Sadly we had to cancel our Winter Concert and Carol Service, however, the Music Department have recorded some performances for everyone to enjoy. Just click on the link below.
Year 7 students were given the chance to bake some
traditional German Christmas biscuits with Wencka, our German tutor.
First of all students had to work out the German words for
each ingredient before having a go at translating the baking equipment and task
instructions.
Students worked very well together in creating their festive
biscuits and Wencka was impressed by their baking skills, team work and
efficient tidying up!
It was difficult for Wencka to pick the Masterchef German
biscuit baking champion 2021 but this accolade went to Harrison.
Congratulations also go to runners up Chloe and Amber. Well done to everyone
who took part!
Thank you to Mrs Vadi for letting us use her Food room and
the German team for their support at the session.
Year 7 Performance at Break
The students involved in the break performance today were from 7CM and they were:
Students got
the chance to experience the taste and smell of traditional Christmas food, such
as waffels, crĂȘpes, double chocolate biscuits and Lebkuchen (gingerbread
biscuits) which are all typically sold at the Christmas Markets in France and
Germany.
Students
ordered their preferred food in German or French, before paying the correct
amount from their plastic euros. They did an excellent job of interacting with
the market sellers and ordering and paying for their snacks in target language!
Year 7
students have also been learning about the 1914 Christmas Day truce and some
got to re-enact the moment when fighting ceased and gifts were exchanged
between the two sides.
Congratulations
to 7WM (French) and 7WR (German) who were the winners of the MFL Christmas
competition.
Well done to
all students who submitted their recordings to take part in the Christmas Elf
tongue twister competition!
On Monday 13th December our advent calendar showcased Sam, Harry and Ollie. Thank youfor participating, the students enjoyed your performance.
Christmas Lunch
We had a delicious celebration lunch on Wednesday 15th December. This tasty meal was served to 1000 staff and students, accompanied by crackers, music and a film.The turkey was freshly carved onto the plate and accompanied by lovely roast potatoes, a range of vegetables, as well as the traditional accompaniments.
Thank you to our great catering team for working to provide such a great lunch!
Families Supporting Families
This year a group of students studying an Asdan qualification wrote to parents asking for food items so that we are able to support some of our families this Christmas.
We have been overwhelmed with the response and many of the parcels have been delivered. However, I managed to capture an image of these four boxes before they were taken by Ms Knight to our families. I was then delighted to see that we had another substantial amount of donations which will make a difference.
Thank you for every donation; you have made a difference.
No Sports Hall no Problem!
Year 7 head into the fitness suit, while the sports hall is being used for examinations.
The students had their induction on the Cardiovascular machines, then worked in pairs supporting each other and ensuring the machines are used safely and correctly.
Some feedback from 7W
“My advice- always bring a drink, it’s a work out!”
“The treadmill is amazing, I could chat and jog at the same time”
“It’s so good, something different and exciting”
“I can’t wait to be in here again and learn the weights”
Students in Year 10 experienced a series of workshops designed to inform and to facilitate debate, about a range of issues that young people face. Out in the community students have to make so many decisions around keeping safe; use of social media and the consequences, alcohol, drugs and where these can lead. One poor decision can have devastating consequences and therefore, the aim of these sessions is to provide opportunities for students to become better informed and to ask questions and debate.
The day also addressed issues around relationships and how to develop healthy, positive relationships throughout life and recognising negative and coercive behaviours . This then included some work on violence against girls and boys in our country.
Throughout lock down some of this work had to be delayed, as it is most powerful when delivered face to face and discussions can take place. Thank you to Mrs Kovic, Mrs Mellor, Mrs Sigrist and our presenters for organising an environment in which we could tackle such challenging issues.
Year 11 have the opportunity to participate in some Empowerment workshops on Thursday. There will be a focus on the issue of consent but the students are also driving the agenda, with the issues that they wish to know more about and to discuss with their peers.
This term has been a busy one in the Library, with Year 7 students using their Library lesson time to get to grips with how to use the Library independently, and Year 8 students using their time to look at the weekly First News newspaper and getting up to date with current affairs. All Library lessons also include an extended silent reading time, as a continuation of the 10 minutes of quiet reading that they do at the beginning of their English lessons.
Chess
Lunchtimes in the Library have been busier than ever recently, with the addition of chess boards available for students to use at lunchtimes. Students really enjoy this opportunity to play chess and there is also a chess club after school that is run by some Year 9 DofE volunteers. Lots of students have been teaching their friends how to play too, which is fantastic!
Careers
We have some brand-new books in the Careers area in the Discovery Space including:
Careers 2021,
The bonkers book of jobs ,
Working in STEM,
Working in Enterprising Careers,
Working in Careers related to your favourite subjects,
Working in Creative Careers
Students can look through these at in their social time or during Careers appointments and discover information about hundreds of new, as well as traditional careers. Examples include Epidemiologist, Sustainability Consultant, Esports player.
We have been holding Careers interviews for Year 11s, who are planning for after they leave Winston and Year 9s, who will soon be choosing their options. If you'd like a Careers appointment, to talk through options, careers ideas or further and higher education, you can request one through the Careers button on FROG, or ask your form tutor.
A longer read for the holidays...
As the Christmas holidays is one of the longer breaks, it is important for students to ensure they have lots of read! Pop in before the end of the week to make sure you pick up a warming read for the colder days! We have a wide range of Christmas-themed books, longer novels, non-fiction books and other recommended reads on offer. Any books taken out this week will be due back on the 1st day of term. Alternatively, if you already have a book out and would like to keep it for the holidays, please make sure you see Miss Dodds to renew it before the end of the week!
Miss Dodds would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year and hopes students enjoy continuing to use the Library in 2022.
Everyone at Winston wishes Miss Dodds a Merry Christmas and happiness as she welcomes her baby into the world.
Tuesday's Performance
Today saw the return of the Y10 band (Hamish, Dom, Bayley, Finn and Thomas). They stepped in at the last minute to perform following an illness to another student. They performed a variety of songs including some new pieces that they have put together in the last week!
Today, Thursday, was the turn of the Carol players to entertain at break time. The students involved were Benji, Taran, Emily and Lydia as well as Miss Shlackman, Mr Bimson and Mr Humphries.
Friday 10th December
Day 5
Today our performers at break were Paola and Emily (along with Mr Bimson). They played a selection of jazz Christmas carols.
Year 7 Supporting our Community
Year 7 have shown themselves to be an amazing Winston family. With the festive season approaching and the themes of sharing and giving being of considerable importance to the Year 7 students, Mr Rose and Miss Robinson have organised donations from the Year 7 forms. Some of these donations will go back to our Winston families, who need our support for the Christmas period and some will go to the York Road Project which supports homeless people and families rebuild their life and independence.
The whole of Year 7 gathered on the tennis courts during tutorial this morning and sang The Twelve Days of Christmas! The instruction from Mrs Smith was not to worry about tone but to focus on singing loudly!! The Year 7 students did exactly that and you can see and hear them in the film below.
Thank you Year 7 for providing a great start to the day!
Year 10 provided the music at break on Wednesday. Our performers were Dom, Thomas, Hamish, Bayley and Finn. The students are really enjoying the live, festive music during mid-morning break, as a count down to the Christmas holiday. Thank you Year 10.
