In Athletics, after a rather shaky start, the House made a valiant, and reasonably rewarding, attempt to gain points. In the Sports, Emsley, Baxter and Zisler did us proud, and Emsley won his Minor Sports Colours. In the Chess and Fencing the House did not do quite so well, and were beaten in the first round of both competitions. The House Singing competition effort, 'Hearts of Oak', was well supported, but regrettably it would seem the Grove is not a musical House, as neither this, nor 'Joshua fought de battle of Jericho', managed to lift us to the top of the adjudication. House Proms have started again this term, many people deriving much enjoyment from the all too rare sound of classical music, and we thank Mr. and Mrs. Harding for their hospitality. A Basket-ball League was started this term by Winn, but tended to get rather pushed into the background owing to rehearsals for the House Play. At the end of the term we put on The Fire Raisers', by Max Frisch, produced by Biddle in front of a Crombie-Oxley set. The play was much appreciated by members of the School, who enjoyed the acting of Bennitt and Neil, to name only two. We can, then, look back on a full and profitable term, noting major achievements in both the world of sport, and of drama, expressing the hope that the House will long continue to be so versatile.
MANOR At the beginning of term Haggie became an additional School Monitor, while Webster and Boyd joined the House Monitors. With four leavers and one newcomer the House now contains a manageable fifty-two. Running, in various forms, seemed to be the main sporting concern of the term. Eight people were soon plodding along the well beaten Ing's track, and eventually they managed to attain a very respectable third position in the Senior Cross-country competition, J. Robinson claiming the highest individual placing. Athletics proper were eagerly and energetically performed by all members of the House, giving us a very close second position in the House averages. We congratulate F. J. Vickers on gaining maximum points (in one week !) and Atkinson for coming one short. Unfortunately we could not fill this gap on Sports Day and lost the Shield. We must congratulate P. W. Brown, though, for his achievements on the School Athletics field, and for leading the House in all the running activities. To mention other sports, we lacked real talent in the Squash and lost to the Rise, but many of our younger players look promising for the future. The Chess team was narrowly beaten by Queen's in the second round, but once again talent lower down seems present, with Morris winning and Fisher runner-up in the House Chess competition. A flick-hockey league was also organised and provided many evenings of entertainment. Activities which require mental skill have been fruitful too. The House Singing competition was approached with almost as much verve as the Athletics and our thanks go to the Chaplain and M. N. Webster for the coaching and organising which led us to gain third place overall, immediately behind the day-boy Houses—our best achievement for many years. The House Society met once this term to be addressed by Mr. 4
