Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Headteachers News – 2021 12 17

  Fri 17 Dec 2021

  Dear Parents and Carers,

  So here we are, at the end of the Christmas term! It seems to have gone by in the blink of an eye, and yet I am sure I speak on behalf of all staff and students when I say we are looking forward to a few weeks to rest; it has been hard earned.

   

  In writing this final newsletter of the year, I re-visited my initial letter to parents at the end of August, where I wrote about my hope that we would be able to return to running our outstanding extra-curricular programme this term after the horribly disruptive pandemic, and it is fair to say that it has exceeded expectations. The number of students who are active outside the classroom has never been higher, whether it be on the river, the rugby pitch, the stage, or the various academic societies that have also been running. It has been inspiring to see the boys throw themselves back into school life, and I am so grateful to the staff who continue to go above and beyond to provide these opportunities.

  In that initial letter, I also suggested that we may be able to get through the year without being further disrupted by coronavirus. This has, thankfully, been the case through most of the year, and cases have remained relatively low throughout the term. However, there is no doubt that the threat of the Omicron variant is one that lies in the future as well as the present, and we will keep our fingers crossed that we are able to return in January to a better picture, both nationally and locally. Should there be any need to communicate with you before the start of next term, I will of course do so.

   

  When I met with Miss Reznikova in the summer, she likened the role of Headship in the pandemic to being on a rollercoaster ride, with highs and lows, twists and turns, and a surprise around every corner. I have certainly felt that this week! On Tuesday, we made the very difficult decision to cancel the Carol Service, which is one of the highlights of the year. I am particularly sorry for those in Year 13 and Year 11, as for many, this would have been their last chance to experience it. All we can do is react and adapt to the situation, and I can assure you that the church will be packed again, and we will sing louder than ever!

   

  After the low of having to make that decision, I was able to go to Maidenhead Rugby Club on Tuesday afternoon to watch our U14 rugby players in the County Cup Final, against Reading Blue Coat, which was a wonderful experience. The boys won 35-5, a comprehensive win, playing expansive and exciting rugby, and to see a team at the start of their school journey playing with such confidence and skill was a real pleasure. As I watched the boys celebrating on the final whistle, it struck me again just how much the students have missed out on these experiences in the last 18 months. It was not about the result, it was about the feeling of togetherness, comradeship, and friendship that the extra-curricular programme, in all it’s forms, can bring. We will continue to provide these opportunities wherever possible.

   

  I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for making me feel so welcome over the course of the first term; I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting the staff, students and parents, and look forward to another busy term after Christmas, but before then, enjoy the break, enjoy your family and friends and stay safe. I wish you all a very merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

  Best Wishes,

   

  Sean Furness
  Headteacher

• The Friends of TWBS – Uno Animo Mask-erade Ball 2021

  Thu 16 Dec 2021

  With the support of many parents, boys, carers and local businesses we held a very successful Uno Animo dinner on Saturday night.

   

  The school hall was transformed for the MASK-erade Ball and the evening started with tunes from one of the school bands Euphoria, who got everyone in the festive mood, while being served delicious canapés prepared by parents of the Boatclub. Thank you to the Boatclub boys who worked hard serving these treats to guests and thank you parents for your support in the preparation.

   

  Our thanks also go to Chef Kev and his team, for the delicious meal they served, Mark Wilkinson for running the heads and tails game, the senior boys and girls who helped in various ways across the evening and to James Manwaring who managed our live auction admirably and helped raise much needed funds. The evening was finished off with music from AOD who didn’t disappoint with many classic tunes.

   

  We would like to sincerely thank everyone who was involved in this event whether it was by donation of goodies for hampers, buying tickets, donating prizes, buying prizes, taking photos, helping set things up, helping clear things up …. Everything you did counts and we are extremely grateful.

   

  We are delighted to announce that the event raised in the region of £19,000…. which, in what has been an unusual year, is truly amazing and we know this will make a big difference to life at the school.  If you work for a company who match fund, please do get in touch as this is another way we are able to raise money. Much of our support has come from local businesses and individuals who we would also like to send a huge thank you to. We would encourage our school community to please support these companies wherever you can.

   

  Many thanks to our main sponsors:

  Century Financial Planning
  ESB Training
  Forest House Vets
  Hardings
  Grundon
  Goyals
  King Brothers
  W&S Sports
  Wellness Windsor

   

  Any also to the following supporters:

  Ascot Racecourse	Windsor Lawn Tennis Club
  Clarence Brasserie and Tea Room	Vodafone
  Windsor Duck Tours	Wellness Inspired
  Eton Vintners	Academy Insurance Services
  FC Engineers	Cinnamon Café
  Headmasters	Daniel Department Store
  Huttons	Duke of Connaught
  Jack Stacey (Bournemouth AFC)	Leighton Eye Windsor
  Millars Eatery	Lily Charmed
  Monkey Island Estate	Home Park Tennis Club
  Music Box	iinSkin by Dr Sheparo
  New York Nails	Meimo Restaurant
  Pierpaolo Petrassi MW	Mimi Brazilian Beauty
  The Old Court	Monty’s Café and Bistro
  The Swan @ The Globe	Neal’s Yard
  Wheelie Good Wood Company	O2
  Windsor Castle	The Eaten Café
  Avenue	The Real Greek
  Gennaro Hair Salon	Venture Photography
  Human Race	Whirlpool
  Mette Hoj	Zero Joe’s
  Four Pure Brewery	Coop Arthur Road
  Windsor on Ice	Homepark Lawn Tennis Club
  Imperial Coffee	Majestic Wines
  Nicola Bell Photography	The Swan Pub
  The Christopher Hotel	Picnic on the Green
  Tropic	Rex Bakery
  Waitrose	Scream Pretty
  Windsor & Eton Brewery	Savills
  Windsor Castle pub	Smith & Cullen
  Windsor Leisure Centre	Fulham Football Club

   

  We wish everyone a happy and restful Christmas and all best wishes for 2022.We could not do it without you!

  With our thanks,

   

  Lucy, Julie and the Committee

  

• National Judo Success

  Thu 16 Dec 2021

  Last weekend Luke Austen pulled out an incredible performance at the British Judo Championships held at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
  Despite feeling under the weather, he showed guts and determination to make his way to the final and come away with a Silver Medal and accruing enough points for his black belt.

  Luke is the youngest in his weight category (81kg) and has received more great news this week, he has officially been invited to participate for GB in the Junior International competition next year.

  Congratulations and we wish him the best of luck.

   

  Mr Jeffery

  

• House Activities – Years 10, 11 & 6th form

  Thu 16 Dec 2021

  During the last weeks of term all pupils had the opportunity to represent their House in one of Football, Badminton, Bridge Building, Escape Room, Public Speaking and Chess.

   

  The activities were certainly undertaken with good cheer and no little effort.  Football was dominated by Burnett, who won all competitions bar Year 10, where they lost on sudden-death penalties to Allen in the final.  Allen also thrived at Badminton, placing in the top two positions in three out of the four events.  Public Speaking for Year 9 (won by Ottrey) gave way to Chess for the others as mask wearing returned.

   

  In the Sixth Form, Chess event Lambdin won the final in just four moves! In Years 9 and 10 Burgess proved the better problem solvers as they were the best Bridge Builders and very quick to get out of the Escape Room, albeit just behind Allen in Year 9.

  Many thanks to all House Leaders for organising teams, but especially to Mr Wilson and Mrs Lawson for running the Bridge Building and Escape Room so excellently, and also Mr Rooke for organising and running the Public Speaking and Chess events.

   

  Gareth Breen
  Director of Sport

  

• Year 12 Attend Go Drive Safety Awareness Session

  Fri 10 Dec 2021

  On Friday 10th December at 10am, all of Year 12 attended GO Drive a safety awareness course at school.  This was instead of our annual trip to Safe Drive Stay Alive held at The Swan Theatre in High Wycombe,  which will hopefully be back on in 2022.

  The video is designed to be educational for young drivers/passengers and has no distressing scenes or references. This is a vital session for all young people to see in order to increase safe driving once they gain their licence. If you missed the session due to absence you can watch it in your own time on the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JxgvU0yzdQ

   

  Mr Jeffery

• Headteachers News – 2021 12 10

  Fri 10 Dec 2021

  Dear Parents and Carers,

  I hope you are well and looking forward to the Christmas period, despite the current gloom around the emergence of new rules and variants.  You will know we are now asking students to wear masks in lessons to keep the community safe; thank you so much for your support with this.

   

  The last week has been an interesting reminder of how things were pre-Covid and how important it is for students to have opportunities to develop and grow.  The Little Mermaid was a stunning production and the students and staff are to be congratulated; it was particularly important for those students in Year 13 to be part of such a show before they leave.  This week I also watched the 1st XV play Eton College and put in an excellent display in brutal weather; this will have been the final appearance for the school for boys in Year 13 and I am so pleased they have been able to have a full season.  The future of rugby is bright, too, as our Year 9 team have made the County Cup Final after a hard-fought victory over London Oratory.

   

  As we head into the last week of Christmas term, I wanted to share the arrangements with you all. The school has a number of traditional end of term activities, which we have reviewed this year in light of the latest guidance regarding Coronavirus.  One thing that is, happily unaffected by any guidance, is Christmas jumper day, which will be on Wednesday 15th December. All students are encouraged to wear a Christmas jumper (all other uniform should be as normal), and parents will be able to pay £2 via Parentpay which will be donated to Save The Children.

   

  It is my view that the Carol Service is an important part of our school tradition, which we were very sad to miss out on last year, and one which we will do everything we can to reinstate this year. While guidance is less strict than last year, it is important that we are mindful of the risks and minimise them wherever possible, and therefore we plan to go ahead with the Carol Service with the following changes:

  • The Carol Service will be for Years 12 and 13. Ordinarily, we would also include Year 9 and 10, but by restricting numbers we will be able to ensure students are sat downstairs in the church in their year group bubbles, meaning that the public can be upstairs, accessing the church by a different entrance. If you plan to attend, we require you to wear a mask. It would also be helpful if you could take an Lateral Flow Test on the morning of the service.
  • Students will be lateral flow tested in tutor time in the final week of term. This will not only ensure that the Carol Service is able to go ahead safely, but also that all students and staff are kept as safe as possible in the build up to Christmas. Students and any visitors will also be required to wear masks during the service.
  • As previously, we will be running a Carol Service on the Thursday evening (16th December) – I would strongly encourage any members of the public who wish to attend to do so on the Thursday, as this is traditionally a smaller service in terms of numbers. While the public are welcome on the Friday, space will be limited, and we may have to turn people away should the space become too crowded.

  Please note that school will end for Years 9, 10 and 11 will be approximately 11:45am on Friday 17th December, while Years 12 and 13 will be leaving the church at 1:00pm approximately.  The only exception is for students in younger year groups who are performing in the concert.

   

  As with all things in the current climate, these arrangements will be subject to change.

  Have a great weekend, and thank you for your support,

  Best Wishes,

  Sean Furness
  Headteacher

• History Trip to Hampton Court Palace – Thursday 2nd December

  Thu 09 Dec 2021

  “I enjoyed my experience today at Hampton Court. We began by exploring the Henry VIII Kitchens whilst waiting for our tour. There lots of big pots and plates! When the tour guide arrived, we played a game where we had to choose when to become protestant (we were given different countries). I was England and I became protestant straight away, so I got sent to the tower of London! After the game, we learnt how Henry and Elizabeth lived in the palace and what changes Elizabeth made when she came to the throne. After this, we entered the great hall, where we learnt how Privy members protected access to the Queen, along with other very interesting facts. At one point I got to roleplay as Elizabeth! We then went to the privy council room where he had a heated debate about who would succeed Elizbeth as she had smallpox at the time. We came to the conclusion that Mary Queen of Scots would be most fit for the throne. After lunch we went through the maze – it was extremely fun especially when people got lost at the end (everyone made it back!). Overall, I definitely loved the experience and I would love to go again”! Ryan Brooks, 10 Allen

   

  “Overall, the trip to Hampton Court was really good. We learnt lots about Elizabeth’s life at the palace, but the highlight would have to be when we had to act as the privy council and had a debate as it really felt as though we were the actual privy council”!  Marcus Downie, 10 Burnett

   

  “Today was pretty fun to Hampton Court because we learnt a few new things and we had debates as the privy council. We were trying to work out who should take over from Elizabeth once she dies. Today was very fun, we also got lost in the maze which was a really good laugh. I learnt so much”.  Lukas Backhouse 10 Burgess

  

• National Gallery Trip 2021

  Wed 08 Dec 2021

  Year 11 GCSE art students took the train to London last Friday. We had a lot of fun!

  Mr Noctor, myself and the Year 11 students went off to visit the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Students scavenged for famous paintings in the museum and had the opportunity to sketch what they saw.  They were happy to see that there were several iconic paintings which they recognized.

   

  After our visit, we made our way to Buckingham Palace and then returned to London Waterloo. Students took many pictures, so please enjoy our photo gallery below!

   

  We very much look forward to our next adventure!

   

  Miss Tombs, Art Teacher at the Windsor Boys’ School