Issue No.139*, 25 Jan 2006
Issue No.139*, 25 Jan 2006
| FROM THE HEADTEACHER
Congratulations to all students and staff who took
part or helped with last week's production of Little
Shop of Horrors. The standard of the production
was excellent and on the final night the audience would have
happily stayed for more. On Thursday 5th January past and present students came together for Prizegiving, the annual event to mark the achievement of students who have completed years 11 and 13. This year we were very pleased to have Brett Gerrard the GB Hockey team captain to present the prizes. Karate Champ Jackson Brocklesby (SIMH) has become the National Karate Champion in his age group. Congratulations and well done Jackson. Visit to Kew On the 23rd January Year 10 students visited Kew Gardens as part of their Geography GCSE course to look at climate, environment and people. Among the days activities were: investigating how plants have adapted to climate types, experiencing what conditions are like in a tropical rainforest and a desert as well as being introduced to 101 things palm trees and coconuts can be used for! Mandarin Chinese Lessons A new venture for Therfield last term was the introduction of after-school Mandarin lessons on Wednesdays in S5 for all students from Year 8 upwards, delivered by a native speaker. The lessons have proved extremely popular and will continue this term. Codebreakers Our congratulations go to two students, Michael Page ( l0NMI) and Joe Newton (l0NMI), who were successful in the fifth round of the University of Southampton National Cipher Challenge. They were awarded a prize of £25. The competition is supported by the Government, IBM, GCHQ and Bletchley Park. Oh What a Night Our show Little Shop of Horrors played to full houses on the three nights of the production last week. Fifty two students were involved in the show from Year 7 to Year 12. There were two casts for the leading roles: Senior cast were students from Years 10 and 9 while the Junior cast were from Years 8 and 9. This gave greater opportunity for younger students to experience the excitement of performing major musical roles. Students from Years 7, 11 and 12 were part of the Production and Backstage team along with members of staff who all worked incredibly hard ensuring that the production went as smoothly as possible. Mr Casselton and Ms Lewis were joined by Paul Leppard ( l3HD), Isaac Proud (12PP) and Tim Pitt (12EN) to make up the Band who together ably accompanied the talented singers. The three evenings were a great success and we look forward with eager anticipation to the next production.
Debating Society In November, a group of Year 10 students represented our school in the Surrey Great Debate. There were four speakers, Alison Jones (10LHO), Alice Smith (10LEL), Jenny Hurst (10LHO) and Emma Snow (10LEL) along with two researchers, Henry McMorrow (10NPK) and Amy Nick (10LHO). This is the first time Therfield has taken part in this event and our team was complimented on the quality of research and their ability to enter into the spirit of the debate. Students interested in debating can now take part in our Debating Society for Years 9 and 10 which meets on Monday lunchtimes in S13, or the Key Stage 5 group on Thursdays after school. Please see Miss Ensum for further details. New Club This term has seen the introduction of a Chess club for students in Year 7 on Tuesday lunchtime in W5. The sessions are supported by Year 12 students and are open to players of all ability, from beginners upwards. Year 11 Parents' Evening As Parents' Evening is only three days after half-term invitation letters must be returned to school by 8th February at the latest. This is in order that they may be processed and appointment letters handed out before half-term as there will not be time to process letters handed in after half-term. Free School Meals Could you be entitled to claim for free school meals? If you are in receipt of Income Support, Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance or Child Tax Credit and neither you or your partner are in receipt of Working Tax Credit and your annual income (as assessed by the Inland Revenue) is not above £13,910 then you are entitled. Please contact the Welfare Office at school who will be able to send you an application form. Walking For Health The Walking for Health Scheme in Leatherhead is part of the GO 50 project run by Age Concern in Surrey. The scheme aims to encourage people of all ages to walk on a regular basis in a friendly and sociable group. All walks are led by trained volunteers and this is something that almost everyone can get involved in - no expensive equipment or a map, just a pair of sensible shoes and a coat or brolly. The walks are all flat and last about an hour and they start and finish in the same place. We meet on Thursday mornings for a 10.15 to 10.30am start outside the B@ttitude shop in Kingston Road, Leatherhead - hope to see you there! Your contact is: Tim Partridge, Walking for Health co-ordinator, Age Concern, Surrey: Telephone 01483 534706. ADHD Talk Mid Surrey Attention
Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder Parent Support Group is hosting a
talk on Monday 6th February, 7.30 - 9.15pm at the Post Graduate
Centre (2nd floor) Epsom General Hospital. The guest speaker is
Iona Lidington a Dietician. There will be an opportunity to hear
about current information and research about dietary help for
children with ADHD. Parent members will talk about their
experience of using a gluten free diet. Please contact one of the
following if you require further information: Family Links Parenting Classes The latest run of parenting classes began on Wednesday 11th January in W2. Evening classes at the B@ttitude shop on Kingston Road will begin this term - as soon as the group size is large enough. All welcome - please contact Liz Noble on 01372 814431 for further details. The National Autistic Society. The National Autistic Society's Youth Club is for young people aged between thirteen and seventeen affected by autism spectrum disorders. The group has been funded by Connexions and will take place every Friday, during term-time in Guildford between 7pm and 9pm. For further information and an application please contact Mrs Kirton at school. RUSH Remarkable things have been achieved in the last twelve months. The RUSH primary school is now open and 120 tiny children receive free education and a free meal every day. The RUSH teachers are working for almost no money but prefer to be teaching than not. Ten pounds a month will pay a teacher. Joy Bunyolia Otiende is nearing the end of her teaching certificate and will go on to the diploma next year. The Therfield carol service raised almost £100 for Kenya and this money will go towards the ongoing training of Joy. Renson's son has the bicycle we promised him and he can now make money for the family by offering lifts around town. Two hundred RUSH widows come in for feeding twice a week and most are now able to get the anti retro viral drugs they need to live a reasonable life with the HIV/AIDS virus. In August we staged the third 'free' medical day and 1850 people received free treatment for cholera, malaria, typhoid and so on. The dentist pulled another bucket of teeth and we were able to give out the spectacles that Therfield staff and students had donated throughout the year. Since September money from Therfield has paid for the building of three houses for widows who were sleeping rough. Plans for the coming year include more houses and to buy a Posho mill so that the people in the town will pay to have flour ground and this money will support training carpenters and tailors and for Mwanatenah's son to have driving lessons enabling him to drive trucks to support the family. There are cards on sale in the Finance Office - all proceeds got to the RUSH project. Many thanks to all who have so generously supported this project. For further information you can contact Liz Noble on 01737 244014 or e.noble2 AT ntlworld.com (replace AT with @ before sending). Vacancy A position has arisen for an LSA in the Language Unit. The position is part time, three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). No previous experience required as full raining will be given. An ability to work as part of a team and a good sense of humour are both essential. For further information and a job profile please contact Liz Swingler on 01372 814422. Closing date 2nd February. Please note: Therfield School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students and as such the applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Criminal Records Bureau. News from the Therfield School Trust
Jumble Sale - no date has been set yet, but there will be one in February or early March, so please hold on to your unwanted items. Fun Day/Fun Run - a huge event is being planned this summer, involving the 'Epsom Oddballs' Running Club, where we hope ALL students and parents will be involved in lots of fun activities and raise money for the school, while getting fit and having fun! Watch this Space! Finally the Social Team is very keen to see more members. If you would like to help out with fundraising events, please contact Julie Shettle at : julie.shettle AT btinternet.com (replace AT with @ before sending). All our efforts are to help improve school life for the students. You are also welcome to meet us and see what we're doing at our next meeting on Thursday 9th February at 7.30pm at Therfield. Parents' Prayer Group The group meets twice a term, the dates this term are Mondays 30th January and Monday 6th March, at 8pm at the school. A warm welcome is extended to all. More information from J Poole on 01932 865476 Second Hand Uniform Sale Once again the Therfield Trust Fund are holding a sale of second hand uniform at school on Friday 24th February, during Academic Tutoring Day, in the dining hall. In order to do this we need items to sell! Please send into the School Office any items for sale as soon as possible. Further information can be obtained by ringing the School Office on 01372 818123. Dates for Your Diary
* issued in error as no.140 |
