2008-2009 part 1 [PDF]

Mount House School

2008/2009

Fanfare

Cover picture: Ralph Lawson and Nicholas Sylvester enjoy the outdoor life on the Shackleton Awards programme

Mount House School,Tavistock

2008/2009

Fanfare

STUDY

View from the Study

I write this on a particularly exciting day: the school pig, Mimi has just produced no fewer than thirteen piglets, seemingly no bigger than thirteen size three (colts) rugby balls. The children were beside themselves with excitement at breakfast this morning and we are faced with the task of making sure all the classes get to see them as soon as possible without upsetting Mum who is presumably (a little) tired. This is a far more appealing job than heaving my way through guidance on the latest 'Changes to the Second Cycle Inspection Framework'. Furthermore on asking a sixth form boy how he was before assembly he replied, 'School is just great at the moment; I had an amazing weekend.' Such is the life of a prep school headmaster. A school full of eager youngsters will, in one or two moments, put other preoccupations firmly into perspective. Such bright experiences do contrast with a somewhat grey backdrop in front of which we and many similar organisations have to operate. It is pretty certain that, whichever government takes on the task of balancing the budget, they will be unable to be particularly friendly to our kind of school or our parents. The matter of education and charitable status for independent schools seems to be the subject of hot debate, however in reality it is not an issue that will pose a threat to the way we run our school. At a time when the public purse is so tight it would be a matter of some irony to make it any harder for ordinary parents to access our sector when each child we educate saves the taxpayer so much.

We do face a more punitive tax regime and cuts in public services. There are likely to be further increases in our contributions to pensions for our employees, all of which will be challenging for a small school such as ours. Like many organisations Mount House has had to adapt to changing and challenging circumstances and the recession has forced us to take stock of a decade or more of changing parental perceptions and priorities. We have made some very considered changes as a result. We have a truly exceptional school: it was great before, but it is now a school with a stronger chin and longer reach at a time when both are necessary. Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 2

What lies squarely behind our purpose is providing children with excitement in their learning whilst fostering their confidence, fitness and generosity of spirit. In that enterprise and with the sterling help of Mimi and her improbable band of piglets I believe we continue to forge ahead. Jim Massey

GOVERNING BODY

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

D.S.B. James, BA (Chairman) R. Barclay G. Cox, MP Mrs S.E. Coryton T.D. Cunningham I.R. Davenport, BA Dr. J. Evans, MA, FRCS(Ed)Plast., FRCS R.C. Franklin, FCA M.R. Johnson, B.Ed A.H. Monro, MA G.S. Sayers, BSc Mrs V.Tuck, BA, MA, MIL

N. Jory, ACIB ACSA Bursar Mrs D. Bluett, Assistant Bursar Mrs C. Cheshire, ACA Assistant Bursar Mrs L. P. Cowie, School Secretary Mrs A. Granger, Clothing Shop Mrs J. Massey, MA Cantab. MI Struct E. MICE Clothing Shop Mrs P. S.Tear, Headmaster’s Secretary

ACADEMIC STAFF J.R.O. Massey, B.Sc Headmaster J. Symons, B.Ed. Deputy Headmaster & Head of History M.J. Bassett, B.Ed Senior Master, Director of Studies, Head of Mathematics, SENCO J.H. Banyard, BA, PGCE Head of Religious Studies & French Miss C. Brereton, BA Junior Subjects Dr E. Chakrabarti, Ph.D Lab Technician Mrs S. Butcher, BA, PGCE Latin A. David-Ward, BA, PG Dip, PGCE Head of Games & PE Dr A. Eagleton, B.Sc., Ph.D Head of Science Miss C. Grubb, BA, PGCE Junior Subjects J. Hammond, B.Ed Head of English & Latin, Girls' Housemaster Mrs S. Hammond, B.Ed Junior Subjects Mrs E. Harris, BA, PGCE English A.R. Lamb, B.Ed Head of Geography H. Myott, BA, PGCE Director of Communications, Boys' Housemaster Mrs S. Phillips, BA, PGCE Head of Art P. Stephens, B.Ed General Subjects Mrs S.Tweedie, BA Junior Subjects N. Waitz, B.Sc, PGCE Junior Subjects H.J.C. Walkington, BA, U.Ga Head of French Mrs G. Waters, LRAM Grad Dip.Mus. PGCE Director of Music G. Whaley, Cert.Ed, Dip.Ed Head of Design & Technology

Henry Cunningham Gap Year Student Mrs K. Myott, BA Newsletter Jacob Stephens Gap Year Student Edward Trelinski MA Junior Master

CATERING, GROUNDS, HOUSEKEEPING AND MAINTENANCE STAFF L. Mitchell, Caterer Miss V. Anderson, Miss H.M. Palmer, Miss G.P.Thomas D. Hammond, Head Groundsman B. Willcocks Mrs S.M. Maclaren, RGN, RM Head Matron Dr J.A. Evans, MRCP MRCGP School Medical Officer Miss S. A. Witherall, Senior Assistant Matron Miss K. Butler, Assistant Matron Miss S. Williams, Assistant Matron Mrs S.R. Da Rocha, Housekeeper Mrs M. Hall, Assistant Housekeeper Mrs H. Allin, Mrs M. Beresford, Mrs J.A. Carter, Mrs E. Davies, Mrs D. M. Dingle, Mrs L. Greenwood, Mrs S. Hall, Mrs G.M. Hancock, D. Harrison, Miss S. Hickman, Mrs V.D. Howe, Mrs A. Ishmail, Miss R. Myott, Mrs L. Phillip, O. Reid, Mrs A.J. Sanderson, Mrs A.Tully, Mrs E.J. White J. Brimacombe, Head of Maintenance J. Blowey, S. Howells, E.G. Mason

VISITING STAFF Miss R. Ballantyne, BA, Flute D.I. Boorer, Bassoon Mrs C.M. Burnham, LTCL, B Mus. PGCE, Piano R. Finch, Oboe P. Jones, Brass Mrs K.E. Keith-Hill, Cert.Ed, Woodwind R. King, Guitar & Drums J. Lewington, LTCL, Singing Mrs O. Loewendahl, BA, PGCE, Cello A. Miller, LRSM, LGSM, CTABRSM, Drums Mrs C.Thom, M Mus., B Mus., FTCL, LTCL, LRAM, Classical Guitar Mrs C.Thompson, LTCL, A Mus. LCM, Piano Mrs M. Willmott, BA, PGCE,Violin Mrs S.V.Walsh, M.Ed, BA, Cert.Ed, Learning Support G. Bush, Cert.Ed, Learning Support P.R. Bond, B.Sc, PGCE, Squash

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

Miss M. Pole, B.Ed Head of Pre-prep Mrs J.A. Best, NNEB Pre-prep Year 2 Mrs H. Cooper,Teaching Assistant Pre-prep Year 1 Miss J.A. Edmonds, Cert EYP (Open) Pre-prepYear 1 Mrs N.A.M. Gabb, Cert.Ed Pre-prep Year 1 Mrs D.B. Hone, NNEB Nursery Miss S. Luscombe, NNEB Teaching Assistant Pre-prep Mrs A.Y. MacDougall, NNEB Nursery Manager Mrs K.V.S. MacEacharn, B.Ed Reception Mrs A. Malcolm, LLB, PGCE Pre-prep Year 2 Mrs E.A. Morgan, NVQ3 Reception Miss R Myott, After School Club Mrs H. Rickard, NVQ3 Foundation Unit

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Governing Body and staff

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Honours Board Butcher, Louisa Cave, Frederick de Falbe, William Essex, Sophie Goff-White, Jonson Hayward, Eleanor Kidner, Eloise MacEacharn, William Matthews, Ruairidh Norris, Isabel Paull, Emma Sale, Oliver Sharp, Henry Telfer-Smollett, Lucy

Kelly College Sherborne School Blundell's School Truro High School for Girls Kelly College Bryanston Sherborne School for Girls Sherborne School Wells Cathedral School Sherborne School for Girls King's College Taunton Sherborne School

Major Academic Sport Major Academic Art Major Academic Music and All-rounder Major Academic Music Exhibition Major Music Major Academic Major music Academic Exhibition and Major Sport King's College Taunton Sport Cheltenham Ladies' College Major Academic

Scholarship successes: Fourteen scholars won 16 awards to join the school of their choice.

Head Boy and Girl, Prefects, Leaders and Colours

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Head Boy Head Girl

George Lundy Isabel Norris

Prefects

Louisa Butcher Fred Cave Poppy Hartley Eleanor Hayward Eloise Kidner William MacEacharn Olivia McGonigle Freddie Morris Emma Paull Oliver Sale Lucy Telfer-Smollett

1st XV Rugby Captain 1st XI Girls' Hockey Captain 1st XI Boys' Hockey Captain 1st XI Cricket Captain 1st VII Netball Captain Rugby Sevens Captain Athletics Captain Rounders Captain

Fred Cave Eleanor Hayward Oliver Sale Nicolas Scaglioni Louisa Butcher Oliver Sale George Lundy Poppy Hartley

Leader of Orchestra Head Choristers

Eleanor Hayward / Emma Paull Eleanor Hayward Ruairidh Matthews Nicholas Sylvester

Head Librarian Colours - Arts

Louisa Butcher Jonny Goff-White Eleanor Hayward Sascha Lopes George Lundy William MacEacharn Ruairidh Matthews Freddie Morris Georgina Newman Isabel Norris Emma Paull

Colours - Sport Louisa Butcher Fred Cave Harriet Cave Sophie Essex Imogen Galsworthy Poppy Hartley Eleanor Hayward George Lundy Olivia McGonigle Isabel Norris Emma Paull Oliver Sale Harry Sharp Harry Woodhead

Hockey, Netball Rugby, Cricket Hockey Hockey Hockey, Netball, Rounders Hockey, Rounders Hockey Rugby, Hockey Rounders Hockey, Rounders Hockey, Netball Rugby, Hockey, Cricket Rugby, Hockey Rugby

FORM 4AL 2CB 4PS 1SS 4PS 6MB 5LH-3NW 1CG 2CB 1CG 5LH 3JB 3JB 3JB 4PS 1SS 6MB 3JB 6HW 5LH 5LH 6JS 6MB 4AL 2SH 6JS 5JH 3JB 5LH 3JB 1SS 5LH 3NW 3NW 1SS 1CG 2CB 2CB 5LH 6HW 5JH 5JH 2SH 3NW 6JS 5JH 4AL 5JH 2CB 4AL 3NW 6JS 6MB 4PS 6HW 3NW 5LH 5JH 6MB 3NW 1CG 4PS 1CG 4AL 6JS 3NW 4PS 1CG 6JS 5LH 2SH 5LH 1CG 5JH 1SS 4AL 5JH 1SS 5LH 3JB 4PS 6HW 4AL

LAMBETH, Billy LAWSON, Ralph LEE,Taylor LEWIS, India LEWIS, Madeleine LOPES, Henry LOPES, Ralph LOPES, Sascha LUNDY, George LUTHER, Rosie MACEACHARN, Charles MACEACHARN, William MALCOLM, Giles MAJORIN, Alexander MANTON, Emma MASNYK, Andre MASON, Harry MASSEY, Jonathan MASSEY, Lucy MATTHEWS, Ruairidh MAY SOMERVILLE, Elizabeth MCCORMICK, Joseph MCCORMICK, Lucy MCGREGOR, George MCNAIR SCOTT, Alexander MCNAIR SCOTT, Charlotte MCGONIGLE, Olivia MCGREGOR, Louisa MEASELLE, Luke MEASELLE, Rory MILLAR, Rory MILTON, ANGUS MORRIS, Frederick MORRIS, Georgina MULES, Henry MUSTARD, Oscar NEWMAN, Georgina NEWMAN, Henry NEWMAN, Jeremy NOORDEWIER, Charlie NORRIS, Isabel NORRIS, Oscar OXENHAM, Izella PAULL, Emma PAULL, William PERRING, James RAMNARACE, Joshua REDFARN, Jamie REDMAN, Lucy RENWICK, Jamie RIDGERS, Camilla RIDGERS, Henry ROBBINS,Gemma RODGERS, Oenone ROSE, Finlay ROSE, Oliver RYDER-GREEN, Meaghan RYDER-GREEN, Oliver SALE, Eliza SALE, Harry SALE, Oliver SAVCHENKO, Konstantin SCAGLIONI, Nicolas SHARP, Henry SHARP, Jack SHIRLEY, Brett SMITH, Louis SMYLY, Jack SMYTHE, Dylan SPIERS, Zach SYLVESTER, Nicholas TAYLOR, Max TEAGUE,Toby TELFER-SMOLLETT, Lucy TRENEER, Barnaby UNSWORTH-WHITE, Samantha UNSWORTH-WHITE,Tabitha VILLAQUIRAN, Christopher VILLAQUIRAN, Matthew VON WENTZEL, Christoph WELLS, Henry WESLEY, Bethan WEST, Sophie WILLIAMS, Spencer WILLIAMSON-CARY, Thomas

4PS 6JS 4PS 5JH 3NW 5JH 3NW 6MB 6HW 4PS 4PS 6MB 4AL 6MB 2SH 3JB 3NW 5JH 3JB 6MB 3JB 2SH 3NW 1SS 3JB 5LH 6JS 3JB 4PS 1CG 3NW 1CG 6JS 3JB 4AL 5JH 6JS 5LH 3JB 1CG 6HW 3NW 4PS 6JS 4AL 5JH 1CG 6MB 5LH 5LH 1CG 3JB 5JH 3JB 2SH 4AL 4PS 2SH 5JH 2SH 6HW 3JB 6MB 6MB 1SS 5LH 4AL 1CG 5JH 5JH 6MB 6MB 1SS 6HW 3NW 2SH 4AL 2CB 1SS 2SH 6JS 3NW 2CB 2CB 4PS

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

NAME ANDERSON, Jamie ANDREWS, George BALL, GAVIN BARKER, Charles BARLOW, Edward BARLOW, Henry BARRASFORD, Conor BARRASFORD, Karis BARRASFORD, Riley BARRASFORD,Talia BARRETT, Charlotte BARRETT, Jack BARTLEET, Edwin BATE, Olga BEACON, Charles BERNA, James BIRD, Siobhan BIRKIN, Benjamin BRUDENELL-BRUCE,Tarka BUTCHER, Louisa CARRICK, Marina CARTER, Charlie CAVE, Frederick CAVE, Harriet CHESHIRE, LUCY CHESHIRE, BEN CHOROSZEWSKI, Michal CHOROSZEWSKI, Sam CHOROSZEWSKA,Tean CLARKE, Benjamin CLAYTON, Augusta D CLIFFORD-FLOWER, Zachary COOMBS, Andrew COX, Isabel CROFTON, Angus CROFTON, Guy DANVERS, Susie DAVID-WARD, Jacob D'ENTRECASTEAUX, Alexander D'ENTRECASTEAUX, Benjamin DE FALBE, William DOLLARD, Dominic DONNE, Alice DONNE, Sophia N DOWIE, Eleanor ESSEX, Sophie FARRINGTON, Jamie FEARNLEY, Elizabeth FERGUSON, Alexander FITZGERALD, Edward G FITZGERALD, William FORREST, Jennifer FULFORD, Edmund GALSWORTHY, Imogen GILLARD, Guy GOFF-WHITE, Jonson H HADOW, Wilf HARDING, Benjamin HARRISON, Guy HARTLEY, Poppy HARVEY-BRADE, Jessica HARVEY-BRADE, Kitty HAYNES-PARRY, Caitlin HAYNES-PARRY, Macsen HAYWARD, Anthony HAYWARD, Eleanor HAYWARD, Max HOOLASH, Ben HUGHES, Bertie HUGHES, Henry HUGHES-CHAMBERLAIN, Meg HUNTINGTON, Jessica HUNTINGTON, Julian INGLIS-JONES, Lara JACKMAN,Thomas JACOBS, Martha JAYARAJAH, Bertram JERVOISE, Cecily JERVOISE, Ralph JORY, Nicholas KENT, Elsa T KENT, Laurie KIDNER, Eloise KIDNER, Isabel

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School List 2008/2009

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School List 2008/2009...continued WILSON, Beatrice WILTSHIRE, Ben WILTSHIRE, Charlotte WIXON, Holly

3JB 2CB 4AL 5LH

WOODHEAD, Harrington WOOLCOCK, Alexander WOOLCOCK, Alice WOOLCOCK, Eleanor

6JS 6JS 3NW 3NW

NOORDEWIER, William PEETERS, Leopold PEETERS, Beatriz PERRING, Harry PHILLIPS, Jessye POMROY, Linus RAMNARACE, Jonathan SARKAR, Francesca SARKAR, Lauren SEARLE, Benjamin SHARP, Amelia SMITH, Alexander SMITH, Charlotte SMYLY, Jamie SNOW, Cecily SNOW, Isabella SPENCE, Jacob STONE, Betty STONE, Felix STONE, Hebe TEAGUE, Amy TIMMIS, Finnegan WEST, Juliette WHITBREAD, Ottilie WHITBREAD, Rose WHITBREAD, Verena WIGGANS, Guy WILDMAN, Charlie WILSON, Florence WILTSHIRE, Alexandra WRIGHT, Annaliese

Year 1 Nursery Reception Year 1 Year 2 Reception Nursery Reception Year 1 Nursery Year 2 Nursery Year 1 Year 1 Nursery Year 1 Reception Year 2 Nursery Reception Nursery Year 1 Year 2 Year 2 Year 1 Nursery Nursery Year 2 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1

ROSE, Oliver SNOW, Cecily TIMMIS, Finnegan WHITBREAD, Verena Easter Term 2009 BURTON, Georgia HAYNES-PARRY, Macsen INGLIS-JONES, John POMROY, Linus WIGGANS, Guy Summer Term 2009 BRUDENELL-BRUCE,Tarka CORMACK, Matilda HUGHES, Bertie MASH,Tristan

4AL PP1 PP3 PP1

Pre-prep List NAME BAJABER, Abdul-Rahim BARKER, Finlay BARRETT, Lauren BATE, Celia BAYLIS, Loelia BURTON, Archie BURTON, Georgia CLAYTON, Luther COLERIDGE, Marcus CORMACK, Henry CORMACK, Matilda COX, Agatha COX, Isabel DAVID-WARD, Phoebe DENNY, Daisy DU'GAY, Joseph FORGAN, May GEORGEL, Cameron HAWKINS, Oliver HEAL, Amelia Kate HEAL, Harriet INGLIS-JONES, John INGLIS-JONES, Leila KERSEY, Maya LAMB, Alice LAMB, James LEWIS, Maxim LOPES, Olivia LOVE, Charlotte LOVE, Ffion MANTON, Rebecca MASH,Tristan

FORM Reception Nursery Year 2 Year 2 Year 2 Reception Nursery Year 2 Year 1 Nursery Nursery Year 1 Nursery Year 2 Year 2 Year 1 Year 1 Year 2 Reception Year 1 Nursery Nursery Year 1 Reception Year 1 Nursery Nursery Year 2 Reception Nursery Year 2 Nursery

Salvete

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NAME Christmas Term 2008 BARRETT, Charlotte BARRETT, Jack BARRETT, Lauren BURTON, Archie CARTER, Charlie CLIFFORD-FLOWER, Zachary COX, Isabel CROFTON, Guy DENNY, Daisy DOWIE, Eleanor HEAL, Harriet KERSEY, Maya LEWIS, Maxim LOVE, Ffion MCGREGOR, George MCGREGOR, Louisa MCNAIR SCOTT, Charlotte

FORM 1CG 5LH PP4 PP2 5LH 1SS PP0 1SS PP4 3NW PP1 PP2 PP1 PP0 1SS 3JB 5LH

PP0 1CG PP1 PP2 PP0 3JB PP0 1CG PP0

NAME BALL, GAVIN BARLOW, HENRY BATE, CELIA BATE, OLGA BERNA, JAMES BIRKIN, BENJAMIN BUTCHER, LOUISA CAVE, HARRIET CAVE, FREDERICK CHESHIRE, LUCY CHESHIRE, BEN CHOROSZEWSKI, MICHAL CLAYTON, AUGUSTA CLAYTON, LUTHER CROFTON, ANGUS CROFTON, GUY DANVERS, SUSIE DANVERS, MAISIE DE FALBE, WILLIAM ESSEX, SOPHIE FULFORD, EDMUND GALSWORTHY, IMOGEN R GOFF-WHITE, JONSON HARTLEY, POPPY K HAYWARD, ELEANOR L HUGHES, HENRY A KIDNER, ELOISE M LAWSON, RALPH LEE,TAYLOR LOPES, SASCHA H

DESTINATION DEVONPORT BLUNDELL'S MAYNARD SCHOOL MAYNARD SCHOOL ST BONIFACE BRYANSTON KELLY COLLEGE ST MARY'S SHAFTESBURY SHERBORNE SCHOOL USA USA SHERBORNE SCHOOL EGLOSKERRY SCHOOL EGLOSKERRY SCHOOL TRURO SCHOOL TRURO SCHOOL MILTON ABBOT MILTON ABBOT BLUNDELL'S SCHOOL TRURO HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS MILTON ABBEY SHERBORNE GIRLS' SCHOOL KELLY COLLEGE BRYANSTON SCHOOL BRYANSTON SCHOOL MILTON ABBEY SHERBORNE GIRLS' SCHOOL KING'S COLLEGE TAUNTON DEVONPORT HIGH BRYANSTON SCHOOL

LUNDY, GEORGE MACEACHARN, WILLIAM MAJORIN, ALEXANDER MASON, HARRY MATTHEWS, RUAIRIDH MCGONIGLE, OLIVIA MILTON, ANGUS MORRIS, FREDERICK NEWMAN, GEORGINA NORRIS, ISABEL PAULL, EMMA REDFARN, JAMIE RYDER-GREEN, MEAGHAN RYDER-GREEN, OLIVER SALE, OLIVER SCAGLIONI, NICOLAS SHARP, HENRY STONE, FELIX STONE, HEBE SYLVESTER, NICHOLAS TAYLOR, MAX TELFER-SMOLLETT, LUCY WELLS, HENRY WIGGANS, GUY WILLIAMSON-CARY,THOMAS WILTSHIRE, ALEXANDRA R WILTSHIRE, BEN WILTSHIRE, CHARLOTTE WOODHEAD, HARRINGTON WOOLCOCK, ALEXANDER

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Valete HARROW KING'S COLLEGE TAUNTON SHERBORNE SCHOOL PLYMOUTH COLLEGE WELLS CATHEDRAL SCHOOL PLYMOUTH COLLEGE BLUNDELL'S SHERBORNE GIRLS' SCHOOL SHERBORNE GIRLS' SCHOOL KING'S COLLEGE TAUNTON ETON COLLEGE SHEBBEAR COLLEGE SHEBBEAR COLLEGE SHERBORNE SCHOOL SHERBORNE SCHOOL KING'S COLLEGE TAUNTON HARROWBARROW PRIMARY SCHOOL HARROWBARROW PRIMARY SCHOOL KING'S COLLEGE TAUNTON SHERBORNE SCHOOL CHELTENHAM LADIES' COLLEGE EXETER SCHOOL OAKHAM EXETER SCHOOL SHERBORNE PRE-PREP SHERBORNE PREP SCHOOL SHERBORNE PREP SCHOOL SHERBORNE SCHOOL BLUNDELL'S

John Symons John Symons, Deputy Headmaster and Head of History, retired from Mount House after 33 years 99 terms - at the end of Summer Term 2009. Everybody connected with The School during his time there - be they parents, children or staff - will have his or her own memories of John and Yolande, and will wish them both a long and happy retirement in France. The speech given by Jim Massey at the ceremony to mark John’s retirement is reproduced on the next two pages, together with photographs taken at the event.

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Jim Massey’s speech at John Symons’ Retirement ceremony May I say how delighted I am to welcome you all to Mount House on this very special occasion. I am so pleased to see so many of you and grateful that you have made such an effort to mark this unique event. Were it left to John there would be no ceremony or fuss to mark the end of his distinguished career at Mount House, but as I hope he realises now there are so many who wish to show him their appreciation. We have a few short presentations to make after which I know many of you will wish to clock in with John personally.The Mount House Association has set up stall in the marquee, and I encourage you to go and join this revitalised group if you have not already done so. It is particularly good to see so many of the young contingent here and I know many of you have had to make a special effort to get here on your own speech days. First we have a presentation on behalf of the pupils to whom John has coached Rugby over the years. This will be made by Michael Cousens, captain of the unbeaten 2006 1st XV. Then Mr Patrick Cashell will come up and say a few words. Patrick is the current chairman of the MHA and was a member of staff and colleague of John Symons at Mount House for many years. For me, the prospect of making this speech is rather intimidating in that I know with absolute certainty that I am going to fail to do justice to the career of such a special man. The fact that so many of you have made such an effort to come along is testament to the very high regard in which John Symons is held by pupils and staff, both past and present. John joined the Mount House community in 1977 having studied for his PGCE at St Luke’s, part of Exeter university, where he met his wife Yolande, and after a short spell at the XIV prep school in Bristol. The pictures of John Symons dotted around The School have caused much hilarity over the years. Dark flowing hair, sideburns and a smouldering look, making him as suitable for a part in a 70s cop show as a junior teacher at Mount House. I have to pay tribute to my and Charles Price’s predecessor Tony Wortham for making what must have been one of the most inspired appointments of his long and distinguished career. John will have seen a staggering number of changes at Mount House since those early days when he says he went around in a nervous daze,

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waiting to be told what to do by a proprietorial headmaster coming to terms with the move to greater accountability to a board of trustees: governors. In those days he still played a bit of Rugby and cricket and lived in Lydford for a period. His passion for cricket, but most of all his beloved Rugby was to come to be one of the most enduring images of John in his 33 years - 99 terms - at Mount House. I suspect that he will have taught pretty well every subject in the curriculum and many totally outside, but in the classroom it has been mainly History. John is living proof if we need it that a successful teacher is born and not made. It is about captivating children first and then conveying passion for your subject and these have been areas in which John has absolutely excelled. His ex-pupils almost invariably cite his History lessons as memorable from their time at Mount House. This is as true now as it was when he was a young master, most recently confirmed on Thursday when I showed one of his early pupils around The School as a prospective parent who remembered them in exactly such terms. In this case he left Mount House in the early 80s. If this year’s leavers were asked some thirty years later I am confident that they would say exactly the same thing. He loves his history and there is nothing he (nor any of his pupils) cannot tell you about the battles of Hastings and Crécy: merely a coincidence that these very frequently appear in the Common Entrance exams. He is a master at covering the curriculum to ensure good grades, but not ever devoting too much time to that. The earnest job with John has been all about the top priority: captivating the children in the first place. He would do this through his own anecdotes, stories and red herrings. Not only have his pupils achieved excellent grades, more importantly they have learned to love the subject. One of the most delicious moments was when a particularly difficult set of parents had been giving him a torrid time, questioning his covering of the syllabus, the thoroughness of his marking and whether as a History teacher he had fulfilled his professional obligations to their child. Needless to say John took this deeply to heart. The parents had no understanding of the alchemy which takes place in the classroom of a great teacher and I shall always remember the exhilaration and relief on his face when I was able to let him know that this particular boy had secured in his scholarship exam a rare A+ to arguably the most academically aspirational school in the country.

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Jim Massey’s speech at John Symons’ Retirement ceremony...continued Of course John quickly made himself indispensable on the sports front, and it has been in no small part down to him and of course Charles Price that Rugby has become such an important part of life here at Mount House. Never more animated than when pacing up and down the far touchline or discussing a match afterwards, in many ways this has been his element. An expert coach himself, there can be few individuals in prep school rugby with more experience and wisdom. I believe he has led the school to three unbeaten seasons: the first in 1977 and also 2004 and 2006, the latter of which he regards as the best and most successful side he ever coached. In coaching prep school rugby there is always that line to find between striving for excellence in performance and keeping the spirit right. The fact that so many of his teams have continued their rugby up to the top of their senior schools, many meeting each other with glee in opposing first fifteens is a tribute to his success. Many will continue to email him with news of their successes too. He has taught generations of Mount House boys a deep and enduring love for rugby specifically and sport in general, for which many of you here and hundreds out there have cause to thank him. He and Yolande were asked by Charles Price to run the girls’ boarding house, Collingwood, when the doors were opened to girls in 1996. Indeed Yolande has always been absolutely central to the patient and happy even demeanour which has always been John’s trademark. So started a succession of brilliant houseparents: they were followed by the Morses and they themselves by the Hammonds both of whom have modelled themselves on the example set by the Symons in their leadership of Collingwood and their care and love for their charges, so much so that I do not believe there is a school anywhere in the country that can compare with Mount House in the care of boarders. What is it then that lies behind this man? I have already mentioned his unimpeachable love for the children, but over such a long career one would expect there to have been some ignominious stories and these might give us further insight.

I feel then that it is not so much the outward humour of the children that has sustained John over the years, rather their lack of side and their transparency, themselves bringing along their own humour and John’s respect.

Whilst on a camp in the Brecon Beacons he volunteered, in the absence of any others forthcoming, to tend to the needs of a certain Richard Grigson who had a nasty boil on his bottom. This involved the administering of ointment periodically to the affected area, something not taught at St Luke’s teacher training college in Exeter.

It is unusual for someone to have that same knack with our youngest children as well as thirteen-year-olds and he is equally happy hunched down having fun with the first form after assembly as being surrounded by excited sixth formers at leavers’ camp.

Then of course there was the legendary trip in the minibus to St Michael’s Tawstock, a route known by all MH pupils and staff to test the stomachs of all passengers as it winds its way around the tortuous north Devon countryside. On these occasions sick bags are provided and so the call, ‘Sir I don’t feel at all well’ was met with the response, ‘Just use the bag.’ Unfortunately in his moment of need the nearest bag was not the one intended, it was the 1st XI kit bag. Not a great scenario in a hot minibus with the match and return journey still in prospect.

Last year’s 2nd XI cricket team was playing away at Blundell’s and was in the field when John noticed something odd about James Mann’s footwear. James had forgotten to pack his cricket boots and so had decided to wear his white socks outside his black shoes so that he would look OK. He has always liked things done properly, but this has never assumed undue importance provided the spirit has been right.

I would like to read you a letter which I think is significant for the moment. When John was first offered the job at Mount House, at the end of his letter of acceptance to Tony Wortham, he wrote: ‘You have made my wife and I very happy, for which I thank you.’ John, I hope Mount House has lived up to its promise. On behalf of the Mount House community I thank you for making so many of us so happy. John Symons: a happy retirement.

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His career has provided him with lighter moments of humour which provide an insight into the man and what tickles him.

You might well ask, ‘How are we going to manage without him?’ He has had such a profound influence on this small school that his humour and warmth have become part of the fabric. His influence will continue to be strong for many years to come.

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Sally da Rocha Sally da Rocha came to work as a domestic at Mount House School in 1981. On the retirement of Miss Spencer, she took over as housekeeper sharing the job with her cousin, Mary, and eventually taking over the role on her own. Sally, I feel, is a Mount House legend: any child who has passed through Mount House always seems to remember her with affection. She had an amazing memory, not only recalling the name of the young man or lady returning to Mount House for a visit, but also their siblings and parents, having a real interest in how they have been doing. Sally’s favourite comment to an approaching child would be: “tie up your shoelaces!” An abiding memory of mine is that of one young boy who would drop to his knees as soon as he saw her coming - just in case his laces were undone!

I worked alongside Sally for 10 years and the one thing I am sure of is that Mount House has lost someone who really cared for The School and all its pupils: Sally took a real interest in the results of matches, Common Entrance results and everything else that mattered to the children. Match teas were her domain where she loved to chat to everyone - they will never be the same again. MH

Sue Maclaren difficult and challenging role. The post of Matron in any boarding school is simply vital, and it has been Mount House’s privilege to have someone in post that was firm and steadfast when she needed to be (with pupils, teachers and parents alike!) but whose professionalism, dedication and warmth brought comfort and reassurance when required. As far removed from the Hattie Jacques “Matron” of so many Carry On films as it is possible to imagine, Sue nevertheless possesses an excellent sense of humour, a prerequisite in any job demanding long hours of sorting underwear and socks, clipping boys’ toenails and applying countless bandages and dressings to every conceivable injury. Personally I could never quite kick the habit of addressing her as “May-trun” in a poor imitation of Kenneth Williams, but she always managed to pretend that this did not irritate or annoy her! Whether accompanying the Chapel Choir on tour to Germany or to recitals nearer to home, setting up refreshment posts on the route of the Sponsored Walk, or serving coffee after Sunday services, Sue was always ready to give of her own time in what was already a very time-consuming role.

Sue arrived at Mount House in March 1994 to take over the role of Head Matron, following in the footsteps of such formidable personalities as Lois Spencer and “the Blue Dragon”, more formally known as Agnes Wellman. Sue quickly established her own personality and style “upstairs” bringing unfussy calm to an often

She has retired to her house in Horrabridge, just a short distance from Mount House, and is enjoying the opportunity to spend more time with her grandson Rory. Everyone past and present at Mount House joins me in wishing her the very best for a long and happy retirement. HW

Catherine Brereton Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 10

Since the moment she joined Mount House, in September 2006, Catherine threw herself into the life of the school. She was actively involved in all girls' games, especially as Head of Netball. Her love of the outdoors was further fuelled with her full involvement in the Shackleton programme and in taking students for keep-fit runs! She also helped and cajoled a team of pupils to “Row to the Pole”, supporting Pen Hadow in his quest to measure the thickness of the Arctic ice cap. In her creative guise, Catherine directed an extremely successful Junior Play; “A Grimm Night for Hans Christian Andersen”, inspiring a large cast of 60 children to reach their potential on the stage.

and happy outlook towards the way the School operated was appreciated by staff and students alike. As a colleague, known as Cinny, her bubbly and positive demeanour in the staff room and around the School will be greatly missed. We all wish her well for a bright and happy future at The Dragon School in Oxford. LH&CG

Catherine proved herself to be a valuable member of the boarding community when she ran many Sunday activities and her enthusiasm

ACTIVITIES

Visiting preachers

/ NEWS

Sunday 12th October 2008 Mr W Lockett Housemaster of Bryanston School Saturday 8th November 2008 Remembrance Service Lt Col The Rev Tom Hiney MC Sunday 30th November 2008 Advent Service Mr R Griffin Headmaster of Exeter School Sunday 1st February 2009 Dr Graham Hawley Headmaster of Kelly College Sunday 17th May 2009 Mrs Nicky Botterill Deputy Head of St Mary's Calne Sunday 14th June 2009 The Rev. Michael Brierley Priest in charge of Tavistock

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 11

ACTIVITIES

Prizes RUGBY

WINNER

/ NEWS

1st XV Tackling Trophy 1st XV Endeavour Trophy 1st XV Most Improved player Best 1st XV Forward Best 1st XV Three-Quarter 1st XV Captain's Cup Colts Outstanding Player Colts Most improved Player U9 Outstanding Player Place Kicking Competition Senior House Rugby Cup Senior House Wooden Spoon Colts House Rugby Cup U9 House Rugby Cup

Zach Spiers George Lundy Alex Majorin Fred Cave Ollie Sale Charlie Carter N/A Wilf Hadow Jacob David-Ward Ben Harding KANGS HAWKS HAWKS KANGS

GIRLS' HOCKEY

WINNER

Outstanding Player Top Goalscorer Top Defender Captain's Cup Contribution to Girls' Hockey Most Improved player U11 Outstanding Player U11 Most improved player U9 Outstanding Player

Imogen Galsworthy Imogen Galsworthy / Izzy Norris Louisa Butcher Sophie Essex Ellie Hayward Charlotte McNair-Scott Lizzie Fearnley Tabitha Unsworth-White Jessica Huntington

JUNIOR PLAY CUP

Elsa Kent

CHRISTMAS TERM 2008

BEST DORMITORY Girls Boys

MacArthur Nelson

ART CHRISTMAS CARD PRIZES

1st : Eliza Sale 2nd : Holly Wixon

SET DUTY CUP

HAWKS

EASTER TERM 2009 WINNER

SPOKEN ENGLISH Junior Poetry Intermediate Poetry Senior Poetry Senior Prose Special Performances

DRAMA Actor of the Year Cameo Role (School Play) CROSS COUNTRY Junior Girls 1st 2nd 3rd

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 12

Junior Boys 1st 2nd 3rd Intermediate Girls 1st 2nd 3rd Intermediate Boys 1st 2nd 3rd

George Andrews Izella Oxenham Oscar Mustard Cecily Jervoise Georgina Newman, Sascha Lopes

PRIZE

Jessica Huntington Martha Jacobs Samantha Unsworth-White

Gold medal Silver medal Bronze medal

Harry Sale Jacob David-Ward Edward FitzGerald

Gold medal Silver medal Bronze medal

Elsa Kent Rosie Luther Tabitha Unsworth-White

Gold medal Silver medal Bronze medal

Edward Barlow Billy Lambeth Louis Smith

Gold medal Silver medal Bronze medal

Harriet Cave Eliza Sale Cecily Jervoise

Gold medal Silver medal Bronze medal

Angela Bradford Cup

Senior Boys 1st 2nd 3rd

Ralph Lawson Max Taylor Zach Spiers

Gold medal Silver medal Bronze medal

Jeremy Hill Shield

INDIVIDUAL SPORTS AWARDS Most improved performance Laurie Kent in House Cross Country Best Hockey player (B) Oliver Sale Best Hockey Defender (B) George Lundy Imogen Galsworthy Netball Captain's Award U11 Footballer Jamie Anderson U11 Most improved Netball player Lucy McCormick U11 Hockey player (Endeavour) Ben Hoolash U9 Footballer Jack Smyly Samantha Unsworth-White U9 Netball

Holly Walker Cup Smyth Cup Alex Hay Cup Charlotte Cowie Cup Banyard Trophy

U9 Cup (B) U9 Cup (G)

HOUSE SPORT Cross Country Netball Sevens Football Hockey (B)

OWLS OTTERS KANGS KANGS OTTERS

McCormick Cup Bermuda Cup Hugh St. Aubyn Cup J. Banyard Trophy MacKenzie Cup

OTHER PRIZES Best Kept Dormitory (G) Best Kept Dormitory (B) House Duty Cup

Darling Grenville OTTERS

Easter Eggs (5) Easter Eggs (7) Dormitory Cup Rory Cumming Cup

PLUS & MINUS SCORES Easter Term 2009 1 2 3 4 Running Total 1 Easter + Christmas Term 2 3 4

OTTERS OWLS KANGS HAWKS OTTERS OWLS HAWKS KANGS

974 836 729 709 1907 1770 Morgan Cup 1682 (Awarded Summer Term) 1611

CUP

Book Token Rory Benham Cup Book Token Benjie Dudgeon Cup Stowe Cup Book Token Book Token Venetia Maitland Cup Book Tokens (JH)

Ruairidh Matthews Slime & Weevil (Hattie Cave & Harry Sharp)

Senior Girls 1st 2nd 3rd

Cashell Cup Connor Cup

SUMMER TERM 2009 FORM PRIZES 1ST 1CG 2SH 2CB 3JB 3NW 4PS 4AL 5LH 5JH 6MB 6JS 6HW

Form Tutor’s Prizes Siobhan Bird Jack Smyly Harry Sale George Andrews Georgina Morris Barnaby Treneer Charlie MacEacharn Isabel Kidner Lottie McNair-Scott James Perring Jamie Redfarn Emma Paull Louisa Butcher

(Academic & Effort) Jack Sharp Kitty Harvey-Brade Samantha Unsworth-White Edward FitzGerald Jeremy Newman Madeleine Lewis Thomas Williamson-Carey Oliver Rose Jamie Renwick / Julian Huntington Cecily Jervoise Ben Birkin Sophie Essex George Lundy

SUBJECT PRIZES Senior School (6th and 5th Forms) English Lucy Telfer-Smollett Mathematics Gus de Falbe Science Eloise Kidner Science Prize (James Thomas Award) Nic Scaglioni

Middle School (4th and 3rd Forms) Luke Measelle Louis Smith Oliver Rose

Junior School (2nd and 1st Forms) George Andrews Harry Sale Christopher Villaquiran

N/A

N/A

SUMMER TERM 2009...continued SUBJECT PRIZES...CONTINUED Middle School (4th and 3rd Forms) Isabel Kidner Guy Gillard Anthony Hayward

Geography RE IT

Louisa Butcher Oliver Sale Jonny Goff-White

DT

Michal Choroszewski

Oliver Rose Isabel Kidner Thomas Williamson-Carey Lizzie Fearnley

Junior School (2nd and 1st Forms) Jessica Huntington N/A Samantha Unsworth-White George Andrews Sophia Donne Alexander D’Entrecasteaux Emma Manton

THE ARTS Pottery / Sculpture Services to Music (Rachael Kimber Cup) Effort in Music (William Luke Cup) Most improved Chorister Best Chorister (The Lawson Cup) Contribution to Strings Secombe Cup for Junior Drama

Jack Barrett / Julian Huntington Ruarididh Matthews / William MacEacharn Emma Paull Henry Newman Eleanor Hayward Eleanor Hayward / Emma Paull Jenny Forrest

SPORT CRICKET UNDER 9 CUP (Laurence Jarrett-Kerr 1995) COLTS ALL-ROUNDER (Williams Cup 1992) JUNIOR SET CRICKET (J. Banyard Cup 1995) GIRLS’ CRICKETER OF THE YEAR SENIOR SET CRICKET (Healey Cup 1958) 1st XI All Rounder 1st XI FIELDING (Davis Cup 1927) 1st XI BOWLING (Toase Cup 1962) 1st XI BATTING (George Sharp Cup 1978)

Jacob David-Ward Louis Smth Kangs Louisa Butcher Kangs Fred Cave Harry Sharp Oliver Sale Oliver Sale

Junior Golf Senior Golf Junior Tennis Intermediate Tennis Senior Tennis Hartley Cup Fly Fishing Set Rounders Services to Rounders MHS Hockey Tournament Winners Sportswoman of the Year Sportsman of the Year

Inman Cup 1990 Grierson Cup 1960 Stramdell & Asher Trophy Dawson Cup Lombard Hunt Cup 1973

Girls’ Hockey Cup (new cup from the Paulls) Morwenna Armstrong Cup Andrew Leather Cup 1973

Dormitory Cup

Boys Girls George Coombs Maths Challenge George Coombs Tankard (separate sheet) Middle School Effort Prize Christopher Anderson Cup 6th Form Progress Prize Outstanding Effort Common Entrance Achievement Endeavour All- Rounder Leadership Outstanding Example Headmaster’s Prize

Kirby Harris Cup Crosthwaite Cup 1986 Tavistock Rotary Club 1980 Stannus Cup 1982 James Petrie Dragon Justin Gibbs Shield 1990 James Cup 2004

Set Duty Cup House Cup (Plus & Minus)

The Rory Cumming Cup

Samantha Unsworth - White N/A

/ NEWS

French Latin History

Senior School (6th and 5th Forms) Lucy Telfer-Smollett Gus de Falbe Olivia McGonigle

OTHER CUPS AND TROPHIES Kettle Trophy Archery

ACTIVITIES

Prizes continued Edward FitzGerald Billy Lambeth Poppy Hartley Edward Barlow N/A Poppy Hartley Ellie Hayward (capt MHS) Imogen Galsworthy Oliver Sale Darling (6) Darling (5) Otters Charlotte Wiltshire Sascha Lopes & Henry Hughes Eleanor Hayward Jamie Redfarn Lucy Telfer-Smollett Harriet Cave Oliver Sale George Lundy Izzy Norris Harry Sharp Kangs Otters

Mount House Young Chemists win Gold Award A team of four sixth formers from Mount House School, Lucy TelferSmollett, Louisa Butcher, Eloise Kidner and Gus de Falbe were awarded first prize in the annual Salters' Festival of Chemistry at Plymouth University.

Mount House Teams: Team A

Lucy Telfer-Smollett, Louisa Butcher, Eloise Kidner, Gus de Falbe

The Salters' Festivals of Chemistry are an initiative of the Salters' Institute. Their aim is to promote the appreciation of chemistry and related sciences among the young. Working in partnership with the Royal Society of Chemistry, festivals are organised by universities throughout the UK and Ireland. Fifty-five events took place between March and June 2009. The one-day fun events provide the opportunity for enthusiastic young students to spend a day in a university department and to take part in practical chemistry activities.

Team B

George Lundy, Isabel Norris, Oliver Sale, Jonny Goff-White

Both the Mount House teams solved the Salters' Challenge but were not quite on target in the afternoon, missing the temperature target by barely 1ºC. However, the performance of the “A” team in the Salters' Challenge greatly impressed all the judges and they were awarded first prize. The day ended with a pyrotechnic demonstration by Dr Roy Lowry who is an expert in the chemistry behind fireworks.

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

Twelve teams from nine schools took part in the Plymouth event, carrying out two experimental challenges, one devised by the Salters' Institute and the other by the University. Prizes were awarded for both the experiments, with the judges taking note of not only whether the correct solution was obtained but also how well the teams worked together and their application of safe practices in the laboratory.

13

ACTIVITIES

ENGLISH COMPETITION EASTER TERM 2009

/ NEWS

‘A celebration of prose and poetry’ - Adjudicated by Simon Eliot

THE SPOKEN

Headmaster of Sherborne School

FINALISTS

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 14

1st & 2nd FORMS

POETRY

Sophia Donne Ralph Jervoise George Andrews Siobhan Bird Jacob David-Ward Camilla Ridgers Samantha Unsworth-White

Greedyguts Forgiven Jabberwocky Buckingham Palace Crocodile Homework! Oh Homework! My Knickers

3rd & 4th FORMS

POETRY

Izella Oxenham Izzie Kidner Max Hayward Lucy Massey Lizzie Fearnley Anthony Hayward

The Man Who Was Away We Fish The Day I Fell Down The Toilet The Listeners The Veggy Lion Crocodile

by Kit Wright by A.A. Milne by Lewis Carroll by A.A. Milne by Roald Dahl by Jack Prelutsky by Ann Ziety

by A.B“Banjo” Paterson by Herman Melville by Steve Turner by Walter de la Mare by Spike Milligan by Roald Dahl

5th & 6th FORMS

POETRY

Ellie Hayward

Goldilocks And The Three Bears

by Roald Dahl

Dylan Smythe Alice Donne Gus de Falbe Oscar Mustard Izzy Norris

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night Warning I Wish I Was Our Sammy Timothy Winters Jabberwocky

by Dylan Thomas by Jenny Joseph by Willy Russell by Charles Causley by Lewis Carroll

5th & 6th FORMS

PROSE

Louisa Butcher Eloise Kidner Cecily Jervoise Imogen Galsworthy

To Kill a Mockingbird Before I Die My Family & Other Animals The Diamond of Drury Lane

by by by by

Sascha Lopes

Act 3, Scene 2: Romeo & Juliet

by William Shakespeare

Georgina Newman

An Adaptation from The Witches

by Roald Dahl

Harper Lee Jenny Downham Gerald Durrell Julia Golding

Special Performances (not judged)

Louisa Butcher star ted the 5th and 6th Form Prose category with her reading from 'To Kill a Mockingbird' which she did with real poise and composure, observing all the relevant punctuation and showing real understanding of her chosen extract. Eloise Kidner's recital of 'Before I Die' was a well-controlled piece and she read the dialogue with excellent expression and successfully controlled her audience with the volume of her voice. Cecily Jervoise's reading from 'My Family and Other Animals' showed confidence and enjoyment throughout her piece and she used good voices for each of her characters. Her expression and timed looks to the audience saw her win the Prose section. Imogen Galswor thy read a very interesting piece from, 'The Diamond of Drury Lane' and was able to let her audience really understand her piece, not an easy thing to do with such a shor t extract. The evening concluded with two first class performances from Sascha Lopes and Georgina Newman both performing their prepared pieces from their drama scholarships. Mr Eliot thought Sascha's por trayal of Juliet conveyed lots of power and emotion which she controlled superbly. Georgina's performance was likened to the child catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang due to her terrifying stage presence and tremendous energy! Both girls look to have very bright acting careers ahead of them. I would like to thank the members of the English Depar tment who helped produce such an enjoyable evening and also Mr Simon Eliot for his thoughts and observations throughout the evening and the manner in which he related to all the finalists. JH

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

“An actress in the making,” the words used by Mr Eliot after hearing Izella Oxenham's outstanding performance of 'The Man Who Was Away.' Izella's confident delivery, fantastic use of contrast and her Australian heritage made for an absorbing rendition and left her audience wanting more! Izzie Kidner's reflective performance of 'We Fish' was delivered with excellent clarity and emphasis. Max Hayward (the first of all 3 Hayward children performing in the finals!) showed his obvious enjoyment of toilet humour with his poem, 'The Day I Fell Down the Toilet!' He was able to maintain a suitably shocked expression throughout his piece and he emphasised the humorous par ts perfectly. Lucy Massey's poem, 'The Listeners' was performed under complete control, observing the punctuation within the piece and conveying effectively the rhythm of each line. Lizzie Fearnley confidently took to the stage, placed one hand on her hip and then proceeded to deliver her poem, 'The Veggy Lion'. She communicated the humour of the piece very well and clearly enjoyed it. Anthony Hayward concluded the 3rd and 4th Form category with his version of, 'The Crocodile’. His voice projection and engaging facial expressions made for a super performance. However, Izella Oxenham received the winning honours for this group.

Not in any way to detract from the first two sections but the 5th and 6th Form Poetry category had been eagerly anticipated this year due to the exceptionally high standard of the six performances. Ellie Hayward's formidable deliver y of, 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' made Mr Eliot believe that she would one day be an uncompromising Headmistress. Her ability to deliver some outrageously humorous lines with such a serious and dead-pan expression raised a huge amount of laughs and her timing was exquisite. Dylan Smythe immediately changed the mood of the room with his haunting and thoughtful rendition of Dylan Thomas' 'Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night.' This was an extremely difficult poem and was deemed as a brave choice - he conveyed the rage of the poem ver y powerfully. Alice Donne's piece, 'Warning' was a great poem which she recited beautifully and made us all aware of the eccentricities involved in growing old! Gus de Falbe's impersonation of Just William with a nor thern accent was a delightful and quite unexpected treat. His performance of 'Our Sammy' was hugely enter taining and convincing, making his audience believe he actually was the character from his poem and he achieved a ver y good final laugh. Oscar Mustard's poem was viewed by Mr Eliot as the winning performance with his deliver y of 'Timothy Winters'. Oscar, from the moment he climbed on to the stage was utterly in control - using his eyes to grab his audience's attention and his timing and emphasis were excellent. Izzy Norris' version of 'Jabberwocky' was superb. She displayed a fantastic stage presence and her voice was terrific, another very accomplished performance from her. This really was an outstanding category and it was very encouraging to see such a high standard at the top of the school.

/ NEWS

Another superb Spoken English final took place on Monday 9th March and was exper tly adjudicated by Mr Simon Eliot, Headmaster of Sherborne School. As is customary the 1st and 2nd Form Poetry category set the standard for the evening with some wonderfully enter taining performances. Sophia Donne's 'Greedyguts,' poem was delivered with real relish and enjoyment - not an easy thing to achieve when you are the first person up. Ralph Jervoise's seriously cute rendition of 'Forgiven' was a real treat to follow. George Andrews won this category with a ver y assured and powerful performance of 'Jabberwocky' and his use of facial expressions was excellent, very quickly captivating his audience. Siobhan Bird's deliver y of 'Buckingham Palace' was well controlled and displayed a lot of feeling and Jacob David-Ward's confident piece, 'The Crocodile' was received warmly. Mr Eliot had to ask Camilla Ridgers if her evident enjoyment of delivering her poem, 'Homework! Oh Homework!' was not an actual reflection of how she viewed prep generally as her performance was extremely convincing! Samantha Unswor th-White's choice of 'My Knickers!' caused a great stir throughout the school and Mr Eliot deemed it a ver y brave choice of subject, something he would cer tainly rather not discuss in public! Samantha's cheeky grin and enjoyment of her slightly naughty poem was ver y endearing and a great end to this first group.

ACTIVITIES

The Spoken English Competition 2009

15

ACTIVITIES

French Experience 11

/ NEWS 35 children, a record number, accompanied by 5 adults, set off in early April for the annual visit to Normandy. The trip nearly got off to a disastrous start as - within 20 miles of Poole - our coach became stuck in a traffic jam caused by a serious accident on the A35. Just when it looked inevitable that we would miss our ferry and therefore have to catch an overnight crossing nine hours later, the police re-opened the road and we tore into Poole, arriving at the port 15 minutes before departure! The children enjoyed an imaginative session of animation, a kind of linguistic ice-breaker that encourages them to use their French at the same time as preparing them for relevant vocabulary and expressions that will be useful over the course of the week. We enjoyed our Paris marathon under probably the best weather of the week, and managed to pack the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre pyramid, the Champs Elysées and a boat ride along the Seine into the day. We visited the American cemetery at Omaha beach on Easter Saturday, an experience that was deeply moving. Before walking through the cemetery, we said a short prayer together, Mr MacDougall recited the Binyon poem “For the fallen” and we observed a minute's silence. Just as we finished, the cemetery clock struck 12 and a carillon started to play “Abide with me”. It is always an experience that makes me so pleased that we “do” Remembrance properly at Mount House, as the children understand the nature of the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the days after D-Day - and indeed in all conflicts - far more clearly than most of their age. Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 16

Once again this year the children did an escorted walk into the middle of the Baie du Mont St Michel at low tide, crossing potentially treacherous quicksand and tidal rivers. It was a cold and wet day, but we had the incentive of a change of clothing in the shelter of the Mont, together with the opportunity to spend some pocket money on overpriced souvenirs which seem largely to have been manufactured in China. We also revisited Monsieur Martin at his goat farm, enjoying the circus tricks his goats performed as they were milked. Jamie Redfarn proved particularly adept at milking, not to say drinking the milk as it spurted direct from the goat! The sand yachting at Cherrueix was as popular as ever, even if the wet weather in the preceding week had made the sand slightly soft.Wacky Races ensued with Mrs MacDougall in the role of

Penelope Pitstop and Zach Spiers, driving a special char to enable him to cope with a broken arm, in the role of Peter Perfect! Accrobranches, the high ropes activity, was as popular as ever, with excited whoops and shrieks echoing through the picturesque forest. Last year, we were delighted to be invited to visit the Collège Jeanne d'Arc, the school in Brittany with which we have built up a correspondence exchange over the last two or three years.This year, they were on their “English trip” at the beginning of our summer term, and it was great to be able to reciprocate their generosity by inviting them to visit Mount House and compare our school with theirs. As ever, my thanks are due to the adults who accompanied the trip. Jonathan Banyard for his indefatigable videoing of all activities (even if he did skive off the walk across the bay!), Jono Jackson (who actually attended the first ever French Experience as a pupil!) and Andra and Stewart MacDougall, who threw themselves into the whole experience with amazing enthusiasm, considering that they only flew into Heathrow from New York 24 hours before our departure from Mount House. Andra in particular deserves special mention for her instinctive mothering of all the children, even if she did slightly scare me on the first morning by checking the medical notes and asking: “Now, who's the boy on a ventilator?!”. Here's to next year! HW

In March we were very fortunate to be visited by Tracy Edwards MBE. A friend of a current parent, she was surprised and thrilled to learn that the girls had named one of their dormitories after her, shortly after the opening of the new Collingwood a few years ago. She spoke to us of the value of teamwork, impressing on us that nearly all that she has achieved in her life has been built on working in close harmony with others, recognising weaknesses and building on strengths. She won international fame as the skipper of the first all-female crew to sail around the world in the 1989 Whitbread Round the World yacht race. She blazed the trail for such as Ellen MacArthur [who also has a dormitory named after her!] to follow. She is a champion of children, particularly those from a disadvantaged background, and is an ambassador for the NSPCC and Childline as well as being closely involved in the Prince's Trust and the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. Down to earth and direct, she inspired a flood of questions and a standing ovation at the end of her talk.

In May we were delighted to be able to welcome Jenny Coverack [better known to many of us as Jenny Killingbeck] back to Mount House to restage her one-woman play “A Father for my Son”, recounting the tragedy of Captain Scott as seen from the viewpoint of his widow Kathleen. It speaks volumes for the quality of her performance that a one-woman play lasting well over an hour held the audience entranced under its spell as we were transported back in time to the horror of Scott's Polar expedition. The play also spoke of her life afterwards, her re-marriage to Hilton Young, Lord Kennet, and the upbringing of her son Peter, who went on to become Sir Peter Scott, the world famous naturalist and founder of the Wildlife Trust.

/ NEWS

We have continued to be very fortunate in the range and charisma of our speakers over the course of this year. Our first talk was given by two brothers, Chris & Nick Southwell, on the subject of extreme winter sports. Both are professional winter sport athletes, Chris being a Freeride snowboarder and Nick a Freeride skier.The adrenalin rush demonstrated from their [slightly terrifying!] videos as they hurtled down precipitous slopes, that frankly more closely resembled cliff faces, made a huge impression. They talked quite calmly about the risks of their chosen profession, but their infectious enthusiasm and innate “cool” ensured that they had a rapt audience.They are planning an ambitious expedition to Kamchatka in Russia to pursue new challenges at the same time as working on a project to construct a new winter sports centre in the UK.

ACTIVITIES

Oracle Lecture series:

I am profoundly grateful to all the speakers who have inspired the children and the adults since the inception of the Oracle lecture series, and look forward to more excitement, adventure and inspiration as Andrew Lamb takes over. HW

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 17

ACTIVITIES

Visit to Mount House by Collège Jeanne d'Arc

/ NEWS

On Wednesday 29th April, Mount House welcomed 61 children and 5 staff from the Collège Jeanne d'Arc, a school in the village of St Brice en Coglès in Northern Brittany. Three years ago, while on their own language trip to Normandy, an informal link was established between the two schools, and ever since then the pupils from both schools have been corresponding with each other. Last year, Mount House were invited to lunch at the Collège Jeanne d'Arc while on their annual trip to Normandy, and this year were delighted to be able to welcome their French friends to lunch during their annual trip to Devon. The children met their pen friends for the first time, before taking them on escorted tours of the school. They were then shown videos describing life at Mount House, including the annual trip to Normandy and last year's visit to the French collège. Afterwards they had lunch together in the school canteen before the French pupils left to have a guided walk on Dartmoor at Haytor. It was a very successful occasion, with plenty of English and French being spoken by all involved.

Grandparents’ Tea Party at Mount House There are always new developments for them to see, and this year, the highlight of the tour was the three-acre farm area in the Grounds that has been set aside for the Sustainability and Stewardship programme. In the allotment area, the variety of fruit and vegetables under cultivation included grapes, apples, tomatoes, chilli peppers, cabbages and turnips. The grandparents also saw the chickens, turkeys, ducks and pigs that are being raised and nur tured by the children. The grandparents were welcomed on arrival by Headmaster Jim Massey and his wife Jo, and escor ted by their respective grandchildren to the Main Hall, where they had tea on tables specially laid out with flower arrangements, and chocolates for each guest with the compliments of The School. Tea, prepared by the catering staff, was served by Mount House pupils, with a musical accompaniment from some of The School's young musicians. Over 80 Grandparents from all over the South West of England and further afield came to The School for the bi-annual Grandparents' Tea Party. This ever-popular event gives the grandparents the opportunity to see the facilities that The School offers on a conducted tour, escorted by the children themselves.

Dartmoor Walk for Spinal Research Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 18

On a fine day in September over 150 children, ex pupils and our families set out across Dartmoor. We walked 10 miles and raised £1477.95 for Colin Javens' spinal research charity. We have a very special relationship with Colin who has been to school a couple of times to talk about his life after diving into shallow water and ending up in a wheelchair. Well done to Crispen Newman, Alex Wiltshire, Charlie Noordewier, Hannah Kidner and Riley Barrasford, our youngest walkers. Thanks to all walkers and all staff who helped as group leaders and marshals on the day. JM

After a shor t welcoming speech by the Headmaster, the grandparents were escor ted on their tour of the school, returning afterwards to the Main Hall to enjoy a refreshing glass of Pimm's before depar ting.

ACTIVITIES

A year on the farm: Pigs, poultry and projects

/ NEWS

felled trees was being washed away after heavy rainfall. So the challenge was set for the 5th year to come up with a viable solution at no cost (materials wise). Each group elected a project manager and then subdivided themselves into smaller working parties each with a designated job: digging, haulage and collecting/ scavenging natural materials.The result was two big sump pits being dug out and filled with rocks and stones from the allotment grounds. A soak-away channel led to a mains drain and the end result was very professional and functional. Using the same format the 5th year went on to build an edge around the Duck pond using large stones and soil which was capped with earth, grasses, reeds and plants found in the woods.

I've never anticipated the start of a new school year so eagerly; lots of preparation work was done during the summer holidays with the help of John Brimacombe and the ground staff.The work centred mainly on getting the perimeter fencing and landscaping completed ready for the children to take over and make their mark on the farm plan. This was a huge challenge to get a viable scheme of work prepared in order for the children to begin to learn about outdoor responsibilities such as stewardship and a caring understanding for our environment. With this in mind we set about enhancing and developing many areas within the farm plan. Autumn The 3rd year groups began by making “Bug Hotels” to go along the banking near the allotments. These are designed to improve the chances of friendly insects surviving a harsh winter. They have many bamboo canes and cavities for Lacewing, Ladybird and Solitary bees to hibernate in.When they come out in the spring they will eat the “pest” bugs such as aphids and white fly etc. Later the 3rd year went on to design and make a pair of large composting bins with a unique aeration system which helped rot the compost quicker.Throughout the remainder of the term the 3rd year worked on many composting projects and insect recognition sheets.

In addition to the resident livestock, we looked after Xavier and Pedro - two alpacas - for the term.They were kindly loaned to us by Stephen and Lorraine Smith, who own a smallholding where they keep alpacas and deer. Alpacas, which are native to South America are kept for their valuable fleece, which is used for making knitted and woven items, including blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, a wide variety of textiles and ponchos in South America, and sweaters, socks, coats and bedding in other parts of the world. The 5th year spent a lot of time on larger, more involved, building projects. Our pathway to the farm made from the chippings from the

The 6th form worked hard in the workshop discovering the joys and rewards of learning to carve large sections of tree stumps from the farm area.They studied design ideas based on the famous Moai heads of Easter Island. When completed they looked fantastic and will make a great sculpture feature to go out into the farm area. Winter time The majority of the time was spent working on developing the design technology syllabus making many new projects. There were however times when we needed to get out and check the livestock and growing areas. We took on a couple of Dartmoor pony foals which had been brought down from the moor to be fostered by us during the harsh winter time. The scheme is run very much like the puppy walking scheme for guide dogs for the blind. Our responsibility was to look after the ponies through to early spring, when they would be either sold on or returned fit and healthy to the moor to help increase the indigenous breed and blood line. This also gave us a unique opportunity to see how to look after such a rare breed. We had great support and help from Dru Butterfield of the Dartmoor Heritage pony society. Dru came in and gave two excellent talks and demonstrations about pony handling and training.

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

The 4th year students had the responsibility of looking after the livestock and preparing growing beds in both the allotment and poly-tunnel. Our poultry run was large enough to house 20 birds of mixed variety. The pigs were a very rare breed called Oxford Sandy and Blacks. We had two - a boar called Boris and a gilt called Mimi. They were later joined by a Saddleback from Mr Hughes' stock and she was called Deedee. It was a very popular pastime cleaning out the hen house and collecting the eggs, as well as feeding and cleaning the pigs.The animal rearing was always for the table and the children were under no illusions about this. It sparked off some very interesting ethical debates amongst the groups.

We also found time to have a go at willow weaving from our trees and decided to investigate more once we had a more substantial tree growth to use.

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ACTIVITIES

A year on the farm: Pigs, poultry and projects...continued

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Spring also saw the poultry section grow thanks to the loan of an incubator from the Kent family (many thanks). We were able to successfully hatch and rear a variety of duck eggs from our own ducks as well as some turkeys found on the internet! Summer time Summer was a very exciting time in the vegetable plots, each year group had a plot to be responsible for and tried their hands at growing as many different vegetables as possible. Thanks to the efforts of our parents who collected the Morrison's 'Let's Grow' vouchers we were able to get most of our seeds for free. (A scheme we are repeating this year).

Spring time It was the 3rd Year’s turn to have a go at looking after the livestock and see how they fared.The big buzz was all about Boris the boar being sent to slaughter and how good would the sausages be? I have to say no one complained as he made several meals for the children's dinner, gammon joints, bacon and sausages. In fact at one time the children sat down to breakfast where the sausage and bacon were from the farm as were the eggs. So a complete meal all sourced from the farm! The 4th year turned their attention to stewardship and made 30 bird nesting boxes which were sited in and around the school grounds by the Ornithology club, who kept a close eye on any visitors.The great news was 7 of the boxes were used by nesting birds such as wrens, robins and coal tits. The 5th year with the help of our gap year students Jacob Stephens and Henry Cunningham set about designing and making a shelter for the chicken run from hazel sticks, resembling a jungle hut! The birds loved it and are often roosting in there out of the weather. A show pen was also built in the middle of the farm area ready to hold some new animals, possibly goats or sheep.

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There were many successes and a few failures. The biggest problem was the very wildlife we are promoting, pigeons being the prime culprit. Never before have I seen cabbage, brussels and cauliflower eaten in such quantity by the birds! Later on they took a liking to the leeks as well. We had the usual problems of blight with the potatoes and outdoor tomatoes, but still managed a healthy basketful in the autumn. It is always very nice to be able to reflect upon the previous year and enjoy the successes and learn valuable lessons from failure. Now I must look ahead to strengthen the school's commitment to endorse the theme of stewardship and environmental awareness and address whatever issues we may come across in a balanced and objective manner. Autumn 2009 has already been fantastic with the news that Mimi the rare breed Oxford Sandy and Black had an amazing first litter of 13 piglets, 10 of which survived the critical first 12 hours of life and have gone on to become very strong, healthy and inquisitive pigs. GW

ACTIVITIES

Summer Adventure Courses Mount House Adventure Day

A water-based adventure was imagined during a river-based Shackleton session when two pupils commented on how they would, 'love to do this all day!' The location of the school, with streams and a fast flowing river, made planning a water course exploration of the grounds and surrounding area more a matter of what to leave out than what to include.There was a great uptake and over 20 children had the run of the school grounds kitted out in wetsuits and safety gear.The day began with a riverside run with each group excitedly rolling a tractor inner tube to Rowden. Suitably warmed up we reached the Trout farm where two tunnels allow a leat to pass under a lane and as luck would have it they are perfectly child sized! After several feet first slides many opted to run the tunnels head first. Another warming run

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from here to the Tavy and the teams were launched into the current on the rubber rings. Fairly strong flows meant that real team work and balance were needed to keep everyone together. After a lunch for which the sun graciously came out to warm us we headed to a stream for a gorge walk.The teams were well in tune by now and worked with determination to overcome all the obstacles including: a waterfall, salmon leaps, still pools and a very deep narrow section, which offered a real sense of adventure. On reaching the lake it was a revelation for many to be in the middle of such a familiar landmark and to be gaining

a different perspective.Working together again the children climbed the farthest weir that feeds into the lake, with some spending a good deal of time inside the falling water. The day finished with a jumping competition that filled Martin Weaver and I with admiration of the children's stamina and sense of fun. NW

Climbing Summer 2009

NW

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

I know that I mention the stunning location of the school almost every time but it really is that stunning.To one day be able to paddle rivers kayakers travel for hours to experience and the other to be climbing on one of the best inland crags in the country, all within 20 minutes, is sensational. All of the climbing this year was at the Dewerstone and Leigh Tor which are wild, varied and offer a real sense of adventure. A bouldering section is visited first where all can get a feel for the rock, how to move the feet and learn to use sloping holds to gain height.The first route puts these skills into practice and importantly allows the children to climb up a gully to the very top. Once at the summit they can relax and enjoy a view to then abseil down a slab for lunch. After lunch there is a wild walk through ancient woodland to an atmospheric slab which offers three routes of increasing difficulty with an overhang for the determined to tackle. All the children tested themselves and achieved the sense of satisfaction which comes from having overcome fear and challenge. Most of the days ended with a refreshing paddle in a stream or river where just occasionally the sense of balance that had been in such clear evidence all day suddenly abandoned children, leading to a very wet sit down much to the amusement of the others.Thanks again to Martin Weaver and Laura Russo for such professional technical skills and calm supportive manner that encourages trust and maximises what the children get from the experience.

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ACTIVITIES

Summer Adventure Courses Kayaking Summer 2009

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Another summer's kayaking has seen many new faces and returning kayakers all keen to hone their balance and skills. The focus of these courses was the journey, and skills were learned along the way. As a first day venue Roadford is excellent and offers three fantastic adventures around the hidden bays, across the middle for a real sense of exposure and a remarkable paddle along the dam itself. The experience of being faced with such an imposing structure when you are so low to the water is humbling.The children all especially enjoy the bubbles that appear from the depths and paddled much faster after hypothesising about a 'Nessie' look-alike! The wind at Roadford can be notorious and we were blessed with just enough that heading down wind with paddles raised allowed us to do some sailing. Into the wind was just as much fun with the waves forming white tops on occasion and thoroughly splashing everyone. This year saw a Roadford first as several children surfed into the beach for lunch! The Tavy estuary was another venue for some courses and offered a wilder paddle with old boathouses and tumbledown fortifications to explore.The tide and wind were perfect, meaning a hard 3hr paddle out past Blaxton wood where we stopped for lunch and camp fires, followed by a relaxing 40 min 'sail' back to Lopwell Dam. Such a stunning venue will have to be visited again very soon. It was again commented on by people that we met how pleased they were to see children so engaged and motivated to explore. A huge thank you to Martin Weaver and Laura Russo for giving of their time, energy and experience to make learning new skills and working so hard such fun for the children. NW

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Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

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ACTIVITIES

Junior Shackleton Clubs

/ NEWS During Christmas term the juniors had the choice of clubs proffered by staff. The children involved with Love-in-a-Box, a charity whose intention is to make Christmas for the poorest in Romania a happier time, prepared over 40 boxes crammed with gifts. In Young Authors a narrative was explored and the children put the story into their own words. Maps and Exploring had the whole school as the setting for scavenger, treasure and fact hunts with treasure maps also being drawn. As part of Organic Gardening, pupils planted cabbages and broad beans to over-winter, break up the beds and replenish the soil with nitrogen. Art and Craft were topical all term with many creative and recycled pieces being realised. Collaboration between clubs was soon in place: Art and Craft made carrier bags from newspaper for the gardeners to use in their sale!

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Easter term clubs included Yoga for the first time. The pupils showed great flexibility but the highlight for them was a 10minute relaxation during which some gently dozed off! Theatre club carried on from the success of the school play and immersed pupils in characters and settings full of imagination. IT Club was also creative in the use of software to warp images and really see the potential for trial and error in this most versatile medium. Mosaics is one of those arts which allows a new skill to be developed and concentration to be focused on something to be proud of; many designs were very original. Summer clubs included favourites such as Art and Craft which made use of the fine weather to enjoy the stunning riverside setting for natural sculptures. Cooking was a hit with pizza and peppermint creams

introducing the children to the joy and ease of preparing their own food. Many intuitive and counter-intuitive activities took place as part of Team Trust, with pupils learning that individual skills can be complemented by those of others to achieve more. Nature Diaries had a perfect start with the beautiful spring weather meaning that real changes could be seen in various locations from week to week. Photography gave pupils a chance to really see what is around them and frame their precious compositions with thought and care; the anticipation of posting film to be developed was compared with the immediacy of digital. The pupils are very lucky to have these opportunities and I am fortunate to work with colleagues able to plan and deliver such meaningful extracurricular activities. The location also deserves a mention as the river, lake and grounds together form an inspirational backdrop that is second to none. NW

ACTIVITIES

Shackleton - Fourth Form

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Easter term, and First Aid sessions covered the basics that will give pupils some confidence in how best to deal with an accident.‘ABCDE’ is the memorable way to prioritize a casualty’s needs and has been learned in different situations. ‘Cuts and breaks’ involved staunching blood flow and supporting limbs until help arrives. Outdoor scenarios put new skills to the test on some very realistic, sometimes screaming, victims. Bird Watching/ Ornithology was very enthusiastically received and a wealth of hidden talent emerged. Bird species are constantly being added to the ‘Spotted’ list, and pupils are increasingly confident in identifying birds at a distance. A real highlight for the fourth form has again been the session run by Canoe Tamar on a very cold lake.

Most fourth formers had a quality half-hour or more on the water and the trainee instructors running the session were well and truly soaked by the end. The nature trail behind the lake has seen further lumberjack efforts and finally the planting of native rowan and hazel saplings to improve the biodiversity which has suffered a decline due to rhododendron and laurel. Summer term was again a real mix for the fourth form. Pupils made good use of the spring weather during Ornithology activity to attempt the construction of birds’ nests. Some efforts were truly remarkable! The activity proved a real highlight until Mr. Symons found a pile of mud and twigs in the middle of his desk and the ‘nest’ makers beaming at him with obvious pride. Some letterboxing has taken place and the moor also saw navigation from Easter term put to the test. Water Safety looked at how to best manage fun and danger to ensure a pleasant end to any day on or near the water. Kayaking and climbing have introduced new ways of moving through and experiencing the amazing environment which we can so often take for granted. Team activities in the river led to a greater awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of working as a team versus working on your own as well as some hilarious attempts at throw-line rescues. NW

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

Navigation began the Christmas term and we made very good use of the moor to demonstrate the useful skills of map and compass work. Camp Craft first made sure that survival fire lighting was a sound skill and then used the fires to brew up hot chocolate. Camp Craft concluded by making shelters for a soft toy. Stream and Woodland Ecology were also sampled to discover fish, dragonfly larvae and lots of mud! Navigation then continued after half term by introducing the arts of moor navigation, radio communication and an orienteering exercise to recover a Christmas message. Camp Craft has seen the skills of striking a fire from flint and steel rehearsed until learned, marshmallows toasted and tea brewed on the resulting fires. Shelters for a victim of a plane crash were constructed, resplendent with beds, flags, signal fires, water sources and lots of insulation. A particularly stunning freestanding shelter was built by James Berna and Henry Mules.

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ACTIVITIES

Shackleton - Fifth and Sixth Form

/ NEWS There were three activities this Easter term which progressed over three sessions. Healthy Food saw fruit salads being prepared from scratch. Hygiene and knife safety were the watchwords as pupils chopped, diced and sliced their way through six fruits and finished off with Greek yoghurt.The final presentation was a revelation with some truly Michelin Star-worthy efforts. The next recipe was Thai soup full of medicinal herbs and spices. During Photography pupils learnt the rule of thirds and how to apply this to their own landscape shots. Portrait photography was identified as having its own set of rules which included avoiding passport style pictures at all costs. Some excellent photos have been put on display in the sixth form corridor by Mrs. Hammond; please do take the time to see them. “Trails” has seen the school grounds criss-crossed with paths and checkpoints. Pupils have designed routes to challenge each other and then completed one another’s courses by collecting way markers, including a glow stick, along the way.

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September has now become Gorge walk season.To begin with there is the fully supported group dynamic of the walk itself including a deep pool and waterfall; to finish the individual challenge of a jump and diver’s entry into the salmon leaps. The pros and cons of team work and individual challenge are discussed at the halfway point and at the end. This activity really illustrates the value of learning through the outdoors. Food technology has seen the groups design their own brand of pizza with considerations including: target market, cost/profit, packaging and a radio jingle.The planned pizzas have (with some modifications, such as leaving out the monkfish!) been prepared and eaten by all groups. A huge thank you to the kitchen for ensuring that all the pupils’ pizza creations were piping hot! Moor Search and Rescue activities saw Mr. J Stevens get lost in an old mine-working to be discovered by each ‘mountain rescue’ team in turn. The fog made this a very real and atmospheric exercise. The groups have also been engaged in team initiative activities and first aid. First aid introduced ABCDE to be rehearsed in various settings and included the popular bandaging scenarios. The climbing wall welcomed some groups on the more inclement days: many had grown since their last visit and the towering heights of old were transformed into easy Bouldering problems.

We had the busiest summer term on record. All pupils were involved in designing, preparing and barbecuing kebabs. An interesting development in the use of spice marinades saw one team opt to add spices according to colour rather than flavour! The team activities of Gutter Ball, Swamp Stomping and Blind Rope Trail all focused on communication and cooperation.The Tree Climb was also in use again giving a real sense of height and what it means to trust others. During Hashing the pupils followed a trail around the grounds to end with a smile; the best times were set by all who avoided the dead ends! The lake has also seen its fair share of action with kayaking and rafting.The highlight was seeing sixteen pupils swap sides on a raft that was just barely afloat. The term concluded with engaging flora and fauna meadow studies as well as bracing river crossing sessions during which throw lines were used to attempt rescues…attempt being the operative word! A huge thank you to the staff for making the sessions so memorable. NW

ACTIVITIES

Boarders’ Activity: Christmas Extravaganza Teams worked together to wrap up their smallest member in Christmas wrapping paper and to drag Santa Sack ‘chariots’ with each team member from one end of the sports hall to the other.

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After lunch the boarders were busy decorating photo frames to be given to their parents this Christmas and painted Christmas window decorations as well as creating fun, if not slightly cheesy, CD covers for their imaginary band’s ‘Christmas hit single’. Thank you Mr Myott for helping the boarders put the finishing touches to their CDs, which were frighteningly convincing in some cases. Mr Cunningham organised the mother of all treasure hunts in the camps which sent blood sugar levels well and truly sky-rocketing before tea and then it was time to prepare for the evening service. We would like to thank the boarders for such a fun and effortless day. Virtually every single boarder has said ‘thank you’ to us in person and we were really touched to receive really thoughtfully written thank you letters from Izzy Norris, Harriet Cave, Louis Smith, the Barlow brothers and their friends.

After a delicious cooked breakfast the 56 boarders headed straight to the sports hall for a spot of Christmas Card writing before embarking on several team games and relays involving mince pies and space hoppers – an ominous combination.

Boarders’ Activities: Messy games and talent quest After a quick letter writing/phone Mum for mothers’ day session the boarders met in the sports hall for a spot of ‘bang’. Being far too nice a day to remain indoors we then went outside to play a selection of sticky, messy fun games such as ‘Shoot the shaving foam off your team mates’ noses with a water pistol’, ‘Catch the water bomb’, ‘Spit relay’ (as disgusting as it sounds) and a version of apple bobbing but rather bobbing for sweets….in a bowl of flour!

After lunch there was a spot of playing in the sun before embarking on some rehearsals before the annual Boarders’ Talent Quest which is probably the best we’ve seen since its 2005 inauguration. Jonny Goff White’s band had us all in stitches as did the sixth form girls’ ‘Fairytale Play’.

Many thanks to all the boarders for being their usual fun, helpful, polite and good-natured selves! JH & SH

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

We then produced Mothers’ Day tributes in a newspaper dressing-up competition (the paper hoovers and newspaper agas were most distressing)! ‘Yummy Mummy’ was a Russian roulette style game where children who were unlucky enough to be holding ‘Mummy’s handbag’ when the music stopped had to extract a bottle of baby food of dubious flavour and eat a spoonful!

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ACTIVITIES

Boarders’ Activity: Pool Party and Touch Rugby Tournament

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Best team uniforms were displayed by the 5th form girls (aka 'The Dudes'), best haka went to a sixth form girls' group called 'Mrs Hood and her merry maids' (although this was closely contested by the 5th forms boys group led by Ben Clarke and Alex Ferguson with their rendition of 'I'm a Barbie girl') and best banner went to the 'Surfing in the '60s' team. Eventual winners, somewhat unsurprisingly, were Fred Cave's 'Plymouth' team. After dinner many of the boarders competed in the 'Dance Off' which was jointly won by some very slick performances by the James Bonds (6th form girls) and the 'Diversity - esque' 6th form boys led by Ruairidh Matthews. All in all, a fabulous day that absolutely flew by thanks to an endlessly cheerful, fun, helpful and polite bunch of boarders! 52 boarders (including some slightly disappointed athletes) had energy to burn and plenty of opportunity to do so. We took advantage of the sun and headed to the pool straight after breakfast for water balloon tossing, giant water polo, sponge throw with 6th form boys as targets, handstand and belly flop competitions (the joint winners, Poppy Hartley, Sascha Lopes and Harry Sharp bare very crimson tummies to testify to the seriousness of this final competition). Before lunch the boarders were busy planning their outfits, hakas and banners for the annual Boarders' touch rugby tournament.The final of which was rather disturbingly played out between two teams of boys with their pants on the outside of their shorts.

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JH & SH

ACTIVITIES

Remembrance at Mount House

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The Service of Remembrance at Mount House School was attended by Lt Col The Reverend Tom Hiney MC, Honorary Chaplain of the Devon British Legion. In his address, the Reverend Hiney talked about some of the many residents of Tavistock and the surrounding area who gave their lives in the two World Wars. He particularly referred to Captain Nigel Hunter, MC and bar, Royal Engineers, who was killed in action at Biefvillers near Bapaume in March 1918 at the age of just 23. Captain Hunter was a poet and a regular visitor to the Lydford area, and the plaque near Widgery Cross that commemorates his sacrifice is still there 90 years after his death. The Last Post was played at the Remembrance Service by Ruairidh Matthews.

News From The Library

LH and the Librarians

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

To celebrate the creativity of the children here at Mount House, this year we wrote a book. The result was We Are Writers!, a fabulous record of the children’s imaginations and reflections on life. After an introduction written by Michael Morpurgo, there is a chapter written by each and every child in the School. The book was launched at the Scholastic Book Fair to great acclaim and it was delightful to see the children so proud of their work. The fair was held in the Library and was the most successful ever. The Librarians, led by Nick Sylvester, did a fabulous job. Thank you all for your support and if you did not manage to visit us then, there are a few copies of We Are Writers! left available in the School Shop.

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ACTIVITIES

Young Engineers at Plymouth University

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A group of pupils went to Plymouth University to take part in a structural engineering exercise, accompanied by the School’s Head of Design and Technology Geoff Whaley, and Mrs Massey, who is herself a qualified civil engineer. The children were split into groups with pupils from local primary schools, and each group was assigned a “consultant” - an engineering student from either Plymouth or Exeter University. The groups were set the challenge of designing and building a bridge using tubes of paper as struts which were then bolted together.The bridges had to span a one metre gap, and be capable of carrying a load of 2 kg at the centre, without deflecting more than 20mm. As well as learning about structures, the children learned the importance of teamwork and quality control. The competition was won by “The Nutters” team that included Mount House pupils Ellie Hayward and Sascha Lopes. After the competition, one of the students gave the children a tour of the university, taking in the Students’ Union, the library and the engineering laboratories.

Collingwood 2008/2009 Christmas term in Collingwood is always magical and this year was no exception as the girls got into the spirit of dorm decorating, caroling in pyjamas and Christmas feasting. The twister tournament was fought out between the amazingly flexible Ellie Dowie and the tenacious Eloise Kidner. In each dormitory, pinned carefully to pinboards amongst posters of High School Musical characters, one could find several notes and autographs from sailor Tracey Edwards, after whom one of our dormitories has been named. She entertained the school with a fabulous talk of her around the world yachting adventures before being regaled by Collingwood girls, who performed skits of her life story back down in the dorms.

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One of the highlights of the Easter term included the annual bin liner dressing up evening where each dorm had to dress their dorm captain. This year’s theme was ‘Mother Nature’. In the summer term the Collingwood girls made the most of the long evenings with water balloon battles, banana splits roasted over the BBQ and the summer croquet tournament which was won by Tean Choroszewska and Eliza Sale this year.The bench donated by last year's leavers has been well used by girls enjoying the evening sunshine and sitting on it to do a spot of reading or for the audience to sit on to watch a variety of skits and dances. JH & SH

The Beaford Arts Residential Centre was established in 1966 by the Dartington Hall Trust as England’s first rural arts centre. It is based in an early 19th century house in the peaceful village of Beaford in North Devon. Every year, over a thousand young people and adults participate in the residential courses at Beaford, taking part in a wide spectrum of arts activities both in the centre and the surrounding area. The course attended by the Mount House girls was led by one of Devon’s leading art educators, Chris Wightman, who was Devon County Advisor for Art until 2004.The girls were involved in Artist-led

workshops by the ceramicist Chris Taylor and the painter Peter Ward, whose materials and techniques informed the girls’ own work. Observational drawings completed on their first day were developed using a wide range of materials and techniques including oil pastel studies, drawings in coloured slip, paintings using locally-sourced coloured earth, paintings using the face as a surface and acrylic painting on stretched canvas. Several large-scale pieces were also worked on collaboratively.

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Eight 5th and 6th Form girls from Mount House School - Louisa Butcher, Sophie Essex, Sascha Lopes, Georgina Newman, Lucy Redman, Lucy TelferSmollett, Eliza Sale and Holly Wixon - attended a three-day residential art course for gifted and able pupils at Beaford Arts during the half-term break.

ACTIVITIES

Mount House Girls Attend Residential Art Course

The girls rose to the challenges admirably despite working long hours and often being pushed beyond their comfort zones. The processes explored over the three days were revisited over the following term at The School, capitalising on the wealth of educational benefit that was drawn from this valuable and unique experience.

Fireworks Night at Mount House Councillor Robin Pike, the Mayor of Tavistock is pictured with Mount House Headmaster Jim Massey and the prep school’s youngest pupil Joshua Ramnarace at the annual Fireworks par ty. After a spectacular firework display, following a Mount House tradition, the huge bonfire was lit by the school’s youngest pupil, watched by a cheering crowd of children, parents, guests and staff. A total of £254.94 was raised for the charity “Help for Heroes”.

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DRAMA

Junior Play A Grimm Night for Hans Christian Andersen Performed by Mount House Junior School Pupils Directed by Catherine Brereton and Chloe Grubb “The actor’s business is to entertain people. One needs no other passport than fun.” BERTOLT BRECHT,

Set in 1835 Denmark, our wise (if slightly bossy) narrator Elsa Kent led us into the magical world of Hans Andersen. Ahem, sorry. ‘Hans Christian Andersen’ as one stroppy though rather sweet elf, played superbly by Jenny Forrest, so aptly reminds us. Mr. Andersen, played by the ineffable Barnaby Treneer, sits at his desk penning his next retelling of a fairytale classic under the guidance of his rather bloodthirsty housekeeper, Mrs Ridge, played by Issy Cox. Barney then has the unenviable task of giving the audience the first solo of the night, ‘Andersen is my name’, which he sang beautifully. The brightly coloured chorus joined him in the second verse singing sweetly and clear as bells. Their vibrant t-shirts and 21 smiling faces (particularly Christoph von Wentzel and Toby Teague who sang with gusto and exuberance) were testament to the fact that Mount House children love getting involved in all things, regardless of the fact that some of them had only been with us for a matter of weeks (or in fact days in the case of Charlotte Barrett – well done you)!

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get nasty?’ the brothers and Hans decide to hold a competition to establish who really was the king of fairy tales. So the stories began. The King’s daughter, Emma Manton, looked stunning in her royal purple gown tossing her golden ball under the guidance of the regal King played by Joseph McCormick.When the ball falls into the palace’s paddling pool Finlay Rose arrives as the frog. Unhappy with their plot, the actors suddenly rise up and rebel against their authors.‘I turned down a James Bond film for this’ announces the frog in the most supreme snooty accent possible. Philippa May Somerville, the Little Mermaid, is the next disgruntled character who is most perturbed at her script which requires her to ‘throw herself from a cliff into foaming waters where her body is torn to bits by sharks’. Philippa sang her very funny tune with impeccable clarity and zeal, including what could quite possibly be the best line of the play with ‘I would love to wear a pretty pair of shoes. I’m so jealous when I see princesses tottering along in a really fancy pair of Jimmy Choos’. Philippa’s lament of the lack of legs is followed up by the equally grumpy (and frighteningly sophisticated) princess Georgie Morris. Her sleep deprivation becomes so severe that she demands a gin and tonic from the all-suffering Harry Sale (fairy tales’ resident ‘sorter outer’) at his office ‘Grabbit and Scarper’. In the waiting room of this office, Jessica ‘the doll’ Harvey Brade’s superb theatrical weeping rings out as she mourns the story of the steadfast tin soldier. Meanwhile the adorable Ben Wiltshire, as the swan prince, sweetly mourns his physical scars and the death of his career as a promising concert pianist.

Enter the Grimm Brothers – or the Brothers Grimm – Max Hayward and Henry Ridgers. Kitted up in trilby hats, shades, black shirts and white ties, the boys were the bully-boy gangsters who were fed up with Hans stealing their stories. After much muscle flexing and menacing terms such as ‘hang up your quill or else’ and ‘do we ’ave to

Another office scene follows, this time Wilf Hadow is in charge of the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Enter Lucy McCormick and Rory Millar as Mr and Mrs Stiltskin who try to tempt the unsuspecting official into gambling his belongings on the name of the baby. All gets a bit tense until Mrs S lets slip that the darling child is named Rumpel! The all-too sweet Ugly Duckling enters next played by the highly animated and very funny Lucy Massey. She tries to book herself in for a makeover at the beauty therapy salon run by Madeleine Lewis and Olga Bate, but to no avail. This hilarious scene had the reviewer and audience in absolute stitches.

So too, when diamond geezer mattress merchant Charles Beacon enters to answer a call from his best customer : the aforementioned princess who suffers from a pea sized lump in all 17 of the mattresses she has purchased. Charles has real comedy value as he patiently deals with this tricky customer. Georgie then launches into a beautiful song about her sufferings backed up by that delightful chorus. Augusta Clayton makes a charming Gretel wandering about the forest when she happens upon Oscar Norris in the form of a young builder about to visit the gingerbread house.The witch there is Karis Barrasford who performs with perfect diction (in a fabulous, hot pink witchy costume) and is having trouble with melting chocolate chimney pots and cracked icing walls. ‘Fleecem and Run Solicitors’ is where the next scene takes place where the adorable wheelchair bound Steadfast tin soldier, Ned Bartleet, is making a claim with the wily lawyer Ben Cheshire. The audience fell about laughing during the Charlie Chaplin style silent comedy in the cameo scenes with Alex McNair Scott as the patient prince and Ella Woolcock as Sleeping Beauty (not looking her best though in eye mask, rollers and teddy bear slippers).

Jacob David-Ward made an excellent officious policemen who ‘nicks’ the elf from the prologue and her sneaky little mates Beatrice Wilson and Sophie West. This is where Miss U. Duckling re-enters for her appointment with Angus Crofton, the plastic surgeon who provides botox, nips and tucks to the ladies of fairy tale land. On the verge of spending her lottery

winnings on a complete surgical makeover, Lucy Massey and her fellow fairy tale characters decide to protest against the black messages in their stories, demanding ‘happy stories for all’. And that is exactly what we had. It is never a simple business to produce a play and no play producer is an island. The children were absolutely wonderful, they clearly enjoyed themselves immensely and this shone like a beacon throughout both performances. The fact that they looked so fantastic helped them to perform so well and Debbie Morris, Pippa Sale, Anne May Somerville and Tracey Smythe worked enormously hard in this area. Where would the humble school play be if it were not for our clever and creative mummies? The fairy tale wonderland was made complete with the magic of Lizzy Harris’s paintbrush which was swapped for a camera as she took all the production photographs this year and was then swapped for a make up brush as she made all our shining stars a little less shiny under the lights! Speaking of which, lighting was seamlessly controlled by Tom Jackman and Nick Sylvester was the soundman, both boys were under the careful eye and tutorship of Mr Hugh Walkington. Mrs Gill Waters was the pianist extraordinaire again and I know she worked tirelessly in getting those beaming faces belting out those hilarious and crystal-clear tunes. Of course, as I mentioned earlier, no play producer is an island but it can sometimes feel like you are drowning in a torrent of foamy waters just like that poor little mermaid! Catherine Brereton and Chloe Grubb were, to coin a phrase from a group of first form pupils, ‘fun and inspiring….and they gave us chocolate!’ Congratulations must go to these two teachers who, on top of teaching their lessons, coaching their sports teams, writing their reports and marking their pupils’ books, have made their debut with producing junior plays in fine fashion. This was a play that achieved that tricky goal of being fun for the children to present and highly enjoyable for their folks to watch.Very, very well done. Bravo! SH

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

Alice ‘Rapunzel’ Woolcock was also a damsel in distress, although not in quite enough distress to let her sweetly singing prince George Andrews, climb up her ‘expensive extensions’ to rescue her. Tean Choroszewska and Bethan Wesley as Trinny and Susannah were ruthless in their destruction of poor Prince Charles (played with hilarious mock somberness by Christopher Villaquiran). A favourite line from this scene was, ‘and what is this disgusting thing? It looks like the corgis dragged it in!’

DRAMA

Junior Play...continued

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DRAMA

Senior Play - King Arthur and the Knights of the Fairly Round Table directed by Hugh Walkington The most beautiful Spring week in Mount House memory was crowned at the end of March with a rather more than fairly amazing production of “King Arthur and the Knights of the Fairly Round Table”: a Senior Play, directed by Hugh Walkington, which delighted and entertained parents, staff, children, and visitors alike with its style, its panache, and its all round flair. Hugh wisely chose a play which gave the opportunity for many of the sixth form leavers to show their maturity and confidence, as well as providing cameo roles for other children, and the chance to be on stage as courtiers for over thirty other seniors. He also employed sophisticated techniques such as slow motion sword play, an on-stage chemistry lab, pyrotechnics, and an extraordinarily believable voice double to keep the audience on their toes. Ruairidh Matthews, Izzy Norris, and Sascha Lopes opened the play for us alongside a stunning bevy of type face beauties. These three leads were especially well cast. Ruairidh and Izzy were a well-matched royal couple, and Sascha was a most alarming Duchess. Ruairidh’s equal worries of the difficulty of obtaining a new round table, and of preventing the sale of his bankrupt kingdom to the evil Sir Mordred, were amusingly presented, and the ability of all three leads to hold the stage, whether speaking or singing, meant the plot was in safe hands. A lot safer, to be sure, than the job of carpentry was: Freddie Morris and Oscar Mustard’s comic turn as the nightmare carpenters sent a shiver down the spine of anyone in the audience who has dealt with builders … and Freddie, in particular, deserved his praise from Mr Walkington for performing with almost no voice. A fate which luckily did not befall Merlin. Jonny Goff-White visibly gained in confidence as the performances progressed, and his magic tricks and Mitsubishi incantations were most impressive. Amongst the many punning exchanges and clever one-liners, sometimes it was the stage business which got the most laughs: such as Ruairidh reading his Page’s announcement with binoculars from the back of the stage. Just as subtly comic was the arrival of the synchronised swimming - and speaking - team (in Camelot? In pink towelling robes? Could things get more surreal?)….. a chance for six glamorous fifth-form beauties to shine even through their smudged eye make up! The action moved swiftly on with our introduction to the wonderfully alert and intelligent football team knights. Charlie Carter’s greedy Sir Galahad set the tone, and we soon realised the defence of Camelot was worryingly weak … thank goodness for the swooningly handsome Sir Lancelot and his custard coloured stockings - and as for his singing voice, who knew George Lundy had it in him? Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 34

The arrival of His Greasiness Sir Mordred (Alexander Ferguson) and his perfect pair of henchmen (Harry Sharp and Harriet Cave) ushered in some well-pitched evilness. Alexander looked and sounded the part, and one could only pity his two slimy sidekicks; Harriet and Harry’s puppet-style dance was a high spot of the play, partly due to the dancers’ total concentration on their performance rather than its effect. Sir Mordred’s attempt to subvert the knights’ quest for the grail to save the kingdom was happily interrupted by the arrival of the finest dragon to be seen on the Mount House stage: again, splendidly cast with three lofty leavers who performed their dragonly duties with poker faces throughout. Thank goodness for Ollie Sale’s taste for the bottle: one fumy breath from him and the dragon was tamed for good. Back to Camelot, and the day was being saved by the redoubtable Duchess. Britannia in a tin hat, I do hope Sascha discovers the CCF at her next school: her domination of the cowardly nobles and doughty land girls was perfect. The play was rounded off by a beautiful solo song from Izzy (the pathos of a twelve-year-old singing about when she was young was not lost on the audience), and the well-timed snacking of Sir Galahad. The arrival of a garishly painted, not even barely round table, and Sir Mordred’s golden purse, meant Camelot was saved, and we could all breathe a sigh of relief. Both John Symons and Jim Massey, when thanking Hugh and the cast, praised the immense ensemble effort which goes into any such production.The fun which the children had was visible to us all. As the performance nights came closer, the excitement in the school was palpable, and the confidence and pleasure the cast and crew took in the performances was infectious. All those involved should feel delighted with the success of this production: Lizzy Harris’s set was elegant and simple, the lighting was sophisticated, and the cast was dressed in the most effective, original and charming costumes I have seen at our school. King Arthur, Guinevere and the rest of the brave knights of Camelot can retreat with Merlin to the misty past from which they came: but the memory of the fun of producing and performing this delightful dragon’s tale will stay with its fortunate cast for ever. SB

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

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PRE-PREP

Pre-prep Foundation Stage The start of the academic year came with the re-structure of the Nursery and Reception classes into the Foundation Stage Unit. Katie MacEacharn was a new recruit to the team, who came with experience and knowledge, which she shared with us to help make the unit an environment that all children, with mixed abilities, would thrive in. We began the term with the theme of Fairytales and Traditional tales, which always has great appeal to all. Boys and girls alike played the part of knights, princes and pirates, fairies and princesses. Outside of the Pre-Prep the children took a trip to Powderham Castle, which stirred much excitement. A guide took us on a tour through large rooms, uncovering secret passages by concealed bookcases. The wooden toys in the nursery highlighted the passing of time as the children reflected on their own playrooms with glossy plastic gadgets and computer games. The day was dry and sunny so we took a walk in the Rose Garden which overlooked a deer park; all the children were scanning the grounds looking for a Rudolph look-alike. The day ended with a picnic lunch in the secret garden where the children had a chance to play in the fort and make friends with the farm animals. We had a visit from James Timmis, Finn's father, who is a Police Constable. He showed us his different jackets and his special reflective one for working on the roads.We talked about how to be safe and how to cross a road safely at a zebra crossing. We had a go crossing a road at Mount House with Year 2 helping us as the Lollipop people. We also went to Plymouth to visit the Clark's shoe shop to see how hard the Elves and the Shoemaker had been working, and were going to try crossing a real zebra crossing safely, but sadly the traffic was terrible so we did not have time.

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The festive season is always a hectic one, but the last couple of weeks are always memorable. Classroom floors are showered with glitter and tinsel and smells of pine and holly leaves fill the air. It would not be Christmas without the traditional Nativity. What better way to remind the children how it was those many centuries ago when a very special baby was born under the stars, than to have an outdoor performance. The real-life donkey lived up to its reputation and stopped in its tracks when it got a touch of stage-fright. However the afternoon was magical as dusk fell and the children of the Foundation Stage formed a tableau scene in the stable, lit by candles and serenaded by the angelic voices of Years One and Two as they sang, 'Away in a Manger'.

PRE-PREP

Foundation Stage...continued hen coop and fished in the stream, followed by a game of Hide and Seek. We are extremely grateful to our hosts on the day Bids and Nick Morgan who made the occasion extremely memorable. Our Forest School week in June was a great success.The weather was wonderful and we had to be careful to be safe in the sun.The children loved the activities which included pond dipping, a visit from an artist to draw with pastels and charcoal, stone sculptures by the river, a picnic, a barbecue and making elderflower cordial to name but a few!

During the Easter term the Foundation Stage found out about food.We visited Waitrose supermarket in Okehampton. We had a look at all sorts of different fruit and vegetables, cheese, meat, fish and the bakery. We then had a look at the store room at the back of the shop. We all walked inside their fridge and freezer which were very cold! In the staff canteen on the third floor we had a taste of many different fruits, including pomegranate, kiwi, pineapple and Sharon fruit. After that we went to the bakery and bought a treat with our money.We all paid for these at the till with the very patient ladies there! We also visited Kitley Farm to see vegetables growing in the fields. We saw lots of different things including cabbages, broccoli and swede and LOTS of mud!! We brought back and carefully drew an ENORMOUS swede. We also tried out some foods from different countries including a Chinese stir fry which we ate with chopsticks. Vanessa Peeters made some delicious Mexican tortillas and guacamole amongst other things. Salha Bajaber came to help the children prepare, cook and taste a Yemeni chicken dish with rice and yoghurt, mint and cucumber dip. All the different foods and tastes were bravely tried and very much enjoyed by (almost all!) the children. On another day, Sonia Kersey came to show us her beautiful sari. It came in a small box and when we all held it out it was 8 metres long! Sonia then showed us how to put it on, carefully pleating it around her waist and then placing the decorated end over her shoulder to show at the front.

AM & KM

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

Thursday 18th June was a day to remember; twenty-nine little trackers, togged up in walking kit, set out for a cross-country challenge. The rendezvous point was Long-Ash Garden Centre, where we met up with chief tracker, Bids Morgan. Her day had started many hours before us so that she could lay the trail, noticeable by the white flour splodges. One little girl was armed with binoculars and a magnifying glass so that she would be the first to spot the 'lesser spotted' wildebeest. Bids played her part to the full as she laid a few red herrings, sending some groups up the wrong garden path to meet with a Y.B.F (You've been fooled) and then having to double back. The faint-hearted amongst us took the easy route, the 'Turkey' trail, while others courageously embraced the rough terrain, the 'Eagle' trail, and ploughed through the muddy puddles, dodged the tussocks, and climbed the gentle slopes. The final meeting point was 'Magpie Bridge' where a few arrived, 'piggyback' style, but all were tired, albeit exhilarated. Once refreshed by a sumptuous picnic, the afternoon was one exciting activity after another. The children went on a tractor trailer safari ride around the

The Summer term would not be the same without the annual beach trip. This year we went a little further afield to the North Cornwall coast, to Widemouth, near Bude. It has a large open bay with a few rock pools for those of us who wanted to explore the marine life. The children were eager to change into bathers the minute their feet touched down upon the warm sand. Buckets and spades were untied from rucksacks and the digging commenced in an excited frenzy. Sandcastles emerged in all directions and some were very creatively decorated with shells and pebbles. Sandy faces and beaming smiles popped up every few minutes as the workmanship was admired. Others combed the beach for personal mementoes; some buckets were overflowing with so many treasures, little arms struggled to lift them. The day would not be complete without a dip in the Atlantic coast. Two Lifeguards escorted us to the safe bathing area and many brave little people plunged into the salty sea. Some were just content to jump over the foaming waves; it was a glorious day of sun, sea and sand. We are very grateful to Tim Wiggins, Kate Hawkins, Chris and Bex who helped us on the day, which made it such a successful outing. The journey back to school was much quieter than the onset, as many sleepy people went on another journey to dreamland.

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Year 1 This year began by welcoming Finn Timmis into the Year One Class. He soon settled in and made friends and before long no one could remember him not being there! Our first trip of the Christmas Term was to Restormel Castle which happily fitted in with our myths and legends theme for the term. We were blessed with excellent weather and the children enjoyed seeing first-hand what a motte and bailey castle actually looked like. They all made some fantastic sketches and the trip was voted a success. Our next trip out of school was to Buckland Abbey where the children were able to see where local hero, Sir Francis Drake, lived a few hundred years ago. The children were all allowed to dress up in Tudor costumes and the boys were especially pleased with their appearance shown by their hogging of the mirrors! They were able to see what life was like on his ship and were particularly revolted by the worm-riddled ship’s biscuits! Before they left they did some fantastic brass rubbings which looked great on our wall when we got back. The Easter Term brought disruption to our planned trip to Waitrose due to the large amount of snow which fell over the course of a week. The children, however, were secretly pleased as, on balance, the possibility of sledging versus a trip to Waitrose was a no brainer! The Summer Term brought a rush of trips beginning with Endsleigh Garden Centre which is always a good trip. The children were given an excellent chat on cacti and their sketches were really detailed and well produced. We brought some sunflower seeds back which we planted as soon as we returned. Our next trip was during our very busy forest schools’ week when we all visited Mrs Gabb’s farm and, after walking through the woods and visiting the animals, made rafts and attempted to dam the river and, for the braver amongst them, to swim in the icy water! We had a really fun day and the weather could not have been better, finishing off with an ice lolly before driving back to school. Our next trip was to Widemouth Bay and, once again, we were lucky with the weather. We had loads of parents who came along to help which was great as we needed lots of muscle power to bury all the willing volunteers! All in all, a great time was had by everyone and a lot of tired but happy children finally got back to school in time to go home.

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Our last trip of the term was to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth. It was an excellent performance and all the children had a thoroughly good time and were totally amazed by the flying car. Our Summer Term ended with sports day which is always a success. This time we were particularly lucky to manage all the races and barbecue before the heavens opened! All in all, a great year and one that was enjoyed by staff and children alike! NG

PRE-PREP

Year 2 She brought a variety of Mexican national dress for the children to try on, and Celia and Loelia thought the sombrero a very fetching accessory. She talked about the population, language, climate and history of the country, as well as showing the children beautifully decorated beaded artifacts and art. The children were fascinated by a decorated skull and miniature dressed skeleton celebrating the Day of the Dead. She had also been very busy in the kitchen and the whole class, (especially the teachers), were able to taste and enjoy guacamole, salsa, tortillas, cactus and tamarind as well as smelling the different sorts of chillis that Mrs Peeters had brought in.

Year 2 has had an exciting and productive year, starting in the Autumn term with our theme of ‘Myths and Legends’. As part of the theme we braved a very wet and windy Princetown to visit the excellent High Moorland Centre, to learn some of the myths and legends inspired by Dartmoor.We all enjoyed finding out about our local area and Becky and Luther tried on some exciting animal masks. After a substantial picnic lunch everyone made use of the outdoor play area, and we then drove to infamous ‘Hairy Hand’s Bridge’. Mrs Malcolm then retold the gruesome story. Luckily despite a few chills on the back of the neck we didn’t see anything and made it back to school safely!

We also had lessons disrupted by very heavy snow for the first time for years, and all the children were able to enjoy building snowmen and of course throwing snowballs. In the summer term we were blessed with good weather and were able to have lots of outside activities going on, including taking maths and science investigations into the garden. Capacity is far more fun when you can be generous with the water. Phoebe and Daisy-Mae could explore measurement on a large scale outside, and Jessye and Lauren loved discovering minibeasts in all sorts of habitats in the school grounds. We were also fortunate enough to be invited to Jesse’s farm, where there were lots of informed adults to help us discover the wealth of wildlife that could be found in one meadow.The children collected and identified varieties of plants and minibeasts using their own knowledge and lots of books and leaflets provided. Despite the rain we all felt we had learnt a tremendous amount and would love to go back and explore further another time. We loved our wonderful Forest Schools week, when all activities were taken outside utilising all of the extensive school grounds.We went river and pond dipping, listened to stories, and created lots of natural art including stone sculptures, as well as sketching with oil pastels.

The Spring term saw our focus move to ‘Food’, always a popular topic. Year 2 were really fortunate to call upon the expertise of one of our Preprep parents, Mrs Peeters, to introduce their geography and history topics of Mexico and the Aztecs.

Later on in the Summer term we had a mysterious visitor ‘BigFoot’, who inadvertently left a trail of white footprints all over the school. The children interviewed several members of staff who had claimed to have seen him, and they concluded that it must have been a very tall sweet eating monster judging by all the evidence they found. We finished the year with a brilliant sports day that all the children enthusiastically took part in and the rain held off for us all to enjoy the now traditional barbecue. With all the children confident, and ready to move on to the greater challenges of the Prep School, we wish them all the best.

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

All the children took part in designing, painting and speaking about a big calendar wheel to show Harvest in the Bible lands. Ottilie, Betty, Juliette and Cameron all had really loud speaking voices and were able to describe the fruits and crops that are still grown and harvested today. As the term progressed all the children learnt about electricity and had great fun building circuits with lights and buzzers, and towards Christmas we all had great fun making special smelly soaps, choosing shapes, colours and fragrances. Charlie particularly liked putting his penguin in the bottom of the mould, filling it up with the liquid soap and then watching it set rapidly.

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MUSIC

Music Christmas Term

Concert Choir

After an excellent year musically in 2007 – 2008 where we had three Music Scholars and other good musicians I was just as excited to find out what 2008 – 2009 academic year would hold for potentially four music scholars and many more up-and-coming young musicians at Mount House. The Music Department tries to cater for all forms of music making and you will see from the following pages the diversity of ensembles and opportunities for all pupils to make music.

Eleanor Hayward (violin and voice), Louis Smith (classical guitar), Anthony Hayward (classical guitar), Meg Hughes-Chamberlain (cello), Gemma Robbins (flute), India Lewis (violin), Oliver Sale (trombone), Eloise Kidner (voice), Isabel Kidner (piano), Bertie Jayarajah (trumpet), Jamie Farrington (tuba), Izella Oxenham (voice), and the Senior Ensemble made up of Ruairidh, Jamie, Meg, Gemma, Emma, Eleanor and India.

I was a little apprehensive about piano recitals after Yume won the top music award to Sherborne for her piano playing, but I need not have worried….there were others waiting in the wings to give equally pleasurable performances, showing real musicianship.

I’m not sure if the concert, or the relaxing time and food provided before the concert by Mrs Paull and others were the highlight for the performers!

Such standards have been achieved by the excellent teaching and the dedication of the pupils themselves. It is not easy for young children to practise anywhere but in the exceptionally busy Mount House day, real tribute must be paid to the pupils who put in the work, and practise at strange hours of the day! With respect to that, it has to be said that the staff at Mount House try very hard to work together and give and take especially within the arts and sports time to create an atmosphere where pupils can fulfil their potential.

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 40

During the Christmas Term Pupils prepared for an informal concert, Senior Musicians’ Recital at Callington Parish Church, Christmas Concert, Carol Service, Associated Board Music Examinations, and the Saltash Music Festival (to take place early on in the Easter Term). Informal Concerts allow any pupil to perform, however far along the learning process they are. It is an ideal opportunity to perform a piece they have learned in a relaxed atmosphere. The Senior Musicians’ Recital at Callington Church was a showcase of the best of our musicians. This year it involved Emma Paull (violin and voice),William MacEacharn (piano and xylophone), Ruairidh Matthews (trumpet and xylophone),

Finale of the Christmas Concert

MUSIC

Music Christmas Term...continued

Orchestra

Arts Colours were presented to Senior Musicians William MacEacharn and Emma Paull and re-warded to Eleanor Hayward, and Ruairidh Matthews during the year, for their outstanding contribution to the musical life of Mount House. We had our first visit to the opera at the Theatre Royal with Glyndebourne’s performance of the Magic Flute. This proved to be an exciting experience and was thoroughly enjoyed by pupils and staff alike. The term concluded with the Christmas Concert in the Wortham Hall (for which the backdrop of the Junior Play, used only days before, had been magnificently transformed into a winter wonderland by Mrs. Harris and her Drama students!) and the Carol Service at the Parish Church led by the Chapel Choir. The Christmas concert involved over 100 pupils participating in percussion, brass, flute, string and swing ensembles as well as in the Concert Choir, Chapel Choir and Orchestra.

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

Brass Essemble

The Four Music Scholars

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MUSIC

Music Christmas Concert 2008 ORCHESTRA PIANO SOLO WILL MACEACHARN

SLEIGH RIDE FROSTY THE SNOWMAN

STRING ENSEMBLE ISABEL & ELOISE KIDNER

SCARBOROUGH FAIR

CONCERT CHOIR BESSIE THE BLACK CAT THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

WALKING IN THE AIR WHEN A CHILD IS BORN JINGLE BELLS

ORCHESTRA

FLUTE DUET IZZY NORRIS & LOUISA BUTCHER

JAMES BOND SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER

SENIOR ENSEMBLE

CANTILENA JENKINS

TRUMPET SOLO RUAIRIDH MATTHEWS

THE NOBLE SAVAGE

VIOLIN SOLO EMMA PAULL

CONCERT CHOIR

MORNING BELLS

JUNIOR & SENIOR BRASS ENSEMBLE

SILENT NIGHT

JUNIOR ENSEMBLE

RUDOLF

SENIOR ENSEMBLE

O WHEN THE SAINTS

VOCAL SOLO ELLIE HAYWARD

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

STRING ENSEMBLE

3RD & 4TH FORM SINGERS

ASHOKAN FAREWELL BECAUSE OF HIM LIGHT A CANDLE

SANS DAY CAROL DECK THE HALLS

In what has become an annual event, some musicians went to entertain the residents of Crelake House with items from the Christmas Concert and also to enjoy some pre-Christmas treats!

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MUSIC

Music Easter Term

Winners of the Instrumental Competition with adjudicator Paul Denegri

After three previous successful visits to the Saltash Music Festival in 2006, 2007, and 2008, over half of Mount House’s pupils from the Prep school and some from the Pre-Prep participated once again in this prestigious festival.There were numerous solo entries across all musical disciplines; violin, cello, double bass, piano, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, euphonium, tuba, flute, saxophone and voice as well as string and piano duets, mixed ensembles, brass ensemble, string ensemble, orchestra and choirs Out of the 50 classes that had entries from Mount House pupils, 37 were won! That split down into 24 out of 36 instrumental classes and 13 out of 16 vocal classes.

Two outstanding marks of 90 - “an exceptional performance both technically and artistically” were obtained by Ruairidh Matthews (trumpet) and Meg Hughes-Chamberlain (cello). This was the highest mark of the Festival! We also had a huge number of performances in the commended category of 84-86 marks “a convincing performance technically and artistically.”

Right:Two of our young up-and-coming brass players Year 4

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

There were over 40 distinction marks (87+) for performances that were deemed “excellent both artistically and technically.” Some of these were not winners, which showed the high standard of the performances this year.

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Music Easter Term...continued

Easter Concert

Winners from the Saltash Festival

WINNING PERFORMANCES AT SALTASH MUSIC FESTIVAL

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Boy’s Solo 12 years & under Boy’s Solo 6 years & under Brass Solo 11 years & under Cello Solo 11 years & under String Recital 12 years & under Brass Recital 12 year & under Brass Solo 12 - 14 years School Choir up to 13 years Wind Recital 12 years & under Instrumental Ensemble 13 years & under Junior Folk Song 12 years & under Girl’s Solo 12 years & under Girl’s Solo 8 years & under Girl’s Solo 6 years & under Piano Recital 12 years & under Instrumental Duet Flute Solo 10 years & under Saxophone Solo under 10 years Saxophone Solo grade 2/3 School Instrumental Ensemble 18 years & under School Orchestra 18 years & under

Anthony Hayward Luther Clayton Jamie Farrington (Tuba) Meg Hughes - Chamberlain Eleanor Hayward Ruairidh Matthews Ruairidh Matthews Mount House Concert Choir Gemma Robbins Mount House Brass Eleanor Hayward Eleanor Hayward Samantha Unsworth - White Ottilie Whitbread William MacEacharn, Emma Paull, Eleanor Hayward Caitlin Haynes - Parry Wilf Hadow Wilf Hadow Mount House Senior Ensemble Mount House Orchestra

Song from a Show 12 years & under Violin Solo Grade 4/5 Girl’s Solo 10 years & under Vocal Solo 12 years & under, own choice Junior Novice Solo Class 10 years & under Saxophone Solo up to Grade 1 Double Bass 13 years & under Junior Boy’s Solo 10 years & under Folk Song 10 years & under Cello Solo 9 years & under Piano Solo Grade 6/7 Recorder Solo 9 years & under School Ensemble Song from a show 10 years & under Boy’s Solo 8 years & under

Eleanor Hayward India Lewis Isabel Kidner Eleanor Hayward Max Hayward Dylan Smythe Anthony Hayward Anthony Hayward Anthony Hayward Madeleine Lewis William MacEacharn Lucy Massey Mount House String Ensemble Giles Malcolm George Andrews

MUSIC

Music Easter Term...continued WINNING PERFORMANCES AT SALTASH MUSIC FESTIVAL...continued Ruairidh Matthews

Overall Brass highest mark under 18

Eleanor Hayward & Emma Paull

Highest Instrumental Duet mark

Bertie Jayarajah

Competitor showing the most love of Music

Meg Hughes-Chamberlain & Ruairidh Matthews

Highest mark of the Festival

Festivals give pupils invaluable performing experience, a chance to listen to others and discuss the merits of the various performances - even if we don’t always agree on the winning performance! Alongside all the Festival preparations the same pupils and more besides were rehearsing pieces to perform in the annual School Instrumental Music Competition. Mount House pupils were invited to take part in the Gala Concert, in front of an audience of some 250, including the Mayor and other dignitaries from Caradon District Council. A presentation of Special awards was made at this event and Mount House picked up several of those: SPECIAL AWARDS William MacEacharn

Meg Hughes - Chamberlain

Overall highest mark for piano Most promising pianist

A Monday night just before the end of term saw a variety of piano, string, percussion, woodwind and brass performances in front of parents and the adjudication panel in the Music Room. Thirty six of these performances made it through to the Final a few days later, held in the Wortham Hall and adjudicated by Paul Denegri, Head of Brass at Wells Cathedral School. He was extremely impressed by the standard of musical performance at Mount House and emphasised the fact that what Mount House has is NOT normal! He was also keen to point out that we have some national treasures….that is tuba players and excellent performers in several musical disciplines.

Overall String highest mark under 18

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 45

MUSIC

Music Easter Term...continued MUSIC COMPETITION FINAL Thursday 26th March 2009 10.30 a.m. Wortham Hall Adjudicated by Paul Denegri, Head of Brass, Wells Cathedral School PIANISTS Isabel Cox Elizabeth Fearnley Anthony Hayward Emma Paull Ellie Hayward Isabel Kidner Jamie Farrington William MacEacharn

STRINGS Madeleine Lewis Anthony Hayward Georgina Morris Samantha Unsworth-White India Lewis Emma Paull Eleanor Hayward Meg Hughes – Chamberlain

AWARDS Michael Bawtree Trophy Piano

UP TO GRADE 1 Henry Newman Oscar Norris Marina Carrick Barnaby Treneer Max Hayward Meg Hughes-Chamberlain

BRASS George Andrews Bethan Wesley Christopher Villaquiran Oliver Sale William MacEacharn Bertie Jayarajah Jamie Farrington Ruairidh Matthews

WIND Lucy Massey Wilf Hadow Dylan Smythe Gemma Robbins

William MacEacharn

Peter Evelyn trophy

Brass

Senior: Ruairidh Matthews Junior: Christopher Villaquiran

Jonathan James Trophy

Strings

Senior: Meg Hughes-Chamberlain Junior: Madeleine Lewis

The Beard Trophy

Woodwind

Senior: Gemma Robbins Junior:Wilf Hadow

Angus McBride Trophy

Best Junior Musician

Anthony Hayward

Woodcock Trophy

Best Senior Musician

Ruairidh Matthews

The Pippa Sainsbury Trophy

Up to Grade One

Meg Hughes-Chamberlain

During the Easter Holidays, two of our Brass players, Bertie Jayarajah (Trumpet) and Jamie Farrington (Tuba), attended a course and performed with the National Children’s Wind Sinfonia.

MOUNT HOUSE SENIOR MUSICIANS’ CONCERT TAVISTOCK SINGS Lunchtime Recital 4th May 2009 Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 46

ELLIE & EMMA

VIOLIN DUET

PASTORALE FROM THE CHRISTMAS CONCERTO BY CORELLI

WILL

PIANO

ORAGE BY BURGMULLER

EMMA

VOICE

HERE AGAIN BY LLOYD-WEBBER

ELLIE

VIOLIN

VIVACE BY TELEMANN

RUAIRIDH

TRUMPET

DANSE ALLEGRE BY MOSZKOWSKI

EMMA

VIOLIN

TEMPO DI MENUETTO BY KREISLER

WILL

PIANO

ANDANTE BY MOZART

ELLIE

VOICE

SHE’S LIKE THE SWALLOW CANADIAN TRAD.

EMMA

VIOLIN

ALLEGRO FROM SONATA IN D BY HANDEL

RUAIRIDH

TRUMPET

WILL

PIANO

THE NOBLE SAVAGE BY HUMMEL MORNING BELLS BY BURGMULLER

MUSIC

Music Summer Term...continued MOUNT HOUSE SENIOR MUSICIANS’ CONCERT TAVISTOCK SINGS...continued ELLIE

VOICE

THE SOUND OF MUSIC ROGERS & HAMMERSTEIN

RUAIRIDH

TRUMPET

SONG TO THE MOON BY DVORAK

EMMA

VIOLIN

SARABANDE BY BOHM

WILL

PIANO

CANZONETTA BY DOHNANYI

ELLIE

VIOLIN

INTRADA BY MOFFAT

RUAIRIDH

TRUMPET

BLUES BOULEVARD BY WILLSON

The pupils were certainly a credit to Mount House School.

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MUSIC

Music Summer Term...continued MOUNT HOUSE SINGING COMPETITION 21st MAY 2009 WORTHAM HALL ADJUDICATED BY: MRS. E. HATTERSLEY, CANFORD SCHOOL.

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JUNIORS Charlie Noordewier Luke Measelle Anthony Hayward Tabitha Unsworth-White Georgina Morris Isabel Kidner

Abracadabra Who Will Buy Hush-a-Bye Mountain When Somebody Loved Me Over The Rainbow Nightingale Bird

POP SONG Marina Carrick Holly Wixon Meg Hughes-Chamberlain

I’m A Girl Like Me Stopping The Love Love Story

SENIORS Ruairidh Matthews Henry Newman

You Raise Me Up Chim Chim Cher-ee

It was all credit to all the performers (in fact the whole school, as ever yone was included in the Set contribution) that Mrs. Hattersley was so impressed. The Summer Term concluded with Associated Board Music Exams and three concerts in three days. Firstly the Prep School Summer Concert then the Pre-Prep concert and finally the Leavers’ Concert.The Chapel Choir also led the End of Term Service in the Parish Church.

Eloise Kidner Emma Paull Eleanor Hayward

Like to a Linden Tree Here Again On My Own

SET SINGING: SONGS FROM MAMMA MIA Mamma Mia KANGS OWLS Super Trouper OTTERS Lay All Your Love On Me HAWKS Money Money Money AWARDS Best Junior Boy Best Junior girl Best senior Boy Best Senior Girl Best Set

Anthony Hayward Isabel Kidner Henry Newman Eleanor Hayward Otters

The Summer Concert provided a platform for performance for the Orchestra, Chapel Choir, Concert Choir, Guitar, Flute, Brass and String Ensembles, Swing band and Rock Band. Highlights for me personally were the Orchestra, Eleanor Hayward’s performance of O mio Babbino Caro with quartet accompaniment and the performances given by Emma Paull, Will MacEacharn and Ruairidh Matthews.

MUSIC

Music Summer Term...continued Mount House School Summer Concert 2nd July 2009 Orchestra

Swing Band Pop Group Piano Solo Will MacEacharn Concert Choir

Trumpet Solo Trumpet Ruairidh Matthews Chapel Choir String Ensemble Guitar Ensemble Violin Solo Emma Paull

Thunder and Lightning Polka - Strauss The Dam Busters-Coates Clarinuts- Evans My Happy Ending Romanza - Schumann

Brass Ensemble

Time on our Hands Butterfly Siyahamba 2nd movement Haydn

For some pupils, musical activities carry on into the Summer holidays with various IAPS courses. Bertie Jayarajah and Anthony Hayward particularly enjoyed their Double Bass course.

Concerto Danny Boy French Suite for Strings Cossacks Andante in C Allegro from Sonata in D - Handel

Vocal Solo Eleanor Hayward Senior Ensemble

Soldier Soldier Largo Marching Saints O Mio Babbino Caro (accompanied by quartet) Elizabethan Serenade-Binge

There is always something going on in the Music Department at Mount House and we provide a range of opportunities for children with all abilities.We look forward to a similarly busy 2009/10 year! Examinations provide a progressive system of assessments.They are designed to provide goals and a benchmark of standard to pupils. However, not all children are inspired by such examinations and obtain much pleasure and progress well and for their own enjoyment without them.Those who took them this year were extremely successful.

Concert raises £1600 for Parkinson’s Disease Research A concert given by internationally acclaimed pianist Viktor Bijelovic at Mount House raised £1600 for the Parkinson’s Disease Society. 2009 marks the fortieth year since the Society was set up. It has made exceptional progress, especially in the last ten years, and is keen to keep up the momentum of this progress until a cure is developed. Viktor’s programme for the Mount House concert included works by Bach, Chopin and Liszt. The concert was followed by a light supper during which Viktor mingled with the audience. CDs of Viktor playing a selection of pieces by Beethoven and Liszt were given away free of charge to those who attended.

Whilst at Mount House for the concert, he also gave a master class to five of The School’s pupils - Ellie Hayward, William MacEacharn, Jamie Farrington, Anthony Hayward and Izzie Kidner - all of whom play the piano to intermediate or advanced standard. We are indebted to Mount House Governor Judy Evans for the considerable work she undertook to make this concert such a success.

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

Viktor Bijelovic was born in Belgrade in 1981, and after learning the piano in his home country, came to the UK to continue his studies at the Purcell School of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. He is very experienced, both as a solo concert pianist and as a chamber musician, having performed all over the world and made several TV and Radio appearances.

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MUSIC

Music Summer Term...continued ASSOCIATED BOARD/TRINITY GUILDHALL EXAMINATION RESULTS Sept 2008/July 2009 PREP TEST (ONLY A PASS OR FAIL, NO MARK AWARDED) TALIA BARRASFORD EDWARD BARLOW OLGA BATE EMMA MANTON

PIANO PIANO PIANO PIANO

MARK CATEGORIES: PASS, MERIT, DISTINCTION.

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 50

GRADE 1 PHILIPPA MAY-SOMERVILLE SAMANTHA UNSWORTH-WHITE BERTIE JAYARAJAH ALICE DONNE HARRY SALE BARNABY TRENEER JOSHUA RAMNARACE BETHAN WESLEY LUKE MEASELLE

VOICE CELLO DOUBLE BASS VIOLIN TRUMPET PIANO TRUMPET PIANO VOICE

PASS MERIT MERIT PASS PASS PASS PASS PASS DIST

GRADE 2 SOPHIE DONNE NED BARTLEET

VOICE BARITONE

PASS PASS

SAMANTHA UNSWORTH-WHITE ANTHONY HAYWARD TABITHA UNSWORTH-WHITE HENRY RIDGERS ISABEL KIDNER

CELLO DOUBLE BASS VIOLIN BARITONE VOICE

MERIT DIST MERIT PASS DIST

SAMANTHA UNSWORTH-WHITE MAX HAYWARD BERTIE JAYARAJAH ELIZA SALE CECILY JERVOISE LUCY MASSEY HENRY NEWMAN ROSIE LUTHER IZZY NORRIS TAYLOR LEE

PIANO TRUMPET DOUBLE BASS PIANO PIANO RECORDER VOICE VOICE FLUTE VIOLIN

PASS MERIT PASS PASS PASS DIST PASS MERIT MERIT PASS

GRADE 3 ANTHONY HAYWARD ISABEL KIDNER ROSIE LUTHER

PIANO VOICE VOICE

MERIT DIST DIST

ELIZABETH FEARNLEY ELOISE KIDNER GEORGINA MORRIS GILES MALCOLM ELOISE KIDNER BETHAN WESLEY PHILIPPA MAY-SOMERVILLE GEORGE ANDREWS ALEX FERGUSON SAMANTHA UNSWORTH-WHITE LOUIS SMITH

VOICE VOICE VOICE VOICE PIANO EUPHONIUM VOICE FRENCH HORN SAXOPHONE VOICE CL. GUITAR

MERIT DIST PASS MERIT MERIT MERIT PASS MERIT PASS MERIT MERIT

GRADE 4 WILLIAM MACEACHARN ANTHONY HAYWARD ISABEL KIDNER INDIA LEWIS GEORGINA MORRIS CHRISTOPHER VILLAQUIRAN TABITHA UNSWORTH-WHITE MARINA CARRICK POPPY HARTLEY KARIS BARRASFORD JAMIE FARRINGTON EMMA PAULL IZELLA OXENHAM OLIVER SALE JAMIE FARRINGTON LOUISA BUTCHER

FRENCH HORN CL. GUITAR PIANO VOICE VOICE TRUMPET VOICE VOICE VOICE VOICE TUBA PIANO VOICE TROMBONE PIANO FLUTE

MERIT MERIT DIST DIST PASS PASS PASS PASS PASS PASS MERIT PASS MERIT PASS MERIT PASS

GRADE 5 WILLIAM MACEACHARN RUAIRIDH MATTHEWS GEMMA ROBBINS JAMIE FARRINGTON MEG HUGHES-CHAMBERLAIN INDIA LEWIS

MUSIC THEORY MUSIC THEORY FLUTE TUBA CELLO VIOLIN

MERIT DIST MERIT MERIT DIST MERIT

GRADE 6 ELEANOR HAYWARD EMMA PAULL WILLIAM MACEACHARN

VIOLIN VIOLIN PIANO

DIST DIST PASS

GRADE 7 RUAIRIDH MATTHEWS

TRUMPET

PASS

ART & LITERATURE

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Literature Payne Cook Creative Writing Competition 2009 Results A very impressive effort from the 50 plus children who entered this voluntary competition and all the English teachers agreed with me that the quality of writing produced throughout the school was fantastic! All the children who entered a piece of writing received a prize for their effort and participation in this year’s competition. After much lengthy discussion between all the English teachers in the school, it was decided to award an overall winner for each year group and also an exceptional effort award per year group to someone who had made an extra special effort to produce a good piece of writing.The results were as follows: 1st FORM: Winner: Guy Crofton Effort Prize: Ralph Jervoise

5th FORM: Winner: James Perring Effort Prize: Jamie Renwick 6th FORM: Winner: Lucy Telfer-Smollett & Izzy Norris Effort Prize: Harriet Cave A huge WELL DONE to all those who took part and the children should feel justifiably proud of their pieces of writing. JH

2nd FORM: Winner: Ben Wiltshire Effort Prize: Sophie West & Christoph von Wentzel 3rd FORM: Winner: Barnaby Treneer & Angus Crofton Effort Prize: Louisa McGregor & Oenone Rodgers 4th FORM: Winner: Luke Measelle & Charlotte Wiltshire Effort Prize: Edward Barlow

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ART & LITERATURE

Literature Payne Cook Creative Writing Competition 2009 Winning entries First Form Winner: Guy Crofton – An African Journey Effort Prize: Ralph Jervoise – Larry’s Adventure

An African Journey

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 56

Larry’s Adventure Larry was a lobster. He liked food. He normally ate little fish with his family. There were five lobsters in his family, Mummy, Daddy, and two brothers, Luke and Luther.Today they had no food and they were very hungry.

I woke up to the sound of Hippos on the bank. I saw Giraffe drinking from the other side. Got up and had breakfast on the top of the vehicle then went out to look for leopards in the trees.Then we found a pride of lions in the sun. After that we watched the females do the hunting while the males sat in the sun.

Then they found a big fish that was cut in half.They tried to eat it but it was a trap. It was in a lobster pot.The whole family climbed into the lobster pot together, holding claws.They were excited to find the food. They ate it. It was delicious and made them all feel happy and full.They cuddled together and fell asleep.

The next day we drove to Mozambique. We flew to Vamizi, and I was the co-pilot. I spent all day sailing, snorkelling and playing on the beach. That night we slept on the beach and then we saw a red green and orange meteorite.

A sudden jerking woke them all up.They were all scared.Then the pot started moving up and up and up. Then they saw giants. They were terrified, they were put into a boat, it rocked and they heard lots of noise they didn’t recognise.

The day after that, we went snorkelling and I saw two turtles and a puffer fish. After that we went sailing three times. On the second time I got off luckily. We waited for ten minutes then we saw a boat going out to rescue someone.Then we realised it was daddy and Angus.We got on the boat. Daddy helped put the boat up again but it hit him on the head and when he got on to the boat his face was covered in blood and still has the scar.

There were lots of other lobster pots which all had their friends in them. They talked to each other but they couldn’t understand what was happening. Each lobster was taken out of the pots and put into a big pool where they all had a big celebration. After the party they all fell asleep and when they woke up the tide had come in and washed them out of the big pool into the sea and they all lived happily ever after.

Guy Crofton - Form 1

Ralph Jervoise - Form 1

ART & LITERATURE

Literature Payne Cook Creative Writing Competition 2009 Winning entries...continued Second Form Winner: Ben Wiltshire Effort Prize: Sophie West and Christoph von Wentzel

Third Form Winner: Barnaby Treneer & Angus Crofton Effort Prize: Louisa McGregor & Oenone Rodgers

Global Warming

Photograph Album

Luminous, lamenting light fleeting across the cobalt blue sky ricocheting off every leaf and tree like prisms. Light slides into every nook and cranny consuming everyone and everything in its path. The sunbeams fly out like lasers from a massive spaceship annihilating all life forms on the desert ground. Desperately needed new shoots of growth reach urgently up from the baking ground for sustenance.

Its black and silver spine, sits on the bookshelf looking at me. It challenges me to take a peek. I succumb to temptation like a thirsty bear.

On the reverse of the earth melting ice crashes reluctantly into the sea, polar animals being sent to their extinction. Warmer seas crushing snow and ice, deleting animal habitats and destroying animal life. The sun is like a ten tonne weight plummeting down on Antarctica and our whole world is disappearing right before our eyes. Ben Wiltshire - Form 2

An African Journey One scorching savage day I was glaring curiously outside the window. It was like watching Lion King all over again. The wind was forcing the shimmering shining grass to greet me. There were elegant African elephants slowly swaying their tough trunks from side to side.Their terrific tusks could have been teeth of a deadly bloodthirsty vampire.Their skins were old and it was as if they had rolled in mounds of dirty mud for centuries. They smelt like rotten apples. They entered the giant gloomy jungle.The tall trees would shelter a ghastly giant from the tumbling rain. As they entered the dense vast jungle, a truck full of tourists were dangerously driving along. It hit something, the windscreen loudly shattered all over the truck with millions of mini slices of glass. Gasping for air they dived out of the truck to see what was the problem, but the problem had found them first. It was a cunning cobra with fangs as sharp as a sushi knife. The savage creature lunged forward but luckily it had misjudged his aim his fangs lunged into a fallen tree.The tourists decided to turn back home. Sophie West - Form 2

It’s a Small World Ron Barker was a nice normal man with a dangerous job as a nuclear waste worker. One Tuesday he went to the waste storage room.

Outside someone had accidentally dropped a tack on the road. Henry Bailey’s bus ran over that tack and the bus span out of control towards the nuclear waste plant where Ron worked. Ron was still in the tank room when the bus came through the wall crashing into another tank. This time poor Ron was covered in bright orange gunge. (The bus ran over ten parked cars so it wasn’t just Ron having a bad day). Suddenly he was back to his normal size. Luckily no one on Henry Bailey’s bus was hurt, and after the tyre was mended, Ron was able to catch the bus home in time for his tea.

Then a few pages later after boars and canoes some photographs of grandparents I hardly knew. Grandpa helming his boat with mummy on the bow; Dandy at Windsor with Peanuts and Foxgloves between the shafts. Grandad with a trophy on the Worthing bowls green; grandma with a young daddy in a Cuban bar, he’s upright at least and not in a heap! A tenth of the way through the images stop. The remainder is empty, a blank canvas for unknown events. It starts me day dreaming as I close the cover imagining the future, the thrills and spills, my life to come. Barnaby Treneer - Form 3

An African Journey As we approached our camp, a mass of grass bright yellow spread out over the horizon as if the world would never end. My heart burned with excitement. A Henglin’s Robin sang up to heaven like a Pavaroti. The sun stretched over the whole scene; its burning rays crashed over the Savannah like a wave of heat. Suddenly everything changed, I had watched the forest charging towards us, but as soon as I had looked out to the Savannah time seemed to fly past. Instead of bright grassy plains there were now huge, menacing trees towering over the vehicle, the wind wailing through their old cracked branches. The sun seemed to have completely disappeared behind the dense forest, and instead of a boiling atmosphere, there was a cold shadow over everything like a spirit’s spirit. In the forest nothing moved, nothing returned. Everything was silent, it was the land of the dead. We then sprang out of the woods and out before us stretched a wide plain where the sun shone its brightest. There were no clouds in the sky and all you could hear were the birds singing, we had arrived at our destination. All of us then sat back and watched the sun depart on its journey below the horizon. Angus Crofton - Form 3

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

He was checking the pipes because the pressure had been increasing. Suddenly one of tanks next to Ron exploded, covering him in green gunge. Soon he was only four millimetres tall.” Why does this always happen to me on Tuesdays?” squeaked Ron, wiping gunge from his face.

I leaf through its pages smirking and smiling as I turn each sheet: my life, my memories, my family, my fun. Cousins and aunts, home and holiday; adventures, travels, ponies and horses galore. Jumping in the Hexworthy fields in the “Dartmoor Walls Race,” hunting and racing, canoeing and sailing, getting wet through. Always smiles and laughter, a lift for the spirits when life is a trial. A monocular view.

Christoph von Wentzel - Form 2 57

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Literature Payne Cook Creative Writing Competition 2009 Winning entries...continued Third Form...continued

The Diamond Anniversary It’s a funny name for a Grandma but better than what not. During the holidays they married for sixty, But you would not think it because they’re so nifty. We arranged a party to give them a laugh, And to mark the occasion my brother had a bath. When all the guests had arrived and were ready, Dot Dot and Grampa arrived but weren’t so steady Because they didn’t expect to see such a crowd, Who cheered them in and were ever so loud. We all had champagne with fisses and bubbles, And Dot Dot, Grampa and me had lots of cuddles. Grampa brought Dot Dot diamonds for her ears, I think they will be happy for the next 60 years. Louisa McGregor - Form 3

Lost Memories I found a photo album in the attic the other day. I haven’t been up there for years. It was a really rainy day and I was very bored so I decided to investigate. First of all I found a crystal and a once-white parasol. I also found an old oil painting, a very old teddy bear which was ripped and torn, and a box of treasures. In the box there were some diamonds, and a beautiful shawl made of silk. At the bottom of the box there was a photograph album which was decorated with wild colours. I couldn’t resist opening it. On the first page was a picture of two little girls who looked like friends. The next picture was one of the little girls wearing a lovely white dress and a dark-haired man carrying her. The next picture was the little girl grown up on a zip-wire, and the last picture showed the grown up little girl with a new-born baby. Grace with Rosie April 14th 1969. I realised then that these pictures were of my grandma Grace who had died when I was a baby, and I had never seen these pictures before! I raced downstairs to show my mum, Rosie. Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 58

Oenone Rodgers - Form 3

Fourth Form Winner: Luke Measelle & Charlotte Wiltshire Effort Prize: Edward Barlow

The Island and the Sea An army of waves laps up against the soft, white, pure sand of Amando, a very small island off the coast of Australia. A dominating sun stares down on the island, watching it, closely, from its colourful sunset bed, cushioned by the clear, blue sweep of the calm sea. A man observes this from his balcony, not far from the shimmering velvet expanse and then sits down to read a book; his normal routine. The vivid, orange sun reflects a small tropical jungle and beyond that a large villa which basks in its warmth all day long. Beneath the surface of the ocean, a multitude of small, luminous tropical fish dart about, staccato-like, through razor-diver’s paradise. On the other side of the island a small cove, encrusted into this paradise, forms a natural lagoon where turtles swim, undisturbed. As the glowing sun sinks low into the sky, the silver moon becomes visible on the cloudless blanket above. It is sad that nobody knows about Amando except, that is, for its sole inhabitant. The world will let Amando’s beauties blow by like the breeze, a tropical breeze. Luke Measelle - Form 4

A Sea View The wild flowers sway in the sea breeze, dancing with the reeds, flirting with the wind. Their vibrant colours make me ecstatic and dizzy just looking at them. They do not need our help to thrive. Electric blue on a fine spring day hides depths of life mostly our prey. Turning the tides, changing its way, we cannot control it. Shimmering shafts of light cascading upon the cliffs as they tower over the winding estuary. Shadowing the impenetrable coves; impossible to empower. Swooping, soaring, gliding inches away from the vast daunting waves far out to sea where the white horses run wild and free; these creatures are too skilful and sly to tame. We think we are in command of it but there are many things we cannot dominate. Charlotte Wiltshire - Form 4

ART & LITERATURE

Literature Payne Cook Creative Writing Competition 2009 Winning entries...continued Fourth Form...continued

Fifth Form...continued

The Morning

My delightful week in Austria skiing

I wake up with the light piercing my eyelids, there is a hollow feeling in my tummy as I walk down our slippery wooden stairs with a need to fill my aching stomach with some hot porridge before lugging out of the house into the warm fresh summer breeze.

I flew into the Austrian airpor t of Innsbruck with the pitch black night behind me, the stars twinkling in the windows and the person behind me nearly snoring his head off. At last we reached the destination of St Anton and set foot in our 4 star hotel called Hotel Post. It was very modern, stylish and comfor table. Our room was beautiful; hospitality was terrific and the food was amazing. I thought the pool was the best feature and so was the sauna and the steam room. The first day skiing with my ski instructor, Caroline, was very good and I thought that it went well for the first day. The slopes were amazing and it did not take long to get into the swing of skiing.

Looking into the stream I see a hungry trout fling itself to catch a pheasant tail (fly). Now looking up I see an exhausted hind moving swiftly through the rutted and grassy undergrowth followed by its struggling new born calf. It is a delight to go for long tiring walks with my two retrievers. Every morning I go to the slimy, smelly kennel, unlatch the old creaky door and the dogs come tumbling out looking up at me with their expectant beady eyes, never knowing whether they were going to catch a rabbit or fetch a pheasant but everyone finds out in the end. Edward Barlow - Form 4

Fifth Form Winner: James Perring Effort Prize: Jamie Renwick

Then and Now Streets shrouded in desolation Alleyways cold, sodden and bare. This is where I used to lie, Gazing at the turbid sky. Before I met them. Alien faces warped and twisted, Glided among the towers dark and misted. On the say they taunted and jeered, Almost all aspects of life I feared. Before I met them.

Throughout the holiday, we were very fortunate to have lots of snow. We had a splendid time at night watching the ski snow or tobogganing down the ski slopes in pitch black. The villagers tried to scare us by making werewolf noises when shooting past them. After we walked past the brightly lit-up shops with the light reflecting in the windows glistening, making them brighten up in the darkness. I was glad to get back into the hotel. It was getting late so after a nice hot chocolate, we headed for bed and rest for the next day’s skiing. We heard people partying at the local late night (après-ski) after skiing bars and nightclubs and the rock bands strumming on their guitars and tapping on their pianos. In the morning we got up early and put on our ski gear and big heavy ski boots. As we lifted our skis to the lift we saw the piste bashers’ smoothing out the slope which was exciting. We saw a person on a snow bike which was very entertaining to see. It was very fun to ski to our restaurant where we were having lunch called the Misseuwert. It was very, very nice. Jamie Renwick - Form 5

Many strange voices filled my head, The same with all men alive or dead. They told me that there was no real reason for, Me to walk upon this earth anymore. Before I met them.

They took me under their redeeming wing, They gave me hope that only passion can bring. They made me feel that I really was someone, But still the good work was not done. They helped me to see through the strife, To look on the bright side of life. I knew that they would never let me go, To them my newly found life I owe. James Perring - Form 5

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

I stood up there in the driving rain, Hoping that I would feel no pain In the dull shadows of the eve, I knew in my heart it was time for me to leave. And then I met them.

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Literature Payne Cook Creative Writing Competition 2009 Winning entries...continued Sixth Form Winner: Lucy Telfer-Smollett & Izzy Norris Effort Prize: Harriet Cave

The Young Woman The young woman sits, huddled in the dilapidated bus shelter, long after the last bus has been and gone. Her prematurely-lined face and haunted eyes betray that this girl has experienced an older person’s suffering. At every sound she spins around wildly, glancing up and down the derelict street, only to slump, and gaze, once again, at the chewing-gum riddled pavement. Perhaps she is waiting for a bus, perhaps she is waiting for a person, or perhaps even she does not know what she is waiting for. The ghostly drone of traffic radiates from the distance, weaving and dancing, ebbing and flowing; almost liquid. It pervades the litter-strewn street, intoxicating every mind. This arcane lament is echoed by the bitter wind which attacks the girl with a callous ferocity. She desperately clutches her pitifully thin coat closer, in a futile attempt to barricade herself against her sadistic and tempestuous surroundings. With only the clock-faced moon and an emaciated stray cat to watch over her, she turns her face to the fluid depths of the heavens. A solitary tear leaks from the corner of her wide hazel eye, pearl bright in the cloak of moonlight, and meanders aimlessly down her cheek. It falls in slow motion, an iridescent myriad of contorted reflections, at last crashing, with a resonating finality, onto the ground below. Lucy Telfer-Smollett - Form 6

Who was he? How could I get rid of him? The sky was a murky torrent of darkness with small diamonds hanging on its ebony cloth. The buildings stand overpowering above me, each dappled with glass plates, some with faces peering out, watching the world pass by, others show no light, the day for them is ended but mine just begun. Dark streets flicker through my eyes as I amble solemnly along the slated street path, sprinkled with a thin layer of dust, which creates a cloud of dust behind my last movement, the only movement that is conjured in this tired street.

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 60

My figure continues to float aimlessly across the world beneath my feet, now blanketed in a layer of gravel, giving way under my weight. The noise fills the still air and travels until it dissipates and the next step continues the monotonous pattern. Yet it is intruded by a second rhythm, foreign to my ears. My eyes wish to turn to see this mysterious object, yet I do not allow my mind to be overpowered by this figment of my imagination. As I continue a pang of anxiety enters into my bewildered mind. I had to turn. I had to see if I was safe in this world of sin. My decision was not well made. My mind had controlled my body. As my head turned, followed by my reluctant figure, I saw reality. His gaunt corpse was draped with withered and torn rags which made a feeble attempt to cover his figure. His face was an undecipherable mass of wrinkles and I was only able to see his eyes, they were phlegmatic yet a burning desire seemed

to hang in that window to his hidden soul, I didn’t know what, yet I assumed I was soon to find out. His mouth was a mere slit in his face and the thought of words being projected was a foreign idea. His limbs were weak for his hung over cramped legs, attempting to support this gaunt man. One of his legs seemed to drag behind him slowing down his ailing pace. This is when I noticed it. The blade captured the moon’s only stolen light and took it to be its own as it illuminated vast rays across the empty world. Every move of mine is now being taunted by this inevitable figure. My life now hangs on its final threads soon to come to an end. Izzy Norris - Form 6

Out in the Dark Out in the dark in the cold gloomy wood, an old man stood in the trees his hat pulled down over his face. A scar down his right cheek, his face as white as chalk. His eyes plain and sullen. The trees around the man swayed. They whispered to each other, the leaves rustled in the wind. The man walked to the edge of the wood his boots crunched against the leaves on the ferny forest floor. The wind rushed through the trees like a whistle on a kettle, a rustle came from the high pine tree; the man looked up the tree and saw a crow roosting in a nest of sticks. The crow called out its high caw, the man pulled down his hat and shivered in the cold breeze. The man walked faster and then reached the edge of the wood. The sun flickered in the distance. Morning had come and night had gone. Harriet Cave - Form 6

Creative Writing The Battle of the Moors Based on a Maori legend of the mountains of New Zealand’s North Island There were three brothers called Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bodmin Moor. All lived together in the South West of England.They each wanted to be known as the Great King Moor so that they could rule all the other moors. But they could not decide amongst themselves which was the mightiest of all the moors.They argued non-stop for two long weeks. Eventually they decided that the only way to settle the matter would be to have a battle. Battle raged amongst the brothers for ten days in the pouring rain under thundering skies. But after the tenth day a decision had been reached and Dartmoor was crowned King because he was the most noble and he was the home to the most beautiful ponies, the tallest tors and the loveliest plant life. Dartmoor was also the strongest moor of all. After he was named king his brothers moved further away from him to find themselves their own kingdoms to rule but they all knew that Dartmoor was the real king. Louisa McGregor - Form 3

ART & LITERATURE

Literature The Boy Planes in the air Bombs land somewhere Where is he from? The man with his bombs He doesn’t care It is not fair Down below in the church They carry on with their search For a missing son Who belonged to someone He just wanted to run To have some fun Now he is dead Loved forever they said. Alice Woolcock - Form 3

A Boy’s Head Adapted from the poem by Miroslav Holub In it there is a sea And a project to Jump into space And there is an entirely new car.

War Poems Dead soldiers bombs scattered Red poppies fly as soon as we die All our bodies battered Our doom has come With the rattle of the gun The coming of fear As our death draws near Our young ones worry as we fight shell shock is our worst fear. Oenone Rodgers - Form 3

There is a dog. There is a dog flying. I believe anyone can fly. Oliver Ryder-Green - Form 2

A Girl’s Head Adapted from the poem by Miroslav Holub In my head there is me, but a Spanish version of me And a project for walking on water And there is me being Half and Half Girl

Eleanor Woolcock - Form 3

And there is an entirely new Place Value System There is two puppies licking each other There is Jessica as a dog I believe in driving cars backwards. Sophia Donne - Form 2

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School

Bloody battle Guns rattle The soldiers run Armed with a gun The sound of shell As the men fell The soldiers fear Makes him cry a tear The thick mud Flows like a flood The shells’ song Ends with a bong Lying dead Blood around his head.

61

ART & LITERATURE

Literature A Girl’s Head Adapted from the poem by Miroslav Holub In it there is a pony And a project For doing away with T, P ,B columns And there is a dog And there is an entirely new Hockey and netball game There is a family

I touched the bark on the trees and it felt all rough and irregular. A bird swamped over me like a monumental giant. And then the sun swam down over the horizon and it seemed like the fire had gone out. Georgie Morris - Form 3

My Witches Scene! (Inspired by “Macbeth” by W. Shakespeare)

I believe in no bed time and no night time.

Characters: Witch 1, Witch 2, Witch 3

Emma Manton - Form 2

(Witch 1 is on the stage. Witch 2 and Witch 3 enter. They sit down next to Witch 1)

A Boy’s Head Adapted from the poem by Miroslav Holub

Witch 1 You are late! Where have you been people?

In it there is a duck Floating around

Witch 3 You said we would meet at the steeple. Witch 2 We’ve been looking for you.

And a project for a dog And there is a pencil Like a spear

Witch 1 Oh, that’s a load of gobble-de-gook! Witch 3 Never mind that; let’s get on with our spell.

And there is an entirely new me. Finlay Rose - Form 2

Dartmoor in Winter I had been walking for two hours and my legs were like blocks of cement. It was only the sight of the wondrous moor in winter that kept my legs from buckling. I loved the sweet scent of sheep mingling with the crunchy sweet grass and the veil of mist covering the tors. I loved the crunch as the morning grass and the rush of coldness flowing from each limb and up my body whenever I fell over. I felt like I was the only person on the planet. I loved the steam curling out of my shivering mouth and my chilly nose. I took one more step and felt my boot sinking, a bog! It was sucking up my feet, drawing them into its gooey depths. I struggled but that only made it worse. I fell inside the bog and weirdly I could make out every detail, every blade of grass, every rock and a gruesome thigh bone. In desperation I grabbed onto it, it felt like sandpaper.

(They gather around the cauldron and begin to chant) Witch 2 Juice from crushed up nettle, it stung the Headmaster’s tongue. Witch 1 And a slice of Mrs Harris’s wedding cake Witch 3 (proudly) That was my greatest take! Witch 2 Adding in a garden rake, and Mrs Hammond’s best ever bake, Witch 1 Toad from the pond of ghosts (they never make very good hosts!) Witch 3 A wonky knee from a bumble bee, that once had a serious flee. Witch 2 Take a penny from the well, it will have a nasty smell.

At least I thought I’d died in my favourite place, the Moor in winter.

Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 62

Ralph Lopes - Form 3

Witch 3 And a card from the backyard. that dwelt in the house of the coastguard.

The Sunset Jungle

Witch 1 Add a bar of caramel, to be eaten by Tinkerbell.

The twilight of the night fall glimmered through the waltzing trees. The fragrance of the air was like smoky bacon. The ground had wrinkled up along with the leaves, and it looked like they had been sizzling in a coal black frying pan. And the atmosphere looked like it was on fire. I walked forward and all the smoky air rushed up my nose. All the birds were drowning out the rustle of the scrubs. The sun was lazily sinking down, and looked like it was about to catch its prey. Then everything went immobile, it was like the trees had finished their waltz. I looked down at the gravy coloured ground, the little jet black beetles were brushing themselves along the ground as they went. The nettles were venom-sharp like deadly knives.

Witch 2 Stew it up then drink it down, if you do, then you might drown. Witch 1 And one hundred other things as well, including all your tortoise shell, each of them will ring a bell. Witch 3 But now it’s time to try it out, if it works I’ll definitely shout! (They cackle loudly, and then, they vanish……..) Lucy Massey - Form 3

What A View

Winter

The stones stood silently upon each other, gazing upon the moonlit mountains.

The day was cold and the morning sun glistened as it came up over the horizon. The waves were swooshing on the golden shiny sand. All the kingfishers were prancing around in the brook. The baby chicks that lived high in the tree were wide awake waiting for their mother to bring them a feast.

As a man passed by on the ancient cobbled pathway, it was as if the great rocks were glaring at him, defending their land that was, now, within their possession. A whip of wind lashed the blades of shining, sleepy grass which stood up on end, because of the static silence. My main thought, not touched, nor moved by the sound of sleep. Momentarily, the sun came round and shone upon the stones sent from God. The round rocks sleeping safe and sound within the middle of the huddle, were snoozing, like they were being protected by the great herd. Eventually, the sun passed away once again to be ready for a new adventure. Elsa Kent - Form 3

Garden The garden’s foundations were grounded firm in the wet moist soil. The lawn mowed across the garden like a green duvet. The flowers were scattered into shards of rhododendrons and bluebells. The old bark from the wrinkled oak tree was as weak as a fly. It was grounded in the great centre of the ocean of flowers.

ART & LITERATURE

Literature

The trees were swaying in the wind and the snow was trickling off onto the ground that was covered in the white sloshy snow. The rooftops were covered from top to bottom in snow. The chimneys were blazing as the fires below were scarlet hot and constantly being filled. The morning surfers slid down to the beach dragging their surf boards down the slippery snow. The people with the jobs were running down to the sea to feel the salty water crash onto their faces, and for their eyes to sting like an adder’s bite. Then came the snowflakes smoothing down the crinkled white grass, not knowing what lay beneath. But still they kept on smoothing and dipping into the brook being poked by the kingfishers. In the cold wide ocean the sharks were gathering up ready to hunt for their breakfast of sea trout. A group of them were floating there motionless getting ready for the kill. All was quiet again, for the sharks of the blue blanket had eaten and there were dry bones floating down into the vessels that lie on the bottom. Caitlin Haynes-Parry - Form 4

The old stone-built bridge hopped over the clean, peaceful flowing stream. The garden was underneath the ball of fiery heat. The sun gazed down onto the wilderness of the garden and flowers. The blanket of blue sky was scattered with light fluffy golf balls of cloud. The contrast of the garden was complex countryside hills which walked along to the coast. The river is a habitat of fish and insects, the fish glide under the water and swim around in their joy. The water boatmen skate around like it was an enchanted pool of ice; but instead it was a heated stream. The frogs jumped up in joy like they were doing the high jump over branches. The water glistens under the sunlight. A rose flutters in the countryside breeze; its leaves swing in the joy of life and peace. The tulips kiss the air which is full of life. The birds tweeted up in the nests of the old oak tree as they cried for strands of food from the parents. The nests are formed with the foundations of mud, moss and twigs it is a marvel to see them. The clear cut topiary stood in the garden, it was formed into the shape of a robin. It was rooted into the foundations of the garden, the robin was cut into a masterpiece, as it stood green, tall and proud. Billy Lambeth - Form 3 Fanfare 2008 - 2009 • Mount House School 63