Issue 121 26th May 2004
Issue 121 26th May 2004
| FROM THE HEADTEACHER
In my letter to parents that included a summary of our recent OfSTED inspection, I indicated that the school was required to produce an in year balanced budget this financial year despite having only received a revenue increase of 0.5 percent. I also indicated that resolving this problem with the minimum amount of damage to our students' education would require radical measures. Whilst that projected financial balance has now been achieved without resorting to staff redundancies or draconian cuts in resources I am proposing making one curriculum change which will save the school something in the region of £30,000. I have set out a summary of that change below:
The change will mean that teachers are released from Skills will be able to teach their other specialist subject. We will review the effectiveness of this arrangement throughout the course of the year and then consider it in the light of next year's budget settlement. I will look to hold a meeting after half term so that parents who wish to can have an opportunity to discuss this matter further. Japan and Citizenship day On the 12th and 13th May, Year 9 students were involved in Citizenship and Japan activity days. The Citizenship Days involved visits from Childline, Save the Children, UNICEF, The Police and Show Racism the Red Card. The focus of the day was Children's Rights and Responsibilities. Next term fundraising will take place to help UNICEF supply fresh water to children in Ghana and to control flooding problems in Vietnam. Japan Day focused on cultural, traditional and geographical hazards associated with this island nation. Students participated in baseball, karate, origami, haiku poetry, designing earthquake proof structures, sampling green tea and chop stick racing! A newsletter was produced by roving reporters summarizing the highlights of the day. Junior Maths Challenge Earlier this year 111 students from years 7 and 8 took part in the Junior Maths Challenge. We are delighted to announce that 12 students gained Gold, 22 Silver and 30 Bronze. Sarah Cannon (year 8) was the best in the school and has qualified for the next round, which is the Junior Mathematical Olympiad to be held on 15th June 2004, good luck to Sarah and congratulations to all our winners. Year 11 Leaving Day Monday 10th May, was an auspicious date in the calendar for Year 11, as this was their last day in school. There were no lessons, but this was their chance to say goodbye to tutors and reachers. The form of the day was devised by their Year Head Mrs Thomas and was split into three, with time spent with their tutors and two sessions in the Main Hall. Here they were firstly entertained by a Year 11 band, consisting of John Andrews, Richard Quaife, George Mitchell, Jasper Wilson and David Patel. Thanks to Miss Nicholls, they were also reminded of their entrance into Therfield with their photographs from year 7 being projected onto a screen. This was greeted with shrieks of laughter and was obviously a hit. As was the entertainment by staff, which followed the coffee break with teachers. Later reversing the role in a skit about students in detention followed The Dafter Awards with Mrs Thomas and Mr Wheatley in the role of Oscar presenters. There were many tears as the leaving ceremony came to an end and the students received their good luck and best wishes for the future cards. However many will be returning in September, to follow courses in the Sixth Form. Drama Delight Congratulations to Therfield students, Kerry Henshall (Y9), Nikkita Henshall, Matthew Willsher, Daniel Joyce (Y11), who attend drama group ECH Actors. This group won the Youth Section of the Leatherhead Drama Festival on 8th May. They performed a specially written piece The Dairy Farm in front of Sir Michael Caine who presented their award. The adjudicator of the competition was impressed with the quality of the production. RUSH Project Kenya Three Year 7 students, Georgina, Shelby and Chantelle are raising funds for the RUSH Project in Kenya. All students are asked to bring a cash donation, even a very small amount, to school. The girls will turn all the coins donated into a 3D picture of a giraffe which will be on display at the Africa Evening (14th July). There is a collection box, for your donations, in the main office or you can hand it in to your tutor. The funds raised will then be used to buy mosquito nets for Kenya. Sports Update - District Sports Results Well done to all of the athletes that competed so well at the District Sports. The Year 10/11 boys won the Central Surrey Championships for the fourth time in six years. The Year 8/9 boys came second and the Year 8/9 girls had an excellent day finally finishing in third place. Best performances: Therfield has a world champion - Emily Davis Yr 13 recently became the world champion in her age/weight category in the finals of the Professional Kick Boxing championships in Corfu. This is a particularly praiseworthy achievement in the light of all the work that has to be completed in her A-level year. Congratulations. FUNFEST 2004 The Lions Clubs of North East Hampshire and Surrey Borders are holding their annual FUNFEST for handicapped children, their families and helpers on Sunday 13th June 2004 at Calthorpe Park School and the adjacent Leisure Centre in Fleet. This is a free, fun-filled day out. There will be plenty of helpers and the St John Ambulance will be in attendance. There will also be a BBQ on site £ 1 per item. For a form and further details please contact Susan Jackson on 01252 626341 Parent Prayer Group The next meeting will be on Monday 28th June. Meetings are held twice a term at the school commencing at 8pm and a warm welcome is extended to all. More information from J Poole on 01932 865476. 1471 If you use this number to check on your missed calls please note that if the school number is listed then we will not be able to trace the call as we have over 100 extensions at the school. Data Forms Over the next few weeks the school will be sending home Data Forms. These contain all personal data that we currently hold. When you receive it could you please check the details, amend any that have changed and return the form to us (even if no changes have been made). Ofsted Report The full Ofsted report will be available shortly on the Ofsted website at http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports. Can you help? We are looking for parents or friends of the school with first aid experience to cover Welfare on an occasional basis. For further details please call Tricia Barker on 01372 814486. Dates for the diary June Date for the distant future |