St Teresa's PREP BULLETIN 20.03.26 by EffinghamSchoolsTrust

Issue 10

Dear Parents,

Bulletin

Spring Term

20th March 2026

A few weeks ago we celebrated International Artist Day and I had asked if our Art Captain, Thea, would be happy to lead the assembly – she was amazing At the end of the assembly, I offered for any other pupils who would like to lead an assembly to let me know. Electra got to me first and as you saw in last week’s bulletin, she did an amazing job as well This Tuesday we were treated to another excellent assembly, this time from Sophia C, our Music Captain, all about music but weaving in her Irish roots in celebration of St Patrick’s Day

We are constantly impressed with the confidence, abilities and skills demonstrated by your daughters I am looking forward to more pupil-led assemblies next term around Sport and Government.

Wednesday, in glorious sunshine, was a spectacular day to visit Hampton Court Palace with Year 5. What a great time we had discovering all about life in Tudor Times under the rule of Henry VIII The palace was looking splendid in its architectural magnificence, the gardens were brimming with my favourite flowers – daffodils – so I had a joyful day and the girls seemed to enjoy themselves too!

On the same morning, our Year 6 girls enjoyed the French Onatti Production as part of our Partnership Events across the Effingham Trust And later that afternoon, our Year 6 parents learned all about the Year 6 French residential trip

A huge well done to all the girls who took part in their latest ABRSM examinations yesterday, we look forward to hearing how you performed later in the year.

Finally, today saw the Year 6 pitching their entrepreneurial companies to a panel of judges which included our own Headmaster, Mr. Field, and our Head of Business and Economics, Mr. Neate. They then prepared their stalls for the onslaught of keen shoppers in the form of Year 5, Year 7, Year 8 and their own families Well done to all the girls for their hard work across the term in all their learning and preparation, in and out of school, to make the fair such a roaring success

And as we enter the final week of term, let’s remember the words of American author and missionary, Elizabeth Elliot: ‘Time is a creature – a created thing – and a gift We cannot make any more of it We can only receive it and be faithful stewards in the use of it.’

Best wishes,

Gareth Tindall

Pastoral Pause

Wednesday’s challenge this coming week is to make a kindness mosaic. I imagine that could look something like this example from Pinewood Elementary in Canada:

It makes me feel positive just looking at those vibrant (very St T’s) pinks You could make it from drawings on paper, ceramic tiles or go to town with tiny squares of tile and create your very own mosaic for the garden or a wall in the kitchen! Surrounding ourselves with reminders to embrace kindness, share love, speak truth (perhaps weave scripture into your Mosaic) and show compassion would be a lovely positive way to start each day. God Bless You,

Gareth

GOLDEN BOOK

Well done to all of the girls in our Golden Books this week:

5AB

Emilia C for her thoughtful contributions to RE discussions and her effe representing 'conscience'

Isabelle C and Kimberley C for their great collaborative work whilst engaged on a task to develop their knowledge of the features of playscripts.

5HT

Charlotte E for mastering her understanding so she can confidently find equivalent fractions, decimals and percentages.

Monica H for her wonderful enthusiasm throughout our Hampton Court Palace visit She was absorbing information and asking lots of interesting questions - she also made some impressive notes.

6RG

Jemima H and Sophia H for their confidence and bravery when volunteering to participate on stage during the Onatti performance where they were also able to practise their French.

Thea BH for her fantastic effort when calculating using decimals A super attitude and excellent application of knowledge to solve problems.

6MK

Sophia C for delivering a truly outstanding music assembly with remarkable maturity. Her poise, confidence, and genuine love of music shone through every moment.

Megan S and Anna R for working enthusiastically in Maths, confidently sharing their ideas and methods together and engaging in thoughtful discussion about how to solve problems

DRAMA STARS

Year 5: No stars this week as the children were out on their school trip on Wednesday

Year 6: All awarded for their fantastic effort and hard work learning their lines for The Wizard of Oz last week.

SCIENTIST OF THE WEEK

Year 5: Molly W, Ottilie H, Viv W-S and Ava B for their engagement and understanding of life cycles.

Year 6: Thea S & Thea B-H for their work on horse evolution.

Spring Term, 2026 Key Diary Dates:

Wed 25th Mar 5AB Class Assembly 08:15 - 09:00

Lifelab Presentation (Year 6, Room 44) 15:15

Thu 26th Mar Lenten Mass 09:00 - 10:00 FOST Egg Hunt 11:15

Fri 27th Mar Hop Skip & Jump 08:45 - 09:30 Prep Egg Rolling 12:45 - 13:15 End of Term 18:00

Mon 20th Apr U10 & U11 Pre-Season Tennis Training 11:30 – 13:00

Tues 21st April Term begins 08:00 Duck Delivery AM

Year 5 -

Year 6

Year 6 Residential – Online Meeting Link, 18th March 2026, 16 30pm

End of topic VE Day Celebration, Wednesday 25th March

Year 6 Residential Trip to France 18th-22nd May 2026

Whole School Summer Term Uniform

Netball Club - Cancelled, Friday 20th March

Drama Club - Cancelled, Tuesday 24th March

Last Day of Term - End of School arrangements

LifeLab Fair, Friday 20th March 2026

Tennis Pre Season Training

St Teresa’s SchoolPost Communication System

Go to: https://stteresas.schoolpost.co.uk

If you have any questions please email prepinfo@st-teresas.com Tennis Pre Season Training

Please remember to check your inbox, including your junk/spam, as the email may go to your junk box the first time it is sent

Year 6 Pupil-led Assembly

The third in our series of pupil-led assemblies was presented by our Music Captain, Sophia and - aptly - focussed on her love of music Entitled ‘Music: Blues, Folk and Classical’, Sophia introduced these three different musical genres, sharing information about their history

Sophia had created a fact-filled powerpoint presentation, complete with musical examples in various forms We were treated to a recording of slide guitar by Elmore James (Blues), an improvised guitar and violin duet featuring Sophia and her Dad (Folk), an Irish Folksong performed live by Sophia (Folk) and an extract from a performance by violinist Nicola Benedetti (Classical). Whilst the musical examples offered a taster of the musical styles, it was Sophia's personal connection to music that really brought this assembly to life As Sophia talked about her family heritage, shared her music-making with her Dad and expressed her admiration for her role model: Nicola Benedetti, it was clear that music really does bring her joy Thank you for sharing your passion, Sophia

Year 6 Onatti Performance

On Wednesday, Year 6 were treated to a visit to Cranmore for an interactive Onatti performance of 'Shipwrecked en France' Following the story of a boy who, while holidaying in France, is washed out to sea and travels down the coast to an area where the locals speak no English. The play then continued with the protagonist (Max) meeting a range of French-speaking characters on his journey up the coast and back to his hotel The girls joined in with translating between French and English, with some even volunteering to become extra characters on-stage and really testing their understanding and speaking of French Well done to all the girls, particularly those that volunteered to go on stage It was a fantastic, fun experience and a good chance to hear and try out French in context

Year 5 trip to Hampton Court Palace

Year 5 had a fantastic trip to Hampton Court Palace as part of their Tudor topic We took part in a fun, hands-on session where we learned all about King Henry VIII and his six wives. We even got to see and touch replica artefacts from Tudor times! Everyone gave a short talk about whether they thought King Henry VIII was a fair ruler We also loved exploring the palaceespecially the huge kitchens, the beautiful chapel and the private rooms where the king and queens once lived It was a great day full of learning and adventure!

Year 5 carried out a flower dissection last week, identifying and labelling the male and female parts of the flower.

Class Assembly Dates 2025 - 26

25/03/26 - 5AB

29/04/26 - 5HT At 8 30am in the Library Refreshments will be served from 8.15am

Summer Uniform

Please may the girls in Years 5 return to school after Easter wearing their summer uniform Summer uniform is optional for our Year 6 girls However, they will be required to wear their winter uniform for special occasions such as Prize Giving and the Leavers’ Mass As a reminder, the summer uniform consists of: pink and white striped dress; white ankle socks (not trainer socks); blazer and a cardigan.

We are going to hatch some ducklings!

Our eggs will arrive on: Tuesday 21st April 2026 The ducklings should start hatching around: Wednesday/Thursday 22nd–23rd April

The ducklings will go to their new home on: Friday 1st May

U11A&B Netball V Rowen

Our U11 netball teams delivered an outstanding display of skill, teamwork, and determination today, with both the A and B teams securing brilliant wins A Team – Won 17–0

The A team were unstoppable from the very first centre pass Their defensive pressure was exceptional, turning over ball after ball and giving the opposition no chance to settle In attack, the team moved the ball with real confidence and speed, creating plenty of scoring opportunities and finishing them superbly. Player of the Match – Isla, who showed incredible accuracy, composure, and leadership on court B Team – Won 7–3

The B team produced an equally impressive performance They worked hard through every third, using clever passing and tight marking to control the game Their determination to win loose balls and their ability to reset and build calm attacking play made a real difference.

Player of the Match – Amelia, who impressed with her excellent movement, energy, and commitment throughout

Interhouse Dressage 2026

Next week we will be running our annual Interhouse Dressage competition for our riders. This is designed to be a fun and accessible introduction to riding competitions with the entry level test, ‘Trec’ accessible to our beginner riders There will also be an Introduction to Dressage test and a Prelim test for our more experienced riders.

If your child is taking part you should have received the test schedule. Please email equestrian@st-teresas com if you haven’t received this yet.

We wish all our riders the very best of luck... remember to relax and enjoy it!

PLEASE NOTE that termly lessons end on Saturday 21 March st

Progress your riding in the holidays

During the holidays we are running a number of clinics and courses with a specific focus on developing a rider’s skill set

Easter holidays

Saturday 11 April 9:30-11:30 th

Progress Clinic: Learn Lateral work (walk, trot, canter riders) Friday 17 April 13:00-14:00 th

Progress Clinic: Introduction to Dressage (all riders who are off the lead rein)

Summer Holidays

28th & 29 July and 18 & 19 August th th th

The Next Level 2 Day Bespoke Riding Intensive Courses

These 2 day courses strengthen fundamentals, refine position and develop effective aids in a 1:2 coach-to-rider ratio.

Please contact equestrian@st-teresas.com for more details

This Week

A reading from the Gospel of John

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Reflection

In the Gospels, Jesus shows a special love for those who are sick, vulnerable, or suffering. He heals the blind, comforts the dying, and treats every person with dignity and compassion. Catholic Social Teaching calls us to reflect that same love especially for those who are ill or in need of care.

Across the world, many Catholic charities make this mission visible today. Organisations such as Caritas Internationalis, St Vincent de Paul and many religious orders who serve in hospitals, clinics, care homes, and communities where people struggle with illness or poverty. Their work is humble, practical, and deeply rooted in faith.

Prayer

Loving God,

We thank you for all Catholic charities and caregivers who bring healing, comfort, and dignity to the sick.

Bless those who work in hospitals, care homes, and medical missions across the world. Give them strength, patience, and compassion. We pray for all who are ill today may they know your peace and your presence.

We ask this through Christ our Lord Amen

SUMMER TERM GROUP SESSIONS

ESTA is delighted to be accepting bookings for group lessons during the summer term. Sessions will run from Tuesday 21 April through to Friday 3 July (10 weeks). st rd

Group sessions will run at the following times:

Y5&6 - Wednesdays @ 4:15-5:15pm

Y7&8 - Fridays @ 4:15-5:15pm

Y9&10 - Fridays @ 5:15-6:15pm

Performance Group (invitational) - Wednesdays @ 6:15-7:45pm

Boarders' Group - Tuesdays @ 6:15-7:15pm

Please contact Kirsti to book your child’s place at esta@effinghamschools.org

ESTA also offers private coaching for adults and children throughout the week.

We look forward to welcoming everyone on court during the summer term!