Teddington School Newsletter

Dear Families

Firstly, I would like to congratulate our Year 11 and Year 13 students on the positive start they have made to the examination season. Students have approached their exams with maturity, resilience, and determination, and we are very proud of the effort and preparation they have shown so far. We wish them every success as the exam period continues.

I would also like to congratulate our first group of Sports Scholars. Year 9 students have been selected in recognition of their achievement, commitment, and dedication across a range of sports. The Sports Scholar Programme will provide valuable support as students balance high-level sporting performance alongside their GCSE studies through specialist workshops, experiences, and athlete development opportunities.

This week, we were also delighted to hear about the success of the recent Vienna trip for our Year 9 and 10 High Flyer students. The visit provided students with an enriching opportunity to explore Austrian culture, history, art, and politics. The trip was a fantastic success, and students represented the school exceptionally well throughout. My thanks go to Mr Evans, and all staff involved in organising and supporting the visit.

With just one week remaining until half term, I would encourage all students to maintain high standards of attendance, punctuality, and readiness to learn. Every lesson counts, and finishing the half term strongly will ensure students remain well prepared for the weeks ahead.

Finally, a reminder regarding uniform expectations. We will not be moving to summer uniform at this stage, and students are expected to continue attending school in full school uniform. Should temperatures rise significantly, we will communicate any adjustments, including the option for students to remove blazers and wear tailored grey shorts if they wish.

Kind regards

Mr P Grills

Headteacher

From 7–11 May, Year 9 and 10 High Flyer students enjoyed a memorable and enriching trip to Vienna, Austria. Throughout the visit, students embraced every opportunity to learn about Austrian culture, history, art, and politics, and their enthusiasm was evident throughout the trip.

Highlights included visits to the Museum of Vienna and the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where students saw impressive works by artists such as Holbein and Rubens. Many students particularly enjoyed seeing famous paintings and artefacts in person, commenting on the scale, detail, and atmosphere of the galleries. A visit to the Belvedere was another favourite, especially the opportunity to see The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, which students found far more striking in real life.

Students also thoroughly enjoyed the tour of the Spanish Riding School, where they learned about the tradition and discipline behind the training of the Lipizzaner horses. The Danube River cruise provided a relaxing opportunity to take in the scenery beyond the city and spend time together doing something a little different. During the Austrian Parliament tour, students learned about different political systems and compared Austrian democracy with that of the UK, leading to thoughtful discussions and excellent engagement.

The trip concluded with a visit to Prater Park, a large theme park, which provided students and staff with a memorable send-off from the city.

Overall, the trip was a huge success, with students gaining valuable cultural experiences and creating lasting memories. Thank you to Mr Evans, who coordinated the trip, and to all staff who accompanied, for making it such a rewarding experience.

💚 This week, we have been marking Mental Health Awareness Week with our annual “Walk and Talk” 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️🌿

Each morning during form time, students have walked together with their year groups, enjoying some fresh air on the rec while taking time to talk, connect, and support one another.

It has been fantastic to see so many positive conversations taking place throughout the week, highlighting the importance of wellbeing, friendship, and taking time to look after our mental health.

📰 The newest issue of The Kingfisher is out now!

Welcome to this week’s digital parenting update, part of our series designed to help you support your child’s online world. Each week, we share advice from Internet Matters with practical tips and resources. This week’s resource is titled 'Mobile Phone Safety Checklist'. You can see a snippet of the resource pictured, please click on the image to view the whole document.

As your child develops digital independence, smartphones and social media can support connection but also bring risks to wellbeing, sleep, and self-esteem. Open conversations, clear expectations, and family agreements are powerful tools to create balance. Download templates here.

Key points for parents/carers:

• Mobile phones are banned at Teddington School.
• Smartphones can affect sleep, wellbeing, and expose children to bullying, harmful content, and peer pressure.
• Most social media platforms are not age-appropriate: WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok (all 13+). These limits help protect against unsuitable content and privacy risks.

At Teddington School, Year 7 and 12 students receive school-managed iPads to support learning. Devices include safety settings and educational apps, with clear guidance for use. Please see our iPad Parent Guide for more information.

We have also produced a Parent EdTech Guide, which provides a simple overview of the online platforms we use, with links and login support.

Thank you for your continued partnership in promoting safe and healthy digital habits.

22 Apr - 6 May: Year 11 GCSE German & French Speaking exams

18 May: German Exchange Parents Information Evening

20 May: Year 12 Parents' Evening

21 May: Year 8 HPV Vaccinations

22 - 24 May: Silver DofE Practice Expedition

25 - 29 May: Half Term

5 - 8 Jun: Year 9 Paris Trip