24 March 2012
Dear Parents,
While many Ingramites are catching up on sleep at home and recovering from coughs and colds at the end of such a busy term, we are well represented on a whole host of Easter trips too – there are MUN delegates in Edinburgh, Geographers on expedition in Iceland, French pupils in Montpellier, Germanists preparing for a trip to Berlin as well as more Ingramites on CCF and Duke of Edinburgh camps. Einstein said “education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school”. It is fantastic to see so many Ingramites having incredible experiences beyond school that will no doubt broaden horizons and improve awareness of the world around them.
So where do they get their energy from? The mental stamina and organised approach needed by the boys to pack everything into their busy lives never ceases to amaze, as well as sheer determination and enthusiasm to try new experiences and develop established skills. There have been both landmark achievements as well as expected excellence by many Ingramites this term.
The Quare Fellow by Brendan Behan, was adapted, produced and directed back in January under the inspirational leadership of Jack Flowers with advice and guidance from Mr. Portier. Apart from Jack’s dedication over the Christmas holiday to prepare and plan, most impressive of all was that this play was thrown together in just two and a half weeks! After the setting of an Irish prison and the intense Six Characters in Search of an Author the year before, I feel like insisting on a light hearted comedy next time! As a generation of superb Upper Sixth actors prepares to leave Ingram’s, it is reassuring that a new one is emerging in the lower years. Joe Bell has recently been cast in the lead role of the Junior School play Billy Liar, due to be performed at the end of the summer term. We wish Joe well for his busy schedule ahead of rehearsals and preparation in the term ahead.
Also as busy as ever have been the musicians this term. The commitment required to manage continuous evening rehearsals and concerts at weekends when others are relaxing, requires constant juggling of priorities and true self-discipline. Many Ingramites take lessons and are keen to try new instruments. This said, I especially congratulate the musical talent of those who perform regularly in concerts. Ingramite musical talent is greater in number and quality than ever, particularly in the younger years. While Henry Kennedy only gets better and better as he tries to forge a future career as a musician, it is noticeable that among the Fourth and Third Forms alone we have five musicians that regularly perform in school concerts – the time they spend in the Maidment Building is a mark of their dedication and they are always a joy to see and hear.
There are so many top level Fives players in the House that it feels half empty when there is an away fixture over a weekend. There is talent in every year group in Fives. While Henry Lewis is National U21 Fives Champion and Schools National Champion also (Sam Welti a runner-up), Jamie Humes & George Lewis did so well to get to the final of the younger age group and were narrowly beaten by Ipswich School in the Schools National final. In swimming Will Nolan spent most of coach weekend travelling up and down to Crystal Palace in order to compete for the school and in hockey Jimmy Bruce has recently been selected to be School Captain next year. Rugby also goes from strength to strength with strong representation from Ingram’s. Five Ingramites have played 1st XV this term. Success on a school level has transferred to success for the House too as we picked up a haul of Fives awards. We were so unlucky not to get through the group stage in the House hockey tournament on goal difference on that last day of term and the rugby players entertained a keen crowd of supporters through to the semi-final. We seemed to have real momentum through the group matches but perhaps the third game against Riggs took its toll a little too much before a tough semi-final against the Grove. I thank both boys for their enthusiasm when competing from Ingram’s and parents for their support.
I am delighted that we are also starting to shine at sports that we are traditionally not so strong at. Henry Rassmuss, Charlie Rassmuss, Calvin Chan and Stamos Fearnall have all impressed on the river and rowed for the school this term, which augers well for Bumps crews in the summer. Meanwhile, Chris Williams has continued to play a major role in both competing and coaching for the fencing club. He has been a mentor for the younger prodigy Marco Lee, who collected his medal on the stage in the last assembly of term for reaching the semi-final of the Public Schools Fencing tournament. At this point Marco must be very close indeed to selection for the Schools GB team.
Key dates ahead are as follows:
Presentation for parents of L6 Ingramites on universities Mon 16 April 6pm (Ingram’s Hall)
E-Safety presentation for parents of Third Formers Mon 16 April 6pm (Ashton Theatre)
Third Form Parents’ meeting Mon 16 April 7pm (KH)
All boarders due back in House Mon 16 April 9pm
Sports Day *** Family support welcome *** Thu 3rd May (SCAT London Road)
Fourth Form Parents’ Meeting Mon 7 May 7pm (KH)
Leavers’ Supper Sat 26 May 7.30pm
Exam Leave for U6 Sat 26 May
Exam Leave for L6 Sat 12 May
Return to House for post-AS period Sun 10 June 9pm
Exam Leave for Fifth Form Fri 1 June
Third & Fourth Form internal exams Mon 11 – Sat 16 June
Return to House for post-GCSE period Sun 24 June 9pm
New Boys’ Tea Sunday 24 June 3pm
Speech Day Sat 7 July
Note: The Fives 2013 Schools National Championships will be held at Shrewsbury School from the 24th to the 29th March. This is the first week of the Easter holiday next year and it is hoped that as many pupils as possible will be free to take part.
All that is left is for me to do is wish you all a very peaceful and relaxing Easter break, with another gentle reminder to Fifth and Sixth Formers that there is no substitute for serious revision in the coming weeks in order to secure results of which they can feel proud in the summer.
Paola and I will look forward to seeing you all for the summer term in a couple of weeks time.
Best wishes,
Mike Wright