Issue No.153, May 2007'The Best for All'
Issue No.153, May 2007
| MESSAGE FROM THE HEADTEACHER
Mrs Susan Willman
Dear Parents Our new music and maths facilities have had a very positive impact on students’ learning. We would like to invite parents to an open evening on 20th June, to view the new facilities. The building will be open from 6 – 7.30pm, there will be some light refreshments available and some music to enjoy. We hope you are able to join us. We have been working on our school development priorities for next year and an outline of these will be published on the website next term, following which I will be keen to hear your views. The consultation on the move to the House system is well underway and you should have received a letter regarding the changes to the school day from September. Further details are available on the website. Addition 24 June 2007- Therfield Social Team - Bogus Blues Brothers and KC &the Soul Revue Night 20th July NATIONAL CIPHER CHALLENGE PARKING AND DROPPING OFF STUDENTS NEWSLETTER THORPE PARK TRIP LEATHERHEAD DRAMA FESTIVAL Therfield won Junior week for Best Show and was nominated in all
categories: Graham – World's Fastest Blindman
review by Mark Wheeller. Directed by Cathy Hudson it was performed by Year 10 & 11 classes at Therfield School in Surrey. The bar was set very high as I met my new cast for a read through the day after. So what was so good about it? So good that afterwards Sir Michael Caine (the patron of the Festival) said … "It wasn't an ordinary play was it? It was extraordinary!" Well to start at the beginning… the opening impression was "quality". All the actors were dressed (except Graham who was in white) from head to foot in black with contrasting white gloves. All were knelt in two lines opposite each other facing the audience casting the beams of slim line torches along the floor to mark out a running track. Immediately some magnificent symbolism and an arresting visual image of darkness broken by small beams of light. From that moment on I knew it was going to be both highly imaginative and of a VERY high standard. The only props they used were two white sticks. An excellent example of how they were used was in the scene where Harry is testing baby Graham's sight. Two people knelt facing one another just in front of Harry and held the two sticks at head height (when knelt) and Harry peered between them to see the (invisible) baby. They used body props imaginatively … a tricycle which morphed effortlessly into a two wheeler brought a spontaneous round of applause from the packed (House Full signs up at the front) 500-strong audience. They intermingled contemporary dance sequences into the edited script (running time about 40 minutes) to tremendous effect. These sequences reminded me of the work Danny Sturrock does (most recently in his new SUICIDE.COM production). The highlight of this was the re-telling of the incident where Graham is the only witness to a hit and run accident. Fantastic. Graham played by Joe Newton won the award for Best Youth Actor. It was easy to see why. By the way Cathy Hudson was nominated for an award for her direction as was Ella Simms for her sensitive portrayal of Marie). Joe's timing was impeccable. He 'sold' Graham's one liners with skill eliciting laughter from the packed audience every time. People empathised with him fast and were from the beginning rooting for him big time! I thought his was a perfect documentary/reality play performance where you could see the shadow of the real person across his presentation … but there was a clear brechtian-ness in his presentation … I learnt at the end of the performance that he was only in Year 11 at school… I thought he was at least college age if not University! I mention this as I know the group have plans to take this to Edinburgh … lucky Edinburgh … and that as winners of the Leatherhead Festival they may be invited to the NDFA finals in Wales (July). It was a truly remarkable production and I am really glad I was there to witness it. It is always fantastic to see a supremely talented director work with a fantastic cast to make more of moments in my play than I have ever managed to achieve! The audience obviously appreciated it hugely as Michael Caine led a standing ovation! ENGLISH SCHOOLS CHAMPIONS Therfield in the second half came out and started playing much more effectively. This created more attacking play which lead to two goals from Vicky Vickery in quick succession. Shortly followed by Jo Morris’ goal to round up an almost perfect day, other than a late consolation goal from Middlesborough College. Therfield celebrated their first ever National football
title after receiving the trophy from the President of
the ESFA. SURREY CHAMPIONSHIPS On 12th May, George, 14, came second in the Surrey Championships (14-16 years), and took two bronze medals in the Junior and Senior Age Groups Competition. On the 19th May, George won silver in his first ever synchronised diving competition with partner Sophie Mee. Both George and Sophie train at Merton School of Diving and Trampolining, where George is coached by Anastacia Szchzerbiuk. Sports College Community Latest Coffee & Computers The sessions were very informal and learners took things at their own speed. By the time the fourth and final session had finished, learners were sending emails and shopping online safely! Drama Project Total Basketball Recently awarded nearly £3000 from the
National Lottery, the sessions are progressing well. We are
running an hour of coaching and games for U12’s and the same for
U16s. Total Football THERFIELD YOUNG ENTERPRISE TEAM REPORTS A WIN! Therfield is extremely proud to announce that the team won the Best Company Report award which was presented by the daughter of the founder Mr Soloman. Their teachers Miss Sykes and Mrs Moore and the Headteacher, Mrs Willman witnessed the successful event and were humbled by the professionalism displayed on the evening. One judge’s view was that the report “was excellent both in design and content”. Therfield was the only school to represent the state sector in Surrey and competition was fearsome. Huge efforts were put into polishing and perfecting their presentation with other documents that were required and the whole team were incredibly committed and enthusiastic. The company they had evolved was called Kreate and sold gifts and cards. On Valentines Day they sold hundreds of material red roses and have donated the profits to the Sixth Form Charity fund. The dedication required for this activity involves long hours, stressful timescales and regular attendance at company meetings. Miss Sykes, their Link Teacher, stated “All team members showed an aptitude beyond their years, I am immensely pleased for them and proud to have been part of their team.”. Congratulations go to Toby Edwards (Managing Director), Gemma Barker (Company Secretary), Penny Smith (Marketing Director), Bonnie Veit (Finance Director), Amar Chauhan (ICT Director), Simon Morris (Head of School Sales), Kerry Henshaw (Director of HR and PR), Steff Morris (Sales Director), Beckie Kyriacou ( Production Director) and Dan Trevors (Health and Safety Director).
Vacancy Closing date Monday 11th June 2007 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. For further details on the above positions and an application form please contact the school on 01372 818123 or via email* to headteacherATtherfield.surrey.sch.uk * to minimise spamming email addresses are shown differently - you will need to replace AT with @ before sending
Therfield School ‘The Best for All’ |