A Report from the Warden
The contents of this journal trace
Winchester’s response to the circumstances
of the last decade and the leadership
Dr. Townsend has provided. It is a
happy and interesting story.
Apart from the fine balance of our finances and the
steady excellence in learning, much else remains
unchanged: ‘Div’ of course, seven day boarding,
the centrality of Chapel and religious observance
and a demand for places in the School which we
can never satisfy.
Sport continues to enjoy investment, both in facilities
and staff. Summer 2015 saw the installation of a
half-size AstroTurf on KP as well as work to improve
drainage across the football fields, well tested by our
winter rains; and, Jason Dodd (former captain of
Southampton FC) joined the Sports Department as
football professional, taking over from Lew Chatterley
on his retirement from the post this summer. The
major sports have enjoyed success: Short Half 2015
saw a winning season for Soccer XI, including victories
over Eton, Harrow, Westminster, Bede’s and Alleyn’s;
in Philadelphia, the 1st VIII was placed second in
the Head of the Schuylkill, beating St Paul’s and
Abingdon and only narrowly losing to the leading
US crew; and Dan Escott (Coll, 2010-15) achieved
the highest ever number of runs scored for Lords in
a single season. Across the minor sports there is much
to be celebrated: the Sailing Team enjoyed a string
of victories and is now ranked amongst the top in
the country; Fives has had an unprecedented run of
success, now holding the majority of the national level
trophies; swimming and water polo claimed victories
over strong opponents; in the Martial Arts, many boys
achieve their black