Michaelmas Term House Report

 At the start of the academic year, the House competition began in earnest with a keenly contested Badminton event. Wylde raced out of the blocks in Michaelmas Term with a clean sweep in both the Senior and inaugural Staff events, backed up with a 2^nd place finish to Elgar in the Middle School. Blue was the colour in Petanque, once more taking place to coincide with European Languages week, with Wylde winning the inters and Senior competitions and only narrowly missing out to Ottley in the Staff event (which itself was taking place for the first time). 

Elgar were victorious in Senior Chess, and followed this up with victory in House Art,  Mr Friend was delighted with the impressive tiger mascot shield created. Ottley defended their title in the Pumpkin Challenge with a large number of pupils and staff sharing their spooky creations and gaining bonus points by reducing food waste and utilising anything leftover – for example, making edible treats, pet feed, etc following advice from Mrs Briggs and the Eco Council. Ottley also took the honours in Senior General Knowledge, with representation from across the year groups to snatch victory from Wylde, who continued to stretch their lead at the top of the standings. 

Last year’s champions Whiteladies have been lagging behind in 4^th place for most of the Term but Mr Joyner is confident of a strong showing in the new year after ending the Term with some positive results in Rugby and Hockey. In a fitting final event of 2022, Senior Dance – which is one of the highlights of the House calendar and this year featured a festive theme – Wylde won over the judges with their creative and well-rehearsed Christmas routine despite strong performances from the other Houses.

Elgar and Ottley exchanged places on a number of occasions as the Christmas break approached but it was the Otters who ultimately secured 2^nd place in the table with Mr Webster’s sights firmly on closing the gap on the leader’s next term. Congratulations, however, must go to Wylde who convincingly take the Michaelmas trophy; Dr Davison and House Captains Annaliese Rice and Ben Atkins have been blown away by the enthusiasm of all of the participants across the events that have put them in such a strong position at this stage. 

We look forward to seeing how the other Houses challenge their position at the top in the Lent Term with a whole array of events planned, including some new exciting additions. Watch this space, 2023 is going to be even bigger and better!

Michaelmas overall standings:

1^st = Wylde (60 Points)

2^nd = Ottley (48.5 Points)

3^rd = Elgar (44 Points)

4^th = Whiteladies (37.5 Points)

Mr Andrew Webster – Senior House Leader