19th July 2007
Dear Parents,
I write at the end of the school year to give some appreciation for the staff leaving and to wish you all the very best for the school holidays. The last day of term ends on Friday at 12.20 p.m. for Year 7 & 8, and at 12.30 pm for the remainder of the school.
I confirm that the new School Day will start next term. It begins as normal with registration at 8.30 a.m., pupils being on site at 8.20 a.m. Unless pupils are involved in extra-curricular activities, the day ends at 3.15 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, and at 3 p.m. on the other days; it is hoped that many more pupils become involved in additional activities next year.
I am pleased to report that Mrs. Guest, Vice-Chairman of the Governing Body, was elected unopposed as parent governor.
Pupils taking the Key Stage 3 National Assessments were very successful. Because of the introduction of the two-year Key Stage 3, we have two year groups taking them. The English results have not been released. In Science, Level 7 is the limit, achieved by 85% of Year 9 (the best result since 2003) and by 66% of Year 8. In Mathematics, Level 8 was achieved by 62% of pupils in Year 9 and by 40% of Year 8. Year 9 almost beat last year’s record but Year 8 even beat the performance of Year 9 in 2003 and 2004! I am particularly encouraged by their results, given that they have taken the tests a year early; this increased pace should give them a head start on their GCSEs.
Mrs. Holt, the Director of Mathematics, has played a leading part in a government initiative to encourage more students to take up Further Mathematics and, because of the strength of Mathematics, the School has been designated a centre for Further Mathematics.
The School has also won a Special Merit Award in the Rolls-Royce Science Prize; the £1,000 will go towards the erection of a greenhouse in the “meadow” in front of the Science Block.
Parents whose sons are doing Design Technology will know that the subject has changed beyond all recognition, much to the credit of Mr. Walsh, appointed two years ago as Subject Leader for DT. The GCSE moderators commented on the “excellent, exceptional and off-the-scale for Coursework Design Folder quality”. Of the 23 students, the coursework of no fewer than 17 were ranked A*, two candidates being awarded 99%, and five 100%. This was an achievement not equalled nationally.
Now firmly established as Director of Music, Mrs. Tams will present her summer concert tonight at 7 p.m. I trust that parents will give their whole-hearted support.
The latter part of the summer term sees a number of colleagues moving on.
Mrs. Claustres was appointed in October 2005 as a part time Administrative Assistant in the school office. Mrs. Claustres required a full time position and has accepted a post as PA to the Managing Director of a finance company in Leatherhead.
Mr. Dalgado was appointed in September 2005 to support a special needs student, who has secured the offer of a place at Oxford. Mr. Dalgado supported him in the classroom and acted as an amanuensis. A recent former student at the School, Mr. Dalgado will commence his study of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method at the London School of Economics.
Mr. McCarthy was appointed to teach Physics in September 2006. He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin and completed his PGCE at St. Mary’s, Twickenham. Mr. McCarthy has accepted a post to teach Physics at Overton Grange.
After two years’ teaching at the School, Mr. Hart has decided to move to do a Master’s and also devote time to writing. Educated at Pate’s Grammar School in Cheltenham, Mr. Hart worked in bookshops before reading English at University College, London. He then worked as an internet journalist and corporate writer before taking a PGCE at King’s College, London. Mr. Hart has accompanied several theatre trips.
Mr. Vandoros is leaving after three years to take up a promoted post in PE as Master i/c Cricket at John Fisher School. Mr. Vandoros has brought his considerable sporting prowess and motivational skills to the school. A former schoolboy international in rugby, cricket, tennis and athletics, Mr. Vandoros also represented Zimbabwe at Rugby in ’97 and ’98 and was the 2nd Zimbabwean home in a 90km (56 miles) Ultra-Marathon. The School is grateful for Mr. Vandoros’ extensive commitment to practices and fixtures both after school and at weekends.
Miss Searl has decided to leave the teaching profession after 3 years service to take up a place at Writtle College to study for a Masters in Conservation Management. Miss Searl taught Geography and Games and was appointed as Assistant Subject Leader of Geography in September 2006. Miss Searl gave extremely generously of her time to the wider life of the school. She took a leading part in hockey and assisted with many Saturday rugby fixtures. She served as Senior Housemaster of Woodcote, and took part in and led various trips including Geography field trips. She was elected Chairman of the Staff Room Committee.
Mrs. Kingswood was appointed to teach French from September 2003. She graduated from the University of Leeds in French Language and Literature in 1997. Following employment in France, Mrs. Kingswood took a PGCE at Kingston University. Mrs. Kingswood has worked extremely hard and set exacting standards and will be missed in the French department.
Dr. Egerton formally retired from teaching in August 2003 having been initially appointed to the English Department in January 1990. Since her retirement, Mrs. Egerton completed her doctorate and returned on a part-time basis to teach the Sixth Form and to assist with mentoring. We thank her for her loyalty and support over the years and wish her well in the future.
Mrs. Devereux has been appointed as Head of English and Drama at St. Bernard’s School in High Wycombe. She joined the school in September 2003 as a teacher of English and Drama. The following year Mrs. Devereux was promoted in the English Department and subsequently appointed Director of Drama and Media. She has produced several excellent drama productions of outstanding quality. Mrs. Devereux has also been involved with extra-curricular activities including EAL classes, introduced a new Drama Club and arranged many theatre trips. She also served as Senior Housemaster of Radcliffe.
Mr. Homer, Director of Science, has been appointed to a similar post at Lansdowne College. For the past seven years Mr. Homer has commuted from north of the river, and this post is nearer home. Mr. Homer taught at three schools, including Enfield Grammar, before his appointment to Wallington as Head of Chemistry and Head of Science in September 2000, just as the new Science Block was completed. He played a major part in the development of the Science College, securing promotion onto the Leadership Scale as Director of Science. Mr. Homer has done much to lift examination results, and much to raise the profile of science in the School, with conferences, competitions and master classes. He leaves the Science department in a far stronger position than he inherited over six years ago.
Mr. Edmonds has been promoted to Deputy Headmaster at Surbiton High School. Mr. Edmonds first undertook a teaching practice at the school while a student teacher in January 1996. Following experience in two other schools, he was appointed in September 1999 to be Deputy Head of English. He served as Head of Year and, in January 2002, was promoted to Subject Leader for English. He served as Assistant Director of Studies, joined the Leadership Team and was promoted to Assistant Head in January 2006. Mr. Edmonds has taken charge of the School’s Christian Union and been involved with a number of Woodcote House activities. Mr. Edmonds has been involved with a number of school productions and has organised and accompanied a number of theatre trips and cultural holidays. Mr. Edmonds has consistently been involved in raising standards in the school and we owe him much.
The School is fully staffed for next term, which begins on Wednesday, 5th September.
It remains but for me to thank you for your support over this busy year and to wish you all a good holiday.
