Despite the cold and grim conditions the boys have been busy and I am pleased to say have now learnt that mud, the house carpets and my patience do not compliment one and other. They do, however, seem to have forgotten that kit left outside in the rain gets wet so sadly the odour of drying mud is still one we are blessed with near almost every radiator! 

House Music

What a brilliant evening we had for the Annual House Music competition on Wednesday. The boys were superb and did the house proud. Poole House won and our congratulations go to them. My thanks go to Simon Conway who has led every rehearsal and the house were in fine fettle for the competition. The boys in Part Song, too, deserve a special mention and were a credit to the house. 

Academic 

A reminder that we have Year 10 Parents' Evening on Tuesday Evening. Given where the boys are on the academic journeys, it's an important one. A note on parents' evenings, please could I ask that we are told if the boys are staying school and meeting you at the start of Parents' Evening. the boys can stay and do prep but are not allowed to go into town.

Sport 

Our U15 (A+B Mixed) and U14 XVs endured a tough afternoon on Top Ground earlier in the week and it would not be unfair to say the coaches have had lots to work on since! The cold weather has done its best to ruin fixtures but it is great to see the game for our senior sides going ahead tonight and we wish all of the boys well. 

Awards 

An Academic award this week (given it is exam week this is a good effort!) has been awarded to: 

Hedley W 

Will G 

Jack C 

Simon G 

Harry P 

Alejandro V S

Adam A 

Jack D

Vincent H

Ben R 

Thomas X 

Ethan B 

Alex C 

Harry D

Laud Leaderboard 

1.Sebastian C

2. Harry M 

3. Emile B 

4. Albie A 

5. Indiana R 

Boarding

Our boarders are off to York this weekend to enjoy a day at the Christmas Market. Trains are booked, good weather has been ordered and I am sure a good time will be had by all! DHM Diary.  The main event of this week, of course, was the annual house music extravaganza. I would like to highlight particularly the conduct of our year 7 to 10 boys who, on Wednesday night, performed and behaved impeccably. This reflected their attitude throughout rehearsals, and it was a pleasure to witness. 

What has impressed me most, however, is how the boys have responded following the results. Both Mr Younger and I have talked to the house about conduct and character - when we win, we do so with respect and humility, and when we lose, we do so with grace. As the famous poem goes, "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster, and treat those two impostors just the same... you'll be a man, my son!"; the house have exemplified this, and I could not be prouder. 

Outside of House Music, character has once again been shown in other areas of school life. On the rugby field the u13 team had a fantastic victory over RGS, which was followed by a difficult series of fixtures against Barnard Castles for the u14 and u15 teams; the results may have been disappointing in the latter, but the effort and sportsmanship was exemplary. In the classroom success continued - highlighted by a wealth of Lauds - and I am confident this will continue over the coming weeks.

Charity 

Please encourage the boys to collect as much sponsorship as possible before next Friday's HYROX! I want them to feel a sense pride in knowing that they have collected their money, and earned their sponsorship. As I mentioned before, we will have everyone involved and I am hoping for some good weather! if the weather is bad, we have a plan B! 

 https://movember.com/t/school-house?mc=1

I wish you all a restful and enjoyable weekend.