The Reptonian 2023/24

2023 / 2024

EDITORIAL TEAM Elektra S, Bella C, Tea U, Isobel T, Beth P, JBL

THANKS TO HSMs, SABT, OMW and the Music Department staff, the sports team, Olivia Hancock and the Marketing Department

PHOTOGRAPHY Ross Orme, the Marketing Department The team sports photographs featured in this publication have been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame Photographers and can be ordered online at the following QR link.

DESIGN Optima Graphic Design Consultants Ltd.

READING IS, AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN, MY PASSION

EDITORIAL

Reading is, and has always been, my passion. So when it came to transforming some clunky words of wisdom into an Editorial, who else would I turn to other than Repton's most renowned writer himself?

Ninety years ago Roald Dahl found himself in his last year at this prestigious school. And I find it humorous to compare his experience to my own. He wrote bitterly of how "the Archbishop of Canterbury… rolled up his sleeves and joined in with gusto" when chastising the boys, and his struggles with home-sicknesses were deeply felt within his first autobiography Boy

Yet, it is true to say that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory may never have been written if it weren't for Repton taking him to various chocolate companies on weekend trips!

Next year I am also going into Upper Sixth, and, in contrast to Dahl's aversion to his experience, mine has been nothing but exciting and transformative. Having joined with little idea of what I want to study when I am older, or what career path I might choose, these hurdles were rapidly knocked over by the teachers who guided me towards my aims and by the plethora of opportunities provided for me. We have been offered innumerable trips, events, and competitions, all of which have shaped us into Reptonians - a badge I will proudly wear for the rest of my life.

Falling into the rhythmic pattern of school life which Repton offers is an experience none of us will fail

springboard which we can launch from ourselves into strong career paths, new adventures, and the formation of what our own 'story' is. It is up to us to make what we will of this prestigious schoolwhether that be forging our paths to become tomorrow's sports stars, renowned business people or delivering an academic paper at a global conference. These chances, to me, reflect what Roald Dahl wrote in Matilda (a favourite of mine): "somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world." If we each set our mind to something, our dreams are achievable – and Repton is catered to help us succeed in just that.

Let The Reptonian then, be set forth by me up to this point; a collection of profound, reflective articles, successful sports fixtures, academic trips, music and art accomplishments, extra-curriculars, and the omnipresent enjoyable house life. Nonetheless, I feel it is imperative to consider the world not only as we know it - the microcosm of boarding houses, school lunches

Myanmar, Sudan, to which our sole access points of knowledge are the ever-present media. The looming growth of technology, such as vaccines, brain chips and space rockets, threaten to upturn the world as we know it today, into a truly altered one of the future. We are about to embark on our own voyage of playing a part in this society. In order to fully comprehend this evolving climate around us, arguably the common denominator of it all is understanding, a gift provided to us by Repton, like no other: the knowledge of finding our own pathways, of balancing independence with help from teachers, the knowledge of gaining a foothold in what appears to be a vastly changing civilisation.

Never have knowledge and education played such a pivotal role in understanding the exhilarating, yet simultaneously ominous world that awaits us beyond the Arch.

Thank you, Repton, for this priceless gift.

Elektra S (L6A)

SALVETE

ADAM DIXON

Repton are excited to welcome such a distinguished hockey player into our ranks. Adam Dixon joined Repton in the Michaelmas Term 2023, having previously been Director of Hockey at Clifton College. Adam joins us with his wife and two boys as the new Director of Hockey. He spent the last 13 years as a professional hockey player, reaching two Olympic Games – Rio and Tokyo – whilst also captaining the side on many occasions. Adam boasts a wealth of experience that will take Repton’s hockey program from strength to strength.

What kind of pupil were you at school? Sporty.

If you could talk to your 15-year old self, what would you say?

Care less about what others think of you – be true to yourself.

Dream job as a child Fighter pilot.

What (do you hope) Repton will do for you?

Provide me with the opportunity to give back to the sport of hockey in a high-performance environment.

What (do you hope) to do for Repton?

Continue Repton’s success at national level and promote the school on a global level.

EMILY BROWNE

Emily Browne joined the Psychology Department in September 2023, moving to Repton with her partner Johnny and she has already contributed successful new ideas to her department as Head of Psychology. With her previous impressive contributions to the Psychology Department at Ashbourne Independent Sixth Form College as well as their extracurricular curriculum - including the establishment of a rewarding Bouldering Club - Emily is keen to bring about similar changes at Repton too! When she is not teaching, Emily looks after the girls in The Mitre where her attentive and supportive approach makes her a great addition to the tutor team. She also enjoys coaching netball and tennis as well as fulfilling her role in the CCF Department with the Rangers. In her spare moments Emily can be found exploring the Peak District and rock climbing. Whether it be indoor bouldering or outdoor lead climbing she loves being active!

What kind of pupil were you at school?

The swotty kind! I don’t think I ever got a detention and worked far too hard.

If you could talk to your 15-year old self, what would you say?

It’s cool to have passions and hobbies even if your friends don’t share them – they will make you a more interesting person.

Dream job as a child?

Anything but teaching! Having a mum, dad and stepdad who were teachers made it seem like the most boring option in the world. Somehow it still found me!

What would your superpower be?

I love the film ‘About Time’ so it would have to be time travel.

Share one surprising fact about yourself.

My friends call me Eggy – I’m not sure that anyone from university remembers my real name anymore.

HANNAH OSEMAN

Hannah Oseman was warmly welcomed to Field House as Resident Tutor and the Drama department as Resident Actress in September 2023. Hannah is well-travelled having studied at the University of Arts Philadelphia and at Rose Bruford College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. Throughout her career she has applied herself to children’s entertainment and hospital administration whilst juggling drama school. Her enthusiasm and creativity makes her the perfect role model for the girls in Field as well as those who work closely alongside her in the Drama department and her passion for theatre direction heavily motivates the other actors. This is apparent through her impressive, active participation in all Repton productions: The Crucible, High School Musical and the B Block Showcase. She is valued highly, and her fun attitude is infectious.

JENNY CRIPPS

Jenny Cripps joined the Biology Department in Michaelmas 2023, moving to Repton with her partner. Her previous schools included Denstone College and Woldingham School. A graduate of the University of East Anglia and the Barts Cancer Institute at QMUL where she gained a Bachelor of Science degree with first class honours and her Master of Sciences degree with a distinction, Jenny has embraced Repton life to the fullest. Outside of the classroom, Jenny supports the girls in Field where her encouragement and fun approach to learning makes her a highly valued asset to the tutor team. This encouragement is valuable, especially when it comes to her supporting Reptonians on Duke of Edinburgh Silver and the Biology Field Trip, providing them with the motivation needed to complete both.

What kind of pupil were you at school?

Goody Two Shoes.

If you could talk to your 15-year old self, what would you say? Chill out!

Dream job as a child Vet.

Which three people (living or dead) would you invite to a dinner party?

Emma Thompson, David Tennant, Olivia Colman.

What (do you hope) Repton will do for you?

Improve my skills as a writer and director.

What kind of pupil were you at school?

Also worked hard in lessons to get the most out of the education being paid for but put equal amount of effort into having fun in boarding such as the occasional flour fight.

What is at the top of your bucket list?

I have a bucket list of 30 things to do before I am 30 which includes random things like learning to whistle using fingers. It also includes trying new activities like crocheting a blanket, and some travel based including going to Iceland to see the Northern Lights.

What would your superpower be?

I would want the ability to heal wounds and illnesses of anyone including myself and including age-related deterioration so I could live a really long time and also have my family and friends live a long time with me.

JONATHAN HAWLEY

Repton welcomed Jono as Sports Graduate in the Michaelmas Term of 2023. A graduate of Exeter University where he studied Spanish with proficiency in French and gained his Bachelor of Arts degree, Jono has embraced Repton life to the fullest. He has taken responsibility for coaching the Boys' U16 Hockey Team and assists the coaching of the Boys' 1st XI Hockey team, supporting them throughout the season. In addition to helping with sport, Jono has joined the New House tutor team as Resident Tutor. His bountiful energy and positive attitude make him a trustworthy and highly valued member of the house. When he is not teaching, Jono can be found in front of the TV avidly supporting Tottenham Hotspur F.C. or on the astroturf playing for Repton Hockey Club’s Men’s 1st XI.

LILLY GRAY

Lilly Gray joined the Mathematics department in Michaelmas 2023. Prior to working at Repton, Lilly spent five years at Marlborough College until she moved to Repton with partner Connor. A graduate of Loughborough University, where she gained a BSc in Mathematics and Sports Science, Lilly has embraced Repton life to the full –coaching tennis, netball and hockey teams with great enthusiasm as well as seamlessly joining the tutor team in The Abbey. In addition to her academic achievements, Lilly played and umpired lacrosse for Stoke City Club, where she acknowledged the importance of perseverance, dedication and energy in sporting environments. It is this positive energy which Lilly brings to Abbey, where she has been warmly welcomed by the girls as a trusted and supportive tutor!

What is at the top of your bucket list?

Do an Ashes tour ‘down under’ with the Barmy Army with my university mates.

What would your superpower be? Flying.

Share one surprising fact about yourself.

In lockdown I ran two marathons in two days for charity and to this day my knees are not thanking me.

What is your guilty pleasure? Peep Show.

If you could talk to your 15-year old self, what would you say?

You don’t have to do everything- do the things that you enjoy the most.

Pineapple on pizza: yes or no?

Yes.

Favourite biscuit? Are you a dunker or nibbler?

Chocolate Hobnob-dunked only in tea.

Favourite thing about being a teacher?

Sharing a love of learning and seeing eureka moments- especially in Maths when something finally clicks!

LUKE WEBB

New Technical Director of Football Luke Webb joins Repton with years of experience under his belt as both a professional footballer and a Director of Football. Luke’s career highlights include scoring a goal for Hereford vs Shrewsbury in the 1st round of the FA Cup and being a member of the Arsenal Academy. Having arrived in the Michaelmas Term in 2023, Webb boasts a degree in Sports Science and Coaching, with this expertise proving vital in his role as coach of the Boys' Football 1st XI. Already a well-loved member of the Repton sporting community, Luke hopes to usher in a new era of footballing success across both the boys and girls programs.

What kind of pupil were you at school?

Very dedicated and competitive. Always wanted to work out how to do as well as I could.

If you could talk to your 15-year old self, what would you say?

Don’t be so obsessed with being the best. Allow it to happen as a course of your hard work rather than a goal to work towards.

Dream job as a child Footballer.

Which three people (living or dead) would you invite to a dinner party? Dawn French, Jamie Foxx, Graham Potter.

What (do you hope) Repton will do for you? Allow me to thrive.

MICHAEL HOARE

Our new Head of High-Performance Hockey joined the department in the Michaelmas Term in 2023, along with wife Harriet and three daughters. With a degree in Physical Education and Sports from Liverpool John Moores University, Michael has embraced Repton life, also playing as a member of the Repton Hockey Club Men’s 1st XI. Boasting impressive coaching and playing credentials, Michael has over 150 international caps for Great Britain and England and has set up, and run, the elite hockey coaching company ‘The Hockey Lab’. His career highlights include medalling at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and at both the World and European championships. Having seen most things in the world of hockey, Michael hopes that his experience will help the hockey coaching team to further develop Repton’s hockey program.

Which three people (living or dead) would you invite to a dinner party? Morgan Freeman, Jürgen Klopp & Freddie Flintoff.

What (do you hope) Repton will do for you?

Create memories and opportunities for not just me, but my whole family.

What (do you hope) to do for Repton?

Help inspire children to have a lifelong passion for sport (hockey).

Favourite thing about being a teacher?

Encouraging children to go for it and believe in themselves.

If you were Secretary of State for Education, what would be your first decision?

A bigger push to improve school sport across the country and for sport's governing bodies to appreciate and acknowledge schools that excel in their sports delivery.

RAANAZ SHAHID

Raanaz Shahid joined us here at Repton in the Michaelmas Term 2023 as a Teacher of Textiles. Moving to Repton with her husband, Nabil, and two daughters, we are delighted to have Raanaz’s experience among our ranks. Discovering a real passion for art, her career has taken her all over the world, from Morocco to Oman and Egypt, just to name a few! Raanaz has had a very successful career to date; some of her accolades include winning the British Muslim Award for Arts & Culture Awareness in 2016, winning the award for Appreciation of Artistic Talent at the World Contemporary Art competition in Hong Kong in 2017, and working for high-profile celebrity clients. With very impressive credentials already, Raanaz is in the final term of completing her PGCE and is studying to become a Master of Tezhip (Turkish Illuminations), which involves painting in real gold, and Arabic Calligraphy. She has already made a massive contribution to the Art and Textiles department and any spare moment will be spent helping with any art-related activities.

What kind of pupil were you at school?

I was always the very chatty and creative one. I loved playing netball, I was always goal shooter even though I was one of the shortest in the class. But I was great at it!

If you could talk to your 15-year old self, what would you say?

Appreciate everything you have, and don’t take it for granted. Don’t be disheartened by the people that made you feel you weren’t clever enough just because you enjoy art so much. Oh, and Kylie and Jason don’t get married!

Dream job as a child.

I always wanted to be a pilot or do forensic science. But I followed in my father’s footsteps and went down the creative route. I love scents/perfumes. It would be amazing to launch my own perfume brand one day.

Which three people (living or dead) would you invite to a dinner party?

Audrey Hepburn, Coco Chanel and Michael McIntyre!

What (do you hope) Repton will do for you?

The opportunity to work at Repton came completely unexpectedly, so the school has already given me the opportunity to further my creative journey and I hope to gain more knowledge and experience over the coming years!

What (do you hope) to do for Repton?

I hope to inspire pupils, with textiles and techniques from around the world. I’d love to teach traditional textile fine art skills that I have been learning for many years – introducing new methods such as painting in real gold combined with textiles. I want to develop the Textiles department to its fullest potential.

ROB CLARKE

Rob Clarke joined Repton in September 2023, moving across the world from his position as a Housemaster and Director of Co-curricular at Marlborough College Malaysia. Joining him at Repton are his wife, who works at Repton Prep, his two sons and daughter. Rob brings with him a wealth of sporting experience. A rugby stalwart, Rob represented Great Britain at Rugby League during his student days, whilst studying a degree in Sports Science and Business Management. Now he is a tutor in The Cross as well as the Director of Sport. Alongside his Repton responsibilities, Rob enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, surfing and paddleboarding, so much so that he has even climbed Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia!

Which three people (living or dead) would you invite to a dinner party?

Wally Lewis, Martin Offiah and Jonathan Davies.

What (do you hope) Repton will do for you?

Amazing place to work combined with wonderful place for my family.

What (do you hope) to do for Repton?

Maintain Repton’s position as an outstanding destination for talented sportspeople from across the country whilst ensuring that all pupils have a wonderful time out on the sports fields.

Favourite thing about being a teacher?

Spending time with pupils and watching them learn and develop through the vehicle of sport.

SOPHIE BARBER

We were delighted to welcome Sophie Barber and her two daughters to Repton in September 2023, where she joined the Chemistry department. Having studied Chemistry at the University of Liverpool and Medicine at Keele University, as well as running a private tuition company for five years, Sophie has already made impressive contributions to Repton’s Chemistry department. In addition to her academic achievements, Sophie competes in British dressage and subsequently must train diligently to keep impressing. When she isn’t teaching, she finds time to focus on her Strength and Conditioning as well as making the most of scenic runs. Sophie has seamlessly become part of the Repton community, taking on responsibilities within CCF, coaching the girls' tennis, as well as joining the tutor team within The Abbey, where the girls greatly appreciate all the support and care she gives.

What kind of pupil were you at school?

Well behaved – but I was the Headmaster’s daughter so I had to be!

Pineapple on pizza: yes or no? No.

Favourite biscuit? Are you a dunker or nibbler?

Foxes biscuits.

Establishment or Revolutionary? Revolutionary.

What is at the top of your bucket list? Switzerland.

SUSAN STEPHENSON

In Michaelmas 2023 we were delighted to welcome Susan Stephenson to Repton’s Business Department. Prior to working at Repton, she spent eight seasons working at the Chelsea Football Club Academy and worked for the LTA with full-time national and international level players. Owing to her extensive involvement in such sporting endeavours, it is difficult for those around not to share the same enthusiasm for sport. Similar to the immense pride Susan has for her two daughters, she has enthusiastically taken responsibility of the U15 girls' netball team and the U15 A/B tennis teams. Cheering them on through rain and shine, she ensures an enjoyable season for all! This infectious enthusiasm and positive attitude to learning has made Susan a wonderful asset to the Repton community, in particular The Abbey, where she consistently supports the girls as a joyous tutor. When she is not teaching, Susan, loves to watch football and play tennis, taking a great interest in current tournaments. She embraces her competitive streak!

Pineapple on pizza: yes or no?

Absolutely no!

Favourite biscuit? Are you a dunker or nibbler?

This is hard...I love a Jaffa Cake (is it a biscuit?) and a Bourbon Cream in equal measure.

Establishment or Revolutionary? Revolutionary for sure!

What is at the top of your bucket list?

Competitive drag racing!

What would your superpower be? To fly.

REPTON ROUND

Team Reptech, ICE CityZen Award winners 2023. From left to right, William M, Louis C, Sebastian R, Jacob I-O

HOUSE ROUND UP

THE ABBEY CELIA A

What was the best moment in your House this year?

The Abbey is known for famously not winning many House sports competitions, but this year we have won Junior and Senior House Futsal, Junior House Tennis, Senior Tug of War. Raga has been made tennis Captain and, of course, we are very proud of Eva who has been selected to compete in this year’s Olympics!

What has been the funniest moment in House this year?

I would say the classic way Mrs Court managed to combine cookery classes and other forms of education on a Wednesday Treat Night when we were making pancakes. I think it will be the first and last time Treat Night will involve Mrs Court being left in control of the kitchen!

What will you miss the most about your House?

The Abbey enables you to involve yourself in anything and everything and that family feeling will certainly be missed. You can walk through The Link and be drawn into a conversation with girls from any year group or have after-Prep chats with the tutor on duty. The feeling of 60 or so girls, the tutors, our matrons, and our wonderful Houseparents supporting one another will be greatly missed. THE CROSS

What was the best moment in your House this year?

Winning both Junior and Senior House Futsal on the same day!

What has been the funniest moment in House this year? Unison where all the Upper Sixth boys had to dress up as the Spice Girls and dance.

What will you miss the most about your House?

Times where we all gather as a community such as lunchtimes, spending time in the common rooms together and all the numerous events such as Harmonies that allow us to bond and get closer as a House.

FIELD HOUSE

What was the best moment in your House this year?

The best moment in House this year was Cabaret night. It is always a firm favourite for the Field girls and a wonderful night for both us and our parents. This year was extra special as it was our last one, therefore performing in front of our parents, with lyrics that we formulated ourselves was great fun!

What has been the funniest moment in House this year?

One that stands out for the entire year group has to be our ‘attempt’ at a funny photo for the Upper Sixth corridor. The plan was to set Mrs Watson up; this most definitely backfired, and the photo being used is one we thought was a practice.

Mrs Watson came up one evening to show us the photo and she was laughing to the point of crying just like many of us were when we saw it, due to it being so awful. Soon it will be on the walls of Field for many future generations of Field to walk past every day. In my opinion, it sums up the year group perfectly.

What will you miss the most about your House?

Over the past five years, Field has really become my home away from home, therefore I will simply miss the busy but warm atmosphere that fills the house. I will particularly miss Mrs Watson. She has been someone who I have regularly turned to during my time here and is always a friendly face for every girl in the House.

I am really going to miss the girls in the House, who over the past five years I have formed irreplaceable friendships with. Not having them down the hall is definitely going to be strange but we all know that we will always be part of Field.

THE GARDEN GRACE D

What was the best moment in your House this year?

100% winning Unison (rightful win). The pain Harriet and I put the House through with the long rehearsals came out on top, so it was worth it!

What has been the funniest moment in House this year?

Probably when the Upper Sixth were debating what our outfits for Unison were going to be. Gold gilets, gold capes and gold leggings didn’t make the cut as we realised it actually had nothing to do with Adele.

What will you miss the most about your House?

Definitely the fact that we are a really collective House. In House events I would say we are the most competitive and that is down to the fact that we all trust each other when working together which shows the good energy that Garden has.

LATHAM HOUSE HENRY P

What was the best moment in your House this year?

The celebrations after winning Boys' House Unison and having half of the House celebrating on top of the tables. Another good moment was when Rory T scored the winning shuffle in the House Hockey semi-finals to send Latham through as complete underdogs. More recently, the win on the final ball of the House Cricket semi-final was also amazing.

What has been the funniest moment in House this year?

Just the moments with the lads in house and some of the conversations that are had between us. A funny night is always toasties when Mr Innocent in on duty and you never know what is going to happen. A favourite of mine is the ten-minute stand-off between him and Kaan on whether Kaan was allowed another toastie.

What will you miss the most about your House?

The ability to walk into your mate's room next door and talk to them or ask them if they wanted any help. The spirit within the House is always high and there is a good positive atmosphere.

THE MITRE

What was the best moment in your House this year?

TILLY B

The best moment in the House this year was Unison in Michaelmas Term. Unison can be quite a nerve-racking event for many of the younger years and new girls and singing in front of the whole school five weeks into a new term is no easy feat. This didn’t stop the Mitre girls, and all the rehearsals and the final performance in Pears School were so enjoyable, and it was a special and unifying event for the House.

What has been the funniest moment in House this year?

The funniest moment in the House this year was the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the end of the Lent Term. In The Mitre this is considered to be a very important competition, and this year was no exception. I have never seen so many girls screaming and shoving as they all burst out of the dining room into The Mitre orchard to find the eggs. It was like a stampede, and clearly displayed everyone’s competitiveness (and love for chocolate). I even think one of the girls lost their shoe amongst all the chaos!

What will you miss the most about your House?

After five years living in The Mitre, I am going to miss so many elements of the House and what it has given me during my time at Repton. There’s never a boring day in Mitre, and I will truly miss constantly being surrounded by my friends and how comfortable and homely the boarding house feels.

NEW HOUSE JOHNNY R

What was the best moment in your House this year?

Winning House Football in September to achieve three consecutive titlesthe first House to achieve this feat.

What has been the funniest moment in House this year?

House Unison and Olly’s conducting, specifically when he revealed what was inside his blazer pocket!

What will you miss the most about your House?

The togetherness and unity which was at the centre of these memorable moments.

THE ORCHARD

What was the best moment in your House this year?

CHARLIE B

Picking one moment is a tall order with lots of great memories, but for the House as a whole I would say the Christmas Dinner. All the commitments for the term are complete and you can relax and have a good time with great company.

What has been the funniest moment in House this year?

The funniest moment was probably sitting with the whole of Orchard in the packed 400 Hall watching Pedants. Notable mentions to several of the Orchard tutors, including Mr Dammers’ Oscar-winning performance!

What will you miss the most about your House?

I will miss the friendships and camaraderie in the House. It’s a weird and wonderful dynamic living and spending time with boys of all ages from B Block through to Upper Sixth. Orchard is one of the smaller houses and so this sense of friendship runs through the heart of the House in spades and is something I will miss a lot.

THE PRIORY ARCHIE W

What was the best moment in your House this year?

There are so many good things to choose from, but I’d say the best moment would have to have been the House dinners, whether it be the Christmas dinner, invitational or tutor meals. The best moments with all the lads together.

What has been the funniest moment in House this year?

For me it’s got to be after house dinner at Christmas when we did Secret Santa. The presents were on the line, but when Nat opened his from Matvey we were booted out of private side pretty fast and sent off to bed.

What will you miss the most about your House?

So many things in the House. Mostly just spending time with all the lads, whether that be in com at night watching some football, out for tutor meals, the interesting chats at breakfast and lunch, and definitely garden football.

SCHOOL HOUSE

What was the best moment in your House this year?

LEMUEL M

School House has achieved a lot this year such as sporting, musical and academic awards. However, in my opinion, the best moment this year was winning the Senior House League Final on a cold, rainy day, putting us all in good spirits for House Supper.

What has been the funniest moment in House this year?

I could write an essay on the funniest things that have happened in School House this year. However, one of the standout incidents was when Hapu was so emotionally invested in a Chelsea game that he accidentally ripped his trousers while awaiting a VAR decision. This occurred in the Michaelmas Term and is still brought up to this day.

What will you miss the most about your House?

There are many things I’m going to miss about School House, including talking to the boys during bedders and playing yard football. However, the thing I am going to miss the most is having interesting “debates” during tea about every aspect of life. It’s no surprise that we performed well in House Debating!

D of E

Not withstanding a Gold Training Day on Crowden Moor carried out in conditions one might plausibly expect to encounter on the away terracing at Stair Park, Stranraer, DofE at Repton this year might be judged by numbers alone.

In our inaugural year of running a Bronze programme, 84 participants, at the time of writing, have achieved the Award, far in excess of our projections. Sixty-two participants gained their Silver Award, just pipping the School’s previous record of 34. Every single pupil completed the October Expeditions, another first for the School, and 17 Golds –the second highest number in the school’s history – will have gone

to Buckingham Palace this year to collect their Award from the Duke.

A more rigorous interrogation, however, reveals further successes, both structurally and individually. The Bronze Expedition routes, using the Prep’s Walled Garden as a campsite, worked very well; we had wondered whether the larger Gold cohort (the second-largest we’ve ever had) would see more participants dropping out over the

course of the programme, but, to their credit, only three of the 34 participants did not reach the end of the Assessed Expeditions – far fewer than one would expect even from a much smaller group.

The Gold programme has been restructured for 2023-24 with participants completing their Expedition-planning in Michaelmas, and thus being able to train and guide the Bronze “Rangers” with their own planning – a number of budding teaching careers have, palpably, started to germinate! Other Golds have been coaching at Repton Swimming, Hockey and Tennis Clubs, and receiving warm praise from the staff overseeing them. In their Volunteering Sections, the Silvers have been looking outward, clearing local paths, litter-picking and making cookies for the Burton Soup Kitchen: it is very heartening to see Reptonians contributing to the School and to the local community – and taking pride in doing so.

CSD

During my time at Repton, I have learnt many great things, including how to write a good essay, the importance of research, a stable school-home balance…

I have also discovered the completely different and frankly hilarious characters that Repton teachers are able to embody in Pedants.

From Tuesday 6th to Thursday 8th of February 2024, Repton held its 24th teachers’ play, where many members of staff got together for a stellar onein-every-four-years performance in a tradition dating back to 1935. I never thought I would see the day when male members of staff danced the Swan Lake in pink tutus.

The play commenced with a group of teachers sitting in a semi-circle singing their solos about themselves, followed by solos, duets and group songs on their fellow colleagues, something which I found both endearing and amusing as I had no idea so many of them genuinely

had such good voices. It is now known to all that Mr Wilton closely resembles Ed Sheeran, Mr Embery likes to ‘jet off for a tan’ and play golf, and Mr Swanston is by far the harshest marker (as I'm sure many of us would have discovered by now!). Mrs Lees' interpretation of ‘Big Sister is watching you’ had many English students laughing at the fluidity of such a dystopian quotation being incorporated into the play. Throughout the songs, Mr Owens played the piano and was able to quickly change keys for the teachers when they were singing too high or too low!

The crowd cheered as the Headmaster, Mr Semmence, dressed as the Devil, welcomed us all to Hell, before assigning us to different punishments based on how bad we'd been. Shortly before this, the teacher rendition of ‘God Save Our Mark’ had us in peals of laughter - the creativity of the songs was second to none.

As one of my favourite Disney movies, I was delighted at the school's twist on the iconic tale of Beauty and the Beast. Mr Dammers championed his role as the Beast in arguably the most exciting and unexpected fashion, before revealing himself to be merely an academic concerned with the meaning of reality. Belle (played by Miss Guest, later Miss Sirr in the second half of the play), had escaped to the ivory tower in search of discovering the world outside of the strictly lesson-focused classroom, and was startled to discover the Beast with his interesting collection of a living calculator, an encyclopaedia, a paintbrush and a fake phone (each played humorously by members of staff). Arguably, one of the most striking characters was Gaston, played by Mr Wilton. One of my favourite lines was that ‘Belle [is] the other love of my life… the one that isn’t… me!’

Following the hugely successful 2023 film, the Barbie sketch featured both Miss Bywater and Miss Browne playing the famous doll and her journey into the real world. Their outfits were impeccable and identical to those in the real movie. Whilst the Barbies went away, the Kens attempted to take over, even calling in Mr Swanston as their UCAS advisor, who agreed that ‘beach’ wasn't a good enough job to put on a CV!

Along their journey, both Barbie and Belle met with the Beaver from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (played by Mr Innocent), who, through his 'lack of imagination', guided them to reality. Little did he know he was actually leading them to reality TV…

And what reality TV show could evoke such laughter and resonate with the audience than Love Island! The scene was built by using an inflatable mattress as a swimming pool, providing a perfect setting for

the couples-to-be, although the use of the characters Hayden, Jayden, Kayden and Aiden was quite confusing!

The delightful treats of the play kept on coming; one of the more unexpected parts was the French comedy sketch - though speaking in ‘Franglais’ was no barrier for the audience who could understand what was going on through amazing acting. Mr Swanston was furtively being cheated on by Madame Whitfield with Mr Metcalfe-Shaw, and a mad turn of events saw him shooting both upon discovery, before being led away by the policeman (Mr Carrington). Even through his arrest, the Frenchman attempted to correct the policeman's pronunciation! 2023 was a great year for Taylor Swift, and the teachers jumped into character to perform ‘Shake it Off’ - Both the outfits and the moves were delightfully coordinated and would have done the artist proud! On the other hand, the performance of Swan Lake certainly locked in the comedic aspect of the show… Huge congratulations to all the teachers for embracing this moment and making it unforgettable.

Although we are all well-accustomed to the school rules, we have never heard them sung to us before! A group of teachers reminded us in the most original fashion not to use our phones in class and not to chew gum!

One of my favourite parts of the play was the exam sketch video - our teachers were wearing our uniform! From bringing a compendium of banned items including a statue, a bible, dogs and a croissant, to asking for a multitude of paper, the sketch transformed what would have been a very tense and stressful environment after our GCSE and A Level exams into a comedy! It was the first time I have ever seen two bicycles riding around the exam hall

desks, and probably the only time I will ever see that.

One of the final sketches featured Strictly Come Dancing. The female dance group performed a mashup of songs in the form of a TikTok dance; the choreography was fantastic, and some were even wearing Repton pyjamas. The male group danced to ‘YMCA’ and managed to get everyone in the audience to dance along to the moves.

Throughout the play, Mrs Parish played the brilliant role of herselfchecking in with the characters to ensure they are supportive of one another was what made so many scenes magical.

The play ended with the school's rendition of “Freed from Desire”, which had the entire audience cheering on their feet. What a remarkable end to the 24th play; we can all agree that "Repton’s on fire"!

Special mention must go to Mr Hill for writing the original sketches and directing alongside Mrs Court, as well as Mr Golding and Mr Carrington who contributed to the songs. It was Mr Golding's final Pedants show, and he performed his roles of solo singing and a Strictly Come Dancing judge impeccably.

Despite my best endeavours to bring this masterpiece into writing, my memories can never fully do the show justice. How fortunate we are at Repton to have teachers embrace such an old and treasured edition, to push themselves out of their comfort zone for the purpose of our entertainment and enjoyment. The legacy of Pedants is truly a force to be reckoned with.

Elektra S (L6A)

DEBATING

RECORD NUMBERS OF JUNIORS ATTENDING THE BEGINNERS' SESSIONS

Before anything can be said about debating this academic year, a big thank you must be given to Mr Swanston and Ms Eades for their continued support of the debating society and a lot has to be said for their expertise being so essential for Repton Pupils to learn how to debate to a competitive standard.

Debating has been going from strength to strength again in the last 12 months with Repton entering more and more pupils into external competitions. The year started well with Bella C, Jenna L and Robbie J winning the first round of the ESU’s MACE in a convincing fashion. Despite another promising victory in the second round, an extremely tight result in the regional final in Grantham, Lincolnshire led to the team bowing out one round shy of the national final. This bodes well for next year as Robbie and Bella are both students of the Lower Sixth and will be looking to lead the team one step further.

Next up was the House debating competition which emulated the MACE format, with three members per team and one team per House. The first round actually saw the eventual winners, The Priory, narrowly lose to finalists, upon whom they took their revenge, The Abbey, and progressed as the best losers. The next round set up two brilliant semi-finals, with all four teams having competitive debaters. The Abbey beat School House and The Priory confidently strode onto the final after knocking out a

relatively inexperienced but talented Garden side led by Bella C. The final was contested in the 400 Hall and saw The Priory and The Abbey passionately debate the motion “This house would support a policy of blind recruitment”. Ultimately the team of Robbie J, Robbie B and Seb R beat the Abbey team consisting of Christabel T, Izzy T and Elektra S.

With regards to British Parliamentary style debating, the first competition of the year required an early start followed by a long journey down to South Hampstead where two pairs consisting of Bella/ Robbie and Seb/Izzy, took on four rounds of fierce competition from the finest debating teams in and around London. Neither team progressed to the quarter finals but Bella and Robbie were one point shy of qualifying, finishing joint 20th as a pair. A great start to the year with multiple victories and strong performances to build upon in 2024.

The teams then looked to the Nottingham University competition held in late January where the same two pairs were joined by new faces with two novice pairs consisting of Charlie D/ Piers B and Michelle and Michael. Once again, the Repton pairs stood strong with all teams making good progress and victories for most pairs. Major steps were taken towards their first win in an external competition with Bella/ Robbie finishing second overall in a great day's competition.

To round off the year, Robbie and Bella attended the finals day of Cambridge University's competition after narrowly missing out in first place in their regional qualifier. Teams attended the finals from all over the globe with teams even

travelling from Australia and India. Furthermore, the level of debating was a step up from anything seen before by Repton’s best pairing as they came up against World Schools' finalists in Team Canada and also the Captain of the England junior debating team. Despite a great start to the day with a win in round one, the pair peaked too early with this being the only victory of the day. It was an amazing experience and was definitely a lesson from some of the world's best at the U18 level.

This stands Repton in great stead for next year, with record numbers of juniors attending the beginners' sessions, filled with passion and excitement from a very talented pool of juniors that look to take their skills into the world of competitive debate next year. Once again thank you to Miss Eades and Mr Swanston for their commitment to debating for another year.

Robbie J (L6P)

RAMSEY SOCIETY

This year’s Ramsey Soc. cohort was characterised by a number of trends; rather fewer members of the Society chose to present a paper, but the quality of the papers the Society heard was very high indeed, and the topics selected could hardly have been more current or relevant.

Charlie B (U6O) kicked us off with a consideration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in a deeply searching and very wide-ranging paper. Which business models were best equipped to survive it? What were its medium-term effects on social interactions, on education and how we view the workplace? To what extent should internet disinformation, brought into such acute focus during the pandemic, be regulated? Has the pandemic polarised society? What did it tell us about the power of the state, and about the populace’s changing expectations of government intervention? How has it changed us as individuals?

Unsurprising, but nonetheless edifying, was members’ papers’ continued focus on sportswashing, and Jake D (U6C) gave us a fascinating tour of its history, before turning our attention to Saudi Arabia’s PIF’s investment in LIV Golf, Newcastle United, motorsport (and Disney). Jake asked us to question whether such investors should have to pass fit and proper owners’ tests, and whether sovereign nations have a right to preclude individuals or states from investing in companies within their jurisdiction. Archie W (U6P) took up the sportswashing baton and focused on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, asking whether Qatar’s long-term strategy in hosting the World Cup had been successful

– whether they had integrated themselves further into the international community, or whether the spotlight shone on human-rights abuses had had a deleterious effect on their PR. Archie also made us confront our own engagement in the event. Had our own principles prevented us from following Messi’s final journey on this stage? Are we more likely to heap opprobrium on certain cultures’ practices than others’?

It is no surprise that Medicine commonly attracts members’ interest, and Jenna L (U6M) introduced us to CAR-T therapy for cancer patients. This, in turn led Jenna to raise questions about

the funding of the NHS, how we should decide which treatments should be made available, whether all treatments should be free at the point of delivery, whether all patients – smokers, drinkers, hang-gliders, mountaineers, amateur footballers – should have equal access to treatments for arguably self-induced conditions. More foundationally, should NHS treatment be meanstested? How are we going to navigate the population-mushroom? Should certain groups in society, such as newborn babies, take priority over others – those who have already “had a good innings”, or have limited prospects of a good quality of life?

Holly M’s (U6G) exploration of Ectolife raised equally fundamental questions. Does “can” equal “should”? Do we have a duty to eliminate genetic diseases if we have the capacity to do so? What are the moral issues surrounding the phenomenon of “saviour siblings”? What do we value in a life – its utility? Its abilities? Its freedom from pain? The fact that it is a life per se, regardless of all other considerations? Even if financial challenges could be obviated, would such a process inevitably lead to a two-tier society? What might its effect on the gene-pool be?

Tilly B (U6M) examined the relationship between cinema and society. Tilly started by asking us to scrutinise the veracity and reliability of specific historical narratives as told by films. To what extent does the entertainment value of a film give it an indemnity against such standards? Alternatively, does the power of cinema, and its influence on our conception of the world, impose imperatives on filmmakers to present historical fact as transparently as possible? This led to a discussion on whether such films should carry disclaimers about their depictions of the past – and

this, in turn, segued neatly into a conversation about the ability of film to influence political and social opinions. Should film-makers be required to disclose their leanings and affiliations? Tilly very cogently demonstrated the power of film to inspire, and to provide messages of hope. Does the fact of this influence, both conscious and subliminal, oblige films to tread a more careful line? What did we think of Sleeping Beauty, a character with only 18 lines of dialogue in the film which bears her name, whose salvation comes from a non-consensual sexual act by a male, and who is, herself, denied agency? Which other cinematic classics might we re-consider? Do such concerns deprive them of their status as masterpieces?

TILLY VERY COGENTLY DEMONSTRATED THE POWER OF FILM TO INSPIRE

Not the least challenging paper of the year was delivered by Maggie B (U6G), who asked whether cannabis should be legalised. Maggie put before us the potential economic benefits of such legislation ($3.7bn in US tax revenue in 2021), but also offered a highly illuminating comparison with legal drugs, such as alcohol. Would decriminalisation allow for greater regulation of cannabis, and offer a circuit-breaker between users and harder drugs? But Maggie also showed us the links between cannabis-use and psychosis, and research showing the potential consequences of making it more socially acceptable. Lastly, Maggie’s paper opened up questions over the extent to which we should legislate private, but dangerous,

activities by or between consenting adults. Should the Law intervene when an individual indulges in bodymodification, skydiving, vaping or drinking alcohol?

Evette K (U6G) posited some very probing questions surrounding advantages gained in sport. Why do we attach so much stigma to Performance-Enhancing Drugs? Is it because they are “unnatural”? Is it because they are not financially accessible to all? Why, for example, do swimming world-records won in now-banned “super-suits” still stand (including 23 of the 25 world records broken in 2008 alone), but those won via the use of PEDs do not? Are high-altitude, warmweather training programmes accessible to even fewer athletes? Are ice-baths and advanced dietetics “natural”? Should all PEDs incur the same punishments? Should it be incumbent upon athletes to know the contents of every substance, food or medication, which they ingest? What, if any, might the benefits be of decriminalising PEDs? A strong argument, prima facie, in favour of banning PEDs stems from their concomitant health-risks – but are they unique among training methods in jeopardising athletes’ long-term well-being? Typically of the very best Ramsey papers, Evette’s took members through a very diverse intellectual landscape. How can one ensure that the most talented young athletes will rise to the top, irrespective of the level of coaching or facilities at their schools, or the ability of their parents

MED SOC

This year the Repton Medical Society has been busy and has had a variety of talks, workshops and other activities delivered to pupils with a keen interest in studying Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, and various other allied healthcare professions. At the beginning of the year we had the pleasure of joining an orthopaedic charity, the Neverest Foundation, on their trip to Nepal. Outside of school, we joined a team of highly-skilled healthcare professionals specialising in areas related to orthopaedic surgery, as well as scrub nurses and operating department practitioners. We had the opportunity to experience firsthand how medicine is practised, as well as how healthcare is adapted to differing healthcare systems.

Throughout our time in Nepal, we visited many of the institutions that the Neverest Foundation has helped throughout the years, such as an orphanage dedicated to children with physical and mental disabilities, supporting them and teaching them independence and valuable life skills, including shopkeeping, cooking and how to work with textiles. We also saw a clinic dedicated to supporting families where children were suffering with a variety of conditions and disabilities, along with another clinic specialising in spinal injuries and the long and intensive rehabilitation process associated with spinal injuries. Many patients may need to relearn how to walk or write, so doing simple exercises can

allow an effective recovery. Towards the end of our time in Nepal, the charity ran a free clinic day where anybody could come to the hospital to be assessed by one of the skilled doctors in attendance. Here we saw a very wide range of injuries and even rarer conditions like Polydactyly and Amniotic Band Syndrome.

Back at Repton we began the year with a panel Q&A session in which the Upper Sixth who have applied for these courses answered questions posed by the Lower Sixth. This was a brilliant start to the Michaelmas Term where those interested in a career in healthcare could gain the perspective of students who have already experienced the application process. The various topics of discussion included work experience, admissions tests, personal statement writing and A Levels. It provided an opportunity for the Lower Sixth to get an honest insight into how applications are undertaken and how they should approach them.

Towards the end of the Lent Term, we delivered a presentation on the UCAT exam, arguably the most important aspect of an application to study Medicine or Dentistry. Students were guided on the various sections and question types, including question practice and top tips and tricks. They were able to ask questions and learn how to

best prepare for this exam, including revision advice and the timescales to be aware of.

Our Lower Sixth MedSoc pupils had the opportunity to undertake the role of mealtime volunteers at the Royal Derby Hospital. Across a range of different wards, ranging from orthopaedic to elderly medicine, our students had the fantastic opportunity of gaining work experience in a healthcare setting. This enabled students to get to know patients and form personable relationships, whilst also observing the day-to-day practice of medicine to widen their knowledge of the field. We are incredibly grateful to Emma Luma and the team at Royal Derby Hospital for making it possible for students to get involved and build their skillset for future learning in a healthcare environment.

We also had the pleasure of attending some of the talks presented by the Toyota Nishi School, and then went on to present some of the interesting things we have done this year. Being able to engage with other cultures and their experiments can stimulate creativity and camaraderie, something that is integral to healthcare.

Jacob W (U6S) and Jenna L (U6M)

COMMUNITY IN ACTION

Reptonians have been out and about engaging with the wider community and supporting local groups.

CHARITY GROUP

Participating in the charity group has been a great experience to look back upon. We have worked together as a team to create new ideas and initiatives for the school to act upon. These are all based on different charities which leave pupils with a feeling of satisfaction after raising money for them.

This year a main charity of focus has been on Waterberg Rhino which is an organisation that focuses on the protection of Rhinos from illegal poaching due to their ivory tusks. We have raised money for this by using different Grub days where you can either not have to wear uniform

VILLAGE CAFÉ

For our community action we chose to volunteer at the Maple Tree Café in the Repton village hall. This space is well used by community groups and provides a great social venue for village residents, especially valuable

or even a crazy socks day, alongside a charity football match involving teachers with a bake sale on the side to raise money. However, this is not the only events we do. We have also created events such as preparing goody bags for female teachers during International Women’s Month in March which were handed out as a thank you from all pupils.

Being involved in fundraising has developed my teamwork skills alongside my creative thinking. I have embraced ideas that I might not have first considered and this will be a useful skill to take forward through my education and future career.

Freddie T (L6N)

PRIMARY SCHOOL

Our community action has been helping the children at Repton Primary school every week with their reading. It’s been a wonderful experience helping the teachers and students. In particular it has been fantastic to see how quickly the reading skills of the children have improved so much over such a short time. We chose primary school reading for our community action because we felt it was important for every child to have an opportunity to improve on their reading and be able to ask someone questions on any topic if their teacher is busy. We hope we’ve been able to have a real impact on the kids we helped. The experience has certainly had a positive impact on those of us who volunteered!

Isobel B (L6M)

to those who might otherwise be isolated. Every Wednesday we help by doing things such as washing dishes, grating cheese, restocking the fridge, preparing the toast, making the occasional hot drinks and then delivering orders. I believe that the whole process of working at the Café has greatly improved

our communication skills and given us an insight into a realworld workforce. Our volunteering programme allows Reptonians to work alongside members of the local community, generating a positive outcome for all.

Freddie T (L6N)

ROYAL DERBY HOSPITAL

Ten Lower Sixth pupils with interests in Medicine, Dentistry, Physiotherapy, Midwifery and other associated professions have been granted a unique and exceptional opportunity to volunteer weekly at the prestigious Royal Derby Hospital.

The pupils have gained insights across various wards, including Orthopaedics and Trauma, Diabetes and Endocrine (general medicine), Elderly Medicine and Respiratory.

Interacting with patients and hospital staff has been enriching in developing interpersonal and communication skills, which are paramount in these fields. Developing resilience and

CHRISTMAS FAYRE

At the end of the Michaelmas Term the School held its Charity Christmas Fayre. This year it was held under the Arch on Sunday 3rd December from 2pm-5pm, with a Santa’s grotto (and rumour had it his sleigh!). This was something that my two little ones especially enjoyed!

The day also included a range of stalls, food vendors and games on

adaptability is also vital when dealing with the demands of the healthcare work environment, which the students have acquired through this opportunity. Not only has this opportunity given the students a perception of these careers, but it has also provided the students with invaluable experiences that will undoubtedly benefit their future careers.

We extend our profound gratitude to Dr Ingleston-Orme for organising this and to Emma Luma and her dedicated team at the Royal Derby Hospital for facilitating this remarkable opportunity.

Raga R (L6A)

offer, as well as a screening of the festive favourite ‘Elf ’ in the 400 Hall. There was plenty to enjoy for everyone and it was a perfect way for the Repton community to get into the festive spirit. This year the charity which the school chose to support was the South Derbyshire CVS, who are a local charity working to improve the quality of life for people living in South Derbyshire. All proceeds from this year’s Christmas Fayre were donated to the charity.

JBL

ST WYSTAN'S CHURCH

Over the academic year a team of seven and I participated in performing tasks in the church but mainly maintaining and keeping tidy the surroundings. Our activities ranged from cleaning and sweeping paths in the autumn to pulling out weeds from the flower beds in the summer. On one occasion we were privileged with being allowed to descend into the Crypt underneath St Wystan’s church. As the academic year ended, we helped expose an old stone wall next to the church which required multiple man-hours completed despite the best efforts of the weather and

rain to make sure it did not happen. My personal favourite activity was keeping the area tidy and cutting back any overgrown trees and branches blocking the paths and walkways. Overall, the experience was one which was entirely enjoyable and one which I will be eternally grateful that I was able to experience. Aiding in maintaining the church yard and its graves was a humble experience, which I thoroughly recommend.

Dylan

T (L6N)

THE MITRE SPONSORED SLEEP OUT

In the middle of a particularly chilly March, The Mitre managed to raise £3,403 by sleeping rough for one night at the Incora County Ground in the centre of Derby.

The night started with lots of cardboard and tape as we all split into teams to build our ‘homes’ for the night. After this we spent the evening around the campfire with hotdogs and marshmallows before we slowly moved into our DIY shelters for the night. This year the charity which we chose to support was YMCA Derbyshire and Padley @ YMCA Derbyshire, and during the sleep out we met a representative from this

institution who regaled us with many of his own personal encounters with homelessness over the years. This really brought home to us the importance of what we were doing. This was Mitre's sixth year supporting this cause and we were all proud to have taken part in it!

Tea U (L6M)

REMEMBRANCE

This year I took part for the first time in the Repton CCF parade. I found the experience to be a truly worthwhile occurrence.

The morning began with my section meeting at the Armoury to doublecheck our boot-polishing skills, as well as to remind ourselves about the correct order of the day. We formed up facing the Royal British Legion and waited for our senior's instructions. During this time the veterans formed up alongside us, I really felt the significance of the event as I felt I was a part of a larger community. When the trumpet was blown, we were ordered to attention. I found this fascinating as even though we had never seen some of

the people we were about to march with, we all marched perfectly in sync. The sole focus of the march is to stay in time, consequently, this made me very nervous, as when you don’t manage to keep in time it is very noticeable and especially embarrassing when you’re in front of a hundred people. As we began our march, the commander yelled ‘Low, right…’, which helped us to stay in rhythm and after our quarter-mile march, we arrived at the Repton Church for the Remembrance Day Service. Afterwards, we gathered

outside the church to lay down our wreath of remembrance; this year Cadet Sergeant Blunt had this privilege. A moment's silence was then held followed by the trumpets beginning to play The Last Post, signalling the end of the silence. I found the whole event to be really moving, being able to see a community come together in support of the brave souls who laid down their lives in service of their country.

Tabitha M (11A)

Most people would recoil at the thought of speaking in a debate… even more so in a foreign language! However, our French and Spanish skills were put to the test when we were involved in just that.

On 24th November 2023, Mr Page along with Madame Whitfield took eight of us, (Fisayo A, Zara D, Ben H, Robbie J, Bella C, Tilly H, Harriet H and I) to Cheltenham College, to take part in an eagerly anticipated debate tournament.

After a two-hour bus ride, (during which our attempts at practising were humorously difficult), we were warmly greeted by the staff organising the competition there.

The set-up consisted of two pools of competitors, with each debate taking place between two opposing

pairs. We were given two minutes to quickly look over our notes, before being plunged into a tense debate, our goal to prove the importance of our points over the others. Some of the French motions included reforming the educational system and justifying the urgency of malefemale parity, whereas the Spanish debates focused on subjects such as the relevance of the Catholic Church’s ideas in the modern world and the prohibition of living with your parents up to a certain age.

Excitement was rising as each round determined whether we would make it to the final; Fisayo and I fortunately succeeded in all three rounds and came face to face with a team we had previously beaten in our debate on the freedoms of children concerning their social media accounts. Our concluding

motion was simply: “Children are more pleasant than dogs”. Who knew the controversy? We ended up winning the French category, with Harriet H and Tilly H achieving success in the Spanish category.

We all gained valuable experience in an area that none of us had ever participated in before. This experience was very different to what I am normally used to in debate competitions across the country. Getting to see how people think when conversing in a different language under high pressure was fascinating to say the least.

I am incredibly grateful to Mr Page and Madame Whitfield for organising and taking us on this trip – I can’t wait to do it again next year!

Elektra S (L6A)

FRENCH DEBATE

BERLIN HISTORY TRIP

In February Half Term 25 O Block History pupils visited Berlin for an interesting and historical long weekend. After a long day of travelling, we arrived in Berlin unsure of what to expect as we only had one fluent speaker in the cohort!

Day 1 began with an early start and traditional Berlin breakfast, which was followed by our amazing guide ably leading us round the streets of Berlin. We visited the Brandenburg Gate whilst learning about the lives and liberation of the East Germans. Then we continued our tour through the 'Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe' monument, which was an impactful and striking testimony to all those who tragically lost their lives. Once we had refuelled with a traditional German delicacy of 'currywurst' the group was ready to tackle the TV Tower which stands a daunting 368 metres in the sky - the highest building in Europe open to the general public.

Despite tired legs and with darkness approaching, OJA led us onward to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum with his excellent navigation on the metro! Our group was awestruck to be standing on top of the very place which we had studied in History class, as this was the exact location where the USSR and USA

were placed into one of the tensest standoffs in German history. After a tiring day and some shopping for a centimetre of what was advertised as a part of the Berlin Wall, the group reconvened for a classic game of Uno in the hotel and even made friends with other schools.

Day 2 consisted of another jampacked day! Our second tour guide captivated the group by recounting stories of espionage over the Berlin Wall and all the attempts of tunnelling in desperation to make it across. Yet, our personal highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the visit to the East Side Gallery which displayed how something that was once so destructive - the Berlin Wall - had been transformed into hundreds of individual murals, all telling different stories.

Our next stop was a tour of the Reichstag- the heart of German diplomacy- which gave us a true insight into the workings of German government and perhaps inspired some future politicians among us. However, the most striking image of the evening was when we travelled to the very top of the Reichstag into the Dome where we were able to understand the symbolic messaging of a transparent government in Germany, and, of course, enjoy a fantastic view of the Berlin skyline.

To conclude our day, we spent an hour at the DDR Museum

which was a captivating and interesting experience which starkly contrasted the difference in lifestyle between West and East Germans. After two exhausting days we took our final trip on the metro and prepared to return to Repton the following morning.

WE CERTAINLY RETURNED TO SCHOOL WITH MORE KNOWLEDGE THAN WE LEFT

Our huge thanks go to OJA, AFP and NFP foremost for putting up with a couple of 'temporarily misplaced passports' and the purchasing of countless 'I love Berlin' t-shirts, but mainly for working so hard to provide us with the perfect balance of learning and enjoyment. We certainly returned to school with more knowledge than we left with a great respect for the culture of Berlin.

Serena D (11M) and Clara C (11F)

USA HISTORY TRIP

We left Repton at 5am all eager to head to Heathrow and board our flight at midday. The flight was a smooth eight hours and we touched down in the Capital, Washington D.C. On our way to the hotel, we passed familiar sights like the Pentagon building and the Washington Monument. After a few hours spent at the hotel, we began a walk around Washington with our tour guide, learning everything there was about the Capital’s history and culture. We saw the exterior of the US Congress. Unfortunately we could not enter for security reasons, but we were allowed to enter the Library of Congress. When we had finished viewing the museum within, we entered a tunnel connecting to the Congress Visitor Centre and were given a tour around: we saw statues of each American president – along with their graves in the crypt and commemorations to American figureheads like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. In the evening, we got our first real taste of American-style food with a trip to a superb pizza restaurant.

On the second day in Washington, we all took the D.C Metro to Arlington Cemetery, the largest military burial site in the United States. Along with our tour guide, we saw the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and watched its changing of the guard, a lengthy ceremony in memory of fallen American soldiers. We also visited the Eternal Flame, where the late president John F Kennedy and his family are buried, and the tombstones of various US Supreme Court justices like Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Later, after a long day of rain, we took the bus to the Washington Monument – getting a glimpse at the White House along the way.

We toured around the site and also visited the Lincoln Memorial, as well as memorials to the Korean and Vietnam war. However, our visit to the Martin Luther King memorial was unfortunately cut short by even more rain!

On the third morning we were on the bus yet again, driving out of the Capital and towards Pennsylvania. We arrived early and had time to walk around Philadelphia, a famous city in American history; not only for its importance in the American Civil War but also the Liberty Bell, which we saw up close in its museum. We were allowed to enter the building where the Second Continental Congress was held, receiving a tour and a guide of how the Revolutionary War had shaped Philadelphia and America as a country. For lunch we found our way to Reading Market, famous in the city for all the choices and cultures of food it has. In the evening we began the bus journey to New York and were settled in our hotel for the night; we took the time to walk around Times Square before ending the day.

On the next day in New York, we took the metro to another part of the city, so we could reach the ferry that would take us to the Statue of Liberty. From the Statue of Liberty, we went to Ellis Island and saw the museum of New York immigration. We got off the ferry and continued walking, taking a break at a mall for lunch, until we eventually reached the 9/11 Memorial Museum. We went back to Times Square in the evening, and then had dinner at the Hard Rock Café; then we went to the top of the Empire State Building. We had to get up early and leave the hotel the next morning and had one more stop at the Rockefeller Plaza. We explored the area surrounding the Rockefeller building and then took a trip to the top of the skyscraper.

The last day ended with our driving to JFK Airport to get our flight back to the UK. By this point we were undoubtedly tired but had wonderful memories of a great trip.

Adam N (U6P)

SWIMMING DUBAI

Repton Swimming completed their first overseas training and race camp between 9th and 19th February 2024. Fifty swimmers aged 12-18 and six staff boarded the 9am Emirates flight to embark on a superb trip from start to finish that included some fantastic highlights.

The camp included a full training programme throughout, with sessions at the outdoor pool at The Dubai Police Academy and Hamdan Arena. This led into a three-day international meet hosted by Hamilton Aquatics, the Dubai International Open. With teams from a large number of countries, this highly competitive meet was the perfect way to wrap up the trip with some superb racing and exciting final sessions at the end of every day.

Repton were crowned top visiting club at the end of the competition, with Eva O also winning top female swimmer for her performance in the 50m Freestyle. A large number of club records were also broken and these can be seen on our website.

In addition to the swimming, the Repton team enjoyed some great cultural experiences that included a trip to Atlantis Waterpark, Kite Beach, the Ripe Market and finished off on the last night with a visit to the

Dubai Mall that sits underneath the heights of Burj-al-Khalifa.

Throughout the trip, every member of the squad gave everything to their training and racing and thoroughly enjoyed Repton Swimming's first trip abroad. There is no doubt that the ten-day trip created some lifetime memories and was an experience that all were very lucky to have.

AM

COSTA RICA

Our highly anticipated, yet somewhat convoluted journey to Costa Rica began on a cold December morning and included an overnight stay in (very expensive) Zurich, but also the highlight of the airport transit shuttle – no driver and very cool indeed! Some 24 hours later we landed at San Jose and met our guide Carlos, who whisked us off to his village for our evening meal. Our first taste of rice and beans, and iced tea, but undertaken in a jet lagged haze with all of us desperate to get some sleep!

It was good to get out of the city, but we were treated to a tour of the capital and its suburbs before winding our way through coffee and pineapple plantations, overwhelmed by the lush tropical greenery, as we made our way to the Doka Coffee Estate. This was a stunningly beautiful plantation with a history embedded in Costa Rica’s culture. We saw how the coffee is harvested and sorted, dried and roasted, before a tasting and our first opportunity to spend some dollars in the Estate’s shop. A few of us sorted out our Christmas presents in one fell swoop. It was a wonderful, relaxing way to reset after the demands of the journey. The first day continued with a short hike to the Poas volcano, in anticipation of a view of the crater of this still-active volcano. The promise of the spectacular sight of crater lakes and fumeroles was not to be, however, and some resorted to having photographs taken in front of the display board! Patience was rewarded, if only briefly, as the clouds parted, but Mrs Wilbraham’s second chance to fulfil a geographical dream was not to be.

La Paz Waterfall made up for the disappointment, however, as we followed trails through a rainforest, appropriately enough in the rain,

enjoying the stunning scenery as we walked. Before that we made our way through a rescue haven for wildlife, including a butterfly farm where both the residents and some Reptonians found their soul mates. Other highlights were the gorgeous little tree frog and the very friendly showoff of a sloth as well as the amazing array of hummingbirds feeding. What a fabulous first day snapshot of this stunningly diverse country.

WHAT A FABULOUS FIRST DAY SNAPSHOT OF THIS STUNNINGLY DIVERSE COUNTRY.

That evening provided a reality check for some as we reached our accommodation in the Sarapiquis Lodge. Whilst situated within a beautiful rainforest setting with an infinity pool and wildlife ‘on tap’, the lodges themselves offered basic accommodation, with no air conditioning – heaven forbid! Amongst the angst this brought, there were also the screams and squeals associated with real-life spiders and large creepy-crawlies scuttling around bedrooms, with a backdrop of rainforest sounds such as howler monkeys and tree frogs! It also poured and poured with rain, something we became very used to.

Somewhat ironically, this continuous downpour impacted on our river trip the next day, as the water was too high to see the crocodiles on the banks of the river. However, we spotted one cruising alongside us, as well as an abundance of birdlife and

monkeys above us. There were also huge iguanas perched high up along branches over the water, prehistoric and majestic. It is telling that even these became such a common sight that the call came out of ‘not another green iguana!’

This day also included an interactive demonstration of the history of chocolate making in Costa Ricafrom bean to ‘cup’ you might say. The variety of ingredients we could add to our chocolate either led to delicious outcomes or absolutely disgusting ones and perhaps there aren’t too many potential chocolatiers amongst the Reptonian team. After dinner was the option of a nocturnal hike through the rainforest and everyone was treated to a tremendous variety of frogs, as well as tarantulas and bats. Some of the more squeamish of the group opted out here, but those that went returned full of all they had witnessed up-close.

From the depths of the tropical rainforest and the immersive experience of Sarapiquis Lodge we travelled to the Arenal volcano area, with a treat in store for the evening – thermal springs. This was well-deserved after another rain-soaked day, and a somewhat dispiriting trek up to the Mirador viewpoint where we hoped to see the majesty of the volcano, its lake and the surrounding landscape. The clouds cleared for us to see some of this spectacular outlook, and everyone was revived by a dip in the hotel thermal pools on our

return. This evening was probably a highlight for most as we visited a thermal spa and experienced the luxury of dipping in and out of warm and even hot springs surrounded by lush vegetation. There was even the opportunity of exotic mocktails (and maybe something a little alcoholic for those of a certain age..). This deeply calming and revitalising experience was followed by a beautiful buffet supper with a huge choice of deliciousness. It was the perfect place to celebrate Thorin’s 18th and Carlos had arranged a beautiful cake for him. A fine end to the day!

The next day was definitely one to add to the ‘out of the comfort zone’ list. What was billed as a gentle walk into a cave to see some bats turned out to be much more challenging and even the most intrepid of the pupils and staff were tested to the limit by squeezing through small spaces and wading through chest-high water. After a complete change of clothes, we travelled to the nearby Arenal Hanging Bridges, which run high above the rainforest. A few people chose to sit this one out, disconcerted by the thought of the precipitous heights of the suspension bridges swinging through the canopy. Those that ventured out were treated to one of the highlights of Costa Rica and the sights and sounds of the highest parts of the rainforest set to the backdrop of the Arenal volcano and lake. Perhaps for some, however, the next day was their best, and everyone took the opportunity to take part in the Sky Trek zipline tour, whether by following the intrepid zip liners from viewpoints, or by sailing through the forests along high wires. This was as exhilarating as it sounds, and the whoops and screams were a testament to the fabulous experience we all had. This Arenal area is a must-see for Costa Rica visitors and we certainly made the most of the diversity of experiences,

whether we relished them or not! As one Reptonian remarked, ‘I’ve been scared every day on this trip’. I think that’s something of a win!

After the adrenaline high of the zip-lining we took a moment to visit a sloth sanctuary and were treated to the sight of this very shy creature high up in the trees. Beforehand the monkeys provided more excitement and a bit of that fear I mentioned, as they aggressively and disconcertingly threw themselves against their cages to attract our attention. It was here that we discovered the delicious tamarind sauce that is the Costa Rica equivalent of tomato ketchup! A long journey across to the Caribbean coast then followed, interspersed by a visit to a souvenir shop where some very dubious purchases were made, and we at last began to see and feel the strength of the sun. We woke the next day to early morning surfers and the sounds of the waves crashing onto the beach.

COSTA RICA IS FAMED FOR ITS NATIONAL PARKS

Costa Rica is famed for its National Parks, and Manuel Antonio is one of its most visited. We queued to enter and our bags were checked for single-use plastics: maintaining this pristine environment is crucial to the Park’s philosophy, and visitors are strictly limited. As we strolled through the forested trails, we came to the beach where we were able to sunbathe and let off steam with a few beach games. We did have to beware of the monkeys, however, who took advantage of the careless tourist who left food and belongings unattended. A reminder that the natural world is queen in Costa Rica.

That afternoon was surely one of the many highlights – a catamaran snorkelling tour. As we arrived at the boat, it seemed more reminiscent of a ‘booze cruise’ however as the guide introduced us to the range of alcohol on-board to a chorus of whoops from the large American family next to him. None of that for us, however, as the Reptonians took over the sundeck to make the most of the long-anticipated sun, trying to avoid a soaking as we raced through the waves. The slides from the boat proved to be a huge hit with the group, especially the highest ones, and a snorkel to the nearest reef was well worth it to see exotic fish in their natural habitat. For some, today was more like the family holidays they had experienced, and very different from the full on adrenaline-fuelled activities up to now. For most of us too, the best meal of the trip took place. As we watched the sun setting over the boats in the marina, we were able to reflect on the highs and lows of the trip. For most, it had been an unexpected experience, which challenged their perceptions and took them out of their comfort zone at some level every day. As we visited the tourist trap of Jaco Beach on our final morning, and then saw the fearsome American crocodiles in their natural habitat, we can be clear on one thing: Costa Rica is a not-tobe missed experience. I’m sure all of us would agree it should be on the bucket list before it begins to lose its eco-identity through the influx of Starbucks research centres, vast palm and pineapple plantations, and the trappings of mass tourism.

Thanks must go to the pupils for offering their enthusiasm and for facing their fears, and to the brilliant Mrs Court and Mr Walker for ensuring everything ran without drama and for being the best company this trip leader could wish for.

LEW

CCF

TIf you walked through the Arch in the late 19th century on a chance afternoon, you may have heard an occasional pop as pupils lined up their rifles on makeshift targets on the Paddock.

here may have been the occasional ‘ding’ and hooting indicating a hit, or a hollering and scampering student being chased by a don when not so accurate; the black book of detention records in the archives indicate this mischief was not irregular. From these disorderly beginnings, the Repton Cadet Corps matured from a shooting team into the Officer Training Corps and eventually the Combined Cadet Corps, its current form, in 1949 – 75 years ago this year. The pictures of cadets from years past show familiar beaming smiles and close friendships, and it is clear that Repton has a rich history of fostering a sense of belonging within the group of cadets. If you wander through the school on a Wednesday afternoon in 2024, you will likely see the same hive of activity as a 75, or even 150, years ago. You will see the same smiles and joy on faces, and you will see the older cadets taking roles of leadership and teaching their younger counterparts key skills and life lessons. The core values of the cadets remain strong and students constantly challenge themselves to learn and develop across a wide

range of areas. Rich in tradition, but not bound by it, there will always be a place for Remembrance, Barnes Squad and Russell Cup, but also for new challenges and innovation. This year, a new section – The Rangers – a non-uniformed section, led by Miss Bywater and her team, allowed students to enjoy the benefits of being part of the CCF, including access to courses, training and qualifications, but with less military focus. Cadets across the sections have gained qualifications in rock climbing, sailing, kayaking, caving and DofE (Bronze and Gold), and four cadets attended the Senior Cadet Instructional Cadre for the first time in Repton’s history. For the first time since pre-pandemic, students competed in national shooting competitions (using our indoor range rather than the Paddock),

and students have even managed to evade the poor weather and go flying. Summer Camp beckons at Beckingham, for the first time held during term time, and a potential

taught lessons on theory, navigation and drill, which then followed into the field exercises. These included teaching fieldcraft lessons, as well as the blank fire exercise, which was arguably the most enjoyable part of the course. Personally, I had a great time on the course, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who might be interested.

Carroll O (L6)

he RAF section of the CCF teaches many different qualities which are essential in future endeavours. The different teamwork activities that the cadets and Cadre complete teach them to work as one group. Being able to work well in a group and have strong leadership qualities enables them to grow and develop into better people with more diverse skill sets. The RAF strives for cadets to be resilient, adaptable and flexible. As these qualities will allow for cadets to cope with any challenge in the RAF but more importantly in daily life. This is further helped by the teaching staff who work their hardest to make

The Barnes Squad 2024 was a competition we looked forward to after hearing all about it from older boys in the House. Throughout the day, we took part in a series of challenges that tested both our physical ability and mentality. One particularly exciting task involved guiding the rest of the House team, equipped with a radio, through a simulated minefield without using conventional directional cues or names; this demanded creative communication strategies and interesting points of reference! Another challenge tasked us with

taking pictures of control markers scattered across the school grounds under timed conditions which tested our map-reading skills and teamwork. We utilised our communication skills further by employing the phonetic alphabet and identifying aircraft types in the section specific challenges. Archery proved to be a favourite, testing our precision and focus as we aimed for the highest scores. The Towers of Hanoi task emphasised the importance of teamwork and strategic thinking, while the first aid scenario highlighted the significance

such as navigating blindfolded friends with only a whistle. I particularly enjoyed this activity, as it helped us learn leadership and also emphasised the importance of effective communication within our group. As the weekend went on, we were taught different methods of movement that are used in the military such as leopard-crawling and stealth-walking. We also developed our awareness of hand signals and immersive role-play scenes in the wood (complete with vests and prop guns!). We also

took home the historic trophy. Huge thanks go to Major Gardner, the other CCF officers and all the cadets

REPTON FORMULA

In the realm of the school’s many societies, Formula Repton stands out to those with an interest in engineering and motorsport.

Founded two years ago, the team has embarked on a journey to join the landscape of sustainable racing or Greenpower, as it is known, which bridges the gap between sustainable technology and motorsport racing, and challenges young minds to engineer electric cars and compete in exhilarating races across the country. Formula Repton epitomises what it means to innovate and to be resilient: with each meeting, the team consistently works together to provide creative solutions to problems – a core skill which lies at the heart of the Greenpower initiative. As we ready ourselves for the challenges that certainly will lie ahead, one thing remains certain: Formula Repton will continue to captivate minds, ignite passions, and bring people together as a collaborative force.

Over the course of this year, the team has reached many milestones, proving not only the engineering capabilities of the team but also their commitment and sustainment. From carefully completing the initial build of the car, to fine-tuning every component, the team has left no stone unturned in pursuit of improvement, which we hope will propel us to success in future races. Opportunities to work with RollsRoyce and esteemed institutions like the University of Sheffield have provided us with invaluable insights, guiding the team towards

crafting a cutting-edge aerodynamic package, which we are hoping to apply to the car in the near future. By collaborating and innovating with such establishments, not only have our team members been able to apply professional standards and methodology to our kit car, but we have also gained invaluable insight into the wider world of STEM, which many of us are hoping to pursue beyond Repton.

Looking towards the future, our team has ambitious aspirations: with all eyes set on the International Final scheduled for October, we are raring to showcase the fruits of our labours on a global stage, and hopefully set Repton School as one of the leading participants of the event. Furthermore, we’re looking towards expanding its ranks, inviting more students to join us to help contribute to long-term future projects that we have in store, such as the creation of a scratch-built car. I have always thought that at its core Formula Repton fosters a culture of teamwork and partnership for those within the school who share passions for engineering and motorsport and is truly enriching for anybody that is a part of it. It has been an absolute pleasure for me to be the Team Principal for this year; and I am ever confident that the future for Formula Repton is bright.

Sebastian R (L6P)

43 FEATURES

REFLECTIONS

Sometimes a particular phrase or image we stumble across in a book or magazine affects us deeply.

I like to keep a little book of these and try to surprise my best friend, John Plowright (former Head of History who lives opposite me) with them! We have fun in our chats as I say to him “How’s this one for a good line?”! I am really into my Hollywood stars of yesteryear at the moment. Recently I was moved by a slide show dedicated to Audrey Hepburn with quotations and pictures showing her in her dazzling youth. I don’t know if you’ve seen her in the

film 'Breakfast at Tiffany’s'. Pictures of her take my breath away.

As a child in the Netherlands, Hepburn nearly died of hunger in a country devastated by World War II but was rescued by the UN Refugee programme. Towards the end of her life she was asked about her beauty secrets. She replied: “For lovely eyes seek out the good in people. For a slim figure share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed. Never throw out anybody. The beauty of a woman is not a facial mole. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows.”

I know I’m a long way from seeing beauty that way and from never

throwing anybody out. I could just let these lines pass by me, but as I read them over again, I can’t help but feel a lovely warmth. Something in me responds, bringing me closer to what is good and right, to what’s precious in life. And I want to be more like this woman who has gone so much further than I have and who has treasured that human generosity that is in all of us.

A friend of mine from my school days who is now a Biology teacher rang me and I told him about this quotation from Hepburn. He was a little bit dismissive: “It’s just oxytocin doing its thing in you” he said. “What the heck is oxytocin?” I asked. “It’s the hormone that creates bonds of affection, created by the brain reacting to emotions that make our heart beat faster, and it happens when you are touched by the example of someone we admire”. I am glad he told me that - it explains why I love reading biographies all the time. This love hormone perhaps tells us that it is through our bonds with other people that we get in touch with everything that is good inside of us. I hope you get plenty of oxytocin today as well! What a brilliant hormone.

AJW

1924 A TALE OF TWO MOUNTAINS: GREAT GABLE AND MOUNT EVEREST

George Mallory: “So, if you cannot understand that there is something in man which responds to the challenge of this mountain and goes out to meet it, that the struggle is the struggle of life itself upward and forever upward, then you won’t see why we go. What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy. And joy is, after all, the end of life. We do not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to be able to enjoy life. That is what life means and what life is for.”

June 8th, 1924 is a significant date in any mountain enthusiast's diary; it is the day that George Mallory and Andrew Irvine were last seen alive as they headed towards the summit of Mount Everest. At around 12.50 they were sighted by Noel Odell as two tiny specs moving upwards, before the clouds blew across obscuring them from view and transporting them into folklore. No definitive evidence has ever been found to prove whether they made it to the summit or not, but most members of the hiking community have an opinion on the matter one way or another. Mallory was a private school History teacher, like the writer of this article, so let’s say he made it!

Immediately after the end of the Great war Mallory and Irvine were part of a group of hikers who had climbed Great Gable in the Lake District to re-establish the Fell and Rock Climbing Club (FRCC). The numbers of this club had been greatly diminished by the slaughter of the trenches and many of the rest climbed Great Gable as muchchanged men from those who had climbed it last in the summer of 1914. Mallory himself had seen the horrors of war first hand, having fought in the Battle of the Somme as a part of the 40th Siege Battery. It is often said that his generation sought to live every moment to its fullest in the aftermath of so much death. Perhaps this is what was going through Mallory’s mind on that day as he stood atop Great Gable, one of Lakeland’s greatest fells. He was soon to commit to attempt to climb the ultimate, the world’s highest mountain: Mount Everest.

After previous failed attempts in 1921 and 1922, Mallory set off on the fateful journey with Andrew Irvine in the June of 1924. On the same day that the two men launched their attempt to summit Everest, the surviving members of the FRCC unveiled a plaque on the summit of Great Gable commemorating their members who had died between 1914-19.

According to contemporary accounts, it was a typical British June day: the rain was pouring, and the wind howling, but the weather held off long enough for a short service to take place. Even the rain-soaked flag used during the ceremony had a special symbolic significance: it had flown from the bridge of HMS Barham during the battle of Jutland. At approximately the same moment that the FRCC removed the damp Union Flag from the new memorial, two of their own were on the far side of the world disappearing into the clouds which shrouded the world’s highest peak.

The FRCC did far more than simply unveil a plaque on that day. Following the Great War, they purchased 3000 acres of land in the area and handed the title deeds over to the National Trust to commemorate the lives of those that had died.

Every year on Remembrance Sunday people gather at the memorial on Great Gable to pay respects and remember those who have died in conflicts around the world. It is a beautiful and fitting memorial to a generation of men who risked so much.

JBL

926 REPTON

Something named after our great school is in danger of being forgotten. RGD refuses to let that happen!

In 1962 something very dear to Repton was nearly destroyed. The Southern Railways’ 4-4-0

‘Schools’ Class steam locomotive, number 926 bearing the name Repton was withdrawn from service in favour of new-fangled diesel and electric locomotives. It was scheduled to join the majority of the other trains of its type to be broken down and scrapped.

It was a beautiful loco. Designed by Richard Maunsell in 1930, the Schools Class were said to be the most powerful engine of its type in Europe. They were small, compact and deliberately designed for the tight tunnels of the London Charing Cross to Hastings line. Southern Railway, scenting a publicity opportunity, chose to name the new locomotives after Public Schools in the Southern Region. However, the locomotive proved to be very popular and they soon ran out of local schools. This explains why Repton, not anywhere near the South of England, got an engine. Forty were made in total and Repton (No. 926) rolled out the Eastleigh works in May 1934.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL LOCO

I’m from a steam locomotive-loving family. The sound of steam under pressure moving pistons acted as a lullaby for me as a baby. I have dedicated my professional career to only working in schools important enough to have Schools’ Class locomotive named after them. I’m not alone; many people still get very misty-eyed over the steam era. Is it the heady combination of great beauty and power? Is it simply the ages-old love humans have for fire? Is it that enchanting sound of steam trains as they puff through the countryside? Is it that when a steam

locomotive is in motion you can see how much effort it takes to make it move? Is it that it brings to mind the golden age of travel and the romance associated with it? Would the classic film Brief Encounter have worked at a bus depot? Would Murder on the Orient Express be as popular if set on an Airbus A380?

Steam locomotives, like vinyl records, have some unique romantic property which arouses the senses unlike their more modern replacements. Spotify will never be cooler than vinyl and in the same way steam locomotives quicken the heart when you see them; electric trains aren’t even noticed.

Repton 926 should be scrap metal, but by a miracle it survived. In 1962 as all the Schools’ Class locos were sent for scrap, Repton was one of only four spared. This was because it had had a major service in 1960 and was in good enough condition for it to be rescued. It was bought by an American heritage company. There it could be seen at the Steam Town heritage attraction in Vermont before being sent to the Cape Breton Steam Railway in Canada. In 1989 it was moved again, this time to the North Yorkshire Moors railway in England, to which Repton’s owner had bequeathed it in his will. It is still there today. It has had its boiler refurbished and is currently the only working example of a Schools Class locomotive in the world.

Little survives about 926 in the school archive. We ought to

presume there was a naming ceremony. Southern Railway would often take the loco to the school it was named after so the boys could see it. However, Repton was hundreds of miles from the region. It must also be admitted that Repton School may have been indifferent or even hostile to having its name on an engine. Engine number 923 for example was supposed to be called Uppingham, but Uppingham School objected and it was re-named Bradfield instead. There is no record of any naming ceremony of Repton in the archives.

Repton School did receive a ceremonial name plate and official photograph of ‘our’ loco, but again it seems the school was indifferent. In some schools the photo and name plate were proudly on display in the library or the Technology workshops. At Repton the photograph, a magnificent thing, is currently in the archives, unseen by most. The name plate was last seen by the author in a box in a boarding house and is currently missing.

WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT OUR LOCO SURVIVES

We are very lucky that our loco survives and in October 2017 when it was fully restored a delegation from Repton was sent to see it. The School Chaplain at the time, Fr Neil Roberts, blessed the locomotive, and then the party travelled in style all the way along the heritage line from Pickering to Grosmont.

Repton is still running on the line and if you are ever in the vicinity of the North Yorkshire Moors I encourage you to go and see her in action.

RGD

IDENTITY IDENTITY

HOW DOES A MIXED CULTURAL IDENTITY COMPLICATE THE CONCEPT OF HOME?

Home. A simple concept; a unified, singular place. A place of comfort, family and belonging.

Yet for many with a complex cultural identity, such a neat and tidy summation of these complex sentiments is simply not possible. Often these aspects of ‘home’ are entirely separate and distant from each other, with many torn between them; trapped in an agonising state of isolation.

This unification of the concepts that constitute home is not only difficult and complex, but often impossible; leading to a complete absence of home and comfort in the lives of those affected.

Whilst 2.7% of the United Kingdom identify as mixed or multiple ethnicities, this is not merely an issue of race, but rather of culture and environment.

A refugee from a war-torn country. An expat returning home. An immigrant doctor looking to advance their career. International students at a boarding school.

All these people, despite their varied and rich lives may struggle to quantify the concept of home, with friends, family and work potentially straddling various countries if not continents. They may wish to unify them; to simplify their confusing identity, yet this hope is futile and deeply saddening.

Whilst others may feel entirely, wholly and completely comfortable and accepted in a single location, for some this acceptance is impossible to ever achieve –shunned in their new country, shunned in their old one, shunned everywhere in between.

So why should people be forced to diminish the vibrancy of their home, of their identity to conform to an excessively simple set of constraints?

As a matter of fact, there is something beautiful about a fragmented home, about having nuggets of comfort stored in different locations around the globe, about a varied and rich sense of home. Home is identity and identity is home; so, in the same way we would not force someone to reject an integral part of their identity, we cannot expect someone to conform their view of home to our view of home.

Simplicity is not necessarily beauty. It is merely the result of limiting restrictions; whilst the idea of home as a simple concept may appeal to some, it is not the only manner in which home can be appreciated, with complexity also being equally attractive to others. A single person’s various homes could be so far flung that they compose a vibrant, varied, global mixture of cultures, all combining to produce a truly unique identity. What could be more interesting than this?

There is something natural about mixtures – they are a ridiculously common occurrence and achieve a beauty simply impossible without them. The air we breathe, vibrant colours, delectable foods; these are all the products of combinations, and all enrich our otherwise dull, plain, spartan lives.

Home. A simple concept; a unified, singular place. A place of comfort, family and belonging.

Home. A complex concept; various, separate places. Still places of comfort, family and belonging.

Fisayo A (11N)

1947. SOMEWHERE VERY FAR AWAY, A PAPER WAS SIGNED

‘My home was gone. My house, my farm, my village – they were all still there, but they could no longer be my home. They weren’t allowed to be my home anymore. I couldn’t understand it. Truly, how much could a thirteen-year-old girl understand about what goes on in their grandiose buildings? But none of us did. All of a sudden, my friends turned away from me. I wasn’t allowed to go over for dinner anymore; even my parents told me to stay away – all over differences in religion? It was all too stupid, too absurd, to be true, I thought, and yet there we were frantically packing whatever possessions we could carry on our backs. We were given twentyfour hours to move out of our homes, that were no longer ours. I didn’t want to think of what would happen if we didn’t get out in time, although secretly I knew. ‘Valuables in the cart first’ – we all climbed in, pulling our material possessions behind us, and slowly watched as the life we knew got smaller and meeker with every bit of distance put in between us. Our dog ran after us for miles – the poor thing never gave up. Such love, such devotion, such determination followed us until he physically could not. He ran on and on until it was too dangerous for him to take another

step. Never mind – he planned to try again later. It was that sort of sweet innocence that I missed the most. My devotion had already been ripped away from me – I could not simply ‘try again later’. No, there was no coming back. Running for miles would only do more harm. I had already been physically barred, so I sit still and wait. I wait to arrive at the train station; I wait for a train to come; I wait for something to come and steal me away from a life now considered a danger to me. The train comes after what feels like years off my life that I will never get back, and I sit down with my uncle – my beloved uncle, someone who has always kept me safe, and someone who always will. I expected to be scared. After all, I had never been outside the village, and who knew what went beyond the station? What I did not expect was what I’d be afraid of. The raid lasted around two hours. The train stopped, and we were very still. Then the gunshots came. My uncle grabbed me and threw me on the floor. ‘Play dead’, he whispered, and he threw himself over me. We lay like that for hours, as gradually more people joined us on the train floor. Even with my eyes closed, I could see the death happening. Once they were duly satisfied, the train started up again and we were back on route to my new life.

My life is different now – I flew to England when I was twenty-one. I’m married, and together we have built a new home. I missed what used to be my motherland, but it isn’t my motherland anymore. It hasn’t been for a long time, but I have learnt how to make do.’

1947. Somewhere very far away, a paper was signed. A couple of hundred miles away, my grandmother, aged fourteen, and thousands like her were ripped from their lives. So, who do these documents really affect?

Tea U (L6M)

MEMORY

Pride is important, and pride in your nation, I feel, is paramount. This can manifest itself in so many positive ways, driving policy in government and social justice improvements in many countries. Over the years, however, it has brought out the very best in people, and the very worst. One could only look to national hero Winston Churchill as the embodiment of what it means to be British. When the going got tough, he got going, showing true British grit and a simple refusal to fail his country in its hour of need. But having a dual identity means that I cannot simply attribute my national pride just to England. Zimbabwe is the homeland of my parents, and, by proxy, I adopt some of their strong sense of national pride. It seems baffling that a country with some of the most abundant mineral resources in all of Africa, including gold, diamonds, copper and nickel, with significant potential for solar, hydro, and geothermal renewable energy, can suffer from so many different issues, socially, politically, and economically. One simply must ask why. Usually, to find answers about the complexities of the present, a good place to start looking is the past.

A country that has never seemed to outrun its past, Zimbabwe’s present is inextricably linked to its history. It is difficult to have a strong sense of pride in your country when the decisions regarding it weren’t made around a table to which you were invited. These decisions are what can infrastructurally limit a country due to the exploitative nature of Rhodesian rule. My grandparents grew up and lived through this Zimbabwe and it would be fair to say that it, if anything, they felt stronger links to their country as the native inhabitants. It is unfortunate that the changing of power is never smooth. For Zimbabweans, the road to freedom was long, bloody, and

difficult. Therefore, once power was achieved, letting go for the good of the country became the other challenge. This is unsurprising, considering how we fought so hard for so long. Since learning about them in History, I have found that counterfactuals are an interesting historical exercise. They discuss the ‘what if’s’ in history. To understand what did happen, it can be useful to conjecture on what might have happened or what didn’t happen. Perhaps there is a case to be made that the complexion of Zimbabwe would look vastly different had independence been sanction in the 1940s.

In situations like Zimbabwe’s, most look for a culprit, an entity to blame. For me, that is far too simplistic a world view. There is no use in blaming the past for the present. In my opinion, the purpose of history is purely educational: we must learn and never repeat. But there is no benefit in looking backwards resentfully.

The notion of home and memory will, understandably, mean something a little different to everyone. For those with a dual identity, the word ‘home’ is multifaceted. It means two places, or one more than the other, or perhaps none. For me, it means reconciling my British and Zimbabwean identities and accepting that they can coexist peacefully within me. There is an undeniable sense of nostalgia that I get when flying home to Zimbabwe. I feel a deep sense of pride knowing that power in my country has changed hands so many times and still, at a very base level, its roots have remained the same. My culture has survived, my history has survived, my country has survived.

Bella C (L6G)

SHOULD THE UK REJOIN THE EU?

The discussion that formed a divide at the dinner tableshould we have left the EU? Two Repton students give their opinions on our relationship with the European Union.

Brexit was a mistake

Although I now accept that Brexit has happened, there is no denying that as a result of it, the UK has inevitably experienced higher prices, higher insurance costs, increased inflation, delays at borders… Many would debate as to whether we have "got Brexit done", or simply "got it out of the way?" Security, jobs and the economy are just some of the aspects that will be discussed in this article; an article which will hopefully clarify the mess that Britain finds itself in.

I will start by comparing what life was like before Brexit. Prior to the chaos that ensued from the 2016 general election, British citizens had the right to freedom of movement, which enabled us to visit, live, work or study in an EU state without needing a visa. We were able to claim a right to citizenship in an EU country, as a worker or as a student,

due to the terms underlined by the EU free movement laws.

The UK's economic growth was expected to rise by 5% annually.

Official figures have shown that its economy was alone among G7 countries in having shrunk in 2023.

Yes, sovereignty has been established, but has that created a single job? No - by June 2022, there was a shortfall of 460,000 EU workers, due to the post-Brexit immigration system making it harder for those without qualifications to move to the UK for work. The overall effects of our poor decision are succinctly shown by a quote from GOV.SCOT:

"Brexit means Scotland has now left the world's biggest single market and no longer enjoys freedom of movement, resulting

in labour shortages across the NHS, agriculture, and our hospitality sector."

The economy has arguably been the most negatively-impacted factor when it comes to the decision to undergo Brexit. The EU is by far the UK's biggest trading partner, buying 44% of everything we sell abroad. When remaining inside the EU still seemed credible, we were guaranteed full access to its Single Market. By leaving, we have created uncertainty and risk. The economy of the EU's Single Market is over five times greater than ours, making it easier and cheaper for UK companies to sell their products outside the UK: a win-win situation, considering this creates jobs as a result.

It could be argued that Brexit did not affect employment rates as much as presumed; Britain has the potential

to flourish just as the Scandinavian countries who are also outside the EU. How many Scandinavian workers have strong ties to the EU? We have 3 million. These jobs how now been plunged into precariousness, as businesses are less likely to invest in them now that our country is outside Europe. This is not to say that other businesses don't suffer; the British business community has been dealing similarly with the ones in the EU concerning higher energy prices and disrupted supply chains. However, we have had further challenges, having to adapt to new trade rules from Brexit. Such examples of these are new border controls and immigration restrictions the result of OUR choices.

Nigel Farage is a British broadcaster and occasional politician who strongly advocated for leaving the EU, claiming it would "solve immigration." Both Farage and his supporters argued that Britain cannot control immigration until it leaves the EU, because freedom of movement gives other EU citizens an automatic right to live here. I would argue that leaving has not solved the migration crisis, but only made it more prevalent in the UK, because border controls from the continent have moved from Calais to Dover. In 2022, long-term immigration into the UK was around 1.2 million - an enormous rise of over 220,000 compared with 2021 figures.

To add on to the long list of factors that have made our lives harder thanks to Brexit is the new outlook on travel, or shall I say, restricted travel. A short side-track: I visit Romania often, and often, there have been no issues. However, the last time I travelled there, which just so happened to be after Brexit was fully enacted, we were subject to far more frequent passport and security checks, separate queues, a sense of hostility… coincidence? Let me look into this. We were told by one of the security officers at

the Henri Coandā International Airport that it is far more difficult for us to enter the country now that we have left the European Union. Brexit has, fundamentally, brought an end to the right to "free movement" between the UK and the EU. Air travel has become far more expensive, (no more in-flight meals unless it's trans-Atlantic!), we need visas, and who could forget the longer passport queues? These may sound like minor blemishes in our travel, but a significant amount of people have experienced serious issues. Hundreds of thousands of applicants have been caught in a backlog, and there have been problems in securing rights for family members. Meanwhile, many have complained of difficulties proving their status as the digitalonly scheme issues no physical documents.

I think I first heard the term "Brexit regret" coined by David Cameron himself, in an article published in 2019, in which he said that "I didn't prevail, that we could've fought perhaps a better campaign, we could have conducted perhaps a better negotiation — perhaps the timing wasn't right…" What this says to me, however, is that this poorly made decision could have been prevented. According to a YouGov poll in 2023, about 57 percent of Britons tell the pollsters the decision to leave the EU in 2016 was the wrong one. In spite of that, there are still plenty who believe that Brexit was the right decision, claiming that since 2021 the UK has been free to pursue an independent trade policy. However, there has currently been no trade deal with the USA, and the only deals signed with non-EU countries have been "roll-over" EU agreements with those nations, which the UK benefited from as a former EU member.

Some reports even said that the chaos that has ensued in Britain began before we actually left the EU. With that being said, Brexit

drastically increased the problems that we face; the fall of the pound in the wake of the British referendum would not be felt so sorely by our country had inflation been more under check.

It is worth mentioning that poor execution of Brexit should not be the scapegoat for all our problems. After all, who could forget COVID-19, and the hiking prices it brought along with it due to short supply of goods and high demand. Not to mention the war in Ukraine, and our shortage of workers, which, ironically, leads back to Brexit. Yet it would be naïve to think that leaving the EU has benefited us in the slightest. Those who voted leave may argue that by exiting the EU, the UK is now able to diversify its international links and major trade deals with global powers such as India or China, because our links with the EU are holding back our focus on emerging markets. Let us not forget, however, that 44% of Britain's exports go to other European countries - the word counterproductive certainly comes to mind when we envision the barriers that we have put up between us and our current trade partners.

How could we have made such a profound decision on such a split topic? This not only emphasises the failures of arbitrary referenda but raises the question as to whether we could have waited for a more decisive result. The EU does naturally have flaws, such as the slow and complex nature of decision-making due to involvement of multiple institutions and states, and clearly needs to be reformed and reimagined. Nevertheless, in the opinions of myself and many others, Brexit isn't done and dusted - it has only made life a lot harder.

Elektra S (L6A)

Brexit is an opportunity and there is no going back.

When I first sat down to write this article I was stumped; how could I argue that Brexit, a referendum that has had seemingly little to no benefit for the country, be seen as a good thing? But having undertaken research on this topic, I feel that although Brexit may be to blame for several problems we are experiencing, I still believe that it does present our nation will many possibilities and that rejoining the EU is, in my opinion, not a viable option.

We should firstly deal with the idea that re-joining the EU is somehow preferable to our current situation. Referenda are a form of direct democracy that allows individuals to vote on significant issues facing the country. The first issue with the proposal of rejoining the EU is that it goes against the result of a democratic referendum. Rejoining would undermine the 52% that voted to leave the EU, invalidating the whole purpose of a referendum. Referenda are by their very nature rare, and can only be called in certain unique circumstances. A second referendum at this point would be undemocratic and poses the risk of ridiculing the whole purpose of referenda to only be held on momentous occasions, and not repeated every 5 minutes when those who lost perceive that something has “changed”.

According to certain recent polls, 60% of people are of the opinion that Brexit was a mistake, and that if given the opportunity to answer the same question as in 2016, more

would vote to remain. Rejoining is not the same as going back to 2016 and voting remain in hindsight. A 56% majority for remain currently exists, yet this is not relevant when considering the debate for the situation now.

This desire to rejoin is closely tied to the state of the country: the 2023 cost-of-living crisis left the average citizen being nearly £2,000 worse off, and the average Londoner nearly £3,400 worse off, with many blaming Brexit for this. Yet only 10% consider Brexit to be a pressing issue. In 2019 Brexit was the hot topic for public debate but has moved to the back burner since. Indeed, how much of our current national malaise can truly be blamed simply on Brexit? Surely Brexit didn’t inspire the Kremlin to escalate its war inside Ukraine two years ago? This event, and the closing off of Russian pipelines into Europe is surely the root cause of the cost-of-living crisis. Equally, COVID-19 also impacted on the EU, which also faces the same demographic problems as we do and with low rates of economic growth. Now that Britain is out of the EU’s common market we can sign, and are signing, free trade agreements with the fastest growing economies on earth. Surely, this process should be given time and not dismissed as a failure less than four years after we left the bloc?

COVID-19 was the new focus in 2020, a global pandemic that forced lockdowns and a digital life. Now in 2024, only eight years after the Brexit referendum, having faced a

global pandemic and war in Ukraine, Afghanistan and Gaza, has Brexit really been given a chance? People have been quick to blame Brexit for the state of the UK economy but seem to forget the unforeseen circumstances in which we have been left to judge the supposed effects of Brexit. No one could predict that three years after the referendum we would be told to stay at home in response to an epoch-defining manmade disaster. Perhaps rejoining would be a hasty, unconsidered decision given that there has not been a sustained period of normality to allow the results of Brexit to truly become apparent. Indeed, only after a short period, the government has begun to tidy up our relationships with the rest of Europe in agreements such as the one Rishi Sunak signed at Windsor over the issue of the Northern Ireland border. The troubles have not restarted, therefore, because of Brexit and neither has Scottish independence become inevitable; surely this is readily apparent after we witnessed the recent implosion of the SNP? Both things were predicted by many. "Brexit means the end of the union" it was declared! Well, not yet it hasn’t!

With the upcoming General election this July, we are seeing first-hand political parties vying for power with their various policies, National Service being an example of Sunak’s vision (the merits of this is a debate for another day!). To expect any party to invest a huge amount of

EU despite his lead in the polls, demonstrating how no politician no matter how secure they are is willing to risk igniting the volatile issue that is our EU membership (or lack thereof!). Moreover, government spending is already stretched trying to tackle a NHS left in tatters by COVID-19. To abandon plans to rebuild the NHS and hold a second referendum instead could be viewed as political suicide.

this issue is clearly in a state of flux and a result to return us to the EU fold cannot be guaranteed either now or in the foreseeable future.

If then if by some miracle we reached a position where a second referendum had been held and to rejoin was the outcome, the EU would still have to accept the UK back into the fold, and given the terms upon which we left and that EU standards are no longer upheld in the UK, this seems unlikely.

to say the issue would be contained? You may think Brexit was a bad idea, but rejoining the EU is currently, in my opinion, not realistic.

Beth P (L6F)

Change in views of REPTONIANS

At the start of the Michaelmas Term, I was discussing how times had changed at Repton since Mr Exley, my Housemaster and Economics teacher, was here as a boy in The Priory. In a moment of intrigue, and as a very engaged historian, I considered doing a bit more digging and managed to come across, with Mr Exley’s help, a very insightful survey from the 1969 Reptonian of roughly 150 pupils (all of whom were boys at the time) that would provide some empirical data to compare with modern times. What immediately struck me was the extremely high numbers of people who drank alcohol, especially considering many Reptonians at the time were well under the legal drinking age. All this data had me enticed to see if I was just out of touch with my peers or if society really had changed as much as this survey led me to believe.

Consequently, I carried out a survey of 266 pupils asking multiple questions that were copies of the questions asked in the previous edition to get some hard data, as well as some different questions I felt were now relevant, such as “I know what it means to be a Reptonian in 2024”.

The comparison in some key questions such as believing in God, drinking alcohol, distance from home to school, compulsory worship and patriotism provided some surprising results. What may be the most surprising is that despite the fall of 13% since 1969, 47% believed in God, roughly 25% more than the national average of teenagers. Furthermore, although not a surprise, the number was smaller than in 1969, the majority now doesn’t drink alcohol when given the chance which highlighted what has been perceived to be true:

teenagers are far less indulgent in alcohol than they were previously in generations before this one. The fall of nearly 40% is one of the biggest indicators, although on a micro level, of a large societal move away from a perhaps commonly held perception that British society has a profound drinking culture.

Furthermore, consistently bucking the trend as Reptonians have a habit of doing, 72% answered saying they were patriotic, a rise of 1% since 1969. Once again, despite the fact society may be leaning away from the feeling of patriotism, Repton is still firmly an upholder of pride in Britain and what it means to be British in 2024.

To see that although nearly half the pupil body sees themselves as Godbelieving, only 14% saw compulsory worship to be a good thing, thus highlighting a clear fall in popularity

of one of the staple pieces of the Repton week, although it may well be inferred that this is likely to do with the ‘early’ 10am service on a Sunday, rather than the disliking of Chapel and worship altogether.

Finally, the clear change in the locality of Reptonians, with previously only 36% of Reptonians living within 50 miles but now it is over 60%. There are a multitude of factors that will have caused this; however, a main one may well be that the percentage of the pupil body that are day pupils has increased significantly.

I would like to just finish by acknowledging two things. One is a question previously mentioned, “I know what it means to be a Reptonian in 2024” was answered with an overwhelming majority indicating “yes”, at 88% suggesting this. I would argue that this may not be the case for everyone, as ultimately to be a Reptonian nowadays isn’t one concrete thing, despite the guidance of what the school itself sees this to be, highlighted in its “Values”. Ultimately, my perception will be different to my friends which will differ from teachers etc. However, the key

takeaway that can be drawn from this is that if nearly 90% feel they know what it means, they are likely to be upholding some of Repton’s key values, such as Excellence, Truth and Wholeness, and, simply put, that’s a very good thing. In a modern world where it can often be forgotten to stand for something and to have values, this highlights an overwhelmingly positive aspect of a Repton education which is that pupils that leave Repton have a good understanding of what it means to be a good person and have adopted a few of the Repton values; and if these are maintained it will stand one in good stead for life.

Finally, credit has to be given where credit is due and the fact that 93% of Reptonians like the school is a monumental achievement, especially in comparison with data across the country with only 66% of 13–18-year-olds answering the same way. Ultimately, this is a sign of what we all feel to be fundamentally true: Repton is a place filled with happy and enthused teenagers who thoroughly enjoy their education.

Robbie J (L6P)

REPTON IS A PLACE FILLED WITH HAPPY AND ENTHUSED TEENAGERS WHO THOROUGHLY ENJOY THEIR EDUCATION

DYST

Utopia is defined as "an imagined state or place in which everything is perfect", whereas dystopia is "an imagined state or society in which there is great suffering or injustice, typically on that is totalitarian or post-apocalyptic." Notice the difference in focus on area, as opposed to society.

Both utopias and dystopias share characteristics of science fiction and fantasy, and both are usually set in a future in which technology has been used to create 'perfect' living conditions.

Yet I strive to look at the polar opposite. My argument is that within every utopia, there is in fact a little dystopia, furtively hidden away for the 'benefit' of society.

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin was published between 1920-21, and is highly regarded as being the first novel to explore dystopian ideas. Although written by a Russian novelist, We could only be published abroad; many would argue that the purposeful prevention of this book first circulating in

as individualism vs collectivism, and repression of desire, the novel focuses on the use of surveillance as a means of carrying out coercive control of the population. Does it surprise you that this typically dystopian trope is present today? In the UK, there is one CCTV camera on average for every 11 people. We are likely to be captured on CCTV footage up to 70 times a day. 70. Who is watching us? The school, employers, or the government? Well, the Human Rights Act ensures that we have a right to privacy, be it in the workplace or out shopping, and so the footage is not strictly allowed to circulate. Yet should we have CCTV cameras in the first place? That opens up a whole other debate…

Thomas Moore wrote 'Utopia' in 1516, describing a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean; it is a satire on the state of England at that time. At its heart, the book poses the question of whether there could ever be such a thing as a 'perfect' world and served as a platform to highlight the chaos of current European politics. The overarching theme throughout

the book is the ideal nature of an utopian society. In the Utopia, there is no greed, corruption, or power struggles due to the fact that there is no money or private property. There is very little hierarchy and everything is held in common where everyone's needs are supplied. English philosopher John Mill coined 'Dystopia' in 1868 while denouncing the government's Irish land policy; he was inspired by More's writing on Utopia. The fact that utopia was coined first and dystopia derived from it highlights how they are one and the same in ideology; everyone is made to believe that all is good in utopias, and the opposite goes for dystopias… Though we know that one is to coercively control people, can the same be said for the other? Typical utopias follow communist ideas of no property ownership or economical hierarchy, and everyone is viewed as equal. There are no rules, but surely there must be someone, or something, that silently rules everyone to ensure that this state of tranquillity ensues? Utopias are fundamentally dystopias, because there can be no perfect society in life. We need suffering and oppression in order to experience the good that the world has to offer, as otherwise we wouldn't know the difference.

Many would suggest that we are currently living in a dystopian world.

In 2023, our global emissions are reaching record levels, our coral reefs are dying, sea levels are rising. Climate change is one of the defining issues of out time; we are arguably inhabiting an eco-dystopia. Refer this to the post-apocalyptic world in which a father and son must precariously traverse along in Cormac McCarthy's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel 'The Road', and we have an unparalleled comparison of what the future will most likely look like.

What about us being a utopia then? My proposal is that these two unlikely synonyms merge within our own consciousness as a result of propaganda and indoctrination, and not necessarily our surroundings. D-503 is the narrator and protagonist of 'We', which is the resultant compilation of his carefully composed records or journal entries. He is a mathematician and rocket engineer, and the lead designer of a rocket called the Integral. In the beginning of We, D-503 is obedient to the One State's authoritarian rule, firmly believing in the goodwill of the Party and its incredible abilities of timemanagement through the 'Table Of Hours'. This documents people's every move, heavily scrutinised under the watchful eye of The Benefactor. By believing that he is living in a utopia, this lends credibility to the idea that

people living in a hypothetically perfect world are conditioned to live that way. The numeric titles used to label everyone has arbitrarily removed the right to individualism, and has thus made everyone equal. One can never succeed and become better when one is dragged back under the stateauthorised equality enforcement.

What of the relation with politics? In school, we have been taught that the line connecting Marxism and Fascism is straight, in an unparalleled manner. However, I would argue that it is round, like a horseshoe; as we have seen throughout history, dictators tend to authorise each end of the spectrum.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood creates a dystopia by placing restrictions on the individual's freedom, using propaganda to control its citizens, and by having the women of Gilead live in dehumanised ways. The clearest examples are the Handmaids themselves, who must suffer under the state-condoned rape of the regime as part of the 'greater good' - the ending of their fertility crisis. The women are told that they have lost their 'freedom

civilians to believe in their newfound opportunities by secretly masking up everything that has been taken away from them. If evils were eradicated, then what would count as an evil? Where would good lie in all of this if it is our only experience? What, for that matter, is good?

Margaret Atwood reflected that The Handmaid's Tale was written as a warning - if political ideologies surpass the point of extreme indoctrination and implementation, then society itself will implode into a totalitarian dictatorship. Nonetheless, there are those who may think that Gilead is a utopia, such as the Commanders at the top of the social hierarchy; we know that these views are held by a small minority of extremists in today's world, as Atwood wrote the book with every dystopian detail being reflective of something that has been prevalent in history before.

Both realms, of apparent good and apparent hidden good, exaggerated to a fictitious manner, dispute on what the world could be like if tyrannical people in power make wrong decisions, or step down, and allow a society governed for the people, of the people, by the people,

OPIA

How are past, present, and future fears reflected in dystopian literature?

Literature can be defined as ‘writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest’. But what exactly does this mean?

One of the main outlets for concerns including that of the environment, political, social, or economic state, is writing and literature, a theme that is reflected within many literary dystopias.

George Orwell’s famous dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949) is considered a cautionary tale against totalitarian rule, inspired by the rise of Nazi Germany and Communist Russia through which Orwell himself lived through. His hatred of authoritarianism was borne out of his first hand experience in the Spanish Civil war of 1936, leading him to write politically charged novels such as Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four. These concerns over democracy are reflected in other novels…

against alleged communists. This breach of liberty, fearmongering and destruction of innocent people’s lives no doubt inspired Bradbury to create a world in which freedom of speech is prohibited.

Inspired by Orwell and carrying on the tradition of political dystopias, Margaret Atwood wrote her renowned novel The Handmaid’s Tale (1985) in which women are subjugated and raped at the hands of the Commanders. Atwood herself

Another of the well-known dystopian novels is Fahrenheit 451 (1953) by Ray Bradbury, exploring a world of book burning and state censorship. With the memory of the Nazis fresh, like Orwell, Bradbury imagines a world of control through the removal of information and the all-encompassing ‘Parlor Walls’ acting to placate the population. As well as being concerned with the technological developments of the 1950s and the emergence of the Arms Race in the Cold War, one of Bradbury’s main sources of inspiration was the rise of McCarthyism in the 1950s. In his crusade against communism, McCarthy conducted hearings

expresses 'I wanted to try a dystopia from the female point of view – the world according to Julia, as it were', inspired both by the androcentrism in previous dystopian novels and the world events of the 1980s when the novel was published. Following the election of Margaret Thatcher in Britain and Ronald Reagan in the United States, Atwood wrote her dystopian satire to exemplify the consequences of removing women’s rights, which had been fought for in the 1960s and 70s. Many of the improvements to women’s rights are reversed in The Handmaid’s Tale including the successes of

the 1970s with legalised abortion and access to contraception in the US. As well as concerns over political rights, Atwood highlights environmental disaster as a key contributor in creating this dystopian world. The Handmaid’s Tale seems to encompass many fears in the climate of the 1980s, and in its historical context, it is truly terrifying. Atwood herself explains ‘nothing went into it that had not happened in real life somewhere at some time’. This is still prescient almost 40 years after the publication of The Handmaid’s Tale with the overturn of Roe v Wade in 2022, denying many women in the US the right to abortion. Which begs the question… do we live in a dystopian world?...

Cormac McCarthy’s The Road (2006) illustrates a postapocalyptic environment in which a man and son journey to safety. Through the lens of the climate crisis and global warming, The Road can be interpreted as an exploration of the consequences of such environmental collapse and the impact this would have on society. Although it is suggested that this apocalypse was the result of a nuclear disaster, today it could be seen as a warning of impending environmental disasters.

Dystopian novels have a long history of reflecting the concerns of generations. Through the decades, dystopias can be characterised by key themes and ideas, a reflection of society at that moment in time as well as often being a forewarning of the future.

Poppy M (L6F)

59 DRAMA

CAT HAT IN THE DR SEUSS'S

PAGE TO STAGE

Becoming the Cat in the Summer term Drama production of ‘Dr Seuss’s The Cat in The Hat’ was probably one of the more challenging characters I’ve ever had to play to date.

No amount of mental imagery can prepare you for the whacky rhyming, miming and utterly bonkers script taken from Dr Seuss’ novel. The props were endless and all homemade, and Mrs Goodhead worked her magic with the costumes, ultimately, bringing the drawings from the world of Dr Seuss to life. Mr Cooper-Richards consistently produces quality productions for every age group, but this one was particularly successful with the younger years.

I had to hold myself as a poised, crafty character, step lightly on the balls of my feet and sort of sachay across the stage to convey a clever cat. A young boy shouted out my line and cut me off, finishing my line before me, and the Cat had to react to it, not Zara. This went against my nature as I was no longer acting as somebody else, I was acting as an entirely different animal.

Having primary school pupils stare and marvel at you, when you're just a phony in nylon and face paint (and extremely large false eyelashes)

was the most rewarding thing I’ve experienced in my time in drama. Young girls telling me they wanted to be like me, and boys telling me how they starred as Joseph in their own nativity play, reminded me that drama means so much to so many people. Whilst I may have made Mr Page’s daughter cry, I hope I inspired a new generation of thespians to create drama and relish their own talent.

‘Dr Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat ’ may not be everyone’s favourite play but for me, starring in a play and being able to show my family and friends something we worked on for hours at a time, gave me a sense of pride and self-confidence I don’t think that I could find anywhere else.

Drama is a small community but a corner of the world where you are welcome, valued and supported, especially here at Repton.

Zara E (10G)

Before the cast of ‘Dr Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat ’ had even begun to learn their lines, the technical team were underway taking the drawings from the original Dr Seuss books and working out a way to design the set to be as in-keeping with the books as possible. With the approval of Mr Cooper-Richards, some of the team began to build the set. Whilst this was going on, myself and Frasier S began work on setting up the lighting rig and sound effects for the play. This involved lowering all of the bars on the stage (by hand because our drill had broken, which was very painful!) and clipping lights onto the bars before running data cables and power to each of the lights, making sure all the lamps/ LEDs were still in working order and

doing a full rig-check before putting all the bars back up. We then went through all the sound effects to be played throughout the duration of the play and ensured that the audio levels on these were all set correctly, and they were all timed up, making our lives easier on the night. Our final big task before the show was to program up the lights. By this time the cast were often on stage and almost show ready as we needed to know the locations of characters to ensure they were lit throughout the play. Once we had setup our general washes of light over the cast, we went back through the script later when the cast weren’t there and added in the colour and additional lighting onto pieces of set for added emphasis. After this had been

programmed up onto the lighting desk, we did a final run through checking all the cues, adding in automation as we saw fit within the script to ensure smooth running on the night. This was my first time on the technical team at Repton and I have since gone on to provide technical support for subsequent shows, including: ‘Disney’s High School Musical,’ ‘The Crucible’ and the teachers play, ‘Pedants.’ The skills I have learnt working in the theatre have since been transferred to supporting music events over the road at Pears School, where I have provided the lighting for Rock-It and the Gala Concert.

Jonathan B (11L)

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

Playing the role of Troy Bolton in this year’s production of ‘Disney’s High School Musical’ was something that I now look back on as an experience that really pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to be prepared and organised with my work towards the play.

Although playing such a role is nerve-racking, I felt the best way to challenge these nerves when performing on the night was simply being prepared. I looked to find methods for learning lines that worked best for me and to be focused in rehearsals. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in ‘High School Musical’, and I felt that my teachers and fellow actors really helped me to give my best performance.

The amount of work that goes on behind the scenes must not go unrecognised. As these are some of the people who put the most work in for the productions and without them, everyone in the production, including myself, would quite simply be unable to go on with the show. Being cast as Troy Bolton was a big responsibility for me, and although the performances were very tiring, the rewarding feeling and pride to see something you’ve worked on for so long with so many

people come to life is amazing. One of my favourite aspects was getting to work with an amazing group of people, especially other principal parts, as everyone was very dedicated and fun to work with, which was reflected on stage each the night. After the success of ‘High School Musical’, I look forward to working on the next musical in my Upper Sixth year.

Henry W (L6S)

How is the message of Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’ relevant to an audience today?

Few theatrical works maintain their relevance across generations quite like Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’, owing this to its ability to draw unnerving parallels between its setting of the Salem Witch Trials and the ‘Red Scare’ induced by McCarthyism. Despite its clear allegorical purpose, it continues to resonate with audiences nowadays due to its salient themes of hysteria, injustice, and abuses of power. Today, ‘The Crucible’ serves as a litmus test for mass hysteria and provides an important lesson on how it can lead to intolerant, illogical and inhumane behaviour from even the most pragmatic individual.

One of the more palpable connections ‘The Crucible’ draws with the contemporary audience is the rise of demagoguery. Abigail Williams (played by Lottie W) takes up the mantle of a demagogue who preys on people’s

suspicious nature, thriving in a climate of fear and mistrust to gain her desired outcome, the affections of the married John Proctor (played by Leyton W). Consider Act 2 in which the innocent Elizabeth Proctor (portrayed by Beth P) is accused of witchcraft by Abigail, along with 16 other innocent individuals. She understands that those accused will then accuse more innocent people, creating a vicious cycle of accusation. Miller uses Abigail here to demonstrate how willingly she will maliciously ruin lives for her singular selfish desire. I first look back to Donald Trump using his platform to unsettle American democratic values to their core with his distrust of the 2020 Presidential Election. This figure of immense power

and influence called into question America's electoral integrity, using this melting pot of anger, fear, and distrust to incite the storming of Capitol Hill.

Social media has proven to be an untameable beast with regards to the rise of ‘cancel culture’ created by hysteria. ‘The Crucible’ refers to the mob mentality and its effect in concealing good reason and truth, preferring to vilify individuals based on unverified accusations and misinformation. This is perfectly demonstrated by the mirroring scene in Act 3 in which Abigail accuses Mary Warren, played by Zara E, of witchcraft in the courtroom. Abigail initiates, and the other girls follow. In the age of social media, this occurs on a mass scale

where it relies on swift judgement and condemnation, with no regard for due process. The speed at which public opinion changes is reflected in the play with a chilling echo.

Arthur Miller said: ‘I can almost tell what the political situation in a country is when the play is suddenly a hit there – it is either a warning of tyranny on the way or a reminder of tyranny just past.’ From a literary perspective, Miller’s play successfully stands the test of time. As a social and political commentary, it is much more concerning how eerily similar the present is to ‘The Crucible’ and that the message of guarding against mass fear and intolerance seems to have not been received.

Bella C (L6G)

Performing

the lead role in a Repton Drama play was a dream of mine as soon as I saw the magnificent 400 Hall Theatre when I visited the school, and I set it as one of my main goals to accomplish during my time here.

I was therefore delighted to be cast in the role of Abigail in the Lent Term production of Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’. This opportunity is one of the best experiences Repton has provided me, not only as it has allowed me to showcase my skills as a performer but also it has enhanced my love for the theatre. Having watched the National Theatre production of ‘The Crucible’ the year before, it was such an honour to perform the role of Abigail, and I feel it has really allowed me to further refine my skills as an actor, whilst also pushing me personally in a myriad of ways. Intensive rehearsals began at the start of the Lent Term, and despite having to work quickly, I thoroughly enjoyed every second. Before the rehearsals began, I was extremely nervous about playing a lead role, but once they started,

the journey from page to stage was an amazing experience. Early on, I was also worried about playing such a challenging role, especially one that I knew was going to have to take myself outside of my comfort zone and required me to fully commit to everything that was being asked of me in creating truth of character. I have struggled with nerves previously, for fear of judgement from others. However with thanks to the support from Mr Cooper-Richards, Mrs Whitfield and Miss Oseman, as well as the other members of the cast, I was able to overcome these fears and felt safe to take risks when creating theatre. In rehearsals we would block scenes, and learn the meaning behind each line of dialogue, so that an audience would really believe the characters and their relationships within the

narrative. Undoubtedly, the most gratifying aspect of this experience was in performing the role on stage to a live audience.

I feel extremely lucky to have worked with such a dedicated and talented cast of people and, although terrifying, once you stepped onto stage it was such a great feeling to work with, and to perform alongside others.

Being involved in drama has helped me to form friendships that I know will last way beyond my time at Repton. As I leave the school, one thing I recommend all Reptonians to do is to be involved in a Repton Drama play.

Lottie W (11F)

PLAYING THE LEAD ROLE IN ‘THE CRUCIBLE’

67 MUSIC

ROCK IT !

B AND A BLOCK

B and A Block, despite being the youngest year groups, immediately set the bar high with outstanding performances of 'Havana', 'Gangsta’s Paradise' and 'Grenade' by Enaka B, Darren S, Sam D, Natascha K, BeBe S, Gomm, Anya R, Charlie D and George H, with special guests Clara C and Grace C. This was then followed by a strong act from Corey V who sung Adele’s 'Set Fire to the Rain' with Toby H on keys and Ben P on kit, providing musical accompaniment, as well as 'Heaven is a Place on Earth' and 'Hey Jude' by Seren O, supported with Toby H, Ben P, Johnathan B and Anya R. Both year groups continued to perform spectacularly with Emma M singing 'Titanium' and 'I Ain’t Worried', accompanied by Johnathan B, Anya R, Ben P and Greg M, and a duet by Emma M and Isla R with Ben P, Johnathan B and Aanya R of 'Dog Days are Over'. Isla R finished off their setlist with Greg M, Anya R and Johnathan B singing 'Valerie' which proved to be popular with the crowd.

O BLOCK

The O Block’s setlist, although short, energised the crowd further with Scarlet B singing the country song Before He Cheats, supported by Ben

P on kit and Toby H on the keyboard. Sophia S subsequently sung Katy Perry’s 'Hot and Cold' with Ben P, Toby H and Maya H, and Henry W closed O Block’s set with a fantastic performance of 'Chelsea Dagger', accompanied by Rubens D and Greg M.

LOWER SIXTH

Following O Block, the Silas Gunn DJ experience entertained the masses during the cross-over to Sixth Form, showcasing the variety of musical talent within the year. Dan C’s mashup of Ed Sheeran’s 'Perfect' and Justin Bieber’s 'Love Yourself ' with Olly E-W on trumpet provided the perfect introduction to the Lower Sixth set. This was then followed with 'History ' and 'Back to Black ' sung by Grace D and accompanied by Dan C, Ava M – that’s me! – on kit and Bobby W on keyboard. Bringing back a fan favourite from our time in A Block, Rubens D, Olly E-W and myself played 'Misirlou', closing the Lower Sixth setlist on a high.

UPPER SIXTH

Arriving back from study leave, the Upper Sixth took to the Rock It stage for the final time, with a captivating start from Tilly G who sang 'Riptide' alongside her band – Jess L, Ali T and Ava M and Phoebe L performing Sia’s 'Unstoppable', which she rehearsed in lessons with Mr Fairbrother. In succession, Joe S and Esther A-A took to the mic, singing 'See You Again', accompanied by Jess L, Olly E-W and Ava M, which was clearly a favourite of the crowd’s. The memorable collaboration of Emily R, Esther A-A and Leila C on 'You’re So Vain', supported by Louis A, Ava M, Ali T and Jess L, had the crowd singing along word-for-word. Esther A-A made her annual Rock It appearance for the last time with 'I Will Survive', giving the performance that had everyone singing and

dancing alongside her. As the show drew to its close, Carwyn O sung 'Roll With It', 'I Predict a Riot' and 'What You Know', accompanied by Rubens D and Ed R on the guitar. As always, it proves to be a popular event with practice already commencing for the next one. Viva la Rock It!

Ava M

(U6F)

ROCK IT!

O Block delivered an outstanding performance of three numbers at this year’s Rock-it, entertaining us from their opening with ‘Before He Cheats’ from Scarlet B, through ‘Hot & Cold ’ with Sophia S and Maya H to the closing of ‘Chelsea Dagger ’ by Henry W and Reubens D. All were ably accompanied by Toby H on keys and either Ben P or Greg Mo keeping the beat on the drums. The A Block set list included a whopping six numbers from a range of artists such as Adele, One Republic and Amy Winehouse to name a few. These featured talented young singers such as Isla R, Emma M, Seren O and Corey V, accompanied by Jonathan B on keyboard, Aanya R on bass guitar as well as Ben P and Greg M delivering on kit. Their undisputed dedication to rehearsals on the most part resulted in unforgettable performances that were cherished and applauded by all who had the privilege of being present and providing that most appreciated, and indeed essential ingredient of any memorable event as a musician… an awesome audience. This would, of course, not have been at all possible if it were not for the brilliant people at Scorpion who provided the stage and lighting for the show and the inspirational Mr Fairbrother who brought us all together… even after a last-minute power failure! I enjoyed the experience and can’t wait for the next one.

Jonathan B (11L)

Pupils who received colours in Music:

Olivia I, Jenna L, Jonathan B, Sophie H, Ava M, Seb R, Bea P, Hatti H, Aanya R, Zak W

HOUSE MUSIC COMPETITIONS

The Lent Term at Repton is most definitely one of the most eventful terms of the year in our Music department.

The term was started with the House Music Competition Finals for the instrumental, vocal, and contemporary rounds on 25th February. It was adjudicated by the extremely talented John Thwaites, who is known for his collaborative work with strings and as a founder member of the Primrose Piano Quartet. From the Junior Brass, who started the day off, there was a diverse range of composers, with Gliere being particularly popular, and Rocco E-W winning with his ‘Sonatine for Trombone (2nd Movement) ’ by Casterede.

The Strings came up next and was a classical-dominated section with Bach and Rachmaninov to take just a couple of examples, with Iyo K winning with ‘Csárdás’ by Monti for the Juniors and Casper C with ‘Violin Concerto in E major (1st Movement) ’ by Bach for the Seniors.

The Woodwind section of the day saw another diverse mix of predominantly classical and contemporary composers. Well done to Emma M, playing ‘Sea Echo’ by Sally Adams, for the Juniors and Olivia I, playing ‘Cantabile’ by Enesco, for the Seniors.

The pianists showcased a brilliant skill for the classical and Romantic composers once again with Iyo K winning with her ‘Arabesque No.2 ’ by Debussy for the Juniors, and William M with ‘Nocturne in E Major Op. 62 No. 2 ’ by Chopin for the Seniors.

The Senior Brass finished off the evening, with Sophie H taking first place with her ‘Carmen Fantasy ’ by Bizet. Meanwhile, the other categories were also taking place throughout the day, adjudicated by Chris Harding, a versatile woodwind performer and educator, starting with Contemporary section.

The winners were Greg M with ‘Godknowswhat!’, composed by himself and Mr Fairbrother, for the Seniors, and Harry C playing ‘Remastered ’, also composed by himself and Mr Fairbrother, for the Juniors.

The Jazz section saw brothers Rocco (for Juniors) and Oliver E-W (for Seniors) win respectively in their categories. Orchestral Percussion winners were Ava M and Natasha H. Well done to all the winners, and congratulations to everyone selected to be involved!

Next up in the Music Department’s calendar was the House Harmonies Competition, and this year it seemed to be quite densely populated with ‘Pitch Perfect ’ renditions from Garden, Abbey, and Field. It was a memorable evening, adjudicated by Alexander Binns, who is the Director of Music at Derby Cathedral. There were songs from Bruno Mars to Nina Simone, and extremely wellorchestrated and organised by the students in their respective houses. The winner of the night was Mitre, singing ‘Royals’ by Lorde, with Field taking the Highly Commended Girls Award, and School taking the Highly Commended Boys by singing ‘Sch-Boom’ by The Chords.

Tea U (L6M)

HOUSE UNISON

The annual House Unison competition is always a special event in the Repton Calendar. The weeks leading up to the competition are full of prep break rehearsals (some might say too many), trips to Pears School after tea and lots of gossip about any last-minute song changes. But somehow, every year, all the Houses manage to pull together a performance, and whether it be technically impressive, visually entertaining, or both, it’s always a great watch.

The Orchard kicked off the night this year with a carefully choreographed rendition of 'Cheerleader' by Omi. Willem K arrived on stage to conduct, sporting a cheerleader dress to match the rest of the House, an outfit that we all knew well from Latham’s memorable ‘Dress to Impress’ last year. It was a special moment when Ollie B was launched into the air mid-performance, and I think the teachers were glad when his feet returned safely to the stage. That could have resulted in a lot of paperwork!

Grace D and Harriet H took on the responsibility of guiding Garden through their much-anticipated rendition of 'Rolling in the Deep' by Adele. They did not disappoint. From the outfits to the sound, the performance was sharp. As someone in the audience gasped in the stunned silence at the end of the performance, “Wow”.

One Direction has nothing on The Priory! Archie W led the House onto stage to deliver a charming version of 'What Makes You Beautiful'. You couldn’t miss the front five, taking on the roles of Harry, Zayn,

Niall, Louis and Liam: they could be Repton’s very own boy band at Rock It this year.

The dulcet tones of School House singing 'Don’t Stop Believing' by Journey rang through Pears School for all to enjoy. Sporting tinsel wigs, flashing glasses and inflatable guitars, it was a vibrant performance, with notable intensity from Jack G in the second row. The feminine outline of Rubens D in a tutu skirt impressively conducted the ensemble.

Not to be in any way biased, but Field’s heartfelt performance was loved by many. Wearing their B Block uniforms, the Upper Sixth felt very nostalgic singing 'We Are Young' by Fun at their lastever Unison. Jess G and Ava M did a fantastic job of organising the house, the timely stomps they orchestrated being the envy of many other conductors.

The boys from New House came onto stage wearing “I am Kenough” t-shirts and excited the audience when they started to sing the popular 'I’m Just Ken' from the

recent Barbie movie. However, it was a cleverly orchestrated false start and the song morphed into 'Stitches' by Shaun Mendes. Zak W was beckoned onto stage by conductor Ollie E-W, dressed as Shaun Mendes himself. I think we would all love to know what Ollie flashed the group from the inside of his jacket mid performance. Any ideas?

The Abbey didn’t fail to deliver another intimidatingly clean performance. Singing 'House of Memories' by Panic! At The Disco, every single word could be heard powering through Pears School. Lottie S and Claudia C did an excellent job of keeping everyone perfectly together.

The blue dresses worn by Latham were the talk of the evening after their performance of 'Don’t You Want Me' by Human League. Their commitment to the rendition was admirable, particularly from the boys who took the costumes further and wore bras and dresses. Harry S had great control over the comedic performance, with it being a fan favourite for many.

EVERYONE WAS WONDERING HOW ON EARTH THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO PULL OFF SUCH A BIG SONG

When the Houses heard that Mitre would be singing 'Halo' by Beyoncé, everyone was wondering how on earth they would be able to pull off such a big song. But what a performance they put on. With harmony and an unexpected mash-up, it was clear Hattie H and Jenna L had put in a lot of work to create the impressive result we were all entranced by on the night.

Last, but by no means least, was The Cross, led by Hamish F and Max B. Their version of 'Wannabe' by The Spice Girls had everyone smiling, with the outfits worn by the Upper Sixth boys rivalling those of Latham. Will T captured the final moment of the last performance of the evening with a BeReal, which many of the front row were not too pleased with when they saw it later.

This year we were delighted to welcome Old Reptonian Kyoko Canaway back to Repton to make the all-important decision as to who would be awarded House Unison glory. With notable music achievements such as being the Assistant Musical Director, of the Cambridge University Opera Societies production of 'The Magic Flute' and 'Semele', she was the woman for the job. With so many memorable and impressive performances this year, anyone could have been crowned winner. However, it was The Garden who became House Unison 2023 winners, taking the trophy for their “musical” performance. It was no surprise when Latham were awarded Highly Commended Boys, and their delight was evident when the announcement was made. The Mitre took the title of Highly Commended Girls, with the great “range” demonstrated by the girls convincing Kyoko that the title should be theirs. Rubens D from School was given deserved recognition for best conductor, with School House showing their support for him with a very loud celebration.

I think it is safe to say that yet again, Unison did not disappoint. A big thank you to all the teachers, conductors, pianists, and of course Mr Walker for making House Unison 2023 a night to remember.

Beth P (L6F)

CONCERT SERIES

LAURA

RICKARD VIOLIN RECITAL AND STEINWAY CELEBRATION CONCERT

This year the Repton Concert Series has continued to thrive, providing wonderful opportunities for our pupils and the wider community to hear music performed at the highest level. In February, we were delighted to welcome Laura Rickard, Meaker Fellow at the Royal Academy of Music, to give a Violin Recital accompanied by RJO at the piano. Her programme included some of the most iconic works written for violin ranging from the lyricism of Brahms (Sonata No.2 in A major), via Chausson’s evocative 'Poème' and Debussy’s atmospheric 'Sonata', before reaching a peak of virtuosity in Ravel’s tumultuous 'Tzigane', after which the capacity audience demanded an encore. Earlier in the day, Laura led a Masterclass working on solo pieces with Casper C, Iyo K, Irina G and William M before passing on her expertise to our Repton String Ensemble. The group, clearly inspired by this experience, then went on to perform with Laura as part of the evening Recital in thrilling fashion in music by Corelli, Warlock and Jenkins. A truly memorable occasion.

In March, the Concert Series featured the latest instalment in our Repton Steinway Celebration Series showcasing outstanding pianists from the Royal Northern College of Music along with their distinguished Head of Keyboard Studies, Graham Scott. During an afternoon workshop, Graham worked with

four of our pupil pianists, Amelie L, Karson C, Iyo K and William M, all of whom gained considerable insight from his perceptive advice, which added further impetus to their performances of duet and solo works by Mozart, Debussy and Bartok during the evening concert. The RNCM pianists Siyi Dai and Marianne Huang Yueyin started the evening with a dramatic account of Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances for two pianos before offering solo works by Chopin ('Preludes') and Rachmaninov ('Moments Musicaux '). Yuxuan Z displayed his considerable pianistic gifts with a stunning rendition of Scriabin’s 'Fifth Piano Sonata', before Graham Scott showed his vast experience in a

STEINWAY SPOTLIGHT CONCERT

On Thursday 9th December, the Steinway Spotlight Concert was held in the Beldam Hall for both staff and pupils, some from Repton Prep, to showcase their musical talents.

This event, the third Steinway gala concert of the year, involved piano duets only, displaying the strong teamwork spirit of the Music Department amid the busiest time of the term. The music played spanned over the course of three hundred years, ranging from Vivaldi in 1723, played by Georgia B and Ellie G, right up to the contemporary pieces. No single composer was repeated, making each duet unique and special, engaging the audience on a much wider level.

The musical styles therefore had a more than abundant range of difference, spanning from baroque all the way to jazz, which was incredible to hear from Theodore S and Caleb D-W. The concert opened with a sonatina by Berkeley from none other than Mr Owens and Mr Walker, who also closed the event joined by Ms Walton and Ms Hilton playing 'Smetana', as well as organising the entire event.

Popular classical composers made a strong appearance, with Aaron A-K and George E-T playing Beethoven, Ellen C and myself performing Debussy, and a Fauré duet performed by Sebastian R and William M, who also played with Iyo K in a Schubert duet. The music programme seamlessly moved to the Romantic era, with Jonathan B and Toby H presenting their Tchaikovsky piece, and Anoushka H and Ms Hilton performing Grieg.

The evening had a full capacity audience and was an incredibly successful night full of spectacular performances. Many thanks to Mr Owens and Mr Walker who put together this fantastic concert and allowed us all to showcase our abilities.

Tea U (L6M)

Chatsworth Concert

Chatsworth Concert

CHRISTMAS GALA CONCERT

As a huge musical concert involving all the bands and groups from the Music School, the Christmas Gala Concert was the biggest concert of the Michaelmas Term. Held in the 400 Hall for maximum space, the event was buzzing and full to the brim of supportive parents and friends. The Symphony Orchestra opening with their dramatic medleys set the scene for the rest of the night, and it could not have gone better. The Flute, Brass, and Strings Ensembles followed, showcasing a variety of different incredibly impressive musical skills, leaving a high-energy atmosphere for the interval following. The Harp Ensemble gave a serene and gentle way back into the music, before Sax Pack and Brass Quintet picked up the pace with their energetic and lively pieces. Big Band led the finale, ending the night in true Repton fashion, with all the bands showcasing what the Music School is really all about and how much hard work goes into fabulous events like these.

Tea U (L6M)

REPTON CHAPEL

Last year’s Italy trip set the bar high for future choir tours, and although Berlin was very different to Italy, it certainly delivered, giving both the choir and staff a fantastic experience.

With an early start at the Arch on Thursday 21st March (if we thought this was early, the bus to Leipzig in a few days would be a shock to

the system!) we set off for Munich. Many rejoiced at the opportunity to find some food at Munich Airport before the final leg to Berlin. By 8pm we were in the hotel, and at 9 the teachers suggested we go for a walk which, as you can probably imagine, was not immediately welcomed by the 44 travel-worn pupils. However, despite slight drizzle, we were able to get a glimpse of the fascinating city we would be exploring over the next few days.

Well rested, we set out into Berlin on Friday led by our tour guide Kate, heading up the TV Tower to an impressive 360 degree view of the city. Doughnut Time was visited, with Mr. Walker telling his story of JFK’s Doughnut Mistake in his 1963 speech, a much-needed pit stop before Berlin Frendrhturum, the East Side Gallery (a personal favourite) and eventually a walking tour of Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam. But the day didn’t end there. We were whisked to Friedenskirche for our first concert, where we sang many choir favourites including 'Mother

of God', 'Here I Stand' (Tavener), 'Dear Lord and Father of Mankind' (Chilcott) and 'Locus Iste' (Bruckner). The dreaded Bach number 'Ich Lasse Dich Nicht' (purely down to its complexity and its tendency to leave you gasping for breath by the end) wowed the audience, which featured a strong showing of parents but also numerous members of the public. By 8.30, we all welcomed our dinner, before returning to the hotel.

Saturday kicked off with leisure time, some using the time to wander the approved area, others enjoying a trip to Sealife (that’s one of the best things about choir, there are so many different passions all in one group). I am pleased to report that Mr Walker managed to see his Caravaggio, a passion of his we were introduced to last year in Italy. Free time was concluded at the Berlin Dom, where we were lucky enough to sing the prelude to Midday Prayers in such an impressive building. This may have been the shortest concert; however it was by no means insignificant. Although the Brandengurg Gate,

Reichstag and Jewish Memorial (as well as us) were dripping wet from the incessant rain, it didn’t dampen our spirits, singing at Sophienkirche in the afternoon.

Mr Owens performed Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, his skills creating mesmerising music that captivated the choir and audience in the church. 'O Bone Jesu' (Palestrina), 'Crossing the Bar' (Parry) and 'Upon Your Heart' (Daley) ended the concert with a trio of delicate songs the audience much appreciated.

At Apostle-Paulus-Kirche in the evening of that day we sang the same concert as on Friday evening; however, I think this is one of the most memorable concerts I have ever performed. I witnessed a mix of cultures and nationalities united by music unlike anything I have ever experienced, and the hospitality of the organisers was second to none. The flowers they handed out to us at the conclusion of the concert created a memory the choir and staff alike will treasure for many years to come.

Sunday morning, however, will not be a treasured memory. Getting up for a coach departing at 4.45am for Leipzig was certainly an experience, albeit one that I wouldn’t fancy repeating. I think it is safe to say that the busy schedule was finally taking its toll as I turned around during the service at Thomaskirche to see most of the basses nodding off, and the rest struggling with those still awake to get through the German hymns. Personally, although the coach may have been a tad early, knowing I was sitting in a church where Bach himself had been Music Director was pretty incredible. The time before our next concert was given to our leisure, the last opportunity to squeeze in as much of the city as possible. Evensong at Scholosskirche was bittersweet. It was wonderful to entertain a packed audience with 'Verlieh uns Frieden' (Mendelssohn) for the last time, and 'The Rising of the Sun', a piece composer Jonathan Dove listened to us sing himself. But it was sad to be concluding our last tour led by the fantastic Mr Walker. The bus back to the

hotel was filled with “thank you’s” and final singsongs before we said goodbye to Kate and jetted back to Birmingham the following morning.

Berlin may have been different to Italy, but it was still an incredible experience. Crowding under the few umbrellas we had (it will always be a mystery to me why Repton pupils seem to reject umbrellas) and getting up for a 4.45am bus added to the trip we were so lucky to experience.

A big thank you to all the staff, both singing and non-singing, who made the trip possible, and it would seem fitting to take this opportunity to acknowledge what an incredible Music Director Mr Walker was. Repton for me will not be the same without him. I hope he has enjoyed and will remember his time at Repton as much as we will, and accept our heartfelt thanks for not only Berlin, but all the opportunities and inspiration he has given us over the years.

Beth P (L6F)

CHOIR BERLIN

Chapel Choir Commission and World Premiere: The Rising of the Sun by Jonathan Dove

There is no better way of celebrating someone's life and work than by commissioning a piece of art - in this case a piece of music for choir and organ - for a place that they knew and loved. The Chapel Choir was privileged to give the world premiere performance in January 2024 of 'The Rising of The Sun', a setting of Psalm 113 which was made possible through the legacy of Old Reptonian Richard Bradburn. The music was composed by leading British composer Jonathan Dove CBE, known as perhaps the most prolific living composer of opera. Jonathan's compositions include the television opera 'When She Died…' which tells the story of the death of Princess Diana was seen by 2.5 million people worldwide, 'A Song of Joys’ which was performed at the Last Night of the Proms in 2010, and ‘They will Rise’, written to commemorate the centenary of the Royal Air Force in Westminster Abbey. 'The Rising of the Sun' was first performed in our chapel in the presence of the whole school, with the composer present, and again at St Paul's Cathedral the following week.

During his visit to Repton, Jonathan also gave a fascinating talk on his life and work to Music Award Holders, giving Repton musicians an unrivalled opportunity to understand the process of composing.

St Paul's Cathedral

In January the Chapel Choir travelled to London to make its fifth appearance in recent years at St Paul's Cathedral, performing Choral Evensong to a large and appreciative audience of parents, friends, tourists and worshippers. To perform in such a magnificent and iconic space is a tremendous privilege for our young

singers, and each year they are overawed by the experience - and rise to the occasion magnificently. Music performed during this years' service included Jonathan Dove's 'The Rising of the Sun' and Noble's 'Evening Service in B Minor', as well as the Psalms for the day.

Supporters and Old Reptonians enjoyed a drinks reception after the service, while the choir celebrated their achievements with the traditional visit to Burger King. We look forward to returning next year.

Festival of Carols

The annual highlight for every Chapel Choir singer is the Festival of Carols, which happen twice each December in celebration of the impending Christmas season. The challenge for every choirmaster is to ensure that this event is sufficiently ambitious, varied and engaging for the singers and congregation alike - and the role of the choir is to shine and sustain their energy levels at the very end of the busiest of terms.

This year's services opened in the traditional manner, and soloists Beatrice P and Jenna L should be congratulated for their exquisite renditions of the first verse of 'Once in royal David's city '. Repertoire this year included some Renaissance polyphony, with Reptiles' performance of Victoria's 'O Magnum Mysterium', and at the other end of the spectrum the contemporary dissonances of Matthew Martin's 'Nowell, Sing We' which concluded the service. Lauriden's 'O Nata Lux ' provided a sublime moment of reflection, while Jonathan Dove's complex 'Run, Shepherds, Run! ' provided an ambitious challenge for all involved. There really is no better way to take the community into Christmas than a successful carol service.

OMW

81 ART & DESIGN

1 2 SKETCH.

CREDITS

1. Ava C (U6) 2. Jess G (U6) 3. Claudia C (U6) 4. Maddy S (U6)

Grace D (U6)

DESIGN.

CREATE.

7

Grace D (U6)

Isabella T (U6)

5 4 6

AS ALWAYS, OUR DESIGN PUPILS HAVE BEEN WORKING AWAY THIS YEAR PRODUCING SOME FANTASTIC PIECES OF WORK. HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THEM…

CREDITS

1. Personal Storage Owen J (11C) 2. Personal Storage Kitty P (11F) 3. Fishing Equipment Storage Zak G (11P)

4. Arcade Game Greg M (11N)

5. Portable BBQ Henry B (11N)

6. Sewing Machine Storage Fraiser S (11C)

OF THE ELEPHANTS

A white full-scale baby elephant appeared in the art studio one morning destined to become part of an amazing art installation throughout the city of Lichfield, involving a trail of imaginatively painted magical pachyderms for people to follow by foot or in virtual form. The trails will appear in July in Lichfield, Tamworth and Sutton Coldfield in aid of St Giles Hospice. The idea for the art trail was launched with the signing of a golden elephant by Tony Hadley (of ‘Gold! ’ Spandau Ballet fame) and was open to artists, schools and community groups, with the final elephants destined to be auctioned off to raise money for this fantastic cause. Our Repton mammoth was designed as a ‘Tigerphant’ by a

team of Arts Scholars led by Barnaby M who was awarded the role thanks to his winning design submission. He has said this about the experience: "I was inspired by The Jungle Book. The colourful and bright flowers and bright greens of the classic children's story really inspired my design so it told a bit of a story within the form of the elephant. I worked with Indi, Enaka, and Serena on the paint work and we added further detail of the animals we really wanted to stand out with paint pens and pencil. I really enjoyed the process and think the final outcome is unique and striking".

IJW

2023

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION WINNERS

Horizon

Thank you for all your amazing submissions across the Repton Family of Schools and congratulations to the winners below. The sheer number of innovative entries this year is a testament to the creativity of all Reptonians.

The responses to the themes, Horizon and Light, were diverse and exciting, ranging from smallscale observations and ephemeral details right through to dramatic and enigmatic landscapes.

1 1st place

Teniola O (U6L)

A patiently composed and deceptively simple image encapsulating time passing and long-term familiarity with a landscape, in this case, the view from a Repton bedroom window across the light of seasons and moods.

2 Joint 2nd place

Molly O (9F)

One of a series of dark and atmospheric pictures, saturated with colour and light. This one is reminiscent of a quietly evocative 19th-century oil sketch.

3 Joint 2nd place

Amelia A (Vinehall School)

A beguiling and painterly landscape captures an ambiguous sense of distance and scale in a vertiginous, nostalgic, almost fairy tale scene that foregrounds a Paul Nash-like natural form.

4 3rd place

Jake D (L6C)

Our themes inspired almost entirely landscape submissions, and this one, with its balanced stack of triangular forms with alternating tones, contains huge spaces and beautifully captured diminishing cloud patterns. The almost brushmark details of vegetation evoke a painted dream of flight.

5 4th place

Lydia L (10M)

A refreshingly abstract interpretation of the themes, incorporating high contrast, intimate scale, colour, light, temperature, fluidity and natural forms.

6 Joint 5th place

Serena S (9A)

This aerial cityscape captures a variety of surface qualities as well as a sense of what is invisible beyond them: distant misty landscapes, lives in the city and light boiling through the clouds.

7 Joint 5th place

Hannah Q (Vinehall School)

The balance between reflection and sky in this moody image, dramatised as it is with the mysterious dark areas and hazy light, evokes an almost medieval sense of mythic narrative.

8 6th place

Charlotte B-R (L6M)

This image is subtly graduated in bands receding in distance and in detail and uses the single motif of the tree and the apparent proximity of the cloud form to hold it all in place, all finally activated by the vertical magic of the rainbow.

9 7th place

Amber M S (10A)

We are drawn in and wowed by the colours in this night image first and then, thanks to the implication that we are in a car driving through a mystery landscape, we begin to get the sense of a cinematic set. Beware the zombies in the fields!

10 8th place

Barney B (9N)

This burning nocturnal duotone landscape evokes an end-of-theworld feel.

11 9th place

Toby H (10P)

The geometry of this crisply divided composition almost seems to collage and distort perspective.

2024

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION WINNERS

the

A number of submissions visualised our human future as an interior world of machinery and electronics; others considered the role of the human subject in traditional and projected ideas about nature; many photographers opted for the cyclic symbolism of dawning, generations and new birth; and yet more portrayed our future environment as changing and fractally expanding cityscapes.

With thanks to all our extraordinarily gifted participants and especially to Vinehall School, Repton Abu Dhabi, Repton Al Barsha and Repton Dubai for taking part too. It has been a joy to see the variety of responses to this theme, so multifariously important to young people. All entries were worthy and it was very hard to judge.

1 1st place

Nicola S

With a symbolic comment on the natural world, a dark and luscious triumph of nature literally rising from the ashes.

2 Joint 2nd place

Atia K (Al Barsha)

With her mixed media photocollaged triptych about aspects of beauty.

3 Joint 2nd place

Hannah C

A claustrophobicriotous vision of the confusion of geometric future architecture and light captured at a concert.

4 Joint 3rd place

Charlie B

A multi-temporal visualisation of the human potential for travel.

5 Joint 3rd place

Fayrouz L (Repton Dubai)

An intricate narrative collage reminding us to remember the past to visualise the future, in the form of art.

6 Joint 4th place

Taaha S (Repton Abu Dhabi)

A blue-lit semi-abstraction hinting at a purely synthetic and virtual future, as well as commenting on the future balance of world power.

7 Joint 4th place

Janessa B (Repton Dubai)

A vision of a bright futuristic present inset with an even more distant and science-fiction possibility.

PHILIP GUSTON

A voyage to see the paintings of the great Phillip Guston

Just as the great painter barely slept in pursuit of his art, painting through the night and pacing his studio all day, we set off, while the rest of Repton was still aslumber, on our quest to see the great artist’s work first hand. The whole Sixth Form Art, Textiles and Photography contingent sleepwalked onto the coach, clutching sketchbooks and pillows, on the morning of the day that the exam board released the exam paper, and promptly fell back to sleep for the long voyage to London and the Tate Modern. Halfway there, yawning and stretching, the Upper Sixth were handed their exam papers to consider their creative responses for the rest of the journey. After decanting our DT stowaways at the Design Museum for their own adventure (that’s another story), we arrived at the literally towering bastion of modern art that is the Tate Modern and headed for the Guston show.

I wandered the many galleries of Guston’s life’s work, speaking with pupils entranced by the juicy brushstrokes of his early abstract

expressionist period, and finding crowds of Repton artists sketching the various stylised forms of his deceptively innocent self-portraits and treated to an essence of his studio thinking space. This was a place where fretful consideration of major philosophical and social issues of the 20th century with its wars, racial injustice, violence and political and social upheavals was witnessed, processed and transformed into a mythology of insidiously innocuous narratives and uncannily infantile symbols such as shoes, hammers, paintbrushes, fists, batons, cans and canvasses. We were surrounded by a coded and somehow both threatening and soothing – horrifyingly accessible and logical – field of reconfigured holograms of everyday life composed into emblematic talismans of mind-versus-world. I particularly enjoyed the energetic response to this exhibition with which our pupils seemed to find immediate affinity, and the conversations I had about ‘Guston’s alphabet’ of objects and forms.

IJW

Our gallery exhibitions this academic year have been nothing short of dazzling, providing cultural stimulus for pupils, staff and community and allowing Repton’s artists to meet artists and hear about their work from the horse’s mouth!

MARGARET ORRELL

Another highlight exhibition this year was the show of recent work by Margaret Orrell, who is a lifelong painter and past Artist-in-Residence at Repton School. She had been working for a year towards this major exhibition and at the thronged opening her collectors mingled with other admiring artists, pupils, staff and community. It was an event charged with communication of ideas and excitement about art as a way of life and as an enriching and illuminating force: a true and reassuringly educational experience for all.

Margaret Orrell is an inspiring artist and a generous conversationalist about the origins and functions of art. This was particularly evident in the workshop sessions, presentation and Q&A she held for Repton artists

of all years. She spoke of how her recent works focus on the domestic and local, each painting representing a unique approach, different motif, exploring the mundanity and transcendence of the meaningful but often overlooked objects that gravitate towards us. I can certainly see echoes of her thoughtful and sensitive approach reflected in the sophistication of some of our own painters this year.

THOSE WHO CAN

An exciting, surprising and colourful curve-ball of a show was formed when we invited all the staff of Repton School to confess to any creative endeavour they indulged in for exhibition. The hunch that our staff are creative in more ways than teaching turned out to be true and bore a plethora of multi-media artifacts. Over 20 members of staff including governors, matrons, technicians, teachers of all subjects from both sites, as well as a certain Head and Deputy Headmastertook part in an art show whose only thematic connection was that it consisted of works made by people whose calling is to communicate learning to the young people of this school. Unsurprisingly then, I guess, the quality was high, the energy vibrant, the ideas sophisticated, and the overall atmosphere one of enquiry and adventure. Works ranged from large oil abstractions

to cityscapes in paint and photography; anthropological and travel photography, portraiture and still life, lino-prints, poetry, ceramics and metalwork.

Staff had a wonderful evening sharing their efforts and ideas with each other and with pupils who were pleased to see another, striving, human and creative side to their teacher-bots. It was very gratifying to see some of our best arts pupils confidently critiquing the work of their teachers in a productive instance of sharing and levelling.

As I write, we are looking forward to continuing this year of art with our Art Scholar Exhibition, wholeschool Fashion Show and end-ofyear exhibitions.

IJW

PAUL ROTHERA

As there are more and more successful applications made by creative Reptonians to prestigious Architecture degrees, the Art department invited the architect and painter Paul Rothera to exhibit in Gallery No. 1. Pupils and community

were able to identify and understand the architectural precision of the artists' drawings of locations around the world, alongside the looser luminous colour-washes of his virtuosic watercolour technique, capturing the movement and various qualities of light observed in these picturesque places.

After a crowded opening Paul guided our pupils through his technique and rigorous drawing principles in the gallery and gave an insightful and inspiring joint lecture to a packed crowd of Repton’s future architects about aspects of the career at all stages from university to high architectural designs with the Architecture course leader at Nottingham Trent and an architecture apprentice in his firm, emphasising the role of a practical Fine Art education as essential preparation in skills and critical and creative thinking needed for application.

PAUL GUIDED OUR PUPILS THROUGH HIS TECHNIQUE AND RIGOROUS DRAWING

PRINCIPLES

99 SPORTS

CRICKET BOYS

1ST

XI

SQUAD

Captain M. Bin Naeem (S)

E. Crossley (P), H. Firth (C), O. Flindall (C), H. Geutjens (N), A. Hidderley (C), O. Khan (C), J. Lowe (L), C. Mayfield (N), H. Moore (P), G. Pocklington (N), G. Reddy (S),W. Tarrant (C), W. Warren (S), A. Wenham (S)

The summer of 2023 saw a young 1st XI achieve fantastic results. This was the most wins for a 1st XI since records began in 1866, achieving 17 wins in the season and eclipsing the record-breaking season of 2022 (16 wins) just 12 months earlier. This is even more of an amazing achievement considering there were only two Upper sixth leavers in the side, and this whetted the appetite for what this squad might develop into in 2024.

Nationally the U18 boys made the last 16 of the National T20 trophy and the U17s made the semi-final of the National Cup, losing out to eventual winners Shrewsbury in a tight game away. Both sides hope to go a few better next season and bring back some silverware to the school.

Captain Yousaf Bin N was the leading run scorer with three fabulous hundreds at an average of 46, scoring 880 runs in total. He scored his runs in swashbuckling fashion with notably entertaining innings against both Trent and Scarborough Colleges. He scored a magnificent 132 off just 51 balls against

Scarborough and a dazzling 107 off only 48 balls against Trent.

As a member of the Lower Sixth, Yousaf was one of the youngest ever Repton 1st XI captains. He led the team brilliantly with his superb cricketing knowledge and understanding, leading by example throughout and setting the right competitive tone in games. His performances for both school and Derbyshire CCC culminated in him playing for Young England Lions and Derbyshire 2nd XI, scoring his maiden second XI century against Leicestershire. He was also selected to play for an ESCA XI against the MCC at Lords in September.

Fast bowler Harry M was top of the bowling averages with 22 wickets at an average of 15, with off-spinner Ollie F taking the most wickets, 28 in total, at an average of 22. Harry’s performances for school led to him receiving the John Howell Bat award for Player of the Season. As a member our O Block it is also noteworthy that he is one of the youngest ever to receive this accolade! Performances for school and Derbyshire led to him being picked for England U19s against Australia in the summer Ashes series. He also became the youngest ever professional cricketer for Derbyshire at the tender age of just 16, representing the first team on three occasions in the Metro Bank 50-over competition. Due to his outstanding performances, he was duly awarded Derbyshire’s ‘Young Cricketer of the Year’, a fitting tribute to a magnificent season.

Other performances of note during the season were Will T’s hundred not out against the MCC in a 10-wicket victory. He scored 641 runs at an average of 35. His opening partner, Max S, was also prolific with the bat, scoring two hundreds and amassing 456 runs in the process at an average of 41.

With the ball, off-spinner Eamon C put in several match winning performances, with his best figures being 5 for 15 against Malvern College; the leading figures of anyone during the season. His spin-twin, George P, was exceptionally consistent with the ball throughout the season, averaging 20 runs per wicket and getting a total of 19 wickets during the season. His economy rate was excellent, suffocating batters and tying them down at one end, and in doing so performing a vital role for the team.

Leg-spinner Archie H was excellent with the ball again this season taking 22 wickets at an average of 21. He was a great role model to the younger players in his position as Senior Player, showing them what it is to be a proud member of the 1st XI and instilling the core values of what it is to be a Repton cricketer. We hope that he will return to school as a Repton Pilgrim in the cricket week or even represent the club in the prestigious Cricketer Cup in the future.

Victories of note were wins against the MCC by 10 wickets, Sedbergh, Cheltenham, Malvern, Bradfield, Free Foresters, Bromsgrove, Rugby and Uppingham.

The SPREW Festival victory against St Peter York, Bradfield and Scarborough College was the icing on the cake, capping off what was truly an extraordinary season by all involved. To have back-to-back record-breaking seasons is remarkable and sets the tone for Repton cricket moving forward.

CWA

Friendlies P17 W15 D1 L1

Repton 146ao, Cheltenham 79

Won by 67 runs

Repton 246-6 (Tarrant 81*), Sedbergh 107-7

Won by 139 runs

Malvern 227ao (Crossley 5-15), Repton 230-8 (Tarrant 54, Moore 50*)

Won by 2 wickets

MCC 181-9 (Moore 3-15), Repton 184-0 (Tarrant 105*, Sanderson 72*)

Won by 10 wickets

Rugby 102-3, Repton 104-3

Won by 7 wickets

XL Club 141-8 (Black 3-21), Repton 144-7

Won by 3 wickets

Repton 159-9 (Tarrant 63), Uppingham 129ao (Flindall 3-32, Hidderley 3-26)

Won by 30 runs

Free Forresters 133ao (Hidderley 3-28), Repton 134-4 (Moore 67*, Flindall 53)

Won by 6 wickets

Repton 219-6 (Sanderson 52, Flindall 62*), Trent College 220-1

Lost by 9 wickets

Worksop 99ao (Moore 4-17, Bin Naeem 3-15), Repton 102-4 (Flindall 55*)

Won by 6 wickets

Repton 371-9 (Sanderson 115, Bin Naeem 51, Moore 70), Bromsgrove 243ao (Pocklington 3-34, Crossley 3-31)

Won by 128 runs

Repton 250-9 (Sanderson 101), Menlo Park 172-9 (Flindall 3-38)

Won by 78 runs

Derbyshire U18 252-8 & 234-7dec (Flindall 3-74, Pocklington 3-39), Repton 192-7dec (Bin Naeem 86) & 137-5 (Moore 58*)

Match drawn

Repton 254 ao (Bin Naeem 132), Repton Pilgrims 223-6

Won by 31 runs

Repton 156 ao, Bradfield College 66ao (Lowe 3-11)

Won by 90 runs

Repton 315-9 (Tarrant 130, Flindall 72, Bin Naeem 58), St Peter’s York 183ao (Hidderley 3-58, Crossley 3-31)

Won by 132 runs

Repton 241-6 (Bin Naeem 132, Reddy 64), Scarborough College 177ao (Moore 3-18)

Won by 64 runs

National U18 T20 CUP P3 W2 D0 L1

Repton 180-7 (Bin Naeem 107), Trent College 122-7 (Hidderley 3-16)

Won by 58 runs

Stamford 119-7 (Moore 3-25), Repton 121-4

Won by 6 wickets

Bedford 156-4, Repton 134ao

Lost by 22 runs

SEASON STATS

2ND XI

SQUAD Captain J. Jenkinson (O)

H. Bola (L), H. Geutjens (N), B. Hidderley (C), M. Hutchison (O), A. Kelly (O), C. Mayfield (N), H. Pickering (L), M. Radford (C), O. Richardson (L), W. Roy (C), A. Squire (P), W. Warren (O), J. Ziff (L)

This was one of the most successful and enjoyable seasons I can remember as a cricket coach. Highlights included the 82 scored by Jonah Z. at Malvern and the four wickets taken by Ben H. to instigate the comeback against Uppingham, who, when chasing just 120 off 30 overs, and cruising at 66-0 after 12, collapsed to 114-9 at the end of the game. Dominant displays against Trent, Shrewsbury and Rugby cement this side into my memory banks for some time.

Most importantly, though, this was a great bunch of lads, a mixture of three year groups who really came together and backed each other and never quit. Even at 15-3 when batting first at Stamford on a green deck, W. Warren was positive – as we had discussed from Day One – and counter-punched with the bat, only to take three wickets from his five overs for just six runs when it was our turn to bowl.

3RD XI

SQUAD

Captain J. Butler

L. Bannister, L. Campbell, C. Coleston-Shields, H. Cursham, J. Davies, O. Ewart-White, R. Holdcroft, E. Ingham, K. Joshi. H. Mellor, A. Millard, A. Monk, K. Ndow, R. Truelove, W. Roy, A. Webb, M. Whittingham

This was the kind of thing that turned a good season into a brilliant one.

J. Jenkinson was a first-rate captain, full of passion and no less skill with the ball, and the ‘leadership team’ of Jenko, ‘Hutch’ and Henry ‘Ronnie’ P. was a pleasure to deal with. After the Uppingham game, according to the schools cricket website, we were the second-best 2nd XI in the world!

The season concluded with another win against Trent, where we had the luxury of sending in our leavers to bat first after the opposition had been bowled out for 83, and our unbeaten term was complete. All the players contributed significantly at various stages and in that sense, we truly were a ‘team’, which is key to any sporting success. I’d like to thank all the lads who represented the 2nd XI over the course of the term and hope I coach those who remain again next year.

WGO

P7 W7

Malvern

Won by 24 runs

Trent

Won by 7 wickets

Shrewsbury

Won by 64 runs

Rugby

Won by 5 wickets

Stamford

Won by 47 runs

Uppingham

Won by 7 runs

Trent

Won by 5 wickets

P6 W1 L4 Cancelled 1

A final-ball defeat by Malvern in the opening fixture was followed by a resounding seven wicket loss to Trent. The season highlight (and only victory) was winning an incredibly close, low scoring encounter against Shrewsbury by one wicket. The season finished with two thumping defeats: by 180 runs to Rugby, where the 3rd XI was bowled out for just 22 runs, and by nine wickets against Uppingham.

U15A SQUAD

Captain O. Black (O)

E. Brough (S), A. Butterworth (S), I. Chohan (C), N. Davies (O), Z. De Lisle (L), R. Ewart-White (N), M. German (N), C. Hill (C), S. Hinchliffe (L), F. Johnston (P), S. Karim (P), O. Khan (C), O. Kibler (G), J. Lowe (L), H. Ormond (N), B. Parkin (S), C. Read (O), H. Strudwick (P), G. Weston (L), R. WhitbySamways (L), A. Williams (M)

A chastening summer for the U15s started with such promise away at a dreary Malvern on the first Saturday of the season. A captain’s knock from Ollie B saw the side home that day and proved to be one of the highlights of a long season of learning!

Despite the challenges met, there were some real positives to take from the season. Hugh O turned himself to some extremely useful slow-left-arm to compliment his excellence in the field whilst Joe L, yet again, put his hand up as the star performer with

U15B SQUAD

Captains A. Ascott (S), G. Weston (L)

F. Atere (N), H. Bloor (N), E. Brough (S), H. Buckley (S), S. Creaser (O), Z. March Phillipps De Lisle (L), R. Ewart-White (N), S. Maxton (C), F. Moseley (S), G. Morris (N), F. Naylor (S), B. Parkin (S), F. Phillips (O), H. Strudwick (P), H. Whittaker (S)

P12 W4 L8

Malvern

Won by 2 wickets

Shrewsbury

Lost by 6 wickets

King’s School Macclesfield

Lost by 5 wickets

Rugby

Lost by 18 runs

Stamford

Lost by 4 wickets

both bat and ball – higher honours surely beckon.

The best day of the season was by far the absolute robbery we pulled off away at Bromsgrove. In a ‘chirpy’ fixture, Ben P’s towering six back over the opening bowlers' head, followed by Zac De L flicking a maximum of his own, before proceeding to run down the wicket punching the air shouting “That’s my first ever six” repeatedly were two sights to behold, and even sweeter given the nail-biting finale they both played a part in. Henry S’s first ball reverse-sweep away at

Uppingham

Won by 3 wickets

Trent College

Lost by 2 wickets

Warwick School

Lost by 107 runs

Bromsgrove

Won by 2 wickets

Menlo Park

Won by 54 runs

Stamford was also out of the top drawer, despite not having quite as much impact on the overall result.

It might not have been successful results-wise, but the U15As managed to learn a lot about the game, how to play it skilfully, and how to play it in the right way, and I have every confidence that a number of this squad will go on to achieve far higher honours in time.

OJA

P8 W4 L4

Promising victories against Malvern, Shrewsbury, and Rugby set the tone for what looked to be a successful season. However, tough defeats against Stamford, Uppingham and Warwick meant that we ended the season on level par. B. Parkin and E. Brough led the from the front with bat and ball respectively, with useful cameos from R Ewart-White and A Ascott. CTI

U14A

P9, W6, L3

Malvern

Won by 75 runs

Rugby

Won by 43 runs

Stamford

Won by 113 runs

This was an exciting season for the U14A side, which included some very talented cricketers as well as willingness to work hard. Under the guidance of captain Omaris K, the team decided to play a positive and aggressive style of cricket whilst still fully focusing on the simple aspects of the game.

The season provided many highlights but without doubt, the main one came in the opening fixture against Malvern, with Arthur B taking six wickets to bowl Malvern out and secure the win for Repton. Arthur regularly contributed to Repton’s bowling performances, taking three or more wickets on numerous occasions. Aside from spin, it is important teams have good seam bowlers and this season the U14A side were blessed with numerous options. Izu C, Rory H, Lawrence R and Will N all demonstrated speed, precision and

Uppingham

Won by 4 runs

Trent

Lost by 5 wickets

King Edwards

Lost by 9 wickets

skill when bowling at opposition and between them they took 18 wickets over the course of the season.

Apart from taking wickets, it is important that the team scores runs and with the positive approach the team were adopting, the batting became a key tool in being able to achieve this. The captain Omaris K led the way scoring 258 runs over the course of the season which included an outstanding 88 against Stamford. He was often supported by Stanley G (top score 56 v Malvern), Caleb R (top score 64 v Stamford), Arthur B (top score 56* v Stamford) and Izu C (top score 53* v Rugby). Having this strength at the top order, often allowed Repton to set a good foundation to build on in the latter stages of an innings. Quite often, the positive batting approach that Repton brought to the table surprised teams and showed just what self-belief this side had.

Landau Forte

Won by 9 wickets

Warwick

Lost by 9 wickets

Bromsgrove

Won by 46 runs

Unfortunately, when you embrace games in this way, sometimes it may not work, and this was the case in the county cup final against Trent. After losing key early wickets and setting a low score, Repton were unable to defend it. Despite the result, the boys showed huge character to keeping fighting and pushed Trent all the way.

Overall, it was a superb season to be involved in the U14A side. I enjoyed every fixture and have every confidence that Repton cricket will continue to thrive with these juniors pushing through the ranks.

ASU

SQUAD Captain O. Khan (C)

A. Butterworth (S), I. Chohan (C), S. Gay (O), R. Hagen (N), Z. Harman (S), L. Jamieson (L), D. Latif (L), W. Needler (N), J. Parkinson (L), C. Read (O), L. Roberts (S), G. Tidy (P)

U14B

P6, W1, D0, L5

SQUAD

Captain C. Dobson (C)

F. Andrew (L), P. Burton (C), E. Butterfield (P), H. Clark (L), T. Gilbody (N), G. Hill (C), L. Jamieson (L), A. Labesse (N), J. Parkinson (L), J. Prince (S), F. Roessen (L), R. Singh-Heer (L), H. Studholme (O)

U14C

P4 W2 L2

SQUAD

Captain S Gregory (C)

F. Balogun-Wilson(C), E. Butterfield (P), B. Eardely (P), W. Hyde (N), J. Joyce (L), W. Miller (O) A. Pitts (P), B. Reid (P), F. Roessen (L), O. Tverdokhlebov (P) R. Singh-Heer (L), L. Vacher-Pena (P) O. Way (S)

The U14C team only managed four fixtures this year, but they were all competitive games played in the right spirit. After a shaky start against Rugby, where some poor batting threw away the game we managed excellent wins against Uppingham and Bromsgrove. There were excellent contributions with the bat from Frankie R, Will H, and Lucas V-P. Whilst Alfie P and Jago J provided a consistent threat with the ball in hand. The team was enthusiastically captained by Sam G. MWTH

A season that saved the best till last! The team struggled to get going throughout the season and soon enough the U14Bs had played five, lost five. Losses can sometimes be good for a side, but ten wicket losses against Stamford and Uppingham really don’t help morale.

Some bright moments in the first five games include Alex L’s 4-27 versus Rugby and Lochie J’s 3-10 in the local derby versus Trent.

The real highlight of the season came in the final game against Bromsgrove. Batting first, the U14Bs made it to 51-2. What happened next was a moment of

brilliance. The Cross pairing of Charlie D (skipper) and Piers B came together at the crease to put on 93, Charlie D finishing on an U14B high of 47*.

In response, Bromsgrove fell way short, and a one and only victory arrived.

The real highlight of the season was seeing the progress each player made and the enjoyment on faces at every training session and match. Charlie D was an outstanding captain and marshalled the troops with great leadership.

NJG

1ST XI CRICKET GIRLS

SQUAD

Captain E. Porter (G)

M. Aldred (F), F. Birmingham (M), E. Bowley (F), L. Breese (G), K. Butler (G), C. Coulborn (F), O. Kibler (G), H. Lees (G), S. Merryfield (G), E. Tassell (A), E. Walne (F), A. Williams (M), O. Wenham (M)

A truly momentous season for the Girls' 1st XI, who became National U18 100 ball champions in September. A season full of many successes, the girls performed superbly throughout to win Repton’s first ever U18 national title-an even more impressive achievement considering there were only two Upper Sixth players and over half the team were also part of the U15 squad.

NATIONAL U18 100 BALL CHAMPIONS

Losing only two games all year, the Girls' 1st XI achieved the best season in Repton’s history, winning 85% of their games. Impressive friendly victories vs Trent and Uppingham set the platform for a strong season, with the latter producing a moment of history for the school. Captain Ella P scored the first ever Girls' 1st XI hundred (103*) in a superb batting display and she is now the first ever female cricketer to appear

on the board in the Howell Room. This was one of four occasions Ella P passed 50 over the season, with Ophelia W also scoring 63* in a mammoth total of 233 off 20 overs. The Girls' 1st XI also played in another historic fixture – the first female Pilgrim’s game on Speech Day. On a tremendous occasion, played in good spirits, the 1st XI narrowly came out on top, setting a good platform for years to come.

The National U18 T20 cup was also full of superb performances with the team finishing 4th nationally. Victories over Stamford (Olivia K 87) and Ellesmere (Ella P 89*) set up a tantalizing quarterfinal away at Sedbergh. In one of the strongest performances of the year, the girls defended 153 with aplomb, largely due to a fantastic team fielding display and a superb death bowling spell from Katy B. Despite the T20 finals day not going our way, it laid a platform for the success that would arrive in September. A special mention must go to Mim A, who scored a fantastic 50* in the semi-final vs Canford whilst under extreme pressure for someone so young.

The National U18 100-ball campaign will go down in Repton history. A first round win over Leicester Grammar set the tone for the year with Olivia scoring a fluid 87. Denstone conceded in the second round which set up a last 16 fixture versus old enemies Shrewsbury. The friendly fixture earlier in the year was abandoned without a ball being bowled, so this was the only chance for this historic fixture to take place. Chasing 147 to win, Repton won a last ball thriller with Sophia M hitting the winning runs to spark jubilant celebrations. This was a testament to their belief that anything was possible and this was soon to be the case in the semi-final.

On a (very) wet finals day at Shrewsbury in June (typical English weather), Rugby were the opponents and another nail-biter ensued. In a lowscoring game heavily impacted by DLS and scoreboard controversy, the girls chased down 107 on the final ball, with Aldred again the game-changer. Ready to play the final, the heavens opened again, and the girls had to wait until September to get their chance at silverware. In contrast to June’s downpour, the September sunshine appeared and so did all aspects of the girls’ talents. Batting first against Millfield, Annie W’s classy 53* helped the team to a top total of 146, and then the bowlers took control, restricting Millfield to 129-8 off their 100 balls, leaving Repton as National Champions! A superb achievement for the girls who left nothing out there in the field, and this (hopefully), is only the beginning of a successful journey. An amazing achievement for the school as the girls’ cricket programme only started in 2018!

A truly tremendous achievement for all involved. I must thank all the coaches that have assisted over the season –Mr Walker, Mrs Court, Miss Powell. It would not be possible without the hard work of all of you!

Another big thank you goes to Effie B and Ella P who have now left the school. They were both part of the firstever girls’ team at the school and now leave as national champions. Good luck with your next steps!

CS

SEASON STATS

BATTING

BOWLING

Friendlies

Repton 155-4 (Porter 50*), Trent College 90-7 (Butler 3-6)

Won by 65 runs

Repton 233-1 (Porter 103*, Wenham 63*), Uppingham 51-7

Won by 182 runs

Repton 140-3 (Porter 50*), Pilgrims 115-6

Won by 25 runs

Round 2

Repton 157-5 (Kibler 87), Stamford 113-3

Won by 44 runs

Last 16

Repton 171-3 (Porter 89*), Ellesmere 101-6

Won by 70 runs

Quarter-Final

Repton 153-5, Sedbergh 143-4

Won by 10 runs

Semi-Final

Repton 125-5 (Aldred 50*), Canford 126-2

Lost by 8 wickets

3rd/4th

Forest 159-4, Repton 95-9 Lost by 64 runs

Repton 189-3 (Kibler 87), Leicester Grammar 81ao

Won by 108 runs

Round 2

Denstone Conceded Last 16

Shrewsbury 147-3, Repton 149-54

Won by 5 wickets Quarter-Final Sedbergh Conceded

Semi-Final

Rugby 107-7, Repton 110-3

Won by 7 wickets Final

Repton 146-1 (Williams 53*), Millfield 129-8

Won by 17 runs

U15 SQUAD

Captain O. Kibler (G)

M. Aldred (F), F. Birmingham (M), L. Breese (G), H. Casey (G), A. Clarkson (M), C. Coulborn (F), H. Lees (G), J. Litchfield (F), A. Metcalf (F), B. Stannard (M), E. Tassell (A), E. Walne (M), A. Williams (M)

A tremendous season for the Girls' U15 side who won the National Final in September – Repton’s first ever U15 girls national cricket title, bettering a 2nd place finish the year before. This went alongside a 2nd place finish in the national indoor finals at Lord’sthree places better than a year earlier at the same venue.

NATIONAL U15 T20 CHAMPIONS

Most of the fixtures this year were the National T20 Cup; however there were some exciting opportunities outside of competitive fixtures. The girls played Trent College in a friendly fixture, with Olivia B scoring her first 50 for the school in a comprehensive victory. A great addition this year was an U15 development side fixture versus Rugby, in which over eight players played their first game of hardball cricket. Despite the result, a great time was had by all and more fixtures like this will be included next year.

Indoors, the U15 went a few places better this year, finishing 2nd nationally. Winning both the county and northern regional events, the team went to Lord’s hoping to beat last year’s 5th place. Despite missing the captain and vice-captain, the team shone under the leadership of Mim A, only to narrowly lose against eventual

winners St Helen’s and St Katherine’s. A remarkable achievement for the girls who performed exquisitely throughout the tournament and will try and beat the feat next year.

NATIONAL U15 INDOOR RUNNERS-UP

The main success came outdoors, with the U15 girls having an extremely successful U15 National T20 journey. The tournament started with a trip to Cheadle Hulme, where Annie W blitzed a superb 126* to lead the team to a 76 run victory. Next up came another trip, with the team having to play on a long outfield against Wilmslow High School. Despite the conditions, Mim scored a run-a-ball 62* to set a fantastic total. The bowlers then took centre stage, bowling out Wilmslow with all bowlers taking at least one wicket.

The next two rounds were against familiar opponents – Sedbergh and Shrewsbury. Both home fixtures, the bowling went to the forefront, and in both games the opposition were restricted to small scores. Sedbergh only could score 104, mainly due to Olivia

K’s 3-17, which the girls chased down with seven wickets left. The quality of performance vs Shrewsbury was even better, with the total being restricted to 43ao. Annie W and Olivia K then chased the score within six overs to replicate the team’s attacking mentality.

The girls had to wait until September to participate in finals day, but when it did arrive, quality shone and silverware was captured. St Lawrence College provided the first challenge, batting first on an extremely hot September afternoon. In the field, the team were superb, restricting St Lawrence to 117, largely due to Clara C’s spin-tastic 3-21. Annie shone in response, scoring 51 alongside other top-order contributions, chasing down the total with ease.

A similar story occurred in the final, with Gresham’s now the opposition. Again, we bowled first in the heat and to the best of their abilities, only allowing Gresham’s to score 125. In true Repton style, the girls attacked the score from the front, and captain Olivia scored a superb 64 to take the girls over the line. A fantastic way for the season to finish – national champions!

Many thanks must go to Mr Walker and Mrs Court for all their help over the year!

CS

Round 1

Repton 225-1 (Williams 126*), Cheadle Hulme 149-7

Won by 76 runs

Round 2

Repton 126-4 (Aldred 62*), Wilmslow High 34ao

Won by 92 runs

Last 16

Sedbergh 104-8 (Kibler 3-17), Repton 106-3

Won by 7 wickets

Quarter-Final

Shrewsbury 43ao, Repton 44-0

Won by 10 wickets

Semi-Final

St Lawrence College 117-8 (Coulborn 3-21), Repton 121-2 (Williams 51)

Won by 8 wickets

Final

Gresham’s 125-5, Repton 126-2 (Kibler 64)

Won by 8 wickets

National U15 T20 Cup P6 W6

SEASON STATS

CRICKET BOYS

1ST

XI

SQUAD

Captain Y. Bin Naeem (S)

E. Crossley (P), H. Firth (C), O. Flindall (C), T. Fraine (L), L. Fulton (S), O. Khan (C), H. Moore (P), G. Pocklington (N), M. Sanderson (P), M. Stewart (O), H. Styring (N), W. Tarrant (C), A. Wenham (S)

The summer of 2024 will go down as one of the most successful in the school’s history. 20 victories are the most ever wins for a 1st XI in a season beating the record set last season. The 1st XI has broken the school record for most wins in a season three years running. Prior to this the record had stood since 1866, making this a purple patch in Repton cricket history.

Victories of note were wins against Malvern, Bradfield, Tonbridge, Bromsgrove, Uppingham, Stowe and Merchant Taylors’ respectively.

Nationally the U18 boys made the quarter finals of the National T20 trophy, losing out to Shrewsbury in a low-scoring thriller on The Square. Although disappointed not to progress through to the semi-finals or the final held at Lord’s, the boys can be proud of their achievements this season in respect of going on a strong cup run that has not happened for many years. They have set the standards moving forward and hopefully 2025 will see the side go all the way to the final at The Home of Cricket, Lord’s.

The end of term SPREB Festival saw the team beat St Peter York and

Bradfield but lose out to hosts Epsom College, relinquishing their grip on the trophy, having won it seven years in a row. Repton will pay host the SPREB festival next summer, and we look forward to what will be a fantastic festival of cricket at one of the most picturesque grounds in the country.

Captain Yousaf was the leading run scorer for the second year in a row, scoring 743 runs at an average of 41.28 with one hundred, 106* against Stamford. In doing so he became the all-time leading run scorer in Repton history, surpassing R.A Hutton’s previous record of 2384 runs. Yousaf’s record stands at 2587 runs in a school career, a record that he can be immensely proud of considering many of the games played in this era are shorter-format matches leading to less balls faced overall.

Tom F, new to the school this year, scored 661 runs at an average of 47.21 with two back-to-back hundreds (106* and 117) against two South African touring sides. Will T (100), Harry M (118) and George P (116) all scored hundreds and made match winning contributions with the bat.

The bowling unit performed excellently all season with three bowlers getting more than 30 wickets each. Luke F was the leading wicket taker with 36 wickets at an average of 14.31 with one five wicket haul against Shrewsbury (5-40). Eamonn C and George P both took 32 wickets a piece at averages of 16.69 and 18.44 respectively, with George getting 2 five wicket hauls, the best being 5-16 against the Free Foresters. Harry M (5-19) and Tom F (5-28) also achieved this accolade against Gresham’s and Bradfield.

Other performances of note during the season were A Blocker Omaris K scoring 587 runs at an average of 29.13 and at a strike rate of 125.97. He scored 4 fifties with a highest score

of 89. He has recently been selected for the Midlands side to play at the Bunbury Festival this summer. I’m sure he will have Yousaf’s school record in his sights, and we look forward to his continued progression over the next three seasons.

All-rounder George P was awarded the John Howell Bat for Player of the Season with his 1 hundred and 2 five wicket hauls seeing him appear on the Honours Boards in both disciplines in one season, an achievement not many can put their name to. Yousaf was awarded the Alastair Gordon Field Cup for the third year in a row after leading from the front in the field with several terrific catches and many majestic ground-fielding moments.

All-rounders Harry M and Yousaf were both awarded professional contracts during the back end of the season and will play professional cricket for Derbyshire during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. This is an amazing achievement and a dream come true for both boys who thoroughly deserve it after all the hard work they have put into their cricket over the last 18 months. Yousaf leaves the school, but Harry has one year remaining. Harry was also selected to play for England U19s in their ODI and Test Match series against Sri Lanka and we hope that both boys will get opportunities in the Derbyshire 1st team at the back end of the season. We will be following their professional careers with keen interest. The 2024 season will be remembered for many years to come as a truly exhilarating, exciting, and recordbreaking season. To have set a new school record for most wins in a season (20), having broken the record for three consecutive years, is a remarkable achievement and sets the benchmark for Repton cricket moving forward.

CWA

SEASON STATS

Friendlies

Repton 144-5 (Fraine 52), Merchant Taylor’s 130-8 Won by 14 runs

Repton 255-4 (Bin Naeem 77, Khan 89), Myerscough 75ao (Stewart 3-32) Won by 180 runs

Shrewsbury 316-7 (Fulton 5-40), Repton 139ao Lost by 177 runs

Derbyshire U18 145ao, Repton 146-4 (Tarrant 52*) Won by 6 wickets

Friendlies

Stamford 234ao (Crossley 3-29), Repton 235-8 (Bin Naeem 106*)

Won by 2 wickets

Uppingham 111ao (Bin Naeem 3-25, Stewart 3-26), Repton 113-3

Won by 7 wickets

Repton 244-3dec (Tarrant 100, Moore 59*), Free Foresters 100ao (Pocklington 5-16)

Won by 144 runs

Trent College 350-2, Repton 254ao (Firth 52)

Lost by 96 runs

All-Rounder Cricket Academy 224ao (Tarrant 3-43), Repton 225-3 (Pocklington 67, Fraine 106*)

Won by 7 wickets

Bromsgrove 82ao (Pocklington 4-21), Repton 84-1

Won by 9 wickets

Repton 316-4 (Pocklington 116, Sanderson 56, Fraine 117), Boland Landbou 98ao (Butterworth 3-25)

Won by 218 runs

Friendlies

(Bin Naeem 3-37, Crossley 3-21) & 329-5dec, Repton 235-9 (Bin Naeem 52) & 281-8 (Bin Naeem 78*)

Won by 2 wickets

Repton 331-7 (Bin Naeem 50, Flindall 58), Repton Pilgrims 190ao (Fulton 3-21, Crossley 3-37)

Won by 141 runs

St Peter’s 170ao (Fulton 4-21, Crossley 3-33), Repton 174-4 (Fraine 81*, Flindall 51)

Won by 6 wickets

Repton 236ao, Epsom 238-7 (Fulton 3-49)

Lost by 3 wickets

Repton 202-5 (Khan 62), Bradfield 147ao (Fraine 5-28)

Won by 55 runs

National U18 T20 Cup

(Regional R1) Loughborough Grammar 81-9 (Fulton 3-11), Repton 83-4

Won by 6 wickets

(Regional R2) Trent College 126-6 (Firth 3-13), Repton 130-3

Won by 7 wickets

(Regional Quarterfinal) Repton 190-5 (Bin Naeem 76), Stowe 134ao (Pocklington 5-23, Moore 3-26)

Won by 56 runs

(Regional Semifinal) Repton 237-2 (Bin Naeem 52, Khan 84*, Moore 62*), Norwich 119-8 (Crossley 3-13)

Won by 118 runs

(Regional Final) Repton 196-5 (Khan 72*), Gresham’s 95ao (Moore 5-19)

Won by 101 runs

(National Quarterfinal) Shrewsbury 108-9 (Fulton 3-17), Repton 101-9

Lost by 7 runs

2ND XI

SQUAD

Captain H. Pickering (L)

O. Black (O), H. Bola (O), L. Cholerton (S), N. Davies (O), B. Hidderley (C), C. Hill (C), J. Lowe (L), C. Mayfield (N), M. Radford (C), W. Warren (O), J. Ziff (L)

Also played

H. Cursham (S), J. InglestonOrme (S), O. Kibler (G), H. Mellor (C), A. Oliver (F), R. Truelove (L), A. Williams (M)

After last year’s unbeaten season, there were high hopes going into the summer term of 2024, and while the results state that we lost two games, there were circumstances surrounding both that meant they could justifiably be chalked off. Trent fielded some 1st team players in the opening game of the season and we did not have our usual XI against Abbotsholme.

Nevertheless, I think we can look back on the season with some satisfaction. Henry ‘Ronnie’ P led the side well (when he was there!) and special mention should go to Will W and Harvey B – the other two members of the side in the Upper Sixth whose

performances have in no small part helped explain the success of the side over the last two years.

Several other performances stand out, and in particular the swashbuckling way Ben H took on his cricket during the term. Two innings with the bat were of particular note: his 84 off 50 balls against Shrewsbury and his 109 off 66 balls against Uppingham. However, it was with the ball that Hidders was also able to strongly influence games, including an impressive 5-fer against KES.

Special mention should also go to Jonah Z who scored three 50s in a row against Shrewsbury, Rugby and Stamford at the start of the season, and the three girls who played at various times in the 2nds. Amelia O averaged 26 opening the batting in the three games she played, while Annie W made a superb unbeaten run-a-ball 50 to help win the game against Trent towards the end of term.

I would like to thank all the players for their efforts and in particular Louis ‘Chollers’ C who was a stalwart of the side and didn’t miss a single game. Joe L and Nikhil D were also committed members of the team, despite the pressure of the exam season, and Charlie M’s professionalism behind the stumps was also impressive once again. I hope they enjoyed their cricket as much as I did.

WGO

P9 W7 L2

Trent

Lost by 44 runs

Shrewsbury

Won by 91 runs

Rugby

Won by 18 runs

Stamford

Won by 8 wickets

Uppingham

Won by 20 runs

Abbotsholme 1st XI

Lost by 29 runs

Trent

Won by 7 wickets

KES Birmingham

Won by 4 wickets

Bromsgrove

Won by 41 runs

3RD XI

SQUAD Captain J. Ikin (WK)

L. Bannister, L. Barker, O. Berry, H. Cursham, , O. Ewart-White, Z. Garner, S. Hinchliffe, J. Ingleston-Orme, Z. March Phillipps De Lisle, H. Mellor, A. Millard, B. Mills, H. Thandi, J. Robinson, W. Roy, Z. Stephenson, R. Truelove, G. Weston, R. Whitby-Samways, H. Whittaker

A tense one-wicket victory in the opening fixture against Trent College was the highlight of the season. The 3rd XI held their nerve in a low-scoring encounter to chase down 79, with the final pair coming together with 20 still required. The remaining three games finished in defeats by 10 wickets to Shrewsbury, by 54 runs to Rugby, and by eight wickets to Uppingham.

U15A SQUAD

Captain A. Butterworth (S)

L. Afzaal (O), I. Chohan (C), S. Gay (O), R. Hagen (N), Z. Harman (S), L. Jamieson (L), O. Khan (C), D. Latif (L), W. Needler (N), C. Read (O), L. Roberts (S), H. Studholme (O), G. Tidy (P)

A side capable of producing both the ridiculous and the sublime, the U15As have a had an excellent season of development, learning their craft and, most importantly, having a good time whilst doing so.

Led by the outstanding Arthur B, the 15s got off to a slow start, despite playing patches of good cricket in the process, falling to agonising defeats away at Shrewsbury in the dark, and Rugby in a game that saw the boys steal defeat from the jaws of victory.

The turning point of the season came against Stamford where a heroic (think Atherton and Russell in Johannesburg, 1995) partnership between the Latham lads, Lochie J and Deen L, saw the boys over the line with one ball to spare in what will surely go down as the greatest classic ever played out on Square 2 – the celebrations will live long in the memory.

Buoyed by that success, the team eased through to a stunning County Cup final success, meaning that they picked up some well-deserved silverware for their efforts this year. The final itself was a showcase for everything excellent about this team and the school, as, in front of a packed Paddock on ‘The Square’ Zack H, Caleb R, Omaris K and Arthur took it in turns to see who could hit the biggest six as we rollicked to a mammoth total, before defending it with aplomb.

Regrettably, the same cannot be said for the performance against Warwick in the regional final, which saw us bow out asking the question of “What might have been”.

This group of fine young men have an incredibly bright future ahead of them in the game. With the captain Arthur earning a 1st XI call-up this season, along with Omaris K several of the XI have stepped up to represent the 2nd XI already. We have enjoyed the season together, sharing each others successes, and it has been a pleasure to coach such a hard-working, enthusiastic and joyful bunch.

P10 W6 L4

Shrewsbury

Lost by 5 wickets

Rugby

Lost by 5 wickets

Stamford

Won by 5 wickets

Uppingham

Won by 29 runs

West Park (County Cup)

Won by 10 wickets

Trent (County Cup)

Won by 64 runs

Trent

Lost by 5 wickets

The Fernwood School (Regional Cup)

Won by 128 runs

Warwick

Won by 6 wickets

Warwick (Regional Cup)

Lost by 8 wickets

U15B SQUAD

Captain C. Dobson (C)

F. Andrew (L), P. Burton (C), H. Clark (S), T. Gilbody (N), G. Hill (C), A. Labesse (N), J. Parkinson (L), J. Prince (S), F. Roessen (L), C. Savill (S), R. Singh-Heer (L), T. Smith (S) H. Studholme (O), O. Way (S)

A tough season with narrow losses meant that we did not get the success we probably deserved. 18- and -20 run losses to Stamford and Trent respectively were the result of some questionable batting and running between the wickets, after good bowling performances left a chaseable total. In the final match of the season against Warwick, a 100- run partnership between Charlie D and Joseph P meant that we recorded our only win of the season in emphatic fashion and finished the season on a high.

U15C

U14A

SQUAD

Captain L. Afzaal

A. Ari-Kainth, E. Bailey, T. Brown, H. Cottrill, R. Dalugoda, M. Doncaster, F. Earnshaw, R. Hallows, O. Hill, F. Khan, B. Lines, O. Lockett, A. Maunders, A. Marriott, G. McCallum, G. Odell, H. Smith

There is no shying away from the difficulties of this season results-wise, but despite this, I cannot speak highly enough of the team for continuing to embody everything that Repton cricket is about – playing an attractive style of cricket, showing resilience and always giving their all.

The season started with three defeats, all of which were much closer than the results suggest. Whilst cricket is a fantastic sport, it is often determined by fine margins and on these occasions the U14As came out second-best. This wasn’t without some performance highlights, with Theo B scoring 50 against Malvern and 47 against Nottinghamshire, and Rupert H also scoring good runs, with

W0 L2

SQUAD

Captain F. Tebbs (P)

M. Amaral (C), F. Andrew (L), S. Duffey (P), B. Eardley (P), S. Gregory (C), A. Labesse (N), H. McNulty (N), W. Miller (O), B. Morley(N), A. Pitts (P), F. Roessen (L), C. Savill (S), L. Vacher Peña (P)

53* against Nottinghamshire. Often the U14As set themselves a good foundation for their innings, but just struggled to accelerate to get over the line in the final few overs.

Aside from scoring runs, it is important that the team takes wickets and looks to bowl teams out. I have been so pleased with the team’s willingness to remain aggressive and look to be on the front foot throughout the season, regardless of if they are batting or bowling first. This was epitomised with Ben L's performance against Stamford, taking four wickets conceding only 15 runs – a performance that almost won Repton the match. The captain Luqman A also produced a superb performance against Uppingham, taking four wickets for 18 runs.

It wasn’t the match against Uppingham, where everything came together and the team produced their best all round performance. Led by a well crafted 85 from Theo B, Repton comfortably chased 140 in their 30 overs.

Overall, it was a fantastic season to be involved in the U14A side. Whilst I appreciate the results did not all go our way, I thoroughly enjoyed every fixture with this team and the attitude, commitment and enthusiasm each

The U15C cricket season has been an excellent year for player development and has allowed many players with little to no experience play in competitive matches in a fun environment. The standout performance of the season came from Mateus A with the bat against Trent College, where he batted elegantly to score 35.

JRH

P9 W1 L8

Malvern

Lost by 98 runs

Shrewsbury

Lost by 9 wickets

Nottinghamshire U13

Lost by 23 runs

Rugby

Lost by 7 wickets

Stamford

Lost by 1 wicket

Uppingham

Won by 3 wickets

Trent

Lost by 8 wickets

Trent

Lost by 115 runs

King Edwards

Lost by 79 runs

and every pupil showed throughout the season which will only benefit Repton in the long term.

ASU

U14B

SQUAD

Captain C. Toozer

A. Ari-Kainth, E.Bailey, D. Bartoletti, R. Birch, A. Casey, H. Cottrill, O. Dilliway-Parry, M. Doncaster, G. Dyson, G. Eardley-Taylor, H. Jobe, O. Lockett, G. McCallum, G. Odell, C. Ormond, H. Smith, R. Stylianou, C. Toozer, C. Webster, M. Yotsugi

U14C

It was a very successful season for the U14B team. Twenty different boys have represented the side with eight of those also representing the A team. This shows that there was a lot of talent around the squad, and we successfully managed to give boys a chance in the different teams. Whilst it was pleasing that the team had a successful season in terms of results, what was even more impressive was the spirit that was displayed throughout. Matches were played with a degree of seriousness required to make the experience meaningful but with a healthy dose of lighthearted humour too.

Impressive victories were recorded early in the season against Shrewsbury,

Rugby and Stamford. The side were brought back down to earth by a humbling defeat to an impressive Uppingham side before showing resilience to recover well by recording a good win against Trent the following week. The best match was the win against Rugby with the decisive run being scored in the very last ball of the match. This game was played in the most wonderful spirit with lots of smiles and laughter throughout that did not diminish the quality of cricket on display; exactly how school cricket should be played.

It was a genuine pleasure to spend time with the boys and I hope that they all enjoyed the season as much as I did.

RGC

The 14C team have played in a positive spirit all term, despite some difficult results. They have approached the season with a great attitude, enjoying their cricket, playing in a positive manner and always representing the school in a positive light. The bowling has generally been the strength of team but as the term has gone on they have improved their batting and we are hopeful with a game to play, that they will finish the season in style!

SQUAD

Captain A. Smith (C)

D. Bartoletti (O), H. Blount (S), O. Diliway Parry (O) M. Dobrovolski (L), G. Eardely Taylor (N), F. Fenton (L), (O), M. Hogg (S), H. Jobe (P), L. Mansoori-Dara (O), O. Obaigbena (P), O. Sadley (S), A. Tretyakov (P), E. Whittingham (S)

MWTH

P7

CRICKET GIRLS

1ST XI

SQUAD

Captain A. Williams (M)

T. Boothman (A), O. Breese (G), K. Butler (G), H.M. Carr (Prep), I. Dawson (M), C. Jackson (M), F. Kibler (G), O. Kibler (G), M. Lowe (F), S. Merryfield (G), A. Oliver (F), M. Rajan (M), E. Tassell (A), O. Wenham (M)

An impressive season for the Girls’ 1st XI who continued to cement themselves as one of the top schoolgirl cricket sides in the country, and, despite the absence of national silverware this year, it was one which still provided many team and individual highlights.

The season started off well with friendly victories against Shrewsbury and Rugby, the latter a run-fest on a baking hot day in Rugby (against the trend of the English weather)! Both Amelia O and Annie W hit 50s to post a superb total of 174, with the girls able to defend the score despite a lightning quick outfield. The cup fixtures then began with a ten-wicket victory over Leicester Grammar, mainly due to Katy B’s 4-3. A double was complete over Rugby in the next round of the 100 Ball Cup. Restricting Rugby to 92, the 1st XI chased down the total with ease to progress through to the last 16.

A friendly against Uppingham was next in store, a fixture in which history was made last year with the first girls' 1st XI player on the batting honours board. This year it was the turn of the bowlers. Katy took an astonishing 5-9 to cement her place in Repton folklore. Uppingham couldn’t cope and never looked like reaching a total of 147 created by Olivia’s 79*.

A GREAT SEASON FOR THE GIRLS AND ONE TO BUILD UPON

The T20 Cup then kickstarted its season with two long, but successful, away trips. First the team travelled to Ellesmere on the Welsh border, returning home with a 95-run victory, set up by Olivia’s 57. The reward was a trip to the picturesque seaside town of Scarborough, although the view from the cricket ground was less than interesting! A tricky pitch meant a low-scoring game, but we managed to chase down Scarborough’s 79 with four wickets remaining and progressed through to finals day.

Attention then turned to the 100 Ball quarter-final against Ipswich. The original game was washed out and Ipswich returned to the Square for the second time in a matter of days. Despite some pre-match confidence, the girls succumbed to a heavy defeat against the would-be champions, never recovering from some early wickets.

After the final week of the term, the girls travelled to Epsom for the inaugural girls SPREB Festival (St Peter’s, Repton, Epsom, Bradfield). The first day saw a great tussle against Bradfield in a longer format which was a great experience. Bradfield set a respectable target of 229 and in return Repton fell just short, despite Annie’s 76. The next day we returned to the same pitch to play Willo Academy who had narrowly lost to Epsom the day before. A stunning display of patience, perseverance and ball-striking saw Meghna R score her maiden Repton hundred (115*) and took her place on the honours board. In the second innings another star of the Repton honours board, Hana Mae C (Repton Prep), bowled with pace, precision and confidence to take 6-21, including the first five batters – a stunning achievement from both girls.

The final act of the summer was the T20 finals day in Southampton. We clocked up some miles over the term! The semi-final v Epsom was close, but Repton could not get over the line for a second year running, losing by six wickets. Despite the disappointment, Repton played well in the 3rd/4th playoff, securing 3rd place with a 51-run victory thanks to Annie’s destructive 54.

A great season for the girls and one to build upon. No-one leaves the side this year and, with additional players arriving next year, it promises to be another successful year.

School Fixtures

Repton 121-8, Shrewsbury 112-5

Won by 9 runs

Repton 174-1 (A. Oliver 79*, A. Williams 59*), Rugby 150-3

Won by 24 runs

Repton 140-5 (O. Kibler 76*), Uppingham 37ao (K. Butler 5-9)

Won by 103 runs

Bradfield 229ao, Repton 203ao (A. Williams 76)

Lost by 26 runs

Repton 286-4 (M. Rajan 115*, L. Breese 65*), Willo Academy 85ao (H. Carr 6-21)

Won by 201 runs

National U18 100 Ball Cup

QUARTER-FINALISTS

Last 64

Leicester Grammar 36ao (K. Butler 4-3), Repton 38-0

Won by 10 wickets

Last 32

Rugby 92-9, Repton 95-4

Won by 6 wickets

Last 16

St Helen & St Katherine’s Conceded

Quarter-final

Repton 81-9, Ipswich 82-2

Lost by 8 wickets

National U18 T20 Cup 3RD PLACE

Last 32 Denstone Conceded

Last 16

Repton 203-4 (O. Kibler 57), Ellesmere 108-9

Won by 95 runs

Quarter-final

Scarborough 79ao, Repton 80-6

Won by 4 wickets

Semi-final

Repton 126-7, Epsom 127-4

Lost by 6 wickets

3rd/4th playoff

Repton 174-3 (A. Williams 54), St Edward’s 123-2

Won by 51 runs

SEASON STATS

U15

SQUAD

Captain M. Rajan (M)

H. Beacham (M), T. Boothman (A), O. Breese (G), H.M. Carr (Prep), H. Casey (G), C. Jackson (M), F. Kibler (G), M. Lowe (F), H. Mayfield (G), E. Tassell (A), A. Webster (A), E. Webster (A)

The U15 girls had another excellent season, winning another national title (this time in the 100ball competition) and losing only one game. The girls, again, have been outstanding for the entire term and thoroughly deserve their success to date, with the T20 National Cup finals day still to take place in early September.

As per the previous two years, the U15 season started in February with the ECB indoor competition. The girls progressed through as county and regional winners to reach Lord’s for the third successive time and a promising start led to two early victories. However, the break for lunch and a tour of Lord’s seemed to hamper performance, and we eventually fell to a fourth-placed finish.

There were plenty of cup fixtures to be played throughout the year, but our development team (U15B) also managed to get a fixture in against Rugby around their tennis commitments. Batting first, we scored 133-4, with Rugby unable to reach the target. A great experience for all those new to cricket!

The T20 cup season started away at Hill House, where Liv B’s destructive 92 set a promising score of 183. In reply, Hill House never looked like reaching the target, mainly due to the accuracy of the bowlers, especially Cecilie J (3-3).

Stamford was up next and provided a much sterner threat. Skipper Meghna R led the way with the bat, scoring 71* in a decent total of 163. Stamford got off to a flyer and it looked like 163 might be a few short. However, Cecilie stepped up and took her maiden Repton 5fer (5-13) to restrict Stamford to 119.

IN THE 100 BALL COMPETITION THE GIRLS BECAME NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

With Wilmslow High conceding, the quarter-finals offered a home fixture against Ellesmere. With wickets tumbling early, Evie T came to the crease and dominated the Ellesmere bowlers to score her first Repton 50

P11 W10 L1

(51*) and help the team to a total of 127. Again, the bowlers came to the fore, bowling Ellesmere out for 47 (Cecile 3-3) and sending the team to finals day.

Finals day took place in Salisbury, another long trip for the girls! In the semi-final, the Leys were the opponents and started strongly. With an improvement in fielding and some excellent death bowling, they were restricted to 126, a target 15 below par. This proved to be the case as the target was reached with 2 overs to spare, sending the team through to the final. As the rain came down, conditions became tricky and run scoring was difficult. After being 21-4 after 7 overs, the girls scrambled to a decent total of 112. However, Epsom proved their quality with some powerful hitting and reached the required total with ease. An excellent 2nd place nationally!

National U15 T20 Cup

RUNNERS-UP

Last 64

Repton 183-5 (L. Breese 92), Hill House 27ao (C. Jackson 3-3)

Won by 156 runs

Last 32

Repton 163-2 (M. Rajan 71*), Stamford 119-6 (C. Jackson 5-13)

Won by 44 runs

Last 16

Wilmslow High Conceded

Quarter-final

Repton 127-6 (E. Tassell 51*), Ellesmere 47ao (C. Jackson 3-3)

Won by 80 runs

Semi-final

The Leys 126-5, Repton 130-5

Won by 5 wickets

Final

Repton 112-5, Epsom 113-2

Lost by 8 wickets

In the 100 Ball competition the girls became national champions!

The journey began with a ten-wicket hammering of Denstone, chasing down 32 in 18 balls after Hana Mae C had taken 3-3. Wilmslow High visited next, and Liv shone with a superb display of ball-striking, scoring 114* before Wilmslow were bowled out for 54 in response.

Shrewsbury offered a tight battle, but the girls stood firm and fought hard, narrowly completing a tough run-chase with two wickets to spare. The quarter-finals took place in Lancaster against Sedbergh, where the result was a little more comfortable: target acquired with seven wickets remaining.

Finals day was up next on a glorious, hot summer’s day at Merchant Taylor’s. The girls were put in the field early on and the Rugby opener hit 60 to provide a decent total of 105. In response, Liv and Meghna were superb. They ran well, hit the bad ball and gave zero chances away as the target was reached with no wickets lost, Liv eventually finishing on 51*. In the final the roles were reversed. We batted first and stumbled slightly to 108ao. However, the pressure created in the field told and no less than five run-outs were created, only allowing Ipswich to score 78. Repton were champions!

A stunning season which many players will remember!

CS

National U15 100 Ball Cup

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Last 64

Denstone 32ao (H. Carr 3-3), Repton 33-0

Won by 10 wickets

Last 32

Repton 181-0 (O. Breese 114*), Wilmslow High 54ao

Won by 127 runs

Last 16

Shrewsbury 95-3, Repton 97-8

Won by 2 wickets

Repton 133-4, Rugby 82ao

Won by 51 runs

Quarter-final

Sedbergh 74-6, Repton 75-3

Won by 7 wickets

Semi-final

Rugby 105-7, Repton 109-0 (O. Breese 51*)

Won by 10 wickets

Final

Repton 108-8, Ipswich 78ao

Won by 30 runs

1ST VI TENNIS BOYS

SQUAD

Captains C. Grylls (N), H. Spear (L)

T. Grylls (N), W. Hu (S), N. Salsby (P), S. Sekhon (C)

M. Waddington (N), C. Wright (L)

The boys started their season early with the National Premier League winter competition. This always proves to be a fantastic standard of tennis with the best clubs, and players, represented in this event. It also brings another element of development for the boys as they pit their wits against men with this being an adult competition instead of their usual U18 matches. Following a number of matches against universities and clubs, the team just missed out on a place in the national play-offs.

The team, led by captains Harry S and Caspar G, who would also lead the team out as the number one and two players, started the summer season brightly with impressive wins against Stowe and Bromsgrove. All six players contributed to the overall result which is always a pleasing sight, especially against two new schools whom we hadn’t competed against in previous years.

The boys also started their national qualifying campaign off against High Storrs which went according to the script with a ruthless 12-0 win. There was then a quick turnaround before coming up against Trent College for a place in the last round of qualifying. This provided to be an excellent display of both singles and doubles with the boys coming out on top in all matches

against the same team who knocked the boys out in the previous year of this event! It was great to see how the boys had developed over the last 12 months and were incredibly professional in their preparation and performance.

The National Qualifying final was a fantastic match against a strong and familiar Leicester Grammar team. The lads knew this would be a real battle, knowing the opposition and previous history against this strong team. This proved to be the case as the match went right down to the wire. After the round of singles, the score was tied at 4-4 with Caspar and Warren H winning their singles matches. Harry competed incredibly well in his singles but came off court second-best against his nationally ranked opponent, and this was a similar result for Theo. The doubles round went in a similar fashion with the two matches being split, which meant a tie-break shoot out would decide the fixture and a place at national finals for the winning team. Harry and Warren teamed

up for Repton in what could only be described as a nerve-wracking encounter. With the boys 7-8 down and only two points away from defeat, the dug deep to turn the match and ultimately win 11-9!

A superb result and qualification for nationals was achieved.

I’VE NEVER BEEN PROUDER OF THIS TEAM THAN I WAS THROUGHOUT THE SEMI-FINAL

National Finals would prove to be a great challenge for the team with four days of competition and ultimately finishing with two wins and two losses. The first round draw was a tough one with the boys up against Scottish champions, Merchiston Castle. All matches were close, and the boys

National Premier League

P6 W2 D2 L2

Chapel Allerton

Lost 1-3

Loughborough University

Won 3-1

Leeds Beckett

Lost 1-3

West Bridgeford

Won 3-1

Leicester Forest East

Draw 2-2

University of Nottingham

Draw 2-2

fought hard in all of the singles and doubles matches but came up short. Next up came another tough match against Sevenoaks with a similar result. Following these two defeats the boys showed great resilience to win their next two days against Ilkley and Ellesmere and finish the finals in good spirits.

Following nationals, the team headed to Eton to represent the school in the annual Independent Schools Championships. A fantastic run of form allowed the boys to progress through three rounds of matches, defeating Whitgift, Sevenoaks and Winchester. This meant the team had made it through to the semi-finals and up against the number one-ranked team in the nation, Reeds. I’ve never been prouder of this team than I was throughout the semi-final. To fight toe to toe with this calibre of opposition was such a rewarding thing to see. After a long battle, the match would come down to a doubles shootout with Reeds eventually coming out on top against Harry and Caspar.

Overall it was a busy and exciting season with a fantastic amount of learning and success thrown in throughout.

School Fixtures

P6 W6 D0 L0

Stowe

Won 8-1

Bromsgrove

Won 8-1

Rugby School

Won 9-0

Uppingham School

Won 8-1

Trent College

Won 6-3

Old Reptonians

Won 10-8

I would like to personally thank our captains, Harry and Caspar, for their excellent contribution and leadership on and off the court and for also supporting the team so well.

JWR

P4 W3 D0 L1

National Qualifying (Glanville Cup)

High Storrs

Won 12-0

Trent College

Won 10-0

Leicester Grammar

Won 7-6

National Finals

Merchiston Castle

Lost 0-10

Sevenoaks

Lost 2-8

Ilkley Grammar School

Won 12-0

Ellesmere College

Won 8-4

1ST VI TENNIS GIRLS

SQUAD

Captain C. Griffiths (F)

F. Amin (A), J. Dyson (G), H. Kok (M), L. Ottewell (M), R. Ram (A), F. Wedgwood (A), S. Wilding (M), A. Yardimci (A)

The girls started their season early with the National Premier League winter competition. This always proves to be a fantastic standard of tennis with the best clubs, universities, and players represented in this event. It also brings another element of development for the girls, as they pit their wits against ladies, with this being an adult competition instead of their usual U18 matches. This turned out to be an excellent winter season with some fantastic results along the way. Victories in six of the seven matches gave them a place in the national play-offs.

A QUITE REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT

The school summer season got underway in impressive style! Opening wins against Stowe 8-1 and Bromsgrove 6-3 gave the girls great confidence for the rest of the season, particularly the win against Bromsgrove (the team who knocked the girls out of nationals last season). This was a sign of things to come as the girls showed no mercy against Rugby, Oakham, Trent and Uppingham.

This gave a season total of 45 sets won, to only nine set losses. A quite remarkable achievement!

National qualifying was next on the radar for the girls. The first-round tie against Rugby was a straightforward match with the girls finishing with a clean sweep 12-0. Lincoln Minster School were dispatched for the same scoreline before the semi-final, and potential banana skin for the girls came against a strong Kings High School, Warwick. The girls didn’t let the pressure faze them and played some outstanding tennis throughout the afternoon. Overall, the girls came out on top, 8-4, in a closely fought match.

The final qualifying round saw the team travel to Bromsgrove in what would be a rematch of last year’s final qualifying round. The girls battled hard against an impressive side with both teams knowing anything but a win would end their national qualifying dreams. With last season’s difficult loss echoing in the heads of the girls, the team played amazingly well and clinched victory in a tiebreak shootout! With the scores level following the four singles, and two doubles matches, it was left to Raga R and Chantal G to get us over the finish line. They came through the shootout 10-6 with a brilliant performance and 10 o’clock at night finish!

National finals took place during the last week of the Summer Term and was held at the Nottingham Tennis Centre. With the top 16 schools gathering to compete for the title, we eagerly awaited the draw. Disappointingly the girls drew the 1st seeds and defending champions Queenswood in the first round. Every member of the team worked extremely hard and competed well but as expected, it was Queenswood who came out on top. The girls finished their campaign well

with victories over St Peter’s York and Claires Court to prove how impressive this team is, and with a friendlier firstround draw, would no doubt have finished in a much higher place.

Following nationals came the annual trip to Eton for the Independent Schools Championships. Over the course of the three days, the girls defeated Kings High, Queenswood 2nds, Colston’s, and Bradfield to make their way to the semi-final, where the pairing of Raga and Hollie would defeat the national champions and number one seeds, Queenswood. A superb 7-6 6-3 win for this formidable pairing would mean a mouthwatering tie against Millfield in the final. A brilliant level of tennis was on show in the final. Millfield went into the final as favourites, but it was the Repton duo of Raga and Hollie who dominated the start of the match and found themselves 7-5 5-4 up and serving for the title. The girls played flawless tennis and had three match-point opportunities but unfortunately could not convert these opportunities. At 5-5 the momentum swung massively in the favour of Millfield, having saved these match points. The title would end up going down to a match tiebreak third set. Raga and Hollie saved a match point themselves at 8-9 down, but it was Millfield who came out on top 11-9 in an epic thriller of a final. To get this close to a national title was a great achievement, and hopefully the girls can go one better next year.

Overall, it was a fantastic season with a huge amount of success across the board. I would like to thank Chantal for her captaincy: she has not only led the team excellently during her tenure but has also been a fantastic role model for the younger squad members.

JWR

National Premier League

W5 D1 L1

Woodlands Won 3-1

Loughborough University

Won 4-0

Lady Bay LTC

Lost 1-3

Charnwood Won 3-1

University of Nottingham Won 4-0

Ashby Castle LTC

Won 4-0

Loughborough LTC

Draw 2-2

School Fixtures

W7 D0 L0

Stowe Won 8-1

Bromsgrove

Won 6-3

Rugby School

Won 6-3

Trent College Won 9-0

Uppingham Won 9-0

Oakham

Won 7-2

Old Reptonians Won 10-8

National Qualifying (Aberdare Cup)

W4 D0 L0

Rugby School

Won 12-0

The Kings High School, Warwick Won 8-4

Lincoln Minster School

Won 12-0

Bromsgrove

Won 7-6

2ND VI

SQUAD

G. Barlow (G) M. Brown (G), I. Canenti (M), I. Hobson (F), L. Ottewell (M), A. Parkes (M), F. Wedgwood (A)

Also played

I. Girvan (F), I. Teare (F), K. Ward (G)

The girls’ 2nd tennis team finished the 2023 season unbeaten and should be extremely proud of their efforts and significant achievement over the course of the Summer Term. They faced some tough opposition, and

U15A

SQUAD

their matches against Stowe and Oakham came right down to the wire, but the girls consistently battled to the bitter end to secure a win for the team. Against Bromsgrove and Trent, they really came into their own, combining tactful net play, powerful ground strokes, and well-placed serves alongside superb communication and teamwork. Seeing these players grow in confidence and fulfill their potential on the courts was a real highlight for me, and I am especially pleased that the seven Upper Sixth girls that represented the team were able to finish their Repton tennis journey on a high. We will certainly miss their dedication and enthusiasm, but I am nevertheless looking forward to seeing who steps into their shoes next year!

KVG

A. Edwards (M), D. Spear (F), M. Hart (F), I. Kashihara (F), R. Korylco-Bowers (M), H. Lees (G), E. Sandhu (A), C. Turton (A), K. Ward (G), L. Welbury (G)

The U15A team have competed well this term and have learnt a lot from not only the successes but also their losses too. At full strength, this team has performed well, and this has been highlighted with their victories over Bromsgrove, Trent and a very strong Oakham team. This fantastic set of girls have been incredibly hard working and have absorbed every bit of information given to them. Not only have they competed well, but we have had no less than 10 girls represent this A team throughout the season, which shows great depth and no doubt will stand these girls in good stead for the future.

PS

P4 W4 L0

Stowe

Won 5-4

Bromsgrove

Won 8-1

Oakham

Won 5-4

Trent Won 7-2

P6 W3 D0 L3

Stowe

Lost 3-6

Bromsgrove

Won 9-0

Oakham

Won 5-4

Rugby

Lost 2-7

Trent

Won 6-3

Uppingham

Lost 2-7

U15B

SQUAD

Z. Barkey (M), S. Derby (M), A. Edwards (M), E. Geary (G), M. Haines (M), L. Langley (G), H. Lees (G), E.Moseley (M), D. Shaw (M), C. Turton (A), I. White (M), K. Wylie (A)

The U15B squad need praising for their flexibility and ability to adjust to new partners. They had their fair share of away fixtures and the myriad of different pairing combinations throughout the season, as players were seconded to play in different junior and senior teams and indeed wonderful individuals who agreed to play up and sometimes out of their comfort zone too. We had a mixed season, but everyone competed in good spirits. The season started slowly at Stowe and after a long

U15C

SQUAD

E. Andrew (M), J. Blunt (G), H. Casey (G), A. Flavell (M), H. French (F), K. Gabriel (G), H. Williamson (G)

Also played

A. Metcalf (F), L. Miller (G), S. Stewart (M), B. Thompstone (M)

journey the teams did not really gel quickly enough to gain the upperhand but it did show that thought and placement of a ball can make all the difference. Slight tweaking of the pairs throughout the season and some improvement in serving saw the teams rise to their best; well-motivated and punchy although greater movement around the court is still the thought for the day. Zoe and Edie were driven players and improved tremendously throughout the term, Hatties ground strokes were always a tour de force and Darcy's provided sparks of excellence; Martha was the thoughtful placer of the ball, causing much upset to the opposition. Ehman’s serve was epic and she learned to follow this up more as the season developed. Abbie, Kate, Christobel, Ehman and Lydia were an interchangeable group, always fighting for possession and when on the losing side, always making the opposition fight, for their wins. Thanks too to Serena, Effie and Lizzy who slotted well into the teams and all showing concentration and placement of the

ball plays to their favour. A great bunch to work alongside and best of luck next season.

CEG

P6 W4 DO L2

Stowe

Lost 7-2

Bromsgrove

Won 8-1

Oakham

Won 8-1

Rugby

Lost 7-2

Trent Won 6-3

Uppingham

Won 6-3

I was pleased with the performance of the U15Cs, who, if they had only three fixtures to play, won two of them and helped the B team in their last match at Uppingham. If the Stowe fixture at home was won comfortably, it was followed by a humbling game away at Oakham on a very hot day. The last competitive game at Rugby saw some of the girls unavailable, but we were lucky to have players from the B team stepping in and helping us win the fixture narrowly to end the year on a high note.

The girls successfully developed their tennis skills over the term, making the most of training in a joyous and relaxed atmosphere. I am very proud of their resilience and good humour, being able to laugh and their own mistakes

(and mine), in training, matches, and even during the informal tournament we played on a Saturday when we didn’t have a fixture. They have truly been a delight to coach, and made it a very enjoyable term of sport for us all.

MC

P3 W2 D0 L1

Stowe

Won 7-2

Oakham

Lost 1-8

Rugby

Won 5-4

U14A

SQUAD

E. Collins (A), Z. Evans (F), I. Mayman (F), E. Miller (A), L. Parkes (M), G. Oborn (G), A. Rai (F), I. Semmence (M), B. Stannard (M)

The U14As have certainly made their mark on the circuit this term, and at full strength remain undefeated. Despite missing some of the squad, we still managed to field a team against Uppingham in the penultimate week of term and even then, only narrowly lost by one rubber. This wonderful set of girls have been like sponges; lapping up every ounce of information given to them (even the workings of a tie-break!!!) and week on week they have got better and better. Matches have been terrific (and nail-biting at times) and this feisty bunch have made

Repton proud. Aanya R and India S have only lost one set all term – that is quite an accolade, but equally there have been some gritty performances from Indi M and Zara E who have had nerves of steel and never given up even when the chips were down. Emmie M and Emily C have had some moments of brilliance with cross-court winners that bamboozled many an opponent and Lucinda P has been a powerhouse from the back of the court, ably supported by both Emmie and Zara. Grace O stepped up beautifully to the plate in our final match and all credit to her and Zara clinching two rubbers. The term has been a triumph and I look forward to seeing this wonderful crop of girls carry on being a formidable force on the tennis circuit.

NMD

Junior inter House A team Won by The Abbey

Junior inter House B team Won by The Mitre

P5 W4 D0 L1

Stowe

Won 7-2

Bromsgrove

Won 7-2

Oakham

Won 5-4

Rugby

Won 5-4

Trent Cancelled

Uppingham

Lost 4-5

U14B

SQUAD

J. Litchfield (F), Z. Mackenzie (M), A. Metcalf (F), L. Miller (G), G. Oborn (G), L. Robinson (G), B. Stannard (M), I. Thompstone (M)

Also played

J. Blunt (G), H. Casey (G), E. Collins (A), N. Khan (F), E. Miller (A), H. Williamson (G)

The U14Bs should be proud of their performances throughout a season in which their determination and competitive spirit shone through, often recovering to win sets that seemed to be lost. There were many highlights: BeBe S's forehand, Zoe M and Grace O's control, Anna M and Lola R's volleying, Lily M and Bella chasing down every ball, and winners flying off Jess L's racket

U14C

SQUAD

H. Dabbs (M) S. Derby (M), A. Edwards (F), A. Edwards (M), E. Geary (A), M. Haines (M), L. Langley (M), P. Mercer (F), L. Millard (F), E. Moseley (M), N. Osborne (A), D. Shaw (A), I. Sheppard (M), I. White (M)

It was great to see this group of players grow in confidence over the season, as well as to give lots of people an opportunity to play competitively. Progress was certainly made over the four matches we played from a tricky time at Stowe through to end

from all angles, but the constant from this group of girls was laughter – they always had a smile on their face and were never less than a delight to coach.

On court, after convincing wins against Stowe and Bromsgrove early in the season, overall victories became increasingly hard to come by as the girls met their match against Oakham and Rugby in highly competitive fixtures. Our last fixture was a trip to Uppingham with a number of regulars unavailable, and special mention must go to Jemima B, Hannah C, Harriet W and Natasha K (in her first tennis match for the school!) who all stepped up to the U14Bs and never looked out of place.

The final competitive action of the term involved a series of short sets against Repton Prep, with 17 girls from across the U14 squads playing, and which ended in a 10-9 victory to the ‘senior’ team - a brilliant way to end the tennis season!

CS

on a high note against Uppingham. With two losses and two wins and exactly the same number of points won as lost, the season could not have been more even. This super group of players were a pleasure to work with for their enthusiasm and positivity and their determination to do well and to improve their skills both in training and in matches. There were some tense moments where everything hung on the last point of the last game, and the players supported each other so well. Thanks to those who stepped in at the last minute and especially to those who played in more than one fixture, as well as to all of the players for making this such a positive season.

LEW

P5 W2 D0 L3

Stowe

Won 8-1

Bromsgrove

Won 8-1

Oakham

Lost 2-7

Rugby

Lost 4-5

Uppingham Lost 2-7

P4 W2 D0 L2

Stowe

Lost 2-7 Oakham Lost 4-5

Rugby

5-4

Uppingham Won 7-2

1ST VI TENNIS BOYS

in the match, killing off any potential momentum for Trent.

SQUAD

Captain H. Spear (L)

J. Deaner (O), T. Grylls (N), W. Hu (S), M. Waddington (N), Z. Wedgwood (S), C. Wright (L)

A successful winter, in which they made the finals of the men's National Premier League for the first time, put the Boys’ 1st team in great stead for the summer and it proved an impressive season.

Captaining the squad for the third time, Harry S led from the front as the team ran out convincing winners in the Saturday block fixtures, reinforcing their position on the circuit as the best tennis school in the region. Unfortunately, the weather prevented them having a clean sweep when fixtures against Uppingham and Oakham fell foul of the elements.

National Qualifying started with a tough encounter against local rivals Trent College. Knowing this could potentially be a tight match, the boys prepared well and were ready when the time came to host Trent on the indoor courts (the weather again not playing ball!). With only one loss and five wins, the team ran out 10-2 winners, moving them through to the semi-final of Qualifying. The highlight match of the encounter undoubtedly came from Warren H, who came back from match points down to defeat his opponent. Not only was this a great win for him but it came at a vital stage

A convincing 12-0 win in the semi-final versus Lincoln Minster School gave the boys a final against Leicester Grammar. Having beaten these in the same stage of the competition last year in a shoot-out, the boys knew what lay ahead of them. Again, preparation was key, and the boys delivered a match to remember. In front of a decent number of spectators on one of the few sunny summer days, the team won on a tie-break shoot-out. Harry and Jake D executed their game plan brilliantly, resulting in a 10-3 win and a place at this year’s National Finals.

It was a tough opening day for the team at National Finals against topseeded Ewell Castle, but the boys certainly didn't underperform and, while it resulted in a 4-8 loss, if a couple of points had gone our way, the result could easily have been different. This meant another match up against Leicester Grammar - a repeat of Qualifying – and, predictably, the match was tied, resulting in another shoot-out. This time it was LGS’ turn to come through, 10-7 and in a unique fashion. Their number one totally dictated play with Harry and Jake unable to find a way through, as his partner virtually stood and watched!

However, the boys were able to finish the week well, defeating Ilkley Grammar followed by Balcarras School, showing what quality we have. If a handful of points had gone our way over the first two days, who knows where this team would have finished?

The team then had 24 hours of rest before departing for Eton to represent Repton in the annual Independent Schools Championships. Their first match was against Clifton College and the pairings of Warren and Cameron

W, and Jake and Malachy W proved far too strong for the opposition, both winning in straight sets. The team then faced Radley in the quarter-finals. Unfortunately, without Harry and Jake, this was a bridge too far. Warren teamed up with Zak W but they just lost out to the first pair, whilst Cameron and Malachy won a tight one in a thirdset tie-break. Unfortunately, the shootout set went Radley’s way 6-3.

All in all, it was a great year for the Boys’ 1st team who made some important improvements to their games. We say goodbye to our captain Harry, who has represented the 1st team for four years and has captained them for three - a truly brilliant ambassador for Repton and for Repton tennis.

JWR

School Fixtures

Oundle

Won 7-2

Bromsgrove Won 7-2

Stowe

Won 5-1

Old Reptonians

Lost 5-12

ISTA Championships

R1

Clifton

Won 2-0

Quarter-final

Radley

Lost 1-2

LTA National Championships (Glanville Cup)

QUALIFYING

R1

Trent

Won 10-2

Semi-final

Lincoln Minster

Won 12-0

Final

Leicester Grammar

Won 7-6

FINALS

Ewell Castle Lost 4-8

Leicester Grammar Lost 6-7

Ilkley Grammar

Won 8-4

Balcarras School

Won 7-6

2ND VI

SQUAD

E. Anderson, F. Cookson-Jones, H. Cursham, R. Johnston, S. Maxton, Z. Maxton, B. Mills

V. Procházka, J. Reid, Z. Watson

The Boys' 2nd team had a fine season with a number of excellent block fixtures. There was much rotation in the squad due to the pressures of public examinations, but this did not prevent the core of the team enjoying some superb match play. The highlight of the season was an 8-1 win away at Bromsgrove school. Here, tricky underfoot conditions and bright sunlight made the afternoon a challenge, but the competitiveness of the Repton side prevailed.

U15A

SQUAD

W. Adams (P), E. Anderson (O), F. Cookson-Jones (L), G. Dyson (P), D. Harrison (S), H. Jobe (P), Z. Maxton (C), H. McNulty (N), W. Miller (O), A. Naughton (S) B. Reid (P)

It was a fantastic Summer Term for the U15A Boys' team. Their hard work over the winter and throughout the whole year on the training court was evident in their summer success.

The team remained undefeated throughout the term in their school friendlies right up until their final fixture of the season. During the Summer Term they recorded convincing wins against Oundle and Bromsgrove before being edged out by Stowe. It was also worth noting that vs Stowe, the U15A team were without four of their regular players with Will A and Alex N being called up for senior teams and Ethan A and Freddy C-J playing in LTA events.

The only negative was poor weather throughout late May/early June saw fixtures against Oakham and Uppingham postponed.

Due to the strength of our junior boys, Repton entered the LTA Junior national club league competition for the first time in its history. This is an event containing some of the strongest clubs and schools across the country. It was a fantastic test for the boys playing in a high level event. Even though the boys didn’t qualify through their Midlands group for the knockout stages, playing stronger players was a great experience. They ran both Bolton Arena and Lady Bay close, with notable performances from Freddy (winning both his singles and doubles vs Bolton Arena) and Alex (winning his singles and doubles vs Lady Bay on his return from injury).

The strength in depth of the U15 boys was the real advantage of the team. Both on the match court but equally in training, having such a strong group pushing each other on has created a great environment for progression. BR

School Friendlies

Oakham Postponed

Uppingham Postponed

LTA Junior National Club League

Bolton Arena

2-4

Cultiv8 Lost 0-6

Lady Bay

3-4

P3 W2

D0 L1

P6 W2 L4

1ST VI TENNIS GIRLS

SQUAD

Captain R. Ram (A)

F. Amin (A), T. Boothman (A), R. Chen (M), J. Dyson (G), H. Kok (M), W. Nissen (A), O. Wilding (M)

Summer 2024 was certainly one to remember for this talented group of girls. The season kicked off in usual fashion with block fixtures and the girls were relentless against Oundle, Bromsgrove, Oakham and Stowe, reinforcing their place as the strongest school on the regional circuit.

National Qualifying produced similar results. They dispatched Uppingham 12-0, without the home team getting on the scoreboard or even winning a set, to set up a match against local rivals Trent College for a place at the National Finals. The girls prepared incredibly well and what could have been a potential banana skin turned into a 12-0 win, as the team, led by Raga R, gave the travelling opposition nothing to get their teeth into, securing qualification for this year’s National Finals.

The week-long Nationals Finals, held at the Nottingham Tennis Centre, was played in glorious sunshine, in what was probably the only decent week of weather throughout the entire Summer term. The girls, seeded eighth, played the seventh seeds Highgate in the first round. With impressive

performances from 1-4 in singles and first- and second-pair doubles, the girls were through to the quarter-finals with a 12-0 victory. Second seeds Surbiton were up next in what was probably the highlight of the week. With the match tied at 6-6, it came down to a shootout. Hollie K teamed up with Rosie C and they executed their game plan brilliantly to win 10-4. The girls were through to the national semi-final and a place in the top four schools in the country.

The girls faced defending champions and top seeds Queenswood but they certainly weren’t fazed by the opposition. After six hours of battling tennis, they just missed out on a place in the final with a 4-8 defeat, but they produced the best level of tennis they have ever played and they should be proud of this. It also meant that, as we approached the final day of play, the girls were playing for the bronze medal and a third-place finish from the original 350 schools who entered the competition. The team played some brilliant tennis against Culford, who were seeded much higher than Repton, and, once again showed how good they really are by taking the match to another shoot-out with the score tied at 6-6. This time, captain Raga teamed up with Hollie in what proved to be a deadly combination, coming through a tense and dramatic shoot-out 11-9 and securing the bronze medal and Repton girls’ highest-ever position at the National Finals. A special mention to Hollie who came through the week top of the stats for the entire event, winning all eight of her matches: very impressive!

The team then had 24 hours of rest before departing for Eton to represent Repton in the annual Independent Schools Championships, with Raga

and Hollie as first pair and Rosie and Ferial A second.

Rosie and Ferial had strong wins against Hymers, St Edwards and St Marys, with their only group loss coming against KCS, before coming up an Eastbourne team who proved too strong.

Raga and Hollie were on formidable form following the National Finals the previous week. They won all their group matches, defeating New Hall, The Leys and Collegiate. It was an incredibly close battle against Collegiate which saw Raga and Hollie saving two match points against them, before eventually winning the tie in a deciding point, ‘winner takes all’ scenario. Their amazing run would continue, with victories over St Peter's and Marlborough before defeating Eastbourne in the semifinal 7-6, 6-4. This meant another showcase showdown awaited them in the form of top seeds Queenswood in the final. The girls tried everything within their power, but the impressive Queenswood pair were just too good and they retained the title 6-2, 6-4. But this was another amazing display from Raga and Hollie to reach the final in back-to-back years.

Well done to the entire Girls’ 1st team, all of whom contributed to a recordbreaking season. Third place at the National Finals, followed by second place at the ISTA Championships should make these girls very proud!

A special thank you to Raga who has captained the team extremely well this year.

JWR

School Fixtures

Oundle

Won 9-0

Bromsgrove

Won 7-2

Oakham

Won 9-0

Stowe

Won 7-2

Old Reptonians Lost 5-12

QUALIFYING

Uppingham

Won 12-0

Trent Won 12-0

FINALS

R1

Highgate

Won 12-0

Quarter-finals

Surbiton High

Won 7-6

Semi-finals

Queenswood

Lost 4-8

3rd/4th playoff

Culford

Won 7-6

LTA National Championships (Aberdare Cup)

LTA National Championships (Aberdare Cup)

2ND VI

SQUAD

G. Atherley (G), F. Betts (G), M. Hart (F), W. Nissen (A), D. Spear (F), L. Welbury (F)

Also played

L. Barker (G), T. Boothman (A), I. Kashihara (F), A. Rai (F), P. Scherrer (F)

It has been yet another unbeaten season for the Girls’ 2nd tennis team, which is all the more impressive given the number of players who were right in the midst of their GCSEs this summer. I am so grateful to the girls who gave up their Saturday afternoons

to represent the school, despite having a string of exams the following week, and I am equally grateful to those who stepped up to play for the team from our U15As, our 3rd team, and our elite hockey programme. Every girl who trained to be a part of the senior squads brought such enthusiasm and positivity to every session, and it was an absolute delight to coach them from start to finish. In matches, they were able to effectively put into practice the skills and tactics learned in training to secure some strong wins, and I was so proud so see them bring such fantastic determination and sportsmanship to every match. I hope they continue to enjoy their tennis next year, and I wish them all the very best for the future!

KVG

U15A U15B

SQUAD

Captains A. Rai, I. Semmence

I. Mayman, L. Parkes, B. Standard, A. Wain

P3 W1 D0 L2

Oundle

W4 L5

Bromsgrove

W8 L1

Oakham

W4 L5

P4 W4 L0

Oundle

Won 6-3

Bromsgrove

Won 7-2

Oakham

Won 9-0

Trent 1st VI 2-2 (won on countback)

SQUAD

Captain Z. Evans

E. Collins, J. Litchfield, Z. Mackenzie, E. Miller, L. Miller, G. Oborn, L. Robinson

P3 W3 D0 L0

Oundle

W7 L2

Bromsgrove

W9 L0

Oakham

W6 L3

The fantastic U15 Girls' A and B teams have played four fixtures this term. This included a triumphant fixture against Bromsgrove where the girls collectively won 17 out of their 18 matches! The B team were victorious in all their fixtures, which was testament to their team spirit. All girls showed amazing positivity and determination throughout, the captains for the A team being Aanya R and India S and for the B team Zara E, who ably led her team to conquer all in their path. With many injuries and other commitments, it meant the girls really had to pull together and show their class with Zoe M stepping up from the C team to the Bs for three fixtures to help her teammates. It also meant that some girls from the Bs had the opportunity to play in the As, which they were all super keen to do. Whilst India was the volley star, Aanya was the most supportive player overall, determined to cheer on her teammates when her matches had finished. Annabel W was the most improved player, with Lola R's serve being one of the trickiest to return, particularly on the astro!

SST

U15C/D

SQUAD

E. Andrew (M), J. Blunt (G), S. Corbett (F), A. Flavell (M), K. Gabriel (G), I. Hinde-Smith (M), Z. Mackenzie (M), A. Metcalf (F), M. Rozenman (G), A. Stylianou (G), I. Thompstone (M), H. Williamson (G)

Also played

G. Burke (M), H. Casey (G), N. Khan (F)

The U15Cs and U15Ds should take pride in the attitude and commitment they have shown to their tennis this term – they are a group of girls who find joy in playing tennis with their friends in the sun (although a bit more would have been welcome on occasion!) and they always made the afternoon training sessions a pleasure to coach.

On paper, the opening match of the season away at Oundle resulted in heavy losses for both teams, but there were a number of well-contested sets that could very easily have gone in Repton’s favour. The girls then showed their strength in depth at home against Oakham, with the U15Cs narrowly losing, principally due to a very strong Oakham 1st pair who did not concede a game, but the U15Ds reversed this result, with particular credit going to Grace B who (in her debut match for the school) paired up beautifully with Bella H-S to win two out of their three sets.

Matches in the second half of the Summer Term were sadly impacted by weather and other school commitments, but the girls continued to train hard and a number of them represented the U15Bs in the final match of the season against Stowe (including Kayla G answering a lastminute injury call and winning a set), fighting hard throughout and showing how much their level of play had developed over the term. Well done

girls, and I hope you continue to enjoy your tennis next year!

KHI

U15C

Oundle

Lost 2-7

Oakham

Lost 4-5

U15D

Oundle

Lost 0-9

Oakham

Won 6-3

U14A

SQUAD

F. Chadwick (F), E. Chandi (A), L. Cursham (M), A. Hart (F), L. Hinchley (F), H. Sandhu (A), P. Wrisdale (A), I. Yeung (A)

We all know that the Summer Term is a busy one, but I don’t ever recall one as jam-packed as this.

Battlefields trips, cricket matches, school exams have all had an impact on the tennis programme but that said, there have been some wonderful matches this term and the girls have come on in leaps and bounds. A real highlight was the nail-biting concluding match against Bromsgrove: Eisha C and Frankie C had already confirmed three wins, but Anoushka H and Lettie C pulled out a great result in the final round to secure the win holding their nerve and forcing

U14B

W3 L1 D0

SQUAD

P. Ascott (F), A. Finlay (A), L. Green (F), L. Hambleton (F), N. Hibbert (M), L. Hinchley (F), H. Ingleston Orme (M), C. Jackson (M), S. Moss (G), E. Reeves (M), H. Sandhu (A), A. Webster (A), P. Wrisdale (A)

The girls travelled to Oundle School for the first game of the season and in true British style the weather was not kind to us. Despite the ‘winter’ conditions in Summer Term the girls put in a great

the errors from their opponents. Our match against Oakham was a very solid performance from all of the team (more impressive that we were without Eisha who had been promoted to the 1st team) but I have a feeling that that particular trip won't be remembered because of the tennis but rather more an ‘interesting’ coach journey. Suffice to say additional sick bags, a fan and enhanced satnav will be added to the kitbag for subsequent trips next year!

I thank the players for showing real commitment to the team and school, making sure they are available week in, week out. It makes such a difference to the outcome of matches and the quality of the programme to have committed players on-board. If this lovely set of girls continue to train hard and show an on-going commitment to improve their consistency (thereby forcing their opponents to make the error first), then I am sure there will be plenty to celebrate on court in the years to come.

NMD

effort, narrowly missing out on the win with the result going 4-5 in Oundle’s favour. This, however, turned out to be the only loss of the season and wins closely followed against Trent College and Bromsgrove winning 6-3 and 7-2 respectively. I must give it to this group of girls: their dedication to training is unmatched, often staying after training to carry on playing. This was also shown in their games vs the Prep and competing in the annual Junior Girls Singles competition. A couple of mentions to Harneve S whose determination to win the point playing excellent ground strokes down the lines were excellent. Annie F never failed to amaze me with her enthusiasm at every single match and training whilst Anna W improved constantly throughout the season with her mirror technique! A 6-3-win vs Oakham against tough opposition

P5 W3 L2

Oundle

Lost 2-7

Trent

Lost 4-5

Bromsgrove

Won 5-4

Prep Won Oakham

Won 7-2

Uppingham

Cancelled

perhaps is the best result of the season; even if the bus journey wasn’t! Good luck for the final game of the season!

AST

P4

U14C

SQUAD

P. Ascott (G), I. Green (M), H. Ingleston-Orme (M), C. Jackson (M), L. Lewis (M), E. Webster (A), E. Wyatt-Shannon (F)

Also played

H. Beacham (M), A. Finlay (F), L. Hambleton (M), M. Lees (G), H. Mayfield (G), S. Moss (G), E.M. Reeves (M)

U14D

SQUAD

C. Dammers (A), I. Every (G), E. Iorio (A), A. Lubega (A), L. Morris (M), N. Smith (M), E. Wyatt-Shannon (F)

The U14Cs have demonstrated commendable resilience and positivity this term, even with the unpredictable summer weather. Their first match was against Oundle, where despite close contests by Irina G and Lola L, they faced a tough 9-0 loss. However, the team’s dedication in training paid off with impressive victories over Trent (6-0), Oakham (7-2), and Repton Prep (8-0) in subsequent matches. This season, the U14Cs have showcased a perfect blend of competitive spirit and enjoyment of the sport. A special highlight was Eloise W's remarkable performance in the U14C singles tournament and I hope she makes good use of the tennis balls she won!

EMB

For many in the U14D squad this was their first season playing competitive matches, but you wouldn’t notice as they represented the school respectfully, with great humility and showing good sportsmanship. The early fixture against Oundle at the start of the season, in conditions more suited to winter sports, showed promise for the season ahead with some very competitive matches played, despite the overall result. Later matches against Repton Prep and Oakham allowed the squad to show their ability and what they had recently been working on. The serving in the squad certainly improved with many learning the skill from scratch or further refining their technique. The squad were always enthusiastic at training, often opting to stay out playing for longer after the session or some even wanting to play when training was cancelled due to torrential rain. I hope their passion for tennis continues to develop further and they bring their eagerness with them into future tennis seasons.

LG

P4 W3 L1

P3 W2 D0 L1

1ST XI FOOTBALL BOYS

SQUAD

Captain N. Salsby (P)

C. Bramwell (O), M. Bristow (C), H. Buckley (S), J. Davies (C), A. Federico (C), O. Flindall (C), N. Freyndorf (N), F. Johnston (P), S. Khan (L), J. Lowe (L), Y. Pevzner (C), M. Rennie (N), J. Rush (N), C. Thompson (N), Z. Watson (N), F. Webb (P), A. Young (C), W. Warren (O)

The boys’ 1st XI had a season of outstanding experiences as they continued to develop both as footballers and young men.

The season started with an accomplished performance against the ORs, where the team came out on top for the first time in eight years, and they continued to impress thereafter with a new brand of expansive and controlled football. The ISFA Sixes saw us reach the semi-finals, only to be knocked out by two counter-attacking goals against Ardingly.

The Hudl League season opener against Bradfield was a close encounter and a high-quality match, ending in a draw, but given that Bradfield only lost one game all season, in hindsight this performance was one of the highlights of the year. The campaign continued with a narrow defeat to Royal Russell after missing a penalty, but this was followed by good wins against Millfield, Shrewsbury and Charterhouse. The final game of the first term saw us travel to play

Hampton with an injury-hit squad. Despite playing very well, our young team was not able to take the three points and we moved to second in the League.

The ISFA Cup campaign got off to an incredible start away to Norwich. Due to injuries we were forced to play an outfield player in goal, and, finding ourselves 3-0 down with 25 minutes to go, all seemed lost. But one of the greatest comebacks in ISFA Cup history saw us run out 4-3 winners with a final-minute goal and progressing to the last 16. Reading Blue Coats awaited us there, and a comprehensive display gave us a 4-0 victory and a place in the quarter-finals. It was there we met Rossall and a barnstorming game of end-to-end football finished with us falling short and being knocked out of the competition.

In the ESFA Super League we once again had an outstanding experience with our last 16 match against Brooke House being one of the best games of football all year on the school circuit. The quality of football on display was of the highest order and the scoreline did not disappoint either. 3-1 down at half-time, an unbelievable display in the second half saw us 4-3 up with seconds to go - only to concede an

equaliser. The game went to extra time and unfortunately we finally lost 6-4.

The last weeks of the Hudl League season saw us competing for third place and playing a strong Ardingly side to see who would claim that honour. A sterling performance and a winner with five minutes to go after a 15-pass move secured our victory, and on the final day of the season at Super Saturday we sealed third place with a draw against Bede’s.

The team this year was led impressively by Captain Nat S, who was ably supported in leadership by ViceCaptains Charlie T and Jake D. The Player of the Year went to Jake for his outstanding contribution to the football programme and consistently high-level displays throughout the season.

Amos F and Johnny R represented Gibraltar in the U17 and U21 Euro Qualifiers. Johnny, Charlie B, Nat and Charlie T were also selected for the ISFA U18 national team, and Matthew R and Adam Y for the ISFA U17s.

We now look forward to next season as we continue to build on the performance success of 2023/24.

LAW

Hudl Independent Schools League

3RD PLACE

Bradfield Draw 1-1

Royal Russell Lost 1-2

Millfield Won 1-0

Shrewsbury Won 5-4

Charterhouse Won 2-1

Hampton Lost 0-2

Ardingly Won 2-1

Bede's Draw 2-2

U18 ISFA Cup

Round 3

Norwich Won 4-3

Round 4

Reading Blue Coat Won 4-0

Quarter-final

Rossall Lost 1-4

U18 ESFA Super League

Round 1

Codsall Community High Lost 4-5

Round 2

Brooke House Lost 4-6 (AET)

School Fixtures

John Madejski Academy Lost 1-6

Old Reptonians Won 2-0

Kimbolton Won 3-1

Wolverhampton Grammar Won 8-0

Rossall School Lost 2-5

Staffordshire County Won 7-0

Queen Ethelburga's Won 4-1

Loughborough University Lost 1-5

Bradfield Lost 1-5

Rossall Won 3-2

Queen Ethelburga's Won 5-3

Millfield Lost 3-4

Samuel Whitbread Academy Draw 1-1

2ND XI SQUAD

Captains O. Flindall (C), H. Evans (O)

A. Adefala (N), K. Dixit (P), H. Firth (C), C. Gillies (O), S. Gunn (O), R. Johnson (P), B. Mills (O), K. Ndow (O), D. Nto (P), H. Ojougboh (S), Y. Pevzner (C), M. Rybalkin (P), L. Tuinenburg (N), F. Twite (N), W. Warren (O), C. Wright (L)

Also played

L. Aboderin (O), F. Atere (N), M. Bristow (C), L. Cholerton (S), J. Davies (C), R. Donegan (N), A. Federico (C), T. Fraine (L), L. Fulton (S), T. Gould (P), M. Goulden (C), B. Hidderley (C), L. Hillback (N), G. Hill (C), S. Khan (L), J. McGlynn (O), H. Pickering (L), C. Walmisley (P), Z. Watson (N), A. Webb (P)

The 2nd XI had a hugely enjoyable season, with a commitment to improvement and development, first and foremost in the planning. Training was excellent, with intensity and high standards, and it was particularly pleasing to see so many players go on to play for the 1st XI during the season.

Results were mixed, and our new brand of possession-based football - making brave decisions on the ballsaw some spectacular results, whilst also occasionally being our Achilles’ Heel. We had some fantastic wins throughout the season, not least a rare victory over the OR team, with Cameron W putting in a superb performance as we took an early lead and bravely hung on for the win. We came up against good sides in Bradfield, Millfield and Rossall, all of whom bettered us this season, but we stuck to our principles and improved as footballers as a result. The highlight of the Michaelmas Term was undeniably a barn-storming performance in the 4-3 victory against Shrewsbury. Played on a cabbage patch of a pitch after heavy rain, the boys took an early lead, but were pegged back by the plucky opposition. When Harry E lashed in from 25 yards, with his unfavoured foot, we thought we were home and dry, taking a 4-2 lead. However, a series of injuries, left us down to ten and then nine men, with a collective effort to hang on to the win and take the bragging rights in the ‘local’ derby.

As we moved into the Lent Term, with the group becoming the ‘Development XI’ and incorporating several U16 players, we had continued success in the Derbyshire County Cup, most notably a thrilling semi-final away at Lady Manners. Goalkeeper Will W made a superb penalty save with

the last kick of the match to take us into extra time, which we went on to dominate and reach the final. The final, played at Moor Farm in the summer sunshine, was executed perfectly with a clean sheet and a goal in each half from Connor G. The engine room of Harry, Ollie F and Tom G were tireless and David N came on at half-time to turn the game with a Man of the Match performance.

Improved results against teams previously played showed the progress made over the course of the season, with the 0-1 defeat away at Millfield with only 12 players and Freddie T selflessly stepping in as a makeshift goalkeeper - a strange highlight, perhaps underlining the joy that resilience, character and work ethic can bring. This was to be eclipsed by the 4-0 drubbing we gave Shrewsbury on their own 1st XI pitch with wonderful goals from David N, Ollie and a brace from top-scorer Connor G. With only four goals conceded in the final six matches and the Derbyshire U18 Cup lifted along the way it is fair to say that the group developed into a very effective and competitive outfit as the season progressed with, hopefully, some great memories made along the way.

MRW, CL and MMC

School Fixtures P19 W10 D1 L8 F51 A45

Old Reptonians Won 3-2

John Port Won 5-1

Bradfield Lost 3-5

Wolverhampton Grammar Won 2-1

Millfield Lost 0-5

John Taylor (ESFA R2) Won 10-3

Kimbolton Won 4-3

Rossall Lost 2-10

Thomas Alleyne’s (ESFA R3) Lost 1-2

Shrewsbury Won 4-3

Alleyne’s Academy (Staffs R1) Lost 0-2

Queen Ethelburga’s Lost 2-4

Denstone Lost 1-3

Kirk Hallam (Derbyshire QF) Won 3-0

Lady Manners (Derbyshire SF) Won 4-2 (AET)

Queen Ethelburga’s Draw 1-1

Millfield Lost 0-1

Shrewsbury Won 4-0

Tupton Hall (Derbyshire Final) Won 2-0

3RD XI

SQUAD

Captain A. Webb (P)

O. Berry (O), M. Carson (S), L. Cholerton (S), E. Crossley (P), H. Cursham (S), T. Fraine (L), C. Mayfield (N), H. Mellor (C), I. Milenin (C), B. Mills (O), H. Pickering (L), H. Proctor (S), H. Spear, (L), M. Stewart (O), C. Walmisley (P)

Also played

L. Aboderin (O), L. Campbell (N), K. Dixit (P), B. Hidderley (C), S. Kempston-Parkes (L), M. Lake (O), D. Nto (P), S. Raper (P), H. Styring (N), D. Tuinenburg (N), J. Wang (L), P. Whittingham (C), J. Ziff (L)

What to make of this season?

Viewed through a purely statistical lens, this was not a classic in the storied annals of Repton Boys’ 3rd XI, and there were times – when first Bradfield and then Millfield picked at what looked worryingly like our hollow carcass in the dark days of September – that I feared that this would be a very tough season.

4TH XI

The season started with the notoriously difficult fixtures against the Old Reptonians and Bradfield which contributed significantly to our goal difference. However, after those games, good showings against Wolverhampton Grammar and Twycross meant that the season started to gain momentum.

How wrong was I! The turning-point, and perhaps the defining match of the season, came against Shrewsbury. In the opening 10 minutes, Charles W scored what Mr Lawrence would describe as two “top, top strikes” (the second “top” is crucial, by the way). But what really stood out was our secondhalf performance, when, having conceded just before half-time and put timely wind in the Salopians’ sails, while playing up the Tower slope, we actually won the half 1-0, in a display of tenacity and collective willpower I have rarely seen from a Repton 3rd XI.

Then the adventure really started. The boys made history by entering the ESFA B Team Cup, where they not only extended 3rd XI football into the Lent term for the first time in the School’s existence, but did so courtesy of some resounding victories. They opened their account with a 6-2 win at home to Priory Ruskin, with Louis C’s four goals almost eclipsed by a contender for the goal of his generation by Michael C: a top-corner 30-yard volley from a deep cross that drew spontaneous applause and joyous laughter from the visitors’ bench.

Arguably the apogee of the season, however, came in the third round of the Cup, on the Lincolnshire Riviera. Louis achieved what as-yet undiscovered tribes in the Amazonian rainforest had long known that he would, scoring in the first minute of the game. Then, less predictably, Nayim-nostalgists

The highlight was the home-and-away fixture against Shrewsbury, culminating in an entertaining 1-1 draw which Repton probably should have won.

An enjoyable season played in the right spirit reflected well on the players. They never stopped running or tackling, even when playing more experienced opponents.

CTI

witnessed the most unlikely equaliser imaginable, scored direct from a floated cross from the left touchline. Another, less spirited, committed or united group of young men might have let their heads drop. Not this team.

Led by Harry S, Michael, Harry C (in the performance of his career to date) and Tom F, galloping down the wing on never-ending overlaps, the 3rds played a half of such coruscating ferocity that it was transparent that they were trying not only to attain an aesthetic perfection, but, in fact, to avenge the deaths of the last of the Romanovs. Louis capped another four-goal haul with a volley, off-balance, from the edge of the area – an if-Ibrahimovićhad-scored-it-this-would-havegot-more-views-on-Youtube-thanthe-1969-moon-landing strike. This emphatic result, however, was built on a Stakhanovite defensive platform: at CDM, Benjy M dominated Boston Grammar’s midfield; in defence, Henry Pr, Archie W and Henry Pi showed those lucky enough to witness the game just how much the 3rd XI has owed to them for the past two seasons – and, just as edifyingly, how much they have invested in its success.

What, then, of statistics? In a year in which the minutiae of US Constitution will be pored over endlessly, shall we leave the final words to one of its leading Framers? No-one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.

CSD

SQUAD

A. Baines (S), L. Barker (L), O. Berry (O), H. Bola (L), O. Fitton (P), T. Fraine (L), O. Goode (S), E. Harrison (L), S. Kempston-Parkes (L), C. Mayfield (N), O. McClennon (L), I. Milenin (C), J. Robinson (L), M. Stewart (O), H. Styring (N), R. Truelove (L), D. Tuninenburg (N), O. Webster (N), H. Wood (L)

P8 D0

5TH

SQUAD

L. Bannister (S), L. Barker (L), J. Haigh (N), R. Holdcroft (P), J. Ikin (L), K. Kuroda (S), J. Mugarra (L), S. Raper (P), M. Robson (S), H. Thandi (L), L. Trafford (S)

U16A

SQUAD

Captain F. Atere (N)

A. Ascott (S), O. Black (O), H. Buckley (S), S. Creaser (O), W. Daniels (C), M. German (N), T. Gould (P), L. Hillback (N), S. Hinchliffe (L), C. Ho (L), F. Johnston (P), J. Lowe (L), J. McGlynn (O), H. Milne (L), N. Mugoti (P), A. Osindero (S), F. Phillips (O), S. Shimizu (N), M. Waddington (N), G. Weston (L), R. Whitby-Samways (L)

Repton 2nd XI

Won 5-2

John Port

Won 5-1

Bradfield

Lost 3-1

Brooke House

Lost 2-1

Repton’s very own ‘Crazy Gang’ etched themselves into school folklore as The Peoples’ Team for 2023/24.

This was a season that had it all - ups, downs, late drama, fixture congestion, late pitch-changes. You name it, the Repton U16As overcame it… almost!

For all that were part of this magical journey, the 23/24 season will be remembered ultimately as The One That Got Away. The boys played some sumptuous stuff to get to the semifinal of the ISFA competition and were a mere 20 seconds away from booking a place in the final before disaster struck. Gazza’s tears had nothing on these.

In a year that has genuinely been a squad-wide effort, it would be unfair to single out any one individual, but the fact that Henry B, Fisayo A, Finn P, Will D, Max G, Jon McG, Freddie J and Joe L have all gained 1st XI recognition at various stages, and in various positions, gives you some idea of how good these boys were.

I don’t think the U16s will see a squad quite like this again, and I cannot wait to see how their respective careers pan out. It’s been real, boys.

OJA

St John Houghton Catholic School

Won 7-1

Rossall Won 3-0

Shrewsbury

Lost 6-2

St Bede’s Manchester

Won 7-1

Wrekin College Won 7-1

Weston Road Academy Lost 2-1

Oasis Academy Wintringham

Won 3-2

Moorlands Lost 2-1 (AET)

P12 W7 D0 L5 F43 A23

U16B SQUAD

The boys were an enthusiastic and entertaining group, adopting a wholehearted approach to their football and taking pride in representing the School. There were two real highlights to the season. The first was a see-saw affair against Brooke House which we

eventually won 4-3 – declared by the boys to be the best game they had ever played in. While they were denied the chance to ‘do the double’ by a frozen pitch at Shrewsbury, the team was delighted to secure a 3-2 win in the home game against the old enemy. It was a real pleasure to coach these boys and to witness their camaraderie and team spirit.

Captain F. Naylor (S)

A. Ascott (S), H. Bloor (N), E. Brough (S), S. Creaser (O), Z. March Phillipps De Lisle (L), A. Maxton (C), H. Milne (L), G. Morris (N), H. Ormond (N), A. Osindero (S), B. Parkin (S), S. Shimizu (N), M. Waddington (N), D. Ward (O), R. Whitby-Samways (L), H. Whittaker (S)

U15A

SQUAD

Captain A. Labesse (N)

M. Amaral (C), L. Bywater (L), I. Chohan (C), C. Dobson (C), Z. Harman (S), G. Hill (C), W. Hyde (N), J. Joyce (L), A. Karunwi (O), D. Latif (L), H. March Phillipps De Lisle (L), H. Marginson (C), J. Parkinson (L), F. Roessen (L), C. Savill (S), L. Turrell (P), O. Tverdokhlebov (P), E. Walne (F)

The season got off to a tough start with a tight draw to John Port being followed by a narrow loss to Bradfield. We were unlucky to draw the previous years’ semi-finalists in the first round of the ESFA Cup and could have no complaints about the 0-3 defeat to a fine team. However, a comfortable win against Wolverhampton Grammar and the long trip to Millfield, where we acquitted ourselves well, despite the 3-4 loss, gave plenty of encouragement.

Our problems were clear in that we were conceding too many ‘soft’ goals of our own making. With a goalkeeper in George H being very new to the position and an injury to central defender Emily W, keeping her out for the entire season, this was perhaps no surprise. The epitome of this perhaps came in the ISFA Cup away at Moorlands, where we played out a crazy 6-6 draw before losing on penalties.

This was a great group of players to work with and, gradually, we found ways of working through our problems in training. Our defence tightened and our ‘keeper became increasingly comfortable between the sticks, with some outstanding performances and genuinely impressive handling. Joe P was a colossus at the back and is surely a 1st XI central defender in the making. Further forward, the hard-running of Charlie D was complemented by the speed, skill and finishing of the captain, Alex L whilst the sublime skills of Hugo were genuinely match-winning on many occasions.

The results began to turn with mature performances in tough away County Cup draws that eventually took us

into the Lent and even Summer terms. Undoubtedly the highlight of the season was a wonderful 7-0 away thrashing of Shrewsbury which brought dominance, organisation, sublime skill and a clean sheet. Sadly, the weather robbed us of some exciting looking follow-ups against Brooke House and Queen Ethelburga’s, just as we were playing our best football of the season.

Over the course of the season, we feel that the side developed in every sense and have no doubt that playing a few of those early games such as Bradfield, Millfield and Moorlands again would have brought different results. There is much more development to come from these boys too and we look forward to seeing them build upon their progress as they go forward into their U16 season.

MMC and RGE

P5 W2 D0 L3 F10 A15

P13 W6 D3 L4 F50 A35

John Port Draw 2-2

Bradfield Lost 2-4

Wolverhampton Grammar Won 12-1

West Bridgford (ESFA R1) Lost 0-3

Millfield Lost 3-4

Moorlands (ISFA R2) 6-6 (lost 2-4 on pens)

Kimbolton Won 3-2

U15B

SQUAD

Captain T. Smith (S)

F. Andrew (L), E. Butterfield (P), B. Eardley (P), S. Gay (O), T. Gilbody (N), R. Hagen (N), Z. Harman (S), K. Hope (P), O. Mobley (N), W. Needler (N), L. Peat (L), J. Prince (S), L. Roberts (S), R. Singh-Heer (L)

Also played

A. Bird (P), I. Chohan (C), A. Clarkson (M), A. Karunwi (O), O. Khan (C), C. Read (O), C. Savill (S), F. Tebbs (P), O. Tverdokhlebov (P), D. Wells (A), M. Yam (C)

While the stats might not look impressive compared to other recent U15B sides, this was one of the best I’ve coached, the weather depriving us of several “easy” fixtures. An opening 5-3 defeat by Bradfield was easily the best B/C result of the day and the boys improved from there in their tempo and resilience, beating A teams from Stafford Grammar and The Priory. The bar at which Repton U15B sides are measured, however, is against Shrewsbury: that all three U15 sides won – away from home – is almost certainly a first, and our gritty performance here was a proud moment. Toby S was an exceptional captain; Kyle H was my Player of the Season, with Most Improved Player shared by Will N and Rory H. The mid-season return of Stanley G gave another attacking dimension, too, and there were notable guest appearances from Darcey W, Amelie C and Izu C. Gaffer happy!

JMJH

Ormiston Academy (County R1) Won 3-1

Rossall Draw 2-2

Shrewsbury Won 7-0

Weston Road (County R2) Won 4-3

Cheadle Academy (County R3) Won 3-0

John Taylor (County QF) Lost 1-3

U15C

SQUAD

A. Bird (P), P. Burton (C), E. Butterfield (P), H. Clark (L), S. Duffey (P), B. Eardley (P), T. Gilbody (N), R. Hagen (N), R. Hasegawa (S), L. Jamieson (L), O. Mobley (N), L. Peat (L), J. Prince (S), H. Studholme (O) F. Tebbs (P), L. Vacher Pena (P), O. Way (S), J. Withey (S), M. Yam (C)

P6 W3 D1 L2 F13 A10

P3 W2 D0 L1 F7 A3

U14A

SQUAD

Captain A. Maunders (C)

H. Blount (S), A. Bolodeoku (N), D. Carter (A), M. Doncaster (P), G. Dyson (P), F. Earnshaw (L), B. Iddrisu (P), B. Lines (C), O. Lockett (L), Z. Maxton (C), G. McCallum (S), O. Obaigbena (P), S. Slater (F), C. Toozer (N), E. Tuinenberg (M), L. Turrell (P), C. Webster (C), M. Yotsugi (O)

The term began with a side ravaged by injury and this made for a challenging start, with heavy defeats to both John Port and Bradfield whilst down eight starting players - a theme that typified the first Half-Term. However, out of such challenges, successes are born, and the squad became a tight-knit, hard-working group who showed huge improvements over the course of the season. Perhaps the greatest triumph is that this is the largest A team squad we have had over the last few years, with that injury crisis

ultimately breeding a lot of strength in depth. The particularly potent attacking line of Barraq I, Lyndon T, Maxwell D and Ayomiji B scored a lot of goals in excellent wins over Landau Forte Academy and Nether Stowe, whilst also impressing in tight losses against challenging sides in Brooke House and Wolverhampton Grammar. Within this, there was an excellent 5-2 win away at Kimbolton, with the hat-trick from Moto Y a highlight. Sadly, when players did return from injury and we were excited to see what the full squad would do, the weather turned, resulting in several cancelled fixtures after the Half-Term break. The team progressed well in both Cup competitions, ultimately exiting the ESFA Tournament in the fourth round to an outstanding Thorpe House side.

BEP and MLH

ESFA Cup

Nether Stowe

Won 3-0

Arnold Lodge Won 14-1

Thorpe House

Lost 4-10

School Fixtures

John Port Lost 1-5

Bradfield

Lost 2-9

Wolverhampton Grammar Lost 4-6

Brooke House Lost 4-6

Kimbolton Won 5-2

Shrewsbury Lost 2-4

Staffordshire Cup

Landau Forte Academy Amington Won 9-4

Mary Webb School Won 6-4 (AET)

Cannock Chase High Lost 0-2

U14B

SQUAD

Captain R. Stylianou (C)

A. Ari-Kainth (L), E. Bailey (S), R. Birch (S), H. Blount (S), A. Casey (L), G. Dyson (P), O. Hill (C), M. Hogg (C), H. Jobe (P), A. Marriot (S), G. Odell (S), A. Smith (C), E. Whittingham (S)

Also played

F. Cookson-Jones (L), H. Cottrill (S), O. Lockett (L), G. McCallum (S), E. Oyinloye (N)

U14C

SQUAD

L. Afzaal (O), T. Birkin (L), B. Buzin (N), F. Cookson-Jones (L), H. Cottrill (S), O Dilliway-Parry (O), M. Dobrovolskiy (L), G. Eardley-Taylor (N), F. Fenton (L), L. Mansoori-Dara (O), C. Ormond (N), E. Oyinloye (N), O, Sadley (C), H. Smith (P), H. Snooks (S), A. Tretyakov (N)

‘A season that never got going’

Despite the best efforts of all the players, results were never on the side of the U14Bs and they only managed one win all year.

Chastening losses against Bradfield and Brooke House kickstarted the campaign and morale was low in camp. There were signs that progress was being made on the training field, but it never came to fruition when it mattered.

A bright spark occurred against The Priory when Oliver H smashed one ‘top bins’ to secure the team’s first goal of the year… despite a 6-1 loss. That breakthrough brought new happiness for the team, only to be brought back to earth with a hammering away at Kimbolton. Four games played, one goal for, 34 conceded.

Half-Term was used to freshen up and go again. The team came back with

new targets: score and win (it’s really as simple as that). Amazingly, this was achieved, two goals from A team loanee George McCallum securing a 2-1 victory over Dixie Grammar. Scenes…

A big match came next versus Shrewsbury, and only a last-minute clearance off the line (there’s no VAR in U14B football) stopped the team securing a draw. Morale was hit and Dixie Grammar won a 4-0 victory in the next match.

Just as more progress was being made, the weather turned and three matches fell by the wayside. It’s a season that could have been worse, and probably would have been if the rain hadn’t continued to fall. As I type this it is currently raining – a summary of the season.

Good luck next year, all. It’s been a pleasure!

CS

P7 W1 D0 L6 F4 A41

FOOTBALL GIRLS

1ST

XI

SQUAD

Captain G. Darby (G)

G. Atherley (G), A. Bergens (M), F. Betts (G), K. Butler (G), B. Chihota (G), L. Coates (A), G. Darby (G), A. Edwards (F), A, Green (A), M. Haines (M), S. Haines (M), C. Hennessy (F), T. Hinds (M), E. Kabi (G), A. Kishna (G), V. Mackrill (G), N. McDermott (A), L. Millard (F), M. Olalobo (G), I. Orpin (A), S. Payne (A), I. Turton (A), A. Williams (M), A. Wolfe (M)

2023-24 heralded an exciting new era for the girls’ 1st XI. With four big ‘signings’, everything was shaping up nicely for a successful season.

The season started very strongly. The historic inaugural Old Reptonian match saw some familiar faces back, followed by a successful battle against strong opponents Millfield and a positive firstround victory against Walsall in our bid to be ESFA Champions. We then faced a very strong Worksop side in Round 1 of the ISFA competition – a very tough game but nonetheless a great test against some of the best independent school players in the country.

A challenging run of games and results came soon after. A difficult ESFA tie against Thomas Telford saw us bow out of the Cup - a disappointing result for our girls but again a great barometer for us against a very strong school side. We then bounced back in the ISFA Trophy after a dominating

performance against Stockport, giving ourselves an early Christmas present and a competitive tournament to progress in after the holiday.

January pre-season came around and the team had three valuable days, spending time together on and off the pitch. We started 2024 with a big result against Bradfield College, setting ourselves the target of being ISFA Trophy Champions and Midlands League Champions. Sadly, we fell short on both fronts. With players injured and unwell, our ISFA Trophy exit came against Oundle: while a big goal from Claudia H gave us hope of getting back into the game, we could quite not cross the line.

Overall, it was a season of big learning curves, positive experiences and tough times. There is no doubt we have the potential to match almost anyone on the school circuit and we hope to realise this next season.

We say a big thank you to the Upper Sixth regulars leaving us at the end of the season: Grace D (Captain), Vivian M, Claudia H, Ashleigh G, Savannah P, Tilly H and Evette K. It has been a pleasure, and we all wish you the greatest success in the future.

U18 ISFA Cup

Round 1 Worksop

5-0

Trophy

Stockport Grammar

4-0

Trophy

3-1

U18 ESFA Cup

Round 1

Walsall Academy Won 8-1

Round 2

North Bromsgrove High Won 12-0

Round 3

Thomas Telford (ESFA R3)

Lost 7-0

School Fixtures

Old Reptonians

10-3

Millfield

6-3

1-1

6-1

Uppingham

4-0

Bradfield

8-1

Shrewsbury

9-0

Staffordshire School Lost 3-2

U15A

SQUAD

Captain K. Shield (G)

P. Ascott (F), H. Beacham (M), L. Beese (G), D. Carter (A), A. Clarkson (M), S. Hardy (M), H. Mayfield (G), L. Parkes (M), S. Slater (F), E. Tuinenburg (M), M.J. Waters (F), A. Webster (A), E. Webster (A), D. Wells (A)

Also Played

A. Finley (A), M. Lowe (F), G. Twite (F), E. Walne (F)

This was the first season that Repton have run a full football schedule for a junior girls’ team and it is probably fair

to say that it was the most fun I have had as a coach. This is an incredibly talented group of girls - so talented, in fact, that I don’t think they know how good they could be. What makes them so great to work with is that off the pitch they could not be more normal. They are so relaxed, so happy to spend time with each other. Some of them are quite funny. All of them are terrible at karaoke. But when they step over the white line, they become different people. They are capable of playing amazing football and they regularly do.

My favourite game came in the fourth round of the ESFA Cup when we had to play at Loughborough University. Before the match the girls were nervous about facing one of the best players in Derby County’s U15 squad and another who was on the verge of a national call-up. We won 7-2. But it was not the scoreline that I enjoyed so much; it was the manner in which we

played. Controlled and poised with the ball, energetic and dynamic without. Our defenders snuffed out almost all of the opposition’s attacks; our midfielders ensured that their opposite numbers had no time to play; and our forwards were clinical. And then they sang Adele’s Someone Like You all the way home!

If this squad can stay together and work hard for each other, they will be amazing. Their playing record would suggest they are beatable, but this is because we want to push them to be the best they can be and will never let them have it easy. No-one will benefit from a 10-0 win, but a tight 3-2 loss against an academy team is exactly what they need. I am so excited to watch them develop over the next few years and look forward to seeing them grow into the top-level players that I know they can be.

ISFA Cup

Round 1

The Grange

Won 11-0

Round 2

Shrewsbury

Won 10-0

Round 3

Headington Won 6-2

Quarter-final

Cheadle Hulme

Lost 0-1

Friendlies

Bradfield

Won 12-0

Leicester City FC

Lost 2-3

Derby County FC

Lost 2-6

Derby County FC

Lost 0-4

SNS National Cup

Round 1

Shrewsbury

Won 14-0

Round 2

Bromsgrove

Won w/o

Round 3

Bye -

Round 4

Spalding High School Won w/o

Quarter-final

Neston High School

Won 5-4

Semi-final

Latymer Upper

Lost 1-2

3rd/4th Play-off

Loreto Grammar

Lost 1-4

ESFA Cup

Round 1

Bye -

Round 2

John Port Won 12-1

Round 3

The Becket School Won 9-0

Round 4

Meadowhead School Won 7-2

Round 5

Spalding High School Lost 0-1

HOCKEY BOYS

1ST XI

SQUAD

Captain O. Ewart-White (P)

O. Britt (C), X. Cordero (L), S. Hibbs (N), L. Jackson (L), T. Javaid (S), J. Kemsley (O), S. Kempston-Parkes (L), M. Lake (O), S. Litchfield (O), M. Mannl (P), A. Millard (P), A. Monk (P), J. Reid (P), W. Roy (C), J. Savage (C), P. Tisken (C), J. Von-Falck (N), T. Waitz (S), Z. Wedgwood (S), J. Ziff (L)

The Boys' 1st XI had a really successful season across school and club, making one indoor and three outdoor finals.

It started strongly with wins against Birmingham University and an impressive 7-2 dominant display against Hockey Mentors, and the boys opened up their Tier 1 campaign with 10-0, 2-0 and 8-0 wins versus Denstone, Ipswich and Gresham's School. Outdoor hockey then took a break for the indoor competition. The boys produced brilliant performances in the Midlands qualifying rounds and made light work of their semifinal and final with 5-0 wins versus both Rugby and Bromsgrove. On to the Nationals and there the team continued to impress, remaining unbeaten through the group stage and comfortably making their way to the final. Unfortunately, there they lost 3-2 to eventual winners Whitgift, but they came away with a silver medal after a brilliant performance throughout the entire indoor campaign of 18 wins, one draw and one loss.

Back to the outdoor season, the last day of Michaelmas term saw a draw against a strong Solihull team, before good wins at the start of Lent in the National Cup and Independent Schools Cup. This set the boys up for a quarter-final against Cranleigh in the school Nationals and Trinity in the Independent Schools Cup. From playing brilliantly and being 3-0 up, it was a big shock to go down 4-3 to Cranleigh in the Nationals - a result that really hurt the team but which proved to be a big turning point in the season. The boys stuck together well and trained incredibly hard, determined to put things right. Cranleigh went on to finish runners-up in the National Cup, beating Trinity in the semi-finals, so we knew that this Independent Schools match would be a tough game. The boys performed brilliantly and defended well when they needed to, and as a result the 5-1 scoreline made comfortable reading.

With impressive wins away at King’s Chester and Trent College, followed by a great result against Trinity, only St George’s stood between Repton and another final against Whitgift. Some brilliant performances in defence and midfield set a platform for the team to win 2-0 in a really tightly-fought contest. Sadly, after an excellent start, a red card to one of the Whitgift players seemed to throw us more than them and by the end of the half we were a few goals behind. We rallied well and dominated the remainder of the game but, unfortunately, crucial missed chances throughout the half meant we couldn’t get the result everyone wanted. However, showing great character and resilience throughout their 23/24 campaign and including the indoor competition, the boys ended with two silver medals, winning 30 games, drawing two and losing three. The significant majority of the

boys went on to finish the season with Repton Hockey Club’s U18s, flying the flag high during an outstanding European Cup run and ending as European Silver Medallists to German Champions Wespen. This was a really fantastic achievement and one that the boys will remember for a very long time, having rubbed shoulders with some of the best players from all across Europe and beating the Spanish, Belgian and Dutch Champions to earn a place in the final.

Finally, back on English soil, the boys managed to get over the line with a win in the National U18s Final versus a strong Guildford Hockey Club side, retaining the Club National title and securing a place in the European Cup again for another year. This was a brilliant way to finish the season and thoroughly deserved. Thank you to Olly E-W for captaining the side and leavers Luke J, Alex M, Sean K-P, Will R, Xavax C and Alex M for all your hard work and commitment through your time at Repton. MH

P17

W14

D1 L2 F80 A23

U18 Tier 1 Championship

Round 1

Denstone Won 10-0

Round 1

Ipswich Won 2-0

Round 1

Gresham’s Won 8-0

Round 1

Solihull Draw 2-2

Round 1

Norwich Won 3-1

Round 1

Oakham

Won 7-0

Round 1

Rugby Won 6-2

Quarter-final

Cranleigh Lost 3-4

Independent Schools Hockey Cup

Round 1

King’s Chester Won 6-2

Round 2

Trent Won 3-1

Quarter-final

Trinity Won 5-1

Semi-final

St George’s Won 2-0

Final

Whitgift Lost 1-3

2ND XI

SQUAD

Captain H. Pickering (L)

F. Bailey (C), L. Cholerton (S), H. Cursham (S), B. Hidderley (C), J. Ingleston-Orme (S), L. Jackson (L), S. Litchfield (O), C. Mayfield (N), H. Mellor (C), J. Parish (S), B. Parkin (S), H. Proctor (S), R. Truelove (L), A. Webb (P), O. Webster (N), Z. Wedgwood (S), A. Wenham (S), R. Yokoyama (C), J. Ziff (L)

Also played

A. Ascott (S), A. Bargende (S), E. Brough (S), C. Hill (C), F. Naylor (S)

3RD XI/ U16B

Due to limited numbers the U16Bs and 3rd XI amalgamated during the season, but this created a super-forcean elite group of keen and enthusiastic hockey players. The boys played with passion, commitment, and desire throughout, with impressive victories against Denstone and Magdalen CS and finishing off the season with a

A successful season for the boys saw comprehensive victories in Saturday fixtures, as well as many boys stepping up to play for the 1st XI after some brilliant performances.

A few matches were frozen off early in the season which meant a tough first game at home to Abbotsholme 1st XI. This saw the boys frustrated –creating chances but unable to convert – until a fine finish from Charlie M 15 minutes before full-time secured a narrow 1-0 victory.

A young squad faced Denstone 1st XI and a slow start saw the boys 3-0 down at half-time. A slightly altered press helped us to break down the Denstone side and we quickly got back to 3-2; but, although they created lots of pressure, the boys weren’t quite able to convert their chances, resulting in their first defeat of the season.

Another very physical game away at Rugby really tested the team. With many chances we left with a 7-2 win but knowing we probably should have come away with a clean sheet; nonetheless, a pleasing result in some tough conditions. Away to Magdalen College School with a small squad proved another exciting challenge: a very physical game which saw us play most of the second half with 10 players through injury, ended in a 3-3 draw. Further wins against Dean Close and Oundle School 1st XI showed how much progress the boys made across the term. This group were a delight to be around and worked hard in training and games.

GP

well-deserved 1-0 away win against a good Oundle side. The team wanted to try to play an aggressive, attacking and positive brand of hockey, which meant that many of the early season games were thrillers with goals going in at both ends - making for excellent entertainment and viewing, if a little nerve-racking at the same time. The boys were a delight to coach and gave their all during training and in matches, making it an enjoyable team to run. They should be proud of their efforts and will, I hope, hold fond memories of their exploits during a thrills-andspills, all-out-entertainment season of hockey.

CWA and THN

SQUAD

Captain H. Styring (N)

A. Baines (S), L. Barker (L), N. Davies (O), Z. March Phillipps De Lisle (L), J. Haigh (N), F. Moseley (S), S. Hinchliffe (L), A.J. Osindero (S), S. Shimizu (N), H. Strudwick (P), R. Truelove (L), F. Twite (N), D. Ward (O), G. Weston (L), H. Whittaker (S), R. Yokoyama (C), T. Yotsugi (S)

P6 W4 D1

P6

U16A

W9 D3 L1 F56 A11

SQUAD

Captain R. Whitby-Samways (L)

Vice-Captains H. Ormond (N), R. Ewart-White (N)

A. Ascott (S), A. Bargende (S), O. Black (O), E. Brough (S), A. Butterworth (S), S. Gay (O), C. Hill (C), W. Hyde (N) D. Latif (L), F. Naylor (S), B. Parkin (S), C. Read (O), J. Saunders (C), W. Van Gessell (O)

The Boys’ U16A had a remarkable season, maintaining an unbeaten record in the regular season and showcasing their talent in the national Tier 1 Championship, despite narrowly missing out on a trip to Lee Valley.

Impressive victories against Rugby (9-0), Dean Close (7-0), and Oundle (6-0) highlighted their dominance in school fixtures. They continued their success in the National Tier 1 Cup, topping their regional group with a memorable 12-0 win over Solihull

and thrilling the home crowd under the lights at Repton. Although they fell short in a quarter-final match reminiscent of Barcelona's shock loss to Celtic in 2012, the boys displayed exceptional skill and determination, dominating possession and shots but unable to find the net. On a day that seemed to defy sporting logic, the lessons learned will, nonetheless, stand them in good stead for future ‘knockout’ hockey fixtures.

In the indoor season, the U16s excelled, remaining undefeated in local and regional qualifiers of the Tier 1 Championship, with Warner V G delivering up an impressive goal tally. The loss in the national semi-final was heartbreaking, but goalkeeper Ben P's stand-out performance and the team's collective effort instilled a real sense of pride within the Repton camp.

Led by skipper Reuben W-S, who exemplified leadership akin to legendary footballer Maldini, and supported by Vice Captains Hugh O and Rocco E-W, the team displayed resilience and determination throughout the season. Despite having to endure Elijah B's questionable chat and Ollie B’s DJ’ing for a numerous amount of months, the team's unity and skill bode well for their future in senior hockey.

MH and WGO

School Fixtures

Bishop Vesey’s U18

Draw 2-2

Rugby Won 9-0

Dean Close Won 7-0

Oundle Won 6-0

U16 Tier 1 Championship

Round 1

King’s Chester Won 3-1

Round 1

Scarborough College Won 2-1

Round 1

QEGS Wakefield Won 10-0

Round 1

Solihull Won 12-0

Quarter-final

Wellington Lost 1-2

U15A

SQUAD

Captain Z. Harman (S)

A. Ari-Kainth (L), A. Butterworth (S), H. Clark (L), M. Doncaster (P), S. Gay (O), R. Hagan (N), W. Hyde (S), L. Jamieson (L), D. Latif (L), B. Lines (C), B. Morley (N), W. Needler (N), J. Prince (S), C. Read (O), C. Savill (S), W. Van Gessel (O)

Also played

P. Burton (C), A. Casey (L), I. Chohan (C), O. Lockett (L), A. Marriott (S), T. Smith (S)

School Fixtures

Nottingham High Won 3-2

Solihull

Won 4-3

Denstone Won 4-1

Rugby

Won 5-1

Magdalen College School Won 6-3

Dean Close

Draw 1-1

Oundle

Draw 3-3

Anyone who was present at the opening training session of the year would be forgiven for not believing that this side would end up competing at a national finals day by the end of the season…

However, it is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and togetherness that this group showed since January that they managed to do exactly that, with the scope for further improvement.

A heartbreaking early exit from the ISHL Cup on flicks proved to be the catalyst for a nine-match unbeaten run which saw goals galore and ever-improving hockey from this characterful group, as they plotted a course to the Europa League finals day of the ISHL (Plate) and had a lot of fun along the way.

The standout performance was probably the 4-3 victory over Solihull,

no less than 24 hours after being defeated by King’s Chester – showing a huge amount of grit, bouncebackability, and the skill to defeat, arguably, a stronger opposition than the previous day. The other highlight would have to be the match vs Manchester Grammar where, for the first time all season, everything clicked, and the U15s ran riot in an enthralling second half to book their place at finals day.

Lots of lessons learned and some excellent hockey played, it has been a pleasure working with this group. Special mentions to Zack H, who has come on in leaps and bounds as a hockey player, leader Harry C, who is starting to realise his potential as an influential midfielder, and the wing-back duo of Lochie J and Rory H, who have worked incredibly hard to turn themselves into excellent defensive options.

OJA

ISHL Plate

Round 1

Cheadle Hume

9-1

Round 2 Trent

7-1

Quarter-final Manchester Grammar Won 8-0

Finals Reeds

2-0

Finals Blundells Won 2-0

Finals Yarm Lost 3-0

ISHL Cup

Round 1

King’s Chester

2-2 (3-2 pens)

P14 W9 D2 L3 F56 A26

U15B

SQUAD

Captain T. Smith (S)

Vice-Captains J. Goode (S), H. Studholme (O)

F. Andrew (L), P. Burton (C), B. Eardley (P), T Gilbody (N), R. Ingram (O), D Latif (L), W. Miller (O), O. Mobley (N), B. Morley (N), V. Ogir (S), C Ormond (N), L. Roberts (S), C. Savill (S), G. Tidy (P), O. Way (S), M. Yam (C)

An unbeaten season… what else could a coach wish for? A strong team, led by Toby S, Jack G, and Harry S, with some questionable ‘football’ team talks, seemed to pay off. The boys started off their season impressively with a 4-0-win vs Nottingham High, including a hat-trick from Brady E. This success carried on with further wins against Denstone, Rugby, Nottingham High U15A and Oundle to round the season off. Keepers changed most weeks due to injury, but the boys defending remained first-class - even in the worst weather conditions. A special mention to Fergus A and Oscar M for their commitment to training throughout the season and to Ven O for his determination to win the ball whatever it took (literally!).

AS

U15C

SQUAD

Captain G. Gaffney (S)

I. Andriyanov (L), F. Balogun-Wilson (C), S. Duffy (P), T. Gilbody (N), K. Hope (P), R. Ingram (O), A. Pitts (P), B. Reid (P), D. Sun (P), F. Tebbs (P), G. Tidy, H. To (L), L. Vacher Pena (P), E. Whitfield (N)

Also played

S. Gregory (C), G. Li (S), O. Tverdokhlebov (P), M. Yam (C)

An opening day thumping by Rugby made me fear this side wouldn't win a fixture, but victories against MCS, Nottingham High and Dean Close followed, with occasional flashes of decent hockey played. How we managed to then lose 0-1 to Oundle - who had been thrashed every game - I will never know, but we still ended the season with more wins than defeats and a positive goal difference. Just.

My thanks to "Gaffers", who captained with aplomb, and to Tom G: all our wins came with him in goal; both our defeats without. Finally, thanks to Ilya A for the hot chocolates!

JMJH

W5 D2 L0 F14 A6

P5

U14A

SQUAD

Captain B. Lines (C)

A. Ari-Kainth (L), A. Casey (L), M. Doncaster (P), G. Dyson (P), F. Fenton (L), O. Hill (C), H. Jobe (P), O. Lockett (L), A. Marriott (S), A. Maunders (C), C. Ormond (N), A. Smith (C), C. Webster (C), M. Yotsugi (O)

This was a season full of both ups and downs for the U14A hockey side. After losing their first match of the season to Bishop Vesey’s, the side found their National Cup hopes over before they even began. But, despite this initial set back, I was delighted to see the team come back even stronger and beat a very well-drilled Solihull side in their next game.

This set the tone for the season, giving the team a foundation to build on, which they did effectively by winning their next four matches. The highlight of these, was a superb 7-0 victory over Magdalen CS. Throughout this game the team showed not only individual brilliance but also clear tactical awareness and team work ethic. Alex M and Maxwell D both scored some outrageous backhand shots which would be worthy of any 1st team-level match, and the individual talent was never in doubt; but what was most pleasing was the final team goal, where there were several passes before it was eventually finished off.

The season fizzled out with two defeats in the final two games. However, in a season where the focus was on developing the players ready for more senior challenges ahead, every pupil involved in the side can be immensely proud of their contribution.

School Fixtures

Solihull

Won 5-3

Denstone

Won 2-1

Rugby

Won 7-0

Magdalen College School

Won 7-0

King Edward's, Birmingham Won 1-0

Dean Close Lost 5-0

Manchester Grammar Lost 1-0

Oundle Lost 4-2

ISHC Cup

Bishop Vesey's Grammar Lost 0-9

SQUAD

E. Bailey (S), R. Birch (S), H. Blount (S), H. Cottrill (S), O. Dillway-Parry (O), G. Eardley-Taylor (N), M. Hogg (C), G. McCallum (S), G. Odell (S), A. Smith (C), H. Smith (L), R. Stylianou (C), E. Whittingham (S)

Unprecedented flooding of the Trent, resulting in waterlogging of the Astro at the start of term, made practice sessions challenging, but, luckily, the U14B squad were very keen to play and improve – an attitude they maintained throughout the season. They came up against strong opposition but at no point did any of the small squad become disillusioned. Monty H led by example in defence and worked tirelessly to stop opposition attacks and to create channels for the midfield. In defence Edward W played intelligently, often making shrewd passes behind the opposition defence. Although defeats became the norm, our main objective was to focus on the performance in each game. Pleasingly, the team improved, and against a strong Magdalen CS team they showed their intelligence and started to make full use of the pitch. They were very competitive and it was only two late goals from the opposition that resulted in a defeat. I look forward to watching their progress next season.

EWCW

SQUAD

L. Afzaal (O), T. Birkin (L), A. Bolodeoku (N), B. Buzin (N), F. Cookson-Jones (L), M. Dobrovolskiy (L), F. Earnshaw (L), L. Mansoori-Dara (O), Z. Maxton (C), L. Millard (P), E. Oyinloye (N), O. Sadley (C), H. Snooks (S), C. Toozer (N) A. Tretyakov (N)

A challenging season for the U14Cs overall, but one that ended on a positive note with a fine 2-0 victory over local opposition Denstone. The final outing of the season demonstrated just how far this side had come since early January and that perseverance eventually pays off. Many thanks to all the players who gave their all each Saturday and to those who stepped in when required.

HOCKEY GIRLS

1ST XI

SQUAD

Captain M. Butterworth (M)

Vice-Captain P. Barlow (F)

K. Barker (G), L. Barker (G), R. Bowman (M), B. Chihota (G), E. Fraser (M), B. Hinde-Smith (M), J. Leavesley (M), T. Hinds (M), I. Orpin (G), B. Phillips (F), P. Scherrer (F), S. Shield (G), T. Vaughan (M), I. Welldon (M), D. Wong (M), M. Wong (F)

After the phenomenal success of the previous year, there was much for this year’s 1st XI to live up to. After meeting the new coaching team, the pre-season camp served its purpose well, giving those vying for a place in the team a chance to impress during fitness testing, training and a match against visitors Ipswich School.

The school term then got underway and the squad was tested further with a visit from Collingwood School (Vancouver, Canada), where the girls came out victorious in an 8-1 win. The squad was starting to take shape and further tests came in the form of a strong Nottingham University 1st XI and Birmingham University 1st XI.

With the pre-season element of the season out of the way, focus now turned to the England Hockey Schools Tier 1 Championships. It was apparent that the team wished to stamp their authority on their title defence and they did so in dramatic fashion in the

first game versus Denstone College. With several debutants taking to the field in maroon for the first time, the early game nerves quickly settled, and the team found their rhythm to record a 7-1 win.

The following week would provide the first real test for the squad, having to play two Cup matches in two days, both against tricky opponents. A 5-1 win against Scarborough College and a 2-1 win versus Oakham ensured the team topped the group after the early rounds. Further wins against Sedbergh and Solihull cemented this position going into the winter break.

Focus then turned to the indoor hall as defending National Champions. The team would have to cope without the presence of Captain Tilly B, as she had deservedly secured a place in the England U21 team going to the Junior World Cup in Chile. But this did not deter them as they cruised through the qualifying and regional rounds to secure a place in the National Finals. As hosts it was a great opportunity to play some exciting hockey in front of a home crowd. Unfortunately, the team

faced an in-form Sevenoaks side who scored an early goal and defended well for the remainder of the match. This meant the team would have to settle for a third-place finish.

In the new year focus turned back to the outdoor Tier 1 fixtures. Without conceding a single goal, there were three successive wins against Rugby, RGS Newcastle and Kirkham Grammar School, setting up a home quarter-final draw against Brighton College. The visitors were dangerous on the attack but were kept pinned back in their own half by a tireless Repton press. A comfortable 1-0 win set up a trip to the National Finals at Lee Valley.

After a nervy start against Epsom in the semi-final, the team found their stride and soon began to create pressure on the opposition’s goal. This was backed up with some fine individual defence from the midfield and back unit which eventually allowed Tabby V to break the deadlock from a well-worked short-corner routine. Further goals from Poppy B and Tilly H secured a 3-1 win and a spot in the final.

P17

There was an air of inevitability going into the final. From the outset the team were clearly intent on laying down a marker and were effective in controlling the tempo of the match. Rarely did Clifton enter the circle, but when they did, Ibby W remained calm and made some calculated saves. The only goal of the match came via a fine piece of counter attacking - started by Jemima L, who passed onto Lucy B in enough space to deliver a precise backhand cross for the hero of the moment, Tilly H, to skilfully deflect over the outstretched keeper. There were joyous team celebrations as the full-time whistle sounded, and rightly so as they had performed spectacularly over the course of a long season. Tilly B lifted the trophy in front of a great supporting contingent including the U14 side and many parents. A very proud moment for all involved.

Many thanks to the Upper Sixth Tilly B, Tilly H, Poppy B, Lizzie F, Daisy W, Sophie S and Ibby W who have contributed so well to the success of the team this year. They were huge role models for the younger players and showed how resilience and calmness in high-pressure moments can make a difference.

Special mentions to Vice-Captain Poppy and Captain Tilly B, who led by example and were instrumental to the team’s success. Tilly, even when juggling injury rehab and national team commitments, was ever-present. To have a player represent their country in two JWCs whilst still at school is extremely rare and we are excited to see what Tilly can go onto achieve when she leaves the School. Poppy was deservedly named Player of the Season after an excellent year with both school and Repton Hockey Club.

AGD

School Fixtures

Ipswich School

Won 1-0

Collingwood School

Won 6-1

Nottingham University

Lost 3-6

Birmingham University

Lost 1-3

U18 Tier 1 Championship

Denstone

Won 7-1

Scarborough

Won 5-1

Oakham

Won 2-1

Sedbergh

Won 6-1

Solihull

Won 6-1

Rugby

Won 5-0

RGS Newcastle

Won 5-0

Kirkham Grammar School

Won 9-0

Brighton

Won 1-0

Epsom

Won 3-1

Clifton

Won 1-0

2ND XI

SQUAD

Captain B. Purvis (M)

I. Barnes (G), A. Bergens (M), I. Chihota (G), E. Clark (M), J. Grace (F), S. Haines (M), B. Holdsworth (F), J. Langley (M), A. Marriott (F), F. Nissen (A), I. Orpin (A), S. Payne (A), S. Steele (A), I. Turton (A), O. Wenham (M)

On the face of it, results-wise, this looks like a disappointing term’s work; but more importantly, the girls improved and I could see their development by the end of a tough season. Playing predominantly against other schools’ 1st teams, we held our own against all of them, with the exception of a very good Stowe side, versus whom we had a depleted squad.

Several highlights stand out, including Isobel O’s consistency in goal: her brilliant performance in the Denstone game helps explain that hard-earned draw more than anything. In defence, skipper Bea P was reliable and led by example brilliantly, while the talent of Ava M, who could easily play in midfield as well, was evident throughout the season.

3RD XI

The 3rd XI does not have the luxury of pre-season training, so it came as a bit of a shock for some when in glorious sunshine at Shrewsbury fitness levels were exposed. However, with a big squad and plenty of water breaks, the season was up and running with a respectable 2-0 defeat, thanks to some outstanding saves from Isobel O in goal, frustrating the Shrewsbury forwards. Defeats followed in the next three matches and after four games a goal had yet to be scored! However, this was the perfect opportunity for some fresh impetus and, as the squad

list dwindled, a chance for others to shine. Members of the U16A and B squads kindly stepped up and in the final two games of the season the team succeeded in scoring four goals, although both games ended in defeat. The match against Oundle as especially exciting: having gone 3-0 down, the team managed to bring the score level - only unluckily to concede two late goals as the team were pushing players up the pitch to find a winner. All players were positive throughout the season and the overriding message going forward is that for the 2024 season the 3rd XI will commit, train and play hard but, most importantly, have lots of fun – we hope!

EWCW

Jenna L and Fern N scored the most goals in the term and their friendly rivalry to out-do each other, no doubt, pushed them on to bury some very impressive chances. The energy of Izzy B either in midfield or upfront was also a crucial difference in some of the games and, despite almost weekly injury updates, Bella H could be very influential too.

The skill of Bella C and Sophie H also stood out for me and, while it is impossible to name every member of the squad, I’d like to thank them all for their efforts over what is always a long and gruelling term. I wish them all the best, especially the Upper Sixth as they move on, and I hope to be reunited with those in the Lower Sixth next year.

WGO

SQUAD

A. Aneca-Human (M), T. Capewell (A), G. Cottingham (F), S. Derby (M), I. Hambleton (F), M. Hart (F), G. Hiatt (F), R. Korylco-Bowers (M), P. Mercer (F), M. Oborn (G), S. Owens (G), A. Payne (G), D. Spear (F)

Also Played

Z. Barkey (M), M. Blowers (G), J. Dyson (G), E. Geary (A), L. Langley (M), F. Lloyd (M), T. Morley (A), E. Moseley (M), I. Nash (F), M. Olalobo (G), I. Orpin (A), N. Osborne (A), I. Reaves (A), I. Sheppard (M), G. Warburton (F), I. White (M), L. Wholey (G)

P7

U16A

SQUAD

Captain C. Coulborn (F)

M. Aldred (F), F. Birmingham (M), A. Clarkson (M), Z. Evans (F), A. Flavell (M), M. Gaunt (G), E. Geary (A), M. Haines (M), J. Litchfield (F), A. Metcalf (F), A. Millard-Smith (A), T. Morley (A), I. Reaves (A) K. Shield (G), B. Thompstone (M), A. Wain (M), I. White (M), L. Wholey (G), K. Wylie (M)

Also played

A. Edwards (M), O. Kibler (G), I. Semmence (M), S. Stewart (M)

Another successful season for the U16 girls saw competitive Saturday fixtures as well as a brilliant Cup run.

The side began with a steady victory over The Grammar School at Leeds, before making the long journey to Framlingham to face a tough test against their 2nd XI. A slow start saw the score 1-1 at half-time and much to work on, but a stronger second half with much more effective teamwork brought victory 4-1.

The U16 National Cup side began their run with a comprehensive 8-0 win over The Perse, some outstanding individual displays and a polished team performance setting standards high for the season ahead. With confidence building, the team produced an impressive 14-1 victory over Westbourne in tough conditions. Led by Clara C, they were determined and relentless throughout the game.

In the third round we faced a tough Oakham side. The girls were tested physically and, despite numerous chances, only managed to find the goal once. Oakham fought hard and found a messy equalizer. Seeing their first draw of the season, the girls knew there was a lot of work to be done

ahead of the next game. Positive wins against Trent and Prior’s Field saw the girls progress to the national quarterfinal versus Manchester High. A highquality game with chances at both ends ended in a 5-3 loss, but, although a tough early exit from the Cup, the girls can be proud of their efforts and progress as a team.

The indoor season began swiftly after Half-Term with competitive matches against Hockey Mentors, Oundle, Ecclesbourne and Oakham, to start off the season. The Midlands finals presented some tough games, but the team progressed impressively throughout the day, beating Oakham in the final to reach the National Finals. The team performed exceptionally well at Nationals, beating top schools, and a huge performance against Surbiton High School in the semi-final secured a spot in the final against St George’s. A very tight game with chances for both sides resulted in a shoot-out, and despite some fantastic efforts, the team fell just short of the title.

GP

P15 W11

D2 L2 F61 A16

U16B

SQUAD

A. Aneca-Human (M), Z. Barkey (M), G. Cottingham (F), S. Derby (M), A. Edwards (F), I. Hambleton (F), I. Kashihara (F), R. Korylco-Bowers (M), E. Lubega (A), P. Mercer (F), L. Millard (F), E. Morrison (A), E. Moseley (M), S. Owens (G), E. Sandhu (A), I. Sheppard (M), D. Spear (F), C. Turton (A), A. Wyke (F)

U15A

SQUAD

Captains Z. Evans (F), J. Litchfield (F)

M. Aldred (F), H. Casey (G), A. Clarkson (M), A. Flavell (M), Z. Mackenzie (M), A. Metcalf (F), W. Nissen (A), M. Ogden (F), L. Parkes (M), E. Pearcey (A), I. Semmence (M), K. Shield (G), S. Stewart (M), E. Tassell (A), B. Thompstone (M), A. Wain (M)

You only need to look at the list of pupils to understand the strength that the U15A side had this year. Throughout the course of the season, it was an absolute pleasure to see the team develop tactically and I thoroughly enjoyed every training session we had.

One of the highlights came at the end of the long journey to Sedbergh School. A cold, rainy day set the scene for what could be a challenging match, but the girls implemented their training, controlling the match superbly and displaying true Reptonian spirit, and I was so proud of the

The 16Bs were unfortunate to have played only one fixture this year. Our 6-1 loss against Shrewsbury U16A away was a bit disheartening as a first match and our second fixture at home against Stowe was sadly cancelled because of the weather. But most of the girls spent the rest of the season playing for the 3rd XI, which gave them more opportunities to show their fighting spirit, and they adapted well to playing with different teammates. I am proud of them for stepping in to help.

Many thanks to Mr Walker for sharing his experienced coaching skills and enthusiasm with us every week, and well done to the girls for finishing a difficult season in good spirit.

MC

resilience they showed, often playing lovely hockey from back to front. They displayed not only their usual flair but also real grit and determination to overcome Sedbergh.

The defining quality of a successful team is, without doubt, the balance of the side, and this was a huge strength of the U15s this year. Being able to set a solid foundation in the defence, which allows the midfielders to fulfil their individual jobs, is important. But, as with most sports, the key is scoring goals, and the solidity of the defence and midfield crucially allowed our forwards to concentrate on scoring29 goals in six games, to be precise. The primary target for this season was to prepare the team for tougher challenges ahead at national level. I believe we achieved this - and you only need to look at victories such as the 7-1 win against Stowe U16As for the evidence.

This has been an incredibly enjoyable season, and I stand by my statement at the start of the academic year that this team is one of the strongest we have within Repton. There is no doubt that the future is exciting for Repton Hockey. AS

Ipswich School

Won 8-0

Denstone College

Won 4-1

Sedbergh School

Won 5-1

Oundle School

Won 4-0

Stowe School U16A

Won 7-1

Hockey Mentors

Lost 3-1

P1 W0 D0 L1 F2 A8

The U15B team went from strength to strength over the Michaelmas Term in what was an excellent season. Emphatic wins against Sedbergh (5-0) and Shrewsbury (4-1) were definite highlights, but it was the 2-1 triumph over Oundle that truly epitomised their collective spirit and determination.

Despite facing an early setback when Oundle took the lead after a lapse in concentration, the team rallied after half-time, showcasing a remarkable display of resilience and skill. Adopting

a strategy reminiscent of 'total hockey', they seamlessly transitioned from defence to attack, culminating in a thrilling comeback led by Lola R, who netted a decisive brace in the dying moments of the match, reminiscent of Aguero's legendary late winner against QPR.

Throughout the season, the squad consistently demonstrated unwavering enthusiasm and camaraderie, making every training session a lively and enjoyable affair. Guided by the maturity and leadership of Grace O, supported by stalwarts Sophie P and Lily M, the team formed an impressive and formidable line-up.

SQUAD

Captain G. Oborn (G)

Vice-Captains L. A. Miller (G), S. Pascoe (M)

E. Andrew (M), J. Blunt (G), O. Breese (G), H. Casey (G), E. Collins (A), S. Corbett (F), C. Court (G), H. French (F), I. Mayman (F), E. Miller (A), F. Nowacki (A), M. Ogden (F), A. Rai (F), L. Robinson (G), B. Stannard (M), H. Williamson (G)

U14A

SQUAD

Captain E. Webster (A)

P. Ascott (F), H. Beacham (M), L. Cursham (M), A. Finlay (A), I. Green (F), L. Hambleton (F), S. Hardy (M), A. Hart (G), A. Hart (F), P. Hodges (F), M. Howe (M), C. Jackson (M), L. Lewis (M), H. Mayfield (G), S. Moss (G), H. Sandhu (A), M J. Waters (F), A. Webster (A)

The team had a brilliant season, losing only once all year. They were devastating during the first 12 games, scoring 65 goals whilst only conceding three. Deservedly, the team made it all the way to the National Cup Final after a brilliant run, beating Denstone, GSAL and Ipswich along the way, before narrowly missing out 1-0 in an incredibly close final to Epsom. This game could have gone either way and the girls really did themselves and the School proud. There is a lot to be excited about for this talented and hard-working group of players in future years. MH

P6 W4

D0 L2 F15 A8

W13 D1 L1 F75 A12

U14B

SQUAD

C. Dammers (A), L. Hambleton (F), L. Haseldine (G), N. Hibbert (M), M. Howe (M), F. Kibler (G), H. Ingleston-Orme (M), M. Lees (G), L. Lewis (M), M. Lowe (M), L. Morris (M), S. Moss (G), E.M. Reeves (M), E. Wyatt-Shannon (F), I. Yeung (A)

The Girls' U14B had a brilliant season, highlighting Repton's strength and depth in hockey. At most schools these girls would be leading A team players, so it is no surprise that the team recorded so many comfortable wins.

Blessed with an outstanding goalkeeper and a solid defence, the side only conceded five goals all year. Four of these were against a strong Oundle side who were better on the day. The Repton girls were left kicking themselves for going all-out attack and being caught on the break, but sport is about learning and sometimes the lessons are hard.

The side had an abundance of attacking flair with strength and creativity through the middle and pace and trickery on the flanks. Added to some excellent ball-striking in attack, it is little wonder that the girls averaged an impressive three goals per game.

Well done to all of the girls who played for the team. I look forward to seeing you develop further as you move through the School.

RGC

P6 W5 L1 F18 A5

U14C

SQUAD

F. Chadwick (F), D. Chen (G), R. del Strother (A), I. Every (G),

D. Gardiner (G),

L. Hinchley (F), E. Iorio (A),

G. Pang (M), A. Pohoreliuk (A),

N. Smith (M), P. Wrisdale (A), A. Zamir (M)

Also played

N. Hibbert (G), A. Lubega (A)

Whilst often neither the scoreline nor the weather was particularly favourable for the U14C team – torrential rain and freezing conditions, mixed with some intermittent hail, in a 6-0 loss against Ratcliffe’s U13As springs to mind – a team can only be judged on its spirit, effort and improvement over the course of a season, and in this respect the U14Cs could never be faulted. Many of the girls started the term as novices and acquitted themselves well in matches against more experienced opposition, with the highlight being a 4-0 win against Denstone. But it was the team’s development in play and confidence which really stood out, and I look forward to seeing them continue to enjoy their hockey next year and beyond. KH

SWIMMING

Inspired by the Olympic year, Repton Swimming built firmly on the platform of last year’s progress to reach some impressive new heights in 2023-24.

The first big achievement was at the East Midlands Regional Championships in November, with our swimmers coming away with 26 Gold, 21 Silver and 17 Bronze medals.

Moving rapidly forward to November, we reached the finals of the English Schools Swimming Association Championships, the main school competition in the swimming calendar for English Schools, where we topped the medal table for the first time ever. Including two gold medals from the Repton Prep girls' team, four National Titles were secured, as well as four bronze medals and a 5th place, plus the event record for the Intermediate Girls Medley. It was some start to the first stage of the competitive season!

As one of hundreds of clubs that take part in the National Arena Swimming League, which is for all clubs across the country, in December Repton Swimming won the West Midlands Regional Final for the first time and reached the National Final for the first time. More on that below.

In December, Eva O, Mabli C and Holly M all competed for Great Britain at the International Junior Meet in Ontario, Canada. We also had 26 pupils competing for Repton Swimming Club at the Swim England Winter Nationals in Sheffield.

As the programme has grown, the need to deliver some extra challenges and opportunities was evident, which culminated in a 55-strong tour party travelling to Dubai in February 2024 for a 10-day training and race camp. Training in the 50m outdoor pool at the Dubai Police Academy, the 49

swimmer and six staff group finished the trip with the three-day Dubai International competition. With competitors from countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and, of course, more local teams from the Gulf, this competition had a real international feel and was held at the Hamdan Stadium, the 15,000 seater venue of the 2010 World Championships. Repton secured the Top Team award and Eva O the Top Female Athlete award – an important building block in her season. The competition was every bit a Dubai style event as the evening finals saw the lights, smoke and entertainment of a true international top-level event. In addition to the usual training hours, the group also embraced some cultural opportunities, including the beach, waterpark, the biggest shopping mall we had ever seen and, of course, all 828m of the Burj Khalifa!

The beginning of March, just three weeks after returning from Dubai, saw Repton Swimming head to Cardiff for the National Arena League Final. This event is the culmination of three rounds of regional competition spread over three months and the top ten regional champions from around the UK travelled for a head to head battle over Sunday afternoon. With the age range beginning at U11 and progressing to our most senior swimmers, this is very much a whole-club event and our travelling supporters certainly recognised Repton’s first trip to this major event in the swimming calendar. A series of individual and team relay events make up the programme and after a positive start in the medley events, Repton gathered momentum, moving from 6th, to 5th and eventually finishing in a magnificent 4th place

nationally. For a programme of just four years' longevity, this was a superb achievement and finishing the day by winning the final team relay, where two swimmers from each age group make a team cannon relay, was a very fine bit of icing on the cake. We hope to be back next year to challenge the top three.

THE YEAR’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS EVENT TOOK 23 REPTON SWIMMERS TO LONDON FOR THE BRITISH SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS AND OLYMPIC TRIALS.

As spring began, the year’s most prestigious event took 23 Repton Swimmers to London for the British Swimming Championships and Olympic Trials. The event’s significance was increased hugely in this Olympic year, with tickets to Paris 2024 on offer for Britain’s fastest swimmers. With the event live streamed and available on

the BBC Red Button and Channel 4, it enabled a broader audience to see our Reptonians in action. With morning heats and then both junior and senior finals in the evenings, our swimmers experienced the highest standard of competition and mixed throughout with the full-time athletes based at Britain’s Performance Centres. Over the course of the five days of competition, held at London’s Aquatics Centre, venue of the London 2012 Games, our swimmers recorded 32 personal bests, made 31 finals and secured two medals. There were enough fabulous individual performances to write a report on this alone, but the most notable performance was from Eva O, who aged just 17 swam a significant personal best time in the Women’s 100m Freestyle to finish second and claim the Silver medal, being sandwiched in first and third by previous Olympians Anna Hopkin and Freya Anderson. This secured Eva a place on the Team GB Freestyle Relay Team for Paris, the first Reptonian to be selected for swimming at the Olympic Games, as well as the first pupil to be selected whilst still at school since Charlotte Craddock (Abbey 2005-2009) represented Team GB at Hockey in Beijing in 2008. It was a double delight for the family too, with Izabella O’s selection in the Junior GB Team for the European

Junior Championships in Lithuania this summer. Izabella’s first international call up.

The performances didn’t stop there either, with Austyn M breaking all three national age group records for the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke events, in three different meets in April and May-a stunning performance at just 13 years of age. Earlier in the year Mabli C had broken her own Welsh Junior 200m Breaststroke record and towards the end of term, Eva O broke the British age group record for the 50m Butterfly.

As the summer approaches, whilst still to be finalised, early signs are that Repton Swimming Club will have 48 qualifiers for this Summer’s National Competitions. Some achievement for a programme of just four and a half years' duration.

We would like to thank our leavers, some of which have been with us since the inception of the programme. Their contribution to the growth and development of Repton Swimming as it moved from its infancy to an established national level programme won’t be forgotten.

And don’t forget to cheer for Eva in Paris…

IMP and AWM

ESSA TEAMS:

U15 Intermediate Girls

H. Capron, M. Collyer, E. Gent, S. Llewellyn, E. Pearcey

U18 Senior Girls

A. Crees, L. Devine, H. Marshall, I. Okaro, G. Rennals, H. Robinson

U15 Intermediate Boys

D. Bartoletti, R. Ingram, R. Hubinger, J. Lauda, A. Manley

U18 Senior Boys

F. Cordle, C. Jamieson, C. Jeanes, H. Milne, L. Pollock,

ESSA National Results

U15 Girls Freestyle Relay

U15 Girls Medley Relay

U18 Girls Freestyler Relay

ENGLISH WINTER NATIONAL QUALIFIERS:

E. Broughton, H. Capron, F. Cordle, A. Crees, L. Devine, M. Emment, E. Gent, A. Green, H. Hodgkiss, C. Jamieson, C. Jeanes, O. Johnson, A. Manley, H. Milne, I. Okaro, H. Oxley, C. Palmer, E. Pearcey, L. Pollock, G. Rennals C. Rennard, H. Robinson, J. Smelt, J. Vaartjes, M. Walker, F. Wooddisse

OLYMPIC TRIALS QUALIFIERS:

E. Broughton, H. Capron, M. Collyer, A. Crees, L. Devine, M. Emment, H. Hodgkiss, C. Jamieson, A. Manley, H. Marshall, E. Okaro, I. Okaro, H. Oxley, C. Palmer, L. Pollock, H. Robinson, J. Smelt

U18 Girls Medley Relay

U15 Boys Freestyle Relay

U15 Boys Medley Relay

Boys’ Freestyle relay 5th Place

NETBALL GIRLS

1ST

VII

Even before the first training session, I knew we would have a dedicated and strong 1st VII netball squad this year. Led superbly by Charlotte B-R, Jenna L and Ruby O, with the added experience of Millie B, Gracie B-C and Ava D, I was confident the squad would do well at the Regional Netball Finals for which we earned qualification for during Michaelmas Term.

Our opening few matches were solid, with wins against Trent and Bedford to boost confidence, but driving our unit play was our focus for this year. Our squad changed regularly due to hockey cross-over, academic pressures and the obvious frustrations from injuries. No matter the combination we put out on court, we had focus areas to prioritise; shooters to shoot – sounds simple but add in pressure, fatigue, confidence, and there is lots to consider just in three seconds! Our defenders have had a stellar season, with our captain also playing for U19 NPL squad, Central Warriors; we had to work new combinations and bring through new players such as Arabella C. Stalwart of the defending line-up was Jenna L, who is our most capped player this term, despite her nasty ankle roll in the build-up to National Finals!

Our ‘night under lights’ fixture at Denstone College, which was live, streamed to a 300-strong audience, was a real highlight of our fixture list. It was a quality match which resulted in a superb squad performance and lots of fun; we look forward to repeating this next year.

We travelled to Oundle three times this season and Saturday 3rd February hosted the East Midlands Regional Netball Finals, with sights on a top two finish to secure National Finals

qualification. Repton’s Regional squad looked very different to the undefeated County squad, not least because we lost the simply outstanding athleticism of Eva O (Olympic Swimmer, Paris 2024) but also lost our mid-court warrior, Millie B, both through injury. To add a shining positive after these losses, we added Year 11 rocket, Amelia O, to our attacking line-up.

With an opening loss to Oakham, the girls did not lose focus or allow their confidence in each other to waver. With victories in the remaining group games, our 1st VII were set to face Stamford (winners of group 1) in the must-win semi-final to qualify for Nationals. The opening four goals all went in Repton’s favour – plenty of forced errors from our middies turned over possession to really amp up the pressure on our opponents. Stamford fought back, as any decent side would, but our defence held strong with Ruby O and Amelia O capitalising on every goal-scoring opportunity. Final whistle blew at 12-11 to the good, after agonising minutes of goal for goal play. It felt like winning Nationals!

We enjoyed an overnight stay and a lovely squad meal together before the National Finals on Saturday 16th March. We were prepared for the competition to be highly contested, relentless, and exhausting. It was all these things, but it was also so rewarding. The 1st VII showed resilience, discipline, and, most importantly, learned how to be better teammates for each other. Nationals, for me, highlighted all these elements and I was extremely proud of the efforts and conduct of every individual.

We wish our Upper Sixth leavers, who have given so much of their time and focus to netball at Repton, the very best of luck for their adventures and endeavours post-Repton and hope they come back to visit us again soon.

P10 W3 D1 L6

Derbyshire U17s

Lost 17-20

Trent College

Won 19-14

Bedford Modern Won 26-23

Denstone College

Lost 26-35

Rugby

Lost 11-17

Stamford Lost 18-31

Trent College

Lost 22-23

Ratcliffe College

Draw 16-16

Shrewsbury Won 28-26

Oundle

Lost 23-37

Derbyshire County

SQUAD

Captain C. Burton-Rowe (M)

Vice-Captains J. Langley (M), R. Ogden (F)

K. Barker (G), L. Barker (G), A. Blowers (G), G. BroadhurstComyn (F), A. Clarke (F), A. Corner (M), A. Dabbs (A), I. Okaro (A), A. Oliver (F), S. Shield (G), O. Wenham (M)

Also played

A. Aneca-Human (M), I. Mayman (F), G. Oborn (G) E. Okaro (A)

2ND VII SQUAD

Captain M. Oborn (G)

A. Aneca-Human (M), Z. Barkey (M), F. Birmingham (M), S. Derby (M), A. Edwards (M), M. Gaunt (G), I. Hambleton (F), F. Lloyd (M), C. Turton (A)

Also played

Z. Dunn (F), J. Grace (F), B. Purvis (M)

With a relatively young 2nd team squad, the season started off strongly with a win away against Trent College as partnerships between the mid-court and our shooters were developed. The season for the 2nd team was then disrupted somewhat with the U16 team attending regionals and so a weakened side faced Denstone but showed resilience nonetheless. With multiple away games this season, the team became efficient at warming up quickly and were able to start games stronger and stronger each time when facing a new opponent.

3RD VII SQUAD

Captain E. Clark (M)

Z. Dunn (F), R. English (F), R. Korylco-Bowers (M), L. Langley (M), E. Moseley (M), I. White (M), A. Wyke (F), K. Wylie (M)

Also played

E. Ash (G), F. Birmingham (M), I. Haigh (M), I. Hambleton (F), I. Kashihara (F), H. Lees (G), I. Reaves (A), E. Sandhu (A), D. Spear (F), C. Turton (A)

P8 W3 D0 L5

Trent College

Won 24-6

Denstone College

Lost 15-39

Rugby

Lost 11-24

Stamford Girls

Lost 10-51

Particular highlights across the season were the interceptions from Felicity B and Freya L, Amelie A-H’s steady feeds into the safe hands of Matilda O, and Abigail E’s quick movement in the goal circle. Despite only mentioning a few pupils here, the whole team made considerable progress in the season, working on defensive pressure throughout the court, rotation within the shooting circle, and improved ball control and tenacity for the game. This improvement was demonstrated in the last three games of the season which, despite coming away with losses, were all very competitive games and each and every player had a highlight to be proud of. We unfortunately lost our captain Matilda due to a finger

Ratcliffe College

Won 38-5

Shrewsbury

Won 29-20

Oundle

Lost 10-15

Bromsgrove School

Lost 22-32

injury towards the end of the season so I am grateful to Maisey G and Freya for stepping up into captaincy roles and positively encouraging the team when it was needed, as well as Freya and Serena D also stepping out of their normal school positions to shoot, where both did a commendable job. The team were a pleasure to coach this season and I hope to see them excelling on the court in future too.

LG

As netball seasons go, 2024 was a tough one for the 3rd VII. Many of our fixtures were against other schools’ 2nd teams and this was made even harder by having a rotating squad of players, including borrowing from both the 2nd VII and the 4th VII, so at times it was hard to find consistency. That said, the hardcore members of the 3rd VII played with commitment, humour and determination, even when the scoreline went against us, and I am proud of the efforts they put into each game, under the excellent leadership of Ellen C as captain. Here’s to a better season in 2025!

MKC

P8 W1 D2 L5 GF115 GA199 F115 A199

4TH VII SQUAD

Despite facing challenging opposition throughout the season, the 4ths netball team displayed remarkable resilience and sense of fun throughout their training sessions and matches. Although the captaincy rotated, Isabelle D's energetic and admirable leadership ensured that the girls remained driven and supportive of each other during tough matches. Darcey S and Grace C developed hugely in their defending throughout the season and Hattie L was our top shooter, proving to be an invaluable asset in the games she played.

Captain I. Dawson (M)

E. Ash (G), I. Brier (M), G. Cottingham (F), G. Earnshaw (M), I. Haigh (M), I. Kashihara (F), H. Lees (G), P. Mercer (F), E. Sandhu (A), D. Spear (F), J. Wolfe (M)

Also played

E. Mosely (M), C. Nleme (F), M. Wyke (F)

SQUAD

H. Beacham (M), L. Hambleton (F), A. Hart (F), M. Howe (M), C. Jackson (M), F. Kibler (G), L. Lewis (M), E. M. Reeves (M), H. Sandhu (A)

Also played

The highlight of the season was probably the match against Shrewsbury which was incredibly well contested by both sides. Lillie H and Ella R had to really hold their nerve as every goal counted and any missed shots were punished with a conversion. Thankfully both girls were on form; Ella picked off rebounds and a number of fabulous long-range shots and Lillie manoeuvred the ball round the D beautifully.

ladies and they should be proud of their attitude towards hard work and fair play. NMD

Rugby

A. Webster (A) Regional

The U14 girls made a really positive start to their netball career at Repton by managing to come second in the county tournament back in November, thereby qualifying them for Regional Finals in February. This is no small feat for a team that has never played together before.

Alas, the tournament was of a very high standard, and we came 9th out of 10 but did manage to win a match which was wonderful. Many of the teams present play three terms of netball and are able to make full selections week in week out, so we are really proud of the girls for giving such a good account of themselves.

Our results have been mixed throughout the course of the term, but there was much to celebrate.

Players in the centre court were rotated regularly as we needed different qualities against each of our opponents; Flo K and Lola L remained dependable in staying tight on their opponents whilst Anoushka H made some fantastic interceptions to convert a number of 50-50 balls. At centre, Cecilie J was our lynchpin and her work rate all term was outstanding. In defence, Mattie H has played at both WD and GD; her standout game was against Bromsgrove where her ability to jump and intercept likely meant the difference between a win and a loss. Last but by no means least, our defence of Hattie B and Harneve S have been stalwarts at the back of the court. They have both been seemingly unfazed by some incredibly tall opponents but it hasn’t stopped either girl from defending the circle and contesting lots of rebounds successfully.

The Lent Term seems to fly by quicker and quicker as each year passes and this was no exception. It has been a delight to work alongside this committed and charming set of young

Lost 15-27

Stamford

Lost 20-23

Trent College B team

Won 31-11

Shrewsbury

Won 27-23

Oundle

Lost 16-38

Bromsgrove Won 20-19

Notts Girls High Lost 22-26

Matches vs QEGS Ashbourne and Ratcliffe

Cancelled

P7 W2 L7

P6 W0 L6

U14B

SQUAD

L. Cursham (M), C. Dammers (A), N. Hibbert (G), L. Hinchley (F), P. Hodges (F), H. Ingleston-Orme (M), L. Morris (M), S. Moss (G)

I. Yeung (A)

Also played

I. Every (G), L. Haseldine (G), M. Howe (M), H. Lees (G), N. Smith (M), P. Wrisdale (A), E. Wyatt-Shannon (F)

In the face of a very challenging fixture-list, the U14Bs had a number of tough matches, but I simply could not have been more proud of the way they carried themselves in every single quarter of the season, and, remarkable though it is to say, they improved game-on-game through the entire season.

Two matches stand out. 1-7 down in the first quarter against Stamford, the girls kept their cool, and established a foothold in the game, going in to halftime at 8-16. They then executed one of the most scintillating halves of netball you are ever likely to witness, powering back into the game and exerting an at-times breathtaking control over proceedings, to end the game only three goals shy of a very

U14C

The U14C team should be proud of their performances throughout a season in which their team spirit, determination and will to improve shone through. Whilst wins on court were at times hard to come by, the girls

strong Stamford side. How much character and quality does that show?

The unequivocal highlight of the season, however, was undoubtedly at Shrewsbury. By this time, we were a settled and metronomically-drilled side, so it was something of a surprise to end the first quarter two goals down – albeit still very much in the game. We said that the team that made the fewest mistakes would emerge victorious, and so it came to pass. We imposed ourselves on the match in two quarters of inexpressibly terrifying and mechanistic efficiency and finality, with Lara H and Imo Y demonstrating why they are currently the best GA/GS partnership operating in the Western Hemisphere. We entered the final quarter two goals ahead, and scoring continued to go with the centre-pass; Salop reasserted themselves in the game, inevitably in a fiercely- but fairlyfought contest, but we pulled one ahead, from yet another coruscatingly brilliant pass in-behind the defence from Phoebe H to Lara. Shrewsbury restarted the game, transitioning seamlessly into the final third, and then, just before the WA could pick the final pass, the full-time whistle blew.

I was so pumped that I had to listen the entire Joy Division back-catalogue, merely to get my heart-rate under 150 bpm.

CSD

never let their heads drop, and it was often in the second half of matches where their best performances could be found; the team’s attributes were no better epitomised than by an epic third quarter in their final game of the season against Bromsgrove, scoring seven goals without reply and playing their best netball of the term. A pleasure to coach!

KH

P10 W3 L7 F164 A219

Trent College U14B

Lost 5-30

Littleover Community School

Lost 6-34

Denstone College U14A

Lost 17-29

Rugby School U14B

Lost 5-20

Stamford School U14B

Lost 21-24

Trent College U14C

Won 22-3

Shrewsbury School U14B

Won 21-20

Oundle U14B

Lost 18-32

Bromsgrove School U14B

Lost 15-24

Nottingham High School U14B

Won 34-3

SQUAD

I. Every (G), A. Finlay (A), I. Green (F), A. Hart (G), L. Haseldine (G), E. Iorio (A), A. Konuralp (F), M. Lees (G), L. Morris (M), N. Smith (M), P. Wrisdale (A), E. Wyatt-Shannon (F)

Also played

D. Chen (G), R. del Strother (A), D. Gardiner (G), A. Lubega (A), G. Pang (M), A. Pohoreliuk (A), A. Zamir (M)

U14D

P6 W1 D0 L5 F25 A89

SQUAD

D. Chen (G), R. del Strother (A), D. Gardiner (G), I. Green (F), G. Pang (M), A. Pohoreliuk (A), A. Zamir (M)

Also played

I. Every (G), A. Hart (G), L. Haseldine (G), E. Iorio (A), A. Konuralp (F), A. Lubega (A), L. Morris (M), N. Smith (M), P. Wrisdale (A), E. Wyatt-Shannon (F)

The U14D team had a challenging netball season. Unfortunately, the results did not always go their way and the scores certainly did not reflect the effort that the players put into each match. Even though the team didn’t have many victories this term, a few matches stood out from the rest. One match, where the shooting ability was particularly highlighted from several different players, was in the match against Trent College. This game was very competitive as both teams were determined for the win. This was a close game with an impressive win and final score of 11-9. It was great to see how the team and individuals improved throughout the season in matches and in training sessions. This was noticeable in house matches and junior league where individuals played in mixed ability teams.

Well done all; a tough netball season but you demonstrated excellent teamwork and resilience and you were a pleasure to coach.

A TOUGH NETBALL SEASON BUT YOU DEMONSTRATED EXCELLENT TEAMWORK

ATHLETICS

2023

SQUAD

A. Aneca-Human (4A), F. Atere (4N), I. Chihota (5G), J. Davies (L6C), M. Gaunt (4G), T. Hinds (L6M), A. Kelly (U6A), K. Kuroda (5S), J. Langley (L6M), F. Lloyd (4M), E. Miller (3A), N. Mugoti (4P), J. Paliah (U6O), S. Shield (L6G), H. Thomas (5N), D. Wong (L6M), L. Wholey (4G)

Also competed

J. Goode (3S), J. McGlynn (4O), M. Ogden (3F), I. Reaves (4A)

We have seen a record number of pupils training and competing in athletics this term, with many outstanding individual performances.

Emmie M, Tilly H and Sophie S entered the Derbyshire Multi Events Competition and superbly competed in a demanding five event show down across hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump and ending with the exhausting 800m. Each athlete qualified to progress to the Regional Multi Events competition with Sophie taking the U20s title, Tilly securing silver and Emmie finishing as runners up in the U15 age category.

Emmie represented Derbyshire at the Regional round in June and after a gruelling day, she ended as top Derbyshire U15 girl and a fantastic 8th

place overall, narrowly missing out on a Nationals top five selection.

Ten pupils travelled to the County Individual Championships on 10th June with Nathan M(4P), Isabella C (5G) and Fisayo A (4N) earning qualification for the Regional Finals which was hosted at the Alexandria Stadium in Stoke on 17th June.

Fisayo’s previous personal best in the triple jump was 10.58m but with his third, and final jump, he recorded a staggering 12.00m which saw him seal the U17 title and earn his Regionals qualification, joining Nathan M and Bella C, for long jump and discus, respectively.

Results from the highly competitive Regional Athletics Competition weren’t to go Fisayo’s way after picking up an injury. However, Nathan landed a 6.13m long jump which was just shy of the automatic British Schools qualifying distance. Post-Regionals, Derbyshire Athletics invited Nathan to the British Schools Championships in Birmingham. This was the second call up to the national competition for Nathan.

LP

2024 SQUAD

C. Blunt (L6N), C. Dobson (4C), G. Gaffney (4S), M. Gaunt (5G), J. Goode (4S), P. Hodges (3F), M. Howe (3M), K. Kuroda (L6S), J. Langley (U6M), F. Lloyd (5M), A. Millard-Smith (5A), E. Miller (5A), N. Mugoti (5P), F. Nissen (L6A), M. Ogden (4F) Also competed

A. Aneca-Human (5M), D. Gardiner (3G), L. Haseldine (3G), K. Hope (4P), S. Owens (5G), E. Pigott (5G), I. Reaves (5A), L. Wholey (5G), S. Moss (3G)

Our Repton athletes have enjoyed a record number of entries into the Derbyshire Individual Events competition and have developed a fantastic collaborative training group. Unfortunately, this season has been wetter than any other we can remember, and this has hampered our grass track training sessions. Despite the soggy conditions at school, happily, more pupils have attended club training at Burton Athletics Club and utilised their allweather training surfaces each week.

County results were very good with Kai K and George G making excellent contributions to their U20 100m and U17 javelin events, respectively. Derbyshire silver medals were awarded to Fern N in U20 200m, Amber M-S in U17 800m, Freya L in U17 discus, Molly O in U17 javelin; and Emmie M in 80m hurdles and the Derbyshire Champions titles and top step of the

podium were celebrated by Nathan M with a 6.00m distance in U17 long jump and Matilda H in U15 high jump with a 1.43m best height.

Congratulations also go to our Derbyshire Multi-Event athletes with three of the team selected to represent Derbyshire at the Regional Finals on the weekend of 22nd/23rd June. Fern N and Charlie B competed in the U20 competition and both finished in 2nd place, with Matty H and Phoebe H finishing 2nd and 4th.

Nathan M will represent Derbyshire and the East Midlands at the national British Schools’ Athletics Competition in July. Nathan will compete in the U17 boys’ long jump event with his outstanding qualifying distance of 6.45m, which bettered his personal best by a staggering 35cms.

LP

GOLF

Golf has been a popular option with 30 different pupils from a range of Houses taking part in the programme. It has been wonderful to see a core group of players, several from O Block, make significant progress on the back of regular range sessions throughout the wettest winter in recent memory and instruction at Branston Academy. The year began on the first Sunday of Michaelmas with the Old Reptonian day at a glorious Little Aston GC where Rocco E-W registered an impressive Stableford score to take the honours. A team of four enjoyed the SchoolsGolf event at the majestic Hollinwell GC in March and five players represented Repton in the Derbyshire Schools’ event at Chevin GC in April, including, encouragingly Henry S who is still in B Block, and Henry and Monty from Year 7 at the Repton Prep. We have a good number of talented and committed players at the Prep, with particular strength in Year 3, although it will be a few years before they are eligible for the Halford Hewitt! Louis C (S), a talented all-round Sportsman took the individual honours at House Golf held

at Mickleover GC at the beginning of May with Seb and The Cross stalwarts Peter and Matty also impressing. In team events, we lost in the ISGA matchplay to a strong Worksop side and enjoyed the reformatted SWIFTs (formerly HMC) Foursomes which took us to Blackwell GC to play Solihull and to Leamington and County where we registered a pleasing success over Warwick School. A further fixture at Worksop in May saw Henry S and Henry B make their debuts. This year has seen more sessions than ever before, the addition of a regular Sunday golf activity, very healthy numbers and visits to some of the finest courses in the country. Good luck to our departing Upper Sixth Priory leavers Alex, Max and Freddy who have been major supporters of Repton golf, despite prior commitment to hockey, cricket and football respectively. We look forward to seeing them at Old Reptonian events in the near future.

RGE

SQUASH

It has been another successful year for Repton squash, with lots of new players embracing the game and rapid improvements in the quality of pupils’ play. This was most clearly displayed in the House Squash events in the Lent Term, with both the boys’ and girls’ competitions being the most keenly contested in recent years. Congratulations to Latham and Mitre who were the eventual winners.

There were a number of fixtures against the Old Reptonians, Oakham, and Shrewsbury, reflecting the

increased popularity of the game at Repton. Special mentions go to the following: Charles H, for his superb standard of play and involvement in men’s league squash outside of school; Jake R, for his superb progress and new found love for the game; and for Isabella W, for some fantastic victories in school matches and for helping to promote a love of squash amongst girls in the school.

On a related note, our visiting squash coach, Owain Taylor, broke into the world’s top 100 in the PSA World Tour

for the first time, after some superb results in the London Open and Odense Open. We remain extremely lucky to have his services and the pupils have relished the chance to hit with such a supremely talented player. With lots of enthusiastic players coming up through the school, we look forward to what will be, I’m sure, a very successful season next year.

BCM

FENCING

We have had a successful year in fencing with four of our pupils qualifying for the British Youth Championships in Sheffield in May. In the U18 Boys Epee, Alex M placed 48th out of the 53 best players in the country and Robbie B placed 24th. In the U16 Girls, Alice P placed 53rd out of the best 55 girls in the country and in the U16 Boys Matthew W places 61 out of the best 73. We also were able to have some friendly matches against Wrekin and Shrewbury in the Michaelmas Term and we hope to continue these friendlies next year with matches against Rugby already lined up.

RMS

FIVES

SQUAD

Seniors

Captains C. Allen (A), C. Tate (M), B. Weston (L)

S. Derby (M), A. Edwards (F), Z. Garner (P), B. Hansen-Hoare (F), C. Hill (C), H. Lees (G), H. Mellor (C), I. Orpin (A), M. Parkin (C), C. Turton (A), G. Warburton (F)

Juniors

A. Blackbird (G), B. Bradford (N), T. Gilbody (N), K. Hope (P), I. Mayman (F), A. Metcalf (F), S. Moss (G), A. Pitts (P), M. Rajan (M), B. Reid (P), B. Stannard (M), F. Tebbs (P), J. Vaartjes (F), E. Whitfield (N)

It has been an exciting year for Fives at Repton. Whilst we continue to operate on a basis of squeezing Fives in around other sports, I remain pleased with the innate Reptonian spirit within the pupil body to make things work in busy schedules and keep the game growing. This year, sessions have run every afternoon and 30 players have gathered sufficient skill to represent the school, and all have done so with the spirit of the game being upheld. The crowning point of the season has been hosting the National Schools Fives Championships which has undoubtedly contributed to our largest entry to the event in recent years.

19 pairs have participated in the National Schools’ Championships tournaments, and I hope the event itself will have raised the profile of the game amongst the many Reptonians and staff who have watched. Anybody

reading this who has been curious about the sport but not been on court yet, I urge you to give this a go at your next available opportunity.

In fixtures, the Michaelmas Term, saw matches against OREFC, where the school came out on top in the girls and drew the boys matches, and Oakham, where a comfortable victory was secured away from home. The Black Cup was entered again, and the girls and KH secured a pleasing 4th place in this ladies’ team competition at Highgate. In December, the Graham Turnbull Trophy provided another good day for five Repton pairings in a competition for pairings of one current and one former pupil or member of staff. In the Lent Term, fixtures were arranged with Shrewsbury, Wrekin and Wolverhampton Grammar School. Overall wins against Wrekin and Wolverhampton were tempered by the usual mixed bag of results against the large programme of Shrewsbury. In House Fives, The Cross won the senior boys’ competition and New House the junior boys with a challenge from Priory in both events. The girls’ competitions were won comfortably by Field House (Senior) and The Mitre (Junior).

So, to the National Schools Championships hosted at Repton for the first time. Day 1 saw the U15s in action and there was an especially good showing from Repton 1- a pair comprising of Tom G and Freddie T, who won a plate and showed their significant potential. Day 2 saw the U16s and the relatively experienced pair of Bri H-H and Hattie L reach the quarter-final before losing to the eventual champions, Highgate. Alice E and Christabel T also picked up a plate, but performance of the day was

from third pair Serena D and BeBe S who also reached a quarter-final but, against all the odds, knocked last year’s semi-finalists Berkhamsted 1 out in a 12-11 thriller. In the boys’ event, Charles H and Zac G played some excellent Fives, reaching the last 16 in the main competition and competing well through to the semi-final of the subsequent plate. Day 3 saw the start of the Open Championship and our qualifying pair Bobby W and Zac G acquitted themselves admirably before bowing out in the Round of 32. In the mixed event on Day 5, Bobby W and Claudia T made the quarter-final before being downed by Shrewsbury, and BeBe St and Tom G were at it again with a great showing, including running Upper Sixth pairing Zuoz 1 to a 13-15 scoreline in the Swiss favour in the main plate competition. On the final Friday, Zac G and Bobby W aimed for the Boys Festival and played well to reach the semi-final before succumbing to opposition from Zuoz, whilst Christabel T and Celia A competed in the Girls Open event, losing in the quarter-final and winning that subsequent plate. It is worth mentioning A Block pair Indi M and Anna M too, who did superbly well to reach the final of the Girls' Festival before losing out to Sixth Form opposition. From a playing perspective, it has been great to see the development of our players across the week, and I hope that Repton pupils and staff enjoyed the opportunity to see the premier event in the game in action at Repton.

In all, a tremendously rewarding season was had and the aim will be further growth in the player pool and fixture list next year.

DAE

HOUSE

SPORT

Boys The

The

Senior

Junior

Boys

Senior

Senior

Latham

Junior

Latham

Senior

Junior

Field

Latham

Senior

Junior

Junior

Junior

Senior

School

Junior

Boys

New

191 VALETE

GRAHAM CRAMP

Graham joined Repton in January 2023, following a distinguished teaching career, primarily as a school master at Malvern College. It was his original intention to stay for two terms before hanging up his boots but, such was his love for Repton, he agreed to stay on for an additional year. As we encourage the pupils to do, ‘Crampy’ has made the most of every opportunity that has come his way in his five terms here. He has coached both boys’ and girls’ football teams with skill and good humour, though woe betide anyone who suggests playing anything other than a 4-4-2 formation! His love of keepy uppies is renowned and he will happily challenge anyone to a competition. He even showcased his talents in the staff Pedants performance.

HIS LOVE OF KEEPY UPPIES IS RENOWNED

Crampy is an excellent teacher of mathematics and is as adept at getting the best results out of the top sets as he is at supporting those who find the subject a challenge. In the boarding house he is a muchloved tutor, and, on a Thursday night, he shows great care for the boys in the House and, without fail, takes them down to the sports centre for a kickabout after Prep.

Outside of the classroom and away from coaching sport, Crampy has gained himself something of a cult following with both his colleagues and the pupils. He has pulled on the Repton jersey and dusted off the boots to be the rock at the heart of the Repton staff football XI and, when playing in a school charity match, with half of the school watching, he scored from

WE FEEL TRULY BLESSED TO HAVE HAD CRAMPY FINISH HIS CAREER AT REPTON

the halfway line to rapturous applause. He has also represented the staff cricket team and is someone who can always be relied upon to offer a listening ear in the Undercroft at breaktime or The Red Lion in the evening.

As a community, we feel truly blessed to have had Crampy finish his career at Repton. We trust he knows that he is always welcome back, but for now, and after 35 years in the classroom, we wish him all the very best as he heads back to his home in Malvern to enjoy his retirement, spend time with his family and enjoy following more closely his beloved Cambridge United.

SDG

KATIE GUEST

Katie graduated from Repton as a pupil in 2015, heading off to Cambridge as a Choral Scholar before moving to London and a position with Artist Management company HarrisonParrott. And then COVID-19 hit, of course, devastating the entertainment industry and impacting the working lives of so many young professionals.

This provided Katie with an opportunity to return to Repton as a ‘grad’ and a resident tutor in The Mitre. Those early terms saw Katie help to run the quarantine camps and deliver pastoral care, in person initially and then through Teams, to year groups of girls in The Mitre who were the immediate beneficiaries of her intuitive and steadfast support and enormous understanding of life at Repton.

Katie applied to do her iPGCE at Repton and it is no surprise that she was accepted by the University of Buckingham. Teaching French and German here at Repton, Katie also taught Spanish at Repton Prep, taking on the delivery of a new language with her customary expertise and diligence. Katie gained a distinction and has consolidated her qualification with two further years of excellent teaching in the MFL Department. And this is coupled, of course, with continuing and significant involvement in the extra-curricular programme. Katie has coached hockey, netball and tennis teams; she has contributed to CCF and D of E; and she has been active in the Music Department, of course, singing in the Choir and accompanying two European tours. While that might have been enough for many, the area of her work in which Katie has found most reward has been in the House, where she has offered so much to the broad

range of individuals that she has cared for. As a resident Katie has made a huge contribution, be it on the sports field, in Pears School or just simply, yet so crucially along the corridors, and she has been a steady and inspiring presence to all (including me!) during her four years with us.

It is easy to reflect on the success that Katie has enjoyed at Repton, both as a pupil and as a member of staff. Those who return to Repton are, of course, those who loved it the first-time round, and Katie certainly did so, finishing her time as a pupil as Head of School. But Katie’s true ‘return’ has been as a result of her investment in Repton this time. She has found a career that she loves and at which she naturally excels. Coming back has perhaps allowed her to move on, and Katie quite rightly now heads off to St Edwards in Oxford, ready to get to know a new city and a new school. We are so proud to have watched Katie’s journey into teaching and to have seen her thrive and flourish at Repton once again, both professionally and personally.

WE ARE SO PROUD TO HAVE WATCHED KATIE'S JOURNEY

Thank you, Katie, for all that you have given Repton over so many years. You depart with our very best wishes yet none of us would be surprised if you chose to return once again, for we know that you would make a wonderful Housemistress!

CJJ

MARGOT CASTILLON

Since arriving from her native France in 2017, Margot Castillon has fully embraced the life of a quirky English boarding school, coming to appreciate the many idiosyncrasies that Repton life entails! Throughout her nearly seven-year stint, she has become a treasured member of the Common Room and will be long-remembered within the Repton community.

Margot and I first crossed paths at The Boot (of course!) on a cold December evening when she was in her inaugural post as Alastair Land’s au pair. Introduced by GPRW, wrong numbers were exchanged, nearly dead-ending what would grow into one of my most-valued friendships. Luckily for all of us, upon Alastair’s exit, Margot decided that she would not be fleeing the country, and instead made the transition into the academic staff as the School’s French Assistante. A post she well and truly made her own, Margot was often tasked with planning and delivering discussion sessions and encouraging animated conversation with the GCSE and A Level cohorts as they worked to master the nuance and idioms of the French language. Her hugely positive impact on the French learning experience of pupils was notable,

with Margot bringing a smile to many pupils’ faces as she made sure conversations were engaging and memorable. Good-humoured, supportive, and adaptable were just a few of the descriptions colleagues in the department attributed to Margot; her infectious laughter and beaming smile will leave a space impossible to fill.

As with many Reptonians, Margot proved herself a true all-rounder! Like those who passed under the Arch before her, it was only a matter of time before the lure of the hockey stick became too tempting. Margot enjoyed many sessions with the ‘Back to Hockey’ division of the Repton Hockey Club, before playing for Burton and progressing through their squads, even imparting her skills and knowledge to various school-based teams. Most recently, Margot has contributed to the D of E programme, in addition to stints in both Abbey and Field as a member of their tutor teams. Margot always sees the best in everyone and her innate empathy and compassion have ensured her unequivocal popularity with anyone lucky enough to have encountered her.

Eponymously Margot! to every member of the community, Repton has - unquestionably - been enriched by her presence and she will be sorely missed. Succinctly summarised by one colleague, ‘Margot’s laughter tells you the

MARGOT’S

LAUGHTER TELLS YOU

THE TYPE OF PERSON SHE IS IMMEDIATELY: WARM, GENEROUS, AND… LOUD!

type of person she is immediately: warm, generous, and… loud!’ – the qualities we all love most about her! Leaving the school, but staying in the local area, Margot moves onto a full-time position at Hourlier Wines in Melbourne; despite growing up on a vineyard, it seems that it took moving to England for her to embrace her true love of wine! I am sure we will all come together to wish Margot 'bonne chance' in her new venture, safe in the knowledge that we know who to turn to when our wine stocks are running low! JDS

Who takes your name down when for school you are late and think you’ve not been seen?...

WAYNE LEES

Wayne Lees joined Repton in 2012 as the School Staff Instructor (SSI) to the CCF, a role he undertook for five years. With a notable Army career behind him, Wayne’s knowledge and experience quite rightly earned him the immediate respect of Repton’s cadets and teaching colleagues. More than this though Wayne went about his work as SSI in a way that meant pupils knew him to be fair, approachable and on their side. There are, I suspect, a good many Old Reptonians who owe Wayne their thanks for helping to positively shape their school experience and instil confidence and practical skills that will stay with them for life.

In 2015 when his wife Sally took on the role of Housemistress of The Garden. Wayne played a crucial role in the running of the House over their five years in charge, both as a constant support to Sally, a dedicated father to daughters Hattie and Tilly, but also in practical ways

that enhanced house life for Garden girls, including hosting House Suppers and putting on BBQs and the hugely popular Cookies and Milkshake nights.

Repton further benefited from Wayne’s expertise in his work as a Duke of Edinburgh Award instructor from 2018 to 2022, during which time he played a key role in ensuring that many a Reptonian completed their training days and expeditions safely and successfully.

Always keen to take on a new challenge – and show off his versatility – Wayne was appointed School Marshall in 2022. He made this role his own. Smartly dressed and personable, Wayne gave a positive first impression of the school to visitors. Wayne was also in charge of overseeing the School Porters, looking after the minibuses, the school’s Fire Safety, overseeing the start and end of Lists (“School Prefects, carry on”) and many other duties not in the job description, not least chasing an escaped emu off the school grounds!

Wayne leaves Repton to take up a job as Premises Manager of OneSchool Global in Nottingham; hoping that this will also give him more time to support his family and allow him to make better use of his Nottingham Forest season ticket!

THN

KATE WALKER

Ian McEwan wrote, ‘You can tell a lot from a person's nails. When a life starts to unravel, they're among the first to go.’ Well, as she leaves us to take the position of Head of Bruern Abbey School, it’s safe to say that Kate’s nails are clearly immaculate.

A REPUTATION AS AN OUTSTANDING TEACHER WITH A RIGOROUS ACADEMIC APPROACH

Kate Walker, née Campbell, arrived from Oakham in 2015 to be Head of English and leaves us with a new surname, a husband and a child. It seems very obvious to state, therefore, that Repton has had a significant impact on her life, but perhaps it would be more accurate to state that she has had a significant impact on Repton. On arriving to take over the English Department and, indeed, be the first female leader of that department, Kate immediately established a reputation as an outstanding teacher with a rigorous academic approach, and in a department that had long been home to some of the sharpest minds in the school, she more than held her own. Her love of her subject in all its forms was very apparent and lessons brought to life even the most complex of texts for the most recalcitrant of pupils. Countless benefitted from

her willingness to help those who asked, knowing that they were lucky to be taught by a teacher who would always push them to new heights. It was no surprise to see the results of the department, which had always been among the best in the school, get better still.

As a tutor in The Abbey, she was immensely popular, taking an active interest in the girls, providing support where necessary and firmness when required. And when the Housemistress at the time took maternity leave in 2020, Kate was the obvious person to step in and run the House. This clearly did not deter her from ever wanting to run her own house and in September 2020, Kate took charge of The Garden, her calm authority proving ideal in navigating the highs and lows of boarding house life. But, of course, some of her time in that first year in the house was also spent organising her wedding and in August 2021 she married Olly Walker, our Director of Music, and then, clearly feeling that she had too much time on

her hands, in December 2022, she and Olly welcomed Albie into the world and the Repton community. Returning from maternity leave in September 2023, it was perhaps likely that new opportunities would arrive and that Kate, having led a department, a House and created a family, would see a new challenge for her undoubted skills.

On a personal note, I will miss her greatly, not just as a colleague but as a friend whose advice and support I highly valued. As she, Olly and Albie leave us for Bruern Abbey, I know that she will be very hard to replace at Repton. I am sure true that the new role she takes on will have its challenges but, knowing Kate and her family, knowing how brilliant she has been here, I am sure that if she wonders what will happen, she need only open a copy of Atonement and see that ‘the answer is simple: the lovers survive and flourish’.

NFP

IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE NOT HEARING HIS INFECTIOUS LAUGHTER

OLLY WALKER

Olly joined Repton eight years ago from Solihull School, where he had served as Head of Choral Music. Now that his time in Derbyshire is drawing to a close, it will be difficult to imagine not hearing his infectious laughter resounding throughout the Music Department in response to hearing or relaying the latest anecdote from the music world. He has also displayed genuine kindness and thoughtfulness to both pupils and staff, along with encouraging the performance of all types and styles of music at a wide variety of venues. His tenure as Director of Music has coincided with a significant increase in the number of events being staged by the Music Department throughout each school year.

Many of Olly’s musical highlights are inevitably linked to his love of choral music and his clear expertise in that field. I think especially of his instigating the annual Evensong

Services at St. Paul’s Cathedral, broadcasts for BBC Radio 4, initiating the premiere of ‘The Rising of the Sun’ specially written for Repton by the celebrated highflying internationally renowned composer Jonathan Dove, joint ventures with the Choir of Derby Cathedral including a performance of Faure’s Requiem, not to mention the recent Repton Choral Initiative and showcase Choir tours to Italy and Germany, to name but a few. It somehow seems appropriate that Olly’s final tour to Berlin, Leipzig and Wittenberg should have followed in the footsteps of J.S. Bach, a project very close to his heart. Those of us visiting Leipzig will never forget the thrill of singing at the Morning Service in the Thomaskirche where Bach served as organist and choirmaster. Also, the Saturday evening Concert performed to a capacity audience in Berlin, along with Evensong at Wittenberg in front of the tomb of Martin Luther, were incredibly special occasions both musically and spiritually.

I have seen at first hand, looking on from the Chapel Organ, how Olly has cajoled, persuaded and inspired pupils over the years to regularly exceed their musical expectations, from weekly Wednesday and Sunday Services through to the Carol Service, always a highlight of every school year. Who can forget ‘Run, Shepherd’s Run’, performed last Christmas and prepared within an extraordinarily tight time frame. The choir rose to the challenge with great aplomb, and it was thought that some of the shepherds were positively sprinting to Bethlehem by the time of the second performance at the whole-school Carol Service!

Of course, Olly’s overall contribution to music at Repton has also encompassed many other areas, including academic teaching, accompaniment and enthusiastic contributions to collaborative piano projects (especially his exciting discovery of Lennox Berkeley’s Sonatina for two pianos which we premiered last year). He has built even stronger links with Repton Prep and other feeder schools, along with his imagination in devising projects at Chatsworth and Lichfield, whilst maintaining a connection with the Steinway company by coordinating a visit to their headquarters in Hamburg to choose our latest Steinway Model B grand piano- another truly memorable occasion.

Beyond Repton, Olly conducts the Solihull Choral Society with distinction, and there are further exciting musical projects in the pipeline. His interests are diverse, ranging from the paintings of Caravaggio to the magic and zany humour of Tommy Cooper! Yet, his true undying devotion is reserved for Kate and Albie, both of whom he cherishes. We wish them all well as they travel on to pastures new with our very best wishes and gratitude for some wonderful memories.

RJO

CLAIRE JENKINSON

Claire’s departure, after 15 years, will leave a huge gap in the lives of so many at Repton. She has given, wholeheartedly, to teaching in the Maths department, to teaching in and leading the Learning Support department, to coaching sport, and to running The Mitre, whilst also being a wonderful colleague and a loyal, loving and generous friend to so many of us.

Joining Repton as a part-time Maths teacher, with Jim and their boys - who were just 7 and 4 at the time - Claire, most likely, had no idea how her role in the school would develop. Over the years, she worked under the leadership of four different Heads of Department and was a fabulous and committed teacher of Maths; enthusiastic and supportive in all that she did. She delivered her lessons calmly and professionally, always understanding the challenges faced by those in her care and knowing exactly how to encourage, motivate and raise self-belief. The children always knew that Claire had their best interests at heart.

As an outstanding Head of Learning Support, Claire was a perfectionist; always full of energy and compassion, and most professional in every aspect of the job. Of course, while making the department better and stronger, her focus was always on the support and wellbeing of the growing number of pupils in her care. She showed great expertise and was hugely approachable, and her memory of pupils’ needs was astounding. Under Claire’s leadership, the Learning Support curriculum developed into an excellent programme, also including one-to-one support during the day and into the evening. Her work led to strong relationships with many parents, and Claire was often the

first port of call on academic and pastoral matters. Parents were confident that their children were safe in her hands, and she was known for being incredibly generous with her time.

Claire involved herself in the sporting life of the school as soon as she set foot through the Repton Arch. A keen netballer herself, she coached and umpired teams from U14 level right through to the 1st team, often accompanying them to regional and national finals. She has a wealth of experience in the game, and she had the gift of transferring this to the girls in her charge; many Reptonians have flourished in her care. Claire was also wonderful with pupils who

were not selected for A teams, and she was able to encourage and motivate girls to love not just netball but tennis too, no matter what level they were at. She will be sorely missed on the Repton sideline.

ONE OF THE MOST COMPASSIONATE AND KIND PEOPLE YOU COULD EVER WISH TO MEET

One of the most compassionate and kind people you could ever wish to meet, Claire was always destined to be a Housemistress. Indeed, she embodies all the attributes one could wish for someone acting ‘in loco parentis’ for their child and, having been a Tutor in The Garden, she took over The Mitre in 2018. For the past six years at the helm of Mitre, she has demonstrated genuine care for every individual

that has been lucky enough to have her as their Housemistress. She is totally selfless and, no matter what time of day or night, she will always make time for those who need help and advice (pupils and colleagues alike) and will go above and beyond to support. She offers the most comforting reassurance and the wisest of guidance through challenging times, whilst always being able to lift the spirits of others through her wonderful sense of humour and warmth.

Along with the strong support of her husband Jim, their two sons Sam and Joe, and a litter of puppies, she has ensured a very warm and homely atmosphere in the boarding house. Claire has always promoted tolerance, inclusivity and kindness above everything, and has encouraged the pupils in her care to consider how they can help others. Each year, Claire and Jim, along with their Lower Sixth, have taken part in the YMCA ‘Sleep Easy’ initiative, raising over £20,000 for this cause. Indeed, Claire will frequently go outside of her comfort zone for the

benefit of others, including some very memorable performances as a Spice Girl and in a TikTok dance routine at Pedants, as well as being an online quiz host, ensuring that The Mitre community remained close and supported during the difficult lockdown period.

Claire leaves Repton to take up another post as a Housemistress and lead for the PSHCE and Wellbeing programme at Cheltenham Ladies College, returning to the place where she first began her teaching career. Like us, her pupils and colleagues there are going to be so fortunate to benefit from her expertise, experience and empathy. We wish her, and Jim, the very best of luck. They are going to be missed so much by so many.

SJB and CRW

LOUISE WILBRAHAM

LEW arrived at Repton in 2008 as Housemistress of The Abbey with husband Tim and children Sophie (OR Garden) and Charlie (OR School) in tow. The 2008 intake also included the likes of AFP – to be Housemistress of The Mitre and appointing housemasters from ‘outside of the village’ caused significant chagrin at the time: ‘how will they understand the Repton way?’. However, the Undercroft had nothing to fear as LEW was already an experienced pastoral operator, having been a Housemistress previously at Trent College. As frequent visitors to more recent Geography department meetings will testify, LEW is not shy about mentioning to colleagues that she has been a Housemistress for 17 years in total. This significant bank of experience has paid dividends when completing the weekly safeguarding scenario forms – much to the relief of other department members.

Following ten successful and fulfilling years in The Abbey, LEW did the unthinkable and moved out of the village, thus facilitating a daily commute – a shock to many members of the Undercroft who consider even the walk from the Science Priory to The Pastures far too far. From the pastoral to the academic, LEW then took on the Head of Geography role from 2018 through to 2020. This stint included navigating through the demands of online teaching and the subsequent TAGs and CAGs processes. Following Rachel Walker’s departure, LEW took on the HoD role again for the Michaelmas term of 2021 – a particularly trying period, as she freely admits. In January 2022, TH and CWA arrived, and LEW could, at last, hand over the department reins. LEW was incredibly receptive to department change and has embraced the specification shift at

A Level, even if this did mean losing her beloved 33-mark essays.

Away from the department's demands, LEW has made a significant contribution to the school's wider life. She has organised and led trips to Iceland and Costa Rica which have been very enriching events for the pupils and staff in attendance. Furthermore, LEW has contributed significantly to the DofE offering, coaching tennis and cross country and following her time in The Abbey, LEW was a tutor in School House and The Cross. Specifically, she relished her time in The Cross under MRW. He writes “she always loved being in the House and was great at relating to the boys, whilst also challenging them on their views and engaging in thought-provoking debate. She was a great tutor in The Cross and is much missed ”. LEW ended her time

In LEW's 16 years at Repton, she has seen a huge amount of change including five different Headmasters, multiple examination specifications, classrooms, house tutor teams and colleagues. However, what has remained constant is her warmth of personality, commitment to the pupils, enthusiasm for Geography and love of the job. LEW will be much missed by colleagues and pupils, and she leaves very big shoes to fill.

Lou leaves Repton to enjoy early retirement with Tim. Their plans involve plenty of time outdoors and discount ‘term time’ holidays. This will include road trips in their new campervan.

TH

at Repton as a much-admired tutor in Garden House.

CATHY GOODHEAD

As any good, or in Cathy’s case, great Biology teacher will tell you, Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution states that within a population, those best adapted to their environment persevere, reproduce, and pass on their favourable characteristics to the next generation, leading to an increasingly successful population over time. Whilst Cathy has been at Repton for quite a long time, I’m not sure she and Darwin have ever crossed paths. If they had, I have no doubt Cathy’s time at Repton would have proved his theory.

For almost four decades, Cathy has been more than just a tutor, teacher, Housemistress, Senior Mistress and DSL; she has been a mentor, a guide, and

an inspiration to generations of colleagues and pupils. As we celebrate her remarkable tenure, we reflect on the indelible impact she has made on our community.

Cathy’s journey began with a joint degree in Physiology and Zoology at Sheffield, followed by a PGCE at Durham, where she pursued a passion for rowing. She joined Repton School in 1986, brought in by the visionary David Jewell, and at that time, the school was making its tentative first steps to co-education, only admitting girls in the Sixth Form. Cathy quickly established

herself as a dedicated and innovative educator teaching in the old Main School building with its wooden labs and greenhouse. To this day, Cathy proudly tends to one of the original plants from the long-gone greenhouse, which, I’m told, remains as vibrant and full of life as she is!

During her initial years, Cathy immersed herself in the life of the school. She coached 2nd XI hockey, 2nd VII netball, and elite tennis teams, integrating fitness routines set to the beat of Bon Jovi - an approach Rob Clarke is apparently introducing next year. Her passion

for rowing meant it was quickly re-established at Repton, and Cathy organised the Ball Cup for rowing on the Trent, reigniting the rowing tradition with ample enthusiasm and pupil participation.

Cathy’s role expanded when she was invited to become a tutor in The Priory, a rare honour at the time, especially in a male-dominated common room. Her innovative approach included visiting every House for lunch to help her better understand the school community, earning wide respect and recognition. The tradition Cathy started continues to this day, a testament to her forward-thinking nature. Unfortunately, having a sherry before every lunch is one tradition that hasn’t quite stood the test of time.

BIG

DORMITORIES AND LIVELY PILLOW FIGHTS

MARKED A HAPPY TIME IN THE PRIORY, WITH CATHY AT THE HEART OF IT ALL

Big dormitories and lively pillow fights marked a happy time in The Priory, with Cathy at the heart of it all, although she claims, ‘not literally’! Cathy had always wanted to be part of a busy boarding school and felt very fortunate and privileged to be part of our community. Deep down, she also knew she wanted to be a Housemistress and so in 1991, Cathy spread her wings to New Zealand, serving as the inaugural Assistant Housemistress at Whanganui Collegiate School. This experience enriched her understanding of boarding school life, preparing her for greater responsibilities back at Repton, and she didn’t stay away for too long. She was quickly

reappointed and offered a role as the second Housemistress of The Abbey, helping it to become a thriving and popular community for girls.

It wasn’t long afterwards that Cathy crossed paths with Paul when they met by the Headmaster’s noticeboard. Their friendship over genetics and geometry soon naturally evolved into their engagement, proving that love isn’t actually chemistry – it’s really biology and mathematics combined. Their shared love of numbers and nature added up to marriage and two very well-calculated children in Mark and Joanna.

As a Housemistress, Cathy truly transformed the boarding experience, creating a home away from home where pupils felt safe, valued, and encouraged. Her unwavering belief in the potential of each girl fostered an environment of trust and mutual respect. Her tenure at The Abbey was marked by innovation and dedication, and it is probably accurate to say she could have written the book on modern boarding practice, introducing initiatives that set new standards for pastoral care. She emphasised life skills, organising events where pupils cooked, invited teachers, and delivered handwritten (!) thankyou letters, fostering a sense of responsibility and independence. Her House developed into a sanctuary of care and warmth, reflecting her nurturing nature.

Cathy changed perceptions of what a houseparent should be, creating an environment that was like a family and a natural extension of her own home. Each week, different groups of girls were invited to her private side, fostering closeknit relationships and a sense of belonging. She engaged parents in the life of the House, organising career talks and cultural events that enriched everyone’s educational experience. One of her crowning achievements was The Abbey’s production of 'Joseph and the

Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat', performed in the Chapel, with every member of the House involved in one role or another. I’m sure God enjoyed every minute.

In 2010, after 15 magnificent years in The Abbey, Cathy moved to a Senior Mistress role, which included training new teachers, and extended to delivering the tutor and PSHE programme, enhancing our educational framework. Cathy’s role meant she also became our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) delivering comprehensive training and helping to set the standard for current practices. She undertook the monumental task of training dozens of small groups separately throughout the school, a significant role that she approached with sensitivity and detail.

In addition to her wider roles across the school, Cathy remained a fantastic Biology teacher who always put pupils’ learning and enjoyment at the centre of her approach, ensuring that they were fully supported in the lesson or in her many individual or group support clinics. She brought a plethora of creative ideas to her teaching inside and outside the classroom, and her enthusiasm on field trips was infectious. Her love of seashore ecology often meant she was the first to find a nervous starfish or lobster and the last to leave the rocky shore just as the tide was rushing in and lapping at her feet, and just before we called the coastguard to rescue her.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Cathy’s personality is her incredible kindness and generosity. This was exemplified by a very genuine offer to take a new colleague out driving and practising manoeuvres when she found out that they were taking their fourth driving test and had nobody to go out with. We hope you passed, Emily! Another one of Cathy’s superpowers lies in her hug. If you’re lucky enough to have

been a recipient, you will know that the strength of her genuine love for people lies in every single one of those hugs, giving you that little something extra you didn’t know you needed for the rest of the day.

Cathy’s legacy is one of unwavering commitment, innovation, and a deep love for teaching and mentoring. Her life at Repton, including getting married to Paul and having her children christened here, will forever be intertwined with the school’s history.

As we celebrate Cathy’s extraordinary career, we are reminded of the countless lives she has touched. Cathy always strived to ensure that The Abbey was a home from home to all pupils but especially so for those studying in a new culture and new language. She has kept in contact with many of her overseas pupils and loved her 2019 trip to Hong Kong to reconnect with those, now, young women. Indeed, former pupils, now scattered across the globe, often return to share their successes, and express their gratitude. They speak of the lessons learned, the

confidence gained, and the lasting impact of a Housemistress who believed in them. It is a testament to Cathy’s enduring legacy that her influence continues to shape the future, long after her pupils have left the school. Her career is a powerful reminder that teaching and being a houseparent are not just professions but callings—a calling to inspire, to nurture, and to transform lives.

Thank you, Cathy, for your kindness, your boundless enthusiasm, and your profound impact at Repton. You have truly made a difference.

SMI

SARAH TENNANT

Department, House, School: Sarah Tennant’s time at Repton has been over 30 years of outstanding service to teaching to pastoral care and to leadership. There have been few areas of school which she has not influenced and indeed few lives of pupils and staff that she has not touched. Her contribution has been outstanding.

First to the classroom. Sarah has been a wonderful, inspirational teacher and specifically a teacher of Classics, passionate about the subject and the academic discipline it provides and its relevance in today’s world. For many pupils, it was through Sarah that Classics lived and many of them went on to take the subject at university. Lessons were engaging and challenging and fun, and pupils wanted to be taught by Sarah.

And secondly to Field House, the House she opened and nurtured

and developed. It was, and is, a very special House. Field House went from 28 girls and a building site, so small it couldn’t field teams for relays in swimming and athletics without doubling up, to 78 girls and part of the Repton landscape. The girls were great, and they were encouraged to be great by Sarah, to develop their interests and their unique passions, to enjoy being all-rounders, to be kind to each other and care for each other, to be strong, independent young women: and in all of this, they had Sarah as role-model and guide.

Field won lots on the sports field, with Sarah, supporting, cheering, unable to hide her deeply competitive spirit, unable to cope with the slightest tension or watch except through semicovered eyes. Field won House Unison on numerous occasions as Sarah developed an encyclopedic knowledge of choosing the right song. And girls left Field to become musicians and singers, artists and designers, doctors and architects, teachers and engineers, businesswomen and lawyers, all encouraged by the quiet word or the serious talk. Parents loved her and the girls loved her too.

PARENTS LOVED HER AND THE GIRLS LOVED HER TOO

Sarah carried all of this into her role as senior Deputy Head. There was the long encompassing job description, and then there was everything else that Sarah was asked to do, even in her first year running marketing as a side hustle to the day job. Much more black coffee was required. Members of Common Room once talked of the curse of competence - the perception that the more able you were, the more you were asked to do. Sarah must have severely annoyed a whole coven of witches, as she picked up more and more jobs and projects and events, all under that Deputy Head umbrella.

So much of her time in that role Sarah spent supporting pupils, encouraging them, attending every match and concert and exhibition and show. If pupils had had a free choice, she would probably have had 50 tutees in the Sixth Form. And then there was Sale of Work and the Lent Charity and the Ball, and on and on the list went.

Many staff will also have memories of the individual support that Sarah provided during these years to those in challenging roles or with challenges at home. Most evenings she would just be popping up to The Mitre or round to School or over to Latham. Each week, Sarah spent hours with teachers just as she spent hours with pupils. And each day, the hours were Thatcherite in their number.

Sarah said modestly it was because she liked chatting - and she does like chatting - but everyone knew it was because every job had to be done as well as it possibly could. No-one would ever feel they were being rushed or that their welfare or working life or general good humour was anything less than Sarah’s highest priority.

Times at the School became much more difficult at the end of the Holroyd era, when Rob Holroyd

stepped down immediately and Sarah took over as Acting Head until the arrival of Alastair Land, four terms later. The Head Prefect was right when he said that Sarah was unique among Repton Headmasters, first that she was a woman and secondly that she was the only one who didn’t want the job. Not that anyone would have known as Sarah steered the ship through those difficult waters, keeping up the confidence of the parental body, keeping the School full and successful whilst at the same time, giving everything of herself to help others. The School ordered more black coffee, and although Sarah had the title “Acting Head”, she wasn’t really: she was our Head, she was the Head, and she did it brilliantly.

And right to these final terms, Sarah remained loyal, hard-working and committed to Repton. Hours were spent editing The Reptonian,

teaching lessons at the Prep, preparing virtual Latin lessons to Repton Dubai pupils and marking work in non-threatening green ink. Working at Repton has been a lifetime for Sarah, and she has given hugely of her time. And as she starts a new period of her life, we all hope that she finds rather more time for herself.

There will be thousands of Reptonians, young men and women, who have good reason to thank Sarah for the House or the classroom or the tutoring or the prefectship, but there will be many, many more who perhaps encountered Sarah more fleetingly. They do and will remember Mrs Tennant, and with great respect and affection and gratitude.

So, on behalf of them all, let’s raise a glass and toast – “To Sarah…”.

TCO

JOHN GOLDING

The term ‘genuine schoolmaster’ is a well-worn phrase often used in accounts of a Repton career. It is sometimes questionable whether the recipient warrants such high praise; the phrase being seen as a genuine badge of honour among those who have chosen a career in boarding. However, there is a strong case to suggest that John Golding has become the epitome of this phrase in the modern era.

Starting his career at Repton in the generally unremarkable year of 1991 a youthful John Golding arrived and quickly got stuck into the wide range of tasks generally expected of a young member of staff. First and foremost, as John has always been quick to point out, a teacher of English, John arrived at Repton and joined an incredibly talented, vibrant academic department, working alongside colleagues such as John Billington, Martin Amherst-Lock and Tim Scott, who helped to shape John’s view of teaching and his subject in the years to come. He quickly established himself as an outstanding teacher in his own right, bringing a modern approach to the subject in terms of both teaching style and the material covered. John also broke down perceptions of what it meant to be an academic member

of staff at Repton. John showed that it was possible to have a broad co-curricular palette and be able to comfortably hold your own with some of the academic heavyweights of the time.

As one of the more youthful members of Common Room, John was expected to play a significant role in running sports teams. A fine sportsman in his own right, with staff teams having witnessed his prowess on football, hockey and cricket pitches, John threw himself into the coaching of the major sports with both passion and knowledge, even though he was, and remains, a keen supporter of Liverpool F.C. Over the years John ran the U16A teams in football, hockey, and cricket, worked alongside Noel Bennett on the 1st XI football for a while, and helped Repton to win our first hockey trophy with his U16 team

becoming national champions. In his later years John was always happy to pick up the whistle and officiate, often relishing the chance to remind Reptonians that the standards expected in the classroom also extended to the sports pitches.

Aside from his prowess in literature, John also had an incredible breadth of general knowledge ranging from close personal interests in ornithology and the early-80s New Romantic scene to more surprising and obscure topics. Therefore, it was no surprise that John was asked to become Head of General Studies in 1996. Initially an internal programme, with, believe it or not, Classic Westerns genuinely being part of the syllabus, this became more challenging when it became a taught A Level. John, with Frank Watson as his sidekick, was comfortably at home with the History and English Literature components of the course, but even John’s vast abilities finally met their match when trying to tackle the Maths element.

Alongside all of this, John was a tutor in The Mitre, back in the days when it was a boys’ house and sporting the red and black stripes currently worn by The Cross. It was, perhaps, inevitable that John was always going to make his way into a boarding house at some point and this opportunity came along in 2001 when Mike Stones left The Priory.

It is no exaggeration to say that John redefined the role of Housemaster at Repton and influenced not only how it is now performed but also the approach taken by many others who

followed in his footsteps, whether in The Priory or the other Houses. At the heart of John’s approach lay the importance of kindness, of pupils looking after and out for one another, and it is accurate to suggest that the now well-established notion that the houses at Repton are like families is one that John’s approach in The Priory created. From the top to the bottom of the House, it was always easy to identify a Priory boy around school; their sense of responsibility to the House and the wider school shone through. Prefects were appointed, not simply on the basis of academic or sporting excellence but, instead, on the how they had looked after others in their time in the House, how they had treated the younger years and the kindness they had exhibited. This ensured that the House was always a ‘happy’ one.

Of course, there was plenty of success on the sports pitch with The Priory seeming to be hoarding silverware, most notably in its almost uninterrupted ownership of the House Football title, but John’s impact can be measured in far more significant ways. The hundreds of boys, including his own sons, Jack and Josh, who went through The Priory in John’s eleven years in charge, emerged not only ready to face the world but also knowing there was community on which they could always rely. The strong bonds formed by The Priory are seen regularly, whether in Old Reptonian fixtures or in the gatherings for birthdays, weddings and other personal milestones the boys celebrate. The ‘family’ that John created is his true legacy.

Family has always been at the heart of everything John has pursued and achieved at Repton. John would always be quick to point out the level of support given by his wife, Sarah, throughout his career and particularly when running the boarding house. An English teacher herself, teaching at Repton Prep, it is always her counsel that John has sought, and we know that John

JOHN REDEFINED THE ROLE OF HOUSEMASTER AT REPTON

would want to acknowledge the steadfast role Sarah has played in all aspects of his life at Repton. Furthermore, as well as giving a huge amount of his time and talent to the pupils who have come through the school, John has always been incredibly grateful for what Repton gave to his own boys, Jack and Josh. They both had wonderfully successful and happy times at school, making lasting friendships and growing into fine young men. We know how important that has been to John over the years and highlights how he has seen Repton as more than just a job: it has been part of his family.

After eleven successful years in The Priory, John left the house to take up a role on SMT, becoming Senior Master. He largely became the retiring Adrian Mylward during this period taking on his day job, moving into his house and, most importantly, donning the ornate tabard as he led the spanking horses in Pedants. Having been in this role for two years, John then took on the role of Deputy Head (Pastoral) for a five-year stint. Essentially line-managing the Houseparents, a challenging enough task in itself, John became the man to whom the more major problems in each House would be passed upward. If that job did not sound exciting enough, it also entailed being responsible for discipline across the school as well as producing the core policies and documents required to meet boarding standards. John was able to carry these tasks off not only in terms of detail and with a great deal of fairness, but also with his characteristic good humour. John always had a way of making even the driest of meetings seem less

dreary. I’m sure it is reassuring to those who have both worked with and been taught by John over the years that he is still as incapable as ever of allowing an amusing situation pass without some sort of comment. That ability to lighten a situation, when appropriate, has always stood him in good stead in the classroom, on the sports pitches, in the boarding house and even during his time on SMT.

The last five years have been spent in John’s most senior role, that being Principal Deputy Head and, essentially, the right hand of the Headmaster. Through the good times and the, perhaps, trickier times, John has been the one constant, someone to whom any member of staff could turn, and frequently did, when needing advice or just a chat; someone who could provide a wealth of experience and a Repton context whatever the situation. Indeed, he helped steer the school through some of its most significant challenges in recent years, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. While other schools struggled to balance the need to provide even a basic standard of education, John oversaw a Repton programme that, even when it was entirely on a ‘remote’ basis, was better than many schools achieve ‘in person’ and ensured that the pupils still received the full ‘Repton experience’.

That, of course, required someone who knows what that experience should be and how important it was that Repton maintained its standards and, indeed, what those standards are. However, it would perhaps be accurate to say that far from simply knowing what those standards are, John in many respects embodied them: the academic sportsman, the sense of family, the supportive colleague and the ability to combine the role of the Prince in Pedants with that of the Principal Deputy.

MMC & NFP