22nd June 2020
Winchester Weekly
Guest editor
Virtual drama
As is the case with many of us, my term has been just as busy as any other Cloister Time, but in rather unusual ways. The absence of face-to-face drama is something I have really noticed; I have missed the buzz that we all get from being in the theatre, but I have enjoyed helping pupils to come up with creative solutions to the problems inherent in online drama. Many of them have used their spare time to read, write, work on vocal technique and learn monologues and speeches. Our online LAMDA evenings have provided much enjoyment and food for thought, as have the various radio plays we have tackled.
I’m lucky that several of my hobbies (reading and running to name but two) are very compatible with the lockdown. I’ve also found refuge in the recent spate of high-quality online theatrical productions. The BBC series Unprecedented shows just what can be achieved despite (or perhaps because of?) a necessarily minimalist approach in terms of design and blocking. And it provides a bit of relief from all those monologues!
Sam Baddeley, Head of Drama and Classics don
From the headmaster
Returning in September
I am delighted to be writing about the return to school in September. There have been many appreciative emails on the lockdown provision. We can now turn with optimism to the welcome re-treading of much-loved paths.
Over the last term, twenty senior staff have each been given responsibility for one aspect of return, such as pastoral, domestic, academic, medical, or social. On Thursday, before the latest government announcement, all reported back in an open forum, submitting their proposals to be tested under a variety of scenarios. The virus, and measures to control it, remain fluid and unpredictable. However, the school is now confident that it has undertaken prudent risk management and is as well prepared as it can be for any eventuality.
On Friday, the Government announced that all schools could recommence in September. This delivered twin benefits. On the one hand, we knew we could plan with confidence for a return to teaching on site: on the other, we had the reassurance that plans had already been devised for a wide variety of scenarios, ready for immediate implementation and adaptation as required.
An announcement on quarantine is awaited. We encourage parents to continue to use family guardians; however, two housemasters will, if appropriate, offer quarantine facilities from Sunday 23 August. Transport direct to Winchester will be arranged from LHR and LGW.
Over the holiday, the school will be in touch regularly (usually on a Monday) with an update on the expectations for our return. As we get increasing clarity about the return scenario, full detail will be provided, to include the charter of intent and risk assessments. For now, this is to confirm that school will reopen on Sunday 6 September. New pupils should arrive for 1300, MP at 1700, VBk at 1800, VIBk2 at 1900 and VIBk1 at 2000. If you have questions, please contact housemasters in the first instance, who will pass issues on as appropriate, and will remain available to field enquiries, especially from new pupils and their parents, over the holiday period.
Celebration of the achievements of this term and a farewell to several members of staff with well over 150 years’ service between them will take place in the form of HM Commendas and Virtual Valete on Friday 3 July at 1600. I do invite you to view this with your families using the link which will be provided.
Dr Tim Hands, Headmaster
(UCAS: Last week, parents of boys in VI:2 were sent information on UCAS applications. The communication is available for all parents here.)
Awards
Celebrating success
The Headmaster has awarded the Magna Cum Laude Commendations for Cloister Time. These awards are for outstanding individual achievement.
University Exhibitions and Late Exhibitions have also been awarded. These are honorary awards which recognise excellence in public and internal exams, as well as intermediate grades.
Congratulations to all.
Both sets of awards are typically presented at Winchester Match. All other awards will be celebrated in an end of term video issued next week.
School Prefects 2020/2021
The prefects for the next academic year have now been announced. Warm congratulations to all.
Aul:Prae - Rtvik Patel
Sen Co Prae - Sterling Blakey
Dep Sen Co Praes - William Cresswell and Jiaqi Cao
Sen Cap Prae - InChan Yang
WinCollSoc news
Celebrating Wykeham Week
The Winchester College Society team has created its first digital campaign, Wykeham Week. The campaign will celebrate the end of an extraordinary term, as well as fundraising towards House Bursary Funds and the COVID-19 Hardship Fund. There will be special performances from Cantores Episcopi as well as a celebration of the boarding houses.
The culmination of the prefects' Lockdown Pot will also be celebrated and the winning house will earn their House Bursary Fund an extra £1,000.
Wykeham Week coincides with the 150th Anniversary of Moberly Library and we would like to encourage boys to send in a photo of whatever they are reading with the bookmark in their house colours, which they should now have received. Please send photos to wincollsoc@wincoll.ac.uk.
Editorial
Postcards from Home
Denied a public stage on which to act out the drama that is such an important part of his life, Oscar has improvised whilst in lockdown and created his own set, costumes, and cast family members, to bring theatre to life inside his home.
'The show must go on. It’s an age-old adage that could not die on my theatrical watch.'
Wiccamica memorabilia for leavers
Cornflowers Gift Shop has asked us to remind leavers that a range of Winchester College items is available via the Blue Bills form or the website. Items include ties, bow ties, socks, cuff links and umbrellas, as well as other Wiccamica.
All items can be collected directly from the shop or posted for an additional charge. Please contact the shop on +44 (0)1962 621 234 or by email for any items not listed.
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