Winchester Weekly

Guest editor

A natural spectacle

In this time of uncertainty, several aspects of our world remain unchanged: the strength of our College community and the relentless progress of our natural world.

In Winchester the dawn chorus is more audible than ever, our skies are clear of contrails, streets are eerily empty and ambulances move effortlessly through the one-way system. The city is experiencing cleaner air. Its monitoring stations in Friarsgate and St George's Street are showing a healthy reduction in air pollutants; nitrogen dioxide levels and particulate matter have fallen significantly. Yet whilst the new green reality of our city can seem disorientating, the inherent beauty of Winchester College has remained a constant in lockdown, if heightened by an unseasonably warm Spring.

The 15 majestic London plane trees, interspersed with lime trees, pocket handkerchief trees, and liquid amber trees on Meads are already in full leaf, the heady aroma of the wisteria on Musa is at its height, large yellow flag iris are conspicuous on the river bank, and soon the showy purple loosestrife and warm yellow fleabane will look stunning amongst a myriad of grasses flowering in the College Nature Reserve.

During lockdown, whilst nature within the College grounds evolves undisturbed, we yearn for the safe return of all our pupils, Wykehamical banter within ancient walls, the intensity of exam preparation, lively debating in the hours, competitive summer sports, the fulfilment of school trips, and most significantly, to stand awhile in Meads to reflect on the preciousness of human life and of our natural world, and to hope for a green recovery.

Clare Talks, Geography don and Director of Community Service

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Academic Announcements

Following last week’s Government guidance, we continue to plan for a possible return to school for some pupils before the end of this term. We very much hope this may be possible at some point in June, but only if it is safe to do so and accords with the government’s conditions for a return to school. We aim to be in a position to provide you with a more detailed update following Leave-Out.

Following Leave-out, the normal timetable for VI:1 will be suspended and post Pre-U courses will commence, details of which can be found here. V Book will be starting on pre A-level courses and Extended Individual Research Projects, details of which can be found here.

For VI:1 registration will be suspended after Leave-out, in line with VI:1 study leave arrangements in previous years. Boys are, of course, able to contact staff according to the daily timetable published at the start of Cloister Time which can be found here. V Book registration will continue unaltered.

Celebrating success

Achievements in classics

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Queen’s Gold Medal for Latin Prose Composition and The Warden and Fellows’ Prize for Greek Prose Composition.

The Queen’s Gold Medal involved translating a passage from Roger of Wendover, an English chronicler of the 13th century, into Latin. The Warden and Fellows’ Prize involved translating a passage from Sir Thomas More’s Utopia into Greek. Prose composition at this level required more than just grammar, but a requirement to make translations fluent and idiomatic.

The judges were particularly impressed by the ingenuity and creative flair displayed by Dylan Brookes (in both languages), creativity which did not compromise his linguistic accuracy. Charlie Inglis and Oliver Roberts were also commended for their accurate and fluent renditions.

The Queen’s Gold Medal for Latin Prose Composition - Winner: Dylan Brookes (Phil’s). Proxime accesserunt: Oliver Roberts (College) and Charlie Inglis (Toye’s).

The Warden and Fellows’ Prize for Greek Prose Composition - Winner: Dylan Brookes (Phil’s). Proxime accesserunt: Oliver Roberts (College) and Charlie Inglis (Toye’s).

Editorial

Postcards from home

In this week's Postcard from Home, Charlie put his running shoes on to help raise funds for CLIC Sargent, a charity for young people with cancer.

'Over Easter, whilst watching news of the virus unfold, I admired the efforts of the many fundraising events that had been taking place around the country for the NHS, and I thought about what I could do to help.'

Hear more from Charlie

Heritage

The history of sport in public schools

The traditional programme of inter-school sporting fixtures has been a feature of life at Winchester for more than 150 years. With no opportunity during lockdown to face familiar opponents, Mark Burley, Director of Sport provides an insight into the history of sport in public schools, as well as the role that Winchester has played in making it such a prominent part of school life.

'The skills and attributes one can develop through sport are still fundamental reasons behind the extensive extra-curricular programme in schools such as Winchester in the 21st century. Characteristics such as leadership, discipline, team-work, cooperation, resilience and determination are as highly valued now by employers as they were in the late 19th century and so sport's prominent role within public schools will continue to be significant for years to come.'

Mark Burley, Director of Sport

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Supporting the community

Swimming the Channel (at home)

Freddie set himself the unenviable fundraising challenge of swimming the equivalent length of the English Channel (21 miles) in a swimming pool in memory of his grandfather.

Taking place over 12-13 hours, Freddie will be raising money for St Giles Hospice, Lichfield.

'Umpa' always enjoyed sports and undertook many absurd challenges throughout his life with the same enthusiastic, unwavering (and stubborn) passion. We all loved him very dearly. This fundraiser is just one of a handful we are doing as an extended family, not just in memory, but also in the spirit of him.

Election Roll 2020

Congratulations to those boys who have been successful at this year’s Election.

The unique and academically-challenging selection process concluded last week and both Scholars and Exhibitioners were announced on Friday 15th.

View this year's Scholars and Exhibitioners

And finally...

Supporting the community

Many boys are setting themselves challenges during lockdown to stay busy and raise funds for worthwhile causes. Last week, the JCA (Junior Colt As) Football Team ran a combined 500km in efforts to raise money for Age UK. So far they have raised just shy of their £4,000 target.

Boys include: HJW Barnes, GWH Batt, SFT Del-Mar, SPA Fennell, BCM Hutt, CG Mackay, CW Hall, JFC Pascoe, WJ La Fontaine Jackson, FT Van-Every, AT Oshai, R Tamura, FE Brant

Find out more about their efforts

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