Another very full and demanding academic year is nearing its close. Here at Therfield we are all looking forward to the long summer break. It is my hope that for all of you, both parents and pupils, that you have a safe and enjoyable summer. Outlined below are items of news which I hope you will find both interesting and informative.

From the start of the new academic year Therfield will be adopting the National Curriculum labelling of school years. However, to ease the transition, we shall include on all literature the present classification in brackets.

Year 8 (2nd Form) - new intake
Year 9 (3rd Form)
Year 10 (4th Form)
Year 11 (5th Form)
Year 12 ( Lower Sixth)
Year 13 (Upper Sixth)

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE START OF TERM

STAFF NEWS
I am pleased to be able to report that despite a national shortage of teachers, which is especially acute in the South East, Therfield is fully staffed for the coming term. Inevitably there are same changes to our staff team.

Part time staff leaving this year are Mrs Bradford, Mr Grant, Mrs Greenfield, Mrs. Landon, Mrs McKenzie and Mrs Thomas. We have been enormously grateful for all their help, without which we could not have operated a full timetable.

Mrs Huggins (Religious Studies) is joining Windsor Girls' School.
Mrs Cummings joins the American Community School to teach Maths.
Mr G Thomas goes as Head of Economics to Ernest Bevin School in Wandsworth.
Mrs D Spooner (Head of Religious Studies) moves to a similar post at Ashburton High School, Croydon.

All have made their own very special contribution to the school and we wish them every success and happiness for the future

Mr David Goldhawk (Head of Humanities Faculty) is moving to the City of.Iondon Freemen's School. He has been at Therfield for the last twenty-four years and has made an enormous contribution. He will be especially remembered as the teacher who introduced and ran the annual visit to the World War I Battlefields and led Sixth Form visits to Russia.

Mrs Gwen Hack (Senior Teacher) is retiring this summer after almost thirty years at Therfield. Her contribution has been without equal. Thousands of young people, many now parents of pupils presently at the school have benefitted from her tuition and care. For many years Mrs. Hack was Head of Fifth Form and responsible for girls' welfare. More recently as Acting Deputy Head and Senior Teacher she has had a special, responsibility for staff welfare and development.

The contribution of Mr Goldhawk and Mrs Hack will be sorely missed and we wish both of them every happiness for the future.

New Staff who have either joined the school this term or who will arrive in September
Mr B André - Drama; Mrs M Cave Modern Languages; Mrs R Chambers - Special Language Difficulties; Mrs G Cox - Science; Mrs M Hardy - Maths; Mrs E Harling - Science; Mrs N Jones - Modern Languages; Dr D Middleton - Science; Mr A Peppitt - Economics; Mrs L Pillar - Religious Studies; Miss A Poxon - Religious Studies; Mrs T Scarsbrook Geography; Mrs M Singletary - History; Mr L Tattershall - History; Mr R Taylor - English; Miss C Wright - Maths.

GENERAL NEWS
a) Local Management The Press has noted concerns over the amount of funding that schools now have with which to manage all their budgets. The Governors are confident that the budget allocated to Therfield will enable us to deliver all the basics, without reducing staffing or equipment allowances.
b} New School Day Please note the timings which come into effect on September 4th.

c) Work is well advanced on the building of the school's new Resource Centre and I am confident that this will be available for use on our return in September. Considerable areas of the school have had new flooring. Over the summer holiday most light fittings will be replaced and one of our Home Economics rooms will be converted (at our own cost) to a Science Laboratory.

Work is scheduled to upgrade the shower accommodation shortly and a Home Economics room will be completely refurbished to equip it for the new National Curriculum in Technology. (This will mostly be at the County's expense as the school is being used to pilot this new facility in recognition of the excellent technology teaching developments here.)

d) We are expecting 207 pupils to be joining Year 8 (2nd Form) in September.
e) Therfield is to be featured in a BBC TV programme to be made in September, looking at the quality of sport in schools and will focus on racquet sports.
f ) Royal Academy Workshop The Art Department have been able to secure the services of a Royal Academy tutor and model for a Figure Drawing Workshop on October 9th. There are a limited number of places available for next year's Year 11 (5th Form) Art and Design pupils. Details will be circulated next term.

REQUESTS FOR HELP
a) Our new Resources Centre will need a lot of preparatory work in classifying and sorting books and other resources. Our Chartered Librarian is hoping for some parents who might be able to help on one day in each of the following weeks

Weeks beginning Monday 23rd July, Monday 9th August and Monday 23rd August. Please could parents contact Mrs. Burnham on either of the following numbers: Leatherhead 377806 (Adult Education) 04865 3749 (Home)
b) Could I please remind you that denim or leather jackets are not acceptable as outerwear over school uniform.

My very best wishes to you for the holiday.

Yours sincerely,
TJ Reddin