The Sternian 2021

THE

STERNIAN 2021

F O R T H E A L U M N I O F L O R D WA N D S W O RT H C O L L E G E

A CAMPUS TO BE PROUD OF

CENTENARY FESTIVITIES REVEALED

50 YEARS OF MOUNTAINEERING

The Beautiful Grounds and Gardens of LWC

A year of fun for you to enjoy!

Why not join in too?

14 12 32

20 22

4 28 Follow us: facebook @sternians

twitter @sternians

linkedin @sternians-association www.lwcconnect.org

instagram @lwcsternians

In this Issue...

Editorial

2

Upcoming Events 3 Headmaster’s Letter 4

6 Almost a Century of Healthcare 12 Memories of the San 14 An Interview With: The Sternians’ Association 16 Where Are They Now?

President and Chairman

Celebrating 50 Years of The Sternians’ Mountaineering Club

18

An Interview With: Alex Hamilton 20

22 In Our Day: Advancing Girl’s Sport 23 Class of 2021 24 Class of 2020 26 A Campus To Be Proud Of 28 Sternian Events: 2021 at a Glance 32 An Update From: The Development Office 33 Centenary Year Celebrations 38 An Update From: The College 41 An Update From: Stern Farm 44 An Update From: The Sternians Trust Fund 45 LWC Remembers: David Love 46 In Memoriam 48 Invitation to Sternian Saturday 49 In Our Day: A Rugby Season to Remember

1

WELCOME TO THE STERNIAN MAGAZINE

Editorial

2021 has been another interesting year for us all! We hope that everyone is keeping safe, and that life is returning to a more normal rhythm for you.

W

1990s, and secondly as we look at the developments within LWC Healthcare over the last 100 years with particular reference to the differences between pupil’s experiences of the San vs the Health Centre of today.

e very much hope you enjoy this latest edition of The Sternian as we take a look back over 2021 and bring you news from a variety of Sternians as well as updates from the College. Thank you to everyone who sent in articles and news – please keep them coming for next year’s magazine!

We bring you interviews with Alex Hamilton, Head of Classics and CCF Contingent Commander, as he reflects on his 20 years at the College, and members of LWC Grounds team and what it takes to keep the College’s estate something to be proud of.

Firstly, a huge welcome to all our new Sternians – the class of 2021! We very much hope you are enjoying the next step in your journey. Do keep in touch with us and let us know how you are getting on.

Although the first few months of 2021 were still Zoom months, it did mean we were able to connect with Sternians from across the world via our virtual events and we will continue to run similar events to ensure we remain connected. But it has also been wonderful seeing many of you in person again over the last few months, and we look forward to seeing many more of you in 2022, especially as we enter our Centenary year in September. Read on for more information on how you can get involved in the celebrations.

So, what’s in store for you all in this magazine. We are delighted to have an extended “Where are they now?” feature – it is lovely to hear about the eclectic lives of Sternians of all ages and from across the globe. In the last magazine, we celebrated Ian Kerr’s 50 years at LWC. We have another 50 years to celebrate – this time of the Sternian Mountaineering Club. Read on to find out how you can get involved.

JUSTINE LAMMIN, KATE BOYD AND SAM CORFIELD The Editorial Team

There are two areas of contrast in this edition – firstly in the new feature “In Our Day”, where Sternians reflect on their LWC experience, one from the 1960s the other from the

Stay In Touch With

The Sternians’ Association Please ensure the Development Office have your most up to date e-mail address so that we can keep in touch with you, and send you our monthly E-News updates, invitations and other College news.

Send us your e-mail address to be added to our database: sternians@lordwandsworth.org 2

DIARY DATES

Upcoming Events By the time you will have received this magazine, the Sternian v LWC Ladies’ and Men’s Hockey and Ladies’ Netball will have already taken place. As will the 5th Form Mock Interviews and Foundation Day. Thank you to everyone who took part in these.

LADIES OF LWC TOUR & AFTERNOON TEA

LWC GOLF SOCIETY

@ The Royal Albert Hall All Sternian ladies welcome

Bearwood Lakes Golf Day Sternians and LWC Parents

Friday 25th March

Saturday 26th March

Wednesday 11th May

STERNIAN REGIONAL GATHERING

BOURNEMOUTH

STERNIAN v LWC CRICKET

STERNIAN REGIONAL GATHERING

All Sternians welcome to join us at the Toby Carvery

Players and Spectators welcome for an evening of cricket

Join us for drinks at the Crow’s nest, The Ship & Shovel

Thursday 19th May

Friday 10th June

Thursday 16th June

STERNIAN SATURDAY

THE BECKWITH

LWC CONNECT LONDON DRINKS

The return of the reunion at last!

See invite on page 49

The launch of the centenary.

See page 39 for more info

Sternians & LWC Parents welcome

Saturday 25th June

Saturday 24th September

Autumn Term, Date TBC

STERNIAN REGIONAL GATHERING

LWC+30 - LONDON

STERNIAN REGIONAL GATHERING

Lunch @ Citygate Pizza @ On The Waterfront (6pm)

Lunch for Sternians from the Year of 1992 or before. An expansion of the former Over 60s Lunch.

RAF Club

Details to follow. Do let us know if you would like to help organise the event

Thursday 20th October

Thursday 17th November

Date & Venue TBC

LWC FUTURES FAIR Sternian volunteers needed.

Thank you to all our Sternian volunteers!

EXETER

LONDON

MANCHESTER

For more information or to book tickets: Sternians@lordwandsworth.org or call 01256 860356.

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for more event updates in your Sternian E-News.

3

ADAM WILLIAMS

Headmaster’s Letter

A

nd so, the clock has ticked over into January 22, after a year of COP 26, Covid-19 and the T20, not to mention LWC’s progress on the 1200 and Project 2030… now there’s a few numbers for you…

In a world where the climate shift has seen the green wave of environmental technology take centre stage, it is apt that our stunning new Science Centre was completed in December, ready for pupils in January 2022. A walled fruit garden and biodiversity beds are planned, along with continued investment in outdoor learning (the 1200 project). It is not quite a rewilding of the farm as per the Knepp estate in Sussex, rather a diversification for 21st Century society.

LWC’s space strikes a chord with so many who have come to know the school and we look forward to welcoming you back into this environment to experience these evolutions. Alas, the animals are no more, but orienteering courses, mountain bike trails, the Beckwith 5k (see “Centenary” page 38), outdoor classrooms and theatre, wildflower meadows and astronomy in our dark skies are just some of the opportunities on offer in 2022 and beyond.

We have also taken the chance to reduce our carbon footprint further with just UK based trips in 2021 and 2022, albeit the Sternian / parent trek across the Sahara (well, part of it) for the Foundation will be one of the first overseas trips back together - what an opportunity - please do keep signing up (see “Centenary” page 39).

School collaborations will play a key role in the years to come and the memories of the CCF banner blessing with cadets, the RAF chinooks and gazelles as well as friends and family at the opening of the Nadine Uppal Theatre with Julian Sands in attendance were two such memories of the term just passed.

And so, with record demand for places at LWC still ever present, our girls and boys county champions and excellent national progression in hockey and rugby, alongside outstanding exam results and both creative and performing arts thriving, we stride on to our centenary year marking 100 years since Alfred Beckwith became the first pupil on 22nd November 1922. I wonder back then, if the Good Schools Guide had visited (as they did last term) would they have found the same.

I wish you all the very best for 2022 as you chart your way through these times. Talking of navigation, you may well have noticed a branding evolution at LWC. After many months of detailed research with our creative agency, we are delighted with the final design which reflects our beautiful, rural campus. Many of you may remember that swallows annually nest in the farm buildings and eaves across LWC having journeyed from South Africa.

Swallows are industrious, playful, caring and ambitious - character traits that we should all seek to emulate in our lives.

ADAM WILLIAMS

Sternian Julian Sands officially opens the Nadine Uppal Theatre in September 2021.

4

Praise from The Good Schools Guide ‘Up there with the best of them when it comes to pupil voice’ Where ‘there is a philosophy of investing in dynamic teachers who are utterly, ridiculously passionate about their subjects’ Where ‘pastoral care is pretty phenomenal’ Where ‘children make friends for life, don’t have a minute to spare and are likely to look back on their school days very fondly indeed’

5

We were delighted to reveal our new branding in September 2021

Where are they now?

ALUMNI UPDATE

Sternians update us on what they have been up to since leaving LWC.

HOUSE: Gosden YEAR OF LEAVING: 2008 UNIVERSITY: University of Bristol POSITION: CEO, Circla COUNTY: London

CLAUDIA GWINNUT What have you been up to since you left LWC?

for everyone and always reminds you of home.

I went to Bristol University to study Geography as it was my favourite subject. I had an incredible teacher who made me fall in love with the subject.

If LWC was a car what would it be and why?

Whilst at University I did various internships over each summer, working for an MP and at a public affairs company. Unfortunately, I was unable to secure a paid role within that environment as a graduate, so I ended up taking a role at Barclays where I stayed for nearly 10 years!

Then, about 2 years ago, I realised that corporate life was most definitely not for me, and I decided to start something on my own. I am now the founder of a company called Circla.

The best way to think of us is like the milkman, but for beauty, home, and lifestyle products.

We have over 160 products on our website, and we deliver products and collect empty packaging directly from your doorstep. For the first 18 months it was just me and recently we have grown to a team of 5, we have our own warehouse in London and this year even won an award!

What is your fondest memory of LWC? Sitting in Gosden common room, with several slices of peanut butter toast, trying to put the world to rights!

If LWC was a chocolate bar what would it be and why?

I would go for a box of Cadbury Heroes – excellent variety, something 6

My first car was a Ford KA and my time at LWC is deeply intertwined with that car. Thinking about it, there are some similarities – the car was not around for a long time but it was there for a good time, which is exactly how I remember my time at LWC!

Do you have a motto for life?

There’s magic on the other side of fear.

What message do you have for your former teachers?

A huge thank you. LWC was my 10th School, ( not because I got into too much mischief but due to my parents moving), and my two years spent there were incredibly formative. I was so lucky to have a group of incredible teachers, who not only helped me settle in so quickly but were full of encouragement, and also kept me going in a straight line!

If you could change one thing about your time at LWC what would that be?

I wish I had been there for longer!

HOUSE: School YEAR OF LEAVING: 1977 UNIVERSITY: Durham University POSITION: School Governer COUNTY: Oxfordshire

What have you been up to since you left LWC ?

After I left, I worked on a Eurofighter project (then AST403, now Typhoon) at RAE Farnborough and in a school for some months before reading Maths and Physics at Durham, graduating with a first in Philosophy.

Deciding not to join the military I became a teacher, starting as a prep school Maths Master, switching

HOUSE: Summerfield YEAR OF LEAVING: 2008 UNIVERSITY: University of Kent, University for the Creative Arts (UCA), University of Cambridge, & The Bartlett (UCL) POSITION: Director & Principal Architect, Buckland Architects COUNTY: Hampshire

STEPHEN JONES to senior schools and additionally coaching rugby, fives and sailing.

I also progressed with my own academic work graduating with another first in maths and subsequently taking a taught masters in maths and a research degree (MLitt) in the philosophy of maths, once again from Durham. I took a number of Maths and Housemaster appointments in a variety of schools until I was appointed as Headmaster at Dover College, then Warden at St Edward’s, Oxford (Teddies) in 2011, retiring in August 2021.

If LWC was a chocolate bar what would it be and why?

What is your fondest memory of LWC ?

What one thing would you say to your Year group?

It wasn’t always rosy but I had a great time on the stage and behind it, and I was very fond of those by whom I was taught - not least Neil Henderson and John Merriman (The Mint), but many others too. My favourite story was fishing a goldfish out of the pond in May Court (in the centre of School House) - I think Steven Taylor pulled it out and then a chain of boys conveyed it up the fire escape into a bath in the 4th Form dorm bathroom. The Mint was not happy!

What a great bunch you were.

A Topic bar - interesting, diverse contents, and not as obvious a choice as some.

Do you have a motto for life?

The hymn “Father, hear the prayer we offer” finishes with the lines: “through endeavour, failure, danger, Father, be thou at our side” These have always been a driving force over the years.

What message do you have for your former teachers?

Thanks for your efforts and friendship even though I must have been rather unrewarding at times to teach, because...

If you could change one thing about your time at LWC what would that be? ... I should have worked harder.

B R U C E B U C K L AN D What have you been up to since you left LWC? Learning to be an architect, then being an architect working for others, then being an architect working for myself.

Running a podcast about architecture.

And doing lots of dangerous sports.

What is your fondest memory of LWC? D of E expeditions and CCF trips.

If LWC was a chocolate bar what would it be and why?

Lindt Lindor bar - classy but not too classy.

If LWC was a car what would it be and why?

Fort Transit minibus, but a shiny new one. Because who can forget those things.

7

Do you have a motto for life?

Not all who wander are lost.

What one thing would you say to your Year group?

Come to more LWC & Sternian events!

What message do you have for your former teachers?

Thank you for helping us become confident, principled, well-rounded people.

If you could change one thing about your time at LWC what would that be?

I would have done even more of the activities on offer while I had the time and easy access to them.

HOUSE: Gosden YEAR OF LEAVING: 2014 UNIVERSITY: Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) and University Centre Sparsholt POSITION: Zookeeper and Student COUNTY: Hampshire

What have you been up to since you left LWC? I left LWC and went to the ACM to study a degree in Vocal Performance.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I left ACM after a year with a CertHE instead and went to work within the pet industry whilst being the lead singer of a country rock band.

After several years of playing numerous gigs and working various small jobs, I realised music wasn’t the career I wanted to pursue and went back to college to study Animal Management and pursue a career within the Zoo industry.

KIERA BROWN Now I have my dream job as a Zookeeper at Woburn Safari Park, whilst finishing my degree at University Centre Sparsholt. I have also recently set up ‘The Travelling Zookeeper’ where I mix my love of motorcycles and animals together.

I will be using this page to help fundraise towards conservation by completing motorcycle challenges across the globe.

What is your fondest memory of LWC? Wow, there are too many to count!

But if I had to pick… then it would be the feeling of being a part of a family within Gosden house, chilling and chatting to the matrons and supporting your housemates within interhouse events.

If LWC was a car what would it be and why?

I would say the new Land Rover Defender. Purely because it is a timeless classic vehicle that everyone loves but it has had a snazzy new

8

modern overhaul that everyone wants to test drive.

Do you have a motto for life?

Don’t compare your life to others as we are all unique and everything happens at different times for each of us.

What one thing would you say to your year group?

Firstly, I would totally say Hi! But then I would say thank you for giving me so many amazing memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

If you could change one thing about your time at LWC what would that be?

Nothing at all.

LWC has contributed to who I am today, and I am extremely proud of the person that I have become.

HOUSE: Summerfield YEAR OF LEAVING: 1997 UNIVERSITY: Oxford POSITION: Principal Deputy Head, Harrow International School, Hong Kong COUNTY: Hong Kong SAR (China)

What have you been up to since you left LWC? Trying (and failing!) to forge a career away from the family business of education. I’ve almost clocked up twenty years now as a teacher. Five of those years were spent back at LWC, working alongside Dad and some of my old teachers (Machin, Walker, Walters, Kimber, Smith, Badger etc).

HOUSE: Summerfield YEAR OF LEAVING: 1967 UNIVERSITY: Natal (Durban), Witwatersrand (Business School) POSITION: CEO Format Systems / Sort of retired COUNTRY: South Africa

TOM HICKS Then I went on to be a housemaster at Wellington, Assistant Head Pastoral at Uppingham and now having some adventures with my family in Hong Kong.

Aside from that I played first class cricket at university, eighteen years of minor county cricket for Dorset and published a book about my cricket life last year.

I came to South Africa in January 1968 and have lived here, now in Johannesburg, ever since. I obtained a degree in Geology then moved into Education and graduated in Adult Education. In the late 1970s I moved into Human Resource Management.

I have held several senior positions, the final one was Head of HR in the Southern African Region of a global IT company as well as having my

Skoda: reputation improving year on year and recognised by those in the know as no-nonsense and utterly consistent. Not flashy, but you know it’ll do the job for most people.

Do you have a motto for life?

Be better today than yesterday.

What is your fondest memory of LWC?

What one thing would you say to your Year group?

In truth, I enjoyed LWC way more as a teacher than a pupil, but the trips stand out. The South Africa cricket tour when our bus burnt down on the Garden Route, the Greek Classics trip and the infamous French trip to Provence were great 6th Form experiences.

Well done for making it this far.

If LWC was a chocolate bar what would it be and why?

If you could change one thing about your time at LWC what would that be?

Biscuit Boost: sometimes overlooked but a rock-solid performer every time. Definitely one of the best in the business.

What message do you have for your former teachers?

Every pupil counts, and never miss an opportunity to say a kind word to someone.

I got in quite a bit of trouble trying to impress people when I joined in 6th form. I’d take back a lot of that.

R I C H AR D P R U E T T own consulting company. From the time I arrived in South Africa I have become very involved in political (i.e. anti ‘apartheid’ government) activities.

For a long time, I was very active in a variety of competitive sports – sailing, road running, and cycling. Physical deterioration has unfortunately put a stop to much of that now. I now enjoy a more leisurely way of life in my garden and with my Bonsai.

What is your fondest memory of LWC? What have you been up to since you left LWC?

If LWC was a car what would it be and why?

Running and athletics interschool meetings. I remember one at Marlborough College. I was in the 4th Form (1964) waiting to start the 440.

‘Floppy’ Janaway said to me that if I won my race, I’d get an extra potato at lunch the next day. I won and proudly claimed my potato… I also look back with fondness at the go-cart of Mr Tweedie Stoddart in Junior House.

Do you have a motto for life?

The school motto, “perseverance 9

conquers,” has always remained with me and helped me.

What one thing would you say to your year group?

Pity we could not have a 50th anniversary celebration! Would be nice to see who is doing what now.

What message do you have for your former teachers?

My Mother died a few years ago and had kept my school report which I then read. All I can say to my teachers is that I am sorry I was such a difficult brat!! My children are in their 30s and these reports remain hidden to them!

If you could change one thing about your time at LWC what would that be?

To have been more appreciative of the privileged education environment that I was in and to have more to contribute educationally and socially.

HOUSE: Gosden YEAR OF LEAVING: 2021 POSITION: Social Media Executive COUNTY: London

ALISHA THOMAS What have you been up to since you left LWC?

What one thing would you say to your Year group?

Working for a marketing & advertising company specialising in employer brand. We work alongside clients looking to build talent brands people want to work for.

You wouldn’t have guessed some of us did the full 7 years and others 5. I’ve made friends for life!

What is your fondest memory of LWC? Sitting in the foyer after prep with a hot drink and chatting about what we got up to in the day.

If LWC was a car what would it be and why?

I would say the new Land Rover Defender. Purely because it is a timeless classic vehicle that everyone loves but it has had a snazzy new modern overhaul that everyone wants to test drive.

What message do you have for your former teachers?

I’m very lucky to have had teachers who cared so much and gave me endless amounts of positive comments and encouragement. I can’t thank you enough.

If you could change one thing about your time at LWC what would that be?

I would’ve taken more advantage of the annual trips and wide range of activities LWC had to offer.

Do you have a motto for life?

Go for it.

HOUSE: Sutton YEAR OF LEAVING: 1966 UNIVERSITY: University of Birmingham and University of Southampton POSITION: Retired, Volunteer COUNTRY: Hungary

L A N C E H AT TAT T touch with young people, in recent years I have been assisting, pro bono, young Hungarian high school students with their applications to Oxbridge and other leading universities in the UK and Ivy League schools in the USA. My wife, Jane, and I have also built a private collection of Hungarian contemporary art over the years, forming an association with the Várfok Gallery, which we are now patrons of.

What is your fondest memory of LWC? ‘Raiding’ (although some may interpret it differently) on a summer’s evening the strawberry beds that were situated behind Sutton in the 1960s.

What have you been up to since you left LWC? I was Head of English, before writing a series of unexpectedly successful gardening books. Reluctant to lose

If LWC was a chocolate bar what would it be and why?

Túró Rudi is the name of a Hungarian chocolate bar. Dating back to the Communist times, it remains as popular today as it was then. I feel that, like LWC, it draws on tradition, 10

favours continuity and yet is, at the same time, very much of the present.

Do you have a motto for life?

To be kind.

What message do you have for your former teachers?

The 1960s were times of great social change. Perhaps we should have made our voices more heard and been less accepting of the status quo.

What message do you have for your former teachers?

I shall always be indebted to J.L. Merriman (English and Housemaster of School House) for instilling in me a love of English Literature which has remained with me throughout life.

Sternian Snippets It is wonderful to hear your news both professional and personal.

Please do keep The Sternians’ Association informed - sternians@lordwandsworth.org

LWC HORSE RACING SYNDICATE

ENGLAND OVER 75’S HOCKEY

The Zara Syndicate includes former LWC pupils Guy Butchers, Mike Haas, Charlie Hesse, Bob Ives, and David Wells, all from the year of 1978. The adorable Mattie Ross ran three times for us in National Flat Races in 2021, picking up second places at Ludlow and Southwell before winning at Newton Abbot by a very easy seven lengths.

Peter Danson, (1959, Sutton, 0978), continues to do us proud playing for England’s Over 75’s Hockey team, beating Wales twice with a 2-1 win. Hopefully the team will be able to play other international teams again soon, Covid dependent. We are rooting for you Peter!

The plan is for Mattie to go hurdling at the end of January 2022, and we have fingers crossed that she will be in her element in this new sphere.

STERNIAN RECEIVES AWARD Recently retired teacher Jess McKinnon was delighted to receive her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Meritorious Service Award for 2021, for her contribution to the CCF. We are delighted that Jess has been recognised for all her efforts.

NEW ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN BOOK

STERNIAN MARK PROCTOR RECEIVES CBE

County Cricket player Anthony Sully (1958, School, 947) has not only had a great season playing for Cambridgeshire/Huntingdonshire Over 70’s, but has just written his 5th book, ‘The Armageddon of Architecture and Design’ due to be published early next year.

Congratulations to Sternian Mark Proctor (Sutton, 1998) for receiving a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2021 for his role in the extraordinary success of the UK’s vaccination program. Read more here: https://lwc.link/honours

11

LWC HEALTHCARE

Almost a Century of Healthcare The nation has rightfully celebrated our incredible NHS during the pandemic, and we wanted to focus the spotlight on not only the immense changes to LWC’s own medical care, but also on our wonderful and dedicated Healthcare Centre team who support pupils and staff now.

L

In 1969 there were plans to make the SAN a Music School, and move it to the Lodge, but this didn’t happen due to the outbreak of Hong Kong ‘flu in the Spring. The SAN stayed put until the 90’s, when the contemporary Headmaster, Guy Waller, built a new medical centre which was funded by the sale of the SAN which is now a private home known as ‘Stravanger House’.

WC has seen an unrecognizable transformation in its healthcare over the past 100 years. In the beginning, under the Warden, Colonel Julyan, the first medical centre was situated above the garages, where a District Nurse would attend. It then moved to the lodge and later, in 1927, was extended to cope with up to just 6 sick cases at a time.

Although a vast improvement on the SAN, the new Health Centre would, after 20 years or so, need attention and development once again. The tiny waiting room, limited consultation space and confined working conditions wasn’t meeting the demands of a rapidly growing school with increasing pupil and staff numbers, all needing medical services.

Health care evolved when Medical Officer, Dr E.A. Widdowson came onboard. Medical examinations were introduced for every new pupil, as well as monthly examinations of all boys, (on the first Saturday of every month), along with inspections of the buildings and surroundings. For any dental needs, boys were taken to Odiham where they endured the foot-operated drill.

Fast-forward to 7th June 2018, and the newly expanded Health Centre that we have today was open for business, driven by Headmaster, Adam Williams. The cramped waiting room is now an office space which shares the old doorway windows with the new reception area that opens out to a huge waiting room. There are now 3 clinical rooms, a sick bay, and a counselling room (which was the old GP’s room), with counsellors based there 4-5 days a week. With an array of medical equipment, an extensive knowledge and capacity to offer even more services to the LWC community, Lindsey, Camilla and the team have become an even more integral part of the school.

Formerly a milking parlour, the infamous Sanatorium (SAN) was the next progression in LWC’s healthcare and was used as an isolation hospital for infectious illnesses; a visit there was something to be dreaded. Iron beds lined the cold, sterile tiles, central heating was yet to be installed and the food was less than desirable! A visit from a doctor to give you some concoction you hoped would revive you, a weekly interaction with the Headmaster, doing the rounds and the care from the SAN Matron were the events that broke up the long days and oppressive quiet.

12

We spoke to Lindsey Scott, Senior Nurse and Camilla Read, School Nurse to hear what life is like in LWC’s Health Centre and how they have managed the ups and downs of the last few years...

In the past year, the Health Centre has stretched themselves even further to carry out the vaccination of eligible pupils at College. On top of this, there was the organisation of thousands of Lateral Flow Tests to ensure cases were controlled and disruption to education kept at a minimum.

This is, of course, additional to the variety of visits they have daily, covering minor injuries all the way through to more urgent medical situations.

Both Camilla and Lindsey are experienced A&E nurses and have been with LWC for approximately 5 years. Their passion for medical, pastoral and mental health care shines through and it was amazing to hear about all of the different services they provide. They care deeply about the pupils and have established a comfortable and welcoming space for everyone. Watching the Juniors grow from the shy, nervous new starters to the confident young adults is a highlight for them, and they consciously encourage our more vulnerable pupils to become independent individuals. It is not a surprise that Sternians often shower the team with thank you cards and visits to acknowledge the impact they have on their time at LWC.

J

The team have done an incredible job and deserve far more than a round of applause.

Their hard work was a key component to keeping everyone safe as we returned from lockdown and ensured that anyone who has been affected by the virus has received the help they need.

I think we will all agree that today’s Health Centre is world’s apart from the SAN, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank Lindsey, Camilla and all the team, whole-heartedly, for continuing to look after us, and for being our Healthcare Heroes!

chevron-circle-right Providing all night medical cover in the MAD (sleeping on the floor) for a 24-hour Musicathon

osie Gilday, who retired from her Nursing position at the Health Centre after an impressive 23 years, shares a few off her fondest memories of her time at LWC.

chevron-circle-right Deep snow days and walking to work chevron-circle-right Med Centre participation in the Staff Charity Concert – there must be a film out there somewhere!

chevron-circle-right Rugby touchline duty in and out of the old blue transit van in horizontal rain (1997 -1999), and nurse duty handover on the touchline

chevron-circle-right Moving into the new Health Centre on my birthday

chevron-circle-right Tea, toast and catch up with Matrons in house

chevron-circle-right Surviving 6 Senior Nurses, 4 Headmasters and 4 Bursars

chevron-circle-right Annual mass flu vaccination sessions – we’re still waiting for THAT pandemic.

13

LWC HEALTHCARE

Memories of the San

I

Three Sternians share stories from their confinement in the SAN

have many memories of the San. We used to go there for eye tests and the same chart was used for everyone.

All you had to do was recite OLTZBDN, (I remember it to this day), and you passed! I don’t think Joe Hazell was really that daft, but it made life easy for him.

A stay in the San was not something one looked forward to. You had to be quite sick before you were sent there, and in the early 50s antibiotics were not in common use, so if, as my case, a chest infection was the problem one just had to let nature take its course, the only treatment being inhalations of Friar’s balsam three times a day.

The food was not good, but it was expected that it would be eaten. It was cooked and served by Mrs Hazell to whom we had to be very polite.

Breakfast consisted only of a large bowl of very thick porridge, this really was too much to stomach, and a lot found its way to the loo! So much on one occasion that it caused a blockage, which mystified the maintenance man.

Once in the San, there was little one could do other than read. No radio, no TV, indeed there was only one TV set in the whole college then, owned

by J A Chadwick, known as Mr Jack, a master in Junior House.

Sandy Henderson (Headmaster) used to visit once a week and do the rounds, something I think we all appreciated. It could be a lonely place, but we managed to keep cheerful.

There were usually one or more comedians among the inmates who would entertain us well into the night.

MIKE BECKLEY (1956, Sutton, A840)

N

Joe and Ma Hazell ran the sanatorium for 25 years.

This photo was taken in 1949

ow it seems a lifetime ago, but then perhaps the summer of 1964 really does, as L. P. Hartley suggests, belong to a ‘foreign country’. It must have been one evening of that summer, when I had gone to Matron feeling unwell, or maybe I was sent, only to find myself within a very short period of time en route for the San. In those days there was something dreaded about it. A place of austerity peopled with unsmiling, visiting doctors and presided over by the San Matron who oversaw discipline and order amongst the iron bedsteads, the tin trolleys containing unknown medications, the starkly white, tiled walls, lavatorial in appearance, and the air of hospitalised hush.

I was placed in isolation, in a small room, off the main ‘ward’ where I was only dimly aware of the comings and goings of any other patients.

14

Encouraged to drink quantities of water, occasionally very diluted orange squash, I can remember very little beyond a daily visit from a doctor and the ministrations of Matron who, I recall, far from being the dragon we imagined, was, in fact, exceptionally kind.

Of my illness, I know nothing. That my parents, who at no time showed any interest whatsoever in my education, came to visit one weekend now strikes me as of some significance. After some weeks I was clearly deemed well enough to sit my GCE O-levels, all of which I took in the San, the papers delivered by the subject masters who, I imagine, carried out the invigilation.

Medical Centre it most certainly was not. That said, it belonged to a period and served its purpose. For that I am grateful.

LANCE HATTATT (1966, School, A397)

I

t was a global pandemic 63 years before Covid-19 that put me in the San in 1957. ‘Asian flu’ caused an estimated 1 to 4 million deaths worldwide, including about 33,000 in the UK. It hit LWC in late September. I kept a diary in those days, and on 25 September I recorded the first of my friends who caught it: “Pope and Evans went up to the San with Asian flu”. I wrote two days later “the flu” bug is on the rampage – San is full, South Dormitory [in School House] getting full [as an overflow ward]. Only 5 prefects left in School House.”

I caught the bug myself on the 28th and was sent to South Dorm, and later the San. It was seven days before I could return to lessons, writing “Back to schoolwork again. There were only 4 out of 16 in Maths yesterday – 9 today.” It was not until 18 October that I noted “Flu is just about over now, thank goodness!’

When one was confined in the San with a handful of others at most, it was a big event when someone new arrived or an old-timer left. There was a random and curious mixing of boys who would not normally have spent time together.

In the absence of a lesson timetable and sporting activities, it was the three meals which gave some structure to the day. The routine included waking up around 7.30 am, having breakfast, (sometimes it was porridge, bread & marmalade, sometimes we were given grapes), then either getting dressed or staying in bed according to one’s state of health or inclination.

with its unstable signal that faded and came back, we listened to the pop songs of the day, such as (in 1958) Stupid Cupid by Connie Francis, Bird Dog by the Everly Brothers and Born Too Late by The Ponytails.

Among other activities, on 11 October 1958 “In the evening Charlie Elsden gave us all a film show with his projector and boxes of slides, in colour, of Switzerland and France. The screen was a sheet pinned up. I rather enjoyed that.”

After dinner (the meal in the middle of the day) it was usual to have an hour’s rest on our beds. There was a light evening meal “It was (“tea”) and ‘lights out’ varied a global a bit but was around 7.30 – 8.30pm. pandemic 63

Looking back, we boys received sympathetic and very good care from the Sister in charge, years before supplemented by visitor Our temperatures and Covid-19” doctors. We were as happy pulses were measured daily, in the San as one could be and if those were satisfactory when ill. Indeed, when not feeling and we felt alright we might go too bad, it was sometimes (as I wrote out for a walk. Otherwise, we were once) “great fun!” often sitting in or on our beds, reading, writing, talking, telling stories, or GUY CONSTERDINE snoozing. We played various games, (1960, School, A031) including chess, Battleships, and card games – mainly Pontoon. There were also jigsaw puzzles to tackle.

The radio was a great source of entertainment. Everyone’s favourite was Journey into Space and Hancock’s Half Hour. On Radio Luxembourg,

15

AN INTERVIEW WITH

The Sternians’ Association President and Chairman We talk to Peter Booth (President) and John Bacon (Chairman) to hear the highlights from the last 12 months What have been the biggest challenges the Association has felt as a result of the global pandemic?

JOHN: We are creatures of habit, so when the calendar is entirely stripped of Sternians sports fixtures, reunions, and careers events, it is going to take time to start again. It is encouraging to see the return of regional gatherings, with the South-West leading the way in Exeter. And now, under the “Give Back” banner, we are seeing the return of the opportunity for Sternians to work with pupils in the Mock Interview Morning, Futures Fair, and the new Round Table events to prepare them for the world of work. It almost makes me wish I was back at school again….

PETER: Covid hangs over everything and it is so hard to predict from day to day, we all must adjust and readjust as new challenges occur and the

Sternians is no different. 2022 is a really special year for the College and enormous resilience has already been displayed, I am sure we will manage to make the most of things.

What have the Sternian highlights been for you over the past year?

PETER: For me personally, I have enjoyed watching Ugo Monye dancing in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and marvelling at his sporting knowledge and infectious good humour as one of the captains in ‘Question of Sport’.

“Being

President of the Sternians’ Association is for me, an immense privilege.”

JOHN: When the year started under continuing restrictions on movement, the programme of LWC Focus sessions on Zoom were a sign that we would maintain a kind of normality.

By the start of the new academic year, we saw the return of President’s Drinks in September, where we introduced two years’ worth of new staff members to the Association.

Then in November the Remembrance Service was followed swiftly by the over 60s Farmers Club lunch.

What has the last year brought for the Association?

JOHN: It is no surprise that regular activities of the Association have largely been suspended this year, but things have not stood still. LWC Connect has come into its own over the past year, with a consistent increase in members joining, new industry specific networking groups and a huge range of resources to help Sternians with their career, whatever stage of life they are in.

Another significant plus point is the introduction of our vibrant new Alumni Relationship Manager, Justine Lammin. We are so grateful to Sam Corfield for reassigning Kate Boyd to hold the fort following the retirement of the long-serving Gill Kelly. Justine’s appointment to the role demonstrates that the College is fully committed to the ongoing development of the Association.

And I couldn’t summarise the year without thanking Paul Richings and his fellow trustees for their administration of the Sternians Trust Fund.

John and Peter welcome Alumni Relations Manager, Justine Lammin to LWC.

16

PETER: And although there have been immense challenges, Sternians have shown great resilience, determination and creativity, and in some ways people have become closer.

What do you find rewarding about the post you hold?

PETER: Being President of the Sternians’ Association is for me, an immense privilege. I enjoy being able to give back to LWC through the Association, whether that’s supporting the Sternian events, assisting with pupil events such as the Mock Interview Mornings, or helping young Sternians. It is a joy to see how people have made the best of opportunities and their abilities, and established themselves as adults both professionally and often, as parents.

JOHN: In recent years the annual highlight for me has been the honour to represent the Sternians at the Remembrance Service, with its focal point of the memorial that was conceived by the pupils and unveiled

by Sternian Johnny Johnson in 2017.

It is also always a pleasure to connect with other Sternians through events and social media platforms, as well as keeping up to date with developments at LWC.

Have you seen any changes in the Association over the years?

past my time. But as I see it, only in later life have I been able to devote time and energy to the Association with the support of a strong Executive Committee.

In terms of our aims, all former pupils should feel able to engage with the Association and the College as much or as little as they wish. The College recognises the importance of the Association, and the permanent office on site, together with our dedicated website, offers a simple route back into LWC and to the Sternian community for anyone wishing to stay in touch with what is such a major element of their past.

Does the Association have a role to play for all Sternians, no matter what their age is?

JOHN: Definitely. We all have one thing in common, and that is our common bond with LWC. We are all shaped by our time at LWC, and the Association provides a forum where we can share our experiences whilst enjoying the range of events on offer.

There is a unique pleasure in being with friends we made when we were young and it is a pleasure which grows with the years. Alongside the traditional Sternian events, there is now the Virtual Global Gathering, Ladies of LWC, Regional University Gatherings and various sports activities to look forward to. With all of that, there is something for everyone!

JOHN: For me it is half a century – sounds a lot but in many ways, it still almost feels like only yesterday. When I left school, the Association was fully reliant on subscriptions from those interested in joining. The change in 2006 to give all past pupils automatic membership “We are all was such a simple but shaped by our PETER: As well as effective way to truly time at LWC, and the using the Association open the Association to Association provides to maintain links with all. This has, over time, a forum where we Sternians and the led to a wide range of can share our College, there is much opportunities to engage that can be contributed experiences” with Sternians of all ages in

by Sternians. The career many ways. fairs, practice interviews, recent webinars, along with helping with PETER: As the age range of members work experience and mentoring are of the Association grew greater, it all ways that Sternians can support became increasingly apparent that the next generation of Sternians. As greatly differing generations had well as gaining so much by working differing needs that have to be met. with young people, it is tremendously Much has been achieved but it is a appreciated by our newer Sternians. huge and continuous challenge, and the Association has to continue to Do you have any words of evolve to meet this challenge.

Looking towards the future, what are your hopes for the Association and how do you aim to get there?

JOHN: It could be argued that I am

wisdom to share with younger Sternians who have just left LWC?

PETER: I hope that the College has enabled you to find and develop in yourself qualities, skills and interests,

17

as well as a set of values, that will serve you and those around you, well.

You have probably made a set of friends for life – make sure you support them as I am sure, they will support you.

JOHN: With no disrespect to the quality of teachers at LWC, or of your own intelligence, you don’t know it all.

Every day offers the opportunity to expand your knowledge. Your time at LWC has equipped you with many, but not all, of the skills needed to achieve your goals. Keep learning.

With the Centenary just around the corner, does that open up new opportunities?

PETER: This is such an immense milestone and a great time to take stock. From its small and humble beginnings with the arrival at Long Sutton of just one pupil, Alfred Beckwith, a hundred years ago, several thousands of Sternians have passed through the iconic acorn gates to start their own adventure at Lord Wandsworth College in its ever-changing form. It is important to honour the legacy and achievements of those that went before while ensuring that the future sees the College and the Association developing. There are great plans for the Centenary, and I hope that we are able to see them fulfilled (covid permitting) as we all embark on our second century.

JOHN: On a personal level, I have never been one for making a fuss on BIG birthdays, but for the College and the Association, a century of LWC is something to celebrate. If nothing else, it offers a good excuse to have a party on familiar territory, where I look forward to meeting many old friends.

What does the future hold?

JOHN: The strength of the Association is in its ability to move with the times.

We have tremendous support from the Headmaster, Adam Williams, and from his leadership team, and I would like nothing more than to see the College and our Association continuing to flourish when the next Centenary comes around.

C E L E B R AT I N G

50 Years of The Sternians’ Mountaineering Club

Muker Oct 2010

18

T

Llanberis April 2007

Scafell Pike, September 1987

he Sternians’ Mountaineering Club was due to hold its impressive 50th anniversary in May 2020 but Covid put a stop to that and we, unfortunately, had to cancel again in May 2021. The Club’s origin can be traced back to the first mountaineering expedition organised by Sandy Henderson in 1946, when he was Headmaster and a member of The Climbers’ Club (I am the last of that first group). When Sandy retired in 1970, he and I formed the SMC. Although the term ‘mountaineering’ seems ambitious, it accurately describes walking ( not climbing) on mountains.

The longest standing (or walking?) members still meeting in 2019 are Gordon Pitt, Charles Lawrence, Mike Beckley, Tony Barry and the Everalls. Peter and Liz Everall have, for so many years, catered for us with delicious meals, which are so enjoyable after hours on the hills (the longest day was in Scotland, when we ended the day in semi-darkness being rescued by boat, cold and wet and looking for a bothy for shelter after a navigational misunderstanding).

The SMC has seen fifty years of delight on the hills – but its continuation is uncertain. We are feeling our age, we have lost our Treasurer and former Meet Organiser, David Minnikin (who bagged all the Munroes and Corbetts!), the Everalls have earned a rest from catering and our children have other preoccupations. We hope that the hills will continue to give as much pleasure to others as we have enjoyed.

The first meeting of the SMC was at Morvich, in Kintail and thereafter we have met at the many Monroes and other mountains of Scotland, the Lake District, North, Central and South Wales, the Brecon Beacons, the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales and Shropshire.

HUGH PODGER (1948, School, 565) - current President of the SMC

Each of the parties who have joined us on these beautiful walking adventures have kept a very detailed log. Gerald Smith (one-time President of the SMC) has digitalised the log for the years 1974 – 2004, and the digital log now includes every walk up to 2010. Since then, it has remained a written manuscript.

Do you enjoy escaping to the natural beauty of the hills?

We have had many members over the years, mainly Sternians, but joined by wives and by some of the next generation of mountaineers. Very sadly, some have died – including Sandy Henderson and Tweedie Stodart, David Brown, Malcolm Ruddock, Cyril Ray, Megan and Marion Minnikin and most recently David Minnikin.

Could you be part of the next generation of Sternian Mountaineers?

We are looking for new members to join the SMC and ensure its continuation – perhaps another trip to the Lake District is in order?

Contact the Sternians office if you would like to be involved: Sternians@lordwandsworth.org

19

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Alex Hamilton Head of Classics and CCF Contingent Commander

DATE JOINED: September 2001 SUBJECT TAUGHT: Classical Civilisation and Latin CO-CURRICULAR: CCF ( mainly) but also athletics, rugby, and hockey at various times POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY DURING YOUR TIME AT LWC: Head of Classics, Head of CCF

It’s been an exciting year for the CCF, what have been the highlights for you?

The main highlight of the year so far has definitely been the CCF Banner Blessing parade back in October. The sheer wave of support and goodwill towards the cadets and staff of the CCF was staggering and it was so nice that the whole school could be involved in that important moment, and it wasn’t just a CCF thing. The cadets really rose to the occasion as they always do and performed their roles within the ceremony better than I could have expected. There was even very little complaining about the amount of drill they had to do to prepare for it!

What does your involvement in the CCF mean to you It’s really important to me. It gives the cadets an opportunity to do something different and learn about their own strengths and those of others. It’s a great mixture of teamwork, fun, challenge, adventure, and leadership all in one activity and allows those pupils to excel who might not necessarily be gifted academics or sportsmen and women (although some are!). The cadets are given opportunities that they wouldn’t get elsewhere, like flying in a Chinook or scaling a via ferrata in France, and it’s really special to be part of that.

What’s next for the CCF? We are expanding! We have 65 new recruits joining us this week, both from LWC and from our partnership school, The Costello School in Basingstoke.

This will take us over the 150 on the roll for the first time since we became an entirely voluntary activity and it’s great to be working with a Contingent of that size. We are going to be involved in more skills-based competitions over the next couple of years and engaged in a number of

joint exercises with other cadet units so the cadets can test their skills against others in the wider cadet community. We will also be continuing with our regular camps and exercises, both in the UK and abroad.

What drew you towards working at LWC? I loved the mix of academic, cocurricular, co-ed and pastoral that LWC offers. It’s an impressive place when you think of how well it does in each of these facets of education and how much it offers the pupils, when many schools will just specialize in one or two of these aspects. There are very few schools which offer such a good all-round package as LWC and allow the pupils to flourish in so many ways. The staff I met when I first came here were amazingly kind and generous which also helped make the decision that this was the right place for me. Oh, and coming from North London, the chance to live in the beautiful Hampshire countryside also helped!

Alex leads the LWC contingent at the Banner Blesssing parade in October 2021

20

An exhilarating CCF Winter Adventure Training camp to Crib Goch, Snowdonia

Throughout your time here, what do you think has been the biggest change?

be great to see that flourishing with pupils from both schools benefitting from the wonderful facilities and strengths of each school. If LWC were a market leader in the outdoor learning environment in 10 years time, that would be very nice to see.

I think there have been quite a lot of changes here in the last 20 years or so. Perhaps the biggest is the value that is now placed on each and every What’s your favourite thing pupil and a concern for their individual about working at LWC? needs. It’s not all about how well you can play rugby or whether you make The people. Both in terms of the it to senior prefect or not, there is staff that I work with but also more of an emphasis now on the pupils that I have been bringing out the qualities lucky enough to teach over and strengths within each “We are the years. I love working pupil and equipping them expanding! We with the staff teams with the tools to succeed have 65 new that I am involved with once they leave here. recruits joining at the moment, they are Pupil welfare takes a far really helpful, positive us this week” higher priority than it used and proactive people and to. We have also got some make my job so much easier. lovely new buildings and of I also love our surroundings, course spectacular grounds. being in the heart of the Hampshire countryside is just fabulous: it’s lovely Where would you like to see to look out over the fields from my LWC in 10 years time? classroom.

It would be great if we were achieving our ambition of making full use of the 1200 acres of fields and woodland that LWC sits in. There is so much un-tapped potential in the woodland particularly that would give us a real benefit in terms of a whole variety of co-curricular activities, not just in CCF! The partnership with St Neot’s School is really positive and it would

Who inspires you the most at LWC? All the pupils who keep coming to school every day with a cheerful outlook on life despite difficult backgrounds and circumstances outside school.

21

What has been your funniest moment at LWC? Some of the staff charity concerts in the old days were very funny. We had staff dressing us as boy bands and singing Boyzone songs and a reverse ‘Full Monty’ where staff were gradually getting dressed to the tune of Hot Stuff. There were actually some amazingly talented performers in there and some teachers who clearly were looking for any excuse to break out of the classroom and get onto the stage and perform. It was funny because some of the most outlandish performances came from the normally most straight-laced teachers.

If you could have done anything different over your time here, what would it be?

I’m pretty happy with how things have gone so far, but I think I would probably take myself a bit less seriously in the early part of my career and try to enjoy the job a bit more.

It’s easy to become too worked up on whether something went well or badly without enjoying the experience at the time. This applies to time in the classroom and in the co-curricular life at LWC. Enjoyment and pupil engagement is the key to success and it doesn’t matter if things don’t always go to plan.

IN OUR DAY

A Rugby Season to Remember

I

Sternians Harry Ellis Peter Kelly recount the road to success for the unbeaten 1st XV Rugby Team

n 1962 Lord Wandsworth College was very different to what it is today. It had half the number of pupils, and none were girls! we were all full-time boarders and accommodated in the three houses, School, Sutton and Junior. Both Foundationers and others were drawn from all over the country.

There was a wonderful range of local accents!

However, the school retained its agricultural roots. A number of boys come from farming stock and aspired to be farmers, with the estate fulfilling a central role in school life. It was impossible to go for a cross country run without either clambering over distant gates, hedges and fences, including the occasional electric stock fence or losing a plimsoll in a quagmire of organic matter.

‘The Cindy’ was a cinder track, the swimming pools at Junior and School were open-air and there were no allweather pitches. Hymns were sung in assembly every morning in what is now the library, and we all attended the village church on Sundays.

Headmaster, Sandy Henderson. Having selected the core fifteen players, he concentrated on getting all the team running with the ball and building fitness. This required hours of practice.

Training continued throughout the extraordinary harsh winter of 1962-3, albeit in jeans and practice reduced to touch-rugby, All games were cancelled in the Easter term due to the covering of snow and the rock-hard ground.

For some inexplicable reason most of the masters had acquired “The nicknames that were, for unbeaten the most part, monosyllabic season was a grunts: Bod, Fumph, Wig, Spoy, Geef, Goof, Chaz, Jock, first for the Tharby, Kid, Minim, Mint, Joe school” etc.

All forms of sport were taken very seriously and took up most of our non-academic time, regardless of the prevailing weather. Competition to play in the 1st rugby XV was particularly strong and all home matches were played in front of School House.

A youthful Physics teacher and London Welsh RFC player Hywel Morgan took control of the 1st XV training and tactics under the watchful eye of the

Under Sid McDouall’s astute captaincy and leadership, the formidable physique and mobility of the forwards, as a unit, laid the foundations to the performances in every match. By the end of the season sixteen matches had been played of which we had won fifteen and drawn one, scoring 182 points and only conceding 29!

The unbeaten season was a first for the school and would have been elevated even higher having reached the final at Oxford Sevens, only to lose in the last game, though we did score 67 points and only conceded 8 points.

These efforts were rewarded with a

22

short article in Rugby World about the school’s success, and to show our appreciation to Hywel for all his hard work we gave him a pewter tankard engraved with words to the effect ‘From a great team to a great trainer’.

Success continued at the Easter holiday tour in Wimborne, Dorset, when the team reconvened to play in a local tournament under the appropriately named “Sub Sapiens”. Here we were out of the jurisdiction of school rules and were able to enjoy the rough and tumble of club rugby, washed down with a few beers and a hearty rendition of the traditionally risqué rugby songs, while proudly wearing our Sub Sapiens tie embroidered with its neanderthal style skull.

The school gave us all such wonderful opportunities and with them came the memories that have lasted a lifetime, memories for which we are both grateful and truly indebted to LWC for the education we were all so fortunate to receive.

HARRY ELLIS (1964, School, A232) PETER KELLY (1963, School, A202)

IN OUR DAY

Advancing Girl’s Sport

I

Sternian Antonia Carding-Wright remembers the challenges to put girl’s sport on the map at LWC

started at LWC in 1998 as one of the first 12 girls to enter the third Form in Gosden House.

There were girls above us in the 6th Form and a few below us in Junior House, but nothing in between. This was both a privilege and a challenge throughout my time at LWC. We were able to be trail blazers for the girls coming behind us (including my sister, Christina, 2 years later) and able to challenge the schools natural male bias to ensure we had equal opportunities.

Mr Badger taking great leadership in girls hockey and Mr Kimber excelling with girls tennis. Miss Neighbour shone through in standing up for girls sport from the beginning when it was the hardest to get things going with small numbers. I went on the first girls netball tour to the Caribbean and was able to play lots of tennis and hockey.

My love for sport, in particular netball and tennis has continued through to today and I have genuine thanks for being allowed to spend so much of the school week doing physical activity!

Over the 5 years I spent at the College I went from Gosden House in 3rd Form to Park House in 4th and 5th and then back to Gosden in 6th Form, as the school took on more girls and more space was needed. It is so great there are now three firmly established girls boarding houses and girls are fully integrated into all aspects of school life.

The huge range of extra curricular activities are “Teachers stepped the lasting memories I out of their comfort have from school. CCF zones and took to girls was a big part of my 5 sport to allow us to years – I have strong compete at the same recollections of being level as our male one of 2 girls who went counterparts” to Sennelarger in Germany for a residential field trip.

Both petrifying and great, all rolled into one! The 5th Form ski trip also stands out in my mind. Mr Kimber taking a mini bus full of 16 year olds to the 3 valleys - my first taste of skiing and one that started a life long passion that led me to working in the Alps for a year and a sport that ended in me meeting my now husband!

Sport was of course the major area of school life that was great. A lot of teachers stepped out of their comfort zones and took to girls sport to allow us to compete at the same level as our male counterparts. Names that were important to me were Mr Dyson becoming a netball coach and umpire, 23

I ended my time at the College as Head Girl and remain appreciative of the life and leadership skills I developed in this year. I went on from LWC to Nottingham University to do a MSci in Nursing Science. I have been a mental health nurse (working with children and adolescents) for the past 15 years and currently am an Associate Director of Nursing at a specialist London Mental Health Trust.

A job I feel very lucky to say I love.

ANTIONIA CARDING-WRIGHT (2003, Gosden)

e m o c l e W Class of 2021 to The Sternians Association!

BACK ROW: Lucy Zhang, Olivia Chen, Aimee Hill, Louis Lu, Tabby Warnes, Daisy Confortola, Esha Mohamed, Izzy Bartley, Sarah Wu, Charlotte Netherway Amy Chapman, Sophie Evans, Libby Bellmore, Oscar Smith, Ellie Woodall, Lucy Stretton, Gemma Lane, Tom Ball, Amber Rowan, ellie O’Brien, Dhomi Shafeeq, Toby Dean, Charlie Warren, Lucy Griffin, Sam Hemmings-Maher Harriet High, Oliver Ward, Sumika Takahashi, Tom Adams, Morgan Kitto, Minnie Anderson, Jack Henry, Barney Woolley, Jack Hine, Sophie Allison, Kelvin Cheng, Dan Adlam, Kate Webley, Caroline Garratt

Marcus Miles-Scov, Lewis Wolfe, Felix Sandberg, Oliver Howell, Stephen Moss, Hugo Donnelly, Hugh Holland-Creaven, Jorge Messa-Carmona, William Browne, Louis Morris, Alex McKinnon, Joe Wheeler, Bradley Joyce, George Napper, George Guy George Neal, High Fitzpatrick, Josh Merricks, Harrison Compton-Goddard, Patrick McCrum, Alfie Smallwood, Toby Honey, Charlie Hesk, Hobie Ambrose, Ollie Wills, Connor Wienszczak, Freddie Band, Will Geeves, Hugh Croft, Louis Foster, Ewan Ormond FRONT ROW: Ellie Gullett, Ellen Green, Lucy Hall, Alisha Thomas, Jacob Eales, Ella Coomer, Harvey Wilson, Mr A. J. Williams, Mia Wagenstein, Michael Clark, Noah Hindle, Finty Trussler, Oliver Kirkpatrick, OJ Vine, Katie Walker

t n i r p Re Class of 2020

BACK ROW: Tom Overton, Apple Mallory, Pippa Heywood, Zoe Baker, Phoebe Moore, Izzy Harper, Jenny Hird, Sarah Qu Sam Rennie, Jack Chen, Ems Saunders, Ella Haffey, Christina Williams, Anna Mcangus, Jane Hine, Amanda Clark, Susie Zhao, Savannah Wong, Will Banham, Ronnie Pang, Luca Hartley, Witory Wu Olly Paddison Freddie Packer, Lizzie Wood, Jamilah Ranger, Grace Laking, Frankie Courtney, Jojo Laking, Tom Bailey-Bumley, Jo Panons, Jack Davies, Elliot Cattermull, Ben Smith, Cedric Dong, Sam Lalondrelle

Hogan Whiteley, Freddie Noordhoek Hegt, Arten Mikheyev, Will Calder, Alex Bradshaw, Ilya Kava, Tom Jeffery, Matt Heighington, Ollie Berryman, Freddie Wright, Will Carver, Jamie McGill, Connor Wright, Alex Glover, Ralph Savage FRONT ROW: Toby Savage, Riki Tanaka, Monica Zhu, Jake Towsey, Allie Cooper, Tom Rimmer, Adam Williams, Tom Goodwin, Jess Evans, Sophie Wilkinson, Libby Taylor, Alice Sullivan, Swami Loh An Apology. Due to a printing error some names were missing in last year’s edition so we have re-printed your photo

1200 ACRES

A Campus to be Proud of Grounds & Gardens Manager Alistair Cotton, Senior Gardener Jane Dickens and Deputy Grounds Manager Tom Wood, give us a glimpse behind the scenes of the beautiful grounds and gardens here at LWC

Jane’s favourite corner of the campus just outside School House

THE GARDENS What is your favourite spot around the LWC campus?

What projects have you been working on recently?

JANE: My favourite spot on the campus has to the roundabout bed outside School House. The uninspiring shrubs were removed and replaced with a colour wheel theme. These colours tumble into the borders outside the house. The oats grasses in the centre provide great movement while providing height and vision of the boarding house. The roundabout is underplanted with tulips which looked wonderful last year, all flowering while the Wisteria was in bloom.

JANE: The Science Centre has been a big focus this year. The two Ginkgo Biloba trees closest to the building will sing against the brown exterior with their green leathery leaves will turn a buttery yellow in the Autumn. Ginkgo leaves have been found in fossils which we felt was a good choice for the Science Centre. We have also been planting 4000 perennial bulbs with names like Honk Tonk and Peppermint Stick for a bit of fun. Box hedging has been planted around the

28

formal lawns to ensure continuity with the rest of the College campus. Lastly the Catering Team supplied a wish list of soft fruits for the south facing brick wall. The overall planting of the Science Centre site is I hope, relaxed and fluid.

Do you think the campus grounds have an impact on the pupils?

JANE: Horticulture is a wonderful creative industry and our enthusiasm should come across in the way we care for the grounds and move the

campus forward. I think the children do notice. They love the chocolate scented Cosmos by The MFL Centre and the roses outside the Gavin Hall.

We can see the children encouraging each other to smell them. If they embark into this massive Horticultural industry or merely enjoy it for leisure, we have done a great job in getting them interested.

What attracted you to the job here at LWC? JANE: I have been the senior gardener at LWC of three years this January, since leaving college I’ve always worked in schools, children are fun, and I really enjoy being part of a community. This community environment was very evident on the day of my interview, the college a real friendly village feel about it.

What’s your favourite season at the College?

JANE: It’s very apparent that Spring is my favourite time of year! I love a tulip, but a fox tailed lily ( pictured) is a top bulb. We have more emerging this year, providing the frost isn’t as late as last year.

If you could change anything about the grounds, what would it be?

JANE: It would be great if we had a lake, this would bring in more wildlife, a space for students and staff alike to watch the world go by. More bird boxes around the site would be good, students could make them, put cameras into them and form part of the ‘heads up’ policy.

What is your vision for the grounds?

JANE: When I started, I had a vision to open up the site, so a fair amount of the generic shrubs have been removed.

Are there any rare specimen plants?

JANE: We have some beautiful common spotted orchids and bee orchids up in Sheephouse Copse and few dotted around on site. They are wonderful to see.

What is your favourite plant?

JANE: I would have to stick with Tulips because of their beautiful colours and the fact they emerge in my favourite time of the year.

The magnificent Cedar tree on the Headmaster’s lawn

29

MAGNIFICENT TREES The Cedar trees outside School House and the on the Headmaster’s lawn are iconic.

Do they take much looking after?

ALI: Sadly, Cedar trees don’t live for that long compared to other varieties. These trees will be with us for another couple of decades though. The frost and snow can get into the branches and expediate damage. We have removed a few limbs to prevent this from hapenning and keep them going for as long as possible.

The trees are quite special here. Are there any in particular that fascinate you?

JANE: The Paperbark Maples outside the Humanities building and Julyans are beautiful. We have quite a few of them and I am told are worth quite a bit! They only grow 2cm a year and they are such a joy to be around. The bark literally peels off like tissue paper and looks stunning.

The tissue-like bark of the elegant Paperbark Maple trees

THE GROUNDS What might our readers be surprised to learn about the Grounds & Gardens Team?

ALI: Unlike other schools we are able to do a lot of other tasks that many other businesses would outsource such as hard landscaping, pathways, soak aways, irrigation work, fencing etc. Job satisfaction is high because you can see where your hearts gone.

What is your favourite spot around the LWC campus?

What is a challenge for you and the Team?

The satisfaction I get from preparing the ground year round, ready for the cricket season is immense.

What projects have you been working on recently?

ALI: The soil! The heavy clay here can be a real challenge.

Particularly with the pitches ”I am in the winter months where immensely drainage becomes a real problem. proud of my

ALI: We are in the middle of re-seeding all the sports Team fields with grass that is more tolerant to drought so it can cope with the dry summers. That way it’s not quite so soul destroying to see the grass die every summer!

here.”

ALI: Any cricket outfield! Anyone who knows me, knows that I love cricket.

What is your favourite plant?

ALI: Grass! It is the most underrated plant out there. Grasses absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than trees and there are so many

CLEVER GRASS Why have we been sowing so much grass recently?

Have you just been using these carbon grasses only on the sports pitches?

TOM: As Ali would say, grass is the most underrated plant. We have been sowing a variety of different grasses here at LWC. All of them are ‘Carbon4Grass’ seed mixes ensuring we help reduce LWC’s carbon footprint. These grass varieties work by “locking up” additional carbon, reducing carbon gas production, and by decreasing the mowing frequency as they are slow growing.

TOM: We have also been using them during all our landscaping projects on new and redeveloped grassed areas such as the areas around catering, the Science Centre and Headmaster’s house. Given their success, we have now started using them on all sports pitches, lawns and other improvement projects.

Ali’s beloved pitches demand year round care

30

different varieties working hard to clean up our planet.

Can you tell us a little more about the beautiful wild flower beds?

ALI: Tom our Deputy Grounds Manager has led the way on this. He and the team have created quite a few beds. Notably at the top of the Cinder track and further down the path. There are also some lovely areas as you go into Sutton and behind the Maintenance Building. There are so many obvious environmental benefits and we will keep planting more wild flower areas in the years to come.

Can you tell us a little about your Team here at LWC? ALI: I am immensely proud of my Team here. Both the Grounds and Garden teams help each other out and between us we have many years of experience and a love of horticulture.

Some of our dedicated Grounds Team

One of several designated wild flower areas at the top of the Cinder Track

31

STERNIAN EVENTS

2021 at a Glance We have been delighted to be able to host a number of our events in person this year, with some long overdue celebrations, ceremonies, and gatherings!

Here are just a few of our highlights…

Peter Booth was, as always, a welcoming host and gave a motivating and moving speech to introduce new starters from 2020 and 2021 to the association and wider LWC community

January - May LWC Focus Talks Due to lockdown and no face to face events we were delighted to continue with these virtual events to ensure Sternians stayed connected and of course entertained over a number of months. The talks covered a broad range of topics and were fantastic.

Friday 3rd September 2021 Leavers Drinks Reception We welcomed our newest Sternians until the sun went down back in September, with nibbles and a few drinks, as well as a goody bag! It was lovely to be able to say goodbye to them as pupils of LWC, and hello to them on behalf of the Sternians’ Association at the same time. We very much look forward to hearing about the incredible endeavours you undertake and the achievements you will no doubt accomplish over the following years.

campus with mouth-watering aromas and, of course, a few drinks to wash it down with! What a wonderful afternoon we had reuniting with everyone who attended and hearing about the various ventures you have undertaken over the past year.

Tuesday 21st September Golf Day We were ecstatic to be back on the course with some of our most avid members of LWC’s Golf Society at North Hants Golf Club. Our players aced the course and enjoyed an evening meal watching the sunset at this beautiful golfing location.

Congratulations again to the winner, and our very own Sternian, Chris Huffam. We look forward to seeing our members again soon, and hopefully some new ones too!

Friday 24th September President’s Drinks The Sternians’ Association said another hello in September, this time to the newest members of staff on the LWC team.

Sunday 12th September 2020 Leavers Hog Roast It was time to say another official “hello” to our 2020 leavers with a delicious hog roast which filled the

32

Friday 19th November Over 60’s Lunch After what seems like forever, we were so pleased to be back at the Farmers Club for the Over 60’s Lunch.

What a lovely afternoon we had seeing our regular attendees – it was great to see some new faces at the event too! We enjoyed some bubbly to celebrate coming back together, then sat down for a 3-course meal, where we heard from Headmaster, Adam Williams, and Chairman, John Bacon.

Tuesday 23rd November South-West Reunion, Exeter A beautiful venue in an idyllic spot on the River Exe and a group of brilliant Sternians made for a special evening in Exeter. We had lots of fun getting stuck into the pizza buffet and reminiscing about LWC over a few drinks. Thank you to those of you who joined us for our debut in Exeter, and a special thanks to Ian Kerr, who made our evening mingling with the other tables as well as our Sternian one!

THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

Thank You for Your Support Throughout 2021 Sam Corfield, LWC’s Development Director, would like to say a huge thank you to all Sternians who supported the College across another extraordinary year.

That support came in a number of ways...

ATTENDING EVENTS Obviously, our normal events programme was hampered again by covid for most of the year.

However, it was wonderful to see Sternians and LWC parents come together and get involved in a variety of LWC Focus talks and Donor Club events via Zoom. We were so grateful to all those who hosted an LWC Focus talk during one of the lockdowns - people tuned in from all around the globe to watch a wonderful series of interesting topics, thank you.

SUPPORTING ONE OF OUR CAMPAIGNS For those of you who have read our latest Supporter Update, you will have already seen a report about fundraising income for the academic year of 2020/21.

sure the whole Association join us in being grateful for the work that you do.

Thank you too to those who have helped our pupils with careers advice – whether you have hosted a Roundtable session for pupils interested in a particular industry sector, offered work experience opportunities, or have started to mentor pupils or young Sternians, your help is much appreciated. We know others have already signed up for events in 2022, so thank you in advance.

We were delighted to have raised almost £640,000. This showed a 15% increase overall on 2019/20, and a 30% increase in donations from individuals. This was truly incredible particularly in light of the pandemic. Income from Trusts & Foundations and Legacies , however, were down. We are so grateful to the whole LWC Community (Sternians, LWC parents, staff and friends) for everyone’s continued support of the College and our endeavours.

Read on to hear more about each campaign.

If you would like to volunteer in some way, whether that be with Sternian events and initiatives (especially with the Centenary around the corner), joining the Committee or helping with careers support, then do get in touch with Justine.

Fundraising Income 2020/21 In person events began again in September and it was fantastic to see so many of you at different venues throughout the Autumn term from the Young Sternians at the Leavers events to the Over 60s lunch, and everything in between.

VOLUNTEERING Firstly, a massive thank you to The Sternians’ Association Committee members for giving up your time and energy for the membership and the College. You helped the team shape the events plan and the direction the Association is travelling, attended virtual and in-person events and supported all our efforts. We are

£637,148 raised

LWC Foundation

Aspirations

Covid-19 Appeal

Total

£637,148

Trusts & Charities for Foundationer Fees

£231, 238

Individuals

£405,910

LWC Foundation

£195,910

Covid-19 Appeal

£47,000

Aspirations

£163,000

CCF

£11,000

Performing Arts - Theatre Other

£140,000 £12,000

33

THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

T

had changed, or they needed to support family members whose jobs have been affected by the pandemic. We hope that you and your families are all well.

he Foundation continues to remain at the heart of LWC. We are so pleased that Pete Maidment, LWC Chaplain, took on the additional role of Foundation Tutor in September 2021 to help support the pastoral needs of Foundationers and their families.

We also welcomed Georgina Dainton as LWC’s new Admissions and Foundation Manager in July. Together, Georgina and Pete are working hard to ensure our Foundationers continue to thrive.

Thank you to everyone who has been able to support the Foundation – it is greatly appreciated. We are sorry we couldn’t thank you in person as we weren’t able to hold Foundation Day last year. However, we do hope you enjoyed hearing from some of our Foundation pupils by watching their mini films via the interactive poster we sent in the July Supporter Update ( reprinted overleaf). It was wonderful to have an insight into their lives.

Seven new Foundation pupils joined us in September 2021.

Five went into Junior House and two into the Sixth Form.

We said farewell to four Foundationers as they embarked on the next steps of their journeys beyond LWC. We are so proud of them and wish them every success in their future endeavors.

2021/22 has also started a little slower on the donation front than usual. We really hope that as the country opens up even further that there will be a little more certainty and the LWC Community will feel able to lend The Foundation their support again. As Sternians, you will all have either experienced the value of The Foundation yourself, or have witnessed its impact on your own friends, so you will know how crucial it is for the Foundation to continue to thrive in order to benefit Foundationers now and in the future. If you would like to make a one-off gift or become a regular donor and help support the education of Foundationers at LWC, do get in touch with Sam or Kate.

From a funding perspective, last year was a tough year for The Foundation with 2020/21 philanthropic income down significantly (38%) compared to 2019/20. This was partly due to donors supporting other campaigns e.g. the COVID 19 Appeal and Aspirations. However, significant numbers of our traditional donors, including some who make major gifts, understandably needed to reduce or in some cases suspend their donations completely as their personal circumstances

Some of the words and phrases used by pupils, staff and Sternians to describe The Foundation

34

THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

A Foundationer is...

a Leader

a Friend

an Actress

a Musician

a P ianist

an Innovator

a Scientist

a Rugby Player

an Activist

a Linguist

a Head of College 35

Learn more about these incredibly talented pupils by clicking on the QR code above to watch their short videos

THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

We launched Aspirations in 2021 as our umbrella campaign for projects across the College that we aspire to move forwards with but need to fundraise for to make them a reality.

CCF:

£11k Raised

We have been delighted with how well these have been received. Thank you to everyone who has lent their support to our first Aspirations projects.

The CCF now have incredible new ceremonial items that looked fantastic at the Banner Blessing Ceremony in October ( more details on page 41/42) and again on Remembrance Day, thanks to your generosity.

Theatre:

£140k Raised

The Performing Arts department have a beautifully refurbished studio theatre, The Nadine Uppal Theatre, for music, dance and drama. The pupils are so delighted with their new venue and guests have been enjoying an immersive theatre experience from the moment they step through the doors. Read about the Official Opening on page 41.

Teaching in our new Science Centre began in January 2022. It is a stunning building with an extremely calming interior environment, an incredible new teaching and learning space. Thank you for your support of this project already. There are still a few bits outstanding and certainly more donor opportunities if science is your thing.

Other activities e.g. DW and elements of girls sport also received support in 2021.

As projects are completed, we will continue to add new ones to our Aspirations list – some will be large, others small. All these projects have a real impact on pupils now and in the future, enriching their LWC experience. Over time, we hope there will be an opportunity for you to support something that is important to you.

If you would like to support Science or any other aspect of College life, do get in touch with Sam or Kate.

COVID-19 APPEAL FOR SINGLE TERM BURSARIES

TEAM NEWS We were delighted when Justine Lammin joined the Development team as Alumni Relations Manager in July.

Justine has brought a breath of fresh air to the team, has had a huge impact and is excited to help develop more events and initiaitveis for all Sternians, whatever stage of life you are at.

This Appeal has now closed, but over the last two years we were able to raise over £60,000 to support families whose incomes were suddenly hit by the pandemic. Thanks to everyone who supported this campaign, LWC was able to award 56 bursaries worth over £90,000 and help relieve the financial burden some families were facing. This meant that these pupils could remain at LWC with as minimal disruption to their education as possible. Families in receipt of these bursaries were extremely thankful.

Nicola Hirst joined LWC in May as our Head of Futures, working with pupils across the College as well as with our team one day a week to ensure we can provide young Sternians with the tools and advice they need to move on to the next stage in their careers.

quote-left T his has been an enormously stressful time with sleepless nights worrying about how we could maintain our child’s place at the school. LWC has shown us nothing but humility and understanding. We are enormously grateful for the support extended to us. quote-right

Registered Charity Number: 1143359

Clare Faherty has recently been appointed as our Centenary Project Co-ordinator to help ensure our year of celebrations runs smoothly. Clare comes with a wealth of experince and is looking forwad to meeting you all soon.

Thank You! 36

THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

Become a Member of One of Our Clubs We have a number of clubs already set up for Sternians to join. However, if you would like us to set up a new club do let Justine know what you had in mind and we will look to do so.

Less of a club, more of a networking platform, but it is great to see so many Sternians signed up already and offering help to pupils and other Sternians. However, there are groups within the platform for you to join, to help you connect with Sternians and LWC parents in your industry and area of interest.

We have a growing number of members, with almost 700 now signed up to the platform! Whether you are looking for a new job, hiring for your own company or seeking general careers tools and resources, LWC Connect offers you an engaged network of individuals who all have an affiliation to LWC. Group features allow you to home in on a particular industry or networking group, the directory allows you to search other members and connect with them directly and the resources tab has an abundance of helpful careers guidance, no matter what stage of your career you are at.

Scan the QR code to sign up to LWC Connect

STERNIAN MOUNTAINEERING CLUB

Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to our growing resources area so far. If you have any advice, hints and tips, or would like to send us a video review of your university or course, please do get in touch with Justine.

Please see page 18 for a full update.

We would love to see this club continue to thrive. Join the club and hear about new adventures planned. Contact Justine for more information.

We are also keen to hear from Sternians as to whether this club is extended further to incorporate walking in other circumstances e.g. coastal or river paths and other less mountainous trails, for instance. Also, would we like to consider inviting LWC parents to join in too as we have for the LWC Golf Society? Food for thought – do let us know.

Sternians and parents at LWC enjoyed the most fabulous afternoon of golf in September 2021 at North Hants GC in Hampshire (see page 32). Our next golf day is at Bearwood Lakes GC, Berkshire on the 11th May at 12pm and will be followed by dinner and drinks. Please do join us as it is set to be a fantastic afternoon at a beautiful green. More events will follow in different locations in the UK to try and make it accessible to more golfing Sternians.

Golfers of all abilities are most welcome to join and membership is free. Contact Kate for more information.

Donor Clubs It has been wonderful to see membership of our three donor clubs increase throughout 2021. It was good so connect with members via Zoom in the early part of the year and at events such as the opening of the Nadine Uppal Theatre and the Blessing of the Banners in the Autumn, and look forward to seeing many of you again at Foundation Day. May we take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support of LWC, whether it is for the Foundation or one of our Aspirations projects. Your gifts have made a real difference in helping us in our endeavours.

For an accumulation of gifts of £5,000 or more.

For those who have pledged to leave a gift in their Will

For donors who pledge to make a gift regularly ( monthly, quarterly, annually)

For more information, please contact Sam or Kate or visit www.lordwandsworth.org/support-us/donor-clubs.

37

100 YEARS

Centenary Year Celebrations

I

Celebrating 100 Years of Life & Learning at LWC

n November 1922, Alfred Beckwith (Pupil No 1) walked through the Acorn Gates of Lord Wandsworth College on the Long Sutton site and brought Sydney James Stern’s amazing Legacy to life. This legacy has had such a positive impact on so many lives, over 2500 Foundationers have walked through those gates in our first 100 years.

As we approach our special anniversary, we are thrilled to be able to share some of our exciting plans with you. We do hope that you and your families will be able to join us at different points throughout the year to help us celebrate our Centenary. There will be our usual programme of Sternian gatherings, sporting events and careers activities across the year, of course, but we also hope you can join in with some of our Centenary specific events too. Three of our key events are highlighted below, with information on other initiatives to follow over the coming months that might include the likes of a Headmaster’s Challenge, classic car/motorbike tour weekend etc. In addition, we will be launching a number of products including a range of prints, an LWC Gin and a variety of merchandise to mark the occasion.

This is your centenary, is there anything you would love to be included?

We welcome your input.

Please contact us at lwc100@lordwandsworth.org

38

A Centenary Portrait Order before 3rd June 2022 In celebration of this momentous anniversary, we are delighted to announce the publication of a wonderful pictorial, hard back book.

The publication will feature iconic and unseen images from across the decades. A wonderful gift for yourself or others.

Sternians are offered an exclusive, early-bird subscription of £33 (full price, £40). Order before the 3rd June 2022 to claim this offer.

Please Note - books are due to arrive Nov/Dec 2022

The Beckwith 24th September 2022 We look forward to welcoming Sternians of all ages and your families back to the College to join current pupils, parents and staff for The Beckwith. We hope this inaugural event will be the start of a new tradition for LWC. The Beckwith route starts and finishes at the iconic Acorn Gates and takes in many of the key sites you might expect across our beautiful grounds including Heaven and Hell, Sheephouse Copse and Quercus. The route is a little over 5km and some may choose to loop round twice! We welcome those who would like to run it – either to compete for the first spot on the Leader board, or just to complete it – and those who would prefer to enjoy a wonderful walk with the family and dogs (on leads please!). There will be food trucks, refreshments, music and even warm up sessions for those who need it! It is set to be a fantastic event to kickstart our year of celebrations.

REGISTRATIONS OPEN IN MAY

Morocco Adventure Challenge 23-28th February 2023 Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime? Do you want to take part in a challenge that will help raise vital funds for The Foundation? Join other Sternians and LWC parents (you must be 21+ to take part) as we trek across the Sahara Desert. Our Adventure Challenge is a four-day trek through this stunning terrain, climbing to the top of the massive Chegaga Dunes, where we will witness the desert sunrise. With camels to guide us through the ever-changing landscape we will visit the nomads’ encampment and sleep under the stars.

If you would like to support The Foundation but haven’t found the perfect opportunity then, this most unique trek challenge could be for you. For more information contact development@lordwandsworth.org

39

Centenary Festival 23rd & 24th June 2023 To round off the year, we would like to invite Sternians and your families back to the College again to join the rest of the LWC Community for the Friday evening and a fun-packed Saturday. We will have a main stage offering a variety of music, other venues across the campus for different activities, a food emporium, bar, shopping tents, funfair, performances, and a few surprises along the way! Plenty of opportunity to relax and enjoy being back amongst friends, old and new.

We are scouting for talent though… Are you a musician or singer? Are you still in a band or would you like to resurrect your old school band? We are looking for all genres of music: classical, rock, pop etc. Top talent to enthusiast amateurs are all welcome. To bid for your slot, do get in touch at LWC100@lordwandsworth.org

40

AN UPDATE FROM

The College After an unforgettable year in 2020, 2021 didn’t exactly start on the right foot, with another long national lockdown to endure and online learning continuing in January. But once again the LWC community proved its resilience, togetherness and adaptability and we (thankfully) saw a more “normal” beginning to the current academic year in September.

H

ere are a few highlights from 2021. A year that brought us more freedoms than the previous, yet still faced us with several challenges as we continue to navigate our way through the pandemic...

MAR - MASS TESTING OF RETURNING PUPILS Upon the forthcoming return of pupils, the Health Centre undertook the huge task of organising and testing everyone on the Sunday before lessons were allowed to begin.

MAY - LWC WIN AT BSA AWARDS

AUG – GCSE AND A-LEVEL RESULTS

We are absolutely delighted to have won the prestigious annual Boarding Schools’ Association Awards for Working with Vulnerable Children.

Our child centred, holistic approach ensures continual progress in pastoral development, ultimately helping those most vulnerable to lead rewarding lives and enjoy sound relationships, while preparing for the challenges that lie ahead.

Our 5th form celebrated a great set of results following an extremely challenging year with almost 60% of grades awarded at 9-7, 90% of all grades at 9-5, and a 97% pass rate.

This recognises the incredible effort from pupils within the most significant paradigm shift in education in decades.

At A-lever, over 56% of results were grades A*-A (an increase of 14% from last year). Nearly 80% A*-B and a pass rate of 100%. The year group further achieved an almost clean sweep of A* and A grades in their Extended Project Qualification as they took and applied their subject knowledge to university degree level.

SEPT – NADINE UPPAL THEATRE OPENING

JUL – VIRTUAL SPEECH DAY

APR – ST NEOT’S SCHOOL JOINS OUR COMMUNITY

For our second Virtual Speech Day we were thrilled to have our brilliant keynote speaker, Dr Maggie AderinPocock MBE, a space Scientist and Science Educator, not to mention TV presenter.

LWC and St Neot’s Prep School officially joined forces on 21st April, entering into a formal collaboration which will offer a unique educational pathway from 2 to 18 years. There has been a strong relationship between the two schools over many years, with a significant proportion of St Neot’s families choosing LWC for their children’s secondary education.

We are thrilled to have St Neot’s join our community and look forward to what the future holds!

A huge development of the MAD centre transformed this space into the new Nadine Uppal Theatre, which we opened on Thursday 30th September.

It was a pleasure to welcome back Sternian, Julian Sands, who delivered a wonderful speech and read an uplifting piece. We were also joined by parents and donors who enjoyed a series of pupil performances too really show off this state-of-the-art space for the performing arts.

OCT – CCF BLESSING OF THE BANNERS Friday 15th October marked a really special occasion for the CCF, as Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq., blessed our glorious new Banners.

With a Chinook providing an impressive backdrop, bagpipes and drums leading the parade and a nailbiting gazelle helicopter display, this event will be sure to go down in LWC history!

41

NOV – REMEMBRANCE SERVICE The whole school came back together on Thursday 11th November for the annual Remembrance Service. The Banners were back in action for this beautiful, emotional and reflective ceremony.

NOV – FIREWORKS EVENT We were delighted to be joined by so many people on Saturday 13th November for our fireworks display.

It was wonderful to get the whole LWC community together again at last, wrapped up warm and enjoying a few drinks as well as the spectacular fireworks.

NOV – WE ARE IN THE TOP 100 SCHOOLS FOR CRICKET The Cricketer has once again named us in the top 100 Schools for Cricket in their Schools Guide 2022 for the 7th year running!

DEC – CAROL SERVICE Although a little different to our traditional Carol Service, in Odiham, pupils and staff had a lovely evening gathered on the lawns, outside School House on Wednesday 15th December. The grounds had been lit up to enhance our beautiful, historic buildings and we were blessed with mild weather which meant the whole campus twinkled magically as we sang carols.

DEC – GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE VISIT You may have taken note of the fabulous highlights the Headmaster shared on page 4 of some truly powerful observations from the Good School Guide’s review, a result of several interviews with pupils, staff and parents, as well as an in-depth visit to LWC.

42

COLLEGE NEWS

Staff Room News Apologies as we neglected to include Holly Mobbs in last year’s magazine. Holly joined in 2020 as Teacher of Psychology.

SALVETE - We welcomed...

Talmud Bah

Emotional Mentor

Xuemin Liu

Annabel Batchelor

Exam Invigilator

George Lovell

Food Service Assistant

Barry Bennett

Chief Operating Officer

Richard Lovell

Head of Outdoor Learning

Shona Bennett

Science Technician

Jack Malden

Teacher of Economics and Business

Nicholas Brown

Exam Invigilator

Beverley Maston

Exam Invigilator

Vanessa Brown

School Counsellor

Peter Mcneely

Teacher of Classics and Latin

Gemma Burns

Teacher of Design and Technology

Alison Morris

Matron

Mark Chanter

Plumbing and Electrician Mate

Henriette Ndongo-Ebombe Sow

Spanish Lanuage Assistant

Quanta Cory

DT Technican

Liza O'Shea

Teacher of Art / Second In Department

Assistant Gardener

Anna Pendowska

Catering Stores Operative

Admissions and Foundation Manager

Adam Pescod

Graduate Sports Assistant

Luke Cotton Georgina Dainton

Food Service Assistance

Bethan Davies

Teacher of Geography

Fay Powell

HR Compliance Coordinator

Tuesday Drummond

HR & Compliance Co-ordinator

Samuel Rickard

Assistant Gardener

Clare Faherty

Admissions Co-ordinator

Keith Seamon

Exam Invigilator

Stephen Farley

Function Chef

Timothy Seys

Teacher of French and Spanish

Edward Firth

Teacher of Geography

Derek Sheppard

Chef De Partie

Matron

Ely Sloane

School Nurse

Tracey Goreing

Exam Invigilator

Ashleigh Smith

Teacher of Art

Sarah Gray

Science Technician

Gary Smith

Grounds Person

Karen Hannaby

Teacher of Religious Studies

Richard Soames

HoD German with French

Katherine Henley

Teacher of Spanish and French

Lewis Starbuck

Graduate Sports Assistant

Luke Herbert

Plumbing and Heating Engineer

Helen Taylor

Matron

Erica Flood

Kelly Hilder

Medical Administration Assistant

Clint Tessendorf

Teacher of English

Nicola Hirst

Head of Futures

Theo Wadge-Stacey

Multi-Skilled Tradesperson

Gareth Hook

Teacher of Economics and Business

Victoria Webster- Garvey

Exam Invigilator

Elena Houghton

Food Service Assistant

Dawn Wilde

Director of People

Philip Jarrett

Pastry Chef

Chloe Wilson

Teacher of Classics and Latin

Kerry Jeffrey

Food Service Assistant

Louis Yates

HoD Psychology

Siow Liu Khoo

Food Service Assistant

Shui Kuen Yeung

Food Service Assistant

Justine Lammin

Alumni Relations Manager

Andrea Zinck

Volunteer German Language Assistant

VALETE - We said farewell to...

Helen Arnold

Relief Matron

Samantha Mabbott

Admissions Manager

Timothy Baldwin

Teacher

Kirsty Mason

Teacher

Jennifer Burton

School Receptionist

Jessica McKinnon

Teacher

Edwin Butler

Groundsperson

Teresa Mills

Teacher

Bethany Cansdale

Food Service Assistant

Zoe Moyler

Sports Graduate

Cherilyn Carter

Matron, School House

Julia Pateman

HR Advisor

Timothy Clements

Teacher of Geography

Jane Prichard-Jones

Matron, Haygate House

Luke Cotton

Assistant Gardener

Timothy Prideaux

Governor

Julie-Ann Daws

Catering Assistant

Jack Richmond

HR Recruitment and Compliance Co-ordinator

Agatha Dell

Teacher

Samuel Rowden

Chef De Partie

Jessica Durrant

Exam Invigilator

Raija Russell

Science Technician

Jacqueline Green

Exam Invigilator

Mark Stevens

Responsible Adult (SAS) Teacher

Matthew Heaven

Teacher

Susan Stevens

Tessa Lancaster

Relief Matron

Cristina Tarantino-Hind

Teacher

Sian Lewis

HoD Psychology

Alan Thompson

HoD Economics

Fitzroy Lindsay

Commis Chef

Natalie Turner

Senco and Learning Support

43

Stern Farm AN UPDATE FROM

“The next time a farmer moans about the weather, put your arm around him and buy him a pint because he’s not moaning about it ‘cause it’s a bit miserable working in the rain. He’s moaning about it because it’s crucifying him.” Jeremy Clarkson

T

he harvest in 2020 was described by some as the worst in living memory.

The harvest in 2021 wasn’t any better, all because of the weather. So rather than continue with my usual theme of complaining about it being too dry, too hot, too wet or too cold I’d look at how farming has changed towards more sustainable methods.

Since 2000 the Stern Farms have participated in environmental stewardship schemes to provide wildlife habitat and food sources. The current scheme has taken more land out of crop production than any of the others, but financially it is worth over three times that of our first agreement which ended in 2005. Originally stewardship was confined to the awkward corners of fields or parts of fields that were unproductive. Now we have whole fields in stewardship options such as legume fallow which is a two year “fallow” crop consisting of clover, vetches, birds foot trefoil, black medic and lucerne. The species will build fertility in the soil (legumes fix nitrogen from the atmosphere), provide a source of nectar for insects and help smother out difficult to control grass weeds. After two years the legume fallow will be replanted in a different field and the old one will be direct drilled with winter wheat and brought back into the farms crop rotation.

Nectar and pollen strips have also been sown across some of our larger fields. The idea behind this is to encourage beneficial insects, (ladybirds, hoverflies, lace wings, spiders, carabid beetles, to name but a few), further out into the field to reduce and hopefully eliminate any future use of insecticides, although we only ever use insecticides when there is no other choice as very few are selective and therefore any applications will always kill the beneficial insects as well as the ones that are damaging the crops.

No land is left bare over the winter as cover crops are planted to stop nutrients leaching out of the soil and prevent soil erosion.

Cover crops also out compete weeds, again helping to reduce herbicide use.

Spring crops are then drilled directly into these cover crops. The seed drill required to do this is quite specialised as it needs to be able to cope with the large amounts of residue produced by the cover crop without the machine blocking and pulling the residue into big heaps. As the cost of such machines can easily exceed £100,000, we decided to modify our existing seed drill by designing and fitting discs to the front of it to slice through the vegetation and leave a slot for the seed to be placed into by the coulters.

44

This was partly funded by a Soil Innovation Grant from Affinity water and LWC’s DT department helped produced the drawings for the parts that were laser cut from sheet steel.

Stubble turnips are planted immediately after harvest as a temporary crop which we then sell to a neighbouring farmer as sheep grazing over the winter. This is how we have reintroduced livestock into our farming system. The sheep graze the turnips, excrete their waste onto the fields, tread it into the soil. This increases the soils organic matter content which is key to improving the soil structure and natural fertility, again helping to reduce our reliance on manufactured fertilisers.

So, we think that we are heading in the right direction when it comes to addressing climate change, improving our soil, reducing our reliance on manufactured fertilisers and generally improving the environment around us.

PAUL SIGLEY Farm Manager

AN UPDATE FROM

The Sternians Trust Fund

T

he Sternians Trust Fund’s aim is to support We are pleased to report that the Trust Fund has been able pupils who are at risk of having to leave to provide financial support to 16 pupils in 2021, following Lord Wandsworth at a critical stage of the nine grants in 2020. Grants in 2021 were almost £30k. their education (generally those in While below the prior year’s record level of £40k, the public exam years – 5th Form and 2021 figure includes a commitment to support ten “I would Upper 6th), typically following an Foundationers moving into the Sixth Form in 2021, unforeseen and adverse change replacing funding from external charities and reiterate our in their families’ financial circumstances. The sincere thanks to the foundations. This commitment comprises £10k Trust Fund’s aspiration is to ensure that pupils of the 2021 grant total, and will amount to a donors whose facing such a situation will be able to complete further £20k in 2022. support continues their studies without disruption, and to to make this progress to the next stage of their education.

The Trustees are grateful to our regular donors possible.“ and for a number of bequests, whose contributions The Trustees work closely with the College to allied to sustained investment performance have identify candidates for support. An application may helped grow the Trust’s assets to over £1m. Whereas in be prompted by a sudden change in family circumstances, its early years the Trust Fund’s support was primarily in the or the withdrawal of external charitable support for a form of smaller grants to subsidise music lessons or school Foundationer about to enter the sixth form. trips, its assets now provide annual income of £30k or more, which allows the Trustees to make an increasing number of larger grants each year towards school fees. Grants are made out of income from the Trust Fund’s investments, while donations and legacies build up the capital. Grants are made to cover only a proportion of the fees, at a level that will make the difference between a pupil remaining at the school or having to leave: the rising level of income gives the Fund the capacity to support a meaningful and growing number of pupils.

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2021

The Fund’s capital is invested with three fund managers, in investments targeted specifically at charities. The Fund’s capital reached £1m for the first time during 2021, and continues to yield an income in excess of 3%. This gives the Trust Fund the capacity to support consistently significant numbers of pupils, which is likely to be much needed as the pandemic’s ongoing effect is felt. I would reiterate our sincere thanks to the donors whose support continues to make this possible.

Assistance was given towards the fees of

16 pupils

Total grants made of

£29,000

PAUL RICHINGS Chairman of Trustees (1990, School, C207)

Annual investment income of over

Trustees: Teresa Armstrong, James Brewin, Ben Forman, Richard Janaway, Shelley Lawson, Paul Richings, Richard Saunders. Independent Examiner: Chris Bellairs.

£33,000

December 2021

Total assets of

£1,000,000

The Sternians Trust Fund Registered Charity no: 1052004

45

LWC REMEMBERS

David Love (A184) Pilot Officer, Royal Air Force Died 4th November 1967, aged 22

D

Sternian Nigel Appleton reports on the tragic death of David Love who is buried at Terendal Mil Cemetary, Malaysia.

avid was stationed at RAF Changi on the island of Singapore where he was a navigator with 205 Squadron RAF. The Squadron operated the AVRO Shackleton MR 2, an anti-submarine and maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

One of 205 Squadron’s duties was to provide Search and Rescue cover at RAF Gan: a remote island in the Maldives archipelago and a staging post for transport aircraft f lying between the Middle East and Far East stations. Aircraft and crews were detached from Singapore on a two-week rotation.

On the 4th of November 1967 Shackleton WL786 departed Gan en route for Singapore. On board were the normal crew of ten,

including David, plus one passenger on his way to his son’s wedding in Singapore.

Some 5 hours into the f light, WL786 was cruising at an altitude of 9,000 feet approximately 120 miles west of Indonesia when the No4 engine failed. Due to a lack of evidence the exact cause of the failure can’t be determined though it is likely that a connecting rod punctured the side of the cylinder block and severed the oil line to the propeller feathering mechanism, causing an engine over-speed and f ire. The crew were unable to feather the propeller and it became a windmilling disc, generating a massive amount of drag and severe vibration. The engine f inally tore itself from its mountings and fell away from the aircraft but not before the starboard wing was well ablaze. The loss of the engine and the f ire made control of the aircraft exceptionally diff icult.

With only partial control of the aircraft available to him, the pilot attempted to ditch into the sea.

Tragically only 3 people survived the impact: the f light engineer, one signaller and the passenger. They were rescued by the crew of the frigate HMS Ajax six hours later.

David was, sadly, amongst those killed in the crash.

Flying Off icer Peter Hearn RAF recalls that David had joined 205 Squadron very shortly before the accident, possibly only weeks, and as was quite often the case had been sent to Gan as a ’taster’ (to experience operational life in a Shackleton Squadron). Peter remembers the accident well, mainly because David had taken his place on that detachment, but also because he was a member of the crew that f lew out to drop blood and plasma to the RN frigate HMS Ajax that had rescued the survivors.

Having qualified as a navigator, David attended a course at the Maritime Operational Training Unit (MOTU) to learn the specific skills required to navigate a Maritime Recognisance aircraft hundreds of miles out to sea in the days long before modern inertial and GPS navigational aids.

Pictured on the left here.

46

David’s name is listed on the Armed forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire

David at LWC: Sternians who remeber their school days alongside David may be pleased to see this lovely photograph of him enjoying being out and about at LWC. On this particular day in 1959 they were tree planting in Sheephouse Copse. It brings us great comfort to know that this little sappling is up in Sheephouse Copse growing strong, nestled amongst many other trees planted by Sternians.

Our records show us that David joined the College in September 1956, left in July 1963, and was in Sutton House. He played at Fly Half for both the 1st XV and 1st VII and was described as “Defensively very sound with a good kick and a f ine pair of hands. A ready eye for an opening.” We were delighted to f ind this cover of this 1963 Sower which shows David in the throws of a rugby match and enjoying every moment no doubt.

David ( pictured right) out tree-planting in Sheephouse Copse in 1959 David was also a member of the 1st XI Cricket team and in The Sower, 1963, it was said “David Love made a notable contribution to the success of the XI, both as wicket-keeper and batsman. Catching virtually everything that came within reach

David appeared on the cover of the 1963 edition of The Sower and playing some f ighting innings when they were most urgently needed, he earned his Colours.” He was also a very competent Triple Jumper and member of the Senior Cross-Country team.

With Thanks

Condolences

Thank you to Nigel Appleton for kindly offering to assist us with this article. It is greatly appreciated.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of David Love.

47

In Memoriam The Association and everyone at LWC would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to their families. To read full obituaries, please visit www.sternians.org.uk/inmemoriam/

Thomas Copas

William Dance

Peter Davies

Albert Gardiner

30 Jan 1939 – 2 June 2021 Age 82

20 Jan 1947 – 22 Mar 2021 Age 74

Born 4 Dec 1923

11 Sep 1921 – 7 April 2021 Age 99

LWC 1951 – 1955 House – Sutton Pupil No – 0940

LWC 1959 – 1963 House – Sutton Pupil No – A322

LWC 1935 – 1941 House – Sheephouse Pupil No – 0320

LWC 1926 – 1938 House – Hesters Pupil No – 0224

Peter Harris

Randolph Jenkin

William Livingstone

Frank Luscombe

31 Dec 1948 – Apr 2021 Age 72

21 Oct 1945 – 10 May 2021 Age 75

15 Sep 1942 – 13 July 2021 Age 78

18 Feb 2021 – March 2021 Age 100

LWC Porter/Minibus Driver

LWC 1958 – 1962 House – Sutton Pupil No – A264

LWC 1954 – 1961 Pupil No – A086

LWC 1932 – 1939 House – Middle East Pupil No - 0253

David Minnikin

Ian Morton

Kenneth Morton

Kenneth Norsworthy

25 Nov 1939 – 20 July 2021 Age 81

3 Nov 1937 – Nov 2021 Age 84

Died 12 January 2021

27 Aug 1935 – 14 Jan 2020 Age 84

LWC 1951 – 1959 House – Sutton

LWC 1949 – 1954 Pupil No – 0827

LWC Junior House Caretaker 1964 – 2002

LWC 1949 – 1953 House – Sutton Pupil No - 0812

Colin Perkin

John Rayner

Sebastian Shaw

Anthony Smith

30 Mar 1946 – 22 June 2021 Age 75

28 Dec 1927 – 2021 Age 93

5 Mar 1982 – Oct 2021 Age 39

26 Mar 1938 – Dec 2020 Age 82

LWC 1956 – 1963 House – School Pupil No – A188

LWC 1939 – 1945 Pupil No – 0484

LWC 1993 – 2000 House – Summerfield

LWC 1949 -1957 House – School Pupil No – 0830

Robin Thompson

Emily Travis

23 Nov 1935 – 26 Jan 2021 Age 85

20 Feb 1976 – 28 Jul 2021 Age 45

LWC 1948 – 1955 Pupil No – 0779

LWC 1992 – 1994 House – Gosden 48

Please Note:

Reserve Your Place

All are welcome but please do register. If you would like lunch the prices are £20 per adult / £10 per child. We will be operating a cash bar as well.

Development Office Samantha Corf ield 01256 860243

Alumni Relations

Centenary

Fundraising

Justine Lammin

Clare Faherty

Kate Boyd

01256 860356

01256 860392

01256 860297

sternians@lordwandsworth.org

LWC100@lordwandsworth.org

development@lordwandsworth.org

sternians.org.uk

LWC100.org

lordwandsworth.org/support-us

Lord Wandsworth College, Long Sutton, Hook, Hampshire, RG29 1TB