Thursday, 17 December 2015

Christmas Week: Episode 2


WOKING LIONS APPEAL: CHRISTMAS BOXES

Every tutor group at Winston has made a Christmas Box to donate to the Woking Lions Christmas Appeal; they are for less fortunate families.
Donations included:
·         non-perishable goods (tins/biscuits/chocolates);
·         children's toys and books;
·         comfort items for the elderly.

The boxes were decorate in wrapping paper and collected on Wednesday morning.Thank you to everyone who contributed.

Christmas Decoration Club

These are the results of the Christmas Decoration Club in Design and Technology. Students were able to build on their skills using 2D design, to produce personalised bauble decoration designs which were cut on the laser cutter to give them a professional finish. 


 Students designing their product.

 The Results!


The Winter Concert

On Wednesday 140 students took part in a superb Winter Concert.  There were performances from twelve different groups including:
The Choir of 65 students
An Orchestra of 57 students
A Handchime Group
A Guitar Group
A Percussion Group
A Wind Ensemble
A Session Band
A Key Board Group
The Year 10 Musicians
A Cappella Group
The String Ensemble
The Piano Trio
Together with other students forming duos and trios to perform both traditional and modern pieces.  The range and standard was excellent.  I was incredibly proud of our students  and delighted that the evening celebrated the importance of making music together; that we celebrated our community by working together to create this great experience for both the audience and our students.  Thank you to Mr Drake, Mr Allen, Miss Ashworth and Mrs Mellor for ensuring that the evening was such a success and to all the staff, students and parents for participating in this celebration.


 The Rehearsals
Carols on arrival.

The Year 7 Handchime Group playing Away in a Manger.
Thank you Mr Drake for developing this within the department.



                                                                   The Guitar Group

                                                Anna and Chris: 'Baby it's Cold Outside'
                                                           Bachir: Brian Boru's March
                                                             Alex on the Double Bass
                                                    Callum: Waiting on the World
                                                                   Year 7 Ensemble

                                                       Percussion Group: Stick Click

                                                      Percussion Group: Radioactive

                                                                      Wind Ensemble

Challenge Troop

Seven brave Year 9 students took part in Challenge Troop this half term. They went out as part of an enriched curriculum offer, one day a week for 6 weeks,  learning valuable skills including fire building , bush craft , team work and basic survival skills.
This  all came together last Thursday when they undertook a night exercise and worked as a team to build camp fires and establish sleeping areas before they undertook a night navigation stalking exercise ,which was a great success.
The students then slept under the “stars “ which were, in fact, very large rain drops, that continued to fall until about 1.00 am. The aim here was to keep dry and this was achieved by three of the seven students who were able to spend the whole night under canvas.
Once Friday morning arrive seven very tired campers took a brisk walk, followed by a spot of PE then it was cook your own breakfast, although not the traditional bacon and eggs; just what they wanted from their ration pack. Once the kit had been check and everything was repacked, on went to Cam cream and the rest of the morning was spent in teams trying to out smart the opposition . I believe that Sargent Asntal's team were the winners, thanks to some very clever camouflage  and hiding out in the trees; well done Elle!
At 2pm seven hungry and tried students arrived back at school in need of a bath and some home comforts.






Wednesday, 16 December 2015

Christmas Week:

Assembly:Giving

Winston has a proud tradition of raising money for good causes, with each Year group identifying the charity that they wish to support.
Jake, a member of Year 8, presenting a cheque on behalf of the Year Group, for £450 in memory of Leo Trice on behalf of...


Charity Registration No. 1053584
The charity raises money to help Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals provide world-class care to thousands of heart and lung patients each year, and to support the hospitals' pioneering work in heart and lung disease diagnosis, treatment and research.
 

Year 7 Assembly

Year 7 had a guest presenter in their assembly on Friday.  Mr French came in to illustrate to our students the importance of trust.  This was followed by a celebration of student achievement this term.  The awards reflected the great start that students have made at Winston and I look forward to seeing this year group develop over the coming year.  


The Year 8 Charity Fair

Year 8 made an excellent start to their fund raising this year, with a Christmas Fair.  Each tutor group was responsible for setting up two or three stalls and Year 7 were then invited to attend at the end of the school day.  A huge amount of effort went into planning and arranging the event and the atmosphere throughout was amazing.  
Thank you to Mr Fricker, Mrs Cotter and Year 8 for organising such a brilliant event.





Christmas Lunch at Winston 
Thank you to Carol and her Team at Catering Academy for cooking a fabulous Christmas Lunch on Tuesday. As you can see from the photographs the food was excellent, with the turkey being carved to order, piles of roast potatoes and fresh vegetables and all of the trimmings.  Staff say there have never been so many children enjoying Christmas lunch, together, at Winston in recent years.  Our staff also enjoyed a meal together, as members of the Senior Leadership Team served them drinks and puddings!



 Staff enjoying lunch together; the Senior Leadership Team were serving drinks and puddings!