Headmaster’s Update
After last week’s exquisite Nativities, performed with such spirit by Pre-Prep, TPS has embraced Advent and there is a palpable sense of anticipation across the school. We were treated to the most wonderful class assembly by 3EJ on Thursday morning, which focused on the theme of being thankful, whilst the children told the remarkable story of Jesus’ birth and why the season is such an important time of reflection. The message conveyed is to have an ‘attitude of gratitude’, a timely reminder in our busy lives to prioritise what is truly important. Thank you to Mrs Jelfs and Mrs Engelhardt for helping the children be at their best! The embellishments of Christmas trees in both Prep and Pre-Prep and the appearance of our seasonal Christmas post box have also added to the excitement, and we are preparing in earnest for our Carol Service due to take place at the end of the final week, on Friday 12th December. Please do join us at St Mary’s Church in Hampton if you are able to do so, with our service due to start at 10.30am – everyone is welcome.
Our assembly focus this week has been on the importance of good behaviour and why it helps establish a really positive and productive school environment where we can learn and grow. We explored innate and learned behaviours, and how the children can help set an example to one another. Small acts of kindness can have an enormous, positive impact on others, whilst spreading happiness and a sense of community. Our School Council met this week to discuss one of the hottest topics to date, namely food! The children came with lots of great ideas to share from their classes, which Miss Cassiano and the team will consider for the future, balancing choice, nourishing, healthy food and the chance to celebrate cuisine from the across the world. It’s been a busy week with trips too, with Year 6 enjoying an all-action festive ‘Jack and Beanstalk’ pantomime at the Lyric Hammersmith on Thursday and the Year 8 boys journeying to south Oxford to visit the Mini Plant on Tuesday. The boys observed the production process and how each individual car is made to a personal specification by thousands of robots. I gather they even have a robot dog for surveillance and checking the performance and integrity of the machinery – wow!
Of course, this week, we’ve been immensely proud to announce formally that from September 2026, our first cohort of girls will be welcomed into Year 7, giving further choice for TPS families and making us a true ‘through school’ for girls and boys from 4-13 years old. We look forward to sharing further news about our future plans in the New Year.
Finally, please remember that on Sunday 7th December the TPSC will be holding our annual Christmas Tree Sale here at TPS, so please do pop in between 10am and 1pm to get your tree, helping to fundraise and spread the festive cheer!
Oliver Barrett, Headmaster
Key Dates
Dec
| Day: | Date: | Event: |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | 08 | Reception to Year 5 Touring Production ‘Snow White’ at TPS |
| Mon | 08 | TPSC Cake Sale |
| Tue | 09 | Year 7 Production |
| Wed | 10 | Year 5-8 Festive Sport |
| Thu | 11 | Christmas Jumper Day |
| Thu | 11 | Christmas Lunch |
| Thu | 11 | Carol Service Rehearsal |
| Fri | 12 | Prayer Meeting |
| Fri | 12 | Carol Service |
| Fri | 12 | End of Term (half day) |
All up to date events information can be found on MSP
Festive Reminders!
Extra-Curricular Clubs
All extra-curricular clubs finish for the Autumn Term today Friday 5th December – this includes all clubs, whether free-of-charge, paid-for, agency-led or staff-led.
Wraparound Care and Minibus Service
Early morning drop off from 7.30am, after-school Wrap Club and the minibus services will all continue through the final week.
Early morning drop off and the minibus services will run on the morning of Friday 12th December but no after-school Wrap Club or minibus service will run on the final afternoon.
Breakfast Club
Our Breakfast Club will continue every morning until the end of term (including the morning of Friday 12th December).
Christmas Lunch & Christmas Jumper Day
We are having our annual Christmas lunch for the whole school at TPS next week on Thursday 11th December and this will also be ‘Christmas Jumper Day’.
On ‘Christmas Jumper Day’ all pupils may come to school in their own non-uniform clothing as well as wearing a Christmas jumper for the day. A £2 donation will be added to your school bill with the proceeds going to the Marie Curie charity. If you would prefer to opt out of making a donation, please complete the ‘Charity Donation’ Form on MSP (please do not complete this form unless you wish to opt out of donating).
Children who usually bring a packed lunch are invited to join the Christmas lunch – an email has been sent home to those families.
Last Day of Term & The Carol Service
Our end of term Carol Service at St Mary’s Church will take place next week at 10.30am on Friday 12th December and will last for about an hour. All children are to come to school at the normal time, dressed smartly in full school uniform with blazers. All friends and families of TPS are welcome to join us for the Carol Service at the church. Please note that the pupils and staff sit downstairs and the balcony areas are reserved for parents and visitors.
Please note that no take-away drink or food should be brought to the service and please be mindful of taking any litter with you when you leave St Mary’s Church.
Last Day of Term Dismissal
On Friday 12th December pupils will be brought back to school by staff after the Carol Service and will be dismissed from their classrooms at the following staggered dismissal times:
Reception and Year 1: 12noon
Year 2 and Year 3: 12.05pm
Year 4 and Year 5: 12.10pm
Years 6, 7 and 8: 12:15pm
TPSC Christmas Tree Sale
TPSC Cake Sale
Preloved TPS Uniform Notice
Mrs Fox and Mrs Lindsay’s Art club at TPS
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: 8th December Menu Week 1
