ACTIVITIES
Co-Curricular and Weekend Activities
Summer Term 2025
CO-CURRICULAR ETHOS
At St Swithun’s we are proud of our academic excellence but also believe in the concept of being ‘appropriately academic’. This means encouraging the girls to work hard in class but also providing them with opportunities to do something else. The ‘something else’ is as important as academic lessons, and sometimes more so. We expect the girls to try new things, to make mistakes and learn from them, to develop commitment, perseverance, teamwork and organisational skills. We accept that some girls will naturally want to take part in many activities and that others will need some gentle persuasion. We would be failing in our duty to the latter if we did not emphasise the importance of balancing academic work with other activities. After all, the girls will never again have so many opportunities to try such a wide range of activities.
Boarders are expected to sign up to a certain number of co-curricular activities that take place after school. This number depends on which year group the girls are in but, generally speaking, the younger girls are expected to do more activities when their workload is lighter. Day girls are welcome to sign up to these activities. There is also a wide range of lunchtime clubs.
Pupils commit to an after-school activity for one term and the sign-up process happens at the beginning of each term. Form tutors help with this process to ensure that the girls have a good balance of co-curricular activities and that they honour any priority sport, music or drama activities for which they are required.
MONDAY
6:45 - 7:30am
7:30 - 8:30am
8:15 - 8:45am
Brass ensemble (by invitation)
Chamber music ensembles (by invitation)
Swim squad (by invitation)
Chamber music ensembles (by invitation)
CAPS & BOLD take first priority
Bold take second priority
Blue – optional clubs
Green – sign-up co-curricular activities (these require a term’s commitment)
*There is a cost for this activity
This timetable is correct at time of printing, but could be subject to change KEY
Break
Period 8
Lunch 1 1:05 - 1:35pm
CONCERT BAND (by invitation)
Italian GCSE
Athletic development
Digiclub (L4, U4)
Ivy House leadership
Junior football club (L4-L5)
Science club (L4/U4)
Cricket nets (L5)
Language ambassadors
Model United Nations (L5 up)
Reading Room
Velocity
Humanities reading group
PHOENIX CHOIR (L4-U4)
Athletic development
Cricket nets (open)
Enterprise club
Knitting club
Pickle ball
Science journal club
Shooting club netball (L4)
Stride
Trampolining
ACADEMIC LUNCHES can run any lunch time on an adhoc basis - advertised weekly (all welcome)
Lunch 2 1:35 - 2:10pm
CONCERT ORCHESTRA (by invitation)
Academic enrichment
humanities (L4-L5)
Athletic development
Netball shooting (U4-U6)
Project St Swithun’s (M5 up)
Senior debating (L5 up)
After School 4:30 - 5:30pm
4:30 - 6:00pm 6:00 - 7:00pm 6:00 - 8:00pm
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
(by invitation)
Athletics (L4)
Cricket (L5)
Tennis (M5)
Senior athletic development (by invitation)
Archery
Gaming club
Duke of Edinburgh Award (M5) (drop in)
PACE/scratch drama club
Scottish reeling
Scrabble club
Squash club*
Golf club
Private study in the library
Fencing (by invitation)*
Athletic development
Athletic throws club
Biology research club
German club (L4-L5)
History and politics
reading group (M5 up)
Cricket nets (M5)
Stage make-up club
Trampolining
SCHOOL PRODUCTION REHEARSAL
Athletics (M5)
Athletic development
1st team cricket (by invitation)
Cricket (L4)
Tennis (L5)
Tennis (U4)
Art club
Allotment club
Private study in the library
6:45 - 7:30am
7:30 - 8:30am
8:15 - 8:45am
Chamber choir (M5 up)
(by audition)
Chamber music ensembles (by invitation)
Band (by invitation)
Swim squad (by invitation)
Senior maths scholars (7:45 - 8:45am)
Chamber music ensembles (by invitation)
Chamber music ensembles (by invitation)
Jazz/Swing band (by invitation)
The Oracle Break
Period 8
STEM reading group
Economics reading group
Lunch 1
1:05 - 1:35pm
DAY HOUSE MEETINGS
STRING ORCHESTRA (by invitation)
Italian GCSE
Athletic development
Confirmation group
Cricket nets (open)
Dance club
Ivy house leadership
Touch rugby (L5-L6)
Law society (L1 and L2, L5 up)
Medical society
Numberphile club (L4-M5)
Play reading club (open to all)
Sweat
The Globe (geography club)
Pachamama club
(L1 and L2, L5 up)
Lunch 2
1:35 - 2:10pm
African culture and literature society
After School
4:30 - 5:30pm
SCHOOL PRODUCTION REHEARSAL
Athletics (L5)
Cricket (M5)
Senior tennis
Swim squad (by invitation)
Athletics (U4)
Art club 4:30 to 6:30pm
Greenpower club
Night shelter cooking
Swimming club
Chamber music ensembles (by invitation)
Athletic development
Femslosophy club
French film club (M5/U5)
Junior musical theatre club (L4/U4)
Cricket nets (L4)
Medical society
Tech club
Trampolining
SWITHUN CHOIR (L5 up) (by audition)
Athletic development
Junior maths scholars
Tennis (L4)
Swim squad
Cricket (U4)
Art club
Badminton
Karate club
Duke of Edinburgh award (M5) (drop in)
Mahjong
SwithRadio club
Filipino martial arts (separate sign-up)
Philosothon (L4-L5)
Allotment club
Coding club
Filpino martial arts
Junior debating (L4/U4)
Poetry by Heart
Primary school volunteering (M5/U5/L6)
Senior football club (M5 up)
Athletic development (U4)
Velocity
Baroque ensemble (by invitation)
Languages from scratch
Mindfullness colouring club
Social card games
Athletic development (U4)
Cricket nets (U4)
4:30 - 6:00pm 6:00 - 7:00pm
6:00 - 8:00pm
Private study in the library
Fencing*
Private study in the library
Fencing (by invitation)*
Private study in the library
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
ETHOS
At St Swithun’s we offer a full and varied programme of cultural, social and recreational activities at the weekends to suit all of our boarders, which we believe will broaden their experience. We believe that the weekend is a time when girls should have the opportunity to take some ‘downtime’, to try out new experiences, to learn how to organise their time appropriately and effectively, and to get to know girls of different ages and backgrounds. Our aim is to provide an appropriate balance of constructive activities and relaxation within a home from home environment.
The weekend activity programme is open to all boarders, free of charge. Day girls will be charged for any activity they wish to sign up for at the weekend. We welcome feedback from the girls about the trips they go on and we are always interested in suggestions for future trips.
STRUCTURE OF WEEKENDS
The organised weekend activities for the Summer Term 2025 are set out in this booklet. The overall structure for each weekend is as follows:
On Friday evening girls have the option of taking part in activities or relaxing. On Saturdays there are matches and other school activities, optional weekend activities (detailed in this booklet) and the opportunity to go shopping in Winchester. On Sundays there are matches and other school activities, optional activities and chapel in the evening.
I hope your daughter will make the most of the opportunities available to her and that she has a fulfilling and enjoyable time while she is with us. If you have any queries regarding the weekend programme, please do not hesitate to contact me on hansenb@stswithuns.com.
Mr Bruce Hansen
Finlay housemaster and weekend activities co-ordinator
FRIDAY 25 APRIL – SUNDAY 27 APRIL
FRIDAY
Outdoor games – mini football
Supermarket run
SATURDAY
M5 Bronze DofE practice expedition
U18 and U14 Cricket vs Embley School (H)
U13 and U12 Cricket vs Embley School (A)
Art workshop
Supervised research in the library
Math and logic puzzles club
New Forest cycling
Winchester markets
Golf at Avington golf course
Boarding house BBQ
U5 social with Winchester College (A)
SUNDAY
Greenpower Goodwood heats (A)
Indoor rock climbing
School production rehearsal
Fitness suite session
Riding
Open dance session
Recreational swimming
Mini-golf
Water meadow walk and ice-creams
Make and bake: cookies
M5 Bronze DofE practice expedition
CHAPEL
Hyde Abbey, Hillcroft, Le Roy
High House, Earlsdown, Finlay (optional)
16:45 – 17:45 19:15 – 20:30
08:00 08:30 – 13:00
08:30 – 13:00
10:00 – 12:00
10:00 – 12:00
10:00 – 12:00
13:00 – 17:00
13:30 – 16:00 13:30 – 16:00 17:30 – 18:30 18:00 – 22:00
06:00 – 18:00
09:30 – 12:00 10:00 – 18:00
10:30 – 12:00
10:30 – 12:30 11:00 – 12:00 11:30 – 12:30
13:30 – 16:00
13:30 – 16:00 15:00 – 17:00 17:00
17:25 – 17:55 18:00 – 18:30 L4, U4, L5, M5, U5, L6 U4, L5, M5, U5, L6, U6
U5 study leave begins
EXEAT weekend commences
Founders’ Day concert
FRIDAY 2 MAY 16:20 16:20 19:30 –21:45 U5
MONDAY 5 MAY
Boarders return:
Le Roy
Senior houses
Finlay
18:00 -19:30 18:00 - 20:30 18:00 - 21:30
FRIDAY 9 MAY – SUNDAY 11 MAY
FRIDAY
U6 study leave begins
Communication and performance showcase
Supermarket run 16:20 17:00 – 18:30 19:15 – 20:30 U6 ALL
SATURDAY
Tennis: U18, U16, U14 National Doubles Tournament (A)
1st Cricket vs Bradfield College (A)
U14AB Cricket vs Bradfield College (H)
Art workshop
Supervised research in the library
Math and logic puzzles club
Winchester markets
New forest Water park
Golf at Avington golf course 08:00 – 1630 12:15 – 18:00 13:15 – 17:30
SUNDAY
Indoor rock climbing
Fitness suite session
Riding
Open dance session
Recreational swimming
Basingstoke shopping
Make and bake: slices
Choir rehearsal (Winchester Cathedral)
Confirmation service
– 12:00 10:00 – 12:00 10:00 – 12:00 13:30 – 16:00 13:30 – 16:00 13:30 – 16:00
09:30 – 12:00 10:30 – 12:00 10:30 – 12:30 11:00 – 12:00 11:30 – 12:30 13:00 – 16:30 15:00 – 17:00 17:00 – 18:30 18:30 – 19:30
FRIDAY 16 MAY – SUNDAY 18 MAY
FRIDAY
Outdoor games - rounders
Supermarket run
SATURDAY
1st & 2nd, U12AB & U14AB Cricket vs Lord Wandsworth (H)
U13AB & U15AB Cricket vs Lord Wandsworth College (A)
Art workshop
Supervised study in the library
Math and logic puzzles club
Paintball
Cinema
Winchester - town visit and cafe
Golf
Boarding house BBQ
L5 social with Winchester College (A)
SUNDAY
Indoor rock climbing
School production rehearsal
Riding
Fitness suite session
Open dance session
Recreational swimming
West Quay
Mottisfont house gardens and afternoon tea
Boarding house rounders tournament
CHAPEL
Hyde Abbey, Hillcroft, Le Roy High House, Earlsdown, Finlay (optional)
16:45 – 17:45 19:15 – 20:30 ALL ALL
08:30 – 13:00 09:30 – 13:30 10:00 – 12:00 10:00 – 12:00 10:00 – 12:00 13:30 – 16:30
13:30 – 16:00 13:30 – 17:00 13:30 – 16:00
17:30 – 18:30 19:00 – 22:00 ALL ALL ALL L5-L6 L4-L5 L4-U6 ALL ALL L5
09:30 – 12:00 10:00 – 18:00 10:30 – 12:30
10:30 – 12:00 11:00 – 12:00 11:30 – 12:30 13:00 – 17:30 13:00 – 16:00 16:00 – 17:00
17:25 – 17:55 18:00 – 18:30
L4, U4, L5, M5, U5, L6 U4, L5, M5, U5, L6, U6
FRIDAY 23 MAY
Half term begins 16:20 ALL
SUNDAY 1 JUNE
Boarders return from 18:00
Le Roy
U4 - U5
L6 Finlay By 19:30 By 20:30 By 21:30 By 22:00
FRIDAY 6 JUNE – SUNDAY 8 JUNE
FRIDAY
UKSA water sports weekend departure
L5 Battlefields trip departs
Outdoor games: rounders
Supermarket run 15:00 05:30 16:45 – 17:45 19:15 – 20:30 L4 & U4 L5 ALL ALL
SATURDAY
U13A & 1st Cricket vs Epsom College (A)
U12AB Cricket vs Epsom College (H)
U15ABCD Tennis vs Churcher’s College (H)
Art workshop
Supervised study in the library
Math and logic puzzles club
U15AB Cricket vs Epsom College (H)
Winchester - town visit
Golf
Boarding house water fight
Boarding house BBQ or House choice
SUNDAY
Indoor rock climbing
Fitness suite session
Riding
Open dance session
Recreational swimming
Aerial Adventures (high ropes)
West Wittering beach
L5 Battlefields trip returns
UKSA water sports weekend return
CHAPEL
Hyde Abbey, Hillcroft, Le Roy
High House, Earlsdown, Finlay (optional)
08:00 – 15:00 09:30 – 12:30 10:00 – 12:30 10:00 – 12:00 10:00 – 12:00
10:00 – 12:00 13:30 – 16:30 13:30 – 17:00 13:30 – 16:00 16:30 – 17:30 17:30 – 18:30
09:30 – 12:00 10:30 – 12:00 10:30 – 12:00 11.00 – 12.00 11:30 – 12:30 13:00 – 16:00 13:00 – 18:00 18:15 18.30
17:25 – 17:55 18:00 – 18:30 L4, U4, L5, M5, U5, L6 U4, L5, M5, U5, L6, U6
FRIDAY 13 JUNE – SUNDAY 15 JUNE
FRIDAY
M5 parents’ meeting
Outdoor games: croquet
Carnival of curiosities performance
SATURDAY
M5 bronze DofE final expedition (New Forest)
U14ABC & U12AB Cricket v KES (A)
Supermarket run
U13AB Cricket v KES (H)
Supervised study in the library
Math and logic puzzles club
Mills Cottage farm experience
Cinema
Winchester - town visit
Golf
Escape room
Restaurant outing
16:30 – 19:30 16:45 – 17:45 19:30 – 21:30 ALL ALL
13:30 – 17:00
13:30 – 16:00 13:30 – 16:00 18:00 – 20:00 19:00 – 20:30
House ultimate games competition 08:00 08:00 – 12:30 09:15 – 10:30 09:30 – 12:30 10:00 – 12:00 10:00 – 12:00 11:00 – 14:00 13:00 – 17:00
SUNDAY
Indoor rock climbing
Fitness suite session
Riding
Open dance session
Recreational swimming
Stonehenge
River walk and ice creams
M5 bronze DofE final expedition returns
CHAPEL
Hyde Abbey, Hillcroft, Le Roy High House, Earlsdown, Finlay (optional)
09:30 – 12:00
10:30 – 12:00
10:30 – 12:30 11:00 – 12:00 11:30 – 12:30
13:15 – 17:00 14:00 – 16:30 17:00
17:25 – 17:55 18:00 – 18:30 L4, U4, L5, M5, U5, L6 U4, L5, M5, U5, L6, U6
FRIDAY 20 JUNE – SUNDAY 22 JUNE
FRIDAY
Outdoor games: rounders
Supermarket run 16:45 – 17:45 19:15 – 20:30 ALL ALL
SATURDAY
Open morning
Sports day 09:30 – 12:00 14:00 – 17:30 ALL ALL
SUNDAY
DofE Gold training day (TBC)
Indoor rock climbing
Bournemouth aquarium & beach
Fitness suite session
Riding
Open dance session
Recreational swimming
Dry slope dough-nutting
Winchester - town visit
Boarding house water fight
CHAPEL
Hyde Abbey, Hillcroft, Le Roy High House, Earlsdown, Finlay (optional)
08:00 – 18:00 09:30 – 12:00 10:00 – 17:00 10:30 – 12:00 10:30 – 12:30 11:00 – 12:00 11:30 – 12:30 13:00 – 17:00 13:30 – 17:00 15:30 – 16:30
17:25 – 17:55 18:00 – 18:30
FRIDAY
27
JUNE – SUNDAY 29 JUNE
FRIDAY
U5 Silver DofE Qualifying Expedition
L4 parents’ meeting
Outdoor games
Summer Concert
SATURDAY
Supermarket run
U12 – 1st Cricket vs Godolphin Super Saturday (H)
U12 – U18 Tennis vs Godolphin (H)
Winchester market
Math and logic puzzles club
Golf at Avington golf course
West Quay shopping
Boarding house choice supper
L6 Biology fieldtrip to Leeson House returns
M5 Geography trip to South Wales returns
SUNDAY
Indoor rock climbing
Fitness suite session
Riding
Open dance session
Recreational swimming
West Wittering beach
Mini Golf
House Bake-off
U5 Silver DofE expedition returns
CHAPEL
Hyde Abbey, Hillcroft, Le Roy
High House, Earlsdown, Finlay (optional)
08:00 16:30 – 18:30 16:45 – 17:45 19:30 – 21:30 ALL ALL
09:15 – 10:30 09:30 – 13:30 09:30 – 13:30 09:30 – 12:00 10:00 – 12:00 13:30 – 16:00 14:00 – 17:30 18:00 – 19:00 17:30 20:00 ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL
09:30 – 12:00 10:30 – 12:00 10:30 – 12:30 11:00 – 12:00 11:30 – 12:30 13:00 – 17:30 13:00 – 17:00 14:00 – 17:00 20:00
17:25 – 17:55 18:00 – 18:30 L4, U4, L5, M5, U5, L6 U4, L5, M5, U5, L6, U6
FRIDAY 4 JULY – SUNDAY 6 JULY
FRIDAY
Outdoor games
Supermarket run
Bramston Foundation summer party
SATURDAY
Winchester Hat fair
Math and logic puzzles club
Boarding outing
U6 Leavers’ Ball
SUNDAY
Indoor rock climbing
Fitness suite session
Riding
Open dance session
Recreational swimming
New Forest walk and afternoon tea
New Forest water park
Boarding Celebration Ball
16:45 – 17:45 19:15 – 20:30 19:00 – 23:55 ALL ALL
09:30 – 12:00 10:00 – 12:00 12:30 – 20:00 19:00 – 23:55 ALL
09:30 – 12:00 10:30 – 11:30 10:30 – 12:45 11:00 – 12:00 11:30 – 12:30 13:00 – 16:30 13:00 – 16:30 18:00 – 22:30 ALL
