We are so grateful to the whole community for getting involved and showing their support.
If you would still like to support us, it’s not too late to make a gift!
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We have reached over 200 donors. To celebrate here is a special virtual performance from Chapel Choir of Crossing the Bar by C.H.H Parry, which they recorded virtually with The Sixteen. Thank you to everyone who has supported our first Wykeham Week so far.
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Our first ever Wykeham Week is live. This is our first digital enterprise. It aims to gather reminders of what we have temporarily lost, and to augment the means by which the school’s historic mission may continue to flourish.
It also celebrates the end of one of the most exceptional terms in the school’s history. The boys and dons alike have risen to the challenge of mastering remote learning. The Wykehamical community has thrived in the new virtual world we find ourselves in. Academic rigour, creativity and community spirit have all continued to flourish.
One such enterprise is the introduction by the prefects of Lockdown Pot, a virtual inter-house competition that has been running over the last few weeks. It is a happy coincidence that this ties in with the main focus of our first Wykeham Week, our 11 boarding houses. These are at the centre of the Winchester experience and where Wykehamists often form their fondest memories of the school. It is where lively conversation and debate thrive around the dining table and lifelong friendships are forged.
Today’s housemasters offer an education to boys which will enhance the life of their house, their school and the wider society they live in. Bursaries help us to ensure that every boy who deserves a place at Winchester and can benefit from the wonderful opportunities here can take up that place. Sadly, demand for bursaries currently far exceeds the funds available.
The COVID-19 crisis has affected communities across the globe and has completely changed school life. The boys and dons have had to adjust to remote learning and staff have had to find a new way of working. The school is fortunate to be able to weather a crisis like this but there are those in our community who have been severely affected. A COVID-19 Hardship Fund has been established to help support the school fees for those families who are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the virus. We are proud of our diverse community and want to preserve it.
We want everyone to come together to celebrate our houses and we will award the specially designed Lockdown Pot to the winning house. We will also donate an extra £1000 to the House Bursary Fund of the first winners of Lockdown Pot.
Please join us for #WykehamWeek