INSPIRED RESILIENCE
It is testament to the impact that Thomas
Sharrock has had on Winchester that , on his departure in July 2022 , a Porter bade him farewell with these words : ‘ We think we ’ ll be seeing you back here as Headmaster in 40 years ’.
Thomas was speaking to me from his room at the University of Pennsylvania at ‘ the perfect time to reflect on Winchester ’. His four-year course involves initial study of a variety of subjects including French Phonetics , Music and social change , and Classical Antiquity : ‘ How Div-like it is !’ He chose America as ‘ I wanted to travel , to move away from Winchester ; to study a variety of subjects and to find myself ’. Thomas beat off international competition to win distinction as both a scholar and a music exhibitioner at Winchester . He is a local boy whose family home is only 10 minutes down the road from College . It had its advantages : ‘ If I forgot something at home , I could easily have gone home to get it ’. Thomas is a highly talented , energetic , restless , student . His time at Winchester was one of achievement and triumph , notably in music , academia , and in community service ; but it was also one of personal challenge . Finding himself was a journey of self-discovery and selfrealisation . He sought and found assuring support at Winchester among dons and staff . Thomas ’ s story is one born out of strength of character , perseverance , and also resilience .
It was Resilience 2022 which was the branding given by Thomas for his proudest achievement at Winchester . It was a sustainable fashion show produced jointly by the Sixth Forms of Winchester , Peter Symonds and St Swithun ’ s . ‘ We had participants from across the gender spectrum and it was a momentous occasion for me ; we had people trying things they had not tried before , and people came who had not appreciated fashion before ’.
THOMAS ’ S STORY IS ONE BORN OUT OF STRENGTH OF CHARACTER , PERSEVERANCE , AND ALSO RESILIANCE .
35