Lockers Park Magazine 23/24

welcome WELCOME from our Headmaster

Welcome to our Lockers Park Magazine. I hope this 150th Anniversary edition gives you a glimpse of the endlessly interesting, enriching, and vibrant life of our beautiful school. There is always so much going on, and it is when you take the time to reflect on the year that you truly appreciate the essence of what makes Lockers Park so special.

With the school celebrating this very special year, the boys have experienced a unique opportunity to partake in the magic that results in smiles and collaboration, bringing everyone together. This year, we have proudly surpassed the 200-student mark for the first time as the reputation of our school continues to grow. Lockers Park provides the perfect atmosphere for our students to develop a love of learning, fostering curiosity and encouraging them to explore their ideas and create new theories. As we prepare these young men for the future, we know that developing confidence enables them to stretch themselves, and the countless opportunities provided by our dedicated staff help prepare them for the world ahead.

The balance of tradition and innovation is evident as we embrace British values and teach the boys about respecting others. The knowledge gained from education beyond the classroom is showcased throughout these pages. It is a fine balance of appreciating our traditions while embracing new opportunities and challenges.

The Lockers Park Learner Profile helps us develop the whole child, which is vital for the education we provide. This development stems from the boys’ commitment to fully engage in everything available, creating solid foundations in their academic and moral growth.

I have cherished every moment of what has been a spectacularly successful year for Lockers Park. From the bottom of my heart, I thank every student, family, colleague, and member of our community for their invaluable contributions to our collective achievements.

I hope you all enjoy this edition and have embraced being part of such a special school during our 150th anniversary.

Warm regards,

Gavin Taylor Headmaster

AUTUMN TERM REVIEW

The start of the autumn term is always exciting, seeing familiar faces returning after a well-earned break – a year older and (hopefully!) wiser – and welcoming new pupils and staff to Lockers Park.

Anybody on the lookout for an actionpacked term would definitely not be disappointed this year! Kicking off on a culinary note, Little Lockers were treated to a Teddy Bears’ Picnic, followed by the Boarders’ BBQ – always a lovely event, and a time for old friends to catch up, and for boarders old and new to settle in.

Our 150th Anniversary Programme was launched in September, outlining our plans for celebrating and commemorating this incredible milestone. This also tied into our crosscurricular theme for the term: ‘Victorians’. The boys were given the opportunity to step back in time on Victorian Day, with a real Victorian Schoolmaster visiting us to show the boys what school was like 150 years ago – not an iPad in sight!

Our annual MacMillan Coffee Morning was a great success; it is always lovely to see this event so well supported. It is a cause important to, and close to the hearts of our staff, parents, and wider school community.

As September drew to a close, some of our pupils were lucky enough to visit Geneva, with the CERN Science trip.

October kicked off in style with National Poetry Day, another of my favourite events. The confidence with which the pupils deliver such a wide variety of poems never ceases to impress, and a titter or two is often raised with the more comedic choices. We also got the chance to welcome pupils from the Collett School to take part in a Science and Nature Day, organised by Mrs Roberts. It is always lovely to work with staff and pupils from the Collett School, and their amazing coffee trailer has been a very welcome sight at several school events recently!

October wrapped up with a Year 3 trip to visit the hedgehogs at Tiggywinkles to tie in with their Hodgeheg topic.

November was off to a spook-tastic start with our annual Halloween Havoc event – the costumes on show were terrifyingly terrific as the pupils moved from room to room playing Halloweenthemed games, before venturing into the ‘Haunted’ Shrubs for a fright-filled night-time walk.

Will reprieved his role as Headmaster for the Day, and the rest of the boys were grateful for the extra slatter he ordered, although I am still waiting for the pay rise he promised me!

An important part of the school year is our Remembrance Service; a time for us all to reflect, and to be thankful to those who have served, and many who have bravely given their lives for, their country – wherever that may be.

On to another of my favourite events (I seem to have a lot!), the FoLP Fireworks Display. This is always a great evening, and a chance for the whole Lockers Park community to gather together over a hot drink and some home-made cinder toffee. The display itself is always fantastic, and many thanks to FoLP for making this happen each year.

Anti-Bullying Week saw our staff and boys in odd socks to highlight the fact that we are all unique, and to reaffirm the importance of kindness and acceptance within our school community and beyond.

The second half of November saw our pupils take part in a plethora of trips and events, including the Debating Team trip to the Houses of Parliament, the Boarders’ trip to Berkhamsted, and a Sustainable Living trip to Hudnall Park. Our Chapel Choir gave an outstanding performance at the Festival of Light.

We opened December with Carols at the school to continue our 150th celebrations, and to begin our Christmas Countdown.

• New in, and very shiny, at number 10, we had the visit to the Water Mill Care Home to visit some real life reindeer!

• At number 9, up two places, we have Fairisle Convention with Christmas Jumper Day

• A new entry at number 8 with the Junior Play; A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Camelot

• Sitting comfortably at number 7, we had Santa himself visiting our Little Lockers boys

• Jazzy Jars abound at number 6 with the FoLP Christmas Fayre.

• At number 5, oh yes it is! It’s the Boarders’ Christmas Panto and Party!

• Leave plenty of room for number 4 – the one and only Lockers Christmas Lunch

• Round the tree for number 3 and the wonderful Carol Service at St John’s

• Hit the dancefloor with number 2 – it’s Strictly Come Lockers.

• And at number 1, for the 149th year running, we have… The Feast! A Lockers Park staple with traditional games, amazing food, and skinned knees from Spin the Platter!

And so ended our autumn term. But don’t worry, we did manage to squeeze some teaching in between all the amazing trips and activities!

150 LAUNCH EVENT

On September 16th last autumn we kick–started our Anniversary celebrations with a Drinks Party. It was well attended with over 200 present – a wonderful mix of Old Boys and past parents (the current parents had their party the night before).

The Sports Hall was suitably decorated and on display were old magazines, cups and other memorabilia. Entertainment on the piano was provided by two current pupils and Old Boys Charles Hardy and Harry Anastasiou.

An address from the Headmaster was followed by short speeches from Giles Barr and Daniel Eldridge who reminisced about their time at Lockers Park and what it meant to them. All in all it was a most successful and fun evening.

We met with 200 old boys, their families and parents on Friday night as part of our 150th celebrations. It was a pleasure to be able to meet so many who were willing to share their memories about their time at Lockers Park. It was a pleasure to share our plans for making the school even better for the boys including a the climbing wall, golf simulator and Woodland Food Technology Suite.

It was also the launch of the Draper Bursary. Named in honour of our founding Headmaster, Henry Montague Draper, this bursary will be able to boys who wouldn’t normally be able to attend a school like Lockers Park. We believe it will be a life-affirming opportunity for those who will benefit from it.

VICTORIAN EDUCATION

In recognition of the 150th Anniversary, Years 3–5 experienced the atmosphere, curriculum and expectations of a Victorian school room (the Old Gym). Dressed in Victorian clothes they experienced a strict school day from Mr Iron,

their Master, who taught them mathematics and handwriting using slate boards and basic nib ink pens with some messy results. They had to curb their natural enthusiasm; speaking out of turn was out of the question!

After a ‘gruel’ lunch they explored the museum which had been set up on site by History off the Page and an afternoon workshop got them actively involved creating their own Victorian toys.

SCIENTIFIC TRIP TO GENEVA

Geneva really was an action packed few days; as we fitted as much in as we could, to make the visit valuable in terms of both money and experiences. The early start on Thursday was very hard for us all as we met up at 3.45am at Lockers Park, with great anticipation.

The first activity, (once we had guided 32 children and 3 adults through airport security), was a guided tour of the old town of Geneva. As well as ending up at the Flower Clock, we saw some fabulous sights and learnt some stunning facts. We then crossed the lake in a boat, before taking a walk and having a swim on the North side. The boys loved jumping off the small platform and generally letting off steam! We had lunch at a small cafe which stretched everyone’s French speaking abilities, not least the teachers. Oysters and fondue were some of the great choices! We then visited the History of Science Museum which was small but had quirky interactive machines – we had such fun. Heading back to the hotel for dinner, we all greeted our beds with delight and relief!

Day 2 continued with another perfect sunny day! We headed off to the mall for a shopping morning – we did tell them to purchase presents and mementoes rather than buy themselves sweets and toys! Well I guess we tried anyway!

Next stop a train and bus journey to the Observatoire Astronomique where we learnt all about the massive telescope they control in Chile. We had a super interesting and passionate talk and film from enthusiastic PhD students. We then headed back to the hotel for dinner and all enjoyed ice cream at a neighbouring café!

Saturday was an exceedingly ambitious schedule, and we did wonder if we could fit it all in! We took a train and bus ride to visit the GES, (Geneva English School), where we spent a fabulous morning playing football against their boys

and some girls too! They were very hospitable and we had an amazing time within a gorgeous setting: a stunning view of the Alps, including Mount Blanc.

Once we bid farewell to GES we then hotfooted it down to visit CERN, enjoying a tour around their museum, watching a couple of short films and generally soaking up the atmosphere of the world renowned LHC Hadron Collider site. The World Wide Web was founded here and the very technical research has produced innovative medical treatments.

Next stop was a boat trip across the Lake Genéve, a relaxing and beautiful voyage, which the boys all loved! A quick visit to the hotel for dinner and we were back on the road for a night of bowling! It was busy, competitive and so much fun! We headed back later and the boys went straight to bed with no resistance!

The last day, and we rose early, showered and had breakfast before heading out for a more relaxing day spent first in the park near the old town where the boys challenged each other to giant chess, played on the park swings etc. as well as kicking a football about. Drinks, cookies and ice creams were also the order of the day!

We then walked down to the lakeside where the boys went swimming or played in the park as well as the sand! It was a perfect afternoon in the sun and splashing about in the water! Very chilled, it was a delight to see them having so much enjoyment!

We finally took the last trip back to the hotel to pick up our luggage as well as enjoying a treat of savoury crêpes to set us on our way! We had so many adventures and laughs along the way. The children were the best company, hopping on and off the buses with expertise and efficiency! It was great to see their personalities come through, helping each other and being so supportive and thoroughly throwing themselves into new experiences.

ANIMATION WORKSHOP

A group of our Year 7 pupils spent the day at Stowe School recently for an Art and Animation Day.

The Stowe School Art teachers had planned an engaging animation workshop and the pupils worked collaboratively in groups with students from other schools. Inspired by the idea of ‘Momentum’, each group worked imaginatively to plan, design, build and capture their scenes. The finished animations were varied and creative.

Mrs Diggory is looking forward to doing some additional animation work with more of our pupils at Lockers Park soon.

SARAH GRAHAM VISIT

The art department staff and Year 8 pupils at Lockers Park were honoured to receive a visit from well-known, photorealist oil painter, Sarah Graham.

Sarah gave an inspiring talk based on resilience and her journey to becoming an artist. The pupils asked some thoughtful questions before taking part in a collaborative exercise with charcoal and beginning their own colourful paintings of sweets and toys.

ART SCHOLARS

Our Art Scholarship Group trip was a day of two halves: masterpieces from European history at the National Gallery, followed by an eclectic street art exhibition in Camden.

Our pupils were particularly impressed by the full-scale murals which featured artists from around the world. The pupils will be doing some follow up work based on the artists they were inspired by, such as Dan Kitchener and his Tokyo street scenes.

The pupils also saw some local Camden street art murals on Hawley Place and Hawley Mews. One of the artists aspire artwork had been featured in the Colours Festival too. An interesting and inspirational day which was made even better by the sunny weather and the chance to enjoy lunch in Trafalgar Square.

“ AN INTERESTING AND INSPIRATIONAL DAY.

YEAR 6 RECENTLY VISITED HUDNALL PARK RIVERS DAY AT GREAT GADDESDEN

We asked the boys all about the trip:

Where did you go?

Luca: Hudnall Park and the river Gade.

What did you learn?

Luca: I learnt how an ox-bow lake is formed-from big meanders which erode the landscape then cut across to make a separate lake over years.

Johannes: How to identify living organisms from the river.

What were the highlights?

Ethan: My highlight was the velocity experiment which showed how fast the river flows in metres per second. Also upper, middle, and lower course of the river.

Oscar: When we went dipping in the river. I learnt about nymphs, fish, and different species living in the river. I loved using the magnifying glass to observe a microscopic snail.

What would you rate the trip out of 10?

Max: Probably 11/10 because I really liked the quiz and the whole day.

Billy: 9/10. I enjoyed meeting the animals in the river.

Would you go back there?

Alfie: I would go back to the river to find more animals.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD...

Or at least on top of a pumpkin!

During Harvest Festival, Locky Bear was invited with Little Lockers Reception to visit Mr Gilden’s allotment and see what’s growing at the moment. That included one of the largest pumpkins the boys had ever seen.

MAYOR’S VISIT TO

LOCKERS PARK

Well done to Lucas (Year 7) who is the winner of this year’s Poetry Competition with ‘Nonsense Poem’ (One fine day in the middle of the night...)” by Unknown. He read the poem eloquently, providing a moving performance that won over this year’s judges. Part of the judging panel was Cllr William Allen, The Worshipful Mayor of Dacorum. The event was organised by Mr Sullivan-Pond, Head of English who said: “Congratulations to all of the boys who took part. They all showed confidence and assurance in delivering their poems. The range of poems and topics was wonderful. Lucas’ win was very well deserved.”

DIWALI CELEBRATIONS

From activities in the boarding house, right down to crafts in Little Lockers, the school has been awash with tremendous colours, stories and cookery lessons this week. Diwali lunch was certainly the highlight of the celebration for many.

SET MUSIC COMPETITION

The winner of this year’s Set Music Competition was Haig with “Hey Jude” by the Beatles

It was a close call again, but our judges, including Ben Noithip, Head of Solo Music at Berkhamsted school, voted them top for this year.

Thank you to the boys, our judges and Mr Golding for a fantastic evening.

150 CELEBRATION CAROLS

It wouldn’t be Christmas without our 150th Celebration Carols held at St John’s Church in Boxmoor. With every boy dressed in their best and the teaching staff adorned in gowns and mortars, the Carol service provided a wonderful evening for our community to come together and enjoy an evening full of hearty singing.

An evening full of hearty singing!

It is sometimes said that Lockers Park is “one of the best kept secrets” – but now, others are recognising what makes it so special. We have been awarded a number of commendations this year, showcasing the Lockers Park magic.

GREEN APPLE AWARDS WINNER

Our Shrub School has been announced as a winner in the Green Apple awards, recognising the high standard in the Outdoor Learning and Environmental awareness category. This means Mr Phillips, who leads the subject, attended the Houses of Parliament to collect the award and bring it back to display in our new trophy cabinet.

UNSUNG HERO – TATLER EDUCATION AWARD

Mr Gilden has been shortlisted in the Tatler Education Awards 2024 in the Unsung Hero Award category. Mr. Gilden retired from Lockers Park in 2018, but has remained close to the school, helping behind the scenes with marketing, field trips, cover teaching, and so much more. As a member of staff, he is remembered by all as going above and beyond as a teacher and a colleague.

MUDDY STILETTOS

Happiest Boarding School Award

The hard work of Boarding House Parents, Mr and Mrs Newman, were showcased as we became a finalist as one of the UK’s Happiest Boarding Schools. Their hard work so impressed the local radio station that they were invited on to the Education Programme to talk about why Boarding allows boys to develop independence, responsibility and of course have fun!

BSA – SUPPORTING JUNIOR BOARDER AWARD

We are a finalist in this year’s BSA Awards for the 63 boarding events being organised over this academic year, the development of the boarding programme that has grown the flexi-boarding and a full boarding experience in a family orientated environment.

1ST IX FOOTBALL

The 1st IX started their 2023 campaign with a trip away to Haileybury were we saw early signs that this season had potential to be a very good one. A convincing 5-2 victory with captain Leon and Daniil both scoring twice.

Back-to-back victories against Beechwood Park (Leon’s hat-trick) and a win vs Kings Ely in the ISFA Cup meant the team were starting to hit their straps. We had regular changes in our defensive line, and mention must go to them all for their hard work and dedication, led by Barney in his second season at centre back.

A 3-0 victory and our second hat-trick of the term from Daniil saw the boys move the ball with ease and we looked confident in all areas on the pitch.

Two cup games followed in the ISFA Second round and the District Cup, agonisingly both finished in draws and we went to penalties in both. Unfortunately, it wasn’t our day in either, so we definitely knew penalty taking was on the cards in training.

After half term, a close game with Aldwickbury with Leon scoring late in a very physical game saw us 3-2 victors. Danill also scoring twice and our keeper-sweeper at the back, William, saving us on many occasions as he had done all year!.

A final game against Sunningdale saw our strongest performance of the term. The ball was moved with confidence and the boys looked on another level as we eased past the opposition 5-1.

The boys have been absolutely fantastic this term! They have trained and played in the correct spirit and fought in every game until the final whistle. Our Year 8 boys have led the way and been sensational role models and with 5 of the squad returning next year things continue to look bright.

Colours Awarded: Leon (Captain), William, Barney.

2ND IX FOOTBALL

The 2nd IX had a season of two halves, improving throughout, with the more time they had on the training pitch.

Having realised that conceding over 5 goals a game was going to make winning difficult(!), we had to resort to working on our defence as the season went on. We continued to create chances every game, but stopping goals was our issue.

Once we moved to a back four, we played our best football, creating chances whilst staying compact defensively. Jason took the golden boot with 5 goals, followed closely by Obaro with 4, but it was the transformation of our defence that we were most pleased about. A special mention to Ayaan for his

performances in goal, now known as the ‘sweeper-keeper’, he helped us throughout the season as an important shot-stopper.

Our season was summed up perfectly when JJ smashed in a 30-yard screamer in stoppage time during our last game of the season against Sunningdale, sending the team wild. It is this team spirit that we pride ourselves on and the boys can be proud of the improvements throughout the season. A big mention to Kit for leading the team throughout as captain and never giving up!

3RD IX FOOTBALL

It was a mixed term for the 3rd IX, with wins and losses against some very tough competition and a few new fixtures on the calendar to boot.

One thing that remained constant, however, was the camaraderie and the resilient attitudes displayed by all of the boys. No matter what the result, all of them gave 100% and refused to give up; playing to the final whistle and keeping their heads held high.

There were some standout performances from several boys including our Captain German in midfield and Hugo in Year 7, whose skill and pace on the left wing obliterated defences and led to some excellent finishes. Our defensive line, comprised of Vivaan, Sam and Oscar were also extremely strong and the communication and teamwork they displayed was frankly phenomenal. It was extremely positive to see so many Years 7s stepping up their game this year and it has laid an excellent foundation for 2024. I can’t wait for the season to begin!

4TH IX FOOTBALL

Well, what a whirlwind of season the 4th IX enjoyed this Autumn! They started out with a truly great attitude, but not the highest expectations, and by the end of the season, their hopes and expectations had soared! They stepped up to the plate and every single one of them gave their best efforts and positivity with joie de vivre!

The strikers, Charlie and Arth were on great form, getting into positions and giving the defenders cause for alarm. The goalkeeper, James, who started off as an outfield player, due to injury was brought into goal. This soon became a position he excelled in, he is a born keeper who earned his fair share of man of the match awards!

Above all, the boys were simply a force to be reckoned with, who gave their best efforts. Our defenders, Sam and Joseph, were a solid force, giving the opposition very little room for manoeuvre. The whole team enjoyed every moment of the matches. There was a plethora of goal scorers; Aaron, Teddy and even our super defender, Ben, stepped up and scored some great goals.

Nolan and Oscar were great additions to the team and quickly became vital members of the squad. Fionan was the player who improved the most, he loved to play and he loved the

mud! Thomas was the one who gets a special mention for bringing the whole team together. All in all, a wonderful,

joyous season; the whole team pulled together, produced great football and above all had an absolute ball!

5TH IX FOOTBALL

It all started so rosy, with our first fixture against Haileybury. It was a triangular event and honours were pretty much even over the games played. Then came the remaining fixtures... When talking about goals scored, I have not needed to check my thesaurus for ‘plethora’ synonyms, though I do remember a cracker from Sebastian against Berkhamsted.

Even though, you already probably have the general drift of the season, mention must be made of Tiger’s tremendous goal kicks, that provided our best chance of goals, clattering the ball from one end of the pitch to the other; it was quite a sight. And kudos to Sebastian for his self-discovery as a defender; he was absolutely lethal and without him, things would have been far worse. It was a fun season, tout bien pesé, and fingers crossed for next season

6TH IX FOOTBALL

The 6th IX team have gone from strength to strength during an exciting and unpredictable rollercoaster of a season. Each and every boy has put 100% of their determination into winning for their school.

They have showcased commendable effort in every single match, and have proudly represented Lockers Park both at home and away. Lucas has been an exceptional goalkeeper, saving countless goals and leading the team with encouraging words. He even stunned us all into silence by scoring against Aldwickbury, despite playing in goal that day.

We haven’t won every match, but each boy has learned to take this in their stride and battle on to the bitter end, with an abundance of enthusiasm for life. We’ve had fun, cheered each other on, hiphip hoorayed our opponents, and partaken in numerous delicious match teas (thank you, kitchen staff). I can’t wait to see what the Rugby season will bring. Well done all.

COLTS A FOOTBALL

The Colts A improved as the Season progressed, with the results at the start against Manor Lodge, Beechwood Park and York House not reflecting the effort and performances the boys were putting into training, but after Half Term against Westbrook Hay and Edge Grove the results were better.

The best performances were saved for the Two Regional Tournaments when in the IAPS Regional, the boys reached the Semi Finals only to go out in the dreaded penalty shootout.

At the ISFA Regionals the boys played their best football of the Season winning 2 Matches, drawing 2 and losing 1, and narrowly missing out on going through on goal difference.

Luca was the ‘Star Player’ for the Colts A, with Alfie improving massively throughout the season. Year 5 Boys – Muhammed, Balthazar, Lewis and Noah all gained valuable experience for next season and will return that much stronger in Year 6. Ethan always posed a threat in attack, with William saving lots of shots in Goal and Eddie, Vihan and Jack all producing good performances during the Season.

COLTS B FOOTBALL

It has been wonderful to watch the Colts B’s competitive and enjoyable term of football!

The enthusiasm and hunger to win their ball back, as well as the ability to score goals, demonstrate the team’s skill and determination. The improvement in ball-movement and communication across the pitch is a testament to their hard work and development over the course of the term.

A thrilling 5-4 victory over Keble Prep with a hat-trick for Noah and 2 goals for Ethan, saw us over the line.

Strong performances continued to follow, with victories over local rivals Westbrook Hay (2-0), York House and Sunningdale, with Kiran netting twice in the final game.

Congratulations to all the boys for their dedication and effort in matches and game sessions. Their achievements on the field reflect positively on their commitment to the sport and the teamwork they’ve fostered.

COLTS C FOOTBALL

The courageous Colts C played valiantly against all opponents this year.

The team worked hard and played well, which has resulted in success in matches. The goals were flying in from Awais including a hat-trick against Keble Prep in a convincing 4-1 win. Goals were limited by our outstanding defence led by Toby and our keeper Oscar. Our luck continued with victories over Aldwickbury (4-3), Westbrook Hay (1-0) and Sunningdale (2-0).

Overall, a wonderful season of football. Great job team!

COLTS D FOOTBALL

The ‘Mighty Colts Ds’ struggled to be so mighty this year. The enthusiasm was there for all to see, especially on match days which were incandescent with excitement.

However, victory was often one step too far and yet much fun was enjoyed in the mud. It is true that inclement weather meant that training sessions were often curtailed, not allowing for our abilities to develop.

Often our basics of control, pass, awareness and fitness let us down. Nevertheless, Captain and custodian of the net, Jude can hold his head up high as he often defied physics keeping the ball at bay. Luca was ferocious in the tackle, venturing forward to good effect. His partner at the back, Harry, operated a no nonsense policy of dispatching the ball to pastures new. Our midfield trio of Theodore, Leo and Sean all picked a decent pass and ran around like whirling dervishes. Up front Dylan and Lucas needed to work on their mobility, but on occasions struck the ball thunderously in the direction of the opposition goal. Hopefully much will have been learned in preparation for next year.

COLTS E FOOTBALL

The Colts E had a tough start to the season this term but found their form by the end of the term.

We started the season against a strong opposition from Beachwood and Aldwickbury and unfortunately lost. However, the boys continued to progress, moving on to fixtures against York house,m who won by 2-0. The game was closer than the score line suggested. The last game of the season was a nail biting 0-0 draw against Edge Grove which showed just how much the boys had improved during the term.

Overjoyed

The boys highlight of the season would have been the cancelled match against Westbrook which was changed to a game of dodgeball. The boys came out as victors and were overjoyed with the result.

UNDER 9A FOOTBALL

Resilience was very much on display from the U9A team this season and despite a shaky start, the boys picked up some hard-fought wins against strong opposition.

What gave me great encouragement was that two very established players this year were in Year 3, with Sammy denying several opposition goals between the sticks and Caleb causing opposition defenders multiple issues with his blistering pace.

Great leadership was consistently on display from our captain and central playmaker, Sebastian, who was joined in midfield by an assertive Oscar and a creative Nathan. The goal of the season was picked up by Yohan, with a rocket of a strike in a home win against Heath Mount. Furthermore, our attacking play was supported by our defenders, Ephra and Andrew, who troubled opposition with their strong physical presence. Having a team that gives their all (even when things aren’t going their way) leaves me with an overriding sense of pride. Well done Boys.

UNDER 9B FOOTBALL

The Under 9B team made great progress this term, gaining some hard-fought draws and wins towards the end of the season. They have learnt to work collaboratively as a team, communicating with each other more clearly, and passing strategically. Special mentions must go to Sacha for captaining the team with enthusiasm, and Oliver for faultless performances is defence. Excellent goals were scored by Asher, after great runs, and fantastic corners from Charlie. Well done boys.

UNDER 9C FOOTBALL

The Under 9 C team have made good progress this term. For many, it has been their first term playing and representing the Prep school at football.

There have been a few challenges with tying laces but all have been determined to improve their football skills in both games sessions and matches.

I was pleased with all of the boys’ performances, but particularly Charlie and Christopher for always giving

100% effort and encouraging the team. Also, Harrison for his determination to defend and to Snehaj for his keenness to play in goal. By half term the boys were eager to play and began to look like a team.

Every boy has enjoyed representing Lockers Park and embraced playing

against other schools, both at home and away, where they have won, lost and drawn, but no matter the score looked forward to the next match and match tea! A great term of football at Lockers Park - well done U9C.

A great term of football!

UNDER 9D FOOTBALL

The U9 D team represented Lockers Park School with great enthusiasm this term. They have enjoyed playing football against other schools and have made good progress as a

team. They also learned to work more collaboratively, using their passing skills to move towards the goal. Many of the boys played wholeheartedly for the entire season and made a great impact

SET FOOTBALL

to our overall play. It was a great joy to watch the boys building relationships and team spirit and I hope they carry this through to the Spring term when they begin to play rugby.

The return of Set Football on a Saturday afternoon is always a sight to behold. All boys in Year 5-8 representing their Sets in competitive fixtures is always great to see.

This Year in the U11 tournament, it was Kitchener who won the final with some fantastic passages of play put together. In the Seniors, the Final

between Mountbatten and Beatty was incredibly close until the last 5 minutes, when Leon appeared in the box for Mountbatten and secured victory. Set

Football continues to be one of the most popular Set events we run at Lockers Park and we look forward to its return next year.

BASKETBALL

The senior basketball squad have played extremely well this term. 3 games in total with two comprehensive wins and a tough encounter against neighbours Westbrook Hay.

The match against Edge Grove came first and although the boys started

slowly in the first quarter, we soon hit our stride. Hero Duan was on fire around the key, and we found our new Year 7 shooter Charles ‘3 pointer’ Tang who contributed 9 points in 2 quarters. Lockers finished victorious 20-18.

A more comfortable performance against Beechwood Park saw the squad flow freely from defence into offence and we were in fine form around the key with all 10 boys in

TABLE TENNIS

With the introduction of two new tables in the Old Gym, Table Tennis continues to be a popular sport at Lockers Park. Most evening boys are filling the Old Gym with games of King and internal competition matches taking place.

Our Table Tennis team visited Edge Grove for our usual Friday evening fixture. In the Seniors,

SET BASKETBALL

the squad getting on the score board. The emergence of Pau on court as one of our strongest players was a particular highlight. Lockers emerged 29-12 winners.

A hard-fought game against Westbrook Hay slipped from our grasp in the final quarter, which put a little dampener on our term, but the work ethic and movement off the ball by this team has been monumental.

Leon walked away with 3 victories from 3, including a 17-15 against a Year 9 Old boy. Most of the Senior team won 2 games as the fixture was very well balanced. In the Colts age group Balthazar also won his 3 games, and it was lovely to see some Year 5 boys making their debut in the fixture.

By popular demand, Set Basketball returned in the Autumn term with a bang - bigger and better than before. 77 boys in 6 Sets spent a cold winter’s afternoon battling it out for the Set Basketball title.

Matches were 10 minutes long with all boys rotating in and out so everyone played a part of every game.

In the early stages, Hero looked in fine form for Beatty, whilst Pau was forging his way into the key and scoring for Jellicoe. It was lovely to see all boys competing and representing their set with a smile of their face, but trying their absolute hardest to win for their set.

The final saw Mountbatten face Jellicoe, and it was all rather tight (1-1) until the last 4 minutes. Mountbatten made their substitutions and this changed the momentum of the game – with Mountbatten finishing the final 4-1 winners.

Congratulations to Mountbatten. We look forward to them defending their title in next year’s edition.

SQUASH

Squash continues to go from strength to strength at Lockers Park. We now have over 30 boys playing every week. Boys have also been entered into the county ladder and continue to move their way up the rankings. School coach Mr Lloyd has been working hard on all elements of the game with the boys from their agility and fitness, to technique and how to ‘mark’ a game.

One fixture to mention was our trip away to Berkhamsted school. 12 boys represented the school and we walked away with a 6-6 draw. Leon and Thomas both won their games 3-0, whilst Pau, in his first competitive game, also won 3-0.

Fingers crossed that our love of squash and high participation numbers continue to grow into 2024-2025.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

On Thursday 21 October, Lockers Park School held its annual Community Football Tournament. The school hosted 8 local Primary Schools from the local area.

Matches were hard fought, competitive and played in great spirit. Parents and staff cheered on their teams from the side-lines.

The final of the cup competition was between South Hill A and Bovingdon Primary. After a very close game of end to end play and both teams hitting the post, its went to Extra time golden goal and then to penalties. The children performed very well under pressure, however it went down to sudden death and South Hill A walked away with the trophy for the second year in a row.

In the plate competition, South Hill B and Broadfield Academy played an entertaining match that saw some superb striking of a football and South Hill B walked away by winning the double.

A huge thank you to all the schools for attending, as well as our 4 Lockers Park referees who officiated all the games.

SPRING TERM REVIEW

Celebrating the Spring Term at Lockers Park: A Landmark 150th Year

As the spring term at Lockers Park School comes to a close, we reflect on a vibrant and dynamic few months, marked by extraordinary events and achievements which highlight our commitment to nurturing wellrounded individuals.

Year 6 pupils enjoyed the start of their term by embarking on an enchanting trip to the Harry Potter Studios, sparking their creativity and inquisition as they delved into the magical world behind the beloved series.

There was a new structure to our morning Chapel service which saw the whole school coming together. This has provided moments of reflection and unity, reinforcing our values and fostering a sense of Global Citizenship. Additionally, regular Set meetings have encouraged collaboration and inquisitiveness among our pupils, allowing them to engage with their academic and personal development. These meetings have been supported by our school prefects who have demonstrated their wonderful leadership skills and empathy towards others. The prefect body should be commended for their effort in supporting others around the school. Thank you to Mrs Corrigan for regularly meeting with these boys to discuss and implement initiatives that have enhanced the pupils’ school life.

During Children’s Mental Health Week, we focused on the well-being of our pupils, encouraging them to express their feelings and seek support when needed. Activities and discussions emphasised the importance of mental health and resilience. In a similarly uplifting spirit, the ‘Wear What Makes You Happy Day’ allowed pupils to express their individuality and creativity, promoting a sense of happiness and well-being throughout the school.

This happiness continued within the Boarding House with a plethora of events designed to build community spirit and foster a sense of belonging.

From Movie Nights to Dark Tower, our boarders have enjoyed a rich tapestry of experiences. There have also been exciting changes made to our evening routine which has given boarders more responsibility for their belongings, thus increasing their independence.

The rugby fixtures this season were a testament to our pupils’ aspiration and resilience. Each match was played with determination and sportsmanship, reflecting their commitment and skill on the field. Our multi-sports events have also been a highlight, showcasing the diverse athletic talents of our students and promoting physical fitness and teamwork across various disciplines. The 1st XI Cricket Team embarked on an exciting tour of South Africa; showcasing their skills and sportsmanship on an international stage. This was a fantastic opportunity for all boys to compete against some very strong opposition. Mr Sullivan-Pond used his charm to pursued renowned author MG Leonard to come and visit. She inspired our pupils with lovely stories and encouraged them to continue with their love for reading, a highlight of our World Book Day celebrations. Everyone was very lucky to receive a signed copy of her book ‘Feather’. Recognition must also be acknowledged for Mrs Bennett and the cast of our Senior School Play, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. It was a spectacular showcase of our pupils’ talents, from acting to stage

management. Their creativity and collaboration brought the story to life, captivating audiences. The Lockers Got Talent Show was another testament to the diverse talents of our pupils, celebrating creativity and confidence in a wide array of performances.

A significant milestone in our 150th Anniversary Celebrations was the Alumni 150 Celebration Drinks event. Former students and staff gathered to reminisce and celebrate the school’s rich history, underscoring our strong community ties and the lasting impact of a Lockers Park education. The Year 7 Parent & Sons Breakfast was another delightful occasion, fostering a sense of community and collaboration between families and the school, providing a wonderful opportunity for parents to connect with staff and other families. The community feel continued until our last event on the last day of term, The Sponsored Walk. An excellent morning for all combining physical activity with a spirit of giving, raising funds for charitable causes in The Collett School and DENS.

Reflecting on this extraordinary term, we are immensely proud of the achievements and growth of our pupils. The spring term at Lockers Park School has truly embodied the spirit of our learner profile attributes, preparing our students to be resilient, creative, inquisitive, and collaborative global citizens. Here’s to many more milestones and memories as we continue our journey of excellence.

ANY QUESTIONS COMPETITION

Once again “Any Questions” took centre stage at Lockers Park, embracing tradition and fuelling engaging debates! Year 8 picked up thought-provoking topics: from opinions on a potential Donald Trump victory to the stance on capital punishment. Debating isn’t just a competition; it’s a confidence-builder, a critical thinking workshop, and a platform for collaboration and respect among peers.

Shoutout to Thomas, the deserving winner! His fluency, knowledge, and passion set a high bar for all, and let’s

not forget Reef, securing Dojos with the best comment from the floor – a testament to the insightful discussions sparked in the room.

ANNUAL SET DEBATE

Kudos to everyone involved! Let’s keep the conversations rolling and the ideas flowing.

All of Years 5 - 8 attended the Annual Set Debate.  This traditional display of rhetorical genius, confidence and linguistic prowess is a great experience for all of the boys.

There were three strong debates and plenty of pertinent questions from the Floor.

Ray and Kiran argued against the Malik bros over whether or not the world will be better off without AI and fair to say that honours were pretty even. Beatty (Obaro and Alex) were pitted against

Mountbatten (Adejola and PJ) about whether to prefer tradition or change and perhaps Mountbatten had a small edge. The final motion, ‘This house believes that it is not about the taking part, but about the winning’, was the one that seemed to catch the floor’s imagination and it was a great tussle between George and Leo

(Roberts) and Sam / Jude (Haig).

Leo received extra kudos for his brevity of notes, but despite sterling efforts all-round, Haig emerged overall Set winners. PJ scooped the ‘best speaker’ award and well done to Ellis, Jack and Jonathan for Academic Merits for their speeches from the floor.

DARK TOWER EVENT

Once again Lockers Park School was transformed into the epic battleground for the legendary Dark Tower event!

In the pitch-dark expanse of our 23-acre domain, the Navy, led by Mountbatten, Jellicoe, and Beatty, clashed fiercely with the Army, comprising the formidable Haig, Roberts, and Kitchener.

As the Dark Lords and Witches weaved their spells, both teams braved the darkness, determined to retrieve the infamous treasure. Against all odds, the Army emerged victorious, conquering the night and claiming glory!

A spectacular time was had by all who participated in this thrilling adventure. Hats off to the Army for their incredible teamwork and resilience! Until the next encounter, let the legend of the Dark Tower live on!

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

During this year’s Chinese New Year the Boarding parents arranged a variety of activities for the boarders so everyone could celebrate Chinese New Year. The boys spent time making dumplings, engaging in arts and crafts, and visiting town to finish off with a special Chinese meal.

BOARDERS POKEMON HUNT

The boarding boys took part in the Pokémon hunt hosted by Mr and Mrs Newman as one of the special boarding nights.

The boys were given tasks such as searching the school for Pokémon figures and various ‘bases’ where they could find Pokémon cards to collect, with the best performers receiving prizes for their efforts.

OUTDOOR CHESS SET

The donation by Friends of Lockers Park (FoLP) of the full-sized chess set and other outdoor games, means that the boys have even more facilities to use during their breaks. As well as encouraging boys to come together to play chess, it gives another alternative to sports or shrubs for the pupils to enjoy.

WW2 TALK

Saturday School gives a unique opportunity for speakers to come in; our Scout leader Harry Bulpit and Howard Smith gave a wonderful talk to Years 6 and 7.

As well as sharing their incredible knowledge, they showed the boys their amazing World War Two collection of British and American paraphernalia ranging from uniforms, kit bags, medical supplies, compo rations and weapons. Not surprisingly, the weapons created enormous interest with the American Tommy gun and British Bren gun (neither loaded!) being the boys’ weapons of choice.

MG LEONARD VISIT

We were lucky enough to welcome award winning, best selling children’s author MG Leonard to Lockers Park.

Having burst onto the literary scene with her debut title, Beetle Boy, her books have since been translated into over forty languages, and The Highland Falcon Thief, written with Sam Sedgman, won the 2021 British Book Award for Children’s Fiction.

We also welcomed pupils from local Primary School South Hill to come and enjoy the speech with us. The students were given tips on writing their own stories and asked questions at the end. We share our thanks to MG for her time.

FANTASTIC NEW FACILITIES

As part of our 150th Celebrations we renovated our Sports Hall over the February half-term in preparation for our new rock-climbing wall, fitness suite and golf simulator.

These facilities mean the boys have access to some fabulous equipment that can be used as part of sports lessons and also when teaching and preparing for other sports.

KENNY LOGAN TACKLES

NEURODIVERSITY

Kenny Logan, the rugby player, came into Lockers Park with Andy Gomarsall MBE to talk about neurodiversity, dyslexia and how he overcame not being able to read until his thirties.

Ephra was inspired by Kenny’s talk: Yesterday a Scottish rugby player came to talk to us about his career. He came to talk to us about how he was dyslexic and how he used this as his POWER, his name was Kenny Logan.

My favourite part was when he spoke about how he was scared to tell the teachers about how he was dyslexic and when he told them it made him smile. So, he wanted to make us feel like we had all the support we needed.

It was an inspiring event and created more of a passion for rugby. If there is one thing I have learnt from the talk, it is to trust my instincts!

I asked Mrs Pizzey and she said “It was a great presentation and Kenny made me feel like nothing should get in our way of achieving our goals!”

It was an unforgettable presentation that I will never forget.

Ephra (C4P)

“ IT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION AND KENNY MADE ME FEEL LIKE NOTHING SHOULD GET IN OUR WAY OF ACHIEVING OUR GOALS!

YEAR 3 HISTORY TRIP

To conclude their History topic studying The Romans, Year 3 visited local Verulamium. They were highly inquisitive and worked collaboratively in a fantastic Roman market workshop, before touring Verulamium Museum, the Roman amphitheatre and hypocaust. A wonderful day of learning for all!’

LEGO LEAGUE EVENT

‘Our boys had an absolute blast at the LEGO League event! Using the skills from the Learning Profile the boys used their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving to build amazing structures and exploring endless possibilities with LEGO. Seeing their enthusiasm and camaraderie was truly inspiring.’

ANNUAL QUIZ NIGHT

The Friends of Lockers Park brought back their annual quiz night and the questions on everyone’s lips was…would the Lockers Park staff retain their title as quiz champions???

Surrounded by stories and reference books, parents and teachers gathered in the school library to put their knowledge to the test.Mr Newman literally sparkled as the Quiz-Master for the night and the intellect, as well as the knowledge gaps were palpable

as groups chattered or commiserated about the answers.With bottles of Lockers Park 150 wine on the line, the will to win was high, and despite a little bit of confusion during the insects round, it literally almost came down to the last question to determine the winner!Parents

will be thrilled to know that the amazing talent that teach and nurture our children were the winning team of the evening. Yes, the amazing staff team won the night but only by a point.’

UNDER 13A RUGBY

This year’s U13A have been one of the hardest-working groups I have seen at Lockers Park, and started the season with hope of great things to come. Could we do the unthinkable?

Our first game saw us visit our Senior School friends at Haileybury and the boys put in a strong first performance. A 10-4 victory with fly-half Leon opening his account with 4 tries, backed up by a further 5 different try scorers. A great start!

Further victories against Beechwood Park (8-6) and Westbrook Hay (11-7) really gave the side belief. Our pack were dominating scrum time and with a front row consisting of Tiger and Allen, there was no chance of the opposition getting the upper hand.

Our tackling was the highlight in a tight game v Woodcote House (4-1), with our fly-half scoring all 4 tries. What followed were two outstanding performances against York House (9-2)

and a comprehensive (16-1) victory over Kingshott, with 10 different try scorers, including Arron Pearce on his debut for the U13s. Noteworthy mentions in these two games must also go to our Inside Centre and Co-Captain William, who, with ball in hand is a formidable sight and scored 3 against Kingshott.

This meant the unthinkable was on… an unbeaten season was there for the taking with our final game of the season away at Sunningdale. Not even the first ever closure on the M25 could stop us travelling for an achievement that hasn’t been seen at Lockers since 2015.

We started off well and were on top of the game. Some very big tackles

were flying in left right and centre. Our defence held strong on our line and it was truly a spectacle for the watching parents. We agonisingly conceded in the final play of the game to lose 8-7 and have an unbeaten season tripped away from us. Heartbreak for the boys!

This squad have been an absolute joy to coach over the last 2 seasons. Their skill, passion, camaraderie and desire to improve has been inspiring and I hope our younger boys use this side as a platform to achieve similar feats in coming years.

A great season boys, congratulations!! Colours awarded: William (Co-Captain), Oliver (Co-Captain), Leon and Tiger.

UNDER 12A RUGBY

The U12As had a fantastic season, with some excellent results against some tough opposition. Despite the frozen pitches, seasonal illness and a range of injuries sustained off the field, the boys showed real team spirit and the camaraderie was clear for all to see.

Consistent performances and great tenacity from our Captain Lucas at fly-half and our scrum-half Tom laid a solid foundation on which the boys could build, showing real creativity and organisation in both attack and defence. Max, Sebastian, Thomas, Harry and Sam put in solid shifts each week, with standout performances from (our leading Try-Scorer) Adejola, on the wing and the sheer power and determination of JJ in the centre proving too much for our oppositions to handle. When combined with the speed and quick thinking of Hugo, Maxence, Pau and our Player of the Season George, we played some excellent Rugby and truly did Lockers proud. We can’t wait until 2025!

UNDER 11A RUGBY

The success of a season may be judged in many ways. A considerable level of improvement must be one of them. This term’s frolickers in the mud improved enormously as they adopted a ‘they shall not pass’ mentality, they listened to the advice given and they eventually played as a team.

Team spirit is vital in rugby; developing friendships and respect. Captain Jude epitomised this, leaving no stones unturned out there in ‘no man’s land.’ He was more than ably assisted by chief enforcer Oscar who was brutal in attack and defence. Ethan scored tries at will and pleasingly created for others. Eddie Mitchell at the base and was elusive with the ball in hand. Jack D, Awais and Jack L-S became important cogs within our well oiled rugby machine. Alfie and Luka added elegance and grace to our midfield. Billy tackled brick walls regularly and our flying wingers Kiran and William benefitted from quick balls and space. What a season of frills, spills and swampy conditions.

UNDER 11B RUGBY

The U11B rugby team showcased their talent and teamwork on the field, delivering a series of impressive performances throughout the season. Their cohesive play and collective effort allowed them to score numerous tries, demonstrating not only their individual skill, but also their ability to work together as a unified team. Credit to Billy, Luca and Vihaan for scoring a number of tries each. With determination and sportsmanship, they faced each challenge head-on, leaving a mark of excellence on every match they played. As a testament to their hard work and dedication, the U11B rugby team has proved themselves to be a force to be reckoned with on the field. The highlight fixture being a 7-7 draw against Kingshott.

UNDER 10A RUGBY

It was a solid but unspectacular season with some highs and lows!

The ‘highs’ were the try fest given to us most games by Nathaniel and Dario, who regularly tore through teams as an unstoppable force. On the flip side, the ‘low’ was the dependence on these two. When we played teams able to shut them down, there was no ‘Plan B’ and in rugby sometimes tries are built up slowly with incremental gains, and not involving a ‘glory run’, however easy on the eye! There were other highlights. No one will forget Zach’s last minute sprint across the pitch to score the game winning try in the dying moments against Kingshott, and some of Raphael’s tackles were absolutely bone-shattering! Muhammed was the ‘team man’, always putting the team above personal fame and fortune and Balthazar was an expert scrum-half. Sebastian was a solid support player and powerful runner in his own right, and plenty of other boys had their moments in the sun. Many thanks to you all!

UNDER 10B RUGBY

The Under 10B team had a roller-coaster of a season. Though the boys may not have come away with a victory this year, they have shown drive and determination, giving their absolute best.

It is fantastic to see the team development in their understanding of the game and working together collaboratively. We cannot forget to

mention the endless tries from Sean and Reef as well as the hard tackling from Thomas and Neev. This young Under 10 side should be immensely proud of

UNDER 9A RUGBY

The Under 9A rugby team had an excellent season, making great progression with their understanding for contact rugby. They put their knowledge from last year into great

use, adding the correct tackling technique needed. The boys worked brilliantly as a team to achieve some well fought results. Special mentions must go to Oscar for resilience and

UNDER 9B RUGBY

their amazing achievements and I look forward to seeing them progress in next year’s season. Well done!

agility; alongside Lucas, Sebastian and Nathan who scored great tries for their side. Well done boys on a great term.

It has been delightful to watch the enthusiasm from the Under 9Bs this term despite the lack of matches due to the wind, rain and water-logged pitches!

The boys should feel immensely proud of their efforts, for they have won and lost some games but have always tried their best, determined to defend and attack to score tries. Each boy has made progress and this was evident from the last matches played at Westbrook Hay. A special mention to Snehaj, Oliver, and Hendrix for the number of tries scored. The Under 9Bs have become organised and always encouraged and supported one another to create a team playing ethos. Well done to the B team for the progress made this term which will surely prepare them for contact rugby in Year 5.

Whilst the weather this term did not permit many games of rugby to be played, the Under 8As did manage to go undefeated, which is definitely something to be proud of considering for most of the boys it was their first year of playing rugby.

Any successful team must have a strong leader and Sammy certainly took up that position well in giving the group direction.

Notably, the lightning quick speed of Caleb caused opposition defences many issues which resulted in him being crowned our player of the season. Each of the boys used their individual strengths to contribute to a rather encouraging team of young rugby players, and it lays a very good foundation layer of skills going forward into contact rugby next year. Well done boys!.

UNDER 8A RUGBY UNDER

8B RUGBY

The Under 8B rugby team had a very enjoyable rugby season.

They learned some of the fundamentals of rugby and worked hard at drills during Games to improve their passing and catching skills. As the season progressed, they showed good positional play in attack and defence and learned to apply the rules during matches. It was fantastic to see the boys working together and enjoying the game, with some brilliant teamwork during their matches resulting in numerous tries scored. They were so determined to win every match and showed amazing progress throughout the season. Well done Boys.

CROSS COUNTRY

Wet ground and windy weather can only mean one thing…Cross Country!!

This term our cross-country runners headed off for two events. The Beechwood Park Cross Country event and the Inter-Prep Schools Championships at Westbrook Hay.

At Beechwood Park, all of our runners ran with grit and determination and can be incredibly proud of their efforts. Particular highlights were Eddie (11th) in the U11 competition and our whole senior team, Daniel (6th), William (10th), Charles (11th) and Ben (13th)

who narrowly finished 2nd in the U13 Competition.

The Westbrook Hay event saw a rather depleted team due to illness and IAPS regional Swimming on the same day. We didn’t quite run as

well as we did at Beechwood, but can be very proud of our efforts. Poor weather and underfoot conditions saw the postponement of both the Set Cross Country and the Primary Schools event. Here’s hoping for slightly dryer conditions next year!.

SOUTH AFRICA CRICKET - CAPE TOWN 2024

In the world of cricket, there are few experiences as enriching and thrilling as embarking on a school tour. It’s a journey that goes beyond the boundaries of the game, weaving together camaraderie, competition, and cultural exploration. Over the February half term, 14 boys had the privilege of venturing into the heart of cricketing excellence, (Cape Town), for a memorable cricket tour. From the moment we landed on South African soil, they were greeted with the promise of adventure, both on and off the field.

A training session on our first afternoon in 35 degree heat was just what was needed to run off the 12 hour flight and prepare us for 9 games of cricket in 11 days.

A double header T20 v Kirstenhoff was first up, in an idyllic setting in the Southern suburbs surrounded by rolling hills, Lockers won the toss and batted first. Conditions were tough and the boys found it challenging to get going. An under par 85 meant we would have to bowl incredibly well; and we did just that! We took it down to the last ball, and the game finished as a tie! The second game was played under floodlights in coloured kit, and Lockers chose to bat first again. A solid 65 off 47 balls from Leon gave us a respectable 120. In reply we bowled well, with Freddie (3 for 25) and Leon (3 for 13) again took it to the last ball, but we fell agonisingly short on the final play of the game.

Yet, it wasn’t just about the cricket. Between matches, the team delved into the vibrant tapestry of Cape Town’s cultural landscape. Trips to Table Mountain, the iconic V&A Waterfront, the Natural Hot Spring Spa at Caledon, Seal Island, Chapmans Peak and a favourite of the boys, the cool Runnings dry toboggan run.

A 6-wicket victory at the stunning Curro Hermanus saw a strong squad performance with Etienne and Maxence both taking their first wickets on tour, followed by a convincing 40 off 45 from Leon and a confident 15 off 13 for Captain Barney to see us over the line.

Another double header T20 saw possibly the best cricket on tour as we

visited Curro Durbaville, a new fixture for us, in the Northern suburbs of Cape Town. Game 1 saw Lockers win by 27 runs. Highlights were Nikhil’s maiden 50 for the school and an impressive 21 off 24 from Thomas as we posted 129 off our 20 overs. We were always in control of the game and Captain Barney rotated his bowlers well, with good control at the top from Ollie and Ayaan.

However, it was the second game under floodlights that was the sight to behold. Mr Taylor described it as the ‘one of his best moments on a sports field at Lockers Park!’. As we fielded first against the Curro A side in a 15 over game, they posted 133. It was our strongest fielding performance with the bowlers bowling tight lines and good lengths. Leon (2 for 10) and Ayaan (2 for 39) were the picks, but there were wickets spread around. What followed was just incredible… Nikhil and Thomas opening up set the tone from the get go. A opening partnership off 77 off 8 overs (Nikhil 38 and Thomas 34) set us in motion. Leon arrived at the crease with Barney and some big hitting from one end we chassed down 134 in the final over. Leon finished 37 not out off 20 balls, including one of the biggest Sixes I’ve seen at school boy cricket.

Our final game saw us travel to Kenridge School. A school with great cricketing history and a side we have rarely beaten in our 7 tour games. Kenridge batted first and amassed 140 off their 25 overs. All our bowlers bowled well with wickets spread across all six. In reply we faltered a little with regular wickets falling, but our one constant of the tour was there the

save the day again. Leon scoring 71 off 63, along with Tom having a 73run partnership to steady the middle overs. Into the final 2 overs, it was Lucas, cool as a cucumber, strode out to the middle and hit two 4’s in 3 balls to win the game by 1 wicket. A great way to finish the tour.

As the tour drew to a close, the boys couldn’t help but reflect on the myriad of experiences that had shaped their journey. They had faced challenges, tasted victory, and formed bonds that would last a lifetime.

In Lockers Park cricketing history, the 2024 tour to Cape Town will undoubtedly hold a special place – a chapter filled with triumphs, trials, and unforgettable moments. For these young cricketers, as they bid farewell to Cape Town, they carried with them not just memories but a newfound appreciation for the great game.

SUMMER TERM REVIEW 2024

Lockers Park School has always been more than just a place of learning.

It seems somewhat hard to believe that yet another academic year has come to a close, but as we all embark for our “Summer Holidays”, we feel that it is important to look back over the term; celebrating the incredible array of exciting and enjoyable activities which have taken place and to wish those boys and staff who are moving on to pastures new, the best of luck for their respective futures.

April seems so very long ago, but as the term began, the boys of Beatty took part in the first of our ‘Boarding Challenge Nights’, which would contribute to the termly ‘Set Competition’. Our amazing Houseparents, Mr & Mrs Newman, put the boys through their paces with games, challenges and activities including an “Assault Course” and a “Guess the Ingredients Taste Test” to name but a few. The boys had an excellent time and set the bar high for the other Sets.

The sports calendar also kicked of with a Basketball Festival at another local Prep School. Boys from Year 6 (Eddie, Jack, William, Kiran and Oscar) faced some incredibly strong opposition and despite being outnumbered and outgunned, our boys refused to give up and showed true Lockers’ qualities throughout earning the respect of the other boys and staff alike.

The following week saw the return of “Whole (Prep) School Chapel” on Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, allowing us to come together and reflect on a range of subjects and themes, as well as some excellent singing to prepare us all for the day.

It was then time for the Junior Maths Challenge, which always showcases how important Maths is at Lockers Park and just how high the standard of Teaching & Learning is.

Next, it was Haig’s turn for their Boarding Challenge Night and once more the Boarding Staff laid on an excellent night for all involved with Jude (Year 5) saying that it, “was the best night he had ever had!”

The following day saw the Year 7s heading out into the wilds of Hemel Hempstead armed with a Batmanesque utility belt of measuring devices to carry out their Geography Fieldwork Walk, looking at environmental issues (noise pollution, littering, traffic etc.) and making comparisons to contrast how different areas are affected.

We then enjoyed the Second Annual Lockers Park Kabaddi Tournament –an extremely popular boarding event which saw the “Punjab Pirates” take on the “Bengal Tigers” in a hard-fought and exciting competition. Unfortunately, due to the monsoon-like weather, this took place inside this year, but the Sports Hall was rocking with banging Bhangra and the chants of “Kabaddi” could be heard echoing throughout the school.

Skiing is historically a very popular (and traditionally strong) sport at Lockers and we have acquired a long list competition wins and scholarships, particularly in recent years and the English School Championships were no exception with the U10s winning the Team Event! A well-deserved victory and yet another example of how Lockers Park show enthusiasm for life, whilst getting excellent results!

As part of the 150th Anniversary Celebrations, our “Summer of Music” theme has given us the opportunity to showcase the great variety of musical talent at Lockers and we were fortunate enough to be joined by one of our parents, Mr Letanka, who has been working with the boys to compose a school song which we are sure they will still be singing in 150 years’ time! If you haven’t heard it already, I am sure you soon will and you will be singing along to this catchy modern classic.

Following the Early May Bank Holiday, the fun continued with a busy week of events and activities including a visit to Stowe School for the Winton Cup, where the Year 6 Cricket Team put up a valiant fight, but were unfortunately beaten by a very strong opposition and the “I Have Dream Speaking Competition” at Beechwood Park where two Year 6 boys (Jude and Alexander) delivered exceptional speeches on their chosen dreams and were narrowly pipped at the post in the Final.

It was then Kitchener’s turn to take part in their Set Boarding Night and all of the shenanigans (yes, I did just say shenanigans!) that the Boarding Team had devised. Another excellent night and certainly one we hope to see many more of in the future.

Next came the Year 5 Boarding Residential, including trips to Silverstone Racing Museum and Legoland, Windsor to name but a few. A great time was had by all and the boys were able to bond in an out-of-the-classroom environment, laying a firm foundation for next year and the new challenges of Year 6!

In the same week, we hosted the Mayor’s Musical Jamboree, welcoming schools from the Dacorum area to come and share in a wide variety of music and activities, showcasing the great range of talent in the district and of course at Lockers Park.

Mental Health is a very important issue in the modern world and we take a great pride in the many initiatives and the support network we have at Lockers. As a result, the observation of Mental Health Awareness Week gave us the chance to focus on the importance of mental wellbeing and as well as a range of activities for the boys including a disco and healthy snacks, the staff also took part in “random acts of kindness” to show our support and consideration for one another.

Without a moment’s rest, it was then onto the Athletics Quadrangular at Jarman Park where the boys gave their all and narrowly missed out on 1st place. This week also saw Mountbatten’s chance to compete in their Set Boarding Challenge. Once again, the Boarding Team made this a night to remember and the boys really rose to the challenge.

With Half Term in sight, there was just enough time for the annual “Balloon Debate” hosted by Mr (French) Phillips, which sees a group of boys assuming the roles of various fictional and historical characters and presenting a case for their character’s right to be saved. An excellent event as always and some great arguments from our boys.

The break flew by and it was straight back into the action with Little Lockers trips to Whipsnade Zoo, Bekonscot Model Village, The Leighton Buzzard Railway and Dunstable Downs, finished off with their very own Tour de France! An excellent week and a great chance for the boys to let off some steam.

It was also time for the Year 8 boys to start their CE exams and after weeks of preparation, they were able to knuckle down and show just how much they have learnt during their time at Lockers. A stressful week for many, but they kept their nerve and battled through with the promise of the Year 8 Leavers’ Program and the Disco with Abbot’s Hill on the horizon!

Year 7 then headed off for their residential trip to Tawd Vale Adventure Camp, enjoying a week of campingout and exciting activities including Archery, High-Ropes, Bushcraft and Orienteering. It was great to see the boys enjoying themselves and learning a valuable life skills.

Saturday 22nd June was a very exciting day for all, with the 150th Summer of Music Celebration taking place. Following weeks of rehearsals with Mr Letanka, the boys performed to a capacity crowd and had a fantastic time whilst doing it. The sun was shining, the weather was sweet and the sounds of our boys could be heard for miles around. A huge THANK YOU to Mr Golding, Mr Letanka and Mrs Blower (and the 150 Committee) for making it such a special day.

It was then over to the Year 8s who headed off to The Outward Bound Trust in Aberdovey, North Wales, which was a fantastic trip and (the author knows) is very well written-up in another article. In short, the boys described it as, “The greatest trip they have ever had”!

The Year 6s also took part in their residential, camping out in the school grounds and enjoying a selection of activities including rifle shooting, archery and other survival-0base activities. We are so fortunate to have such amazing resources at our disposal and we thank all involved for their excellent organisation.

And just like that, it was the final week of term! The Leavers’ Chapel Service and Parents vs Year 8 Cricket Match was a great way to start things off and the parents in particular, were very pleased with the result of the latter! We then had the finals of the Set Athletics Competition which was deservedly won by Mountbatten, who then went on to win the Termly Set Competition too!

Next came the “Set Swimming Gala” and the most important event of the year for many, the “Year 8 vs Parents vs Staff Relay Race”, which is always a big deal and fiercely contested. The Speedos and mankinis were out in force and your writer is happy to announce that the Staff truly dominated, hammering the opposition and enjoying a very comfortable victory! We’re looking forward to next year already!

Finally, we had Set Rounders (also won by Mountbatten), the “Individual Athletics Finals”, the Leavers’ BBQ and the final Chapel, where the whole school came together to reflect on a very busy, very productive and truly memorable year for all.

All that remained was the joyous, yet also somewhat emotional Prizegiving where we celebrated the triumphs of the year and said a final goodbye to our Year 8s. They have been an amazing group of boys who will be greatly missed. Thank you Class of 2024 and we wish you every success for the future!

We also extend a huge thank you to our parents, staff and of course the boys who make Lockers Park so special. Have a great Summer and to those who are returning, we will see you all in September!

HEAD BOYS

You only need to read the names on our Head Boy panels to see that it’s a role that’s taken seriously by the boys.

We met up with the Lockers Park Head Boys and spoke to them about why they wanted to be Head Boy and what they’re looking forward too.

‘’I wanted to be Head Boy because it will look great on my application for my next step after Lockers, and is an achievement I will remember for life. I am looking forward to the prize giving at the end of the year and to seeing what my Dad has conjured up for a speech.’’

Arth

“I wanted to become Head Boy to experience more responsibility, which is a very important thing to learn to take forward. I am very proud to have been given this role, and I am most excited for my role in the leavers chapel service.’’

Ben

“In my opinion, Head Boy is the most prestigious position a Lockers boy can get, I am looking forward to seeing my Dad try not to humiliate himself in front of hundreds of people with his speech. When I joined Lockers in year one, I never thought that my name would be a part of the rich history here!”

Ayaan

I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH

At Lockers Park we believe in helping our boys to become well-rounded and confident young people and an important part of this involves public speaking.

As well as several in-house events and our ever-popular Debating Club, we also take part in a range of competitions with other local Prep Schools. One such of these was the recent “I Have A Dream” Competition hosted by Beechwood Park.

Two of our Year 6 Boys (Jude & Alex) made it to the finals and went to compete against the best orators from St. Albans High School, Edge Grove and the hosts: Beechwood Park. Whilst we were pipped at the post and narrowly missed out on first place, our boys did us proud and showed great creativity, as well as highlighting the importance of being true Global Citizens in the modern world.

It was great to see the boys demonstrating the full range of attributes from our Learner Profile and we will

definitely be returning next year to see if we can go one better and win the title!

On Monday 29th April, a team of 3 boys from the Bs, were taken to Upton House School in Windsor for the Annual District 10 Cicero Cup competition in debating. The topic up for debate was, ‘The House believes that contact sports should be banned in schools’. Boys researched both sides of the argument so they were ready for whatever side they debated on, the opposition or the proposition. All three boys argued against the motion and spoke eloquently. They were praised by the event organiser from Noisy Classrooms. Initially, the debate ended in a draw within the room, but points per speaker were totted up and unfortunately the boys narrowly missed

a place in the final. It was a super event for the boys to attend and gain valuable debating experience.

DACORUM

YOUNG ARTISTS

Congratulations to Leo, Year 5, who won our ‘Best in School’ prize as part of the Dacorum Young Artists competition 2024, which had 977 pupils taking part.

The competition was judged externally and Leo was proud to receive his award from Liz Green - the Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire.

JUNIOR MATHS CHALLENGE 2024

Once again, the start of the summer term saw boys preparing for The Junior Maths Challenge.

This is the UK’s most popular mathematics competition with over 300 000 entries each year. It is open to students in Year 8 or below and it aims to stimulate mathematical problem solving. The challenge itself lasts for one hour, with twenty-five questions that test the students’ ability to think mathematically and creatively. They need to apply their knowledge in unfamiliar settings armed with no more than a pencil and a blank sheet of paper. This year we entered more boys from Years 7 and 8 than ever, and we

were delighted with their achievements. Between them they earnt a fabulous 11 Gold, 13 Silver and 12 Bronze certificates, with boys in both year groups achieving certificates.

Eight of the Gold certificate winners (Damon and Hero in Year 8, Schubert, Ray, Andrew, Bruce, Joseph and Aden in Year 7) did so well that they have been invited to take part in the next round, called the Junior Kangaroo. This is similar in format to the Maths Challenge paper, but with harder questions!

Even better, our top scoring student was John Guan, with a fantastic score of 124 out of a maximum possible 135. He has been invited to take part in the Junior Maths Olympiad, which is a much more demanding competition requiring longer written solutions to complex problems. Only the very best young mathematicians are invited to take part. We wish him every success, both in this competition and for the future.

BALLOON DEBATE

The annual Balloon Debate took place, with 10 intrepid balloonists justifying their place on this perennial perilous floating transport of doom.

First to perish after their opening speeches were Kim Jong Un (aka Jack Dickinson), Joseph Stalin (Ryan Mai), Ronaldo (Dario Pascal) and Ben Stokes (Noah Ashcroft). Dojos for these boys for taking part. The next round involved answering questions from the audience, and things started hotting up. After a barrage of hostile interrogation (fair enough, you can’t go round destroying planets with a Death Star and not expect some negative feedback) was Darth Vadar (Harvey Sadler) and soon

after, our judge, Mrs ‘Montgolfier’ Turvil forcefully ejected Emperor Napolean (Leo Letanka) who was promising to turn France into a veritable land of milk and honey, and Mozart (Ray Wu) who had been giving some expert knowledge of his music. Academic Merits to the latter success stories, and we were now left with the final three: Jude Matthews was playing ‘a schoolboy’, representing the potential and energy of youth and operating clearly on instincts rather than preparation, thinking on his feet

with skill and humour; the Mandolorian (Christopher Evetts) who took the event by storm, showing an extraordinary confidence and ability to pivot and turn in the face of any difficulty, and finally the winner, Ryan Zhang taking on the role of Elon Musk. From his first utterances to his final words, he showed not a whisper of doubt or lack of self-belief. Well done, Ryan; clearly the popular favourite and the worthy winner!

STAR WARS DAY

SATIPS SKIING

Our boys participated in the SATIPS SKI 2024 slalom competition on Monday and achieved remarkable results! They secured three individual 3rd places across the U10, U12, and U14 categories, and clinched the 2nd position in the U12 Team event. Well done to all 8 boys!

The Rise of Lockers! For May 4th, Mr Price put together a Star Wars themed day for the boys to enjoy. From tense lightsaber duels to wearing Mandalorian helmets, it was a day formed by the force itself!

YEAR 3&4 RESIDENTIAL

The boys in Years 3 and 4 had a wonderful time at Cuffley Camp taking part in a variety of problem solving and team work activities. They thoroughly enjoyed exploring the forest and sleeping in the cozy glamping pods with their friends.

Memories were made whilst rock climbing, zip lining and orienteering. The leaders at the camp introduced songs and stories for the boys to join in around the camp fire and smores were toasted to the boys delight! The food was delicious, especially the full

YEAR 5 RESIDENTIAL

Our new Lockers Park Residential Programme was kicked off in style as the Year 5s travelled to Legoland before experiencing a night in the Boarding House and then visiting Silverstone Museum.

The boys were treated to glorious sunshine throughout and with short queues, managed to experience all the thrills and rides that Windsor had to offer! Being away from home can be difficult for some but the boys were extremely well behaved in the Boarding House and luckily(!) very tired after their busy day.

After a lovely breakfast to recharge, boys were then treated to the full F1 experience, learning about the history of Silverstone, the evolution of racing driving, and even managed to walk on the track! Having taken part in a workshop all about how Formula 1 cars are made, boys travelled back to school for their presentation ceremony in which awards were given out to celebrate each of our Learner Profile attributes. Whether we have a rollercoaster designer or a future Formula 1 driver in our ranks, hopefully the boys learnt a huge amount from the two days!

The boys were superbly behaved throughout and it was so lovely to see them socialising and enjoying being together as a whole year group outside of a school setting. They have had a fantastic year together and we are so proud of everything they have achieved!

English breakfast with muffins, sausage patties, hash browns and baked beans. A fabulous start to the day which filled the boys with lots of energy for the final activities which included, archery and axe throwing!

MUSICAL JAMBOREE

150 MUSIC FESTIVAL

To celebrate 150 great years of Lockers Park, we worked with Jazz pianist and composer Pete Letanka to create a festival of music.

Pete has worked closely with the boys over recent months to compose music and write original lyrics about life at Lockers Park.We also dedicate this celebration to Mr Shaw, who has worked tirelessly at Lockers Park for 36 years, passionately as director of music and in many other vital roles over the decades. We extend our thanks to all who came along and made it a truly special day.

The Mayor’s Musical Jamboree was a total sell-out as families, neighbours and friends from across Boxmoor and Hemel Hempstead came together to listen to the musical performances from Lockers Park Prep School and South Hill Primary.

Mr Golding and Mrs Toms produced an outstanding programme, letting the pupils showcase some wonderful singing and orchestral pieces. Supporting the event were the Mayor of Dacorum, the Mayor of Neu-Isenburg, together with local Councillors.

SWANBOURNE GOLF

On Tuesday 20th May, the Senior Golf team played their first match of the season, away at Swanbourne House School.

ISA TENNIS

The ISA Tennis Tournament at Woodford Wells Tennis Club saw a spirited performance from our team members Toby, Alfie, Andrew, Yohan, and Oscar. The team collectively secured a commendable 4th place overall.

Highlighting the event, Andrew showcased exceptional skill and determination, advancing to the semi finals in the individual category. Congratulations to the entire team for their hard work and achievements!

The rainy conditions did not dampen the boys’ spirit, and they battled hard in difficult conditions to halve the match 2-2. A special mention to the pairings of Barney and Freddie winning 2up, and Pau and Aden winning 1up. The boys are very much looking forward to their future golf fixtures. Our new golf simulator is certainly being put to good use!

IAPS SWIMMING

22 regional meets around the country to find the top 20 swimmers in each event. Our boys were excited and keen to get going.

Highlights include:

Vivaan (45.31s) in the U12 50m Butterfly

Luca (38.62s) in the U11 50m Backstroke

Lucas (45.73s) in the U12 50m Backstroke

Hero (36.05s) in the U13 50m Breaststroke

Daniel (44.70s) in the U12 50m Freestyle

German (33.49s) in the U13 50m Freestyle

Huge congratulations to Luca and Hero who qualified into the finals of their events at the IAPS National swimming finals at the London Aquatic Centre. They swam incredibly well and finished 7th and 8th respectively. Well done boys!

IST XI-CRICKET

Sunshine and heat welcomed the South African tourists over the February half term as the winter tour got underway. This was perfect preparation for out 1st team squad and life long memories were forged.

Unfortunately, the start of the British summer didn’t quite provide the same level of sunshine or heat!

The first game of the summer was a rather dull and cold affair away at Swanbourne. Swanbourne batting first, Nikhil Dodhia was the pick of the bowlers with 1 for 19 off his 4 overs. In reply, things were looking good with Leon Vandra-Simon scoring 51 off 40 balls and putting us in a strong position, but things stalled and Lockers finished 18 runs short. This was the last we would see of Leon Vandra-Simon for the summer as injury meant no cricket! This meant there were runs to be scored by the remainder of the squad!

The visit of Kingshott to the hallowed front field saw our fortunes turn. Captain Barney Hancock winning the toss and sticking to the plan of batting first, set off on his way, ably supported by

Thomas Laver. Hancock fell for 29 off 39 balls and Laver shortly after for 22 of 24 balls. A total of 125 for 5 off our 20 0vers. In reply Kingshott never looked in control, we needed wickets early and that’s exactly what we got! Freddie Mills-Webb striking in the

second over finishing with figures of 1 for 6 off 3 overs. However, it was spin that was key for the 1st XI that day as the spinning trio of Nikhil Dodhia (2 for 14 off 4), Thomas Laver (2 for 34 off 4) and Barney Hancock (3 for 3 off 2) wrapped things up convincingly for

Lockers, bowling Kingshott out for 76 and claiming a 49-run victory.

A run of 3 wins on the bounce followed for the 1st XI. Our best performance of the year v Sunningdale, with Lockers scoring 177 for 3 off our 20 over, Captain Barney Hancock scoring 91 off 62 balls and being given out LBW by their umpire with an over to go! Supported by Thomas Laver (24 off 27 balls) and Nikhil Dodhia (36 0ff 20). In reply, things were never in doubt. Freddie Mills-Webb pace and swing were too much to handle (2 for 1 off 3), Max Walker (2 for 4 off 3) and Maxence Vandra-Simon (2 for 5 off 2.4). A convincing 98 run victory.

A close game v Lochinver House saw us win by 4 runs. Highlights of that afternoon were Thomas Laver (42 off 51 balls) and carried his bat throughout the innings. Barney Hancock’s run a ball 24 and Freddie Mills-Webb’s 18 off 15 balls. A respectable 129-4 off 20 overs. Mills-Webb and Ayaan Malik took wickets at the top of the innings, however on debut for the 1st XI, German Pankov took 2 for 20 off his 3 overs – sealing the win by 4 runs.

The much-anticipated Old Boys game finished off the term in a change of format. Declaration was the name of the game, time to bat and build their innings as the boys batted first. Barney Hancock and Thomas laver opened up and played incredibly well scoring 37 off 64 and 20 off 25 respectively. Wickets continued to fall, but Freddie Mills-Webb (33 off 46) and William Morgan (25 off 26) steadied the ship. A total of 180 off 36 overs. James Allsop bowled very well for the Old Boys finishing with figures of 6 for 27 off 5.4 overs.

In reply, current parent and Old boy Ed Mills-Webb took strike against his son and batted beautifully with his partner Arnav Patel. Ed dismissed by his son, clean bowled for 24, whilst Patel was retired on 62. An unknown member of Lockers Staff batted at 3 and got a good ball, enough said…

The boys bowled really well and eventually bowled the Old Boys out taking the victory by 26 runs. Nikhil Dodhia the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 33 off 6 overs.

2ND XI CRICKET

It has been a very busy 18 months for this team, with an overseas tour and a full summer program. They have been an absolutely pleasure to coach and we have had a good laugh along the way. Keep your eyes peeled on the TV screens in the future, as there are a number of special cricketers in this squad. Well done boys.

Colours awarded:

Barney Hancock (Captain), Freddie Mills-Webb, Leon VandraSimon, Thomas Laver, Oliver Payne, William Morgan, Ayaan Malik.

Leon Vandra-Simon –359 runs at 89.75

Barney Hancock –326 runs at 25.08

Nikhil Dodhia –231 runs at 10.00

Thomas Laver –214 runs at 19.45

Freddie Mills-Webb –22 wickets at 13.43

Nikhil Dodhia –21 wickets at 14.75

The 2nd XI cricket team had a strong season, showcasing talent and determination across all their matches. Notable performances included a thrilling win against Swanbourne House by 3 wickets, where the team’s resilience shone through, and a solid victory over Kingshott by 24 runs, highlighting their all-around capabilities.

German Pankov was exceptional throughout the season, consistently delivering match-winning spells with the ball, and deservedly earned the Player of the Year award for his contributions. This even included a call up to the 1st XI for a game against the Old boys.

The spin of Etienne Gatti and pace of Vivaan Soni further supported the bowling attack which were able led by captain Tom Wilmot-Smith.

With a significant number of Year 7 players in the squad, the future looks bright. Their performances suggest that many of them will be strong contenders for 1st XI spots next year, promising an even stronger season ahead.

3RD XI CRICKET

A great season from the 3rd XI this term having won all the matches apart from one!!

There were some great individual performances, Arth Wale batted very well, as did Sam Wang. Their confidence grew with their experience. Teddy Buckingham kept wicket extremely well, moving quickly and gaining accuracy. Pau

4TH XI CRICKET

Villaseca embraced a new game with enthusiasm, just as he does every new challenge he faces. Sorry it is not possible to mention all the other great players in the team as the squad was so big! Just a massive thank you for a truly enjoyable season.

Despite a number of cancellations due to the (very) wet weather, the 4th XI did manage to play several competitive matches this season and had a mixed bag of results.

Against a tough Aldenham side, we were narrowly beaten in an exciting pairs match, which allowed the boys to dust off some cobwebs and find their flow before our next match against Westbrook Hay. This was an entirely different story and we dominated the opposition with a fine display of batting, bowling and some excellent teamwork in the field. Standout performances from Tiger Zhu, Oscar Sun, Issac Bi and Aaron Pearce with the ball and lighting (catching) reflexes from Charles Tang helped us coast to victory.

The final matches of the season were played as a triangular against Edge Grove and Haileybury, hosted by the

latter. Once again, a mixed set of results, but a great way to finish the season nonetheless.

We are all looking forward to next season and are keeping our fingers crossed for Summer to arrive on time!

5TH AND 6TH XI CRICKET

It has been an eventful season for the 5th and 6th teams, with a plethora of sporting endeavours available, from badminton, climbing, gym sessions, squash, table tennis and even a spot of basketball.

They have thoroughly enjoyed their Wednesday afternoons, and it was great to take them over the Haileybury for their 6 a side tournament in the sunshine. They played their hearts out, and despite not coming away with a win, were only 5 runs short in their first match and were pipped to the post by only one run in their second match. A special mention to Lucas Gao and John Guan for taking wickets, and to Alex Korenev for hitting two sixes. I wish them every sporting success in their future ventures.

COLTS A CRICKET

A season of highs and lows with boundless energy and enthusiasm. Success should not necessarily be judged on results but on self-evaluation. What have I learned? Have I improved as a cricketer? To a man, everyone could answer those questions positively. That is, apart from the multitude of wides we consistently bowled, making an aging coach even grumpier than usual! Captain Eddie Mitchell never shirked his responsibilities but must have greater confidence in his all-round abilities. Jude Matthews improved his

difficult task behind the stumps superbly and played some great shots with willow in hand. Awais Malik could be a match winner with both bat and ball, more consistency and concentration is required. Oscar Anderson ran in ferociously, bowling with good pace and bounce, appealing very loudly! Vihaan Patel evolved into our line and length demon, becoming coolness personified in celebration of his wickets. Alfie Pinchin bowled beautifully on occasions and threatened with the bat, substantial improvement is just around

COLTS B CRICKET

The Colts B team have played exceptionally well all term, collaborating brilliantly as a unit. It’s great to see their desire to win and how they consistently support each other on the field. Their hard work on improving their bowling to reduce the

number of extras, as well as running effectively between the wickets, has truly paid off. Victories over Swanbourne House and Westbrook Hay was the best way to start the term. A great game v Edge Grove saw the Colts B creep over the line by 6 runs.

COLTS C CRICKET

Truly this was the most successful cricket team I have taken for many years, losing only one match all season. Otherwise, the boys did whatever it took to drag us over the line.

Sadly, it will be impossible to mention every boy who played - it was a feast of participation! - but many boys deserve a special mention. Sebastian Darley hit 3 sixes in one over in a thrilling run chase in the last match of the season. George Yang started the season in the Ds, was very nearly dropped back to the Ds after an unsuccessful start to the Cs and then went away to learn how to bowl and turned into our very own Richard Hadlee for the rest of the season, culminating in the ‘over of the season’ against St Columba’s. Nathaniel Lawal had some exceptional moments with bat and ball, able to turn a game on its head on occasion. Players like Lucas Fox, Billy Costello and Dylan Kong were absolute stalwarts, showing reliability throughout. Thomas Hanns and Leo Letanka improved beyond all measure throughout the season and William Heard’s quite leadership was reminiscent of Mike Brearley in his prime. Apologies to the many other boys who made cameo appearances; hopefully you all enjoyed taking part in the Colts C as much as I did!

the corner. Balthazar Vandra-Simon was undoubtedly our class act with all three disciplines and will be so again next summer. Kiran Pattni, Hector Cross, Muhammad Hassan, Ellis Selman, Luka Luo and PJ Hutton-North all contributed playing their parts, but must be determined to work hard on potential weaknesses. There’s nothing like a cricket season...

The season finished with a strong allrounder team performance beating St Columbas’ by 5 wickets. Keep up the excellent effort and continue building on these achievements. Well done, boys!

COLTS D CRICKET

The Colts D cricket team has gone from strength to strength this year. They trained hard by mastering techniques in all areas of the game. Whether it was learning how to bowl and field as well as aiming to hit the ball far.

We won 2 fixtures out of 5 which is mightily impressive considering that the team were still beginners of the game.

These two victories showed resilience and determination with very different outcomes. A victory by 76 runs against

Swanbourne House and a narrow win against Edge Grove by 4 runs.

There are excellent performances all year by Jack Langford-Smith who led the team as well as excellent batting from Ryan Mai and Eden Li,

UNDER 9A CRICKET

as well as outstanding bowling from Theodore Sanders.

Overall, a brilliant term from a brilliant team. Well done!

A term of poor weather meant that the Under 9A’s only played a handful of games. Despite this, the level of cricket on display was rather impressive and the group developed very well together.

Countless practice sessions in the nets meant we were well prepared for most games, and this definitely proved in our bowling. Consistent line and length and plenty of wickets being taken across the

season. Furthermore, our confidence with the bat started to pick up as the season progressed, with some delightful displays of attacking and defensive shots from all the team. The player of

UNDER 9B CRICKET

The Under 9B’s have enjoyed an exciting season, full of improvement in both training sessions and weekly matches. The boys have been working hugely to improve their paired communication when batting; ensuring quick runs are taken when possible. A big thank you to our captain, Henry Warner-McLoughlin, who has worked tirelessly to bring the team together and lead with great sportsmanship. In our last match of the season against Beechwood, it was wonderful to see hard work come to fruition with some excellent 4’s and 6’s. A special congratulations to Charlie Webster who took his first ever wicket! Well done boys.

the season inevitably went to Nathan Chan, who demonstrated all term his superb bowling and batting technique. Well done to all the boys!

UNDER 9C CRICKET

The Under 9 C cricket team has had a fantastic season. For many of the players, this is their first time playing the game, and they’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.

Throughout the term, the boys have been learning and practicing their batting and bowling skills and have made great progress. They have enjoyed hosting other schools and particularly liked the post-match tea in the Private Garden.

Special mention goes to Asher Gale and Arda Asir for their excellent batting partnerships. They communicated effectively and took calculated risks to score runs. Also, Austin Zhao, Dani Cooper and Humphrey Aleeson deserve recognition for their focus and

UNDER 9D CRICKET

encouragement of their teammates, demonstrating strong leadership skills and creating a fantastic team spirit. It has been a pleasure to support the boys, and I have been incredibly impressed with their effort and teamwork. Well done all.

This term, the Under 9D cricket team represented Lockers Park with enthusiasm. The boys made excellent progress in their batting and fielding skills, thoroughly enjoying matches against other schools.

They played diamond cricket for some of their matches, allowing them to practice their skills in a dynamic and fun way. During formal cricket games, they worked increasingly hard as a team, learning to communicate and take risks to earn runs. They learned how to position themselves when fielding to prevent boundary runs and

worked on their throwing to the wicketkeeper. It was incredible to see their development and collaboration in this area of the game.

A special mention goes to Archie Atkinson, Casper Chang and Christopher Charlesworth for their fantastic effort and teamwork during

every match. Ralph Johnson also worked very hard this term and helped build team spirit. All the boys were committed team members, with Toby Johnson and Mack Kemp especially, making an impact on the overall play. It has been an enjoyable cricket season, and I am sure they will carry their skills and enthusiasm through to next year.

2024 SWIMMING GALA

The 2024 Swimming Gala returned this year with the set competition in the balance and the gala having huge importance. Thankfully the weather was dry and the boys were ready and raring to go to represent their set.

Little Lockers kicked things off with some brilliant noodle and running races. It was lovely to see the younger members of the school community enjoying their swimming, whilst being cheered on by all boys in the Prep school. The Year 2 Freestyle was fiercely contested, and won by Callum Mulligan (25.24s)

Into the main Set competition, the Set masters had been busy all week selecting who was to swim in each event. Each Set won at least one race and there were some exceptionally good swims on show. Special mention must go to Hero Duan (U13) and Luca Capozzi (U11) who both broke the school record for the U13 Breaststroke (31.31s) and U11 Individual Medley (1’17.66). Both boys took a 5 second chunk out of each record! Mountbatten were the winners of the Set relay, with 15 boys representing each set in a spectacular finish to the Set competition side of the gala. Congratulations also to Mountbatten who were the overall Set winners.

In the Individual events saw boys sign up and qualify in the days leading up to the gala. Unsurprisingly, Hero Duan stole the show and swam very well and won the Taylor Medley (48.85s), the Duncan Cup (40.93s), and the Boardman Shield (28.05s) breaking 3 school records in the processsome of which had been held since 2007! There were also victories for

Lucas Capozzi in the Junior Medley (58.07s), breaking the record in the process and a victory in the U11 Cup (32.16s) which was 0.13s off the record. There were also victories for Alexander Darley in the Bromley Shield and Adejola Faleye in the Senior Diving competition.

The gala finished with the hotly contested staff v parents v boys relay. The staff were keen to win back ‘their’ trophy but knew we would be up against it. After a strong start from Mr Wilson, the staff swam into an early lead. The boys and parents were jostling for 2nd place whilst the staff continue to swim away. Strong middle lengths from Mr S-P and Mrs Colwill continued the lead for the staff. Around half a length head the staff cruised home for their first win since 2018, but the race wasn’t done there. A thrilling last length from both parents and boys meant a photo finish for 2nd and 3rd… but I think all the staff were celebrating by then. Well done to all.

2024 Swimming Gala

Records are in brackets

Little Lockers

Year 2 Freestyle (20.51)

Callum Mulligan 25.24s

Backstroke

Under 9 1 length (18.65)

Mountbatten 26.17s

Under 11 1 length (17.00)

Mountbatten 22.19s

Under 13 2 lengths (35.44)

Jellicoe 41.51s

Breaststroke

Under 9 1 length (22.47)

Mountbatten 30.57s

Under 11 1 length (18.40)

Kitchener 26.48s

Under 13 2 lengths (36.56)

Beatty 31.31s (NEW RECORD)

Freestyle

Under 9 1 length (15.65)

Kitchener 22.11s

Under 11 1 length (13.92)

Jellicoe 17.96s

Under 13 2 lengths (28.13)

Mountbatten 40.04s

Individual medley events

Under 9 4 lengths (1’52.02)

Haig 2’30.22

Under 11 4 lengths (1’24.74)

Kitchener 1’17.66 (NEW RECORD)

Under 13 4 lengths (1’24.18)

Haig 1’31.87

Set relay 15 x 1 length (4.53.01)

Mountbatten 5’24.70

Overall winners: Mountbatten

Individual Events

Bromley Shield (36.29)

Alexander Darley 52.17

Duncan Cup (41.53)

Hero Duan 40.93 (NEW RECORD)

U/11 Cup (32.03)

Luca Capozzi 32.16

Junior Medley (1’00.18)

Luca Capozzi 58.07 (NEW RECORD)

Taylor Medley (54.10)

Hero Duan 48.85 (NEW RECORD)

Senior Diving Adejola Faleye

Junior Diving Luca Capozzi

Junior Butterfly (15.20)

Luca Capozzi 15.72

Under 12 Cup (29.60)

Luca Capozzi 32.05

Boardman Shield (31.94)

Hero Duan 28.05 (NEW RECORD) Drummond Cup Staff

EAST OF ENGLAND ATHLETICS

The annual East of England regional athletics event took place in Bedford, with Lockers Park proudly fielding a team of 10 boys.

Kicking off the competition, Jack D delivered a stellar performance in the U12 hurdles, finishing 4th in his heat with a time of 16.2 seconds, narrowly missing the final by just 0.1 seconds. Our sprinters faced tough competition, with Luka L securing 3rd place in his 100m heat with a time of 15.0 seconds, Hugo M clocking in at 14.9 seconds, and Oscar S finishing in 6th place with a time of 14.4 seconds. Adejola F impressed in the 200m, finishing 4th with a time of 29.6 seconds, while Ollie P ran a commendable 16.8 seconds in the hurdles. In the field events, Charles T cleared 1.20 meters in the high jump, placing 9th out of 32 competitors, Arth W achieved 8.92 meters in the triple jump to secure 8th place, and Adejola

F finished 5th in the long jump with a leap of 4.13 meters. Congratulations to all the boys who represented Lockers Park with such dedication and skill at Bedford this year.

ISA ATHLETICS

This years ISA London North regional athletics took place at the Bedford International stadium.

A team of boys spent the afternoon competing with the aim of qualifying for National Finals in Birmingham.

Highlights of the afternoon were Luka winning the 150m,Adejola finishing 1st in the High Jump, Lucas 2nd in the Hurdles and a blistering 1st place in the Year 7 4x100m relay. This meant all

these boys represented London North in the ISA National Finals.

On the 17th June over the Exeat, the boys competed in Birmingham and did the school very proud.

Luka finished 4th in the 150m as did Adejola in the High Jump. Lucas

secured a Silver medal in the 75m Hurdles, and our Year 7 relay team came from behind to finish 2nd in the 4x100m relay.

A fantastic afternoon had by all and a huge congratulations to all our athletes.

ATHLETICS FINALS

After a postponement due to poor weather, the Athletics Finals were held on the penultimate day of the summer term. The weather held fair and there was some fantastic athletics on show.

The whole school signed up for their strongest events and attempted to qualify through the heats. The finals were a chance for the boys to run for the trophies and school records.

Here were some of the highlights:

O. Sun took this year’s U13 100m (13.29s) in a highly competitive race. L. Simon had a fantastic afternoon, winning the 200m (28.07s), the High Jump (1.45m), and setting a new school record in the 75m Hurdles (13.76s). The High Jump final in particular was a stunning event to watch, with 4 boys all clearing 1.40m and the whole front pitch ground to a halt to watch the finale of that event. There were also wins for E. Amlot in the 80m Hurdles (14.27s), H. Duan in the Triple Jump (9.79m) and a double for T. WilmotSmith in the 300m and 800m (51.96s) and 800m (3.03min). There was also a double win for G. Pankov in the Long Jump (4.60m) and Shot Putt (8.94m).

In the U11’s, W. Heard completed a sprint double in the 200m (32.31s) and 300m (53.31s).L. Luo also had a good day, winning 3 of his events, 100m (14.96s), Long Jump (3.81m) and the Cricket Ball (37.36mmin). There were also wins for J. Dickinson in the 75m Hurdles (15.26) and a double victory for T. Webster in the 800m (3.01min) and 1500m (6.29min).

The U9’s also compete and produced some fantastic performances. C. Sefordzi setting very high standards winning 3 events, the 100m (15.95s), the 600m (2.26min) and the High Jump (1.08m). S. Afolami winning the 55m Hurdles (11.21s) as a Year 3 was a brilliant moment as was O. Huetson (300m in 1.01min) and A. Asir (200m in 35.01s) capping off a great afternoon for Year 3.Well done to all who took part in both the heats and the finals. A true reflection of the talent on show at Lockers Park.

U9

55m Hurdles S. Afolami 11.21s

100m C. Sefordzi 15.95s

200m A. Asir 35.01s

300m O. Huetson 1.01min

600m C. Sefordzi 2.26min

Long Jump O. Grant 3.40m

High Jump C. Sefordzi 1.08m

Cricket Ball S. Chronopolous-O 31.60m

U11

75m Hurdles J. Dickinson 15.26s 100m L. Luo 14.96 200m W. Heard 32.31s

300m W. Heard 53.89s

800m T. Webster 3.01min 1500m T. Webster 6.29min

Long Jump L. Luo 3.81m

High Jump K. Pattni 1.18m

Cricket Ball L. Luo 37.36m

U13

80m Hurdles E. Amlot 14.27s

75m Hurdles L. Simon 13.76 (NEW RECORD)

100m O. Sun 13.29s

200m L. Simon 28.07s

300m T. Wilmot-Smith 51.96s

800m T. Wilmot-Smith 3.03min

1500m C. Tang 5.49min

Long Jump G. Pankov 4.60m

High Jump L. Simon 1.45m

Triple Jump H. Duan 9.79m

Shot Putt G. Pankov 8.94m

Javelin S. Wang 20.60m

Discus T. Zhu 18.00m

SET ATHLETICS

It wouldn’t be a Sports Day without the English weather having its say! This year’s event was affected by rain and moved to the last week of term. Little Lockers had their Sports Day earlier in the term, with all their scores counting towards the main competition.

Competition was fierce, with points awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th places. This highlighted the event as a whole-school celebration where participation was the main message. There were fantastic races on the track, and the field events did not disappoint either, featuring some terrific jumping and throwing.

Congratulations to Mountbatten, this year’s winners, in one of the most closely fought Set Athletics competitions in years. Well done to all who took part!

FOND FAREWELLS

After 34 remarkable years at Lockers Park, we say a fond farewell to Mr. Shaw. Throughout his time with us, Mr. Shaw has taken on various vital roles within the school, always with creativity, passion, and an unwavering commitment to our students. His influence and dedication have helped shape the lives of countless boys, always encouraging them to reach their fullest potential.

Mr. Shaw’s creative spirit shone through in the many unforgettable events he organized, including the first Chapel Concert and numerous other musical events that have become cherished traditions at Lockers Park. His vision and leadership in these areas have enriched our school community and provided countless memories for students, staff, and parents alike.

Mr. Phillips describes Mr. Shaw as not just a colleague but a true friend and a great mentor. His presence, wisdom, and camaraderie will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of working with him.

As we bid farewell, we extend our deepest gratitude for Mr. Shaw’s 34 years of service, his passion for education, and his lasting impact on our school. We wish him all the best in his next chapter. Thank you, Mr. Shaw. You will be dearly missed.

After more than a decade of dedicated service, we bid a heartfelt farewell to Matron Noreen. Noreen has been a constant and caring presence in the boarding house, tending to the well-being of our boys every day with unwavering kindness and professionalism. Her nurturing spirit made her a beloved figure among the boys and staff alike.

Beyond her duties as matron, Noreen’s passion for baking brought joy to many, especially during challenging times. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she selflessly baked for key workers, spreading comfort and gratitude through her delicious creations. Her annual Macmillan Coffee Morning became a cherished tradition at Lockers Park, bringing the community together for a wonderful cause.

We are immensely grateful for Noreen’s many years of service, her dedication to the boys, and her contributions to our school community. Her absence will be deeply felt, and she will be missed.

Thank you, Noreen, for everything. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Though Mrs. Bennett has only been with us at Lockers Park for one short year, her impact has been nothing short of extraordinary. With ambitious ideas and a deep passion for her work, she has quickly become a valued and inspiring member of our community.

Mr. Golding says “I have witnessed quite a few school productions over the years, but the end results of Mrs. Bennett’s productions of Joseph were astonishingly good on all levels. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you all.” Her dedication to excellence and her creative vision were evident in every aspect of these performances.

Mrs. Bennett’s passion for teaching shines through in her classroom, where she constantly pushes and encourages her pupils to reach their full potential. She inspires confidence, helping students overcome their fears while ensuring they enjoy the process of learning. Her high standards have motivated her pupils to always strive for excellence. While her time at Lockers has been brief, her influence will be felt for years to come. We are deeply grateful for all she has given to our school, and we wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavours.

Thank you, Mrs. Bennett. You will be greatly missed.

SCOUTS, CUBS AND BEAVERS

We were very pleased to welcome the start of a new year and lots of new Scouts. We’ve had great fun lighting fires and making s’mores, and now we are working towards a very important badge, “Digital Citizen Stage 3”.

There was great excitement from the Scouts who joined the annual DENS Sleepout, where they slept under the stars in shelters made of cardboard, to raise money for the Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter. What a shame the temperature dropped to -5° that night. Nevertheless, the boys were still smiling in the morning.

Welcoming our new Cubs, we made the most of the light evenings and headed into the B’s shrubs with flags

to hide and find. We also played a traditional team game of ‘Capture the Flag’. The boys loved the games and then we all searched for the remaining flags that the boys had hidden so well they had forgotten where they’d hidden them!

With the arrival of darker nights, we headed indoors to teach map reading skills with the Cubs working towards a badge.

Embarking on a voyage of camaraderie and discovery, our Beavers have charted a course through an exhilarating half term. They’ve navigated through diverse adventures, each a treasure trove of learning and joy. Air activities had imaginations soaring and culinary escapades sweetened the deal of teamwork and the shared fun of creation.

SCOUTS EXHIBITION

This May exeat weekend, our Cubs and Scouts embarked on an exhilarating expedition that was nothing short of extraordinary!

The adventure kicked off with a spirited five-mile hike through scenic trails, leading the boys to their campsite. Upon arrival, they faced the challenge of setting up their own tents – and even pitched the leaders’ tents – all with minimal assistance. Their teamwork and determination were truly impressive.

After settling in, the boys enjoyed a hearty, self-cooked dinner and eagerly dove into their first thrilling activity: the Cresta Run. The excitement didn’t stop there! Despite a full day of activities, the boys were up at dawn, ready for more adventure.

The second day was packed with high-energy fun. The morning featured Air Rifle Shooting, where the boys honed their skills, followed by an afternoon on the High Ropes course, where many conquered their fear of heights. By the time parents arrived for pick-up, the boys were still buzzing with enthusiasm, having made memories that will last a lifetime.

Want your son to be part of our next unforgettable camp? Sign him up for our weekly sessions, where the fun and adventure continue! And if you’re looking for a way to share in these incredible experiences, why not join our team of leaders? No prior experience is needed, just a passion for helping young people thrive.

Join us in creating more amazing adventures and making a difference in the lives of our Scouts and Cubs!

7TH HEMEL HEMPSTEAD SCOUT GROUP

End of an Era for Skip (AKA Jan Maddern)

After 19 years of Scouting and 10 years before that as a Girl Guide Leader, it’s time to hang up my woggle! In January 2011 I supported Steve Gilden in setting up a Cub Pack at Lockers Park, that was to be part of 1stBennetts End Scout Group. It was so successful that the Headmaster asked me to start a Scout Troop later that year. After a great deal of negotiation with Hemel Hempstead District and the County Commissioner I launched 7thHemel Hempstead (Lockers Park) Scout Group, with our own identity, using school colours and our own emblem, based on the school’s badge. Mr Moubray was the Assistant Scout Leader!

We started our own Scout Group in order to offer our pupils an opportunity to learn vital skills, because our long and busy school day at Lockers makes it very difficult for the boys to get to other groups, and so we could offer these opportunities to our boarders. We are so lucky to have the most fantastic facilities, and have used the art room for science experiments, science lab for cooking, computer room for geocaching training and various badges, the sports hall for ball games and activities (ball games were banned from the Old Gym after we broke 3 strip lights in a fortnight!), and many other parts of the school in order to widen the boys skillset. They have learned map reading, DIY skills, even how to wire a plug, logic puzzles, and most importantly, team work. The skills we teach in Scouting are invaluable, and in the last 2 months I have received an email from an old boy who told me that for his Duke of Edinburgh volunteering he wants to cook for

the community, because he enjoyed learning to cook during our lockdown challenges so much he wants to use the skills he learned to help people in need. Just this week Mr Hobson told me that during the year 8 trip one boy took the lead for map reading, fire lighting, cooking outdoors... Oscar has been with me since we first started Beavers when he was in year 2, and

the skills he has learned will be with him throughout his life. It’s time for me to step aside and let some new blood take forward our Scout Group. Harry Bulpit joined us during lockdown and is completely committed to taking on the challenge of leading the slightly quirky, but completely amazing 7th Hemel Hempstead (Lockers Park) Scout Group.

SHOWING OUR SUPPORT

It’s so important to be able to talk about mental health and show everyone that mental health matters – which is why we’re part of World Mental Health Day. For us every day is a day to let our day boys, boarders, teachers and staff know that it’s okay to ask for help, whatever they’re going through. That is why 80% of our teaching staff are MHFA trained – we always have someone to talk to.

MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

The Lockers Park Mental Health Week gave us an opportunity to put a particular focus on mental wellbeing and promoting happy living.

The week started with ‘Wear What Makes You Happy Day’, where the boys came to school wearing whatever makes them feel happiest and most comfortable, from their favourite football kits to animal onesies.

One of the activities supporting this was an outdoor disco. Throughout the week there was a focus on educating the boys on the impact of meditation and healthy eating, so they could understand the importance of mental health to our wellbeing.

CHILDREN IN NEED

Lockers Park boys supporting Children in Need! Boys went out of their way to create some fantastic spotty pieces of clothing, and couldn’t resist the chance to bake!

DENS PRESENTS

Once again the Lockers Park boys took part in the DENS Present Drive. Building on the success of last year the boys donated Christmas presents for another child which were placed under our amazing Christmas tree. These presents were then matched by The Entertainer so we could help those local families who are struggling with the cost of living crisis.

LOCKERS PARK CHARITY

The Lockers Park Charity Committee consists of 6 boys, one from each Set, who volunteer and are then selected for the role by their Set at the beginning of the Academic Year.

These boys are the voice for their Set and are tasked with taking back all of the information from our halftermly committee meetings about upcoming charity events or days we are acknowledging. They also come to the meetings with ideas from their Sets about how the school can fundraise and anything their Set are doing to raise money.

As a school, we are willing to do pretty much anything in the name of charity! We have had outdoor discos, sponsored walks, slept out for DENS, held The Masked Singer and even had Thank You boxes for Mental Health Week.

So far this year we have donated 111kg of food to DENS Food Bank, raised nearly £2,000 for DENS and £2,000 for The Collett School from our annual sponsored walk. This was topped up by £660 for DENS from 3 boys who undertook their own fundraising efforts.

Christmas Jumper day for Children in Need.

LITTLE LOCKERS TRIPS

The benefit of having purposefully small class sizes is that our boys can enjoy a multitude of experiences, including our class trips. At Little Lockers the Reception class enjoyed a delightful day exploring the miniature wonders at Bekonscot Model Village.

Year 1 explored Willows Farm, seeing the animals and enjoying the countryside; while Year 2 went to Whipsnade Zoo, meeting amazing wildlife from around the world.

Tour de France

Year 1 Farm

Pizza Outing

Baking

Signs of Spring

Outing

Steam Engine

Set Tops

Year 1 iPad Research

Year 2 Outing

Year 2 Zoo

Pumpkin Soup

Lockers Park Leavers Destinations Schools 2024

We prepare boys for the UK’s top independent and public senior schools, many with scholarships and exhibitions in Academics, Sport, Music and the Arts, and Technology – on average four each leaving year, which is remarkable, given our small class sizes.