Dear Parents/Carers,
It looks as if spring has arrived this week and with the good
news of sunshine has also come good news from several of our competitions.
On Saturday 23rd March, 68 Year 9 participants
undertook a morning’s navigation training in the Surrey Hills. They were
led by members of staff who encouraged them to understand the way the
countryside is reflected in their maps. By the end of the morning most of
the students were able to use a map and compass and we are confident that they
will be able to put this into practice during the expeditions to be held in the
summer.
On Tuesday we entered a team
into the Digital Schoolhouse Overwatch Esport Qualifiers in Stratford. I am
delighted to say that against stiff competition our team performed amazingly
well and went on to become regional champions! The team is expected to take
part in the UK national final on the 10th April in London @ Gfinity
London arena.
Congratulations go to all
team members: Cyrus Howbrook,Morgan Seymour ,Tung Nguyen.
In addition, Frances Machattie (Y11 and one of the 4 amazing
Event Managers here at WHS) was offered an apprenticeship placement by SEGA and
Splash Damage as a result of our visitors noticing her organisational skills
during the heat round here at school.
After
school on Tuesday we had another great afternoon of baking! 30 VERY keen Year 7
bakers took part and yet again standard was very high. We had full
representation from all year 7 forms which was great and all teams really did a
fantastic job! Stephenson were the winning House gaining 500 house points
for their amazing bakes!
House
Team Results:
1st
Stephenson (500)
2nd
Brunel (200)
3rd
Curie (100)
4th
Faraday (50)
Individual
winners:
Bella
Hornzee and Coral North 7W (50)
Alice
Reynolds and Daisy Miller 7Y (50)
Later
on Tuesday evening Woking High School students attended the H.G.Wells Centre to
receive their Bronze (42) and Silver (20) Duke of Edinburgh Awards. They
listened attentively to the guest speaker Jamie Gane who told them of his
DofE journey and related it to their own achievements. From speaking to
them later, I know that many of them were inspired by Jamie to continue to the
next level of DofE. Yet again students from Woking High School were the
most numerous from all local schools. Congratulations to all those receiving
awards and thanks to all staff, especially Mrs King, Duke of Edinburgh
Co-ordinator, who give so generously of their time to ensure students can
participate in this great opportunity.
On Wednesday I launched the application process for the 2019/20
Head Girl/Boy team. All Year 10 students were informed that letters of
application need to be submitted by Friday 26 April. A selection panel will
then meet and several students will be invited to present to their year group
and then a number will be called to final interview. The current Head Girl/Boy
team spoke to the Year 10 students in assembly and shared their experiences
with them. They will be on hand over the coming weeks to give support should any
applicant wish to seek their advice. The timeline of 26th April
should give students adequate time to consider the position as well as focusing
on their exams which began on Monday 25th March and finish on 5th
April.
On Thursday 28th March, a Year 8/9 team consisting of
Nona Lawrence, Alex Heeney, Luke Holcroft and Adam Ahmed represented Woking
High School in the UKMT Team Maths Challenge Regional Final at Lord Wandsworth
College in Hook, Hampshire. The challenges involved answering a range of Maths
puzzles as a team using only a pen and paper, with rounds including a relay
race and a team crossnumber puzzle. The competition was fierce (with one team
even rumoured to have been training for the event on Saturday mornings!),
however our students performed well and finished a creditable 11th
out of 28 schools on the day. The students worked exceptionally well as a team
and conducted themselves impeccably throughout.
For the third year in a row Woking High School received the
Surrey High Sherrif’s shield as winners of the Surrey Heat of the Mock
Magistrates competition. Four students from the team collected the shield
from the Surrey High Sheriff’s Awards Evening, held on Thursday evening at the
ExxonMobil House in Leatherhead. Lily Harris, Lily Hallam, Tatiana Neeson
and Joni Dervishi represented our team and reported back (in this order!) that
the food was delicious, they were on a Q and A panel with the High Sheriff,
they met the mayors of Guildford and Woking and had a lovely time all round!
Advanced notice of some chocolate themed events next week.
The Friends of Woking High School are organising a chocolate
tombola to raise funds for the Friends (please see attached) on Tuesday 2nd
April at break 11.20 – 11.50 and lunch 12.50 - 13.30 to raise funds
for charity. Please contact FOWHS@wokinghigh.surrey.sch.uk if you can help
during one of the time slots. The House team are organising a mini Easter
Egg sale on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th April.
Please see the attached email re the 2019 Garden Safari.
Horsell Garden Safari 2019
Garden Safari – new garden call!
The programming for the 2019 Garden Safari is underway and we
are now looking for new gardens to open for us. So all mums, dads, carers,
grandparents of Woking High school – please consider opening this summer!
The dates for the Safari are Saturday 22rd (11-5pm) and Sunday
23rd June (12-5pm). Each year we support the upkeep of the Village Hall
plus a local charity through the funds raised as well as providing a
great outdoors event where visitors can have a relaxing stroll in lovely
surroundings and enjoy a cup of tea and cake. Garden owners can
choose to open for just one day or both days and can offer refreshments
and /or spare plants or enjoy chatting to visitors about their garden and
gardening tips! The diversity of our gardens is what makes it a
really special event – there is always something for every taste – large or
small, cottage style or formally landscaped, great for wildlife and / or
children, tree covered or open. Opening garden owners not only get to
bask in the lovely compliments given by visitors but also get a ‘thank you
supper’ where they can all meet up and share their great Safari stories .
Please get in touch with us about opening this year and becoming
part of this successful Horsell event. – we need as many gardens as possible to
make it a really good experience for visitors. Join us and enjoy a
weekend ‘on safari’ with the team!
Gail Bromley
07759313492 or bromleysglad@talktalk.net
Finally please may I draw your attention to a letter I have sent
out today regarding a new option for our summer school uniform.
Best wishes,
Jane Abbott
Headteacher