SUMMER 2024 Assembly
IN THIS ISSUE FROM THE HEADMASTER PRE-PREP REVIEW
YEARS 5&6 TRIP TO DEVON
YEAR 8
BATTLEFIELDS TOUR
DRAMA REVIEW
ACTIVITIES REVIEW
AH ART GALLERY
SUMMER SPORTS ROUND UP
PRIZE GIVING
FROM THE HEADMASTER
Welcome to this new edition of Summer Assembly. This term has been a resounding success, and the following pages showcase some aspects of the exceptional range of learning opportunities given to the boys across all aspects of their development. I do hope you enjoy reading about them.
Our youngest learners in Pre-Prep continue to inspire with their boundless curiosity. Their enthusiastic exploration of various subjects, from the wonders of prehistoric creatures to the mastery of artistic expression, lays a solid foundation for their future academic endeavours. Witnessing their growth as learners is a privilege, and we are confident that they will enjoy the challenges of the new academic year.
Years 5 and 6 embarked on a memorable educational expedition to Devon. Throwing themselves into a full programme of sporting and adventurous activities in the glorious landscape, and weather, of the South West, this is the first residential trip for many of the Year 5 boys. Such enriching experiences serve not only to develop new skills, but also as opportunities for fostering strong friendships and creating lasting memories.
Year 8 had the privilege of participating in a poignant and impactful journey – a visit to the battlefields of Belgium and France. Walking the hallowed ground where history unfolded serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of peace, especially when there is a direct link to Arnold House. Such encounters leave an indelible mark, prompting thoughtful reflection and a desire to contribute positively to the world.
Beyond the classroom, the co-curricular activities at Arnold House have once again flourished and the boys have embraced these activities with unwavering passion. This dedication and enthusiasm are integral to the vibrant and dynamic spirit that defines our school community, and is testament to the many talents shown by the staff. Sports Day itself was a testament to the unwavering Arnold House spirit. From the first tentative steps of our youngest athletes to the thrilling, neck-and-neck finish of the final sprint, the energy was palpable. The emphasis on sportsmanship cultivates in our students the resilience and tenacity necessary to conquer any challenge they may face.
However, as we celebrate the successes of this term in our Prizegivings, we also acknowledge the bittersweet reality of the end of an academic year. A number of our remarkable young men are preparing to embark on their next adventure. As they leave us, they carry with them a wealth of knowledge, a clear sense of self, and an unwavering respect for their peers and teachers. We are immensely proud of their accomplishments and excited to witness their future endeavours.
Within the pages of this magazine, you will find detailed accounts of the triumphs of this past term. Each story, from academic achievements to athletic victories, highlights the importance of participation and contribution within the Arnold House community: Industry and Citizenship. Here, we nurture a love for learning, celebrate individual strengths, and provide an environment that empowers our boys to become the best versions of themselves.
Giles Tollit Headmaster
PRE-PREP REVIEW
It is hard to believe that three years have passed since we first opened our doors in Marlborough Place, welcoming 80 new boys into Pre-Reception and Reception, joining the Arnold House tribe. In that time, much growth has been seen, with 40 additional boys joining us in Year 1 to form what is now known and established as Pre-Prep.
This year is unique to any other that came before and that will ever follow, with many Year 1 boys having joined us at the very beginning of our story in 2021. To those boys, and to those that arrived later, I would like to say a huge thank you for all your kindness, energy, and love in helping to create and shape the school we are today We say a fond farewell to Year 1 as they transition over to Prep in Loudoun Road to join Year 2 where their Arnold House journey will continue with many more adventures ahead!
The Pre-Prep End of Year Celebrations were an enormous success, highlighting talent and performing skills, and displaying exceptional behaviour from every boy across all three year groups. The youngest boys joined in with singing, whilst the older boys also received certificates for their achievements.
Transition was given much consideration this term, with careful plans laid for boys moving into the next year. New Boys’ Tea Parties also took place in the sunshine, welcoming our new Arnold House families for September 2024.
With a strong vision of future endeavours, exciting things are likely to happen in the years ahead at Arnold House. New life brings change and evolution to the school, resulting in a progressive and innovative curriculum, taught by a dedicated team of educators. Miss Hanson would be extremely proud of the Arnold House community.
Victoria McKenzie Head of Pre-Prep
Pre-Reception
What a wonderful first year for the boys in Pre-Reception! They have developed and matured in so many ways and are more than ready for the next chapter in Reception. Teachers in Pre-Reception are all so proud of how far the boys have come, and excited for the future and what lies ahead in their Arnold House journey!
In Literacy, the boys have continued learning about Phase 2 Phonics exploring the various individual letter sounds in accordance with the Read Write Inc scheme. They have focused more on the segmenting and blending aspect of word reading. The boys have worked on their letter formations using the Read Write Inc rhymes and have begun writing CVC words, with support. Pre-Reception have continued to use our Show and Tell sessions as an opportunity for the boys to present something associated with the letter sound of the week in class to consolidate their learning. The boys enjoy this immensely, and it is clear to see how their confidence has grown when presenting and speaking to the class.
In Mathematics, we have explored addition and subtraction and introduced the symbols +, - and = to the
boys. They enjoyed creating their own number sentences and looking at ordering numbers to 10 and 20. The boys even tried to create their own number lines. Pre-Reception revised 2D shapes and were introduced to 3D shapes, exploring similarities and differences. Much focus was also put on ordering objects from smallest to biggest and using key vocabulary such as smaller and smallest. Pre-Reception teachers followed the boys’ interests in class, covering many topics, including animals such as reptiles, which they all loved. They thoroughly enjoyed their trip to the Aquarium, which heightened their interest in the natural world. They had a wonderful day at Battersea Park Zoo, exploring the different areas and finding out facts about animals, and of course, playing in the playground! To develop this interest further the boys loved learning about various animals and singing a selection of animal songs.
The boys enjoyed the Teach-Rex workshop, where they met Fito the Orangutan, Roger the Parrot, and Derek the Sloth. Pre-Reception also had the pleasure of Mr. Tollit visiting, presenting about his own school journey – the boys were very amused when he tried to wear his old school cap! Pre-Reception were also fortunate to have lots of parent workshops, talking about their cultural background, such as Australia, Greece, and India.
The Pre-Reception boys have worked incredibly hard this year and it has not gone unnoticed. All the teachers and staff in Pre-Reception could not be prouder of the progress they have made. All the best in Reception boys, you are all going to do great!
Ms Geffriaud and Miss Hennessy Pre-Reception Teachers
Reception
With the Euros approaching, many of the boys have been excited for the football. They enjoyed setting up games in the garden and at Canons Park. The boys often talked about which team they support and which player they love the most and the reasons why.
Reception have loved having involvement from the Year 8 Peer Mentors this term and throughout the year, viewing the ‘big boys’ as positive role-models. Year 8 showed immense pride in sharing their skills and teaching Reception new playground games.
In Literacy, the boys have had lots of opportunities to develop their extended writing skills, working on building full sentences, using capital letters, finger spaces and full stops, and checking that it all makes sense. The boys have written recounts of their trips and visits, and a newspaper article and their own personal targets for Year 1. In their self-initiated play and learning, the boys have written shopping lists, recipes and have even made maps. They love to make books and draft stories, sharing them with their friends. All boys have made excellent progress in Phonics and have been successfully learning to spell many high-frequency words in weekly spelling tests.
In Mathematics, the boys have been learning how to skip count in 2s, 5s and 10s. They can challenge each other to count different items in the quickest way possible, and we are pleased to see them use their number skills so confidently. Reception also learnt to recognise different coins and spend money at the ‘shop.’ Telling the time has also been touched upon with the boys learning about ‘o’ clock’ and ‘half past.’
Reception had a wonderful time venturing out of school, visiting the Horniman Museum and Gardens and Willows Activity Farm. They also looked forward to learning about sustainability and ways to look after the environment in sessions held by Earth Cubs and Teach Rex.
Miss Rafferty and Mrs Taylor Reception Teachers
Year 1
In English this term, the boys have been delving in to the world of traditional tales. The boys discovered the features of these stories and used them to write their own tale with creatively described good and evil characters escaping from every page. There was a good sprinkle of the other features thrown in for good measure! They looked at different versions of the Jack and the Beanstalk story where they developed their questioning skills with some carefully crafted questions to a giant - ably played by Ms. Flynn. This term has also seen the boys working on their comprehension skills. They have been using the question asked to locate answers in a text and have been working on their inference skills.
In Mathematics, the boys have enjoyed multiplying and dividing, working out word problems, reading the time and learning about money. They have made such wonderful use of the knowledge learnt this term, using skills they have acquired, helping them solve problems in other new topics.
In Phonics, the boys have been reviewing and learning the more difficult of the Set 3 Sounds. They have been applying their phonic knowledge in all areas and have been doing some excellent writing in Enquiry and Understanding the World. Reading skills have also improved because of their hard work in Phonics, with the boys now able to decode different texts and comprehension pieces.
In Understanding the World, the boys looked at the family tree of our current Royal family. They then honed their research skills using a variety of mediums to find out about our current King and his predecessors.
The boys investigated the natural world, looking at plants and the varieties found in our local area. They took inspiration from visiting Kew, looking closely at all living and growing things in the environment. The boys looked at the different methods of seed dispersal and even made a spinning sycamore seed. Throughout the unit, there were various investigations to discover the functions and names of parts of a plant.
The boys researched their local area, also reflecting on past and present. They were especially fascinated to learn about Abbey Road Studios. This led to some extremely exciting research on famous artists who have recorded there, most notably, The Beatles, with whom the boys were familiar, having rehearsed ‘Yellow Submarine’ for their End of Year Celebrations.
Enquiry based learning led the boys down many paths this term, learning about extreme weather, volcanoes and earthquakes and the general election. The boys have shown some very impressive research skills, using search engines to find the most reliable sources, and have improved their note taking skills. It is always a pleasure to see the boys working collaboratively to complete projects as a team.
As we draw closer to the Paris games the theme of the Olympics has captured everyone’s attention in class. Year 1 travelled back in time to find the Greek origins of the games and discovered new sports. They looked at some inspiring Olympians and the challenges they overcame to compete and paid attention to some of our Paralympians.
Miss Brennan, Ms Legan and Miss Ayrton Year 1 Teachers
French
The boys reviewed everything learnt throughout the year, as well as learning new songs such as “Pomme de reinette et Pomme d’api.” Their favourite activities this term was “Le Docteur” (the doctor) and “Monsieur l’Ours” (Mr. Bear). The boys enjoyed taking turns to buzz around acting as “abeilles” (bees) and protecting their
“miel” (honey) from the “l’ours” (Mr. Bear). The game they enjoyed goes like this: “Monsieur l’ours, réveille-toi, tu as bien trop dormi comme ça. Au bout de trois, réveilletoi! Un, deux, trois! Monsieur l’ours tu dors ou tu sors? Zzzzzz... Je dors/sors!” Arnold l’Ourson (Arnold, a cuddly soft toy) also joined in asking the boys some questions, such as “Comment t’appelles-tu?” and “Comment ça va?” He was proud to see how much French the boys have learnt over the year.
Miss
Geffriaud
French Teacher
PE
It was fantastic to see all the boys competing so brilliantly and working hard at Sports Day this year. The boys showed off their amazing ability in the range of sports/ events that we did. A massive thank you to all the parents for their incredible support. There were some extremely fast runners in both parents’ races; I can see where the boys get their skill and determination from! This term we have been preparing for Sports Day and the different events that were on. The boys have been perfecting their running technique making sure that they are looking forward, pumping their arms, and running in a straight line. We have also continued to work on our fundamental movements such as jumping, balancing, hopping, and skipping which we incorporated into the day. Aside from Sports Day, we have been focusing on our throwing and catching as this is integral for summer sports such as cricket and tennis. Having good hand-eye coordination is great for these types of sport and many others. Striking the ball with a cricket bat and tennis racket adds to this hand-eye coordination. We have started to learn key terminology in tennis and cricket and some of the sports rules. We have also revised our football skills and continued to improve our ball control and passing. The boys have been marvelous to teach this year and have all made great progress.
Mr Lutyens PE Teacher
Forest School
In Pre-Reception we spent this term learning about caring for the environment and discussing how and why trees and plants are so important for the ecosystem. We talked about bees and enjoyed learning interesting facts about them. The boys were particularly impressed to hear about pollination. We made bee homes using recyclable and sustainable materials and hung them from the trees at Canons Park. The boys also had great fun planting sunflower seeds and making seed bombs that would grow wildflowers.
In Reception we discussed ways in which we can make positive changes to help protect our planet. We had a look around our natural environment and discussed variables that were helpful and those that might be harmful. We spoke about recycling and the importance of this, discussing what items could be recycled. We spoke about the importance of not wasting paper and other ways we can utilise materials rather than being wasteful. The boys made seed bombs to encourage the growth of wildflowers and to support our pollinators. Reception also incorporated 5-minutes of meditation at the start of all Forest School sessions, helping to regulate emotions and take a mindful approach on ways to calm ourselves when we are feeling overwhelmed.
In Year 1 the boys have been learning to identify different leaves and their trees, whilst also learning whether they are deciduous or evergreen. Year 1 continued to learn about tools and how to use them appropriately and safely for different tasks; the boys have enjoyed designing and making their very own name plaques. This has taken lots of perseverance but was achieved by all. We spoke about the environment and about human impact, describing how we can make a difference. The boys worked hard on their observation skills, experimenting by growing celery in both clean and contaminated water, recording the growth seen and taking not of any decay seen over time.
Mrs Wootten Forest School Teacher
Music
In Pre-Reception the boys have made so much progress in their music lessons this year. They always come in ready to sing, join in with actions and give their best. This term we focused on preparation of the End of Year Celebrations, with Pre-Reception performing two songs as a one-year group and three more songs with the older boys in Year 1. I could not be happier with the development of their singing voices and the performance on the day. We could all see how much more confident they looked on stage and how well everyone knew their songs – singing, performing actions, and playing an imaginary saxophone!
In Reception the boys blossomed in Music – joining in enthusiastically, suggesting actions, using their singing voices well and memorising songs for the End of Year Celebrations. We had a beautiful variety of songs in their performance – including a song from Ghana, featuring two percussion instruments, three animal poems and other songs with actions. Reception boys performed the ‘all together’ song particularly well – ‘I Like the Flowers,’ ‘Yellow Submarine’ and ‘It’s Time to Go Go.’
Mrs Adamska Music Teacher
The highlight for the Y5 and Y6 boys every year is their trip to Devon in May. It is a key part of the programme for the boys and all of them return to school with many memories of their week. The Y5 boys follow a timetable which will develop their teamwork skills, whilst in Y6 will follow a timetable to develop their leadership skills. The key thing about such a trip is to have lots of fun. It is in a beautiful part of the country and each day we were blessed with glorious sunshine. The boys stay at a hotel in the town of Okehampton. It is a hotel with everything you could ever ask for on such a trip. Many of the other hotel guests are elderly and it was great to see our boys helping them around the place particularly at meal times.
The Y5 programme saw the boys do a multitude of activities such as gorge scrambling, cycling on the Granite Way, canoeing, indoor tennis, football, t-shirt making, swimming, surfing, badminton, table tennis, the fun house, 10 pin bowling, pool, climbing and adventure golf. It is amazing how much the boys can do in such a short period of time, but the day is action packed from the moment they wake up with activities starting from 0800 until 2030 each day. The boys were absolutely shattered at the end of each day and it certainly made for bed times to be a lot easier when they were so tired. It is a week where many of the boys are away from home for the first time and they are trying things they have never done before. But the boys really stepped up when they were faced with a challenge.
The Y6 programme is different with a focus on developing the leadership skills of the boys. The boys have been to the hotel the year before so are familiar with the surroundings. Despite being down previously they are just as excited and keen to make the most of everything on offer. The Y6 programme saw the boys do a variety of activities such as climbing, football, fun house, pool, swimming, indoor tennis, archery, adventure golf, surfing, badminton, table tennis, wakeboarding, the Milky Way Adventure Park, 10 pin bowling, t-shirt making and golf
driving range. And like the Y5 programme the boys were absolutely shattered each evening.
The highlight for both year groups is undoubtedly the afternoon at Bude in Cornwall for surfing. Many of the boys were able to stand up on their surfboards and the ice creams at the end were fully deserved! Such trips cannot happen if staff aren’t prepared to give up their own time to take the boys down, so a huge thank you to Mr Kerr, Mr Ingram, Mr Milburn-Fryer, Miss Hall, Mr Matthews, Mrs Miller, Miss Rose, Mrs Rendell, Mr Lutyens and Penny. Penny took on the role of head of medication for the trip and I know she absolutely loved her time down with the boys and her colleagues. This was Penny’s last trip for the school and it was certainly a memorable one for her.
The Headmaster was able to join us for a bit at the start of the trip and I got the sense he wanted to stay longer if he could! It is so important for the boys to see their teachers outside of the normal classroom environment. The planning has already started for next year!
Mr Cox Head of Years 5&6
It is always customary after the Y8 exams that the boys go on a Battlefields Tour. AH boys over the years have visited various sites from either WW1 or WW2 in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy. This year saw the boys return to Belgium and also took them into both Germany and Luxembourg at different points to learn about the events of the Battle of the Bugle which took place in the Ardennes region. The trip will always see the boys visit the grave or memorial of an AH old boy. It is a fitting way to bring their 8 years at the school to an end. There were AH boys who left at thirteen like our current Y8 boys and within a few years had to step up to serve their country. For many of them they would not return home.
The boys this year were based at a hotel in the town of La Roche in the middle of the Ardennes in southern Belgium. The journey from London saw the boys stop at the Bruyelle War Cemetery to visit the grave of Lieutenant Herbert Wales Jacomb who had been at Arnold House. He was sadly killed in action in 1940. He was part of the British forces trying to get back to Dunkirk to be evacuated at the start of the war. A fitting service was held in his honour which saw the Head Boys lay a wreath on behalf of the school, with prayers said and a hymn sung by members of the Chapel Choir.
The following day was a very busy one for the boys as they visited numerous sites from the Battle of the Bulge including the Henri Chapelle American Cemetery, the Westwall area at Hollerath, the Peiper route, the site of the Malmedy Massacre, Trois Ponts, La Gleize, the December 44 Museum, the Baraques Fraiture: The Parker Crossroads and the German Panther Tank at Grandmesnil. The battle itself was fought at a time when the weather was pretty brutal and showed the boys how difficult it actually was to get around the area.
For those History buffs in the AH community the trip saw the boys visit numerous sites connected to the story of The Band of Brothers TV series. The following day saw the boys take in sites in both Germany and into Luxembourg. Luxembourg proved to be a new country for pretty much everyone on the trip. The boys had started the day visiting the Fois and Bois Jacques area before heading towards the Bastogne area. The boys learnt about the stories of two Belgian nurses who were connected to the events in the battle. The boys were given a chance to also visit General Patton’s Tank Bunker before moving on towards the Diekirche Military Museum and the Luxembourg American Cemetery. The boys were at this cemetery towards the end of the day. One of our Head Boys is an American citizen which entitled him to take down the US flag. This service takes place at 4.30pm every single day. It was an incredibly moving service as the Star-Spangled Banner was played.
On the final day the boys visited a M18 Achilles Tank and a Sherman Tank in La Roche itself where we had been staying. It really was a stunning little town to stay at in the heart of the Ardennes. Our final visit saw us head towards the British Cemetery at Hotton, which included a Sherman Firefly Tank Turret Memorial before taking in the final site of the trip which was where the Bande Massacre happened.
When you look back at the trip it is pretty staggering how much you are able to cover in a few days. I am sure the boys will look back at this trip as a highlight of their time at Arnold House. We live in a fortunate time in history and such trips serve as a constant reminder that we live in a period of peace in our country. My thanks go to Mr Hill, Mr Harahap and Mr Stones who accompanied us on the trip.
Mr Cox History
DRAMA REVIEW
The highlight of Year 2’s Drama this year has to be their show stopping Summer play of the wickedly funny tale of “Roald Dahl’s: The Three Little Pigs”. This play took the acting and singing abilities of Year 2 to new levels and all of the boys rose to the challenge of performing on the Canons Park stage for the first time. The hard work and enthusiasm of the boys was exceptional resulting in a truly outstanding year of Drama!
Year 6 brought the senior school drama calendar to a close with an adaptation of the C.S. Lewis classic, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Taking on us on a magical journey from a family looking after their sick children, to a war-torn England to the snowy land of Narnia, the audience were taken on a journey. Held in the thrall of the White Witch, Narnia is in the grips of a never ending winter by the evil White Witch, the Pevensy family, who stumble through a magical wardrobe, must battle the Witch and her retinue of Dwarves and Wolves. We followed the Pevensy family as they journey through Narnia, making friends with memorable creatures like the Tumnuses (or should that be Tumni?) and meeting the all-powerful Aslan. Packed with danger, comedy and battle, Year 6 entertained us with a mature and sensitive production, treating us to a much-needed bit of magic.
Miss Traeger and Mr Ofield Drama
The school’s extra-curricular programme is a comprehensive and dynamic offering, featuring over 100 clubs that cater to a wide array of interests and skills. This extensive range ensures that every boy can find an activity that resonates with their passions, encouraging holistic development beyond the classroom.
Academic Enrichment
Clubs like Robotics, Italian, Debating, Politics, Creative Writing, and Current Affairs provide significant academic enrichment. The Robotics club offers hands-on experience with technology and engineering, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Italian and Creative Writing nurture linguistic and literary talents, while Debating and Politics develop public speaking, analytical thinking, and a deep understanding of global and domestic issues. Current Affairs keep the boys informed and engaged with what is happening in the world, promoting a well-rounded perspective.
Artistic and Creative Activities
For those with a creative flair, the programme includes clubs such as Cross-Stitch Sewing, Poetry, Cookery and Virtual Reality. Cross-Stitch Sewing and Poetry offer outlets for artistic expression and fine motor skills, while the VR club introduces students to cutting-edge technology and its creative applications. Learning to cook equips the boys with essential life skills as well as allowing them to experiment with ingredients and flavours. These clubs are essential for fostering creativity and innovation.
Sporting and Physical Activities
The school places a strong emphasis on physical wellbeing with a diverse range of sports clubs including the martial art Taekwon-do, Australian Football League, Dodgeball, Multi-Sports and Gymnastics. These clubs promote physical fitness, teamwork, and discipline. The variety ensures that boys can either specialise in a particular sport, try something new or enjoy a mix of activities, catering to both for the more competitive individuals looking to enhance their performance in Games and those seeking more casual exercise.
Music Groups and Clubs
Our music groups encourage creative thinking and innovation, as boys explore different cultures and ways to interpret and create music. They enhance the boys’ understanding of music theory and help to build confidence as they perform in front of their peers and perform in concerts. Through teamwork and collaboration the boys build strong social skills and have a sense of community. It provides a valuable outlet for emotional expression and gives the boys an opportunity to explore different genres and traditions.
Specialised Interests
The programme excels in catering to niche interests with clubs like Zoology, Board Games and Technical Theatre. The Zoology club is perfect for animal enthusiasts and budding biologists, Set Design, Building and Technical Theatre offers hands-on learning and Board Games provide a strategic and social experience, enhancing cognitive and social skills.
Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
All clubs within school create a sense of community and belonging for the boys. Recognising the importance of mental health, the programme includes Mindfulness clubs. These clubs teach the boys techniques for stress management, relaxation, and emotional regulation, contributing to overall well-being and academic performance.
Social and Cognitive Skills
Clubs such as Chess and Debating are instrumental in developing strategic thinking, patience, and intellectual engagement. The Chess club, in particular, hones logical reasoning and foresight, while the Debating club sharpens argumentative skills and critical analysis.
Overall, the school’s extra-curricular activities programme is outstanding in its breadth and depth. By offering a balance of academic, creative, physical, and wellbeingfocused clubs, the programme supports the holistic development of our boys. Whether a pupil is an aspiring engineer, artist, athlete, or poet, they will find ample opportunities to pursue their passions and develop new skills. This robust programme not only enriches the boys’ school experience but also prepares them for a wellrounded future.
Miss Hall Activities Co-ordinator
AH ART GALLERY
As the sun continues to shine, as does the talent in Art room. All year groups have been industriously creating stunning artwork, impressing us on a weekly basis. This term we are excited to exhibit pieces by Y4 and Y3.
Year 4 carefully created icons in the style of St. Michael using traditional techniques and
mediums such as gold leaf and handmade egg tempera paint. Year 3 enjoyed hand-crafting mini totem poles in clay. The boys initially looked at their favourite animals and patterns; then cleverly designed their artwork on paper before transforming them into three dimensional sculptures.
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SUMMER SPORTS ROUND-UP
This term has been another busy one in the sporting life of the school. Cricket, tennis and athletics have been the main focus of Games but there’s been golf, and basketball on offer too. AH boys had plenty of opportunities to show off their ability in their chosen sport in internal training sessions, house tournaments, fixtures with other schools and in standalone tournaments and festivals. Every boy in Year 2 upwards played in at least one school match. In addition to various standalone tournaments and festivals 138 cricket or tennis fixtures were played! Regardless of the sport being played, AH boys approached their endeavours with energy, resilience and good humour.
The Under 13 1st XI Cricket team gelled together brilliantly this season under the watchful eyes of their coaches Mr Ingram and Mr Harahap. They played 10 matches and won every single one! An amazing feat which earned the team the right to have their team photo displayed on the Canons Park ‘Wall of Fame’. The term also included a second place finish in the AH ‘Super 8s’ tournament. A new feature of the fixture list was the AH Inter-school ‘Hundred’ Tournament. This was a brilliant new addition helped by a cracking day of sunshine. AH finished worthy winners beating The Hall in the final! At AH we like to embrace the new but also treasure older traditions and the annual Allain (former cricket mad Bursar) V Clegg (former cricket mad Head) Memorial Cricket match is a great example of this. As ever, this match was keenly contested; the Headmaster’s XI won by surpassing the total set by the Bursar’s XI with 2 balls to spare! The table on the right shows the award winners at 1st XI level.
The 2nd XI coach, Mr Gleeson, reports that: The seconds have had a consistent season, showcasing strengths across all areas of the pitch and field. and D have brought in a plethora of runs each match, coupled with a strong attack on bowling from and Narrowly missing a win against Hill House by 5 runs, achieved the team’s first 6’s of the season. It has been a pleasure to see the fielding skills strengthened by the likes of and
The Under 11s were coached by Mr Cox (Colts A) and Mr Stringer (Colts B). The boys had a tremendous season. Mr Cox’s A team played 8 and won 7. They also had success in tournament cricket. They were silver medal winners in the Lancing College Tournament; silver medalists at the IAPS East- Midlands Region 8-a-side tournament at Ratcliffe College, Leicestershire. They won the AH 6-a-side tournament and they were beaten semi- finalists at the St Paul’s 6 a side tournament.
The B team also enjoyed success. They played 6 matches, winning 4 and losing twice; In the end of season awards the following boys were singled out for particular praise by their coach, Mr Stringer.
Mr Ingram and Mrs Miller were the coaching double act at Under 10 level. The Under 10s played 5 games; several were against older opposition but the team were more than a match for anyone. Mr Ingram highlighted the win over Wetherby as being the team’s best performance. This team is certainly one to watch out for in the future. They competed in the Annual Charterhouse Tournament, an event that attracts many big Surrey Prep schools, and they returned with the
AH name on the winners’ trophy. They also were victorious in the Alleyn’s School 6-a-side tournament. The table below shows the winners of the various end of season awards.
The B team also enjoyed their cricket and Mrs Miller was impressed with the progress that the group made. In any other year many of the boys in the Bs would have been certainties on the As’ team sheet. No matter, the boys always strived to improve their skills. Teams at AH are never set in stone and so many of the B boys will undoubtedly play a big role in A squads in the future. The table below shows the award winners.
Year 4 is another key stage in the learning journey of our young boys. Mr Millburn Fryer and Mr Oldfield (amongst others) looked after the U9A and B teams and they enjoyed plenty of success in their matches. The Under 9s played 6 block fixtures and the A and B teams won four of them. The award winners (in Year 4 and 3 we make awards by form group) are highlighted below.
The Year 3 boys also had several matches. 4 block fixtures were arranged for this Year group; all the boys enjoyed playing. They showed good sportsmanship. The awards are shown below.
The Year 2 boys played a cricket fixture with Wetherby Prep. There was much to admire about our youngsters’ play and general attitude which bodes well for the future of AH sport.
After much deliberation between the AH cricket teachers, an 11 boy Cricket Team of the Term was selected:
At AH, the Summer term also sees many boys playing tennis. We are blessed to have 6 really good courts at Canons Park and access to others at Paddington Rec and elsewhere. I had the pleasure of working with the Under 13 A team again this season. During the term AH played 7 matches. Four wins and three losses were recorded. The highlight was the team’s performance in our match against WUS. Despite narrowly losing the fixture all the players played with determination and skill. and reached the finals of the AH U13 internal singles tournament. It was who ultimately was crowned the champion, in a keenly contested match. In the AH Internal doubles event and were champions with and runners up. Once again, AH hosted the Annual London Prep School Tennis Singles Tournament. and represented AH at U13 level. placed third overal and was the eventual tournament winner - a brilliant achievement given the
strength of the players in the draw. The table below shows the awards for Year 8 boys. And the one below is for the Year 7s.
Mr Matthews and Miss Hall coached the Under 11 team (Year 6) and they had a terrific season. The team played 7 matches and won 6 of them. During the season almost every boy in the squad had the chance to play in a competitive match against a player from a visiting school. Once again AH hosted the Annual Uner 11 Singles tennis Tournament. and won the right to represent AH in this event. They both played brilliantly in the tournament.
Mr Lutyens and Mr Millburn Fryer worked with the Year 5 (Under 10 boys) this term. This age group had three fixtures and the standard of play was high. The award winners from the Year 5 boys are listed below.
TENNIS AWARDS 2024 Serving AceGround Stroke KingVolley ChampMost ImprovedPlayer of the SeasonTeacher
It was a busy term for golf. Mr Millburn Fryer arranged several training sessions which culminated in a team being selected to represent AH in the Annual Prep Schools’ Golf Tournament at the Hampstead Golf Club. and made the cut. They competed against boys from Wetherby, The Hall, Westminster Under School and Devonshire House in this event. was AH’s highest placed player.
A mention also must go to the AH Year 8 basketball team. They played 3 fixtures and won all of them in convincing fashion. They were very passionate about the sport and a pleasure to work with.
The big sporting House Event of the summer term is the annual Sports Day. AH hosted 3 events on two separate days including one for Pre - Reception to Year 1; a second for Years 2- 4 and a third for Years 5-8. As well as winning points for their House, boys were also competing for individual honours and several new school records were set. In Year 4, was a record breaker in the 800 metres and set a record in the 80 metres. In Year 7, set a record for the shot put. Year 8 leaver, rounded off a successful AH athletics career by setting records in both the 800 metres and 1500 metres. The table below
shows the ‘Victor Ludorum’ for each year. This award is bestowed on the athlete - in each year group- who amasses the most individual points in the track and field element of the event.
The results from the Sports Day are highlighted in the table below.
Mr Kerr
Director
of Sport
VICTOR LUDORUM
PRIZE GIVING
Prize Giving happens in three different formats, with the Pre-Prep’s “End of Year Celebration” the first event to kick off the season of recognition of all that the boys have achieved. The Prep boys have more formal events, hosted like the Pre-Prep’s celebration, at the wonderful auditorium at ASL. It is a natural setting for such an event, as its seating allows everyone present to see and focus on what we are there to acknowledge: one more year of progress, achievement and excellence.
The Headmaster spoke about the importance of boysonly education – Arnold House is a boys’ school not by accident, but by design. He had recently attended the annual conference of the International Boys’ Schools Coalition, taking place that week at Harrow School. The IBSC has over 300 member schools, spread across 20 countries (mainly, but not exclusively, Anglophone ones) in five continents. Member schools come from a broad array: day and boarding, primary and secondary, denominational and non-denominational, independent and state schools. We were extremely lucky that one of the leading lights in that organisation, its executive director, Mr Tom Batty, was able to take time away from the IBSC’s schedule on the Wednesday evening and be our guest of honour at Senior Prize Giving. It was quite a coup that such a prominent member of the IBSC was willing to take time out of a packed week of activities, to address the oldest boys at Arnold House.
Mr Batty, although born in the UK and having worked in British schools, such as Eton, it now Headmaster at Scotch College in Melbourne, Australia. He told three short stories that brought across his key message about what schools like Scotch College in Melbourne and Arnold House in
London, despite being over 10,000 miles apart, want their boys to be:
• Knowledgeable
• Original thinkers
• Interesting people
• Interested in people
• Creating habits for life
• Learning from those who are different
• Knowing the right and kind thing to do
• Being who they are, working for the best of everyone
In the three events held this term to celebrate the achievements of our boys, we saw many individual examples that create an overall picture which is well on the way to ticking off Mr Batty’s checklist in great abundance..
Mr Hill Deputy Headmaster, Academic
Year 2
Form Prizes for Effort, Attitude and Contribution to the Group 2A 2H
Year 3
Form Prizes for Effort, Attitude and Contribution to the Group 3A
3H
Year 4 Form Prizes
4A Howard Strong Cup and Book Prize
4A Graves Cup and Book Prize
4H Gilchrest Cup and Book Prize
4H Kerner Cup and Book Prize
Year 4 Prizes
Overall Academic Progress Coronation Cup
4A Overall Academic
Achievement Baker Duly Cup
4H Overall Academic Achievement Albert Cup
Year 4 All Round
Sportsman Young Cup
Art and DesignOakley Cup
Chess Ackner Cup
Chivalry Tregarneth Cup
Courtesy & ConductHeadmaster’s Cup
Creative WritingCastello Cup
Cricket Samuel Cup
Cricket ProgressMartens Cup
Drama Lynn Cup
English Parents’ Cup
English ProgressKingsley Cup
Fine Art Fisher Cup
Football Gibbs Cup
4A French Crichlow Cup
4H French Pam Cup
Geography Foster Cooper Cup
History Viney Cup
Humanities Laughton Scott Cup
IT Balcombe Cup
Library G D Cup
4A MathematicsProsser Cup
4H MathematicsAked Davies Cup
Mathematics ProgressBrodrick Cup
PE Wakeley Cup
Performing ArtsMorgan Cup
Programming Longstaffe Cup
Religious StudiesNerdrum Cup
Rugby Games Bowl
4A Science Southward Cup
4H Science Pritchard Cup
All-Rounder Prizes
Year 2 All-Rounder Huish
Year 5
Form Prizes for Effort, Attitude and Contribution to the Group 5A 5H
Year 6 Individual Prizes 6A
Art
Drama
Photography
Choral Chivalry
All-round Academic
All-round Progress Linguistics Progress
Arnold Society
Instrumental PSHE
Chess
Humanities
Hockey
Classics
Debating
Latin
Programming 6H
Citizenship
English
Information Technology Science
Rugby
Religious Studies
Mathematics
All-round Sportsman
Classical Civilisation
Extra-Curricular
Football
Equestrian
French
Performing Arts
History
English Progress
Music
Creative Writing
Year 7
Form Prizes for Effort, Attitude and Contribution to the Group 7A
Year 8 Individual Prizes Prize & Cup or Award
8H
8A
8H
8H
8A
8H
8H
8A
8A
8A
8H
8H
8H
8A
8H
8A
8H
8A
8A
8H
8H
8A
8H
8H
8A
8A
8A
8A
Latin - Rose Cup
Drums - Howard Cup
Arnold Society Prize - Book Token
Academic Achievement in Scholarship - Book Token
Violin - Raingold Cup
History - Woolf Cup
Creative Writing - Atkin Cup
English Cemlyn - Jones Cup
Chivalry - Cyril Fenton Cup
Allround Academic Excellence - Book Token
Cricket - Jackson Cup
Excellence in Music (Scholarship) - Book Token
Contribution to Music - Robinson Cup
Cargill Bowl & Book Token
All-Round Sporting Excellence (Scholarship) - Book Token
Academic Achievement in Scholarship - Book Token
Classics - Reid Cup
Academic Achievement in Scholarship - Book Token
Tennis - Naggar Cup
PSHE - Robert Lorenz Cup
Fellowship - Viv Thomas Cup
History - Pappin Cup
Information Technology - Fenton Cup
Debating (Model United Nations) - Beckman Cup
F1 in Schools - Book Token
Maths - Richard Norris Cup
Physics - Shrimpton Cup
Peer Mentoring - Harry Gestetner Cup
Singing - Beswick Cup
Maths - Parents Cup for Maths
Drama - Peter O’Toole Cup
French - Boyton Cup
Hockey - Philips & Lester Cup
Religious Studies - Mohajerani Cup
Cross Country - Lorenz Cup
Comitas et Industria - Sanders Cup
Academic Achievement in Scholarship - Book Token
Football - Bowles Cup
Cargill Bowl & Book Token
Art - The Elton Cup
Eco Council - Edge Cup
Academic Achievement in Scholarship - Book Token
Art and Design - The Ralphs Cup
Cargill Bowl & Book Token
French - Meyer Challenge Cup
Choral Music - Sugarman Cup
Chemistry - Matsudaira Cup
Entrepreneurship (Dragons’ Den) - Salem Cup
Languages - Davis Cup
Geography - Gluckstein Cup
Theatrical Performance - McWatters Cup
Academic Achievement in Scholarship - Book Token
Science - Roques Cup
Outstanding Contribution to Music - Kate Davis Cup
Maths - El-Husseiny Cup
Orchestra - Sellar Cup
Contribution to Music - The Jazz Cup
Library - Library Cup
Rugby - Braithwaite Cup
English - Glasser Cup
Design and Technology - Cross Cup
Humanities Temple - Smith Cup
All-round contribution to Sport - Crown Cup
Religious Studies - El-Khazen Cup
Basketball - Macbean Cup
Biology - Simon Cup
Contemporary Music - Jacobs Cup
Fine Art - Froomberg Cup
ARNOLD HOUSE SCHOOL, 1 Loudoun Road, St John’s Wood, London, NW8 0LH
Tel: +44 (0)20 7266 4840 Email: office@arnoldhouse.co.uk