High School

Principal’s Letter

The Spring Term is fast drawing to a close and parents and governors who have worked so at last we have a hint of spring weather in the hard in supporting our young people to gain air. As always our focus this term has been on such impressive results and to make so much preparing our Year 11 students (and those on progress. examination courses in Years 10 & 9) for their A few weeks later our Vision Impairment Unit GCSE examinations. When they received their was inspected as part of the local authority’s mock results at a formal examination assembly rolling inspection programme. I am delighted in January, there were 65 school days to go to report that the VI department received a before written examinations started. Now thoroughly deserved outstanding grading. there are only 10! Our students have been Congratulations go to all VI staff, TAs, students working exceptionally well and have all realized and teachers for this excellent and inclusive the importance of attending revision classes, provision (see later VI report). obtaining 1-1 advice, completing past papers and identifying the key areas on which to focus Providing challenge and engagement for our for maximum benefit. Some of our students students in both lessons and extra curricular have already taken practical examinations in activities is of paramount importance. This term PE, Art, Drama, Music and MFL. We are all there have been abundant opportunities for very confident that this highly motivated year students of all abilities and all ages to enjoy and group will meet our, and most importantly their, excel in a wide variety of events. In January our expectations and be the highest attaining year Year 11 students were privileged to participate in group in the history of . a University Preparation workshop led by Chris Hull, a Senior Lecturer from St Mary’s University At the beginning of March we had news that College. He talked informatively and interestingly the school has been recognized by the SSAT on the importance of GCSE grades and AS/A2 as a “most improved school” in the category choices, preparation for University and then led of year on year improvement in 5+ A*-C an additional session on Law for those interested GCSE qualifications including English and in this career path. Later that month Woking Mathematics. We are very proud to receive this High School students swept the board at the award as it is a recognition of the exceptional Borough Rotary Speaks Competition with the achievement and progress that has been made Senior trophy being awarded to our Year 11 by our students over the past three years. team and the Intermediate award going to our Congratulations should be shared by all staff, Year 9 team.

TECHNOLOGY COLLEGES Spring 2011 Newsletter Principal’s Letter Head Boy/Girl Team Oxford/Cambridge

February saw budding surgeons in KS4 gain a first hand presentations, options evenings, fundraising events, Friends glimpse of the realities of medical school with a visit to the of Woking High School meetings, sports fixtures and music Royal College of Surgeons. Year 11 students immersed evenings and have given generous donations to the school themselves in Italian culture for four days and were able to via Gift Aid, the Woking High School Prize Club and our new practise their written and spoken Italian in preparation for Amazon Wish List. We are continually grateful for all your their oral examinations. Sporting success has dominated support. the whole term. In February our senior boys Biathlon team Not only have we welcomed parents into the school but qualified for the National finals. Our students also had we have also hosted a large number of visitors including success in the swimming championships (see later representatives of local sports clubs, Japanese students from sports reports for more details) and our senior girls and Hiroshima and visiting German students from Bavaria. All our boys basketball teams are in the final stages of the National visitors have commented on the warm welcome they receive Competition. Just before February half term, we were treated and the positive, purposeful and confident nature of our to a fantastic music concert marking the 3rd annual Voice and students. Instrument Competition held in memory of Lorna Paterson (please see the Music report for further details). As I write we are all looking forward to the annual primary schools’ Mathematics/Science quiz and the “Modern March marked the opportunity for our KS3 students to Forensics” science lecture. Both activities reflect our participate in the Surrey Mock Magistrates Court Competition. successful Specialist Technology status. Equally there is They were awarded a very creditable 3rd place and many much anticipation and excitement surrounding this year’s were inspired by possible future legal careers. And if all these school production - ‘My Fair Lady’ due to be performed on events were not enough, we have also held three Day 11’s 5th and 6th April at 7 p.m. in the School Hall. this term with a staggering 70+ outside speakers and visitors helping enrich our curriculum even further. We finish school at 12.00 on Friday 8 April and return for the summer term on Tuesday 26 April at 8.55 a.m. Throughout the term, Woking High School parents have shown their continued interest in and commitment to the May I take this opportunity to wish you a happy and joyful school and their son’s/daughter’s education. This has Eastertide. been clearly demonstrated in the huge numbers who have Jane Abbott, Principal attended Year 11, 10, 9 and 8 consultation evenings, revison

Woking High School head for the dreaming spires

It is with great pride that we are able to pass on and others have received offers from the universities of congratulations to a huge number of our former students. Nottingham, Bristol, Southampton and Cardiff. Now all they This year, our leavers of 2009 have secured more university have to do is pass their exams and gain the grades! We wish offers than any other year group. Four of our past students them all the best of luck. have received offers from Oxford/Cambridge Universities: Additionally, Rishi Agrawal, 11E, has secured a scholarship to Shaan Tehal – PPE at Magdalen College Oxford Eton College for his sixth form study. Our congratulations and Alex Campbell – Music at Christ Church College, best wishes to Rishi for the future. Oxford Jane Abbott, Principal Katie Meadon – History at St Hilda’s College, Oxford George Johnson – Natural Sciences at Peterhouse College, Cambridge

Image courtesy of Flickr by Arenamontanus 2 HEAD BOY/GIRL TEAM

It was Easter, 2010, and over thirty Year 10 students standing in a marquee waiting for the rain to stop must were writing to Mrs. Abbott asking to be part of the be brilliant preparation for a year of supervising the Head Student Team. Now, a year later, the eight of corridors! us are writing our last goodbye. We have put a lot Our role as the leaders of Year 11 did not stop short into our time as leaders of the student body and, in at motivating the prefect team – we also decided to return, we have got a lot out of it. We have honed and support our entire year group through their mock enhanced our aptitude for organisation, leadership examinations. Last December, via both personal and presentation, and participated in many worthwhile discussions, videos and assemblies, we encouraged events and schemes both in and outside of school. our classmates to work together to achieve some By supporting Woking High’s renowned Windband and truly exceptional grades. There is no doubt that, come Choir, by speaking at the Village Combined August, our final exam results will be something for Carol Concert, or by attending a Head Students Woking High to be proud of. Conference at Wellington College we have been very Working with the Senior Leadership Team has been an active in representing all the students at Woking High honour. We have all made the most of the time; making School. Within our remit we have implemented many a difference to the future of a school that for five years improvements to what is, rightfully, one of the most made a difference to our future. We can only hope that popular schools in the area: from reforming the School our successors will do so even more. Council to improving the bell procedure; from refining the restaurant queuing system even down to installing Thank you, Woking High. Thank you and goodbye. hooks in the toilets, we have done our utmost to hunt Zoe Kirk Andrew Davey down the imperfect parts of every student’s day-to-day life and then perfect them. We believe that it really is the Amy Rendall Sam Lamont details that count. Indeera Shankla Robert Eyers

This year the prefect team have exceeded the standard Madison Fairey Henry Weaver set for them: we spent a soggy day together at High Ashurst polishing our cooperation and patience – considering the quality of the 2010/11 prefects,

3 Centre for Vision Impairment Japanese Visit The Sensory Garden

JAPANESE VISIT

On Monday, 21 March, we welcomed forty students The PE lesson was thoroughly enjoyed by the and their teachers from Hiroshima University High Japanese participants who were able to engage School in Japan for a morning visit. After their wholeheartedly with our students. Break time on welcome from Mrs Abbott our Year 10 students both occasions was a huge success as the Hiroshima acted as hosts taking the visitors to Maths, English visitors feasted on pizza slices to supplement their and Science lessons before their departure just packed lunches! before lunch. The Japanese enjoyed their visit and The visits were over far too quickly and students our students said how much they had learned from exchanged gifts – an important feature of Japanese engaging in conversations with the visitors. culture – before the final photo shoots. We now look The Japanese students returned again on 29 March forward to welcoming another group in 2012. when Year 9 acted as hosts. The visitors attended History, Geography, Maths, English and PE lessons. E Kyriacou, Associate Vice Principal

4 The Sensory Garden

Spring has definitely arrived in Horsell, inspiring who wish to help out at the Gardening Club, which a group of Year 10 Sensory Garden prefects to takes place Thursday lunchtimes in the garden. spend the Day 11 improving the garden. We Even if you only have time to pull up a couple of planted shallot sets and flower and vegetable seeds weeds, plant out 1 or 2 seedlings or water the in paper pots indoors and bulbs in the grassed vegetable patch, it would all go towards making the areas of the Sensory Garden. We found there was Sensory Garden flourish even more. The Sensory plenty of work to keep us busy, tidying and clearing Garden prefects are always around to provide away old plants, and in doing so many students support and guidance. Parents who are willing discovered an unexpected interest in the lifecycle of and able to offer spare seeds or plants, expertise earthworms! and advice, or even help out occasionally, please contact me on The garden calendar gets busy from now as the [email protected]. soil warms up enough to plant out many seedlings. There is also some clearing and bulb planting still to H Gallagher, Sensory Garden Co-ordinator be done. We would welcome any students or staff

Monitoring Visit to Centre for Vision Impairment

On Monday 14 March the VI Centre had its local are visiting in April, to join authority monitoring visit. The visit was conducted their Centre for Vision Impairment, to participate in line with the new Ofsted framework, including in a Blind in Business day involving careers class observations, scrutiny of procedures and advice and experiences from adults with a Vision looking at evidence of good practice. We were Impairment. Some of our students will also have delighted that the Vision Impaired Unit was the opportunity to participate in the 2011 Surrey considered Outstanding and appreciate all the Para-Games, which take place in May. positive and constructive feedback given. M State, Head of VI Unit VI students continue to flourish and participate in a wide range of school activities. The older students

5 Citizenship Intermediate Senior Maths Maths

Citizenship Foundation - Mock Trial Competition

The Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition is run In our first ever entry to this exciting and prestigious by the Citizenship Foundation and aims to introduce competition, Woking High School was placed 3rd the legal system to young people in an innovative and overall. In addition, out of the 90 students taking part, exciting way. Ashley Williams was awarded 3rd place for her individual performance. Both victories won cash prizes for the During the Spring Term, a group of 16 students in Year 9 school. spent several weeks studying a specially written criminal case during their Citizenship lessons. On Saturday 5 Alongside the main competition, we also nominated two March, 13 students took on the roles of prosecution and court reporters and a court artist, who also attended defence lawyers, witnesses, magistrates and court staff the Local Heat. After watching the trials the students and competed against other schools in a live format at have 14 days to submit their entries to the Citizenship Woking Magistrates’ Court. Their performances were Foundation. Lucy Nicholls was judged the best reporter judged by Magistrates and other legal professionals. and Corinne Spilles was a close second

E Williams, Potential High Achievers Co-ordinator 6 Senior Maths Challenge

Last term six students from Year 11 took part in the Students who received certificates are as follows: National Maths Challenge. The challenge is aimed at students aged 16 – 19, so primarily for A level Year 11 students. Over 65,000 students took part and the Gold top 40% of students receive a certificate (6% Gold, Alex Emmerson 13% Silver and 21% Bronze). Daniel Knight All six students gained a certificate which Gordon Maccall considering they are Year 11 and up against Silver students studying AS, A and Further Maths is a Isabel Weir fantastic achievement. The students are as follows: Shaun Grover Gold Sam Lamont Alex Emmerson (also best in the school) Bronze Silver Sarah Gee Ishani Mehrotra Lewis Winter Rishi Agrawal Ishani Mehrotra Caroline Heisig Bronze Andrew Davey Jacob Cullen Sarah Bailey Shaun Grover Tom Sheldrake Gordon Maccall Tomasz Domanski Qasim Asghar

Intermediate Year 10 Maths Challenge Gold Edward Calver (Best in School) This term 90 students from Year 11, 10 and 9 took Silver part in the Intermediate Maths Challenge. As with Heather Ballard the Senior Challenge, certificates are awarded to Agnes Johnson a certain percentage of students. Approximately James Hardy 200,000 students across the country take part. Bronze Two Woking High School students did particularly Michael Brennan well. Alex Emmerson (Year 11) went through to the Jacob Parvin next round with 1500 other high achieving students in his age group to do the Pink Kangeroo paper Year 9 which is taken across Europe. Edward Calver (Year 10) not only acheived the best result in the school Silver but was in the top 400 students for his age group Bryony Brimble in this country and went through to the Olympiad Sam Collett round. Woking High has never had a student do Adam Heisig this well in the Maths Challenges before now. The Bronze Olympiad paper has 6 questions to be answered in Aaron Birch 2 hours. They both took their respective papers on Sam Holcombe 17th March and we wish them well for their results. Laura Grover

7 UK Maths Team Chemistry Camp Master Science News Classes STEM

UK MATHS TEAM CHALLENGE

Just before half-term four students competed in the took part and Woking High School came 11th which is UK Maths Team Challenge which is open to Year 8 a great achievement. The four students were a credit and 9 from all over the country. Schools enter for the to the school. Here are a couple of comments from the Regional Heats and then the winner of the heat takes students themselves: part in the Grand Final. Woking High School’s team ‘The Maths Challenge was really enjoyable. You knew consisted of Beth Lamont and Nathan Leeming (Year that your team needed you and relied on you, and vice 8) and Sam Collett and Elizabeth Eyers (Year 9). This versa. I would recommend it to anyone, so if you have is only the second year we have taken part. Our heat a chance to go to a Maths Challenge, do not miss this was held at Lord Wandsworth College in Hook. The great opportunity.’ Beth Lamont competition was in four parts and took all day. The first activity was for each team to answer 10 questions, ‘A crossnumber is like a crossword but you must fill in under timed conditions. The next part was solving a numbers not letters. We would get a point for every crossword but half the team had the down clues and digit we put in the correct place. It was a fun challenge the other half had the across clues and they could and added greatly to the day’s enjoyment. This was only communicate through the teacher. The afternoon one of my favourite challenges and was of quite a high finished off with a relay race with competitors dashing level of difficulty.’ Nathan Leeming around the Sports hall collecting questions and returning answers. It was great fun. Twenty six teams P Dixon, Maths Primary Liaison

Royal Institution Salters’ Chemistry Master Classes in Camp Mathematics Congratulations to Catherine Campbell, Kirsten McLean, Sanah Mahmood and Alice Newton in Year 10, who have all won a place on the very popular For eight Saturday mornings during January, February Salters’ Chemistry Camps. We look forward to and March, eleven Year 8 students had the opportunity hearing about all the experiments that they will have to attend Maths Master Classes at the University the opportunity to try out at Nottingham and Sussex of Surrey in Guildford. Students from twenty-three universities when they visit this summer. schools across Surrey attended. The Master classes consisted of four topics, each covering two Saturdays. H Gallagher, Science The topics covered Codes and Ciphers, Cathedral Windows and Stone Circles, Prime numbers and Planets and Solar systems. The sessions were based on Maths outside the normal curriculum and were extremely thought provoking.

8 STEM

The inclement weather conditions at the end of Woking High School’s first STEM Greenpower the year prolonged the anticipation and excitement Challenge team consists of Andrew Lumb and for the launch of STEM (Science, Technology, Percy Dennington (Yr. 7), Henry Calver and Tom Engineering and Mathematics) club. Winners of Edwards (Yr. 8), Bryony Brimble, Daniel Leeming, the initial competition for band-powered planes Elizabeth Eyers, Lucy Nicholls and Wendelien De then formed the STEM team of twelve students. Maaijer (Yr. 9) and Edward Calver, James Hardy Their first event has been to design, build and race and Jonathan Abraham (Yr. 10). These students an electric powered car (Greenpower Challenge). will be competing at Dunsfold Park in the Surrey County final later this year. Competition entries were accepted from all students in Years 7-10. Significant entry numbers Further opportunities will be available for students meant that competition for places on the through a variety of different challenges, all of Greenpower Challenge team were contested which aim to provide students with exciting ways fiercely from the start. A lunchtime in January to differentiate and enhance their profiles in a saw the competition take ‘flight’ with twenty-one positive manner, both internally and externally to individuals to be cut down to the final twelve. the school community. J Wood, Science

SCIENCE NEWS

The Spring Term has been another busy one for the break between rounds, Mr Wood wowed the crowd Science department. Year 10 and 11 students have with an exciting Science demonstration involving sat GCSE modules and have again shown a real fire and bubbles! As ever the quality of students’ dedication to their studies. performance was high with many scoring very good STEM club has continued its development and there marks. is now a team of 12 students from Years 7 to 10 The following evening was the night of the Annual meeting regularly to build the Greenpower Challenge Science lecture. This had an excellent attendance Electric Car. The team consists of the students that with many people keen to see and hear what won the rubber band powered plane competition would unfold. The theme for this year’s lecture was launched in the Autumn term. They came up with ‘Modern Forensics’ with a focus on explosives, some impressive designs and clocked some good ballistics and DNA profiling. The lecture was flight times. conducted by Dr Brendan Howlin and Dr Chris On the 29 March a number of students from our Amodio from the . Many students local primary schools attended the annual Maths found the evening particularly informative as they and Science Primary Quiz. The evening began with have aspirations for a career in this area of Science. Miss Dixon warming up the brains and bodies of all B Spinks, Head of Science in attendance with some Maths aerobics. During the

9 Toyota Coursework Olympic Visit Challenge Exhibition Rome Visit Art

Toyota Challenge 2012

We are looking for sponsorship for the 2012 Toyota Challenge Competition. Any donation or sponsorship would be greatly appreciated. We will include your company logo and or name on our car and team uniform. For more details please email: [email protected]

Coursework Exhibition Invitation ART Over two Day 11’s, at lunchtimes and at after school All students and parents are invited to the annual enrichment clubs, the school restaurant has been Art, Design & Technology exhibition. transformed by the hard work of our Art students. The class of 2011 will be presenting their stunning The theme was ‘Art across different cultures’ with examples of GCSE coursework for all to see. our students producing creative, inventive designs reflecting countries across the world from Australia to In T7 and T2, Thursday 12th May from 3.00 - China. A particular favourite of the restaurant staff is 5.00pm Italy! We look forward to seeing you there. L Maley, Head of Art M Abbs-Rowe, Director of Technology

10 HUMANITIES - Olympic Visit

The London Olympics is less than 500 days away and London’s East End is the venue for the upcoming 2012 Summer Games. Year 9 and 10 Students from the Geography & PE Departments visited the sites on a Day 11.

The whole area is currently undergoing a massive regeneration programme in preparation for what has to be one of the world’s highest profile sporting events. As this its first Olympics since 1948. The topic landscape transforms, our students had the links well to our GCSE Geography chance to experience the changes during a course and the unit on Changing Urban guided tour of the key sites. Environments. The day was led by Mr.Jacques & Mr.Costard. Students learnt about London’s past, present and future as the country prepares to host A Jacques, Geography

Italian GCSE Group Visit to Rome

Springtime came in early February for eleven telling us the average distance in miles walked GCSE Italian students as they arrived in Rome for per day (think of a number between 10 and 12!). a four day visit. The purpose of the visit was to Highlights included the visit to the Sistine Chapel practise speaking activities in advance of controlled and the dizzy climb to the top of St Peter’s Basilica. assessments about a recent trip they had made. Evenings were spent dining in a local restaurant It was the ideal opportunity to attune the ears to followed by ice cream and conversation sessions in authentic, spoken Italian and to sharpen those selected gelaterie around the city. hesitant speaking skills. The visit was a great success and all of the students The Hotel Valle was ideally situated within 5 have delighted in telling me in their best Italian about minutes’ walk from the Colosseum and from there their visits to the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and the other main attractions of ancient Rome were the Forum. The results have been spectacular, all within reach. The weather was warm and sunny making this an extremely useful as well as a most and ideal for walking around the city, absorbing the enjoyable trip. sounds and chatter of the locals and stopping at sensible intervals for ice cream breaks and lunch. B Ford, Head of Modern Languages Those with the required iPhone app delighted in

11 Rome Visit World Shakespeare Book Day Study Centre

Our Year 11 Italian class believes that education corner, before he could read the sign ‘Fontana di Trevi’, can be fun. We apply this principle in everything we which always seemed to act on him as catnip on a cat. do, from typical lessons to vocabulary tests, from As an occasional break from our busy schedule of speaking assessments to trips to Rome. That was cascade contemplation, we did manage to fit in the odd why as we left the country last February we were fully landmark: the Coliseum and its resident gladiators; the expecting a diverting week. And Rome 2011 was not a Roman forum and the Wedding Cake - which is much disappointment. easier to pronounce than the landmark building’s official There were three outstanding parts of this trip: for a start, name ‘Monumento Vittorio Emannuale Due’. The Spanish the weather was incredible. Unlike the misery we British Steps, which are home to some of the most flirtatious tend to endure in early spring, Italian skies know how rose sellers on the planet; Piazza Navona where we to behave during the young months. Not one drop of experienced Italy’s renowned markets; and finally the rain, hardly a cloud in sight and sunshine, lots and lots Mouth of Truth, a massive stone head which steadfastly of sunshine. Of course sunshine calls for one thing: ice refused to do its legendary hand-biting act no matter how creams. Every evening we went for a stroll around the city outrageous a lie we told. and stopped off for ‘ice cream conversations’. This bribe We finished off the week with a lovely lunch in a charming of local gelati was Mr. Ford’s imaginative way of getting restaurant which served us in the time honoured leisurely us to speak Italian. Needless to say, there was often more Italian way so that we only just made it back to our coach ‘ice cream’ than ‘conversation’. The third memorable and headed for with another lasting memory of thing about our trip, though, did spark conversation: the Woking High under our belt. amount of times we managed to visit the Trevi Fountain in one four-day visit. Mr. Ford wasn’t obsessed with it; he Robert Eyers, 11R was besotted. Almost every evening and what felt like a couple of times a day we had to steer him gently round the 12 Double Double, Toil and Day 11!

On Wednesday 16 March, students from Years 8 break in the afternoon, students were eagerly queuing and 9 attended an inspiring performance of William up outside the gym for the abridged performance of the Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The audience got up close Scottish play. A student from Year 8 said “I couldn’t and personal with the cast from the Young Shakespeare wait to get into the hall!” Company. Students had the opportunity to spend I was especially pleased with the enthusiasm and the early part of the afternoon in a workshop, asking feedback from the students and thrilled to see them the actors questions about the play and the rehearsal asking the actors relevant questions about the text. process. To see students engaged in the drama of the Some students had lines in the play and others performance was an utter delight. participated as extras. It truly brought Shakespeare to Setting up a theatre in Woking High School’s gym was life and to Woking High School. no problem as sports crash mats formed the dressing room and classroom chairs formed the round. After the G Willett, English Study Centre

On the Day 11 of March 16th students from a range of Baveein Ravichchandran; Ameena Khan-Sullivan; year groups worked together to produce genre focused Emma Hardacre; Heidi Lambert; Heather Ballard; canvas work that will be used to revamp the Study Sanah Mahmood; Hannah Davies; Katie Hough; Lauren Centre. The PHA Art students painted some inspiring Briggs; Eleanor Cudby; Helen Finney; Amy Maccallum; works that will truly bring the Study Centre to life. Madeleine Stuart; Sakinah Abdullahi; Elizabeth Eyers; Luke Arnold; Robyn Dexter; Evie Emslie; Beth Lamont Miss Watson would like to thank the following students and Nicole Seabrook. for their hard work and dedication: Nazmiye Raif; Z Watson, English

World Book Day – 3 March 2011

Woking High School celebrated World Book Day We look forward to using these copies in the Study through our whole school ‘World Book Week’. We Centre and classrooms. The money raised by ran a range of activities to help promote reading in staff will be shared between the charity “Book Aid our school, including both students and staff. International” and the refurbishment of the school’s Study Centre. The teachers held a book swap in the staffroom which again proved to be successful and managed Many thanks to everyone who contributed and we to raise a fantastic £101.42. A local charity, that look forward to next year’s World Book Week being gives away free books to school children, was able an even more successful one. to donate copies of ‘Northern Lights’ by Phillip Remember: “The more you read, the more things you Pullman to the school. These were collected from will know. The more that you learn, the more places the community as part of the World Book Night you’ll go.” Dr Seuss celebrations that took place on the 5 March. C Kotitis, Acting Head of English

13 My Fair Lady Creative and Media Diploma

MY FAIR LADY This year’s exciting production is My Fair Lady. This The cast: glorious Rogers and Hammerstein musical made famous by Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison will be Indeera Shankla, Max Bowden, Henry brought to life again at Woking High. The cast is one of Weaver, George Bowden, Jack Fairey, Bethan our most accomplished ever with two West End stars, Indeera Shankla and Max Bowden in the leading roles Leadley, Sam Lamont, Laura Rouse, Agnes and a full supporting cast of many of our most talented Johnson, John McAdam, Marc McGivern, students. The show is a wonderful rags to riches story Phoebe Stanmore, Abbie Hanley, Abbie with the added frisson of professional pride added in. Hookins, Devon Francis, Anya Vlassak, Rehearsals have been continuing apace and the Aidan Gale, Claudia Stanley-Stote, performance promises to be wonderful. The characters have been brought to life so effectively by the cast that Elizabeth Kozlowska, Georgia Cox, Illaria it’s hard to imagine them being played by anyone else. Rosa, Jacques Moffat, Joshua Koch, Lilli The wonderful voices of Vocalise will swell the throng Spires, Lizzie Nay, Monika Redman, Sally in performances ably managed by Mr Goodwin. The Hitchings, Sarah Hill, Sophie Maher, Sophie music will be performed by the Windband and features many all time favourites such as Get Me to the Church Russell, Tara Shankla, Verity Barnett. on Time, Wouldn’t it be Loverly and The Ascot Gavotte. N Selmes, Head of Drama We have been very lucky to have the addition of professional musicians in the orchestra which adds not only a layer of expertise but gives our young players valuable experience performing with professionals.

Thanks are due in great measure to Mr Gary Griffiths who has brought his considerable dramatic experience to the group and has devoted his time to the production. It could not have been done without him. Great thanks also go to Mrs Booth who spent many hours designing costumes from the most minimal of designs to produce something that you will all agree looks absolutely lovely. We hope those of you that attended enjoyed the show.

Mr Freddie Eynsford-Hill and Miss Eliza Doolittle 14 Creative and Media Diploma

The Creative and Media students have settled fully the films were very well received and have all been into the rhythm of the course. Having completed a entered into the school’s annual film competition. study unit at Eagle Radio where they made a radio New projects in the making are the photographic show and created a magazine about the popular mosaic for the Woking Cultural Olympiad and radio station they have since been asked to return the Training Video for Willmott Dixon who have as ambassadors for Eagle Radio on visits to other undertaken the rebuilding of the Guildford Civic Hall schools. This was a great honour for the students which will involve the making of 65 short films and and in the words of Katy Butler, schools coordinator an interactive DVD. Both these projects have been for Eagle, “The students were great, as were the delivered as professional briefs and both clients have staff. All we had to do was stand back and they sold high expectations. the course for us. It’s been a pleasure to have them back with us again.” Further visits have been to Red Bee and the BBC both kindly organised by Mr James Linehan who Since then the students have completed their managed to give us a really in depth look at the second unit of film making. They were very ably workings of the fast paced world of information trained by Peer Productions in this art and using delivery in the television industry. the inspiration of Bollywood and Hollywood movies as well as a visit to the Tate galleries, they set off to We are more than confident that not only are the make their own epics. With limited time available, young people enjoying their course but that it is the students organised themselves into a strict work opening up new worlds for them. As one student plan. Time and equipment were rigorously shared said, “When I started this course I didn’t know half of out. Locations were organised and many doubled in these jobs existed. Now all I have to decide is which several of the films. They acted in each other’s films one I want to do, because I want to do all of them.” when not shooting their own footage. The end result was shown in a film evening where the students N Selmes, Creative and Media Lead Teacher presented their work to an invited audience. All 15 Instrumental and Vocal Competition Sports News

Instrumental These were the entrants in Year order: and Vocal Indeera Shankla – Year 11 (vocal) George Bowen – Year 10 (piano) Competition- Catherine Campbell – Year 10 (piano) 17 February 2011 Simone Da Costa – Year 10 (piano) Emily Pain – Year 10 (flute) On Thursday 17 February, Hannah Watts – Year 10 (flute) the school hosted the third Tara Shankla – Year 9 (piano) Annual Instrumental and Ben Griffiths – Year 8 (percussion) Vocal Competition held in memory of former Year 9 Sara Hill – Year 8 (vocal) Student, Lorna Paterson. This Beth Lamont – Year 8 (harp) special competition witnessed Gabriella Ferlita – Year 7 (vocal) performances in various Linus Fuge – Year 7 (piano) categories including brass, James Hardacre – Year 7 (trombone) woodwind, percussion, strings, voice and pianoforte. One of Elizabeth Kozlowska –Year 7 (violin) the main aims of this event is to encourage instrumentalists to Sophie Russell – Year 7 (vocal) perform solo, or within small ensembles, thus helping them to Jennifer Kirk Year 8, Rebecca Lynn Year 8, Grace gain further experience of live performance and to improve their Stubbington Year 7 (Clarinet trio) overall confidence in their ability. For some students this event For a finale, last year’s outstanding winner, Bethany Cornish provided the opportunity to perform in public for the first time, (), returned as a special guest and which is daunting, especially when friends and family have performed her GCSE composition for clarinet and Windband. turned out in force to support you. Following the evening’s Having only ever heard this piece via a computer sound card, performance, in her weekly blog, the Principal remarked “The it was wonderful to have a beautifully balanced woodwind quality and variety of music was truly exceptional and it was a ensemble bring the work to life. A retiring collection raised £170 joy to see and hear so many of our young people from Years in aid of Cystic Fibrosis. 7 to 11 participating and performing with such confidence and professionalism. They clearly enjoyed their music making and The winners of each category were: the audience were equally entertained”. Pianoforte - Tara Shankla - Staccato Beans - Tan Dun I would like to thank our specially invited judges for giving up Brass - James Hardacre - The Acrobat - J.A.Greenwood their time so freely. They had all done this before, and so it Percussion - Benjamin Griffiths - Feeling Good - Muse was great to welcome Justin Teggarty, Bandmaster of the Woodwind - Emily Pain - No.3 Air a L’Italien - Georg Philipp Telemann Royal Logistic Corps band, and Anna Mitchell, Head of Music, Vocal - Sara Hill - Heidenrosenlein - Franz Schubert once again. This year, Mrs Paterson kindly agreed to be one of the judges whilst her mother and Mr String - Beth Lamont Year 8 - El Numero Uno - Jane Weinsal. Paterson were amongst the audience. Thank you also to Paul Small Ensemble - (Clarinet Trio) - Jennifer Kirk, Rebecca Lynn and Thomas, Principal Tuba, Royal Logistic Corps for attending Grace Stubbington - Entry of the Gladiators - Fucik rehearsals and greatly enhancing our Windband and small A special mention must be made of Emily Pain who received ensemble performances. the ‘Lorna Paterson Award for Special Achievement in Music’ A total of 18 students performed in the competition, with the from Lorna’s mother Alison. Windband and two small ensembles providing some linking items whilst the judges deliberated over potential prize winners. S Goodwin, Director of Music Performance

16 SPORTS NEWS

This term the School’s sporting fortunes have continued to reach new heights of success. At the time of writing we have many teams waiting to compete in District and Surrey Schools semi-finals and finals.

In Cross Country the School did exceptionally well in the Yr 7 district winning basketball team District competition winning three out of the eight team competitions. Please see team results and selected The School also entered the Bracknell Relays, which is individual results below: a Key Stage 3 event involving two students from each Team Results of Year 7, 8 and 9 to make up the team of six. The girls, in a field of 19 teams did superbly well finishing second Year 7 Boys Year 7 Girls narrowly behind the winners who were the Marist School. 1st = Fullbrook 1st = Gordon’s The team consisted of Becky Davies, Lydia Heaney, Tess 2nd = Gordon’s 2nd = Sir William Perkins Weedon, Jenny Kirk, Megan Brooke and Kaitlin Howard. 3rd = Woking High 3rd = Fullbrook The boys team acquitted themselves well finishing in 7th place out of 18 teams. The Inter Boys Cross Country 6th = Woking High Team (Year 9 and 10) will be competing in the rearranged Year 8 Boys Year 8 Girls National Finals in Northumberland on Saturday 26th 1st = Collingwood 1st = Sir William Perkins March.

2nd = Gordon’s 2nd = Gordon’s The boys football teams have performed well in both 3rd = Woking High 3rd = Collingwood National and County Cup competitions and now have a 5th = Woking High real chance of picking up silverware in the District Finals. The Year 7, 10 and 11 teams have successfully reached Year 9 Boys Year 9 Girls the finals which are due to be played at Kingfield, home of 1st = Woking High 1st = Woking High Woking FC. The Year 11 team defeated SJB in their semi 2nd = SJB 2nd = Sir William Perkins final by a scoreline of 5 - 1, helped by a hat trick from Stephen Wake. The Year 10 team narrowly defeated BDB 3rd = Gordon’s 3rd = Fullbrook 2 – 1. The Year 7 Team beat Rydens 8 – 4 with Josh Year 10/11 Boys Year 10/11 Girls Bowler scoring 5 goals. 1st = Woking High 1st = Gordon’s In Netball the outstanding team have been the Year 10 2nd = Fullbrook 2nd = SJB side who are currently unbeaten. They won the District 3rd = SJB 3rd = Sir William Perkins Tournament for the fourth time in a row, winning all six 4th = Woking High matches in a round robin competition, and the highlight being a 5 – 0 win over Gordon’s. The Year 7 team did Selected Individual Results exceptionally well winning all their games en route to the Year 9 Boys Gold Josh Bowden District Final before losing 4 – 2 to Gordon’s in the final.

Year 9 Girls Silver Kaitlin Howard In Rugby the Year 9 team are having another successful Year 10/11 Boys Silver Rob Hall year having won all of their North West Surrey group Year 7 Boys Silver Josh Bowler games against Fullbrook, Winston and SJB. The next round of the cup is yet to be played, but more Year 9 Girls Bronze Megan Brooke outstanding contributions from James Holliss, Sam King, Year 10/11 Boys Bronze Jacob Rainier Dominic Vlassak, and Kieran Clark will be crucial to their Year 8 Boys Bronze Stuart Wilkin progression. The Year 11 rugby team finished runners up behind Gordon’s in the North West Surrey 7-a-side tournament with stand out performances coming from James Randall and Sam Lamont. Other outstanding

17 Sport Annual Ski Visit

The Year 7 team have also won the Surrey League with Becky Davies, Millie Riley, Atifah Abdullahi, Emily Moppett and Ellen Steinbach being key players. The Year 10 team are currently unbeaten and are through to the last 16 of the Nationals. Abi Taylor, Misha Blair, Amy MacCallum and Natalie Wood have been outstanding.

At the British School Biathlon Championships semi finals, Woking High had six students competing. They were Year 9 students Michael Sugden and Emily Faulkner and Year 10 students Jacob Rainier, Rob Hall, Marcus Vlassak and Olly Weedon. All performed exceptionally well, producing good runs and swims. Most notable performers were Olly Weedon who finished fourth after coming third in the swim and Rob Hall was ninth having won the run narrowly in front of team mate Yr 10 Girls Basketball Last eight of national competition Jacob Rainier. The Year 10 Team of Marcus, Rob and Olly are currently ranked fifth in Britain and competed in the British contributions came from three Year 10 students, Declan Championships at Crystal Palace on Sunday 27th March. Jinman, Harry Strudwick and Aaron Mawson who played a vital In Swimming the school has excelled as a team and part in the team’s success. individually. At the Surrey Individual School Championships In Basketball the boys teams have again been the dominant Olly Weedon won the Under 16 100m Backstroke in a Surrey force at District Level. The Year 8 and 9 Teams both won the Schools record, Year 11 Katherine Robbings won silver in the District competition. The Year 8’s have won all three of their Under 16 100m Butterfly and Year 7 Fraser Tattersdill won tournaments with Harry Wood, Ben Rashbrook, Josh Evans bronze in the U12 100m Backstroke. As a team the School being the stand out players. The Year 9 Team won their District finished second behind Gordons in the North West Surrey Final with ease against Collingwood 53 – 10 with excellent Partnership Gala displaying a great team ethos. performances by Josh Bowden, Ben Clifton and Sam King. The At Cricket the Year 8 boys team started their season early, Year 9 boys reached the final of the Surrey Sports Partnership competing in the National Indoor Cricket Competition. The first Final before losing to Thamesmead. The Year 7 Team finished round saw the team beat 2-1 in the best of 3 second overall in the District having finished runner up in two games. Notable performances with the bat were Stuart Wilkin out of their three tournaments, the leading player being Adam and Ben Cheetham and some good bowling performances Tolefree. The Year 10 team have played nine matches winning from Stuart Wilkin and Captain Ehtisham Sadiq. The team eight, the only loss coming in the semi final of the County Cup then played Gordons in the Partnership Final, losing 2-1 in the away at Tiffin. The team are currently in the last thirty two of best of 3 games. A last minute change in the team saw Alex the National Cup and are waiting to play their District semi final. Grimshaw (Year 7) perform excellently with both bat and ball. The team have been well led by Joel Eggar and Rob Hall, with In girls Cricket the Under 15 team are in the final of the Declan Jinman being a welcome addition to the team, giving it Surrey Indoor Finals after qualifying as Champions of first some much needed height! The Year 11 team have reached the North West Surrey Partnership then the North of Surrey the semi finals of the District competition where they will play Championships. Abi Taylor and Jade McEntee have starred Kings International. The two players who have really stood out with both bat and ball. Other useful contributions have come have been Tom Andrews and Harry Curd. from Hannah Lickfold, Natalie Maher and Natalie Wood. The girls Basketball teams have been nearly unbeatable this Finally a huge thank you to all the students and parents who season. The Year 7, 8 and 9 teams won the North West Surrey sold the RFU tickets. We made close to £950 and will be Partnership League and the Year 10 and 11 sides look very spending the money on purchasing new equipment and kit for favourably placed to do the same. All of the girls sides have the students. qualified for the latter stages of the Surrey Partnership finals. J Justice, Head of PE 18 Annual Ski Visit to Prato Nevoso Italy 2011

The ski trip this year was one in which we enjoyed The following days saw the initial nerves and mistakes beautiful weather, vast improvements on the slopes and becoming less of a feature with the growing competition challenging après ski events. After travelling through between both beginners groups with each striving to 5 countries we began our ascent to the snow capped improve with every session. Reduced visibility and colder mountains of the Alps. Once we had negotiated our way weather did not dampen spirits on the second day. Staff thought the heavy snowfall, road blocks and the winding and instructors worked together to ensure that none mountain roads, we arrived at our hotel. After unloading, of the groups went astray in the fog. The ice skating eating and getting kitted out, the group stumbled wearily that evening was a real success with most of the group to a long awaited comfortable bed and a proper night’s demonstrating that their winter sport skills were not sleep to be ready for the following weeks skiing. limited to the slopes.

The introduction between ski instructors and their The beautiful conditions made a welcome return for groups began the next morning with vast improvements the rest of the week allowing the intermediate group being made quickly as individuals got used to skiing to really begin to push their boundaries, experimenting again. Some very comical low speed falls began to take with jumps and perfecting skills on all the black slopes place with skis and poles getting tangled in all sorts of that Prato Nevoso had to offer including some more positions. The thrills and spills continued in to the night challenging routes to really push the group beyond their with bum boarding. After a disappointing demonstration comfort zone. This mentality earned them the title of from the staff the students clearly showed how it was fastest group of the week with a total speed on 76 km/h done. The night was finished with a well deserved hot down one run. The third night saw a change of pace chocolate and rest for tired bodies. as the group competed in a local quiz. This offered an opportunity for the groups to successfully challenge the staff team. 19 Annual Ski Visit Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

All groups continued their improvements into the fourth day with a few signs of fatigue beginning to set in. The students continued to impress with the beginners starting parallel SKI VISIT turns and the intermediates building a good group ethos and with smiles seen at every turn. The penultimate night took FEBRUARY 2012 a gastronomic turn as the group ventured to the pizzeria to sample some Italian specialities. The awards ceremony Places are now available for the ski trip occurred with all the students passing without exception. This next February half term 2012. also gave the opportunity for a final goodbye to the instructors and being presented their hard earned medals. After the floodlit Details can be found on the school night skiing down Prato Nevoso’s main runs and the final day’s website: http://www2.wokinghigh.surrey. worth of skiing, the groups need for sleep was evident. sch.uk/Lettersforthcomingevents.html The ski trip provided a fun, entertaining and memorable time for S Paterson, PE all those involved. Providing several experiences that benefited students and staff alike in what was a beautiful week amidst some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. N Mills, Design & Technology

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

20 March is a very busy time for the Award in Madelaine Howell Natasha Inns school. After completing their expedition in Charlotte James Emma Jones Ben Lineham Amy MacCallum the summer, the students have continued to Natalie Maher Sanah Mahmood persevere with a variety of activities for the Connor Maltby Jade McEntee skill, volunteering and physical sections, Kirsten McLean Ishani Mehrotra ranging from helping with riding for the Lizzie Nay Rebecca Nelless Alice Newton Laura Parkinson disabled, boat engine maintenance and helping Rhian Newton-Berns Josh Petters children with special needs. Caitlin Porter Eleanor Pucci James Randall Dan Rashbrook On 29 March, nearly sixty of our students Matilda Rainsborough Charlotte Rosser received their Awards from the Mayor of Daanyaal Sahi Adam Sandow Woking at the presentation evening at the HG Sam Sharp Lauren Smith Emma Stone Sasha Vaughan Wells Suite. Congratulations to you all. Hannah Watts Laura Simmons

Silver Award Bronze 2011 Rishi Agrawal Sarah Bailey Richard Barham Brendan Clark We have thirty two students enrolled this Andrew Davey Emily Dear year and have already ventured out on Tomasz Domanski Georgina Edwards navigation exercises on the North Downs. Robert Eyers Charlotte Finnegan Kaitlin Gray Robert Groves Our expeditions go out in May and June, for Zoe Kirk Isobel Neale which our students are training hard. Carolyn Paterson Amy Rendall Jamie Rest Tom Stockdale Silver 2011 Shaan Tehal Harry Walker Isabel Weir Choe Howard Due to the success of last year’s Bronze group Jack Wilkinson we have an unprecedented thirty six students Bronze Award carrying on to Silver Award. Planning is Charlotte Bain Heather Ballard almost complete for their practice expedition Lauren Briggs Lauren Brown on the Isle of Wight in May. Abigail Burnett Catherine Campbell Chloe Birks Alex Bradbury Katie Boyd-Lee Andrew Bryan Key Dates Eleanor Cudby Chris Doran Rose Durno Jack Evans Bronze Practice Expedition: Fri and Sat 6 and 7 May Jessica Evans Helen Finney Bronze Final Expedition: Wed and Thurs 15 and 16 June Bhavika Foolchand Mark Francis Silver Practice Expedition: Thurs to Sat 19 to 21 May Megan Fuge Charlie Godfrey Silver Final Expedition: Thurs to Sat 7 to 9 July Shaun Grover Kathryn Hamill Emma Hardacre Elle Hardman Rochelle Harris Samuel Hooper

Thank you to all the staff at school who support the Award with their time, running skills or physical activities, and to those who give up a tremendous amount of time supporting the expedition section. M Richardson, Unit Leader 21 Heckmondwike Carpets Time and Prize Club Restaurant Talent Survey Medicines

Notices PRIZE CLUB Friends of Woking If you haven’t yet had the chance, this is a brand new opportunity to enter a cash prize lottery which directly High School - Time benefits the school helping to buy items such as new books, drama, music, art and technology equipment and MUCH and Talents Survey more. Subscriptions are £5 per month, collected termly by standing order. The lottery is drawn and prizes awarded on

Dear Woking High School Parents & Guardians a termly basis. Full terms and conditions and an application form can be found on the website under “Communities” The Friends of Woking High know that there is a wealth of then “Friends of Woking High” or if you prefer, please e-mail talent and enthusiasm amongst our parents and guardians me, [email protected] and I can pop one in the that can greatly contribute to our school, resulting in even post for you. better facilities for our children. Thank you to everyone who has already joined the Prize Please could you take a minute to complete our “PARENT Club and to all those who currently donate to the school in REGISTER OF INTEREST AND LINKS” form included in this many various ways. Please consider taking part as more newsletter and either return it via your child to the school members equal bigger prizes and greater benefits for all office, or by e-mail from our website. students at Woking High School.

We would like to hear from anyone who is willing to give up Our next prize club ticket will be drawn at the production of their time, however small it may be, to help out with anything My Fair Lady on 6th April. It could be yours! from drama costume and scenery, painting, plumbing and electrics, or helping out at events. You may belong to, Julie Barker, Vice Chariman, FoWHS or work at an organisation that could enrich the lives and education of our students. Julie Barker, Vice Chariman, FoWHS

HECKMONDWIKE CARPETS

On 2 February Mr Geoff Jones of Heckmondwike Carpets visited the school and presented Mr Sharples and the Head Girl/Boy team, with 3 rolls of Supacord Broadloom carpet, and a Sebo carpet cleaning Kit, as part of a promotional prize draw. The carpets will be fitted in the MFL department over Easter. K Collins, Business Manager

22 Woking High Restaurant Update

We are delighted to report that the Restaurant • Lunchtime Break which includes a two improvements undertaken over the past few course meal available at the value of a free months have led to a faster and improved service, school meal. This option consists of a extended food selection and choice and more minimum choice of two main meal items, comfortable dining conditions. including a vegetarian option, plus a dessert. A Salad Bar and a healthy sandwich selection Healthy eating opportunities are provided by: are also available. • A Breakfast Club operating on a daily basis • Regular Themed Food Days are also provided from 08.00 a.m. under the supervision of teaching staff with over 250 students • Water for all. Cooled water is freely available attending weekly. to all members of the school community. We encourage students to bring their own plastic • Morning Break providing a range of hot and bottle to refill at the dispenser. cold food choices, so that students wishing to engage in lunchtime sporting activities can A Dyer, Associate Vice Principal eat beforehand.

Medicines in School

WANTED - We know that at times our students may need to take prescribed medication during the school an electric piano day. When this happens I would like to remind parents that the medication MUST be left in the Do you have an unwanted electric piano school office in the correct container with the that you would be prepared to donate for pharmacist’s directions clearly visible. Students use in our practice room and for teachers should then report to the office staff when they need to take the medicine. Please do not hesitate to accompany students? to contact the School Office if you have any Please contact Mr Goodwin or Mr Turner. queries. Thank you E Kyriacou, Associate Vice Principal

1523 Governors’ News Term Dates

Governors’ News

The governors continue to be very pleased to see the the governing body. If anyone would like to know more growing academic successes of our students which are about possibly becoming a governor, please speak further evidence of the high standards of learning and with me or with one of our existing parent governors by teaching that we are achieving. contacting us through the School. We have a vacancy for a parent governor. There will Sadly, Mr Ramdhony is standing down after his four be an election in the autumn term. Governors provide years of excellent service as one of our staff governors. strategic direction to our school, act as critical friends We are grateful to him for his contribution to our work, to the Principal and her staff and ensure that there also to Mrs Cossey, our clerk, who will be leaving us is proper accountability. It is really important that we shortly, for her exemplary service. We hope to appoint continue to have good representation of parents on her successor shortly. R Wernham, Chair of Governors

TERM DATES

SUMMER Tuesday 26 April – Friday 22 July 2011

Half Term Monday 30 May – Friday 3 June 2011

INSET Days Monday 20 June 2011

Public Holiday Friday 29 April 2011

Bank Holiday Monday 2 May 2011

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