Therfield School Leatherhead - Therfield Journal 1981

Therfield School Leatherhead
THERFIELD JOURNAL (1981)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE HEADMASTER

How does one preserve the idea of a school magazine and its high interest level of personal contributions from our students, with a more versatile publication which gives key information about the coming year in school, and still provide space for individual notes and timetables?

The answer, we hope, is in this first issue of the Therfield Journal. We thank the editorial board and staff members who have worked hard for its production, and it is hoped that you will find it entertaining, informative and useful.

Efficiency is probably the theme word for the year ahead. The school has to maintain a high level of provision for all of you at a time when there is less money for education generally. As we move into an age of high technology and less than full employment, our students know that they will need to study harder and longer to reach their goals. Make the most of your time, both at work and leisure, and you will keep those opportunities open.

John D Wooding

The Headmaster with his 6th Form Student Committee:
Simon Higginson, Alasdair Stewart, Leon Smith, Richard Prowse
Elizabeth Smith, Helen Gray, J D Wooding, Ann Negri, Judith Montague

At the beginning: Just before I came to Therfield I was dreading it. I think it was because I did not want to be split up from my friends ... it seemed so much larger than my old school that I thought it would be a long time before I settled down and found my own way about ... all the other years towered over me like skyscrapers over a Mini ... it was very strange, going to a different classroom for each lesson, having a different teacher for each subject and a set timetable.

By the end of the year: All my "before school" fears were silly. I have made many friends here and I have settled down to school routine. I found it hard to get used to having to write down how long it took to do my homework and to get Mum or Dad's signature at the end of the week, but it soon became a habit.

The classes were a lot smaller, so it was easier to work .. all the teachers were helpful .. some of their teaching methods were strange but I soon got used to them ... those who give good productive lessons tended to give no more homework ... I am more happy here than I thought I would be ... I am now actually looking forward to the third year ... something I never dreamed I would say at the beginning.

MISS HINES

Born : Epsom Hospital
Why born? : Act of ultimate creation!
Favourite food : Marmite and cucumber sandwiches
Favourite drink : Vodka and Orange
Hobbies : Dancing, theatre
Favourite Music: Ballet music
Favourite sport : Don't like sport
Favourite TV programme : Crossroads
Favourite joke : My car

MISS COWL

Born : Bungay in Suffolk
Why born? : Because the world needed me!
Favourite food : Indian
Favourite drink : Bailey's Irish Cream
Hobbies : Music, theatre, reading, travelling, sewing
Favourite Music: Jazz and ska. Anything with good saxophone playing
Favourite sport : Swimming
Favourite TV programme : Question Time, Marty Feldman Show (old comedy)
Favourite joke : Afer a night out 'on the tiles' , two milk bottles (one full, one empty) started a conversation. The full milk bottle said to the empty one: "What on earth happened to you last night?" to which the empty milk bottle replied: "I got drunk!"

MR. PRATT

Born : Kingston-on-Thames
Why born? : You're joking! I just was.
Favourite food : Chilli con carne
Favourite drink : Beer
Hobbies : My car, making beer, reading, swimming, walking and identifying wild plants
Favourite Music: Good music of any sort
Favourite sport : Cricket
Favourite TV programme : Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy (on radio)
Favourite joke : The one about spastic and ice cream

MRS M SMITH

Born : Cheshire
Why born? : Father liked it there!
Favourite food : Strawberries and cream
Favourite drink : Pernod
Hobbies : Music, reading, walking
Favourite Music: Ballet. Any music one can dance to.
Favourite sport : Swimming
Favourite TV programme : Hart to Hart
Favourite joke : Q. What's a polygon A. A dead parrot

MISS WOOD

Born : In a police house in rural Surrey
Why born? : To keep my sister company
Favourite food : Most things - I enjoy eating (it shows!)
Favourite drink : Whisky
Hobbies : Driving, looking after strays e.g. my four week old hedgehog called Tiggy, and trying to get him on to solids
Favourite Music: Pink Floyd, Ultravox
Favourite sport : Eating
Favourite TV programme : Blue Peter, Coronation St.
Favourite joke : Q. If buttercups are yellow, what colour are hiccups? A. Burple

MR BELL

Born : Sussex
Why born? : To be an art teacher
Favourite food : Spaghetti bolognese and Italian food
Favourite drink : Pint of bitter
Hobbies : Collecting records, driving, tennis, shaving!
Favourite Music: Average White Band, Genesis, Toyah, Chris Cross
Favourite sport : Football
Favourite TV programme : Star Trek
Favourite joke : Too rude to tell

MRS RENNIE

Born : Toronto, Canada
Why born? : To spread love and goodwill
Favourite food : Lobster
Favourite drink : Champagne
Hobbies : Music, sewing, children, table tennis
Favourite Music: I like all music
Favourite sport : Volleyball
Favourite TV programme : Jeux sans Frontières
Favourite joke : All jokes make me laugh

MR TILLEY

Born : Coventry
Why born? : To become a teacher at Therfield
Favourite food : Roast beef
Favourite drink : Tea
Hobbies : Music
Favourite Music: Classical - Beethoven, Mozart
Favourite sport : Cricket
Favourite TV programme : 9 o'clock News, The Two Ronnies
Favourite joke : According to one statistician's interpretation of average, a man with his hands in a bowl of boiling water and his feet in an ice bath should be feeeling very comfortable!

Born : Forest Hill in Kent
Why born? : To be the best dressed man in the world
Favourite food : Doughnuts
Favourite drink : Milk
Hobbies : Photography, cycling
Favourite Music: Soul, reggae
Favourite sport : Football
Favourite TV programme : Fawlty Towers
Favourite joke : The England football team