Issue No.41 February 1997
Issue No.41 February 1997
| FROM THE HEADTEACHER
Five members of the Upper Sixth and 73 Year 11 students decided to spend the first day of their half term holiday in school at a seminar on Study Skills. Their unanimous verdict was that the course was worthwhile and would help them reach their full potential in the Summer examinations. In the evening, over 40 parents came along to find out what their sons and daughters had learnt. They were also given advice on how parents can give help and support through the often difficult times of GCSE and 'A' level. Others spent their half terms in far away places. The traditional Ski Trip run by Mr Hill proved to be one of the most successful ever held. Based at Les Orres, students were able to ski from the doorstep of the hotel. The sun shone every day and après ski activities were varied and exciting! All 32 students, ranging from Year 11-13, achieved the French Ski School certificates and badges, with some of the top skiers being entered for a local downhill race. Chris Spratt finished 7th out of 100 and was awarded a Ski School Gold standard for his time. Mr Tattershall organised a new venture for the school, taking a party of 45 Sixth Formers to the United States. This too was a great success and was filled with activities and sightseeing - so much so that staff were startled by the energy students managed to display when it came to shopping! New York, Boston and Washington were the centres from which the party visited the main tourist attractions and included a visit to a Harlem Globetrotters match. On the Thursday before half term, 50 Year 7 pupils took part in a Religious Studies visit to the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Hindu Temple) in Neasden. Built in traditional materials of teak and marble, the temple was crafted in the short space of three years in India, before being transported and erected in London. It is the largest Hindu temple outside India. Students were fascinated by the 'aarti' ceremony, where the 'murtis' (images) of the gods are presented with waving lights. They also visited the London Central Mosque in Regent's Park. The next meeting for the School Prayer Group will be on March 3rd at the school at 8 pm. Further details about this group from Jill Poole (01932 865476). Music -Tonight's Choral Concert in the Main Hall has the Main Choir giving a performance of the famous Requiem by Gabriel Faure. This work is one of the jewels of the choral music repertoire and is very suitable for young voices. Also in the programme which has involved Mr Pratt and all engaged in the evening in a tremendous amount of rehearsal time, is a performance of Holy Moses by the Lower School Singers. Tickets (£3) at the door. An Art exhibition by a number of our talented young artists is being held in adjoining corridors from 6.30 - 7.30. The Choral Concert marks the start of a busy period for the music department - on March 8th the main choir has been invited to repeat some of the Requiem and the anthem Zadok the Priest as part of the annual charity concert given by the Mayor of Reigate and Redhill. The concert takes place at Donyngs Leisure Centre, Redhill at 7.30 pm. The South East Surrey Area Youth Orchestra, conducted by Mr. Pratt, will accompany the singers and the evening will include a performance of Beethoven's Violin Concerto by the soloist John Brandon, who is a leading member of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Also taking part will be the choir of St. Bede's School, where Mr Wood, who taught at Therfield until last year, is Head of Music. Tuesday, March 25th at 7.30 pm - the Music Department will stage its popular annual Spring Concert. There will be contributions from both Orchestras, the Swing Band and Choirs plus a performance of part of Mozart's Piano Concerto No.21 by Joanna Cordell, who is in Year 12. Tickets will be £3 per adult with children admitted free. Looking further ahead, at the beginning of the Summer Term we shall hold our GCSE Recital Evening. This gives parents and friends of Year 11 pupils the chance to hear them perform the music for their forthcoming examinations. Auditions for the production of The Tempest will be held at the end of term and, this year, will involve Year 11 and Sixth Formers only. Dyslexia - An informal discussion evening is being held by the SE Surrey Dyslexia Association at the Adult Education Centre, Bletchingley on 20th Mar. 8.00-9.30 pm. (Details 01737 556173). Request - the PE department is collecting vouchers from Sainsburys to buy sports equipment. Any spare vouchers to PE staff, please. HOLIDAY DATES English students in the Sixth Form have taken the opportunity to broaden the approach to their studies. A theatre trip to see an excellent performance of Death of a Salesman at the National Theatre helped 'Year 13 students with coursework. A one day conference on King Lear which is one of the Literature set texts, proved invaluable in offering fresh perspectives on the play. The main speakers were university lecturers and a Chief Examiner who were able to offer advice and stimulate thought on the play. Year 12 Language students attended an Updates Conference at Central Hall, Westminster, where the main speaker was David Crystal, author of their staple reading - The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Language plus The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of the English Language. The day was extremely thought provoking and entertaining as speakers challenged the students' attitudes towards topics such as accent and dialect and even made grammar interesting! The students were particularly enthusiastic about the talk from David Banks, ex-editor of the Daily Mirror and enjoyed the interactive performance of Jamaican poet, Valerie Bloom. "A memorable and stimulating day" was the verdict. French Exchange - A reminder that our French friends are arriving on Thursday (6th) at 10.45pm; also the balance of the cost of the Exchange is now due and could Mr. Boucry have your E111s! Friends' News - A Quiz Evening for teams of six will be held at the school on March 14th from 7.30pm. Tickets are £3 (£2 for students) obtainable from the school. This should be a fun evening and we would like your support - either set up your teams now or take pot luck on the night! The recent Jumble Sale was a great success but
more help is needed for future sales. Fashion - Polesden House has organised a fashion show for 25th April from 8-10.30 pm at the school. It will be presented by Hamells of Epsom and money raised will go to the House charity -'Help a London Child'. Letters giving further details will be going out soon. Congratulations to Stephen Parker and Jeremy Weeks of the 1st Ashtead Scout Group on achieving their Chief Scout's Awards Good luck to Terry Lyszyk who runs for Surrey in the English Schools Cross Country Championships at Newark-on-Trent on Saturday. Terry goes as county junior champion - our first since Martin Bullen in 1971! Five of the seven runners in the Central Surrey district boys junior cross country team in the county championships came from Therfield. Badminton - the U12 Boys team continue with their winning ways, beating Reigate Grammar 9 - 0. Basketball - The U16 had a good win in the County League beating Tasis 52 - 48. House Cross-Country - Winners this year were Leith 68 points, followed by Juniper and Polesden with 64 points, Norbury 44 points. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: |