11th May 2020
Winchester Weekly
Guest editor
Economics
Little did we know at the start of the academic year that a global pandemic would cause such a huge economic shock. Studying Economics currently resembles a turbo-charged rollercoaster ride, moving so fast it is breath-taking. But it is also thrilling and, at times, somewhat macabre.
Graphs of economic data show real-time drama – the excessive daily death rate showing tragic personal losses; the huge uptick in Universal Credit claimants, a sign of distress for many households; the collapse of retail sales, showing the effects of less shopping during lockdown; and the sudden increase in gilt sales, showing the government borrowing frantically to stave off an even greater crisis.
Will we look back and find that the economic changes were really only a historic ‘blip’ or the start of a decade of misery? Much will depend on how governments respond. Past history suggests that we should not revert to protectionist measures (however tempting) and that a return to austerity is only likely to prolong the downturn. Supply chains need to be as frictionless as possible and consumers need to be confident about spending. Let’s hope OW and Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, gets it right.
Liz Veal, Head of Economics
Academic Announcements
Today’s detailed Government advice recommends that no earlier than 1 June ‘secondary schools and further education colleges should prepare to begin some face to face contact with Year 10 & Year 12 pupils, in support of their continued remote, home learning.’ In Winchester parlance, this would mean MP and VI Bk2 boys. The language (‘prepare to begin’) is tentative and the advice makes it clear that the commencement date of 1 June is provisional on the five tests outlined by the Prime Minister having by then been met. The step must also be ‘warranted by the current alert level.’ There is, in addition, a perhaps careful distinction between what is proposed at primary level (with three year groups ‘back in school’) and what is proposed at secondary level (i.e. preparing to begin some face to face contact – which could mean video conferencing – with two year groups). Parents may find the advice, entitled Our Plan to Rebuild here. The quotations are taken from Step 2, page 30.
We await further clarity from the Department for Education, not least with regard to the boarding sector, and will of course adhere to government guidance. Meanwhile, planning will continue to take place about how and when we might manage a safe return to school. Any such plan would of course prioritise the health of our immediate community, as well as that of the general public. There is of course considerable enthusiasm for the return of pupils to their historic home, but an equal regard for patience, prudence and caution.
Looking further ahead, whatever derives from the uncertain short-term, we anticipate that more flexible methods of teaching and learning will be the longer term result. The school will therefore continue to invest in remote learning, and is seeking the support of an expert training agency to commence a programme with dons this term. A further update will be provided as soon as more detailed Government guidance is published.
Dr Tim Hands, Headmaster
Heritage
VE Day commemorations
Last Friday marked the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe day. 2,370 Wykehamists and 16 Assistant Masters served in the armed forces of the Second World War, and 270 lost their lives. In reports from the archives, we find some personal reflections of how boys marked the historic day.
"On VE-day a whole day holiday for the school was declared at short notice. Having not made plans in advance for visits elsewhere, many boys were enjoying a rare day in town. In the evening some of us joined the towns-folk (quite unheard of!) to celebrate with bonfire and booze on St Giles Hill."
Read the full story
Remote learning
Div on the home front
Head of English and JP Div don, Alex Latter is setting a unique div task for this term. It involves three boys a week planning and cooking two-course meals for their families while at home during the lockdown. Last week's efforts (and seen in accompanying images) were by Nika Choupak (College) & Rupert Assheton (College).
Editorial
Postcards from home
This week's virtual postcard is from Arjun, who is at home with his family in Lagos, Nigeria. During the Easter holidays, he took the opportunity to learn something new.
"I decided to busy myself with something during the lockdown: I began to learn how to read and write Hindi. I must confess, I am finding it one of the most difficult tasks on Earth. Despite that, it was a nice change of pace and kept me working and active over the holiday."
College
Election of Scholars
The Election process concludes this week. Candidates have completed a series of written papers and will have collectively taken part in a total of 164 Skype interviews involving the Master in College, the Second Master and a team of subject specialists.
This year’s successful candidates will be announced on Friday 15 May and the list of new Scholars and Exhibitioners will be available to view on the school website shortly afterwards.
And finally...
Accessing Div
On Friday 8th, the school commemorated the 75th anniversary of VE Day with a special programme of activity. In addition to the Chaplain's service, the morning's timetable included a series of Div presentations. These included; Coventry Cathedral - the building of a post-war icon, The Battle of Cable Street, Peace and Diplomacy since WW11 and a discussion on Strauss' Metamorphosen.
We have made the Chaplain's service and the Div lessons available for parents on the parent portal.
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