Speakers For Schools

‘Start Your Impossible!’ - Paula Cooper’s heartfelt and passionate shout-out to school students.

“ Do what you love but be flexible in your life – don’t expect everything to go to plan”

Paula Cooper, Director, ConsumerOne at Toyota GB, gave an inspiring and motivational talk to over 90 students from The Winston Churchill School, when she visited them recently as part of Speakers for Schools.

Speakers for Schools is a national education charity, founded by Robert Peston, that provides young people in State schools across the country, with the opportunity to hear from and to engage actively with some of the most influential and eminent figures in today’s society, all of whom freely donate their time.

Paula talked at length to a captivated audience about her career at Toyota that has seen her work across many areas of the business, now heading up Toyota’s future-focused ConsumerOne division, a vital aspect of Toyota’s work, which has been rolled out under Paula’s guidance and expertise, to put the changing needs of Toyota’s customers at the heart of all of its commercial activities.

Reflecting on her career in the automotive industry, Paula gave the students a fascinating insight into the ways in which Toyota has been pushing the boundaries of both performance and design in recent years, investing as much in research and development as Apple.

 

Of particular interest to the 14 year olds in the audience, Paula deliberated on recent developments in Climate Change and Energy efficiency, both of which have impacted upon the ability of Toyota to harness new technology, such as those to be found within the new Mirai, a fuel cell vehicle which emits only water. She told the students that hydrogen technology will have wide-reaching implications in helping to contribute towards an emissions-free automotive and transport industry.

Considering her life at Toyota, Paula talked about working with highly trained, highly skilled technicians. However, the automotive industry in the 21^st Century requires people with a far broader set of skills – digital, accountancy, programming, marketing, design to name a few. She urged Winston Churchill students with strong emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills to consider working for her company, as Toyota are continually on the look-out for prospective employees who are able to apply logic and rational thought processes both to solving problems and generating new ideas and innovation.

Paula’s talk was particularly valuable for demonstrating to what was, predominantly, a female audience, that there are no limits to what girls can achieve, no restrictions on how girls can prosper in any sector of society; irrespective of the pre-conceptions people may have of the automotive industry, if you can copy the skills and talents of great leaders, if you can learn from your own personal mistakes and be true to yourself at all times, then the possibilities for personal success and accomplishment are endless and infinite. All you have to do is ‘Start Your Impossible.

Picture shows Paula Cooper, Director, ConsumerOne, Toyota with Year Nine girls seated in the School planetarium. The Winston Churchill School is the only State school in the United Kingdom with its own Planetarium.

Great Performance

A Key Stage 3 Production

Directed and Produced Exclusively by Students 

From Years 7 and 8.

'Courage Calls to Courage Everywhere' 

A group of Winston students took to the stage on Friday 14th June to perform a play that explored the events of Derby Day 1913 and the evolution of women's rights in Britain. This production was different in that everything, from the original concept to the direction of scenes, was put together by students in years 7 and 8. 

The story follows a group of female students starting on a path in higher education at Oxford University. When it becomes clear that they are not wanted or accepted by their fellow male students they vow to join a violent militant faction bent on securing equal rights for women. This has unnerving consequences for the group as they continue to fight for what is rightfully theirs.

The performance culminated in what was a fantastic showcase of student leadership and initiative that left the audience on their feet in a full standing ovation.

A huge thank you to Ned for playing the piano and to our ever present Tech Team, who created some excellent sound and lighting effects.

The Drama Prefect Team charged with logistics for the event. 

The Musicians (Nyah and Ned) 

• 
• The tech team (Alex F, Spencer K, Alex K and Mac B-T) 

  

South East Regional Athletics Finals

On Thursday 13^th June our Junior Boys & Intermediate Girls athletic squads took part in the English Schools Athletics South East Regional Finals, which was held at Hillingdon Athletics Stadium, Uxbridge. 

The conditions proved difficult as the rain poured over the track and field events the entire day.  Despite this our athletes maintained positive and used their resilience to give their best on the day. Stand out performances came from Jack P (2^nd in 100m), Louie S (2^nd in 200m), Mirsaid (2^nd in Discus) and Neve B (2^nd in 200m). Team morale was also kept high as students found warmth in a yoga room and supported one another in their events, showing great team spirit.

Miss Walton, Mr Martin and Miss Exworth were extremely proud of the perseverance shown on the day and the way in which our athletes represented Winston. Huge credit and thanks to Noah B and Sana H who filled in for ill athletes on the morning of the event.

The final standings saw the Junior Boys and Intermediate Girls finish 5^th and 12^th respectively. The boys also managed to improve their team points score from the previous round.

We now look forward to the KS3 District Championships on Thursday 27^th June. You can get involved by coming to Athletics Club; there are so many different events, you will find one to suit you.

Year 7 Rock Newquay!

Winston makes a Splash

Towards the end of the last half term our Year 7 students embarked on their first Winston residential. Newquay in Cornwall was the destination and having fun was top of our agenda. We were fortunate to benefit from the last few days of glorious sunshine before the heavens opened with an abundance of rain! 

A huge thank you to Mrs Jones and Mrs Walton for leading this trip and to the staff team , who ensured that everyone had a great time.

This residential was mainly water-based and we visited 3 great beaches - Tolcarne, Swanpool and Fistral. On these beaches our Year 7 students learnt so many new skills, namely how to surf; how to bodyboard; how to kayak; and how to paddleboard. New-found confidence immersed from all of our students as every single one participated in the coasteering activity. Each student literally took the plunge as they jumped off the Cornish cliffs into the sea. They all reappeared with huge, satisfying  smiles on their faces and cheers from everyone supporting and urging one another on.

This strong sense of positivity and support between this year's Year 7 group is what caught the attention of the company we work with for our Newquay residential program. In his own words, Dany Duncan, Founder of ElementalUK expressed "We have been running trips for the Winston Churchill school for many, many years now and I have to say that the group that came down to Cornwall this summer was certainly one of the best I have ever encountered. From the staff team to the pupils, the whole trip was a pleasure to be part of. It's not often that the instructors come back in and compliment how fantastic the kids were on session but it happened with great frequency for this Winston group. More of the same please!!"

Off the water the students performed in our talent show, competed in several beach games, tested their knowledge in our animated film quiz and celebrated 4 student's birthdays at our end of residential disco.

We are extremely proud of this group of students who overcame so many fears whilst away from home. It was so lovely to see new friendships being made, everyone overcoming 'stuckness' (Skill no. 7 in the Winston Competencies), resilience being strengthened and independence growing in abundance. This residential will provide great memories for them and reaffirms that they have the ability to achieve anything. What makes it more memorable is when you are surrounded by such a supportive and inspirational group of great young people.

Graduate Opportunities and Lost Words

Join the Winston Team

Opportunities:

     I am currently seeking new graduates for the position of:

•  LSA, the hours are 20 hours per week plus 5 hours lunchtime supervision each week. One year contract only.
• Maths Tutor for the coming year, following the success of Mr Hollinshead and Mr Simmons.
• Cover Supervisor to manage groups of students when staff are absent.  This again would suit a graduate and is good preparation for a career in teaching.
• English Tutor to work with our team.

Thank you

We have received a copy of 'The Lost Words' by Jackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane, from a Surrey Schools Fund raising campaign.  It uses the vocabulary of nature through acrostic poems and superb illustrations.  I have given the book to Miss Campbell in English, who is keen to make use of it in their current scheme of work.

Details on the letter explain how you can support this initiative.

Battlefields Visit 2019

BattleFields Visit

“From the 24^th – 25^th May 2019, a group of 68 Year 9 students attended the History Battlefields trip in Belgium and France. Students studied various aspects of World War One extensively during Year 9 and the trip provided pupils with context and a first-hand experience on what it was like to serve in WW1.

After a rather early start, students set off for Belgium with packed itinerary. Visits included Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth war graves cemetery and the German cemetery, Langemark. The rest of day entailed a visit to Essex Farm cemetery to find the grave of the youngest soldier, which also the site Canadian soldier John McCrae wrote the famous ‘In Flanders Field’ poem. Followed by a first-hand experience of a preserved German trench at Bayernwald and a tour of the centenary exhibition at the Flanders Field museum in Ypres. That evening, four Winston students participated in the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate, an act of remembrance for the British and Commonwealth soldiers who died at the Ypres Salient and have no known grave. The ceremony has taken place almost continuously every evening at 8 o’clock since 1928 (the ceremony moved to Brookwood Military Cemetery during the German occupation of Belgium during the Second World War).

On the second day students visited various sites and memorials in the Somme region of France. Including a network of underground tunnels at Wellington Quarry, tunnelled  by British and New Zealand forces and part of a surprise attack during the Battle of Arras in 1917. Followed by a tour of the Canadian memorial park, Newfoundland and the largest man made crater of WWI, Lochnager, set by British forces at the start of the Somme offensive in 1916. The day ended with a final stop at Thiepval memorial, which honours the Commonwealth soldiers who died during the Somme offensive but have no known grave and also serves as a memorial to the Anglo-French alliance during the Somme; with a small cemetery containing unknown graves for both Commonwealth and French soldiers.

Student comments:

"The trip was really exciting because every place we went to had a different experience. My favourite part was when we went to Bayernwald, the German trenches, being able to go into the trenches and see what it was like was a surreal experience."

"The battlefield trip is a great experience for everyone who loves History or is interested in world wars. My favourite part was when we went down into the quarries to learn about the Battle of Arras. I loved it because it was a hands on experience, what I mean by this is that we were in an area where the soldiers were over 100 years ago. When you think that they would have talked, sang, and fought there in order for us to have freedom today is overwhelming and made me feel nostalgic."

"I really enjoyed going to the trenches and the quarry as you could get a feel for what it was like for the soldiers during WW1. I also enjoyed taking part in the Menin Gate ceremony and seeing how many people attended. Going to the cemeteries really gave you time to think about the amount of men who lost their lives."

Glitch!

The Winston Churchill School

Performing Arts Faculty

Glitch

Lara, Link, Shepard and Peach are the best of friends. They have played online games together for as long as they can remember. It certainly helps that Lara's Mother, Aries, is the greatest games developer of all time.
Tragedy leads to Lara losing her mother suddenly, leaving her with nothing. Nothing, that is, but a trail of clues that will bring them together again. The only problem is these clues lead Lara and her friends into the unknown, games they thought they knew have taken on a new life and suddenly nothing makes sense anymore.
Glitch is the story of family, friends, love and betrayal and a whole lot of online gaming.

Parental guidance recommended for children under the age of 10 - mild horror scenes and flashing imagery.

Have you got your tickets?

Go to our website and click on the link: booking is through Positickets.

The Band Project

Year 7 Band Project

Mr Drake has initiated a new project, aimed at encouraging our students to learn how to play an instrument.  Have a look below at 7MN, who have been learning to play instruments, as they begin to form a band.  Some of our Year 10 Music students have been running small group instrumental lessons, again sharing a love of music and ensuring participation.  These young people did not realise how much they could learn or how good they would be until they were given the opportunity.  

For more information about music at Winston contact Mr Drake, c.drake@wcsc.org.uk