Hong Kong Visit 2024

The Hong Kong Friends of Winchester College (HKFWC) rolled out the red carpet this week for the Headmaster’s first-ever visit to the region. Travelling with Elizabeth Stone were Surmaster (Academic), Dr John Cullerne, and Director of Development, Melanie Bushell, who all received the very warmest of welcomes.

Elizabeth has been keen to meet as many members of the global Wykehamical family as possible during her first year in post and this week she has met literally hundreds of people who all love the school. Amongst the events that have taken place were an afternoon tea party for current parents, an informal lunch for members of the HK Guild at the home of one of its members, and a splendid Wykeham Patrons’ dinner generously hosted by another OW at his family home.

In a presentation to prospective parents with the Headmaster, Dr Cullerne demonstrated the unique nature of Div, by telling the story of his own Div class. The journey began a number of years ago when they read and then performed an historical drama about the Great Plague which swept Britain in 1666-67. A question from a pupil led to the mathematical modelling of epidemics and the construction of an hydraulic computer, which eventually led to some ground-breaking scientific research taking place at Winchester College during the COVID pandemic in 2020. By the end of the presentation, the prospective parents were asking whether they themselves could become pupils!

Finally, the whole community came together for a joyous Gala Dinner at the Hong Kong Country Club, masterminded by the volunteers of the HKFWC Events Committee and with the support of the Win Coll Soc team. The 200 guests enjoyed a delicious meal; interesting, amusing and heartwarming speeches by the Headmaster and the Chairman of HKFWC, Brian Li; and breathtaking musical performances by current pupils.

We would like to thank everybody involved in making all of this week’s events such an enormous success and making Elizabeth's first trip to Hong Kong so utterly unforgettable.