15th June 2021
Winchester Weekly
Message from the Second Master
Announcement from the Prime Minister
Dear Parents,
Following last night’s announcement that the remaining COVID-19 restrictions will stay in place until 19 July, the school will be in direct communication with parents and boys as soon as possible about any possible impact this may cause in the last few weeks of this term. Fortunately, we think that any disruption to existing plans will be minimal for the vast majority.
The Headmaster will write to boys and parents in VI Book 1 separately later today about end of term celebrations.
Exeat will go ahead as planned from 1305 this Saturday 19 June until 2115 on Monday 21 June.
May I again draw parents’ attention to an error in the italicised section of the printed school calendar for 2 July, which appears to have been carried through from the arrangements for Common Time. There is no early departure on the last Friday of term: pupils in JP, MP, V Book and VI Book 2 will leave from 1100 on Saturday 3 July.
With best wishes,
Mr Nicholas Wilks, Second Master
A message from the Headmaster
An Update on the Vision
In February, we announced Winchester College in the 21st Century, an exciting new vision that involves a significant programme of change, including the admission of girls and day pupils into the Sixth Form from September 2022.
In the accompanying video, the Headmaster provides an update on progress made to date and highlights the Sixth Form offer, which launches on the school's website today.
Sixth Form at Winchester
Day & Boarding
As referenced in the Headmaster's video message, we are delighted to announce the launch of our new Sixth Form website page, which includes more information about what the Sixth Form experience will look like for both boys and girls from September 2022.
Sixth Form at Winchester
In their own words
For the benefit of prospective Sixth Form pupils, some of our current boys have shared their thoughts on what life is like in these final two years, as well as what they will miss when they leave!
Leaver's event
A night at the opera
Among the various extra-curricular activities available for our leavers over the past week, several enjoyed a magical night at the opera. With thanks to The Grange Festival for the kind invitation to the pre-dress rehearsal of Rossini's 'Cinderella'.
Leaver's event
It's a knockout
‘It’s a Knockout’ came to Lavender Meads on Sunday afternoon. Seventy-four boys signed up, organised themselves into six teams and then took part in the competition. An inflatable assault course, chicken wrestling, bungee running, gladiatorial jousting, penalty kick-off and shooting the hoops kept us all entertained as the sun shone. With many smiling faces, the photographs tell a story of good-natured competition, great enjoyment and obvious camaraderie. Team Six with Sterling Blakey, Ivar Bullen, Kai Marshall, Felix Beddow, Sai Pidikiti, Lucas King, Oscar Wilton and Marcus Hall all from Toye’s triumphed after the scores were tallied.
Events like this would not take place without the collaboration, enthusiasm and generosity of spirit from all of the boys and staff involved.
Felix summed it up when he wrote to say thank you: “It was a lovely way to spend a sunny final Sunday afternoon at school.”
Dr David Yeomans, Deputy Undermaster
Message from the Undermaster
Quarantine in Short Half
We hope that boys returning to school for Short Half 2021 will be able to quarantine safely and legally with guardians or members of their families, however for the instances where this is not possible we are happy to support the safe and compliant return to school by offering quarantine facilities here at the College.
We will provide access to a registration form on 22 June 2021 via Winchester Weekly or by direct communication from the Registrar’s Office for all new joiners in September, and request that you return with a confirmation of your intent ideally by 3 July (the end of term), and at the very latest by 1800 BST 16 July. After that date, we will be unable to accept further requests for accommodation other than in exceptional circumstances such as cancelled flights or changes in Covid restrictions.
If you are intending to quarantine your son outside of the school please use this link to ensure that your own arrangements are compliant with UK government requirements.
The cost of our quarantine service for those coming from Red and Amber list countries will be £1,350 and will include airport transfers (from all London airports) to bring pupils to Winchester. On arrival pupils will be tested on our SAMBA system before joining their quarantine accommodation. All frontline boarding staff dealing with quarantine will also be tested.
Any pupils testing positive in any of the tests administered by the School will self-isolate in our Medical Centre (or under alternative arrangements if numbers become high). If serious illness develops, the patient can be transferred to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, which is only a few minutes away from the School. Close contacts of the positive case will self-isolate in their quarantine accommodation.
N.B. The dates previously published have been modified slightly.
RED List arrivals
Should arrive within the two-day window of 21 and 22 August. Test to Release is not available to Red List arrivals and pupils will need to complete the full quarantine period. Government surveillance tests will be administered by the school on Days 2 and 8. RED list arrivals will need to present two letters to UK Border Force on arrival in the UK. We will provide these letters once parents have registered with our quarantine facility.
AMBER List arrivals
Should arrive within the two-day window of 26 and 27 August. Test to Release will be used to reduce the quarantine period to 5 days. Government surveillance tests will be administered by the school on Days 2 and 8.
GREEN List arrivals
There is no quarantine requirement at the moment for GREEN list countries. However, there is a government surveillance test required for these boys on Day 2. Please would families arriving from GREEN list countries ensure that they administer the government surveillance test on or before Day 2 after arrival in UK. Obviously, if the School must administer the test for whatever reason then this can be arranged, but it would be a great help to the School if GREEN list arrivals could organise their own testing before arriving at Winchester.
Best wishes,
Dr John Cullerne
Sixty Second Cinema
Over Easter, boys were invited to enter Sixty Second Cinema: our first JP short film competition. The films were premiered on Sunday evening and five winners were selected by Anna Marie Gabriel who has been involved in the music and film industry from a young age.
Best Overall Film: Rishi was awarded the prize for his action-packed piece, Full Circle. He also won the prize for Best After Effects.
Other awards included: Best Cinematography - Amaar for Shifting Shadows. Best Concept - August for Full Circle. Best Editing - Edwin for Perpetual Motion. Best Sound - Jack for Can.
Community Service
A walk on the wild side
A number of our Community Service projects seek to make an important environmental impact. The teacher leading our rewilding project in North Hampshire, Mr Adam Rattray, explains the context and the progress the boys have made.
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