From Therfield School Magazine 1976

Therfield Magazine '76
The Magazine of Therfield School
Summer Term 1976
some news items from this issue

Stop the Stop-Go

If asked what new changes I should like to see in education, I'm inclined to suggest none at all for the time being. This is not intended to imply that there is no room for improvement but rather that the stop-go pattern of modern living is as harmful to schools as it is to industry.

Most schools yearn for a few years of uninterrupted internal development and consolidation free from the timetaking changes in staffing, external examination systems and protracted schemes of secondary reorganisation. And even these latter problems pale before the enormity of restructuring within schools which must necessarily follow the recent severe cuts in educational expenditure.

How real is change in the context of the school society? There is a saying "The more things change, the more they remain the same". During the last year or so, we have become "Therfield School, a comprehensive school for students from 12 to 18 years"; the younger age group is being taught in the middle schools; our school building has been adapted, extended and added to with temporary classrooms; the junior section of the school has been closed.

Many of you will recall with affection your first year at Therfield in the Kingston Road annexe. The old building with its steep and narrow staircase, rooms opening onto a spacious hall instead of busy corridors, the bell rope, the small staff room with
its gurgling coffee pot, the exasperating slope of the games field, desks and chairs of real wood .... all these were part of the charm of "K.Rd." which I'm sure you'll keep as vivid memories, perhaps one day to describe to your own children.

The elegant new wing has its own style and the mellow red brickwork blends easily into the main building. As the nation faces an over supply of steel, we remember that only a few months ago a desperate shortage of steel girders required the architects to replan the building with timbered beams. These bold black beams set against the stippled white of the ceilings are a most distinctive and welcome feature of the architecture.

The design centre for art and crafts should stimulate creative ideas as never before; it must be one of the most interesting centres in the whole county. We take pride in the new science laboratories, language rooms and splendid drawing office, but school is about people! Improved facilities can give added enjoyment and interest but they will never replace lively teachers and responsive, determined learners.

The sheer scope of the curriculum has to do with buildings and equipment; the quality of our instruction is concerned with trust and skill between pupil and teacher. In that important respect may things remain the same.

Mr. F. E. Claytor
On Thursday March 25th 1976, a flowering Cherry Tree was planted in the School gardens opposite the main entrance by Mrs. F. E. Claytor, in commemoration of her husband, our past Head Master. At the ceremony were representatives of the School Council, Governors, Staff and Sixth Form, as well as several people from outside school who knew Mr. Claytor.

The plaque in front of the tree was presented by the Board of Governors, while the tree was bought by the School Council from the School Fund.

Full Time
Miss E. Beards (Sociology, English, Economics)
Mr. M. Brown (Physics, Science)
Mrs. J. A. Gard (History, Art)
Mrs. J. Gilbert (French)
Mrs. S. Oviatt Ham (English)
Miss J. Le Mière (Sociology, French, Geography)
Mrs. W. Newstead (Art)
Miss G. Lukeman (English)
Mr. D. Mitchell (Physical Education, History)
Mr. C. Pratt (Music)
Miss D. E. Taylor (English)
Mrs. Wells (Home Economics)

Part Time
Mrs. M. J. Hayes (Commercial)
Miss E. Mundle (Arts, Crafts)
Mlle. F. Brunello (French Assistant)

Electronics Club	Geography Club field trip
believed to include Gill Hart, Jo Chapman, John Horner and Dave Tunstill presenting a donation worth £140 to Miss Angela Glitheroe of the Across Trust	Norbury Staff on the 'Krazy Walk' [who?]* Sponsored volunteers had to walk in a crazy way ten times around the tennis courts. This raised £71.70 [the whole target] in one event.

[*Susan Ford (now Hall): "The lady in the middle is definitely Miss Wood. I think that the lady on the left is her sister, also Miss Wood!"]

Ski Weekend in Scotland: 12 Dec 1975: believed to be Anthony Pledger,
Neil Shepherd, Alison Shepherd, Michael Pledger [who is who?]

I was not a member of the main party going to Sappada. The air company was changed and the new plane, a DC 9, could not accommodate all of us so a group of friends, Mr. Mitchell and I went by Alitalia from Heathrow.

We met at school at half past eight on the Sunday. We went by coach to Heathrow. We boarded the plane at eleven o'clock. Soon we had taken off and were flying above the clouds in brilliant sun-shine. During breaks in the cloud I could see French villages. After an awful cold dinner we flew over the Alps. The scenery was magnificent. The snow was unbroken. It lay evenly over the mountains.

We stopped for about forty minutes in Milan. This gave us the opportunity to look over the Transit Lounge. Half an hour after Milan we were told that Venice was fogbound and we were landing at Trieste on the Yugoslav border. It was a very small airport. We were soon on a coach going back to Venice.

We were still debating where we were, Italy or Yugoslavia? We stopped soon at a control point with lights, barriers and men looking like something from Quiller. In the coach were our group, some German and English businessmen, two American soldiers
and Italians. Three hours later we arrived at Venice. Apparently it had been a drive of 130 miles. At Venice airport we found there was no coach to take us to Sappada!

At about half past ten we got a coach to take us to Sappada. We came across another strange checkpoint place, as we saw in Trieste. It was not a Border Control but a toll station. You have to pay to go on the Autostrada (motorway). We eventually arrived in Sappada at half past one on Monday! We had been to four airports and travelled just under a thousand miles.

Sappada
Sappada is a small Italian village in northern Italy. It has one main road, which winds along. The village which is set in the hillside, is 1250 metres high! The shops together with the hotels line the road. There are two shops which sell food, one of them just opposite our hotel. There are about three shops selling ski wear for tourists. The food is very expensive and we didn't like it, which was fortunate because of the price!

The houses have shutters at the windows to keep out the light and cold. There were shutters in the hotel too. One night we left them open and we could not sleep because of the light. Most of the houses are painted yellow or white, some were pink.

There were two churches in the village, one we never found. We knew it was there because it chimed at a different time to the one we had found and there was a postcard of it. The one we had found was down the road from the hotel. It was a catholic church so we did not like to enter. The outside was pretty, with pictures of saints, painted in a deep orange colour. The rest of the church was a light yellow colour. The graveyard behind the church was very well kept. The whole family was named on one stone, with a picture of the persons beside it. The graves were white with fresh flowers standing in rows. There were hundreds of people buried there, but the whole graveyard was only about 20 feet square.

There were three ice-rinks in the village and about two discos. There was also a chair lift which went up the mountain side.

Ski-ing in the Dolomites
It was Monday 19th January and we were waiting for our skis and ski boots to be fitted. The weather was very cold and everyone was wrapped up warm. Our skis were kept in a store room next to the Hotel where we were staying. My skis were about 5 feet long and the boots were very heavy. Once we had got our boots on and our skis over our shoulder we were ready to go. From the hotel to the ski slopes was 200 yards, and by then our shoulders were worn out.

The next difficulty was putting our skis on. As soon as we had placed our boot in the ski and let go of the ski-sticks, (which were stopping us from sliding down) to put the clamp down and do our laces up, we found the skis leaving us behind! Our first lesson only lasted one hour, instead of two, but nobody seemed to mind as we were all worn out and glad to get back to the hotel.

After about three days ski-ing with our ski-instructor, Bruno, we found ourselves going down fairly steep hills. We were really amazed when we saw to our suprise three and four year old boys flying past us as though it were the easiest thing in the world. In order to get up to the steeper slopes we had to use the drag lift which literally dragged us up, and if we fell off we had to
clamber off the drag lift track in case we were run over by someone else.

The coldest day was the 26th, when it was 23 deg [F] below freezing point. We were so cold that our fingers felt as though they were dropping off after only about five minutes ski-ing. I think our instructor felt sorry for us as he let us go into the bar to have a drink of hot wine with sugar which I thought was horrible. On the 24th we were allowed to go down the death wall which was enjoyable but frightening as it was a long way down to the bottom. Even the teachers were scared! On the 27th we had our ski-ing test. Everyone in my group passed, and in the evening we were presented with our certificates.

The Trip to Cortina
Italian coaches are very comfortable, our coaches even had televisions! The mountain roads are very winding. They only have little pillars by the roadsides to stop one from going off the cliff edges, which a car could easily go over. As we were approaching Cortina we saw the Olympic ski-jump. When we arrived at Cortina we went up the cable car lift. The cable car went so high, we had to do the journey in three stages. We could only go up two stages because it was so expensive. The cable cars were very small and had no seats. Higher up the cable cars blew about in the wind slightly. From where we were we could see the whole of Cortina and the farms outside the town. In the snack bar we had our packed lunches before going down to Cortina again.

Some went swimming after going on the cable car while the rest went round Cortina in groups of four. The streets were quite wide in Cortina and were extremely tidy. In the centre of the town was the white stone church and separate bell tower. Farther down the street a brook ran straight through the town. There were some very nice souvenirs in the shops, but they were quite expensive.
We all enjoyed going to Cortina very much.

A few hours in Venice
The water-bus trip that we did was very exciting. It is just like a bus trip in England, calling at each stop, but on water. On the water it was quite cool, for the tall buildings each side shaded the canal. The buildings, I thought, were very gloomy and 'dirty'. Occasionally a gondola passed us, a boat with a thin hull and a head at the front, like a Viking Ship.

St. Mark's Square was magnificent with all the beautiful buildings. The church at this end was a piece of art, especially the ceilings where religious figures stood. At each hour I saw and heard the two metal figures on top of the tower, to the left of the church, hit the large bell; first the back and then the front figure. To the right of the church was another fine tower, but it was much more modern, which seemed to stand out in clean pink brickwork.

However, the most famous things of St. Mark's Square are the pigeons, which I just could not miss. In the square is a stall where you could buy seeds and if you did, the pigeons would be all over you, which is really quite frightening when they move and flap their wings. They were all around our feet and as we walked they formed a path, which slowly closed behind us.

Venice is known for its glass. We visited a shop and saw the intricate work. A horse was being made when we arrived, and it was very interesting to see each leg pulled into shape, then the head and tail, and then left to cool. In the shop itself the glassware was fascinating: small figures, bowls, decanters and glasses. The colours of blue, red, green, yellow and clear glass sparkled in the lamp light.

After St. Mark's Square we saw two famous bridges; The Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal. The Bridge of Sighs is down a small water alley-way and was where the prisoners, from the dungeons to the right of the bridge, saw their last glimpse of daylight before they were executed. The Rialto Bridge stands over the Grand Canal and has shops on it. We went on to the bridge and under it, for it was on our bus route.

What's New Pussy Cat?
The premiere of the Therfield Summer Concert - theme Cats - reached a crescendo with the final act, the staff sketch. The opening scene showed a dark and dingy alley, and slowly, tail by tail, the feline characters revealed themselves to an expectant audience. The costumes proved excellent forms of disguise holding the attention of the audience where, perhaps, the plot failed.

Basically, the sketch concerned the antics of a group of feline citizens disturbed by the economic situation inflation had thrust upon their human counterparts - result: Cheap and Nasty Cat Food. The performances were well up to scratch, and though Her Majesty was obviously not amused when the feline demonstrators spied the mouse, the audience thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

At least there were no pregnant pauses throughout the performance, in spite of the official statement from the palace concerning the birth of the kittens, bringing the sketch to a close. Certainly not a performance to be missed by any self respecting Therfield cat lover or Bay City Roller fan, but I don't think any offers from the West End are expected.

Cast: In order of Appearance:
Al - Mr. Elliot; Leonardo - Mrs. Blythe; Mehitabelle - Miss G. Wood; Dorabella - Miss Sidebottom; Tinkabelle - Miss P. Wood; Pussy Dinkums - Mrs. Arnott; The Queen - Mrs. Palmer and The Mouse - Dr. Goodwin.

So wrote Nicholas Breton in the 16th Century - words that appear to me to be particularly significant some 400 years later in 1976.

At a time when Surrey has more children in its schools than ever before, additional cuts in its proposed education budget for the year amounting to £2¼ million have been made.

Compared with the education budget in a normal year these additional cuts have reduced the budget in total by around £12 million. For those of us with children in full time education these cuts will mean fewer teachers, larger classes, a halt to the nursery building programme, shorter term times, cutbacks in the school library service, switching off the heating in our school swimming pools, and so on.

Our personal reaction to these cuts and their consequences will vary and few will disagree that the burden of ever increasing rates and heavy taxation must somehow be eased before it breaks the back of even the most willing. For all Friends of Therfield however our reaction should be, and indeed must be, one of recognising that our children and the school they attend, will need whatever help and support we can give them.

This is not to say that Friends of Therfield should take up the task and responsibility of providing simply financial help that should be forthcoming from the County Education Authorities. I do believe, however, that we should all rally round in order to understand just what the problems are, and how best, together, we can perhaps help to solve them.

I am a new Friend of Therfield but am anxious to be joined by many others. Our activities are many and varied - social, like the annual Christmas dance, fund raising, like the summer fête, educational, like planning a careers evening. Our overall objective is simply to improve the educational opportunities available to our children in whatever way we can. Time and effort is needed - time which parents, staff and other Friends are, I am sure prepared to give to such a good cause.

The greater the adversity - the greater the need for Friends. I like to feel we can count on the support of you all. Please come along to as many of our functions as you can - I guarantee you will receive a warm welcome.

An Evening of Words and Music was held at the school on Friday, 12th March. To a capacity audience Verse and Prose of the pupils' own composition were read, and the choir performed the Pop' Cantata Swingin' Samson by Michael Hurd.

A group of first years recited The Daniel Jazz and other items included a Cello Solo, a String Quartet, A Flute Sonata, a Slavonic Dance played by the Senior Girls Recorder Group and an Adaption by Mr. Pratt our music master, of Tin Roof Blues played by the Therfield Jazz Band.

The final item for this varied entertainment was a Melodrama written and performed by the Drama Club.The theme of the Words was "The Senses" and the wide range of appeal for these was shown in the Colours, the Sounds, and other sensory experiences, all extremely well expressed.

We should like to thank everyone who contributed towards the success of the evening in any way. As so many people were involved it is difficult to be more specific, indicative surely of a school event.

MOTOR RACING
Jeffrey Gaterell, a fifth year pupil, is clearly a well known racing driver already! He was a member of the Martini Racing Team. In 1975 he became British Junior Champion (13-17 years) winning five out of ten races during the season. He was driving a formula Ford (1600 c.c.)

He also became European Junior Champion. This was much more difficult to achieve because the competition was severe. In fact he had to win the last race against an Australian driving a Ferrari, to clinch the championship.

Laurie Grant

BOXING
Laurie Grant (5th year), Jamie Emberson (5th year) and James Penny (2nd year) won their respective events in the Surrey Boxing Championships and will represent Surrey against Sussex.

Jamie Emberson

Mark Walden (5)

CROSS COUNTRY
Andrew Bullen (5th year), David Morris (5th year) Roy Partington (5th year), Michael Shuttleworth (4th year) and Mark Walden (6th year) have successfully represented Therfield School and also Epsom/ Ewell Harriers Club. David and Mark will be representing Surrey.

Michael, Roy, David and Andrew

Head Girl Caroline Bonsey
Deputy Head Girl Gillian Hart
Head Boy Maxwell Jack
Deputy Head Boy John Horner

Upper VIth Prefects 1975-1976
Girls
Joanna Chapman
Anne Harrison
Gillian Hart
Valerie Saunders

Girls
Deborah Brown, Fiona Carlson, Lesley Cooke, Janet Coppard (left), Catherine Crawley, Sally Edwards, Lesley Elliot, Penny Hardcastle, Marianne Henniker, Jane Litman, Susan Lovell, Deborah Loxton, Eunice Macfarlane, Jane Norkett, Vivien Parr, Carol Sawden, Sandra Snook, Marie Trembley, Debra Wingham.

Boys
John Carter, Clive Constable, Graham Devine, Keith Douglas, Jonathan Francis, Peter Gill, Stephen Grostate, Michael Hall, Robin Hall, Alan Hutchinson (left), Philip Jones, Philip Morris, Simon Parnell, David Partington, Michael Pledger, Simon Pocock, Jonathan Rowe, Deglan Rowe, Jimmy Shroff, Martin Stephenson, Christopher Stevens, David Turstill.

House Captains 1975-1976
POLESDEN Graham Devine, Kate Crawley
JUNIPER Ian Chandler, Jill Waldren
LEITH John Edwards, Vivienne Parr
NORBURY John Horner, Gillian Hart

Games Captains
POLESDEN Philip Morris, Julie Attfield
JUNIPER David Morris, Jane Moran
LEITH Graeme Hudspith, Lesley Cooke
NORBURY David Tunstill, Joanna Chapman

Members of the School Council 1975-1976
Head Girl Caroline Bonsey (Social Organiser)
Head Boy Maxwell Jack (Chairman)
Deputy Head Girl Gillian Hart (Secretary)
Deputy Head Boy John Horner
6th form (lower) Philip Morris
5th forms Chris Chapman, Christine Fenton, Mark Galbraith, Shirley Killick
4th forms Paul Brown, Darren Newman, Samantha Webb, Karen White
3rd forms Paul Gadd, Carole Oliver, Jill Posner, Alan Rogers
2nd forms Veronica Lett, Jennifer Oborne, Ian Wood, Andrew Woodlands
1st forms Andrew Martin, Lucy Moore
Co-opted (technical advisor) Christopher Harris
Staff Representatives Miss Catherine Thompson - Mr. Basil DuMont

The Magazine Committee
Fiona Carlson, Philip Morris
Catherine Crawley, Simon Parnell
Graham Devine, David Partington
Marianne Henniker, Simon Pocock
Philip Jones, Rosemary Rickett
Susan Lovell, Debra Wingham
Deborah Loxton, Robert Willis, Marie Trembley