Issue No 01 -03.10.2025


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Headteacher News for September 2025

Dear Parents and Carers

View of field with people having a picnicA Bright New Start

Welcome back to a brand-new school year! It was such a joy to see so many of you at our Community Picnic in Week 2. Despite the rain, the rainbow moments made it all worthwhile – thank you for showing up and making it such a positive, community-spirited event.

 

Big Dreams, Big Impact

This year, we’re building on our strengths with a sharp focus on big ambitions that make a lasting difference. Our five key priorities are which link to Friends of Tetherdown Fundraising are:

  1. OPAL Play – joyful, adventurous play
  2. Oracy (Voice 21) – inspiring confident voices
  3. Arts & Creativity – igniting imagination
  4. Community Links – giving back & growing stronger
  5. Technology – tools for every child to shine

OPAL Adventures

We’re entering our second year of OPAL Play, now led by the fabulous Louisa Koshyck (Y6 Phoenix Class). She’ll be sharing updates and requests for resources as the year unfolds.

👉 Save the Date    🛠 Make Do and Mend Day – Saturday 29th November
We’ll be upgrading play areas and need your helping hands. Bring energy, ideas, and a willingness to get stuck in!

🌧 All-weather play reminder: please ensure children come to school with raincoats every day. We’re embracing outdoor play in all seasons – the benefits of movement and fresh air are too valuable to miss.

Oracy Voice 21 – Raising Confident Voices

Our Oracy project is off to a flying start. Ms Ghenti Etan launched with a whole-school assembly, and children are now practising how to speak with confidence, clarity, and purpose across lessons. The aim: for every child to leave Tetherdown with a strong voice and the courage to use it.

Community Connections – Giving Back, Growing Together

In our fast-moving, tech-driven world, children need human connections more than ever. This year, every year group will take part in a community project, strengthening ties inside our school and reaching out into the wider world.

Children singingYear 4 are already shining! They’ve begun weekly visits to Spring Lane Care Home, singing, chatting, and sharing stories with residents. These intergenerational moments develop children’s empathy and communication skills while bringing joy, energy, and purpose to residents.

The care home has also shared a special video: residents celebrating Julia Donaldson’s birthday with a reading of Paper Chase. You can watch it here: Watch on YouTube.

These projects will grow throughout the year – from volunteering and fundraising to creative partnerships and environmental action. Together, we’re building a culture of giving, caring, and belonging.

These projects will grow throughout the year – from volunteering and fundraising to creative partnerships and environmental action. Together, we’re building a culture of giving, caring, and belonging.

Friends of Tetherdown (FoT)

We say a big thank you to outgoing co-chairs Jenny Roberts and Barbara Keith and their wonderful team for years of service. At the AGM we welcomed our new FoT team, led by Mia Economou and Azey Siddiqui (both Year 1 parents), along with fresh faces bringing energy and enthusiasm.

First FoT event: Quiz Night – Saturday 15th November
A fun-filled evening for our community – don’t miss it!

Brilliant Beginnings in Reception

Child playing with toy cars on wooden plankA huge welcome to our Reception children, settling beautifully into school life with Ms Moffatt and Ms Clarkson. They are already finding their feet with routines, expectations, and – most importantly – a love of learning.

Opening Our Doors – School Tours & Events

Please share details of our upcoming events with families who might be considering Tetherdown:

 

Child playing in sand pitSchool Tours (book via our website) – guided by our wonderful Y6 pupils, whose confidence and honesty always impress visitors.

  • Stay & Play – Saturday 15th November – a chance for prospective families to experience our Early Years setting.
  • Please invite them to the Winter Fair – Friday 5th December – always a community favourite!

Celebrating Attainment

We are delighted to share that Tetherdown continues to be amongst the top 5–10% of schools nationally. Please see the link to our Performance Data on our school website.

Highlights include:

  • Reading, Maths, SPaG, Science, and Phonics remain strengths.
  • SEND and EAL pupils achieve well across all subjects.
  • Attendance is strong, with very low persistent absence.
  • Writing is our focus for improvement, with exciting curriculum developments led by our English Lead.

Y6 Secondary School Destinations

We are proud to share the destinations of our Year 6 pupils for July 2025. Once again, Tetherdown children are moving on to a wide range of excellent schools.

📊 Key Highlights

  • Fortismere remains the most popular choice – 60% of pupils moving on this year.
  • Other local schools welcomed 22%, showing the breadth of strong options nearby.
  • Selective grammar schools continue to be a successful pathway, with 10% gaining places at highly competitive schools.
  • Independent schools attracted a smaller proportion this year (7%, compared to 16% in 2024).

Important Reminders

📌 Attendance Matters
Please read the Attendance Policy carefully. Holidays cannot be authorised during term time, including days added to existing breaks. Unauthorised absences may result in fines. As Headteacher, I am no longer able to make exceptions. Please see the link to the Attendance Policy on our website policy page.

⌚ Smart Watches
Devices that take photos, videos, or calls are not permitted. Y5/Y6 independent travellers with smartwatches must hand them in to teachers each morning, just as they do with phones.

Food Bank Collection Begins

Today, we welcomed Mia Jenkins, who spoke to the children about supporting our local food bank. We are collecting dried food and tins to help families in need, and every donation – big or small – will make a difference, especially in the current economic climate.

🛒 The collection point will be open in school until Friday 17th October in the yellow floor hub.  Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.

Annie Ashraf

Headteacher


LATEST NEWS

03 Oct 2025
Year 5&6 Football Tournament Success!
Incredible goals scored!
Read more
03 Oct 2025
Year 5&6 Cross Country Success
3K cross-country race, and we could not have been prouder of them!
Read more
03 Oct 2025
Intergenerational Music Workshop
Joy at Spring Lane Care Home with a Heartwarming Music Workshop
Read more

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We hope the new school year has started well!

After an awesome fundraising year last year, our final 2024/5 total was a record-breaking £100k! Raised via events and your generous donations, a huge thank you for your support in getting us there.

The outdoor play and learning (OPAL) provisions, as well as computing, non-fiction books and lots of smaller things that make a big difference to our children’s life at school.

Dates for your diary for this term with two fundraising events.

QUIZ NIGHT - SAT 15TH NOV
One of the most popular fundraising nights of the year is only a few weeks away. Start getting your class teams together to form teams of 10 and get the babysitter booked. It’s way too much fun to miss this one!!

WINTER FAIR - FRI 5TH DEC
Hard to believe it’s nearly that time of year again. This year our aim is maximum fun and, as always, we’ll be relying on your support on stalls and donations, so please respond to requests from your class champions.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Each year we look for new committee members to support events and bring fresh ideas - helping reach our fundraising targets. We’re delighted that some new parents have expressed interest in joining the team and would love to hear from any more. We all have to juggle jobs and lives and appreciate time is precious, so our ambition is maximum impact with minimal stress, and we have a great rhythm of working now, which means it’s a well-oiled machine you’d be joining!  It’s also great to be doing something for our community and helping our amazing underfunded school… and we make it loads of fun!

So, whether you want to join the committee, or simply have an idea to share, or want to sign up to be a regular volunteer for individual events, please get in touch: chair@friendsoftetherdown.com

Many thanks!
The FoT

INCLUSION NEWS

Confident Parenting

A Child-in-time counsellor works at Tetherdown 1-day per week - Tuesdays. 

A more recent addition to their services is "Confident Parenting". Parents can book a private online session to discuss a range of issues. Please see below.

Confident parenting flyer for parents

 


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Tetherdown families can now subscribe to receive Haringey's SEND newsletter by using this link.

For further information about SENDIASS and what is on offer please go to our SEND pages.


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Markfield - together for inclusion logo

Markfield Autism Support Services

If your child has recently be diagnosed or on the wait list to be diagnosed for Autism please read on.

Markfield is providing a range of services for Haringey parents/carers of children on the waiting list for autism assessments or recently diagnosed.

Markfield offers a range of support services for parents and carers of children with autism:

  • 1:1 advice appointments
  • Help with Disability Living Allowance (DLA) applications
  • Online and in-person group meetings
  • In-person parent meetings: the last Friday of every month, 10am to 12pm, Markfield community centre, N15 4RB. Just drop in – no need to book
  • Monthly club for autistic young people aged 12 to 17: for more information, visit our website 
You can contact Markfield by email at familyadmin@markfield.org.uk or via telephone: 020 3667 5233 or 07762106044

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COMMUNITY

Playground Supervision Reminder for Parents of Y2, Y3 and Y4

We have observed that some children are being left unaccompanied in the playground between 8:30 and 8:50 am. Please be reminded that during this time, an adult must be responsible for supervising your child. The only exception is if your child is attending choir, and independent travellers, where a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) will be monitoring them.

If you are unable to stay, we kindly ask that you arrange for another adult to supervise your child. During this time, we have noticed children arriving on scooters and engaging in active games such as running, which can pose a risk. Please remember that our playground is shared by vulnerable groups, including older grandparents and carers and young children.

We kindly ask that you encourage your child to remain close to you to ensure everyone's safety and comfort. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our playground a safe and welcoming space for all.


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Parking Issues on Grand Avenue at drop off

We kindly ask for your cooperation regarding parking on Grand Avenue, particularly in front of our neighbours’ driveways. Recently, we have received concerns from residents who are feeling increasingly frustrated, especially as some parents dismiss the issue by saying, “It’s just a few minutes.” However, as you can see, there are often several cars causing blockages, preventing residents from leaving their homes.

This does not align with our school’s values of kindness and respect. We kindly remind everyone not to park across driveways or on the zig-zag lines, as these areas must remain clear for safety and accessibility reasons.

To help manage the situation, we will be requesting the traffic warden to visit regularly to ensure compliance. We truly appreciate your support in making drop-offs and pick-ups smoother for everyone, including our neighbours. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Message from Community Police

Car crime has increased around the roads near Fortis Green. Please ensure your car is securely locked and keep your keys away from the front door.


Tetherdown families can now subscribe to the Haringey School News by using this link.


UPDATES AND LOOKING AHEAD


Clubs & Activity Camps

The lunchtime and extracurricular club information is available on our Clubs & Activity Camps website pages, which includes registration and timetabling information and a wealth of other information. In addition to emailing club promotional materials to parents directly, we also publish any advertising provided by the clubs at our school on our website and in the newsletter from time to time.

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NO extra-curricular clubs run during the first week of a new term or the last week of term. Catch-up clubs (e.g. due to cancellations) typically run in the penultimate week of term (but not always). Dates for catch-up clubs are listed in the Club Timetable section below. NO extra-curricular clubs run on school closure days (i.e. INSET days, bank holiday or half-term).


Stevensons Uniform Company

Our uniform company, Stevensons are now selling Tetherdown sun hats if you would like one. They also have available PE t-shirts in a larger size.

For details on how to order sun hats or PE-kit please go to our School Forms & Supplier Links on our website.


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 9:30am a day prior to your request or by Friday if your request is for a Monday morning. 

Ad hoc spaces are charged at a slightly higher rate of £10 per session per child (via ParentPay) and are only available on Monday and Friday only due to no capacity on other days.

Please note that due to limited availability, to attend you must receive a confirmation email from Ms Geen-Moore.

Contact - Ms Geen-Moore

E: breakfastclub@tetherdownschool.org

Days, Times and Cost click here.

Wraparound Care: After School Club

 

Tetherdown School offer a Tetherdown After School Club delivering high quality extra curricular activities with an outdoor and creative play focus. 

There are different sessions available to register which you can find below under Days, Times and Cost. Children who attend after school club are provided with a fruit snack in the 3:30-4:30 session and then a light snack including a sandwich/wrap, fruit and raw vegetables in the 4:30-5/6 sessions. For further details visit our website wraparound care: after-school club pages.

Contact - Ms Woodward

For information about vacancies/waiting lists and payment queries for after school club please email the named contact above in the first instance.

E: afterschoolclub@tetherdownschool.org

Days, Times, Cost and Timetable of Activities click here.

School Lunch and Snacks in School

 

We have updated our website to clarify the types of snacks permitted in school, packed lunch and food sharing rules. Please visit the specific website pages below for further details. These pages are all located under the Parents tab.

School lunch and menu - updates regarding packed lunch

Snacks in school - information about breaktime snacks; extracurricular snacks; sharing food and birthday and treats

OFFICE REMINDERS


PLEASE REMEMBER WE ARE A NO NUTS SCHOOL

Products containing nuts (including for staff as some may also have allergies) must not be brought into school under any circumstances.

Considerate Driving and Parking Please!

If you must drive to school to drop off your child(ren) please consider our neighbours when parking near the school.  We have received complaints that some parents are parking across driveways and blocking house owners in.  It would be far healthier for children if parents could park a little way from the school and walk or scooter to school.  Scooters may be stored at school.  We do not have bicycle storage


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.


Gentle Reminders 

Reporting Absences and Pick-up

 

Reporting Absence

We always require absence information, including unplanned absence, to be reported daily before 9am.

  1. If your child is absent please call the school office before 9am.
  2. Leave a clear message with your child’s full name and class and a brief reason for the absence (e.g. religious holiday).
  3. Unwell pupils: If your child is unwell, we ask that you report your child as off ‘sick’ and briefly describe their sickness (e.g. temperature, headache or has vomited etc). By describing your child’s sickness this will enable the school to track and manage a sudden increase in occurrences of the illness and identify whether we have a localised outbreak of the illness (e.g. virus).

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.

Nomination for Collection (Permission)

If a pupil is in years 7 to 11 and the parents wish for them to be approved to collect their Tetherdown sibling, they must complete this form and receive permission from the headteacher. The headteacher will take up to two weeks to decide upon receiving this form.  A meeting, either face-to-face or online, may be required by the headteacher to finalise this decision. The 'designated child' mentioned in this form is the child in Years 7-11 who has a sibling at Tethedown that you would like us to give permission to collect. For details go to our Reporting Absence website page.

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For absences and pick-up arrangements report to:

020 8883 3412

admin@tetherdownschool.org

Official Appointments

 

If your child is going to be absent for an appointment such as:

  • medical (e.g. dentist, hospital appointment) or an
  • an official appointment (e.g. visa application, passport office)

Families 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.

All other Leave Requests

Please complete an exceptional leave of absence form for all other leave requests. You can find this form on our website under the Parents tab. Click here to go to access online absence request form.

Extra Curricular Club Cancellation

 

Extracurricular Club Cancellation

Recently, one of our extracurricular club providers needed to cancel their club. Communications are sent to families as soon as we are made aware of cancellations.

Please can families note the process below for any future club cancellations. This information is a standing item in our newsletter and on our website clubs and activity camps page. 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.

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.


DIARY DATES TO 7TH NOVEMBER 2025

Flu Vaccine Rec to Y6 - music room
All Day
03
October
Y4J Spring Lane Care Home Trip (Music)
1:45pm – 3:15pm
06
October
Y6 Fab science workshop
8:30am – 12:30pm
08
October
Y1-6 Parent Consultations and SEND Open Door (TEAMS)
4:00pm – 7:00pm
09
October
Y1-6 Parent Consultations and SEND Open Door (TEAMS)
4:00pm – 7:00pm
15
October
Y1-6 Open Afternoon
2:45pm – 3:25pm
17
October
PGL - Year 6 residential
All Day
from 20 Oct until 24 Oct
20
October
Y5 Apollo Workshop
1:30pm – 3:15pm
21
October
Y1B Parent Consultations
4:00pm – 7:00pm
22
October
Y3 London Iconic Buildings Trip
All Day
23
October
INSET DAY SCHOOL CLOSED TO PUPILS
All Day
03
November
Y4 J Springdene trip
1:45pm – 3:15pm
06
November
Reception Parent Consultation
4:00pm – 7:00pm
06
November