The Headmaster Writes
Dr Tim Hands
How has it been , I am frequently asked ? I have loved it , of course . And , when I stop doing so , I will stop doing the job . What have I loved ? I asked every don for their own response to a similar question . “ Freedom ” was the answer I most appreciated . No one mentioned beauty . Perhaps one gets used to it . But so far I haven ’ t . The progression from War Cloister to Meads every morning : can there possibly be a finer walk to work in the known universe ? Ralph Townsend left a magnificent legacy . I am deeply grateful to him , as also to the Warden and Fellows – and indeed to the Second Master , Director of Studies , and long-suffering Bursar , all of whom have striven to make Jane and me as welcome as possible . Amongst other activities , I have been shadowing pupils . Arriving in the right place at the right time with the right books is , as some of you may remember , quite a challenge . I certainly failed it . So in Common Time I shall be starting up again , with another shadowing programme . I will also be seeing every pupil in the third year and asking them three questions : first , what might they like to be doing when they are 25 ;
The College is an extraordinarily supportive educational community . I look forward to getting to know it better .
second , what are they planning to do to realise this ; and , third , what is the school not doing that it could to help them facilitate their ambition ? Winchester has not ( yet ) produced many Prime Ministers , so let ’ s see what happens . The College is an extraordinarily supportive educational community . I look forward to getting to know it better . John Thorn has wittily received me on two occasions . It was a great pleasure to visit James Sabben-Clare at his beautifully situated Dorset home last June , and to welcome him and Mary back for the Advent Carols . Tommy Cookson , attending the first of the new Headmaster ’ s Guest Nights , was in magnificent form . The dynasty is inspirational . Spring approaches and with it a full six months of the Winchester experience . It will seem a bit ironic to be allowed to put the long trousers on just as the weather for the shorter variety begins to approach . But never mind the dress , the experience will , I ’ m sure , remain enduringly and enjoyably the same . Every best wish to the Wykehamical community : do come back to see us as regularly as you are able .
8 The Wykeham Journal 2016