Headmaster’s Update
There have been some cherished moments at TPS this week as the community has marked our ‘Wellbeing Week’ with a strong focus on the joy of reading. Mrs Hepburn launched proceedings with a special assembly on Monday, highlighting the myriad of benefits associated with reading and it was very special to hear from the girls and boys in Year 6 about their favourite novels and why reading is such a rewarding pursuit. The children also had to guess the ‘celebrities’ reading extracts from well known books, including those from ‘Where the Wild Things Are’, ‘The Gruffalo’ and ‘Charlotte’s Web’ – the TPS staff cameos caused a great stir of excitement! Through the week we have enjoyed some special focused reading sessions all around the school too and I counted a record-breaking 22 children in my office at morning break, enjoying their books! Storytelling was also the order of the day on Thursday, when our Year 5 pupils enjoyed a fabulous production called ‘Shipwrecked en France’, telling the story of a young boy who gets swept down the French coastline whilst on holiday, before finding his way back. It was lovely to see fun language learning through the medium of story!
Of course, the benefits of reading are well known and include those related to mental health, wellbeing and resilience, the latter being the focus of Year 7’s fabulous class assembly on Wednesday, led by Miss Jones. The boys explored how resilience helps us overcome challenges and how people such as musician Lewis Capaldi, politician Nelson Mandela and cryptanalyst Joan Clarke overcame different complex struggles within their lives and careers. Rather appropriately, the Senior Prep pupils had travelled the day before to Bletchley Park to study the extraordinary contribution of mathematicians and code breakers during the Second World War, the very place where Joan Clarke worked alongside Alan Turing to crack the Enigma cipher. Exciting trips like this are a very strong feature of the Year 7 and Year 8 educational offering at TPS, with the intention of inspiring the senior pupils with their learning beyond the classroom.
Friday’s celebration assembly is always a highlight and Mr Edwards took time this week to showcase the remarkable project work of the Year 6 children, where they have each designed and made a hanging shelter suitable for a children’s outdoor play area, using durable and re-cyclable materials. The quality and complexity of the shelters was truly impressive to behold and I know that Mrs Freeman, our Head of Art and DT, has been enormously proud of the workmanship so please enjoy looking at some of the projects below.
Oliver Barrett, Headmaster
Key Dates
Feb
| Day: | Date: | Event: |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | 09 | Year 8 RSE with Nel Holland |
| Tue | 10 | Year 5 Academic Review Meetings (online) |
| Tue | 10 | 1L Class Assembly |
| Tue | 10 | Year 8 Photography session (during art lessons) |
| Wed | 11 | Year 5 Academic Review Meetings (online) |
| Wed | 11 | School Council Meeting |
| Thu | 12 | Year 5 Academic Review Meetings (online) |
| Thu | 12 | Lunar New Year Lunch |
| Thu | 12 | E-Sports IAPS Competition – Qualifying Round (invite only) |
| Fri | 13 | Reception – Year 4 Chinese New Year Workshop |
| Fri | 13 | Spots and Stripes Day |
All up to date events information can be found on MSP
Sports Fixtures
Feb
| Day: | Date: | Sport Event: | Location: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed | 11 | Year 6 Girls A&B Netball vs Donhead | TPS |
| Wed | 11 | Year 5 Boys A&B vs St George’s Windsor | Kempton CC |
| Wed | 11 | Year 5 Girls A&B Hockey vs Newland House | Staines Hockey Club |
| Wed | 11 | Year 6 Boys A&B vs St George’s Windsor | St George’s Windsor |
| Wed | 11 | Year 7&8 Boys vs St George’s Windsor | St George’s Windsor |
| Thu | 12 | Richmond Borough Swimming Gala (invite only) | Pools on the Park |
| Fri | 13 | Year 4 Boys A&B vs St George’s Windsor | Kempton CC |
| Fri | 13 | Year 3 Boys A&B vs St George’s Windsor | St George’s Windsor |
| Fri | 13 | Year 6 IAPS Netball Championships (invite only) | Royal Russel School |
All up to date events information can be found on MSP
‘Spots and Stripes’ Non-uniform Day on Friday 13th February
Next Friday 13th February will be a non-uniform day at TPS.
To help raise money for the Songwe school in Malawi, on Friday 13th February, pupils may come to school in their own clothes with a ‘spots and stripes’ theme…so, to clarify, the pupils may wear any clothes they like with either spots, stripes or both! Monies raised will go to the charity African Vision Malawi.
We ask that a £2 donation is made for pupils to take part, with the charge applied to school bills. Should you wish to opt-out of the event and the donation, please complete the Charity Donation Form on My School Portal.
House Reading Competition
As part of our Reading for Wellbeing week, we are delighted to invite pupils to take part in our House Reading Competition – a wonderful opportunity to celebrate reading aloud and performance.
What’s involved?
- Pre-Prep pupils are invited to choose a poem they would enjoy reading aloud.
- Prep pupils should select a short book extract or monologue, lasting no longer than 1½ minutes.
Pupils who would like to take part should bring their chosen reading into school on Wednesday 11th February, when they will have the chance to perform in their House assembly.
There are four age categories:
Reception & Year 1
Year 2
Years 3–5
Years 6–8
From each category, one pupil will be selected to represent their House in the House Reading Final, which will take place during Book Week on Thursday 5th March.
We hope many pupils will feel inspired to get involved and share their love of reading.
World Book Day – Class Competition
Year 3 & Year 4 Production – Can you help with face-painting?!
Can you help with Face Painting on the afternoon of Thursday 19th March for the Year 3 & Year 4 production of ‘Ye-Ha’?
If you are available and happy to help, please email Miss Maddison on:
kmaddison@twickenhamprep.co.uk
Safeguarding – Being Safe on The Internet
Below are links/resources to help keep our children safe on the internet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hskr4KnSKJE – YouTube parental controls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkMuSv0rRWw – Roblox parental controls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KFzq7iG5LE – TikTok parental controls.
Mrs Fox and Mrs Lindsay’s February Half-Term Art Club at TPS
TPSC Comedy Night at TPS – Thursday 12th March
We’re really looking forward to welcoming Laughing Chilli Comedy to TPS!
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of comedy, all while raising vital funds for our school playground. Laughing Chilli has secured some fantastic acts to keep us in stitches all night. It promises to be a fun, relaxed evening of stand-up and a great excuse for a night out with friends. If January has felt long and dull, this is the perfect mid-term pick-me-up!
There’ll be bars serving a range of drinks, including premium cocktails, as well as nibbles to buy, so you can arrive, unwind, and enjoy the evening.
Date: Thursday, 12 March 2026
Venue: TPS School Hall
Doors Open: 7:00pm
Show Starts: 8:00pm sharp
Tickets are £18 per person. They are limited and expected to sell out fast, so don’t wait! Head over to My School Portal and secure yours today.
Please note, we aren’t doing dinner at this event, so do grab a bite to eat beforehand. This is an 18+ event, so please come and enjoy a night off without your children.
We’re looking forward to making it a night to remember!
Bake with Rana Half-Term Club in Teddington
Little Kickers on Sundays at TPS
If you’re looking for a fun, energetic way to get your child socialising and playing football, sign up to one of the Little Kickers venues across the local area, including a Sunday club here at TPS, and receive an exclusive offer saving £27 and receiving a FREE KIT.
Football skills, giggles and endless fun — what’s not to love?
📞 Call us: 07360 593228
💬 Message us on WhatsApp: CLICK HERE
📧 Email for sign-ups & sales: Ealing@littlekickers.co.uk
Book your spot today. Let’s get those little feet kicking! 👟💨
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: 9th February Menu Week 3
