Friday 15 - Sunday 23 February……………………………….Half Term
SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING
Please see the invitation to our next Effingham Sixth Form Open Evening, for those currently in Year 10, to be held on Monday 24th February 2025 from 6pm to 7.30pm.
Please can you complete the online form by Monday 10th February 2025 to confirm if you will/will not be able to attend the event.
We look forward to welcoming you then!
SIXTH FORM NEWS
Hi all,
I hope you have had a lovely week!
Year 12 have continued with their Leadership Applications. We can’t wait to hear the Head Girl speeches on Monday – good luck to all the applicants!
The Events Committee have kindly organised for Year 13 to choose their Leavers Hoodies, with a wide range of colours.
Our Sports Tournament has also continued. This week the Sixth Form have played a range of sports including Canadian Relay, Cricket, and Dodgeball.
As a Sixth Form, we have also been working together to keep our common room tidy, especially the kitchen sink. We have the reward of Cinnamon Swirls to motivate us!
The Head Girl Team have also been planning an event for the Kitchen Staff next week as a thank you.
We finished the week with PSHCE, with a talk from Ms Hobkinson on the topic of Greenwashing.
Have a lovely weekend, Amelia
SIXTH FORM NEW YORK TRIP
We have now had enough sign ups to run this trip. If you are still interested in taking part in this exciting opportunity, make sure to sign up soon, as spaces remain application link in your Evolve account. This trip is only open to Sixth Formers next year. We can incredible adventure with you this October!
CAREERS NEWS
Next week, we are celebrating Apprenticeship Week with a range of exciting opportunities. On the 12th, there will be a virtual careers fair where pupils can explore different apprenticeship pathways, and on Friday, a guest speaker will be visiting to talk to Year 11 about the benefits and opportunities apprenticeships offer. To find out more, click the poster for informative links and resources!
12 - 14 February Breaktime IT Hub
You can still donate pre-loved items, clothes, books etc. for our upcoming second hand sale! Drop your donations off at the entrance of Magdalen House.
14 February 2025 - Bring £2 Theme: Blue and White
£2 will be collected by your Form Tutor on the morning of the MUFTI day.
This, along with the second hand shop that will be running on the 12th, 13th and 14th of February under the IT hub canopy, will be the final fundraising projects for Toilet Twinning.
The aim is to successfully twin every toilet in the school!
You can also donate directly by clicking HERE
BOARDING
The boarders celebrated Lunar New Year on Wednesday last week. Spending the previous few days preparing by buying supplies from China Town and creating decorations. There were snake themed snacks, dumpling ingredients and an array of new foods to try ,which were some of the boarders favourites.
One of the highlights of the evening was the happy chaos of dumpling making and eating moon cakes, with the guidance from the Sixth former boarders learning how to fold the perfect dumpling. It is always lovely to see the boarders bond and learn about other cultures and traditions.
On Saturday the boarders engaged in the thrill of paint balling. The slippery ground only made for a more intense game. New alliances were formed and boarders returned with smiles on their faces.
ART TRIPS
BRAND MUSEUM
Our Art Scholars had a fantastic visit to The Brands Museum in London. Exploring 200 years of packaging design, they gained insight into how graphics communicate key messages and influence consumer choices.
During a hands-on workshop, pupils worked in groups to redesign the packaging of a current UK product, applying their creativity and design thinking. It was an inspiring experience that celebrated their talents and deepened their understanding of branding and visual communication.
BRIGHTONTRIP
Year 12 and 13 Art, Textiles, and Photography students recently enjoyed an inspiring trip to Brighton to support their A-level projects. The visit included the Royal Pavilion, a stunning example of Indianinspired architecture designed by John Nash, and the Brighton Museum, which houses a fascinating collection of artefacts. Students also had the opportunity to explore the seafront, Palace Pier, and the Lanes, gathering valuable visual research for their coursework. It was a fantastic day filled with creativity and inspiration!
MENTAL HEALTH WEEK
As part of #MentalHealthWeek, the girls started the week with a special assembly, encouraging them to support one another and highlighting the various activities they could get involved in.
Throughout the week, they’ve enjoyed gardening sessions with our groundskeeper, planting trees and shrubs be sure to check outside Magdalen House to see their hard work flourish! They’ve also had the opportunity to read with our resident therapy dog, Yogi, providing a calming and comforting experience.
It’s been a fantastic initiative, reinforcing the importance of mental well-being and community support.
LUNAR NEWYEAR WINNERS
Assembly was full of excitement this week as the winners of the Lunar New Year competition were announced!
The runners-up for the Lunar New Year competition : Lucky Red Socks, were:
Jessica T
Ola S
Katarina B
Mia C
Kiera D
The overall winner of the 2025 Snake lucky T-shirt was Flavia W.
Best
Wishes, The EDI Team
LES MISÉRABLES
On Thursday evening, the music scholars travelled to London to watch Les Misérables in the West End. After a lovely walk from Waterloo to the Sondheim Theatre via Trafalgar Square, we took our seats, and the show began. The performance was incredible. The cast were all highly talented in both acting and singing, and we loved seeing the orchestra play the live music. It was a fantastic experience, and everyone enjoyed bonding with fellow music scholars across the school.
Our Year 11 girls had a fantastic time at Poetry Live at the Brighton Dome! This invaluable experience gave them the chance to hear renowned poets including Simon Armitage, Carol Ann Duffy, and John Agard bring their work to life. They also attended insightful sessions with AQA Chief Examiners, gaining key tips on tackling unseen poetry and comparing poems for their upcoming GCSE English Literature exams. A truly inspiring and enriching day for all!
SALE! Monday 10th – Friday14th February 2025 1/3rd off selected items online at schoolblazer.com during the sale period, while stocks last
Year 8 - Thursday 6 March 2025
Sixth Form - Thursday 20 March 2025
FOST DATES
Fri 14th Feb - Valentines chocolates for senior pupils
Fri 28th Feb Thank Fost it's Friday Coffee morning
Sunday 9th March – Year 9 Air hop for St Teresa’s and Cranmore (Please contact FOST for more details)
Thurs 27th March - Easter Egg Hunt for Year 7
Fri 16th May FOST summer festival planning meeting – All/any help welcome - (Please contact FOST for more details)
BUDDENS ACTIVITY CENTRE TRIP
YEAR 9
A Year 9 residential trip has been organised for the weekend of 6th–8th June 2025 at Buddens Activity Centre in Dorset, run by Rockley Watersports. Pupils will enjoy a mix of water and landbased activities, including paddle boarding, axe throwing, and climbing. An information evening will be held on Wednesday 26th February 2025 at 17:45 in the Sixth Form Lecture Theatre.
M&S ART
If your daughter is interested in coming on this trip, please do complete the linked Microsoft Form, or scan the QR code. Registration of interest will close on Friday 14 February.
COMPETITION
AGES 5 - 16
Design a yellow sweatshirt or hoodie for the 2025 YoungMinds Hello Yellow kidswear collection, sold in M&S stores and online!
Open to ages 5-11 and 12-16, the winning designs will help spread the message that one chat can change everything. Be bold, be bright, and enter by 11:59pm on 31st March 2025. Good luck!
Find out more here: https://mnsyoungdesignercompetition.powerappsportals.com/
Mon 14th - Thurs 17th April
The course is suitable for players from Grade 1 up to Grade 6 and is open to children from Year 4 to Year 9.
The programme will include:
String Orchestra
Swing/Jazz Band
Full Orchestra Rehearsals
Sectional Rehearsals
General Musicianship
Recreational Time
Further details can be obtained from: Mrs Caroline Yalden, Director of Music (c.yalden@st-teresas.com)
PARENT PORTAL
To access the parent portal simply CLICK HERE, you can also find a link to it at the bottom of our school website https://st-teresas.com/
The parent portal gives you access to many useful tools! Some of these are:
• Your child's weekly merit total
• End of term reports and grades
• Easy access to the wellbeing hub
• Ability to modify your personal details
If you experience any difficulties whilst using the parent portal, please alert our IT Support Team at the following email address: techsupport@st-teresas.com
E-mail: equestrian@st-teresas.com
Call: 01372 750257
Booking System
st-teresas-equestrian.ecpro.co.uk
Visit our website www.stteresas.com/equestrian
Or find us on Facebook “St Teresa’s Equestrian”
Interhouse Dressage 2025
Our termly riders will have received an invitation to take part in the STE Interhouse Dressage at the end of March. These are the key details for those who are interested.
When?
Monday 24th - Saturday 29th March 2025
Who?
It is open to all termly riders: internal Effingham School Trust riders and external riders.
What?
It is designed to be a fun way for riders to experience the competitive side of the sport whilst building confidence and providing a focus for their weekly lessons.
There are three different ‘classes’: Equitation test (recommended for Grades 1-4) Walk and trot dressage test (recommended for Grades 4-7) Prelim dressage test (recommended for Grades 7-10)
Days/timings?
Riders will be assigned a day and time on 17th March from one of the following: Monday 24th, 16:00 – 19:00 - Dressage tests Tuesday 25th, 16:00 – 19:00 - Dressage tests
Wednesday 26th March 16:00 - 19:00 - Equitation test
Thursday 27th of March, 16:00 – 19:00 - Dressage tests
Friday 28th of March from 16:00 – 19:00 - Dressage tests
Saturday 29th March from 10:00-14:00 - Equitation test
What do you win?
There will Rosettes awarded for those placing 1st – 6th within each class. Rosettes will also be awarded to all those participating.
What to wear?
Smart, clean and tidy dress code is required.
What does it cost?
There is a minimal entry fee of £10 per entry
How do I sign up?
Please email equestrian@st-teresas.com to let us know if your child would like to take part and what their availability is by 12 February.
This Week
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, when we remember Mary and Joseph bringing the newborn Jesus to the Temple, bring to a close the season of Christmastide.
We remember the great words of the prophet Simeon. He had spent a whole lifetime faithfully in the Temple, waiting for the day when the Messiah would be revealed. Finally, in his old age, he set eyes on Jesus and exclaimed, in the prayer that we now know as the Nunc Dimittis, that his eyes had now seen the salvation of the world, the light to enlighten all peoples.
Artists had often reflected this moment with a clear depiction of light emanating from the Christ Child, reflected in the face of Simeon. The example here by Gelder shows Simeon’s thankful, grace-filled face now radiant with that light.
The artist Holman Hunt extends this idea with his famous ‘The Light of the World’ - an image that many will have seen in St Paul’s Cathedral. It shows Christ, now an adult, bring that light, the light of joy, hope, peace and love to us. It depicts a moment when Christ knocks on the door of our heart. Of course, the deliberate omission is a door handle. God’s invitation is always there. There is nothing that we can do to ever stop that invitation being offered. But it will only be fully revealed if we respond by opening the door. Will you open that door?
MENU
Week 3
Soup Soup of the day Soup of the day Soup of the day Soup of the day Soup of the day
Main
Pasta Bar
Vegetarian
Mild Beef Chilli Con Carne served in a taco & dips
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Cheesy Pesto Sauce
Turkey & Bacon Pie
Locally Sourced Oven Baked Pork Sausages with Onion Gravy
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Bolognaise Sauce
Mixed Bean & Quorn Chilli
Feta & Spinach Filo Pie
Piri Piri Chicken with Pitta Bread, Baby Gem and Homemade Sauces
Freshly Battered Fish or Breaded Fish Fillet with Ketchup and Tartare Sauce
Sides
Additional
Spicy rice Steamed Sweetcorn
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar
Steamed new Potatoes Broccoli
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Roasted Pepper, Chicken & Chorizo Sauce
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Bacon Carbonara Sauce
Vegan Sausages with Onion Gravy Cheesy Vegetable Enchilada
Mashed Potatoes Panache of Mixed Vegetables
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar
Potato Wedges Macho Peas Rainbow Slaw
Pasta with Tomato & Basil
Macaroni
Cheese with a Crispy Onion Topping
Skinny Chips Garden Peas Mushy Peas (Staff)
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread Salad bar
Dessert
Citrus Drizzle Cake White Chocolate & Cherry Shortbread Apple Filo Pie with Custard Chocolate Brownie
Items in Italic - Sourced from F Conisbee’s, our local butcher
