Congratulations!

 Outstanding Language Learning 🌍

I was delighted to meet five Year 7 students this morning, to present them with certificates for their exceptional work in their French and German lessons.

Corina:  has worked exceptionally hard in German throughout the term. Above and beyond her excellent class and homework she has created a vocabulary and grammar book and has been looking up a variety of vocabulary under different themes. She is to be congratulated on her enthusiasm and commitment in German! She is a Language Leader for German. 

Larisa: has worked hard and contributed enthusiastically in German. She has been very focussed and engaged in her learning and has completed a lot of additional work on Linguascope. She is a Language Leader for German and a Japanese Club prefect.

Ellie: has worked exceptionally hard and has contributed well in German lessons. Above and beyond her excellent class and homework she has completed lot of extra work on Linguascope and Duolingo. 

Zakarin: has worked exceptionally hard and has shown great enthusiasm for German. She has always tried her best and has consistently produced work of a very high standard. 

Juul: has stood out as a talented, enthusiastic and committed linguist who has worked hard and has produced work of an exceptionally high standard. She is a Language Leader for French and a Japanese Club Prefect. 

Future Stock Market Millionaires?!

Year 10 GCSE Business students have been set a challenge: they each have £10,000 to 'spend' on shares on the stock exchange. This is an opportunity to look at what influences share price and how politics across the world changes confidence levels and therefore, outcomes.

They will track their shares and their decisions, over the next half term and the student who makes the most (imaginary) money will win a prize!

Pumpkin Competition

Well done to all staff and students who entered the pumpkin decorating competition – all the entries were fantastic, and it was a close vote between a lot of them! 

 The winner of the student pumpkin competition (as voted by the staff) is: 

Fantastic Mr Fox with Toothless only one vote behind!! 

Well done to Ellis, Mollie, Grace & Lilly from 8ERE and Phoebe  Yr 9 

Both teams will receive a prize. 

The winner of the staff pumpkin competition (as voted by the students) is: 

Pennywise created by Miss Reynolds 

Winner's prizes will be handed out after half term.  

There will also be a small prize for everyone that entered which can be collected from the Library. 

Thanks to everyone for taking part, enjoy your half term break!  Miss Dodd

Pumpkin Competition

We have had lots of fantastic entries so far - including some from staff! Monday 19th October will be the last day for any entries as Miss Dodd wants to display them next week before half term. There will be a separate competition for student and staff entries, and the students will be able to vote from next week for their favourite staff pumpkin! Entries have included Fantastic Mr Fox, Harry Potter, Coraline and Jack Skellington!

Following on with the spooky theme, Year 8 have been working hard during tutor time to come up with their own scary stories based on some classic scary story tropes. Stories have included an eerie woods, old abandoned houses, and mad scientists; well done Year 8! 

Outstanding Geography Homework!

Mrs Eyre set the following homework for her Year 8 class:

Design a device that might be used to measure an element of the weather:

1)      Temperature

2)      Wind speed

3)      Wind direction

4)      Rainfall

5)      Cloud cover

Useful web sites :

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/met-office-for-schools/other-content/other-resources/weather-station/index

Alex designed and made an anemometer.  He used a 3d printer and some electrical components to produce his device, having first considered how to measure wind speed and the implications of the circumference of the circle of his design.  The mathematical problem solving is impressive, as is the final product, which has a digital display.

Alex, in Year 8 has been awarded a Headteacher's Commendation for 

an excellent piece of Geography homework. 

Latin at Winston

Year 7 & KS3 Latin students were invited to attend a virtual talk by Roman Mysteries author Caroline Lawrence. Lawrence spoke about the hero's journey in myths and movies, and notably how every hero needs a weakness; every journey an obstacle, and every saga a lesson to learn. Her insights into the writing process were fascinating, and those that tuned in from home were inspired and intrigued by the experiences she shared.

Students will find a collection of Caroline's books in the Discovery Space.

Feedback from a parent: 'I just wanted to say thank you for arranging this and let you know how much Phoebe and I enjoyed it yesterday - it was so interesting!'

Hello Yellow

 Hello Yellow Day

Hello Yellow Day is a day dedicated to mental health awareness. It helps educate people about mental health, where to get help if they need it and how to relate to others who may suffer from a mental health problem.

The wellbeing team in each year group have been very busy creating ideas to make this day a special day here at Winston. Here are some of their ideas and activities planned - we'd love you to take part:

• Poster competition - already completed and posters are up around the school. The winner will be announced on Friday 9th;
• Tutor group bunting activity - this should already be in your tutor wallets. Please encourage your tutees to write a kind supportive message on these and display them in your tutor rooms;
  
• Yellow badges will be made available on Friday;
• A wellbeing booklet has been created by the senior wellbeing team. Please use any of the activities during tutor time and then on Friday, students can take them home. The winning poster is featured as the cover.
• The wellbeing leaders and staff may wear an item of yellow clothing on Friday
• Individual wellbeing teams are making a short film to introduce themselves to their year group
  
• Year 7 - are wearing selling yellow wrist bands (wellbeing leader Mrs Kovic)
• Year 8 - 'Humans of Winston' item (Miss Wade)
• Year 9 - challenge cards -5 wellbeing challenges to complete on the day (Mrs Armstrong)
• Year 10 - planting seeds/bulbs of yellow flowers to bloom each season (Mrs Alexander)
• Year 11 - wellbeing booklet / photo booth (Mrs Thomas)

There are so many thins that you could do to improve how you are feeling for example:

Mindfulness exercises, physical exercise, listening to music, meditation or yoga.  Perhaps you could try some colouring!

Why is colouring beneficial to your well-being?

●     Colouring is a creative form of self-expression which promotes relaxation.

●     Colouring is also a form of meditation and releases endorphins.

●     Colouring has been proven to help reduce stress and anxiety levels.

Thank you to everyone involved in raising our awareness today and everyday, that being kind to each other and to ourselves is very important.

Have a great weekend! 

 Life at Winston

Miss Dodd has launched a pumpkin decorating competition!

Can you compete with these?

It would be great to extend our display in Discovery Space.  Take part and show us what you can do!

Extending the spooky theme, here is an excellent piece of Year 7 work; a gothic advert.

Music at Winston

We may not be able to sing or play wood or brass instruments but that leaves a huge range of activities including guitars and keyboards, as well as the Mac Suite to support music learning.

In Design Technology students were making a container and had to design the lid and wrapping, 

using the computer.

Winston is Celebrating!

 TES Schools' Awards

Stuart Phillips, our Business Manager, has been shortlisted for 

the School Business Leader of the Year category 

in the 2020 Tes Schools Awards

TES Schools Award 2020

 

Nomination: Stuart Phillips;  School Business Leader

 Describing the work and achievements of Stuart in 500 words was a challenge...

School Business Leader for 19 years, Stuart’s enthusiasm for young people and education has not waned.  Not just a Business Leader; he is passionate about providing opportunities for children.  His passion for the school is infectious, his commitment unrivalled.

Stuart has used resources wisely to transform a 60 Year old building into a safe, modern school.  His pro-active attitude towards Surrey CC has meant he has secured a regular investment in capital work over 7 years.

Stuart manages our own school businesses, including a Sports Centre and radio station.  This now includes our Planetarium. Stuart is able to see opportunities, create an offer that is appealing and deliverable, within the confines of a large secondary school. 

Stuart successfully bid to the Heritage Funding to create a book telling the story of local peoples’ involvement in World War 1.  Student collected the names/roles of family members and complied a book of their stories.  Students then reflected on sacrifices made; the book contains their comments.

As Headteacher, I decided to build a library, including a Planetarium, requiring £1 million.  Stuart ensured that the project became reality.  No other state school has a Planetarium.  As well as teaching astronomy, students gain an immersive experience in a range of subjects; virtual worldwide field trips.

Stuart successfully bid to fund access to the Planetarium for primary schools in disadvantaged areas, including transport and staffing.  Thirty-four schools have, free of charge, visited our planetarium.

Winston has established some of the best music provision in the country.  Stuart successfully bid for funds providing instruments/teaching for disadvantaged students and created a marketing film for our website.

Stuart applies his outside passion for football to coaching the Year 7 boys’ football team.  Stuart believes that this investment in students will develop their sense of belonging.

Stuart drives the provision of resources for our disadvantaged; during discussions with caterers on menus/prices, uniform and access to tutors.

Stuart is skilled when it comes to negotiating contracts.  One contract is for catering; the KPIs for Stuart when negotiating is affordable, quality food and the income generation to fund our projects. Through his negotiation, the school secured significant investment from the catering provider and curriculum involvement curriculum.  

To be effective as Headteacher, Stuart provides accurate budgetary forecasting for five years.  Stuart, as a Senior Leader, contributes to our lunchtime duty rotas as well as 'on call'. 

Stuart is never phased when I discuss the next large capital project.  He is currently raising money for ‘Performance Space’; a £1.2 million new build.

Stuart offers holiday opportunities in sport, radio production or astronomy for students to gain valuable skills. Disadvantaged children are welcomed to a summer holiday club, funded through careful management of our budget. 

Stuart is committed to Winston, so that our young people can be the best version of themselves, understanding of British Values, reducing prejudice, encouraging unity.  He leads by example, as a bone marrow donor, he helped to save the life of Celia Hutchinson, from Massachusetts. 

Week 3

Return to School

Well done Winston!  We have all returned to school and even though things are a little different, everyone is being very respectful and working together to keep our family safe.  Each day we review and amend they way we work, for example we have re-thought the use of the dining hall, now we know how many children are buying lunch.  The weather is, currently, helping us to keep doors and windows open and it is great to see so many staff on the gates welcoming children in the morning with some hand sanitiser.  Children now just walk towards us with their hands ready to be sprayed!

Department for Education!!!

Sadly the image below is the sum total of the resources sent to Winston by the Department for Education.  This is intended for 1500 students and 175 staff and would not last a day.

The PE Department

With lessons and extra-curricular clubs in full flow, we are proud of the positive attitudes, behaviours and efforts shown from all students within PE. The PE department have enjoyed teaching a range of summer activities that have seen full engagement and students supporting the changes that have had to be put in place.

Last Friday also saw the return of the much-anticipated Winston vs. Churchill fixture amongst the Yr11's. Churchill came out on top winning 4-3 on penalties after it finished 2-2 at full time. Great to see the positive energy and smiles throughout the game as well as many staff and students out to support. 

The PE Department look to continue offering variety and opportunities where we can and look forward to students maintaining their great start!

Mr Martin

Year 7 Opportunities

 Opportunities at Winston

Mr Drake sent me this video, prepared for the Year 7 Freshers Fair.  It includes information about the string scheme and also the clubs we have for Year 7.

Friday Morning Assembly

The Year 7s enjoyed a virtual 'Teams' assembly delivered by Deputy Year Leader, Mr Harrington Tucker. He started the assembly by congratulating the students on participating in the hugely popular Extra Curricular Taster Week, where students enjoyed a variety of musical and sports clubs, computing and rainbow club and even Japanese! 

We would usually hold a Freshers Fair, run by students, to introduce our year 7s to our clubs. As this was not possible this year, our year 11 students created a short film, introducing just some of the opportunities available.

Next week, the actual ECA timetable will start and students will be encouraged to keep track of their participation by completing a record card. At various stages, students will receive achievement points, certificates and even a hot chocolate with the year leader!

We’re looking forward to seeing our students in their chosen clubs from Monday!

Following this, Mr Harrington Tucker announced the achievement point tutor group leader board; rumbles of hand rolls on tables could be heard coming from the Year 7 Centre, with the announcement of :

1. 7NBI - 512

2. 7KPE - 475

3. 7THA 468

Well done everyone!

Mrs Smith’s Year 7 Winston Extra

 

During the first Winston Extra Lesson, students explored the theme of belonging and participation. We know everyone has a different sense of belonging and some will take longer to feel like they are a full part of the Winston family, and their classes, while others already expressed a feeling of belonging to Winston on their 2nd day of school.  

The students had to be resourceful to find ways to communicate with a class mate, without using spoken or written words.   All of the students demonstrated an ability to “overcome stuckness” and took risks with trying different ways to communicated. Student discussion led the group to conclude that our self perception will have an impact on how engaged we are in the task, therefore, those who felt that they could do it and have a level of self-belief were more inclined to take a risk and have a go while  showing more resilience. 

Following this student where given some dried spaghetti and mini marshmallows, they had to collaborate with their partner to try and find the most effect way to build a tall free standing tower. Some student showed an ability to effectively analyse their work and use ingenuity to solve the problem, while others found themselves “failing” at this task and were left with a pile of mashed marshmallows and broken pasta! “It’s ok to fail” I find myself saying “it’s the process you have gone through and the resilience you have shown which is the true purpose of this task”. Student felt empowered by this and are excited for their next Winston Extra Lesson, when we explore the statement “Phones: are they a source of evil”.