Latest News - 18th Sept 2026
Respect and Positive Relationships
As we settle into the rhythm of the new term, this week has been a good opportunity to focus on the part we all play in making STFS a positive, welcoming and respectful place to be.
Our assemblies have focused on respect and building positive relationships, encouraging students to think about what respect looks like in their everyday interactions with others.
We have talked about the importance of listening to others, being kind, valuing different opinions and including and supporting those around us. Students have also considered how small, everyday choices can help to build trust, strengthen relationships and contribute to a positive school community.
We linked this to our RISE values and what these look like in practice at STFS – from being polite and courteous and following instructions, to respecting others’ learning, taking care of our school environment and representing the school positively.
The message throughout the week has been a simple one: respect is something we all have a part to play in, through the way we speak to, behave towards and support one another.
Our School Sports Field
Some of you may have seen recent discussion on social media about the green space on the former Winslow Centre site. I wanted to reassure families that we are very much aware of the conversations taking place around the future of this land.
The area being discussed includes the sports field used by our students, and it is an important part of our school’s PE and wider sporting provision. We have been in ongoing discussions with Buckinghamshire Council about the long-term future of the field for some time.
I appreciate that seeing discussion about the future of land used by the school may naturally raise questions for families. Please be reassured that STFS is part of the ongoing dialogue and we are making sure that the needs of our school and our students are clearly represented.
The field is a valuable part of our school and our priority is to protect it for our students, both now and for the future. We will continue to make that case and, as soon as there is anything definite that we are able to share, we will of course keep families updated.
Health & Safety Audit
This week, we completed a three-day internal Health & Safety Audit – something we choose to undertake to make sure that our systems, procedures and site continue to meet the high standards we expect.
Every day, families trust us with the care of more than 700 young people, and that is a responsibility we take extremely seriously. Health and Safety in a school is a huge and often unseen area of work, touching almost every part of school life. Over the three days, the audit looked in detail at areas including site maintenance and premises, educational visits, first aid and medical provision, risk assessments, staff training, record keeping, equipment and departmental procedures, as well as the everyday systems that help keep our students and staff safe.
While we won’t receive the full written report for another couple of weeks, the initial feedback was very positive, which was great to hear. It reflects the considerable amount of work that goes on behind the scenes throughout the year and the shared responsibility across the school for providing a safe and well-managed environment for our students.
STFS Singers - An Exciting Invitation to Oxford
Following their fantastic success in last year’s Bucks Secondary School Choir of the Year competition, where the STFS Singers achieved a highly commended second place, they have been given a very special opportunity this term.
Our singers have been invited to perform at Somerville College, Oxford, where they will sing alongside a university college choir and take part in Evensong. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our students to experience singing in a very special setting and to perform alongside university-level musicians.
Rehearsals begin next week and will take place every Wednesday during Break B. All singers are welcome, so if your child enjoys singing and would like to be part of this exciting opportunity, we would love to see them there.
It’s lovely to see last year’s success leading to opportunities like this, and we’re very excited to see where our STFS Singers go next.
Looking Ahead
Next week brings another busy few days at STFS. Our flu vaccinations take place on Tuesday, so if your child wishes to receive the vaccine, please make sure you have completed the consent form using the link sent to you by email. If you haven’t received the email or can’t find the link, please contact the school office and we will be happy to help.
Then on Friday, we will be celebrating European Day of Languages across the school – always a great opportunity to celebrate the different languages and cultures within our community.
Have a lovely weekend, and I look forward to seeing everyone on Monday.
Francis Murphy
Headteacher
School Meal Menus
The current menus are available below, showing the range of meals and options available to students over the coming weeks. Please take a look through the menus with your child so they know what will be available each day. The current menus can always be found on our website and displayed in the canteen.
Raise funds when you shop online
Friends of Sir Thomas Fremantle School (FOSTFS), our PTA, have set up Easyfundraising as a simple way for families to help raise funds to support the school, at no extra cost to you.
Easyfundraising works with hundreds of well-known retailers. When you start your shopping through their website or app, the retailer donates a percentage of what you spend to FOSTFS, who then use these funds to benefit the school. You pay the same price you would normally pay.
Extra bonus for February
For a limited time, Easyfundraising is offering an additional £2 donation for every new person who signs up in February and selects Friends of Sir Thomas Fremantle School as their chosen cause. This bonus is paid on top of anything raised through shopping, making this a great time to get involved and encourage friends and family to sign up too.
Where it has the biggest impact
Easyfundraising can be used for everyday shopping, but the largest donations come from higher-value purchases. With holiday booking season underway, this is a particularly effective time to get involved.
Examples of high-value purchases include:
Holidays, flights and hotels
Insurance renewals such as home, car or travel
Mobile phone upgrades or new contracts
Laptops, tablets and other technology
Furniture, white goods or home improvement items
Broadband, TV or energy provider switches
Before you buy
If you’re about to make a purchase, please take a moment to check Easyfundraising first. It only takes a few seconds and can make a meaningful difference to the funds raised by FOSTFS for the school.
Thank you for supporting Friends of Sir Thomas Fremantle and helping to enhance opportunities for our students through such a simple action.
The services and events advertised in this newsletter are not all endorsed by the school. We are simply passing on information that may be of interest to our school community. Parents and guardians are encouraged to exercise their own discretion when considering these opportunities.
Upcoming Key Dates
Can You Help Our Preloved Uniform Shop?
As another Year 11 cohort prepares to move on to their next adventure, many families may find themselves with school uniform that is no longer needed.
We would be very grateful for any donations of clean, good-quality uniform items for our preloved uniform shop. Your donation could make a real difference to another family and help ensure that affordable uniform remains available to all students.
Donations can be dropped off at school reception at any time.
All proceeds from the Preloved Uniform Shop are reinvested directly into student-led projects and initiatives through the Student Council.
Thank you for your support.
