High School

Principal’s Letter

At the beginning of every academic year module and having moderated their work, we celebrate the examination success’ many of them have clearly reached very high of our Year 11 students (and of course standards. Mr Booth has prepared a very those in other years) and then refocus on useful booklet giving guidance to students the preparation of current examination and parents regarding the requirements of cohorts. This is our practice each year the Expressive Arts GCSE. This is available but in 2012/2013 , via the website at www.wokinghigh. and all other secondary schools, have also .sch.uk and can also be obtained in been active in seeking redress for those hardcopy on request. students who were so poorly treated in the GCSE English grade boundary debacle For the fourth time in succession, Woking last August. This issue dominated the High School has been judged to have met examination news in the summer and the criteria for the International Schools continues to be a key concern as the Award – ISA. This means we have now had autumn term draws to a close. As I write ISA status for 10 years. The comments of students, now in Year 12, who re-sat the British Council were very pleasing: their GCSE English exam in November ‘Very good feedback from Ofsted are expecting results. Let us hope that, inspection (March 2012). Also good strong for all those students, the outcomes are links with local primary schools. Some significantly more accurate and fair this time good collaborative work with the Zambian than they were four months ago. twinned school’. Our current Year 11 are demonstrating very Being an International School is one positive attitudes to their work. This has important element of our school’s provision. been manifest through lesson observations, The visit to Zambia in July 2012 was highly maths peer mentoring, attending revision successful with all students showing real classes, completing controlled assessments leadership qualities during their coaching and preparing for GCSE examination papers sessions in the local schools. They in November and mocks in December. conducted themselves professionally and Keep up the hard work Year 11! maturely and were a real pleasure to spend It is not just Year 11 students who are time with. The students worked in three preparing for exams. Year 9 have worked diligently on their first Expressive Arts

TECHNOLOGY Winter 2012 Newsletter COLLEGES Principal’s Letter Area Maths Challenge Governors’ News

schools; ZOCS (Zambian Open Community School), music/drama practice rooms. Fencing has been replaced Munkolo and Joseph Linda and it is hoped that Woking around the school grounds and a large area of uneven High School can continue to link with these schools. In paving has been re-laid and/or replaced with tarmac. addition, links were formed with Baobab College, where These improvements are part of our ongoing ‘Buildings the students stayed. Woking High School is in the early for Learning’ Plan – and are noticed and appreciated by stages of planning for a return visit in 2014. (Please students, staff and visitors alike. see Mr Costard’s detailed article in this newsletter). In late September, we welcomed German exchange As always we are looking forward to the traditional visitors to Woking High School. Thirteen students and Christmas celebrations that take place at this time of two staff from Hauptschule im Ried our link school year. We have already enjoyed listening to the Windband from the village of Wintersdorf near Rastatt, Germany, and Choir performance at the switching on of the visited the school and Woking, and took time to visit Christmas lights ceremony at Centre on 15 London too. We have also welcomed students from November and at the opening of the Christmas Mey Sen in Japan. This is something we do Tree Festival on 30 November. We are now looking every October and we are proud to provide a number forward to the combined Horsell schools Carol Concert of Japanese students with the enriching opportunity of on Monday 15 December at 7 p.m. and the Woking experiencing life in an English school. Following their visit High School Christmas Concert ‘Winter Wonderland’ this year, the staff at Mey Sen presented Mrs Kyriacou on Wednesday 19 December at 7 p.m. in the School and me with a trophy commemorating our ten years Hall. Students and staff are already purchasing tickets of linked status. Earlier this month we hosted twenty and reserving tables for our school Christmas lunch on Chinese Headteachers who came to study English 16 December and will hopefully contribute generously to learning and teaching methods. They thoroughly enjoyed our fundraising Christmas assemblies in the final week of their time at Woking High School and left with many new term. ideas and strategies. Woking High School finish term on Friday 21 December At Woking High School we are extremely fortunate to at 12 noon and begin the Spring term on Monday 7 benefit from excellent services and committed staff in our January 2013 at 8.55 a.m. Business Administration and Site Teams. We endeavour Everyone at Woking High School sends their best wishes to keep our school; (a 1970s build) our classrooms, to every member of the Woking High School family and corridors and buildings in the best condition possible community for a joyful and peaceful Christmas-tide and and take every opportunity to extend and improve our I send my thanks, on behalf of all at the school, for your facilities. This summer we were able to further remodel continued support of, engagement in, and contributions the English block to create our new Transitions Room to our successful and happy school life. and the opportunity was taken to create a Pastoral Hub and new Medical Room on the Administration Corridor. Jane Abbott, Principal The displaced Finance team were accommodated in the old music practice rooms and the final piece in the jigsaw was completed during half term when a “Jack leg Cabin” was lifted into the space between the music practice hut and the Music room M1. The cabin provides two

2 Governors’ News I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Roy David Buchanan - Parent Governor and Vice Chair Wernham for leading the Governing Body over the Joanna Danton - Parent Governor last five years. As Chair, Dr Wernham focused on Marina Dieck - Parent Governor supporting the Senior Leadership Team and the Michael Hipkins - Associate Governor Governing Body to achieve a successful Ofsted Kathryn Hitchings - Associate Governor inspection earlier this year. It should be noted, Nicola McLean - Parent Governor that Dr Wernham’s commitment to the school has By way of introduction, I have been involved with extended far beyond the last five years and we are school as a parent and as a governor since 2003. grateful for all his work. Dr Wernham has dedicated My wife and I recognise the excellent foundation an extensive amount of time and energy in building both our sons gained at the school, and I am links between the school and the local community. therefore keen to provide strategic support to the Naturally, I have requested his continued support school and build on its success. We face a changing in maintaining these links and he has kindly agreed landscape in education, with new ‘initiatives’ coming to remain on the Governing Body of Woking High down the line on a daily basis. My aim is to support School. the school and the Senior Leadership Team in I’d also like to take this time to extend a warm handling and managing the potential impact of these welcome to new and re-elected governors: changes. I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and serving the school in the coming year. Becoming a School Governor We have a parent governor vacancy in January 2013. Our clerk is issuing a notice of the Governor vacancy by letter enclosed with this newsletter. If there is more than one interested parent for the vacant position, an election will be arranged. Zamir Tehal, Chair of the Governing Body

Area Maths Challenge

On Wednesday 17 October, twelve students took part in a Maths Challenge hosted by Sir William Perkins School in Chertsey. Five schools were Year 10: Josie MacCall, Nathan Leeming present including St George’s College, Magna Carta and Ben Cheetham and Salesian. The teams were made up of three Year 9: Isabel Aughterson, Jonathan Bell students from each year group 7-10. The challenge and Andrew Lumb consisted of four rounds of problem solving, code breaking, plans and elevations and calculating areas. Year 8: Bhavika Hotchandani, Ryan Ingham Congratulations go to the Year 9 team who came first and Daniel Cheetham in their group and, when all the points from each year Year 7: Naomi Jaenicke, Abdullah Ahmad group were combined, we were thrilled to learn we and Ben Payne had come second overall. Well done to the following students: P Dixon, Maths 3 English ICT McLaren Challenge Science Club

Science Club This academic year has quite literally started with a ‘bang’ at the school’s weekly Science Club. From freezing cold liquid nitrogen to red hot flames, hair-raising experiences with the Van de Graaff generator, homemade volcanic eruptions to screaming Jelly Babies. The Science lab is the most exciting place to be on Wednesdays after school.

Run by Miss Radford and Miss Bujok, the Science Club offers students the chance to try out various exciting and the science that they experience in the classroom. Each unique science related activities that extend and enhance week Science Club is different, as the club program reflects the interests of the students that attend. Increasing in popularity, the numbers of Science Club followers have rocketed and we hope to attract even more young, aspiring scientists in the New Year.

The club runs from 3:45pm until 4:30pm, and everyone is welcome. So whether you are passionate about science, wanting to learn a little more about the subject, or just looking for some fun, fire and fascination, grab your safety goggles and head to S2 on a Wednesday after school. H Bujok, Science

As part of the challenge the team were given a tour of the McLaren Challenge McLaren centre, talking to designers and looking at their past range of cars. On Monday 12 November, Andrew Lumb, Aidan Gale, Thomas Crook, Michael Harding and James Hardacre, the C Stevens, Design and Technology school’s winning team, took part in the McLaren Challenge. This challenge asks for local schools to build and race a self powered car to carry an egg across a ten metre distance in the shortest amount of time.

After a tough competition the Woking High School team came third. Although the car did not produce its best time, we completed the distance, the egg stayed in place and it didn’t break down. “We are very happy with the result but we intend to do better next year”.

4 ICT - P Mod Club

Several Year 10 students, after seeing a number of From preliminary investigations and testing, it looks as obsolete computers being scrapped, set themselves if they are going to succeed. a challenge to see if they could find different components from the scrapped computer parts and A Tuson, Head of ICT build them into new computers.

Part of the challenge and fun was to modify and “enhance” the cases. As a result, since September of this year, we have had a flurry of activity at the back of one of the ICT suites which has involved drills, pop rivets, sandpaper, screwdrivers and plenty of debris, making that section of the class look like a computer graveyard. However, we are assured that they are well on the way to unbundling, modifying and salvaging enough kit to make at least two new and seriously modified computers.

English - Touching the Void

Year 9 students, who had been studying Touching challenging climbs. Not only did students have their the Void by Joe Simpson, tested out their own rock physical agility tested but the brilliant instructors climbing skills at Craggy Island in Guildford. The quizzed them on their knowledge of the book too and non-fiction account of Joe Simpson’s inspiring climb promoted debates about whether they would have and survival, after falling down an icy crevasse, had cut the rope! students gripped from the start. Their engagement R Porcheret, English with the text was extended with a practical experience, which allowed their understanding of the technical terms used in the book to be developed.

Students in teams of four or five worked together, supporting and encouraging their classmates on their tricky ascent. All students showed incredible teamwork and it became apparent fairly soon that one or two were regulars at the indoor rock climbing centre, showing particular expertise when tackling

5 Primary School Language Initiative Carol Ann Duffy - Poet Laureate History Visit to Berlin

Carol Ann Duffy - Poet Laureate

On a wild and windy night back in mid-October, a group of Year 11 students accompanied by Mrs Abbott and Mr Cooper were privileged to hear the UK’s Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, read and discuss a selection of her poetry at . Duffy is perhaps most famous for her collection of dramatic The author of ‘Quickdraw’ and ‘Hour’ from the GCSE monologues ‘The World’s Wife’, but has written poetry on poetry anthology had kindly agreed to spend an evening in a very wide variety of topics, including David Beckham’s Woking before attending a function in London the following foot! In her role as Poet Laureate, Duffy writes poems day. She gave a selection of readings from three volumes about events of national importance. As well as writing of her poetry and talked about her life and what influenced a poem dedicated to last year’s Royal wedding and this her to write poetry. It was fascinating to hear such a year’s Olympic Games, in June she compiled a collection celebrated and well-loved poet read her own poems, of 60 poems marking 60 years of the Queen’s reign for her and she made everyone laugh with her rendition of the Jubilee year. This multimedia project, named ‘60 years in short and witty ‘Mrs Darwin’ below (it’s even funnier if you 60 poems’ may be found online at http://thespace.org/ remember the Darwin hypothesis): content/s00007p8/basic.html and features recordings of poems inspired by events from the past seven decades, 7 April 1852 accompanied by pictures and archive video from each year. Went to the Zoo. I said to Him – Something about that Chimpanzee over On a more serious note, Duffy’s most recent work to be there reminds me of you. published concerned the Hillsborough tragedy:

Mrs Darwin appeared in the anthology “World’s Wife” and The Cathedral bell, tolled, could never tell; is printed here by kind permission of the arthor’s agent, nor the Liver Birds, mute in their stone spell; Roger’s, Callridge and White litracy agency. or the Mersey, though seagulls wailed, cursed, overhead, in no language for the slandered dead... For someone with such a grand title as ‘Poet Laureate’ not the raw, red throat of the Kop, keening, before her name, Carol Ann Duffy proved to be very or the cops’ words, censored of meaning; personable and approachable. She signed her way not the clock, slow handclapping the coroner’s deadline, tirelessly through dozens of volumes of her poetry and or the memo to Thatcher, or the tabloid headline... made time for everyone who went to chat to her, both at but fathers told of their daughters; the names of sons the reception before the reading and at the informal book- on the lips of their mothers like prayers; lost ones signing afterwards. Mrs Abbott was delighted to have the honoured for bitter years by orphan, cousin, wife - opportunity to meet one of her favourite poets, and had not a matter of football, but of life. come prepared with two volumes of poetry to be signed, Over this great city, light after long dark; while Mr Cooper had a copy of Duffy’s short story ‘Mrs truth, the sweet silver song of the lark. Scrooge’ dedicated to his partner. Head Girl Helen Tinlin, Our thanks go to Mrs Turner and the students at Fullbrook Lauren Wakeling, Lydia Girdler and Natalie Wilson also School for inviting us to a memorable evening. took the opportunity to chat with Ms Duffy at the end of the evening. R Cooper, English

6 Primary School Language Initiative

For the past term Miss Kopacka has been running with prizes! In January some Year 9 students will a French Club at Horsell Junior School. Previously, have the opportunity to go to the primary school and she has taught languages to primary school experience teaching French to Year 5 and Year 6 students and is aware that children greatly benefit students. It will be a great opportunity for them to get from being introduced to a second language at a feel for different techniques in teaching and learning a young age, when they are already developing foreign languages. linguistic abilities. The French Club is an excellent opportunity for children to be introduced to French R Webster, Head of Modern Foreign in an interesting, useful and fun way and in a relaxed Languages and social environment. The children sing songs, play games, practise speaking and writing and learn about French culture. There are lots of competitions

was an opportunity for reflection. We History visited Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and Visit to Berlin were shown around the Topography of Terror: a History is the study of the past, but it became the museum dedicated to present and the future for the forty-one students who explaining the misdeeds went to Berlin this November. The visit helped us to of the Gestapo, SS understand what we had learned about in classrooms and many ‘ordinary and also taught us a lesson in humanity. Germans’. These two places showed us the “It stopped being something you learned about from true horrors that went on in Germany during World textbooks; it came alive and started to become War Two and helped us understand why people acted something that actually happened.” Jack Fairey the way they did. During the visit we saw many iconic structures: the We saw many plaques and memorials Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, Goering’s Air commemorating the murder of innocents. We were Ministry Building and the Berlin Wall. Each structure encouraged to speak our feelings about these, held dark secrets; we discovered how Nazi history especially the new and controversial Memorial to the is inextricably entwined with modern-day Germany. Murdered Jews of Europe. There are so many reminders of conflict in Berlin that it wasn’t difficult to empathise with the ordinary “I found the Holocaust memorial particularly moving: people who had been caught up in a world war and a the artists had left it so open to interpretation that cold war. it allowed those who had witnessed the atrocities themselves to come to their own conclusions about “Something that I never grasped in class was the how it should be remembered.” Declan Barker scale and reality: pictures from text books just can’t grasp that. Actually being there, next to these sites The visit to Berlin was incredibly useful; it gave us a that we had learned so much about, really hit me. people-based perspective to the cold facts given in We were there, surrounded by real history” Bertie textbooks. It led to inspired Controlled Assessment Woodward-Rowe responses and prompted animated discussions. In short, the experience is invaluable. While our visit to Germany was extremely informative thanks to our fantastic guide with his detailed answers Elizabeth Eyers, History Department to our many questions, our excursion to Berlin Foreign Correspondent 7 History Visit to Hastings Woking Music Festival ‘Bravissimo’ Music Tour to Italy

History Visit to Hastings

On the 21 October the enthusiastic Year 7s arrived at school in anticipation of their first Day 11, to visit Hastings and the famous battlefield. The sun shone as we approached Senlac Hill. Students firstly took on the role of Anglo-Saxons surveying the Norman army below. Roles were then reversed as they walked further around the battlefield. It became obvious here just how steep the hill was, this was emphasized when students re-enacted a Norman charge on the Saxons. Tired and weary after a stop in the gift shop we boarded the bus home. P Browne, History

Music Update Instant Success at Woking Music Festival

For the first time ever for Woking High School, it was Singing two contrasting items, they went on to win “The decided that the time was right to enter our School Choir, Thompson Cup” with an overall Commended grade (a Vocalise and their smaller counterpart, the Chamber Choir convincing performance technically and artistically). Later into the well establish competition, the Woking Music in the evening, all twenty three members of Vocalise, our Festival. The annual competition is a celebration of the aptly named school choir, performed two numbers to win musical and literary vitality of Woking and the surrounding the “The Page Cup” with distinction, in the Schools’ Choirs area. The Festival welcomes people, of all ages and Under 17 years category. The performance of a South abilities, who can derive and give pleasure in participating, African piece called Shosholoza brought the house down whatever their performing standard. Founded in 1926, with its energy and vitality. The Adjudicator, Julia Dewhurst the Festival is now one of the largest of its kind in Surrey gave us another glowing report with suggestions for with more than two thousand people taking part each year. improvement which we will take on board, as we intend to Respected teachers and performers act as adjudicators, enter again next year. giving valuable advice and guidance to all participants. We were all naturally delighted to have done so well. The Singing at Woking High has improved dramatically since audience’s reaction to our performances was inspiring and the formation of the choir four years ago and so on our the students were very excited to win the two cups which arrival back to school in September, we began a series of will be displayed within a newly purchased trophy cabinet. rehearsals in preparation for the competition in November. Only one week earlier, at the United Reformed Church, On Tuesday 13 November at the HG Wells Centre, to a Woking High School also won the Chamber Ensemble packed hall or parents, supporters, school governors and – Under 17 years, with their Brass Ensemble taking other competing choirs, twenty three choir members of 1st place, closely followed by a 2nd placed Woodwind Woking High School (aged 11-16) sang their hearts out. Ensemble. The Adjudicator, Philip White awarded both Entering two different choral categories, first up were the ensembles a grading of Commended. All students worked twelve members of the Chamber Choir (15 years and over).

8 hard at rehearsals and were totally professional in their Feet” from Handel’s Messiah and then came 2nd presentation and performance. It was a just reward with distinction in the Boys and Girls Under 16 years to see them do so well in the competition. Thank you singing “Vaga Luna Che Inargenti” by Vincenzo Bellini. to all parents who continue to support and encourage Year 9 student James Hardacre performed “Tenor music at Woking High School. Trombone Rag” by Newsome and was awarded a 1st place certificate. As well as ensemble entries, two students entered as soloists, hoping to win the title of Woking Young S Goodwin, Director of Music Performance Musician of the Year. At the United Reformed Church, Year 10 student, Sara Hill won the Chorister Under 16 years section singing “How beautiful are the

‘Bravissimo’ Music Tour to Italy 15 - 22 July 2012 With a packed coach, forty six excited tour personnel I have had the pleasure to conduct during the last plus two drivers set off for the eastern shore of Lake five concert tours. Mrs Selmes and Mrs King joined Garda in Italy. It was an uneventful journey but, en the local audiences, at times in tears, overcome by route, twins Elizabeth and Anna Kozlowska managed the emotional performances of our students, playing to celebrate their thirteenth birthday in style aboard and singing to the best of their abilities whilst Henry our ferry at Calais, as they blew out candles on their Calver and Thomas Edwards, (under the guidance cake. Everyone loved the fabulous views of Lake of Mr Booth) kept control of our high quality sound Garda from our hotel, which was situated high up system. Every concert attracted large audiences and in the picturesque mountain village of San Zeno di with each venue, we had to adapt to the location, size Montagna. To add to the excitement, the girls found and position of the performance area. Team work was out that we would be sharing our residence with AC superb and, with everyone busy, we managed to set Chievo Verona, a top flight Italian football team in up on and around staging quickly, allowing time for a training. Our first full day in Italy was met with sun, thorough tune up and short rehearsal. but a morning’s music rehearsal was in order to Each concert lasted ninety minutes and commenced prepare us for our three scheduled concerts. at 9 pm. There were some particularly outstanding During the our five days in resort, we witnessed the individual performances throughout the week. Sophie beautiful scenery of the Garda area via a cable car Russell and Tara Shankla sang Lloyd Webber’s `Pie journey up a spectacular mountain and swam in the Jesus’ beautifully and literally reduced the audience warm waters of the lake. A visit to the theme park to tears. The trombone section, comprising James Gardaland was a great day out for those who didn’t Hardacre, Andrew Lumb and Alex McLean received mind queuing for ridiculously fast rides. The last much applause for their rendition of the novelty item day’s excursion to Verona was a more sedate and `Lassus Trombones’. This trio of, now Year 9, boys relaxed sightseeing visit where we viewed the graffiti improved so much during Year 8 and the audience surrounding the entrance to Shakespeare’s `Juliet’s were fascinated as the trombones walked in and Balcony’ and, built in AD 30, the Roman amphitheatre around them, trombone slides moving in perfect `Arena Di Verona’, now an international concert venue synchronisation with over exaggerated glissandos! which was staging Verdi’s opera `Aida’. Catherine Campbell and Kirsten McLean have shared the role of Principal Clarinet for the last two years, Needless to say, we all enjoyed some leisure time and and they therefore both had the opportunity to ate great pizza, pasta and copious amounts of ice perform John William’s emotive theme tune to the film cream. However, the concerts performed over three `Schindler’s List’. This piece is extremely difficult and consecutive evenings, were without doubt the best technical for the soloist, but both renditions were well 9 Examination Success in Music Performance National Swimming Success

controlled and extremely moving. At our last concert, band Our agent then informed us that many English bands and members had tears in their eyes and the Year 11 girls, ensembles had performed in this town over the years realising that this was their last ever performance, were all (Bromley Concert Band just three nights previously). sobbing at the end. Woking High School had apparently just performed the best concert the town had ever heard! To make our success even more special for everyone, two events happened which are worth a mention. At the Sincere thanks must go to Paul Thomas, Principal Tuba conclusion of our second concert at our mountainside of the Band of the Royal Logistic Corps who was on his town of San Zeno, the Mayor appeared and asked for the second tour with us. His son Joseph, a Year 8 student at microphone. They had closed off all roads to the town the Duke of York’s Royal Military School, based in Dover, and chairs had been laid out in the road, facing our stage Kent, accompanied his father and proved to be a real asset which had a mountain backdrop. The atmosphere was to the musical ensemble. All of the students should be electric as the Mayor thanked us all and then presented immensely proud of what they achieved over the last year me with a signed book about the history of their wonderful but particularly how they all performed, acted and behaved town. The elderly womenfolk of San Zeno shuffled like the semi-professional musicians that they are. The forwards to congratulate us with tears in their eyes, and seven Year 11 students, who attended their last tour, will Thomas Edwards even received kisses. Whilst the book no doubt reflect on their five years of music performance is in Italian and I will struggle to read it, the thought behind at Woking High School. Hopefully they will continue to the presentation and the kind comments (translated for me develop their instrumental skills at college and university via by our tour agent), made us all feel very proud. A second the extra curricular ensembles open to them and, above presentation was made at the end of our final concert in all, enjoy their music making. Grazie tanto! (Thank you very the picture postcard location of Torri Del Benaco. A town much) for a memorable and successful tour, and I leave official thanked us all profusely and then handed over a you with a final cheer from our appreciative audiences. banner and historical book as a memento of our visit. `Bravissimo!’ S Goodwin, Director of Music Performance

10 Examination Success in Music Performance

Over the summer, students received results for practical Joseph Gannon - Piano - Grade 2 - Pass examinations taken during June and July. The following Georgina Gray - Flute - Grade 4 - Pass students (placed in alphabetical order) all passed, on James Hardacre - Trombone - Grade 7 - Distinction various instruments or through dance for the Associated Michael Harding - Keyboard - Grade 3 - Pass Board of The Royal School of Music, Trinity College or Rock School. Students were also successful in written Rhian Harrison - Guitar - Grade 3 - Distinction Music Theory papers. Graded examinations range from Scarlett Hatchwell - Drum Kit - Grade 2 - Merit 1 – 8. Congratulations to all students for achieving such Sara Hill - Singing - Grade 7 - Distinction excellent passes and many thanks to the instrumental Matthew Hill - Trumpet - Grade 5 - Distinction peripatetic and private music teachers for successfully Elizabeth Kozlowska - Violin - Grade 5 - Merit preparing them for public examinations: Maya Keynes - Clarinet - Grade 2 - Pass Paul Best - Saxophone - Grade 6 - Merit Valli McAdam - Guitar - Grade 4 - Merit Elizabeth Campbell - Pianoforte - Grade 5 - Pass Heather McSkimming - Pianoforte - Grade 5 - Merit Elizabeth Campbell - Music Theory - Grade 5 - Merit Tara Shankla - Pianoforte - Grade 6 - Merit Daniel Cheetham - Flute - Grade 4 - Pass Michael Sugden - Alto Saxophone - Grade 5 - Merit Daniel Cheetham - Tap - Grade 4 - Distinction Jake Webb - Guitar - Grade 3 - Merit Lydia Ciccone - Flute - Grade 4 - Pass Thomas Crook - Flute - Grade 6 - Pass S Goodwin, Director of Music Performance Linus Fuge - Jazz Alto Saxophone - Grade 3 - Distinction

their Medley swim in the Freestyle event finishing 14th SPORT overall, but still a very creditable performance. The standard at Coventry was so high that representing National Swimming Plymouth College (the outstanding School) was Ruta Meilutyte from Lithuania, who had won Gold in the Success 100m Breaststroke at the London 2012 Olympics. For the boys to have the opportunity to compete The Under 14 Boys team of Fraser Tattersdill, Ewan alongside a current Olympic Gold medallist was a very Smith, Richard Sugden and Alex Zalaf qualified for special moment. the National Secondary School Relay Championships in Coventry. This was after coming second and third in the Medley and Freestyle Relay in the London and South East Divisional Round (involving all Surrey and Kent Schools) at Guildford Spectrum. From this earlier round the fastest sixteen school teams in the country are invited to compete in Coventry, there were over two hundred teams who had entered each event. We were ranked 13th for the Medley Relay and 15th for the Freestyle Relay. A superb swim in the heats of the Medley relay saw the boys qualify 5th fastest for the final. A slightly slower swim in the final, despite being in second place after the first leg saw the boys finish 6th. The boys struggled to repeat the heroics of Junior Boys National Swimming Finalists 11 Cross Country Boys Rugby Boys Basketball Surrey Schools Biathlon

Surrey Schools Biathlon

At the Surrey Schools Biathlon at the K2 Arena in Crawley, Woking High sent their biggest team ever with twenty two students competing. The Year 8 Boys team of Alex Zalaf, Ewan Smith and Robbie Faulkner continued their Year 8 Girls Surrey School Biathlon Champions impressive form, which saw them second in Britain last March, winning comfortably. Not to be outdone by the Selected Individual Results: boys the Year 8 Girls team of Kirsten Young, Tilly Russell and Phoebe Grant produced fantastic performances in Year 9 Boys Fraser Tattersdill First the pool to win the Year 8 Girls competition. Year 9 Fraser Year 8 Boys Alex Zalaf First Tattersdill dominated his age group winning both the run and swim. See Team / Individual results below: Year 8 Boys Ewan Smith Second Year 8 Girls Kirsten Young Second Team Results: Year 8 Girls Tilly Russell Third Year 8 Boys First Year 10/11 Boys Michael Sugden Fourth Year 8 Girls First Year 8 Boys Robbie Faulkner Sixth Year 10/11 Girls Third Year 9 Boys David Sugden Sixth Year 7 Boys Fourth

Cross Country

Having dominated the District Cross Country for the last few years it was disappointing not to record any team or individual victories. However many of the students involved performed superbly. There were twelve schools competing and over seventy athletes in each race.

Team Results:

Year 7 Boys Year 7 Girls Year 9 Boys Year 9 Girls 1st = Tomlinscote 1st = Sir William Perkins 1st = Gordons 1st = Gordons 2nd = Collingwood 2nd = Heathside 2nd = Woking High 2nd = Sir William Perkins 3rd = Woking High 3rd = Gordons 3rd = Tomlinscote 3rd = Heathside 7th = Woking High 8th = Woking High

Year 8 Boys Year 8 Girls Year 10/11 Boys Year 10/11 Girls 1st= Tomlinscote 1st = Collingwood 1st = Tomlinscote 1st = Tomlinscote 2nd = Salesians 2nd = Woking High 2nd = Collingwood 2nd = Woking High 3rd = Woking High 3rd = Gordons 3rd = Woking High 3rd = Fullbrook

12 Selected Individual Results:

2nd Josh Bowden Year 10/11 Boys 8th Kaitlin Howard Year 10/11 Girls

2nd Megan Brooke Year 10/11 Girls 8th Ryan Lees Year 7 Boys

5th Amber Ruddle Year 8 Girls 9th Alex Zalaf Year 8 Boys

5th Matthew Tolefree Year 9 Boys 9th Jack Jeffery Year 10/11 Boys

6th Fraser Tattersdill Year 9 Boys 9th Emily Robinson Year 7 Girls

Boys Basketball

The Boys Basketball teams could hardly have got off recorded a good win over Salesians and put in an to a better start. The Year 10 team who are current excellent performance in losing narrowly to District County Champions have won all seven games Champions, Winston Churchill. The Year 8 and Year 7 including some very tight games, most notably a Basketball teams have started superbly, both winning 62 – 58 win over Archbishop Lanfranc from Croydon the first of their three District Tournaments. The Year in the Surrey Cup. They have also recorded fine 7 team were so dominant on the day that the final wins against last year’s County Finalists Richard was contested between Woking High ‘A’ Team and Challoner 59 - 41 and All Hallows in the Nationals Woking High ‘B’ Team, with the ‘A’ Team emerging 58 – 13. A strong team ethic and discipline has been as comfortable victors. The Year 8 team was superb paramount to the boys’ success, with the starting in all of their games defeating last year’s District line-up changing nearly on a weekly basis. The Year Champions, SJB, in the final, the movement and 11 Boys have won both their games against Magna passing of the team was outstanding. Carta 48 – 43 in the County Cup and against Winston Churchill. The Year 9 Boys are knocked out of the County Cup after losing to Greenshaw, but have

Boys Rugby

The Year 7 team has made an unbeaten start Churchill, Collingwood and Fullbrook. We will have to to season, having won their league comfortably. see whether they qualify for the Cup competition after Highlights have included beating Winston 47-0 and Christmas. Standout players have been Oliver Gilbert, Gordons’ 22-17. Standout players have been Ryan Matthew Hill and Adam Porter, all of whom have been Lees, George Sutherland and Sam Davis. nominated to trial for the Surrey U13s.

The Year 8 team has progressed well from last year and has started the term with victories over Winston

13 County Honours Zambia Visit National and Regional Success Girls Rugby

Girls Rugby

Due to the depth of talent, Woking High entered two Results: teams for the Year 10 Rugby Club, 7-a-side A Team festival. Despite the wet and cold, the girls acquitted Won 20 – 10 Winston Churchill themselves very well, playing some excellent running rugby Won 25 – 5 SJB and producing some huge tackles on the opposition. Won 25 – 10 Woking High ‘B’ Notable performances were from Valli McAdam who was top try scorer with five tries, superb tackling from Jasmin B Team Griffin and great support play and running from Andrea Drew 10 – 10 SJB Barker. Special mention must also go to Rebecca Lynn, Won 15 – 5 Winston Churchill Tess Weedon, Isabel Meyler and Lilli Spires who all played Lost 25 – 10 Woking High ‘A’ their first game of rugby for the school! The ‘A’ Team were crowned overall winners with the ‘B’ Team coming 2nd.

Girls Football

The girls football teams have made a reasonable start to Woking High won last year. Unfortunately both teams had the year. The U13 Team had a 16-2 victory over Harris a slow start on the day; this resulted in the Year 7s finishing Academy, Morden in the First Round of the Surrey County 3rd and the Year 8/9 Team 5th. Our Year 10/11 side will Cup. The U16 Team beat Glenthorne 6-0 in their First play in their district tournament on the 4 December and Round Match. Both teams are waiting to play in the next with many talented players in both year groups, they are round and hoping to go far in their respective competitions. hopeful to come out on top. Closer to home, our Year 7 team and 8/9 team have participated in the local district tournaments, both of which

Individual Successes at National and Regional Level

At the National Baton Twirling Championships, Bethany Year 7 Joseph Jakubait won the Under 13 (Under 45kg) Barber was part of two winning teams and won two London and South East Weight Lifting Title after setting individual titles also recording six other top three positions. Personal Bests in both the ‘Snatch’ and the ‘Clean and This has led to selection to represent in the Jerk’ lifts. following events: X-strut, Banniers and the Twirling Corp.

14 County Honours

The students at School have been attending many Year 8 Amber Ruddle and Year 9 Millie Riley have County Trials and several have been selected for played for the Surrey Under 14 Satellite Netball Surrey County squads. They include: Squad.

Year 10 Andrea Barker, Lydia Ciccone and Alice In September, Year 11 Stephanie Hamill represented Gilbert as part of the Surrey Under 15 Girls Rugby Surrey at Golf, playing in the Alresford Cup. This Squad. The girls have played matches against Kent competition saw nine counties involved ( Surrey, and Hampshire. This is the second year that Andrea Hampshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Hertfordshire, has been part of the squad. Kent, Essex & Suffolk).

Year 10 Valli McAdam for Surrey Under 16 Girls Stephanie recorded the second best score for her Football and has played against Sussex and team which helped them finish third overall. Buckinghamshire. J Justice, Head of PE Year 8 Anisha Hill and Year 9 Becky Davies have played for Surrey Under 14 Girls Football against Buckinghamshire.

Zambia Visit July 2012

At the end of the summer term, 14 Year 11 students, accompanied by Mr Costard, Mr Brown and Mrs Abbott, embarked on an experience of a lifetime when they visited Zambia. They worked with the Tag Rugby Trust, a registered charity which exists to improve the lives of children in some of the poorest regions in the world. The Trust works with orphanages and Government schools, coaching tag rugby and provides a sustainable programme for ambassadors for Woking High School and the UK. both the children and teachers. Both Munkolo and Jospeh Linda schools had never After a couple of days of acclimatising, visiting a experienced tag rugby before and yet, due to the hard trinket market and watching a local rugby match at work and leadership by our students, the standard the lively Lusaka Rugby Club, the real work began. of rugby being played by the end of the week was The students spent five days coaching tag rugby. fantastic. On tournament day, friendships were set The group were split in two, with one group working aside as twelve teams from the three schools battled in Munkolo school and the other working with ZOCS it out to win one of three trophies. Each student (Zambian Open Community School) and Joseph was assigned to a team and to act as coach, whilst Linda. It was amazing to see our students interacting Eleanor Cudby and Hannah Watts were tournament with the local children and they were exemplary organisers.

15 Transition Group The Sensory Garden

After the week of coaching plus the frenetic tournament, it place and are beginning the long process of raising funds was a welcome relief to travel down to Livingstone to stay to support the visit. We hope to raise as much money as at the dubiously named ‘Fawlty Towers’ hostel. We visited possible so that we can provide equipment for the schools the magnificent Victoria Falls before heading on to the and refurbish classrooms. One of the defining moments Mosi-oa-Tunya Game Park, where we were lucky enough for all of us on the trip was when we visited a local school to see elephants, giraffe, zebra, baboons, as well as having and the headteacher explained that many families could a photo opportunity with a white rhino! The following not afford to send their children to the school even though evening we were able to reflect somewhat on our time in it cost just 65p a month; the headteacher and his staff Zambia as we watched the sun set on the mighty Zambezi were foregoing some of their wages so that children could river whilst observing hippo and crocodiles in their natural attend. habitat. Although visiting Victoria Falls and seeing all the Over the next eighteen months, there will be a number of wildlife was unforgettable, it will be the interaction with the fundraising activities that all students can be involved with. Zambian children that will be the lasting memory for both If any parents or companies would like to make a donation students and staff. or help in any way, please contact Mr Costard by email: Woking High will be returning to Zambia in July 2014 to [email protected]. continue with the good work already achieved. Eighteen of our current Year 10 have been lucky enough to gain a P Costard, Head of Sport

16 The Sensory Garden

Following her successful promotion to Head of Science, Mrs Gallagher has sadly had to hand over responsibility for the garden. I was rather reticent about taking over this task as gardening is not my strong point, but I have had enormous support from the knowledgeable Mrs Bostock and the fantastic Site of Joanna, Magda and Shauna have made up an Team, headed up by Mr Turner, as well as equipment invaluable team. donated by Layton Landscapes. I would like to thank everyone who has collected the Despite some inclement weather over the summer, Morrisons ‘Let’s Grow’ vouchers for us, and we are the garden has continued to flourish. We have had looking forward to receiving some new equipment and a number of successful Day 11s and succeeded plants for the garden at the beginning of next year. in cutting back, tidying and weeding in time for the We also have a visit to Wisley planned for March, to winter months. We have also collected a number of learn new skills. seeds and planted some bulbs. Several students have got involved – in particular Josh, Bidhata C Greatorex, Teaching Assistant and Afzal, who together with the fantastic efforts

Students in the TG love reading, and we read a range of texts to develop confidence and ability.

Transition Group As well as green writing, students have the opportunity to receive CBC (Caught being Clever) The Transition Group (TG) is a Year 7 class for awards. Students aim to achieve as many as they can students who need extra support with literacy, and for the big prize draw at the end of each half term. who might find the transition to secondary school a little challenging. TG students study English, The TG use a Mood Board so that students have an Geography, History and RE in their lessons and then opportunity to say how they feel at the start of the access the remainder of their curriculum within the lesson by rating how they feel on a scale from one to main school. ten. The Mood Board develops students’ vocabulary and gives them an opportunity to express any The students in the TG have got off to a great start concerns and celebrate successes with their peers. this academic year and many students have already been given awards for their excellent work and J Sleap, Year 6/7 Transition Group progress.

17 Young Carers Visit Charities Update Summer Alterations

Young Carers Visit to “Swingbridge”

On the 21 September we went to Dapdune Wharf for a canal boat handling course on the barge, “Swingbridge”. The day was organised by Surrey Care Trust. There were six Young Carers who went on this course. We learnt how to steer a canal boat, tie ropes, operate locks and how to set up and clear up a canal boat. We also had a look at the environment. We looked at the animals and the uses of the river. We also saw how the river banks were being reinforced to prevent flooding. We stopped off at St Catherine’s Lock for lunch and then we enjoyed the journey back. Before we got back we went past Dapdune Wharf in the opposite direction and we had to guess the

wooden statues. Then we went back to Dapdune Wharf and finished off the day at the Dapdune Café with a drink and ice cream. It was a great day because we all had a lot of fun and the weather held out until we got in the car to go home. Megan MacAlister Year 10

18 Christmas boxes to the Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Charities Update Christmas Child appeal, which is a record for our Year This term has seen a wide variety of charitable giving 7 students. Hopefully they will make a real difference at the school. In October we held a mufti day and to many vulnerable children at this time of year. Thank a cake sale and raised £1,365 for the Macmillan you and congratulations to everyone that has been Cancer Support appeal. In November, eight of our involved in raising money and donating many fabulous male members of staff took part in ‘Movember’ to gifts to our chosen charities. raise awareness and money for Prostate Cancer. To M Crowley, Assistant Principal date they have achieved a total of just over £300. We are also proud to have passed on one hundred Summer Alterations

Over the summer break two alteration projects were installed. The opportunity was taken to refurbish a undertaken at the school. For the first project, room rather shabby car port structure to provide a sheltered E2 on the ground floor of the English Block was entrance and outdoor teaching area for the new remodelled to provide a flexible learning space and a Transition Room. base for the innovative Transition Group. In order to The demolition of the Pastoral Office provided find sufficient space for two classrooms, the corner the impetus for a reorganisation of the Pastoral office was demolished and a soundproof folding wall Support accommodation, which became the second project. The Finance Team and Business Manager relinquished their offices on the main corridor and a Pastoral Hub and new Medical Room were formed from the existing space. The new medical room has been greeted with enthusiasm and gratitude by students and staff.

Thanks are due to local contractors Daborn Plumbing, P Mileham Electrics, G Hill, Carpenter and Decorator and Trevor Blake, Builders for completing the works on time and to budget.

K Collins, Business Manager

19 Old Football Boots Notices - Parking Friends of Woking High School

Friends of Woking High School

The FoWHS AGM was held on Thursday 22 November at The election of officers also took place at our AGM, 7pm. It was a good occasion to meet some new members appointing Carol Rothwell as Secretary, Julie Barker as Vice and to draw the Prize Club lottery which had the following Chairman and our new Treasurer, Justine Talbot. Many winners: thanks go to Justine, who has taken over this role and, also, thank you to Helen Strudwick, the previous Treasurer, 1st Prize Carey Ferguson £60 for her many years of service and help with the hand-over. 2nd Prize Leanne Whitfield £42 Our next meeting is scheduled for lunch-time on 20 March 3rd Prize Justine Talbot £18 2013. Further details will follow. Please remember that all parents with students in attendance automatically become Our Prize Club lottery is growing all the time and, if you Friends of Woking High School and are most welcome at have not yet had the chance to enter, an application form any of our meetings. If you require further information on can be found on our website under “Communities” then the work of The Friends of Woking High, please feel free “Friends of Woking High” or, if you prefer, please e-mail me to contact our Secretary, Carol Rothwell at Carolrothwell@ at [email protected] and I can pop one in the post. virginmedia.com This lottery directly benefits the students, helping to fund many items for all departments, as well as giving members Julie Barker, Vice Chairman the chance to win cash prizes. Thank you to all the new members who joined this term and for the continued support of everyone who has donated so generously to the Personal Property school in many ways. Can we please take this opportunity to remind students and parents that we cannot accept responsibility for personal property brought into school (including mobile NOTICES - Parking phones, iPods, etc.) unless it is handed to staff for safe keeping. May I appeal for your support over our woefully inadequate parking provision? As you are aware, Office Team the existing school car park is a very limited space, is always fully occupied and has a narrow access point. We are politely requesting that parents, and those dropping off or collecting students, do not use the entrance to the car park as a turning circle. We Old Football Boots are also asking that those who park near the school, in Morton Road, Meadway Drive and Horsell Rise, Woking Funeral Service in Goldsworth are mindful of and courteous to our neighbours, Road, is collecting used football boots as cars parked in these areas can cause traffic to send to children and young adults jams and can pose a significant risk to the safety in Ghana, West Africa. of our students. Thank you in advance for your thoughtfulness over this issue. Please donate your boots to this Jane Abbott, Principal good cause.

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