From the Second Master
Public Exams
Parents of pupils in VI Bk 1 will receive separately a communication from the Headmaster about arrangements in the post exam period.
Weekend & Leave-out Arrangements for Boarders
Details for this weekend (20 & 21 May) 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 18 May. Log in, select 'Interactive' and 'Weekend Sign-out' to complete the form.
In preparation for Leave-out on Friday 26 May, all parents of boarders should complete the Leave-out Arrangements form, which is also accessed via the same route on the Parent Portal; under 'Leave-out arrangements'. Please complete the form by 13:00 on Friday 19 May so that Housemasters have the information prior to any pupil departures.
Introducing
Simon Mildinhall
My family and I are delighted to be joining the Winchester College community at this fascinating time in its history. Whilst I have known of the reputation of the College for many years, to actually be working here and walking through the spectacular grounds on a daily basis does not fail to bring a smile to my face - I am yet to think of a better commute. My first impressions have been fascinating and not necessarily wholly expected. Behind the ancient facade, with its rituals and traditions (which I relish as an Historian), I have been delighted to discover a school that is vibrant, forward thinking and far from chained by those customs that make it unique. Naturally, so much of this is driven by the pupil body (as well as the excellent staff) and it has been wonderful to meet so many engaged and engaging individuals whose curiosity for the world around them drives them to learn not just that which is required but what intrigues them. To my mind, this seems to go a long way in defining a Wykehamist.
I have spent my working life in pastoral care in one form or another, both within educational establishments and the British Army. It often seems odd to some when I comment on how similar the two are, but at the core of any role that I have undertaken in either environment, has been the care of those that the institution serves. I am therefore delighted to be taking up the role of Surmaster Pastoral, working with colleagues to develop further the College's excellent PSHE and RSE programmes and to continue to provide outstanding and stimulating pastoral care to our pupils.
Simon Mildinhall, Surmaster Pastoral
Fees in Advance Scheme
The latest rates for the Fees in Advance scheme for 2023/24 onwards are now available on the Parent Portal. The scheme offers the opportunity to benefit from a modest discount on fees when paying for one or more years in advance. Latest information on billing arrangements, direct debit dates for 2023/24 academic year, insurance and other financial information is also now available.
Please access the Fees in Advance Scheme 2023 and Billing Arrangements & Financial Matters 2023 documents by navigating to 'Latest Documents' on the iSAMS Portal Homepage, via link below.
Music
Bach Prize
The annual Bach Prize, also known as the Tombling Pot, took place this Sunday, with Professor Thomas Irvine (Southampton University) adjudicating.
The winner was Austin (G) with a performance of three movements from Bach’s 3rd Cello Suite, with Christopher (X) the runner-up.
Academic
JP Recita
On Saturday 13 May, nine pupils took part in the finals of the JP Recita competition. Congratulations to Toby (H) on his win.
One of a series of public speaking competitions that pupils take part in throughout their College life, entrants recite a passage or poem of their choosing, and this was the finals of the first years' competition.
Results
1st place: Toby (H): Remembrance (Alexander Pushkin)
2nd place: James (I): Because I could not stop for Death (Emily Dickinson)
3rd place: Nye (X): Extract from Ulysses (Alfred, Lord Tennyson)
Finalists
Nye (X): Extract from Ulysses by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Oliver (X): Great men have been among us by William Wordsworth
Toby (H): Remembrance by Alexander Pushkin
Freddie (C): Extract from War Music by Christopher Logue
Devan (A): I find no peace, and all my war is done by Thomas Wyatt
Demyan (E): England in 1819 by Percy Bysshe Shelley
George (F): London, 1802 by William Wordsworth
George (D): To My Mother by George Barker
James (I): Because I could not stop for Death by Emily Dickinson
Drama
Over My Dead Body!
Parents are welcome to watch Beloe's house play this week, which is on 18-20 May in the QEII theatre, starting at 1930.
Over My Dead Body! is a one-act murder mystery, directed by George Hewett and Anders Hei, from a script by Pat Baker. The Directors described the play as follows:
'Tensions are rising at Grabbit Manor. Lord Grabbit won't buy his daughter a new dress for her engagement to the unsuitable wastrel, Roger. Curt, the butler, hasn't been paid for months and Lord Grabbit suspects Cook of cooking the books. When the lights come on after a sudden blackout, a body is found - a problem for Inspector Foot (of the Yard)... the problem being that the corpse has been poisoned, strangled, stabbed and shot! Join the Beloeites for mystery, comedy, murder, and mayhem!'
Sport
Cricket
The U17s completed a win over Ryde in between heavy rain showers to see them progress in the National Cricket Paper U17 Cup. 3-17 from Charlie (A) did much of the damage to restrict Ryde to 72-7 in 25 overs before Seb (D) struck his way to 51* to guide the team to victory inside 11 overs.
Meanwhile, Lords travelled to KES Southampton and racked up 157-6 in 20 overs. Wilf (A) (44) and SEB (D) (21) set up the innings well before contributions from Charlie (A) (22), Dom (A) (24)
With KES on the back foot, the spinners then piled on the pressure and picked up regular wickets before Aaron (G) claimed the last to bowl out KES for 45.
Jun Colts A welcomed Hounsdown School to a slightly damp Meads on Thursday for their County Cup quarter-final. A good showing from the team as a whole confirmed victory as Hounsdown finished on 77-8.
To conclude the midweek series of games, Lords then hosted Hampshire Cricket College in a T20. After a strong opening stand Charlie (A) and Ethan (G) added a joint 51 take the score to 181-1. 3 wickets in the powerplay steered the game in our favour before William (A) (3-9) and Dom (A) (2-10) concluded proceedings as HCC were bowled out for 84 in the last over.
Over the weekend, the Boat Club competed in the Avon Regatta. The Senior VIII finished the day raising the Jamaica Cup. The J16 4+, Girls 4x+ and J14 4x+ all recorded wins, with a strong performance from the J15 8+ rounding up a successful trip.
Visiting Artists Concert
Renaissance Masters
As part of the Visiting Artists series, there will be a public concert by renowned viol consort Fretwork, on Sunday 21 May at 14:30 in St Michael’s Church. Tickets are available via the link below.
The concert marks the 400th anniversary of the death of two great English composers, William Byrd (1540 – 1623) and Thomas Weelkes (1576 – 1623). Fretwork’s programme will contain consort music for viols and voices, and will feature a guest appearance by the College’s Cantores Episcopi.
The performance will include pieces from Weelkes’s Madrigal Collection, published in 1600 while Weelkes was organist here at Winchester College. Copies of contemporary part books held in the school’s collection will be on display at the venue.
Alumni
Inspired Resilience
Thomas Sharrock is now studying at the University of Pennsylvania, but it wasn't long ago that he was a scholar and music exhibitioner at the College.
In this interview, Thomas talks about his time at Winchester, reflecting on his achievements and his journey to studying in the US.
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