Looking out from the start of week three
September 20, 2011
Mr Monier-Williams has been appointed as the new Co-ordinator of the Duke of Edinburgh’s award. He will be working to help pupils complete their D of E awards, to ensure that there is an effective programme for the award, and also to enable the programme to be linked to Round Square. I believe that the Duke of Edinburgh’s award offers huge opportunities to pupils.
I was grateful to Mr Monier-Williams for organising a number of certificates to be presented at assembly yesterday afternoon. We therefore have two bronze awards – Harry Syson and Tom Laarberg – and two silver awards – Harry Troughton and Harry Evans.
The school voted last Thursday on the choice between hockey and football. I had no preference, and had no specific idea as to what the outcome might be. The votes were counted this morning, with hockey receiving 71 votes and football 76. This is not the resounding result that some expected, but does demonstrate that a majority of pupils wish to play football rather than hockey.
To ensure that we allow for as many competitive matches as possible, and in view of the advice that I have harnessed from Dom Barrington in his position as unofficial Captain of Sport, and other Pilots and colleagues, I will be delaying the move to football from hockey until the Lent term 2013. This will allow the sports staff to prepare for a new fixture list, and ensure that hockey can still be played at a competitive level.
We will, however, in 2013 become a football school with a hockey option. I was pleased with the way the pupils approached the vote, and that the student voice was clearly heard on this issue. The compromise that we have is fair to all parties and allows us to prepare fully for this coming season without upheaval or difficulty.
I very much enjoyed reading of a successful collection of sports matches from the weekend. The U14s against Canford was a valiant effort, Canford beating us by 36 points to 12. Although Messrs Warburton and Hunt scored tries, man of the match goes to Callum O’Neill. The U16’s against Ryde lost 24 points to 5, although Mr Timmis reports that Chap scored a splendid try, that Charlie Williams and Ben Doggerell were excellent, but that Henry Hughes achieved man of the match for his clinical tackling. The 1st's match against Ryde, despite a long journey, saw the first victorious win of the season with superb tries, and man of the match award, to Henry Leschallas. A special mention must go to Dom Barrington for some skilful captaincy which shows huge potential. In the Football match against Millfield, Milton Abbey lost one nill. It was a spirited performance where we dominated the second half, with Ewan Wright thundering a header against the cross bar. For the second match running, Ewan was as awarded man of the match. In sailing, the junior team, Captained by Otto Allwood raced against Thornlow in Laser Picos, and came in first, second and fourth. Congratulations to Otto, George Webb, Rory Thomson, James Morrison, Charles Naimby-Luxmore and Cameron Harford for their fine first performances of term.
I was proud yesterday to be able to present Marcello Fantoni with his Junior Shooting Colours. He was the best junior shot last year in the inter-house competition, and Mr Clapper believes he has huge potential.
A look back at a busy weekend saw the school filled with prep school pupils on the golf day, organised by Mr Lane and assisted by the hospitality team of Victoria Fraser, Ollie Scott, Sam Rhys and Douggie Malcolm. The quad biking went well, but most importantly the younger years enjoyed their trip to Westonbirt, where the dance and social went brilliantly.
It was wonderful to catch up with the Housemasters last night for dinner, and Jess and I are looking forward to hosting the third form parents for dinner here in the King's Room this Wednesday night, prior to the parents meeting on Thursday lunchtime.