Headteacher's Bulletin

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week marked Positive Noticing Week, reinforcing the importance of strong relationships across our community. Our Year 8 band impressed us all with daily performances in assemblies—an inspiring showcase of their talent.

We are also incredibly proud to have raised an impressive £1,431 for Children in Need! This achievement reflects the caring nature of our wonderful community and is a huge source of pride for us all. I knew we were close to our target, but I couldn’t believe my eyes when the final total was totted up—thank you to everyone who contributed so magnificently!

Excitement is building for our school production of The Addams Family next week (performances from Wednesday to Friday). Tickets are selling fast, so book soon—I look forward to seeing you all there!

Year 11 students attended Poetry Live in London, a great opportunity to deepen their understanding of their GCSE English paper. Next week, our Year 11 Geographers will go on a field trip that will be invaluable for their coursework. Meanwhile, some Year 9 and 10 students represented the school at an Eco Conference at Tiffin School, exploring sustainability and innovation.

With the colder weather setting in, please ensure students have appropriate winter coats. Please note hoodies and extra jumpers (often with logos) are not part of the school uniform and are not a substitute for a warm winter coat.

Lastly, the Year 7 Parents’ Evening was a great success. Thank you to all who attended—it was wonderful to see so many of you and hear such positive feedback about the start of Year 7.

Have a warm and restful weekend.

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.

Twickenham School proudly presents The Addams Family Musical, brought to life by our talented students who have been working tirelessly to make it a memorable evening. Join us for a night of music, laughter, and fun with the beloved Addams family characters!

Wednesday, 27th November
Thursday, 28th November
Friday, 29th November

Doors open at 5:30pm Please be seated by 5:55PM for a 6:00 PM start.

Tickets are available for purchase via sQuid. Don’t miss out on what promises to be a brilliant show—grab your seats now! We look forward to welcoming you.

Last Saturday marked the end of an incredible chapter as Anna Hextall and David Murphy completed their final stint volunteering at Rugby Parking. Over the 11 years they have volunteered, their dedication and hard work has made an extraordinary impact on our school and its community.

Anna and David have been instrumental in helping to raise vital funds that have contributed to the growth and success of our school. Their tireless efforts and commitment have set a high standard of service and support, inspiring both students and fellow volunteers alike.

We extend a MASSIVE thank you to Anna and David for their incredible contributions.

If you would like to volunteer with the PTA, please get in contact on twickenhamschoolpta@gmail.com

You’re warmly invited to join our next PTA meeting on Monday, 2nd December at 6pm.

Come along to discuss upcoming events, share your ideas, and help support our school community. We look forward to seeing you there and hearing your valuable input!

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!

Year 11 visited the Apollo Theatre in Victoria today to hear from the poets they are studying for their English Literature GCSE. They took lots of notes and enjoyed the range of poetry they got to hear, both emotional and humorous!

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and staff, Twickenham School will be conducting a Full Lockdown Practice on Friday, 29th November.

We want to reassure you that there is no current threat or imminent danger to the school. This is purely a precautionary exercise designed to ensure that all members of our school community are familiar with the procedures we would follow in the unlikely event of an emergency requiring a lockdown.

The practice is expected to take no more than 15 minutes, and it will be conducted sensitively. Students will be briefed in advance to minimise any concerns or anxiety.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain a safe and secure environment for all.

As we prepare for our upcoming Ofsted inspection later this year, your feedback is invaluable in helping us showcase our school’s strengths and identify areas for further development.

We encourage you to take a moment to complete the Ofsted Parent View questionnaire. This platform gives you the opportunity to share your views on Twickenham School, from the quality of teaching and curriculum to how safe and supported your child feels here.

Your input is crucial in ensuring we continue to grow and provide the best possible education for every student.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Please stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings when you're out in the community. Unfortunately, incidents of phone snatching are on the rise, so it's important to take precautions to keep yourself and your belongings safe:

• Avoid using your phone openly in crowded or public areas.
• Keep your phone and valuables secure in a bag or pocket when not in use.
• Be extra cautious when walking near busy streets or riding public transport.
• Stay alert and avoid distractions, especially when crossing roads or walking alone.

Your safety is our priority—please take care and stay safe!

We’re thrilled to highlight the incredible work of our Year 9 Sports Leaders, who recently showcased their leadership skills by running the Year 3-4 Richmond Knights basketball tournament. Their professionalism and enthusiasm in working with the younger students and making them feel welcome were truly commendable.

Our Sports Leaders play a vital role in driving PE forward and amplifying the student voice within the school. In addition to supporting the PE department, they will be taking the lead in organizing future primary school events, as well as assisting with key occasions such as Sports Day and inter-house competitions.

A big thank you to our Sports Leaders for their dedication and for being such fantastic role models!

👏 Basketball Success!
A big well done to the Year 8/9 Girls Basketball team for their strong start to the league campaign. Keep up the great work!

⚽ Football Highlights
The Year 7 Boys Football team delivered excellent performances in their recent matches against Turing House and Teddington. Fantastic teamwork and effort all around!

🏸 Badminton Coaching Continues
Badminton coaching sessions with Flying Shuttles will resume next term. To sign your child up for these sessions, please use the link provided.

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 25 November: U16 Girls Basketball vs RPA (AWAY)
• Tuesday 26 November: Year 9 and 10 Judo Trip (leave at lunchtime)
• Thursday 28 November: U16 Girls Basketball (HOME)

This vaccination is recommended to help protect your child against flu. Flu can be an unpleasant illness and sometimes causes serious complications. Vaccinating your child will also help protect more vulnerable family and friends by preventing the spread of flu.

Please complete one consent form for each child to ensure your child receives their vaccination.

The Nurse team will visit school on Tuesday 3 December. They will be offered the live nasal flu spray or the injectable porcine free flu vaccine. The nasal spray vaccination is a quick and simple spray up the nose. Even if your child had it last year, it is recommended to have the flu vaccine again this year due to changes in flu strains circulating each year.

Dates for the Diary

Wednesday 27 - Friday 29 November - The Addams Family musical performances

Tuesday 3 December - Flu Vaccinations

Thursday 5 December - Year 11 Parent's Evening

Wednesday 11 December - Christmas lunch and jumper day

Monday 16 December - Carols in the Courtyard

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Jonathon Lisseman

Headteacher

Twickenham School

Percy Road

Twickenham

TW2 6JW

0208 894 4503