Welcome to LWC News
Temperatures touching 40 degrees have put a different spin on the final full week of term.
But as the weekend promises the mercury will drop (a little), we can turn our attention to tomorrow’s Speech Day, House Picnics and Leavers’ Ball.
Thanks to some dynamic reorganisation, we’ve managed to keep all of our celebration events and the summer play, Private Peaceful on track.
There’ll be one last LWC News next Wednesday to reflect it all.
In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend and we look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
News
2nd Form Step Up!
LWC’s 2nd Form have been pushed beyond their comfort zones.
They spent five days in the Brecon Beacons, where they were challenged to hike, abseil and canoe, along with a host of other activities.
They set about planning a route to climb Pen Y Fan – the highest peak in southern Britain, but were forced to rethink after mist descended.
“Students changed their routes to accommodate the weather, which was great to see,” reflected trip lead, Claire Liggins. “One group went on to summit another of the peaks instead.”
All were rewarded with an LWC badge of honour on the trip, which aimed to encourage students to act with character, try something new and remain resilient in the face of change. Well done 2nd Form.
LWC Artists Selected for Showcase
Two LWC students have been selected to have their work exhibited at Linley in Belgravia.
The store champions cutting-edge art and design. Each year, it offers young artists from selected schools the opportunity to present their work to a panel of judges, as part of the Linley Emerging Talent Artists Showcase.
Upper Sixth Former, Hector, won the Organic Form, Photography prize, whilst fellow Upper Sixth Former, Florence, has been announced as the Portrait Fine Art winner.
The exhibition will take place in October.
French Inspiration
They did over 3 million steps, taking in some of the most renowned museums, galleries and design houses in the world.
Now LWC’s 4th Form Design & Technology Textiles and Resistant Materials students are back in the 1200 after an incredible trip to Paris.
Both groups visited landmarks such as the Musée de la Mode et du Textile, the Louis Vuitton Foundation and enjoyed a trip down the River Seine before splitting off for some bespoke sightseeing.
The Resistant Materials group visited the St Germain design district to explore the stunning architecture, along with the Musée des Arts et Métiers and the Musée de L’Illusion.
Meanwhile, Textiles students were given a guided fashion tour of central Paris, whilst also taking in the Galleria Fashion Museum and the Dior Gallery. Très bonne!
Crafting Canoeing Excellence
LWC is one of the UK’s leading schools for marathon canoeing. Now, we’re expanding our offering to create the first High-Performance Paddling Programme in the country. The sport will also be open to 4th and 5th Form for the first time.
From September, three routes will be on offer to students. Our High-Performance Programme (for 5th Form to Upper Sixth) will equip paddlers with the skills to secure podium finishes.
The existing DW Programme for Lower Sixth Form, culminating in the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race, will continue. Meanwhile, the Marathon Canoeing Performance Pathway will be tailored to 4th Form students.
Head of Marathon Canoeing, Adam Reid, added, “With our facilities and coaching expertise, I am confident our paddlers will go on to great things, both on the water, at school and beyond the 1200.”
From September, we will also launch our first Dance Performance Programme for 5th and Sixth Formers, to support those with a strong interest in the discipline.
Geographers Wander in Wales
100 miles west of our courageous 2nd Form, LWC’s Lower Sixth geographers were deep in the Pembrokeshire countryside last week.
The group spent three days at the FSC’s Dale Fort Field Centre in Haverfordwest.
“As part of their A-level Geography course, it’s essential that students undertake high-quality fieldwork,” explained Head of Geography, Jan Norgaard.
“We were able to take part in a range of coastal investigations in St Brides Bay and students concluded that coastal management often involves difficult trade-offs between environmental, economic and social priorities. We also investigated the succession of the Gann Saltmarsh.”
Paddlers Finish on Podium
This year’s cohort of canoeists have been back on the water.
Last Sunday, six students took part in the Falcon Canoe Club Haslar, covering 4.5 miles of the River Thames through the centre of Oxford.
The race attracts high-calibre paddlers from across the South.
Lower Sixth Formers, Max and Luca won their class, with Abi and Eddie finishing second in their group.
Phoebe’s Flying Start
Upper Sixth Former, Phoebe, is now nearly a week into her challenge to become the youngest woman to run the length of Britain.
Phoebe and her dad, Chris, set off from John o’ Groats last Saturday with the aim of reaching Land’s End at the end of August.
Phoebe’s story has since featured widely in the press, on TV, radio and online.
“It’s been great so far!” she revealed. “The terrain has been very technical with lots of barbed wire and stinging nettles. I’ve had lots of fun herding sheep and trying not to fall off the edge of cliffs!”
You can sponsor Phoebe here and keep an eye on the LWC Facebook and Instagram feeds this summer for news of her progress.
LWC Covers the Nation
As if Phoebe running the length of Britain and 4th Former, Will, cycling in the opposite direction wasn’t enough this summer…
LWC Governor, Kevin Barwick, sets off on Saturday, 25th July to cycle the 1000+ miles between Land’s End and John o’ Groats in the space of just 14 days.
We’re sure he won’t mind us saying that he’s approaching 70 in August and plans to notch up 70 miles a day on the ride to mark it.
Along the way, Mr Barwick will be raising money for three charities: The Lord Wandsworth Foundation, The Woolmen’s Company CIO and Abby’s Heroes.
“Around 50 students a year are supported by The Lord Wandsworth Foundation,” he explained. “Hearing from those who have benefitted from it is always moving and I hope that my ride will help make a difference for them.”
You can find Kevin’s fundraising page here.
Students Stay Hot on Water Safety
Hot weather can often see many taking to open water to cool off….
But the dangers of doing so have been highlighted at LWC during the last few weeks.
As part of Drowning Prevention Week, all College swimmers practised the Float to Survive technique during their sessions.
Meanwhile, 4th Former, James (pictured) created a water safety presentation which has been shown to all tutor groups and delivered in an assembly to Bramley House on Tuesday. James is well-placed to to offer advice as he gears up to volunteer as a lifeguard in Devon this summer.
LWC has more than 20 qualified lifeguards in its student body, with lifeguarding skills offered as a Saturday morning activity and 12 co-curricular swimming sessions scheduled every week.
For those lacking confidence in the water, we hope to start beginner lessons for students in the next academic year. To express an interest, please email Head of Swimming, Jeni Loud.
Private Peaceful Take Two!
The hot weather resulted in some hasty rescheduling of our Private Peaceful performances this week.
In order to keep everyone safe in the heat, the shows have been moved to Monday (29th June) at 1pm and 7.30pm in Gavin Hall.
Yet to rebook your tickets? There are still some available via the LWC Box Office.
Cadets in the Clouds
LWC’s CCF cadets found themselves soaring over the Cotswolds last weekend.
They took to the skies in a Viking glider from RAF Little Rissington as part of Operation Long Barrow, an exercise aiming to fly as many cadets in a single day as possible.
CCF Contingent Commander, Alex Hamilton, added, “The cadets got to take the controls for most of the flight. They all loved the experience – particularly the rush of take-off (0-60mph in 2 seconds!) This gives our cadets a taste of flying beyond a powered aircraft, which also forms part of their air training.”
Six-Marathon Scott
LWC parent, Scott, has had quite the week.
He has walked the equivalent of six marathons (255km) from his home in Yateley to South Wales, finishing to coincide with his son, Luca’s 18th birthday on Tuesday.
Sternian, Luca, died last year and his family was keen to acknowledge the support given to them by the charity 2wish, whose headquarters provided the finish line for Scott’s challenge.
“We were so lost in the early weeks after losing Luca that we felt compelled to fundraise,” explained Luca’s mum, Claire. “We wanted other families to benefit from the kind of support that 2wish offers, right from the beginning, when you so desperately need it.”
Scott and Luca’s uncle, Adam, completed the challenge together – raising over £8,500 in the process. You can continue donating to Scott’s fundraising page here.
Sternian Saturday
The Sternian connection is a strong one and last weekend’s Sternian Saturday was a testament to that.
The event, open to all Sternians and their families, featured a BBQ, garden games, afternoon tea and of course, a perfect opportunity for a catch-up.
The LWC Motoring Society was also on hand to showcase an array of awe-inspiring automotive wonders.
Alumni Manager, Clare Faherty, concluded, “It was wonderful to welcome so many Sternians and their families back. With over 200 attendees joining us, the day was a fantastic celebration of connection, community and shared memories.”
LWC Athletes on Track
It’s been a busy time for LWC Athletics.
Four students (Roan, Will, Tobi and Tolu) competed at last weekend’s South-Eastern Schools’ Inter Counties Championships in Kent, putting in excellent performances whilst representing Hampshire.
Three qualified to compete for the county at the English Schools Track & Field Finals in Birmingham next month; 3rd Former, Tolu set a new school record in the 100m, fellow 3rd Former, Tobi, completed a personal best in the Discus and 4th Former, Will, ran a fast 100m Hurdles to progress for the second year running.
Roan (4th Form) also set a personal best in the 300m Hurdles.
Headmaster’s Garden Party
Following directly on from Sternian Saturday last weekend was the Headmaster’s Garden Party..
135 guests joined us for the annual event, organised by our Philanthropy & Alumni Relations Team.
Its purpose is to thank our donor club members, those who have donated auction prizes, volunteered to support our Futures Programme and of course, our Yorkshire 3 Peaks trekkers.
Thank you to all for your ongoing support.
Bella Returns
Sternian cricketer, Bella Mitchell, has been sharing her skills with LWC students this term.
The Berkshire, Hampshire U18 and Hursley Park player has recently returned from playing cricket in Sydney and has been coaching the Bramley and U14 Girls, alongside the Senior Boys’ Team.
Bella left LWC last year and plans to head to university in September to begin a degree in sports science.
“I wanted to inspire younger girls to get involved in cricket, help them to build confidence and support their development in the welcoming environment at LWC,” Bella explained.
Academic Highlight – D&T
There’s nothing like a race in the sunshine.
Last week, LWC’s 1st Form Design & Technology students were able to celebrate the fruits of their labour with some drag racing.
Having designed their cars, assembled chassis and soldered motors, students were able to put their cars to the test against each other.
For the Love of the Earth
Lower Sixth Formers, Lukas and Aubrey, are inspiring the next generation.
They led a series of interactive activities at neighbouring Long Sutton Primary School last week, designed to encourage a passion for the environment.
As part of the Environment Leaders Programme, the students suggested practical ways that we can all make a difference, with the aim of safeguarding our surroundings.
A spokesperson for Long Sutton Primary School told us, “Aubrey and Lukas were fantastic role models—demonstrating leadership, passion and a real commitment to environmental responsibility. We are very grateful for their visit and look forward to continuing to build on this important work.”
The Environment Leaders Programme runs on Saturday mornings at LWC. For more information, email Jo Mackenzie.
Technicolour End to Term
Next Monday’s Colour Run has been a labour of love for LWC’s Prefect Team.
“With June being Pride Month, I think this is an amazing opportunity to raise awareness for Pride, diversity and inclusion,” explained Head of College (Co-curricular), Abi.
“I think it’s also a great way to end the academic year, uniting the College and introducing the Prefect Team.”
The Colour Run gets underway at 4pm on Monday (29th June) on Southview Pitches. Online sign-up has now closed but there’ll be an opportunity to join in on the day via the boarding house stands.
It’ll be rounded off by a BBQ and tuck shop at the end.
Meet the Prefect Team – Jodie
“I wanted to be someone that younger me would have been able to turn to,” explains Lower Sixth Wellbeing Prefect and Head of Year, Jodie, when asked why she wanted to be a prefect.
With wellbeing having been at the heart of the College since its inception, Jodie knows this is a big role.
“I’m looking forward to building on our wellbeing facilities and continuing to implement help and support for all students,” she reveals.
“I also believe that Lower Sixth is an important year; it marks the beginning of A-levels and a new experience of school.”
LWC Life
Leaving on a jet plane this summer?
LWC Life members can save on airport extras right now with APH Parking and Lounges.
Take advantage of 18% off participating airport car parks, 10% off airport lounges and 10% off participating airport hotels.
LWC Life is a specially curated benefits scheme for the LWC community, with offers on all kinds of products and services including locals pubs and restaurants, luxury clothing brands and days out.
Not yet a member? The free scheme is open to all LWC parents, staff and Sternians and you can sign up here.
Boot-iful Abode
Many find a comfortable home in the 1200.
This week, Senior Deputy Head, Tom Hicks, discovered a new addition next to his own front door.
Look carefully at the top of the rack housing his family’s wellies and you’ll spot a pigeon nesting.
Apparently, the birds are so comfortable in their new home, they’ve laid an egg.
Preloved Uniform
Likely to have a clear-out of uniform over the summer?
Get ahead of the game and let us take it off your hands before you replenish the wardrobe for September!
LWC’s Second Hand Uniform Shop is home to current, preloved uniform in good condition which is then made available at discount prices in aid of the Lord Wandsworth Foundation.
Clothing donations are gratefully received at Main Reception.
Alternatively, our current stock of items available for sale can be viewed by appointment with the LWC Admissions Team.
Not So Nocturnal
We’re proud of the variety of wildlife at LWC.
Not content with pigeons nesting in wellies, this week has also revealed a parliament of owls near their nesting box.
These were captured at a top secret campus location by Haygate Houseparent, Josie Waskett-Long.
Spotting owls during daytime is usually a sign of exhausted parents needing to feed hungry chicks.
We know how they feel.
Have you taken a great photo in the 1200? We’d love to see it via stories@lordwandsworth.org.
This Summer at LWC…
Cricket and hockey are the focus for camps run by Activate at LWC this summer.
A Performance Cricket Residential for 10-17-year-olds takes place between the 5th and 8th of August.
On Monday, 10th August, The WK Coach will deliver a full-day of specialist wicket-keeping training for those aged 8-16 years.
This will all be followed by two Cricket Academies for 5-7-year-olds and 8-14-year-olds on selected dates between 11th and 13th August and 25th-27th August. Single sessions or block bookings are available.
On Friday, 21st August, The R66T Academy will join coaches from The Cricket Academy for a one-day batting camp for 8-16-year-olds.
Alternatively, from the 18th-20th August, JDH Next Level Hockey will be running sessions for 6 and 7-year-olds and those aged 8 to 14 years.
All bookings for the above camps can be made through the Activate Camps website.
Lego Robotics Holiday Club
Back by popular demand this summer is the Lego Robotics Holiday Club, led by our very own Head of 5th Form and Teacher of Chemistry, Adam Ball.
From Monday, 6th – Wednesday, 8th July and Monday, 17th – Wednesday, 19th August, there are Level 1 (Beginner) sessions available.
From Monday, 24th – Wednesday, 26th August, Level 2 (Intermediate) dates will take place.
All sessions are based at LWC and are suitable for 9-12-year-olds. They cost £180 for all three days.
You can book here or request more information from Adam Ball.
30 Years of Mr Mobbs
Next week, Teacher of Art, Graham Mobbs will leave LWC after a career at the College spanning three decades.
In that time, the former Head of Art has helped to build a thriving faculty with strong results, but his legacy far from ends there.
Having spent ten years at Carmel College in Oxfordshire, Mr Mobbs arrived in the 1200 in 1996, inheriting a small Art Department and with a passion for canoeing which had been fostered during his time by the River Thames.
Not put off by moving to landlocked North East Hampshire, Graham requested then LWC Headmaster, Guy de Waller for money to buy five boats and the rest, they say, is history. Since then, LWC has seen more than 200 paddlers progress through its marathon canoe offering and this year, dominated the Devizes to Westminster International Junior Canoe Race – fielding a third of the boats entered.
“DW is life-changing for everybody who gets involved,” Graham reveals. “Not only the paddlers themselves but their families too.”
Graham’s development of both academic and co-curricular pursuits at LWC, has also been accompanied by a strong pastoral involvement, leading Sutton House for five years as Houseparent and helping to cultivate a culture at the boarding house that Sternians have since described as ‘like coming home’.
“Two of my four children were born at Sutton,” Graham smiles. “I even delivered my eldest son there myself. My youngest daughter arrived just before roll call and her birth was announced to the students ten minutes later.”
Now, Graham is planning a life beyond the Acorn Gates as he focuses on his work as a fine art ceramicist. But he’s keen to be remembered most for his approach to teaching and more generally, to life.
“It’s important to understand what makes each individual work,” he explains. “If you can help them to feel heard, trusted and safe, then you can support and encourage them to develop, be creative and find their artistic voice. When students are smiling and happy to be in the space that you work in, that’s the most exciting part as they really start to flourish.”
Read Graham’s full story here.
Key Dates
Intersections: The Art of Science and The Science of Art Exhibition, The Prideaux Gallery
Ongoing until Thursday, 2nd July
Private Peaceful, Gavin Hall
1pm & 7.30pm, Monday, 29th June
Speech Day
10am, Saturday, 27th June
Leavers’ Ball
7pm, Saturday, 27th June
Colour Run
4pm, Monday, 29th June
End of Year Party on the Green
4-6pm, Tuesday, 30th June
End of Summer Term
Noon, Wednesday, 1st July
A-level & BTEC Results Day
Thursday, 13th August
GCSE Results Day
Thursday, 20th August
Autumn Term Pupil Welcome (All Year Groups)
Thursday, 3rd September
The Beckwith
Saturday, 5th September
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