| WELCOME to some 250 new pupils and, of course, to
their parents.
We have several new members of our
teaching staff:
Mr. Nicholas Cockerill (Craft Design Technology)
Mrs. Janet Eyet L.R.A.M. (Drama, part-time)
Mr. Norman Grant (Physics/Mathematics p/t)
Mrs. Susan Halliday B.A. (History/Political Studies, Temporary)
Mrs. Sally Langhorn M.A. (Sociology)
Miss Heather Newman B.Sc. (Chemistry)
Mr. John Pitt M.A., M.Eng., M.I.C.E. (Physics)
Miss Susan Rimmer B.Sc. (Geography/Geology)
Mrs. Ruth Treen B.A. (Modern Languages)
In addition, we have a new
Administrative Officer, Mrs. Valerie Burgess, and Mrs. Susan
Conway has joined the office staff.
We hope that everyone
newly-associated with the school is settling down happily with
us.
APPEARANCE
During a recent tour of the school by new Governors there were
many favourable comments from them on the high standards of
personal appearance among our pupils. However, some are still
not conforming to the Governors' requirements on footwear - no
trainers please -and on sock colour for the boys - white socks
are not part of school uniform.
At this time of year you may be
thinking of buying anoraks for the colder weather. Please
purchase only plain colours with no badges, slogans, studs etc.,
and no denims.
REMINDER
Chewing gum is not permitted in school.
SCHOOL AID
We are closely involved with the School Aid programme for
supporting the work of Band Aid in relieving the human suffering
of the famine in North Africa. This appeal will continue until
at least Half Term so please keep sending in gifts of dried
pulses, e.g. lentils, peas, beans, plain or wholemeal flour,
sugar and dried milk.
SUMMER EXAMINATION RESULTS
As usual Therfield has achieved a high standard of success in
external examinations. There were well over 1000 pass grades at
CSE covering a very wide range of subjects.
Similarly, the pass rate at 'O' level
was our highest ever at 78.5%. Our A Level pass rate was our
second best ever at 74% and we were delighted to have our first
female entrant, Caroline Symonds, to Oxford to read Modern
Languages. This sets a very high standard for the 210 students
currently in our Sixth Form to emulate.
The staff have received many letters
of gratitude from parents and have asked me to express their
thanks.
PAST STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECENTLY
GRADUATED Simon Caldwell - Mathematics III, York Univ. Kevin
Stockwell - II/2 Engineering, Birmingham University; Andrew
Burgess - lst Technology, Leicester Polytechnic; Martin Hamilton
- 1st Engineering, Sidney Sussex, Cambridge; David Waterhouse -
1st Civil Engineering, Leeds University; Janet Payne - 2nd
English, Lampeter University; Andrew Hutchings - 2nd
Electronics, Kent University.
THIS YEAR'S OXBRIDGE APPLICATIONS
Penny Coulthard, Clive Gardner, Mark White and John Shields have
received conditional offers for places at Cambridge Colleges.
DANISH EXCHANGE
We have just completed the second half of our Danish Cultural
Exchange with the return visit of our Danish friends. Many of
the pupils are making private arrangements to visit Denmark next
year and we hope a similar opportunity will be available for our
current Third Form to be involved in an Exchange in 1986.
FIRST WORLD WAR BATTLEFIELDS VISIT
This is scheduled for the coming Half Term and over 80 pupils
will be involved in this visit which has become an integral part
of our work in History with the Third Form.
MAINTENANCE OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING At
present we are undergoing a major and, some may say, long
overdue "refit". This is resulting in a much more pleasant
working environment for us all. We have been particularly
pleased with the redecoration of the Main Hall. The new
curtains, a gift of the Friends, look very smart indeed.
MUSIC MICRO SCHEME
Therfield has been chosen as one of two pilot schools in Surrey
for developing this scheme which enables all pupils to engage in
music making activities, including composition, using
sophisticated micro-electronic equipment. Do visit Room A if you
are in school so that Mr. Pratt or Mrs. Dallas can give you a
demonstration.
HELP!
Re-fitting your kitchen? We need a good quality second hand
fridge for the Biology Department. Please contact Mrs. Burgess
in the school office.
We also need to extend our safe storage facilities. Can you
help?Again, Mrs. Burgess would be glad to hear from you.
At the meeting on October 2nd Mrs.
Vivien Parker and Mr. Martin Pfleger were elected as parent
representatives on the school's governing body.
EARLY CLOSURE
There is a closure for all Mole Valley schools on the afternoon
of Thursday, 24th October for Subject Panel Meetings. Hence
Therfield will dismiss at 12.05 and there will be no afternoon
school. The canteen will be open for those wishing to have lunch
in school.
FRIENDS OF THERFIELD
The Annual Wine and Cheese Party for parents was well attended
and recruitment for the many committees was brisk.
In addition, we were delighted to welcome Mr. Reddin, the new
Headmaster, and his wife.
Dates for your diary:
Jumble Sale, 2-4 p.m. Saturday, 19th October Barn Dance
Friday,25th October Christmas Fair Saturday, 7th December
Christmas Dance Friday, 13th December Careers Convention
Wed.29th January 1986. Details of all activities of the Friends
can be obtained direct from Mrs. Sharkey at school in the first
instance.
LEITH HOUSE
Mr. Bell, Head of Leith House, tells me that at the end of last
term Leith House made a contribution of £180 to the Antony Nolan
Appeal. 2LIK made a contribution of £100 to the Ben Hardwick
Liver Transplant Appeal. Well done to all for raising this
amount of charity money. This year Leith have chosen to support
Queen Mary's Hospital for children at Carshalton.
LUNCHTIME SUPERVISION
You should know that the supervision of pupils at lunchtime on
the school premises is minimal during the present industrial
action by teachers in support of their pay claim.
It is no easy task to ensure the
welfare and safety of our pupils at this time, especially since
there are no lunchtime clubs and activities to interest them and
keep them occupied. It has so far been possible to keep the
school open at lunchtime but I cannot guarantee that this will
always be the case.
SCHOOL FUND
There has been a most generous response from parents in
contributions to School Fund. Many thanks on behalf of us all.
DATES
There may have been some confusion over dates for this academic
year. They are as follows:
AUTUMN HALF TERM . Monday 28th October - Friday 1st November
1985inclusive
END OF AUTUMN TERM . Friday 20th December 1985
START OF SPRING TERM . Monday 6th January 1986
SPRING HALF TERM . Monday 17th - Friday 21st February
1986inclusive
END OF SPRING TERM . Thursday 27th ',larch 1986
START OF SUMMER TERM . Thursday 10th April 1986
MAY DAY HOLIDAY . Monday 5th May 1986
SUMMER HALF TERM . Monday 26th - Friday 30th May 1986, inclusive
END OF SUMMER TERM . Friday 18th July 1986
START OF AUTUMN TERM . Tuesday 2nd September 1986.
You are urged to take your annual holidays outside these times
if at all possible.
MR. WOODING'S RETIREMENT
Over 400 people - colleagues, inspectors, former staff, staff
from previous schools, parents, governors, other members of the
local community - were associated with a marvellous farewell
party for Mr. Wooding at the end of last term. However it was
his final assembly when he said farewell to the pupils of the
school which we all found the most moving.
We all wish him a long, happy and
healthy retirement.
Finally, those of you who were at the
Friends' Wine and Cheese Party last Wednesday will know that I
have recently been appointed to the Headship of Glebelands
School in Cranleigh.
I will be leaving Therfield in
December with some sadness, but this will be totally outweighed
by the memories of nine rewarding and happy years with you all.
L.J.W. Baker
Acting Headmaster
11th October, 1985
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