Welcome to LWC News
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Nearly 12 weeks ago, we embarked upon the spring term.
It’s difficult to believe that since then, we’ve seen dazzling performances in Bugsy Malone, reached the national finals of rugby and netball competitions, achieved incredible iGCSE results in English Language, staged the marathon Cotterill Cup Music Festival, inspiring Chapters Unbound Art Competition and have continued to pursue all of our academic goals across College, with a quiet determination.
We think it might be time for a little rest.
Have a wonderful Easter and we look forward to seeing you again on the other side.
Calendar & Sports Schedule
The school calendar can be viewed using the link below:
LWC CalendarThe school sports calendar can be viewed using the link below:
LWC Sports CalendarPlease view the Sports Weekly Schedule here:
Sports Weekly ScheduleHere’s a guide to required kit per sport:
LWC SPORTS KIT LIST
News
A Message from your Heads of College
The end of the spring term sees this year’s Prefect Team conclude their term in office and welcome in the new prefects, who will take up their positions after Easter.
This year’s Heads of College, Grace and Jensen have been reflecting on their time at the top….
Grace
“I feel really nostalgic about my time as one of the Heads of College. I think it’s changed my perspective on school and on myself. I’ll be forever grateful for the privilege of being given this role.
I’m really proud of how far the Prefect Team has come. Some were incredibly shy at the beginning and refused to say anything in our meetings. Now they are some of the most confident and opinionated. As a team we’ve introduced a tutoring programme for 5th Form, to help in the run-up to their GCSEs and we’ve organised lots of events for year groups in school.
There have been so many great moments this year. Some personal highlights for me include the Sixth Form black tie dinners which are always so much fun. Interhouse Dance and Interhouse Music have also been brilliant.
I plan to travel this summer after A-Levels. I’m also really proud to have received offers to study veterinary medicine and will be going to university in Liverpool from September, if all goes well.”
Jensen
“I think it’s safe to say that I’m extremely proud of what the team and myself have achieved whilst being in our roles this year. Being one of the Heads of College will always be something I look back on with fond memories and I’m extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to help make a difference.
As a team, we’ve had a number of really successful projects including the 5th Form tutoring scheme (mentioned above) and our work around Pride Month in the first term. We created advertising, posters and delivered an assembly.
There are so many moments that stand out to me from this year. Sport at the College has been tremendously successful; with national finals for the U15 boys rugby and U18 girls’ netball teams. The rugby was special to me, as I’ve been helping and supporting this group since they were in 3rd Form.
I plan to go on a gap year after my A-Levels; playing cricket in Australia for six months with a friend from LWC, before making my way back through Asia and starting at university the following September.”
Giving Day
This week’s Giving Day has been a huge success, with the whole College community coming together to raise an astounding £94,654 for our remarkable Foundation.
Highlights of the 36-hour fundraising marathon included our Headmaster’s Challenge (we’ll never hear Candle in the Wind in the same way again), the Junior House Colour Run and members of our Senior Leadership Team becoming marathon canoeists for the afternoon on the Basingstoke Canal. If you haven’t yet seen the pictures on our socials, it’s well worth a look.
In addition to the Giving Day total, it’s been revealed that our intrepid Iceland trekkers have raised a grand total of £75,317 for the Foundation.
LWC’s Fundraising Manager, Kate Boyd added, “This is an incredible achievement. We are so grateful to everyone who has lent their support to our amazing Foundation.”
If you missed an opportunity to donate, there’s still time via the Giving Day site.
Chapters Unbound
A record 58 pieces of artwork were entered into this year’s Chapters Unbound competition.
The challenge, created by the LWC Art School and Library, asked students to create a piece inspired by fictional characters and places.
The results have been extraordinary and on Wednesday, a private view and prize-giving evening was held in the Prideaux Gallery to celebrate the work.
For the first time ever, students were given a chance to vote for their favourite piece in a Student Vote category.
This was won by 3rd Formers, Ben and Henry for their 3D design of King Arthur’s sword, Excalibur. Best in Show went to Lower Sixth Former, Charlie for his ‘Space’ display using glass and mirrors. The Linda Newman Prize was awarded to 2nd Former, Megan who created a ‘Bear Called Paddington Shadow Box’.
Head of Art, Graham Mobbs said, “Congratulations to all of the students who have completed such incredible work for this year’s competition! Twinning with the library has certainly been a catalyst for some magical outcomes and I think you’ll agree that the show looks amazing.”
Foundation Day
The LWC Foundation has been at the heart of the College for over a hundred years; offering help to those who have lost the support of one or both parents.
This week it has received a huge boost thanks to your generosity and yesterday (Thursday), we were able to celebrate its transformative work as part of our annual Foundation Day.
There were presentations by current and former Foundationers, along with contributions from parents of those who have benefitted from the charity.
Rosslyn Park Rugby
It’s the world’s largest schools rugby tournament and this week, LWC’s U18A Rugby Team became Rosslyn Park National School Sevens Bowl Champions!
The side played ten games to seal their victory on Tuesday.
Next up, were the U14’s who progressed to the semi-finals of the plate competition.
Meanwhile, LWC’s U16’s were handed the Fair Play Award and the U13’s put in a good performance on Festival Day, in their first-ever Rosslyn Park experience.
LWC’s Head of Rugby, Lewis Starbuck said, “It’s been an amazing week for LWC at Rosslyn Park, with success across all ages. It has been a pleasure to work with these boys and I am sure this is a tournament they’ll never forget.”
Quarter-Finals Beckon
LWC’s U15A Girls’ Football Team have progressed through to the quarter-finals of the SnS U15 Girls’ National Football Cup!
This week, they beat Howard of Effingham School 5-4 on penalties to book their place against either Forest School or Lingfield College in the next round.
Coach, Scott Sanderson explained, “After losing the toss, we were forced to play uphill and into the sun in the first half. We went in 1-0 down at half-time, following an unstoppable shot.
Ten minutes into the second half, Tolu somehow scored from the right-hand side, looping the ball high over the stranded goalkeeper. LWC continued to push and our efforts were eventually rewarded when Holly dribbled through the defence and coolly slotted home. It finished 2-2 at half-time, with LWC progressing after a hard fought penalty shoot out.”
Tournament Triumph
Staying with football and last weekend’s Spring Tournament saw LWC’s Girls’ Senior Football teams winning the cup competition and finishing second and third in the plate, as part of the first girls’ football tournament ever held at the College.
The football matches were held alongside an intermediate netball tournament, which was the final of three netball competitions held at LWC over the last few weeks.
LWC’s Head of Football, Georgia Bowers said, “The tournament went really well, with over 100 footballers participating. The highlights included LWC 1 remaining undefeated all day and all of our teams winning some kind of medal. This shows the progress that girls’ sport (and particularly girls’ football) has made over the last few years at LWC. Hopefully even more teams will join us next year.”
Changes at the Top
LWC bid a grateful farewell to Chief Operating Officer, Baz Bennett yesterday, after more than four years in the role.
The former Deputy Chief of Staff for the British Field Army is leaving to become COO of Sedburgh School in Cumbria, where he’ll be located closer to family.
“I leave with a very heavy heart,” Mr Bennett admits. “But that’s brilliant. As far as I’m concerned, leaving and wanting more is absolutely the way you should go.”
LWC’s new Chief Operating Officer is Will Dixon, who joins us from Shiplake College. Here, he was Bursar for more than three years, following a series of senior banking positions after leaving the military on medical grounds.
You can read about Baz Bennett’s reflections on his time at LWC below. There’ll be more on Mr Dixon’s appointment after the Easter break.
Scholars’ Showcase
The LWC Performing Arts Department has delivered on a super scale this half-term.
From the marathon Cotterill Cup Music Festival, to last week’s sell-out Dance Shows.
There was no slowing of pace for the last week of term, with the Music Scholars’ Recital offering some of our most experienced musicians, another chance to shine.
Monday night’s event in the Nadine Uppal Theatre saw a programme of solo works performed.
LWC’s Musician-in-Residence, Max Rhodes explained, “There was a great range of music performed throughout the evening, from Mozart to Christina Perri. The standard of Music Scholars at LWC is exceptional and the interaction between the performers and accompanists showed a true understanding of professional performance.”
Celtic Celebration
LWC’s Sixth Form were given the opportunity to dress up and embrace a Celtic theme last Friday.
160 students took part in a Celtic Celebration, to mark Burns Night and St Patrick’s Day.
They enjoyed a meal in Julyans, which included a ‘Toast to the Haggis’, performed by Catering Manager, Iain Hedley. Poetry reading followed, before dancing in Sutton Hall – with music provided by Squinty McGinty.
Stepping up the Strokes
LWC’s marathon canoeists continued their preparation for the Devizes to Westminster Race, with an overnight training exercise on the Kennet and Avon Canal last weekend.
They completed Waterside C; a 37km race which saw three of LWC’s boats finishing in the top ten.
Upper Sixth Formers, Daniel and Freya continued their record-breaking streak by setting another College record in the mixed doubles.
LWC’s Marathon Canoe Coach, Richard Lovell added, “The camping aspect of the weekend added another layer to our preparation; requiring us to be self-sufficient and adaptable. Cooking meals, setting up tents, and managing gear reinforces the importance of teamwork and communication, both on the water and off. Plus, sitting around the campfire at night offered a unique bonding experience with teammates and coaches that we’ll carry with us into the race.”
Open to All
In two weeks, LWC will open its gates to the general public as part of the National Garden Scheme’s Open Garden Season.
Last year, hundreds joined us in the 1200, for a glimpse of our abundant spring colour and manicured lawns.
On Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th April, you’re welcome to be part of it once again.
On the Saturday, younger visitors will be able to take part in an Easter egg hunt. If laid-back music is more your thing, you’re welcome to join us on the Sunday for Jazz on the Lawn.
Refreshments will be served in The Orangery on both days and there will also be an opportunity to buy plants grown on-site.
Entry is between 11am and 3pm. You can pre-book here.
Widening Worlds
Think everything comes to a halt over the Easter break? Think again!
LWC has a total of seven trips heading off around the world over the next few weeks.
The first group (of 24 Sixth Formers) are currently in New York on a cultural trip organised by the Business Studies and English Departments.
Head of English, Chris Radmann explains, “We’ll be taking in the Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial, Empire State Building, taking a Wall Street Insider Tour and almost 100 years to the day since it was first published, watching The Great Gatsby on Broadway. We can’t wait!”
Hitting the White Stuff
The 1200 may not have seen much snow this year, but two groups will be getting more than enough over Easter.
1st and 2nd Formers will be off to the Passo del Tonale Ski Resort in Italy for the bi-annual Junior Ski Trip, led by Junior Houseparent, Pete Maidment.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles across the Atlantic, 31 students from 3rd to Sixth Form will be skiing in Canada’s Jasper National Park.
LWC’s Tim Richardson will be leading the trip and explains, “They will be in groups with instructors from the park. They’ll be able to ski for up to six hours per day. Abilities range from beginner to advanced, but the majority are intermediates. We have six able skiing staff joining us.”
Time to Reflect
Meanwhile, a group of GCSE and A-Level History students will be travelling to Prague to immerse themselves in the subjects of their studies.
LWC’s Head of History, Jonathan Lilley explained, “As part of the GCSE topic on Nazi Germany and the A-Level course on the Cold War, we will be visiting the Communism Museum and Bunker, Terezin Concentration Camp and the Jewish Museum. We will also take a boat cruise through the city.”
Sporting Stops
And there’s a wide variety of sporting trips going ahead over Easter, both in the UK and beyond.
34 hockey players are heading to Bath for a tour. Director of Sport and Head of Hockey, Soma Singh said, “We play fixtures against teams we don’t play on our school circuit. It’s an opportunity to stretch ourselves, have fun, bond, and enjoy Bath – which is a wonderful city. We mix the trip up with an exhibition hockey game on Friday night, where our players can watch top level teams battle it out, followed by a Bath v Harlequins rugby game.”
Lanzarote’s Club La Santa Resort is the destination for our Preseason Athletics and Tennis Training Trip. LWC’s Head of Athletics, Ben Hazell revealed, “The trip has been a regular feature for more than 20 years. We’ll follow a routine which allows our group of 3rd to Sixth Formers to prepare for the summer season. It encompasses technical work, conditioning, cross training and fun!”
Lastly, LWC’s golfers will make the journey to Norfolk under the supervision of Head of Golf, Craig O’nions. “15 students will be testing their skills on some of the country’s finest links golf courses,” he explained. “Spanning over three days, the trip includes courses like Hunstanton, Sheringham and Royal West Norfolk.”
Sports Day
After the Easter break, Sports Day is one of the next dates for your diary.
The event (on Friday 2nd May) will take place on Sutton Field between 1.30 and 5pm.
Parents are welcome to bring picnics and there will be free strawberries and cream available.
There will also be a return of the LWC tradition, The Fletcher Mile for students, staff and parents to take part in – so bring your trainers!
More details will follow on arrangements, at the start of next term.
String Serenity
Acclaimed string quartet, Brother Tree Sound will be performing an Evening Recital at LWC shortly after the Easter break.
The London-based group will deliver a composition workshop to students on Thursday, 24th April before their show in the Nadine Uppal Theatre that evening, at 7.30pm.
They will perform a selection of chamber music, including Ravel’s String Quartet in F major, alongside a selection of compositions by our talented GCSE and A-Level students.
Tickets are available here.
Calling All Petrolheads!
The LWC Motoring Society is holding its inaugural event next month.
The group made up of Sternians, LWC parents and staff is being brought together by a shared love of everything automotive.
50 members have already signed up and you can join them here.
Their first ever Cars and Coffee gathering will take place on Sunday, 27th April at the Toy Storage facility, located at Newlyns Farm in Hook.
From 9am until noon, you can admire an array of stunning vehicles and enjoy a few refreshments at the same time.
Book your place here.
Springtime Show
The colour palette of the 1200 is changing on a daily basis at the moment.
From vibrant yellows and purples, to pastel pink and classic white; springtime splendour is tumbling from our borders.
One of our favourite views at this time of year, is the cherry blossom, dotting the path running alongside Gavin Hall.
If you have a glorious picture of the 1200, we would love to see it via stories@lordwandsworth.org.
A New Post
Baz Bennett has been LWC’s Chief Operating Officer since January 2021.
This was his first job after leaving the British Army; a career he had entered into at the tender age of 16 and had no plans to leave for a few years.
But then he came to the 1200.
“I could see LWC had a great governing body and a great Headmaster. This was a school that was already rising. Adam (Williams) wanted the boys and girls coming here to go out into the world and make a difference. I wanted to be part of that,” he explains.
Just over four years later, Baz is waving goodbye to his life in Long Sutton as he prepares to take up a new ‘posting’ at Sedburgh School in Cumbria, much closer to his family. But before his departure, we were keen to get him to reflect on his time at LWC.
“I suppose I feel as though I’ve brought more of a business sense to the school,” he offers. “Adam and I rubbed off on one another and this machine kind of accelerated. We moved from being a cottage industry into a business. We created a Business Leadership Group, created Directors of People, Finance and Estates. Going from one school to two (with the addition of St Neot’s) was a real tangible change and to see the meteoric rise at St Neot’s has been phenomenal. When I arrived, there was a hole in the ground where the Flowers Science Centre now is and that was a project started before I got here. £9 million later and I love going into that building. I love where it sits, combining old and new. I suppose I can take more credit for helping to turn the old library into Zanetas, with the vision of Tom Rimmer (Head of Sixth Form) and then being able to deliver Hendersons. These are all wonderful spaces.”
Mr Bennett admits that he leaves with a heavy heart but is also grateful for what LWC has given him: “I was worried when I left the Army, that I wouldn’t be able to cope without being in it anymore. I thought I would miss it. But I haven’t missed it and that’s because of the people I’ve worked with here. They have been wonderful.”
You can read more about Baz and his time at LWC, here.
Easter Camps
If you’re still looking for some last-minute Easter inspiration, there are a range of camps going on at LWC over the coming weeks….
For those looking to be exam-ready….
Next Level Camps are offering GCSE and A-Level revision sessions.
Subject specialists will lead tuition in Maths, English, Science, Spanish, French, Geography and History.
A programme of classes will run from Monday 7th until Thursday 17th April.
You can find out more and book here.
A 15% discount is available to the LWC community, with the code TME308
For general Easter-fun….
Next Level are also offering a camp for 4 to 14-year-olds.
Running from Monday 7th April until Thursday 17th, a programme of entertainment is available between 8am and 6pm.
You can book here.
Again, a 15% discount is available to the LWC community with the code TME308. Childcare vouchers are accepted and there are reduced rates for siblings and weekly bookings.
For cricket lovers….
Activate Camps are running a 3-day Cricket Camp for 5 to 16 year-olds between 7th and 9th of April.
There is also a Wicketkeeping Coaching Day for 8 to 16 year-olds on 10th April.
Further details, including how to book can be found here.
And for Pentathletes…
Pentathlon GB is running an Easter Pentathlon Camp for 8-16 year-olds.
It will include a variety of activities including fencing, swimming, running, shooting and team-building exercises.
The camp will be running at LWC on Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th April from 9am until 3.30pm at a cost of £110 for both days or £60 for one.
Bookings can be made here.
Key Dates
National Garden Scheme – Open Garden, Easter Egg Hunt & Jazz on the Lawn, LWC
11am-3pm, Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th April
Start of Summer Term
Wednesday, 23rd April
Evening Recital with Brother Tree Sound String Quartet, Nadine Uppal Theatre
7.30-9pm, Thursday 24th April
LWCMS Cars & Coffee, Toy Storage, Newlyns Farm
9am-Noon, Sunday 27th April
Sports Day
1.30-5pm, Friday 2nd May
Stern Challenge
Sunday, 4th May
Early May Bank Holiday
Monday, 5th May
LWC Connect Networking Breakfast – Media, PR and Marketing, Zanetas
7.30-9am, Thursday, 8th May
Summer Term Concert, Gavin Hall
7pm, Friday, 9th May
Parental Engagement Webinar: Girls on Board
7-8pm, Thursday, 15th May