2008-2009 part 1

Transcription

2008-2009 part 1

Mount House School
2008/2009
Fanfare
Cover picture: Ralph Lawson and Nicholas Sylvester enjoy the outdoor life on the Shackleton Awards programme
Mount House School,Tavistock
2008/2009
Fanfare
STUDY
View from
the Study
I write this on a particularly exciting day: the school pig, Mimi has
just produced no fewer than thirteen piglets, seemingly no bigger
than thirteen size three (colts) rugby balls. The children were
beside themselves with excitement at breakfast this morning and
we are faced with the task of making sure all the classes get to see
them as soon as possible without upsetting Mum who is
presumably (a little) tired. This is a far more appealing job than
heaving my way through guidance on the latest 'Changes to the
Second Cycle Inspection Framework'. Furthermore on asking a
sixth form boy how he was before assembly he replied, 'School is
just great at the moment; I had an amazing weekend.'
Such is the life of a prep school headmaster. A school full of eager
youngsters will, in one or two moments, put other preoccupations
firmly into perspective.
Such bright experiences do contrast with a somewhat grey
backdrop in front of which we and many similar organisations have
to operate. It is pretty certain that, whichever government takes on
the task of balancing the budget, they will be unable to be
particularly friendly to our kind of school or our parents.
The matter of education and charitable status for independent
schools seems to be the subject of hot debate, however in reality it
is not an issue that will pose a threat to the way we run our school.
At a time when the public purse is so tight it would be a matter of
some irony to make it any harder for ordinary parents to access our
sector when each child we educate saves the taxpayer so much.
We do face a more punitive tax regime and cuts in public services.
There are likely to be further increases in our contributions to
pensions for our employees, all of which will be challenging for a small
school such as ours. Like many organisations Mount House has had to
adapt to changing and challenging circumstances and the recession has
forced us to take stock of a decade or more of changing parental
perceptions and priorities. We have made some very considered
changes as a result. We have a truly exceptional school: it was great
before, but it is now a school with a stronger chin and longer reach at
a time when both are necessary.
Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School
2
What lies squarely behind our purpose is providing children with
excitement in their learning whilst fostering their confidence, fitness
and generosity of spirit. In that enterprise and with the sterling help
of Mimi and her improbable band of piglets I believe we continue to
forge ahead.
Jim Massey
GOVERNING BODY
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
D.S.B. James, BA (Chairman)
R. Barclay
G. Cox, MP
Mrs S.E. Coryton
T.D. Cunningham
I.R. Davenport, BA
Dr. J. Evans, MA, FRCS(Ed)Plast., FRCS
R.C. Franklin, FCA
M.R. Johnson, B.Ed
A.H. Monro, MA
G.S. Sayers, BSc
Mrs V.Tuck, BA, MA, MIL
N. Jory, ACIB ACSA Bursar
Mrs D. Bluett, Assistant Bursar
Mrs C. Cheshire, ACA Assistant Bursar
Mrs L. P. Cowie, School Secretary
Mrs A. Granger, Clothing Shop
Mrs J. Massey, MA Cantab. MI Struct E. MICE Clothing Shop
Mrs P. S.Tear, Headmaster’s Secretary
ACADEMIC STAFF
J.R.O. Massey, B.Sc Headmaster
J. Symons, B.Ed. Deputy Headmaster & Head of History
M.J. Bassett, B.Ed Senior Master, Director of Studies, Head of
Mathematics, SENCO
J.H. Banyard, BA, PGCE Head of Religious Studies & French
Miss C. Brereton, BA Junior Subjects
Dr E. Chakrabarti, Ph.D Lab Technician
Mrs S. Butcher, BA, PGCE Latin
A. David-Ward, BA, PG Dip, PGCE Head of Games & PE
Dr A. Eagleton, B.Sc., Ph.D Head of Science
Miss C. Grubb, BA, PGCE Junior Subjects
J. Hammond, B.Ed Head of English & Latin, Girls' Housemaster
Mrs S. Hammond, B.Ed Junior Subjects
Mrs E. Harris, BA, PGCE English
A.R. Lamb, B.Ed Head of Geography
H. Myott, BA, PGCE Director of Communications, Boys' Housemaster
Mrs S. Phillips, BA, PGCE Head of Art
P. Stephens, B.Ed General Subjects
Mrs S.Tweedie, BA Junior Subjects
N. Waitz, B.Sc, PGCE Junior Subjects
H.J.C. Walkington, BA, U.Ga Head of French
Mrs G. Waters, LRAM Grad Dip.Mus. PGCE Director of Music
G. Whaley, Cert.Ed, Dip.Ed Head of Design & Technology
Henry Cunningham Gap Year Student
Mrs K. Myott, BA Newsletter
Jacob Stephens Gap Year Student
Edward Trelinski MA Junior Master
CATERING, GROUNDS, HOUSEKEEPING AND
MAINTENANCE STAFF
L. Mitchell, Caterer
Miss V. Anderson, Miss H.M. Palmer, Miss G.P.Thomas
D. Hammond, Head Groundsman
B. Willcocks
Mrs S.M. Maclaren, RGN, RM Head Matron
Dr J.A. Evans, MRCP MRCGP School Medical Officer
Miss S. A. Witherall, Senior Assistant Matron
Miss K. Butler, Assistant Matron
Miss S. Williams, Assistant Matron
Mrs S.R. Da Rocha, Housekeeper
Mrs M. Hall, Assistant Housekeeper
Mrs H. Allin, Mrs M. Beresford, Mrs J.A. Carter, Mrs E. Davies, Mrs D.
M. Dingle, Mrs L. Greenwood, Mrs S. Hall, Mrs G.M. Hancock, D.
Harrison, Miss S. Hickman, Mrs V.D. Howe, Mrs A. Ishmail, Miss R.
Myott, Mrs L. Phillip, O. Reid, Mrs A.J. Sanderson, Mrs A.Tully,
Mrs E.J. White
J. Brimacombe, Head of Maintenance
J. Blowey, S. Howells, E.G. Mason
VISITING STAFF
Miss R. Ballantyne, BA, Flute
D.I. Boorer, Bassoon
Mrs C.M. Burnham, LTCL, B Mus. PGCE, Piano
R. Finch, Oboe
P. Jones, Brass
Mrs K.E. Keith-Hill, Cert.Ed, Woodwind
R. King, Guitar & Drums
J. Lewington, LTCL, Singing
Mrs O. Loewendahl, BA, PGCE, Cello
A. Miller, LRSM, LGSM, CTABRSM, Drums
Mrs C.Thom, M Mus., B Mus., FTCL, LTCL, LRAM, Classical Guitar
Mrs C.Thompson, LTCL, A Mus. LCM, Piano
Mrs M. Willmott, BA, PGCE,Violin
Mrs S.V.Walsh, M.Ed, BA, Cert.Ed, Learning Support
G. Bush, Cert.Ed, Learning Support
P.R. Bond, B.Sc, PGCE, Squash
Miss M. Pole, B.Ed Head of Pre-prep
Mrs J.A. Best, NNEB Pre-prep Year 2
Mrs H. Cooper,Teaching Assistant Pre-prep Year 1
Miss J.A. Edmonds, Cert EYP (Open) Pre-prepYear 1
Mrs N.A.M. Gabb, Cert.Ed Pre-prep Year 1
Mrs D.B. Hone, NNEB Nursery
Miss S. Luscombe, NNEB Teaching Assistant Pre-prep
Mrs A.Y. MacDougall, NNEB Nursery Manager
Mrs K.V.S. MacEacharn, B.Ed Reception
Mrs A. Malcolm, LLB, PGCE Pre-prep Year 2
Mrs E.A. Morgan, NVQ3 Reception
Miss R Myott, After School Club
Mrs H. Rickard, NVQ3 Foundation Unit
PEOPLE
Governing Body and staff
3
PEOPLE
Honours Board
Butcher, Louisa
Cave, Frederick
de Falbe, William
Essex, Sophie
Goff-White, Jonson
Hayward, Eleanor
Kidner, Eloise
MacEacharn, William
Matthews, Ruairidh
Norris, Isabel
Paull, Emma
Sale, Oliver
Sharp, Henry
Telfer-Smollett, Lucy
Kelly College
Sherborne School
Blundell's School
Truro High School for Girls
Kelly College
Bryanston
Sherborne School for Girls
Sherborne School
Wells Cathedral School
Sherborne School for Girls
King's College Taunton
Sherborne School
Major Academic
Sport
Major Academic
Art
Major Academic
Music and All-rounder
Major Academic
Music Exhibition
Major Music
Major Academic
Major music
Academic Exhibition and
Major Sport
King's College Taunton
Sport
Cheltenham Ladies' College Major Academic
Scholarship successes: Fourteen scholars won 16 awards to join the school of their choice.
Head Boy and Girl, Prefects,
Leaders and Colours
4
Head Boy
Head Girl
George Lundy
Isabel Norris
Prefects
Louisa Butcher
Fred Cave
Poppy Hartley
Eleanor Hayward
Eloise Kidner
William MacEacharn
Olivia McGonigle
Freddie Morris
Emma Paull
Oliver Sale
Lucy Telfer-Smollett
1st XV Rugby Captain
1st XI Girls' Hockey Captain
1st XI Boys' Hockey Captain
1st XI Cricket Captain
1st VII Netball Captain
Rugby Sevens Captain
Athletics Captain
Rounders Captain
Fred Cave
Eleanor Hayward
Oliver Sale
Nicolas Scaglioni
Louisa Butcher
Oliver Sale
George Lundy
Poppy Hartley
Leader of Orchestra
Head Choristers
Eleanor Hayward / Emma Paull
Eleanor Hayward
Ruairidh Matthews
Nicholas Sylvester
Head Librarian
Colours - Arts
Louisa Butcher
Jonny Goff-White
Eleanor Hayward
Sascha Lopes
George Lundy
William MacEacharn
Ruairidh Matthews
Freddie Morris
Georgina Newman
Isabel Norris
Emma Paull
Colours - Sport
Louisa Butcher
Fred Cave
Harriet Cave
Sophie Essex
Imogen Galsworthy
Poppy Hartley
Eleanor Hayward
George Lundy
Olivia McGonigle
Isabel Norris
Emma Paull
Oliver Sale
Harry Sharp
Harry Woodhead
Hockey, Netball
Rugby, Cricket
Hockey
Hockey
Hockey, Netball, Rounders
Hockey, Rounders
Hockey
Rugby, Hockey
Rounders
Hockey, Rounders
Hockey, Netball
Rugby, Hockey, Cricket
Rugby, Hockey
Rugby
FORM
4AL
2CB
4PS
1SS
4PS
6MB
5LH-3NW
1CG
2CB
1CG
5LH
3JB
3JB
3JB
4PS
1SS
6MB
3JB
6HW
5LH
5LH
6JS
6MB
4AL
2SH
6JS
5JH
3JB
5LH
3JB
1SS
5LH
3NW
3NW
1SS
1CG
2CB
2CB
5LH
6HW
5JH
5JH
2SH
3NW
6JS
5JH
4AL
5JH
2CB
4AL
3NW
6JS
6MB
4PS
6HW
3NW
5LH
5JH
6MB
3NW
1CG
4PS
1CG
4AL
6JS
3NW
4PS
1CG
6JS
5LH
2SH
5LH
1CG
5JH
1SS
4AL
5JH
1SS
5LH
3JB
4PS
6HW
4AL
LAMBETH, Billy
LAWSON, Ralph
LEE,Taylor
LEWIS, India
LEWIS, Madeleine
LOPES, Henry
LOPES, Ralph
LOPES, Sascha
LUNDY, George
LUTHER, Rosie
MACEACHARN, Charles
MACEACHARN, William
MALCOLM, Giles
MAJORIN, Alexander
MANTON, Emma
MASNYK, Andre
MASON, Harry
MASSEY, Jonathan
MASSEY, Lucy
MATTHEWS, Ruairidh
MAY SOMERVILLE, Elizabeth
MCCORMICK, Joseph
MCCORMICK, Lucy
MCGREGOR, George
MCNAIR SCOTT, Alexander
MCNAIR SCOTT, Charlotte
MCGONIGLE, Olivia
MCGREGOR, Louisa
MEASELLE, Luke
MEASELLE, Rory
MILLAR, Rory
MILTON, ANGUS
MORRIS, Frederick
MORRIS, Georgina
MULES, Henry
MUSTARD, Oscar
NEWMAN, Georgina
NEWMAN, Henry
NEWMAN, Jeremy
NOORDEWIER, Charlie
NORRIS, Isabel
NORRIS, Oscar
OXENHAM, Izella
PAULL, Emma
PAULL, William
PERRING, James
RAMNARACE, Joshua
REDFARN, Jamie
REDMAN, Lucy
RENWICK, Jamie
RIDGERS, Camilla
RIDGERS, Henry
ROBBINS,Gemma
RODGERS, Oenone
ROSE, Finlay
ROSE, Oliver
RYDER-GREEN, Meaghan
RYDER-GREEN, Oliver
SALE, Eliza
SALE, Harry
SALE, Oliver
SAVCHENKO, Konstantin
SCAGLIONI, Nicolas
SHARP, Henry
SHARP, Jack
SHIRLEY, Brett
SMITH, Louis
SMYLY, Jack
SMYTHE, Dylan
SPIERS, Zach
SYLVESTER, Nicholas
TAYLOR, Max
TEAGUE,Toby
TELFER-SMOLLETT, Lucy
TRENEER, Barnaby
UNSWORTH-WHITE, Samantha
UNSWORTH-WHITE,Tabitha
VILLAQUIRAN, Christopher
VILLAQUIRAN, Matthew
VON WENTZEL, Christoph
WELLS, Henry
WESLEY, Bethan
WEST, Sophie
WILLIAMS, Spencer
WILLIAMSON-CARY, Thomas
4PS
6JS
4PS
5JH
3NW
5JH
3NW
6MB
6HW
4PS
4PS
6MB
4AL
6MB
2SH
3JB
3NW
5JH
3JB
6MB
3JB
2SH
3NW
1SS
3JB
5LH
6JS
3JB
4PS
1CG
3NW
1CG
6JS
3JB
4AL
5JH
6JS
5LH
3JB
1CG
6HW
3NW
4PS
6JS
4AL
5JH
1CG
6MB
5LH
5LH
1CG
3JB
5JH
3JB
2SH
4AL
4PS
2SH
5JH
2SH
6HW
3JB
6MB
6MB
1SS
5LH
4AL
1CG
5JH
5JH
6MB
6MB
1SS
6HW
3NW
2SH
4AL
2CB
1SS
2SH
6JS
3NW
2CB
2CB
4PS
NAME
ANDERSON, Jamie
ANDREWS, George
BALL, GAVIN
BARKER, Charles
BARLOW, Edward
BARLOW, Henry
BARRASFORD, Conor
BARRASFORD, Karis
BARRASFORD, Riley
BARRASFORD,Talia
BARRETT, Charlotte
BARRETT, Jack
BARTLEET, Edwin
BATE, Olga
BEACON, Charles
BERNA, James
BIRD, Siobhan
BIRKIN, Benjamin
BRUDENELL-BRUCE,Tarka
BUTCHER, Louisa
CARRICK, Marina
CARTER, Charlie
CAVE, Frederick
CAVE, Harriet
CHESHIRE, LUCY
CHESHIRE, BEN
CHOROSZEWSKI, Michal
CHOROSZEWSKI, Sam
CHOROSZEWSKA,Tean
CLARKE, Benjamin
CLAYTON, Augusta D
CLIFFORD-FLOWER, Zachary
COOMBS, Andrew
COX, Isabel
CROFTON, Angus
CROFTON, Guy
DANVERS, Susie
DAVID-WARD, Jacob
D'ENTRECASTEAUX, Alexander
D'ENTRECASTEAUX, Benjamin
DE FALBE, William
DOLLARD, Dominic
DONNE, Alice
DONNE, Sophia N
DOWIE, Eleanor
ESSEX, Sophie
FARRINGTON, Jamie
FEARNLEY, Elizabeth
FERGUSON, Alexander
FITZGERALD, Edward G
FITZGERALD, William
FORREST, Jennifer
FULFORD, Edmund
GALSWORTHY, Imogen
GILLARD, Guy
GOFF-WHITE, Jonson H
HADOW, Wilf
HARDING, Benjamin
HARRISON, Guy
HARTLEY, Poppy
HARVEY-BRADE, Jessica
HARVEY-BRADE, Kitty
HAYNES-PARRY, Caitlin
HAYNES-PARRY, Macsen
HAYWARD, Anthony
HAYWARD, Eleanor
HAYWARD, Max
HOOLASH, Ben
HUGHES, Bertie
HUGHES, Henry
HUGHES-CHAMBERLAIN, Meg
HUNTINGTON, Jessica
HUNTINGTON, Julian
INGLIS-JONES, Lara
JACKMAN,Thomas
JACOBS, Martha
JAYARAJAH, Bertram
JERVOISE, Cecily
JERVOISE, Ralph
JORY, Nicholas
KENT, Elsa T
KENT, Laurie
KIDNER, Eloise
KIDNER, Isabel
PEOPLE
School List 2008/2009
5
PEOPLE
School List 2008/2009...continued
WILSON, Beatrice
WILTSHIRE, Ben
WILTSHIRE, Charlotte
WIXON, Holly
3JB
2CB
4AL
5LH
WOODHEAD, Harrington
WOOLCOCK, Alexander
WOOLCOCK, Alice
WOOLCOCK, Eleanor
6JS
6JS
3NW
3NW
NOORDEWIER, William
PEETERS, Leopold
PEETERS, Beatriz
PERRING, Harry
PHILLIPS, Jessye
POMROY, Linus
RAMNARACE, Jonathan
SARKAR, Francesca
SARKAR, Lauren
SEARLE, Benjamin
SHARP, Amelia
SMITH, Alexander
SMITH, Charlotte
SMYLY, Jamie
SNOW, Cecily
SNOW, Isabella
SPENCE, Jacob
STONE, Betty
STONE, Felix
STONE, Hebe
TEAGUE, Amy
TIMMIS, Finnegan
WEST, Juliette
WHITBREAD, Ottilie
WHITBREAD, Rose
WHITBREAD, Verena
WIGGANS, Guy
WILDMAN, Charlie
WILSON, Florence
WILTSHIRE, Alexandra
WRIGHT, Annaliese
Year 1
Nursery
Reception
Year 1
Year 2
Reception
Nursery
Reception
Year 1
Nursery
Year 2
Nursery
Year 1
Year 1
Nursery
Year 1
Reception
Year 2
Nursery
Reception
Nursery
Year 1
Year 2
Year 2
Year 1
Nursery
Nursery
Year 2
Year 1
Year 1
Year 1
ROSE, Oliver
SNOW, Cecily
TIMMIS, Finnegan
WHITBREAD, Verena
Easter Term 2009
BURTON, Georgia
HAYNES-PARRY, Macsen
INGLIS-JONES, John
POMROY, Linus
WIGGANS, Guy
Summer Term 2009
BRUDENELL-BRUCE,Tarka
CORMACK, Matilda
HUGHES, Bertie
MASH,Tristan
4AL
PP1
PP3
PP1
Pre-prep List
NAME
BAJABER, Abdul-Rahim
BARKER, Finlay
BARRETT, Lauren
BATE, Celia
BAYLIS, Loelia
BURTON, Archie
BURTON, Georgia
CLAYTON, Luther
COLERIDGE, Marcus
CORMACK, Henry
CORMACK, Matilda
COX, Agatha
COX, Isabel
DAVID-WARD, Phoebe
DENNY, Daisy
DU'GAY, Joseph
FORGAN, May
GEORGEL, Cameron
HAWKINS, Oliver
HEAL, Amelia Kate
HEAL, Harriet
INGLIS-JONES, John
INGLIS-JONES, Leila
KERSEY, Maya
LAMB, Alice
LAMB, James
LEWIS, Maxim
LOPES, Olivia
LOVE, Charlotte
LOVE, Ffion
MANTON, Rebecca
MASH,Tristan
FORM
Reception
Nursery
Year 2
Year 2
Year 2
Reception
Nursery
Year 2
Year 1
Nursery
Nursery
Year 1
Nursery
Year 2
Year 2
Year 1
Year 1
Year 2
Reception
Year 1
Nursery
Nursery
Year 1
Reception
Year 1
Nursery
Nursery
Year 2
Reception
Nursery
Year 2
Nursery
Salvete
6
NAME
Christmas Term 2008
BARRETT, Charlotte
BARRETT, Jack
BARRETT, Lauren
BURTON, Archie
CARTER, Charlie
CLIFFORD-FLOWER, Zachary
COX, Isabel
CROFTON, Guy
DENNY, Daisy
DOWIE, Eleanor
HEAL, Harriet
KERSEY, Maya
LEWIS, Maxim
LOVE, Ffion
MCGREGOR, George
MCGREGOR, Louisa
MCNAIR SCOTT, Charlotte
FORM
1CG
5LH
PP4
PP2
5LH
1SS
PP0
1SS
PP4
3NW
PP1
PP2
PP1
PP0
1SS
3JB
5LH
PP0
1CG
PP1
PP2
PP0
3JB
PP0
1CG
PP0
NAME
BALL, GAVIN
BARLOW, HENRY
BATE, CELIA
BATE, OLGA
BERNA, JAMES
BIRKIN, BENJAMIN
BUTCHER, LOUISA
CAVE, HARRIET
CAVE, FREDERICK
CHESHIRE, LUCY
CHESHIRE, BEN
CHOROSZEWSKI, MICHAL
CLAYTON, AUGUSTA
CLAYTON, LUTHER
CROFTON, ANGUS
CROFTON, GUY
DANVERS, SUSIE
DANVERS, MAISIE
DE FALBE, WILLIAM
ESSEX, SOPHIE
FULFORD, EDMUND
GALSWORTHY, IMOGEN R
GOFF-WHITE, JONSON
HARTLEY, POPPY K
HAYWARD, ELEANOR L
HUGHES, HENRY A
KIDNER, ELOISE M
LAWSON, RALPH
LEE,TAYLOR
LOPES, SASCHA H
DESTINATION
DEVONPORT
BLUNDELL'S
MAYNARD SCHOOL
MAYNARD SCHOOL
ST BONIFACE
BRYANSTON
KELLY COLLEGE
ST MARY'S SHAFTESBURY
SHERBORNE SCHOOL
USA
USA
SHERBORNE SCHOOL
EGLOSKERRY SCHOOL
EGLOSKERRY SCHOOL
TRURO SCHOOL
TRURO SCHOOL
MILTON ABBOT
MILTON ABBOT
BLUNDELL'S SCHOOL
TRURO HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
MILTON ABBEY
SHERBORNE GIRLS' SCHOOL
KELLY COLLEGE
BRYANSTON SCHOOL
BRYANSTON SCHOOL
MILTON ABBEY
KING'S COLLEGE TAUNTON
DEVONPORT HIGH
BRYANSTON SCHOOL
LUNDY, GEORGE
MACEACHARN, WILLIAM
MAJORIN, ALEXANDER
MASON, HARRY
MATTHEWS, RUAIRIDH
MCGONIGLE, OLIVIA
MILTON, ANGUS
MORRIS, FREDERICK
NEWMAN, GEORGINA
NORRIS, ISABEL
PAULL, EMMA
REDFARN, JAMIE
RYDER-GREEN, MEAGHAN
RYDER-GREEN, OLIVER
SALE, OLIVER
SCAGLIONI, NICOLAS
SHARP, HENRY
STONE, FELIX
STONE, HEBE
SYLVESTER, NICHOLAS
TAYLOR, MAX
TELFER-SMOLLETT, LUCY
WELLS, HENRY
WIGGANS, GUY
WILLIAMSON-CARY,THOMAS
WILTSHIRE, ALEXANDRA R
WILTSHIRE, BEN
WILTSHIRE, CHARLOTTE
WOODHEAD, HARRINGTON
WOOLCOCK, ALEXANDER
PEOPLE
Valete
HARROW
SHERBORNE SCHOOL
PLYMOUTH COLLEGE
WELLS CATHEDRAL SCHOOL
PLYMOUTH COLLEGE
BLUNDELL'S
ETON COLLEGE
SHEBBEAR COLLEGE
SHEBBEAR COLLEGE
SHERBORNE SCHOOL
SHERBORNE SCHOOL
HARROWBARROW PRIMARY SCHOOL
HARROWBARROW PRIMARY SCHOOL
SHERBORNE SCHOOL
CHELTENHAM LADIES' COLLEGE
EXETER SCHOOL
OAKHAM
EXETER SCHOOL
SHERBORNE PRE-PREP
SHERBORNE PREP SCHOOL
SHERBORNE PREP SCHOOL
SHERBORNE SCHOOL
BLUNDELL'S
John Symons
John Symons, Deputy Headmaster and Head of
History, retired from Mount House after 33 years 99 terms - at the end of Summer Term 2009.
Everybody connected with The School during his
time there - be they parents, children or staff - will
have his or her own memories of John and
Yolande, and will wish them both a long and happy
retirement in France.
The speech given by Jim Massey at the ceremony
to mark John’s retirement is reproduced on the
next two pages, together with photographs taken
at the event.
7
PEOPLE
Jim Massey’s speech at John Symons’ Retirement ceremony
May I say how delighted I am to welcome you all to Mount House on
this very special occasion. I am so pleased to see so many of you and
grateful that you have made such an effort to mark this unique event.
Were it left to John there would be no ceremony or fuss to mark the
end of his distinguished career at Mount House, but as I hope he realises
now there are so many who wish to show him their appreciation. We
have a few short presentations to make after which I know many of you
will wish to clock in with John personally.The Mount House Association
has set up stall in the marquee, and I encourage you to go and join this
revitalised group if you have not already done so. It is particularly good to
see so many of the young contingent here and I know many of you have
had to make a special effort to get here on your own speech days.
First we have a presentation on behalf of the pupils to whom John has
coached Rugby over the years. This will be made by Michael Cousens,
captain of the unbeaten 2006 1st XV.
Then Mr Patrick Cashell will come up and say a few words. Patrick is
the current chairman of the MHA and was a member of staff and
colleague of John Symons at Mount House for many years.
For me, the prospect of making this speech is rather intimidating in that
I know with absolute certainty that I am going to fail to do justice to the
career of such a special man. The fact that so many of you have made
such an effort to come along is testament to the very high regard in
which John Symons is held by pupils and staff, both past and present.
John joined the Mount House community in 1977 having studied for his
PGCE at St Luke’s, part of Exeter university, where he met his wife
Yolande, and after a short spell at the XIV prep school in Bristol. The
pictures of John Symons dotted around The School have caused much
hilarity over the years. Dark flowing hair, sideburns and a smouldering
look, making him as suitable for a part in a 70s cop show as a junior
teacher at Mount House. I have to pay tribute to my and Charles Price’s
predecessor Tony Wortham for making what must have been one of the
most inspired appointments of his long and distinguished career.
John will have seen a staggering number of changes at Mount House
since those early days when he says he went around in a nervous daze,
8
waiting to be told what to do by a proprietorial headmaster coming to
terms with the move to greater accountability to a board of trustees:
governors. In those days he still played a bit of Rugby and cricket and
lived in Lydford for a period. His passion for cricket, but most of all his
beloved Rugby was to come to be one of the most enduring images of
John in his 33 years - 99 terms - at Mount House.
I suspect that he will have taught pretty well every subject in the curriculum
and many totally outside, but in the classroom it has been mainly History.
John is living proof if we need it that a successful teacher is born and
not made. It is about captivating children first and then conveying
passion for your subject and these have been areas in which John has
absolutely excelled. His ex-pupils almost invariably cite his History
lessons as memorable from their time at Mount House. This is as true
now as it was when he was a young master, most recently confirmed
on Thursday when I showed one of his early pupils around The School
as a prospective parent who remembered them in exactly such terms.
In this case he left Mount House in the early 80s. If this year’s leavers
were asked some thirty years later I am confident that they would say
exactly the same thing. He loves his history and there is nothing he
(nor any of his pupils) cannot tell you about the battles of Hastings
and Crécy: merely a coincidence that these very frequently appear in
the Common Entrance exams. He is a master at covering the
curriculum to ensure good grades, but not ever devoting too much
time to that. The earnest job with John has been all about the top
priority: captivating the children in the first place. He would do this
through his own anecdotes, stories and red herrings. Not only have
his pupils achieved excellent grades, more importantly they have
learned to love the subject. One of the most delicious moments was
when a particularly difficult set of parents had been giving him a torrid
time, questioning his covering of the syllabus, the thoroughness of his
marking and whether as a History teacher he had fulfilled his
professional obligations to their child. Needless to say John took this
deeply to heart. The parents had no understanding of the alchemy
which takes place in the classroom of a great teacher and I shall
always remember the exhilaration and relief on his face when I was
able to let him know that this particular boy had secured in his
scholarship exam a rare A+ to arguably the most academically
aspirational school in the country.
PEOPLE
Jim Massey’s speech at John Symons’ Retirement ceremony...continued
Of course John quickly made himself indispensable on the sports front,
and it has been in no small part down to him and of course Charles
Price that Rugby has become such an important part of life here at
Mount House. Never more animated than when pacing up and down
the far touchline or discussing a match afterwards, in many ways this has
been his element. An expert coach himself, there can be few individuals
in prep school rugby with more experience and wisdom. I believe he
has led the school to three unbeaten seasons: the first in 1977 and also
2004 and 2006, the latter of which he regards as the best and most
successful side he ever coached.
In coaching prep school rugby there is always that line to find between
striving for excellence in performance and keeping the spirit right. The
fact that so many of his teams have continued their rugby up to the top
of their senior schools, many meeting each other with glee in opposing
first fifteens is a tribute to his success. Many will continue to email him
with news of their successes too. He has taught generations of Mount
House boys a deep and enduring love for rugby specifically and sport in
general, for which many of you here and hundreds out there have cause
to thank him.
He and Yolande were asked by Charles Price to run the girls’
boarding house, Collingwood, when the doors were opened to girls
in 1996. Indeed Yolande has always been absolutely central to the
patient and happy even demeanour which has always been John’s
trademark. So started a succession of brilliant houseparents: they
were followed by the Morses and they themselves by the
Hammonds both of whom have modelled themselves on the
example set by the Symons in their leadership of Collingwood and
their care and love for their charges, so much so that I do not believe
there is a school anywhere in the country that can compare with
Mount House in the care of boarders.
What is it then that lies behind this man? I have already mentioned
his unimpeachable love for the children, but over such a long career
one would expect there to have been some ignominious stories and
these might give us further insight.
I feel then that it is not so much the outward humour of the children
that has sustained John over the years, rather their lack of side and
their transparency, themselves bringing along their own humour and
John’s respect.
Whilst on a camp in the Brecon Beacons he volunteered, in the
absence of any others forthcoming, to tend to the needs of a
certain Richard Grigson who had a nasty boil on his bottom. This
involved the administering of ointment periodically to the affected
area, something not taught at St Luke’s teacher training college
in Exeter.
It is unusual for someone to have that same knack with our youngest
children as well as thirteen-year-olds and he is equally happy
hunched down having fun with the first form after assembly as being
surrounded by excited sixth formers at leavers’ camp.
Then of course there was the legendary trip in the minibus to St
Michael’s Tawstock, a route known by all MH pupils and staff to test the
stomachs of all passengers as it winds its way around the tortuous
north Devon countryside. On these occasions sick bags are provided
and so the call, ‘Sir I don’t feel at all well’ was met with the response,
‘Just use the bag.’
Unfortunately in his moment of need the nearest bag was not the
one intended, it was the 1st XI kit bag. Not a great scenario in a
hot minibus with the match and return journey still in prospect.
Last year’s 2nd XI cricket team was playing away at Blundell’s and was
in the field when John noticed something odd about James Mann’s
footwear. James had forgotten to pack his cricket boots and so had
decided to wear his white socks outside his black shoes so that he
would look OK.
He has always liked things done properly, but this has never assumed
undue importance provided the spirit has been right.
I would like to read you a letter which I think is significant for the moment.
When John was first offered the job at Mount House, at the end of
his letter of acceptance to Tony Wortham, he wrote:
‘You have made my wife and I very happy, for which I thank you.’
John, I hope Mount House has lived up to its promise.
On behalf of the Mount House community I thank you for making
so many of us so happy.
John Symons: a happy retirement.
His career has provided him with lighter moments of humour which
provide an insight into the man and what tickles him.
You might well ask, ‘How are we going to manage without him?’ He
has had such a profound influence on this small school that his
humour and warmth have become part of the fabric. His influence
will continue to be strong for many years to come.
9
PEOPLE
Sally da Rocha
Sally da Rocha came to work as a domestic at Mount House School
in 1981. On the retirement of Miss Spencer, she took over as
housekeeper sharing the job with her cousin, Mary, and eventually
taking over the role on her own.
Sally, I feel, is a Mount House legend: any child who has passed through
Mount House always seems to remember her with affection. She had
an amazing memory, not only recalling the name of the young man or
lady returning to Mount House for a visit, but also their siblings and
parents, having a real interest in how they have been doing.
Sally’s favourite comment to an approaching child would be: “tie up
your shoelaces!” An abiding memory of mine is that of one young boy
who would drop to his knees as soon as he saw her coming - just in
case his laces were undone!
I worked alongside Sally for 10 years
and the one thing I am sure of is that
Mount House has lost someone
who really cared for The School and
all its pupils: Sally took a real interest
in the results of matches, Common
Entrance results and everything else
that mattered to the children.
Match teas were her domain
where she loved to chat to
everyone - they will never be the
same again.
MH
Sue Maclaren
difficult and challenging role. The post of Matron in any boarding
school is simply vital, and it has been Mount House’s privilege to
have someone in post that was firm and steadfast when she needed
to be (with pupils, teachers and parents alike!) but whose
professionalism, dedication and warmth brought comfort and
reassurance when required.
As far removed from the Hattie Jacques “Matron” of so many Carry On
films as it is possible to imagine, Sue nevertheless possesses an excellent
sense of humour, a prerequisite in any job demanding long hours of
sorting underwear and socks, clipping boys’ toenails and applying
countless bandages and dressings to every conceivable injury. Personally
I could never quite kick the habit of addressing her as “May-trun” in a
poor imitation of Kenneth Williams, but she always managed to pretend
that this did not irritate or annoy her! Whether accompanying the
Chapel Choir on tour to Germany or to recitals nearer to home, setting
up refreshment posts on the route of the Sponsored Walk, or serving
coffee after Sunday services, Sue was always ready to give of her own
time in what was already a very time-consuming role.
Sue arrived at Mount House in March 1994 to take over the role of
Head Matron, following in the footsteps of such formidable
personalities as Lois Spencer and “the Blue Dragon”, more formally
known as Agnes Wellman. Sue quickly established her own
personality and style “upstairs” bringing unfussy calm to an often
She has retired to her house in Horrabridge, just a short distance from
Mount House, and is enjoying the opportunity to spend more time
with her grandson Rory. Everyone past and present at Mount House
joins me in wishing her the very best for a long and happy retirement.
HW
Catherine Brereton
10
Since the moment she joined Mount House, in September 2006,
Catherine threw herself into the life of the school. She was actively
involved in all girls' games, especially as Head of Netball. Her love of the
outdoors was further fuelled with her full involvement in the Shackleton
programme and in taking students for keep-fit runs! She also helped and
cajoled a team of pupils to “Row to the Pole”, supporting Pen Hadow in
his quest to measure the thickness of the Arctic ice cap.
In her creative guise, Catherine directed an extremely successful Junior
Play; “A Grimm Night for Hans Christian Andersen”, inspiring a large
cast of 60 children to reach their potential on the stage.
and happy outlook towards the way
the School operated was appreciated
by staff and students alike.
As a colleague, known as Cinny, her
bubbly and positive demeanour in the
staff room and around the School will
be greatly missed. We all wish her
well for a bright and happy future at
The Dragon School in Oxford.
LH&CG
Catherine proved herself to be a valuable member of the boarding
community when she ran many Sunday activities and her enthusiasm
ACTIVITIES
Visiting preachers
/ NEWS
Sunday 12th October 2008
Mr W Lockett
Housemaster of Bryanston School
Saturday 8th November 2008
Remembrance Service
Lt Col The Rev Tom Hiney MC
Sunday 30th November 2008
Advent Service
Mr R Griffin
Headmaster of Exeter School
Sunday 1st February 2009
Dr Graham Hawley
Headmaster of Kelly College
Sunday 17th May 2009
Mrs Nicky Botterill
Deputy Head of St Mary's Calne
Sunday 14th June 2009
The Rev. Michael Brierley
Priest in charge of Tavistock
11
ACTIVITIES
Prizes
RUGBY
WINNER
/ NEWS
1st XV Tackling Trophy
1st XV Endeavour Trophy
1st XV Most Improved player
Best 1st XV Forward
Best 1st XV Three-Quarter
1st XV Captain's Cup
Colts Outstanding Player
Colts Most improved Player
U9 Outstanding Player
Place Kicking Competition
Senior House Rugby Cup
Senior House Wooden Spoon
Colts House Rugby Cup
U9 House Rugby Cup
Zach Spiers
George Lundy
Alex Majorin
Fred Cave
Ollie Sale
Charlie Carter
N/A
Wilf Hadow
Jacob David-Ward
Ben Harding
KANGS
HAWKS
HAWKS
KANGS
GIRLS' HOCKEY
WINNER
Outstanding Player
Top Goalscorer
Top Defender
Captain's Cup
Contribution to Girls' Hockey
Most Improved player
U11 Most improved player
Imogen Galsworthy
Imogen Galsworthy / Izzy Norris
Louisa Butcher
Sophie Essex
Ellie Hayward
Charlotte McNair-Scott
Lizzie Fearnley
Tabitha Unsworth-White
Jessica Huntington
JUNIOR PLAY CUP
Elsa Kent
CHRISTMAS TERM 2008
BEST DORMITORY
Girls
Boys
MacArthur
Nelson
ART CHRISTMAS CARD PRIZES
1st : Eliza Sale
2nd : Holly Wixon
SET DUTY CUP
HAWKS
EASTER TERM 2009
WINNER
SPOKEN ENGLISH
Junior Poetry
Intermediate Poetry
Senior Poetry
Senior Prose
Special Performances
DRAMA
Actor of the Year
Cameo Role
(School Play)
CROSS COUNTRY
Junior Girls
1st
2nd
3rd
12
Junior Boys
1st
2nd
3rd
Intermediate Girls
1st
2nd
3rd
Intermediate Boys
1st
2nd
3rd
George Andrews
Izella Oxenham
Oscar Mustard
Cecily Jervoise
Georgina Newman,
Sascha Lopes
PRIZE
Jessica Huntington
Martha Jacobs
Samantha
Unsworth-White
Gold medal
Silver medal
Bronze medal
Harry Sale
Jacob David-Ward
Edward FitzGerald
Gold medal
Silver medal
Bronze medal
Elsa Kent
Rosie Luther
Tabitha
Unsworth-White
Gold medal
Silver medal
Bronze medal
Edward Barlow
Billy Lambeth
Louis Smith
Gold medal
Silver medal
Bronze medal
Harriet Cave
Eliza Sale
Cecily Jervoise
Gold medal
Silver medal
Bronze medal
Angela Bradford Cup
Senior Boys
1st
2nd
3rd
Ralph Lawson
Max Taylor
Zach Spiers
Gold medal
Silver medal
Bronze medal
Jeremy Hill Shield
INDIVIDUAL SPORTS AWARDS
Most improved performance
Laurie Kent
in House Cross Country
Best Hockey player (B)
Oliver Sale
Best Hockey Defender (B) George Lundy
Imogen Galsworthy
Netball Captain's Award
U11 Footballer
Jamie Anderson
U11 Most improved
Netball player
Lucy McCormick
U11 Hockey player
(Endeavour)
Ben Hoolash
U9 Footballer
Jack Smyly
Samantha Unsworth-White
U9 Netball
Holly Walker Cup
Smyth Cup
Alex Hay Cup
Charlotte Cowie Cup
Banyard Trophy
U9 Cup (B)
U9 Cup (G)
HOUSE SPORT
Cross Country
Netball
Sevens
Football
Hockey (B)
OWLS
OTTERS
KANGS
KANGS
OTTERS
McCormick Cup
Bermuda Cup
Hugh St. Aubyn Cup
J. Banyard Trophy
MacKenzie Cup
OTHER PRIZES
Best Kept Dormitory (G)
Best Kept Dormitory (B)
House Duty Cup
Darling
Grenville
OTTERS
Easter Eggs (5)
Easter Eggs (7) Dormitory Cup
Rory Cumming Cup
PLUS & MINUS SCORES
Easter Term 2009
1
2
3
4
Running Total
1
Easter + Christmas Term
2
3
4
OTTERS
OWLS
KANGS
HAWKS
OTTERS
OWLS
HAWKS
KANGS
974
836
729
709
1907
1770
Morgan Cup
1682 (Awarded Summer
Term)
1611
CUP
Book Token
Rory Benham Cup
Book Token
Benjie Dudgeon Cup
Stowe Cup
Book Token
Book Token
Venetia Maitland Cup
Book Tokens (JH)
Ruairidh Matthews
Slime & Weevil
(Hattie Cave & Harry Sharp)
Senior Girls
1st
2nd
3rd
Cashell Cup
Connor Cup
SUMMER TERM 2009
FORM PRIZES
1ST
1CG
2SH
2CB
3JB
3NW
4PS
4AL
5LH
5JH
6MB
6JS
6HW
Form Tutor’s Prizes
Siobhan Bird
Jack Smyly
Harry Sale
George Andrews
Georgina Morris
Barnaby Treneer
Charlie MacEacharn
Isabel Kidner
Lottie McNair-Scott
James Perring
Jamie Redfarn
Emma Paull
Louisa Butcher
(Academic & Effort)
Jack Sharp
Kitty Harvey-Brade
Edward FitzGerald
Jeremy Newman
Madeleine Lewis
Thomas Williamson-Carey
Oliver Rose
Jamie Renwick / Julian Huntington
Cecily Jervoise
Ben Birkin
Sophie Essex
George Lundy
SUBJECT PRIZES
Senior School
(6th and 5th Forms)
English
Mathematics Gus de Falbe
Science
Eloise Kidner
Science Prize (James Thomas Award)
Nic Scaglioni
Middle School
(4th and 3rd Forms)
Luke Measelle
Louis Smith
Oliver Rose
Junior School
(2nd and 1st Forms)
George Andrews
Harry Sale
Christopher Villaquiran
N/A
N/A
SUMMER TERM 2009...continued
SUBJECT PRIZES...CONTINUED
Middle School
(4th and 3rd Forms)
Isabel Kidner
Guy Gillard
Anthony Hayward
Geography
RE
IT
Louisa Butcher
Oliver Sale
Jonny Goff-White
DT
Michal Choroszewski
Oliver Rose
Isabel Kidner
Thomas
Williamson-Carey
Lizzie Fearnley
Junior School
(2nd and 1st Forms)
Jessica Huntington
N/A
Samantha
Unsworth-White
George Andrews
Sophia Donne
Alexander
D’Entrecasteaux
Emma Manton
THE ARTS
Pottery / Sculpture
Services to Music
(Rachael Kimber Cup)
Effort in Music (William Luke Cup)
Most improved Chorister
Best Chorister (The Lawson Cup)
Contribution to Strings
Secombe Cup for Junior Drama
Jack Barrett / Julian Huntington
Ruarididh Matthews / William MacEacharn
Emma Paull
Henry Newman
Eleanor Hayward
Eleanor Hayward / Emma Paull
Jenny Forrest
SPORT
CRICKET
UNDER 9 CUP (Laurence Jarrett-Kerr 1995)
COLTS ALL-ROUNDER (Williams Cup 1992)
JUNIOR SET CRICKET (J. Banyard Cup 1995)
GIRLS’ CRICKETER OF THE YEAR
SENIOR SET CRICKET (Healey Cup 1958)
1st XI All Rounder
1st XI FIELDING (Davis Cup 1927)
1st XI BOWLING (Toase Cup 1962)
1st XI BATTING (George Sharp Cup 1978)
Jacob David-Ward
Louis Smth
Kangs
Louisa Butcher
Kangs
Fred Cave
Harry Sharp
Oliver Sale
Oliver Sale
Junior Golf
Senior Golf
Junior Tennis
Intermediate Tennis
Senior Tennis Hartley Cup
Fly Fishing
Set Rounders
Services to Rounders
MHS Hockey
Tournament Winners
Sportswoman of the Year
Sportsman of the Year
Inman Cup 1990
Grierson Cup 1960
Stramdell & Asher Trophy
Dawson Cup
Lombard Hunt Cup 1973
Girls’ Hockey Cup
(new cup from the Paulls)
Morwenna Armstrong Cup
Andrew Leather Cup 1973
Dormitory Cup
Boys
Girls
George Coombs Maths Challenge
George Coombs Tankard
(separate sheet)
Middle School Effort Prize
Christopher Anderson Cup
6th Form Progress Prize
Outstanding Effort
Common Entrance
Achievement
Endeavour
All- Rounder
Leadership
Outstanding Example
Headmaster’s Prize
Kirby Harris Cup
Crosthwaite Cup 1986
Tavistock Rotary Club 1980
Stannus Cup 1982
James Petrie Dragon
Justin Gibbs Shield 1990
James Cup 2004
Set Duty Cup
House Cup (Plus & Minus)
The Rory Cumming Cup
Samantha
Unsworth - White
N/A
/ NEWS
French
Latin
History
Senior School
(6th and 5th Forms)
Gus de Falbe
Olivia McGonigle
OTHER CUPS AND TROPHIES
Kettle Trophy
Archery
ACTIVITIES
Prizes continued
Edward FitzGerald
Billy Lambeth
Poppy Hartley
Edward Barlow
N/A
Poppy Hartley
Ellie Hayward
(capt MHS)
Imogen Galsworthy
Oliver Sale
Darling (6)
Darling (5)
Otters
Charlotte Wiltshire
Sascha Lopes &
Henry Hughes
Eleanor Hayward
Jamie Redfarn
Harriet Cave
Oliver Sale
George Lundy
Izzy Norris
Harry Sharp
Kangs
Otters
Mount House Young Chemists win Gold Award
A team of four sixth formers from Mount House School, Lucy TelferSmollett, Louisa Butcher, Eloise Kidner and Gus de Falbe were
awarded first prize in the annual Salters' Festival of Chemistry at
Plymouth University.
Mount House Teams:
Team A
Lucy Telfer-Smollett, Louisa Butcher, Eloise Kidner,
Gus de Falbe
The Salters' Festivals of Chemistry are an initiative of the Salters'
Institute. Their aim is to promote the appreciation of chemistry and
related sciences among the young. Working in partnership with the
Royal Society of Chemistry, festivals are organised by universities
throughout the UK and Ireland. Fifty-five events took place between
March and June 2009. The one-day fun events provide the opportunity
for enthusiastic young students to spend a day in a university
department and to take part in practical chemistry activities.
Team B
George Lundy, Isabel Norris, Oliver Sale,
Jonny Goff-White
Both the Mount House teams solved the Salters' Challenge but were
not quite on target in the afternoon, missing the temperature target
by barely 1ºC. However, the performance of the “A” team in the
Salters' Challenge greatly impressed all the judges and they were
awarded first prize.
The day ended with a pyrotechnic demonstration by Dr Roy Lowry
who is an expert in the chemistry behind fireworks.
Twelve teams from nine schools took part in the Plymouth event,
carrying out two experimental challenges, one devised by the Salters'
Institute and the other by the University. Prizes were awarded for both
the experiments, with the judges taking note of not only whether the
correct solution was obtained but also how well the teams worked
together and their application of safe practices in the laboratory.
13
ACTIVITIES
ENGLISH
COMPETITION EASTER TERM 2009
/ NEWS
‘A celebration of prose and poetry’ - Adjudicated by Simon Eliot
THE SPOKEN
Headmaster of Sherborne School
FINALISTS
14
1st & 2nd FORMS
POETRY
Sophia Donne
Ralph Jervoise
George Andrews
Siobhan Bird
Jacob David-Ward
Camilla Ridgers
Greedyguts
Forgiven
Jabberwocky
Buckingham Palace
Crocodile
Homework! Oh Homework!
My Knickers
3rd & 4th FORMS
POETRY
Izella Oxenham
Izzie Kidner
Max Hayward
Lucy Massey
Lizzie Fearnley
Anthony Hayward
The Man Who Was Away
We Fish
The Day I Fell Down The Toilet
The Listeners
The Veggy Lion
Crocodile
by Kit Wright
by A.A. Milne
by Lewis Carroll
by A.A. Milne
by Roald Dahl
by Jack Prelutsky
by Ann Ziety
by A.B“Banjo” Paterson
by Herman Melville
by Steve Turner
by Walter de la Mare
by Spike Milligan
by Roald Dahl
5th & 6th FORMS
POETRY
Ellie Hayward
Goldilocks And The Three Bears
by Roald Dahl
Dylan Smythe
Alice Donne
Gus de Falbe
Oscar Mustard
Izzy Norris
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Warning
I Wish I Was Our Sammy
Timothy Winters
Jabberwocky
by Dylan Thomas
by Jenny Joseph
by Willy Russell
by Charles Causley
by Lewis Carroll
5th & 6th FORMS
PROSE
Louisa Butcher
Eloise Kidner
Cecily Jervoise
Imogen Galsworthy
To Kill a Mockingbird
Before I Die
My Family & Other Animals
The Diamond of Drury Lane
by
by
by
by
Sascha Lopes
Act 3, Scene 2: Romeo & Juliet
by William Shakespeare
Georgina Newman
An Adaptation from The Witches
by Roald Dahl
Harper Lee
Jenny Downham
Gerald Durrell
Julia Golding
Special Performances (not judged)
Louisa Butcher star ted the 5th and 6th Form Prose category with
her reading from 'To Kill a Mockingbird' which she did with real
poise and composure, observing all the relevant punctuation and
showing real understanding of her chosen extract. Eloise Kidner's
recital of 'Before I Die' was a well-controlled piece and she read
the dialogue with excellent expression and successfully controlled
her audience with the volume of her voice. Cecily Jervoise's reading
from 'My Family and Other Animals' showed confidence and
enjoyment throughout her piece and she used good voices for each
of her characters. Her expression and timed looks to the audience
saw her win the Prose section. Imogen Galswor thy read a very
interesting piece from, 'The Diamond of Drury Lane' and was able
to let her audience really understand her piece, not an easy thing
to do with such a shor t extract.
The evening concluded with two first class performances from
Sascha Lopes and Georgina Newman both performing their
prepared pieces from their drama scholarships. Mr Eliot thought
Sascha's por trayal of Juliet conveyed lots of power and emotion
which she controlled superbly. Georgina's performance was
likened to the child catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang due to
her terrifying stage presence and tremendous energy! Both girls
look to have very bright acting careers ahead of them.
I would like to thank the members of the English Depar tment
who helped produce such an enjoyable evening and also Mr
Simon Eliot for his thoughts and observations throughout the
evening and the manner in which he related to all the finalists.
JH
“An actress in the making,” the words used by Mr Eliot after
hearing Izella Oxenham's outstanding performance of 'The Man
Who Was Away.' Izella's confident delivery, fantastic use of
contrast and her Australian heritage made for an absorbing
rendition and left her audience wanting more! Izzie Kidner's
reflective performance of 'We Fish' was delivered with excellent
clarity and emphasis. Max Hayward (the first of all 3 Hayward
children performing in the finals!) showed his obvious enjoyment
of toilet humour with his poem, 'The Day I Fell Down the Toilet!'
He was able to maintain a suitably shocked expression throughout
his piece and he emphasised the humorous par ts perfectly. Lucy
Massey's poem, 'The Listeners' was performed under complete
control, observing the punctuation within the piece and conveying
effectively the rhythm of each line. Lizzie Fearnley confidently took
to the stage, placed one hand on her hip and then proceeded to
deliver her poem, 'The Veggy Lion'. She communicated the
humour of the piece very well and clearly enjoyed it. Anthony
Hayward concluded the 3rd and 4th Form category with his
version of, 'The Crocodile’. His voice projection and engaging facial
expressions made for a super performance. However, Izella
Oxenham received the winning honours for this group.
Not in any way to detract from the first two sections but the 5th
and 6th Form Poetry category had been eagerly anticipated this
year due to the exceptionally high standard of the six
performances. Ellie Hayward's formidable deliver y of,
'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' made Mr Eliot believe that she
would one day be an uncompromising Headmistress. Her ability
to deliver some outrageously humorous lines with such a
serious and dead-pan expression raised a huge amount of laughs
and her timing was exquisite. Dylan Smythe immediately
changed the mood of the room with his haunting and thoughtful
rendition of Dylan Thomas' 'Do Not Go Gentle into That Good
Night.' This was an extremely difficult poem and was deemed as
a brave choice - he conveyed the rage of the poem ver y
powerfully. Alice Donne's piece, 'Warning' was a great poem
which she recited beautifully and made us all aware of the
eccentricities involved in growing old! Gus de Falbe's
impersonation of Just William with a nor thern accent was a
delightful and quite unexpected treat. His performance of 'Our
Sammy' was hugely enter taining and convincing, making his
audience believe he actually was the character from his poem
and he achieved a ver y good final laugh. Oscar Mustard's poem
was viewed by Mr Eliot as the winning performance with his
deliver y of 'Timothy Winters'. Oscar, from the moment he
climbed on to the stage was utterly in control - using his eyes
to grab his audience's attention and his timing and emphasis were
excellent. Izzy Norris' version of 'Jabberwocky' was superb. She
displayed a fantastic stage presence and her voice was terrific,
another very accomplished performance from her. This really was
an outstanding category and it was very encouraging to see such
a high standard at the top of the school.
/ NEWS
Another superb Spoken English final took place on Monday 9th
March and was exper tly adjudicated by Mr Simon Eliot,
Headmaster of Sherborne School. As is customary the 1st and
2nd Form Poetry category set the standard for the evening with
some wonderfully enter taining performances. Sophia Donne's
'Greedyguts,' poem was delivered with real relish and enjoyment
- not an easy thing to achieve when you are the first person up.
Ralph Jervoise's seriously cute rendition of 'Forgiven' was a real
treat to follow. George Andrews won this category with a ver y
assured and powerful performance of 'Jabberwocky' and his use
of facial expressions was excellent, very quickly captivating his
audience. Siobhan Bird's deliver y of 'Buckingham Palace' was well
controlled and displayed a lot of feeling and Jacob David-Ward's
confident piece, 'The Crocodile' was received warmly. Mr Eliot
had to ask Camilla Ridgers if her evident enjoyment of delivering
her poem, 'Homework! Oh Homework!' was not an actual
reflection of how she viewed prep generally as her performance
was extremely convincing! Samantha Unswor th-White's choice of
'My Knickers!' caused a great stir throughout the school and Mr
Eliot deemed it a ver y brave choice of subject, something he
would cer tainly rather not discuss in public! Samantha's cheeky
grin and enjoyment of her slightly naughty poem was ver y
endearing and a great end to this first group.
ACTIVITIES
The Spoken English Competition 2009
15
ACTIVITIES
French Experience 11
/ NEWS
35 children, a record number, accompanied by 5 adults, set off in early
April for the annual visit to Normandy. The trip nearly got off to a
disastrous start as - within 20 miles of Poole - our coach became stuck
in a traffic jam caused by a serious accident on the A35. Just when it
looked inevitable that we would miss our ferry and therefore have to
catch an overnight crossing nine hours later, the police re-opened the
road and we tore into Poole, arriving at the port 15 minutes before
departure!
The children enjoyed an imaginative session of animation, a kind of
linguistic ice-breaker that encourages them to use their French at the
same time as preparing them for relevant vocabulary and expressions
that will be useful over the course of the week.
We enjoyed our Paris marathon under probably the best weather of the
week, and managed to pack the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the
Louvre pyramid, the Champs Elysées and a boat ride along the Seine into
the day.
We visited the American cemetery at Omaha beach on Easter Saturday,
an experience that was deeply moving. Before walking through the
cemetery, we said a short prayer together, Mr MacDougall recited the
Binyon poem “For the fallen” and we observed a minute's silence. Just as
we finished, the cemetery clock struck 12 and a carillon started to play
“Abide with me”. It is always an experience that makes me so pleased
that we “do” Remembrance properly at Mount House, as the children
understand the nature of the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the
days after D-Day - and indeed in all conflicts - far more clearly than most
of their age.
16
Once again this year the children did an escorted walk into the middle of
the Baie du Mont St Michel at low tide, crossing potentially treacherous
quicksand and tidal rivers. It was a cold and wet day, but we had the
incentive of a change of clothing in the shelter of the Mont, together with
the opportunity to spend some pocket money on overpriced souvenirs
which seem largely to have been manufactured in China.
We also revisited Monsieur Martin at his goat farm, enjoying the circus
tricks his goats performed as they were milked. Jamie Redfarn proved
particularly adept at milking, not to say drinking the milk as it spurted
direct from the goat! The sand yachting at Cherrueix was as popular as
ever, even if the wet weather in the preceding week had made the sand
slightly soft.Wacky Races ensued with Mrs MacDougall in the role of
Penelope Pitstop and Zach Spiers, driving a special char to enable him to
cope with a broken arm, in the role of Peter Perfect! Accrobranches, the
high ropes activity, was as popular as ever, with excited whoops and
shrieks echoing through the picturesque forest.
Last year, we were delighted to be invited to visit the Collège Jeanne
d'Arc, the school in Brittany with which we have built up a
correspondence exchange over the last two or three years.This year, they
were on their “English trip” at the beginning of our summer term, and it
was great to be able to reciprocate their generosity by inviting them to
visit Mount House and compare our school with theirs.
As ever, my thanks are due to the adults who accompanied the trip.
Jonathan Banyard for his indefatigable videoing of all activities (even if he
did skive off the walk across the bay!), Jono Jackson (who actually
attended the first ever French Experience as a pupil!) and Andra and
Stewart MacDougall, who threw themselves into the whole experience
with amazing enthusiasm, considering that they only flew into Heathrow
from New York 24 hours before our departure from Mount House.
Andra in particular deserves special mention for her instinctive mothering
of all the children, even if she did slightly scare me on the first morning by
checking the medical notes and asking: “Now, who's the boy on a
ventilator?!”. Here's to next year!
HW
In March we were very fortunate to be visited by Tracy Edwards MBE. A
friend of a current parent, she was surprised and thrilled to learn that the
girls had named one of their dormitories after her, shortly after the
opening of the new Collingwood a few years ago. She spoke to us of the
value of teamwork, impressing on us that nearly all that she has achieved
in her life has been built on working in close harmony with others,
recognising weaknesses and building on strengths. She won international
fame as the skipper of the first all-female crew to sail around the world
in the 1989 Whitbread Round the World yacht race. She blazed the trail
for such as Ellen MacArthur [who also has a dormitory named after her!]
to follow. She is a champion of children, particularly those from a
disadvantaged background, and is an ambassador for the NSPCC and
Childline as well as being closely involved in the Prince's Trust and the
Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. Down to earth and direct, she
inspired a flood of questions and a standing ovation at the end of her talk.
In May we were delighted to be able
to welcome Jenny Coverack [better
known to many of us as Jenny
Killingbeck] back to Mount House to
restage her one-woman play “A
Father for my Son”, recounting the
tragedy of Captain Scott as seen
from the viewpoint of his widow
Kathleen. It speaks volumes for the
quality of her performance that a
one-woman play lasting well over
an hour held the audience
entranced under its spell as we
were transported back in time to
the horror of Scott's Polar
expedition. The play also spoke of
her life afterwards, her re-marriage
to Hilton Young, Lord Kennet, and
the upbringing of her son Peter, who went on to become Sir Peter Scott,
the world famous naturalist and founder of the Wildlife Trust.
/ NEWS
We have continued to be very fortunate in the range and charisma of
our speakers over the course of this year. Our first talk was given by two
brothers, Chris & Nick Southwell, on the subject of extreme winter
sports. Both are professional winter sport athletes, Chris being a Freeride
snowboarder and Nick a Freeride skier.The adrenalin rush demonstrated
from their [slightly terrifying!] videos as they hurtled down precipitous
slopes, that frankly more closely resembled cliff faces, made a huge
impression. They talked quite calmly about the risks of their chosen
profession, but their infectious enthusiasm and innate “cool” ensured that
they had a rapt audience.They are planning an ambitious expedition to
Kamchatka in Russia to pursue new challenges at the same time as
working on a project to construct a new winter sports centre in the UK.
ACTIVITIES
Oracle Lecture series:
I am profoundly grateful to all the speakers who have inspired the
children and the adults since the inception of the Oracle lecture series,
and look forward to more excitement, adventure and inspiration as
Andrew Lamb takes over.
HW
17
ACTIVITIES
Visit to Mount House by Collège Jeanne d'Arc
/ NEWS
On Wednesday 29th April, Mount House welcomed 61 children and 5
staff from the Collège Jeanne d'Arc, a school in the village of St Brice
en Coglès in Northern Brittany. Three years ago, while on their own
language trip to Normandy, an informal link was established between
the two schools, and ever since then the pupils from both schools have
been corresponding with each other. Last year, Mount House were
invited to lunch at the Collège Jeanne d'Arc while on their annual trip
to Normandy, and this year were delighted to be able to welcome their
French friends to lunch during their annual trip to Devon.
The children met their pen friends for the first time, before taking them
on escorted tours of the school. They were then shown videos
describing life at Mount House, including the annual trip to Normandy
and last year's visit to the French collège. Afterwards they had lunch
together in the school canteen before the French pupils left to have a
guided walk on Dartmoor at Haytor. It was a very successful occasion,
with plenty of English and French being spoken by all involved.
Grandparents’ Tea Party at Mount House
There are always new developments for them to see, and this year,
the highlight of the tour was the three-acre farm area in the
Grounds that has been set aside for the Sustainability and
Stewardship programme. In the allotment area, the variety of fruit
and vegetables under cultivation included grapes, apples, tomatoes,
chilli peppers, cabbages and turnips. The grandparents also saw the
chickens, turkeys, ducks and pigs that are being raised and nur tured
by the children.
The grandparents were welcomed on arrival by Headmaster Jim
Massey and his wife Jo, and escor ted by their respective
grandchildren to the Main Hall, where they had tea on tables specially
laid out with flower arrangements, and chocolates for each guest
with the compliments of The School. Tea, prepared by the catering
staff, was served by Mount House pupils, with a musical
accompaniment from some of The School's young musicians.
Over 80 Grandparents from all over the South West of England and
further afield came to The School for the bi-annual Grandparents' Tea
Party. This ever-popular event gives the grandparents the opportunity
to see the facilities that The School offers on a conducted tour,
escorted by the children themselves.
Dartmoor Walk for
Spinal Research
18
On a fine day in September over 150 children, ex pupils and our
families set out across Dartmoor. We walked 10 miles and raised
£1477.95 for Colin Javens' spinal research charity. We have a very
special relationship with Colin who has been to school a couple of
times to talk about his life after diving into shallow water and
ending up in a wheelchair.
Well done to Crispen Newman, Alex Wiltshire, Charlie
Noordewier, Hannah Kidner and Riley Barrasford, our youngest
walkers. Thanks to all walkers and all staff who helped as group
leaders and marshals on the day.
JM
After a shor t welcoming speech by the Headmaster, the
grandparents were escor ted on their tour of the school, returning
afterwards to the Main Hall to enjoy a refreshing glass of Pimm's
before depar ting.
ACTIVITIES
A year on the farm: Pigs, poultry and projects
/ NEWS
felled trees was being washed away after heavy
rainfall. So the challenge was set for the 5th year
to come up with a viable solution at no cost
(materials wise). Each group elected a project
manager and then subdivided themselves into
smaller working parties each with a designated
job: digging, haulage and collecting/ scavenging
natural materials.The result was two big sump pits
being dug out and filled with rocks and stones
from the allotment grounds. A soak-away channel
led to a mains drain and the end result was very
professional and functional.
Using the same format the 5th year went on to
build an edge around the Duck pond using large
stones and soil which was capped with earth,
grasses, reeds and plants found in the woods.
I've never anticipated the start of a new school year so eagerly; lots of
preparation work was done during the summer holidays with the help
of John Brimacombe and the ground staff.The work centred mainly on
getting the perimeter fencing and landscaping completed ready for the
children to take over and make their mark on the farm plan.
This was a huge challenge to get a viable scheme of work prepared in
order for the children to begin to learn about outdoor responsibilities
such as stewardship and a caring understanding for our environment.
With this in mind we set about enhancing and developing many areas
within the farm plan.
Autumn
The 3rd year groups began by making “Bug Hotels” to go along the
banking near the allotments. These are designed to improve the
chances of friendly insects surviving a harsh winter. They have many
bamboo canes and cavities for Lacewing, Ladybird and Solitary bees to
hibernate in.When they come out in the spring they will eat the “pest”
bugs such as aphids and white fly etc.
Later the 3rd year went on to design and make a pair of large
composting bins with a unique aeration system which helped rot the
compost quicker.Throughout the remainder of the term the 3rd year
worked on many composting projects and insect recognition sheets.
In addition to the resident livestock, we looked after Xavier and Pedro
- two alpacas - for the term.They were kindly loaned to us by Stephen
and Lorraine Smith, who own a smallholding where they keep alpacas
and deer. Alpacas, which are native to South America are kept for their
valuable fleece, which is used for making knitted and woven items,
including blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, a wide variety of
textiles and ponchos in South America, and sweaters, socks, coats and
bedding in other parts of the world.
The 5th year spent a lot of time on larger, more involved, building
projects. Our pathway to the farm made from the chippings from the
The 6th form worked hard in the workshop discovering the joys and
rewards of learning to carve large sections of tree stumps from the
farm area.They studied design ideas based on the famous Moai heads
of Easter Island. When completed they looked fantastic and will make
a great sculpture feature to go out into the farm area.
Winter time
The majority of the time was spent working on developing the design
technology syllabus making many new projects.
There were however times when we needed to get out and check the
livestock and growing areas.
We took on a couple of Dartmoor pony foals which had been brought
down from the moor to be fostered by us during the harsh winter time.
The scheme is run very much like the puppy walking scheme for guide
dogs for the blind. Our responsibility was to look after the ponies through
to early spring, when they would be either sold on or returned fit and
healthy to the moor to help increase the indigenous breed and blood line.
This also gave us a unique opportunity to see how to look after such a
rare breed. We had great support and help from Dru Butterfield of the
Dartmoor Heritage pony society. Dru came in and gave two excellent
talks and demonstrations about pony handling and training.
The 4th year students had the responsibility of looking after the livestock
and preparing growing beds in both the allotment and poly-tunnel. Our
poultry run was large enough to house 20 birds of mixed variety. The
pigs were a very rare breed called Oxford Sandy and Blacks. We had
two - a boar called Boris and a gilt called Mimi. They were later joined
by a Saddleback from Mr Hughes' stock and she was called Deedee. It
was a very popular pastime cleaning out the hen house and collecting
the eggs, as well as feeding and cleaning the pigs.The animal rearing was
always for the table and the children were under no illusions about this.
It sparked off some very interesting ethical debates amongst the groups.
We also found time to have a go at willow weaving from our trees and
decided to investigate more once we had a more substantial tree growth
to use.
19
ACTIVITIES
A year on the farm: Pigs, poultry and projects...continued
/ NEWS
Spring also saw the poultry section grow thanks to the loan of an
incubator from the Kent family (many thanks). We were able to
successfully hatch and rear a variety of duck eggs from our own ducks
as well as some turkeys found on the internet!
Summer time
Summer was a very exciting time in the vegetable plots, each year
group had a plot to be responsible for and tried their hands at
growing as many different vegetables as possible.
Thanks to the efforts of our parents who collected the Morrison's
'Let's Grow' vouchers we were able to get most of our seeds for free.
(A scheme we are repeating this year).
Spring time
It was the 3rd Year’s turn to have a go at looking after the livestock and
see how they fared.The big buzz was all about Boris the boar being sent
to slaughter and how good would the sausages be? I have to say no one
complained as he made several meals for the children's dinner, gammon
joints, bacon and sausages. In fact at one time the children sat down to
breakfast where the sausage and bacon were from the farm as were
the eggs. So a complete meal all sourced from the farm!
The 4th year turned their attention to stewardship and made 30 bird
nesting boxes which were sited in and around the school grounds by
the Ornithology club, who kept a close eye on any visitors.The great
news was 7 of the boxes were used by nesting birds such as wrens,
robins and coal tits.
The 5th year with the help of our gap year students Jacob Stephens
and Henry Cunningham set about designing and making a shelter for
the chicken run from hazel sticks, resembling a jungle hut! The birds
loved it and are often roosting in there out of the weather. A show
pen was also built in the middle of the farm area ready to hold some
new animals, possibly goats or sheep.
20
There were many successes and a few failures. The biggest problem
was the very wildlife we are promoting, pigeons being the prime
culprit. Never before have I seen cabbage, brussels and cauliflower
eaten in such quantity by the birds! Later on they took a liking to the
leeks as well.
We had the usual problems of blight with the potatoes and outdoor
tomatoes, but still managed a healthy basketful in the autumn.
It is always very nice to be able to reflect upon the previous year
and enjoy the successes and learn valuable lessons from failure.
Now I must look ahead to strengthen the school's commitment to
endorse the theme of stewardship and environmental awareness
and address whatever issues we may come across in a balanced and
objective manner.
Autumn 2009 has already been fantastic with the news that Mimi the
rare breed Oxford Sandy and Black had an amazing first litter of 13
piglets, 10 of which survived the critical first 12 hours of life and have
gone on to become very strong, healthy and inquisitive pigs.
GW
ACTIVITIES
Summer Adventure Courses
Mount House Adventure Day
A water-based adventure was imagined during a river-based
Shackleton session when two pupils commented on how they
would, 'love to do this all day!' The location of the school, with
streams and a fast flowing river, made planning a water course
exploration of the grounds and surrounding area more a matter of what
to leave out than what to include.There was a great uptake and over 20
children had the run of the school grounds kitted out in wetsuits and
safety gear.The day began with a riverside run with each group excitedly
rolling a tractor inner tube to Rowden. Suitably warmed up we reached
the Trout farm where two tunnels allow a leat to pass under a lane and
as luck would have it they are perfectly child sized! After several feet first
slides many opted to run the tunnels head first. Another warming run
/ NEWS
from here to the Tavy and the teams were launched into the current
on the rubber rings. Fairly strong flows meant that real team work and
balance were needed to keep everyone together. After a lunch for
which the sun graciously came out to warm us we headed to a stream
for a gorge walk.The teams were well in tune by now and worked with
determination to overcome all the obstacles including: a waterfall,
salmon leaps, still pools and a very deep narrow section, which offered
a real sense of adventure. On reaching the lake it was a revelation for
many to be in the middle of such a familiar landmark and to be gaining
a different perspective.Working together again the children climbed the
farthest weir that feeds into the lake, with some spending a good deal
of time inside the falling water. The day finished with a jumping
competition that filled Martin Weaver and I with admiration of the
children's stamina and sense of fun.
NW
Climbing Summer 2009
NW
I know that I mention the stunning location of the school almost
every time but it really is that stunning.To one day be able to paddle
rivers kayakers travel for hours to experience and the other to be
climbing on one of the best inland crags in the country, all within 20
minutes, is sensational. All of the climbing this year was at the
Dewerstone and Leigh Tor which are wild, varied and offer a real
sense of adventure. A bouldering section is visited first where all can
get a feel for the rock, how to move the feet and learn to use sloping
holds to gain height.The first route puts these skills into practice and
importantly allows the children to climb up a gully to the very top.
Once at the summit they can relax and enjoy a view to then abseil
down a slab for lunch. After lunch there is a wild walk through
ancient woodland to an atmospheric slab which offers three routes
of increasing difficulty with an overhang for the determined to tackle.
All the children tested themselves and achieved the sense of
satisfaction which comes from having overcome fear and challenge.
Most of the days ended with a refreshing paddle in a stream or river
where just occasionally the sense of balance that had been in such
clear evidence all day suddenly abandoned children, leading to a very
wet sit down much to the amusement of the others.Thanks again to
Martin Weaver and Laura Russo for such professional technical skills
and calm supportive manner that encourages trust and maximises
what the children get from the experience.
21
ACTIVITIES
Summer Adventure Courses
Kayaking Summer 2009
/ NEWS
Another summer's kayaking has seen many new faces and returning
kayakers all keen to hone their balance and skills. The focus of these
courses was the journey, and skills were learned along the way. As a first
day venue Roadford is excellent and offers three fantastic adventures
around the hidden bays, across the middle for a real sense of exposure
and a remarkable paddle along the dam itself. The experience of being
faced with such an imposing structure when you are so low to the water
is humbling.The children all especially enjoy the bubbles that appear from
the depths and paddled much faster after hypothesising about a 'Nessie'
look-alike! The wind at Roadford can be notorious and we were blessed
with just enough that heading down wind with paddles raised allowed us
to do some sailing. Into the wind was just as much fun with the waves
forming white tops on occasion and thoroughly splashing everyone.
This year saw a Roadford first as several children surfed into the beach
for lunch! The Tavy estuary was another venue for some courses and
offered a wilder paddle with old boathouses and tumbledown
fortifications to explore.The tide and wind were perfect, meaning a hard
3hr paddle out past Blaxton wood where we stopped for lunch and
camp fires, followed by a relaxing 40 min 'sail' back to Lopwell Dam. Such
a stunning venue will have to be visited again very soon. It was again
commented on by people that we met how pleased they were to see
children so engaged and motivated to explore. A huge thank you to
Martin Weaver and Laura Russo for giving of their time, energy and
experience to make learning new skills and working so hard such fun for
the children.
NW
22
23
ACTIVITIES
Junior Shackleton Clubs
/ NEWS
During Christmas term the juniors had the choice of clubs proffered
by staff. The children involved with Love-in-a-Box, a charity whose
intention is to make Christmas for the poorest in Romania a happier
time, prepared over 40 boxes crammed with gifts. In Young Authors a
narrative was explored and the children put the story into their own
words. Maps and Exploring had the whole school as the setting for
scavenger, treasure and fact hunts with treasure maps also being drawn.
As part of Organic Gardening, pupils planted cabbages and broad beans
to over-winter, break up the beds and replenish the soil with nitrogen.
Art and Craft were topical all term with many creative and recycled
pieces being realised. Collaboration
between clubs was soon in place:
Art and Craft made carrier bags
from newspaper for the gardeners
to use in their sale!
24
Easter term clubs included Yoga
for the first time. The pupils
showed great flexibility but the
highlight for them was a 10minute relaxation during which
some gently dozed off! Theatre
club carried on from the success
of the school play and immersed
pupils in characters and settings
full of imagination. IT Club was
also creative in the use of software to warp images and really see the
potential for trial and error in this most versatile medium. Mosaics is
one of those arts which allows a new skill to be developed and
concentration to be focused on something to be proud of; many
designs were very original.
Summer clubs included favourites such as Art and Craft which made use
of the fine weather to enjoy the stunning riverside setting for natural
sculptures. Cooking was a hit with pizza and peppermint creams
introducing the children to the joy and ease of preparing their own food.
Many intuitive and counter-intuitive activities took place as part of Team
Trust, with pupils learning that individual skills can be complemented by
those of others to achieve more. Nature Diaries had a perfect start with
the beautiful spring weather meaning that real changes could be seen in
various locations from week to week. Photography gave pupils a chance
to really see what is around them and frame their precious compositions
with thought and care; the anticipation of posting film to be developed
was compared with the immediacy of digital.
The pupils are very lucky to have these opportunities and I am
fortunate to work with colleagues able to plan and deliver such
meaningful extracurricular activities. The location also deserves a
mention as the river, lake and grounds together form an inspirational
backdrop that is second to none.
NW
ACTIVITIES
Shackleton - Fourth Form
/ NEWS
Easter term, and First Aid sessions covered the basics that will give
pupils some confidence in how best to deal with an accident.‘ABCDE’
is the memorable way to prioritize a casualty’s needs and has been
learned in different situations. ‘Cuts and breaks’ involved staunching
blood flow and supporting limbs until help arrives. Outdoor scenarios
put new skills to the test on some very realistic, sometimes screaming,
victims. Bird Watching/ Ornithology was very enthusiastically received
and a wealth of hidden talent emerged. Bird species are constantly
being added to the ‘Spotted’ list, and pupils are increasingly confident
in identifying birds at a distance. A real highlight for the fourth form
has again been the session run by Canoe Tamar on a very cold lake.
Most fourth formers had a quality half-hour or more on the water
and the trainee instructors running the session were well and truly
soaked by the end. The nature trail behind the lake has seen further
lumberjack efforts and finally the planting of native rowan and hazel
saplings to improve the biodiversity which has suffered a decline due
to rhododendron and laurel.
Summer term was again a real mix for the fourth form. Pupils made
good use of the spring weather during Ornithology activity to
attempt the construction of birds’ nests. Some efforts were truly
remarkable! The activity proved a real highlight until Mr. Symons
found a pile of mud and twigs in the middle of his desk and the ‘nest’
makers beaming at him with obvious pride. Some letterboxing has
taken place and the moor also saw navigation from Easter term put
to the test. Water Safety looked at how to best manage fun and
danger to ensure a pleasant end to any day on or near the water.
Kayaking and climbing have introduced new ways of moving through
and experiencing the amazing environment which we can so often
take for granted. Team activities in the river led to a greater
awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of working as a team
versus working on your own as well as some hilarious attempts at
throw-line rescues.
NW
Navigation began the Christmas term and we made very good use of
the moor to demonstrate the useful skills of map and compass work.
Camp Craft first made sure that survival fire lighting was a sound skill
and then used the fires to brew up hot chocolate. Camp Craft
concluded by making shelters for a soft toy. Stream and Woodland
Ecology were also sampled to discover fish, dragonfly larvae and lots of
mud! Navigation then continued after half term by introducing the arts
of moor navigation, radio communication and an orienteering exercise
to recover a Christmas message. Camp Craft has seen the skills of
striking a fire from flint and steel rehearsed until learned, marshmallows
toasted and tea brewed on the resulting fires. Shelters for a victim of a
plane crash were constructed, resplendent with beds, flags, signal fires,
water sources and lots of insulation. A particularly stunning freestanding shelter was built by James Berna and Henry Mules.
25
ACTIVITIES
Shackleton - Fifth and Sixth Form
/ NEWS
There were three activities this Easter term which progressed over
three sessions. Healthy Food saw fruit salads being prepared from
scratch. Hygiene and knife safety were the watchwords as pupils
chopped, diced and sliced their way through six fruits and finished off
with Greek yoghurt.The final presentation was a revelation with some
truly Michelin Star-worthy efforts. The next recipe was Thai soup full
of medicinal herbs and spices. During Photography pupils learnt the
rule of thirds and how to apply this to their own landscape shots.
Portrait photography was identified as having its own set of rules
which included avoiding passport style pictures at all costs. Some
excellent photos have been put on display in the sixth form corridor
by Mrs. Hammond; please do take the time to see them. “Trails” has
seen the school grounds criss-crossed with paths and checkpoints.
Pupils have designed routes to challenge each other and then
completed one another’s courses by collecting way markers, including
a glow stick, along the way.
26
September has now become Gorge walk season.To begin with there is
the fully supported group dynamic of the walk itself including a deep
pool and waterfall; to finish the individual challenge of a jump and diver’s
entry into the salmon leaps. The pros and cons of team work and
individual challenge are discussed at the halfway point and at the end.
This activity really illustrates the value of learning through the outdoors.
Food technology has seen the groups design their own brand of pizza
with considerations including: target market, cost/profit, packaging and a
radio jingle.The planned pizzas have (with some modifications, such as
leaving out the monkfish!) been prepared and eaten by all groups. A
huge thank you to the kitchen for ensuring that all the pupils’ pizza
creations were piping hot! Moor Search and Rescue activities saw Mr. J
Stevens get lost in an old mine-working to be discovered by each
‘mountain rescue’ team in turn. The fog made this a very real and
atmospheric exercise. The groups have also been engaged in team
initiative activities and first aid. First aid introduced ABCDE to be
rehearsed in various settings and included the popular bandaging
scenarios. The climbing wall welcomed some groups on the more
inclement days: many had grown since their last visit and the towering
heights of old were transformed into easy Bouldering problems.
We had the busiest summer term on record. All pupils were involved
in designing, preparing and barbecuing kebabs. An interesting
development in the use of spice marinades saw one team opt to add
spices according to colour rather than flavour! The team activities of
Gutter Ball, Swamp Stomping and Blind Rope Trail all focused on
communication and cooperation.The Tree Climb was also in use again
giving a real sense of height and what it means to trust others. During
Hashing the pupils followed a trail around the grounds to end with a
smile; the best times were set by all who avoided the dead ends! The
lake has also seen its fair share of action with kayaking and rafting.The
highlight was seeing sixteen pupils swap sides on a raft that was just
barely afloat. The term concluded with engaging flora and fauna
meadow studies as well as bracing river crossing sessions during which
throw lines were used to attempt rescues…attempt being the
operative word!
A huge thank you to the staff for making the sessions so memorable.
NW
ACTIVITIES
Boarders’ Activity: Christmas Extravaganza
Teams worked together to wrap up their smallest member in
Christmas wrapping paper and to drag Santa Sack ‘chariots’ with each
team member from one end of the sports hall to the other.
/ NEWS
After lunch the boarders were busy decorating photo frames to be
given to their parents this Christmas and painted Christmas window
decorations as well as creating fun, if not slightly cheesy, CD covers for
their imaginary band’s ‘Christmas hit single’. Thank you Mr Myott for
helping the boarders put the finishing touches to their CDs, which were
frighteningly convincing in some cases.
Mr Cunningham organised the mother of all treasure hunts in the
camps which sent blood sugar levels well and truly sky-rocketing before
tea and then it was time to prepare for the evening service.
We would like to thank the boarders for such a fun and effortless day.
Virtually every single boarder has said ‘thank you’ to us in person and
we were really touched to receive really thoughtfully written thank you
letters from Izzy Norris, Harriet Cave, Louis Smith, the Barlow brothers
and their friends.
After a delicious cooked breakfast the 56 boarders headed straight
to the sports hall for a spot of Christmas Card writing before
embarking on several team games and relays involving mince pies
and space hoppers – an ominous combination.
Boarders’ Activities: Messy games and talent quest
After a quick letter writing/phone Mum for mothers’
day session the boarders met in the sports hall for a
spot of ‘bang’. Being far too nice a day to remain
indoors we then went outside to play a selection of
sticky, messy fun games such as ‘Shoot the shaving
foam off your team mates’ noses with a water pistol’,
‘Catch the water bomb’, ‘Spit relay’ (as disgusting as it
sounds) and a version of apple bobbing but rather
bobbing for sweets….in a bowl of flour!
After lunch there was a spot of playing in the sun before embarking
on some rehearsals before the annual Boarders’ Talent Quest which
is probably the best we’ve seen since its 2005 inauguration. Jonny
Goff White’s band had us all in stitches as did the sixth form girls’
‘Fairytale Play’.
Many thanks to all the boarders for being their usual fun, helpful, polite
and good-natured selves!
JH & SH
We then produced Mothers’ Day tributes in a
newspaper dressing-up competition (the paper
hoovers and newspaper agas were most distressing)!
‘Yummy Mummy’ was a Russian roulette style game
where children who were unlucky enough to be
holding ‘Mummy’s handbag’ when the music stopped
had to extract a bottle of baby food of dubious
flavour and eat a spoonful!
27
ACTIVITIES
Boarders’ Activity: Pool Party and Touch Rugby Tournament
/ NEWS
Best team uniforms were displayed by the 5th form girls (aka 'The
Dudes'), best haka went to a sixth form girls' group called 'Mrs Hood
and her merry maids' (although this was closely contested by the 5th
forms boys group led by Ben Clarke and Alex Ferguson with their
rendition of 'I'm a Barbie girl') and best banner went to the 'Surfing in
the '60s' team. Eventual winners, somewhat unsurprisingly, were Fred
Cave's 'Plymouth' team.
After dinner many of the boarders competed in the 'Dance Off' which
was jointly won by some very slick performances by the James Bonds
(6th form girls) and the 'Diversity - esque' 6th form boys led by
Ruairidh Matthews.
All in all, a fabulous day that absolutely flew by thanks to an endlessly
cheerful, fun, helpful and polite bunch of boarders!
52 boarders (including some slightly disappointed athletes) had energy
to burn and plenty of opportunity to do so. We took advantage of the
sun and headed to the pool straight after breakfast for water balloon
tossing, giant water polo, sponge throw with 6th form boys as targets,
handstand and belly flop competitions (the joint winners, Poppy
Hartley, Sascha Lopes and Harry Sharp bare very crimson tummies to
testify to the seriousness of this final competition).
Before lunch the boarders were busy planning their outfits, hakas and
banners for the annual Boarders' touch rugby tournament.The final of
which was rather disturbingly played out between two teams of boys
with their pants on the outside of their shorts.
28
JH & SH
ACTIVITIES
Remembrance at
Mount House
/ NEWS
The Service of Remembrance at Mount House School was attended
by Lt Col The Reverend Tom Hiney MC, Honorary Chaplain of the
Devon British Legion. In his address, the Reverend Hiney talked about
some of the many residents of Tavistock and the surrounding area who
gave their lives in the two World Wars.
He particularly referred to Captain Nigel Hunter, MC and bar, Royal
Engineers, who was killed in action at Biefvillers near Bapaume in
March 1918 at the age of just 23. Captain Hunter was a poet and a
regular visitor to the Lydford area, and the plaque near Widgery Cross
that commemorates his sacrifice is still there 90 years after his death.
The Last Post was played at the Remembrance Service by
Ruairidh Matthews.
News From The Library
LH and the Librarians
To celebrate the creativity of the
children here at Mount House, this
year we wrote a book. The result was
We Are Writers!, a fabulous record of the
children’s imaginations and reflections
on life. After an introduction written by
Michael Morpurgo, there is a chapter
written by each and every child in the
School. The book was launched at the
Scholastic Book Fair to great acclaim
and it was delightful to see the children
so proud of their work. The fair was
held in the Library and was the most
successful ever. The Librarians, led
by Nick Sylvester, did a fabulous job.
Thank you all for your support and
if you did not manage to visit us then, there are a few copies of
We Are Writers! left available in the School Shop.
29
ACTIVITIES
Young Engineers at Plymouth University
/ NEWS
A group of pupils went to Plymouth University to take
part in a structural engineering exercise, accompanied by
the School’s Head of Design and Technology Geoff
Whaley, and Mrs Massey, who is herself a qualified
civil engineer.
The children were split into groups with pupils from local
primary schools, and each group was assigned a
“consultant” - an engineering student from either Plymouth
or Exeter University.
The groups were set the challenge of designing and
building a bridge using tubes of paper as struts which were
then bolted together.The bridges had to span a one metre
gap, and be capable of carrying a load of 2 kg at the centre,
without deflecting more than 20mm. As well as learning
about structures, the children learned the importance of
teamwork and quality control.
The competition was won by “The Nutters” team that
included Mount House pupils Ellie Hayward and
Sascha Lopes.
After the competition, one of the students gave the
children a tour of the university, taking in the Students’
Union, the library and the engineering laboratories.
Collingwood 2008/2009
Christmas term in Collingwood is always magical and
this year was no exception as the girls got into the spirit
of dorm decorating, caroling in pyjamas and Christmas
feasting. The twister tournament was fought out
between the amazingly flexible Ellie Dowie and the
tenacious Eloise Kidner.
In each dormitory, pinned carefully to pinboards amongst
posters of High School Musical characters, one could find
several notes and autographs from sailor Tracey Edwards,
after whom one of our dormitories has been named. She
entertained the school with a fabulous talk of her around
the world yachting adventures before being regaled by
Collingwood girls, who performed skits of her life story
back down in the dorms.
30
One of the highlights of the Easter term included the
annual bin liner dressing up evening where each dorm
had to dress their dorm captain. This year’s theme was
‘Mother Nature’.
In the summer term the Collingwood girls made the most
of the long evenings with water balloon battles, banana
splits roasted over the BBQ and the summer croquet
tournament which was won by Tean Choroszewska and
Eliza Sale this year.The bench donated by last year's leavers
has been well used by girls enjoying the evening sunshine
and sitting on it to do a spot of reading or for the audience
to sit on to watch a variety of skits and dances.
JH & SH
The Beaford Arts Residential Centre was established in 1966 by the
Dartington Hall Trust as England’s first rural arts centre. It is based in an
early 19th century house in the peaceful village of Beaford in North
Devon. Every year, over a thousand young people and adults participate
in the residential courses at Beaford, taking part in a wide spectrum of
arts activities both in the centre and the surrounding area.
The course attended by the Mount House girls was led by one of
Devon’s leading art educators, Chris Wightman, who was Devon
County Advisor for Art until 2004.The girls were involved in Artist-led
workshops by the ceramicist Chris Taylor and the painter Peter Ward,
whose materials and techniques informed the girls’ own work.
Observational drawings completed on their first day were developed
using a wide range of materials and techniques including oil pastel studies,
drawings in coloured slip, paintings using locally-sourced coloured earth,
paintings using the face as a surface and acrylic painting on stretched
canvas. Several large-scale pieces were also worked on collaboratively.
/ NEWS
Eight 5th and 6th Form girls from Mount House School - Louisa Butcher,
Sophie Essex, Sascha Lopes, Georgina Newman, Lucy Redman, Lucy TelferSmollett, Eliza Sale and Holly Wixon - attended a three-day residential art
course for gifted and able pupils at Beaford Arts during the half-term break.
ACTIVITIES
Mount House Girls Attend Residential Art Course
The girls rose to the challenges admirably despite working long hours
and often being pushed beyond their comfort zones. The processes
explored over the three days were revisited over the following term at
The School, capitalising on the wealth of educational benefit that was
drawn from this valuable and unique experience.
Fireworks Night at
Mount House
Councillor Robin Pike, the Mayor of Tavistock is pictured with
Mount House Headmaster Jim Massey and the prep school’s
youngest pupil Joshua Ramnarace at the annual Fireworks
par ty. After a spectacular firework display, following a Mount
House tradition, the huge bonfire was lit by the school’s
youngest pupil, watched by a cheering crowd of children,
parents, guests and staff. A total of £254.94 was raised for the
charity “Help for Heroes”.
31
DRAMA
Junior Play
A Grimm Night for Hans Christian Andersen
Performed by Mount House Junior School Pupils
Directed by Catherine Brereton and Chloe Grubb
“The actor’s business is to entertain people. One needs no other passport than fun.” BERTOLT BRECHT,
Set in 1835 Denmark, our wise (if slightly bossy) narrator Elsa Kent led
us into the magical world of Hans Andersen. Ahem, sorry. ‘Hans
Christian Andersen’ as one stroppy though rather sweet elf, played
superbly by Jenny Forrest, so aptly reminds us.
Mr. Andersen, played by the ineffable Barnaby Treneer, sits at his desk
penning his next retelling of a fairytale classic under the guidance of his
rather bloodthirsty housekeeper, Mrs Ridge, played by Issy Cox. Barney
then has the unenviable task of giving the audience the first solo of the
night, ‘Andersen is my name’, which he sang beautifully. The brightly
coloured chorus joined him in the second verse singing sweetly and
clear as bells. Their vibrant t-shirts and 21 smiling faces (particularly
Christoph von Wentzel and Toby Teague who sang with gusto and
exuberance) were testament to the fact that Mount House children
love getting involved in all things, regardless of the fact that some of
them had only been with us for a matter of weeks (or in fact days in
the case of Charlotte Barrett – well done you)!
32
get nasty?’ the brothers and Hans decide to hold a competition to
establish who really was the king of fairy tales.
So the stories began. The King’s daughter, Emma Manton, looked
stunning in her royal purple gown tossing her golden ball under the
guidance of the regal King played by Joseph McCormick.When the ball
falls into the palace’s paddling pool Finlay Rose arrives as the frog.
Unhappy with their plot, the actors suddenly rise up and rebel against
their authors.‘I turned down a James Bond film for this’ announces the
frog in the most supreme snooty accent possible.
Philippa May Somerville, the Little Mermaid, is the next disgruntled
character who is most perturbed at her script which requires her to
‘throw herself from a cliff into foaming waters where her body is torn
to bits by sharks’. Philippa sang her very funny tune with impeccable
clarity and zeal, including what could quite possibly be the best line of
the play with ‘I would love to wear a pretty pair of shoes. I’m so jealous
when I see princesses tottering along in a really fancy pair of Jimmy Choos’.
Philippa’s lament of the lack of legs is followed up by the equally
grumpy (and frighteningly sophisticated) princess Georgie Morris.
Her sleep deprivation becomes so severe that she demands a gin
and tonic from the all-suffering Harry Sale (fairy tales’ resident
‘sorter outer’) at his office ‘Grabbit and Scarper’. In the waiting room
of this office, Jessica ‘the doll’ Harvey Brade’s superb theatrical
weeping rings out as she mourns the story of the steadfast tin
soldier. Meanwhile the adorable Ben Wiltshire, as the swan prince,
sweetly mourns his physical scars and the death of his career as a
promising concert pianist.
Enter the Grimm Brothers – or the Brothers Grimm – Max Hayward
and Henry Ridgers. Kitted up in trilby hats, shades, black shirts and
white ties, the boys were the bully-boy gangsters who were fed up
with Hans stealing their stories. After much muscle flexing and
menacing terms such as ‘hang up your quill or else’ and ‘do we ’ave to
Another office scene follows, this time Wilf Hadow is in charge of the
Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Enter Lucy McCormick and
Rory Millar as Mr and Mrs Stiltskin who try to tempt the unsuspecting
official into gambling his belongings on the name of the baby. All gets a
bit tense until Mrs S lets slip that the darling child is named Rumpel!
The all-too sweet Ugly Duckling enters next played by the highly
animated and very funny Lucy Massey. She tries to book herself in for
a makeover at the beauty therapy salon run by Madeleine Lewis and
Olga Bate, but to no avail. This hilarious scene had the reviewer and
audience in absolute stitches.
So too, when diamond geezer mattress merchant Charles Beacon
enters to answer a call from his best customer : the
aforementioned princess who suffers from a pea sized lump in all
17 of the mattresses she has purchased. Charles has real comedy
value as he patiently deals with this tricky customer. Georgie then
launches into a beautiful song about her sufferings backed up by
that delightful chorus.
Augusta Clayton makes a charming Gretel wandering about the forest
when she happens upon Oscar Norris in the form of a young builder
about to visit the gingerbread house.The witch there is Karis Barrasford
who performs with perfect diction (in a fabulous, hot pink witchy
costume) and is having trouble with melting chocolate chimney pots
and cracked icing walls.
‘Fleecem and Run Solicitors’ is where the next scene takes place where
the adorable wheelchair bound Steadfast tin soldier, Ned Bartleet, is
making a claim with the wily lawyer Ben Cheshire.
The audience fell about laughing during the Charlie Chaplin style silent
comedy in the cameo scenes with Alex McNair Scott as the patient
prince and Ella Woolcock as Sleeping Beauty (not looking her best
though in eye mask, rollers and teddy bear slippers).
Jacob David-Ward made an excellent officious policemen who ‘nicks’
the elf from the prologue and her sneaky little mates Beatrice Wilson
and Sophie West.
This is where Miss U. Duckling re-enters for her appointment with
Angus Crofton, the plastic surgeon who provides botox, nips and tucks
to the ladies of fairy tale land. On the verge of spending her lottery
winnings on a complete surgical makeover, Lucy Massey and her fellow
fairy tale characters decide to protest against the black messages in
their stories, demanding ‘happy stories for all’.
And that is exactly what we had.
It is never a simple business to produce a play and no play producer is an
island. The children were absolutely wonderful, they clearly enjoyed
themselves immensely and this shone like a beacon throughout both
performances. The fact that they looked so fantastic helped them to
perform so well and Debbie Morris, Pippa Sale, Anne May Somerville and
Tracey Smythe worked enormously hard in this area. Where would the
humble school play be if it were not for our clever and creative mummies?
The fairy tale wonderland was made complete with the magic of Lizzy
Harris’s paintbrush which was swapped for a camera as she took all
the production photographs this year and was then swapped for a
make up brush as she made all our shining stars a little less shiny under
the lights! Speaking of which, lighting was seamlessly controlled by Tom
Jackman and Nick Sylvester was the soundman, both boys were under
the careful eye and tutorship of Mr Hugh Walkington.
Mrs Gill Waters was the pianist extraordinaire again and I know she
worked tirelessly in getting those beaming faces belting out those
hilarious and crystal-clear tunes.
Of course, as I mentioned earlier, no play producer is an island but it can
sometimes feel like you are drowning in a torrent of foamy waters just like
that poor little mermaid! Catherine Brereton and Chloe Grubb were, to
coin a phrase from a group of first form pupils, ‘fun and inspiring….and
they gave us chocolate!’ Congratulations must go to these two teachers
who, on top of teaching their lessons, coaching their sports teams, writing
their reports and marking their pupils’ books, have made their debut with
producing junior plays in fine fashion. This was a play that achieved that
tricky goal of being fun for the children to present and highly enjoyable for
their folks to watch.Very, very well done.
Bravo!
SH
Alice ‘Rapunzel’ Woolcock was also a damsel in distress, although not in
quite enough distress to let her sweetly singing prince George Andrews,
climb up her ‘expensive extensions’ to rescue her.
Tean Choroszewska and Bethan Wesley as Trinny and Susannah were
ruthless in their destruction of poor Prince Charles (played with hilarious
mock somberness by Christopher Villaquiran). A favourite line from this
scene was, ‘and what is this disgusting thing? It looks like the corgis
dragged it in!’
DRAMA
Junior Play...continued
33
DRAMA
Senior Play - King Arthur and the
Knights of the Fairly Round Table
directed by Hugh Walkington
The most beautiful Spring week in Mount House memory was
crowned at the end of March with a rather more than fairly amazing
production of “King Arthur and the Knights of the Fairly Round Table”:
a Senior Play, directed by Hugh Walkington, which delighted and
entertained parents, staff, children, and visitors alike with its style, its
panache, and its all round flair.
Hugh wisely chose a play which gave the opportunity for many of the
sixth form leavers to show their maturity and confidence, as well as
providing cameo roles for other children, and the chance to be on stage
as courtiers for over thirty other seniors. He also employed
sophisticated techniques such as slow motion sword play, an on-stage
chemistry lab, pyrotechnics, and an extraordinarily believable voice
double to keep the audience on their toes.
Ruairidh Matthews, Izzy Norris, and Sascha Lopes opened the play for
us alongside a stunning bevy of type face beauties. These three leads
were especially well cast. Ruairidh and Izzy were a well-matched royal
couple, and Sascha was a most alarming Duchess. Ruairidh’s equal
worries of the difficulty of obtaining a new round table, and of
preventing the sale of his bankrupt kingdom to the evil Sir Mordred,
were amusingly presented, and the ability of all three leads to hold the
stage, whether speaking or singing, meant the plot was in safe hands.
A lot safer, to be sure, than the job of carpentry was: Freddie Morris
and Oscar Mustard’s comic turn as the nightmare carpenters sent a
shiver down the spine of anyone in the audience who has dealt with
builders … and Freddie, in particular, deserved his praise from Mr
Walkington for performing with almost no voice. A fate which luckily
did not befall Merlin. Jonny Goff-White visibly gained in confidence as
the performances progressed, and his magic tricks and Mitsubishi
incantations were most impressive.
Amongst the many punning exchanges and clever one-liners, sometimes
it was the stage business which got the most laughs: such as Ruairidh
reading his Page’s announcement with binoculars from the back of the
stage. Just as subtly comic was the arrival of the synchronised swimming
- and speaking - team (in Camelot? In pink towelling robes? Could things
get more surreal?)….. a chance for six glamorous fifth-form beauties to
shine even through their smudged eye make up!
The action moved swiftly on with our introduction to the wonderfully
alert and intelligent football team knights. Charlie Carter’s greedy Sir
Galahad set the tone, and we soon realised the defence of Camelot
was worryingly weak … thank goodness for the swooningly handsome
Sir Lancelot and his custard coloured stockings - and as for his singing
voice, who knew George Lundy had it in him?
34
The arrival of His Greasiness Sir Mordred (Alexander Ferguson) and his
perfect pair of henchmen (Harry Sharp and Harriet Cave) ushered in
some well-pitched evilness. Alexander looked and sounded the part,
and one could only pity his two slimy sidekicks; Harriet and Harry’s
puppet-style dance was a high spot of the play, partly due to the dancers’
total concentration on their performance rather than its effect.
Sir Mordred’s attempt to subvert the knights’ quest for the grail to save
the kingdom was happily interrupted by the arrival of the finest dragon
to be seen on the Mount House stage: again, splendidly cast with three
lofty leavers who performed their dragonly duties with poker faces
throughout. Thank goodness for Ollie Sale’s taste for the bottle: one
fumy breath from him and the dragon was tamed for good.
Back to Camelot, and the day was being saved by the redoubtable
Duchess. Britannia in a tin hat, I do hope Sascha discovers the CCF at
her next school: her domination of the cowardly nobles and doughty
land girls was perfect. The play was rounded off by a beautiful solo song
from Izzy (the pathos of a twelve-year-old singing about when she was
young was not lost on the audience), and the well-timed snacking of Sir
Galahad. The arrival of a garishly painted, not even barely round table,
and Sir Mordred’s golden purse, meant Camelot was saved, and we
could all breathe a sigh of relief.
Both John Symons and Jim Massey, when thanking Hugh and the cast,
praised the immense ensemble effort which goes into any such
production.The fun which the children had was visible to us all. As the
performance nights came closer, the excitement in the school was
palpable, and the confidence and pleasure the cast and crew took in the
performances was infectious. All those involved should feel delighted
with the success of this production: Lizzy Harris’s set was elegant and
simple, the lighting was sophisticated, and the cast was dressed in the
most effective, original and charming costumes I have seen at our school.
King Arthur, Guinevere and the rest of the brave knights of Camelot
can retreat with Merlin to the misty past from which they came: but
the memory of the fun of producing and performing this delightful
dragon’s tale will stay with its fortunate cast for ever.
SB
35
PRE-PREP
Pre-prep
Foundation Stage
The start of the academic year came with the re-structure of the
Nursery and Reception classes into the Foundation Stage Unit. Katie
MacEacharn was a new recruit to the team, who came with experience
and knowledge, which she shared with us to help make the unit an
environment that all children, with mixed abilities, would thrive in.
We began the term with the theme of Fairytales and Traditional tales,
which always has great appeal to all. Boys and girls alike played the part
of knights, princes and pirates, fairies and princesses. Outside of the
Pre-Prep the children took a trip to Powderham Castle, which stirred
much excitement. A guide took us on a tour through large rooms,
uncovering secret passages by concealed bookcases. The wooden toys
in the nursery highlighted the passing of time as the children reflected
on their own playrooms with glossy plastic gadgets and computer
games. The day was dry and sunny so we took a walk in the Rose
Garden which overlooked a deer park; all the children were scanning
the grounds looking for a Rudolph look-alike. The day ended with a
picnic lunch in the secret garden where the children had a chance to
play in the fort and make friends with the farm animals.
We had a visit from James Timmis, Finn's father, who is a Police Constable.
He showed us his different jackets and his special reflective one for
working on the roads.We talked about how to be safe and how to cross
a road safely at a zebra crossing. We had a go crossing a road at Mount
House with Year 2 helping us as the Lollipop people. We also went to
Plymouth to visit the Clark's shoe shop to see how hard the Elves and the
Shoemaker had been working, and were going to try crossing a real zebra
crossing safely, but sadly the traffic was terrible so we did not have time.
36
The festive season is always a hectic one, but the last couple of weeks
are always memorable. Classroom floors are showered with glitter and
tinsel and smells of pine and holly leaves fill the air. It would not be
Christmas without the traditional Nativity. What better way to remind
the children how it was those many centuries ago when a very special
baby was born under the stars, than to have an outdoor performance.
The real-life donkey lived up to its reputation and stopped in its tracks
when it got a touch of stage-fright. However the afternoon was magical
as dusk fell and the children of the Foundation Stage formed a tableau
scene in the stable, lit by candles and serenaded by the angelic voices
of Years One and Two as they sang, 'Away in a Manger'.
PRE-PREP
Foundation Stage...continued
hen coop and fished in the stream, followed by a game of Hide and
Seek. We are extremely grateful to our hosts on the day Bids and
Nick Morgan who made the occasion extremely memorable.
Our Forest School week in June was a great success.The weather
was wonderful and we had to be careful to be safe in the sun.The
children loved the activities which included pond dipping, a visit
from an artist to draw with pastels and charcoal, stone sculptures
by the river, a picnic, a barbecue and making elderflower cordial to
name but a few!
During the Easter term the Foundation Stage found out about food.We
visited Waitrose supermarket in Okehampton. We had a look at all
sorts of different fruit and vegetables, cheese, meat, fish and the bakery.
We then had a look at the store room at the back of the shop. We all
walked inside their fridge and freezer which were very cold! In the staff
canteen on the third floor we had a taste of many different fruits,
including pomegranate, kiwi, pineapple and Sharon fruit. After that we
went to the bakery and bought a treat with our money.We all paid for
these at the till with the very patient ladies there!
We also visited Kitley Farm to see vegetables growing in the fields.
We saw lots of different things including cabbages, broccoli and
swede and LOTS of mud!! We brought back and carefully drew an
ENORMOUS swede.
We also tried out some foods from different countries including a
Chinese stir fry which we ate with chopsticks. Vanessa Peeters made
some delicious Mexican tortillas and guacamole amongst other things.
Salha Bajaber came to help the children prepare, cook and taste a
Yemeni chicken dish with rice and yoghurt, mint and cucumber dip. All
the different foods and tastes were bravely tried and very much
enjoyed by (almost all!) the children.
On another day, Sonia Kersey came to show us her beautiful sari. It
came in a small box and when we all held it out it was 8 metres long!
Sonia then showed us how to put it on, carefully pleating it around her
waist and then placing the decorated end over her shoulder to show
at the front.
AM & KM
Thursday 18th June was a day to remember; twenty-nine little trackers,
togged up in walking kit, set out for a cross-country challenge. The
rendezvous point was Long-Ash Garden Centre, where we met up
with chief tracker, Bids Morgan. Her day had started many hours before
us so that she could lay the trail, noticeable by the white flour splodges.
One little girl was armed with binoculars and a magnifying glass so that
she would be the first to spot the 'lesser spotted' wildebeest. Bids
played her part to the full as she laid a few red herrings, sending some
groups up the wrong garden path to meet with a Y.B.F (You've been
fooled) and then having to double back. The faint-hearted amongst us
took the easy route, the 'Turkey' trail, while others courageously
embraced the rough terrain, the 'Eagle' trail, and ploughed through the
muddy puddles, dodged the tussocks, and climbed the gentle slopes.
The final meeting point was 'Magpie Bridge' where a few arrived,
'piggyback' style, but all were tired, albeit exhilarated. Once refreshed
by a sumptuous picnic, the afternoon was one exciting activity after
another. The children went on a tractor trailer safari ride around the
The Summer term would not be the same without the annual beach trip.
This year we went a little further afield to the North Cornwall coast, to
Widemouth, near Bude. It has a large open bay with a few rock pools
for those of us who wanted to explore the marine life. The children were
eager to change into bathers the minute their feet touched down upon
the warm sand. Buckets and spades were untied from rucksacks and the
digging commenced in an excited frenzy. Sandcastles emerged in all
directions and some were very creatively decorated with shells and
pebbles. Sandy faces and beaming smiles popped up every few minutes
as the workmanship was admired. Others combed the beach for
personal mementoes; some buckets were overflowing with so many
treasures, little arms struggled to lift them. The day would not be
complete without a dip in the Atlantic coast. Two Lifeguards escorted us
to the safe bathing area and many brave little people plunged into the
salty sea. Some were just content to jump over the foaming waves; it was
a glorious day of sun, sea and sand. We are very grateful to Tim Wiggins,
Kate Hawkins, Chris and Bex who helped us on the day, which made it
such a successful outing. The journey back to school was much quieter
than the onset, as many sleepy people went on another journey
to dreamland.
37
PRE-PREP
Year 1
This year began by welcoming Finn Timmis into the Year One Class. He
soon settled in and made friends and before long no one could
remember him not being there!
Our first trip of the Christmas Term was to Restormel Castle which
happily fitted in with our myths and legends theme for the term. We
were blessed with excellent weather and the children enjoyed seeing
first-hand what a motte and bailey castle actually looked like. They all
made some fantastic sketches and the trip was voted a success.
Our next trip out of school was to Buckland Abbey where the children
were able to see where local hero, Sir Francis Drake, lived a few
hundred years ago. The children were all allowed to dress up in Tudor
costumes and the boys were especially pleased with their appearance
shown by their hogging of the mirrors! They were able to see what life
was like on his ship and were particularly revolted by the worm-riddled
ship’s biscuits! Before they left they did some fantastic brass rubbings
which looked great on our wall when we got back.
The Easter Term brought disruption to our planned trip to Waitrose
due to the large amount of snow which fell over the course of a week.
The children, however, were secretly pleased as, on balance, the
possibility of sledging versus a trip to Waitrose was a no brainer!
The Summer Term brought a rush of trips beginning with Endsleigh
Garden Centre which is always a good trip. The children were given an
excellent chat on cacti and their sketches were really detailed and
well produced. We brought some sunflower seeds back which we
planted as soon as we returned.
Our next trip was during our very busy forest schools’ week when we
all visited Mrs Gabb’s farm and, after walking through the woods and
visiting the animals, made rafts and attempted to dam the river and, for
the braver amongst them, to swim in the icy water! We had a really fun
day and the weather could not have been better, finishing off with an
ice lolly before driving back to school.
Our next trip was to Widemouth Bay and, once again, we were lucky
with the weather. We had loads of parents who came along to help
which was great as we needed lots of muscle power to bury all the
willing volunteers! All in all, a great time was had by everyone and a lot
of tired but happy children finally got back to school in time to go home.
38
Our last trip of the term was to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the
Theatre Royal in Plymouth. It was an excellent performance and all the
children had a thoroughly good time and were totally amazed by the
flying car.
Our Summer Term ended with sports day which is always a success.
This time we were particularly lucky to manage all the races and
barbecue before the heavens opened! All in all, a great year and one
that was enjoyed by staff and children alike!
NG
PRE-PREP
Year 2
She brought a variety of Mexican national dress for the children to try on,
and Celia and Loelia thought the sombrero a very fetching accessory. She
talked about the population, language, climate and history of the country,
as well as showing the children beautifully decorated beaded artifacts and
art. The children were fascinated by a decorated skull and miniature
dressed skeleton celebrating the Day of the Dead.
She had also been very busy in the kitchen and the whole class, (especially
the teachers), were able to taste and enjoy guacamole, salsa, tortillas,
cactus and tamarind as well as smelling the different sorts of chillis that
Mrs Peeters had brought in.
Year 2 has had an exciting and productive year, starting in the Autumn
term with our theme of ‘Myths and Legends’. As part of the theme we
braved a very wet and windy Princetown to visit the excellent High
Moorland Centre, to learn some of the myths and legends inspired by
Dartmoor.We all enjoyed finding out about our local area and Becky and
Luther tried on some exciting animal masks. After a substantial picnic
lunch everyone made use of the outdoor play area, and we then
drove to infamous ‘Hairy Hand’s Bridge’. Mrs Malcolm then retold the
gruesome story. Luckily despite a few chills on the back of the neck we
didn’t see anything and made it back to school safely!
We also had lessons disrupted by very heavy snow for the first time for
years, and all the children were able to enjoy building snowmen and of
course throwing snowballs.
In the summer term we were blessed with good weather and were able
to have lots of outside activities going on, including taking maths and
science investigations into the garden. Capacity is far more fun when you
can be generous with the water. Phoebe and Daisy-Mae could explore
measurement on a large scale outside, and Jessye and Lauren loved
discovering minibeasts in all sorts of habitats in the school grounds.
We were also fortunate enough to be invited to Jesse’s farm, where
there were lots of informed adults to help us discover the wealth of
wildlife that could be found in one meadow.The children collected and
identified varieties of plants and minibeasts using their own knowledge
and lots of books and leaflets provided. Despite the rain we all felt we
had learnt a tremendous amount and would love to go back and
explore further another time.
We loved our wonderful Forest Schools week, when all activities were
taken outside utilising all of the extensive school grounds.We went river
and pond dipping, listened to stories, and created lots of natural art
including stone sculptures, as well as sketching with oil pastels.
The Spring term saw our focus move to ‘Food’, always a popular topic.
Year 2 were really fortunate to call upon the expertise of one of our Preprep parents, Mrs Peeters, to introduce their geography and history
topics of Mexico and the Aztecs.
Later on in the Summer term we had a mysterious visitor ‘BigFoot’, who
inadvertently left a trail of white footprints all over the school. The
children interviewed several members of staff who had claimed to have
seen him, and they concluded that it must have been a very tall sweet
eating monster judging by all the evidence they found.
We finished the year with a brilliant sports day that all the children
enthusiastically took part in and the rain held off for us all to enjoy the
now traditional barbecue.
With all the children confident, and ready to move on to the greater
challenges of the Prep School, we wish them all the best.
All the children took part in designing, painting and speaking about a big
calendar wheel to show Harvest in the Bible lands. Ottilie, Betty, Juliette
and Cameron all had really loud speaking voices and were able to
describe the fruits and crops that are still grown and harvested today.
As the term progressed all the children learnt about electricity and had
great fun building circuits with lights and buzzers, and towards Christmas
we all had great fun making special smelly soaps, choosing shapes,
colours and fragrances. Charlie particularly liked putting his penguin in
the bottom of the mould, filling it up with the liquid soap and then
watching it set rapidly.
39
MUSIC
Music
Christmas Term
Concert Choir
After an excellent year musically in 2007 – 2008 where we had three
Music Scholars and other good musicians I was just as excited to find
out what 2008 – 2009 academic year would hold for potentially four
music scholars and many more up-and-coming young musicians at
Mount House. The Music Department tries to cater for all forms of
music making and you will see from the following pages the diversity
of ensembles and opportunities for all pupils to make music.
Eleanor Hayward (violin and voice), Louis Smith (classical guitar),
Anthony Hayward (classical guitar), Meg Hughes-Chamberlain (cello),
Gemma Robbins (flute), India Lewis (violin), Oliver Sale (trombone),
Eloise Kidner (voice), Isabel Kidner (piano), Bertie Jayarajah (trumpet),
Jamie Farrington (tuba), Izella Oxenham (voice), and the Senior
Ensemble made up of Ruairidh, Jamie, Meg, Gemma, Emma, Eleanor
and India.
I was a little apprehensive about piano recitals after Yume won the top
music award to Sherborne for her piano playing, but I need not have
worried….there were others waiting in the wings to give equally
pleasurable performances, showing real musicianship.
I’m not sure if the concert, or the relaxing time and food provided before
the concert by Mrs Paull and others were the highlight for the performers!
Such standards have been achieved by the excellent teaching and the
dedication of the pupils themselves. It is not easy for young children to
practise anywhere but in the exceptionally busy Mount House day, real
tribute must be paid to the pupils who put in the work, and practise
at strange hours of the day!
With respect to that, it has to be said that the staff at Mount House
try very hard to work together and give and take especially within the
arts and sports time to create an atmosphere where pupils can fulfil
their potential.
40
During the Christmas Term Pupils prepared for an informal concert,
Senior Musicians’ Recital at Callington Parish Church, Christmas
Concert, Carol Service, Associated Board Music Examinations, and the
Saltash Music Festival (to take place early on in the Easter Term).
Informal Concerts allow any pupil to perform, however far along the
learning process they are. It is an ideal opportunity to perform a piece
they have learned in a relaxed atmosphere.
The Senior Musicians’ Recital at Callington Church was a showcase of
the best of our musicians.
This year it involved Emma Paull (violin and voice),William MacEacharn
(piano and xylophone), Ruairidh Matthews (trumpet and xylophone),
Finale of the Christmas Concert
MUSIC
Music
Christmas Term...continued
Orchestra
Arts Colours were presented to Senior Musicians William MacEacharn
and Emma Paull and re-warded to Eleanor Hayward, and Ruairidh
Matthews during the year, for their outstanding contribution to the
musical life of Mount House.
We had our first visit to the opera at the Theatre Royal with
Glyndebourne’s performance of the Magic Flute. This proved to be an
exciting experience and was thoroughly enjoyed by pupils and staff alike.
The term concluded with the Christmas Concert in the Wortham Hall
(for which the backdrop of the Junior Play, used only days before, had
been magnificently transformed into a winter wonderland by Mrs. Harris
and her Drama students!) and the Carol Service at the Parish Church led
by the Chapel Choir. The Christmas concert involved over 100 pupils
participating in percussion, brass, flute, string and swing ensembles as well
as in the Concert Choir, Chapel Choir and Orchestra.
Brass Essemble
The Four Music Scholars
41
MUSIC
Music
Christmas Concert 2008
ORCHESTRA
PIANO SOLO
WILL MACEACHARN
SLEIGH RIDE
FROSTY THE SNOWMAN
STRING ENSEMBLE
ISABEL & ELOISE KIDNER
SCARBOROUGH FAIR
CONCERT CHOIR
BESSIE THE BLACK CAT
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
WALKING IN THE AIR
WHEN A CHILD IS BORN
JINGLE BELLS
ORCHESTRA
FLUTE DUET
IZZY NORRIS & LOUISA BUTCHER
JAMES BOND
SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS
IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER
SENIOR ENSEMBLE
CANTILENA JENKINS
TRUMPET SOLO
RUAIRIDH MATTHEWS
THE NOBLE SAVAGE
VIOLIN SOLO
EMMA PAULL
CONCERT CHOIR
MORNING BELLS
JUNIOR & SENIOR
BRASS ENSEMBLE
SILENT NIGHT
JUNIOR ENSEMBLE
RUDOLF
SENIOR ENSEMBLE
O WHEN THE SAINTS
VOCAL SOLO
ELLIE HAYWARD
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
STRING ENSEMBLE
3RD & 4TH FORM SINGERS
ASHOKAN FAREWELL
BECAUSE OF HIM
LIGHT A CANDLE
SANS DAY CAROL
DECK THE HALLS
In what has become an annual event, some musicians went to entertain the residents of Crelake House with items from the Christmas Concert
and also to enjoy some pre-Christmas treats!
42
MUSIC
Music
Easter Term
Winners of the Instrumental Competition with adjudicator Paul Denegri
After three previous successful visits to the Saltash Music Festival
in 2006, 2007, and 2008, over half of Mount House’s pupils from
the Prep school and some from the Pre-Prep participated once
again in this prestigious festival.There were numerous solo entries
across all musical disciplines; violin, cello, double bass, piano,
trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, euphonium, tuba, flute,
saxophone and voice as well as string and piano duets, mixed
ensembles, brass ensemble, string ensemble, orchestra and choirs
Out of the 50 classes that had entries from Mount House pupils,
37 were won! That split down into 24 out of 36 instrumental
classes and 13 out of 16 vocal classes.
Two outstanding marks of 90 - “an exceptional performance
both technically and artistically” were obtained by Ruairidh
Matthews (trumpet) and Meg Hughes-Chamberlain (cello). This
was the highest mark of the Festival! We also had a huge number
of performances in the commended category of 84-86 marks “a convincing performance technically and artistically.”
Right:Two of our young up-and-coming brass players Year 4
There were over 40 distinction marks (87+) for performances
that were deemed “excellent both artistically and technically.”
Some of these were not winners, which showed the high
standard of the performances this year.
43
MUSIC
Music
Easter Term...continued
Easter Concert
Winners from the Saltash Festival
WINNING PERFORMANCES AT SALTASH
MUSIC FESTIVAL
44
Boy’s Solo 12 years & under
Brass Solo 11 years & under
Cello Solo 11 years & under
String Recital 12 years & under
Brass Recital 12 year & under
Brass Solo 12 - 14 years
School Choir up to 13 years
Wind Recital 12 years & under
Instrumental Ensemble 13 years & under
Junior Folk Song 12 years & under
Girl’s Solo 12 years & under
Piano Recital 12 years & under
Instrumental Duet
Flute Solo 10 years & under
Saxophone Solo under 10 years
Saxophone Solo grade 2/3
School Instrumental Ensemble
18 years & under
School Orchestra 18 years & under
Anthony Hayward
Luther Clayton
Jamie Farrington (Tuba)
Meg Hughes - Chamberlain
Eleanor Hayward
Ruairidh Matthews
Ruairidh Matthews
Mount House Concert Choir
Gemma Robbins
Mount House Brass
Eleanor Hayward
Eleanor Hayward
Samantha Unsworth - White
Ottilie Whitbread
William MacEacharn,
Emma Paull, Eleanor Hayward
Caitlin Haynes - Parry
Wilf Hadow
Wilf Hadow
Mount House
Senior Ensemble
Mount House Orchestra
Song from a Show
12 years & under
Violin Solo Grade 4/5
Vocal Solo 12 years & under, own choice
Junior Novice Solo Class 10 years
& under
Saxophone Solo up to Grade 1
Double Bass 13 years & under
Junior Boy’s Solo 10 years & under
Folk Song 10 years & under
Cello Solo 9 years & under
Piano Solo Grade 6/7
Recorder Solo 9 years & under
School Ensemble
Song from a show 10 years & under
Eleanor Hayward
India Lewis
Isabel Kidner
Eleanor Hayward
Max Hayward
Dylan Smythe
Anthony Hayward
Anthony Hayward
Anthony Hayward
Madeleine Lewis
William MacEacharn
Lucy Massey
Mount House
String Ensemble
Giles Malcolm
George Andrews
MUSIC
Music
WINNING PERFORMANCES AT SALTASH
MUSIC FESTIVAL...continued
Ruairidh Matthews
Overall Brass highest mark
under 18
Eleanor Hayward
& Emma Paull
Highest Instrumental
Duet mark
Bertie Jayarajah
Competitor showing the
most love of Music
Meg Hughes-Chamberlain &
Ruairidh Matthews
Highest mark of the Festival
Festivals give pupils invaluable performing experience, a chance to listen
to others and discuss the merits of the various performances - even if
we don’t always agree on the winning performance!
Alongside all the Festival preparations the same pupils and more besides
were rehearsing pieces to perform in the annual School Instrumental
Music Competition.
Mount House pupils were invited to take part in the Gala Concert, in
front of an audience of some 250, including the Mayor and other
dignitaries from Caradon District Council.
A presentation of Special awards was made at this event and Mount
House picked up several of those:
SPECIAL AWARDS
William MacEacharn
Meg Hughes - Chamberlain
Overall highest mark
for piano
Most promising pianist
A Monday night just before the end of term saw a variety of piano,
string, percussion, woodwind and brass performances in front of
parents and the adjudication panel in the Music Room. Thirty six of
these performances made it through to the Final a few days later, held
in the Wortham Hall and adjudicated by Paul Denegri, Head of Brass at
Wells Cathedral School.
He was extremely impressed by the standard of musical performance at
Mount House and emphasised the fact that what Mount House has is
NOT normal! He was also keen to point out that we have some national
treasures….that is tuba players and excellent performers in several
musical disciplines.
Overall String highest mark
under 18
45
MUSIC
Music
MUSIC COMPETITION FINAL
Thursday 26th March 2009 10.30 a.m. Wortham Hall
Adjudicated by Paul Denegri, Head of Brass, Wells Cathedral School
PIANISTS
Isabel Cox
Elizabeth Fearnley
Anthony Hayward
Emma Paull
Ellie Hayward
Isabel Kidner
Jamie Farrington
William MacEacharn
STRINGS
Madeleine Lewis
Anthony Hayward
Georgina Morris
India Lewis
Emma Paull
Eleanor Hayward
Meg Hughes – Chamberlain
AWARDS
Michael Bawtree Trophy Piano
UP TO GRADE 1
Henry Newman
Oscar Norris
Marina Carrick
Barnaby Treneer
Max Hayward
Meg Hughes-Chamberlain
BRASS
George Andrews
Bethan Wesley
Christopher Villaquiran
Oliver Sale
William MacEacharn
Bertie Jayarajah
Jamie Farrington
Ruairidh Matthews
WIND
Lucy Massey
Wilf Hadow
Dylan Smythe
Gemma Robbins
William MacEacharn
Peter Evelyn trophy
Brass
Senior: Ruairidh Matthews
Junior: Christopher Villaquiran
Jonathan James Trophy
Strings
Senior:
Junior: Madeleine Lewis
The Beard Trophy
Woodwind
Senior: Gemma Robbins
Junior:Wilf Hadow
Angus McBride Trophy
Best Junior
Musician
Anthony Hayward
Woodcock Trophy
Best Senior
Musician
Ruairidh Matthews
The Pippa
Sainsbury Trophy
Up to
Grade One
During the Easter Holidays, two of our Brass players, Bertie Jayarajah (Trumpet) and Jamie Farrington (Tuba), attended a course and performed
with the National Children’s Wind Sinfonia.
MOUNT HOUSE SENIOR MUSICIANS’
CONCERT TAVISTOCK SINGS
Lunchtime Recital 4th May 2009
46
ELLIE & EMMA
VIOLIN DUET
PASTORALE FROM THE
CHRISTMAS CONCERTO
BY CORELLI
WILL
PIANO
ORAGE BY BURGMULLER
EMMA
VOICE
HERE AGAIN
BY LLOYD-WEBBER
ELLIE
VIOLIN
VIVACE
BY TELEMANN
RUAIRIDH
TRUMPET
DANSE ALLEGRE
BY MOSZKOWSKI
EMMA
VIOLIN
TEMPO DI MENUETTO
BY KREISLER
WILL
PIANO
ANDANTE BY MOZART
ELLIE
VOICE
SHE’S LIKE THE SWALLOW
CANADIAN TRAD.
EMMA
VIOLIN
ALLEGRO FROM
SONATA IN D
BY HANDEL
RUAIRIDH
TRUMPET
WILL
PIANO
THE NOBLE SAVAGE
BY HUMMEL
MORNING BELLS
BY BURGMULLER
MUSIC
Music
Summer Term...continued
MOUNT HOUSE SENIOR MUSICIANS’ CONCERT
TAVISTOCK SINGS...continued
ELLIE
VOICE
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
ROGERS & HAMMERSTEIN
RUAIRIDH
TRUMPET
SONG TO THE MOON
BY DVORAK
EMMA
VIOLIN
SARABANDE
BY BOHM
WILL
PIANO
CANZONETTA
BY DOHNANYI
ELLIE
VIOLIN
INTRADA
BY MOFFAT
RUAIRIDH
TRUMPET
BLUES BOULEVARD
BY WILLSON
The pupils were certainly a credit to Mount House School.
47
MUSIC
Music
MOUNT HOUSE SINGING COMPETITION
21st MAY 2009 WORTHAM HALL ADJUDICATED BY: MRS. E. HATTERSLEY, CANFORD SCHOOL.
48
JUNIORS
Charlie Noordewier
Luke Measelle
Anthony Hayward
Tabitha Unsworth-White
Georgina Morris
Isabel Kidner
Abracadabra
Who Will Buy
Hush-a-Bye Mountain
When Somebody Loved Me
Over The Rainbow
Nightingale Bird
POP SONG
Marina Carrick
Holly Wixon
I’m A Girl Like Me
Stopping The Love
Love Story
SENIORS
Ruairidh Matthews
Henry Newman
You Raise Me Up
Chim Chim Cher-ee
It was all credit to all the performers (in fact the whole school, as
ever yone was included in the Set contribution) that Mrs.
Hattersley was so impressed.
The Summer Term concluded with Associated Board Music Exams and
three concerts in three days. Firstly the Prep School Summer Concert
then the Pre-Prep concert and finally the Leavers’ Concert.The Chapel
Choir also led the End of Term Service in the Parish Church.
Eloise Kidner
Emma Paull
Eleanor Hayward
Like to a Linden Tree
Here Again
On My Own
SET SINGING: SONGS FROM MAMMA MIA
Mamma Mia
KANGS
OWLS
Super Trouper
OTTERS
Lay All Your Love On Me
HAWKS
Money Money Money
AWARDS
Best Junior Boy
Best Junior girl
Best senior Boy
Best Senior Girl
Best Set
Anthony Hayward
Isabel Kidner
Henry Newman
Eleanor Hayward
Otters
The Summer Concert provided a platform for performance for the
Orchestra, Chapel Choir, Concert Choir, Guitar, Flute, Brass and String
Ensembles, Swing band and Rock Band. Highlights for me personally
were the Orchestra, Eleanor Hayward’s performance of O mio
Babbino Caro with quartet accompaniment and the performances
given by Emma Paull, Will MacEacharn and Ruairidh Matthews.
MUSIC
Music
Mount House School Summer Concert
2nd July 2009
Orchestra
Swing Band
Pop Group
Piano Solo
Will MacEacharn
Concert Choir
Trumpet Solo
Trumpet
Ruairidh Matthews
Chapel Choir
String Ensemble
Guitar Ensemble
Violin Solo
Emma Paull
Thunder and Lightning
Polka - Strauss
The Dam Busters-Coates
Clarinuts- Evans
My Happy Ending
Romanza - Schumann
Brass Ensemble
Time on our Hands
Butterfly
Siyahamba
2nd movement Haydn
For some pupils, musical activities carry on into the Summer holidays
with various IAPS courses. Bertie Jayarajah and Anthony Hayward
particularly enjoyed their Double Bass course.
Concerto
Danny Boy
French Suite for Strings
Cossacks
Andante in C
Allegro from
Sonata in D - Handel
Vocal Solo
Eleanor Hayward
Senior Ensemble
Soldier Soldier
Largo
Marching Saints
O Mio Babbino Caro
(accompanied by quartet)
Elizabethan Serenade-Binge
There is always something going on in the Music Department at Mount
House and we provide a range of opportunities for children with all
abilities.We look forward to a similarly busy 2009/10 year!
Examinations provide a progressive system of assessments.They are
designed to provide goals and a benchmark of standard to pupils.
However, not all children are inspired by such examinations and obtain
much pleasure and progress well and for their own enjoyment without
them.Those who took them this year were extremely successful.
Concert raises £1600 for
Parkinson’s Disease Research
A concert given by internationally acclaimed pianist Viktor Bijelovic at
Mount House raised £1600 for the Parkinson’s Disease Society.
2009 marks the fortieth year since the Society was set up. It has made
exceptional progress, especially in the last ten years, and is keen to
keep up the momentum of this progress until a cure is developed.
Viktor’s programme for the Mount House concert included works by
Bach, Chopin and Liszt. The concert was followed by a light supper
during which Viktor mingled with the audience. CDs of Viktor playing a
selection of pieces by Beethoven and Liszt were given away free of
charge to those who attended.
Whilst at Mount House for the concert, he also gave a master class to
five of The School’s pupils - Ellie Hayward, William MacEacharn, Jamie
Farrington, Anthony Hayward and Izzie Kidner - all of whom play the
piano to intermediate or advanced standard.
We are indebted to Mount House Governor Judy Evans for the
considerable work she undertook to make this concert such a success.
Viktor Bijelovic was born in Belgrade in 1981, and after learning the
piano in his home country, came to the UK to continue his studies at
the Purcell School of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. He is
very experienced, both as a solo concert pianist and as a chamber
musician, having performed all over the world and made several TV
and Radio appearances.
49
MUSIC
Music
ASSOCIATED BOARD/TRINITY
GUILDHALL EXAMINATION RESULTS
Sept 2008/July 2009
PREP TEST (ONLY A PASS OR FAIL,
NO MARK AWARDED)
TALIA BARRASFORD
EDWARD BARLOW
OLGA BATE
EMMA MANTON
PIANO
PIANO
PIANO
PIANO
MARK CATEGORIES: PASS, MERIT, DISTINCTION.
50
GRADE 1
PHILIPPA MAY-SOMERVILLE
SAMANTHA UNSWORTH-WHITE
BERTIE JAYARAJAH
ALICE DONNE
HARRY SALE
BARNABY TRENEER
JOSHUA RAMNARACE
BETHAN WESLEY
LUKE MEASELLE
VOICE
CELLO
DOUBLE BASS
VIOLIN
TRUMPET
PIANO
TRUMPET
PIANO
VOICE
PASS
MERIT
MERIT
PASS
PASS
PASS
PASS
PASS
DIST
GRADE 2
SOPHIE DONNE
NED BARTLEET
VOICE
BARITONE
PASS
PASS
ANTHONY HAYWARD
TABITHA UNSWORTH-WHITE
HENRY RIDGERS
ISABEL KIDNER
CELLO
DOUBLE BASS
VIOLIN
BARITONE
VOICE
MERIT
DIST
MERIT
PASS
DIST
MAX HAYWARD
BERTIE JAYARAJAH
ELIZA SALE
CECILY JERVOISE
LUCY MASSEY
HENRY NEWMAN
ROSIE LUTHER
IZZY NORRIS
TAYLOR LEE
PIANO
TRUMPET
DOUBLE BASS
PIANO
PIANO
RECORDER
VOICE
VOICE
FLUTE
VIOLIN
PASS
MERIT
PASS
PASS
PASS
DIST
PASS
MERIT
MERIT
PASS
GRADE 3
ANTHONY HAYWARD
ISABEL KIDNER
ROSIE LUTHER
PIANO
VOICE
VOICE
MERIT
DIST
DIST
ELIZABETH FEARNLEY
ELOISE KIDNER
GEORGINA MORRIS
GILES MALCOLM
ELOISE KIDNER
BETHAN WESLEY
PHILIPPA MAY-SOMERVILLE
GEORGE ANDREWS
ALEX FERGUSON
LOUIS SMITH
VOICE
VOICE
VOICE
VOICE
PIANO
EUPHONIUM
VOICE
FRENCH HORN
SAXOPHONE
VOICE
CL. GUITAR
MERIT
DIST
PASS
MERIT
MERIT
MERIT
PASS
MERIT
PASS
MERIT
MERIT
GRADE 4
WILLIAM MACEACHARN
ANTHONY HAYWARD
ISABEL KIDNER
INDIA LEWIS
GEORGINA MORRIS
CHRISTOPHER VILLAQUIRAN
TABITHA UNSWORTH-WHITE
MARINA CARRICK
POPPY HARTLEY
KARIS BARRASFORD
JAMIE FARRINGTON
EMMA PAULL
IZELLA OXENHAM
OLIVER SALE
JAMIE FARRINGTON
LOUISA BUTCHER
FRENCH HORN
CL. GUITAR
PIANO
VOICE
VOICE
TRUMPET
VOICE
VOICE
VOICE
VOICE
TUBA
PIANO
VOICE
TROMBONE
PIANO
FLUTE
MERIT
MERIT
DIST
DIST
PASS
PASS
PASS
PASS
PASS
PASS
MERIT
PASS
MERIT
PASS
MERIT
PASS
GRADE 5
WILLIAM MACEACHARN
RUAIRIDH MATTHEWS
GEMMA ROBBINS
JAMIE FARRINGTON
MEG HUGHES-CHAMBERLAIN
INDIA LEWIS
MUSIC THEORY
MUSIC THEORY
FLUTE
TUBA
CELLO
VIOLIN
MERIT
DIST
MERIT
MERIT
DIST
MERIT
GRADE 6
ELEANOR HAYWARD
EMMA PAULL
WILLIAM MACEACHARN
VIOLIN
VIOLIN
PIANO
DIST
DIST
PASS
GRADE 7
RUAIRIDH MATTHEWS
TRUMPET
PASS
ART & LITERATURE
Art
51
ART & LITERATURE
Art
52
ART & LITERATURE
Art
53
ART & LITERATURE
Art
54
ART & LITERATURE
Literature
Payne Cook Creative Writing
Competition 2009 Results
A very impressive effort from the 50 plus children who entered this
voluntary competition and all the English teachers agreed with me that
the quality of writing produced throughout the school was fantastic!
All the children who entered a piece of writing received a prize for their
effort and participation in this year’s competition. After much lengthy
discussion between all the English teachers in the school, it was decided
to award an overall winner for each year group and also an exceptional
effort award per year group to someone who had made an extra special
effort to produce a good piece of writing.The results were as follows:
1st FORM:
Winner: Guy Crofton
Effort Prize: Ralph Jervoise
5th FORM:
Winner: James Perring
Effort Prize: Jamie Renwick
6th FORM:
Winner: Lucy Telfer-Smollett & Izzy Norris
Effort Prize: Harriet Cave
A huge WELL DONE to all those who took part and the children
should feel justifiably proud of their pieces of writing.
JH
2nd FORM:
Winner: Ben Wiltshire
Effort Prize: Sophie West & Christoph von Wentzel
3rd FORM:
Winner: Barnaby Treneer & Angus Crofton
Effort Prize: Louisa McGregor & Oenone Rodgers
4th FORM:
Winner: Luke Measelle & Charlotte Wiltshire
Effort Prize: Edward Barlow
55
ART & LITERATURE
Literature
Competition 2009 Winning entries
First Form
Winner: Guy Crofton – An African Journey
Effort Prize: Ralph Jervoise – Larry’s Adventure
An African Journey
56
Larry’s Adventure
Larry was a lobster. He liked food. He normally ate little fish with his family.
There were five lobsters in his family, Mummy, Daddy, and two brothers,
Luke and Luther.Today they had no food and they were very hungry.
I woke up to the sound of Hippos on the bank. I saw Giraffe drinking
from the other side. Got up and had breakfast on the top of the
vehicle then went out to look for leopards in the trees.Then we found
a pride of lions in the sun. After that we watched the females do the
hunting while the males sat in the sun.
Then they found a big fish that was cut in half.They tried to eat it but
it was a trap. It was in a lobster pot.The whole family climbed into the
lobster pot together, holding claws.They were excited to find the food.
They ate it. It was delicious and made them all feel happy and full.They
cuddled together and fell asleep.
The next day we drove to Mozambique. We flew to Vamizi, and I was
the co-pilot. I spent all day sailing, snorkelling and playing on the beach.
That night we slept on the beach and then we saw a red green and
orange meteorite.
A sudden jerking woke them all up.They were all scared.Then the pot
started moving up and up and up. Then they saw giants. They were
terrified, they were put into a boat, it rocked and they heard lots of
noise they didn’t recognise.
The day after that, we went snorkelling and I saw two turtles and a
puffer fish. After that we went sailing three times. On the second time
I got off luckily. We waited for ten minutes then we saw a boat going
out to rescue someone.Then we realised it was daddy and Angus.We
got on the boat. Daddy helped put the boat up again but it hit him on
the head and when he got on to the boat his face was covered in
blood and still has the scar.
There were lots of other lobster pots which all had their friends in
them. They talked to each other but they couldn’t understand what
was happening. Each lobster was taken out of the pots and put into a
big pool where they all had a big celebration.
After the party they all fell asleep and when they woke up the tide had
come in and washed them out of the big pool into the sea and they
all lived happily ever after.
Guy Crofton - Form 1
Ralph Jervoise - Form 1
ART & LITERATURE
Literature
Competition 2009 Winning entries...continued
Second Form
Winner: Ben Wiltshire
Effort Prize: Sophie West and Christoph von Wentzel
Third Form
Winner: Barnaby Treneer & Angus Crofton
Effort Prize: Louisa McGregor & Oenone Rodgers
Global Warming
Photograph Album
Luminous, lamenting light fleeting across the cobalt blue sky ricocheting
off every leaf and tree like prisms. Light slides into every nook and
cranny consuming everyone and everything in its path. The sunbeams
fly out like lasers from a massive spaceship annihilating all life forms on
the desert ground. Desperately needed new shoots of growth reach
urgently up from the baking ground for sustenance.
Its black and silver spine, sits on the bookshelf looking at me. It
challenges me to take a peek. I succumb to temptation like a thirsty bear.
On the reverse of the earth melting ice crashes reluctantly into the
sea, polar animals being sent to their extinction. Warmer seas crushing
snow and ice, deleting animal habitats and destroying animal life. The
sun is like a ten tonne weight plummeting down on Antarctica and our
whole world is disappearing right before our eyes.
Ben Wiltshire - Form 2
An African Journey
One scorching savage day I was glaring curiously outside the window. It
was like watching Lion King all over again. The wind was forcing the
shimmering shining grass to greet me. There were elegant African
elephants slowly swaying their tough trunks from side to side.Their terrific
tusks could have been teeth of a deadly bloodthirsty vampire.Their skins
were old and it was as if they had rolled in mounds of dirty mud for
centuries. They smelt like rotten apples. They entered the giant gloomy
jungle.The tall trees would shelter a ghastly giant from the tumbling rain.
As they entered the dense vast jungle, a truck full of tourists were
dangerously driving along. It hit something, the windscreen loudly shattered
all over the truck with millions of mini slices of glass. Gasping for air they
dived out of the truck to see what was the problem, but the problem had
found them first. It was a cunning cobra with fangs as sharp as a sushi knife.
The savage creature lunged forward but luckily it had misjudged his aim his
fangs lunged into a fallen tree.The tourists decided to turn back home.
Sophie West - Form 2
It’s a Small World
Ron Barker was a nice normal man with a dangerous job as a nuclear
waste worker. One Tuesday he went to the waste storage room.
Outside someone had accidentally dropped a tack on the road. Henry
Bailey’s bus ran over that tack and the bus span out of control towards the
nuclear waste plant where Ron worked.
Ron was still in the tank room when the bus came through the wall
crashing into another tank. This time poor Ron was covered in bright
orange gunge. (The bus ran over ten parked cars so it wasn’t just Ron
having a bad day). Suddenly he was back to his normal size.
Luckily no one on Henry Bailey’s bus was hurt, and after the tyre was
mended, Ron was able to catch the bus home in time for his tea.
Then a few pages later after boars and canoes some photographs of
grandparents I hardly knew. Grandpa helming his boat with mummy
on the bow; Dandy at Windsor with Peanuts and Foxgloves between
the shafts. Grandad with a trophy on the Worthing bowls green;
grandma with a young daddy in a Cuban bar, he’s upright at least and
not in a heap!
A tenth of the way through the images stop. The remainder is
empty, a blank canvas for unknown events. It starts me day
dreaming as I close the cover imagining the future, the thrills and
spills, my life to come.
Barnaby Treneer - Form 3
An African Journey
As we approached our camp, a mass of grass bright yellow spread out
over the horizon as if the world would never end. My heart burned with
excitement. A Henglin’s Robin sang up to heaven like a Pavaroti.
The sun stretched over the whole scene; its burning rays crashed over
the Savannah like a wave of heat.
Suddenly everything changed, I had watched the forest charging
towards us, but as soon as I had looked out to the Savannah time
seemed to fly past. Instead of bright grassy plains there were now
huge, menacing trees towering over the vehicle, the wind wailing
through their old cracked branches. The sun seemed to have
completely disappeared behind the dense forest, and instead of a
boiling atmosphere, there was a cold shadow over everything like a
spirit’s spirit.
In the forest nothing moved, nothing returned. Everything was silent, it
was the land of the dead.
We then sprang out of the woods and out before us stretched a wide
plain where the sun shone its brightest. There were no clouds in the sky
and all you could hear were the birds singing, we had arrived at our
destination.
All of us then sat back and watched the sun depart on its journey below
the horizon.
Angus Crofton - Form 3
He was checking the pipes because the pressure had been increasing.
Suddenly one of tanks next to Ron exploded, covering him in green gunge.
Soon he was only four millimetres tall.” Why does this always happen to
me on Tuesdays?” squeaked Ron, wiping gunge from his face.
I leaf through its pages smirking and smiling as I turn each sheet: my life,
my memories, my family, my fun. Cousins and aunts, home and holiday;
adventures, travels, ponies and horses galore. Jumping in the
Hexworthy fields in the “Dartmoor Walls Race,” hunting and racing,
canoeing and sailing, getting wet through. Always smiles and laughter,
a lift for the spirits when life is a trial. A monocular view.
Christoph von Wentzel - Form 2
57
ART & LITERATURE
Literature
Third Form...continued
The Diamond Anniversary
It’s a funny name for a Grandma but better than what not.
During the holidays they married for sixty,
But you would not think it because they’re so nifty.
We arranged a party to give them a laugh,
And to mark the occasion my brother had a bath.
When all the guests had arrived and were ready,
Dot Dot and Grampa arrived but weren’t so steady
Because they didn’t expect to see such a crowd,
Who cheered them in and were ever so loud.
We all had champagne with fisses and bubbles,
And Dot Dot, Grampa and me had lots of cuddles.
Grampa brought Dot Dot diamonds for her ears,
I think they will be happy for the next 60 years.
Louisa McGregor - Form 3
Lost Memories
I found a photo album in the attic the other day. I haven’t been up
there for years. It was a really rainy day and I was very bored so I
decided to investigate.
First of all I found a crystal and a once-white parasol. I also found an
old oil painting, a very old teddy bear which was ripped and torn, and
a box of treasures.
In the box there were some diamonds, and a beautiful shawl made of
silk. At the bottom of the box there was a photograph album which
was decorated with wild colours. I couldn’t resist opening it.
On the first page was a picture of two little girls who looked like friends.
The next picture was one of the little girls wearing a lovely white dress
and a dark-haired man carrying her.
The next picture was the little girl grown up on a zip-wire, and the last
picture showed the grown up little girl with a new-born baby.
Grace with Rosie April 14th 1969.
I realised then that these pictures were of my grandma Grace who had
died when I was a baby, and I had never seen these pictures before! I
raced downstairs to show my mum, Rosie.
58
Oenone Rodgers - Form 3
Fourth Form
Winner: Luke Measelle & Charlotte Wiltshire
Effort Prize: Edward Barlow
The Island and the Sea
An army of waves laps up against the soft, white, pure sand of
Amando, a very small island off the coast of Australia. A
dominating sun stares down on the island, watching it, closely, from
its colourful sunset bed, cushioned by the clear, blue sweep of the
calm sea. A man observes this from his balcony, not far from the
shimmering velvet expanse and then sits down to read a book; his
normal routine.
The vivid, orange sun reflects a small tropical jungle and beyond that a
large villa which basks in its warmth all day long. Beneath the surface
of the ocean, a multitude of small, luminous tropical fish dart about,
staccato-like, through razor-diver’s paradise.
On the other side of the island a small cove, encrusted into this
paradise, forms a natural lagoon where turtles swim, undisturbed. As
the glowing sun sinks low into the sky, the silver moon becomes visible
on the cloudless blanket above. It is sad that nobody knows about
Amando except, that is, for its sole inhabitant. The world will let
Amando’s beauties blow by like the breeze, a tropical breeze.
Luke Measelle - Form 4
A Sea View
The wild flowers sway in the sea breeze, dancing with the reeds, flirting
with the wind. Their vibrant colours make me ecstatic and dizzy just
looking at them. They do not need our help to thrive.
Electric blue on a fine spring day hides depths of life mostly our prey.
Turning the tides, changing its way, we cannot control it.
Shimmering shafts of light cascading upon the cliffs as they tower over
the winding estuary. Shadowing the impenetrable coves; impossible
to empower.
Swooping, soaring, gliding inches away from the vast daunting waves far
out to sea where the white horses run wild and free; these creatures
are too skilful and sly to tame.
We think we are in command of it but there are many things we
cannot dominate.
Charlotte Wiltshire - Form 4
ART & LITERATURE
Literature
Fourth Form...continued
Fifth Form...continued
The Morning
My delightful week in Austria skiing
I wake up with the light piercing my eyelids, there is a hollow feeling in
my tummy as I walk down our slippery wooden stairs with a need to
fill my aching stomach with some hot porridge before lugging out of
the house into the warm fresh summer breeze.
I flew into the Austrian airpor t of Innsbruck with the pitch black
night behind me, the stars twinkling in the windows and the person
behind me nearly snoring his head off. At last we reached the
destination of St Anton and set foot in our 4 star hotel called Hotel
Post. It was very modern, stylish and comfor table. Our room was
beautiful; hospitality was terrific and the food was amazing. I
thought the pool was the best feature and so was the sauna and
the steam room. The first day skiing with my ski instructor,
Caroline, was very good and I thought that it went well for the first
day. The slopes were amazing and it did not take long to get into
the swing of skiing.
Looking into the stream I see a hungry trout fling itself to catch a pheasant
tail (fly). Now looking up I see an exhausted hind moving swiftly through
the rutted and grassy undergrowth followed by its struggling new born calf.
It is a delight to go for long tiring walks with my two retrievers. Every
morning I go to the slimy, smelly kennel, unlatch the old creaky door
and the dogs come tumbling out looking up at me with their expectant
beady eyes, never knowing whether they were going to catch a rabbit
or fetch a pheasant but everyone finds out in the end.
Edward Barlow - Form 4
Fifth Form
Winner: James Perring
Effort Prize: Jamie Renwick
Then and Now
Streets shrouded in desolation
Alleyways cold, sodden and bare.
This is where I used to lie,
Gazing at the turbid sky.
Before I met them.
Alien faces warped and twisted,
Glided among the towers dark and misted.
On the say they taunted and jeered,
Almost all aspects of life I feared.
Before I met them.
Throughout the holiday, we were very fortunate to have lots of
snow. We had a splendid time at night watching the ski snow or
tobogganing down the ski slopes in pitch black. The villagers tried to
scare us by making werewolf noises when shooting past them. After
we walked past the brightly lit-up shops with the light reflecting in
the windows glistening, making them brighten up in the darkness. I
was glad to get back into the hotel. It was getting late so after a nice
hot chocolate, we headed for bed and rest for the next day’s skiing.
We heard people partying at the local late night (après-ski) after
skiing bars and nightclubs and the rock bands strumming on their
guitars and tapping on their pianos.
In the morning we got up early and put on our ski gear and big heavy
ski boots. As we lifted our skis to the lift we saw the piste bashers’
smoothing out the slope which was exciting. We saw a person on a
snow bike which was very entertaining to see. It was very fun to ski
to our restaurant where we were having lunch called the Misseuwert.
It was very, very nice.
Jamie Renwick - Form 5
Many strange voices filled my head,
The same with all men alive or dead.
They told me that there was no real reason for,
Me to walk upon this earth anymore.
Before I met them.
They took me under their redeeming wing,
They gave me hope that only passion can bring.
They made me feel that I really was someone,
But still the good work was not done.
They helped me to see through the strife,
To look on the bright side of life.
I knew that they would never let me go,
To them my newly found life I owe.
James Perring - Form 5
I stood up there in the driving rain,
Hoping that I would feel no pain
In the dull shadows of the eve,
I knew in my heart it was time for me to leave.
And then I met them.
59
ART & LITERATURE
Literature
Sixth Form
Winner: Lucy Telfer-Smollett & Izzy Norris
Effort Prize: Harriet Cave
The Young Woman
The young woman sits, huddled in the dilapidated bus shelter, long
after the last bus has been and gone. Her prematurely-lined face and
haunted eyes betray that this girl has experienced an older person’s
suffering. At every sound she spins around wildly, glancing up and
down the derelict street, only to slump, and gaze, once again, at the
chewing-gum riddled pavement. Perhaps she is waiting for a bus,
perhaps she is waiting for a person, or perhaps even she does not
know what she is waiting for.
The ghostly drone of traffic radiates from the distance, weaving and
dancing, ebbing and flowing; almost liquid. It pervades the litter-strewn
street, intoxicating every mind. This arcane lament is echoed by the
bitter wind which attacks the girl with a callous ferocity. She
desperately clutches her pitifully thin coat closer, in a futile attempt to
barricade herself against her sadistic and tempestuous surroundings.
With only the clock-faced moon and an emaciated stray cat to watch
over her, she turns her face to the fluid depths of the heavens. A
solitary tear leaks from the corner of her wide hazel eye, pearl bright
in the cloak of moonlight, and meanders aimlessly down her cheek. It
falls in slow motion, an iridescent myriad of contorted reflections, at
last crashing, with a resonating finality, onto the ground below.
Lucy Telfer-Smollett - Form 6
Who was he? How could I get rid of him?
The sky was a murky torrent of darkness with small diamonds hanging
on its ebony cloth. The buildings stand overpowering above me, each
dappled with glass plates, some with faces peering out, watching the
world pass by, others show no light, the day for them is ended but
mine just begun.
Dark streets flicker through my eyes as I amble solemnly along the
slated street path, sprinkled with a thin layer of dust, which creates a
cloud of dust behind my last movement, the only movement that is
conjured in this tired street.
60
My figure continues to float aimlessly across the world beneath my
feet, now blanketed in a layer of gravel, giving way under my weight.
The noise fills the still air and travels until it dissipates and the next step
continues the monotonous pattern. Yet it is intruded by a second
rhythm, foreign to my ears.
My eyes wish to turn to see this mysterious object, yet I do not allow
my mind to be overpowered by this figment of my imagination. As I
continue a pang of anxiety enters into my bewildered mind. I had to
turn. I had to see if I was safe in this world of sin. My decision was
not well made.
My mind had controlled my body. As my head turned, followed by my
reluctant figure, I saw reality. His gaunt corpse was draped with
withered and torn rags which made a feeble attempt to cover his
figure. His face was an undecipherable mass of wrinkles and I was only
able to see his eyes, they were phlegmatic yet a burning desire seemed
to hang in that window to his hidden soul, I didn’t know what, yet I
assumed I was soon to find out. His mouth was a mere slit in his face
and the thought of words being projected was a foreign idea. His limbs
were weak for his hung over cramped legs, attempting to support this
gaunt man. One of his legs seemed to drag behind him slowing down
his ailing pace.
This is when I noticed it. The blade captured the moon’s only stolen
light and took it to be its own as it illuminated vast rays across the
empty world.
Every move of mine is now being taunted by this inevitable figure.
My life now hangs on its final threads soon to come to an end.
Izzy Norris - Form 6
Out in the Dark
Out in the dark in the cold gloomy wood, an old man stood in the
trees his hat pulled down over his face. A scar down his right cheek,
his face as white as chalk. His eyes plain and sullen.
The trees around the man swayed. They whispered to each other, the
leaves rustled in the wind. The man walked to the edge of the wood
his boots crunched against the leaves on the ferny forest floor.
The wind rushed through the trees like a whistle on a kettle, a rustle
came from the high pine tree; the man looked up the tree and saw a
crow roosting in a nest of sticks. The crow called out its high caw, the
man pulled down his hat and shivered in the cold breeze.
The man walked faster and then reached the edge of the wood. The
sun flickered in the distance. Morning had come and night had gone.
Harriet Cave - Form 6
Creative Writing
The Battle of the Moors
Based on a Maori legend of the mountains of New
Zealand’s North Island
There were three brothers called Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bodmin
Moor. All lived together in the South West of England.They each
wanted to be known as the Great King Moor so that they could rule
all the other moors. But they could not decide amongst themselves
which was the mightiest of all the moors.They argued non-stop for
two long weeks. Eventually they decided that the only way to settle
the matter would be to have a battle.
Battle raged amongst the brothers for ten days in the pouring rain
under thundering skies. But after the tenth day a decision had been
reached and Dartmoor was crowned King because he was the most
noble and he was the home to the most beautiful ponies, the tallest
tors and the loveliest plant life. Dartmoor was also the strongest
moor of all. After he was named king his brothers moved further
away from him to find themselves their own kingdoms to rule but
they all knew that Dartmoor was the real king.
Louisa McGregor - Form 3
ART & LITERATURE
Literature
The Boy
Planes in the air
Bombs land somewhere
Where is he from?
The man with his bombs
He doesn’t care
It is not fair
Down below in the church
They carry on with their search
For a missing son
Who belonged to someone
He just wanted to run
To have some fun
Now he is dead
Loved forever they said.
Alice Woolcock - Form 3
A Boy’s Head
Adapted from the poem by Miroslav Holub
In it there is a sea
And a project to
Jump into space
And there is an entirely new car.
War Poems
Dead soldiers bombs scattered
Red poppies fly as soon as we die
All our bodies battered
Our doom has come
With the rattle of the gun
The coming of fear
As our death draws near
Our young ones worry as we fight
shell shock is our worst fear.
Oenone Rodgers - Form 3
There is a dog.
There is a dog flying.
I believe anyone can fly.
Oliver Ryder-Green - Form 2
A Girl’s Head
In my head there is me, but a Spanish version of me
And a project for walking on water
And there is me being Half and Half Girl
Eleanor Woolcock - Form 3
And there is an entirely new Place Value System
There is two puppies licking each other
There is Jessica as a dog
I believe in driving cars backwards.
Sophia Donne - Form 2
Bloody battle
Guns rattle
The soldiers run
Armed with a gun
The sound of shell
As the men fell
The soldiers fear
Makes him cry a tear
The thick mud
Flows like a flood
The shells’ song
Ends with a bong
Lying dead
Blood around his head.
61
ART & LITERATURE
Literature
A Girl’s Head
In it there is a pony
And a project
For doing away with T, P ,B columns
And there is a dog
And there is an entirely new
Hockey and netball game
There is a family
I touched the bark on the trees and it felt all rough and irregular.
A bird swamped over me like a monumental giant.
And then the sun swam down over the horizon and it seemed like the
fire had gone out.
Georgie Morris - Form 3
My Witches Scene!
(Inspired by “Macbeth” by W. Shakespeare)
I believe in no bed time and no night time.
Characters: Witch 1, Witch 2, Witch 3
Emma Manton - Form 2
(Witch 1 is on the stage. Witch 2 and Witch 3 enter. They sit down next
to Witch 1)
A Boy’s Head
Witch 1 You are late! Where have you been people?
In it there is a duck
Floating around
Witch 3 You said we would meet at the steeple.
Witch 2 We’ve been looking for you.
And a project for a dog
And there is a pencil
Like a spear
Witch 1 Oh, that’s a load of gobble-de-gook!
Witch 3 Never mind that; let’s get on with our spell.
And there is an entirely new me.
Finlay Rose - Form 2
Dartmoor in Winter
I had been walking for two hours and my legs were like blocks of
cement. It was only the sight of the wondrous moor in winter that
kept my legs from buckling. I loved the sweet scent of sheep mingling
with the crunchy sweet grass and the veil of mist covering the tors. I
loved the crunch as the morning grass and the rush of coldness flowing
from each limb and up my body whenever I fell over. I felt like I was
the only person on the planet.
I loved the steam curling out of my shivering mouth and my chilly nose.
I took one more step and felt my boot sinking, a bog! It was sucking up
my feet, drawing them into its gooey depths. I struggled but that only
made it worse. I fell inside the bog and weirdly I could make out every
detail, every blade of grass, every rock and a gruesome thigh bone. In
desperation I grabbed onto it, it felt like sandpaper.
(They gather around the cauldron and begin to chant)
Witch 2 Juice from crushed up nettle,
it stung the Headmaster’s tongue.
Witch 1 And a slice of Mrs Harris’s wedding cake
Witch 3 (proudly) That was my greatest take!
Witch 2 Adding in a garden rake,
and Mrs Hammond’s best ever bake,
Witch 1 Toad from the pond of ghosts
(they never make very good hosts!)
Witch 3 A wonky knee from a bumble bee,
that once had a serious flee.
Witch 2 Take a penny from the well,
it will have a nasty smell.
At least I thought I’d died in my favourite place, the Moor in winter.
62
Ralph Lopes - Form 3
Witch 3 And a card from the backyard.
that dwelt in the house of the coastguard.
The Sunset Jungle
Witch 1 Add a bar of caramel,
to be eaten by Tinkerbell.
The twilight of the night fall glimmered through the waltzing trees.
The fragrance of the air was like smoky bacon.
The ground had wrinkled up along with the leaves, and it looked like
they had been sizzling in a coal black frying pan.
And the atmosphere looked like it was on fire.
I walked forward and all the smoky air rushed up my nose.
All the birds were drowning out the rustle of the scrubs.
The sun was lazily sinking down, and looked like it was about to catch
its prey.
Then everything went immobile, it was like the trees had finished
their waltz.
I looked down at the gravy coloured ground, the little jet black beetles
were brushing themselves along the ground as they went.
The nettles were venom-sharp like deadly knives.
Witch 2 Stew it up then drink it down,
if you do, then you might drown.
Witch 1 And one hundred other things as well, including all your
tortoise shell, each of them will ring a bell.
Witch 3 But now it’s time to try it out, if it works I’ll definitely shout!
(They cackle loudly, and then, they vanish……..)
Lucy Massey - Form 3
What A View
Winter
The stones stood silently upon each other, gazing upon the moonlit
mountains.
The day was cold and the morning sun glistened as it came up over
the horizon. The waves were swooshing on the golden shiny sand. All
the kingfishers were prancing around in the brook. The baby chicks
that lived high in the tree were wide awake waiting for their mother to
bring them a feast.
As a man passed by on the ancient cobbled pathway, it was as if the
great rocks were glaring at him, defending their land that was, now,
within their possession.
A whip of wind lashed the blades of shining, sleepy grass which stood
up on end, because of the static silence.
My main thought, not touched, nor moved by the sound of sleep.
Momentarily, the sun came round and shone upon the stones sent
from God.
The round rocks sleeping safe and sound within the middle of the
huddle, were snoozing, like they were being protected by the great herd.
Eventually, the sun passed away once again to be ready for a
new adventure.
Elsa Kent - Form 3
Garden
The garden’s foundations were grounded firm in the wet moist soil.
The lawn mowed across the garden like a green duvet. The flowers
were scattered into shards of rhododendrons and bluebells. The old
bark from the wrinkled oak tree was as weak as a fly. It was grounded
in the great centre of the ocean of flowers.
ART & LITERATURE
Literature
The trees were swaying in the wind and the snow was trickling off onto
the ground that was covered in the white sloshy snow. The rooftops
were covered from top to bottom in snow. The chimneys were blazing
as the fires below were scarlet hot and constantly being filled.
The morning surfers slid down to the beach dragging their surf boards
down the slippery snow. The people with the jobs were running
down to the sea to feel the salty water crash onto their faces, and for
their eyes to sting like an adder’s bite.
Then came the snowflakes smoothing down the crinkled white grass,
not knowing what lay beneath. But still they kept on smoothing and
dipping into the brook being poked by the kingfishers.
In the cold wide ocean the sharks were gathering up ready to hunt for
their breakfast of sea trout. A group of them were floating there
motionless getting ready for the kill.
All was quiet again, for the sharks of the blue blanket had eaten and there
were dry bones floating down into the vessels that lie on the bottom.
Caitlin Haynes-Parry - Form 4
The old stone-built bridge hopped over the clean, peaceful flowing
stream. The garden was underneath the ball of fiery heat. The sun
gazed down onto the wilderness of the garden and flowers.
The blanket of blue sky was scattered with light fluffy golf balls of
cloud. The contrast of the garden was complex countryside hills which
walked along to the coast.
The river is a habitat of fish and insects, the fish glide under the water
and swim around in their joy. The water boatmen skate around like it
was an enchanted pool of ice; but instead it was a heated stream. The
frogs jumped up in joy like they were doing the high jump over
branches. The water glistens under the sunlight.
A rose flutters in the countryside breeze; its leaves swing in the joy of
life and peace. The tulips kiss the air which is full of life. The birds
tweeted up in the nests of the old oak tree as they cried for strands of
food from the parents. The nests are formed with the foundations of
mud, moss and twigs it is a marvel to see them. The clear cut topiary
stood in the garden, it was formed into the shape of a robin. It was
rooted into the foundations of the garden, the robin was cut into a
masterpiece, as it stood green, tall and proud.
Billy Lambeth - Form 3
63

2008-2009 part 1

Transcription

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