Three Arches the
Welcome from the Headmaster
You may have read all sorts of alarming stories in the national media about the challenges facing independent schools since the introduction of VAT on school fees last January. I am pleased to report that Witham is weathering the storm remarkably well. Our pupil numbers remain healthy, and interest from prospective families is extremely strong. We do not take this position for granted; all the staff here are working tirelessly to ensure Witham remains the very best prep school in the Midlands — and beyond.
We are proud to remain independent: a stand-alone prep school able to offer genuinely unbiased advice to our families and to make decisions that directly benefit our pupils, rather than being guided by a distant senior school board.
A personal highlight of my week comes at three o’clock every
Thursday afternoon, when I read a story to our youngest pupils in Reception. It never fails to put a smile on my face and brighten even the bleakest of days. It is a joy to work in such beautiful surroundings and alongside such brilliant children and staff. Witham is a very special school, and it is a privilege to be at its helm.
Times are undoubtedly turbulent for the sector as a whole, but Witham remains an oasis of joy, learning and opportunity — and a community of which we can all be immensely proud.
I wish you all a very Happy Christmas.
William Austen Headmaster
Save the Date
Witham Hall School Charity Easter Egg Hunt. Saturday 21st March 2026
Our Witham Hall Charity Easter Egg Hunt returns again this coming spring. It will take place on Saturday, 21st March from 10-12pm. This event is open to the public and proceeds will support The Willoughby Foundation.
For enquiries, please email community@withamhall.com
Headmaster’s Christmas Drinks
Ben
A Sparkling Start to the Festive Season
The Main Hall glittered as the school hosted the Headmaster’s Christmas Drinks beneath the beautiful (and huge!) Christmas tree. Current parents, staff, and Old Withamians gathered together for an evening filled with warmth and festive spirit. Champagne flowed and carol singers set the tone for what proved to be a wonderful celebration of another successful term.
We will definitely be repeating the event next year and hope even more of you will be able to join us.
Mark your diaries for Friday, 27th November, 2026!
Youngs - Rugby Inspiration
Witham Hall was honoured to welcome
Ben Youngs, England’s most-capped men’s rugby player, for a memorable visit to the school. The afternoon began with a lively and engaging Q&A session led by Director of Sport Dave Maudsley, where Ben shared highlights from his record-breaking international career. His humour, honesty and down-to-earth manner captivated pupils and
staff alike as he spoke about the mindset of an elite athlete and offered invaluable advice to aspiring players.
Following the Q&A, pupils headed out to the pitches where Ben delivered a coaching masterclass for the boys and girls. It was a fantastic experience for all involved - an afternoon spent learning from a genuine sporting icon whose enthusiasm and warmth left a lasting impression on both the young players and the staff!
Proud to be a Withamian
As we come to the end of the Michaelmas term, there are a number of standout performances from Withamians in 2025 which deserve a special mention.
Silva in Year 7, competed in the county finals in Leicester for Oakham Gymnastics Academy. She finished 1st in her age category and was also the overall highest score on the day out of 123 athletes!
Emmy (Year 3) has worked incredibly hard and has qualified for the National Medalist of the Year Ballroom and Latin dance finals at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
Our Equestrian Team made their mark at the 2025 NSEA Championships. Amelia, Spike and Hector (Year 4) won the 40cm and 50cm class. Benjamin (Year 6) excelled too, winning the 70cm class!
We are thrilled to share that Etta, one of Year 8 drama and singing stars has been offered a place on the prestigious Music Theatre course at MX Masterclass, London.
Scholarship News
Academy!
After leaving Witham Hall, he joined Oakham School and then earned a rugby and cricket scholarship to Clifton College, Bristol. Old Withamian News
Scholarship season is off to fantastic start with several awards already rolling in. Rugby School has given Headmaster’s Awards to Olivia and Charlie and a Sports Scholarship to Violet. Oundle School has awarded a Sports Scholarship to Flora, a Sports Exhibition to Peter, a Cricket Scholarship to Oliver and a Netball Scholarship to Violet. Meanwhile Ruby, Tristan and Hattie have all gained Sports Scholarships to Uppingham and Charlotte and Alexa have been awarded Art Scholarships to Stamford School. Many congratulations to all!
Congratulations to Freddie St John (OW20), who has signed with the Northampton Saints Senior
Friends of WithamCommunity in Action
Winter Fair
The Witham Winter Fair, held in support of the The Willoughby Foundation, hosted over 50 stalls brimming with gifts and festive treats, while the café kept everyone warm (and out of the torrential rain!) with soup, cakes, and plenty of tea and coffee.
Brewing up Support for Macmillan
The first event of the term was the cake sale in support of the Macmillan Big Coffee Morning, which was as popular as ever. Parents, pupils, and staff came together to enjoy a huge array of homemade cakes.
A Tee-rific Day on the Green
Our Parents’ Golf Day was held at Luffenham Heath Golf Club. With plenty of friendly competition, it proved to be a wonderful day for all involved. Thank you to everyone who took part and helped make the event such an enjoyable occasion.
A Sky Full of Stars
The annual Witham Fireworks evening is a much-loved highlight of the school year. We all enjoyed a wonderful BBQ followed by a brilliant performance from our Marching Band and a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the night sky
A huge thank you to everyone involved for organising yet another fantastic evening for us all to enjoy.
Santa Claus is coming to - Stamford
A huge thank you to all the parents, staff and children who donned a blue Witham hat and took part in the Stamford Santa Fun Run. It was an excellent morning raising money for three fantastic local charities.
Until next year!
More than a school Weddings & Events at Witham Hall!
It has been a busy and exciting season for Weddings and Events at Witham Hall. We have welcomed many couples searching for the perfect setting for their special day, and are delighted to share that we have accepted wedding bookings for 2027.
But it’s not just about weddings - our Lyons Sports Centre is also available to hire. This bright, modern space is ideal for conferences, training days, or meetings, offering a flexible venue solution for professional and community events alike. So please spread the word!
To find out more or to book a viewing, please contact events@withamhall.com. We are also pleased to offer our alumni an exclusive discounted rate.
Decades of Dedication Honouring Witham’s Longest-Serving Star - Vonnie!
In this issue, we celebrate perhaps our best-loved member of staff, Yvonne Sandall – aka Vonnie. More than simply a member of staff, Vonnie is part of the fabric of the school. Known by name by practically every pupil, Vonnie is especially loved by our Pre-Prep children. Put simply, Witham would not be Witham without Vonnie. We feel sure many of our alumni will remember her fondly, and we hope you enjoy the interview that follows.
Vonnie, we are so incredibly grateful for everything that you do – in fact we don’t know what we’d do without you. THANK YOU.
How many years have you been working at Witham, and what brought you here?
I’ll have been here 36 years in January, but I first came in 1974 for two afternoons a week, doing evening tea for the children. In those days any boys who were naughty were made to wash the tables and set up for breakfast. I came back full-time in 1990 – I started cleaning in Pre-Prep, after my paper round. At that time, Pre-Prep was on the first floor of the main building. What brought me here? Well, I have longstanding connections with Witham Hall and the Banks family – my mother worked for Mr Banks in the main house, my brother worked in the gardens, and I worked for Mr Banks myself for 10 years as a live-in housekeeper.
“There have been many memorable parties over the years - I’ve even done dancing on the kitchen tables with the gappies!”
You must have seen some changes over that time. What has been the biggest change, and what has remained the same?
The biggest change has been Pre-Prep moving from inside the main house to where it is now in it’s own building. Also, seeing the ‘old train’, as we called it, go – it was a set of mobile houses in the walled garden that were used as Prep classrooms. It was replaced by the current Prep building, which went in where the old swimming pool used to be.
Not a lot has remained the same!
What was your role when you first arrived, and how has it evolved?
I just seem to keep adding to my role! When I first started here, school was open seven days a week and I worked all seven - cleaning for five days and two days in the kitchen. I’ve always been in the Butlers team, but I work all over the school: cleaning the Pre-Prep, the main school, and the Head’s house; working for House Parents; helping out in the kitchen; and doing match teas.
Now I help with hospitality too, which has grown over the years. I worked with David Stimpson, the Head Gardener, for years and years – he was my neighbour and friend as well, so we spent a lot of time together. Also I have a close bond with Steph the Chef, who I’ve worked with for many years now.
The children adore you and know you by name (and vice versa) - what’s your secret?
I just love the little ones. They have some fascinating stories if you get them talking. They like to chat to me when I’m cleaning their toilets. The children don’t change. Just this morning, Rupert in Reception said, “I’ll come and find you later to show you my Christmas party outfit.” And I was chatting to John about what he’s been up to and listening to him reading. Pre-Prep has been my life here – I love them.
Are there any memorable moments of funny stories from your time here that stand out?
Well, I’ve done dancing on the kitchen tables with the gappies! There have been many memorable parties over the years. I love dressing up for Christmas with the children –they enjoy seeing you get involved. I keep anything that Pre-Prep make and leave behind. I put it all in a scrap book. I have lovely memories in there. And I always tell the children that if they make me something I’ll put it on my wall – and I do.
“I don’t know what I would do without Witham. I love it!”
If you could give the children one piece of advice, what would it be?
You need your education – stay in education as long as you can and get what you can out of life. Education is so important.
When you are not in school, what do you enjoy doing?
I used to be a darts fanatic! I ran dart leagues. Now I do whatever I feel I can – I enjoy time with my grandchildren and taking them away. Long may that continue.
Your guilty pleasure? Though we don’t think you need to feel guilty for anything...
I don’t feel guilty about anything. I don’t know what I’d do without Witham. I love it. If they make me finish I’ll have to come back volunteering in the garden!
Champions in theSaddle
The Witham Hall Equestrian Team has started the season brilliantly.
Silva placed third in the 70cm at the NSEA Championships, and both she and Lottie have qualified for the Hickstead Eventer Challenge — Silva in the 80cm, and Lottie after winning the 90cm and 1m classes. Silva also secured a place in the August Showjumping Final with 2nd in her first 90cm at Pickering Grange.
Grass Roots results have been strong too, with Amelia (2nd), Spike (4th), and Hector (5th), plus team wins in both the 40cm and 50cm classes.
This December, Silva, Hector, and Benji compete as our first 80cm team, aiming to qualify for Hickstead.
We now have eight NSEA-registered riders and welcome more. To join our WhatsApp updates on local shows and qualifiers, text (07889) 112161.
Highlights From The Walled Garden
Inter-House Poetry Performance
Boarding Carols Around the Tree
Girl’s Senior Hockey Tour
Prep House Song Competition
Boarders’ Gingerbread Houses
Year 7 French Trip
European Day
Mosaic Club Christmas Lunch
Senior Serving Team
U11 Cross Country
Year 4 Red Nose Day
Ben Youngs Rugby Workshop
Hockey Summer Camp Year 6 Laxton Maths Challenge
4 Walled Garden Breaktime
Great Fire of London
Pre-Prep Nativity
in Need Pre-Prep Harvest Service
Boarders’ Breakfast
Year 8 Lincoln Castle History Trip
Highlights From The Walled Garden
The Sound of Music Drama Trip Year 8 Art Scholars
Uppingham On The Buzzer
Boarders’ Bowling Night
Pre-Prep Playground Fun
U9 Cross Country
Year 7 Team Building
Stamford Santa Fun Run
U8A Rugby
Remembrance Day
Year 2 Fire of London
Year 7 French Trip
Boarding Sparklers
Donations to Bourne Food Bank New School Council
Odd Socks Day
From the Archive
And now Then
Don’t miss out on the latest news and updates from Witham Hall. We love to stay in touch with our alumni. Our newsletter, website, and social media is one way to let you know what is happening at Witham Hall and what our Old Withamians are up to.
Situated in the main hall, our Library has worn many hats over the years. In 1902, it began as the Fenwick family’s Drawing Room, later becoming a musical hub where Commander Maitland and his wife hosted recitals attended by guests such as Sir Malcolm Sargent. It even doubled as a ballroom and was rented out for tap and ballet lessons. When Witham became a school, the room then served as a classroom. Today, it has found its calmest role yet: a wellstocked library with cosy seating and a grand piano that nods to its musical past. Please encourage
details too.
Mr Candy, Mrs Birch and Miss Storey were joined by 27 keen Year 7s for our annual trip to France at the end of September. Staying just outside Boulogne, our budding linguists ably tackled bakery lessons, rail-biking, ceramics workshops and the infamous Market Challenge, not to mention the unenviable task of chocolate tasting at Les Chocolats de Beussent. Although our trip was a day shorter this year, we still managed to visit Nausicaa, Europe’s largest aquarium, which stunned even the chattiest pupils into silence! Year 7 were good company throughout and soon realised with great satisfaction that their French did actually work outside the classroom!
Witham
What year was the Olympicsized Astro opened and by which Olympic hockey star?
Please email community@withamhall.com if you think you know the answer. The first Old Withamian to reply with the correct answer will win a Witham Hall travel mug.