A Packed Summer Term

Mathletics

This week all students have been taking part in activities in their maths lessons as part of Mathletics.  It has given the students an opportunity to use their maths skills in a more energetic environment.  Year 7 have been testing their table reading and information selection skills during an activity involving world flags as well as their estimation skills.  Year 8 have been testing their mental arithmetic and calculator skills in competitions not just in their class but also against other classes.  Year 9 completed a carousel of activities against students of other classes, while year 10 students competed in a number race against their entire half of the year group.  The students have really enjoyed the opportunity to do something different in their lesson and have appreciated the hard work that the Maths Department has put in to organising these activities.

World Games Day

Following on from a busy Sports Day, our Year 10 Leaders along with some Year 9 students were out in force again to help organise and deliver a successful World Games Day.

Winston welcomed over 350 Year 5 students from local primary schools who had the opportunity to have a go at a variety of activities. This included assault courses, dodgeball, problem solving, percussion, tug of war and many more. Art prefects and the tech team were also on hand to provide face painting and music respectively.

It was great to see so many of our students dedicated towards providing a fun experience for the Yr5’s and below shows some of the positive feedback our students received:

“We all thought it was run very well, and kept the children involved all day.  The Winston children were all amazing and really took on their responsibilities well. Please pass on our thanks from all the Barnsbury staff and children, they were buzzing all the way home, a very well run, enjoyable and entertaining day, we are looking forward to returning next year already.”

“The children at Knaphill thoroughly enjoyed the sports day today, led by your Yr9 & 10 P.E students. In their own words 'it was a brilliant day'. We were also really impressed by the organisational and interpersonal skills of your students.” 

Year 7 Reading

7CR continue to enjoy their fortnightly library lesson, relishing in the opportunity to grab a great book and immerse themselves in a new world. It has been a pleasure to see these students take be excited to read and we look forward to a new cohort sharing in Winston's love of reading in this inspirational facility. It was mufti day, therefore, children were wearing their choice of clothes!

Costa Rica

La Luchita Community Project

I have had a brief report from the Winston Team in Costa Rica.  They have been at the La Luchita Community Project.  The women in La Lichita founded a cooperative with the intention of carrying out work that benefits the whole community.  The main focus for our team is to build a log cabin to provide accommodation for tourists, as well as providing help with farming.

Enjoy the images below:

The group will leave La LUchita on Monday and travel to San Jose, where they will explore the capital.  In the next few days they will go white water rafting and then to Rinconcito Lodge.

Summer Concert

Making Music Together

Parents, staff and students all enjoyed sitting on the patio for the first part of our summer concert.  the sun shone, the music was excellent and everyone enjoyed the BBQ and cool drinks.  This set the tone for the whole evening, as we were entertained by each group or ensemble, celebrating everything that they had been working on throughout the summer term.

The second half of our Summer Concert was held in the Main Hall, starting with a magnificent performance from our orchestra of eighty students and four vocalists.  The Teach Team, under Peter's thoughtful guidance, arranged the sound and lighting to complement each performance.

 Above is our Year 7 Ensemble of Fifty-two students, who have only been learning an instrument for a matter of months and a vocal group.  This is a new initiative to ensure that as many students as possible learn to play.. Funding from grants has enabled us to purchase instruments, which we lend to students, free of charge.  We also provide the tuition.  The impact has been huge and very worthwhile for each of the students.  They feel a sense of achievement and it has boosted their confidence.

Mr Drake and his team are to be commended for the inspirational opportunities that develop for the students.  The quality of the music and enthusiasm and dedication of the students is wonderful.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this event so special.

I hope that you will be able to join us for future events.