The Young Voices Choir last Friday really took my breath away. It was special to be part of the event, to realise the annual choir has been running for thirty years and to hear inspirational stories from singers whose careers started when they were sat in the same space aged ten! The songs, atmosphere and unity were emotive – to see 8,500 young people united in harmony and dancing with joy was such a blessing.
At the start of the week came a Random Act of Kindness Foundation quote to ‘Give Someone A Little Extra Encouragement Today’. I have carried that actionable thought with me all week. And what a blessed week I have had: from encouraging pupils at break time, to encouraging them in their learning; encouraging an ill staff member to go home early (they are so dedicated!), to encouraging colleagues in meetings with ideas and solutions. And lastly, encouraging myself to continue to dream big – so I finally put fingers to keyboard to write a children’s book that I have been putting off for years.
Can I take this opportunity to thank our Year 5 parents for the huge encouragement they gave their daughters this past Wednesday at the Open Book event, sitting with their girls and pouring over their books, offering encouragement and praise. Good job, parents.
Year 6 parents the challenge has been laid down.
Where do you need to put in encouragement this weekend and over the coming week? Where do you need to accept encouragement – to hear it?
“Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for every relationship you have.” Robert Holden
“Every relationship needs commitment in it for it to grow and when the focus is love, we raise our standards.” John A Andrews
Have an awesome weekend, Gareth Tindall
Parents’ Evenings — 10th (online) & 11th (in-person) February 2026
Formal parents’ meetings for the Prep School will take place on the 10th and 11th February 2026. Information has been sent out on SchooPost with further information, including booking details. The booking portal will open at 7pm this evening.
Pastoral Pause
As we move into February, the kindness and compassion challenge moves from self-compassion to others. Remembering that the Value of the Year at St. Teresa’s this year is Compassion and that this value is for our whole community to be contemplating, challenging themselves and others on, practising and growing in – which includes all of you (our parent body and friends).
Therefore, this week: make a choice to give a genuine compliment to three different people on Monday; thank someone for their help on Tuesday; make eye contact and smile at a minimum of five people on Wednesday; be a secret appreciation giver on Thursday; do something for the environment on Friday. But do not miss out this Sunday, 1 st February, by writing down three things you genuinely love about yourself.
As we said on the front cover: “Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for every relationship you have.” Robert Holden
God Bless You, Gareth
SpringTerm, 2026 Key Diary Dates:
Please
LAMDA & ASC 11th February 2026, Change of Venues
Golden Book
Well done to all of the girls in our Golden Books this week:
5AB Ellie F for her interest in our Topic work and contributions to our debate about Anne Boleyn's execution.
Izzy E-N for working with determination and focus to multiply large numbers, demonstrating a sound knowledge of times tables.
Maddie J for applying her developing knowledge of the times tables to answer increasingly complex mathematical questions.
5HT Scarlett S for the kindness and support she showed to others during the Young Voices trip to the O2 Arena. Liel G for her efforts in Maths this week when tackling new concepts.
Florence E-N for her engagement in our debate around Anne Boleyn's guilt/innocence as we prepare to write a balanced argument in English.
6RG Sophia D for her fantastic use of emotive language in her evacuee narrative, carefully considering how a child being evacuated might have felt.
Bea St-G for her consistently positive attitude and excellent effort when solving problems involving ratio.
Harper A-S for her excellent effort to include details to show a 1940s setting in her evacuee narrative and letters.
6MK Esther H for fantastic logical work when calculating ratio and solving multi-step problems in Maths.
Sofia A, Sophia C and Abby V-R for producing such striking and visually engaging information leaflets about gas
Drama Stars
Year 5: Lulu D for her confidence in performing and creativity when learning about Shakespeare's comedies.
Year 6: Liberty C for her use of facial expression and body language during work based on the first song in 'The Wizard of Oz'.
Scientist of the Week
Year 5: Isabelle E-N for her engagement and knowledge of solutions and dissolving.
Hollie G for her excellent scientific write-ups.
Year 6: Liberty C for her light ray diagrams.
Electra B for her thorough careful work on light.
Artist Star
Year 6: Thea S for a dynamic paper sculpture that evolved flower.
Key Dates 2025 - 26
As outlined in the Parent Handbook, and reiterated at the Parent Welcome Reception, there are four 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:
Spring Concert, Thursday 12th March, 18.30 to 19.30
School Production, Thursday & Friday 25th & 26th June , 18. 00 to 19.00
Prep School Prize Giving, Thursday 2nd 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.
Open Book Dates 2025 - 26
We will be holding Open Book Mornings for each Year Group starting in the Spring Term. This is an opportunity for your daughters to show you their books and their classrooms.
Year 6 - 04/02/26
Refreshments will be served from 8.15am in Room 44 08.30 - 08.55am in the Year Group Classrooms
Pyjama Mufti Day for Charity
On Friday 13th February, we’ll be joining the Senior School to raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust and Missio. Pupils are invited to arrive in their cosiest PJ’s and bring a £2 donation to help us raise funds for these charities.
Hug-in-a-mug: Hot chocolate will be served at breaktime for all pupils.
Class Assembly Dates 2025 - 26
25/02/26 - 6MK
25/03/26 - 5AB
29/04/26 - 5HT
At 8.30am in the Library
Refreshments will be served from 8.15am
FOST 2nd HAND UNIFORM SHOP
Submission forms are under FOST 2nd hand uniform on the St Ts website: Second-hand Uniform Shop
REMINDER: CASH or CHEQUE only please for the foreseeable future.
Open Fridays 8.30am-9am and First Saturday of every month 10:30am 11.00am by appointment only:
Please contact Wendy or Camilla: Fostuniform@gmail.com
Year 6 & 7 Quiz
Year 6 and Year 7 came together for a joint bonding activity, taking part in “St Ts Opoly,” a fast paced hybrid of quiz and Monopoly where mixed teams earned £100 for each correct answer to build a budget for buying properties. After plenty of teamwork, strategy and friendly competition, two teams emerged ahead of the restthough no one quite managed to buy the entire board.
Year 6 LifeLab
Year 6 have made an excellent start to their LifeLab programme this term. Pupils have now formed their groups, selected team names, and chosen the products they will be developing as part of the project. They are currently designing logos to represent their ventures and have taken part in thoughtful discussions to establish appropriate pricing for their products and services.
This early stage of the programme has already encouraged collaboration, creativity, and problem solving skills they will continue to develop throughout the LifeLab experience.
Year 5 & 6YoungVoices Choir
Last week, the Young Voices Choir had an unforgettable experience performing at the O2 Arena, joining forces with over 8,500 other children from across London and beyond. The atmosphere was electric as the girls passionately sang and showcased their dance moves, alongside the high-energy Urban Strides crew. From start to finish, our choir gave it their all, singing their hearts out and moving to the beat with enthusiasm. But it wasn’t just their talent that stood out, Mrs. Kearley and the accompanying adults were incredibly proud of their impeccable behaviour throughout the journey and at the venue. Their professionalism and positive attitude truly represented our school in the best possible way.
Art Club
This week, Art club have shown their creativity when using brightly coloured card to create 3D sculptures. They chose different ways to attach the card and curled, cut and coiled it to produce their final product. Well done!
In Assembly on Tuesday, the girls were invited to take part in the Young Mathematical Story Authors (YMSA) competition. This competition aims to 'encourage students globally to creatively embed their Maths learning in a meaningful and engaging context through creating short maths story picture books'.
Winners will receive a cash prize of £100, and their school will also receive £100.
More information can be found here: https://www.mathsthroughstories.org/competitions.html
Past winning and shortlisted entries for 2025 can be found using the link below. Further examples can be found on the website.
https://www.mathsthroughstories.org/ymsa2025.html
The deadline for entry is 13th March to allow entries to be submitted by the closing date and entries should be sent to c.ridulfa@st-teresas.com.
Please check the submission guidelines as there are clear rules about how the story should be presented. Support documents to aid planning are also available on the website.
Good luck!
Mrs Ridulfa
Music News
Orchestra
A super rehearsal on Monday as we started to work on Waltzing Matilda. This was new to some and a reminder for others but we quickly got the hang of the dotted rhythms and dancing tempo.
Music-Makers Club
I have greatly enjoyed hearing some of the our ensembles’ developing performances, including Ivy and Lily’s rendition of Seven Nation Army. Working in pairs, and ably assisted by Jemima, we learned some rhythm cups this week.
Chamber Choir
There was no chamber choir rehearsal on Friday due to the Young Voices trip to Well done everyone who took part.
Year 5
Musician of the Week
Year 5 Molly W well done for making great strides in ukulele classes and, in particular, noticing the effects of different strumming styles
Year 6 Sophie H thank you for keeping a close eye on Mrs G. conducting in orchestra to make sure you played in time
Year 5 have continued the theme of composition, working in small groups to create their own percussion performance, notate it using a graphic score, and then swapping to play the composition created by another group. An interesting study in accurate notation, reading and interpretation! They also created a performance of voice and instruments in 4 parts and listened to John Cage’s controversial 4’33” sparking the eternal debate of ‘what is music?’. The ukulele groups have added D7 to their repertoire of chords and practised playing with different notational prompts.
Year 6
There has been lengthy discussion amongst Year 6 to choose their performance numbers for the Spring Concert. With a wide range of suggestions, the debate continues! Some of the keyboard groups have completed the note-reading challenges for the middle C position, whilst others are continuing to play a smaller range of notes. Playing in pairs or as part of the larger group helps to develop a steady sense of pulse.
Sport News
Netball Recreational Club
Everyone welcome!
We have so much fun at recreational netball club on a Wednesday @ 12:45pm!
No Prep Netball Club on Friday 6th February!
Netball
Well done to the U11s who travelled to Freemans on Tuesday for netball matches. They all played really, demonstrating strong movement on court and solid defensive skills. Unfortunately we couldn’t get any wins but all matches were close with us only loosing by 1 or 2 goals! The A & B teams played 7 aside which was great practice for them.
Interhouse Competitions
We have interhouse hockey and netball coming up this term. Please make sure that for interhouse hockey your daughter has her shin pads and mouth guard, without these items they will be not able to take part.
Pupil News
If your daughter has completed any sporting achievements outside of school, the PE department would love to hear about them. Please email Mrs Hitchman with a short description and photo to a.hitchman@st-teresas.com
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.
St Teresa's Effingham | Sports Home
Prep Clubs, Spring Term 2026
MON
TUE
WED
Years 5 & 6, Netball Club (7.50 - 8.20, Sp. H)
Years 5, Forest School
Years 6, Forest School
Orchestra, by invitation Grade 1+ standard)
Years 5 & 6, Hockey Goal Keeping Club
Years 5 & 6, Netball
Shooting Club
Year 5, Tennis Squad practice (Invitational only, after half term)
for 7 – 16s, St Joseph’s Primary School, Kingston KT1 2UP
Monday 16 – Thursday 19 February 2026
Monday 30 March – Thursday 2 April
Sessions run 10:10 – 12:15 pm daily (Full day care/ sports camp available)
Learn how to touch type 40+ words per minute with 95% accuracy. Using correct fingers and posture, touch typing is far more productive for schoolwork and exams.
Beginners, improvers and advanced typists are warmly welcome. We mix formal technique with the latest app games to make learning to type fast, fun and effective.
Flip crazy skate ramps, zap aliens and collect superhero movie rewards while learning an amazing skill. Typing proficiency will significantly boost your child’s academic attainment in today’s digital world.
Prior to setting up Typing’s Cool, Sarah Holt worked as a teacher at Weston Green School and Nick Holt was a secondary school Head of English.
Cost: £176.00 per place OFSTED registered - childcare vouchers accepted 10% discount for siblings/ bring a friend Duke of Edinburgh skills assessor
Apply at www.typingscool.co.uk or contact sarah.holt@typingscool.co.uk
Advanced skills touch-typing club
Friday lunchtimes 12:45 – 1:15 pm
Typing’s Cool teaches touch typing to 40+ words per minute with 95% accuracy, using correct fingers and posture. Typing proficiency significantly boosts school and exam attainment in today's digital world.
Beginners, improvers and advanced typists are warmly welcome. We mix formal technique with the latest app games to make learning to type effective and fun.
Flip flying skateboards, zap aliens and collect cool movie outfits while learning an amazing skill.
Club fee: £146.00 per term.
Save 25% by paying with childcare vouchers or tax-free childcare. Contact us for details.
To book a place email: sarah.holt@typingscool.co.uk
Prior to setting up Typing’s Cool, Sarah Holt worked as a teacher at Weston Green School and Nick Holt was a secondary Head of English. We are both passionate about helping all pupils fulfil their learning potential.
Nick and Sarah Holt, Typing’s Cool Ltd, School House, St Joseph’s Primary School, Kingston KT1 2UP 07812 632238; sarah.holt@typingscool.co.uk; OFSTED reg no. EY473171; www.typingscool.co.uk
Menu—w/c Monday 2nd February 2026
Hot lunches include a selection of family favourites and suitable alternatives for children with allergies and intolerances.
