I would like to take this opportunity to celebrate our Year 6 children who this week took part in the National Tests in Reading, Maths and Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar. All the children have worked so hard all year to meet their targets and to be the best they can be. I am extremely proud of each and everyone of them and should also extend my thanks to all the Year 6 team for their hard work in guiding, supporting, teaching and coaching the children to date. At Tetherdown we see this as a joint effort – all of their previous years’ learning contributes to the end results as they prepare for the next stage in their learning journey. I know the children are glad the tests are over, and they will now focus their energies on the upcoming residential trip to PGL and the Summer Production.
On a different note, please would you ensure that your child leaves their Pokémon cards at home? I appreciate that this will not affect all of you, but we are seeing some children’s behaviour being negatively affected by this game, and we feel it is best kept outside of school. Thank you for your support.
And finally, a reminder that we have the Friends of Tetherdown Comedy Night on Saturday 14th May. Please check details on the Friends of Tetherdown website – linked here.
One click in support of children's learning experience
A quick message to remind any of you who can afford anything between £5-50 per month to consider supporting the school in the most amazing way by setting up a direct debit.
It’s the easiest and most effective way to ensure the school has the resources it needs, as government funding hardly covers more than the cost of the teachers themselves.
It’s a really quick thing to set up and the impact on our kids is invaluable. We know times are tough but without the volume of events we had previously, every contribution really makes a difference. Click here to set up a direct debit.
Ukraine Concert - Methodist Church in Page’s Lane -19th June
A local retired concert promoter is putting on a concert for children in aid of Ukraine at the Methodist Church in Page’s Lane on June 19th. It will be great fun, and the audience are being asked to come dressed as one of the Little Red Riding Hood characters and to bring a picnic to have in the gardens afterwards. Booking details are below.
MANAGING COVID-19
Symptoms, Testing and Guidance for COVID-19
For symptoms, testing and guidance for COVID-19 please refer to our COVID-19 website pages which contain information that we hope parents find helpful and useful including:
How to report a positive COVID-19 test.
Timeline for isolation.
My child has tested positive - what happens next?
COVID-19 links to guidance, advise and FAQ.
We appreciate that there may at times be some confusion on ways to respond, but we are doing our best to ensure as many children can come to school on a regular basis so that risks to your child’s continuing education in the current climate is reduced.
Vaccination Update
Vaccinations are available for all 5 to 11 and 12 to 15-year-old. Parents should also have received a letter from the NHS with more information about how to get their child vaccinated. To book an appointment:
On Friday, 27th May Olive Dining will be celebrating the Queen's 70th Jubilee. Link to our School Menu page on the website for future menus to download.
Scooters Welcome at School!
We are allowing back scooters. If your child brings their scooter to school please ensure it is stored within the wooden frame outside the school office. Please do not place in or near the bicycle racks.
Clubs & Activity Camps
The Summer Term 2022 lunchtime and extracurricular club timetable is available on our website. In addition, to emailing club promotional material to parents we are also publishing any advertising provided by the clubs on our website Clubs & Activity Camps page.
Wraparound Care: Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club offers an exciting variety of healthy breakfast choices for the children these include: croissants, brioche buns, fruit yogurt, juice and cereal.
Ad hoc Bookings
Breakfast Club is currently able to take a limited number of ad hoc bookings. If you would like to use the Club’s ad hoc services please contact our Senior Play Leader Ms Geen-Moore on the email provided below no later than 9:00am a day prior to your booking. Ad hoc spaces are charged at a slightly higher rate of £8 per session per child (via ParentPay).
Please note that due to limited availability, to attend you must receive a confirmation email from Ms Geen-Moore.
Products containing nuts (including for staff as some may also have allergies) must not be brought into school under any circumstances
Tetherdown School Communications to Parents
We have a brand-new website please ensure your explore our website regularly so not to miss any important communications. This should be your 'FIRST PORT OF CALL' for information.
The Parents page is dedicated to you! - here you will be able to find answers and links to everyday questions and queries you may have as well as further useful information and support - to name a few...
Calendar - check this regularly
Term dates
Key Letters
School Day & Wraparound Care
Health & Welfare
Please do not hesitate to contact the school office if you have explored the website, and you cannot find what you are looking for.
Parent Communication to Tetherdown
Please remember when emailing the admin mailbox to ensure you put your child's full name and class. There are over 400 pupils on roll and as you can imagine finding any child with only their first name can be tricky!
ParentPay - Communication from Tetherdown
ParentPay is the schools Communications and Payment System All communications sent directly from the school are sent using ParentPay only.
Parents will receive an email from platform@parentpay.com - when you receive messages from this email you can be assured this is an official direct school communication.
Any undelivered emails to parents the school are notified - we have not been notified of any undelivered messages to date.
Text and Email Alerts
Parents are advised to set up text and email alerts to ensure that you do not miss any important information from Tetherdown. Details of how to do this can be found on our Payment & Bookings System pages. If you have missed an email please search your mailbox for platform@parentpay.com messages and check junk mail.
If you are having any problems receiving official school communications please contact the school office after you have checked your mailbox and junk mail and not ParentPay.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Extracurricular Club Cancellation
This week one of our extracurricular club providers cancelled their club. Please can families note the process below for any future cancellations. Thank you in advance.
If your child's extracurricular club at the end of the school day is cancelled by the provider, parents are advised to make alternative pick-up arrangements for their child and to notify the school office via email of the new arrangement no later than 2:45pm. Parents should not assume that the Tetherdown after-school club can take their child following a club cancellation if they cannot make alternative pick-up arrangements.
Children who normally attend the Tetherdown after-school club directly after the cancelled extracurricular club (e.g. tennis) can go straight to after-school club at the end of the school day, however you will be charged accordingly for this session via ParentPay.
Gentle Reminders
Reporting Absences and Pick-up
Reporting Absence
We always require absence information, including unplanned absence, to be reported daily before 9am.
If your child is absent please call the school office before 9am and select option 1. Leave a clear message with your child’s full name and class and a brief reason for the absence.
Reporting Pick-Up
If your child is going home with someone different to their regular person collecting them, please remember to communicate arrangements via the admin email before 2:45pm stating your child’s full name and class and who is collecting them.
Please do not email teachers as they are unable to check emails during the teaching day.
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For absences and pick-up arrangements report to:
admin@tetherdownschool.org
Official Appointments
If your child is going to be absent for medical or official appointment you must provide proof of the appointment to the school office via email. Please remember to include your child's full name and class in all correspondence.
You do not need to fill in the absence request form for medical appointments, or official appointments.
Children Leaving Tetherdown
If you are planning on leaving Tetherdown it is important that you inform the school as soon as possible. Please fill in the destination form which can found on our School Forms & Links page.
Medicines in School
As a reminder that medicine cannot be given to your child to bring into school. The school can administer prescribed medicine only (the parents form on our website must be filled in). Any over the counter medicine must be administered by a parent / nominated carer. Please refer to our Health & Welfare pages for further details.
Forgotten Items
The school does not accept forgotten items. We aim to promote independence and responsibility in our children. This includes snacks and packed lunches, water bottles, PE kits, instruments etc. We can accept medical and reading glasses. If a child has forgotten their lunch one will be provided and will be charged via your ParentPay account.
Unhealthy Treats
We are a healthy school and as such we kindly ask that children do not bring in sweets or cakes/biscuits to hand out to their friends on their birthday. A class book donation is always much appreciated. We will share your book-gift with the class and insert a special book plate to mark the occasion of your child's birthday.
