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12 July 2011
Dear parents,
The end of another year and many of you will be finding it fairly unbelievable at the speed with which it has passed. The boys are all certainly well ready for a long break after this busy year and particularly so this term which has been exam-focused. It is has certainly been a term of achievement in so many ways and as rewarding as ever for me to watch the boys all developing and flourishing.
It has been very good to catch up with many of you over the course of the term and at Speech Day itself – what a great shame that the monsoon hit us that day of all days! With true British stiff upper lip it was uplifting to see everyone cracking on and “enjoying” themselves. We enjoyed seeing those of you who managed to make it to the Families’ lunch back in May and thank you to everything you contributed. I felt very proud of the boys who performed in the lunchtime concert and I am delighted to see that our musical enthusiasm and talent is on the increase again.
As I mentioned this has been a term of academic focus and I can honestly report that the majority have worked conscientiously. There has certainly been a studious atmosphere within the House but everything is in the lap of the gods now. I will call you directly on the morning the results of the state exams come out or, failing that, will email you. In the Headmaster’s letter will be detailed other means of finding out how the boys have done.
Exams aside I am so pleased that many have continued to find relaxation through their sport. Getting the balance right between work and play requires practice but I am confident that many of those who have been dedicated to extra-curricular interests in whatever form also achieve academically. Our contributions to School cricket have been quite outstanding at the junior end of the House with 3 boys central to the 15A Team which has made its way to the ESCA National T20 Final in September. At house level The Grove won both 1st House Cricket and then, on Speech Day itself, in miserable conditions, the 15 House Final. Not meaning to brag on the boys’ behalf but that means wins in 1st House Football, Rugby, Hockey and Cricket this year as well as 15 House Cricket. Our rowing is also making a comeback with keen interest amongst 3rd and 4th Formers and winning the Novice 4s inter house competition augurs extremely well for the future.
The atmosphere within the House seems to get better and better and by the end of this year the 3rd Form have integrated fully and are now no longer the new boys. One of the great strengths of the boarding school system is the integration of 13 to 18 year olds within the same community and I feel that the whole House is now pulling together well as one community. Of course, like any family, there will be moments of crossed words but overall there is a warmth and happiness within the House which is the most important aspect in ensuring that the conditions are right for bringing out the best in the boys and developing them in the optimal way. Next term we have 9 new entrants in the 3rd Form from a variety of different schools. We also have two new 4th form entrants as well as four joining the lower 6th as new entrants. The House will be as full as ever.
Many of you will be wondering about the refurbishment programme. This is still very much on the cards for next summer. The Estates Manager walked the course again last week and over this holidays we have architects coming up with some costed options for making better use of space, enlarging some 6th Form bedsits and upgrading bathrooms and kitchens. I will keep you posted!
I would just like to draw your attention to the whole School Sponsored walk which takes place on 29th September in support of Shrewsbury House, the mission established by the School in 1903 to help develop those less fortunate youngsters who live in Everton. Your sons will come home with a small package explaining the event and its purpose in more detail as well as sponsorship forms. Can I please ask you to encourage them to get as much sponsorship as possible. There are some great incentives which the boys will also be able to explain. The House which gains the most sponsorship money will also receive a considerable sum into its House Funds.
As you know, much information is now displayed on the School Website: I do encourage you to look at it regularly for news items and forecast of events. In fact any administrative queries which you may have might well be answered here as a good first port of call. One of the most important to draw your attention to are the future term dates, coach weekends and exeats. But there are also a vast array of articles, updates and pictures of interest.
As you know it is with great sadness that we lose Peter Middleton who has been a quite outstanding Assistant Housemaster. I thank Peter for the huge support he has given to me and to all of the boys, but particularly to the 5th Form over the last 3 years. I also thank him personally for his and Jenna’s friendship. Peter moves over to Riggs as Housemaster next term and our loss is very much their gain: he will be superb. We also lose Paul Kaye as a tutor. Paul has been a most valuable junior house tutor, always putting boys’ interests before his own and the first to take his tutors off to the latest film, followed by pizza. Every year he has also organised the 3rd and 4th Form to go to Talagerwyn, an excursion which has invariably been filled with mountain-biking, high ropes courses and canyoning opportunities. Paul is joining the new girls’ house, Emma Darwin Hall, and we send with him our warmest thanks and good wishes for the future.
We are gaining Paul Fitzgerald, classics master and School House tutor, and I am delighted that Paul has been appointed as our new Assistant. He cannot come more highly recommended and we all look forward to welcoming Paul next term and to getting to know him. Will Simper moves out of the Resident Tutor’s Flat but thankfully is staying on the team and new sports coach Steve Clancy moves into the flat. Steve has met some of the boys already this term and again we look forward very much to him joining us.
The normal few admin points if I may. The pocket money system is working well and already boys are much better at managing their affairs and thinking about the value of money! Can I please ask you to continue to send them back with cash for the bank unless, of course, you choose to pay an allowance in their own bank account. I will continue to remind the boys that without money in the House bank they cannot make a withdrawal. Of course, with your written authority, I can advance them cash for travel expenses, clothing and school trips and charge this to the bill. Otherwise the answer will be “no!”. The extras expense can be large otherwise, as you know! But just as importantly the boys are learning that money really does not grow on trees! Please can I also ask that you send boys back with fully marked up kit, ideally with name tapes on sports kit visibly marked on the bottom right hand corner. We will check this at the beginning of term. Unmarked kit is very hard to track down. Some brand new and expensive Kukri sports kit has been found with no name tapes and if you feel that it may belong to your son then please do call or it will be donated to the new Second Hand Shop. Talking of which, this has got off to a very successful start. You may either donate or for larger items such as blazers/ jackets, suits etc ask for Fenella to sell on your behalf. Otherwise funds will go into the House Entertainment pot.
Finally, as always, sincere thanks to Matron for her relentless dedication. I do not know how she does it; she is always there for the boys and knows them better than they know themselves and is a wonderful support to me in so many ways. Joan Bovill continues to keep the ship afloat in the office and as relief matron – another one who is never allowed to leave!! This is such a team effort, as you know, or I really would have no hair at all…! Thank you to each and every member of the tutor team for their huge help on a daily basis and finally to Fenella and my own children who are looking forward to having a small piece of me this Summer!
I have attached a forecast of important dates for next term. Can I draw the Lower 6th Form boys’ notice to the fact that they are expected back at 2-30pm on Saturday 3rd September in order to meet and greet the Lower 6th Entrants during activities that afternoon.
May I wish you all a wonderful Summer break! Fingers well and truly crossed for some top results!
With my very best wishes,