HOUSE REPORTS (1969-70)
ABBOTS HOUSE REPORT.
For the second successive year Abbots finished third in the overall House Competition and although this was in some ways disappointing, it was no more than an adequate reflection of the lack of sporting ability and interest in the senior (sixth form) section of the House.
From the Rugby competition through to the Athletics finals, the sixth form with some notable exceptions was prepared to dissociate itself completely from the House Competition and was in some cases actively hostile towards it. Whilst it is possible to sympathise to a certain extent with the belief that the House system caters largely for the junior members of the school, it is surely not asking a great deal that the sixth form be more ready to give positive assistance to a series of competitions which they themselves enjoyed as junior boys.
On the positive side there is, however, plenty to report. The middle rugby team ably led by Plowman won their section of the competition, and the very enthusiastic junior team, captained by T. Barber, won the junior rugby by a very handsome margin.
The badminton team played well to come second to Kings, and in the Cross Country, although the results were not outstanding, it was encouraging to see a good turn-out in all three age-groups. Although T. Barber won the junior race the team was not quite strong enough to take full advantage of this excellent achievement and came a close second.
As is now traditional the Swimming Gala proved to be very successful for Abbots: first in the junior and middle competitions and third in the senior section was sufficient to secure the overall cup.
In the Cricket competition wily captaincy by Hale brought second place for the middle team and in the junior competition the team figured in a triple tie for first place with Bec and Kevere. Some of the most disappointing results came in the Athletics competitions for it seemed possible that the juniors and intermediates could win their sections. Despite an excellent turn-out in all age-groups, and some outstanding individual performances, the standard of our finalists was not quite good enough. Outstanding among the finalists were the pole vaulters. Few of them had done any vaulting before the term began, but by Finals' day we had some very promising athletes several of whom had represented the school. Newberry won the Junior competition after less than six weeks' practice and Mulholland, another "discovery", was a very close second in the middle competition,
On the artistic side the House did well, winning the Literary and Speech competition, coming a very close second in both the music and art, and a very disappointing fourth in the drama event.
Overall, then, not the most successful or happy year for Abbots which must have been very disappointing for Hill who was an excellent House Captain. Without his efforts and enthusiasm throughout the year this would have been an even gloomier report. If the determination and interest shown by people like the pole-vaulters and the speech and literary competitors could be spread a little wider, then there is no reason why Abbots should not return to their rightful position next year: first.
M. B. CHETTLEBOROUGH, G. S. JOINER
BEC HOUSE REPORT.
This proved to be another very successful year, albeit not quite living up to the first class honours achieved last year in winning the house shield.
Our main adversaries, Kevere House (may their greenery never wilt), pipped us to the post in a number of competitions not, I should like you to know, through superior quality of performance but by fiendish arithmetic bull-dozing.
Sheer weight of numbers precluded their eventual triumphing in a number of crucial events. But let it not be misconstrued that I in any way suspect those in the higher echelons of power of deliberately arranging for 50% of all new pupils of the school to be allocated to Kevere House, nor do I claim anything more than mere slim coincidence in the disproportionately high rate of expulsion performed by the HM on members of Bec House (may its lustre shine e'er brighter).
Who am I, I ask myself, to cast libellous aspersions on those whose integrity can never be rated high enough? This I can say with little ambiguity.
Were it not for the mighty battling of Chief Propagandist and Morale Booster Oberlieutenant Dixon (he of the craggy brow and keen eye) and Master Field Tactician and Chemical Warfare Expert Llewellyn (Cymru am Byth) Hughes, the House might have succumbed, and fallen into the slough of despond, but rallying round the standard, we determined to make good, despite the pugnacious attacks of the combined forces of Abbots, Kevere and Kings towards our activities. True to the spirit and tradition of the noble House of Bec, helpers were always available, endeavour was at a premium and slackers were few.
Congratulations, Bec, on your exemplary perseverance in face of such odds, and to my successor I say let courage be the byword. For there is a thin line twixt first and second places. Marginally better placings in a couple of competitions would have secured the coveted trophy.
A LESSON TO BE LEARNED: Look after the standard points and the cups will look after themselves. It's the apparently unimportant placings that win house competitions. It has been known that a 5th place instead of a 6th place in a race can determine the outcome of a whole competition.
EXAMPLE: Remember the Middlesex Grammar Schools Athletics Championships. Full story from Mr. Cahill.
A WORD OF THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
Ladies and gentlemen, may I extend, on behalf of Bec House, thanks to you for making the house competition so worthwhile, excellently and efficiently administered, varied and absorbing in content, valuable for experience gained both in participating and organising.
POST SCRIPT
We hereby point out to our knowledgeable readers that the contention that guerrillas from Abbots House, Kevere House and Kings. House, criminally and with malice aforethought, pinched all the school trophies to prevent Bec House winning the entire set this year, may be regarded as not entirely impossible, but still improbable.
In regard to this matter, the police are looking for a man to help them in their enquiries.
Preferably a fully-trained detective.
S. J. DENNIS, U.6. House Capt. 1988-70.
KEVERE HOUSE REPORT
After two years in second place, Kevere House has again won the House Compétition. This victory was gained mainly by the efforts of our talented seniors who, learning the lesson of last year, displayed no over-confidence but won several competitions by large margins. There were fewer successes in the middle and junior sections, for in the third year and below there was little strength in depth and we were heavily dependent on a few able individuals.
The one criticism was of the low number of standard points gained in the six competitions - art, literary, music, athletics, cross Country and swimming - designed to give the "average performer" a chance to participate. We hope that next year more boys, especially juniors, will take this opportunity; they could play a vital part in the competition and, perhaps, reveal hidden talents.
The year started well and by Christmas a forty points lead had been built up. The senior rugby was won in commanding style with J. P. Checkley, I. Frazer-Barnes, D. McCarthy, J. F. Miller and D. Warby the pick of a powerful fifteen. Very much closer was the junior cross-country, for even though we scored five in the first ten, the winning margin over Abbots was only eleven points. Perhaps the most entertaining success of the term was in the drama competition in which the Kevere play, produced by G. Morgan and S. Lockwood. was the clear winner. The ambitious set, designed by A. Page, was highly commended, while the comedy acting of K. Atwater, M. Bottoms, A Page, D. Warby and J. Woolf evoked much laughter from a critical audience. Much credit is due to all concerned. Congratulations too to M. Schraer, winner of the middle speech competition, and R. E. Benfield and D. Armstrong, respectively winners of the middle and junior literary competitions.
Our run of success continued in the spring term. A. Harrison led the experienced basketball team to three convincing victories, while P. Knight captained the winning six-a-side hockey team, which came through the final by a whisker. The swimming gala saw a much Improved performance compared to the previous year's dismal showing. Outstanding individual performances were turned in by W. E. Stonebanks for the winning seniors and G. Hadwin and R. Rice for the juniors. Such a pace could not be sustained and there were poor results in the Art and Music competitions, though, in the latter, T. Bond, J. M. Goodfellow and G. Hartwell were individual winners,
Our lead cut to twenty points, we faced the summer term with some trepidation. Poor batting led to defeat in the final of the senior cricket, and though the unfancied middle cricket eleven, through sheer determination, gained five more points than expected, it became apparent that Sports Day would settle the overall competition. A wealth of talent gave us confidence of victory in the senior athletics and so it proved, J. P. Checkley, L Frazer-Barnes and B. Johnson being double winners. But, in spite of the efforts of J. W. F. Hall and M. Horton, the juniors could only finish last. However, the middle athletes rose to the occasion and though first in only two events, just won their competition. Overall victory was now ours and Devenish's fine performance (67 runs and 5 wickets) in the last Junior cricket match was somewhat overshadowed.
Congratulations, then, to all who took part and thanks, too, to those who helped to organise teams and entries, notably N. Few (music), B. Johnson (athletics) and the House committee of K. Atwater. P. Knight A. Harrison (vice-captain) and J. P. Checkley (captain).
E. A. COX, I. R. CLARKSON.
KING'S HOUSE REPORT
Throughout the year a considerable number of members of the House played and worked very hard to try to improve on last year's final position. While it is, of course, disappointing that our aim was not achieved, we can look back with pleasure over a year in which so many supported the House loyally and enthusiastically in its activities.
Our Seniors won the Cross Country Race and the Badminton and Cricket competitions. In all three we had a nucleus of regular members of school teams around which to build our House teams, and the success with which this was done is very much to the credit of the respective captains.
We had third places in Senior Rugby and Basketball, in which the matches were of a high standard, and there were good individual performances and a good number of standards in Athletics.
First places in the Middle competition were gained in Cross Country and Cricket with fine team efforts. It was again disappointing that our strong Middle athletes were not supported by more effort at standards.
Our Juniors had modest success, gaining only one first, in Athletics. They took part enthusiastically in all activities and we hope they will be more successful in the future.
We were pleased to gain second place in the Drama competition with a play which was entertaining and amusing. Perhaps next year the musicians and artists will come out of hiding and show that King's is not without cultural talent!
We have not in this report singled out individuals by name. This is deliberate, for essentially we believe in the House Competition as a team effort in which everyone enjoys giving of his best. Our congratulations and thanks to individuals have been given publicly during the year.
We have both very much enjoyed working in King's House and we hope that all will continue to work loyally and enthusiastically with the new House Masters, Messrs. Wilson and Tanner, to whom, as well as to the House, we wish every success.
R. E. SLINN, J. E. BOOTH.
Suggested:
Expansion of the Universities (1959-60)
JCR
(1963)
A Man for all Seasons (1963)
Ski Tour
(1959-60)