HOUSE REPORTS (1974-75)
ABBOTS
For only the second time in the history of the House competition Abbots have finished in last place in the overall championship. Throughout the year there was little doubt that Kevere were destined to win the championship, but Abbots had enough ability, if fully utilised, to have finished second. That we failed to do this was due almost entirely to the apathy and unreliability of a growing number of members of the House. On Sports Day, for example, we would have won the Senior competition and finished second in the Junior but for defaulters. Instead, we finished second in the former competition and third in the latter.
The highlight of a disappointing year was undoubtedly sharing first place in the Drama competition. With quiet efficiency, D. Dawson produced excellent performances from C. Green, J. Henley, R. Ashton and C. Wells in N. F. Simpson's, 'The Form'. The evening was altogether memorable.
Unusually, our rugby results were poor, even though the Seniors, captained by J.O'Connell, shared first place. Our years of easy domination in these competitions have ended and there seems little chance of a major revival in the near future.
Cross-country remains a major disaster area, with the House finishing last in all three competitions. One would like to believe that 'the race is not always to the swiftest'.
The Basketball competition was won for the third year running, with no great difficulty; then followed a slump to fourth place in the Literary competition and second in the Art. We have dominated the latter two competitions for several years but, although many entries were promised, relatively few materialised. Bottom place in Music was no great surprise, despite S. Buckley's efforts to organize a handful of reluctant music-makers.
The advent of the Swimming Gala began a slight revival in our fortunes, and the very talented junior swimmers won their competition easily.
Cricket produced some good results. The Seniors, without J.O'Connell for two of their matches, won their competition. The Middle team, captained by K. Hale, should have won their competition outright, but had to be content with sharing first place. The Junior side did well to avoid last place.
Our numbers of competitiors reaching Sports Day were smaller than in recent years. There were so many sub-standard performances on the day of the heats that it was difficult not to believe that a good many competitors were not trying their best. Those of our athletes who reached the Finals, and actually turned up, did very well. One must mention especially the outstanding performances of P. Darrell, T. Barber, D. Darrell and M. Stephens.
When results are poor, through lack of ability, one has to try to be philosophical; but one cannot condone the selfish attitude of some members of the House which ruined so many of the whole-hearted efforts of their contemporaries during the year. We have enough ability to rise from bottom place next year. What remains in doubt is whether we can recapture the commitment and reliability which have brought so much success in the recent past.
R. G. Birch.
T. A. Ford.
BEC
Third Position for Bec House!
It became evident at Christmas that if there were to be any House Championship successes this year, it would be due to our rivals' falling behind, rather than to our forging ahead.
The success which Bec had always enjoyed in such competitions as Drama and Music was, this year, effectively challenged by the hard work and serious determination to win shown by other houses and Bec finished in third competition here too.
This seeming pre-occupation with third place (seven times in 22 competitions, compared with four second places) does not, in fact, fairly reflect the drive and ambition shown by most of the participants, in these competitions. If ever there was a case of saying "If only..." then this is it. Several times, Bec were denied higher positions by the narrowest of margins... one penalty here, one standard point there: one wicket here, one basket there. Whilst conceding that this is the case for all four houses, it must be said that the disappointment expressed by those boys who just missed or just failed to win a match (or gain second place) was marked by a peculiar resignation, unnatural to the House.
By the Summer term, we were battling it out for second place with Kings, to whom we send our warm congratulations on their new found success.
Cricket and Athletics have always been Bec's strong points, and so with great expectations, backed up with five 1st XI batsmen including the captain and opening bowler, the Bec Senior cricket team settled for third place. The two other cricket competitions brought more success, including a somewhat bizarre threeway tie for first place for the Intermediates.
This left Athletics, in which it really did depend on how the boys performed on the day. The Seniors turned in a fine team performance to finish first but the Intermediates and Juniors were narrowly pushed into fourth places. Kings, however, had maintained their good success and Bec were left licking their wounds in third place above Abbots.
This has been an excellent House Championship competition and it would serve no useful purpose to moan or grumble about our lack of success; but rather it would be of great help if each member of the house resolved to work harder, to believe in their ability, and to support their house teams in matches whenever possible. This would really make a difference.
The House said goodbye to Mr. Charleston at Christmas and the boys expressed their thanks for all his hard work and encouragement. Mr. Taylor joined Bec from Kings House as Senior House Master. Several talented boys from the Senior part of the House have now left, and so it will require some tremendous House Spirit if we are to attain to former glories. This is quite possible under the leadership of Richard Burdett who was elected as House Captain for the year - and our good wishes go to him for success in next year's championship.
A. R. Taylor
KEVERE
Kevere are champions again! The attitude shown by almost all members of the house has been excellent and this undoubtedly is the main reason for our record-breaking winning margin. Thanks in particular go to Whitehead for his enthusiasm and good service as House Captain. As long as this determined approach can be maintained the house is sure to do very well with so much talent in all fields at its disposal.
The year got off to an excellent start with three resounding wins for the Middle Rugby team, which played some excellent 15-man rugby. We were second in a very exciting Junior competition where Taylor, in particular, was outstanding as captain. The seniors were unfortunate to come only third but they can be proud of the way in which they outplayed (and yet lost to) Bec. The cross-country results were very good with the house just missing a clean sweep of victories by coming a close second in the Middle competition. The basis for success was the excellent effort made by boys who would probably not claim to be runners. Stockwell won the senior race and Mount the junior.
The music competition was one of the most enjoyable of the whole year. Hartwell did a magnificent job in rallying our forces and his efforts were rewarded with a fine second place. The standard of performances in this competition was quite outstanding.
Kevere have also been successful on the cricket field winning the senior cricket and tying for first place in the middle competition. Unfortunately the junior side were not so dominant but showed great potential for future years.
One of the main highlights of all the house competitions was the Drama. Kevere chose a very appropriate melodrama entitled "Hiss the Villain". Excellent performances were given by Goodfellow, Alter, Stent, Rice and Williams, and Wolff's direction was first class. Those who saw the performance will not soon forget it! We were joint first with Abbots.
The swimming gala provided us with some excellent entertainment. The best performances were given by our seniors, especially the Rice brothers, Jones and Hadwin, but credit must also go to the middle house swimmers who did well to come second.
One other Kevere success which deserves a mention is the Badminton. Here we outclassed our opposition and won by a single point!
The year ended on the right note on Sports Day where we won the Junior and Middle competitions by huge margins and were third in the Senior.
With performances such as these to look back on, it is inevitable that we enter the new year with a sense of quiet confidence!
E. A. Cox
KING'S
A much happier season for Kings, the most successful for eight years. This was partly due to a flying start, when Taffel, Shapiro and Kirkby led us to victory in the chess competition all three winning all their games. This was followed by second place in the middle rugby, where Jackson, Holden, Gross and company gave the fourth years their first taste of success in the rugby competitions, and second place only by the narrowest of margins to Kevere in the badminton, Kirkham and Entwistle being outstanding.
At the end of the first term, after second place in the basketball and improved performances in the cross country competitions we found ourselves only the points behind Kevere.
The second term's start was incredible. First place in the Art, Literary and music competitions thanks to an immense effort from the house and sixth form organisers in particular 64 standard points in the Art, 21 standard points in the Literary and almost certain first place in the Music competition before finals day. There were good individual performances Bertram, Rutt, Everington, Campbell, Newport, Long and Jones all gained first places in their forte. First place followed in the Junior Rugby thanks in particular to Kirkham, Pullem, Harris and Hird.
On to the swimming gala, and an excellent second place in the senior competition with Nash outstanding. Fourth in the middle - our first last place of the season - and second place in the juniors. This left only senior Rugby and the Play for the term; unfortunately despite spirited performances we came last in both.
The last term was a bit of an anticlimax after such a good year; nevertheless there were good moments to savour. Second place in the Junior Cricket due to some excellent bowling from McKellar and Pullem, second place in the Junior Athletics with fine individual results from Gross, Shammas and Johnson; and victories in the Middle and Senior Athletics from Tinsley and Putt.
This left us just holding on to second place. Our thanks to the work put in by the committee, and particular Coney who made assembly announcements an entertainment; to Warren and his group of sixth formers who took over the devotions, and to the bulk of the house who put in so much effort over the year.
M. Fountain P. Gibson.
1975 School Magazine
Suggested:
Expansion of the Universities (1959-60)
JCR
(1963)
A Man for all Seasons (1963)
Ski Tour
(1959-60)