Problem Solving

 Purples Week in Science

Mr Rose`s 7CN class made atomic models from salt dough for science purple week. The salt dough was prepared by our technician in-house, the students created the models on Thursday in class and took them home, where parents would have helped to bake, dry out and comment on their children`s work as part of their "task " for purple week.  7CN enjoyed making protons, neutrons and placing electrons in orbitals and we are sure parents loved getting involved at home. 

Mr Gunnoo led a carousel of practical experiments with his year 7 classes. They (pictured below is 7CS), tested gases to identify identifying oxygen and hydrogen. Students observed burning magnesium ribbons, conducted displacement reactions using various metals and determined whether a solution was acidic or alkali by adding an indicator.

7WN exhibited their artistic skills in Dr Lau's class as they reimagined and created plant and animal cells using plasticine, pipe cleaners, herbs and other materials.

Teamwork in PE

Year 7 are completing their unit of outdoor adventure activities. Today each group had a leader assigned. Their brief was to get their whole group and planks across the small astro, without physically touching the astro. There was a lot of ideas, raised voices and trial and error. 

The saying 'too many cooks spoil the broth' was fully evident at the start of the lesson. This task required teamwork at its best, fellowship & effective communication skills from all, including listening and clear directions. The students had to analyse and reflect on their strategy, making changes and adjustments to be successful.

"This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do" was a quote from Phoebe. "This side, 1,2,3 lift".

Ironheart

 Ironheart

Written and Directed by Evie

Parents and staff were able to experience an extraordinary evening of theatre in Performance Space. The play, Ironheart, was written and directed by Evie, a student currently in Year 10.  The play focusses on the tragedy of war and allowed the students to portray raw emotions and sadness.  The timing within the piece was incredible and ensured for maximum impact.  The lighting contributed to the atmosphere, as the actors took us skilfully through their story.

Well done to everyone involved and to Mr Penfold for his encouragement and support throughout.

Band Night

 Sour Kix at Winston

It was great to welcome an established young band to our initial week of events in Performance Space. Mr Coll had met the band when they were on radio Woking and invited them to perform this week. Students were specifically invited based on their attendance, quality of work and their contribution to the school.  Everyone, including the staff had a great time and funds raised were donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Thank you also to the PTA who organised the sale of refreshments!

Music in Performance Space

 Opening Night

To mark the commencement of use of our new Performance Space, the school is holding a number of events to show off the facilities and their versatility.  We also intend to celebrate the students' talents and reward those students that have attended school consistently and have followed the expectations at Winston.  The first of these events was a selection of musical presentations which included The Session Band, Year 10 Band, Junior Session Band, Year 7 Band, Student Band ADASTO and Big Band.  Some photos of the event are included, including the facility set up before performances started.

What's on at Winston

 Drama at Winston

The Drama department at Winston has been delighted to spend some time utilizing the amazing new Performance Space. Students from each year group have begun finalising their own devised piece of work 'Ironheart', which follows the narrative threads of several women living through the difficult circumstances of World War II. Directed by year 10 student Evie F and supported by Mr. Penfold, drama students of all ages have been designing and directing scenes to commemorate the opening of this incredible facility. Everyone working on this project has been quick to marvel at the possibilities of such a space and have been aided by an incredibly dedicated team of technicians to produce a show they can be proud of. 

While work on 'Ironheart' takes place, students across the school have been diving into rehearsals for the main school production of 'Little Shop of Horrors'. This performance marks one of our most ambitious projects to date, with well over 250 students taking part in the cast and crew. Dance rehearsals (with Choreography by Lottie P and her team) has shown the enthusiasm and hard work of the cast as a whole, with students mapping movement to popular songs such as 'Dentist' and 'Little Shop'. With tickets soon available, I know the students will be keen to be joined at the Rhoda McGaw theatre, to celebrate their hard work. 

I am consistently amazed at the level of professionalism and enthusiasm for the arts that students at Winston display on a daily basis. I look forward to sharing their efforts with you over the coming weeks and months.

Todd Harrington-Tucker

Subject Leader for Drama

Girls' Football

 Year 8 Girls – County Cup v Teddington School

 

The Year 8 girls, with six Year 7’s in their squad found the going tough away at Year 8 Teddington School.  They were clearly an experienced side, who were organised and drilled.  Two outstanding players for the opposition did the damage in this defeat but the girls carried on right to the end and never gave up.  It was always going to be a tough ask with a number of girls a year younger, but during the journey home they were all singing so things weren’t that bad.  The team on the day is pictured and player of the game was Chloe, as voted by the opposition.

 

Year 7 girls – Friendly v Hoe Valley

 

A good game was had with local school Hoe Valley and played in good spirt.  Winston took an early lead through Alyssa and this remained the score at half-time.  We felt the girls could play a lot better than they had and we asked them to pass the ball more and take the opposition on in wide areas.  This they did very well to scored further goals in the second half through Tilley, Bella, Kitty and Jessica to win the game.  The opposition worked really hard though and we look forward to playing them again later in the season.  Player of the game was Amelia for applying what we had asked for at half-time.