Issue No.25 September 1995
Issue No.25 September 1995
| FROM THE HEADTEACHER
A Newsletter to parents goes out on the last Friday of each month (with allowances for holidays). This is our main means of communication with parents and it goes home by 'pupil post' so if you do not get a copy please ask your son or daughter or contact the school. The school's GCSE results were particularly pleasing this year. Of the 179 pupils in Y11, 96% were entered for five or more subjects and most were entered for nine. 58% of the year group gained 5 or more A-C passes and our overall percentage of A-C passes was 61.6% matching our best-ever result. It was good to see the boys responding to the challenge of the girls and achieving A-C grades of 60.3% to compare with the girls 62.9%. This was a considerable improvement on last year's figures of 52.3% and 63.3%. At 'A' level 76 students were entered for 206 subjects and gained a 87.9% pass rate. The high proportion of A, B and C grades (56.3%) so vital for higher education meant that 58 students were accepted by their first choice institution, with a further 5 gaining admission to their reserve choice. New arrivals Therfield's Information Evening for parents of children who will be entering secondary school in September 1996 will be held on 15th November from 5.30 pm - do encourage neighbours and friends with children at junior school to come along. Tours of the school will also be held - more information next month. Four nominations for the Parent Governor election were received. By now all parents should have received ballot papers. A reminder to new parents that the school day runs from 8.45am-12.55pm and 1.55pm-3.40pm except for Wednesdays when we finish at 3.15pm. Pupils will not be detained longer than 15 minutes without informing you. Advance notice of any longer extended school activity or detention will be given. I am pleased to report that Rosebery School have withdrawn their Public Notice to seek partial selection, following legal problems. It is possible that they will seek to re-submit, This must now throw doubt on Glyn's present proposals, because they can now be challenged on the ground of equal opportunity. My thanks to all of you who rallied to our support. I will keep you informed as to future developments. All Year 10 and 11 students this year have received Student Planners. Please encourage them to use them to record homework, coursework dates, examination dates etc. In the run-up to GCSE it is important for students to be organised and we hope these Planners will help them with their preparations. School Fund stands at £5964.83 - thank you for your contributions. The money is used to help with extra-curricular activities such as clubs and sports teams and also to buy equipment which capitation money doesn't run to. I also set aside a sum each year for the School Council to spend - last year they opted for picnic benches, another year it was tennis racquets and H. E. equipment. All parents should have received a copy of the School Calendar setting out important dates through the school year and early next week a list of Clubs, Societies and Sports activities will be sent home. A rich variety of clubs and teams are on offer - so do encourage your son or daughter to take part. New Buildings: Major work will start this term with the moving of the Sailing Hut and building of the new Sixth Form Block on the site. A new Dining Hall is to be built adjacent to the present one and a complete refurbishment of the old Sixth Form block is scheduled. Hopefully, all will be ready for September 1996 ....... Our Harvest Appeal this year is 'Boots and Shoes for Bosnia' - and we will be pleased to receive any serviceable, clean footwear. To avoid having to play 'hunt the other shoe' please tie laces together or make sure that pairs are tied or taped together. To those of you who bring pupils to school by car - please do not drive onto school premises at the beginning and end of the school day. The school entrance gets very congested and we do need to consider our neighbours in Dilston Road. The side entrance in Cleeve Road can be used and parking is slightly easier - here again consideration needs to be shown for residents. INSET DAYS NEXT YEAR (training days for staff; pupils do not attend school) have been decided as - Fri, 10th November (this is a change of date, the 18th of October being wrongly given in some Information letters); Tues, 28th November; Thurs, 1st February 1996 and Fri, 28th June 1996. PUPIL ACHIEVEMENT Three of our ex-pupils James Angus, John Angus and Robert Hardwick have distinguished themselves in recent national sailing rankings in Laser Class championships. In overall results for helmsmen, James came 75th and John 85th and in the Radials, Robert was 43rd. All classes were for adults. 13 year-old Paul Jones of Year 8 is to be presented with a mountain bike next week for winning a competition to rename the Cygnet Youth Club - Paul chose 'The Bridge Centre'. The Canteen requires an assistant for lunchtimes - further details from Christine Stedman (013T2 375089) Friends of Therfield Badminton Club - would anyone like to join our friendly Club which meets at the School on Friday evenings 7.30 to 10 p.m? Further information from Mrs. Coysh at the school. The Friends would like to thank all those who helped to make last week's Jumble Sale a great success. About £700 was raised - next sale date is 10th Feb. - so don't throw anything away! A plea from the School Office - please, please label clothes so they can be retumed to you and not left in our 'Lost Property' !! Letters about next year's French & German Exchanges for pupils in Years 9 and 10 have gone out - please return as soon as possible. The Sailing Holiday to be held on the Isle of Wight Easter 1996 can now be booked - letters are going out to regular Sailing Club members Autumn Term Sports Activities are now well underway. Students have the opportunity to take part in a range of sports and clubs, House competitions and inter-school contests. The major sports include football, basketball (district and county leagues), rugby, cross country, netball, hockey and badminton. Junior boys and girls comfortably secured a win in the sub-mile relay at Oxted on the first Saturday of the new term. The P.E. department would be pleased to hear from anyone who is willing to help with sport, especially on Saturday mornings - how about a spot of refereeing? Help with transport is often needed, Saturdays and after school. DIARY DATES: OCTOBER SCHOOL UNIFORM - order forms for new uniform can be obtained from the school office. Mrs. Hodgson would like to hear from anyone who has second hand uniform to donate or for us to sell on - blazers especially required. |