Issue No.36 September 1996
Issue No.36 September 1996
| FROM THE HEADTEACHER
I was very pleased with our examination results which, both at GCSE and at A level, match the previous best performance of the school. At GCSE the school achieved a 62% pass rate at grades A*-C. The proportion of the year group gaining 5 or more A*-C grades was just under 59% (given that there were far more boys than girls in the year group this is very pleasing). Especially pleasing were results in English Literature (81%), Graphics (84%), Electronics (73%), French (67%), Geography (70%), Child Development (68%), Music (100%), PE (68%), Mathematics (62%). At Advanced Level the average points score per candidate was 18.2 (if you take the average of those gaining 3 A levels then it rises to 22.5). These figures must return us to one of the highest ranked schools in the County as nearly 40% of all results were at grades A or B. (This figure may well increase when we know the results of appeals against some unexpectedly low grades for one or two students). The following subjects achieved 100% pass rates - Art, Biology, Chemistry, English, French, Geography, History, Music, Physics, Religious Studies, Home Economics and Theatre Studies. As a result nearly every student wanting to go on to Higher Education got a place, mostly at the university of his/her first choice. I am sad to report the death of Ray Cooper, our assistant caretaker. He had been unwell for some time but always kept in touch with the school. Parents and pupils should note that the entire school will be closed throughout the half term holiday - 21st-25th October. In-service training days for staff when pupils do not attend school have been arranged as - Thursday, 7th November 1996, Monday, 24th Feb. Friday, 21 st March, Thursday, 3rd July 1997. Please add these dates to your diaries. Major environmental improvements are planned for the school grounds - would any parent like to sponsor a tree? Cost about £20. Road works for the new roundabout at the junction of Dilston Road, Kingston Road start in early October - so be warned! The bus companies have been informed but this will affect everyone -cyclists walkers, drivers and will mean an earlier start for all. Also would parents please NOT drive onto the school site when collecting or leaving children - it is much too crowded and dangerous. A most important date in the school calendar is Wednesday, 13th November when we hold our Open Evening for parents seeking a school for their children in September 1997. Therfield enjoys a high reputation locally and we are keen to show people what we can offer - so if you know of anyone with children coming up to secondary school age please tell them about Therfield. The evening starts at 6.30 and tours of the school at a later date can be arranged. The new Sixth Form Block, Dining Hall, Walkways and refurbished Maths/Geography area were all ready on time for the start of term and we are very happy with this new accommodation. We welcome the following members of staff who joined the school in September - Mrs L Bailey (Design & Technology), Mr C Carter (English), Miss H Coates (Geography/History), Mr B Cox (History), Mr J Cross (GNVQ), Mr T Davis (Psychology), Mr J Garner (PE), Mr N Payne (Music), Ms G Clarke (Business Studies), Mr M Jordan (Science), Mrs M Templeton (English) and Miss J Buckell (Languages). A group of Christian parents meets to pray for the school at the school twice a term. You would be most welcome to join them. The next meeting is on Monday (30th) at 8 pm, with the second on Monday, 18th November. For more information, ring Jill Poole (01932 865476) Uniform - Mrs Hodgson would be pleased to receive items of second hand uniform, either as a donation or for re-sale. Thanks to Mrs Kinloch and the Careers Service, over 200 Year 11 pupils will be going on a week's work experience in October. As well as the usual work in shops, banks and schools, outdoor placements in golf and fishery centres have been popular as well as lots of requests for veterinary work. Hampton Court Palace is to welcome one of our pupils to work in the gardens, another will be working as a chef in a London hotel and others, reflecting the breadth of interest, will be going to the Metropolitan Police, LWT, Sony Studios, the County Court, Stock Exchange and a local pharmacy. An exhibition and speakers on Brain Gym, Aids to Learning & Health, Nutrition, Confidence building, ADHD, Dyslexia etc will be held at the school on Thursday, Oct. 31st 6.30-9.30 pm. Admission free and organised independently of the school. Contact Mrs Porter 01372 376247 for more details. The SE Surrey Dyslexia Association is holding a series of talks for teachers and parents next month at the Adult Education Centre, Stychens Lane, Bletchingley, starting at 8 pm. The programme is - 3rd Oct : Teenagers & Dyslexia, 17th - Helping the Child with Attention Difficulties 31st - Practical Ideas to help at home and in the classroom. Cost to non-members is £3 a session. Contact Sheena Heppinstall (01737 556173) for more information. The four new Parent Governors are Mrs Lynn Pendlebury of Epsom, Mr Arnold Rosen of Oxshott, Mr Eric Skyte of Ashtead and Mrs Pat Williams of Ashtead. They can be contacted via the school. The school owes a great deal to the retiring Parent Governors and would like to thank Messrs Donald Angus, Ken Coello, David Crutchley and Tony Hardy for all their time, hard work and expertise. The Friends CRAFT FAIR on Saturday, 2nd Nov. open from 10 am to 4.30 pm will be held in the School's 3 ground floor halls and will provide an ideal opportunity to start your Christmas shopping and find original and unusual gifts made by quality craftsworkers. A few stands are still available - details from Barbara Sharkey - 818123/374218. School photographs for Years 7, 10 and 12 will be taken on Friday, October 4th. If parents want siblings to be taken together please write in to the relevant Head of Year. SPORT : Our cross country runners have started the season in grand style. In the opening sub-mile relay competition all our teams did well and the Intermediate Boys 'A' team finished first with Terry Lyszyk breaking the course record by 56 seconds! Football, Rugby, Hockey, Netball have started with inter-House and inter-School competitions throughout the term. The PE department are grateful to all parents who sent in Sainsbury vouchers - we collected 8000+ and will be sending for footballs, javelins and other sports gear. The Friends of Therfield Badminton Club meet Friday evenings 7.30-10 pm and are looking for new members. Phone Mrs Coysh at the school if you are interested. Going out with this Newsletter is a calendar of school events and a list of Clubs and Societies held at lunchtime and after school which we hope you will encourage your son/daughter to join. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: |