South-Newsletter-Michaelmas-2011

SOUTH HOUSE NEWSLETTER MICHAELMAS TERM 2011

Mrs Frett’s Column...

A Masterchef competition for the L6th which had mixed results but there is no doubt that the chocolate brownie variations were a huge success. U6th visit to Santa Fir- the reindeer were quite a disappointment- nothing like Rudolph! The South Team- I’m not sure you are aware, but we meet every Monday to chat about life in South (wouldn’t you want to be a fly on the wall for those discussions!). I am so fortunate to have the best team in the world. Miss Greenwood and Miss Sturdee who keep me sane (alright, I know that’s questionable, but they are invaluable to me!), Claire and Matey, who have the onerous job of doling out chocolates, medicines, tissues, biscuits, hot chocolate, laundry ... the list is endless.

Please do remember to thank them regularly. My tutors have been awesome- and we now have men in the house! Dan and Frodo are thrilled. Doc Hogg and Mr Bartlett are a winning combination and no-one will forget their contribution to the South music evening! Head and Deputy- the awesome Codge and Peters- a dynamic deadly combo who have the house well and truly sussed.

Low points: none. How could there be any with the best house in the world?

On a final note, I took a group of 6th Form girls to Wellington What a fabulously busy term we have had and yet it seems for a conference on ‘Can girls have it all?’ Lots of good adlike yesterday I faced some nervous looking 4th Form as vice but two adages emerged which I want Southies to adopt: they started out on their career at Cranleigh. Happily, that ‘I cannot do everything, but I must not do nothing’ and ‘go didn’t last long! Highpoints of this term: South Music even- beyond the frontier of your fear’. These wise words came ing which is the stuff legends are made of. An all-singing, from the wonderfully modest Baroness Cox whose humaniall-dancing extravaganza or bonanza, as some of my U6th tarian work is truly inspiring. call it. Even the tutors strutted their stuff- a sight not to be I wish you all a joyful and peaceful Christmas. God bless. repeated! Drama– A Midsummer Night’s Dream- South Mrs Frett x was well represented and it was a truly magical performance. East House play- it was a combination of high drama and comedy. We cannot forget the spine chilling ‘Ghosts’ A Note from Frodo…. which induced nightmares! Sport- hockey (indoors and out!), lacrosse, house fives and squash (we did allow West Despite my aching bones and a distinct lack of charity among to triumph, bless them. High point was watching Miss the South girls in leaving their food lying around, this has Nicholls beat Mara from West- there was a lot at stake!), been a wonderful term. Not too many sad faces judging by netball, swimming and riding- the list is endless, but we the lack of tissues handed out by Mrs Frett and my coat has have excelled throughout England. No surprise, but South remained dry for the most part (although I’m told that we girls have their name in lights. Music- most of the musical Airedale Terriers have waterproof coats, so please feel free to talent seems to be in South House (totally unbiased of sob on me any day). Just a couple of housekeeping notices: if course) but we have dominated lunchtime concerts and the you are going to eat an apple in front of me (some of you very Helen Wareham competitions. Christmas boxes- we manslowly) then please note the pathetic look I have honed over aged to collect 103-a huge improvement from last year. A the years and give me the core. I am NOT sitting there just group of girls took them to the warehouse in Guildford because I like being near you! Secondly, Mr Frett bought me where they were added to 15, 000 other boxes ready to be special smell-free food, so it is NOT always me who makes packed up and sent out to the Ukraine and Uzbekistan. TGI the smell in this house, although I have noticed that I do get Friday- Miss Sturdee’s amazingly successful innovationblamed for everything. I’m not saying another word but you we have had yoga, pedicures, wine tasting, quiz and games know who you are and I might be pointing the paw one day. night. 4th Form Cross Country race where for the first Have a wonderful Christmas. I’ll miss you all. I would like to time in South history there was not a steady flux of girls to think it’ll be quiet, but guess who also lives here!

Matron’s room asking to be on NTC!

HOUSE CHALLENGE Under the close guidance of Miss Sturdee the house challenge team, consisting of Emily Hill, Rosie Mundy, Hetty Cunningham and Millie Crane, prepared for their competition against East. South’s finest minds took to the floor of the ALT in academic dress, and despite some audience participation we narrowly lost out to the boys. Special mention must go to Hetty for her obscure knowledge in some areas and her amazingly quick fingers on the buzzer.

LVIth MASTERCHEF On the week after half term, Mrs Frett told all the LVI that we were to meet in the evening for a surprise. Despite our pleading and desperation to know, she wouldn’t give in and we were never told what we would be doing. She kept the suspense up all the while we were walking across to the Prep School, much to our confusion. On arrival, we were taken into some of the cooking classrooms, where we were told that, as a fun bonding exercise, we would have our very own MasterChef competition. While eying up the plentiful bags of minimarshmallows, Oreos and chocolate, we were divided into four groups of about 6 or 7, on the basis of which months we were born in. Each group was given two different recipes that varied from group to group, and then the same brownie recipe for each group. We could experiment with the recipes, we were told, to our own desire. With an hour and a half to mix, cook, decorate and then clean our area, there was much excitement and anxiety as we set to work: running around the room to other tables to snatch back the chocolate or marshmallows that were in so much need, occasionally stopping quickly to have a look at what other groups were cooking as their main, and what their brownies looked like. The whole time we had songs playing on the speakers, and we cooked, dancing around the tables. Finally, when the time was up, the food was displayed on each table (we were told we would be awarded points for presentation, not just taste), with a few people still quietly, hastily bustling around trying to clean one last dish (we were also told that we would lose points if we had not tidied everything properly). The judges started off at table one (January to March), with Georgia Lord presenting an incredible array of dishes (one of which the group had created themselves to balance out the spicy first dish), and not just delighting the judges with the food, but astounding all the girls with her expansive cooking knowledge. Then the judges moved to table two (April to June), where they too had done a very good job in experimenting with the recipe, and cooking classic, soft brownies that everyone loved. Then table three, where Gabi Hill presented an impressive dish of blended vegetables in glasses. These were delicious, and probably a favourite with the judges. Table four (October to December) where Imara Gluning displayed an incredible tower of brownies cut out in the shape of hearts, and it is undeniable that these were, perhaps, the best looking brownies out of the whole room. However, it seems that the flavour let them down slightly, as we found out when the judges (after leaving us to snack on all the food as they left the room to make a painfully tricky decision) announced that the winner was group one, with their brownies (filled with raspberries, crushed Oreos, white chocolate drops and milk chocolate drops and then with melted white chocolate dribbled on top just before eating) and delicious canapés. Award for best presentation, deservedly, went to group four with their delightful brownies and starter. Despite the first and fourth groups winning, group’s two and three also had a delicious array of food, too. Group one were given, as their award, their own proper chef hats, that they wore all the way back to South House. Thank you too Mrs Frett and Miss Sturdy for taking us, and a special thank you to Mrs Brown at the prep school for giving up her Friday night to judge,

AUSCHWITZ Earlier this term Emily Robinson and Kitty Cahill were fortunate enough to get the opportunity to go to Auschwitz as part of the LFA project, and we are very grateful to the Knoller Society for this opportunity. It involved a preparation seminar, the actual trip and also a follow up seminar. The trip opened our eyes to the horrors of the concentration camps and just how extreme the devastation they caused was. Being the only two from Cranleigh, we also got the chance to talk and discuss the experience with people similar in age at different schools, and understand how they felt about the experience. A key theme of the experience was re-humanising the victims of the Holocaust so we can appreciate that each of the 6 million were individuals with families, occupations and interests just like us. We look forward to sharing our experience and thoughts next term.

IVth FORM EVENTS The 4th form have been kept very busy this term by the 4th form prefects. We set the year off to a great start with games and a movie night to settle them in and give them a taste of the fun we have in South! Later on in the term we gathered together in the 4th form dorms to have a relaxed evening in with cookies and hot chocolate. After the 4th form were treated to a great Halloween party held by West, the 4th form prefects organised a circus themed party with plenty of food, games and dressing up.

IVth FORM CROSS COUNTRY

A huge thank you must go out to Olivia Cope, Lulu Golden, Emma Collier, Hetty Cunningham and Olivia Moxey, who have put in so much effort to get to know the new Fourth Form and organise fun events to help the girls get to know each other.

The annual 4th form x-country run took place on a blustery Monday afternoon in October.

Altogether, there were 39 girls running. As a compulsory event, it was clear that it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but all of the South girls stepped up to the plate and supported each other. I was a bit worried and felt the pressure, as South had won last year and we could win for the 2nd time in a row. Before I knew it, the whistle was blown and we were off. We ran up the hill past North and the stables to start off and it seemed like an age before the end was in sight. I felt a sigh of relief as I ran past the finish line, with lots of cheers of support. Overall it was a fun, tiring and happy experience had by all, and a great victory for South!

HOUSE FIVES House fives... Well, some would say you are supposed to use your hands, others (such as Ellie Sutherland) would prefer to use their feet. House fives is a very talented sport amongst the South girls, made up of Lucy Keith, Hetty Cunningham, Bea Stephenson, Ellie Sutherland, Cecile Zoet, and Phoebe Bagge. The rules proved tough to follow, excusing the occasional change of rules. I cannot tell you the actual scores as I was so wrapped up in the intensity of the match that I cannot seem to recollect them. But I reluctantly reveal to all you interested readers that the so called ‘West team’ seemed to annihilate our elite team; words could not describe how or why, yet all we know is that we will be back, and will defeat this tyrant team once and for all.

HOUSE FOOTBALL The Upper Sixth were extremely excited for football against West. Chanting aloud, we ran down wearing masks of famous footballers, showing great enthusiasm.

Miss Greenwood was in goal and she was fantastic saving the goals that went towards her. Our defence was strong working as a unit. Rosie Peters our captain did a great job of co-ordinating the players on and off the pitch with great enthusiasm. We played a great game; unfortunately West scored a goal which should have not gone in! However, we came together and had a team talk and would not allow them to score any other goals. Sadly we were defeated, but we are South girls and ‘South, let it all out and we are the girls that they talk about, come on, have a go at Mrs Fret and her crew’. We will be training hard for our next match against West next term; the ball is in our favour!

HOUSE SQUASH House Squash this term was unfortunately for South always going to be a challenge as West have the entire squash team.

It was inevitable that West would win but South put up a good fight, in the end only losing 4 out of the 5 matches, thanks to Poppy Bathurst winning a close match, in her first ever match. Well played also to Bea Stephenson, Ellie Sutherland and Millie Crane. Miss Nicholls also took part in an exhibition match, showing off her impressive Oxford Blues Squash Skills!

HOUSE HOCKEY The house hockey, probably one of the fierce games of the term: West vs South. The atmosphere was tense as the whistle blew, with hurricane gales and torrential rains, we were against not only West, but the elements. It is safe to say we were probably the most complacent team with the majority of the 1XII but when we got one goal down, we turned our game on.

Our captain, the one and only Katie Richards stepped up, dominating the pitch with her skills and passion, sprinting left and right, she was absolutely fantastic as usual. Anna Carter and Emily Robinson were strong and composed on the right, creating many goal scoring opportunities, including the tense one-on-one with the keeper where Anna was so nearly taken out! The effort from the whole team was outstanding, the support was even better, with every chance on goal we have cascades of GO SOUTH from the sideline, unfortunately we weren't able to transfer the spirit into goals today. Lucy Keith and Mollie Gardner kept us secure at the back, and with team effort and fervour we managed to bring it back up to 2-2.

Overall both teams played fantastically. Wet, ragged and exhausted South girls walked of the pitch discontent with our draw, but very much ready to thoroughly beat them next year!

CUBITT PARTSONG

IVth FORM DANCE

Cubitt have been winners of the Partsong House Competition for two years, so when this year’s rehearsals started the standard had to be high. Cubitt decided to sing "Carry me through" by Dave Barns. We needed the best singers that South and Cubitt could offer as well as enthusiasm and spark! The performers did not disappoint, singing tunefully throughout the rehearsal period. We were quietly confident but were wary of rumours about our competitors. We mastered the complex rhythms and used vibrato on every note producing two stunning performances on the evening. It was tense during the adjudication and everyone screamed with delight when we found out that Cubitt now had a winning streak of three!! Thank you to all those who took part and organised the part-songs this year. The audience loved our performance so much that the partsong was re-earthed on two other occasions: South House Evening and Cubitt House Evening. The song certainly carried on through.....

During the first half term Millie Crane, Marc Saddler and Katie Draper worked tirelessly to choreograph and teach Cubitt and the Southies moves to a remix of Fat Boy Slim’s “right here right now”, “Apologise” and “Jump”. It was evident that our “talented” Sixth Form dancers passed on their skills and expertise to the ever brilliant Fourth Form. They executed their moves precisely and prestigiously in a group routine that required each individual to show their ability with flare and panache. They all put in a lot of effort and produced two excellent performances on the night. In the end, Cubitt missed out on a deserved second place, narrowly coming third.

Congratulations go to our fellow Southies in East who did a dazzling dance, coming first. Cubitt’s high-quality performance meant they found themselves in towering demand to perform in House Music Evenings and they continued to improve and impress. Well done to all the Southies involved!

Special thanks must go to the Sixth Form choreographers for all of the hard work they put in during the rehearsals.

EAST IVth FORM DANCE Within only a mere 6 hours, the East 4th form managed to achieve something so amazing, so astounding the audience were in disbelief. They pulled off a killer dance securing the crown for the house. The 4th Form stayed in time throughout the performance, and the effect was both humorous and awe inspiring. All thanks go to the 4th form themselves for their enthusiasm and characteristic east house spirit.

Special thanks must go to Olivia Cope, Caity O’Brien and Alex Lim for their choreography and patience with some of the less-than coordinated East boys!

PARTSONG East House and South House joined together and sung ‘Halo’ by Beyonce. We did many rehearsals, each week getting better and better. There were five soloists: Sophie Marr, Phoebe Bagge, Paul Gallagher, Rosie Singleton and Giles RozierPamplin. The performances were great, and all of the rehearsing really payed off, because we came second , and won overall in the House Performance! Well done to everyone involved, especially to Sophie, Giles and Paul for all of their patience with the rest of us!

Written By Kate McGovern & Ellie Sutherland

SOUTH HOUSE RAP South House girls are incredibly cool They’re totally respected throughout the school.

Nothing much fazes them, nothing alarms; They draw on their inner strength as well as their charms. * As 2011 draws to a close, This term has been manic as everyone knows.

Challenges of school life have been quite trying It takes all our energy, there’s no denying. * Hockey’s the sport we play to the max, With riding, swimming, badminton and not forgetting lax.

We beat West in Stonesett, but are never proud and haughty We openly admit fives and squash are not our forte. * The South Music Evening was a total sensation, Every single act received a rapturous ovation.

The 4th Form dancers made us gasp with awe While the Lower 5th brought sunshine as they took to the floor. * Santa came to town as the Upper 5th Sang The Lower 6th looked wild as a Madagascar gang I was a little nervous at the Upper 6th rendition Needn’t have worried, as it was a fab addition. * Have to mention the tutors who sang and danced As the rest of the house looked slightly askance!

The bopping and the whirling and cartwheels galore It will never be repeated even though you’ll beg for more! * So what more is left to tell you of this very long term Cookies, Christmas boxes and the odd little germ.

TGI Friday is a regular treat, Santa Fir and Masterchef are very hard to beat. * My right hand woman is the famous Greeny G She’s one of a kind and puts up with me.

Miss Sturdee is amazing, no job is too tough.

Her fun and sensitivity, we can’t thank enough. * Our thanks to the tutors and matrons who rock And dear old Frodo, who is part of this flock.

I wish you every blessing at this Christmas tide.

Come back next term well rested for a roller coaster ride.

With lots of love, Mrs Frett x