Harpur

Houses

HARPUR HOUSE REPORT

WORDS BY Mr Andrew Whitbread, Harpur Housemaster

Despite the obvious restrictions that we have all faced this academic year, most notably to the House calendar, there have still been some wonderful highlights that Harpur boys can look back on with fondness and pride. Standout performances in the Autumn Term included Year 7s coming top in badminton and reading, along with Merit total victories in Year 4 and Year 8.

The bulk of the spring term was, of course, faced remotely. However, it brought with it two of the biggest highlights of the year in terms of charitable endeavours. Harry Townsend in Year 8 organised a series of remote bingo games for boys across the School, raising over £1000. Aryan Sohanpal in Year 7 baked and sold sourdough bread for members of the school community (and very delicious it was too!), raising over £750. A huge thanks to Harry and Aryan and your families for all your efforts, which helped support Harpur’s chosen charity, the Prebend Day Centre for homeless people in our community.

There was a flurry of wonderful performances in the summer term, including firsts in the Year 3&4 Poetry Recitation and in the Year 3 Poetry Writing Competition. On the sporting front, there were cricket victories in Year 4, Year 5 and Year 7, along with a first place in golf. Sports Day towards the end of term was the obvious highlight of the year, especially as the whole House could come together; a rare treat after the restrictions we have endured. What was particularly striking, during both the morning and afternoon sessions, was the superb vocal support all the Harpur boys received from their brothers-in-arms in the stands. We out-cheered and out-chanted the other Houses throughout the event, and it was a timely reminder of what a special House we are; whatever the result, our collective spirit, enthusiasm and camaraderie is always first class, and I am immensely proud to be Housemaster of such an exemplary group of boys.

I was particularly delighted that, after many postponements and months of rehearsal, our Year 8 boys could, finally, deliver their House Drama performance in the final week of term. I thank all the boys for their fortitude and resilience, and I also thank Mrs Loader, Mrs Silk and Mr Hooley for all their wonderful support and guidance during the

rehearsal period. My thanks, indeed, goes to all the Harpur tutors, who remain the best bunch of tutors for all their amazing help throughout the year, especially when delivering such interesting and entertaining assemblies. Along with them, the Harpur officers (Charlie Spencer, Elio Lepore, Ben Cutts, Harry Townsend, Noah Silk, Sammy Inman, Tom White, Jibran Baloch and David Shirley) were also a credit to the House. Despite the obvious difficulties we faced, they epitomised our Future Skills, and were true role models for the rest of the House to look up to. Thanks to them, for all they have contributed to Harpur over the years, and thanks to all boys in Harpur for helping to make this such a memorable year for all the right reasons. As we so rightly said at the track, ‘Let’s go, Harpur, let’s go!’

2020 2021

What was particularly striking, during both the morning and afternoon sessions, was the superb vocal support all the Harpur boys received from their brothers-in-arms in the stands