Welcome to LWC News
What a remarkable year it’s been at LWC.
Thank you for celebrating it with us during Saturday’s spectacular Speech Day (some of the highlights of which, you can see below).
The last few days have earned their own issue of LWC News and we hope you enjoy reading more below.
We wish you a wonderful summer and look forward to welcoming you back in September.
Please don’t forget to keep us posted on your summertime adventures 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
Speech Day
Speech Day on Saturday was a gloriously sun-drenched spectacle to round off the academic year.
The efforts and achievements of so many were celebrated by the entire LWC community.
Thank you for helping to make it such a success.
Presentation of Colours
Congratulations to those who were awarded Colours, Honours and Distinctions on Saturday, in a ceremony on Stern Lawn, shortly before Speech Day got underway.
These celebrated success across Sport, Performing Arts, Creative Arts, Service and Leadership.
House Picnics
Following Speech Day, there was an opportunity to reflect on an extraordinary year at LWC, with our House Picnics.
The picnics gave students from each of our eight Houses the chance to mark the end of term with the parents and staff who have supported them throughout the year.
The Future’s Bright!
There’ll be a new look to parts of the 1200 to share from September.
Phase one of our sector-leading Sport, Fitness, Health and Adventure Centre is on course for completion. This will feature a strength and conditioning suite as part of a £2.5 million development project.
There will be a new SEN Department, located near Zanetas Sixth Form Centre, to provide a home for our experienced and much-expanded SEN Team.
A new Library will sit at the heart of the College in a welcoming, restful and well-equipped space.
And the £1 million redevelopment of Junior House continues as we upgrade this Grade ll listed building.
There are also many more exciting projects going ahead that we look forward to sharing with you in September!
The Last Word – Freya
There was a rapturous applause for our Upper Sixth Form leavers at Speech Day and rightly so.
Here, some of them reflect on their time at LWC and share what they hope to do in the next exciting chapter.
“I joined LWC in 3rd Form, so I’ve been here five years,” explains Freya. “My older sister came here first and we loved the atmosphere and ethos of the school, so I followed in her footsteps.”
Freya admits to having made great memories through many of her extra-curricular passions at the College, including CCF, Music and Marathon Canoeing. She hopes to study Biology at the University of St Andrews.
“I’ll miss the people the most,” she reveals. “We have amazing staff who’ve supported me and given me incredible opportunities. The kindness and genuine care for students is very special to this school.”
Max
“I joined in the First Form after my mother heard about the LWC Foundation through a colleague,” reveals Max. “She wanted me to be able to access the opportunities that the College could provide.
“I’ll obviously miss my friends,” he admits. “The College and specifically my House has allowed me to make lifelong connections. I’ll miss the sense of community here.”
Some of Max’s favourite memories include playing in the rock ensemble, a student-led band and finishing as runners-up in the legendary Cotterill Cup.
Max has been offered a place at the University of Leeds and is considering a career in law or the civil service.
Elsa
The University of Leeds is also earmarked as a destination for Elsa, who hopes to study Criminal Justice and Criminology there.
“I’m really looking forward to this next chapter,” she explains. “I joined in 3rd Form and from the first visit on Open Day, there was no question that I wanted to attend LWC. The entire atmosphere of the College and especially the people, compelled us to choose it.”
Despite taking a starring role in this year’s production of Bugsy and shining on stage with her dance at LWC, some of Elsa’s happiest memories came courtesy of her GCSEs. “I remember it being sunny. We would all go to the Haygate garden and sit outside. I remember having so many laughs and it made the whole exam period so much brighter.
“Over the years, I’ve formed some really close friendships that I know will last for life. I’ve also formed some really nice bonds with some teachers, who have supported me in school, as well as my Matrons in House who really make the Houses feel like home.”
Jonny
For Jonny, life in Sutton House has been a key part of his experience at LWC.
“I’ll miss boarding and the strong sense of community that there is here,” he explains. “I’ve really enjoyed things like the summer bbq’s and interhouse events.”
Jonny joined the College seven years ago, having been drawn to the wide range of co-curricular options on offer, which he’s since taken full advantage of.
“Some of my best moments have included finishing third in the National Kayak Schools’ Championships and being selected for the GB Junior Development Squad Training Day,” he reveals.
Jonny is hoping to study Social Sciences at Durham after the summer.
Leavers’ Ball
Once the last of the Speech Day festivities were over, it was time for the Upper Sixth Form to take centre stage for the final time.
We were delighted to see so many families attending our Leavers’ Ball.
You will always remain part of the LWC community and we look forward to welcoming you back for Results Day on Thursday, 14th August.
Head of Sixth Form, Tom Rimmer added, “The Leavers’ Ball was a fitting send off for our biggest and best Sixth Form group yet. They go forward with our very best wishes.”
Celebrating 100 Years of RAF Odiham
Seven of LWC’s CCF Air Cadets represented the College in the Odiham Freedom Parade on Friday.
The event was a civic celebration to honour 100 years of neighbouring RAF Odiham; home of the Chinook helicopter.
Our cadets were offered the opportunity to parade alongside members of RAF Odiham on the High Street.
CCF Contingent Commander, Alex Hamilton said, “It was a great privilege for our cadets to be involved in this event, marking 100 years of aviation history in our area. We are proud to maintain such strong links with RAF Odiham and the local community.”
5th Form Celebrate!
5th Form were given the chance to celebrate the end of GCSEs on Thursday.
After gathering at their respective Houses, they enjoyed a meal in the marquee on Julyans Lawn, followed by dancing (and a pretty spectacular ice cream bar).
“It was a great night,” reflected Head of 5th Form, Nicole Jinadasa. “Everyone looked so gorgeous and happy!
“We’d like to extend our thanks to the wonderful LWC Catering Department, Tutors and Houseparents for all of their support to 5th Form, not only for this event but throughout the year.
“We hope you all have a wonderful summer and look forward to you beginning your Sixth Form journey in September.”
Party on the Green!
Yesterday’s Party on the Green made the most of the hottest day of the year so far.
Students celebrated the end of term with suitable smiles.
The water slide and ice cream were (unsurprisingly) huge hits.
Also on tap: paella, a barbecue, candy floss and churros, set to some excellent student-led music.
Happy end of term LWC!
Magnificent Mindsets
They spent the best part of a week being enticed out of their comfort zones….
Now 2nd Form are back in the 1200, having returned from this year’s WAKTU Camp in the Lake District.
WAKTU runs bespoke sports camps, designed to accelerate performance and works with elite sportspeople including Premier League football teams and England’s cricketers.
LWC is the only school to enter into a partnership with the company; the aim being to unlock potential and build confidence.
Our intrepid 2nd Form took part in activities which ranged from abseiling and cold water immersion, to inspirational lectures and team building exercises as part of our Character Education programme.
Super Scientists
It tests logic, data analysis and scientific thinking.
The entire LWC 4th Form took part in the National Scientific Thinking Challenge last month, when they were asked to complete an online test.
In total, more than 15 thousand students took part in the challenge and a number of our 4th Formers ranked at bronze level (in the top 40 per cent), silver (in the upper 25 per cent) and gold (the top ten per cent).
Teacher of Physics, Astronomy and Environmental Science, Esther Haydock added, “I am really pleased with how well our students did. This is a tricky test, sat just after their mocks. Some very impressive scores and congratulations to everyone who took part.”
Glorious Technicolour
Friday’s Pride Week Colour Run brought the last full week of term to a close in style.
The prefect-led event kicked off on Sutton Field, followed a 3km route through the woods and culminated where it began.
Needless to say, everyone crossing the finish line looked significantly more colourful than when they began.
Prefect, Freddie (who helped to organise the event) reflected, “The colour run was a huge success. The whole school came together and got involved. Mr Rimmer helped us all to organise this, our first prefect event and we’re all hugely grateful for his help with this.”
Thanks to fellow prefect, Hector for the excellent photos.
Crossing Continents
Having finished his GCSEs, 5th Former, Luca has decided to do something completely different with his summer holidays.
Together with his Dad, he plans to cycle from his home in Farnham, all the way to his grandparent’s house in Italy – all whilst raising money for the LWC Foundation.
“I was going to join my Dad on a bike ride in the South of France,” Luca explains. “But after realising how much time and effort was needed to get our bikes onto trains, one thing led to another and we decided to cycle the whole way to the city of Cuneo in North West Italy.
“The total distance will be 1,500km and we think it will take us around three weeks to complete the trip. My Dad will be on an e-bike but I’ve decided that’s cheating and I’m opting to do it on a regular bike.”
Luca hopes to raise funds for the LWC Foundation through his sponsorship page here. “Not everyone is as fortunate as me,” he continues. “The Foundation works hard to make a real difference by providing an education to children my age who have unfortunately had to face much greater challenges than I have.”
We’ll keep you posted on Luca’s incredible journey, which gets underway on Friday.
Golden Expedition
It’s certainly a way to bow out of LWC….
A group of Upper Sixth Formers completed a four-day paddling expedition along the River Wye last week, as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.
Their route took them from Hay-on-Wye via rapids and falls to the Welsh town of Monmouth, close to the English border.
DofE lead, Richard Lovell added, “The students all demonstrated high levels of skill and effort during a challenging expedition. For many, this was their final trip with LWC and a great way to conclude their time at the College.”
A second DofE Gold group left for Scotland on Sunday for their assessed expedition.
The Beckwith is Coming!
September may seem like a long way off, but it’s worth taking a moment to secure your spot for The Beckwith.
The annual event takes place on Saturday, 6th September and sees the whole College come together to take in our beautiful 1200-acre campus.
You can choose to walk or run a 5k or 10k course alongside students, staff, Sternians and plenty of dogs!
There’ll also be a live DJ, refreshments available to purchase and a new House competition!
You can register for this highlight in the LWC calendar, here.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Don’t forget to dust off your ruby slippers ready for September.
Auditions begin at the start of next term for LWC’s new musical The Wizard of Oz.
Performances will take place on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of January at The Haymarket Theatre in Basingstoke.
To whet your appetite, you can watch how this news was revealed to the whole school on Friday.
Beautiful Brushstrokes
We’ve enjoyed featuring the work of talented artist and LWC parent, Anna MacInnes throughout the year in LWC News.
Her latest piece to be inspired by the College felt like a fitting way to end this remarkable year.
If you’ve managed to capture the 1200 in all its glory, we would love to see it via stories@lordwandsworth.org
Shark Sentiment
The departure of our Upper Sixth Form is bittersweet.
We’re excited to see what difference they’ll go on to make in the world, whilst at the same time knowing that they will be much missed.
Upper Sixth Tutor, Jeni Loud has gifted her tutees a shark doorstop to send them on their way and we love the sentiment behind it so much, that we thought we would share it.
As Mrs Loud puts it, ‘A Tutor is for life, not just for Sixth Form.’
Summer Camp Rundown
Still need to sort summer childcare?
Next Level Camps are back at LWC in July and August.
Daily activities for 4-14year-olds will be offered from Monday, 21st July until Friday, 22nd August.
There are a range of childcare options available, with a 20 per cent discount offered, for members of the LWC community who quote the code LWC15.
Bookings are being taken here.
Activate Sports Camps
If playing cricket, football or hockey appeals more, there are also a number of summer camp options available from Activate.
Head to their website for full details of the sessions being offered throughout August at LWC, for children up to the age of 16.
You can book as few or as many days as you want to.
Guidance on how to book can also be found there.
Next Step SW19….
If they’re inspired by Wimbledon, William May-Miller Coaching is running a Tennis Camp for 4 to 10 and 10 to 16-year-olds at LWC in July and August.
The camps are running from 12-3pm on Monday, July 14th to Thursday, July 17th and Monday, August 11th until Friday, August 15th at the Bramley Tennis Courts, Sutton Hall.
All abilities are welcome.
You can find out more and book here.
Key Dates
End of Summer Term
Noon, Wednesday, 2nd July
A-level Results Day
Thursday, 14th August
GCSE Results Day
Thursday, 21st August
Preseason Training
Friday, 29th August
Boarders/New Pupils Return
Wednesday, 3rd September
Pupil Welcome (All Year Groups)
Thursday, 4th September
Lessons Begin
Friday, 5th September
The Beckwith
Saturday, 6th September
Esprimo Vocal Consort Evening Concert, Nadine Uppal Theatre
7pm, Friday, 12th September
Abbas One Drum High Life Band Performance, Nadine Uppal Theatre
7pm, Thursday 18th September
Non-Uniform Day
Friday, 26th September
Exeat Weekend
4pm, Friday 26th September