Welcome to LWC News
And so we stand on the brink of the final week of Spring Term.
It’s difficult to believe that this is the same term that has brought us The Wizard of Oz, record-breaking cup runs in girls’ sport and GCSE results that place us in the top one per cent of schools.
Exciting to think what Summer Term has in store.
You’ll find all of the highlights from the last seven days and those still to come before Easter, below.
Happy weekend!
News
Celebrating the Foundation
Over a hundred years ago, LWC was created to educate children who had lost one or both parents.
Today, that legacy lives on through the Lord Wandsworth Foundation, which supports around 50 children each year.
This wouldn’t be possible without the help of the LWC community and to mark next week’s Foundation Day, we would love for you to be involved.
From 6pm on Sunday (22nd March), join us for the Foundation Day Appeal Online Auction.
Running until the following Sunday (29th March), this silent auction features 30 lots including a trip on a private jet, a signed England rugby shirt from Sternian, Jonny Wilkinson, a coastal Cornish break, a tour of McLaren Racing and much more.
The Foundation Day Appeal is also open for donations and we’re extremely grateful for your support.
Foundation Day itself takes place on Thursday (26th March) at LWC. This is an opportunity to celebrate the work of the Foundation with those who have been a part of it.
Future Food for Thought
Last Friday saw more than 40 exhibitors join us in Sutton Hall for the annual LWC Futures Fair.
Showcasing an array of post-18 opportunities, the event gave students across the year groups a chance to chat to industry experts and higher education establishments.
LWC Head of Futures, Nicola Hirst added, “Students engaged enthusiastically with the event, gaining valuable insights, building confidence and developing a clearer sense of direction for their next steps. It was fantastic to see such curiosity, ambition, and energy throughout the day.
“Events like this are incredibly important in broadening students’ horizons, raising aspirations, and empowering them to make informed and confident choices about their futures.”
Podium Finish for Liv
Lower Sixth Former, Liv is a bronze medallist in the U19 category of the GB Ranking Series in Modern Pentathlon.
Liv finished third in her age category and placed 10th overall (across all categories) following a demanding three-month competition schedule which has now concluded.
Liv was going head-to-head with Olympians and experienced athletes to take the bronze.
Last year, she came away from the Biathle/Triathle Championships in Antalya with three medals (a gold and two silvers).
LWC Dancers Dazzle
This week’s LWC Dance Show was a masterclass in movement.
A range of styles including ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, commercial, contemporary and lyrical were showcased throughout the evening in the Nadine Uppal Theatre.
“I really enjoy seeing the love of dance and performance in these productions,” explained Head of Dance, Molly Moffitt-McGrath.
“Students are able to connect and work with others from 1st to Sixth Form who have a shared passion and purpose.”
U14As Head for Nottingham Finals
LWC’s U14A Boys’ Hockey Team compete in the England Hockey Tier 2 National Finals on Monday.
Having been crowned Hampshire and South Regional Champions, they’ll join the country’s other seven regional winners in the event at Beeston Hockey Club in Nottingham.
Coach Marcus Ruffell added, “The boys have grown through the season both as a team and individually and our results have been strong.
“We know that if we go out on Monday and play at the standard that we know we can, then we have a good chance of finishing in a great position.”
Sixth Form Celebrate
LWC’s Sixth Form enjoyed a Celtic Celebration last Friday, featuring a black tie dinner and ceilidh to follow.
On the menu was a roast haunch of venison with neeps and tatties (with a swede and turnip pithivier for non-meat eaters). Guinness delice and Irish cream was served for dessert.
LWC’s eldest year groups then made their way to Sutton Hall to round the night off in Celtic style.
Magical Messiah
Tomorrow evening, 15 singers and six musicians from LWC will perform Handel’s Messiah in the magical setting of Winchester’s Church of St Cross.
Alongside the vocal ensemble, Esprimo Consort and the renowned Hanover Band, the group will bring a six-month outreach project to its spectacular conclusion.
The event gets underway from 7pm in a venue which pre-dates the sealing of the Magna Carta, along the banks of the River Itchen.
Tickets are still available from £10 each via Esprimo’s website. You can read more about the project here.
Photo Credit: dineanddivine.com
Offering a Helping Hand
Members of LWC’s student-led Charity Committee took a trip to one of their chosen charities, The Helping Hand for Ukraine, in Alton last weekend.
They delivered second-hand items generously donated by the LWC community to support families in Ukraine, before helping to sort them and box them up with Dennis from the charity, ahead of the next shipment.
Money raised by the LWC community this year has been put towards the purchase of generators and electric vests to keep people warm.
LWC’s Senior Philanthropy Manager, Kate Boyd, reflected, “Everyone left feeling very motivated and proud to be supporting The Helping Hand for Ukraine and we look forward to continuing to collect and raise more for the charity.”
Strong Start
LWC’s Strength & Conditioning Lead has been enjoying his first few months in The Barn.
The sector-leading space includes strength and conditioning equipment, alongside cardiovascular apparatus.
“The best part of the job is difficult to narrow down,” explains James Hanly. “But it’s probably the great mix of staff and students wanting to be involved in The Barn. The facility is world-class.”
James helps to plan and run the co-curricular sessions in The Barn, together with developing programmes for Sports Scholars and support for injured athletes.
“The co-curricular registers speak volumes about the impact we’re having on student experience,” he continues. “Sessions are at capacity on a nightly basis. The Barn illustrates LWC’s commitment to wellbeing and physical movement.”
The Barn is the first phase in a 2.5 million pound investment in sport and fitness at LWC.
Thinking Differently
It aims to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.
Today marks the end of Neurodiversity Celebration Week – an initiative started eight years ago by bestselling author Siena Castellon.
An assembly led by LWC’s Senior Head of SEN & Inclusion, Brigitte Wood and Bramley Houseparent, Pete Maidment highlighted the importance of the week.
“We talked about Autism, what it means and how to support an Autistic friend,” explained Mr Maidment. “We also thought about masking, how it feels to hide who you are and the impacts (and benefits) this brings.
“Neurodiversity covers a huge range of different brain make-ups, from dyslexia to dyspraxia and ADHD to Autism. There is plenty of support on offer at LWC, including Café Neuro – a safe space for the neurodiverse and their allies. This group meets weekly for chat, community and cookies.”
Anyone who would like to come along should reach out to their Houseparent or Pete Maidment for more information.
Ella Reaches Psychology Final
It provides a platform for students across the globe to engage in high-level psychology discussions and critical thinking, whilst showcasing research and writing skills.
Now Lower Sixth Former, Ella, has made it through to the final round of the British Psychology Olympiad.
LWC’s Head of Psychology, Lottie Howse explained, “Ella got through the first round and then went on to win a bronze award in round two – which covered some really challenging and varied psychology topics, some of which were at undergraduate level.”
The final round of the competition is the global essay competition which reaches its conclusion next month.
Lottie Makes Strides in Cross-Country
3rd Former, Lottie achieved a personal best in the English Schools’ Athletic Association National Cross-Country Championships last weekend.
Representing Hampshire, Lottie ran 3.2km in just 12 minutes and 22 seconds at Sefton Park in Liverpool.
She came 156th out of 349 in the junior girls’ race.
Upper Sixth Spotlight
In the latest in our weekly focus on LWC’s remarkable Upper Sixth, Lula has been sharing her hopes for the next few months.
Lula has received a ‘full house’ of offers from her chosen universities, Cambridge, Durham, Edinburgh, St Andrews and Bristol. She hopes to go to Cambridge to study Modern and Medieval Languages.
“The process of putting together super-curriculars for my personal statement, as well as preparing for the Cambridge assessment took a lot of work,” explained Lula. “But the support I received from my Spanish teacher, Mrs Hepworth and Mr Donald through the Oxbridge Society was so helpful in developing my application.”
Lula added, “For now, I’m not sure what kind of career I want to go into, so hopefully continuing with languages will keep options open whilst improving my French and Spanish.”
LWC Classicists Scoop Prize
A team of Latin and Classical readers walked away with a category prize at last week’s Classical Reading Competition.
The event at Chertsey’s Sir William Perkins’s School saw LWC face teams from six other schools.
“We had students reading a Latin duologue, a translation of an exciting passage from the Odyssey and recounting (in Latin) the death of the Emperor Claudius’ wife, Messalina,” revealed Head of Classics, Alex Hamilton.
“They read with plenty of feeling and accuracy of pronunciation.”
Louis gets set for the Track
4th Former Louis is gearing up to compete in a Karting Championship in East Devon next week.
The National Kart Cup at the Dunkeswell Circuit near Honiton runs from Friday (27th March) to Sunday (29th).
“The cup contains both complete novices and some of the best drivers in England,” Louis explained. “It consists of qualifying, multiple heats and a final. I’ve been preparing with loads of practice at my local track and staying strong for the season.”
Louis started kart racing early last year in Farnborough and began racing his own kart this year.
“I think the best feeling is hopping out of the kart after a great race or practice,” he revealed. “There’s usually a great feeling of pride and a sense of development.”
In the Field
It was an opportunity to put their varied skills into practice, whilst learning new ones.
LWC’s CCF Contingent spent a chilly 24 hours on an overnight exercise at Gibraltar Barracks in Surrey last weekend.
“On day one, they set up a harbour area before defending it,” explained Contingent Commander, Alex Hamilton.
“The following day, they warmed up by practising section attacks, learning bushcraft skills and discovering how to engage an enemy in a building.
“The cadets showed good tactics and field discipline, whilst our senior non-commanding officers showed developing leadership of their sections.”
Enterprising 3rd Form
Could we be looking at the next world-changing entrepreneurs?
Tomorrow, a group of LWC 3rd Formers are attempting to sell their wares at a Children’s Business Fair run by Young Business Showcase in Guildford.
Ollie, Monty, Rene and Jasper are Bark Bros, purveyors of seasonal chocolate bark.
For the last few months, they’ve been learning about the skills required to run a small business as part of LWC’s Saturday morning co-curricular Enterprise Club.
Teacher of Business and Enterprise & Entrepreneurship, Deborah Upham added, “This showcases skills in sales, negotiation, teamwork and leadership. The boys have all had different roles in areas such as finance, marketing and operations.
“They’ll donate 15% of their profits to charity and will have been successful if they get stock ready on time, price it appropriately, sell it all and make a profit, whilst ensuring the stand looks attractive.”
Girls’ Sport Celebrated in the 1200
LWC plays host to two girls’ tournaments tomorrow.
The LWC U18A/B Netball Tournament begins at 2pm and features 16 teams.
“It’s a great opportunity for players to compete, challenge themselves and enjoy the spirit of netball in a positive and supportive environment,” revealed Assistant Director of Sport and Head of Netball, Poppy Lake.
Meanwhile, the LWC Senior Girls’ Football Tournament starts at 1.30pm, hosting a total of 14 teams.
LWC’s Head of Football, Georgia Bowers added, “The aim is to encourage participation in girls’ football, celebrate the sport and showcase high-level performance.”
The Cotterill Cup Continues
Riding high from the success of last week’s Cotterill Cup, there’s still more to come on Monday (23rd March).
The Cotterill Cup Open Section Recital begins at 7.30pm in the Nadine Uppal Theatre and features a selection of our musicians performing at Grade 6 and above.
Each will deliver a recital of contrasting pieces with the aim of showcasing their talent and dedication.
Reserve your place via the LWC Box Office.
Twisted Tales
Box House Theatre Company are known for their platform theatre, restricting actors to the limited space of a gym mat.
Last week, they brought their touring show, Twisted Tales, to the Nadine Uppal Theatre for the LWC community.
Box House have already worked with our 4th Form GCSE Drama students on devising in advance of this summer’s practical exams. They’ll join 2nd Form for Play in a Week next term.
2nd Formers, GCSE Drama students and other interested members of the LWC community watched them perform a story featuring four anthology folk tales last Friday.
“Box House answered questions after the performance in which they presented their unique style of devising,” added Head of Performing Arts, Gemma Reeks.
Back on Court
LWC’s Tennis Teams are in action again, which is a sure sign that summer is edging closer.
The U14 Boys’ Tennis Team began their Schools’ Cup campaign with victory over Churcher’s College last week.
Head of Tennis, Issie Barfoot explained, “The boys performed exceptionally well and I’m so proud of their effort, intensity and determination. It was a well-deserved win.”
A Head for Sculpture
When portrait artist, Keziah Burt, joined us as artist-in-residence before Christmas, it was clear that she inspired.
Now her influence is available for all to see in our Prideaux Gallery.
There you’ll find the work of our talented Lower Sixth art students, who worked with Keziah on capturing their own likenesses in clay.
During their workshop, Keziah explained how clay portraits endure way beyond paper and offer future generations a way to connect and remember.
Students described the process as an intimate experience. The results are truly breathtaking.
Cadets Rally on the Range
A collection of first-class and marksman badges were awarded to LWC’s CCF cadets as part of the most recent CCF Range Day at Bulford Ranges on Salisbury Plain.
“Cadets shot from a series of different firing positions, including kneeling, sitting and standing as well as from different ranges varying from 100m to 300m,” explained CCF School Staff Instructor, Ian Rockett.
“All received good pass grades, with some achieving marksman status.”
Scientific Inspiration
For months, our students have been challenged to create something special.
The Intersections Art Competition is a collaborative initiative between the LWC Art School and Science Department.
Students have been invited to produce a piece of artwork themed around the title of Intersections: The Art of Science and The Science of Art.
The deadline for submission is this Monday (23rd March), with an exhibition showcasing the work opening on Monday, 27th April.
On Friday, 8th May, everyone is welcome to an Intersections Private View and Prize-Giving in the Prideaux Gallery from 7.30pm.
A Glimpse of Spring
More than 3,300 private gardens are opened up across the UK as part of the National Garden Scheme…
On Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April, LWC’s stunning spring borders, manicured lawns and rolling farmland views will join them once again.
We open our gates to the public between 11am and 3pm on both days in return for a small donation to the NGS, which funds nursing and health charities.
You can book in advance via the LWC website.
Deep Breath…
Fancy exploring an underwater world this summer?
Students can take the first step towards their PADI Open Water Certificate by participating in tomorrow’s Discover Scuba Diving Experience in the LWC pool.
This stage of the PADI Scuba Diving Training Programme gets underway at 9am at a cost of no more than £35 each.
Bookings can be made here.
LWC Life
Imagining a crisp glass of wine as the weekend hits?
LWC Life members can save £20 when purchasing 12 or more bottles of wine, sparkling wine or champagne from Majestic Wines right now.
The offer is available both instore or online by claiming the offer on the LWC Life website and presenting the code.
Still not a member of our bespoke benefits scheme for LWC parents, Sternians and staff?
Join for free now!
Start of Spring….Again
Today marks the beginning of astronomical spring.
This transition differs to the start of meteorological spring, which always falls on the 1st of March. Astronomical spring is dictated by the Earth’s position in relation to the Sun.
Either way, it’s an opportunity to celebrate brighter days and the promise of warmer (we hope) temperatures.
If you have a great shot of the 1200 that you’d be happy to share, please do so 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 back at LWC this Easter with their Cricket Academy (for 5-7 and 8-14-year-olds).
Sessions take place between Monday, 30th March and Wednesday, 1st April before returning in the summer for selected August dates.
Activate will also be running their JDH Next Level Hockey sessions during the summer holidays.
Details on both can be found on their website.
Rugby Camp
Long Sutton Sports Co. return with their Rugby Camp on Monday, 30th and Tuesday, 31st March.
The camp is open to everyone between the ages of 11 and 14 and this time will focus on rugby 7s.
Speed, evasion, decision-making and game understanding will all be developed between 10am and 3pm each day at a cost of £30 per day.
Book via email.
Lego Robotics Holiday Club
For Lego fans, there’s the Lego Robotics Holiday Club being held in the Flowers Science Centre.
Designed for 9 to 14-year-olds, the two-day club will develop coding, logic and problem-solving skills with the help of a Lego Spike Prime Kit.
The club runs between 9.30am and 4.30pm on Monday, 13th and Tuesday, 14th April at a cost of £80 per day (a time extension is available).
Bookings should be made via Adam Ball.
Athlete Performance Lab
Another intensive three-day training series is back in The Barn this Easter, courtesy of Athlete Performance Lab.
This programme aims to push limits and unlock potential in 11-18-year-old athletes.
Sessions run between 10am and 1pm on Monday, 13th, Tuesday, 14th and Wednesday, 15th April.
These are priced at £50 for one day, £90 for two and £125 for three.
Bookings can be made via email.
“The Foundation Changed Our Lives”
If you’ve ever wondered what a difference the Lord Wandsworth Foundation can make to a life… look no further.
Sternians, Kit and Kate first met as Foundationers at LWC.
“We’d experienced domestic violence within our family,” Kate reveals. “It had been a very difficult time for us all. Neither my siblings nor I maintained a relationship with our father following our parents’ divorce.”
Kate’s brother was the first in her family to join the College whilst Kate continued to navigate her way through the mainstream state system, where she was bullied and offered little in the way of support to deal with her earlier traumatic experiences.
Eventually, LWC admitted girls from 1st Form and Kate’s mum was approached to see if she would be interested in a place for her daughter.
“My mum wasn’t keen because of the boarding element and wanted to enrol me in the local grammar school instead,” Kate explains. “I deliberately didn’t complete the grammar school entrance exam because I wanted to go to Wandsworth! I’d heard such wonderful things from my brother, who loved the environment and the opportunities on offer, that I wanted to be there.”
And so Kate’s place at LWC was secured, to be joined a few years later by Kit – one of three brothers – two of whom were already at the College through military-assisted places and scholarships. As he stood on the brink of teenagehood, things began to unravel:
“My parents got divorced, my grandmother died very suddenly and through a very traumatic experience, my closest friend died in an accident when we were both 12. The one thing I needed was the security of being with my brothers, but I no longer qualified for military assistance and I wasn’t able to get a scholarship. I was in a very vulnerable place and the Foundation helped me to join the school at a time when I really needed some stability.”
The pair met when Kate joined Park House from Junior in 3rd Form and with Kit in Sutton House, they would while away their downtime alongside peers in the sunken garden and surrounding fields.
Both found solace in their respective boarding Houses and the wider LWC experience. “I wanted to soak up every minute of it and grab hold of everything!,” reveals Kate. “I was truly happy at Wandsworth.”
Kit channelled his energy into sport and music, whilst Kate fostered a lifelong love of literature. Both achieved first-class degrees at university, which they attended together in Oxford.
In 2015, they got married – Kit having proposed in the same nook separating the Sutton and Park Houses that they spent so much time in as teenagers. 11 years later and the couple have come full circle and back to Hampshire, where Kit is a partner in the Exton Park Vineyard and Winery and Kate is a Group Marketing Director – having travelled all over the world during a successful publishing career. They have a 4-year-old daughter.
“The Foundation was genuinely life-changing for us,” admits Kit. “I could never have opened up the horizon that I was able to without Lord Wandsworth,” agrees Kate. “It created an entirely different trajectory for our lives.”
Read more of Kit and Kate’s story on our website and consider helping us to transform more lives by supporting our Foundation Day Appeal Online Auction from this Sunday or by making a donation to our Foundation Day Appeal.
Key Dates
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
Cotterill Cup: Open Section Recital, Nadine Uppal Theatre
7.30pm, Monday, 23rd 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
Sports Day
Noon, Friday, 24th April
LWC Yorkshire 3 Peaks Fundraising Challenge
Friday, 24th – Monday, 27th April
GCSE & A-level Exams Begin
Monday, 27th April
Intersections: The Art of Science and The Science of Art Exhibition, The Prideaux Gallery
Monday, 27th April – Thursday, 2nd July
Summer Term Music Concert, Gavin Hall
7pm, Friday, 8th May
Intersections: Private View & Prize-Giving, The Prideaux Gallery
7.30pm, Friday, 8th May
May Half Term Begins
4pm, Friday, 22nd May
Summer Term Resumes
Monday, 1st June
Private Peaceful, Gavin Hall
7pm, Wednesday, 24th & Thursday, 25th June
Speech Day
10am, Saturday, 27th June
End of Summer Term
Noon, Wednesday, 1st July
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