LWC Connect

We are delighted to let you know we have now set up Decade Groups on LWC Connect.  Join your group (or groups if you straddle a decade) members can then contact each other directly.

You can log in or register here for LWC Connect.

Joining instructions can be found here.

We have been asked by the Sternians’ Association Committee to let you know about some changes that they wish to introduce to do with the administration of The Sternians’ Association.
The Committee would really welcome your views on the proposal, including whether you think there are other ways forward that should be considered, plus any other matters that you would like them to consider.
Please click here to read Simon Clements’s letter and do send your feedback directly to him at saclemmy59@gmail.com by 12th February 2024, when the period of consultation closes.
Please be assured that any changes to the structure of the Association being suggested will not affect the Sternian programme that we put on through the team here at the College.
Simon looks forward to hearing from you.
Sam & Clare

Welcome to our New Sternians!

Good luck on your new ventures, whatever they may be!  Keep in touch and remember the LWC and Sternian community are here to help and support you, so do reach out.

New Sixth Form Centre, Zanetas opens for business!

We are delighted to announce that our Sixth Form Centre and Café is now buzzing with activity as our Sixth Form start their term in this fantastic new academic space.

Zanetas was a perfect location to hold our Roundtable event this week, Sternian Parent Dr Sally Bonneywell came in to talk about Psychology to our Sixth Form and 5th Form pupils who have an interest in studying Psychology.  A big thank you to Sally for a really inspirational forum!

For the full story on Zanetas click here.

New Sixth Form Centre, Zanetas opens for business!

Baron Sydney James Stern
Lord Wandsworth
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Centenary Bust Appeal. We are delighted that the bust of Lord Wandsworth is now in pride of place in Sterns Court, outside The Flowers Science Centre. His presence will be a reminder to all at LWC of our very unique heritage.

Amy Power – As Beautiful as a Dove

Amy (Sternian) is a first-time writer and is doing a degree in Drama and Creative Writing at Royal Holloway. She has many story ideas and the first play she wrote was performed here at LWC.  Amy wrote As Beautiful as a Dove whilst on a tour of Europe with her mother in 2019. She hopes that this story will inspire a love of nature and the idea that everyone is beautiful in their own unique way. Amy hopes that she will be able to publish more stories for children, teenagers, and young adults in the future.

Amy’s book is available on Amazon, for more details click here.

Sternian Cricket Success

We have a long history of sporting success and talent at LWC and we are proud to announce that Gemma Lane (pictured) has become the second Sternian to play women’s professional cricket! Gemma follows the success of Finty Trussler (Southern Vipers), both former Haygate girls.

Gemma was signed by Western Storm and made her debut in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy a few weeks ago.

Also a huge congratulations to Alex Hammond who will be captaining the England Hawks disability team.

Congratulations Gemma and Alex!

The Autumn Term 2023 is well underway, to read Adam Williams Autumn Term Letter please click here.

Please click here to read the latest Headmaster’s Start of Autumn Term Letter

The Beckwith Sports Festival  – Saturday 9th September 2023

 

To celebrate the new academic school year, we kicked off our first Saturday back at LWC with The Beckwith Sports Festival.  A full day of sporting activities for the entire school community with something for everyone (even our four legged family members) whilst making the most of our wonderful campus.  With a delicious array of food, drink and ice-cream on offer all day, excellent music and the sun shining down on everyone, it was the perfect way to start the new school year.

 

The morning saw The Beckwith make its return after its inaugural launch last year at the start of our Centenary year.  Named after Alfred Beckwith, pupil number one, who walked through The Acorn Gates in 1922, the carefully planned c.5k route takes in some of the most breath-taking aspects of our 1200 acre campus.  Parents, pupils, Sternians and staff chose to walk or run and those who wanted a little more challenge, opted to do the route twice – circa 10k! In 25 degree heat, everyone, especially the dogs, were ready for the water station (and doggy treats) greeting them at the end.

 

The afternoon moved seamlessly into Rugby, Football, Netball and Hockey matches seeing parents, Sternians, pupils and staff battle it out on the pitches,   Lots of smiles, laughter and goals scored despite the blistering heat and some parents having not played their chosen sport in 20 years! Thank you to all those who took part.

 

Our aim is for the Beckwith Sports Festival to become an annual event each September to mark the return to school.  We hope to see you at the next one in 2024!

Headmasters End of Term Summer Letter – July 2023

Headmaster’s End of Autumn 2022 Letter

Roger Bateman (A542, School), a Sternian and motor enthusiast, has published his new book “From Bond to Bentley and Back” where his story is told through his experiences of working in the motor industry, the people he has met and literally hundreds of vehicles.

To find out more visit Roger’s website https://bondtobentley.uk/

 

Huge well done to Micheal Clark (2021, School) for winning Runner Up with fellow Imperial College Student for the UK Space Agency’s SatelLife Competition, with their entry ‘TectOrbit’.

Michael (right) is currently studying Earth Science and Engineering an the idea of their entry was to combine publicly and globally available satellite images with data collected by Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), and run through a deep learning algorithm to help predict earthquakes, with the potential to save thousands of lives.

For the full story visit click here.

A huge congratulations to Louis Foster (2019, School) who has crowned a sensational first season in America by winning the prestigious Indy Pro 2000 Championship in his rookie year with Exclusive Autosport after victory in Portland.

Check out Louis’ website for the full article and further updates: https://www.louisfosterracing.com/

Gigi Noel-King (2019, Gosden) will be making her debut appearance on the West End this Autumn in J.K Rowlings Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Gigi will be joining the cast as a “swing” in and has already begun rehearsals. Congratulations Gigi!

Simon Lancaster (C196, Hazelveare), has published his new book “Connect!”.

Simon has worked as a speechwriter for the last 20 years, writing for many top politicians like Alan Johnson, as well as the CEOs of companies like Unilever, HSBC and InterContinental Hotels.

Connect! is an engrossing guide to communication which draws on ancient rhetoric and neuroscience and is jam-packed with helpful hacks and revelatory facts to help you inspire, influence and energise anyone, anywhere, anytime.

To find out more visit https://lwc.link/simonlancaster

Louis Foster (School, 2021) scored two wins, two poles, two fastest laps and lead the highest number of laps – the criteria for points scoring in the Indy Pro 2000 Championship – on his first visit to Canada. 

Foster won the first race despite multiple caution periods which erased any gap he’d built up, but a 14-lap sprint to the finish yielded a win of over five seconds at the end. The victory made him the first Indy Pro 2000 driver this season to win on a road course, oval and street circuit respectively.

Foster scored the maximum of 66 points for the weekend which puts him 71 points clear with 147 available over the final four races.

Foster heads to St Louis Gateway oval next on August 20 and concludes the season at Portland in Oregon on September 2-4.

Check out Louis’ website for the full article and further updates: https://www.louisfosterracing.com/

UPDATE: The Team completed the 220 mile route in 4 days and smashed their £1,00 target, raising over £4,000!

Sternians Will Ashley (2018, Summerfield), William Grose (2018, Summerfield), Angus Milnes-James (2018, Summerfield), Tye Rath (2018, Sutton), Ryan Sakellariou (2018, Hazelveare), Jamie Simmons (2018, Summerfield) and Toby Williams (2018, Summerfield) set off on 11th August to take on a 350K cycle over 3-4 days in support of the Anthony Nolan Trust, especially for their friend and Sternian, Billy Densham, who is being treated for lymphoma.

The Anthony Nolan Trust saves the lives of people with blood cancer. Founded in 1974, by growing a register of stem cell donors, conducting research and supporting patients, Anthony Nolan cures blood cancer and blood disorders.

The team started in Farnham to take on King Alfred’s Way which takes them mostly off road, via Winchester, Salisbury, Swindon, Reading and they aim to be back to Farnham on Sunday. To find out more and to donate if you would like to visit https://lwc.link/KingAlfredsWay.

Louis Foster

Louis Foster (School, 2021) scored a race win, two podiums, two pole positions and a fastest lap to extend his lead in the Indy Pro 2000 Championship at Mid-Ohio.

He now leaves Mid-Ohio with 12 races complete and with six remaining at three race tracks to conclude the season. The Mid-Ohio weekend allowed Foster to stretch his gap from 19 to 49 points, more than a race victory, as the series heads to Toronto in less than a fortnight.

Foster heads to Toronto for July 16-17, then to the St Louis Gateway oval on August 20 and concludes the season at Portland in Oregon on September 2-4.

Check out Louis’ website for the full article and further updates: https://www.louisfosterracing.com/

 As part of our Centenary celebrations we are delighted to be able to invite you to join The LWC Centenary Choir, along with other Sternians, parents and staff members.

The choir will meet on Monday evenings, 7.30pm to 9.00pm in the Gavin Hall (term time only).  Rehearsals will start on the 3rd October through to the end of June 2023, culminating in a wonderful performance at our Centenary Festival on the evening of the 23rd June 2023.

The choir will have a mixed and varied repertoire with a focus on fun. If you are interested in joining us sign up by
1st September 2022.

We hope you can join us!

The Centenary and Music Team

SIGN UP HERE
Rupert Whitaker (right) with co-founder of The Terrence Higgins Trust, Martyn Butler (right).

Rupert Whitaker (1980, Summerfield, B310) has been awarded with an OBE for his Services to Charity and to Public Health in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Rupert, along with co-founder of The Terrence Higgins Trust, Martyn Butler (left), received this prestigious award for their work to support people who have been affected by HIV in the year that marks 40 years since the charity begun.

The Terrence Higgins Trust posted the following quote from Rupert:

“I’m deeply honoured for my work to be recognised in this way. We’ve come a very long way since Terry’s death 40 years ago and the darkest days of the HIV pandemic, and I’m glad to have played a part through co-founding Terrence Higgins Trust and my community-work internationally, as well as my public health and medical work professionally,” he said.

“This award recognises work that many, many of us have done over the years and I hope it encourages us all to continue to fight for respect and inclusive change, crucial work that, more usually, remains unnoticed.”

To find out more about The Terrence Higgins Trust and the work they do please visit their website https://www.tht.org.uk/

UPDATE: Andrew wins Gold Medal for Team Scotland in Veteran Men’s Epee Individual.

Andrew (1967, Hazelveare, A510) has won a place on Team Scotland’s fencing team in the Fencing Commonwealth Championships 2022.

To read more and for updates visit https://www.cffc2022.com/

Cameron Gammage (2020, Summerfield) has been been selected to dive for Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games.

To read more and see the full team visit:

 https://www.teamscotland.scot/2022/gold-coast-medallists-named-in-strong-aquatics-selection/

Anna Louise Pickering with Simon at the award ceremony.

Simon Stevenson (1975, School, B062) has won the prestigious Pollyanna PickeringAward at The Wildlife Art Society International 30th anniversary wildlife exhibition held at Nature in Art Gloucester.

To find out more visit
https://www.abrushwithafrica.com/awards

Simon Stevenson’s Award-Winning Sketch

Michael Bates (2009, Hazelveare, F938) has co-written a book which explores the changing role of a wicket keeper in the modern cricketing world following his own professional cricket career as an example. To find out more visit https://www.amazon.co.uk/Keeping-Up-Surviving-specialist-multi-dimensional/dp/1090420161

We are delighted to announce the return of in person events for the upcoming academic year. We have a really exciting mixture of in person and virtual reunions, sports fixtures, careers work shops and lots more planned! To view our most up-to-date event schedule please visit our events and reunions page by clicking here, we’ll be updating this page with more information and new events as and when they are confirmed, so do keep checking back. Please email sternians@lordwandsworth.org if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you all soon!

Please do take a look at the latest Sternian Magazine. Click here to read. If you did not receive a copy, please update us with your postal address by e-mailing us at sternians@lordwandsworth.org.

Jonathan entered the College in September 1976 and left in July 1981. He was in
School House and was a foundationer. He was killed whilst serving on HMS Brilliant.

* Included on the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire

Patrick entered the College in September 1968 and left in December 1973. He was in Hazelveare House. Patrick was a very good runner who excelled at distances between 100-400 metres, winning all of these races in his age group. He also played at Centre for the almost unbeaten U16 Rugby VII team. Coach Tony Woolstone wrote in The Sower 1973 about the final of the Oxfordshire RFU Annual Sevens, their biggest tournament so far, with an entry of 103 schools. LWC had battled their way to the final against St Clear School from South Wales, who were winning, when: “ and then, with ten seconds remaining, marvellously, inevitably, Pat Priestley, with two men hanging on to him, staggered over for a try”. LWC won 6-4. Tony went on to write of him “The team’s inspiration. Scorer of countless tries, he epitomized everything that is best in school rugby, and remained modest to the end.”

Patrick was killed in an accident when based in Germany with the British Army.

* Included on the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire

David entered the College in September 1956 and left in July 1963. He was in Sutton House. David played at Fly Half for both the 1st XV and 1st VII and was described as “Defensively very sound with a good kick and a fine pair of hands. A ready eye for an opening.” He was also a member of the 1st XI Cricket team and in 1963 The Sower it was said “David Love made a notable contribution to the success of the XI, both as wicket-keeper and batsman. Catching virtually everything that came within reach and playing some fighting innings when they were most urgently needed, he earned his Colours.” He was also a very competent Triple Jumper and member of the Senior
Cross-Country team.

David was killed in the crash of an RAF Shackleton in 1967 while based at RAF Changi, Singapore.

* Included on the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire

Graham Blake joined the College in September 1944 from his home in Bristol and left in July 1949, having passed the Oxford School Certificate.

At the time of his death, he was stationed at RAF Colerne, Wiltshire. He was one of 41 people, including RAF and Army personnel and local instructors, on board a Handley Page Hastings undertaking a parachute training flight. According to eyewitnesses, the plane encountered difficulties soon after take-off and crashed into a barley field outside Little Baldon, Abingdon with no survivors. At this point in time (1965), this was the worst peacetime accident involving any passenger aircraft of the Royal Air Force.

Sergeant Blake left a wife and four children.

* Included on the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire

Originally from Gloucestershire, Dennis Parsons entered the College in September 1933 and was in Handcroft Games House. He was in the 1st football and cricket XI teams and was an outstanding sportsman. He passed the Oxford School Certificate in July 1938. He was appointed Prefect in September 1939. He left in October 1939
to join the Gloucester Constabulary as Clerk until of age to join as a constable.

He joined the RAF during the war but it was whilst serving at RAF Butterworth in Malaya, as it was then known, that he was killed in 1953.

* Included on the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire

Name included on Armed Forces Memorial, National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire Ronald joined Old Gosden in 1932 from his home in Ledbury, transferring to LWC in 1935 and left in 1942 having passed the Oxford School Certificate.

He was apprenticed to Dowsett Construction Co Ltd in Colwall, Herefordshire but at some stage joined the Navy.

Ronald died whilst serving in the Fleet Air Arm at HMS Heron (now known as RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset.

Robert Parsons entered the College in September 1933 and was in Sheephouse Games House. He was appointed a Sub Prefect in 1938. He left in March 1939 and went to Messrs Shaw & Elder in Guildford on probation.

He stayed on in the RAF after the war and was stationed at RAF Thornhill, Gwelo in what was then Rhodesia. He died in a flying accident and is buried in the cemetery there.

* Included on the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire

Williams entered the College in September 1936. He was in Hyde Games House and Scout Troop and gained his Oxford School Certificate in July 1940, and the Higher School Certificate in July 1942. He was appointed a prefect in 1941.
On leaving the School in April 1943, Williams enlisted in the Royal Air Force and was accepted for a University Short Course and entered Durham University. On leaving Durham he went to Canada for training where he gained his Pilot’s “wings”. On returning to this country he transferred to the Fleet Air Arm and was commissioned
as a Sub-Lieutenant.

On 29th April 1946 he was engaged on a routine flight in a fighter aircraft and when approaching the coast on the return journey in bad visability he struck the mast of a fishing vessel and crashed into the sea.

To his mother and younger brother we express our deepest sympathy and deplore the passing of a young life at the outset of a promising career.

(Extract from The Sower December 1946)

Lionel Foyle entered the College in May 1937 and left in November 1941 to take up an apprenticeship in engineering with R A Lister Ltd, Dursley.

He died whilst serving in the Army during the post war riots in Egypt.

Savage was at Gosden for three and a half years before coming to the College in  September 1934. He was a member of Sheephouse Games House, House Captain, and Scout Troop. He was appointed a Prefect in 1940 and Head Prefect in September 1941. He obtained his Oxford School Certificate in July 1939. Savage left school to take up a Government Engineering Cadetship, and on successfully completing the training was appointed a midshipman in the Royal Navy. Some months after taking up his appointment he had a break-down in health. He was on sick leave when he was admitted to hospital for treatment for an illness which proved fatal. He died on 22nd October 1945 at the age of 21 years. To his mother and his brother, Geoffrey, who is an officer in the Merchant Navy, we express our deepest sympathy and deplore the passing of a young life at the outset of a promising career.

(Extract from The Sower December 1945)

Howell entered the College in September 1936. He was in Hyde Games House, 1st XI football and cricket teams. After gaining his Oxford School Certificate, he enlisted in the Royal Air Force at the age of 17 as an apprentice clerk, intending to make the RAF his career. On completion of training he felt that he should be taking an active part in fighting and transferred to air crew duties voluntarily. He went to Canada for training, qualified as a navigator and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer.

He was posted to Bomber Command and was engaged on several operational sorties. On 24th March 1945, his plane failed to return from operations over Germany. Most of the crew were seen to bale out, but during those last few weeks of the war many of our airmen who were shot down have never been traced in spite of extensive search and enquiry. In December the Air Ministry reported Howell as presumed killed.

(Extract from The Sower December 1945)

Clarson entered Gosden in October 1932, and was transferred to the College in September 1934. He was in Handcroft Games House and Scout Troop; 1st XI football and cricket teams (captain). At athletics he shone as a sprinter, and in his last year at school he won both the 100 yards and 220 yards at the Athletic
Sports, breaking the School record for the 200 yards. He was also captain of his house at swimming.

He obtained his School Certificate in July 1940, and he was a Prefect. He left school at the end of the Christmas Term 1941 and obtained employment in the offices of Messrs Heinz & Co at Bristol.

On being called up, he was selected for a Royal Air Force University Short Course and entered Worcester College, Oxford, where he played football for his college and was selected for the Varsity XI versus the RAF.

He completed his training as a navigator; received his commission in the RAFVR; and was navigator of the plane in which he lost his life on a bombing mission over Germany on the night of 18th/19th July 1944. He did exceptionally well during his operational training and had been selected as a prospective “Pathfinder”.

At a memorial service held at St John’s Church, Clifton, the College was represented by Mr S C Gould of Bristol University, a former member of our staff.

(Extract from The Sower December 1945)

Peters entered the School in January 1931, and left in October 1936. He was in Sheephouse Games House and Scout Troop; 1st XI football team. In leaving he was apprenticed to Messrs Bowden & Higlett, electricians at Guildford.

On being called up under the Armed Forces Act, he joined the Grenadier Guards, in which he served for ten months and then volunteered for the Paratroops. He subsequently received a commission and was a Lieutenant at the time of his death. He went to Normandy with the 6th Airborne Division on D Day and was killed in action.

(Extract from The Sower December 1944)

Sampson entered the School in September 1929, and left in September 1936. He was in Handcroft Games House and Scout Troop; 1st XI football and cricket teams. On leaving he was apprenticed to Messrs R Lister & Co., engineers, at Dursley.

He joined the Territorials in 1938, served in France and was in the evacuation at Dunkirk. He lost his life in the Normandy landings in June 1944.

(Extract from The Sower December 1944)

Evans entered the School in September 1931, and left in April 1936. He was in Sheephouse Games House and Scout Troop, and gained the Oxford School Certificate in July 1935. On leaving, he entered Newbury Post Office as a clerk. He subsequently joined the Hampshire Regiment, served in France and went
through the evacuation.

He received a commission in 1941, and at the time of his death was a Captain (acting Major). He was killed in action in Burma in May 1944.

(Extract from The Sower December 1944)

Cole entered the School in September 1933, and left in July 1939. He was in Sheephouse Games House and Scout Troop; 1st XI football and cricket teams and gained the Oxford School Certificate with matriculation exemption in July 1938. On leaving, he was articled to the County Surveyor, Gloucester.

Cole was a good games player and a sound athlete, and in July 1938, led Sheephouse to victory in the Athletics Cup, himself gaining second place in the 100 yards and 220 yards, third in the 440 yards and first in the High Jump.

On joining the Royal Air Force he was sent first to Canada and then to the USA for training, gaining his “wings” and returning to this country as a Sergeant Pilot. He paid a visit to the School in July 1943. On completing his operational training he was posted to a fighter squadron and went to India in August 1943. He failed to return from a flight in January 1944 and was reported as missing, presumed killed.

(Extract from The Sower December 1944)

Charles married an Old Gosden girl, Margaret Short (ZA99), in August 1943. She later remarried.

Sherwood entered the School in October 1933 and left in March 1936. He was in Handcroft Games House and Scout Troop; 1st XI football and cricket teams. On leaving, he entered Basingstoke Post Office as a clerk.

He joined the Royal Air Force and was trained in Canada under the Empire Air Training Scheme and returned to this country with the rank of Sergeant and an observer’s “wing”. He paid a visit to the School on his return. He went out to the Middle East and was reported missing after operations over the Mediterranean in August 1943. He has since been presumed to have lost his life.

(Extract from The Sower December 1944)

Mellor entered Gosden in September 1930, transferred to Long Sutton in September 1933 and left in September 1939.

He was in Hyde Games House and gained the Oxford School Certificate with matriculation exemption in July 1939. On leaving school he was employed with Messrs Thomas May & Co., incorporated accountants, of Leicester, as an articled pupil.

Mellor volunteered for the Royal Air Force as soon as he was old enough, was sent to Canada in 1942 for training, and gained his “wings” in March 1943. He was retained in Canada as a Sergeant Pilot for instructional purposes and lost his life in a flying accident on 8th July 1943, a few days before his 20th birthday.

(Extract from The Sower December 1943)

Martin entered the School in April 1932 and left in November 1937. He was in Hyde Games House and gained the Oxford School Certificate in 1937. On leaving he entered Basingstoke Post Office as clerk.

On being called up under the Armed Forces Act, Martin joined the Army and was sent to the Far East. He was safely evacuated from Malaya at the time of the Japanese attack and reached Sumatra. On leaving there the ship in which he was travelling was torpedoed and he was listed as missing. Recently news was received from the War Office that he is now presumed to have lost his life, the official notification stating “There is no possibility that he can have survived.”

(Extract from The Sower December 1943)

Cantle entered Gosden House in 1930, transferred to the College in January 1931, and left in March 1937. He was in Hyde Games House.

Cantle joined the Royal Navy as a boy direct from school and on passing out from HMS Impregnable served for some time on an aircraft carrier. He was subsequently transferred to a destroyer and lost his life when his ship was torpedoed.

(Extract from The Sower December 1942)

Name included on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire Harris entered the School in September 1931, and left in November 1936. He was in Sheephouse Games House, a Prefect, in the 1st XI football team. He gained the Oxford School Certificate in 1935. On leaving he entered Abingdon Post Office as clerk.

On being called up under the Armed Forces Act he joined the Royal Navy and lost his life in HMS Fifi in the operations off Crete. Harris had previously survived being torpedoed in the North Sea.

(Extract from The Sower December 1942)

Baker entered the School in March 1927 and left in April 1933. He was in Sheephouse Games House, a Prefect, in the 1st XI football team, and gained the Oxford School Certificate in 1932. On leaving he entered the employment of
Messrs J Sainsbury & Co.

Baker voluntarily enlisted in the Royal Air Force soon after the outbreak of war. He was seriously wounded in night operations over Germany on the night of 21st/22nd January 1942 when serving as a Sergeant air gunner. His machine returned to England, although badly damaged, and Baker was taken to hospital, where he died of his wounds the following day.

(Extract from The Sower December 1942)