From the Second Master
Weekend arrangements for boarders
Details for this weekend can be found here. 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 5 December. Log in, select 'Interactive Forms' and 'Weekend Sign-Out' to complete the form.
END-OF-TERM & SCHOOL HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR BOARDERS
In preparation for the end of term, all parents of boarders should complete the End-of-Term & School Holiday Arrangements form, which is also accessed via the same route on the Parent Portal; under ‘End-of-Term & School Holiday Arrangements'. Please complete the form by 13:00 on Friday 6 December.
School goes down at 09:00 on Saturday 14 December. Pupils may be collected after Illuminā on Friday 13 December with the agreement of their Housemasters. Pupils may return to boarding houses from 16:00 on Tuesday 7 January and term officially starts at 20:15. Please note that tea is not provided.
Early flight arrivals at the beginning of Common Time 2025
We are delighted to offer our early-return service for pupils whose flights arrive early to the UK on Tuesday 7 January. The newly refurbished Sixth Form Common Room will be available as a safe place for pupils.
- The Common Room will be open from 12:00 on Tuesday 7 January and supervised by a member of staff.
- Hot meals will be provided in College Hall at 12:30 and 18:00.
- Pupils will be welcome to spend time in the Common Room and they can also sign out to go into town/KPO if they wish to. Facilities in the Sports Centre (including the gym and showering facilities) will be available from 14:00 until 18:00.
- Boarding houses will be open from 16:00.
- There will be a charge of £50 which will be added to your school bill.
- Please sign up for the service in the End-of-Term Arrangements form.
- In the form you will be asked for flight/taxi details and the approximate time of your child’s arrival in Winchester.
Thank you gifts
As we approach the end of term, and at this festive time of year, we understand that parents may wish to show their gratitude to staff through thank you gifts.
From the school’s perspective, we would like to emphasise that there is no obligation or expectation of gifts in any circumstances. If you are organising a collection for a joint gift, please be mindful that parents have a wide range of financial circumstances and not everyone will be able to afford to participate or wish to contribute.
Please also note that our internal policies do not permit staff to accept gifts of cash or vouchers of any amount and staff will donate these to the College or the College’s nominated charity.
Events
What's On
End of term Carol Service & IlluminĀ
Tickets for Dr Jack Andrews' talk and the Cathedral Carol Service on Friday 13 December are now fully booked, but please do join us for Illuminā on the College campus from 15:45.
Parents Drinks
Parents are invited by Winchester College Society to join us for drinks in London on Thursday 13 February 2025. We are delighted that the Headmaster will be joining us on the evening. Please note the strict dress code for the Cavalry and Guards Club, which you can find here.
You must be a registered user of the Winchester College Society website, and logged in, to be able to see the event and sign up. Please book here.
For all other College events, please use the links below.
Drama
Trant's House Play: A Christmas Carol
More than half of Trant’s pupils will be on stage this week for their timely performance of Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol.
This promises to be the perfect end-of-term treat and fun for the whole family. Do join us in QEII for this wonderful tale on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 1930.
No tickets are required.
Charity
Santa Fun Run for Naomi & Jacksplace
Congratulations to all of our pupils who took part in the annual Winchester Santa Fun Run in aid of Naomi & Jacksplace at the weekend.
Despite the weather, two pupils came 2nd & 3rd out of 900 soggy runners!
Charity
Winchester College Charity Calendar
The 2025 Winchester College Charity Calendar is now available.
With brand new photos from the College's Photography Society, the calendars also feature key general dates and term dates.
The calendars are £15 each and can be purchased via the link below via blue-bills (the calendar will then be delivered to your child) or at the charity tent during Illuminā.
All profits raised will be evenly distributed to each of the school charities, Young Lives vs Cancer, SolarAid and Winchester Hospice.
Sport
Success at Avon Big Boats Head
A few weeks ago, the College Boat Club travelled to Bristol for the Avon Big Boats Head.
This was the first event for our new JP pupils and they competed in an 8x+, kicking off the racing for the day as the first crew down the track.
The College registered two wins at Avon, one was in the 4- with George (B) steering, the second win was in a 4+ coxed by William (B). The 4- had a brilliant row, as they came 14th out of all 117 crews that raced that day, on top of their medal.
Our J15's raced in the first division in a 4x+ and in the second division in a 4+, making this their first sweep race. To finish off racing our 2 senior 8+'s went head to head and ended up coming 6th and 7th out of the 117 crews.
Overall, the day saw strong performances across the board generating a lot of momemtum to move forward with.
Congratulations to all who took part!
College
Chamber Tea
Twice a year, pupils in College hold a Chamber Tea, where they invite guests to the Lower Chambers for a meal. Last week, the much anticipated Short Half installment of the tradition was held.
Pupils created a 3-course menu which was prepared in Matron's flat before being served to guests. Xander designed the menu, featuring pan seared scallops with carrot and vanilla velouté as a starter, braised oxtail raviolo with sautéed spinach and rich jus for the main, and a chocolate mousse with cherry sorbet and cocoa crumble for dessert.
David provided a musical accompaniment on his violin, with speeches also part of the evening. Well done to all involved in this uniquely College tradition!
Art & Design
Art, Inspiration and Beyond with Artist in Residence, Jamie Bragg
This term in Art School, we were joined by the talented painter, Jamie Bragg. As Artist in Residence, he worked with our pupils exploring the techniques and traditions of painting, from still life to landscape.
Jamie gained a First-Class honours degree from the Ruskin School of Art, University of Oxford, and has recently exhibited at Modern Art Oxford.
His enthusiasm and friendly manner made him an instant hit in lessons, as he discussed how to layer up colours and combine different textures. He also explained about his inspiration, using photographs from his grandfather’s wartime experiences overseas.
Being a recent graduate, Jamie had invaluable advice to share regarding applying for university places, putting together a portfolio and negotiating the college system at Oxford. He gave a fascinating talk about his research and inspiration to our top two years, which generated a lively discussion.
Sport
Saturday at the Boat House
On Saturday, the Boat Club held an internal competition, which involved racing in coxed fours of mixed year groups and abilities, a relay on the ergos and a run.
Each team completed three timed races in a time trial format. The two coxes for the day were Fergus (A) and James (H). All crews raced well, and it gave some of those new to rowing the chance to work with the more experienced rowers and get advice on how to develop their racing skills.
As well as rowing on the water, each team also completed a 3km team relay race on the ergos. Each rower had to complete a total of 750m each, but they could swap partners as much as they wanted, the aim being to get the fastest time possible.
To finish off the afternoon, all teams competed at the same time in a 3km run. The time for each team was taken when fourth member of each team arrived back at the boat club, encouraging them to work together.
Our overall winners were the team with the fastest combined total time of the three timed races on the water, 3km ergo time and the run time. Coming in with the win and each taking away a book voucher for £10, presented by the Headmaster, were Jack (C), Sacha (E), Rufus (K), Xavier (C).
Everyone eventually finished the day with a win, when we were able to indulge in a great selection of sandwiches, cakes and hot chocolate...
CATALYST
AI in Education
How far should we integrate AI into the education of young people? This is the question that CATALYST by Winchester College aims to answer.
Join the CATALYST team this evening at 18.30 for a free evening webinar on "AI in Education", where they will take a critical look at the role of AI in schools today.
The session will explore:
- The benefits and limitations of AI-driven learning.
- How AI-generated reports provide insights — but also where they might fall short.
- Thought-provoking discussions on finding the right balance for AI integration in your child’s education.
The team will also demonstrate how their AI system creates student reports and use these as a springboard for a deeper conversation about its impact on teaching and learning.
You can learn more on the event, and book your place, via the link below.
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