The Caldicotian 2024

From the Headmaster

At the Prize Giving ceremony, we celebrated a year that has truly exemplified our ambitions for the school. With achievements in academics, sports, performing arts, and creative arts, alongside fostering an emotionally intelligent community, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to every member of our school.

We are proud of each and every boy so finding a way to tailor their educational journey to meet their needs and the world they are entering is our priority. Our move away from compulsory boarding in the 5th and 6th Form is part of that ambition and we are really pleased with the response. Over the past year, Caldicott has emerged as being as popular as ever despite the uncertainty caused by the threats in the Labour Party manifesto. Thanks to our dedicated teaching and support staff, the boys have made this a memorable year. I am delighted that you now have the opportunity to read all about it.

SPEECH DAY

Wednesday 3 July 2024

Address given by Headmaster, Mr Jeremy Banks @CaldicottHead

Good morning ladies and gentlemen and boys – welcome to Caldicott’s Prize Giving and I would like to echo the warm welcome given to our Guest of Honour, Professor Barnaby Lennon, who, as I am sure we will hear later, has been a friend of the school for many years.

What a blockbuster of a year it has been. Not every boy will have the opportunity to come up on stage, but you have all tasted success. With over half our leavers earning scholarships, 100% success with the top senior schools, the production of Bugsy Malone, the Concerto Concert with Slough Philharmonic Orchestra or the mighty U9 boys who won every match in every team during our cricket season, it’s been incredible. And that’s not including our Art which, under Mr Edwards and Ma’am King has skyrocketed in status in a way I don’t think I’ve witnessed in a school before. And now I’ve started I can’t stop, with triumphant eTEC gifting the boys the

chance to race a Greenpower electric car and the most incredible weather for an action-packed week of adventure during Residentials Week last week.

It’s all been in our well-crafted newsletter, in social media and in time it will also be in our school magazine. Enjoy!

There is something rather special about us coming together as one large group today and if you like it, the joy for you is that the boys feel it most days through our School Assemblies, Chapel, House Assemblies and Year Group Assemblies. Here at Caldicott we value inclusion over exclusion, membership over isolation, and acceptance over rejection. We think the boys here have that familiar desire to belong and together they form a happy band of brothers. When hearing the old boys speak about their time here when they came over on Monday for our OC football tournament, they spoke about the lasting, positive and impactful interpersonal relationships that were forged here. The value of Caldicott should not just be measured by the senior school they move to at 13+, it should be measured by their willingness to spread joy and the desire in each old boy to make the world a better place. We aspire to the highest possible standards, meaning we do things a way that is anchored in the finest and best traditions, whilst maintaining relevance for parents in a shifting world that sadly too often gives us more storm clouds than sunshine for now.

Our decision to move on from compulsory boarding came from this sort of thinking and from our understanding of a range of factors, not least our determination to understand different trajectories in child development, meaning some are ready for more boarding sooner than others. A ‘onesize-fits-all’ approach at 11+ simply lost the relevance it once had for some prep parents who now are more likely to want a more substantial boarding experience for

their sons from 13+ instead. The feedback we’ve had has helped us sharpen our plans for September. Thank you.

I’d like to go back to that word ‘tradition’ because colleagues are keen that I do. We accept that we can be sticklers for doing things a particular way, but we do so because our culture is not that of a London day school or a sleepy rural prep school. From Saturday school and the afternoon matches that follow, to Remembrance Sunday worship and the rigour of Common Entrance for our 6th Form boys, all of this contributes to the growth of resilience and good character that will place your son at an advantage in the race of life. Please don’t seek to customise your son’s journey with us if some of those traditions don’t resonate as much as they may with do with others. Our tried and trusted ways do work, and it is our privilege to be the best teachers, coaches and mentors of your sons we can be. We all love the great opportunity that comes with being part of this great school and we must all rally around to ensure we too have positive and impactful interpersonal relationships.

Two people that have been hugely positive and hugely impactful are our co-Chairs of the Friends of Caldicott. Sunaina Anand and Angela Beaton have been the sunshine that has brightened many a day for me over the course of this year. Together with the Committee we have had the chance to enjoy all sorts of events and my colleagues and I have always been made very welcome, which we appreciate enormously. I would now like to invite Angela and Sunaina forward to collect a small gift.

The Committee are not the only group of parent volunteers in whom we are incredibly grateful. Parents are taking time out of their busy days to participate in a wide range of activities such as the Second-Hand Uniform Shop and the flowers in our beautiful Chapel.

You and your sons often share opinions about the teachers who teach here. You tell me things like ‘Ma’am Y has unlocked my son’s potential’ or ‘Mr X has helped my son gain confidence’ and this is tremendous. We are as motivated as ever to go from strength to strength and although this may be a bit of a fib… we’re looking forward to September already. Our Council, the school’s Board of Governors, are also hard working and supportive, so to both groups I offer you my sincere thanks.

Today sadly marks the last day at Caldicott for a few colleagues and I’d like to recognise them in this speech. Ma’am Rose’s service of over 25 years teaching the boys with English as an additional language has been tremendous.

Mr Evans is moving to a new part of the sector with an English post at a senior school rather than a prep school. He’s been the face of English at Caldicott for 12 years, a fantastic tutor and we wish him well. Mr Robinson leaves after 10 years to work abroad and we thank him for his contributions through sport and IT. Ma’am Lovegrove enters a new phase in life and we’re grateful for her work in the Learning Support Department over the last eight years. Ma’am McDonald may have been here quite a short amount of time, but her impact has been significant, so we’re delighted to see her develop her career further as Head of Year in pastures new. Likewise, Mr Pickles, a sports grad, and Ma’am Brown, our librarian. Thank you.

Of course, the most important group to think about today is the boys and I would like to congratulate the leavers today for all their achievements – we have a short video of their time here at Caldicott

It has been another busy and hugely successful year for the Caldicott Community in terms of our charitable efforts. We supported several local charities this year and held fundraisers, but our focus has been supporting the incredible work of Brain Tumour Research UK. The total raised this year has been amazing and today I can confirm that the total is just over £37,000.

Nothing fills us with more pride than seeing our boys undertake their own charitable work. Here are some efforts we have heard about this year…

Finley J, Alex R, Robby WC, Nate R, Harry H, and Milo B completed a challenging 20-mile hike along Hadrian’s Wall, raising £4,940 for the Ruth Strauss Foundation and Dusty Yak Orphanage. Charlie J raised £1,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital by playing Christmas carols on his violin at his family Christmas party. Rafe G, Will M, Oliver T, and Hugo H completed a swimathon over half term, raising £1,125 for Head for Change. Will M ran Harrow’s annual Long Ducker in 52 minutes, supporting the Firm Foundation, an organization raising awareness of homelessness. Thomas L participated in the Mayday Mile for the RNLI, raising £421 by walking or running a mile daily. Maxim B and his brother Edward supported St Anne’s Church, raising £432 through a promotional bake sale. Leo W raised an incredible £13,000 for the Sumbandila Scholarship Trust. Hugo H baked cakes for a coffee morning supporting Alzheimer's patients, including his grandmother. There will be others too and all of you have made us proud.

I must also take this opportunity to share with you a cause that is very important to both our school and to me personally: the Caldicott Foundation.

As many of you know, the Caldicott Foundation was established in November 2020 with two primary goals.

First, to invest in capital projects that will transform our school for future generations. Second, to provide transformational bursaries for talented boys whose families might otherwise be unable to afford a Caldicott education. I am delighted to report that for both of these strands of work, we have made significant progress in recent months. This academic year, our Bursary Fund has raised nearly £100,000 thanks to the incredible generosity of many of you in this room. This will mean that we will be able to fund two new transformational bursaries next year, a goal we would not have been able to achieve without the support of our wonderful Caldicott community. To those who have supported the Bursary Fund this year, your contributions are profoundly impactful.

Significant progress has also been made on our capital projects, particularly with the completion of our comprehensive master plan designed to futureproof our school, seamlessly integrating our academic ambitions into our plans for state-of-the-art facilities. To those of you who have so kindly contributed to our capital projects this year, I am so thankful for your support. In summary, the work of the Caldicott Foundation is deeply intertwined with our strategic vision and core values. Your support strengthens our community and helps us build a brighter future together. Thank you.

We now have a second short video for you about the wide range of enrichment opportunities

So, all in all, a pretty phenomenal year it has been, yet the sheer joy of it continues to be in the brilliant relationships that exist in our community. Your sons’ efforts combined with the talented people who work here will keep Caldicott doing what we enjoy doing most which is a simple thing really: supporting and guiding boys to be their best selves and fulfilling their potential.

Have a wonderful summer. Many thanks for all you do and, for today’s event, many thanks to Ma’am Macleod and Ma’am Naidoo.

AFTER CALDICOTT

Leavers' Destinations 13+

Ryan Anand Harrow School

Toby Aspinall Holyport College

Daniel Bracken Eton College

Fergus Brown Eton College

Cosmo Clifton Winchester College

Wulfstan Cooper Eton College

Jeevan Dhami Westminster

Adam Dickinson St Edward’s, Oxford

Gabriel Dodd Eton College

Ethan Dong Winchester College

George Drewett Bradfield College

Yehor Dudakov Harrow School

Alex Fang Harrow School

Thomas Fenston Radley College

Yashveer Gupta Harrow School

George Hampel Episcopal Academy, USA

Joshua He Tonbridge

Reuven Hyams Clifton College

Yusuf Javed Berkhamsted

Sam Jiang Harrow School

Hamish Laing Oundle School

Gaston Le Gouvello Winchester College

Connor Light Charterhouse

Freddie Martin-Jenkins Harrow School

Rex Nixon Wellington College

Cotty Paulin Eton College

Mofi Salami Harrow School

Acksel Sathish Harrow School

Dash von Hurter Wellington College

Angus Wager St Edward’s, Oxford

Josh Wong Marlborough College

Joshua Wong Tonbridge

Rex Wood Eton College

Harry Xu Harrow School

Stanley Xu Eton College

Yasar Zhao Harrow School

Kingsley Zheng Harrow School

Awards and Scholarships

Ryan Anand Sport Scholarship Harrow School

Fergus Brown Sport Award Marlborough College

Ethan Dong Winchester College Election

George Drewett Sport Scholarship Bradfield College

Alex Fang Art Scholarship Harrow School

George Hampel Sport Scholarship Winchester College

Joshua He Academic Scholarship Tonbridge

Rory Hughes Sammy Wood Specialist Sport Scholarship for Rugby Brighton College

Reuven Hyams Academic Scholarship Clifton College

Under 13 Leavers

Good luck to the below boys at their new schools: Bosco Castelo

Mason Colman

Danny Leighton

Tommy Leighton Zain Morjaria

Alfred Noth

Rufus Perren

Max Phillips

Alexander Rudge

David Suarez Duque

Diego Suarez Duque

Yusuf Javed Sport Exhibition Stowe School

Hamish Laing Music Exhibition Oundle School

Connor Light Design & Innovation Scholarship Charterhouse

Freddie Martin-Jenkins Drama Scholarship Harrow School

Angus Wager Drama Scholarship St Edward's, Oxford

Joshua Wong Academic Scholarship Tonbridge School

Stanley Xu Music Scholarship Eton College

Yasar Zhao Music Scholarship Harrow School

Kingsley Zheng Academic Scholarship Harrow School

As stewards of many cherished traditions, we take the best of the past while focusing on the future.

Learn more about life at Harrow by attending one of our Open Mornings.

VISIT

harrowschool.org.uk to book your place.

Admissions Office

Harrow School, 5 High Street, Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex HA1 3HP

T 020 8872 8007

E admissions@harrowschool.org.uk

We believe that every child has immense potential that, in the right environment, can be uncovered, nurtured and realised.

Old Caldicotians gather on South Front

CALDICOTT STORIES

There has been lots to get excited about at Caldicott over the last year, here are a few highlights...

Year 8s Showcase Academic Excellence

Impressively, over 50% of this year's leavers earnt scholarships in a cohort which saw the Year 8s once again collectively earn a ‘full house’ of scholarships (awards across all disciplines: academia, sports and the arts).

With 100% success at entry for the top senior schools, you can see from our 'Leavers' Destinations' (page 4) that they have progressed onto some of the most prestigious institutions across the country. Most importantly is that each boys goes to the right senior school for them, so you will also note the variety in destinations.

Deputies Take on Kilimanjaro

It's not just the boys that impress us with the exploits; Ma'am Naidoo (Deputy Head, Academic) and Ma'am Bisschop (Deputy Head, Pastoral) took on a gruelling five-day ascent to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro.

During the Michaelmas half term, the pair took on Africa's highest mountain with the knowledge that 30-50% of the climbers who attempt it are unsuccessful! Both deputies said that it was a lifechanging experience; Ma'am Naidoo truly learnt the meaning on 'one step at a time', while Ma'am Bisschop said she reminded herself of all the mantras she tells the boys in her pastoral assemblies.

“The journey is just as important as getting to the top"

- Ma'am Naidoo

The Times Names OCs as Future Stars of English Rugby

Day Plus Launch Brings Increased Flexibility to Boarding Model

We were excited to announce an update to our boarding offering this year, which meant that from September 2024, boarding is no longer compulsory as boys entered our senior school (Year 7). Instead, alongside Weekly and Full boarding, we now offer Day Plus to boys in Years 7 and 8. Day Plus includes two nights of boarding a week, so that boys don't miss out on some of the evening activities that make the boarding programme so enriching, although these don't have to be used, or alternatively can be easily topped up.

Ultimately, the decision came about as an answer to the evolving needs of pupils, while still sticking to our principles that make Caldicott the special place it is. Simply put, not all boys are ready to board at the same time. Over the last few years, and most recently with the addition of Day Plus, we are a school which offers flexi boarding for younger boys who can't wait for the camaraderie and experiences that boarding offers, but doesn't assume all boys will be the same at age 11.

In The Times' article held proudly by our captain of Rugby last year, Wulfie, John Westerby writes about six players that could fill the void left by Tuilagi and the Vunipolas. Three of these players are OCs: Kepueli Tuipulotu, Greg Fisilau and Rekeiti Ma’asi White. Our rugby coaches who had the pleasure of training them through their prep school years are very proud already of the success of these impressive young men, who last season each played for either the England U18s or U20s.

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Caldicott's Own Concerto Concert and Two ARSM Diplomas: A Year of Musical Triumph

Music is always a big part of Caldicott life, with several concerts and competitions every term showcasing the boys' talents; over 180 individual instrumental lessons are timetabled a week on top of the usual classroom lessons. The opportunity to perform a concerto is the sort of thing that is competed for in one’s last year at a conservatoire, so to witness five of our boys performing in movements making up Caldicott’s first ever Concerto Concert earlier this year was an incredible achievement for these boys and great source of pride for the whole school. The Slough Philharmonic Orchestra are a highly regarded and talented group of local musicians making up a 30-piece orchestra, and we thank them tremendously for their time in supporting our performers in this endeavour. We were delighted that such esteemed guests as the Chairman of Buckinghamshire Council, Mayor of Slough, and Deputy Mayor of Beaconsfield could be in attendance.

Anyone versed in the world of music will know how prestigious the Associate of the Royal Schools of Music (ARSM) diploma is so for three of our boys to attain these at such a young age was extraordinary and cause for further celebration in the Music Department. Brothers, Stanley (6th Form) and Roger (4th Form), as well as Yasar (6th Form) are the musicians photographed on the right who used their incredible musical talents to accomplish this feat. At the end of the Michaelmas Term, the boys took the Associate of the Royal Schools of Music diploma, a post grade 8 qualification which, after being successful, entitles the boys to add the post-nominals ‘ARSM’ to their names! In the Director of Music’s long time at Caldicott, this is the first music diploma of this type that he knows of being earnt at this age; he commended all three boys’ incredible hard work and dedication.

Johnny Ball's Maths Talk Takes Boys on a Journey Through Time

Lots of you will have heard of the famous Johnny Ball, Math-fanatic entertainer who could be seen on televisions throughout the 70s and 80s popularising the subject for children across the country.

Many years later Johnny still has the same goal in mind. Our Middle and Senior School boys were treated to entertaining talks as he not only made them laugh, but also taught them the fascinating history of mathematics and how it still is all so relevant in today’s world of calculators and iPhones.

A massive thank you to Johnny for taking the time to come and speak to our boys; there aren’t many speakers as engaging as Johnny, and the boys certainly won’t be forgetting this experience any time soon.

“Copy from the best and learn from the best. There’s no reason you can’t also be geniuses in the field and path you choose; that’s what education is all about. Collectively, you’ve all got the same opportunities here, grasp them, work hard, and there’s no reason you can’t soon also end up being what people call: a genius."

Funky Hat Charity Fun Run

Under the theme of ‘funky hats’, the boys were eager to get involved in this year's fun run and help raise funds for Brain Tumour Research, a charity close to our hearts.

Ahead of the run, Daniel (6th Form) shared his personal experience of having a brain tumour removed. As he was having an MRI on the day, Daniel’s message was relayed through a video he pre-recorded in which he went on to explain how grateful he was to the people who had saved his life, which led him to raise funds for a crucial MRI scanner.

Caprice (who is not only a Caldicott parent, but also a patron of Brain Tumour Research) shared her story of how she too had a brain tumour removed and was inspired to raise money for this incredible cause. Caprice went on to motivate the boys ahead of their run, with some rousing words of encouragement. Charlie Allsebrook, the Community Development Manager for Brain Tumour Research, joined us again as a representative of the charity, as did Neil Danzinger (another Caldicott parent, who has worked extensively with the charity). Thank you to everyone involved in making the event so meaningful.

Fully motivated with the knowledge that their efforts were going to such a good cause, the boys set off on their fun run and raised over £1,000 for a truly deserving amazing cause.

Trips

Classics Trip Rome, Italy

By being immersed in exciting experiences outside of the classroom, boys develop a real-world passion for a given subject, whilst also creating lifelong memories with their friends. From the 1st Form visiting the Battle of Britain Bunker, to our senior boys' adventures in Cornwall and Wales, there have been lots of opportunities for boys to go on some incredible trips with their friends and teachers this last year

5th Form

6th Form Wales

5th Form

Hampton Court Palace

Trip

5th Form River Wye

Drama Trip

National Globe Theatre

6th Form Williams Racing

LOWER SCHOOL

Harriet Barratt, Head of 1st

Form

Vicki Riddell, Head of 2nd Form

@CaldiLowerSch

As another remarkable academic year comes to an end, we would like to reflect on the incredible journey the Lower School boys have experienced. From forming new friendships to making thrilling discoveries, this year has offered countless opportunities for learning and growth. With enthusiasm and curiosity, the boys tackled new concepts, broadened their knowledge, and embraced new challenges in all aspects of school life.

At the start of the year, the boys faced thought provoking maths problems during the exciting House Maths Competition and enhanced their creative language through stories like The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, Matilda, and Kensuke’s Kingdom. In the eTEC department, the boys enjoyed creating magical mazes and impressive tugboats. The boys have thoroughly enjoyed their Science lessons this year, with highlights including watching chicks hatch and observing caterpillars transform into butterflies. These hands-on experiences brought their learning to life, sparking curiosity and wonder as they witnessed these incredible natural processes firsthand.

In the Lent Term, the Declamations Competitions were opportunities for the boys to shine. They all memorised and recited a poem or piece of prose. The quality of performances was exceptional, leaving Mr Evans, Head of English, with the tough task of choosing the winners.

Creativity flourished as the boys showcased their talents through art, music, and drama. The incredible Lower School Art Exhibition and the creation of the 2nd Form values book based on their amazing drawings in the style of Charlie Macksey, provided ample opportunities for artistic expression. Lunchtime musical concerts and the spirited House Shout filled the school with vibrant energy. The boys also had numerous opportunities to perform on stage, with memorable events like the 1st Form Christmas Show and the triumphant Greek Myths musical. Witnessing the boys' confidence and artistic abilities has been truly inspiring.

Sports played a significant role, with the boys enthusiastically participating in training sessions, matches, and festivals. Sports Day was a highlight, featuring energetic participation in various events and the much-anticipated tug of war House competition. The camaraderie and support among the boys were heartwarming to see.

Beyond the classroom, the boys engaged in enriching learning experiences that broadened their horizons. The 1st Form embarked on an exciting team-building trip to Woodrow High House, where they participated in a variety of engaging activities designed to foster collaboration and camaraderie. The highlight of the trip was testing their agility and coordination on the low ropes course, where they navigated through a series of challenging obstacles, relying on teamwork and communication. The 2nd Form boys enjoyed a delightful trip to London to see Matilda the Musical. Captivated by the intricate sets and memorable musical score, they were thoroughly enchanted by the magical world of Roald Dahl's beloved story brought to life on stage.

The year concluded with the exciting and highly anticipated Enrichment Week. The 1st Form boys loved their taster evening up in the Boarding House and enjoyed an exhilarating trip to Legoland where they immersed themselves in a world of creativity and adventure. The 2nd Form boys embarked on an exciting overnight camping trip on Spens Field, where they engaged in a variety of thrilling activities. They challenged themselves on the climbing wall, played high-energy games of laser tag, and enjoyed the fast-paced fun of aero-ball. The boys also learned valuable skills by putting up tents, making safety bracelets, building catapults, and designing their own flags.

Reflecting on the boys' achievements, it's evident they have excelled in both academic and personal growth. From academic competitions and sports events to public speaking engagements and artistic accomplishments, they have demonstrated their talents and skills. This year has been unforgettable in many ways, and the boys deserve congratulations for their perseverance and hard work. We look forward to seeing them continue to thrive as they advance to their new year groups in September.

3RD FORM

Ed Harper, Head of 3rd Form

It seems like it was only yesterday that the boys arrived in the 3rd Form corridor, full of trepidation and excitement about what lay ahead as they began their Middle School journey. That being said, they have had a busy year full of personal growth, fun and hard work. They adjusted well to their new classrooms, routines and timetable showing us just how well prepared they were for 3rd Form, and impressed us all with their growing independence. Wednesday and Saturday afternoon matches were embraced, as were their exciting array of after school activities on offer to them.

The Michaelmas Term saw the arrival of some new boys who were welcomed in and given ‘buddies’ to help them to settle in their new environment. Along with the introduction of the new timetable was the realisation that there were more lessons too – Saturday school was real! Increasing expectations were clearly outlined and the boys quickly set about showing us that they were up for the challenge. In English, they explored themes of friendship and loyalty as they delved into Holes by Louis Sachar, History saw them discovering Victorian England and Geography involved a trip to the Burnham Beeches to learn about biomes.

After a fleeting Christmas break, with some boys being invited to take part in the annual Caldicott Ski trip, the boys returned, counting the sleeps until spring. Declamations were soon upon us, and we were blown away by the variety of pieces chosen and the number of lines that were memorised. Football season provided a very necessary distraction from a chilly winter with the boys showing us their impressive skills over a successful season. Towards the end of the term, the boys were fortunate to head to the Space exhibition at the Science Museum to help consolidate their Science – the IMAX experience was a highlight.

We returned for the Summer Term, and, despite the impossible amount of rain and incredibly high water tables, the picture-perfect pitches hosted the highly anticipated cricket season. Despite the need for base layers and jumpers, we were treated to a plethora of runs and wickets. A trip to Bletchley Park was the culmination of hard work in History where the boys had the opportunity to attend a code-breaking workshop and use an Enigma Machine.

Winter finally received its marching orders shortly before our departure to Green Park for a two-night residential where the boys were able to show off their collaborative skills and budding leadership qualities. The 3rd Form Enrichment Week included important interview practice with Oppidan, alongside a memorable trip to Hazard Alley.

Over the course of the year, the boys have flown the Caldicott banner high as they have taken part in music, LAMDA, sport and charity events and we are enormously proud of all they have accomplished.

ART AND DESIGN

Darryl Edwards, Head of Art @CaldicottArt

Clay, clay and a bit more clay with a small Obliteration Room thrown in for good measure.

This year has gone by so fast, the focus for the whole year has been about coming together to celebrate art as a community. From the whole school installation (the dot room) to the ambitious whole school clay project, boys, staff and visitors have all experienced the joy of Art at Caldicott this year.

We embarked on two major projects this academic year, building on last year's success and enthusiasm for Art. Our goal was to challenge the boys and have them explore the question, "What is art?". This challenge was embraced with our version of Yayoi Kusama's Obliteration Room, where every person who entered placed 96 dots anywhere in the room. Watching the boys transform a completely white room into a vibrant world of colour was truly awe-inspiring and expanded their understanding of Art.

Last year, I mentioned we were eagerly awaiting the arrival of a kiln, which has now allowed us to introduce clay work to the school. The saying ‘go big or go home’ comes to mind, as we wanted to create an Art piece involving every boy and member of staff, aiming to create something memorable. Throughout the year, each boy created a clay tile inspired by patterns and textures found in nature. Their work resulted in breathtaking pieces, showcasing their creativity and skill. This project also included a January INSET session where Ma’am King and I taught staff clay techniques. The final piece will be proudly displayed in the school's front entrance from September.

We have also seen the 2nd Form publish their own book based on the work of Charlie Mackesy. Using his artwork for inspiration the boys created a collection of images that embody our school values, this resulted in a magical book titled Artful Reflections. This book is a remarkable achievement and a keepsake the boys will cherish forever Building on the success of last year's inaugural Art Exhibition, we extended this year's exhibition to a whole week, featuring a combined Art and Music opening night. This allowed more people to appreciate the wonderful work on display.

We also celebrated the first Art scholar since our arrival. A huge congratulations to Alex F on his scholarship to Harrow! His work was the star of the show at the exhibition, and we eagerly look forward to seeing the incredible Art he will create in the future.

Looking ahead, a visiting artist will introduce new clay techniques to the boys in early September, promising continued growth and strength in this medium for the coming years.

CLASSICS, LATIN & GREEK

Jasmine Hellings, Head of Classics @CaldiClassics

It has been an incredibly busy year for the Classics department, which has brought to mind those famous words of Horace: ‘vitanda est improba siren desidia’ – ‘that wicked temptress, Laziness, must be avoided’. We certainly have not allowed the boys a single moment of laziness, as each term has been jam-packed with events for every year group from 4th-6th Form to be able to showcase their ability in both Latin and Greek.

This year, boys have continued to excel in Latin, with all boys in the 6th Form taking it for Common Entrance and many electing to study the language as part of their senior school Academic Scholarship attempt. An increased focus on manipulation of English into Latin has enabled boys to develop their logic and problem solving, and those who have shown commitment to vocabulary learning were able to perform particularly well in their exams. A highlight was there being two boys this year who ranked in the top 5 for Latin and Greek Common Entrance to Harrow, which was testament to some inspiring and thorough teaching by Ma’am Murphy.

The Classics trip was a huge success and thanks to the enthusiastic members of staff who assisted in accompanying the boys; a brilliant time was had by all. The 5th and 6th Form, as well as a handful of 4th Form boys, began their trip in Rome, exploring the Colosseum, fora, the Pantheon and the Vatican, before travelling by coach down to Hadrian’s villa at Tivoli, Pompeii, Vesuvius and on to Sorrento and Capri. We finished in Naples where, due to a late flight home, we were able to catch Mr Di Maso’s home team play football against Atalanta which the boys thoroughly enjoyed. Relishing some fantastic Italian food (pizza and gelato were particularly popular features) whilst exploring some ancient culture was a real experience and the boys were most appreciative of having such an amazing opportunity.

For boys in the 4th Form, it has been a successful introductory year to Latin, and I know they are looking forward to expanding their studies of Classics with Greek in the 5th Form. With the inaugural Latin Declamations competition being such a success last year, the boys were eager to get stuck into learning their pieces for this year’s competition, in which the finalists performed extracts from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Virgil’s Aeneid and Cicero’s pro Milone. We had the honour of Dr Steven Kennedy’s company (Head of Classics at Harrow School) as guest judge, who gave some excellent feedback to the boys on their nuance, pronunciation and expression and who inspired the boys with his own explanations of why these passages are such wonderful pieces of literature. Hopes of some passionate classicists are high for next year with it being clear that there are some talented linguists in this year group.

It has also been another year of success for Ancient Greek. The 5th Form have made great strides with their ability to translate Greek and learn the alphabet and some key vocabulary during their weekly lessons. Study of the Greek theatre has continued to be a highly anticipated feature of the curriculum, and the 5th Form’s performance of some (very) adapted scenes from Aristophanes’ Wasps proved a big hit with parents, staff and boys who were all invited to watch.

As we look to the future, the Classics department remains committed to fostering a profound appreciation of classical antiquity whilst giving pupils valuable skills to be able to navigate and contribute to our complex modern world. We have some passionate and talented boys coming up through the ranks, and are excited to see what they can achieve in this coming year.

ENGLISH

David Evans, Head of English @CaldiEnglish

Summer 2024 has been my final term at Caldicott, following a 12 year stint within the English department. I am indebted to all my colleagues who have worked hard to deliver fantastic lessons and develop the skills necessary for our boys to excel at their senior schools and beyond. Looking back, I can draw upon my decade of leading this subject within the school and I have three major observations about how prep school English should be best taught.

ONE) Leave the GCSE texts for the Senior schools: I was surprised when I started here to find some texts from the Year 10 and 11 syllabus being taught to boys in our 5th and 6th Form. It was clear that the boys had the ability to understand the texts and were producing interesting work. However, what happens when those boys actually get to their GCSE studies? How mind-numbingly dull must it be to study a text you’ve already been through before? As a prep-school English teacher, you are preparing students to face unseen texts. That means that you can be unhindered by exam boards and free to choose your texts from anywhere within the last thousand years of literature. (Or beyond… I’ve had 5th Form classes who have adored studying Beowulf!)

TWO) Allow teachers to draw upon the texts that they love: So much of what we teach in English is skills based: whether we are developing inference and interpretation skills in comprehension or finding an issue that would provide a jumping off point for a persuasive speech, it is possible to develop these skills from any number of starting points. I know what a difference it makes, when I’m able to teach a text which has profound meaning to me. This impacts upon my lesson delivery and in the engagement from my students. But what works for me, may not work for my colleague; it is vital for teachers to have ownership over their approach, as that is where inspiration lies!

THREE) Use technology, but recognise it is just a tool: For reviewing, redrafting, reorganising work – technology cannot be beaten. Our use of computers and displays in the classroom can enhance the experience of engaging with literature. I have a lot of difficulty getting excited about AI, however. I can see the appeal for boys, to have their work completed almost instantly; essays, descriptions, analysis completed at the click of a button.

AI companies even provide services to include spelling mistakes to make the writing seem more authentic. When tasks are set by English teachers, it’s not the finished product that we are interested in; it’s the steps along the way – the choices that get made, the devices that are included, the words that are rejected in favour of something more precise. It is the process of writing that generates conclusions and refines understanding. Using AI is like skipping ahead to the final pages of a murder mystery novel. The solution is only satisfying if you’ve experienced the twists and turns.

It has been a pleasure to have taught at Caldicott. I am so proud of what the boys have achieved within the English department. In particular, the skills of debating and declaiming have stood out as areas where boys have extended themselves and showcased their abilities. To my colleagues: it’s been incredible to work with you. Many thanks, for everything.

e TEC

Simon Cooper, Head of eTEC @CaldicottETEC

This past year has seen continued innovation and creativity as the Entrepreneurial Technology, Engineering & Computing (eTEC) program entered its second year. This dynamic curriculum continues to combine real-world design, testing, making, and business skills to prepare students for the future.

In the 1st Form, boys started with basic design skills like colour theory and drawing before diving deeper into computer-aided design (CAD). They created cylindrical CAD pen pots and advanced to designing more complex CAD photo frames. The iterative design process included paper models, final laser cutting, and assembly of designs on our new industrial machine. Coding adventures included developing how to use algorithms using Rapid Router and being introduced to programming in Scratch through game and animation creation.

2nd Form expanded their CAD skills, transforming designs into keychains and holiday decorations using laser cutters. They also developed more intricate games with Scratch, incorporating advanced variables and loops. Workshop projects included crafting wooden tugboats, building on their engineering drawing skills and understanding of transportation roles.

3rd Form engaged in more complex hands-on projects, applying advanced design principles and laser cutting skills. Using Microbits, they coded multifaceted traffic light systems with varied inputs and outputs.

The electric go-kart project continued, with pupils focusing on designing and making an aerodynamic body kit to optimise vehicle performance for competitive racing. Some of the boys even attended a race day at a track where they competed against other schools!

4th Form advanced their CAD/CAM skills to design detailed lasercut keyrings and festive decorations. They delved into 3D modelling with Tinkercad, producing luggage tags that were then 3D printed. These boys were also introduced to Lego Spike robots, which were programmed to solve increasingly complex challenges.

5th Form took on new challenges, creating solutions to this year's 'Masterpiece' First Lego League and coding their robot to complete as many missions as possible in two and a half minutes. Additional Lego League competitions encouraged teamwork and problem-solving. Boys moved on from Scratch learning to program in Python and, after an introductory course, developed a times table test.

Special events this year included the Bebras Challenge, which pushes boys’ computational thinking and problem-solving abilities. Due to their success in Bebras, a number of students were invited to enter the Oxford University Computing Challenge. A collaborative First Lego League afternoon was held, where pupils from St Piran's visited and combined with our boys to develop their skills.

The second year of eTEC at Caldicott has been marked by greater imagination, collaboration, and hands-on learning. The future of technology and innovation at Caldicott continues to shine brightly!

GEOGRAPHY

Matt Holyland, Head of Geography @CaldiGeog

The Geography department has enjoyed a very productive and successful academic year, with 96% of boys achieving a A*-B grade at Common Entrance and 68% achieving an A*-A grade. However, as a department we do not judge the success of an academic year on exam results alone, preferring to gauge our progress by the boy’s enjoyment and passion for Geography, the breadth and variety of our syllabus, and the opportunities we have given boys both in and out of the classroom. At Caldicott we look to equip the boys with the knowledge, evidence, and skills to best interpret, analyse, and evaluate an everchanging landscape.

This year, our 1st and 2nd Forms have brought a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to their Geography lessons. Under the guidance of Ma’am Riddell, Ma’am Barrett, and Mr Harper the boys have explored a wide assortment of geographical features and landscapes, taking them from the tropical rainforests of South America to the snowy summits of the Himalayas. In 1st Form they started by studying the United Kingdom and a “sense of place”, quickly moving on to India, looking to broaden their understanding of cultural diversity. Moving into the Summer Term, they focused on the weather and climate and how it impacts upon our lives. In the 2nd Form, they enjoyed learning about South America, rivers and tropical rainforests, the latter resulting in an excellent day’s adventure with the Living Rainforest team. Teaching the 1st and 2nd Form has been a real privilege. I have been extremely impressed with not only their general knowledge but also their curiosity for the wider world through the range and diversity of questions being asked.

As you move up the school the topics and skills being enhanced may change but the passion, energy and enthusiasm remains constant. In 3rd and 4th Forms we have asked the boys to think like geographers and consider the different aspects that influence the topics we have covered. The 3rd Form has travelled the world, exploring the different biomes in the Michaelmas Term, and investigating the issues related with climate change and how they can be mitigated in the Lent Term. The 4th Form began their CE journey with earthquakes and volcanoes, bringing a very insightful and engaged approach. In the senior end of the school, we have continued with the Geographical Society in the evenings, giving an opportunity for the boys to discuss and explore a wider variety of geographical features, such as “the building of a superpower”, “migration”, “super-volcanoes” and “extreme weather”. The meetings were well attended and something we will look to build on next year

We have also enjoyed bringing a practical element to the syllabus, with the 4th Form recreating the traditional Caldicott Ring of Fire, while the 3rd Form got messy investigating the rock cycle with starburst sweets. In the 5th Form we visited the River Wye and carried out a fieldwork investigation of the settlement hierarchy, travelling to Bray and Windsor; it was an excellent day, with the boys demonstrating all the characteristics we value at Caldicott. Finally, I would like to thank the teachers in the Geography department for their constant passion, inspiration and creative thinking. As a result, it has enabled the boys to access such a diverse range of materials and has ignited the dedication and excitement in each and every boy.

HISTORY

Craig Legge, Head of History @CaldiHistory

This has been another tremendous year for the History Department, with plenty of fun, excellent results, and a great deal of learning taking place.

All the boys are to be commended for their commitment and dedication to developing their historical knowledge and skills. One of the outcomes of the boys’ efforts has been excellent results in the 6th Form CE and scholarship exams. Our scholarship results were particularly impressive, and it is worth singling out Ethan D and Cosmo C, who both achieved some of the highest History marks in their Winchester Election papers. Many other boys throughout all year groups also deserve mention and recognition – these are the boys who lack natural talent in History, but have worked consistently hard throughout the year, and emerged as more confident and accomplished historians.

Having just read Empire world: How British Imperialism Has Shaped the Globe by author and journalist Sathnam Sanghera, I was struck by how polarising his observations have been about the impact of Empire – both in academic circles and in the broader public opinion. This is perhaps no surprise as we witness rising populist and nationalist sentiment in Europe. Our boys need to understand the origins, context, and potential dangers of this emergence. Consequently, we are reshaping our curriculum to ensure we engage in a mature and balanced examination of the origins, nature, and impact of Empire.

We are also updating and refining our flagship study of fake news and propaganda entitled ‘Masters of Spin’ to include a section on the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI); the boys need to become increasingly adept at the ability to critically examine the host of information available to them. Continuing to place a strong emphasis on developing boys’ ability to critically evaluate and analyse a variety of sources – from 1st Form all the way through to 6th Form should help to facilitate this objective. We want the boys to develop expertise in their ability to become critically discerning consumers of information.

Over the last year, we have also been working hard to apply evidence-based research in our practice and approach. We are making solid inroads into imbedding best practice History teaching in our lessons and our curriculum. This means that we continue to ensure that the basics are covered well, from starting with chronological context and key terminology, to using scaffolding, modelling, and regular retrieval practice in our teaching, to ensure History skills are developed systematically

Further reflection on how we can improve our History curriculum and offering has resulted in an ambition to test the appetite for an occasional History podcast featuring boys, parents, and guest speakers. We will also be producing a monthly History book recommendation, which we hope will help to promote a healthy interest in History from parents and boys alike.

Enriching our classroom lessons and ensuring we use fun as a teaching tool is a vital component of our educational approach; we continue to ensure that the boys enjoy their History lessons as they learn new skills and content. From battle re-enactments such as Hastings and the Spanish Armanda, to external History trips to places such as Hampton Court, the Victorian School, and the Verulamium Museum. My thanks to the History-teaching team in all year groups for their immense effort, and desire to see the boys grow into knowledgeable, discerning thinkers who can apply History skills effectively to critically evaluate the past and the present.

For those parents wondering how they can help their boys progress further in History, boys should be encouraged to develop their historical literacy by reading fun, interesting and age-appropriate books. For the reluctant readers, there is a host of quality History documentaries available that can supplement and enrich their content knowledge. Exposing the boys to a variety of primary and secondary sources, and then coaching them on how to comment on the usefulness and limitations of these sources, is another way of building their confidence and ability to critically evaluate sources.

MATHS

Hugh Watts, Head of Maths @CaldicottMaths

It has been another successful year for the Maths department. With some exceptional CE, scholarship and UKMT results there is a lot to be pleased about. I am glad to say that the boys have continued to flourish in and outside the classroom and credit must go to the members of the department for making lessons engaging and for going above and beyond to make sure every single boy is making progress and enjoying their Mathematics. The Department continued to enjoy success in the UKMT Junior Mathematical Challenge. Every year we enter the challenge, where papers are designed to test not only mathematical skills but also ingenuity. Of the boys entered, 54 received certificates for creditable performances, which is an excellent result. Of these boys, 18 achieved a Gold award (the top available) and progressed to the next round. Particular credit must go to Ethan D, who was top in the school, earning his name on the honours board in the academic corridor.

In our other big competition of the year, House Mathematics, Wood came in first place followed by Jenkins, McArthur and Cooper. Each and every boy contributed to this result by completing a classroom quiz, and it made a difference. Cooper came first in the Middle school round and second in the Junior and Senior school events. There was stiff competition from McArthur and Jenkins in all rounds, but it was the quiz which pushed Wood across the line. This shows the value of all boys contributing to the event and is something that is really important in House Competitions.

I believe that competing in these types of competitions hugely supports our school values: perseverance, integrity, courage, compassion, and humour. It is perhaps obvious how it supports the first four, but humour is an often-overlooked quality when problem solving. The standard of mathematics in the UKMT challenge and in our House Mathematics, requires an ability to enjoy being stuck and revel in the challenge. If you have humour, it is something which really supports you finding enjoyment in a challenge. Learning from your mistakes and laughing at them is an important part of this. In Mathematics, they make you stronger and you should always strive to understand this crux of problem solving. Mistakes allow thinking to happen, and we all want boys to be happy thinkers!

MFL

Lele Di Maso, Head of MFL @CaldicottMFL

What a fantastic year this has been for our MFL department. For this last term we welcomed our new French teacher, the wonderful Ma’am Cook. She immediately made an impact and both boys and parents have been singing her praises since her first day!

French is still our curriculum language, but this year we have continued to promote all languages and cultures here at Caldicott. The initiative ‘Languages Club’ once again saw pupils whose mother tongue is not English, teach their own language to other boys (and staff!). We had a different language each half term, with highlights being Afrikaans and Italian; well done especially to Juan and Giacomo! This was an incredibly successful initiative, and dozens of boys took part in these very special lessons. The MFL Twitter continued to play a big part in promoting the department with daily updates on what has been happening in the classroom but also with fun, engaging, educational posts about languages. The popular Word of the Week and the weekly Italian post inviting everyone to learn conversational Italian, are both still going strong!

Highlights of the year came obviously from things that the boys have created. In the French Poem Competition, this year ’s overall winner was William F with a brilliantly fun video. Other projects worth mentioning were those belonging to the 3rd Form winner Ishaan S and the 5th Form winner George B. I am glad to say that two boys entered a National competition, the French Pop Video Competition, Zain M and Ali M. We wish them good luck with the results! During the Lent Term we also held a Vocabulary Competition for all boys from the 3rd to the 6th Form; well done to the winners in each year group!

In terms of curriculum, the 1st and 2nd Form have been learning French and having fun with Ma’am Cook, often singing songs and playing games in French and even enjoying a delicious French goûter. In the 3rd Form the boys have learnt a lot of new vocabulary and grammar. They learnt how to use the present tense of verbs as well as talk about their school, hobbies and describing themselves and others. The 4th Form boys have covered the topics of town, free time, media, friends and learnt to use the three major tenses (present, past, future) and they are now able to formulate great sentences in this beautiful language. In the 5th Form the boys have covered some very relevant topics (holidays, home, routine, school etc.) which will set them up for next year’s CE, but also for travelling abroad and speaking French. The 6th Form boys have prepared for their final exams during a very intense and difficult year, but in the end got some great and truly deserved results. Well done to all the boys for making languages an exciting part of our community.

PSHEE

Ed Harper, Head of PSHEE @CaldiLife

A robust Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education (PSHEE) curriculum is essential in shaping well-rounded, informed, and resilient young men. It equips them with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of modern life, fostering emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and responsible citizenship. By addressing key issues such as mental health, relationships, financial literacy, and digital safety, a comprehensive PSHEE program prepares boys not just for academic success, but for meaningful and fulfilling lives.

The Michaelmas Term marked a fresh start for all of us. In the first few weeks, we explored the five fingers of support, learning how to offer and manage support; while understanding and handling the pressures we might face this academic year. During Black History Month, we studied inspirational figures such as Jesse Owens and Rosa Parks. Later in the term, we introduced 'PSHEE in the News,' examining how PSHEE connects with real-world events. The boys took charge of their learning, covering themes such as British History and Values (The Gun Powder Plot), Financial Literacy and consumerism (Black Friday and the Cost-of-Living Crisis), and global issues (COP 28). This topic was insightful, showing pupils that PSHEE extends beyond the classroom.

In the Lent Term, the boys studied British Values and digital resilience. Understanding British Values – democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance for different beliefs and cultures – is crucial for fostering a cohesive and inclusive society. Through this study, the boys gained a deeper awareness of their rights and responsibilities as citizens and learned to actively participate in the democratic process. Additionally, digital literacy is increasingly vital in today's world. By integrating it into the PSHEE curriculum, the boys developed essential skills in digital technology, online safety, and responsible digital citizenship.

This empowerment enables them to make informed decisions, protect themselves and others online, and contribute positively to our digital society. The boys also looked at ‘Healthy Me’ allowing the opportunity to discuss the importance of diet, and mental health in an ever-increasing sedentary world.

In the Summer Term, the topic of Careers Education is introduced. Integrating this into PSHEE allows boys to develop crucial skills such as goal setting, self-reflection, and decisionmaking, essential for career planning and development. Careers education provides boys with knowledge about the world of work, employability skills, and industry requirements, preparing them for an ever-changing job market. In the latter part of the term, we also focused on the important topic of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). This provides a valuable opportunity for boys to discuss their relationships openly and learn about bodily changes while emphasising the laws surrounding consent.

Finally, the teaching of the protected characteristics is intertwined in all that we do when delivering the PSHEE program. Ensuring pupils are aware and understand protected characteristics is vital for fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment. It promotes understanding and respect for diversity, encouraging boys to challenge discrimination and advocate for equality in society.

SCIENCE

Ma'am Naidoo, Head of Science @CaldiScience

This has been another fantastic year for Science at Caldicott. The practical nature of the subject continues to captivate the boys and this has resulted in greater engagement and perseverance. A practical approach to learning where all experiments are made relevant to everyday life has allowed boys to appreciate the relevance of the content. The boys have been able to ask difficult questions and face challenges that we would find difficult to fathom, yet by asking these questions they are developing the skills and knowledge needed to help answer those questions in the future. We encourage our young scientists at Caldicott to test their ideas by working scientifically, setting a hypothesis, designing a method to examine them and retesting the experiment to gain a better appreciation of accuracy and the importance of results.

STEAM Fair is always a highlight of the first few weeks of the Michaelmas Term. The projects were impressive, as always, and the finalists did an amazing job explaining their ideas to parents on Open Morning. With trips to the Science Museum, the wonder of caterpillars morphing into butterflies, Santa Sleigh challenges, making of sourdough bread, learning about the benefit of healthy eating (cutting out UPFs) and discovering the best alcohol to use for Christmas pudding, these are just some of the opportunities that allowed the boys to acknowledge the beauty of Science and its everlasting importance. The poster competition during British Science week was very popular and the best entries were awarded prizes at Final Assembly.

Through the variety of topics taught, from engineering to climate change, we hope to encourage an awareness of the potential impact of scientific advances on society and on the welfare of the planet. Boys are becoming more open to the discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of scientific and technological developments. We also hope to continue our successful collaboration with the Art department. The eyecatching nerve cell was the talking point for many weeks with several people not quite sure what the installation was going to be. We now have a cell that the boys can literally walk into to explore each organelle. Thank you to Ma’am King for her hours of hard work and her vision to create the installation.

A passion for the subject runs throughout the department and we are so lucky to have teachers who are ready to share their ideas with the boys and who are confident in allowing the boys to experiment on their own ideas. It is always delightful when the boys are allowed to take risks in their learning and then are able to present their findings to their peers. I would like to extend an enormous thank you to both staff and boys for their hard work and efforts this year.

It is with great pleasure we see our 6th Formers leave with an amazing set of Science grades in both Common Entrance and scholarships and above all, a strong subject knowledge to take with them to their future schools. With the skills they have gained, I hope that many will go on to make a positive impact in the world of Science.

The academic year has seen significant progress and engagement in Theology, Philosophy, and Religion (TPR). These subjects play a crucial role in the holistic development of

The younger boys focused on introducing basic theological concepts, stories from various religious traditions, and foundational ethical questions. Lessons included interactive storytelling and discussions. In the older years the boys expanded to more complex philosophical inquiries, ethical dilemmas, and comparative religious studies. Pupils engaged in debates, essays, and presentations, developing their analytical and argumentative skills. It was incredibly rewarding to witness in our boys the high levels of participation in discussions and activities and to see the increased curiosity and respect for different religious and philosophical perspectives.

The subject of TPR is an important one, with it encouraging boys to improve their critical thinking skills. They were tasked with questioning assumptions, evaluating arguments, and developing reasoned conclusions. It also helps in building analytical skills that are applicable across different subjects and relevant in everyday decision-making. Furthermore, it provides a framework for understanding and navigating complex moral issues and promotes empathy, respect, and a sense of justice, preparing boys to be responsible global citizens.

Throughout the year, the boys were exposed to diverse religious beliefs and philosophical ideas, fostering a cultural awareness. In today’s interconnected world, people who can engage in respectful dialogue, coming from a place of understanding and tolerance, are incredibly valuable. We also support boys in exploring their own beliefs and values, encouraging self-reflection and personal growth, helping boys develop a strong sense of identity and purpose.

Our staff’s commitment to Theology, Philosophy, and Religion remains strong, with them recognising their indispensable role in shaping thoughtful, ethical, and informed individuals. As we continue to refine and expand our approach, we look forward to another year of growth, learning, and meaningful dialogue.

boys, nurturing their ability to think critically, reflect deeply, and engage with diverse perspectives.

THE LIBRARY

Clara Brown, Librarian

This year, our library community experienced a mix of fond farewells, exciting events, and remarkable achievements.

World Book Day brought much excitement as staff took part in the Masked Reader event. It was a fun and engaging way to celebrate our shared love for books, with staff members disguising their identities while reading excerpts from their favourite books.

In March, we said goodbye to our beloved Librarian, Ma’am Elson. After years of dedicated service, she left behind a legacy of a fantastic collection of books and a culture centred on the love of reading. Ma’am Elson tirelessly encouraged students to broaden their reading genres, leaving an indelible mark on our community

The Summer Term came with various exciting events in the library. The boys had a wonderful time at the Boarders’ Book Fair, enjoying the opportunity to purchase new releases. It was a great chance for them to explore fresh literary adventures and add new titles to their personal collections.

Later in the term, the pupils also had an additional opportunity to increase their book collection by taking part in our Charity Book Fair which was a resounding success, raising an impressive £290. The funds raised will go towards the Brain Tumour Charity, highlighting the generosity and community spirit of our students and staff.

During the Summer Term, I was delighted to start a storyteller club, using Aaron Becker’s wordless books as stimulus. It allowed boys the free space to combine acting, oracy and the written word. Pupils used the books to develop their inference and retrieval skills culminating into a collaborative written piece, using acting to immerse the boys into the books' worlds and develop their imagination.

In June, students from the 4th, 5th, and 6th Form were thrilled to meet Maggie Alphonsi. They were delighted to receive signed copies of her autobiography, Winning the Fight. This event was a unique opportunity for the boys to connect with an inspirational figure and gain insights from her life story.

As for the Lower School, the 1st and 2nd Forms have been incredibly competitive this year, racing through their books to complete Bookopoly. Special congratulations go to Montague P, Dev A, and Ram S, who have already received certificates for reading a book from each genre. Well done to you all!

I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you on behalf of Ma’am Elson and myself, to all the Pupil Librarians who attended their sessions in the library at break or lunch time. Your great work ethic and dedication have been instrumental in maintaining the vibrant and nurturing environment of our library.

As we look back on this year, we are grateful for the memories we've created and the achievements we've celebrated. Here’s to another year of fostering a love for reading and building our library community. In September, we look forward to a new permanent Librarian who will take the library forward to the next step on its journey.

PERFORMING ARTS

Drama

Jo Duncan, Head of Drama

@CaldicottStage

This was a year of big shows, heartfelt performances and notable achievements. It is always a busy department but this year things have really stepped up and I have been so proud to watch so many boys achieve in lessons, on the stage in productions, in LAMDA exams, House Drama Competitions and scholarship attempts. Their hard work has really paid off!

Productions

It had been 14 years since we had last staged Bugsy Malone so in November, we brought Fat Sam’s Grand Slam back to life! Our senior boys, supported by our professional orchestra, put on quite the show, with spectacular and well-rehearsed acting and musical performances delighting the audience. With cabaret-style seating for the audience that included bubbly and a delicious cheeseboard on each table, the atmosphere was electric. The whole cast was on point, but shoutouts must go to Rex W who gave a slick performance as Bugsy Malone, Daniel B who delivered Blousey Brown’s solo songs brilliantly, Joshua SG was excellent as gangster’s moll Tallulah, Angus W brought great characterisation into the role of Fat Sam and Andrei S delivered a moving performance of Tomorrow

In December, our 1st Form delighted parents with their Christmas show The Landlord’s Cat, an all-singing, all-dancing retelling of the traditional nativity story. It got us all into the festive spirit and showcased the wonderful new acting talent that we have in the school.

It had been a while since I had written a play, and this felt like the year. Weaving together iconic Greek myths with upbeat contemporary songs, The Woven Tapestry explored themes of love tragedy and human nature. Our 2nd and 3rd Form boys performed so well and brought these enduring fables to life. Pandora's Box unleashed chaos, Theseus battled his inner demons, Icarus soared too close to the sun, Demeter’s grief for Persephone grew, Orpheus began his quest into the underworld, and King Midas’s greed provided us a cautionary tale of humility. Thank you to Mr Paget for all his hard work in preparing the songs for the performance, they sounded wonderful.

We ended the year with Can You Hear Me? a dazzling showcase by our 4th Form pupils. With much of the content devised by the boys themselves, it dived into the wild world of communication, exploring the highs and lows of technology and the heartfelt charm of handwritten letters. With a fantastic mix of singing, physical theatre, and acting our talented boys took us on a rollercoaster of emotions, from laugh-out-loud moments to touching reflections. I must confess that their moving rendition of Photograph brought tears to my eyes and our matron Ma’am Quinn commented that it was the best show she had seen in 17 years at Caldicott.

Prep School Monologue Slam

I’ve been keen to work with other schools on drama events but was never quite sure what we could do, so this year I had the idea of introducing a Prep School Monologue Slam. I was delighted with the warm reception I received when I approached my fellow Heads of Drama at Godstowe, Hall Grove, Lambrook, and Ludgrove. The day began with Anna Williams from Wellington College delivering a superb Drama workshop involving all performers and providing a helpful insight into the expectations placed on Drama scholars at senior schools. We were then treated to 14 performances which were of such a high standard. Congratulations to the three boys who represented Caldicott: Freddie MJ, Louis M and Angus W.

House Drama Finals

Our House Drama Finals never disappoint and in the words of Mr Cooper the event “just keeps getting better each year.” The boys performed a wide range of pieces that enabled them to really show their skills and left the audience in awe. Katrina Eden, Director of Drama at St Edward’s, had the unenviable job of adjudicating and was hugely impressed by the standard. Her adjudication was wonderful, offering the performers both praise and constructive feedback to take forward and use to develop their skills. A special mention must go to Adam D who won his competition for the third year in a row!

3rd & 4th Form Solo Competition

Ishaan S – Midsummer Night’s Dream (Jenkins) – 1st Prize

Zain M – Beowulf (McArthur) – 2nd Prize

Alex R – George’s Marvelous Medicine (McArthur) – Special Prize

3rd – 6th Form Duologue Competition

Henry P and Louis P – The Winslow Boys (Cooper) – 1st Prize

Kris P and Kourosh S – Pawn (McArthur) – 2nd Prize

5th & 6th Form Solo Competition

Adam D - Mobile Phone Show (Jenkins) – 1st Prize

Toby A – 100 Dollar Hug (Wood) – 2nd Prize

Will M – Good Will Hunting (Wood) – Special Prize

A separate final was held for the boys in our Lower School, judged by Caroline Goodall, the Head of Music at Beaconsfield High School. The winning performance was a duologue, There’s Nothing to It, performed by Sebastian W and Otto C of Wood House. A special mention must also go to Jonny M for his intense performance as the Grand High Witch from Roald Dahl’s The Witches House placings after both competitions 1st Wood, 2nd Jenkins, 3rd McArthur and 4th Cooper.

LAMDA

LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) has grown from strength to strength over the years and we now have over half the school receiving weekly LAMDA tuition.155 Exams were sat this year with grades from Entry Level right up to Grade 6 – Bronze Level. We also held three lunchtime LAMDA Showcase events to provide boys with the opportunity to share their work to an audience. Credit must go to our two LAMDA teachers, Ma’am Ferdenzi and Ma’am Ash, for all their hard work and dedication in preparing boys.

End of Term Drama Prizes

Ritblat Award for Acting – Adam D

Audience Choice Award – Toby A

5th & 6th Form Award – Angus W & Freddie MJ

3rd & 4th Form Award – Zain M

1st & 2nd Form Award – Thorin B

Baker Cup for backstage contribution – Connor L

Drama Awards

Angus W – Drama Scholarship to St Edward's Freddie MJ – Drama Scholarship to Harrow

Thank you, Mr Evans

We all know Mr Evans has been a superb Head of English, but his contribution to the Drama department over the last 12 years has also been immense. As director and co-director of the senior productions, he has helped bring some unforgettable productions to the stage The Madness of King George, My Fair Lady, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Grease, Around the World in 80 Days to name but a few. He is irreplaceable and will be missed hugely, but many memories have been made and it has been an absolute pleasure working with him all these years.

Music

James Paget, Director of Music

@CaldicottStage

This has been a tremendously busy year in the Music School here at Caldicott. We started the year off by welcoming Angela Davis to the singing department. Angela brings a great wealth of experience and knowledge and good humour. We also had Anna O’Brien join us later in the year to take on the single reed teaching. The number of pupils taking lessons in clarinet and saxophone are already ‘on the up’ and we have seen successes. Both teachers have a great ‘can do’ attitude and have already really made their mark.

There have been a wonderful number of highlights over the year. The first was the Scholaris singing Choral Evensong at Bath Abbey. This was the first time in my time here at Caldicott that we have managed to sing this service at such an impressive venue, and with what turned out to be a most considerable congregation. We were joined by our usual Lay Clerks as well as some friends bolstering the ranks and sang Wood’s Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in C minor, a psalm, during which the boys really showed off their skills, Wesley’s ever enchanting Lead, me Lord with solos from Stanley X and Acksel S and some responses. Bath Abbey is a place very close to my heart and the boys were in awe of the building and the simply glorious acoustic. We were really lucky to be joined by Rosemary Evans accompanying us on the organ and the trip was a great triumph. The choir also sang at various other services including the annual Carol Service at St Marylebone where they looked resplendent in their new cassocks and surplices most generously funded by the Friends of Caldicott. Membership of the Scholaris is via audition and numbers are strictly limited and commitment is paramount as with any team. This year, the Head Chorister was Stanley X ARSM whose unfailing support has been wonderful.

Naturally, we had the usual round of recitals, first performers’ concerts, Day Boy concerts and the now annual St Nicholas Concert. It was at this that the orchestra performed two fabulous pieces including the 2nd movement of Kuchler’s Concertino. Jaden Y took the solo part for this and played wonderfully. One was very proud of his efforts and he worked hard to get the music ready. The orchestra really has come on leaps and bounds over the past 12 months. Their intonation and ensemble playing are really very good. We tackled an arrangement of Percy Grainger’s Country Gardens at the Summer Gala Concert, which was a resplendent affair adorned with 90 meters of bunting (much to the displeasure of those filming), for which we were joined by OC Dom Cotton to bolster the brass ranks and additional members of the percussion department to have a really super-sized orchestra. Over this year the orchestra was ably led by Yasar Z ARSM

Support from my colleagues has meant that we have been able to continue our various percussion groups and guitar ensembles and one has been delighted with their progress. Their input to our concerts, along with that of the Rock Group and the newly formed Wind Ensemble is superb. The Junior Choir has continued to try to rehearse on a somewhat ad-hoc basis and have performed several times and the Middle School Choir has made tremendous progress. Their ensemble singing has been wonderful, they just need a bit more confidence on stage!

The annual Music Competition happened in the early stages of the Summer Term, and I was delighted to be able to welcome David McKee as our adjudicator. He was a wonderful judge, and it was clear he was impressed with the standard of music making from the finalists. It was a really top-notch evening. This year the winner was George C performing on his bassoon. At the end of the year, we also had the final of the Lower School Music Competition. Those six boys that made it through the gruelling initial rounds performed enchantingly. I am very grateful to Caroline Goodall for coming in to judge that competition.

We continue with the usual round of examinations, and one has been pleased with pupils' progress. We have been especially delighted, however, that we have had three pupils pass their ARSM diplomas, all on the violin, Stanley X ARSM, Roger X ARSM and Yasar Z ARSM have all worked tremendously hard to get their programmes ready and we are all very proud of their achievements.

In the Lent Term we had a real highlight of the year. For the first time ever, we were in a position to have a full ‘Concerto Concert’ where five boys were able to perform professional standard repertoire alongside a full symphony orchestra accompanying them. This is no mean feat, and it must not be underestimated how much harder it is to do this rather than just with a piano. It is the sort of thing many final year students at a music college do and so it was with much trepidation that we set out on the project. Slough Philharmonic Orchestra, along with their Conductor Leon Gee, were fabulous. They generously came in for a rehearsal one week and then came in to do the concert.

Their professionalism and good humour were most welcome. We welcomed various visitors to the evening and the performance was in the presence of the Chairman of Buckinghamshire Council, the Mayor of Slough and the Deputy Mayor of Gerrards Cross. All were astounded at the virtuosity of the boys. George C, Bowen D, Yasar Z, Stanley X and Roger X are all to be congratulated on their wonderful music making that evening.

It has been a truly busy year and we have managed to pack a considerable amount in. None of which would have been possible without the unfailing support of my colleagues in the Music School. The music teachers here are not only exceptionally fine educators, but also wonderful and talented professional musicians. We also are very lucky to have Mrs Higham, the Music Administrator, who keeps us all in check, bakes cakes, writes birthday cards, remembers everything and even makes 30 yards of red velvet curtaining with gold fringing simply because I had a whim one day. All together they are hugely dedicated to Caldicott, and I am eternally grateful.

SPORT

Matt Hutchings, Director of Sport @CaldicottSport

Caldicott Sport continues to go from strength to strength as we try to balance participation, enjoyment, fulfilment and competition throughout the school. This year has been a successful year across all of these fronts, as we have achieved national champions, unbeaten seasons and national competition participation. This has sat beside our internal competitions and all boys participating and representing the school weekly across a whole range of different sport and activities. It is important that we maintain this approach whilst also fundamentally teaching the boys about standards, etiquette, values and character. The latter being at its most revealing during competition and sport. I would like to thank you as parents and supporters for your fantastic support of the programme and enabling us to continue to do what we do - without your support and encouragement this would simply be impossible. I would also like to thank the staff here at Caldicott for their time and effort in producing a great all round programme.

Lastly, a special mention also to the six boys that have achieved sports scholarships this year:

Fergus B - Marlborough College

Yusuf J - Stowe

George H - Winchester College

Ryan A - Harrow School

George D - Bradfield

Rory H - Brighton College

Rugby

U13 A

G Williams

It has been a solid year for the U13A rugby team. They are a side that embody the Caldicott spirit. They have the desire to be the best side possible and their work rate both in training and on the pitch has shown that throughout the season.

The team has made huge strides across the season both in their rugby skill level and game understanding coupled with their desire to work together as a team. There is, of course, still work to be done in both skill development and game understanding for all the boys, but their desire to learn and play the game will undoubtedly continue to drive their individual improvement.

There were some really pleasing performances along the way, most notably against Moulsford at home, Pinewood and Lambrook. There were stern tests along the way, in the form of Dragon, NSB, and Moulsford on the return leg. However, the game of the season was undoubtedly the fixture against RGS, High Wycombe. The passion and sheer willingness to keep working hard and to stay in the game after going 0-5 down, alongside the belief that they were doing the right things in attack and defence and that would ultimately pay off was excellent. Putting together a full 50-minute performance and not giving up when they went behind to eventually win the game 15-5 will hold them in good stead for their future rugby.

While the side had some big wins, some very close games and a couple of heavy defeats with a record of playing 22, winning 8, drawing 1 and losing 13, the true success of the side is how hard they have worked as a team and as individuals and the enjoyment they have taken from the season. Every single one of them has played their part.

U13 B

I Fyffe & C Legge

The season has been a challenging one for the U13B team with a number of obstacles needing to be overcome. There were significant skills gaps between some of the players and we also battled a particularly unpleasant trait where too many players forgot themselves and criticised teammates overly harshly for mistakes in the game. I'm proud to say that the team showed toughness of character to overcome some bad habits which also allowed them to focus more at training. Skills were levelled up across the board, positional roles were clearly defined and enacted, and the players learnt the value of camaraderie, fellowship and treating teammates with respect. Most pleasingly, results started going our way once we grew into these lessons and progressed through the season. We played some wonderfully attacking rugby out wide, borne off the excellent work done by the forwards at ruck time. An issue that was addressed and improved, but will require consistent effort in future, is improving our tackle completion rate. The players need to commit to their tackles and to do so with more determined shoulders!

U12 A M Hutchings

This has been a terrific season for the U12A team, as they managed to go through the Michaelmas Term unbeaten. As the boys move from U11 to U12 rugby, there is a marked difference in the game, with not only more players on the pitch, but a distinct recognition of playing styles and rhythm developing.

The boys this year quickly settled into understanding this, and as a consequence they got better over the season in blending forward play with back play, and realising that both rely heavily on each other to ensure speed of play and defence manipulation.

The most enjoyable performances came in the shape of a 45-0 victory over Bedford, 50-0 over Moulsford and 20-0 over Dragon. The fact that the team didn’t concede a try against these three opponents is perhaps a trademark of the season as a whole, whereby defence was strong and effective. The games of the season came in a 25-15 win over Northampton School for Boys and a super 15-10 win over St Paul’s, having been 10-0 down. This was a brilliant prep school rugby match and the boys really had to dig deep to complete the victory. The victory over Racing 92 whilst on the Paris tour was also memorable, with the team winning 15-5 against a powerful French team played in the Parisian sunshine.

The team were a pleasure to coach, and I look forward to the sevens season and seeing how they progress and develop further, as an U13A side. Well done, boys.

U12 B

T Zengerink

It has been an immensely successful season for the U12B team, and this is due to the commitment and hard work shown by every member of the squad. With a tough fixture list, it was always going to be a true test for this group of boys as well as the depth of the squad due to inevitable injuries and moving up to the A team. It was most pleasing to see that despite a narrow loss to Northampton School for Boys by a single try, we proved that no matter what happens off the pitch, the boys were able to pull together and play as a team on the pitch. Having taken the U12Bs since 2012, I have never had a group of boys who all want to tackle, and this is certainly the most important aspect of the game in my book. This attitude and commitment to the cause for the team will stand this group in good stead going forward and I am excited to see how many of these boys become a regular in the U13A team next season. Well done on some outstanding results and most of all taking onboard what needed to be done at different times throughout the season and for buying into the principle that the team is more important than the individual.

J Blagden

The U12Cs have had a successful season and have made sound progress as the season has progressed. They have recorded some great wins, the standout moment of the season came when Otto C scored a last gasp try in the corner at home to Dragon, to help the team come from behind to win 20-15. That was the first win of the season which sparked a good run of form, with subsequent back-to-back wins away at Bedford and against Davenies. Some of the early season performances showed promising moments, and with several boys in the team having only just started playing rugby for the first time, this was to be expected.

Three players in particular who had never played before, quickly became the team’s strongest threats in attack. Bosco C, Andi T and Johann P made a big impact and between them, they amassed over 50 tries. In support of them, Brian L was the team’s most improved player, running hard lines and showing a high level of intensity in each match. Leo SJ was the key man at the breakdown and demonstrated good speed and strength with the ball in hand. Moyo S possessed similar traits to Leo and gave the team an added bite. The team was captained by Louis P. Louis has a good game understanding, linking up the backline with Jack J starting the attacks from scrum half. Special mentions also go to Otto C, Waldorf A, Thomas L, Vladamir G and Jason X who were regulars in the team.

U12 D

H Watts

Overall, it has been quite a successful season for the U12D team this term. The season started with all boys being introduced to what seemed like a completely new game. As the boys were now having full access to the ruck, and maul and being introduced to contested 5-man scrums, there was a lot to learn. Equally, it was some boys' first ever taste of rugby. However, by the end of term all boys looked comfortable on the rugby field, able to fill in with most jobs on the pitch. This term we have had some amazing fixtures with lots of games coming down to the final minute, and four games being decided in the last play of the game. I am glad to say that when the game got tight the boys always fought right to the final whistle, giving it their all. The boys have made a huge amount of progress and should be proud of the rugby they have played. Particularly the boys who have never played rugby before; they should be particularly proud of the contributions they have made. The highlight of the season was the one try victory against RGS High Wycombe which demonstrated the grit and determination the boys showed all season.

U11 A M Holyland

Throughout the season, the U11As consistently showcased an exciting and entertaining brand of running rugby. From their initial outing, the boys embodied the school values, with resilience being a standout feature in several performances. Particularly noteworthy was their display against Pinewood in the pouring rain, a turning point in our season where the team demonstrated exceptional defensive prowess. Tristan's last-minute crunch tackle, in particular, stood out as a testament to their resilience. Creativity has been a central theme in the team's approach this term. Alex and Finley showcased fancy footwork, Juan executed impressive one-handed offloads, and Lester and Edward displayed imaginative lines of running. The Wellington College Festival served as a platform to bring all these elements together, resulting in an outstanding display of rugby throughout the day.

Courage and integrity were emphasised within the group, and credit is due to the entire squad for their relentless hard work and improvement, especially after some humbling early-season displays. Horatio, Milo, and Honza exemplified these values, consistently working selflessly for the team's success. Special recognition is also deserved for Harry and Veer, who contributed significantly to the team's energy and enthusiasm during crucial moments. Edward emerged as the top try-scorer with 13 tries, narrowly surpassing Alex with 12 and Finley with eight tries. The team's style and brand of rugby have shown substantial improvement over the term, highlighting their immense potential moving forward. Beyond the on-field achievements, the team has created lasting memories and upheld the core values of the game.

U11 B

J Currie

As the curtain falls on another exhilarating rugby season, the U11B Caldicott rugby team can stand tall, reflecting on a season of tremendous achievement and camaraderie. This group of young athletes has etched their mark on the field, showcasing resilience, teamwork, and sheer determination. Over the course of 13 hard-fought matches, the U11B team emerged with a stellar record, losing only one game. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work that each boy brought to the pitch throughout the season. Their success is not merely defined by the numbers on the scoreboard but by the values of teamwork and sportsmanship they displayed.

The winning formula for this team lies in the dynamic blend of physicality in the middle and lightning-fast speed out wide. The boys have exemplified the true essence of a team sport, always putting the collective goals above individual glory. A standout player who deserves special mention is Basti vH, whose performance on the wing has been nothing short of sensational. With an impressive tally of 18 tries this season, Basti's speed and fancy footwork have left opponents in his wake. It's heartening to witness the seamless transition of many B team players to the A team, proving the depth and talent within the Caldicott rugby program. As we look back on this great season, we eagerly anticipate watching the continued progress of these young athletes in the years to come. The U11B Caldicott rugby team has not only left a mark on the scoreboard but has also forged lasting memories and friendships that will endure beyond the rugby pitch. Congratulations on a season of triumph, and here's to the bright future that lies ahead for each player in this exceptional team.

U11 C T Chapman

This was a very even season from the point of view of results with five wins, five losses and two draws with the points conceded only ten higher than points scored.

Progress was evident as most of the wins came in the second half of the term but many of the same faults in place at the beginning of the season were still there at the end.

There was no lack of endeavour with ball in hand and everyone was keen to score, but attack is only half of the story. Too many players did not or could not tackle and relied on Roger X, Benh Z, Sunny Y and Sora K (also on the few occasions when they played Lester Z and Francis S) to do all their defensive duties for them.

Next year there will need to be more of a desire to tackle and win ruck ball if these players have the ambition to play in a higher level team.

U11 D R Di Maso

This has been a really exciting season for the U11D team, with some new boys joining the squad. The skill level was already pretty high, but with the addition of one of the players of the season, Matvey A, it meant that the team became even stronger. Some very convincing wins against some of our strongest opponents, but also some narrow defeats to help us reflect that we can’t always win matches confiding solely on the individuals (Matvey for example); we must always play unite as a team and tackle the opposition low and hard to avoid conceding easy tries. Overall, a fantastic season, well done!

U10 A J Robinson

The U10A rugby team has wrapped up a season filled with resilience, camaraderie, and notable accomplishments, highlighted by their participation in big festivals such as the Stowe Festival, Radley College Festival, and Marlborough Festival. This spirited team has shown tremendous growth, losing only two games throughout the season, one of which was a hard-fought encounter against a formidable Pinewood side at Marlborough.

Kicking off the season with enthusiasm, the U10A team showcased their skills at the Stowe Festival. Their commitment to teamwork and dedication to improvement were evident from the first whistle. The players displayed commendable sportsmanship, earning admiration from opponents and spectators alike.

At the Radley College Festival, the U10A team demonstrated sheer determination, navigating through challenging matchups with grit and grace. The festival provided an excellent platform for the boys to refine their strategies and solidify their teamwork, setting the stage for a successful season ahead.

The Marlborough Festival was a rollercoaster of triumph and tribulation for the U10A team. While they emerged victorious in several exhilarating encounters, they faced a formidable Pinewood side that tested their mettle. Despite a valiant effort, they suffered a rare defeat. This setback, however, became a catalyst for growth and learning, motivating the team to regroup and emerge stronger.

Several standout performances deserve special recognition. Theo T, with his exceptional tackling skills, proved to be a defensive stalwart, thwarting opposing attacks with precision and determination. Jacobi's leadership on and off the field was instrumental in guiding the team through challenging moments, showcasing maturity beyond his years. Ned's relentless commitment to improvement and his selfless efforts to uplift the team's performance have not gone unnoticed, earning him admiration from teammates and coaches alike. Beyond individual achievements, the U10A team demonstrated a remarkable sense of unity and camaraderie throughout the season. Their collective spirit and unwavering support for one another were evident in every match.

As the U10A rugby team reflects on the season, they can take pride in their accomplishments and the lessons learned from each match. The setbacks against Pinewood have only fuelled their determination to come back stronger and more resilient in the future. With Theo's tenacious tackling, Jacobi's leadership, and Ned's relentless pursuit of improvement, the U10A rugby team has laid a foundation for future success. The season may have come to a close, but the memories and experiences gained will undoubtedly shape these boys into formidable players in the seasons to come.

U10 B

J Pickles

The U10Bs have had a very successful rugby season and have improved greatly across the term. The team have gone unbeaten and won every match, putting in some excellent performances. The boys got off to a flying start with a 40-15 win over local rivals St John’s Beaumont which paved the way for more dominant displays in the weeks following, such as a 30-0 thrashing of Lambrook and a 55-5 demolition of St John’s Beaumont in the reverse fixture. However, a personal highlight would have to be the 30-25 victory over Moulsford in our most competitive match of the season. Strong forward running and intelligent attacking play helped the team to score a total of 63 tries across the season, while excellent commitment in defence meant that the team only conceded 24 tries, a true testament to their character and endeavour to do the 'dirty' side of the game. It has been a pleasure to coach such a talented and pleasant group of boys and I have high expectations that they will continue to excel as they progress through their time at Caldicott.

U10 C T Gloster

The U10Cs have focused on working as a team this term, always looking up for a teammate in support, whether in defence or attack. It has been a pleasure to see them build their skills and knowledge of the game. All of the boys put their hands up to help their team throughout the season, whether it was Joseph ‘goosestep’ G showing how to evade a tackle to Nicholas GR realising the power he has and learning to run straight. Hudson’s quick feet have led to many a try for the team and with the boys working hard in support, Nick CP’s tenacity and commitment mixed in has helped us to victory in many of our matches. We mustn't forget Zeb either, whose speed out wide helped keep the team's shape and intent to attack. Overall, it has been a fantastic season and I hope to hear of their progress in the future.

U10 D E Harper

The U10Ds have had a season full of progress with the number of loses being matched with the number of wins. The best thing about this season is that with every match we have played there have been different names on the team sheet, which proves the great depth we have at this level. The boys' fundamental skills have improved enormously, and they all have appreciated the importance of running forward with the ball as well as improving their communication. The art of the tackle has proved rather sporadic during matches, and this has caused us to concede more tries this term than we really should have, however, our ability to run hard and straight has enabled us to score over 50 tries this season, which is a wonderful achievement. All in all, there is much to be proud of and with a further continued push on the defensive line, support lines and completing tackles, then the boys will continue to do very well as they move up.

U10 E L Querstret

The season has been a real journey of development for the U10E team. Both as individuals developing the skills and understanding of the game, the team as a whole has also transformed over the weeks. In September, a collection of individuals were able to demonstrate each of their own strengths, but by December, everyone knew their role in the team and were playing for and supporting one another both in attack and defence. Whether results were a victory or defeat, every match played was incredibly close and the team maintained a ‘never-say-die’ attitude with every man giving their all right to the final whistle (with one match being turned around and won in the final few minutes). Across just four completed fixtures, they managed to score a staggering 41 tries, being contributed by seven different players.

Junior Rugby

The first year of rugby at Caldicott is about enjoyment, understanding attack and defence, and developing core skills. These core elements are focused on throughout the rugby season in both games sessions and competitive fixtures. Whilst results are important, this really isn’t the main focus, and we want to see some real development in these areas, over the season. With this in mind, I have been delighted with the progress of the whole year group over the course of the season with particular reference to their catch and pass, evasion skills, defensive organisation and support in attack. There has been some great performances over the season, particularly the games at home with Summer Fields and the Caldicott Festival. I look forward to seeing the boys move onto contact rugby next year in the 2nd Form.

It has also been a good term and a half of rugby for the U9s. The focus is heavily on developing their core skills, namely their catch and pass, and evasion skills with the addition of a tackle, while constantly improving their game understanding. All the boys have developed these skills and understanding well and have shown great improvement. They have had the ability to put these skills into practice in competitive fixtures either against other schools, or internally in their House matches on Tuesday afternoons across the term and have performed incredibly well in these at every level. For the U9s this culminated in the Caldicott U9 Rugby Festival where the boys played in competitive fixtures against six other schools in a round robin format at the end of the Lent Term. It was great to see so many boys out on the Caldicott fields enjoying their rugby. In line with the RFU regulations they will have the next stage of the development pathway opened to them in the Michaelmas Term with the current U9s being introduced to a single man ruck to create competition for the ball. I have no doubt that the boys will excel at this new skill as they are introduced to it while continuing to develop their core skills. Well done, boys.

Rugby Sevens

U12s

It was a very good sevens season for the U12 team, winning the Millfield and Port Regis Sevens tournaments. It was a big learning curve for the team having to adapt to playing a different version of the game in some challenging weather conditions, which really tested their individual skills. Unfortunately, they underperformed at the Caldicott Sevens, but bounced backed superbly well to win the plate competition in a convincing manner, which was great evidence of their resilience and attitude. They will be much better individually and as a team for their experiences on the sevens circuit.

U13s

It was exciting, as always, to have a full calendar of sevens tournaments for this U13 side to participate in; five sevens festivals and the third Caldicott National Schools 10s Festival.

There was a change in schedule for the sevens festivals this year with Millfield kicking things off on the first Wednesday after half term. Despite being very wet underfoot, the festival went ahead. It was a tough start for the U13s with so little sevens practice under their belts and the results reflected that. The season continued its traditionally soggy start as the weather always challenges the Port Regis Festival. However, they also managed to keep it on this year despite typically wet conditions and the Caldicott U13 side performed very well winning the 2nd place competition and beating Millfield en route. Confirmation that this

side, when on song, could compete with any side nationally. Clearly plenty of learning took place in the tough outing a few days earlier. Next up was The Downs Festival in Bristol which unfortunately was the first festival to succumb to the inclement weather and had to be cancelled. The much-anticipated Caldicott Sevens came next and as is so often the case the boys stepped up another level on home turf, playing some very good rugby and competing well in the 1st place Cup Group ending up 3rd overall. After 10 days of rest from rugby, on the last Thursday of term, the boys headed off to the famous Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s. Caldicott were placed in a strong group of schools and had five tough matches but competed well in all of them winning three and losing two placing 3rd overall in their group which was a successful outing. The regular term ended but the rugby season continued.

With just a day’s rest, the Saturday saw the third Caldicott National Schools 10s take place. With 12 of the top U13 teams from around the world invited, the boys were looking forward to testing themselves against some schools they had never played before. The side had saved some of their best until last, playing some of the best rugby of their Caldicott careers across the day losing only one game all day, drawing two and winning three meaning the boys finished 5th overall.

It was pleasing to see the boys continually rise to the challenges that were put in front of them and showing real improvement across the term. They undoubtedly came out a better, more experienced team than they were before. They have been a pleasure to coach, and I can only congratulate each one of them on a very good 7s and 10s season. I will watch how each of their rugby continues to develop with great interest as these boys go off to their senior schools.

Football Josh Blagden

The season got underway to a good start, with just under 40 boys from 3rd-6th Form attending the three-day pre-season football camp. We considered ourselves extremely fortunate for the unseasonal mild January conditions. This stood them in good stead to hit the ground running, with fixtures right from the U13A team to the U10E team coming in thick and fast from the beginning of term. You will be able to read each team’s season review in the next section.

Often, House Football produces some of the most hard-fought and dramatic matches. This season was no exception. In the seniors, the round robin competition is split into an ‘A’ and ‘B’ competition, with a collective overall league table. It is a great opportunity for the 5th Form boys to showcase their skills against the 6th Form boys. Cooper won the Senior School competition overall, whilst McArthur finished top in the Middle School format.

The Charity Football Tournament was a great success, with fundraising efforts going towards Brain Tumour Research UK; these efforts raised over £2,825. Attention turned to the Soccer 6s Tournament towards the end of the season for many in the 5th and 6th Form. After a hotly contested group stage and semi-final knockouts, the two teams that made it to the final were Wexham Raiders and Farnham Royals. The game finished one-all and was decided on penalties. Wexham Raiders held their nerve, scoring all their penalties and coming out victorious under their captain, Josh W.

This season, Football Colours were awarded to George D and Joshua W. In addition, I would like to mention the following boys for their successful selection for the Prep School Lions; Ali M, Edward CS, Basti vH, Xan vH, Sebastian Z and Joshua W.

U13 A

J Blagden

It has been a tough season for the U13A team in terms of results. However, in the early season defeats there were some pleasing performances, despite struggles to get on the score sheet. The team was led by Captain, George D, in centre midfield. Joshua W carried the team’s main threat in attack with his direct dribbling from the left wing. One of the most entertaining matches of the season came at home to St John’s Beaumont. The team battled back from being behind three times in the game to earn a three-all draw, with a brace from Joshua W and one from Kingsley Z. Kingsley has been a key player, both in and out of possession. His pace and high energy pressing helped galvanise his teammates on many occasions. Fostering a strong team spirit and collective togetherness, win, lose or draw has been a key emphasis. Over time, performances and results gradually improved and the team tasted the sweet swell of victory for the first time in the season, beating The Beacon and The Oratory away from home. A hat-trick from Joshua inspired the team to victory and demonstrated his credentials as the team’s Player of the Season and Top Scorer.

This season, the U13A included three boys from the 5th Form. Louis M showed a lot of potential as goalkeeper, whilst Samson L and Joshua SG displayed tenacity and great work rate, despite facing a difficult challenge physically by playing a year up. Whilst there was fluidity in team selection, Thomas F, George H, Dash vH and Gaston LG were mainstays in the side.

U13 B T Zengerink

Often, we look back on a season of sport and judge a team’s success on their results, but on this occasion, I am pleased to be able to comment on the vast improvements made from the team not just individually, but more importantly as a team. Despite losing our first fixtures I felt that our major focus going forward was trying to play a more unified style of football. More specifically we were trying to take a touch when in possession and look up for support and look to string passes together and maintain possession. The boys showed some excellent resilience and determination to improve which was evident in the way they trained throughout the week. The improvements to the boys’ individual skills as well as the general style of play was clearly evident, and I look forward to hearing how they get on at their future schools.

U13 C I Fyffe

The 2024 football season was a wonderful period that presented plenty of lessons for development and growth. Training in the cold and wet offered us opportunities to develop character while, on occasion, trying not to trip over our own feet in the muddy conditions. The most important skill that required attention was our first touch of the ball, allowing for a controlled pass afterwards. We progressed on this point nicely which allowed us to begin competing against teams which often had better passing games than us. Our energy and mobility on the field helped us to apply maximum defensive pressure which brought errors from the opposition that we could capitalise on. Losing just two games this season gives an indication of how the lads played above themselves to force draws and the odd win. I am very proud of this bunch.

U12 A H Watts

The Lent Term began with a wave of optimism, a collective belief that this season would mark a new chapter of success for our dedicated group of boys. The team's journey kicked off with remarkable strength, securing two significant victories against Reading Blue Coat and Dragon, setting a high standard, and fueling our collective ambition.

The anticipation reached its peak in what became the game of the season against our local rivals, The Beacon. In a dramatic turn of events, a comfortable 3-1 lead at halftime shifted into a 5-4 deficit amidst challenging weather conditions and shifting momentum. Yet, in a true display of resilience and unyielding spirit, the boys fought back, securing an equalizer in the final moments to clinch a well-deserved draw. This moment, more than any, highlighted the team's indefatigable spirit and unity.

As the season progressed, the remarkable performances of several players earned them the opportunity to represent the U13 side, a testament to their skill, dedication, and the high level of play this team consistently brought to the field. This transition also opened doors for other members to step into the A team, embracing the challenge with commendable determination and skill.

Encountering formidable opponents in Belmont Mill Hill and St John's Leatherhead brought us back to earth, presenting challenges that, while ending in defeats, offered invaluable lessons and further galvanized our resolve. The subsequent matches against Oratory Senior and St John's Beaumont, against older opposition, were narrowly contested battles that, despite the outcomes, were a source of pride and demonstrated the remarkable progress and tenacity of our team.

The season, though filled with its trials, was punctuated by moments of brilliance, showcasing the immense progress each player and the team as a whole has made. The journey was a testament to the power of perseverance, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. As we reflect on the past season, the boys should be proud of their performance but still make sure they continue to learn. Lots of progress has been made, but there is definitely more to come from this group of boys and I look forward to seeing how they get on next season.

U12 B T Chapman

This season was something of an uphill battle for the U12 B team who registered their first win in the seventh game. They followed this with 2 further wins and a frustrating loss at Moulsford after being 3-2 up with 15 minutes remaining.

It was pleasing to see that the team did make progress throughout the season and their best football was played after halfterm but every player needs to work on his first touch and distribution as the default tactic, especially in defensive positions, was to hoof the ball with no consideration for its destination.

It is to be hoped that lessons were learned this term and that memories are long. Football is a team game and team mates must be considered.

U12 C C Legge

It has been such a privilege to coach this amazing group of boys. They have been consistently enthusiastic, energetic, and competitive throughout the season. We have practised and played hard, having loads of fun along the way. We scored 27 goals up to the date of writing, with 28 scored against us. Bowen D and Alfie H were our top finishers. Thomas F, Otto C and Jack J worked tirelessly to supply our strikers with good balls, and also assisted our defenders to resist sustained attacks. Bosco C and Jason X were able utility players, helping the team wherever required, with both players also scoring some excellent goals. Jonny F, Oliver T and Rafe G provided us with a consistently solid defence. Undoubtably, our star player of the season was our heroic goalkeeper, Sam F, who was indefatigable in defence. It was satisfying to watch the boys start to play more intelligent football as the season unfolded; there were phases where we started to play with vision and creativity as a team, with quick passing and linking between players, using the whole width of the field. The reality is that we were a big, tough team, and there were many instances where we reverted to a more robust, direct approach - but it was nice to see some finesse and genuine football skills starting to develop.

U12 D M Hutchings

This has been a good season for the U12D team who have displayed great development and improvement as the season has progressed. I have been particularly impressed by their ability to learn and then apply new learnings into their fixtures. The highlights have been a very narrow loss on the opening day of the season to Reading Blue Coat, but the game could have gone either way, and a thrilling 3-3 draw away at The Beacon having come from behind, with Vladimir G netting twice. However, the game of the season was a great 5-0 win over Thorpe House. I have enjoyed working with all of the boys as they have focused upon technical and tactical improvements.

U11 A

R Di Maso

This has been a really tough season for the U11A team; a season which saw many losses along the way and plenty of learning opportunities. The boys need to realise that there is nothing to be afraid of on the pitch as too often they were not fully committed in the 50/50 challenges; they need to fight hard for every single ball from the first to the last minute. The first touch is also something they need to work on from next year. In most of the matches the boys were also very unlucky, and they deserved a much better outcome. However, the St Edwards’ festival was a real highlight on the season; here is where they showed that they had determination and skills, coming 3rd overall. What they need to do next season, is apply what they have learnt and have the right attitude from the first minute of the first match. Some boys deserve a mention for the way they applied themselves on the pitch, both during matches and training: Sebastian, Basti, Milo and Ali have been two absolute stars, their determination on every ball has been commendable throughout the season, well done boys!

U11 B

M Holyland

Throughout the football season, the U11Bs showcased exceptional heart and determination, despite facing challenges in their development both as individual players and as a team. Their efforts yielded a series of commendable performances, with the standout being their 2-0 triumph against St John's Beaumont. Despite encountering defeats, their resilience and bravery shone through notably against strong opponents in Dragon and The Beacon, where they narrowly fell short in the final moments of play. These instances showcased their significant progress over a relatively brief period.

Of particular note was the team's distinct style of play, characterised by an emphasis on attacking football. They consistently demonstrated a preference of counter attacking football, looking to use their speed and energy to overcome the opposition. While every member contributed to the team's success and advancement, special recognition is due to Robby, Leo, and Roger for their unwavering commitment and consistent performance throughout the season. Additionally, Honza's outstanding goalkeeping skills were evident throughout, with numerous breathtaking saves contributing to the team's efforts.

U11 C J Currie

The conclusion of the U11C football team's season marks a period of commendable achievements and promising growth. Over the course of eight matches, we secured victories in four encounters, encountered defeat only once, and battled to draws in three contests. A standout performance came from our top goal scorer, David SD, who netted an impressive six goals, demonstrating his prowess on the field. Equally noteworthy is our team's collective effort in bolstering our defensive line, conceding a mere 10 goals throughout the season. Additionally, there has been notable progress in our positional play, a testament to the hard work and dedication of our players. As we reflect on the season's accomplishments, it is clear that each member of the team has contributed to our success, embodying the values of teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship. With a solid foundation established this season, we look forward to building upon our achievements and striving for even greater heights in the future.

U11 D

J Currie

The conclusion of the season for the U11D football team marks a period of notable progress and promising development. With six matches under our belt, the team secured victories in four contests while encountering defeat in two encounters. A standout player this season has been George A, whose contributions were instrumental, tallying a commendable five goals throughout the season. Beyond individual performances, the team as a whole exhibited promising progress, displaying an enhanced understanding of the game and noticeable improvement in their skills. As the season unfolded, each player showcased dedication and determination, contributing to the collective growth of the team. Looking ahead, with this solid foundation laid down, the U11D team is poised to continue their journey of improvement and strive for even greater success in the seasons to come.

U10 A J Pickles

The U10 A Team have had a good season with some sterling performances, demonstrating resilience and skill throughout their campaign. With a record of four wins, three losses, and one draw in eight matches, the team showcased both moments of triumph and challenges. Scoring a total of 23 goals while conceding 19, they displayed offensive prowess tempered with defensive stability. The season commenced on a high note with a convincing 4-0 victory over Abingdon, setting a promising tone for the team. A notable highlight was the unforgettable 2-1 victory over Pinewood, avenging a previous defeat and showcasing the team's determination and growth. The team often adopted different tactics depending on the conditions and opposition. A possession-based system was used effectively to play the ball out from the back, while occasionally, a rapid counter-attacking strategy was utilised with great success to advance quickly up the field. At the forefront of the team's success was Hugo C, awarded Player of the Season for his exemplary contributions. Hugo's adeptness in scoring, assisting, and defending proved invaluable throughout the season. Additionally, Theo T exhibited exceptional bravery and skill in goalkeeping, providing a stalwart presence for the team. Cinar K's remarkable work ethic and attacking flair added depth to the team's gameplay, contributing significantly to their offensive capabilities. As the season draws to a close, the U10 A Team can reflect proudly on their achievements and look forward with optimism to future endeavours.

U10 B J Robinson

Under Alexander W's leadership, the U10B team showcased unwavering teamwork and determination. Yuvraj D anchored a solid defence, complemented by Jax C's outstanding goalkeeping skills. Henry P's knack for scoring goals added a vital dimension to the team's success. Their collective effort and relentless work ethic defined a season of memorable performances and unity, setting the stage for future triumphs.

U10 C E Harper

The U10 C team have had a very productive season with notable wins against Pinewood, St John’s Beaumont and Chesham Prep. Given the size of the year group, we have had to play a number of triangular fixtures meaning we have played some U10 B teams (Abingdon and Moulsford) along the way. Despite that, however, the boys have only ever been resilient and keen to give of their best with narrow loses against Abingdon and Moulsford. As the season has progressed, they’ve begun to show more trust in each other by linking passes, running into space and calling for the ball. These essential skills will help enormously as they develop in their later years at Caldicott.

U10 D T Gloster

It has been fantastic to see the boys progress as the term has gone on. All the boys have given 100% during matches and some wins came purely due to the boys’ grit and determination to cover the whole pitch. They have started to link passes together and then moving into space to keep possession of the ball. They have all enjoyed improving their passing and shooting technique and it has been brilliant to see them looking to apply these new skills during the heat of the game. It is impossible to pick out any stars as the boys have worked hard at becoming a team and I know it will help them in the future.

U10 E L Querstret

A strong season with an excellent set of results. Their perseverance and team spirit allowed them to exert their dominance over the opposition. An excellent win against a tough Abingdon team really gave the boys the confidence that they did know how to play as a team and perhaps had some more ability than they had been giving themselves credit for. A narrow loss to Pinewood proved to be the only defeat of the season which was followed by a strong end to the season with much improved performances all round. Every man played his part but particular mentions should go to; Alexandre M for his high pressure style of attacking which regained possession for the team high up the pitch; Dexter D for not just his stubborn defending but also for his forays into the opposition half resulting in several assists; and Lucas Z for his wise leadership, in particular with keeping spirits high and not allowing morale to drop on occasions when trailing in a game.

Junior Football

The Junior School boys have enjoyed a terrific start to their football journey at Caldicott. There was an excellent turnout at the pre-season Junior Football Camp in the days before term got underway. It was a great opportunity for the boys to develop their technical skills and enjoy forging new friendships. There were many new boys that made their Caldicott debuts in the first match of the season at home to Papplewick. A great start, with seven out of the eight teams representing Caldicott earning comfortable wins and all securing a clean sheet.

The following block fixture against Summer Fields was again well contested across the board, with an equal split of victories, draws and losses. The U8A team travelled to Summer Fields in the following week to compete in their 6 a-side football festival. Under the guidance of Mr Pickles, the boys cruised through the group stage, winning all five games without conceding. A tight defence was again required in the quarter final, as they edged their way to a place in the semi-finals thanks to a hard fought one-nil victory. The run of clean sheets came to an end in the semi-final and the boys suffered a two-nil defeat to dent any hopes of silverware for another year. In addition, the regular block fixtures against familiar opposition in Wetherby Prep, Wetherby PrePrep and Ludgrove all produced great entertainment and plenty of goals.

The enthusiasm for football amongst the boys in the Junior School is fantastic and there is lots of potential. This enthusiasm often peaks during House Matches and again this year this proved to be the case. With the combined results of the ‘A’ and ‘B’ competition in the 2nd Form, Jenkins were clear winners, with Wood second, followed by McArthur and Cooper. Wood claimed the title in the 1st Form competition, followed by Jenkins, McArthur and Cooper in fourth spot. See below for a list of this year ’s Player of the Season awards, as nominated by the team’s coach.

Cricket

Terrence Zengerink

Despite the 2024 season getting off to the traditionally wet and chilly start in our first couple of fixtures against Ludgrove and Bedford, it was nothing short of miraculous that we managed to get these fixtures on without a single cancellation due to the weather. A massive thanks to the grounds staff for making that possible as well as the character shown by the boys who just got on with it and gave it their all.

The cricket season came to a fitting end in glorious sunshine in a 1st XI festival after we had broken up for the holidays with Cornwall Hill touring from South Africa. On the final Monday evening there were fixtures between the fathers of the 6th Form leavers as well as the fathers of 1st XI. These fixtures were played in fantastic spirit, and it summed up what cricket means to so many millions of people around the world. It was the perfect way to say goodbye to some of our leaving cricketers as well as round off what has been an extremely enjoyable and action-packed season. Sport is so important in forging friendships, and it was excellent to see Caldicott boys mixing with boys from South Africa while having a BBQ and it is a great reminder that results don’t mean everything when it comes to team sport participation.

It has been another excellent season for the Caldicott CC with some outstanding team and individual performances. What makes Caldicott so successful isn’t necessarily the fact that we have strong A teams, but the fact that we have an incredible depth of talent and competition for places in the lower teams which is as fierce as it is for places in the top teams. As you will read in the individual season reviews for each team, the coaches here at Caldicott take great pride in the boys' performances both individually as well for the team. There has certainly been a great deal of progress made throughout the term and as I told the boys in assembly a few weeks back, success to me isn’t necessarily down to results, but I see the cricket season as a success when I look around the school and see countless games of courtyard cricket being played and almost every boy with a ball in his pocket eager for the next break time to arrive so they can resume their battle.

Cricket is, however, very stats based and therefore if would be unkind not to mention the following boys and teams who performed well throughout the season and received awards at the final assembly for some outstanding individual performances throughout the season:

The following boys scored half centuries:

Fergus B 67* v Summer Fields 1st XI

Hamish L 52* v Summer Fields 5th XI

Archie B 50* v Summer Fields 3rd XI

Yasar Z 55 v Cothill House 4th XI

Yasar Z 52* v Moulsford 4th XI

William N 54 v Cheam U12A

Rory H 78* v Cothill House 1st XI

Rory H 52 v Bedford 1st XI

Bowling Awards:

Finlay J 4-11 including a hattrick

It is perhaps fair to say that the highlight of the cricketing calendar would have to be the Grand Final of the Caldicott Premier League between the Beaconsfield Barbarians and the Slough Sledgehammers which went down to the final over. The match was played in front of a packed crowd all cheering their chosen team on. It was a fitting end to a highly successful tournament which has run throughout the term. A special thank you to Mr Currie and Mr Pickles for organising the tournament and for capturing what makes this tournament such a success.

The following boys were awarded prizes in Final Assembly:

CPL Champions 2024: Slough Sledghammers

CPL Most Valuable Player: Gabriel D

CPL Leading Run Scorer: Mofi S

CPL Leading Wicket taker: Acksel S

The highly competitive House Matches were as exciting and as hotly contested as ever. The difference between 1st and 2nd place was just two points with McArthur just edging out Jenkins and winning the House Cricket Trophy for 2024!

Junior cricket is very important to us here at Caldicott and we have been working hard on the basic skills required to play the game and foster a cricketing culture amongst the boys. We have an exciting young crop of cricketers coming through the ranks and together with some very pleasing seasons for the U10 and U11 age group we are excited about the future of cricket at Caldicott.

Cricket is evidently alive and well here at Caldicott and with over 200 fixtures across all teams competing against some of the best cricketing schools in the country, we can be extremely proud of our achievements this season. We are constantly striving to make the cricketing provision for all boys at Caldicott better and it has been pleasing to see more boys representing the school in competitive matches than ever before.

1st XI

T Zengerink

Due to the fact that we only tour every two years it is always more difficult to hit the ground running at the start of the season. This certainly proved to be the case this season as, despite some miserable weather conditions, we lost in a low scoring game to Ludgrove and then away to Bedford who are arguably the toughest opponents on the fixture list.

Despite these two early losses, we were confident that once the weather improved and the wickets firmed up that we would start to reap some rewards for the hard work put in over the winter. The tough fixtures just kept coming with fixtures against a strong Summer Fields and Dragon the following week. Both games were tense affairs with either side in a position to win the game, but fortunately we managed to get over the line against Summer Fields with a brilliant bowling and fielding display securing us a 38-run victory. This success gave the team a great deal of confidence and we went on to beat Cothill House in another closely contested fixture. Sadly, we never managed to capitalise on this momentum and suffered some losses in matches where we were in a position to win.

Throughout the season our bowling and fielding was our strength, and we had the belief that we could defend any total making use of our consistent seamers and incredible spinners. The runs also started to flow, and the team grew in confidence week after week. This was a fantastic effort from the boys and summed up how far they had come as a group throughout the season. It was a cohesive group which was well lead by our captain Fergus B. Because the team was mostly made up of 5th Form boys and possibly lacked the maturity and experience to win the close matches, I firmly believe this group can learn from those experience and kick on to greater and better things next season.

At the end of term after we had broken up for the holidays, we hosted Cornwall Hill from Johannesburg. It was a fantastic way to round off what was an immensely enjoyable season and one I am sure the players, parents and of course I will look back on fondly

Many thanks to Mr Currie who helped with the fixtures and ensuring the boys were in the right frame of mind when taking to the field. Thank you also to all the parents for their continued support throughout the season.

The following boys excelled this season and deserve a special mention:

Rory H – 516 runs with an average of 39.00 as well as 18 wickets

Fergus B – 355 runs with an average of 35.50 as well as 13 wickets

Yusuf J – 14 wickets with an average of 16.43

2nd XI

T Chapman

This was a fairly successful campaign for the second team which was 5th Form heavy, with only four of last year’s team playing regularly.

The side was well marshalled by Tom F whose calm control was allied to tactical acumen as the season progressed.

Ground fielding was not a strong point and this is an area which requires improvement next summer, although catching was generally sound.

The opening bowlers, Otto C and Hugo H nearly always put pressure on the opposition with their accuracy and movement with Otto ending as the leading wicket taker with 16.

Runs were hard to come by for most players with the highest individual scores being in the thirties and Louis P, who was the highest run scorer (a good effort from him as he did not play in the first two matches) scored just under 100 runs. In comparison, last season’s top run scorer made almost twice that number so there is plenty to work on over the winter.

The best performance with the bat came in the last game at Bedford where, having been set a target of 146 in twenty overs they lost by just three runs. A great team effort.

Thank you to MJH for his coaching, umpiring and counsel and to parents who turned up regularly to support the team.

3rd XI

H Watts

Overall, it has been a successful season for the Caldicott 3rd XI. The boys have played 10, won seven, and lost three. As soon as the season started, it became clear that the team was lucky to have a lot of strong all-rounders, where nearly everyone bowled and liked to give it a good go with the bat. At the beginning of the season, batsmen found the balance of scoring runs and protecting their wicket hard but as the season progress the boys learnt to balance this nicely. This showed in our first match against Ludgrove as we only managed a modest total of 107 even though we managed to bat the full 20 overs. However, learning to pick up singles and rotate the strike helped along with some strong hitting from the likes of Gaston LG and Yasar Z transformed our batting game. The boys went on a good run in the middle of the season, with the batting being complemented with some consistent bowling from Oliver T, Joshua W and Cotty P. One of the highlights of the term was a 43-run victory against Summer Fields with an impressive 50* from Archie B. The most complete performance came in the last fixture against Bedford at home where the boys put in an excellent bowling performance, restricting them to 102 and knocking off the runs with 32 balls to spare. I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching the boys this year, they should be proud of their performances.

4th XI

J Pickles

A team built around enjoyment, competitiveness, and togetherness. The 4th XI showed that when on form, they could play to a very high standard of cricket. There were excellent individual as well as team performances. Some of the highlights of the season include victories over Bedford, Dragon and Moulsford. As a team, they developed throughout the season, growing more confident and competitive as the season wore on. Most pleasing to see was the fact there were a number of high scoring partnerships which resulted in match winning totals. Thanks to some excellent ball strikers such as Yasar Z and Alfie H scoring quickly and allowing other batsmen to bat around them, the team was able to take advantage and allow the bowlers less pressure when their turn came to shine. Fielding was pleasing, but there were still a number of missed opportunities in the field which cost us in a very close loss to Lambrook. All in all, it was a pleasing season and the way in which the team bonded together and started to think about the game was the catalyst for some excellent games of cricket.

5th XI

G Williams

The return of the competitive cricket season was an exciting prospect for both boys and staff alike as we entered the start of the Summer Term 2024. The Caldicott 5th XI are infamous on the circuit for their commitment to the game and their highly competitive nature cultured over a decade ago by CPL creator Andy Baker. I am pleased to report that this year saw no deviation from what has become the norm in the 5th XI. The culture within the team sees every boy (except for the wicket keeper) bowl and more often than not, most of the team bat, although the latter is through the good-natured team spirit of ‘giving everyone a go’ rather than a collection of poorly timed cross bat slogs!

The team was ably captained by Gabriel D. Tactically, Gabriel’s, along with all the boys' game understanding developed immeasurably across the season. Comparatively, the boys all worked hard at improving their line and length bowling and playing with a straight bat while at the crease. The bowling attack was led by Acksel S, Gabriel D, Stanley X and Andi T while Rex W, Sam F and Josh W gave us a steady batting base as wicket keeper Ryan A alongside Leo SJ, Hamish L and Bowen D were on hand to push the run rate when needed. Despite often impressive individual batting and bowling performances, a number of games were won in the field and Sam F deserves an extra special mention for his performances in the field across the term. The boys developed a desire to put pressure on opposition batsmen and an understanding of how to do so to keep run rates low. This ferocity and nous in the field became a hallmark of the side. The standout game of the term came in the home fixture against old rivals Lambrook where Sam F bowled an excellent last over to win where the opposition only needed six runs to win off six balls. All in all, it was a good cricket season and despite losing some closely fought games, the Caldicott 5th XI reputation was left untarnished.

6th XI

J Blagden

It has been a pleasing season for the 6th XI with an almost even split of wins and losses. The season got off to a terrific start with a thrilling six-run victory away at Ludgrove. Playing Bedford away is always a difficult test. Only scoring 53 was a difficult challenge, however, four wickets from Jason X gave Caldicott a glimmer of hope, before Bedford cruised home to win by five wickets. There was a great cohesion within the team and the boys demonstrated this with a fantastic 46-run victory at Dragon. Other significant wins came against Lambrook and Moulsford. Thomas L and Waldorf A forged a great partnership with the bat in the victory over Lambrook, whilst Yashveer G scored 25 not out and was a key player in the victory over Moulsford. Well done on a good season overall!

7th XI

I Fyffe

The indomitable spirit of the 7th cricket team was a joy to behold. Not our actual cricket, mind you, but our spirit was never defeated. We picked ourselves up after every loss and attacked each match as an opportunity to do better than the week before, with which we invariably succeeded. There were occasions when the bowlers weren't certain which pitch they were bowling on/towards, and other times when our batsmen were only dangerous with the bat when sitting down and feeling annoyed by a teammate. The advice that the team offered each other after a disappointment, for example, "Try to hit the ball, yeah?" Or, "Try to bowl straighter, yeah?" did leave us scratching our heads in mystery as to why we weren't actually improving as much as hoped. However, with Jonathan and Advik's, "Don't worry, next time!" ringing in our ears we continued striving towards the perfection of our game. Loads of character was built this season and we are all better for it. I am proud of these gentlemen.

U11A

M Holyland

The U11 As enjoyed a very successful and entertaining season. With a playing record of played 15, won nine, lost six, with one fixture being abandoned due to the weather. Throughout the season the boys played in a positive and competitive fashion, based around the whole team contributing with bat and ball. With a strong and diverse bowling line-up and a more than capable batting group, the U11As were competitive throughout the season. With bowlers of Alex R and Edward CS, providing the accuracy and consistency, being well supported by the flight and guile of Finley J, Sebastian Z and Robby WC. They were well supported by Milo B, Fedor V, Yuvraj K and Juan B, all of whom brought a unique approach to their batting and bowling, but all looked to be positive and play with good intent and enthusiasm. Some notable team performances include the victories against Lambrook, Cothill, Moulsford and Bedford home and away, the latter being a great example of the team’s spirit with four wickets falling in the final three overs to force a three-run victory. Each performance involved a different player putting in their best performance but throughout the season it was always a team effort that got us across the line. Special mentions should go to Edward CS who led the team selflessly, always bringing positivity to the group and Basti vH who brought energy and enthusiasm to all our fixtures. Although we did not quite mange to achieve our target for the season, the boys represented the school with great integrity and more importantly had a lot of fun in the process.

U11B S Brown

At the dawn of the season a low-scoring loss to Ludgrove slightly dampened the team’s enthusiasm to be back on the cricket field. However, this was short-lived as they brought renewed passion and determination to the pitch for what was a splendid remainder of the season. There were some strong wins, but also some marginal victories in the 20th over, ensuring the coach had severe palpitations as the last balls were bowled. While the team worked cohesively and equally courageously, it would be remiss not to mention a few players. Mason C grew well into the role of captain becoming sagacious in his direction of the field, ably aided by Ali M and Joe C behind the stumps. Honza H, Horatio H and Xan vH led the way with the bat, accumulating 91, 87, and 87 respectively. The top wicket takers were Honza H (13), Khyan M (8) and Xan vH (8). Most team members had time with the ball each match, with almost all taking wickets along the way. The team should be proud of a successful season.

U11C

M Hutchings & L Querstret

It has been a very successful cricket season for the U11C team this season, playing eight matches and losing only one. They have made the transition to hardball cricket successfully this season, and there have been some great results, notably a 10-wicket victory over Cothill House, eight-wicket victory over Moulsford and a six-wicket victory over Dragon – very impressive! However, the game of the season was the win over Summer Fields. After reluctantly batting first, and setting the highest score of the season, Summer Fields’ run chase left them needing just seven runs to win in the final over. David DS stepped up and bowled an over with three wickets and just five runs. This secured the win by one run!

Top batting performances have been Tristan’s 14 v Bedford, Max’s 13 v Bedford, Lester's 14* v Mouslford, Leo’s 14* v Summer Fields and Francis’ 19* v Summer Fields. With the ball, Nate’s 2-1, Arnav’s 2-2 and Jackson's 2-1 v Moulsford will live long in the memory, along with Francis finishing with figures of 4-3 v Cothill House.

The boys should be very proud of their efforts and the season that they have had.

R Di Maso

This has been a really exciting season for the U11D team, with some new boys joining the squad. The skill level was already pretty high, but with the addition players such as Matvey and David, it meant that the team became even stronger. Some very convincing wins against some of our strongest opponents, but also some narrow defeats, helped us realise that we can’t always win matches confiding solely on individuals (Jaden and Ben for example); fantastic bowling from George A and Joshua B and incredible batting from Jaden and Ben. Overall, a fantastic season, well done!

U10A

T Gloster

With the season starting in a similar vein to last year, we were not sure how much cricket we would get but, thankfully, the weather has worked with us, and we have played some great cricket as the term has gone on. The results have not always being on our side, but the progress has been clear.

We started with Ludgrove, knowing it was going to be a hard game. The boys played with grit and determination, managing to restrict them to 102 off their 20 overs. Despite some tight bowling, Arjun M hung around and kept our innings going with us just falling short by three runs in the end. We then travelled to Bedford, where we played a very good side and came out second with a few of their players dominating proceedings. We regrouped, trained hard and managed to excellently beat Dragon, winning by three runs, with Ned A, Henry P and Jett C picking up crucial wickets. The boys travelled to the Stowe Festival with renewed confidence, and they showed some brilliant teamwork, managing to tie a game, win two and lose one. Unfortunately, against Lambrook our shot selection let us down and we only managed 76 all out despite a valiant effort from Jett with the bat; they chased it down with only four wickets lost. The boys were then very determined to progress their skills and they trained hard, knowing they had St Edward’s and Merchant Taylors' Festivals in close succession. They came together as a team during these festivals, and they had some success, winning three out of six games over the two days but playing some encouraging cricket in the loses. We then travelled to Moulsford, knowing we were in for a hard game. The boys bowled and fielded well, restricting them to 96/6 but they managed to regroup and score 165 off their 20 overs. We did not start well in our innings, but the boys dug in, and we managed to get up to 80. Despite the heavy loss, the boys had played well, and we took this progress to Summer Fields, who had beaten us well earlier in the term - this was our performance of the season! All of the boys played well, with contributions from everyone. An awesome double wicket maiden (no runs in the over and two wickets) from Henry helped change the game but when we batted the boys showed amazing maturity with Henry and brothers, Jax and Jett, bringing us home for an amazing win! Our final game was against Bedford again. We knew they were strong, but the boys went into it with positivity. From ball one we were under pressure but a fantastic catch from Hugo C in the covers got their key player out off the bowling of Ned, and the whole team backed each other up holding Bedford to 124-5 off their 20 overs. Our batting performance made me so proud, all the boys stepped up against some good bowling and we were in the game with two overs to go, unfortunately we could not quite pull off the victory but having lost by over 100 runs against them previously, the boys were brilliant. As the Bedford coach said, the improvement made by the whole team was incredibly impressive.

It has been a pleasure to coach these boys. Despite not winning every match, they have continued to listen and work hard at their skills and to see the way they all played in the last few games makes me confident we have a strong group of cricketers coming through the school and I look forward to hearing of their successes in the future.

U10B J Robinson

It has been a pleasing and successful season for the U10B team. Considering the number of competitive fixtures throughout the season, victories against the likes of Bedford, Summer Fields, Lambrook and Ludgrove says a lot about the standard of the team. Most pleasing is the way in which the boys developed as a team. We spent a lot of time on fielding, and this was evident in the way the fielders supported the bowlers with a number of memorable catches and run-outs. It is always a good sign when a number of boys are rewarded by being selected for the A team after consistent good performances and this was certainly the case this season. Going forward I would like to see the boys put more value on their wicket when batting as it is one area of the game that let us down on a few occasions this season. This will no doubt be more evident next season when we move to a different format. I look forward to following the progress of the team next summer.

U10C

E Harper

Each player has worked hard to develop this season and work on both their batting and bowling technique. For many of the players, cricket was a game they had heard about but not necessarily played, however, each player had the skillset to successfully either bat or bowl and some boys could do both at the very start of the season, which allowed the team to really develop quickly. In all matches this year, boys have played paired cricket (using an incrediball), which has allowed each boy the opportunity to bowl, bat and field in matches.

Despite the inclement weather, the boys were able to notch up victories against Ludgrove, Dragon, Summer Fields (x2), Bedford and Moulsford this season. Whilst cricket is a team sport, there were some individuals who helped ‘carry’ the team at times. Dexter’s batting was very impressive and Cinar’s athleticism to either score runs or take valuable wickets allowed the team to really stamp their mark. All in all, there is much to be proud of and the boys played incredibly well.

U10D

E Harper

The U10D season was a season full of progress where boys were able to learn and hone their skills as the weeks passed. The boys learnt early on the importance of teamwork and how they could each contribute to the team through either a stellar bowling performance or by accumulating runs with the bat. Towards the end of the season most boys were able to do both, which allowed us to notch up good wins against Lambrook, Summer Fields, Bedford and Dragon. The boys’ enthusiasm towards the sport has been impressive and whilst I know that each player will have his own areas to work on, the fundamental skills of playing with a straight bat, calling between the wickets and bowling full and straight, will allow each pupil to progress in the sport as they move up through the school.

Junior Cricket

It has been a most successful cricket season for the 2nd Form this Summer with several impressive individual performances as well as some thrilling fixtures against the likes of Ludgrove, Beacon, Wetherby Prep and St John’s Beaumont. There is a genuine love for the game of cricket within this year group and it certainly bodes well for the future. The fact all teams went unbeaten throughout the season says a great deal about the health of our cricketing culture within the school. Our philosophy as far as junior cricket goes here at Caldicott is to foster a cricketing culture amongst the boys whereby they begin to understand the game of cricket and take a genuine interest in why different scenarios require a different approach. We don’t want the coaches to set fields and manage the game. Although they should give advice, it is down to the players to think and come up with their own solutions, as this is where they learn and develop on the job. Although winning is important, we prefer boys to develop the necessary skills to help them enjoy playing the game for many years to come.

There is often an obsession at this age for boys to play hard ball cricket and although we do train with a hard ball with those boys we deem safe to do so, it is not the be all and end all. Most other schools have moved away from hard ball cricket at U9, but we believe that it is important to prepare the boys for a lifetime of hard ball cricket ahead of them. I have been immensely impressed with the year group as a whole and I am looking forward to following their progress next season when they when they begin to play a more traditional style of cricket.

The 1st Form have had an excellent Summer Term of cricket. Their primary focus has predominantly been on skill acquisition through various skill-based carousel type activities and of course having fun and falling in love with the game, as well as fostering a cricketing culture. Rather than just playing matches which at this age can lead to a lot of standing around, we prefer to place particular emphasis on the skills required to play the game as this is far more beneficial in the long run. The key focus is getting the boys to catch, throw, bowl, and hit more balls than they would in any other coaching or match environment. We have also held three internal festivals which included some coaching as well as a taste of what a pairs game feels like. In these games we make use of batting tees and bonus scoring zones, so if a bowler is unable to execute a legal delivery the batsman can still score runs by hitting the ball off the tee. In the 2nd Form, the boys will be introduced to some hard ball cricket after the first half of term and although there won’t be many hard ball matches, we will begin to prepare them for many hard ball cricketing years ahead of them. The standard across the board within this group is most pleasing and I am excited to see what they achieve going forward in the years to come. It is evident that the cricketing culture amongst these junior boys is alive and well and the future is certainly in good hands.

Athletics

Gareth Williams

It has been an exciting year for the Athletics Programme for all the boys at Caldicott this Summer Term.

The 1st- 4th Form boys learn about all the athletic disciplines relevant to their age group in their PE lessons while the 5th and 6th Form boys have an athletics session once a week after their games sessions. Performance in these sessions dictate selection for the school Athletics team. It has been fantastic to be able to once again attend a full fixture list of athletics meetings this Summer Term, as we did last year. This consisted of meetings at Caldicott, Radley, Stowe and Tonbridge with boys who ran, threw and jumped qualifying times and distances competing in the London and South East Area Regionals and then Nationals. The season culminated with the full-day, all-inclusive Caldicott Sports Day which sees every boy in the school compete in track and field events, running relays or testing their mettle in the highly regarded tug of war. McArthur has dominated the competition over the last four years but the day was won this year by Cooper!

All the boys involved in the Athletics Team represented the school admirably and the boys' stand out team performance came at the final team meeting of the term at Tonbridge School where they came 2nd out of 12 schools, with the U14 side putting in a very dominant performance across the board, winning their age group. Notably, based on their season's performances, Sam J (200m/Long Jump), Yasar Z (Shot Putt/Discus), Wulfstan C (1500m), Edward CS (100m/200m), Basti vH (1500m), George B (Javelin), Rory H (100m/200m), Bowen D (Shot Putt), George H (300m/High Jump) and Benjamin A (800m) qualified for the London Area Regional Competition, with the last four progressing to represent the London and South East Area District at Nationals and Benjamin breaking a 40-year-old school record, running the 800m in 2.27.66s. Through their dedication to the Athletics Programme and performance throughout this term and their time at Caldicott colours for athletics were awarded to George H and Sam J.

Basketball

John Currie & Joe Pickles

The conclusion of the season brings great satisfaction for the U13 basketball team, boasting a perfect record of three wins in as many matches. Throughout the season, our players exhibited exceptional skill and determination on the court, resulting in a total of 125 points scored while conceding only 46. A standout performer, George H, showcased his prowess by contributing a remarkable 52 points across the three matches. Following two convincing victories, our final game against Papplewick proved to be a tightly contested affair, where our team's resilience and skill were on full display, securing a hard-fought 22-16 victory. This season has been a testament to the hard work and dedication of each player. With this success as motivation, the U13 team should be proud of their performances this term.

The U11 basketball team had a good season too, showing good progress and teamwork on the court. They achieved a balanced record of one win and one loss. In their victory against St John's Beaumont, the team demonstrated their offensive prowess with Adrian F and Max P leading the charge, each scoring six points, supported by Basti vH with four points. This win was a testament to the collective effort of all the players, each contributing to the victory. Despite a narrow loss to a strong Papplewick side, the team showcased resilience and skill, with Ivan X delivering a standout performance, scoring six points, while Adrian F and Max P added two points each. Adrian F went close in the final seconds but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. Overall, the season was marked by growth, development and enjoyment and the boys should be proud of their efforts.

Golf

Jaryd Robinson

What another fantastic year of golf we have had at Caldicott. With more boys than ever participating in competition golf against other schools, the uptake for the weekly activity has been phenomenal.

The first event back in September set the tone for the year, with Rory delivering a superb performance. Unfortunately, George injured his wrist and was unable to finish the round, leading the Caldicott team to withdraw. Despite this early setback, the team’s spirit remained unshaken.

During the winter months, the boys honed their skills at the Wexham driving range, utilizing top-notch ball tracking technology. This not only improved their technical abilities but also deepened their understanding of the game through engaging and fun activities.

As the Summer Term began, the hard work paid off. The IAPS competition, unusually the first of the term, saw our golfers in top form. Strong performances from Rory, Harry, Jack, Harry, and Jason showcased the programme’s success. The standout moment was George’s joint overall victory at the IAPS championships, a testament to his dedication and skill. The younger boys faced a strong Gayhurst team and narrowly missed out on a victory, losing three matches to two, however, their performance was commendable.

George continued his impressive streak, claiming top spot with an emphatic victory in the ISGA Open at Drayton Park. The season concluded with a revival of the House Golf Competition, where George, partnered with Thomas, led McArthur to victory.

Well done to all the boys who participated in competitions and activities this year. The increasing participation opens up more opportunities for creating larger teams and achieving even greater success in future events. The dedication and hard work of our young golfers promises a bright future for Caldicott golf.

IAPS Judo Tournament

Basil Dawkins

The IAPS 2024 event was held at Bishopsgate. Caldicott sent there largest ever team to this event, with 15 boys making the trip. All the boys were separated into groups based on age, weight and by ratings. Most of the boys were making a first appearance at IAPS, and everyone fought with great effort.

In the first group of competitors, George A, Wenty B, Fourth R, Joseph G and Fedor V were all a little nervous and suffered first round defeats. Joe C was returning after competing at this event last year and battled to a first-round victory. In the second round of contests, Joseph and Wenty registered victories, while the other boys suffered loses. In the third round, both Joseph and Wenty won again securing silver medals. There were also third round victories for George A and Fedor as they claimed bronzes along with Fourth.

In the second group, Hudson A, Brian L, Arnav O, Honza H, Sunny Y and Joshua B were all excited to finally start their competition. It was a winning start for Hudson and Brian in the first round of contests. Although the other boys suffered defeats, all were putting in great performances and were very unlucky not to register victories in the first round. Both Hudson and Brian then produced excellent throws to win their second round contests. Honza also won his second round with a neat throw and hold. Arnav and Sunny both manged a third round victory to secure bronze medals, and Joshua also secured a well-deserved bronze medal. Honza claimed an excellent silver after winning his third round contest, while it would be gold for both Hudson and Brian after excellent contest victories. The final group saw 5th Formers, George B, Barney W and Alfie H make their appearance. The boys were in fantastic form and showed steely determination as they lined up for their contests. With an array of superb shoulder and hip throws, and dominant gripping and groundwork, the boys blew away all their opponents to claim three magnificent gold medals.Barney was invited to take part in an extra group, and after three extra contests, claimed a superb silver (just missing a second gold after a dubious refereeing decision!).

A final medal tally of 5 Golds, 4 silvers and 7 Bronzes represents a best ever performance for Caldicott (beating last years tally of 2 golds, 4 silver and 4 bronzes). Huge well done to all the boys for the great effort!

Squash

Matt Hutchings

The squash season this term has been very successful with the U13 team only losing twice.

Squash continues to be a sport that we promote here at Caldicott, and boys train and compete in the activity programme with our dedicated coach, Patricia Malliff, who is a Level 4 Coach. Fixtures mostly take place over the Lent Term, with training taking place throughout the school year, alongside the boys having access to the courts at breaktimes. This year, we played fixtures against Winchester House, Summer Fields, Aylesbury Grammar School (twice), Eton College and Davenies, winning three overall matches, against tough opposition. These fixtures included boys across the 4th, 5th & 6th Forms. Ryan A (6th Form), captain of squash, had a great individual performance at the IAPS national competition at the University of Nottingham, finishing in 3rd place overall, in a gruelling two-day competition. A superb performance.

In the senior house squash competition, Jenkins just pipped Wood, in a close contest. A special mention to the Captain of Squash, Ryan A, who has never lost a Squash fixture for Caldicott and was also awarded a Sports Scholarship to Harrow for his Squash.

Swimming

Matt Hutchings

What a season it has been for the Caldicott Swimming team, in what has to be the most successful year ever

The gala results speak for themselves with an unbeaten return against Papplewick, Davenies, Godstowe, Ludgrove (home and away), Moulsford and Summer Fields – impressive! Crucially, this has allowed a great number of boys to swim for Caldicott in competitive galas and exposed them to competition rules and to compete against others. Boys in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Forms also compete in the Division 10 league, which runs throughout the academic year against schools that we do not traditionally play sport against, and again this is a great opportunity to swim in competitive environments. Caldicott placed as follows (out of 8 schools): 2nd Form (3rd Place), 3rd Form (2nd Place), 4th Form (3rd Place).

Individually, the following boys came first in their respective Final events: Jax C (U10 Individual Backstroke), Jett C (U10 Individual Freestyle), Jax C, Jett C, Alexander W, and Yuvraj D (U10 Freestyle Relay).

In the best return for Caldicott ever, we had 14 boys qualify through the regional IAPS competitions to represent Caldicott at the national event, which took place at the London Aquatics Centre, in June. All 14 boys should be very proud of their efforts: Wulfstan, Jett, Sam, Hugo, Sebastian, Jax, Adam, Alex, Kingsley, Will, Jonny, George, Alexander, and Hugo.

The following boys broke records this year – well done! August H (U10 IM), Sebastian Z (U11 Backstroke), Jonny F (U12 Backstroke), Sam J (U13 Breastroke), Charlie A (U9 Fly), Phillip FM (U8 Freestyle), Jovan D, Max P, Phillip FM & Atticus H (U8 Med Relay & Free Relay), Jett C, Alexander W, August H & Jax C (U10 Free Relay), Wulfstan C, Alex F, Kingsley Z, Adam D (U13 Free Relay).

My huge thanks to our excellent and dedicated swimming coaches Helen Dickinson and Sharon Hill. Well done on a successful season!

Tennis

Josh Blagden

It has been another great season of tennis during the Summer Term. Participation in the Middle School tennis activity has been strong, in addition to a great number of boys signing up to compete in the Internal School Tennis Championships.

The U11 team played two school fixtures, losing to The Beacon and a narrow defeat to Papplewick. Honza H and Henry P performed well together in the doubles as the first pair, winning three of the four rubbers overall. They were supported by Leo W, Robby WC, Mason C, Hugo C and Ned A. Honza and Leo represented the U11 team at The IAPS National Tennis Championships at Clifton College. The boys enjoyed two full days of tennis with matches in singles and doubles. Both boys were in action against each other in the U11 Internal Tennis Championships Final, in a repeat of the 2023 final. The outcome was again a repeat, with Honza fighting back from 3-1 down in the first set to take the first set into a tie-break. Honza prevailed to take the first set, before completing a straight-sets victory. Henry P proved too strong for Frederick H in the U10 final with a comprehensive victory. The final in the Senior Competition was exciting and competitive. Gaston LG claimed his first title after defeating Louis P 4-2, 4-2. The U13 had a good season overall. The team suffered defeat to The Beacon, before bouncing back with a comprehensive victory at home to Dr Challoner’s. The first pair of Fergus B and George H cruised to a straight-sets victory, and were supported with doubles victories from Gaston LG and Rory H, with Benjy A and Giacomo F also victorious. Gaston and George were selected for the U13 team to play at the IAPS National Tennis Championships at Clifton College. The pair lost the first round, before winning the next two rounds in the plate competition against All Hallows and Cheam, respectively. They were defeated in the plate final versus Aysgarth School. The tennis season finished in real style with a wonderful day out to Wimbledon for nine senior boys who participated in the Monday evening boarders tennis activity. They witnessed some excellent tennis and enjoyed a fantastic experience.

BOARDING

Tom Gloster, Head of Boarding

@CaldiBoarding

Another year has flown by! When reflecting back to the harsh, cold evenings of Michaelmas Term, the end of year felt a long way off but again we must say goodbye to a great group of boys! This 6th Form group have been lively and fun to have in the house and to see the progress they have all made has been incredible, especially as they were my ‘first group’ of boarders two years ago. Not only in size have they all changed, but their attitudes towards each other too. A highlight being when one boy said; ‘I have really enjoyed boarding and it has brought us all closer as a year group.’ These are their special years, and I am sure many of the boys will cherish these memories in the future.

We have kept a lovely sized group of full boarders at the weekend and they have managed to visit a variety of places and they have experienced a number of different activities; biking in Black Park, swimming at Coral Reef, a Eurovision party (courtesy of Mr Chamberlain) and paintballing to name a few of the highlights! I know that the boys really enjoyed the water fight weekend this year, the majority of the Houseparents and Gaps were willing targets but just playing together, as full boarders in the sunshine in our beautiful grounds, just reminds us of what boarding is about. Alvin being able to throw a water balloon at Ma’am Quinn might have been everyone’s highlight though!

Flexi boarding has maintained its popularity with 676 nights booked for just the Summer Term alone! Mr Cooper has continued to show his fantastic commitment to the boys and they all look forward to being in the Boarding House.

The boarding staff and the teaching staff continue to build links in order for the boys to be supported throughout their school day and the boys’ teachers put in effort to make sure they are as happy as possible. I must give credit to Ma’am Quinn, Ma’am Mahmood and Ma’am Crossley who have made sure all the boys are dressed smartly each morning. On that note, we say goodbye to Ma’am Crossley who is moving to work in another part of school. We thank her wholeheartedly for her hard work over the past few years in the laundry.

At the end of term, the boarding meetings become very tricky as we always select our boarders of the term. This is never easy, especially as the year goes on and the boys start to show their leadership skills and consideration towards others. Despite having to pick three for each term, there are always many other boys in contention and I hope that boys who haven’t won aspire to in the future.

Michaelmas Term: Connor L (6th), Sampson L (5th), Zeb H (Junior)

Lent Term: Yasar Z (6th), Bosco C (5th), David SD (Junior)

Boarders of the Year: Connor L (6th), Bosco C (5th), David SD (Junior)

The Boarder of the Year award recognizes individuals who not only exhibit an attitude towards boarding and their peers which is exemplary, they also embrace all that boarding has to offer with enthusiasm and highlight the school values by showing integrity, perseverance, courage, compassion and humour.

Finally, I would like to thank the boys for making boarding at Caldicott so successful this year. I wish the 6th Form the best of luck and I look forward to hearing about their many successes in the future, they should be proud of what they have achieved and how they have grown up throughout the year.

I am also very excited about the introduction of our Day Plus boarding offering in September, giving the boys the flexibility to build their boarding confidence at their own pace. All of the boarding team are looking forward to it and cannot wait for the Michaelmas Term to start!

IN THE COMMUNITY

Jo Duncan, Head of Charity Committee

It has been another busy and hugely successful year for the Caldicott Community in terms of our charitable efforts. We supported several local charities this year and held fundraisers for a range of charities, but our main focus has been supporting the incredible work of Brain Tumour Research UK.

We kicked off our fundraising in October with a Mufti Day which the Charity Committee themed ‘This is Me.’ Boys and staff got fully behind the theme and the school was awash with bright colours, raising a marvellous £1,024 which was split between Head for Change and St Anne’s Church, Dropmore.

We continued to support our local community during the festive season through our annual Christmas present appeal which donated over 200 presents to Home Start and we also donated numerous food items and toiletries to Slough Foodbank, in addition to holding a warm clothing collection for the Salvation Army. It was lovely to meet some of the people who were being supported by these donations when I did the final drop off in the lead up to Christmas.

Charity Committee member, Yash G, spearheaded a campaign to raise funds for the Gauvansh Samvardha Trust, an Indiabased charity that champions girls' education. Two successful fundraiser nights at our production of Bugsy Malone raised £2,060. The beautiful Carol Service at Marylebone Church raised £2,751.35, and we ended the Michaelmas Term with our annual Christmas Jumper Day which raised £840 and was split between Home Start and Slough Foodbank. In the Lent Term, the Friends of Caldicott organised a fantastic quiz. Incredibly via the raffle, Wear Your House Colours for the Day auction, and Quiz Night pudding auction they raised £4,000 for local children’s hospice, Alexander Divine Hospice!

One of the most highly anticipated charity events of the year returned in February. With the support of Mr Blagden, our Charity Football Tournament saw all boys take part in thrilling matches across two weeks, raising an incredible £1,823.75. As part of this event, Euan M baked brownies which he sold to the boys in his year, generating a superb £160 and Theo T held a challenging position which he uses for his kickboxing called 'horse riding stance' (like an extended squat) for over four minutes, raising £80 in sponsorship. Our annual charity bake sale challenged the boys in our 4th Form to get into the kitchen and create delicious edible delights. In the true Caldicott spirit of ‘competitive, but kind’ the bake sale was also an inter-House competition with four tables of tasty treats, each run by 4th Form boys from one of the Houses. Credit to all boys for raising a total of £721.37!

Before out Funky Hat Fun Run, we were treated to a special assembly in which the boys listened to Daniel B share his personal experience of having a brain tumour removed. Daniel’s message was relayed through a video he pre-recorded in which he went on to explain how grateful he was to the people who had saved his life, which led him to raise funds for a crucial MRI scanner for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Following Daniel’s message, Caprice (who is not only a Caldicott parent, but also a patron of the charity) shared her story of how she also had a brain tumour removed and was inspired to raise money for this incredible cause. Charlie Allsebrook, the Community Development Manager for Brain Tumour Research, joined us again as did Neil Danzinger (another Caldicott parent, who has worked extensively with the Brain Tumour Research). Our fun run raised £1242.50!

In May, our annual effort at the Marlborough Schools Triathlon raised a staggering £13,350! Most of the fundraising went to Restless Development, with a percentage going to Brain Tumour Research. We had a record number of boys enter and are incredibly proud of their efforts. Ma’am Brown’s Pre-Loved Charity Book Sale found boys of all ages excitedly browsing through their possible next read. Thank you to the parents and staff who contributed to an even higher total than last year of £290.

Our final community fundraising event of the year was our Summer Fête. ‘Paris Olympics 2024’ was the chosen theme. Despite the adverse weather conditions on the day raised the boarders raised an incredible £2,575.

It has been an incredible fundraising year! We have raised an amazing £37,107.28

We are also hugely grateful to the parents who run our Second-Hand Uniform Shop. I was astounded and in awe that they had raised £8,000 for charity over the course of the year. £5,000 will go to Brain Tumour Research and £3,000 to Sparrow Schools in South Africa, who I had the pleasure of visiting in August to see firsthand just what projects our fundraising efforts have helped support.

Finally, we ended the term with our annual Parents v Staff Charity Football match out on Top Field. The match was played in memory of Professor Linda Luxon CBE, who very sadly passed away in September from a brain tumour. Linda was George D's Grandmother. George was Captain of Football this year and refereed the match. With a fantastic win for the parents the event raised £812 for Brain Tumour Research.

Boys’ Efforts and Initiatives Outside of School

Nothing fills us with more pride than seeing our boys undertake their own charitable work. Here are some efforts we have heard about this year:

• Finley J, Alex R, Robby WC, Nate R, Harry H, and Milo B completed a challenging 20-mile hike along Hadrian’s Wall, raising £4,940 for the Ruth Strauss Foundation and Dusty Yak Orphanage.

• Charlie J raised £1,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital by playing Christmas carols on his violin at his family Christmas party.

• Rafe G, Will M, Oliver T, and Hugo H completed a swimathon over half term, raising £1,125 for Head for Change.

• Wil M ran Harrow’s annual Long Ducker in 52 minutes, supporting the Firm Foundation, an organisation raising awareness of homelessness.

• Thomas L participated in the Mayday Mile for the RNLI, raising £421 by walking or running a mile daily.

• Maxim and his brother Edward supported St Anne’s Church, raising £432 through a promotional bake sale.

• Leo W raised an incredible £13,000 for the Sumbandila Scholarship Trust in South Africa.

• Hugo H baked cakes for a coffee morning supporting Alzheimer's patients, including his grandmother.

Congratulations to the boys who raised an additional total of £20,820 through their own initiatives.

Thank you to our Charity Committee

Daniel B, Cosmo C, Wulfie C, Harry X, Yash G, Dexter D, Hugo H, Reuven H, Thomas L, Lucas Z, Theo T, Euan M.

OLD CALDICOTIANS

Jasvir (Jazz) Sohal, Development & Alumni Officer

Dear Caldicott Community,

I am delighted to introduce myself as the Development & Alumni Officer, supporting our Director of Development, Terra Goulden, with the Caldicott Foundation.

Taking on the role at the start of the Michaelmas Term has been an optimal time to immerse myself into the Caldicott ethos and to be introduced to wonderful colleagues. I’m very much looking forward to the privilege of meeting parents and alumni in the coming months as I transition from a long-standing Public Relations career, working for groups such as LVMH & L’Oréal. As a mother of young boys myself, my heart sits well here at Caldicott, a beacon of excellence in education, nurturing the minds and spirits of young boys and preparing them for the world.

As the team reflects on an extraordinary year at Caldicott, we celebrate the successes of our Old Caldicotians (OCs) and welcome the new cohort of 2024 leavers into the OC community. This is a pivotal moment, a transition from the familiar into the unknown future and we encourage our leavers to cherish their treasured moments and the friendships they have made. Foundations laid here at Caldicott equip our leavers with important skills that will help them navigate life’s challenges with perseverance, integrity, courage, compassion, and humour. Per Victoriam Ad Gloriam. Caldicott will always be here for them.

We look forward to seeing our OCs at future events and encourage all our leavers to use the newly launched Caldicott Connect to maintain their friendships and utilise its resources for career development. The new platform offers networking and mentoring opportunities. Please sign up at foundation.caldicott.com to stay informed about upcoming events.

It has been wonderful to hear about the achievements of many OCs this year, and I know that my colleagues were delighted to host numerous OCs back at Caldicott for various events. In December, the school held the 71st Caldicott RFC Dinner with guest of honour and England player, Maggie Alfonsi. Several OCs in their final year at senior schools attended, as well as those celebrating their Invicta season from 20 years ago, and even some from further back. This event was a fantastic opportunity for guests to reminisce about past sporting achievements.

Our annual OC Touch Rugby event which took place on Top Field was another highlight, featuring a high level of fitness and competition across a wide range of ages. I’ve been told it made for a wonderful Sunday afternoon of spectating alongside OC family members in the sunshine.

Whilst on the rugby front, many OCs had an excellent season. Albert (2020), David (2020), and Matthew (2019) all performed strongly for Radley's 1st XV. Wellington’s U15 7's team also had a great season, thanks to noteworthy contributions from OCs Arman, Jack, Nikki, and Max (2022). Additionally, congratulations to Haydn (2019), now playing for the West Midlands academy, and well done to Kepu (2019), who led England to a remarkable 41-0 win over France in the U18s 6 Nations. Kudos also goes to Freddie (2019), who recently made his international debut for Ireland at the 7’s U18 European Championship in Europe. Special mentions to Radley's U15 Junior Colts 1 (JC1) and Harrow's U18 1st XV, both of which reached the Continental Schools Cup finals and were crowned national champions. Congratulations to Edward, Andrew, James, and Mosese (2022), and Oliver, Filip, and Kepu (2019).

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On the stage, Sam Maynard (2019) performed his leaver’s recital at Radley in front of delighted friends, family, Dons, and some of his former Caldicott teachers. Sam impressed with a varied program of solos and band numbers performed over his five years at Radley, including an updated version of Piano Man, the first solo he ever performed as a new Shell. He also performed classics from David Bowie, Marvin Gaye, George Michael, and Freddie Mercury, showcasing his strong voice and impressive range. Sam discovered his love of music at Caldicott, where he sang in the choir, performed in concerts, and played the lead in the senior musical, My Fair Lady.

On the small screen, William Ellis (1994) recently joined the cast of Eastenders, playing the part of teacher Mr Theo Hawthorne.

He shared some reflections on his time at Caldicott and his career:

"Playing rugby is one of my most cherished memories. Running out onto the Top Field for the 1st XV felt like playing at Twickenham, with huge parental support and the accolade of playing 1st XV for Caldicott. My fondest memory, however, was playing Toad in Toad of Toad Hall with a broken arm. After falling off the stage during a rehearsal, Mr Galbraith drove me to the hospital in his sports car. I got the cast fitted, and the show went on. I felt bad for Mr Galbraith, who was convinced it was his fault, but it wasn't; it was my own mistake."

Find the full interview on our website.

Finally, our annual OC Charity Football Tournament, held on the last Monday evening of term, was very popular once again, welcoming over 40 OCs back to enjoy matches in their former Houses, with former Caldicott parents cheering from the sidelines.

We also bid farewell to Sascha Clark-Jones our Development Assistant who some of you may have liaised with, he has now returned to his studies to complete his Masters.

That leaves me to wish all our 2024 Leavers and ‘new’ Old Caldicotians the very best in their future endeavours. All of us in the Foundation Office look forward to keeping in touch and welcoming all OCs back to Caldicott.

THE FOUNDATION

Terra Goulden, Development Director @CaldicottFoundation

As we reflect on the past year, I am filled with immense gratitude at the remarkable strides we have made together. Our community’s efforts in fundraising throughout the 2023/24 academic year have not only surpassed our expectations but also demonstrated your unwavering support and generosity.

As many of you know, the Caldicott Foundation was established in November 2020 with two primary goals; to invest in capital projects that will transform our school for future generations and to provide transformational bursaries for talented boys whose families might otherwise be unable to afford a Caldicott education. I am delighted to report that for both of these strands of work, we have made significant progress in recent months.

Our commitment to providing life-changing opportunities through the Bursary Fund remains steadfast. This academic year, our Bursary Fund has raised over £100,000 thanks to the incredible generosity of so many of you. To those who have supported the Bursary Fund, your contributions will be profoundly impactful. Through your support, we will be able to fund two new transformational bursaries next year, which is in addition to the many bursaries that will be funded directly by the school. These young boys, who we proudly call Foundation Scholars, embody the values and aspirations of our community. We are so proud to be able to welcome these boys into our school and we take seriously our moral obligation to continue to support these boys moving forward.

To further underscore Caldicott’s commitment to excellence, I am delighted to announce that we have made significant progress towards our goal of enhancing the school’s facilities. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of key leadership donors, we are getting ever closer to commencing construction on the new Sports Pavilion.

This is a landmark achievement that will leave a lasting legacy for generations of Caldicott pupils. However, our journey is far from complete. The Sports Pavilion is not just a standalone project; it is a crucial enabling initiative that will unlock the potential of our ambitious Masterplan. There is still much work to be done to bring our full vision to life, and your continued support will be essential in realising this.

To bolster our annual fund, we have also launched a regular giving group called the 1904 Society. Named after the year we were founded by J Heald-Jenkins, the 1904 Society recognises regular donors, alumni, past parents, and current parents, who make a minimum donation of £1,904 in a year to the Caldicott Foundation. By pledging regular monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, or yearly donations,1904 Society members provide Caldicott with a more predictable stream of funds that enable the school to plan effectively for the future .

Additionally, this year we focused our efforts on improving alumni engagement through our Caldicott Connect platform. Recognising the importance of a strong and connected alumni network, we have introduced several key enhancements, such as the Careers and Mentorship modules. These modules are designed to foster greater connections and professional development opportunities within our alumni community. By facilitating mentorship relationships and providing career support, these initiatives aim to create a robust network that supports our alumni in their career paths and personal growth, thereby strengthening the lifelong bond they have with Caldicott. The introduction of Caldicott Connect is a testament to our commitment to our alumni, ensuring that they continue to benefit from their association with our school long after leaving us.

Looking to the weeks ahead, we are excited to announce our upcoming Giving Day on 16-17 October, dedicated to supporting the Bursary Fund. This 36 hours will be a pivotal moment for our community to come together and make an even greater impact on the lives of deserving boys. The success of this initiative will allow us to continue offering lifechanging opportunities to those who might otherwise miss out on a Caldicott education. We will be hosting a celebration event on the 16 October at 13.30 and I encourage you to participate and help us reach our goals, ensuring that we can extend our support to even more boys in the years to come.

As we reflect on the achievements of this past year, I extend my deepest gratitude to our dedicated parents, alumni, governors, staff, and supporters. Your unwavering generosity and commitment have made a profound impact on the lives of our students and the future of Caldicott.

A very special thanks goes to those who have gone above and beyond and have given leadership gifts to the Sports Pavilion project. Your investment in this project has been absolutely critical, propelling us forward with the urgency and momentum they need to succeed. Together, we are building a legacy of opportunities and excellence for generations to come. Thank you for your continued support.

We are Change Makers

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Stowe is educating a generation of Change Makers ready to transform the world.

Scholarships and Bursaries are available for 13+ and 16+ Entry.