Netball Camp

PGL Tournament 

On 28th March, 29 KS3 netball students left for Swindon to participate in our first PGL tournament. Mrs Kovic, Mrs Stonehouse and Miss De Bunsen took 3 year groups to compete again 6 other teams each. With 6 games to play against a variety of schools and club level teams, some great lessons were learnt and real progression was made. 

7a started the weekend with a shaky start but heads held high, went on to win the next 4 matches, making it through to the semi-finals for a very respectable 3rd place. 7b fought hard and showed some amazing teamwork against some tough teams, sadly not placing but keen to return next year with more experience and strategies.

Year 8 scored more goals with every game and put up a battle against a lot of club teams, some with Year 9 players. They learnt with more communication and considered decisions, they could outwit their opponents and keep them on their toes. 

Year 9 experienced a wealth of knowledge and our defensive side really took feedback on board to make it tough for the opposition to score. They also placed in the semi-finals and eventually beaten by the overall winners. 3rd place, out of 7 teams, was a great achievement and as with all the year groups, can’t wait for the new season to start in September. Two teams to place 3rd across the tournament put a smile on everyone’s face. 

Aside from netball, the activities on site was relentless…in a good way!! Giant swing, zip wire, abseiling, rock climbing, obstacle courses, orienteering, silent disco and movie night kept everyone entertained and our dedicated PGL representative was proud to support and cheer on his Winston team! 

The biggest success of the weekend though was how all our students were so supportive of each other and how much fun they had as a whole group, rather than split year groups. New friendships were formed, resilience and ingenuity was clear in abundance and all were proud to represent Winston Churchill School. 

Well done to all our students this weekend. The sun shone, lots of netball was played and many laughs were heard. Apparently they also have football, rugby and yoga packages….same time next year? 

Mrs Kovic

Director of Sport

Star Performers

Sporting Excellence

At Winston there are a group of students that make up our Gifted & Talented sporting cohort, covering a wide range of sports. They individually devote hours of their life, outside of school, to travelling, training and preparing to excel.

Recently there have been a number of achievements to celebrate:

• Ryan T (Year 10) - Biathlon: Having qualified from the regional round hosted at Whitgift school last term, Ryan qualified for the Schools Biathlon National Final. The finals were hosted by Bath University. After finishing a respectable 4th after the run, Ryan dominated in the pool to take 1^st place as the National winer!

• Ariana M (Year9) - Kayaking: National champion in the 200m sprint! This was at the National Sprint Regatta held in Nottingham.

• Estelle U (Year 9) - Cheerleading: As part of an Interational Cheerleading Squad (Top Gun UK Shadow), Estelle spent 2 week in the USA training and competing. Competing against 1711 other teams from over 9 countries, Estelle and her team won the championship for their level and ranked 21st overall. Furthermore, they then travelled to Florida where they were crowned champions at the famous ESPN centre across a 2 day competition!

• Archie Sturt (Year 9) - Tumbling: Off the back of becoming National Tumbling Champion at the end of last season, Archie has started off the new season in the best way possible winning the South East Regional Championships.

• Isaac Mellor (Year 11) - Judo: Competed at a International Judo Festival over in Lithuania helping his club (Core Judo) finish 2nd overall, beating a strong Ukranian team in the semi finals.

• Jay Coote (Year 11) - Gymnastics: Finished 2nd place on Vault at the U16 English Championships. Jay then qualified and competed at the recent British Championships.

• Finn N (Year 9) - Judo: Competed at the National Schools Judo Championships finishing 2^nd overall in his weight category in the country

• Elsie S (Year9) - Judo: Competed at the National Schools Judo Championships finishing 5^th overall in her weight category.

• Leo Rodella (Year 11) - Football: Continues to develop as an influential player for his club (Southampton FC) and represent his country (Italy) at U17 level.

• Mathew H (Year 9) - Basketball: Took part in a UK50 Easter event where the top 50 Basketballers in the country come together to receive high level coaching. Mathew also continues to train with the Welsh National side.

Furthermore, our congratulations go to Winston Alumni, Jamie Lewis who is a 2016 leaver and became the 2025 Senior British Gymnastics Champion this month in Liverpool, bringing the title back to Woking Gymnastics Club since 1996.

Lastly, please let the PE department know of any outstanding performances/achievements that are accomplished outside the school environment. It is great to know and share these achievements in our school community and celebrate the commitment and determination students are putting in to develop themselves as athletes and competitors.

Mr Martin

Recognising Excellence

 Performing Arts Awards 🎇

On Friday, students involved in the Drama and Music departments were honoured at the third Performing Arts Awards, this event gave staff the chance to celebrate the success of the students involved in the Performing Arts and award their dedication. 

Pupils who have worked with both departments throughout their time at Winston got the chance to support each other in a series of awards covering music's instrumentalists and an entire year of school productions including Matilda, Macbeth, Checking In and Legally Blonde. Nominees enjoyed their own refreshments in a VIP seating area and each nomination had been delivered previously by a golden envelope throughout the school day. 

Mrs Thomas spent the evening taking some wonderful photographs of the event and the Year Leaders came to cheer on their students. 

There was new technology used throughout the event by Miss Wells and Mr Phillips, with nominees enjoying a personalised approach to each award and reactions being captured by the live cameras around the venue along with personalised music following each winner. 

  

  

 

The event fostered a wonderful sense of community, as students cheered each other on, all while showcasing their best formal wear. We were thrilled that the parents of the nominees also participated in the dress code, contributing to the special occasion. The awards, presented by the staff from both departments, celebrated a wide range of talent, including Best Newcomer (Ava Malone), Rising Star (Lily Cook) and Pit Band Musician (Violet Wilde). The final awards of the evening featured the highest honour each department can award;  The M.U.S.I.C Award (Isabel Mellor), and Outstanding Contribution to Drama (Amelia Peters).

It was wonderful to see the success of each student celebrated, most of which have been committed to their chosen discipline of the Performing Arts since their arrival in year 7, getting the chance to recognise the hard work and efforts of those within the school community.

Mr Harrington-Tucker                        Mr Drake

Head of Drama                                          Director of Music

A Message to Students, Staff and Parents

It was wonderful to watch the Performing Arts Evening unfold into a celebration of the commitment and talent of all our students who engage in this creative aspect of our school.

The most inspiring moments, that really tell you what is at the core of belonging at Winston, is the way in which our students support and celebrate each others' success.  

This culture enables those who want to participate, to have the confidence to step forward, to join, to support and to grow.  When you give, you gain so much more.

Thank you for all that you do everyday at Winston.  You make our school a very special place.

Mrs Johnson-Walker

Headteacher