Woking High School, Morton Road, Horsell, Woking, Surrey, GU21 4TJ SUMMER 2016 Tel: 01483 888447 Fax: 01483 888448 Email: [email protected] Web: www.wokinghigh.surrey.sch.uk NEWSLETTER Headteacher: Jane Abbott Headteacher’s Letter THE SUMMER TERM IS ALWAYS High School and thoroughly deserve to our guest speaker Mr Martin Ingram, ONE OF THE MOST ENJOYABLE and some excellent exam grades in August. Principal of Woking College who spoke busiest in the school calendar and this The GCSE exam results will be available of the importance of young people year has been no exception. from 10 a.m. on Thursday 25th August, getting involved and shaping their own when students can also collect their futures. The following evening Year 11s The first half of this term was dominated, Memory Books. participated in style at Chobham Golf as ever, by preparations for, and the Club – the venue for their Masquerade start of, the GCSE exams, which then In true Oscar style the Year 11s celebrated Ball. It was the ‘Oscar’ style red carpet continued throughout June. The Year the end of their five year educational arrivals at the Prom which captured most 11 cohort have been organized, diligent journey at Woking High School with attention. As always there were beautiful and committed to both their revision both awards and red carpet appearances. ball gowns and sartorial suits but the and to preparing themselves mentally On Wednesday 29th June, students Prom entrances were unusual to say the for the challenge of the examination were awarded their National Records least and ranged from vintage cars, limos, season. They took every opportunity of Achievement, received prizes for motorbike and sidecars, bicycles and to attend in-school revision sessions, attainment, progress and character and space hoppers! weekend classes and certainly benefitted also were awarded special school prizes. from the intensive immersion timetable Amongst such awards were the Police I wish to take this opportunity to thank which began in early May. Their conduct Shield which went to Ross Davidson, the excellent 2015/2016 Head Girl/Boy during the exams was exemplary. As a the Liz Kyriacou award to Heather Team: Headboy - Matthew Hill, Assistant year group they have made exceptional Dexter and the Governors’ award to Headboys - Ross Davidson, George progress during their time at Woking Daniel Cheetham. Particular thanks go Loxton, Hussain Mughal, Richard Sugden, Woking High School is an exempt charity and company limited by guarantee. Registered in England with Company Number 8586085 and has a registered office as above. Headgirl - Kirsten Young, Assistant emphasis on our core principles: We have also marked important national Headgirls - Izzy Bostock, Sana Fatima, Academic excellence events: celebrating Her Majesty Queen Shannen Griffiths and Elena Newton, Elizabeth’s official 90th birthday, holding Outstanding Pastoral care for their service to the school and to Mrs our own EU Referendum and marking the Unparalleled opportunities Alighieri and Mrs Coulson for giving hundredth anniversary of the Battle of the guidance and leadership to the whole In April we received news that yet again, Somme with our WWI lecture. year group in their final academic year. the school had been recognized for During the summer break we will Everyone at Woking High School wishes the academic attainment and progress see a number of refurbishments and all the Year 11 cohort of 2016 every of its students by the SSAT (Schools, building projects taking place – most success in the future. Students and Teachers) network and notably the replacement of the old received two Exceptional Outcomes Our new Head Girl/Boy team: Headboy Curriculum Support hut (originally put awards for exceptional attainment and – Jake Webb, Assistant Headboys – up in 1971) with a new purpose built progress. Woking High School has been Paarth Agarwal, James Barber, Josua Learning Support Centre. This is due for nationally recognized for its exceptional Jansen, Chris Pearce, Headgirl – Dalya completion during the Autumn term. performance in 2015. The school is in Abdali, Assistant Headgirls – Stella the top 10% of non-selective schools Eyers, Lauren Finney, Nicola Gilbert We send our best wishes to those nationally for high grades achieved by and Amy Rashbrook, have relished their colleagues leaving Woking High School students and the top 20% nationally opportunity to become senior students for pastures new and especially those for the progress made by students and have already contributed significantly who are retiring. This year that includes between KS2 and KS4. Obviously we are to many of our summer term events. Mrs Mary State – one time Head of VI delighted with these awards and are very and VI teacher, Mrs Nena Selmes – Head Year 6, soon to be Year 7, students have proud of the achievements of our students of Drama, Mrs Claire Dench-Layton – VI visited the school frequently over the and staff. TA, Mrs Val Parker – Maths teacher and past weeks in a series of induction days one to one tutor and Mrs Eve Chapman – As we approach the end of the year, our and welcome activities. These induction Exams Officer. With a total of 93 years’ overall school attendance is at 95.9% days are an essential part of our wide service to Woking High School, we are our highest ever percentage and well ranging transition programme. They clearly going to miss the wealth of their above our target. We urge both students enable us to welcome and get to know experience and their presence as valued and parents to place the highest possible our newest students before they start colleagues. Everyone at the school priority on full attendance as there formally in September. They also provide wishes them long, happy, healthy and is an undeniable and significant link important opportunities to articulate the fulfilled retirements. between attendance and student well- high standards and high expectations we being and outcomes. Our focus on our have of all our students and clarify the The Autumn term begins with two staff six character attributes has also been in ethos and values of Woking High School training days on Monday 5th and Tuesday evidence with awards given at both the to all. Not only have we had the pleasure 6th September 2016. School starts for NRA and Young Achievers to recognize of meeting our new cohort of students students on Wednesday 7th September these qualities. Year 8 students were but also, on 12th July, had the chance to with a staggered return; Years 7 and 10 at successful in the Character Awards and meet their parents and began forging that 8.55 a.m. and Years 8, 9 and 11 at 10 a.m. congratulations went to Mia Chereau and all important home/school partnership Alex McPherson for their impressive and As I close, I would like to thank our which will stand all in good stead over heartfelt thank you letters. They were governors who give generously of the coming five years. invited, along with their parents, to attend their time and expertise, who help In planning for the future, we also the Thank You Letter Awards Ceremony shape the vision for the school and are welcomed Year 5s and their parents to held at the University of Birmingham, hugely aspirational for its future; to the an open coffee morning on 7th July. We Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues. Friends of Woking High School who were inundated with interested visitors Character qualities are also being work tirelessly to help the school in so who had chance to tour the school, check reported and commented on in all aspects many ways; to our parents who are so our admission criteria and ask questions of school life. supportive of the efforts made by all of both senior students and staff. This staff to provide the very best holistic Students at Woking High School open morning provided an excellent education both in the classroom and by unanimously agree that the school offers opportunity for parents to get a head offering extra curricular opportunities; outstanding opportunities for all. In the start in preparing for secondary school but most of all to our magnificent words of Year 11s, “there is something choices in the Autumn term. Our Open students who rightly and richly deserved for everyone”. This term we have seen Evening on 4th October and our open the recognition of ‘Outstanding’ in our superb sporting success (see Mr Justice’s mornings on 6th, 11th, and 13th October, 2016 Ofsted report. It continues to be report), musical excellence (see Mr will provide further opportunities for the, an absolute privilege to lead the Woking Goodwin’s report), expedition success on then, Year 6s and their parents to visit the High School ‘family’ and I wish you the Duke of Edinburgh award (see Mrs school before making a final selection of all a very happy and enjoyable summer King’s report), participation in numerous secondary school for September 2017. holiday with your families. day visits (see Mrs Abbs-Rowe’s Day 11 Throughout the summer term, Woking report) and longer tours to Zambia (Year Jane Abbott, Headteacher High School has continued to place great 11), Venice (Windband) and Madrid (PE). 2 NRA THE YEAR 11 NATIONAL RECORDS OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS took place on Wednesday 29 June. It was a wonderful ceremony showcasing student attainment and progress in subject areas, along with celebrating special achievements and individual students. Our guest speaker Martin Ingram, Principal at Woking College, delivered an inspiring speech to all Year 11s and guests after helping to present a variety of awards and the NRA folders guests were shown a video of photographic and their final assembly at Woking High to each Year 11.