Welcome to LWC News
Dear Parents and Guardians,
It’s been another week of contrasting experiences at LWC.
As the 5th Form and Upper Sixth get used to a routine away from the formal timetable….there have been successes on stage, on the athletics track and our other year groups continue to enrich their learning with a series of inspirational trips.
You’ll find details of these and much more, below.
Have a restful weekend.
If you have any comments or contributions for LWC News, they are very welcome via stories@lordwandsworth.org.
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
5th Form Sign Off
Shirts have been signed and wellbeing bags given out…
5th Form completed their final week on formal timetable last Friday and are now on exam leave.
Naturally, support and revision sessions continue up until their final exam.
Head of 5th Form, Nicole Jinadasa said, “The final week of official lessons started with fabulous weather. Our end-of-year assembly celebrated unsung heroes and our journey at LWC to date. Shirt signing was an emotional time and tutors celebrated with their tutees in their own unique way.”
We wish all of 5th Form continued good luck and look forward to welcoming you into Zanetas for your Sixth Form journey in September.
Upper Sixth Sayonara
The Upper Sixth also saw formal lessons come to an end last week.
Rather than shirts, they exchanged the traditional yearbooks for signing.
Last Friday afternoon saw them gather together in Zanetas for a Leavers’ Celebration.
Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Paul Donald explained, “The Upper Sixth had a lovely final afternoon. It was a chance to be together as a year group, one last time as LWC students. They enjoyed reviewing first day at school pictures, voting for the end of year awards (the winners to be revealed at the Leavers’ Ball in June) and signing yearbooks. It was wonderful to see so many teachers dropping in throughout the afternoon and to hear fond memories being shared. The Upper Sixth are now primed and ready for their A-level exams.”
We can’t wait to watch you shine….
Summer Sensation
The campus has been buzzing with praise for last Friday’s Summer Term Concert.
The event, in Gavin Hall, saw musicians from across the College come together for a spectacular showcase of solo and ensemble performances.
LWC’s Director of Music, Aaron Parker reflected, “The Summer Term Concert was a celebration of the breadth of music-making here at LWC, with some especially memorable moments from our 5th and Upper Sixth Form leavers, giving their emotional final performances at LWC. The students were outstanding and the standard was incredibly high – credit to the hard work and dedication shown by the performers.”
On Track
The new Athletics season has brought success for LWC across a range of disciplines.
Upper Sixth Former, Ellie went from performing in the Summer Term Concert to hours later, becoming Hampshire Champion in the U20 Hammer Event last weekend.
Ellie threw an incredible 42.32 metres at the Hampshire Athletics Championships; setting a new personal best, club record and qualifying distance for English Schools.
Meanwhile, 2nd Former Tobi was also crowned Hampshire Champion, as he set a College record and English Schools’ qualifying distance with a personal best throw of 40.59 metres in the U15’s discus.
2nd Former, Tolu completed a season-best in the U15 100 metre sprint. She finished second in a time of 13.10 seconds.
At the Surrey Track & Field Championships, 1st Former, Flo set personal bests in the 100, 200 and 800 metres events. Whilst 3rd Former, Seb recorded PB’s in the 100 and 200 metres semi-final and final, respectively.
Bronze Battlers
LWC Headmaster, Adam Williams and Teacher of Economics, Jack Malden have returned from the British Speedgolf Pairs Championships with bronze medals.
The duo, competing together for a third consecutive year, took third place at last Sunday’s event – held at Brocket Hall’s Palmerston Course.
They battled against a record field of 44 players from across the UK and Europe.
Mr Williams added, “Speedgolf has opened up a whole new golfing landscape, mindset and community for me. It’s inspirational stuff. Our aim is to bring the game to the 2040 Olympics and we are well on our journey, with this national tournament being another step along the way.”
Conquering New Heights
3rd Former, Jake has been challenging himself beyond the 1200.
Inspired by his father’s climb to Everest Base Camp last November, Jake is attempting to conquer the Three Peaks, alongside his family.
He climbed Ben Nevis earlier this year, has recently conquered Snowdon and plans to scale Scafell Pike in the coming weeks.
Not a bad way to spend a weekend.
Junior’s Glow-Up Continues..
The latest stage in the one-million-pound redevelopment of Junior House has been unveiled.
The House’s new prep room is now being used by 1st and 2nd Form and comes with rave reviews. A second room will be opened soon.
Junior Houseparent, Pete Maidment explained, “The improved prep rooms raise the expectation for academic excellence by giving children calm, quiet places to work. The Juniors recognise that their studies are important and their achievements are higher as a result. These spaces show how serious we are about learning in Junior House!”
Wise Words
As exams continue, this week’s suggestion for how to successfully navigate this stressful time, comes courtesy of LWC’s Deputy Head (Pastoral), Ali Cocksworth.
Unsurprisingly, Ali focuses on the need for self-care at a time when youngsters are being tested to the limit.
“My advice would be to ensure that you are getting enough sleep,” she explains. “It’s the all-healing elixir and will help you to feel in control, as well as practically getting your brain into gear.”
Guiding Teens
It’s been described as the talk that every parents needs to hear.
There’s still time to sign up for tomorrow’s Parental Engagement Session with renowned parent coach and therapist, Alicia Drummond.
Alicia will be tackling the subject of Navigating Teenage Parties Safely and Responsibly, but if you think her advice is limited to those attending post-exam soirees, then think again.
She will investigate how socialising helps young people to develop the skills required in the adult world. “But where teens gather, so can trouble and young people need to know how to handle themselves,” she adds.
You can register for your place at the seminar in the Nadine Uppal Theatre tomorrow (17th May) between 9.30 and 11am here.
Baked to Perfection
Ever wondered what it takes to satisfy the sweet cravings of nearly a thousand LWC students and staff?
Meet Charlotte Wood, LWC’s Pastry Chef, who arrived in the 1200 back in February.
Ahead of World Baking Day (Sunday, 18th May), she’s been revealing what she’s learned about the sweet-toothed beneficiaries of her work.
“LWC loves anything chocolatey,” she smiles. “Brownies, rocky road, millionaire’s shortbread. Obviously I can tell what they like by how quickly it goes but sometimes I’ve been called out to the front during service to hear how much someone has enjoyed something. It’s nice to feel appreciated.”
Charlotte has spent 15 years working as a chef, but loves specialising in pastry: “I’m quite creative and this allows me to use my artistic streak.”
Curious at Kew
The last week or so has seen a bumper number of trips departing LWC, with the aim of enriching learning, beyond the classroom.
2nd Form developed their Science skills with a day at a sun-drenched Kew Gardens.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to more than 50 thousand living plants.
Teacher of Science, Susan Penny remarked, “The aim of the trip was to introduce the concept of field work in Biology and Environmental Science and for students to enjoy exploring and studying a wide variety of habitats. Highlights included catching a glimpse of the two parakeets on the Treetop Walkway, capturing (and releasing!) lots of beetles and harvestman spiders, making grass whistles and smelling the lovely Wisteria.”
Isle of Wight Adventure
33 students taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award completed their qualifying expedition on the Isle of Wight last weekend.
LWC’s Head of Outdoor Learning, Richard Lovell explained, “The groups walked for two days; starting near Newport and then camping on the South West Coast. The route challenged the students with hills and difficult navigation. With the deadline of catching the 3 o’clock ferry on Sunday, the groups had an early start to get the distance in.”
The expedition was the final part of the programme for nearly all of the students crossing the finish line.
“It was more than completing a two-day walk,” Mr Lovell continued. “This completed six months of dedication. This year’s cohort has set new records in gaining the award. I hope this will motivate them to continue to the Gold Award.”
Sweet Symphony
4th Form Musicians made their way to the South Coast this week, where they were able to experience the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in action.
The performance included Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast, Bernstein’s West Side Story Suite and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue at The Lighthouse in Poole.
LWC’s Director of Music, Aaron Parker explained, “Hearing a professional orchestra and choir, in a world-class venue, deepens GCSE Music students’ understanding of performance, compositional techniques, orchestration and musical expression. It was also a chance to be inspired by the power and drama of live music.”
Inspiring Minds
It’s been recognised as one of the UK’s Top 100 Irreplaceable Places..
This week, 4th Form GCSE Computer Science students were able to find out why at the National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park.
The museum charts the development of computing from the top-secret groundbreaking creations of the 1940s, through to the rise of personal computing, that we see everywhere today.
Teacher of Computer Science, Pat Risley explained, “The museum brought to life the theoretical knowledge of computer architecture. Students were also able to participate in workshops on machine language, AI and networked communications. The old computers on display at the museum actually work and have been restored by enthusiasts!”
Picture Perfect
The efforts of nearly 60 GCSE Fine Art, 3D and Photography students are now available to admire as part of an exhibition in Gavin Hall.
There is a private viewing of their final GCSE submissions tonight (Friday 16th May) between 6 and 8pm. All members of the LWC community are welcome to attend.
The exhibition then continues until Thursday, 22nd May.
On the Range
The CCF have been demonstrating their skills on the range, at the British Army’s Training Centre at Pirbright.
Cadets who had passed their weapons test were able to practice their skills on a long range, at targets 100 metres away.
A number of the cadets achieved the marksmanship standard first time.
Running Out at The Rec
Thought you’d seen the last of the oval-shaped balls for a while?
Not quite.
4th Formers, Harry D and Harry B represented Bath RFC’s Berkshire Player Development Group last weekend at their Festival of Rugby.
Meanwhile, fellow 4th Formers, Bartie, Oscar, Harry C, Digby and Ollie turned out for the Bath U15 Academy East Section at The Rec.
LWC’s Head of Rugby, Lewis Starbuck added, “This was a great opportunity to experience playing at a Premiership ground.”
A Feast Fit for a Junior
The Lords and Ladies of Junior House will be attending this year’s History Department Tudor Banquet this evening (Friday, 16th May).
Dressed in full Tudor costume, they will indulge in a feast, rumoured to be attended by King Henry Vlll.
Head of History, Jonathan Lilley continued, “Frolics will include a guest appearance from the New World. The Banqueting Hall opens at 6.15pm, with carriages home to the castle from 8.15pm.”
We’ll bring you the pictures in next week’s LWC News.
One Man, Two Guvnors
Rehearsals have been in full swing for months….
Now the final performances of the LWC Summer Play, One Man, Two Guvnors are less than a month away.
The production, written by Richard Bean, is based on The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni and famously starred James Corden in the National Theatre’s original interpretation.
Drama teacher (co-director), Matt McGrath explained, “The rehearsal process has been nothing but hilarious so far and the students have shown a real talent for bringing these larger-than-life characters to the stage. Edmund Gwenn famously coined the phrase, ‘dying is easy, comedy is hard,’ and it certainly is a challenge to hone in on the timing, energy and delivery of the lines and physical slapstick humour that One Man, Two Guvnors demands. They have really been rising to this challenge though.”
You can book tickets for the performances on Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th June at 7pm in Gavin Hall, here.
Amber Arable
This time of year sees parts of the 1200 glowing, with fields full of oilseed rape.
Thanks to Haygate Houseparent, Josie Waskett-Long for her stunning shot featured here.
If you have a glorious picture of the 1200, we would love to see it via stories@lordwandsworth.org
Loving Your Work
“I turned 51 this year and I don’t feel as though I’ve ever had a job.”
Greg Kennis clearly loves his sport.
LWC’s Head of Cricket started at the College earlier this year and the former England U19, Surrey and Somerset batsman is quick to explain why.
“From the moment that I walked through the gates, I had a really warm feeling about the school and the environment,” he reveals. “I heard about the plans in place, the vision that the Headmaster had for the future of cricket here and everything aligned.”
With ambitions for a cricket bubble and a new state-of-the-art fitness, health and wellbeing centre on course to open next year, it’s not difficult to see why Mr Kennis saw an opportunity at LWC.
“I was aware of the school and where it’s at with its cricket,” he admits. The College was named for the ninth year running, in the top 100 senior schools for cricket by The Cricketer’s Schools Guide 2025. A host of male and female students have also to been called up to county cricket sides.
What Greg can bring to the development of LWC cricket, is a wealth of experience harnessed in the professional game.
“My playing career definitely helped shape how I now coach,” he explains. “Things can change very quickly and I know very well how injuries can affect careers. These are good experiences to share with young people. I’ve always been interested in development. I have good friends who are head coaches and they often get wrapped up in the admin side of things. The reason I love coaching is that you get to see the journey of a player over a period of time. I’ve been really fortunate to do that in the roles that I’ve had; seeing some of them go from an under-12’s player to getting a professional contract or coaching someone at 16 and watching them go on to play international cricket. I’ve been fortunate to do something that I love doing. There are so many experiences that I can draw on to help young people and seeing someone develop is what it’s all about for me.”
You can read more about LWC’s Head of Cricket here.
Sports Team Photos
Want to order some of the sports team photos taken this week?
You can view and order them here.
The School Photography Company is offering them at exclusive prices, if you order by Saturday, 24th May.
Key Dates
Fine Art, 3D & Photography GCSE Exhibition, Gavin Hall
Ongoing until Thursday, 22nd May
Parental Engagement Programme Seminar: Navigating Teenage Parties Safely and Responsibly, Gavin Hall
9.30-11am, Saturday, 17th May
End of Half-Term
4pm, Friday, 23rd May
Summer Term Resumes
Monday, 2nd June
Drama Showcase, Nadine Uppal Theatre
7pm, Thursday, 5th June
One Man, Two Guvnors Summer Play, Gavin Hall
7pm, Wednesday, 11th & Thursday, 12th June
Junior Music Concert, Nadine Uppal Theatre
7pm, Friday, 13th June
LWC Summer Open Evening
6.30pm, Tuesday, 17th June
Sternian Saturday, LWC
Saturday, 21st June
Summer Jazz Festival, LWC
7pm, Saturday, 21st June
Speech Day, LWC
10am, Saturday, 28th June
End of Summer Term
Noon, Wednesday, 2nd July