THERFIELD NEWS Issue No.142, Apr 2006

I am delighted to report that things are moving forward with regard to the second phase of the school’s building project. Subject to the sale of an area of land that is currently not used by the school, we will be able to provide exciting state of the art facilities for drama. In addition, we will be providing new tennis courts to replace those lost by the building project.

In the meantime, work on the new music suite and eight new classrooms remains on schedule and we are continuing to look for sponsorship to ensure that these areas are resourced to the highest possible standard.

FA Charter We have just received confirmation from the Football Association that Therfield has been awarded the FA Charter Standard for the quality and quantity of our football provision. This is excellent recognition for our current programme of football development.

Pasta Pasta Pasta This year we are delighted to have sponsorship from Waitrose for our annual challenge. They have generously supplied us with the pasta and £50 of vouchers as prizes for the winners. The judging will take place on 5th June, an event which will be featured in the Waitrose magazine, The Chronicle. Good luck Year 7.

Ski Trip 2007 There are some places available on the Upper School Ski Trip (current Years 9, 10, 11 and 12) for next February half term to La Plagne in France. The deadline for all deposits and application forms is May 4th. Letters with further details of the trip are available from Ms Buckell, Mr Batchelor and Ms Marrill.

Surrey Father’s Day Competition In seeking to strengthen and develop children and young people’s relationships with their fathers and to engage with the wider vision Every child Matters, Surrey Parenting Education and Support is organising a creative competition for children and young people to coincide with Father’s Day on 18th June.

This is an opportunity to celebrate not only fathers, but all men who have acted positively as a father figure in children’s lives - whether stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers or some significant male role model.

Children have been asked to share their poems, short stories, jokes, drawings, images and portraits about this significant figure. The competition falls into three categories, 0-5years, 6-11years and 12-16years, with a boy and girl winner for each. All winning entries of artistic works/stories will be on display at County Hall. The fantastic prizes on offer include a free Dads, Lads and Daughters weekend at High Ashurst, a Family ticket to Chessington World of Adventures and many, many more.

The deadline for all submissions will be Friday 2nd June 2006 and they are to be sent to, Surrey Parenting Education and Support, c/o East Elmbridge & Mid Surrey PCT, Cedar Court, Guildford Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 9RX.

Wanted The Food Technology department would be most grateful for any donations of cake tins. Please send any donations into school marked for the attention of Mrs Rogers.

Readathon As part of the Readathon event some students from Year 9 read to students in Year 7. A great time was had by all, well done to those who took part.

Mufti Day Students and staff wore their own clothes to school on Friday 21st April to raise £722.40 for a village in India. Well done to Rosie Howarth and Hannah Piggott both from 11LJH for organising this.

RUSH Many thanks to our Year 8 students who have worked so hard this term to raise money for RUSH. We will be in a position by June to build another house for one more of the RUSH widows and to provide her with bed blankets, chickens, seed and medicine.

School Website Update The PE timetable and Clubs list can now be found on the school website www.therfield.surrey.sch.uk
The PE Gifted and Talented programme for the summer term has now been given to all students involved with this.

Africa Evening Preparations are well underway for this special Year 7 event which will take place on June 29th. We would be most grateful to receive any ribbons or braid that you would like to donate to help us complete the costumes. Please send them into school marked for the attention of Mrs Rogers.

Medical Update Please return your blue Medical Form to the Main Office as soon as possible. It is extremely important that the school holds this information for your child.

Personal Safety Sleeping Storm, a martial arts centre in Epsom, will be running personal safety classes at Therfield lasting 6 weeks and starting on April 27th. The sessions run from 7pm to 8pm and are for all ages and abilities. You will be taught very basic tactics and techniques for being safe on the street. Each sessions is £2. If you are unable to attend all the sessions don’t worry, just go to those you can.

1994 Reunion Did you, or anyone you know, start school at Therfield in 1994, or join that year group in the sixth form? If so then there will be a reunion in Cobham on 10th June. Further details can be found on the Alumni page for Reunions on the Therfield website www.therfield.surrey.sch.uk or you can call 07967 969592.

Dr Bike to Visit Therfield To launch our school travel plan ‘Dr Bike’ will be in school during lunch on Tuesday 2nd May. The event aims to encourage more students to cycle to school. The Mole Valley Travel Officer, Graham Clarke, has organised the event which will involve the local police who will security mark bikes and phones brought in on that day, Cycleworks in Leatherhead who will carry out minor repairs and adjustments and the Company of Cyclists who will bring a variety of bikes and tandems to ride.

Therfield School Trust The Quiz Night on March 30th was a huge success with a record attendance for the second year in a row. We also had the same winners as last year!

Thank you to those of you have replied to our request for help at events. It is not too late to fill in the form and send it back to Julie Shettle via the Main Office.

For anyone who has not yet responded to our appeal for donations, there are several very worthy projects in need of funds. We are looking to provide more interactive whiteboards for classrooms, and to give the Resource Centre a major and much needed facelift. Please send cheques, payable to Therfield School Trust, into the Main Office.

School Uniform We are sending out, with this Newsletter, a separate information sheet about proposals for changes to the school uniform. There is a reply slip for you to complete with your preferred options. Please return this to the Main Office by Thursday 4th May.

Dive Dive Dive Report by Rachael O’Leary and Kay Jenkins of 10PJA
Over the Easter holidays, 21 lucky students and 4 amazing teachers took part in a once in a lifetime experience, spending seven fantastic days in the Egyptian paradise of Naama Bay. Six wonderful days were spent diving in the Red Sea. The last day was spent shopping and relaxing which furthered our enjoyment even more.

We all agreed that it was possibly the best holiday ever with lots of sun, sea, sand and loads of great fun. The instructors were awesome and not only guided us through the course but entertained us as well. We met many new people and made friends that will never be forgotten. The trip will stay in our minds forever.

Changes to the School Day Due to examinations the school day will change as follows during the period from 15th May to 30th June.

Vacancies: Science Technician
34.5 hours per week, term time only (39 weeks per year)
Salary in range of £10,970 to £12,916 pro rata
Required to start September 2006

We are looking for an enthusiastic person to join a friendly team of technicians in the successful Science department at Therfield School. The post involves preparing requirements for lessons, routine maintenance of laboratories and other duties necessary to support the department.

This position would suit someone with general laboratory experience although training will be provided. A science qualification, particularly A level Chemistry, would be an advantage but not essential. The ability to work as part of a team is very important.

Please contact the office for an application form, closing date 19th May 2006.

Required as soon as possible Parental support with examination reading. For full details please contact C Harvey, Examinations Officer on 01372 814463.

Therfield School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Parents’ Prayer Group The group meets twice a term, the dates this term are Mondays 8th May and 26th June, at 8pm in the school. A warm welcome is extended to all. For further information please contact J Poole on 01932 865476.

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