Teddington School Newsletter
Friday 7 February 2025
Dear Families
As we approach the final week before half term, I wanted to take a moment to update you on the latest events and key information from our school community.
Yesterday, we marked Time to Talk Day with a special “Walk and Talk” activity around the recreation area. Led by our Sixth Form and Teddington Leadership Team, this provided a wonderful opportunity for students to discuss what makes them feel good and who they turn to for support. Encouraging open conversations about mental wellbeing is a priority for us, and it was great to see so many students engaging in this important initiative.
This morning, our Year 7 students were informed that Miss Mead will be going on maternity leave at half term. We are delighted to introduce Miss Gilling, who has been Assistant Head of Year for the past year and will now oversee the year group in Miss Mead’s absence. We wish Miss Mead all the best and know that Year 7 will be in great hands with Miss Gilling.
Well done to all 14 students who competed in the Richmond Borough Swimming Gala today, and an extra special congratulations to Emma Phillips and Wilfred GreenWalker who came first in their respective events! What a fantastic achievement, you should all be incredibly proud.
This week, Ofsted announced a consultation on a new inspection format. They are inviting comments from parents on their proposals for fairer inspections and more detailed report cards. You can find more information and share your views here.
We have started conversations with our Year 9 students about their GCSE pathway choices. To support both students and parents in this important decision-making process, we will be holding a Pathways Evening on Wednesday 5 March, which will be combined with our Parents’ Evening. This will be a fantastic opportunity to gather information and ask any questions about subject options moving forward.
Please see our updated Future Ready section of our website. Here, you can learn more about career opportunities and guidance available for our post-16 and post-18. This section provides valuable information on different career paths, apprenticeships, higher education options, and much more. We are committed to ensuring that our students are well-prepared for life beyond school, and we encourage both parents and students to explore the resources available to support informed decision-making about future aspirations and goals.
It has come to my attention that some parents have been using WhatsApp groups to discuss concerns about aspects of the curriculum and teaching. While I fully appreciate the value of community support among families, I would like to kindly remind all parents to direct any concerns, however small, through the appropriate school channels. This ensures that we can address and resolve them professionally, always keeping your child’s best interests at heart. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.
Good luck to our Year 11 students who will be starting their second round of mock exams next week. This is a crucial time for them, and we encourage all students to revise well and seek support where needed. We are confident that their hard work will pay off!
With just one week remaining until half term, please continue to ensure your child attends school every day. Every lesson counts, and maintaining good attendance is key to their progress and success.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and I wish you all a restful and enjoyable weekend.
Kind regards
Mr P Grills
Headteacher
Science Club is getting hands-on! Our budding biologists explored the fascinating world of anatomy with a dissection lab. 🧪 Learning through discovery, teamwork, and curiosity 🔬✨
On Time to Talk Day, our school community came together to foster open conversations about mental health. The day was filled with meaningful activities designed to encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings.
Walk and Talk: Students, along with Sixth Form and TLT leaders, participated in a "Walk and Talk" around the recreation area. This activity provided a relaxed environment for students to discuss what makes them feel good and who they lean on for support.
Excellent Education PD: During form time, the Teddington Leadership Team created an informative PowerPoint. This session was packed with valuable information, case studies, and a toolkit to support mental health. It was an excellent opportunity for students to learn and engage with the topic.
Gratitude and Positivity Tree: Everyone had the chance to contribute towards this by creating their own leaf. Each student was asked to write down what they are grateful for. All of the leaves are being collected and will be put together to great the tree which will be showcased in the library.
A huge well done to the TLT for leading these initiatives, and particularly to our Sixth Form leaders who have co-ordinated the younger students to drive each of their areas to success. Your efforts have made a significant impact on our school community, promoting a culture of openness and support.
World Book Day is Thursday 6 March 2025! ✨📚
As part of our celebrations at Teddington School, we are having a mystery book sale with proceeds to benefit a charity selected by the students. Students will be able to purchase wrapped books, making their choices based on the first sentence of the story. Last year the sale was a great success, and all available books sold out within minutes. To make this sale even better, we are seeking donations of gently used books.
Donations should be in generally good condition and appeal to students between the ages of 11 - 16. Books may be sent in with students or left at reception. Please message Mrs Ricker via rickers@teddingtonschool.org with any questions.
3-10 February is Children’s Mental Health Week. Here are some books from the collection about mental health:
- Silence is Goldfish by Annabel Pitcher: 'I have a voice but it isn't mine. It used to say things so I'd fit in - to please my parents, to please my teachers. It used to tell the universe I was something I wasn't. It lied.' Fifteen-year-old Tess doesn't mean to become mute. At first, she's just too shocked to speak. And who wouldn't be? Discovering your whole life has been a lie because your dad isn't your real father is a pretty big deal. Tess sets out to find the truth of her identity, and uncovers a secret that could ruin multiple lives. But can she ask for help when she's forgotten how to use her voice?
- Dandelion Clocks by Rebecca Westcott: Liv takes us on a journey through her life from "Thirteen Weeks Before" to "Six Months After". We discover Liv's passion for photography, her brother's obsession with sticking to the rules, the stupidity of Moronic Louise at school, and how the family copes as Mum's terminal illness takes hold...Guided by Mum's own childhood diaries, Liv finds a new way to live.
- Turtles All the Way Down by John Green: 'It's quite rare to find someone who sees the same world you see.' Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there's a hundred thousand dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett's son, Davis. Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.
- Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley: Sixteen year old Solomon has agoraphobia. He hasn't left his house in three years, which is fine by him. At home, he is the master of his own kingdom--even if his kingdom doesn't extend outside of the house. Ambitious Lisa desperately wants to go to a top tier psychiatry program. She'll do anything to get in. When Lisa finds out about Solomon's solitary existence, she comes up with a plan sure to net her a scholarship: befriend Solomon. Treat his condition. And write a paper on her findings. To earn Solomon's trust, Lisa begins letting him into her life, introducing him to her boyfriend Clark, and telling him her secrets. Soon, Solomon begins to open up and expand his universe. But all three teens have grown uncomfortably close, and when their facades fall down, their friendships threaten to collapse as well.
My name is Robyn, and I am in my final year of A levels at Teddington.
I have been accepted for a volunteer teaching placement after I leave school with the charity Project Trust. Project Trust has over 50 years’ experience of providing international volunteering opportunities for young people, specifically for gap years. My placement will be in Malawi, Africa for at least eight months. I will be teaching in local schools and be involved in youth development work where I can help mentor young people who have had a difficult start in life. Placements are designed to meet community needs and never take work away from local people.
I know I have a lot to offer and would love the opportunity to positively impact the lives of others in such a special way, but to make this possible I need to raise the necessary funds.
I would therefore be extremely grateful if you could donate to my fund and help me achieve my goal. The money raised goes directly to Project Trust to pay for the essentials such as flights, insurance and accommodation. The link for my donation page is below.
I am also hosting a Fundraising School Bake sale on 14 February at break time. I would be extremely thankful if you could support me by encouraging your child to bring in cash for delicious homemade cakes.
