Welcome to LWC News
The final six weeks of the autumn term are often gone in the blink of an eye.
No sooner are we observing the 1200 carpeted in a sea of rustic hues, than we’re stringing sparkling lights around trees in boarding houses and belting out carols to within an inch of our lives.
We hope we’ve helped you to keep pace with the vibrant activity throughout LWC this year and we look forward to doing more of the same in 2026.
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
As ever, keep your contributions to LWC News coming 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
Ending Term on a High!
Last night’s LWC Carols and Christmas Market was the perfect way to close another extraordinary calendar year in the 1200.
The open-air carol service was expertly hosted by our Heads of College and showcased the tireless work of our Music Department.
As ever, the magical fireworks display, viewed through the Acorn Gates, provided the perfect finale to the on-stage performances – before everyone headed back to our biggest ever Christmas Market.
Thank you for supporting our largest annual event. The community at LWC is a strong one and nothing beats celebrating together.
Gingerbread Sleigh Heads to Bramley!
It’s been a labour of love for LWC Pastry Chef, Charlotte…
This year’s breathtaking gingerbread sleigh has been won by Bramley House.
The destination for the sweet-stuffed sleigh was determined by charity draw.
The winner (Assistant Bramley Houseparent, Natalie Bastiman) understandably requested that it make its way along The Cinder Track.
£504 was raised, with all proceeds split between World Child Cancer and CCLL The Helping Hand for Ukraine – the chosen charities of this year’s student-led Charity Committee.
Thank you for your generosity.
Service with a Smile
Wednesday saw more than 700 students served a Christmas lunch with all the trimmings.
On the menu was roast turkey or festive vegetable Wellington, chestnut roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted root vegetables and garlic roasted potatoes.
The banquet began with artisan bread and was finished with the ever-popular festive yule log, along with a selection of other desserts. Live music came courtesy of the LWC Music Department.
“The more planning and preparation you do, the calmer the delivery,” explained Head Chef, Adrian Culver when asked what it takes to prepare a great Christmas dinner on this scale.
The feast was complete with our Senior Leadership Team donning the aprons and serving tongs to ensure that everyone’s plate was full.
A Sea of Santas
The sight of hundreds of santa hats bouncing their way along LWC’s 1.1 loop can mean only one thing…
The Santa Run is back for the first time since before Covid.
The event was organised by the College’s Prefect Team and replaced activities last Saturday morning.
Some chose to cover the distance in unique fashion, including our Marathon Canoe Teams (pictured), who ran in full paddling kit, complete with paddles and boats.
“Over 300 students took part,” explained Head of College, William. “Everyone was smiling, Christmas music was playing and lots of mince pies were eaten! It was the return of a fantastic whole-school event!”
The Wizard is Coming…
Post-Christmas, there’ll be no January downers around here.
We’ll be officially in show season and just a couple of weeks away from LWC’s production of The Wizard of Oz at The Haymarket in Basingstoke.
The hit musical is based upon L. Frank Baum’s 1900 classic and is the culmination of months of auditions, rehearsals and collaboration across departments at LWC.
“Rehearsals have been going really well,” explained Director, Gemma Reeks. “The cast are working hard to perfect their lines and are creating some super character work.”
Tickets for the show between Wednesday, 21st and Friday, 23rd January are available to purchase online now at a cost of £15 for adults and £5 for under-18s.
For those buying tickets via The Haymarket Box Office in person or by phone, please quote the reference LWCWOO26 in order to access seats.
All LWC students have the opportunity to attend one of the performances with their Houses, for which there will not be a charge.
U15A Girls’ Cup Run Continues
It’s been a mammoth run for LWC’s U15A Girls’ Football Team in cup competitions.
They remain in the ISFA Cup, ISFA Shield and SnS Cup as we head into the festive break.
Last week saw them convincingly beat Rodborough away from home in the first round of the SnS Cup, before a home win against Tormead School in the ISFA Shield on Wednesday waved them through to round three.
U13A Boys Finish Undefeated
The older year groups may have the grabbed the headlines so far this term for their marches through cup competitions, but now it’s time for the U13A Boys’ Rugby Team to have their moment.
Their final match of the season against Dauntsey’s last weekend, saw them complete their campaign undefeated – an accolade not achieved in Bramley (formerly Junior) House for some time.
“The boys rose to the challenge superbly,” reported coach Laurie Macvean, “Their resilience, teamwork, and composure were exemplary and the support from parents created an atmosphere that lifted the entire side. The boys truly left everything on the pitch.
“Coaching this group has been a genuine pleasure, and their unbeaten run stands as a testament to their commitment and character.”
Now that’s worth shouting about.
Oxbridge on the Horizon?
The interview process to gain entry to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge got underway this week, with eight LWC candidates having successfully earned interviews.
“Successfully securing an interview at Oxbridge is incredibly difficult, due to the quality of applicants from across the world,” added LWC’s Assistant Head of Sixth Form and Oxbridge Co-ordinator, Paul Donald. “To have eight candidates achieve this feat demonstrates just how academically strong they are.”
LWC’s Oxbridge candidates have been preparing their applications for more than a year. As part of the College’s Oxbridge Programme, students begin a series of academic enrichment activities in the spring of Lower Sixth Form, whilst preparing their applications.
“Additionally, they take very demanding admissions tests and prepare for rigorous academic interviews via our Saturday morning Oxbridge Society meetings,” concluded Mr Donald.
Decisions will have been communicated at both universities by the end of January.
Around the Houses
It’s a given that the 1200 looks stunning at this time of year…
This is thanks to the work of our brilliant Grounds Team, ensuring that there’s festive sparkle as far as the eye can see.
But let’s also celebrate the House decorations – put together by our in-House teams and the students in their care.
We think you’ll agree that Gosden, Sutton, Bramley, School, Park, Haygate, Hazelveare and Summerfield all look resplendent.
Sometimes the memories are made in the preparation…
LWC Sisters Back from Stateside Showcase
Lower Sixth Form sisters, Annabelle and Charlotte are back in the 1200 after a Thanksgiving weekend full of hockey on the other side of the Atlantic.
Keen to pursue US scholarship options in the future, they both competed in the USA National Hockey Festival in Fort Myers, Florida.
They were part of a team of 18 players, selected from across Europe for the event, which is attended by hundreds of American colleges each year.
“The experience was amazing,” explained Charlotte. “I had so much fun and made some great friends. I’m definitely more eager to study in the US now. It’s been a real eye-opener to see how the college system works.”
“I learnt a lot,” concluded Annabelle. “It was great to play against teams that we didn’t know anything about and to play on turf that we had never had the opportunity to play on before.”
Sixth Form Brush up for Festive Bash
The LWC Sixth Form looked a million dollars for last week’s Christmas Dinner and Dancing.
The event, held in Gavin Hall, also featured a surprise performance from this year’s Prefect Team.
Thank you to our senior House teams for capturing them all in their finery, before the evening got underway.
U16As Take on South African Visitors
Hot on the heels of victories against Claires Court School in the National Cup and against Dauntsey’s last weekend, the U16A Boys’ Rugby Team took on opposition from a different hemisphere this week.
On Wednesday, they took on a T&S Invitational side from South Africa at LWC.
The visiting side was selected from a series of tournaments held across their home country. The boys hailed from a combination of prestigious and rural schools – with many coming from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
U16A coach, Jack Malden explained, “It was a hotly contested match in wet conditions, with both teams playing some excellent rugby. The key difference being that the LWC team had played more of the sport together. Despite LWC running out victors, both sides demonstrated the real spirit of rugby and enjoyed a meal afterwards.”
Escape into an Underwater World
There are plans to launch a PADI Open Water Diving Course at LWC over the coming months, following the success of a Discover Scuba Diving Session last weekend.
Scuba 4 Schools led the tuition in the LWC Pool.
“Students were talked through the basic equipment and critical safety rules before being taken into the swimming pool with one of the instructors,” explained Ian Rockett, CCF School Staff Instructor at LWC.
“Some skills were practised, such as replacing a mask, monitoring air consumption and retrieving a lost regulator, together with an underwater game of frisbee which all ended too soon.”
Anyone interested in enrolling on a PADI Open Water Diving Course, which results in a globally recognised diving qualification, should contact Mr Rockett.
Weaving in Whitchurch
It may have been the final week before the Christmas break…
But LWC’s 5th Form and Lower Sixth Art & Design Textiles students hit the road on Tuesday for some academic enrichment at Whitchurch Silk Mill.
The Mill dates back to 1813 and has woven silk for Burberry in its time. 22 different colours of silk lining were created for the famous raincoats belonging to the brand (which itself was started in Basingstoke).
Head of Design and Technology, Lara Swan added, “The trip offered a valuable opportunity to deepen students’ understanding of the history and development of the textiles industry, as well as experiencing the extraordinary work of textiles artist, Jane Sanders.”
Christmas Gone By…
In contrast to last night’s Christmas spectacle, the festive period at early LWC was a much humbler occasion.
Sternian Archivist, James G. Gregory-Marshall has been revealing how things looked at yuletide, during the formative years of the College.
“When the College was first established, the boys (yes, only boys!) came from families who had lost one or both parents and were at the college due to the Foundation. In September 1922, the school rules dictated that ‘home holidays be allowed, of not more than three weeks in August of each year, at the discretion of the Trustees who will require a Certificate of the suitability of the home conditions before holiday leave is granted.’
“What about going home at Christmas? It did not happen: the boys stayed in Long Sutton. This made sense in many cases, as home conditions were often very poor. In 1922, there were only four boys at the school and they spent that Christmas with the Warden, Colonel Julyan (pictured) in the Lodge, by the Blomfield Arch.
“Some parents later requested their children be allowed home at Christmas and in January 1924, the Trustees agreed that there would be a two-week holiday over the festive period that year.”
Upper Sixth Students Tackle Real-Life Drama
A group of A-level Drama students explored the themes surrounding romance scams in their devised performance last week.
The piece, titled Red Flag was created and performed by Martha, Imogen and Matilda.
The devising piece forms part of their A-level Drama assessment and the students have been working on it since September.
LWC Heads to the Netherlands
Students from LWC’s Senior Boys’ and U16/15A Boys’ Football Teams, together with an U16 Girls’ Team are now in the Netherlands.
The group, led by Head of Football, Georgia Bowers are on a three-day football tour.
“They will take part in a professional training session at the Dutch national training facility, have a stadium tour at Ajax, enjoy a live game and play two matches against local opposition,” Miss Bowers explained.
“The aim is for students to experience the culture of the Netherlands and play football competitively in a different country.”
Cash Rolls in for Movember
School House has now raised more than £1000 for Movember.
The staggering figure was achieved by the community growing moustaches, contributing to the completion of 60km (by running or walking) and by raising awareness during assembly.
School Houseparent, Jack Malden added, “60km was representative of the 60 men lost to suicide every hour around the world. It has been great to see so many parents getting involved. The number of students and staff growing moustaches this year was also superb. Thankfully, all of the top lip hair is gone and we can go back to looking (somewhat) respectable!”
Academic Highlight
The work of the much-loved artist and illustrator, Charlie Mackesy is becoming as much a part of Christmas as The Snowman and Home Alone.
The animated film based upon his book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse has been screened every Christmas since it was released in 2022.
Mr Mackesy’s work has also inspired our 3rd Form artists to blend his style with the landscape of the 1200 – creating these stunning watercolour and ink pieces.
Festive Physics
Meantime, in the Flowers Science Centre, the Physics Elves have been hard at work.
Teacher of Physics, Jeni Loud revealed, “We decided to bring a little Christmas cheer to our A-level Physics practical.
“We were investigating terminal velocity using Radox bubble bath!”
Pushed to the Limit
LWC’s Teacher of Business Studies, Economics and Enterprise, Deborah Upham was put through her paces at last Sunday’s HYROX London.
The event at the Excel Centre involved a combination of strength challenges, interspersed by 1km runs.
Mrs Upham was taking part for Macmillan Cancer Support and has smashed her fundraising target by amassing £1164 – which can pay for a Macmillan nurse’s care for 32 hours.
“It was a really tough event involving 1.5 hours of relentless running, broken up by functional strength exercises,” she explained. “The sled-pull and broad jump burpees nearly pushed me over the edge! It was well-organised and there was a great atmosphere though. I’m really pleased with the amount we’ve raised.”
Boosted Programmes to Aid Recovery
Pastoral care has remained at the heart of LWC for more than a hundred years.
Which is why it’s no surprise that we continue to build upon the support we offer to students who are injured or unwell at the College.
Recently, you will have received our LWC Wellbeing & Injury Support Guide via email, which outlines our wellbeing provision, designed to help boost recovery.
Head of Pupil Wellbeing, Kirsty Jackman added, “We want every pupil to feel supported, confident and part of our community as they recover. Our new programmes, Wellbeing Ambassadors and facilities give us exciting ways to make that happen.”
LWC Life
If you haven’t yet taken advantage of one of our LWC Life benefits in the run-up to Christmas, now is the time!
Alongside a selection of specially curated offers to take the stress out of Christmas shopping, you can also grab something special for yourself.
The latest prize draw gives you the chance to win a case of wine from independent, award-winning merchant, Caviste. You can enter here.
LWC Life is our free benefits scheme for LWC parents, staff and Sternians and is available to join at any time.
Empties This Way
Just a reminder that once you’ve finished with your empty sweets containers this Christmas, save them for us!
LWC hopes to build on the 170 we collected last year for Greene King’s Tub2Pub initiative.
The campaign raises money for Macmillan Cancer Support by recycling the plastic tubs.
Empties can be dropped off at Grab & Go, located at Julyans Dining Hall after Christmas and until Friday, 13th February.
December Rainbows
We’ve had an abundance of rainbows in the 1200 since September…
Last week saw the most dazzling kaleidoscope of colour descend over LWC, during an afternoon of sport.
It led to stunning shots like this one (from Bramley House hockey practice) courtesy of Haygate Houseparent, Josie Waskett-Long.
Please keep your photos of the 1200 coming. We love to see them via stories@lordwandsworth.org.
Athletic Development Training This Christmas?
Athlete Performance Lab is back at The Barn this Christmas with a training series which aims to push limits and unlock potential.
The sessions for 12-18-year-olds, take place next week between 10am and 1pm on Wednesday, 17th-Friday 19th December in our sector-leading strength and conditioning space.
Costs are £125 for all three days, £90 for two or £50 for one.
Slots can be secured by contacting Athlete Performance Lab.
The Potter-Building Porter
Little do the LWC students driven to and from College each day realise, but the hands driving them have helped to build Hogwarts Castle.
LWC Porter, John Bee has a secret.
Long before he joined us in the 1200, he worked on some of our biggest feature films. It all began with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and ended, a decade later with Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe.
“I was a plasterer’s labourer and stagehand,” he explains. “So I made sure that everyone had the materials they needed to build the sets. You’re mixing plaster all day long, moving sets from one area to another and building different stages. The carpenters go in and build the skins, then the plasterers arrive to put plaster casts on the walls to create maybe a castle, or a staircase. After that, the painters come in. You can be working on something for two or three weeks and it’s in a film for two seconds.”
Don’t be fooled though, John’s handiwork has featured in some high-profile scenes.
“I helped to build the central staircase of Hogwarts,” he nonchalantly adds. “And the phoenix in Dumbledore’s room.”
He goes on to tell stories of creating London street scenes, complete with cobbles and corridors filled with thousands of spiders.
“I helped to build the Batcave in Batman,” John adds as an afterthought. “I’ve even got a Gotham City manhole cover in my garage.
“We built a cottage for the fairies in Maleficent and a proper thatcher came in to build the thatched roof from scratch. He was there for weeks building this thing and it had a thatched bird at one end. I’ve got it in the garage. It’s lost its legs and its beak but it’s still there.”
A writer’s strike ushered in the demise of John’s time spent on film sets, but look closely at the closing credits to the likes of five Harry Potter films, Batman Begins, Mamma Mia, Skyfall and Maleficent and you’ll see his name proudly displayed.
One to watch out for this Christmas as you settle down to watch some family films. A little piece of LWC on-screen.
Read more of John’s story here.
Key Dates
Beginning of Spring Term
Monday, 5th January
LWC Christmas Book Club
7pm, Tuesday, 6th January
LWC Presents The Wizard of Oz, The Haymarket, Basingstoke
Wednesday, 21st to Friday, 23rd January
Non-Uniform Day
Friday, 23rd January
Exeat Weekend
4pm, Friday, 23rd January
Music Scholars’ Recital, Nadine Uppal Theatre
7pm, Monday, 2nd February
Drama Scholars’ Evening, Nadine Uppal Theatre
7pm, Thursday, 12th February
Half Term Begins
4pm, Friday, 13th February