Issue No.30 February 1996
Issue No.30 February 1996
| FROM THE HEADTEACHER
My continuing thanks to all the parents who have written about the County Education Budget. We still await the final details but the indication is a 'least worst' situation. Although we anticipate a small cut, it is much lower than was being talked about at the beginning. As a result we do not anticipate staff redundancies or increases in class size. I am especially grateful to those parents who passed on replies that they received from County Councillors and MPs. Parents of Year 11 pupils should have received via 'pupil post' a letter about preparing for GCSEs. This gives details of an Easter Holiday One Day Study Seminar at school on April 3rd which should prove useful. It also asks for your views on a 'help with revision' evening for parents. If you haven't received a copy of the letter ask at the school or search your son's/daughter's bag! Our Spring Concert will take place on Tuesday, 26th March at 7.30 pm in the Main Hall. All the bands, orchestras and choirs will take part but the undoubted highlight of the evening will be a performance of Beethoven's 1st Piano Concerto. The solo part will be played by James Wood and he will be accompanied by the Main Orchestra. Tickets priced at £2.50 per adult (free to children) will soon be available. A small group of parents meet to pray for the work of the school. The next meeting will be on 4th March at 8.00 pm at 51 Leigh Road, Cobham. You would be very welcome. Important Dates from the Science Department: The next Year 10 Modular Science Tests will take place on Thursday, 21st March and Monday, 24th June. These dates are set by the Examination Board and cannot be changed. Miss Wood, Head of GCSE Science, hopes that parents will support their sons/daughters with revision work and that no one will contemplate holiday dates at this time. Congratulations and good luck to Terry Lyszyk (Y8) who will run for Surrey in the National Cross Country championships on Saturday. HOLIDAY DATES The Information Evening for Years 9 & 10 French Exchange is to be held on Wednesday, 20th March at 7.00 pm in the Resource Centre - reply slips should be in. Mr Boucry reminds parents that by now all those going on the Exchange should have written to their French `pals'! Past experience has shown that this is much appreciated and helps with the smooth running of the Exchange. Just before half term the Pioneer People team gave the presentation "Is That It?" to all Year 10 and Year 11 pupils as part of the Relationship Module in the Personal and Social Education course. Working well together as a team, the group gave a lively and stimulating presentation. Above all the students enjoyed the programme - it was varied and relevant to their age group. The team handled this potentially sensitive topic in an open and meaningful way. It looks as if the Computerised Information Library System can be ordered this month, thanks to the generosity of the Friends. If you would like to be part of a working party helping to put the Library stock on the system during the Easter holidays could you let Mrs. Burnham know (01372 818126) - no special computer knowledge is necessary!! Therfield has a well justified reputation as "a musical school" and this was enhanced by the evening "Therfield Sings" which took place on 9th February. Singing is an essential part of our musical life and the programme produced an evening of `pure gold'. The evening opened with excellent performances of songs written by pupils Emily Kay (Year 11) and Ellie Mules (Year 10). This was followed by a spirited rendition of the original version of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' by the Lower School Singers directed by Mr. James Wood, with solos by Tim Boniface and Alex Head. The Choir performed Vivaldi's "Gloria" accompanied by a full orchestra led by Miss Elaine Whitehead. The solo parts were expertly taken by pupils from the school - Joanna Cordell and Leah Perona-Wright (sopranos) and Kit Perona-Wright (tenor). The performance was directed by Mr. Christopher Pratt. HELP WANTED : Could anyone spare two or three mornings a week to provide tea, coffee and biscuits at staff morning break? This is a paid appointment of approximately 1½ hours daily and involves preparing, serving and washing up for 80+ people. Morning break is from 10.10-10.30, days and hours are negotiable - if youu are interested please contact Mrs Kinloch at school. The Year 11 Geography Field Trip to Fords at Dagenham was considered a great success by all who went on it. Pupils were studying the industrial location of a large manufacturing plant and were amazed at its size and of monotony of life on the production line. Pupils saw both manual and automated assembly lines and were equipped with safety goggles so as to see soldering at close quarters. The visit was rounded off with a welcome sticky bun and can of drink all provided by Ford. Of particular interest was the newly opened car museum where pupils were able to trace the development of motoring from the 'Model T' to the 'Probe'. HOUSE EVENTS : This is the main term for fund raising with Main Hall events being held on Friday lunchtimes. So far there has been Polesden's version of 'Noel's House Party' which involved a video of life in the Staff Room as it really is! and the 'gungeing' of a Head of House. March 1st sees last year's Champion House - Leith - stage their version of 'Family Fortunes'; Norbury and Juniper stage their events on the 8th and 15th. At 20p entrance fee pupils find this a worthwhile and amusing way to spend a Friday lunch time. House Sports results in Basketball, Cross Country and Hockey indicate the final placings being very close. A reminder that there are still places available on the Mediterranean Cruise 1997 which will take in visits to Crete, Egypt, Israel and Turkey. It takes place from March 28th - April 4th. Contact Mrs. Jones. At a recent School Council meeting it was proposed by two Year 8 boys that a time capsule should be buried in the foundations of one of the new buildings going up around the school. Suggested items to be included were a map of the school, a newspaper, school prospectus and a video showing school activities. The Council agreed to spend £300 of School Fund money in providing extra seating around the school. Unfortunately we have had to cancel this year's German Exchange due to lack of support. This is a great pity as Ms. Neumann has spent a lot of time building up good contacts with the school at Bergisch-Gladbach and last year, when 29 of our pupils went, was particularly enjoyable. As a number of those who were disappointed this year are from Year 9 it is hoped that they will be able to go next year. JULIA and SARAH from Year 11 report on a Valentine's Day trip to see 'Macbeth' at Hammersmith. It was a traditional interpretation of the play and some thought it could have been improved with a more modern approach. We felt it 'brought the text to life' and would be very useful for exams. The party did have mixed feelings, but the general consensus was that it was a very enjoyable and worthwhile outing. DIARY DATES: New term starts: 15th April |