30th November 2021
Winchester Weekly
End of term arrangements
Later this week, parents will be sent key information regarding arrangements for the end of term. This will include a registration form for those families who wish to attend Illumina on Friday 10 December.
For those who are new to the school, Illumina is a unique outdoor event and is an opportunity for parents, boys and staff to gather together before the holiday. Candles cover the medieval walls surrounding the playing fields, and a large bonfire is lit. The event commemorates the removal in 1862 of a wall which separated those boys in College from boys who lived outside the College walls. Last year a virtual version was created which we hope provides a sense of the occasion. Also available at Illumina will be the Headmaster's recent publication, A Winchester A-Z, which explores and enjoys the complexities of the College's heritage.
Also being sent this week will be more detail on arrangements for the beginning of next term, with key information for international pupils.
Schools' National Winchester Fives Tournament
This weekend, the school played host to the first schools’ Fives tournament of 2021-22, the Schools’ Winchester Doubles. The field included pairs from Alleyn’s, St. Paul’s and Tonbridge (i.e. the strongest opposition out there on the circuit).
I am delighted to say that Winchester’s 1st pair, seeded two for the tournament, overcame the seeding to beat Alleyn’s I 15-5, 15-10. Despite the home-court advantage, this was a truly impressive effort by Shiloh Wu (Freddie's) and Marcus Cloke Browne (Toye's) as the Alleyn’s pair included a player who has been ranked the No.1 schoolboy in the country at U18 level for the last 3 years in a row. The standard of play in the final was certainly more akin to watching adults than schoolboys and the most experienced spectator in the gallery, a former Mi/c Fives at Bradfield, described Marcus Cloke Browne’s play in game 1 of the final as the equal best play he had ever seen from a schoolboy. Kaito Bremner (Trant's) and Christopher Lee (Freddie's), playing as Winchester II, were knocked out of the main competition by Alleyn’s I but went on to win the Plate final; beating Marlborough 15-5 in the final.
All in all, it was a very satisfactory day’s work by the Fives team. The record is now: 3 tournament wins in total by Winchester during the whole of the 20th Century, but 50 tournament wins (so far!) in the 21st Century.
Dr Jamie McManus, Master-in-Charge, Fives
Sport at Winchester
Maclure Pot & Stamford Bridge
The annual Soccer XI fixture against the OWFC was another event which succumbed to the pandemic during 2020 so it was with great anticipation that an XI consisting primarily of top year players travelled up to London to re-start the fixture against the former Wykehamists. This year the match was to be the inaugural contest for Maclure Pot, a trophy donated by the Al Gordon Sports Fund and OWFC family in memory of former Don and ardent OWFC supporter Patrick Maclure.
The Soccer XI squad travelled up to London early in order to visit Chelsea FC and a tour of the Stamford Bridge stadium. Despite the inspiration provided by the trip, the OW team were the eventual winners of the days' competition.
Makyth Ventures
Makyth Ventures & LSE Generate - Joint Event
A final reminder that Makyth Ventures would like to invite parents to virtually attend a two-day event on Thursday 2 - Friday 3 December. The event will see the most promising LSE entrepreneurs from around the world gather at Winchester College for a chance to win up to £20,000 to develop their ventures.
In collaboration with LSE Generate, the London School of Economics' entrepreneurship hub, this experience will bring together aspiring entrepreneurs from both LSE and Winchester College in a stimulating programme during which you will be able to hear from seasoned investors on the impact ecosystem, a distinguished military leader on his lessons of leadership and a selection of keynotes form the LSE and Winchester College student communities. The event will culminate with LSE Generate's funding competition final that will see LSE entrepreneurs pitching their businesses to a panel of judges, Dragons' Den-style.
Futures at Winchester
A Career in the Civil Service
Pupils will hear this evening from a Civil Service careers panel of former pupils who will share insights into their experiences of the MOD, the Treasury, and the Home Office. The panel includes Henry Knapman, a Senior Industry Adviser at HM Treasury and Andy Ryan, who works on Economic Crime policy in the Home Office.
Partnerships at Winchester
The Cameron Bespolka Memorial Wildlife Lecture & Competition
Last week the College hosted ten local primary schools for the annual Cameron Bespolka Memorial Wildlife Lecture, this year with a Wildlife Garden Design competition. Guest speaker, Jonny Owen from the Dorset Wildlife Trust, enthralled the young audience. The annual event is held in memory of former pupil, Cameron (Cook's, 2011-2013), who passed away far too young.
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