Welcome back to the second half of the Spring Term and Spring is most definitely in the air with the ever increasing snow drops, crocuses and daffodils in the school grounds; the welcome relief of crisp mornings and beautifully clear blue skies and warm sunshine whispering of the not-too-distant arrival of Summer.
Year 5KH treated their parents, and the school, to a delightfully humorous journey through the Tudor timeline in their assembly on Wednesday afternoon. We had the Battle of Bosworth field, the Life and Death of the Tudor Monarchy and the Reign of Henry VIII. There were thrilling songs, snappy well-timed lines and dramatic deaths. My congratulations to the girls of 5KH, my thanks to the parents for attending and to Mrs Hilder and Mrs Doman for their support in making the assembly so memorable and fun.
Next week is St. Teresa’s Prep School Book Week, kicking off with our Librarians launching the week in assembly on Monday and introducing the delights of the week to their peers. There will be fun activities, quizzes and competitions, as well as fun English lesson activities focussed around literature. On Tuesday, we have a visit from children’s author Iszi Lawrence. On Thursday, we have the annual dress-up day to celebrate our favourite book characters. The week culminates on Friday with an Alice in Wonderland themed dance workshop delivered by West End In Schools.
Here are some quotes from the renowned author Lewis Carrol to get us started:
“It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”
“If everybody minded their own business, the world would go around a great deal faster than it does.” Alice in Wonderland
“But I don’t want to go among mad people," Alice remarked.
"Oh, you can’t help that," said the Cat: "we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad."
"How do you know I’m mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn’t have come here.” Alice in Wonderland
“One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others.”
Have a great weekend,
Gareth Tindall
Prep School Spring Concert, Thursday 13th March
Mr Tindall and Mrs Harris would like to invite Prep School Parents to our Spring Concert in the Mairlot Hall on Thursday 13th March 2025 at 6.30pm Refreshments will be served from 6.00pm
Pastoral Pause
We end Friendly February today with the challenge to ‘Give positive comments to as many people as possible today’ (emphasis mine). I am mindful that if this were something we perpetually strived for on a daily basis, in the words of Louis Armstrong, what a wonderful world this would be.
And on that note, in glorious sunshine (as I write), we launch into Mindful March – see new Action For Happiness calendar below, where our first challenge is to ‘Set in intention to live with awareness and kindness’.
I intend to do that this weekend by walking a great deal. I am going to fulfil one of my 40 Walks in Surrey from a Christmas gift given to me by one of my sons. Then I intend to walk to church on Sunday too (a 4 hour round trip). Both walks will provide ample and essential opportunity for clear-headed mindfulness. I will elevate my awareness – last time I walked I found a giant snail shell which I cleaned, varnished and gave to Mrs Halliwell for Art; I also found a perfect sized Hazel walking stick which I will use for the year. I will certainly meet Sunday’s challenge and notice at least three things that I find beautiful in the world, and more than that I will be grateful for them and thank the Almighty for His part in creating them for my enjoyment.
I encourage you all to partake in Monday to Friday’s activities in appreciating yourself, life, how you speak to yourself, how you may need to intentionally slow down and then - breathe!
God Bless You and enjoy the mindful week ahead,
Gareth Tindall
Golden Book
Well done to all of the girls in our Golden Books this week:
4 KC Monica H for her fabulous enthusiasm in Maths this week when starting to work on fractions, including when contributing to class and in her independent work.
Scarlett S for her wonderful sentence development in English this week. Independently, she transformed simple sentences into more complex ones that included fronted adverbials, relative clauses, and prepositional phrases, and shared them enthusiastically with the class!
Charlotte E for fabulous effort in all areas of learning including always being on task and following instructions really well. You are an example to everyone!
4 LH Arabella N for her wonderful sentence development in English this week. She transformed simple sentences into more complex ones that included fronted adverbials, noun phrases, relative clauses, and prepositional phrases.
Sophia H for her efforts with fractions this week. She has been using wonderful mathematical language to explain the difference between the numerator and denominator, as well as working with proper and improper fractions, and mixed numbers.
5 AB Primrose L for her great work on locating the counties of England and using compass directions effectively.
Jessica A for her great attitude towards new activities this week and working so hard across the curriculum.
5 KH Sophie B and Abby VR for their stunning representations of part of the Lord's Prayer in RE.
6 SG Poppy E for her wonderful descriptions when looking at photographs from The Blitz. Poppy explored a range of fantastic literary techniques.
Evie M for her enthusiasm and willingness to support others when planning a short narrative about surviving an air raid. Evie's drama skills came into play when imagining what it would be like to experience an air raid.
6 MK Zara H for working hard in Maths and achieving 100% in our recent decimal check-up. What a fantastic achievement, Zara!
Avery K for her excellent contributions and leadership during Life Lab sessions. Her enthusiasm and energy are inspiring.
Evie R for consistently working hard across all subjects, listening to advice, challenging herself in her learning, and producing work of a high standard.
Art Stars
Year 4 Florence D for her quickly and securely built structure of a plinth person, made out of wire and bandages, to represent a figure from the Bayeux Tapestry.
Year 5 Amelia H for her super sawing skills, cutting multiple pieces of wood independently. These will make the structure of a chair that reflects her personality.
Year 6 Zara H for her outstanding drawing this week. Her image responded to the challenge of creating a comic strip that represents a child being evacuated in WW2.
Drama Stars
Year 4 Leila A for excellent engagement in the first lesson of our new topic, teaching through Drama.
Year 5 Rosaline D for impressive perseverance and concentration whilst performing in her class assembly.
Key Diary Dates:
Please contact the School Office if you need copies of any of this information prepinfo@st-teresas.com
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 two dates are as follows: Spring Concert, Thursday 13th March, 18.30 to 19.30 Prep School Prize Giving, Thursday 3rd 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.
Year 6 Art
Year 6 have completed a series of drawings that convey how a child being evacuated during WW2 may have felt. They initially looked at the work of Shaun Tan, "The Arrival," to see how he captured small moments such as waking up, eating a final meal, packing a bag, or two clenched hands. Their "comic strips" contain a range of tonal marks, and there have been some beautiful studies that achieve a very high standard of drawing.
Young Artists Summer Exhibition Royal Academy
St Teresa's have registered for this exciting event. The girls have been invited to create a piece of artwork to be entered for an exhibition at the Royal Academy by the deadline on March 5th . The following guidance is given:
Judges are looking for imagination, originality and skill. Each artist can submit one artwork along with a short artist statement or description, preferably written by the artist themselves. Rather than solely focussing on the artmaking process, we encourage artists to describe why an artwork was created and what it means to them. Descriptions must be no more than 80 words and, if your work is selected, will be subject to editing by the RA before display.
Artworks can be made of any materials and might include painting, sculpture, photography, installation, print, textile, fashion, animation or a video. There is no theme so artworks can be of any subject. We do not accept AI-generated works or artworks that closely or identically reproduce another artist’s work or ideas. Please avoid making art with known comic, book illustration or animated characters or submitting the same artwork again year on year
To enter, or to see further examples of last year's artwork, please go to the website and upload a photograph of your artwork, along with a written statement. https://youngartists.royalacademy.org.uk/
Year 4 Art
In Art this week, Year 4 began to create "plinth people." These are 3D figures based on those in the Bayeux Tapestry, and are initially constructed from wire, cotton wool, and bandages. They demonstrated tremendous patience and perseverance and even surprised themselves with just how well they rose to the challenges of this task! Later on, they will be printing and making individual outfits for each character.
Year 4Topic
This week, Year 4 began a new topic: Road Trip USA. The girls were given a set of nine clues and were sent on a scavenger hunt to find the nine States hidden around the Prep School. Once they had found these, they came back to the classroom and, using a map, matched the states to their facts.
5KH Class Assembly
This Wednesday, we were treated to a trip back in time to the reign of the Tudors, courtesy of 5KH. They entertained us with humorous songs and sketches about all the Tudor monarchs and Henry VIII's six wives, as well as playing 'Greensleeves' on their ukuleles. We also discovered what Tudor schools were like and the games they played, and the girls tested our brains with their clever riddles.
close-up photos of the large swathes of snowdrops found on the drive up to school near the Equestrian Centre. Afterwards, the girls chose their favourite photos to share in the bulletin.
Musicians of the Week
Year 4
Olivia H for fantastic singing and excellent focus in Music lessons.
Year 5 Thea BH for super ukulele playing and for being a very kind friend.
Year 6 Isabella MS for increased contributions in class and a wonderful audition!
Spring Concert
Rehearsals are well underway for our much-anticipated Spring Concert, and the girls have been working incredibly hard. Mrs. Harris is absolutely thrilled with their enthusiasm and commitment! There’s so much to look forward to, including a song from each year group, some fantastic whole-school numbers, and performances from the Orchestra, Chamber Choir, Ukulele Club, St Teresa’s Singers, String Ensemble, and Wind Band. Plus, we’re excited for a special appearance from the Young Voices Choir! It promises to be a wonderful evening of music and celebration. We can’t wait to see you there and don’t forget to bring your singing voices… you might just need them!
Monday
12.45: St Teresa’s Singers (Y.4 & 5)
3.45: Orchestra
Tuesday
12.45: Ukulele Club (Y.5 & 6)
FOST DATES
Wednesday
10.55: Wind Ensemble 4.15: Chamber Choir
Thursday 12.45: String Group
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 Years 4, 5, 6 and Year 7 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
Prep Sport News
Netball vs St Catherine’s School
The U9A team had a competitive match vs St Catherine's. There were some brilliant moments in defence but we were just unfortunate in being unable to score on the turnovers. The final score was 5-2 to St Catherine's. Well done to Milly G for being awarded player of the match.
The U9B netball team played hard against St Catherine's but lost 14-1. Despite the tough scoreline, the team showed great determination. Lulu D was named Player of the Match for her strong performances in both attack and defence.
The U9C team had a fantastic win against St Catherine's winning 5-4. All the girls played extremely well and worked together to bring the ball down the court. Well done to everyone involved for showing great team spirit. The U9D team played a tough match vs St Catherine's. They displayed excellent team spirit and enthusiasm. Unfortunately, St Catherine's were the stronger team and won 8-0. Well done to Molly W for being awarded player of the match.
U10C & D Internal Match
The U10 C and D teams faced off in a hard-fought match, with the C team coming out on top with a 3-0 victory. Both teams showed great effort, demonstrating everything they had been working on during their games afternoons. The girls worked tirelessly to move into space, and they listened carefully to their coaches’ feedback, applying it well throughout the match. The players of the match were Cecily P and Carys D, who both stood out for their commitment and skill. Well done to all the girls who played in the fixture!
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.
Fixtures (week commencing 3rd March)
Tuesday 4th March: U10A-D Hockey vs Manor House (H) 2:30pm Tuesday 4th March: U11A-D Netball v St George's (A) 2:45pm Saturday 8th March: U11 It's a Fish Out @Dorking Leisure Centre 5pm
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.
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.
Bible Reading
A Reading from the Gospel of Luke
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Reflection
This week we are confronted with a challenging message from Jesus. To not just Treat other as we would like to be treated but to go a step further and love our enemies. This is certainly against our natural inclinations. Yet the divine nature is greater than our human nature. God loves each of us unconditionally and He looks at each and every one of us with eyes full of love. This week as we begin to prepare for Lent may we too be filled with the Divine Spirit and recognise God’s presence within us and within others. Now there’s a challenge. Lord Open the eyes of our hearts.
Prayer
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears
Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
NSEA NEWS
St Teresa’s NSEA equestrian team have been busy competing and have finished half term with a whole host of fantastic results and qualifications in Dressage, Show Jumping and the two disciplines which incorporate arena eventing: The Eventers Challenge and Jumping with Style.
Huge congratulations to everyone who took part and a big thank you to their coach, Lucy Collins.
County and National Dressage Championships
15th February at Parwood Equestrian Centre
Olivia S, Lilly S, Rosie C and Sophia S came third in the open team class *
Lilly S came second individually in the open preliminary class which crowned her Surrey County Champion and qualified her for the Inter-county Championships at Hickstead in May and the NSEA National Championships at Addington in October. *
Rosie C came 6th individually in the Novice class.
NSEA Eventers Challenge Championships qualifier
Sunday 16th February at Coombelands Equestrian Centre
St Teresa’s Eventers Challenge team (Electra B, Lilly S & Rosie C) won their 80 cm class, qualifying them for the NSEA Eventers Challenge Championships at Hickstead in May.
Show Jumping and Jumping with Style (JWS) classes
Sunday 23rd February at Felbridge Equestrian Centre
The 70cm JWS team (Electra B, Florence B and Olivia S) came second
The 80 cm JWS team (Lilly S, Rosie C and Olivia S) won their class. Olivia S also won it individually and Lilly S came 4th Both teams (and Olivia and Lilly individually) have qualified for the NSEA JWS National Championships in October.
*
The 80 cm Show Jumping team (Electra B, Harriet L, Olivia S and Rosie C) came 4th, qualifying for the NSEA Plate Championships.
*
The 90 cm Show Jumping team (Chloe B, Izzy L, Lilly S and Rosie C) also came 4th, qualifying for the NSEA Plate Championships.
*
Amber B then secured two individual second places in the 1M and 1.10 M classes, qualifying her not only for the NSEA National Championships but also the Hickstead Elite Championships in May.
WELL DONE TEAM!
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
Menu—w/c Monday 2025
Hot lunches include a selection of family favourites and suitable alternatives for children with allergies and intolerances.
Week 2 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Soup
Soup of the day
Soup of the day Soup of the day
Cinderella's Pumpkin Soup Soup of the day
Freshly
Main Pepperoni Pizza
Pasta Bar
Vegetarian
Sides
Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce
Chicken & Vegetable Korma
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Spicy Sausage Sauce
Honey Roasted
Gammon with Stuffing & Gravy
Pasta with Tomato & Basil or Bolognaise Sauce
BFG's Fat
Finger Hot Dogs
Additional
Margherita Pizza
Potato Wedges
Corn on the Cob
Cesar Salad
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Paneer & Spiced Root Vegetable Dhal
Steamed Rice
Sautéed Asian Vegetables
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Leek and Potato Bake with Crunchy a Top
Herb Roasted New Potatoes
Panache of Mixed Vegetables
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
Battered Fish or Fish Cake with Ketchup and Tartare Sauce
Pasta with Tomato & Basil Sauce Macaroni Cheese
Dr Seuss' Green Eggs and Vegetable Frittata
Peter Rabbit's Glazed Carrots
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked Bread
Salad bar
BBQ Pulled Mushroom Bap
Skinny Chips Garden Peas
Jacket Potato & Baked Beans
Freshly Baked
Bread
Salad bar
Dessert
Rice Pudding with a Selection of Toppings
Pancakes with a Selection of Toppings
Apple and Pear
Crumble with Custard
Selection of Themed Desserts
Items in Italic - Sourced from F Conisbee’s, our local butcher
