Spring Term Final Collect 2022

Opening this term’s Final Collect was a cappella artists, Pitchcraft, who were recently commended for their arrangement at the ISA competition, celebrating all things polyphonic performance.

On behalf of the History Department, Helen Tatlock, spoke fondly of the work that has been created to recently celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, “We do this to try to speak into the silences, to light the dark spaces in the archives of the history of all our communities.” she commented. This year’s theme was ‘the personal is political’. Fryer were challenged to produce a piece of art inspired by the courageous artists championing this year’s festivity. Helen continued “We were overwhelmed with the quantity and quality of submissions”. Winner, Rufus, created three artworks inspired by Keith Haring, entitled Love Forever, Throw Love to Your Dogs and Be the Inner You.

On to all things STEAM, Co-Ordinator, Mark Budge, spoke about the highlights from this term’s activities, focused under the umbrella of British Science Week. ‘Smashing Stereotypes’ saw a poster campaign spark conversation amongst staff and students; Jo Toovey, Biology and Psychology Teacher, and Saima Shabir, Chemistry Teacher, shared particularly inspiring stories. Across the year groups, various competitions were entered and careers exhibitions visited, Sixth Form students attended a pain management conference in conjunction with Teeside University and the Royal Berkshire Hospital and all students came together to ‘Speak for the Trees’. To round off an action-packed week, Peckover Hall was transformed into a mobile planetarium offering students the opportunity to travel through space, time and the origins of life. A number of students were recognised for their achievements in the Intermediate Maths Challenge and World Maths Day Competition.

Head of Science, David Hammond, continued acknowledgements by announcing the Bronze Crest Awards and Chemistry Olympiad certificates; David and Niam in the Upper Sixth secured rare Silver awards. Entries for the Minds Underground Essay Competition were also applauded, answering the question ‘Who Should We Take?’ to colonise a newly discovered planet.

Reflecting on the School’s production of Guys and Dolls, Director and Head of Drama, Peter Scoggins, remarked “What was so wonderful about the experience was, everyone came together to create something exceptional.” As well as a splendid cast, technical crew and stage managers, seven student musicians performed as part of the orchestra.

It was a poignant end to the Spring Term as we wished some members of cherished staff well in their future endeavours. Following his sixteenth and last review, Director of Sport, Jez Belas, delivered some insightful stats into what he and his team have achieved over the years, including 26 sports, 938 teams and 3,353 fixtures! Elite performers were recognised for their individual successes and teams for their triumphs in competitions and super leagues. This term we have been involved in more ISA competitions than ever before! In house sport, School House secured the Richard Coleman Shield for the last time before the house system is rejuvenated. Before leaving the podium, Jez was awarded his own prize by his CTEC Sport students, Albie and Emma in the Lower Sixth.

Compère, Eddie Falshaw, drew our attention to those students that have already surpassed Platinum and Platinum Plus in their Merit Certificates: “Eliza and Livi what an awesome effort; you really are making this the hashtag ‘best year ever’.

Adapting John F Kennedy’s words which inspired others to see the importance of civil action and public service, Head of Philosophy, Religious Studies & Values, Stephen Taynton, introduced the John Dunstan Award. “Ask not what your school can do for you, ask what you can do for your school.” Stephen then went on to give numerous examples of kind gestures recently witnessed around the Park; the Dunstan Cup recognises just these acts of service. The winners this term were Reckitt House.

As Senior Assistant Head: Partnerships and Co-curricular, Natasha Coccia, spoke about the successes of the co-curricular programme, for the first time in two years our Silver Duke of Edinburgh participants explored the Brecon Beacons with Isaac Walker and his team, arriving to a blanket of snow in Wales! Taking the Scissions Cup for co-curricular participation and engagement in the Spring Term was Field House with 1086 merits.

Alex Wallace, Deputy Head, Academic Studies, subsequently announced School House as the winners of the Castle Cup with 1159 academic merits, leaving Eddie to announce the big one: the overall Merit Cup and its champions, Cadbury and Field House.

To end proceedings, Four in a Bar and the Chamber Choir performed ‘Go the Distance’ from Disney’s Hercules and ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ with final words from Head, Matthew Judd.