22 October 2003
22 October 2003
| FROM THE HEAD TEACHER
Looking Ahead - We are always seeking to make a good school an even better one and one of the initiatives I have been exploring recently with governors and staff is whether it is appropriate for Therfield to seek specialist status. If the decision is 'yes' then we need to decide which category of specialism is most suited to the school and local community. I am very keen to provide parents with an opportunity to engage in the debate and intend to provide a discussion paper and run an information evening early in the New Year. The school is also due to receive an OFSTED inspection either this academic year or next. I will keep parents posted! Surgery Date - I will be available on Wednesday, 12th November from 5.00 - 8.00pm to meet with parents who have any concerns or issues they would like to discuss concerning the school and their son/daughter. Please phone my PA, Mrs Jo Devonshire, on 814432 to arrange a time. Attendance Awards - After a school-wide initiative on raising attendance last year, we have received funding from County to support an Attendance Reward Scheme. Six main prizes have been agreed: 100% attendance for a half term will
earn a certificate and 10 merit points In September, group awards went to 7CRG for 98% attendance, 8PJA (96%), 9PWI (95.3%), 10NME (95.9%) and 11LBU (94.6%). Please encourage your son or daughter to aim for one of these rewards, a strong attendance record certainly helps with work and progress. Report from the Governors - Following the Friends' annual meeting, the School Governors met with parents to report on the past year's activities. The Chairman of Governors, Mr David Crutchley, the Headteacher, and individual governors answered questions and submitted reports. Copies of the annual report are available from the school if parents missed getting their copy. Therfield On Show - Tours of the school for parents and students looking for a place at secondary school next September have, as usual, been well attended and last week's Open Evening saw the school buzzing with activity. It is good to see Mole Valley parents taking a keen interest in their sons and daughters education and we estimate about 1,000 people attended. It was standing room only for Mr Tuck's talks in the Main Hall and staff were kept busy all evening answering questions from parents and prospective students. A special thank you to the many students from all years who volunteered to demonstrate, act as ushers or talk about their clubs and interests - it all helped enormously. Retirement - After 25 years as Secretary/Personal Assistant to Therfield headteachers, Mrs Barbara Sharkey retires after half term. Unfailingly helpful, courteous and efficient, she served Mr John Wooding, Mr Terry Reddin and, for the past two years, myself in an exemplary fashion. For many parents she has been the first point of contact for the school and has always sought to answer questions, soothe nerves and do what is best for you, your child and Therfield. She will be greatly missed but intends to keep in contact through work with the Friends. Mrs Jo Devonshire is the new Personal Assistant. Dates and Times to Note - School will close at 3.15 pm on Wednesdays 12th, 19th and 26th November. This is to accommodate Year 8 Parents' Evening, Sixth Form Open Evening and Year 13 Parents' Evening respectively. Thursday, 6th November is Academic Tutoring Day when students attend - in uniform please - for individual appointments and Monday, 24th November is an INSET day when students are not in school. Free School Meals - A reminder that Surrey County Council will provide free school meals to students whose parents/guardians are in receipt of Income Support, Job Seekers' Allowance or Child Tax Credit, but who are not entitled to Working Tax Credit. One of the many benefits of the new cashless catering system is that this is easy for the school to organise for students in a discreet manner. If, however, you are eligible but do not wish to claim we would still appreciate that you contact us informing us of this decision so that we are sure all parents are at least aware of the Free School Meal availability. If you think you are eligible, please contact the Welfare Department on 01372 814444. Police and Community - A public meeting is to be held at Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall on Wednesday, 29th October at 7.30 pm to meet and chat and 8.00 pm for a more formal presentation. Organised by Ashtead Residents' Association and the local Police, a warm invitation is given to parents to attend. Help with Revision - A one-day course in revision and study skills for Year 11 students will take place on November 24th. The course is run by Learning Performance Group, costs £12 and is an aid to revision in the run up to the GCSE examinations that we have provided for a number of years. Feedback has always been very positive and we would encourage all Year 11s to attend. 24th November is an INSET Day when students are not in school. Letters giving full details will go out after half term. Science Test for Year 10 - The first of the Year 10 Science Module tests takes place on Thursday, 27th November. It is especially important for students to be punctual to school that day as the tests will be held Periods 1 and 2. In Year 10, students will be sitting a total of six modules and these represent a very important part of the external assessment for GCSE Science. Other dates for Year 10 are Wednesday, 3rd March and Tuesday, 29th June 2004. Poetry Day - This was celebrated in the Resource Centre on 9th October and was well attended. Staff and students read their favourite poems, including some prize winning original work from the students. Book Fair - Please support the Resource Centre Book Fair to be held from 19th - 26th November. This is a good opportunity to buy in some early Christmas presents and the more books that are sold, the more books we can get for the shelves of the library. In these days of Cashless Catering, it is important to remember to give your son or daughter some money to buy books or why not come for a visit yourself after school to see the books on offer? A Challenge Well Met - Year Seven attended High Ashurst Outdoor Adventure Centre again this year amid the gently changing autumnal colours of Headley Heath. The programme this year saw the addition of archery to the range of activities that posed personal and collective challenges to our new students. With bonding and teamwork achieved, all involved, including staff and Sixth Form helpers, enjoyed the experience. The Friday group who missed their activities will, hopefully, have some compensation later in the year in the form of ten pin bowling and ice-skating at Guildford Spectrum. Welfare Office Information - Therfield is fortunate in having a permanently staffed Welfare Office for students to attend with reference to any health issues during the school day. We are, however, concerned about the number of students that use Welfare on a regular basis. We are particularly concerned to track patterns in the times students visit Welfare to ensure that there are no underlying problems at school that students are trying to avoid by seeking 'time out' in Welfare. This term we have introduced a new system in the Welfare Office that enables us to check easily on the number of visits each student is making and when. This information is given to the Head of Year and can raise awareness amongst pastoral staff concerning students who visit regularly without any information about health related issues from home. So that students are not missing any of their education unnecessarily, the Pastoral team will contact parents if a pattern of visits emerges. We would ask for your support in letting us know of any issues of concern regarding health - please contact your child's form tutor, Head of Year or the Welfare Office. Medication Authorisation - If your child needs to take medication during the school day on either a temporary or permanent basis, an authorisation form must be completed and signed by parents or guardians. This is the case for any medication, including paracetamol or aspirin. Strict regulations governing the issuing of medication in schools means that after half term we will be unable to administer any medication unless this form has been completed. Please contact the Welfare Office on 01372 814444 if you have any concerns or require an authorisation form. Looking after your Mobile Phone! - Surrey Police are working hard to get the message across for students to look after their mobile phones. They advise that mobile phones should not be 'flashed around' and should only be used in safe and secure places. It is important to write down the phone's identifying code number (IMEI). It can be found either on a sticker beneath the battery or on screen by keying *#06# into most phones. If your phone is lost or stolen a call to 08701 123 123 can immobilise it within minutes - you will need to know the identifying code. Also report any loss to the police. Surrey Police say taking these simple steps will reduce the risk of theft and ensure that any stolen phone becomes useless to the thief. The Bronze Award - Interest in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme has really accelerated - 37 Year 10 students took part in the qualifying expedition for the Bronze Award at the end of September. Walking in groups and accompanied by six members of staff, they completed a 24 km route over two days of the weekend. Carrying everything they would need and demonstrating their skills of navigation they found their way to camp and cooked their own dinner. Everyone enjoyed the warmth of a huge camp fire before some well earned rest. The good weather on the second day helped them on their way and all finished ahead of time. The students now need to complete the Service, Skill and Physical sections of the Award before moving on to the next step of Silver. Those students now in Year 9 who would like to start the Bronze Award in January will be getting information before the end of term. Greenfingers Needed! - For many years, Mrs Pat Hunt tended the front border and hanging baskets which always gave such a colourful and welcoming look to the school entrance. She has now retired and we would be grateful to hear from any parent who would be willing to look after this small but important section of our grounds. The position is voluntary though the school would, of course, provide payment for bulbs and plants. If you could help please contact Mrs Howarth on 01372 814429. Helping with Research - A group of Year 7 students voted it 'a wonderful morning' after spending time taking part in a product development research project for Kelloggs. They were working on the evaluation of new flavours of 'Fruit Winders' and so engrossed were they in their work they appeared totally oblivious to large groups of prospective parents and students visiting their room as part of a school tour! People from Kelloggs were delighted with the input, comments and serious approach of the students. The exercise proved to be 'an extremely popular and educational introduction to sensory analysis for our youngest students'. Visiting the House - The annual trip to the Houses of Parliament for Advanced Level Politics students on 30th September was an absolute success. Whilst Mr Blair was announcing that very same day at the Labour Party Conference that he had no reverse gear, Therfield's Year 12 were in top gear asking challenging questions to the guest speaker MP. This year, he was Michael Ancram, Shadow Foreign Secretary, who was impressed by the interest shown in current affairs by our students. A special mention must go to Oliver Whelan who was particularly tenacious in pursuing answers to questions about tuition fees and the reform of the House of Lords. The tour of the House provided a valuable insight into the corridors of power and the running of Westminster. One of the highlights was the opportunity for students to stand at the despatch box in the House of Commons. Commented Mr Ward, who organised the visit, "it was a joy to see the students engaged in political debate at the very heart of our democracy". ADHD Information - A meeting concerned with 'Parenting Children with ADHD' is to be held at Leatherhead Clinic in Poplar Road on Monday, 10th November from 7 - 9.30 pm. If you are interested in attending, please contact Christine Arnold (School Nurse) on 01372 384317. Parking Plea - Our neighbours in Dilston Road ask that parents should be considerate when parking near the school. Very often they cannot get in or out of driveways and although, at peak times, cars are often moved on quickly it is still very annoying and distressing and appointments are often missed. Sitting Comfortably - Popular additions to the school grounds have been the number of new picnic benches dotted around various sites. This was an 'extra' that the School Council highlighted as being needed and members liaised with Mr Geary on the choice of style, cost and siting. The benches were paid for from the Trust Fund and more are on the way. All parents should have received letters about the Trust Fund and we do ask everyone to respond as generously as they feel able. In these uncertain times for school funding, income from the Trust Fund is immensely important. Recently Trust Fund money has been used to refurbish the Resource Centre, buy in laptops, multi-media projectors, tools for Technology, support for extra-curricular activities and upgrade the sound system in the Main Hall with audio visual equipment - an 'extra' which was given a thorough and successful workout at Open Evening! Lost Aprons - It is important for protective aprons to be worn during Technology lessons. All new students had aprons supplied via the Trust Fund yet some are not bringing them to lessons. In future, failure to bring an apron to a practical session will result in a caution plus a 30p fine to cover laundry costs. Prayer Group - The next meeting will be on Monday, 17th November at 8 pm. All meetings are held at the school and a warm welcome is extended to all. More information from Mrs Jill Poole (01932 865476). Term Time Work - Catering Assistants are still required for the School Canteen - Please contact Mrs Stedman, the Catering Manager on 01372 375089. School Fleece - The school can now supply thick and comfortable fleeces for students - in black only and bearing the Swan logo. The cost is £13 for size 11-12 and £18 for all others. Order forms can be obtained from the Finance Office and cheques should be made payable to 'Therfield School'. The next batch of orders will need to be given to the Finance Office by 28th November. Looking at London - Year 11 Geography students enjoyed a full programme when they visited London on October 3rd as part of their GCSE studies. Their brief was to make note of land use changes and industry and a cruise down the Thames from the Embankment to Greenwich gave plenty of opportunity to record changes, while a hike through the Docklands development enabled them to experience the results of urban renewal and redevelopment. Even so, the highlight for some was a wave from the magician David Blaine as they passed his temporary home near London Bridge! Scaletrix - The Design and Technology Department's appeal for scaletrix sets or parts has been so successful that an after school club can now be set up. Many thanks to all who made donations and Mr Cockerill and Mr Steventon would be grateful for any additional sets. These are needed as a teaching resource to help stimulate and develop electronic projects. Work Experience - Debriefing sessions when Year 11 students return from their week of work experience should be full of interest. Placements next week include the London Broncos Rugby League Club, Home Office Immigration, an Arabian Riding Centre and Trading Standards Office. Students are also testing their skills in the Army, with the Metropolitan Police, as Countryside Rangers and with the BBC Africa English Service. Sporting Round-up House Football competitions for Years 7, 10 and 11 have been keenly contested and Years 8 and 9 will play after half term. Our U18 XI are through to the third round of the National Schools Cup and their next opponents are Gordon School at Woking. In the County Cup Year 7, Year 11 and the 1st team are all through to the next round. Competitive matches in Rugby have been curtailed due to the unusually hard grounds at this time of year. However, about 50 boys attend training regularly and Mr Batchelor is particularly pleased to note the number of Year 7 boys who train very enthusiastically. We organised the Area English Schools Cross Country over Epsom Downs this year, with good performances coming from Amy Turner, in the Intermediate Girls, Alex Hawkins and Tony Adamson in the Intermediate Boys section. Competition was very fierce and schools from all over the South East and London took part. For the first time we are offering GCSE Dance as an option and it is proving a popular addition to the PE Syllabus. On November 11th girls from Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 will be able to attend a Workshop, led by the Rambert Dance Company, after school and later in the month will visit Sadler's Wells theatre in London to see a matinee performance by the same company. Theatre Trips - Twenty five A level students visited two very impressive productions this half term. The first was After Mrs Rochester by the Shared Experience Company who have a reputation for very imaginative surreal staging and movement work representing the inner life of characters. The second was Richard II at The Globe, which was also attended by a group of Year 11 students considering taking Theatre Studies next year. Male actors dressed in authentic Elizabethan costume played both male and female roles in a memorable production. Ski Wear - Do you have some ski wear that you wish to sell? If so, please give it to Miss Mulroy, together with an envelope with your name and how much you would like for the items. We shall be holding a ski wear clothing sale at the Ski Austria 2004 meeting - the lower school trip - on Wednesday, 26th November at 7.30 pm. As well as selling, this can also be a good event for buying. French Exchange - The Return Visit - Despite the cancellation of the March visit of our friends from College Jean Monnet in Vertou, Nantes, the group managed to come over for a week this October. Both groups of students and staff were delighted and an extremely enjoyable time was had by all those involved from Years 10, 11 and 13. Whilst here the French group visited many tourist attractions in London and the joint trip to London was great, arriving just in time to see the Changing of the Guard. Good friendships were made and cemented during this return visit and some tears were shed as the French students departed with many promises to meet again. Youth Voice - Therfield will be holding elections for two students to serve on Mole Valley Youth Voice on November 20th. Last year - the occasion of the first election - created great interest and was run on very professional lines, with ballot boxes, tellers and returning officer being 'borrowed' from Mole Valley Council. 1058 students cast their votes, representing a turnout of 73%, and Miss Wooding hopes for similar interest this year. Mr John Cawdell, Head of Leisure at Mole Valley, will be coming into school to explain the procedure. Delegates are elected for two years so that their input can be of more value and this year's new representatives will provide 'overlap back-up' to Mark Richardson and Jonathan Francis, the current delegates. Mufti Day Money - The School Council voted that any money raised at Mufti Day on 21st November will go towards the Kenya Help Appeal that Mrs Noble, who is in charge of our Teaching and Learning Centre, worked with during the Summer holidays. Fieldwork Studies - Geography students in Year 12 discovered a backbreaking element to their Physical Geography fieldwork programme when they found themselves measuring loads of pebbles on Brighton beach! They also spent time studying beach profiles and investigated long shore drift and wave types. The Human fieldwork in the town proved more popular as they looked at settlement, services and land use and found answers to their questionnaires. Weather forecasting is not on the syllabus but for the second year running this particular fieldwork programme was carried out in beautiful Autumn weather. Looking at the Sixth Form - An opportunity to find out what our Sixth Form has to offer will be given on Open Evening on 19th November. This is an earlier date than usual and the evening will start at 6.30 pm. Students in Year 11 and their parents are invited to come along and hear presentations by the Headteacher and the Head of Sixth Form. There will also be an opportunity to talk to subject staff. Over 70% of students choose to stay on and continue their studies here and we offer AS, A2, AVCE and GNVQ courses. Examination results are always good and this year we are particularly happy about the high percentage of A and B grades - a record breaking 56%. If you know of anyone who is seeking a change of school Post-16 please tell them about Therfield and recommend that they come along on 19th November at 6.30 pm. They - and you - will be very welcome. DATES FOR THE DIARY THERFIELD SCHOOL: GOVERNING BODY 2003 -2004 APPOINTED BY SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL PARENT GOVERNORS TEACHER GOVERNORS Mr L Horder, Miss R
Allen CO-OPTED GOVERNORS HEADTEACHER GOVERNOR Mr Graham Tuck Mr David Crutchley is Chairman of
Governors with Mrs Paula Scriven as Vice Chairman and Mr David
Christie as second Vice Chairman. |