Welcome to LWC News
Summer is here!
The academic year is over and you’ll find all of the highlights from a sunny, warm and uplifting final few days on campus right here.
Have a wonderful break and we look forward to welcoming you back in September.
In the meantime, do keep us posted on your adventures over the next few months via stories@lordwandsworth.org and we’ll continue telling the LWC story soon…
News
Soaring Speech Day
Nothing quite rounds off the academic year like Speech Day.
Saturday’s event may have been one of our hottest yet, but it was a glorious celebration of just what makes LWC so special.
Thank you for the part that you play in LWC’s extraordinary community.
Congratulations to all of those honoured and our fantastic Upper Sixth, who deserved every clap and cheer as they were applauded through the Acorn Gates.
Presentation of Colours
Members of our impressive Upper Sixth Form were also awarded Colours, Honours and Distinctions on Saturday, in a ceremony on Stern Lawn.
These marked success across Sport, Performing Arts, Creative Arts, Service and Leadership.
Well done to all of those in receipt of them.
Around the Houses
Following Speech Day, each of our eight boarding houses decamped for their annual Speech Day House Picnics.
Always emotive, these provided an opportunity for students to reflect on another year within their House families, alongside the Houseparents and Matrons who support them.
What’s Coming…
Things at LWC never stand still.
This summer, the face of the 1200 will continue to change, bringing some great additions for September.
The Grove will be completed for the start of the new academic year; This impressive space will house the LWC Art School alongside Design & Technology with the aim of inspiring the next generation of creative thinkers.
The Barn, our multi-million-pound fitness centre, will receive new changing areas, a rehabilitation room and a welcoming reception area.
And changes to the curriculum will begin in the autumn, with the aim of preparing students for life and not simply exams. These changes include a new 1st Form programme, designed to harness and develop vital skills whilst using the unique surroundings of our 1200 acres. Meanwhile, football will take its place in our 1st and 2nd Form experience for both boys and girls.
We can’t wait to get started.
A Lavish Affair for Leavers
We look forward to welcoming back our Upper Sixth Form as Sternians in the future.
But for now, we bid them farewell (or at least until we rendezvous again for A-level Results Day).
Saturday night’s Leavers’ Ball was a beautiful celebration of their time together, offering a final opportunity to make memories as a year group.
Will Gears up to Cycle Nation
Understandably, Upper Sixth Former, Phoebe, was absent from Speech Day and the Leavers’ Ball, as she continues in her bid to become the youngest woman to run the length of Britain.
Also about to embark upon a similar challenge (but in the opposite direction) is 4th Former, Will.
He’ll be cycling from Land’s End to John o’ Groats with his dad, Tom, brother Nicko and sister, Chloe who has cerebral palsy.
“Chloe saw a DVD of my dad cycling from Land’s End to John o’ Groats a few years ago and asked if she could do it,” Will explains.
The family will be raising money via their fundraising page for Chloe’s school, Treloar’s in Alton and PALS (Partners for Active Leisure Scheme) West Berkshire.
They set off on Sunday, 26th July. Follow their progress and stay up to date with everything happening at LWC this summer via our Facebook and Instagram feeds.
Fantastic 5th Form
They studied hard for their GCSEs this summer and last Thursday, 5th Form were able to celebrate the end of exams.
With a few adjustments made to compensate for the extreme heat, the cohort dressed up and made the most of their time together.
We look forward to welcoming them back for GCSE Results Day on Thursday, 20th August and to watch them begin the next stage of the journey into Sixth Form.
The Beckwith
It may seem a while away, but don’t forget to reserve your family’s place for The Beckwith.
You can sign up here for the event on Saturday, 5th September, before it gets lost in a haze of sun cream and sangria. You’ll even earn an early bird discount for your trouble.
This annual 5k/10k challenge sees the LWC community coming together to run, walk or wag its way around the 1200.
It’s become a much-loved way to begin the new school year and we would love you to be a part of it! The deadline for registrations is Monday, 31st August. Please register students via the link provided above.
Rave Reviews for Private Peaceful
Last week’s scorching temperatures may have caused some rescheduling of shows, but LWC’s production of Private Peaceful was well worth the wait.
Performances were moved to Monday for the safety of both audiences and performers, allowing them to truly be transported to the WW1 trenches.
Michael Morpurgo’s Private Peaceful tells the story of Thomas Peaceful, who finds himself reflecting on his short life from the front line.
“It was a tender, heartbreaking story about loyalty, love, courage and the terrible human cost of war,” reflected Co-director and Teacher of Drama, Matt McGrath.
We say it was simply outstanding.
Are You Ready?
Despite Private Peaceful being fresh in the mind, the LWC Performing Arts Department has already hinted at what’s next.
The next College musical to go into production has been revealed today.
Beauty and the Beast will be performed at The Haymarket in Basingstoke from Wednesday, 20th to Friday, 22nd January 2027.
Head of Performing Arts, Gemma Reeks, added, “With such iconic music and characters, it’s a show that can be enjoyed by all. We hope to see lots of students auditioning in September.”
Watch the reveal film screened to students this morning.
Party on the Green
Yesterday’s Party on the Green was the final flourish to our end-of-term celebrations.
Everyone gathered for an afternoon of food, fun and inflatables whilst spending time with friends and enjoying the sunshine.
Well done on another great year, LWC.
Henry Impresses on Rally Debut
Upper Sixth Former, Henry, delivered a stunning rally debut the day after finishing his A-levels.
Henry finished an impressive 32nd (out of 90) and 3rd in class at the Car-nival Stage Rally in Abingdon – his first ever stage rally as a driver. He tackled 70 miles over seven stages in his Ford Fiesta R2.
“Henry has been around rallying all his life,” explained dad, Mike. “He watched me compete and began navigating for me from the age of 12. He progressed to driving at the age of 14 in junior-level events and quickly showed promise.”
Henry displayed some impressive resilience in Abingdon, having encountered a power steering problem before the race which saw him placed 81st by the end of the first stage. He went on to make up 49 places during the course of the day.
Henry now plans to continue his rallying during a gap year. Watch this space…
Coming Together with Colour
Monday’s Colour Run provided a psychedelic spectacle.
Organised by the Prefect Team, the Pride Month event aimed to shine the spotlight on diversity and inclusion whilst offering an opportunity for everyone to have some fun.
“It’s one of the first whole-school events that this Prefect Team has led and it’s been great,” explained Head of College (Co-curricular), Abi.
Lower Sixth Former, Iestyn was first to complete the colourful course.
Mrs Loud’s Leaves
LWC’s Assistant Deputy Head (Staff), Jeni Loud has form when it comes to sending off her Upper Sixth Form tutees in style.
Last year she bid farewell to her tutor group by furnishing them all with shark doorstops, designed to prop open doors in university accommodation to forge friendships.
This year she’s providing leaves for her leavers.
Each member of her tutor group has received a leaf doorstop and an accompanying poem to send them on their way.
A Successful Season
LWC’s athletes and tennis players looked back on a successful season yesterday, with a medal presentation and pizza laid on by Head of Athletics, Ben Hazell and Head of Tennis, Issie Barfoot.
It was an opportunity to thank both groups for their contributions to their respective sports and to present them with medals from the fixtures they’ve attended during Summer Term.
Our athletes continue to compete in a number of events during the summer, most notably the English Schools Track & Field Finals in Birmingham next month.
3rd Formers Tolu and Tobi will join 4th Former Will in representing Hampshire at the high-profile event.
Sternian Competes for Country
Sternian, Evan Sansum is currently competing for Wales in the Box Lacrosse European Championships in Prague.
Evan graduates from the University of Exeter next month, but has hopped across to the Czech Republic beforehand to compete on the international stage.
Evan and fellow Sternian, Seb signed up for Lacrosse during Fresher’s Week at Exeter, having never played the sport before. By Evan’s third year, he was captain of the first team.
Evan made his Welsh debut a few months ago and we wish him the best of luck in Prague as he continues to swell LWC’s ranks of international athletes.
Glorious Golf
LWC’s golfers have rounded off the season with a flourish.
They were forced to move their LWC Golf Championship to yesterday, as a result of the scorching conditions last week.
But they finally played their end-of-season finale at Blackmoor Golf Club, with students competing for a number of titles.
Congratulations to Lower Sixth Formers, Jack, who won the Well Cup and Louie who took both the Stowmarket Salver and season-long Williams Bowl Order of Merit. Callum finished in second place.
Head of Golf, Craig O’nions added, “Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and competitors and thank you to Blackmoor Golf Club for presenting the course in fantastic condition, providing a fitting venue for another memorable LWC Golf Championship.”
Keeping Cool
Students remaining in College last week were able to stay comfortable with a dip in the pool.
Record-breaking temperatures hit the mid to late thirties on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, as a red weather warning for extreme heat remained in place.
The pool provided some welcome relief.
Staying out for the Summer
Think that the LWC trips stop for the summer?
Those aiming for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award begin their qualifying expedition to Snowdonia tomorrow.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Army and RAF Sections of LWC’s CCF contingents are heading their separate ways for the CCF Summer Camp.
“The Army Section is going to Lydd in Kent, with the RAF Section based here at LWC but with planned activities and days out each day,” explained CCF Contingent Commander, Alex Hamilton. “The aim is for our cadets to meet with others, whilst experiencing a range of different activities.”
LWC’s tennis players will also take a trip to the Wimbledon Championships, with our golfers heading off to Malaga in late August.
LWC Life
The summer break offers a good opportunity for some much-needed life admin.
Once the suitcases are unpacked and amidst the uniform labelling, why not sign up to LWC Life, if you have yet to do so.
The benefits scheme, exclusive to LWC parents, staff and Sternians has a variety of ever-changing offers on a curated selection of products.
It’s free to join and could save you money on all kinds of things – from holiday parking to days out and meals in local pubs to savings on brands including The White Company and Atelier Jewellery.
The offers will keep on coming all summer long!
Plans Uncovered
Will we get a glimpse into the past at LWC this summer?
During long, dry spells, the foundations of the original plan for LWC can be seen.
Months ago, we brought you the story of the revealing documents and maps stored in the old Maintenance Barn near to Sutton and Park Houses.
These shed light on the work of the original architects of LWC and revealed that Guy Dawber, who designed part of the estate, had some even grander plans for what would be created.
“He drew up plans for an Oxbridge-like College,” explained Sternian Archivist, James G Gregory-Marshall, who has since uncovered more about the scheme, which was never fully realised.
“The proposed central quadrangle was 315 feet (96 metres) wide and 550 feet (167 metres) long,” James explained. “There were to be two lawns and a fountain at the centre, with buildings surrounding it on three sides. The College would have begun just to the west of the Acorn Gates and extended across the present playing fields, to the small coppice beyond the present Wilkinson’s 1st XV rugby pitch.”
Quercus
As this academic year draws to a close, it’s worth reflecting on how many of these LWC’s Quercus Tree has seen over the years.
This glorious shot was captured by Head, Adam Williams deep within Sheephouse Copse.
Quercus marks the site where the ashes of Sir Daniel Hall, one of the first and most significant LWC Trustees, are interred.
He died nearly 84 years ago – on the 5th July, 1942.
If you have a great picture of the 1200, they are always welcome via stories@lordandsworth.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.
The sessions will run from Monday, 24th – Wednesday, 26th August here at LWC and are suitable for 9-12-year-olds, at a cost of £180 for all three days.
You can book here or request more information from Adam Ball.
Key Dates
A-level & BTEC Results Day
Thursday, 13th August
GCSE Results Day
Thursday, 20th August
Autumn Term Pupil Welcome (All Year Groups)
Thursday, 3rd September & Friday, 4th September
The Beckwith
Saturday, 5th September
Lessons Begin
Monday, 7th September
Exeat Weekend
4pm, Friday 25th September
Half Term Begins
4pm, Friday 16th October
Autumn Term Resumes
Monday, 2nd November
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