Letter from the Head Master
Dear parents and guardians
As we draw this Michaelmas term to a close, this edition of The Warwickian once again captures the richness, ambition, and spirit of our school community. Across these pages, you will see pupils embracing challenge, serving others, discovering new passions, and celebrating the qualities that make Warwick School a place of character and purpose.
Under the banner of Serving Our Community, our pupils have continued to demonstrate remarkable generosity and leadership. The Charity Committee’s student-led Art Auction raised over £4,500 for Kissing It Better; Movember activities, including the ‘Mo-Marathon’ and ‘Dough for a Bro,’ surpassed £20,000; and our Foodbank collection once again reflected the empathy and responsibility of our boys. Pupils have supported younger children in local MAT schools, visited care settings through Kissing It Better, contributed to anti-bullying initiatives, championed sustainability, and led awareness events across all 11 Warwick Voice committees.
This has also been a term rich with opportunities to broaden horizons. Whether performing at the High Sheriff’s Legal Service, collaborating with Ex Cathedra at Birmingham Town Hall, or providing music for the King James I Banquet, our musicians have represented Warwick proudly. In sport, boys have
Their achievements this term – creative, academic, charitable, entrepreneurial, and athletic - are testament to their perseverance and the tireless work of our staff.”
excelled in golf, skiing, cross-country, chess, and rugby - many competing at national level. Our Year 7s made a winning debut in their first-ever water polo fixture, while the U13 Scotland Rugby Tour provided challenge, adventure, and memorable teamwork. Trips across Europe – from the cultural immersion of Barcelona and Paris to the unforgettable Norway Ski Trip – have ensured pupils continue to learn far beyond the classroom.
We also celebrate Excellence in Teaching and Learning, which remains at the heart of our mission. This term saw the launch of the Warwick School Reading List, our continued emphasis on creativity across the arts, outstanding work in
Modern Foreign Languages, and superb literary achievement in the Warwickshire Essay Competition. Encounters has delivered another exceptional programme, welcoming speakers from fields as varied as applied history, brain science, diplomacy, and motor racing –broadening perspectives and nurturing intellectual curiosity.
Above all, our commitment to Knowing the Individual remains our central priority. Benji, our newest wellbeing dog, has settled beautifully into school life, joining Agatha in providing warmth and reassurance to pupils who need a moment of calm. Our Yondr phonefree initiative has also made a powerful contribution to improving focus, relationships, and wellbeing across Years 7–11, helping pupils to flourish in a more present and connected environment. As you read through this edition, I hope you will feel the same pride I do in the diversity, energy, and ambition of our pupils. Their achievements this term - creative, academic, charitable, entrepreneurial, and athletic - are testament to their perseverance and the tireless work of our staff.
I wish you and your families a joyful and restful festive season, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back in the New Year for another term of discovery, growth, and achievement.
James Barker Head Master
At a glance
A selection of this term’s news and stories in one place
Largest-ever Mock Speed Interview event
On Thursday, 16 October, Warwick School held its annual Mock Speed Interview evening for Upper Sixth pupils, and this year’s event was the most ambitious and impressive to date.
With record attendance from pupils, the school welcomed an exceptional group of professionals who generously volunteered their time, expertise, and insight. The evening aimed to provide pupils with:
• First-hand experience of a professional interview setting
• Guidance on how to effectively respond to interview questions
• Opportunities to build confidence
• A platform to showcase their skills and potential
The panel of interviewers included doctors, solicitors, barristers, entrepreneurs, CEOs, directors, and professionals with military backgrounds for those considering careers in the armed forces. Experts from finance, investment banking, IT, project management, engineering, and accountancy also took part, offering a
broad spectrum of career perspectives. The event was a resounding success. Many pupils shared their appreciation immediately afterward, describing the evening as “inspiring” and “eyeopening.” Most importantly, the advice they received helped clarify their next steps and gave them a stronger sense of direction regarding future career paths.
National Children’s Orchestra success
Following successful auditions, we are delighted to report that outstanding flautist, Alex (Year 9) and clarinettist Jayven (Year 9), both Music Scholars, have been awarded seats in the coveted National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain.
They are in the main orchestra this year, and it is an outstanding achievement for each of them to have found their seats in such a prestigious group.
We wish them luck for their performances with the ensemble over the course of the academic year, and congratulate them heartily for this truly superb achievement, which pays testament to their innate musical talent as well as the hard work that they consistently put into their practice.
Fanfare team performed at King James I banquet
On Saturday, 27 September, Warwick School’s Fanfare Team was called into action to perform at the King James I banquet at the Lord Leycester, Warwick. A fanfare was sounded to herald the arrival of the King into the Minstrel Gallery with his courtiers, Fulke Greville (Earl of Warwick), George Villiers (Duke of Buckingham), Warwick
Court Leet Bailiff and the Town Crier. This was proceeded by Fanfare Team providing some more musical entertainment for the pleasure of the King and his guests in The Great Hall prior to the great feast commencing. This was a fantastic 17th century reenactment event to acknowledge the history of Warwick town.
Choral collaboration at Birmingham Town Hall
On Sunday 19 October, 35 young singers from Warwick School and King’s High School had the unique opportunity to perform alongside the internationally acclaimed choir Ex Cathedra at Birmingham Town Hall.
The pupils worked hard in rehearsals and were even joined by conductor James Burton (formerly Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Hallé and Schola Cantorum Oxford) for a special session at school.
In the concert, they sang Duruflé’s Requiem and a new work by James Burton, St Cuthbert and the Otters, while Ex Cathedra delivered additional stunning pieces that showcased both the choir and the Town Hall’s extraordinary organ.
It was an unforgettable evening of choral music, and we are so proud of our pupils for their dedication and achievement.
Bugling duties for remembrance 2025
RMusic Award Holders’ Concert
On Tuesday 14 October, we enjoyed the first Music Award Holders’ Concert of the year. It was a wonderful evening of exceptional performances.
Upper Sixth musicians Ed (trumpet), Charlie (cello), Kaiser (violin), and Aaden (piano) showcased their experience and talent alongside Year 9 clarinetist Jayven Y.
Highlights included Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio, a Mozart Sonata, and a dazzling Hungarian folk piece for cello. Ed impressed with his rich trumpet tone, while Jayven brought energy with a lively clarinet sonata.
Huge thanks to Miss Hooker and all the performers for an unforgettable evening of music-making.
emembrance is always a tremendously significant date in the national calendar. This year, Warwick School’s Brass Department played a proud and moving role in commemorations across the region, with seven dedicated buglers – Ed, Will, Nimal, Barney, Fenton, Anson and Freddie (Old Warwickian), all sounding the Last Post and Reveille at thirteen remembrance services.
These included ceremonies at Warwick School Chapel, school assemblies, CCF parades, Warwick Town Cenotaph and war memories throughout
Warwickshire. Each performance was a moment of deep reflection, made even more powerful by the bugler’s calm precision and musical sensitivity. To take on such a solemn and challenging duty is no small feature, and all buglers delivered faultless renditions with dignity and composure. They are a true credit to themselves and the school.
A heartfelt thanks go to all the boys and their trumpet teachers, Mr Lee, Mr Spalton and Mr Tibbitts for overseeing these opportunities and preparing them so brilliantly in taking on this honourable responsibility.
The Horse of the Year Show qualification
Alex qualified to ride at The Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) at the NEC. Alex competes on his pony Minnie Mouse in Pony Club Mounted Games for North Warwickshire Pony Club, alongside his sister Lottie and three other teammates.
Alex has been riding since he was two years old. For many years, his dream has been to win The Prince Phillip Cup, awarded to the winner at HOYS. Out of over 150 teams in the UK, Alex and his team made it to the final six! What an amazing achievement.
Remembrance Parade
On Sunday, 9 November a record 89 cadets and five staff participated in the Warwick town Remembrance Parade with the contingent banners leading the cadets for the first time as they marched past the cenotaph. Members of the contingent also lead the suitably somber and memorable remembrance assembly on Armistice Day.
Members of the contingent also visited MAT member Westgate Primary School to support their armistice assembly and talk about their experiences in the cadet force. CSM Jo did a fantastic job leading the contingent in most of these events and read the names of the fallen superbly during the school’s chapel service on remembrance Sunday.
House Shout
We finished the first half of the term with one of the most anticipated whole-school events in the Warwick calendar, House Shout and House Ensemble.
This year’s theme was ‘films’, with pupils choosing a song and a piece of music as part of their performances. All of the performances were fantastic, but special congratulations goes to this year’s winners…
• House Ensemble - Oken
• House Shout - Greville
Well done to everyone for putting a superb show - we are already looking forward to next year’s competition!
A musical collaboration with James May
On Friday, 12 September, pupils that are part of King Henry VIII
Consort of Warwick Schools Foundation performed at St Mary’s Church, Warwick, accompanied by TV legend James May on the piano.
The event was part of a charity bike challenge led by James May and Oz Clarke, who cycled across the country, stopping at pubs and cafés to share music, stories, and plenty of fun along the way. As part of the challenge, they also gave
a series of charity concerts, including this one at St Mary’s.
Every penny raised supported Armonico Consort’s vital community outreach work, bringing music and joy to those who need it most. This was a unique and valuable opportunity for our young musicians to perform alongside Armonico’s professional players – and James May himself!
Thank you to everyone who came along and supported what was truly a fantastic occasion.
A Town Crier tradition
On the last day of term, Warwick School had a visit from the Warwick Town Crier — a tradition that dates back over a century! Historically, the Mayor of Warwick would send the Town Crier to the school to speak with Head Master to request that pupils were given half a day’s holiday. Continuing this long-standing tradition, the Town Crier delivered his proclamation, and to the relief of the boys it was agreed that our half term holiday could go ahead!
The Town Crier then toured the Senior School, inviting pupils to contribute to a collection in support of the Mayor’s charity. This year, the funds will help provide a Christmas meal for older members of the community who may be experiencing social isolation.
A big charity haircut
We are thrilled to celebrate Xander’s incredible act of kindness! This term, Xander had a big charity haircut to donate his hair to The Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides real hair wigs to children and young people who have lost their hair due to illness.
Xander had grown his hair for the last two years with the sole aim of donating it to the Trust. This thoughtful gesture not only supports a wonderful cause but also reflects Xander’s generosity and community spirit. Well done, Xander – we are are so proud of you!
Making a splash in firstever water polo match
This term, Year 7 took part in their very first water polo match and what a debut it was! The team put on a fantastic performance, securing an
impressive 18–6 victory away at Northampton. A brilliant start to what promises to be an exciting journey for our young players. Well done, Year 7!
An evening of art and giving
On Friday 21 November, Warwick Schools Foundation hosted a Charity Art Auction in support of Kissing It Better, a charity we have proudly partnered with for the past 15 years.
The auction featured an impressive 70 lots: over 50 works donated by 25 professional artists, displayed in the King’s High Hall alongside a wonderful selection of student pieces and auctioned off by James Mattin from Bond Wolfe. By the end of the evening, with ticket sales,
donations, catering revenue and postauction sales still to come, the total raised had already surpassed £4,500.
Impressively, this initiative was pupilled, organised by Warwick School and King’s High School Prefects. Every piece in the auction had been generously donated and told its own unique story. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this inspiring eveningevery bid helped reduce isolation among older people.
Fanfare Team performs at prestigious Legal Service
The Fanfare Team also had the honour of performing at the annual High Sheriff’s Legal Service on Tuesday, 7 October at the historic St Mary’s Church in Warwick.
This special occasion brought together many of Warwickshire’s most distinguished guests, including the High Sheriff, the Lord Lieutenant, and Mayors from across the county, along with other local dignitaries such as Judges and Magistrates, Police and Armed Forces representatives and religious leaders.
Fanfare Team opened the service with a stirring rendition of A Canterbury Flourish, marking the start of proceedings and heralding the arrival of the legal procession. The service then continued with an opening prayer, hymns, and readings, followed by an address from Reverend Canon Angus Aagaard, the High Sheriff’s Chaplain. To close the ceremony, the congregation joined together to sing the National Anthem, which featured a magnificent and polished performance of Gordon Jacob’s iconic opening and second verse fanfares.
Congratulations to all the boys involved – Edward, Will, Nimal, Ifan, Tom, and Lawrence for representing the school with such professionalism and musical excellence!
Spotlight on our recent Old Warwickians
OW announced as Principal Trumpet of National Youth Orchestra
hris, who graduated from Warwick School in the summer of 2025, has been announced as the Principal Trumpet of the National Youth Orchestra (NYO).
CNYO is celebrated as ‘the world’s greatest orchestra of teenagers’ with 160 teenagers playing epic music and shapeshifting into different ensembles.
To be awarded this role is an outstanding achievement and a real testament to Chris’ talent, dedication, and all the hard work he has put in over a number of years.
Mr Tibbitts, Head of Brass, congratulated Chris: “You have such an
exciting, bright future ahead of you, and I know this is just the beginning of many more wonderful opportunities to come. Enjoy every moment of this next chapter -
OW to feature alongside Hugh Laurie
in new Harry Potter series
Old Warwickian, Rhys Mulligan, will feature as the voice of older Ron in the new Harry Potter audiobook series with Audible.
Securing a role in the audiobook adaptation of the beloved series is a remarkable achievement – made even
more impressive by the fact that Rhys managed to do so while juggling the demands of his final year A Levels.
With this role, Rhys adds to his resume which includes Matilda the Musical, Goodnight Mr. Tom, and A Christmas Carol, alongside achieving a LAMDA Grade 8 distinction in Acting and Public Speaking. He continues to further his passion for acting alongside his Architecture studies at The University of Liverpool.
Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions features a star-studded cast including Riz Ahmed as Professor Snape, Cush Jumbo as the Narrator, Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore, and Matthew Macfadyen as Lord Voldemort, and over
you’ve earned it.”
This achievement is thoroughly deserved, and we couldn’t be prouder of you, Chris!
200 actors in total!
Kicking off with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone this November, and a one-book-a-month release schedule, make sure to keep an eye out for Rhys in books 4-7 in February 2026 as he sees the series through to its epic conclusion.
Future Thought Leaders
James A, Upper Sixth, shares his experience of the inaugural Future Thought Leaders programme he attended during summer
The few days I spent at Cumberland lodge were, to put it simply, fascinating. The house itself, built in the mid-17th century, has welcomed many important and influential figures since its construction. In fact, many of the pivotal meetings regarding the abdication of King Edward VIII were held in the dining room where I ate my meals.
I arrived not knowing what to expect from Future Thought Leaders (FTL).
FTL 2025 was the first year of the programme and as such not much information about the camp was available. With 21 other Lower Sixth students in attendance, all highly knowledgeable in their fields, I felt slightly intimidated walking into the drawing room for the first time. It became quickly apparent, however, that these would be some of the most enjoyable and enlightening few days of my academic career.
Over the course of my three days in Windsor, I enjoyed eight separate
seminars. Each morning began with a talk from either Dr Dennis, or the other two teachers helping run the camp, these would set us up with any knowledge we may not already know about the topics under focus for the day.
On top of this, on Tuesday and Wednesday, each morning session was also dedicated to delegate lead talks and discussions. I started this series with my own talk on AI and bias, exploring the complex philosophy of Wittgenstein which, in my essay on the subject, won me a place and scholarship to the programme.
In the prize giving on the last day, I actually won the best presenter award, however the other talks I participated in were equally as interesting and thought provoking as the professional seminars later in the day.
The structure for FTL was quite unlike anything else I’ve ever done. It was very intense, to say the least, with four hour and a half slots a day. However, I really enjoyed the focus on discussion
and participation at the core of the programme’s ethos. I got to talk to leading academics and professionals in various fields, from Lavinia Osbourne’s work on Blockchain to Dr Charles Ogilvie and his role in strategy for the UK’s COP26 Residency.
In the lead up to the programme I did a lot of research on the theory behind many of the concepts under discussion. What FTL has taught me is that I am much more interested in the practical application of this theory, and whilst I still spend time researching and developing my knowledge, it is the everyday and wider problems within our society that can be solved through philosophy which interest me most.
I met some amazing people over my time at Cumberland lodge, people I’m sure I will be friends for life. It has taught me how to listen and reflect on what others around me are saying and doing. Observation is just as important as contribution, and I hope to bring some of the skills I have learnt back into the classroom and beyond. By James A
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Celebrating pupil achievements
The variety and quality of art produced by our pupils never fails to impress us. Here is a small selection from the term so far!
YEAR 9 CLAY CREATIONS
Year 9 has been creating some clay animal head planters. Here are some pre-glazing.
A wonderful remembrance poppy was created out of clay by the pupils of Warwick School and glazed by the Art Department - Miss Etherton and Mrs Kerby-Tedstone.
YEAR 13 ART SHOWCASE
Forget Me Not by Freddie depicts an almost featureless silhouette staring at the viewer, with a nosebleed pouring from its face. The blood represents rebirth, pouring out the “old blood” (one’s old self) to be filled with “new blood” (becoming a new person). In his second piece, Decay, Freddie depicts a grinning face, blissfully ignorant of the blood pouring from it. It represents a deterioration in masking one’s true self, still smiling on the outside whilst the selfproposed “monster within” begins to bleed out. In his piece, Patrick explored the emotion and expressions found within primates and the similarities seen with humans.
Warwick School Reading List
This term we were thrilled to launch the Warwick School Reading List, a collection of books chosen by our staff to inspire, challenge, and entertain. Why is reading so important?
Research shows that even a few minutes of reading each day can have a huge impact. It boosts literacy, sharpens critical thinking, and helps you express
ideas clearly - skills that lead to better results in exams and coursework across every subject.
But reading isn’t just about grades. It opens doors to new ideas, different perspectives, and a deeper understanding of the world. In an age of constant digital distractions, reading helps improve focus, memory, and even reduces stress. It can make us more empathetic, more creative, and more
prepared for life beyond school.
Our Reading List reflects the diverse interests of Warwick School staffbooks they love and believe every pupil should read before adulthood. Mr Barker has challenged every pupil to read as many as possible and to start conversations with staff about their recommendations.
Discover the list on our website warwickschool.org/reading-list
Encounters
Michaelmas 2024
This term we enjoyed some fantastic Encounters ranging from Richard Blair recounting life with his father George Orwell on Jura (where he wrote 1984) in the 1940s, to a delightful Encounter with the Medieval Moon with Dr Ayoush Lazikani. It was fantastic seeing so many pupils from Warwick School attending Encounters, together with large numbers of teachers and parents and pupils from other neighbouring schools.
Other memorable Encounters included Hector Magraw’s supremely professional and incisive interview with Sir Graham Brady, former Chairman of the 1922 Committee and author of “Kingmaker”, a remarkable Encounter with Donald Trump led by Republicans Abroad and an Encounter with the End of the British Empire with Brigadier Robin RhoderickJone, a former pupil at Warwick School from 1949-1956. We also enjoyed Stephen Belding’s wonderfully engaging Encounter with Chemical Explosions, Nick Milton on Neville Chamberlain’s surprising bird-watching obsession, while Fraser McGuire’s inspirational Encounter with Trade Unionism powerfully engaged
young people in political activism.
Highlights next term include Chris Howe MBE who survived the sinking of HMS Coventry during the Falklands War, Aamna Mohdin on having been a Somali refugee, Bill Reed on the horrific and still
unexplained Malmesbury murder of 1942 and an Encounter with the Edge of the Universe.
www.warwickschool.org/ encounters
An Encounter with Donald Trump
An Encounter with the Kingmaker
An Encounter with my father, George Orwell
Michaelmas term English in
The Michaelmas Term has been busy in English, with some wonderful creative achievements from our pupils. Below are just a few highlights from the Michaelmas term.
Cogito Lectures for Year 11
Our Cogito Lectures have run throughout the Michaelmas term for Year 11. These supracurricular lectures encourage our pupils to aim for higher things by thinking beyond the classroom. Lectures have been well-attended and pupils have heard more about the craft and lives of some of writers on the syllabus. Pupils have learnt about William Blake’s as a social visionary; the themes of nature and identity in our poetry anthology and the term finished with the return of our annual and very jolly English Language Pantomime.
Many thanks to the English staff for delivering these exciting and challenging lectures and to our pupils for their enthusiastic response to the programme. We look forward to more in the Lent term!
The winners of the Warwickshire Essay Competition announced!
The 2025 Warwickshire Essay Competition was launched in the summer and was open to pupils from the Foundation as well as other Warwick Group Schools. Pupils were challenged to write an essay on the topic of ‘Silence in Literature’, drawing on their wider reading and inspired by a series of seminars run by Mrs Hodge. Seminar topics included, ‘Silence in Atonement’ and the essay responses were wide-ranging in their scope and exploration of literature.
We are delighted to announce that the winner of the Warwickshire Essay Competition 2025 is Thomas, and Isaac was highly commended. Thomas’s response was ambitious in scope, with some fascinating focus on literature in other languages. Well-researched discussion of social, historical and literary context and illuminating critical comments made his essay a pleasure to read. Isaac’s highly commended essay explored a fascinating range of texts with some new light thrown on old classics, and modern fiction such as ‘Sunrise on the Reaping.’ A strong comparative thread ran throughout Isaac’s essay and Mrs Hodge particularly
enjoyed the contrasts that Isaac drew between the use of silence and volume in some of the works.
The 2026 competition and its accompanying programme of seminars will soon be opening, along with the Warwickshire Voices Competition, which invites pupils to write a piece of creative non-fiction on the topic of power and language. We hope that the competitions will continue to grow and enthuse our outstanding pupils.
The Warwickshire Essay Competition 2025
‘There’s nothing to say.’ (Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell To Arms )
‘Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent.’ (LudwigWittgenstein)
Silence.
Students in year 12 are invited to submit an analytical essay of up to 2000 words on the theme of ‘silence in literature.’ Essays should reference literary texts of any genre and include a bibliography. Submit your entry to l.hodge@warwickschools.co.uk by Friday 5th September 2025.
Winners will be chosen and prizes awarded by the end of September 2025.
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National Poetry Day 2025
The theme of this year’s National Poetry Day was Play! We celebrated the playful nature of poetry with one of our English Department corridor competitions. Visiting pupils had to solve riddles in eight poems displayed along the corridor. Plenty took up the challenge and it was wonderful to see so many of our pupils scouring the works of poets such as J. R. R. Tolkein, Christina Rossetti and Jonathon Swift. Well done to everyone who took part. We look forward to welcoming you back for more prizes and fun for World Book Day in March.
Welcome Year 7
o welcome Year 7 to the English Department, Mrs Taylor invited them all to make a bookmark this summer about themselves and their reading. We pride ourselves on our ‘sentence moves’ in the department: 30 stylish sentence constructions that our pupils learn by Year 9. We created the ‘With, with’ move just for our new Year 7 and they used it to write one
Tautobiographical sentence on their bookmarks. It was wonderful to learn more about our new pupils and their interests. Their work is proudly displayed in E8, and below are some of their fantastic sentences.
‘With, with’ autobiographical sentences: “With excitement, with the belief that nothing could stop me, I was ready to begin my journey at Warwick School.”
“With agility, with confidence and
determination, I knew I could score the winning goal in the water polo match!”
“With excitement and curiosity, I am looking forward to running, jumping and landing into all that Year 7 has to offer.”
“With perseverance, with a strong mind, I could face the fastest bowler and still hold my ground at the crease.”
“With a sense of courage and excitement, I embarked onto the next chapter of my life.”
Music
By Mr Mann
Music should always be one of the noisiest departments in a school and we are proud to let you all know that we have continued in this vein with gusto this term! Our Year 7s have been working away at their new instruments in a redesigned curriculum, working every Tuesday with our specialist team of Visiting Music Teachers towards a performance that took place on Tuesday, 9 December where they joined together in an orchestra of over 120 players in Warwick Hall. The most promising of them have been invited to continue with their instruments at a discount for the remainder of Year 7 to give a little step up for any proverbial rough diamonds, one of our central missions being to provide the right opportunities to the right boys at the right time.
Speaking of the curriculum, we have been joined this term by Mrs Glover (Director of Junior School Music) who is taking on the baton of Junior School Music with absolute enthusiasm and admirable commitment, and Mr Goodlad (Teacher of Music, Senior School) who comes to us from Wells Cathedral School, equipped with many pedagogical ideas. Also new to the team we have Miss Lacey, our Graduate Music Assistant, recently the recipient of a Music Degree from Edinburgh University, and the wonderful Mr Rosa, who is bringing plenty of fun to the department with his ‘instrument of the week’ board as well as plenty of other new initiatives that complement his general excellence!
Mrs Babalola has also joined our team of Visiting Music Teachers as a clarinet specialist. She also works as a lecturer at the University of Oxford, so we are very fortunate to have her, and she is already making an impact! At the end of the term, we will be saying goodbye to Mr Broadhead (cello) who steps back after over a decade of teaching at the school, as well as Miss Read (flute) who is setting up her own music hub café in Birmingham.
Mrs Robertson also says goodbye at the end of this term as she moves onto new sporting and health ventures, and we wish her the very best of luck.
Singing is very much on the menu this year as a focus for the department. Our Chapel Choir is growing, along with the Warwick Warblers, and both have played their part in the yuletide festivities, not least the Chapel Choir who have had four commitments in the final fortnight of term alone! Our Year 8s have started a new tradition of singing a carol in the Carol Service on the final day of term, and our Sixth Form has joined together in Chapel for Christmas carols in preparation for bringing full voice to the Carol Service as well. This all alongside some excellent preexisting traditions, not least the House Shout, which was won by Greville in October. Next term, another new singing tradition will feature our entire Year 7 cohort singing a medley of songs, accompanied by our most formidable and experienced instrumentalists, in a Gala
Concert at the end of the Easter Term; our vision is that in years to come we will be able to put on performances of some of the greatest Orchestral and Choral repertoire that history has granted us, and we do look forward to welcoming any OWs back for these events to contribute in full voice to our choirs!
Instrumental music of course remains a real strength of the department, with three more of our pupils auditioning for places at conservatoire for September 2026. We have had a number of wonderful concerts, including Jazz and Scones, new Lunchtime Recital and Drivetime Concert platforms for more frequent solo and small ensemble opportunities, and a Music Award Holders concert to showcase some of our most formidable musicians. We have also had an organ masterclass up at St Mary’s with the wonderful Mr Swinton as we look to train up our student organists to more frequently accompany the school in Chapel services.
Trips away from school in local
partnerships have been many, with our buglers again playing a pivotal role in the community around Remembrance Day. A selection of our trebles joined together with Ex Cathedra in Birmingham Town Hall during the half term break, to great acclaim, and Oscar (Year 9) performed alongside Ed (Upper Sixth) at St Mary’s, the latter of whom was offered a paid gig such was the impression he had made on the Director of Music. Our partnership with Orchestra of the Swan remains hugely beneficial to the boys, with an outstanding side-by-side performance taking place in late November in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Orchestra of the Swan are also
providing us with a professional string quartet to workshop with our Lower Sixth A-level cohort in a composition task over the course of this year; more to come in future!
The traditional highlights have closed the term off, not least the institutionally valued Christmas Cracker, which had a very community-based theme this year including carols dotted throughout the programme alongside our usual large ensembles. My thanks to Mr Tibbitts for putting on such a good show at this important time of year, and my sincere congratulations to all of our boys for their excellent music making in 2025!
Sport
Summer golf review
Another busy season of golf, with increasing success and participation.
The boys won the first Staff vs. Boys match and performed well in fixtures throughout the season. Gabe was notable for his performance in the Nett and Gross competition in the ISGA HG Trophy in Cambridgeshire. Finishing in the top ten nationally in both. Team victories against Solihull, Bromsgrove and RGS Worcester show the strength of golfers at the top end.
Our advanced coaching group who practise on a Friday after school are very strong, with many being picked up by the boys Warwickshire team.
Although school sport pauses during
our summer break, our golfers keep busy working on their game, entering competitions and lowering their handicaps. Boys from across the school have been playing all over Warwickshire, often with huge success. There were 11 Junior Opens over the summer holiday, with fields of normally 40-50 juniors from across the county.
Success came for boys across the board, and the following results summarise this and show how well our golfers are doing:
• Robin Hood Competition – Gabe 1st Gross
• Olton – 36-hole competition Gabe 1st Gross, 18-hole Competition Sam 2nd Net, Harvey 3rd Net
• Warwickshire U18 ChampionshipGab 2nd Gross
• The Welcome - Harvey 2nd Net (lost on countback)
• Ladbrook Park – Charlie 2nd Gross and 1st Net
• Coventry – Gabe 2nd Gross, Harvey 3rd Net
• Shirley – Charlie 3rd Gross. Harvey 3rd Net
• Kenilworth – Charlie 2nd Net (Div 1), Harvey 3rd net (Div 2)
Our school season got underway with away fixtures against St. Edwards, Oxford and Bromsgrove on 30 September and 7 October respectively. Victories in both matches mean we have reached national semi-finals which will be played in spring.
Autumn ski racing
The Ski Team had a busy start to the new academic year, navigating various English School’s Ski Association (ESSkiA) qualifying and finals events, culminating in an invitation to compete at the British Schools Championships on 23 November at Swadlincote.
At the qualifier the Warwick teams, with Tom, Dan, Josh, Charlie, Monty, Fenton and Winston skiing, placed second and third teams. Winners, Solihull were a mere 0.66 of a second ahead of the second placed team. This saw
the Warwick team invited to the Age Group finals in Norwich where the boys skied to an excellent sixth place – three places ahead of their ‘national algorithm ranking’ following the regional events.
In the ‘Open Championships’ on the Sunday the boys skied into eighth place and as a result of this managed to secure one of the spots to represent England at the British Schools Championships held on November 23 on our ‘home’ slope at Swadlincote. Sadly, Fenton was unable to ski but those who did Tom, Dan, Monty and Josh managed to improve on their
Cross-country round-up
After a strong qualification in the first round at Princethorpe College, our senior crosscountry runners progressed to the Area Final at Bromsgrove School.
Against high quality opposition, and in boggy conditions and driving rain, all six runners put in a committed performance to all finish in the top 50.
Individual Results:
Daniel, 23rd: 20.01
Alex, 27th: 20.21
Jacob, 34th: 20.44
Jonny, 35th: 20.48
Mark, 40th:21.37
Josh, 41st: 21.39
Team Results: 7th Place
performance from last year by finishing seventh best team and were actually the fourth best English team thus once again improving on their efforts at Norwich.
On the back of the ESSkiA race series six Warwick boys have also been selected to train with the ESSkiA national training squads in Norway during the Winter of 2025/26. For a still relatively young programme this an achievement to be proud of. Congratulations to Tom, Dan, Josh, Monty, Fenton and Winston. We look forward to hearing the tales from their training camps in the new year.
A term of success and strategy
It’s been an incredible term for chess at Warwick School, with our players making their mark both locally and nationally.
County Championships glory
The term started off strong! At the Warwickshire Rapidplay and Blitz Championship, on the weekend of 20-21 September, James (Year 6) impressed in his first adult tournament, scoring 3.5/7 and gaining nearly 100 rating points. Gregory (Year 10) secured third place in the Blitz, and Billy finished second in the Open Rapidplay and then winning the Warwickshire Blitz Chess Championship- aged just 13!
Junior Chess Open success
At the Birmingham Junior Chess Open on Sunday, 5 October, David produced a fantastic performance in his first ever chess tournament outside of school. He finished in outright second place in U18 Group B,
winning a silver medal.
Half-term highlights
Chess didn’t stop over the October half-term break! The Coventry Chess International brought grandmasters from around the world as well as Warwick’s own Billy, who scored a creditable 4.5/9. Mr Lam also ran a junior chess camp, supported by Gregory, whose expertise as one of the youngest qualified arbiters in the country proved invaluable.
Billy continued his rise at the 4NCL (British National Chess League), on 1-2 November, playing for the Warwickshire senior side in Division One. He held his own against top-flight opponents, including an International Master, helping the team to a strong start.
Nationals qualification triumph
Finally, on Friday, 21 November, the Warwick School chess team, led by Mr Lam, travelled to King Edward VI Camp
Hill in Birmingham for the English Schools Chess Championship qualifiers. Facing some of the strongest schools in the Midlands, including players from the Warwickshire Junior Squad and even England’s National Junior Team, the boys rose to the challenge.
With three straight match victories, including a nail-biting win against KES A, the team secured their place in the next stage of the Nationals, finishing an impressive fourth out of nineteen teams. Highlights included Ajay’s daring rook sacrifice, David’s brilliant opening combination, and Gregory’s strategic mastery. Monty came close to defeating a former England representative, Ryan impressed in his debut, and captain Alex battled hard despite tough reversals. Star performer Billy was unstoppable, scoring a perfect 100% and defeating two masterlevel prodigies in style. Congratulations to all our players for their hard work, skill, and sportsmanship!
Fabulous Finland Trips
In October, a group of excited Year 11 pupils headed north for a six-day wilderness expedition in Finland, accompanied by trip leaders Mr Etheridge and Mr Davenport. Staying at the Adventure Apes Lodge near Kuusamo, right on the edge of the Arctic Circle, students experienced the beauty of Finnish nature while developing leadership, teamwork, and outdoor skills.
After travelling from Heathrow to Kuusamo via Helsinki, the group arrived at Adventure Apes Lodge, where they were greeted with a homemade dinner and their first taste of Finnish culture: a traditional wood-heated sauna. Guides introduced them to the essential gear that would keep them warm and safe throughout the week.
Day two focused on preparation. Pupils practised orienteering, learned to use gas cookers, and tried their hand at fire-making. Essential skills for the hikes ahead. Working in pairs and small teams, they cooked outdoors, crafted a homemade fire and got ready for their first major
trekking challenge.
Day three brought the group into the spectacular Riisitunturi National Park. Students took turns navigating through forest and fell terrain, cooking lunch at a wilderness campsite, and learning about Finnish wildlife. The return hike made the evening sauna and dinner all the more rewarding.
The fourth day was all about independence. Pupils planned routes, organised meal schedules and assigned team roles for the following day’s self-led hike. The afternoon offered well-earned downtime with indoor sports, and the bold had the chance to test their navigation skills again this time in the dark.
The highlight for many came on day five: a fully pupil-led hike along the famous Small Bear Trail in Oulanka National Park. Teams cooked meals over open fires, drank fresh river water, navigated dramatic trails, crossed hanging bridges and put their leadership training to the test. The day ended with reflection, a celebratory dinner, and one last session in the sauna.
U13 Scotland Rugby Tour 2025
By Mr Maguire
In the October half-term, forty-two boys and six staff travelled to Scotland for the U13 Rugby Tour. After an epic train journey, the group dropped their bags off and met tour guides for a Ghost Tour around Edinburgh. This is always an exciting part of the trip and showed a different side to both boys and staff!
The next day began with a tour of Murrayfield Stadium, the home of Scottish Rugby. The whole experience was amazing and something the group won’t forget. Highlights included going into the home changing room, before walking down the tunnel and out onto pitch side. The staff members decided this was a good opportunity for a quick photo,
however, they weren’t quick enough and much to the boy’s amusement got locked out of the tunnel until a member of staff came to rescue them!
This set the boys up for three afternoon fixtures against Glasgow Academy. All three games had great rugby on show, with the As winning in a tightly fought contest and the Bs and Cs both claiming
dominant wins. After three wins, spirits were high and the day ended with bowling.
The third day started with laser tag, which was a team bonding exercise as well as lots of fun. From there we travelled to Melrose Rugby Club to play two fixtures against the famous rugby club. Both games had great rugby on show under the floodlights, with Warwick coming out on top. The day was topped off with a lovely meal in the clubhouse and prizes handed out to the player of the day, James. The
final day saw the group do a tour of Edinburgh Castle, walk the Royal Mile and buy souvenirs and then visit Dynamic Earth before boarding the train home. This wasn’t the end of the tour experience however, as there were speeches and prize giving on the train which provided lots of entertainment on the journey. Overall, it was a fantastic tour, and I would like to thank Mr Shirley, Miss Francis, Mr Stanojevic, Mr Rowan and Mr Stapleton for giving up their time and making it a memorable experience for all involved.
Upper Sixth French trip to Paris
By Mr Stingemore
At the start of the October half term break, four Upper Sixth boys, along with Mr Stingemore and Mrs Goodbourn, headed off to Paris for a three-day cultural visit. Upon arriving under beautiful sunny Parisian skies, our first stop was the fifth floor of the iconic Musée d’Orsay where an outstanding collection of paintings is on display. The boys were excited to lay eyes upon some of the most famous paintings from the impressionist and post-impressionist eras, including works by Monet, Morisot, Pissarro, Renoir, Manet, Cézanne, Degas, and Van Gogh. Equally as impressive as these paintings was the huge clock face, through which romantic views of the butte de Montmartre can be enjoyed.
Given the superb mid-afternoon light, a stroll through the Louvre courtyard and into the Tuileries gardens was a must!
The emblematic pyramid of the Musée du Louvre took the boys by surprise as much
larger than it appears in photos. In the Tuileries, it was very clear to all why Paris is known as one of the fashion capitals of the world, with many local Parisians seemingly taking to the dusty paths of the gardens simply to be seen in their highend garments.
A short métro ride brought us out at the Esplanade du Trocadéro where
the formidable sight of the Eiffel Tower awaited. Under the Eiffel Tower, with the impressive École Militaire at the southeastern end, is the Champ de Mars, named after the Roman God of war, which is a nod to its historic use as a military parade ground. Nowadays the area is used for celebrations for the Fête nationale (14 Juillet) as well as New Year’s Eve celebrations. The group then enjoyed a very typical French dinner in an archetypal Parisian brasserie along the Avenue Kléber, where they were commended by the waiting staff for their impressive French!
Next morning saw a visit to a boulangerie in Montparnasse which was voted the best pâtisserie in Paris in 2025 and as producing the best baguette in Paris in 2016. Of course, the boys had to taste-test to confirm the prizes had been fairly awarded! Once the crumbs of pastries had been wiped away from lips,
we strolled the famous Montparnasse cemetery to pay homage to some of the great French figures in literature, music, and politics. Top of the list of graves to visit were those of feminist writer of the Second Sex, Simone de Beauvoir, and her surrealist writer husband Jean-Paul Sartre. A little further up were Serge Gainsbourg, Jacques Chirac, Susan Sontag and the Saint-Saëns family. The autumnal colours in this peaceful corner of Paris added to the experience on this morning.
We ventured back across the Seine to visit the Musée de l’Orangerie, which,
The boys were commended for their impressive French! ”
as well as being an incredibly beautiful building between the peace and tranquility of both the Tuileries and the river Seine, houses Monet’s monumental Nymphéas (Water Lilies cycle), donated by the artist himself as a symbol of peace. Displayed in two oval-shaped rooms are eight massive panels of Monet’s Nymphéas, painted between 1914 and 1926 at his home in Giverny.
Another Parisian lunch of croque monsieur and soupe à l’oignon was enjoyed in the Saint Michel area towards the Latin Quarter, where we were to
enjoy a private walking tour around the area. The tour guide, speaking solely in French, took us through the streets that were the stomping ground of many of the icons of the French cinematic movement of the 1950s and 1960s known as the New Wave. We really got a sense of what motivated the filmmakers such as JeanLuc Godard and Francois Truffaut to shoot in and around this part of the city, not least because of the presence of students and young intellectuals linked to the Sorbonne university. The tour started in the Jardin du Luxembourg, which features heavily in many of the early films of the New Wave – it’s easy to see why! We enjoyed brilliant views up to the Panthéon where some of the grand(e)s hommes et femmes français(es) have been memorialised for centuries, including many writers and resistance fighters, including Josephine Baker. The large portrait of the latest figure to have been commemorated, Robert Badinter, was hanging over the entrance to the Panthéon – a bold and emotive gesture of thanks from the French people and state. Badinter was Minister of Justice under Francois Mitterand and a human rights activist who enacted the abolition of capital punishment and the decriminalisation of homosexuality in France. Around the corner is the oldest cinema in Paris, the Cinéma du Panthéon, frequented by the likes of Jean-Paul Belmondo and Catherine Deneuve. The boys got up close to film awards including BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and Césars. After the tour we enjoyed some time scouring the kilo stores of
the marais for vintage clothing before heading to 9th arrondissement for dinner in a modern Chinese restaurant. The 9th arrondissement, a short walk from the Montmartre area, is a great place to eat some very good Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese food! After dinner we explored the hilly cobbled streets of Montmarte, including the artsy Place du Tertre, and were blown away by the imposing Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre under a deep blue night sky.
Next morning we enjoyed a leisurely journey along the Seine by boat, taking in the amazing architecture of famous bridges, museums, government and ministerial buildings that line the river Seine. Oddly, one of the highlights of this journey was seeing a small wooden plank
boarding up the broken window of the Louvre gallery that had been smashed to steal the French crown jewels the day before! The final stop was the imposing Arc de Triomphe, which stands at the end of the grandiose Champs Élysées, with the eternal flame next to the tomb of the unknown solider and tributes to those who fought and died in the revolutionary and Napoleonic wars.
Whilst we covered all the main attractions that are obligatory on a trip to Paris, we also visited some of the sights overlooked by most tourists, allowing us to get under the skin of the city and learn more about what makes the city so enticing to Parisians and nonParisians alike. This was a trip that will be remembered for a long time!
Portcullis Ski
By Mr Herringshaw
The newly named “2025 Norway (and Denmark for some!) Ski Trip” was a lot of fun. It was not perhaps the end to the week we would have chosen but it was more than bearable due to the calmness and professionalism of the teachers. We were unable to make our original flight home due to a rockslide on the main road to Voss. The group had to split in two to return home via Oslo or Copenhagen. The way in which the boys took everything in their stride was massively appreciated by all the staff. I would like to extend huge thanks for everything everyone did over the course of that day and the week as a whole to ensure the trip was as successful as it was.
For me, what always stands out is that the boys from different year groups interact so well and are always happy in each other’s company.
The skiing was excellent in classic spring conditions and as far as I could tell every boy enjoyed their time on the slopes.
The boys were a credit to themselves and represented the school brilliantly. They were polite, well-mannered and considerate to each other and the general public. The instructors commented that, during ski lessons, all the boys looked out for each other and helped when necessary. The instructors genuinely seemed to enjoy themselves when teaching our boys, which a huge compliment to the way they conducted themselves.
It didn’t matter what level the skiers began, they all made fantastic progress. The most able were adding control and finesse to their already fast skiing. Boys who had never skied before were skiing red and black runs by the end of the week and the smiles on the boys faces at the end of each day was evidence of the pride in their progress and the fun they had.
The classic spring conditions were thoroughly enjoyable. Firm and fast in
the morning and softer in the afternoon. The chance to ski in both conditions certainly gave the boys lots to try. One boy commented that he “had a great time, and felt his skiing improved with guidance from Sebastian, his instructor and ski guide. I think every boy would agree with this, no matter who they were or who their instructor was.
Evening activities included darts, shuffle board, bowling, a quiz, the now famous ‘awards evening’ and the highlight for everyone - Tobogganing!
The carnage of 20 boys racing down the closed pistes on plastic sledges with no real idea of how to steer will live long in the memory!
CCF half-term exercise in Leek Combined Cadet Force
36 cadets and five staff travelled to support peacekeeping operations in war torn Staffordshire. En-route, the cadets were given a new mission to retrieve a crashed enemy drone and prevent foreign operators from doing the same.
On arrival, the cadets kitted up and made a stealthy approach along a river gulley towards Upper Fleet Green farm.
The cadets fought their way through the farm complex, neutralising resistance and taking the buildings for their own use. Clearance patrols were sent out to secure the area surrounding the farm and cadets encountered various locals and pockets of enemy resistance.
Using intelligence gathered from the farm complex and an enemy foxhole, the cadets identified three key areas in
need of a night-time reconnaissance. The cadets were able to close on an enemy observation post, identify an ambush site and stealthily steal a tracking device from the enemy forward operating base before heading back to camp for a night of sentry patrols.
The following morning, the cadets learned of an enemy force moving towards the farm and quickly took
up positions in defensive trenches surrounding the property where they fought off probing enemy attacks.
A counterattack on a partisan position followed with the location of the drone being ascertained and support being called in to recover the technology. As the cadets advanced towards the crash site, the group securing the area radioed for emergency. As they tended to the injured soldiers, the cadets came under fire from an enemy ambush but successfully completed the evacuation.
With weather conditions seriously deteriorating, the cadets planned a night ambush before setting out and lying in wait in the dark and heavy rain for the enemy patrol carrying the drone’s black box. A successful night ambush, illuminated with both ground and aerial phosphorus flares, saw the cadets recover the technology and head back to camp to celebrate.
On waking on the final morning, the cadets received further orders to prepare an attack on the final pocket of enemy resistance. The attack was carefully planned and practiced before the cadets headed out for the long patrol towards the enemy position.
The cadets stealthily advanced on the fortified position and one section were able to pour covering fire down on the enemy from the top of a hillside.
The rest of the platoon moved up on the enemy bunkers under cover of smoke before three section carried out a flanking assault on the last surviving enemy.
Epic Shakespearecomes alive
Warwick School and King’s High School presented this year’s joint Senior Production of Henry V in November.
The enormous cast of over 70 pupils took on this epic history play and produced an outstanding spectacle for appreciative audiences throughout the week.
A traditional Shakespearean chorus took us through the play – exceptionally articulated by James and Viola. Archie led as Henry, delivering such famous lines as ‘Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more’ with immense energy and dynamism that was felt throughout the theatre. He captivated audiences in this intimate thrust arrangement – a first for the theatre – which ensured the audience were always close to the action.
Amongst the superb cast around him was Neave as Exeter, whose dismissal of the audacious Dauphin (a hugely entertaining Sebastian) in her scathing retorts created an icy atmosphere.
Equally exciting to watch was James as the common soldier Pistol, who leapt and gestured with endearing energy and enormous pathos.
Alfie personified the pedantic Welsh officer Fluellen with equal gusto and tremendous humour. On the French side, Zara delivered a hilarious performance as she tried to learn her English words and later wooed by Henry.
There were many more outstanding and moving performances from this cast who all ensured the audience were totally immersed in the story. We were especially pleased to involve younger cast members from Year 7 and 8 whose movement sequence as the boys in Agincourt was deeply harrowing.
Supported by a beautiful, original score by Tommy Perry (Old Warwickian) and a video by Harriet that projected onto four screens depicting the St George’s Cross
throughout the production, the audience remained mesmerised by this full-length story – told in the most compelling way.
Audience members have been incredibly generous in their feedback –offering words of support such as:
“It was truly superb – a huge triumph that showcased incredible skill and teamwork.”
“The lady beside me remarked “I have tickets to see this at the RSC, I shan’t bother now”.”
Pastoral
Ensuring the wellbeing of our pupils
Ensuring the wellbeing of our pupils
The first half of the Michaelmas term saw an impressive 97% attendance, a fantastic improvement on last year. This reflects the commitment of our pupils and families to making the most of every opportunity at Warwick. We continue to work closely with pupils to ensure registration runs smoothly, helping everyone start the day positively.
Our Pupil Voice Committees have been at the heart of some incredible initiatives this term:
• Racial and Religious Equality Committee helped to organise our inaugural Black History Month celebrations in October. Pupils delivered a powerful whole-school assembly highlighting the contributions of people of colour to British history, and lessons across the curriculum explored this important theme.
• In November, the Anti-Bullying Committee championed Anti-Bullying Week with the theme Choose Respect. Their whole-school assembly and Odd Socks Day reminded us all of the importance of kindness and inclusion.
• The Gender Equality Committee marked International Men’s Day, celebrating the positive value men bring to families, communities, and the world. Their assembly was thoughtful and inspiring.
November also featured our muchloved Time and Space Evenings for Year 7 pupils and their mothers, and Year 8 pupils and their fathers. These events provide a special opportunity for reflection and connection, strengthening relationships and building community. Both evenings were very well attended and warmly received.
Our Sixth Form Committee took the lead on Movember, encouraging
pupils and staff to grow moustaches and raise funds for vital causes — from testicular and prostate cancer research to promoting men’s mental health.
In December, pupils completed the Wellbeing Survey and met with their form tutors to discuss academic and pastoral
concerns. This process helps us identify and address issues early, ensuring every pupil feels supported. On the same day, we were thrilled to welcome polar explorer Mark Wood, who spoke to Years 7–11 about resilience — an inspiring message to end the term.
Success for Warwick Voice
The
Michaelmas term has been incredibly productive for Warwick Voice this year with our 11 diverse committees already making substantial improvements to Warwick life.
The Teaching and Learning Committee held a wholeschool assembly, educating students about how to use AI effectively and responsibly, preparing students for a future where AI is an integral part of learning, work and everyday life.
Our Sexual Equality Committee has been busy leading the annual Movember campaign, raising awareness through a whole-school assembly celebrating the fantastic achievements made so far and hosting school-wide events like the ‘MoMarathon’ and ‘Dough for a Bro,’ involving every year group in the campaign which
has seen more than £20,000 in donations at the time of writing.
Sustainable thinking has been championed by the Eco Committee and the Catering Committee who have been working in partnership to organise an ecofriendly cooking competition where the two student winners will see their dishes being served in the dining hall for the Lent Term, spicing up the menu.
For anti-bullying week, the anti-bullying committee followed Odd Socks Day with an assembly themed on using power for good to promote inclusion within Warwick School.
One of the highlights of the term has
been within the Charity Committee where Theo led the charge on organising an art auction raising money for Kissing it Better selling 70 pieces from over 25 professional artists and a plethora of student artists, raising an outstanding £4,500 in one night.
Both the LGBTQ+ Committee and the
The Movember campaign raised more than £20,000 for the charity
The Art Auction raised more than
£4,500
Mental Health Committee had meetings with the Senior Management Team this term, raising various concerns from the school community such as the length of the Wellbeing Survey, which has now been appropriately shortened from 38 questions to 20, and encouraging greater pupil participation in peer-topeer support. Beyond the meeting room, the Mental Health Committee is busy planning events for children’s mental health week, completing interactive installations that will be placed around school next term.
Another successful awareness
week was conducted by the Racial and Religious Equality Committee, highlighting black role models in sports, music, science and media, whilst plans for a school-wide Culture Day are well underway, looking to be held later this academic year.
As an immensely successful Michaelmas term ends for Warwick Voice we look forward to the nonschool uniform days, awareness weeks and exciting initiatives waiting for us in the next term that have continuously made Warwick School an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students.
PAWS
Parents Association of Warwick School
update
Nearly New Uniform Shop
The PAWS Nearly New Uniform Shop is the perfect place to buy and sell pre-loved Warwick uniforms. We sell high-quality items on behalf of parents, keeping a small percentage of each sale to support PAWS fundraising. Donations are also very welcome where 100% of proceeds from donated items go straight to PAWS. So far this year, the team has held two hugely successful sales: a bumper pre-term September event and another in November. A massive thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who make these sales possible!
A PAW-some start to the school year!
This September, Senior PAWS proudly launched the 100 Club. A huge thank you to everyone who’s joined - it’s a brilliant way to support PAWS fundraising efforts and gives members the chance to win £50 every month. Congratulations to our lucky winners so far, and good luck to everyone in the upcoming draws!
We kicked off the term with our everpopular Macmillan Coffee Morning. It was wonderful to see parents catching up over coffee while the boys enjoyed the fantastic cake stall. Together, we raised an amazing £771 - every penny of which has been donated to Macmillan. Thank you to everyone who baked, nattered,
and bought cakes to support such a great cause!
In October, we welcomed Year 7 parents to an informal PAWS Coffee Morning. It was a lovely opportunity for everyone to put faces to names from the WhatsApp group and chat with members of the Senior Leadership Team. These relaxed events are a perfect way for parents to connect, ask questions, and feel part of the Warwick community. Coming up next term – the Headmaster’s Quiz!
Get ready for one of the highlights of the school calendar - the Headmaster’s Quiz! Last year’s quiz was a fantastic, fun-filled evening with 12 teams battling
If you’d like to sell your outgrown uniform or find some great deals, visit our website for all the details: warwickschool.org/paws/ nearly-new-uniform
For more information please contact us at nearlynewuniformwarwick@ gmail.com.
it out for quiz glory. Tickets are on sale now - check the weekly newsletter for all the details.
Stay up to date with all things PAWS by following us on social media or checking the school newsletter.
Instagram: @pawswarwick
Email us at: warwickschoolpaws@gmail.com
Four generations at Warwick School
Two new pupils at Warwick are celebrating their fourthgeneration link with the school, going back almost 100 years.
The great-grandparents of James (Year 9) and Edward (Year 7), were Harold ‘HB’ Robinson, who joined the school in 1930 and was Head Boy and Captain of rugby and cricket, and his wife Joan, who was a pupil at King’s High School. ‘HB’, who flew with Bomber Command in World War II, retired from the RAF in 1962 and
returned to Warwick as Deputy Head of the Junior School and Master in Charge of U16s rugby and cricket, retiring in 2002. A former captain of the OW rugby and cricket clubs, he spent many years as secretary of the OW Association and was editor of the Old Warwickian section of the Portcullis magazine.
HB’s sons, Adrian and Nigel, both joined Warwick School as boarders in the 1950s and Nigel went on to become Chairman and then President of the OW Association and President of the
Warwickians Rugby Club; he is currently secretary of the OW Trust, which provides bursaries for the school.
Nigel’s daughter Sarah, the mother of James and Edward, and her brother Peter were both christened in Warwick School Chapel, where Sarah’s marriage to Robert (whose brother Ryan is an OW) and the christening of their three children, also took place. Sarah, a university lecturer, now works in the Warwick Schools Foundation alumni office.
Edward and James with their grandfather Nigel Robinson and photographs of their greatgrandfather, ‘HB’ Robinson.
Alumni Development and relations
It has been wonderful to see so many OWs continuing to enjoy camaraderie and friendship this term.
1. Regional OW Get-togethers
OWs from the 1950s and ‘60s attended the 9th Annual OW Birmingham Bash, and OWs in Norfolk and Wessex (WOW) enjoyed autumn gatherings with great food and company while discovering connections and coincidences.
2. Past Presidents’ Lunch
There was a great spirit of camaraderie and reflection as a number of Past Presidents of the Old Warwickian Association gathered for lunch at The Cavalry and Guards Club in October.
Kindly hosted by 2025 OWA President Jamie Barr, the event brought together generations of OWs who have each played a part in strengthening the OWA and keeping the school spirit alive.
3. OWs in Hong Kong
OWs enjoyed an evening connecting and reconnecting in Hong Kong in September. They were joined by the Head Master Mr Barker, Head of Boarding Mr Bull (both OWs) and Student Recruitment Manager Henry Xia, who were on the annual schools recruitment and relations mission to Hong Kong.
4. OW Cross Country
An OW cross country team, with Head of MFL Mr Stingemore, competed in the annual Thames Hare and Hounds Alumni race over Wimbledon Common.
5. Old Warwickians
The Old Warwickian Association (OWA) continues to offer opportunities for camaraderie, friendship and networking and there were many varied highlights from the Michaelmas term.
Foundation Ne s
The latest from across Warwick Schools Foundation
Warwick Schools Foundation achieves Food For Life Served Here Bronze certification
Warwick Schools Foundation achieved Food for Life Served Here Bronze certification from the Soil Association earlier in the term.
Food for Life Served Here certification recognises and celebrates caterers who use sustainable ingredients, champion good practice, and cook from scratch. It also verifies that the meals we serve are healthy and sustainable, that they are freshly prepared by trained chefs, and that all ingredients are free from additives, artificial trans fats, and GM ingredients.
Certification also means that the meat we serve can be traced back to the farm and meets or exceeds UK animal welfare standards, eggs are free range, fish is sustainable, and menus make the most of seasonal ingredients — all of which reduces the environmental impact of menus.
Partnering with Oppidan Education to deliver valuable mentoring for local pupils
We are delighted to be working with Oppidan Education as they mentor Year 12 pupils from King’s High School and Year 6 pupils from two of the Warwick Schools Foundation Multi Academy Trust Founding Schools.
The partnership, which began in September, consists of two programmes: Programme One — The Mentor Training Journey — sees Oppidan train Year
12 pupils from King’s High to become inspiring mentors to younger students, with subsequent reflection sessions to further improve their mentoring capabilities.
Programme Two – The Primary Mentoring Journey – is a series of termly 1:1 mentoring sessions for Year 6 students, each on focused on one of Oppidan’s key outcomes: character, oracy, and readiness for the move into secondary school.
I cannot believe there is anywhere which truly lives more by the values we espouse”
Dear parents,
The Michaelmas Term is always full of wonderful activities and events which provide our pupils with an outstanding range of experiences, whichever of our Foundation schools they attend.
There are multiple factors which enable these to happen.
First, is the ethos of the Foundation as a charity, now so clearly articulated in our Purpose: to enable transformation through the power of education.
Second, the commitment to both excellence and a rounded, holistic education for every pupil, appropriate to their school context.
Third, the investment over generations in the facilities and
infrastructure of the schools.
Finally, how all of these are brought to life though the coming together of outstanding staff, wonderful pupils, and committed families.
The activities in the run up to Christmas see these lived out in such vibrant ways. The concert halls used for wonderful performances, carol services which are not only deeply beautiful, but also true to the individual characters of our schools, not to mention our nativities and Christmas Fairs. Layer onto that the ongoing programmes of sport, theatre productions and the almost endless co-curricular programmes, and I cannot believe there is anywhere which truly lives more by the values we espouse.
A note from the Principal
However, to those who enable our schools to be everything they are, we need to add the support of members of wider community, not least our former pupils. Early next term we will be publishing our Impact Report, highlighting the importance of philanthropic giving. From Warwick Hall to Project One Campus, to means tested fee support, our Charity - our schools - would not be what they are without the foresight and the generosity of those who went before us.
Thank you to everyone in our community, past and present, for making our schools and therefore the impact of the Charity, so unique and so inspiring.
Foundation Service of Thanksgiving 2025
Our annual Foundation Service of Thanksgiving was held in The Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick on Friday, 26 September, and once again proved why it is a highlight of the academic calendar.
As we brought together our whole Foundation community – pupils, staff, parents, and Governors – the service provided the platform for outstanding musicmaking, with pupils from across each of our schools being represented fantastically by a number of different year groups as they joined forces to share their love of music. A historic moment came as we welcomed the Warwick Schools Foundation Multi Academy Trust Schools to the service for the first time. Beyond this, the service provided a moment to reflect on everything that our community - past and present - has achieved, and to recognise everyone who has made, and continues to make, our charity such an extraordinary force for good.
New era of festive sparkle in the Market Square thanks to the Foundation
The iconic curtain of light is a cherished part of Warwick’s Christmas celebrations and has illuminated Warwick’s Market Square each festive season since 2015.
Unfortunately, the current display reached the end of its life this year, but the Foundation proudly supported the town’s festivities by funding a completely new display in time for Christmas 2025.
For many in our community, the iconic lights switch on event signifies the beginning of their Christmas celebrations, and we were delighted to support this much-loved tradition.
Celebrating the launch of Warwick Schools Foundation Multi Academy Trust
Following the launch of the Warwick Schools Foundation Multi Academy Trust on Monday, 1 September, Clapham Terrace Community Primary School and Nursery, Evergreen School, and Westgate Primary School each held celebratory ceremonies during the first week of term. Each of the ceremonies marked
an exciting new chapter for the schools and their pupils, setting in stone a commitment to improve the educational experience of all pupils in the years to come. To symbolise the occasion, each school unveiled a commemorative plaque that recognised their founding role in the Trust.
