Morning All – apologies for the ‘radio silence’ over the last two weeks. I meant to post a blog at the end of the first half of term, but the call of the family kept me away from the office and then there was the 40th Birthday trip to Berlin with the Lyddons…..Anyway, I do hope that you all enjoyed a restful break.
Due to the inclement weather in the week leading up to half term, the matches against Horris Hill and the Cross Country at Lambrook were all cancelled. However, I did have a meeting with the company who who are going to come and build an outdoor wood-fired Pizza Oven in the grounds – a gift from the 2011 Leavers – and hope that this will be built and ready to go for the beginning of next term.
The concert at the beginning of half term was an absolute triumph – a different style of musical entertainment to that which has gone before, but it meant that we could all get smartly away for the break!
On our return, the Shell immediately settled down to their mock scholarship exams – Harrow is next week and Sherborne is the week after, but the two Etonians have to wait until May. We wish them all every possible success and hope that we can add to the music exhibition won by William D to Harrow.
On Tuesday the chef made over 300 pancakes for the boys! Apparently he had 6 pans on the go at once, but his labours were greatly appreciated by the boys – so much so that at the Food Committee meeting the boys asked if they could have pancakes once a week – the colour drained from the chef’s face but he did agree to produce them again later in the term.
We beat Sunningdale at Squash on Tuesday evening and then had a mixed bag of results against Ludgrove on Wednesday. Both the 1st XV and Colts A’s unbeaten seasons came to an end, although by all accounts they were hard fought, competitive contests. The Bs lost with honour against Ludgrove’s Bs and our 2nd XII and Under 9s both recorded famous home victories. There is a Judo Match against Horris Hill this afternoon.
Tomorrow evening Mr. Beharrell is giving a lecture called ‘The Complete Tangler’ which promises to be a fascinating romp through the world of fishing and then on Saturday we have return fixtures against the old enemy, where the 1s and As will be looking to get their seasons back on track.
On Saturday evening DP, EL, CB and I are taking the 6th and 5th Forms to a ‘Social’ at St. Mary’s Heathfield – as you can imagine, there is a frissant of excitement at the prospect…from the boys rather than the staff! I shall report back in full detail, with photos, next week.
On Sunday we have a visiting preacher – Peter Marshall – who taught here in the 1950s. We then have Chess and Pingers against Sunningdale; we are sending some boys off to join a drama group at St. Mary’s – for a production at the end of this term on 20th March. Finally AGM is taking the Woodcote House Turf Club to Fontwell Park for an afternoon’s racing. They will also be meeting a senior jockey who is going to talk to them about life in the saddle. It promises to be a great day out.
Finally, I am delighted that two parents have told me that they enjoy reading the blog. If you are not one of those two and you are reading this, please do let me know what you think and what you’d like to see.
That is all.