Senior School Houses

As our Heads of House reflect on this most unusual year, our congratulations go to Grenville on winning the 2020-21 House Cup!

Collingwood House

Looking back on another “year like no other” I am struck by the way the Collingwood community has risen to the challenges that have been put in front of them; the student body have been consistently impressive with the way that they have not just coped but thrived and innovated in these interesting times. Collingwood staff have had to improvise, too, with challenges like working out new ways to do quizzes, online talent shows, scavenger hunts and more.

The Collingwood spirit remains strong and this was reflected by getting stuck into all the House Competitions that we were allowed, fulfilling our ‘no lane empty’ target - until all lanes became empty when the competitions were cancelled. We were well placed in the Academic Cup and we were just gearing up for another strong showing in the Sports Cup and Performing Arts Cup when global events got in the way. We did get stuck into the Sports Days in the Summer and I’m sure we all missed the enjoyment of a full programme but we will just have to work, run and play harder to enjoy next year’s competition all the more.

Given the year group bubbles, our excellent House Captains Natalie Sparks, James Arnold and Eve Rushin were not able to meet all years in person, but they did manage to spend time with each group virtually and tried to help the younger years as much as they could. They even managed to get into the First Year Induction videos at the start of the year. They were a great support to me and will be missed. They have been backed up ably by the rest of their year and, in particular, the House ViceCaptains of Connie Batt, Izzy Brower, Guy Drake and Louis Barrowcliffe, who have all been stars during their time in the House.

As ever we will miss all our departing students. I was pleased that we were able to say goodbye at the end of the year and hope to see you all again in the not too distant future. You leave behind a lot of memories of your amazing achievements. I hope you will look back with fondness on your time in the purple House and come back and visit to let us know how you are getting on.

Mr B Seal

Drake House

The final weeks of the academic year usually see the new cohort of First Year pupils in school for the day as the first part of the induction process, yet like many things last Summer, we had to come up with a Plan B, a plan that would somehow allow the new Drake pupils to meet each other and their Form Tutors and Head of House from the comfort of their own homes. And so came about the very first remote induction process, with the pupils and staff meeting online and then submitting video clips that were edited into the masterpiece that was the ‘Drake First Years 2020-21’ short film. The energy and enthusiasm with which the pupils threw themselves into the project was a good indicator of what to expect from the newest members of the House, and whilst it may be a cliché to say that first impressions count, in this case, the first impression of a warm, friendly, lively bunch of pupils was spot-on.

As the academic year got underway, despite the tweaks and changes that were inevitably needed because of the restrictions, the First Year trip to Calshot, an annual event in the school calendar, still took place, albeit with no overnight stay, and whilst House assemblies were put on hold (due to the need for year group bubbles), the pupils in the lower years were still able to meet with the House Captains, Charlie and Kaitlin, via a series of remote Q&A sessions.

As the second period of remote learning kicked in, the pupils once again rose to the challenge, with breakout rooms on Teams allowing

Form Tutors to see their tutees (at least the ones that were willing to turn their cameras on!), and, in some instances, their pets! A bake-off with virtual tasting/judging by the Form Tutors, as well as ‘events’ such as wearing yellow from top-to-toe, and incredibly competitive quizzes, ensured that the remote tutorials were fun and varied during the cold, dark months of lockdown.

The House Quizzes in the Autumn Term were once again fiercely contested, with 4D continuing with their unbeaten run, and the competitive side of the House system was able to reconvene in the Summer Term with two swimming galas (both of which were won by Drake!), and, in the absence of the traditional format for Sports Day, an extended programme of year group events. Impressively, every pupil in 1D, 2D and 3D took part in this year’s events, and our two year group victories, and two further top three finishes bode well for next year – whatever the format!

Mrs S Herrington

Grenville House

As an octogenarian, the celebrated American poet, Robert Frost, declared, “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” And so, in rather different circumstances to usual it must be admitted, life has certainly gone on in Grenville, and splendidly so too! New protocols didn’t mean things had to stop, but we had to adapt – it was great to see 1G keep up the Christmas Hot Chocolate Sale tradition, but doing it as a much more civilised, pre-order affair; 2G enjoyed the open spaces and fresh air on the high ropes at Wild Wood; and 3G, as well as the Lower Sixth had the run of New College to do Laser Quest, although I am not sure they enjoyed having to wear gloves and hats on the hottest days of the year! In another example of Covid bringing opportunity, 1G also helped Petersfield Shine Radio raise money to help broadcast church services to those unable to leave their houses, and it was great to hear them being rewarded for their efforts by being allowed to record Christmas dedications. Remote Form times could have been difficult, but the Grenville tutors were adept at keeping things different and lively, and none more so than when I joined a Teams call to be greeted by the entire class wearing “Mr Seaton masks” – thanks for the disturbing memory, Mr Wilson & Miss Dickson!

One thing that has remained constant is the sheer hard work and determination of the Grenville pupils and the dedication of the tutors. At times, when numbers were depleted due to absence, so many pupils stood up to make sure Grenville were fully represented in all the activities. Sometimes the reward is just the satisfaction of saying, “I did it, I helped out,” but this year the effort of the Grenville pupils on the sports field saw them being rewarded with a victory in the overall Sports Cup. Combined with their fine all-round academic effort in the classroom and the House quizzes, it meant that Grenville were crowned as the winners of the House Cup 2020-21. I am delighted for them; it is nothing less than they deserved for their unfailing spirit this year.

Mr J Seaton

Nelson House

The Nelson year has been governed by changing guidelines like never before; however, what has shone throughout is the importance of the House structure through these evershifting sands. The stability provided by our tutor groups became the foundations of the academic year for all Nelson pupils.

Although the Autumn Term started sadly with the annual Christmas ice-skating trip being put on ice, the new First Years took part in the first online induction programme and created a fantastic video that enabled them to meet each other, the House

Captains and Mrs Daniel and Mr Hegan. 1N also enjoyed a BBQ and the landmark visit to Calshot Activity Centre. As the term progressed, it was with pride that I witnessed the Lower Sixth winning the (non-competitive!) laser quest in New College. This competitive spirit was trumped by the efforts of 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N and 5N in the ‘Nelson Plankathon’ in which hours of time were cumulated in the plank position, with Orion O’Connor deserving of an individual mention for achieving the longest time! The final throw of the dice in the Autumn Term saw Nelson supporting the Hug-A-Hospital campaign and resulting in 102 front line NHS nurses receiving a handmade card thanking them for their efforts.

The Spring Term saw the wheels of remote learning grind quickly back into action. The Nelson tutor team picked up the baton of interactive quizzes, lunch time sessions, group chats and PSHE talks. There were break-out rooms, discussions, surveys and so much more going on, ensuring that the House felt together even while apart.

Summer Term ended in a triumph of Sports Days, swimming galas and the prospect of old norms peering over the horizon. As is traditional, many members of 1N put in a sprint effort with their Churcher’s 100 to tick off some of the final targets. And as we raced towards the end of term, it was time to thank the House Captains and Vice Captains for their efforts in a strange year and for the new House Captains to take up the badge of office.

Mr J Harris

Rodney House

What this year has proved beyond a doubt is that team Rodney is certainly greater than the sum of its parts. With long periods where pupils remained away from school, or were confined to bubbles when on site, the Team spirit within the House appeared stronger than ever.

With a new shape to the day, three different lunch periods and only one Form period a day, what amazed me more than anything was the way the pupils took these changes in their stride, happy to adapt to a situation none of us had any control over. Throughout the year they also demonstrated their resilience and determination to make school life work. Outside of school many were involved in supporting their communities while still maintaining their academic endeavours.

Calshot, quizzes, cross country, swimming galas and many other inter-House sporting events still went ahead this year but inevitably with alterations to our traditional programmes. While this proved challenging, it also brought each Form group closer together. Realising that they could only draw from within their own Form, pupils were more willing to contribute to the team effort. When Sports Day became sports days, with each Year having their own separate day, we had more pupils participating than would normally be the case. When all the scores were counted, Team Rodney came a very close second place overall in the House Cup. Truly an excellent performance... and one to build on next year.

My abiding memories from this year however must be from the period of lockdown and dropping in on Form time. Many of the Rodney tutors had regular activities arranged with their Forms which served to give the week a structure, whether it was a weekly quiz or ‘bring your pet to Form time’. It was during these sessions that the pupils tended to have their cameras on and tended to chat, sharing their experiences. The longer lunch period also gave pupils the opportunity to get some fresh air and some exercise, so it was not surprising when some joined Form time on their phones from high up on the downs while dog walking. This increased exercise became evident during the Summer Term with many Rodney pupils regularly attending athletics training at 7:30am on the school field each week!

Mr J Yugin-Power