Sundry Summer(?) Snapshots

Date: Monday 21 April 2008

Ten days into term, and, sadly, little to report as the School gears up to public exams, and prepares for the onset of competitive sports' fixtures.

The Literary Society met last Tuesday evening and enjoyed the expert knowledge of Dr Catherine Richardson from the UKC and her understanding of the A-level set text, Marlowe's 'Dr Faustus', apparently modelled on Marlowe's headmaster from the King's School in Canterbury.

On Wednesday, Sixth Form Film Studies pupils had the chance to visit the oldest(?) working cinema in the country, the 'Rex' Cinema at Berkhamsted. Sadly there was no Wurlitzer organ rising from the pit, but they did have the chance to see the projection room in operation, and 'The Other Boleyn Girl'.

On the same evening the Prefects of 2007/08 celebrated the end of their tour of duty with the annual dinner, this year held at the Red Lion at Hernhill. A convivial time was had by all, and some interesting snippets from past reports on some of the characters added spice to the Headmaster's speech!

Thursday lunchtime witnessed the first senior debate in a long time, as Mrs Robinson revived the 'Forum' Society with the motion, 'This House believes Political Correctness has gone too far'. Speaking for the motion, Alisdair McMaster and Michael Hawkes proved more convincing than the opposition team of Jo Macdonald and Sandy Wardrop. The motion was carried by 14 votes to six, with three abstentions.

The 1st XI should have started their cricket season on Saturday with a match against Cranbrook, but the weather intervened, and an early cancellation proved correct in the light of afternoon rain. Now they face the might of Sevenoaks, at home, on Saturday - with an 11.30 start suggesting a traditional all day fixture, few and far between in these days of early exams, and academic pressure.

Today, Monday, took many members of the St Edmund's family to the Quire of Canterbury Cathedral for the memorial service to Dr Roger Barnes, one time Head of Science, Wagner tutor, and cricket lover, who died in April after a long struggle against cancer. A memorable service emphasised what a 'human' human being Roger was, with his love of teaching, life and family. Our own intra-School service is due to take place on Tuesday June 3rd, in the Chapel, at 2.00pm.

And, today, the Boys' Under 15 Tennis team began their season with a local derby against Kent College. What transpired was a 3 - 6 defeat on very difficult courts which are, allegedly and surprisingly, smaller than the official size! Coach Leigh Millard was complimentary towards the SES pairing of Rafi Stone and Max Plumptre, standing in for the absent Stephan Disneur.

Finally, for the moment, congratulations to Wagner House Captain, Sam Vile, who has won selection for the Great Britain Ultimate Frisbee squad, which will be training for the world championships, scheduled for Vancouver, Canada, in August of this year. This may be a new, and relatively unknown sport, but Great Britain representative honours are a fantastic achievement for this young athlete. Well done!