| STAFF CHANGES
Farewell
Mr. J. Baker takes up his appointment as Headmaster of
Glebelands School, Cranleigh at the start of next term. Mr. N.
Flynn leaves at Christmas to take up a new appointment as Head
of English at Danes Hill School, Oxshott.
Mrs. J. McPhillips, our Canteen
Supervisor, will also be leaving us for a post as Advisor on
Catering in Surrey's residential schools.
Welcome
Mr. T. Reddin will be the new Headmaster from January
1986. He comes to Therfield from Collingwood School in
Camberley, the largest comprehensive in the County, where he has
been First Deputy Head. Originally he taught in the I.L.E.A. and
later at Bishop Reindorp in Guildford. His main subject is
Geography. He is an enthusiast for all matters educational and
has been working on TVEI courses at his present school. He is a
church warden of his local church and has visited the school
several times in recent months in preparation for January.
Mr. B. Love is the new Deputy Head.
He is currently at a school in Doncaster where he is Head of one
of the largest Modern Languages Departments in the country. He
has lived and taught in Leatherhead, and also at Cowes on the
Isle of Wight. Here he was able to develop a lasting love of
sailing.
12+ OPEN EVENING
Our newly-decorated Hall was full on November 13th with
parents and some prospective pupils who are currently deciding
on their choice of school for September 1986. They enjoyed their
evening and over 100 later toured the school. From their
comments it was clear they were impressed and reassured by the
smartness, politeness, quietness and the happy working
atmosphere they found among our pupils.
HIGHER EDUCATION
4 students have unconditional places for nursing, 2
students have made application for physiotherapy, 9 students
have made application for Oxford/Cambridge Colleges (3 have
conditional offers), others pending interview outcome this week.
46 students (in addition) have
applied to Universities and Polytechnics for a very wide variety
of courses including Veterinary Science, Modern Languages, Law,
Aeronautical Engineering, History, Geophysics, Physical
Education, Computer Science, Biotechnology and Archaeology. Many
have conditional offers or interviews pending.
SPONSORED EVENT
Collection of sponsor money following the Commonwealth
Games Run is now in full swing. In spite of the rain and mud
everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event and one lucky participant
will be nominated to go to Edinburgh for next summer's Games.
ADDITIONAL MUSIC ROOM
Up to £30,000 has been allocated by the County for
setting up a new room for teaching class music, particularly in
the Lower School.
PATHWAY IMPROVEMENTS
After a two year battle, we have finally received
£7,000 for improving our pathways around school. This will go
some way to cover over the areas which become so muddy during
the wet winter weather.
LABORATORY REFURBISHMENT
The six main school science laboratories are currently
being up-graded. On completion, we will have nine laboratories
equipped with up-to-date furnishings and fittings which will
further enhance the strength of the sciences in the school.
NEW LIBRARY SHELVING
The overcrowded fixed shelves in the library are
currently being replaced by flexible shelving of the latest
design. This will provide far more shelf space and also allow
for more private study areas within the library. This will be
much appreciated, particularly by the Sixth Form. We thank the
Friends for their assistance in purchasing some of the new
shelves and hope for their further help in completing the
scheme.
INTERNAL REDECORATION
We are expecting several more corridors and classrooms
to be redecorated in the next few months, and this will provide
a much needed facelift for many areas which have been neglected
for many years.
OLD PEOPLE'S PARTY
On December 12th our Sixth Form gave their annual party
for local old folk. Everyone was given a glass of sherry a super
tea and a present from Father Christmas. A lively entertainment
was provided by the Sixth Form.
CHARITIES
In addition to the money raised for charities by our
Houses (which you can read about on a separate sheet) members of
the school recently collected over £900.00 in a door-to-door
collection for the N.S.P.C.C.
SPONSORED FAST
Mrs. Willcox, Mr. James and about 20 pupils took part
in a 24 hour Sponsored Fast in aid of Oxfam's "Hungry for
Change" appeal. They raised £328.76.
VISITS AND EXCHANGES
The visit by the Third Form to Flanders was an
enjoyable and moving experience.
The 6th Form Geologists visited
Gloucester for fieldwork over half term.
A proposed visit to Russia in
December 1986, a return Exchange for the Third Form to Denmark
in mid-1986 and a repeat of the Flanders visit in October 1986
for the current Second Form are all at the planning stage at
present. Please let the school know if your son/ daughter wishes
to be involved.
HELP!
The Model Railway Club is having difficulty in
obtaining steel rails suitable for 7¼" gauge track. Can anyone
help, please?
FRIENDS' ACTIVITIES
The Friends' CHRISTMAS FAIR on 6th December was a great
success and a remarkable profit is about £1,100.
The tickets for the DANCE on 13th December have now all been
sold and you are also reminded of the CAREERS CONVENTION on
Wednesday, 29th January 1986 and the RACE NIGHT on 7th February
1986.
END OF TERM DIARY
THURSDAY, 19th DECEMBER
We are arranging a Christmas Film Show for the children
in the afternoon. There will be no early dismissals.
FRIDAY, 20th DECEMBER
The Governors have kindly given us permission to alter
the timings of the final day to allow for early dismissal of the
school.
We will work Period 5 between 12.05 and 12.40. School will
dismiss at 1 p.m. after a short registration.
Lunches will be available on application to Mrs. Smith in the
school office.
FOOTNOTE
Therfield is a remarkably successful school by whatever
criteria one chooses to apply.
My thanks to all those who have
helped in generating this success and my best wishes to everyone
who will be associated with its future development. I hope they
will find it as stimulating and enjoyable an experience as I
have had. I will always remember my years here with a special
affection.
It is clear that there are exciting
times ahead under the "new management".
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
L.J.W. Baker
Acting Headmaster 13.12.85
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