Welcome to this week's parental bulletin with the latest news for Year 11.
WEEKLY BULLETIN
12 SEPTEMBER 2025
ENJOY - ACHIEVE - EMPOWER
HEADTEACHER’S MESSAGE
KEY SCHOOL DATES
It has been lovely to welcome the whole school community back to Waldegrave over the last two weeks, the excitement of friends reunited after the summer break and the energy of our new Year 7s are some of the great joys of starting a new academic year! Pupils, reinvigorated after the
International Day of Democracy - 15 September HOLIDAYS & NATIONAL DAYS Year 11 Information evening - Tues 16 September Y13 Theatre Trip - Weds 17 September School Photographs - 17-18 September Silver DofE Training weekend - 19-21 September
A MESSAGE FROM OUR HEADTEACHER
summer break have now settled back into calm, focused learning. I am proud to say that our students have been living up to our school values and since term began I have seen a lot of kindness around the school. New pupils have been helped with navigating the school grounds, busy corridors and the lively canteen at lunchtimes! Government proposed electoral reform will mean our Year 8 students will be old enough to vote in the next general election and as Monday 15 September is International Day of Democracy, I have been delivering assemblies exploring the development of democratic values in the UK. This day is a timely reminder of how important it is for our society to be able to disagree agreeably. I would like to thank the parents who attended our Year 12 Information Evening on Tuesday. I hope that you found Mr Bannister’s presentation helpful, which you can find here on the new school website. Lastly, I would like to remind parents that we encourage students to walk or use public transport on their journeys to and from school, healthier both for students and our environment. Thank you for respecting this as traffic congestion from school parents in the road endangers not only our Fifth Cross Road neighbours but our students as well.
Heritage Open Days - 12-25 September tour historical sites in the local area for FREE
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Send us your achievement stories and photos to share by email to
~ Ms Tongue, Headteacher
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
info@waldegravesch.org STAY CONNECTED WITH US:
As we start the new school year, I would like to share a very useful on-demand webinar on Navigating the First Term at Secondary School from The Charlie Waller Trust. They also have resources on topics such as perfectionism and building resilience in young people. The local Mental Health Support Team are continuing their popular ‘Helping teens with’ series of webinars. Book now for sessions on Worries & Anxiety, Changes in the Adolescent Brain, and Digital Wellbeing. World Suicide Prevention Day was on 10 September and in recognition The Charlie Waller Trust shared these ASK guidelines for talking to a young person you suspect is experiencing thoughts of suicide: ASK directly about suicidal thoughts, SEEK more information from them, KNOW what to do next by signposting them to one of the following: Their GP, call 111 or, in a crisis, call 999 SHOUT: text SHOUT to 85258, a 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis Samaritans: call 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, online Samaritans.org PAPYRUS: call: 0800 068 4141, text: 88247, email: pat@papyrus-uk.org Free online awareness training on this topic is also available from Zero Suicide Alliance here.
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A MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF YEAR 10
It has been wonderful to welcome Year 11 back to Waldegrave as they enter their final year with us. The students have started the term positively and seem determined to make the most of this year. This week we had our assembly with Ms Tongue who spoke about International Democracy Day and the fact that 16 and 17 year old students will be allowed to vote in the next general election. A very exciting new prospect for young people today! In tutor times this week we have started a new initiative called ‘Reading Wednesdays’. We want Year 11 students to bring in a book, magazine or newspaper and spend 20 minutes in the morning reading dur- ing form time as a relaxing start to the day but also to encourage more independent reading. We know this is beneficial for all young people in regards to their mental wellbeing and also academic success. Please encourage your child to bring a book in or borrow one from our school library. It’s been heartwarming to see so many of our Year 11 students supporting the new Year 7 arrivals. Whether it’s helping them find their classrooms when they’re lost or simply offering a friendly smile, their kindness and welcoming attitude have made a real difference. A special well done to the Year 7 prefects who came back to school early to help with the Year 7 induction. All students were mature, kind and incredibly reassuring to the Year 7s who were, understandably, feeling very nervous. The Year 11 Information Evening will be on Tuesday 16th September 2025. We encourage parents/ guardians to attend to find out more about what this year will entail and how to support your child to reach their potential. Later this term the school’s Performing Arts Team will be directing a performance of My Fair Lady. We are looking for donations of black, white or black & white hats/fascinators, in any condition, shape or size, as we will be decorating and modifying these. Please hand in any donations at Reception. Lastly please note school photos are taking place on 17 and 18 September. We would appreciate your support in ensuring pupils are wearing correct uniform. Please see uniform policy here.
MRS PORTEOUS, HEAD OF YEAR 11
BOOK OF THE MONTH
‘Things a Bright Girl Can Do’ by Sally Nicholls
Set in the early twentieth century, this novel follows three brave young women as they all become involved in the Suffragette movement. I loved how Nicholls brought the time period to life, showing what it felt like to be a woman and girl during that turbulent time. But if historical novels aren’t usually your thing, don’t be put off. It feels really modern and fresh, exploring issues like class differences as the three main characters come from different backgrounds. There is also a beautiful love story between two of the characters. It has something for everyone! - Mrs Nowicki
Please contact us with any queries or problems you may have. To get in touch with a member of staff from your child’s year group, you can: Send an email to KS4@waldegravesch.org Or you can contact the school via phone by calling: 02088943244 WALDEGRAVE SCHOOL Fifth Cross Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW2 5LH HOW TO CONTACT YEAR 11 HEAD OF YEAR AND TUTORS
MUSIC TASTER SESSIONS FOR ALL The music department will be running a taster session for the whole school on the week 15th-19th. Feel free to turn up to any of the open rehearsals to have a go! All are welcome. See you there! If you have any questions, come over the Performance Arts Block or ask your Music teacher.
BEHAVIOUR FOCUS For our first school term the school’s leadership team has chosen to focus settling back into our classroom routines. We have discussed our common-sense daily expectations with pupils during tutor times but as a reminder please see below for you to discuss at home.
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