Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ELLESMERIAN
2010
The Ellesmerian 2010
Contents
VOLUME CXX
Headmaster’s Speech ....................................2 2010
Prize List .......................................................11 Captains of School
Head Boy: F J Herzog
Common Room Notes ..................................12 Head Girl: R A L Britton
College Prefects
Competitive Houses
W J Bevan
Meynell ............................................18 J T Boswell
Talbot ...............................................21 T D Carr
J R Dapling
Wakeman-Lambart ..........................24 J A Eckhoff
Woodard ..........................................27 J A M E Ekert
E H Evans
Pupil Notes V Z Grudde
Z E Haynes
Lower School ...................................30 E L A Hughes
Middle School ..................................35 C D Johnson
M D Jones
Sixth Form .......................................40 I Stoica
M Verleger
University Destinations .................................46 L T Walters
N Wojtynia
Chapel Notes ...............................................47
CCF ...............................................................49
Art ................................................................55
Drama ...........................................................63
Music ............................................................71
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The Ellesmerian 2010
2
The Ellesmerian 2010
It’s just the same with the effect on education of multiple
forms of inspection and measurement. Education has
been impoverished and – considering the national scene
– there has been a culture of “if you can’t measure it, it
doesn’t matter”. This reductive approach to education
has been hugely damaging, and while we have
successfully stood against it, we are in an extreme
minority. Indeed, I am guilty of framing what we are
trying to do at Ellesmere too narrowly on occasions
myself.
Of course, we are aiming to send people out who are
well-rounded and well-prepared for their adult lives, but
at times I forget to emphasise how much we are trying to
make good people who will enjoy lives that are rich in
many ways and who can make a positive contribution to
the world, measured not through economic
productiveness – although I could not be more in favour GCSE Results: Lucy Harrington, Alex Owen, Callum
of that – but rather through their ability simply to live well. Booth, Sam Phillips, James McCarthy, Charlotte Boffey
My favourite philosopher is Marcus Aurelius, a Roman
Emperor from the second century. He remarks in his results that they achieved. Last year’s Head Boy, David
Meditations that “one’s life is what one’s thoughts make Anders-Richards, achieved four A grades and is now
it”; by which he means that our attitudes determine our studying Biochemistry at the University of California, Los
success and our evaluation of our success in life. An Angeles; Colin Fergusson’s four As secured him a place
Ellesmere education is very much about inculcating the at Durham to read Geography.
right attitudes. Results for our International Baccalaureate candidates
The main measure of academic success – at an were even more impressive: they averaged a score in
individual level, of course – is found in public excess of three As at A level. Hendrick Scheer and
examination results. At this time of the year such results Yasmin Rahbari achieved the equivalent of five ‘A’ Level
seem a long time away (or perhaps alarmingly close for A grades through the IB and took up courses at The
this year’s candidates), but we can look back on last London School of Economics and Loughborough
summer’s examination results with some considerable respectively.
pride. As you will know, the emphasis at Ellesmere is not At GCSE the girls excelled themselves with more than
always on individual pupil performance, and no mark – 38% of their grades being achieved at A or A*
however high or low – has any meaning unless we can standard,and the majority of departments achieved A-C
set it in the context of the abilities of the pupil concerned. pass rates of 100%.
Having said that, in headline terms our Sixth Form
results were excellent this year. Taken across the ‘A’ Level We are not interested in the academic success of
and IB group as a whole our average score – expressed Ellesmerians only while they are at the school, and
as ‘A’ Levels – was an A and 2 Bs. This is a remarkably highlights from OE news this year include Jennifer
high average for a school which prides itself on having Sampson receiving a First Class Honours Degree in
pupils of a wide ability range in its Sixth Form, and I am Engineering from Edinburgh University and Sarah
very proud of last year’s Sixth Form as a whole for the Haynes the same class of Honours from Exeter
University for History. OEs Kate Eisenstein and Linden
Hutchinson have gone on to Oxford for higher
degrees, having enjoyed successful undergraduate
careers.
Careers are far more than simply proceeding to
university, and I am pleased to report that this year
our Year 11 Careers Conference attracted over forty
speakers from a wide range of professional and
employment backgrounds, all ready to give their
advice and help to students and parents. During the
current academic year I have been pleased to see a
continuing number of Gold, Silver and Bronze
awards in the National UK Mathematics Challenge,
and also this year Golds, Silvers and Bronzes in the
National Biology Challenge event. Staying with
national competitions, Year 8 student Ryen
Spencer-Wolfe was highly commended for his entry
Award-winners at Intermediate level in the National UK Maths into the National Design and Technology
Challenge with John Cowley, Head of Maths competition sponsored by Starpack.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
the Lower Sixth more than twenty of our students
achieved Distinctions which means they have already
earned sixty-five UCAS points, the equivalent of a pass
at ‘AS’ Level, towards the totals that they will need for
universities next year. The College Public Speaking
teams continue to be active and this year has seen a real
upsurge of interest in Debating Societies in both the
Senior and Lower School.
Artistic endeavour – in all its forms – continues to go from
strength to strength at Ellesmere. This year, for the first
time, we worked to the Arts Council-sponsored “Arts
Award” programme and over fifty Ellesmerians have
been celebrating their achievements as a result. These
pupils have used the Thursday afternoon time as
Josh Boswell, overall Senior winner of the National dedicated Arts time under the banner of the Arena Arts
Parliamentary Press Gallery Writing Competition Programme, and have taken part in activities including
music, script-writing, painting, sculpture, costume and
Particular mention should be made of the success of make-up, stage lighting design, dance, film making, radio
Josh Boswell, who was the overall senior winner of the drama, sound recording and musical composition; I have
National Parliamentary Press Gallery Writing probably missed something out! This programme was
Competition. This took place prior to the recent election supplemented by various theatre and gallery trips. Much
and Josh’s winning entry recommended three policies of the work that the pupils produced was showcased in
that could be adopted by any of the parties for that the Lent Term Arts Evening which celebrated artistic
election. As a reward for winning this prize he travelled to achievement at the College. The Visual Arts have seen
London as a guest of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, a number of Exhibitions at the College throughout the
was given a tour of the Houses of Parliament and met year, and we were pleased that Rory Bothwell and Ella
with the Speaker of the House of Commons. He then Walker had their work selected for exhibition at The
went on to 10 Downing Street and met with Gordon Lowry Arts Centre in Salford.
Brown to discuss his suggestions for legal reforms.
On the musical front there has been a very wide range of
The mention of Josh’s travelling reminds me that we activities this year. The Chapel Choir has gone from
have enjoyed the usual number of academic expeditions strength to strength and now numbers over fifty voices. In
this year. To pick out simply a random sample, there was the Oswestry Musical Festival they finished first for the
our annual Classics trip to Bath and Cirencester, various second year running in the choral competition: we will be
Geography Field Trips and, of course, the ever-popular aiming for a hat-trick next year. The Lower School Choir
History Battlefield trip to the World One battle sites in is up to around forty singers, and has sung at various
Northern France and Belgium. Staying with History- events in and out of College including the Leonard
related travel, Luke Ottaway and James McCarthy were Cheshire Home in Dolywern. At the Oswestry Festival
chosen as College ambassadors to Auschwitz which they finished a very close second.
they visited over Easter, attending lectures and
The Oswestry Festival also saw a good number of
information sessions, and they will be presenting their
individual awards and particular mention should go to
experiences to the College next term.
John Paul, George Fradley and Luke Taylor for winning
Continuing with an international theme, for the first time the Instrumental
this year the College Ensemble class and to
participated in the Model John Paul for winning
United Nations, in both Leiden the Strings Solo for
and The Hague. Ellesmerians Ages 15 and under.
represented countries as Sophie Austin from
diverse as Niger and China, Year 7 and Elizabeth
and several of our students’ Walsh from Year 5 won
resolutions made it all the way the Vocal Solo and
to being passed in the String Solo classes
General Assembly. respectively at Under
A crucial part of any political 12 level.
or diplomatic career – or for The Choral Society
any form of leadership – is the has also seen its
ability to communicate well membership rise this
and to speak effectively. year and this link
Ellesmere has a long tradition between the school
of success in English The team of Ellesmerians who took part in the Model and local singers is
Speaking Examinations and in United Nations in Leiden and The Hague very valuable. This
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Ellesmere
College Chapel
Choir
performing at
the Three
Choirs Concert
with Mr Paul at
the piano
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The Ellesmerian 2010
County at various age-groups and particular mention achievement from last year certainly worthy of mention is
should be given to Vivian Grudde, who was chosen as Jordan Evans’ tally of 684 runs at an average of 76 with
the Shropshire U17 Team Vice-Captain; to Ellie three centuries. This achievement earned him a listing in
Halstead, who was selected to go on to training with the the Wisden National School Cricket Averages as one of
Junior Regional Performance Centre and the Midlands the top twenty batsmen in the country. This season we
Squad; and to Chloe Prydden, who was selected to play have seen eleven County selections with Fraser Murdoch
for the North East Wales selected for the Welsh U14
U18 side. side.
Rugby saw thirty boys Tennis used to be a Summer
selected at County or Term sport, but now –
Regional level, which weather permitting – it is all
equates roughly to 10% of year round. There have
the relevant age-groups for been some splendid Tennis
boys from Ellesmere. successes this year and for
Staying with individuals, the second year in a row we
particular mention should were the only school to send
go to two Old Ellesmerian two teams to the National
rugby players, James King Finals at the Bolton Arena.
and Joel Galley, who The girls’ team finished third
represented Wales in the overall out of the eight
U20 Junior Rugby World finalists with the mixed
Championships held in U15 Sevens Team, winners of the Adams doubles team falling at the
Argentina, as part of a very Grammar School Tournament final stage and finishing as
successful Welsh team that runners-up. These exploits in
won five of their eight games. the National Finals followed
on from our Year 8 and Year 10 girls’ teams finishing third
At A team level the U15 Sevens won the Adams’
and fourth in the country earlier in the year.
Grammar School Tournament, and the Senior Sevens
won the prestigious King’s Worcester Sevens The U15 team had an unbeaten season, and we were
Tournament, beating teams from Bromsgrove, the winners of the U19 North Shropshire Girls’ Doubles
Loughborough, Cheltenham and Old Swinford Hospital and the U15 North Shropshire Girls’ and Boys’ Doubles.
on the way. The U15 full-size team Particular mention should go to
made it to the last sixty-four of the Joanne Bowen, from Year 11, who
Daily Mail Cup, and the 1st XV exited won the U18 Open Competition at The
the Daily Mail Cup unbeaten. This Welti Tennis Centre, a title that she will
strange circumstance arose because be able to defend for the next two
the organisers of the Daily Mail Cup years.
insisted that we played a match which
Rounders is not a major school sport,
would have meant that a significant
but I am pleased to report that our
number of players would have had to
U13 and U12 teams both won their
miss ‘AS’ Level examinations to take
North Shropshire Tournaments.
part. While we enjoy winning and
success, it was clearly not an option to It has been a good season for College
sacrifice the education of individuals athletes: forty-seven pupils competed
for the glory of school rugby: I can in the North Shropshire Schools
honestly say that I wasn’t tempted Championships and first places were
even for a moment. Nine-year-old Hector Pardoe, UK taken by Colin Dickson, James
No. 1 in his year-group, with some Preston, Sam Owen, Clara Edwards
The Lent Term was disrupted very of his swimming medals and Ellie Halstead – who broke the
significantly by the heavy snow at the
North Shropshire record for the 100m.
start of the year. Of the Football
George Beal represented Shropshire in the Midlands
games played almost two thirds ended in wins or draws.
Championships in the Shot Put. Lower School pupils
Individual mentions go to Todd Dobie from Year 11 who
excelled in the Shropshire Amateur Athletics
has been given a scholarship to train at TNS, the Welsh
Championships with Will Edwards deserving particular
League Champions; Myles Arnold continues to train with
mention as he finished first in the U11 600m and first in
Shrewsbury Town, and Fraser Murdoch, in addition to
the U11 long jump.
being on Crewe Alexandra’s books, was selected to play
for Scotland. Netball had a very successful term with the It is only a very short time ago that swimming was not
1st Seven winning the North Shropshire Tournament for even a Summer sport, given the quality of British
their age-group, as did the U14 team. Summers and the temperature of our then outdoor pool.
In a short time swimming at the College has been
Summer Term cricket always straddles Speech Day as
transformed thanks very much to the Coach of
the Cricket season carries on past the end of term. An
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Ellesmere College Titans, Mr Jon School pupils; two hundred bluebells
Pardoe. Swimming is so strong at were added to the wooded area and
Ellesmere that we do not swim against various fencing and tree planting has
other schools but instead compete in also been undertaken. If we contrast
the National Adult League and for the that with the increasing popularity of the
second year running Ellesmere Sixth Form Wine Appreciation Society,
College Titans achieved promotion we can see that although both activities
from a twenty-team league and are are united by the need to grow things,
now top of the North of England the range is very wide.
Regional Structure next year and one
Last year’s Duke of Edinburgh Gold
step away from the Premiership.
Exhibition to paddle two of the rivers of
Nine-year-old Hector Pardoe is Southern France was reported – as
currently ranked UK Number 1 for his ever – to be tremendous fun and a great
age-group in the 200 metre butterfly learning experience for our pupils.
and 200 metre, 400 metre and 800 Seven Ellesmerians will be going to
metre freestyle. At the 2010 Buckingham Palace within the next few
Shropshire County Championships months to receive their Gold Awards,
the Titans swimmers racked up an Martin Jones receiving his RAF and five of them are from the current
impressive ten County records, were Scholarship from Flt Lt M McKenna Upper Sixth – a considerable
awarded two overall Best Boy and achievement when Duke of Edinburgh
Best Girl Championship trophies and won twenty-one Awards are made well into people’s twenties. The Duke
Gold, thirty-one Silver and twenty-six Bronze individual of Edinburgh Gold group this year travelled to Canada in
medals. James Wilson, Alfie Pardoe and Naomi Craig an exciting departure from what has become the norm.
were all multiple medal winners. Naomi Craig also
Despite a drastic and immediate cut in funding from the
qualified for the British National Modern Triathlon
Ministry of Defence some months ago, the CCF
Championships and finished second. Eight Titan
programme has gone ahead as planned and has offered
swimmers qualified for the Midland age-group
the usual wide opportunities for leadership development
Championships and Alfie Pardoe and James Wilson
for our pupils. More than a dozen Army cadets have
qualified for the finals with James returning with six Gold
gained their Young Life Saver award, and over forty
medals.
cadets were presented with their Bronze Duke of
The extra-curricular life beyond the areas of sport and Edinburgh Awards by Old Ellesmerian, Colonel Guy
cultural activities continues to be wide, varied and Chambers, earlier this term. Last October ten Naval
vigorous. I can’t possibly cover it all, but an example of cadets gained their RYA Level 1 or Level 2 sailing
the breadth might be seen by noting that the Lower qualifications, and all the cadets were involved in planting
School Wildlife Garden – with the arrival of the Grow over three hundred trees and hedging shrubs on the golf
Dome – has seen three new large beds added by Lower course in aid of Cadet 150. Three cadets, Molly Venner,
Annabel Rogan and Ronnie Clewlow have
been selected to go to the Cadet 150 Garden
Party at Buckingham Palace.
In the RAF Section most of the cadets have
had an opportunity to fly a Grob tutor at RAF
Cosford, and some have recently been
gliding at Tern Hill. Yuriy Loychenko attended
a gliding course in May and gained his wings
flying a Vigalent, and Joe Davies recently
qualified as a pilot. Martin Jones has
obtained a much-sought-after RAF
Scholarship for his time as an undergraduate.
An Old Ellesmerian a little further down the
line, Mark Dean, has graduated from
Sandhurst and is now an Officer with the
Royal Logistics Corps.
Staying with matters martial, Jacob Roberts
from Year 8 was awarded the Litts Challenge
Cup at The Welsh Open Shooting
Army Cadets who gained the Young Life Savers Award Competition in Cardiff. This Cup is awarded
Back row from left: Joe Pescod, Louis Chaudron, Simon Swannell, to the junior showing most potential. Ryan
Jens Lee, William Johnson and Sam Dapling Williams represented Wales in overseas
Front row from left: Georgina Ottaway, Bethany Lyttle, Kate Parry competition and Richard Belcher was
and Sarah Carr selected to shoot in the British Schools’
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Competition held in Dortmund, willingness to pay for an extension
where he scored a personal best, of the water-pipe to the village
and was only six marks out of six should significantly improve the
hundred behind the top British quality of life for villagers and
shooter at the event.The College enable them to reforest their land.
U16 shooting team finished first in Staying with a green theme,
their British Schools’ League, and twenty solar panels are going to
Matthew Steggles, Richard Belcher be placed on the roof of the
and Ryan Williams have been Sports Centre over the summer
selected to shoot in the Junior holidays and should significantly
International match at Bisley next reduce the amount of oil we use
month. as well as our carbon footprint.
A large number of Charities have Three of our pupils received
been supported, including the Haiti Young Citizenship awards from
Earthquake Appeal; grants towards the High Sheriff of Shropshire in
a school in Mozambique which is March, and Nick West, Elizabeth
being helped by an Old Ellesmerian Evans and Christopher Johnson
at the moment; The Royal British should be proud of their
Legion Poppy Fund; Hope House achievements.
Hospice; and MacMillan Nurses – to Ryan Williams, Junior International There have been the usual
name but a few. We hope that shooter school-based initiatives to provide
significant funds will be raised by the
support to the education in the
Cookbook team producing our
local area, particularly through such events as Music is
Cookbook for Help the Heroes which was launched at a
Fun, Science is Fun (both for local primary schools), and
cooking demonstration last week led ably by Mrs Pat
various primary age sports competitions. I should say
Venner. As well as it being a labour of love and
that we are most definitely not doing any of this because
commitment, the Year 9 pupils who helped were able to
of the expectations of the Charity Commission, but
count their work towards the CCF Bronze Duke of
because we think it is the right thing to do.
Edinburgh Award. They have already raised over £1000
for this worthwhile charity. A fundamental part of the wider
Ellesmere view is, of course, the
Last weekend a College staff and
life of the College as it relates to
pupil team undertook the annual
and from the Chapel. In a
Snowdon Run to raise funds for
disparate list of items relating to
the Chernobyl Continuity charity.
the Chapel, Year 7 pupils went on
Starting at 4.15am they ran in
a very successful pilgrimage to
relay from Ellesmere to Snowdon
Blackburn Cathedral; the Chapel
and completed the course in 11
Choir took delivery of new choir
hours and 45 minutes. Several
robes – mostly financed by the Old
individual runners ran distances in
Ellesmerian Club; and the
excess of a marathon race. A
restoration of the Chapel furniture
special mention should be made of
and artefacts is now complete with
Mr Baggaley: noting that the run
the return of the dedicated prayer
coincided with the England-
desk which accompanies the
Germany World Cup match, he
Bishop’s chair. Eleven pupils have
ran up Snowdon in full England kit,
been confirmed this year by the
a gesture he may have somewhat
new Bishop of Shrewsbury, and
regretted as news of the
there have been three baptisms in
humiliation of the national team
the Chapel.
came through.
Something that we do because –
The Wildlife and Gardening
to be honest – it is profitable, is the
groups have supported Cancer
Enterprise side of life at the
Research and Monduli Green. Our
College, and this year has seen
links with Monduli – a reforestation
growing numbers attending our
project in Tanzania – are strong,
holiday courses and an increasing
and more than eighteen months of
profile for the College as a site for
drought have left the people there Raising money for MacMillan Nurses weddings. Enterprise income
very short of food, and the Back row, left to right: James Preston, continues to rise, which is good
reforestation project in some Chloe Prydden, Charles Coppinger news for everyone involved with
doubt. However, World Bank Front row, left to right: India Redwood, Ellesmere.
funding and the College’s Tianna Williams, Mia Foster
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The Ellesmerian 2010
The College Parents’ Society continues to be a vital part Mrs Jane Fellows joined us in September on a one-year
of the social aspect of school life and has provided contract in the Business Education Department following
support for the school in the form of a donation of a a varied career in business and the completion of her
Christmas tree, paying for the Key Stage 2 Christmas PGCE. She has thrown herself wholeheartedly into the
party and the Year 7 and 8 disco, and the donation of life of the school and her always positive attitude and
funds to enable the Lower School to develop an demeanour have been a great asset to the College and
adventure playground. Just as importantly it has Common Room.Young Enterprise and Games are just
organised the Parents’ Society Winter Ball and this two of the areas that have benefited from her
week’s Ladies Luncheon, and I am very grateful to the enthusiasm. As her contract comes to an end she moves
Parents’ Society Committee for all the hard work that to Howell’s School; she does not live too far away and I
they do on behalf of the College. hope that she will keep in touch with everyone here.
Staying with the ‘looking outwards’ theme I am pleased Another enormously positive influence in Common Room
that we have been able to establish a Development has been exerted by Miss Anwen Pugh, who has shown
Office at the College. Nick Pettingale has joined us from great commitment to the sporting life at Ellesmere,
Stamford Schools and along with Lesley Farrer, his joining initially as a coach before becoming a fully-
assistant, is embarking on a programme of qualified teacher. She will be a great loss to us, and it is
strengthening further her commitment to
the already strong links sport that leads to
between Ellesmere that loss, as she
College and the wider wishes to free her
Ellesmerian community, weekends so that
defined not just as Old she is able to
Ellesmerians but former concentrate upon
and current parents. her professional
All parents will have development within
received questionnaires Hockey. I hope that
from Nick designed to we can look forward
help him in this work. to hearing of her
many successes in
As is always the case at
this – and other –
this time of the year we
fields in the future.
say goodbye to a
number of staff who Mrs Dionne Walker-
have served the Smith joined us in
College, in some cases, 2007 from a school
for many years. Not a in the North East of
goodbye, but certainly a The Adventure Playground equipment being enjoyed by some England and leaves
thank you, goes to Mr Lower School pupils, with Sharon Owen, Head of Lower School us now to move to
Martin Clewlow, who (left) and Anita Webster from the Parents’ Society. In the Doha in the Middle
finishes his time as a background are (left to right) Amanda Venner, Sue Dewhirst, Sue East with her family.
Housemaster today. Parry and Anne Wignall. I am sure that
When I arrived at the E l l e s m e r e
College fourteen years ago Martin was moving from his represented a physically warmer environment than
role as Housemaster of Lambart House to become the County Durham, but Doha should be something else
founding Housemaster of St Aidan’s. From there he took again. In her time at Ellesmere Mrs Walker-Smith has
responsibility for the Nankivell Block – now St Luke’s – contributed significantly to English and Media; she has
before taking over Wakeman-Lambart House, then a 13- also done excellent work with our Duke of Edinburgh
18 Boys’ Boarding and Day House. With the Silver Award candidates, and played a significant part in
reorganisation of the House structure he found himself girls’ games.
in his current position, Housemaster of St Cuthbert’s.
Mrs Ann Hendriksen joined the College as a part-time
Martin has done a terrific job in his various pastoral roles
teacher of Learning Support some years before I arrived
over the years and I am very grateful to him for all his
in 1996, and became full-time in 2002. She has taught in
hard work. I have no doubt that he will continue to make
the Support for Learning and the EAL departments, and
an enormously positive contribution to the school in the
has been much loved by the many students whom she
future.
has cared for. “Cared for” is definitely the right term to
Mrs Maddy Lin joined us for one year, breaking her use for Ann. Her kindness and consideration for all
career as a full-time teacher in Guangxi Province, China. around her have been a hallmark of her time at
As well as introducing the wider College to modern Ellesmere. She leaves us to go into retirement, and I
Chinese culture, she played an important role in St hope that that stage of her life will prove to be a long and
John’s House and acted as a teaching assistant in Lower happy one.
School. She returns home with all our best wishes.
9
The Ellesmerian 2010
Another member of the Support for Learning died two weeks ago. It is customary to eulogise the
Department who began as a part-time teacher before deceased, but “much loved” and “loving” are simply very
being appointed full-time by me is Mrs Ros McCarthy. accurate descriptions of a truly kind and lovely person. I
Mrs McCarthy was one of my first Head of Department was fortunate enough to attend a Service for Marilyn on
appointments and remains one of my best (if I can say Tuesday of this week in Ruabon: it was packed and it
that without offending the many other excellent Heads of was clear that it was not just Ellesmere pupils and
Department whom I have appointed!). Ros took an Ellesmere Common Room who had loved her, but many
already strong Support for Learning Department and led in her local community. The Service for Marilyn was very
it to a position where the College can legitimately claim much a celebration of her life and I know that is how she
to have the best provision for dyslexic pupils of any would wish us to approach things. A minute’s silence
mainstream school in the UK. She is a well-respected would certainly not be her style, just as praise and
professional, known well beyond the bounds of congratulation was something that made her
Ellesmere and is a very effective Inspector for CReSTeD, uncomfortable. Those of us who knew her certainly
a national dyslexia charity with which we are both celebrate her life. We can thank her by including her in
involved, and I am glad that she will continue with that the applause that I will ask you now to give all our leaving
work as it will give me an opportunity to keep in touch staff and wish them all the best for the future.
with her.
The same day that I heard of Marilyn Amako’s death, I
Mrs McCarthy, however, is far more than simply Support heard of a pregnancy, and it made me think of the line
for Learning, so far as Ellesmere is concerned. She has from A Winter’s Tale: “Thou mettest with things dying, I
been a very effective Student Council Coordinator in with things newborn”.
recent years, but I know that her great love has been the
I hope that Ellesmere is truly an education for life and all
Duke of Edinburgh Gold programme. I mentioned earlier
its ups and downs; I believe that it is, and as such it is a
that the Duke of Edinburgh Gold group depart for
rare thing. I recall my own education when at the age of
Canada tomorrow and I am delighted that it will do so
fourteen I took the view that there was
under the care of Mrs McCarthy. I know
education and there was life – and I
that she has many happy memories of
knew which I preferred. To be fair to
Duke of Edinburgh, and an enormous
me, however, the grammar school
number of pupils at Ellesmere – for a
education I received was relatively
variety of reasons – have good reason
academically uninspiring and almost
to be grateful to her.
entirely classroom-based. I want
Mr Terry Howitt-Dring joined the much, much more for our pupils.
College in September 1970, a few
Education really is about intangibles,
weeks before my tenth birthday! Forty
and like most things it is in the
years of Ellesmere and forty years of
unmeasurable and the unquantifiable
Mr Howitt-Dring suggests considerable
that its value resides. At the beginning
mutual satisfaction, and – so far as the
of this speech (and I apologise if that
College is concerned – that is certainly
feels like some weeks ago) I
the case. Speaking at a farewell party
mentioned Marcus Aurelius and the
the other evening, Mr Howitt-Dring put
importance of having the right
his time at Ellesmere into good context
attitude of mind. One of his more
by doing the count backwards from
Terry Howitt-Dring memorable phrases sums up an
1970. A Terry Howitt-Dring finishing in
attitude that I can recommend to all our
1970 would have begun his career in
pupils and leavers, and – indeed – to
1930. Many things have changed at Ellesmere in Terry’s
everyone: “When you arise in the morning, think of what
time, indeed far too many to mention. Through it all,
a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think,
though, Terry’s own personality has been consistent and
to enjoy, to love.”
has been a perfect fit for Ellesmere: positive, cheerful
and self-deprecating. Indeed, “cheerful” really does not I have the additional privilege of being Headmaster of
begin to describe his fantastic sense of humour and wit, the wonderful community that is Ellesmere College. It is
with which he has entertained his colleagues and pupils a true privilege to work with such a talented, hard-
over many years. His work in Design Technology and as working and positive staff and I thank them for their
Examinations Officer has been of the highest standard, contribution to the success of Ellesmere and for making
and he will be greatly missed as he heads for a well- the College such a happy place. I am also lucky to be
earned retirement with his wife, Andrea. managed by an exceptional School Council, who are
similarly positive and cheerful and committed to the
A loss to the College in every sense of the word is Mrs
College’s success. Staff and Council are just part of the
Marilyn Amako. Marilyn joined Ellesmere in September
College community and the pupils, parents and Old
2002 having returned from Japan the previous year
Ellesmerians all make a vital contribution to the
following the death of her husband. She proved to be a
successful life of the College. That continuing success is
highly effective member of the EFL department and a
a tribute to you all.
much loved, and very loving, member of Common
Brendan Wignall
Room. She retired on grounds of ill-health in May and
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departments she worked for. She is a talented linguist He served as the College’s External Examinations
and her command of French, Dutch and Arabic are Officer for many years, a job which became more and
enviable. We all, colleagues past and present, wish Ann more involved each year as the number and complexity
health and happiness in her retirement. of examination choices grew. All this he was able to
RAM manage with his quirky mix of analogue and digital
technologies with great effect and efficiency, tempered
with his usual good humour.
At heart Terry was a true DT teacher. He loved all sorts
of toys, including grown-up ones such as uncommon
motor cars - anything that moved whirred, clanked or
buzzed, needed oiling, winding up, driving or controlling,
would catch his interest. He loved sharing these with his
pupils and he was always delighted when a boy brought
in his latest toy to show ‘Sir’. My abiding memory of Terry
will be seeing him up on the golf course with two or three
excited youngsters, flying a radio-controlled aircraft to
great whoops of joy. I cherish the memories of my time
working with Terry, the ribbing and the banter, and I know
he will be much missed by so many. After forty years as
Mr Ellesmere we all wish Terry and his wife Andrea a
well-deserved and happy retirement.
Frederick Williams
Ros McCarthy
Terry Howitt-Dring
My first contact with Terry was an evening telephone call
from him in 1995, asking me if I would like a job in his
department. I accepted, and from that moment began a
close working relationship. He ran his Design
Department in a quiet and efficient manner, whilst always
having time for the views and opinions of others. He
strived for the very best results from everyone in a firm
yet thoughtful and caring way.
Terry arrived at Ellesmere in 1970. The College was then
a very different place, and the boys’ craft department, as
it was then known, needed someone like Terry to bring it
up to date. He was a good organizer, manager and
communicator and he needed a bigger stage. Eventually
he persuaded the powers-that-be that a larger and more In July 2010 we said farewell to Ros McCarthy, who
comprehensively equipped designing and making area retired after twenty-one years of service at Ellesmere
was essential. So was born the Hollway Design Centre. College. After graduating from Leicester University in
Terry’s good planning ensured that most machines, 1971 she worked in schools in Nottingham, Gutersloh in
processes and materials were available and able to cope Germany, Amman in Jordan and as a supply teacher in
with almost any design project that a student might have Shropshire. She taught English and Art for many years
in mind. He was a very conscientious tutor, patient, and then developed an interest in Specific Learning
sympathetic and caring. Many pupils will be able to thank Difficulties, gaining a Diploma in this area and then an
Terry for some thoughtful advice and guidance. Indeed I MA. Arriving in Ellesmere in September 1989 she
am sure that his colleagues will also have benefited from quickly showed her skills as a teacher and her extensive
his wisdom and level-headedness. He was encouraging knowledge of dyslexia, and was appointed to the post of
and yet he would urge caution if it were needed. He was Head of Learning Support eight years later on the
a valued and trusted member of the pastoral system in retirement of Olwen Purslow. Whilst in charge Ros
Woodard and St Cuthbert’s, and a loyal supporter of expanded the provision of Support for Learning at the
their functions. He was always well-prepared for parents’ College and her knowledge, pleasant manner and sense
evenings, heartening, suggesting tactics and sometimes of humour were always greatly appreciated by her
telling fortunes. A great promoter of Ellesmere, he department, pupils, parents and College staff. She has
always found time to talk to visitors, and he was happy worked extensively as a Diagnostic Assessor for
for his children, Holly, Anna and Miles to experience life Dyslexia, in and out of College, and is also an
at Ellesmere in their turn. experienced CReSTeD Inspector.
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Outside the classroom she has been a great champion coached many of the girls during her time with us and
of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold programme and led many brought in her experience of coaching and playing at
successful canoeing expeditions to France and more Shropshire County level. She played a huge role in other
recently to Canada. Pastoral care was also an area at sports also, such as Netball, Athletics, Rounders and
which she excelled and many girls will remember her Girls’ Cricket. Anwen was involved in other Staff
fondly as a caring tutor and Assistant Housemistress in activities too. Being a talented singer and actress, she
St Oswald’s and St Aidan’s, posts she held for eleven helped in House Singing and took part in the staff
years. As the co-ordinator of the Student Council she production of Thriller. Anwen leaves us to devote more
was also able to provide a platform for many students to time to Hockey and we wish her all the best.
air their views. Running a department of up to ten mostly
part-time staff was often challenging, but Ros always Dionne Walker-Smith
approached the organisation of the department, and the
Learning Support Conference which she introduced to
the College calendar, with calmness and
professionalism. New legislation which impacted upon
teaching and assessment was always embraced
enthusiastically, and the provision of examination access
arrangements has helped many Ellesmere students over
the years and allowed them to fulfil their potential. In
retirement she hopes to travel extensively with her
husband, visit her three sons often, and indulge in her
passion for France, cooking, reading, painting,
gardening, canoeing and cycling. In addition, she will
continue to play an active role in dyslexia assessment
and may well be a guest speaker at one of our Learning
Support Conferences in the future. We wish her
happiness, good health and a well-deserved rest.
JH
Anwen Pugh
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Jane Fellows
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Outside Edge
Winning play at the
House Play Festival
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After Christmas the first competition
was House Basketball. The Junior
Boys won one out of three and finished
third overall. Our Junior Girls went one
better and finished second. The Senior
Boys won one, drew one and lost one
in a close competition, finishing second
overall. Our Senior Girls finished third
overall.
Midway through the term saw two
major competitions take place, House
Cross Country and House Singing. In
the Cross Country our Juniors were
fourth overall; the Inters were first and
the Seniors were fourth, which meant
we came fourth overall. However, Above: Housemaster Ian Roberts and team-mate Lydia
special mention should go to George Cave, who was
the first runner back out of the entire school, very well Lam look on as Viola Grosvenor controls the ball
done! Below: Zoe Evans on the attack!
The House Singing Competition had a colours theme,
meaning all the Houses had to choose songs associated
with colours. Our Unison was Michael Jackson’s Black
and White, while our Part-Song was Sorry Seems To Be
The Hardest Word by the band Blue. Matt Steggles did
an excellent job of conducting the Unison and we were a
bit hard done by to be given last place on the night.
Howvever, our Part-Song blew the audience away and
we came a very justifiable first, which was all down to the
hard work Henry Maybury put the Part-singers through to
learn their words and actions.
Just after Half Term we began the House Debating
Competitions. Our Junior team did particularly well,
beating Wakeman-Lambart in their semi-final before
narrowly losing out to Talbot in the final. The Senior team
came up against a strong Woodard team in the semi-final
and couldn’t match the exploits of the Junior team.
Following on from the House Debating came the Boys’ winners. In the House Football our Juniors won two and
House Hockey Competition. The Juniors beat Talbot in drew one, making them overall champions. The Seniors
the semi-final and then went on to win the final against found it a bit more tough going, winning one and losing
Woodard 2 - 1. The Seniors unfortunately lost their semi- two, finishing third overall.
final 1 - 2 on penalties and then lost the third place play- The Summer Term began with the House Volleyball
off by the same score. The Lent Term ended with the competition. We played three matches and over those
Girls’ House Netball and Boys’ House Football three matches won the most sets and therefore were
Competitions. The girls fielded an A and a B team. Both crowned champions. House Tennis was played over
teams played admirably and we ended up overall three rounds, Boys, Girls and Mixed. The boys came
second in their competition, the girls comfortably
won their round and finally our mixed teams also won
their competition, which meant we finished
comfortable winners overall. There were mixed
results and turnouts for the Swimming competition
and we finished fourth in the Senior Boys’
competition, while the Senior Girls’ and Middle
School competitions didn’t take place due to lack of
numbers, which is a shame. Senior House Tug-o-
War was a new competition this year. This took place
at the bottom of the terraces. We comfortably won
our semi-final before narrowly losing out to Woodard
in the final.
House Cricket took place towards the end of term.
Our Seniors managed to lose their semi-final to
Woodard, which was a bit of an upset. The Juniors
faired better, beating Wakeman-Lambart in the semi-
final before losing to a strong Talbot team in the final.
The term drew to a close with House Golf and House
Shooting. Our Golfers played very well and finished
first, Cameron Murdoch gaining the top score with a
Carlo Leilich and Toby Madaus in action against Talbot in round of 33. On the shooting range we proved to be on
the House Football target and also finished first.
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The final day of term was the annual Speech Day and Reflecting on the year I think it has been once again a
Prize-giving. The following Meynell pupils all received successful and entertaining year. We continue to keep
work prizes; in Year 10 Joseph Haigh, Bethany Lyttle and the good name of Meynell burning brightly through our
Robert Gereke; in Year 11 Christian Cieslik, Joel enthusiasm and desire to win as many competitions as
Maddock-James and Joanne Bowen; in Year 12 Zoe possible. I already look forward to next year and wish our
Evans, James McCarthy and Robert Lau; in Year 13 departing House Captains and leavers all the best for the
Matthew Steggles, Wilson Chan, Harry Hughes, Lisa future. Finally I would also like to wish Mrs Walker-Smith
Niklas and Nick West. Special prizes also went to Henry all the best in her new job in Qatar.
Maybury, Sam Phillips, Katrina Scharf, Christian Cieslik, ILR
Emmie Hughes, Wilson Chan and Rebecca Britton.
What a try!
From a pass by
Angus Cross,
James Latter runs
halfway down the
field to score
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seek to improve in 2010-11 (not least of which will be the
need for a dazzling choreography routine to go with our
House Song!), but overall I can look to the future with
confidence that the House will continue to thrive and
make its mark on the Competitive House stage.
Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank my
House Captains, Martin Jones and Stella Lesch, whose
enthusiasm and organisational skills have been vital to
the House’s successes in 2009-10. They also both
spoke with great eloquence at the annual House dinner,
and I have no doubt that that they will go on to great
things in the future.
LCB
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enough players – a testament to their commitment to the
House. The Senior Girls brushed aside their opposition,
beating Meynell 14 - 2 in the semi-finals and then Talbot
12 - 0 in the final. House Cross-Country was again
strong for us and we won the Merit Cup for the most
pupils taking part. Two second places (Seniors and
Inters) and third place for the Juniors gave us second
place overall. This was again a superb House effort.
House Singing followed swiftly behind, and with the
standard higher than ever we were placed second for the
Unison Song (Black and Gold) and an excellent Part
Song (Yellow) gained us third place overall. Again a
superb effort from the House and thanks again to Mr
Crawford who accompanied every practice and played
the piano in the competition. No other House has his
equal.
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Although we had quantity, we lacked a little quality in the our Senior Cricket team knocked this run of results for
first Volleyball match against Talbot but the second week six by comfortably winning the competition with the
saw us leap to an excellent victory against Meynell. Junior team just failing to qualify for the final by one run.
Unfortunately Woodard beat us in their match the
Another successful year for the House – well done
following week, placing us third overall.
everyone.
We were a little out of our depth in the Boys’ Senior MTG
House Swimming but we competed in every event and
managed a very creditable third place.
In difficult conditions for the Senior House Tennis we
managed a victory for the Boys’ team but overall we
ended the competition in third place. Continuing our run
of third places this term, our House Golf team was
squeezed out of second place by two shots. However,
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The House Drama performance was by far the largest runners with the
event of the Michaelmas Term with regard to time traditionally
consumption. The cast are again to be congratulated on p u n i s h i n g
pulling together another astonishing performance which combination of
revealed the talents of Zoe Haynes as Director. The distance, stiff
House gained a number of points for Best Actor, and competition, and
Best Use of Costume. These performances are now chilly February
legendary amongst the staff and pupils at Ellesmere and weather. All our
it comes as no surprise when it is announced that ‘all runners turned out
tickets are now gone!’ only a couple of days after in good spirits for
becoming available. Once again all Woodard this exhausting
performance members produced a professional level afternoon event in
show that left me which all sections
and their fellow of the House
House members (Juniors, Inters,
full of pride and Seniors) ran. I am
admiration for sure that the
their exceptional Woodard Year 11s
talents. and Sixth Formers
welcomed this
Closely following chance to shake
the Inter-House House Captain Moritz Verleger
off their examination
Drama was the cobwebs and to winning the Senior House Cross
House Hockey, revitalise body and Country
played out once mind to see them
again on a cold, through until Half Term. All runners put in an excellent
wet afternoon in effort and our very own House Captain Moritz Verleger
failing light. was the first Senior runner across the finish line.
U n f o r t u n a t e l y,
despite brave
efforts by our
girls, this was an
unusually difficult
afternoon for us,
Zoe Haynes and Ben Lingard-Lane not least because
with Ellies two of the
Woodard ladies
were ill and still insisted on representing the House.
Steph Newport Booth actually left the field due to illness,
only then to insist on returning to play in the next match.
One has to admire the grit! By the end of the day
Woodard finished the tournament in third position overall.
The approach towards Christmas saw much festivity
amongst the staff and the pupils. Our thanks go to all
friends and relatives who were able to share the mulled
wine and mince pies with us after the Carol Service and
once again my thanks to Mrs McCarthy for her delightful
reading during the service. Following on into the Lent House Singing victory
Term, the Inter-House Cross Country presented the
The Part-song Group with the trophies
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The Headmaster often says, ”If you want to get a job practice. This way of educating is questioned in the
done well and quickly, give the job to a busy person.” A modern world of work due to the large number of
large number of our pupils are well-motivated and get individuals performing well on these tests but acting
things done. Ellesmere helps to develop children who unintelligently. Their social intelligence is lacking. They
can eventually manage themselves to good effect. We don’t know how to function competently and interrelate
encourage children to think for themselves and they are with others. Their problem-solving skills are lacking and
certainly not spoon-fed. I can relay a typical day for one they cannot communicate their knowledge effectively.
of our current Year 8 pupils: An early rise for swim
training, then on to Chapel or assembly. Lessons and It was acknowledged that, in the successful schools that
music lessons follow. Lunch time sports practice, more developed well-balanced individuals, the notion of how to
academic study in the afternoon, then on to orchestra, teach and how to nurture intelligence was also changing.
shooting and prep. It is often seen that to be purely scholarly, having the
ability just to pass tests, is really not the full picture. For
The beauty of Ellesmere is that the Ellesmerian is real intelligence, a person has to relate knowledge to life
stretched and challenged to manage this. Lower School situations. Well-balanced, intelligent children can learn
is fundamental in developing these good organisational facts and recall to some extent in tests but marks of true
habits. In the initial stages the boys and girls will make intelligence are alertness, perceptiveness, wit, curiosity
mistakes. In assembly I often say, “It is fine to make a and creative responses in a variety of situations; the
mistake from time to time, as long as one learns and ability to work through a variety of experiences and
moves on from the mistake that one makes.” activities with increasing confidence. I was really
heartened to read this as I believe the children in Lower
The other strength of our School is that there are many School have the opportunity to develop these skills and
different areas in which our children can be busy, from develop the ability to function intelligently, qualities much-
sport to music, arts to academia. When one looks back needed in the modern work-place. Therefore, to sum up
over all of the achievements from this year, it is what I do know and believe wholeheartedly, Ellesmere is
impressive to see the range of activities that our children a super place to keep learning stimulating and interesting
have had the opportunity to try. During a train journey for the children placed in our care.
back in November I read an article in The Times
newspaper which initiated reflections about the essence Two people have been super ambassadors for Lower
of what I believe to be true education and development School throughout this year. David Powell and Ffion
of intelligence. True education and lifelong development Davies are the Head Boy and Head Girl who lead a team
to me comes from having a plethora of experiences to of eighteen prefects. They have done a sterling job
sample…. to work through…. and to reflect upon. Getting keeping the Lower School running smoothly. I really will
things wrong and, essentially, working to get things right be watching the progress that these two young people
the next time is one of the fundamentals of what learning make in Middle School. I am convinced that they will go
is all about. Children here certainly get that colourful from strength to strength.
range of experiences and they are encouraged to
sample a wide variety. We have achieved a great deal in many areas of life as
we have gone through the year. We have battled with
swine flu, floods and snow. We had a
celebratory tea to commemorate the
Left: Tile-making at Blists Hill
10th anniversary of the opening of
Below: Rebecca Neary and Lower School. Her Royal Highness
Catriona Jones who won third Princess Anne, the Princess Royal,
prize in the Year 8 Physics sent her good wishes. The Grow Dome
Competition was erected in September. It has been
Far right: Alistair O’Brien used for many charity events by the
experiences a different era at environment and gardening groups.
The Parents’ Society funded the new
Wolverhampton Art Gallery
playground which has been really
enjoyed by the children. A
recreation area on the top floor was
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We have had a very successful year of sport. There were
over one hundred and thirty fixtures with thirty-two teams
in twelve competitive sports. Eight other sports are
available which makes twenty sports to play. There have
been ten different House sport competitions. Rugby is
strong as always. Armani Roberts, a Year 6 pupil, was
selected for North Wales U13 team. We
played three tournaments in Sevens and
progressed to the final stages in all of
them. A number of colours were awarded
for performance. Full colours were awarded
to Jacob Roberts, Matthew Kinney and
Harry Byrne. The Football season started
slowly with early defeats for all teams.
Performances strengthened as the season
progressed and dedication in practice paid
Plant sale in aid of Monduli Green off. The U11 team narrowly lost in the final
of the Ellesmere tournament. The girls had
Above: Mr Bongers being served by
Kieran Smith and Elliott Price
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came second. Hector Pardoe and Jack Bacon were
selected for the North Shropshire Primary Schools team.
Hector Pardoe, Year 4, has been ranked UK Number
One in his age-group in 200m Butterfly and 200m, 400m
and 800m Freestyle. Ten County records were broken by
our swimmers at the 2010 County Championships.
We are very lucky to have super shooting facilities and
committed shooting coaches. A number of children have
been awarded honours for shooting as the year has
progressed. Richard Lay has competed at a high level
throughout the year and captained the shooting squad.
Jacob Roberts shot at the Welsh Open national shooting
event and competed in the U21 section. He was also
awarded the Lits Cup. There were many good
performances in both School and Academy Tennis this
year. The Best Player Award went to Catriona Jones. The
Most Improved Players Award went to Georgia Edwards
and James Schofield.
Above: Lower School
Hockey Squad
Right: Tilly Walker,
Left: Lower School winner of the U12
servers in Chapel: Rounders Batting
Henry Byrne with Award
the Crucifer and
acolytes James Mr Owen and Mr
Schofield (left) and Purnell report that it
was a very enjoyable
Richard Lay
Cricket season with
some memorable
moments, including
two opening
partnerships of over
100 by David Powell and William Doerr, two superb
catches by William Doerr, two crucial match-winning
catches by James Watson, a bowling hat-trick by
Matthew Kinney and superb bowling from Sebastian
McCarthy and Anthony Bailey (Year 7), who secured a
win with their match-winning partnership. The squad
was superbly led by David and William and Harry
Lily Wilson (right) and Williams was respected for his keeping and batting. The
top batting award was given to David Powell, the top
Elizabeth Walsh (below)
bowling award to Matthew Kinney, the top fielding award
performing in the Autumn to William Doerr.
Concert
The Rounders teams had very successful seasons. Both
U12 and U13 teams won their respective North
Shropshire tournaments. U13 top batting award was
presented to Catriona Jones and the U12 top batting
Below: award went to Tilly Walker. The Best Fielder award was
Young guitarist Eoin presented to Anna Collard-Underwood, the Most
Murtagh in his lesson Improved Player award to Rebecca Neary and Beth
with Mr Smith Hulme.
Once again we have had a super year of music where
the Lower School musicians and choir have performed to
a wonderful standard. Over ninety Lower School children
have individual music tuition. The Autumn Concert was a
huge success and the Oswestry Music Festival gave our
performers a chance to shine. The choir gave an
impressive performance in the Three Choirs Concert and
the year was concluded with a visit to Malta, the highlight
of which was their performance in Valetta Cathedral. We
have recently received Grade Certificates from the
Associated Board of the Royal School of Music.
Obviously as a Christian school we place importance on
the focal point of the Chapel and the Chapel service. A
number of children have been confirmed this year and
there are many children who help with the smooth
running of our services.
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At the top of our list on Speech Day we celebrated the
academic awards for the year. It has been a real pleasure
to write to the parents and tell them how pleased I have
been with their son or daughter’s individual academic
progress. Effort as well as excellence is celebrated. It
was a pleasure to name pupils who scored the highest
average period grades for the year. Keep at the back of
your mind that the maximum level is 5 and this is for the
whole year!
Year 4 Caitlin Bradley 4.7
Year 5 Kate Williamson 4.91
Year 6 Mia Foster 4.84
Year 7 Beth Hulme 4.88
Year 8 Charlie Whitehead 4.87
A number of children have been awarded Excellence
Awards for the academic subjects in the Whole School
Speech day:
Year 7 Jessica Martin-Jones Art
Sebastian McCarthy English and History
William Ainge French
James Bateman Geography, Maths,
Science
Edward Lindop Latin and Spanish
Year 8 Ben Williamson Art
David Powell English and Maths
Emily Roberts French, History, Latin
Sam Squires Geography
George Watkin Spanish
Joseph Hughes Science
Key Stage 2 Academic Awards:
Year 3/4
Natasha Foster English
Alistair O’Brien Maths
Jack Pochin Maths
Year 5 Kate Williamson English
Adam Crossman Maths
Eoin Murtagh Science
Year 6 Mia Foster English
Kate Moore Maths
Wil Morgan Science
A special award was donated by a former Head of Lower
School, Mrs Carolyn Newbold. This award is for a Year 8
person who displays all of the qualities of a true
Ellesmerian; hardworking, dedicated, with a breadth of
interest and excellence. There were many children who
would have fitted the bill and the decision was difficult.
However, as I have mentioned above, this person plays
team sport to a high standard, shoots, runs, swims
competitively, plays a number of musical instruments
and achieves academic excellence too. To top all of that
she is modest and a lovely person to know. This year’s
Newbold Cup was awarded to Naomi Craig. Emily
Roberts played the flute to close Lower School
celebrations. It was an excellent performance and a
fitting conclusion to events.
At this point I would like to say that I am very much
looking forward to next year. After long thought and
careful consideration I have asked Beth Hulme to be
Head girl next year and Thomas Sloan to be Head boy. I
am positive they will rise to the challenge admirably.
SO
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County Championships with Jo as runner-up.
George Shelley, Year 11 and his brother Edward,
Year 9, have represented Team GB in the RS
Feva Sailing Nationals. They were selected in
October 2009 to join the National Squad, in
competition with seventy other crews, to train for
the World Cup in July 2010. Due to their excellent
seamanship, they have been selected for extra
training by one of the top coaches in the UK. The
boys have recently been sponsored by the Old
Ellesmerian Club and as a result will be sailing
with the School crest on their boat. During the
Summer vacation Elliot Rogan (Year 10), a
member of the Navy Section of the CCF, gained
the British Sub-Aqua Ocean Diving qualification.
Rugby and Hockey are the main sports of the
Michalemas Term and there were well over
twenty County and Regional selections made
from our boys and girls.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
the main sports. It is also Sevens
term, and the U15 Sevens Rugby
team went on to win the Adams
Tournament, a major coup for them.
Year 9 pupil Fraser Murdoch was
selected for the Scotland U15 Football
squad (as well as playing for North
East Wales this Summer in the U14
Cricket team - he lives in Wales but
was born in Scotland!). Another Year
9 pair who have excelled in two
sports, Rugby League and Rugby
Union, are twins Tom and Ted Parker.
They represented the Midlands in the
first and Shropshire in the second, as
well as being selected for the Youth
Development Group of the Worcester
Warriors.
There were as usual a number of
trips, which included Year 11 going to
a Hitler on Trial Workshop, a mock
Classics pupils at the Roman town of Caerwent in South Wales trial which looks at Hitlers’ culpability
in starting WW2. The Classicists went
to Bath and the South East, and
As the end of the Michaelmas Term approached the attended two performances of Greek tragedies. Victoria
pace did not slacken. Choir members were busy Schaeff and Ouming Huang from Year 11 joined a group
rehearsing for the candle-lit Carol Services that are a of Sixth Formers who took part in a Model United
highlight of the Ellesmere calendar. The House Rugby Nations conference in The Hague, where debates took
and Hockey matches took place in the last week along place during three days. It is no surprise that we have
with the House outings. The girls went to the Clothes this sort of expertise, as many pupils are in the Debating
Show at the NEC and both boys’ Houses opted for the Club. The Oswestry Music Festival has always seen
cinema and ‘all you can eat’. At the Middle School Ellesmere pupils perform well and this year was no
Christmas lunch it was great to see all the pupils looking exception. John Paul, Luke Taylor, George Fradley and
so smart in their suits and the confidence that many Alice Tow were particularly successful. The School
exhibited when it came to making the speeches or saying Musical was the Little Shop of Horrors and stared Luca
grace. A great way to end the term. Then Mr and Mrs Kuhn in the lead role, well supported by a glittering cast
Owen took twenty-five pupils to Gstaad on the annual ski of over twelve Middle School actors. Battle of the Bands
trip, enjoyed by all, despite Sam beating his Dad on the was well attended by Middle School, with a fine debut
slalom! performance by Year 11s Ben Kelly, Gordon Humphries
The Lent term and Tom Watkin.
was no less
hectic, with not
only Competitive
House events
taking place most
weeks, but Cross-
country as well as
Football, Hockey
and Netball as
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Year 11 Prom
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Sixth Form Examination Results General Studies, and a Grade A in Further Maths AS.
He has a place at York University to read Philosophy,
Politics and Economics. Rebecca Britton, Head Girl,
achieved an A* in English Literature and a further three
Grade As in Geography, History and General Studies.
She will be taking up her place to read English Literature
at Cardiff. Freddie Herzog, Head Boy, achieved two
Grade As, a B and a C and has a place at Birmingham
University; as did Zoe Haynes, who has a place at
Lancaster. A Grade A* was also achieved by Elizabeth
Evans in Fine Art to go with her A and B grades.
Our IB students received their results earlier in the
summer. These students face a challenging course,
studying six subjects plus an extra course in the Theory
of Knowledge, and have to complete an independent
research piece to achieve the Diploma. Stella Lesch
achieved 42 IB points (which is valued as 654 UCAS
Freddie Herzog, Zoe Haynes and Josh Boswell points, or 4.6 A* grades) with a top level 7 in Biology,
celebrate their ‘A’ Level results Maths and French. She is going to University College,
London to read Psychology. Afra Ekert, a talented music
The first year of the A* grade has given Ellesmere Sixth scholar, achieved 40 points, an ‘A’ Level equivalent of 4.3
Formers the opportunity to record the high standard A* grades, with high marks for both her extended
achieved with over 10% of the girls and nearly 5% of the research and Theory of Knowledge. She plans to attend
boys gaining the top award. Overall performance was Medical School in Europe. Vivian Grudde achieved 38
excellent, with close to 97% of students achieving pass points and is going to Bath University to study Business
grades. Half of the girls and 44.5% of boys gained Administration. The average ‘A’ Level equivalent for the
passes in the A* to B category. Most departments whole IB cohort is just over three A grades or 385 UCAS
recorded 100% pass rates. points.
Whilst congratulations are due to all students there were This year 86% of our UCAS applicants achieved a place
some particularly notable performances worthy of at their first-choice university. Four accepted their
specific mention. Joshua Boswell amassed an insurance offer, and just four went through Clearing. All
impressive number of top results with two Grade A*s in four succeeded in finding suitable places.
History and Maths, two Grade As in Economics and
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Essay Competition Success hockey to Lower School pupils and Nick, an IB student,
worked as a volunteer in the local Oxfam shop. It was
Ros McCarthy, Head of Support for Learning and
coordinator for the Duke of Edinburgh Gold programme
at the school, who nominated Elizabeth, Chris and Nick
for the Young Citizens Award. She noted that all three
students were stalwart senior members of the College
and have patiently supported individual pupils, listening
to them reading and helping with prep.
Reading Half-Marathon
At this year’s Reading Half-Marathon Year 12 students
James McCarthy and Julian Sole both completed the
course in under two hours. As part of their Duke of
Edinburgh Gold Awards James and Julian, who had no
previous experience of long distance running, began
training after Christmas in preparation for the event,
which they entered in order to raise funds for their Duke
of Edinburgh Gold Award Expedition, canoeing in
Joshua Boswell receiving his essay award from John Canada, in July. They raised over £200 towards their
Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons Canadian adventure.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
therefore, a shock to witness the palpable hum of
excitement, the buzz of enthusiasm as hundreds of
Senior Maths Challenge students, unpolluted by the input of teachers,
immersed themselves in some of the most challenging
issues the world faces today. They lobbied, debated
and painstakingly picked over the details of policies
and resolutions, they listened and they stood up and
represented the views of their countries. And they had
a lot of fun.
I came away thinking that this was the best event I had
ever taken students to, and even before we left, the
campaign to ‘go on another MUN soon’ had started.
Thanks to the student connections made at Leiden, and
the persistence of a couple of the Upper Sixth, we did
indeed go again – this time to the Hague in March
2010.
CA
The Hague
Ten Sixth Form students travelled to The Hague in
March for the next three-day Model UN session. Four
hundred students from around the world came together
Mr Cowley, Head of Maths (far right) with the Sixth Form for a realistic simulation of the UN, with some of the
Maths students who took part in the Challenge debates being held in the UN Peace Palace. The
Ellesmere College team were chosen to
represent China, Israel and Amnesty International.
There is no special preparation for the annual Maths They took part in the debates leading to the formation of
Challenge, and so it is a real test of mathematical ability. resolutions in the Security Council and General
This year Liyu Xu in Year 12 and Year 13 pupil, Lawrence Assemblies on many issues of importance to the world
Walters, excelled in the Challenge and gained Gold at present, ranging from the use of nano-technology, to
Awards, with Liyu achieving ‘Best in School’. Silver the question of self-determination and security in the
Awards were gained by Aparajit Basu, Joshua Boswell, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Tjark Dreyer, Deren Kong, Michael Kuepper, Xiaonan The Ellesmere group was truly international with English
Peng, Ami Takahashi and Patrick Weigel. Another six students Joshua Boswell and Dominick Coppinger
pupils gained Bronze Awards. They were Douglas Allsop, participating alongside Artyom Drobysh, from Russia;
Cheng-Yu Chaing, Po-Chun Tsai, Frank Murges, Georg Berezkin, Rebecca Maas, Viktoria Schaeff,
Nicholas West and Hugh Wignall. Ludwig Schinzing, Fredi Steinebach and Niko Wojtynia
from Germany; and Ouming Huang from China.
Model United Nations
Cathy Allen, Head of English as an Additional Language,
Leiden was responsible for instigating the students’ involvement
In November 2009, seven Sixth Form and accompanied them on both occasions.
students attended a Model United Nations
Conference in Leiden, the Netherlands.
This was seen as an opportunity to make
connections with students from other parts
of Europe and to develop a better
understanding of the complexity of
international issues. For both students
and teachers it was our first MUN
adventure and was a bit of a leap into the
unknown.
Leiden was indeed a surprise for the
adults. It was almost frightening to see
the competence of the organising students
who ran the whole event. Their authority
and confidence were awe-inspiring. Young
people between the ages of fifteen and
nineteen chaired, organised, produced
daily press releases and movies and got
everyone to the right place at the right
time. One couldn’t help realising that a
similar number of paid adults might not
have done this job as competently.
As teachers we are perhaps used to the
disappointment when young people are Delegates to the Model United Nations
somewhat less excited about intellectual From left: Joshua Boswell, Niko Wojtynia, Katrin Scharf, Sophie
ideas than we are ourselves. It was, Mauersberg, Artyom Drobysh, Anabel Koldijk, Georg Berezkin
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Chapel Notes
One of the first places that visitors to the College are into whether to compile our own ‘in-house’ hymn book or
shown is the ‘The Chapel of St. Oswald, King and to purchase about seven hundred ready-printed books.
Martyr’. It is also one of the first places to be visited by Everyone has their own idea about the hymns that
returning Old Ellesmerians. New visitors experience a should be sung and about the type of hymn book that we
sense of history, stability and community that is the should use, and with this in mind pupils, teaching staff
bedrock of College life, and returning Old Ellesmerians and support staff will be invited to express their opinions
find reassurance, comfort and satisfaction in discovering when asked to complete a questionnaire on the subject
that in an ever-changing world there is one place that has of their favourite hymns. It is hoped that the information
remained more or less as gathered will move the
they like to remember it. project along and point it in
a generally acceptable
During its proud service as direction.
the centre of College life
the Chapel has received Another pressing project
many donations and gifts of involves updating and
furnishings and artefacts, improving the sound
from both Old Ellesmerians system in the Chapel. At
and other people the present time there are
connected with the College, fixed microphones only on
as signs of appreciation for the lecterns, and there are
whatever they have found just four speakers, on the
in and received from this south side of the Chapel.
very special building. There Hand-held and lapel radio
are many small brass microphones, a new
plaques discreetly placed amplifier and four more
around the Chapel that speakers will improve the
bear the names and dates quality of presentation of
of those who have gifted worship and enable the
items such as stained glass worship space to be used
windows and Sanctuary more imaginatively. The
furniture, and there are first task will be to invite
many inscriptions to be local suppliers of audio
found on items of equipment to send in
silverware, from the quotations for the planned
magnificent processional installations.
cross housed at the east
end to the small wafer box After just over two years of
used for intimate services the current Chaplain’s
of Holy Communion. All incumbency it is becoming
commemorate the lives of clear that there has been
former pupils and the long rather too much Chaplain
service of dedicated staff. and not enough of other
people being involved in
It has been both a privilege leading worship. With this
and a pleasure to begin a in mind each residential
long-term project to College House has been
photograph and record The Chapel by candlelight invited to lead Morning
each gifted item with the Worship in Chapel. It is
intention of producing a hoped that this will
definitive catalogue of Chapel ‘treasures’ for the College encourage students of all ages to ‘own’ the worship we
Archive and for display on Open Days and special offer and will bring further stimulation and fresh
occasions. Such projects take time to complete, but approaches to some of our regular services.
thankfully can be undertaken alongside others that
ensure that the continuity of a blended traditional and The Chapel is open from 7.30 a.m. until about 9 p.m. and
contemporary approach to the presentation of worship is regularly used for choir practice and orchestra practice
can be maintained to an acceptable standard. as well as for services. The Lady Chapel has proved
once again to be an ideal venue for small family
With the project to supply the Chapel Choir of over fifty baptisms. This year I have conducted two baptisms there
singers with new choir robes having been completed, and one, for my latest grandchild, in the main body of the
largely due to the generosity of Old Ellesmerians, two Chapel. During the working day the Lady Chapel is a
new projects that have been waiting in the wings are now place of quiet retreat for prayer and reflection.
moving towards centre stage. As the number of students
attending Chapel services has been steadily increasing, Our two annual Harvest Services raised funds
the struggle to supply and maintain our hymn books has amounting to £200 which were sent to ‘Water Aid’, a
been an issue requiring some thought and attention. charity providing wells and clean drinking water for
Hymn books that are well-worn by regular use are people in Third World countries. The annual
repaired, but the question of what to do when the Remembrance Day Service was well attended and a
majority are beyond repair has caused an investigation collection of £269 was sent to the Royal British Legion.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Over one thousand candles were of the building, well away from the
used to light the Chapel for the action, if the Provost, Canon
traditional Christmas Carol Clover, had not invited Ellesmere
Services. The first one of the pupils to join him in the cathedral
season is known as the choir stalls so that they could take
‘Community Carol Service’ and is a full part in the pilgrimage
attended by a mixture of the programme. This enhanced the
current and former pupils and children’s enjoyment of worship
staff, local people from Ellesmere that combined modern and
and friends of the College. A traditional styles and gave them
donation of £1,076 from this an experience they are unlikely to
service and the services for forget.
Boarding Houses and Lower
School was sent to ‘Hope House’, As trust has grown between the
the children’s hospice near Chaplaincy and the College
Oswestry. Other charitable giving Father David Slim community I have been privileged
has focused on the Haitii on a number of occasions to
Earthquake Appeal (£550), ‘Crisis at Christmas’ (£380), revive and use my skills as a
our annual support for MacMillan Nurses, and the Christian Listener. Some years ago, having realized that
Bishop’s Ordination Candidates Fund, which was I often talk too much, I decided to take the opportunity to
train to be a Christian Listener. Eventually, having
passed the three courses involved, I was awarded a
Certificate of Qualification signed by the Bishop of
Chester. Finally, I had learned the value of being a
listening post rather than a talking head and it took my
ministry as an Anglican priest into new territories.
Christian Listeners offer, on behalf of God and His
Church, the opportunity for people to speak about their
concerns in confidence, without being offered advice
and without being judged. The Listener simply provides
people with space and time to express themselves. He
or she may also assist them to summarize what they
have been talking about. It is a process through which
the thoughts of the speaker seem to become clearer
and speakers usually find that they are able to suggest
for themselves what their future course of action will be.
It is my hope that rewarding ministry such as this will
continue and develop in the future.
In our ever-changing world The Chapel of St. Oswald,
King and Martyr has remained the same as it has
Lower School pupils help to dress the Chapel for the always been; the centre of the life of the College
Harvest Festival community. It is a place where prayer and worship,
peace and praise, seriousness and celebration rub
shoulders term by term and bring Christian influence into
supported by the collection taken at the 2009 the lives of all who visit it. Long may God continue to
Confirmation Service when the College was pleased to bless our community in our work and worship together.
welcome the new Bishop of Shrewsbury, The Right Father David Slim
Reverend Mark Rylands, to preside
at the annual service. It was a very
lively and enjoyable service and
was attended by several large
family groups. Bishop Mark
confirmed eleven candidates into
the Anglican Communion.
I was reminded of the seniority of
Ellesmere College amongst other
Woodard Schools when I took Year
7 classes on a one-day Woodard
School Pilgrimage to Blackburn
Cathedral. We are prevented from
travelling too far afield for activities
such as pilgrimages by the need to
return to Ellesmere in time for the
afternoon buses, but Blackburn
was just within our reach. Heavy
traffic prevented us arriving on time
for the first activities but this turned
out to be to our advantage. We Pupils assemble for Morning Chapel, with Director of Music Roger Paul
would have been sitting at the back at the organ
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The Field Day gave our senior cadets the
opportunity to inspire the recently-attached
Year 9 cadets to develop their sailing prowess
and practise their own leadership skills. Their
campcraft skills were put to the test during the
Summer Expedition, which was their Duke of
Edinburgh Bronze practice, and for the more
senior cadets the final Bronze expedition. This
took place between Ellesmere College and
Llangollen, camping at Quinta and formulating
thier own menus as well as delivering what
they brought as edible meals. During the
course of the year the cadets were shown
how to make scrumptous meals from next to
nothing when we had a visit from a Royal
Navy chef who had worked on aircraft
carriers, surface ships and submarines.
Sausages can be transformed into delicious
meatballs (supermarket own brand!).
Navy Section
The Royal Navy Section has completed a full programme
of sailing and watermanship tasks, including an NCO
cadre for the Year 11 cadets which produced a group of
senior cadets who can instruct the juniors. A number of
cadets have attended Royal Navy courses in
Portsmouth and Plymouth, including military skills, diving
and sailing courses.
The October expedition took place at Whitemere Sailing
Club, allowing the cadets to sail a variety of dinghies and
also to be assessed for their RYA Level 2 Certificate,
which most achieved. Thanks are due to Mr Ian Williams,
who braved the elements and helped rig and assist in
training as well as camping out and sampling the
excellent food. Not only did the cadets sail for three full Navy cadets Annabelle Rogan, Harry Clewlow and
days, they also erected tents, camped for two nights and Molly Venner with Sub Lt Michael Coats at the Palace
had to take on various culinary duties as well as keeping
the club ship-shape. This year it was our turn to host the annual Royal Navy
Combined Cadet Force Conference, which was presided
Left: Sailing over by OE Lt Col Roger Armstrong, Royal Marines. Our
on Whitemere thanks to the Headmaster and catering staff for their
during the help and assistance.
Autumn
The cadets have been aware that during the course of
Expeditions: this year the cadet movement has been celebrating its
George and Ed 150th year. The cadets helped plant a number of trees
Shelley gained within the College grounds to commemorate the
their RYA Level anniversary. Taking part in the Cadet 150 celebrations a
2 Certificates select few, Annabelle Rogan, Molly Venner and Harry
Clewlow, were given the honour of representing the
College at Her Majesty the Queen's garden party at
Buckingham Palace. They stayed the night before on
HMS Bristol, where they brushed up on their drill before
parading down The Mall in front of members of the Royal
Family and their guests, who included a trio of proud
Ellesmere College parents.
Right: Royal
Navy Chef We have said a sad farewell to our chief, P. O. Kevin
Whitely, who has taken up a position at HMS Raleigh, the
watches as training centre in Plymouth; we await our first official visit
Cadet Grant by his replacement. We also say farewell to Mr Michael
Jones tries out Coats, who has worked with the Navy cadets for the last
some cooking two years. We thank him for his services.
skills Lt Frank Brooke, OC Navy Section
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Army Section
The Army Section was issued with the new A2 rifle in
October, which was too late for anyone to pass a Safe
Handling test before the first Expeditions. The Senior
Recruit Squad, comprising those new into the Sixth
Form, went to Nesscliffe for ‘dry’ tactical training, whilst
Year 11 similarly carried out exercises in Planning,
Command and Control. The Senior Recruits were
commanded by Captain Gareh, with U/O Christian Rath
as the leading NCO and Sergeant Leo Schmid in
support. Year 11 training was organised by Lt Digby and
Lt Chatterjee, who were supported by CSMs Harry
Hughes and Niko Wojtynia for much of the time, although
NCOs were required to be very flexible about where they
operated this year. Year 10, under Major Clewlow, took
the opportunity to complete the expedition phase of the
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, in the Llangollen area.
Major Huw Gilbert TA (OE) acted as assessor. Senior
NCOs responsible for Year 10 were CSMs Tom Carr and
Jonathan Pescod, assisted by Cpl Will Bevan, who Field Day: The observation exercise called on powers
returned to the Corps after an absence of two years. of concentration and recall
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Royal Air Force Section
Once again we have had an exceptional year,
especially for those cadets wishing to fly in the
Grob Tutors at RAF Cosford, or try motorised
gliding at Ternhill. Yuriy Lonchenko took up a
gliding scholarship during the June holiday
and had a fantastic experience.
Our October expedition found the cadets up in
the Welsh hills, camping in the wild and climbing
some big mountains. They all survived and
were proud of themselves for navigating
in some trying terrain. The Field Day found our
cadets assisting the Year 9s as leaders in a
variety of activities, including team
building, target shooting, archery, swimming,
leadership tasks and a paint-balling exercise.
Thanks are due to all the staff and senior
cadets who helped provide a wide and varied
selection of military and non-military tasks.
The Summer Expedition was used to complete
the Silver and Bronze Duke of
Above: RAF cadets and
Edinburgh expediton section for our senior cadets. The
junior cadets completed their first camping and CCF Officers posing in
cooking overnight exercise at Quinta, which involved front of the typhoons at
walking whilst carrying all their possesions, including the RAF Shawbury
house, in a rucksack between Ellesmere College Right: The typhoon taking
and Llangollen. The weather was very kind and off
we returned to College for the last day where the RAF Below: the famous Red
did what it does best, which is FLY....
Arrows on centre stage
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Remembance Day Parade 2009 Swan, Molly Venner, Hayden Edge-Roberts and
Declan Roberts undertook the enterprise as
part of the service element of their Duke of
Edinburgh Bronze Award. They were in uniform
to receive guests, and following an introduction
by Ian Sawers, Help for Heroes’ local
coordinator, participated on stage during the
course of the evening.
Contributing personally much of the food tasted
during the evening, Mrs Pat Venner, the BBC
Wales presenter and grandmother of Molly,
entertained everyone as she demonstrated how
to put the finishing touches to a number of the
recipes from the Cookbook. All five cadets
demonstrated how to make some of the recipes
with Declan, Hayden and Ellie showing how
easy it is to impress guests with their Chocolate
Digestive Surprise, while Molly and Hanna,
Army cadet Bethany Lyttle lays a wreath at the Remembrance Day performing an amusing double act, explained
ceremony in Ellesmere with the Standard Bearers in the background
how to make Lemon Biscuits. They were
followed by Lower School boarding pupils Eden
Brenninkmeyer, Harriet Watson and Ben Swan
who explained how they enjoyed making regular
Officers and cadets from Ellesmere College CCF took batches of Brownies with duty teacher Cathy Allen.
part in the parade at the Ellesmere Town Remembrance
Service on Sunday 8th November. The Contingent The event was supported by Tipples, the external bar
paraded with its new Colours Standard for the first time services’ company, who served the drinks and Roslin
since its absorption into the Rifles Regimental family, Catering, who served variations of some of the
which is the new home of its previous parent regiment,
The Light Infantry. The Queen’s Colour was carried by
Cadet Able Seaman Mihai Luca (Navy), whilst the
Contingent Colour was borne by Cadet Corporal Yuri
Loychenko (RAF). Cadet Bethany Lyttle (Army) laid a
wreath in memory of the one hundred and sixty eight
former pupils and staff of Ellesmere College who fell
during the two World Wars. Their names are read out
each year at the ceremony at St. Mary’s Church.
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Art
International
Baccalaureate
Luana Nanu
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A Level
Toby Blake
Elizabeth Evans
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AS Level
Carys Fieldhouse
Viola Grosvenor Ella Walker
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Samantha Wolfson
Olivia Churton
Sophie Halstead
Megan Bray
Enya MacLiam-Roberts
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GCSE
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Gordon Humphreys
Reka Kanniess
Raphaela Ring
Ruslana
Rashchupkina
Sam Thurmer
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Lower School
Art Work
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Drama
House Play Festival 2009
The 2009 House Play Festival was as vibrant, eclectic and spirited as ever – with the added dimension of a points
allocation for the Ellies Awards resulting in an overall winner. The festival was conceived as a celebration of drama
in the school and we have always approached the competitive aspect with a playful sense of humour rather than
ruthless aggression! The addition of the points system did not alter the festival ethos while appeasing those who like
their art numbered and ranked.
Meynell
Outside Edge by Richard Harris
Meynell’s contribution this year was a sporting
farce with some very notable performances. A
memorable portrayal of uxorial attachment was
given by the bizarrely costumed Nick West – a
fur coat in Summer when everyone else is in
shirtsleeves! He was ably partnered by the
mercurial Charlie Coppinger and played well
against Becky Britton’s busybody of an
organiser. Becky and Luke Taylor’s on-stage
relationship was hilariously physicalised in a
hunt by the former for a key in the pockets of the
latter. This comic set piece was turned into a
coup de theatre by the appearance of the
perplexed Dominick Coppinger as we saw the
event through his eyes. Other notable
performances included Sarah Richardson and
Henry Maybury. Matthew Steggles did a great
job directing this fizzy cast.
Talbot
The Talbot House Play Festival by Will
Bevan and Johnny Pescod
I was absolutely delighted to see a homegrown
play this year. Will and Johnny did a great job,
creating mischief and mayhem as they
lampooned and satirised the other House plays,
producing a hilarious hybrid of their own. Will
was a powerful presence on stage as well,
causing multiple moments of delirious,
spontaneous applause from the audience. The
whole glorious send-up was very well directed
by Charlotte Shearer.
William Bevan
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Wakeman-Lambart
Our Day Out by Willy Russell
A classic House play ensemble piece with a
cast of tens if not of thousands. Very ably
directed by Joe Dapling, with the assistance of
Freddie Herzog, the production sprawled
across the stage with reckless abandon. We
were taken on to the school coach, off to a
motorway services and into a zoo where the
kids behaved atrociously much to the delight of
the audience. Georgie Ottaway’s caring
teacher was pitted against her brother Luke’s
antagonistic coach driver with dramatically
appropriate results. Lewis Allsop and Mark
McBrien provided strong support as
recognisable teacher archetypes, and Luca
Kuhn and Ruslana Rashchupkina were very
believable school trouble makers.
Woodard
Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward
There appears to be at least one classic
text chosen each year and this time it
was Woodard’s choice of this comic
perennial, much loved by audiences
from the1930s to the present day. It
proved a hit at Ellesmere as well, with a
frantic Ben Lingard-Lane and an
ascerbic Daisy Clarke going at each
other hammer and tongs as the couple
haunted by the wickedly sarcastic spirit
of Charlotte Boffey. The cast were very
ably supported by a dentally-challenged
Nico Wojtinya alongside a puzzled
Jenny Griffiths. Into the mix was then
thrown the larger-than-life character of
Madame Arcati, ebulliently performed
by Anna Nilsson. Congratulations to
Zoe Haynes on her direction of a well
dressed and well presented play.
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Little Shop of Horrors Cast List
They may offer you fortune and fame, Seymour Krelborn Henry Maybury
Love and money and instant acclaim, Audrey Luca Kuhn
But whatever they offer you Mr Mushnik Paul Scull
DON’T FEED THE PLANTS!” Chiffon Jenny Griffiths
With the success of the Arena Arts Programme’s Crystal Daisy Clarke
Summer Expedition performance, the Senior School Ronnette Hanna Swan
presented the full all-singing, all-dancing version of the Audrey II RCP
popular musical. Orin Scrivello Matt Steggles
It is the story of Seymour Krelborn (Henry Maybury), a Narrator Emily Palmer
hapless flower shop assistant who is hopelessly Customer Annabel Rogan
infatuated with his co-worker, the naive but sweet Audrey
(Luca Kuhn). Both of them are struggling to get out of Radio Announcer Tom Phillips
Skid Row, a gritty and dirty gutter of a small city Mrs Luce/Bernstein Emily Palmer
somewhere in the world. In a desperate bid to escape Crazy Patient Tom Phillips
the vicious circle that has become Seymour’s life he
Skip Snip Amber Cauchi
nurtures a plant, named Audrey II (an absolute show
stopper voiced by Head of Music Roger Paul and Patrick Martin Ben Williams
puppeteered by Biology teacher Robert Heaton) and it Chorus
brings him instant fame due to its unusual nature and its
strange appearance. Amber Cauchi, Emily Palmer, Tom Philips, Annabel
Rogan, and Ben Williams.
The audience experienced life in downtown Skid Row
and in the flower shop owned by pessimistic Mr. Mushnik
(played by Paul Scull), saw the crazy goings-on of the
sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello (a little too realistically
played by Matthew Steggles) and experienced a host of
other quirky but lovable characters such as the
ragamuffin Shoop-shoop girls (Jenny Griffiths, Hanna Right: Henry
Swan and Daisy Clarke), a suitably crazy patient played Maybury (left),
by Tom Phillips, who also wrote and devised some Paul Scull and
wonderfully wacky radio snippets tailor-made for the Luca Kuhn
show.
The show was a great
success and demonstrated
the wealth of talent here at
Ellesmere College. It was a
truly memorable production
for all who took part in it.
HC
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Arabian Nights
Flora
Sofia Khan
Norman
Dominic Ryder
Interpreter
Annabelle Martin-Jones
Time Flies
May
Georgina Ottaway
Horace
Luke Taylor
David Attenborough
Ben Williams
After so many successful productions this year, the Degas, C’est Moi
Summer Term saw the turn of the Middle School pupils Ed Dominic Simpson
to take to the stage. In something of a departure from Doris Sarah Carr
past productions the students, who had been developing
their dramatic talents all year in Middle School Drama Man 1 Mark McBrien
Club, presented a sequence of eight short comic plays Man 2 Ben Williams
by the contemporary American playwright, David Ives. Woman 1 Amber Cauchi
Demonstrating his typical obsessions with wordplay, Ives’ Woman 2 Molly Venner
comedies spin absurd tales of love, language and Captive Audience
missed opportunities, with the occasional Communist
dictator and monkey thrown in. Whilst the pieces were TV Man Paul Scull
often witty and fast-paced, light and funny, at the same TV Woman Hannah Swan
time they also touched on the deeper issues of life, the
Rob Joe Pescod
universe and everything which, like all good comedy, got
the audience thinking. All the pieces explored different Laura Alice Tow
aspects of the theme of time. Golf, or the Art of the Fugue
The strong and lively cast was directed by English and Chuck I Charles Coppinger
Media teacher Margaret Hutchings, working alongside
two Sixth Form students, Ben Lingard-Lane and Luke Chuck II Dominic Simpson
Ottaway, who had been assisting with Drama Club as Chuck III Luke Taylor
part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award. Amy Daisy Clarke
All in the Timing played to highly appreciative audiences Annie Georgie Cutcliffe
for two nights in the Arts Centre. A big thank you to Alma Kate Parry
everyone who was involved. A special mention must be
made of Miss Amy Darrant, Head of Physics, who Variations on the Death of Trotsky
proved equal to the difficult task of sourcing one of the Trotsky Lewis Allsop
longest and most bizarre prop lists we have ever had,
Mrs Trotsky Bethany Lyttle
including vintage typewriters, golf clubs, a tyre swing and
an axe which could appear to be buried in Leon Trotsky’s Ramon Mark McBrien
head.
Backstage
MEH
Stage Manager Joe Haigh
Sure Thing Lighting and Sound David Whitehead
Bill Ted Fawke William Johnson
Betty Alex Brooks Props Amy Darrant
Siobhan Phillips
Words, Words, Words
Richard Curtis
Milton Bethany Lyttle
Emily Palmer
Swift George Fradley
Set Brian Davies
Kafka Ellie Osborne
Costume Sue Hinks
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Bronze Arts Award Programme Movement and gesture were very important to develop
the character and all the dancers used it very well, they
A Review of Dorian Gray by the Matthew Bourne
were showing some big movements and gracious
Dance Company gestures in order for every single person in the audience
at the Lowry Theatre, Salford, 23rd October 2009 to see the feelings and understand their characters. The
by Ruslana Rashchupkina (Year 11) actors worked well in a team and so no one let the show
down, as all the actors and musicians were very strong
About more than a century ago Oscar Wilde introduced and understood the importance of making the book story
his fabulous book The Picture of Dorian Gray to the real. This team made the audience catch their breath
world, and today the book has been updated and turned and made them understand every single message
into an amazing dance piece of theatre by Matthew carried throughout the play by their dancing. The good
Bourne. I have seen this performance in Manchester on examples of this are the ones that include the
the 23th of October and I thought that it was of an connection between Dorian and another character,
incredibly high standard. I can`t possibly compare it to where within minutes the two are embroiled in an
the other performances I have seen, because it was erotically charged scene which is tense, athletic and
perfect and flowed very smooth, as if it wasn’t live! certainly breathtaking.
Although this dancing piece isn’t the exact copy of the The most impressive things about this performance I
book, because it was updated, it still has the same theme thought were set, lighting and music. The set was very
and storyline. The storyline is presented as Dorian original, making the multiple places needed easy to
(Richard Winsor) being a waiter at a party when he show. They had set-changing all the time; even though it
meets fashion photographer, Basil Hallward (Jason sounds very difficult it was easy by simply having part of
Piper), the portrait painter of the novel. The infamous
portrait is updated to an iconic photo, making Dorian the the stage moving different ways. This helped hugely to
face of a new fragrance, aptly named Immortal. The show different party places, different houses and
theme was Dorian’s obsession to stay famous and studios. This idea was supported by lighting, which was
immortal as in the picture. different for different places and times of the day. As well
as that I loved the lighting because for each place they
As far as the dancing goes, I felt like it was very had different lamps hanging, coming from the top of the
impressive and gracious, although quite repetitive theatre. The music was partly live and partly recorded,
sometimes. The team of performers was very depended on which atmosphere was needed and what it
professional and stayed in their roles as well as keeping was needed for. The music was very well connected with
together, bringing out the atmosphere of the whole story. use of media, e.g. the pictures of Dorian appearing on
Multi-role playing was present, where some of the the screen at the same time as the photographer was
dancers turned into models or other needed characters taking them, this tells us how well thought out the whole
of the play. There were also some clever switches in the thing was. This leads to the most important thing of all,
characters – Lord Henry, Dorian’s influential corrupting which is amazing directing, which made the whole drama
influence, becomes Lady H (Michela Meazza), a Devil work so smoothly and naturally. Direction was very good
Wears Prada style media mogul who takes Dorian under in all respects, but especially in where everyone should
her wing and into her bed, introducing him to a life of be on stage, where to move and present each sentence
fame and celebrity parties. through their body language. I have never seen anything
to be so perfect, which idealizes Matthew Bourne in my
eyes.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Imitation of Life
A new play by Catherine Wignall
Having performed in numerous school productions
at the College, at The Lowry in Salford and in the
USA, Catherine went on to direct two House plays
with great success. It seems that in her gap year
she felt there was one more challenge to be met –
writing her own stage play for students at
Ellesmere.
The play was performed in three acts, and depicted
the life and relationships of the character Charlie
(played by Dominick Coppinger), his sister Sarah
(played by Victoria Leadbeater) and their friend
Daisy (played by Charlotte Boffey).
The first act was set in a family kitchen in 1967, with
Charlie and Sarah playing hide and seek and hiding
together under a table. This was cleverly staged
with a giant, outsized table and doorway, helping us
to believe that the Sixth Formers really were young
children. The dialogue between Charlie and his
sister, both afraid of the dark, portrayed sibling
relationships with wit and perception. The writing
demonstrated a remarkable ear for dialogue from a
novice playwright. There was much laughter from
the audience in Act 2, set in a bedroom in 1980, as
Charlie’s first romantic encounter with Daisy
unfolded on stage. The use of classic farcical
elements as characters exited and entered the
stage to find other characters in compromising
situations was handled with precision and delicious
comic timing.
The third act, thirty years on, was set in the sitting
room of Charlie and Daisy’s matrimonial home. It
portrayed the challenges of communication and
modern-day living, exploring the influence that
partners can bring to bear upon each other. The
arrival of Sarah following a period of non-
communication between the two siblings then
depicted the tensions and complications of
families and the managing of reconciliations.
These mature and adult themes were brought
across to the audience by the fine acting of all
three of the cast.
To calls of “Author! Author!” from the audience, the
cast, stage hands and director encouraged
Catherine Wignall to take the final bow to
enthusiastic applause. Whilst the members of the
cast will be continuing their drama at the College
with House plays and an examination performance
next year, Catherine will be starting her degree
course at Warwick University, reading English with
Drama, after having spent a few weeks this
Summer with the National Youth Theatre learning
stage management techniques, as well as visiting
the Edinburgh Festival in August.
Having taught Catherine drama from Lower School
upwards I have known that she has always had a
passion for the stage and considerable talent for
acting and directing. I really feel however that she
has found a possible vocation as a playwright. I am
delighted that through our Arena Arts Programme she Top: Catherine Wignall working on the script
was able to explore and develop her interest and her Centre: Daisy (Charlotte Boffey) and Charlie (Dominick
ideas. This is a remarkable debut and we await her Coppinger) in their first romantic encounter
future pieces with eager anticipation. Watch out Above: Daisy and Sarah (Victoria Leadbeater) in the
Warwick!
third scene
RPB
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Music
The Three Choirs performing at their Summer Concert, conducted by Roger Paul, Director of Music
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The Ellesmerian 2010
in a variety of classes and age
ranges. This year the school had a
special mention in the final concert
for entering a pupil on the Chinese
Violin.
For the second year running, first
place was achieved in the Youth
Choir Ages 21 and Under class by
the Ellesmere College Chapel Choir,
thus retaining The Harry Moore-
Bridger Cup. A trio of Year 10 pupils,
George Fradley (piano), John Paul
(‘cello) and Luke Taylor (violin) won
the Instrumental Ensemble Ages 19
and Under. John Paul then went on
to win the String Solo Ages 15 and
Under. Lower School pupils, Sophie
Austin, Year 7 and Elizabeth Walsh,
The Ellesmere College Choral Society and Chamber Orchestra performing Year 5, won Vocal Solo and String
Faure’s Requiem in the Chapel Solo respectively in the Ages 12 and
Under classes. John Paul and
Choral Society Concert George Fradley won the Piano Duet class whilst Alice
Tow, Year 9, won the Piano Solo Ages 15 and Under.
Ellesmere College was alive with the sound of music Numerous second places were also won by pupils,
from France and Italy on Saturday 13th March when the including Henry Maybury and Daisy Clarke (Vocal Duet
Choral Society performed Fauré’s Requiem and Vivaldi’s Ages 21 and Under); Luke Taylor (String Solo Ages 15
Gloria. Ellesmere College pupils, staff, parents and and Under); and Year 8 pupils Naomi Craig (Woodwind
members of the local community are all represented in Ages 12 and Under) and Beth Hulme (String Solo Ages
the Ellesmere College Choral Society, which has existed 12 and Under). Congratulations should also go to those
for many decades and annually performs a concert that who achieved third places; George Fradley, piano; Kevin
takes place in the College Chapel. Zhang, Chinese violin; Angelo Daniel, cornet; Lower
The concert included three professional soloists from School Choir; Kate Parry and John Paul, instrumental
Manchester, Roger Barlow, Sasha Johnson and Holly duet; Kate Parry and Daisy Clarke, vocal duet; and Emily
Marland, as well as the Ellesmere Chamber Orchestra Roberts, woodwind. As well as performing, the
with some of the College’s Music Scholars; Afra Ekert, in Ellesmere pupils enjoyed meeting and listening to
Year 13 (Oboe), George Fradley, in Year 10 (Timpani) performers from other schools. It was great for them to
and John Paul (Cello), also in Year 10. receive such encouraging feedback from the
adjudicators.
The Choral Society rehearsed for many months under
the direction of Director of Music, Roger Paul, who Three Choirs Summer Concert
conducted the performance. The soloists and orchestra After weeks of rehearsals since the beginning of the
were excellent and they complemented the months of term, the Choral Society joined the College’s Senior and
hard work that the Society has put into rehearsals. Lower School Choirs to sing in front of a packed
Oswestry Music Festival audience in Big School. The enthusiastic Lower School
Choir, conducted by Rebecca Paul, music teacher,
At this year’s Oswestry Music Festival Ellesmere College opened the programme and set the scene, performing
was the best-represented School. Many pupils took part My Heart Will Go On from Titanic and O when the Saints.
Three talented Year 10 musicians, George Fradley, John
Paul and Luke Taylor, then accompanied Year 11 pupil
Luca Kuhn singing Try, from the musical Fame. This was
followed by Helen Coney, the Arts Centre Manager and
accomplished saxophonist, performing I wish I Knew
How It Would Feel To Be Free by Billy Taylor.
The evening of song included a medley from Les
Miserables preformed by the Community Choir. Between
performances by the Choirs the Scholar’s Ensemble
played the overture to The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart
and the orchestra performed highlights from Star Wars,
The Phantom Menace by John Williams, as well as
Michael Jackson’s Thriller, which included an amusing
vocal accompaniment by Roger Paul, Director of Music.
The talented singing duo of Daisy Clarke and Henry
Maybury again delighted their audience by singing
Somewhere over the Rainbow and the Lloyd-Webber
favourite, All I Ask of You, from The Phantom of the
Opera. The evening ended with a Grand Finale featuring
Oswestry Music Festival Winners all the performers, well over one hundred voices, singing
From left: Elizabeth Walsh, John Paul, Luke Taylor, two favorites: What a Wonderful World and Bridge Over
Freddie Herzog, Matthew Dewhirst, George Fradley Troubled Water.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Malta ‘10 Music Tour
Thursday
The four-hour flight touched down past midnight, and we
wandered through customs in varying states of
alertness. The coach driver woke us up though: a
breakneck ride through the narrow, uneven roads of
Malta managed to shake most people conscious enough
to negotiate the scrum at check-in and find their rooms to
crash out on their beds. We got to sleep at about 3.30am.
Friday
Breakfast was followed by a practice in the hotel
conference room – the choir sounded very good, a
considerable achievement after being up half the night
before. A walk around Sliema to get our bearings
preceded lunch at the Hotel Plevna. The afternoon was
devoted to the Sliema Pitch, a large seawater pool with
facilities for water polo, a bar and access to some fairly Riding the open-top bus through Mdina
large waves on the open sea. We explored the caves
which went back into the island about fifty metres, swam,
played beach football and ate Magnum Sandwiches, among other things. We went to dinner at the local Pizza
Hut before going up to the rooftop before bed.
Saturday
The day of our first concert dawned. Breakfast was at
8.30 before we set off for Mdina at 9. Breakfast was
always at this time, yet Luke and I developed our own
morning schedule, which ran like this: 8.00 a.m. receive
wake up call; 8:01 leave phone off the hook and return to
sleep; 8.30 one of us has the first shower whilst the other
gets things ready; 8.45 swap; 9.00 go down to breakfast,
eat a pancake and a kiwi, then get on the bus as it starts
to leave. Despite this, we never held up the coach.
Somehow, we ended up with an open-top bus, which
proved to be excellent, especially with the same manic
bus driver as on our arrival. Rolling through the
countryside towards Mdina was brilliant.
When we got to ‘The Silent City’ we
proceeded on foot towards the church.
A rehearsal was followed by the
concert, and our performance was
greeted with an enthusiastic reception
Malta scenes from the residents, who had turned out
Top: bus and crazy driver in quite large numbers. A traditional
Right: local colour Maltese lunch of ham ftiras (or ‘Rocks’
Below:Year 10s enjoying as they became known) was followed by
their free time a bus ride back to Sliema Pitch.
Far right: walking through
the streets of Mdina
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Sunday
Right: Ryan
Late breakfast was followed by a bus ride to Valletta, Cawsey and
where we found the largest pothole in road history. The
morning was spent in Valletta, the capital of the island, Will Ainge
either shopping or singing in the Anglican Cathedral for making the
Sunday Mass. A flurry of photo-copied pages and some most of their
hasty sight-reading led to a good service, with possibly free time
the craziest and most technophobic priest I have ever
encountered. Below:
We returned to Sliema for the afternoon, before travelling swimming
to the other side of the island for a concert in a local with dolphins
monastery, courtesy of Amber Cauchi’s grandmother,
Marion Peterson. We were slightly held up, and expected
a fairly small audience. Imagine our surprise when the
church was packed to the very back, an audience of
about six hundred in total. The concert must have been
good, as one by one the congregation rose to their feet
at the end, giving us our first ever full standing ovation on
tour. With all those people there it was something to
behold. We stopped at St. Julians for dinner at the Hard
Rock Cafe, who were showing the football match which
no-one was interested in, having watched England’s
embarrassing defeat earlier that afternoon. However, as
the starter was served the match ended, and the evening
passed in typical Hard Rock style.
Monday
We took another bus ride to the Mdina Glass Factory,
where, it seemed, the five glass-blowers made an entire
Big School’s worth of glass objects, ranging from vases
(35 Euros) to tiny horse-drawn carriages, ranging in size returned to Sliema in the evening where we split up
(300-1200 Euros. Seriously). After watching the men at between Pizza Hut, Macdonald’s or a traditional Maltese
their craft, which was truly amazing, I spent ten minutes restaurant. We chose the third option: La Pappa’s was a
trying to find something wrong with a fish from the deceptively large restaurant with a wide range of food
cheaper ‘seconds’ section, and was unable to, until Kate which we greatly enjoyed.
pointed out to me that its nose was missing. I therefore
put it back, picked up an unbroken one, and joined the Tuesday
queue, which consisted of the entire choir and a few Our last full day was spent at the Aqua Marine Park,
bewildered holiday-makers. which was split into two sections. In the morning we
We visited the Sliema Pitch for our last swim there, watched the Sea Lion, Parrot and Dolphin shows, which
before going to Valletta’s Anglican Cathedral for our finalwere all excellent spectacles. The majority of the group
concert. The audience was not as large as the previous then went to the Water Park, but some stayed behind to
night, but the concert went well. George was very happy do the side option of Swimming with Dolphins. I decided
to have a proper piano to play Beethoven on. We to watch - it looked fantastic, and anyone who was in the
water would definitely tell you the same story.
The water park was split into three
sections: The main slide section, the wave
pool, and the rubber ring hardcore slide
section. Many people complained of the
slides being too slow, but they were
unaware of the best ways to maximise
water slide speed. 1. Raise yourself off the
floor. 2. Keep your head down. 3. Make
sure arms and feet are the only points of
contact. If you did that, you found out why
the extra bits of slide to stop people falling
out on some of sharper bends weren’t a
waste of time! The best and most original
slide was the Sidewinder, which had
rubber rings which you pushed off a high
platform down a near-vertical slope and up
the other side.
We returned to the hotel for dinner, before
packing for the flight the next day. It was
definitely an excellent trip. Although I still
wonder what has become of my swimming
shorts, which, halfway through the plane
journey home, I realised were still on the
Mr Paul (left) with choir members outside the Anglican Cathedral bathroom towel rail.
in Valletta John Paul
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The Ellesmerian 2010
In and Around
Maura von Voris Revisits the College Sauvignon, Chianti, Pinot Noir. At the start of the Lent
Term, the Sixth Formers who enrolled on the Wine
Appreciation Course knew very little about these very
different wines. However as the course drew to a close
everyone’s knowledge had improved considerably, to the
extent that we were able to identify, in a blind tasting,
where the wine came from (New World or Old World)
and what type of grape it originated from. This
knowledge was only made possible by our excellent
tutor, Jonathan Hislop, who eloquently explained each
week wine-making processes, the perfect wine-growing
conditions and of course how to sample the wines by
assessing their appearances, aromas and tastes. As well
as many different wine varieties, Jonathan’s expansive
wine cellar produced wines from the length and breadth
of the globe including Germany, France, Italy and Spain
for the Old World and Australia, New Zealand, Chile,
South Africa and the Lebanon for the New World.
The course culminated in an outing to the working
vineyard at Wroxeter, near Shrewsbury. This showed us
the process of wine-making in action and also how the
Maura von Voris running a workshop for Arena Arts vines are grown. It was interesting to see that there was
even a market for English wine and also to be able to
students taste very different wine from what we were used to. We
then spent the second half of the day at Tanners Wine
A former Theatre GAP Student, Maura returned in Merchants in Shrewsbury, which gave us an insight into
January 2010 to run a series of ‘A’ Level and GCSE the marketing and business side of wine, after which we
drama workshops. Maura is from Boston, tasted or “degusted” various different wines. One thing
Massachutusetts, USA. She first visited the College with that the course taught us was how to appreciate wine
the Tabor Academy theatre group on one of its regular and not to just drink it for the sake of it. We would all like
tours of the UK. She then spent the academic year to thank Mr. Wood for organising the course and to
2006/7 at Ellesmere College as the first Arena Arts Jonathan Hislop for passing on his extensive knowledge
Centre Manager, before starting a degree course back in to us.
the USA at The Hartt School of Music, Dance and Freddie Herzog
Theatre in Hartford, Connecticut. Now in her third year
of study for a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Actor Training,
Maura was invited to return to the College before
commencing a three-month Intensive Shakespeare
course in Birmingham.
Maura was an energetic and innovative drama tutor
during her year in Ellesmere, and Richard Boswell,
Director of the Arena Arts Programme, was delighted
to be able to invite her back to run some voice and
speech, movement, text and Shakespeare
workshops.
Wine Appreciation Society
Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Shiraz, Burgundy,
Chablis, Champagne, Gewurztraminer, Rioja,
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Left: Sixth
Formers learning
the skills of self-
defence
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Trainee Teacher from Down Under The Christmas Market then took place with many
Christmas items for sale, including the Sixth Form
Calendar and Ellesmere College 125th Anniversary
Christmas cards. The event was organised by Senior
Librarian, Kate Sampson, and a member of the
Modern Languages team, Christina Westwood,
supported by a team of Sixth Form students. The
catering team, supported by members of the Parents’
Society, served hot chocolate to pupils and mulled
wine to the adults, with mince pies and stollen
available to all. The Housemaster of St Luke’s, James
Baggaley, was in charge of the Bratwurst stand. The
event raised £400 for Hope House.
The Grow-Dome and The Plant Sale
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The Ellesmerian 2010
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The Ellesmerian 2010
History Trip to the Ypres Classics Trips
Battlefields We organised a number of classics
Long bus journeys, lots of laughs trips during the year. For our main
and plenty of cemeteries is what I trip, we returned in the Spring to
expected of the 2010 History Trip. Bath and the South West, to visit a
I thought it would be interesting number of Roman sites including
and sad in parts but I didn’t think the baths in Bath, the museum at
that I would be so overwhelmed Cirencester, and the villa at
with sadness. At the Menin Gate Chedworth. We extended the trip to
Memorial in Ypres, inscribed with include for the first time a visit to
over 50,000 names of British Caerwent in South Wales, where
soldiers lost in World War 1 but large parts of the defensive wall of
never found, we saw the name of the Roman town have survived, as
Ralph Breckell. He was a former well as the ruins of a number of the
pupil of Ellesmere College. The buildings.
thought that he was once sitting in During the year, we also took the
Big School really touched me and opportunity to see some Greek
others on the trip. tragedies in performance. In
We learn many things in History January we went to see Euripides'
lessons but don’t always think of Hecuba at Oundle School, and in
them in context. At the Flanders March we also went to see
Museum, also in Ypres, there was Euripides' Medea at the New Vic
a very interesting exhibit. It From left: Ed Shelley, Ben Williams, Theatre in Newcastle under Lyme.
showed gas masks with gas Harvey Rickett, Ioan Parry-Jones and
around them. How scary it would Our classics pupils also took part in
Craig Tattersall in an Ypres trench
have been to see massive a number of external
clouds of gas coming competitions. In December, we
towards you, knowing that it submitted stories set in Roman
would burn your throat, sting times for the Golden
your eyes and probably kill Spongestick competition. In
you. March we entered for the first
time the international Medusa
It is impossible to talk about Mythology Exam, which is run
a battlefields history trip from America, and three of our
without mentioning pupils (James Hadden, James
cemeteries. We saw Bateman and Emily Roberts)
MANY…. however it just won prizes. At the end of the
showed how many people Summer Term, the work of
were actually killed. The eleven of our pupils was
difference between the selected to be shown in an
British graves and German exhibition in Oxford University's
graves reflected the war - the Classics Centre to celebrate
victors and the losers. The the 2,500th Anniversary of the
British graves were grand, Ed Shelley and Bethany Lyttle; two fifteen-year- Battle of Marathon.
white and amongst beautiful olds at the grave of a fifteen-year-old
gardens. On the other hand, IGT
the German graves looked dull and
gloomy. In the British cemeteries, it
was one big headstone per person,
with family messages and personal
touches. In the German cemetery
one tombstone could have marked a
grave containing as many as twenty
soldiers. There was a mass grave
with over thirty thousand German
bodies.
The history trip made it easier to
understand what World War 1 was
like, and in between cemetaries was
great fun for everyone. We would
like to thank Mr Wood for organising
the trip and the other teachers who
accompanied us.
Bethany Lyttle
Classics group outside Chedworth
Roman Villa
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Spanish Trip to Salamanca The task of organising the event was once again
undertaken by Dr Chatterjee along with Mr Baggaley,
and as usual, aims to give Ellesmerians the opportunity
to challenge themselves to a long-distance relay run
whilst raising money for two worthy causes. The two
charities chosen were Cancer Research UK, our leading
cancer research charity, and Chernobyl Continuity, which
helps children from Belarus who still suffer from the
aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear power station
disaster of 1986.
To add a competitive edge, the goal is to reach the
summit of Snowdon in less than twelve hours, which is
no mean feat. The run is done as a relay with two
runners completing each leg. Each pair completes five to
six legs of approximately three miles each. The total
distance is about seventy-five miles, with each runner
doing about fifteen miles, excluding the almighty climb up
Snowdon for all the team, although this is run at the end
by the maddest pair, in our case Matt and Toby. Despite
tired legs they still managed to run to the top from Pen-
The Spanish group in the Language School in Y-Pass in just over the hour.
Salamanca, with some of their teachers
At 4.15 a.m., in semi-darkness, Owain and I kicked off on
the first leg, leaving behind a busload of food, drink,
During the February Half Term a group of Year 13 pupils bleary eyes and barely awake bodies as many of the
spent a few days in the beautiful city of Salamanca. team hadn’t seen this time of the morning since at least
Their time was divided between classes by way of New Year. Mr Baggaley dressed in his England sports kit
preparation for their impending exams, and experiencing as it was also the day of the (rather horrific) World Cup
a variety of cultural delights which the city has to offer, match England v Germany! Toby met us just outside
including a walking tour of the Old Town - and a salsa Oswestry and as the price for allowing him a lie-in, we
lesson! gave him a lovely hill to run up for his opening leg. Mr
LMB Richardson (Dad) turned out
The Snowdon Relay Run to be a really solid runner
and was very encouraging to
Date: 27th June 2010 all the team throughout the
Time: 4am! Dawn! day. He was a last-minute
Weather Conditions: substitute and loved every
moment of it. Rob, Fabian
Predicted to be the hottest day of the year. and Niklas had no idea what
Team: to expect, but coped with the
Dr Chatterjee, Mr Baggaley, Mr Richardson, Matt demands fantastically. I
Steggles, Toby Blake, Niklas Haukohl, Ludwig think they thought it was a
Schinzing, Rob Lau, Fabian Prinz, Owain Roberts,
Sam Thurmer, and Sarah Richardson
Once again the Snowdon run was a success, with the
team completing the relay from the College to the top
of Snowdon in 11 hours 45 minutes.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
day-trip up Snowdon! Sam, Owain and I represented eastern Tanzania,
Year 11 and showed that you are never too young. The Monduli Green looked
hardest sections we did of course reserve for the older at ways to add a
and more experienced runners (certainly not wiser - why branch of the pipeline
would you do it again?!). Toby and Matt were on their to the villages we work
second and third runs respectively and were even keen with. Over the summer
to do the hills. Ludwig had been doing some serious this pipeline was built.
training and easily kept up with the others. The cross- It is now complete –
country sections were mainly run by Mr Baggaley and Dr the pipeline purchased
Chatterjee. They kept on telling us these were the tough by Monduli Green and
sections and required precise navigation - so why were constructed by the
they doing them? villagers themselves.
For the first time ever,
Each leg was very different, some short but hilly, others the villagers have
longer, and some cross-country. Each, however, water close to their
presented a challenge. A great atmosphere of teamwork homes. To say they
built up between diverse characters, some of whom had
never met at school before. Team members paired and
re-paired (sometimes literally), with others stepping up to
do extra legs for any who were struggling. Typically, the
British weather did not do as predicted, there was light
cloud cover and it remained cool, not the blistering hot
day we expected. As it turns out, just the sort of day we
needed.
With Matt and Toby running the last leg, the rest of us
took a leisurely walk up to the peak with a running
commentary on the depressing Football game from
Ludwig, Fabian and Niklas (all supporting Germany!).
Everyone should be really proud of what they achieved
as it was definitely a challenge for everyone, even those
who had done it before. Special mention goes to our
driver Sue Richardson (Mum) who was the first driver to
complete the course without crashing the minibus, even
if the bus did physically leave the ground and take to the
sky during one “off road” leg.
It was a very long journey back. If we weren’t completely
bushed by the run (which we were) the walk up Snowdon Above: One of the 300 saplings to survive the drought
had finished us off, especially those relying on England’s Below: Villagers construct the pipeline
success to fortify us! After finishing off the last drinks and
snacks we all fell asleep, leaving Dr Chatterjee to talk
non-stop to the driver to keep her awake. When we are excited and pleased about this is really an
arrived in the quad there were many stiff limbs to say the understatement. Especially the women! This will release
least, and the thought of Expeditions the next day for about two hours of their day that they can now use more
most of us absolutely HORRIFIC! However, I think productively. It will have a hugely beneficial impact on
everyone who took part enjoyed the experience and can’t their lives, and also mean that tree survival through
wait to do it next year - even if our legs aren’t quite as drought will be improved.
keen. The funding of the pipeline is in the form of a loan.
Sarah Richardson Villagers will repay the loan by tending saplings. How
does this work?! For each sapling that survives for six
Monduli Green 2009-2010 months after being planted out, villagers will receive a
small stipend. Initially this stipend will go towards
Here is an update on one of the most exciting projects repaying the cost of the pipeline (about £800). Later the
undertaken through College fundraising stipends will form a type of micro-financing to enable
The drought in Monduli dominated both 2008 and 2009, villagers to start small enterprises, or invest in goods
with many consequences. The health and happiness of which will ultimately save them time or money.
the people in the villages we are working with Monduli Green and the villagers feel that lending money
deteriorated considerably and food was scarce for much is a more sensible and dignified assistance than simple
of 2009. Our reforestation project obviously took donation. It neatly combines reforestation with the
second place when the threat of starvation loomed for possibility of borrowing money in the future; the impetus
these people, and so it is surprising that any saplings at for ideas and action is with the villagers themselves. As
all survived the year. far as Monduli Green is concerned, it also releases funds
Lodaru Mollel who co-ordinates this project with for other green projects in the area.
Ellesmere College, spent the summer in Monduli and We would, therefore, like to thank Mollel and his team in
found that despite all the problems, about three hundred Tanzania for coming up with this plan after much
saplings had survived through the drought. discussion throughout the Summer. We hear that the
Mollel oversaw the most exciting event in the project so talk in Monduli villages is all about trees! Watch this
far. After the World Bank-funded pipeline to the town of space!
Monduli brought water to that small but important town in CA
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Duke of Edinburgh
Awards
The High Sheriff of
Shropshire, Mr. Hugh Trevor-
Jones, presented Bronze
and Silver Awards to this
year’s total of forty-two
pupils from Years 12 and 13
to gain the awards. Pupils
are encouraged to continue
with the programme to Gold
level, as the training and
challenges involved are of
considerable benefit to pupils
as well as enhancing CVs
and job prospects. The
College has run the DoE
programme for fifty-three
years. During this time over
one thousand young people
have left school with a Duke The High Sheriff of Shropshire, Mr Hugh Trevor-Jones (centre), with award-winners
of Edinburgh Award.
section of the award. A large number did a Sports
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award Leaders course, helping out with Lower School games,
The Year 10 pupils involved with Duke of Edinburgh were and others helped in Primary Schools, charity shops and
kept busy throughout the year. The first half of the stables. The Summer Expeditions were an opportunity to
Michaelmas Term was spent reminding the group of practice for the Silver Expedition. A lovely campsite in
things they’d forgotten over the summer break. Re- Quinta was the venue which we shared with the Year 9
acquaintance with Ordnance Survey Explorer maps was group. Two long walks were the requirement and
the main theme and this culminated in the October navigation skills were again tested, as were blistered feet
Expeditions in which their Bronze Expedition and aching legs.
Assessment took place. A pleasant, small campsite near It is hoped that the pupils look back with fondness to the
the foot of Dinas Bran in Llangollen was the centre of the expeditions and indeed all aspects of the Bronze Award,
action. As is customary, the pupils were dropped off and will take pride in their achievements. Miss Smith, Mr
considerably short of the campsite on Wednesday and Curtis and I wish them the very best as they now embark
had to navigate their way to the field. This they did with on the more challenging Silver Award in Year 11.
reasonable success and everyone managed to a) find JHC
the site, b) erect their tents, c) cook and eat a hot meal
and d) have a game of football before settling down for Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award
the night. The next day’s walk was conducted in rather ‘The Completion of a Physically Demanding Journey…’
wet conditions and bedraggled groups filed intermittently
I think every member of our group would agree that this
past the minibus checkpoints along the route. Some
was indeed a particularly ‘physically demanding journey’.
pupils learned the hard way that a tent not properly
We set off on what looked like a beautiful summer
fastened down will suffer somewhat in inclement
morning in June, our bags stuffed so full of food we could
weather. Fortunately the organisers had had the foresight
barely carry them and our stout boots well broken in after
to bring a few spares. After Half Term pupils spent their
our previous practice expedition – no more dreaded
Thursday afternoons working towards the Volunteering
blisters this time. As we stepped out of the ‘wagon’ and
into the stunning Cumbrian
countryside, in true D of E style
the heavens opened - what joy.
But this didn’t stop us; we set
about our first challenge, to find
our campsite and assemble our
tents. We walked alongside
Ullswater through the rain and
eventually after some tense map-
reading disputes, with lots of
disparaging comments about girls
and maps, we found the
campsite! We got into some dry
clothes, and ate and pitched our
tents in the dark, hoping the next
day would be a lot dryer!
My group felt so competitive (after
arriving last at the site the night
before) that we decided to wake
up bright and early to get off on
The Silver Duke of Edinburgh group in the hills of Cumbria our journey first this time.
83
The Ellesmerian 2010
Leaving other slackers to enjoy Jack Smith’s full English, longer by the four-hour delay at Manchester Airport.
we packed away our tents and on a abstemious brekkie Algonquin is a forestry reserve and true wilderness to the
of gruel (well porridge actually), we were on our way north of Toronto. The planned three-day practice
around Grasmere. The weather was much clearer and followed by a planning day then four-day assessed
we could enjoy the beautiful scenery on the surrounding expedition became an eight-day expedition because of
hills. We worked much better as a team on this second the nature of the terrain, so these Sixth Formers (and
day, helping those struggling and building up confidence their supervisors) did an expedition above and beyond
at the base of a hill which at the time appeared as requirements. And none of us would have missed it for
impossible as K2. As we reached the last few miles of the world!
our journey we found a lake with a rope swing and some
of us couldn’t resist the temptation; in we went. We We lived for eight days in a wilderness with only the
pitched our tents and after cooking our tea went straight resources carried with us, and those resources all had to
to sleep. be carried from lake to lake in portages that in one case
was over a mile and a half. We drank purified lake water
The next day we packed away for the last time - what a and the lakes were our baths - they were also the
relief. It was a much shorter walk and our bags felt so leeches’ lairs. Each little campsite had a loo that was a
much lighter, after we had eaten most of the weight! We pit covered by a wooden box – known as the thunderbox.
turned the corner and I’ve never been so happy to see Incumbents sang and slapped the mosquitoes on their
our little white wagon. The journey back to school was legs while they performed. Unfortunately not all bared
much quieter to begin with than the one to Cumbria, and areas could be thus protected from insect attack.
of course we had to have our traditional stop at the
service station to fill up on food to fuel many a rousing The bears avoided us (we probably smelled too bad) but
chorus of We No Speak Americano to drive Mr Crawford some of us watched a moose for about thirty minutes
insane. This is certainly a CD that won’t be on his and we saw a beaver as well as racoons and too many
Christmas list! chipmunks. It was an amazing experience. It was tough
physically and sometimes socially but the scenery and
I would definitely do it again on condition there was a the experience were unforgettable.
nice bath waiting for me on return!!
When we left Algonquin and arrived in the concrete and
Sarah Richardson glass wilderness of Toronto we were a little like Crocodile
Silver Participants: Freya West, Jenny Griffiths, Sarah Dundee – fascinated by the Walk/Don’t Walk signs and
Wicks, Sarah Richardson, Grace Tomlinson, Chloe water from taps. Icy cold drinks were joys beyond
Prydden, Joanna Scull, Victoria von Hoven, Owain compare. The turquoise power of the falls in Niagara,
Roberts, Will Mapstone, Will Jackson, Todd Dobie, Jack which we visited before the return to the airport, was
Smith, Scarlett Walker-Smith. hypnotic and some of us were looking for the last eddy
before the drop! The mist was wonderfully cooling.
Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition This was all an astounding experience. All the
to Canada 2010 candidates did well and all learned valuable lessons (like
We did it! A year of planning and overcoming obstacles wearing shoes and not turning around with a canoe on
and we did it! On the early morning of July 4th twenty- your head?). Some were outstanding and the girls in
five Sixth Formers (some slightly jaded victims of the particular were impressive in their stamina and good
Sixth Form Ball the previous night) and six adults humour. Previously unremarked strengths were
associated in some way with Ellesmere College set off observed in all teams and they dealt well with problems.
on the long journey to Algonquin Park that was made Over the past twenty years or so around three hundred
Ellesmere students have paddled
towards a Gold Award, and even
though they haven’t all completed
it, they have had what they have
often called the “best two weeks of
my life”. They have all come back
enriched in some way. It has been
a great pleasure and privilege for
me to have been a part of that for
the last fifteen or so years and I
would like to thank everyone who
has been involved, from supportive
and appreciative parents to
colleagues such as Jan Heath who
has been the most generous,
hard-working and amusing of
friends; students who have been
funny, lively, courageous and
generally well-behaved; our canoe
instructors and assessors, Matt
Osburn and latterly Ben Scholes
and Ruari McCarthy, whose
knowledge and humour have been
invaluable.
Next stop the Palace, I hope!
The full Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition crew at the Niagara Falls
RAM
84
The Ellesmerian 2010
College Song of the Wilderness And the barrels would get lighter
(Apologies to Longfellow and the Songs of Hiawatha) And the blisters would get better
And the breakfast pancakes sweeter.
By the shores of Big Trout Water There the tents would be assembled
And the shores of Big Sea Water And the feasts would be consumed
Stood the tents of Ellesmere College And the box along the pathway
Sons and daughters of the College. Would be filled with thunder’s boom.
Dark behind them rose the forest
Rose the black and gloomy pine trees They will leave these tracks of splendour
Rose the firs with cones upon them Travel far away from here
Bright before them flowed the water Back to where there’s running water
Flowed the clear and sunny water Shining streams of running water
With the leeches therewithin. To a Palace travel westward
Find rewards awaiting there
By the shores of Petawawa From a Prince with richest raiment
On their backs canoes they carried Robes of fur and belts of wampum
Barrels and canoes they carried He will give them medals there
To the shining Big Sea Water Gold Awards await them there
Miles and miles across the portage - If they finish, as they must do,
Timberwolf, Big Misty, called them, Tasks and skills and presentations.
Little Joe from Otterslide.
On their feet were cuts and blisters Travel forward Hiawathas!
On their legs the bites of insects Sail into the fiery sunsets!
On their faces hope still shone Sail into the future brave!
Looking still towards the sunshine Don’t forget the Big Sea Water
And the next meal - rehydrated - And the lessons that you learned there.
85
The Ellesmerian 2010
Sport - Rugby
86
The Ellesmerian 2010
The match against Bromsgrove was a repeat of the particularly by Ahmed Sesay put the opposition under
Llandovery fixture. We played downhill in the first half but pressure. More care with the contact skills and ball
found ourselves without the ball for the first fifteen retention was required to really open the floodgates.
minutes. In that time Bromsgrove stretched us with their Backchat to the referee cost us penalties and position
kicking game and achieved deep positions from where and for a while it was one step forward and one step
they could attack. Their pressure brought two tries during back. We did however score some good tries mainly out
this period when on both occasions they recycled the ball wide following good quick service from the halfbacks (a
several times within ten metres of our line to force their notable feature throughout the match), powerful running
way over. We then had our best period of the game when in the centre from Lloyd Hayes and George Baxter, and
Bromsgrove gave some cheap penalties away and we good finishing on the wings. It was good to see the blind
kicked for position. Our inability to win any of our lineout side scrum move work and eventually result in a try for
ball during the game cost us dearly at this time and Lawrence Walters.
despite being in their 22 on our throw three times we
came away without points. Bromsgrove continued to We finished a busy week with a very good game of rugby
infringe and Lloyd Hayes punished the opposition to against Denstone on the windiest and wettest day so far.
bring the score to 14 – 9. We exchanged further We got off to a bad start and conceded a 5 metre scrum
penalties and then we gave away another in front of the which led to a try from the kick-off. Denstone added a
posts as we went offside chasing our own kick. As with penalty and after fifteen minutes we were 10 - 0 down
Llandovery we were in the frame at half time with the with Denstone having played all the rugby. From this
score at 12-20. point on we had the better of the game, just failing to
score on a couple of occasions before half time. We had
In the second half we immediately got ourselves in a been battling against the elements which promptly
mess from kick-off, failed to clear our lines and allowed swung round when we changed ends. We kicked a
Bromsgrove to score. Heads dropped and we were penalty and then spent twenty minutes battering the
punished at regular intervals throughout the second half. Denstone line before eventually scoring; a break from
Bromsgrove playing with the slope played faultless rugby. Lloyd Hayes who ran well throughout the game and a
The following pattern dictated the second half: we kick slipped pass to Andy Coubrough saw us score under the
off and Lawrence Walters and Tom King try to get posts. Each time we scored we then gave a penalty away
amongst the opposition and tackle their receivers; they from the kick-off which cost us the game. Although we
secure the ball and kick for position from scrum half, and did enough to win the match we failed to break a strong
camp in our half. Their kick chases throughout were Denstone defence; we looked as though we would on a
precise and we could not escape the pressure. We number of occasions but ultimately we came up short.
began to look slow and tired, partly through the
sustained pressure we had been under throughout the The fixture against Birkenhead gave us a solid but fairly
match in the scrum, lineout and driving maul, and also scrappy win. After working hard up the slope we had a
because we were not matching the opposition’s fitness good half-time lead of 17 – 0. After an error-strewn start
levels. We gave them a couple of tries from buying a we had played tidy rugby to gradually accumulate this
dummy and coming up too quickly on the wing, but by score. Lloyd Hayes was in form, running through for a
then the damage was done. The final score was a great brace, and we looked set to enjoy the second half. With
disappointment, but Bromsgrove played well and very the slope we pressurised them to achieve a quick score
efficiently, and injuries to key positions in the front row and our counter-rucking when chasing kicks was
and at half back meant that we were under strength. impressive. Unfortunately we were drawn into some
unsavoury name-calling and the odd swinging handbag,
The season picked up from here after a rest over Leave which then detracted from our second-half performance.
Weekend and the return of a number of players. Against A further score and a clean sheet left us with a
Bishop Vesey’s we managed a comfortable win without satisfactory feeling nevertheless.
playing free-flowing rugby. After starting brightly, with the
forwards taking control by shunting the opposition back Against Wilmslow we made our best start to a match so
in the scrum and driving strongly from the lineout, it far, playing the first ten minutes in the Wilmslow 22,
looked as though we would be scoring freely. An early pressurising the opposition in every aspect of forward
move through the middle saw George Baxter score play and tackling their backs when they attempted to run
under the posts. Similar space allowed Will Goodwin to out. We missed a couple of penalties that would normally
go through and round the fullback to dot down under the have been taken and eventually slotted one and quickly
posts. We then managed a try out wide by Ahmed Sesay followed it with a pushover try from a lineout. After being
to give us a comfortable lead. However, we struggled to forced to defend our line for several minutes we were
move the ball down the line when the opportunities came given a penalty on our own 5 metre line. Bryn Phillips
and so wasted a lot of hard-won possession. Bishop tapped it and made a half break. Lloyd Hayes carried the
Vesey’s began to move against us and we became move on before passing to Martin Jones, who injected
involved in a bit of a battle. In the second half we pace to carry the ball clear before feeding George
struggled to put much rugby together and made a further Baxter, who had the pace to make it in under the posts.
two scores through mistakes by the Vesey backs. This was not only our best try of the season but also the
best in any match I have seen this season. With a half
Our next fixture against Malvern allowed us to relax a time lead of 15 – 0 we looked to be in a position to enjoy
little. Initially we lapsed into the pattern of making errors, the second half, but with numerous penalties at the
but due to the weakness of the opposition we were not breakdown we were pegged back. Wilmslow eventually
punished as they struggled in the scrum and lineout. By managed to score a try, before an interception in the last
contrast we were able to launch moves from our own two minutes by Andy Oakden saw him run away and
scrum and create opportunities. The box kick from Bryn secure the final points.
Phillips was consistently accurate and good chasing PAG
87
The Ellesmerian 2010
Daily Mail Cup County and Regional Selections
v Sir John Talbot W 49 - 0
v Wrekin College W Shropshire U14 Shropshire U15
v Adam’s Grammar W 11 - 6 George Beal Louis Chaudron
v King Edward’s Lichfield W 20 - 7 Jonny Charmley Matthew Dewhirst
Oliver Lock Colin Dixon
After a confused start against Sir John Talbot that put us
under pressure on our own line we gradually began Alistair Miller Kyle McNamara
putting plays together that saw us score at will out wide. Edward Parker Samuel Owen
With many substitutions designed to give everyone a Thomas Parker Luke Taylor
game and not win too quickly, many combinations had Lewis Suckling James Latter
the opportunity to enjoy the game. Ten players turned out
for the 1st XV for the first time in this match, gaining good Edward Morris
match experience. Despite trying to even things out James Preston
Ellesmere remained too strong for Sir John Talbot and
the referee finished the game twenty minutes early. The
match against Wrekin College had a similar outcome. Shropshire U16 Staffordshire U16
Ellesmere gave a spirited performance against Adam’s Angus Cross Jack Baxter
Grammar in difficult conditions, holding them to just two Todd Dobie
penalties in the first half to turn round 6 - 6. After that we Matthew Macintosh Cheshire U16
failed to secure position with our kicking game as we Jack Smith George Hymes
should have done and gave away a string of penalties.
Adam’s failed to convert and eventually after twenty
minutes we finally made it into the Adam’s 22 and drove North Midlands U16
over from a close range lineout. We tackled well and Jack Smith
turned over ball consistently throughout the game to
produce a satisfying win.
Shropshire U18 Cheshire U18
Ellesmere put in a very good performance in difficult
conditions in Lichfield. We played with the wind and George Baxter Tom King
slope for the first half, and although we were denied a William Goodwin
good try with a forward pass called we managed to turn
Bryn Phillips
round 13 – 0 up at half time. Our balance of kicking and
running had been good and a third score was deserved Hugh Wignall
- we were well worth the lead. Knowing that we were Martin Jones
going to need to defend well we got off to a great start in Laurence Walters
the second half. Our pressure tackling had been good
throughout and we forced an error in their midfield and Andrew Coubrough
broke up field to score. This eased the pressure on us
and left the opposition with a lot of points to score. We North Midlands U18
defended for much of the half although we were unlucky
not to score late on when we pinned them in the corner George Baxter
with good forward play. They eventually pulled back a try William Goodwin
late on, but the game by then was won. This was an Bryn Phillips
excellent result that put us through to the last thirty-two
Andrew Coubrough
in the Cup. Unfortunately the snow in January meant that
we were unable to play further in the competition.
PAG
Squad: Anderson F, Baxter GW, Coubrough AT, Goodwin
WJ, Hayes RL (Captain), Johnson CD, Jones MD, King T,
Milne CJM, Oakden AS, Padgett MN, Phillips DB, Phillips
IW, Smithers J, Sole JO, Walters LT, Webb JP, Wignall
HE.
Full Colours Half Colours
Padgett Milne
Wignall Sole
Walters Smethers
Webb King
Hayes Phillips B
Jones Goodwin
Anderson
Coubrough
Baxter
Representing their Counties in Rugby
Thirty players - two teams’ worth!
88
The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results 2nds shook the long journey from their legs with a
vigorous pre-match warm-up and got straight into the
v OEs game. We kept in close touch with Bromsgrove
v Bedstone College W 24 - 12 throughout but they eventually proved too much and we
v Old Swinford Hospital W 31 - 5 ended up as the losing side. A good game nevertheless.
After the trip to Bromsgrove we had four days to regroup
v Bromsgrove L 7 - 22 and recoup before the second of our Shropshire Derbies,
v Wrekin College W this time against Wrekin College. With great drive and
v Malvern College W 60 - 0 determination the 2nds ran out close victors, by the odd
v Bishop Vesey’s W try, over Wrekin’s 1st XV in what was a very scrappy
v King Edward’s School, Bath L 0-5 game.
v Denstone College L It is incredible what a victory over a local rival can do to
v Birkenhead W a team’s spirit and confidence and this was essential as
v Wilmslow W 10 - 7 we welcomed Malvern to the College. Malvern made a
good start but our slick passing, resolute defence and
The season started brightly with a solid performance and determination to win proved to be too much for Malvern
victory over Shropshire rivals Bedstone College. and we won overwhelmingly. After that big win Ellesmere
Ellesmere travelled with only fifteen men after a bruising welcomed the very tough and uncompromising boys
encounter with the OEs the previous Wednesday had left from Bishop Vessey’s. With a forward pack trained and
a number of players sidelined. Playing the game at times drilled by Samoan and Bath legend Zac Feau'nati, the
with thirteen men made life awkward for Ellesmere but Ellesmere team knew they would be in for a torrid time
they dug deep and ran out worthy victors. up front. However over the course of the eighty minutes
Ellesmere played hard and strong and ended up winning
Our next match saw Ellesmere play Old Swinford at the game with a bit to spare.
home. Buoyed by the recent win and resolute
performance over Bedstone the 2nd XV focused hard in After the hard-fought win over Bishop Vesey’s, Ellesmere
training, in preparation for the stern test we would receive College’s Senior XVs travelled down to Bath to take on
against the large pack and quick backs from Stourbridge. King Edward’s School. This fixture represented the
Ellesmere needed to start solidly, which they did, and standard which Ellesmere rugby has reached over the
with excellent defence and quick-thinking counter- course of the years, and each player was looking forward
attacking the 2nds held Old Swinford 7 – 5 at the break. immensely to the battle. A long journey and an often ill-
After half time Ellesmere began to cash in on the work tempered encounter made for a scrappy match which
done in the first half and eventually ran out clear winners. Ellesmere lost 5 – 0. The 2nds barely had time to lick
their wounds before it was back to hard training as the
If we thought that Old Swinford would be tough then eagerly-awaited Woodard Schools clash with Denstone
Bromsgrove would prove to be our toughest test yet. The College approached. We had become used to beating
89
The Ellesmerian 2010
Denstone in the past, but rumours were rife that battled hard in the bitter winter conditions which
Denstone were determined to put the record straight and prevented the expansive game we had become
take this match from Ellesmere. It was not a good day for accustomed to over the course of the season. This was
running rugby; as such a tactical, not to mention a game definitely for the purist and the final score
physical, forward battle ensued with no quarter given by demonstrated this, with Ellesmere winning by the odd
either team. Over the course of the game Denstone penalty kick.
proved too much for us and ran out close winners, setting
up the prospect of an enticing encounter next season… Overall this was an enjoyable season with some
Still smarting from this narrow defeat, the prescribed excellent rugby being played by all involved. At times the
tonic for getting back on track was an away fixture at team needed to dig deep to produce performances each
Birkenhead School. Another productive week of training, week that we could all be proud of. To the boys’ credit
shoring up the defence and adapting to the worsening they stuck to their task together, and grew as a team,
winter conditions, meant that we were well-placed to take together. Roll on next season!
the game to the opposition. Fortunately it was one of JJB
those games that suited us better and we ended as Squad: Allsop DJ, Brereton OD, Cave GT, Clutton CR,
comfortable winners. Cole JR, Dewaurin R, Dreyer TH, Holt LF, Jenkins LEW,
The final game of the season was at home against Johnson CD, Lomax T, Maddock-James JM, Martoccia
Wilmslow who, in the past, had proved to be very tough RE, Maybury HG, McIlraith RJ, Phillips OR, Steggles
opposition, and this year was no exception. Both teams ME, Thomas OR, Whittles JEK.
Ist XV in Action
Against OEs (left), Malvern (below) and Birkenhead
(below left)
North of England
U18 Sevens
Above right and right
90
The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results
v Old Swinford Hospital L 5 - 45 We then had a little time to train, combinations were
v Denstone College (A) W 10 - 1 forged and techniques were honed and we started to
v Bromsgrove L 41 - 12 look like a decent team. Malvern were the unlucky school
v Malvern W 71 - 12 to meet us in the next game and everything clicked
v Concorde College (H) W 45 - 7 allowing us an impressive win. After this we never looked
v Concorde College (A) W 35 - 5 back. Concord could not match us either home or away
v Denstone College (H) W 53 - 0 and we went into our final game against Denstone
wanting to improve on our early season result. The lads
This season the School decided to run three teams at were fantastic on that day attacking swiftly and defending
senior level plus a protected U16 side. In the past players stoutly to show how far they had come since the
from Year 11 have been part of the senior squads and so beginning of the term.
running a 3rd team was experimental and a challenge. As a coach I could ask for no more than what the boys
We could not have had a tougher start to the season. gave. It was a pleasure to work with them. I would also
With only a couple of training sessions before our like to thank all those parents who supported the team.
opening game and losing a couple of players to the 2nd DJM
team due to injuries in the 1st XV, we welcomed O.S.H
Squad: Allsop DJ, Carr TD (Captain), Cave G, Cooper
traditionally a very good opposition. After a good first half
ZPJ, Crowe N, Cowan D, Cross A, Dapling JR,
we tired towards the end and leaked a number of tries.
Dimitrescu V, Dobie, T, Evans E, Evans JW, Fairbank S,
A following midweek fixture allowed us to get the first Foster J, Fuller MPT, Haukohl N, Hughes HB, Kelly MS,
game out of our system and we returned from Denstone Killick AFS, Johnson K, Johnson S, Jones R, Lomax T,
with a hard fought victory under our belts. We went into Macintosh M, Mapstone WJ, Murges M, Nasybullin D,
the weekend tired and with out a number of key forwards. Ost L, Pescod JRJ, Phillips SA, Prinz I, Roberts OBL,
We were never in with a shout but we made Bromsgrove Schmit L, Spavin B, Steggles ME, Stokes JME, Vergeler
work for their win. M, West N.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
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pattern of the match was set as we attempted to move In difficult conditions against Denstone College we
the ball whilst the opposition kicked for position. Good struggled to hold onto the ball and our errors allowed
play from James Preston at fullback and some solid Denstone to stay in the game for longer than they
defence, particularly from the back-row of Sam, Louis deserved. Early in the match, having lost the ball over the
and Ed Morris, kept them at bay when it mattered and line, a series of mistakes saw the opposition score at the
although they scored three tries Colin scored four! other end of the pitch to draw level. Against some large
boys the front row scrummaged and rucked well and we
In the Daily Mail Cup Round 3 against The Corbet School enjoyed a reasonable amount of possession. James at
the match began with the opposition showing little fullback coped well with the opposition kicking game and,
respect for reputation and running at us repeatedly. They taking advantage of some weak tackling, we turned
supported well but our tackling was mostly sound and around 17 – 7 to the good. The second half was spent
they made little progress. Once we had settled down to mostly at the Denstone end of the pitch and we scored
produce regular possession we were able to dominate in another three tries.
every department.
The fifth round of the Daily Mail Cup saw us back at Old
Our next match, against Bishop Vesey Grammar School, Swinford Hospital. Swinford only scored one more point
was described by those on the sidelines as ‘a heck of a than they did when we trounced them earlier in the
game of rugby’. This was without doubt the performance season. This speaks well of our defence since they had
of the season so far. Vesey’s were unbeaten this session several key attacking players back in their team who had
and had run in big scores against some notable schools. been missing first time around. The fact was that we did
They started confidently running strongly and easily not score enough. There were two main reasons for that.
driving us off the loose ball – it seemed that, rather like Firstly they controlled the field position due to good work
the Bromsgrove game, we would be ‘bullied’ in the in their lineout and the play of their excellent flyhalf.
forwards and would fail to secure sufficient possession. Secondly they had tightened up their defence
However, as in the Bromsgrove match, we startled the considerably. Our outside centre was a marked man
opposition by taking the lead with some direct running (despite which he still scored two tries!) and we were not
and so found ourselves 12 - 0 up. It was testimony to the able to make the decisions to attack wider out using him
strength of the Vesey’s team that they came roaring back as the dummy runner. Even so we came back from 0 -
at us, their big forwards charging in and providing good 10 down to lead 12 - 10 with only three minutes to play.
ball for their back line. We missed a tackle or two and We were extremely unfortunate that the opposition were
before we knew it the score was all square at half time. awarded a penalty in front of our posts and so pinched
An attack from deep in our own half saw the centre go the game at the death.
under the posts and we were back in the lead. We were
now put under a period of sustained pressure. There Our final outing saw us playing Bramhall and Wilmslow
were several try-saving tackles before they scored in the High School. This ‘double header’ was an interesting
corner. A superb conversion levelled the scores again. concept but might perhaps be better suited to an early
Still we found ourselves “under the cosh” and on more season preparation. In the first match against Bramhall
than one occasion they seemed destined to score only we started well but after taking the lead conceded two
for the cover to haul them down at the last gasp. A draw tries due to defensive lapses, so turning around 5 - 14
would probably have been a fair result but with only a down. The second fifteen-minute half saw us back to
couple of minutes remaining we collected a loose ball something like our best with three unanswered tries,
just outside our ‘22’ and the centre set off up field. He including one straight from a kick-off involving a
was well tackled just short of half way but slipped the ball blindside run from the number eight, a quick ruck and
to the supporting Sam Owen who demonstrated fast hands to move the ball away, made the game safe.
tremendous pace to outdistance one defender after Against Wilmslow we struggled from the start. The
another before scoring wide out. There was only time opposition were a strong side with a good back line who
remaining for the kick-off before the final whistle blew. A ran strongly, particularly in broken play. We were missing
tremendous performance by all. our normal fullback and our lack of pace at the back was
exposed. Whilst a penalty from Dominic Simpson kept us
Whilst it was pleasing to turn around last year’s result in touch at half time we had no answer in the second
against Stafford Grammar School this was a period when, assisted by some feeble tackling, the
disappointing performance. Too often we gave the ball opposition ran-in three scores.
away in contact; our passing was poor and frequently
took momentum out of the attack. In the ruck we failed to Taken as a whole the season was tremendously
clear out beyond the ball so giving only slow possession. successful with seventy five tries scored, Colin Dickson
Sadly we could not replicate the quality of our previous amassing 32 of them; making progress to the last sixty
game. four of the National Knock Out and reversing nearly
every loss of last year as U14s. Everyone worked hard
In Round 4 of the Daily Mail Cup we met St Joseph’s and enjoyed themselves, and our best performances
College. This was a pleasing win to take us into the last were team performances.
64 of the National Knockout. Against a much larger pack
we started slowly and they rumbled towards our line MDTS
before moving the ball to their wing who scored in the
corner. A super conversion added the two points. The following made six or more appearances on the
However, we were now galvanised into action and began team sheet:
to win some ball. Strong running by Colin from broken Bostock-Williams LW, Carrington-Sykes CQ, Chaudron
play saw him under the posts, and just before half time a LB, Chewins S, Dapling SG, Dewhirst MR, Dickson C,
switch move put the same player through at pace as no Faulkner MJ, Hughes B, Jones DP, Latter JE,
hand was laid on him as he again crossed under the McNamara KPA, Morris EE, Owen SL (Captain),
posts. In the second half one or two decent kicks, Pescod JJR, Preston JEA, Simpson DW, Smethurst JR,
followed by a chase, allowed us to score twice more and Taylor LG, Sesay KA, Walker J.
make the game safe.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results
hits would not guarantee a second phase that led to
v Old Swinford Hospital W 50 - 7 Ellesmere possession. It was frequently the case that
Ellesmere played the more attractive rugby, when we had
v Denstone College L 7 - 37 the ball - a promising sign for the future as the year group
v Bromsgrove L 0 - 47 matures - but we could not achieve the total domination
of possession that would have led to greater success in
v Malvern L 19 - 46
terms of results. We frequently had long periods in
v Bishop Vesey’s L 0 - 50 which we recycled the ball well and kept manoeuvring
v Bedstone L 0 - 58 and battering our way into scoring positions, but again
lack of mass would leave us unable to convert this
v Denstone College L 0 - 27 expenditure of energy and ability at ball retention into
Despite the fact that the season’s statistics make grim actual points.
reading, this year’s U15Bs made some good progress
Four boys skippered the side at different times during the
with their individual and unit skills. Many of the thirty-two
season, all of whom were as likely to be playing for the A
who represented the team appeared for the highly
XV as not, but Mitchell Faulkener filled the position most
successful A side, when needed, in a term that was
often. They all showed tactical awareness and an ability
blighted by a high number of injuries in the peer group.
to mine the great team spirit of the squad in adversity,
Indeed a number made the jump without ever returning.
which meant that the season was both constructive and
The fact that this did not disturb the success of the senior
enjoyable. As one opponent obseved with some humour,
side bears witness to the fact that the skills of the B XV
“Fair play lads, you’re the smallest side we’ve played this
were never the problem, but rather the general lack of
year!”
stature and bulk. One opposition coach observed that
Ellesmere had played all the rugby, but still lost the GH
match. It was never possible to be sure of tactics and
moves until the personnel of the team was known, which Squad: Allsop L, Belcher R, Bostock-Williams L,
was usually on the morning of a match. Bothwell R, Butt A, Chewins S, Cole H, Dapling S,
Davies J, Eaton A, Faulkner M (Captain), Fernandez
Through it all the side maintained its pattern of playing a –Menedez J, Fletcher J, Fradley G, Fraser-Smith M,
quick rucking game up front with the aim of releasing our Frentzen G, Haigh J, Hampton J F, Hannes J, Johnson M,
swift threequarters. The bulk of opposition tries came Johnson W, Latter J, Lopez J, McCarthy A, McBrien
through scores by big forwards, and despite the fact that M, McIlraith S, Parry-Jones L, Pescod J, Rogan E, Sesay
we had many brave tacklers, the lack of mass behind the K, Smethhurst J, Whitehead D.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results great skill for so early on in the season. Tom and Ted
Parker proved to be quite a handful for the opposition
both on attack and defence and George Beal put in some
v Llandovery Won 44 - 7
massive hits which helped keep Llandovery at bay.
v Old Swinford Hospital Lost 10 - 7 Through some direct running and determination we
scored some great tries. Every single player made a
v Bishop Heber Won 54 - 7
contribution and this was a great way to start the season.
v Bromsgrove Won 48 - 7
Our next game was against a very strong Old Swinford
v Malvern Won 47 - 0 Hospital team. We were on the back foot from the kick-
v Bishop Vesey’s Won 41 - 3 off with their large loose forwards taking us on. Only
good defence work prevented them from scoring and
v Stafford Grammar Won 55 - 5 through great determination we played ourselves back
v Denstone College Won 24 - 7 into their half. A good drive up field was finally finished off
by Tom Parker who crossed over for a good try. Joe
v Bramhall Won 42 - 0 Rogers converted. The rest of the first half was keenly
v Wilmslow Won 15 - 0 contested with possession continuously changing.
Ellesmere played up the hill in the second half and both
This proved to be a very successful season. The team teams produced some fantastic rugby. Old Swinford
produced some excellent rugby and scored some managed to score two good tries through a few missed
memorable tries. The forwards and back line combined tackles, but missed both conversions. With five minutes
well and always kept the opposition on their toes. The remaining and trailing by three points Ellesmere tried
best game of the season was, strangely enough, the only their hardest but were unable to score again. A
game that we lost. Old Swinford Hospital proved to be a tremendous game from both sides and a fantastic rugby
very big and physical team that brought out the best of match to watch. After the loss we needed a bit of a
us. Other games where we produced some good rugby boost where we were able to practice our set pieces.
were against Bromsgrove and Denstone where we were Bishop Heber was, unfortunately, not as strong as we
truly tested. Although we were unable to field our best XV expected and we had to make some changes at half time
once during the season, the depth at U14 this season after we scored six tries in the first half. We still
was unbelievable – at one stage we had six players dominated the second half.
injured, but were still able to put out a strong team. Bromsgrove was always going to be a hard game and
Our first game of the season was against Llandovery, the way in which we approached this game helped us
and with quite a few new pupils in the team it was difficult produce some fantastic rugby. Bromsgrove applied the
to predict what was going to happen. After only two early pressure, but we defended very well and were able
minutes, though, Joe Rogers scored one of his six tries. to turn the ball over at a ruck. This resulted in Joe Rogers
Ellesmere maintained their momentum and showed putting in a good run on the right wing to score the first
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The Ellesmerian 2010
of his three excellent tries. The way in which the forwards very well. After scoring five tries in the first half, we
and backs combined created huge pressure on decided to play some Sevens rugby by throwing the ball
Bromsgrove and we were able to score a few more great around and trying a few different things. Although we did
tries before half time. Although they had a much larger not score many tries in the second half we played some
pack, our forwards out-scrummed them which ensured good rugby and kept the ball moving. The final game of
that our backs got the ball on the front foot. At the the season was against a big team from Wilmslow. This
changeover, we went into defence mode slightly and took proved to be a hard game and our defence was really
our foot off the pedal. Although we ended up defending tested. We should have scored a few more tries, but
more than we liked, our back line put their backs under made careless mistakes. We did manage to score three
pressure and once again were able to create turnover unconverted tries to run out winners. A good end to a
ball, with Tom Parker scoring the first of his two tries. good season. Well done to all the players.
James Slater also had a great game on his debut for the
under 14A team and combined well with the Parker twins James Austin, Paul Scull and Noah Appleby proved to be
to form a formidable loose trio. an awesome front row and did not get pushed back in
one scrum the whole season. They all learnt during the
After a long bus journey we eventually arrived to face a season to carry the ball well and their general skills
motivated Malvern U14 team. They were soon to realise improved fantastically well throughout the season. Peter
just how good we were with Josh Bendal scoring a try on von Hoven was an excellent cover at hooker when we
debut. Once again the forwards and backs combined picked up a few injuries during the season and has
well and produced some good rugby, putting them under proved what an awesome hooker/blindside flank he is –
pressure. Oli Locke played his best game of the season. if only he would grow a little more. The second row of
Joe Rogers once again made the scoreboard. Nelson Hughes and Jonny Charmley were also very
good and were able to use their size and strength well.
Despite missing six players due to injury we were able to The normal loose trio of Harry Whitehouse, Tom Parker
put out a very good team against Bishop Vesey’s. We and Ted Parker were awesome during the season. The
started the game off on a great note scoring a try in the interplay between the Parker twins was fantastic to
first minute. Although we scored four more tries in the watch. As mentioned, Peter von Hoven also played flank
first half, we allowed the game to get a bit scrappy and during the season as did James Slater who, when he
conceded numerous turnovers at the breakdown. puts his mind to it, can produce some excellent rugby.
George Beal had his best game of the season and put in George Crow was scrumhalf, along with Harry
some big hits and carried the ball well. Joe Rogers Whitehouse when George was injured, and both of them
scored another two tries and Jack Wear also crossed the showed good skill from the base of the scrum and
line twice. After the break, we went into defensive mode constantly worked on their passing. Oli Lock was our
and only scored two tries. Our motivation and discipline flyhalf and played some great games, but must learn to
was not good from the outset and we let ourselves down believe in himself and work on his tackling as this was
and could easily have scored three or four further tries. his main weakness. George Beal at 12 was awesome –
Stafford Grammar was unfortunately very weak and the big, strong and physical. His only area to work on is his
game was a mismatch from the beginning with them speed work which will help him once he gets through a
arriving with only twelve players. After giving them a few tackles. Ali Miller and Joe Rogers filled the outside
player to use, we then agreed on a 13-a-side game. We centre birth and both possessed loads of speed and
scored a try within the first minute and it soon became good defence. One area to work on is once they receive
evident that this was going to be a very one-sided game. the ball, it is immediately tucked under one arm which
With us rotating players on a regular basis we tried to does not help when having to make a pass. Joe was our
play a Sevens sort of game. The game had to top try scorer and by far the highest points scorer in the
unfortunately, be blown short. team – scored some brilliant tries during the season.
Both also played on the wing during the season. The
Continuous rain meant us playing on a very wet field other wing was Jack Wear who scored some good tries
against Denstone which made ball handling very difficult. for the B team early on. This was noticed and he was
They arrived with a very big pack and made life difficult promoted to the A team. He continued to score tries for
for us, attacking our try line for five minutes. Good us and improved tremendously. Lewis Suckling and
defence forced one of their players to drop the ball over Henry Collard-Underwood were our fullbacks during the
our try line, resulting in a scrum. Excellent ball handling season – Lewis unfortunately was injured most of the
helped us take the ball into their half and finally get it out season, so we were unable to see him at his best –
wide to Ali Miller on the wing, who dived over to score an neither at 10 or 15. Henry played well during the season
excellent try. Going into the second half with a 19 - 0 and remained positive, even when dropped to the B team
lead, we should have put more points on the board, but for a while.
spent most of the half defending and making more and
more unforced errors. Denstone applied great pressure Well done this year guys and all the very best for the
and were rewarded with a good try which was converted. future. A big thank you to all parents for the fantastic
Missed tackles started creeping in and only sheer guts support during the season – it was greatly appreciated
and determination kept them away from our try line. Ali by your sons and myself.
Miller scored a second try just before the end to secure CCC
a hard-fought win for us.
Regular Players: Appleby NA, Austin JH, Beal GW,
The game against Birkenhead was unfortunately Charmley JC, Collard-Underwood HC, Crow G, von
cancelled due to bad weather. We set off for Wilmslow Hoven PJ, Hughes NB, Lock OR, Miller AJ, Parker EM
without four regular players to take play two games on (Captain), Parker TH, Rogers JSJW, Scull PM, Slater
the same day. Our first was against a rather weak JAS, Suckling LA, Wear JJ, Whitehouse HA.
Bramhall team. We scored some good tries and tackled
98
The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results There was little disgrace in the losses away at Denstone
and against a customarily strong Bromsgrove team, and
v Old Swinford Hospital W 54 - 5 the manner with which they took the fight to such august
opposition was heartening. A hard-fought win against
v Denstone L 23 - 19 Wrekin College proved to be the team’s finest hour; it is
v Bromsgrove L 29 - 14 fair at this stage to acknowledge the reliable goal kicking
of Ioan Parry-Jones, whose sure aim led to a steady
v Wrekin W 31 - 17 stream of conversions through the season, and whose
v Malvern D 25 - 25 tumbling, gyrating crossbar-pounding drop goal against
Wrekin capped a dominant performance by the
The U14B team, coached by Mr Macintosh and Mr Ellesmere forwards.
Crawford, was a talented and feisty team who won their A long trip to Malvern showed the team at their most
first match of the season by a considerable margin, with resilient; after a punishing first half the team righted
Jack Wear starting as he meant to go on, scoring the first themselves to finish with a draw. The result was well
try for the team, who went on to put seven more past the deserved, not least because our own injury problems
Old Swinford defence. Under Captain Jake Rogan the had led to call-ups for players from the Development
team acquitted themselves well in their fixtures and were Squad.
strongly supported by many Ellesmere parents. The This was a talented U14B team, but what they must do
huge squad was very helpful, at least until it came to to improve is to make the most of their training sessions.
selection dilemmas, and the bench available for every Not enough skills were enhanced through the season
game was at least four strong. It was felt important that due to complacency and immaturity. It is hoped that next
all who turned up were involved in the game, even though season they manage to go unbeaten, and this will only
this meant changing the team around quite a bit. happen with greater responsibility for their own
Injuries to the U14A team meant that we lost players on performance, both on the field and in training.
occasion, with Jack Wear called up permanently to the DWC, RJM and Jake Rogan
As very early on. However, the team was not Squad: Austin JA, Benardete A, Bendel JM, Beswick
discouraged by this, and gave some great performances CJ, Bland H, Bridge EM, Clarke RC, Clewlow RC,
in the next couple of matches. Further injuries gave more Cooksey JM, Derosa DER, Dhansangani MJ, Edge-
B team players the chance to be promoted and they Roberts HRJ, Hayes JWP, Hoffman MJC, von Hoven PJ,
proudly stepped up to the mark when asked; Josh Jones GR, Killick SRC, Leadbetter JC, Leung CK-Y,
Bendel, the aggressive yet speedy winger, was snatched Nelhans PA, Nolan RC, Parry-Jones I, Rickett HS, Rogan
away as well as John Leadbeater the try-saving tackling JH, Slater JAS, Smith AE, Wear JJ, Williams BT,
machine. Whittaker JR, Ziegenhain LV.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results much the first time in the match for Carmen Edwards to
score in the corner. This was the last action of the match.
v Llandovery L 19 - 5 The second match of the term was against Old Swinford
v Old Swinford W 10 - 12 Hospital. We seemed to be still on the bus as Old
v Bishop Heber W 67 - 0 Swinford ran in a fairly easy try from a simple mistake
v Liverpool College L 5 - 17 between our 10 and 12. After this we started to play a bit
of rugby, recognising the threat of their quick wingers
v Bishop Vesey’s L 36 - 0 and keeping the ball away from them. This clever play
v Stafford Grammar L 7 - 17 started to pay dividends and we were camped on their
v Denstone College L 12 - 13 22. After three number eight pick-up-and-goes we opted
v Birkenhead W 17 - 10 on the fourth scrum to pass it out wide, the opposition did
not get up quickly enough, and we were able to get the
v Bramhall L 7- 5 ball to Carmen Edwards who scored the try. In the
v Wilmslow W 5 - 12 second half we started much more strongly and from our
kick-off we gained a lucky bounce and were able to carry
Our first game of the term took us to Llandovery College. the ball up to the opposition 22m line. From here we
We started well and competed at the breakdown, but it shipped the ball out to Will Doerr, who ran in under the
soon became evident that Llandovery had a well-drilled posts for our second try of the game. After this the game
back row that were spoiling the break-down and also became much closer with both teams competing well at
giving Will Doerr problems at fly-half, which limited the the break-down and attempting to play a bit of running
amount of ball we could get out to our wingers, Joel rugby. Although they scored to make it 10-12 we held on
Lyttle and James Wilson. This frustrated us a bit and we for the win.
gave away a penalty in our 22, from which they scored. Our third match of the term was a mid-week fixture
The half continued in much the same fashion, where we against Bishop Heber. We began strongly, attacking from
just hung in there and defended well. But we gave away the kick-off and never taking our foot off the gas in the
another penalty in our 22 area and again they scored. first half, running in seven tries. Our tries came from
The second half was much closer, and at times we were Harry Williams, Will Doerr, Joel Lyttle, Armani Roberts,
a bit unlucky with some of the referee’s decisions. We Carmen Edwards, James Watson and Ben Wynne. In the
rucked much better in this half; special mention should second half we scored an early try, Harry Williams
go to our back row three of JJ Broburg, Ben Wynne and completing his hat-trick. After this as it was now 50-0 we
Harry Williams, and also to our hooker George Watkin first checked that the opposition wanted to carry on, and
who played magnificently to provide ball for the backs. then took off some players to give others an opportunity
Unfortunatey we conceded a third try. After this we to play. Further tries were scored by Harry Byrne, Matt
worked the ball up to their 22 and from quick ball Kinney, and JJ Broberg, who had worked hard in the
managed to get the ball through the hands for pretty back row and deserved his try.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
The fourth match was against Liverpool College. We into the corner to put their back three under pressure.
began well and looked to take the game to them from the This did not always work, as they had a good fullback
start. However, we were up against a good forward unit, who ran a lot of ball back to us. We decided to change
with bigger and at times faster boys who were turning us our tactics and play ball through the hands, enabling Will
over in the ruck situation, and were 7- 0 down after only Doerr to power over for a try. After this we played some
five minutes. We then tried to play ball in hand but too good rugby and the next score could have gone either
many times we opted to take the ball into contact and way. Unfortunately for us the opposition were given a
thus played into the opposition’s hands. During the penalty on our 22m line and took a quick tap and shipped
second half we again tried to play the ball through the the ball out to the fullback who saw gaping holes in our
hands. This saw us camped on their 22 line and score back line and scored again. We also scored again
out wide through Carmen Edwards. After this the through a JJ Broberg try, but finished just one point off.
opposition came back at us and again we got sucked into
We didn’t begin well against Birkenhead. The first few
their game plan by taking it into contact instead of trying
minutes were very nervy but after this we began to calm
to pass through the hands. However, if we had been a bit
down and play a bit of rugby. We dominated the scrum
more accurate with our passing we could have scored
and this allowed our backs to pass the ball around. The
again, unfortunately it was not to be and right at the end
half saw us play downhill and we ended up camped in
they scored again.
their half - we should have come away with a couple of
We were always going to find the Bishop Vesey’s match scores but for final passes going forward. Eventually
tough as we had lost very heavily to them last year. We though our pressure began to tell and James Watson
didn’t start brilliantly. They secured the ball from a kick- took a quick tap and ran through some tackles to score.
off and two minutes later scored. They poured attack In the second half we worked the ball up into their 22
after attack against us. We were given a penalty against where we eventually scored through JJ Broberg, who
us on our five metre line and they used their big players powered over from close range. After this it became an
up front to power through and score again. Three entertaining half of rugby with both teams playing well.
minutes later they scored again. We can argue that their They scored through a scrum on the 5m line, but we were
fourth was not a try as they appeared to step into touch not done and scored through Joel Lyttle. They scored
and there was a hint of a knock-on. However, we cannot again, which led to a nervy last five minutes which we
use this as an excuse as we did not play well in the first managed to wind down by holding the ball up in their half,
half. In the second half we played much better and were before eventually kicking the ball out once we knew that
unlucky to concede the fifth try as again they appeared time was up.
to put a foot into touch before scoring. We played with
Our ninth match of the term was the first in a triangular
much more heart and passion and did not commit as
fixture with Wilmslow and Bramhall School. We began
many mistakes. As the half drew on we started to sustain
positively and competed well. However, we were stopped
some injuries and as we had no substitutes at times we
from playing a quick game as the referee slowed
were given a player by them. The opposition scored once
everything down. The conditions were also poor. We
more, right at the end; not our best game.
spent large amounts of the first half camped on their try
At home against Stafford Grammar School we kicked off line and eventually came away with a Jamie Thomas try.
after losing the toss and were attacking downfield. We The conditions underfoot worsened in the second half.
were passing the ball out and using the width of the pitch We gave away a soft try in the end and they scored the
to attack, but finding the last pass was not going to hand conversion. After this the rugby was disrupted by poor
or we were knocking the ball on. This lack of accuracy in conditions and the referee slowing down proceedings.
our passing meant we were not converting possession We appeared to have scored again but the referee did
into points until Carmen Edwards scored just before half not give it and later on in the half we lost a player due to
time. The second half was a different story. The a late-off-the ball incident, which the referee missed.
opposition were now playing down the field and came out This put a dampener on the game and we ended up
with a much more positive attitude. They were quicker losing.
than us at the breakdown and seemed to want the game
The second match of our triangular fixture was against
more than us. They eventually scored but missed the
the host school, Wilmslow. Again we began very
conversion, so we were still in the lead. At this point it
positively and dominated much of the half, retaining
was a pretty even game but as the half wore on we
possession, and this forward domination eventually saw
became lazy and gave away a few penalties. The
Ben Wynne cross over for the try. Armani Roberts scored
opposition exploited this and scored two more tries. This
another by breaking through several tackles down the
was again a disappointing result and a match we could
wing to power his way over the try-line. The second half
have won.
was much scrappier and we were guilty of mistakes at
Against Denstone College we started very poorly. times. They scored a soft try. After this we tried to play a
Denstone’s fullback managed to run through half of our bit but were often stripped of the ball in contact and gave
team and score under the posts. We were guilty of away possession too easily. However, we held on in tricky
several missed tackles and had no excuses! After this we conditions for the win.
finally woke up and started to compete. Good rucking ILR
made us competitive up front and our scrum was
excellent throughout the whole match. We were unlucky Squad: Broberg JJ, Byrne HN, Byrne TE, Doerr WK,
not to score in the first half but some excellent defending Edwards CC, Houlder FAR, Lyttle JA, McCarthy SHG,
prevented any further scores. However, we did concede Roberts CA, Sloan TWJ, Thomas JS (Captain), Watkin
a penalty in front of the posts, which the opposition GP, Watson JP, Williams HC, Williamson BD, Wilson JD,
chose to kick and converted. The second half saw us Wynne BJ.
play with the wind, so a couple of times we tried to play
101
The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results take the lead. Packwood moved the ball well in the
second half and despite our pressing we could not find a
v Abbeygate W 50 - 0 score to tie the game. Particularly pleasing was our
v Shrewsbury High School W 57 - 7 ability to run a second twelve on the same day, giving the
v Packwood Haugh L 7 - 14 opportunity for more boys to represent the College and
v Lyndon Prep L 26 - 28 gain some experience in match play. The Bs were very
plucky but could not match the experience of the
v Prestfelde W 12 - 7
Packwood team.
The season started well with a trip away to Abbeygate. Our next match was away at Lyndon Prep school. We
The match had to be changed to an away venue as the travelled with a vey depleted team and took on perhaps
poor weather had affected our pitches. The weather had the largest U11 team I have ever seen on a very small
caused considerable disruption to our preparation. From pitch which did not allow us to move the ball. We have a
the start we played strong running rugby. The side large number of young and inexperienced players but
showed the ability to move the ball and when not in they all showed great resolve and played their hearts out.
possession they placed pressure on the opposition. The The lead changed hands several times and in the end we
game turned out to be very one-sided with Ellesmere narrowly lost by two points. We deserved at least a draw
scoring several tries and keeping a clean sheet. from the game but again the experience gained by the
younger players will be very valuable.
The second match was played at home against
Shrewsbury High School. They started well, out-rucking Our last match was at home to Prestfelde. It proved to
and out-scrimmaging us. However, when the ball was be a very tough and robust match with both teams
won back, our good passing and movement showed desperate for the win. The game didn’t really flow but
again. Strong work in the loose by Marcus Bruce and again showed our great determination and strong
Will Rothery allowed Harry Pochin, Nick Bulanada, defence. In the tightest of finishes we edged a win to
Armarni Roberts and Sam Chapman the space to run. It finish the season on a high.
was pleasing that we were able to play several younger Many thanks must go to all the parents who supported so
boys who also did extremely well. We rang the changes enthusiastically throughout the term. I am really looking
in position throughout the game and lost shape in the forward to seeing the young players develop their rugby
second half, but there were some excellent passages of at the College in future years.
play with good interchange of hands and support
running. ILW
Squad: Bulanda NE, Bulanda NJ, Chapman SJ,
Packwood away is always a challenging fixture. We
Crossman AL, Edwards W, Fashanu JO, Faulkner RM,
didn’t start the game well, conceding a try within the first
few minutes. Weaker sides may have buckled at that Hill TP, Houlder AKC, Lloyd GF, Maclean CJ, Murtagh
point but we showed great determination and endeavour EM, Pochin HJ, Pochin JW, Roberts CA (Captain),
to pull ourselves back into the game. We evened up the Rothery WHJ.
score and were unfortunate on several occasions not to
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fantastic sequence of tackles and recycling led to them saw the fresh legs of Andy Coubrough score wide out.
scoring on the wing some five or six phases later. The We regained possession and with the last play of the
rest of the match was all Ellesmere – history repeated game we were given a penalty which we ran from the half
itself from Rosslyn when we crossed the line and, trying way line. The ball moved out to the wing where for a
to go under the post, didn’t get the ball down, then only second time Iwan Phillips danced round his opposite
a minute later failing to ground the ball in the corner, man and sprinted off up field. The sweeper came across
again having crossed the line. to cover and a great pass inside saw Andy Coubrough go
in under the posts; followed by the kick; followed by the
Although it was a disappointing end after all their effort it final whistle.
was a confidence-boosting tournament where we played
great sevens all weekend. Forty-five teams started the A magnificent match that went right down to the wire.
competition and we finished in the top eight, feeling that The Ellesmere boys wanted it - well done to them!
we still could have gone further.
Rosslyn Park Sevens
King’s Worcester Sevens Tournament v King’s Taunton W 22 - 5
v Pangbourne L 12 - 33
Group Matches v Woodbridge W 31 - 19
v Solihull Sixth Form College W 48 - 14 v Oundle L 15 - 22
v Bromsgrove W 24 - 12 This was always going to be difficult once captain Lloyd
v Loughborough W 26 - 14 Hayes was unavailable; however this was compounded
Quarter-Final when Bryn Phillips pulled a hamstring in the opening
match. We still started brightly, playing good sevens, but
v Cheltenham W 28 - 12 as happened before with short recovery time after King’s
Semi-Final Worcester we looked tired in the second match. Playing
on a pitch the same size as Pump House we were
v Sir Thomas Rich W 24 - 14 steam-rollered in the next match with Pangbourne. We
had a late rally in the second half but we looked well
Final
beaten. Against Woodbridge, the whipping boys of the
v Old Swinford Hospital W 24 - 19 group, everyone enjoyed a run out, and it left us with the
final match against Oundle. Even if we had won we
At last winners of the King’s Worcester Sevens would have gone out on points difference but we wanted
Tournament! Ellesmere 1st Seven put together a to give a good account of ourselves. We began as a true
magnificent run of matches to take the title. In the group charity and gifted them three tries. We then played some
rounds the most difficult game was against Bromsgrove, excellent sevens to bring things back to go down only
who played a physical kick-and-rush brand of Sevens four tries to three.
that was very effective. The quarter-final was a
comfortable win against Cheltenham and we played very Although a let-down after winning the King’s Worcester
effectively, scoring some excellent tries by moving the tournament there were some positives to take from this.
ball wide. The semi-final was a close shave after we had Seven players from the squad will return next year much
looked comfortable, moving to 14 - 0 up after two more experienced after a sevens campaign in which we
excellent attacking kick-offs that gave us soft scores. played well although a little inconsistently.
This was just as well as the opposition recovered to PAG
narrow it to 19 - 14 and were pushing us hard. A superb Squad: Baxter GW, Brereton OD, Coubrough AT,
tackle by Will Goodwin brought down their strike runner Goodwin WJ, Hayes RL (Captain), Jones MD, King T,
and was followed by further tackles that led to a turnover Oakden AS, Padgett MN, Phillips DB, Phillips IW, Sole
and we ran away to finish the match off. JO, Walters LT, Webb JP, Wignall HE.
The final was an epic encounter against old
rivals Old Swinford. We started well with a
superbly taken try from Lloyd Hayes - who
incidentally played every minute of the
competition, leading by example
throughout. We moved to 14 - 0 after
playing excellent sevens. We put Iwan
Phillips one-on-one against the full back
whom he danced around to score under
the posts. Just before half time it looked as
though we might score again as a move
that started from behind our own line swept
down the field. Unfortunately when looking
for support there was an interception from
the last pass that resulted in Old Swinford
scoring.
Half Time: 14 - 7
We turned round and were put under
immense pressure, and although we never
missed a tackle we let Swinford get around
us for two tries. With two minutes to go it
was time to stand up and be counted; we
were 19 - 14 down. A great break from King’s Worcester Sevens Champions
George Baxter and an offload in the tackle
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Adams Grammar School Tournament well to lead 14 - 10 at half time. A half-time talk about
pressure in defence made all the difference in the
Group games second half and we scored three unanswered tries as we
v Sandbach School W 26 - 21 caught them in possession and moved the ball brilliantly
ourselves – the first try after the break could only be
v Old Swinford Hospital W 31 - 14 described as the ‘perfect try’ as the whole team handled
v Birkenhead School w/o to move the ball from one touch line to the other to
outflank the defence and give an easy run in. An
Semi-Final unfortunate injury to one of their players led to
v Malvern College W 54 - 5 Birkenhead withdrawing and so denying us our third
group game but we topped the league anyway.
Final In the other group the final game between Adams and
Malvern had decided things with Adams winning. As
v Sandbach School W 24 - 12 runners-up (after beating Bishop Vesey and Caldy
Grange) Malvern played us. We had won a close
Ellesmere Cup Winners encounter in the 15s season but here we were
As usual the team travelled to Adams very short of unstoppable. Tremendous pressure on them when they
practice and approaching the tournament in true had the ball produced many turnovers and we moved the
‘Corinthian Spirit’. ball well to run in eight tries – the last three with our two
most powerful players taken off for a rest.
Sandbach had won the equivalent U14 tournament last
year and were clearly the favourites for this year too. (It The final against Sandbach, who had defeated Adams
turned out later that they had not lost a Sevens game for with a ‘golden try’ after drawing at full time, produced
two years, winning three tournaments in that time. Just some high quality sevens. Having taken the lead we were
as well that we didn’t know!) The first game was an untidy behind at the break but still in touch due to some
affair with many errors made on both sides but we fantastic covering and tackling by Colin Dickson. As the
managed to keep our noses in front, and although we referee had been hard on us in the first half he gave the
missed some tackles and leaked a couple of tries opposition no leeway in the second and so, with a decent
towards the end we held on for a very narrow win. A amount of possession, we took the game to them, our
reassessment of our strengths led to some positional own defence really piling on the pressure when they had
changes as we prepared to take on a very slick-looking the ball. They were using a rush defence in the centre
OSH team. Initially we struggled as they moved the ball and so we decided to attack closer to the scrum, lineout
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The Ellesmerian 2010
or loose. Powerful running and good support saw us carrier and allowed a nippy runner to round our forwards
through to a great win and our first victory at the Adams to get a try back. Even so we pressed again and good
Tournament. support saw us over for a 19 - 5 half time lead. However
in the second half we lost the contact battle, made
Everybody contributed to the victory. Sam Owen ended several silly errors and failed to clear our lines when
up on the wing running in several scores, and played his given the chance following some really good
part in stopping and reloading for the ‘perfect try’. Ed scrummaging. Worcester kicked off for the last passage
Morris and Conor Carrington-Sykes competed for a of play leading by three points and although we broke
place in the forwards, and worked hard to achieve away with the ball we could not support our runner and
possession as well as learning to get up in defence to the opportunity to snatch back victory was missed.
exert pressure. James Latter hooked well, threw in
effectively and improved his defence. Luke Taylor scored To have a chance of progressing from the group we had
a key try with an outrageous dummy in the first game, to win at least two of our last three games. Hereford
and was able to come on to give Colin a rest in the semi- Cathedral offered little resistance and the subs were on
final. Dominic Simpson was always elusive and sound in early to give others a rest. Bromsgrove seemed to offer
defence as well as demonstrating a ‘good set of wheels’ tough opposition but we played quite superbly.
from time to time. James Preston defended well, kicked Reclaiming the ball from the kick-off on several
off sublimely so enabling us to put pressure on from the occasions we scored four first-half tries without
kick-off and converted fifteen of our twenty-one tries. Bromsgrove having any meaningful time with the ball. A
Louis Chaudron worked tirelessly to turn over further three scores in the second half saw us to a
possession and put in some hard-hitting tackles. Colin remarkable and comprehensive victory. Sadly this proved
Dickson, playing at scrumhalf, was our top scorer and to be the peak of our day. OSH, whom we had
was responsible for the two cover tackles in the first half comfortably beaten at Adams, profited from some weak
of the final that probably made the win possible. play in mid-field and completely dominated the contact
area – this proved to be our weak area throughout and
As we went through the afternoon our handling improved one that lack of any meaningful coaching time had
as did our understanding of the need to support and meant was uncoached – giving them the lion’s share of
keep possession. Similarly our preparation for each possession.
game, taken seriously and worked on by the players
themselves, contributed in no small way to their success. Coming third in the group we were now due to play RGS
All in all it was a super afternoon – the sun even shone in a play-off. The squad was clearly very tired and
for a period of time and yes, the bacon butties were disappointed in the OSH result. We did not play to our
great! potential and on a narrow pitch too often found ourselves
in contact situations, suffered a turnover, and were then
Warwick School Tournament immediately under pressure again. We were 12 - 14
down at half time and although we pressed for a time we
v Portsmouth Grammar School L 5 - 38 failed to move the ball when we should, too many players
(Eventual losing finalists) going on their own, and the opposition finally broke away
for the only score of the half.
v Warwick School L 7- 40
Whilst it was perhaps a disappointing end to the Sevens
v Sir Thomas Rich’s L 17 - 19 season we can be pleased with the fact of winning the
A weakened squad failed to play to the best of their Adams’ Tournament and bagging a cup – not many
ability. Whilst the endeavour of individuals was all one teams achieve a win! Well done everyone.
could expect, the team work necessary for success at MDTS
this high level (PGS having already won competitions this
year and Warwick being the winners at U14 last year)
was lacking on this occasion.
Despite the disappointment of the first two games the
squad pulled themselves together in the final game and
were unlucky not to win since they dominated the second
half, scoring twice.
King’s Worcester Tournament
v Wellington School W 52 - 0
v King’s Worcester L 19 - 22
v Hereford Cathedral W 47 - 7
v Bromsgrove School W 43 - 0
v Old Swinford Hospital L 12 - 42
v Royal Grammar School Worcester L 12 - 21 Adams Tournament Winners
When we were good we were quite good, when we were Back Row from left: CQ Carrington-Sykes,
bad we were rather poor. The early signs were quite JEA Preston, C Dickson, LB Chaudron
encouraging as we easily disposed of Wellington; the Centre Row from left: JE Latter, DW Simpson,
whole squad played in the opening game and we
LG Taylor
seemed to be back to the level of performance that had
seen us win the Adams’ Tournament. As the second Front row: EE Morris, SL Owen (Captain) with trophy
game started and we moved into a 14 - 0 lead all seemed
well, but we neglected to bunch up in front of the ball Also played this season: KPA McNamara, GW Beal
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This was a very short Sevens season for the U14s. Our final game was against Solihull, who had earlier
Practices were very limited due to it being Football beaten Sedbergh, so a tough game was on the cards.
season, so it came as no surprise that we struggled at We played fantastic sevens, scored some great tries and
the Adams Sevens where we won only one game – it defended brilliantly. We won the game well and had to
was still very disappointing as the team possessed a wait for the end of the Sedbergh vs. Bishop Vesey’s
great deal of talent. They were still trying to play fifteens- game to know whether we would progress into the
style rugby and took too much contact. quarter final. Unfortunately for us, although we had won
two of our three games, as had Sedbergh and Solihull, it
The second tournament was hosted by Warwick School,
came down to points difference and we lost out by a few
where some of the top schools from all over the country
points This was mainly because the other two teams had
took part. We played Sedbergh in the first game, and
played their best players in all the games, while we gave
proved to ourselves that if we avoid contact we can
our entire squad some game time.
actually play some good sevens. We led the game with
only two minutes remaining, but unfortunately lost the I trust the players learnt more about the game of Sevens
ball in contact and allowed them to score with us losing this year and will be able to take this forward with them.
by a few points. Well done and good luck next year.
Our second game was against Bishop Vesey’s where we CCC
started the game without our “big guns” and let our
reserves start so that every player played at least one Squad: Beal GW, Crow G, Collard-Underwood HC, von
game. Although we won the game comfortably, it ended Hoven PJ, Lock OR, Miller AJ, Parker EM, Parker TH
up costing us a place in the quarter final. (Captain), Rogers JSJW, Suckling LA, Whitehouse HA.
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Despite snow and rain at the start of term the Sevens promising season. We looked competitive with some
squad trained continuously throughout the term. The very strong teams and showed progression throughout
team was well supported with fifteen or more boys the season.
turning out for training. Unfortunately the combinations ILW
of weight restrictions and the limited number of Squad: Broburg JJ, Byrne HN, Edwards CC,
tournaments for us to enter didn’t allow us to give every Hughes JW, Kinney MP, Lyttle JA, Roberts JA,
boy a start. However, the skills development which took Thomas JS, Watkin GP(Captain), Williams HC,
place will certainly help in the fifteen-a-side season. Wilson JD, Wynn BJ .
The first tournament was at Adams. We started well,
winning both of our opening matches, then lost narrowly
to qualify as second in our group. We played Adams in
the semi-final but were just edged in a tight encounter.
Adams went on to win the event.
The next tournament was at Packwood. Luck was not
with us as in our group were the eventual finalists in
Adams and St Olaves. We played well in the group
stages and qualified for the Plate semi-final. But the
extreme effort expended in playing in a tough pool stage
showed in the semi. We took the lead but eventually lost
out by a conversion, having looked the better side.
The final tournament was at home. We didn’t play well in
the group stages but managed to battle our way through
to the Plate final, beating Old Swinford, whom we had
lost to earlier in the season, along the way. Unfortunately
fitness and structure let us down and, having drawn with
Woodlands in the group match, we looked tired and Harry Williams with Jacob Roberts in close support at
couldn’t pull out a performance. Overall it has been a the Adams Sevens Tournament
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looked in trouble despite the narrow lead. We did not Following in the wake of an unbeaten team is always
realise it at the time but that amazing second half difficult as judgments about the degree of progress and
performance was the pinnacle of our season. success of the current side tend to be coloured by
comparisons with the previous season’s achievements.
With the squad supplemented by several Junior As, we
Although we were unable to match the heights of 2008,
travelled to Uttoxeter to play back-to-back matches
winning six of our nine games and scoring 33 goals
against Thomas Alleyne's High School and Abbots
represents a very creditable performance. Well done to
Bromley. We took control of the first game right from the
all involved - including Mel Evans and Charlotte Boffey
start and a 4 - 0 lead at half time enabled us to provide
who never put a foot wrong on the pitch but had to be
the younger members of the party with a taste of First
content with spending much of their time sitting on the
Team hockey. These substitutions did not upset our
subs bench. Finally, huge thanks to the all those parents
momentum and showed that we have some promising
who were prepared to brave the elements and support us
talent waiting in the wings. Indeed, Ellie Halstead was so
through thick and thin.
impressive that she was drafted into the squad for the RJP
rest of the season, which is a remarkable achievement
for such a young player. In our second match both sides Season’s Awards
produced some good hockey despite having to play
Player of the Year Vivian Grudde
under floodlights in torrential rain. Abbots Bromley
Players’ Player Ellie Halstead
passed the ball well but we had the all-important cutting
Most Improved Player Grace Tomlinson
edge. A drenched, but very happy, band of travellers
boarded the bus for the long journey home knowing they Squad: Boffey CRD, Dingwall-Fordyce OR, Evans MA,
had accomplished their mission in impressive fashion! Evans ZL (vice-captain), Grosvenor VG, Grudde VZ
(captain), Halstead ED, Halstead SL, von Hoven VA,
From then on, our fortune, along with the weather, took a Newport-Booth SL, Prydden CL, Shearer CR, Tomlinson
downward turn. Deteriorating pitches and conflicting GTM, Wicks EJ, Wicks SE.
demands on players’ time seriously impeded our training
programme at a crucial point in the season. We were well 1st Team Tournaments
aware that our next opponents posed a significant threat.
Although we had previously beaten Shrewsbury School Wrekin College Sevens Tournament
in the first stage of the U18 National Tournament, the 5 - At the start of the season the girls played exceptionally
1 defeat they inflicted on us in the second round proved well to progress to the semi-final of Wrekin College’s
just how dangerous they could be! We took an early lead, Sevens tournament. Ellesmere faced a tough match
but mistakes in defence and clever movement by the against a very experienced Denstone College team, yet
opposition forwards meant that we were soon behind. To gained success in all other matches, beating
their great credit, the girls fought back to make it 3 - 3 but Shrewsbury High School, Shrewsbury School, Wrekin
with only minutes to go we were undone by a clinical College B and Ludlow College. A close semi-final against
penalty corner routine. The reaction of the opposition Wrekin College A resulted in a 2 - 1 loss. Throughout the
players and coaches at the final whistle showed just how day, the girls demonstrated some very good skills and
much the victory meant to them and, to be fair, they just advanced team play, which gave us much optimism for
about deserved it on the overall balance of play. the season ahead.
After that first defeat we were determined to put things U18 England National Schools Hockey Champioship
right against Moreton Hall. This proved to be yet another
tense affair as both teams battled to gain control of the The first team were aiming to add to last year’s success
midfield. As in the previous game we put ourselves under in the U18 England National Schools Hockey
unnecessary pressure by giving away too many free hits, Championship. Following the results of the first
but excellent marking by Sophie Halstead and Grace tournament, Ellesmere looked the favourite team to
Tomlinson made it difficult for the opposition wingers to progress on to the Midlands section, yet their dreams
penetrate our circle. In the second half we began to look were dashed by illness. Round 1 results included a 2 - 2
the stronger side and two clean strikes by Olivia sealed draw against Shrewsbury Sixth Form (Grudde 1,
the victory. Dingwall-Fordyce 1), a 2 - 1 win over Shrewsbury School
(Grudde 1, Dingwall-Fordyce 1) and a 3 - 0 victory over
And so it came to the final match of the season. This was Moreton Hall (Grudde 2, Dingwall-Fordyce 1). In Round
always going to be our toughest challenge but the 1 - 1 2, irrespective of sickness, the players fought on but
draw we had secured against Wrekin College in the U18 suffered an unlucky 5 - 1 defeat to Shrewsbury School
Tournament gave us reason to be optimistic about our (Grudde 1). They regained some pride with a 4 - 0 victory
chances. We started brightly but missed an excellent over Ludlow College (Grudde 2, Dingwall-Fordyce 2),
early chance and then conceded two soft goals. From and remained strong in the toughest match of the day
that point on, Wrekin grew in confidence and turned on against Wrekin College. Ellesmere played with great
the style. Slick passing, intelligent movement and quick determination and effort, and captain Vivian Grudde led
transfers out of congested areas made it very difficult for the way when she took the lead early on in the game.
us to get hold of the ball. When possession was Ellesmere had overcome the mistakes apparent in their
achieved we tried to clear our lines with long passes that first match, and were transferring the play with much
simply gave the ball away. It was a painful and confidence and ease. Within the closing minutes,
disappointing way to end the season but full credit to our Ellesmere were hoping for glory, yet Wrekin equalised
opponents for producing some sublime hockey. In truth, with seconds to go. The girls were devastated, and it was
we were not prepared physically or mentally for the such a disappointment that they were not on their best
encounter and, coming at the end of a full and performance in the first match of the day.
demanding schedule of matches and tournaments, this AP
was probably a game too far.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results
what to expect. The first half showed them to be of a
v Rydal Penrhos L 0 - 3
very similar standard to us. At the end of the first half the
v Oswestry L 0 - 2
score was 0 - 0. Both sides had chances, and some
v Moreton Hall L 0 - 7 good saves from Pippa in her debut as goalie kept us in
v Wrekin L 0 - 12 the match. Carys once again dominated the midfield
and controlled the play throughout. A couple of good
Seconds Hockey is made up of pupils new to the sport
breaks by Hannah nearly put us through, with Katherine
in the upper school and those that have chosen to
going wide of the post by a few centimetres. The
continue playing just for the fun of it. Regardless of their
deadlock was finally broken by two quick goals from
hockey background, all members of the seconds were
Oswestry.
keen to learn new skills and of course represent the
College. All the away matches were on astro-turf and Three days later we were playing Moreton Hall on a
this always takes a little getting used to. Travelling away really wet and windy day. Despite the brave defending
was always hard, especially for the first match of the and fortitude of all the players it was not enough to hold
season. This is certainly true when playing Rydal. The back a much stronger team. The following week told a
girls put in a good performance and came close to similar story when we played Wrekin.
scoring in the second half.
Despite the defeats the players were upbeat as they just
At the end of the first half we were one goal down with enjoyed playing hockey. Good luck to all those that have
everything to play for. The defence was superb, clearing now gone on to college or university and may the hockey
well and allowing the midfield to move the ball forward. continue.
Carys Fieldhouse controlled the game, jut as a good RC
captain should. After half time, the Rydal substitutes put
us under a lot of pressure, but Ellesmere withstood the Squad: Cumpston HM, Fieldhouse CM, Griffiths JL,
onslaught. Two unlucky breaks saw the final result end Kanniess RE, Leadbeater VS, Neary KE, Osborne SA,
3 - 0, the last goal in the dying minutes. Price PJ, Richardson SAH, Riggs CE, Ring RMM,
Schaeff VLK, Walker E
The next match of the season was at home on grass
against an unknown Oswestry team so we were unsure
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results ball from midfield she scored four goals in two matches.
Alex Brooks, Georgina Cutcliffe and Georgina Ottaway
v King’s Chester W 1 - 0 also deserve a mention for their hard work in keeping
v Wolverhampton Grammar School W 4 - 0 possession on the attack.
v Rydal Penrhos W 4 - 0 After Half Term many of our fixtures had to be cancelled
v Oswestry School D 0 - 0 due to poor playing conditions. This was a shame as the
girls’ hockey was developing nicely and they were
This year the decision was made to go back to the Junior regularly matching the 1st XI in ability in friendly matches
A and B system. The Junior A squad consisted of a during Friday night squad training. In fact some of the
group of fourteen girls from Years 9 and 10 who I know girls were invited to play for the 1sts, and Ellie Halstead
will be our 1st XI squad in two years’ time. A 1 - 0 victory fitted in so well that she was given a regular place.
in the girls’ first match against a good King’s Chester We did manage to fit in another match after Half Term,
side gave the team much confidence at the start of the against Oswestry School. Conditions weren’t great and
season. This was always going to be a tough first match, our team was depleted of regular players due to the 1st
especially away on their astroturf. Thankfully, the team XI having a fixture. I can best describe the game as a
made a solid start which encouraged all those who feisty one. We did have most of the possession, but
watched the game. The defence impressed straight Oswestry played well and we were unable to find the
away, with the King’s forwards being unable to make any back of the net after some superb saves from the
attacking moves as Eve Davies, Sarah Carr and Bethany Oswestry goalkeeper.
Lyttle dominated and cleared any risks. The young
midfield of Ellie Halstead, Annie Rogan and Emma Despite the cancellations in the latter stages of the
Greville started to move the ball well and played a mature season the girls developed a cohesive style of play, with
game, feeding the forwards, who unfortunately lacked several players demonstrating an advanced
the finish in this game. understanding of tactics and strategy. I describe them
now as a team playing an astro game on grass. They
In the next games against Wolverhampton and Rydal the have been a delight to coach and have shown a mature
attacking players were on fire, scoring four goals in each approach in all areas. A special mention should go to
match. The team were a delight to watch, using the width Kate Norman and Bethany Lyttle, who led the team well.
of the pitch nicely by recycling the ball when needed. It Well done everyone - what a good season we had!
was great to see them putting their training into practice HLD
in a match situation. Ellie Halstead, playing in the centre,
used her pace to open up the defence so that she could Squad: Andrews MJ, Biggs EV, Brooks AH, Carr SC,
sprint with the ball down the middle of the field. Kate Cutcliffe GE, Davies EH, Goodwin TL, Greville EL,
Norman and Tara Goodwin were always a threat up front. Halstead ED, Khan SH, Lyttle BH, Norman K, Ottaway
Kate’s finishes were superb; after being supplied with the GI, Rogan AH.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results
v Abbots Bromley W 1 - 0 it was finally breached. The Junior Bs then played a
v Rydal L 0 - 1 coached game against Adcote – a very amicable fixture
v Adcote (coached game) W 4 - 0 against a young and inexperienced team that saw our
girls secure a 4 - 0 win. The final game was an unusual
v Oswestry D 0 - 0
one – a game of three halves against Oswestry, where
This was something of a foreshortened season for the the first period was played out by the Junior As, the
Junior B team. Games were lost to the weather and even second by the regular Junior B team and the third by
to mass hysteria at the possible spread of swine ‘flu. In effectively a C team. The As and Bs both had goalless
the event, they played out four very different games and draws, and the Cs battled bravely to a 2 - 0 defeat.
hopefully learned a good deal from them. Credit is due to the many players who turned out for the
Victory in the first game against Abbots Bromley was no Junior Bs, who were ably and energetically led by their
small achievement. The game had nil – nil written all captain Sian Gatenby.
over it until Alice Tow, frustrated at a lack of enterprise up TEB
front, meandered forward and slotted home the game’s
only goal. In many respects, the following match against Squad: Bulanda JM, Edwards CA, Fisher OG,
Rydal was a better performance, despite the result going Gatenby S, Gough LM, Hampton LJE, Hobbs EN,
the other way. Rydal were strong and well organized, Martin-Jones AM, Morris AA, Osborne EL, Palmer EE,
dominating possession. Brave defence spearheaded by Parry KLD, Pegg JL, Rogers HL, Sheldon SA, Swan HL,
Amelia Morris held out until minutes from the end when Tow AM, Williams HJ, Williams S.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Overall the U13 squad had a positive
season. They faced a challenging
fixture list against a number of strong
teams. Out of the six fixtures played,
four resulted in a win with two defeats.
However, we scored twenty-two goals
and conceded only five goals, giving a
very healthy goal difference of +17
goals. We also entered two teams
into the North Shropshire
Tournament; both teams were
unfortunate to lose narrowly in their
respective semi-finals. The high point
of the season was a 10 - 0 victory
over Oswestry School. Zoe
Zembrzuski was top scorer with an
impressive tally of nine goals from six
games. The team has a great deal of
potential for the future.
SO and LK
Squad: Bruce GA, Burrows MJ,
Craig N, Davies EM, Edwards GB,
Fawke JEC, Gatenby H, Hill AJ,
Marshall IJE, Neary RE, Snailum AG,
Stackhouse GL, Zembrzuski ZA.
U13 Summary of Results
v Abbots Bromley W 2-0 U12 Summary of Results
v Wolverhampton Grammar School W 5-0
v Abbots Bromley W 4 - 0
v Oswestry School W 10 - 0
v Wolverhampton Grammar School W 4 - 0
v Rydal Penrhos W 5-1
v Rydal Penrhos W 3 - 0
v King’s Chester L 1-0 v Packwood Haugh D 1 - 1
v Packwood Haugh L 3-0
North Shropshire Tournament This year a different coaching approach was adopted for
the U12 team which proved very useful and successful,
Pool Games with all girls showing much progression. Consequently,
v Marches D 0 - 0 all girls were chosen to represent the school. Key players
v Ellesmere ‘B’ W 1 - 0 such as Beth Hulme, Jess Martin-Jones and Tilly Walker
proved very forceful, resulting in Ellesmere dominating
v Adcote W 5 - 0 every match. Intelligent play and ball distribution was
v Oswestry W 4 - 0 applied by each player, allowing them to gain the upper
Semi-final hand over their opponents. There were strong victories
v Sir John Talbot D 0-0 against Abbotts Bromley, Wolverhampton Grammar
School and Rydal Penrhos, and a respectable draw
Lost on penalties against Packwood Haugh. Unfortunately, several other
matches were cancelled due to
bad weather. The results
indicate an excellent season,
particularly with such a small
year-group.
Several girls attended a
Shropshire Junior Academy
Centre session for assessment,
and despite being young
candidates for their group they
all did very well. Beth Hulme was
asked to attend training and
represent the County, but the
others should remain hopeful for
next year’s selection.
AP
Squad: Arnold TR, Austin SA,
Brenninkmeyer HS, Collard-
Underwood AE, Forde-Johnston
AK, Hiley SE, Hulme ES,
Latham AK, Leeming KE,
Martin-Jones JE, Rickett CR,
Walker M, Wilson IAM.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
simply did not have any luck
when they played Lyndon Prep
and in the second match
against The Firs they failed to
use their width. In the
Packwood game they made
themselves vulnerable to
counter-attacks because too
many players got ahead of the
ball. However, the girls took on
board the lessons learned from
these defeats and produced
some awesome hockey in their
final game to finish the season
on a high.
U11 Squad: Bradley CH,
Bulanda JL, Davies EL, Dutton
SM, Edwards GI, Forde-
Johnston SP, Foster NB
(Captain), Holland RE, Hulme
CR, Hulme RC, Lindop GE,
Moore KE, Mundell LH,
Shields E, Stokes ESH,
Williams TJ, Williamson KAR.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Sport - Netball
Overview of the Season groups. The 1st VII beat four other schools in the U19
competition and the U14 VII beat ten schools to win their
Ellesmere College Netball enjoyed yet another
tournament.
successful season on the courts, though the Lent Term
didn’t get off to a flying start as the weather stopped Many of our girls are now beginning to show a real love
much of our training for the first three weeks. The Sports for their Netball and many have started attending a
Hall was in much demand for Squad practices! Netball Club. Tara Goodwin was selected for the U14
Fortunately, Netball being an indoor as well as outdoor Shropshire Squad and she was also a regular 1st VII
sport, we were able to play some of our fixtures in the player.
Sports Hall. This year we fielded twelve teams, with I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the
many years fielding an A and a B team. This means that Netball this term. All coaches put a lot of hard work into
again over one hundred girls represented Ellesmere at their teams and this year the hard work has definitely
some point during the term. paid off. Thanks!
As usual we were in for tough competition, with schools HLD
such as Thomas Telford, Wrekin College and 1st Team Summary of Results
Wolverhampton Grammar in our fixture list. We were
keen to see how closely we could compete with these v Thomas Telford L 31 -8
schools, which have national reputations for Netball. v Bedstone College W 27 - 13
The 1st VII was made up of old and new players, a group v Oswestry School W 12 - 11
of talented girls who developed as the term progressed. v Stafford Grammar School W 17 -7
The team was captained by Emily Wicks. She led the v Wrekin College L 25 - 13
way both in training and in matches. All the 1st VII v Moreton Hall W 16 - 12
deserve to be commended, alongside the 2nd VII, on v Rydal Penrhos W 11 -8
theattitude and passion they show for representing v Denstone College W 13 - 11
Ellesmere College, as they act as excellent role models
for the younger teams. v Thomas Telford L 17 -7
v Wolverhampton Grammar L 24 - 21
North Shropshire Tournaments were the highlight of the
term for many of our teams. They are always hotly U19 North Shropshire Tournament
contested with around ten schools in the region entering. v Thomas Adams W 11 - 4
We also entered the U15 and U12 Shropshire v Oswestry School W 20 - 1
Tournaments. The 1st VII and U14 VII performed the
best and both teams won the competition in their age v Moreton Hall W 9-2
Winners of the Tournament
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The Ellesmerian 2010
With many of the girls having been in the 1st VII last year, Squad: Dingwall-Fordyce OR, Evans ZL, Goodwin TL,
much of the play was already instilled into them and it Grosvenor VZ, Halstead SL, Haynes ZE, Kennerley JE,
didn’t take long for the team to gel successfully. We were Newport-Booth SL, Wicks EJ.
lucky to have Sophie Halstead, Steph Newport-Booth, The following awards were given at the end of the
Zoe Haynes and Tara Goodwin join the squad to add season:
depth. Team selection proved a difficult task due to the
dedication of the girls in training and their commitment to Best Player Award Viola Grosvenor
play. We often used some 2nd VII players and thank Most Improved Player Sophie Halstead
them for their contribution, especially Julie Kennerley. Players Player Emily Wicks
This term saw us win over half our matches, which is
2nd Team Summary of Results
probably the best season we have had for six years. In
addition the matches we lost against Thomas Telford, v Thomas Telford Academy L 3 - 25
Wrekin College and Wolverhampton Grammar proved to v Stafford Grammar School W 9-6
be even matches and great competition. It was great to v Wrekin (combined with 1st Team) L 13 - 23
see the girls competing so well against schools of high
v Moreton Hall L 5 - 23
Netball reputation. The shooters Zoe Haynes, Zoe Evans
and Y9 girl Tara Goodwin all worked well together in the v Thomas Telford Academy L 5 - 11
circle and their shooting success rate was very high. The v Rydal Penrhos (combined 2nds/U15) W 24 - 15
centre court players of Emily Wicks, Sophie Halstead
The 2nd VII played a number of games against some
and Olivia Dingwall-Fordyce were probably the strongest
very strong teams and by the end of the season their
we have had for a while. Sophie Halstead was
performances had improved as a result. Although they
recognised as a quality player by many of the other
suffered losses in the two games against Thomas
schools’ coaches. Our defence unit of Viola Grosvenor
Telford, the deficit was much reduced in the latter game.
and Steph Newport-Booth was excellent. They worked
The team were worthy victors in the match against a very
hard in all their matches and were always quick to break
physical Stafford Grammar team. Players were also able
down the opposition’s attack. A special mention should
to take part in combined teams with both the 1st VII and
go to Emily Wicks who has represented the College at
the U15 team. Although it was a challenging season, all
First Team Level for three years and has played a huge
players are to be congratulated for their spirit and
role in the development of Netball.
determination.
Possibly the highlight of the season was winning the U19 LK
North Shropshire Tournament. We have tried to win it for
the last five years but were always beaten by Oswestry Squad: Britton RAL, Cumpston AM, Evans MA,
School. However, this year was to be our year; we beat Kennerley JE, Osbourne SA, Prydden CL, Shearer CR,
the three other schools comfortably. Tomlinson GTM, Wicks SE.
HLD
119
The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results
v Stafford Grammar School L 4 - 34 However Denstone still proved too strong for us and beat
v Oswestry W 10 - 4 us 22 - 11. The girls were a bit despondent as they felt
v Moreton Hall W 20 - 9 they could have won this had a few decisions gone their
v Rydal Penrhos W 24 - 15 way. It was however a good effort from them - and
perhaps next year!
v Bedstone College W 19 - 9
v Denstone College L 22 - 11 The girls had a good afternoon at the County
v Wolverhampton Grammar L 12 - 28 Tournament, winning all their group matches and going
(combined U15/Senior B) into the semi-final. Unfortunately they lost their way and
their concentration a bit and did not progress any further.
The U15s had a good season with four wins and three
The final game of the season, with a mixture of U15 and
losses. They also reached the semi-final of the County
Senior B players, went ahead in dreadful wet conditions.
netball tournament.
We never really got going in this match and lost heavily.
It started with a tough away fixture at Staffordshire The combination of a very slippy surface and the
Grammar, and although we performed better than the different substitions made it a particularly difficult game
previous year we suffered a heavy defeat. The girls for the girls.
picked themselves back up and worked hard in training
All in all I was pleased with the girls’ efforts this season.
sessions to improve on certain areas. This was rewarded
They were always keen and positive, worked well
with a good run of victories, starting with Oswestry,
together as a team, and were a pleasure to work with.
followed by an even better game against Moreton Hall,
then a fantastic high-scoring match against Rydal and TC
finally almost as good a match against Bedstone. Squad: Biggs EV, Brooks AH, Edwards CA, Gatenby S,
We felt reasonably confident when we travelled to Khan SH, Lyttle BH, Norman K, Parry KLD, Ottaway GY.
Denstone as, although they had beaten us substantially
last year, the team had improved and it was working well.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
121
The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results
similar story against Oswestry. A slow start left us a
v Stafford Grammar L 8 - 35
mountain to climb, and our dominant second half display
v Abbotts Bromley W 8-4
meant we were able to level the scores.Our best
v Prestfelde L 8-9 performance by far was a comprehensive victory over
v Oswestry D 7-7 Rydal, where the girls played fantastic netball and used
v Rydal Penrhos W 30 - 1 the set plays and moves they had worked on in training
v Denstone College L 5 - 15 sessions. Unfortunately we couldn’t carry our form into
v Wolverhampton Grammar School L 11 - 25 our last games of the season, losing to both Denstone
and Wolverhampton.
This was a mixed season for the U13s as so many
matches slipped away from them, mainly because of So the term was a bit disappointing, considering how
slow starts. hard the girls worked throughout the season. They were
always keen to play and to learn new skills. We must
The season began with a difficult fixture at Stafford learn to get into the game quicker in order to build a lead
Grammar and although we played better and scored rather than chase the game, but I am sure that with their
more goals we still lost to a strong team. We worked on level of commitment next season will be much more
our movement skills and passing, and put them into good successful for them. They are a great group of girls with
effect when we played Abbotts Bromley, against whom good team spirit and deserve a few wins to build their
the girls were pleased with their convincing win. confidence.
We then travelled to Prestfelde and had a very slow start, TC
which was a great shame because after half time the Squad: Broster MD, Burrows MJ, Hill AJ, MacLiam-
girls played some fantastic netball and were very unlucky Roberts AE, Neary RE, Stackhouse GL, Ward H,
to lose. Had they played like this in the first half the game Williams ED, Zembrzuski ZA.
would have been put out of reach of Prestfelde. It was a
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The Ellesmerian 2010
123
The Ellesmerian 2010
team practice. Slightly disappointed
with the first result, they showed
much enthusiasm in practices and
worked hard to develop their team
tactics during training sessions.
They performed very well against
Packwood and Moreton Hall, and
must be commended in particular
for their mature attitude against
Packwood, where they
unfortunately found themselves
without a coach for some of the
fixture. They organised themselves
very well and were a credit to
Ellesmere College.
The last game was a return match
against The Firs and the girls were
determined to beat them this time.
This game was probably one of the
best U11 matches I have seen -
both teams displaying some good
netball skills and game play. The
scoreline was probably the best
outcome as both teams deserved
to win.
The highlight of the season was our
U11 Tournament. It was a very
U11 Summary of Results enjoyable day, and finally we beat The Firs, but lost out
to Shrewsbury High School and Old Hall to finish fourth.
v The Firs, Chester L 7 - 10
This season has been a good one and it has definitely
v Packwood Haugh U11Bs W 15 - 9 been a developmental one for next year. The girls have
v Moreton Hall W 10 - 5 performed very well and have been a joy to coach. Good
v The Firs, Chester D 14 - 14 luck as U12s.
HLD
The U11 pupils are a competitive bunch and seem to
enjoy all the sports they participate in. Although at the Squad: Dutton SM, Foster MN, Hulme CR, Hulme RC,
this age group the main aim is about participation and Lindop GE, Moore KE, Mundell LH, Shield E,
enjoyment, it was clear from the start of the season this Williams TJ.
team wanted to perform well in matches.
The first match against the Firs was a good performance, U10 Summary of Results
but the girls unfortunately lost 7 - 10 due to a lack of
v The Firs, Chester W 4 - 3
v Packwood Haugh W 5 - 1
v Moreton Hall D 5 - 5
v The Firs, Chester L 9 - 13
The U10 team approached the
season with a vast amount of
determination and willingness to
master new skills. Their passing and
positional play improved greatly over
the course of the term. They
demonstrated great athleticism in all
areas of the court. The team enjoyed
playing against The Firs, Moreton
Hall and Packwood. The two games
against The Firs were very evenly
matched and the team won one and
lost one! They also recorded a 5-1
victory against Packwood. Well done
to all players.
LK
Squad: Bradley CH, Bulanda JL,
Davies SM, Davies EL, Edwards GI,
Shaw MJ, Stokes KAH, Walsh EC,
Williamson KAR.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Sport - Football
125
The Ellesmerian 2010
Soon afterwards he got his second, again linking with strong opposition. After ten minutes we were two goals
Smithers to open up the back four and slot past the down. The first came through an unfortunate slip at just
oncoming keeper. We were in full control until a long the wrong time but the second came from not dealing
clearance by their keeper was not dealt with by our with the aerial ball. This proved to be the difference
central defenders and they made the score 2 - 1. We between a hard-fought draw and what could have been a
replied almost immediately through Smithers but they good win. After the initial mistakes we settled well and
knew that there was a weakness down the middle and the back four looked solid. Anderson and Evans began to
scored another two goals. We replied with the goal of the control midfield and Maddock-James and Holt provided
match. Leilich won the ball on the halfway line, wide out problems in attack. Dreyer showed good feet and
on the left. He pushed it inside to Evans, who slid it into Smithers was looking sharp with some nice touches and
the feet of Smithers. He played it back to Anderson who good runs. Indeed it was he who first replied, latching on
spread it out to Cave on the right. His centre was to a through ball and lobbing the advancing keeper.
challenged for by Smithers in the air, causing the Before half time he had levelled the score, getting across
defender to clear weakly to the edge of the box. Evans the defender to head in a Holt cross at the near post. We
hit the ball on the half volley so sweetly that the keeper started the second half strongly but could not put a
was rooted to the spot. The second half was a lot tighter finishing touch to good build-up play. McCarthy replaced
and we began to tire. They equalised from a free kick Holt on the right and Leilich replaced Maddock James on
which should have been dealt with and could have gone the left. For much of the half we dominated, but their
ahead. However, good work from Leilich saw the ball keeper was in good form, and they worked hard to
reach Dreyer in the box. He turned his two markers prevent us from taking the lead. They also looked
inside out and then slid the ball into the net. dangerous on the counter-attack and Booth pulled off a
good save to keep the scores level. With five minutes left
After a win at Shrewsbury but a poor defensive
luck was against us as an initial shot was blocked by
performance, changes were made for the Bedstone
Cole only for the ball to drop into the path of the
match. Cole remained to marshal a young back four.
opposition striker within the box. He rifled his shot past
Dobie moved to centre half while Chris Cieslik started at
Booth and it looked as if it was all over. Smithers had
right back and Jack Smith at left. Carlo Leilich started on
other ideas; from kick-off he spotted the keeper off his
the left of midfield. Clutton and Maddock-James began
line and placed an inch-perfect chip into the net from the
on the bench and were joined by James McCarthy
half-way line. The game was drawn and Smithers
making his debut for the 1sts. We started brightly, moving
collected his hat-trick.
the ball and the physical opposition around the park.
Within eight minutes we had taken the lead. Cave put a I would like to thank the boys and all who were involved
dangerous ball into the box between their keeper and the with and supported the football teams this year. I would
retreating defence. In an attempt to clear the danger their also like to thank Mr G Owen for assisting with the
centre half-sliced his clearance into the net and we were coaching and Mr H Orr for organizing the Football Dinner.
a goal up. The second goal was an excellent display of DJM
one-touch counter-attack. Dobie won the ball back in our
half and slotted a pass through to Anderson who played Squad: Anderson F (Captain), Booth C, Brewitt J, Cave
it to the on-rushing Evans. He played a one-two with G, Cieslik C, Clutton C, Cole J, Cross A, Dapling J,
Smithers and burst into the box, closely tracked by his Dreyer T, Dobie J, Evans J, Holt L, Leilich C, Madaus T,
opposite number. The defender prevented the first shot McCarthy J, Maddock-James J, Mattoccia R, Smith J,
from going in but Evans remained cool, finding space to Smithers J, Spavin B.
get his second shot away. Bedstone came back strongly Goal scorers: Dreyer (7)
and capitalised on our only moment of poor play. They
Evans (2)
worked hard to earn a corner on the right and while we
switched off they took it quickly, putting a good ball into Holt (1)
the middle. Their midfielder met it well to power it into the McCarthy (1)
net unchallenged. From then on we communicated much
better and regained our two-goal advantage before the Smithers (7).
break. Anderson broke down the left and slid a perfect
ball across the 6-yard box for Dreyer to slide in and Full Colours Half Colours
convert on the far post. The second half was one-way T Madaus C Cieslik
traffic. Clutton, Maddock-James and McCarthy replaced J Cole T Dobie
Smith, Leilich and Cave. Excellent attacking play saw F Anderson
Dreyer score a further three goals, Smithers two and J Evans
McCarthy one. A good way to end the half term. C Clutton
We could not have had a worse start against Old T Dreyer
Swinford Hospital, a school which always provides
126
The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results The manner of the defeat was particularly hard to take,
with several good opportunities being spurned before a
v Shrewsbury Sixth Form (H) W 5 - 1 late goal was conceded against the run of play. However
v Old Swinford Hospital W 5 - 3 the team shrugged off this disappointment to record a
v Denstone College W 2 - 0 draw against Shrewsbury Sixth Form in the return fixture,
again battling with great determination on an afternoon
v Rydal Penrhos 1st XI L 0 - 1 when a gale force wind sabotaged what might have been
v Shrewsbury Sixth Form (A) D 0 - 0 an intriguing rematch.
The wintry weather meant that the 2nd XI spent much of One of the most pleasing aspects of the campaign was
the first half of the Lent Term waiting to get their season the fact that those players who had made their debuts at
started. However once they were under way they never this level twelve months previously had clearly learned a
looked back, with the highlights far outweighing the lot from the experience, and provided the backbone of
disappointments in what was ultimately a triumph for the team. They were joined by some excellent
team spirit and work ethic over individual flair. youngsters who will be stalwarts of 2nd XI Football in the
future, and indeed some of them have the quality and the
There is little doubt that Shrewsbury Sixth Form, the first tenacity to go higher than that. Nevertheless if I had to
opponents of the campaign, travelled north in confident choose the one detail which pleased Mr Paul and myself
mood, having recorded two comfortable victories the most about this team, there would be a clear winner.
previous year. However a fantastic display, capped by an There have no doubt been times in the past when
Angus Cross hat-trick, resulted in a comfortable victory, Ellesmere College Football has been about the 1st XI,
and this was followed by a success against Old Swinford who by definition will always take their football very
Hospital which was more comfortable than the scoreline seriously, and then The Rest. However although this
suggested. Arguably the best performance of the season group of lads did not all necessarily have the quality to
arrived in the next fixture, when the team travelled to bridge that sizeable gap between 1st and 2nd XI
Denstone to take on a big physical side on a pitch which Football, their attitude was exemplary throughout the
bore a close resemblance to a quagmire. However the term, regardless of the snow, torrential rain and howling
boys’ punishing fitness regime to which they had gales. They were thus a pleasure to work with, and I look
resolutely adhered in training was duly rewarded, with forward to working with some of them again in 2011.
the home side being outfought and outthought as the
winning run was extended to three games. LCB
Hopes were high by this point that the remaining two Squad: Booth CJ, Brahim A, Brewitt JG, Cross AWJ,
fixtures could also be negotiated without defeat, and thus Dapling JR, Dumitrescu V-G, Eeckelaers MA, Fisher JA,
the reverse at the hands of Rydal Penrhos was hugely Gwilt HWL, Haukohl N, Jackson WI, Johnson KL,
disappointing, with little consolation to be gained from Kandola S, Kelly MS, McCarthy JMG, Martoccia RE,
the fact that the boys played against the visitors’ 1st XI. Murges F, Owen AJ, Spaven B.
127
The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results
v Shrewsbury Sixth Form College L 1 - 2 second half Kandola was clean through and should have
v Old Swinford Hospital W 3 - 0 put the game to bed, but a miss meant we played out the
second half looking for the final whistle when we should
v Rydal Penrhos W 2 - 0
have been dominating.
v Shrewsbury Sixth Form College W 2 - 1
Frank Murges and Sho Sato captained the side. Both did
This season many of our games were cancelled by the well. Sho is an old stager of Ellesmere football. He
snowy conditions and it was not until the third week that would willingly play anywhere but was happy to play right
we eventually played. At this stage we were uncertain of back. His last performance against Shrewsbury won him
positions and, indeed, what our best team was. We the man of the match award. Frank is a solid midfielder,
started as usual against the experienced Shrewsbury skilful on the ball.
VIth Form at home. We went behind against them but Other players were making their senior debuts. Cameron
came back strongly. Will Abell scored a cracking Murdoch played a pivotal midfield role and all too soon
equaliser but, just when we thought we were getting on was snapped up by the 2nd XI, deservedly. Jack Foster
top, they scored against the run of play. Despite our best started off in defence and moved up to midfield. He gave
efforts we could not force a draw. an enormous amount to the side and was always reliable
Our next game saw us pitted against Old Swinford. They and strong in the tackle. Rob Lau was a fast, skilful right
were incredibly weak and we scored three quick goals as winger with Vol Lim and Jayson Towers doing well on the
well as hitting the post numerous times. Adam Brahim left. Adam Brahim was an excellent striker and caused
scored twice. In the second half we made major changes the opposition defences all sorts of problems. In defence
and did not score any more although they never caused Will Jackson looks a good bet for higher honours.
us any problems. We were gaining in confidence and It was an enjoyable if short season. Thanks go to all, and
took Rydal apart comfortably 2 - 0. Again, we created particularly Rod Jones for his enthusiastic coaching.
numerous chances.
HBO
Our last game saw a return fixture against Shrewsbury.
Squad: Cooper ZPJ, Fashanu OG, Foster JR, Haukohl
This time we went behind again to a soft goal but then cut
N, Jackson W I, Lav KL, Lertkomolsuk W, Lim V, McIlraith
them apart with Kandola scoring twice. Early in the
RJ, Murdoch CI, Stokes JME, Towers JA, Weigel PA.
128
The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results The team took control of the next game, against Stafford
Grammar, and established a comfortable 3 - 0 lead with
v Abbeygate W 3 - 2 goals from Dickson and Jones. This potentially winning
v Denstone College W 3 - 0 margin was maintained until seven minutes from time
v Stafford Grammar D 3 - 3 when two sloppy goals were conceded. By this time the
v Sandbach W 3 - 2 Stafford players, with their interest in the game
somewhat rekindled, were throwing everything at us. It
The football season kicked off with three consecutive was a fraught finish capped by a last minute penalty that
cancellations due to a rather deep layer of snow covering left the result at 3- 3 and the team at loggerheads with
the pitches. The team did well as they attempted training frustration.
sessions with considerable difficulty. Undaunted by the previous result the team went into their
Eventually at the end of the first week in February we final game against Sandbach with great confidence.
were able to escape the boundaries of College and head They took a 2 - 0 lead within ten minutes with goals from
to Abbeygate. This turned out to be a well-fought game Mitch Faulkner and Colin Dickson (who had scored in
between two evenly-matched teams. Abbeygate took the every game he played in). Sandbach made it 2 - 1 and it
lead from a long, high free kick that sailed over remained at this score for a lengthy period. Faulkner then
everyone’s head and into the net. Colin Dickson scored added a third late in the game. An own goal conceded
an excellent goal two minutes later, created by his pace two minutes from time set the alarm bells ringing but this
and perseverance. McCarthy then added a second on time we held out to win 3 - 2.
the quarter hour to give us a 2 - 1 half-time lead. A The players should take pride in their performances as
penalty two minutes after the break made it 2 - 2 and this was a shortened but unbeaten season. It was a
Simpson scored the winner from a long, high free kick pleasure for Mr Crawford and me to have been involved
that sailed over everyone’s head. with these players. We hope they will continue to enjoy
their football next season and in the years to come.
The Exeat weekend interrupted our winning streak of
one game but the team had not lost their impetus when JHC
next they turned out. The opposition was Denstone
College and the game was won by three goals to nil Squad: Bostock-Williams LW, Butt AC, Dapling SG,
courtesy of McCarthy, Sesay and Simpson. Against a Dickson C, Faulkner MJ, Jones DP, Latter JE, Lopez del
weak opposition my question was: “Why was it not five or Hierro Valdes J, McCarthy AWJ, McIlraith SJ, Main AN,
six?” Owen SL, Preston JEA, Sesay KA, Simpson DW.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results way traffic. One of the moments of the game came about
midway through the half when Bendel attempted to beat
v Bedstone U15 W 3 - 2 the keeper from far out wide; he was unlucky, hitting the
v Denstone College W 4 - 0 crossbar. Just before the end of the half Murdoch
v Stafford Grammar W 2 - 0 produced a peach of a shot from about twenty yards out
which sailed into the net. The second half was not quite
v Sandbach L 2 - 3 as entertaining as the first, but our defence was again
The first match of the term, after several cancellations good; James Austin helped us keep the sheet clean with
due to the weather, was against Bedstone. We played a couple of good saves. This is probably the best U14
very well against older opposition. We dominated in the performance I have seen since being at the school and
first half, scoring twice, and went in at the break two we can only get better.
goals up, thanks to Fraser Murdoch. The second half The last and toughest game of the term was against
saw us let them back into the game and we scored the Sandbach. Both teams started strongly, making a
winner with minutes to go. This was a good test for us. contest of it. Unfortunately Sandbach broke through; the
The second match was against Denstone, a team we ball was high in the air and three of our players all
had not played before. We started very positively, some somehow missed it, thus allowing Sandbach to pounce.
good breaks by our forwards Joe Rogers and Ioan Parry- The second half saw us attack as much as possible and
Jones creating goal-scoring opportunities. Both our this bold play was rewarded when Joe Rogers took a
attacking players were ably assisted by some good play rebounded ball to finish well in the bottom corner. Two
in the midfield. Jack Wear created problems for the minutes later we scored again, a fine shot from Myles
opposition with his long throw into the box. Rogers Arnold beating their keeper. With only ten minutes of the
eventually scored just before half time. So by half time half to go a good cross from their right midfielder saw
our defenders had not been tested and Peter von Hoven them even the score. A draw would have been fair by
in goal barely had to do any work. Within two minutes of now but we conceded a penalty. We gave it our all for the
the start of the second half we were two goals up, last few minutes and were unlucky in the end.
Rogers finishing magnificently to score his second. After It has been a fantastic season of football and the players
ten more minutes Rogers had completed his hat-trick have worked really hard to make this one of the best
with another fine finish. Credit must also go to Jake teams that I have seen at U14 level. Thank you to Mr
Rogan who made a goal-mouth save in the second half Bongers for all of his hard work throughout the season.
to deny the opposition a goal. Fraser Murdoch capped a ILR
fine performance with a goal.
Squad: Arnold MR, Austin JH, Bendel JM, Bernadette
Our third match this term was against Stafford Grammar A, Crow G, von Hoven PJ, Hughes NB, Leung CKY,
School. Within three minutes we were a goal up after a Parry-Jones I, Rogan JH, Rogers JSJW, Slater JAS,
near-perfect corner from Fraser Murdoch which James Whitehouse HA, Whittaker JR.
Slater headed in. From then on it was pretty much one-
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results
Those players who contributed the most were awarded
v Packwood Haugh L 4 - 7 their colours for a high level of commitment to developing
v Abbeygate L 3 - 4 a ‘professional’ ethos to training sessions and matches.
v Denstone College W 3 - 1 Without the continual professional approach of these
v Stafford Grammar School D 1 - 1 particular players the team would not have achieved a
v Sandbach L 2 - 4 positive team spirit. William Doer provided leadership,
showing creative dribbling skills in attack. Oliver Gwilt
It has been very enjoyable coaching this team. They provided some excellent finishes at important times and
have been so willing to learn and develop their technical Carmen Edwards and Ben Williamson provided strength
skills. The objectives of the season were not only to win in the centre of midfield. David Powell and Joe Hughes
games but also to be competitive against those schools provided good positional sense in defence and Matthew
where Football is a two-term sport. Positive results were Kinney was very solid in goal.
achieved through a great deal of hard work on the GO
training pitch and listening to instructions with regard to
organisation in game situations. Their willingness to work Squad: Byrne TE, Doer WK, Edwards CC, Fairbanks
as a squad was always evident. The squad improved JK, Gwilt OWT, Hall EJ, Hughes JW, Kinney MP, Lay RJ,
throughout the season, becoming well-organised in Lyttle JA, McCormack GA, Powell DR, Roberts JA,
defence and creative in midfield. Spencer-Wolfe RM, Watkin GP, Williams HC, Williamson
BD, Wilson JD, Wynne RJ.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results and were simply too strong for us, but the way we
competed showed that significant progress had been
v Packwood Haugh L 0 - 3 achieved in a very short space of time. The game was
v Abbeygate L 0 - 1 memorable for the outstanding performance of Seb
v Stafford Grammar L 1 - 3 McCarthy and a peach of a goal by Ben Kirk.
v Sandbach L 0 - 8 When Sandbach scored before we had even touched the
ball it was clear that we were in for a long and extremely
With almost no practice under our belts we took to the difficult final match. With five academy players in the
field against a Packwood team that had already played side, they were simply way out of our league. Indeed, the
some football in the winter term. We started brightly and score might have got into double figures had it not been
Harry Williamson hit a post with an excellent effort from for some excellent goalkeeping by Barnaby Franklin.
distance. Unfortunately, we lost our shape in defence However, full credit must be given to the boys for working
when Packwood started to apply pressure and poor right to the end and coming off the pitch with their heads
marking allowed them to score three goals. However, we held high.
looked far more secure after the interval, and better
possession in midfield enabled us to put them under The U12 football season is all about laying foundations
pressure at times. Overall, this was a very creditable for the future. There is sufficient potential in this squad to
performance given the lack of preparation. predict that better times lie ahead, especially if two or
three new players come in over the next couple of years
Some productive time on the training ground meant that to strengthen the side and add some pace. It was
we faced Abbeygate with a much clearer idea about our extremely enjoyable working with this group of players
structure and style of play. This turned out to be a very because they showed real commitment in practice
close contest against another side into its second term of sessions and maintained a high standard of conduct in
football. Our opponents scored the only goal with a all their matches. Finally, special thanks to Rod Jones for
counter-attack midway through the first half, but we his invaluable technical assistance on the training
should have won the game after setting up several ground.
excellent chances. RJP
In the lead-up to the next fixture a lot of productive time Regular Players: Appleby JJ, Clarke JE, Davies SA,
was spent on the training ground focusing on positioning, Dutton GJ, Evans WCK, Franklin BOS, Gereke TPP, Kirk
passing and set pieces. The boys also attended BJ, Lee EW, Lever WEG, McCarthy SHG (Captain),
lunchtime sessions in the sports hall, which enabled Pardoe A, Williamson HG, Willis PG.
them to develop their touch and ball control. Stafford
Grammar proved to be our toughest opponents so far
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Summary of Results
Finalists in U11 Ellesmere College 6-a-side Football The team set out to be competitive in all matches. All
Tournament matches were won, apart from one, through a great deal
of hard work, good organisation and skill. All of the
squad contributed to developing a positive team spirit in
This was altogether a very good competitive season.
their attitude to training and matches. As a result, the
Wins were achieved through good organisation, players
team progressed to the final of the school tournament
keeping to their positions, and sound basic passing and
which was an excellent achievement.
tackling. Will Edwards (Captain) was very solid in goal,
providing an essential platform for the outfield players to The whole squad progressed nicely throughout the
perform with confidence. Nathan Bulanda provided season showing developing organisation and technical
coolness in defence with excellent support from George skills. A very enjoyable season throughout.
Thorpe. Ross Faulkner, Tom Hill and Harry Pochin GO
provided plenty of energy in midfield and Sam Chapman
Squad: Bruce MA, Bulanda NE, Bulanda NJ, Chapman
gave the team attacking options with his ability to control SJ, Edwards W, Fashanu JO, Faulkner RM, Hill TP, Lloyd
a ball in tight situations. GE, Morgan TW, Murtagh EM, Pochin HJ, Pochin JW,
Rothery WHJ, Thorpe GDA.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Sport - Cricket
The year ended with a very impressive performance to This year we potentially had five good fast bowlers in our
defeat Hurstpierpoint in the final match of the season, attack, Jordan Evans, Raunak Jain, Lloyd Hayes, Sam
before rain brought the Woodard Schools Festival to an Phillips and Dewi Jones, any two of whom could take the
early finish. Hurstpierpoint won the toss and elected to new ball. Injury and availability meant that they rarely
bat first on a wicket which looked as though it would help played together, but a glance at the averages shows that
the seam bowlers with the new ball. Opening the they all took wickets economically and at a good rate per
bowling, fifteen-year-old Dewi Jones took the first three ball bowled.
wickets in just eleven deliveries to send Hurstpierpoint
reeling at 15-3, while Lloyd Hayes bowled a fiery first four The seam bowlers also excelled as Newcastle were
overs at the other end for just 8 runs to keep up the bowled out for just 60, this time Sam Phillips (3-19)
pressure. They were never able to recover from this as combined with Raunak Jain (4-7). In reply James
captain Jordan Evans (4-25) and Raunak Jain (3-18), Williams, our first exchange student from South Africa,
one of two Indian exchange students from the Scindia calmly scored 38* to ensure a comfortable win by eight
School, skittled the visitors for just 87 runs. Jordan then wickets. James enjoyed a successful season in England,
attacked the bowling to send a strong Hurspierpoint side showing a good technique and a positive approach at the
to an emphatic defeat by scoring 52* to complete the crease, scoring 63 against the MCC and 64 against
victory in just fourteen overs for the loss of only one Worksop, although he may have been disappointed not
wicket. to have scored a century. He deputised as an efficient
wicket-keeper in a season where four keepers were
Dewi, one of the youngest players at the Festival, had used, and against Oswestry, when Jordan Evans was
the distinction of taking the most wickets by any bowler absent, captained the side calmly in overseeing a victory
from the four teams taking part in the three-day Festival even though he himself struggled through the match with
at Ellesmere. Dewi is an exciting prospect as an opening a hand injury.
bowler to spearhead the Ellesmere attack in the future,
but he has also shown that he can score important runs Raunak Jain was also disappointed not to have scored a
with the bat and should be looking to develop into an all- century, although he scored 73* in his first innings on
rounder in the coming seasons. English soil only hours after arriving at Ellesmere and
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The Ellesmerian 2010
having to travel to an away match at Rydal. In the same 32 in the match against Whitchurch. Alex Owen had
match Jordan Evans scored the only century of the been the leading wicket-taker in 2009 and he enjoyed a
season to set up a dominating total of 300-6 in forty spin-bowling coaching day at Lord’s with John Emburey
overs. Overall Raunak enjoyed an excellent season, in March. Early in the season he did not have the
producing good performances with both bat and ball and opportunity to bowl long spells as the seam bowlers
ended up heading the batting averages and winning the dominated, and he only came into his own with his off-
bowling prize as leading wicket-taker. spin in the matches towards the end of term against the
Lloyd Hayes produced his best bowling performance Old Ellesmerians and Oswestry, where he took 3-9 to
against Wrekin College in one of the closest matches of wrap up the match. Unfortunately he was not available
the season. Wrekin batted first, and after Lloyd had taken for the Festival as the Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition
two early wickets recovered from 24-2 to 171-3. One of took place at the same time. He is a determined cricketer
the disadvantages of having a number of bowlers in the and he has the ability to perform well with both bat and
side was that Lloyd was not brought back into the attack ball in his final season next year.
until the score had reached 140-3 in the thirtieth over, but There have been opportunities for a large squad to
he made a significant breakthrough, dismissing their top- experience First Eleven cricket this year and almost
scorer for 75 and immediately dismissing the new everyone who has played for the eleven has produced an
batsman for a duck. Wrekin collapsed to 215-7, but a encouraging performance. However, at this level a
lower-order fifty delayed the declaration and allowed cameo innings of 20 or 30 and a couple of wickets
Wrekin to reach 264-8. Ellesmere were left what turned followed by a loose delivery and a few wides is invariably
out to be forty-eight overs to chase the target. After not sufficient to win matches, especially against the
losing an early wicket Jordan Evans (76) combined first stronger schools such as Worksop and Birkenhead.
with James Williams (22) and then Ben Spaven (66*) to Batsmen need to value their wickets and take the
take the score to 115-2 with twenty-two overs remaining. opportunity to build partnerships and push on to larger
However, Jordan was then caught trying to hit over the scores – even in a twenty-20 match at least one of the
top. Although Jain scored 34, the rest of the order were top order needs to score 60 or 70. Increasingly in school
unable to help Ben keep up with the required rate and we cricket this is a big hurdle for young players as there are
had to settle for a draw. few opportunities in school matches at U14 or U15 level
Ben Spaven had been promoted to number four in this to bat for long periods of time. Raunak Jain, James
match after showing promise in the earlier fixtures, Williams and Jordan Evans in particular have given the
particularly his 59 against Adams Newport. Although younger players good examples of what it takes to
Ben did not score another 50, he did share a crucial produce match-winning performances. They now need
second-wicket partnership with Josh Maddock-James to rise to the challenge next season and realise that to
against Oswestry, which saw off their opening bowlers produce these performances is as much a test of
when the pitch was at its most difficult and allowed the character as it is of cricketing technique.
batsmen who followed (in particular Raunak Jain 64, Unfortunately after the Wrekin match Chris Morrison
Cameron Murdoch 21 and Dewi Jones 25) to play with could not continue to umpire our matches due to illness.
freedom and set up a match-winning total of 196. He has been a very reliable and extremely good umpire
Although the captain Jordan Evans scored fewer runs in recent seasons and has been well respected both by
than in 2009 he remained the leading run scorer, making our players and opponents alike. We hope that he may
a century in the victory against Rydal, 76 against Wrekin be able to umpire for us again next season and were very
and 52 not out to see his side reach the target against pleased to see him turn up to support us during the
Hurspierpoint. Unselfishly as captain he often bowled Festival.
himself at the most difficult stages of an innings and
My thanks go to Ian Morris and his ground staff for their
consequently his economy rate suffered. In his final
dedicated work preparing grounds both for practice and
match against Hurstpierpoint Jordan produced his best
matches, and in particular for the excellent wickets
bowling performance when he bowled with pace and
during the Festival; to Paul Rudd and his catering staff
accuracy to remove their middle order coming on as first
for all the lunches and teas during the season and the
change. Over his two years as captain at Ellesmere he
special meal they produced at the formal dinner during
has set an excellent example to the younger players and
the Festival; and in particular to Rod Jones for his
shown what can be achieved with a good technique and
assistance and his coaching throughout the year, not just
application.
with the First Eleven but with players throughout the
Matthew Macintosh lost his confidence and found it school as we aim to raise the standard of cricket at all
harder to score runs this summer. Determined levels with the development of the Cricket Academy. He
application to his technique during the winter will will have been especially heartened to see William Doerr
hopefully see him return to scoring heavily again next and David Powell compile two century opening
year. James Joule, who had not played cricket at all last partnerships for the U13 team, the first time at this age
year, volunteered in his final year to keep wicket. James level, as positive evidence for the future prospects of
showed great determination and application both behind College cricket.
the stumps and with the bat. He always made the PJH
bowlers work hard to take his wicket and made a resolute
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137
The Ellesmerian 2010
1st XI Cricket 2010 Results and Averages Woodard Festival cont.
Wednesday July 7th
Team (from): Hurstpierpoint 87 all out (Evans 4-25, Jain 3-18,
Evans JW*(captain), Hayes RL*, Jain R*, Williams J*, Jones 3-23)
Jones DP+, Macintosh MR+, Maddock-James JM+, Owen Ellesmere 88 – 1 (Evans 52*)
AJ+, Spaven B+ , Anderson F, Joule J, Lingard-Lane B,
Martoccia RE, Mittal P, Murdoch CI, Phillips SA, Owen SL Won by 9 wkts
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The Ellesmerian 2010
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Played 6 Won 2 Lost 4 reduced Birkenhead to 151 off their thirty overs with Joel
Maddock-James the best of the them with 2-5 off just
The season started with a trip to local rivals Wrekin one over! Ellesmere set about the task of knocking off
College in a friendly game against their Third XI. After the runs in professional style with the opening
winning the toss Ellesmere decided to bat which, as it partnership of Hayes and Williams putting on 75 for the
turned out, was the correct decision. Both openers got first wicket before Hayes retired. Significant contributions
amongst the runs quickly and both made 30s before their came from Anderson and Brereton, scoring 21 and 23
dismissals. The pick of the batters however was Freddie respectively. Ellesmere managed to reach the total in 16
Anderson who amassed an impressive 71, including four overs to bring about a well-deserved and timely victory
6s and nine 4s before being caught on the boundary for the team.
attempting another booming drive. Martoccia, Brereton
and Walters all chipped in with runs to put Ellesmere in a Buoyed by their recent victory over Birkenhead
commanding position on 199 after 25 overs. The Wrekin Ellesmere took on Shrewsbury School’s 2nd XI at
reply was stout but they had little in the way of resistance Ellesmere. This was always going to be a tough
against an ‘in form’ Saajan Kandola who finished with proposition and so it proved to be. Shrewsbury won the
figures of 3-6. Wrekin managed to see out their twenty- toss and elected to bat and put on a total of 175 for 6 on
five overs but were able to score only 114 in reply. what was a fairly bowler-friendly wicket. In reply
Ellesmere never really got going as the Shrewsbury
Ellesmere’s second game was a reduced overs game bowlers took full advantage of the pitch and overhead
against King’s Chester 2nd XI on a very gloomy day. conditions. James Williams made a promising start,
Ellesmere again won the toss and chose to bat on a very putting on 28 which was backed up with 20 from Ben
unpredictable wicket and, having come off for rain in a Oakley and 29 from Martoccia, but then came a collapse
very disrupted innings, managed to put on 162 in 25 with only a flourish of 15 from Brahim to save the
overs; a little short of a par score. James Williams, our blushes. Ellesmere had been given a tough test but it had
South African friend, was outstanding with the bat just given fresh focus to the training.
falling short of his 50 (47). Only Adam Brahim and Ricky
Martoccia offered any runs in partnership with Williams Ellesmere’s next game was a home game against
as the inning stuttered to a close. Chester, with the best Thomas Telford 1st XI who brought with them some very
of the brightening conditions, chased down Ellesmere’s experienced and useful players. Ellesmere batted first
total for the loss of only two wickets as they reached the and found making runs hard work, with James Williams
target with ten balls to spare. There were lots of technical once again the top scorer with 42, and only Freddie
and tactical lessons to be learnt from this game but this Anderson and James Joule making contributions
did not make the defeat any easier to take. elsewhere in the line-up. When it came to defending this
Following the defeat to King’s Chester Ellesmere took on total Ellesmere found the going even harder, bowling at
Birkenhead School on their immaculate and very patient and skillful players who were able to wait and pick
picturesque First Team pitch. Canny, tight bowling the bad ball and dispatch to all corners of the ground. It
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The Ellesmerian 2010
looked at one point, when Brereton found his way past swing bowling from Ollie Brereton who claimed a well
the guard of a couple of their better batsmen, that the deserved hat-trick in the fourth over! Unfortunately
game could be on but Telford held firm and came away Ellesmere were not able to press home this start and
from Ellesmere with the win. after a further eleven overs Wrekin had made it to the
total and won the game.
Ellesmere’s final game came against Wrekin 2nds, which
was always going to be a stronger test than our last visit Overall it was a great season. Quite often Ellesmere
to Wrekin at the beginning of the season. Injury and found their backs against the wall and had to dig deep.
unavailability meant that Ellesmere had to rely on an James Williams and Freddie Anderson were excellent
extremely inexperienced, but no less determined, set of with the bat all season and Ollie Brereton and Anderson,
players who were recruited at the last minute. However, again, asked serious questions of the opposition
batting first, Ellesmere got off to a good start with batsmen with the ball. The stand-out part of the season,
Freddie Anderson getting into the 40s, but he found however, which summed it all up, was when Ellesmere
himself fast running out of partners and by the time the 2nd XI fielded a side with players of eight different
tail had come in Ellesmere were scratching for whatever nationalities, representing the level of interest in the
runs would come their way. Paddy Fuller, Bogdan game and the eagerness to take part.
Davydov, Vlad Dumitrescu and Rob Lau all got a bat as JJB
Ellesmere manoeuvered their way to 95. What followed
next was a nearly a miracle. Chasing a meagre 95, Squad: Anderson F, Brahim A, Brereton OD, Davydov B,
Wrekin slumped to 23-4 in reply thanks to some superb Dumitrescu V-G, Fuller M-PT, Hayes RL, Holt LF, Joule J,
This turned out to be a rather strange season in that we best players we struggled from the first ball. Only Luke
played only five games out of a potential ten. A few Taylor managed a decent score before being run out for
games were cancelled due to rain, one due to the 21 with us reaching a paltry 68-6. Lakelands batted
opposition not being able to raise a team, and one due to exceptionally well to pass our score, having lost only one
one of England’s World Cup Football matches. wicket and with five balls to spare. Our second game was
against Rydal where we won the toss and batted first.
We started the season off playing a T20 game against a Sam Owen (64 not out) batted well and some big hitting
very strong Lakelands team. The game was reduced to a from Dom Simpson (30) helped us reach a total of 138-
10-over game due to wet weather and without our two 5 in twenty overs. In reply Rydal could only manage 95-
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The Ellesmerian 2010
6 with some excellent bowling from Alex Eaton (2-8) and numbers) failed to muster enough players to mount a
Jonny Davies (2-4) resulting in us winning by 43 runs. challenge. However, the squad remained in good heart
Our next game was against Wrekin and this turned out to and regular practice led to steady improvement in the
be a rather disappointing game as they were very weak. quality of the cricket.
Dewi Jones (40), Louis Bostock-Williams (27) and Sam
A fixture against Marches School kicked off the season,
Owen (54 not out) helped us reach a good total of 185-6
captain Dominic Ryder winning the toss and electing to
in twenty-five overs. This was always going to be a
bat. Despite the early loss of opener Andrew Main, the
challenging total for Wrekin and they were bowled out for
Ellesmere team posted a respectable 114-6 in their
89. Alex Eaton (4-9) and Alex McCarthy (3-20) were our
twenty overs, with Jonathon Davies contributing a rapid
best bowlers.
27 not out.
Travelling away to Newcastle always produces some
The Marches team began brightly, and had raced to 38-
good cricket, and this game was no different. Newcastle
1 from only five overs when Sam Dapling dropped a ball
batted first and with the score on 44-2 and their two best
short. The batsman smote it mightily to square leg,
batsmen settling in, Dom Simpson took an absolute
where it hit Josh Sambrook-Jones squarely in the midriff.
blinder in the covers. This helped reduce them to 61 all
As he got up from the ground it became clear that the
out. Once again Alex Eaton (3-6) was our best bowler
catch had stuck and the disconsolate batsman trudged
with good assistance from Mark McBrien (4-17) and Sam
off.
Dapling (2-9). After losing a few quick wickets, Sam
Owen (35 not out) helped settle things and we ran out With two-thirds of the overs gone, Marches were just
comfortable winners by five wickets with five overs to ahead of the run rate and had six wickets in hand; in a
spare. timely change, wrist-spinning captain Ryder took the ball
and turned the game. A ball which both moved and
The final game of the season was very disappointing.
bounced took a top edge and soared high to midwicket…
Playing against Shrewsbury U15B team, we made a
Aeons passed…glaciers rumbled…tectonic plates
confident start with Sam Owen (20) and Dewi Jones (28)
shunted……Alex Millington clung onto the ball. This
putting on 44 for the second wicket. However, with their
proved a decisive event, and the game turned irrevocably
departure we failed to set Shrewsbury a very challenging
in favour of Ellesmere; the opposition finished eight runs
score and only managed 96-9. We only managed to
short at 106-9.
score five runs off the last four overs and lost four
wickets. To win this match we were going to have to bowl The following day a stiffer challenge beckoned:
and field brilliantly, both of which we failed to do. We gave Shrewsbury School. Ellesmere chose to field first this
away too many runs through misfields and our bowling time and no Shrewsbury player was allowed to dominate;
was not up to scratch. Jonny Davies (2-14) was our best the largest contribution to their score being Extras
bowler, but did not have much back up. The fact that they (including a disappointing 25 in byes). Wickets were
threw away a few wickets at the end gave us a slight spread fairly evenly, with the top bowler being Mitch
chance as they needed 10 runs off the last over to win. Faulkner who took 2-15 in his four overs. Elliot Rogan
Unfortunately we were unable to restrict them and we showed the way in the field with two catches and a run
lost by five wickets. out. The visitors’ innings closed on 137 all out.
Sam Owen captained the side very well and always led The Ellesmere reply stuttered to 18-3 and everyone
from the front. The team as a whole fielded reasonably feared the worst; however, this brought Ed Morris and
well during the season, but need to realise that every run George Crow together for eight overs of mayhem. The
saved in the field means less runs needed when batting. game was dragged back onto a more even keel as they
Our bowling was good, but as soon as we came under a added 76 for the fourth wicket at a furious pace. It was a
bit of pressure we started bowling short, and on slow great shame, but unsurprising given their enterprising
wickets this is not the answer. We relied slightly too much batting, that both departed in quick succession giving
on Sam Owen and Dewi Jones to score the runs and high catches from daring shots.
each player needs to take a look at themselves and how
they could have batted if they were in that position again. Several tight overs made the game tight again, and
This ended up being an enjoyable season where the Ellesmere players perished as they tried to force the
players showed good commitment both at practices and pace. We had the unusual occurrence of a helmet-hit-
on the field and were always willing to learn. wicket, when Elliot Rogan played a short quick ball into
CCC his headgear. The innings slowly faded away 18 runs
short; conceding fewer extras (almost always avoidable)
Regular players: Butt A, Dewhirst M, Dapling S, Davies would have given Ellesmere the victory, and keeping a
J, Eaton A, Jones M, Latter J, Main A, McBrien M, swifter over rate would have taken away the pressure of
McCarthy A, Morris E, Owen S (Captain), Simpson D, time which weighed heavily on the team (long
Taylor L. negotiations and field changes every other ball are not
needed!)
U15B Cricket
So, an all-too-brief season came to an end, and we all
Played 2 Won 1 Lost 1 had to settle for a 50% record. My thanks to all involved
and best wishes for next summer.
The Ellesmere U15B team had a rather short season this
year; the weather was, for once, blameless, as various DWC
potential oppositions (often with much larger pupil
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The Ellesmerian 2010
U14A XI Cricket U14B Cricket
Played 6 Won 0 Lost 5 Drew 1 Cancelled 5 The Summer Term opened with an ensemble of
All matches were overs contests cricketers assembling to show off their talents and gain
a place in the U14B team. Competition was fierce in the
This year’s U14 squad was an enthusiastic group of nets as batters battled to save their wicket and stay in for
cricketers, all of whom were keen to get into a match if as long as possible – Ted Parker was particularly adept,
possible. Sadly a number of fixtures were lost due to the as he used cunning and guile to defy a battery of
weather, or through oppositions having to cancel, but an bowlers; he was quickly spotted by Mr Hutchinson and
internal match within the year-group was always a whisked away to the A Team’s nets. The competition to
meaningful option to supplement the amount of take wickets grew through the weeks and the rattling
competitive cricket that was played. sound of wickets was quickly followed by a passionate
Overall the results column is not flattering, but the team plea for the boy’s averages to be updated. The squad
certainly possessed sufficient talent to suggest better was in fine fettle and chomping at the bit to challenge all
seasons lay ahead. The team would probably have comers on Parry’s Field.
flourished more in timed matches, as few of our batsmen It was a scorching Saturday afternoon when Wrekin
were able to score quick runs without using risky shots. College visited. Max Beardmore led the team as they set
We managed to score at 6 an over only once, with 5 an about attacking the opening batsmen. Beardmore was
over as the record for the whole season. Captain Fraser electric as he took wickets with his seventh and
Murdoch averaged 58.5 from his two matches, but injury thirteenth deliveries – Wrekin were shell-shocked at 9-2.
and National commitments kept him out of the team for As the visiting number three settled his nerves,
much of the season. Fraser has the full range of shots Beardmore struck again and was backed up by Josh
and the ability to play them at the appropriate time. He Bendell and Cam Beswick who grabbed a wicket each –
was sorely missed when not available. James Austin Wrekin were 31-5. However, despite the attack being
was the only other batsman to achieve over 20 as an spiced by the introduction of Ed Bridge and Hugo Bland
average, at 21 over four matches. He is a powerful hitter no more wickets fell until Cam Beswick achieved a run-
on the leg side, but he must develop an off-side game to out on the penultimate ball, and by then Wrekin had
make himself more secure at the crease. George Crow revived to achieve a total 126. Fuelled by a lovely tea, the
is an aggressive hitter who averaged 14, but his shot home side set about their innings in a tranquil manner.
selection can be wayward. When given responsibility as Things looked promising as the openers familiarised
captain he batted with more circumspection, thus themselves with the pace of the attack - until the first
achieving his highest score of the season, whilst looking wicket fell and the innings collapsed. It took a
a much better batsman. Other batsmen, such as Milun determined effort from Henry Collard-Underwood and
Dhansinghani, Ioan Parry-Jones and Myles Arnold, Harry Whitehouse to revive the attack. Whitehouse
made promising starts, but too often fell to injudicious managed 17 runs and Collard-Underwood carried his bat
shots when they tried to force the pace. James Whittaker as his support ran out. Ellesmere had amassed a total
batted well in the final match, showing what can be of 39 and were soundly beaten.
achieved if attack is tempered by good shot selection,
when he found himself promoted up the order. In the weeks that followed, the intensity in training
continued and a number of players were able to
In his two matches Fraser Murdoch took three wickets for demonstrate that they could build an innings in
24 runs in ten overs. In the first match he was able to competitive matches with the As. John Leadbeater had
bowl at pace, whilst he was limited to spin in the second. two substantial innings that showed he had the power
Sadly most of the other bowlers were not able to be as and finesse to score a number of boundaries. Josh
parsimonious. Opening bowler Milun Dhansinghani Bendell, always the strongest batsman in the nets,
bowled most overs in the season, at a creditable run rate scored 35 not out on the First Eleven wicket as the U14s
of 4 an over. He was beaten in the wickets tally by his enjoyed the privilege of playing in such a glorious setting.
usual opening partner, Nelson Hughes, who achieved a Subsequent matches were called off by our opponents
run rate of 5 an over. Edward Shelley always posed and the squad never got the opportunity to make amends
problems with his leg-spin, developing a good as a team. Despite this, many were able to build on their
understanding with wicket-keeper Myles Arnold, who progress in the nets as they were selected to represent
was ever alert for a stumping. However it was the the As; it was very pleasing to see a number of them
inconsistency of the bowling that was the underlying move up and play well under Mr Hutchinson’s guidance.
problem of the team this year. All were capable of a
good over, but too few could do so for a whole spell. This DMR
meant that the batsmen were always under too much Squad: Appleby N, Beal G, Beardmore M, Bendell J,
pressure to score rapidly in most of our matches. The Beswick C, Bland H, Bridge E, Charmley J, Collard-
group has a good attitude during training and I am sure Underwood H, Holland S, von Hoven P, Hughes B,
that they will work hard to improve in the future. Leadbetter J, Miller A, Parker T, Rickett H, Slater J,
GH Suckling L, Whitehouse H, Williams B.
Those that played: Arnold M, Austin J, Bendell J,
Bridge E, Crow G, Dhansinghani M, Hughes N, Lock O,
Murdoch F, Parker E, Parry-Jones I, Rogers J, Shelley E,
Suckling L, Wear J, Whittaker J.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
This particular squad of players improved a great deal David Powell and William Doerr; two superb catches by
through the season both as individuals and as a team, . William Doerr; two very good catches (at crucial
Matches that failed to secure a win were often against moments) by James Watson in the final game; a hat-trick
County representative sides. Remembering that the of wickets by Matthew Kinney; a superb spell of opening
squad contained a large contingent of Year 7s is a good bowling in one match by Matthew Kinney (the opposition
indication that cricket is continuing to improve in the feared his bowling for the rest of the match!); Seb
Lower School. The boys were prepared to work very McCarthy and Anthony Bailey (Year 7s) playing a match-
hard at the basic technical skills in batting, bowling and winning innings when the Senior players failed for once!
fielding. Also, the general organisation when fielding
improved significantly, with players accepting I would like to take this opportunity to say that it was most
responsibility for their own field placing and fielding enjoyable to coach a squad who were so keen to improve
performance. As a result of this hard work the boys were their cricket.
able to win a good number of games, including the end- GO
of-season match against a good touring side. The team Colours and Prizes were awarded to the following:
was creditably led by the Year 8 players including David
Powell (Captain, batsman and bowler), William Doerr Full Colours Half Colours
(Vice Captain, batsman and bowler), Matthew Kinney David Powell Sebastian McCarthy
(opening bowler) and Harry Williams (wicket keeper). William Doerr Jacob Robert
Also, other Year 8s made key positive contributions at Harry Williams Ben Williamson
various moments throughout the season, including Matthew Kinney
Jacob Roberts and Harry Williamson. All of the Year 7
players matured considerably, with Sebastian McCarthy Batting Prize: David Powell
producing some fine performances and Anthony Bailey Bowling Prize: Matthew Kinney
showing potential with the bat. It is important to note that Fielding Prize: William Doerr
two individuals, David Powell and William Doerr, have
had a very good season as an opening partnership. On Mini Bats (50 runs): David Powell - 3 occasions
two occasions they have made over 100 runs before the William Doerr - 2 occasions
first wicket of the innings has fallen.
Mini Balls (4 wickets): William Doerr - 2 occasions
This was a very enjoyable season with some memorable Matthew Kinney - 1 occasion
moments: two opening partnerships of over 100 by
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The Ellesmerian 2010
work on the training ground,
especially with regard to
raising the standard of
batting. Progress was already
evident in the second match
as Packwood were made to
work hard for their narrow
victory. With Seb McCarthy,
Harry Williamson, Patrick
Willis and Anthony Bailey
stepping down from the As, a
full-strength team travelled to
Newcastle-Under-Lyme and
secured a memorable victory
against strong opponents in
the final match of the season.
From the outset this group of
players showed terrific team
spirit and a willingness to
spend every available
opportunity in the nets to
develop their skills. Thomas
Sloan led by example in
matches and during training.
Will Evans was reliable
behind the stumps and as
correct a batsman as most
teams can hope for at this
level. Jonathan Bailey
developed into an excellent
change bowler and
U13 B Cricket consistently caused batsmen problems with his varied
Although the team failed to secure a win, it mounted a flight. Barnaby Franklin performed well with both bat and
reasonably competitive challenge in all three matches ball and will undoubtedly be missed next year.
against useful opposition. On occasions the bowling From a coaching point of view, this was a rewarding and
looked quite sharp, but never quite attained the level of enjoyable season thanks to the enthusiasm and
consistency required to bowl teams out. Despite being commitment shown by every player. A big thank you to all
given considerable attention in training the batting proved concerned!
to be somewhat brittle, and too many cheap wickets were
given away by attempting to hit across the line. This is a RJP
key area that several players will
need to address next season in
order to develop their game.
On a more positive note, there
were some commendable
performances. Captain George
McCormack emerged as a
competent player who led his
team with authority. Jamie
Thomas demonstrated good
batting technique, while James
Watson showed potential as an
all-rounder. George Watkin and
Ryen Spencer-Wolfe bowled
some testing deliveries at times.
Well done to all the players for
maintaining their excellent team
spirit and positive attitude
throughout the season.
RJP
U13 C Cricket
In essence, this was a
development side comprising
Year 7 players not selected for the
U13A Team. A crushing defeat to
Cheshire in the opening game
signalled the need for some hard
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Sport - Shooting
It was a superb start to the season and the
College is extremely fortunate to have three
such highly experienced coaches with many
years of international match experience.
Our Michaelmas and Lent Term
programmes revolve around the National
U14 League and the British Schools Small
Bore League. By November our U16 team of
Richard Belcher, Ryan Williams, James
Slater and Guy Cooper were well on their
way to a win in the National Schools League.
Our U14 team of Richard Lay, James Slater,
Samantha Williams, Marcus Bruce, Hayden
Edge Roberts, Joanna Fawke, Katy
Leeming and George Crow were pushing
Ardvreck School all the way in the top
division of the National League.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
The development of new talent is
one of our main aims and there
is always a great supply of
promising new shooters. Left: Katie Leeming
September 2009 was no on target at Bromyard
exception, with Seniors such as Range
Alex Bueschler and Robert Lao
and Juniors such as Richard
Walsh, Hannah Miles, Emily
Roberts and Katy Leeming Below: James Slater
showing great promise. It is is awarded his prize
tremendously exciting to start the at the Hereford Open
Survive and Thrive shooting Meet
programme in Lower School
each year to see what shooting
gems are to be discovered. The
Survive and Thrive sessions
produced promising new
shooters in Thomas Gereke, Geoffrey Walsh, Anthony
Bailey, Will Evans and Luke Caldecott. Summer Term is
always our season for Open competitions, with matches
at Bromyard, Appleton and Bisley. Matthew Steggles in
his last term’s shooting performed superbly, recording
new personal bests at every match, resulting in his
invitation to join the Wales team for the Junior
International at Bisley. He has moved on to the
University of Glamorgan where his shooting will be
further developed by the Wales Team Coaches. Richard
Belcher and Ryan Williams also backed up their Junior
International status with wins at Appleton and Bromyard
respectively and will be joining Matthew at the Bisley
International Match. Strong performances were also
recorded by Marcus Bruce, Samantha Williams, Richard
Lay, Hannah Miles and Katy Leeming. At all the open
shoots this year the shooting team have been
complimented on their behaviour and their performance,
which are a credit to the pupils and the College.
House shooting competitions
Right: Samantha were difficult to organise in the
Williams (left) and Summer Term and a move
Richard Lay at back to the Lent Term is
indicated. Lower School and
the Worcester Upper School matches were
Open Meet runaway victories for Brownlow
House and Meynell House
Below: Coach respectively, both of which had
Jim Quinlan in the teams full of College team
College Indoor shooters.
range with Yuri Our annual expedition to the
Loychenko and National Championships at
Alice Tow Bisley was our largest to date
with sixteen pupils and four
staff. This year we catered for
ourselves and stayed in two
excellent huts on Bisley camp.
Our main base was the
Greshams School hut, which was ideal for our purposes.
Tom Rylands, in his twin roles as Coach and Chef,
performed admirably with able assistance from Dagmar
Lensing and David Gregory. The shooting was also
excellent with Bisley debutantes Caro and Lottie Hulme
showing flashes of the immense talent they both
possess. Guy Cooper in his last shoot with us performed
superbly to gain a place in the overall aggregate and
both Ryan Williams and Richard Belcher were selected
for the GB Schools Team in a shoulder-to-shoulder
match against Denmark. It was a wholly successful trip
and has set a standard for us to aspire to on future
occasions.
Jim Quinlan, Shooting Coach
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Summer Sports
Rounders
U14 and U15 Rounders
The U14 Rounders Team had a
short but impressive season. They
started well with an 11 - 7 win over
Oswestry School and then drew
10.5 - All with Moreton Hall, despite
only having eight players available.
Unfortunately the North Shropshire
Rounders Tournament was rained
off. The girls’ fielding was lively at
times, with excellent decision-
making and quick reactions to
stump players out and minimise any
scoring opportunities. Ellie Halstead
was agile on second base, and
important catches were evident
from Annie Rogan (6) and
Annabelle Martin-Jones (2).
Hannah Rogers consistently
bowled with much variety, making
batting awkward for the opposition.
Top batters included Olivia Jones
(4), Ellie Halstead (3.5), Annie
Rogan (3) and Annabelle Martin-
Jones (3).
The U15 Team also had a short
rounders season, and were
unfortunate to lose both matches.
Over-cautious batting was the for the Oswestry batters. Cat Jones, Hannah Ward and
cause of their 14 - 8 loss against Oswestry School, but Molly Broster’s catches were key in eliminating
the girls achieved a great comeback after being 9 - 1 Oswestry’s big hitters, and Ellie Williams was nimble on
down at half time. Despite only having eight players first and second base to stump out several players. Once
against Moreton Hall the game was decided by the last again Ellesmere demonstrated an outstanding batting
ball of the game. It was a very close game and despite it performance with Cat Jones (5) and Hannah Ward (4.5)
not going Ellesmere’s way the girls enjoyed it immensely. leading the way. Had all players been available against
Alex Brooks (6) and Sian Gatenby (4) were the top Denstone College the match would have been closely
batters in the team. However, many players contributed contested and very competitive. However, Ellesmere
by gaining several rounders each in both games. Alex were down to seven players and were subjected to a 26
Brooks, Ellie Hobbs and Kate Norman proved excellent - 12.5 defeat. Year 6 pupil, Lottie Hulme, gave an extra
fielders, feeding the ball directly into the appropriate hand and put on an outstanding performance to play with
posts to stump out batters. Critical catches were made and against pupils two years her senior. Despite the large
by Eve Davies, Alex Brooks, Kate Parry, Kate Norman loss, the scores were close at half time; 10 - 8 to
and Clara Edwards. Denstone College. However, the lack of players affected
Ellesmere’s second batting innings, as the side was all
U13 Rounders out half way through the innings.
All batters contributed to the high-scoring match against This team has been a great group to coach and a
Moreton Hall (17 - 10), with Ellie Williams, Annie Hill and pleasure to teach, with much positive encouragement
Molly Broster scoring well. The team scored 6.5 rounders and enthusiasm from all players. Many have progressed
in the first innings, and confidence grew following well from last year, with exceptional fielding and strong
faultless fielding. Excellent bowling from Hannah batting performances. The girls have been playing an
Gatenby brought much variation and difficulty for the advanced fielding system, which has brought much
Moreton batters, and exceptional catches by Molly strength and security to their performance.
Broster (5), Catriona Jones (1) and Rebecca Neary (1)
prevented opposing rounders from being scored. The The top batters were Catriona Jones (18), Ellie Williams
second batting innings was very strong with 10 rounders (14), Zoe Zembrzuski (8.5), Annie Hill (7.5), Rebecca
being scored. The high target was too much for Moreton Neary (6.5), Molly Broster (6) and Hannah Ward (6).
to chase. The team’s maturity showed during a Catches were taken by Molly Broster (11), Hannah Gatenby
comfortable win over Oswestry School. The girls’ (6), Catriona Jones (4), Rebecca Neary (3), Hannah Ward
intelligent play and supportive attitude was clearly (2), Ellie Williams (2) and Zoe Zembrzuski (1).
evident in their 22 - 8 victory. Ellesmere set a healthy
target of 10 to defend in the first innings, and Hannah AP
Gatenby once again delivered some very awkward balls
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Tilly Walker proving to be a first-
class opening batter. However,
the girls’ excitement caused
several errors during fielding,
allowing Moreton to win the
match.
A consistent batting performance
was evident against Oswestry
School, with the girls scoring 7 in
each innings. Once again Tilly
Walker was the top batter,
scoring 4, though she was
closely challenged by Jess
Martin-Jones on 3.5. Beth
Hulme, Tilly Walker and Anna
Collard-Underwood tried to keep
Oswestry’s score to a minimum
with great catches, but Oswestry
proved to be very strong in their
second innings, and Ellesmere
lost the match 14 - 10.
The final Match against
Denstone College was tough and
the girls appeared tired following
two previous sports-packed
days, i.e. North Shropshire
Rounders Tournament and
Sports Day. They lost 17.5 - 5, as
Ellesmere’s top batters were
U12 Rounders forced out early in both innings. Anna Collard-
The U12s were unfortunate to lose all matches, but Underwood was top batter, and Caro Hulme took an
proved their worth when they beat two of these teams outstanding diving catch at first base to give Ellesmere
whilst winning the North Shropshire Tournament. They some pride.
have also adopted an advanced fielding system, which
Overall, Tilly Walker was the U12 Team’s best batter,
they hope to develop further next year.
scoring an exceptional 21 rounders. She was followed by
Despite only having eight players available, Ellesmere Anna Collard-Underwood (7), Jess Martin-Jones (6),
narrowly lost by two rounders to Moreton Hall. Over- Katy Leeming (3.5) and Amy Latham (3.5), with
cautious batting and uncertainty gave Ellesmere a score everyone else contributing to the score with several
of only 2.5 rounders in their first batting innings. Despite rounders each. Two catches were taken by Anna
the low score the girls fielded well to keep Moreton’s Collard-Underwood, and Taylor Arnold, Beth Hulme, Tilly
score to a minimum, and Taylor Arnold and Anna Walker, Jess Martin-Jones and Caro Hulme took a catch
Collard-Underwood had important catches during the each.
game. Ellesmere’s second innings was much better, with AP
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Athletics
Senior Athletics Lower School Athletics
This year the school entered several Athletics events
with many pupils participating. As the term progressed,
so did the numbers of pupils representing the school.
The Shropshire AA Championships was a great
experience, particularly for the younger pupils, as many
took part for their first time and gained much success.
Representation from Year 9 upwards was fairly limited,
but Ellie Halstead won all her 100m heats, and the final
with a sound time of 13.9 seconds, and Hannah
Cumpston achieved second place in the Senior Girls’
High Jump event.
There were talented pupils entered into the Shropshire
Schools Track and Field Championships, but sudden
illness and injuries prevented several from participating.
Hannah Cumpston achieved third place in the High
Jump, and George Beal was the only College pupil to go
on to represent Shropshire in the Midlands Lower School pupils practising their starts
Championships, throwing 10.04m in the Shot Put.
Forty-seven pupils represented the school in various This year a good number of Lower School pupils entered
events in the North Shropshire Schools Athletics Athletics events, notably the Shropshire AA
Championships. It was great to see pupils volunteer for Championships, with many pupils participating in
events whatever their ability, to ensure that Ellesmere competitive athletics for the first time. Lunchtime
gained as many points as possible. The highlight of the practices have been open to all pupils, and several have
day was when Ellie Halstead broke the North Shropshire attended and developed their skills to a good standard.
100m record, completing it in 13.19 seconds. Other Year 4 pupil Rosie Holland achieved second place in the
outstanding performances came from Clara Edwards Cricket Ball Throw, and Hector Pardoe only just missed
(1st in High Jump, 2nd in Shot); Annie Rogan (3rd in out on third place in the 600m in spite of competing
800m); Colin Dickson (1st in 100m - 11.10s, and 1st in against pupils two years older. Year 5 pupils Huw and Will
Shot - 13.06m); James Preston (1st and a personal best Edwards gained awards, with Huw achieving third place
in Long Jump - 5.05m, and 2nd in 200m) and Sam Owen in the 60m sprint, and Will reigning supreme in the 600m
(1st in 800m). The relay teams also did well in their heats with an outstanding time of 2.02.7mins, another first
with both Senior Boys and Girls gaining second place. place in the Long Jump (3.57m) and second place in the
The girls achieved a well-deserved third place, but an Cricket Ball Throw. In Years 7 and 8 Beth Hulme came
unfortunate error occurred during the boys’ race, which third in the Discus, narrowly beating her younger sister,
left them in last place. Other pupils, icluding Joe Rogers, Lottie Hulme, who came fourth, and James Wilson just
Lesley Gebhard and Olivia Jones narrowly missed out on missed out on a medal in the Long Jump.
medal positions but did well to contribute to the College’s
accumulation of a decent points total. Once again many Year 8 pupils participated in the
AP Shropshire Schools Track and Field Championships.
Naomi Craig came second in her 800m heat with an
excellent time of 2.35.6mins – only 14 seconds off the
Shropshire record. However, despite putting in another
great performance in the final, she gained fifth place.
Twenty pupils from Years 7 and 8 represented the school
in the North Shropshire Schools Athletics
Championships. Highlights of the day included Carmen
Edwards (3rd in the High Jump), James Wilson (3rd in
the 1500m), Molly Broster (3rd in 200m), Ryen Spencer-
Wolfe (2nd in Javelin), James Watson (2nd in Shot), Jess
Martin-Jones (2nd in 100m) and Zoe Zembrzuski (1st in
800m). All sprinters qualified for their final, and it was
great to see the pupils enjoy themselves and have a go
at a variety of events. Despite not gaining a medal
George Watkin had a great day, gaining personal bests
in each event. Similarly, well done to Ryen Spencer-
Wolfe who has never run the hurdles before, yet he came
second in his heat and fourth overall. The Junior Girls’
Relay Team gained third place in their heat, and then
Above: Ellie Halstead winning fourth in the final. The Junior Boys’ Relay Team gained
the 100m second place in their heat, and then third in the final.
Left: George Beal, who Everyone’s placement counts within this Championship,
represented Shropshire in the so well done for each pupil trying their best.
Shot Put AP
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The Ellesmerian 2010
School Tennis
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The Ellesmerian 2010
152
The Ellesmerian 2010
The Reffell Open Tennis Tournament But there was one out there. ‘She Who Must Be Obeyed’;
‘The Deadly Assassin’;’The Smiler’ - call her what you
will (and many do) but Mrs Owen meant business. Lloyd
Hayes, under orders, talking tactics, out-staring the
opponents, was Owen’s ideal partner. They cruised the
first round, moved up a gear in the quarters, breezed
through the semis. Now, back to Becky! Owen/Hayes
faced Becky and Fredi. The romantics among us urged
Becky and Fredi on. Mrs. Fredi sipped heavily on the
Pimms, Becky’s supporters became more vocal, Fredi
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Senior House Netball Inter-House Basketball 2010
Again this year, Houses entered A and B teams into the Congratulations to everyone who took part in the
House Netball competition and the teams could consist Basketball this year. The competition in both boys’ age-
of girls of any year. It proved to be a good competition groups was extremely close. There was some excellent
with the standard in the A competition impressively high. basketball played, but the Senior side from Woodard
The overall result had to be decided on goal difference, excelled and showed great poise when shooting.
with Meynell just pipping Wakeman-Lambart for the title.
Results
Results
Senior Boys
A Teams
1st Woodard
1st Wakeman-Lambart 2nd Meynell
2nd Meynell 3rd Wakeman-Lambart
3rd Woodard 4th Talbot
4th Talbot
Junior Boys
B Teams
1st Talbot
1st Meynell 2nd Woodard
2nd Wakeman-Lambart 3rd Meynell
3rd Talbot 4th Wakeman-Lambart
4th Woodard
Junior Girls
Overall Results
1st Wakeman-Lambart
1st Meynell 2nd Meynell (on shoot-out)
2nd Wakeman-Lambart 3rd Woodard (on shoot-out)
3rd Talbot Talbot - no team
4th Woodard
There was no Senior Girls’ event due to Netball matches.
Lower School House Netball Senior School House Cross Country
U13 Competition Results
The U13 competition was highly competitive, with all of
the matches being closely fought. Heywood did emerge Juniors
the winners, but only just, by beating Phillips by just two 1st Talbot 414 pts
goals. All teams should be proud of their performances. 2nd Woodard
Results 3rd Wakeman-Lambart 618 pts
4th Meynell 658 pts
1st Heywood
2nd Brownlow Individual winners
3rd Phillips Junior Boy Sam Owen (Talbot)
Junior Girl Annie Rogan (Woodard)
U11 Competition
Inters
This year’s competition was dominated by Heywood who 1st Meynell 424 pts
won all of their matches quite convincingly. Nevertheless
it was an enjoyable afternoon for all involved. 2nd Wakeman-Lambart 466 pts
3rd Woodard 578 pts
Results
4th Talbot 704 pts
1st Heywood
Individual winners
2nd Brownlow
Inters Boy George Cave (Meynell)
3rd Phillips
Inters Girl Ella Walker (Wakeman-Lambart)
House Volleyball 2010 Seniors
This year’s event was very close, with the top two teams 1st Talbot 413 pts
drawing on points. Meynell won the event overall, as in 2nd Wakeman-Lambart 473 pts
the encounter between them and Talbot they won two 3rd Woodard 489 pts
sets to one. Wakeman-Lambart managed to secure third
place having drawn with Woodard on points but beating 4th Meynell 589 pts
them in the round robin stages. Individual winners
Results Senior Boy Moritz Verleger (Woodard)
Senior Girl Vivian Grudde (Wakeman-Lambart)
1st Meynell 3, 4, 1
2nd Talbot 1, 4, 3 Overall
3rd Wakeman-Lambart 1, 0, 3 1st Talbot
4th Woodard 3, 0, 1 2nd Wakeman-Lambart
3rd Woodard
4th Meynell
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Merit Cup Gwilt, 27, and Teddy Hall, 27, with Tom Sloan also
(awarded to House with most runners taking part) posting a respectable 30.
1st Wakeman-Lambart Results
2nd Meynell
1st Brownlow 84 pts
3rd Woodard
2nd Phillips 120 pts
4th Talbot
3rd Heywood 161 pts
Boys’ House Hockey
Lower School Golf Open June 2010
Despite struggling to find fixtures for the Senior side
during the Lent term, the House Hockey provided an This year we were blessed with excellent conditions for
excellent finish to the term. There were some fine the Lower School Golf Open. Twelve golfers (with
individual and team performances from both Junior and caddies) battled it out for the coveted Open Trophy.
Senior sides. Talbot proved the strongest on the Senior There was some excellent golf played by the young
event, edging Woodard in the final by one goal. competitors. On a shortened six-hole course Richard
Lay, Jamie Thomas and Taylor Batson tied for second
Results place with rounds of 32. The day was won by Teddy Hall
Seniors with a magnificent round of 23; he also nearly scored a
hole-in-one on the sixth green.
1st Talbot
Inter-House Tug O’ War
2nd Woodard
3rd Wakeman-Lambart The first ever (as far as we know) House Tug-o-War took
4th Meynell place this Summer. In the semi-finals Woodard defeated
Wakeman-Lambart by two pulls to nil and Meynell,
Senior House Golf 2010 having lost the first pull to Talbot, pulled back to win 2 -
1. Third place was claimed by Talbot beating Wakeman-
We had perfect weather for the Senior House Golf this Lambart 2 - 0. In the final Woodard proved too strong and
year. Sixteen players competed in a very even match. beat Meynell 2 - 0.
There was some excellent golf played, with some very
respectable scores being posted, especially considering Senior School House Swimming
the difficult green conditions. Meynell ran out winners
helped by a superb round of 33 by Cameron Murdoch. Results
This is the second-best score ever posted in this Boys
competition. The battle for second place was very tight,
with Talbot edging the result by only two shots. 1st Talbot 56 pts
2nd Woodard 48 pts
Scores 3rd Wakeman-Lambart 32 pts
Name House Score 4th Meynell 16 pts
Cameron Murdoch Meynell 33 Girls
Harrison Gwilt Wakeman-Lambart 41 1st Woodard 22 pts
Grant Jones Meynell 42 2nd Talbot 16 pts
James Mcarthy Meynell 42 3rd Meynell 11 pts
Marcus Talbot 42 4th Wakeman-Lambart 2 pts
Goetz Frentzen Talbot 42
Patrick Wakeman-Lambart 43 Overall
James Walker Talbot 43 1st Talbot 72 pts
Ben Lingard-Lane Woodard 43 2nd Woodard 70 pts
Nick Haukohl Woodard 44 3rd Wakeman-Lambart 34 pts
Mark Mcbrien Wakeman-Lambart 45 4th Meynell 27 pts
Angus Cross Meynell 45
Lower School Swimming Galas
Javier Lopez Wakeman-Lambart 47
James Webb Woodard 51 Results
Adam Brahim Talbot 56 Years 7 and 8 Boys
Euan Phillips Woodard Retired 1st Phillips 74 pts
Final Result 2nd Heywood 69 pts
3rd Brownlow 35 pts
1st Meynell 117 pts
2nd Talbot 127 pts Years 7 and 8 Girls
3rd Wakeman-Lambart 129 pts 1st Phillips 54 pts
4th Woodard 138 pts 2nd Heywood 42 pts
3rd Brownlow 20 pts
Lower School House Golf 2010 Overall Result
This year’s event was played in magnificent sunshine. 1st Phillips 128 pts
We played over a shorter course of six holes. It was 2nd Heywood 111 pts
great to see so many young golfers and their caddies out 3rd Brownlow 55 pts
playing. Best rounds of the day were shot by Oliver
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House Rugby
Above, Meynell and Talbot battle it out in the air
Below, Wakeman-Lambart looking irresistable
Below right: Woodard on the attack against
Wakeman-Lambart
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Sports - Academies
The Mighty Titans
The Titans team out in force at the 2010 Shropshire County Championships
Ellesmere College Titans continue towards their goal of In the Age Group Long Course rankings (as at 20th
becoming a major force in British swimming. Just two August 2010), maintained by the sport’s governing body,
years after setting up the Ellesmere College Titans the ASA, Titan swimmers held an incredible ten No 1 UK
Swimming Programme, and despite the relatively small rankings. This was in addition to a multitude of high-
size of the club, Titan swimmers have achieved placed West Midland and Shropshire County
remarkable success at County, Regional, National and rankings.The competition season kicked off in October
International level. As a result, the Titans Swimming when, after two hotly-contested qualifying rounds, the
Programme is now attracting unprecedented interest in Titans reached the prestigious final of the North West
Ellesmere College and its training regime from swimmers National Arena League Division 2. Competing against
from all over the UK and beyond. twenty other teams from all over the North of England,
the Titans achieved promotion for the second year
running and are now just one promotion away from the
Premiership.
In December at a Level 1 Open Meet held at Millfield
School, Ellesmere College Titan swimmer Darren
Mew smashed the British 50m Long Course Breaststroke
record in a time of 0:27.42. The club achieved further
success again at Millfield in April when Hector Pardoe,
aged nine, captured the UK No 1 Age Group ranking
positions in the 200m Butterfly and the 200m, 400m &
800m Freestyle. In February and March at the 2010
Shropshire County Championships Titan swimmers
literally stormed to victory; gaining two overall best
swimmer trophies, smashing ten all-time County records
and bringing home a medal haul of twenty-one Individual
Gold, thirty-one Silver and twenty-six Bronze medals.
James Wilson, Alfie Pardoe and Naomi Craig were
amongst those swimmers returning from the
Championships in possession of multiple medals.
In March, Titan swimmers Darren Mew, James Faure
and Stacey Tadd all competed at the British
Championships held at Ponds Forge in Sheffield. Stacey
Tadd, who also represents Bath University, won the Gold
medal in the 200m Breaststroke in a personal best time
of 2:29.66 – beating Olympic heroine Hannah Miley into
second place, and securing herself a place at this
Darren Mew, British 50m Long Course Breastroke Autumn's Commonwealth Games, which are being held
record-holder, with young Titans in Delhi, India.
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The Ellesmerian 2010
In June, Titan swimmers moved onto
competing at the Midland Age Group & Youth
Championships which were held in Coventry.
The competition includes the best swimmers
from ten counties and eligibility is determined
by the achievement of qualifying times. The
Titans had ten swimmers reaching qualifying
standard. Congratulations should go to the
following swimmers, who all reached the
qualification standard: Alfie Pardoe (aged 11),
James Wilson (aged 11), Naomi Craig (aged
12), Elliot Hughes (aged 12), Hannah Greene
(aged 12), Michael Doyle (aged 10), Luc
Sebastian-Jarzynski (aged 11), James
Norman (aged 19), Courtney Pickstone (aged
17) and David Main (aged 17). Alfie Pardoe
(Year 7), and James Wilson (Year 8), both
reached finals and James returned with six
Gold medals. To top the year off James Wilson
reached finals at the British Gas National Age
Group Championships, which were held in July
at Ponds Forge International Pool in Sheffield;
Darren Mew and James Faure both reached
finals at the English National Championships, The ‘usual suspects’ in mean mood - after securing promotion to
which were held in Sunderland in August; and the National Arena League First Division
Stacey Tadd reached the final of the Women’s
200m Breaststroke at the European
Championships in Budapest.
Throughout the year the club has added to
both its training facilities and its coaching
resources. Swimmers now benefit from over
sixteen hours per week of pool training, which
is dovetailed with dry-land Trixter X Biking,
cross country running and regular Yoga
sessions. In addition the club continues its
regular weekly Long Course (50m pool)
training time at Liverpool, and we have from
time to time been joined by leading experts in
nutrition, hydration, aqua-running, and core
stability and strength training.
In September 2009 the Titans Junior
Development Squad was launched (for very
promising 9 - 11 year- olds). Both this and the
Competitive Training Squad are now Celebrating the medal haul at the Liverpool Open Meet
functioning at capacity.
What has been achieved in our second year
reflects the ambition, hard work,
determination and, above all, vision of
everyone at the club. This is a positive go-
getting training environment for positive go-
getting swimmers. I am extremely proud of
everyone who has committed their time and
effort to follow their dreams. So it’s onwards
and upwards to the new swimming season –
a season in which the Titans will do
everything possible to achieve their goals.
One of the club’s mottos is “Think Big…Win
Big”. The Titans are already “Thinking Bigger”
and intend to “Win Bigger”.
Jon Pardoe
Head Coach
Titans in training
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Welshampton, Myddle A and B and
Ifton Heath. The winners of Group A,
Ellesmere Primary A XI, then played
the runners-up of Group B, which
turned out to be Ellesmere B XI. It
proved to be the most exciting game of
the festival, with Ellesmere As winning
off the last ball. The other group was
contested between Ifton Heath and
Criftens, the latter winning. They went
on to be runners-up to Ellesmere A XI
in the final. They went forward to
represent the North Shropshire area
in June. Everyone enjoyed the day,
with teachers getting involved either
scoring or umpiring. This is for some
their first attempt at playing cricket.
We hopeful they will now go on to play
for local clubs.
My thanks must go to all the support
staff who made the season so
The Kwik Cricket Festival, for teams from local primary schools successful.
Rod Jones, Director
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Aberdare Cup
Both U19 Girls’ teams had a good run in the Aberdare Cup this season. The A team squad of Jo Bowen in Year 11,
Hannah Clarke in Year 10 and twins Harriet and Olivia Jones in Year 9 won all twelve sets in their matches against
The Grange School and Rydal Penrhos. In the Regional Final they played Lymm High School in a long and very close
match which in the end they lost. The B team of Emily Sutcliffe in Year 10, twins Christina and Patricia Lieberoth-
Leden, and Anabel Koldijk, all in Year 12, knocked out Shrewsbury Sixth Form College and Shrewsbury High School
before losing to Lymm High School in the semi-final.
Glanville Cup
The U19 Boys’ squad of James Joule and Toby Blake in Year 13, Fredi Steinebach in Year 12 and Christian Cieslik in
Year 11 also made good progress in their National competition. We travelled to Idsall School knowing that we were
two wins away from a possible joint trip to the National Finals with their female counterparts. We defeated Idsall but
then lost in the semi-final to Wolverhampton Grammar School.
National Tennis Finals at Bolton Arena
At the end of April a mixed squad and a girls’ team travelled to the Senior Students
National Finals in Bolton. The Girls’ team was faced with a baptism of fire in the first
of their three matches, coming up against the top seeds and eventual Champions
from Culford School. However, they came agonisingly close to a major upset as
they took Culford to a match tie-break. The girls recovered well from this
disappointment, recording convincing victories against
Benenden and Peter Symmonds College to secure third
place overall in the eight-team event. Jo Bowen and Above: Second in the
Christian Cieslik from Year 11 played alongside Patricia National Finals, the
Lieberoth-Leden from Year 12 and James Joule from Mixed Doubles Team
Year 13 in the Mixed Doubles team. They played very ofJames Joule, Jo
well and qualified for the final thanks to excellent Bowen, Patricia
performances against Boston Grammar School and
Lieberoth-Leden and
Greenhead College. However, despite a battling display,
the effort of playing fourteen sets in little more than two Christian Cieslik
days took its toll. In the final, the quartet slipped to a Right: Welti U18
narrow defeat against Queen Mary’s College. Having Champion Jo Bowen
performed creditably at this tournament last year, it
was very pleasing to see how our standard had
improved sufficiently to be so close to securing two
championships this year.
Welti U18 Open Tournament
This is an LTA-recognised event which attracts the
leading young players in the region. The achievement
of Jo Bowen in winning the title was all the more
impressive because, at sixteen, she was one of the
youngest competitors in the tournament. She endured
a marathon semi-final and still had the tenacity and
strength of character to come through an equally long
final against an opponent whom she had not beaten in
fifteen previous attempts.
Nikki Hoy, Director
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Parents’ Society
At the 2010 Annual General Meeting of the
Ellesmere College Parents’ Society a new
Chairman was elected. Sue Dewhirst relinquished
the reins to Sena Parry, last year’s Vice Chairman.
Sena, who is mother to Kate in Year 10, became
involved with the Parents’ Society in 2007, initially
helping out at events and gradually becoming
more involved with the Committee with the
intention of getting to know the other parents and
families. She decided to accept the role as
Chairman with the aim of developing further the
social side of the Society and encouraging more
parents and families to become involved.
Quiz Night
This year the Quiz and Chilli night was held in the
Arts Centre in March and was again a great
success with over sixty-five quizzers taking part.
This year’s champions were one of the College’s
Teachers’ Teams - no surprises there! Thank you
to exceptional Bar Staff Mr & Mrs Nigel
The Parents’ Society Committee Leadbeater for their stalwart service on the night.
From left, standing: Zoe Walker, Helen Ainge, Denise Murdoch, Parents’ Society Christmas Tree
Ann Austin, Sena Parry (Chairman), Mary McCarthy,
Sue Hamilton, Sue Dewhirst
From left, sitting: Anne Wignall, Amanda Venner, Carole Main
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The Ellesmerian 2010
depicting life at Ellesmere College had been collected by
the pupils as part of the commemorative activities to
mark the 10th Anniversary of Lower School. The
Parents’ Society are always looking for ways to enhance
the enjoyment of the pupils’ life at the College and it was
particularly pleasing this year to contribute to the
wonderful atmosphere that pervades the whole school at
Christmas time. The Christmas tree was lit for the first
time, as the Lower School Choir sang, during the second
International Christmas Market in aid of Hope House.
Parent Society representatives were again present to
help serve the refreshments during this event.
125th Anniversary Christmas Ball
Thanks to much preparation by members of the Parents’
Society Committee, two hundred and twenty parents and
their guests enjoyed the annual Parents’ Society Ball,
with the theme of ‘Money, Money Money’, during the
Christmas holidays. Following a drinks reception held in
Learning to waltz in good company
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Contributions to Charities
The Parents' Society contributes to a number of good
causes during the year. One notable event this year was
the Macmillan 'Biggest Coffee Morning', laid on in the
Arts Centre for parents and members of the local
community, and sponsored by The Body Shop at Home,
which offered a variety of treatments to participants.
Coffee and chocolates were donated by local businesses
and there were stalls selling jewellery and cards. The
event raised £550 for Macmillan Cancer Relief which,
together with another cheque for £661 raised from a Ladies’ Summer Luncheon
Non-Uniform Day, was presented to Claire Nestor, On 1st July, ECPS once again organised the now very
Shropshire Fundraising Manager for the charity. popular Ladies’ Luncheon, which has become an
Another charity which benefitted from Parents' Society essential fixture in the local Shropshire social calendar.
efforts was Self Unlimited, the charity supported by Over 240 guests enjoyed lunch on the College Terraces.
Andrew Collinge, OE, the speaker at last year's Ladies’ Many local businesses came with stalls and guests
Lunch. Sue Dewhirst, Michelle Potts and Carole Main, shopped before and after lunch. Our guest speaker was
with Suzanne Bellis from Ellesmere College Enterprises, Emma Wellings, Chief Stylist at ‘Style Our Souls’, who
travelled to the flagship salon of Andrew Collinge preformed a live makeover on Mrs Anne Wignall & Mrs
Hairdressing in Liverpool, to enjoy a wash and blow-dry Carole Main. The Ellesmere College Music Scholars
and a glass of champagne. A cheque for £1500 was provided an amazing line-up of talent to entertain guests
presented to Joan McLarnon, Events Co-ordinator for during lunch and ECPS thanked them by donating funds
Self Unlimited. The very fortunate raffle prize winner for to ‘The Peter Messenger Memorial Scholarship’. The
the Andrew Collinge makeover was Mrs Vanessa raffle raised funds for ‘Age Concern’ and many wonderful
Bateman, who looked amazing after her makeover. prizes were donated by the local companies present.
Without all the parents like Vanessa who purchased The Committee is grateful to all ECPS members and
raffle tickets, ECPS could not have raised the £1500. volunteers.
Summer Picnic
The family picnic again
followed Lower School Sports
Day in June this year. ECPS
was pleased to host an
evening of family fun that
included a delicious barbeque
and salad buffet on the
Terraces. Many of the
children (and adventurous
parents) took part in the Tug-
O-War and the Bungee Run,
while others enjoyed meeting
a real Hollywood star -
Scarlet, the wonder-pig from
Nanny McPhee! Picnickers
enjoyed shopping at the many
stalls and watching the
wonderful Dog Show, others
simply relaxed with their
picnics, watching the 1st XI
Cricket match. Ladies’ Lunch guests listening to speaker Emma Wellings in the marquee
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Old Ellesmerians
Message from the President The Summer Festival, which was held in early
September, was a great success thanks to the
good weather, but I must say that the turnout was
disappointing and we must work even harder to
encourage members to return for events such as
these. Our thanks must go to Paul Russell, Nick
Pettingale and Lesley Farrar for all the work that
they did to make the event so enjoyable. Richard
Morris should also be congratulated for organising
the sports side.
Turning to the more social aspects of Club life I
have attended the Liverpool Dinner at Heswall
Golf Club, the Jersey Dinner at the Greenhills
Hotel, and the Manchester Dinner at
Stanneylands Hotel. All the events have been
well supported, in particular Manchester, which
attracted seventy-eight members. It is also good
to see younger OEs organising their own social
events and it is important that these are supported
by the Club and integrated into the overall
calendar of events.
At the Manchester Dinner it was with regret that I
had to announce that David Swinn was stepping
down as Chairman after serving in his capacity as
Ian Johnston, OE President, with Mel Halstead (left) and Secretary and Chairman since 1981. Certainly
Siobhan Connor twenty-nine years is an incredible time for anyone
to have worked with the Club. As a token of our
Half-way through my Presidency I feel it is time to reflect appreciation, he was presented with a case of wine, and
on the College, the OE Club and the year to date. The his wife Eleanor with a bouquet of flowers.
College goes from strength to strength, with continuing Finally, I look forward to playing my part at the
high numbers of pupils despite the current downturn. Remembrance Service and attending the remainder of
Results, be they academic or sporting, are impressive the Dinners at Wolfscastle and Shifnal.
whilst activities such as drama continue to thrive. All of Ian Johnston
these aspects point to a happy and balanced
environment where young people can develop to their full The Frank Sutterby Legacy
potential. In this respect it seems that nothing has
changed from the days when I entered Zoo (Junior Thanks to a bequest from Frank Sutterby, retired member
School) in 1946, subsequently spending nine very happy of the Common Room, both students and staff can now
years at the College, before leaving in 1955 having been enjoy and benefit from a state-of-the-art gym and fitness
a member of the now infamous 5C brigade. suite. The College is very grateful for the generosity of
the Sutterby family and acknowledge their gift with
The OE Club continues to thrive and it is very pleasing to thanks.
see the influx of younger members to the Executive,
including Mel Halstead and Siobhan Connor. Also joining
in May 2010 was David Bradley, who is now taking over
the Chairmanship of the West Midlands. The new
diversity of the Executive reflects the changes in the
College over the past twenty years or so and will ensure
that the club expands and meets the challenges facing it.
The appointment of Nick Pettingale as the College
Development Director, together his PA, Lesley Farrar, has
been invaluable to both the school and the Club over the
last twelve months. They are always supportive and
helpful in the many areas where we need their services
and fill superbly the administrative void that always lurks
in voluntary organisations.
The OE Club continues to support the College in many
and varied ways. As I write, a new tiled floor is being
installed in Founders Gate which features the Raven and
represents the latest phase in our involvement in the
refurbishment of this area. In addition, two new boards
will shortly be erected in Big School listing Headmasters Hugh Wignall (left) and Max Deighton Winter making
and Custodes. Support has not been limited to use of some of the fitness equipment purchased with
‘hardware’ and the Club has sponsored a number of ex-
pupils in their endeavours in sporting and research fields. Frank Sutterby’s bequest
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The Ellesmerian 2010
Honorary OEs
Eight members of the support staff with over two
hundred and sixty years of service between them,
and four members of the Common Room with one
hundred and fourteen years between them (and
still counting, in some cases) have been awarded
Honorary Membership of the Old Ellesmerian
Club. The presentations were made by John
Harvey, then President, and Richard Morris,
Chairman.
The support staff thus honoured were Carol
Thompson, Headmaster’s Secretary; Sue Hinks,
Housekeeper; Brian Davies, a member of the
Maintenance Team; Chris Jones, Plumber; Anne
Knowles, School Shop Manager; Ian Morris, Head
Groundsman; Keith Tomkins, Assistant Catering
Manager; and Lydia Tabbron, House Mother and
more recently Receptionist. The Common Room
staff honoured were Ros McCarthy, who retired From left: Mike Sampson, Paul Goodwin, Ros McCarthy,
this Summer after twenty-one years of teaching Richard Morris (OE Chairman) and Terry Howitt-Dring
and, latterly, managing the Support for
Learning Department; Terry Howitt-
Dring, who began teaching at
Ellesmere in 1970 and who, as well as
running the Design Department, was
responsible for the organisation of
External Examinations; Mike
Sampson, currently Deputy Head
(Pastoral), but who will be remembered
by most OEs as Housemaster of
Meynell and Rugby coach (he still
coaches the U15As); and Paul
Goodwin, erstwhile Head of PE and
currently Director of Admissions, who
still coaches the 1st XV Rugby.
From left: Brian Davies, Ian Morris,
Lydia Tabbron, Sue Hinks, John Harvey
(former President), Anne Knowles,
Carol Thompson, Keith Tomkins and
Chris Jones
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Cover Stories
Emma Snow (St Oswald's 1995-1997)
Emma graduated with a Masters degree in Chemistry from Jesus College, Oxford, in 2001.
Since training as a chartered accountant at a charity specialist City firm, she has worked
for a number of charities and social enterprises, including international development
charity Plan and Workers Beer Company, a fundraising organisation running the bars at
major festivals including Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds. She is currently Director of
Finance and Administration at the Refugee Council, the national umbrella charity for
refugees. Meanwhile, outside work, Emma completed a BA in Fine Art at Chelsea College
of Art and Design in 2008 and exhibits around London. She is also a trustee of human
rights charity Anti-Slavery International. She got married in January this year.
Kathleen Benner (Talbot 2005-2006)
Kate Benner graduated this year from Princeton University with a degree in Public Policy.
She has moved to Washington, DC to work for the Office of the United States Trade
Representative, which is a part of the Executive Office of the President and serves such
purposes as advising the President on trade, monitoring the fulfillment of trade agreements
and participating in trade negotiations. In particular, she spends her time as a member of
the Office of the General Counsel, where she assists the General Counsel and other
lawyers and is deciding whether to pursue a degree in Law herself.
Robert Kelsall ( Wakeman 1980-1984)
Robert Kelsall left Ellesmere and followed his dream to travel and work in hotels. Having
studied Hotel Management in Brighton, and after various stints in multiple locations in
Scotland, England and Wales, he was transferred to Jakarta in 1995. He subsequently
married an Irish woman, adopted two beautiful Indonesian kids, and in 1999 moved with
his family to Bali where he has since built his home. He is now Vice President of
Operations for Prime Plaza Hotels and Resorts and also manages the Bali Dynasty Resort.
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OLD ELLESMERIAN cLub
As a former pupil of the College
the Old Ellesmerian Club is for you
Club Chairman:
Richard Morris (Woodard 82-88)
Willington Lodge, Horseman’s Green
Nr. Whitchurch SY13 3BZ
Home Tel: 01948 830275 Mobile: 07801 592120
email: willingtonlodge@hotmail.co.uk