TES Shortlist

 Great News

Creative Challenge

 Challenging Year 7

"To celebrate the countdown to Paris 2024, Aldi, Team GB and Paralympics challenged young people aged 5–14 to get creative and design a lorry that inspires people to enjoy healthy, sustainable food. The three winners will see their designs featured on an Aldi lorry! 

Class 7W have made a number of entries that have been submitted as part of the competition. The DT department and their teacher, Mr Lighton, are very hopeful that one or more will be selected as finalists!

Good luck to everyone!"

Art Techniques in Year 7

Mrs Pinions Year 7 Art classes are learning how to mix a range of Tints using Acrylic paint, this is not only a challenging technique to learn, but also develops students' skills in resilience and collaboration.    

Making a Difference

 Supporting our Community

Following on from our litter pick event last month, members of the school eco-committee took part in another litter pick this week. In addition to raising awareness about litter and the negative consequences, events such as this help to encourage all members of our school community to think more about their local environment and to develop a greater level of respect. More pupils are aware of litter-related issues and should be less likely to litter as a result. Our next litter pick will be taking place outside of the school grounds and in our local community!

Thank you to everyone who participated.  You have made a difference to our school.

Art at Winston

 Developing Techniques 🖉

In another one of Mrs Pinion Art classes today, students were experimenting with the technique of chalk and charcoal, to develop their knowledge and understanding of line, tone and form studying aspects of architecture. The work is now air drying after having a fine coat of hairspray to fix the chalk and charcoal.

SIX in Rehearsal

 Count Down to SIX

In April, students from the Drama and Music Departments started work on one of their biggest challenges to date. At the start of the year, both Drama and Music set out to plan a production that showcased some of the most talented students at Winston. With one goal in mind, there was only one show that fit the bill; SIX. 

As one of the most popular current musicals, SIX follows the lives of King Henry VIII's wives and their misfortunes as they were married to the king. Each song explores the hardships of Tudor women as though performed in concert. 

The show itself presents a unique challenge for students at Key Stage 3 and 4. The melodies are designed for mature voices, the dances are complex and quick, the music runs fast, and the anachronistic sounds require multiple layers of technology in order the synthesise through a live band. I cannot tell you how astonished I have been of the monumental efforts of our students. They rose to the challenge and found their stride from the very first rehearsal. By making use of the new technology in the Performance Space, students have been able to start as they mean to go on and run each number as though it was the final night. 

Of course, a show this ambitious would not be possible without a core team of student leaders. Working directly with Drama and Music are a team of dedicated student producers (Evie F, Eden C and Alice B) who take on additional responsibility by directing, problem solving, undertaking administrative work and assisting with creative decision making. This team is supported by Ella T, the event manager, who has excelled this year by maintaining not only the planning and organising of the entire event but has also dedicated herself to paining six full sized canvases of each queen, displaying an outstanding artistic skill. Musically, we are supported by Olivia L, who assists Miss Antony with harmonies and vocal coaching while Bea A, Bella H, Grace M and Amelia P make up the choreography team, producing some fantastically impressive dances. 

Students have dedicated hours of rehearsal time to painstakingly arranging each song, dance and scene with a determination I have not yet seen while working on a school show. I am very proud of their efforts. 

The performance itself will run for two nights on Wednesday 21^st June and Thursday 22^nd June. Tickets for SIX are now available via the school website and can be purchased for £10 per adult or £6 per student.

  

Todd Harrington-Tucker

Head of Drama

Here are some of the rehearsal images...

 

Beyond the Classroom

 Winston at the Natural History Museum

After a trouble-free journey via the train and London underground, 25 students made their way to the Natural History Museum. The objective of the visit was to spark enthusiasm and passion within the area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths).

Upon arrival, the group went straight to their Mission to Mars Explorers Workshop. Firstly, students were taught and explored the key challenges of space exploration and how scientists at the Museum were actively involved in learning more about Mars. Then in small groups students were able to design and build their own LEGO Martian Rover. Using iPads, they then learnt how to control their Rovers using coding. Having coded, tested and evaluated their creations, the groups tested their Rovers against others on a realistic Martian surface.

The workshop allowed effective application of skills needed to be successful in STEM activities. This allowed groups to work collaboratively to produce some effective designs and were also able to problem-solve to overcome issues when coding.

The last part of the visit involved learning about various topics involving earthquakes, dinosaurs, insects, mammals and volcanoes as the group walked round the exhibits. As legs and minds started to tire, we made our way back. Everyone represented Winston superbly and enjoyed their day.

Mr Martin and Ms Exworth

Beyond the Classroom

Recently we welcomed back Josh to Winston who was a 2021 leaver. Josh was invited to share his story and journey throughout his time at Winston and where he has got to now. The Yr7 students heard some familiar challenges that were shared by Josh but were also able to gain advice and an insight into how to overcome these challenges. Through questioning and an activity, the group were asked by Josh to reflect on the student they are today and what type of student they themselves strive to be over the next 5 years.

As Josh is now a coach at Chelsea FC, the group were later able to spend time playing football where application of the values that were discussed in the classroom could be highlighted.

Some of the same group have also been putting their practical skills to good use by restoring the brick planters that line the entrance to the Sports Centre. This has involved giving the brick work a clean before applying a new coat of paint. Still work to do on the remaining planters but a good job well done on those that have been completed.

Thank you for making a difference to our school.

Mr Martin