From the Second Master
Pseudium
Thank you to everyone who attended Pseudium. We have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback, with parents declaring the lessons "inspiring" and outstanding" and that they "loved every minute". Ours dons are passionate about what they do and we were pleased that participants were able to witness this enthusiasm directly. One parent wrote, "It was a wonderful opportunity to learn something of the experience the College affords my sons. Where else can you find hidden depths in poetry, be challenged by mathematical conundrums and humbled and appalled by the account of Cherry-Garrard’s Antarctic expedition all in one morning?" We hope even more parents will join us for next year's Pseudium.
EXEAT Arrangements for Boarders
If you have not yet completed the Exeat Arrangements form, please do so at your earliest convenience via the Parent Portal link below. Housemasters need the information prior to pupil departures on Friday 18 November.
The whole school gathered for a very moving Remembrance Service and parade on Sunday 13 November. One veteran sent his thanks, remarking on the professionalism of all those involved: "the service, laying up of colours, choir, readings, marching, last post and Lament were of the standard produced by regular serving troops."
Public Speaking
Recita
On Friday evening, twenty pupils competed in the final of the school's recitation competition, Recita. The standard was exceptional.
Mathew S (College) won the Jack Parr Award / Simon Eliot Cup in the lower school competition, with his moving rendition of T.S. Eliot’s 'The Journey of the Magi', whilst William B (Furley's) won the upper school competition, and the King’s Silver Medal for English Speech, with Sylvia Plath’s ‘Lady Lazarus’.
Find out who secured second and third places, and watch the winning performances, via the link below.
Societies
Model United Nations
On Saturday 12 November Messrs Gould and Sparkes took a 27 pupil delegation to the Model United Nations conference at Royal Grammar School Guildford. The pupils ably demonstrated the school's strength in depth at this activity.
220 pupils from 13 different schools were at the conference but the Winchester pupils, representing USA, Nigeria, Chile and New Zealand, took more than half of the total awards. These included five pupils winning Outstanding Delegate awards for their respective committees, and as many again were highly commended.
The New Zealand team also won Best Delegation at the General Assembly for the fast thinking and drafting they showed in the final plenary session, to tackle a crisis caused by an apparent UFO landing in the Arctic circle.
Outreach
Primary Schools Concert
The members of the Symphony Orchestra gave their annual Primary Schools Concert yesterday, performing the 3rd and 4th movements of Dvorǎk’s 8th Symphony. 470 children from local primary schools packed into New Hall for an inspirational journey of music, discovering the instruments of the orchestra and trying their hands at playing them.
The visiting children responded brilliantly to the experience and one brave volunteer even had a go at conducting the orchestra.
A report and filmed highlights from Sunday's School Concert will be shared in next week's newsletter.
Sport
Swimming
Congratulations to Jake H (VI Book 1, Toye's) for his performance in the South-East Regional Swimming Championships last weekend. In the 100m Breaststroke he was seeded 10th, and swum a 0.6 second Personal Best to come 2nd in the 18 & under category, and 4th overall. In the 50m Breaststroke, he was seeded 18th and swam another Personal Best to come 2nd in 18 & under, and 6th overall. Jake qualified in the top 15 in Britain for his age group and makes it through to the National Championships next month. Jake is pictured in lane 1.
Rowing
The Boat Club has had a good start to the year. Six of the new Sixth Form entrants, including girls, have joined up and are enjoying learning a new sport. Their enthusiasm has been matched by the JP rowers, who have gone from strength to strength and are eagerly anticipating their first race at the end of November.
Congratulations to four of our senior rowers, Hugo K-D (Freddie's), George T (Trant's), Lawrence H (Phil's), and Maxim K (Freddie's), who competed at the GB trials last weekend. They are all successfully through to the next round, which takes place in March.
Talks
Last week, pupils, parents, and staff were treated to an exceptional talk from F1 legend, Ross Brawn. As part of our educational outreach work, pupils from our partner schools took part in STEM and Maths workshops related to engineering.
On Thursday, the school community gathered in Cloisters (main picture) to remember Apsley Cherry-Garrard OW, with a short service to unveil his commemorative plaque. This was followed by an exhibition in Musa, with items on loan from Dulwich College, the Scott Polar Research Institute, and from the family. The evening lecture was delivered by Douglas Russell, Natural History Museum and biographer Sara Wheeler.
Upcoming lectures
Adam Rutherford is a science broadcaster, geneticist and writer; familiar to listeners of BBC Radio 4's Inside Science and the Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry. On 6 December, at 1900, he will deliver the latest in the Warden's Lecture Series.
Operation Frankton, also known as the Cockleshell Raid, is the subject of Lt Col Ewen Southby Tailyour RM's talk at 1500 on 7 December. Book your place via the link below.
School Events
Illumina
Illumina takes place on the last day of term, 9 December, 1530 - 1700 and parents are warmly invited to attend.
The Charities Committee will be selling items at Illumina to raise funds for the school's three chosen charities: Stay at School Nepal, Young Lives Vs Cancer and Winchester Young Carers.
These include watercolour prints of the school, Chapel Choir CD’s, and a beautiful 2023 Calendar, priced at £12.50, which has been designed by pupils. This features photographs of the College and its surroundings, including this selection, taken by pupils and staff.
Music
Forthcoming Concerts
St Cecilia's Day Concert
The Glee Club (our large Choral Society of students, staff and parents) will be joining Winchester Music Club and performing Poulenc Gloria, Finzi For St Cecilia, Parry I was glad and works by Stanford and Fauré in Winchester Cathedral on Tuesday 22 November at 1930. Tickets are available through the Cathedral Box Office or via the link below.
Charity Carol Concert
Join us for a night of festive close harmony carols with music don David Hurley and Cantores Episcopi, in support of Trinity Winchester, in Chapel on Wednesday 19 December at 1830.
Teaching Award
Andy Sparkes, Head of VI Book Div, has received the Outstanding Educator Award from the University of Chicago.
Students accepted into the University of Chicago Class of 2026 were asked to nominate an educator whose guidance has helped them along the path toward intellectual growth. Mr Sparkes was nominated by an OW he taught recently.
Winchester Economics don, Liz Veal, has previously won the same award.
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