Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School

20 March 2026

 

Another busy and rewarding week has flown by here at school, and it has been a pleasure to see our pupils continuing to approach their learning with such enthusiasm and determination. From the classroom to the playground, there have been many moments to celebrate, with children showing resilience, kindness and a real sense of pride in their achievements. 

 

This week, we have had a truly wonderful Book Week, with excitement and enthusiasm for reading evident across the whole school. Our theme centred around a whole-school search for Frank the Full Stop and his friends, inspired by The Full Stop That Got Away by Laura Baker, which we used to launch the week and remind children of the importance of punctuation in a fun and engaging way. We were incredibly fortunate to take part in virtual sessions with the author, Laura Baker, who shared her story, spoke about life as a author and introduced us to some of the key characters—our sincere thanks to the PTA for making this possible. Throughout the week, the children have also enjoyed a range of activities including staff story time, paired class reading and a lovely family story time this morning to round everything off. It has been a real highlight to hear pupils across the school talking so enthusiastically about punctuation! 

 

I had a wonderful time on Monday after school watching our fantastic group of dancers perform on stage at the Arts Depot for the Barnet Dance Festival. It was a real joy to see the children performing with such confidence, energy and skill. Congratulations to all the girls for their amazing performance, and a special well done to Mrs Gishen for her brilliant choreography and dedication in preparing the dancers for this exciting event.

 

Years 1 and 2 were lucky enough to take part in a workshop on Tuesday called Muffin, Don’t Get Squished!, which promoted essential road safety skills for our youngest pupils. The session helped children learn important ways to stay safe when travelling on and around the roads as pedestrians. Through the live presentation, the workshop aimed to encourage long-term positive behaviour, helping the children understand how to stay safe around roads.

 

A huge congratulations to our Year 5/6 girls netball team on their fantastic performance today, securing an impressive 11–1 victory over Goodwyns. The team showed outstanding teamwork, determination and skill throughout the match, supporting one another and maintaining great focus from start to finish. It was a well-deserved win and we are incredibly proud of their effort and sportsmanship—well done to all involved!

 

Looking ahead to next week, we are very much looking forward to our three model Sedarim, which are always a highlight of the school year. These special occasions provide a meaningful opportunity for our children to deepen their understanding of the traditions of Pesach, bringing their learning to life through shared experience. We look forward to welcoming families into school to take part in these celebrations and to seeing the children engage so thoughtfully and enthusiastically in this important part of our celebrations.

 

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

Kai K, Cici M, Teddy K, Lyla V, Max B, Imri H and Oliver O. 

 

Shabbat shalom,

 

Mrs Martin

 

13 March 2026

 

It was lovely to begin the week with beautiful, spring-like weather. The sunshine lifted everyone’s spirits and the children were excited to spend time outdoors, making the most of our fantastic outdoor space. They enjoyed playing, exploring and learning outside, taking full advantage of the fresh air and the bright start to the week.

 

On Monday, Years 5 and 6 were lucky enough to attend an Active Travel and Road Safety play in our school hall, performed by the Riot Act theatre company. The engaging performance helped the children think about how to travel safely and responsibly in their local area. Next week, Years 1 and 2 will also have the opportunity to watch a different play from the same company, which focuses on promoting essential road safety awareness and equipping them with the fundamental skills they need to stay safe when travelling on and around roads as pedestrians.

 

On Thursday, the whole school was lucky enough to take part in a matzah baking activity to help us start looking forward to the festival of Pesach. The children worked hard together to mix the dough and make sure it was prepared and cooked within the correct time. It was wonderful to see so many budding chefs proudly wearing their chef hats and walking around the school. The activity was a fun and meaningful way to bring our learning about Pesach to life. 

 

Congratulations to the following children for being invited by their teacher to my tea party today:

Harper P, Louie C, Rachel S, Caio F, Eitan A, Mila O and Gideon K.

 

Shabbat shalom,

 

Mrs Martin

Following on from Purim, we were lucky enough to extend the festivities with our two Grandparents and Other VIP Teas on Wednesday and Thursday. It was wonderful to hear the children singing and entertaining our visitors, and we thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet so many important adults in our children’s lives. The atmosphere was warm and joyful, making these special occasions truly memorable for everyone involved. 

 

The UK government has launched the 'Kids Online Safety' campaign to help parents and carers support their children to navigate the digital world safely and confidently. The campaign brings together practical, trusted guidance on how to start meaningful conversations about online life, understand the types of content children may encounter, and build critical thinking skills so young people can question what they see and make safer choices.

 

Congratulations to the following children for showing academic excellence in class this week and being chosen to join me at my tea party: 

Max H, Zach R, Mimi R, Alfie R, Noa M and Eva B.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Mrs Martin

27 February 2026

 

It has been a fantastic first week back after half term, with a real buzz of energy across the whole school. Pupils have settled quickly back into their routines and have shown a positive attitude to learning, working hard in lessons and taking pride in everything they do. It has been wonderful to see such focus, enthusiasm and commitment from everyone, setting a great tone for the weeks ahead.

 

The children have been working incredibly hard this week across the school. Reception have immersed themselves in learning about celebrations, with a particular focus on Chinese New Year. Year 1 have been busy creating story maps for The Three Little Pigs, helping them to sequence events and retell the story confidently. Year 2 have written engaging newspaper reports inspired by The Snail and the Whale. Year 3 are thoroughly enjoying exploring their new English text and are already showing great enthusiasm in their learning. Year 4 have been developing their maths skills by learning how and when to use millimetres, centimetres, metres and kilometres. Year 5 have used their imaginations to step into the role of explorers in Ancient Egypt, producing some fantastic work. Year 6 have been learning about how floods happen, developing their understanding of natural processes and the world around them.

 

A group of our talented Year 6 mathematicians proudly represented the school this week as they took part in the National Quiz Club semi-finals. They worked exceptionally well as a team, supporting one another and applying their problem-solving skills to tackle some extremely challenging questions. Their focus, resilience and teamwork were impressive throughout the competition, they did extremely well, doing both themselves and the school proud.

 

We are really excited to be celebrating Purim in school next Tuesday. Throughout this week, the joyful sounds of Purim songs have been playing across the school, building a wonderful sense of anticipation and excitement among the children. We are also very much looking forward to welcoming grandparents and other family VIPs to our special afternoon teas on Wednesday and Thursday next week, which promise to be a lovely opportunity to celebrate together as a wider school community.

 

Congratulations to the following children for demonstrating Educational Excellence in class this week and being invited by their teacher to join Mrs Osborne for her tea party:

Ben W, Bobby B, Aaron H, Myla M, Bella E, Maya M and Lola M. 

 

Wishing you all Shabbat Shalom and Purim Sameach,

 

Mrs Martin

This week at school has been another busy and rewarding one, filled with a wide range of learning experiences for our children. In every classroom, there has been a strong focus on curiosity, problem-solving and creativity, with the children engaging deeply in their lessons and activities. From exploring new concepts in maths and science to developing skills in the arts and humanities, there has been a clear emphasis on building knowledge and understanding across the curriculum. It has been inspiring to see the progress being made, with moments of discovery, reflection and growth evident throughout the week. 

 

On Tuesday, the Reception children enjoyed an exciting visit to PetMania, the pet shop and groomers on Mill Hill High Street. Their eyes lit up as they watched the dogs being groomed and explored the many different items a pet shop has to offer. The children were full of curiosity, asking questions and sharing their observations with each other. When they returned to the classroom, their enthusiasm didn’t stop—they immediately used what they had seen to bring their own pretend pet shop to life, setting up displays, “selling” items and acting out the roles of shopkeepers and customers. It was a wonderful example of learning in action, where a real-world experience sparked creativity, conversation and imaginative play.

 

On Thursday, Year 3 had a truly special celebration for their Chagigah Chumash at Mill Hill Shul. The children proudly explained the significance of the Chumash and sang beautiful songs about the Torah, filling the room with joy and excitement. Their faces lit up as Rabbi Schochet and their parents presented each child with their very own Chumash—a tangible symbol of their learning and dedication. It was a heartwarming occasion, full of smiles, pride and a sense of achievement, creating memories the children and families will treasure for years to come.

 

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

Ella H, Ezra R, Tsvi A, Lenny B, Tillie S, Sasha VDB, Shulamit B. 

 

As we head into the half-term break, we wish all our children, families and staff a restful and enjoyable holiday. We hope you have time to relax, recharge and enjoy special moments together, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting and inspiring half term of learning.

 

Shabbat shalom,

 

Mrs Martin

6 February 2026

 

On Monday we celebrated Tu BiShevat in school. Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 had a fruit party and Years 3 to 6 had a Tu Bishevat Seder.  During these events the children got to try the different fruits and also discussed the importance of trees and the fruits they produce   A huge thank you for all the fruit donations as well as to the parents that came in at the start of the day to help wash, peel and cut up the fruit.

 

Mr Orman contributed hugely towards our Tu Bishevat experience. He donated a number of plants and shrubs to the school and spent time with our children planting them around the playground. The children loved spending time getting their hands dirty and the playground looks beautiful as a result! We hope the plants thrive and grow!

 

This week, two classes went on fantastic school trips to enhance their learning. On Tuesday, Year 5 visited the Science Museum, where they explored exciting, hands-on exhibits linked to their science topics and deepened their curiosity about the world around them. On Wednesday, Year 3 travelled to the museums in Greenwich, where they enjoyed exploring the historic setting and had the opportunity to discover the Prime Meridian, bringing their learning to life through real-world experiences. 

 

On Thursday, most of our Key Stage Two children enjoyed watching the production for this year’s Festival of Spoken Ivrit. They watched a moving show called The Heart, which tells the story of Marco, a small Italian boy with a huge heart. In the performance, based on the well-known classic, brave Marco embarked on a wonderful adventure in search of his beloved mother. He crossed continents, sailed on a pirate ship, rode donkeys and faced the forces of nature along with countless challenges. Even in the toughest moments, it is his love for his mother that drove him forward and gave him hope. The show reminded us that even in the most complex times, family is the heart that gives us the strength to continue. We look forward to the rest of the school seeing another fantastic performance next week. 

 

I had a wonderful tea party today with the children who demonstrated Educational Excellence in class this week. Congratulations to the following children:

Zev R, Ayla I, Mason M, Eliana B, Asher C, Leonardo V and Joshua M.

 

Wishing you all Shabbat Shalom,

 

Mrs Martin

30 January 2026

 

It has been another busy week in school. Reception have transformed their classroom into an animal-themed learning space, exploring zoos and how to care for animals. Year 1 have been using maps to locate places in the local area, including our school and the park. Year 2 have been learning about perspective in art. They have painted the background of their pictures and will be adding houses and people in the foreground next week. Year 3 have been writing Haiku and Tanka poems inspired by their dreams. Year 4 have been reading the myth Arthur and the Golden Rope, travelling back to the Viking Age. Year 5 have been developing their drawing skills by studying flowers closely and carefully copying the lines and shapes they observe. In PE, Year 6 have also been focusing on gymnastics, practising a range of jumps and rolls. 

 

On Tuesday afternoon, we welcomed a team of girls from Orion School to play a football match against our Year 5 and 6 girls’ team. Both teams played extremely well, and it was a closely contested and exciting game throughout. The girls showed excellent teamwork, determination and sportsmanship, supporting one another and playing with great enthusiasm. It was wonderful to see such positive attitudes on display from both schools. The match ended 2-1 to us, we would like to thank Orion School for visiting and for a fantastic afternoon of football.

 

On Wednesday morning, we hosted a parents’ workshop focused on supporting children with anxiety. The session was run in conjunction with BICS and explored what anxiety is, how it can present in children and practical strategies to support them when they are feeling anxious. The workshop provided parents with valuable insights and opportunities to discuss ways of building confidence and emotional resilience at home. We would like to thank BICS and all the parents who attended for their time and engagement. 

 

On Wednesday afternoon, a team of enthusiastic Year 3 and 4 children represented the school at the Maccabi Football Tournament. The children worked together extremely well, demonstrating fantastic teamwork, communication and determination throughout the afternoon. They showed great enthusiasm in every match, supporting one another and encouraging their teammates both on and off the pitch. The team displayed excellent sportsmanship at all times, showing respect to their opponents and officials, and representing the school with pride. Their positive attitudes and willingness to try their best made the afternoon a great success. Well done to all the children involved for their hard work and commitment.

 

Also on Wednesday evening, a group of pupils in Years 4, 5 and 6 took part in this year’s Annual Mill Hill Community Holocaust Memorial Event at Mill Hill Synagogue organised by Councillor Elliot Simberg. The children sang two songs, "Ve'hee She'amda" and "Never Again", by Stephen Melzack. They also carried in 81 candles, representing 81 years since the liberation of the concentration camps. The children were a great credit to the school and to the whole Mill Hill community.

 

Congratulations to the following children for demonstrating Educational Excellence in school tis week and joining me at my tea party: Raphael M, Scarlett S, Celine R, Ella I, Immy F, Eden I and Sasha P. 

 

Shabbat shalom,

 

Mrs Martin

23 January 2026 

 

On Wednesday, a team of Year 5 and 6 footballers took part in the Maccabi Football Tournament. They played extremely well throughout the afternoon, demonstrating excellent teamwork, resilience and a growing confidence on pitch. The girls showed how much they have progressed as a team, applying their skills effectively in competitive matches and supporting one another throughout the tournament. Their hard work and commitment paid off as they advanced all the way to the quarter-finals, narrowly missing out on a place in the finals. We are incredibly proud of their performance and the positive way they represented the school. A special thank you goes to Mr King for his dedication in coaching and managing the team and for supporting the girls so brilliantly in their football journey.

 

We are pleased to share that we have received an update from Penguin Books confirming that all editions of the Spy Dog, Spy Cat and Spy Pups series by Andrew Cope can now be returned to the shelves for our children to enjoy. The domain name printed in some editions, which had previously been taken over by an unconnected third party, has now been transferred back to Penguin Books and safely redirects to the Spy Dog section of their website. 

 

Four Year 6 pupils took part in the Maths Quiz Club National Championships online heat on Thursday, competing against 47 school teams from across the area. The heat was hosted live by a professional Quizmaster, creating an exciting and high-energy atmosphere throughout. Team members used individual devices linked together as one team through the quiz, allowing for instant scoring and plenty of excitement. The quiz consisted of 30 multiple-choice questions covering a wide range of topics and difficulty levels. Alongside testing mathematical thinking, the Quizmaster shared additional information throughout, helping to broaden pupils’ knowledge and spark curiosity. Teamwork was key, with players encouraged to discuss questions together before submitting their individual answers. The team performed exceptionally well, finishing 7th out of 47 teams, and have automatically qualified for the semi-finals — a fantastic achievement. Congratulations to Tali, Louis, Gideon and Casey.

 

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

Otis B, Daniel F, Lana M, David L, Myla R, Lulu B, Sam S and Daphne B. 

 

Shabbat shalom,

 

Mrs Martin

 

It has been another busy week in school. I attended a headteacher conference on Monday and Tuesday and was out of school during this time, which felt quite strange. It was therefore especially lovely to return on Wednesday morning and be greeted by so many smiling faces, with children fully engaged in their learning. 

 

On Wednesday, some of our Year 5 and 6 boys proudly represented the school at the Year 5/6 Maccabi football tournament. All of the teams worked extremely hard together and played some fantastic football against strong and competitive opposition. Congratulations to all of the boys who took part, and a big thank you to Mr Blank for his expert coaching and support.

 

Today, a team of our girls played an exciting football match against Goldbeaters and they truly impressed everyone watching. From the very first whistle, the girls showed great skill, determination and teamwork, supporting each other throughout the game. They tackled challenges with confidence, passed the ball with precision and demonstrated excellent sportsmanship at every turn. It was wonderful to see how well they worked together and how much fun they were having on the pitch. A huge congratulations to the team for their fantastic performance and a special thank you to Mr King for training them so expertly.

 

In today’s circle meetings, our Year 6 leaders led a fantastic session focused on promoting positive playground behaviour and inclusive, safe play. The children discussed what makes playtime enjoyable as well as some of the challenges that can arise, sharing thoughtful ideas about kindness, fairness and including others. Through role-play activities, pupils explored common playground situations and demonstrated positive ways to resolve them. The Year 6 leaders also taught everyone some fun playground games, giving pupils the opportunity to play together and practise good sportsmanship. The session ended with a reflection on how everyone can help make playtimes fun and fair for all, it was wonderful to see such strong leadership, collaboration and enthusiasm from our pupils. 

 

Congratulations to the following children who have shown Educational Excellence in school this week and joined me at my tea party:

Mason F, Jack I, Este R, Rafi L, Tammy C and Tommy G. 

 

Shabbat shalom,

 

Mrs Martin

 

9 January 2026

 

Welcome back to school! We hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable winter break and that you were able to spend quality time with family and friends. As we begin this new term, we would like to wish all members of our school community a very happy New Year. We are excited for the opportunities and successes that 2026 will bring and look forward to another year of learning, growth and achievement together.

We have had a fantastic first week back at school. All our children and staff have thrown themselves back into school life with great enthusiasm, it has been wonderful to see such hard work and positive attitudes right from the start. Smiling faces, focused learning and a strong sense of community have been evident across the school, setting a brilliant tone for the term ahead.

 

We began the new term by announcing our new Class Ambassadors for 2026. This is an extremely important role, as the children act as representatives for their classes and as ambassadors for the school as a whole. I am very much looking forward to meeting with the new team for the first time next week. Congratulations to the following children on becoming our new Class Ambassadors:

Reception - Sienna Levy

Year 1 - Amelia Wyndham

Year 2 - Lana Manson

Year 3 - Annie Bladon

Year 4 - Sylvie Beilin

Year 5 - Maya Manson

Year 6 - Oliver Orman

 

The Etz Chaim Dads football team played their first match in the inaugural Jewish Schools Dads Football League on Wednesday 7 January and recorded an impressive 7–1 victory. The team played some excellent football throughout the game and could easily have added to their tally. Antony Beilin led the scoring with a hat-trick, Ben Hart found the net twice, while Eddie Manson and Jeremy King also got on the scoresheet. With more group games still to come, it was a fantastic start to the competition for the Etz Chaim dads.

 

Congratulation to the following children who have showed Educational Excelence in school this week and joined Mrs Osborne at her tea party:

Raf L, Ariel MS, Willow N, Lyla V, Max K, Raffie G and Louis B.

 

Wishing everyone a warm and restful weekend ahead. We hope you enjoy the opportunity to relax, recharge and spend some quality time with family and friends. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school refreshed for the week to come.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Mrs Martin