The Garden Michaelmas 2015
The first day of term!
Socials
Socials are one of the highlights in the Garden girls' calendar!
Artwork of The Garden by Jeremy Bournon
Unison Success!
Hannah McClarron did an outstanding job of leading the girls through the song 'Seasons of Love' from the musical Rent. Her combination of musical talent, authority and excellent communication skills also meant that the Garden girls enjoyed the rehearsals and wanted to achieve their very best as a collective. After a magnificent performance on the night, they thoroughly deserved to win the Girls Highly Commended trophy and the post-Unison pizza party was great fun and really brought the House together in that united success. Being able to perform the song for the parents who attended the Sale of Work charity dinner was fantastic too and we intend to make that an annual tradition!
Beautiful Harmonies
Our Garden entry into the House Harmony competition in January was also outstanding. With the 12 girls singing Royals by Lourde, from day one of rehearsals it was always going to be an impressive performance and the girls did us all and themselves very proud. On the night, they shockingly missed out on the silverware but, as they went first, they really did set the standard high and their harmonies really were 'on point'! Bravo!
Sport
House Squash winners!
The year started well for House competitions when we became the House Squash champions! Well done to Alex, Mary and Hermione!
House Badminton Team
On a Sunday afternoon in January six Garden girls battled it out over 27 matches with some very tough competition but once again, did us proud!
Cross Country
Hermione takes bronze and is through to the England Schools Cross Country championships! Fenella has also had success this year coming second in the District finals.
Girls Football
The Repton team, including five Garden girls, have made it into the ISFA semi-finals after a thrilling match against last season's champions Uppingham. Good luck girls!
House Hockey League
The House hockey League is always fiercely competed and this year was no exception. After 5 matches over the course of the term in sometimes dark, cold and rainy conditions, the Senior girls were runners up after a closely-fought final match against The Abbey. Well done girls!
House Hockey
The junior team played brilliantly with some great goals and excellent teamwork to come runners-up!
The senior team skillfully won all three matches to retain their cup with some truly breathtaking moments - awesome stuff girls!
This was the junior dream team who fought hard and won the tournament with some fast and furious playing which was thrilling to watch!
The seniors achieved the double title with the Outdoor and Indoor wins with some outstanding passes, goals and saves which was the definition of teamwork and very well-deserved for this tremendously talented team!
England Hockey Squad call-up
Huge congratulations also go to Esme Burge and Fenella Scutt who have made it into the final England hockey squads for 2016. Good luck!
A report on the Junior Hockey League by Co-Captain Harriet Greene 4G:
Garden’s House Hockey League matches have many aspects, with strong determination from everyone, support from Mr and Mrs Lees and of course, a laugh is always squeezed in somewhere! The team all communicate brilliantly and play with a high level of coordination, each player gets a chance to make a few tackles and whether it’s a C team player or a top B team player, the team work together and support one another in order to score some goals and hopefully win!
We have been very successful over the matches we played, winning 3 out of our six matches, losing two and our last match where we drew against Mitre. No matter whether it was a win or a loss, each match was a victory in Garden as we all learnt and grew stronger as a team ready for our next game. Each match was tense, with Co-Captain Tilly Dewhirst smashing balls up the pitch for Izzy Mead and Scarlett to score. Our midfielders: Nish, Megan and Divya all fighting consistently for the ball while making some skillful tackles. In defence we had Georgia Armour and Rika Canaway making some amazing hits and tackles to stop the other team scoring and of course, the goalies. Anna Stone definitely made a few of us laugh, even cry, with laughter whilst saving some terrific goals. Izzy Mead was definitely one of our best, although she didn’t have much experience she proved to be a very skilled goalie, throwing herself about and saving countless goals. Piper Dallimore came forward as the first B block goalie and like all the others defended some very good goals and worked well with the team. Each game was played to a high level of skill and a certain high level of determination with each player, supporter and Garden girl wanting to represent the house proudly and to the best of their ability.
England Judo success for Jess
Congratulations also go to Jess Richardson for an amazing 2015 season which led to her achieving the #1 ranking in her category and securing an invitation onto the BJA England Junior judo squad. We are very proud of Jess, particularly as she had injured her shoulder three weeks before the important British Judo Championships. Her resilience and determination in the face of adversity was a true sign of what a committed and talented athlete she really is and an excellent role model for all. We look forward to following Jess' career!
Senior House Netball winners!
A glorious February afternoon saw the Garden supporters out in force and all of the girls thoroughly enjoying playing netball in the sun. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere was fantastic and everybody played their very best with a smile on their face!
Dress to Impress
The Garden girls certainly Dressed to Impress for our annual charity fund-raiser! From the Upper sixth as old ladies (with a very fetching orange velour leisure suit worn by Head of House Franny), hippies, cheerleaders, Miss Havisham, robbers, skiers and fairies to the old faithful animal onesies, the girls left the house for lessons in style!
Remembrance Service
Mary Hunter (U6G), Head of CCF writes:
The 8th November 2015 was the day of the School Remembrance Service. As always, it proved to be a moving occasion complimented by a strong respect for those who fought, and still fight, in the service of their country. The Anthems sang by the Choir, in particular the Libera Me, reflect the solemn nature of the service and the hymns echo around the Chapel with a pride felt by the School. Remembrance gives us the opportunity to make sense of the words in the National Anthem, which should have an impact on all present. During the Libera Me, Callum Smith and I processed the Book of Remembrance up the aisle to the altar. This is symbolic of our appreciation of the Old Reptonians who laid down their lives as part of their national service. The memory of these men, and indeed boys, resonates with the School is a profound way, as we imagine what it would be like for our Sixth Form to fight in war.
The actual act of Remembrance in the Garth was chilling, with the School filling three sides of the square, looking at the memorial in the centre. The School Prefects and the Head of the Old Reptonian Society laid down two wreaths at the memorial and our Acting Head, Mrs Tennant, said the famous words. The School then replied ‘We will remember them.’ During the time of silence when the trumpet played, the members representing the Armed Forces saluted the memory of soldiers and officers who have passed away.
Group Captain John Ellis of the Royal Air Force presented an inspiring sermon, describing in detail his experience of flying. He captured the room with stories of his vocational life, moving from the Police to the chaplaincy of the RAF, combined with some extracts from the lives of Old Reptonians. The Group Captain was very pleasant to speak to after the service and is a true credit to the RAF as a man of kind words and understanding, but also importantly, a sense of humour!
As Armistice Day approaches, one cannot help but feel touched by the effort of the school to make the Remembrance Service a real tribute to the Armed Forces, past and present.
Amelia Wigglesworth (4G) writes about the Repton School trip to the Battlefields in Oct 2015.
In the Michaelmas term, on the last day before half term at a ridiculously early time, a coach full of excited students were ready to make their way to France and Belgium. It was the Battlefields trip. Over the next three days we were to travel half way around the world on a crash course about the First World War. We visited graveyards, museums, memorials, trenches and came back enriched with the knowledge that only this tour could have taught us. Whilst in Ypres, Belguim, we were also given the chance to meet a Belgian Willy Wonker and buy half his chocolate ( which would have been eaten on the way home had the History department not made the rather wise decision to hide it until we were back). This trip certainly opened my eyes to the horrors of war and I know now that it’s hard to understand the numbers of deaths you read in history books until you stand in one of the many graveyards – it’s then you know and feel the real pain.
Lincoln Cathedral choir trip. Kyoko Canaway (L6G) writes:
On the 11th November 2015 the Chapel Choir went for a trip to Lincoln Cathedral to sing Evensong. From The Garden: Scarlett, Florence, Divya, Rika, Izzy, Fenella, Immie, Marie, Hannah Sherry, Kyoko, Hermione, Radha, Georgia Hair and Hannah McClarron, all participated. It was a great privilege to sing in such an amazing building, in an atmosphere so different to what most school choirs can experience. It was especially humbling to sing the service on Remembrance Day, for which we sang Bainton's 'And I saw a new heaven'. After the rehearsal in the Cathedral itself, we also had the opportunity to look around the building before the service started. It was a beautiful service that I think everyone enjoyed. The day was rounded off in 'style' with a customary trip to Macdonald's on the way back!
Artwork by Abbey Lloyd (L6G) created for and on display in School House.
Sale of Work
Following an extremely successful and enjoyable Sale of Work dinner where we raised £2,000 for charities selected by the committee, the Sale of Work day was ably supported by the Garden girls with stalls such as the Human fruit machine, the famous Crispy Creme donut stand and the homemade chocolate spoons, masterminded by Mr Lees. Thanks go to all who helped out and particularly the Lower Sixth girls who were waitresses at the dinner and Phili Wilson and Pranathi Yannamani who were the Garden reps and co-ordinated the events. Thanks also to the Garden parents for their generosity both in donating gifts for the Sale of Work dinner raffle and silent auction, but also their support on the night which was very much appreciated by us.
Music
Kyoko Canaway (L6G) writes:
The Michaelmas term is always a busy one for musicians, since it gives them the opportunity to perform as a soloist in the annual House Music Competition. Before the rounds which are open to the public, there are prelims which are divided into categories of instruments. The singing rounds were taken earlier than the other instrumental rounds and so we have already seen the category finals for all classes of singing. In Junior Classical, we were treated to some beautiful songs by Scarlett Lloyd-Dickinson, Izzy Mead, and Rika Canaway. Immie Hunt was also due to sing, but unfortunately was unable to participate, due to illness. As a result of the extremely difficult decision faced by the adjudicator, Rika was made winner. Following this performance, the audience was again impressed by the Junior Popular singing where Rika, Izzy and Scarlett again performed. Following this very different but no less impressive set of songs, Scarlett was chosen as winner. It was a good day for Garden since the junior performances were followed by the Senior Popular category in which Georgia Hair and Hannah McClarron both performed. Despite the tough competition, Hannah won, which meant three wins out of four for Garden in one day!
ABRSM Piano Diploma success for Kyoko and Hannah!
Under the expert guidance of Luis Parés, Kyoko and Hannah have been preparing for their Diploma exams for the last 18 months and we were treated to an excellent concert by them as part of their final preparations. The girls were delighted to hear last week that they have both passed the prestigious Diploma exams (Kyoko with a distinction), which is a phenomenal achievement for such young students. Bravo girls!
House Music competitions
The competitions will continue on February 28th with the finals of the instrumental categories. Congratulations and good luck to the following finalists competing for The Garden:
- Rika Canaway: Junior Piano and Junior Brass
- Kyoko Canaway: Senior Piano and Senior Woodwind
- Hannah Sherry: Senior Piano
- Fenella Scutt: Junior Piano and Junior Strings
Well done to Faye Fong who was Highly Commended for her performance in Classical Guitar.
Artwork by Abbey Lloyd (L6G)
Academic Commendations
Congratulations to the following who have achieved Academic Commendations for their excellent efforts.
B Block
Mia Harcourt, Imogen Hatton, Piper Dallimore, Sophie Corner, Divya Devikanand, Anna Krasnova, Scarlett Lloyd-Dickinson, Holly Hatton, Dasha Isakova.
A Block
Faye Fong, Amelia Wigglesworth, Rika Canaway, Anishka Sooriah, Megan Singh, Georgia Armour.
O Block
Fenella Scutt, Hannah Lipton, Amy Corner, Lauren Archer, Manae Araki, Imogen Hunt.
Ramsey Society
Abigail Allin in Lower Sixth writes about her experience presenting a research paper to the prestigious Repton society.
Earlier last term, Esme and I from L6th in The Garden were invited to join the Ramsey Society, in which you must present a topic of your choice for ninety minutes to the others within it, to allow discussion and insight into other people’s opinions. I was given the task of giving the first presentation of the year, and I chose the topic of Women in Science. The role of women in science has dramatically changed over the past century or so - with most women not even experiencing any further than a basic primary education up until WWI - therefore their presence in scientific fields ranged from extremely rare to non-existent. However, even now, in an era we see to be so much more equality-based, the gender stereotypes are still alive, and are apparently influencing others in their decisions more than we are aware of. We discussed many different aspects, including why girls who take science at A-level seemed to be repelled by STEM subjects and engineering, yet would happily study Biology and pursue a career in Medicine. It was a very challenging and daunting thing to do, but I really enjoyed hearing the views of the other members and I have gained a lot more confidence in myself.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
This stunning production featured The Garden's very own Georgia Hair as Hermia, Hannah McClarron as Hippolyta, Harriot Grinnell-Moore as Peta Quince and Mia Foster as a fairy attending on Titania. With Amy Wigglesworth (4G) designing and creating the fairy costumes plus Piper Dallimore (3G) as a trainee on the Technical team, we were very well-represented. All enjoyed the magical set and superb production which captured the audience throughout and was fitting for such a fantastic 400 Hall theatre.
Fashion Show
Amelia Wigglesworth (4G) writes about her experience:
In January of this year the spectacular fashion show took place, involving ten Garden girls! Having worked on their pieces for several months us designers were certainly proud to see our pieces finished and on the catwalk (although I do miss the mad rush of trying to find a free surface to work on in the textiles department, which now seems ghostly quiet). The designers involved from The Garden were Manae Araki, Alex Karpova, Becka Lee, Georgia Armour, Abbey Lloyd and Amelia Wigglesworth.
The Garden is certainly not short of modelling talent either. The evenings saw seven of The Garden’s girls bravely facing the audience on the catwalk (a terrifying but rewarding experience). These (fearless) girls (some of whom possibly struck fear into the audience whilst others donned a friendly smile) were Jess Lee, Phili Wilson, Abbey Lloyd, Amelia Wigglesworth, Manae Araki, Alex Karpova and Becka Lee who confidently ‘strutted their stuff’!
Behind the scenes the technical team played their parts well too. Piper Dallimore, in control of the sound and Sophie Wilbraham, in control of the lighting (enhancing the designs and adding to the already spectacular ambiance).
From what I have heard the audience certainly enjoyed it (it certainly looked that way from the stage) and it is indisputable that Garden’s contribution helped make the nights so successful!
Rockit 2016!
Rochelle Blakeman (U6G) writes:
What could be a better antidote to the mud, sweat and fears of Steeplechase than a night of live music? In my book, not much, and this is just what Rockit brings to Repton – an opportunity to celebrate music, whether on stage or in the crowd. This year members of Garden are keen to be involved, with Georgia Hair and I planning to perform Gnarl Barkley’s ‘Crazy’, and Hannah McClarron and Imogen Hunt performing Four-Five Second. It is highly rewarding to know that if you practise hard, it is possible to form bands with your friends and experience the thrill of performance.
Of course, performing is not the only way to enjoy live music, and being part of the crowd is just as enjoyable - 26 Garden Girls from all year groups relished this wonderful opportunity to support live Repton bands and helped to raise £440 for this year's Lent Charity, The Derbyshire Air Ambulance service.
Further congratulations go to Georgia Hair who has achieved a Level 4 diploma in Music Performance.
Beyond the Arch
The Garden girls' social conscience is strong and means that they are always keen to support charitable causes.
Thanks to profits from our house tuck shop, we were able to make a donation to the CVS South Derbyshire Food Bank of 80 selection boxes and advent calendars to be given out in the family bags at Christmas time.
We also supported the Samaritan's purse shoe box appeal with donations from the Garden girls.
One of the highlights of my year was taking a group of Garden singers to the local Newlands care home (run by the Leonard Cheshire Disability trust) to sing carols for the residents. To say that they were well-received is an understatement! The joy of seeing the happiness on the faces of the residents was priceless and felt very special. Well done to Harriot and Hannah who led rehearsals and helped to make it happen.
Thank you!
Wayne, Hattie, Tilly and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of the Garden girls and their parents for such a warm and friendly welcome as new Houseparents. We have really appreciated all of the smiles, positive energy, supportive messages and kind words and we truly could not have hoped for a better start to our time in The Garden.
Thanks also to our new Matron Tina Sitzer for taking such good care of the girls and to our resident tutor Reahana Scott for bringing energy and IT skills to our house events. The rest of our wonderful tutor team have continued to support and entertain the girls on duty nights and we are very grateful to them for all that they do.
