THERFIELD SCHOOL
HEADTEACHER'S NEWSLETTER
July 1993

Another school year draws to a close and the summer holidays are almost upon us. On behalf of the Staff and Governors we wish you a very happy and restful holiday. It has been another very busy and successful year. The end of term has been especially busy as we prepare to take in new Year 7 pupils (11 year olds) as well as Year 8 (12 year olds). In all, we shall be welcoming nearly 460 new students in September. This has meant two induction courses and two new parents' evenings. We should have taken 200 students into each year, but demand for places was so high that we have taken an extra class into each year, and still we have a waiting list for places.

About two years ago, in anticipation of this extra intake, and after consultation with students and parents, the Governors agreed a new school uniform. This uniform consisting of a bottle green blazer, school tie and grey trousers or skirt looks very smart. You will soon see our younger students proudly wearing it on their way to and from school.

NEW BUILDINGS
To accommodate these extra students, our new buildings are almost complete. They were due to be handed over before the end of term, but will now be handed over during the holiday. We have a superb new Science block of four laboratories, new English rooms, a Micro Music laboratory and a new Technology room.

NUMBERS NEXT YEAR
Demand for secondary school places is expected to be very high next year and the County Council is proposing to increase the number of places at both Therfield and Howard of Effingham. Part of that process involves a formal consultation with parents, and you are invited to a joint meeting at Howard of Effingham School at 7.30 pm on 9th September.

STAFF CHANGES
The extra pupils joining in September require considerably more teachers, and ten new staff have been appointed. More details about them next term.

Mr Benge, Head of Sixth Form, will be leaving us to take up the post of Deputy Head of Tomlinscote School in Frimley. Mr Benge was the main influence in helping to get the excellent A Level results last year which place us almost at the top of the County league tables. We shall miss him and wish him well in his new post. Mr Cummings will be taking over as Head of Sixth.

Also leaving is Mrs Chitty who as well as teaching Science has made a huge contribution to the Therfield Friends. We wish her and her family well as they move to the North of England.

Miss Poxon, Head of Religious Studies, is moving to a post at Kings Manor School in Guildford, and Mrs Scarsbrook is now on maternity leave. I am happy to report that we are fully staffed for September. Mr Thomas and Mrs Cain have been very unwell, but we confidently expect them back in post far September.

SCHOOL NEWSLETTERS
We have been doing a lot of research amongst parents about what they see as the strengths and weaknesses of the school. One thing that has emerged is that parents would like more regular news. We are planning, therefore, to produce a monthly newsletter from next September to keep you up to date. Please check with your children that they are brought home.

DATES FOR THE START OF THE NEW TERM
This term will end at 1.00 pm on Thursday 22nd July.

Next term .....
Wednesday 1 Sept - 11.30 am - Year 7 & Year 8
Wednesday 1 Sept - 1.45 pm - Lower Sixth
Thursday 2 Sept - 8.50 am - Years 9,10,11 and Upper Sixth

May I close by thanking you for all your support over the past year.

Yours sincerely
TJ Reddin