Final Collect on Friday 15th December was a celebration of the Autumn Term as students and staff gathered to reflect on the achievements and activities of the academic year so far.
Two musical items framed the Collect with the Chamber Choir opening the session and Freddie and Eliza (Lower Sixth) sharing a duet at the end of the morning. In addition to a significant number of awards, trophies and certificates which were heartily applauded, the School’s Christmas Video was warmly received; especially the bonus scene featuring Head, Matthew Judd, as the character played by Hugh Grant in ‘Love Actually’.
The proceedings kicked off with the Physics Olympiad award recipients, Cem and Isaac (Upper Sixth), being recognised for their academic prowess swiftly followed by the celebration of the creative departments Dance, Art, Drama and Music. 18 students picked up Distinctions in their NATD Performance Award with four talented dancers being selected for the prestigious CATS programme, open only to dancers in the top 2% nationally. The Reinstein-Alldiss Award went to Marcus (Year 11) and to Reuben (Year 8) for showing ‘real musical development; exploring their potential and challenging themselves musically”. Drama Awards were given to eight Fryers and three senior school students for their commitment to Drama in lessons and co-curricular activities.
The Lurner Prize, always a highlight of Final Collect, recognised the best 12 entries from a field of 50 submissions, as entrants competed for the judges’ approbation. Mark, Debbie and Katie from the Art Department had a tough task deciding which of the artistic endeavours best met the criteria. Head of Art Mark Wood explained, “The Lurner Prize recognises innovation, artistry and courage it takes to create something new that stirs the soul, makes the world a better place and encourages others to do the same.” The top three entries were two photographs by Alastair (Upper Sixth) of a caterpillar and a striking landscape, a piece of music called ‘Lungs’ by Esther (Upper Sixth) which “explores the entwinement and dichotomy between the biological and the technical …choosing to focus on breathing.” And a mesmerising image by Jack (Upper Sixth) which the judges felt was a cross between Hansel and Gretal and Lord of the Rings.
The Sports Review summarised a busy term for all year groups with 125 fixtures so far this year and the highest ever number of applicants for a Sports Scholarship. The Houses competing for the Richard Coleman Shield picked up points for House Cross Country (Bentsi-Enchill), House Basketball (Tubman) and House Hockey (Cadbury).
Almost 13,000 merits were awarded this term and over 175 students have achieved Bronze certificates collecting 25 merits each. A further 35 students received Silver merit certificates with 50 merits each and 8 girls celebrated their Gold merit certificates for 75 merits each. Freya (Year 8) was the top scorer with 102 merits, the first time in Eddie’s memory that anyone has achieved a Platinum merit award in the Autumn Term! In the House Cups Tubman picked up the Sissons Cup for co-curricular merits, the Dunston Cup for community merits and the overall Merit Cup, whilst Cadbury celebrated their win of the Castle Cup for academic merits. Tubman House captains, Harry and Erin, reflected, “We’re very proud and very happy to have so many merits as a House so far and we look forward to next year being just as good!”
Matthew’s Head’s Address reminded the community that Christmas is family and that family are Christmas and that at the centre of both these things is Love, actually before wishing everyone a very happy holiday and a restful break.
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