Howard

Houses

HOWARD HOUSE REPORT

WORDS BY Miss Penny Oakley, Howard Housemaster W hat a pleasure it was to resume face to face assemblies this year; some boys have changed so much, it has felt quite emotional getting to know them all again. We welcomed new staff to our Howard team: Mrs Dale, Mr Dennis and Mr Mason, and have heard a range of topical assemblies on: Resilience, Languages around the world, Ramadan, Humour, Festivals of Light, Self-reflection, Adventure and Challenge, to name but a few. It has been an exciting and busy year! The Autumn Term saw successes for Howard in the Year 5 and Year 6 Swimming Relays, Year 4 Rugby and the Year 4 and Year 5 Table Tennis events. Year 6 were victorious in the Reading and Merits competition leaving us 2nd in the Autumn Term cup race.

The Spring Term highlights were, most definitely, on the hockey pitches; where Howard’s Year 5, Year 7 and Year 8s confidently won their matches. Outstanding performances from Freddie Bowis, Oliver Bodfield, George Knight and Theo Rees. It was great to see the boys’ fitness and competitive nature going strong. Year 7 won the General Knowledge and Year 4 the Football and again, pleasingly, reading proved a strong Howard skill as the boys in Year 3, Year 4 and Year 8 all won their year group competitions, combining with high scoring Year 6 and Year 7 merits to clinch the Spring Term Cup for Howard on the last day of term!

The Summer Term has undoubtedly been my highlight, though! Our feet have hardly touched the ground but it is this action packed whirlwind that we thrive upon here at Bedford Prep School.

We kicked off the term with our tremendous Charity event. All boys in Howard took part in a sponsored ‘silly walks parade’ to raise money for the Tavistock Trust for Aphasia. The boys and staff of Howard joined together to perform some innovative and wacky walks producing an awesome video clip, bringing a smile to everyone’s faces. What fun we had and all for an amazing cause.

Howard also saw some successes in the House Art Competition. The theme ‘My Hero’ resulted in some stunning and poignant works. It was fabulous to see so many Howard entries, reflecting the boys’ huge commitment to pushing themselves outside the classroom, too. A special mention to; Jack Efe Taylor who placed 2nd in the Year 3 and Year 4 category and to Harry Hodgson who came 1st in the Year 7 and Year 8 category. Very well done and thank you to everyone that entered.

House Drama was little different this year!

‘Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all’ Helen Keller

The whole school had a Curriculum Collapse Day and the boys were immersed in every element of a drama production; working together in vertical groupings. From lighting, music composition and set design, to marketing posters and tickets, and catering for the audience. Everything was covered! It was so lovely to see all the boys engaged and involved; gaining a real understanding of exactly what it takes to produce a play. It was a delight to welcome Mr Turton as Director for team Howard and to watch the scene come together during the day. A thoroughly enjoyable day; culminating in an impressive performance of ‘Fantastic Mr Fox,’ showcasing the wealth of talent at Bedford Prep School.

The last few weeks all blended into a very busy sporting extravaganza! Passionate, dedicated and focused; the boys at their absolute best! Sports Day was simply a delight. Stand-out moments, for me, George Knight achieving a PB in the Year 8 shot-put and watching the powerful boys in the in the Year 8 relay team; Oliver Surley, George Knight, John Lally and Thomas Mahony flying round the track. The excitement palpable as the race unfolded.

The boys always rise to a challenge, step in to help, console and cheer each other on; boosting morale. They strive, collaborate, support. They demonstrate bravery, resilience and discipline. The house feels unified in the most special of ways and the day epitomises the strength of the team and that feels …well… very powerful. It is such a genuine privilege to witness. A culmination of months of training, growth and sustained hard work for so many of the boys; giving some of our most outstanding athletes a time to shine on the track and every single one of the boys a chance to shine as a the ‘fine young men’ they are becoming.

It is such a glorious end to the year showing just how our Future Skills Curriculum truly runs through the boys’ veins; making me so very proud of them and their journey of growth over the past year. It is always, always, always, a highlight. Golly, I love this place! ‘Find a Group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them and it will change your life.’ Amy Poehler I would like to thank all the House staff and officers, who have proved utterly invaluable this year. To the Howard staff – you are all ‘totes awesome’! Miss Orme you have been a force to be reckoned with. Thank you so much for bringing so much sunshine to Howard for your short stay. We wish you well in your new job! Our House Officers: George Knight, Rocco Sarro, Seamus White, Yacoub Sharif, George Simmonds, Isaac Fergusson and Will Feltham; you have proved willing and unerringly reliable. What a spectacular year you have had, showing exactly why you were deserving of your roles. A heart felt thank you.

Another academic year draws to a close. 10 years ago, Howard lifted the House cup. It was a jubilee year. It was a blue year. 10 years ago I wrote this…

‘I knew it was a special Jubilee (= blue) year, this year. It seems only fitting to steal the words of our Queen: ‘I hope that memories of all this year’s happy events will brighten our lives for many years to come.’

And so as history repeats itself, a jubilee later, I turn to our monarch to poach my parting words once more.

‘I hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved’ and that we can continue to ‘look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.’ ELIZABETH R.

Well done, boys! A thoroughly deserved House Cup win this year! The year that we came back together to unite as the mighty force that is Howard House! Have a wonderful summer of fun; basking in the glory and reflecting on the wonder of a very special year!