3rd November 2020
Winchester Weekly
Guest Editor
Feeding emotional well-being
I have a passion for cooking and as a British born child of Grenadian parents, I grew up with both traditional Caribbean and British food. For me, variety and nutrition are key. Topping that list is taste! I keep a close eye on plates, facial expressions and the food waste bin as a marker of success.
Prior to having children, I worked at Saatchi and Saatchi Advertising, BMP Advertising and P&O Events. I then went to Catering College where I enjoyed learning about the scientific aspects of cooking and the technical side of pastry. My initial understanding of school food was that it involved a lot of pizza and chips. I did not think it would be as different or as rewarding as it is. I’m glad to say that while we do have pizza and chips sometimes, the pizzas are handcrafted and the ingredients are fresh!
The Head Chef at Moberly's asked the boys to suggest food they miss from home that can be incorporated into the menus. I think that is a lovely idea as food is not only important for physical health and energy but also emotional well-being.
Patricia Walters, Chef, Moberly's (Toye's)
A message from the Second Master
COVID-19 screening
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to those families with sons in VI Book I and VI Book 2. For those V Book parents returning today or those with sons in JP and MP, we have prepared a short video to give you a sense of what to expect when you arrive back at school for the COVID-19 screening.
Of the 330 tests undertaken to date, only two have tested positive. This remarkably low figure is testament to the responsible way the boys have handled themselves during Leave-out. More generally, the lack of confirmed cases among the pupil body to date is down to the strong partnership between families and the school. It has been heartening to have that sense of collective responsibility reconfirmed during such difficult times. Thank you for your continued support. However, with a growing rate of COVID nationally, we must not get complacent and we will be redoubling our efforts by reviewing all risk assessments across the school community.
As mentioned in my communication on Sunday, while a national lockdown begins this Thursday, our priorities remain the health and safety of the community, and the continuity of our pupils’ education. Teaching will continue to take place in school, and over half term further IT equipment for hybrid teaching has been installed and teaching staff have had further training in its use. Extra-curricular activity will also take place as last half term with boys able to mix between houses and year-groups, where appropriate.
Sundays and Exeat
Unfortunately, we will not be able to allow boys to travel home this coming Sunday or any visits from family to take place on campus. We will be in a better position to communicate about future Sundays in next week’s newsletter. We will also communicate a decision regarding Exeat as soon as we are in a position to do so.
With best wishes,
Mr Nicholas Wilks, Second Master
COVID-19 screening
What to expect
For those parents and boys who are returning to school today or later this week, we have created a brief video of the COVID-19 screening site at Kingsgate Park. We hope that it gives families an insight into what to expect on your arrival.
This has been a significant logistical challenge and the Headmaster and Bursar would like to thank all of those colleagues involved. This includes but is not limited to the following individuals; John Cullerne (Undermaster), Kay Cullerne (House Secretary), Sam Hart (Housemaster), Karlene Cullen (Lead Nurse) and the staff of the Winchester College Medical Centre. Steve Hayward (Lead Electrician), Dariusz Szwajkowski (General Manager, PE Centre), Graham Essex (Transport Manager), Sam James (IT), Bruce Aitken (Functions Manager), Mandy Smith (Senior Catering Supervisor) and Philippa McComb (HM Assistant). Thank you also to the Sports Centre Team, Mini Bus Drivers, Science School Technicians, Art School Technicians, QE11 Support Team and several of the school's sports coaches.
Music at Winchester
Bobber Pot 2020
Bobber Pot, the strongly contested unison house singing competition, was held on Sunday, 18 October in New Hall. In the absence of an audience, each House recorded their song, and these recordings were sent to the adjudicator for her appraisal.
This year’s judge was Naomi Crellin, a renowned singer and arranger, who is the Music Director of Australia’s leading vocal jazz ensemble, The Idea of North. She joined us online from Australia for her insightful and incisive adjudication.
Congratulations to Beloe’s on their winning performance of Irving Berlin’s Let’s face the music and dance. Second place went to Chawker's for their performance of Abba's S.O.S and third place went to Cook's with Viva la Vida.
Online events
Measure for Measure talk this Thursday
This Thursday at 7pm, the Headmaster will be speaking to boys about Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. In this introductory talk, the Headmaster will reflect on what he has learnt about the play and its author since studying the play as an A-level student, with a passing emphasis on the Wykehamist critic, William Empson. The talk will include a summary of the play and expects no special knowledge of the text.
If you would like to view this talk virtually, please contact WinCollSoc about becoming a Friend of Winchester College, giving you exclusive access to this as well as future school opportunities.
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