Children’s Mental Health Week

To launch our Mental Health Awareness Week, where the theme is 'Let's Connect', Mrs Conrad led our assembly and spoke about the importance of looking after our mental health as well as our physical health. She read from the book 'A huge bag of worries', reminding us to share and connect with others who may be able to help us.

The Prep girls attended workshops with David Leech, an expert in mental health, to learn about wellbeing, including what being happy or worried feels like and how to be more positive in the face of adversity. They practised breathing techniques, the rule of five, 'gratituding' and the importance of not being a 'pigeon' (when someone has a problem and everyone gathers around them!).

Also, we were delighted that parents from across The Trust could join us for a parent workshop this morning, where David shared ideas on how to manage anxiety, encourage independence and promote wellbeing in children.

Music News

Musicians of the Week

Year 3 Primrose L for remembering so many of our new musical terms. Excellent work!

Year 4 Eliza P for being a huge help to the class in our domino game!

Year 5 Veronika K for wonderful singing this week!

Year 6 Kaiah C for learning our Easter songs so quickly and singing so joyfully!

Years 5 & 6—St Teresa’s Rock Choir

All are welcome at our new Rock Choir for Year 5 & 6 which will begin after half term on Tuesday lunchtime at 12.45pm in the Music Room.

Thank you!

Thank you to Clara who played her oboe for us in assembly this morning.

Easter Music Course 2023!

This year’s course will take place from Tuesday 11th to Friday 14th April. The course is open to girls and boys from all schools in Years 3 - 6 who have passed Grade 1 on their instrument.

Please email Mrs Yalden on c.yalden@st-teresas.com for further information.

Sport News

Netball

On Tuesday 31st January, the U11s played Rowan. The sun was out and the U11E Netball team defeated Rowan 40. The teamwork was exceptional and the passing and moving were fabulous. Well done to Susie for scoring 3 goals and receiving the Player of the Match. The C and D team won both of their matches and displayed some lovely netball and teamwork, well done!

Congratulations to the U11s who took part in a netball tournament at Feltonfleet on Saturday. The girls played three matches in their pool, winning two out of three, placing them in the semi final. The last two matches were tough going, with the girls demonstrating superb interceptions in the defending and centre third. Great effort girls!

Football

The U10s enjoyed a sunny afternoon of football matches against Feltonfleet. Feltonfleet brought four teams to play our six in a competitive round robin tournament. Many goals were scored throughout the afternoon, with one of the teams winning all of their matches. The girls had a great time and look forward to their next football fixture.

Pupil News

Well done to Kaiah in Year 6 who took part in an athletics tournament. She won the soft javelin with a throw of 16m! She also came 7th in the standing long jump with a jump of 1.71m, excellent results, well done! The girls won silver and received their medals by Mo Farah! Amazing!

Cross Country

The cross country runners had a great time trial on Wednesday. Many personal bests were achieved in the glorious sunshine. Well done to the following girls who gained personal bests this week:

Year 3 Ava-Skye, Sophia D, Ivy, Eloise, Primrose, Elizabeth and Liberty; Year 4 Anna P and Poppy; Year 6 Natalia

Fixtures (week commencing 20th February)

Tuesday U10A-D Netball V Feltonfleet (H) 2:30pm

U11B Hockey vs Freeman’s (H) 2:15pm, U11A hockey Surreys @ Woking Hockey Club, 9.30am

Thursday U10+U11 gala v Wimbledon (A) 4.30pm

Friday U8A-D Netball V Feltonfleet 2:15pm

U9A-D football festival v GHS (A) 3pm, Biathlon training @ Spectrum 4.15pm

Saturday U10A netball tournament @ St George’s

U10B+C netball tournament @ Danes Hill

U11A hockey tournament @ Royal Russell, 8.30am

This Week

This week we marked Mental Health Awareness Week. In Chapel we took as our starting point the encounter between Jesus and the woman at the well (John 4). Jesus, as he travels from Galilee to Judaea passes through the Samaritan territory. He pauses as Jacob’s well in the heat of the day and has an encounter with a Samaritan woman. It is easy to miss the significance of this time of day. No one would go out to draw water from a well in the heat of the day. Groups of women would gather early in the morning when it was still cool. Instead, we see a lone woman who is clearly an outcast. Indeed, later in the conversation we find out the reason. She has lived a sinful life and has now been outcast from her community. Along with the heavy physical load of the water, she must also bear the even heavier load of the mental and spiritual anguish. And into that anguish steps Jesus.

Jesus is never hesitant to enter the hostile territory of our lives. Whatever we have done, and however troubled we are, Jesus is always there, waiting for that moment of encounter. We just need to raise our eyes, and he will be there.

And his words are always words of welcoming acceptance. Jesus sees through the woman’s hesitant attempts to hid the truth. Instead, he offers words of gentleness, kindness and compassion. Whatever we have done, and whatever we feel about ourselves, Jesus speaks words of love to us.

Finally, Jesus offers a gift. He rejects those things that we choose as the ‘quick fixes’ - the stagnant still waters that only momentarily quench a far deeper thirst. Instead, he offers living water, an overflowing abundance, welling up within us as he washes away our sin and shame and replaces it with the promise of his faithful presence in our lives.

Opening Hours (within term time) Mondays & Fridays 8.30am-9am.

Calling Senior Parents Please!

If there are any small groups of parents who are keen to volunteer and get involved on an ad hoc basis to run an event or two (e.g. a movie night, social or fun evening) for our senior school girls, please let Jo Clark (fosteffingham@gmail.com) know if you would be happy to volunteer.

First Saturday of every month 10am BY APPOINTMENT ONLY - Please email whipple.fost@gmail.com or camilla2ndhand@gmail.com to book. Wishing

Call 01372 750257

Booking System st-teresas-equestrian.ecpro.co.uk

It has been lovely at equestrian this week, it’s been a bit chilly but the sun is shining and it is a joy to work and ride in!

If you don’t have any plans over the February Half Term, then do come and join us for a private lesson or on one of our Pony Mornings or Afternoons!

Please make sure your child comes with enough layers to ride in! We only have a few raincoats on hand and they are limited in sizes. In the bitter weather a good coat and gloves make all the difference when your on a horse!

There has been really lovely weather this week, it’s been a bit cold but the sun is shining! Some of the ponies had new shoes fitted, and Mouse and Roxy had a physio treatment and feel a lot better now! The arena has been set up into a 20x40m and a 15x30m dressage arena with markers, which the horses, riders and instructors are liking.

The horse of the week is Barney!

~ Libby C

Another busy weekend of competitions for lots of our NSEA riders across three different disciplines!

On Saturday Claudia B had a great round at Pyecombe Arena Eventing for 3rd place in the 80cm. Meanwhile at Merrist Wood Show Jumping, Pernille A continues her run of very good form with a 6th in the 70cm and 5th in the 80cm. Rosie C had a very successful outing to Felbridge with her lovely new pony for a 3rd in the 60cm Show Jumping, Qualifying for the Sunshine Tour Finals and a 3rd in Prelim 7.

Well done everyone - keep up the good work!