Headteacher September News
Dear Parents and Carers
We’ve had a fantastic start to the school year, and I’m truly impressed with how well the children are settling into their routines and embracing our high expectations. Their positive behaviour and eagerness to learn have really stood out.
Highlights of the Month
Field Day
We’ve had an action-packed month, and one of the standout moments was our Field Day. A special thank you goes to Ms. Gillingham, our Deputy Head, for organizing the event and bringing in Sam the Juggler to entertain us all. I also want to extend my gratitude to the parents who shared their excitement for the year ahead with me. For more details on the event and photographs….
Vasiliou Family Spotlight
Last week was an exciting one for the Vasiliou family! Gabriel (Y5) took the stage in An Inspector Calls at the Alexandra Palace Theatre, and it was a proud moment for all of us to see one of our own shining so brightly. With such talent, there’s no doubt he has a future in film and theatre.
Later in the week, Anna (Y3) had the unique opportunity to step into the role of headteacher for the afternoon, making several important decisions. Be sure to check out her newsletter—I was particularly inspired by her choice of a gold suit, a true example of power dressing!
Just a Few Important Reminders
Safeguarding
- Please ensure you have read the recent letter regarding tutors. In light of the tragic events in Stockport, we are now enforcing stricter protocols for adults entering the building without the proper checks through the office. You can find the safeguarding letter that was sent out by clicking here.
- Unfortunately, we had an incident this week when one of our independent Year 6 students was followed on their way to school. Please stay vigilant and report any concerns. This has been reported to our community police.
A Reminder for Our Community: Keeping Our Children Safe
Thanks to your generous donations, the Friends of Tetherdown have provided new signs to help ensure the safety of our children. We kindly ask all parents to remember the following:
Please do not park on the zigzag lines or in front of our neighbours’ driveways.
These areas must be kept clear so our children can safely walk into school. Maria (Y4) said “Hopefully will mean that I feel more safe, and I won’t get run over”.
If you are asked to move your vehicle, please do so courteously. Our request is made with the sole intention of keeping our children safe and respecting our neighbours, who need clear access to their driveways.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated in making our school environment safe and welcoming for everyone.
Seeking Your Feedback
This week, I sent out a letter and survey link about playgrounds and play, as we begin our exciting journey with the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme. Please click this link for the survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SSLXHQJ
I’m thrilled to share that all our staff will be receiving training on how to create outstanding play experiences in our November Training Day.
Your responses to this baseline survey will be invaluable in helping us shape and measure the impact of the OPAL programme.
Later this autumn, keep an eye out for two more surveys. The next, in October, will focus on developing high-quality talk (Oracy), and in November, we’ll be seeking your feedback on our school lunch provision. Your input is crucial as we continue to improve and grow.
Supporting our school……
A Huge Thank You to Marta Levens.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Marta Levens, a dedicated parent in the Y1 Dragonflies class, for her incredible support in providing art supplies for our children. Marta has gone above and beyond, tirelessly reaching out to local art shops, who have responded with a phenomenal number of supplies. Thanks to her efforts, we can continue to nurture and support the creativity of our children. We truly appreciate everything she has done for our school community.
Celebrating Emily Clarkson's Marathon Fundraising Effort
I'm privileged to work with Tetherdown’s supportive team. Since our September INSET, many staff have contributed fantastic ideas to marketing and fundraising for our school.
I would like to take a moment to congratulate Emily Clarkson, our Reception Teacher, who is going above and beyond by running the London Marathon and raising money for the school.
Please support Emily's incredible effort by clicking on the link: Emily Clarkson is fundraising for Friends of Tetherdown . Emily Clarkson is fundraising for Friends of Tetherdown (justgiving.com)
Friends of Tetherdown Fundraising Initiatives
Friends of Tetherdown will continue to raise funds in various fun and engaging ways to support several key initiatives, including: The Outdoor Play And Learning program, playground landscaping and storage, non-fiction humanities books and resources, our new PSHE curriculum and IT devices.
Your support in all these efforts will greatly benefit our children and enhance their learning experience.
Annie Ashraf
Headteacher
On Friday, 20th November 2024… I got to be the headteacher for the afternoon, and it was so much fun! I carefully planned my outfit – a gold suit to help me make the powerful decisions. The first thing I noticed was how happy everyone was. This school isn’t just a place to learn—it's also a place where people smile a lot. When I walked around, I saw that the children in their classes were listening and learning really well. Everyone was super nice to me and said hello, which made me feel special.
I met some of the teachers too. Mr Sobratty told me he wished he had longer lunch breaks, and Ms Jones wants her class to keep walking on the left side in the hallway. I also visited the office where Ms Robson and Ms Lewis work hard to help everyone. They had a fly in their office that was bothering them, so I told them to turn off the lights so the fly might leave.
To finish off my day, I read "Ten Little Monkeys" to the Year 1 Dragonflies. Being a headteacher is a lot of work because you have to talk to many people, solve lots of problems and go to meetings, but the good news is that you still get a tea break!
