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Three Arches

Headmaster’s Welcome

A warm welcome to the 3rd edition of our digital newsletter, The Three Arches. It has been a happy, busy and successful Michaelmas term at Witham - we have even had snow! As I write, we are starting to turn our minds to the run up to Christmas and all the fun that this brings. We are preparing for a host of festive events that traditionally mark the conclusion of this term. These include: the Pre-Prep Nativity, Carol Service, Christmas Concert and various other Christmas parties and outings. It should be a spectacular end to a memorable term.

We have enjoyed huge success on the sports fields this term with our girls’ 1st hockey team once again qualifying for the IAPS National Finals. Our boys’ U12 A rugby team has also won every game they have played. It is not just

on the sports fields that Withamians are excelling: Henry Wheat (Year 8) was crowned Lincolnshire Young Musician of the Year. Henry has not only passed his Grade 8 piano exam but also his Diploma - a remarkable achievement for someone aged twelve.

Witham continues to thrive and offer an outstanding and varied education, but most importantly, this is a happy school full of wonderful children. Do pop in if you are passing, and I very much hope to see you all at our OW Christmas drinks at The George, Stamford on 16th December.

William Austen Headmaster

Our Witham Hall Charity Easter Egg Hunt returns again this coming spring. It will take place on Saturday 22nd March from 10-12pm. This event is open to the public and proceeds will support The Willoughby Foundation, the charitable arm of Willoughby Academy - a specialist academy in Bourne for pupils with a diverse range of highly complex Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Further details will be published in the New Year.

please email community@withamhall.com or ring 01778 590222.

FOW Fair and Fireworks

The Friends of Witham committee pulled off another two fantastic events this term. Our annual Fireworks Evening is a calendar highlight and this year was no exception. We were blessed with a clear night and everyone was able to enjoy soup, burgers and mulled wine in the Walled Garden before making their way to The Cedars.

As is now tradition, the Drum Ensemble processed towards the bonfire with Guy Fawkes carried closely behind before he was set alight. The fireworks that followed were memorably good (and loud!) and greatly enjoyed by all.

Hot on the heels of this came the Winter Fair which this year included a Father Christmas Grotto. The fair was packed with wonderful stalls, the Grotto saw a throng of excited children throughout the day and we welcomed visitors from far and wide. Our sincere thanks to Annabel, Joanna and the army of FOW helpers who worked so hard to make these events such a success.

In conversation with... Mr Candy

Rupert joined Witham Hall in 2022 from Westminster Under School where he worked for 14 years. Prior to this he read modern languages and law at the University of Cambridge. A highly talented musician, he continues to sing with St Peter’s Singers (a Peterborough-based chamber choir). Rupert plays a pivotal role in the day to day running of Witham Hall, as well as teaching French to pupils from Year 1 to Year 8. Read on to find out what he would take to a Desert Island and why you might have found him up a ladder at school!

Tell us a bit about what led you into teaching and your path to Witham Hall?

Despite my passion for languages, for a while I was tempted into a career in law...but the City and I did not get on particularly well and I re-trained after experiencing a couple of years of that lifestyle. I knew from the start that I wanted to specialise in prep school teaching: we absolutely get the best years of children’s curiosity and enthusiasm, as well as enabling our older pupils to lead the school and take on some real responsibility rather than being swallowed up by a huge secondary school at the end of Year 6. Moving to Witham was a dramatic change geographically - my previous job of 14 years being in the centre of London - but I was immediately struck by the degree to which successful, busy prep schools share many familiar characteristics, and it didn’t take me long to settle in.

What aspect of your job do you find the most rewarding?

Although I am responsible for many of the serious aspects of the day-to-day operation of the school, I am at my happiest when in a classroom - with pupils of any age from Year 1 to Year 8 - or chatting to pupils in the lunch queue or in the boarding house. Witham pupils are truly engaging company and there is no such thing as a boring day!

“I strongly believe in the value of a liberal education - that we should teach our pupils to think, to challenge, to question, and to study and learn for their own intrinsic joy rather than simply because a particular subject might lead to a well-paid job in the future.”

What do you feel Witham does particularly well?

It feels like a cliché, but I do believe this is a place where children feel able to value their particular strengths, even when those don’t fit into a traditional box labelled ‘Academic’ or ‘Art’ or ‘Sport’. The effect this has on the confidence of pupils as they flourish under our care is remarkable.

What is your educational philosophy?

I strongly believe in the value of a liberal education - that we should teach our pupils to think, to challenge, to question, and to study and learn for their own intrinsic joy rather than simply because a particular subject might lead to a wellpaid job fifteen years in the future.

What would our pupils be surprised to find out about you?

When I was at school, I could most often be found up a ladder in the theatre adjusting lights or hanging sets for school productions. I’m very jealous of the pupils who are already learning the skills of a theatre crew despite only being in Year 6 or 7.

What is your guilty pleasure?

I have a soft spot for a McFlurry!

“When I was at school, I could most often be found up a ladder in the theatre!”

Imagining you are Witham’s castaway for the week, what would be your Desert Island disc, book and luxury?

My disc would be St John Passion by Philippe Herreweghe and Collegium Vocale Gent. Although I have very eclectic taste in music, if I could only listen to one composer for the rest of time it would have to be Bach. (If I could take a second, it would probably be OK Computer by Radiohead.)

My book would be The Magus by John Fowles. Everytime I read it, it transports me to an other-wordly existence and allows me to escape reality almost entirely.

My luxury would be my espresso machine and other assorted coffee nerd equipment - self-explanatory!

On the Walled Garden

School Charity

For the 2024/25 academic year, Witham Hall is supporting the Willoughby Foundation, the charitable arm of Willoughby Academy. Based in Bourne, Willoughby is a specialist academy for pupils aged 2 to 19 years with a diverse range of highly complex Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The Foundation raises funds to support the Academy, enabling the pupils to benefit from additional equipment and experiences that would otherwise not be possible.

The Friends of Witham, parents, staff and pupils will raise money for the Willoughby Foundation at events including the Fireworks Night, Winter Fair, Annual Fun Run and through House fundraising events. Please contact us at community@withamhall.com if you would like to support our efforts to help raise funds for this inspiring local school and the important work they do in our local community.

Please visit www.willoughbyacademy.co.uk to learn more.

Withamian Achievements

Michaelmas Term at Witham has been action packed. From successes on the sports field to awards for music, drama and much more.

Many congratulations to Year 8 musician Henry, who has been named Lincolnshire Young Musician of the Year in the Intermediate U14 category. Louth Male Voice Choir started the competition back in 1989. Now a significant annual event in the calendar, it attracted over 40 entries from across Lincolnshire in both vocalist and instrumental categories. Henry’s hard work and commitment have paid off, and he should be immensely proud of his achievement.

The 1st V11 Girls’ Hockey Team excelled in the IAPS U13 Regional Hockey Tournament this term. Hosted by Stamford School, the girls showed great resilience against some tough competition. The final saw them finish top of the table and win the IAPS Regionals! A truly magnificent achievement.

Withamians have certainly not been resting on their laurels. As we enter the Scholarship Season, Year 8 pupil Bella, has been awarded a Sports Award to Marlborough College. We hope this to be the first of many scholarships for our Year 8s.

A big shout-out must also go to the following pupils: Gabriella in Year 6 for her performance in Miracle on 34th Street - The Musical at the Stamford Corn Exchange; Wilfred in Year 8, who has won the U13 Lincolnshire 2024 Squash Title; Megan in Year 8 has been selected for Leicestershire County Netball and Violet in Year 7 for Nottingham County Netball.

Host your event at Witham

From 2025, Witham will offer commercial venue hire for weddings and parties on the Headmaster’s lawn. If you are interested in holding an event at Witham Hall, please contact events@withamhall.com for more information

AtAn HussAin OW 2020

Our OWs have been making us proud too. Atan Hussain (OW’20) is now in his final year at Eton College. His love of rugby continues to build as he recently travelled with Eton’s First team to Thailand to play in the World School’s Festival against the best teams from England, Wales, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa!

“Witham is definitely a defining factor for the rugby success that so many Old Withamians achieve after leaving, and I hope it continues to be so!”

JAck Lee OW 2010

Another OW, Jack Lee (OW ‘10), has won the coveted Audience Prize at the International Operalia competition in Mumbai in the presence of opera superstar, Placido Domingo! Jack’s singing career started in the Senior Choir at Witham, and following training at the Royal Academy of Music has already sung over 50 times at the Vienna Staatsoper and also performed in Salzburg and Wiesbaden. Congratulations to Jack, what an amazing achievement!

From the Archive

We would love to publish OW news in each issue of The Three Arches. Please send us news of births, marriages, moves, new jobs, ventures or reunions. Updates can be sent via email to community@withamhall.com

Please share!

Please forward The Three Arches to your friends and former colleagues to help us reach a larger proportion of the OW community. There are still a large majority of Old Withamians, former staff and Witham families with whom we are no longer in touch with.

Encourage peers to visit withamhall.com/keepintouch to update contact details via the website or email community@withamhall.com with news or questions.

Witham Hall prides itself on it’s friendly, flexible approach to boarding. Not only does it now include girls as well as boys, we’d like to think it includes a few more creature comforts too! Spot the chipboard flooring!

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. Send us your news

How many chimney stacks are there on the main Witham Hall building?

Preparatory School