Goodbye Seniors

Class of 2022

Goodbyes are never easy. But they are an inevitable part of any journey. The class of 2022 will always be remembered as one which showed commendable resilience, strength, and grit. After two years of disruption by the pandemic, students returned to the classrooms and picked up the thread from where they left it two years back –adjusting to a new normal and reviving the good old practices. Here’s something interesting – since exams were cancelled for the past two years, the class of 2022 wrote their A Level exams without having written either their IGCSEs or their AS Levels. We salute their amazing stoicism and impressive dedication. As we bid adieu to this amazing cohort, we are grateful to Sophia Pogorelova, Secondary Head Girl 2021-2022, and Kanchan Palakode, Deputy Secondary Head Boy, 2021-2022, for sharing words of wisdom for the Winchester family.

Sophia Pogorelova Secondary Head Girl 2021-2022 Sophia Pogorelova joined Winchester in 2007. Sophia’s achievements are impressively diverse – she was an IGCSE as well as an AS Level Topper, and at the same time, excelled in extracurricular activities like debates and MUN conferences, to name a few. Sophie is also the founder of the initiative Notes2You, a website which amalgamates all the essential resources students need to prepare for their CIE examinations. As a WIN Times Columnist, Sophia wrote the column Ta lking Politics, and contributed extremely insightful articles which deciphered myriad aspects of political philosophy. After serving as a Student Leader in the Winchester Student Government in several pivotal roles such as the Head of Community, and the Deputy Head Girl, Sophie was chosen as the Secondary Head Girl in her final year. Sophia’s legacy as the Head Girl is that of kindness and grace – a leader who everyone loved to follow and learned a great deal from.

Sophia’s Message

The question we were all asked starting at a young age, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, filled our minds with the most creative ideas. I knew kids who wanted to be gardeners, detectives, actors…we all shared equally big dreams. But as we grew up, this question became stressful and came with the pressure of having to know your interests and passions. It engrains us with this idea that what we do and accomplish defines who we are. For a long time, my own identity and self-worth was vested in what I did and achieved; activities, assignments and events that couldn't be listed on an application felt worthless to me. Because their benefits were insufficient to provide me with a tangible reward that corresponded to my definition of success. However, when I think back on my time at Winchester, the most joyful and exciting aspects weren't the grades or prize day awards that I so ardently pursued. The seemingly unnecessary adventures I had with my friends, teachers, classmates and the student government are my best memories. Whether it was planning the IYLS, attending our senior winter ball, painting the school walls or even being part of initiatives like Project Rona, all these memories are connected with you. Looking back from this new vantage point, I challenge us to rethink the question of what we want to be when we grow up and instead ask who we want to be. Because with this new change, the question takes on a new meaning. It creates a framework for our future plans and identities based on our self-image.

Rather than allowing our accomplishments or careers to define us, it reminds us that who we are is not determined by heredity, prior acts, or luck. You get to choose who you are and what you value. It is these values that will determine how you will be remembered.

I’d like to extend a thank you to our beloved teachers and staff, for moulding us into intelligent young adults. For their care, love and patience. Thank you to Ms Fiona, for always looking out for us and for making our experience at Winchester the most memorable.

I want to thank all our students for showing me what being Head Girl really means. For your kindness, support and most importantly, your friendship. And of course the biggest thank you to Ms Debbie, for being a part of my life as more than just a teacher.

Sophia as an adorable cherub when she joined Winchester in 2007. Sophia’s official picture as Secondary Head Girl, taken in September 2021

Graduation Evening 2022

Kanchan Palakode

Secondary Deputy Head Boy 2021-2022

Kanchan Kumar Palakode joined Winchester in 2018. He was the Deputy Head Boy for the Academic Year 2021-2022. He enjoys public speaking and has regularly participated in MUN conferences as well as debates. He has represented the school internationally for the World Scholars Cup, held in USA and China. A passionate reader, Kanchan won the first place in the Winchester Summer Reading Challenge 2020. Music plays a big part in his life. He also loves sports and especially enjoys basketball, swimming and chess. Kanchan has led the Winchester Wellbeing Calendar for the last two years and has curated extremely helpful wellbeing activities for the Winchester community. He sincerely believes in elevating himself and everyone around him, and once he takes up a task he always makes sure to finish it to the fullest of his potential. Kanchan will always be remembered as a senior ever ready to help and always present for his peers and teachers alike.

Kanchan’s Message

As the class of 2022 finally graduates, I can't help but feel melancholic as my school years come to a close. It has been one long ride all the way to sixth form and it has been unforgettable truly. Here is some advice I want to share with my juniors.

Get out of your comfort zone

First, get comfortable with uncomfortable. Don’t stay fixated on doing things that you’re comfortable with. Make sure that you take time to do things that you’ve never done before, no matter how much they scare you. This could be anything from public speaking to bungee jumping. Treating failure as a stepping stone to success; instead of viewing failure as an ultimatum, use whatever small or big failures (academic, personal, social) you experience as a character-building experience and move on. This will provide you with the resilience to overcome many obstacles in the future.

Focus on holistic progress

Focus on holistic progress, not just on how well you’re doing academically; make sure you’re evaluating all aspects of your life. Evaluate the people you surround yourself with, the books you read, the content you consume, your thought process, your daily habits, and your goals. Try progressing from an overall perspective. I do not follow the herd mentality; doing something just because everyone is doing it. If you’re interested in something else that nobody else is doing, go for it. Everyone has to follow their personal career path, so make sure to make yours one that you like. I believe that maintaining a balance in most aspects of your life, whether it's academic or social and prioritising your responsibilities makes you more happy and calm. It becomes a lot easy when you learn to manage your time wisely and figure out what works best for you.

Listen to your heart

Remember to always listen to your heart. You are the best person to know what is best for yourself. Take your time to find the right resources that will help you succeed. It is worthwhile to be organised when you are studying, this has helped me a lot during my exams. Above all, your happiness and wellbeing can do a lot to improve your focus.

Diversify

Getting involved in additional activities, as well as being realistic and knowing your limits are extremely important. I feel this will lessen the pressure put on you and turn procrastination into action. To experiment is cool, but try not to be easily influenced, or be something you’re not in order to please others.

Kindness always matters

Be yourself; be genuine and sincere with your friends. If you mess up a test, a friendship or yelled at someone or anything else you might regret, have the confidence to get over it as a learning opportunity. It is a pleasure to treat your peers the way you want to be treated, even if you don't get along with someone, show them respect and politeness.

Each of us have our own unique experience at Winchester, a combination of good times and bad times, times of laughter and of joy, times of school spirit. Being a member of the student government, I can honestly say that our school provides each student a great platform to rise and shine. Keep a positive mindset and grab every opportunity that comes your way.

Take those experiences with you. Keep close with the student and teacher friends you have made here at Winchester school. Do well wherever you go and in whatever you do. Make good memories and cherish the time you get in school and the time you get with your friends! Enjoying every moment in school with no regrets is the key to feeling good when you look back at your school years.

I heartily thank my teachers and fellow students for making each day worthwhile in Winchester and your company will be sorely missed as we the class of 2022 move on. Keep dreaming big!