Cubitt Newsletter Lent 2011 Housemaster’s Comments We seem to have been basking in glorious spring sunshine over the last few weeks and it has helped bring not only a buoyant, cheery atmosphere to the House (after those long gloomy winter days earlier in the term) but also a successful run for Cubitt in the major trophies. Gordon Neill will regale you with the finer details of these, and also the many other exploits of Cubittians in what is the shortest but most action-packed of terms, but it always gives the House a boost when we do well in the major competitions; the majority of boys are able to represent the House and play their part. Overall, the boys have kept themselves going well and thank you for your support in trying to ensure that they get sufficient rest at the weekends; the balance between rest/ sleep, their work and their social life will be even more critical over the coming weeks. As ever, the boys need to have some switch off time and to relax over the holidays but the top three year groups will know (we have told them!) that there is now actually more holiday time (4 ½ weeks) than school time (3 weeks) left before the exams start so, sadly, they will need to plan and execute some effective revision over the holidays.
Looking ahead, the first weekend of next term is busy and complicated by the Royal Wedding (we are open for business as normal and hopeful that many boys will stay in). There is then the Charity walk for the Zambia project on that Sunday and we were delighted that over 90% of the boys have said they are planning to do this. If you are able to offer support for this very worthwhile project then it would be much appreciated. The boys can of course stay in on the Saturday night beforehand if that makes logistics easier for the weekend. Lastly, on behalf of all the tutor and matron team, may I wish you all a very happy Easter! CHDB
Deputy Housemaster’s Report Cerebral Matters It is, I think, worth beginning this round up of the term's cerebral pursuits with a word of congratulation. In the history of House Prayers (our reflection on the term's endeavours), there can seldom have been a less illuminating speech than that offered by Matt Pepper on the fortunes of the house chess team. Apart from the fact that he remembered winning his own games, he was able to offer no further insight on the moments of strategic guile and cunning conducted beneath Cubitt colours on the black and white battleground. I can officially fill in the blanks here and record that the house's chess players recorded a solid if unspectacular season, achieving a 50% win-loss record. In the Junior Schools Challenge, our quartet of trivia buffs - Alex Clarke, Charlie La Fosse, Fin Johnston and Matt Foster performed tremendously, losing the semi-final against a very strong Loveday side only after an epic contest. Our debating team of Hugo Moxey, James Thompson, Alex Clarke and Callum Osborne put in a sterling performance against East and were, we felt, very unlucky to lose. There have been strong academic performances throughout the house this term, with the fourth form and lower fifth's reports being particularly impressive. The termly academic awards were given as follows: in the fourth form to Josh Horwood, in the fifth form to Oliver Clark and in the sixth form to Ben Allon-Smith, all of whom should be congratulated on an excellent term's work.
H2O—The Usual Fiasco As ever, the fact that no Cubittian required the help of the emergency services to fish them from the pool was a cause of no little celebration. What the other three houses put in their chocolate milk to enable them to perform such aquatic marvels is anyone's guess. We in Cubitt clearly give them too much toast, as most of the boys in green seem to be on the verge of sinking at any given moment. The one positive note? The juniors scored a goal. The negative? All games, yet again, were lost. In the light of these observations, it might seem somewhat surprising that five members of the house have been bold (or foolish) enough to put themselves forward for the Devizes-Westminster canoe race this Easter. Our very best wishes go to Ben Allon-Smith, Jamie Huttly, Euan Johnston, Ben Cox and Henry Thomas as they embark upon this genuinely gruelling challenge over the Easter weekend.
Cross Country - Hail to the Victors From the ridiculous to the sublime. Cubitt's tradition in the Cross-Country tournament is the stuff of legend but
we cannot recall a more dominating performance than that produced by our seniors this year. Ben Allon-Smith led the way, winning by almost a minute, but, with nine Cubittians amongst the top fifteen runners, the result was a formality. There is clearly something in the Cubittian's psyche that inexorably draws him to mud and toil - it was a magnificent performance. The junior competition was a much closer affair but a fine collective effort saw us home. The future is clearly in safe hands, given that Matt Foster, as a fourth former, came second overall in a competition which is open to all boys in the upper fifth and below - an outstanding run. It was with much satisfaction that we saw Alex Curtis receive the trophy at the end of term assembly.
1st XI, losing only one game all season, and it would be remiss not to record the performances of Jack Hall, Jerry Slynn and Charlie Henry, all of whom were valuable members of that very successful side.
Hockey - Pooh Sticks? Not This Year...
Football- The Song Remains the Same This year's sixth form footballers are clearly sensitive to Cubitt's traditions. For as long as I have been writing this newsletter, this passage in the Lent Term seems to have recorded a plucky defeat to superior opposition in the semi-final, followed by an anticlimactic loss in the final. Once again, this absurdly predictable structural template was adhered to with limpet-like determination; a heroic 3-2 defeat to favourites and eventual winners Loveday preceded a 2-0 loss to an unexceptional North side to leave us not for the first time - in fourth place. On a more positive note, this has been one of the finest seasons in recent memory for the
Most people associated with Cranleigh would agree that it has been many years since a 1st team in any sport has reached the heights that our hockey 1st XI has reached this term. Five Cubittians have been members of that side Tom Batchelor, Jonny Gall, James Gall, Charles Alston and Jonny Pullar - with the first three named all having been selected for England. Given that there can be few, if any, house teams in the country with three internationals in their XI (!), it was no surprise that we dominated the house hockey tournament this year. Equally pleasing, though, were the performances of our Intermediate and Junior B teams, both of whom won their respective competitions, reflecting the depth of hockey talent there is in Cubitt at the minute. This is arguably the most prestigious of the sports cups available in the Lent Term and we were delighted to be awarded it at the end of term. A superb all round effort.
Performing Arts The main focus of the term was Martin Allison's production of Nikolai Erdman's dark Russian comedy "The Suicide". There were some fine Cubitt performances in this play from Barnaby Findlay, Tommy Lyster and Patrick Cahill but special mention must be reserved for Jon Oldfield's performance as Semy贸n Semy贸novich, the lead role in the play. This was a performance of bittersweet brilliance from a most talented young actor, which will long be remembered by those who saw it.
Closing Thoughts This is often the bleakest and toughest of the three terms at Cranleigh and it is a testimony to the calibre of boy we have in the house in the moment that they have remained so generally positive, good-humoured and focused throughout these long, dark months. It has been a really successful and enjoyable term for the house and both Charlie Boddington and myself have thoroughly appreciated their collective attitude. It only remains to record the winners of this term's house fellowship awards, given to the boys who most embody the house spirit that we are seeking to cultivate in Cubitt. This term's winners were Will Slynn in the Junior School and Hugo Moxey in the Senior School. Many congratulations to them both and I hope that all Cubittians and their families enjoy an excellent Easter break. GJNN