There have been many highlights this week. In no particular order, the arrival of the ‘Landy’ on Wednesday was certainly one. I took the train up to Huddersfield on Tuesday morning to collect the newest addition to the Woodcote fleet – a 2003 Land Rover Defender G4. I had arranged for it to be liveried in school colours with the crest on the bonnet, ‘Woodcote House School’ down the sides and the website address on the rear tyre cover. Arriving back at Woodcote after dark, I parked it on the front lawn and let the boys discover it for themselves on Wednesday morning on their way to chapel!
Here it is….
Three boys have been off to sit scholarships this week – William went to Harrow for his Music Scholarship, James to Charterhouse for Art and Felix to Oakham for Sports – we are keeping our fingers crossed for all of them….
On Wednesday the 1st XV and Under 9s took on Papplewick and the Colts As played Dorset House at home. The Colts added to their tally of victories with another impressive win, but the accolade must go to the 1st XV who took on a side far bigger and with some very impressive scalps to their name. Three quick tries in the first half shocked the visitors into gear and the second half belonged to Papplewick. They went 17-15 up with 4 minutes left, even after relentless defence and fearless tackling from everyone on the Woodcote team. However, in what turned out to be the final play of the game, Alfonso went over in the corner and Woodcote were victorious, 20-17. What a game!
On Thursday the Junior End was transformed into a World War II classroom in the morning and then all the boys were ‘evacuated’ to a 1940s village in the afternoon, as part of their History syllabus. I took some prospective parents down to have a look, to find the boys being ‘caned’ for having dirty fingernails and having to wash their mouths out with soap and water – all very authentic! Mrs. Woodall spent the afternoon dressed in period costume and Mr. Nick was a German spy! The boys loved it and learnt an enormous amount. In the afternoon our senior and junior Cross-Country teams went over to Sunningdale for the annual fixture against Sunningdale, Hall Grove and St. George’s. I am delighted to report that both teams were victorious and I was thrilled to be able to present the boys with their medals and the trophy at assembly the following morning.
Last night we had a lecture entitled ‘What on Earth’ by Christopher Lloyd. This was one of the best lectures we have ever had, as Christopher went through his 20 most important moments in the history of the world, from it’s creation 40 billion years ago right up to the present day. He wore ‘a coat of many pockets’ – each pocket containing an item related to his top 20 moments which he allowed the boys to ‘pickpocket’ throughout the evening. This lecture was exactly an hour long and he kept all the boys spellbound for the entire time – no mean feat. Their answers to his questions were very impressive indeed and I learnt an enormous amount.
Sadly today there are no matches, but the boys are all looking forward to settling down to the Internationals later. Tomorrow there is Chapel (weather permitting) followed by Chess and Pingers versus Sunningdale and I am taking the boys Ten Pin Bowling at Pine Ridge.
I can’t believe that half term is less than a week away….so much to do and so little time.
That is all.