Dear Parents/Carers,
This short Christmas week has seen Year 11s complete their exams – much to their relief. Now they can look forward to their results assembly on 9th January!
All A1 students in Years 7-10 have been participating in reward events to recognize their success, commitment and achievements over the term.
During the day on Monday, 20 Year 7 students had the opportunity to visit Surrey University to take part in a Surrey University Christmas event. The day enabled students to explore different career pathways all within a Christmas theme, these activities included a Christmas maths countdown challenge, a Christmas vet clinic and a Christmas dash involving a treasure hunt around the University grounds. All these activities gave our students the opportunity to learn about life at university and the courses and career paths available.
On Monday evening over 150 students gathered to perform at our annual Horsell, Combined Schools Carol Concert. The Reverend Sarah Hayes welcomed everybody to St Mary’s Church, which was packed, with standing room only. The Deputy Mayor of Woking, Headteachers, governors, and members of the local community, witnessed a wonderful array of carols, readings and musical performances by students from Woking High, Horsell Junior and Horsell Village Schools. This event was a fantastic collaborative venture with the schools’ three music leads being supported very ably by members of the church; creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for the children to perform. The concert featured three school choirs, with Woking High School Windband leading the carols. Following individual and combined school items, all performers gathered for a rousing version of We Wish you a Merry Christmas, which provided an uplifting and festive finale. Mrs Steele, Headteacher of Horsell Junior School, gave thanks to all staff and students for their hard work, and a retiring collection was taken, with proceeds in aid of The Woking Hospice. Congratulations to Ashlin James, Izzy Metcalfe, Maddie McClements, Emil Kautovaara and Lilia Wada, who read beautifully at the service.
Congratulations to the following students for success in Music exams:
Matthew Rayner, Year 9 - Grade 5 clarinet - Pass
Simon Rayner, Year 7 - Grade 4 alto saxophone with Merit.
Daniel Freeland, Year 7 - Grade 1 piano exam with Merit
Following the wildly successful Christmas market last week, our Ridgeway restaurant staff produced a wonderful Christmas lunch yesterday which was enjoyed by students and staff alike. A record number of students participated in the delightful menu of turkey with trimmings, Quorn fillet or vegetarian wellington, followed by Christmas pudding or festive biscuit.
Woking High School Student Voice has been very generous in showing their support of the local community. Earlier in the term, the School Council confirmed that they would like to put together some Christmas hampers for those less fortunate. Consequently, the Core Council went onto to promote a Tutor Group Competition requesting donations of items for the hampers. The Tutor Group who donated the most items was 10G, with 10D and 8E following closely behind. The hampers will be delivered this week. Also, gifts will be given to the women’s refuge, children’s homes, homeless people and dogs who have a second chance of life in the local area. Thank you to students, staff and parents who donated so generously; we could not be doing this without the tremendous efforts of all of you!
Friends of Woking High School have been completing some last minute fundraising – guess the number of sweets in a jar and mufti day today, to try and reach their target of £10,000 by the end of December for a new minibus. Congratulations to Mana Tanaka in Year 7 who won the competition. Every little helps, so any final donations would be gratefully received.
Finally, congratulations to the PE department and all our sporting students. Woking High School has been placed 54th (last year 85th) in the top 100 sporting state schools. This is a fantastic achievement.
We begin the Spring term on Thursday 3rd January at 8.55 a.m.
On behalf of everyone at Woking High School, may I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please do enjoy reading our winter newsletter.
Best wishes,
Jane Abbott
Headteacher