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.
6:45 - 7:30am
7:30 - 8:45am
8:15 - 8:45am
MONDAY
Chamber concert ensembles (by invitation)
Swing band (by invitation)
TUESDAY
Swim squad (by invitation)
Chamber ensembles (by invitation)
Humanities reading group Break
CAPS & BOLD take first priority
Bold take second priority
Underlined – sign-up co-curricular activities (these require a term’s commitment)
Not Caps, Bold or Underlined –optional clubs
*There is a cost for this activity
This timetable is correct at time of printing, but could be subject to change KEY
Period 8
Lunch 1 1:05 - 1:35pm
CONCERT BAND (by invitation)
Art club (drop in)
Junior football (L4-L5)
KS3 Science club (L4 & U4)
Language ambassadors (U4-L6)
Lunar mission club (L4 & U4)
Netball GK & GD (M5/Senior)
Model United Nations (L5 up)
Open athletic development
The reading room
Velocity
PHOENIX CHOIR (L4 & U4)
ASC lunch club (by invitation)
Band (by invitation)
Cricket (U4)
Enterprise club
Netball Shooting (L4-L5)
Numberphile club (L4-M5)
Open athletic development
Trampoline club
ACADEMIC LUNCHES can run any lunch time on an adhoc basis - advertised weekly (all welcome)
Lunch 2 1:35 - 2:10pm
Art club (drop in)
Crochet amigurumi
Ivy House leadership award
Netball GK & GD (L4/U4/L5)
Netball mid court (L4-L5)
Open athletic development
Sweat
After School 4:30 - 5:30pm
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (by invitation)
Netball (L4 & U4)
Senior athletic development (by invitation)
Archery*
Allotment club
Cryptic crossword club
D of E support (M5)
Gaming club
PACE - drama club (until 6pm)
Squash club*
4:30 - 6:00pm 7:00 - 8:00pm 6:00 - 8:00pm
Private study in the library
Fencing (by invitation)*
ASC lunch club (by invitation)
Biology research club
Cricket (L5 & M5)
Femlosophy
German clinic (KS4)
History and politics reading group (M5 up)
Lacrosse shooting and GK
Open athletic development
Science journal club (L5 up)
Trampoline club
Women in literature
SCHOOL PRODUCTION REHEARSAL (until 6pm)
Senior lacrosse
Netball (L5 & M5)
Art club
Duke of Edinburgh support (M5)
Films of Akira Kurosawa
Golf driving range
Junior football
Senior athletic development
Private study in the library
6:45 - 7:30am
7:30 - 8:45am
8:15 - 8:45am
Band (by invitation)
Chamber choir (M5 up) (by audition)
Chamber ensembles (by invitation)
STEM reading group
Swim squad (by invitation)
Senior maths scholars (by invitation)
Chamber ensembles (by invitation)
Economics reading group The Oracle Break
Period 8
Lunch 1
1:05 - 1:35pm
DAY HOUSE MEETINGS
Pachamama project
STRING ORCHESTRA (by invitation)
Athletic development (L5)
Band (by invitation)
Confirmation groups (L5 up)
Dance
German clinic for lower school (L4-L5)
Italian GCSE (L5 up)
Lacrosse draw club
Law society
Medical society (U5 up)
Netball mid court (M5 up)
Play reading club (L5 up)
Stride
The Globe (Geography club)
Thinking maths
ACADEMIC LUNCHES can run any lunch time on an adhoc basis - advertised weekly (all welcome)
Lunch 2
1:35 - 2:10pm
African culture and literature society
Pachamama project
Italian GCSE (L5 up)
Athletic development (L5)
Lacrosse shooting & GK
Law society
Senior netball shooting (M5 up)
Tech club
Trampoline club
After School
4:30 - 5:30pm
SCHOOL PRODUCTION
REHEARSAL (until 6pm)
Band (by invitation)
Lacrosse (L5 & M5)
Senior netball
Swim squad
Art club
Cooking for the night shelter
Green power
SWITHUN CHOIR (L5 up) (by audition)
Lacrosse (L4 & U4)
Art club
Athletic development (M5)
Badminton club (L5-U6)
D of E support (M5)
Karate*
Maths Cartwright Club (U4-U5) (by invitation)
Brass ensemble (by invitation)
Chamber ensembles (by invitation)
4:30 - 6:00pm
7:00 - 8:00pm
6:00 - 8:00pm
Filipino martial arts
Primary school volunteering (M5-U6)
Athletic Development (U4)
Coding club
Creative writing club (L5 up)
Yoga
Baroque ensemble (by invitation)
Athletic Development (U4)
French GCSE club (M5 & U5)
Junior drama club (L4 & U4)
Languages from scratch
Social games club
Spanish for beginners (L5 & M5)
Swim squad
SwithRadio
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 Autumn 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 5 SEPTEMBER – SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER
FRIDAY
Learn a new game: Boules
Supermarket visit
SATURDAY
U6 ‘re-sit’ exams
Lacrosse and netball training
Supervised study in the library
Hunted: St Swithun’s hide and seek challenge
Boarders’ movie night
SUNDAY
1st, 2nd & U15A Lacrosse - Berkhamsted tournament (A)
Chessington World of Adventure
Thorpe Park
CHAPEL
Hyde Abbey, Earlsdown, Le Roy High House, Hillcroft, Finlay (optional)
16:30–17:30 19:15–20:45 ALL ALL
08:30–16:30
09:30–13:00 10:00–12:00
13:45–17:00 19:30–21:00 U6 ALL ALL ALL ALL
07:30–17:30
09:30–17:30 09:30–17:00 L4–L5 L5–U6
17:25–17:55 18:00–18:30 L4, U4, L5, M5, U5, L6 U4, L5, M5, U5, L6, U6
FRIDAY 12 SEPTEMBER – SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
FRIDAY
U6 parents’ meeting
Supermarket visit
SATURDAY
Greenpower: Dunsfold Park heat
Super Saturday U13-U15 vs St Catherine’s (A)
Art workshop
Logic puzzle solving
Supervised study in the library
Old Girls’ Day
Winchester markets
Golf lessons at Winchester Golf Academy
New Forest deer park
Boarders’ silent disco
SUNDAY
Indoor rock climbing
School production rehearsal
Gym
Dance
Riding
Open dance session
Recreational swimming
Shopping at West Quay
West Wittering Beach
CHAPEL
Hyde Abbey, Earlsdown, Le Roy High House, Hillcroft, Finlay (optional)
16:30–19:30 19:15–20:45 U6 ALL
06:00–18:00
09:30–13:30 10:00–12:00 10:00–12:00 10:00–12:00
11:00–15:00 13:45–17:00
13:40–15:30
13:30–17:00 19:30–21:00
09:30–12:00 10:00–18:00 10:00–11:30 10:00–11:00 10:40–12:45 11:00–12:00 11:30–12:30 13:00–17:00 13:00–17:00
17:25 – 17:55 18:00 – 18:30 L4, U4, L5, M5, U5, L6 U4, L5, M5, U5, L6, U6
FRIDAY 19 SEPTEMBER – SUNDAY 21 SEPTEMBER
FRIDAY
U5 6th form meeting
Learn a new game: Kubb
Supermarket visit
SATURDAY
Lacrosse vs Putney High School (H)
Art workshop
Supervised study in the library
Logic puzzle solving
St Swithun’s open golf event (Hockley)
Winchester - town visit
Cinema
Karaoke
Golf lessons at Winchester Golf Academy
SUNDAY
Indoor rock climbing
School production rehearsal
Gym
Dance
Open dance session
Riding
Recreational Swimming
New Forest Water Park
Winchester Escape Rooms
Baking: perfect cream teas
CHAPEL
Hyde Abbey, Earlsdown, Le Roy
High House, Hillcroft, Finlay (optional)
16:30–18:30 16:30–17:30 19:15–20:45 U5 ALL ALL
09:30–13:00 10:00–12:00 10:00–12:00 10:00–12:00 13:00–19:00 14:00–17:00 13:30–16:30 13:30–16:30 13:40–15:30
09:30–12:00 10:00–18:00
10:00–11:30 10:00–11:00 11:00–12:00 10:40–12:45 11:30–12:30 13:30–17:30 13:30–16:00 14:30–16:00 L4–U6 ALL ALL ALL U4–U6 ALL L4–L5 ALL ALL Cast M5–U6 L4/U4 ALL ALL ALL ALL L5–U6 ALL
17:25–17:55 18:00–18:30 L4, U4, L5, M5, U5, L6 U4, L5, M5, U5, L6, U6
FRIDAY 3 OCTOBER – SUNDAY 5 OCTOBER
FRIDAY
L4 parents’ meeting
L4 movie and pizza night (hosted by U6)
Supermarket visit
SATURDAY
Open Morning
Art workshop
Supervised study in the library
Logic puzzle solving
Super Saturday vs Downe House (H)
Ice skating
Golf lessons at Winchester Golf Academy
Winchester - town visit
U4 takeaway
Boarding combined activity
SUNDAY
School production rehearsal
Indoor rock climbing
Gym
Dance
Open dance session
Riding
Recreational swimming
Brunch served in the canteen
Marwell Zoo
Mountain biking in the New Forest
CHAPEL
High House, Earlsdown, Le Roy Hyde Abbey, Hillcroft, Finlay (optional)
16:30–18:00 16:30–20:15 19:15–20:45 L4 L4 (all) ALL
09:00–13:00 10:00–12:00 10:00–12:00 10:00–12:00 12:00–16:30 13:30–15:30
13:40–15:30 14:00–17:00 18:00–20:30 19:00–21:00
10:00–18:00 09:30–12:00 10:00–11:30 10:00–11:00 11:00–12:00 10:40–12:45 11:30–12:30 12:30–13:00 13:00–16:30 13:30–17:00 ALL ALL ALL ALL L4–U5 ALL U4–U6 U4 ALL Cast ALL M5–U6 L4/U4 ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL U4–L6
17:25–17:55 18:00–18:30 L4, U4, L5, M5, U5, L6 U4, L5, M5, U5, L6, U6
FRIDAY 10 OCTOBER – SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER
FRIDAY
Learn a new game: Backgammon
Supermarket visit
SATURDAY
U19 lacrosse South West Rally (H)
U13 internal netball & lacrosse training
Art workshop
Supervised study in the library
Logic puzzle solving
Cinema
Golf lessons at Winchester Golf Academy
Winchester - town visit
S’mores and campfire
Restaurant outing
U5 social with Winchester College (A)
SUNDAY
Greenpower Final (Goodwood)
School production rehearsal
Indoor rock climbing
Gym
Dance
Open dance session
Riding
Recreational swimming
Paintball
Ceramic painting
Baking: chocolate brownie
CHAPEL
Hyde Abbey, Earlsdown, Le Roy High House, Hillcroft, Finlay (optional)
16:30–17:30 19:15–20:45 ALL ALL
08:00–16:30 09:30–12:15 10:00–12:00 10:00–12:00 10:00–12:00 13:30–17:00 13:40–15:30 14:00–17:00
19:00–20:00 18:00–20:00 19:00–22:00
U5–U6
L4-M5 ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL
L5–U6
L4 & U4 L6 U5
06:00–18:00 10:00–18:00 09:30–12:00 10:00–11:30 10:00–11:00 11:00–12:00 10:40–12:45 11:30–12:30 13:00–15:30 13:00–16:30 14:30–16:00 Cast ALL
M5–U6
L4/U4 ALL ALL ALL M5–U6 ALL ALL
17:25–17:55 18:00–18:30
L4, U4, L5, M5, U5, L6 U4, L5, M5, U5, L6, U6
FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER – SUNDAY 9 NOVEMBER
FRIDAY
Learn a new game: Nine men’s morris
Supermarket visit
SATURDAY
Super Saturday v Guildford (A)
Art workshop: coursework
Supervised study in the library
Logic puzzle solving
Shopping: West Quay
Cat Cafe
Golf lessons at Winchester Golf Academy
Winchester - town visit
Make and bake: your own pizza
SUNDAY
School production rehearsal
Indoor rock climbing
Gym
Dance
Open dance session
Riding
Recreational swimming
Karaoke
Ice skating
Baking: ginger crunch
CHAPEL
Hyde Abbey, Earlsdown, Le Roy High House, Hillcroft, Finlay (optional)
16:30–17:30 19:15–20:45 ALL ALL
09:30–13:00 10:00–12:00 10:00–12:00 10:00–12:00 13:00–17:30 14:00–16:30 13:40–15:30 14:00–17:00
17:00–18:00 10:00–18:00 09:30–12:00 10:00–11:30 10:00–11:00 11:00–12:00 10:40–12:45 11:30–12:30 13:30–16:30 13:40–15:30 15:00–16:30 ALL ALL ALL ALL U4–U6 L4–U4 ALL U4–U6 ALL Cast ALL M5–U6 L4/U4 ALL ALL ALL L4–L5 L5–U6 ALL
17:25–17:55 18:00–18:30 L4, U4, L5, M5, U5, L6 U4, L5, M5, U5, L6, U6
FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER – SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER
FRIDAY
M5 parents’ meeting
Supermarket visit
SATURDAY
Super Saturday v SHSK (A)
Art workshop
Supervised study in the library
Logic puzzle solving
Golf lessons at Winchester Golf Academy
Winchester - town visit
Flip Out
Restaurant outing
SUNDAY
School production rehearsal
Indoor rock climbing
Gym
Dance
Open dance session
Riding
Recreational swimming
Cinema
Ice skating
Cat Cafe
CHAPEL
Hyde Abbey, Earlsdown, Le Roy High House, Hillcroft, Finlay (optional)
16:30–20:00 19:30–20:45 M5 ALL
07:30–14:00 10:00–12:00 10:00–12:00 10:00–12:00 13:40–15:30 14:00–17:00 14:00–16:30 18:30–20:30 10:00–18:00
09:30–12:00 10:00–11:30 10:00–11:00 11:00–12:00 10:40–12:45 11:30–12:30 13:30–17:00 13:30–16:00 14:00–16:30 ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL U4–L6 L4–L5 M5 Cast ALL M5–U6 L4/U4 ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL L5–L6
17:25–17:55 18:00–18:30 L4, U4, L5, M5, U5, L6 U4, L5, M5, U5, L6, U6
FRIDAY 28 NOVEMBER – SUNDAY 30 NOVEMBER
FRIDAY
U4 parents’ meeting
School production performance 16:30–19:00 19:30–21:30 U4
SATURDAY
U5–U6 MUN Global Conference (Oxford)
Supermarket visit
Art workshop
Supervised study in the library
Logic puzzle solving
Golf lessons at Winchester Golf Academy
Coral Reef
Winchester - town visit
Brazilian bracelet making
Cat Cafe
Boarding combined activity
SUNDAY
U5–U6 MUN Global Conference (Oxford)
DofE Silver training
Shopping on Oxford Street
Indoor rock climbing
Gym
Dance
Open dance session
Riding
Recreational swimming
Pamper session
Mottisfont house - winter walk and cafe
Swithun choir rehearsal
School Advent Service
07:00–21:30
09:00–10:00 10:00–12:00 10:00–12:00 10:00–12:00 13:40–15:30 14:00–17:00 14:00–17:00 14:00–17:00 14:00–16:30 19:00–21:00
07:00–21:30 09:00–16:00 09:00–17:00 09:30–12:00 10:00–11:30 10:00–11:00 11:00–12:00 10:40–12:45 11:30–12:30 14:00–15:30 14:00–16:30 17:00–18:00 18:30–19:30 ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL L5–U6 ALL L5–L6 ALL U5 U5–U6 ALL M5–U6 L4/U4 ALL ALL ALL ALL L4–L5 ALL ALL
FRIDAY 5 DECEMBER – SUNDAY 7
DECEMBER
FRIDAY
L6 parents’ meeting
Supermarket visit 16:30–19:00 19:15–20:30 L6 ALL
SATURDAY
Super Saturday v St Alban’s High (H)
Art workshop: coursework
Supervised study in the library
Logic puzzle solving
Winchester - Christmas markets
Golf lessons at Winchester Golf Academy
Christmas bauble masterclass
Boarding Christmas party
SUNDAY
Santa fun run
Indoor rock climbing
Gym
Dance
Open dance session
Riding
Recreational swimming
Pamper session
Rush weaving - reindeer and angels
Christmas willow stars
CHAPEL
Hyde Abbey, Earlsdown, Le Roy High House, Hillcroft, Finlay (optional)
09:30–13:30 10:00–12:00 10:00–12:00 10:00–12:00 13:00–17:00 13:40–15:30 14:30–16:30 19:30–21:00
09:00–11:00 09:30–12:00 10:00–11:30 10:00–11:00 11:00–12:00 10:40–12:45 11:30–12:30 14:00–15:30 13:00–14:30 14:45–16:15
M5–U6 L4/U4 ALL ALL ALL M5–U6 L5–U6 L4/U4
17:25–17:55 18:00–18:30 L4, U4, L5, M5, U5, L6 U4, L5, M5, U5, L6, U6
THURSDAY 11 DECEMBER
