Hope

Another year, another set of amazing achievements and unexpected challenges: the Hope House 2019 vintage was anything but dull. As ever, so much of the success a House achieves derives from the work of its Upper Sixth, and this year’s crop provided the usual eclectic mix of skills to offer and contributions to make. Under the leadership of Will Morrison and Rebecca Dowson, House teams were organised efficiently and ahead of time, and a huge range of pupils represented Hope across a dizzying array of competitive activities.

“Pupils represented Hope across a dizzying array of competitive activities.”

House Singing is always a major highlight of the Christmas Term, with every year hoping to emulate or out-do the achievement of their most recent forebears. Last year we won, which always presents a particular challenge in the year that follows, not least the daunting prospect of first on stage. ‘I’m a believer’ presented the right sentiment and the right level of musical challenge, with plenty of memorable moments in the melody for everyone to latch onto; and they did. Harriet Edwards led the musicians and the Upper Sixthcombined to provide robust advice in rehearsal and develop some good choreography, and the overall effect was very commendable. Sadly the judges did not put us on the podium, but the comments reflected the energy and effort that was universally invested and we were all able to head into half-term full of belief!

Once again, Hope House’s contribution to the performance arts across the school has undoubtedly been an outstanding feature of the year. There was too much dramatic achievement to list, but perhaps ‘Beauty and the Beast’ was the unsurprising highlight, with Hope making a bigger contribution in actors, musicians and stage-hands combined than any other House. It was a phenomenal production in which so many pupils shone. On the concert stage too, Hope House pupils remain everywhere to be seen. The Brass Group, for example, was almost an entirely Hope House outfit and Harriet Edwards deserves mention for the vast array of outstanding musical achievement she has balanced throughout the year. Debating too has continued to see conspicuous success but this year it was particularly refreshing to see Harry Hall lead the House Hope Junior House Challenge team’s assault on the trophy. They defeated some intimidating opposition as they made their way to

the final, and had it not been for a forced reset in the final itself (at a point when the momentum was completely with Hope), we might have defeated The Manor. This team, however, has enormous potential going forward, and I particularly relish another Hope/ Manor clash in the 2019/20 iteration of the competition.

“They defeated some intimidating opposition as they made their way to the final.”

In sport, Hope has continued to succeed across a range of disciplines. Significant victories were won in Senior Boys Hockey, Boys Tennis and Junior Girls Rounders and there were any number of podium finishes and conspicuous individual achievements. The competitive spirit displayed by so many in the major ‘whole House’ events – Cross-country, athletics – provided further evidence that the tiger is in good shape, and my thanks to everyone who competed for the House this year, as well as the huge number of Hope pupils representing the school across a vast array of sports.

Amidst all of this participation, pupils have clearly been finding time for work too, and academic success continues to thrive in the House. Not only are there some stunning reports and individual merit tallies, but also a host of personal victories as pupils have targeted improvements. Upper Sixth pupils are looking forward positively to their lives after St Peter’s, with some ambitious and exciting plans for university and Gap Years: I wish them every success with their results and all happiness in the paths they follow in the future. So much of this achievement and ambition is underpinned by the work of our excellent tutors: Mr Edwards has guided and cajoled a spirited Third Form group, as well as supporting me tirelessly in my work across the House; Mrs Wright and Mr Shread have kept the Fourth Form on track as they have embarked on their journey to GCSE; Mrs Williams, who will sadly only be with us for this year, has provided wise and occasionally robust advice to the Fith Formers; Mrs Mallard has helped the Lower Sixth ease themselves into their lives as SixthForm pupils; and Mr Bowden has ensured that the Upper Sixth don’t completely destroy their sofas, or the hoover, or each other’s things. As this year’s cohort moves on, however, eyes quickly turn to the next generation, and as we thank Will, Rebecca and their peers for all they have contributed, we wish Polly and Josh good luck next year; it promises to be another lively and enjoyable ride.

“This has been a busy and lively year.”

This has been a busy and lively year. It is always immensely satisfying to see the willingness that permeates the House, the support that pupils are prepared to show each other and whilst I have mentioned only a handful, my sincere congratulations go to you all on a wonderful year and my best wishes to those of you who leave us: you will be missed, but I hope that, like Judith Kerr’s Tiger, you will occasionally pop back in for tea and tell us how you are getting on.