Schools/colleges

A BROTHER and sister from Northwood who tragically died just months apart will be honoured in a new courtyard garden at their former primary school.

The Gazette reported last September how Karen Puddifoot, 27, drowned during a round-the-world cycling tour in aid of the British Lung Foundation, when the boat she and friend, Tim Roney, 21, were travelling on capsized off the coast of Vietnam.

Karen's brother, Chris, 22, who joined them for part of their journey, was killed in a car crash just two months later.

The pair, who both lived in Grove Farm Park, will be remembered with a special hand-carved wooden chair, taking pride of place in the new garden at Eastbury Farm Primary School, in Bishops Avenue.

AN EXHIBITION to publicise potential sites for a new school in Three Rivers will take place in Mill End on Monday, December 6.

The event, organised by Hertfordshire County Council, will provide information on five possible sites for a new school, as stated in Three Rivers District Council's local development framework consultation, Site Allocations 'Issues and Options'.

As reported in the Gazette, the sites are in various locations across Mill End, Maple Cross and Croxley Green.

A SCHOOL in Northwood has been judged as 'outstanding' by Ofsted inspectors.

Eastbury Farm Primary School, in Bishops Avenue, was one of 14 schools across Hertfordshire to be recognised for providing an excellent service in the past year.

Headmistress Patricia Young said: "We are absolutely delighted. It has been a real team effort but it is also the result of our genuine love for the children.

BUDDING artists at a Northwood school hosted a special exhibition to raise more than £1,000 for Children in Need.

Junior school pupils at Northwood College, in Maxwell Road, created artwork based on a garden theme.

AN INDULGENCE evening will take place at a Maple Cross school tomorrow (18).

The event, at Maple Cross JMI School, in Denham Way, will feature stalls with Christmas gifts and treats, including handmade wooden crafts, beauty products and items from the Body Shop @ Home range.

A number of pampering treatments will also be available, plus a raffle and refreshments.

THE composer who penned the theme tune for one of Britain's best loved soap operas gave a music masterclass to pupils at a Northwood school.

Composer Simon May, the brains behind the iconic Eastenders' theme song, visited St Martin's School on November 11 to offer advice to more than 70 pupils and answer questions about his career.

A CONSULTATION has today (12) been launched asking residents for their views about five potential sites for a new secondary school in Three Rivers.

The Gazette reported in February how Hertfordshire County Council (HCC), which is responsible for education across the county, had earmarked £82.5million to increase school places where pupil numbers had risen.

Parents protest group, the WD3 School Action Group, has led an 18-month campaign for a new secondary school in Three Rivers, to plug a projected deficit of 259 places by 2014/2015.

HCC recently commissioned a report looking into the expansion of existing schools and a total of 30 possible sites for a new school.

SPIDERS, snakes and snails were the stars of the show during a special animal-themed 'hands on' week at a Northwood school.

About 250 pupils at Hillside Infant School, in Northwood Way, came face to face with creepy crawlies including tarantulas, cockroaches and iguanas, brought in by a wildlife expert.

AS UNIVERSITIES across the country put a cap on student numbers and battle against funding cuts, competition for places is tougher than ever.

But the founder of a Northwood Hills-based school training provider is giving local sixth-formers the unique chance to get the edge over their rivals.

Sharon Pink (pictured with sixth former Fojan Nourouzi), of Tolcarne Drive, is the brains behind School Dynamics, which has been working with Heathfield School, in Pinner, to introduce student leadership and teamwork training for year 12 pupils.

A YOUNG ballerina from Northwood is set to pirouette and plié in front of thousands of people this week, as part of a production by the English Youth Ballet.

Saira Mashru (pictured), 12, of The Fairway, will take to the stage with aspiring dancers from across the capital, joined by professionals, to perform traditional ballet, The Nutcracker.

The show, famed for its musical score by classical composer, Tchaikovsky, will open the first autumn season at the newly-built Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, this Friday (5) and Saturday (6).