A Year of Sporting Success and Growth
PE (Physical Education) at Tetherdown has continued to flourish under the dedicated leadership of Coach Da Silva, with the recent addition of Coach Vieira, further strengthening our provision. With a strong focus on both competitive and inclusive sports, our PE program continues to evolve, ensuring that every child has access to exceptional opportunities to stay active, develop skills, and build confidence.
Rising to the Challenge: Competitions and Achievements
Since September 2023, Tetherdown has made remarkable strides in its PE and sports provision, earning well-deserved recognition amongst Haringey schools. Our commitment to both inclusive and competitive sports ensures that every Key Stage 2 child has the opportunity to participate in external sporting events—an initiative that is already delivering fantastic results.
The increase in inter-school competitions has fostered collaboration across year groups, as seen in our recent tennis tournament, where Year 4 and Year 6 pupils joined forces, triumphed in their matches, and proudly brought home two trophies. This success is just one example of how our sporting initiatives inspire confidence, teamwork, and excellence.
Beyond tennis, we have also seen impressive performances in tag rugby tournaments and indoor sportshall athletics. More of our children are not only participating in these competitions but also excelling, reinforcing our reputation as a school that values both competition and inclusivity.
So far, we have competed in an impressive number of events across multiple disciplines, strengthening Tetherdown’s position in Haringey as a school that champions both sporting excellence and broad participation. We look forward to building on this momentum, ensuring even more children can experience the joy and challenge of competitive sport.
Championing Inclusivity in Sport
At Tetherdown, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to thrive in PE and sport, regardless of ability or background. This dedication was proudly recognised with the 2024 Equal Access to Sport Award—a testament to the inclusive environment we continue to foster. Our PE provision is not just about competition; it is about ensuring every child has access to sports through festivals, events, and varied activities, allowing all children to develop a lifelong love of movement.
Dancing to Success: A PE and Sport Highlight
One of the standout moments of the 2023-2024 academic year was the fusion of our PE dance lessons with the Haringey Dance Festival. Our Year 5 children dazzled audiences with their Strictly Come Dancing-inspired performances, showcasing the impressive skills they developed in their PE lessons.
Adding to the excitement, the children also had the unique opportunity to learn and perform a choreographed dance piece at the festival, taught by a former Tetherdown pupil. This special connection made the experience even more memorable, highlighting the lasting impact of our school’s commitment to both the arts and physical education.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Footballers
Girls’ football at Tetherdown has seen a remarkable surge in participation, supported by inspiring role models.
More recently, two lucky Year 6 pupils had the incredible opportunity to attend a book signing with England and Arsenal captain Leah Williamson. Accompanied by Ms Gillingham and Coach Da Silva, this experience reinforced the power of female role models in sport, inspiring our young footballers to dream big and aim high.
A Growing Club Provision
Beyond competitive sports, our club provision has expanded dramatically. We now offer sporting opportunities from Reception upwards, with inclusive football for all year groups, tag rugby, athletics, rounders, and multi-sports.
Our extracurricular program continues to grow, and with the flexibility to introduce new sports, we remain committed to providing a varied and dynamic offering. This ensures that every child at Tetherdown can explore new interests, develop skills, and experience the benefits of an active lifestyle.
Making Waves: Year 4 Swimming Success
Year 4 children have worked extremely hard in their swimming lessons, striving to meet national curriculum expectations while building essential water safety skills. Every child has earned a certificate for their achievements.
As part of our continuous improvement, we have reviewed our swimming provision and will be moving Year 4 swimming lessons to a new venue in Finchley. This change will enhance the overall experience, and we look forward to sharing further updates later this term.
Enhancing Playtime Through Leadership and Creativity
Playtime at Tetherdown is evolving, thanks to Coach Da Silva’s expertise in play and leadership as a Playworker. Our Year 6 Sports Leaders have been trained to lead games and activities as part of the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) program, ensuring that break times are structured, engaging, and active.
Using loose parts resources, they create opportunities for creative and inclusive play, making sure that all children benefit from a fun and dynamic playground experience.
Skating Towards Confidence: Olympic-Themed Skateboarding Workshop
Last year, children were thrilled to take part in an Olympic-themed skateboarding workshop, introducing them to an exciting new sport.
Children from Key Stage 1 and 2 had the chance to learn new skills, build confidence, and develop their balance and coordination, all while having fun alongside their peers. This dynamic experience not only introduced many to the sport but also encouraged resilience, determination, and teamwork.
Celebrating Success: Recognizing Teamwork and Sportsmanship
At Tetherdown, recognition is at the heart of our philosophy, and our weekly BBB assembly is a key moment to celebrate PE and sport. Each week, a Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 class that has demonstrated outstanding teamwork is awarded the eagerly anticipated Team of the Week (TOTW) trophy, which reflects our Tetherdown values.
Additionally, in PE lessons, we recognise individual achievements through our PE Stars awards, celebrating children who exemplify sportsmanship, dedication, and effort. These moments of recognition inspire our children to strive for their best—both individually and as part of a team.
A Premier League Moment: Our Pupils Take the Spotlight
Excitement reached new heights beyond the school gates as some of our pupils had the incredible opportunity to serve as mascots at the Arsenal vs. Manchester United FA Cup fixture on January 12th. Amongst them was Riley (Year 6), who plays for the U11’s Football Plus team as part of Arsenal in the Community, a program that promotes social awareness and provides playing opportunities for young people.
Recognised for his outstanding behaviour, work ethic, and commitment, Riley was selected by his coaches for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The match was particularly meaningful as the Arsenal team and mascots wore the white ‘No More Red’ kit, a powerful initiative by Adidas and Arsenal aimed at tackling youth violence. Riley was one of ten participants chosen from various community programs, and walking onto the pitch at Emirates Stadium alongside footballing icons was an unforgettable moment.
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