Headteacher's Bulletin
4/10/24 - Edition 39
Mr Lisseman - Headteacher
It’s been a vibrant and successful week at Twickenham School, with so much to celebrate. Our Open Evening was a standout event, buzzing with excitement as families explored our facilities, met our staff and students, and experienced the unique atmosphere that makes our school special. Thank you to everyone who came, despite the pouring rain! Our Open Mornings were also a great success, with our wonderful student ambassadors showcasing the school at its best. Thank you to everyone involved. We received fantastic feedback from parents, with one commenting: “I’ve attended every Open Evening since 2021, and it’s remarkable how the high standards have been consistently maintained. Last night, the students were courteous and a credit to the school. The staff were enthusiastic, and the resources impressive. The same energy I felt in 2021 is still here and has perhaps even grown. Thank you to everyone who made it such a success.”
I’m thrilled to share the positive feedback from our recent Quality of Education Review. The visiting team, made up of senior leaders across the Trust, were highly impressed by the excellent teaching and learning, and the positive, purposeful relationships between staff and students. One reviewer commented, “The atmosphere here is so welcoming and inclusive; students and staff alike are genuinely invested in the success of this school. It’s a place where everyone thrives.” A huge well done to everyone for this collective achievement.
October is a special month for us as we celebrate Black History Month. This year, we’re focusing on the contributions of Black Caribbean and African communities but also all people of colour with a range of activities and assemblies planned to inspire and engage students. We are also taking part in International Walk (or cycle) to School Month, promoting healthy living and environmental responsibility. It’s a fantastic opportunity to start the day in a positive and sustainable way, and we encourage as many as possible to get involved. The bike sheds are packed.
This week, we saw drama students attend Birdsong at Richmond Theatre and Year 8 students visit the Brooklands Science Museum, adding to the wealth of opportunities we offer beyond the classroom that enrich our students’ experiences. Thank you to all the staff for organising these events and making them such a success.
The energy, dedication, and enthusiasm across our school community is truly something to be proud of. Thank you all for your continued support—together, we’re making Twickenham School a place where every student can Aspire, Achieve, and Enjoy.
Ms Green - Head of Drama
Students embarked on an exciting school trip to Richmond Theatre to watch a powerful performance of Birdsong, a stage adaptation of Sebastian Faulks' critically acclaimed novel. The trip provided students with the opportunity to experience live theatre, deepening their understanding of drama, literature, and the history of World War I.
The students were captivated by the powerful performances, particularly the way the actors conveyed the emotional weight of the characters' journeys. Many students commented on how the production brought to life the horrors and human stories of the war in a way that was both educational and moving.
The performance also complemented their studies, helping students to see the connections between literature and drama in action. It was an enriching experience that deepened their appreciation for theatre while expanding their historical knowledge.
Mr Meinke - Science Teacher
Ten Year 8 students had the brilliant opportunity to visit the STEM Innovation Academy at Brooklands Museum yesterday. Students took part in a number of workshops and heard talks by a number of guest speakers, including Professor Brian Cox and writer Simon Singh. There were also very engaging talks about zero carbon emission synthetic fuels and apprenticeships. Students took part in workshops, including building water rockets with NPL, investigating a very gruesome crime scene, and designing an athletics stadium.
It goes without saying that our students were thoroughly engaged with the day, in spite of the pouring rain, and were excellent ambassadors for Twickenham School. Hopefully, some of our student will be the leading engineers, mathematicians and scientists of the future.
Mr Hayes - Head of PE
Another busy week in the PE department!
A massive well done to the U13 Boys Table Tennis team for finishing 4th at the Richmond Borough Tournament, hosted at Turing House on Wednesday. An incredible achievement!
Congratulations to the Year 11 Boys Football team, who kicked off their league campaign with a competitive match against Turing House.
The Year 9 and Year 10/11 Girls Netball teams also showed great determination and teamwork in their games against Teddington School.
Finally, a huge well done to the U13 Girls Football team for kicking off their league season. They secured a draw against Turing House and put up a strong fight despite a defeat to Waldegrave School.
