Newsletters

Weekly Newsletter – 16.01.26

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Headteacher's News

Friday 16th January 2026

Dear parents and carers of Stepney Park,

It’s only the second week of term and yet there have already been some great moments at Stepney Park. Our chess team won (again!) at the most recent round of the chess league, our drama club put on their inaugural performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to much acclaim and years 5 and 6 were visited by the very successful author, Onjali Rauf. You can read about some of this below: you’ll notice that I will be including some things to celebrate in each edition of my newsletter so that you can know a little more of what’s happening around the school.

Term dates for 26–27. Also this week, I have been able to confirm the term dates for next academic year (2026-2027). Unfortunately, due to the particular way the dates have fallen, I have not been able to create a two-week holiday in October. However, given the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received about the trial this year, and that in school we saw fewer effects of tiredness among children, I have used some of the flexibility we do have to make the October holiday slightly longer.

All the best for the week ahead.

Richard.

Headteacher, Stepney Park Primary School.

Stars of Stepney Park

Our chess team brought home medals from round 3 of this year’s chess league thanks to their great chess skills - well done to them! We’re especially proud as they won this round (and, in fact, they’ve won all three rounds so far this year!) In this photo, they are with our chess coach, who runs the chess club and teaches chess to all three year 4 classes as part of our curriculum.

Children in years 5 and 6 were visited by Onjali Rauf, author of The Boy at the Back of the Class (who also grew up in Tower Hamlets!) Many children left excited about reading her books and about chess, which features in her latest book The Game I will Never Forget. She was also kind enough to sign literally hundreds of her books that children had bought.

If your child has shown some interest in these books at home, there will be a final chance after school on Tuesday 20th January to buy one of a limited number of (signed) copies that we have left.

Notices

Coming up next week: 

  • Year 2 trip to a Synagogue (2Oak - Monday 19th January; 2Maple - Wednesday 21st January; 2Willow - Thursday 22nd January)

  • Animal Experience in school for children in Meadow, Forest, reception and year 1 (Wednesday 21st January)

  • Thursday 22nd January - no after school clubs

Other dates to note:

  • Poetry slam. Our annual poetry slam will take place this term, with the finals on the 11th February (parents of children who make it to the finals will be invited to join us). Children who choose to participate need to practise at home, so do ask your child about the poem they will perform.

  • Next school holiday. School finishes for February half term on Friday 13th February at 3.30pm.

Please find all term dates linked here.