Year 6 had an exciting trip to the RAF Museum this week, where they explored the fascinating history of aviation and the Royal Air Force. The children were amazed by the wide range of aircraft on display and enjoyed learning about the science of flight through interactive exhibits. They also discovered the important role the RAF has played in history, including during wartime. The visit was a fantastic opportunity to bring their classroom learning to life.
On Saturday 25th April, in the beautiful City of London, there was a buzz in the air that even the London buses couldn’t compete with. Children from Ranelagh—past and present—arrived alongside proud parents and devoted carers.
The reason for such keen anticipation? Lacing up their trainers tightly, they would take on the TSC London Marathon. They were guided by Leony, Romilly and Luana, into the pen to begin the warm-up. They were taken to the top of St James’s park, near the Horse Guard parade, then they were off, cheered on by roaring crowds. A huge thanks to Mr Jordan, Miss Birte and Miss Monya who tried unsuccessfully to keep up with the children.
The KS1 marathon was equally anticipated – so much so that a parent asked if their child from nursery could run it. We at Ranelagh expect a lot from our children, but not that a 2-and-half year old would run a marathon. A huge thank you should go to Lena’s dad and Nura’s mum, who, alongside a very slow Miss Welburn and Mrs Sheikh helped keep the children running the right way past Buckingham Palace and down the mall, the same route where Sabastian Sawe would break the marathon record the very next day.
It was an amazing day and the smiles on the children’s faces as they held their victory medal said it all.
World Book Day took place on Thursday 5th March and was a wonderful celebration of books, stories and the joy of reading. World Book Day aims to change lives through a love of books and reading, and this year feels especially meaningful as it is also the National Year of Reading.
To help inspire a lifelong love of reading, parents were invited in to see how their children learn to read and to choose a book to take home and keep. Our aim is simple but powerful: to ensure every child has a book of their own and experiences the joy that reading can bring.
Throughout the day, classrooms were filled with exciting activities. From storytelling, reading for pleasure and art linked to favourite stories, the children enjoyed exploring books in many different ways. Reading truly was fun for everyone.
One of the most treasured parts of the week was welcoming parents into school to read with their children. Sharing stories together created a calm and special start to the day and is always a highlight for both children and staff.
Our Thursday assembly was also brought to life, with children and staff dressing up as their favourite book characters. It was wonderful to see such creativity and enthusiasm across the school.
World Book Day reminds us that reading opens the door to imagination. Thank you to all the families who supported the day and helped us celebrate the magic of books.
.png)
Year 5 strutted their stuff on the catwalk this week. Forget Armani and Versace — these designers went straight to the recycling bin chic! They created one-of-a-kind outfits from clothing once destined for landfill. Think of T-shirts made from old carrier bags, skirts fashioned from worn-out bedsheets, and plenty of other runway-ready surprises. The show was filmed by a local university, and their designs will even be showcased at the London College of Fashion. Truly inspirational — and proof that fashion really can save the planet (and our bin spaces).
Throughout Mental Health Week (9th -15th February), Staff and children pulled out all the stops to make sure everyone at Ranelagh felt mentally supported.
From assemblies to debates, children were given every opportunity to talk about good mental health. We created safe spaces in the playground for children to talk about things that made them sad or uncomfortable. We learnt that it was okay to feel worried, but how we deal with this emotion is much more important. By talking openly about our mental health, we were able to challenge the stereotypes and reduce the stigma around poor mental health. We know that Ranelagh truly is a school that promotes kindness, empathy and inclusion. What a great place to work and learn!
Year 2 children had the chance to develop their cricket skills at a TTLT cricket tournament.
Where they showcased exceptional talent and teamwork. Year 2 displayed their prowess in batting, bowling and fielding throughout the tournament.Their strategic approach allowed them to win at second place. Well done Year 2!
On Tuesday 27th January, a group of Year 6 pupils had the opportunity to attend the Newham Holocaust Memorial. During the memorial, the children met the Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, who spoke about the importance of the day and the need to remember those affected by the Holocaust. The pupils listened to a number of moving speeches and personal stories shared by Vanessa Hoburn and Stratford East Theatre’s creative team. The Newham Orchestra also performed a powerful piece of music, followed by a minute’s silence. It was a thoughtful and meaningful experience for all involved. Isabella said “It helped us understand why it is so important to remember the past and to be kind and respectful to others.”
Year 3 had a fantastic visit to Forest School this week, where they explored creativity in the great outdoors. The children experimented with mud painting, using natural materials and lots of imagination to create their own artwork. It was a fun, hands on experience that encouraged teamwork, curiosity, and a real love of nature.
On the 21st of January, our Year 6 pupils had the incredible opportunity to attend a performance of Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge Theatre in London. The excitement was clear as they entered the theatre, and their wide-eyed wonder only grew as the show began. With magnificent characters and stunning set designs, the children were completely captivated, singing along enthusiastically throughout the performance. By the end of the show, their jaws were practically on the floor, a testament to the awe-inspiring experience they had just witnessed. We hope this experience ignites a passion for the arts, ultimately inspiring them in their own end-of-year performance.
2026. I can’t believe we are in the second quarter of the 21st Century. 2025 was an incredibly successful year for Ranelagh and I am sure that 2026 will reap the same rewards. 2026 is the National Year of Reading. This is why your children came home with reading journals last week. Here, they can put in their thoughts and feelings about the book they are reading to you, or the book that you are reading to them.
The CEO of the National Literacy Trust states, ‘Reading is the foundation of a successful life – the key to unlocking potential, strengthening social cohesion, enhancing wellbeing and boosting skills.’ The National Literacy Trust says that reading is linked to a range of benefits including stronger writing skills, improved wellbeing and confidence, as well as increased creativity and imagination. More than anything, it gives you 15 minutes of peace in what I assume is a very busy day.
As a school, we promote children’s love of reading. There is a strong curriculum filled with rich literary books. There is a library in each class.plus a box of Ranelagh Recommends. Alongside this, there is a book hut in the reception area for children to take books that they love and keep them at home.
.jpg)
Last Friday, Ranelagh Primary School was filled with festive cheer as families, children, staff, and the wider community came together to celebrate our annual Winter Fair. It was a joyful and fun-packed evening that showcased the strong community spirit at Ranelagh.
Children and families enjoyed a variety of Christmas-themed activities, including: Santa’s Grotto, Christmas Café with festive treats, Pin the Nose on Rudolph and many more fun-filled activities. Our Year 6 pupils proudly demonstrated their entrepreneurial skills by planning and running several stalls. Their creativity, teamwork, and confidence were clear to see, impressing everyone with their enthusiasm and responsibility. Under the tree’s lights, our school choir, led by Mr Murdoch, opened the fair with a performance of Christmas carols to mark the beginning of the evening. The support, participation, and positivity shown throughout the event reflects the strength and unity of our school community. Thank you to parents, carers, staff, governors, trustees, volunteers, and pupils who helped make this year’s Winter Fair a great success.
.png)
The Christmas season opened on a high note as the Ranelagh Choir delivered a standout performance at the annual Newham Choir Festival in Westfield. Their energy, harmony, and festive spirit captured the hearts of everyone in attendance, earning them well-deserved admiration from the crowd. With their vibrant voices and joyful presence, the choir captivated the audience and set a magical tone for the season ahead. Their performance stood out as one of the true highlights of the festival and left everyone buzzing with festive cheer and winning the best performance. It was a spectacular start to the holiday festivities and a proud moment for the entire Ranelagh community.
