Music
Handel's Messiah
On Saturday evening in a packed Cathedral, the massed singers of the school’s Choral Society and Chapel Choir, along with the Winchester Philharmonic Choir, and the Cathedral’s Girl Choristers and Junior Choir, joined with Winchester Philharmonic Orchestra and four stellar soloists to perform Handel’s masterpiece, Messiah, under the direction of Director of Music, Ms Sarah Baldock.
Composed by Handel in 1741, and first performed the following year in Dublin with just 32 singers and a small orchestra, this remarkable piece works just as well with larger forces, especially in the best-known choruses, The Hallelujah Chorus and Worthy is the Lamb.
This was especially the case on Saturday evening, where the impact felt by audience members from so many performers singing and playing with such precision was palpable, and the standing ovation at the end was testament to months of work from the choirs.
Academic
Inter-School Erasmus Philosophy Essay Competition
Last Thursday, for the second year running, the Philosophy department at the College held the Inter-School Erasmus Essay Competition. We had internal entries from several A-level Philosophy pupils and some who enjoy our wider philosophy and theology enrichment provision, but who do not study the A-level formally. Wisdom (D), Martha (E) and Sampana (H) and Louis (A) produced exceptional essays that made it through the first internal moderation stage.
With entries from schools across the country, each essay is anonymised before reaching the judge, which this year was author and philosopher, Andy West.
Louis (A), was awarded first place this year for his essay. This continues a trend of success in the competition for the College, as JohnPaul (E) came second in last year's competition.
Talks & Lectures
2024 Talks and Lectures
The College is delighted to invite parents to a series of talks and lectures throughout 2024.
Alongside annual highlights like the Kenneth Clark Prize and Studium, the College will welcome guests such as the historian, presenter and author Dan Snow and the chatelain of Highclere, the Countess of Carnarvon.
Historian, writer and educationalist Sir Anthony Seldon will also visit the College to speak about the Western Front Way, a 1,000 km international, cross-border remembrance path that connects the Belgian coast to Switzerland along the line of the 1914-18 Western Front.
Places for these talks are limited, so please do book early to avoid disappointment.
We hope to see you there.
ACADEMIC
Philosophy at the University of Southampton
On Wednesday 18 January, a group of VIBk2 philosophy students travelled to the University of Southampton to attend its annual Sixth Form Philosophy Conference.
The day featured a number of fascinating talks and discussions from Professors and Doctors from the University, with titles including "The Error Theory in Moral Philosophy and Epistemology" and "Nietzsche, Morality, and the Death of God".
While the Wykehamists were familiar with most topics, the second talk, titled "The Kalam Cosmological Argument", was new to most, but led to a spirited discussion in their following breakout session, led by Sam (D).
The day ended with a tour of the University's facilities, and left the pupils with much to ponder on the journey back to Winchester.
Trips
Exchange Trip with Lycée Sainte Marie Bastide
On the last day of Short Half, Vth and VIBk 2 pupils travelled via train to Bordeaux for an exchange trip.
Over the weekend, the pupils were immersed in French life, having meals and various outings 'en famille' before assembling again on Monday morning at the partner school, Lycée Sainte Marie Bastide.
The pupils spent the day in lessons with their partners, where some were called upon to act as language assistants in their English lessons, and others to participate in a range of subjects.
The trip also included a visit to St Emilion and the hermitage of its founder, an exiled Breton Monk, taking in the sites of the seaside town Arcachon and ranging over Europe's tallest sand dune, Dune du Pilat.
Guided Tour of War Cloister
On Saturday 16 March, Winchester College Society Director and Old Wykehamist Christopher Normand (F, 1976 - 81) will give a guided tour of Winchester College's War Cloister.
The tour will start at Porters' Lodge before making its way through Chapel on the way to War Cloister.
To find out more about the tour, and how to book, follow the link below.
Community Service
Jazz at Rosewood
After a well-earned Christmas break, CS Jazz made its way to Rosewood Free School in Southampton for its inaugural community performance of the year.
Rosewood is a day school for 66 pupils from across Hampshire with profound and multiple learning difficulties.
The group played to an audience of over 50 young people from Rosewood, who thoroughly enjoyed the performance, and the vibrant atmosphere in the school hall was felt by all.
Sport
Hampshire Schools Cross Country Championships
On Saturday 20 January, a squad of 7 pupils travelled to Wellesley Woodlands in Aldershot for the Hampshire Schools Cross Country Championships.
The Wykehamists battled through the cold conditions in these highly competitive races.
While all performed admirably, Ivor (G) qualified to represent Hampshire in the Inter Counties Championships in two weeks as part of a squad of 16, from which a squad of 8 will be selected for the English Schools Cross Country Champs.
Ivor's achievement comes in a leading county for cross country, and in spite of him being at the bottom of his age group, with only one runner ahead of him from his year group.
drama
Drama Club Performance - Tales of Dread
Under the direction of Dr Krishnan, 24 pupils will come together for a haunting performance.
This revue brings together music, short stories, poems and plays, augmented with projections and spine-tingling soundscapes; it promises to immerse you in an exploration of the shadowy realms of night and terror.
Performances are on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 of January at 19:30.
Doors will open at 19:15 and tickets are not required. We hope to see you there.
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