A message from Mrs Marchant

This is always a busy term and so far we have been spending time remembering the sacrifices that others have made for us, ensuring that TWGGS remains an Anti Bullying School and launching our Christmas festivities. We held our non-uniform day on 7th November,  raising money for The Royal British Legion, and Monday last week saw Year 7 wear their odd socks in recognition of Odd Socks Day to launch our Anti Bullying Week. We have had assemblies on AI at TWGGS, Armistice Day, World Kindness Day and next week is UK Disability History Month before we begin Advent and the real countdown to Christmas.   

We have been treated to a fantastic show in ‘Daisy Pulls it Off!’ I am always in awe of what our pupils can achieve when they set their minds to it and the determination and dedication of all involved to this production has been a wonder to see – there are still a few tickets left for this evening if you would like a genuine treat. A huge thank you to Miss Patman, Mr Tugby, Mrs Davis and Mr Bicknell for all the support and inspiration they have given the cast and crew.  

This week has seen our fabulous community really shine.  We have had our choirs sing at both the Hospice in the Weald evening with the Orpheus Choir and also at Salomon’s Christmas Fair; events which have led to members of the wider community writing in to comment on the performances. It was a very fitting way for Miss Johnson to begin her maternity leave and we are wishing her every happiness when her new arrival comes; in the interim the department is in the very capable hands of Ms Ives who will be excellent.

We have had Upper Sixth and Year 11 Parents’ Evenings and these are always very well attended.  We do not give individual catch up appointments to those parents who are unable to attend, although we do try to give short feedback electronically and part time staff may arrange an alternative time to discuss progress with you online. We also had the inaugural Year 9 Options Afternoon this week which was extremely well attended and the pupils were full of questions for their new pathways. Please note that the deadline for GCSE Options forms is to Mr Corse by the end of January to allow us to start building and planning classes.  

We have a large amount of lost property that has still not been claimed which includes PE hoodies, water bottles, pencil cases, coats and trainers. We will put this out in the main corridor from Monday, anything not collected by the end of this week will be taken to charity/given to the PTA – please encourage your child to search for their items if they have lost anything. Please also ensure that everything is labelled as we match items to pupils where they are. The PTA are also very keen for donations for the Bring and Buy Sale which is our annual event on 12th December. Please send in donations of any good quality, gifting items such as accessories, toiletries and sets, books, gifts for pupils to purchase. We will also run our infamous chocolate tombola at this event so all donations of (nut free) chocolate will be very welcome alongside cakes (with ingredients listed if homemade).  Thank you for your support for this event.

We are very fortunate to have an Independent Careers Advisor, Mrs Pointer, who is working with our current Year 11 and Lower Sixth. Appointments are scheduled for every child and they are emailed with the date and time in advance. We have a number of pupils who are not checking their school emails weekly and are missing appointments, this then results in a great deal of admin and lost time which costs us. Can you please encourage your child to access their school email weekly and if they are unable to make their appointment to email Mrs King to change it ahead of time (careers@twggs.kent.sch.uk).

Finally, as Grosvenor Road reopens, another road closes. We have had advance notice of temporary traffic lights being installed on London Road in January; all information can be found here https://www.sgn.co.uk/southborough-a26-london-road 

I wish you all a very peaceful weekend.

Mrs Katie Marchant, Headteacher

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VAWG Community Event

I know that a number of parents and pupils have seen the media recently reporting on increased dangers to the safety of children and women in particular in the local area. I have been asked to share the below information regarding a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Community Event which is taking place with Kent Police online:

On behalf of Kent Police, I would like to invite you to a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Community Event on Monday, 1st December 2025 from 10:00am to 12:00pm or Tuesday, 2nd December from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

This event will be hosted online via Microsoft Teams and will be an opportunity to find out more about what Kent Police and partners have done to make your community safer for women and girls. You will also be able to ask questions of the local teams delivering in your area.

This event has been shaped from the feedback at previous events and will focus on progress against the VAWG strategy; 2025 performance data and what initiatives have been undertaken across the force to tackle VAWG this year.

N.B Both events will have the same content, we host them at different times to enable more people to attend. The event has live transcription and people can ask questions online or submit them in advance when booking.

Please use the links below to register for the event:

Monday 1 December, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Tuesday 2 December, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

I look forward to seeing you there.

Kind regards,

Emma Banks
Detective Chief Superintendent and Strategic Lead for VAWG
Public Protection Command
Kent Police, Sutton Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 9BZ
Public.Protection.Development.Team@kent.police.uk 

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Behaviour and Standards

Mobile Phones and Lanyards: A Reminder for Parents

A quick reminder that pupils must not use their mobile phones during the school day. Phones should remain switched off and out of sight while on site. If a phone is seen or used, it will be confiscated.

Keeping phones away is important for pupil wellbeing and for safeguarding.

For a first-time confiscation, pupils may collect their phone from the school office at the end of the school day. However, for a second or subsequent confiscation, the parent or guardian will need to collect the phone from the office.

Thank you for supporting us in taking this seriously.

Lanyards and Standards Cards

We are also tightening expectations around lanyards. Pupils must wear their lanyard each day as part of being properly equipped and ready to learn.

• If a pupils forgets their lanyard, they will be issued a temporary one from the office. This must be returned at the end of the school day
• If it is not returned by the following morning, a 30-minute lunchtime detention will be issued and emailed home
• If a pupil forgets their lanyard more than three times in a half term, a 30-minute lunchtime detention will also be issued.

These measures encourage strong organisation habits.

We appreciate your support in upholding the high standards and expectations that our students deserve.

Ms L Neave

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Latest News

As ever, this week’s newsletter is packed with news and information. Links and buttons will take you outside of this document, such as the ‘View All News’ button which links to News items hosted on our website. Please don’t forget to return to the newsletter to scroll all the way through.

This edition of the newsletter contains:

• VAWG Community Event
• Behaviour and Standards
• Christmas Toy Appeal
• TWGGS Policy Spotlight
• National College Bulletin
• Give Your Best
• Link to school calendar
• Attendance

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The Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Christmas Toy Appeal 2025

As our TWGGS community begins to prepare for End of Term festivities, we are very pleased to be able to support The Mayor of Tunbridge Wells’ Toy Appeal 2025. Please see the details sent to us by the Toy Appeal if you would like to contribute a gift on behalf of your child:

The Mayor’s Toy Appeal is a charitable appeal that provides Christmas presents to children of families in crisis, referred to us by Social Services, schools, churches and other agencies, allowing the children to experience the magic of Christmas whilst enabling their parent(s) a valuable respite from the pressures of the season. We seek to help children who, due to family circumstances, would not receive Christmas gifts. For example:

• Families where parents/carers suffer with mental and/or physical difficulties
• Families experiencing emotional/stressful/abusive circumstances
• Families in crisis due to bereavement or illness of a parent
• Children housed in temporary accommodation
• Families facing severe financial difficulty

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TWGGS Policy Spotlight

Our featured policy this week is the Collective Act of Worship Policy.

We believe our environment of mutual respect affords every member of the TWGGS community the confidence to achieve their full potential in all aspects of school life. Our approaches to teaching and learning support the individual needs of pupils, while we are sensitive and responsive to the wellbeing of every child. Giving your best underpins our ethos and values, helping to create a richness of experience that is not only created for our pupils but also sustained by them. Please click the button below to access details on the Collective Act of Worship policy, with information about our school assembly schedule and topic rotation.

All of our policies and key information documents can be found on our website.

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Tips for Parents and Educators

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• Stella W, Sienna A, Isabela P, Juno D, Ann J, Daisy E, Mimi A – our Chamber Choir who teamed up with Tunbridge Wells Orpheus Male Voice Choir for a charity concert in aid of Hospice in the Weald
• Amelia B, Isabela P, Ana R, Mimi D, Candela Q, Madeleine D, Grace B, Eva D, Elizabeth W, Sienna A, Juno D and Olive R – for singing at the Salomons Christmas Fair

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Upcoming Events

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Attendance