Lockers Park Magazine 2021-2022

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WELCOME from our Headmaster

Welcome to our Lockers Park Magazine. It feels some time ago now, but in this issue we celebrate the year we returned to a new normal. 2021-2022 saw Lockers Park work tirelessly as a community to create a safe and welcoming space for our students while the world around us shifted. How wonderful it was to see the site once again full of energy and excitement.

We are grateful that our school was able to strengthen and progress even during a time of such upheaval. The new technologies and new ways of learning we explored under the lockdowns sparked plenty of creativity and ingenious discoveries we’re still incorporating into the boys’ learning today.

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I hope you enjoy this ‘blast from the past’ edition of our Lockers Park Magazine, and do look out for our 150th celebration events throughout this year.

Gavin Taylor Headmaster

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REVIEW

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The autumn term brought with it much hope of things being back to normal (not too normal though, Lockers-level normal!), with the country beginning to open up with a relaxation of Covid restrictions.

Indeed, all going to plan, this would be the start of the first full year on site for our Year 2 cohort, which puts the scale of previous lockdowns into perspective. What better way to start a fresh chapter at Lockers Park than with a brand new SLT. With Gavin Taylor stepping up from Deputy Head to Headmaster, this opened up a position for our first female Deputy Head and we were very pleased to welcome Noeleen Corrigan to this role. Ms Corrigan’s passion for the written word has seen books and reading for pleasure gain more visibility within the school.

As traditional events began to make their comeback, the Harvest Festival saw the Lockers Park

community generously donate over 400 meals to the St Albans and District Foodbank.

There was some Treachery at Traitors Quay, with boys stepping in at the last minute to cover illness during the play. A real testament to the enthusiasm and talent of our boys, with the play itself being a huge success. Another community event, and a favourite of mine, was the bonfire and FoLP Firework Display, which was a roaring success and went with a real bang! The display was, as always, very impressive, with a huge turnout of pupils and families. How sad we were, in light of the success of the fireworks, to have to cancel both the Christmas Fayre and Carol Service, both

of which are big events in the calendar. However, there was some relief for parents not having to drive jazzy-jar filled children over bumpy roads!

One of the most important and celebrated of all the Lockers Park traditions did manage to survive the slew of cancellations, and this was The Feast. This year saw the infamous Platter being retired and a new one taking its place, which should be good for the next few decades. It was good to see the boys have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas Lockers-style once more and end the term the way it should be done.

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SPORTS

1ST XI FOOTBALL

The start of the 2021 season came as a welcome relief after 16 months of no competitive fixtures. The 1st XI were straight into it and on the training ground working hard, and real excitement was clear to see with match day getting ever closer.

Two tough games to start against Haileybury and Kimbolton in the ISFA cup saw the boys’ work rate increase, and we were starting to move the ball around much quicker.

The visit of Beechwood Park was the first really strong performance we put in, racing into a 3-0 lead, with Lewis netting twice and Max once. Unfortunately, a lapse in concentration at the back let our lead slip away and we finished 3-3.

Lessons to be learned!

Kingshott visited us in early October, and the boys were on the money from the moment the whistle went.

A very high and quick pass meant we were claiming the ball in the attacking third and applying pressure straightaway. A first half hat-trick from Max followed by a second half hattrick by Charlie put us in command.

The third of Charlie’s goals was possibly our moment of the season, with the ball played wide from midfield, a curling cross put in to our

‘taller’ runners and Charlie arriving late at the back post to head in.

Victory over Edge Grove 5-4, in a very well fought game, with Lewis scoring 4, and a 2-2 draw against Sunningdale saw the

boys finish the term playing some impressive high tempo football.

Well done to all the squad who worked incredibly hard throughout the term. Colours awarded: Anton (Captain), Max (Vice Captain) and Lewis.

2ND XI FOOTBALL The 2nd XI ended the season having played ten games and made tremendous progress across the term.

There were a number of players who moved up from the 3rd XI and became regulars in the team: notably Eesa, Adrian and Thomas – who finally got his wish to play for the second team having started in the 3rd XI, and who made a number of crucial saves in the two games he played in. Over the season the 4

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boys scored 17 goals, with Adrian overall top goal scorer (7 goals and most improved), but it was the defence who impressed me the most this season. Yes, they conceded a fair number of goals, but resolute defenders Dylan, Boris and player of the season Frank managed to keep two clean sheets and, if it

wasn’t for numerous wonder-saves, blocks, headers and clearances, the team would have shipped in a fair few more. The team have been a joy to coach this year and I’m looking forward to a number of the Year 7 boys returning next year.

Well done to all involved.

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3RD XI FOOTBALL With the restrictions lifted on team sport it was great to get back to playing football matches. The 3rd XI started off well, despite losing some of their star members to the 2nd XI! They were excited to be playing, really listened to the coaching, dug deep and,

above all, enjoyed themselves.

We had a super team with top scorer Shrey upfront clocking up the goals, assisted by Alex and the Spanish duo Fran and Miguel in midfield. Otto and Toby were a delight in defence, playing with determination and tenacity. The

whole team played with passion and were great comrades in arms!

Thomas played well in goal until he had the call from the 2nd XI, when Sam took on the mantle with great success.

4TH XI FOOTBALL The 4ths have had a fantastic season, improving steadily and most importantly, showing a huge amount of determination to do their best every game.

I can honestly say that regardless of the result, there has never been a match where they have given up. Our first game against Haileybury was very much a template for what followed.

We approached the fixture with some trepidation, they are a big school and not short of good sportsmen. On kick off it became very apparent that it was to be a competitive fixture and, but for Barry hitting the woodwork at the death, would have drawn 2-2.

From then on, positive results flowed, with excellent victories against Kingshott (4 goals from Henry) and York House (a super goal from Aman), a competitive draw against Westbrook Hay and a final win against Swanbourne (2 goals from Sebastian). Only Lochinver House really got the better of us. A very enjoyable season.

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COLTS A FOOTBALL

After no football the previous year because of Covid, the boys were eager to show what they could do in competitive fixtures.

The season had a tough start when we lost to Manor Lodge. Lockers bounced back in style to the next match though, comfortably beating Beechwood Park 3-1, with two goals from Leon and one from Ayuub. Two defeats followed against Kingshott and York House, before we travelled to play in the ISFA regionals. The boys

were superb, winning two, drawing one and losing one, meaning we missed out on a semi-final place by only a single point. After half term the boys continued their good form, beating Westbrook Hay 8-0, with two goals apiece from Barney and Ayuub, and four others scoring a goal. It was lovely to see our two

Year 5 boys, Tom and Max, both score in the game. The Colts A saved their best performance of the season for a 4-2 win against Edge Grove.

A Barney hat-trick was a great way to finish the term. It was great to see every boy improving individually over the season, culminating in some terrific team performances.

COLTS B FOOTBALL It was a fine term for the Colts B with a number of outstanding performances. Max was excellent in goal and kept us in a lot of games with his goal stopping saves. We had pace on the wings with Oliver, Obaro and Kit holding the defence together. The highlight from the term came during our fixture against Kingshott. We were 4-0 down at half time and clawed our way back to finish 4-4. I’m sure it was down to the excellent team talk at half time! Well done to all who played this term.

COLTS C FOOTBALL

The Colts C had a tremendous season, with many highlights to make mention of.

It has been fantastic to see the team progress throughout the season, and we were able to finish with a hard-fought victory over Edge Grove, with a goal from Hugo and a hat-trick from Ayaan. Throughout the season, we had outstanding defence from Jonathan, Sadhik and Lucas. The boys should be exceptionally proud of all of their efforts this year in football. Well done!

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COLTS D FOOTBALL The first half of term saw us encounter some enormous opposition with plucky grit and determination.

Results were not always favourable, as we found it difficult to regularly burst the back of the netty thing.

Nevertheless, improvement was there for all to see. Archie, as custodian between the posts, was busy but kept us in games. At the back Arth, Fionan and latterly Sam, tackled as if their lives depended upon it.

Our midfield whirling dervishes Sebastian, Teddy, Thomas, Jacob

and Ben were industrious as we strived for consistency and to find a pass to our team mates. Upfront, Hero did grasp the opposition net and Charlie showed good pace.

It was amazing to compare the first half of term with the second.

The improvement was there for our loyal support to see, with the season ending in two sumptuous away victories and goals aplenty. Changes in personnel saw Teddy become our custodian of the net with unerring

bravery. At the back Fionan, Charlie and Sam made life awkward for all manner of foe using the old adage ‘if in doubt, kick it out’ to good effect.

In midfield Thomas used great pace down the right, captain Seb nipped incessantly and Arth was crafty on the ball. Upfront, Hero remained a handful and continued to score with aplomb. There is little doubt that the “Mighty Ds” progressed to become better players for the experience.

Great fun had by all!

COLTS E FOOTBALL It is never easy playing schools with a selection pool twice the size, but it did mean that every boy in Years 5 and 6 played in matches almost every Wednesday, and that this year’s Colts E was one of the best the school has been able to put together for many a year, I suspect.

German was the lead goal scorer, our very own Ian Rush (showing my age here), with Aaron and Jacob assisting both in setting up goals and scoring a fair few themselves. Jacob was the ‘dribbler extraordinaire’, no doubt about it! Vivaan and Etienne ran around actively in midfield and the doughty pivots in defence were Alex and Joseph, who were also both able to clear the ball upfield with confidence when required.

We had not one, but two goalkeepers (sadly not allowed on both at the same time!) in Sam and Oscar, who both doubled as defenders if necessary. Thank you for the most enjoyable term, boys!

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U9A FOOTBALL

The U9As have enjoyed their football this term. They have made good progress with their ball control and have demonstrated a better understanding for each position on the pitch.

It was wonderful to have Noah, Dario and Balthazar represent Year 3, and all deserve mentions after their hard work and commitment.

Kiran also performed very well in all matches and was a good role model as captain. Overall, a fun term and one they should all be proud about.

U9B FOOTBALL

The U9Bs have had a great term.

They all progressed and gelled as a team, and should be extremely proud of what they have accomplished.

Despite starting the season with a defeat, and being reminded that we can’t win them all, the boys learned from their errors, and came back fighting the following week to secure a draw against Edge Grove and a close defeat of 1-0 against Heath

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Mount. Eddie and PJ were our allround stars who were deservedly awarded with Man of the Match awards throughout the term. From here, the only way was up! In our third match, there were plenty of shots on target, but unfortunately none went in and they came away with a 2-0 loss, but still the team showed resilience, and kept improving despite the score line. The first hat-

trick of the season was from Dario, quickly followed by Muhammad and Balthazar. The match against St Edmund’s saw the goal of the season, scored by Oscar but beautifully orchestrated by Vihaan, who earned his Man of the Match award. It was the game to finish the season, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank every single player for their hard work and dedication. Very well done.

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U9C FOOTBALL

I was very proud of my team this season as they never gave up and pushed hard when the going became tough.

We played some excellent sides, but perseverance was a key factor to this team being unbeaten this season, a feat that they should hold dear to their hearts! They played as a whole team, encouraging each other and moving on quickly from mistakes. Toby, Sebastian and

Alfie were regular players who put in notable performances across the term and scored on numerous occasions. Hector, Zack, Lewis, Amaan and Billy were solid players who sometimes played for different teams, but they always fitted back in, knowing how to play and what their

role was. What I loved about this team was that they always played fairly with a steely determination to succeed – which they did. They played to the whistle in every game, fought for the ball and enjoyed every game. As a spectator, their matches were gripping. Well done, everyone!

U9D FOOTBALL

The U9Ds have made progress with their football this term. For some it has been their first time playing football, and the excitement was clear to see!

I was pleased with all of the boys’ performances but particularly Nate and William for always encouraging the team and giving 100% effort.

Also, Justin for his determination to defend and Johannes for his keenness to go in goal.

Thomas scored many goals, helping the Ds to win games, especially towards the end of the season. Every boy has enjoyed representing Lockers Park and embraced playing against other schools where they have won, lost and drawn, but no matter the score looked forward to the next match – and of course, match tea! A great start to football at Lockers Park, and they should all feel very proud of their achievements. Well done the Ds.

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SPORTS

BASKETBALL

This term has seen the senior basketball team take to the court three times in competitive fixtures.

A trip to Edge Grove is always daunting, with much higher competition baskets. The boys started well in the first quarter, with captain Charlie scoring multiple lay-ups, and the rest of the team slowly getting into the flow of the game. Unfortunately we came 2nd in this particular

CHESS

encounter. However, the visit of Aldwickbury and Westbrook Hay saw our fortunes change. Fast-paced play in both fixtures saw us push high up the court and apply pressure to the opposition. We were up after the 1st quarter against Aldwickbury 9-2, and proceeded to hold that lead until the

final quarter, where our defence went a little out of shape. But we bounced back with a blistering performance against Westbrook, wining 32-21, with the highlight of the game a big 3-pointer shot from ‘downtown’ by Nico. We look forward to some more fixtures next term. Well done, boys.

It has been a quiet year for Chess, as we missed our termly fixtures against Aldwickbury.

Happily, we still enjoyed the weekly sessions with our ‘Super Coach’, Mr Steve Law, and a loyal and enthusiastic group came along pretty much every Monday or Thursday all year to hone their skills. The two main highlights involved the two real stars in the school. Firstly, Hongren actually managed to defeat Mr Law in the annual ‘Simultaneous Display’, an extraordinary feat against a high grade county player.

The other joy was to watch Shrey pick up the BhagatDickinson trophy for the most outstanding player in the school. Shrey is certainly ‘one of the greats’ since chess exploded at Lockers 10 or so years ago, and hopefully in Year 8 he will continue to inspire the next generation.

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ACTIVITIES

BHAKTIVEDANTA MANOR As part of the Year 3 Religious Studies curriculum, there was a visit to the Bhaktivedanta Manor near Watford, to learn more about Hinduism and the spiritual way of life of Hare Krishna.

The building was donated

by George Harrison and has developed into a large centre people live in, or travel to each day. There are cow sheds and oxen to look after, in addition to many spiritual gardens to attend to, and crops to grow on their land and in greenhouses. They feed themselves with what they grow and also make substantial donations to their local community.

The boys took part in some activities which included a talk about Hare Krishna beliefs and some artefacts were shown. This was followed by a trailer and oxen ride over to the cow sheds, where they fed the cows.

Cows are sacred in Hinduism and are treated with great respect. After that, they were shown some Hindu dancing and had a go themselves.

The boys were given some Hindu clothing to wear and the fabrics were beautiful. Some boys wanted some Hindu symbols painted onto their foreheads or arms. There was an amazing vegetarian lunch served with rice and naan bread.

The boys sat on the floor to eat, in keeping with tradition. Most of the boys ate a second helping as the food was so good!

This is one of my favourite visits in the school year. We are always made to feel very welcome and nothing is ever too much trouble.

We were just coming out of the pandemic at the time we went - in

the previous year, our visit was cancelled. The boys enjoyed their day very much.

“It was the best lunch and I particularly liked learning how to say hello in Hindi. Feeding the cows was terrific.” Noah “I particularly liked the trailer ride and the singing was terrific.” Lewis “I enjoyed the dancing and the face painting was good.” Nate “I liked the music in the shrine and all the instruments but the best part was being towed by the cows.”

Sebastian “We listened to Hari Krishna music and it was really long but I still enjoyed it.” Peter

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ACTIVITIES

A BOARDER WRITES...

Boarding is one of the most unique things about Lockers Park. It has a very relaxed atmosphere where new boarders are welcomed and feel at home at once.

More than half of the school board, whether it is an event night or simply just for fun. Though many other schools have the concept of boarding, none do it the same way as Lockers Park does it.

Within The House: The inside of the boarding house is second to none. The boarders’ common room is the most used place in the entirety of the house. It is always in use throughout the evening. It is a host to boarders’ meetings, where we discuss our dormitory ideas and what we want to change in the

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boarding house. It also provides a homely place to watch TV and interact with friends. The dorms are another wonderful place to hang out. You can revise for upcoming exams as well as a place to relax and talk with friends. These dorms act as your own room just shared with other pupils.

Events: The events within the boarding house are always something to look forward to. From movie nights and disco nights to weekend activities and seasonal events, all of them bring the school

together. The sheer variety of events is sure to surprise you every time.

No matter what, the event is never the same. One of the best events was Dark Tower. All the students were in pitch black and had to retrieve slips of paper to win. But the teachers were dotted around the grounds to stop them. Not only are the boarders involved, the teachers are as well!

Conclusion: The boarding house is one of best parts of Lockers Park.

The places within the house all serve different purposes. It is usually relaxed but at times it is one of the busiest places. The day-to-day routine is very calm with nothing that can be seen as hard to cope with. The events always add a new sense of excitement not just in the boarding house but in the whole school. Overall, the atmosphere is wonderful and it is arguably the finest facility the school has to offer.

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ACTIVITIES

TREACHERY AT TRAITORS’ QUAY Who would have thought that the Dawson children (Jonathan, Sam, George, Teddy and Noah) would have so much fun being sent to the countryside during WW2.

Why was the gamekeeper (Joseph) so surly, what was he hiding?

Was Mr Eggin-Drake (Christopher) such a bumbling aristocrat or was he a spy? Such suspense and intrigue filled the hall as we were transported back to 1944. The boys kept us guessing until the final moment when the true identity of the spy was revealed! It was Miss Albright or should we say Fraulein Hildegard Albrecht (Lucas).

This was a truly entertaining musical with catchy songs and some fabulous cameo moments. Captain Kitchener (Etienne) was brilliant with his sidekicks (Max, Maxence and Jacob). The Eggin-Drake girls (Seb and Cheng Xi) were extremely comical in a typical boys in dresses way. Not quite walking like girls and definitely not sitting like girls.

Who would have thought PC Loveham (Vivaan), Mrs Loveham (Thomas) and Mr Mulch (Tom) could be so blind to all the carryings on in Traitors’ Quay, so aptly named.

I take my hat off to the Year 4s for their fabulous Jitterbug dance, Craig Revel Horwood would have given

THE FEAST

Of all the events in the academic year, the Feast (alongside Dark Tower) is the definitive example of the most “Lockers Park” event going.

The 2022 edition was no different, the evening kicking off with what we think was a dance competition between the Sets (Strictly Lockers).

The judging panel consisting of those staff not associated with

a particular Set had some tricky choices to make, before the eventual winners were announced.

From this point we then proceeded to an array of traditional games in various parts of the school. After 16 years at Lockers, I was finally given the honour of referee for the Bell and Bolster game (essentially a sort of super charged Marco Polo). After 5 minutes I did start to

them a 10 if he had seen it. Year 3 somehow managed to sneak in with some excellent line delivery: clear and confident as if they were in the West End. All in all a spectacle that entertained us from start to finish.

A big thank you to Sarah Diggory and her team of skilled helpers in the Art department, Jan Maddern and her team for costumes and the teachers in Years 3-5 for all the supervision of the enthusiastic boys.

But the biggest thank you has to go to all the boys in Years 3-5 for their hard work and commitment for giving us two wonderful nights of entertainment.

question my choice of career, and my eardrums were given a thorough work out. Elsewhere, we had competitive anagramming, memory competitions and of course the traditional Spin the Platter (a platter is spun, a nominated boy has to pick it up - not as easy as you might think). Finally, it was wine time for parents and carols around the tree, to get the Christmas spirit going. Whilst chatting to an Lockers Old Boy (1980s vintage) over a sharpener, at the end of the evening, who was waiting for his son to emerge, it became clear that much of what he remembers still goes on now.

Schools must move on and embrace the new, but some things are definitely worth keeping.

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REVIEW

SPRING TERM REVIEW

How on earth was it physically possible to accomplish so much during such a short term? We even had time to send the dastardly “Covid” and dreaded “bubbles” on their way with customary Lockers Park verve and vigour. A semblance of preparatory school normality appeared upon the horizon, harking back to a long since forgotten time when a few more members of staff had hair.

It was wonderful, once more, to be able to enjoy guest speakers. County Chess Champion, Steve Law, inspired our players of the noble game and despite denials, handed useful tips to Mr Phillips. Mrs Darley spoke to Year 1 about being the youngest ever woman to reach the geographic North Pole. She and Mr Darley took two unsupported months walking across the ice, carrying all that they required for their arduous journey.

Similarly, the whole school listened in awe as Mr Frostbite himself, Nigel Vardy, described how to be resilient during the tough times of being a Derby County Football Club supporter.

In addition to this, he told us about attempting to climb Mount Denali, Alaska, in 1999, as a freak storm plummeted the temperature down to -60°C. He inspired us by telling how he has coped since severe frostbite changed his life forever.

Equally as scary was the eagerly anticipated return, in the dead of night, of Dark Tower. Demons, Night Riders and Witches left their usual haunts in Hemel High Street to strike fear and trepidation into the hearts and minds of boys a plenty.

The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew returned our budding senior thespians to the boards once more. Over two nights, packed audiences enjoyed some wonderful performances. The

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stage was not idle for too long as we enjoyed a welcome return of Lockers Got Talent. Variety is truly resurgent in Hertfordshire as acts included eye wobbling, impersonations of a snake and/or the Prime Minister, the comedy genius of train timetables, superb playing of instruments and singing.

There was also a splendid variety of Set competitions: debating, cross country, rugby to name but a few, as well as the brilliant music competition in the private garden on a gloriously sunny afternoon.

There were crunching tackles with the possibility of trench fever during days of excess precipitation, as rugby led the way with the return of fixtures against other schools. Luckily the School sponsored walk, in aid of the Collett School and the Pepper

Foundation remained dry, despite flirtations with the canal causing retiring Bursar, Dawn Gardner, a risk assessment coronary.

Barely scratching the surface, other term highlights included the advent of Little Lockers. Children’s Mental Health Week featured an outdoor disco, yoga and daily smoothies, but not at the same time. The prefects supper celebrated Chinese New Year and was as sumptuous as the Set supper.

Online guests included The Hundred’s Welsh Fire cricketer Lissy Macleod, who shared her experiences of gender stereotyping. Houston really did have a problem in the middle of the night as NASA’s Flight Controller, Nate, (a friend of Mrs Roberts) was woken up by boys eager to learn about his responsibilities.

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U13A RUGBY

After a pleasing start to the season with training matches against Edge Grove, it proved difficult to take that momentum on, having to cancel all fixtures before half term due to Covid.

After half term the team were bouncing with excitement and felt confident as we faced a weakened Lochinver House team. The ball was moved quickly and the boys were ferocious at the breakdown, securing our own ball and stealing against the head. A final score of 7-2 saw Lewis score a hat-trick, with Owen, Dylan,

Eesa and Max all getting on the score sheet as well.

with Max, Owen and Lewis all touching down.

Confidence was high as we faced a brilliant Sunningdale side. The tackle count was unbelievably high and captain Thomas was man of the match with a stunning performance.

Unfortunately, we dropped the ball on the line twice and allowed the opposition a few interceptions as well.

The boys pulled together and after some hard training sessions they used home field advantage to come from behind to draw 6-6 against Kingshott

It was lovely to see the boys running hard, direct lines in attack and the team coming together to fight back from behind. It has been a hard season for the U13s but their team spirt and passion has been brilliant to see. Rugby colours were awarded to Thomas, Charlie, Boris, Dylan and Owen for fantastic performances, attitude towards training and being role models to the younger pupils.

throughout our training sessions it became clear that, whilst there was a broad range of ability, they all had the desire to succeed and wouldn’t shy away from a challenge. Led by our captain Henry, the boys continued to

improve as the term went on, refusing to lose heart and managing to secure a couple of victories before the season ended. This was a great learning experience for all and has very much laid a solid foundation on which to build next year.

of hand, he was the master of the intercept. Thomas was ferocious with blood curdling tackles and improving ball skills. They were well supported up front by Archie and Edward.

Sniping at the base, like a scolded whippet, was Barney who, off both hands, released the elegance in

attack that was Leon. He then fed our powerful running midfield of Kit and Ayub. Freddie often showed skilful hands as he endeavoured to unleash the wings of Ollie, a truly deceptive, elusive runner and the diminutive Max, who would flatten a brick wall, if required! What a team…

U12A RUGBY It was mixed bag for the U12As in terms of results this season, but I couldn’t be more proud of the tenacity and effort which the boys displayed. As it was my first term at Lockers they were something of an unknown quantity to me, but

U11A RUGBY What a season of crunching tackles, great passing and muddy knees. This talented group played spectacular rugby scoring a plethora of tries without relying upon the mismatched physicality that often blights this level.

Captain William was a colossus in attack and defence, with sleight

U11B RUGBY

It was an enjoyable season for the U11B team. They trained hard in our Games sessions and I was particularly pleased with the effort they put into all of their fixtures. Over the course of the term all players developed their running skills and passing down the line in attack. This resulted in a number of good tries scored and well done to Hero for being at the centre of these attacks. Rucking was rather challenging after not playing for such a long time, however German and Edward demonstrated great strength when trying to win the ball back. Tiger was our highest try scorer and he loved using his power to drive through the opposition’s defence. These are just a few names from a team full of dedicated individuals. Very well done.

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U10A RUGBY

It was a most enjoyable season, with the boys to a man always clamouring for longer training sessions - never mind the weather!

It is impossible to single out the heroes as every boy played a very equal role in terms of star quality, although Hugo in full flight was quite the sight to behold, it was literally like watching the wind fly by! Tackling was the real issue,

with a tiny handful having to do the work for the masses, as it were.

A huge thank you Such was the strength in depth, that there were at least 3 players in the ‘B’ team who could have held their

U10B RUGBY

The under 10Bs had a really positive rugby season. The boys’ commitment and drive to achieve a win did not go unnoticed. Their effort during their training sessions, working on their passing, tackling and positioning was fantastic.

They were able to grow as a team and come away with many wins against rival schools.

I would like to give a special mention to two high-scoring players: Joseph and Jacob. There was good

own in the ‘A’s and competition will be fierce for places in twelve months’ time. A huge thank you to all boys in Year 5 who provided everyone with such an entertaining time all term long!

defensive tackling from Alfie and Noah. We also had wonderful team players in Teddy and our captain in Etienne. The boys should be exceptionally proud of their rugby season and for representing Lockers Park so well.

U9A RUGBY

We started the term playing touch rugby and we soon learnt that it wasn’t wise to run backwards with the ball. We scored some wonderful tries once we started to pass and well done to Billy who used his pace to score in the corners. There were three boys who really stood out when it came to tackling: Oscar, Jack and Oliver. They all made try stopping tackles on numerous occasions. It has been wonderful to watch the boys gel as a team and recognise the importance of working together. As a result, they have scored more tries and they should all be proud of the effort they have put in during the rugby season.

U9B RUGBY As the rugby season progressed, the U9B team improved immensely.

Initially, they had been a little too gentlemanly, but this soon changed when the taste for scoring tries kicked in. The season began with a tournament between Keble Prep, Edge Grove and Westbrook 16 LOCKERS PARK MAGAZINE 2021-2022

Hay. Jack was the season’s highest try scorer, tearing through the opposition defensive lines. Matches against Heath Mount and Lochinver House provided close contests with most of the boys scoring tries. As one of the team coaches, I was very proud of the team’s ability to take

training initiatives onboard and apply them in matches. Their confidence grew with every match and their attitudes were positive and supportive of each other. This has been an excellent introduction to rugby.

SPRING TERM

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SPORTS

U8A RUGBY

The U8A rugby team have made fantastic progress over the course of the spring term.

After a long break from sport, it was fantastic to see the boys back on the rugby pitch and braving the cold conditions, getting used to being part of a team, and competing for Lockers Park.

We experienced some nail-biting matches, and every member of the

team put in 100% of their effort in order to score tries against a wide range of schools. Every single member of the team should be extremely proud of how far they have come, particularly considering that for some this was their first experience of tag rugby. Congratulations to Nate,

U8B RUGBY

It has been delightful to watch the enthusiasm from the U8s this term.

For many this has been their first experience of playing rugby and they have all enjoyed learning to play tag.

The new shape ball has been fun for the Year 3s and has not deterred the boys from running around, passing

and catching the ball. They have all loved chasing each other around the pitch trying to tag the opposition!

The boys should feel immensely proud of their efforts, for they have won and lost some games but have always tried their best, determined

Balthazar, Zack and Muhammad for achieving Man of the Match.

I look forward to seeing them continue to thrive on the rugby pitch in Year 4, when they will be given the opportunity to give contact rugby a try. Good luck boys, you are all stars.

to defend and attack to score tries. Each boy has made progress and this was evident from the last matches played. They have become more organised, encouraging and supporting of one another to create a team-playing ethos. Well done Year 3, a super first season playing rugby.

SET CROSS COUNTRY On Saturday 19th March, Lockers Park hosted its annual Set Cross Country competition, which sees the boys run a circuit of our beautiful 23 acre site.

As always the weather played its part and there were bright blue skies and warm temperatures to add to the excitement. In this event, every boy in the school runs and represents their Set. Every place counted in every age group from U9 to U13.

minutes. It was Eddie who came round the final corner and won the U9 race, followed by PJ in 2nd and Ollie in 3rd.

Two laps for the U11s saw more strategy come into play as pace and timing was everything. The heat around the course was proving very challenging and the boys trudged their way up the hill and towards the finish. Well done to Benjamin who won the race, with Tom and Max in 2nd and 3rd respectively.

The senior race was led from start to finish by one person. Dylan ran a fantastic race and was pushed all the way by Eddie who finished 2nd. Charlie came in 3rd to take the bronze medal.

However, it was all about the Set Competition, and well done to Beatty, who over the three age groups accumulated the most points and lifted the Set Cross Country Shield.

In the U9 race, the boys ran a great race and a good pace, finishing the lap in around 7

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ACTIVITIES

INTER PREP SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS On Monday 14th March, our top eight runners from each age group represented the school at the Inter Prep Schools Cross Country Championships, held at Westbrook Hay. Ten schools were present at the event and the atmosphere was full of excitement. The whole team

ran incredibly well in some very fast races, and it was lovely to see Lockers boys setting an early pace in all three age groups. In the U9s Eddie finished 11th, whilst Tom finished 23rd in the U11 race. We fared a little better in the U13s race, with Dylan finishing just

outside the medals in 4th, and three of our other runners all inside the top 20. However, it was a team event!

The boys represented the school incredibly well and both the U9s and U13s finished in 2nd place in their respective team events. Well done to all who ran.

WORLD BOOK DAY

What an event! Our boys were treated to terrible tusks, scrambled snakes, fox sandwiches and other such delights to celebrate reading in the Pre-prep. A Roald Dahl feast was enjoyed in the dining hall - including Bruce Bogtrotter’s Special Chocolate Cake. Golden Tickets were won

across the school in our very special snack; those winners will treat their friends to an extra break next week.

At Lockers Park, we love reading and it certainly showed in the boys’ enthusiasm for this special day. Staff created mystical and magical story

doors, whilst delighting our boys in a study of ‘Perfectly Norman’. You will find that your sons can now discuss what is ‘perfectly them’! The fun does not end here; boys will continue the celebrations next week, in our very special ‘Lockers Park World Book Week’. Keep practising, boys!

PANTOSAURUS

As part of PSHE in Year 4 we have been designing pants to help us remember the ‘Pantosaurus’ five easy rules for staying safe!

P A

Privates are private Always remember your body belongs to you

N

No means NO

T

Talk about secrets that upset you

S

Speak up, someone can help

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ACTIVITIES

DARK TOWER IF YOU DARE… The game of Dark Tower dates back to a time probably before most parents, let alone boys, were even born. Despite its natural mutations over the decades, the spirit I am sure has never changed; the visceral excitement of running and hiding in the dark, black clad enemies hunting with torches, all in silence.

Not many schools could entice a dozen or so teachers to give up their Friday evening to make this event so memorable and indeed I think this was possibly the best game ever. The boarding house was full to overflowing with exhausted boys recounting tales of derring-do, what could be better!

BEDFORD OBSERVATORY TRIP

A few boys from Year 7 & 8 were lucky enough to go on the trip to the Bedford Observatory.

The drive to the observatory was very long but when we got off the bus everyone was buzzing with excitement. We went straight to the observatory where we were told about the different telescopes before being split into groups. The group that I was in went straight into the observatory building with the larger telescope to look closely at the moon. We looked at the south side of the moon. It was amazing! We looked at lots of small craters which were about 20km across and were told how the craters were formed; by meteors colliding with the surface of the moon. Then we went outside and looked through a smaller telescope, much like the one we have at school.

We saw two larger craters, about 80km across, and a large dark patch on the moon know as maria

(which is derived from the Latin word for seas).

After looking at the moon we went into the planetarium. This was a room with a 4-metre dome in the roof. We sat on comfortable chairs and looked up into the dome where the constellations were projected into. It went pitch black and we started by looking into the night sky of spring. We were shown the constellations and told why Polaris was called the north star, not because it was the brightest star but because it is the only star on the ecliptic line and is directly above due north. We were then shown the night sky for the rest of the seasons and all of their constellations. We spent a long time observing Canis Major and Orion because they have

some of the brightest stars in the night sky such as Sirius, Rigel and Betelgeuse. Scientists are particularly interested in Betelgeuse because it is a red giant and close to exploding.

This has never been witnessed with modern telescopes. They know the stages that red giants go through after exploding but are yet to witness them properly.

By Toby, Year 7

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ACTIVITIES

IVINGHOE BEACON

One of the key parts of learning is getting opportunities to test ideas and hypotheses out in the field - and nowhere is this more vital than Geography fieldwork.

This year’s project centred on sustainability and investigated how a local area of outstanding natural beauty (Ivinghoe Beacon) was being affected by increased visitors (especially relevant due to a huge increase in numbers since lockdown).

Our Year 7 boys mapped out litter and pollution, measured erosion and then consolidated their results into a final score. They were then

BORMIO 2022

When we arrived at school to get on the coach, we were all buzzing.

When we got to Heathrow Airport, we checked our bags in and agreed to meet at the gate before we boarded. People were getting tons of sweets and I even bought myself some headphones that I still have to this day.

When we arrived, we went to a coach. It was pretty late, but everyone was too excited to get any sleep.

We were in the coach for 3 hours watching the magnificent views of the mountain. We finally arrived at our hotel and checked in ready for some sleep and an early start the next day.

On our first day, we woke up super early, had some bacon and pancakes – the main breakfast I had the majority of the week - and then headed to the slopes via a gondola to the bottom of the mountain. After we were sized up for skis and boots, we got into our groups with an instructor and headed off to ski for 20 LOCKERS PARK MAGAZINE 2021-2022

the morning, after a few nice red runs we had some pasta to refuel, before heading off up the mountain for our afternoon session.

When we got back to the hotel, we were allowed some free time to play football and go on our devices, then we had some lovely dinner, then some more free time after which we could play games and chat with friends before bed.

Most days followed similar routines, except for the odd occasion when we could free ski in the afternoon

invited to provide solutions to the issues. Lots of ideas were put forward, from closing footpaths and charging visitors to installing more litter bins. This was then written up into a 1000 word project, a copy of which will be sent to their senior schools. The boys themselves had a fantastic day, not least as it allowed some of our children a real taste of the British countryside in all its glory.

This was one of the best holidays I have ever gone on.

with our Max, Year 6 parents and friends, even heading up to the top of the mountain at 3000ft to do some crazy runs.

On the last day, we got to race against each other on a slalom course, we practised our quick short turns and agility on the skis and I ended up finishing third, which I am proud of to this day. For our last evening meal, we went to a pizza place and we had an amazing pizza and fizzy drink each.

SUMMER TERM

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REVIEW

SUMMER TERM REVIEW

Lockers Park School really comes alive in the summer term and what a summer term it has been!

I think I must start by talking about the festivities as the boys enjoyed celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. “Best day ever!” was the reply when students were asked how they had enjoyed the occasion. The boys were treated to a traditional street party with bunting, balloons and cakes a plenty!

The weather did not disappoint, and the boys participated in a cross-curriculum day, the highlight of which was the customary games played on the lawn. There was a Queen’s Big Jubilee lunch with the boys sporting their makeshift crowns and tucking into a Jubilee lunch fit for royalty. Abundant community spirit united teachers and students as they contributed to a Lockers Park Jubilee recipe book and a regal

cake competition, organised by the Friends of Lockers Park. I am sure the Queen would have been delighted to savour the corgi shaped cake and other royal designs but she was unfortunately detained elsewhere!

Her very own Lady-in-Waiting dispatched a wonderful letter thanking the students for their kind wishes for the Queen’s ninety-sixth birthday!

The summer term offers the opportunity to use the great outdoors as a learning experience, and the Year 8 boys were able to relax after their exams and experience a Bushcraft Trip. For those boys who enjoy a good political debate, there was the opportunity to interview the Honourable Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead. The Little Lockers

Year 2 class enjoyed their graduation assembly making them feel very grown-up and well prepared for joining the Prep school in September.

The students have celebrated many successes over the summer, from retaining the Scott Gowing Trophy in the Athletics Quadrangular Competition to the best ever Maths Challenge results and we must not forget the success in the Dacorum Young Artist Competition.

The boys at Lockers Park love the competitiveness of Set Sports Day and for those with a passion for the environment, Mr Iqbal organised a local river project. The highlight for many pupils and parents must be the summer concert in the private garden where the children can share their musical talent.

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1ST XI CRICKET After a period of winter training, the 1st XI were ready and raring to go for the new season.

Unfortunately, the Great British weather intervened in our first game against Westbrook Hay. We had limited the opposition to 136 with a strong opening bowling display from Max (2 for 10) ably assisted by Diyon (2 for 6). Our strength this year was always going to be our bowling as we fielded 9 different bowlers across the innings.

Our first outing in the County Cup was the Tring School visit. Lockers won the toss and asked Tring to bat. Again with 9 bowlers bowling, the attack kept taking wickets and Tring were 37-6.

A small partnership brought them up to 89 all out. Bowling mentions to

Freddie (2 for 6), Torab (1 for 5) and Austin (2 for 7). We set out on our chase with intentions of being positive and Thomas did just that (32 off 33) including a ginormous six over the score box which saw us to victory by 7 wickets.

Close games against Edge Grove and Lochinver House saw us narrowly come second in both games. But there were plenty of positives to take from both outings.

Shrey, who over the winter we turned from a seam bowler to a leg spinner, bowled brilliantly taking 4 for 16 and 4 for 35! ‘He narrowly missed out on a 5 wicket haul’ on both occasions. Charie bowled with real skill and control against Lochinver and finished with figures of 4 for 14 off 3 overs.

A big well done to all the boys this year, they have been a fantastic group to work with, and we look forward to seeing some of them return in a few years’ time to help out the Old Boys team.

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The visit of the Old Boys and timed cricket was a nice change for the 1st XI as they batted first. Charlie and Max steadied the ship and moved the game on well until the lunch interval.

Then a certain Old Boy who may coach the 1st XI came on to bowl and the partnership was broken.

Charlie came to the crease and batted brillianty over a long period of time. He finished 40 off 74 balls and took the 1st XI to 188 when Captain Max declared.

Wickets tumbled early for the Old Boys, but they managed to keep up with the rate. As we entered the last hour, the 1st XI continued to bowl well and after a scoreboard error, the game was declared a draw. Cricket colours awarded: Max (Captain), Charlie (Vice Captain) and Thomas.

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SPORTS

2ND XI CRICKET

The 2nd XI had a fantastic unbeaten season, winning three with one match against Westbrook Hay rained off.

A terrific performance with both bat and ball saw us to a comfortable win away at Kingshott by six wickets. A much tougher match at home to Edge Grove saw us take the game deep, with the winning runs scored in the last over by Boris. The final fixture

at home saw the boys produce an excellent all-round performance using everything they had worked on in training to narrowly beat Lochinver House by eleven runs.

Lockers never lost control of the game and the boys bowled great

lines and length to secure the victory. Well done to all the boys who played for the 2nd XI. We look forward to another successful summer in 2023.

3RD XI CRICKET

The mighty Colts D had a hard-fought season of cricket under the British sun. The boys had challenging opponents but never failed to show their absolute best.

An outstanding victory was well deserved against St Columba’s at Nasbury Park, Lockers scoring a brilliant 243 and winning by 13 runs. The runs were flying in from our first pair, Arth and Fionan, as well as from the pairing of Tim and Oscar. Our fielding was exceptional, coupled with some great bowling from Cheng Xi Choong and Jacob. Overall, a wonderfully hard-working team who never gave up and should be proud of their accomplishments. Well done to all.

COLTS A CRICKET

A hot, dry summer was enjoyed with superb performances culminating in the County U11 Pairs Final, narrowly losing to Lochinver.

The boys worked hard to improve their skillset during net sessions and game time. Their enthusiasm during fielding drills paid dividends as we looked like a cricket team with tucked in shirts! Chief orchestrator, Barney, led by example. Predominantly leg sided, he scored runs quickly, with his leg spin creating an air of mystery

and deceit, often unrewarded. Leon batted with authority, dismissing the ball from his presence and later bowling it with speed and hostility.

Freddie showed very promising all round talent which will grace prep school grounds next season. Sadhik is a fine bowler, with accuracy and movement, often surprising himself.

Keeper Will, improved during the term but must give greater value to his wicket when batting. The same might be said to other wielders of the willow. Nevertheless, Tom, Ayaan, Ollie and Archie all had positive moments, contributing with both bat and ball. Maxence, Max and Thomas showed promise and have large boots to fill next year.

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COLTS B CRICKET It was an enjoyable term of cricket for the Colts B. We had a few chances to win matches early on but we gave away too many extras when bowling.

However, as this improved so did our results and our first win was away against Manor Lodge.

We managed to bowl them out for 75 and there was some exceptional

fielding during this innings. Our openers struggled but the ship was steadied by Lucas and Noah who made some smart decisions between the wicket.

It was great to finally get a welldeserved victory. Confidence was high and we finished the season off in style with a tremendous win

COLTS C CRICKET The Colts C cricket team had a fine season, one that could so easily have had 4 wins and 2 losses or indeed just 1 win and 5 losses!

Against Westbrook Hay, we were unlucky to face an ‘A’ team, not really in the spirit of things, we felt, but the boys fought bravely against county players. The season really took off against Edge Grove as the game ebbed and flowed before

we faced an unprecedented ‘super over’. William bowled a perfect over and indeed played so well that we lost him to the ‘B’ team for the rest of the season!

Against Heath Mount we truly grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory. We were happily chasing down an easy total, when no fewer than three players trod on their own

against St Columba’s. Kit, Tom and Archie all retired after scoring 25 runs. The impressive performance didn’t finish there as William and Edward bowled beautifully to stop the opposition from reaching our total. It has been a great term with a lovely group of boys who have made good progress. Well done to all.

stumps and one boy chose, shall we say, an inauspicious moment to run a non-existent single! This scribe was absent for the loss to Sunningdale, so cannot comment further. However, against Lochinver House, a real team effort fought all the way through, including a meaty innings between German and Ben, until the very last over in the field. Many boys offered their services to put their reputation on the line and Ayub ultimately came up trumps, taking the all important wicket that insured victory.

For the final match away at St Columba’s, we played on a pitch that looked like it have been recently vacated by goats, but we bowled beautifully with the hard tennis ball we were given and then various batsmen on our team did all they could to knock the cover off it as we chased down the total with ease.

It was a great season with a lovely group of boys who all improved hugely, which is what it is all about.

COLTS D CRICKET The mighty Colts D had a hardfought season of cricket under the British sun. The boys had challenging opponents but never failed to show their absolute best. An outstanding victory was well deserved against

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St Columba’s at Nasbury Park, Lockers scoring a brilliant 243 and winning by 13 runs. The runs were flying in from our first pair, Arth and Fionan, as well as from the pairing of Tim and Oscar. Our fielding was exceptional, coupled

with some great bowling from Cheng Xi and Jacob. Overall, a wonderfully hard-working team who never gave up and should be proud of their accomplishments. Well done to all.

SUMMER TERM

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SPORTS

U9A CRICKET

The U9As have loved playing cricket this term.

They were keen to play and learned a lot about the game. We had a big focus on communication when running between the wickets, improving our accuracy when bowling and trying to strike the

ball as cleanly as possible when batting. It has been wonderful to watch their progress over the term.

Special mentions go to PJ for hitting an impressive six against Kingshott, Balthazar for running down the

wicket to hit a four back over the bowler’s head, Kiran for surprising himself and bowling with a good line and length, and Eddie for a fantastic season. Well done to all who played for the U9As this term.

U9B CRICKET

I have been bowled over by the accomplishments of the mighty U9B cricket team this summer.

A majority of the pupils had little or no prior experience of the game, however they quickly gelled as a team, picked up the rules and techniques in fielding, batting and communication. Not forgetting a lesson in some new cricket lingo: wicket, innings, boundary, LBW. Once we had these figured out, we started to wonder what the rest meant: googly, beamer, doosra and duck. Those of you feeling a bit lost, the answers can be located on Google. Their first competitive match against Westbrook Hay was nail-bitingly close, and with 3 overs

to play and 13 runs to win, we were all on the edge of our seats.

They came away with a 3-run victory, and went on to achieve three consecutive wins against other teams across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

As we all know it’s not all about the winning (but let’s face it, winning is great), and their fourth match saw a defeat after a slight lapse in concentration in fielding. Being the mighty B team though, they only learned from this and came back stronger than ever, winning against

St Columba’s by 26 runs. I was very proud when the coach of the opposing team wanted to confirm that one of our players was, in fact, under 9 years old, and I was able to explain that he was referring to a Year 3 player. No names mentioned, but well done Rafferty, who has been formidable in the wicket taking stakes. Every single pupil has played their heart out this season, and you should all be incredibly proud of yourselves.

Very well done to you all, I have loved every minute.

U9C CRICKET

The smell of freshly cut grass, the dusting of freshly painted boundary lines and the knock of incrediballs on plastic bats, all signified that the summer term had arrived.

The team was well prepared and determined to win, working well collectively. Matches were often closely fought and the season

ended with as many successes as losses, but the boys never stopped working to gain as many catches, take as many wickets and score as many runs as possible. Excellent fielding saved the day at times, with notable catches being made

by Sebastian, Thomas and Noah.

Wickets were also taken by Lewis,

William H, William A and Amaan.

Awais and Jack scored boundaries with powerful striking, often putting the side in a commanding position.

We sadly lost a few matches due to wet weather, but this did not deter the positive attitude of the boys. Well done to all.

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U9D CRICKET

The U9Ds have had a super start to cricket at Lockers.

For some – Mack and Justin – this was their first time playing the game, and they thoroughly enjoyed it. Over the term the boys have been learning and practising both their batting and bowling skills, and have made good progress.

They have loved welcoming other schools and especially enjoyed match tea in the private garden.

A special mention to William and Max, for making a good batting pair. They communicated well and took risks to make many runs for

the team. Also to Johannes for his bowling, helping to take wickets throughout the term. It has been a pleasure to support the boys and I have been so impressed with their effort and team spirit.

Well done, U9Ds.

SET CRICKET

This year’s Set Cricket was eagerly awaited and possibly the most enjoyable yet!

Both competitions were hotly contested with Mountbatten and Roberts putting on a great final in the U11 Competition. Smaller boundaries meant a score of 64 was set for Mountbatten to win.

Despite bowling a tight penultimate over for Roberts, Mountbatten

squeezed over the line with 3 balls to spare. A great run chase.

In the senior competition it was a more tactical battle, with Year 8 working out the best way to split their Set for fielders and batters. Once this was done, battle commenced. There

was some fierce hitting on show and the music played from the boundary was happening every other ball.

In the final, Haig took on Kitchener but the power hitting of Thomas was too much for Kitchener and Haig came home winners. A big well done to all involved.

TABLE TENNIS

Our termly trip to Edge Grove for table tennis was as hotly contested as ever, with six seniors and six colts making the trip on a Thursday evening.

Our boys were straight onto the front foot, looking to score as many points as early on in their rallies as possible, and it was lovely to see the boys playing with smiles on their faces. Well done to Nico, Max, Leon and Ayaan, who were all medal winners in the event.

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SUMMER TERM

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SPORTS

SET ATHLETICS

It was a pleasure to have Set Athletics back to normal this year, with all boys from Reception to Year 8 representing their Set on Saturday 18th June. The weather didn’t play ball this year and we had to postpone until the final week of term.

The Set Athletics Competition is all about the team: no individual timings, but all points-based. The boys did a fantastic job and it was lovely to

see the front pitch covered with the 6 Set colours. Once all the results had been totalled up it was over to Mr Taylor to announce the results. Huge

congratulations to Mountbatten who won this year’s competition and a thank you to all the parents for their support.

ATHLETICS FINALS events. Heats took place in the weeks leading up to the event, and all was set for a brilliant spectacle of athletics.

U9 55m Hurdles 100m 200m 300m 600m Long Jump High Jump Cricket Ball

B. Vandra-Simon 12.08s V. Patel 16.22s E. Bamigboye 35.70s E. Mitchell 56.79s P. Hutton-North 2m 10s E. Bamigboye 3.12m K. Pattni 95cm E. Mitchell 26.96m

U11 75m Hurdles 100m 200m 300m 800m 1500m Long Jump High Jump Cricket Ball

L. Simon 15.74s L. Vandra-Simon 13.98s L. Vandra-Simon 30.72s K. Lancaster 55.91s T. Wilmot-Smith 2m 51s L. Vandra-Simon 6m 20s O. Payne 3.83m O. Wigg 1.20m L. Vandra-Simon 38.70m

U13 80m Hurdles 75m Hurdles 100m 200m 300m 800m 1500m Long Jump High Jump Triple Jump Shot Put Javelin Discus

B. Simon 14.78s O. Lloyd-Baker 15.09s M. Ageev 13.24s M. Ageev 29.70s E. Weston 46.10s E. Weston 2m 33s E. Weston 5m 46s E. Sefordzi 4.31m M. Alvargonzalez 1.25m D. Samuel 8.58m B. Simon 7.11m F. Lloyd-Baker 17.80m B. Simon 19.40m

ATHLETICS RESULTS

Athletics Finals took place on Thursday 30th June with all boys in Years 3-8 qualifying for their strongest

Unfortunately, the Great British weather decided otherwise, and the event was postponed to the final Wednesday of term.

In the U9 competition Eddie won two events: the 300m (56.79s) and cricket ball throw (26.96m).

Ethan won the 200m (35.70s) and the long jump (3.12m). There were six different winners in the U11 competition, but most notable was Leon, who entered four events and won all of them: 100m (13.98s), 200m (30.72s), 1500m (6m 20.45s) and cricket ball (38.70m).

There were also wins for Ollie P in the long jump, Ollie W in the high jump and Lucas in the hurdles. Well done to Leon, who won the U11 Victor Ludorum.

The senior competition was fiercely contested, with eight different winners across all events. Most notable were Edward and Boris, who scooped three trophies each. Maxim did the sprint double, winning the 100m and 200m with times of 13.24s and 29.70s respectively. Well done to all who took part in this celebration of athletics at Lockers Park.

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QUADRANGULAR ATHLETICS

Friday 20th May saw 30 athletes from Years 5-8 head to Jarman Park for the annual Prep Schools Quadrangular Athletics.

Teams of five would rotate around all athletics disciplines and the excitement was building as the senior team looked to defend the Scott Gowing Shield (a former Director of Sport at Lockers Park).

Notable performances were Dylan (13.90s), Hugo (15.10s) and Lucas (15.63s) all winning their 100m races. There were gold medals in the 200m as well with Kit (31.17s) and Ollie (30.86s).

Elsewhere there were winning performances in the seniors from Max in the cricket ball (49.96m), Thomas

in the shot (8.25m), Charlie in the High jump (1.25m) and Boris in the javelin (21.30m).

In the Colts team there were noticeable performances from Leon winning the long jump (3.90m) and Lucas winning his second event in the high jump. There were also victories from George, Thomas, and Ivey.

The afternoon finished with the eagerly awaited relays. Having sprinted so well earlier in the day, the Lockers relay teams were looking in good form and backed it up with the

Junior A Relay coming 1st out of 8 in a time of 1:01.66.

Overall the boys did extremely well, and conducted themselves in a very professional manner all afternoon.

The junior team came 3rd overall, and the senior team came 1st overall, retaining the Scott Gowing Shield for the first time ever and winning it for a record breaking 3rd time in its history.

Huge congratulations to all the team who competed. Well done boys, a brilliant effort.

BEDFORD REGIONAL ATHLETICS After a 3 year absence, Regional Athletics was back at the Bedford International Stadium. Lockers Park took a team of 9 boys who had met the qualifying standards to compete for a space at the Nationals Finals.

Ollie was first up in the U12 high jump. Ollie started well, clearing his first two heights, but just scraped the bar at 1.10m and finished 9th out of 15. Edward running in a strong U14 1500m final finished 11th, but only 1.4 seconds off a school record, which is a fantastic effort.

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In the sprints, we fared a bit better with Ethan coming 3rd, Max 4th and Leon 3rd in their 100m heats with times of 14.3s, 13.5s and 14.9s respectively.

However we saw our best performance in the 200m from Leon who ran a 31.1s in his heat

and qualified for the final later that day. After a long and tiring day, Leon finished in a respectable 5th place. It was a great day out and the boys were a credit to the school.

Well done all.

SUMMER TERM

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SPORTS

SATIPS NATIONAL SKIING EVENT On Monday 2nd May, Lockers Park entered the SATIPS National Skiing Event, hosted at the Hemel Ski Centre. This is the first time in three years we have entered the event, so there was real excitement around the group.

In the U11 competition, the boys found early conditions tricky as they got used to the layout of the

course. The nerves had gone by the second run and the boys put in some good times with Ivey finishing 11th, Jonathan 12th and Archie and Aaron 16th and 20th respectively.

In the U14 main open competition, we fared slightly better. Sebastian got things off to a good start with his first run clocking at 18.78s. Henry

and Jonathan also put in pleasing first and second runs. However, it was Ethan who put in two blistering runs with times of 16.23s and 15.76 which placed him 1st overall and won him the U14 boys title. The rest of the team also finished well with Henry in 5th, Sebastian in 6th and Jon Jon in 13th. A fantastic effort by all. Well done.

LITTLE LOCKERS SPORTS DAY 2022 saw the inaugural Little Lockers Sports Day take place on the front pitch, with the sun shining down and a gentle breeze to cool the spectators.

There was a 50m sprint and some old classics too, including the sack race and the egg and spoon (which turned out to be golf ball and spoon instead!). Target throwing and a tough water and sponge challenge all lay ahead for our Little Lockers to overcome too. A highlight of the day was our final event, the Parents Race.

Seeing twelve lanes of mums, dads, grandparents and boys all sprinting their way down the track was a great sight.

All the boys did a fantastic job.

There were lots of smiles on faces – especially when Mr Taylor presented the winning medals, and a certificates to every boy. Well done, Little Lockers! We can’t wait for next year.

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SQUASH AND BADMINTON Squash and badminton continue to go from strength to strength.

It has been a pleasure to have Stephen Lloyd join the school community this year as our school squash coach. Stephen is a Level 3 coach and has been coaching and playing squash for many years. This year we started offering squash as part of our new evening activities programme for Years 6-8, and the activity has proven to be very popular. They boys have thoroughly enjoyed their sessions this year and the improvement made by all has been great to see, both technically and in their fitness levels. This was highlighted with a

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strong performance for the school at the IAPS Squash Nationals at Nottingham University, where we won three medals, including the U11 plate.

This term also saw the return of our usual squash and badminton fixture against Edge Grove. Both sports are incredibly popular at school and competition for places is fierce. Led by captain Max, the boys played some great squash and eventually came out on top.

I am happy to report a clean sweep for the six badminton boys

too, with Lockers Park sweeping aside the opposition. We looked comfortable moving the shuttle around the court and won all our points with conviction. Well done to the team: Eesa, Asim, Freddie, Ethan, Anton and Aleks.

And it’s not just on the court the boys have been learning new skills: marking games was also part of this year’s activity, and the confidence it gave the boys was clear to see. I’m pleased to say that Mr Lloyd will be returning in September and we will be expanding our squash offering to include Years 3-5 too. We can look forward to many more good times on court.

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SWIMMING GALA The Swimming Gala returned this year to its full ‘normal’ glory, with no restrictions and a jam packed program. Thankfully the weather was warm 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 Years 1 and 2 freestyle was fiercely contested, and a school record was broken in the process, well done to Hugo.

Into the main Set Competition, the Set leaders 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 (U11) and Max (U13)

who both broke the school record for the Individual Medley in their age groups in times of 1:24.74 and 1:24.18 respectively. Both boys took a 5 second chunk out of each record! Beatty 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 Beatty who were the overall Set winners.

The individual events saw boys sign up and qualify in the days leading up to the gala. Max swam very well and won the Taylor Medley (1:01.79) and the Duncan Cup (51.06). However, it was Hero who stole the show winning

3 events and finishing the Junior Medley 0.27s off another record.

There were also victories for Charlie in the Senior Diving, Sam in the Junior Diving, and Charlie defending the Boardman Shield for a second year.

The gala finished with the hotly contested Staff vs Parents vs Boys Relay. The staff were keen to win back ‘their’ trophy but knew they would be up against it. After a strong start from the parents, the boys kept themselves in contention as sadly the staff struggled to keep up. However a great length from Mr Turnbull brought the staff back into contention. However, whilst the staff were too busy focusing on beating the parents, they forgot about the boys, who strolled to victory for the first time since 2016!

Well done to all.

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SWIMMING GALA RESULTS LITTLE LOCKERS Years 1 and 2 Freestyle (28.20)

H. White (NEW RECORD of 24.33)

BACKSTROKE U9 1 Length (18.65) U11 1 Length (17.00) U13 2 Lengths (35.44)

Beatty 26.78 Jellicoe 21.56 Beatty 42.14

BREASTSTROKE U9 1 Length (22.47) U11 1 Length (18.40) U13 2 Lengths (36.56)

Kitchener 31.28 Kitchener 27.79 Kitchener 48.40

FREESTYLE U9 1 Length (15.65) U11 1 Length (13.92) U13 2 Lengths (28.13)

Roberts 19.00 Haig 16.01 Jellicoe 32.20

INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY EVENTS U9 4 Lengths (1.52:02) U11 4 Lengths (1.39:82) U13 4 Lengths (1.30:72)

Roberts 1.53:62 Beatty 1.24:74 (NEW RECORD) Roberts 1.24:18 (NEW RECORD)

SET RELAY 15x 1 Length (4.53:01)

Beatty 5.19:84

OVERALL WINNERS Beatty INDIVIDUAL EVENTS Bromley Shield (36.29) T. Webster 42.58 Duncan Cup (41.53) M. Ageev 51.06 U11 Cup (32.03) H. Duan 33.63 Junior Medley (1.00:18) H. Duan 1.00:45 Taylor Medley (54.10) M. Ageev 1.01:79 Senior Diving C. Payne Junior Diving S. Ayres Junior Butterfly (15.20) H. Duan 18.21 U12 Cup (29.60) A. Tomczyk 32.82 Boardman Shield (31.94) C. Sabugueiro 45.61 Drummond Cup The Boys

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LITTLE LOCKERS HAVING FUN

The Year 2 boys zoomed into ‘Space’ in the autumn term while the Year 1 boys explored ‘Enchanted Woodlands’.

Christmas is always such a busy time at Little Lockers and alongside cards, calendars and decorations, the boys performed the most wonderful nativity on the big Centenary Stage!

the ‘Great Fire of London’. We then went on the most ‘Sensational Safari’ to discover the animals of Kenya. Meanwhile, the Year 1 boys had a very frosty start to spring through their ‘Frozen Planet’ topic, before hopping on a historical tour of ‘Travel and Transport’. The Reception boys travelled around the world to find out some amazing facts about different countries in our ‘Wonderful World’ and then became ‘Habitat Hunters’!

In the spring term, the Year 2 boys dived into history to find out all about

We had a very regal summer term in Year 2, finding out about

The Reception children had so much fun learning about the different animals that live ‘On the Farm’ and we all came together to present a delightful harvest assembly to our parents.

‘Kings and Queens’, before taking a trip around the ‘Four Nations’ of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Year 1 boys developed very green fingers through their ‘What’s Growing’ topic and went batty for their ‘Amazing Animals’ topic, with bats being a particular favourite! Amazingly, the Reception boys discovered a new species of dinosaur: the Lockersaurus, when they were enjoying their ‘Dinosaur’ topic! They then went ‘Splish Splash’ all the way to the end of term!

FUTURE MAKERS AND CREATORS DAY On Sunday 26th June, Alex in Year 6 and Lolu, Barry and Hugo in Year 7 attended the Future Makers and Creators Day at Uppingham School. They were lucky to attend three two-hour workshops in the inspiring Leonardo Centre, where they participated in Art, DT and Textiles. By the end of the day they had produced handmade sketch books in Art; a carved, laser cut, sound amplifier in DT and a tie dye T-shirt with screen-printed text in Textiles. Thank you to all of the Uppingham staff for organising such a great day and well done to Alex, Barry, Lolu and Hugo for being fantastic representatives for the school.

MY FIRST TIME IN CAMBRIDGE My recent boarding event to Cambridge was extremely exciting as we started off by having a lovely ride on an electric bus which was very smooth, it was luxurious.

When the bus stopped, we had a short stroll to a place to book someone to take us punting.

Meanwhile, we walked around the town and we were just about to go to a summer event when it was time to go to the punting boat. It was very enjoyable; we went on a very low boat.

After punting we ambled across a lovely street with nice shops.

We had a fresh ice cream made straight when we bought it. We sat on freshly cut grass and we admired the views. By then, it

was 6pm so we had to go back to school. On the way to school we stopped off to McDonald’s for supper. I hope we get to go again and I recommend anyone who is reading this to visit Cambridge.

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THE FRENCH FILM INSTITUTE On June 28th Year 8 went to London to look around the French Film Institute.

At first, we sat down in a room with ascending rows of benches where we were briefed on what to do in French. We were then handed a small pamphlet and told to split into pairs where we analysed the poster and trailer for the film ‘Adama’. Not a lot of the reading we had to do was in English, the majority was in French so it wasn’t easy going. On the poster we had to deduct what period it was set in, who wrote the original story and who filmed it. Before watching the film, we were given a small speech about the French Institute and how it works.

Then we watched the film.

IT’S A GREAT FILM THAT I RECOMMEND WATCHING, THAT’S WHY I HAVEN’T DROPPED ANY SPOILERS.

Boris

HEADMASTER FOR THE DAY Being Headmaster for the day has been really nice for me. Pupils have been coming to me asking for dojos and green slips. There’s also been a few downsides to my day. Students coming to me complaining about what I should do. It’s a busy day being the Headmaster as you get mostly all the attention.

When my mum first bid to make me Headmaster I had quite a shock. I didn’t know that was the winning bid considering we still had Set Athletics and the bids were going to be there, I thought I was going to get outbid by quite a lot.

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you want but behind it there’s multiple things that need to be dealt with.

Most of the boys are having fun with activities during the day and not having to do lessons in the morning and I think everyone can come clean, we all hate that one lesson on a Monday morning. For me I’m just too tired usually but seeing as there’s no lessons in the morning today everyone’s energetic and the boys are feeling good. Also it was a late start so everyone is hyper and ready. I’ve introduced no prep for the rest of the year because nearly everyone is happy with that.

Staff get an earlier finish and the

boys get to go home earlier.

I just pulled off a game that is cops and robbers but it is made in a different way. Pupils are the robbers, staff are the cops. The boys have to get into the tennis court without getting touched by one of the teachers (including me.)

If they did make it into the tennis court they’d get extra slater which was skittles. If they got caught they’d have to go back to the start.

When you’re Headmaster you’re nervous at first but midway through the day it just feels normal.

By William

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YEARS 3 AND 4 RESIDENTIAL TRIP Our annual residential trip for Years 3 and 4 took an unexpected turn when the activities centre, that we had originally booked in for, cancelled us with two weeks notice!

Not wanting to disappoint the boys, calls were made and an alternative plan was drawn up.

With the grateful help, guidance and organisation of Steve Gilden, and with the equipment borrowed from generous local scouts, Jan Maddern and parents, we were able to set up a camp on the back pitch of the school grounds. We organised two days of activities for the boys which also

included an overnight stay in tents, and bedtime stories were told, before lights out, by Mr Gilden. The boys enjoyed activities that most had never done before. They made their own camp fires and cooked damper - a type of bread mixture - over them.

They also made some smores, which the boys thoroughly enjoyed. There were bushcraft type activities in our shrubs including nature spotting, orienteering and nature art, based on

the artist Andrew Goldsworthy. The boys built dens that had to remain strong and worked in teams.

The weather was kind to us and we all enjoyed the experience. We may not have had the same activities as we would have had at the activity centre, but we all had the best time!

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WHIPSNADE ZOO The Year 2 boys enjoyed a wonderful day at Whipsnade Zoo! We have been learning about Africa and decided to visit the zoo to find out more about the animals that live there.

The zoo has so many African animals. We loved the lions, white rhinos and zebras but we all found the hippos to be rather smelly! The boys especially enjoyed finding out about the giraffes and we were very lucky to speak to the zoo keepers to find out some interesting information; did you know that a giraffe’s spots are much like human fingerprints? No two individual giraffes have exactly the same pattern. The one animal that we all agreed we would like to take back to school were the meerkats; lively, cheeky and full of fun....Much like our Year 2 boys!

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7TH HEMEL HEMPSTEAD’S SECRET ADVENTURE! 7th Hemel Scouts and Cubs headed off on a secret mission on a Friday night, to survive a night in a secret nuclear bunker, then take on the Nuclear Races, before ending their adventure trying to escape from Clue HQ. The bunker is a huge underground maze that was built in 1952, to ensure that MOD workers were protected and government operations could continue in the case of a nuclear attack. The Cubs and Scouts slept in a large bunkroom, and during the evening

had the chance to explore the whole bunker using audio devices.

After breakfast everyone headed for Nuclear Races, a nearby very wet and muddy obstacle course, where they climbed over and wriggled under dry obstacles, before taking on the muddy

challenges. Having completed the course, it was difficult to recognise who was who – they were all covered in mud from head to toe!

After a shower and change of clothes, the group headed back to the bunker for a picnic lunch, and then were challenged to escape from several rooms at Clue HQ. Four teams entered different escape rooms, with an hour to solve the clues and escape... luckily everyone got out just in time to head back to base camp at Lockers Park!

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