Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School

12 June 2026

 

We have had another great week in school despite the wet weather!

 

Reception have been enjoying learning about The Rainbow Fish as part of their Under the Sea topic, exploring friendship and the wonders of ocean life. Year 1 have been learning about Mae Jemison and investigating a range of different objects and materials. In Year 2, the children have been exploring renewable and non-renewable energy sources and have enjoyed designing and making their own wind turbines.

 

Year 3 have continued their work on time, applying their knowledge to solve word problems involving how long different activities take. Year 4 have been working hard to develop their understanding of decimals, while Year 5 have been studying settlements, comparing those from the past with those of the present day. Meanwhile, Year 6 have been engaged in their Jewish Studies project on Kashrut, deepening their understanding of Jewish dietary laws. It has been wonderful to see such enthusiasm and hard work across the school this week. 

 

Congratulations to all of our Year 5 and Year 6 boys who took part in the Maccabi Football Tournament on Wednesday. All three teams represented the school with great determination, teamwork and sportsmanship, playing exceptionally well throughout the day. A special congratulations goes to our Year 5 team, who reached the final and were unfortunate to miss out on the title after conceding a goal in the closing moments of the match. We are incredibly proud of all the boys for their fantastic efforts and excellent representation of the school. A sincere thank you also goes to Mrs Gishen and Mr Moscow for managing the teams and supporting the players throughout the tournament. 

 

On Thursday, Year 6 took part in a thought-provoking Holocaust workshop, where they followed the story of Leo, a young boy who escaped the war and came to England on the Kindertransport. Through the workshop, the children gained a deeper understanding of the experiences of Jewish children during the Holocaust, exploring themes of courage, resilience and hope. They engaged thoughtfully with the activities and discussions, demonstrating maturity and empathy throughout this important learning experience. The session concluded by hearing a little about my own grandmother's journey from Germany to England on the Kindertransport, helping the children to make a personal connection to this significant period in history and bringing the topic to life in a very meaningful way.

 

Congratulations to the following children for demonstrating Educational Excellence in school this week and joining me at my tea party:

Otis B, Effie R, Este R, Alexander B-W, Lielle W, Hannah G and Joshua M.

 

I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the Fun Day on Sunday, which promises to be a fantastic event for our whole community. It will be a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to come together, enjoy a range of activities and celebrate all that makes our school community so special. I hope you have a great time and I look forward to seeing many of you there!

 

Shabbat shalom,

 

Mrs Martin

5 June 2026

 

Despite the wet and gloomy weather, we have had another fantastic week in school, with lots of exciting learning taking place across all year groups. The children have continued to work incredibly hard in their lessons, demonstrating enthusiasm, resilience and a positive attitude towards their learning. It has been wonderful to see their confidence growing and to celebrate the progress they are making in so many areas.

 

A huge congratulations to all of our Year 4 children for completing their Multiplication Tables Check this week. We were incredibly proud of the positive attitude they showed throughout the process. The children approached the check with confidence, resilience and smiles on their faces, demonstrating the hard work and dedication they have put into learning their times tables this year. Well done, Year 4 - you should all be very proud of yourselves!

 

On Monday, the children from Years 1 to 6 were fortunate to take part in a tennis workshop. Led by an experienced coache, the sessions gave pupils the opportunity to develop their tennis skills, learn new techniques and enjoy a fun and active sporting experience. Children and staff alike thoroughly enjoyed dipping their toes into the world of tennis, and it was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm, determination and teamwork on display. 

 

On Tuesday, Year 5 had a thoroughly enjoyable day taking part in the Etgar Jewish Knowledge Challenge. The children represented the school brilliantly, demonstrating an impressive breadth of Jewish knowledge, teamwork and enthusiasm throughout the event. Even the train strike could not dampen their spirits, and they approached the day with positivity and determination from start to finish. We were incredibly proud of the way they conducted themselves and embraced the opportunity to learn alongside pupils from other schools.

 

Year 6 have had a busy and exciting week! On Tuesday, the class visited Finchley Youth Theatre to take part in a Barnet Citizenship session. The workshop helped the children develop their understanding of how to stay safe in a variety of situations they may encounter as they prepare for the transition to secondary school. The session was both informative and engaging, encouraging thoughtful discussion and practical problem-solving. On Wednesday, the children swapped the classroom for the waterways of Camden, spending the day navigating kayaks along the canals. Despite the rainy weather, their enthusiasm was undiminished, and they embraced the challenge with energy, resilience and teamwork. The day provided a fantastic opportunity to develop confidence, communication skills and independence, and a wonderful time was had by all.

 

We are delighted to share a wonderful example of kindness, initiative and community spirit shown by two of our pupils, Summer and Immy, during the half-term holiday. Inspired by a desire to support Chai Cancer Care, the girls came up with the idea of setting up a homemade lemonade stand from their driveway. In the glorious sunshine, they spent two and a half hours enthusiastically selling cups of lemonade, creating their own signs, promoting their stall through local WhatsApp groups and calling out “Lemonade! Lemonade!” to attract customers. Their hard work and determination paid off, and they completely sold out, raising an impressive £139. Even more remarkably, this amount was match-funded, bringing the total donation to £280 for Chai Cancer Care. We are incredibly proud of Summer and Immy for their compassion, generosity and entrepreneurial spirit. It was entirely their own idea and it was inspiring to hear about their commitment to making a positive difference. Well done – they are a credit to our school community!

 

Congratulations to the following children for demonstrating Educational Excellence in class this week and joining me at my tea party:

Zack T, Isla-Rose S, Lior S-L, Sam T, Joseph G, Dylan M and Louis B.

 

Shabbat shalom,

 

Mrs Martin

21 May 2026

 

We have had another busy and exciting week in school as we look ahead to celebrating Shavuot. This half term, many of the classes have been learning about the flowers and greenery connected to Har Sinai and exploring the world of plants. The children have enjoyed discovering how plants grow, what they need to survive and the important role that flowers play in our lives. Through a range of scientific, creative and hands-on activities, the children have developed their understanding of nature while making meaningful links to the themes of Shavuot.

 

The dads’ football team secured an impressive 4–2 victory over Yavneh earlier this week, earning their place in the semi-finals of the Shield. The team are delighted to have made it through and are now looking ahead to the next round, which is expected to take place around the 14th. Managed by Jeremy King, the squad are hoping to keep their strong run going.

 

As we come to the end of a busy and successful half term, we would like to wish all of our families celebrating a very happy and meaningful Shavuot. May the festival bring joy, togetherness, and special time with loved ones. We also wish everyone a wonderful and restful half term break and look forward to welcoming the children back refreshed and ready for the weeks ahead. 

 

Chag sameach and shabbat shalom,

 

Mrs Martin

 

15/5/26

 

It has been a fantastic week across the whole school. Our Year 6 pupils have shown incredible determination, resilience and positivity as they completed their SATs so brilliantly - we are all extremely proud of the effort and maturity they have demonstrated throughout the week. At the same time, the rest of the school has continued to work exceptionally hard, producing some truly fantastic work in lessons and showing great enthusiasm for learning. Well done to all of our pupils for another successful and rewarding week. 

 

We were devastated to have to postpone the Fun Day that was due to take place this Sunday. However, we are excited that the event will still be going ahead in July, when we are hoping the weather will be shining down on us and everyone will be able to enjoy a fantastic event together. Thank you for your understanding and continued support - we cannot wait to celebrate with you all soon.

 

Congratulations to our Year 3 footballers, who represented the school so brilliantly at the Maccabi football tournament this week. The children demonstrated fantastic teamwork, determination and sportsmanship throughout the competition and were a real credit to the school. We are incredibly proud of the positive attitude and enthusiasm they showed both on and off the pitch. Well done to all involved!

We have had another fantastic week in school! Even though it was only a four-day week, there was still so much taking place across the school. From exciting classroom activities and creative learning opportunities to teamwork, achievements and memorable moments with friends, the children have continued to show enthusiasm, resilience and a positive attitude in everything they do. It has been wonderful to see such energy and engagement throughout the week and we are incredibly proud of all that has been accomplished.

 

On Tuesday afternoon, the whole school enjoyed celebrating Lag BaOmer by taking part in a special celebration that included a bonfire, toasted marshmallows, singing and dancing. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to come together, enjoy the festivities and learn more about the traditions of the celebration in a joyful and memorable way.

 

On Thursday, Year 1 put on a fantastic production as part of their Chagigat HaSiddur. They took us on a journey to another land to discover how their siddur can help guide them each day, before each child was presented with their very own first siddur. It was a very special moment, made even more meaningful with families there to share in the occasion and Rabbi Schochet presenting the siddurim to each child. A huge thank you to Miss Zairi and the Year 1 team for all their hard work in preparing the children so beautifully for this memorable occasion.

 

There is a real buzz across the school as we look ahead to our upcoming Fun Run on 17 May. This promises to be one of the standout moments of the term, bringing pupils, staff and families together for a morning full of activity, fun, and a strong sense of community. We are very much looking forward to seeing everyone take part, cheer each other on and enjoy the event together. Most children who have registered will be coming home today with T-shirts to decorate at home ready to wear for the run. Please enjoy getting creative with them and don’t forget to add your child’s name to the back. Please also remember to secure your place via ParentPay if you have not yet done so. Families are encouraged to support the event by using this link: https://etz-chaim-fun-run.square.site/

 

Congratulations to the following children for demonstrating Education Excellence in class this week and joining me at my tea party:

Bobby R, India C, Caio F, Immy F, Oliver K and Lola M. 

 

Shabbat shalom,

 

Mrs Martin

1 May 2026

 

This week in Maths Week we have been exploring the theme of maths beyond the classroom, helping children see how mathematics exists all around them. Throughout the week pupils have taken part in a range of practical and engaging activities across the school. They searched for and identified given numbers hidden in different areas, investigated the capacity of various shaped containers and practised measuring angles in real-life contexts. These hands-on experiences have encouraged curiosity and shown children that maths is not just something we learn at a desk, but a skill we use every day in the world around us. 

 

We had the most wonderful day on Tuesday when the charity Chazak visited our school and transformed the hall into a vibrant Moroccan shuk (market). Children from Years 3 to 6 had the opportunity to explore the stalls, where they could taste and smell a variety of exotic breads, fruits and spices. The atmosphere was truly magical, with lively music playing in the background, traditional fez hats to try on and colourful “magic carpets” adding to the immersive experience. It was a fantastic way for the children to engage their senses, learn about different traditions and bring their learning to life.

 

A huge Mazel Tov to Mia, Louie, Abe, Zev and Effie who showed fantastic initiative and teamwork last weekend by setting up their very own lemonade and loom band stand at home. Not only did they put in the effort to create and sell their products, but they also demonstrated real kindness and community spirit by donating the money they raised to the school. We are incredibly proud of their creativity, generosity and can-do attitude—what a wonderful example to others! 

 

There is a real buzz across the school as we look ahead to our upcoming Fun Run on 17 May. This promises to be one of the standout moments of the term, bringing pupils, staff and families together for a morning full of activity, fun and a strong sense of community. We are very much looking forward to seeing everyone take part, cheer each other on and enjoy the event as a whole. Please don’t forget to secure your place via ParentPay. We also encourage families to use the following link to gather sponsorship and support this wonderful event: https://etz-chaim-fun-run.square.site/

 

Congratulations to the following children for showing Educational Excellence in class this week and joining me at my tea party: 

Noa K, Daisy D, Blake K, Harrison F, Daniel C, Hannah Z and Tommy G.

 

Wishing you all a wonderful bank holiday weekend.

 

Shabbat shalom,

 

Mrs Martin

It has been another busy week in school, with all the children working hard and making the most of their learning. It’s been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and focus across all activities and even better to enjoy some sunshine along the way. The brighter weather has brought lots of smiles, energy and opportunities for outdoor learning and play.

 

I have had the pleasure of showing a number of prospective parents around the school this week, all of whom commented on the strong sense of joy throughout the school, as well as the rich learning opportunities they observed. They also remarked on the wonderful atmosphere we are so fortunate to experience every day. It has been lovely to share with others what makes our school such a special place.

 

We began and ended the week with two special assemblies for Key Stage 2, led by the charity Chazak. They shared fascinating insights into the similarities and differences between Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jewish traditions, giving the children a deeper understanding of Jewish culture and heritage. We now look forward to the Sephardi market (shuk) next Tuesday, which children in Years 3 to 6 will have the opportunity to experience and enjoy. 

 

We had a wonderful day in school on Wednesday celebrating Yom Ha'atzmaut. The children were split into six groups for the day, led by our fantastic Year 6 pupils, who did an excellent job guiding and supporting the younger children. Throughout the day, they took part in a range of engaging activities, including Israeli dancing, learning about Israeli inventions and making bracelets to mark the celebration. We also enjoyed a special Israeli lunch, complete with a delicious birthday cake. We ended the day by coming together as a whole school to dance and celebrate, creating a joyful and memorable atmosphere for everyone involved.

 

Congratulations to the following children for demonstrating educational excellence in class this week and joining me at my tea party:

Jordan R, Romy M, Mila H, Kai L, Jax R, Illai E and Ezra K. 

 

Shabbat shalom,

 

Mrs Martin

Welcome back to school and to the start of an exciting summer term! We hope you all had a restful and enjoyable break and that you’re feeling refreshed and ready for the busy weeks ahead. This term is always a vibrant one, filled with opportunities for learning, growth and celebration, we are looking forward to making the most of every moment together as a school community.

 

On Monday evening, a group of children, accompanied by Mrs Osborne, attended the Yom HaShoah service in Downing Street. During this important and reflective occasion, they represented the school with great respect and maturity. The children took part in the service by singing songs and contributing to the commemorative programme, helping to honour and remember the victims of the Holocaust. It was a meaningful experience for all involved, allowing the children to reflect on the importance of remembrance, tolerance and learning from history. 

 

Promoting reading at home and encouraging children to read for pleasure is one of the most valuable ways to support their learning and development. Creating a positive reading culture beyond the classroom helps children build confidence, imagination and a lifelong love of books. The following website offers fantastic, carefully curated book lists to support this, with each Year Group Recommended Reads list featuring 50 thoughtfully selected titles. These lists are designed to be both age-appropriate and accessible, offering a rich balance of genres and styles to suit all readers. Whether a child prefers non-fiction, graphic novels, poetry or traditional stories, there is something to capture every interest. Each list includes a mix of fiction, picture books, non-fiction, poetry and graphic novels, alongside a few novelty and tactile books, ensuring variety and engagement. With a blend of classic favourites and exciting new releases, as well as diverse characters and settings, these collections provide children with meaningful and enjoyable reading choices. Accompanied by printable posters and checklists, they make it easy for families to inspire regular reading and celebrate it as a joyful, everyday habit. https://www.booksfortopics.com/

 

As a school, we are all looking forward to and are extremely excited about our upcoming Fun Run on 17 May! This will be a highlight of the term, bringing together pupils, staff and families for a morning of energy, laughter and community spirit. We can’t wait to see everyone getting involved, supporting one another and enjoying the occasion together. Please remember to book your place via ParentPay, and we encourage families to use the following website to gather sponsorship and support this fantastic event https://etz-chaim-fun-run.square.site/

 

Congratulations to the following childre for demonstrating Educational Excellence in class this week and joining me at my tea party?

Taylor M, Raina V, Amelia M, Harper W, Walter B, Sasha VDB and Oliver O.

 

Shabbat shalom,

 

Mrs Martin