Headmaster’s Letter

ADAM WILLIAMS

Headmaster’s Letter

And so, the clock has ticked over into January 22, after a year of COP 26, Covid-19 and the T20, not to mention LWC’s progress on the 1200 and Project 2030… now there’s a few numbers for you…

In a world where the climate shift has seen the green wave of environmental technology take centre stage, it is apt that our stunning new Science Centre was completed in December, ready for pupils in January 2022. A walled fruit garden and biodiversity beds are planned, along with continued investment in outdoor learning (the 1200 project). It is not quite a rewilding of the farm as per the Knepp estate in Sussex, rather a diversification for 21st Century society. LWC’s space strikes a chord with so many who have come to know the school and we look forward to welcoming you back into this environment to experience these evolutions. Alas, the animals are no more, but orienteering courses, mountain bike trails, the Beckwith 5k (see “Centenary” page 38), outdoor classrooms and theatre, wildflower meadows and astronomy in our dark skies are just some of the opportunities on offer in 2022 and beyond.

We have also taken the chance to reduce our carbon footprint further with just UK based trips in 2021 and 2022, albeit the Sternian / parent trek across the Sahara (well, part of it) for the Foundation will be one of the first overseas trips back together - what an opportunity - please do keep signing up (see “Centenary” page 39). School collaborations will play a key role in the years to come and the memories of the CCF banner blessing with cadets, the RAF chinooks and gazelles as well as friends and family at the opening of the Nadine Uppal Theatre with Julian Sands in attendance were two such memories of the term just passed.

And so, with record demand for places at LWC still ever present, our girls and boys county champions and excellent national progression in hockey and rugby, alongside outstanding exam results and both creative and performing arts thriving, we stride on to our centenary year marking 100 years since Alfred Beckwith became the first pupil on 22nd November 1922. I wonder back then, if the Good Schools Guide had visited (as they did last term) would they have found the same.

I wish you all the very best for 2022 as you chart your way through these times. Talking of navigation, you may well have noticed a branding evolution at LWC. After many months of detailed research with our creative agency, we are delighted with the final design which reflects our beautiful, rural campus. Many of you may remember that swallows annually nest in the farm buildings and eaves across LWC having journeyed from South Africa. Swallows are industrious, playful, caring and ambitious - character traits that we should all seek to emulate in our lives.

ADAM WILLIAMS

Sternian Julian Sands officially opens the Nadine Uppal Theatre in September 2021.

Praise from The Good Schools Guide

‘Up there with the best of them when it comes to pupil voice’

Where ‘there is a philosophy of investing in dynamic teachers who are utterly, ridiculously passionate about their subjects’

Where ‘pastoral care is pretty phenomenal’

Where ‘children make friends for life, don’t have a minute to spare and are likely to look back on their school days very fondly indeed’

We were delighted to reveal our new branding in September 2021