Woking High School Inspire, Challenge, Achieve
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Woking High School
SUMMER 2021
Ins pire, Challenge, Achieve
NEWSLETTER
Headteacher’s Letter
What a year it has been! The trials and tribulations they had Covid put a halt on many of our
challenges for our students, families to endure, they have responded usual practices and events, but we
and the school have been many and maturely, conscientiously and with are pleased to have been able to
varied; it has not been easy, but I a determination to succeed. We re-introduce a range of activities
am exceptionally proud of how well look forward to celebrating their this term. It has been fantastic to
our students have coped with the successes on Results Day on 12th see our Year 9 and 10 students
Covid measures in school, remote August and the Certificate Evening completing their bronze and silver
learning, and emotional impact of in the Autumn Term. awards for the Duke of Edinburgh
the virus. They have demonstrated Our fabulous Head Student Team Award with the expedition being
great resilience, kindness and from 2020/21 have handed over the completed in the local area and
commitment to their studies. baton to the new team for 2021/22. camping overnight on the school
The students who felt the effects We are excited about working with site. In addition, sports matches and
of the pandemic most acutely were the Head Students, Louisa Akohene competitions have ensued and the
our Year 11s whose GCSE exams, and Lorenzo Fantappie, and the students have performed amazingly
NRA and Prom were regretfully rest of the Head Student Team, Mira well, breaking many personal and
cancelled due to the pandemic Ramesh, Jessica Chan, Thomas Plans, school records.
restrictions. We are hopeful that Antonia Thackwell Jenkins, Izaan At the time of writing, we are
Prom may still be able to go Shaikh, Joe Derrick, Lewis Rigby, looking forward to enjoying the
ahead in September. Despite the Carla Manning and Daniela Moya. Sports Days (organised for year
group bubbles), our Celebration events, including Induction Days. In to return to normal, whilst having
of Talent event, where students addition to this visit, they will enjoy contingency plans in place should
submit videos of their talent to be an Induction Day on 3rd September we need them.
shared across the school during before the rest of the school returns Lastly, before signing off for the
the last week of term, as well as the on 6th September. summer, I cannot emphasise enough
last Subject Day of the term, which As the year comes to an end, we how grateful we are for our staff
has been renamed Summer Fest to also bid farewell to some of our and parents/carers without whose
reflect the focus being on creative excellent staff who are moving on commitment, determination and
arts, culture and fun. for promotions, moving closer to support our students would not have
We were also pleased to have been home or retiring. We are grateful navigated this year as successfully as
for all that they have done for the they have. Thank you.
able to welcome our new Year 7s
for a tour around the school in school and our students. We wish Have a lovely summer; we look
small groups, whilst maintaining them the very best in the future. forward to September and
Covid safety measures, as they We are looking ahead to next year welcoming our students back to
had not had the opportunity to with a sense of quiet optimism; we Woking High School.
attend any of our usual welcome are hopeful that we will be able Mrs Walter
Modern Foreign Languages
On Subject Day (May 2021) Y8
students studied a range of
festivals from around the world.
Carnival of Venice
Students took part in a quiz
where they had to match the flags
and cultural event to a country.
Students were introduced to a
wide range of cultural events
including Mardi Gras, Diwali, La
Fête de la Lumière, el Día de los
Muertos, Chinese New Year and
the Venice Carnival. Students
created their own poster in pairs
and presented it to their peers
demonstrating their cultural
knowledge and awareness. The
Languages Department were
very impressed with the creative
thinking and team working skills
demonstrated by the whole of Y8.
Well done, Year 8!
Mr Bolis
Fête des lumières CHINESE NEW YEAR
2
Subject Day
Formerly Day 11, Subject Days day. Year 9 completed GCSE 19th July
have allowed students to change taster sessions in Astronomy, Summer Fest! A very different
bubble location and make use of Child Development, Business Subject Day is coming to Woking
specialist rooms in the school that and Media ahead of making High School on the 19th July. We
they do not currently have access their Options choices. Year 10 hope the students and staff will
to. Additional PSHE content is completed Core revision in Maths have a fantastic day. More details
also delivered on these days. and English in preparation for to follow in the Autumn Term
There have been two Subject Days assessments. newsletter.
since our return to school from COVID-19 has meant 2020-2021
20th May
lockdown in March and there is so far has been a very different
Year 7 were able to spend some
one in the final week of term. year, but the Subject Days have
time in the DT workshops for the
24th March first time this year. Year 8 had enabled students to access areas
Year 7 had additional time in additional time in PE, Languages of the school outside their current
PSHE, History, Geography and and History. Year 9 had their first bubble and we hope to be able to
Languages. Year 8 were able to experience in a Science lab this return to normal Day 11 activities
make use of specialist rooms in year. Year 10 had some additional next year!
Computing and Science for the time in their Options subjects. Mrs Heller
Music
Although we have not been able new approaches that we want for Aghajanian to the school in
to run our usual programme of integrato. September who will be teaching
musical rehearsals and concerts September will also see some other Music and also Media Studies.
this year, this does not mean that changes in the Music department. When she is not teaching, Miss
we have not tried to keep music At the end of this term we will Aghajanian is a professional singer
alive at Woking High School! Music say farewell to Mr. Goodwin who so we already know that our
lessons have focussed on different has been our Director of Music vocal ensembles will be in safe
genres of music and periods of Performance for the last 14 years. hands. Our wind orchestra will
music history and one advantage Many of you reading this will also resume rehearsals after the
of having to use classrooms in have attended the wonderful summer (regulations permitting)
other areas of the school has been concerts and other events that with a professional musician and
that we have been able to go into he has worked hard at staging our other smaller groups such as
more detail about these types of during this time, and the amount the guitar and string ensembles
music and then listen to pieces of high-quality performances he should also be able to start up
perhaps more than we usually do. has rehearsed our students for again. We are currently mapping
Topics covered by Music classes are far too numerous to list here. out a calendar of concerts and
this year have included classical Whilst we are sad to see him go, events for the coming year
music and the orchestra, blues we give him our very best wishes so there will be some exciting
and jazz music, the history of pop for the future and know that he opportunities for students to
music and also music from China, is looking forward to spending perform in front of audiences once
South America, Africa and India. more time with his family. It is again and for families to come and
also unfortunate that he leaves us see and support them.
Since Easter, many Music classes
have been able to return to without giving us one last musical Even though we have not seen
practical music-making activities extravaganza, but we hope to many parents and carers this
and students have rediscovered tempt him back at some point to year (apart from during virtual
the joy of practising and one of our future concerts so we consultation evenings), we thank
performing pieces of music in can give him the send off that he you for your continuing support of
lessons. We hope to be able to deserves. all things musical at Woking High
return to our usual programmes Mr. Goodwin leaving us does School and we look forward to
of study in September, but we will not mean the end of music seeing you at one of our exciting
performance at Woking High events in the coming months.
definitely be reviewing this year
to see if there were any of our School. We welcome Miss Mr Turner
3
Food
Students make an epic comeback to the food room
as egg and dairy free. Gluten free
cakes were also created.
Presentation was a focus
throughout the lessons with
KS3 finally made it back into Food Food creation is a life skill and our students looking at piping
practical lessons in school. With a students have enjoyed developing buttercream, making coulis and
lot of bubble planning and careful their cooking skills at home, ganache. Strawberries covered in
organisation, students created a however nothing beats making chocolate was another process
number of sweet desserts. amazing food alongside your fellow undertaken as an accompainiment.
Year 7 students made some students and friends. The students are looking forward
beautiful small cakes with an Some students made variations to regular practical sessions with a
accompaniment; Year 8s students of the desserts whilst looking at sense of normailty in September.
made delicious Muffins with fruit different dietary requirements such Miss Hussain
and Year 9s will make Victoria
Sponge cakes in the coming weeks.
Year 7s settled into the food room
quite well, considering it was their
first time.
Food and Nutrition at Woking
High School is all about creating
good quality food products with a
consideration for nutrition. Students
were encouraged to add fruit to
their desserts.
The atmosphere in the food room
has been amazing and so vibrant
with so many eager faces aiming to
produce something delicious.
4
English
Gradgrind’s advice to ‘teach skills in our optional Creative we studied Jaws – a film – which
these boys and girls nothing but Writing and Dystopian Literature may seem counterintuitive but is
facts’ will be familiar to our Year 8 masterclasses, for students who a tried and tested way of making
students who have enjoyed a unit are interested in English Language students aware of techniques
on Dickens’ characters. However, and Literature studies post-16. before they have to engage with
this has not been the approach this The start of Year 10 is always an a complex text. They learn how
year for the English Department at exciting time as students begin tension is built and character
Woking High. We have made every their GCSE courses. Literature is developed whilst watching
effort to ensure that our students began with Jekyll and Hyde, a shark terrorise a town! After
have not just the facts and skills a novel that both stretches learning these techniques, they
to succeed in this subject, but also and rewards students. The have to bring that knowledge to
the imagination and creativity that engagement of the students in bear on ‘Of Mice and Men’, a novel
will enable them to be resilient and the work was impressive; they that is rich in literary technique
successful. were genuinely pleased to be and lends itself to the honing of
Our Year 11 students were back in the classroom! The next newly acquired analytical skills.
welcomed back in September text studied was ‘An Inspector By the time they have completed
with tightly focussed catch up Calls’. After the dense and layered this module Year 9 are well on
and revision lessons. In October, language of Jekyll and Hyde, their way to becoming GCSE
every student in Year 11, wrote and this play is always enjoyable for students. The year ended with
delivered a 4-5 minute speech to students with many opportunities Shakespeare and Much Ado
their class. Topics ranged from for performance and the About Nothing, a play that always
tattoos to space exploration, discussion of universal themes. engages and is an uplifting way to
being a refugee to driverless cars. The final text of the year was finish a productive year.
You name it, our students have Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare An Ofsted Inspector described
an opinion on it – which is exactly is not the most accessible writer the Year 8 curriculum as
what we enjoy and want to hear. in the curriculum, but by the end ‘deliciously dark’; works by
Through careful planning, Year 11 of the course Year 10 were able Agatha Christie and Conan
students were able to sit a full set to quote extensively and write Doyle were explored alongside
of English Literature and Language insightfully about all aspects of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and
Papers under formal conditions. the play. Watching students go Dickens’ characters - all of which
After the assessments, A’Level from wary readers to Shakespeare were enthusiastically received.
style seminar sessions on topics scholars is always a joy. This year, our students also got
such as ‘Satire’ and ‘Orientalism’ Students have to decide which the opportunity to be armchair
were used to broaden contextual GCSEs they will study in Year travellers through reading and
understanding and we continued 9, which brings a focus and writing reviews and articles about
this focus on teaching advanced seriousness to the year. In English faraway places in a travel writing
unit; an experience that felt
especially welcome and liberating
Media in our current restrictive times.
If you ask one of our Year 7
students about the topic that
they enjoyed studying the most,
Year 9 Media Studies: embedded in the texts they invariably reply ‘The Village
Summer Term 2021 themselves. Project’. This short creative
This year 120 students in four unit, in which they imagine and
As a foundation in Media Studies,
classes chose Media Studies populate a fictional village, is
this course has been able to
as a Year 9 option, and they focus on acquiring Knowledge used to inspire a wide range of
can indeed look back with a and Understanding of Media functional and creative writing
feeling of achievement at having texts, on Analysing Media texts tasks. Units on ‘London’, ‘Ballads’,
covered a really wide range of and on producing Media texts. ‘Shakespeare’s Speeches’ and
exciting Media topics! These skills should benefit ‘Wind in the Willows’ have also
students pursuing Media Studies aimed to give our students
The Year 9s have been able to an understanding of how to
investigate the Key Concepts at GCSE level.
appreciate ideas and techniques
which underpin this subject Well done, Year 9! Some used by writers.
(namely Representation, exceptional work accomplished!
All the best to those of you who As you can see, it has been a busy,
Audience, Industry and Media
are furthering your Media Studies enjoyable and successful year in
Language), and have also
at GCSE level! the English Department.
broadened their understanding
of basic media theories Mr Bland Miss Paton
5
Holocaust
This year we have taught the owners of the zoo in Warsaw who men and women were vulnerable,
Holocaust against the backdrop of hid Jews in their basement, with afraid, helpless - what made
the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a secret tunnels to the lion cage in them different from their fellow
massive increase in visibility of, and case the zoo was raided by the citizens?… Why were there so
support for, conspiracy theories, authorities; or Feng Shan Ho, the few?… Let us remember: What
and an uprising over racial justice. Chinese Consul-General in Vienna, hurts the victim most is not the
Much of Holocaust education is who issued visas to Jews despite cruelty of the oppressor but the
based upon the principles that orders to desist. silence of the bystander…. Let us
each individual is responsible for Several students’ work has been not forget, after all, there is always
their own deeds. Throughout their sent to the Centre for Holocaust a moment when moral choice is
lessons, students have learnt a lot Education at UCL as their work has made…. And so, we must know
about the victims of the Holocaust, impressed us so much. these good people who helped
about the perpetrators and a whole Jews during the Holocaust. We
“In those times there was darkness must learn from them, and in
host of other complex points. Year everywhere. In heaven and on
9 students spent the Summer Term gratitude and hope, we must
earth, all the gates of compassion remember them.”
completing a project highlighting seemed to have been closed. The
that despite all odds, difficulties killer killed and the Jews died Elie Wiesel, in Carol Rittner,
and threats, many people stood and the outside world adopted Sandra Meyers, Courage To Care
up to the Nazis and their allies to an attitude either of complicity – Rescuers of Jews during the
rescue people from danger. or of indifference. Only a few had Holocaust, 1982.
The Righteous Among the Nations the courage to care. These few Mr Jones and the History team
project is run by Yad Vashem, the
Israeli Holocaust remembrance
organisation, to allow the victims
of the Holocaust, and their families,
to recognise those who risked their Friends of Woking
own lives to save another’s.
Students have chosen from the
list of Righteous Among the
High School
Nations, three people whom they
were keen to investigate further. The Friends of WHS met in donations and your Prize Club
Many complex questions were May for their termly Ordinary memberships, Thanks to those
addressed, such as: Meeting and were delighted to who shop with the Give as You
• What can we learn about those approve funding for a variety Live scheme, and those who
who rescued victims of the of educational enhancements. bring in their bottle caps and
Holocaust? These included: pens for recycling. Special
• What can we learn about the • Skeleton for the science thanks to Malai Campbell for her
motives of rescuers during the department successful and fun Thai cooking
Holocaust? • 4 laptops for use in exams evening, and to Beverly Magowan
• How does this affect the study • 3 Ipads for the Art department and the Evelina Children’s
of the Holocaust? • Short Story Quest Anthologies Hospital for contributing a large
The standard of work completed for year 7 English pupils portion of recycling!
by students this year is astounding. • Radioactive sources, radiation Please join us in September
Trying to tease out the motives of detector/counter for science for our next combined Annual
rescuers is a very challenging thing department General and Ordinary Meeting,
to do, especially when many of the • Pulse oximeters for the science where we hope to welcome 3 new
rescuers do not fit the traditional department committee members: Treasurer,
definition of ‘hero’. What was it • New tablets for use in the Fundraising Coordinator, and
about these people that led them SEND department a Social media Coordinator.
to risk their own lives and lives of • New outdoor benches for Do contact us at FOWHS@
their loved ones in order to save SEND area wokinghigh.surrey.sch.uk if you
people whom they often did not • A large selection of new would like more information on
know or to whom they had no board games for the SEND one of these roles or if you need
connection? People like Leopold department to know more about how you can
Socha, a sewer worker and criminal The funding for these teaching contribute to fundraising, please
who fed, clothed and rescued 20 resources and enhancements visit https://www.wokinghigh.
Jews hiding in the sewer canals of would not be possible without surrey.sch.uk/about-us/Friends-
Lwow; Jan and Antonina Zabinski, your generous annual Scopay of-Woking-High-School
6
Art
It has been a very productive and forms of artist Yellena James, captivating studies. Afterschool
busy term in the Art department, through textile and mixed media art club have been constructive
with Year 10s working hard in mediums. Experimenting with with one to one support sessions
preparation for their end of brushes, heat guns, applique and opportunity discover new
year exam. Students have been and embroidery, has enabled techniques.
exploring the intricate organic students to produce detailed and Mrs Alighieri
7
‘Summer Fest’
Woking High School – 19th July 2021
‘Summer Fest’ was a truly wonderful day at Woking High School
this week. Promoted by the staff through the creation of their very
own pop video (which is available to view on Twitter), ‘Summer Fest’
was a new event to the school which everyone became very excited
about. Inspired by ideas from the Year 10 Head Student Team, the
entire Woking High School community got involved with a variety of
fun-filled and team building activities to lift their spirits at the end
of an eventful year! Students arrived at school in the morning to a
brilliant festival feel with festival wrist bands being distributed to
students as they entered the gates, surrounded by balloons, bunting
and festival banners.
Students worked in Form Groups for the day, and participated in a
variety of exciting and innovative activities including:
• A Physical Challenge: Students participated in outdoor
games of strategy and team building in the sunshine.
• An Identity Challenge: Students participated in team
building activities linked with their Citizenship work
conducted on ‘Identity’. All of the games were designed to
prompt meaningful communication between the students
as they learnt more about each other. In addition, the Year 7
participated in the ‘The Coin Race Challenge’; a fundraising
activity in which the students brought in loose change and
had to line up the coins in order to create the longest coin
line. All money was collected in at the end of the session and
donated to ‘The Friends of Woking High School’.
• An Art Challenge: Students participated in an Art project to
create a form group piece of art about ‘Identity’.
• A Culture Challenge: Students participated in a range of
cultural activities listed below:
Bollywood Dancing.
Percussion Discussion: Focussing on both Body
Percussion and Instrumental Percussion.
Tai Chi and Origami.
Art Attack: An outdoor task in which students created
floor art work using second hand clothing (brought in by
the students and staff). The fabulous art work was then
captured using a drone. Brilliantly, following the event,
the second hand clothing was collected and purchased
by an external company, with all proceeds being
donated to charity.
In addition, an extended picnic lunch also took place for the whole
Woking High School community, in which staff and students were out
on the Festival Field to have lunch together. Students were permitted
to bring their own picnics, or had the opportunity to purchase
a Woking High School favourite of ‘Chicken Joe’ from our own
restaurant. The picnic atmosphere was electric, with students taking
the time to socialise following a busy year. Decorations, music, and
ice creams enhanced the festival vibe, and students were incredibly
excited to purchase festival merchandise such as sunglasses and
flower hair bands, with all proceeds being donated to charity.
It really was a fantastic event and a delightful way to end the school
year. The students of Woking High School were a pleasure, and
it was a treat to see everyone together on such a beautiful and
memorable day.
Mrs Wilson
8
9
Maths
We were delighted this year that Maths
across Year 7 and 8 our students A reminder that The Math
were awarded 18 Bronze, 26 Department use Hegarty
Silver and 11 Gold certificates. In Maths for homework. Hegarty
addition, the following students contains videos with modelled
progressed to the Junior examples for students to use
Kangaroo round which they sat which are closely matched to
UKMT Junior Maths Challenge on 15th June. We await the results the homework tasks. If your son/
In the week commencing 26th with interest! daughter is struggling with their
April 2021, 120 of our brightest maths homework, you can now
Year 7
mathematicians in Year 7 and 8 sat help by watching the video too!
Tsaimen Ong
the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge. There are also videos to support
Theodore Barnado
prerequisites to the homework
Each year over 700,000 students
Year 8 set. Students are able to access
enter UKMT Mathematical
Isobel Brooks additional work themselves and
Challenges and they are the UK’s
Harvey Clark use the website for revision. Once
most popular school competitions.
Rosti Kolesnikov enough tasks are completed,
To recognise the highest
Mason Lynch Hegarty will automatically set
performers in the Challenge, the
Jessica Marton MemRi tasks which are retrieval
UKMT award the top-scoring
Alex Miller practice questions based on their
40% of participants Bronze, Silver
Josh Straker past homework tasks.
and Gold certificates in the ratio
James Szarvas Mrs Heller
3:2:1. In addition, around 12,000
Zavi Zinman
of the very highest performers
are invited to take part in the If you would like to have a
Kangaroo and Olympiad follow-on go, some UKMT Junior Maths
rounds. Challenge questions are attached! https://hegartymaths.com/
Computing
iDEA – Duke of York Award
A group of our Y9 and Y10 have through the academic year. The programme aiming to help to
been working on completing Duke of York Inspiring Digital address the digital skills gap.
their iDEA award over the course Enterprise Awards (iDEA) is a iDEA is a programme that
helps students develop digital,
enterprise and employability skills
for free. Through a series of online
challenges and events, students
can win career and life enhancing
badges, unlock new opportunities
and, ultimately, gain industry
recognised awards that help them
stand out from the crowd. iDEA is
about lifelong learning, for anyone
who wants to develop their skills.
Congratulations to the amazing
153 Bronze and 22 Silver awards
achieved by students. And still,
more to come before the end of
the academic year!
Mr Afana
10Science
science with sweets – a nice way
to end the year for our Year 11
students.
New additions to the department:
The science department would
like to thank Friends of Woking
High for the generous donations
that have enabled us to purchase
some new radioactive sources, a
full class set of pulse oximeters,
and a life-size skeleton. The
radioactive sources will enhance
our explanations of radioactive
decay to our GCSE Physics
classes, and the pulse oximeters
will be really useful for all year
groups when they carry out class
investigations into the effect
of exercise on our bodies. The
skeleton looks fabulous and has
already made his way into many
lessons – it even shows muscles
and ligaments, as well as the
bones. Mr Wakely has organised a
competition for students to name
the skeleton; the winner will be
selected by Mrs Walter and Mrs
Gallagher, and the winning name
will be engraved on a plaque.
Subject Days
Year 9 students have made a
great start to their GCSE courses
A Level Masterclasses over the past few weeks – we
The A Level Masterclasses for have been very impressed with
our Year 11 students have been a their focus and mature attitude
fantastic chance for the Science to their learning. We were glad
Department to dust off their to give them the opportunity to
A Level text books and revisit spend some time in the science
long-forgotten sections of the A labs on subject day on 20th May
Level curriculum in our specialist 2021. They were able to try out
subjects. Our aim was to whet the some of the practical activities for
appetites of students considering the Biology unit they have been
taking a science at A Level by studying; they practised their
looking at key ideas and principles microscopy skills and investigated
and creating a smooth transition osmosis using potato chips.
between KS4 and KS5. Exams
The Physicists carried out The Science Department would
some practical work on Simple like to congratulate all the
Harmonic Motion and practical students who completed formal
techniques at KS5. The Biologists examinations this term – both in
looked at careers that an A Level the Sports Hall and in lessons.
in Biology might lead to, and took You have risen to the challenges
a look at the structure of DNA in a we have set you, focussed on
bit more detail. The Chemists ran your revision, and approached
sessions on Electron Orbits and the assessments in a mature and
Molecular Shapes. There was a sensible way.
recurring theme of teaching KS5 Dr Ashton
11Business
Year 10 GCSE students started the sobering statistic that 90% of new for all. With hard work and
year off learning about the basics business startups fail! Now realising determination, they managed to
of business. With some aspiring that it takes more than a good finish the course and revise for their
entrepreneurs keen to be the next idea for businesses to succeed, we final assessments. Congratulations
Elon Musk or Bill Gates, student explored some of the influences to all Year 11 students who
soon learnt about the harsh realities that impact business like the ever completed their final assessments
of the world of business. With the changing world of technology. Year in a very difficult year.
perfect real life example of Covid 11 students grappled with the topic Mr Young
19, students explored how tough of finance and marketing. Trying to
running a business can be. Students mix the statistical world of cashflow
soon grasped the concept of risk forecasts with the creative world
and reward and understood the of talking meerkats! A challenge
Careers
Unfortunately, the majority of number of different role models Careers & Apprenticeship Show
careers related events, activities from all industry sectors; our All Year 11 students were
and trips were postponed due to volunteers helped to draw links invited to attend the virtual
lockdown but the careers team between learning and the world Careers and Apprenticeship
embraced the opportunity to go of work and offered advice to show; the exhibition was a one-
virtual! support and motivate students day event and featured local
to make more informed decisions and international employers,
One-to-One Careers Meetings
about their futures. Students universities, entrepreneurs, armed
Our external careers provider
had the opportunity for a Q & A forces and careers professionals.
Innervate Careers Services
session at the end of the morning. Students were able to attend
continued to work with our Year
live workshops, visit a range of
11 students providing one-to-one Virtual Work Experience employer booths, attend question
impartial information, advice and Although traditional work and answer.
guidance sessions and ensuring experience has been postponed
all students were secure with for this year, many students STEM Virtual Chat
their post-16 applications. They have taken advantage of the At the end of the Summer Term
did this via the telephone when wealth of virtual work experience an ex-Woking High student will
the school was closed and then placements available. Please be meeting virtually with our Year
via Zoom when school reopened. refer to the Woking High 10 Science students to share her
Year 10 students are now having website careers page for further career journey. Emma completed
these interviews face-to-face. All information and opportunities. a Masters’ Degree in Biodiversity
students receive a comprehensive and Conservation at the University
action plan after their meeting. REED Virtual Work Experience of Southampton before starting
All Year 11 students were given a graduate scheme with Mott
Tutor Time Aspire to Be sessions
the opportunity to participate MacDonald, employed as an
Once a cycle, all year groups
in a week-long interactive engineering consultant.
have a dedicated careers tutor
work experience programme
time session. This can be in the
with Reed Education. Students Willmott Dixon
form of a “career of the cycle”
gained experience in multiple A number of Year 10 students will
presentation, virtual assemblies
departments, including finance, be invited to visit Willmott Dixon
provided by local colleges, or live
sales, marketing and learning to have a tour of their construction
virtual chats with apprenticeship
and development. There was site and to learn more about the
providers, Innervate Careers or
also an opportunity to design a varied careers opportunities for
other volunteers.
CV and learn valuable interview both males and females within this
Year 9 – Virtual Careers preparation tips. Reed mentors sector.
Conversations were also available throughout Miss Jarman
Year 9 were lucky enough to the week to offer advice and
spend a morning virtually with a information.
12Drama
It has certainly been in a lively themselves with such energy and the Impact of the Berlin Wall.
term in the Drama Department! creativity. Finally, Year 11 students were
Key Stage 3 students have been also invited to attend a Year 11
Key Stage 4 students have also
embracing their Drama practical Master Class on Arts Appreciation.
been working with great drive.
work. Year 7 have been exploring Students participated in
The Year 10 Drama students have
concepts of ‘Building a Character’, workshop about the theories
embarked upon their study of
Year 8 have been building upon of theatre practitioner, Bertolt
their set text ‘Blood Brothers’
their script interpretation skills by Brecht. Students learnt about
by Willy Russell. Students have
exploring the elaborate theatre his Epic Theatre, and the use of
been exploring both design and
style of ‘Melodrama’, and Year Verfremdungseffekt to prompt
performance aspects, as well as
9 students have been exploring critical thinking from audiences
learning how to log their ideas in rather than emotional attachment.
the use of Trestle Theatre masks.
examination conditions. The students worked with thought
Our Key Stage 3 students have
been truly inspiring in the way Year 11 students have also and insight in the workshop and
that they have continued to worked incredibly hard. Lots of embraced the concepts with fun
explore practical performance; preparation took place for their and energy. Well done to all Year
many were especially excited Final Assessments. Furthermore, 11s this year, and good luck in all
when lessons were able to resume the students used Subject Day your future adventures.
in the Drama Studio from half in May to perform their Devised Mrs Wilson
term, allowing more classes to pieces on the theme of ‘Change’.
experience performance in an The pieces presented original
open space. The confidence within theatre on a variety of topics
the performance work is flying including Gender Discrimination
high, and it has been a joy to see in the Workplace / Sport, LGBTQ+
all of Key Stage 3 expressing Discrimination, Racism, and
Child Development
In Child Development this term, of making a bottle of formula students have looked at play
our Year 10 students have begun and have begun using practical activities that can aid young
their second coursework task equipment to demonstrate that children with their development
about finding a feeding solution they can make a bottle of formula and also how social studies of
for a six-month-old baby that using good hygiene practices. children are conducted in a
is due to start at nursery, while Towards the end of the Summer nursery environment. As this
their primary carer returns to Term, the students will conclude term ends for Year 11 Child
work. In this task, the students their research about what they Development students, we wish
are looking at the feeding options think the best feeding options them every success in the next
that are available to parents are for parents returning to work steps of their education and
when they return to work after and they will hand this completed employment journey.
having had a baby. This involves piece of coursework in. Ms Davidson
research into breastfeeding, Our Year 11 students have
bottle feeding and combination been completing coursework
feeding. The students are creating tasks related to the physical
questionnaires for parents to find development, intellectual
out about the feeding choices development, and social
other people made for their development of children up to
children while they were young the age of 5 years old. They have
and analysing the responses begun looking at the milestones
they receive. On the subject that parents and carers look out
day on 20th May, the students for that indicate how children
were learning about the process are developing for their age. The
13Visually Impaired
Braille Challenge 2021
In May this year, our Braillists
participated in a very exciting
Braille Challenge Competition
hosted by the Braille Institute
USA. We were accepted to join as
a new region where our students Our students were paired with
could complete the Braille similar aged students abroad and
Challenge competition in the UK. got to know each other, sharing
This was and will continue to be their hobbies, favourite foods,
a fantastic opportunity for our activities and comparing life in
students to master their Braille UK vs USA! Our students have
literacy skills whilst completing established great friendships and
various categories. There were will hopefully continue to keep in
some exciting prizes to be won. touch!
All our students did brilliantly and
it was smiles all round! Well done VI Running club
to all our amazing VI students for After school on Thursdays has
doing so incredibly well! become the time for VI students
to stretch their legs! We are
VI Exchange Programme 2021 enjoying the challenges of a
At the beginning of the academic longer run whilst learning to be
year our VI students joined sighted-guided. This is a life skill
the International VI exchange and will support our students to
programme where they got to enjoy healthy living once they
correspond with various other VI have moved on.
students throughout the USA. Mrs Lock
Geography
The Geography Department surprised to learn how much
challenged Year 10 to complete deforestation is illegal and how
a decision making exercise on roads encourage this, as well as
Subject Day, practising the skills the importance of rainforests
needed for the Issue Evaluation for the pharmaceutical industry
of Paper 3. The students and with regards to biodiversity.
immersed themselves in the The teachers leading the activity
issue of road building in the were pleased by some of the
Peruvian Amazon, discussing astute and well-evidenced
the economic opportunities for arguments that students created,
the people of Peru and weighing and are looking forward to
them against the potentially building on this with future
devastating environmental decision-making tasks.
challenges. Students were Mr Dixon
14Student Voice and School Council
At Woking High School, we aim Citizenship lesson which focused on two form groups from each year
to develop a culture of inclusion the promotion of Diversity, as well group now have an opportunity to
and diversity in which all members as sharing strategies on how to go highlight issues regarding student
of the community feel able to about addressing discriminatory safety. This is a rolling programme,
participate fully in school life. We behaviours. It was amazing to see meaning that within six months,
positively promote equality in order the Student Voice so inspired by all form groups will have had the
to create an environment of respect this topic, and we were so proud to opportunity to have their voices
and personal responsibility. This see our students working actively heard. Consequently, the feedback
term, the Student Voice has been to discuss what they feel passionate that we receive from all of these
involved with many exciting projects about. forums will assist Woking High
in order to support our ethos of School in continuing to develop the
As our focus has been on creating
inclusivity. culture of inclusion and diversity
a community in which the safety
Following the challenges faced of our students is paramount, that we strive for. Through the
over the last two years as a result Woking High School have also training of staff, education of
of the pandemic, the Year 10 Head worked actively to hear about the students and sharing of information
Team candidates were invited to views of the student community with parents, we can work as
share some ideas for a Subject on a broader level. Additional a community to ensure that all
Day that would bring the school forums have been established in students feel safe and celebrated at
community together for a day of fun which students can share their Woking High School.
and positivity. As a result of some views on ‘Safety within School’ Woking High School would like
outstanding suggestions, ‘Summer in a supportive environment. to thank all members of the
Fest’ will take place on the 19th July. Consequently, Engagement Groups community who have supported
Students will be involved in a range have been initiated, in which this process over the last term.
of practical activities including: clusters of students from all year It takes maturity, strength and
• The Physical Session: Team groups are given the opportunity resilience to explore matters of this
Building and Problem-Solving to share the experiences and nature, and we are proud that we
• The PSHE Session: Exploration of offer feedback on how Woking can go on this journey together to
Identity High School can enhance our make a difference not only within
• The Art Session: Whole School provision of ensuring student our local community, but society as
Art Project safety. Furthermore, half termly a whole.
• The Culture Session: Involvement surveys have also been established; Mrs Wilson
in a variety of practical cultural
activities
• The Food Session: A Whole
School Picnic (in Year Group
Religious Education
bubbles)
We hope that this will be an Students have been working and ethical topics. Some of the
amazing day, that will unite us as hard all year in their lessons ‘big questions’ were studied and
a community, and celebrate our and home learning. Year 7 have discussed and discussed some
diversity. been looking at the major world more! We explored the problem
In addition, the School Council religions and focusing on the of crime in our society and looked
have been focusing upon the origins of these religions and the at the influences that affect all the
importance of celebrating Diversity key individuals involved. Students decisions we make.
within the School Community. have had opportunities to explore
GCSE students have been fully
School Council members across sacred texts from these religions
immersed in the philosophical
Year 7-11 have discussed their views and discover the foundations
issues surrounding life, from
and experiences on Diversity and of these ancient beliefs and
its creation to its destruction.
Discrimination. Moving forward, cultures. Look at the holy place
We have been exploring some
a selection of students from Year of worship and some of the key
of the key fundamental beliefs
7-10 participated in the filming festivals celebrated all over the
from our chosen religions and
of a virtual assembly, using their world from these faiths. Year 8
examining how members of these
Student Voice to promote positive started the year taking a deeper
religions apply these beliefs in
values on the matter within school. looking in to the religion of Islam
contemporary British society.
In addition, the students also and the beliefs and practices
Congratulations to all Year 11
launched the new school policy of carried out today. Students then
students who completed their
‘Challenge it. Report it. Change it. had the chance to discover how
final assessments in a very testing
Together.’; this policy is a means of Christianity went from a few
year for them. Good luck with
students challenging discriminatory dozen followers to the largest
your future studies.
behaviours in a safe and supported religion today. In Year 9, students
way. Year 11 students went on to have been tackling philosophical Mr Young
aid staff with the creation of a
15PE
It’s been great to see our
students return to Inter School
Sport (Tennis, Rounder’s and
Athletics) and in a very short
period of time they have achieved
considerable success, most
notably in Athletics.
Athletics
Our athletes have competed
in three matches this summer.
The athletes’ dedication to
training and competition has
been outstanding. There has
been a total of nine School
Records broken and many have
been broken multiple times.
At the Key Stage 3 District
Athletic Championships, we
were phenomenal, winning all six Year 8 Girls
competitions. There were nine
schools competing in the District Year 7 Girls Junior Girls (Year 7/8)
(Chertsey High, Fullbrook, 1st Woking High 87 1st Croydon HS 398
Gordons, Hoe Valley, Salesians, 2nd Gordons 65 2nd St George’s College 376
SJB, SWPS, Winston Churchill 3rd Hoe Valley 61 3rd Woking High 331
and Woking High). In 72 events,
Year 8 Girls Inter Girls (Year 9/10)
across all six competitions, we
1st Brighton College 539
finished in the top three in no 1st Woking High 97
2nd Croydon HS 461
fewer than 63 events with 34 2nd Hoe Valley 70
3rd Gordons 386
golds, 16 silver and 13 bronzes. 3rd Gordons & SWPS 69
4th Woking High 346
A truly outstanding team effort.
The top three team results are Year 9 Girls
Junior Boys (Year 7/8)
below: 1st Woking High 93 1st Whitgift 443
2nd Gordons 86 2nd Woking High 418
3rd SWPS 85 3rd St George’s College 355
Year 7 Boys Inter Boys (Year 9/10)
1st Woking High 76 1st Whitgift 518
2nd SJB 54 2nd Brighton College 396
3rd Hoe Valley 47 3rd John Fisher 383
6th Woking High 355
Year 8 Boys
1st Woking High 90 At the Arete Athletics competition
2nd Gordons 82 against Gordons we again
3rd Salesians 60 performed well, winning 18 out of
the 28 track events.
Year 9 Boys Year 10 Teddy Gannon, who was
1st Woking High 83 ranked first at Under 15 level in
2nd Gordons 81.5 Britain at Discus last summer,
3rd SJB 77 is currently ranked fourth in
Britain at Under 17 level. Teddy
Selected Individual Results from will again compete in the English
Key Stage 3 Championships+ Schools Athletic Championships in
At the English Schools Athletics Manchester.
Championships first round we We now look forward to Sports
again achieved considerable Day and hopefully even more
individual and team success. records and great performances
Year 7 Boys Please see team scores below: will be seen.
16Year Gold Silver Bronze
7 Long Jump Rosie Warren 70m Hurdles Scarlett Brown 100m Violette Hornzee
High Jump Violette Hornzee 200m Violette Hornzee 75m Hurdles Eric Ede Oyono
Shot Putt Freya Geaney 1500m Isaac Littlecott Javelin Archie Johnston
Discus Jack Harel
Discus Freya Geaney
Javelin Isobel Jones
Girls 4x 100m Relay
100m Sahil Vassanjee
200m Sahil Vassanjee
800m George Loader
Long Jump Sahil Vassanjee
High Jump Jack Harel
Shot Putt George Loader
Boys 4x 100m Relay Year 7 Girls
8 75m Hurdles Nell Hunter 300m Joana Camacho 1500m Hannah Scholey
100m Alice Clark 800m Mari Woodhatch Javelin Lily Bulman
200m Joana Camacho Shot Putt Emilia Bye Harris 200m Leon Langford
High Jump Alice Clark 80m Hurdles Harry Chappells Shot Putt Mason Doyle-Rogers
Discus Alice Clark
Girls 4x 100m Relay
300m Zavi Zinman
800m Zavi Zinman
Long Jump Nicolas Szmydt
High Jump Daniel Gilbert
Triple Jump Micah Silvester
Javelin Zavi Zinman
Discus Gabriel Torin Costa
Boys 4x 100m Relay
Year 8 Boys
9 800m Bella Hornzee 75m Hurdles Laura Kersley 300m Bella Hornzee
Shot Putt Freya Underhill 100m Laura Kersley Long Jump Laura Kersley
Discus Freya Underhill 200m Freya Underhill 1500m Archie Robinson
Javelin Marcie Bulman Girls 4x 100m Relay Shot Putt Herbie Hunter
80m Hurdles Rhys Conlon 100m Liam van der Ross Triple Jump Jimmy King
Long Jump Rhys Conlon 200m Liam van der Ross Boys 4x 100m Relay
High Jump Rhys Conlon 800m Jack Phillpotts
Discus Herbie Hunter
17Golf GB Climbing Selection the London Pulse Netball Franchise
Year 7 Jess Stofberg and Year Rhys Conlon in Year 9 is currently at Under 19 level. Sadly, she is
10 Joshua Gates competed ranked 1 in Britain at Year 9/10 currently too young to compete in
in the Surrey Schools Golf level in Boulder and Lead. He their matches.
Championships at Guildford Golf has been unbeaten on Lead all
Finally, congratulations to everyone
Club. Jess managed to win the season. Rhys has been selected to
who has stayed committed to their
Girls Individual Net competition, represent GB at the Youth World
sport in the last sixteen months.
shooting well below her handicap. Championships in Voronezh in
Hopefully, we can look forward to a
Jess had made tremendous Russia in August.
whole year of School sport starting
progress with her handicap being Netball in September.
cut from 34 to 17 in just a few Sadie Wilson, despite being in Year
months. 9, has been selected to train with Mr Justice
Notices
Term Dates Parking
1st September INSET Please can all parents and carers end of the school day and would
ensure that they are parking ask that you arrange to collect
2nd September INSET considerately when dropping off your child away from the school
3rd September Year 7 students and picking up students from where there is less congestion.
only return to school school. We ask that you do not
park on yellow or zig zag lines, We have also been asked by the
6th September All year groups near corners or junctions and do Plough Pub to remind parents
return to school not block driveways. that their car park is for patrons
We appreciate that parking near only and should not be used
to school can be difficult during for dropping off or picking up
busy times such as the start and students.
Attendance – Leave of Absence
The school holiday dates are a penalty notice from the local Warnings will not be given where
published a year in advance and authority. it can be shown that parents have
the school therefore does not see The Government have changed been notified that such absences
any reason for parents/carers to the regulations which permitted will not be authorised. In addition,
need to take their child out of Headteachers to grant leave of penalty notices may also be issued
school during term time. Leave absence for the purposes of a when a student is stopped by a
of absence in term time will only family holiday. The Education truancy patrol or at the discretion
be authorised in exceptional (Pupil Registration) (England) of the local authority Inclusion
circumstances. Where absence in (Amendment) Regulations 2013 Service Manager if a parent/carer
term time is unavoidable, a leave states that Headteachers may fails to ensure regular attendance.
of absence application form must not grant any leave of absence The penalty notice is £60 per child
be submitted for consideration during term time unless there are per parent if paid within 21 days
to the Headteacher no less than exceptional circumstances. of receipt of the notice rising to
2 weeks prior to the requested The Headteacher can request £120 per parent per child if paid
date. If a leave of absence is the local authority to consider after 21 days within 28 days. If the
taken in term time without prior issuing a penalty notice to parents penalty notice is not paid within
authorisation by the school it will when students are taken out of 28 days Surrey County Council
be recorded as unauthorised by school for 5 or more days leave will consider a prosecution in the
the school and may be liable to of absence without authorisation. magistrate’s court.
Woking High School, Morton Road, Horsell, Woking, Surrey, GU21 4TJ
Tel: 01483 888447 Fax: 01483 888448
Woking High School Email: info@wokinghigh.surrey.sch.uk
Ins pire, Challenge, Achieve Web: www.wokinghigh.surrey.sch.uk
Headteacher: Maiken WalterYou can also read
