http://www.cranleigh.org/west/files/2013/12/West-Newsletter-Michaelmas-2013.pdf

Dear West Parents, I cannot believe we have finally got to the end of this very long term, and, in West, we have certainly packed a lot in.

In the top two year groups, the bulk of the academic work for the year has already been completed, and in the Upper Fifth most courses are coming to an end and their mocks take place almost as soon as they get back.

Therefore it is vital that these three year groups use the holiday wisely to get some serious revision done.

Leaving it until next term, will get them off to a very slow start to say the least, and they will undoubtedly be playing catch-up for much of the term. The term has been very busy for most of your daughters as they are involved in so many activities and, as I write their reports, I am constantly amazed by how much some of them pack in to their day, and how well they manage their time. In House Competitions this term, we have been a little less successful than usual; however the girls have been keen to get involved and have given their all in every event. In the end we were victorious in House Football, House Fives and Senior House Public Speaking but that probably does not do the girls justice. In the Stonesett, the Junior Girls Hockey and in House Squash, the events finished on a draw between the two houses and in each case, we lost on goal difference or something similar.

Still next term, it will be a different story.....

It has obviously been a challenging time in West, with me having to take so many trips to Ireland. Mrs Burns was amazing in my absence and she, the house staff and the prefects really held the place together while I was gone and I am so grateful to them all for that.

On that note, may I take this opportunity to thank you all for the many cards and e-mails, expressing your support to me at this time. I genuinely was very touched and so many of you seem to have been through this experience already, so your words were very comforting.

I am looking forward for some much needed time with my family, but equally I am looking forward to seeing your daughters back in January, ready to make the most of the opportunities afforded them at Cranleigh.

In the meantime may I wish you all a peaceful and joyful Christmas!

Andrea

The term stated off with the IVth form's team building weekend which was a great opportunity for our new IVth form to get to know each other, and the prefects. Good weather helped to make it a lot of fun!

was such a fun night; it certainly demonstrated how hard each house had been working as the standard was really high. Issi Rennocks and Olivia AlMarzook led the Loveday/West part-song, which was an acapella version of “Demons” by Imagine Dragons. Cathy Hobbs and Karina Bondereva led the North/West part-song, which was an acapella of “Some Nights” by Fun and “Can’t Hold” us by Macklemore. The Loveday/West 4th forms were fantastic in their dance, which Tilda Martin and Issi Rennocks choreographed. North/ West dance, which was choreographed by Hannah Wallis, also proved to be a hit, winning 2nd place! All the 4th form put so much effort into the dances and they should be so proud of their hard work. All together, the House Performance evening was a time for all the students, whether in upper 6 or 4th form, to really come toand dance. The rehearsal process unquestionably gave everyone a taste

gether and enjoy music of

what house spirit is all about. Tilda Martin

It was certainly an eventful sporting fixture to say the least. As one or two had come down with illness, it was down to the rest of us to face the circuit with courage and determination.

Unfortunately, through all our efforts, we were unable to grab the top spot. However, still lacking in numbers, we did manage to grasp a top ten spot with Ally Bayne taking 7th place and the majority of us placing in the teens. This house spirit, something west has buckets full of, is the thing which turns an individual sport such as cross country into a task which really involves everyone, whether running the race, cheering or being ‘ill’. And although we didn’t quite acquire any main placing it did give the fourth and west a chance to come together and do what we do best, #BeWest!

Lara Partridge

The House Challenge is one of the only house competitions that runs between all six houses and there is always a feeling of excitement, to see if a girl’s house can beat a boy’s house. West were battling it out between East, in the first round, to see who would play Loveday the following week. The team was captained by the very experienced Hannah Wallis, who, having been the only girl in the ‘School’s Challenge Team’, led West into the first round, with confident answers.

Chloe Nicholls contributed well to the final score after two rounds, answering over 60% of her answers correctly. Eloise Hood and Bethany Porter, both from the LV, took some correct answers in the junior rounds.

Unfortunately, East ended up winning the competition on 275 points and West were close behind them with 225 points. Thank you to everyone who came and supported the house event; it was a lot of fun and I encourage people to sign up next year.

Bethany Porter

West won House Fives this year! Starting with the fourth form, considering Lara and Tabz had never played fives before they tried there very best but unfortunately lost 12-5. The lower fifth had a much better game and happily won 12-6. Libby and Pip showed off their talent and won with their house sprit.

Megan and Liv had a closer game but ended up winning 12-8. South were beating the upper fifth until the last minute until West started to show what they could really do. Another win for the lower sixth with Chloe and Lex showing South how to really play fives; quote Chloe ‘we were always gonna win’.

Unfortunately the upper sixth lost their match 12-6 but still managed to have fun throughout it. Hopefully we will have another win next year!

Liv Camsey After a hyper session of face and body painting with pink paint, the West Upper Sixth sang their way down to house football against South House. After an early goal from South, the team began to get the flow of the game and Alex Adams scored a goal just before half time. At half time the team got some tactic from Miss Webb the team manger and went out fighting for a win in the second half. We did indeed score a second goal from a shot across the D by Steph Cooper and a defection into the goal by Issi Rennocks. So the final score was 2- 1 to West. Really well played everyone!

Issi Rennocks

The West versus South squash match brought tremendous support to the courts. With the sounds of camera snaps, claps and cheers echoing in and out of each court, and showering down from the spectators positions, encouragement and heart grew for each of the players. When it comes to team spirit and willingness to get ‘stuck in’ West never fails. Volunteers to take part in the showdown were bountiful! Enthusiasm shown by members of the house was spread throughout each year group; Emily Thorpe and Beth Porter from lower fifth, Ellie McAleese representing upper fifth and Chloe Nicholls, Lexi Van Brugel and myself represented lower and upper sixth. We had many of our players win their individual matches, and although we tied in the number of games won, sadly for us it was South that took it home.

Genie Barreto

This year West's contribution to the Senior Public Speaking was on the topic of 'Designer Babies; Is this the beginning of the End?' The team consisted of Charlotte Tristem as Chair, Ellis McAleese as the main speaker, and Genie Barreto who gave the vote of thanks. West went on first, so a slightly nervous Charlotte stood up to open the entire evening, articulately introducing the subject, and its relevance to today's society. Then it was Ellie's turn. Despite only being an Upper Fifth she spoke strongly, timing her speech perfectly to finish as Mr Clarke picked up the whistle. The question from Mr Allison was difficult, being far more based on the social aspect of the topic than the science, but Ellie answered concisely and accurately. Next was Genie's turn. She had been nervous and hadn't had a practice without faltering but in the real thing delivered a smooth and confident speech, eventually winning the Best Vote of Thanks. After waiting for the judges to deliberate it turned out that West had won too! A great achievement especially as South has won the Junior competition so it was girls all round in the usually male dominated competition! EM The junior team , Libby Brake, Sarra Allayan and Zoe Dixon, competed early on in the term with a powerful speech about Euthanasia written by Zoe. They narrowly missed out on a win.

Many thanks for the generosity of all the West Parents who have got behind the various Charity initiatives this term. The stationery for Kenya has all been boxed up and will be travelling over this Summer with Hebe Westcott and some of her friends when they return to carry on their support work there with young orphans. We also were very proud to be able to join South in their support of Operation Christmas Child, and thanks to you all we managed to take over 200 boxes of Christmas gifts for children all over the world who might otherwise receive nothing at all.