Visiting the Battlefields

 We Will Never Forget

From the 3^rd May to the 5^th May 2024, a group of 79 Year 9 pupils attended the History Battlefields trip in Belgium and France. Pupils studied various aspects of WWI during Year 9 and the trip provided pupils with context and a first-hand experience on what it was like to serve in the war.

After an early start, pupil’s set off for Belgium and France with packed three-day itinerary starting with the Ypres Salient. Visit's included a tour of a preserved German trench at Bayernwald and pupils where then able to identify the grave of the youngest soldier at Essex Farm cemetery. Essex Farm is also the site Canadian soldier John McCrae wrote the famous ‘In Flanders Field’ poem. In the afternoon pupils visited Flanders Field Museum in Ypres and a highlight for both staff and pupils a quick stop at a Belgian chocolate shop.

Saturday was spent visiting 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 in 1917. This was followed by a tour of two Canadian memorial parks, Newfoundland and Vimy Ridge. Then a visit to the largest manmade crater of WWI, Lochnager. The day ended with a return to Ypres town centre, where three Winston pupils participated in the Last Post ceremony laying a wreath at the Menin Gate, an act of remembrance that has taken place since 1928. 

The final day involved a visit to Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth war graves cemetery, the German cemetery Langemark and ended with Lijssenthoek Cemetery. Which contains the graves for Commonwealth soldiers and Chinese Labour Corps, along with the French, German and US army. 

Pupils who attended the trip said it was 'interesting' and 'eye opening', 'putting into perspective how many fought and died during World War One'. The pupils who participated in the wreath laying shared  that they were 'very grateful to have been given the opportunity' and 'experience'.

Miss Robinson

Following Mr Fisher to Rome!

 Rome & Herculaneum 2024 

GCSE Latin and History students once again enjoyed an incredible experience touring the ancient sites of Rome.  

Getting their steps in...

Days 1 & 2: Students certainly got their steps in, exploring much of the city on foot. After we landed, we set out straight away to Piazza Navona for lunch, where students also saw the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. The following day started early as we headed for the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Our guide led us around the arena and along the streets of the centre of the old city. With all that walking students definitely deserved an afternoon down Via del Corso for a spot of lunch and retail therapy.  

Day 3 

The following day we chilled out in the public park, Villa Borghese, before making for Vatican City. A guided tour of the Vatican collections: exquisite collections of paintings, statues, and tapestries, culminating in the Sistine Chapel, and St Peter’s Basilica were a sight to see before students got to grab a snack in the shade of the Vatican Square. 

Day 4 & 5

A ‘short’ coach ride towards Naples, as if we hadn’t hiked enough, we ventured up Mount Vesuvius to take in the incredible views of Naples and the coastline. We couldn’t have wished for a better day to do it, the clear skies and shining sun framing the view beautifully. In the afternoon we paced the streets of the beautifully preserved Herculaneum. Since this town was encased in mud, not ash, it wasn’t exposed to oxygen, preserving roads, buildings, artwork…the detail on the mosaic floors and vibrant paint adorning the frescos, it’s hard to believe it was destroyed almost 2000 years ago. 

On the final day, a quick photo op. of the city skyline from the Aventine Hill before a couple of hours in Trastevere for lunch before heading back to the hotel for our bags. Maxed out on pasta and soles wearing thin, we were ready for the airport, more ready then the plane it seems. Despite the delay students continued to show their resilience, maturity, and responsibility. They conducted themselves brilliantly and represented themselves, and our school, admirably, and we are incredibly proud of them.  

We hope that students will hold these memories for years to come and look forward to taking another group of young travellers in 2025….watch this space! 

Making Smart Decisions

 Be Smart Be Safe

On Tuesday 7th March, Year 10 students took part in their annual 'Be Smart Be Safe' Day. This various workshops that took place included:

- 'Stop and Search' with Steve and Tim from Growing Against Violence. Two experienced ex-policemen informing our students of the purpose and their rights within the 'stop and search' process.

- 'Saving and Budgeting' with Katie and Natasha from the Money Charity who educated our students on the importance of budgeting and planning when managing their finances. 

- 'Signs of Abuse' with Maddie and Leah from Your Sanctuary who informed discussed the difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship along with their suggested 'Pathways Out'.

- RSHE with Laura from Rabbits regarding the law and legislation around sexual activity on the internet. 

- 'Safety Matters' where our students completed activities on Unifrog and our Pathways Out FROG site. 

Here are some direct quotes from our students about the day:

'Learnt lot's about what to be careful in life about and how to prepare for it when it comes.'

'The Be Smart Be Safe day at Winston was very beneficial. It made me think about and realise many things that I didn't even know about or understand before such as how criminals lead young people into gangs and how dangerous and misleading it is once you are part of one ('GAV' session) and all of the tax and rent you have to factor in when you're independent ('money charity' session). This made me realise how important it is to save. The 'Your Sanctuary' session helped me to recognise different types of abuse, so I can now identify these signs for future relationships whether it's my own or my friends so I can warn and help them.'

'I found learning about different real life topics extremely beneficial and I enjoyed how they were taught to us, each session was taught differently and was made to be interactive so we had the opportunity to get involved and ask questions openly. '

'This day was really informative and will definitely help me make more informed decisions now and later on in life'

Mrs Kovic

Amazing Story Telling

 The Winning Stories in the 

Young Writers National Competition

A story in 100 words

As the final echoes of New Year’s Eve resounded, the decisive strike at midnight set the stage for an unforeseen tragedy. Desperate plea hung in the festive air, ‘Give me the keys!’ The engine, a restless beast, raved with anticipation .The headlights cut through the cloak of darkness. Behind the wheel, cracks webbed the windscreen, an ominous prophecy etched in glass. Brakes fought a losing battle, horn cried in bittersweet nostalgia. An avalanche of disarray – a fierce storm of metal in a chaotic waltz of destruction. The wheel of misfortune spun relentlessly. At crossroads of fate, pact with Devil sealed.

By Oliver Bell Year 9

The Glitch

Reality spiralled overnight, and my comfortable life narrative glitched into one of uncertainty. Once a steady path, life now resembled navigating a labyrinth blindfolded. The pandemic sealed the world away, silencing the streets. Smiles were concealed behind masks, and the mere brush of shoulders sent chills down spines. Tranquil air became deadly to our grandparents, and everyone clung to Wi-Fi for a full curriculum. Sticking cotton up your nose was considered normal. Familiar routines morphed into complicated puzzles, fragments of what once was and what would never be again. An unknown loomed, an enigma in the shadows.

By Holly Perkins  Year 9

We were the Nightshade Assassins, going to end the supreme Supernova. Tired of them being the talk for everything, we decided to destroy them at a celebration for them. We arrived. Ready. Checking our pistols and about to shoot when, suddenly, feeling a piercing object on the side of my face, one of our ‘trustworthy’ members, Bane, was holding me at gunpoint.

“What’s happening?” I hissed.

That’s when everything was unveiled. Bane had been in the Supernova, reporting all our plans. All the Nightshades had given in, but I, remained strong I am now holding my breath, awaiting my fate…

By Leen Abuasaker  Year 8

And it Rained...

 Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition

The groups set off in an optimistic mood and followed their carefully planned route anticipating finding the campsite and a nice hot meal!

However, the weather had other ideas and a sustained, torrential downpour had a significant impact on the future of the expedition.

It was the practice so each group learnt a great deal about putting up their tent to avoid getting wet in the night, how to keep clothes dry and ways of keeping warm.

The staff said that despite the challenges, the whole cohort remain positive and were a pleasure to be with.  The expedition ended on Sunday morning, as the conditions were too risky to continue.

They are all looking forward to their final attempt, in better weather!

Mr Harding

Young Writers at Winston

 Thrilling Success

We are delighted to celebrate yet another success story for our young writers here at Winston. Three students have been selected to have their creative writing published in a Young Writers national competition. These students are:

Leen Abuasaker in 8AEL

Oliver Bell in 9ALI  

Holly Perkins in 9TLA.

Entrants had to write a thrilling mini saga of up to 100 words, with mission catastrophe! The above students displayed an impressive amount of effort and dedication towards this competition and were in regular contact with Miss Elfaituri- English teacher who ran the competition- to make sure all the details for it were correct. As a school, and particularly within the English Department, we are extremely proud of these students’ achievement. Their work will be available for a wider audience to enjoy. 

We are excited about other opportunities that will arise in future surrounding creative writing and how our budding writers will interact with these and the outcomes that may come of them!

Miss A Elfaituri

Deputy Subject Leader- English

Opportunities

 Work for Winston

The Grass is Greener Here

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Embraces difference and celebrates diversity.

Come and visit our school and see what we can do for your career.

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