Issue 120 April 2004 (published May)
Issue 120 April 2004 (published May)
| FROM THE HEADTEACHER
OfSTED Report I have set out below the first paragraph of the summary to parents as it exists in its final draft form. When we receive the final report parents will receive a summary document and the full document will be available from the school, with a charge to cover costs, or the OfSTED website [Adobe Acrobat™ Reader required]. " Therfield is a very good school, which gives very good value for money. The headteacher and leadership team have been successful in maintaining and building on an ethos of very high standards, very good teaching and learning, very good attitudes and good attendance. The school's partnership with parents, other schools and the local community are very good. " We are delighted with this report. Schools Admission Policy for September 2005 On 2nd March 2004, and after careful consideration of the responses to the consultation, the Executive of Surrey County Council approved the Admissions Policy for Surrey's Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools. Their decision was that there should be no change to the current admission policy. This decision was subsequently ratified by the full Council on 23 March 2004. The Keele Survey As part of the process of School Self-review Therfield used Keele University's student Attitudinal Survey earlier this year. This is the second time that we have used the survey. It provides information for the school on student satisfaction with school; commitment to work; attitudes to teachers and peer group. Roughly 25% of the school, from each year group, completed the survey. The responses were sent to Keele University who analysed them and produced a report. The results of the survey are detailed and interesting and set Therfield responses against the national picture. As a general rule we are looking for an overall impression of student attitudes in a number of areas and in conducting the survey over the next few years we will be looking at trends. The responses this year again indicate that we are
very close to the average for all schools in the Keele database,
in most areas. There were also some very encouraging responses,
for example; 78% think Therfield is a good school and 93% are
happy here. Changes to the school day A reminder that the need for greater flexibility in timing during the period of the public examinations - GCSE, GNVQ, A2 and AS - has meant we have had to make some adjustments to the school day. During the main period of the exams-17th May to 2nd July-the lunch break will be from 12.05 to 12.50. School will start, as usual, with a warning bell at 8.30am but will close at 3.15pm. As from Monday 5th July the normal timings will be resumed and school will finish at 3.30pm. Gym and Dance Display The display involved over 40 students who performed either gymnastic floor pieces, sports acrobatics, vaulting and trampette. Contemporary and 'hip hop' style dances were performed by the GCSE Dance students and KS3 dance group. Cheerleading was a new aspect of the display performed by a group of year 7 students. The event was a complete sell out and the students performed superbly, thanks in part to months of preparation. All proceeds for tickets will help to pay for new gymnastic equipment, leotards etc. Rush Project - Kenya Update by Liz Noble The RUSH project is an organisation established to promote self help within a village in Kenya. An ex colleague and I visit every summer. We are currently seeking charitable status. Last year people dependant upon the RUSH Project came to the clinic in search of "free" medication and also to have their eye sight tested. The local eye doctor insisted on giving his time for almost nothing and saw a huge number of people during the day. It then became clear that there is no possibility of obtaining a pair of reading glasses in the town - even if folk had the money (and they do not have the money) there are none available and nobody to make them. The doctor in question also seemed to be unaware of this fact and recommended eventually that people go to Nairobi - seven hours on the bus each way! At this time of the year (April/May) there is very little food left in the stores; the people are planting seed rice and maize which will not be ready for harvest for several months and many of the children are hungry. Lots of the little ones cried when school closed for the Easter break because they would not get fed at school over the holidays and for some this had been the only meal of the day. There is little money circulating in the town and little to buy in the market. As the rains increase so does the incidence of malaria which in turn increases the pressure on the clinic and the costs to RUSH for medicines. The majority of people sleep in ramshackle mud houses, which are not mosquito proof. There are few houses with adequate mosquito netting and many families are without bed covers. (A blanket in Kaka mega costs £2) The general health of the population is low during this season of the year and people are very susceptible to infections of all kinds. I am intending to work in Kenya again this summer and I would like to be able to take with me as many pairs of spectacles, vitamin tablets and mosquito nets as I can carry. If you would like to contribute either cash or goods, please bring in to the school or contact me on 01372 814420. Thank you for your continued support .... Fund Raising for Sabah Fund raising is carrying on at full speed. The tuck shop last term raised over £800, Mufti day £900 and the main hall event, Battle of the Bands £300. Events this term are to include an auction of prizes evening, date yet to be confirmed. If you wish to donate a prize or sponsor the Sabah team please contact Miss Nicholls. Duke of Edinburgh Award Update Silver Thirteen year 10 students completed their Silver practice expedition at the end of last term in mid Wales. After a long train journey they arrived at the farm from which the expedition was run. They put up their tents and had a briefing from John Roberts and his team. After a good dinner, which they cooked on their trangias, they planned a route for the following day. All completed the 18km day walk, even though the weather was not kind to them (10 hours of heavy rain dampened some spirits!) With a little help they dried out and warmed up, before planning for the next day. Sunday's walk involved a steep climb up to a wind farm, where they carried out some navigation exercises. All found their way back to the farm-some taking the odd wrong turning enroute! The last day's walk was to the train station. The pressure of possibly missing the train home was enough to dramatically improve everyone's navigation and speed. All the participants did very well in extremely testing circumstances and learnt a lot from their expedition. They are now preparing for their qualifying expedition, starting on 22nd May. Gold We have registered our first ever Gold award participants. They have started to work on their skill, service and physical. Some have planned to take part in a residential project over the summer, for the additional section in the Gold award. Expeditions will start next school year. Parents and Schools The DfES produce a free termly magazine for parents of school age children. It can be obtained by registering on line at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/parentsmag/ or by phoning 0800 389 3899. AFASIC UK charity for children and young people with speech, langyuage and communication disorders. A talk and discussion, organised by AFASIC, will be held in the Main Hall on 19th May. The evening will be hosted by Cath Manns and Diana Ennis - outreach teachers in Surrey for children with speech, language and communication disorders. The emphasis will be on practical help, with advice given to parents and teachers on helping children with these difficulties on issues such as paying attention, listening, organising work and behaviour. The meeting is open to anyone and entry is by donation. Coffee will be available from 7.30pm and the talk will be from 8pm to 9.30pm. Please call Caroline Cloutte on 01372 813136 for further information or to register interest. Year 10 Geography Trip to Guildford On Tuesday 20th April, 70 Year 10 students took to the streets of Guildford to investigate how this settlement affects peoples' quality of life. The students conducted land use surveys, walked along transects recording the environmental quality and building density. Questionnaires were completed along Guildford's main shopping streets. The students produced some excellent work and were a credit to the school. Sail Training Holiday 2004 36 students and 4 staff enjoyed a week a t the Medina Valley Centre, near Newport, Isle of Wight during the Easter Holidays. They sailed on the River Medina, with all students obtaining a Sailing Proficiency Certificate from the Royal Yachting Association, after an assessment at the end of the week. Courses were run to cater for all abilities and experience, beginning at Start Sailing Stage One and going right up to Advanced Blue Badge level. There was generally good weather conditions, with steady winds and sunny skies during the week, and we undertook a day-sail down the River Medina to Cowes and out across the Solent to land at Lepe Beach for lunch. Apart from the many practical sailing sessions and theory work ashore, there was still some time for leisure activities. These included a swimming session, a visit to Ryde bowling, some videos and indoor games. Spring Concert This year's Spring Concert proved once again to be a most enjoyable evening's entertainment for the crowd which filled the school hall. The Orchestra gave everyone a spirited welcome, playing the triumphant Jupiter by Holst and The Great Gate of Kiev by Mussorgsky. The Lower School Singers, with the assistance of two Year 8 narrators, performed a cantata called Rooster Rag about the perils of falling victim to flattery. The Symphonic Band had the audience clapping along to the Mexican Hat Song and gave an energetic performance of I Dig Rock and Roll. Jonathan Hunt delighted the audience with his remarkable trombone playing, giving a most polished performance of The Acrobat (which some older members of the audience recognised was used as the theme tune for television's Johnny Briggs!). One of the highlights of the evening each year is the Year 7 Band's first public performance. Each of the instrumental sections played an introductory tune to show off what they had learned since October before joining together to play two pieces, Sawmill Creek and My Heart Will Go On (the theme from the film Titanic). Their hard work and enjoyment were clearly evident in their splendid performances. The Choir sang two pieces from Karl Jenkins' Adiemus album, to an upbeat backing of string orchestra, bass guitar, drums and percusssion. Their vibrant singing led the way for the Swing Band to round the evening off with a punchy performance of Night Train and the toe-tapping Tuxedo Junction. Thanks to everyone who helped to make the evening so memorable and such a success. Look out for the Swing Band playing at Bookham Music Festival on Friday 21st May. Rag Week - written by Ali Cox Year 13 The pressure was on and adrenaline levels high for the committee in the weeks leading up to RAG week; a perfect opportunity to raise more money for the sixth forms supported charities that had been the focus of the first half of the academic year, PISTOP and CLIC. Previous fund raising has consisted of dress up days for the sixth form raising small amounts.... Not this week however, the whole school was to be involved and the focus of fun was the essence of the fund raising. Along with the sixth formers taking a blast to the past, dressing up in their old school uniform, a main hall event kicked off the week. With performances from two year 9 dancers, Kirsty and Kara, a dance show from five year 12 students, and an Eric Clapton classic sung and performed by two year 13 musicians, all amongst a chicken nugget eating contest, (I believe Dave Errasmus won with a total of 31 nuggets in 10 minutes despite the cheating that was occurring from Mr Garner) and a male auction. The attractive young males from the sixth form managed to rise over £40 alone from the screaming audience that filled the main hall. A sigh of relief came from the organisers as the first event of RAG week was an entertaining and fund raising success, even managing to get the hall ready for the afternoon assembly! By Tuesday £273.17 was made after a first break cake sale, which went down very well with the hungry passer-by students! Dressing up in their part-time jobs work clothes was the fund raising part of the day for the sixth form, along with chipping in by scoffing down the left over cakes, what would we do without hungry adolescents? Putting brains together, groups of all ages teamed up on Wednesday afternoon to take part in a quiz night. The laughs had during the afternoon due to the fantastic turnout proved the success of the event, raising further funds for the week. The sixth form did their part by going back to the past to be involved in Retro Wednesday, dressing up in as many retro items as possible. As students and teachers around the school were pestered by Kat Brinchmann and myself to have a go at a lucky dip during lunchtime, the sixth form lads prepared themselves for an after school 5-a-side football match. The supporters filled the edge of the Astroturf and the 10 teams all managed to raise £100 alone by paying £2 a player to take part. Other members of the sixth form took part in dressing up as film stars, we had a very attractive male Pocahontas, a stunning Rizzo from Grease and Tinkerbell fluttered her wings throughout the day also. Friday saw the light of the sixth forms favourite rags as the last pennies were dropped into the RAG bucket and spirits were high throughout the morning - Ah, the feeling of an Easter break and the end of a hugely successful fund raising RAG week. The grand total was £583.11 !! A big 'Thank You' goes out to all of you for your help and support throughout the week. Exam Invigilators Wanted Although Mrs Harvey, Examinations Secretary, has a strong team of regular invigilators who help to supervise the public examinations in May and June she would still like to hear from one or two more people who would be willing to help. She is looking for 'mature, responsible and calm individuals' and can be contacted on 01372 814463. This is a paid position and hours are flexible. Resource Centre Assistant wanted from September 2004 We are looking for a flexible, mature, and responsible person to assist in our Resource Centre, 18½ hours per week, term time only. Further details are available from Mrs Solomon, Resource Centre Manager on 01372 818123. Tesco Vouchers Please hand any outstanding Tesco's vouchers into school as soon as possible. Many thanks. Dates for the diary |