Woking High School

Principal’s Letter

The celebration of examination results last examination students plan what they need to August seems a long time ago as we are now do in order to achieve their full potential in the looking forward to Christmas and 2012 Olympic coming months. year. We began this Autumn term proudly We have been highly encouraged with the way in reflecting upon the best set of GCSE results in which our new Year 7 students have settled into the history of Woking High School. The class life at Woking High School. They are already part of 2011 achieved a 5+ A*-C pass rate of 76% of our fantastic community of students and the with many students gaining over 10 GCSE seamless way in which they make the transition awards at this level, 63% of students gained from primary to secondary is a very positive 5+ A*-C including English and Maths and 29% reflection of the excellent induction programme of all GCSE grades achieved were at A*-A in place at Woking High School. We are already level. These particular measures demonstrate planning for our 2012 intake and have been the excellent attainment and progress made delighted to welcome prospective parents and at Woking High School and are also vital in students to our Open Evening, Open Mornings every form of post 16 provision – from sixth and Afternoon Tea Any Questions? events. form colleges to employment and training. We are very proud of the achievements of all our Please can I remind you that I write a weekly students and the high quality of learning and blog on our website, highlighting all the teaching that enabled them to attain these successes and achievements of our students. excellent results. This is an excellent way to keep up to date with all that is happening in the very busy life Examination season is now a year long event. of Woking High School. You can read further Current Year 11 and 10 students have already details of the special events in this newsletter. sat GCSE modules in Maths and Science and completed Controlled Assessments in several Everyone at Woking High School is looking subjects. As I write, Year 11 students are sitting forward to the many events scheduled for the mock examinations. It is crucial that all Year remainder of this term. You are most welcome 10 and 11 students perform to the best of their to join us for the annual Horsell Schools Carol ability in each examination and assessment Concert (at St Mary’s Church) on Monday throughout Key Stage 4 as cumulatively they will 12 December and the Woking High School form the final GCSE that is awarded in August Christmas Concert on Wednesday 14 December. of each year. The opportunity to practise their Students will also have the chance to enjoy our revision skills, test their examination techniques, delicious Christmas lunch served on Thursday 15 analyse WWW (what went well) and identify December and a week of Christmas assemblies what would be EBI (even better if) will help our where we collect for our Oxfam Unwrapped

TECHNOLOGY Winter 2011 Newsletter COLLEGES Principal’s Letter Charities Update Governors’ News Year 10 Dragons’ Den

‘Woking High School Christmas Present’ – this year a Woking High School finishes the term on Tuesday 20 farmyard. December at 12 noon and begins the Spring term on Wednesday 4 January 2012. May I extend a huge “thank you” to all parents who have supported the school in many, many ways, over the past With best wishes from everyone at Woking High School to term. Your ongoing commitment, encouragement and you, your families and friends this Christmas. contributions play a key part in the continuing success of our wonderful school. Jane Abbott, Principal

Governors’ News

We were delighted to welcome Helen Campbell, newly Governors were delighted by the record breaking elected parent governor and Jill Sanders who joins us performance of 2011’s Year 11 students in their public as our clerk. At present we have a vacancy for a further examinations, a fitting reward for all that hard work by parent governor and expect to hold a parent governor students and staff. election next term. We said regretful goodbyes to Nigel This term, among much else, we have reviewed our Karney, Girish Deshpande and Amanda Jackson who school curriculum, admissions policy and set a balanced have all had to stand down due to business pressures. budget for the coming year. We continue to analyse We have been most grateful for their very considerable whether or not seeking academy status would be right for respective contributions to the life of our school. The role Woking High School. of governor can be challenging and is not generally high profile but it is vitally important for the well being of our R Wernham, Chair of Governors school, our students and staff that the job is done well.

The Autumn term has been a busy period for charitable Charity Update giving at Woking High with many events, such as workouts, special assemblies and mufti days, raising money for our chosen charities. In total we have raised £1,433.71.

Year 7 students have shown particular enthusiasm and the level of response from our Samaritans’ Purse Charity Appeal was outstanding with well over forty boxes created. These will be used to give children in Asia a much brighter Christmas. The Year 7’s also raised over £350 for LEPRA, a charity promoting health in action for children with leprosy. An assembly was held to share an awareness of the disease followed by a workout activity during one of our Day 11’s. Special congratulations and thanks go to Miss Woodroofs’ 7A who raised over £114, a fantastic effort! M Crowley, Assistant Principal

2 Movember

This year saw another great campaign at WHS for Mr Brown, Mr Burgess, Mr Giles, Mr Griffiths, Mr Movember. For those unfamiliar with Movember, men Jones, Mr Martinez and Mr Scott all took part are encouraged to grow a Moustache for the month this year, and as you can see from the photo the of November. The aim of this is to raise awareness moustache suits some more than others! For of Men’s Health, in particular Testicular and Prostate more information, or to donate you can visit http:// Cancer. Staff also give donations which are given uk.movember.com/” to The Prostate Cancer Charity and the Institute of S Giles, Director of Maths Cancer Research. For those involved it was great fun, although perhaps not all their family would agree!

Year 10 Dragons’ Den I would like to share some excellent Year 10 news. The students took part in a Dragons’ Den style The following Year 10 students attended the competition and had to present their company Young Leaders Conference at Epsom and Ewell ideas to a board of directors. All our students High School: performed extremely well but, facing fierce competition, Christian Moulding and Jack Fairey Lokesh Rao successfully presented their entrepreneurial Sam Collett ideas to the dragons and walked away with the Jack Fairey top prize earning themselves a visit to a leading Ruaridh Wallace manufacturer in London to present their idea. Christian Moulding Corrine Spiller All students performed brilliantly and deserve to Helen Tinlin be congratulated. Thank you, from a very proud Xenia Cobb C Sweeney, Year 10 Learning Co-ordinator

3 Eco Prefects Maths Sensory Garden

Currently the Eco Council are focusing on two key points which are: To recycle more paper. To reduce the use of electricity around the school and in classrooms. One way that we are tackling these environmental issues is by each class having a green recycling bin for paper. Every week the bins are emptied so the paper can be recycled and reused. In classrooms the use of lighting and electronic equipment is being reduced. If no one is in the classroom then the lights are turned off; this saves electricity and is eco BEING ECO PREFECTS friendly. At WHS we believe that taking the very best care In the summer of 2011, we were elected as Eco Prefects of our planet and its resources is an important part of the by our class. As Eco Prefects at Woking High, we are vision for a modern-day school. We also feel this can trying to make our school a more environmentally friendly positively affect students’ learning by understanding how place for everyone. Mr. Dyer co-ordinates the Eco Council sustainability benefits the school, the wider community committee and all activities we participate in. Our team and our planet. of twelve most definitely derives great pleasure from the We absolutely adore being Eco prefects, and always enjoy responsibility of making our school a greener environment the benefits of sharing our ideas with the other members for everyone. of the school society. Together we wanted to be actively involved in making We found the link below really interesting and useful, our school a sustainable place. ‘’The principle of care: please visit it. care for oneself, care for each other and care for the http://www.national college.org.uk environment”, this is sustainability. In addition we hope to assist in a variety of roles, primarily focusing upon By Divanshi Trivedi and Erika Da Costa paper recycling and electricity-saving proposals, attending Year 8 Members of the Eco Prefect Committee school council meetings and preparing a sustainability student update for this Parental Newsletter.

Sensory Garden We have had a blitz to get the Sensory Garden ready been planted to brighten up the garden for Spring. for the winter. On Day 11, 21 October, keen gardeners Thank you to all parents and staff who have collected and from Years 8 and 10 worked hard to prune, weed, clear sent in the Morrison’s “Lets Grow” vouchers, which will be rubbish, and save seeds for next year. Thanks also go to used to buy more equipment for the garden. Donations volunteers from the Friends of Woking High School, staff, of plants, equipment, expert advice, or time are always students and relatives who completed the labour-intensive welcome. work on the first Saturday of half term. As you can see from the photos, there was a lot to do! More bulbs have H Gallagher, Sensory Garden Co-ordinator

4 MATHS Happy Puzzle

Company Statistics Congratulations to the twenty two Year 11 students who took their Statistics GCSE exam The Happy Puzzle Company paid a return visit a year early. Everyone achieved a Grade C and to Woking High School for the first Day 11 of the above with 82% getting an A or A*. Special year. Year 7 enjoyed working in groups of six, congratulations go to Ayushi Aggarwal, Charlotte putting road maps together and joining plastic Bain, Misha Blair, Catherine Campbell, Eleanor pipes for a ball run. The students also completed Cudby, Agnes Johnson and Kirsten Mclean who a maths trail around the school answering maths all achieved an A*. Statistics GCSE has started questions on different areas around the site. + for Year 10 this year. The lessons take place on Tuesday or Wednesday 3.30 – 4.30 in F6. The exam will be in June 2012.

YEAR 10 GIRLS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL

On 2 November nine Year 10 girls from 10Z1 On 15 November eleven Year 10 girls from 10X1 maths group volunteered to help at Goldsworth maths group volunteered to help at the Horsell Primary, to work with a group of Year 5 girls from Village School, this time working with Year 1 different schools. The afternoon was to increase girls from four different primaries. The objective the confidence of the Year 5 girls in using maths was the same, to increase the confidence of through playing games.- It really helped them the younger girls through playing games. It was to see the older girls enjoying the subject. The interesting watching the Year 10 girls explain activities were mainly mathematical board games, mathematical concepts and taking the role of the practising the four rules but there- was an activity teacher. Both Year 1 and Year 10 girls thoroughly at the end involving biscuits, chocolate buttons, enjoyed their afternoon engaging in activities icing and smarties which made everyone very ranging from making 3D shapes out of straws, excited! petal number bonds to 20, throwing bean bags + into buckets and rolling balls down tubes. P Dixon, Maths/Primary Liaison

%x? 5 Science Art Technology English

Science The Science department has had a busy term with a Science club has had a makeover this year and is now number of important events taking place. Several Year 11 running purely as a chemistry club. This has proved students have sat exams and are preparing for their next popular with students who have had the opportunity to modules. The Year 10s are now well underway with their carry out some quite advanced chemistry with Mr Browne GCSE courses and are also preparing for their first exams and Mr Youell. in January. We have many activities lined up for next term including During a Day 11, early in the academic year, a number of attending the Salters festival of chemistry, a University students completed the practical element of the CREST Challenge style quiz at Reading University and the Surrey awards that they began last year. This involved some Schools Problem Solving Challenge. With all this and students designing wet suits for triathletes whilst others more planned, the Spring term is already looking busy! synthesised paracetamol. Both activities were a huge success and the students are now creating presentations B Spinks, Head of Science that will complete their awards.

TECHNOLOGY Five of our Year 9 students were privileged to visit the racing cars. As a finale they were able to race their rubber McLaren Technology Centre in October. It was an band powered car. Whilst not winning the race, the tour amazing day and the students enjoyed a three hour tour and the afternoon tea of chocolate brownies more than which included a visit to the wind tunnel, seeing the F1 made up for the disappointment. The day clearly inspired cars of both Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton being both students and staff. worked on and admiring McLaren’s historic collection of N Mills, Design & Technology

6 ART Clay Workshop Richard Ian Heyes, a Sussex based artist, has been commissioned by Barrett Homes to produce an Olympic Sculptures instillation in the new block of flats near the railway A group of Year 9 Art students worked with sculpture station in Woking. He has visited the Art department artist Sara Holmes to create a set of five sculptures twice this term to lead workshops with a group of for the 2012 Olympics. These sculptures will be Year 10 and 11 GCSE Art & Design students. Music displayed in school and also along the cycling route of from the Jam was listened to, lyrics were verbally the 2012 Olympics. discussed and students responded visually in clay to produce stunning 3-D outcomes. C Sweeney, Art L Maley, Head of Art

ENGLISH Year 11 Theatre Visit

Seventy Year 11 students and six members of staff engagement of their daughter when a man calling were treated to an outstanding production of ‘An himself Inspector Goole arrives at the door. What he Inspector Calls’ at Richmond Theatre on Friday 18 has to tell them will turn their cosy, privileged world November. Year 11 students will begin studying the upside-down. play in January and those who took the opportunity The director of the play, Stephen Daldry, has taken to see the play gave themselves a head-start in their ‘An Inspector Calls’ to the West End of London preparation for the English Literature Modern Drama and Broadway in New York and it was easy to see examination. why his production has won so many awards. The The play was first performed in 1945 but is set in an set was particularly impressive; many of us in the industrial city in 1912, the year that the Titanic sank. audience jumped in our seats when there were In the opening scene of the play, the rich Burling loud explosions on stage and the Burlings’ house family are holding a dinner party to celebrate the suddenly tipped forward, shattering plates and sending silverware flying! 7 Readathon Media Craggy Island

If the animated discussions about the play on the way back to Woking were anything to go by, Year 11 students will have plenty to say about ‘An Inspector Calls’ in the New Year!

Finally, thank you to all members of staff who made the visit possible: Miss Bennett, Mr Cooper, Mr Cusack, Mr Griffiths, Mr Reeves and Mrs Tuson. R Cooper, English

Students from Year 7 will set themselves manageable Readathon reading targets that will be signed off by their parents and teachers, over a half term period. They will be recording Reading for pure enjoyment enriches children’s lives these goals and achievements in order to opt for the beyond measure – not only while they’re reading but sponsored Readathon which supports the children’s throughout their lives. That is why we’re encouraging charity CLIC Sargent. students to read for pleasure as part of a new homework project and charity Readathon in the English Department. G Willett, English

Touching the Void at Craggy Island!

On Friday 21 October, a group of inspired students from Year 9, embarked on a mission to scale the walls of Craggy Island indoor climbing centre in Guildford.

Students had been studying the autobiography ‘Touching the Void’ by Joe Simpson during the half term and were keen to learn some of the complex terminology that arose in the non-fiction masterpiece.

It was not long before the group were kitted up and paired for their hour of climbing. Expert instructors took the students through the safety instructions and then they were off!

“I was so scared Miss” said one student during the visit “but I kept thinking, what would Joe do?” G Willett, English

8 MEDIA

Leeming, George Hill and Ben Clifton initiated Film Club the club in Year 7 and are still faithfully serving in Year 10. Duties include selecting films from our Film Club was officially launched four years ago, Lovefilm menu, setting and tidying up the room with one student. Since then we have grown to and ensuring the register is taken. We also enjoy three clubs with up to 60 members. Tuesdays discussing interesting aspects of the film and at lunch time, the Year 7 Film Club meets in SC2 reflecting upon some of the issues raised. under the enthusiastic supervision of Mrs Doe. Although we have enjoyed the odd Hollywood Fridays, the Year 8 and 9 students meet in Mr blockbuster, we do try to vary the films to Cooper’s room whilst the Key Stage Four students challenge the students and to encourage them to gather in Mrs Tuson’s room. This way we have appreciate wider genres. been able to ensure that the audience needs are met and good times can be had by all! I think the students would all agree that Friday Film Club is a wonderful way to end the week! Our committee members, Hugo and Bertie Woodward-Rowe, Prabhat Mehrotra, Daniel J Tuson, Head of Media Studies Eagle Radio Year 10 Creative & Media diploma students went to Eagle Radio to find out about radio and how to produce their very own radio show. Students created a pod cast which will be used in their unit one assessment. Eagle Radio has included the work of the Creative & Media students in their news magazine which will be distributed to local high schools. C Sweeney, Creative & Media

9 History Visits Languages Music

Languages - Day 11 Challenge

On 17 November, Year 7 students took part in a Having made a start with their booklets, they were cultural challenge comparing schools at home and given the opportunity to hear about schools in France, abroad. The students worked in teams to produce a Germany, Spain or Poland and how they differ. The booklet comparing the features of secondary schools in best booklets will be sent to current and future England with those of some other European countries. exchange schools in France, Spain and Germany to introduce them to our school. Student booklets presented the distinctives of English schools, ranging from the facilities to the staff and R Webster, Head of MFL from uniform to the range of extra-curricular activities.

Year 8 History Visit to the National Army Museum

This term, students in Year 8 have been studying the The horrors of warfare. different experiences people had during the English How civilians were affected by the Civil War. Civil War. Using extensive source materials, we have analysed a series of arguments put forward by To further develop student understanding a visit to historians such as: the National Army Museum in Chelsea was organised on 17 November. After a short coach journey to the Who fought for whom? museum, with the usual comments of “Can we go Diversity of experience. to Stamford Bridge on the way, Sir?” we arrived and began our seminar. As the students are already experts in the reasons why the Civil War started, our historian was able to focus on conditions, the lack of army discipline, why so many civilians died, what it meant for normal civilians, as well as dressing two students as Civil War Soldiers. There followed an artefact handling session where students studied objects as diverse as pikes, uniforms and a musket (thankfully not loaded!). The students also had the opportunity to handle weapons and armour the soldiers would have worn. One of the most interesting activities of the day took place with Mr Browne when the students took turns in practising defensive and offensive procedures with an eight foot pike! P Browne, History

10 Music Year 7 Visit - Battle On 21 October, three coaches of Year 7 students battle, from the time that William removed his helmet made the journey to Battle in East Sussex to visit the to show his troops that he was still alive, to the final place where William of Normandy defeated Harold slaughter of the English soldiers. Having walked Godwinson on 14 October 1066. around the site, students were invited to charge up the hill, imitating the Norman soldiers. Since arriving at Woking High School in September, Year 7 students have been learning about the history In the Visitor Centre, students were reminded once of England in the Middle Ages and all had a good more of the key events of the battle, seeing a short understanding of the key events of 1066. This video narrated by David Starkey. They also had the visit was therefore a wonderful opportunity to see opportunity to feel the weight of real weapons and where the battle actually took place and gain a fuller armour – to gain a sense of what it might have been understanding of what happened. like for armoured men to run up the hill.

At Battle, we walked around the battlefield, first There is no doubt that this visit was another reminder standing on the hill on which Harold and his army of just what a difference it can make to student took up a defensive position at the start of the battle, understanding to have the opportunity to visit the and then walked around the entire site, viewing the scenes of historical events. hill from the position of the Norman army. T Ricketts, History As we walked, students recalled key moments in the

Music Musical Success in Spain - Windband and Choir Tour 2011 Organised in conjunction with Equity School Travel, music rehearsal in the hotel and this helped us 36 students and five staff members set off for the all to focus on the job at hand, in particular, our traditional seaside resort of Coma-Ruga situated in first concert that evening. We arrived at Parc del the Costa Dorada region of Spain. Our five night stay Pescador, Cambrills and by 8pm we had set up on a incorporated four ninety minute evening concerts at large but very windy stage near the sea front. Fraser different locations, no further than an hours travel warmed the small crowd up with his pipes and Miss from our hotel. The programme of music featured Gomez was filmed and interviewed by Spanish TV to the superb bagpipe playing of Year 7 student Fraser be broadcast later on a local station. Tattersdill, the Windband plus nine vocalists and our Wednesday started with a day at Port Aventura brilliant eighteen piece ensemble, `Stage Centre’ Theme Park near the resort of Salou. Large queues performing jazz classics. Accompanying us this and hot weather did not spoil the high spirits of the year was Paul Thomas, Principal Tuba of the Band students. Our late evening concert was at our hotel, of The Royal Logistic Corps. Pauls’ contribution as with Stage Centre commanding the attention of a member of staff and as the bass of the band was many guests and residents to produce a lively and outstanding and vital to the tours musical success well received performance. Among the listeners were and we are all very grateful to the army for releasing members of Sutton Music Services who were also him from his normal duties in order to assist Woking on tour with an ensemble of 80. Their Director of High School. Music passed on his praise for our performance and Our first half-day in resort was spent settling in and said that most of his students’ `jaws dropped with exploring the local area and most people welcomed amazement’ when we struck up with the Theme from an early night to recover from the twenty four hour Mission Impossible. Needless to say WHS students coach journey. Tuesday commenced with a good were buzzing after hearing such a positive response. 11 Concert with the Royal Music Tour Logistic Corps

Our first overcast day was on Thursday, spent on a hillside us a standing ovation and demanded an encore. This was in Calafell. The Calafell Slides are a dry Toboggan run an extremely satisfying concert and students left the stage and we spent a fun two hours being pulled up the hill, saying `that was amazing’. A truly gratifying experience. to then try and beat our personal best times for getting We departed for the UK the following day and arrived back to the bottom. A camera located at the fastest bend back to Woking on Sunday morning. We all helped of the course recorded all of our smiles and grimaces Georgia Cox celebrate her twelfth birthday on the coach! for eternity as the owner downloaded the images for us Following a whole year of intense musical preparation to laugh at later. Following dinner, we performed our and rehearsals, and because of the tour, the students third concert in a local square by the sea front. With have benefited greatly from the experience. Without Mr Booth falling ill earlier in the day and absent from his doubt, everybody had improved musically by the end duties of setting up the sound system, the students really of the week. The performances were challenging at pulled together to ensure everything was ready for the times requiring concentration, professionalism and performance. Preparing for each concert is no mean patience. The students adapted well to each new and task with microphones, speakers, mixing desk, stands, different concert location, developing their personal and lights, chairs, music and a box full of leads and cables of communication skills in addition to working well as part various descriptions that need to fit the correct device. of a team. Fifteen Year 7 and two Year 8 students were With a sense of urgency and all hands on deck, we had on their first music tour, and they will have gained a great everything ready some fifteen minutes quicker than usual. deal of confidence from working and living amongst older This provided another opportunity to drum up extra and more experienced musicians. Everybody took pride audience support, so Fraser was sent onto the stage for in their personal performances and Year 11 student and a ten minute set of bagpipe music. The sheer dynamic Principal Clarinettist Kirsten McLean commented that level of this one instrument must have encouraged the `The last concert was amazing as there was such a good locals to venture out, and despite a strong breeze and atmosphere and the audience seemed to really love the poor lighting, the seats soon filled and we had another music. It was definitely worth all the hours rehearsing just successful performance with everyone growing in for that one concert and standing ovation’. confidence. The reception received on our last night in Spain was an Aidan Gale celebrated his twelfth birthday on Friday 22 inspiring, but emotional end to a school year, and probably July. His cake (packed by his parents) hadn’t travelled more so for five Year 11 students who are moving on to well, so we put together some small cakes from the study at college. We all wish them well and hope they buffet and added candles. The day was spent at the pool may come back again for another tour! All tour personnel and shopping before our last, but definitely our most should feel extremely proud about all that they have successful concert that evening at the town square of achieved in representing Woking High School and the Placa Del Casal, some twenty minutes drive away. The UK abroad and I would like to thank all participating staff, setting was superb with a massive stage hung with college and WHS students for making it such a rewarding Spanish flags. An enthusiastic audience of 150 plus gave and memorable tour.

12 TOUR PERSONNEL - JULY 2011

Principal Flute Zoe Kirk, Yr 11 Trumpet Adam Best, Yr 7 Flute Caitlin Porter, Yr 10 Principal Trombone Alex Campbell, Godalming Flute Anna Kozlowska, Yr 7 College Flute Jonathon Bell, Yr 7 Trombone James Hardacre, Yr 7 Oboe Emily Pain, Yr 10 Trombone Andrew Lumb, Yr 7 Principal Clarinet Catherine Campbell, Yr 10 Trombone Alex McLean, Yr 7 Principal Clarinet Kirsten McLean, Yr 10 Percussion Luke Stent, Woking Clarinet Beth Cornish, Godalming College College Percussion Ben Griffiths, Yr 8 Clarinet Jennifer Kirk, Yr 8 Bagpipes Fraser Tattersdill, Yr 7 Clarinet Rebecca Lynn, Yr 8 Vocalist Indeera Shankla, Yr 11 Clarinet Aidan Gale, Yr 7 Vocalist Elizabeth Nay, Yr 10 Alto Saxophone Sarah Gee, Yr 11 Vocalist Sara Hill, Yr 8 Alto Saxophone Isabel Weir, Yr 11 Vocalists Natasha and Nikita Alto Saxophone Paul Best, Yr 7 Anderson, Yr 7 Tenor Saxophone Frances Gee, Godalming Vocalist Jessica Atkinson, Yr 7 College Vocalist Georgina Cox, Yr 7 Tenor Saxophone Rosie McFadzean, Yr 11 Vocalist Elizabeth Kozlowska, Yr 7 Bassoon Indeera Shankla, Yr 11 Vocalist Ilaria Rosa, Yr 7 Trumpet Joe Payne, Godalming Staff: Mr Booth, Mrs King, Miss Gomez and Paul College Thomas. Trumpet Emma Hardacre Yr 10 Trumpet Richard Ackroyd, S Goodwin, Director of Music Performance Godalming College

Joint Concert with the Band of the Royal Logistic Corps

Members from across the whole school community Jeremy Ansell was superb, both in musical quality were treated to a wonderful joint Royal Logistics and in their professional manner, having hosted 40 Corps/Woking High School concert on the evening of us at their base in Deepcut for a day’s rehearsal of Wednesday 19 October. In the presence of the prior to the concert. It has certainly become a Deputy Mayor and Mayoress, students and members permanent fixture to the performance calendar and of the armed forces entertained the audience I am pleased to be able to say that as a result of the with pieces from the musicals Les Miserables and concert, Woking High School musicians raised £400 Wicked, traditional Scottish melodies accompanied which was donated to the Corps of Army Music Trust by Fraser Tattersdill on the bagpipes, music from 70s Fund, a charity which supports less fortunate army favourites Weather Report and traditional Russian personnel. Sincere thanks to the RLC band, the folk music. One of the highlights of the concert was Music Performance Committee and all students for the spectacular “Dark Light Stick display” featuring an amazing evening of music. the Royal Logistics Corps of Drums. The Band of S Goodwin, Director of Music Performance the Royal Logistic Corps, under their Bandmaster 13 Concert of Remembrance Music The Peacocks Centre Sport Report

Concert of Remembrance

On the evening of Wednesday 9 November, a large from Surrey Arts who gave of her time freely, as did audience of students, parents, families and the local Julia Clifton, a recent addition to the peripatetic music community enjoyed a varied programme of music and teaching staff who sang her version of Josh Grobans drama on our 3rd annual Remembrance Day Concert. `You Raise me up’. There was a retiring collection in aid This year our theme was the Women’s Land Army. of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal which was Members of the Windband, Chamber Choir and Vocalise added to the whole school effort. all performed well, but special credit must go to solo Emma Hardacre was again at centre stage, or centre performers – Luke Buchanan (Year 10 - piano), Sara Hill school! on Friday morning. The whole school fell silent (Year 9 - Soprano), Bethan Ledley (Year 11 - Guitar and for 2 minutes at 11 o’ clock on the 11th day of the 11th vocal), Lizzie Nay (Year 11 - vocal) and Frazer Tattersdill month of 2011 to hear a truly poignant performance (Year 8 - bagpipes). The compère for this special event of the Last Post and Reveille and the focus was on was Year 11 student George Bowen, who linked the remembering the events of 93 years ago through to musical items beautifully and Year 11 student Emma those of the past few days. Hardacre complimented the whole programme with her perfect rendition of the Last Post and Reveille. Special S Goodwin, Director of Music Performance thanks also go to Fiona Godden, piano accompanist

The Peacocks Centre

As the usual saying goes `doesn’t Christmas seem with the American popular music of Glee, and even a to come around quickly?’ Well, it seemed like that hint of Scotland with the bagpipes of Fraser Tattersdill. when the Windband and `Vocalise’ the School Choir Runners up of Britain’s Got Talent, dance act Twist n spent a portion of a Day 11 to rehearse for their much Pulse performed on stage before Steve McFadden anticipated performance at The Peacock Centre in (EastEnders) and Harry Derbidge (The Only Way is November. Given the role as warm up act for other Essex), stars of Peter Pan at the New Victoria Theatre, performances, the musicians gave the packed shopping turned on Woking’s Christmas Lights in the Peacocks centre a selection box of seasonal carols, interspersed centre on Thursday 17 November. However, supporting parents and staff seemed to agree that Woking High School had stolen the show. One parent commented ‘I think you can judge how well it went down with the level of the ovation at the end’. We look forward to next year’s performance as rehearsals commence in earnest for two more Christmas performances:

7pm on Monday 12 December at St Mary’s Church, Horsell. - Combined Carol Concert with Horsell Infant School, Horsell Junior School and Woking High School Windband and Choir.

7pm on Wednesday 14 December at Woking High School Main Hall - School Christmas Concert, attended by the Mayor of Woking S Goodwin, Director of Music Performance 14 Music

Examination Success in Music Performance July to December 2011

The following students all passed practical Jennifer Kirk (Year 9) Grade 4 Clarinet - Merit examinations on various instruments or through Rebecca Lynn (Year 9) - Grade 4 Clarinet - Merit dance for the Associated Board of The Royal School of Music, Trinity College or Rock School. Emily Pain (Year 11) - Grade 5 Oboe - Distinction Students were also successful in written theory Daniel Pearce (Year 9) – Grade 4 Orchestral of music papers. Graded examinations range Percussion - Distinction from 1 – 8. Congratulations to all students for achieving such excellent passes and many thanks Sophie Russell (Year 8) Grade 4 Music Theory and to the instrumental peripatetic and private music Grade 1 Saxophone teachers for successfully preparing them for public Tara Shankla (Year 10) - Grade 5 Music Theory - examinations: Merit & Grade 3 Alto Saxophone - Merit Daniel Cheetham (Year 7) - Grade 3 Flute Michael Sugden (Year 10) - Grade 4 Saxophone - Thomas Crook (Year 8) - Grade 5 Music Theory Merit James Hardacre (Year 8) - Grade 6 Trombone David Sugden (Year 8) - Grade 2 Trombone - Merit Scarlett Hatchwell (Year 9) - Grade 1 Drumming - Mr S Goodwin, Director of Music Merit Performance Sara Hill (Year 9) - Grade 5 - Singing - Distinction

SPORT REPORT This year has started extremely positively with The boys had qualified after finishing 4th in the many Woking High teams and individuals enjoying Freestyle Relay and 3rd in the Medley Relay in considerable success at District, County and the Surrey/Kent County Championships at Trinity National level. School, Croydon. Our Year 11 Boys team of Ben Haskell, Olly Weedon, Marcus Vlassak and Rob The Under 14 swimming team consisting of Hall had also done well in the gala winning both Year 7 Students Alex Zalaf and Ewan Smith and their heats in the Freestyle and Medley Relay but Year 8 students Fraser Tattersdill and Edward finishing fifth and fourth respectively overall. Lee competed in the National Swimming Relay Championships in Southampton. Out of on At the District Cross Country the School had a hundred and eighty schools who entered, the lot to live up to after winning three of the eight boys qualified for the finals event with the other age groups last year. The Cross Country was fifteen fastest schools in the Country for the 4 x incredibly well attended and there were thirteen 50m Freestyle Relay. Although slowest qualifiers Schools competing, meaning there were over on paper for the finals the boys put in a sterling seventy students in each event. Woking High performance and beat their qualifying time by was again the dominant force matching last year’s a whopping three seconds to gain 14th place effort and winning three age groups. Please in the Country. What is even more impressive see team results and selected individual results about their performance is that all of the boys overleaf: have at least one more year left in this age group. 15 Sport Report

Team Results: Hall posted the fastest run of the day out of all four hundred competitors involved. The Year 9 Girls team surprised Year 7 Girls 4th all including themselves by finishing second. The team Year 7 Boys 1st consisted of Tess Weedon who was 3rd, Valli McAdam 5th, Year 8 Girls 7th Jenny Kirk 7th and Holly Barnes 10th. A number of other Year 8 Boys 2nd students competed and performed extremely well, showing Year 9 Girls 3rd promise for the future, with the majority of them setting Year 9 Boys 4th personal best performances in both the swim and the run. Year 10/11 Girls 1st Year 10/11 Boys 1st The Girls Basketball has got off to an excellent start with all five teams currently unbeaten. Last year’s National quarter Selected Individuals: finalists, the Year 11’s, have recorded three resounding victories thrashing George Abbot, Winston Churchill and Matilda Rainsborough Year 10/11 1st BDB by a score line of 84 – 0! Led by London and South Megan Brooke Year 10/11 2nd East player Misha Blair the team are determined to make Josh Bowden Year 10/11 2nd it into the National Final Fours Weekend in May 2012. Rob Hall Year 10/11 3rd The Year 10 team have won two games beating Winston Stuart Wilkin Year 9 3rd Churchill and George Abbot with Charlie Mason leading the Ewan Smith Year 7 5th way. The Year 9 Team with comfortable wins over George Robert Green Year 8 5th Abbot 48 – 12 and Winston Churchill 58 - 6 look to have Jacob Rainier Year 10/11 6th their sights set on winning District and County honours. In Jack Jeffery Year 10/11 7th the Year 9 team Chloe Last, Chloe Alexis and Holly Barnes Kaitlin Howard Year 10/11 7th have been instrumental in the success of the team. The Ciara Brophy Year 7 7th Year 7 and 8 Girls Basketball District competitions are being Matthew Horler Year 7 8th decided by the results over three tournaments. In the first Fraser Tattersdill Year 8 9th of these tournaments both Year 7 and 8 teams won. Year 7 Alex Zalaf Year 7 10th won all their games on route to the final where they narrowly Alice Newton Year 10/11 10th defeated George Abbot 6 - 4. It was an outstanding team performance and there were some excellent individual Also in Cross Country the Inter Boys Team (Year 9/10) was performances, notably from: Ciara Brophy, Phoebe Grant, the only team this year to progress onto the London and Tilly Russell and Anisha Hill. The Year 8 Team won 6 - 2 South East finals following the opening round matches in the final against Winston Churchill. The team consisted which consisted of all Schools from Hampshire and Schools of Becky Davies, Jessica Atkinson, Amelia Riley, Ellen from North West Surrey and Guildford. At the London and Steinbach and Atifah Abdullahi. South East finals the boys gave their all but finished in 7th place overall. The team consisted of Jack Jeffery, Addison In Boys Basketball the Year 10 and 11’s suffered Bray, Sam King, Stuart Wilkin, Daniel Johnson and Josh disappointing losses to Tiffin Boys School in the County Bowden. Special mention should go to Josh who finished Cup losing narrowly on both occasions. However in the third individually and was beaten by two National runners. District Leagues the Year 9, 10 and 11 teams have swept all before them. The Year 9 team have recorded four At the Surrey Schools Biathlon at the K2 Sports complex in wins against Salesian 49 – 31, Winston Churchill 39 – 22, Crawley, the School did incredibly well both in the team and SJB 41 -22 and BDB 67 – 11. Harry Wood has been individual competitions. Individually the Year 8 boys, Fraser outstanding and ably supported by Ben Rashbrook, Harris Tattersdill and Edward Lee, blew the opposition out of the Porter, Josh Evans and Reuben Bowler. The Year 10 team water. Fraser finished first overall after winning the run and have won both District games to date beating Salesian by coming second behind Edward in the swim. Edward had an incredible scoreline of 94 – 20 and BDB 35 – 12. The earlier come third in the run which placed him in second Year 11 team has beaten Winston Churchill 57 – 20, BDB place overall. The Year 11 Boys Team won the Surrey title 68 – 9 and Salesians 79 – 11. All squad members have for the fifth year in a row which is a fantastic achievement. played their part in the team’s success. Like the girls, the The team consisted of Olly Weedon who was 2nd, Rob Year 7 and 8 Boys Basketball District competitions are Hall 3rd, Marcus Vlassak 4th and Jacob Rainier 7th. Rob 16 Under 14 Boys National Swimming Relay Finalists Yr 9 Girls Biathlon Team Second Place in Surrey being decided by the results over three tournaments. received coaching and a Q and A session with several The Year 8’s were exceptional reaching the final and current England Women’s International team players. narrowly losing to Winston Churchill in the final 8 – 6. They then went onto Esher RFC to watch the England The Year 7’s finished joint third, they showed some Women’s team defeat the then World Champions early promise but were let down by some erratic New, Zealand, 21 - 7. shooting. In Netball there have been some mixed results, with In Boys Rugby there have been some excellent team the Year 8 and Year 11 teams the most successful. performances. The Year 11 team soundly defeated The Year 11’s are currently unbeaten in the League but Winston Churchill 57 – 0 and finished third in the suffered a shock loss when they finished third in the District Tournament narrowly losing to Gordons. Aaran District tournament; however the girls were missing Mawson, Sam Swingler, Eddie Young and Declan several key members including star shooter Natalie Jinman have been pivotal in the team’s success. The Wood. The Year 8’s have had a really pleasing start Year 10’s have had a difficult start to the season with with four wins out of five. The only defeat coming by a many injuries to key players. This made it tough to live single goal against Collingwood. Captain and Centre up to the expectations brought about by last year’s Amelia Riley has led the team really well and the success in reaching the Surrey State Schools’ final. shooting from lead goal scorer Becky Davies has been A tight 10 - 5 victory away at All Hallows and the impressive. comprehensive destruction of Fullbrook and Winston The Girls Football teams have all had a very successful Churchill was followed by disappointing losses to start to their season. The girls have taken part in two Heathside and Weydon. Qualification for the cup tournaments this term and have performed very well looks unlikely, but losing so many to injury had a huge in both. The Year 8 footballers played excellently in impact. Sam King, Harry Neale, Josh Bowden and a local tournament at Gordon’s School. They beat James Holliss have been the stand out players. The SJB, Gordon’s and Winston Churchill in their group Year 7 team have been impressive this season having and had a fantastic 3-1 victory over SJB in the final. scored 96 points in two games without conceding a The Year 9 footballers also took part in a tournament single point themselves (39-0 vs. Winston Churchill & at Gordon’s School. They were unbeatable in their 57-0 vs. Fullbrook). Unfortunately they came unstuck pool but drew their final game against Tomlinscote, against Heathside, and after a brave performance which unfortunately put both us and Tomlinscote on went down 24-12. However, with a large selection the same points. Once the goals were all totted up of players and commitment to improvement, the Tomlinscote were crowned tournament champions on future looks good for this collective and they move goal difference. The girls were very disappointed but into the second half of the season ever confident. are confident that they will come back stronger and Oliver Gilbert, George Hawkins and Matthew Hill have more determined than ever to win. Our Year 10/11 impressed. Girls team had a 2-1 win over Gordon’s in a warm up In Girls Rugby there have been both team and match before their first Tournament in early December. individual successes. Two Year 10 girls, Natalie Wilson The Boys Football has had a quiet but successful and Samantha Halladay have represented Surrey at start to the year with each team playing relatively Under 15 level. The Year 9 team played in the Schools few fixtures. The Year 7, 8, 10 and 11 Teams are Festival at Dorking RFC where they won two and drew unbeaten. There will be a full report in the Easter one of their games. Notable performances came newsletter when the Cup and League competitions will from Chloe Alexis, Olivia Palmer, Jessica Edwards and be nearing their conclusion. Chloe Last. Following their success they attended a development session at Cobham RFC where they J Justice, Head of PE 17 Food Technology Free School Meals Online Payment System Friends of WHS Sainsbury’s Vouchers

Food Technology Room T6

The Woking High School food technology room is in carried out over the summer. The result has been use for practical lessons twenty three out of twenty very pleasing. Additional cooking facilities have been five periods per week and by the beginning of 2011 provided and the “clutter” of storage at the front of the it was being to look rather shabby and run down. room replaced with a “teaching wall”. Everyone agrees Following the Technology college redesignation in that the duck egg blue colour scheme was an excellent 2010 sponsors had pledged £13,000 which was cooling and calming choice. unfortunately not match funded as previously promised Many thanks to the Friends of Woking High, Proctor and by the Government. However it was felt important to Gamble and generous parents for their support of the acknowledge the redesignation and funding from within project. the school budget was identified and a refurbishment project launched. Staff and students were consulted K. Collins, Business Manager and their ideas incorporated into the works which were

Woking High School - Online Payment System

We are delighted to have launched our online payment If you haven’t yet registered, please do so as we are system during the Autumn Term. This system allows sure you will find the service useful. you to make payments to school using the Internet. If you need help using the Internet Payments system Parents/carers were informed via letter and many there is a User Guide on our school website at the have already registered to use the service. It is easy following address: www.wokinghigh.surrey.sch.uk to use and a great way to find out if your child has successfully gained a place on a visit. All payments Please contact the school if you have mislaid your letter made online and in school can be viewed on your or require any further information. child’s account. It also allows you to budget more carefully as the payments are immediate. K Collins, Business Manager

18 Free School Meals Did you know that as well as paninis, salad bar, jacket potatos, pizzas and whole range of home baked breads cakes and biscuits, your child can eat a two course cooked lunch for just £2.05 at the school lunchtimes. You can also “top up” the account either restaurant? on line or at the cash revaluers in school. Additionally if your family in receipt of any of the But did you also know that the school receives following: “Pupil Premium” funding in relation to the number Child Tax Credit with an annual household income of its students in receipt of free school meals? So in below the current annual threshold claiming this benefit everyone gains!

Income Support Application forms can be downloaded from the Income Based Job Seekers Allowance school web site or by contacting Mrs Harman, in the Asylum Seeker administration office, who will post a pack out to you. Guaranteed Pension Credit Please hurry; government funding is based on the number of claimants on the school Income Related Employment Support Allowance census day, 19 January 2012. your son or daughter will be eligible for free school £ meals. The system is very simple. A credit of £2.05 K Collins, Business Manager is uploaded onto your child’s restaurant account each morning for them to purchase food at break and

charities commission. If you feel this is something that might interest you, full training will be given and again the time commitments are not too onerous. Friends of WHS For further details on this (no strings attached) please e-mail [email protected] or feel free The Friends of Woking High continue to play a to chat on 01483 474093. valuable role to the direct benefit of the school and all of its students. We would love to see any new Julie Barker, Vice Chairman, FoWHS parents or carers who feel they might be able to give up a very small amount of time to join us. This is NOT a big time commitment; we get together around 4 times a year to catch up on events, donations, Sainsbury’s Voucher the Prize Club and many other interesting topics. During our meeting in September we were delighted Collection to be given a tour of the newly refurbished Food A big thank you from the Food Technology Technology Suite! department for collecting Sainsbury’s vouchers. We would love to invite any parent or carer who may We were able to claim many pieces of new be interested in the work of the Friends, to join us for equipment to coincide with the refurbishment over a lunch-time buffet on 21 March 2012 at 12.30pm in the summer holidays. Students now benefit from the school, during which you will get a chance to tour new chopping boards, new baking trays, saucepans, the school and view for yourself how the funds are scales and many other new items to help support used to the benefit of the students. Our next Prize their Food Technology lessons. Club draw will also be made at this get together. Further details will follow. Our search also continues Please help us with collecting vouchers for the 2012 for the role of treasurer, this duty involves maintaining scheme. the financial records, submitting an annual gift aid reclaim to HMRC and filing statutory returns with M Abbs-Rowe, Director of Technology 19 Prize Club Update Term Dates

Prize Club Update

Thank you for everyone who has already joined the Prize Club Lottery, our members are growing all the time, you can join at any time and subscriptions are £5 per month collected termly. This is an exciting opportunity to enter a cash prize lottery which directly benefits the school. An application form can be found on the website under “communities” then “Friends of Woking High” or if you prefer please e-mail me at carl.barker30@ ntlworld.com or Carol Rothwell at [email protected] so we can pop one in the post for you.

Our AGM, on 1 December, saw our draw take place with the following winners: 1st Prize - Mr & Mrs Best £52.00 2nd Prize - Mrs Grant £36.40 3rd Prize - Mrs Anderson £15.60

The Prize Club so far has raised £1,627.00 including gift aid donations, please consider taking part as more members equals bigger prizes and greater benefits for Woking High Students. Julie Barker, Vice Chairman, FoWHS

TERM DATES

Spring Wednesday 4 January – Friday 30 March 2012 Half Term 13 February – 17 February 2012 inclusive Summer Monday 16 April – Friday 20 July 2012 Half Term 4 June – 8 June 2012 inclusive INSET Days Friday 20 January 2012 Monday 25 June 2012 Public Holiday Monday 7 May 2012

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