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| Photographs from Bob Whitworth's collection, presented by Karon Rice |
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Denfield Park - Scrapbook 1981 - 1983
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Land of the diner-saurs
The little monsters at Rushden’s Denfield Park Junior School recently won over the hearts of mums and dads.
For children spent the last week making creatures out of vegetables and fruit as part of the school’s harvest festival celebrations.
Their efforts were put on display for parents who attended a special service.
Headmaster, Mr. Bob Whitworth, said: “The youngsters were very imaginative in the monsters they created. One of them was supposed to have been an extinct creature – and the child who made it called it a “Vegetorions”. I though that was quite clever”.
Celebration tree
There were two reasons for a Norwegian Maple Acer tree being planted yesterday in the grounds of Denfield Park Junior School, Rushden.
It was mainly to commemorate the Queen Mother’s 80th birthday earlier this year, but was postponed until now to fit in with National Tree Planting Week.
The planting was carried out by the oldest and youngest boys and girls at the school. They are Simon Bates and Jennifer Griffiths, aged 11, and Mark Dickenson and Katy Furniss, both seven.The tree was paid for by the children, who are going to write to the Queen Mother telling her how they celebrated her birthday.
Teachers in triumph
Age triumphed over youthful enthusiasm in a rounders match between staff and the fourth year of Denfield Park Junior School, Rushden.
Despite not having played for years, the older generation won by eight to four (after extra time).
Unfamiliarity with the game led the headmaster, Mr. Bob Whitworth, to turn up in pinstriped track suit, bowler hat and rounders’ bat.
Other team members seemed more prepared for ski-ing, swimming, cricket or an invalidity pension.
Deputy Head Mr. Vaughan Collier arrived in life saving gear, just in time to rescue the team.
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Cash for ‘talking book’ – Evening Telegraph, January 17, 1981
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Hearing about blind people moved pupils at Rushden school to fundraising to help buy a tape recorder for the “talking book” service.
Youngsters at Denfield Park School set themselves a £100 target, and raised the cash by organising games, carol singing and sales. They also donated collections from their Christmas concert to the fund.
They presented the cheque for £100 to Mr. Derek Markham, county appeals organizer for the Royal National Institute for the Blind.
Mr. Markham, who had spoken to the children and showed the film about work on behalf of the blind last year, took a tape recorder to the school to illustrate how their money would be spent.
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In our picture Paul Field (10) and Katy Furniss (7) hold the cheque as Ian Forson (9), Melanie Atraghji (10) and Julia Forson (10) project their campaign.
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Encore by demand - Evening Telegraph, July 10, 1981
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Youngsters at Rushden’s Denfield Park Junior School had to give an extra performance of their version of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat on Wednesday.
They had planned on staging it only once – but the school hall was packed with many parents unable to watch the musical. So teachers asked the children to perform again for those parents who couldn’t get into the hall for the first show.
The musical was the highlight of an open night at the school when mums and dads were invited to see classroom projects.
Teacher Christine Yeomans, who conducted the concert said: “We thought it would be a good idea to stage a short musical for parents. It was a good end to our open night”.
Two choirs performed the musical and teachers and friends of the school made up the small orchestra.
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Above in a scene from the musical are Louise Preston, a guard.
Sarah Baker, the Pharoah, Lisanne Hodgson, a guard and Tara Thompson as Joseph.
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Well fancy that, it's Sir! - Evening Telegraph, July 17, 1981
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Stand and deliver, Your pocket money or your life.
Deputy headmaster Vaughan Collier bridged the generation gap yesterday when he dressed up as pop singer Adam of Adam and the Ants for end-of-term fun at Denford Park School, Rushden.
The occasion was a rounders match between staff and fourth year pupils. All the teachers were in fancy dress ranging from a bee to an Irish fish farmer!
The match ended in a 3-3 draw because Wimbledon champion John McEnroe – alias headmaster Bob Whitworth – forfeited a penalty point after clashing with the referee who was dressed as a witch (teacher Mrs. Avril Lusignea).
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Army chief flies in – Evening Telegraph October 23, 1981
Part-time soldiers in Rushden were inspected by a senior officer who flew in from Essex by helicopter.
Brig. Keith Spacie, head of the 7th Field Force Regular and Territorial Army units, based in Colchester, landed on the playing fields of the town’s Denfield Park Infants School..
He was met by Lt. James Wilson, officer-in-charge of the 5th Platoon (Rushden) and Sgt Peter Wilcox. He went to the platoon’s centre in Victoria Road and inspected about 25 soldiers as they trained in weapon handling.
The platoon was set up in Rushden less than 18 months ago against the advice of the brigadier, who thought the town was too small.
But during the hour-long visit he congratulated the men on their success and told them they were a credit to the TA.
Teachers show Christmas spirit – December 4, 1981
Parents of pupils at Rushden’s Denfield Park Junior School saw the teachers’ other side when they put on a show.
Entertainment was part of the school’s annual mince pie and punch evening and all 11 staff joined in the first of the season’s Christmas festivities.
Teachers in chorus were,Sue Wake, Avril Lussigrea, Vaughan Collier, Helena Brown, Christine Yeomans , Jean Halliday, Jane Sanders and Ann Carradice.
Headmaster Mr. Bob Whitworth performed a monologue entitled Albert and the Lion, teacher Mr. Ken Sharman played a folk song and Mrs. Janice Allen led the staff in a collection of old time melodies.
About 100 parents, friends and governors attended the event, held in the school hall, and were entertained by a series of songs and sketches.
Refreshments were provided by some of the pupils.
Mr. Whitworth said: “The whole evening went extremely well – the teachers were prepared to really let themselves go and the parents saw our other side”.
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Pupils beat cash target
Fundraising ideas from pupils at Rushden’s Denfield Park Junior School were so successful they collected more than their target.
Since early November children used break times to organize their activities. They included a treasure hunt, guessing the number of sweets in jars, a sales of Christmas cards, apple bobbing and a film show.
Headteacher Mr. Bob Whitworth said they set out to raise £100 for the Camphill Village Trust – an organization which sets up working communities for physically and mentally handicapped children and adults.
But with the help of collections at the school concert and the first school Christmas service at St. Peter’s Church, £150 was raised.
Mr. Whitworth said: “This is a very good effort and we are pleased. It has been a hectic term, but a very successful one
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School sets the scene - Evening Telegraph, December 8, 1981
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When travellers became marooned in a school hall they decide to entertain themselves by telling tales to each other.
This is how Denfield Park Junior School, Rushden, manages to cram seven separate plays into its seasonal concert.
About 260 children took part in a production which included a Christmas in Australia, a circus, Santa’s workshop and a cracker factory.
The first performance was today and there is another tomorrow evening. It was written as a joint effort of teachers.
Head teacher, Bob Whitworth, said it was the best play he had seen the school produced so far. He added: “It was so colourful and entertaining – a splendid piece of work by all involved.”
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Pictured are Lesley Rice, Mark Lovell and Joanne Tew.
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Colourful Christmas - Evening Telegraph, December 18, 1981
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Children at Denfield Park Junior School took part in a special competition colouring in Christmas cards.
Four of them won Anglia Building Society gift cheques presented by the manager of the Rushden branch, Mr. Brian Marsh. Pictured with him are the prizewinners who are, from left, Joanne Pettitt, Joanne Tew, Nadine Bazeley and Cheryl Hobson. Nadine (9) and Joanne (11) received cheques for £5. They were the winners in the two age groups.
Runners-up were Cheryl (8) and Joan (10) and they received cheque for £3.
Head teacher Mr. Bob Whitworth said pupils had enjoyed taking part in the competition. He said: “The Rushden office of the building society judged the competition and it seems the girls are much better at colouring.
“Many of the cards are on display in the society’s office in the High Street,. The rest were returned to the children to keep”.
Mr. Marsh commended the school on its effort. He said it was a difficult job choosing the winners.
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Teachers head for sunshine - Evening Telegraph, January 4, 1982
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| Husband and wife teachers John and Susan Wake have grasped the opportunity of a lifetime – a chance to teach for a year in Australia. The couple, of Cherry Walk, Raunds, left for a sunnier climate yesterday after welcoming Australian teachers who will take their places at Raunds Manor and Rushden Denfield Park Junior schools. The trips have been arranged by the Commonwealth Teachers Exchange Scheme.
Mrs. Wake’s job – teaching 8-12 year-olds at Rushden and specializing in art, craft and display, will be taken by Mr. Bruce Sneddon, of Hillsborough Primary School, New South Wales.
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Toast to the future - (from left) Bruce, Susan, John and Bob.
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Mr. Sneddon, his wife, and two pre-school age children will be living at the Wake’s house in Raunds.
Mr. Wake is a physical education and geography teacher at Raunds Manor School and he is exchanging with Mr. Robert Brenton of Toronto High School, New South Wales.
Mr. Brenton and his family will live at Whitefriars, Rushden, during the year.
“It is a marvelous opportunity; one not to be missed”, said Mrs. Wake.
Her husband is looking forward to pursuing his interest in cricket in Australia. He is secretary of Northampton Schools’ Cricket Association and also an advanced cricket coach.
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Pupils Enjoy Night of Song – March 22, 1982
More than 300 children and parents enjoyed an evening of Victorian nostalgia on Thursday when the staff and pupils of a Rushden school put on a show of songs, monologues and sketches.
The hour long event at Denfield Park Junior was rounded off with a fish and chip supper.
Mrs. Pauline Wildman, of Rushden Amateur Operatic Society, was the only outsider involved. She performed period song and then accompanied the school choir with Oom pah pah from the musical Oliver.
Further songs from Oliver were performed by the school’s larger choir with the smaller doing a song called Jennie Jenkins which it hopes to perform at the Oundle Music Festival next week.
Monologues were popular during the evening with 11-year old Clair Thompson telling the story Capstick Comes Home and
headmaster Mr. Bob Whitworth performing Thee Ha’pence A Foot and Albert and the Lion.
The comic number There’s a Hole In My Pocket sung by Melissa Smith (7) and Tracey Farren (7) was also a hit, as was the folk song Mary-Ann performed by teacher Mr. Ken Sharman.
Another teacher, Mrs. Janice Allen, coaxed the audience into choruses of Daisy and My Old Man and then to round the evening off the pupils of Class 7 staged a short Victorian melodrama, Mr. Bert Catlin was master of ceremonies.
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School Fete A Triumph – June 24, 1982
Rain forced stallholders off a school playing field and into classrooms and the main hall. But their spirits were not dampened and the event held at Denfield Park Junior School, Rushden, raised about £800.
Headmaster Mr. Bob Whitworth said he was delighted with the result.
More than 500 people visited several stalls and sideshows and watched a display of dancing by a Latvian troupe.
A fancy dress competition was held. Winner of the infants section was Hane Banzin and the junior section was won by Nadine Bazeley.
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Daunting tasks for explorers - Evening Telegraph, June, 1982
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Four world-famous explorers were forced to negotiate a series of daunting obstacles at a Rushden school’s annual sports day.
For houses at Denfield Park junior school are named after pioneers Cook, Rhodes, Schott and Drake, and in the afternoon’s mixed obstacle race children from each of the school’s four years had to overcome tyres and hoops while dribbling footballs.
The first year heat was won by Cook, as was the second year heat, the third by Rhodes and the fourth by Drake. But overall champion on the day’s events, held at the school playing fields, was Rhodes house. Final results were: 1 Rhodes, 188 points; 2 Scott, 171; 3 Drake, 145; 4 Cook, 130.
About 250 children, aged from seven to 11, took part, and they were watched by more than 50 parents.
Winning captains Julia Forson (10) and Julian Williams (11) were presented with the Denton Cup and captains of the runners-up, Alison Freeman (11) and Jason Ashton (11) were given the Leigh Cup. Both trophies were presented by headmistress of the Ferrers School, Higham, Miss Barbara Smith.
At the end of the afternoon’s events each of the children was given a mug celebrating the royal wedding, donated by the school association. A mug was also given to Miss Smith.
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Ten - year -old Julie Forson leaps to the girl's long jump title.
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Pupils add Music to Bible Tale - Evening Telegraph, July 7, 1982
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Pupils are preparing a whale of a time for visitors to Rushden Denfield Park Junior School’s open evening tonight. About 80 children are taking part in the biblical musical Jonah Man Jazz by Michael Hurd.
Teachers have joined forces to help with the show under the leadership of producer Mrs. Janice Allen and musical director Miss Christine Yeomans. Another teacher, Mr. Ken Sharman, will play the drums and parents Paul and Alison Broom will play the flute and the piano.
Actors are drawn from third and fourth year pupils and a choir is made up of children of all ages.
A whale costume made of yards of upholstery material will be manipulated by Louise Childs, Teresa Jones, Daniel Stamp, Richard Brayfield, Elton Peake and Luciano Valentino.
Major parts are taken by Annand Aggarwal (Jonah), Charmayne Luty (God) and Darren Pye (boatman).
The show will also be performed at morning assembly at Chichele School, Rushden, on Friday. Pupils at the girls’ comprehensive recently visited the junior school to sing choral items which they will perform shortly at an international youth music festival in Vienna.
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| Going overboard ….the boat crew (from left) Joanne Parker, Lisanna Hodgson, Darren Pye, James Tuffnall and Richard Hardy prepare to fling Jonah into the sea. |
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| Height of success - Evening Telegraph, October 12th, 1982 |
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Sunflowers have been brightening up the autumn days of Rushden school, as a result of a competition.
Pupils were sold the plants as part of a fundraising activity at Denfield Park Junior School fete in June.
Head teacher Mr. Bob Whitworth then suggested the children have a competition to see who could grow the largest head on a sunflower.
Pupils, aged between eight and 11 years have brought in about 20 large flowers and after measuring takes place a special display will be arranged for the school’s harvest festival service on Friday morning.
None of the winners will be told of their success until the service and each will receive a book token supplied by the school association.
The money raised from the purchase of the plants went towards new school equipment.
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Pupils show off their flowers which they hope will have won them a prize
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Song of the Outback – Evening Telegraph October 19, 1982
An aboriginal harvest song was included in the seasonal thanksgiving at Denfield Park Junior School, Rushden.
The youngsters were taught the traditional song by Mr. Bruce Sneddon, an Australian exchange teacher.
Gifts of harvest produce provided a back drop for the service, which was attended by a capacity audience of about 80 parents.
The service was devised and introduced by teacher Mrs. Jean Halliday. The theme was The Joy of Harvest. Each age group in the school contributed items of readings, group singing, playlets and movement, and the school choir also sang.
An address was given by the Rev. Godrey Stone, curate at St. Mary’s Church, Rushden. Later in the day, the produce was distributed to elderly and sick people in the area.
Sunflowers grown by pupils were on display and prizewinners were Martin Connolly, Helen Barker and Nicolas Wood.
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Pupils start Fundraiser - Evening Telegraph, November 18,1982
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A School's Christmas fundraising activities got underway yesterday with a treasure hunt, key mania and a game.
Rushden's Denfield Park Juniors are to hold afundraising event every morning during breaktime until the term ends.
The money will go towards buying a piece of equipment for the children' at Rushden's Hospital 's Colton ward.
Head teacher Mr Bob Whitworth said two representatives of the hospital visited the school to tell the children about their work and the needs of the ward.
He said : "This really puts the chidren in the picture and they were all set to start with raising money."
Each of the school's eight classes is responsible for putting on a money raising event each day. Yesterday pupils hunted for treasure on a large map, searched the right to fit a lock,and win a prize and played Take a letterfrom TV's Crackerjack.
Crisps donated by a parent, were also sold in aid of the project.
It is the sixth year the school has organised its fundraising over a period of 30 days.Each time about £150 has been raised. |
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Pupils take part in one of the games
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Pupils bargain Bonanza - Evening Telegraph, December 6, 1982
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Pupils turned out their toy cupboards to provide items for their school's annual Christmas sale yesterday - and used their pocket money to pick up bargains.
Profits from the bring and buy sale at Rushden's Denfield Park Junior School are to be used to finance Christmas activities , and also to aid handicapped youngsters at the town's Colton Ward.
Pupils provided a selection of comics, toys and games which were priced by the school's fourth year children. Head teacher Mr Bob Whitworth said the event was organised by the children themselves.
"They set up the stalls in the hall and the chidren from each class in turn were allowed to buy one object. After this they were able to return to spend the rest of their money.
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Some of the pupils are picture at a stall
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A fun way to help others – Evening Telegraph December 2, 1983.
Handicapped children will benefit from four weeks of fun and games being held at Rushden’s Denfield Park Junior School.
Classes are organising fundraising events during break times and cash made will buy a present for a group of disabled youngsters in Birmingham.
They are residents at Shaftesbury House – part of the National Children’s Homes Charity.
The Denfield Park youngsters hope to make at least £100 before Christmas and are already well on their way with about £35 after only a week.
Last year a similar exercise enabled the children to buy a special chair and play tunnel for young handicapped patients at Rushden Hospital.
Yesterday pupils took part in a host of activities including apple-bobbing, match-stick hunting, football penalty and netball shooting.
But the highlight for many was the chance to try their hand at video games.
In a bid to boost the total still further many pupils are busy making small Christmas gifts for sale later in the month.
Ian Beaver, deputy head, said: “I imagine we have already raised between £30 and £40 so we are doing pretty well. It’s very pleasing”.
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| Water baby - Evening Telegraph, December 5, 1983 |
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It was bath-time for Worzel Gummidge and a lifesize doll when they were put up for sale at Denfield Park Junior School, Rushden.
The toys, pictured with their new owners, nine-year old Hilary Challen and Elizabeth Withey (10), are being sold to raise cash to buy a present for disabled youngsters in Birmingham. Pupils hope to have collected £100 by Christmas from a range of activities, including a gifts sale later this month.
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Bob chalks up 25 years - Evening Telegraph December 16, 1983
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Headteacher Bob Whitworth was presented with a carriage clock yesterday to mark 25 years in the teaching profession.
Mr. Whitworth has been head of Denfield Park Junior School, Rushden, since it opened in 1977. Previously he was head at Broughton Primary School, and also taught at Wellingborough Croyland Road Junior School and Rushden Newton Road Junior School.
Assistant education officer John Fitzpatrick made the presentation and congratulated Mr. Whitworth on his achievement.
Tribute to service – Mr. Whitworth (centre) is presented with the clock by Mr. Fitzpatrick watched by Mr. Alan Mantle, chairman of the school governors.
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