Gloucester

Houses Gloucester

Another year passes by but this is a year unlike any other – and with the Covid-19 pandemic, so much of what we would normally celebrate within house

just did not happen. Nevertheless, let us start with what did…

We welcomed the first intake of the Lower School into the Fourth Form, and what a lively group of girls they are. Somehow, Miss Ball managed to survive! From the off, they involved themselves in house events and played a huge part to help in the success of the house unison with ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’. My thanks go to Georgie Philpott for all her hard work in putting together the part-song, and all can agree on the fact that we were robbed – we were! The House Charity Night provided another opportunity for the whole house to come together. This is very much an evening organised and run by the girls and what an evening we all enjoyed. Singing, dancing and playing musical instruments along the way – this continues to be one of the best nights of the year for Gloucester parents, who also gave so generously towards the house charity, CPS Nepal - much money was spent on two tins of soup and other such things! My thanks go to Hattie Allen, India Hill and Bea Hewetson who rose to the challenge of completing a half marathon too.

The secret pen of Holly Connor, accompanied by impassioned speeches from Lydia Cannavina, catapulted Gloucester into yet another final for the senior debating competition and the inters did one better, overcoming North in the final thanks to the hard work of Eleanor Wilson, Francesca Beech and Amica van Strien. The Autumn Term culminated with the house hockey competitions and the standard of play continues to rise to exceptional levels with all four teams reaching the finals of their respective competitions. It was fitting that every house won at least one trophy.

The arrival of a new decade promised so much as we returned to school for the Spring Term: so many girls in Gloucester representing the various netball teams; the Gloucester Challenge, which made use of the fantastic new swimming facility; and the completion of the house film to name but a few of the things that we were all involved in. In our house challenge, 12 hours of swimming enabled Gloucester girls to make the Channel crossing just over three times, with Francesca Beech leading the way with a most impressive 360 lengths. In fact, the Upper Fifth as a year group were most impressive with their contribution, along with their tutor Miss Scurr. The term was reaching its final crescendo when Covid-19 struck and everything came to an abrupt end. We just managed to fit in the house swimming, coming second to Hawkins, and house netball where both senior A and B teams collected the final trophies of the year. For some this has meant five wins during their time in Gloucester – a fantastic achievement. I was so pleased that I had sufficient supplies to enable all the Upper Sixth to receive their Leavers’ Scarves – a most cherished item indeed. This is a tradition started by Gloucester and which is now the norm for all of the girls’ houses. The daily buzz of house did not return for the Summer Term, as we entered the world of online teaching. Our virtual lessons did bring routine to everyone’s lives but could not replace the face-to-face contact that we all enjoy so much. I was so proud of the girls and the manner in which they took on this new format of learning. Some year groups were lucky enough to make the odd visit back to school, but alas no-one was allowed to return to house and it will remain silent until we all return in September for what might be a ‘new normal’.

We say goodbye to a fantastic Upper Sixth year group – gregarious in nature and so generous in the time that they have afforded to Gloucester House. You have been fantastic role models and I know that Miss Hyde, Mr Eberlin and Miss Hems have thoroughly enjoyed their two years with you. We also say goodbye to three tutors, Dr Bastin and Miss Scurr who have guided the Fifth Form with much wisdom, and to Miss Hems, with the words gregarious and generous epitomising all that she has done for the girls in Gloucester. Finally, my thanks go to all you girls who make Gloucester what it is, alongside the hard work of one person who makes the place tick, and that is Matron.

Lise Parker, Housemistress

HOUSE COLOURS

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.

HOUSE MOTTO

From the House Captain

Gloucester has had an amazing year and the girls have gone from strength to strength to show this in all departments throughout school. Our spirit has been seen in our sporting, music, theatre and academic achievements, and each and every girl should be proud of what we have accomplished.

Throughout the year, the girls have excelled in house activities such as house singing, house drill and other events. Our rendition of ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ and part-song ‘The Climb’ were both amazing to be a part of and to listen to. It was amazing that we could do a house activity in which we could all be involved. Adding to this, both songs were performed with full effort and enthusiasm, demonstrated by Deputy Captain Hattie Allen who nearly launched herself off her chair!

House netball was a notable event in which the seniors won every match and the juniors came very close to the title. The effort shown by everyone on and off the court was incredible, because supporters are essential to our house spirit, especially with the lucky charm of our unicorn mascot. It is wonderful to see how every girl supports the person next to her in everything we do. I believe this is what makes Gloucester so special. House hockey was another competition where the girls had a lot to feel proud about, as they made a marvellous effort and showed their ability to have fun even in the freezing cold.

As a house, we hit the ground running, literally, going straight in with the completion of a half marathon to raise money for our house charity supporting CPS Nepal. It was astounding to see the incredible amount of support the participants (including Mrs Parker, unsurprisingly) received from the rest of the House and parents, both as sponsors and as sources of great encouragement. The House Charity Dinner was a roaring success, being an evening of entertainment and laughter for both the parents and pupils. It was new and exciting MASCOT being taken out of our element and thrown into UNICORN the swimming pool for the 12-hour Gloucester challenge, when we set out to swim the distance of the English Channel and back. It was another sporting event in which Mrs Parker really showed us how it was done.

We should especially thank Mrs Parker and Matron for keeping the House running as smoothly as a house of 66 girls can be run. They are essential to everything involving house and I can’t thank them enough for the effort and time put into making sure everyone feels welcomed and supported in everything to do with school life. We all, as always, stick to our motto: ‘Be yourself; everyone else is already taken’.

Although the year may have not ended as we had wished, I believe every girl had shown maturity in such a difficult situation and will continue to work as hard as ever for the upcoming years. It has been an honour to represent the pink and blue colours of Gloucester, and I am sure the girls of my year would whole-heartedly agree. I couldn’t have asked for better people to share my journey with and I wish the best for all in the future.

Beatrice Hewetson, House Captain 2019-20