Trust
Fund News Many thanks to
all of you who have responded to our Trust Fund
appeals. We are now able to advance plans for the major
project of the year which is the refurbishment of
the Resource Centre. The plans include
extensive improvements to the study facilities and the
reception areas, rearrangement of the IT equipment and
lighting plus improvements to the general environment.
Without your help we could not go ahead with these plans
which benefit all students in the school, Obviously, the
scope and nature of what we can do depends on how much
money we receive, so if you have not yet responded to the
latest mailing requesting donations could you please do so
as soon as possible so that we can plan and budget to the
best effect.
The Trustees recognise that not all parents can contribute
and others may not wish to - it would be helpful if you
could let us have a note to this effect so that we do not
continue to send reminders. (David Crutchley, Chair
of Trustees).
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Goodbye
to School For Year 11,
Monday 13th May was a significant date as it was their
last day of compulsory schooling. This took the form of
leaving assemblies and some tearful farewells. Staff
joined students for a 'goodbye coffee session' and this
was followed by the final Year Assembly. A sketch
performed by Mrs Thomas and Mr Wheatley, backed by some
excellent choreography from the tutors, was
enthusiastically received as were the 'Dafter Awards'
where students were presented with 'Oscars'.
For some this was the final farewell to main school but it
is good to know that 75% have opted to return in September
to the Sixth Form. GCSE results are published on 22nd
August.
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The
Next Step Year 13
students had their final Assembly on the 23rd and most
attended the Leavers' Ball at the
Queen's Stand, Epsom Racecourse the following evening.
This provided a fantastic venue and a wonderful occasion.
A big thank you to Chris Lloyd, member of the Sixth Form
Committee, who played such a major role in the
organisation.
A Leavers' Tea will be held at school on June 28th.
Results Day is on 15th August.
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| Science
Date The next round of
modules for Year 10 GCSE Science takes place on Tuesday,
25th June. |
Exams
We wish all of our Year
11, 12 and 13 students the very best in their exams.
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School
Day Changes A reminder
that during the main period of the external exams, until
21st June, lunch break is at 12.05 to 12.50 and school
closes at 3.15 pm.
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Dance
Club Members enjoyed
taking part in an energetic Dance Workshop led by Joanne
Rutter from Wise Moves, who was impressed by the
skills and enthusiasm shown by all the girls.
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Parking
Problems Please
do not park in Dilston Road when picking up
students since it leads to difficulties for our neighbours
trying to get in and out of their driveways. Earlier this
month several cars were damaged when a gap proved too
narrow to get through.
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Looking
at Citizenship The theme
for this year's two Citizenship Days was Rights and
Responsibilities. Students took part in workshops
ranging from what to do if you are stopped by the police
to rights and responsibilities in the home. These
workshops were run by external speakers and staff and
proved to be thought provoking and stimulating.
An officer from High Down Prison, Sutton had his audiences
spellbound and full of questions as he described what life
was like in prison. He measured out the area of a typical
cell, showed the much laundered clothes prisoners wore and
described the indignity of a strip search. "It all seemed
so awful, I felt like crying" was one comment. A number of
students gave the two day workshops full marks for
interest.
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Learning
About Japan Year 9
students also enjoyed two days away from the usual
curriculum as they put in some intensive study on Japan,
organised by the Geography department. Practical
demonstrations on the art of kimono wearing, origami,
Haiku writing, mask painting, martial arts, stability of
buildings and softball meant the programme was varied
enough to excite all tastes.
At the end of each day, the Konhichiwa Express
was produced to sum up the students' verdict on the
sessions and here again the comments were positive with
students relishing the chance to try something new. Thanks
to a grant from the Sasakawa Foundation money could be
spent on buying softball equipment, silk screens and
photographic equipment.
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Medals
for Gym Two Year 7 boys,
Steven Elwood and Harry Smith,
competed very successfully in the Gym competition
organised by Surrey Schools Gym Association recently.
Steven gained the gold medal in the boys' vault and tumble
competition and Harry won the silver medal. Steven is no
stranger to success in competitions and is a member of
Tolworth Gym Club but Harry has only been training since
joining Therfield's Gym Club a few months ago. We also
entered an enthusiastic team in the Novice Girls' section
and although not among the medals this time they enjoyed
the experience and won a lot of praise.
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Meeting
the Challenge Ably
continuing Therfield's tradition of doing well in the Creda
Cookery Challenge, Jenna Claxton
from Year 9 won through to the semi-finals of this
important national competition. Her winning entry was,
appropriately enough at this Jubilee time, a fresh fruit
flan in the shape of a crown. Jenna won a pocket radio for
herself and a Creda cooker for the school.
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In
Praise of Poetry Year 8
students who have shown a talent and enthusiasm for poetry
will be reading some of their work for Poet
Laureate Andrew Motion next month. He is guest
of honour at an evening arranged as part of Mole
Valley Literature Festival on 10th June at Denbies
Wine Estate when the first ever Youth Laureate will be
announced. The students have been meeting at lunchtimes to
discuss and write poetry and have been visited by Mole
Valley Poet Laureate, Lorna Dowell. An excellent book of
their poems has also been produced.
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In
Judgement Once again we
will be taking part in the Carnegie Shadowing
where staff and students match their judgement of eight
chosen books with the national awards panel set up to
decide the top book of the year for younger readers.
Just under 30 volunteers aim to complete the reading of
the chosen books by 'decision day', July 11th. They then
eagerly compare the result with the 'official' choice and
this often leads to some lively debate!
For those wanting to access our thoughts, you can check
them as they go on-line and as they go on-line at www.ckg.org.uk
(then Shadowing Groups, then Postroom)
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Africa
Evening 26th June Year 7
students have been working hard to make this another
successful show. This year's event, which involves plenty
of cross-curricular work, will be held on Wednesday 26th
June and details of how to book tickets will be with you
after half term.
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Theatre
Experience The Year 12
Theatre Studies students put on a production of the Greek
tragedy Medea updated to 1940s London. The
production before an invited and appreciative audience
provided some powerful performances and special effects
and showed all too clearly that certain elements of human
nature have not altered since 431 BC!
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Thank
you Many outside
speakers and organisations have willingly given of their
time and expertise to help the GCSE Child Development
students this year. Mrs Hook would
particularly like to thank Jane Siegle, Road Safety, Mrs
Bleach, Mrs Young and Mrs Aildington, Health Visitors, Mrs
Wrench and Mrs Rantkin, speech and language therapists,
Paula Smith, disability talks, PC Morfee, child
protection, Mrs Sweeney and Mrs Revell, social workers,
Mrs Burnett, early years specialist, plus local schools
and nurseries who have offered placements for work
experience.
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Rugby
Success Scholarships to
London Broncos Academy have been awarded to two Therfield
students 12 year old Bobby Drewett and
14 year old Tim Holton. As the premier
Rugby League side in the South of England, scouts for the
Broncos spotted the boys playing in regional sides and
promptly signed them up. Bobby, described as "a fierce
little scrum half", is a strict Rugby League fan but Tim,
a hard tackling centre, also plays Rugby Union and is
captain of our Year 9 team.
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An
Invitation One of our
most successful after school activities is the Sailing
Club and its main fund raising event of the
year takes place on June 21st. This is a sponsored sail
and barbecue held at Papercourt Sailing Club, Ripley and
members would be delighted to welcome parents, friends and
interested spectators. You can take part in the sailing or
just enjoy a pleasant social evening. Mr Stewart
or Mrs Wingrove would be pleased to give
more information.
Sponsorship of a dinghy for the evening and suitable
raffle prizes would also be welcome. Briefing for the
sailing programme is at 5pm and the Barbecue begins at
7pm.
Nine students from Years 9-13 enjoyed three days of good
cruising weather in the Portsmouth area earlier this month
and had plenty of opportunity to learn about larger boat
sailing and navigation.
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Prayer
Group The final meeting
of this school year will be held on Monday, 17th June at 8
pm in the school. All parents are welcome or you can
request a prayer. More information from Mrs Jill
Poole (01932 865476).
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Hockey
Honours Sixth Former Stuart
Brian has been selected for the Southern
England Hockey squad and will be touring Canada for two
weeks in July.
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Another
Triumph! There has been
lots to celebrate in the PE department recently with the
icing on the cake coming with our Intermediate
Boys win in the District Sports. This is the
third time in three years that we have come home with the
Challenge Shield - after seventeen years of domination by
Epsom College.
Some excellent individual performances were produced,
notably from Chris Scott and Simon
Holmes (two wins apiece) and individual winners
Tom Scriven, Nick Leyland,
Richard Quaife and Mary Nelson.
The Junior Boys came second in their group.
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Cricket
Coaching We have
arranged coaching sessions at Ashtead Cricket Club on
Thursday evenings with their overseas player. A few places
are still left.
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Doggy
Comforts We have
received a request from Battersea Dogs Home to ask for any
unwanted items such as towels, blankets, duvets, pillows,
cushions etc which could be used as bedding at the Centre.
Please don't bring these items into school but phone Dawn
Campbell on 01372 377267 who will be pleased to tell you
more about collection and distribution.
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Sports
Academy Coaching for
youngsters who are passionate about sport is on offer in a
series of five day courses to be held at Therfield over
the Summer holidays. Courses start on 29th July, 5th,
12th, 19th and 26th August and run from 10am to 4pm.
Interest in football, tennis, netball, hockey, rugby,
athletics, cricket, badminton, basketball, volleyball,
gymnastics is catered for and the courses include
individual tuition, video analysis, tactics and training
exercises. The age range is 9 to 16 and the cost (special
discount for Therfield students) is £125. Non Therfield
£165. Pickup Sport & Education of Ashtead
are the organisers and can be contacted on 01372 273141.
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Music
Date The Cabaret
Evening will be held on 11th July. Details about
tickets, programme etc. will go out soon.
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Issue 99 30th May 2002