Wykeham Journal 2019 | Page 10

Headmaster’s Message: dr tim hands Contemporary Wykehamist pupils already consider themselves global citizens, appreciative of and unfazed by their diversity. Experiences at school strengthen this awareness, and the sense of responsibility this brings. The decision last September to make entry to the Treasury free and increase its accessibility by opening it daily has borne out how quickly many local residents are willing to embrace the opportunity to connect with the school. The numbers of visitors has quadrupled since we removed the entry charge, and positive local press coverage of all the school’s activities has also, and not entirely unrelatedly, substantially increased. Contemporary Wykehamist pupils already consider themselves global citizens, appreciative of and unfazed by their diversity. Experiences at school strengthen this awareness, and the sense of responsibility this brings. Boys from different backgrounds, cultures and countries integrate seamlessly across all the houses, sharing lessons as well as creative and sporting experiences. Topics covered over house lunch are testament to the commonalities they quickly discover: football, films, food and music, as well as serious concerns over climate change, political divisions, and their own future paths. The purposeful nature of the trips abroad organised by the school encourages this attitude. 8  The Wykeham Journal 2019 As an example, some dons, including the Second Master, working in conjunction with the Lotus Flower Trust, led an expedition of boys over the summer to Ladakh in Northern India to help with the construction of hostel accommodation at a centre for disabled citizens. Before departure, through many different initiatives, the team raised £32,000 to pay for the construction. A week of hard labour and building work was followed by a six-day trek through the Himalayas, involving long distances and high altitude, but rewarded with amazing scenery. Camping in these conditions, while working hard as a team along with local charity workers, is an altogether different experience. Being part of something larger than ourselves, a wider community, is rewarding, but also helps us connect on the most necessary, human level. As one of our youngest pupils remarked in his comments for the website in September, he felt homesick in the first two weeks but it has been joining a team — in his case rowing — alongside “amazing support from my Housemaster and matron” that has helped him to settle and enjoy Winchester life. .