Dear Parents April 2011
Much like the Michaelmas term, the Lent term has literally flown past, but it has again been full of notable achievements for Ridgemount and individual Ridgemountaineers.
We were disappointed to receive news in January that none of our 5 Oxbridge candidates had achieved offers and we wish them well in their attempts to re-apply or with their alternative university plans. Congratulations to the other members the Upper Sixth who have gained offers to their chosen universities.
The House Dance was yet again a great success and I was impressed by diverse range of Ridgemount costumes under the banner of “Lycra, Lace and Bad Taste”. It is my annual opportunity to have some hair again so I enjoyed it.
We were visited by the Headmaster in February as part of his tour of all Shrewsbury houses and I am pleased to report that he was impressed by both Ridgemount and its inhabitants! February too saw Henry Clay, Freddie Adair and Rory Free displaying their art work in a fine exhibition in the Art school.
The Bentley Elocution Prize, normally a happy hunting ground for Ridgemount was again keenly contested and Henry Brereton, Xavier Greenwood and Sam Ecroyd all performed their poems brilliantly, but without reward. Ridgemount’s rich heritage in debating was again to the fore as the Junior Team (defending champions) reached the semi finals and lost a very close contest to Severn Hill. Captain Thomas Lloyd was again superb, ably supported by experienced campaigner Hugo Scott and the impressive third former, Paul Sharpe. The B team of Will Hunter, Henry Clay and Sam Ecroyd also performed well and there will be some selection dilemmas next season!
Congratulations to Henry Brereton (Best Delegate Award), Toby Free (Highly Commended Delegate) and Xavier Greenwood (Highly Commended Delegate) for their excellent performances in the school MUN (Model United Nations) team. Jonathan Tau achieved a remarkable feat in the British Biology Olympiad. There were 2850 entrants from 337 schools and Jonathan was one of only 5% of entrants who were awarded a Gold Medal – well done!!
Ridgemount musicians Charlie Robinson, Thomas Lloyd, Christopher Ho and Ilya Olkov all performed well in the school concert at Birmingham’s Town Hall at the end of March. Congratulations to Conrad Wilson for passing his Grade 7 Saxophone with merit and to Will Mayhew for passing his Grade 6 Clarinet with merit too.
On the sporting front, congratulations to Ruaidhri Smith for his excellent performances for the Rugby 1st XV and his part in a fine Sevens season for the seniors. Hamish Neill was magnificent again for the J14 Rowing Crew where he stroked the boat to 3rd out of 43 crews at Nat Schools. Charlie Lane Fox continues to impress on the river and will look forward to the big events this summer. Edward Lloyd ran superbly for the Hunt Senior squad, who won the County Cup and Northern Championships and he has also been selected for the 1st X1 Football Tour this summer. Freddie Hill has also performed well for the Hunt and was a key member of the County League winning squad. Arthur Scott, Charlie Marques, Edward Lloyd, Freddie Earlam, Henry Clay all performed commendably at the National Fives Championships at Eton and the younger players will have gained some vital experience.
It was great to see three Ridgemount House teams in action in the last week of term in the Rugby, Hunt and Hockey events and the boys gave their all.
There have been some notable successes this term in all areas of school life and Ridgemount men have achieved some remarkable feats in the classroom, on the river, games field, in the music school and on the stage. Too many to mention here, though all are celebrated in House Dix and with the awarding of house colours. I look forward to awarding these at the start of the summer term and to witnessing the next set of achievements.
There have been some excellent weekend activities that boys have signed up for, notably the trip to Water World and High Ropes and Paintballing and I am grateful to Ridgemount Tutors for making these trips happen.
The new bunch of Ridgemountaineers for September looks to be a talented group and they come from Aysgarth, Birchfield, Bruern Abbey, International School Hong Kong, Packwood, Ripon Cathedral and Summerfields. We look forward to getting to know them better this summer when they visit for some “Ridgemount Reconnaissance”.
We took delivery last week of a new Sky HD box and a new HD screen will be installed over Easter. The decorators continue apace and the house is enjoying a refreshing lick of paint in all communal rooms and corridors.
I am pleased to enclose the Ridgemount Summer Term Fasti and please can I draw your attention to a few dates:
On Tuesday 26th April, 3rd form parents are reminded about the highly recommended talk from “E Safety” expert Karl Hopwood at 6pm, before the Parents’ Meeting. All 3rd form boys must attend after parents have been.
There is supper for parents after the Parents’ Meeting at 8.15pm back in Ridgemount. This is a good chance to meet your son’s tutor and discuss his progress.
4th Form parents are reminded of exactly the same formula and timings as above, but on Sunday 8th May.
On Confirmation Sunday (15th May) all candidates’ parents and their entourage are warmly invited to coffee at Ridgemount from 10.00am onwards. Do please take boys out afterwards for lunch.
Could I please remind you that on Extended Coach Weekends (Saturday 7th May and Saturday 25th June) boys may only be collected or catch trains after they have fulfilled their school sporting commitments.
Ridgemount Jazz Hog Roast promises to be an excellent evening again and do bring along other family members. I will email prior to this event to confirm final numbers. I will also ask Sam to liaise with parents over who can bring what (salads / puddings etc)
Please note that the Junior House Play - “Outside Edge” will take place on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd July at 8pm in Ridgemount. Please do come and support what promises to be another fine Ridgemount production with Will Hunter and Archie Smyth Osborne making their directorial debuts.
Upper Sixth Parents should have had details about the Leavers’ Ball and you are most welcome to join Sam and me for drinks on the lawn from 6.30pm before we head over to the marquee.
I would be very grateful if you could ensure your son returns with clothes fully named (with name tapes) as Matron has an increasingly large pile of un-named clothes clogging up the laundry.
Hughes News
George and Alice are very much enjoying Packwood, as is Sam! George wants to start Judo next term and luckily my mother has saved my judo outfit from when I was at school so that will save us a few pounds! Alice is loving her art and craft and she has had some watercolours for her recent 8th birthday. The three chickens Dorothy, Lulu and Bingo are enjoying life at Ridgemount much more than their previous existence as battery hens and they are producing 4 eggs between them on a good day. Odie has discovered where the badgers run and takes great delight in chasing them out of the garden.
We are off to see friends in Toulouse next week followed by a week in Aberdovey, which we are all excited about.
I am very much looking forward to the Summer Term and seeing Ridgemount men achieve in the classroom, in the exam hall, the music school, the theatre and on the games field.
Have a great Easter, with perhaps a little revision!
Best wishes
Will