Welcome to LWC News
The short half-term run to Easter is underway.
Just as the surroundings of the 1200 begin to transition from winter to spring, so too does the feeling on campus.
2nd Form exams have taken place, with Upper Sixth mocks ongoing. Minds remain focused and learning continues at pace, both within the College grounds and beyond.
Suddenly, Summer Term doesn’t seem quite as far away as it did a fortnight ago…if only the rain would stop.
News
LWC Girls Gear up for Semi-Finals
LWCs U15A Girls’ Football Team are gearing up for a week of national semi-finals.
On Wednesday (4th March), they take on Surbiton High School at LWC in the penultimate stage of the U15 ISFA Cup.
24 hours later, the girls are in action once again in the semi-finals of the ISFA Shield against Woodhouse Grove School.
Yesterday, they beat Charterhouse in round 2 of the SnS Cup to keep them in the hunt for another national title.
The girls’ ISFA Cup game on Wednesday will be streamed live via NextGenLive here.
Final Half-Term for Heads of College
LWC’s three Heads of College are heading into their final few weeks in the job, but they’re keen to make the most of the next half-term.
“I’m feeling a mixture of pride, excitement and disbelief at how quickly the year has gone,” Alice explained.
“Being a Head of College has helped me to grow in confidence and strengthen my leadership skills – especially learning how to listen and support others. I’ve also gained a much deeper appreciation for all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to make College life run smoothly.”
Alice, William and Charlie will hand over to the incoming Heads of College just before Easter.
“There’s a lovely energy in the Summer Term,” concluded Alice, “and I can’t wait to be part of it.”
Opening Minds Through Immersion
It was a day that got everyone thinking.
Just before the half-term break, the Hong Kong-based Crossroads Foundation brought their immersive workshop to LWC.
Struggle for Survival invited the College community to try earning a living from making paper bags out of newspaper and homemade glue.
The aim was to earn enough money to survive once they had navigated rent, food, sanitation, medicine and (ideally but unlikely), education. Those who failed would need to turn to the services of a loan shark.
Feedback for the workshops, which have been run at the World Economic Forum in Davos, suggested they’d been both inspiring and thought-provoking. You can read more about Crossroads’ extraordinary story on our website.
In Fine Voice
In just under a month, a group of LWC students and staff will be embarking upon a unique experience.
The singers and musicians will be performing Handel’s Messiah in the Medieval Church of St Cross in Winchester (pictured) on Saturday, 21st March at 7pm.
The event is the culmination of a six-month outreach project, with LWC in collaboration with vocal ensemble, Esprimo Consort and The Hanover Band.
Artistic Director of Messiah, Issy Pott explained, “This project speaks to Esprimo’s roots as an organisation originally founded to keep young singers engaged in classical music long after they had left compulsory education. Many of us first sang together when we were a similar age to the LWC students that we’re working with now.”
Tickets are available via Esprimo Consort’s website.
Photo Credit: Dineanddivine.com
Widening Worlds in the White Stuff
Italy’s Monte Rosa is the second-highest mountain massif in Western Europe.
It was also the destination for LWC’s adventurous group of skiers over the half-term break.
“Whilst the main aim of the trip was to improve skiing skills, it was also about spending time together and connecting with the outdoors,” explained Trip Lead, Laurie Macvean.
“It was also great to visit the host of this year’s Winter Olympics. Who knows – we may have inspired the next generation of slalom skiiers, or even a future bobsleigh team.”
Hockey Tour Triumph
Meanwhile, LWC’s 1st and 2nd Form hockey players enjoyed a half-term tour to South London.
“It offered a real mix of opposition, clubs and hockey culture from across the capital,” added Director of Sport and Head of Hockey, Soma Singh.
“Students really enjoyed being given the chance to play against lots of different teams and experience some of the bigger hockey clubs.”
Brilliant Brushstrokes
Upper Sixth Art Scholar, Charlie has been awarded the Luxembourg Art Prize for his piece, Distorted Self.
“The painting explores identity as something fragile and unstable,” Charlie revealed. “The distorted face represents the conflict between how a person appears to the outside world and how they feel internally.”
Charlie was inspired by the British figurative artist, Francis Bacon.
“Through expressive brushstrokes and unstable forms, I wanted to show identity not as something fixed, but as something constantly changing,” Charlie continued.
Charlie hopes to study architecture once he completes his A-levels at LWC in the summer.
Celebrating Sydney
He was a man known for having low self-confidence, but a big desire to offer opportunity.
182 years ago this week, LWC founder, Sydney Stern, was born.
Upon his death, the former Liberal MP left a bequest to establish an orphanage to educate children who had lost one or both parents.
Since 1922, LWC has been helping to transform the lives of thousands of young people, including more than 2,500 Foundationers.
Happy Birthday, Lord Wandsworth.
Future Leaders put to the Test
Tomorrow is Prefect Selection Day at LWC.
86 of the 104 Lower Sixth Formers are ‘daring greatly’ and putting themselves forward for the student-led College Leadership Team.
“The rigorous process involves a letter, an interview, a written task and two team tasks that have been designed to simulate the type of graduate recruitment day that many will encounter in the future,” revealed Tom Rimmer, Head of Sixth Form.
“Those who are successful will go on to assume a variety of leadership roles, working with year groups, Houses or across the whole College. Regardless, everyone will benefit from a brilliant experience that tests their mettle and sharpens their leadership skills in equal measure.”
U14 Netballers Rise to Occasion
LWC’s U14A and B Girls’ Netball Teams have both won their respective categories at the District League Tournament at Wavell School in Aldershot.
Wednesday’s victories continue the U14Bs’ unbeaten run so far this season.
“I’m so proud of the U14 teams,” added Assistant Director of Sport and Head of Netball, Poppy Lake.
“They’ve demonstrated true dedication and passion for netball this year. All of their coaches feel incredibly lucky to be working with such a fantastic group of girls and we can’t wait to see how they progress into senior netball over the next few years.”
An Evening of Song
Tonight’s Evening of Song is an opportunity for LWC’s talented singers to take to the stage and get the weekend off to a flying start.
Nearly 40 vocalists from across the year groups will perform music from a range of genres.
The show begins at 7pm in the Nadine Uppal Theatre, with tickets available via the LWC Box Office.
Scholars in the Spotlight
Meanwhile, LWC’s Drama Scholars were given the chance to shine just before half-term, as part of our annual Drama Scholars’ Evening.
Students from 1st to Sixth Form showcased their talents in a selection of monologues and duologues.
4th Form Hone Study Skills
4th Form have come to the end of bespoke Study Skills Week.
The last five days have been designed to help support the year group to continue developing a strong set of executive and study skills before their mock exams in April.
A series of workshops and assemblies have taken place alongside tailored study skills lessons, prepared by Heads of Department and delivered by subject teachers.
“This approach allows us to champion the expertise within departments,” explained Head of 4th Form, Rupert Davis. “This ensures high-quality and subject-specific provision, whilst capitalising on teachers’ detailed knowledge of their students and their individual needs.”
Reflecting on the Past
Meanwhile, 4th Form Historians took a trip to London’s Imperial War Museum on Tuesday to support their GCSE learning on German history.
Students explored the Holocaust Exhibition and took part in an educational workshop to consolidate their existing knowledge.
Teacher of History, James Hine, explained, “During the visit, students examined the historical causes of the Holocaust, examining how prejudice, propaganda, dictatorship, and discrimination developed in Germany and across Europe. Through guided discussions and interactive activities, they considered why the Holocaust happened and the wider lessons it teaches about tolerance, responsibility, and the dangers of extremism.”
Did you know? The IWM has around ten million objects in its collections. Only one per cent of them are on display.
World Book Day Beckons
World Book Day has been celebrating reading since 1995.
Ahead of the visit of multi-award-winning author, Nathanael Lessore to the 1200 on the 12th of March, the College will be buzzing with activities on World Book Day itself next Thursday.
From Whose Line Was It Anyway? tutor group quizzes, to an opportunity to chat to the published authors on LWC’s talented staff team, there’s something for everyone.
Next Wednesday will also offer the final opportunity for students to collect their self-designed book-inspired pin badges from the LWC Library.
Quizzing for the Foundation
Fan of a quiz? Then get the FLWC Quiz Evening booked!
Next Friday (6th March), the Friends of Lord Wandsworth are hosting an evening of fun and conundrums to spark the grey matter.
It all gets underway at 7.15pm in Gavin Hall.
Tickets are £18 each and include a taco meal, along with entry into the raffle and heads or tails round.
A percentage of the profits raised will go towards the Lord Wandsworth Foundation.
Get Equipped With Support Skills
The exam period is on the horizon and if you’re keen to help support your teens as much as possible at this crucial time – add Saturday, 14th March to your calendar.
In the next session of our Parental Engagement Programme, former GP, mental health expert, author and speaker, Dr Dominique Thompson is back in the 1200.
Motivating Your Teen (Whilst Channelling Your Inner Ted Lasso) will tackle the high emotions, questionable decision-making and occasional disengagement of teenagerhood – whilst offering some effective strategies.
You can reserve your place here.
Hot on the heels of Dominique’s visit, writer and broadcaster, Natasha Devon will also be delivering a Parent Engagement Programme Webinar on Helping Your Child Prepare for Exams on Thursday, 19th March between 7 and 8pm. You can sign up now.
Upper Sixth Spotlight
The Upper Sixth mocks are a reminder for our most senior year group that the final few months of their time at LWC are coming into focus.
Each week in LWC News, we’re focusing on a different member of the Upper Sixth to explore their hopes for what lies beyond the Acorn Gates.
Maia has received a ‘full house’ of offers to study Psychology at Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Liverpool and Royal Holloway, with her preferred choice being the University of Manchester.
“I’m hoping to work in forensic psychology,” she explains. “I’ve chosen to apply for a general psychology degree to gain a full understanding of the subject, in case I decide to go into a different field.”
Maia’s keen to soak up every second of her last few months at LWC before she leaves.
“Teachers such as Mr Rimmer and Miss Osborne have encouraged me every day and reminded me that I am capable of achieving what I want. Mrs Hirst has also been a massive help in the whole process and has given me great advice.”
The LWC Sixth Form is in receipt of just under 400 offers from a kaleidoscope of universities, including Oxbridge, Exeter, Durham, UCL, Cardiff and King’s.
The Language of LWC
LWC’s 5th and Sixth Form linguists have been putting their language skills to the test.
Competing in the United Kingdom Linguistics Olympiad before half-term, they were required to complete puzzles which drew on both maths and linguistics to decode obscure languages.
Results are expected in the next few weeks.
Hockey Captains Hungry for More
The captains of LWC’s 1st XI Boys’ Hockey Team are looking forward to final few weeks of Spring Term.
“The team has a lot of talent,” reveals Lower Sixth Former, Henry. “Hopefully there are lots more wins to come.”
“The squad is fun, exciting and passionate,” adds Co-Captain, Will, who ranks the preseason tour to Guernsey among his hockey highlights at the College so far: “It was a new experience which was great to have alongside my friends.”
Henry’s hoping for better luck on the injury front this year, though.
“On the Hockey Tour to Bath last Easter, I was unable to play because of a fractured ankle, but leading the team from the sidelines was enjoyable.”
Lending a Helping Hand
LWC’s student-led Charity Committee is on the hunt for second-hand items to support families through one of its chosen charities, The Helping Hand for Ukraine.
If you have any unwanted sports equipment, football kits, Lego, stationery supplies, sewing kits, rechargeable lighting and batteries, iPads, Android tablets or power banks (to name just a few of the in-demand items), please drop them to Houses where collections will continue until next Friday (6th March).
Academic Focus – D&T
They’ve been perfecting them for weeks..
Now 3rd Form Design & Technology students can show off the fruits of their skilful labours.
They’ve been creating LED desk lamps by designing bases and fabricating them on the laser cutter and vacuum formers. Lamp arms and electrical components completed the finished products, which will be winging their way to bedside tables over the coming weeks.
Taster Sessions Prove Popular
The LWC Catering Team is always keen to get student voice into its culinary selection process…
Which is why the last few months have seen an array of suppliers descending on the 1200, encouraging students to sample their wares.
From pea-based snacks, to non-allergen products – the product tasting has proven to be a hit!
Deputy Catering Manager, Agnieszka Prokopczuk explained, “We were keen for students to taste the products from these suppliers because we like their approach to both nutrition and sustainability. We already use some of the products being showcased and will begin stocking others in our Zanetas Coffee Shop. Feedback from students and staff was really positive.”
Field Gun Training
A Royal Navy Cadets’ Training Team recently joined us in the 1200 to educate CCF contingent representatives from across the region on how to carry out training with field guns.
LWC took delivery of a replica 12-pound field gun and limber late last year, thanks to a grant award from The Connaught Trust.
The one-day Cadet Trainer Field Gun Course leads to a qualification which must be held by all CCF staff members wishing to conduct training.
CCF cadets will learn how to use the gun in future months: improving safety awareness, whilst boosting physical co-ordination and strength.
Life Lessons
Competing in sport is about so much more than winning or losing.
LWC’s Head of Sports Science and Academic PE, James Rayner, is a strong advocate for sport’s ability to cultivate character and give us tools with which to thrive.
In his latest blog on the LWC website, he argues that whatever our ability, sport teaches us so much more than simply technique.
“Sport reminds us that mistakes are not the end result, but part of the learning. Many teams win the biggest competitions on their second or third attempt. Why? Because they learned from losing the first time around.”
Read more here.
Finding Inner Peace
In need of some relaxation?
Every Monday and Wednesday evening, LWC parents and staff are invited to take part in yoga classes in our Dance Studio.
The sessions (open to all levels of ability) are tailored to meet the needs of the class, offering a mixture of Vinyasa and restorative flow.
Classes take place on Mondays (8-9pm) and Wednesdays (7.30-8.30pm).
The price is £15 per class for drop-ins, £49 for a block of four classes and £55 for six, beginning at the start of each half-term.
Email Gemma Reeks for more information.
A Sprinkle of Spring
It may have felt like a long time coming…
But this week has seen some real signs of a seasonal change emerging, ahead of the beginning of meteorological spring on Sunday.
In the 1200, carpets of snowdrops continue to bloom alongside the early daffodils and a real campus favourite – the cherry blossom.
We’d love to see the photos you’ve captured at LWC via stories@lordwandsworth.org.
During the Holidays at LWC…
Next Level returns to the 1200 with its Easter Revision Camps, designed to support those preparing for GCSEs and A-levels this summer.
On selected dates between Tuesday, 31st March and Friday, 3rd April, Next Level is offering revision sessions in English, Mathematics, Science, History and Geography.
Sessions will be led by Next Level subject specialists, aligned with LWC exam boards and can be booked here.
Activate Camps
Activate Camps are also back at LWC this Easter with their Cricket Academy (for 5-7 and 8-14-year-olds).
They also bring their JDH Next Level Hockey sessions to the 1200 during the summer holidays.
Details on both can be found on their website.
A 10 per cent discount is currently available to the LWC community if you book at least four weeks before the start of each camp, using the code EARLY10.
For Easter bookings, this window will close on Monday (2nd March).
Embody the Basics
LWC’s Academic and All-Round Scholars may be about to reconsider the way that they communicate.
Body language expert, Mike Carter is the latest speaker to join us as part of our Listen, Wonder and Create programme – designed to open minds and view life from different perspectives.
On Monday, 9th March, he’ll be exploring what he’s learnt in over 20 years as a body language coach, with the aim of perfecting something so often overlooked.
“80 per cent of all human communication is non-verbal,” he explains. “We’re all trying to build trust and if you can’t see someone’s hands, you can’t trust them.”
Where to place your hands is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the knowledge Mike seeks to impart – but it’s a common theme throughout.
“I’ll be talking about eye contact, the potency of shaking hands and what a good handshake feels like,” he adds. “I talk about the power of head nodding and how it demonstrates to the other person that we’re both on the same wavelength, automatically putting them at ease. And then there are the more obscure things, like where your feet are pointing when you’re talking to someone. If your feet are pointing away from the person you’re talking to, the suggestion is that you’re getting ready to move off in that direction.”
Getting body language right, he argues, is life-changing.
“If we don’t understand and access the power of body language, then we lose the ability to interact in a community,” he elaborates. “We need the understanding to present ourselves in the way that we want to be perceived, to identify what others are feeling and (increasingly) to boost our own mental health by adopting positive body language.”
With young lives more dominated by technology than ever and a post-pandemic world still struggling to bring face-to-face communication back into the commonplace, Mike thinks our young people need help to reap the rewards of effective body language.
Read how Mike shapes perception through his coaching our website.
His Listen, Wonder and Create talk for Academic and All-Round Scholars takes place at 6.45pm in Gavin Hall on Monday, 9th March. All staff and students with an interest are also welcome to attend.
Key Dates
FLWC Quiz Night, Gavin Hall
7.15pm, Friday, 6th March
Cotterill Cup Music Festival Begins
Monday, 9th March
Cotterill Cup Prizewinners’ Concert, Nadine Uppal Theatre
7-9.3pm, Tuesday, 10th March
Futures Fair, Sutton Hall
Friday, 13th March
Cotterill Cup: Open Section Recital, Nadine Uppal Theatre
7pm, Monday, 16th March
Dance Show, Nadine Uppal Theatre
7pm, Wednesday, 18th & Thursday, 19th March
LWC Spring Open Morning
9am, Saturday, 21st March
LWC performs Handel’s Messiah with Esprimo & The Hanover Band, Church of St Cross, Winchester
7pm, Saturday, 21st March
Foundation Day Appeal Online Auction
Sunday, 22nd March – Sunday, 29th March
Foundation Day & Appeal
Thursday, 26th March
End of Spring Term
Noon, Friday, 27th March
National Garden Scheme Open Garden Event
11am-3pm, Saturday, 18th & Sunday, 19th April
Start of Summer Term
Monday, 20th April
GCSE & A-level Exams Begin
Monday, 27th April
Useful Links
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