YOUR ESSENTIAL ROUND-UP FOR THE WEEK COMMENCING 24 November 2025
This Week’s Headlines:
It has been a wonderful week here at school, with plenty of excitement and festive spirit in the air. Our boarding pupils had a fantastic time last week when they went to see Wicked, and we were absolutely blown away by the incredible production of Animal Farm! We are already looking forward to West Side Story, which will be taking place next year.
Our Academic Scholars and members of the Dorothea Beale Society enjoyed an excellent Politics trip on Monday. To round off the start of the week, we all celebrated St Andrew’s Day with a beautiful Mass followed by a delicious themed lunch everyone loved trying a range of traditional Scottish dishes.
It has also been lovely to see all the Christmas lights now glowing around the school, and the Nativity scene set up so beautifully in Reception A big well done to Year 7, who have been especially enthusiastic in helping us welcome the start of the festive season.
cember...............................Year 11 MFL Speaking Mock Exams Christmas Concert 18:30 - 20:00
ng Rotary Senior Public Speaking Competition 17:00 - 21:00 Schola Performance at Chichester Cathedral 11:15 - 22:30 ..............Sixth Form Ice Skating Christmas Trip 17:00 - 22:00 .......................................................................ABRSM Music Exams ..........Boarding Christmas Celebration Dinner 18:00 - 19:00
FORM MATHS CERTIFICATES
Students in Years 12 and 13 recently took part in the Senior Mathematics Challenge, joining thousands of participants from across the UK and internationally. The challenge features 25 thought-provoking multiple-choice questions that test logical reasoning, precision, and adaptability in tackling unfamiliar problems
Our students performed exceptionally well and showcased impressive mathematical talent Several achieved high-level certificates and we are so proud of all they have achieved
SUBJECT AMBASSADORS
On Tuesday our Year 12's hosted our Subject Ambassador breakfast event for the whole of Year 11 to come and find out more about the A Level's they are interested in choosing. It's always a popular morning as talking to those who are currently studying a particular subject can often be more illuminating and give them different considerations. Thank you for a great morning!
POLITICS TRIP
th world including war, poverty, education and resource scarcity. The pupils were asked to create a presentation outlining the issue, coming up with solutions and deciding if it is an issue that is resolvable. All in all, the girls had an excellent day getting to know students from other schools, collaborating and
On Monday 24 November, four of our Academic Scholars, and members of the Dorothea Beale Society, were invited to attend an exclusive trip run by the Girls' Schools Association. The trip was titled - 'The Political Future'. The premise of the day was to explore the debate about whether the political future is looking bright or whether we should be concerned about the current state of affairs around the world. The first half of the day was spent looking at the government's proposal to introduce votes for 16 year olds and make a short advertising video supporting one side of the debate. The second half of the day was spent looking at key issues around the
SIXTH FORM SPORTS
U18 Tennis: Effingham Sixth Form v Epsom College
The U18 Effingham Sixth Form boys' tennis team rounded off their final LTA League group match with a strong and confident performance. Ollie W was named Player of the Day after playing superbly to win his singles match 4–0, showcasing excellent control and composure throughout. In the doubles, Jayden F and Ollie W produced an entertaining and competitive match, demonstrating great teamwork and spirit on court A big thank-you also goes to Leo K and Matt M from Cranmore for helping to form the team and contributing some highly entertaining tennis. Boys’ tennis will return in the summer term.
ST TERESA’S SPORTS
U18 Tennis: St Teresa's v St George's
The U18 St Teresa’s tennis team delivered a strong and determined performance, with Lucia C, Isabella K, and Gemma M all competing in closely contested singles matches. Gemma M fought brilliantly to secure a well-earned victory, showing great resilience under pressure. In the doubles, Pretoria R and Lucia C produced an exceptionally tight match filled with long rallies and plenty of entertaining points, demonstrating superb teamwork and composure. The team now looks ahead to their upcoming fixtures against Claremont Fan Court and Woldingham School.
BAKING BREAD!
We’ve seen some fantastic bread-making across the school this week. Year 9 pupils designed, baked, and beautifully decorated their own focaccia creations, showing real creativity and skill. Meanwhile, Year 7 learned the cold-oven technique to produce perfectly risen bread rolls. Well done to all our budding bakers!
ST ANDREW’S DAY FEAST
Our catering team once again shone with a wonderful St Andrew’s Day feast, treating everyone to a delicious culinary trip to Scotland. The team pulled out all the stops, serving a range of classic Scottish dishes that brought warmth and comfort to a chilly Thursday.
The menu featured hearty favourites including Neeps & Tatties Soup, Highland Beef Stew topped with puff pastry! To round off the celebration, pupils enjoyed a choice of Scottish Tart or oaty cookies – a sweet finish to a delightful themed lunch.
NATIVITY
Lovely to see our nativity set being used again. It is a real tradition that the Year 7s all love getting involved with. The set originally came with the nuns when the school was founded in 1928!
Keep an eye out for it when you ’ re next in reception!
Cold weather is here... be prepared!
Now that the cold weather has arrived, please ensure you arrive for your riding lesson wearing jumpers, coats and gloves. It can get very cold in the Arena and the instructors want to make sure that you get as much from your lesson as possible by coming prepared and staying warm.
Last week of the STE Term
This is a reminder that the last day of Equestrian termly lessons is Saturday 6th December In the last week of the school term (w/c 8th December) STE will be running ad hoc/make-up lessons only.
Early Bird Discount for Holiday Activities
Don’t miss our Early Bird 10% Discount for booking Festive Fillies Pony Mornings/Afternoons The discount expires on 30th November Please scan the ECPro QR code to see what we have to offer.
Rosie is ready for Christmas… why isn’t everyone else?
FREE WEBINAR:
How You Can Build Resilience in Your Child
Tuesday 2nd December 6:00-7:00pm (GMT) click here to register for free
This Week
Bible Reading
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Reflection
We have now entered the season of Advent. A season of preparation. A season of light and hope. Mary is a person of Advent. The one called to bare and carry God’s son. She is a person of hope and a person of faith. Trusting in the Lord even though there is much to fear and much change in the air. Let us this Advent draw closer to God in our lives and echo the yes that Mary declared. Let us reorder ourselves towards the living God who loves us.
Prayer
"Christ our Light, Shine in our lives with hope and promise Give us right vision so that we remain attentive to this holy season. Remind us to look for you in small acts of kindness and love. We await your coming with wonder." Amen.
"At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern."
St Mother Teresa
Week commencing 1st December
Main
Vegetarian
Smokey Chorizo Macaroni Cheese with Crispy Onions
Pork Schnitzel Stroganoff
Traditionally Baked Macaroni Cheese
Quorn and Mushroom Stroganoff
Braised Beef Cottage Pie with Cheddar Mash Korean Chicken Bulgogi
Freshly Battered
Fish or Breaded
Fish Fillet with Ketchup and Tartare Sauce
Autumn
Vegetable Filo
Parcels with a Grainy Cous Cous
Pasta Bar
Sides
Additional
Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Creamy Tuna & Sweetcorn Sauce
Steamed New Potatoes Broccoli
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Dessert Chocolate Brownie
Steamed Rice Green Beans
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked
Bread
Salad bar
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Bacon Carbonara Sauce
Gemistra Greek Stuffed Peppers
Cheese and Vegetable Empanadas
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Bolognaise Sauce
Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce
Skinny Chips
Vichy Carrots Roasted Roots
Egg Noodles Asian Green Stir Fry
Garden Peas
Mushy Peas (Staff)
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Jaffa Cake Traybake
Peach Crumble and Custard
Items in Italic - Sourced from F Conisbee’s, our local butcher
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Selection of Homemade Cookies
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Cornflake Tart
