Issue 122 30th June 2004
Issue 122 30th June 2004
| FROM THE HEADTEACHER
Our Bid for Specialist Schools Status I am delighted to report that our application for Sports College Status is moving on apace with our target designation date of September, 2005. As I indicated in my recent letter to you, at our meeting for parents in May, there was strong support for the bid and the underlying principles behind seeking designation. In particular:
OfSTED Inspection Report The full OfSTED report has now been published on the OfSTED website. Parents can access this report at http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/ . Parents will receive a summary of the Governors' Post OfSTED Action Plan before the end of term and a more detailed plan wiII be available from the school. A new Therfield website
The school's new website "goes live" on Monday, 5th July. The
address is www.therfield.surrey.sch.uk
Meeting for parents In my last newsletter I set out for parents the one change that I was looking to make to the school's curriculum for September 2004. The impact of this change was that for one day per fortnight, school would finish at 2.30 pm. I would like to hold a meeting on Monday, 19th July at 6.30 pm for any parents who may wish to discuss this change. In order that we can make suitable arrangements, would you please contact my PA, Mrs Jo Devonshire - on 01372 814432 - by Friday, 16th July if you would like to attend. French Exchange 2004 Once again teachers from Therfield took a group of 36 students, 11 Year 12s and 25 Year 9s & 10s to College Jean-Monnet in Vertou, Nantes. The trip was filled with visits to local attractions like Le Puy du Fou a medieval theme park, a river boat ride up the River Erdre, a visit to the Chateau de Barbe Bleu and a sun-drenched tour of the local coast-line including a visit to the Ocearium. In addition to the excellent spirit of friendship among the exchange students, many enjoyed the banter exchanged about the Euro 2004 competition. An extremely enjoyable time was had by all. Those students in Year 8 who have letters from French pen-pals are encouraged to sign up for the exchange next year to visit this College and the surrounding area. Maths News - Intermediate Maths Challenge - Years 9 and 10 Ninety students from years 9 and 10 took part in the Annual Maths Challenge earlier this year. The results were: Year 10: 1 gold - Thomas
Rushton, 9 silver and 7 bronze certificates The award for best in school went to Thomas Rushton. Jessica Stuart and Bonnie Veit then took part in the Intermediate Mathematical Olympiad. Year 8: Eight gifted mathematicians visited the Royal Institute in London on 18th June. They attended master classes on code breaking and had the opportunity of seeing the Enigma machine which was used to break the codes in the Second World War. Sponsored Sail And Barbeque The 21st Therfield Sponsored Sail and Barbeque took place at Papercourt Sailing Club on Friday 25th June. We were very fortunate in having a fine weather window between two days of gales and rain. Twenty one students sailed in a three hour race in which they were sponsored for each lap. The Racing was keen and close but the overall Trophy was won by Freddie Hunter and Michael Laverty in a Topper dinghy. The prizes were kindly presented by the Commodore of Papercourt, Mr. Amer Sarsam. Thanks are due to Mrs. Caroline Cardew-Smith and her team of helpers who organised the Barbeque ashore. This is the Sailing Club's main source of funding, so we trust that our sailors will be able to collect as much sponsor money as possible. He's a Poet! Congratulations to Dan Howell in Year 10 who entered a poetry competition and has had his poem published in a book of poems called Poetry in Motion Come to the Cabaret Join the night life at Therfield on Wednesday 7th July at 7.30pm Come and listen to the students play and dance to the Swing Band. Drinks from the bar and nibbles will be available. Tickets are limited and selling fast. Contact the school office if you would like to reserve yours. Auction of Prizes Would you like a pair of Greg Rusedski's shorts - signed! How about Eurostar to Paris for two or a lovely bottle of Champagne plus many other great items. To raise funds for Sabah the team have organised an Auction of Prizes. To bag your bargain come along to the school on Thursday 8th July at 7.30pm. Tickets on sale at the door. Further details are available from Miss Nicholls. *WIN * WIN * WIN * WIN * WIN * WIN * WIN * WIN * If your parents attend this event make sure they sign in at the ticket sales desk. There will be a draw made from all those names entered and the winner will receive £20 of vouchers of their choice. Performing Arts Showcase
You are warmly invited to a Showcase Evening on
Tuesday, 13th July to celebrate some of the work that has taken
place within the Creative and Performing Arts Faculty over the
course of the year. There will be a diverse range of items on
show from each of the four departments - Art, Music, Drama and
PE - including KS3 and KS4 Drama, art work from all years, an
opportunity to hear Year 8 and 9 students performing music
composed during lessons and the A-level and GCSE music plus gym,
dance and trampolining displays. Canteen News One Day Book Fair - 9th July On Friday, July 9th there will be a one day book fair in the Resource Centre from break onwards. Please send your child in with money as books can only be purchased on this day and cannot be reserved for you for another time. Cash in on Cartridge refills Cartridge World in Barnett Wood Lane, Ashtead will donate 50p to the school every time they refill your cartridges if you mention Therfield to them. PE Update Well done to the Year 8 rounders team who beat Parsons Mead 10-7. Also well done to the Year 9 rounders team who played 8 schools in the district tournament. The girls performed well and won three games out of five. Players of the match were Lucy Smith and Faye Cherington. Congratulations to the Year 7's who took part in the girl's tennis tournament. A big 'well done' to Rebecca Thomas and Samantha Walsh who won! 'KIC' Needs You The
'Kids in Community Club' has been in existence now for almost a
year. It has over 120 children from the Leatherhead area who
attend regularly. Despite its success this club will close at
the end of the summer term due to changes in government
legislation unless one adult (over 17 years old) can be
recruited for every eight children. This means we need at least
twelve people a week. Initially we simply need people to help
make up numbers. How much you get involved is up to you. The
club runs between 5pm and 8pm on a Friday evening. Please do not
let the children down by thinking someone else will do it. Job Opportunities Can you help? We are looking for help in our Welfare Department on an occasional basis. This would be a paid position. If you have a First Aid qualification and would like further details please contact Tricia Barker in the school office on 01372 818123. THERFIELD SCHOOL - GOVERNING
BODY The governing body at Therfield is
made up of: A full governing body meeting is held at least once a term and sometimes twice. After a period of settling in, new Governors are asked to sit on one or more committees, including Finance, Teaching and Learning, Facilities Development or Staffing. Each of these committees meet once or twice per term, usually at 7.15pm in the evening but some meetings are held at 4.30pm. No formal qualifications are required to become a Governor and those appointed are given full training for their roles from Surrey County Council. If you would like to have an informal chat about what is involved could you either contact Mrs Sheena Reeves on 01372 814480 (Parent Governor and Training), or The Chair of Governors, Mr David Crutchley who would also be very pleased to meet with you to discuss joining the Board at the appropriate time (contactable through Dawn Dodd, Clerk to Governors on (01372 818123). Dates for your Diary
Date for the distant future |