News & Diary

Winchester Weekly – 5th May 2026

From the Second Master

WEEKEND ARRANGEMENTS FOR BOARDERS

Details for this weekend can be found below. Please access the Parent Portal via the link below to inform us of your child’s plans for this weekend by 23:00 on Thursday 7th May. Log in, select ‘Weekend Sign-Out’ to complete the form.

EKKER DURING THE PUBLIC EXAM PERIOD
At this time of year, we are especially mindful of the additional pressures faced by pupils in V Book and VI Book 1 as they enter the examination season. With an increased emphasis on exam preparation in lessons, alongside their own independent revision, it is especially important that pupils maintain a healthy balance in their daily and weekly routines.

Sustained engagement in a broad range of activities remains a defining feature of a Winchester education. We are pleased to maintain a balanced programme of exercise and fixtures; accordingly, we expect all pupils to continue to honour their ekker commitments during Cloister Time. Taking time away from intensive study supports effective revision and overall wellbeing. While extenuating circumstances will, of course, be considered, there is generally no reason for an individual not to continue participating in the co-curricular activities to which they have committed themselves throughout their time at the school.

Parent Events

To access some of these events, you may need to be a registered user of the Winchester College Society website and logged in.

Summer Drinks 2026

Domum Dinner for Parents of 2026 Leavers: Saturday 27th June

Opera: Sunday 28th June

Fieldwork on the River Pang

Last week, our GCSE Geography pupils headed to Bradfield and donned their waders for a day of river fieldwork along the River Pang, a tributary of the Thames.

Arriving at the river by tractor, pupils investigated how river characteristics change from upper to lower course, measuring channel width, depth, velocity, and bedload size at different points, testing their findings against Bradshaw’s model of downstream change. Velocity was measured in part by timing an orange travelling to a ranging pole, which added a welcome touch of fun to the data collection.

Winchester College | Independent Boarding School

School Concert

Last Friday, 143 pupils took to the stage in New Hall for the School Concert, a full 1.5 hrs of non-stop music enjoyed by everyone in attendance.

The programme featured the school’s largest instrumental ensembles performing a fantastic mix of film and orchestral music, including pieces from Gladiator, The Magnificent Seven, The Jungle Book and How to Train Your Dragon, alongside works by Grainger, de Falla and Khachaturian. The evening opened in style with the Jazz Orchestra and closed with all the ensembles coming together for a rousing finale.

For many of our VI:1 pupils, this was their final concert at Winchester College, and the Music Department took a well-deserved moment to thank them for everything they have contributed over the years.

A truly wonderful evening. Congratulations to all involved!

From Blank Page to the Stage: Planning for the Junior Drama Festival Begins

Last week, VI:2 pupils gathered in Musā for an exciting first step in the Junior Drama Festival. Ahead of working with their junior casts, the directors threw themselves into a series of games and activities, learning how to devise a short play entirely from scratch, a wonderfully lively and creative start to what promises to be a fantastic festival.

Later this term, the directors and actors unite across three venues: QEII, Musā and New Hall and begin to bring their ideas to life in earnest.

We look forward to seeing what they create!

Sports

Junior Inter-Regional Regatta

In late April, WCBC qualified three crews and two J16 members (who joined a mixed club eight) into this year’s Junior Inter-Regional Regatta, competing as part of the Wessex region at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham. Sixteen regions from across England, Scotland and Wales raced over 1000m to determine their place in the A, B or C final, with medals awarded to the top three in the A final only.

The J15 four produced a strong time to reach the A final, finishing 6th. The J14 four, competing at their first multi-lane regatta, reached the C final and finished 14th overall in a close race. The mixed eight, remarkably composed for a group with limited time together, reached the B final and finished 10th. The J15 coxed four also reached the B final, finishing 11th in a race where just one second separated three crews.

It was a brilliant weekend of racing and a great start to the season, well done to all!

Cricket: Senior Colts ‘B’ vs Eton

Last Thursday, the Senior Colts B team pulled off a memorable victory against Eton, winning by 36 runs.

Batting first, the team posted 133 from 25 overs in an innings that looked precarious at 48 for 7. A brilliant partnership between Franks (I – 41 not out) and Lees (E – 19) turned the game around, and Franks continued to push the score on even after Lees was run out, finishing as the clear top scorer.

Eton’s reply started confidently, but Corbett and Singh (both D) bowled superbly to dismantle the innings. Singh was particularly impressive, taking five wickets for just 13 runs including a hat-trick spread across two overs. Eton were bowled out for 97, with some outstanding catches helping seal the win.

It was a famous result, made all the sweeter for the coach, Mr Douglas, who has faced Eton as both pupil and don for 26 years without ever finishing on the winning side!