From the Second Master
During British Science Week (10 - 19 March) it is appropriate that this week's newsletter opens with an account of Professor Cox's excellent lecture, which I feel confident inspired even more of our pupils to continue their scientific exploration beyond Winchester, and created equal excitement amongst Science School colleagues.
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 16 March. Log in, select 'Interactive Forms' and 'Weekend Sign-Out' to complete the form.
Holiday Arrangements for Boarders: End of Common Time 2023
In preparation for the end of term, all parents of boarders should complete the School Holiday Arrangements form, which is accessed via the same route on the Parent Portal; under 'School Holiday Arrangements'. Please complete the form by 13:00 on Friday 17 March so that Housemasters have the information prior to any pupil departures.
Duncan Louis Stewart Natural History Lecture
Professor Brian Cox
Speaking to 400 pupils on 8 March for the annual Duncan Louis Stewart Natural History Lecture, Professor Brian Cox CBE FRS explained how the most exotic objects in the universe – Black Holes – might actually be the purest, simplest expression of the fundamental laws that govern our universe.
Professor Cox led the audience through the fundamentals of cosmology and physics, tracing back historically to ideas which led to Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, and proposed that scientists are entering a new understanding of space and time, revealed primarily through their study of Black Holes. You can read a detailed a review of his lecture via the link below.
Academic
Collaboration in Science
Last Friday six pupils attended the 2023 Tonbridge Science Conference where they listened to expert lectures and delivered their own presentations. Exploring the theme, 'From Experiment to Discovery’ the conference highlighted the benefits to scientific progress of collaboration and flexibility between STEM disciplines.
Presenting for Winchester, Ben A and Brian C suggested how FcRn inhibitors might be used to treat myasthenia gravis; Dominic De V described the successes and dramatic failures he has experienced as a model rocket scientist; Maks F and Eren A spoke about their Earth Prize project; and Bob G entertained the audience with a compelling argument for rejecting traditional ideas on faunal turnovers in the Palaeozoic.
Drama Performances
Full of scorpions is my mind...
Macbeth is on in QEII Theatre this week, Thursday 16 – Saturday 18. Parents are very welcome and there is no need to book a ticket. We would particularly encourage you to come on Thursday or Friday, which are always quieter, as the cast would appreciate a full audience every evening.
The show goes live at 19:30pm each night with doors opening at 19:20. There are 37 pupils in the cast, from all years, with more helping offstage in various ways.
Macbeth may feel familiar, given the number of quotes from the text which have entered popular imagination but the script is far from comfortable and this production tackles this head-on. We have intentionally disrupted expectations in various ways so the play may not be suitable for younger children.
Concerts
Music
Outreach for St David's Day
As part of their regular CS Primary Schools Music commitments, Amara M, Michael N, James P, Louis J, and Charlie B have been teaching a variety of songs to pupils at All Saints Primary School, which they performed in a special concert at Winchester Cathedral. Also on 1 March, our 12-piece Jazz band, travelled to the west of the city to entertain over 400 children. Ernest Y gave a rendition of ‘Land of my Fathers’ and prizes of Welsh cakes were given to rhythmic audience members.
24-Hour Music
On Sunday 19 March, the annual Vocal Ensembles concert will be held at the College, in New Hall at 19:00. This performance will be the last event in this year’s 24-hour music marathon and will feature a variety of repertoire sung by some of the school’s vocal groups, including Voces, VoxSoc and Cantores Episcopi. This event is open to all and entry is via the Porters' Lodge on College Street.
A reminder that there are a number of performances to watch over the weekend. View the Schedule here. Or sponsor the musicians here.
The 24-Hour Music Marathan will also be livestreamed. You can watch via the link below.
Sport
Netball
A competitive rematch was on the cards last Thursday, as the netball team took on Canford. After a dominant first half controlled by Ines B and Amara M, Winchester fatigued in the second, eventually losing by just one goal, despite a spectacular defensive game from Olivia P, who ended the game with eighteen interceptions.
Swimming
Last Friday, six of the College’s best swimmers took part in the Bath Cup. Out of the seventy-five teams competing, the Winchester team finished the day 10th overall, with Jake H achieving another personal best in the Individual Medley.
Careers
Why Do Work Experience?
At a time when the world of work is changing fast, and many of the jobs that Winchester College pupils will do, don’t yet exist, it is important to explore what is out there, as well as developing skills that are going to help future proof their careers.
In the period after GCSEs, VBk pupils will be given the option to do work experience. We do hope many will make good use of the time. We have produced a short guide with ideas on how to secure work experience, as well as some thoughts about why it is useful and informative.
Trips
Hispanic World Exhibition
The Hispanic Society enjoyed an afternoon in London at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, where they visited the exhibition 'Spain and the Hispanic World: treasures from the Hispanic Society Museum and Library'.
The exhibition chronicles the history of Hispanic art and culture from the Romans to the early 20th Century and features 150 works that include silks from the Alhámbra, ceramics, silverwork, illuminated manuscripts and paintings by Sorolla, Goya, Velazquez, el Greco, amongst others. Highlights were Vespucci’s World Map from 1526, Sorolla’s After the Bath and Goya’s La Duquesa de Alba.
CATALYST
Easter Session
There is one week left for pupils to apply for CATALYST's Easter programme, running from 3 - 7 April. This five-day online programme provides participants with an opportunity for personal and academic growth, including working with an international peer group, 1-1 mentorship, and access to global thought leaders.
Information Session
There is a CATALYST information session for parents on Wednesday 15 March, which will outline the importance of transversal skills in preparing learners for higher education and the world of work. It will also cover the six key competencies that universities and employers look for and the role of modern technology in evolving traditional education.
Outreach
Classics
The Classics Department has run a number of outreach events this term. On Friday 3 March we hosted 18 Classics PGCE trainees from King’s College London, alongisde their course director, for a day of lesson observations and vase, coin and rare book handling sessions.
On Tuesday 7 March approximately 75 pupils from three of our partner secondary schools (King’s, Perins and Westgate) came to Musā for a GCSE Latin Revision Day. This included talks offering tips for the language and the literature papers, as well as enrichment sessions working with the College’s classical collections. Both events were very well received by the participants and the plan is to make these annual fixtures.
Social
Hong Kong Gala Dinner
The Hong Kong Friends of Winchester College and the OW HK Guild will be holding a Gala Dinner at the Hong Kong Country Club on Tuesday 25 April, which Headmaster Tim Hands, and Mrs Jane Hands, will be attending.
This is an opportunity for future, current and past parents, alongside OWs, to gather together and to meet the Headmaster. Please purchase your tickets for this event online, via the link below.
If you have any questions, please email Winchester College Society.
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