Issue No.18, February 1995
Issue No.18, February 1995
| FROM THE HEADTEACHER
Do make an effort to attend the OFSTED Parents' Evening at 7.45 pm on Thursday, March 9th. If you have not already done so, please also return your completed questionnaires by that date. Pupil Achievement Tracy Doughty in Year 8 and Adrian Critchell in the Sixth Form took first place in their respective age groups in an essay competition sponsored by Milner House at Leatherhead . The idea was to promote greater understanding between young people and older people. Tracy wrote an essay entitled 'When I'm 75' and Adrian contributed a monologue on 'The Golden Age'. Over 90 of our pupils took part in a combined SoundSpectacular `95 with St. Bede's and Reigate School at Dorking Halls on Feb. 15th. A programme of popular music was provided by all three schools individually and in combined items. The standard of music and presentation was very high and much appreciated by the audience. Joanne Woollatt of Year 8 has been selected to swim for Central Surrey at the Surrey Schools Championships. GENERAL NEWS The school's new Christian Union - Focus - ran a Youth Service on Friday, 10th, in the Drama Hall and had a really good turn out. Those who attended report that with plenty of loud music and a brilliant talk on 'love', it made an excellent event! Focus continues to meet on Thursday lunchtimes in the Pavilion and has plans for guest speakers from the Tie Teams and from the Army. Sixth Former Leah Perona-Wright will be glad to give any information and stresses that everyone is welcome to attend, the action-packed future schedule promises a fun term for everyone! A Dance Workshop for 30 Year 7 pupils was held by two dancers from the Union Dance company. For two hours the pupils were made to work quite hard being shown a thorough warm-up containing many stretching and mobility exercises. This made the pupils move in ways they had not moved before! The main part of the workshop was a 'Street Jazz' session in which the pupils were taught a small motif to a recent 'funky' song from the charts. Then the pupils had to divide into small groups and add their own ideas to the motif: Mr. Marshallsay and Mrs. Newstead organised the morning and ,joined in with enthusiasm. The interest from both boys and girls was such that another workshop could be arranged. Earlier in February, 29 Year 11 Religious Studies students toured one of Wren's masterpieces - St. Paul's - and pondered the achievement of rebuilding after the Great Fire of London within the lifespan of the architect. Although not all 97 churches were rebuilt after the Fire, Wren did have oversight of the 51 which were rebuilt. From his tomb in the crypt to the magnificent Tower, the students captured many echoes of the past, along with the capital's developing landscape. The Tyndale Exhibition at the British Library had equally a momentous dimension of our history to record. As Tyndale was burnt at the stake to proclaim the right to translate the Bible into English, his last words, "Lord open the King of England's eyes" echo down to our own time! Perhaps the value the British Library put on his surviving complete copy, viz £I million, is indicative of the worth of his work Altogether it was an enjoyable and instructive day. Half term trips abroad by Therfield pupils have been successfully completed. 44 pupils and 5 staff found their trip to Berlin, Cracow and Prague stimulating and thought provoking. A fuller report and photos will hopefully appear in the local Press as will news of the Ski Villach trip for younger pupils as part of Surrey's Alpine Village project. National Curriculum Tests for
Year 9 The tests will be marked, not to give a percentage or a Pass or fail, but to show a level of attainment in certain aspects of that subject. Parents will be told the level that their child gains, and will be informed of the levels attained by all the pupils at Therfield. The school will use the test results as another piece of evidence to ensure that all pupils are challenged and can gain greater success in their GCSE courses. Dates for the written tests: The exact timing and details for
these days are not finalised but pupils will be given more
details nearer the times of the tests. The Resource Centre will be holding a Book Event arranged by Books for Students early in April. This will entail setting up a book shop in the Resource Centre for two or more days and this will be visited by English classes, so that those who wish to do so can buy a book. The Librarian, Mrs. Burnham, recalls that the last time we did this we were able to acquire £200 worth of free books as commission on sales. Mrs. Burnham is asking for parent helpers to run the stall and take the money. If you can spare a morning or even a couple of hours on April 3rd, 4th or 5th please contact Mrs. Burnham (01372 818126) now - she will be delighted to hear from you. Spring Concert - March 30th at 7.30pm - this is one of the most popular events in the school's calendar so it is wise to book your tickets early. Mr Pratt promises music to suit all tastes by the Swing Band, Choirs and Orchestras with piano solo by James Wood. Tickets are £4 for adults and £1 for children and are obtainable from the School. This looks like being a busy week, for on March 31st at 7.30pm the Sixth Form Drama Evening will take place. This will take the form of an 'Exam Show Case' with examples of the final 'A' level practical work of Year 13 and a group project put on by Year 12. The Friends of the School are planning a Grand Raffle as a major fundraising event in July to provide the school with a new Sound System. If anyone can donate a major prize or could contribute to a luxury hamper please contact Carol Kester on 01372 276711. An initiative by Mole Valley Council looks worthy of support. Edward Drewitt, Year 10, chairman of the Environment Club, reports that in response to Agenda 21 from an Earth Summit meeting, 131 countries agreed that the views of children should be sought on environmental matters for the 21st century. Accordingly Mole Valley Council is seeking the views of youngsters as to what they feel needs to be done in Mole Valley and a meeting with the Council will take place in May. An Open Afternoon is to be held at St. Faith's Family Centre, Cleeve Road, Leatherhead on 15th March from 1.30. All welcome to attend. MARCH DIARY DATES |