THERFIELD SCHOOL
HEADTEACHER'S NEWSLETTER
February 1992

Dear parents

Half-term brings us to the mid-point in the school year, and along with all our usual work we begin the run-up to the public examinations which begin in May. It is appropriate, therefore, to bring you up to date with school news.

Early indications are that we shall be welcoming just under 200 new pupils into Year 8 in September. It is good to know that Therfield continues to hold the confidence of the community. We also anticipate an increase in the percentage of pupils returning into the Sixth Form. Last year 71% of pupils in Year 11 continued at Therfield.

STAFF CHANGES
I am very sad to have to report the early retirement of Mrs Wright (Head of English) after a lengthy and continuing period of illness.

Joining the staff in January, we have welcomed Miss T Smith, Mr K Tipper and Mrs S Tomlins, who all join the Science Faculty, and Mrs D Kirton as Head of Department for students who have special learning needs. We have also welcomed Mr R Fairman, a Surrey Youth Worker who works with us to develop a variety of new initiatives, not least supporting the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

CYCLE HELMETS
As I reported in my last newsletter, following consultations with parents and students, all pupils wishing to cycle to school after half-term must have a cycle helmet. Failure to wear a helmet will result in permission to ride to school being withdrawn. Mr Ken Hewlett, owner of the cycle shop in Ashtead village, is kindly offering a 10% discount on cycle helmets and reflective safety wear to pupils from Therfield School.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Just before Christmas, the Government announced that each Local Authority could nominate one or two schools to develop as centres of excellence in the delivery of Technology in the National Curriculum. All Surrey schools were invited to submit bids for development funding up to £250,000. 24 Surrey schools submitted bids in the nine working days we had available, and I am delighted to say that Therfield's bid has been selected as one of two which have been forwarded to the D.E.S. We shall know in March if the D.E.S. are going to accept our bid.

Plans are now well advanced for our new block of four Science Laboratories. I reproduce below one elevation from the Architect's drawings to give you an idea of what this block will look like.

The County Council has also been approached by the Epsom Area Health Trust to possibly buy some of the school land which might be surplus to requirements. The Governors are giving consideration to this proposal.

NATIONAL CURRICULUM TESTS
Following Government requirements relating to the National Curriculum, all Year 9 pupils will be sitting a variety of formal tests in Maths, Science and English. These will take place during June. The school is organising a meeting for parents of pupils in Years 8 and 9 on 1st April (honest - no fooling) when we shall do our best to explain what your youngsters are going through.

SPRING CONCERT
May I remind you of the excellent Concert to be held at Therfield on 14th February at 7.30 pm. There will be music to suit all tastes, performed by orchestras, choirs, bands, small instrumental groups and soloists. We are fortunate in being able to include a guest appearance of the celebrated Surrey County Youth Choir, and Mr James Wood, our new music teacher, will give a performance of the famous Piano Concerto in A Minor by Edvard Grieg, accompanied by the School Orchestra. We
can promise you a thoroughly enjoyable evening. There are still a few seats available (£2.50, but free to children).

PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
- We were delighted for some of our students to lead out Australia at the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup.
- Lorna Wloodroofe, selected as one of Surrey's Gifted Pupils in Sport, recently received £500 from the County Council to help with expenses. She was a finalist at the Midland Bank National 16 & under Tennis Championships recently in the Singles, and a winner in the Girls' Doubles Final.
- Tanya Hardy, was a Regional Winner of the Lloyds Bank Fashion Challenge, with the school receiving £100. The National Finals are later this month.
- Six certificates were awarded to Therfield students in the National Mathematics Contest: John Allcock (Gold), Graham Treliving and Yen Park Fung (Silver), Simon Bourne, Robert Lievesley and Jacob Surman (Bronze).
- Sixth Form team of Robert Lievesley, Mark Carleton, Amanda Newman and Anna Tomkins won the local round of 'Young Consumer of the Year' Quiz, and go forward to the Regional Finals in March.
- The swimming team of Tim Arnell, Paul Belk, James Clowser and Paul Taylor continue their successes at County and National Championships. They are ranked as one of the top eight intermediate boys' swimming teams in the country, and were placed in the first twelve in the recent National Schools Team Relay Championships at Norwich.
- Alison Lievesley, Cassie Chitty, Laura Puddick and Adele Lawrence will be representing the South East in Regional Volleyball Championships.
- David Hall has been selected for the Surrey U15 Football team.
- U15 team won the District 5-a-Side Soccer Competition and will represent the Area at the County Championships.
- Emma Veit came third in the Surrey Schools Gymnastic Championships in January and goes forward to compete in the National Finals in Birmingham on February 15/16.
- Cross Country - pupils continue to do well at Junior and Intermediate Level. Intermediate boys won the District Cross Country, and Gareth Dickinson, Phillip Sampson and Lee Betteridge represented Central Surrey in the County Championships. Both Intermediate and Junior teams got through to the Southern finals in the National Championships. In the District Championships last week, Lynsey Elcome took 6th place and has now been selected to represent the County at the Championships in Bristol in March, and Fiona Eagle who came 9th, missed selection by just one place. Phillip Sampson came 26th. Gareth Dickinson was unfortunately unable to run through injury.

Yours sincerely
TJ Reddin