“I have been involved in the Lyceum at three different stages of my life so far. This school and the valley hold a very special place in my heart, and the collective experiences I have gained have been invaluable and impactful.”
Zuoz Zeitung 2026
I arrived as a 14-year-old Australian who had never really experienced life in Europe, and coming to the Lyceum was a significant culture shock.
It took me some time to adjust, but I soon grew to love the place. Like many former Lyceum students, the school still holds a special significance for us, with many of us referring to it as our second home.
I still maintain strong friendships from those years, and those connections are one of the reasons I kept coming back. The traditions of Winter Games and Summer Games, returning to be involved in the community, and meeting each new generation of Lyceum students—whether they are day students from the local area or boarders from the other side of the world—have kept me connected to the school, and I am incredibly grateful for that.
After my time as a student, I returned as a sports assistant, coaching cricket and helping in other aspects of school life for nine months during a gap year before university. It was a role I was very happy to take on, and it marked the beginning of my transition from student to staff member.
Later, after spending several years working as a geologist in the mining industry, including in underground mines in South Australia, I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to return once again. This time, I came with my wife, Grace Parsons, who joined the school as a teacher and Boarding House Parent after several years working in the private education system in Adelaide. It has been a special opportunity to share the experience of the Engadin and the Lyceum with Grace.
Being able to work in such a special environment has been a privilege. Living and working here has broadened my perspective in ways that would never have been possible had I stayed in Australia. The international and local nature of the school, the people I have met, and the experiences I have had have shaped me both personally and professionally.
I am incredibly grateful for the last three years. Being involved in Spencer House and helping younger boys get the best out of themselves has been a profound and rewarding experience. Having embarked on a completely new career, I have also been fortunate to benefit from the mentorship and support of the Spencer House staff around me.
I have also been fortunate to continue growing the sport of cricket at the Lyceum—a unique tradition that has existed for well over 100 years and one that I hope, along with Fives and ice hockey, will continue for many years to come. This is no easy feat; it takes time and effort to keep these sports and traditions alive in an ever-expanding world of choices for younger generations. I would like to thank the current Games Master, Benjamin Hartwright, for his efforts in continuing the school’s legacy.
Finally, I would like to thank the Lyceum and the wider community on behalf of both Grace and myself. We are so thankful to have been part of such a special place. While our time here is coming to an end, I am certain this will not be goodbye. The Lyceum has been part of my life for many years, and I have no doubt that we will return many times in the future.
Henry Wenk
Boarding House Staff
