Rushden Research Group: Education - Denfield Scrapbook 1993

Photograph from Bob Whitworth's collection presented by Karon Watson

Denfield Park - Scrapbook 1993

Lions spell out how to beat bullies - Evening Telegraph, May 27,1993

Denfield Lions Spellout how to beat bullies

Bullying, drug abuse and personal and social development have all been tackled by members of the Rushden Lions Club.

The club gave out free information packs to children from nine schools in Rushden and Higham Ferrers.

The packs contained information on health and development and are designed for four to eleven year olds.Projector co-ordinator Cliff Jeffries said”Money for the project was raised from a charity golf day. The packs are suitable for children and have advice on bullying, how to avoid drugs and child protection".

Pictured front, from left, Geoff Hollis (Lion), David Threadkill, (Whitefriars Junior), Cliff Jeffries.
Back, Danielle Hill (school inspector),Shona Hall (Higham Junior),
Madeline Malthouse (Whitefriars Infants),
Bob Whitworth (Denfield Park), Albert Jonson (Hayway),
Marilyn Wibberlety (Newton Road), Linda Mckenna (Higham School), Stella Bell (Southend Junior).

A Note of Success - Evening Telegraph, May 19,1993
	Singers and musicians from two junior schools were reaching the high note when they won a top prize in a local music festival. More than 50 children from Denfield Park Junior School in Rushden took part in the festival. Music teacher Clare Bunker said the children came in the top three in all four categories despite strong opposition from other schools. She said: “We take part every year but this was our best result.” The under-nine choir came first in the set pieces section and second in the hymn category. The under-11 choir came third in the set pieces category and second in the hymn class.
Denfield Park choir with their teacher Claire Bunker

Members of the board - Evening Telegraph,November 12, 1993

Meet the king and queens of the chess board! They have won coveted places in the county schools chess squad.

Nine-year-olds Sarah Cocks, Sarah Jones and Christopher Smith have all been chosen for the team.

Denfield School, Rushden, head teacher Bob Whitworth said: “We have only had a chess club at the school for the past two-and-a-half years so we were absolutely thrilled to have three chosen.

“The club is run by Jeff Owen, a member of the community, who comes into school specially for the chess.”

School’s harvest help
More than 150 baskets of produce were delivered to elderly, sick or lonely people following Rushden Denfield Park Junior School’s harvest festival.
The speaker at the school’s harvest assembly was the Rev Nick Denham, of St Peter’s Church, Rushden.
Nearly all the children took part in various class activities based on four themes, the harvest of the trees, the land, under the ground and from the sea.
The school choir performed two harvest songs to a packed hall of children and the parents of Year 3 pupils.

Festival sound of music - Evening Telegraph,Dec,1993

Members of Denfield Park Junior School, Rushden sing at Age Concern carol service

The Spirit of Christmas
The spirit of Christmas is alive with the sound of music as carol services take place across the county.More than 500 pensioners attended the annual Age Concern carol service at Park Road Baptist Church, Rushden. Pensioners from clubs throughout the county travelled to the service, which was led by former Rushden Boys’ School head, Bert Catlin.
Among those taking part were Denfield Park Junior School choir, of Rushden, Rushden Mission Band, pianist Pauline Longland and soloist Geoff Billingham.

Youngsters enjoy pupils designer toys - Evening Telegraph,Dec,1993

Above: back row from left, Emily Gesikowski, 11, Rebecca Waterfield, 10, Alexandra Marlow, 11 and Anna Gibb, nine. Front row from left, Sheree Johnson, 6, Robert Ames, 7, Damian Strapp, 7 and Samuel Norris, 6. Right : Alison Charles, 10,with Collette Mumford, 7.
These Rushden children were in a playful world of their own when they tested out some exciting new toys. Youngsters at Denfield Park Junior School in Rushden designed the toys as part of the design and technology classes.The toys were then tested out on younger children at Hayway Infants School in the town. Denfield Park teach Clare Bunker said: “They all revolved around energy and the children had to work out different ways of making them move.”

Star pupil Joanna climbs to Pyramid

Good work and helpfulness have won a top school award for star pupil Joanna Bettles.Joanna, 11, was presented with the Pyramid award for her efforts over the past term at Denfield Park Junior School, Rushden.
Head teacher Bob Whitworth said: “Awards are presented each term to pupils who do well in various aspects of the curriculum. These include technology, drama, music and English.
“The major award is the Pyramid for all‑round development such as working hard, making progress and general helpfulness.”
The school also opened its doors to the parents and friends of present pupils and the parents of those who will be starting next term.
They saw lessons in progress and samples of children’s work.
A concert was also staged by pupils in the school choir, orchestra,and by smaller ensembles, such as string and recorder groups as well as individuals.

Winners...from left back, Nicola Horne, Stacey Bishop, Adam Pentelow, all 11 Sally Blanchflower,10.
Front...Joanna Bettles, Melissa Syroka, both 10 and Elliot Mackness,aged 9.

School's harvest help
More than 150 baskets of produce were delivered to the elderly, sick or lonely people following Rushden Denfield Park Junior School's harvest festival.The speaker at the school's harvest assembly was the Rev Nick Denham, of St Peter'sChurch, Rushden.
Nearly all the children took part in various class activities based on four themes, the land, under the ground, and from the sea.
The school choir performed two harvest songs to a packed hall of children and the parents of year three pupils.

Adding up to a prize
	Former pupil Sophie Hadden returned to her old school to present a new trophy. Sophie, 11, left Denfield Park Junior School, Rushden, last July. She returned to present a trophy for mathematics to Colin Middleton, aged ten. Head Bob Whitworth said: “Sophie’s parents wanted to present a trophy for the school and we decided it should be for maths. “Her grandfather, Dr Paul Hadden made it from wood with his lathe and it is now taking a prominent position in our trophy cabinet.”
Winner . . . Colin Middleton pictured with the maths prize and Sophie Hadden whose grandfather made the trophy

Barbican visit
A part of 30 children from Denfield Park Junior School, Rushden, recently visited the Barbican Centre in London as part of the school’s music curriculum.

The visit, organised by head of music Clare Bunker enabled children to watch and hear the London Symphony Orchestra rehearsing for one of their concerts.

NSPCC
Pupils of Denfield Park Junior School, have raised more than £700 for the NSPPC. A representative of the society visited the school to explain the work of the charity.

Emily is Ratty at school!

Meet Ratty from the Wind In The Willows, alias nine-year-old Emily Hadden, one of the many weird and wonderful creatures who visited a Rushden school.

Youngsters from Denfield Park Junior School took part in a fancy dress event.

The youngsters pretended to be animals for the day after a recent book week held at the school.

Head, Bob Whitworth, said the books the children read involved animals and the fancy dress day was to represent the different animals they had studied.

A surprise after 35 years of teaching - Evening Telegraph,Dec 7,1993

Colleagues and friends of head teacher Bob Whitworth helped him celebrate 35 years in teaching. Mr Whitworth, of Denfield Park Junior School, Rushden, believed he was attending just a small get-together to mark the occasion.
But staff provided wine and a buffet meal for about 40 past and present colleagues and friends of the school.
Deputy head, Ian Beaver, said: “Bob thought it was going to be a small get-together but the staff really went to town.”

Mr Whitworth bought a garden shredder with cash presented by the education authority, and the staff contributed wine and a buffet meal.

GIFT...
from left Ashley Higgins,Laura Britchford, Ian Beaver, Bob Whitworth, Bethany Pentelow and Elijah Caswell

School in festive mood

A candlelit carol service helped put parents in a festive mood at Denfield Park Junior School in Rushden.

The service attracted a large congregation. Head Bob Whitworth said: “This has been a popular event for several years. The choir, musicians and individual readers all take part.”

Ben's hat trick

You have to take your hat off the Ben Wadsworth.

His heady creation was among scores created by pupils at Denfield Park School, Rushden. They used their imagination and ingenuity to create a spectacular array of headgear for a special parade.

Head teacher Bob Whitworth said: “Each year we give the children a task to complete at home. This year it was to make a hat for the parade and all 222 children took part.

“We had some marvellous ideas based on Christmas themes including postboxes, plum puddings and Christmas trees.”

Children from each class paraded their creations and sang a Christmas song about party hats.

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