Wellington College Yearbook 2010/2011 | Page 32

the wellington college year book 2010/2011 the wellington college year book 2010/2011 James Middleton (Head of House) and Tom Roberts (Deputy) 32 33 New Beresfordians show o? their newly designed sports shirts boys showed for their friends that epitomises House spirit at its very best and support was out in abundance for The Beresford. Tom Johnson (for the second year running) won the Christmas races in a canter and came 3rd in the Kingsleys — a fantastic achievement for a Fourth Former. Other notable successes were achieved on the sports field with our Junior House team winning the Football knockout competition in a nail biting penalty shootout and victories in both Senior and Junior House tennis competitions. In the first weekend of the Easter holidays, Nick Hopcroft added to his already impressive trophy cabinet, having won the Foster Cup at Christmas, with an exhilarating 4-3 victory over Cheltenham in the Public Schools’ Rackets doubles at Queen’s Club. Tommy Beresford’s talent on the polo field was evident as he was selected to represent the Hurlingham Polo Association in China. Joseph Rossi represented the College with distinction in the British Schoolboy skiing races in Switzerland. A number of Beresfordians represented the 1st vii squad that triumphed at Rosslyn Park in the last week of term (James Middleton, James Nicholls, Jack McAlister and George Rigby) and these boys, along with Will Donnelly, Jake Aungier, Charlie Skipworth-Button and Tom Inglis, make up a strong contingent of the rugby squad’s tour to South Africa. It is purely coincidental that our rugby success is combined with the fact that our popular and respected Assistant Housemaster, Mr Kevin Brennan, is Master i/c Rugby ! This is just a snapshot of some of the many individual and team sporting successes and our boys can feel proud of their commitment to College and House sport at a wide range of levels. All appear to gain equal fulfilment from the competition that they encounter and the experiences that they gain from the sporting environment: long may this continue. Whilst we didn’t achieve a place in the House Art competition, there were some tremendous pieces of work submitted by our relatively small but immensely talented team of artists (George Rigby, Sam Kinnear, Tom Johnson, Zach Topley, Dom Hill, Ben Kinnear and Jamie Wigram). Indeed, Tom was awarded the prize for best Fourth Former in the College — an outstanding achievement. Much of the work that is seen around the House has been done by the boys — further evidence of their significant talent. Many parents came in support of the wonderful House music evening at the end of January where a dozen of our pupils It is clear that this is a high achieving House, but most importantly,The Beresford is a House full of identity, character and characters and fundamentally, a House which boys and tutors are so proud to be part of. demonstrated their considerable musical ability in front of their peers, tutors and a very impressed Headmaster. It was a superb occasion, with a wonderful atmosphere and demonstrated all that is good about this House in terms of unity, talent and enjoyment. Highlights included Ollie Ralph’s cover of Eric Clapton and Will Middleton’s beautiful playing of Comptine d’un autre été: L’après-midi to conclude the evening. Whilst we didn’t really trouble the scorers at the House Singing competition, the boys were very proud of some of the judges’ comments which included “You were certainly the loudest House on show”, and, “You were a House overflowing with testosterone”. Jake Aungier, Henry V, and Will Middleton, Frost/Nixon, led the way on the stage and demonstrated their all round talents whilst Ollie Ralph’s outstanding service to music at Wellington was recognised with an award on Speech Day with a Choral prize. It is clear that this is a high achieving House but most importantly, Beresford is a House full of identity, character and characters and fundamentally, a House which the boys and tutors are so proud to be part of. Unfortunately, we lose Mrs Catherine Goldsmith from our tutorial team following her appointment as Assistant Housemistress of The Picton. She has made a significantly positive impact in House in a relatively short period of time and has been the best possible female role model for the boys. Her refreshing and positive nature will be missed by all in the Beresford and we wish her well in her exciting new post. The senior boys have achieved highly in their last year and we wish them well in their life beyond Wellington. James Middleton (Head of House), Tom Roberts (Deputy Head of House) and their prefects have led from the front and James’ impressive performance was recognised on Speech Day as he was awarded the Bates-Blewitt prize for a College Prefect. He has been an outstanding ambassador for the Beresford and for Wellington and can feel very proud to be leaving his House in fine fettle.