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Derek Dunne -

Shepperton-Info © 1999/2001.

Your Letters

If you have some news about things happening in Shepperton, then this is the place to do it. Just send me your article by e-mail and I'll add it for you.

‘Gunge the teacher’

Thamesmead school students and teachers raised a stink at their latest charity fundraising event.

The ever popular annual "Gunge the Teacher" gave the students a chance to choose their 'favourite' teachers to cover in slime.

"Students could pledge money on who they wanted to see come to a sticky end" said Mr Bunting, Deputy Head of Newton House, who organised the event. "The top 3 got gunged but there were 2 clear favourites who raised £50 per head " he added.

The students of Newton House raised £216 for their House Charity 'The Childrens Trust'.

"The best bit was pouring the gunge over Ms Wallis our Head of Key Stage 3" said Stacey Mansell, a year 10 student.

"Mr Prater, our RE teacher read a poem he had made up before saying his prayers and Mr Owen the History teacher ended up with the gunge bin on his head" added Dan Beck a student who had helped collect the money.

Money Raised for Tsunami Earthquake Appeal

In light of the terrible news about the earthquake disaster, Friday 7th January saw Thamesmead School students as a whole generously contributing a minimum of £1 to be allowed to wear non-uniform clothes for the day. Some students even contributed £10 or more for the privilege. The students also ran a ‘Line of Coins’ as an inter-house competition with all four houses competing to raise the most amount in their lunch break. Several students including ‘Loaded Dice’ (the Junior Eurovision Song Contest finalists) did some impromptu busking to raise additional money. All the proceeds received will go directly to the Tsunami Earthquake Appeal.

The total amount raised is in excess of £2,500 which is an amazing result for the school as a whole.

Peter Rodin, Acting Head teacher said “

“The students response has been incredible. They have really shown how much they care about the sufferings of others. We should all be really proud of them”.

England Women’s U15 Training Camp taking place at Lilleshall National Sports Centre.

A chance in of a lifetime was given to Lisa Hawkins 15 student of Thamesmead School, Shepperton to train as part of the squad for the forthcoming Women’s U15 Training Camp which took place at Lilleshall National Sports Centre from the 27th to 29th October. She was be coached by the likes of Lois Vidler (the Coach at the Player Development Centre in Loughborough) FA National Women Centre.The itinerary was incredibly hard work taking time out of her school holidays to train. She has been playing/training with Chelsea since the age of 10 years.

‘OADE TO GLORY’

Student of Thamesmead School Robert Oades of Staines, 14 years old has been rowing at ‘Staines Boat Club’ for just under a year now. Roberts rowing skills have far exceeded he has now won a further 4 pots bringing the total for the season so far to 6. Recent wins were at Staines (2),
Maidenhead and the latest at Evesham. This is in addition to his two earlier wins at Twickenham and Molesey.

Roberts younger brother Thomas now also attends Thamesmead School in Year 7. Thomas also rows and had his second victory of the season at Evesham.

Stephen Smith of Staines Boat Club said: ‘When Robert first came to the club, I was impressed by both his and his Brother Tom's manners and helpfulness in whatever needed doing. This was all despite the fact that they hardly new anyone at the club, and the majority of members are all
adults (and significantly scarier!)’.

We are told that Robert took to sculling a boat very quickly, and was soon looking significantly more comfortable in a boat than most of the seniors!
His progress has been noticed on several occasions from a variety of people from all squads, in the way he can commit himself whilst in both training, and in the racing environment.

After a hard winter of training, Twickenham regatta was on of the first in which many young hopefuls are keen to prove themselves. The 1200m course is one of the more challenging ones, and Robert rowed in a Semi final and a Final, demonstrating his skill in negotiating the controversial bend at
the finish very successfully on both occasions. Robert deservedly won his J14 title by 2 lengths in the semi final, and a verdict of easily in the final against two big competitors from Ardingly College.

We all look forward to following the progress of these talented young brothers and friends in the years to come. We wish them all the best, and congratulate them on their results.

Pictures of Robert and Thomas (with his double parnet Andrew Frost who attend Matthew Arnold School collecting there pots at Evesham. Also photo's taken with the major of Spelthorne, after a Regatta.

Junior Eurovision
Song Contest

Four students from Thamesmead School, Shepperton who are in a band called ‘Loaded Dice’ have gained the opportunity to compete in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest their names are Lui Matthews the lead singer (15) of Staines, Steven Wilkinson who plays drums and also backing vocals (15) of Shepperton, Anthony Wilkinson plays guitar (12) of Shepperton (who is also brother of Steven) and Ian Lennon playing bass (15) of Shepperton.

Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Saturday 4th September 2004
In Manchester Live on ITV
At 9.45 p.m.

The competition was fierce and they had interviews, a live audition to play live in front of the judges for ITV. In addition to this they had to make a CD demo of themselves and answer firing questions on the spot and interviews.

They wrote the song themselves called “Dill”.

Lui Matthews had to fly back from a holiday in France to do the audition.

This is the second group in two years that have got through to the final contest in Junior Eurovision Song Contest who last year was “Mr Cheerful”.

Keep your fingers crossed and please nominate them live to win via the telephone voting line.

They recorded their backing track CD with none other than Guy ?? the keyboard player from “Dire Straits”

Picture will be available shortly.

Any questions please contact:

‘SAD FAREWELLS’

Press release

People often say that school days are the best days of your life. At Thamesmead School they are certainly keen for their students to feel this.
All Year 11 students are now on study leave but in their house assembly they were presented with their ‘National Record of Achievement’ which is a folder with all their documents detailing exams, achievements, teachers comments and their own statements of how they felt they have progressed
since they joined the school. They then celebrated their time in the school with various students performing drama, singing and dancing at a ‘Leavers Final Assembly’ which took place on the 13th May

Some words from students present:

Adam Whitehead, (student) said: ‘This years group have been amazing and I regard them all as my friends’

Kelly Channon, (student) said: ‘It is a great school and the Music Department is amazing. I will personally miss everyone!’

Charlie Smith, (student) said: ‘Don’t ruin the last five years at school as they are probably the best!’

And teachers:
Lynne Dunford, (Teacher) said: ‘I have enjoyed working with the students and wish them all the best for the future’

Peter Rodin, (Acting Head teacher), said:
“The Final Assembly for the students was an extremely emotional experience with several of them in tears. We wish them every possible success in the future”.

Gunge the Teacher’
Press release

The 12th May saw students of Thamesmead School, Shepperton getting their own back on three of their teachers. A heated bidding war for potential ‘victims’ to be gunged commenced two weeks prior to the event with the final ‘gungees’ being teachers Kelly Holliday, James Owen and Karen Hall.

The total money raised was £264 and will go to the ‘Children’s Trust’ Charity.

Rachel Owens, Head of House, said: “A special thanks goes to Nik Raicevic, PE Teacher and all involved in organising and making sure it was a success! I was so glad it wasn’t me though!. We had fantastic fun and the students really entered into the spirit of the whole thing ”

(Pictured above front left Kelly Holliday, Karen Hall. Back James Owen)

Big thanks to Budgens Supermarket in Shepperton who donated all the ingredients to produce the gunge.

Efforts In The Community All Round

Dennis Elvie, the Music Director at Thamesmead Arts College in Shepperton, was presented a certificate and plaque at Council Offices of Knowle Green, Staines. Robin Sider the Ex-Mayor of Spelthorne nominated Dennis for this prestigious award for His Efforts In The Community. This is a well deserved award for his efforts in and outside of school helping struggling bands, organising carol services, projects with the council, national competitions and tours abroad.

Dennis Elvie remarked that “He was so shocked to be told he had even been nominated for something that he enjoys not only as part of his job but that which he has a love for.”

Deputy Head teacher Peter Rodin remarked “This is a tribute to the hard work and dedication that Dennis has shown in developing the musical skills of children at Thamesmead School he is a real credit to both the school and the profession“

He helps support up and coming bands to establish themselves on the radio, TV and at live gigs. He is directing one particular band at present called “Afro-Deziak” who are past and present students who played at the Spelthorne Youth Awards held at The Spelthorne Leisure Centre, Knowle Green, Staines. Another band who are very well known in and outside of school are “Mr Cheerful” who were nominated and won the award for their Efforts In The Community. So well done to all for such marvelous achievements!!

The school are so very proud of their talents.

Thamesmead Pipped to the Post

This is the fourth time Surrey have held a competition for the Great Debate and 28 teams entered this year with Thamesmead School being in the finals. For each round students had to debate a new topic which had ranged from ‘This House Believes that Today's Terrorist is Tomorrow’s Freedom Fighter’, ‘This House Believes that the National Lottery Promotes Greed’ and finally ‘This House Believes that the Development of Technology has Reduced the Need for Teachers’. The final was held last week
(Wednesday, 17th March) at County Hall, Kingston- Upon Thames, Surrey

Thamesmead school won their debate with Salesian school, but were pipped to the post of being the winning team by four points.

Teams from four schools debated the topic ‘This House believes that sport is good for us,’ and Thamesmead had to oppose it in the formal setting of the Council Chamber. The competition was exceptionally close and all four teams demonstrated outstanding research and debating skills.
The four Thamesmead School team members debated brilliantly winning a very difficult argument but came second in the final competition.

Quote from Vivienne Porritt, Head teacher“It was a pleasure to see such high quality debating from Thamesmead students as well as those representing other schools. The four students from Thamesmead had researched, collated and prepared thoroughly and their confident presentations made me proud to be their Head teacher”.

Press Release 9th February

Say it with flowers
Students from Thamesmead School certainly know how to celebrate Valentine's Day! They have been busy buying over 3,000 Valentine hearts and carnations for each other which this year will be delivered on February 13th.

The red carnations, with red paper hearts attached, are sold to students for 80p each. Students are then able to write a message on the heart, which is attached to a Valentine's red carnation and hand delivered by members of the School Council on the nearest day to Valentine’s Day.

Not only do the students send romantic messages to each other, but also messages of thanks and friendship. These are also sent from students to staff, and from staff to each other. The day is designed to allow students to show their appreciation of the friendship and support they receive at school in a novel way – as well as to raise money for a very special cause. The proceeds of the sale of the carnations are donated to the Special Baby Care Unit at St Peter's Hospital, in Guildford Road, Chertsey. The unit was chosen in memory of little Sophie Buckell, a baby born prematurely to a member of staff, who died after months of care at the unit.

Members of the School Council have been busy for two weeks cutting out and selling hearts which they attach to the carnations and then deliver to the lucky recipients.

Mrs Kathy Goodliffe, Assistant Head teacher says –

"There is an incredible buzz and air of anticipation around school and, as you would expect, some giggling and blushing with the romantic messages! This is a real highlight of the year and, as well as enjoying the day, students are very generous in buying the hearts and flowers as they know their gift is to help some really special children”

Thamesmead is expecting to raise £700 for the Special Baby Care Unit at St Peter's Hospital, in Guildford Road, Chertsey.

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Press Release 8th February

Reasons to be cheerful!

The reception staff at Thamesmead School had a special reason to be cheerful this week when they received news that Thamesmead School will receive a massive £88,000 to refurbish and improve the school’s reception and administrative offices.

Thamesmead has been successful in its bid to Surrey Local Education Authority to refurbish the cramped reception that is on the first floor of the school’s main building. The new grant will mean the reception can move downstairs and a spacious and more natural entrance can be created. Staff who currently work in the reception always provide a warm, smiling welcome but they do it in cramped and difficult working conditions. The new reception will allow for individual work spaces and students and visitors will be able to have their own entrances. Attractive display areas and a purpose-built medical room are all part of the planned improvements and will play a key part in opening up the front of the school.

An important aspect of the development will be the refurbishment of office space at the front of the school. This is part of the national government agenda for workforce reform in schools and will create new working spaces for administrative and teaching staff at Thamesmead. This development is also part of the school’s exciting building improvements as an Arts College and will be matched by refurbished music, dance and drama spaces.

Vivienne Porritt, Head teacher, says:

“ Our students and staff work incredibly hard and they deserve the highest quality of space in which to work. I am delighted with the grant as it shows that Surrey LEA recognise the need to improve working conditions in our schools and I am very pleased that Thamesmead has been successful in our application for this building development fund. We are all looking forward to a new reception fit for a 21st century school.”

Photograph following is of reception staff in current small space!
Left to right- Jenny East, Phyllis Moss, Karen Crawley.

Press Release 1st February

National Finalists!

A jubilant group of Year 7 students at Thamesmead School have won through to the National 5 – a – side Football Finals after winning the South-East regional finals.

The boys, aged 11 and 12, firstly won the hard fought Spelthorne tournament and then progressed to the South East regional finals held on 24th January. There they won four group games and the semi-final and then beat Simon Langton School from Canterbury 2-1 in the final.

They now play in the National Finals to be held at the JJB Soccerdome in Derby on Monday 15th March – and they can’t wait!

Nik Raicevic, Coach and Head of Boys’PE at Thamesmead, said:

“In my 11 years at Thamesmead this rates as one of the best sporting results a team of students at the school has achieved. We are all very excited about representing our school, borough, and region in the National Finals. We will do our very best and enjoy the day, no matter what the result.”

The team consists of –

Ryan Blake Captain
Sam Tozer Goalkeeper
Daniel Green
Kurt Peterson
Shaun Cousens
Sean Hill

As well as this outstanding achievement, the P.E. Department at Thamesmead is also celebrating the news that they have been awarded a grant of £300 from The Football Foundation that will enable the school to buy kit and equipment for the many teams who represent all sports at Thamesmead.

Vivienne Porritt, Head teacher, said:
“This is very good news for the students and staff as they are committed to sport for all and it will be great to see the quality of their performance on the sports field being matched by their professional appearance.”