Back in the Water!

 Back in Newquay!

Over the week of half term, year 8 students got the opportunity to master the waves on a residential trip to Newquay. Pupils enjoyed a programme of surfing, co-steering, kayaking, paddle boarding, body boarding and even made an excursion to a theme park. 

From start to finish, it was clear that these students were determined to make the most of the opportunity, throwing themselves at each new experience with boundless enthusiasm. 

On Saturday, our first full day, group 1 made a trip to Swanpool beach while group 2 headed over to Flambards theme park. In both teams, students continued to be a credit to themselves despite the weather taking a turn. Group one found themselves jumping off the cliff faces and creating a 'Cornish whirl pool', showing remarkable resilience in the face of an unfamiliar situation. All students returned with smiles knowing that the best of the sun was on it's way and took on Miss Hamilton's big quiz at the hotel! 

Day two saw the weather shift in our favour as group 1 explored the rides and museums of Flambards while group 2 headed over to Perranporth to learn how to surf with full boards. Instructors and staff commented on how fantastic the students of Winston were in both developing talent and attitude. In the evening, all 114 students went head to head in a sandcastle competition that covered the stretch of Great Western Beach. 

On the final day, both groups got to experience Swanpool and Perranporth respectively before heading back to the hotel for a disco on the last night. Hotel staff and crew commented on how happy and well behaved students were throughout the duration of the trip as year 8 gathered together for one last dance before packing to leave. 

Newquay has been an unforgettable experience for both the students and staff involved and we hope they take away memories that will last them a lifetime. 

Mr Harrington-Tucker

Drug Awareness Talks

Drug Awareness

Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming speaker, Paul Hannaford, to our school. His presentation to Year 8, 9 and 10 was informative, emotive, hard-hitting and relevant. The message to our students was though-provoking and he used his own experience to make our young people think about their choices and the pathways that are open to them. A mixture of his own story and role play to go through how to get out of difficult situations proved popular and important. 

Paul's life story is on his website, click this link to take a look:

 https://www.paulhannaford.com/

Quote from Paul's website:

Over the past 10 years I have built a successful career educating over 400,000 school children from multiple year groups ranging from year 4 up to sixth form, tailoring the message appropriate to their ages.

I offer workshops and talks about the dangers of addiction, drugs and alcohol as well as involvement in gangs, knife crime and county lines. Through my own experiences as a former addict of over 20 years, I can convey an incredibly powerful and hard-hitting message. I travel extensively throughout the UK, visiting primary and secondary schools, youth centres, young offenders.

Here are a few quotes from our students: 

‘I think the way he taught about his experience was good as his story was shocking and hearing it come from a personal experience made it more memorable as you feel more emotional towards it. I have never seen the whole year group so shocked and silent, and I think ‘scaring’ people into not doing drugs is the best way to teach it at this time. People took notice of the message, unlike other times where it can be forgotten easily.’ 

‘I think that the speech from Paul was emotional and really bought to light the dangers of the now romanticized subject. It shows how much it effects family, mindset and how it changes your life. I think the evidence/pictures of what happened really showed the effects of drugs.’ 

‘Todays workshops made me understand that when anyone is in a rough situation, they can always get out if it in some way. Also, it was quite emotional to see the impact that a couple of decisions could have on the whole family.’ 

‘The assembly was great! It was quite sad what happened to him after taking the drugs, it was quite graphic, but it made me think. This really makes us have second thoughts when making bad choices and the impact of the choices we make’. 

Mrs A Kovic

Celebrating the Past and Looking Forward

Our Jubilee Celebrations

With our bunting in place, children had the opportunity to become involved with a number of activities across the school.  The screens shared changes that have taken place throughout the Queen's reign and the canteen prepared a Jubilee lunch, including the lemon jubilee trifle.

There was a treasure hunt around the school, planned and organised by Mr Cole and our younger children have been involved in creating a clay sculpture, which will be on display later this term. 

Miss Turner, in Discovery Space, created a display and activities for our students, including a small party!

 Further Progress

The cladding on two sides of the ROSLA Block is being replaced and therefore, insulation and fire proofing are being improved.  We hope to complete the other two sides within the next three years.  The new panels are grey with new windows.  The brick slips will be installed in three weeks.

The builders are about to start work on the light grey brickwork and internally have installed the electric hoists for the lighting bars.  

Starting GCSE Textiles

Starting a GCSE Course 

This work is from our new Year 9 Textiles Group. Miss King has been thoroughly impressed by their preparation and dedication to this first project, some of which was home learning.

Thank you to Miss King for sharing this fantastic start to a brand new GCSE. I look forward to seeing the progress that these young people will make.