Dear Parents/Carers,
At the end of last week
our Senior public speaking team faced stiff competition from five other schools
at the District Final of the Rotary Club Youth Speaks competition. Isabel
Metcalfe came first as Vote of Thanks, but our team overall were pipped at the
post by St Philip Howard Roman Catholic High School in Barnham, Chichester.
The judges were clearly
agonised by the process, taking well over half an hour to decide on the
winners. His Honourable John Bishop, a retired circuit judge and chairman of
the judges, spoke of being “heartbroken” at not being able to send more teams
through and commended our main speaker, Alana Lynch, for her speech, which he
described as “astonishing”. Our team did perform superbly and felt proud to
have lost to such worthy winners in a very strong field. As ever, our thanks go
to Woking District Rotary Club for sponsoring us in this worthwhile and
prestigious event.
Monday was the deadline
for the Options process and we are very pleased that all students managed to
make their choices within the time frame. The choices have now been passed over
to our timetabling team, who will try to make it all fit! If we have to use a
student’s reserve subject, we will discuss that with the student. Once we have
the choices confirmed, we will communicate these to students and parents.
Over the past week, our
sports teams have been involved in a number of competitions. The Year 11 Boys
were crowned champions at the District Basketball Final and the Year 7
Girls Netball team won the District tournament.
As a school we have
worked with “Advanced Sport” over a number of years. They provide elite
training for aspiring athletes in any sport. They are offering two free trials
for their training programme. Please email talent@advancesport.co.uk if you are
interested in signing your child up for a free trial. The website is www.advancesport.co.uk http://www.advancesport.co.uk/
On Wednesday, Woking
High School students and staff celebrated World Book Day, in fact they have
been marking the event all week with a variety of activities including Monday’s
“So you think you know Harry Potter quiz?” where students competed against each
other, answering many of the difficult questions successfully. First place went
to Charlie Wigley. On Tuesday, groups of students competed in the “Beat
the Teachers Harry Potter Quiz” against Mr Forster (stepped in at last minute),
Miss Barlett (Harry Potter) and Mrs Pollard (Professor McGonagall). Mr
Wakely hosted this event dressed as Dumbledore and kept students and staff
entertained. All groups did exceptionally well with Dumbledore’s Army
taking first place. The WHS book Fair this year was Percy Jackson themed;
Year 7 VI students visited Poseidon’s cabin and students were able to purchase
books from Woking High Library to raise funds for new books and Usborne books.
Great fun was had by all!
Please may I draw your
attention to two important events next week. On Monday 11th March 6-7pm we are
hosting a “Welcome” Evening for all new (September 2019) Woking High School
students and their parents. On Wednesday 13th March 6:30 onwards, the school is
delighted to be hosting our annual Ensemble, Solo Instrumental and Vocal
Competition in memory of Lorna Paterson. This competition is now in its 11th
year and promises a wonderful evening of high quality musicianship to which all
are extremely welcome.
Finally we wish our Year
8 and 9 Mock Magistrates team ‘Good Luck’ as they participate in the
competition at Guildford Crown Court.
Best wishes,
Jane Abbott
Headteacher