Some rearrangement of classes in the lower school has been made in order that each of you can feel that your own opportunities at Therfield are wider than ever before. The establishment of your new School Council implicitly recognises a pupil's point of view as a useful contribution towards a contented community. The projected building extensions will not only bring some exciting specialist facilities but should also enable the whole school to be brought under one roof, so as to speak, at Dilston Road. The new buildings are linked with the emergence of middle schools and the change to 12+ admission to secondary schools. When this magazine appears, the school will have left the South West Division centred at Guildford and be administered by the Mole Valley Authority based at Epsom for the time being. Most of the changes outlined are of the evolutionary type associated with growth and expansion. Let us not forget that much of our way of life will remain unchanged, and we are especially determined that Therfield's reputation as a friendly and successful school will be wholly preserved. J. D. Wooding, B. Sc.
The Re-organisation of the School When the school re-assembled in September 1973, pupils found that the organisation and running of the school had been changed in a number of ways. This was mainly necessitated by the fact that the school leaving age had been raised from fifteen to sixteen, which meant that many people who would have normally left now had to stay on for another year. This fact alone indicates that the school would be overcrowded and with almost the whole of the second year now attending the Dilston Road section, re-organisation was necessary in a number of spheres. The basic pattern of assemblies was changed. Previously, the whole school had assembled every day, except Wednesday, which was reserved for House matters, in the main hall. This became impractical and almost impossible as there were simply too many pupils to fit in a hall which is not particularly large. We all know how unpleasant it is to stand in a crowded, stuffy hall, especially on a hot day. So now the sixth form have separate assemblies on Monday and Friday in the library and sixth form block respectively. On Thursdays the second and thirds have their own assembly, while the fourths and fifths also miss the main hall meeting during the week. House assemblies are now only scheduled for one a month though Wednesday is put by for House matters, if there is a specific purpose for calling one. So now the whole school assembles just once a week, on a Tuesday, with the sixth form standing in the entrance hall to allow more room inside the main hall itself. It does seem necessary for the school to be together at one time in the week to establish some sort of unity. A School Council has been introduced into Therfield this year. A group of pupils have met with Mr. du Mont, as Staff Representative, to discuss various problems. There has always been a problem over the relationship between teacher and pupil. In the past, pupils have had many ideas over many issues, especially in the running of the school, and the idea of this council is to allow pupils to convey their impressions to a member of staff. In this way it is hoped that pupils can have a real say in the activities and running of the school. The School Council is made up of two boys and two girls chosen from each year plus the Head Boy and Head Girl with their deputies. The council meet from time to time in the sixth form common room and with the aid of tea and biscuits many ideas can be discussed! The library has also been slightly changed in format. Previously, it was open every day of the week, except Monday, to the whole school. Now each year has their own day when the library is open to them. This system has prevented overcrowding so that the library facilities can be used more satisfactorily in peace and quiet. Librarians are volunteers from the lower sixth who give up their lunch hour to help. Under the supervision of Mrs. Bleach they have been changing the library to the Dewey Classification system and this is just one example of the new ideas in this department. Since September, year heads have been introduced into Therfield. Each year has a teacher presiding over it who is responsible for the general activities of his or her own year. In addition, the year heads call meetings of the House tutors of that particular year. The year heads are as follows: - Mr. Tanner - sixth year, Mr. Pearce remains in charge of the first years at the Kingston Road section of the school. The introduction of year heads and other decisions have changed the role of the four Houses. The Houses now exist for matters of sport and the raising of money for charity. However, House spirit is still strong and this system continues to be very important. The new heads of Houses are: Mrs. Spicer - Juniper; The Houses can meet every Wednesday and one only has to look at the various activities, which go on to see the value of each one to the running of the school. New curricula and opportunities have been introduced in particular to the fifth and sixth year. The fifth year has been of larger numbers than normal due to the raising of the school leaving age. As there are so many more fifth formers than normal they have not had as much independence and freedom as was hoped for, in their own unit. However despite this the fifth years have progressed well and there has been little for Mrs. Hack to complain of as head of the year. A Roadcraft course has been introduced for those who would normally have left school. Some Mode three, C.S.E., has been developed. Also reflecting the new opportunities is the introduction of Sociology and Economics. In the sixth form, the numbers of those staying on for a sixth and perhaps a seventh year are rapidly rising. Mr. Tanner, the head of the sixth, is developing a curriculum which will provide for the needs of those who are in the over sixteen age group. More people will go to University and Polytechnic courses and more are already profiting from a one year course to take "O" levels. It is also hoped that others will benefit from the envisaged Certificate of Extended Education. Apart from exam subjects being introduced into the curriculum, "core" subjects are also helping the students in various ways and give them a more balanced diet of subjects. Opportunities for extending the sixth form social involvements are also being made. All in all the re-organisation of the school seems to be a successful move. Most pupils are happy with the assembly system and the running of the school in general. Students have many places to go for advice and there is a splendid careers service with a special room put by for it. With new year heads, new subjects and new opportunities as well as increased facilities in all departments, progress has certainly been made at Therfield. Robert Cox, 6th Year The School Council The School Council was instituted in order to give every year in the school a channel through which they could make known their views on the running and facilities of the school. The council consists of representatives from each year, the Head Boy, Head Girl and their deputies and a staff representative who is Mr. du Mont. The council exists purely as an advisory body and depends on the good will of those in authority for results to be obtained. This apparent lack of teeth has not, however, proved detrimental to the effectiveness of the council. This is because most decisions are reasonable and after discussion with the Headmaster they can be implemented. It is in most cases only when financial or legal considerations are concerned that ideas are 'put to sleep'. The School Council members are to be given badges, not to please their vanity, but so that pupils may be reminded who their representatives are and these representatives will raise questions and ideas in future discussions. Among the many items discussed and acted upon are: a promised re-think of the catering situation
after modernisation of the kitchens, some time this year; Another example of the function of the council was to deal with the drink machine problem. With rising costs, the drink machine began running at a loss. The School Council was asked whether they preferred the school fund to subsidise this loss or were the prices of drinks to be increased. The council decided that an ever increasing subsidy was not the best solution to the problem and that the prices of drinks should be raised. It is this sort of consultation which will ensure the real success of the School Council. Margot and I feel that this newly constituted School Council is gradually proving itself and in the future will make a useful contribution to the more effective running of the school. Martin Gandar (Head Boy)
The School Library Our School Library now operates in three places. The Main Library, serving the majority of students, contains several thousand books; there is an expanding Sixth Form library in ROSLA 12 and a Careers library in ROSLA 13. We are in the process of reclassifying these libraries to conform to the Dewey system, a numerical one, most commonly used in Public Libraries and in Further Educational Establishments. In view of the size of our library, this process will take many months, but, when completed, we hope it will enable students to move more freely among and to take more advantage of resources available within the school and outside.
Mr Biggs Mr. Biggs had been at Therfield since 1944. He left in July of 1973 after 29 years of teaching English. He taught English mainly to the fourth and fifth year classes. When the school was still very small and there were not enough teachers, Mr. Biggs helped out with the P.E., actually playing and teaching Football. One of the many things which Mr. Biggs did for the school was to build up the very good Library, which has a wide variety of books in it. There was a farewell party at the school for him, which existing staff and a great many ex-pupils attended. Speeches were made and Mr. Biggs was presented with a Plant propagator (heated glass case to grow plants in) and a cheque. This party must have made his last day at the school a very happy and memorable one. Alison Webb, 6th year Retirement February 1974 "Well, that's a funny subject for a school magazine!" I thought when Mr du Mont asked me to write about retirement. "Most of my readers won't even have started work yet! And I'm still in a state of shock anyway!" But my (former) Head of Department had commanded so I thought I had better risk boring you and obey. Relief: that's what I felt first of all. Not during the summer holidays, of course, for I still had some school work to do then. I first felt it a week or two after you had all returned to school. No more grim early morning "alarms", no more long battles through rain, fog, ice, snow or darkness to face another overfull day, no more mountainous library requisitions to face, no more of those crises which seem a permanent part of school life nowadays, no more "challenging" or "exciting" situations which served only to emphasize the short comings of my intellect and judgement. Blessed, blessed relief! Then came a vague sense that something was missing. I suppose after thirty-four years or so this was to be expected, but it grew to be greater than anticipated. I missed being "in the swim", the opportunity to bring to bear what experience and intelligence I had on problems relating to what I had been doing all my life. I missed the classroom, too: the technique of teaching is never fully learned and I have always enjoyed trying to improve mine. I missed the little chats I often had with "me mates", some of many years standing, some more recent. Last, but by no means least, I missed all those boys and girls I was constantly meeting in and out of the classroom, the friendly fourth, my "problems" in the fifth, the "weatherdodgers" in the library, and "my" sixth, especially the continuous but never acrimonious arguments and discussions we had as they strove patiently to make their point of view clear to me. "Rose-coloured spectacles", you will say; "Absence makes the heart grow fonder, " you will say. Well, you may be right, but I doubt it. And now, lest the violins begin to sing and my irreverent sixth hum "Hearts and Flowers" once more (I forget what it was about the first time!) let me assure you that there has been a third element in my retirement, there has been the opportunity to take up interests long neglected. Reading, for instance. First I thought I would try the modern novel but I soon became bored with psychological exploration. Then came autobiographies but the ones I enjoyed most were of "little" people not the important or self-important ones. Lately, I have become interested in the people of other countries, the Swedish people, the Russians and the compulsorily unselfish Chinese - though most of them don't seem to need compulsion. I am finding the Chinese Revolution fascinating. Is it possible, I wonder, politically to change the heart of mankind? I have also been able, at last, to listen to a good deal of music, a barbarous mixture, you will probably think, from Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Chopin to Gershwin and Harry James. Harry James? A jazz trumpet player still popular in America. So far I have enjoyed nothing more than Chopin's "Nocturnes" - very suitable for contemplation in retirement! Uncluttered by the former day-to-day detail I have been able to think a bit and it is natural for my thoughts to turn to education once more. I wonder how the big schools so prevalent today will develop? They can provide far more opportunities for their pupils than in the past, but their size presents far greater problems to teachers than ever before, too. My job during the first ten years of my teaching life was far simpler than it was in the last ten. Finally - and I nearly forgot it though it takes up a great deal of my time, there is gardening. This has always been a satisfying hobby and now I have an opportunity to make up for all that necessary neglect in the past. My garden has never been so tidy! This hobby provides company, too, for a lively young robin often looks gravely on at my feeble efforts to provide him with his dinner. Today he rewarded me by singing away not three feet from my boot! Retirement, then, has meant a leisurely but quite a full and, so far, satisfying life for me .... but there are still moments when I feel I would like to be back at Therfield! My best wishes to you all Our New Senior Master [Mr. Etherington] Talks to the Editors
3. Did you take part in University activities? I was the Social Secretary of the Students Union at Goldsmith's College, London. 4. Did you think of entering any other
profession apart from teaching? 5. What other schools have you taught at? 6. What is the difference in Leaching at
Therfield compared with your other schools? 7. What about your hobbies? 8. Since you are married do you do any
housework? I am interested in GOOD Science Fiction and Historical novels. I also read the Guardian and the Sunday Observer regularly. 10. Which television programrnes do you watch? Mr. Etherington concluded the interview with the comment, "Therfield is a school with tremendous potential". Welcome to the Newcomers Mrs. S. Arnott: Mrs. Sue Arnott, originally Miss Pritchard, has been married for six weeks. She teaches mathematics and is in Leith House. She is around twenty one years old and has one sister. She lives in Richmond and her hobbies are playing tennis, reading and listening to pop music. She went to Tiffin's girls school in Kingston and trained to be a maths teacher at Homerton College in Cambridge. Mrs. V. Gardner: Mrs. Valerie Gardner is married with one boy. She is twenty eight years old and lives in Epsom. She originally lived in New Zealand where she was born. She attended Auckland University. After she came to England she trained in Subnormality and Psychiatric Nursing and then became a mother. She now teaches English and is in Juniper House. In her spare time she goes to the theatre and listens to classical music. Miss C. Ingram: Miss Carolyn Ingram is in Polesden House and teaches French and Italian. She is twenty five years old and has one brother, one sister and lives in Ewell. Her hobbies are listening to music; swimming and going to the theatre. She trained at Liverpool University and attended a school in Cambridge. Before she came to Therfield she worked as a translator. Miss G. Wood: Miss Gwen Wood is in Juniper House and teaches mathematics. She is twenty three years old and has one sister who also teaches at Therfield. She lives in Leatherhead and her hobbies are listening to progressive music and going to the theatre. She attended Therfield school four years ago and has found many changes since she left. She trained at Stockwell college in Bromley for four years and came straight back to Therfield to teach. Miss P. Wood: Miss Philipa Wood, the younger sister of Miss Gwen Wood, is in Norbury House teaching general science and is twenty one years old. She lives in Leatherhead and her hobbies are listening to music especially Rod Stewart, Pink Floyd and Genesis. She also asked me to add that she was a fan of Winnie the Pooh. Miss Wood like her sister attended Therfield school and trained at Stockwell college in Bromley for three years. Miss Wood loves to drive but has not yet passed her test. Mr. M.A. Tanner: Mr. Tanner is the Director of Sixth Form studies and also teaches English. When a pupil he attended a boy's grammar school in Bristol, he then went on to graduate at Bristol University and London University. Before he came to Therfield he taught at George Abbot Boys school, where he taught nearly as many girls as boys. When asked if he had any hobbies, his reply was that he had no time for hobbies, but that they were mainly his home and family. Mr. C.M. Jones: Mr. Cedric Martin Jones is in Norbury House and teaches History and Games of all kinds. He went to Brecon Grammar School and trained at Bedford College of Education. His hobbies include cricket and chess. He has one older brother. Miss A. Jonas: Miss Angela Jonas is in Polesden House and teaches Social Economics, Social Studies and History. When a pupil she attended Joseph Wood Secondary School for girls', she continued her studies at Hull University and then came straight to Therfield to teach. Miss Jonas lives at Thames Ditton, has one sister and her hobbies are reading and going to the theatre and cinema. Mr. D. Martin: Mr. Derek Martin is in Juniper House and teaches Geography and French. He is single, lives in Dorking and has one sister. His hobbies are travelling and football - would you believe he supports Crystal Palace! He also likes to listen to Pink Floyd. Mr. Martin attended Wallington Grammar School for boys and continued his training at Exeter University and also he went to Cardiff for one year's training. He lived in Switzerland and taught there for one year, and then came to Britain to teach. He has just returned from a very successful ski-ing trip to France with the School. Mr. A.J. Philpott: Mr. Philpott is in Norbury House and teaches English. When a pupil he attended Alcester Grammar School in Warwickshire. He continued his education at Leeds University and Carmarthen College of Education, and from there he came straight to Therfield. Mr. Philpott is not married, he has three brothers and one sister. He lives between Ashtead and Leatherhead and his hobby is listening to music. Miss H. Prentice: Miss Hilary
Prentice is in Leith House and teaches geography and
needlework, at Kingston Road and Dilston Road. When a pupil
she attended Reigate Priory and Sheephatch. She continued her
education at Bishop Otter in Chichester, and also went to
Ewell Technical College in between her education at
University. Teaching at Therfield is her first job and so far
she likes it here. Miss Prentice lives in Reigate, has two
sisters and one brother; her hobbies are swimming and lazing
around at Mr. A. Elliot: Mr. Alan Elliot is in Norbury House and teaches Chemistry. He trained at several different training colleges, Manchester, Furzedown - London and Stockport. After training he worked in industry and then went on to teach at Beverly School for boys, teaching chemistry. Mr. Elliot has two sisters and he lives in Croydon. His hobbies are going to the theatre, listening to music and reading. Miss J. Martin: Miss Martin teaches Physical Education and is also the careers teacher. She trained at Nonington College of Education. She then taught at Leicestershire, in an Upper School, fourth years upwards. At the school she taught Physical Education and she started her careers work. Miss Martin is in Polesden house and her hobbies are going to the theatre, archaeology, music and sport. Mr. B. Middleton: Mr. Brian Middleton is in Leith House and teaches Chemistry. He was born in London and attended the Strand Grammar School. He then went on to train at Southampton and London University. Mr. Middleton is married with a child on the way! His hobbies are being married and football, he also loves the Rolling Stones. When asked if he liked the school he said that he was impressed by the mixed school atmosphere. Mrs. T. Stockwell: Mrs. Tonwen Stockwell teaches at Kingston Road. She teaches mathematics and science. When a pupil she attended Wallington County, she then went on to train at Cardiff University and the Institute of Education. Before she came to this school she taught at Dorking Grammar for two and a half years and then taught at Vancouver, Canada for one year. In Canada she found that there was always something going on in the lunch hour. She also worked at Manor Hospital in Epsom. Mrs. Stockwell is married with one boy and one girl. She lives in Ashtead and has two brothers and one sister, and her hobby is dressmaking. Mr. B. Harris: Mr. Harris is in Norbury and teaches English and Sociology. When a pupil he attended Wimbledon County and went on to train at Gypsy Hill College, where he obtained a degree in economics. Mr. Harris has one sister and lives in Kingston. His hobbies are listening to folk music. Members of the School Council 1973-74 Head Boy: Martin Gandar (Chairman) Deputy Head Boy: Andrew Lovell Some School Office-holders PREFECTS 1973-4
Away from Home and School Le Mont Dore 2nd-11th February, 1974 Eighteen second and third formers from Therfield were amongst a party from five Surrey Schools which went on a skiing trip to Le Mont Dore, a resort in the Massif Central of France, noted for its nursery slopes. Despite difficulties of weather extremes, changes of instructors and crowded slopes, most of the party gained their British Junior Alpine (one star) Ski Test, and thoroughly enjoyed the spills and thrills (in that order) of the sport. Apart from the physical benefits of skiing, living amongst people of a different nationality and comparing their customs with those of our own, visits to Hydro-Electric Power stations and chateaux, and the practising of the French language all proved useful areas of education from which the children benefited. It was education mixed with fun, provided by good-spirited coach drivers (Merci Daniel), members of staff desperately trying to learn the latest dances, constant plates of chips (remember!), plus of course all those crazy incidents on the slopes (Karen!) All told, it was a great success, educationally, socially and physically, and something which the school should take part in every year. Derek Martin
Christmas Concert 1973 Therfield's Christmas Concert of 1973 took the form of an "Evening of Carols." The Concert, as usual, was in two parts, each of which began and ended with a well-known carol for Choirs and audience, accompanied by Therfield Orchestra. After the first carol "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen," the orchestra played some movements from "The Water Music" by Handel. The Kingston Road Choir also took part in the concert singing five carols with interesting accompaniments on piano and other percussion instruments. These were followed by the Senior and Staff Choir (of Dilston Road) singing four carols two of which were unaccompanied. The last of these carols "Good Day Sir Christmas" contained a solo quartet (Jenny Redgrave, Helen Sykes, Kevin Noble and Neil Carlson) who sang two of the verses, accompanied by Carol Posner. In the second half, the orchestra played a Barcarolle in which the audience were soon moved by the music. The newly formed Intermediate Choir, conducted by Mrs. Muskett, then sang Five Fantasias and Polish Christmas Carols, after which the Senior Choir sang four more carols. The carol "Song of the Ass" with instrumental parts for Piano - Carol Posner, Flute - Helen Sykes and Chime-bars - Neil Carbon and Kevin Noble, proved to be an enjoyable item. Stephen Grostate was the first soprano soloist in "The Manger Carol." As usual the Friends held their Christmas Draw after which the Choirs and Audience sang "O Come All Ye Faithful" and the concert came to a close. Neil Carlson, 6th Year What Are They Doing About ........' How often has one heard this sort of question asked? But invariably the mysterious 'they', on closer investigation, will be found to embrace the very people who complain loudest about life's shortcomings. I believe that one of the aims of such an organisation as our Friends should be to turn aside such questions almost before they arise. This, of course, cannot be done without the effective co-operation between parents, teachers and students in areas of common interest. It would take a bold person to attempt to define precisely what are such areas of common interest, since these would vary from school to school and, within a school, from year to year. However, I hope that such interests are slanted at all times towards the all-embracing aim of securing a full and satisfactory education for all students. The composition of the Committee of Friends embodies a spirit of co-operation in that it consists, this year, of twenty parent representatives and nine staff representatives, together with the Headmaster as President. The existing Committee has also shown its readiness to try out fresh ideas. In December, 1973 the first Friends Dance was organised and whilst there was inevitably some criticism (read the first paragraph again!) I did notice some people 'letting down' what little hair they had left. Needless to say, we aim to do better next time. Our committee has also decided to make the Summer Fete its major fund raising event for 1974 and it is this event, above all, which draws together the greatest number of people with shared interests in the school. Our other annual money-spinner is the Christmas Draw which, for several years, has been launched by our worthy promoter. May the Draw continue to give hope to countless hundreds and pleasure to the lucky ones, such as the balding gent who won a free hair-dressing appointment (for ladies). I would here like to express my gratitude to all involved in the Christmas concert for allowing the Draw to take place then. The Committee has several other bright ideas for fund raising under discussion and would welcome any suggestion. Since the formation of the Friends the School has received a total of over £5,000. The Headmaster and Staff have been able to use such funds in ways which they have felt would most benefit the School. The total benefit to the School makes impressive reading. Our Education Evening has now become a well established event in our calendar. On these occasions we seek not to raise funds, or to amuse, but to stimulate thought amongst parents and students on some topic which we consider to be a vital issue. We have now established a permanent sub-committee to keep this aspect of our work under constant review and the results of their efforts this year will have been seen at the Careers Evening. I hope these words will cause you to think afresh when the Committee asks for your help with our diverse activities. V. J. Bradbury, Chairman, Therfield Friends page created 15 Sep 2005: last updated 17 Apr 2010 |
