From the Second Master
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 2 November. Log in, select 'Interactive Forms' and 'Weekend Sign-Out' to complete the form.
ADJUSTMENT TO UP-TO-BOOKS CLOTHING
Colder weather is upon us and pupils will naturally wish to dress warmly. Until now, the School Rules have not permitted zipped jumpers. I have made a formal adjustment to the up-to-books clothing regulations to permit jumpers with a quarter-length zip as well as those with a V-neck. All pupils are still required to wear a jacket or gown as appropriate; round-neck pullovers, cardigans, gilets etc. remain outside the dress code.
Please note that delicate or expensive clothing, such as cashmere jumpers or designer-label shirts, should not be worn as they may not withstand the school laundry 40-50 degree celsius wash and tumble-dry.
A Message From the Director of Studies
A reminder that Parents’ Evening 1 for parents and guardians of Junior Part (Year 9) and new VI Book 2 (Year 12) pupils will take place in person at Winchester on Sunday 19 November 2023 from 17:30 until 20:00. Further details will be sent to parents at the beginning of next week.
Details of all other parents’ evenings for this academic year will also be confirmed shortly.
Makyth Ventures Ignite
This past Saturday marked the exciting conclusion of this year's Makyth Ventures Ignite inter-school pitch competition in New Hall.
The theme of 'Future of Food' prompted student teams from over 20 schools to apply, challenging them to pitch a product, ingredient, or innovation aimed at solving a pressing problem in the future food industry.
From cricket protein to hyper-personalised nutrition to banana leaf packaging, it was thrilling to witness the enthusiasm with which these mostly Year 9 and 10 students embraced the challenge. Even more impressive was their courage in pitching their ideas to over 50 guests and a panel of highly esteemed judges, including the Editor of The Grocer, Global Director of Mintel, and the Head of F&D at the Department of Trade and Business, to name a few.
Makyth Ventures remains committed to expanding the profile of entrepreneurship and innovation education at the secondary school level, and we would like to extend a special thank you to the Winchester parents and OWs who have so generously supported Makyth Ventures. We are excited to continue growing this initiative, inspiring the next generation of game-changers, and equipping them with the skills and experience they need to succeed.
Trips
VIBkI Trip to Berlin
In mid-October, 10 of our VIBk1 pupils studying German, along with staff and students from St. Swithun’s German Department, travelled to Berlin.
Over the three days, highlights included a guided Street Art tour including the East Side Gallery, an evening at an improv theatre, a visit to the Holocaust Memorial, and to the Old National Gallery to see its fascinating exhibition, Secessions. This is the first time such a comprehensive presentation of Klimt’s work has been shown in Berlin.
The final day was dedicated to what life in the GDR was like with the morning spent at the Kulturbrauerei, followed by a visit to the war memorial at Bernauer Street.
UNESCO Voices of Future Generations
During Leave-out, Nico (X) was invited by a UNESCO Voices of Future Generations leader to give a speech as part of the United Nations Day, which marks the anniversary of the UN charter coming into force.
He prepared a speech in Spanish for pupils in the Dominican Republic and Carolina del Norte. The feedback he received from the children was heart-warming and the Spanish Department is very impressed that a pupil who has just two years of Spanish under his belt can pull off such a task, and with such aplomb.
Sport
Sport Report
FOOTBALL
In the week leading up to Leave-out, several of the College's football teams faced both Harrow School & Frensham Heights.
The first home game of the season saw a combined Yearlings C/D team face Frensham in an exhilarating match, while the Soccer XI and 2nd XI travelled away to battle both the wind and Harrow's teams.
GOLF
The College golf team faced Bradfield College. Despite challenging weather on an unfamilar course against a Bradfield pair that included a +2 handicapper, the three Winchester pairings played admirably, completing a clean sweep against their opponents.
Trips
Valladolid
During Leave-out, pupils from Vth Book went on an exchange trip to Valladolid, a small historical city in Spain where they stayed with local host families.
The trip offered a mixture of culture, entertainment and language learning. Activities ranged from enlightening visits to the city hall, cathedral and historical city centre to cooking classes, gastronomical treats and free time with the host families. The classes ran every morning for four days, enriching the pupils with different culture and knowledge.
As well as visiting Valladolid, one of the highlights of the trip was the day excursion to Salamanca, where the pupils visited multiple historical sites including the Plaza Mayor, the cathedral and the university.
Pupils experienced a variety of activities with their host families. Some went to local bullfighting and museums, whilst other went to football matches and local restaurants. In their free time, they played sports like padel and squash, as well as going around the city centre.
On the last day, the pupils went on another day excursion to El Escorial, an ancient monastery just outside Madrid. Pupils were given a guided tour, which highlighted the astonishing architecture and interior of the Renaissance building.
Save the Date
HONG KONG GALA DINNER 2024
The Hong Kong Friends of Winchester College are delighted to announce that they will host a Gala Dinner at the Hong Kong Country Club on Tuesday, 26 March
in honour of the Headmaster, Ms Elizabeth Stone.
The Headmaster is looking forward to meeting the community during her visit to Hong Kong. Please do save this date and look out for further information about this event and other gatherings that will be arranged.
Trips
Cabilla
During Leave-out, Vth Book Geography pupils travelled to the depths of Bodmin Moor for a field trip. The stay at Cabilla reinforced the importance of conserving our natural world.
The 350-acre farm, with its ancient temperate rainforest and wildflower meadows, was a haven of tranquillity and beauty, and a sublime backdrop for tracking beavers in the dark, or for dawn swimming in the cool waters of the River Beldalder.
The pupils learned much about its geology and ecology, and helped out on the farm’s restorative Thousand Year Project. By planting 100,000 native trees, the project aims to triple the size of its rainforest, to enhance biodiversity and nurture impoverished moorland soil back to health.
Pupils enjoyed staying in sustainable, if cool, Koyts on the Moor, despite being woken at the cusp of dawn by Gloria, the 300-pound black Cornish pig, and returned to Winchester inspired to bring individual and systemic change to their future lives.
Talks & Lectures
Robert Sackville-West, The Searchers
This Thursday, Robert Sackville-West (F, 71-75) will talk on the topic of his book The Searchers.
One of the names commemorated in War Cloister is that of George Cecil, who died in September 1914 when the war was barely a month old. His body was hastily buried but not identified until two months later when he was reburied in a marked grave. More recently, Osmund Wordsworth (Coll, 1899-1906) was identified using DNA checks after being among the missing for 96 years. After identification, Wordsworth was reburied in a marked grave in June 2021.
Robert’s lecture will be of interest to anyone reflecting on Remembrance as 11 November approaches.
You can book a ticket to the talk via the link below.
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