More News

A Week of Exploration and Inspiration

It has been a rather damp week in London, but the weather has done little to dampen the spirits and activities at More House School. As I write, the majority of our pupils, from Pre-Senior to Year 10, are enjoying a visit to Bletchley Park. This exciting trip offers a wonderful opportunity for them to explore the codebreaking techniques used during World War II, bringing together several subjects and skills in a fascinating and engaging way.

Yesterday, our Year 11 students had a fantastic experience attending GCSE Poetic Live! A live poetry event at the Victoria Apollo. Our students saw performances by the incredible Imtiaz Dharker, Carol Ann Duffy and Owen Sheer, to name a few. I am told the outing was an enriching extracurricular to support their studies for their GCSE English examinations, with many quoting they gained valuable insights from the examiners present.

As GCSE preparation begins to gather momentum, I would like to remind all Year 11 parents about the excellent opportunity to attend Mr. Massingham's 'Building Sustainable Habits' session on Saturday, 8th February.

Although we are only halfway through the academic year, the Senior Leadership Team has already begun working on the timetables for next year. I would therefore be grateful if Year 9 and 11 parents could please ensure that their child's subject choices are submitted today.

Continuing with the theme of choices, we were delighted to welcome Dr Aric Sigman, a renowned health education specialist, to our school this week. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, Dr Sigman has worked extensively in education, healthcare, and government policy. He has advised the European Parliament and the NHS on topics such as screen dependency and adolescent health and has written extensively on mental health and wellbeing. His visit provided valuable insights into the effects of screen time and healthy habits for young people. Particularly the need to be mindful of elevated cortisol levels and the much needed reminder for the students AND adults to move from their seats every 30 minutes (where appropriate). Mr Keeley told me the talk was phenomenal and many of you enjoyed the event based on your feedback.

As we close the first month of the calendar year, I am encouraged by the level of interest we have received from prospective parents and the partnerships that are taking form to further enrich our school community. There is a lot to look forward to. Please review the school calendar in the section below, which highlights several exciting events and trips planned, including, of course, our highly anticipated school musical, 'Into the Woods'.
I had the pleasure of meeting with some of our wonderful More Parents’ Association members this week and would like to use this opportunity to remind you that the annual Parents’ Association Quiz Night is scheduled for 26th February. I encourage you to get involved as it is always a thoroughly enjoyable evening, if I say so myself!

As always, thank you for your continuous engagement within the community and for completing the newsletter questionnaire. Mrs Powell de Caires is noting your comments and we plan to roll out some of your suggestions in the coming weeks.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Warm regards,

Ms Phelps
Head

Prayer

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Lord, fill my heart with the light of Your hope, that I may trust in Your plan even during difficult times. Strengthen my faith, and remind me that with You, all things are possible. Help me to spread Your hope to others, so that we may all walk together in Your love and peace.

St Thomas More pray for us.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Key Dates and Events

13 February: Year 9 Meningitis ACWY & DTP Vaccinations
26 February: More House Parents' Association Quiz Night (7.00pm)
5 March: School Musical Performance at The Bhavan Centre
10 March: Key Stage 4 Informal Concert (6.00pm)
18 March: Composers' Concert (5.00pm)

Please click the link below to view the complete calendar for the Spring Term.

https://www.morehouse.org.uk/news-and-calendar/calendar/

Book now: Into The Woods, The Musical

https://www.trybooking.com/uk/EKIV

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Holocaust Memorial Day

A Time for Reflection and Learning

This week, our school marked Holocaust Memorial Day with a series of powerful lessons and activities, all centred around the global theme for 2025: For a Better Future. On 27th and 28th of January, students took part in a variety of sessions that not only deepened their understanding of the Holocaust but also prompted meaningful reflection on the importance of remembrance and tolerance.

In their themed week lessons, students learned about the atrocities of the Holocaust, the lives affected, and the enduring lessons it holds for our world today. During their lunchtime activities, they engaged in thoughtful discussions and completed tasks designed to honour the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides throughout history.

A particular highlight was the opportunity to read testimonies from Holocaust survivors, offering a personal and poignant insight into the resilience of the human spirit. Students reflected on these stories, considering how we can all contribute to creating a world where such horrors are never repeated.

Student Spotlight

Sixth Form

This week, we sat down in the Sixth Form common room with Amelie, who shared what community means to her and what she hopes to do after More House.

What does community mean to you?

I joined More House in Year 7, so I have been part of the More House family for some time now. I have always attended small schools, but More House is unique in that, despite it still being a small school, it still has a strong sense of community. Sometimes in bigger schools, you might experience bullying, but that doesn’t happen here. It really feels like a family.

Older students played a big role in involving me in the school community when I was younger, and now that I am in Sixth Form, I want to do the same for younger students and continue that tradition. I remember how positive that experience was for me, and I want to pass it on.

Continuing with the theme of community:

Are there things you do outside of school where you are involved in community projects?

Some people might remember that I ran for Junior Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea a few years ago. I also volunteer at Oxfam, where there is a great sense of community. I take part in a lot of clubs — I am a member of Girlguiding and also attend Youth Church.

What is Youth Church?

Youth Church is connected to my local church. During lockdown, we used to record virtual Youth Church videos for members of the congregation. After lockdown, I was asked if I wanted to continue supporting young people in the church who may have drifted away. Now, we meet, order pizza, and explore the Bible together. It’s a great space for people to come together, even if they don’t go to the same school. We also pray for one another and share our worries, which is really nice.

What do you hope your next step will be when you finish More House?

I hope to go to university. I have aspirations to study at a Russell Group university, although I’m not 100% sure what I want to study yet. However, I know it will be something related to the humanities — perhaps anthropology or politics.

Pre-Senior

Amore! Amore! Amore!

Excitement echoed through the hallways on Monday as our Year 6 students brought their Spanish lesson to life! Enthusiastic voices filled the school as they played a game, mastering their Spanish verb endings with energy and passion. Fantástico!

Through interactive learning and teamwork, the students not only strengthened their language skills but also built confidence in speaking Spanish. Their laughter and determination showed just how much fun language learning can be. ¡Bien hecho, Year 6! We can't wait to see their Spanish skills continue to flourish.

Year 8

Gymnastics in Action!

We were delighted to welcome Kensington & Chelsea Gymnastics Academy to More House for an exciting gymnastics session with some of our Key Stage 3 students earlier this week. The girls had a fantastic time developing new skills, building confidence and pushing themselves under the guidance of an expert coach. From balances to tumbles, they showed great determination and enthusiasm, making the most of this wonderful opportunity.

A huge thank you to Kensington & Chelsea Gymnastics Academy for an inspiring session. Stay tuned for more sessions with the company!

Year 11

Year 11 Research on Global Issues

This week we caught up with the Year 10s in their GCSE Art lesson. The students are currently in the research stage, looking up information and brainstorming ideas for their project. It’s inspiring to see how they’re diving into these complex global issues, bringing fresh perspectives and creative solutions to the table.

"I’ve been working on an interesting project about global warming, and I’m really focusing on how it’s affecting animals. I’ve been looking into how things like pollution and habitat loss are harming wildlife, which has been eye-opening. I’m still in the research stage, thinking about ideas and exploring different topics, like how certain species are impacted more than others.

I’m also looking at ideas related to how we can help protect animals and the environment. It’s been really interesting so far, and it feels great to dive into a topic that’s so important for the future. Whilst this is a creative project, I’m excited to see where the research takes me!"

Year 11

This week, some Year 11 students took on the prestigious UKMT Intermediate Mathematical Challenge. The challenge, designed to stimulate and inspire those with a passion for mathematics, saw our students tackling a range of intriguing problems that tested their ingenuity and problem-solving skills.

We are incredibly proud of the effort and dedication shown by all participants. The UKMT Intermediate Challenge provides a fantastic opportunity for our students to stretch their mathematical horizons and experience the joy of tackling challenging problems. We congratulate all participants and look forward to celebrating their achievements further.

Please enjoy two of the problems they faced:

1: The point P is inside a rectangle. The distance from P to one corner of the rectangle is 5 cm and its distance from the opposite corner is 14 cm. The distance from P to a third corner is 10cm. What is the distance, in cm, from P to the fourth corner?

2: A sphere of radius 4cm and a sphere of radius 16cm are placed on a horizontal surface so that they touch. What is the distance, in cm, between the points where the spheres touch the surface?

Sixth Form

Unpacking Evolution and Faith

In a thought provoking talk, we explored the fascinating journey of Darwinian evolution and the groundbreaking discoveries that have shaped our understanding of life on Earth. From Darwin and Wallace’s pioneering work on natural selection to the latest advancements in genetic research, the session highlighted how science has built upon these early theories. We discussed the role of DNA, the process of evolution, and the fascinating mechanisms that drive the diversity of life we see today. The session also touched upon artificial selection, with examples such as breeding fancy pigeons and the impact of technological advancements in DNA sequencing.

The conversation took an interesting turn when we examined the relationship between science and religion. While some see them as completely separate, others believe they can coexist and inform each other. The talk challenged us to think critically about how different viewpoints shape our understanding of life's origins. From scientific discoveries to the ongoing debates about evolution, the session left us with plenty to reflect on, encouraging further exploration of these vital topics.