And here we are, at the end of another term. What a packed term it has been!
We have had: swimming galas, IAPS time trials and ESSA matches; hockey and netball fixtures and tournaments; cross country races; a Shakespearean Workshop; Open Book events; Class Assemblies; School Council meetings; Chaplaincy meetings; a choir at the Young Voices event in the O2; a Year 7 Offer Holders Day; a Year 6 and Year 7 Team Building afternoon; assembly guests including Wintershall actors, Mr Stephens, Mrs McGrath, Sixth Form girls, Dr McShane; Mental Health Awareness Week; the Year 4 girls Bake Sale for charity; Safer Internet Day; the Year 5 French Breakfast; Parents’ Evening; the FOST Valentine’s Ball; Book Week; our Spring Concert; the Lifelab Fair; the FOST Easter Egg Hunt and the Hop, Skip and Jump run for charity.
My thanks go to all the staff for their loving kindness and hard work across the board with all the above moments that make St. Teresa’s Prep the special place that it is. My thanks to you parents for so fully supporting every event with your daughters – the Open Book events were jam-packed with parents, the assemblies, parents’ evenings, fairs, and even this morning in the rain with Mr. Davies running in his suit with his daughter – your dedication combines to make this the special place that it is. My thanks go to the girls – for their exuberance, joyous smiles, ever-increasing resilience, laughter and dedication to all aspects of their learning. They are the reason for all the above.
Have a spectacularly peaceful, rest-filled, joyous Easter break,
SummerTerm Uniform
Please may the girls in Years 4 and 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.
Key Dates 2025
As outlined in the Parent Handbook, and reiterated at the Parent Welcome Reception, there are three 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 remaining date for the Summer term is: Prep School Prize Giving, Thursday 3rd July, 19.00 to 20.00
We would be grateful if you could keep this date free so that all girls can be present at this important event.
Pastoral Pause
Wishing you all the best for the end of Mindful March and the beginning of Active April (although I think I got Active in March in all that blue-skied sunshine!).
God Bless You, Gareth Tindall
Well done to all of the girls in our Golden Books this week:
4 KC Ottilie H A huge well done for demonstrating fabulous perseverance in her recent artwork! Ottilie took on the challenge of drawing and labelling the tricky Texan state bird, the Northern Mockingbird, with impressive attention to detail and Determination,
Leila A for her excellent sharing and impressive recall of fascinating facts during her New York presentation. She effectively discussed historical photos of individuals arriving at Ellis Island, highlighting the clothing and artefacts they may have had and used.
Millie G for her outstanding research and fact attention to detail, not only in gathering information but also in carefully drawing and labelling her diagram.
4 LH Emilia C for her attention to detail and showing her working out during our recent Maths assessments. You demonstrated great test skills.
Isabelle V for her informative poster about California. She researched and put into her own words interesting facts about this State and used conjunctions with greater confidence to join her thoughts.
5 AB Jessica S for her tremendous effort and marked improvement in her handwriting.
Harper A-S for her enthusiastic approach to handwriting lessons, which is really paying off with some beautiful handwriting.
Bea S-G for her effective use of contrast in her motivational speech.
Sophia D for good and consistent use of evidence to support her answers in comprehension tasks.
5 KH Esme S for her careful and intricately sewn Tudor banner.
Charlotte T for her enthusiastic and engaging performance in the Easter Concert.
6 SG Mira M, Elodie B and Jena W for their wonderful, creative and informative rap about VE Day. The girls preformed with such confidence and their accompanying dance was just fantastic.
6 MK Isabella MS and Ruby S for their creative and compelling storytelling this week.
Art Stars
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Flossie H for super problem-solving in constructing her plinth person.
Ava-Skye N for such an original idea to construct a chair which reflects her personality.
Sophia S-S for always coming into art lessons with a positive, proactive attitude and giving her best effort.
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Drama Stars
Kitty N for working so hard this term and demonstrating improved confidence and a wider range of skills.
Sophie B for her enthusiasm and commitment to Drama.
Holly E for her increased confidence and willingness to try something new.
St Teresa’s SchoolPost Communication System
You will have received an email before Half Term about the new communication system which is being used from this week. A letter from Dr McShane was sent out with instructions on how to start getting your messages.
This week you have received the following communications
Whole School Staffing update
Last day of Term arrangements
Reports - Spring 2
Summer Term Uniform
Transport for the Summer Term (Bus users)
Term dates 2025-26
GHS Schools Aquathlon or Triathlon
Inter House Swim Gala - 12th May
ESTA Notices
Summer Clubs Update
Year 6Year 5
Year 4
Easter Holiday Homework
Bushcraft Trip Parent information
If you have any questions please email prepinfo@st-teresas.com
Year 6 Medicals
The school nursing team will be carrying out medicals on Year 6 pupils week commencing 21st April. Medical check-ups are important for the welfare of your daughter throughout their education. The medicals will be conducted by the school nurses and will consist of a private and confidential discussion about their health and wellbeing. We will also be checking height, weight if consented by them. You would have provided consent on the medical forms when you started the school however if you no longer wish for your daughter to receive a medical please contact medical@st-teresas.com
Atom Learning, Easter Live Lessons - 14th—17th April
Atom Learning free holiday live lessons are back! The sessions focus on the skills, strategies and confidence needed to excel in 11+ reasoning tests. Download the timetable here
FOST DATES
Fri 16th May - FOST Summer Festival planning meeting – All/any help welcome
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
SummerTerm Key Diary Dates 2025:
Prep School News
After School Care is Has Moved
On , After School Care moved to the Tech Hub (14) and Upper Playground (between 12 &13)
FOST Egg Hunt
Our thanks to the FOST team of parents who supported an egg-cellent, egg-streamly fun egg hunt of clues and adventure around the Prep grounds. Teams of girls solved the four -line rhyming stanza clues to lead them to sweet, chocolatey treasure. The girls were egg-static!
Prep School News
Year 4 NewYork Projects Showcase
Last week, the Year 4 students wowed us with their incredible projects on New York! The creativity and effort put into each presentation were outstanding, with the girls showcasing their knowledge in a variety of exciting formats. From Statue of Liberty dolls and Lego models to delicious baked goods. Many of the girls also supported their projects with PowerPoints, posters, and photographs, providing fascinating insights into their chosen aspects of New York. Their hard work and enthusiasm truly shone through in every detail.
A huge thank you to all the Year 4 students for their dedication and creativity your projects were absolutely
Prep School News
Eco and Gardening Club
This half term, the children in Eco and Gardening Club have been busy planting a variety of seeds under the expert guidance of Al, our gardener, and observing the beauty of spring flowers in the school grounds. The girls have planted tomatoes, strawberries, and more, with Al helping to germinate them in the greenhouse. In addition, a few weeks ago, the girls closely studied the snowdrops, and this week, they created stunning observational drawings of the daffodils near the Equestrian Centre. Well done to all the girls for their hard work and creativity what a productive and enjoyable few weeks it's been!
Year 6VE Day Party
To wrap up our fascinating topic, A Child’s War, Year 6 celebrated in true 1940s style with a fantastic VE Day party! The girls enjoyed a delicious buffet while immersing themselves in the spirit of the era with wonderful performances, including trumpet and violin solos, energetic dances, creative raps, and engaging Drama skits. Traditional wartime music set the scene, making it a truly special occasion. A huge thank you to everyone for the generous food donations your support helped make the celebration so memorable!
Prep School News
Year 6 LIFELAB
Our Year 6 girls have truly outdone themselves with the Life Lab project! They put their entrepreneurial skills to the test by setting up their own businesses, and their hard work paid off in a big way. The fair was a huge success, raising an impressive £806 which will be donated to a charity of their choice. This project not only taught them valuable business skills and teamwork but also showed the incredible impact young entrepreneurs can have on our community.
This afternoon, Year 5 and 6 joined together to complete an Easter challenge. Each group had around twenty minutes to design and create an Easter bonnet. It was lovely to see them working so enthusiastically and with such impressive results!
Music News
Musicians of the Week
Year 4 Millie G for consistently working hard and always trying her best.
Year 5 Ivy M for her dedication to St Teresa's Singers and her beautiful singing.
Year 6 Mira M for always giving her best and being a cheerful, helpful member of the class.
After all the excitement of the Spring Concert, our focus has now shifted to rehearsals for The Jungle Book
Year 5 and 6 have made a strong start, learning chorus parts and even some choreography it's already shaping up to be a fantastic performance in June!
Meanwhile, Year 4 have embarked on their new topic: the history of Music, beginning with the Renaissance. Mrs. Harris was delighted with how much they remembered about the period’s instruments and key facts. This week, they had the exciting opportunity to compose their own Tudor fanfares using the keyboards for the first time, which led to much enthusiasm and creativity!
We look forward to sharing more musical moments next term and wish you all a wonderful Easter break!
Rock Choir Coming Soon!
Calling all potential pop stars! Get ready to sing your hearts out because Rock Choir is launching on Friday lunchtimes after Easter!
Whether you're in Year 4, 5, or 6, this is your chance to belt out some amazing tunes, have a blast with friends, and feel like a rock star! No auditions just bring your energy, enthusiasm, and love for music! Join us in the Music room and let’s make some noise! See you there!
Monday
12.45: St Teresa’s Singers (Y.4 & 5)
3.45: Orchestra
Tuesday
12.45: Ukulele Club (Y.5 & 6)
Wednesday
10.55: Wind Ensemble 4.15: Chamber Choir
Thursday 12.45: String Group
Prep Sport
Our Year 5 group will continue to run on Wednesdays @ 4:30-5:30pm and is priced at £140.00 for the 10 week term.
*Please note there will no longer be a group offered on Tuesdays after school due to a clash with LAMDA*
Wednesday sessions will start on 23rd April through to 2nd July.
To secure your child’s place, please make a transfer to the following account: Serving Success LLP 03196860 18-00-02
£140.00
We look forward to seeing your children on court during the summer term!
*Just a reminder we are also running tennis camps from 14-17th April (4 days) from 1-4pm each day*
Kirsti Childs
Director, ESTA 07980 604372
For any questions related to Prep Sports, please contact the new Prep PE email at PrepPE@st-teresas.com or reach out directly to the specialist teachers.
Pupil News
If your daughter has completed any sporting achievements outside of school, we would love to hear about them. Please email the Prep PE department with a short description and photo to PrepPE@st-teresas.com.
As a reminder, SOCS can be accessed through the St Teresa’s Senior Sports page: St Teresa's Effingham | Sports Home
Here 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.
Prep Sport
Hop Skip and Jump
This morning's Hop, Skip, and Jump event was a delightful success!
Despite the drizzling rain, it was heartwarming to see so many parents in attendance, cheering on the girls. The warm-up games were a hit, and the race around the sports field was filled with laughter and excitement. The girls and PE staff didn't let the weather dampen their spirits, making the most of every moment. A special shoutout to Miss Collins for her fantastic Chick costume, which added an extra layer of fun to the event!
A big thank you to FOST for giving the girls Easter-themed scrunchies as they finished their laps around the field. It was a lovely touch that made the day even more special!
A Reading from the Gospel of John:
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.
Reflection
As we draw to the end of another busy term it is important that we pause and give thanks for all we have received. There will have been high points and low points in our term. Things we have enjoyed and things we have found difficult. Place all things into the hands of the Father who loves us and knows us. As we journey home and into the holidays don’t forget that we are also journeying towards Easter. This holy and important time of the year. Make an effort to pray each day. If there is anything troubling you place it into Jesus’ hands. Do not be afraid he walks alongside you.
Concluding Prayer
Father in heaven, when I cannot find you, and are not sure that you are there, give me eyes of faith. Help me understand that you are always faithful, always present, holding me and sustaining me.
Amen
"Lent
comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy." ~ Pope Francis
Booking System: st-teresas-equestrian.ecpro.co.uk
For more information, please visit our website www.st-teresas.com/equestrian
You can also call direct on 01372 750257 or email: equestrian@st-teresas.com
Find us on Facebook: St Teresa's Equestrian | Leatherhead | Facebook
Happy Easter!
It’s hard to believe that a Term has swept by already. We are so proud of all that our riders have achieved this Term. The instructors are writing up the end of term reports and we will get these out to you as soon as possible.
The STE team would like to wish everyone a happy and restorative Easter and we look forward to welcoming you back at the start of the Summer Term.
REMINDER
Please note that termly lessons will start again on Bank Holiday Monday (21st April) and will also be running on the Inset day on Tuesday (22nd April).
Pony Mornings
We have opened up two more Pony Mornings in the Easter Holidays, on 2nd April and 16th April. Please do get in touch if you have problems booking.
Interhouse Dressage 2025
Our riders have been competing in three different classes in the Interhouse Dressage this week, from Equitation (for beginners) to Prelims (for the more advanced). For some riders, this was their first taste of Equestrian competitions, and despite being very nervous, they all did exceptionally well. We hope to be able to announce the results of the competition by email on Saturday 29th March. Rosettes will be awarded to the riders upon their return to school after the holidays.
NSEA NEWS WHAT IS THE NSEA?
For those of you that may not be aware, the National Schools Equestrian Association (NSEA) is the organising body for equestrian competitions in which the riders are competing for their school. They run Dressage, Show Jumping and Arena Eventing qualifying classes throughout the year for their prestigious championships in all of those disciplines. Any Effingham Schools Trust riders with their own horses are welcome to join the NSEA team. Please contact the office for more details.
Coombeland Equestrian Centre, West Sussex
Sunday 23 April
On Sunday the team went out to compete in the Show Jumping qualifiers. The 80 cm Pink team (Electra B, Rosie C and Lilly S) came 2nd and qualified for the NSEA National Championships at Addington in October. Please do join us in congratulating the girls on their successes.
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 Mon 14th - Thurs 17th April
Hamer will be running a WICKED workshop over the Easter break. The workshop is open to Manor
and Cranmore pupils, Year 1 Year 8.
Mrs
House, St Teresa’s
Menu—w/c Monday 21st April 2025
Hot lunches include a selection of family favourites and suitable alternatives for children with allergies and intolerances.
Week 1 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Soup Soup of the day
Main Vietnamese
Stir Fried Pork with Pak Choi & Sweet Chilli Dressing
Soup of the day Soup of the day
Soup of the day Soup of the day
Vegetarian
Pasta Bar
Crispy Panko
Sweet Potato with Curry Sauce
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Cheesy
Pesto Sauce
Sticky BBQ chicken Drumsticks
Sides
Additional
Egg Noodles Broccoli
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Jerk Quorn and Vegetable Ragout
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Spicy Tuna and Black Olive Sauce
Steamed
Vegetable Rice
Corn on the Cob
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Sausage
Wellington with Onion Gravy
Vegan Sausage Roll with Onion Gravy
Prawn, Chorizo & Chicken Paella with Homemade Focaccia
Smokey
Butterbean and Vegetable Spanish Stew
Freshly
Battered Fish or Jumbo Fish
Finger with Ketchup and Tartare Sauce
Spring Vegetable and Goats Cheese Quiche
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Chicken Arrabiata Sauce
Mashed Potatoes
Panache of Mixed Vegetables
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Bolognaise Sauce
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Four Cheese Sauce
Skinny Chips
Green Beans Carrots
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked
Bread
Salad bar
Garden Peas
Mushy Peas
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked
Bread
Salad bar
Dessert Chewy Flapjack
Banana Sponge with Custard
Assorted Ice Cream
Double Chocolate Cake
Biscoff Cheesecake
Items in Italic - Sourced from F Conisbee’s, our local butcher
