The Headmaster Writes
Dr Tim Hands
How has it been, I am frequently asked? I have loved it, of course. And, when I stop doing so, I will stop doing the job. What have I loved? I asked every don for their own response to a similar question.“ Freedom” was the answer I most appreciated. No one mentioned beauty. Perhaps one gets used to it. But so far I haven’ t. The progression from War Cloister to Meads every morning: can there possibly be a finer walk to work in the known universe? Ralph Townsend left a magnificent legacy. I am deeply grateful to him, as also to the Warden and Fellows – and indeed to the Second Master, Director of Studies, and long-suffering Bursar, all of whom have striven to make Jane and me as welcome as possible. Amongst other activities, I have been shadowing pupils. Arriving in the right place at the right time with the right books is, as some of you may remember, quite a challenge. I certainly failed it. So in Common Time I shall be starting up again, with another shadowing programme. I will also be seeing every pupil in the third year and asking them three questions: first, what might they like to be doing when they are 25;
The College is an extraordinarily supportive educational community. I look forward to getting to know it better.
second, what are they planning to do to realise this; and, third, what is the school not doing that it could to help them facilitate their ambition? Winchester has not( yet) produced many Prime Ministers, so let’ s see what happens. The College is an extraordinarily supportive educational community. I look forward to getting to know it better. John Thorn has wittily received me on two occasions. It was a great pleasure to visit James Sabben-Clare at his beautifully situated Dorset home last June, and to welcome him and Mary back for the Advent Carols. Tommy Cookson, attending the first of the new Headmaster’ s Guest Nights, was in magnificent form. The dynasty is inspirational. Spring approaches and with it a full six months of the Winchester experience. It will seem a bit ironic to be allowed to put the long trousers on just as the weather for the shorter variety begins to approach. But never mind the dress, the experience will, I’ m sure, remain enduringly and enjoyably the same. Every best wish to the Wykehamical community: do come back to see us as regularly as you are able.
8 The Wykeham Journal 2016