Welcome to LWC News
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Despite the changeable weather, the first full week of the new academic year has been packed!
You’ll find a selection of our highlights here, from the work of our inspiring LWC artists, to how you can become catalysts for change in our community.
Alongside these, are the usual links to our school calendar, LWC sports calendar and our weekly sports schedule.
If you have anything that you would like to see featured here, contributions are very welcome via stories@lordwandsworth.org
Enjoy the forecast sunshine this weekend!
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 ScheduleAs arrangements can sometimes change due to factors outside of our control, we recommend checking the calendar routinely.
News
The Beckwith – A Thank You
At 10am last Saturday, hundreds set off through the Acorn Gates into the rolling mist…. A sea of LWC students, staff, families and four-legged friends embarking upon one of the highlights of the Lord Wandsworth calendar, The Beckwith.
If you walked, jogged, or ran the 5 or 10k course across our stunning campus….thank you! Profits from your registration will go directly to our transformative Foundation programme; helping to change the lives of those who have lost the support of a parent.
If you were part of the chorus of support for those joining in…also thank you! We’re so proud of our LWC community and nothing shows that off quite like The Beckwith!
Bring on 2025!
Fashion Forward
London Fashion Week is underway and it’s forty years old this year. But does it have a significance beyond the catwalk?
LWC textiles teacher, Amelia Lawson is passionate about her craft: “I think that textiles teaches students to look at the world in a different way. Art and design is a language in itself; one that requires attention to detail, patience and joy. Textiles can build confidence and encourage a sense of individualism which is to be celebrated.”
Whilst this year’s London Fashion Week will celebrate the city’s creative community, Miss Lawson believes it is relevant beyond the streets of the capital. “High-end fashion eventually filters down to the high street. It affects us all from the colours that are in vogue, through to the shapes that we wear and how long or short our hemlines are. There’s also a big push at London Fashion Week this year around sustainability. I’d love to bring that ethos into what we do here at LWC. Sustainable fashion these days is so exciting. I love the idea of repurposing something old and turning it into something beautiful and brand new.”
London Fashion Week is on until Tuesday 17th September. The love of textiles at LWC is all-year-round.
What is Puddex?
Last week’s heavy rainfall claimed a victim in our annual Inter-House Puddex Tournament.
But what IS Puddex and how did it become an LWC tradition?
It’s thought that Puddex was introduced to LWC’s Junior House by a member of staff called George Warner in the 1920’s. There are earlier mentions of the game of ‘Podex’ elsewhere in the UK, dating back to 1911, but its true origin is often debated.
Some describe Puddex as a game resembling cricket, whilst others suggest it’s closer to rounders. Few also agree on the exact rules, which have been hotly contested for decades.
Sternian, Cliff Hilditch, who was at the College between 1946 and 1953, explained that, “Teams consist of any (manageable) number of players. As always, common sense should apply.” Cliff, who remained a great supporter of LWC until his death last year, believed that anyone could play, assuming they were in possession of a tennis ball and six ‘stumps’.
“The wickets consisted of two stumps, a tennis ball-width apart”, Mr Hilditch continued. “The bowlers (one at either end), bowl under-arm from abeam their respective wickets. Most importantly, play is continuous, there are no overs!”
Batting is carried out with a stump and concludes for those in bat, if they are bowled or “caught first bounce.” Should they be unlucky enough to be caught “full toss”, Mr Hilditch explained that the batting team would be out. He added, “Since play is continuous, the fielding side may commence bowling whether or not the opening bats are ready! Being alert is the key to success.”
You can read more about our fantastic Sternian community here.
A Different Perspective
Who needs the V&A or the Louvre?
Take a wander to the Prideaux Gallery now and you’ll be treated to a selection of outstanding work from our LWC artists and photographers.
The Class of 2024 Art Exhibition is running until Thursday, October 17th in the downstairs gallery space and features work from the portfolios of our most recent GCSE and A-level students.
Head of Art at LWC, Graham Mobbs doesn’t underestimate the value of exhibiting; “I’m a great advocate of putting work out on display”, he said. “It’s a little like performing on stage. It’s magical.”
The standard of work is breathtaking and is open to all to view.
The work of our talented LWC artists is also on show across campus, including in many of our boarding houses.
“I feel like golf is the sport for me”
The likes of Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood need to be on their guard. LWC 3rd Former, Reuben is snapping at their heels after an extraordinary summer of golfing success. He achieved top net scores in the Junior European Open Qualifiers, Under 14’s Surrey County Championships and the Windlesham Stableford.
“My summer has given me much more confidence in my golf”, he said. “Now I turn up to a competition knowing that I have a chance of winning.” Reuben is looking forward to playing golf in the US next month, when he’ll get to tread the hallowed turf of TPC Sawgrass in Florida, where The Players Championship is held every year.
“It feels like golf is now the sport for me”, Reuben reflects. “This is what I want to be doing for a very long time.”
“From a young age…I vividly remember that I looked very different”
Karim Perrineau is no stranger to difficult conversations. The former professional dancer has built a business specialising in diversity, equity and inclusion and is passionate about social justice.
Coming from one of the few black families in Hanover in the 1990’s would be a driving force for a move to the UK. But here, he says he also experienced being ‘othered’.
Tomorrow (Saturday 14th September), Karim will host the first of our Diversity and Inclusion Talks at Gavin Hall for Lower Sixth students and their parents/guardians.
These sessions are designed by students, staff and hosts to continue our education and raise awareness of discrimination. They offer the opportunity to discuss how we can all be allies and cheerleaders for change in our community.
The event gets underway in Gavin Hall at 9.30am and will be finished by 11am. There will be further events with Karim for 1st Formers and their families on Saturday 21st September and 3rd Formers and their parents/guardians on Saturday 12th October.
In Full Swing
There’s no doubt that lockdown in 2020 changed many things.
A new love for banana bread was discovered across the nation. Daily life began to be conducted over Zoom and our Headmaster would stumble across something life-changing.
Ahead of competing in this weekend’s British Speedgolf Championships, Adam Williams has been reflecting on how a humble YouTube clip would inspire him to try a completely different sport.
“It featured Pro Golfer, Luke Willett running 18 holes in 40 minutes with just five clubs. I was immediately hooked”, he explained. “This was a version of the game I hadn’t explored. It was golf played fast, creatively, on the margins and outer edges of the sport.”
Since then, Mr Williams has gone on to become British Amateur Speedgolf Champion in 2022, 2023 and finished runner-up (alongside Jack Malden) in the British Pairs (Foursomes) in May.
For him, it isn’t about the titles though; “What now excites me is helping others to discover this fantastic game.”
This Sunday, Mr Williams will compete at the British Speedgolf Championships together with Mr Malden, 5th Formers Harry, Callum, Ollie and LWC parents, Aidan Neill and Scott Walker. There will be an enthusiastic LWC contingent in support and all are welcome at the Sunningdale Heath Golf Club. Entry is free, from 8am.
To read more about Mr Williams’ love of Speedgolf and why he’s keen to spread the word, click HERE
Everything you need to know about Sport at LWC…
Director of Sport, Mr Singh and Head of Girls’ Sport, Miss Lake have put together a helpful visual guide on how to find the information you need for the sporting year ahead. From how to view fixtures and team sheets, to guidance on squad selection and kit:
LWC Sport Guide for ParentsWant to help widen more worlds?
The LWC word is spreading…..
If you know someone contemplating a future for their child at Lord Wandsworth College, we would love to meet them.
Head to the LWC website to discover more about our events for prospective parents.
Virginia Water
There’s still time to submit your thoughts on the proposed introduction of a new bus service for Virginia Water.
To gauge demand, anyone interested is asked to complete the survey by Monday, 23rd September.
Key Dates
Exeat Weekend
4pm Friday, 27 September
Junior Sports Festival (Girls Hockey U13 and Boys Rugby U13)
9am Saturday, 5 October
Parental Engagement Programme Webinar with Olympic Performance Psychologist, Charlie Unwin
7pm Monday, 14 October
Whole School, Prefects, Leavers and House Photos
Thursday, 10 October
End of Half Term
4pm Friday, 18 October