The Grove

Day Houses at St Peter’s are busy, surprising and diverse places. With 73 members of The Grove, there is always much going on and it is a job trying to keep a handle on even a fraction of it. The morning greetings which accompany signing in are often associated with the question “any news?” and this is often followed with the sharing of some great achievement, hitherto kept secret. This year we boast a remarkable array of talent among the Grovites seen in both their representation of the School, and crammed within the small amount of free time that St Peter’s pupils enjoy. Among our number we can boast karate players, trampoliners, footballers, horse riders, sprinters, actors, crossfitters, musicians, mountain bike riders, tennis players, dancers and even ferry operators who maintain their interests and social connections alongside the myriad of commitments required by the School.

“This year we boast a remarkable array of talent among the Grovites.”

The Grove has enjoyed an outstanding set of Upper Sixth Form pupils this year who have lived by the spirit of the House and through their generous energy, have encouraged the rest to follow suit. From our first gathering at the House Barbecue in September, there was a clear sense that this was a group who were keen to embrace every member of the House, exemplified with the hiring of an unfeasibly large bouncy slide, somehow squeezed onto our

lawn. The annual challenge of trying to encourage pupils from different year groups to blend into one entity was made much easier by a senior group who saw no boundaries in age, working solely to befriend and encourage anyone wearing red and black. The highlight of the year, perhaps, was a long overdue win in the House Singing Competition. Our version of Come On, Eileen proved the backdrop for an intricate and carefully choreographed dance routine from the Upper Sixth Form and the whole effect entertained the judges sufficiently to be awarded with the prize. However ably led, ‘Hixy’s Midnight Runners’ was a genuine team effort and achievement. Our leavers this year encapsulate everything that is to be treasured about Houses at St Peter’s. They share friendships that simply wouldn’t have flourished without the shared experience of their time together in a common room and they have supported one another as each at their own time has suffered the anxiety and difficulties of turning from nervous 13 year olds into confident leavers.

The year has many other highlights and has given individuals much to celebrate. Our weekly House Meeting allowed us to share in the successes of our various teams, and to offer thanks to those who represented the House simply for the pleasure of doing so. A highlight for me this year was the presence of our senior boys’ rugby team who, having been eliminated from the competition quickly made their way to the Hubbard Pitch – offering vocal and vehement support for the girls’ hockey team. In doing so, they embodied the togetherness of this community, which is as hard to encapsulate as it is valuable. Rather sadly for The Grove, this year marks the end of a long and illustrious career as a tutor for Mr Michael Duffy. Alongside his sterling work as Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Mr Duffy has been a tutor in three different Houses but has concluded with eight years in The Grove where he has offered consistently friendly, humorous and sensitive support to all those in his care. We wish him a long, happy and thoroughly deserved retirement.

“They embodied the togetherness of this community, which is as hard to encapsulate as it is valuable.”

With the completion of the new Pascal Building making our garden a more secluded and sheltered haven, the House has an even greater sense of location and identity. I am sure that returning old Grovites would be pleasantly surprised by the positive impact of the building project and I hope that many will choose to pop in and see how the place evolves in the future, whilst maintaining its original style. Above all, we are delighted that, despite the buffettings of the builders in the last 12 months, our beautiful Himalyan Birch – which serves as an emblem on the House badge – has survived and is in fine health… much like The Grove itself!

Mr Martin Lawrence