15th June 2020
Winchester Weekly
Guest editor
Celebrating sport
As I’ve wandered the magnificent school grounds these past few weeks enjoying the glorious sunshine, there’s been more than a hint of sadness and frustration that I’m not watching boys scoring runs, taking wickets, serving aces, achieving personal bests and winning races and regattas.
Next weekend was due to be my first Winchester Match which I’m sure would have proven to be a real celebration of sport and friendship. Although the event has been cancelled for 2020 and many boys have missed out on their showpiece sporting event, it shouldn’t detract from the hugely impressive performances I have seen in the short period of time I have been at Winchester. There is a clear appetite for self-improvement and development amongst a huge number of boys and this has been evident in the extensive running, cycling, swimming and ergometer work recorded on the Winchester College Strava Club over the past few weeks. It was also great to see members of the Boat Club participate in a virtual erg/run race with several other schools last weekend.
As the Government and national sports bodies begin to relax the lockdown guidelines my fingers are crossed that we can return to our usual programme of inter-school sport in September. If that does happen, it is vital our pupils hit the ground running, so we hope they keep up the exercise routines and skill practices over the summer months.
Mark Burley, Director of Sport
Academic Announcements
Following the recent communication that there will be no return to onsite teaching this term, we hope to schedule Domum* for a date next term, when it is safe to do so. In the meantime, a virtual end of term assembly celebrating award winners and achievements from across the school community will be shared in the last week of term.
Collecting items from Boarding Houses: If items have been left in Boarding Houses, boys have been advised to contact their Housemaster to arrange to collect it in a socially distanced manner. If collection is not possible before the summer holiday, items will be kept safely at the house until their return. Those boys in the top year who are unable to collect their items have been encouraged to let their Housemaster know that they would like them to be stored until the autumn. Similarly, if they are unable to return library or textbooks before the summer, please let the library team know.
Additional pupil information now visible on the Parent Portal: Parents are now able to view their son’s timetable (and toytime assignments) on the portal. Please be aware that all of your son’s lessons will be visible and you will need to cross-reference with his Outlook calendar to establish which hours are ‘contact’ and which are ‘non-contact’. If you have any issues with accessing the portal, please contact fireflysupport@wincoll.ac.uk.
UCAS: Our chief focus for university applications is an emphasis on the acquisition of genuine scholarship, moving beyond the curriculum throughout the Sixth Book. More detail on the extensive support provided for preparing for university applications will be provided to parents of those in VI:2 later this week.
Exeat: This Saturday 20th would have been the school’s annual Winchester Match occasion. Consequently, there will be no lessons this Saturday morning or on Monday 22nd June. Online learning will resume on Tuesday 23rd.
(* Domum is the annual celebration for Leavers)
Heritage
The evolution of Winchester Match
In the week that would have typically seen the school open its doors for the annual Winchester Match (a celebratory day which is open to parents, alumni, staff and former staff), we look back at the origins of the occasion.
Suzanne Foster, College Archivist
Winchester Match Art Exhibition highlights
Winchester Match is one of the focal points of the Art School calendar, providing a platform for all pupils to showcase their achievements. In the days leading up to the event, studios are completely emptied, walls are painted and - under normal circumstances - our Year 13 pupils curate their final Pre-U exhibitions, which are always a highlight of Winchester Match.
This year, their work remains in storage but we are very much looking forward to a return to school and the opportunity to celebrate their fantastic achievements at the earliest opportunity.
Update on progress
Mallory Challenge 2020
In last week's Winchester Weekly, we announced the launch of the 'virtual' Mallory Challenge 2020.
After a remarkable first week, with a number of impressive individual efforts, the team has reached 5025.36km, 48.79% of the total distance required. On the virtual route, the team has left Turkey and has moved into Iran. So far, those involved have raised over £4,000 of their £10,300 target.
Special mention goes to Alex Feltham, who has run over 100km to date, and Dom du Boulay, Axel Blakey and Alfred Beadman who have all covered more than 200km this week.
Editorial
Postcards from Home
This week Alfred reflects on his volunteering role in his local community and the part he is playing in this year's virtual Mallory Challenge.
'Alongside my volunteering, I am partaking in the Mallory Challenge. For me, this offers a fantastic escape from schoolwork and is a great motivator to stay fit!'
In the news
Black Lives Matter
Earlier this month, current and former black students from a variety of independent schools wrote a letter to the Independent Schools Council detailing their experiences of racism. Of the 200 named individuals, one was a former pupil of Winchester College. The College was subsequently named in an article on the subject in yesterday's Sunday Times. In the wake of the George Floyd murder and this letter, the Warden has asked our incoming Bursar, Mr Paresh Thakrar to conduct a review into the school's culture and practices (as previously communicated).
As educators, we have a unique responsibility to help create a world of more equal opportunities by encouraging enquiry amongst our students, confronting difficult questions and ensuring the widest possible access to the College. It is our intention that this review will conclude next term, with actions to be shared more broadly shortly afterwards. In the meantime, if you would like to share your views, please contact Mr Thakrar directly.
The Headmaster
And finally
The Entertainers go online
As part of Community Service, a group of boys known as the 'Entertainers' perform songs for care homes around the city. Often singing Flanders and Swann hits, their repertoire continues to expand. With songs typically comical in nature, they are always well received by residents. With visits currently suspended, the team put together a virtual recording for residents to enjoy.
Led by Mr Christian Schofield, the Entertainers are Laurie Goggin, Isaak Hayward, Ali Jivraj, Jeyoung Lee, Benjamin Manson, Masahiro Osada, Tristan Wigley and Luke Elkington.
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