End of Term Assembly

Sport

Rowing:

The highlight of the year for the Boat Club has been the success of the Boys’ year 11 Eight winning both the Junior 16 category at the Head of the Nene, Peterborough and the Novice eights event at the Head of the Cam, Cambridge.

Awards:

Cruttenden Book Prize for Captain of Boats

• Girls’ Adelya E
• Boys’ Austyn J

L’Hommedieu Shield for Fastest Single Sculler

• Monty H

Mitchell Cup for Leadership

• Elliot H

Walkington Shield for Most Improved Rower

• Henry H

Hutton Shield for Endeavour

• Sofi P

 Horvill Cup for Effort and Achievement

• Bella K

Colours:

Swimming Awards:

Illman Trophy for Most Improved Senior Swimmer

• Daisy H

Illman Trophy for Most Improved Junior Swimmer

• Jeremy P

Cup for Outstanding Male Swimmer

• Austyn J

Cup for Outstanding Female Swimmer

• Daisy H

Athletics

Junior Inter House athletics was a great success. The atmosphere was electric with pupils cheering on fellow peers competing in throwing, jumping and running events. School records were broken by Wilkie N, Jeremy P, Oliver E, Arthur P, Nile M, Phoebe W, Isy F and Miu Miu Y.

Awards:

Boys’ Junior inter house winners: West

Boys Intermediate inter house winners: West

Girls Junior inter house winners: Combined Day

Girls   Intermediate inter house winners: Combined Day

Girls’ Cricket

The Moulton B girls’ have had a great season. Summer S was a key player as were Ella W and Todun O. In bat Kitty C scored the most runs throughout the season along with Ella W. Anagha A and Aurora R have made amazing improvements week on week.

It has been a pleasure coaching the Moulton A team this term. 4 wins out of 7 and excellent batting performances from Kaylee who hit 75* and Alia who scored 51* are the highlights of the season.

The 2nd XI girls despite only winning two of the six fixtures, made up for the results with growing confidence and enthusiasm, encouragement of each other and enjoyment. A fantastic season for a young and developing squad.

1st XI – Headmaster

This was a superb season for the 1st XI Girls side. The girls can be very proud of the results they have achieved, the progress they have made, but most importantly the superb team spirit generated by this wonderful group of players. They wanted to play for each other, and they wanted to win with each other! There were so many team highlights along the way, and it seems odd to highlight individuals, but three more girls join Jemaira V on the Honours board. Bea R with her 6 for 8 against Kimbolton. Freya H with her 128 off just 55 balls against Forest and Nina J with her 110* against Framlingham on the back of two scores in the 90s in the previous 2 games. Quite incredible to get these kind of scores when the girls game is always limited to T20.

Colours

Player of the season: Nina J

Awards:

The Routledge Cup – Phoebe W

Boys’ cricket

It has been an enjoyable season for The Moulton B team with some brilliant wins against Oundle both home and away. The Moulton A team had a strong season winning half of their matches. The boys also showed great improvement in all three key facets of cricket. All the boys should be very proud of their efforts, and it was pleasing to see how much they enjoyed playing with one another throughout. Well done to all involved.

In year 9, The U14B’s had a fantastic all-round season, batting bowling and fielding superbly. Because of this they were able to win every game convincingly. As winners of the Lord Taverners County Cup, Eagles Nest Competition, and undefeated in their domestic games the U14A boys have had a fantastic season. Captain Lucas M has scored runs consistently, whilst James R-B has contributed some big scores at crucial times.

The U15B team were a group with a range of skills which collectively made a great team. Always disciplined with the ball, learning how to accrue totals was the key, with numbers 1-7 all being bazball disciples. The most complete performance was against Brentwood, but the most exciting match was the final victory against Framlingham which secured the Eagle’s Nest title.

Highlight wins for the Under 15A team came against Brentwood, Felsted and The Perse, in what has been an enjoyable season. The boys have shown determination throughout and should be proud of their success in winning the Eagles Nest league and reaching the national rounds of their cup competitions.

The Mighty 4^th XI played one match this season and although they lost, they did very well in a match against Bedford that went down to the second last ball! Meanwhile, The Gentlemen’s 3rd XI continue to play their uniquely exciting brand of cricket, defeating Gresham’s and RHS by significant margins, and running a close second to Felsted’s Cromwell Club. Sturdy agricultural batting and the bowling attacks’ fondness for chin-music more often despatched the opposition despite our juggling skills in the field.

After a tough opening match of the season, the 2^nd XI won their next six games in a row, dominating the opposition with both bat and ball and securing their Eagles Nest league too. Will H’s 83 not out against Forest was a highlight, but the leading run-scorer was Oliver S, who smashed 185 runs from just 102 balls in 6 innings. The leading wicket-taker was Jack D, who took 11 wickets at 16 runs a piece. The best all-round team performance came against Brentwood.

The 1^st XI Boys had a good season and going into the last domestic fixture, needed a win to take the Eagles Nest Trophy.  A victory against Framlingham, by 10 runs, ensured they won the league.

Jack H was the highest wicket taker with 19 wickets and Reuben T scored the most runs, with 434. Highlights of the season were the Centuries scored by Noah T (105), Jack H (106*) and Reuben T’s brilliant 120* in the successful run chase against Felsted.

Colours

1st XI Player of the season: Jack H

Awards:

David Morton Scott Trophy – Lukas M

Girls’ Tennis:

This was a learning curve for the U13B as none of them had played in a competitive fixture before. All players put in good effort in both their matches, before falling to narrow defeats. The U13A won three and lost two matches this term. Alia M and Emily B T were a good first pair winning most of their matches. The highlight of the term was beating St Mary’s.

The best U14B performance was last week against Stamford. Some fantastic tennis was played by Lexi W and Eliza R B, not losing a set. There have been some brilliant individual highlights including Kitty S and Cecilia G winning 90% of their matches.

Excellent wins against Oundle and Stamford were highlights for the U14A team, in which they turned around both matches right at the end, with great serving securing the victory. Phillipa F and Nat S have been brilliant all term.

A single loss against a historically strong Oundle team prevented the U15Bs from achieving an unbeaten season. To win 88% of all your matches remains a superb achievement. The highlight was an 8-1 demolition of Framlingham despite three late changes to the lineup.

The U15A girls were a point away from matching the ‘Arsenal Invincibles’ of 2004 and achieving an unbeaten season. The highlight was an 8–4 win against a very strong Perse team in the Cambridgeshire LTA Youth Schools Cup. The girls will now progress to the regional finals in September.

An enjoyable and brief season for the U16B team. All the girls trained well and clearly enjoyed the social and competitive side of the Tennis sessions, which enabled them to relax from Academic pressures. Highlights for the U16A were good wins against The Perse (7-2), Bishop Stortford (6-0) and Framlingham (8-0). All pairs have worked hard at technical and tactical doubles play, improving their match play. Daisy, Rose, Roxy, Annika, Iona and Elsa should be commended for their commitment and efforts in a very challenging term, which has allowed them to benefit from competitive tennis-well done!

The 3rds VI Girls Tennis team should be proud of all their efforts this term, ending the season with a result of two wins and three losses. Facing tough opponents, they have consistently demonstrated good team spirit and sportsmanship in matches. Special mention should go to Charlotte B and Faith O for all their successes, as well as Kitty W for stepping in to play in games at short notice.

A thoroughly enjoyable season from start to finish for the 2nd VI. The girls worked hard to improve their consistency and tactical awareness which was evident in all fixtures. The highlights of the season were the 6-3 victory over the Perse, and a dominant 6-0 victory against Felsted

1st VI Tennis:

Despite the results, the girls enjoyed a competitive season against high quality opposition. The highlight of the season was the dominant display vs Bishops Stortford, in which Daria P and Grace S dropped just one game in all three sets.

Colours

Player of the season: Emily H

Boys’ Tennis

The work ethic of the U13B boys has been truly commendable and has been central to the improvements seen over the course of the summer. The culmination of this effort saw the boys play out a fiercely competitive fixture against the Perse narrowly losing 3-4 with the result decided in the last match. Congratulations to the U13A team for an unbeaten season. The performance of the season came in a friendly fixture with St Faiths, which typified the consistency the boys have played with all summer.

Working tirelessly to improve their all-round game in each session this term, the U14 B have shown real commitment and a desire to ‘get better’. The performance of the season that stands out must be against Stamford, where the boys went unbeaten.

It has been a pleasure to work with the U14A this year. Their opening match against Bishop’s Stortford certainly showed the potential within the group and I am sure that most of these boys will play 1st team tennis in the very near future. Well done to Daniel H who won the Play your way to Wimbledon Hertfordshire County Finals consolation.

This intense season brought with it some strong performances from the U15B’s who have not only seen an improvement to their respective singles games, but their doubles as well. After a tough one-sided loss to Oundle to start the season, the players never looked back, continuously widening their victory margins, culminating in an almost whitewash against Stamford.

The U15As have played some excellent tennis this season. Whilst it has certainly been a team effort, a special mention should go to Ethan D and Noah M-K who have not dropped a set (12 having been played) all season. A particular stand-out match was the victory over Oundle; the players rose to the occasion to overcome a traditionally strong tennis school.

Much progress, much joy, much success. A super commitment to the training sessions and two fixtures made for a most enjoyable season for the U16B’s. The season was one of progress through commitment for the U16A’s. The team gelled quickly and enjoyed some stunning fixtures.

The 4th VI had a successful season, winning 1 and losing 1 of their two matches, whilst winning more sets than they lost. This has also been a largely successful season for the 3rd VI Boys, winning 3 out of 6 fixtures, drawing once and losing twice. The highlight was an 8 set to 1 victory against Bishop’s Stortford College.

It has been a very good, undefeated, season for the 2^nd VI, with the highlights being 9-0 wins against Framlingham and Bishop Stortford, as well as harder fought wins against Oundle, Felsted and The Perse. The one draw for our 2^nd VI was commendable against Kimbolton 1^st VI.

Boys 1st VI

It has been an outstanding season for the 1^st VI who remain unbeaten in normal school fixtures, with the highlight back in March being our winning the SE Regional Finals of the LTA Schools Y11-13 Competition, defeating 6 schools, winning 29 sets and conceding just 7 along the way, with Jack Seaborn conceding none.

Highlights in the summer term were resounding wins against Bishop Stortford, Framlingham, The Perse, and a close 5-4 over Oundle with half our normal 1^st team. Marton H, Jack S and Nikita L-S have all been exceptional in their performance.

Colours

Player of the season: Marton H & Jack S

Inter House tennis results:

Year 9

Boys – North A

Girls – Fen.      

Finally – a correction to an earlier error at the end of last term; when we announced Rugby Colours, there was an administrative error and Archie H was missed off the list of those awarded half-colours.  I am happy to take this opportunity to correct that. Half-colours are announced; there is no need for Archie to come forward since we save that for Full Colours but please join me in congratulating him now.

Performing Arts

Music

On Friday 28 April, our End of Year Concert was held at the splendid Saffron Hall and featured all the school’s main ensembles, with the exception of the Chapel Choir. Sharon D won the Muriel de Vinny Concerto Competition earlier in the year and performed the first movement of Schumann’s ‘Piano Concerto in A minor’ with the school orchestra. This was an exceptional achievement and a fantastic performance after many months of preparation. The other notable item was a performance of Bernstein’s ‘Mambo’ from ‘West Side story’ which featured the combined ensembles of Big Noise, Orchestra and Wind Band. The whole evening was a very pleasing result of lots of hard work and the 92 pupils involved (the highest number of any previous concert) all performed admirably. The impressive setting and excellent acoustics made for another splendid occasion indeed, and we look forward to returning there next year.

On Tuesday 9 May, the Chapel Choir joined forces with the Choir of Jesus College Choir for a splendid evensong in the delightful chapel of Jesus College. The service was conducted by Jesus Director of Music Benjamin Sheen and repertoire included ‘Canticles in D’ by Herbert Brewer, William Byrd’s ‘Preces and Responses’ and the thrilling ‘Let all the world in every corner sing’ by Vaughan Williams. It was a magnificent sound!

The Chapel Choir was back in action on the evening of Sunday 11 June performing Rutter’s ‘The Lord bless you’ and keep you and ‘For the beauty of the earth’.

The Chapel Choir’s final performance of the year is at the Leavers’ Service featuring Stanford’s’ Jubilate in B flat’, Rutter’s ‘The Lord bless you and keep you’ and Haydn’s ‘The Heavens are telling the glory of God’ from his ‘Creation’. Many thanks to the choir for all their hard work throughout the year.

The Moulton Lunchtime Live on Friday 12 May featured 11 solo performances ranging in style from Vivaldi to ‘Blinding lights’; a Moulton trio of Jacob L-A, Daniel P and Ruihan L playing a ‘Berceuse’ by Fauré and Junior Voices.

This side of half term, the school community was able to enjoy a wonderful jazz al fresco Lunchtime Live on Slater Court. Good weather and ice creams made the occasion all the more splendid, and special thanks to Mr Landymore and his band for the fantastic music!

On Saturday, 37 pupils and four staff set off to Lake Garda in Italy for a 4-concert tour of the local area. This will feature five ensembles including a choir, orchestra, string orchestra, brass group and jazz band. We wish them well on their trip and look forward to hearing more about it in September.

Drama

In May we received the news that two of our pupils auditioned successfully for The National Youth Theatre.  This is the first time that the NYT have held auditions at The Leys and so is an excellent result for these two Drama scholars.  In May, 24 year 9 performers took on the challenge of staging 17^th Century comedy, tackling 3 short plays in a production named ‘Moliere Mess.’  The result was a hilarious take on ‘The Rehearsal at Versailles’, ‘The Flying Doctor’ and ‘Sganarelle’ with superb physical acting and faultless comic timing.  Both performances sold out and the pupils performed in stunning period costumes on a creatively designed set.

In June, over 40 pupils in Moulton too part in ‘The Lion King Junior’, a staged version of the Disney classic.  The show was a superbly colourful and energetic performance complete with masks and puppetry.  The pupils presented excellent singing, dancing and acting and performed work of the highest quality.  Both performances sold out and it was great to see our youngest pupils performing with such maturity.

We have also held many Drama and LAMDA exams this term.  Both Year 10 and Year 11 have performed examined group devised work, year 11 presented monologue performances and in June we had 3 full days of LAMDA assessments with pupils from years 7-12 taking their exams in Acting, Speaking Verse and Prose, Public Speaking and Musical Theatre.

To end the term, 6^th Form and Year 11 pupils took part in the school Cabaret, an evening of dance, song and comedy.  The pupils really stepped up for these performances and the whole event was a fitting way to end another busy year in Great Hall.

Headmaster

In addition to the music report, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Raphi Harter and Lizzie Newman as Head Choristers for next year.

Performing Arts Colours

This term sees the introduction of Performing Arts colours. These have been developed in conjunction with members of staff, the prefects and the school council.

They will be nominated by the Director of Music, Drama and Theatre and Head of Dance and normally awarded to senior pupils to reward their contribution to, and performance in, music, drama and dance.

As with sports colours, there are three tiers of award:

• Half Colours
• Full Colours
• Outstanding Achievement and Contribution Medal

In recognition of their contribution the following awards are being made this term:

Music

Half – Charlotte T, Jacob C, Oscar S, Raphi H, Charlie M, Lizzie N

Full – James M, Austyn J, Grace S, Alex H

Outstanding Achievement and Contribution Medal – James M

Drama

Half – Lucy P, Charlie R K, Enitan D, Martin P-S, Hazel C, Megan P, Guy A

Full – Charles D, Ruby C, Stella G, India F, Alex H, Amira A, James M

Dance

Half – Emily H

Full – Amira A, Laura N, Audrey L, Alya C

Academic

Now onto academic matters and I start with the Peter Watson Award.

Following a year of experimental analysis and data collection, Henry W produced a research dissertation and a presentation on the topic of ‘What effect do different activities have on productivity?’. For his efforts, he has been awarded £100. Henry should be congratulated for his efforts with the project, which was of a high standard, and impressed all those who attended the presentation.

I have a certificate for Henry and I would ask him to come forward and receive or congratulations now.

I have a prize here for Clare W, in recognition of her hard work and commitment to Economics Society.

I am now delighted to hand over to Jake L, Old Leysian, who wants to speak to you about a charity event he is completing later this summer in honour of his Mum, and to raise money for Tom’s Trust.

We recently received news from the London Institute of Banking and Finance who ran a competition, with the Financial Times, earlier on this year. The competition was to write an article based on a set title and the winners receive a cash prize of £150 and will have their article published on their website and possibly even printed in the FT. The title that this Leysian chose to write about was, ‘Cash – can it stand up and be counted or is the end of physical money in sight?’

She made it through to the finals in her category and we heard two days ago that she won the 14 – 15 year old class! This is a fantastic thing to celebrate, because this is something which she did by herself, during the Easter holidays. She showed great awareness of the wider world around them, demonstrated the initiative to enter, and then the intellectual curiosity to research and write about something she has not studied at school. I know a certificate will come through in due course, but I don’t want to wait until next term to acknowledge this – Tife Y, please do come forward and be congratulated now.

A number of colleagues leave us at the end of term.  Miss Atkins joined us last November to teach Economics and we are hugely grateful to her for her positive approach. She has been a fantastic colleague to work with. Mrs Pluke joined us to teach Physics last September; her preparation and practical engagement of pupils an exemplar to colleagues.  Mr Parsons has taught Design & Technology since 2021: his ‘can do’ approach to DT combined with his immense skill in cutting edge technologies will be missed by all.

Miss Senior has been with us since 2020.  Within the English Department, she has demonstrated creativity, innovation and, probably most characteristically, an optimism and joy that is readily shared with all she meets. As a tutor and then Assistant Housemistress in Dale, she has been bubbly, kind-hearted, thoughtful and enthusiastic; the girls will miss the joy that she brings but we are very excited for her next steps in the city of Rome.

Ms Grant has taught German since 2019 and has been a tremendous asset to the Department. The first years of her Leysian teaching career were disrupted by a worldwide pandemic, but in all conditions and under all pressures, her professionalism and real passion for all things German have shone through. We wish her well with her change of career.

Mr Hammersley has taught Chemistry since September 2019.  Like Ms Grant, he was still in his first year with us when Covid struck – but he has always embraced challenges as opportunities. Four years on, and it is time for his next move; we wish him well as he joins the Stephen Perse from September.

Mrs Markham has taught Classics here since 2017, distinguishing herself by her energy and sense of humour. Pupils have benefitted from the broad range of teaching techniques she brings to the classroom and her commitment to making sure that everyone can access materials and succeed. We wish her and her family every joy as they embark on their Odyssey across the United States.

Mr Springall has taught Business Studies and has been a key figure in our CCF since 2016.  He made a huge contribution to the Royal Navy Section for several years, organised the annual CCF dinner, and then switched to the ‘green’ side of CCF, doing a sterling job as Army Section commander. Within the Economics and Business Studies Department, his Head of Department describes him as her rock, with an incredible sixth sense for knowing exactly when to offer a nugget of wisdom. We wish him as he embarks on his next chapter.

Mr Cassidy has taught Maths, PE and has been our Head of Hockey since 2014.   Always a pleasure to work with, his passion for hockey is plain to see. Alongside all he has done within the games department, he’s been a dedicated and popular Tutor in East House, and heavily involved in Touring over the years, running and accompanying trips to Holland, Ireland and South Africa, although that trip ended a little earlier than planned, when he was denied entry at Johannesburg airport due to Visa issues.  I am sure his next journey, returning with his family to his native New Zealand, will not suffer the same fate.

Mr Bennett-Jones has been our Head of International Support for many years, and has been teaching at The Leys since 2012.  Exceptionally kind and generous, he’s also a wonderful all-round schoolmaster. He must love mud because two of his wider contributions have been in rugby and CCF.  As Head of International Support, he has worked hard to bring all Leysian pupils into one community. One thinks of the walk to Grantchester he has arranged every September for all our new international pupils. Accompanied by their mentors, through muddy fields, sometimes in rain, to have tea at The Orchard – a quintessentially English experience that remains a first memory for many.  The most supportive colleague imaginable, we will miss him hugely as he takes his own ‘gap year’.

And finally, Mr Dix-Pincott – HsM of East, and Teacher of French since 2007.  The most naturally convivial of colleagues, he has become a great Housemaster of East House, gentling nudging his charges over the last six years to grow into confident young men and encouraging them to find their voice. Within MFL, he has been a wonderfully reliable colleague who, over the last sixteen years, has helped to shape the department into what it is today. A true all-round schoolmaster, he’s also played key roles in sport, in digital education and most recently as Common Room President.  His fiancée, Ms Eades, has also been immensely helpful to us assisting in Geography in recent terms: we wish them both every success and happiness as they move to their beloved France, as DP takes up a Deputy Headship.

And there is one more colleague I want to pick out: Mr Fawcett, who comes out of School House at the end of this year, after six years as Housemaster there.  He has brought a great deal to the leadership of the House, with integrity and energy and a thoughtful and innovative approach to the organisation, the structure and the culture of the House, and his longstanding commitment to charitable fundraising for Annabelle’s Challenge in memory of Carl George is one long-lasting and hugely positive legacy.  School House is all the better for his leadership, and I thank him most sincerely. We wish Mr Newman well as he takes over the reins, but I know that the School House boys will want to acknowledge their gratitude also.

Now, my hope is that at this point, we have some pupils who are standing by to hand over a small token of thanks.   If I can ask them, please, to find their allotted member of staff and hand over that token of thanks and, as they do so, please join me in thanking Mr Fawcett and all the departing staff.

We’re not quite at the end of term yet, so let’s make sure that we finish well, but I will say: “Best of luck to all of you in the remaining events of this term, including prizegiving, the Leavers’ Xaipete event, and then Speech Day.

Looking slightly ahead, the ISTA Tennis Festival at Eton School begins Saturday until Tuesday 4 July – depending on how well the team does so all the best to those involved; the CCF Annual Camp to Beckingham Training Camp, Lincolnshire also departs Saturday until Saturday 8 July; the 1^st XI Cricket Team departs on Sunday for the annual festival which is taking place in Edinburgh this year.  So too does the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Canoe Expedition to the Hay on Wye depart on Sunday (until Thursday 6 July) and the Music Tour to Lake Garda (returning Friday 7 July).  Best of luck to all taking part and thank you to all of you who are facilitating these trips.

All of these opportunities we have celebrated or mentioned today – whether in the classroom or in the wider curriculum – they are down to you and the kudos goes to you; but please don’t forget that there isn’t a single thing I have spoken about today which hasn’t had the input of a member of the Leys staff – academic or support staff.   So please can I ask all of you, the pupils, to put your hands together to thank all my colleagues, and as you do so, I would ask you to think of individual members of staff, whether they be present here or not, who have made a difference to your lives, and enabled or encouraged you to flourish this year.

To those of you with school trips and activities to look forward to over the summer, remember how fortunate you are.  Do not take these opportunities for granted, and remember that you continue to represent the School.  As you encounter new people, do so with humility and respect, engage fully with the opportunities, and make sure you leave your own reputation, and that of The Leys, enhanced.  I look forward to seeing you all again when we resume, refreshed, batteries recharged, at the start of next term.   Have a great holiday, and thank you for your attention.