Final Collect 2021

As Lower Sixth made themselves comfortable in the Main Hall, and tutor groups and parents joined a live broadcast of Final Collect from classrooms, offices and homes, Music Scholar, Joe, set the tone for a spectacular reflection on the term with a performance of Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu.

First up Maths Teacher, Mark Budge, applauded students for their achievements in the UK Junior Maths Challenge. Alice, Amy and Daniel were namechecked for their extraordinary efforts, having all achieved Gold Awards. From numbers to words, Damon Young, Drama Teacher, shared the fantastic work that Year 8 have undertaken as part of their Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) programme. Validating his words, Frieda took to the stage to recite her composition from the group’s published poetry anthology.

Does time exist? How likely is it that the simulation theory is true? And, is nuclear energy sustainable? These are just a few of the original research questions asked by Year 8 as part of their Fryer Project Qualification (FPQ). With the opportunity to reach Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum, all students passed the award and a record-breaking 14 students achieved the top level.

Zoe Macpherson, PE and Games Teacher, was then delighted to share the success of student leadership this term, with Year 10 completing their Level 2 qualification and the CTEC course achieving Level 3.

To conclude the School’s first-ever Sustainability Week, Year 9 were challenged to take on one of four creative tasks with the brief of ‘Think Global, Act Local’. Rebecca, Chloe and Leander were recognised for their letter to the UN Secretary General, and a number of students applauded for their poetry, creative writing and future letters to their grandchildren. Fryer’s Kian and Olivia also stood out for their enthusiasm and tremendous contributions to Sustainability Week.

Richard then reflected on the first GCSE cohort to complete the School’s new Global Perspectives course. Amelie, Sam, Sol and Bella were the first recipients to be awarded the Global Perspective Trophy. Tomi in the Upper Sixth took home the Baylis Smith and Owens Prize for Global Politics, alongside £150 in Oxford University Press vouchers. Finally, Aiden, Patrick, Luey, Alba and Chris were recognised for their performance in the ISA Public Speaking and Debating Competition.

The highly anticipated biennial Senior School Production was announced as Guys and Dolls. Considered by many to be the ‘perfect musical comedy’, the Drama Department look forward to delivering a spectacular adaptation of the production in February 2022. The audience were then mesmerised by a clip of student-led exhibition of ‘The Waves’; a cross-disciplinary exhibition, inspired by Virginia Woolf’s celebrated novel.

Introducing the JB Fryer award, former winner, Charlotte said “This is an award that recognises the two children who take best advantage of their time in Fryer and capture the spirit of Fryer House.” Fellow former winner, Noah, announced Oscar and Livi as the new bearers of the accolade.

Jeremy Belas, Director of Sport, PE and Wellness, had a terrific term to report on; from LP Run in the Sun which raised £650 for YoungMinds to Cricket Week, #LPGirlsCan and Sport Day. In total, there were 14 individual awards handed out for achievements in cricket, tennis, athletics and the summer road relay. Rowntree were victorious in Fryer House Sport and School House secured the Richard Coleman Shield with 40 points, for a second consecutive year.

 Compère and Deputy Head, Eddie Falshaw, described this term’s merit achievements as “really impressive”, as he announced some students had even exceeded platinum level. Field House were again pleased to bear the title of Scissons Cup holders.

Stephen Taynton, Head of Philosophy, Religious Studies & Values, next recognised the community engagement of Field House through their phenomenal charity efforts with the new John Dunston Award.

To conclude, looking forward to the next academic year, Nic and Harry were announced as Head Girl and Boy, Grace and Chris as Deputy’s, and Dominic (Field), Hira (Reckitt) and Finley (School) as Heads of House.