25th January 2022
Winchester Weekly
From the Headmaster
Exeats and Leave-outs
There is an Exeat this coming weekend. We wish a happy and restful break to all. Further details of COVID-related precautions, and of routines for Exeats and Leave-outs, will be contained in a message from Dr Cullerne via the Parent Portal later this afternoon. All parents are asked to make sure they are familiar with its content and requests.
Debating Society
Winning the Debate on Ukraine and NATO
On Saturday two Winchester Sixth Form pairs took part in the inaugural Nehru Cup debating competition, which was hosted and organised virtually by Harrow School, and saw 12 teams from several strong debating schools take part.
Brandon Chan (VI Book 1, Cook's) and Arthur King (VI Book 1, College) made the final four, while Alex Prvulovich (VI Book 2, College) and Hugo Cartwright (VI Book 1, Kenny's) just missed out. The last debate of the day, whose motion was 'This House Would Admit Ukraine to NATO', was closely fought between St Mary’s Ascot, Harrow and St Paul’s; but the judge, a former England debater, ultimately decided in favour of Brandon and Arthur as winners of the whole competition.
The teams now look forward to the Oxford and Cambridge Schools’ competitions.
Biology
New Species Discovery
Congratulations to Bob Guan (V Book, Beloe's) who, through his own research and analysis, has discovered a new species of woodlice, and won a prize for his work.
Bob has been studying remotely in China during the pandemic, during which time he has been investigating the phylogeny (evolutionary history) of Chinese cave-dwelling woodlice. Bob entered his paper into a Biology competition for the S.T. Yau High School Science Award and won a prize for his work.
Head of Biology, Mr Matthew King, said "He produced an academic paper of postgraduate quality and actually discovered a new species in his analysis of the molecular and morphological data, which is extraordinary and could well be the first Wykehamist to discover a new species while still a pupil!"
Natural History Fellow
Welcome to Miss Eve Cavey
We are delighted to welcome Miss Eve Cavey as our new Duncan Louis Stewart Fellow in Natural History. With experience of the Kenyan savannahs, reefs and rainforests of Belize, and the national parks of Croatia, Eve has much to bring to the post. Eve holds a BSc in Ecology and an MSc Applied Ecology and Conservation, for which she developed new equipment to collect hazel dormouse footprints, and analysed the impact deer overgrazing is having on small mammal populations in Hampshire.
Eve said "I feel especially privileged to engender a wider understanding and appreciation of the natural world in memory of Duncan Louis Stewart. I get so much pleasure from nature, and this feels like one way to pay it back."
Events
An Invitation from the Friends of Winchester College
May we extend a warm welcome to parents to attend the Friends of Winchester College's live talks and events this term, most of which are free for current parents.
The varied programme of events ranges from the Kenneth Clark Prize Final, to a lecture on Afghanistan given by the Warden. Something for everyone, we think. In order to attend, please register and book online.
We offered 18 talks to parents and Friends last term, and there are at least seven this term, not including the plays, concerts and recitals that can be found in the music diary.
Of course, if you would like to become a Friend and help support some of the projects that the Friends fund, then you would be very welcome. Through grants over the past year, the Friends have supported initiatives that include Song School, the new College art gallery, and the recording of selected talks. There are also exclusive Friends events – approximately 10 per annum – that are open only to the Friends.
We are, of course, mindful of current government restrictions, and events are planned to keep boys, staff, visitors and lecturers safe. We hope very much to see you at some – all! – of our events this term, and wish you a Happy New Year.
With best wishes,
The Friends of Winchester College
Glee Club: St Mark Passion
On Sunday 13 March 2022, Winchester's Glee Club will perform the St Mark Passion, composed by Mr Oliver Tarney (Head of Academic Music and Composition) with a libretto by Mrs Lucia Quinault (English).
Commissioned by the St Endellion Easter Festival, and first performed on Good Friday 2019, this dramatic and profound setting of the Passion narrative does not, as Oliver Tarney writes, “depict the horror and humiliation of the events surrounding the crucifixion itself” but rather uses the parables and miracles of Jesus to “provide a lens through which to apprehend the most appalling part of the story”.
Glee Club is joined by a professional orchestra, chamber choir SANSARA, who sing the semi-chorus parts, as well as world-class soloists, including: Jonathan Brown (baritone),Helen Charlston (mezzo-soprano), Katy Thomson (soprano), Benjamin Durrant (Tenor), and Jimmy Holliday (Bass).
Founder's Obit Photograph
A final reminder to parents that the 2021 Founder’s Obit photograph can be ordered online and sent to your home address using the link below and following token:
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If you have any queries, please feel free to contact Gillman & Soame directly at enquiries@gillmanandsoame.co.uk or on 01869 328200.
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