House Reports

Clyde

Clyde participation has hugely improved over the past year and we now gunning for a strong finish. I want to say a huge thank you and well done to all Clyde pupils who have participated in and supported House events and assemblies, and to our House Managers for encouraging participation and for delivering motivating assemblies.

Highlights have included Mia (7AFH) and Mina (7EB) winning the girls’ Year 7 cycling competition, while the Year 9s smashed their way to first place in both girls’ and boys’ badminton thanks to Malory (9RCW), Daisy (9HEC), Otto (9DLB) and Max (9HLM). Elsewhere, Spencer (6USC) and Dasha (6USC) succeeded admirably in a noisy marshmallow challenge, while Effie (7JRS), Flora (7PM) and Thomas (7JRS) delivered a convincing presentation on the success of failure, and Ruby (8HV) and Douglas (8MSH) showed a moving video on perseverance. I would like to thank our Vice Captains, Miles (9HLM) and Otto (9DLB), for their hard work and, particularly, for sharing their personal stories of why it is important to step out of your comfort zone. Special thanks must of course go to our House Captain Romily (9SB), who has been exemplary, recruiting successfully for House events and providing interesting sports quizzes and witty riddles in our assemblies.

Mr D Buxton

Drake

Our namesake, Sir Franis Drake, said that ‘great things have small beginnings’. Over the past year in Drake our ‘small beginning’ is well underway. Students have been brilliant at valuing the role that House activities have within the school community, relishing opportunities to participate in healthy competition, step outside their comfort zones and represent something more than themselves. Drake has been superbly led by our three Captains: Ed (9HEC), Sam (9SB) and Marina (9HEC).Their attendance at events and enthusiasm for supporting others has been excellent. Our Year 9s have led by example, winning tug-of-war, 5-a-side football, basketball, cross country and girls’ swimming. Of particular note was Maisie (9DLB)’s performance in classical music, scoring 34/35.The Year 8s have won rugby, 5-a-side football and boys’ table tennis, and well done to Tilly (8HV) for coming third in cross country. Nahom (7JRS) and Isabel (7JRS) both came second in Year 7 cross country while both our boys and girls teams won badminton. It has also been fantastic to see our Year 6s thoroughly enjoying all the activities on offer and prospering in tug-of-war.

Howe

It has been an excellent year for Howe; we remain undefeated in the senior houses since 2019! We have been led to victory by our House Captain, Harry (U6WGD), and VCs, Alistair (U6CCG) and Emily (U6SPP). A special mention must go to Fleur (11DGA), who won both the Year 11 cross country and House Music. George (11DGA), Pippa (11AJL), Alistair (U6CCG), and Fleur (11DGA) all received half-colours, and I thank them for their consistent dedication to Howe, no matter the event.Winning the Year 11 basketball and Upper-Sixth 5-a-side was a real highlight, with the energy in the room positively electric, as was the encouraging teamwork at Ergo and Cycling events, especially from Aron (L6LAB), Isaac (L6LAB) and Scarlett (11RET). The Lower- and Upper-Sixth winning House Chess in a nail-biting final was incredible to watch. Lastly, thank you to the Year 13s for all their efforts, especially in inspiring and encouraging the younger pupils in Howe/Clyde.

Lyons

Looking back on the last thirty months, there have been numerous highlights. Ice (11AJL) has enjoyed spectacular success in the world of music, and Miles (11JEH) and Finn (11CMB) have dominated the film competitions. Cal (9SFM), Isaac (10HJC), Amelia (6USC) and Poppy (10VCO) have all been outstanding swimmers, while Farhan (8RDC), Matthew (10HJC) and Atitiya (11NS) have excelled at mathematics. Lyons continues to dominate the ergo, tug-of-war, fives and swimming competitions across the age groups and I am pleased to report that chess has improved dramatically. Isabelle (10HJC) and Cal (9SFM) deserve a special mention for the contributions that they have made in a wide range of competitions.

Since September 2021, we have been able to run events free from restrictions with the aid of excellent captains: Oscar (L6SMJ), Poppy (11JEH), Emma (10PAK), Achille (10VCO), Kitty (7AFH), Felix (8HAB), Pearl (8RDC), Ella (L6SKH), Poppy (10VCO), Amelia (6USC), Lauren (7PM), Anatole (7AFH), Gracie (8HV), Farhan (8RDC), Manasseh (9HEC), Vittorio (9SB) and Sefiya (9DLB) have all contributed so much to the success of Lyons and hopefully enjoyed themselves! It was fitting that Miles (11JEH) and Emma (11RET), both loyal stalwarts and superb captains, were able to lift the trophy on behalf of our great House in July 2020. It is no surprise that we are set to win 2022’s Junior cup, too!

Marlborough

I have been delighted with the successes of Marlborough since I began running the house in January 2022. We have seen numerous first place finishes, including in senior maths, Lower-Sixth Girls’ Rowing and Cycling and both Year 11 rowing events to name but a few.

Much of this success is down to the work of Mr Hale, who ran the house for several years and instilled a clear sense of pride and house spirit. The thoughts of everyone in Marlborough are with you, Mr Hale — we wish you well. We also owe a great deal of thanks to our House Captain, Scarlett (U6ARW), who has assisted excellently with recruitment for events and assemblies, as well as competing in six events herself since I have been running the house.

Nelson was back in full force this year, with the new Year 10 pupils, marshalled by Vice Captain Herbert (10REM), setting high standards of competitive spirit. Their collective efforts resulted in first place in several events such as tug-of-war, boys’ cross country, football, and girls’ badminton. Event participation was impressive throughout. Meanwhile, Year 11 pupils dominated boys’ cross country and came joint-first in cycling. Many thanks to vice captains Lily (11DGA) and Leela (11DGA) for their consistent volunteering.

Sixth Form captains James (U6HHM), Joe (U6WGD) and Indigo (U6SEM) were invaluable, keeping attendance high at senior school events. Highlights include first place in ergos, senior rugby, girls’ cross country, and senior netball. Best of luck to all Nelson leavers in their future endeavours. I’m so grateful for all your welcome contributions.

Rodney

Rodney have had a fantastic full year in school without lockdowns, tallying various wins and successes. House Captain Rosie (U6SPP) and VCs Zach (U6ARW) and Noah (U6CCG) were excellent in their recruitment and motivational efforts, and their committed attitude trickled into the rest of the house. In November, Margot (L6PSA) performed exceptionally on the cello in the classical music senior competition and was awarded first place. The LowerSixth boys were led to an epic victory in the 5-a-side football competition by Riccardo (L6SJC) and Jack (L6CDK); the final went down to nail-biting penalties, but the boys held their nerve. In younger years, the Year 10s were inspired by James (10REM) and Jose (10VCO), both of whom have shown consistent effort in multiple house events. Here’s to more fun and success next year.

Wellington

Wellington are currently placed second in the junior competition, which is a consequence of the gargantuan effort by innumerable students in events throughout the year. There have been notable successes for Wellington in both the boys’ and girls’ cross-country, boys’ basketball and Year 6 and 7 chess. However, what has impressed me the most is how many students have taken part.

I would like to thank my remarkable House Captains and squadron leaders for their efforts this year. Without their organisation and enthusiasm, Wellington would be nowhere near the well-oiled machine it is today. A huge thanks to Millie (6CAL) and Violet (6USC) in Year 6; Kit (7CJR), Teddy (7HAB) and Bianca (7HAB) in Year 7; Oliver (8RDC), Sofia (8HV) and Flo (8MSH) in Year 8; and Valentina (9SFM), Karan (9RCW) and Finn (9SED) in Year 9.