Win Coll has been most fortunate to have had
Ralph at the height of his powers, showing that
even a third headship can be immensely successful.
Bill Holland, a partner at KPMG, joins the Governing
Body as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He is
also President of the Old Wykehamist Cricket Club.
Most importantly of all, we have a change of Head
Man at the end of 2015/16. This issue of the Wykeham
Journal concentrates on Ralph’s time as Head Man,
of which much will be made over the coming months.
Win Coll has been most fortunate to have had Ralph
at the height of his powers, showing that even a third
headship can be immensely successful; he has brought
to the post great experience and confidence, and a
vision, clearly articulated, which has given cohesion
to the whole. Win Coll has been doubly fortunate,
too, in that Cathy Townsend has been so thoughtfully
engaged in the life of the School and the individuals
who make it up, from every new boy to the very top.
The School is a better place for their being here.
The Governing Body was much occupied in 2015
in the appointment of a successor, developing, with
expert external advice, a thorough process which
resulted in Dr. Tim Hands, Master of Magdalen
College School, emerging from a strong and diversified
field. A scholar of Thomas Hardy, a fine musician,
a most successful Head of two schools, he has also
served the Headmasters’ Conference as Chairman.
We look forward to Tim and Jane Hands’ arrival
at Win Coll in September.
4 The Wykeham Journal 2015
As Warden, I have spoken to many readers of this
Journal about the challenges that the Governing
Body has identified and is committed to meeting:
the maintaining of seven-day boarding; the delivery
of fine academic results in competition with
other schools, while enjoying our own approach
to education; all the issues around affordability;
the rebuilding of the sports centre; attracting the
best possible student body; and managing our
endowment to enable us to meet these challenges.
As we faced up to these challenges with Dr.
Townsend, so will we with Dr. Hands, helped
by the wide Wykehamist community of boys,
dons, parents and alumni, for whom we all
work, and who all work so well for Win Coll.