published 26 November 2003
published 26 November 2003
| FROM THE HEAD TEACHER
An Invitation - All parents are invited to a 'Teaching and Learning Evening' on Wednesday, 3rd December at 7pm. This is an opportunity to learn about what we are trying to do as a school, how we assess the students and how you can help play a part in your son's or daughter's education. Invitations have gone home via 'pupil post' and it would be very useful for us to have an idea re attendance, so please return the reply slips promptly. E-mail address - We are always looking at ways of improving communication with parents, and we are currently updating our database of email addresses. You will be asked shortly if you are willing to receive 'pupil post' via the net instead of on paper. We hope this will reduce the amount of paper used by the school and ensure all messages do arrive home. Publicity - Also, we do like the community to know what is happening at Therfield and from time to time this involves featuring photographs of our students in the local Press. It could be a group photograph, for example, a successful sports team, a drama production or the winners of a competition. Equally it could feature an individual student who has done particularly well academically, in sport or taken part in a prestigious event. It may be that some parents would not be happy to see their son/daughter involved in this way - if you would not like your child to be featured in any publicity, please contact Mrs Carriett with your concerns. Early Closure - School will close at 1.00 pm on Thursday, 18th December for the start of the Christmas holiday. Cashless Catering Cards - A reminder that any loss of a card should be reported immediately to the Canteen. Students will be given a slip of paper noting their current balance to use for one day only. To replace a lost card, please bring the £5 fee to the Finance Office before 9.30 the next morning. We would urge you to remind your son/daughter to buy food only for themselves and to look after their card. Don't forget you can ask for a daily spending limit to be set for a card. Prizegiving - The school's new multi-media facilities in the Main Hall were put to excellent use by Nick Watts, who presented the awards at prizegiving on 22nd October. A former student at the school, Mr Watts is now a film and television director and producer, and illustrated his talk on the theme of life as a journey with brief extracts from his work and the film that had inspired him to seek a future in the media. He was at Therfield from 1982-85 and was interested to see round the school and note the many structural changes that had taken place. Prizes were presented to over 200 students now in Years 8 - 11 and recognised achievements in academic work, effort, merit awards, service, sport, music, attendance and punctuality. Prizes for most merits in their respective years went to Alice Smith, Kelly Lloyd, Mark Richardson and Becky Williams. Special awards for service went to Henry McMorrow, Vicky Penny, Sophie Mundy, Megan Ellis and Nikkita Henshall. Youth Elections - All students had the opportunity on November 20th to vote for two delegates to Mole Valley Youth Voice. Congratulations to Year 8 students, Craig Gale and Suzi Taylor, who were elected. They now join Mark Richardson and Jonathan Francis as Therfield's representatives on this increasingly important group for letting local councillors know of the concerns and aspirations of young people in Mole Valley. Music News - The annual Carol Service will take place this year in Leatherhead Parish Church on Monday, 15th December at 7.30 pm. The service will include seasonal readings and carols with music provided by the school's orchestra and brass ensemble. This is always a very joyful occasion and we welcome all parents. Admission is free but will be by ticket only, available from the School Office. On Monday, 1st December at 2.45 pm precisely, all Year 7 students will be joining schools across the country in a bid to break the existing Guinness Record for the 'World's Biggest Sing'. Approximately 270 Year 7s will be singing For a Better Tomorrow, a song specially selected for the challenge. Declan Galbraith and the Young Voices Choir will lead the record bid at a concert in Manchester. Singers are requested to donate £1 during this record bid and this will go to the Sargent Cancer Care of Children charity. The Swing Band and the Lower School Singers were invited to perform for the Leatherhead and District Combined Charities Christmas Fayre at the Leisure Centre on Saturday. The groups' music was greatly appreciated by those browsing the large range of stalls in aid of local charities. Vacancies in School - We have some paid positions in school that may suit those looking for term time work: Assistant in Maths & English Departments - to assist with administration, display and working with small groups of students to boost attainment in Year 9. Ability in Numeracy, Literacy and IT is essential. This post is for two mornings per week (eight hours). Office Manager - this is a full time position for 42 weeks per year, to manage the flow of clerical work in the General Office and supervise the Administration Department. Further details from Mrs Jo Devonshire on 01372 814432, for both of the above positions. School Fleece - A reminder that the last day for orders this term is 28th November. Order forms are available from the Finance Office. We expect the fleeces to be ready at the beginning of January. Cycling to School - We encourage students to cycle to school but there are certain rules that need to be followed. All students must follow the school's cycle policy by completing a registration form, wearing a safety helmet and displaying a number plate. The number plate is provided by the school free of charge and all replacements issued at a cost of £1.50. At this time of year, of course, lights to front and rear must be in good working order. Mr Johnson is the school's Cycle Officer and will issue registration forms. If a student is shown to have ridden recklessly or without consideration for others, then permission to cycle to school will be withdrawn. Drawing from Life - Year 12 and Year 13 Advanced level Art students were taken out of school for a one-day Life Figure drawing course run by the Royal Academy. This 'Outreach' course built confidence and unleashed the creative side of their work. Both model and tutor commented on how hard the students worked and the visible difference it made to their work. Interest in Food - Advanced level Food Technology students and their tutors spent a wonderfully useful Saturday on November 8th at a conference run by the British Nutrition Foundation in Imperial College, London. After being welcomed by Professor Robert Pickard from the Foundation they enjoyed papers presented by speakers from Examination Boards, Government and Industry. Perhaps what interested them most was the vast number of career opportunities in the Food Industry for new graduates. Starting salaries of £27,000 rising in some cases to £120,000 after ten years appealed greatly to students and teachers in the audience! Invigilators Wanted - Mrs Harvey, Examinations Officer. is looking for 'mature, responsible and calm individuals' to add to her team of invigilators for the forthcoming public examinations. If you are available during January and then from the end of April until the end of June, please contact Mrs Harvey on 814463. These are paid appointments and hours can be flexible. A Wider Perspective - A visit to Tate Modem with Year 10 GCSE Art students proved very successful and an inspiration to all. It was not only exhibits on show in the Gallery that proved of interest as students also enjoyed walking across the 'wobbly bridge', noting some interesting and eye-catching architecture along the riverside and espying David Blaine in his glass box in the distance. Parents' Prayer Group - Dates for next term's meetings are 2nd February and 15th March 2004 at 8 pm at the school. A warm welcome is extended to all and more information can be obtained on 01932 865476. Visiting the Battlefields - A luxurious stay at a French chateau was in marked contrast to the conditions faced by the soldiers of the First World War in whose footsteps Year 9 students were following on the annual trip run by the History department to Ypres in Belgium. However, the torrential rain when the group visited the trenches gave a very appropriate feel to the visit as did the moving Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate. The thousands who fell in the First World War are buried all over the Ypres Salient and Year 9 finished the very full two day programme with visits to Tyne Cot and Langemark Cemeteries where over 55,000 soldiers are buried. The students were able to put their classwork into context and were praised for their respectful and sensible behaviour throughout the visit. Valuable Views - A visit by 37 Year 10 and Year 11 GCSE Drama students to the exciting horror production of The Woman in Black at the Fortune Theatre, London on 11th November took on a new dimension when the group were approached to give their reaction to the show. The questioner was the show's latest director who willingly gave his autograph in return for the students' views on the performance. He was even more pleased to receive the reaction of Mrs Hudson, Head of Drama, who has seen all productions since the opening performance eighteen years ago! Student Exchanges - The French and German Exchanges planned for 2004 are fast approaching. These are open to students in Years 9 and 10 and offer a fantastic opportunity to discover more about French or German culture and daily life, as well as being a great way to boost confidence in speaking the language. Students who are interested but have not yet 'signed up' should see Mr Hostler (French) and Miss Buckell (German). Greenfingers Still Needed! - This is probably not the best time of year to appeal to those interested in gardening but we are still hoping that someone with time and interest to spare will volunteer to look after the hanging baskets and front garden at the entrance to the school. This small and very colourful section of our grounds always gives a cared-for welcome to the school and is important to us all. This is a voluntary position and the school will be happy to provide payment for plants and bulbs. If you can help please contact Mrs Howarth at school (814429). Another Challenge - Following on the success of this year's expedition to the Northern Territories in Australia, we now plan a trip in 2005 to South East Asia. Working in conjunction with the well established Outward Bound Trust the expedition will travel to Sabah in Malaysia and so give students the opportunity to experience a developing country with very different lifestyles and customs to that of the UK. The challenge for students starts early as they need to raise a considerable sum of money and also prove they can face up to the physical and mental demands of such an expedition. The trip is open to students presently in Years 10, 11 and 12 and looks as though it is going to be very popular - a launch meeting held last week was attended by approximately 150 students and parents. More information can be gained from Miss Nicholls in the PE Department. Surrey Family Link - So as to give parents of disabled young people a regular break from caring, Family Link from Surrey County Council is appealing for volunteers to offer a few hours help. The idea is for the Link Carer to look after a child for a few hours on a regular basis so that parents are able to have a little time to do things on their own. Getting a regular break from caring is a lifeline to many parents of disabled young people. People who offer these shorts breaks can be young or old, married or single, retired or working, with or without their own children. They receive support and training as well as being paid an allowance for their time. There is no need to arrange special outings or trips, the essence of what is required is time. If you think you can help, contact Connie, Ros or Carol on 01737 737828. Looking after your property - Students are advised not to bring valuables into school as there is risk of them getting damaged or going missing. During PE lessons and Clubs any items of value should be handed in to the PE office or placed in the valuables tray. Top Chef - Nick Sinclair, who was a student at Therfield from 1991-96, has recently won the prestigious Graduate Chef of the Year award. From an original entry of around 2000, all nominated by their head chefs, Nick was one of fifty selected to take part in a 'cook off' before winning through to the final ten who took two sets of theory papers and demonstrated practical kitchen skills, such as butchery, fish filleting, following recipes and preparing a main dish and dessert. Nick gained the highest marks and with two others can now look forward to a week's work experience at a top hotel, a trip to Luxembourg, champagne and a set of kitchen knives. This was a new award for young chefs under the age of 23 and was instigated by the Craft Guild of Chefs. Nick's enthusiasm for cooking was consolidated by a week's work experience while in Year 11 at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington. Mrs Shannon remembers Nick and sends her congratulations. A Practical Look - Year 11 GNVQ Leisure and Tourism students enjoyed a fun and educational visit to Drusilla's Park in Sussex last week. As well as admiring the animals and evaluating the zoo's layout they tried their luck at the Zoo Olympics - three of them being congratulated on shouting at 122 decibels to equal the call of a Ruffed Lemur! On the more serious side, the students listened to a talk about Customer Service and how Drusilla staff deal with comments and complaints from visitors. As well as having an enjoyable time, the students agreed that the visit provided valuable information for their studies. Christmas Party - Year 12 Leisure and Tourism students are currently busy organising this year's Christmas Party for local pensioners to be held on 16th December from 1.30 to 3.30 at school. They would be very pleased to receive suitable gifts as raffle prizes and presents - soaps, chocolates, toiletries, house plants are always welcome but please no tinned food. Also, if you know of anyone who would like an invitation, please contact Mr Meadows and the students will make contact. Plenty to do in Maths -The UK Senior Maths Challenge was taken on 11th November by nearly fifty 'volunteers' from the Sixth Form. Year 7 students have been busy finding the answers to plenty of puzzling questions on the Numeracy Trail and Nicola Piantino, Jake Harkett and Ross Mitchell were winners of the Year 7 Maths Poem Competition to celebrate National Poetry Day. The school has also taken up The Cipher Challenge set by the University of Southampton. This consists of a sequence of eight enciphered messages which have to be cracked as you move through a sequence of adventures. This has proved to be a popular exercise with students in Year 12. Year 10 students are reminded that Revision Guides are available from the Maths Department. Rugby Visit - Not altogether surprisingly there has been considerable support for Rugby training this term although the hard grounds early on have restricted the number of competitive matches played. A group of 32 Year 7 and 8 students will have the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of a big rugby occasion when they attend the Oxford v Cambridge university match at Twickenham on 9th December. Christmas Show - Michelle Joyce in Year 7 has had a busy time recently appearing as one of the orphans in the production of Annie at Leatherhead Theatre which opened on 14th November and runs until 21st December. Mufti Day - A total of £1118.30 was raised on Friday and this will go to the RUSH (Self Help) Project in Kakamega, Kenya to help pay for a 'free' medical day for the people of the town. At the last medical day in August, 1300 people attended with doctors from the local hospital prescribing for a variety of ailments including malaria, typhoid and cholera. Any additional money will go towards the building of a boarding house for 18 children orphaned by Aids. Therfield has a particular interest in this project as Mrs Noble, who is in charge of our Teaching and Learning Centre, spent part of her Summer holidays helping at the project. For her next visit she hopes to take out flat, single bed sheets and any old pairs of spectacles that have been donated. Another Appeal - Due to the generosity of people who donated old scalextric sets, the Design and Technology Department now plan to extend extra-curricular activities and would like to receive any unwanted radio controlled cars. Please contact Mr Cockerill if you can help. Congratulations - Lucy Smith in Year 9 attended the Surrey Netball Trials and has been selected to represent the county in her age group. Dancing Initiative - As part of the GCSE Dance course which was introduced this September, thirty students took part in a two hour, workshop run by the Rambert Dance Company. This helped them to experience technical dance movements, learn something about the Rambert repertoire and develop ideas and choreography. A visit to Sadlers Wells by the students and Advanced level Drama students to view a performance by the company was further enhanced thanks to a talk before the show with choreographers to help the students' understanding of performance in dance. News from the Friends - The Craft Fair was our most successful ever, with a record number of stalls and customers - and a profit of £2782 for the benefit of the school. Thank you very much to everyone who helped. The Friends are planning to set up an Old Therfield Association for past students and staff - more about this in the New Year. You can also visit the fascinating Alumni/History link via the school website. Only a few tables are left for the Friends' Christmas Ball on 13th December - call 01372 272887 before they get snapped up! We will be holding our Jumble Sale on January 31st, another of the popular Quiz Evenings in February and are planning a Car Boot Sale. The Hundreds Club had a double winner in November - if you would like to join call 01372 372548 for details. DATES FOR THE DIARY |