Please see the below information about free workshops for Medical School applicants.

 

Ten students from our school took part in the Senior Physics Challenge Online, organised by the British Physics Olympiad in January 2026, alongside over 7,300 students from 336 schools nationwide.

We are delighted to celebrate our students’ achievements: Charlotte F and Amaha S earned Silver awards, Gracie S received a Commendation, and seven students — Hubert G, Joe H, Ronnie N, Joshua P, Archie M, Anuraag N, George W— were awarded Bronze. These results reflect our students’ enthusiasm, resilience, and strong problem-solving skills in a challenge designed to stretch and inspire young physicists.

As Mr Robin Hughes, Chair of the British Physics Olympiad, highlighted: “The most important aspect of the competition is to take part and try out one’s thinking. The medal achieved does not really matter, but taking part in a national physics competition does indicate a willingness to achieve in the subject.”

We congratulate all students involved on their commitment and success — a fantastic achievement and something to be very proud of.

Mrs T Filippova
Physics Teacher 

Please see the below PE round up:

 

Oaklands College Basketball Training Session – 28th January

Oaklands College, home of the Oaklands Wolves Basketball team, visited Townsend on Wednesday 28th January for an exciting coaching session with our Year 10 and Sixth Form basketball teams. Amy, who plays for the Oaklands Wolves female first team, led an intense and engaging one-hour session.

The session was packed with high-quality drills, technical detail, valuable advice, and plenty of energy. Our students were challenged throughout and gained great insight into the standards and expectations of performance basketball.

We would like to thank Amy for giving up her time to run such a fantastic session, and we look forward to welcoming her back after half term.

Mr B Hill

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Thursday 29th January – Year 7 Boys District Football vs Roundwoodpark School

The Year 7 boys football were given a very tough first round draw against Roundwood Park in the District Cup. Roundwood Park’s School team play together at the weekend as part of their Saturday commitments so have a defined style of play and know each other’s strengths very well. It was great to hear all the positive talk from the team in the minibus as we made our way to the game and rightly so as the team were full of confidence after some excellent recent performances.

Roundwood Park started strongly and were keen to release their pacey striker as often as possible. Luckily Townsend has its own pace merchant in Isaac M who generally kept up the Roundwood striker which impressed the opposing coach as few can. Townsend defended well for the first 20 minutes but were unable to create any opportunities for the dangerous Nathan P upfront who was being superbly marked by Roundwood Park’s most cultured player who was a younger version of the great Jarred Branthwaite. Sadly Roundwood Park eventually managed to transition really quickly from a rare Townsend attack and release their almost as quick left winger who drew Isaac M across before releasing his striker for a simple finish. A scrambled goal at a corner just before half time saw Townsend go in 2-0 at half time which did not reflect their defensive display. The second half saw a few of the Townsend players tire and four quick goals meant the game was in danger of turning into a rout. Luckily Jonathan F was was starting to find his rhythm as he made his debut in the famous purple shirt. A few trademark dribbles started to put Roundwood on the backfoot and they were expecting another dribble when the ball was laid off to Jonathan 30 years out by the industrious Arnold A. An excellent bit of scanning allowed Jonathan to spot the keeper well off his line and he hit a wonderful first time shot in the far top corner that had everyone applauding. It seems what Jonathan F can do, so can Trey B-L who a few minutes later ran onto a bounding ball, also around 30 yards out to unleash a screamer of a shot into the same top corner. This gave the score a bit more respectability and forced the opposing coach to bring back on his two best players.

Sadly the game finished in a 6-2 defeat for Townsend but with renewed respect from Roundwood Park who had a few unused substitutes they had brought along in case the scoreline allowed them to come on.

Player of the Match – Mason H who was superb in goal and made a handful of exceptional saves.

Goals – Jonathan F & Trey B-L

Mr P Dawson

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Monday 2nd January – Year 7 Basketball

The Year 7 basketball team played their first competitive match against St Albans School, putting in a promising performance in a 24–10 defeat. The boys played well as a unit, showing great enthusiasm and successfully grasping several key attacking plays throughout the game.

Joshua N, Joshua Z, Henry M, Issac M, Mehmet D, Mason H, Gursahib S, and Dario S all represented the school superbly. A standout moment came in the third quarter when Issac M produced a fantastic block to deny a St Albans lay-up, while Mehmet D scored an excellent lay-up, dribbling the length of the court and outmanoeuvring the entire St Albans team.
This was a strong first performance from a new team, and we look forward to seeing them grow and improve throughout the year.

Mr B Hill

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Tuesday 3rd January – Year 10 Netball vs STAGS

Townsend Year 10 faced St Albans Girls’ School in a competitive district netball fixture. STAGS made a strong start, taking an early lead and setting the pace in the opening stages. As the match progressed, Townsend grew into the game and showed clear improvement across the court.

Excellent passing and movement in the attacking third created a number of scoring opportunities, with Alexa and Fifi capitalising well. Alexa finished the match with 8 goals, while Fifi added a further 5. Despite Townsend’s efforts and improved consistency, they were unable to close the gap, and STAGS secured a 24–13 victory.
There were several standout performances from Townsend, reflecting the team’s continued progress and development with each game.

Player of the Match, as chosen by STAGS, was Praise U.

Miss M Jones

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Friday 6th February – Year 7 Boys vs Monks Walk, County Plate 1/4 final

After an excellent win in the previous round of the County Plate, the Year 7 boys headed to Monks Walk for their ¼ final match. It was yet again another competitive fixture and unfortunately another one where Townsend just fell short by small margins. The team worked so hard for each with Isaac M making numerous tackles as he mopped up Monks Walk’s attacks. However, despite Townsend’s hard work for each other, clear cut opportunities were limited for both teams so on the balance of play it was disappointing to lose 5-0. However, all 5 goals came from set pieces, 3 goals conceded at corners and 2 from free kicks. This was following conceding two goals conceded at set pieces against Roundwood Park. Clearly an area we need to work on if we wish to go further in competitions next year.

At the end of the match the referee made a point of praising the Townsend players who were respectful throughout and played the game the right way. This shows how wonderfully the team were upholding the Townsend value of respect for all and community.

Player of the Match – Isaac M for a superb defensive display to ensure no clear cut openings from open play in the first half.

Opposition Player of the Match – Mason H for a series of superb saves in the second half.

Mr P Dawson

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Monday 9th February – Year 9 Football vs Sandringham

Townsend got off to a flying start in their Year 9 clash against Sandringham School, taking the lead after just one minute. Kerell showed great composure in a one-on-one with the keeper to make it 1–0. Only moments later, Lamech doubled the advantage with another tidy finish, again calmly slotting home after going through one-on-one.
Unfortunately, Townsend couldn’t hold on to the early momentum, and Sandringham hit back with two quick-fire goals to level the game at 2–2. Just before half-time, Sandringham struck again to edge into the break with a 3–2 lead.

After the restart, Sandringham took control of the match and added three more goals to extend their advantage. Townsend kept battling, and Mayo grabbed a late consolation with a brilliant outside-of-the-right-foot finish into the bottom corner, a real highlight of the game.

Despite the effort, the match ended 6–3 to Sandringham. Well done to all 12 players who took part and represented the school with commitment and determination.

Mr M Brooks

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Monday 9th February – Year 7 Netball vs Marlborough 

The Year 7 netball team continued their season with a home match against Marlborough Bs this week. The game started very evenly with both teams having a fair amount of possession, however, there were not many shooting oopprotunities. The first quarter ended 0-0. The Townsend team grew into the game and improved as each quarter progressed, finishing with a strong 5-0 victory. Well done to both Anayah N and Evalyn W who both scored in the game. A very good team performance all round. POTM (as chosen by Marlborough) was Anayah N.

Miss M Jones

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Monday 9th February – Year 8 Basketball vs STABS

The Year 8 basketball team delivered an excellent performance in their fixture against St Albans School, securing an impressive 35–13 victory. Representing the school were: Nathan, Xavion, Kyron, Chris, Brooklyn, Gabriel, Hercules and John.

The boys played superbly from start to finish, growing in confidence and physical presence as the game progressed. Their teamwork, communication, and attacking play became stronger with each quarter, and it was fantastic to see them supporting one another throughout.

Man of the Match: Nathan I

A brilliant team performance and a well-deserved result.

Mr B Hill

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Wednesday 11th February – Year 8 Netball vs NBS

The Year 8 netball team continued their season this week with a home match against Nicholas Breakspear. The Townsend team started off slowly and with some dominant play and lovely shooting, NBS took a 5-1 lead at the end of the first quarter. Much like the Year 7 fixture earlier this week, the Year 8 netball team improved as the match progressed. At the end of the second quarter, NBS still held a 5-2 lead but the marking and passing from Townsend had greatly improved. Townsend managed to pull another two goals back in the third quarter, making the game 5-4 to NBS as we went into the fourth and final quarter. This quarter had the most action, Townsend managed to draw the game at 5-5, for NBS to respond quickly to make it 6-5. Townsend once again pulled the game back level at 6-6, for NBS to again take the lead. With only a few minutes of the game left to play, Townsend managed to score three quick fire goals to lead the game 9-7. Townsend was then able to see the match out and end a very entertaining match with a 9-7 victory.

The year 8 team showed fantastic levels of teamwork, communication and resilience throughout the game, as well as, some fantastic interceptions, passing and footwork. Both Paris M and Ruby W showed some lovely shooting throughout, with Ruby scoring 4 and Paris 5.

POTM (as chosen by NBS) was Paris M.

Miss M Jones

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Upcoming fixtures (Monday 23rd Feb – Friday 6th March):

Summary of House competitions
Monday 23rd Feb: U13 Girls Football
Tuesday 24th Feb: U12 & U13 Netball vs Loreto
Tuesday 24th Feb: Year 8 football V Verulam (home)
Monday 2nd March: U12 & U13 Netball vs St Columbas
Wednesday 4th March: U12 Netball Tournament @ STAGS

We are excited for the second annual GCSE Recital at Townsend Wednesday 25th February at 6pm.

GCSE Music Students will be performing their ensemble pieces in a relaxed music club style. Please come along and support our musicians as it’s going to be a great evening.

There will be snacks and soft drinks available throughout the evening and a retiring collection will be taken to raise money for the Performing Arts at Townsend. Please click the link below to reserve your free ticket.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gcse-music-ensemble-recital-tickets-1982519887351?aff=oddtdtcreator

Mr E Barnett
Head of Music

Just a reminder that Year 9 parent/carers evening bookings are currently live on Edulink.

Please note that Year 9 parent/carer evening will take place online on Thursday 12th February.