Page 74 - Bloxhamist 2017-2018

HOUSE SUMMARIES

Wilberforce

his year started with a new style been a big hit with Eric the sausage dog.
of Sunday house day and, against Fridays continue to be treat days and the
T drizzly September weather, we girls never know what to expect on the
gathered in the Great Hall for a morning locker room table from Jenny and Sarah.
of activities. There wasn’t much time for
shyness, as groups were formed to compete Another wonderful achievement was our
in all sorts of games devised by the Upper Sixth success in the house cross country, with
girls. The new Third Form threw themselves both the senior and the junior teams victorious.
into the spirit of the event and quickly proved to Hannah Ashley came first in the senior competition,
be a united and competitive group. Lots of laughs and Emily Clarke third and Emily Hutsby fourth. The junior
collaboration made for a strong start to the first term. competition was a very close match, with Wilberforce
narrowly beating Raymond by two points!
Wilberforce set a high standard for this year’s house dances,
joining forces with Egerton again for the first dance of the Many rehearsals were held as we prepared our take on Back
year. The theme of music genres meant every house had to the Future for the house drama competition, with which
different style to dress up as. The photo booth and bouncy Amelia Hagan’s team took second place overall. We put up a
castle were a huge success, making for a memorable start to good fight in the inter-house netball contest, with amazing
the year. play by Lydia Hawkins and Tilly Wilcox. The senior team
drew and the juniors won. And all girls participated in the
This year’s house music competition was led by Ella-Mae final house event of the term - the girls’ swimming gala, a
Smith and Lauren Manning, who eventually decided on new event introduced by Miss Odlin last year.
Mamma Mia by Abba. The house song was a success and saw
Wilberforce bring back the first place trophy. The part-song Wilberforce also took part in the house debating competition,
was led by Cattie Belcher and eight girls performed I Don’t with Hannah Lee and Amelia Hagan narrowly losing to Crake
Wanna Live Forever by Zayn and Taylor Swift. Wilberforce in the semi-final, despite a fabulous debate on the motion of
narrowly lost out on first place in this category, coming why social media isn’t just a sophisticated way of stalking.
second to Raymond. Venetia Moir arranged the instrumental Hannah Lee’s efforts were well rewarded, as she will be next
section, performing That’s Entertainment, but unfortunately years’ Head of Debating!
missed out on a trophy, despite a beautiful performance.
The Wilberforce girls also competed in the inter-house
The next big event was the girls’ house hockey match - an football match to raise money for charity. The girls were
exciting and competitive event, with the senior and junior keen to get involved and overall 25 Wilberforce girls played,
girls split into two teams, with Wilberforce triumphant in despite the need for only two five-a-side teams.
both competitions.
We ended this fabulous year with our house day out – a
At the end of the Michaelmas Term, we celebrated with a 1920s tea party, with table tennis, rounders and a green-
trip to Bounce in Bicester – a huge indoor trampoline park – fingered garden initiative organised by the Lower Sixth girls.
followed by Dominos, a movie and secret Santa. We used the day to say a special farewell to Miss Garcia, our
Assistant Housemistress who is leaving after four years in
In the Lent Term, our Matron and Assistant Matron, Jenny Wilberforce. Miss Garcia will be missed and we wish her and
and Sarah, continued to update the house with new fluffy the Upper Sixth leavers all the best for the future. What a
cushions, blankets, large coffee tables and bright curtains wonderful year!
for the main common room. This has made the house even
more welcoming and homely and the new cushions have Ella–Mae Smith, Lower Sixth
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