End of term message
From the Headmaster
As we approach the end of term and my first year as Headmaster, I have been reflecting on the many joys of this last year, and the great privilege of being part of this extraordinary school.
Since I started in September, I have had many conversations with parents about your experiences at Winchester, often acquired over many years and multiple children. I have appreciated all your feedback – for better or for worse – which is invaluable on the journey of continual improvement. Happily, the vast majority of our conversations have involved reports of happy, blossoming boys and girls, making continual progress in their studies and friendships and confidence and maturity. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me, for expressing your appreciation for the staff who make this possible, and for bringing forward your concerns openly so that we can respond properly. We rely on our partnership with you to bring out the very best in your sons and daughters.
Over coming days we will take pride in celebrating the achievements of this year in Houses, at the HM Commendā Assembly and at Medal Speaking. At Domum on Saturday, we bid a final farewell to VI Book 1, whose first year at Winchester was disrupted by the eruption of the pandemic, and whose last year has been a triumphal return to the full riches of school life. It is a special moment for all of us, pupils, staff and parents, and I look forward to celebrating this important milestone with you.
I am grateful for the warm welcome offered to me and my husband this year, as we returned to the Win:Coll: community and a place that has long been dear to our family. I thank you for a very successful year and wish you and your family a restful and happy summer.
Warm regards,
Elizabeth Stone
On Friday 14th June, the Winchester College Symphonic Wind Band and talented pupils from partner schools were honoured to spend the day with the Band of the Royal Marines Portsmouth, The Royal Band, who generously gave their time and expert musicianship to the Eve of Wykeham Day concert and the War Cloister Rededication service.
After an intensive afternoon of sectional rehearsals, the massed band totalling 85 players rehearsed together in New Hall and produced an exhilarating evening concert. Highlights from the RM Band first half were the Trombone Soloist, Street Band and Corps of Drums sets.
The pupils demonstrated an array of techniques in Michael Sweeney’s Earthdance and the ensemble work over the term enabled them to tackle wind band classics such as the Holst First Suite, which you can view below. The standing ovation from the full New Hall audience said it all.
Burnt toast is a thing of the pasta - learning the basics with Chartwells
Last week, the College's catering providers, Chartwells, held a cookery class.
Pupils from Kenny's, Furley's, Beloe's, Toye's, Trant's, Chawker's, Hopper's and College learnt some basic cooking skills, including how to make their own pasta, flatbread and overnight oats, as well as kitchen staples that can be added to other ingredients to make more complex meals, like bechamel sauce.
The first of its kind, feedback will be gathered, with the potential for the sessions to be an annual event every June.
Trips
Still Life at Pallant House Gallery
On Thursday 20th June, Art School took our talented MP and VIBkII artists to visit the Pallant House Gallery in Chichester. This excellent gallery is a leading UK museum for modern British art.
We were lucky to spend time exploring the exhibition, “The Shape of Things: Still Life in Britain” which runs until 20th October 2024.
The wonderful work on display provided inspiration for the GCSE and A-Level artists, who sketched, took notes and gathered research. This will help to inform their own studies. The exhibition was enjoyed by all.
Drama
Agamemnon
On Saturday evening, on the initiative of Edward (X), 12 pupils performed in Flint Court in a staged reading of Agamemnon.
This project aimed to give pupils a taste of what the Greek theatre experience was like. The evening was a success with many strong performances.
A particular highlight of the show was that Alex (I) not only composed music to go with a part of text, but also sang it to try and recreate the sounds heard by Ancient Greeks.
Sport
Women's Henley Regatta 2024
Following on from an impressive performance at the National Schools' Regatta, Martha (E) travelled to Henley-on-Thames at the weekend to compete in the 2024 Henley Women's Regatta.
This year saw the competition's largest ever number of entries, and featured crews from the USA, Holland, Scotland and more.
Competing for the Di Ellis Trophy for Junior 1x, Martha progressed through a time trial to get to the main event before eventually being eliminated in the later stages.
A huge congratulations to Martha who was up against individuals who had been competing at the highest level for years, yet she only started rowing in October and didn't focus on single sculling until the end of March!
Research
Analysing the Evolution of the Nile
Recently, the College's Head of Geography, Dr Pennington co-authored a research article in the peer-reviewed scientific journal, Nature Geoscience. In the article, Dr Pennington and his co-authors analyse the evolution of the Egyptian Nile and explain how climatic and environmental changes have shaped its landscape.
You can read the article in full via the link below.
Sport
Judo with the Headmaster
Last Thursday, the Headmaster and her husband Mr Maurency, were invited by Japan Soc to give a judo demonstration and showcase.
Both Black Belt Judokas and Mr Maurency a 5th dan black belt and former Australian Champion, the event began with a short introduction followed by a demonstration of correct and safe technique before the audience participation segment began.
Well done to all those who took on the challenge!
Partnerships
Chess Megafinal
On Sunday 23rd June, the College hosted the Hampshire Megafinal of the Delancey UK Schools' Chess Challenge. The challenge is the largest chess tournament in the UK and our event included 200 players from Hampshire and the surrounding area. The boys and girls, from several local schools, played in sections from U7 up to U18.
Six of the players were from Winchester College, with Yourui Chen (College) winning a strongly competitive U14 section.
Trips
Field work in Herefordshire and Bannau Brycheiniog
Thirty VI2 Geographers visited Herefordshire and the Bannau Brycheiniog for three days last week.
Two days were given over to studying postglacial landforms in order to understand what the area would have looked like 20,000 years ago, when ice blanketed the landscape here.
The third day saw them design and carry out their own Human Geography projects in Hereford town centre, in preparation for their independent coursework this summer.
Led by Dr Pennington and assisted by Mrs Talks, Miss Bonham and Miss Cavey, the trip was a resounding success: the highlight for many being the final view over the whole area from the top of Pen Y Fan.
Events
What's On
Parents are welcome to join us for College events. Events taking place over the coming weeks are highlighted here, but please find the full schedule at the links below.
For Domum bookings, please click here. When booking, please log into an existing Winchester College Society account, or create a new account.
Music Diary Talks & Lectures
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