Progress: Week 3

Making a Difference

The work that takes place in the school during the summer break could not be completed at any other time, as it would be impossible to conduct lessons.  Site staff and contractors have to work to a tight schedule to ensure that all will be ready for the new academic year.  The type of jobs taking place could not be achieved with students on the site.

 Moving materials to the top of the science block to start to replace all of the 

hot and cold water pipes.

The new look stage is beginning to take shape.  New curtains are on order.

There is still more to do but the changes have made a huge difference.

The new style canteen is beginning to take evolve.

 

The walls have been removed in some of the Maths and History rooms to create larger teaching spaces and a more modern environment.

 

Last week work was completed on the Astro Turf in ensure it is kept in the best condition.

Progress: Week 2

The Hall

Creating a new look!

The Classrooms

Floor to ceiling renovation; ensuring a new positive learning environment.

Asbestos Removal

 This essential work is time consuming but needs to be carried out to enable the hot and cold water pipes to be replaced.

The LRC

Making more space for learning; our new look Library continues to develop, while we raise funds to build a new facility.

Progress: Week One

The Hall

The old curtains are down and the work has begun.  The new curtains are on order!

Maths Classrooms

New floors, ceilings and paint work will complement the new teaching walls.  This will provide a larger, brighter learning environment.

 

The asbestos removal is also underway and areas of the school are being deep cleaned.  A huge amount of clearing out has also been happening and the skips are filling up fast!

Rising to the Challenge

My Wellington College Experience

A small group of thirty Year 10 students from various schools across the UK, were recently given the opportunity to go on a week-long residential programme at Wellington College.  After applications were sent and meetings were held, it was narrowed down to two students from Winston – myself and Imogen Gill.  On the 21^st to the 26^th of June, Imogen and I stayed in one of the boarding houses that the Wellington boarders would normally use.

We arrived on Sunday evening to a welcome speech from Mr Ed Schneider and Mrs Arielle Jennings Heal, along with each house leader to help us settle us in to our assigned house.  Later that day we got into small groups to help us to get to know each other.

Aside from Tuesday - where we visited Oxford University- the rest of the week was spent helping us improve our creative writing skills.  Monday and Wednesday were focused on mini-masterclasses such as Classics, Economics and English.  In classes such as Psychology and Sociology, we had debates around a large round table; called the Harkness method.  Thursday and Friday were focused on Write Club, which Chloe Combi (author of the newly published book: ‘Generation Z’) taught and created herself.

Tuesday was a very inspiring visit to the college of Brasenose, part of Oxford University.  We had a tour of the college, then a session in analysing chemicals similar to forensic science.  Afterwards we went to local museums.

Overall, the experience was very positive, in which I made many new friends, learnt new skills and had an insight into college and university life (and went swimming most mornings in a freezing cold, outdoor pool at 6:30am).

The images below are of the group both at Wellington and at Oxford.

Zoe Dongray 

Raising Funds for Winston

Taking part in a Colour Run allowed lauren to raise money for Winston.  The £40 raised will go towards the new benches being purchased this summer.  Well done and thank you Lauren for contributing to our community.

The Before!

Changes at Winston

There are a number of developments to the site which will take place during the summer break.  Below are some photographs of the areas that will undergo significant improvements.  I will add progress photographs to the blog over the coming weeks so that you can see the changes taking place aimed at improving the teaching environment, social spaces and the dining areas.  At the same time asbestos is being removed and new water pipes installed.

 Look out for changes to the Main Hall.

 The servery in the canteen is changing!

 There will be more space in the library.

The Maths and History Classrooms are being improved.

Improvements to the social spaces and a new food service on the patio!

 

Help!

Please Help Improve our Library

I need your help!

 

National Book Tokens are giving away £5000 of tokens to one lucky school. Even better, you will also get £100 of National Book Tokens for yourself!

Anyone can win £2500 for their chosen school
Got a National Book Token? Enter the card number & they will double the prize to £5000!

To enter, simply go to www.nationalbooktokens.com/schools

The competition closes on 31st July 2015. Entrants must be aged over 13.