91971_GraemeCampbell_Anyflip

Our
houses

Aberdenn T his year has been very full and exciting year
for Aberdeen House. Finally moving back
into the direction of normality after the
Covid-19 Pandemic has been a blessing for

sure. The school year started with many new

faces welcomed into Aberdeen, both young

and old, embraced by Aberdeen’s loving,

welcoming and heart-warming nature. Our new Deputy

House Mistress, Mrs Carpenter and her husband, Mr

Carpenter easily found their way into our friendly

boarding community from the very start. Aberdeen

is one big family – each individual representing our

key values of humility, diversity, strength, discipline,

determination, success, friendship and respect. And

most importantly we love to show our fantastic house

spirit.

One of the highlights of our year was our

participation in the cross-country run of Steepo 2021.

Whilst we were not the fastest, we won ‘Best House

Spirit’. Without a doubt we were the loudest to roar

our chant throughout the Ardingly Nine Acre Grounds

while warming up for our long run. The Aberdeen girls

from Upper Sixth happily joined our team, running

their last Steepo with their fellow Aberdonians before

leaving for university. We will miss seeing them around

school, in the same way that we miss every Aberdonian

prior to this. During the traditional Steepo event, it is

amazing seeing the new Aberdeen House as we gained 2nd place. Afterwards,
as a joint community for the very first our Ensemble group sang a beautiful
time of the year. No matter the number harmony of ‘Money Money Money’ by
of new faces, we will always stand strong ABBA, accompanied by our talented
together. Aberdeen never wants for musicians playing various instruments
support for each other, whether this be such as the electric cello and the
through pressurising times in exams or xylophone for an interesting touch. Full
the possible threat of another lockdown of satisfaction of our 2nd place victory,
back in January. we walked back to house whilst singing
our hearts out. To see the house spirit so
The support from all the girls and

staff for the students participating in clearly was a wonderful experience that is

the Senior School Play Little Shop of safely said one of Aberdeen’s highlights.

Horrors was phenomenal. The musical No matter where or when, we will be

performance, showcased on multiple loud and proud – we are Aberdeen

days at the end of November 2021, Dragons after all.

was a talked-about success known The bubbly nature of Aberdeen has

throughout the school. The hard work continued to flourish throughout the year.

of our Aberdonians definitely paid off in Another highlight we especially enjoyed

shaping this performance! was our first Aberdeen hosted Saturday

Our next big event was the long- Social of the year. The theme was ‘Black

awaited House Song One of the highlights of our year and White Disco Night’
Competition where we was our participation in the cross- held in our Aberdeen
sang a version of ‘9 to 5’ country run of Steepo 2021. Whilst Common Room. Our
by Dolly Parton. After Prefects team of Adya,

many nights of rehearsals we were not the fastest, we won Anastasia, Isabella, Ginny,

in both the Common ‘Best House Spirit’ Keira, Tabatha, Carolina
Room and Chapel, thanks and I organised the social

to our amazing House Song director to our very best so that everyone enjoyed

Isabella Grundmann, we managed to themselves. However, the best thing

sing a harmonised version of our song. about organising Saturday Socials, is

Our musicians, and especially our drum surprisingly not the ability to choose the

player Bella, had a challenging time snacks or the music, but the preparation

adapting their skills to our singing, yet for the Social. Working together as a big

we managed it with success, eventually family to decorate our common room

leading to a performance that would whilst blasting Taylor Swift Songs was

have made even Dolly herself proud. The easily one of the key moments in which

enthusiasm in our dance choreography Aberdeen’s energetic nature came to

and our singing proved successful show. After a long night of dancing and

singing with the other houses, we cleaned The house spirit and support are increasingly noticeable
up together, helping each other where we during House Sport Events as everyone comes to watch
could. Of course, not without proudly the others play. Our goal is not to win, but to show what
taking a ‘Mission Complete’ picture a great, supporting community we are.
afterwards.
While we have embraced what feels like a more
Another exciting event that took certain time after the pandemic, this year has been
place was Ardingly’s first Dance challenging for everyone, yet what makes Aberdeen
Show ‘Lost in Motion’, performed on House so special is the support radiating from the
29th April 2022. The Aberdeen girls house. As Phil Jackson said: “The strength of the
that danced intricate and beautiful team is each individual member. The strength of
choreographies were phenomenal. Lea’s each member is the team”. Our Fifth form students
solo was amazingly touching whilst she have done an excellent job in completing their GCSE
danced to ‘Before You Go’ by Lewis studies, especially after being the first year since the
Capaldi. The dance students worked full start of Covid to undertake external exams. The Lower
day rehearsals to produce beautifully Sixth soon moving to Godwin Hall could not be more
executed dances that turned out devastated to leave this bewildering house as we have
fantastically. Overall, the girls managed grown so close to everyone. We will miss living with
to put on an unforgettable performance. the other girls and cannot wait to see how the house
develops next year. Aberdeen House will always be a
Regarding House sports, our family far from home, and there is nothing that would
Aberdonians have done phenomenally ever be able to change this. We want to thank our
this year. We won House Badminton, amazing House staff and especially our House Mistress,
came forth in House Netball and third in Deputy House Mistress and Matron for everything they
Hockey. Now all that is left is to retain have done for us this year and cannot wait to see what
the House Football cup! Although we the next chapter will bring for Aberdeen.
are not always the best at all sports, we
52 have wide ranges of hobbies and talents. VIRGINIA GREWE LVI

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53

Burgess W elcome to Burgess House! Having only been
established as a house three years ago and
in our own building for two, it is safe to say
we are the newest house in Ardingly (but

not for much longer!) Despite this, Burgess

has been blessed with a cohort of immensely

talented girls, who have enabled us to take

2022 by storm.

HOUSE IN GENERAL

It is arguable that pretty much all the girls and staff
affiliated with Burgess will agree it is a vibrant,
welcoming, and happy place to be. Throughout the year
we have had quite the eventful time in Burgess; we have
had to say good-bye to an Assistant Housemistress, but
welcomed in a new one in Mrs Weaver, who brought
with her new ideas, new leadership, and a wonderful
atmosphere in Burgess. Mrs Weaver has accompanied
Mrs Hill and the fabulous tutor body, all inspiring
women, to contribute to making Burgess such a
welcoming place. Burgess is fond of its original ideas for
House activities and each Friday, we have ‘cake Friday’
(courtesy of Mrs Weaver’s wonderful baking) and have
recently participated in a mass sunflower planting

exercise as part of making the House DRAMA
more personalised. We also welcomed
OA Rev Andrew Wadsworth this term. This year, Burgess wowed the crowd with their dramatic
He spoke to us all about Archie Burgess, performance of ‘Medea and Jason’ telling the tale
our namesake, who taught at Ardingly of Medea’s life alongside Jason (& the Argonauts).
in the 1940s and told us about her Actresses ranged in years from Shell through to
formidable but quirky personality and Fifth and were directed by a small group of Lower
fantastic feminist ways! Sixth students. Having but a brief period to prepare
and limited resources as part of the challenge, the
MUSIC girls succeeded in producing a funny, dramatic, and
We are lucky to have a House full of entertaining piece, which made use of both the theatre
fantastic musicians and Burgess managed knowledge in House and the theatrical devices available
to put together something fantastic for to them.

House Song. We sang a rendition of ‘I’m SPORT

still standing’ by Elton John, directed Not only is Burgess gifted dramatically, artistically,

effortlessly by a selection of the Lower musically, and academically, but we also excel in sport.

Sixth. The performance was a great Throughout the year the girls have participated in events

success, allowing Burgess to snatch third including House Hockey, Steepo, House Netball, House

place in the competition overall. Along Badminton, House Swimming and House Football.

with this, Burgess won first place in the Whilst not always winning (and in the case of House

smaller ‘House Ensemble’ section of Football coming 4th… out of 4) Burgess has always

the competition. A great year and a first been well-represented, with girls always willing to get

time at the top of the podium for Burgess stuck in, adopt a competitive spirit and give it their all.

House ensemble. We won Junior Steepo with many of the Burgess girls

featuring in the top 25 runners and we also won House

DEBATING & ACADEMICS Swimming for the 3rd time in a row with some fantastic

Burgess House entered this academic performances in the pool from Georgia, Matilda, Mya,

year with a passion to debate, fielding Catriona, and Isobel. As a House, we have a wide range

full Junior and Senior team. Both teams of individual sporting talents including Esme with her

won some brilliant debates against athletics, Darcey and Georgia with their Fencing, Alice,

strong opposition. The scholar essay and Jasmine in rowing. Lucy Smith was named Dancer

competition had high numbers of Burgess of the Year and having watched so many girls perform

winners including Molly, Jasmine, at the inaugural Dance Show, we clearly have plenty of

Roma, Lettice and Darcey. Furthermore, talent in that area!

Burgess was top of the tree with the

Academic Cup at the last count and we CHARITY AND AWARENESS

have our fingers crossed that we maintain Similarly, Burgess is a world-conscious place and so we

the victory at the end of term. pride ourselves on staying aware and doing as much

54 as we can. Each Thursday in call over, with the help

| of Alice, our EDI rep, we discuss our ‘Question of the
55 Week,’ where current issues are discussed by the girls,

giving everyone a place for their voices to be heard, opinions to be

shaped and individuals informed. For mental health awareness our

Lower Sixth house prefects, Matilda and Nancy, became our mental

health ambassadors, resulting in them receiving training. They are now

a presence in House as a point of call for any girl who feels in need

of support. One Burgess Prefect, Catriona, organised a charity ‘Lift

for Ukraine,’ involving students from the whole school in exercise to

raise money for the Ukrainian refugees. Burgess made sure this year to

acknowledge and participate in various inclusivity- dedicated projects,

including the school-wide LGBTQIA+ week, Black History Month,

Mental Health Awareness week and the Head of House, Jasmine, gave

a talk on Diabetes Awareness Day. Not only is Burgess an active place

but it is a kind, tolerant and inclusive place.

We won Junior Steepo with many of

the Burgess girls featuring in the top SOCIALS
25 runners and we also won House To end the year, Burgess is looking forward
Swimming for the 3rd time in a row to their ‘Burgess Fest’ House Day that falls
with some fantastic performances in annually at the end of the Trinity Term. Last
year they enjoyed bouncy castles, cupcakes, a

the pool... photobooth and various casual sport games.

This year they can only look forward to what

is to come… Mrs Weaver certainly knows how to throw a good party!

Overall, it has been an amazing, busy, and successful year for

the House as a whole and the girls individually. Burgess can only look

forward to growing and achieving increasingly more as the years go by.

What a year to be in Burgess.

JASMINE PHIBBS LVI

Crosse C rosse this year has been an absolute pleasure
to be a part of. To show you the joys of being
in Crosse, we, the prefect team, have put
together a few values and highlights which
we have experienced throughout the school
year.

C for COURAGE

– all the boys should be so proud of stepping out of
their comfort zone – not more so than in House Song
2022, which will go down as the best house song Crosse
has performed in the past five years. The courage
that over 80 boys showed in their confident and well-
choreographed performance in front of the whole
school, as well as their overall dedication to the many
rehearsals, led by William, Dan and Ed, were second
to none, with a highlight in the performance when the
whole school started clapping along to our performance
of Kool & The Gang’s ‘Get Down On It’. House
musicians including Henry and Harrison in Shell, Alex
in Remove and Ethan, Jamie, Will and Ed in LVI, also
belted out a memorable performance of ‘Don’t Stop Me
Now’ by Queen and their tremendous courage won’t be
forgotten. This inaugural house band went on to take
part in the Anything But Classical concert as well, so we
hope to keep this band going.

R for RESPECT S for SPIRIT
– returning to the new school year after two years of - without a doubt the spirit in Crosse House this year
Covid restrictions and isolation, the boys in Crosse has been incredible. The boys have performed valiantly
have shown greater respect for each other and the in key sporting events such as Steepo, fighting for
opportunities and facilities they have in school. The LVI every single place and battling through until the finish,
helped the new Shell settle in and integrate well with with special mentions to Archie Guppy for winning
weekly games and entertainment from scavenger hunts the Seniors and Archie Mills for coming second in

to an entertaining song and dance routine. We always the Juniors. The boys were then greeted with one of
seek out a ‘Man of the House’ each week to honour in Mr Heavens’ famous BBQs. The ‘blue-blooded’ spirit
Friday’s celebration call overs, there have been so many also poured itself out in House Football, Hockey and
boys who have stood out for their contribution and Badminton events, in which we came second overall,
effort. It has also been great seeing the boys getting to and then just as passionately in a very closely contested
know Andy the new Chaplain over table footie and pool House Swimming event, all largely thanks to our junior
at breaks, and boys from different years talking together teams performing very strongly. House spirit has been
and listening to each other’s opinions in tutor groups flowing even more successfully outside sport through
and House Council meetings, too. Such a great house other types of performance, for example, the impressive
culture of respect, which will keep growing. first ever victory in Junior House Debating by Bertie,
Toby and Davey in front of a packed chapel audience left
O for OPEN-MINDEDNESS Crosse House not only extremely proud but roaring in
– This year we have encouraged all the boys to educate support and pride. The ‘Epic of Gilgamesh’ production
themselves on society’s issues relating to Equality, in House Drama was another huge success, with
Diversity and Inclusion, from gender bias when we Harrison and Seth leading a heroic and hilarious all-
celebrated International Women’s Day, to language and singing and dancing ensemble cast ably directed by Fifth
understanding around identity during Pride week. This Drama students Seb, Jack, Olly and Charlie. You can’t
has given the boys the opportunity to show support for beat a full audience roaring with laughter at every scene
groups that they may not normally associate themselves and a new trophy to add to our cabinet! It is a privilege
with and it’s great that boys are attending LGBTQIA+, to be surrounded by the boys in House who engage in all
Anti-Racist and Feminist societies. These opportunities aspects of house life and are passionate about everything
have allowed them to comfortably discuss issues related they get involved in.
to EDI topics with their peers in and outside of house.
Talks from external speakers, such as Chris Hemmings, S for SUPPORTIVE
who spoke about Modern Masculinity, have allowed - Throughout the year Crosse has constantly been
the boys to be more open with their identity and accept trying to support those in House and those around
peers for who they are. the world. Multiple call overs on Mental Health have

been held by the LVI prefect team, where we have Jamie Tuddenham and new Shell boy William Wing

discussed techniques students can use to cope with battled every point out. Will took the victory and

common issues such as: stress around exams and stayed completely cool whilst everyone around was

schoolwork, and issues with anxiety. Making human erupting in loud cheers. We also held our inaugural

chairs to demonstrate leaning on each other was a real chess competition, which saw many boys and staff

highlight! We have also tried our best to be charitable. engaged in a battle of minds. Ethan Sutlow came out

At the start of the year, we had a House Bake Sale for victorious against our own Mr Heavens in the end.

Cardiac Arrest in the Young In the Lent term, the senior
and Sussex Young Leaders in
We are leaving the House proud that pool tournament was a hotly
you can take a boy out of Crosse, but contested competition. The final
Cricket charities, as well as a

collection for the Trussell Trust you can’t take the Crosse spirit out of was between Tom Thurston and
foodbank in Haywards Heath, Max Klein, in which Thurston
where many students bought in any boy! obliterated a pool-shark Klein.

food, toiletries and more, collectively totalling to around Overall, these tournaments have created a brilliant

50 shopping bags full of goods. We also held a ‘Guess atmosphere in the common room, which is always the

the Beans in the Jar’ Quiz and another bake sale where beating heart of Crosse House.

we raised around £200 for the Humanitarian Crisis in We also want to thank Mr Hart for his unstinting

Ukraine and the Ruth Strauss Foundation. We ended support for the boys, as well as his famous Harty

the year collecting lots more bags of gifts for the Eastern quizzes, spotty dogs, crossword clues and Fantasy

European Shoebox Appeal, which boys volunteered to Football League, and we wish him well as he moves on

pack in Life Skills week. from his Assistant Housemaster role to lead the new day

boys’ house, which Crosse boys and staff are ‘colonising’

E for ENGAGEMENT from next year. We are leaving the House proud that

– this has mainly come through the exciting intra- you can take a boy out of Crosse, but you can’t take the

house events. First up in the Michaelmas term was Crosse spirit out of any boy!

05684 the table-tennis tournament. The final show down DAN CHILDS LVI
| was electric, everyone cheering on as veteran player JAMIE TUDDENHAM LVI

05695

Hilton O ver the course of the past academic year, the
boys of Hilton House have embodied our
house motto of “Unity is Strength”. With the
worst of the pandemic behind us, this year

began with a returned sense of normality,

and a wide range of events, opportunities

and competitions. At the very beginning

of the year, two integration trips were organised for

the Lower Sixth and Shell. The Lower Sixth, a year in

which many new people join the school, travelled to

Brenscombe, near Poole, for an overnight trip. This

gave both the new and returning boys an opportunity

to integrate with the rest of the year group. The Shell,

on the other hand, headed down to the reservoir for

Over the course of the past academic year, the the annual Shell Water
Sports day with their
boys of Hilton House have embodied our house whole year group.

motto of “Unity is Strength”. This year was a

big one for Hilton in

terms of inter-house competitions. As a house, we came

together to win the annual Steepo Competition, with

impressive performances from various boys in house.

Adam Lonsdale and Ali Hayter, along with three ex-

Hilton Upper Sixth pupils, all finished in the top 10

for the seniors, and Nereus Tsang finished third for the

juniors. Our success continued with house football, with

Hilton winning the seniors’ competition, coming second

overall. This year, Hilton put up a very impressive
performance in the inter-house debating competition.
The senior team, made up of Bertie Nuttall, Henry Nott
and Gherardo Sallier De la Tour, beat various other
houses to end up in the final against Woodard Boys,
which took place in front of the whole senior school.
066 Unfortunately, the boys lost in the final but it was,
| nonetheless, an incredibly impressive achievement.

067

Every year, Hilton selects a charity that we support

over the course of the year. Following several meetings

between the prefects and presentations given by pupils

on charities they are passionate about supporting, we

agreed to support Crawley Open House. This local

charity aims to support the homeless community of our

area, offering a temporary living space in which people

can come and learn new skills to help them find a job

and lift themselves out of homelessness.

Several members of the prefect team visited the

charity alongside Mr Lane and were blown away by the and Toby Mayall all took big parts in various drama
impressive work done every day by this organisation. opportunities throughout the year, providing some
Throughout the year, we organised a supply drive during sensational performances. Henry Nott, Hilton’s drama/
the winter months for those who were preparing to musical director this year, led House Song brilliantly.
live on the streets in the cold, went to collect money at This was the first House Song Competition since the
our local football club’s stadium (Crawley Town) and pandemic, and the Queen song ‘Another One Bites The
organised the rowathon: a yearly Hilton charity event Dust’ was selected. Despite some slightly shaky vocals,
in which the prefect team determines a distance and the boys managed to pull off a decent performance,
a donation goal for their charity. The boys must then aided by some great instrumentals. From an extra-
row that distance over a 24-hour period. This year, the curricular perspective, many excellent accomplishments
boys rowed 1,001 kilometres and raised £4,200 for their were made. Many boys in the Lower Sixth took part in
charity. the Take a Risk business competition, in which Ryan
Attari’s and Gustav Robert’s team took the laurels. Jack
In the May half term, Mr Lane led a trip of 23 boys Harrison and Ryan Attari also won their mock trial as
from Mertens, Hilton and Crosse, who attempted to part of the Law Society.
climb the three tallest mountains in the UK: Ben Nevis,
Scafell Pike and Snowdon. The challenge involved a MARIO ORNAGHI LVI
walking distance of 23 miles (37 kilometres) with a total
ascent of 3,064 metres (10,052 feet). Taking 10 hours JEREMY VERMEERSCH LVI

to drive up to Fort William on Friday, the trip started

at the crack of dawn on the Saturday. A two-man team

of bus drivers waited at the bottom of each peak, and

drove the group from mountain to mountain. The total

driving distance was 462 miles and the team managed

to complete the challenge in just over 28 hours. As

you will see from the pictures, there were some breath-

taking views and it was a trip that will live long in the

memories of everyone involved.

In terms of individual achievements, this year

was full of sporting, extra-curricular and musical

achievements from the Hilton community. Adam

Lonsdale and Felix Banke-Wallis were selected for the

ISFA (Independent School Football Association),

Jack Webb was selected for the U17 Hockey nationals

and made his debut for East Grinstead. Nereus Tsang

came first in the Sussex Swimming league. In addition,

many Hilton boys played for different Ardingly first

teams, and it is worth noting that Archie Eaton, despite

being in Remove, played for both the football and

cricket First XI. In terms of music and performance

arts, Jack Groves and Charlie Thomas set up a house

band, who provided us with live concerts during our

end-of-term assemblies. This entirely Remove student-

led project hopes to develop itself over the coming

years. Myles Ko showed his qualities on the violin once

again, with a highlight being his performance on the

big stage in London. For the first time in a while, we

60 had three boys - Charlie Man (flute), Myles Ko (violin)
| and Kenny Yuan - competing in the Ardingly Young

61 Musician of the Year final. Noah Distin, Henry Nott

Mertens I t has been an undeniably action-packed year
in Mertens House, full of activities, trips,
socials and house initiatives. It began with
a large influx of IB pupils joining the Lower
Sixth as well as an energetic Shell cohort -
and marked my first year as a full boarder,
having moved from being flexi in Fifth
form. The very first weekend began with a bang, as our
boarders’ socials included a barbecue, fire pits, and an
external band – plus a dance floor filled with students
from all houses, including the new Upper Sixth. Success
number one for Mertens house…
At the start of the year, we made plans for the
direction in which we wanted to push the House. We
decided we wanted to further improve the environment,
focus on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI),
community and communication. Very early in the first
term, a diversity group was set up where members of
the House could discuss ways in which to make our
house as accepting of diversity as possible. We followed
up on this with a series of short, student-led talks on
various topics ranging from national celebrations,

religion and culture, as well as an ‘active in support of St Rose’s. The Terrace was

bystander training’. The College put on filled with lights, food vans, fancy tables

a wonderful LGBTQIA+ week, including and at the very centre, a magnificent

talks, discussions and even a concert. music stage. There were performances

The Mertens boys stepped up for this from Tea Ellis, Matilda Lee, Head of

week, and a good number of the boys School (and last year’s head of Mertens)

sported a rainbow tie to demonstrate Timi Esan, the Remove Band, and

support for the LGBTQIA+ community. finally the Mertens Band. The event was

Even after this week finished, to show an astronomical success, and we were

our continuous support, the same group blessed and very lucky with the clear

plus more continued to wear these ties weather. In total we managed to raise

every Wednesday, something I believe will around £4,500 for St Rose’s, through

carry on next year. Although we are by no ticket sales and donations.

means perfect, the house has come a long What made this more special, is that

way with regard to EDI matters, and the the following week a small group of us

boys have not stinted in their support of had the opportunity to visit St Rose’s in

EDI-related initiatives. person, sitting in on classes, having tours

Community involves the school around the facilities, and getting involved

bubble, the local village, as well as with various activities. I know that

connections to other places and everyone who went was truly touched to

organisations. In school, the house have such a connection with a special

welcomed a group of staff each school that does incredible work for

Wednesday break for a bacon sandwich, their students. The day ended with some

including maintenance, laundry, and unplanned acoustic guitar from Jack and

many other departments. Most Sundays I, performing to a room full of St Rose’s

from the Lent term onwards, a group of Pupils – a moment I personally will never

boys have gone up to Ardingly village forget.

to do a 30-minute The final day finished with sports Communication involves
session of litter day, where despite horrific the interactions in the house,
picking, with some links between staff and

quite staggering disorganisation, we won all of the students, and the family-like

quantities picked major events nature of a boarding house.
up in a short Last year’s Lower Sixth set an

amount of time. Much credit should be immaculate example of how a house can

given to the boys who voluntarily gave up be fully interlinked, where all the years

some of their weekend to benefit others, from Shell to Sixth Form can mix and get

something that can be easily overlooked on. The in-house socials are a key tool for

during a busy school year. Our link with this, and this year’s events were highly

St Rose’s School has blossomed into successful. A few of our very best ones

something truly special this year. Jack included Microsoft Teams hide and seek,

and I created a video tour of the College, water sports in the pool, and the Mertens

and House, which was sent over to St Club night with DJ Marastoni on decks.

Rose’s, alongside the question “What On top of these weekend socials, there

theme would you like us to have for our were also plenty of other House events

charity social?” The answer was Wild and competitions, including cooking

West, and in true Mertens fashion, almost contests and a pool tournament, which

all the boys dressed up in some form of was unfortunately won by none other

cowboy outfit to attend the Under, for the than Mr King! House trips were also put

Mertens Charity social. on, drawing interest from all year groups.

A second big fundraiser for St Roses Mertens became the number-one fans of

was Mertens Fest. A brand-new idea the Guildford Flames ice hockey team

for a large-scale school concert, based and we also witnessed a dramatic T20

on a mini music festival. After many win for Sussex over Surrey at the Hove

conversations, intense organisation, and cricket ground.

countless brainstorming hours, the House Undoubtedly, House Song is the

produced one of the most special House- single biggest inter-house competition.

62 led events: on a Friday evening, after It involves every single person in house
| a busy exam week, around 500 people and does not require sporting talent – or

63 gathered on the Terrace to watch music even singing talent for that matter. We

started rehearsals late in the process, but

the boys turned it around with barely

a day to spare. The ‘elite group’ was

refined and trimmed down to become

an angelic choir creating a heavenly

sound – namely George Gui and Ewan

Tatnell in the opening line! Regardless,

however, the boys put in a massive effort flown home early; others were frantically

and created a result which, as a house, we packing their rooms to be ready for

are immensely proud of. To add to this the end of the year (myself included).

sense of achievement, Head of School The Upper Sixth boys returned to

Timi believed we could have even placed house the day before sports day, and all

– surely an unbiased opinion?! spoke briefly about Mertens and their

The Mertens Band played our house experiences. This was one of many times

ensemble, with Naive by The Kooks as they have returned to the house and

the song of choice. After a number of mentioned how important Mertens is

years of making do, this year’s group was to them. Having them back was quite

comprised entirely of Mertens members, emotional for a few of us, as it brought

with the new additions Last year’s Lower Sixth set an us to the realisation that
of George Gui on the immaculate example of how a house we will not be in Mertens
mic and Joe Amenta next year, and that the
can be fully interlinked, where all the year above, who inspired
on the bass. This led

to the success of being years from Shell to Sixth Form can the House to become what
the only boys’ house mix and get on. it is today, will no longer
to place top three in be here. It speaks volumes

any category across all of House Music! about the environment Mertens House

The band has been incredibly special has become, and the value it has to the

boys within it.

The final day finished with

sports day, where despite horrific

disorganisation, we won all of the major

events: the senior 100m sprint, and both

senior and junior 4x100m relays (we

won’t mention the tug of war!), with

Joshua Allotey (former Mertens legend)

crossing the line in stylish fashion ahead

of his competition.

It has been a truly special year for

me in Mertens this year. As a house

we have achieved masses and as an

environment for us all to spend our

time in, it has continued to be a special

place of friendship, family and support.

Personally, I could not be prouder to

have been in Mertens House: it is a

special place, and I have no doubt it will

continue to flourish in the years to come.

OLIVER O’REGAN LVI

to Mertens over the last few years; very
rarely does a house have their own band,
to represent them at concerts and play
big events such as Mertens Fest. It has
been one of my favourite parts of school
life over the last few years, and I doubt
much will change as we move on to the
Upper Sixth House.

The last week of term is always
extremely busy: some boys had already

Neal O ver the course of the year, I’ve been fortunate
enough to be Head of Neal House. We’ve
been focusing on recreating our family feel
of the House, especially due to such difficult

times during the pandemic. Coming back

together has been such a relief, and makes

you realise how important and fulfilling it

is to be surrounded by peers once again. Neal house

this year has achieved a lot, from individual and group

achievements, awards for Sports, Music and academic

pursuits, and many more. From what I’ve experienced

this year, I’m sure Neal will continue to thrive with this

spirit.

REBECCA HORTON LVI

A key focus within the House this year has been to
bring us all back together as a House community: not
an easy feat in a Day House where everyone has their
own busy schedules with life finally starting to feel like
it is returning to normal. Mindfulness Monday Callover
is a great way for the House to focus together before the
week begins, the prefects have enjoyed leading a House
assembly every week, focusing on a variety of topics
such as kindness, global warming, empathy, LGBTQIA+
and many more, and Crunchie Friday’s are appreciated

by all. I truly hope that the House can continue to build
on what we have achieved this past year.

JOY DUNCAN LVI - HEAD OF HOUSE SUPERBIA

As Head of House Sport for Neal, I feel that this has
been one of the most successful sporting years I’ve
seen at my time in Neal. Having won the girls side of
Sports Day, and inter-House Football, Tennis, Netball,
and Hockey, I feel incredibly proud of the girls in Neal
across 2021-22, and believe they are all credits to the

College, throwing themselves into House activities and This year I have been given the
doing us all very proud. The whole House were always opportunity to be House Fundraising
willing to take part in every event, and true team work Prefect. The House has contributed to
really was evident throughout. I look forward to coming numerous of charities across the year
ranging from Children in Need to the
back and seeing how Neal progresses and seeing old Young Mind charity. We organized
Neal girls continuing to be involved in Sport. a bake sale this year to help support
‘Children in Need’ during March where
SOFIA CRESCINI-THOMPSON HEAD OF HOUSE SPORTS we managed to raise around £300 which
was outstanding. We also helped with
I had the privilege of taking on the role as Head of the Ukraine Crisis by donating goods
Music and Drama as a House Prefect. With such a to the cause. We managed to make
musically inclined house, I couldn’t wait to see what we nearly 100 shoeboxes which is a brilliant
could do when it came to House Song for 2022. Once achievement for a House of only 66. We
we were given the genre of ‘music composed in the also continued to support the Women’s
1980s/1990s’, we sent out a poll to the Neal students Gateway Centre in Portslade by creating
on which song they would prefer to sing: ‘Man in the Christmas gift bags for the 90 or so
Mirror’ by Michael Jackson, was the final decision. I women in their care. I am so proud of
felt very proud to lead Neal in House Song knowing what the House achieved this year and
that some students had never sung before, let alone in cannot wait to see the younger years
front of 700 pupils. While we didn’t place in House involvement within charities
Song, Neal were able to place third in House Ensemble
with an Adele classic, ‘Turning Tables’. House Drama ERICA MACKAY LVI -
came next in which myself, with the help of Rebecca
Horton, devised and scripted a performance around HEAD OF HOUSE FUNDRAISING
the given play of ‘Hecuba’ from the category of Greek
Mythologies. This was a lot of fun to work with a group It has been so good to be able to hold
for students from all years and everyone was able to social events again this year. Continuing
enjoy the rehearsals, as well as the final performance. the Neal tradition, these events have
My time in Neal has been a unique one to say the least primarily revolved around food! The
and I’m very proud to have shared my time with the Lower Sixth enjoyed a lovely meal
people that were around me. together at the Bent Arms in Lindfield,
the Fifth form had a great evening at
TÉA ELLIS LVI - HEAD OF HOUSE laser tag followed by a meal at Smith and
Western, and there has been a variety of
pizza and games socials within the House
for the younger years to continue to
build peer relationships. We finished the
year off with a morning of fun inflatable
activities with laser tag, basketball,
bowling and gladiator duels and loved
the return of the candy floss machine.
Hopefully this was the start of many
more social events for next academic
year: we as the Lower Sixth will certainly
miss these events.

EMILY THOMAS LVI -

SOCIAL SECRETARY

This year we have welcomed another
year 9 group and thankfully we have
been able to give them a more ‘normal’
Neal House experience, in addition
to some new, never been done before
experiences. In the Michaelmas term we
had weekly integration activities with
our girls meeting with different Houses
each week to play games or do quizzes to
get to know the people they may not see
very often. It was lovely to see how our

girls got stuck into the activities and I hope these mini Assistant Housemistress, Miss Barnett,
events proved to be helpful in terms of bonding them leave us at Christmas to take up a post
with other people in year 9. However, I don’t think our at Brighton Girls, but have been most
girls (or our common room) will ever get over the stench fortunate that our House Supervisor, Mrs
one of the boys Houses left for us when they paid a visit. Richards, was able to take up the post.
Thank you, boys! We have loved her presence in the House,
as well as seeing her on the Netball
Our year 10 girls have also finally been able to

experience a more regular house life such as pizza courts this year. We wish a fond farewell

socials and movies and pool in the common room and to Mrs Martirossian who retires at the

spending more time with other year groups, in life and end of this academic year, and hope that

not on screen. she will find time to pop in now and

Although we began our year with each year group again.

divided across the house to prevent Covid contact Sadly, we are losing one of the most

amongst us, we are now all fully mixed and it’s amazing prominent figures of Neal this year, Mrs

to get to speak to the other girls Neal house this year has achieved Pedlingham,
who I didn’t get to speak to at who has been

the beginning of the year. a lot, from individual and group Housemistress of

Speaking from the achievements, awards for Sports, Neal for 11 years.
perspective of the Lower Sixth Music and academic pursuits, and We wish her all
girls, it’s going to be difficult the best with her
to leave such a warm and many more. second child and

welcoming house, especially after having made so many thank her for everything she has done

memories here over the last four years, like winning over the years for all the girls. Although

house song in 2018, Neal Fest in 2019 and so much we are becoming a part of Woodard, Neal

more. Even though we’ll only be in Godwin, we’ll will always be a part of the Lower Sixth

miss being in Neal so much and wish the very best for members, and we will miss it greatly.

everyone currently in Neal and for all of the girls to We wish the best for the up and

come, you are in for a treat! coming Lower Sixth, and new members

SOFIA HARRISON LVI - SHELL MENTOR of the House, and I’m confident that
Neal will continue to provide a safe place

Our thanks go to all the House tutors for their continued to flourish within the College community.

66 help, guidance, and support. We were sad to see our REBECCA HORTON LVI -

| HEAD OF HOUSE
67

Rhodes W ith things finally getting back to normal
and people learning to live with Covid, this
academic year has been yet another change
for most people. It has been wonderful to

see the friendships between year groups

emerging again since they were disrupted

by the UK Government’s COVID-19

restrictions last year; it demonstrates the boys’ resilience

and ability to adapt to new challenges. Rhodes has

arguably had one of its most successful years in terms

of the awards that we have won, which every member

of the House should be so proud about. Alongside

the interhouse competitions, many of the boys have

succeeded greatly with academic work; many of the

boys have frequently been awarded a place on the role

of honour for having an average effort grade of four and

above.

The Michaelmas Term began with the annual water

sports team-building event for Shell at the Ardingly

reservoir. This gave them an opportunity to get to know

each other outside of the academic environment as well

as giving them an opportunity to meet people from

different houses. For the first year, the house prefects also helped to
run a Shell integration programme with all of the houses, including
activities such as gingerbread decorating and mindfulness sessions.
Slightly later in the term, we had arguably one of the biggest events
of the year: Steepo! It was brilliant to have it back as a live event. We
won the junior boys’ endeavour and, following a star performance from
Barney Hastings, won the junior boys’ overall event. In the seniors,
Oliver Francis placed second and Oliver Spinks placed third. To end

the term, we competed in house football with the juniors winning and
Rhodes taking the overall laurels for the first time in a very long time!

It was extremely exciting to resume the House Song and
House Ensemble competitions again for 2022 in the Lent Term.
Rhodes House often have the reputation of producing entertaining
performances and this year was no different. Our rendition of Tainted
Love, although it did not obtain a place on the podium, was certainly
a ‘crowd-pleaser’ and will be added into the ‘All time greats’ of
Rhodes’ entries. It was amazing to see the boys give it their all during
rehearsals and I was delighted with our final performance. Another
event that took place in the Lent Term was House Drama. This year
was the first year that it was opened to all years in the house. Our
group of six performers, led by Jacob Coughlan, worked together to
create an engaging, creative and humorous piece based on the Greek
myth ‘Tereus and Philomela’. Despite some last-minute changes, we
won the award for the ‘Best Creative Team’ and achieved third place
overall. A tremendous achievement that shows that time, dedication
and hard work do pay off! At the end of the Lent Term, we competed
in the House Hockey competition, which the juniors won outright and
Rhodes won overall. We also competed in the annual House Swimming
competition, where we won both the junior and senior categories,
meaning Rhodes again won overall.

Away from the sports, Rhodes House have also excelled in Music
and Drama. Throughout the year, numerous boys in the house have
been participated in different Music competition and Concerts. Some
68 of these included the Cabaret Evening, the ABC concert, Christmas
| concert, Mertens Fest and the Young Musician of the year. It is great

69

to see the musical talent in the house appreciation to some of the staff. Firstly, Mrs Carter

getting the attention that it deserves will be going on Maternity Leave at the end of term. We

and everybody who takes part should be would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all

immensely proud of themselves. you have done for us and we look forward to hearing

Over the course of this year, Rhodes of the new arrival in due course! We would also like

have taken Rhodes has arguably had one of its to thank Mr Savage who has
Charity work most successful years in terms of the been in Rhodes since 2012 and
greatly within our wish him the best of luck with
stride, beginning awards that we have won, which every retirement. He has been a key

the year by raising member of the House should be so member of staff within Rhodes
over £1,000 for proud about. and will be greatly missed.
Breast Cancer Finally, we also have two tutors

Awareness through selling pink ribbons. who are moving to different houses, Dr Pinho and Mrs

The appeals continued throughout the Taylor. Thank you both for everything they have done to

year as we joined forces with Hilton help Rhodes and we wish them all the best in their new

to raise over £5,000 for Crawley Open Houses.

House (a local homeless shelter). Finally, There is no doubt this year has been a challenge as

in the summer term, we finished off the we have returned gradually to some sort of normality

year by staging a toy collection for the post the COVID-19 pandemic. The countless hours that

Shoebox Appeal, which is led by Link to Mr Bennetts and Mrs Eustace have spent organising

Hope, taking a great haul to show how the house and ensuring it runs smoothly deserves our

Rhodes positive attitude to Charity has sincere gratitude. Without their complete dedication,

made a significant contribution to those the house spirit and positive atmosphere within Rhodes

less fortunate than us. would not exist. We would like to thank Mrs Eustace for

In the Trinity term, the house her significant contributions as AHOMM role. You have

atmosphere shifted yet again. This was been magnificent and we are pleased that you remain in

due to public exams returning. It was your role as a Rhodes Tutor.

amazing to see all the boys in the house Lastly, our biggest thank you goes to Mr Bennetts

supporting each other

through this stressful

time and the Vth Year

embracing the challenge

of their exams. They have

worked hard and should

be proud of their efforts.

The Junior Boys Tennis

team of Matthew Peters,

Finn Skelsey-Turner, Theo

Hall and Henry Andrews

added another trophy to

the cabinet with a win in

this competition. To finish

the term, Rhodes retained

the House Athletics trophy

and this win meant that

Rhodes have managed to

win most of the major sporting trophies who has been a Housemaster in Rhodes since the

this year - Athletics, Swimming, Hockey, 2019/20 academic year. His high levels of organisation

Football and Tennis. Steepo is the next within the house have enabled it to operate smoothly

target! The Rhodes House Trophy was and all the boys in Rhodes House have benefitted. His

awarded on the final day of term to Theo dedication and commitment to this house has been

Hall who accumulated an amazing 88 the foundation of our success and his mantra of always

House points. thinking with a respectful and considerate mindset will

On behalf of all of Rhodes House live on for years to come, I am sure. Thank you so much

we would like to thank all the House Mr Bennetts for all you have done for Rhodes House,

Staff, Tutors and Mr. Palmer who have and we wish you every success in Aberdeen House.

helped with all aspects of school life BEN CHALMERS LVI
this year. We would like to show our

Toynbee A ccording to a current Shell girl, one of the
best things about being in Toynbee House
is ‘getting the opportunity to get closer with
people in different years’. We couldn’t agree

more! The old adage that ‘time flies when

you’re having fun’ has really applied to us

this year. It seems like yesterday when we

were introducing ourselves to each other on the first day

of school, creating lasting friendships in such a short

space of time.

We also had the pleasure of Mrs Utting and Miss

McPhilemy joining us; not necessarily new to Ardingly,

but new to Toynbee. When Mrs Utting asked what we as

a House felt were the key values of being a Toynbee girl,

there were three frontrunners; sisterhood, kindness, and

confidence.

SISTERHOOD
In the first weekend of the year, the girls in Shell and
Lower Sixth were able to create many joyful memories
with each other during their integration trips; at the
Ardingly reservoir and in Devon respectively. This was
where our sisterhood began! During the year we came

078
|

079

together, organising socials such as the remembered to share our love and kindness with each

Mexican and 90’s themed retro event. other, evident from the fantastic secret Santa gifts we

The fun did not stop there. At one of gave each other this Christmas!

the more recent in-House socials, what

started off as a low-key evening making CONFIDENCE

macaroni cheese and brownies ended up Throughout this year all the girls have grown in

as a massive game of mafia and eating confidence through taking part in various competitions

brownies on the floor out of a tin! At and events. In February, we were proud to present our

Inter-House competitions, Toynbee are House Song ‘Everywhere’, by Fleetwood Mac and our

always one of the loudest to cheer each House Ensemble piece ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, by

other on, especially in the ‘What the Sinéad O’Connor. This was performed by Emily Ward,

Fork?’ Interhouse food competition Cher Chu, Amelia Kraus (L6th), Louisa Burnell, Ellis

where everyone was supportive of the Hall-Thompson, Chong Man Cheng and Hong Man

girls who took part. We are a bunch of Cheng (Shell). After the performance, we were also

girls from all year groups supporting each treated to some McDonalds takeaway for all our efforts

other, and living the bonkers life of a – taking part really does reap rewards! House Song was

teenager, and a boarder, together! not a sweet success this year, but with the help of the

Lower Sixth directors, we placed 2nd overall in House

KINDNESS Drama, also receiving the prize for Best Ensemble. Lots

The Lower Sixth prefects have of our House Drama girls have also taken part in other

demonstrated this value in a variety of Drama productions with Amelie and Emily performing

ways this year. A prime example was amazingly in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and many Shell

making pancakes for the whole House and Remove taking key roles in ‘The Addams Family.’

on national pancake day. As a House, Toynbee was also well represented in the inaugural

we decided to run a dumpling stand to dance show ‘Lost in Motion.’ Additionally, Maria

raise money for the British Red Cross Mironova, Nikol Nikolaeva and Alice Davies (L6th),

who were channelling their According to a current Shell girl, demonstrated great business skills in
funds towards aid for the one of the best things about being the Take a Risk competition, where
Ukraine humanitarian Maria won 2nd place. Academically,
in Toynbee House is “getting the
crisis. The entire House was we had two junior teams and one

involved in the making of opportunity to get closer with people senior team for House Debating, and
the dumplings and, despite in different years”. their efforts of participating in weekly
the flour all over our faces practice sessions and stepping out of

and arms, many girls became experts at their comfort zones were hugely appreciated. We have

dumpling making! This project resulted also had many notable personal successes, including the

in a grand total of more than £250 raised junior finalist for the Intermediate Young Musician of

and we ran out of dumplings surprisingly the Year, Louisa Burnell (Shell), Amelia Ward (Fifth)

quickly on the day. It was fair to say this for national fencing achievements, Ella Geiger (Fifth)

was a huge success and something we are for being part of the Great British National Youth Team

all incredibly proud of having done this for foil kite surfing, Nicky Lautre (L6th) for being

year. Special mentions to Renee Chan, the first female in the College’s history to represent

Cher Chu, and Natasha Vogt (L6th) for Ardingly in golf, Charlotte Back (L6th) representing

leading and organising the event, and Sussex in the Independent Schools’ League and Niamh

who all did their families proud with Guirey (Remove) for being part of the winning team in

their expert dumpling teaching. Across the U16 Sussex County Football Championship League.

the year groups, Toynbee girls have Ultimately, it is not possible to mention all

volunteered to help at Lower School the achievements and successes of Toynbee House,

Boarding, the College Nursery, charity nonetheless, this does not mean other attainments were

shops, nursing homes, the Kangaroos not recognised nor celebrated. Finally, great thanks

Children’s Disability Charity and and gratitude to Ms McPhilemy for her assistance with

others – even with the girls’ very busy both the House Drama and House song, Mrs Utting

schedules! There seems to be an overload and all the Toynbee tutors for their work in caring for

of kindness in Toynbee. But wait, there’s and leading the girls in Toynbee House to their sweet

more! We were also involved in donating successes. As well as valetes to Ms VM and Matron, for

to the foodbank at Christmas and all their efforts in Toynbee House and best wishes on

have helped the Mertens boys out with their respective journeys in the future.

their litter-picking initiative as a way of CHER CHU LVI
sharing our love and kindness with the NIKOL NIKOLAEVA LVI
local community. Nevertheless, we also

Woodard T he last few years have had an inevitable effect
Boys on the soon to be ex-Woodard Boys – lots of
time has been spent locked away at home.
After a time with no ability to socialise away

from a Team’s call, and limited ability to

exercise, coming into Woodard on the first

days of September was a welcome change of

pace. Finally, there was hope of a normal school year

without the restrictions that had become so tedious,

however necessary.

The prospect of starting Upper Sixth has been on

many of our minds since we started at Ardingly, a place

without the steady thrum of noise from the Shell and

Remove students, where our independence was finally

accepted and most importantly, where the four boys'

houses finally congregate under one roof and are joined

by Woodard Girls. My first memories of the House this

year are of the school prefects – whose duties begin a

couple of days before the rest of the school returned.

The small number of us were dwarfed by the size of

the house and of what it represented. Soon enough, the

sounds of irregular rolling and bumping of suitcases

090080
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090181

filled the hallways as the boarders saw the whole house in the sun outside Woodard –

began to return and fill up the house – laughing, singing, and shouting, being backed by a team

signalling the beginning of what was to be of well-trained vocalists – ‘The Elite’ of House Song.

the end of our time at the College. Practices continued inside with the keys of a piano being

The Michaelmas term started with drowned out by the rustle of lyric sheets, and out-of-

little knowledge of the new normal of time and -tune singing. With practice and some well-

Woodard, for example the unwinding of choreographed dance moves – we turned into serious

the wall between our house and Woodard contenders to win.

Girls, the constant thwacking of pool Despite realising that the top spots had been taken

balls, the sound of someone shifting the by some well-deserved opponents, after watching James

chessboard for a game (or to use it to Robinson swagger down the steps of the chapel like he

hold the breaktime sweet delicacies), or was headlining at Leeds Festival, listening to the elite

the sight of day students clustered around serenade the chapel with their soft voices wearing gold

the sign-out sheet at 5:30pm ready to bow ties, knowing there were hidden confetti cannons

leave, exhausted after the first days. ready to launch into the crowds, no one could deny that

Every Friday night, bar night was in those final moments, standing there as a House and

eagerly awaited by the boarders – with bellowing ‘GOLD’ at the top of our voices, this was our

some day students also welcoming performance of a lifetime and no one could take that

the chance to enjoy beers, snacks and feeling away from us.

a varying degree of ‘good music’ and Even though what we did in House Song showed

come together with their boarding our character and charisma, it was how we reacted when

counterparts. our female counterparts in Woodard Girls won, that

Another important time for us as shows the testament of who we are as a group. Watching

a group was the shared experience of the elite stand to applaud the Girls, followed by the

finally completing the UCAS process rest of the House – was of far greater importance than

with Mrs Childs and Every single one of us has our winning could ever have been.
waiting for offers from As well as commemorating the

our chosen universities. own story of this year, which has moments of our success as a whole

The realisation of exams contributed to making something House, we must also take the time to
drawing closer began brilliant. We have achieved so much recognise important events that do not
to put the importance as a house, which is why every boy in have an official award. Friday mornings
of the year and what it Woodard should be credited for this were often a time for everyone to come
meant, into everyone’s together to celebrate the things that

minds. However, the amazing year. go on in and out of the House and

ever-nearing end seemed acknowledge the amazing talent that we

to be drowned out by moments of light… have as individuals. Without these individual successes

Shows like ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ – Woodard Boys would not have been the amazing

with performances from our very own group that we became known for. We have incredible

William Blenkinsop, Alex Constantinou sportspeople in the water and on land, unbelievable

and Owen Young all playing major roles, academic skill, and students willing and devoted to

sports fixtures with the likes of Timi Esan societies and school improvements that will help us deal

leading the way round a race track, Josh with issues we face as a community now and into the

Barrot’s skills on the England Hockey future.

scene and, myself and Lyubo Tushev Without people who are passionate in all walks of

taking the winning touch in national life – it would be impossible to create someone who is

swimming competitions. In addition to truly ‘World Ready’ – it is the experiences and successes

this were the equally important house of others that help us to grow. Every single one of us

events and fundraisers, getting to watch has our own story of this year, which has contributed to

various shapes and sizes of moustaches making something brilliant. We have achieved so much

grow from the likes of Ivan and Laurenz as a house, which is why every boy in Woodard should

– all helped to distract our attention from be credited for this amazing year.

what was to come. It is impossible to do this year justice in one story –

Towards the end of Michaelmas but the story should already exist in the memories of the

and going into Lent term, House Song people who made it.

was on everybody’s mind. Rehearsals OLLIE RICHARDSON LVI
led by Timi Esan and Jimmy Hayter,

Woodard C oming in to Woodard Girls from the four
Girls other Girls houses to start the Upper Sixth
year is a challenge at any given time, but
it has been especially more daunting given

the interrupted nature of the Girls’ Lower

Sixth experiences at the hands of COVID.

The year started well with everyone glad

to be back to a sense of normality with the aspects of

social-distancing a thing of the not-too distant past.

Coming together every Friday and Monday morning for

Callover was something of a novelty, but even when it’s

early shine wore off (and apparently the long speeches

by House Masters of both sides became boring!) it was

great to be able to come together as a house and to share

a round of applause for those Girls who had stood out

in the week for their achievements in any walk of life

(including the odd wry applause for having mounted a

roundabout in a driving lesson or something similar).

There was a positive attitude of support across the

house for the entire year – testament to this is the fact

that difficult and honest conversations could be had

as a group at points, and students felt empowered to

speak out about their challenges, or speak to the whole

group about an issue close to their heart. We had really

engaging addresses by our Mental Health reps, our EDI

reps, our Advocacy prefects and many more, ensuring

that we had a rounded focus throughout the year and

didn’t only focus on exams, exams, exams!

This ‘house spirit’ was on full-show in our

competition-winning performance in the House Singing

competition. The competition has endured a hiatus, the

result of which is the younger students, and indeed some

of our girls who had only joined the school in the Lower

Sixth, had no experience of the competition whatsoever

This ‘coming together as a house’ was – without having witnessed
the event it is difficult to
entirely matched and indeed capped- know what is expected and

off in the Sixth-Form ball which was a to understand just how
exhilarating and fun it can
wonderfully enjoyable event... be. It was moment of real

house pride to see Woodard Girls stride out on to the

stage with fearless confidence and deliver a performance

for the ages, setting the standard and setting an example

for all the younger students to aspire towards when they

reach the Upper-Sixth. Much like the classic ‘duck below

the water’ analogy, what this fine set of performances

belies is the sheer effort put in to organising the event

by a small cadre of highly dedicated girls in house, lead

from the front by Lottie White. It was truly a group

effort, but I’ve never witnessed a more powerful force of

organisation in my entire time in this school! It always

seems as if these events are effortless for the girls of

the Upper Sixth, but in my privileged position I see just

how challenging individuals may find it, and just how

powerful ‘peer-support’ can be as a means to overcoming

these challenges.

The musical talents of the Girls were not limited

to the House Competition as there were a number of

outstanding performances delivered by them across

a great range of musical exploits – from leading roles

in ‘Little Shop’, to the dedicated band of Singers

performing almost every week in some high profile

music event, to house representative running and

performing in a singer-songwriter event in the café, and

many, many more – it was truly a musically inspired

year group who helped bring the campus back to life

after two-years of quiet. Equal to the musical gifts in

the house, we had leading performances across the

sporting spectrum with our girls leading the way in

unprecedented Swimming successes, girls captaining

the Hockey, Netball and Football teams, and our girls

leading the way in Tennis. It was a year of successes and

great sporting diversity.

Writing this after the release of the record-breaking

Equal to the musical gifts in the house, we IB results, and anticipating
great things from the
had leading performances across the sporting A-level and BTeC cohort,

spectrum with our girls leading the way in it is clear that as a House,
we made-good on our aim
unprecedented Swimming successes, girls to flourish academically
captaining the Hockey, Netball and Football throughout the year.
It was great to see the
teams, and our girls leading the way in communal effort that the
Tennis. It was a year of successes and great

sporting diversity. girls put in – students sat

around the tables in the

Common Room, day students staying late to collaborate

with their Boarding friends, large whiteboards chock

full of notes (and the odd bit of nonsense too!). Once

the exam seasons were upon us the house became

fully-focused, and (as I had promised…) the anxiety

of anticipation actually dissipated in the face of the

task itself. There was a focused and supportive vibe

across the day and through in to the boarding house

at nights. The boarders continued to chill-out at bar

nights on a Friday night and to blow off a little steam

on the weekends, but there was almost always a sense

that everyone’s success was predicated on the respect

for each other’s working habits and academic needs.

This ‘coming together as a house’ was entirely matched

and indeed capped-off in the Sixth-Form ball which

was a wonderfully enjoyable event, and one of the most

friendly and well-knit I have ever attended. It was a year

to truly be proud of, and a fantastic set of girls who did

so much across such a broad spectrum of activities – I

am sure we will see a great number go on to do a great

many things!

J LALEH

76 Isabella Cairns-Nabi Fifth >

|
77 Wai Nung Ng UVI

Ourselves

University Destinations Heads of Houses

Bath Aberdeen
Birmingham Virginia Grewe
Bournemouth Burgess
Bristol Jasmine Phibbs
Cambridge Crosse
Cardiff Dan Childs
Cardiff Metropolitan Hilton
Durham Mario Ornaghi
Edinburgh Mertens
Exeter Oliver O’Regan
Imperial Rhodes
KCL Ben Chalmers
Kent Neal
Lancaster Rebecca Horton
Leeds Toynbee
LIPA (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts) Cher Chu
Liverpool Woodard Boys
Loughborough Ollie Richardson
LSE Woodard Girls
Manchester Lottie White
Manchester Metropolitan
Newcastle Heads of School
Nottingham
Nottingham Trent Olympe David-Deleplanque
Oxford Timi Esan
Oxford Brooks Nick Scherer
Oxford School of Drama Sara Watson
Portsmouth
Royal Veterinary College, Uni of London Katie Henstock UVI
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Southampton
St Andrews
Surrey
Sussex
UCL
UWE
Warwick
York
York St John

Bocconi Milan
ESADE Barcelona
ESSEC Cergy France
IE Madrid
Luiss Guido Carli Rome
Babson Massachusetts
DePauw University Indiana
UC Berkeley
UC San Diego
Villanova Pennsylvania
Washington State

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Advocacy
Olympe David Deleplanque
Lyubomir Tushev
Owen Young
Sara Watson

Pelican
Stefan Danev
James Robinson

Charity
Charlotte Froud
Kaito Imai
Isabella Sedgley
Charlotte White

L6 Integration
Timi Esan
Philipp Glasmacher
Thomas Hay
Laila Liesching

Middle School Integration
Giulia Barbini
Laura Crooks
Katie Dolder
Jimmy Hayter
Ollie Richardson
Nick Scherer

Prefects

Giulia Barbini
Laura Crooks
Stefan Danev
Katie Dolder
Charlotte Froud
Philipp Glasmacher
Thomas Hay
Jimmy Hayter
Kaito Imai
Laila Liesching
Ollie Richardson
James Robinson
Isabella Sedgley
Lyubomir Tushev
Charlotte White
Owen Young

80 Ottavia Di Fusco Fifth >

|
81 Lulu Robson UVI

Our
alumni

Decades
of Hockey

Hockey has obviously been a feature of College life they could use a stick without breaking it. ... The Hockey

for over 150 years, though it seems to have been very XI has proved itself at least equal to teams of standing.

low key initially. Browsing through old editions of the They played three matches, of which two were won and

Annals brings up many references and it is fascinating one lost.

to see the sport grow in importance. My interest was The 1930s were obviously a time of change. In

first aroused by a photograph of the 1st Hockey Team 1932 the Annals magazine states “Unfortunately, this

in 1934 with notes on the back implying that it was the Term, the Fates were all against Hockey. An Under XVI.

first ever Hockey match at the College. Further research match had been arranged against Lancing and a 1st XI

has proved this to be wrong but it does seem to have match against Hurstpierpoint, but owing to chicken- pox

been the start of more formal matches against other both matches had to be scratched.”

schools. In the first season of 1934, the aim was to make the

It seems that in the years when Mertens and Hilton school hockey-minded, and under the expert tuition of

were Headmasters all the level areas round the School Winnington Ingram (a former Hockey Blue) the sport

buildings were filled to saturation point with surging flourished. However, over the next few years the weather

masses of cricketers, footballers or hockey players and the usual epidemics of the Lent Term conspired to

according to season or inclination. These were then used limit the opportunities for hockey, but in 1938 a fine

for multiple concurrent games of football or hockey, spell enabled the School Eleven to play Hurstpierpoint,

for roller-skating and sometimes for hockey on roller- Caterham, and several other matches. There were many

skates. Old tennis balls were used and for hockey curved useful rules such as “To mark a man in Hockey is not

sticks were cut in the woods. The games were fast and just to stick to him, but to be thinking ahead where the

furious and apparently made a contribution towards ball is going to be hit next, and to place yourself so as to

the development of acute concentration and speedy intercept any likely pass to the man you are marking”.

reaction. The last winter before the war saw a very creditable

By 1913 it was more formal. Hayes was elected hockey side in existence and several matches were won,

Captain of Hockey and G. R. Jenner, Vice-Captain. but though Hurstpierpoint had been met in almost every

82 This term, for the first time, hockey was played by the season, victory for Ardingly had not been recorded.
| majority of the clubs. In spirit, it was a great success, Obviously the rivalry with Hurstpierpoint has long

83 and most people thoroughly appreciated the game after history!



The 1940s seemed to be an interesting time. Hockey competitively, but it was possible
to arrange a few fixtures to give meaning
“1947 will be remembered meteorologically for some to their diligent practices. The girls seem
to thoroughly enjoy playing hockey,
extraordinary things, and not least for producing in finding it a welcome change from netball
during the winter terms.
October conditions suitable for activities normally
The 1991 Ardinian quotes the
restricted to the latter weeks of the Spring Term. On Headmaster (James Flecker was also
a hockey blue) discussing sporting
a field innocent of lines, circle or the touch of a roller, achievements and hastily changing his
remarks to add in the girls!
where worm-casts were always a grand excuse for
“Facing a table with possibly half of
missing the ball completely, or kicking it in the required last year’s girls’ hockey team, the Head
quickly added that the girls were very
direction when all other legal means of propulsion had much more successful than the boys! He
went on to talk about the new hockey
failed through lack of practice, two games of Hockey pitch, re-christened Miller’s Field, made
of Astroturf. ‘Hockey is on its way up.’
were played which showed one thing quite clearly; that
James Flecker was obviously
there is enough talent in the School to make it a minor prophetic and nowadays Hockey
continues to flourish and many Old
tragedy that the grounds are not suitable for this to be Ardinians have enjoyed playing at both
professional and amateur levels. Long
played as an alternative game in the Spring Term. Of all may that continue!

the winter team games, Hockey is perhaps the one which A KING

is most widely available after leaving School, and can be Jessica Maxwell Fifth >

played to a ripe retiring age, for rotundity is a great asset

to the keeper of so small a goal !”

Later decades seem to have trundled along happily

with many matches played and a general improvement

of standards though not everyone agreed with that. “The

opposition, singly or as a team, should be beaten, not by

the individual, but by the quick and accurate passing of

the team. Another failing of our Hockey is over use of

the long, hit pass. Such a pass certainly has its place, but

the short push pass played quickly and firmly between

players moving up field, keeps the opposition continually

on the move, and guessing as to our next move.”

Of course, by the 1980s a major change had

84 occurred with the advent (horror of horrors) of Girls!
|
85 Schools in this area at that time did not play Girls'

Our
valete

86 Jen Champ

| Jen joined the department in September,
87 Alexa Liesching Fifth having spent 3 years working in the Far
East. She settled in quickly, making her
mark both in the Department and with
the classes she taught.

Jen is hard-working, very organised
and a highly effective teacher. She has
strengths in all areas of Maths and
at Ardingly has taught the full range
of pupils from Shell pupils up to our
Further Mathematicians in the 6th form.
She had the first pre IB Maths set in
Fifth, and her knowledge of the IB was
invaluable to her L6th Higher level class.

Jen was popular and well-respected
by the pupils she taught. They benefited
from both her fine subject knowledge and
love of her subject, as well as her warm,
caring and helpful nature. She was able
to provide an enjoyable and engaging
environment for her pupils to learn, and
used an excellent range of tasks and
resources to help deliver her lessons.

She was also a great colleague-
helpful, supportive and professional in
everything she did. We will miss her good
humour and infectious laugh!

Outside of the classroom, Jen’s
love of the outdoors allowed her to be
involved in the D of E programme and
she helped pupils during the Enrichment
Programme activity and went on various
expeditions. She took on a group of U6th
tutees in Godwin Hall and wrote their
UCAS references with real expertise,
quality and care. She also helped run
the STEP and Oxbridge Maths Society,
helping to inspire our more able
Mathematicians on a regular basis.

Unfortunately, we have to say
goodbye to Jen as she returns to one of
her former schools, Lancing College. She
made a really positive impression in her
year here with us and we wish her all the
very best in the future.

A MIDDLETON

Dr Pat George

Pat joined Ardingly College in 2004 and it is fair to say Sue Martirossian
that she has been the rock in an ever-growing and ever
successful Psychology department. During her time at Sue joined Ardingly College Senior
the College, she has needed to adapt to many changes of School in 2006 as a part time French and
syllabus but has also successfully implemented the IB - Spanish teacher having previously taught
offering it now also at Higher Level - and, more recently, at Blatchington Mill school in Hove for
the BTEC in Applied Psychology, allowing students with many years.
a variety of learning styles and interest the opportunity
to learn the subject. She is passionate about encouraging Her role in the MFL department
the students to think critically for themselves, always included teaching French to A Level and
encouraging them to extend beyond the syllabus to IB and Spanish to GCSE. She especially
better their understanding. Indeed, for the last few enjoyed being creative in lessons and is
years, Pat offered students the opportunity to complete known for her (French) cheese tastings,
a diploma in counselling skills, teaching students the pancake making and speed-dating
valuable skills of helping others in need. Many students lessons. She was always a team player in
benefitted enormously from this and spoke very highly the department, sharing resources and
of the opportunity to engage in the programme as part ideas with colleagues and collaborating
of their enrichment. to develop programmes of study, schemes
of work and various assessments. Not
Pat extended her supportive role to many members only have her students greatly enjoyed
of staff, nurturing me through my NQT year as well as her lessons, but they have achieved
others conducting and wishing to pursue PGCEs, and excellent results over the years as her aim
I will always be truly grateful to her for her support in was always to achieve the best outcome
enabling me to be the teacher I am today. I will also for them. Outside the classroom, she took
remain in awe at how much of an Excel mastermind trips to see French films at the Duke of
she is. Every time I open a departmental spreadsheet, York cinema and helped to organise the
I wonder how someone could have made it look so department’s poetry recital events.
beautiful and I have tried ever since her departure to
keep up those high standards! For several years she helped run
the CAS programme to help the elderly
After two failed previous attempts at retiring, she in the community with IT issues and in
thought it was third time lucky and we said a rather clinics she supported her students with
subdued farewell to her at the end of the Michaelmas French conversation sessions in a relaxed
Term 2020; it is almost as if she predicted another term environment with tea and loads of
of online teaching! As it turned out, that third attempt biscuits and chocolates (from Belgium).
at retiring wasn’t quite so lucky for her, with the luck
instead in our favour, as she returned to the College for She organised highly popular
another term in September 2021 to help the department and successful work experience trips
out during a period of transition between the old and to Limoges before Health and Safety
new Heads of Department. We were extremely fortunate regulations regarding homestays
as a College that Pat was able to do this; a true reflection prevented trips of this nature.
of her kindness, and I know how relieved the students
were to see her again. I will miss her incredibly, as will Throughout her entire time at
her students, who over the years have given her the Ardingly, Sue was a tutor in Neal House,
affectionate nickname of ‘PAGGY G’. Due to increasing where she had a great rapport with the
numbers of Covid infections, she was unable to have many tutees whom she supported.
any real leaving celebration, and although going quietly
without fuss was exactly what she wanted, it certainly Although she initially resisted
wasn’t what she deserved! using the Surface, Sue finally embraced
it during lockdown and has mastered
R CARTER OneNote, Teams and online teaching.
There is no doubt that she will be greatly
missed by the French department as she
moves on to taking a break from her
teaching career to spend some time in
France with her husband.

N JOHNSTON

Richard Savage a unique, tangible passion, and managed
to pass it forward onto your students. We
Richard Savage is a man with hinterland. Although could not have asked for a better person
Ardingly knows him as a teacher of English, his to guide us through the Congo, 18th
degree is in that most compatible of subjects, History, century France, Cambodian villages and
which he read at Pembroke College, Oxford. While Norwegian apartments. You introduced
at Oxford he played cricket for the university, earning us to new worlds, ideas, languages – in
his ‘Blue’; in those days the Oxford and Cambridge the case of Pentecost – and our horizons
teams played regular matches against the First Class are infinitely wider thanks to the care
Counties. Richard’s best bowling figures for OUCC with which you selected our works, and
were 7 for 50 against Glamorgan in 1977 and he is the attention you have attributed to
still proud of having taken the wicket of no less a titan each of them. I have never met anyone
than Viv Richards. Richard’s Oxford cricket took him so in love with their subject and can say
into the Warwickshire side in 1979 but the grind of with certainty that the confidence you
county cricket was too limiting for a man of Richard’s have given me, through your guidance,
imagination and sympathies. After cricket Richard went support, and kind words, will remain
into teaching but, within that career, he diversified into with me for many years. To get to the
trading in textiles in South East Asia. Richard admits heart of the argument, as you have so
to having an eye for colour and texture and he has often told us to do, you are the gold
demonstrated the range and flair of his wardrobe on standard for teachers everywhere, the
many occasions; not for Richard the conventional, bland benchmark for all teachers to come,
business suit. He has pioneered a kaleidoscopic range though doubtless few will come close to
of knitted ties and suits handcrafted from intriguing filling your shoes.
fabrics. This author cherishes the vision of Richard
haggling with sharp-eyed Asian merchants over rare OLYMPE DAVID-DELEPLANQUE UVI
damasks and silks in the sweltering bazaars of Sulawesi
and Borneo. Mr Savage was the only English teacher I
have ever had.
Richard is an internationalist and has taught
abroad, notably in Brussels. He is a political man, He was the first person to tell me I
married into politics, and as a determined opponent could write and the main reason why I
of Brexit was devastated by the result of the 2016 had the confidence to pursue literature
referendum. Richard flexed his connections and in the sixth form. One day I entered his
helped arrange the memorable debate in the Ardingly classroom and found photos of paintings
marquee, just before the referendum, between Jacob from towns surrounding my home in
Rees-Mogg and Baroness Shirley Williams, with Italy scattered on the walls. He looked
supporting Ardingly students, arguing either side of the at me cheekily and said: “Do you notice
issue. He was, along with Mr Davies, the supervisor of anything different?” Mr Savage is the
Ardingly debating, taking groups to students to MUN only person who can successfully read an
events in Bosnia and also accompanying Sixth Form entire book aloud in a different accent.
trips to Africa and India. Richard does not think in He is a man who cared about certain
terms of retirement, and instead he is transferring his poems so much that I can quote a few
considerable energies and great talents from teaching at lines from each without having ever read
Ardingly to working with refugees in Brighton. them. I should read them. To Mr Savage,
a man who cares, and crucially, cares
In the short time I have had the pleasure of working about others caring too.
with Richard Savage, I have discovered that he is a man
of deep integrity who will not sit back and accept the SEBASTIAN TORCASSI UVI
status quo but, rather, will challenge anything he sees
as iniquitous and unreasonable, always with people’s Mr Savage was always enthusiastic for
best interests at heart. This is one of the qualities he every lesson he taught, inspiring our class
inspires in his pupils and one of the many reasons why to feel engaged even on the earliest of
he is so widely respected throughout the College, as the Mondays. I can’t name any other who is
following tributes demonstrate: more devoted to their field.

B2 has become, over the years, a creative, inspiring, ALEX FUDGE UVI
welcoming space. A classroom full of life, discussions,
laughter, a classroom with a soul. You have taught with

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89

Mr Savage is possibly one of the most enthusiastic while Marcus desperately tried to get us
teachers I’ve ever known. Especially when it comes to back to the point of business. Richard is
acting out each character within our texts. a wonderful actor and immersed himself
fully in any opportunity for dress-up! I
GRACE HITCHEN UVI especially cherish the memory of him
in full 20s get-up at the Gatsby event,
It has been a pleasure to be taught by Mr Savage, if only exclaiming ‘I brought a dawg’, and indeed
for these two short years. He has been someone who is he had! Such an emotionally intelligent,
encouraging, kind and never misses an opportunity to principled and passionate man. I will
let his wonderful humour shine through. He has opened miss him greatly.
my eyes to a side of English that I hadn’t previously
explored and I have deeply enjoyed listening to his J O’NEILL KAAN
stories that he shared with us. I only hope that he knows
how much we appreciate him and wish him well for the And, to conclude, a rather pithy rhyming
future. couplet:

AMY NICHOLLS UVI ‘Three-piece corduroy suit;
literary knowledge to boot!’
Richard was the first person I saw when I arrived for
my interview at Ardingly College eight years ago. He E HARRISON
greeted me with the warmest smile that put me at ease
instantly and stopped what he was doing to help me The key notes of these glowing tributes
navigate my way to Reception. If everyone that works seem to me to be Richard’s warmth,
here is like that, I thought, then this is definitely a place good humour and devotion – not only
I want to be. My experience of going to Florence on an to his pupils and the Department but
IB course with Richard is one I will never forget. He is to the subject of English itself. One
an expert globe trotter and showed me around the city of the reasons why Richard’s classes
as if it was his second home. From booking a suitable and colleagues admire him so much
backstreet vegetarian restaurant to bartering for a and why we will miss him is because
handbag on a market stall on my behalf, it was a joy to of the absolute sincerity with which
be his travel companion for those few days. The kindly, he approaches literature and its place
boundlessly energetic and downright cool Richard in the world. Examples of this include
Savage will be sorely missed. lunchtime conversations on the
subject of what books will be studied
L PORTER 100 years from now; his passionate
reading of verse in the occasional
It has been such an honour to work with Richard over poetry gatherings by the archway; and
the last two years. A font of wisdom, kindness and good his enthusiastic participation in the
humour-the school and its students have been lucky to aforementioned Gatsby soiree to mark
have him. the end of the Upper Sixth Form’s
English studies (although I was sorry
L GREENE not to have witnessed his legendary
Charleston moves). To echo one of the
I love Richard’s passion for literature – he seems to aforementioned comments: Richard
know so much! And the fact that when the cricket is on, cares and cares about people caring. It
he can’t help but take his classes out to watch it! He’s a is testament to his character that he has
lovely colleague, so very unassuming, kind, patient and chosen to dedicate part of his retirement
reliable. The students clearly love him and we shall miss to helping the most vulnerable in society
him very much. by teaching English to refugees. We will
miss his wisdom, experience and sense of
L TAYLOR fun immensely but hope that he will stay
in touch – I am already planning a series
I will remember Richard’s wit, warmth and irrepressible of Savage literary lectures for the autumn
spirit. An eternal flaneur, inspirer of young minds, – and we wish him every success and
master of the Charleston. I have greatly enjoyed his happiness in the next chapter of his life.
delight at situations of political intrigue or subversion.
Department meetings where we enjoyed long, Thank you, sincerely, Richard.
impassioned detours into philosophical and social
questions about the college, literature, life in general C PARKE

T SMITH

Richard Stafford the sheer number of ensemble groups
on offer – all designed for musicians of
Richard joined Ardingly College as the fifteenth any level to enjoy performing and have a
Director of Music during the Trinity Term of 2016. A chance to shine.
musical fiend, avid lover of sport and ‘donner’ of chinos
and the odd bargain suit from TK Maxx, it is fair to say 3 Community – Richard is a true
that he has helped transform the Music department educationalist, and perhaps more
during his tenure. His contribution and approach can be importantly, a lovely person who really
distilled to three key elements: cares about those around him. The spirit
with which he leads the department and
1 Goals – Richard is an incredibly ambitious individual culture that he inculcates is inclusive
– for himself, the department and the students. Upon and team-focused – certainly, something
arrival, it was clear when speaking with him that he that he has transferred from his love
wanted Music’s reputation and impact at the College of cricket. A busy concert schedule is
to improve exponentially. Targets on GCSE & A Level to be followed by a department trip to
pupil numbers; undergraduate applicants to study the rugby. A series of long rehearsals,
Music at university; numbers of students completing complemented with a meal out to one
musical exams and diplomas; concerts; tours; and of the fine culinary establishments in
‘crazy ideas’ were all focused on with laser-like precision Sussex. A hectic half-term acknowledged
and sheer bloody-mindedness. This was an incredibly by a note of thanks, usually accompanied
refreshing approach but, when the different elements by a bottle of something nice. The
were combined, a seriously daunting task. The results ‘Kapellmeister’, as he is referred to by the
speak for themselves. A new expectation of what the department, has truly brought a sense of
musical standard is to be achieved at Ardingly; two sets ‘One College’ to this area of school life.
at GCSE; multiple Oxbridge successes; professional- This was never more evident than during
level performances from student groups; massive uptake lockdown. The regular online student
in Music lessons – a department reborn and completely performances; concerts; and appearances
unrecognisable from what was inherited. from professional performers (Harry
the Piano surely being a highlight) really
2 Experiences – Richard loves to stretch the students brought a sense of normality and joy at
and allow them to experience the joy and challenge a time that was incredibly difficult for
of performing music regularly and in incredible us all. I can’t think of any other Music
settings. To that end, the range of tours and concerts department that continued to offer such
provided has been truly phenomenal. From the schola a varied and demanding repertoire during
performing at St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster such a difficult time.
Abbey; to orchestral performance at St John Smith’s
Square; and tours to Vienna, Prague and Malta, he has All in all, it can be said that Richard
always strived to provide the musicians of Ardingly has been a superstar and Ardingly legend.
with opportunities to develop, shine and succeed. The He has offered so much of himself
repertoire performed is always ambitious. From the and helped the department to achieve
Grondahl Trombone concerto to Dvorak’s Eighth, and great success. Our loss is certainly
Rutter’s Gloria – these are seriously difficult pieces Shrewsbury’s gain – a move which will
to pull off and have always been performed with great bring him closer to Herefordshire and
aplomb. There is perhaps a myth, however, that he is family life. No doubt I’ll see him up
elitist in his approach. This is far from the truth. One North for a Champions League semi-final
only has to look at the musical extra-curricular offering home-leg soon – up the Toon!
to know that this is not the case. House Song; House
Music; ABC concerts; band nights; fortnightly Friday C QUAYLE
lunchtime performances; Big Bang days; Music in the
Community sessions; different levels of choir provided;

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Tallia Woodhouse Dr Rebecca Elliston

I think I speak on behalf of everyone in the Common Rebecca is an outstanding teacher who
Room when I say what an absolute pleasure it has has put all her energy into delivering
been to work alongside Tallia. She has led the Physics fantastic lessons for her students. She
department superbly, guiding her team through has supported each individual to achieve
the choppy waters of the pandemic with her usual their potential with lessons designed to
customary calmness. I have come to value deeply her intrigue and enthuse all and can simplify
ideas and thoughts on how to develop both her subject and break down even the most complex
and science more generally. She was instrumental material for all to understand. Over her
in helping to develop the new Year 7 and 8 science time in the Physics department, she has
curriculum. She introduced, single-handedly, an IB in created and shared bespoke resources
Astronomy, despite there being absolutely so resources enabling the quality of teaching and
to call upon. Her ground-breaking ‘Girls in Physics’ EP learning across the department to
has inspired many girls to realise that Physics is not the improve significantly. She has organised
sole purview of boys, and her work in this area is helping multiple careers in Physics events and
to spread the message across the whole College. been instrumental in supporting students
succeed in the British Physics Olympiad
I think what characterises Tallia the most is her competitions. As both a boarding
strong moral compass. She cares deeply about the assistant and tutor in Aberdeen, she has
students in her care, and will pull out all the stops to fully contributed to delivering comfort
support them. The same is true of the staff she leads. Dr and care to her tutees that is second to
Elliston completed her PGCE with Tallia as her mentor, none. She has been adored by students
and said what an amazing job she did. I know that Dr and staff across the school and will be
Pinho and Mr McConnell have valued so much the greatly missed.
support and guidance they have been given by Tallia this
year, and are especially sad that she is leaving. A WOODHOUSE

Tallia has given much to the college and the We also take this
students beyond the classroom. She has led a range of opportunity to wish all
enriching school trips, for example to Herstmonceux, to the best to the following
CERN in Geneva and, pre-Covid, she expertly organised additional leavers:
the fantastic service trip to Kenya.
Michael Firth
The start of Tallia’s Ardingly journey was an
interesting one. Legend has it that during her interview Karen Jense
Dr Spiers was so impressed that he left after 30 minutes
and went straight to Mr Figgis’ office to make sure he Mike Long
employed her. Who knows what prompted Andrew
to make such a decision? Perhaps she promised him Britta Modi
that she’d single-handedly mark all future Physics IAs?
Perhaps she told him that she had contacts in a solar
cell technology company, and could guarantee him a
lifetime’s supply of solar cells?

More likely it’s that Andrew saw in Tallia what
we have come to see and admire all these years later: a
kindred spirit who shared with him a genuine love of
Physics; an expert and inspiring teacher and mentor;
and someone with great ideas and instincts. Perhaps
though it simply came down to this – he realised in
that brief period what a joy it would be to work with
someone so kind, smart and lovely as Tallia. Well, that
assessment was 100% correct.

Everyone at the College is truly gutted that Tallia
is leaving. Everyone wishes her and her partner Max all
the very best as they embark on the next exciting stage
of their lives together. From all of us here, we’d like to
thank her for everything she has done, and for the great
friend you have been to so many.

N MANCINO

James Johnson

The search for a new deputy headmaster PSHE. There is simply nothing better

began in February 2016. This was than watching him prepare lessons on

when we first met a bright, young sexually transmitted infections or having

housemaster from Tonbridge School; to see the ‘squirm’ of a Shell student

full of enthusiasm, a lover of rugby (well, having their Head deliver such important

lover of all sport), ready to come to the life lessons.

College with his young family. As a lover of sport, James can be

Reflecting on his time at Ardingly found on the side lines of most school
As a teacher of English, James taught sporting activities at Ardingly, offering
the subject with great flair and passion – his sporting knowledge to those who
never imposing his own love for Gothic wish to listen, and I am sure it will be
literature on his classes. The rapport he no different at Taunton. James’s passion
had with his students has been second to for sport has certainly helped make it an
important part of life at Ardingly, and

for the week after the announcement of

his departure, Mr Millard needed a lot of

consoling. Like all things in James’s life,

he is very modest about his own sporting

career, in a sport that Mr Millard will tell

you is played with the wrong shaped ball.

His playing days were kind to him and

have not left him looking like most rugby

players; no cauliflower ears and a straight

nose (unlike most forward players

his age), but he has certainly rubbed

shoulders (and other body parts) with

well-known players, representing England

U16, Richmond and London Scottish,

Cambridge University, and Stourbridge.

Now his playing days are over (but never

say never – the local veterans team in

Taunton might be knocking on his door

when they hear he has arrived in town),

he has switched his energy to running a

million miles every week, so if he is not

in his office or garden, he is sprinting

around the Sussex countryside, or in the

gym. Such was his passion for running,

James and Harry ran from Shoreham to

Ardingly, raising an impressive amount of

none and his classes have always worked money to support the build of Ardingly’s

hard, enjoyed their learning, and gained Café 150.

successful results. Jenn O’Neill Kaan In other co-curricular facets of

recounts an English department meeting Ardingly life, James first attended

where James’s passion for the Gothic the Kenya trip in 2017, its ninth year

was revealed: a quickfire canter through of running. He has ensured that the

his Masters, complete with references partnership between Ndogo Primary

to his interest in vampires in literature, School, the Langalanga Trust, and

culminated in his revealing a ghoulish Ardingly College has remained strong.

mask which he keeps in the cupboard of In 2019, he helped us to form a new

his office. It made us wonder what other relationship with Mwega Primary School.

skeletons are lurking there. The work undertaken by the Ardingly

More recently, James has ensured students and staff visiting each year

he kept his ‘finger on the pulse’ of the is never particularly glamorous but is
student body through his teaching of
92 always very much needed and James has
| always been hands on with the building

93

project each year. In 2017, he helped to did we know that his headship would be plagued by
demolish old classrooms at neighbouring Covid, meaning Head’s assemblies would be held almost
Kamande Primary School. In 2018, he exclusively on Teams. In fact, after two years in the role,
supported the local project leaders in the he has only held a handful of assemblies in person! His
installation of a 10,000-litre plastic water serene approach to even the most stressful of situations,
tank. This formed part of a new water coupled with an ability to deliver even bad news with
harvesting programme designed to catch humour and a sense of humanity has ensured success in
precious rainwater to provide a clean this role. His ability to connect with staff and students
water supply for the school's youngest will be most missed from the management corridor
pupils. In 2019, James helped to renovate (previously known as the ‘corridor of power’). So, too,
four of the 10 classrooms at Mwega will his love of blue-sky thinking, uninterrupted thought-
Primary School, all the while planning showers, talking to agenda points at meetings and
further works for the future. ensuring that there are more tailwinds than headwinds
in our direction of travel.
The visit to Kenya for Ardingly
students is always filled with challenges Looking forward, beyond the Ardingly gates.
that push attendees out of their comfort The following is an extract taken from a reference
zone and draws out many emotions written by a former colleague of James's for his Taunton
and life lessons for our students. James application process:
has always ensured that Ardingly
students attending the trip recognise In summary, Mr Chair of Governors, I believe that
their privilege and their purpose for if you overlook some shortcomings of this candidate,
traveling to these schools. He is an you may well have yourself a decent headteacher on your
excellent role model for them, by building hands.
positive relationships with all members
of the community we interact with, Once you put aside the list that will follow, you
asking questions and aiming to learn might be able to see JJ’s (his nickname, not sure
as much as possible about the context whether that will be used if he’s going to be of the
and background of the community upper echelon?) true colours. To begin, his focus is so
we support. Most importantly, he has completely on school life it should raise some concern
taught our students to be humbled by for you; he is a self-pronounced ‘nause’ on the topic of
the Kenyan children's huge appreciation independent education and only the mighty Tony Little
of facilities that are taken for granted would be able to out-quiz him on Mastermind. You must
back in the UK. He certainly models the also put to one side the to ‘the manor born’ element,
Ardingly's three core values of humility, with him having had Radley, Wrekin and Millfield as
engagement and kindness each day, but homes and his own time in Cheltenham, Tonbridge
this is particularly apparent to students and Ardingly (obviously the most exceptional school is
on the Kenya trip. left until last here); surely you really want a little more
of a distinguished pedigree, don’t you? Had he gone
As our Deputy Head, James to Oxford, rather than that ‘other place’, you might be
masterfully ran the school with enviable looking at a worthwhile sort of chap.
calmness, ensuring lunch queues were
orderly, uniform rules were enforced, Do ensure that you consider his ‘healthy living’,
and oversight of pastoral care was gym-going and Shoreham-to-Ardingly running feats;
maintained. He approached all aspects of granted, this is off-set by his consumption of regular
the role with good humour and patience, seconds of sugary desserts at lunch, but this positive
applying the very same fervour with aside, his diet can often be difficult and depressing for
which he tackled the issue of chewing those of us without the same metabolic rates. Finally,
gum around campus to all aspects of I would suggest that you use the interview process to
deputy headship. The role of a deputy question the man-bag that he has with him at all times.
head is often unenviable as it is the No-one has ever seen inside it, but many suspect that he
‘catch all’ for problems, but James made is likely carrying ‘The Good Schools Guide’ and latest
it look effortless; so much so that when copy of ‘Independent Schools’ Education’ Magazine’
a College restructure was afoot, there for some quiet moment swotting up in order to look
seemed an obvious next step… knowledgeable at the next opportunity. There’s every
chance that satchel may also contain a sweet treat
A natural leader in every way, swiped from the dining room whilst others were looking
James was appointed to Head of Senior the other way.
School from September 2019. Little
Should you be able to disregard these not
inconsiderable flaws, you might be wise to employ him.

Good luck to him and you in your quest Georgina Stafford
for an appropriate appointment. One
hopes, amidst all this matter that you Georgina joined the college Nine years ago as the Head
must put aside, you find a headteacher of Sixth Form arriving from Brighton College. She had
worthy of your school. a clear sense of the direction in which she wanted to
steer the Sixth-Form. I can recall the very first meeting
If you do not decide to go with she chaired of the Sixth-Form tutors in advance of the
him, I would definitely approach one of school year where she set the tone for her time here at
the following: his wife Rachel, who is the college - improving the chances of our Student’s
exceptional in her own right, and would accessing the Post-School pathways of their choice. This
do as good a job as him (if not better), or was the heart of her stewardship of the Sixth-Form,
if you’re prepared to wait a while, there modernising our approach to A-Levels, IB, BTECs and
are two younger and exceptional smaller a myriad of other qualifications along the way, so that
Johnsons (Joseph and Emma) who will we could empower our students to make the most of
be excellent candidates in a few short the opportunities which lay beyond school. The upshot
years’ time. In fact, bearing in mind their of this approach was a continual success-story across
high standards, you may just want to take a number of different metrics. The A-level results and
all four of them to make safe any decision IB results saw year-on-year rises, but the stats of which
you make. It’s a ‘Buy One, Get Three she was, rightfully, the most proud were the remarkable
Free’ offer, one supposes. Thinking about increases in the proportion of students accessing their
it in those terms, that’s a superb deal, and First Choice Universities, and, further, the proportion
I suggest you look into it more closely. who were accessing top-ranking UK and Global
Universities. This shows just how much Georgina’s
Finale tireless efforts as a Head of Sixth Form resulted in our
As the above reference suggests, we aren’t students heading out into the world beyond the College
just losing James. Jim Carrey once said, with as good a start as we could possibly muster for
“behind every great man is a woman them. It was these successes which lead to her rise
rolling her eyes” and Rachel has rolled within the College (at one point Ben joked about her
her eyes many times! In saying goodbye Job Title being by far the longest in the School) to the
to Mr Johnson, we also send our fondest rank of Deputy Head Academic which saw her oversee
farewells to Dr Cole, the wonderfully the entirety of the Academic Direction of the School.
curious Emma and the sports-mad We had the good fortune to have Georgina at the Helm
Joseph. They have lived at the heart of throughout the choppiest of all possible educational
the College for six blossoming years (and waters – the CAGs and TAGs of the lockdown-years.
the garden has never looked better!). It Her grasp of the systems, her determination to get
has been our pleasure getting to know the best for our students and her ingenuity as a leader
you all. You have brought so much in resulted in our School not only surviving, but genuinely
your time here that it seems impossible to thriving in these circumstances and this will stand the
imagine Ardingly College without you all. test of time as a historic achievement and contribution
As you move out west and into your new to this institute.
role as Head of Taunton School, we can
only remark how incredibly lucky they As an academic leader Georgina’s impact was
are to have secured our JJ. widespread and indelible – she was a key agent of
change in her time and improved many aspects of how
P.S. Caveat to the above the school ran. But beneath the headlines Georgina
James, as the person who habitually was a committed and dedicated tutor and teacher. She
checks our SPaG on most external would teach students entire A-Level courses one-to-one
communications, please don’t be in her own time in order to help them out of a tight
surprised if errors have now occurred. spot, she would spend endless hours tutoring students
This is another problem you have created for Oxbridge interviews, or helping them catch up on
by leaving. a missed year of Politics or Sociology. Those students
and staff closes to Georgina will likely recall her endless
N BURNS commitment to her craft as a teacher and as a school-
leader responsible for the welfare and the outcomes of
J HAYTER each and every student under her purview. She is leaving
the college in order to focus on being a Mother, having
L WALTERS served the school for almost a decade in which she
played a key role in shaping the school as we know it
94 today.
|
95 J LALEH

Olivia Dogger Fifth

Phyliss Kay Rowntree (Phyl) 27 December 1946 to 10 February 2022

Phyl was employed at Ardingly College where she studied for an O Level in
as Finance Bursar from April 1992 until accounting.
November 2005.
Laura and Jillian recall that their
Born in Inverness on Friday 27 Mum was always firm but fair and never
December 1946 to Helen and Rod White, sat down; she was always busy and most
Phyl was their third child. She had two certainly taught them both to work hard
older brothers, Rod and Bryan and a and get on with life. Unfortunately, Phyl
younger sister, Helen. and Danny divorced and went their
separate ways.
Phyl was enrolled in the Crown
School in Inverness in September Picking up her life again, one
1951. Academically inclined she passed evening Phyl went with the dance troupe
her eleven plus exam and went on to to a dance in the Sergeant’s Mess at RAF
Inverness Royal Academy, where she Kinloss; it was here that she met John
excelled, leaving school at the age of Rowntree, who at the time was serving
eighteen in the summer of 1964. in the Royal Air Force. John managed to
get her telephone number via the dance
She met and married Danny troupe and telephoned her; That call
Marshall; setting up home together, they changed Phyl’s life.
went on to have two daughters, Laura,
and Jillian. Leaving the RAF, John was
employed as a flight simulation engineer
As the girls got a little older, Phyl with Links Miles in Lancing, West
worked at the General Post Office as Sussex. John moved down to England
a telephonist during the evenings and with Phyl and the girls, initially living
attended Inverness Technical College in Sompting. In time the family moved
to Worthing and then finally settled in a
house in Bramber, near Steyning, which
they completely renovated and remained
for thirty years.

They married on New Year’s Eve,
Thursday 31 December 1981.

With John occasionally travelling
abroad for his work, Phyl worked as a
bookkeeper, as well as looking after her
girls. She then became the Manageress at
an accounting bureau in 1982 and at the
same time achieved her RSA Accounting
exams at Boundstone College.

A few years later Phyl was working
as a manager for a company doing the
accounts and payroll as well as overseeing
the purchase and installation of its

Chris Quayle

Chris joined the college eight years ago as the Head of enhance the extra-curricular profile of the department.

Geography having previously taught at Worth and Kings This lead to him managing and reforming the whole-

Wimbledon. From the start of his time here Chris was a school approach to trips, where his successes lead in

keen moderniser, bringing with him a clear vision for the turn to his role as Head of Enrichment before he was

Department and a great deal of energy and ambition. appointed to the Head of Middle School role which

In his time as a Head of Department Chris was an he has most recently performed. Chris has continued

exemplar of the modern Academic Leader – data savvy his professional and forward-looking approach to these

(he knew each and every departmental stat inside-out management roles, taking the idea of management

96 and oft quoted his college leading ‘Value-Added scores), itself seriously - he has consistently made sure that
|
organised, focused on line-management and keen to he is progressing as a manager using his own time to

97

software and hardware. But not content Phyl retired at the age of 58 in 2005 to enjoy life
with all her work and home-life, Phyl also with her family.
took an evening class in conversational
German. The arrival of her two grandchildren, Jemma, and
Sean, brought Phyl and John great joy, she thought they
By 1990, Phyl was a software were both wonderful little people and truly lived for
consultant and in 1992 joined the them when she retired
Bursary Team at Ardingly College as
‘Assistant Bursar (Finance)’. Phyl was Taking early retirement allowed Phyl to travel with
a leading figure in assisting the College John when he went abroad for his work.
move into the Digital Age, installing
computers and specialist software in She was never afraid to travel on her own or be on
the finance department, transforming her own during the day when John had to work; she just
the way in which purchase ledgers, ventured out of the hotel and explored, always finding
payroll, pensions, and all financial out about each countries culture.
transactions were executed. To achieve
this Phyl worked closely with a software When at home, Phyl volunteered for Marie Curie,
company helping them develop systems had a great interest in researching her ancestry and
which were suitable for educational completely immersed herself in finding out about her
establishments and continue to be used family.
today at Ardingly College. Phyl was also
a leading figure in the Woodard Schools When John retired from work, together they
Finance Bursars Group. During her time enjoyed fabulous holidays. Travelling to America to see
at Ardingly, Phyl also played a leading Jillian and Sean, and spending time with Laura and
role in the recruitment and HR functions Jemma were always special times for Phyl.
of the College.
Sometimes Phyl and John took three holidays a
But even more importantly was her year, but when they were both at home, they loved the
respect, support and fondness of her garden and feeding the birds.
colleagues and their feelings towards
her. Which are reflected by comments Throughout her life Phyl’s health was very good
from those that worked alongside her but in 2018, she became unwell although thankfully was
“A fantastic boss, very loyal to her staff, able to remain at home for the next two years. She was
everyone that worked with Phyl thought admitted to Wraysbury House in Worthing transferring
a lot of her. She had a wicked sense of to Kingsland House Care Home in 2021, where she
humour and was great fun to work with” received the most amazing care from all the staff. John
“Very professional, helpful, stayed the whole night with Phyl; she was never on
knowledgeable, easy to get on with, her own. She and John celebrated their ruby wedding
always had the time to assist with any anniversary on New Year’s Eve 2021, having lived the
issues. Even when she was helping sort life they wanted together for forty years. They looked
out your problem, she always smiled and after each other in sickness and in health and truly cared
had a lovely lighthearted approach, great for one another. They had a wonderful life together.
person to work with, lovely lady.”
On Thursday 10 February, Phyl fell asleep for one
last time as she slipped peacefully away.

Phyl was very much a family orientated lady and
never had a bad word for anyone.

N BARKER

complete manager training in order to he has successfully realised these visions at each turn.
ensure that his approach is as broad and This has been to our great benefit as a school and as
well informed as it can be. This has been a staff body, and will now be of even greater benefit
the feature of Chris time at Ardingly to RGS Newcastle where Chris is headed to become
which is of greatest note to those who their Deputy Head Academic – a demanding role at an
work most closely with him – his vision excellent school where I am confident he will be a great
for the role, and indeed the School. He success. We will miss Chris as a professional body, but
has a clear sense of where he wanted to equally so as group of colleagues amongst whom Chris
take his department, or the Enrichment is beloved for his warmth.
programme, or the middle-school, and
J LALEH

Areeta Shams UVI Thanks

Ardingly College Editor
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