Headmaster’s Update
Those of you who have a long association with the school will know that TPS has a lasting connection with Songwe School in Malawi, through the charity African Vision. We were delighted to welcome Heather Palmer, Chief Executive and Founder, to lead a special assembly on Monday to update us on the building projects funded by TPS, most recently focusing on teachers’ houses. The school now has 3 houses which enable the 428 children to have the 4 teachers living nearby, in a locality where distances are vast. We reflected on being lucky to have classes of just 20 here at TPS! The children here will be involved in projects focusing on pets and animals in the coming months and will share letters, drawings and donations with Songwe which will be taken out to Malawi later this year.
Continuing the rather international theme, Pre-Prep have very much enjoyed studying Chinese New Year this week, exploring the story of the animals racing across the river and why the colour red is deemed to be so lucky. We were all delighted to get in on the act, when Miss Cassiano and the team treated us to a Lunar New Year Lunch on Tuesday, resplendent in their fetching hats in a dining room filled with decorations and lanterns as we celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Snake.
I’m convinced it’s going to be a great year as, by pure fortuitous circumstance, on Thursday I was enwrapped by a 10-foot long yellow python! The ‘Spirit of the Wild’ workshop was a brilliant experience for Years 4, 5 and 6 with some incredible animals on show, including tarantulas, a silent barn owl, centipedes, a husky and the most incredible golden eagle! Ben’s knowledge and insight on these amazing creatures and his messaging about conservation and preserving habitats will surely have made a lasting impression on the children.
Finally, as you will know, this week featured a visit by an ISI inspection team, who spent time visiting and observing lessons and extracurricular activities, whilst also speaking with groups of staff, governors and pupils, whilst reflecting on the surveys undertaken as part of the process. Thank you to all those of you who contributed to the process, which has certainly been a really productive and affirming experience! We look forward to sharing the outcomes with everyone in due course when they are finalised.
Oliver Barrett, Headmaster
Key Dates
February
Day: | Date: | Event: |
---|---|---|
Mon | 03 | Wellbeing Week (all week) |
Mon | 03 | Young Voices @ 02 (late finish) |
Mon | 03 | Year 8 RSE session |
Tue | 04 | 2R Class Assembly |
Tue | 04 | Year 6 Residential Trip Meeting (for parents) |
Thu | 06 | Dress to Express Day |
Thu | 06 | School Council Meeting |
Thu | 06 | Year 5 Secondary School Transition Meeting (in person at TPS) |
All up to date events information can be found on MSP
Sports Fixtures
February
Day: | Date: | Sport Event: | Location: |
---|---|---|---|
Wed | 05 | Girls – Year 6 A&B Hockey vs Falcons | Staines Hockey Club |
Wed | 05 | Girls – Year 5&6 A,B&C Hockey vs Harrodian | Harrodian School |
Wed | 05 | Boys – Year 6 A&B vs Hampton Prep | Kempton CC |
Wed | 05 | Boys – Year 5 A,B&C vs Hampton Prep | Hampton Prep School |
Wed | 05 | Boys – Years 7&8 1st,2nd&3rd XII vs Tower House | Tower House |
Fri | 07 | Girls – Year 4 A,B,C&D Hockey vs St Teresa’s Effingham | St Teresa’s Effingham |
Fri | 07 | Boys – Year 3 A,B& C vs Hampton Prep | Hampton Prep |
Fri | 07 | Boys – Year 4 A,B&C vs Hampton Prep | Kempton CC |
All up to date events information can be found on MSP
Free Parent Webinar – Technology and Focus
Elevate Education will be hosting their next free parent webinar,
‘How you can make technology and ally’, on Tuesday 4 February, 6-7pm. This webinar will cover how to use apps to prevent your child procrastinating and technology to enhance your child’s learning. This series of webinars is aimed at pupils from Years 5 to 6 upwards. Please click on the link below to register.
Elevate Webinar Registration
Nut Free School Reminder!
We would like to remind all parents that TPS is a nut free school. Children who suffer from nut allergies can develop a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
Please closely check the packaging of products that your child brings into school as a snack and be super vigilant about what you bring in for Cake Sale events.
We appreciate your cooperation and know that you recognise the importance of it.

Dress to express day!
To mark Children’s Mental Health Week next week, on Thursday 6th February, pupils may come to school in their own ‘Dress to Express’ clothes in line with the Place 2 Be – My Voice Matters campaign. Monies raised will go to the Place 2 Be charity. We ask that a £2 donation is made for pupils to take part, with the charge applied to your school fee account. Should you wish to opt-out of the event and the donation, please complete the Charity Donation Form on My School Portal.

February Half Term Art Club at TPS with Mrs Fox and Mrs Lindsay!

My School Portal
My School Portal is a great school-to-parent communication system.
Here you will find the latest events, which can be synced with your electronic calendar, weekly menus and copies of all letters sent home.
Below are important notices from two key departments which are updated weekly:
Pre-Prep — messages from Mrs Barnes including club collection
Click Here
Safeguarding & Wellbeing messages from our Designated Safeguarding Team
Click Here
School Meals week commencing: 3rd Feb Menu Week 2










