HOUSE LIFE Denson House Report There are some rather rare years that seem more full of events and results than a single year is able to contain. On reflection, 2017-18 will, in my mind, go down as just such a year for Denson. I thought 2016 was – the year in which I became Head of Denson and a father to Saffron (now two). However, this year, I became a father again in May (to Finn) – and Denson did the fabled ‘double’. And yet, by the end, I also had the opening lines of Dickens’ ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ – ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times’ swimming around my head. For this was the year, too, in which we lost Charlie Dunne (D13) in July to a tragic accident. Charlie was in my old form group and was one of Denson’s biggest personalities and a mainstay of events, especially Music. It is a loss which is still raw and was a great shock to the House as a whole. All I can say is that he will be sorely missed, and that Denson’s success this year is a fitting legacy to a young man who had a bright future, and who contributed with characteristic
commitment and good humour over seven years to our House. Well done Charlie, you did Denson and AGS proud. Before the review of the year in full, some other goodbyes and thanks, to Mrs Burnett and Mrs Waverley as D13’s tutors in their sixth form years, including for Charlie. They have been a huge support, especially in these recent, very challenging weeks. And to Mr Gardiner, tutor for D7 for only one year, but undeniably a driving force in both theirs, and more widely Denson’s success this year. He has made a huge impact. And my thanks, as ever, to our other tutors, including new-comer Mr Graham, who has made a great impact for D8 in his first year; Mr Kemp, Miss Rowling, Mr Goff and Mr Smith. They are the fundamental bedrock of our House system.
The Brodie Trophy It was a year of unparalleled success, certainly in our House’s recent history. Where even to start? Well, it started,
as ever, with House Cross-Country. Denson had come 5th the previous year, and we were determined to make our mark for our 2017-18 campaign. We came 5th=. Perhaps not the most auspicious of starts. That said, our Seniors came 2nd, with tremendous runs from our 11s, including Cam Brooker, and among our sixth form, including Sam Stembridge-King. Our new 7s put in an encouraging performance as well, including Alex Davis. But, there was no glossing over the fact we were joint last in the Brodie after the first of eight events; though this was to be the last time this was to occur. For what came next was an extraordinary hot streak of results which broke all boundaries of our recent performances. We had come last overall as a House in Basketball the previous year. And yet we started racking up some superb results – in particular our Year 7s and Inters, both 2nd. But, as outgoing AGS Basketball legend Mr McCarthy said, consistency is key, so our other performances proved, with 3rd places for our 8s and
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The Aylesburian 2017/2018
