Headteacher November News
Dear Parents and Carers
This month has passed so quickly! It was wonderful to hear your feedback during parents’ evenings and connect with your children’s teachers.
🎶 A Symphony of Creativity: Celebrating Talent and Building Confidence
This month has been full of artistic and musical highlights, showcasing our children’s enthusiasm for the arts and creativity. We enjoyed an Orchestra and Jazz Samba Assembly last week, inspiring Rock Steady workshops encouraging children to explore being part of a rock band, and a vibrant guitar assembly. After the assembly, our peripatetic teacher shared how unique our school is in fostering performance opportunities for children before significant audiences. Performing not only builds resilience but also boosts confidence, encouraging children to embrace challenges and share their talents with pride.
🎀 Ribbons, Resilience, and a Morning to Remember! 🏅
What an exciting morning we had on November 21st! At the bright and early hour of 7:15, six lucky Tetherdown pupils were honoured to cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the new Aldi on Muswell Hill Broadway. Adding to the thrill, we met Paralympian Aaron McKibbin, a bronze medallist for Team GB in Paralympic table tennis. Later that morning, Aaron joined us for an inspiring assembly, sharing the benefits of healthy living, exercise, and resilience, with plenty of questions from our curious pupils. The famous red ribbons have been given to our six children and I hear are being framed — future museum pieces, perhaps?
Tetherdown Through Time: A Legacy of Growth and Resilience
Tetherdown’s rich history is always a highlight of our school tours. Established in 1910 as Tollington Girls’ School, it began as a private high school, with boarders staying at 40 Collingwood Road. During WWII, as Year 5 pupils discover through historical letters, children were evacuated to Cambridge. Transitioning to state education in the 1950s,
Tetherdown remained a one-form entry primary until its 2008 expansion to two forms, fuelled by government funding. This remarkable photo, captured by Mr Evans, features our three most recent headteachers: Ms Pittman (1998-2014), Mr Woodward (2014-2023), and myself, continuing the Tetherdown legacy.
Keep the Lights On: Building Bright Futures Together
Speaking of school buildings, it’s a reality that school upkeep hasn’t been funded by the government in the past 14 years due to austerity. That’s why we’ve launched the Keep the Lights On Fund, dedicated to ensuring our learning environment remains comfortable and inspiring. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference! Our current goal? Sprucing up the children’s toilets with fresh paint and improved fittings to create a more pleasant space. Class champions will share the donation link in your WhatsApp groups to make supporting easier. Together, let’s brighten our school’s future—literally!
💡 https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/tetherdown-keep-the-lights-on?utm_medium=qrcode&utm_source=offline
Playtime Transformed: Exciting Updates on OPAL and Our Playground
Our playground is undergoing an incredible transformation thanks to the OPAL initiative and the many people who are helping on our journey.
First, we’ve removed the old, rotting wooden structures and re-turfed the back playground, which will be ready for use in January once the grass is fully established.
Ms Capone and Coach Da Silva have been hard at work setting playtime expectations and organizing the creative contributions families have brought in.
Freedom Friday has been a hit, giving two year-groups the chance to explore exciting new play spaces. Regular play assemblies help the children navigate health, safety, and risk awareness, while our lunchtime staff receive weekly play-focused training.
Next on our wish list is a storage shed, crucial for keeping our play resources organised and our playground safe.
We’re thrilled to share that funds raised during the Winter Fair will go directly toward this important addition.
Together, let’s keep the fun growing!
Annie Ashraf
Headteacher
