West newsletter lent 14

The Lent term is always the most difficult term as we start in January with dark mornings and dark evenings, and it really does take it's toll on everyone's mood. I am so glad to say that we have all come through it in good humour and with lots of house spirit. It has not been what I would call a 'winning term' in that we have been very unlucky in most of the house competitions; we have been very unlucky indeed, but in a way, this run of bad luck has shown me just how great a bunch of girls I have in this house. In every single match, the girls have given gutsy, determined and committed performances and virtually every match was lost narrowly. As I said to the girls at the end of term, these things go in cycles and South should enjoy looking at those cups while they have them.

They will be returning to West in the very near future! I really wanted to mention my prefects in this newsletter; usually by the Lent term, in the Upper Sixth, most pupils have started to get a little disillusioned by all the rules and regulations that giver school life and by the lack of freedom they have. This is all quite normal and part of getting ready for the next stage of their lives.

I am certain my Upper Sixth are ready to leave Cranleigh and make their mark on the world; however, I am unbelievable grateful to them for their unwavering support of me and my team and what we are trying to achieve in West. They continue to do their duties (which are a pain, I am sure) with good humour and grace and they continue to set such a good example to the younger girls. In addition, their recent reports showed just how hard they are working and I hope they continue to do so during their remaining time. They are a really special group of girls and I am very fond of all of them, as are the rest of the house.

Next term will be really hard work for the top three year groups, right from the outset and I know they will all do their best to support each other through the exam period. However, before the exam ball gets rolling we have the Charity Day to look forward to on Saturday 26th April....it is called 'Around the World in 80 Ways' and it promises to be a lot of fun! Please sponsor your daughters generously.

Andrea

Congratulations to this term’s award winners!

Director of Studies Academic Awards: Becca Harnby, Charlie O’Neill, Olivia Charman House Academic Awards: Progress: Tori van Breugel, Tabz Bowden, Chantelle Phillips, Chloe Nicholls, Kate Sowa Effort: Charlie Andrews, Zoe Dixon, Abby Frett, Ellie Smith, Kristie McClaren Half Colours: Tabz Bowden, Libby Brake, Beth Porter, Sophie Thornton –Wood, Honor Meadows, Nell Mitchell Full Colours: Georgie Beamish, Olivia Al Marzook House Badge: Issi Rennocks, Alex Adams

Sport House Cross Country 2nd 4th and 5th it meant Unfortunately we lost the house cross country this year but everyone who took part tried their best and ran as fast as they could.

Starting with the juniors, Tabz showed South how do it and won it for West and Sophie managed to come 3rd but with South coming

they just about beat us.

The seniors were a different story. Chloe managed to come 2nd with Hannah coming not far behind in 5th place. From then on, it only seemed to be pink shirts crossing the finish line which allowed West to win it. However due to the

House Netball IVth Form The Fourth Form had the odds against them right from the start with almost all the school A team netballers being in South. However the Fourth Form did not let this get to them and put up a very strong fight against South. Unfortunately both A and B teams lost, but by no means were they easy victories for South.

LVth Form The Lower Fifth A team did a fantastic job in beating South, although at times they made hard work of it. Once they got going they were able to sail into a comfortable victory over South. Special mention must go to Emily Thorpe and Beth Porter who played phenomenally in defence. The B team were not so fortunate but nevertheless put up a good fight against the strong South team.

UVth Form Unfortunately the Upper Fifth A team were not able to obtain a victory against the very strong South opposition which had some star school A team players.

However special mention must go to Ella

close defeat and win, it meant that South won overall. Don’t worry doc Sax, we will win next year…

Hampson who did her best to hold off South’s very strong GA. The upper fifth B’s were also unsuccessful however in the usual West spirit, they kept going and put a good fight.

VIth Form A great win from the senior B team, they kept going right till the end and managed to steal a one goal win from South. In the A team we were up against a very strong defence duo and some top shooting and unfortunately couldn’t pull through with the win. However we gave it our all and by no means was it a one way match, with the final result being 15-10 to South.

By Chloe Nicholls

Public Speaking

MUSIC The Helen Wareham Competition produced an extremely high standard of performances this year, and West girls were no exception. In the Junior competition, Zoe Dixon won the strings, Deescha Chandrasma came second, and Nell Mitchell came third in the vocal competition. In the senior competition, Cathy Hobbs, Ellen Dixon and Karina Bondereva made it through to the final, and Cathy won the woodwind competition. Well done on some amazing performances from all our West musicians.

Designer Babies was the major theme that seemed to be permanently ingrained in the brains of the members of our public speaking team as we progressed, to our surprise, through to the various rounds of the Rotary Club competition. We made it through a total of three rounds, winning titles of Best Main Speaker and best Vote of Thanks.

Our team was strong; Jemima Young, was our team’s Chairperson for our final competition, Ellie McAleese gave the main speech and Genie Baretto, gave the vote of thanks. . Being a part of this year’s public speakWell done to Olly Al Marzook, Ellie ing team was a great experience.

Smith, Nell Mitchell, Honor MeadGB ows. Libby Brake, Abby Frett, Bee Hardcastle nd Sophie Thornton– Wood on exceptional performances in the School musical, ‘Into the Woods’.

Congratulations also to our own Miss Lockwood who directed this outstanding production.

Drama

West House Play Members of both West and Loveday House put on a production of ‘Teechers’ by John Godber this term. The actors who took part were extremely convincing and amusing in their roles.

Georgie Heinrich and Millie McKee were excellent as two rather flirtatious and confident schoolgirls. Erin McCombe played the eccentric Headmistress and managed to show off her character’s enthusiasm and passion with great ease. Issi Rennocks and Tess Lenselink played two rather hope-

less and struggling teachers, and both were very comical in their roles and a mention must go to their excellent dancing and improvisation. Helly Bridgen, was fantastic as the bouncy and keen sports teacher whilst Annie Scriven and Charlie O’Neil carried off their role as rather refined teachers very well indeed.

Some of the highlights of the play have to be that scene set in the asylum, where Georgie and Millie were utterly hysterical in their portrayal of lunatics, also the Christmas dance and the corporal punishment ninjas.

The play was ably directed

by Tilda Martin with the help of Georgie Beamish, who made it such a success with all their hard work. A Thank you must also go to all the Loveday boys who were crucial to this production and also the help of Dr. Saxel.

By Georgie Beamish

Academic Competitions Junior House Challenge In the first round of Junior House challenge, West were against North. It was a very close game, half way through both houses were tying at 100 points, three quarters the way through both houses were tying at 160 points but unfortunately in the last few questions North pulled ahead and narrowly won. Nonetheless, House Chess Perhaps one of the lesser known house events, the house chess competition took place on Friday 17th January. As always, the house spirit was incredible for our team of 5, which included members who were not sure they knew how to play! Fortunately, we were under the leadership and advice of Chess Master Miss Webb who shared some winning techniques with the unsure but optimistic team. The team consisted of

West played a very good game, Ellie was on fire with her knowledge of the ancient Greek alphabet, Lara showed North down on the fashion front with her clever looking glasses, Fran showed off her extensive general knowledge and Eloise was quick on the buzzer. Hopefully next year will be the year when West wins!

By Eloise Hood

Karina Bondareva, Chloe Nicholls, Ellie McAleesePark, Pip Johnston and Ally Bayne. We had an informal play off with cups of tea the night before and decided on

who were our best players.

We showed up with true West morale, which we, by no means, lacked; with our small but hopeful crowd.

Despite chess not being much of a spectator sport,

as our excited audience had to stand in silence for about 45 minutes, our spirits were not dimmed. We all used Master Webb’s advice and played to the best of our ability- trying not to rush as it was first to three points wins. Ellie, our best player, was faced with a tricky opponent from South and managed a draw and Ally won her match. Unfortunately, South beat us, but all the matches were close and everyone played with true West spirit.

Ally Bayne

House Debating Motion: 'This house would allow the rest of the UK to vote in the referendum for Scottish independence'. Team west (Ellie cox, Chantelle Phillips, Ellen Dixon, Hannah Wallis) represented the opposition. We lost. Nevertheless, this defeat was in the face of aggressive, nay arrogant-at-times opposition, and West made a string of well thought out points, remaining calm and focused. Where Loveday faltered at times focusing rather on the advantages and disadvantages of Scottish independence, West pulled ahead with clearly articulated points. However the proposition's sharp points of information increased the pressure. The floor debate waher continued s lively, with points adding momentum to the second half of the proceedings. Let us hope that we continue to threaten our boys-house counterparts in the coming years; we are in no doubt that West can again have a formidable victory in the debating sphere in coming years. Adiós to Cranleigh debating from me, and many thanks to Miss. Webb for team support and training. Over and out. Hannah Wallis