PE in the Sunshine

 

Summer Sports Are in Full Swing!

The sun is shining, the sports fields are bursting with life, and a scattering of daisies adds a perfect touch of summer magic — it can only mean one thing: volleyball season is here!

Our Year 10 girls kicked off the term with a brilliant refresher session, sharpening their skills with the three-point contact, perfecting their volley technique, and mastering the all-important dig. The session wrapped up with some high-energy adapted gameplay, setting the tone for a fantastic term ahead.

And there’s so much more to look forward to! With athletics, tennis, rounders, and cricket all on the horizon, this summer term promises to be packed with energy, teamwork, and plenty of sunshine.

Let’s make it a season to remember!

Mrs Smith 

Year 8 Leader

Up for the Challenge

 Our First Expedition

Our staff and students spent the weekend at Newlands Corner, having prepared for a Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition. This first attempt enabled students to understand the demands and to learn from their mistakes before the final assessment.

This  is the largest number of students that we have ever taken on an expedition (over a third of the year group!) and they did amazingly well. 

Mr Harding and Mr Johnson

DofE Leaders

Year 8/9 Girls Win the Cup!

 

Monday 28^th April 2025

Girls Year 8/9 Football Final v Salesians at Woking F.C

After two previous years of penalty heartbreak, the Year 8/9 girls football side won 4-1 on penalties after the score remained 0-0 at full-time.  In a team also supported by two Year 7 players, the side as they had done the previous year, turned in their best performance of the season.  They  fashioned numerous scoring opportunities but couldn’t quite force the ball int the net.

The game then went to penalties to settle the tie and after our goalkeeper Jess has saved the first penalty, our players went on to convert all their spot kicks with laser like precision.  The group not only fully deserved the win but had also prepared meticulously for the fixture and went out with a fixed game plan, which they executed perfectly.

When the group started in Year 7, only 3 girls played for sides outside of school and now that is nearly the entire side.  Our policy of integrating year groups to develop players has got its reward and the girls should rightly be proud of their achievement, not only this year but also in the two previous seasons too.

The whole squad played very well on the day, but special mention to Kira Snelders, Sarah Felton and Grace Simmonds, who played the whole game at Centre Half as a Year 7.

Team manager Mr Phillips said “Both myself and Mr Inwards who run the side are very proud of the girls achievements.  They are a great group to manage and working with three-year groups helps us to not only provide opportunities for younger girls, but also for them to be supported by and work with the older girls”.  

“It helps us actively promote leadership, teamwork and role modelling”.  

“The season has been very successful, with the District Cup win, 2^nd in the League and reaching Quarter-finals of the County Cup”.  

“Next year needs some re-organisation due to the girls age-group rules but we will be motivated to do our best again”.

 

Football Experience

 Football Tour

After a year of planning, forty of our students embarked on an unforgettable football tour to Porto, Portugal — a city rich in culture, history, and a deep passion for the beautiful game. The four-night trip offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students to develop their football skills, experience a new culture, and create memories that will last forever.

Throughout the tour, our students took part in four professional training sessions led by highly experienced FC Porto coaches. These sessions challenged and inspired our players, helping them to refine their technical skills, tactical understanding, and teamwork — all within the inspiring environment of one of Europe’s top football clubs.

In addition to training, our teams faced strong competition in friendly fixtures against Dragon Force FC, a respected academy linked to FC Porto. There were a mixture of results across the 4 teams representing Winston but it was clear that everyone enjoyed the challenge against the high tempo Portuguese players. The commitment, sportsmanship, and team spirit displayed by all our students throughout the games were outstanding, and they can be incredibly proud of their performances.

A major highlight of the trip was attending the thrilling match between FC Porto and Benfica — one of Portugal’s biggest football rivalries. Experiencing the atmosphere in the Estádio do Dragão was something truly special, and it gave our students a real sense of the passion football holds in Porto. Beyond the football, students enjoyed a variety of activities including a guided tour of FC Porto’s stadium and museum, time relaxing on the beautiful beaches and walking through the historic streets of Porto, where they visited the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the tour for the teachers was seeing the students in a different light, outside of the usual classroom setting. Students demonstrated impressive levels of independence, from keeping their rooms organised and managing their time effectively to supporting one another — particularly helping those who picked up injuries. Their maturity, resilience, and kindness towards each other made a real impression and showed personal growth beyond the football pitch. The tour not only helped our students grow as athletes but also gave them the chance to experience new cultures and bond as a team. We are incredibly proud of how all the students represented the school, both on and off the pitch to make it an incredible trip.

Lastly, a huge thank you to the parents/guardians for their support, contributing towards a seamless tour.

Below are a couple of messages from the students:

"I loved it! And know that everyone else loved it too"

"It was such a great opportunity and I had an amazing time"

"I had such an incredible week, an experience never to be forgotten. Can't thank you enough"

Mr Fuller, Mr Jones, Miss De Bunsen & Mr Martin