Headteacher's Bulletin

Are we really halfway through our penultimate half term? It’s remarkable how swiftly time passes by when you are having fun! Our Year 11 students are diligently engaged in their final preparations for the upcoming GCSE written papers, commencing next week on the 9th of May with Religious Education and we wish all of our Year 11's the very best as they continue to revise and prepare for these.

Despite the onset of examinations, it’s important to emphasise that all our Year 11 classes are continuing until the very end. Year 11 students are encouraged to continue to fully engage in all lessons until June 15th when formal study leave will begin. During this period, our dedicated teachers will be providing tailored support, focusing on refining exam techniques and ensuring that all our students are poised to deliver their very best performances.

I am delighted to extend heartfelt congratulations to Kaya Scott for her outstanding achievement in winning the Richmond Borough 'Cover Story' Book Review Competition. Kaya’s accomplishment was duly recognised as she received her well-deserved prize from the Mayor of Richmond yesterday evening. Such achievements not only reflect the academic prowess of our students but also highlight their commitment to excellence in a variety of fields. We are very proud of you Kaya!

As we begin to approach the end of this academic year, it’s imperative that all students are well prepared for their upcoming end-of-year exams. The more prepared the students are - the better their outcomes will be. Let's all support them by encouraging them from early on.

Furthermore, I am delighted to announce that Humanutopia has returned to our school this week to work with our Year 9 "Heroes." Fifty of our Year 9 students received training on how to mentor and support Year 7 students, an initiative aimed at fostering a supportive and inclusive school community. We were honored to welcome students from Twickenham Park Academy to participate, allowing our students the opportunity to practice coaching and supporting them. We eagerly anticipate seeing our Heroes buddied up and ready to embark on this enriching journey. Well done to all our Heroes for their commitment to making a positive difference within our school community.

Lastly, a gentle reminder for all students and parents: Twickenham school will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday, 6th May.

Cover Story is Richmond Library service's annual pick of the best teen reads. Every year they run a competition for the best book review. Our very own Kaya Scott was the winner this year. She was presented with a certificate and voucher by the Mayor of Richmond and the author Nathaniel Lessore for her amazing Book review of the story ‘Northern Lights’ by Philip Pullman at an awards ceremony in Richmond Library.

Year 10 Master Learners in English took part in a creative writing workshop on Tuesday 30th April. This was run by Kingston College and Kingston University. During the workshop they got to trial different exercises to help them generate a range of ideas. The students shared some fantastically creative pieces of writing and were well supported by their peers through constructive feedback. They now all have the chance to participate in a competition which could see their work published online and them receiving a one-to-one feedback meeting with a literary agent giving them an insight into the world of publishing. They were a credit to the school and we are excited to see their final submissions.

50 students from Year 7 and 8 were chosen to take part in the Junior UKMT Maths Challenge. There will be follow on rounds for those students who scored highest amongst their peers. Well done to all those who participated!

We are quickly approaching the examination period, and we want to ensure that you are well-informed about the upcoming schedules and expectations:

Year 10 Mock Exams: Scheduled from Monday, June 17, to Friday, June 28. These exams are crucial as they simulate the actual exam conditions that students will face next year. Should your child be unable to attend an exam due to illness, please notify the Examinations Officer by 8:15 am on the day of the exam at exams@twickenhamschool.org.uk to arrange a makeup date. The results will be released on Monday, July 15. Information for Year 10 students can be found here.

KS3 End of Year Exams: Core subjects—Maths, English, and Science—will be held in the sports hall with external invigilators from Tuesday, June 4, to Thursday, June 13. This setting helps students acclimate to the formal examination environment. Exams for other subjects will continue in regular classrooms until Friday, June 21. Please note, there will be no access to special arrangements during these exams. Information for KS3 students can be found here.

Exam Protocols: We have briefed both Year 10 and KS3 students extensively on proper exam conduct. Key rules include no electronic devices in the exam hall, the use of transparent pencil cases, and ensuring all necessary equipment is brought to each exam.

Revision and Preparation: Our students have been equipped with revision techniques through special assemblies. They will receive subject-specific revision lists shortly. KS3 students will also get detailed exam guidance and personalised exam timetables next week, which will be attached to this bulletin for your convenience.

Another exciting week in the PE department. The Year 8 Girls Tennis team came third in the Richmond Borough Tournament. The Year 7/8 Boys Cricket team also picked up a win in their first game of the season. Well done to the Year 9 Sports Leaders who assisting with the running of the Richmond Knights Year 5/6 Basketball tournament on Wednesday. Congratulations to St James's on their victory and to all the schools that participated.

A reminder that we have a full list of extra-curricular clubs this term. There is no sign up required students just need to attend the club at the time shown. Please encourage your child to attend at least one extra-curricular a week. If you require any assistance sourcing clubs outside of school, please contact Mr Hayes via info@twickenhamschool.org.uk

Sporting fixtures next week

• Tuesday 9 May Year 8 and 9 Boys Basketball vs Hampton High and Bolingbroke Academy

As we enter the exam period, we are dedicated to ensuring our students are fully prepared. To support them, we are offering targeted booster sessions and warm-ups tailored to their exam schedules:

Evening Before Boosters: For students with exams the next day, booster sessions are held from approximately 15:10 to 16:00 to review key material.

AM Warm-Ups: Morning review sessions start at 8:00 for students with exams in the morning, providing a last-minute refresh of the material.

PM Warm-Ups: Students with afternoon exams will start their lunch 15 minutes earlier and attend warm-up sessions starting at 13:15, ensuring they are focused and ready.

All exam information can be found here.

We will again be operating an appointment system during the summer months.
Book your slot early to avoid disappointment at:

https://schooldaysllp.co.uk/index.php/booking-form/

Also - you can now spread the cost of your purchases over 3 months - using Paypal, (On line only)

We look forward to welcoming you.

Best Wishes
The Schooldays & Just Dancing Team

Dates for the Diary

6 May - Bank Holiday

17 May - Talent Show 6:00 - 7:00pm

27-31 May - Half Term

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.

Jonathon Lisseman

Headteacher

Twickenham School

Percy Road

Twickenham

TW2 6JW

0208 894 4503