St Teresa's Senior Weekly Bulletin 16 October 2023

Autumn Term

Issue 1 : 4th September 202016 October 2023

This Week’s Headlines

This Week’s Headlines Monday 23 October - Sunday 5 November…………………………. Half Term Sunday 5 November…….……………………………………..Boarders Return Monday 6 - Friday 10 November………………..…………….Year 11 Medicals Monday 6 November….……………………Year 11 Revision Study Skills 14:15 Tuesday 7 November………………………..Sports Scholars’ Workshop 18:00 Thursday 9 November…………………………………………...Year 7 Retreat Thursday 9 November………………………………….Year 7 Parents Evening Friday 10 November…………………...Years 12 & 13 Revision Skills Talk 15:15

Friday 10 November………...Music and Readings for Remembrance Day 17:00

Parents’ Evenings Dear Parents/Guardians, We would like to invite you to your daughter’s forthcoming virtual parents’ evenings via the Parents’ Evening module on the following dates, with further information to follow.

Year 7 Thursday 9 November 2023

Year 8 Thursday 29 February 2024 Year 9 Thursday 18 January 2024 Year 10 Thursday 16 November 2023 Year 11 Thursday 8 February 2024 Sixth Form Thursday 14 March 2024

BOARDING NEWS As the end of half term approaches the girls spent their last weekend, due to road closures, doing a vast array of in school activities over the weekend.

On Saturday, the girls embraced their artistic skills by making their own personalised phone charms to add flare to their devices with colourful beads and letters.

Following on from this theme of personalisation, the girls were able to make their own pizzas for dinner! Each girl was given their own base and freedom to be able to add as many toppings as they wished to create their ultimate school dinner. Let’s just say there was lots of individuality shown here!

Concluding on Saturday, some girls destressed from the day with a swimming session.

The time that the girls did get to spend off campus this weekend revolved around an 8.5km loop walk to Ranmore Common’s, ‘Café Crème’ coffee van. The girls warmed up with a yummy hot chocolate and a sweet treat to fuel them for the walk back to school while admiring the views over nearby towns Dorking and Wescott.

There seems to be no other way to end the weekend like a silent disco! As the girls put on their headsets and tuned into the channels, lots of dance moves were shown off and laughs shared amongst the girls!

Have a great Half term, we look forward to the girls returning in November.

SIXTH FORM NEWS Hello everyone.

We’ve made it to half term!

This week has been filled with sweet treats, celebrations and fun, as the Sixth Form embraced Charity Week and other exciting events.

I want to start by saying a big congratulations to several of our Sixth Formers for receiving their first UCAS offers! So far, the girls have received offers from Plymouth to study Nutrition, Exercise and Health, Manchester to study Philosophy and Politics and York to study Politics. We are so proud of you all and the universities will be lucky to have you.

Various Year 13s also sat their Oxbridge and Medicine entrance exams throughout the week this week - well done to everyone who sat an exam. We are so proud of you all too!

Every day this week, our school Houses : Francis, Dominic, Benedict, Ignatius and Tabitha, have taken it in turns to sell cookies and hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows, in order to support our chosen house charities. Thank you to all those who helped out - it has been so great to see so many Sixth Formers serving at break times and bringing house spirit to Charity Week.

On Thursday, we had a very eventful Sixth Form assembly, beginning with a powerful presentation on Black History Month given by Amarie A, our fantastic Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Prefect, and her team of DEI Ambassadors.

They discussed empowering black women who inspire them and the meaning of the month, finishing with a moving video on the widespread Black Lives Matter movement that kicked off during 2020. We then had an exciting announcement from the Events Committee about the upcoming annual Sixth Form ice skating trip to Somerset House, before saying a tearful goodbye and farewell to our beloved Head of Careers, Mrs Randall. We will miss you Mrs Randall and we wish you a restful and joyful retirement!

And lastly…the House Captain for Francis House has shared with us what happened on Friday afternoon House Team Building event.

“On Friday, each house undertook multiple team building activities throughout the afternoon. This was a very exciting event, with activities such as Arts and Crafts, Just Dance and even Tug of War! It was a great experience for pupils from all different years to get to know each other, in the spirit of Charity Week and in preparation for the much anticipated Interhouse Arts!”

Emily E (Head of Francis House) I wish you all a great half term and I look forward to writing about life in the Sixth Form when we return.

Julia T (Deputy Head Girl)

BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY WEEK This year Biology Week took on a marine biology theme and students were given the opportunity to get up close and personal with some marine organisms. Cephalopods are some of the oldest and most intelligent invertebrate species on Earth and on Wednesday lunch time students from all key stages were invited to take part in a squid dissection where they learnt more about how squid are able to change colour, the important role giant squid played in the development of neuroscience, and the evolution of the squid's pen and ink sac.

BIOLOGY CAKE COMPETITON The pupils also took part in a Biology themed cake baking competition! The competition was strong with some really creative standouts. Huge congratulations to the winner and runner up, and well done to all the girls who participated!

CHARITY HOT CHOCOLATE SALE As part of House Charity week the girls have been taking turns running a hot chocolate and cookie stand at break. All together the 5 houses have raised a total of £1661 for their chosen charities.

MUSIC SUCCESS Congratulations to Gabriella in Year 10 who has been awarded a place in the Surrey County Youth Orchestra. This prestigious orchestra is made up of about 85 young musicians from all over the county and entry is by competitive audition. Gabriella will have some exciting concert opportunities playing repertoire from a wide range of composers. Well done Gabriella!

THE ANNUAL CCF COMPETITION Sqn Ldr Pearson was thrilled that the cadets came 3rd in their first CCF competition. Here is a write up from one of our cadets Evie who made up the team and was the youngest in the competition.

On Thursday 19th October, our cadets had the privilege to participate in the annual CCF competition, hosted at Epsom College. To this event, we took 10 cadets. This competition consisted of 4 main activities: Drill assessment, Medical exam, General Knowledge and knowledge of the military Quiz, and Leadership skills tasks. I speak for all of the cadets when I say that, when undertaking these activities, we all had so much fun. This wonderful competition gave us opportunity to understand how well our CCF performs; where our strengths and weaknesses lie. I know that we have all learned a great deal from the competition and we absolutely cannot wait to compete again next year.

RAF WING BAND The RAF Surrey Wing Band is undoubtedly the most rewarding and gratifying opportunity that could be offered to anybody, even people who have never touched an instrument before. Admittedly, when our lovely head of music, Mrs Yalden, proposed the idea of me joining a band full of people from all over Surrey, whom I had never met before, I was definitely rather hesitant. The whole concept of being a part of The RAF Surrey Wing Band was very exciting, however the fact that I would be going by myself, and being the youngest there really was quite daunting. Nevertheless, I knew that I couldn’t let such a new and interesting experience pass me by, so I decided that I would go. Within only five minutes of being there, I already felt so comfortable and welcomed around the other cadets.

Everybody is so understanding and kind. During my time with the Wing Band, I have learnt so much. I have not only learnt about how to do drill properly or how to play my trumpet better, but I have also learned so many key skills for life, mainly teamwork. It also taught me so much about myself. The RAF Surrey Wing band has made me thrive, has shown me what I love best, and it is what makes me truly me. I will always be so grateful for everything that the Wing Band has done for me, and what it will continue to do for me in the future. Most importantly, none of it would be the same if it wasn’t for the funniest, most determined, wonderful lady I have ever met, Pilot Officer Everest. Pilot Officer Everest has shaped our band into what I think of as my home away from home, and I will forever be in her debt for that. The RAF Surrey Wing Band will always hold a special place in my heart.

YEAR 7 PGL TRIP Year 7 embarked upon a fun filled residential to Hindhead PGL, accompanied by our team of Staff members from the Year 7 tutor team.

They zip lined their way through the array of outdoor activities finishing the end of day one with a hearty sing song by campfire. Day two offered yet more fun and team building opportunities for the girls to build a buggy, try their hand at archery and rock climb their way to the giddy heights, amongst other awesome challenges such as Jacob's ladder.

We are really impressed with the excellent behaviour, the stamina and teamwork, which all the girls showed on the trip. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

ST TERESA PODACSTS We have very exciting update to share with you about our podcast! The first episode of series 2 is due be recorded at the start of November and so, during half term, why don't you catch up on any episodes from series 1 that you may have missed. Series 1 included lots of special guests, interviews and laughs!

Episodes Include: 1. Our Heritage 2. Representing Your Country Within Sport 3. Diversity, Equality and Inclusion 4. Head Girl Teams!

The last episode of Series 1 is highly entertaining! Join our Deputy Head Girl Julia, along with our Values Prefect Q and our Senior Prefect Sophie as they talk about all of the exciting activities that happened during our Values Week 2023 that explored our value of year: Intellect.

The St T's podcast is available on Spotify and Apple.

LITTLE MISS As part of a FOST fundraiser Amelia from Year 6 joined Dr. Claire Mc Shane and became a “Little Headteacher ” for the day! Her head teacher duties included: observing lessons, a tour around the senior school, a performance review of our therapy dog Yogi, and an exclusive working lunch!

FLOWER PLANTING This week the Eco council put their green thumbs to work, and have been replanting and potting flowers with supervision from our Estate manager, Alan. The plants will be placed around the school after half term in an aim to promote a greener environment!

ECO COUNCIL If you would like to attend the 'One ocean' workshops run by KBR, please sign up via the link, places are limited to 24 students, so this will be on a first come first served basis.

'The extra-curricular program is run by committed and passionate KBR employees who work alongside teachers and facilitators to mentor students in gaining a deep understanding of the ocean, its interconnection with the climate and planetary health and how to regenerate that health.'

The dates after half term are from 9th November, every Thursday from 13:30-14:10 until the 7th December.

NOTICES SHOEBOX APPEAL We are launching our annual Children in Distress Christmas Shoebox Appeal. As in previous years we are asking the girls to prepare and fill a shoebox with gifts for babies, children or elderly people. The boxes will be delivered over the coming weeks to families in Romania. More information on what can be included in your box will have been emailed out to you.

Make sure to return your completed box to school as soon as possible and by Monday, 13th November 2023 at the very latest. We will then arrange for the boxes to be taken to the local distribution centre.

GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE TRIP All Year 11 girls will have the opportunity to go to Poetry Live in Brighton on 31 January 2024. This is a fantastic opportunity to see some of the poets whose work is in the GCSE Literature poetry anthology talk about their work.

Please respond to the form below as soon as possible giving your daughter/ward permission to attend.

https://forms.office.com/r/mB0iRD3AX6

YEAR 13 GEOGRAPHY TRIP We are planning on taking our Year 13 pupils to the Field Studies Council (FSC) centre at Slapton Ley, Devon from Monday 13 November to Friday 17 November 2023.

This is a part of the Geography A Level course, where pupils are required to complete a Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) worth 20% of their final mark. To complete their NEA, pupils are required to complete four days of fieldwork.

Please send an e-mail to s.hobkinson@st-teresas.com and return the consent form emailed to you previously if you would like your daughter to participate in this trip.

SUBJECT AMBASSADORS EVENT In December, Year 11 pupils will be invited to join our current Year 12 cohort for breakfast and to attend our Subject Ambassadors event. This event is run by our current Year 12s and is designed to support your daughter with the decision-making process of selecting her A Level courses. This event offers Year 11 a unique opportunity to directly speak to Year 12 pupils, ask questions that they may not have asked at our Sixth Form Open Evening and to find out first hand what life is really like in the Sixth Form.

WORLD SCHOLAR’S CUP PROGRAMME Pupils interested in taking part in the programme should attend the weekly meetings of the World Scholars’ Cup in More House Room 36 on Wednesdays 4:30-5:30pm. If they are interested in taking part in the competition but are unable to do this, they should speak to Ms Hobkinson or e-mail s.hobkinson@st-teresas.com The World Scholar’s Cup programme is an exciting enrichment opportunity available to all Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils across the Effingham Schools Trust. Pupils will compete in a two-day regional round to be held at St Teresa’s on Sunday 3rd and Monday 4th March 2024, and a trip will be offered for qualifying teams to attend one of the fiveday global rounds held towards the end of the summer term or during the school summer holidays. This year we are also planning to offer a trip for qualifying teams to the Tournament of Champions held in November 2024 at Yale University, New Haven, USA.

NOUGHTS AND CROSSES REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

XCITE DANCE COMPETITON An enormous well done to Saltare dancers, who performed beautifully at the XCITE dance competition on Sunday 15th October.

You conducted yourself with maturity, determination, passion and true team spirit. You picked each other up, when you needed to and cheered on each other as well as all the other dance schools, even through costume mishaps and music changes! You were a credit to the school. I don’t think I have ever seen a more beautiful example of team spirit and you should truly be proud of yourselves - not just for your dancing, but for your care for one another. Well done team.

EXTRA CURRICULAR CLUBS MEDSOC Room 38 Open to all in Year 10 - 13

Room 29A Tuesdays 1:45 - 2:10

1:45 - 2:10pm

Please follow us on FOST instagram account: @fost_st_teresas_effingham

Visit our website www.st-teresas.com/ equestrian

E-mail equestrian@st-teresas.com Call

01372 750257

Or find us on Facebook “St Teresa’s Equestrian”

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

We hope that you have had a good week and are looking forward to the half term.

STE will be running our usual activities during the half term, such as Pony Mornings, Intro to Dressage Afternoons, Day Camps and Private Lessons. There are still some spaces left, so have a look on our booking site or email the office to find out what availability is left.

As the weather has been very unpredictable in recent weeks, please can you make sure your child comes dressed appropriately to their lessons. Please pack a jumper and waterproof coat. Hoodies should not be worn, and if they are we will ask to tuck the hoods in before being around the horses.

And if your child cannot attend one of their lessons, then please let the office know by phone or by email, or the lesson can be cancelled on the booking site. As if you wish to cancel a lesson, we do require 48hrs notice or more in order to offer credit.

Reminder on the Autumn Term Riding Dates Half Term – Monday 23rd October to Sunday 5th November Lessons run from: Monday 6th November to Saturday 9th December Adhoc / Catch up lessons – w/c 11th December

NSEA News This weekend is the National Schools Championships at Addington! The Effingham Schools has a selection of students who are competing in teams or individually across the four days.

We wish you all the best of luck!

If you want to find out how they got on, we will look to post their results on the St Teresa’s Equestrian Facebook page sometime next week.

This Week We have all been shocked and deeply saddened by the terrible news coming from Israel and Palestine. With so many conflicts in our world, particularly in Ukraine and Russia, it has been terrible to once again see violence erupt, and so many men, women and children become innocent victims of hatred and violence.

This week Pope Francis has called upon all people of goodwill to pray for peace in the Holy Land. In Chapel this week, we reflected on Jesus’ promise of peace, and we prayed that we would all work to make this a reality.

Deacon Simon shared examples of his experience of travelling to the Holy Land as a teenager. He shared his experience of visiting the very sites where Jesus himself had walked the site of his birth in Bethlehem, the sea of Galilee where he called his first disciples, the sites of his miracles like the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, the Temple where he prayed, the hill of Golgotha where he gave his life for us and his tomb where his resurrection became a reality.

And yet it is these sites, or those nearby, that have become the very centre of such violence.

As we continue to pray for peace, we remember Jesus’ words, ‘Peace I leave you, my peace I give you.

The peace that the world cannot give, that is my gift to you.

Children in Distress—Shoebox Appeal 2023 We have sent home full details of our annual shoebox appeal. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to think about others who will not otherwise receive gifts at Christmas - children, babies and the elderly.

Full details are in the letter and leaflet that we sent with the weekly mailing this week.

Please take time over the half-term break to put your shoebox together.

Please then return your completed shoebox to school by Monday, 13th November at the very latest.

Thank you for your generous support!!

MENU

Main

Eat healthy choice

Vegetarian

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Chicken tikka masala with rice & poppadums

Pepperoni pizza slice with chef’s salad

Beef meatballs in a fresh tomato sauce & wholewheat fusilli pasta

Vegetable & chick pea curry & rice

Thursday

Friday

Chef’s carvery – Roast Turkey breast with Yorkshire pudding

Pasta carbonara

Traditional battered fish / jumbo fishfingers

Chargrilled chicken Caesar salad

Soy & honey glazed pork loin steak with rice noodles & Asian greens

Chicken fajitas with peppers & red onions served with grated cheese & sour cream & chives & chef’s salad

Poached salmon with nut free pesto pasta & olive salad

Cheese & tomato pizza slice

Stuffed peppers filled with roasted vegetables in a tomato sauce topped with halloumi

Roasted butternut squash & pea risotto

No meat meat balls in a tomato sauce

Baked wedges Carrots

Roast potatoes Mixed vegetables

Roasted new potatoes Sweetcorn

Chips Peas

Sides

Rice / pasta Broccoli

Additional

Jacket potato & beans

Jacket potato & beans

Jacket potato & beans

Jacket potato & beans

Jacket potato & beans

Dessert

Apple pie & custard

Choc chip & coconut flapjack slice

Rice pudding with a selection of sauce

Victoria sandwich slice

Chocolate milkshakes

Items in Italic - Sourced from F Conisbee’s, our local butcher