THERFIELD NEWS Issue No.76 12 April 2000

She is presently Senior Teacher at Warden Park School in Cuckfield, West Sussex, a mixed comprehensive school similar to Therfield with 1,500 students, but without a Sixth Form. Mrs Willman has previously been Head of English at a school in Essex.

Together with the Governors and Friends of the School, I have been looking at ways in which we can stabilise Therfield's finances. It may well be that we - in line with many other educational establishments - will need to ask parents to make a contribution. Not only do we need to make ends meet but we also to build up a small reserve to act as a buffer in times of budget shortfall.

Following next month's meeting of the Governors' Finance Committee we should have some definite proposals to put to you. Mr Hickey, Chairman of Governors, touched on this topic in last month's Newsletter.

• Monday, 8th - English 1 (AM) English 2 (PM)
• Tuesday, 9th - Maths 1 + Mental Arithmetic for some in the morning; Maths 2 in the afternoon
• Wednesday, 10th - English extension paper + Mental Arithmetic for some in the morning; Mathematics extension paper in the afternoon.
• Thursday, 11th - Science 1 (AM), Science 2 (PM)
• Friday, 12th - Science extension paper (AM).

The pupils have been working hard in many revision lessons and parents will still need to support them with a sensible revision programme so each boy/girl can show what they know and understand. The results will be given to parents by the end of Summer Term. Good luck to all!

It would be helpful if parents could look in their son's/daughter's Planners to check if they have achieved the targets set in February.

It is essential that these targets are met before May 12.

As far as possible, times will be kept to those arranged previously. It is not possible for everyone to have an early morning appointment! If there are difficulties with bus times then pupils are able to work at school.

Each candidate is following the party manifesto and also using his own ideas. A useful outcome is that candidates and 'constituents' learn about campaigning and Proportional Representation, the new system of voting to be used in this election. All pupils will have a vote.

However, by the end of the stay, firm friendships had been made and we are eager for the return part of the exchange in May. Our French guests spent a lot of time in London and we enjoyed a joint day out to the Historic Dockyard at Portsmouth, although in the interests of international entente cordiale, we only admired the outside of HMS Victory! Luckily, below decks HMS Warrior provided plenty of interest as well as shelter from Portsmouth's driving rain.

Unanimously successful zones included the Home Planet Zone, the Rest Zone and, not surprisingly, the Play Zone! Despite all its early publicity, or perhaps because of it, the Body Zone was rather disappointing - but a visit to the Dome is recommended.

This extra INSET day follows the recent recommendation from the Secretary of State for Education that schools should take time to consider the issue of performance management.

Seb wisely kept his recipe simple, yet added subtle ingredients which were clearly to the examiners' taste. He also needed to submit a portfolio setting out his approach and final recipe. More than 300 youngsters entered and Seb is one of 24 to reach the semi-final. Much to the delight of the Food Technology team he has already won them a cooker.

A date to put in your diary is Monday, 3rd July for the final group meeting of the school year.

There were also solos from Howard Ebison, Sarah Waldman, Jeremy Weeks, Anita Coskery, Erika Hearle and Jade Tolfree. It would be invidious to single out any individual for special praise because the overall standard of music making was so high.

An appreciative audience of well over 300 made sure that extended, enthusiastic and well deserved applause greeted all of the items in a varied and colourful programme. "The best yet!" seemed to be a popular verdict.

Mrs Hook's Year 11 Child Development students benefited from a question and answer session with the Norland Nannies, one of whom, Laura Gourley, was a Therfield student two years ago. She is now in the second year of a rigorous and internationally famous training course and reported that work done in Child Development at school had helped enormously.

The students were startled to hear of the amount of hard work that went into the training and the depth of knowledge needed to qualify. The rewards, however, were also great - with chances of employment with the Royal family, MPs and pop stars!

There will be a crêche for under-fives, allowing parents to attend talks on parenting, education, arts and safety issues. All are welcome although the emphasis may well be on Guildford based organisations.

Tourism and town growth in the locality were studied plus coastal features and the siting of a settlement at Corfe Castle. A steep, muddy hill claimed several 'victims' on the last day and although pupils were still having lessons at 9pm on the Saturday night, the majority agreed that it had been a fun as well as an educational experience!

We will also benefit from coaching input from Carl Anderson, a New Zealand 'A' team player, who has been assigned to Therfield. Regulations that call for all school players to wear helmets when batting, keeping wicket or close fielding do mean a heavy financial outlay and Surrey have kindly donated two free helmets.

If any parent has contacts in the sports equipment field, Mr Garner would be pleased to hear from them! Athletics, tennis and rounders will be our other main sports.

Tennis coaching sessions starting on 8th May, have been arranged at the Leatherhead Club. The cost is £28 for ten sessions and Miss Jefford has further details - get in early before the post Wimbledon rush!!

Mr Batchelor has developed the Rugby side in the lower school, regular practices were held and a number of friendly matches played.

Success at Badminton has brought us national and county honours and Chris Langridge, Year 10, will be spending part of his Easter holiday representing Surrey in the Inter-Counties Tournament in Nottingham.

An encouraging number of boys and girls were selected to represent the county at Cross Country in the County competition at Worthing. The junior girls and boys reached the regional final of the English Schools Cup and the intermediate girls competed in the final.

In Hockey, the Astro-turf facility has contributed towards an improved standard of play and we are awaiting results for final league placings.

In Netball the U12 team made a particularly encouraging start and both A and B teams have had regular fixtures throughout the season. The U19 team won the district league on goal difference from St Teresa's and we await final results for the other years.