The year 2006-7 has been a time of mixed emotions for East House: a year of near misses and some frustration, a time of change, of sadness at losing a Housemaster and Matron but excitement of new people coming in and anticipation of the year to come.
On the House events front, the year was characterised by some agonisingly close contests ending in disappointment but with some notable successes. In the water there is real hope for the future, with the junior water-polo side and the IVth Form swimming team winning their events. Other successes included the junior squash and fives (with Mike Haynes, Will Langmead and Harry Adolphus making notable contributions) and the House Challenge (both senior and junior) with the living brain that is James “Huggy Bear” Harrison out-buzzing the rest for the seniors and Henry Wilson and Oli Clifford being über-knowledgeable for the juniors. Perhaps the most frustrating event was the House Performance Competition at the very beginning of the year. This was fantastic and with the talents of both Sarah Hudson-Phillips and Chris Jackson directing the IVth Form dance and the part song it seemed as though we had it in the bag; unfortunately the judges thought differently. However, the East dance was incredible, as was the part song (Circle of Life) and the vocal talents of Carelle Mowat, Chris Jackson and Vicky Taylor did not seem to deserve second place.
Congratulations to Will Collier who represented England U16s v France at Easter, Greg Bateman who played at U18 level in Biarritz and Sam Smith who was in the squad but was injured while playing for the School sevens team and so missed out on the International season. Also to Luke Braid (East House 2005) who was instrumental in the Baby All Blacks U19 World Cup winning side in the early summer.
Throughout the year the House spirit was encapsulated by Pete Folland of the UVIth, whose promise to bring home the bacon was greeted with wide applause as he prepared himself for a number of upcoming events: debating, chess, golf, football, tennis. Like something out of the 1990s Chumbawumba hit “Tubthumping” with the line “I get knocked down, but I get up again” Folly went into each event with spirits high, determined to give it his all. Fortunately right at the end of the year he was in the winning senior tennis team…. ’nuff said. Pleasingly, through the various senior calamities, the juniors were holding up their end with the golfers winning their competition (with a last hole winning putt from Charlie Rollings) and a convincing junior tennis win (captained by Pete Kealy) making it a clean sweep for tennis.
The year has been tough for the seniors: having only a small group in the UVIth made it difficult to compete but the boys performed brilliantly and with great humility in all competitions and deserved greater success. Next year with the strong UVth year group coming into the VIth Form, there is every chance of a return to the glory days for the senior part of the House and I wish them luck.
The last House events of the year were the music evening in the MMS and the Charity 5-a-side football day in TASC, which epitomised all that is good about East: a willingness to get up and get on with it, enjoyment and talent. I was particularly pleased with the younger members of the House who were prepared to strut their stuff in the music evening: Oli Metcalfe, Rowan Von Spreckelsen, James Thompson, Jamie Greenwood, Marlon Date Chong, Matt Cordwell, Dan Dack and Harry Rudd all from the IVth and LVth.
The end of the year was taken up with a series of farewells to Sandi and me from the various parts of the House and it was a very emotional time, reflecting on seven extraordinary years in East House that have made such an impact on the lives of both myself and my family. The daily dealings with the boys, sharing their successes and failures, their friendships and fallouts, the high points and the low, has been a real rollercoaster ride, but one so fulfilling that it is hard to put into words. The best times were those of laughter, either at ourselves or with each other; House Prayers at the end of every term (discussing how great we all were); kicking a ball about and frisbee on East Lawn; lunchtime callovers with the VIth Form, House Music evenings; concerts and the performance competitions; plays and, of course, House sport.
I have loved the support and friendship of the boys in an atmosphere of what I believe to be true mutual respect. I will miss East and thank with all my heart all those who have helped in the fostering of a wonderful place in which to live and work: all the tutors, PJL, PL, RACH, DRB, HGI, SDW, CJW, PAMcN, David Roques, James Cooke, Sue Spencer and Nathalie Richard; our wonderful matrons – Irene Chapman and latterly Jenny Reilly, and Sandi McConnell-Wood; the cleaners Peggy, Peggy, Roger, Dennis, Val, Nobby, Eileen (Mrs D-M) and other support staff. My Day Wardens, JCEM, EMB and PRM and Deputy Housemasters, RCEKK, PNR and FJW, without all of whom I would have undoubtedly lost my sanity. I would particularly like to thank the House Captains (Andy Selby, Sam Langmead, Jamie Wainwright, Tim Williams, Ali Wilde, Matt Selby and Ben Dean) and their deputies (Bode Ejiwumni, Damian Hill, Duncan Rogers, Jez Martin, Mark Dormon, Nick Rushton and Rich Irving): their role is crucial, working hard to make the House tick and to look after routines.
FJW, my current Deputy, has become a great friend and has been an awesome colleague to work with, whose caring and thoughtful work with the boys in the House has been tireless. He has had the ability almost telepathically to work out when I have dropped the ball/forgotten something or simply just run out of steam, and this has taken a great weight from my shoulders. I have also enjoyed working with the many East parents who make up part of the ‘family’: their support to me, the boys and the House has been tremendous. Where I have most appreciated them has been in the times of crisis and we have had one or two; the kindness and reassurance they have given me has helped enormously.
I must say a word of huge thanks to my family – to Olivia and Angus who have had to put up with their dad not being around- and to Sandi – who has been my rock and often inspiration through these years. The job of Housemaster is intensive but fulfilling and Sandi has provided me with love and support that has been the foundation of the work I have been able to do with the boys in the House and all this while she has been trying to juggle being a matron, Housemaster’s wife and mother.
And finally, of course, thanks to the boys themselves, who make the job worth doing. I hope that my time in East will be remembered fondly. I have passionately believed in the maxim to ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ and I have tried to instil that into all the boys I have looked after. It hasn’t always worked, but generally I like to think that East boys are thoughtful to others and kind, but also don’t take themselves too seriously – life is fulfilling when we are happy and, most often, we are happy when we are enjoying ourselves. I think it is evident to all that I have loved my time in East House and will treasure the many happy memories. I am delighted to be handing over the reins of power to Simon Bird. I know he and Ratheesha will be welcomed into the House with warmth and friendship and I wish them both the very best of good luck for the future. Also to the new House Captain, Ian Taylor, and deputies, Tom Howard and Toby Griffiths: may they lead East with integrity and sensitivity.
TIMW