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THE HOUSES - INTRODUCTIONS AND FAREWELLS
from The Focus- Issue 3
EAST
Laurence Young, Appointed East House Captain
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“The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all”, or at least so says the Emperor in Disney’s classic, Mulan. And indeed, we have seen no end to adversity in East House, but now our pink blossom is flourishing. The School Captain, and all four Vice-Captains of the school (one of whom who actually creates this mighty magazine), are proud members of this great House, and are representing our colour of pink, at the highest levels of the student body. They prove that East is growing stronger every day. Of course, this all follows one of the most successful years in East’s recent history, sitting just a handful of points off the pole-position in the House Cup, after a record breaking House Music performance (emulating and surmounting the success we last felt when my team were just wee Year 7s belting out “Be a Man” in ultrasonic tones) and with growing strength in our sporting prowess (admittedly, primarily in the younger years). Tragically, our promising year was cut short and our dreams seemingly dashed, but it is the East way to persevere onward. With our strong leadership, extending downward from the French powerhouse, Mrs
Williams who, like Napoleon before her, is leading her men to success, and with our high-flying Sixth-Form team, our passionate younger years, and of course, Ray Qin (no more words required!), I have no doubt we can break all the records of this coming year. However, such vain accolades are not what I ask of my House. Like every Eastie before me, the sense of community, vivacity and brotherhood that is unique to East House, is, and always has been, all I need. To see this age-old rule of East House to continue under my successors, would fulfil any and every goal I have of this House and of my position as Captain. And if we can, like a great pink rose, bloom in these difficult times, it will be as one – a House more united than ever, in these times of unparalleled adversity.
WEST
Mr Sanchez, Head of West House
2020 is a year that we all will remember. Some of you started a new adventure at Reading School, met fantastic people or discovered new passions. 2020 is the year in which we have all valued the high fives, the thank-yous and the coffees with friends. 2020 has shown how vulnerable we are and how much we need one another. This is a year in which our community has come together. Students, parents and staff have stood united. 2020 could be a year to forget, but I am sure there is something that is worth remembering forever. A conversation, a good match, a nice meal or a great lesson.
2020 is definitely the year we could reflect upon. How often can you sit down and think for weeks and ask yourself; “what truly matters to me?” What you end up missing, is what tends to matter. People make us better. Healthy relationships empower us. Acts of kindness empower our community. If you are planning to forget 2020, don’t do it, but instead, learn from it. I wish West House and the extended Reading School community a fantastic summer break.
I have loved every second of my tenure as West House Captain, and I am extremely proud of the achievements and progress that West House has made this year, and it undoubtedly would have been better if our year wasn't sadly cut short. It really is disappointing for, not only myself, but the whole of the house that we could not end the year together as intended. For me personally, the high point of my time as House Captain was House Music. It was a fantastically well run event and every single one of the boys showed tremendous dedication, regardless of their own musical prowess. The teamwork and camaraderie that was shown, certainly exceeded my own expectations, and we would not have been as successful as we were without it. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Aryan Dixit (Vice-Captain), and the other West House prefects who have all exemplified the qualities of fantastic leaders, and have been a massive help to me this year. I would also like to extend my enormous gratitude to Mr Sanchez for selecting me as House Captain, and recognise the huge amount
of sacrifices he makes for the good of the house, and my time in West would definitely not have been as enjoyable without him as my Head of House.
Turning now to the next academic year, I am certain that West will go from strength to strength under the leadership of Lucas Kirby and his fantastic set of new prefects. It will be an extremely good team and I have no doubts that they will exceed our achievements from this year. West is in very safe hands for another year, and long may its reign continue. Finally, I would like to wish everyone, not just those in West, the best of luck and good health for the future in these uncertain times.
Lucas Kirby, Appointed West House Captain
For those of you who do not know me, my name is Lucas, and I will be West House Captain for this coming year. First of all, I would like to thank my predecessor, John Wellman, for his incredible job in leading the House last year, most notably his efforts in House Music, and I hope to continue this legacy of strong West House leaders. Also, I offer my thanks to all the people who trusted me to do this role. I hope I won’t let you down. Throughout my life at Reading School, I have always enjoyed taking part in the many House events that are on offer during the year, and I am grateful for the many past leaders that made these competitions so special. It is with great honour, and some trepidation, that I now take the helm and lead these events myself. I believe it is every House Captain’s duty to ignite the spirit of their House, and if there is one thing West House does not lack, it is
spirit. The embodiment of healthy competition through House events drives everyone to better themselves, and I cannot wait to push ourselves to the best of our ability this coming year. Furthermore, I am keen to promote a culture of inclusion, regardless of year group, and I welcome any ideas on how we can improve West House for all. My door is always open, as they say. Of course, I would not be able to fulfil this role by myself. I believe the new West House leadership team is one of the strongest yet, and together with our amazing Head of House Mr. Sánchez, I am sure we have a great year ahead of us.
SCHOOL
Mr Allen, Head of School House
After a school year that has been so very different and short, I’d really like to thank every student and staff member that has been involved in School House activities, and contributed to our attempt of approaching everything in a positive and enthusiastic way in line with our motto, ‘Striving, Believing, Achieving.’ I’m so looking forward to seeing all the Reading School students again, and obviously working with School House students to do the best we possibly can in the House competitions. I’ve missed Reading School staff, students and parents so much, and I hope people have missed each other and look forward to people coming back with renewed positivity and appreciation for their peers. It’s really made me appreciate working at Reading School. I’m looking forward to seeing my form group every morning and having some weird and wonderful
conversations. For me, the best thing about being a teacher is seeing students progress through the school, learning as they go. I’m looking forward to helping with that journey in anyway I can. I’m looking forward to seeing recent year 13 leavers when they return for prize giving after a term at university. I’m looking forward to taking teams and trips when we finally can! But most of all I’m looking forward to the day I can shake someone’s hand in assembly when presenting an award, as again this will mean we are safely through this challenging time. Until then, I’m looking forward to taking on this challenge together as a whole school community, and not just a House!
Jamie Weir, Appointed School House Captain
During lockdown, I’ve realised good habits are crucial. This year, I want everyone in School House to make a habit of seeking discomfort - actively finding opportunities outside of their comfort zone. Try out for that speaking role in House Eisteddfod, join a new club or sing at House Music. If we, as a house can make pushing ourselves a habit, success will come naturally.
LAUD
Mr Gunson, Head of Laud House
With the 2019/20 academic year coming to a close, it is important to look back and reflect. Laud House experienced a very busy and entertaining year in house competitions and societal events. A huge thank you has to go out to our Leadership Team of Joel Baby (House Captain), Corin Bertrand (Vice-Captain) and the Prefect team
for their great commitment to the House and its students. There is no doubt that Reading School, our wider community and our global society faced massive challenges this year. More than ever, we now need to show resilience and togetherness to come out of this pandemic as stronger and more adaptable people.
Looking forward, Laud House is in fantastic shape for the 2020/21 academic year. We are being led by the charismatic Hector Williams, our new House Captain. He is backed by the exceptional Timothy Hinckley and Sanskar Dasoondi, who are Vice Captains. Laud House will, for the first time ever, be a full house and these young men, and their Prefect team, are determined to shake up the House Competitions and fight for victory.
Hector Williams, Appointed Laud House Captain
As it is the first year that Laud will be a complete house, with pupils now present in every year group, the 2020/21 school year is promising to be a prosperous one. It is clear that Laud House is now a crucial cog within the school system, and it is up to the members of the house to ensure we achieve maximum participation and give our full efforts in order to be successful in the years to come. One of my goals as Laud House Captain, is to shift the perception of Laud House from the plucky underdog to a house which others are fearful to come up against, and this is certainly possible with the immensely talented and skilled students who wear the Laud colours. The future is looking extremely bright for Laud House, and my prefect team and I are thoroughly looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together. I am also thankful to Mr Gunson, who will be heading back to New Zealand at the end of the year, for everything he has done for the house, and we all wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.
COUNTY
County House has won back the Cock House Cup. This was our goal for the past year. For us in County, the cup is not only a piece of silverware but also an object of pride for those who lift it high. Winning it back serves as evidence of the effectiveness of our cohesive unit. We are a house with much spirit. We are the family that is County House. This year, winning the Cup was achieved with more all-round participation than ever before. We started off the comeback campaign strong, with a Sports Day win at the beginning of the season.
7C made their mark in their debut year, winning both House Rugby and Football, showcasing their burgeoning talent. 8C’s lunchtime practice payed off, achieving victory in the notoriously unpredictable House Ghost competition. Triumphant in House Rugby, 9C jumped up from 3rd position last year – a testament to the determination the form possesses. In House Art, 10C played a role pivotal in the continuation of County’s winning streak from last year.
Finally, true to the form maintained since the days of South-Klein and Sutcliff, Seniors continued to dominate with walkovers in chess and basketball.
Critically, close teamwork was not only present within the forms, but also across them. With the aim of raising funds for the charity ‘Together for Mental Wellbeing’, members from every year came together to plan fundraising ideas over several months. Executed in a single week, the initiative raised over £1800 through the sale of books, doughnuts and house-branded hoodies.
Looking forward, the fate of County House has never been in better hands. Incoming House Captain Rayaan Asghar and Vices Jake and George have already confidently taken the helm, organising an in-house FIFA tournament during this lockdown.
Rayaan Asghar, Appointed County House Captain
As House Captain, I am looking forward to ensuring the continued success and smooth running of County House over the next year, along with my Vice Captains: Alex Tams, Jake Melhuish and George Lauchlan. I am also hoping to create a stronger sense of solidarity within the house through more integration between year groups, for a more well-knit and safer environment. Throughout my time at Reading School, I have had the privilege of working efficiently alongside my peers and teachers, which I hope to replicate under this role of leadership, whilst learning in the process.
