Lent 2015cubitt

House Football: Jordan Bedford

Sixth Form Dinner: Dan Chitty The buzz of excitement anticipating this year’s 6Th Form Cubitt Dinner was greater than ever. There was a change from previous years in terms of theme; this year each table was allocated a country, with which they were to add a twist to their black tie/dinner jacket (even given the opportunity to sing national anthems, or perform the Hakka in the case of CHDB and his talbe!). Little did we know, until the food was served, each course was themed to these countries. As canapés, with drinks, there were smoked salmon bites. Once sat down, we were served ‘Spanish Tapas’ , followed by delicious Italian tortellini with tomato and spinach balancing the tastes perfectly.

As a pallet cleanser, was lemongrass sorbet cleverly tinged with chilli, leaving the pallet spotless! The main was mouth-watering New Zealand lamb with potato fondant, pea and carrot purées, covered in gravy (my personal favourite course). As a dessert we were served a ‘Quarter-Pounder’. With John’s history of outstanding desserts, we knew to expect something big. This year was something Heston Blumenthal would have been proud of. A glazed brioche bun, ice cream as the meat, white chocolate ‘lettuce’, milk chocolate ‘tomato’ as the burger itself, with cinnamon biscuit ‘chips’ with a strawberry ‘Ketchup’ dipping sauce – a mentally surreal experience, where the eyes and mouth are tasting two different things. Finally to tip of the evening was a Truffle Brie with crackers, rounding off a very palatable, tasty meal altogether. The main thanks must obviously go to the Chefs: Tom Howard, Matt Foster, Gregor McIntyre, and of course the school’s Head Chef, John Smith.

Waiters Lewis Bedford, Harry De Blaby, Rob Green, Freddie Edwards, Chris Oldfield and Tom Bligh also deserve thanks with their faultless assistance and service. Also a thank you must go to Ed De Blaby, last year’s Chef and House Captain for returning to Cubitt for the evening. Overall, the evening was full of great atmosphere, enjoyable company and first-rate food; let the tradition go on!

The reigning champions stepped out in a controversial repeat of last years final against East. Cubitt lined up with a weakend yet still dangerous team, with Will Gudgeon donning the gloves to great avail, and Luke Allan filling in for the vacant Harry De Blaby. The game began with East firmly on top but Cubitt soaking up the pressure very well before scoring early in the second half as Parsons headed in a Sam Lubbock corner. Just as Cubitt began to settle, a long ball was bundled over the line drawing East level and taking the game into extra time. After an uneventful time the game went to penalties and East came out on top. In our 3/4th place play off we faced the ever physical North, and enjoyed the return of three first team regulars and testimonial appearances from Ben Peers and Henry Ward. With Henry Ward leaving the ankles of the opposition in shreds, Tom Parsons added a second to his tally and a minor defencive error, saw Cubitt surrender the lead for the second game in a row, but Sam Guinness gave Cubitt the lead taking a bouncing ball under control and slotting it into the bottom right hand corner. Finishing 3rd was perhaps an unfair reflection of the skill of the team, but the outcome took nothing away from what was a very enjoyable event.

Cubitt Newsletter Lent 2015

Housemasters Comments: CHDB It has been another incredibly busy term for Cubitt & the wider school. The pressure of mocks for the Sixth Form & the Upper Fifth has inevitably created a more focused and pressurised working atmosphere, but that is not to distract from the many successes’ and triumphs that the boys have achieved this term. There continues to be a phenomenal breadth of activity that Cubittians have been involved in; from the school play in the last week of term, the House Cross-Country (victory again!) and, of course, what Lent term would be complete without the usual domination of Hockey and Football. The House Dinner and Charity weekend highlights the caring and thoughtful nature of so many of the pupils and personifies the House atmosphere; pupils pulling together to serve and support each other and others further afield. I am thankful for the generosity of the parents in supporting the Charity weekend, so thank you for all your help! The Upper Sixth continue to set the tone and I am grateful to all that they have done to make Cubitt continue to flourish as a happy home for us all.

A huge thank you must go to our incredible team of matrons, cleaners and tutors for their energy, enthusiasm and dedication without which the house, quite simply, would not function. May I wish you all a very happy and restful Easter holiday, although the final words must go to those who return to face exams; please get the balance right between work, rest and play and remember that there is not very much time before exams begin at the start of next term. Try to keep establish working routines as quickly as possible so that Easter holiday is used wisely!

House Cross Country: Freddie Campbell As the days grow longer and the dusky light of spring once more graces the Surry hills any Cubittion can tell you this is the season of Cross Country. Again the boys in green did there utmost to reclaim that fabled object, the trophy, ours for the last half a century. Much like every other year they did not disappoint, first place being green as usual. Once again each man took themselves to the darkest of places, bringing themselves to the brink only to strive for glory. We did not disappoint. We did not fail. Cubitt’s ultimate victories are memorable and eternal. In many ways however, especially with Cross Country, ‘Eighty percent of success is showing up’ - Woody Allen

Charity Weekend: Guy Trevellyan

This year we were raising money for cancer research UK and Beyond Ourselves, both great charities. We decided to do a golf charity day were we had a range of abilities playing on what was a very wet course.

We played better ball and had some interesting tee shots, some even landing behind the tee itself and some in the completely wrong direction. It was a great morning which was filled with fun for parents and children with bacon butties being made by our very own Henry Ward and James York. We also decided this year to do a raffle which consisted of some very generous prises given by some of the parents including Arsenal tickets, a signed Wasps shirt by all the players and a variety of chocolates and smellies. Thank you to all the students and parents for all their help making the day fun for all.

Seniro Waterpolo: Dan Chitty You’d be right to read the title above this and just move on to the next passage. Why? Because, I’m afraid to say, we have become probably too good for our own good at fulfilling the stereotype of Cubitt’s ability, or inability, in the water. This year’s senior house water polo was nothing but a warm up for the opposition, or a comedy sketch for those supporting. The team consisted of Angus Burns, and pretty much solely Angus Burns. The houses only swimmer saw his time to shine in this event. The youngest member of the team (yes, it was Angus) won the ball off of the put in at the beginning of the game sadly this was the only success story in the match. Rumour has it record for breaking the most rules in less than two minutes was broken on this day by the boys in green. The sound of the whistle became all too familiar for us. In the end, a 7-0 loss was probably a fair result.

We did, however, think score a goal, when Jake Storey dunked the opposition defender before running, yes running, up to the goalkeeper with the ball in two hands (illegal in water polo) and throwing the ball into the top left corner of the goal. Maybe next year will be a happier tale, although I expect not.

Debating Obituary: Ben Clarke In affectionate remembrance of Cubitt House Debating, which died in the Reading Room on 8th February 2015. Despite the strong grandiloquence, articulacy and oratory ability of the troika of Benjamin Chesser, Christian Oldfield and Cameron Scheijde, all channelling their inner Alex Clarke, Cubitt where unable to overcome the perennial enemy of South. After breezing through the first round against East - combating a personal attack by our derisory rivals with some formidable arguments, metaphors, and general grasp of the english language on the topic of ‘why we should not have media censorship’, we came towards a euphoric moment in which we thought would be another successful year in debating. In particular, Benjamin Chesser should be commended for being best speaker, especially at such a tender age. However, we should have learnt the lessons of history as alas, once again, it repeated itself. Despite good rallies from the floor and firm economic fact and social grounding as to why the UK should stay in the EU, our faithful trio were unable to wrestle victory from the South Nationalist Party, whom the likes of Nick Griffin and Nigel Farage would have been proud. Despite this, the future looks bright, with Cameron holding his own as main speaker, Oldfield presenting fully coherent and developed arguments, and Benji able to speak with such confidence and vivacity.

Music Review: Toby Chesser This term has seen a plethora of talented Cubittians taking to the stage to exhibit their musical prowess. Lunchtime concerts were filled with strong Cubitt performances, from George Pettifer, Guy Trevellyan, Chris Oldfield, Benjamin Chesser, Will Harris, Toby Chesser and Chris Pyle. These moving performances were followed by highly competitive performances in the Helen Wareham competitions, with Toby Chesser and Chris Oldfield serenading an admiring audience in the Junior Singing, who were soon awed by spectacular performances in the Senior equivalent

by Noah Frett and Theo Golden, who both got into the final, and the latter of whom went on to win. Toby Chesser and George Pettifer played in the Junior Woodwind, with George Pettifer playing again the Junior Piano. But there was no competition better represented by Cubitt than the Junior Brass, which was played in Will Harris, Billy Goodfellow, Max Grisley, and Chris Oldfield. Chris’s amazing performance was even enough to earn Cubitt a victory in this clash. The most successful Cubitt musician this term must be Theo Golden, who, as well as his Helen Wareham Singing victory, also sung in Chichester Cathedral with Cranleigh Voices, conducted the prep school chamber choir, and won a hotly contested part in Junior Glyndebourne this summer.

It will be deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances.

R.I.P.

House Water polo: Jamie Barden Prior to junior house water polo, Cubitt were looking like they would have a very good chance at winning or maybe even taking it to pens.

As cubit jump in to the pool to face east, Cubitt lifted by the arrival of Taylor who suddenly arrived at the last minute, there was still a sense that there could be a Cubitt upset. The game started well with Cubitt having most of the ball and the shots. Then finally Cubitt had a goal to show for all their hard work but this was just any goal it was a Barlow special. The goal keeper Barlow lobed the ball 25 yards, the length of the pool and hit the back of the net. This special goal was met with huge applause from all houses and even the head of swimming had to bow down to this. It was 1-0 Cubitt.

Then the second half was beginning Cubitt started well but the pace of the game that east set was too high for Cubitt and East scored 4 four goals in the second half. It was a valiant performance from Cubitt and special mention should go to Taylor, Barlow, Mckee and Cooper.

House Chess Henry Ward “I will make the promise now, 2015 will be our year”, pronounced a devastated Henry Ward after the forth year running of not reaching the house chess final. Indeed 2015 was Cubitt’s year, the trophy has at long last entered our cabinet. We kicked off against Loveday who were rapidly dispatched. Leaving Henry and Callum Osborne, two veterans of Cubitt chess to take the stage for one last chance at glory alongside, Max Grissley and the ‘Chess’er brothers. At last Cubitt had made the coveted house chess final, Callum marked the occasion by missing the final to hone his self defence skills, leading to Seb Peace’s inclusion who would go on to earn the final ½ a point which saw us home to victory. Cubitt emerged victorious as Benj Chesser had won at first seed, which separated a tied score of 2 ½ - 2 1/2 . Callum and I leave house chess in the capable hands of Tobias Chesser, all the best for next year.

Stonesett Trophy: Rob Harrison The Stonesett hockey is an event where the lesser able hockey players get to try their hand in the most anticipated house hockey competition of the year, and this year did not disappoint. Four teams of five players play in a round robin tournament, with each team having a theme. This year Cubitt almost quadrupled our score for last year which was a great achievement however we still managed to come last. Tom Bligh and Sam Barnard showed great promise in my team and I'm sure that they will become superb Stonesett hockey captains when their time comes.

Well done to everyone involved!

Hockey: Matt Foster House hockey was played in the final days of the term, and confidence was high leading into the event. The fourth form played gallantly, displaying fine house spirit and finishing a highly respectable 2nd place. The 5th form followed suit, succumbing to only a single defeat from their three games, and scored enough goals with their Barcelona style of play to secure another second place. The seniors had even more success, wielding their sticks with almost unimaginable prowess, and scoring 13 goals in their three games, cruising home to a comfortable 1st place. Overall, victory was secured by a single point, the hockey trophy will rest in safe hands for another year.