Join us at our Open Morning

Thursday 13th March at 9.15am

Join us for our next Open Morning on Thursday 13th March at 9.15am for talks, tours with our pupils of our Pre-Prep and Prep facilities and to see our school in action.

Open Morning – Thursday 13th March 2025 close-notice-icon
Weekly Bulletin 31st January 2025 | Twickenham Prep School, TPS Hampton

Weekly Bulletin 31st January 2025

This week:

    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:
    Mon03Wellbeing Week (all week)
    Mon03Young Voices @ 02 (late finish)
    Mon03Year 8 RSE session
    Tue042R Class Assembly
    Tue04Year 6 Residential Trip Meeting (for parents)
    Thu06Dress to Express Day
    Thu06School Council Meeting
    Thu06Year 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:
    Wed05Girls – Year 6 A&B Hockey vs FalconsStaines Hockey Club
    Wed05Girls – Year 5&6 A,B&C Hockey vs HarrodianHarrodian School
    Wed05Boys – Year 6 A&B vs Hampton PrepKempton CC
    Wed05Boys – Year 5 A,B&C vs Hampton PrepHampton Prep School
    Wed05Boys – Years 7&8 1st,2nd&3rd XII vs Tower HouseTower House
    Fri07Girls – Year 4 A,B,C&D Hockey vs St Teresa’s EffinghamSt Teresa’s Effingham
    Fri07Boys – Year 3 A,B& C vs Hampton PrepHampton Prep
    Fri07Boys – Year 4 A,B&C vs Hampton PrepKempton 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.

    Screenshot 2025-01-30 113427

    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.

    dress to express

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

    Art Club Feb

    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

     

    Find their happy place