End of Academic Year Update - July 2015

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

I write to report on another successful summer term in Walters House. The term has been exceedingly busy, with external and internal examinations, numerous school trips, Lower Sixth Lecture week, and inter-House competitions, not to mention farewells to old friends and welcomes to new ones. The term started off with good news; early in May, the boys were delighted to hear that Joe Morrice and Archie Parker had been chosen to be School Monitors for the 2015-16 year. We are sure that they will do an excellent job in their new roles.  

Outstanding team performances in the inter-House athletics competition saw Walters triumph again; they were awarded the trophies for overall winners and for the intermediate boys’ team. This is a competition that has seen much success for the House in recent years, with three overall victories now in the past four attempts. Joe Morrice also gained the Victor Ludorum award following his fine victories in the senior hurdles, long jump and triple jump. The teams were: Kieran Brinn, Christian Parris, Peter Olley, Morgan Hammond, James Moody, Will Pearson, Harry Thompson, Dan Webber-Goldsby (U15); Michael Townsend, Cameron Baxter, Tristan Bland, Nathan Boothroyd, Kieran Walker, Nathan Buckley, Archie Freer, Antonio Sanghera, Evan Stokes, Keshav Laroiya, Sam Morrice (U17); and Joe Morrice, David Elphinston, Dan Holmes, Jamie Ross, Dan Stokes, Jacob Matthews, Ed Hadlington, Ben Davis and Harrison Hill (U20).

In Junior Cricket, the Walters team defeated Lyttelton to make it to the final, where they succumbed to a strong Lupton team. The team was: Nathan Buckley, Toby Davis, Ben Hales, Sam Morrice, Darragh Murray, Evan Stokes, Ben Fitzmaurice, James Moody, Peter Olley, Will Pearson and Harry Thompson.
The inter-House Bake off had a theme of famous buildings this year. Charlie Kendrick and Ed Hadlington entered for Walters. Great fun was had by all, but the boys were not in the running for the trophy, with the Headmaster judging that their ‘White House’ creation looked like the building in the film Independence Day, after the alien invaders had attacked it...

End of term awards saw numerous extra-curricular achievements also recognised. Minor colours for Music were awarded to Dan Johnson, whilst minor colours also went to Kieran Walker and Michael Townsend for Athletics and Jack Harding for Cricket. Major colours went to Will Miners for Tennis, whilst Harrison Hill gained a Cap for both Tennis and Golf.

The Fourth Form Assembly saw commendations awarded to the following: Cameron Baxter, Archie Freer and Tristan Bland (U15 Athletics), Kieran Brinn (U14 Athletics), Nathan Buckley (U15 Cricket), Harry Thompson, Ben Fitzmaurice, Peter Olley, Alex Waplington and Will Pearson (U14 Cricket), Ben Payne and George Bingham (Drama) and George Bingham and Edward Hubscher (Music).

Academic prizes, awarded on the last day of term, saw a number of boys from the House recognised for their efforts in the classroom. Charlie Kendrick, L6, received the Don Gibbin Prize for the Best Geography Controlled Assessment. Upper Fourth Subject prizes went to George Bingham (Music), Nathan Buckley (PE) and James Allely (Biology and Chemistry); James also received the prize for the best years’ work in the Upper Fourth year group – a fantastic achievement. Nathan Boothroyd and Sam Morrice were awarded Endeavour and Progress prizes for their efforts throughout the year. Benjamin Fitzmaurice received a Lower Fourth prize for endeavour and progress.

The following boys achieved the best industry grades over the year in their respective year groups in the House: Will Miners (U6), Charlie Kendrick (L6), Patrick Waplington (F5), Nathan Boothroyd and Toby Davis (U4) and Mitchell Wise (L4). Congratulations to all of the lads for this excellent achievement. Charlie’s average was the highest in the House – well done.

The Summer PA event was another hugely enjoyable affair, with a well-contested 5-a-side competition eventually going the way of the Upper Sixth team containing the Head and Deputy Head of House – a fitting victory for the leavers. The barbecue and refreshments went down very well indeed. Many thanks to all who helped to organise the evening, and to all who attended. Those who have helped out in the PA throughout the year have continued their sterling support of the boys in the House, and I would like to thank them on behalf of all of Walters House for their continued sponsorship and help in such a wide variety of ways.
At the final House assembly of the term it was announced that next year’s House Monitor team will be: Joe Morrice (Head of House), Ben Davis (Deputy Head of House), David Elphinston (House Monitor) and Archie Parker (House Monitor). We wish the boys well in their roles; they will all do an excellent job. Harrison Hill and Dan Holmes, this year’s Head and Deputy Head of House, both spoke movingly at the final assembly. The departing Upper Sixth year group will be much missed; we wish them all the very best for the future. A few members of the Fifth form are also moving on and they depart with our best wishes and thanks for all of their contributions to the House.

The assembly also saw a number of prizes given out. The Paul Sawtell award, presented to the members of the Upper Sixth who have given the biggest contribution to the extra-curricular life of the House over five years, was shared by Dan Holmes and Jamie Ross. Both of these young men have always supported House events, with their sporting abilities, inter-personal skills and House spirit making them virtually irreplaceable. It is entirely fitting that their names will remain in the Day Room on the Honours board for many years to come.
House colours, given to those who have earned sufficient academic and extra-curricular commendations, saw Senior Ties awarded to Michael Townsend and James Edge, and Junior Ties going to Keshav Laroiya and Tom Siller. Cameron Baxter was awarded the Junior Commitment Cup at the end of a term in which he had contributed hugely to House and School Athletics, completing an excellent year on the sports fields, alongside some very strong academic grades. Dan Johnson gained the Senior Commitment Cup, with his industry grades reflecting his good efforts in the classroom and his commitment to the House always in evidence. Archie Parker, who has provided an outstanding example to his peers throughout the year, gained the Endeavour Award.

Mrs James made an excellent contribution to the House having joined the tutor team in September. Thanks to her – and to all of the tutors – for their support and encouragement of the boys over the past three terms. Many thanks also to our Housekeeper, Lesley Gibbs, who has continued to look after the young men of Walters superbly throughout the year. As she steps down from tutoring, we say goodbye to Mrs Shinn, the longest-serving member of House staff, who has looked after the young men of Walters since 1999. She has been an outstanding tutor and colleague within the House and will be much missed. We also bid farewell to Mr Watkins, who has been a superb tutor over the past two years, and wish him all the best for life after Bromsgrove. We look forward to welcoming two new staff joiners to the House; Mr Banwell and Mr Evans will both be joining Walters as tutors in September. The new Lower Fourth joiners made a fine impression when they came round to visit for two days in June – we are very much looking forward to seeing their Walters careers commence in September.

Finally, the House (and the Housemaster, personally) would like to thank Mr Bowen for the huge support that he has given to generations of Walters boys and staff over many years. We wish Mr and Mrs Bowen a long, fulfilling and happy retirement together.

With best wishes to you all for a rewarding and relaxing summer,

D.G.Wilkins