From the second master
A very warm welcome back to Common Time and the first newsletter of the term
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 18 January. Log in, select 'Interactive Forms' and 'Weekend Sign-Out' to complete the form.
EXEAT ARRANGEMENTS FOR BOARDERS
In preparation for Exeat, all parents of boarders should complete the Exeat Arrangements form, which is also accessed via the same route on the Parent Portal; under ‘Exeat Arrangements'. Please complete the form by 13:00 on Friday 19 January. Regulations concerning our duty of care continue to change, such that we are required to hold more extensive information for certain pupils in particular circumstances: thank you therefore for the time you put into providing these details.
Exeat will begin at 13:05 on Friday 26 January and end at 21:15 on Sunday 28 January. Pupils may return to the boarding houses from 18:00 on Sunday.
ADJUSTMENT TO MOBILE PHONE REGULATIONS
We hugely value engagement and conversation during the school day and have therefore clarified and updated the mobile phone rules for pupils. Phones must now be left in boarding houses during the school day, including at break, lunch, and during extracurricular time. The school day typically ends at 6pm. All pupils have been informed by their Housemasters and a link to the updated rules can be accessed via the link below.
Text from Director of Studies
A reminder that booking for Parents’ Evening 5 (for VI Book 1 parents, guardians and pupils) opens at 12:00 GMT on Friday 19 January
Sport
Winchester Wins at the West of England Schools Fives Championship
Over the last weekend of the Christmas holidays, the West of England Schools Championship took place, with Dr McManus and Mr Munn taking a squad of Wykehamists to Sherborne to compete.
In what was a highly competitive fives tournament, the Winchester team took part in three of the four finals, winning two of them.
Arthur (D) brought home the U16 singles trophy before pairing up with James (D) to capture the U16 doubles title.
You can read a full recap of the tournament, as well as this week's sport report, below.
Music
Common Time Music Calendar
The first concert of Common Time will take place this coming Saturday 20 January with a performance of Handel’s Messiah.
Director of Music, Ms Baldock, will lead the Winchester Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, the College’s Chapel Choir and Choral Society, the Winchester Cathedral Girl Choristers and Junior Choir, and internationally acclaimed soloists in the beautiful surroundings of Winchester Cathedral.
You can buy tickets and view the full Common Time music diary at the links below.
ACADEMIC
Success in the British Mathematical Olympiad
Last November, pupils from the College entered Round 1 of the British Mathematical Olympiad.
The results were recently released and ten pupils from Winchester earned a Distinction.
Among the recipients was Barack (X) whose performance was such that he earned an invitation to the annual UKMT BMO Mathematics Training Camp in Hungary.
The UK Mathematics Trust invites only 20 students to the camp each year and being in Middle Part made Barack one of the younger attendees.
In total, 8 pupils from Winchester have advanced to Round 2, which will take place in late January.
Distinctions
Warren (F) Peiyan (X)
Tom (X) Barack (X)
Shaolin (X) Jona (X)
Eugene (X) Sam (X)
Zachary (X) Douglas (X)
Trips
German Exchange Trip with Karlsgymnasium
After a three-year break, the German department had the pleasure of reinstating the German exchange trip with our partner school Karlsgymnasium in Bad Reichenhall, a small German spa town on the boarder of Austria.
15 VBk students had the chance to spend a wintery weekend with their host families before attending lessons the following week.
Other activities included a visit to the famous salt mine in Berchtesgaden and day trips to Munich and Salzburg. The final afternoon was spent in a thermal pool overlooking the snowy Chiemgau Alps.
Trips
Winter in Malaga
On the last day of term, 11 A-level Spanish students, Mr Barnes and Mrs Hepworth escaped the winter and travelled to Málaga. While there, pupils took part in classes at the private language school where they merged with groups of other international students.
Outside of the classroom, time was spent learning about the history of Málaga, including visits to the Moorish palaces, delving into the art of Picasso, shopping at the local food markets, walking along the promenades, going to a flamenco Christmas carol concert, and a lengthy visit to the Cathedral that culminated in an early evening walk across the rooftop.
The highlight of the trip was a day visit to the Alhambra Palace in Granada, where the excellent tour guide spent three hours explaining, in Spanish, the history of the magnificent monument.
Community & Events
WINCHESTER IN HONG KONG
We are delighted to announce that the Headmaster will be hosting a Tea Party for current parents on Sunday 24 March at the Murray Hotel in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Friends of Winchester College also hope that you will be able to join Ms Stone & Dr Cullerne at a Gala Dinner for the Wykehamical Community on Tuesday 26 March at the Hong Kong Country Club.
Tickets for both events can be booked via the links below, and if you have any questions, please email the Winchester College Society team, here.
CATALYST Upcoming Events
Open Evening
The CATALYST team will host a virtual open evening on Thursday 25th January at 6pm UK time.
The event is a great way for parents and students to find out more about CATALYST programmes, experience the online learning platform (“The Yard”) and ask any questions you might have.
You can sign up via the link below.
Horizons Deadline
The application deadline for CATALYST's next Horizons programme, taking place 12-16th February for ages 14-17, online, is Monday 26th January.
The Horizons programme is designed for intellectually curious students looking to develop key skills including critical thinking, debate, and problem-solving, with a view to exploring their interests and enhancing their academic profile ahead of competitive university applications.
Financial assistance is available. You can find out more here, and apply via the link below.
Adventure Education
Climbing to new heights
Climbing at Parthian Climbing Centre is going from strength to strength in the Adventure Education department.
All pupils in the class have achieved their level 1 NICAS award and are now progressing towards the next stage.
Three new recruits have joined the group in the New Year, and the team are looking forward to seeing what they can achieve in the coming weeks ahead.
Back to Previous Newsletters