Lent Term 2021

Commitment Awards
The termly awards for those who have contributed significantly towards House and School life were announced at the final assembly of the term on Friday 26 March.

 The Junior Commitment award went to a pupil who had set a superb example over the term, who had been praised for his hard work, courtesy, involvement with others, and his willingness to put the team first; Ernest Lam.

 The Senior Commitment prize went to Yui Cheung, whose support for those around him, high standards and willingness to help out have impressed.

 The Endeavour Award went to Theo Gariazzo, a young man at the heart of good things at the top of the house. His involvement, superb academic standards, and thoughtfulness were applauded. Well done to all three lads.

House Ties Presented
The assembly also saw the hard-earned award of House Colours. To earn their W-G tie, the boys have to show commitment to a number of different areas of school life, including academic, extra-curricular and house life.

Junior ties were awarded to Shivam Chawlia, Tonye Hart, Jacob Moore, Shamip Rai and Misha Bolebrukh.

Senior ties were earned by Matei Militaru, Leo Hemberg and Nikita Sazonov. Congratulations to all.

Best Engagement Grades
The following boys were commended for their efforts over what had been a unique term in W-G. The best engagement grades of the term (generated by hard work and strong efforts over Zoom and in the classroom) were gained by: Aidan Swadling (Lower Fourth); Bowen Cheung (Upper Fourth); Oleksii Li and Armstrong Dong (Fifth Form); Ian Chan (Lower Sixth); and Max Opengeym (Upper Sixth).

Pizza Night
The last Wednesday of term saw the chance for a pizza night – the boys were treated to a bit of a blowout after their efforts over the term. It was great to see everyone enjoying some nice food and each other’s company in the Day Room.

 


A Dairy Nice Evening
On Saturday 13 March, after a hard day of House competitions including Lower Fourth rugby and Upper Fourth hockey, with strong performances from all, the Upper Sixth Bartenders' Union got together again to put on some superb milkshake treats for the boys in the evening. Ice cream, sprinkles, strawberry and chocolate sauce, wafers, whipped cream and even mini-doughnuts came together to form a piece-de-resistance.



 


1.2 Relay – A close-run thing
On Monday 8 March, a hugely exciting 20211.2 Relay race saw W-G pipped at the post by Lupton – but the boys gave everything. After the first two legs, the boys were in fourth, but well in contention. Some strong running took us up to first and the lead swapped between W-G and Lupton on numerous occasions over the final few legs, with Lupton’s anchor runner coming through to take victory in the last 50 yards of a thrilling encounter. This was the closest race in years and second place was the best finish for Wendron-Gordon in quite some time. The team of Alex C, Theo G, Dan V, Oleksii L, Callum W and Alex C can be hugely proud of their efforts for W-G and for making the race so exciting.





Back Home!
We welcomed back over two thirds of the House into Wendron-Gordon on Sunday 7 March as schools across the country reopened – a very healthy 64 were on site – either returning from home or back into W-G after a stay in Deo or Regi House. The remaining 25 or so boys who had been unable to fly back at the end of lockdown continued to attend lessons, tutor meetings and House assemblies via Zoom for the final few weeks of term.


January Snow
Some quite heavy snowfall on the weekend of 23 and 24 January saw the School grounds blanketed in white. It also gave the boys the chance to get out in the fresh air and toss the odd snowball, go sledging and build snowmen.






Deo Regi Vicino
A unique start to the term saw the W-G boys, and indeed all Bromsgrove boarders, split up into a new configuration of Boarding Houses. The new national lockdown meant that there were many fewer boarders on site – as well as fewer staff. Those who had been unable to fly home spent their lockdown in the familiar confines of the School campus, with lessons via Zoom, but still enjoying the ability to get out and about for some physical exercise after 4pm each day. Familiar routines, peer group involvement and community spirit meant that it was a calm, productive and, indeed, rather enjoyable lockdown period.

 Pupils were split into three ‘new’ houses: Deo (Sixth Formers, based in Housman Hall – including some 11 W-G boys); Regi (Junior boys – based in Elmshurst, with 21 W-G lads) and Vicino (Junior girls). Regi House was manned by W-G and Elmshurst residential staff – thank you to Mr Giles and his team for welcoming and looking after us. Thanks also to Mr Noble in Deo for taking such good care of our Senior boys.