West House News Michaelmas 2011
Housemistress’ comments It seems hard to imagine but in early September, 29 new girls joined West House…along with 3 new tutors (Mrs Jenkins, Doc Young, Mr Neill), our new deputy Mrs Burns and me! Everyone has settled down so well and the new IV form, Lexi in the LV and the 6 new LVI have become thoroughly ensconced into life in West, to the point that you would never be able to notice who the new girls are anymore...so I have promised to never again refer to them as “the new girls”! Academically it’s been a strong term across all year groups. West girls consistently perform extremely well and this term has been no exception. More on their individual achievements later... The top three year groups have had an incredibly important term, where a huge amount of preparation for exams has taken place. The UV are well aware of the upcoming mocks and I’m sure that they will approach them with the correct attitude. Giving time over to revision during the holidays will ensure that they make the most of the experience, both in terms of consolidating their knowledge and gaining essential examination practice. The sixth form will have the sometimes challenging task of balancing modules whilst still attending lessons. Planning their work carefully will be essential during those first few weeks of the Lent Term. For all girls it is a matter of making the most of priority time and prep slots. Outside of the classroom West has been superbly represented in numerous ways in the School, be it on the hockey or lacrosse pitches, in riding, drama, art, music or dance. In drama we witnessed an incredible performance in “Ghosts” by Mara Waters and Midsummer Night’s Dream showcased the talents of Izzie Simpkin, Scarlett Rudd, Grace Lent, Rosie Barton, Sophie Kinally, Issi Rennocks and Olivia Al Marzook. It was a wonderfully entertaining evening and for the actors themselves, a truly enjoyable process. The House Performance Competition is always a very popular school event and this year was no exception. Our sixth form in particular played a huge role in both the choreography of the IV form dance and the Part Songs for North and Loveday. West girls continue to be a very important presence musically, whether it be in one of the various ensembles or in the Chapel Choir. The Dance Show was an enormous success this year, in no small part to Sophie Butterfield and the crack team of West girls. They put in hours of work which certainly paid off on the night. We are extremely lucky to have Emma Wallis as our House Captain, Georgia Watson as our Deputy and Mara Waters as Senior Prefect in West. They have been an enormous help to me this term and have helped to make West a positive place in which to live and work. Their task is not always an enviable one, but I think that the girls will agree that they do an extremely good job! I have a few thankyous to make...I want to thank the UVI for everything they have done in the house this term. Being in the UVI is a big responsibility and they have willingly helped with duties or tours, even though I know at times they have had to manage their own work and commitments alongside. What is also very pleasing to see is that the LVI have started to play a greater role in the West and again, are more than willing to help out. West has always had a high quality team of tutors and matrons and I would like to formally thank them for all their hard work. They care enormously about the girls’ welfare and frequently impress me by how willing they are to go the extra mile. Carol and Isabel do an excellent job as matrons and I certainly have appreciated their input and help in what has been a period of considerable change. Lastly I must also say thank you to Helen Burns and Sophie Diamond as my Deputy Housemistress and Day Warden respectively. They have both had to learn the ropes in their new roles and have done a fantastic job. I am very grateful to them for their hard work, advice and commitment to the girls. All that remains for me to do is to wish you all a happy and restful Christmas. I look forward to seeing all again in 2012!
CN
4th Form Halloween Earlier this term, some of the Wonderful West 6th form got together and organised a party for the 4th form girls, South and West alike. It was arranged to happen on the 20th October, the Thursday before we left for Long Leave. Prep finished 15 minutes early, and we all dressed in the scariest (funniest) outfits we had. We waited in Matron’s for the Southies to arrive, and when they did, we entered with them, and began to munch through the available hoards of festive treats. The decoration was amazing. Having had a second to look around, the 6th form entered, looking even scarier than usual! They announced there would be a house apple bobbing competition and we universally elected 6 people from each House to take part. Having heard all the House chants, and all twelve people having stuck there faces in water and then flour, we got the results, South had won! The 6th form now announced that we would have a scary story, everybody laughed… we were too old for that.! We settled down on the sofas and they began to talk, it was the least convincing thing we had ever heard! But….now came the climax, getting to the peak of the ghost story we heard spooky footsteps and then the loudest banging ever coming from the window directly behind us. Everybody screamed!!! Having gotten over the initial surprise, we all realised it was just Mara. It scared us all for a seEllie McAleese cond though. Thank you 6th form for an amazing night!
Junior West Team Triumph at Public Speaking!
Congratulations to these House Award winners Academic Awards
Half House Colours
Full House Colours
Ellie McAleese
Sophie Comber
Becky Hennell
Saskia Bridgen
Sophie Butterfield
Lizzie Wait
Hannah Wallis
Tara Walters
Mads Iafrate
Progress Prizes:
Olivia Al Marzook
Izzie Simpkin
Tess Lenselink
Ellie Smith
Scarlett Rudd
Erin McCombe
Briony Pearson
Hebe Westcott
Harriet Blurton
Issi Rennocks
Millie Black Emma Kelly Effort Prizes: Sophia Greaves
Picture this. Three incredibly nervous girls. An audience of around one hundred people. That was us ( Holly Partridge, Abby Frett and Lizzie Roberts) a couple of weeks before half term.
Zoe Jackson
We were arguing that ‘airbrushing photographs of models damages the self esteem of young women’. As soon as our very enthusiastic chairperson, Holly Partridge ( LV) started speaking the audience was hooked. Holly used her two minutes wisely and introduced the intimidated team very well. Lizzie Roberts then took over and spent six minutes talking to the audience about her views on airbrushing and how it affects them personally. Abby Frett then ended with a flourish as she graciously thanked the audience and the judges. Mrs Burns then asked a very intellectual question and we were finished!
Camilla Mills
Luckily West was last to speak, so we didn’t have very long to wait as the judges made their decision, and West were the winners!
Megan Batchelor
It was a very exciting day and we would personally like to thank Mrs Burns, and Izzie Simpkin for mentoring and coaching us as our speeches came together. Lizzie Roberts
House Badges
4th Form Cross Country Congratulations to: Megan Batchelor ( 2nd) Sophie Miller ( 4th) Liv Camsey ( 7th)
Livi Burgon Lizzie Wait Pattison Plate:
Mara Waters
House Socks All the 4th Form Lexi Van Breugel Emily Wolley
House Competitions: Winning teams! Squash– Lottie, Jen, Chloe, Immy, Nancy ( and Mara!) Fives: Charlotte, Megan ,Liv,
Millie Black
Chloe, Jen, Cathy, Georgie ,Izzie
Rachel Hurst
Maddy, Lottie and Georgia
Rachel Lubbock
Senior House Hockey
Georgia Hart
Junior It’s a Knockout: LV team
Lauren Beech
Junior House Public Speaking
We should also give special mentions to: Sophie Butterfield for her amazing work on the sixth form Dance Show
Emma Wallis
Maddy Austin who won the Surrey Ladies League Cross Country
Georgia Watson
The U14A Hockey team, who came runners up in the Surrey heats, got through the South regional round to compete next term to qualify for the Nationals. The 1st Hockey team who came third in the South Regional Competition Mads Iafrate and Briony Pearson who were part of the team that took the Dressage title at the National Schools Equestrian Association Winter Championships.