| Dear parents
May I begin this termly newsletter by
wishing you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas. The first
term of the school year has been most eventful and very
encouraging, and we now approach the festive season, looking
forward to the rest, but pleased with much that has been
achieved.
EXAMINATION RESULTS
These were the best that have been achieved by the
school since I arrived seven years ago.
56% of last year's Year 11 group (5th
Form) gained five or more GCSEs at Grades A-C. This put
Therfield near the top of the infamous league tables. Even more
pleasing were the A Level results which were the best ever
achieved with a 92.3% A-E pass rate from the 84 students who
entered 220 subjects. This was the highest pass rate in the
County using that measure. As a result seventy students went on
to degree level courses.
Especially pleasing was an award of
£500 by Shell to Roger Morgan for gaining the best result in the
London University A level Economics exam. Full details of
examination results and destinations of Year 13 (U6A) leavers
may be obtained by phoning the school office.
PUPIL NUMBERS
Therfield is once again over-subscribed in both Year 7
and Year 8. All parents of Middle School. pupils who returned
their forms on time will be given places but all subsequent
applications will have to join a waiting list.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS THIS TERM
1) Work has begun on the new block of Science
Laboratories and the adaptations to the Technology area. 24 new
Nimbus computers have been installed in our Information
Technology area, with the older ones being distributed to
various departments around the school and linked into the
network. This must be one of the biggest and fastest systems in
the County.
2) Ninety Year 9 students have visited the World War One
Battlefields at half term.
3) Virtually all our Year 8 students took part in residential
adventure sessions based at Felbury House and led by our
attached Youth Worker, Mr Richard Fairman.
4) Certainly one highlight of the term was our production of South
Pacific. It maintained our tradition of high quality,
sell-out, musicals. Many thought it our best yet.
5) We held our Carol Concert by kind permission at St. George's
Church on 14th December. Once again it was a lovely evening,
with some of the best choral and orchestral music that I can
remember.
PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
- Sacha Craise (Year 10) has been
appearing in the BBC's science fiction serial for children Watt
on Earth during December.
- The Sailing Club enjoyed yet another
successful season and in the final regatta of the year at
Littleton came away with four 1st places, three 2nds, and three
3rds.
- Paul Belk (Year 11) was selected for the
English national swimming squad after coming first in the 100
metres freestyle in the English Schools championships at
Wolverhampton. Paul will be swimming for England in an
international match in Wales in March. It is hoped that Tim
Arnell (Year 11) will be joining Paul in the relay
team.
- Tim recently came second in the U15 boys'
section of the National Biathlon Championships.
- David Hall (Year 11) and Andrew
Winter (Year 13) are both in the County Football
squad for their respective age groups.
- Catherine Nicholls (Year 11) has been
selected for the County U16 hockey squad.
- In the District. Cross caountry, Gareth Dickinson
(year 11) came first in his age group and finished third in the
youth section of the Surrey AAAs Championships. Rebecca
McMullin (Year 8) and Lynsey Elcome
(Year 9) also ran well in the Surrey AAAs in the junior girls
section. In the Epsom Downs Cross Country Rebecca
and Lynsey finished! first. and second in the
junior girls, with Fiona Eagle (Year 10) third
in intermediate girls, followed by Claire Hanson
(6th) and Emma Gordon 10th.
STAFF CHANGES
This Christmas sees us bidding farewell to Mrs Wilson
who has been teaching Science to cover Mrs Baker's maternity
leave. Mrs Baker rejoins us in January.
We also say farewell temporarily to
Mrs Phelps who begins her maternity leave now. She will be
replaced by Mrs Carnaghan.
FRESH START APPEAL
The County Council education budget will mean yet again
that we will have to make cuts in the service that we are able
to offer. We shall do all within our power to minimise the
effect of these in the classroom. It has led us, however, to
seek to raise more money to ensure that all classes are properly
equipped. We have already raised some of the £20,000 that we
need, but I shall be writing again with details in the New Year.
If you wanted to give a Christmas present to the school, or join
in the Covenanted giving scheme run by the Friends, we would be
very grateful.
HELP NEEDED
- The Technology department is looking for textile
remnants, wool; etc. If you can help, please contact Mrs
Shannon.
- Women scientists and engineers are needed by the Neighbourhood
Engineers' organisation. lf you would be interested please
contact Miss Wood.
- we shall be needing morre filing cabinets to store old
records. These need not be lockable, but must be serviceable in
other respects. If you know of any being thrown out, please
contact Mrs Hodgson at the school.
- Parents wishing to link up with the Parents' Prayer Group
should contact Sue Cross (275262) or Celia Witts (272019).
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
5th Jan : First day of term for students.
8th Jan : Presentation Evening with Professor Sir Hermann Bondi
as our Guest of Honour.
3rd Feb : Parents' Evening for parents of students in Year 11 to
consider Post 16 courses available.
10th Feb : Subject based Parents' Evening for Years 12 and 13.
15th-19th Feb included : Half Term.
24th Feb : Parents' Evening for Year 9 to consider Options.
2nd/3rd Mar : Tutor based Year 9
Parents' Evening.
17th Mar : Year 10 Parents' Evening.
24th Mar : GRAND MUSIC CONCERT AT DORKING HALLS WITH RICHARD
STILGOE.
2nd Apr : Last day of Spring Term.
20th Apr : First day of Sumrner Term.
Have a very Happy Christmas and a
peaceful and prosperous New Year.
Yours sincerely
TJ Reddin
|