No. 139 The Trusty Servant example in the Alsama School in Beirut. They have worked to develop conversation and writing skills with the pupils, who have persevered despite serious challenges, including the bombing of large parts of their school.
Closer to home, the school CS programme has been as vibrant as ever, with nearly 400 senior pupils supporting the local community. These span from primary and secondary school clubs- where pupils develop their own skills in planning sessions, controlling classes and learning how to explain concepts to the over 250 local pupils supported every week- to butterfly conservation and habitat restoration projects that connect Wykehamists with the environment and improve the peri-urban spaces we inhabit.
This school year has also been marked by a number of standout events. This year, around 600 local pupils took part in Chalk Stream projects beside the Itchen, and at the RSPB Franchises Lodge in the New Forest, allowing pupils from Winchester College and the city alike to improve their wellbeing and learn more about nature. The number of single-day outreach events was also high, with primary schools coming in for everything from celebrating World Food Day and learning about sustainability to computer science and the Primary Maths Challenge. It was also a privilege to host guests from nursing homes across the city at the yearly CS Christmas Party, which has always been a highlight of the CS calendar for pupils and residents alike.
Valete
James Thorne( CoRo, 19-), current Chair of CoRo, gives a brief account of a pillar of the school:
Paulene Landsey came to work here in 1990, those misty, far-off days when James Sabben-Clare was running the College, John Major was running the country, and a pint of beer cost £ 1.06.
She first worked in Hopper’ s, under Tommy Cookson( I, 55-60; CoRo, 64-90( with breaks); HM, 02-05) then Rob Wyke( CoRo, 85-16; HoDo I, 90-01; 2M, 01-16) to most of us now rather legendary figures, as Paulene will become.
Paulene went on to work in the Laundry. This was in the era when Ian Fraser( Master in College, 12-22, CoRo, 91-) tells me that he had to run the gauntlet of the Laundry ladies’ appreciative comments every time he went down to the pool for swimming practice. I’ m sure in Paulene’ s case any remarks were nothing but decorous.
Paulene then moved to work in Beloe’ s and in College, where she ran Hatches. In College she had already established her practice of marking the passing of the year’ s festivals with props such as skeletons and little seasonal treats for those she looked after. Over her 34½ years of trusty service to the College, Paulene has worked in all of the boarding houses except Cook’ s, Chawker’ s and Furley’ s.
For the last six years she has been a magnificent Common Room Steward. Her time in Bethesda will remain firmly established in the memories of all of us who have benefited so much from not just her work, but her presence. If the dons are the College’ s academic engine, then she has been an engine minder of infinite attention to detail, ever ready to top up the fluid levels, whether of coffee, or on Friday evenings, the social lubricants.
I can’ t really express how sorry we will be to lose her. The family feeling that she has engendered in Common Room really will be irreplaceable. That said, she richly deserves her retirement, and we thank her for everything she has done for us.
Andy Sparkes( CoRo, 15-25) Adam Rattray( CoRo, 19-) writes:
Andy came to Winchester after a long career in the diplomatic service, bringing with him a set of skills learned in distant places: tact; charm; and coolness under pressure. As department head of VI Book Div, Andy was outstanding, setting high standards of marking and creative teaching up to books. Though foreign affairs and politics dominated many of Andy’ s div hours, he was open to everything that makes Div at Winchester so special: Recita and the Kenneth Clark Prize final being particular favourites. A KC semifinal judge for many years, Andy helped steer the Art History department to a shortlist of six finalists, giving friendly and shrewd advice to pupils as they prepared their presentations for the finals.
Another area where Andy made a significant contribution to College life was Chapel, where he was an unfailingly courteous and supportive Lay Chaplain. Dons who signed up to give a Chapel talk knew that Andy would be on time to meet them, immaculately dressed, and with friendly words of good luck at the start. If a talk went well, Andy was warmly enthusiastic; if it didn’ t land, Andy was kind and encouraging.
Andy leaves Winchester for Oxford to take up once again the PhD he abandoned for a life of service, first to his country and then to Winchester. The nine years he spent with us were the longest he spent anywhere in his professional life. He was a helpful and supportive colleague to all of us in Common Room, someone who gave thoughtful advice however thorny the problem.
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