Teddington School Newsletter

Dear Families

Welcome back, I hope you all had a lovely Easter break and are ready to embrace the final term of the academic year. This week has been a really positive one and it's been great to see the students settle back into the day-to-day routine of school very quickly. I appreciate for some students, after two weeks off, it may have been a shock to the system!

On Wednesday, we had the pleasure of hosting Callum Russell from Crystal Eyes. Callum’s visit was an enlightening experience for us all and one which the students responded to really well. Despite being born blind; Callum has navigated life’s challenges with remarkable resilience and determination. He shared with us his journey, from attending a mainstream school to pursuing his passions for languages and music at the University of Birmingham. His adventurous spirit even led him on a solo expedition through South America. Callum’s visit wasn’t just about his personal journey; it was also an opportunity for us to reflect on how we can best support and empower other visually impaired learners. He engaged with our teachers, support staff, and provided mentoring to one of our visually impaired students. We thoroughly enjoyed having Callum with us for the day, and we are inspired by his attitude and achievements. We look forward to welcoming Callum back next year to work with more of our students.

Additionally, as exam season approaches, please note exams will commence on 9 May and conclude on 22 June. We know students in Years 11 and 13 are preparing diligently and we are confident their hard work and efforts will pay off in the long term. Before the exam season officially begins, Year 10 and 12 will sit mock examinations beginning next Friday 26 April. This is a great opportunity for students to experience the exam environment and receive vital feedback on next steps from teachers, we also wish students in these year groups the very best of luck.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for an exciting 80s night on Thursday 25 April hosted by our fantastic PTA! Doors will open at 18:30. Please see the post below for more information and ticket details.

Finally, a gentle reminder about the diverse range of enrichment activities available to our students. There are lots of clubs and after school activities available. For more information, please visit our website.

Thank you for your continued support, have a lovely weekend!

Kind regards

Mr P Grills

Headteacher

Some snippets of our Year 7 Dance assessments.

If you fancy a school night boogie, why not purchase a ticket to our 80s night this Thursday 25 April! Our very own Teddington Band will be performing some 80s classics. It promises to be a night to remember... 🎶

Click on the poster to purchase your ticket via ParentPay now!

Dear Families

As we reach the final term of the year, lets celebrate the remarkable journey of our Year 11 students.

Year 11 have completed their final mock exams, showing dedication to academic excellence. Their successful bake sale not only raised funds for prom but also fostered community spirit. And we are grateful for Michele Miller's revision workshop, equipping students and parents with valuable learning strategies.

Moving forward, we are incorporating revision into form time, ensuring consistent support for our students' academic progress. We encourage the use of various revision strategies to support our students’ learning.

Some effective strategies include:

• Flash Cards: Creating cards with questions on one side and answers on the other to test recall and reinforce memory.
• Mind Mapping: Drawing diagrams to visually organise information, showing relationships among topics
• Checklists: Using lists to track what topics have been revised and what still needs to be covered.
• Cornell Note Taking: Dividing a page into sections to organise notes from lessons or textbooks in an efficient manner.
• Practicing Exam Questions: Answering past exam questions under timed conditions to familiarise with the format and improve time management.

These are the strategies we have covered in form time, and we encourage parents to assist their children in employing these strategies, which can significantly enhance the effectiveness of their revision sessions.

Finally, a quick update on prom: to celebrate our students time at Teddington we now have the Prom tickets available to purchase on ParentPay. This year the prom will be held at Hampton Court Golf Club, and we are looking forward to celebrating all of Year 11s hard work. Please reference the letter you will have received this week for further information!

Kind regards

Ms J Mead

Head of Year 11

We currently have multiple branded coats in lost property. If your child has lost one, please ask them to visit student services and give a full description of their item with proof of ownership. Hopefully, they can all be reunited with their owners!

We also have lots of glasses, glasses cases, and keys.

Richmond Borough MMR vaccination clinics:

• Saturday 20 April, 09:30 - 12:30, Surbiton
• Tuesday 28 May, 09:30 - 12:30, Teddington

Call 020 3691 1019 or click on the poster for more information on how to book an appointment.

Call out 📢

Han anyone organised, or has links to, a comedy club?

We are thinking of host a comedy night in late September and need some advice. If so, please come to the PTA meeting on 22 April.

Thank you in advance!

Save the date, Saturday 27 April AM 🌼🌵🌷

Are you planning to plant any seedlings soon? Could you plant a few more and donate them to the up-and-coming Plant Sale on 27 April?

We look forward to seeing you there!

With the 'dreaded' exams fast approaching, I wanted to take this opportunity to share some tips and tricks to help every student soothe their stresses and smash these assessments! So, whether you're a student ready to take the plunge or a parent hoping to help your child through this time - let's dive into it!

First things first, let's talk mindset. It's all about believing in yourself and knowing that you've got what it takes to succeed. Picture yourself acing that exam, feeling proud and confident as you tackle each question with ease. With the right attitude, anything is possible! So how do we make this happen?

Now, onto the nitty-gritty of revision. Start early, stay organised, and break down your study sessions into manageable chunks. Don't cram everything into one night – trust me, it's not worth the stress! Create a revision timetable that works for you, balancing study time with well-deserved breaks.

If I was only able to recommend one technique for revision, practice testing would be it. Put simply, practice testing is challenging your brain to remember specific information. Obviously, students will do lots of practice testing at school, but you can do practice testing anywhere! Asking yourself a question in your head is practice testing, you can test yourself with flash cards, Mind-Maps or past exam papers. Get together with friends to make the revision effective and fun.

It is the number one technique because it is applicable to every single subject, furthermore, at the end of your GCSEs, you will be tested. There is no better way to prepare for something than to emulate it as best you can. Why do you think boxers spend so much time sparring before a fight? To get used to being fought. Practice testing is getting your brain ready and accustomed to remembering key information under pressure – so that when the real test comes, you are ready to remember all you need to.

Finally, let's not forget about taking care of ourselves during this busy time. Make sure to get plenty of rest, eat nutritious foods, and stay active. A healthy body equals a healthy mind, and that's key to smashing those exams!

Now, to all the amazing parents and carers out there – thank you for your support! Your encouragement and understanding mean the world to us. Let's work together to help our students thrive and succeed.

So, whether you're a student gearing up for exams or a parent cheering from the sidelines, let's tackle this challenge head-on with positivity, determination, and a sprinkle of fun. Together, we've got this!

Wishing you all the best on your exam journey.

Written by Mr Spick - Assistant Headteacher

Two of our students, Arty Year 10 and Freddie Year 13 are performing with their band 'Blood Like Wine' in the Fuse Box Arts Space under John Lewis in Kingston. The band have teamed up with The Basement Door youth music charity and Fusebox, part of Creative Youth Charity in Kingston. The gig is suitable for all ages; kids (and their parents), teens and young adults, everyone's welcome.

Tickets are £5 and must be booked in advance. Doors open at 19:00 with the first performance from 19:30. Parents can hang out in the cafe bar whist the children enjoy the performance if the music isn't for you!

Please see their poster for ticket information and click if you would like to preview their music via their Instagram.

If your child is receiving a vaccination on Wednesday 24 April, please send them to school wearing a short-sleeved shirt or with their PE top that they can change into.

22 April - Year 10 Kingston College Trip

24 April - Year 8 HPV Vaccinations

25 April - 80s Night

27 April - PTA Plant Sale

16 May - Year 8 Parents' Evening

17 May - Bronze DofE Expedition