Margot S (4MR) achieved 3rd place in gymnastics against The Cavendish. Emily S (6KP) went on to qualify for the Haringey London Mini Marathon team, a remarkable achievement given that only four girls across the borough were selected in her age category.

Team achievements were equally impressive. Our Year 3 and 4 team finished 3rd overall in the London Youth Games qualifiers out of 24 schools, whilst our U11 Football Squad were Plate Winners at the Prep4Sport St George’s Tournament. Our U11 Netball Squad enjoyed an exceptional season in the North London Netball League, finishing undefeated and scoring an impressive 58 goals on their way to becoming league champions. Across every event, the girls represented the school with enthusiasm, determination and great pride.

The Summer term has provided a fitting culmination to an outstanding sporting year. Girls from across the school showcased their talents at the Dance, Cheer and Gymnastics Showcase, demonstrating confidence, creativity and teamwork. The U11 Football Squad enjoyed a remarkable season, winning both the St Mary’s Tournament and the GSA Football Tournament, finishing runners-up in the ISFA Qualifiers and progressing all the way to the national semi-finals. After a hard-fought match decided on penalties, they secured an outstanding 3rd place nationally. Individual achievements have been equally impressive, with Lana A (4EW) achieving 2nd place in the Haringey QuadKids Athletics Championships. Our younger girls also embraced opportunities to compete, with the U8 Football Team taking part in the U9 Southbank Boys Tournament, whilst our Year 6 cricketers finished their season in style by winning the Plate Competition at the St Mary’s Cricket Tournament.

Whilst it is wonderful to celebrate medals, trophies and team victories, some of the most important successes cannot be measured. Sport teaches our girls to support one another, to show humility in success, to respond positively to disappointment and to keep trying when things feel difficult. These experiences help to shape confident, resilient young people who are willing to embrace challenge and seize new opportunities.

As we approach the end of another successful sporting year, there is still much to enjoy. From the Wimbledon Championships to the FIFA World Cup, this summer is filled with sporting moments that will inspire children around the world. Whether our girls are inspired to pick up a tennis racket, join a team, run a little further, swim a little faster or simply spend more time being active outdoors with family and friends, I hope they continue to experience the confidence, wellbeing and happiness that sport can bring.

Thank you, as always, for your support. Whether standing on the touchline, helping with fixtures, attending competitions or encouraging your daughters to persevere when things feel challenging, your encouragement plays a vital role in their sporting journeys. Together, we celebrate not only their achievements, but also the character, confidence and resilience they develop along the way.

With warm wishes

Miss Dina Hamalis
Head of the Junior School

Extreme Hot Weather

Measures

In light of the exceptionally high temperatures forecast for this week, the Met Office has issued a Red Warning for Heat and the UK Health Security Agency (UK HSA) has implemented an Amber Heat- Health Alert. To ensure the safety, comfort and wellbeing of all our pupils and staff, we wanted to write to let you know that we have put an extensive set of measures into immediate effect.

Clothing for Reception - Year 6 including for the Year 2 Performance

On Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the dress code for the girls will be home clothes. We encourage the girls to come to school wearing cooling clothing: cotton t-shirts, shorts, light dresses and sensible sandals with ankle support (no flip flops) are all appropriate. Tomorrow, the girls are encouraged to wear House colours or accessories for our House Summer Smoothie Social event. Please see more information below. 

Please note that the Year 2 girls will need to bring their white shorts and vests for their show and rehearsals tomorrow and on Wednesday. We suggest that they wear their white cycling shorts to school and bring their white vest to change into prior to the performance. Girls should also wear their sensible sandals with ankle support (no flip-flops) as their show and school shoes. 

Please ensure your daughter comes to school with a fully filled water bottle, a hat and pre-applied high-factor sunscreen. We have several water stations around the school and will allow regular drink breaks throughout lessons to actively mitigate the risk of dehydration. You may also wish to freeze your daughter’s water bottle overnight so it stays cool throughout the day.

Classrooms & Playground

We endeavour to keep the girls and staff as cool as possible. In classrooms, blinds will remain closed, windows will be opened in the early morning to purge hot air, and non-essential electrical equipment will be switched off when not in use. Fans and air conditioning units will be in use where possible. 

Extra shade will be created around the playground by putting up numerous gazebos. An indoor space will be available for the girls during lunchtimes.

Lessons, Clubs, Wraparound Care & Events

  • All PE lessons will still take place outdoors, but activities will be adapted to ensure the girls are not in the sun for too long. Classes will utilise shaded areas and the Pavilion to keep cool.
  • Forest School lessons will continue as normal, as the area offers plenty of shade.
  • Let’s Leap’s wraparound care, both Early Birds from 7.30am and Late Owls until 6.00pm will remain in place as usual.
  • All sports clubs, which take place outside on the MUGA, are cancelled. Please see all club cancellations listed below. 
  • The Year 2 performance on Wednesday will go ahead as planned.
  • Reception and Key Stage 1 Sports Day on Friday will be kept under review. Please keep an eye out for further information later in the week.
  • The Open Classroom event on Friday will go ahead as planned.

Support For Vulnerable Pupils

If your daughter has a pre-existing vulnerability that the school is already aware of and you require work for them, please contact the School Office by 8.30am. Work will then either be emailed or uploaded to Seesaw or Google Classroom, depending upon the age of your daughter. Please note that lessons will not be delivered live online, and there will be a delay in learning materials being uploaded as our Form teachers will be actively teaching throughout the day. We greatly appreciate your patience and cooperation.

Staff Contact Information

Information

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.

Extra-Curricular Clubs

Club Changes: Dates for your Diary

Please see below for details of clubs that will be cancelled in advance this 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.

  • Monday 22 June: Y4-6 Knitting, Y5&6 Creative Writing cancelled
  • Tuesday 23 June: Y5&6 Cross Country, Y2-5 Yoga cancelled
  • Wednesday 24 June: KS1 Football, Y3&4 Cricket, Y5&6 Athletics cancelled
  • Thursday 25 June: Y3&4 Football, Y5&6 Cricket cancelled
  • Friday 26 June: KS1 Multisports, KS2 Karate, KS2 AI Adventures, Y5&6 Pen Pals cancelled
  • Week commencing Tuesday 30 June: No clubs running in final week of term

Summer Term Reports

Information

Reminder: You will be able to access your daughter’s report from 4.30pm on Friday 26 June via Firefly. For information about how to access your daughter’s report please see here. 

Reception children will receive a written report with a comment outlining their progress across the wider curriculum, including PSHE, as well as when playing and exploring, thinking critically and during active learning. Grades will be used to identify academic achievement across the 7 Early Learning Goals and will reflect your daughter’s performance through classroom observations and activities.

In Years 1- 6, all reports will contain a written comment from your daughter’s form teacher(s), outlining her progress, strengths, areas for development and PSHE. The teachers will also report on all subjects in the curriculum and provide separate report grades for Academic Achievement as well as Attitude and Engagement. Each subject grade will also be accompanied by a next step target to support your daughter’s continued progress.

The grades are:

  • Above Expectations
  • Meeting Expectations Securely
  • Meeting Expectations With Support
  • Working Towards Expectations 

The reports will also show your daughter’s standardised score from English and Mathematics assessments taken in the first half of the Summer term. If you would like to know more about how to interpret these scores please read the information below.

What are Standardised Scores?
Standardised Scoring is a method used in education to allow pupils, parents and teachers to directly and easily compare performance in different subjects. Standardised Scoring converts each pupil’s score into a consistent scoring system, taking into account the number of marks available and the average score. The average score for each assessment is awarded a score of 100. Performance above the average therefore results in a Standardised Score higher than 100.

How do I interpret Standardised Scores?
A score of around 100 means your daughter scored in line with the expectations for this cohort in this assessment. A score of significantly above 100 means your daughter scored above expectations in this assessment. A score of below 100 means your daughter scored below the expectation in this assessment.

The below brackets give you a more detailed view of how your daughter performed in each of their assessments at the start of the Autumn term, relative to expectations:

Table showing score ranges mapped to performance levels: Below 70 to Significantly below expectation; 70–84 Below Expectation; 85–94 Low Average; 95–104 Average; 105–114 High Average; 115–129 Above Expectation; Above 129 Significantly above expectation.

Why is my Daughter’s Standardised Score Different from her Academic Achievement Grade?
Summative assessment scores provide a single snapshot into a pupil’s progress, but are not the only factor used to determine an Academic Achievement Grade. Your daughter’s performance in lessons, end-of-unit assessments, homework and independent tasks will all help her teachers to formulate their judgement. By taking all of this into account, teachers can better reflect the understanding that has been shown in each topic, rather than relying solely on formal test results. This approach allows for a more accurate and balanced picture of your daughter’s academic development.

Following the standardised assessments earlier in the term, Form teachers and Specialist teachers have been able to provide adaptive teaching in the lessons to ensure common misconceptions have been addressed. Your daughter will have gained targeted advice from her teachers throughout this term in response to these standardised assessments, as well as continuous assessment for learning opportunities built into their lessons.

Calendar and Events

House Summer Smoothie Social

On Tuesday morning, the girls will meet their House buddies for one of the final times this year at our Summer Smoothie Social. During this time, they will have the chance to chat with their buddies while sampling some delicious House-themed smoothies, which have been designed by our Year 6 Summer Term House Captains.

Your daughter is encouraged to wear her House colours or House-coloured accessories for the day.

Sports Day: Reception & Key Stage 1 ~ Friday 26 June

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 26 June: Reception (8.45am – 9.45am) & Key Stage 1 (1.00pm – 2.00pm) – 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.

Dismissal for Founders’ Friday will follow the afternoon session. The girls will return to their classrooms and be dismissed to parents/ carers at the following times and locations: 2.10pm: Year 1 (main gate), 2.10pm: Year 2 (side gate)

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

Founders’ Friday Open Classroom & Tea Party: Friday 26 June 3.00-4.00pm

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.

End of Term Dismissal Times: Friday 3 July

Please make a note of the dismissal times and locations below for the last day of term, Friday 3 July. Please can all of the girls wear school uniforms on this day, as they will attend Mark Reading (a joint Junior and School Celebration Assembly).

There will be no Late Owls on this date.

Dismissal times: 

11.45am: Reception (side gate) 

11.55am: Year 1 (main gate)

11.55am: Year 2 (side gate) 

12.05pm: Year 3 (main gate)

12.05pm: Year 4 (side gate) 

12.15pm: Year 5 (main gate)

12.15pm: Year 6 (side gate)

Courses for Parents

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

  • Tuesday 23 June 12.30pm ~ AI and the Future of Careers: What Young People (and their Parents) Need To Know
  • Wednesday 1 July 12.30pm ~ Student Finance for Parents: Understanding the Costs and What Really Matters
  • Thursday 2 July 6.30pm ~ Parenting Neurodivergent Children Through The Summer Months

Save the Date: Welcome Evening: Tuesday 15 September (6 - 8pm)

Please save the date for our annual Welcome Evening which will take place on Tuesday 15 September from 6.00 – 8.00pm. As part of the evening, Miss Hamalis will lead a talk and introduce the Form and Specialist Teachers, Teaching Assistants and some of the Support Staff. You will also visit your daughter’s new Form Room to meet the year group Form Teachers and Teaching Assistants to learn more about the expectations for the year ahead.

Lost Property: Checking & Reclaim

Lost Property Reclaim: Thursday 2 & Friday 3 July

Any unclaimed and unnamed lost property (both uniform and non-uniform) will be out in the courtyard on the days and times below:

  • Thursday 2 July: 7.30am-8.30am & 2.50pm-5.30pm
  • Friday 3 July: 7.30am-8.30am & 11.30-12.30pm

Any unclaimed items still remaining will be donated to charity (non-uniform) or the pre-loved uniform sale (uniform).

Lost Property at Home

From time to time, items of uniform are taken home accidentally. We would be very grateful if parents could check the labels in their daughter’s clothing to ensure that everything belongs to them.

If you do come across any items labelled with another pupil’s name, please could these be returned to school so that we can reunite them with their rightful owners.

Health and Wellbeing

Worms

We all know that having worms can be irritating and time consuming to manage. We encourage everyone to check on their daughter and treat it seriously so we can stop the spread. If we all increase our hygiene then we will eventually reduce the spread of worms. Please remind your daughter (as we do at school) to thoroughly wash her hands every time she goes to the toilet and before eating. For further information: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/worms-in-humans/

Channing Association

Year 6 Events

  • Tuesday 30 June, 1.30pm, Y6 Tea Party and Rounders Match (at school). Parents invited.
  • Wednesday 1 July, 8.30am; Y6 Leavers’ Assembly, Fairseat Hall. Parents invited.

Diary Dates

  • Sunday 6 September – pre term picnic, Highgate Woods
Open Days

Our Open Day schedule has been published:

Junior School Open Day Dates

Autumn 2026

Senior School Open Day Dates

Autumn 2026

Come and experience our school firsthand!

👉 Click here for more details and to book your visit.