The semi-finals of the house debating took place this evening. The head of English had chosen two excellent motions and the boys had prepared well.
In the first debate the motion was, "This house believes that sportsmen should be paid the same as sportswomen." Fox were speaking for the motion but they were outgunned by some good points from Girdlestone.
The motion for the second debate was, "This house believes that nothing is more important in education than reading." This was an interesting topic and probably more difficult to debate than it first appeared. We were slightly lost when it came to defining what the terms of the motion really were but both teams argued well and the initial result was a tie. The adjudicators then had the opportunity to ask questions and Sheepshanks were declared the winners.
This is such a good activity for the boys to take part in both as speakers and as members of the floor and everyone is much looking forward to the final for which the motion is, "This house believes that British troops should withdraw from Afghanistan immediately."
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Fort!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Charity Day
Charity Day was amazing! We were raising money for an amazing project in Mumbai, the Door Step School.
The stalls were fantastic; from 'splat the rat' to 'soak the teacher' (which really hurt!!!!!). We had Krispy Kremes, Dominos Pizza and some enormous inflatable obstacle courses and games.
The tombola stall was very popular as was the raffle which included nights in Paris, amazing wine and vouchers for butchers and restaurants.
The day ended with house tug-of-war and then all retired to watch the rather disappointing football in the cinema room.
The weather was amazing and I hope we have raised lots of money to help this fantastic cause.
The stalls were fantastic; from 'splat the rat' to 'soak the teacher' (which really hurt!!!!!). We had Krispy Kremes, Dominos Pizza and some enormous inflatable obstacle courses and games.
The tombola stall was very popular as was the raffle which included nights in Paris, amazing wine and vouchers for butchers and restaurants.
The day ended with house tug-of-war and then all retired to watch the rather disappointing football in the cinema room.
The weather was amazing and I hope we have raised lots of money to help this fantastic cause.
Friday, June 25, 2010
La Vacquerie
Early start this morning to get packed and ready to go and catch the ferry. The trip has been a great success.
We are so lucky to have this wonderful house. It is such a great spot and I feel we need to use it more and more. We now send French, Geography and Science trips as well as the choir tour and a leavers' trip. I think a history trip is in the planning.
We are so lucky to have this wonderful house. It is such a great spot and I feel we need to use it more and more. We now send French, Geography and Science trips as well as the choir tour and a leavers' trip. I think a history trip is in the planning.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Camping at La Vacquerie
The boys are on great form and have been having a really good time. Today was 'parcours acrobatique' and shrimping on the beach.
I arrived with the two exam boys to see the BBQ alight and supper on its way!
Choir Recording
The chapel choir are busy recording this afternoon at Farnborough Abbey. The beautiful abbey church was founded in 1881 by the Empress Eugenie as a mausoleum for her late husband Napoleon III. The Abbey boasts a fine organ and an excellent acoustic for recording.
This is a new experience for most of the boys - it is incredibly hard work having to stand stock still and perform their very best for an entire afternoon of singing.
After all of their hard work, the choir will certainly be looking forward to hearing the finished CD.
Staff T20
England Game
Just boarded a ferry to take two leavers to France to join the rest of the group. They had to stay behind to take German GCSE.
The ferry leaves at 3pm, the same time as England kick off against Slovenia! We will find out the result when we get to France!
The ferry leaves at 3pm, the same time as England kick off against Slovenia! We will find out the result when we get to France!
Media pressure
I wish the media would back off. I blame them for putting so much pressure on our sportsmen and women.
They are very quick to build people up and celebrate them as great before they have really achieved anything.
They are then even quicker to knock them when they don't live up to their overblown expectations.
They are very quick to build people up and celebrate them as great before they have really achieved anything.
They are then even quicker to knock them when they don't live up to their overblown expectations.
Wimbledon 2010
Very occasionally I will be moved to blog about things other than school. This morning is one such occasion.
I have just dropped two boys off at a local girls' public school to sit their German GCSE. On the way back I was listening to the radio and heard a representative of the Lawn Tennis Association who had come on the radio to defend Britain's worst ever start to Wimbledon.
The LTA receive the most incredible level of funding. AEGON, the sponsors of the Queen's Club Tournament and th Eastbourne tournament give £5 million each year and they receive huge levels of funding from government and Sport
England. A new national tennis centre was built fairly recently at the cost of many millions of pounds and all for what?
The representative of the LTA had the gall to say that Wimbledon was not important for most of our tennis players and what mattered was their performance throughout the year. How does he explain the Davis Cup fiasco? I would love to compare funding levels across different countries and relate that to Davis Cup rankings.
I do not believe we are a nation without talented tennis players. I believe that the fault lies with the LTA. It needs a large scale shakedown to get rid of a large number of people who are only interested in themselves. Yesterday's budget introduced large cuts in public spending - let's start with the LTA.
I have just dropped two boys off at a local girls' public school to sit their German GCSE. On the way back I was listening to the radio and heard a representative of the Lawn Tennis Association who had come on the radio to defend Britain's worst ever start to Wimbledon.
The LTA receive the most incredible level of funding. AEGON, the sponsors of the Queen's Club Tournament and th Eastbourne tournament give £5 million each year and they receive huge levels of funding from government and Sport
England. A new national tennis centre was built fairly recently at the cost of many millions of pounds and all for what?
The representative of the LTA had the gall to say that Wimbledon was not important for most of our tennis players and what mattered was their performance throughout the year. How does he explain the Davis Cup fiasco? I would love to compare funding levels across different countries and relate that to Davis Cup rankings.
I do not believe we are a nation without talented tennis players. I believe that the fault lies with the LTA. It needs a large scale shakedown to get rid of a large number of people who are only interested in themselves. Yesterday's budget introduced large cuts in public spending - let's start with the LTA.
Monday, June 21, 2010
District Athletics
Lots of boys competed in the West Surrey District Athletics Competition today and they performed very well indeed. Three boys won their events and have qualified for the National finals in Birmingham. There were other second and third places and the day was a great success overall.
First day back!
After a great Long Leave we have come back to school and straight back in to the hectic life that is Sunningdale.
Today the leavers set off for their week at La Vacquerie. They are going to do all sorts of activities and camp out in the fields of the house.
A large number of boys were also competing in the district athletics championships. Three of them had to jump into my car straight after competing to meet up with the minibuses at Fleet services!
Exams start tomorrow so everyone is hard at work trying to learn those last few facts!
Today the leavers set off for their week at La Vacquerie. They are going to do all sorts of activities and camp out in the fields of the house.
A large number of boys were also competing in the district athletics championships. Three of them had to jump into my car straight after competing to meet up with the minibuses at Fleet services!
Exams start tomorrow so everyone is hard at work trying to learn those last few facts!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
CE results
The Common Entrance results have come through and they are fantastic! I am so proud of all the boys. All their hard work has paid off. I am also really proud of all the teachers who have worked so hard to make this possible.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Long Leave
This week is our 'Long Leave' which is what we call our half term. Most schools had their half term two weeks ago but we have ours this week because the top year have just finished their Common Entrance exams. I have always felt that it would not be a good idea to send the boys home the week before their exams. They need to know that their teachers are on hand to help them and the sense of camaraderie as they prepare together certainly spurs them on. It also means that they can completely relax once they get to Long Leave knowing that the exams are behind them.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Sports Day
Sports Day yesterday went very well. The weather was kind enough, at least it didn't rain, and lots of parents, relatives and friends turned out to enjoy some fantastic athletics.
The highlight of the morning came in the high jump. Competition was strong but in the end the winner jumped well clear and ended up equalling the school record! An outstanding echievement.
Over lunch the pipers played brilliantly under their new teacher. A very larger crowd of spectators showed their appreciation.
The afternoon was no less competitive, particularly as all events were being counted towards the overall house competition.
After the boys had finished their athletics it was the turn of the visitors. This is always more about the fun than the winning although as the line draws near there are some determined faces!
The day ended with tea on the lawn before everyone headed off for a well deserved break.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Fantastic cricket win!
Yesterday's fixtures were a tremendous success. The first XI cruised to a 100 run victory with some fine batting and even better bowling. We also won at nearly all other levels.
The boys have worked very hard on their cricket this term and it is great that their efforts are being rewarded.
The boys have worked very hard on their cricket this term and it is great that their efforts are being rewarded.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
U11 Tennis win
With the seniors tied up with Common Entrance, it was the turn of the U11 tennis team to take to the courts. Papplewick were our hosts and they have a strong reputation on the tennis circuit.
The U11 played brilliantly and ended up winning by a convincing 6 - 3 margin. Well done to all involved.
The U11 played brilliantly and ended up winning by a convincing 6 - 3 margin. Well done to all involved.
Monday, June 7, 2010
First day of CE over
Four exams have been done and all the candidates seem in pretty good spirits. Four more tomorrow and the back of Common Entrance is broken.
I have always advised the boys not to go through the questions with their friends after the exams as a sort of 'post mortem' but it is so hard to resist. I am sure it is a need for reassurance but inevitably the questions they talk about are the ones that they are least sure of and therefore the ones they are likely to have different answers for.
Still, they are on good form and ready for tomorrow.
I have always advised the boys not to go through the questions with their friends after the exams as a sort of 'post mortem' but it is so hard to resist. I am sure it is a need for reassurance but inevitably the questions they talk about are the ones that they are least sure of and therefore the ones they are likely to have different answers for.
Still, they are on good form and ready for tomorrow.
Common Entrance starts today
All those weeks, months, years of preparation will be put to the test today and over the next four days as fourteen Sunningdale boys sit their exams for entry into their public school of choice.
They have worked so hard and all deserve success. They are certainly apprehensive but I hope that they now know exactly what to expect and I am sure that they will all do well.
They have worked so hard and all deserve success. They are certainly apprehensive but I hope that they now know exactly what to expect and I am sure that they will all do well.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Old Sunningdalians compete for Oaks
Old Sunningdalian Henry Cecil was not successful in the Oaks yesterday but another Old Boy, Ed Dunlop, did train the winner!
Good to see that Sunningdale is still at the top of the Sport of Kings!
Good to see that Sunningdale is still at the top of the Sport of Kings!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Glorious day
I have had the most fantastic morning. The weather has been beautiful and I took the opportunity given to me by a cancelled meeting to walk around the school and simply observe.
PE lessons were going on outside and I saw two science lessons being taken on the grounds. In one of them boys in the senior half of the school were making rockets out of plastic bottles and foot pumps. They flew miles in the air! I wish that I had been able to do experiments like that at school.
The grounds were looking amazing and the smell coming from the trees and plants was heavenly. It brought back many happy memories of my own time at prep school. I remember distinctly the smell of the azaleas on the way down to the swimming pool.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if every day was like this!
PE lessons were going on outside and I saw two science lessons being taken on the grounds. In one of them boys in the senior half of the school were making rockets out of plastic bottles and foot pumps. They flew miles in the air! I wish that I had been able to do experiments like that at school.
The grounds were looking amazing and the smell coming from the trees and plants was heavenly. It brought back many happy memories of my own time at prep school. I remember distinctly the smell of the azaleas on the way down to the swimming pool.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if every day was like this!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Web safety
This morning all forms were shown a short film about internet safety and this was followed by a discussion.
I think that this is such an important topic. Communication is becoming easier and easier, as is information sharing and although this brings huge benefits, it also increases the risks we are all exposed to. This is particularly true of children who, as always, are the most vulnerable members of society. I have always felt that social networking sites such as Facebook, Bebo and Myspace put children at risk and I wish there was more that we could do to prevent children from being exposed to things that they are not ready for.
This morning's session was very useful and thought provoking and I hope that the boys will think carefully the next time they use the internet.
I think that this is such an important topic. Communication is becoming easier and easier, as is information sharing and although this brings huge benefits, it also increases the risks we are all exposed to. This is particularly true of children who, as always, are the most vulnerable members of society. I have always felt that social networking sites such as Facebook, Bebo and Myspace put children at risk and I wish there was more that we could do to prevent children from being exposed to things that they are not ready for.
This morning's session was very useful and thought provoking and I hope that the boys will think carefully the next time they use the internet.
Lovely weather for cricket!
The sun is shining again and we are looking forward to matches this afternoon against St. George's, Windsor. Sadly the U11A match has been called off because of other commitments at their end but all other matches will go ahead.
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