The Michaelmas term is always the longest and most gruelling of the three but we have managed to pack so much into the past 14 weeks. For 14 new boys and one new housemaster, the term had particular challenges as all adjusted to their new surroundings. We welcomed Kayode, Tom, Jimmy, Freddy, Reims, Joern, Dhafi, Max, Will, Justin and Alex into B block and all have settled well and bonded as a year group. The new joiners into lower sixth have made the transition look very easy and it is as if Spike, Karum and Jonas have always been here.
There is a growing emphasis on our house community and events such as Sunday night hot chocolate, Wednesday cereal night, bonfire night, Halloween, table tennis in the dining room and movie nights have been warmly received. All year groups have enjoyed weekend activities curtesy of our wonderful tutor team, with Mr Clague and Mr Megahey organising the A&B block quiz, Mr Goudge and Mrs Watson taking the O block to Cosmo world buffet and Mr Megahey and Mr Goodhead enjoying local Indian delicacies with the sixth form at The Jaipur.
Cooking with Mr Goudge has been an alternative for some to Monday night football which remains as popular as ever. Fin N, Fin D, Mackie, Rory, Leo, Sam S and Max T have all enjoyed learning culinary wizardry, from university budget meals such as Bruschetta and Chorizo Pasta (serving 8 for under £10!), to 'Surf and Turf' and identifying Ribeye from Rump, Sirloin from Fillet. More boys will get the opportunity to learn some valuable life skills in the terms ahead.
House football
Senior house football did not go our way this year. We did not necessarily harbour any hopes of winning the title (with Orchard being particularly strong) but could and maybe should have done a little better than P5 W1 D2 L2. There is a lot of potential though for next year and some impressive debuts from Kayl, Jake, Spike, Jonas and Karum.
The junior side really gelled well and qualified for the final having P5 W4 D0 L1. With several new B block stars, an injury to key man Rex was negotiated and he would be fit for the final. Taking on managerial responsibility, he masterminded the route to the final and gave a number of new B block opportunities to play where possible - great work, Rex!
The final was something of an epic against a much fancied Priory side, whom we had lost to in the group stages. Priory had the two outstanding players on the pitch and had raced into a 3-0 lead at half time. At this point, it would have been easy to let heads drop, accept defeat, keep the score line respectable or even capitulate and lose heavily. Instead, the boys showed great character to fight back with wonder goals from Rex and Max Raine as well as a strike from Rohit ( or was it an OG?). We lost with the last kick of the game, 4-3, but so many boys impressed that day, giving their all for the cause and not accepting defeat. Despite losing, the boys were gracious in defeat in cruel circumstances, again demonstrating a fierce determination to win, but a respect of ones opponent. Sometimes you learn more and can be prouder of a team in defeat; winning is easy, but how you lose shows true character and many on the pitch that day did just that.
The junior side for the final
School football
We have perhaps more boys than any other house representing A teams at football this term.
With Jimmy, Freddy, Max R, Reims and Kayode in the under 14A
Rohit, Rex, Max M, Ethan, Tehmur in the under 15A
Kayl in the under 16A/2nd XI and Jake being one of only two O block boys to play in the 1st XI.
James P, James H, Spike, Karum and Max BB have all represented the 1st XI too.
Pictured here are the boys who went on the Madrid tour which proved inspirational - apologies for the quality of the photo - not mine as I wasn't invited!
House unison
House unison came and went - and we actually sung - almost in tune! The actions were relatively straightforward, although too complicated for some as the photographic evidence proves! We covered One Direction's 'That's What Makes You Beautiful' and in all truth probably improved it.
Even One direction could not match our dulcet tones, boyish good lucks and natural rhythm!
Sale of Work Dinner
The Lower Sixth put on a night to remember for many parents in October, with a Germanic Ocktoberfest evening - all in the name of charity. Although seemingly an unusual choice, it was inspired by one of the new boys to the year, Jonas, and what a nice way to make him feel at home.
The boys waited on each of the tables for the whole evening.
Leo Parry (with dad Bruce on the piano) provided a musical interlude.
The quiz was hotly contested with rounds on GK, music and Germany. The winning table comprised of The Hacketts, Chohans and Hills!
It was a superb effort from this group of young men who showed leadership and initiative in abundance, raising an impressive £700 on the evening.
Sale of Work - Fun Day
The charity drive continued with the village fun day and the lower sixth again took the lead, but B, A and O block were all involved helping out. Here Ollie tests out the surf simulator which was run by Max and Jonas.
The silent auction and tombola were very popular, raising by far the most money of any of our stalls. We are most grateful to all those parents who were able to donate items, as it would simply not have been possible without them. A fabulous £600 was raised on the day.
The 'Three cracker challenge' and 'Guess the number' were new additions this year, masterminded by the boys. Three Jacobs crackers in a minute seems possible doesn't it?
Dress to Impress!
The whole house got in the charity spirit with the annual Dress to Impress day. The older years certainly gave their all and the junior years certainly have something to aspire(?) towards...
Here the infamous scooter boys, who left a trail of broken scooters around the school and house!
An impressive effort from Rory and Sam as musical icons!
Some of the lower sixth boys embraced their feminine side...
While others reprised the impressive Lederhosen for the benefit of those not at the Sale of Work dinner!
O block left things late and improvised as Superheroes before school!
Other bits and bobs
Induction of Scholars
Alex and Max were inducted as B block scholars for Art and Sport respectively.
School Photo
The school photo went well and the weather was kind to us - please make sure you get your order in - details via your son's email account!
Senior house basketball
We were full of optimism for senior house basketball and with Max ‘LeBron’ Taylor in our ranks we had high hopes. We narrowly lost to eventual winners The Orchard in the first round however by three points, despite Max having the ball in the basket moments after the buzzer, which would have tied the score. We are still waiting on the postponed junior event, but have high hopes with some B block players in our midst.
Junior League
The junior league side battled bravely against the odds for much of the season, as we were often only able to field 10 eligible players. Despite just earning the one draw, our spirit and camaraderie was unmatched. Huge credit should go to Will Orpin for being manager, coach, motivator and top goalscorer!
Senior League
The senior league side also struggled to get points on board but nevertheless enjoyed themselves and won plenty of hearts along the way.
Socials
There were plenty of well attended socials this term but a particular highlight is always the Christmas Sixth Form Ball. Here the lower and upper sixth looking very dapper.
Superstars!
This year saw the re-launch of a much-loved Repton house event - Superstars. For those of a certain vintage, it is similar in format to the 70s/80s TV show, as the name suggests. The boys competed in two teams of five, in a series of physical and skill based tasks against all other houses.
Here is the tyre flipping and 30+ from each team in the two minutes set a high benchmark
The rowing event calculated the total distance of each team in a given time slot. Weichen here soldiered on bravely, despite falling off the seat on the first few pulls!
The plank task was particularly gruelling. The whole team was only as strong as the weakest link - if one man fell, the whole team finished. A 4min 30sec plank by the team pictured smashed the opposition in this event.
In the pool (soon becoming our second home) there was a swimming relay, brick challenge and a canoe race.
After a fun-filled Sunday afternoon, we were crowned as champions!
House Swimming
In a superb display of talent across the board in house swimming, we won at a canter with 147 points (2nd place 102). In the 24 races we achieved 9 1sts, 8 2nds and 4 3rds. Notable mentions should go to James Parton (Senior IM and 25m fly), Olly Whittingham (Intermediate IM and 25m fly), Kayl Kurmaly (Intermediate 50m Free), Max Mackrill (Junior 50m Free) and Kayode Akinsanmi (Junior 50m Breast) who all won their events. The O block too (as Intermediates) won both their year group relays and remain undefeated as a year group in the pool!
Seb Sayer's epic 100m freestyle and James Hackett's shallow diving technique were enjoyed and shall live long in the memory of all who witnessed them.
Junior house 5-a-side
The 5-a-side competition was keenly contested as ever and given our performance outdoor, we were given a first round bye.
A 5-1 victory over New house in the semi final (Mackrill 3, Khosla 2) set up a repeat of the 11-a-side outdoor final, against The Priory.
Rohit opened the scoring with this spectacular effort....
Before putting one in the wrong net to make it 1-1...
Rex did his best to emulate Rohit, just avoiding an OG himself, before Max M grabbed an extra time golden goal winner!
It was a super final against two impressive sides that could have gone either way.
House Supper
And so the stage was set for the final meal before we said our goodbyes and headed off to enjoy Christmas with our families. It was such a good evening that I completely forgot to take any photographs!
A huge thank you to these wonderful ladies for hosting us on the night but also for their hard work throughout the term looking after us all on a daily basis. Thanks too should go to Trish (not pictured) and Debbie, Jess, Carol and Lynne who have all taken on the role of matron at some point during the term - your efforts are much appreciated by us all.
Merry Christmas!
Dates for your diary
- 8th January - Boarders due back by 8pm
- 20th January - Lower sixth parents meeting
- 27th January - Upper sixth parents meeting
- 3rd February - House harmonies, Pears School
- 6-7th February - Studio play, 'No Exit'
- 9th February - Half term begins at 4.30pm
- 18th February - Boarders due back by 8pm
- 25th February - House music finals
- 3rd March - O block parents meeting
- 15-17th March - School play, 'Oh What A Lovely War'
- 23rd March - Term ends at 1pm