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THERFIELD SCHOOL
HEADMASTER'S NEWSLETTER
March 1986
Dear Parents
It hardly seems any time at all since
I took up my appointment as Head Teacher in early January.
During that time I have had the opportunity of meeting many of
you and of outlining some of my hopes and visions for pupils at
Therfield. All that I have learnt about the school during this
time makes me even more impressed by the school's strength and
potential. It is a great privilege to he entrusted with such a
lively community.
I have listed below items of news
which I hope that you will find interesting and useful.
TEACHERS' WITHDRAWAL OF
GOODWILL
Two of the three major professional associations in the
school have informed me that following the ACAS agreement there
will be a return to a situation that approximates to normality.
I do not yet know precisely what this will mean, but I certainly
hope that many of the extra curricular activities will be able
to resume.
SCHOOL EVENTS .
A number of school trips and events have taken place or
will do so in the near future.
18th January: Austrian 'Alpine Village' Ski Trip.
29th January: 1,300 people visited the Careers Convention
14th February: School Ski Trip to Austria.
In the near future: Sixth Form
Geoloqy Field Trip; School visit to Greece; School Exchange
visit to Denmark; Sailing Club Holiday.
Theatre visits have continued, as has
a very lively Model Railway Club and Christian Union.
A MUSICAL EVENING
I would like to invite you to a Musical Evening on
FRIDAY, 21st MARCH, 7.45 - 10.00 p.m. There will be no charge
for admission. The Orchestra, Swing Band and various small
groups and soloists will perform music to suit all tastes.
Seating will be at tables and wine and soft drinks will be on
sale during the evening. There will be a light supper available
at a cost of 50p per head. After supper, as has become
traditional at Therfield, the Swing Band will play for informal
dancing. If you would like to come, please complete the attached
form and return to the school office. Places will be allocated
on a first-come, first-served basis.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS
I am very pleased to be able to inform you that
several, improvements are being carried out. Quite large areas
of the school are in the process of redecoration and I am hoping
to display considerable amounts of art work to enliven the
corridors.
Four Science laboratories are in the
process of refurbishment and it is hoped that the long awaited
improvements to the school's pathways will commence soon. A new
telephone system is about to be installed and the County
authorities have allocated £25,000 towards a new Music Centre.
THE NEW INTAKE OF PUPILS
Therfield is allowed to take 240 pupils each year and
yet again more parents wish to send their children than there
are places.
STAFF CHANGES
It is with considerable sadness that the school says
farewell to two teachers this Easter. Mrs. M. Dallas is
returning to her native Scotland, and Miss C. Jones has obtained
a more senior post in Surbiton. She will be replaced by Mrs. A.
Luff.
BASIC EQUIPMENT
I know that teaching staff would be very grateful if
parents would help ensure that pupils come to school with the
necessary basic equipment of pens, pencils, rulers etc. I am
very keen that Therfield should continue to provide the
Mathematics education that leads to the excellent results we
achieve at examination level.
However, recent changes in emphasis
in the courses have made a calculator a necessity at all levels
of ability. Examination Boards now clearly state that
"candidates without a calculator are at a disadvantage". As a
school we are able to make available a few such calculators, but
funds are totally inadequate to supply every class. If,
therefore, you are in a position to purchase a calculator it
would obviously be in the best interests of your son/daughter.
if you wish for guidance the Casio fx-82 has all the appropriate
functions, and costs about £10.
Please rest assured that we will do
our best to make sure that no pupil is disadvantaged if he/she
does not possess a calculator. We did, however, consider that
parents would probably welcome some quidance on this issue.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
Rumours were circulating in school recently that I
planned to change the school uniform. These were untrue and I
have no immediate plans to make changes. Indeed, I would be very
grateful for parents' help in maintaining the high standards of
the school in relation to uniform, make-up and jewellery.
UPPER SIXTH HIGHER AND
FURTHER EDUCATION APPLICATIONS
I am delighted to report that almost all our 57
applicants for Higher & Further Education courses have now
won conditional offers. The range of courses applied for this
year is particularly wide and include Veterinary Science, Law,
Psychology and Biotechnology. Three students have conditional
offers from Cambridge Colleges, four for Schools of Nursing and
two for Physiotherapy Training Schools.
EARLY CLOSURE AT THE END OF
TERM
As is the usual practice, the school will close early
on the last day of term, Thursday 27th March. Pupils will be
released at approximately 2.25 p.m. Term re-commences on MONDAY
14th APRIL.
May I take this opportunity of
wishinq you all a very happy and peaceful Easter Holiday.
Yours sincerely
TJ Reddin
STOP PRESS - Friends' JUMBLE SALE in aid of school
funds, at the School SATURDAY 15th MARCH, 2-4 pm
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