It has been a fantastic week of Maths and my thanks goes out to Mrs Gibson our interim Head of Maths. We commenced the week with Mrs Gibson’s Maths Week assembly where the measurements theme was introduced and a win-the-full-pencil-case competition was introduced. Pupils henceforth spent the week visiting the school office with very pensive looks on their faces as they held the 1KG weight and then picked up the pencil case, repeated this several times, ignored the tuts of waiting pupils behind them, as they attempted to guess to the gram the exact weight of the pencil case.
We have had measuring of everything around the school, I was afeared to stand still too long in any one space in case I too was measured (and perhaps found wanting or at least quite short).
After plenty of class-based activities we had the amazing Martin return yesterday and bring his Subject Revolution workshops to each year group to celebrate all things Maths – his Maths-based Escape Room activity went down a treat.
Mrs Gibson has laid down the gauntlet for subject-themed week and I am ready and willing to pick that up as the new Head of English as I prepare for our English-based week in World Book Day week at the start of March next term (sound of cracking knuckles).
“Mathematics is the language with which God has written the universe." - Galileo Galilei "Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas." - Albert Einstein "The study of mathematics is like air or water to our technological society; it is impossible to imagine modern life without it." - Clifford Stoll
And for those of us not mathematically inclined:
"That awkward moment when you finish a math problem and your answer isn’t even one of the choices." - Ritu Ghatourey
Have a problem-free weekend, Gareth Tindall
Key Diary Dates:
Tues 26th Nov Year 4, Viking Workshop All day
Wed 27th Nov 5 AB Class Assembly, Henderson Hall 8.30 - 8.55am
Fri 29th Nov FOST Christmas Fair (No Sports clubs after school) 4.30pm
Tues 3rd Dec Chess Club with Cranmore 4.15 - 5.30pm
Thurs 5th Dec Prep School Carol Service
6.30 - 7.30pm
Mon 9th Dec Prep School Christmas Concert, Choirs and Music Ensembles, Chapel 5.30 - 6.30pm
Tues 10th Dec Christmas Theatre Trip: Robin Hood and the Christmas Heist 12.00-5.15pm
Wed 11th Dec Year 5 Museum of Egyptology 8.45am
Thurs 12th Dec Santa Run 8.30am
Fri 13th Dec Prep School Christmas Jumper Day All day Prep School Christmas lunch 12.15pm End of term - No Study Time or After School Care 3.45pm
Pastoral Pause
New Ways November | Action for Happiness Day 18 – what a beautiful challenge.
I have been exceedingly blessed in that for three decades I have had the utter privilege to be surrounded by (mostly) innocent, creative, imaginative, energetic, mesmerisingly alive young people. My every working day is filled with joy, love and laughter (on the whole) when interacting with Prep School pupils. Take Wednesday, for example, I was able to come up with a new provable scientific hypothesis: the larger the flakes of snow, the higher pitched the noise from the playground. I was sat working in my office when I heard the pitch of the girls’ play rise an octave and sure enough snowflakes the size of old Victorian pennies were drifting through the air.
That November challenge is easy for me though, because I am surrounded by that generation all the time. Therefore, I have decided to interact more purposefully with the generation at the other end of the spectrum too. Perhaps I can spend more time in conversation with elderly neighbours, members of my church, visit a local home and take some mince pies and chat.
I would like to challenge you all to act on today’s New Way – 22nd November: Find a NEW way to tell someone you appreciate them. Perhaps listen and pay attention to them and discover afresh or for the first time what their love language is and seek in some way to act on that.
Keep looking for New Ways to live your life to the full (John 10:10) during the remainder of this month!
God Bless You all,
Gareth Tindall
Golden Book
Well done to all of the girls in our Golden Books this week:
4 KC Charlotte E for reading with fabulous expression and intonation in her reading and for reading regularly at home and also for her fabulous Anglo-Saxon fact file incorporating so much information.
Hollie G for her super accuracy and speed in TTRS and for gaining her Gone Green certificate too.
Molly W for fabulous investigative skills during the Maths challenges this week.
4 LH Ivy H and Arabella N for their wonderful investigation skills during Maths week. They worked well in their groups to tackle some difficult shape-and-measure related challenges, showing great determination and communication skills to find the answers.
Lulu DDOT for a fantastic opening to your 'Beowulf'-inspired battle story. You have created brilliant suspense that draws in the reader and leaves them wanting to know more.
5 AB Ivy M for her enthusiastic participation in the Maths Revolution workshop.
Skyla N for her thoughtful and effective promise card, made as part of our RE work.
5 KH Cecily P and Esme S for enthusiastic participation, great teamwork and terrific problem solving in the Maths workshop.
6 SG Jena W for her inspirational perseverance and dedication to learning fractions.
Bella D and Holly E for their detailed and informative non-chronological reports on Antarctica; they were absolutely wonderful.
6 MK Zara H for her enthusiasm in English this week while researching and writing her non-chronological report about Antarctica.
Elizabeth E for her growing confidence partaking in lessons and sharing her ideas with others. Zara and Elizabeth for their fantastic achievements in swimming this term.
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Liel G and Sophia H for their careful colour mixing and graffito when painting sea creatures.
Primrose L for her gorgeous Egyptian repeating pattern, including a carefully observed cat!
Summer C and Jasmine N for their super organisation and helpfulness in Art this week.
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Sophia H for making sensible choices in the lesson and fully engaging when re-enacting catching a dragon.
Evie M for working so positively and showing improved confidence when performing.
Evie M for working so positively and showing improved confidence when performing.
Drama Stars
Art Stars
5 AB - Class Assembly
Parents of girls in 5 AB are invited to join us for their class assembly
On Wednesday 27th November 2024
At 8.30am in the Henderson Hall
Refreshments will be served in the Henderson Hall from 8.15am
Museum of Egyptology
Parents of Year 5 are invited to visit the 'Museum of Egyptology'
On Wednesday 11th December
Refreshments will be served from 8.45am in the Henderson Hall.
The girls will be showcasing the projects they have chosen to research over two weeks and will be keen to talk to visitors about their learning. Please come and join us to see some 'wonderful things!'
Extra Curricular Activities - SpringTerm 2025
The online booking form closes on Friday 29th November. Please complete the online form to sign your daughter up for the clubs if you haven't already done so.
Christmas Jumpers - Friday 13th December
We would like to invite the girls to wear a ‘Christmas jumper’ with their school uniforms (if they would like to) on Friday 13th December. This is the last day of term, so it should help us all to get into the festive spirit for our Christmas lunch and afternoon activites.
End of Day Collection from the Prep School
Now that it is so dark at the end of the day, in order to keep the girls safe, we will only release them to you when you reach the turning circle outside the Prep School. Please could you ensure that you have a name sign on the dashboard as additional staff may help with dismissal. Thank you for your understanding.
Message forYear 6 Parents
If you wish to accept the place for your daughter to join the Senior School in September 2025, please return your completed reply slip to Mrs Charles as soon as possible but no later than Friday 6th December 2024 in order to guarantee the place.
Whole School FOST Christmas Fair
Reminders for Clubs & Santa Dash
Choir & Music Ensembles Christmas Concert (Selected Students)
Chess Club Meeting (Selected Students)
Christmas Gymnastics Course
Year 6
Year 5
Year 6 Leavers book & hoodies
Year 6 Life Lab
Year 6 Schola Cantorum (Selected Students)
Reminders for 5 AB Class assembly and the Museum of Egyptology
Year 4 -
Please contact the School Office if you need copies of any of this information
prepinfo@st-teresas.com
Prep School Carol Service Invitation
Thursday 5th December 2024
The Head of Prep, staff and pupils have great pleasure in inviting the Prep School parents to our Prep School Carol Service on Thursday 5th December at 6.30pm in the Mairlot Hall
Festive refreshments will be served following the performance.
Class Assembly Dates 2024 - 25
27/11/24 - 5 AB
30/01/24 - 4 KC
26/02/25 - 5 KH
20/03/25 - 6 SG
07/05/25 - 4 LH
14/05/25 - 6 MK
At 8.30am in the Henderson Hall
Refreshments will be served in the Henderson Hall from 8.15am
Open Book Dates 2024 - 25
Year 4 - 22/01/25
Year 5 - 29/01/25
Year 6 - 05/02/25
Refreshments will be served in the Henderson Hall from 8.15am 08.30 - 08.55am in the Year Group Classrooms
Key Dates 2024 - 25
As outlined in the Parent Handbook, and reiterated at the Parent Welcome Reception, there are three key dates in the school calendar that are compulsory for all the girls to attend. This is to help them understand the importance of team work and collaborative responsibility as these are events where they are all involved and need to support each other.
These dates are as follows:
Christmas Service, Thursday 5th December, 18.30 to 19.30
Spring Concert, Thursday 13th March, 18.30 to 19.30
Prep School Prize Giving, Thursday 3rd July, 19.00 to 20.00
We would be grateful if you could keep these dates free so that all girls can be present at these important community events.
Forest School
As an act of Remembrance, Forest School Club used their woodland skills to create beautiful Armistice poppies using twigs and wool. They practiced their God's Eye weaving, a decorative craft originating from ancient Mexico, to create colourful symbols of both Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.
Anti Bullying week
Last week during Anti-Bullying Week, our Sixth Form Well-being Team led by Chloe H (Year 13) led our Tuesday assembly and also returned to the Prep playground on Friday lunch break to interact with our younger pupils. The team of Sixth Form girls brought games and activities to entertain the Prep girls. Much fun was had and Year 4 to Year 6 pupils relished the opportunity to chat with the older pupils. It was truly a blessing to behold and such an enriching experience for our girls.
Odd Socks Day
Every year we celebrate diversity during Anti-Bullying Week with Odd Socks Day. The day is a celebration that we are all similar (we all wear socks – we are all created in the image of God) and that we are all different. We look different to each other, we have different academic abilities, we have different creative skills, we have different sporting prowesses, we have different interests and hobbies. We all have talents and skills to offer each other and to learn from each other. We value these differences – we celebrate them.
Year 4'sTerrific Teeth
In Science this week, Year 4 have been learning about how to properly care for their teeth. We used disclosing tablets to ascertain where plaque collects, so that we know which areas to target when brushing. We have also investigated the impact of various liquids on our teeth's enamel using eggshell. The results were quite shocking. We'll all be thinking carefully in the future about the food and drink choices we make and the importance of brushing well.
Year 4 Art
Within their Art lessons, Year 4 have been working hard to replicate and layer the colours and textures of fish, using acrylic paints. They have experimented with different effects and based their image on a critical study of the artist Yusei Nagashima. Next week, they will extend this understanding and paint on a coloured background, using Picasso's ceramic fish as inspiration.
Year 5
As part of their Ancient Egyptian topic work, the girls have been learning how to mummify bodies! After developing their understanding of the process of mummification, the girls wrote a set of instructions to describe the necessary steps. They had great fun following their instructions and bandaging up their friends. There were some very effective mummies - some even had lucky amulets and a death mask to take them to the afterlife!
After the excitement of mummifying each other, Year 5 were then given the challenge of finding the perimeter and area of their 'mummies' so they knew what sarcophagus to order! They worked in teams to decide how to best go about this task and could choose from a variety of measuring tools. We were extremely impressed by both their teamwork and their calculations!
Snow Day!
What a delightful moment it was during lesson 3 and lunch on Tuesday when white, fluffy crystals precipitated from the heavens above – magical, slowly and silently drifting down. The moment of serene peaceful tranquillity was immediately dispelled by squeals of delight emanating from your daughters! The squeals intensified directly with the size and volume of snowflake too. It was fun while it lasted.
Ah, there were plenty of longing looks which spoke of deep-seated yearning for a day when the glorious stuff of dreams would settle, stay to play for a while and enable the making of snow angels, snowmen, snowballs, snow cones or perhaps even an igloo. Really heavy snow would give Year 6 a chance to re-enact their Frozen Kingdom Antarctic Exploration learning. Another time, perhaps…
Maths week
What a fantastic Maths Week we had at our school! The week began with an assembly that included measuring Mrs Haselden and comparing her height to the world's tallest man.
Each girl was encouraged to engage her competitive spirit during the Times Table Rock Stars battle of the Houses. This was a great opportunity to practise their times tables whilst gaining points for their House.
The Subject Revolution Workshop provided an engaging platform for students to explore mathematical concepts in innovative ways, leaving everyone inspired. The Measurement Map Trail ensured the girls developed their measurement skills whilst calculating the perimeter and area of various places around the school.
The Competition to guess the weight of the pencil case involved many students attempting to accurately make the winning guess.
A big thank you to all students and staff for making Maths Week a memorable success! Until next year, keep counting on those skills!
Sports News
Hockey
On Saturday the 16th of November, the U9A team competed fiercely against three other teams present at the tournament. The morning started well, taking a solid 1-0 win against Downsend School. Throughout the morning the girls were quick to listen and implement the feedback given to them by their coach. Unfortunately, the next two games where very challenging and the team was unable to continue with their winning start. However, across all the games the team showed great team cohesion and played hard for their teammates. Well done to all the girls who participated in the tournament. U11 Interhouse Hockey:
Despite the miserable November weather, the Year 6's had a whale of a time on the hockey pitch, taking part in their annual interhouse hockey competition. The hockey on show was brilliant, and the girls had a lot of fun working with their peers. After the round robin was complete, the final was St Ignatius and St Benedict and the 3/4th play off was St Francis and St Dominic. Both games were exciting, lively and entertaining for spectators! The final resulted in a 1-0 win to Benedict and 3/4th match was a 1-0 win to Dominic, so the final standings were as follows: 1st - Benedict, 2nd - Ignatius, 3rd - Dominic and 4th - Francis.
Pupil News
Zara H competed at the Surrey Sports Hall Athletics competition for Dorking and Mole Valley Athletics club this weekend and placed 3rd in the U11 category. Well done, Zara!
If your daughter has completed any sporting achievements outside of school, we would love to hear about them. Please email the Prep PE staff with a short description and photo to PrepPE@st-teresas.com
SOCS
As a reminder, SOCS can be accessed through the St Teresa’s Senior Sports page St Teresa's Effingham | Sports Home
Here you will be able to access fixtures for the day, alongside the Sports Calendar which can provide you with all the sports fixtures weeks and months in advance.
If a team sheet has been published for a particular fixture, the blue ‘person’ symbol will be available to click on. Simply click on the blue symbol next to the fixture to access the team sheet and use the password stteresasteams
Fixtures week commencing 25th November 2024
Monday 25th November U9 - U11 Gymnastics competition @ Seaton House (A) 4.30pm start Wednesday 27th November U10 Hockey @ Tormead (A) 1.30pm start
For any questions related to Prep Sports, please contact the new Prep PE email at prepPE@st-teresas.com or reach out directly to the specialist teachers.
No Sports Clubs after school on Friday 29th November due to the FOST Christmas Fair
Music News
Musicians of the Week
Year 4
Isabelle C for super work in Music, always trying her very best. Well done, Isabelle!
Year 5 Sienna DN for being super brave and singing a beautiful solo! Well done, Sienna!
Year 6 Etta C for excellent focus and perseverance learning Christmas songs in our keyboard lessons – super work, Etta!
Celebrating Our St Teresa’s Singers
We are delighted to congratulate the following girls who received their St Teresa’s Singers choir badges this week. These badges are a testament to their dedication, beautiful singing, outstanding teamwork (and questionable dance moves!). Well done and thank you for sharing your voices and talents with us:
Annabella H, Ania S, Arabella N, Ava-Skye N, Electra B, Emilia C, Esther H, Flossie H, Hollie G, Isabelle C, Ivy M, Jessica
A, Molly W, Rosie M, Skyla N, Sofia A, Sophia C, Sophia H, Zoe G.
Christmas Celebration Invitation Monday 9th December 2024
All are welcome to attend our informal Christmas Celebration, where the choirs and music ensembles will be performing a variety of festive pieces. on
Monday 9th December at 5.30pm in the School Chapel Festive refreshments will be served afterwards.
Music Clubs
Monday
12.45: St Teresa’s Singers (Year 4 & 5 Choir)
3.45 - 4.30: Training Orchestra
Tuesday
12.45: Ukulele Club (Year 6)
3.45- 4.45: Young Voices Choir
Wednesday
10.55: Training Wind Band
3.45-4.30: Chamber Choir
Thursday
12.45: String Ensemble
12.45: Recorder Club (Year 4)
This week
This Week we start looking at a number of Saints that are honoured and important across the Trust. This week we turn our attention to St Ignatius of Loyola, the famous 16th Century Spanish saint. We focused on three key features of his work.
Firstly, we recalled that while he had a promising career as a soldier before him, a sever injury - by a cannonball no less - mean that Ignatius spent an enforced year recovering, during which time he read, reflected, prayed, wrote and began to recognise his call to be a warrior for Christ. His experience reminds us that however painful an experience, we are always encouraged to see such events as possible opportunities where God is providing for us an opening to a new direction.
Ignatius, along with a group of similarly minded friends, founded the Society of Jesus, now known by their more popular name as the Jesuits. We were reminded that God rarely calls us to work in isolation. God calls us to be community, and to act as community. It is reassuring that our value this year across the Trust is Community. Let us encourage each other to act as a community.
May St Ignatius continue to encourage and inspire us in our journey through life.
We hope that you have had a good week, and have stayed wrapped up warm!
Please make sure to bring enough coats, layers and a pair of gloves when riding. We have a limited number of gloves and coats as spares, so please make sure to bring your own.
A reminder that if we have bad weather, there is the option to do stable management or ridden theory in the warm!
We would like to welcome Rachel to the STE team who will be replacing Katherine as the administrator. Katherine will be around for the handover and will be staying on as an instructor to cover any sickness and holidays, but Rachel will be in charge of the office.
Welcome to the team Rachel!
For the week commencing 9th December, we will not be running the term timetable of ridden lessons and stable management clubs.
Extra lessons are available to book on the system.
Dates for the Christmas Holidays and February Half Term are available to book!
We are running Pony Mornings, Pony Afternoons, Private Lessons and Lead Hacks!
Have a look on the EcPro booking system to see what is available.
National Amateur andVeterans Championships at Aintree
Rosie C headed to the famous Aintree Equestrian Centre in Liverpool for the Amateur and Veteran Championships last week.
It was her and her horses first time at the show which had such a big atmosphere, and although they knocked a couple of unlucky poles here and there, they pulled through for a clear at the end of the week.
Not only did Rosie get to ride in the amazing arena, around the grand national gallops with a close look at the almighty Bechers Brook, she also got to meet the Legendary John Whitaker and received his autographed book with his words of advice "Keep trying your best".
Booking System: st-teresas-equestrian.ecpro.co.uk
For more information, please visit our website www.st-teresas.com/equestrian
You can also call direct on 01372 750257 or email : equestrian@st-teresas.com
Find
Menu—w/c Monday 24th November 2024
Hot lunches include a selection of family favourites and suitable alternatives for children with allergies and intolerances.
Week 2 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Soup
Soup of the day
Main Sweet & Sour Turkey Noodles
Pasta Bar
Vegetarian
Soup of the day
Soup of the day
Soup of the day Soup of the day
Sides
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Cheesy Pesto Sauce
Sticky Teriyaki Quorn & Aubergine
Steamed Rice Broccoli
Additional Jacket Potato & Baked Beans Freshly
Baked Bread
Salad bar
Dessert
Slow Cooked Beef Lasagne
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Roasted Pepper, Chicken & Chorizo Sauce
Roasted Vegetable Lasagne
Roast Pork with Yorkshire Pudding, Apple Sauce & Gravy
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Bacon Carbonara Sauce
Loaded Mexican Chicken
Nachos with Sour Cream, Salsa & Cheese
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Bolognaise Sauce
Braised Lentil Cottage Pie with a Sweet Potato Top Cajun Aubergine & Bean Taco with Sour Cream, Salsa & Cheese
