Therfield School Newsletter October 2008 (161)

FROM THE HEAD TEACHER

Dear Parents

It has been a very positive start to the new school year. The year 7 students seem to have settled in quickly and well and are already taking advantage of the clubs and activities on offer. The year 7 team building day at Thames Young Mariners was very successful with much fun being had by students -and the House staff.

The year 11 work experience week gave year 11 students a real insight into the working environment with experiences ranging from a week with the police, to working in Cornwall with the Eden project to sampling school life from the teacher’s perspective at local primary schools. I am sure that this experience has given students a chance to reflect on their workplace skills and food for thought about future careers.

Therfield’s Open Evening in October was our most successful ever with an estimated 1,000 parents and students attending. The parental tours the following week also reflected this resulting in an additional tour having to be provided.

Many of our guests at Open Evening and on the tours commented on how marvellous the student guides were and how proud we should be of them, saying that they were a credit to the school. I would like to publicly thank those students for giving up their time to do this, for representing Therfield so well, and to confirm that we are, indeed, very proud of them.

D of E PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!...
On the weekend of Saturday 20th September – Sunday 21st September 2008, 64 Year 10 Students put their “Practiced” Expedition skills into effect, to complete their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Bronze Qualifying Expedition in and around Shere, on the North Downs.

On the weekend, all 64 Students and 10 Supporting Staff, began their Qualifying Expedition from the Ranmore Common Viewpoint Car park. This Expedition marked the final stage of nine months of hard work on behalf of ALL concerned and is always the exciting and fun finale to the Year of varied work and voluntary experience!

The groups walked on two separate routes, being check pointed through regular points by the staff, who “struggled” through the weekend with only the help of their cars to complete it!... During the Saturday, one half of the Expedition Team walked along the North Downs way via Shere into Bentley Copse Camp Site, the other via Holmbury and into the same Campsite.

All the students and staff then spent an “enjoyable” evening in the Campsite, filled with many hours of chat about the day just spent together, eating kilograms of pasta, and drinking litres of hot chocolate! The night was clear and bright and many shared stories of the stars above, even the shooting stars which many cast a wish on, mostly “just to get through Day Two!”

When everyone woke, at around 6am on the Sunday morning, many had had a chilly night and woke to a mist surrounding the Campsite. The next few hours were filled with cooking breakfast, packing bags, dropping tents and the fun of the compulsory litter pick; all before the groups left on their way to complete Day Two.

Each group walked along the opposite route, back to the finish point of Ranmore Common Car Park, again spending hours on footpaths, and laughing and joking with Staff along the way! The first group to finish arrived at around 2pm on Sunday afternoon, with the final groups finishing at 6.30pm; these had taken “The Scenic Route” back home again!

All achieved the Expedition with GREAT SUCCESS and seemed to have had an enjoyable time. All deserve congratulations for their efforts and commitment and deserve real praise, not only for the weekend, but for their work with regards to their “Service, Skill and Physical Recreation” also.

The Final Deadline for the completion of the Logbook is MONDAY 1st DECEMBER 2008, when Logbooks should be submitted to MISS RENNIE in the PE OFFICE with all sections signed off and reports completed by the Assessors.

As is ALWAYS the case with ALL of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expeditions for the whole year, none of the DofE could ever take place without the unfaltering dedication and commitment from the Therfield Staff Team, who give their time without question or quibble. So… Many thanks from myself (Miss Rennie) and the Students go to: Mr Ross, Mr Horder, Mr Metcalf, Mr Bates, Mrs Pickett, Mrs Pike, Mrs Burchill and to James Major and Gordon Fox (Both Ex-Gold Students), without you all, none of the Programme would be possible!

“Who’s For Silver Then?!...” Miss Rennie

Sport

INTER-HOUSE SPORTS 2008-2009

Inter-House Netball
The Inter-House Sports Competitions got off to a great start in September, with the Inter-House Netball Competition being claimed as a resounding success!...

A final head count had numbers of participants at around 300 students, across the three evenings of Competition. There were great levels of “rivalry” demonstrated between the Houses, and this competition has really acted to underline the “School within a School” nature of the House System at Therfield!

Final results were close fought, but the over all winners were as follows:

Year 7 Winners… 7NGO
Year 8 Winners… 8PLW
Year 9 Winners… 9PJN
Year 10 Winners… 10LCA
Year 11 Winners… 11LCO

VI Form Winners… Juniper

With the Final Results having now been calculated… The Overall Winners of the “Inter-House Netball Competition 2008-2009” were … NORBURY!Many congratulations to ALL who took part in the Inter-House Netball and in particular, to MISS NICHOLLS and those students in NORBURY!

Next up on the Inter-House Competition Timetable, is Inter-House Cross Country!... All the very best of luck to all those taking part!... Miss Rennie!...

Thank You….
The PE & Sport Faculty would like to say many thanks to all of you who collected the Active Kid Vouchers from Sainsbury's. We have just had our delivery and it has certainly made a significant difference to our stock of equipment. In addition to every day items such as football, basketballs & bibs, we have also been able to gain some more specific items such as fitness equipment used predominantly to support our examination groups in KS4 & KS5.

The Food Technology department also benefited from your generosity receiving some woks and pans to help our students create some healthy dishes! Thank you!

Important Information about KS3
You may well have heard in the news that the Key Stage 3 SATs have been abolished with immediate effect. This means that current year 9 students will not be required to take them. At Therfield we will continue to monitor and assess the progress of students. We are awaiting further information from the DCSF on what the new requirements will be. Once we know this then we will consider how best to implement them alongside what we feel is the most appropriate way assess students progress at the end of Key Stage 3. We will keep you informed as we hear more.

Maths

MATHEMATICS GCSE
Year 10 will be taking their first GCSE module, worth 18% of their result, on 13 November. Please encourage them to:

• attend any revision classes, particularly Tuesdays after school l (details will be on notice board outside office).
• use the relevant booster lessons on mymaths.co.uk username Therfield password west then their personal passwords on the Therfield website under KS4 there is a file 30 4 10 Handling Data Question/Answers which is useful set of questions/answers for middle ability perhaps as a half term booster????

Good luck

MFL
FRENCH EXCHANGE
Year 9, 10 + 12 French Exchange 2009 is now open to applications. See your MFL teacher or Ms Ensum for an application letter. T

Thames Young Mariners
On 7th and 8th of October over 200 of Therfield Year 7s had the opportunity to participate in a day of teamwork and water sports at the Thames Young Mariners site in Hampton.

We had an early start and after arriving, being welcomed and introduced to the staff, we were straight into the activities. All students participated in at least one water sport and through the day the students had to complete a series of teamwork challenges in small groups. The activities ranged from minefield navigation to physical challenges like getting across an imaginary ravine with planks and mats, from raft building and testing to canoeing and kayaking.

It was a fantastic day’s worth of events. The photos of the event on the website say it all. The staff and students agreed that it was great fun, even if we all ended up a little soggy! Bring on next year’s visit.

Clubs
Mandarin Chinese: Lessons have started! Students meet once a week with our teacher, a native speaker, to learn the basics of this fascinating language and practise using the games on IT. Lessons take place on a Thursday after school in N14. Parents are warmly invited to join in this exciting opportunity. Contact Ms Ensum, Coordinator for Gifted and Talented Students, for more information.

Philosophy Cafe: starts on Wednesday 15th October. Open to all students in Key Stage 3. Come along to enjoy a few biscuits and ponder the meaning of life!

Coming soon: Latin and Roman Civilisation -watch this space!
Spanish Club will be starting after half term. The club is open to all students interested in studying this exciting and vibrant language. The club will meet on Wednesday lunch times in S5 from 1:20. Bring your lunch.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION & SPORT FACULTY CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES AUTUMN TERM 2008

BADMINTON & TENNIS ACADEMIES COMING SOON!

Other News
Open Evening Treasure Trail for Prospective Students
Congratulations to Rachael Hide and Daniel Bold—they have won an Ipod Shuffle. There are also 10 runners up who have won a memory stick.

Help Needed….
Vitamin tablets with iron and children's vitamins are needed for the Rush Project in Kenya. Liz Noble’s daughter is going to Kakamega on 1st November and can take out for the HIV/AIDS widows and orphans who need vitamins daily and will be very appreciative of any we can send. Please bring any kind donations to S6/S7 or SEN. Many thanks for your help. Liz
www.rush2kenya.org.uk www.rushuk.org.uk

PARENTS' PRAYER GROUP
The next meeting is on Monday 10 November at 8pm at the school. A warm welcome is extended to all, particularly to any new parents who may like to join us. For more information, ring J Poole on 01932 865476.

Raffle Prizes
Rehearsals for the school production ‘Oliver’ are under way. Please bring in any items for raffle prizes you may have. A good cause to donate unwanted Christmas presents. Many thanks for your help.

Therfield School Uniform Suppliers

LESTER BOWDEN Established Epsom 1898 THE OLD SPREAD EAGLE, HIGH STREET, EPSOM, SURREY KT19 8DN
TEL: 01372747474 FAX: 01372742416 EMAIL: office@lesterbowden.co.uk
OPENINGHOURS: Monday to Saturday 9.00am- 5.30pm

G&M SPORT & LEISURE LTD Your Local Sport, Ski and School Shop 232 COBHAM ROAD, FETCHAM, SURREY KT22 9JQ
Tel :01372-378303 Email: gm_sport@btinternet.com
NOW A STOCKIST OF THERFIELD SCHOOL UNIFORMS, FREE & EASY PARKING

Reminders
Lost Property
Please name all personal items. We receive many lost property items daily, and the majority is not named. The labelled bags, uniform and other items we receive are quickly returned to the students.

Uniform
All students should be dressed in appropriate uniform and looking smart for school.

Boys wear :
• Charcoal/dark grey trousers,
• White collared shirt (top button done up and shirt tucked in),
• School tie (tied neatly and to the neck),
• Black shoes (low healed)
• School blazer.

Girls wear:
• White blouse with the school logo (for yrs 10 & 11—white collard shirt tucked in ,
top button done up, with a tie is an option)
• Grey knee length skirt or school black trousers (not denim or embellished)
• Black shoes (low healed)
• School Blazer

Outerwear
The following types of outerwear are acceptable. Plain anoraks, raincoats, overcoats, jackets and school fleece, but not “hoodies” or denim. When students do bring coats to school it is important that they follow the school rules by removing outdoor wear when in the school buildings to avoid having the items confiscated.

Jewellery, including nose studs, chains and bracelets, must not be worn in school, but one plain ring is allowed.

Inside the school building students should:
1 Be wearing black school shoes -no 'Ugg' style boots or trainers
2 Be wearing a 'badged' school blazer
3 Have your shirt tucked in fully
4 Have your tie done up smartly
5 Not have any 'sweatshirt' material hoodies in your possession
6 Remove any 'outdoor' wear including coats and scarves
7 Under garments such as vests or t-shirts should not be noticeable—preferably light in colour.

Please expect to be cautioned for unacceptable uniform.

We have tried to keep costs down, but if you anticipate problems please write to Mrs Willman, Headteacher, at the school in confidence.

Repeat offences will result in non-uniform items being confiscated.

Uniform ‘For Sale’
If you have uniform that you would like to donate to the School's second hand uniform sale please hand the items to the Finance Office. Alternatively, you may wish to advertise your items on our website. Email ksmith@lhead.therfield.surrey.sch.uk with a description of your items including their size, price and your contact number/email address and we will add it to the list.

This is a new page that can be found on the website under Information /Uniform and Appearance.
Or you may wish to follow this link :
http://www.therfieldschool.org.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=For+Sale+-+Second+Hand+Uniform&pid=135 (if you are viewing this newsletter on the web)

SCHOOL MEALS WEB LINK
www.therfield.surrey.sch.uk

Visit the area of our website to see how you can pay online via a secure link with Surrey County Council. Details of the three week menu can be viewed together with other important information regarding the catering facilities offered to the students. Please also remember to bring in your lunch cards next term, there will not be enough time during the lunch break for the canteen staff to manually input card numbers as this holds up service. If you require a replacement card this can be ordered through the Finance office and will cost £5.00.
Mrs. C. Stedman
Catering Manager
Email: cstedman@lhead.therfield.surrey.sch.uk

VOUCHERS - not in this version

Do your Christmas shopping online with easyfundraising and help earn funds for the school.
Raise Funds for Therfield School -Leatherhead When You Shop Online easyfundraising is a shopping directory listing some of your favourite online stores, including Argos, Next, Amazon, Debenhams, John Lewis, Toys R Us, HMV and over 600 other top name stores. Whenever you shop with any one of them using the links provided on the easyfundraising site, you'll generate a free donation for us of up to 15% of the purchase price every time! It really is that simple!

It's completely FREE to register and you won't pay a penny more for your shopping when you use the easyfundraising site. In fact you can even SAVE MONEY as many retailers give discounts, special offers and even 'e-vouchers' exclusive to easyfundraising. You can shop for holidays, flights, electronics, mobile phones, computing equipment, food, wine, pet supplies, finance, insurance and much more - and every purchase you make will raise funds for us at absolutely no cost to you! All you need to do is register for free at http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/therfieldleatherhead and use easyfundraising every time you shop online.

Please Support the school…...
Check out the Free Funds tab and enter competitions to win prizes, free trials or just receive newsletters from companies and they will donate money to the school.

Dates for your diary