Headteacher's Bulletin

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we approach the end of the winter term, the atmosphere at Twickenham School is a wonderful mix of hard work and festive joy. The dedication of our students, staff, and parents continues to make our school a special place, and this term has been no exception.

A huge well done to our Year 11 students who recently received their mock exam results. The event gave them a real sense of what it will feel like on GCSE results day, opening their envelopes and reflecting on their achievements with friends and teachers. Immediately following this, our Year 11 Parents’ Evening was a great success. Thank you to all the parents, teachers, and students who attended, sharing invaluable advice and receiving tailored revision guides to support learning over the coming weeks. Come on, Year 11 — we believe in you!

The school is starting to sparkle with Christmas decorations as classrooms are being transformed for our Sparkle and Shine Competition, with judging set for Wednesday. We’re also looking forward to Christmas Jumper Day. On this day, students may wear a festive jumper in place of their school jumper, paired with full school uniform, and bring a donation for Save the Children. Donation buckets will be available, and contributions can also be made via sQuid.

As part of our celebrations, the school will be providing everyone with a traditional British Christmas lunch, and Year 7 students are excited about their upcoming disco! These events are perfect opportunities to bring our community together and create lasting memories.

We are thrilled to announce our inaugural Carols in the Courtyard on Monday, 16th December. Please join us for an evening of festive cheer as our wonderful choir performs, and we light up the school with our Christmas lights. We hope to see as many of you as possible there to share in the joy of the season.

We are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the House Points Competition, which recognises the incredible achievements of all students this term. Please remember that attendance remains important every single day until the end of term. Lessons will continue as usual, with vital learning taking place right up to Tuesday, 17th December, when we will close the term with a whole-school celebration assembly.

Thank you all for your continued effort and enthusiasm this term. Let’s finish strong, together.

Each Monday morning in tutor time, students and their form tutors review the weekly student bulletin. This is a round up of all the important information, notices and reminders that they need to know. the bulletin is also posted on the screens around school so they can refer back to it at any time.

We are thrilled to announce the very first Carols in the Courtyard event at Twickenham School!

Step into the festive magic as our playground transforms into a sparkling winter wonderland. Enjoy captivating performances by our talented school bands, soloists, and the Twickenham Choir, and don’t miss the breathtaking moment when the lights are switched on!

Last chance to secure tickets for the Year 7 Party.

We are excited to host the Year 7 Disco on Thursday 12th December from 4:00 to 5:30 pm in the auditorium. It promises to be a fun-filled event with food, snacks, and party games, and we’d love to see all Year 7 students there. Tickets can be booked on sQuid by 5pm on Sunday.

We are excited to invite you to our first Parent Coffee Morning at Twickenham School, which will be held on Thursday, 12th December 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

This informal gathering is a great opportunity to meet other parents, connect with staff, and engage in a helpful discussion on an important topic: Managing Screen Time for Children. In this session, we’ll share valuable tips and strategies to help balance screen use at home, promoting healthy habits for our young people.

There will be coffee, tea, and delicious treats available for you to enjoy while we present. We hope this will also be a chance to ask questions, share experiences, and be part of the conversation.

We are pleased to confirm that our Twickenham School Christmas lunch will be taking place on Wednesday 11 December, the same day as our Christmas Jumper day.

The school will be paying for every student to have a Christmas lunch this year. It is not compulsory, and students are still welcome to sit down and eat a packed lunch instead if they prefer.

Other than breakfast, there will be no other food choices from the canteen that day. There will not be a break time service. If your child is not having a Christmas lunch, then they will need to bring in a packed lunch that day.

This year, we will be asking for a small donation to wear Christmas Jumpers and all proceeds will be given to ‘Save the Children’. More information about this charity can be found here.

After 4 years at the heart of the Friends of Twickenham School/PTA, I have stepped down from the committee posts and would like to congratulate and welcome Sarah English as your new Chair and Katy Robins as your new Secretary. The fabulous Justine is continuing as Treasurer until the end of the financial year to ensure continuity.

I have such a sense of pride in what Justine and I have managed to achieve in the post-lockdown world where everything changed for all of us. The Rugby Parking days have been unbelievably successful in generating revenue for the school and I have really valued being able to meet other parents whilst volunteering and making those connections that are harder to make once our children enter secondary school.

Whilst the committee posts are now filled, Sarah, Katy and Justine really do need more of you to add your names to the list of volunteers for Rugby Parking and other future events. It is your community so please lean into it. One or two hours of your time makes a phenomenal difference to the school and your child or children.

I want to end with a truly heart-felt thank you to all those that have volunteered and supported Justine and I with our efforts. There are too many to name but you know who you are. Nothing happens without you, and the difference you have made to the school and the children is significant.

Wishing you all a warm and peaceful end of year and a 2025 that is full of joy.

🏆 Year 9 Boys Football Team Triumph!
A huge congratulations to our Year 9 boys football team for their fantastic victory! Your hard work and teamwork have paid off – well done!

🏅 Year 7 Boys Show Promise
A big shoutout to our Year 7 boys who finished 3rd in their side of the borough. This result shows great promise for the future – keep up the excellent effort!

🏀 Richmond Knights Primary Basketball Event
Our Sports Leaders played a key role in organising and running a fantastic Year 5-6 Primary Basketball event in collaboration with Richmond Knights Basketball. It was great to see local primary schools coming together, with our leaders' skills and dedication shining through.

Well done to everyone involved – your dedication and teamwork are inspiring!

Team Sponsorship Opportunity
Do you own a business or know someone who does? We are seeking sponsorships for our team kits! For more information, please contact Mr. Hayes at info@twickenhamschool.org.uk.

• Monday 9 December: U16 Boys Basketball vs Hampton High @ HOME
• Tuesday 10 December: U16 Boys Basketball vs RTS @Home
• Tuesday 10 December: Year 8/9 Girls Basketball vs RPA @RPA
• Wednesday 11 December: U16 Boys Basketball vs Orleans Park @Home

We are thrilled to offer your students the chance to train with Zobie Sharif, an ex-professional county cricketer, at Kew Cricket Club’s Junior Winter Nets 2025. Zobie brings years of experience at the professional level and a passion for coaching young talent, making this programme a unique opportunity for young cricketers.

Programme Details:
Sundays, January 12 - March 16, 2025
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Latymer Sports Hall, Rivercourt Rd, London

Fees: £175 (10 sessions) or £25 (single session)

For more details, email kcccolts@gmail.com or click here to book online

Dates for the Diary

Wednesday 11 December - Christmas lunch and jumper day

Monday 16 December - Carols in the Courtyard

Tuesday 17 December - School closes at 3pm for Christmas break

Monday 6 January - School re-opens at 8:30am for all students

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Jonathon Lisseman

Headteacher

Twickenham School

Percy Road

Twickenham

TW2 6JW

0208 894 4503