Dear Parents/Carers,
This time of year brings the excitement of Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night as well as a more sombre and reflective period of remembrance. Sadly, as I’m sure you are aware, the fun of the Woking fireworks display was marred by a serious accident involving an inflatable slide. The thoughts of the Woking High School community go out to the families and friends of those students impacted. One of our students was directly involved, but is thankfully recovering from his bruising. Students have been offered support if they were affected by these events in anyway.
This week our attention has been focused on the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI. Throughout the week assemblies have taken place to all year groups. Students have been given the chance to reflect on the sacrifices made by a generation of individuals who served on behalf of Britain across the Commonwealth. As part of this reflection, students have been given the opportunity to say a small ‘Thank You’ in the form of notes and messages. Our students, as always, have shown how thoughtful and considerate they are with many wonderful messages being written.
On Wednesday we held our annual Remembrance Concert at St Mary’s Church, Horsell. It was a wonderful evening. Students representing all year groups performed this special concert, which was attended by the Mayor of Woking and a large audience of parents, governors, and members of the local community. The opening address focused on the historical events of The Great War during 1918 in the lead up to Armistice day, and set the scene perfectly for a variety of readings using war poetry, musical ensembles and a very moving presentation by Year 10 GCSE Drama students, which told the story of American teacher, Moina Michael, the ‘Poppy Lady’ and how she was inspired by the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’. Over 135 students were involved in the performances which included the voices of the Horsell C of E Junior school choir singing their rendition of ‘Remembrance’.
Musicians, vocalists and readers were outstanding throughout and the evening was brought to a conclusion in the Act of Remembrance and the faultless playing of The Last Post by Year 11 student Jude Rainsborough, who will repeat his performance at Sunday’s Remembrance service in Horsell village. A collection for the Poppy appeal on behalf of the Royal British Legion raised £243. Well done to all students and staff in preparing and delivering such a memorable and fitting musical tribute in remembrance of all those who gave their lives during the Great War.
This morning every member of Woking High School participated in our school remembrance event. 80 students, two from each tutor group, held remembrance crosses. Each one represented one of the fallen named on the Horsell War Memorial. Jude Silverton read “For the Fallen” in the minutes leading up to 11 a.m. and then Jude Rainsborough played the haunting Last Post whilst poppy petals floated from above and silence reverberated around the school grounds. After precisely two minutes, the Revielle sounded and students processed in silence to our memorial garden to place their crosses and lay a wreath. This year the memorial garden has been expanded to include a British Legion “Silent Soldier” and is the location of our own poppy installation. The event was a beautiful and heartfelt act of remembrance.
Although our official
remembrance comes to a conclusion this week it is still not too late to expand
our poppy installation if you would like to, please log on to your Scopay
account and complete the order box. We intend the poppy river to be a
feature during the coming year.
On Sunday, along with the rest of the country, Woking and Horsell will be marking the exact time and date of the Armistice. Jude will play again and Tom Mills will read at the Memorial Square in Woking.
On Sunday, along with the rest of the country, Woking and Horsell will be marking the exact time and date of the Armistice. Jude will play again and Tom Mills will read at the Memorial Square in Woking.
Please see the Friends of Woking High School campaign information sheet via the link. Thank you for your continued support.
Certificates for exams taken in Summer 2018 are now available for collection from the main school office. (Students are required to sign for the certificates – if they are unable to collect them in person please email Mrs Bostock, dbostock@wokinghigh.surrey.sch.uk. The nominated person will be required to show ID).
May I wish a “happy Diwali” to all members of the Hindu community in Woking.
Best wishes,
Jane Abbott
Headteacher