The Ellesmerian 2020

www.ellesmere.com
THE ELLESMERIAN
2

What defines a successful school? Is it the academic results that
students have achieved when they leave? Is it the sporting cups,
House Points or Colours that they accrue? It is indeed all of these
but also a lot more besides. What defines and differentiates
Ellesmere College is the success of our students at all levels and how
we prepare them for life after College – to be truly ‘Life:Ready’.
Our ethos – that every student is, and should be treated as an
individual - runs through everything we do and is the focus of our
Five Key Principles that work in synergy and which we base our
educational philosophy on in the areas of:
Academic | Sport | The Arts | Leadership | Global
These principles drive our learning, co-curricular and pastoral
programmes to enable each student to flourish, grow and be
successful on both their academic and personal platforms as they
take their journey through the College, and beyond. We challenge
them at all levels to be the best they can be, successfully developing
the individual, supporting their skills development for life and allowing
them to learn through the broad range of opportunities we offer.
We are Ellesmere: We are Life:Ready.

Academic Sport The Arts

•Student Centred Learning
•A Level, BTEC & International
Baccalaureate (IB)
•WAoS Flexible Study Programmes
•Support for Learning (SfL) Provision
•National & International University
Destinations
•World Academy of Sport (WAoS)
•Athlete Friendly Education Centre
(AFEC)
•World Class Facilities
•7 Sporting Academies
•Professional Pathways to Success
•Artsmark Platinum Award
•International Choir Success
•Community Theatre Provision
•5 Choirs and Community Sinfonia
•Conservatoire and University
Destinations

Leadership
•Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE)
•Combined Cadet Force (CCF) &
Expeditions
•Institute of Leadership &
Management
•Enrichment Programme – EPQ, ESB
•Careers Partnership Programme
Global
•Model United Nations (MUN)
•Monduli Green Charity – Tanzania
•SAT USA University Preparation
•International Baccalaureate
Qualification
•University Destinations Worldwide
 THE ELLESMERIAN
The Ellesmerian 2020 : Contents Volume CXXX
2020

3
Headmaster’s Speech ..........................................................................05
Prize Winners for 2020 ......................................................................11 Captains of School

The Common Room Head Boy: W.O. Davies

President’s Report ....................................................................13 Head Girl: C.A. Williams
Arrivals ............................................................................................14
College Prefects
Departures....................................................................................15
Chapel Notes ..........................................................................................20 S.M. Chatterjee
Competitive Houses M.P.J. Curzon
H.J. Czech
Meynell ............................................................................................22
S. Dalligan
Talbot................................................................................................26 L.J. Deekes
Wakeman-Lambart ..................................................................30 J.I. Evans
I.A. Hachulski
Woodard........................................................................................34
P.J. Hey
The Schools R.E. Holland
Lower School ..............................................................................38 E. Hoskin
Middle School..............................................................................42 P. Lotze
M. Ludwig
Sixth Form ....................................................................................46 Z.M. Mabaquiao-Lennox
University Destinations ......................................................................50 L.E. Mottershead
The Combined Cadet Force ..........................................................52 W.T. Mullock
C.M. Munro
The Arts G. Shallcross
Drama..............................................................................................65 A.J.J. Selby
Music ................................................................................................70 M.J. Tumelty
R.K. Von der Luhe
Art ....................................................................................................77
Design and Technology ..........................................................84
Ellesmere in the News........................................................................86 The editor wishes to thank all contributors, with particular
gratitude to those who supplied the many photographs
Monduli Green ........................................................................................94
– too many to acknowledge individually.
Sport
Rugby................................................................................................96
Girls’ Hockey ............................................................................105
Netball ..........................................................................................115
Football ........................................................................................124
Boys’ Hockey ............................................................................134
Equestrian ..................................................................................137
Shooting ......................................................................................138
Badminton ..................................................................................141
Fencing..........................................................................................143
Sport – House Comps ....................................................................145
Sport – The Academies
Cricket ..........................................................................................150
Rugby ............................................................................................153
Golf ................................................................................................154
Ellesmere | Shropshire | SY12 9AB | United Kingdom
Football ........................................................................................155
Tel: +44 (0)1691 622321 | Fax: +44 (0)1691 623286
Swimming – Titans ................................................................156
Email: externalrelations@ellesmere.com
Tennis ............................................................................................160
www.ellesmere.com
Ellesmere College Parents’ Society............................................162
Old Ellesmerians ..................................................................................164
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The Headmaster’s Speech

5
Speech Day 2020

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a

genuine pleasure and continues
to be a great privilege for me to
be here once again to reflect on
the year that has passed.

Today marks the conclusion of my 24th year as Headmaster, and

I think it is entirely fair to say that year 24 has been like none of
the previous 23. I say that it is a pleasure to be here again
because I am ‘here’ in Big School where Speech Day and prize
giving would take place, but I am pretty much alone, and that just
emphasises the strangeness of the year.

Now first of all I should say that you will be relieved to hear that
I am not going to attempt the historically conventional
Headmaster’s speech, which is primarily the record of the year.
Even with severe editing, that speech normally approaches an
hour in length and is really not suitable for anything other than a Mr Brendan Wignall, Headmaster
thoroughly captive audience. This will certainly be the shortest
Headmaster’s speech of the modern era.
There will be other times and other ways of celebrating the
successes of this year, and even though this year has been
severely truncated, the successes have been considerable.

We have faced exceptional and un-anticipatable times, however.

I think it is fairly safe to assume that anyone applying for a job in
2015 and facing one of the standard interview questions ‘where
do you see yourself in five years’ time’ almost certainly came up
with the wrong answer.

These have been times of considerable anxiety for many of us.

The state of uncertainty is one of the most stressful ones that
we can face. The vast majority of us have faced plenty of
uncertainty, much of it ongoing.

However, I have to say that I have been hugely cheered, and my

already positive view of human nature has been further
enhanced, by what I have seen in the people that I have worked
with and dealt with over this period, and their ability to deal with
this uncertainty and to stay positive. And, of course, we must stay
positive.

I will always err on the side of optimism even in stressful times

such as this. It is important not to lose a sense of perspective. I
am sure that we will find some good as we come out of the
consequences of the pandemic, but – of course – I wish we had
never had to go through it. Health consequences for many
people have been awful and the economic consequences will –
Main corridor was very quiet throughout the Summer term
in the short term – affect far more. But when we are in a
position to take a long view I am confident that we will recognise
THE ELLESMERIAN
that we still live in the best of times and that life will The actor Stephen Fry once commented that ‘school is not a
continue to improve for most of us. place, it is a time’. Within that context I feel particularly sorry this
year for our Upper Sixth leavers. Their time has been cut short
6

While 2020 cannot generally be regarded as a good year, as
a Liverpool supporter it has not been all bad. Winning the
Premier League finally after 30 years – and in such fantastic style
– has been both a great relief and a great pleasure and I can’t
wait to get through the pandemic so I can return to going to
matches with my son.
The great Liverpool manager Bill Shankly once joked ‘some
people say football is a matter of life and death, but I think it is
far more important than that’.
with us at very little notice and they have missed out on all the
ways in which we normally plan to say goodbye. Today we
cannot look forward to the splendid Sixth Form Ball that marks
the conclusion of the academic year, and I know that many will
miss that greatly.
Of course, it is possible to argue that our Sixth Formers – and
our Year 11 pupils – have ‘dodged’ the exams and therefore have
little to complain about. I am happy for people to take the
positives where they find them, and as Ellesmerians are a
pragmatic bunch I am sure that many will be able to draw
comfort from avoiding that stress, but of course it has meant
that not everyone has been able to show their true worth via
the examination system. On the plus side for our leavers this
year, those heading to university are likely to find things more
straightforward than usual.

At this time of year we are not just saying goodbye to our pupil
leavers but also to members of the Common Room who finish
their time with us.

Mr Hamish Luckas joined us in 2017 and has thrown himself into

Year 13 leavers congregated on the Terraces on their unexpected final life at the College. As a sportsman he has fit in very successfully
day at College before the lockdown and very quickly and it feels as though he has been with us for
much longer than is actually the case. I have no doubt
whatsoever that his future career in the profession will be
Obviously the current pandemic puts things into perspective for extremely bright.
many of us, but I do not really think that most of us are going to
come out of this thinking that things that we cared about
previously no longer matter. It pains me to admit it but a more
accurate and useful remark on the importance of football for the
times that we currently face comes from the current Everton
manager, Carlo Ancelotti, who is reputed to have said ‘football is
the most important of the less important things in the world’.

I would settle for that. However, just because things are ‘less
important’ does not mean that they are unimportant. We will all
have things that are ‘less important’: it might be going to
restaurants, it might be climbing, it might be going to the cinema
(which I also regard as pretty important), it might be travelling. If
we are to be given a better perspective on these things – the
less important things – then maybe that perspective will be just
how fortunate we are to have them as options in our normal
life. I remain convinced that caring about ‘less important things’ is
a core part of what it is to be human. Which is why I am very
comfortable that I am so happy that Liverpool are champions.

It remains true to say that this is a fantastic world with many,

many opportunities – as long as you are prepared for it. That, of
course, is the point of Ellesmere College: of course we want
people to get the best possible grades that they can, but it surely
must be obvious to most people that the best possible grades is
a start rather than a finish to a successful preparation for life. I
continue to be very proud of the many achievements of
Ellesmere pupils, and I continue to be impressed by the many
Old Ellesmerians that I meet who are obviously flourishing in
their adult lives.
Leaver - Jo Manion
Miss Jo Manion joined us in 2010 to take over the leadership of
the Support for Learning Department. That was a real challenge,
as it is always hard to take over a successful enterprise and to try
to make it even better. It is entirely to Jo’s credit that she set
about doing just that and did so very effectively. Jo is a person of
great wisdom and great calmness and I know that many pupils

and colleagues have benefitted from both of those qualities as
they have worked with her. She leaves us for a well-earned
retirement.
Ms Lynne Stewart-Harris joined us in 2007, and retired earlier in
the year through ill health. However, it is very important that I
take the opportunity to say farewell to Lynne at this point. She
has been a fantastic colleague and a much-loved member of
Common Room. Generations of Ellesmerians have benefitted
from her business experience that has fed through into her
teaching and I know that my own son remembers her lessons
with great fondness. It is a measure of the warmth that Lynne
embodies and the strong relationship that she has with the
College that she has made a substantial retirement gift, which will
help us to complete the stained-glass project in Big School
Cloisters, by finishing off the project and replacing the doors that
lead outside on the way to my house: a project that I hope will
be completed over the summer holidays.
Leaver - Cathy Allen
Mrs Cathy Allen joined us in 2005 and has fulfilled a number of
roles in her time. Most notably she was the Head of the EAL
Department and took on substantial responsibilities in that role,
indeed, so substantial that eventually we split the responsibilities
into two posts. She has been a superb residential House tutor,
and had a huge influence on the College through her interest in
environmental matters, establishing the Green Team, and leading
the way with the now very well established Lower School
wildlife garden. Outside the College her links with the village of
Monduli in Tanzania have led to a lasting bond between
Ellesmere and that place, and I am delighted that we will be
retaining contact with Cathy as we will remain strong supporters
of the Monduli project in which she will continue to be involved.
Cathy leaves us for retirement, but not rest, I suspect, as she
continues to pursue her environmental commitments.
THE ELLESMERIAN
Mrs Vivien Howle joined as long ago as 2004 – although that
does not seem so long ago to me. A stalwart and committed
member of the Support for Learning Department many
7
Ellesmerians have good reason to be grateful to her for her
support. From my point of view Vivien has always been one
of those people who never makes a fuss but is absolutely reliable
and just gets on with the job, performing at a consistently high
level. She has undoubtedly earned her retirement and the
gratitude of the many Ellesmerians who she has supported over
the years.
Saying goodbye to leavers, whether they be pupils or colleagues,
is simultaneously an act of looking backwards and forwards, but
with all of our leavers I want to look forwards. This is not
goodbye, but just farewell and I very much hope that everyone
who is leaving the College today will want to keep in touch and
will remain part of the Ellesmere community for the rest of their
lives.
Force of circumstance has meant that the community has been
fractured recently and that has undoubtedly created many
stresses. I think it is fair to say that as a community we have
made remarkably effective use of communications technology
but that is not the same as being together.
My academic background is in philosophy and one of the most
famous propositions in western philosophy is the French
philosopher René Descartes’ ‘I think, therefore I am’. I have no
problem at all with the individualism embodied in Descartes’
thesis: after all, Ellesmere is about individuals.
However, I mention this because as I mature (the best
euphemism I can come up with for what is happening to me) I
am increasingly drawn to a principle from African philosophy
expressed by the Kenyan philosopher John Mbiti. To quote him: ‘I
am because we are, and since we are, therefore I am’.
Online Learning
THE ELLESMERIAN
I am increasingly convinced that we develop our personal
identities to their fullest through our relationships with other
people, and that begins with family and moves into
8

community before moving more widely. Ellesmere is all

about family and community and I hope very much that in
September the family and community will be able to come back
together and that we will be enabled to be fully realised human
beings free of the challenges that currently beset us.
I recognise, of course, that in reality September is not going to
be entirely normal but I hope that we are a very long way along
the way to something that resembles normality.

PPE - Mask Making

I cannot say how much admiration I have for the teaching staff
who have worked so hard to maintain the academic side of
education for our pupils – and I should say well done to the
pupils who have also made splendid progress in the main. This
has been an exhausting and tiring term for both teachers and
pupils and they certainly deserve their summer break.

I would be remiss in the extreme if I did not say how much I

Captains of School, Will Davies and Charlie-Ann Williams
It would be great to get back to enjoying the things that
previously we took for granted.
think the governing body has done for the College this year. All
of Ellesmere’s governors are volunteers and the work that they
have undertaken has been substantial and of outstanding quality. I
have been very grateful for their wisdom and judgement. In all of
this they have been led brilliantly by Mr Lillis, the Custos.
All of these things together have meant that the College is
finishing the year in good heart and looking forward to next year
with confidence.

On the subject of community it is customary for me to offer

thanks to the people who have supported me in my role this
year and I have to say that those thanks have always been
heartfelt: I know how lucky I am in my job.

This year those thanks are exceptionally heartfelt. I have received

delightful and really spirit-enhancing messages of support from
parents and pupils during the lockdown period that we have
faced.

Mental Health Awareness

To conclude, to those of you – parents or pupils – for whom this

is your last day of your immediate Ellesmere experience, an
independence day perhaps, good luck, farewell and please stay in
touch. For everyone else I really cannot say how much I am
looking forward to seeing you in September.

Sixth Form students celebrating at Christmas

 THE ELLESMERIAN
The whole school commitment to High Performance Learning
and the way this approach is showing pupils how to learn has
further enhanced and encouraged them to become confident

9
about their learning. The goal is always to create the
independent learner, agile and able to navigate through
complex problems and challenges but doing so with a focus and
agility to ensure the best results are achieved. Some of the key
values, attitudes and attributes (VAAs) have been in regular use
during the online learning provision and pupils across all year
groups have been able to demonstrate these, include
collaboration, resilience, perseverance, creative and enterprising
and continually enquiring.

The summer period was one of constant change as guidance and

The Ellesmere Way! policies for back to school procedures were forever changing, but
the whole College community was determined to do whatever
March 20th 2020 will always be remembered in many ways by
we had to in allowing our pupils back to the College for the new
many people, but for the College, it was the last day of classroom
academic year. We quickly assembled our Safe Return to Work
teaching before moving to a hybrid model of digital and online
guidance booklet which enabled parents and pupils to see the
learning, because of the UK Government lockdown measures.
number of things we were putting in place to safeguard each
member of the community.
The Pandemic brought changes to all people in all aspects of their
life, Education was certainly one, with teaching and learning being
at the heart of this adjustment. To go from the reassurance of a
classroom where teachers can respond to visual clues, adjust the
lesson as needed, reiterate a point, challenge a viewpoint, was now
to be found online, with a digital presence. Staff upskilled
themselves in record time and it was great to see so many
offering help and advice to others as they manoeuvred through
the steepest of learning curves to ensure the pupils did not lose
momentum nor feel they were in anyway disadvantaged by the
situation.

The new environment did not change the “classroom” and a

myriad of activities were put in place to continue the message that
“every day is a school day”, and we have all learnt so much
Mid-August saw the first of our arrivals as a good number of
through this experience. Teachers and pupils were pragmatic, we
pupils took up the offer to arrive early and isolate at the College,
work with what we have and maximise the opportunities that
based on current regulations, before the start of term. Several
exist. We had many “guest” doing a live feed from places of work,
boarding houses were utilised, with house staff coming in and
OE Podcasts, guest speakers popping in and speaking with pupils
volunteering to run the boarding during this period. Catering
about the challenges their own work environment was facing;
provided a “meals on wheels” service and pupils settled into a
pupils taking the lead on lessons and delivering topics, stories, films,
routine which allowed them the opportunity to get some initial
cartoons and many varying aspects of creative content to share
preparation work started for the new courses and to settle into
and help others; the thought for others and their classmates was
the Ellesmere community.
one that was very evident within the whole school community.

Life Ready has proven over the last 6 months, not to be just a
It was not just the “classroom” that continued in this time, as well
slogan but an embedded philosophy in what Ellesmere is and how
as having a full timetable of live lessons Monday to Friday, the
it focuses on preparing pupils for the world beyond. We live in
essential tutor period every morning at 8:30am brought pupils
challenging times and as with all events, with challenge comes
and friends together and gave everyone a chance to say “hi” and
opportunity. The past period has given many pupils the confidence
to ask how things were, giving many an important forum for
to be bold, to take risks and to challenge themselves in uncertain
support; there were tutor quizzes, daily individual music
times. The outlook and value of education should always and
performances and the weekly Whole School assembly continued,
fundamentally be about shaping and preparing the whole pupil to
all in the name of routine and continuity; something that was
be ‘Life Ready’ for the world beyond those school gates, and in the
equally valued by both pupils and parents alike. Not to be
development of all their needs - physical, mental and emotional -
outdone by Jo Wicks and his daily fitness sessions, the PE staff
never have these things been more important for a generation of
devised and delivered programmes for pupils to carry out their
pupils than now.
activity sessions throughout the week as well as some “weekly
challenges” and encouraged that physical and mental well-being, so
SBM
often overlooked in those lockdown periods.
THE ELLESMERIAN 10
 THE ELLESMERIAN
Prize Winners for 2020
Special Prizes

11
Pratham Manchanda Endeavour and achievement award
Amelia Rodd BTEC Diploma Sport: Academic Commitment
Georgina Hebson Woodard Board Prize
Donated by the Woodard Corporation and awarded for notable contribution to the Christian ethos of the College

Molly Tumelty Sandra Lloyd Cup for Chemistry

Donated in memory of Mrs Lloyd, Chemistry Technician, awarded to a Sixth Form student for enthusiasm and dedication

Rhian-Carys Jones Marsh Cup for Musician of the Year

Sam Zakers Mark Willis Prize for Science
Awarded to the highest average mark across two sciences at advanced level

Anouska Newton GCSE Media Production

Charlie Nelson Excellence in Media Production
Anna Smail Hollway Technology Award
Poppy Prescott James Merrick Cup for Academic Achievement
Donated by the Merrick family

Harriet Allday Colin Russell Prize for Endeavour in Biology

Patrick Hey Old Ellesmerian’s President’s Cup
Donated by The Ellesmerian Club, awarded in recognition of an individual pupil for service to College life

Amber Coxill Garnett Prize for Creative Music

Lovell Prize for English Literature
Emily-Rose Coupe Keith Smith Historical Essay
Danylo Zagorii Richardson Cup for Services to Drama
Donated by the Richardson family in 2013

Patrick Crowe Ollier Prize for Modern Languages

Donated by Maureen Ollier, retired teacher

Alex Herbert Adams Marilyn Amako Cup for Vocal Excellence

Donated by the family on Marilyn Amako, Teacher of EAL and Japanese at Ellesmere 2001-2010

Gracie Shallcross Drama Award

Services to the Choir
Filip Radu Jebson Shield for History
Mako Sasaki Instrumental Music
Physics Endeavour Prize
Contribution to the International Life of the College
Yuhan Liu The Woodard Midland Division Talbot Prize for Mathematics
Donated by the Woodard Board for work of outstanding merit in Mathematics

Aditi Chezhian Excellence in a single sport: Elite Sportsperson of the Year

Lavinia Mottershead Sportswoman of the Year
Best contribution across a range of sports

Louis Deekes Sportsman of the Year

Best contribution across a range of sports

William Davies Headmaster’s Prize (Head Boy)

Charlie-Anne Williams Headmaster’s Prize (Head Girl)
THE ELLESMERIAN 12
 THE ELLESMERIAN
The Common Room
President’s Report

13
In September we welcomed a number of new colleagues to Ellesmere. It is particularly heartening to mention the very positive work of
Charlotte Dilks joined us as the Head of Girls’ Games and teacher of members of the Common Room during the Coronavirus pandemic.
PE, and Rachel Murray as the Arts Centre Manager. There was just one Led by our Design Technology staff, with the assistance of a number of
new family member to report this year: Jessica and Paul Evans other members of the College – and with the help of funding from Old
welcomed their second child, Ollie Jackson. Ellesmerians and others – the team was able to produce over 10,000
protective masks for front line workers as far away as Lincolnshire as
As usual, over the year we sadly said goodbye to a number of our well as in our local area.
colleagues as they retired and moved on. Lynne Stewart-Harris retired
from her post as teacher of Business Studies; Amanda Williams stood in Dr Ian Tompkins
for Lynne for the rest of the year. Hamish Luckas – who has worn many Common Room President
hats in his short time here, beginning as a sports intern, teaching a
number of subjects, tutoring in Lower School, and also successfully
completing his teaching qualification – left to take up a post in the Isle
of Man. Rachel Murray, the Arts Centre Manager, moved back to work
in Scotland. Jo Manion, the Head of Support for Learning, also retired, as
did Vivian Howle, teacher in Support for Learning. Cathy Allen, teacher
and former Head of EAL, retired, leaving behind her a lasting legacy of
increased awareness of environmental concerns and issues across the
school community, while her support for Monduli in Tanzania has been
tireless and inspiring. We wish our departing colleagues well in all the
new challenges and opportunities that now await them.
THE ELLESMERIAN
The Common Room
Arrivals
14

Charlotte Dilks – Head of Girls’ Games

Charlotte joined Ellesmere College as Head of Girls’ Games and PE Teacher in September 2019.
Charlotte’s childhood ambition was to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a PE
teacher. Charlotte attended The Godolphin School, Salisbury, where she excelled at all sports,
playing in every school team and captaining many of them. Outside of school she represented
club and county in tennis, netball, lacrosse and middle distance running. Athletics became her
specialism and she represented Team Solent in national competitions and international
invitational events. She was also selected to represent the South of England in Cross Country.

After school, Charlotte attained a BA (Hons) in Physical Education with Qualified Teacher Status
at De Montfort University, Bedford. Charlotte accepted her first teaching post at Moreton Hall
School where she taught for fifteen years. During this time, Charlotte had the opportunity to
oversee the prep school sporting programme and the swimming provision, as well as being
promoted to Housemistress. Charlotte helped lead various sports tours around the world
including Canada, California, Jersey and Scotland. During this time Charlotte pursued her
lacrosse umpiring to international level, being part of the Official Umpiring Team at the 2015
Women’s European Championships in Prague.

Charlotte is excited for the future of girls’ sport at Ellesmere College. Whilst the Covid-19
pandemic has caused disruption to the traditional sporting calendar, Charlotte believes it has
provided a great opportunity for pupils to take part in more varied sports, until normal service
resumes. Charlotte is married to fellow teacher James and has two sons, Alexander and
Christopher. Outside of the sport, Charlotte enjoys reading, walking and travel.

Mark Needham – Teacher of English and History

Mark joined Ellesmere in September 2019 after spending the previous fifteen years working in
Secondary Schools in the North West of England. Born in Liverpool, he spent a lot of his
childhood in North Wales, where his sporting prowess saw him play for Connah’s Quay
Nomads, the current Welsh Premier Champions, while his skill at cricket saw him play a couple
of trial matches for Lancashire as a fast bowler.

Mark left school at 16 to work as a tugboat deckhand on the River Mersey, which also gave him
the opportunity to sail and experience life in places such as the Falkland Islands, Cameroon and
Iran. At the age of 23 he was offered the opportunity to study History at UCNW Bangor,
graduating three years later with a 2:1 BA Hons in History.

After completing his degree course, he moved into supply chain management, eventually ending
up working for Whitbread plc managing a multi-million pound distribution centre in Salford,
while at the same time completing an MSc in Management Development from Lancaster
University.

Wanting a new challenge in life, Mark trained as a teacher in 2004, and has never looked back.
He continues to look forward to his new career and life at Ellesmere.
 THE ELLESMERIAN
The Common Room
Departures

15
Cathy Allen – Teacher of EAL
Cathy Allen joined Ellesmere College in September 2005. She came to us from an International
School in Dusseldorf where she had been Head of EAL for 10 years. Prior to that she lived and
taught in Zambia, Cyprus and Ethiopia.

Cathy is a very caring person. Whether you are a child struggling to read and write in English, or a
colleague with a problem, Cathy provides not only a sympathetic ear but will do her utmost to
find the solution to the problem.

When preparing this piece, I put a message on the OE site for a few comments from former
students. Joanna Scull wrote about her DoE experience: “Mrs Allen stepped in last minute so the
trip could still go ahead. I will never forget how she looked after all the pupils who fell sick, by
giving them flat Coke and arranging for us to shower in a Riad so we didn’t have to use the river.”

Cathy is always on the go. She really is a force to be reckoned with. MUN, the Monduli Bazaar, the
Monduli walk, Green Team, the wildlife garden… All these stemmed from one person, Cathy.
She started the Monduli Green Charity after talking with her friend who came from the Monduli
area in her kitchen one evening. Since then, Cathy has raised more than £50,000 and that is a
modest estimate.

The Tanzania trip has changed the lives of countless numbers of our own students’ lives. Here are
some more comments from former students:

“You made me realise a single person can make a difference.” – Mark Wu

“You inspired us to become a person who cares for people around, for the rest of society, for
other creatures on Earth.”– Ruoqi Lin

In 2015, Cathy decided that she wanted more time to herself and made the difficult decision to
step down from being Head of EAL. I can’t say that she did slow down at all and consistently
threw herself into helping her students and her projects.

Cathy will be moving to live in Oxford and will continue to work to help protect our
environment. When speaking to her about this piece, I asked what she would like me to add. She
said: “It is more important than ever that young people can join the dots between their education
and our impact on the natural world - the wildlife garden and Green Team aim to help that
happen.”

We wish you all the best Mrs Allen. Be prepared to welcome us in Oxford on a future Exeat trip!

Judith Hibbott, Head of EAL

THE ELLESMERIAN
The Common Room
Departures
16

Hamish Luckas – Teacher of PE

Hamish joined the College in 2017 as a rugby intern. He quickly settled into the department and
from the very first day showed his enthusiasm for teaching and coaching.

In his three years with us Hamish has grown his experience and developed into an excellent
teacher. He is reliable, organised and adaptable. He showed these traits in bucket loads during
the lockdown where he was asked to deliver not only PE but also Maths, Science and History.
He has been a superb addition to the Sport and PE department and we were so lucky to have
retained him for the three years.

Rugby is one of Hamish’s real passions and he has been a huge support to the various players
and teams he has coached. He is always generous with his time and willing to help each
individual to improve. It was great to have him at our pre seasons. He has developed a wide
range of skills across a spectrum of sports. When asked to take football and cricket teams he did
so with enthusiasm. Hamish travelled with the rugby team to tour Canada and also turned his
hand to outdoor education during expos weeks.

I am sure Hamish has a great career ahead of him. We will all wish him the very best of luck with
his move to become Director of Rugby at King William school, Isle of Man. I am sure he will be
looking for fixtures against us in good time. Thank you for all that you have done for the College
and especially for all the help you have given the students.

ILW
 THE ELLESMERIAN
17
Jo Manion – Head of Support for Learning
Jo came to Ellesmere ten years ago from a role in Senior Management at what had been Madeley
Court School, later Madeley Academy. An academically curious and reflective person, Jo had a
particular interest in how children learn and why they sometimes don’t, and became interested in
dyslexia.

As a former Head of English and Drama with a longstanding interest in the Arts, in Cheshire, she ran
writing and arts courses with such luminaries as Adrian Henri, Liz Lochhead and Carol Ann Duffy
and shared that she was enchanted to come to Ellesmere to find exceptional Arts education. “Just
peachy” as our Arts patron Joanna Lumley would say. She had found her professional heartland and
her place as part of the Ellesmere community.

Jo took the lead as Head of Department of a successful and creative Support for Learning team,
maintaining professional standards through her engagement with subject specialist bodies such as
the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific
Learning difficulties (PATOSS) the British Psychological Society and the Council Registration of
Schools teaching Dyslexic pupils (CReSTeD) so that Ellesmere has a quiet but highly respected
profile in the professional community.The work of the team was recognised in the 2018 Dyslexia
awards with a winner and four finalists from Ellesmere across a number of categories.

Out of the classroom Jo has enjoyed being on the water in the safety boat every Wednesday at
Whitemere, cheering on and rescuing children as they learned to sail, restoring them with hot
chocolate and Mars Bars and having got the bug she now has her own dinghy on Whitemere,
whizzing about Wales during Duke of Edinburgh expeditions with her trusty dog in her well- loved
motorhome, being a checkpoint, with triumphant children appearing over the horizon and gasping,
“We knew we were nearly here Miss, because we could see your van…”

Jo’s enthusiasm for life, dedication to children and colleagues alike, will be sorely missed. However, in
true Jo spirit she intends to embrace this new stage in her life with gusto. In asking her what she
plans to do next she trotted out “Finishing Philp Pullman’s second trilogy, ‘The Book of Dust’ and
anything else he writes; time in Greece and Cornwall; sailing; learning to cook an apple pie like my
mother’s. Learning to live not as a teacher…perhaps the biggest challenge yet.” Our best wishes go
with Jo in all her endeavours, and we look forward to sampling the apple pie in due course.

Vicky Pritt-Roberts, Deputy Head - Academic

THE ELLESMERIAN
The Common Room
Departures
18

Lynne Stewart-Harris – Teacher of Business and Economics

Lynne joined Ellesmere in September 2007 as a Teacher of Business and Economics. She played a
key role from day one in helping to establish the IB Economics programme and quickly became a
much loved and valued member of the team. Lynne was the “organiser” of the department and
as we looked at new courses and new schemes of work, Lynne was there with a folder, resources
and all of this completed. It was the same with trips, with some memorable ones being to Alton
Towers, Cadbury’s World and Euro Disney, to name but a few.

In her time at Ellesmere, apart from the large demand of Business and Economics, Lynne also
taught Finance to Year 9 and the success of the programme from its origins rests firmly with her
approach and commitment to the course. She has also taught Maths at Key stage 3 and was a
key member of the Year 8 Tutor Team for Lower School; where Lynne’s approach would yield
excellent pastoral care and results.

Lynne always worked tirelessly to ensure all the pupils she taught had the support and guidance
needed. She expected the pupils to work hard and to ensure those standards were kept. Lynne
was a teacher who genuinely cared for each pupil she taught and she would give up enormous
amount of her time to pupils outside of the normal school day and always did so, as she knew it
was making a difference.

Lynne is a very popular member of the Common Room and her warmth and support she has
given to many will be missed. Her regular treats of cakes and sweets will also be something many
of us will miss and that is testament to Lynne and her constant thought and care for others.

Due to continued ill-health, Lynne had to retire earlier on in the academic year, but her current
and former pupils will always remember her teaching and support with great fondness and
affection.

As Lynne now embarks on a difficult journey with new battles ahead, she does so with the entire
Common Room and Ellesmere community standing with her every step of the way!!

Stephen Mullock, Deputy Head – External Relations

 THE ELLESMERIAN
19
Vivian Howle – Teacher of Support for Learning
Vivian began working at Ellesmere in September 2004, and she has been a conscientious and hard-
working member of the Support for Learning team since. She also spent some time teaching in
Lower School.

Many may not know Vivian well, as she is quiet, self-contained and does not seek attention or praise.
It may not necessarily be known, therefore, that she has worked to support students across the age
range, from Year 3 to Year 13.This is no mean feat, yet she has earned the respect of both older
students who are grateful for being treated maturely and younger ones who appreciate her gentle
nurturing. From helping the youngest with their spelling, to supporting A-level geographers,Vivian
has literally covered just about everything from phonics to plate tectonics.

In particular,Vivian has a keen interest in empowering students to use technology and the Support
for Learning Team has come to rely on her as the Read and Write software Guru which she has
introduced to many students to help their reading and broader study skills. She is kind, empathetic
and widely encouraging of all those students for whom she offers care, structure and consistency.
They will miss her.

In her spare time,Vivian enjoys being out and about walking in the countryside, and she is looking
forward to having more time to do this. She also enjoys gardening. When thinking of Vivian,
members of the Support for Learning Team will, without exception, utter the same word: cake.Yes,
Vivian has earned her reputation as Queen of Cakes and Puddings and often the venue for
department socials was decided on the appeal of the pudding menu. It was during these
department outings that Vivian really relaxed and allowed her dry sense of humour to come to the
fore, often causing hilarity with her quirky quips!

A person with insatiable energy, imagining Vivian retiring is a difficult picture. However, since she likes
to keep herself busy,Vivian will continue to work part time at Woodside Primary School. She is
looking forward to having more time to relax, and enjoy cooking and – yes, you’ve guessed it –
creating cakes and bakes too!

In the words of one of our Year 8 students, “Mrs Howle is awesome!”Thank you,Vivian. Enjoy your
semi-retirement; you will be missed.

Jo Manion, Head of Support for Learning

 THE ELLESMERIAN In the Lent Term the main chapel themes moved to an exploration
of how we experience God in everyday life, or at least catch a
glimpse of his character at significant times: as we give gifts, as we
begin new things, when we make room for others, when we discover
20

truth, as we commit, and when we are rescued. In the second half of

term the scripture readings lent themselves to looking at lies that we
believe about ourselves: you are a failure, you have been passed over,
you are incapable, you are invisible, you are damaged (goods).

This year Competitive House involvement with Chapel changed as

we tried to package together three strands of student leadership in
chapel, and each half term a Competitive House engaged with
chapel under the rubric of #THINKPRAYDO. They put together two
chapel services reflecting on current affairs, literature, pop music, or
anything else on their mind and brought it into conversation with the
bible (#THINK). The theme that arose was the focus of quiet Friday
lunchtime Eucharists where the Mass was offered for, and prayers
were focused on particular aspects of that theme (#PRAY). Finally,
some form of action connected with the theme was encouraged
(#DO). For example, Meynell House took as their theme ‘Fight for
Change’, and wondered how and whether we should, or can, fight for
real change. Friday lunchtime prayers were focused on different areas
where societal change seems necessary and a successful bake sale
raised money for Amnesty International.

Chapel Notes

Chapel took its usual form in the first two terms of the year. In the
first Half Term, chapel services looked at what it means to be Human
and major highlights were the Harvest Festival Service and the
Bishop’s visit when he Confirmed, Baptised and admitted candidates
to Holy Communion. Alfie Heasmer-Jones and Anouska Newton
were confirmed, Esther Gration was baptised, and Esther, Fran
Appleby, and Henry Hearn were admitted to Holy Communion.
Then Lockdown began. Chapel services ceased and the chaplaincy
moved on-line, more specifically it moved to Instagram! On Mondays,
a reflection linking the Sunday’s bible readings with the ‘new normal’
– #MondayMeditation. On Tuesdays, light relief as various groups
sent in cut-and-paste hymn singing – #TuesdayTunes. On
Wednesdays, I sent an email to the entire College community with
strategies, information, and encouragement to look after our minds,
bodies, and spirits – #WellnessWednesdays. Thursdays featured
reasons to be grateful, sent in by students, in these strange times –
#ThursdayThanksgiving. And on Fridays I tried to help people make
small changes that would enable them to feel more in control –
giving up something for themselves, after they had had control taken
from them – #FreeFromFriday.

In the Second Half of Michaelmas Term, chapel services moved on to

It seems to me that a publication ‘of record’ such as this might
ask, ‘How can we be hopeful?’ and drew ideas from the bible
perhaps best be served by trying to capture a flavour of the
encouraging us to Think Big, Look for Promise, Be Patient, Listen to
‘lockdown feeling’. To that end I include below a portion of one of
Prophets, Appreciate the Present, and Celebrate Fulfilment. Of
my Monday Meditations – the Meditation for Maunday Thursday(!).
course, the beautiful setting, the inspiring texts, the excellent readers,
and our top-class choir combined to make our annual carol services
How are you getting on? Is today an up day or a down day? Are the
the seasonal highlight that we have come to expect. This year the
positives or the negatives of life winning out? Can you focus on the
collection was split between St Mary’s Church in Ellesmere, Tearfund,
good stuff or is the bad stuff swallowing it up?
and the Shropshire Army League (Ellesmere Branch).

Sometimes the first step to feeling better is asking these types of
questions – just knowing that our mood and energy is affected by
the thoughts that float around in our head is enough to make us feel
a little empowered: if I know that my mood is linked to my thoughts
then at least I know it’s not random – it’s not just a case of ‘what side
of bed I got out of.’
Sometimes, when things feel overwhelming, it can be a relief to just
hold on to that fact.
But at other times we can go further. We can try to ‘change the
atmosphere’ in our inner world. Perhaps it is hard to ‘take control’ but
we can at least try to feed the good thoughts and ignore (or starve)
the negative ones… perhaps think of your mind like a garden, you
can’t make it beautiful overnight but you can plant seeds, mow the
lawn, and prune plants to keep them healthy. In a similar way, you can
plant positive thoughts, you can ignore self-criticism, and you can
keep your ego in check by focussing on others (pruning).
One really simple way to plant positivity is to try and think about
what you’re grateful for. Why not spend 5 minutes reflecting on:
what’s giving you energy or focus, what’s making you happy, what’s
keeping you connected.
Imagine that your thoughts are like sheep – they need direction, they
need guidance, they need shepherding, and simple practices like
giving thanks can help to move your thoughts on from unhealthy
pastures to refreshing streams, and guide our thinking gently from
dry, tiring ideas to the lush green grass of inspiration and
appreciation.
I’m going to start posting lists made by students on Instagram – their
reasons to be thankful, every Thursday. Perhaps they will inspire you
to make your own list (and perhaps send it to me), or perhaps just
sharing someone else’s joy and gratitude – being thankful for the
things that make others happy – can be one of the ways that we
shepherd and cultivate our own thoughts.
Today is a great day to start this little project – because today is the
day we remember Jesus washing our feet. If we had been together in
the last week of term we would have washed some feet in Chapel
to remember this.
At first, St Peter objects to Jesus washing his feet: ‘Why should the
master wash the feet of the servant?’ he asks. And Jesus replies that
Peter must be washed if he is to be part of Jesus’ mission. Peter really,
really wants to be part of Jesus’ mission so he asks Jesus to wash all
of him – but Jesus reassures him that washing his feet will be
sufficient.
THE ELLESMERIAN
Why the feet?
Two things occur to me. Firstly, we use our feet to go places.
We use them to move around. They are a symbol of change
21
and growth, and transformation. So, washing feet will be a
symbol of caring for us as we go about our business, refreshing
and healing us of the knocks that we take as we try to do the best
we can, encouraging and forgiving us when we fall short of our
potential and as we try to discover what that potential is, as we try
to discover who we are and what we are for. It’s hard to try your
best and to be honest with yourself – we need help, and we need
healing to keep on at it.
The second thing that occurs to me is the link to a beautiful verse
from the Old Testament: “How beautiful are the feet of those who
bring good news.” (Isaiah 52:7) So even if we don’t know who we
are, or where we are going, the bible encourages us to think of how
beautiful it is, how kind, how useful and how lovely it is, to be the
bearer of good news. How beautiful it is to be the one who helps to
share joy, taking glad tidings to people in other places – perhaps
energetically and without thought to the road and the cost to the
condition of your feet.
So Jesus washing the feet of the disciples points us to how God
wants to support us as we try to share joy, as we commit to giving
thanks, and as we appreciate the good things around us in the world,
and in other people.
Let’s share our reasons to be cheerful! Go on: be brave and put a list
on Insta or Snapchat or make a video about them for TikTok - you
could even send them to me, so I can feature them here. We should
probably have a hashtag. How about #thursdaythanksgiving?
I’ve never seen Jesus but I know he has beautiful feet, because his
mission – that one that Peter really, really wanted to be part of – was
to bring good news from heaven down to earth. His mission was to
share the joy of God with the people on this planet.
That good news involves the dark events of tomorrow – Good
Friday. It speaks of how God never gets tired of washing our feet so
that we can be involved in sharing joy with others. And it hints at
how the Joy of God is stronger than all the forces of evil, stronger
than death and stronger than disease. Amen.
PG
 THE ELLESMERIAN
22

Competitive Houses
MEYNELL

Housemaster: Mr D. Bottom
House Tutors: Miss A.C. Darrant, Mrs L.L. Edwards, Mrs J.K. Evans,
Mrs Z.J. Fisher, Mr M.T. Horton, Miss J.M. Manion, Mrs S. Phillips,
Mr I.L. Roberts, Dr H.S. Shakibi, Dr I.G. Tompkins, Mr I.L. Williams
Captains of House: A Coxill, H.F. Hudson
In so many ways, this was a singular year. It was a year of two halves.
It was a year of successes and a few failures. It was a year without a
proper goodbye. And it was a year when Meynell captured the one
trophy that has proved most elusive of all.
The Michaelmas Term opened with a House meeting where the 103
current Meynellians were reminded that competition is about
winning and that enjoying taking part is how we console ourselves
when we lose. A few days later, the first of the academic
competitions was announced and all thoughts of winning and losing
were put aside. The task was to create a compelling piece of art or
writing inspired by the stories of Holocaust survivors. The
importance of keeping their tales of suffering alive was clear to all
and evident in the wave of entries. Moving poems, first-person
narratives, and striking artwork flooded in. Over half of the ‘winners’
came from Meynell, testament to the care and concern for others
that is so clearly a part of the House’s ethos.
Concern for others was also clear in the two thought-provoking
chapel services led by Meynell in the Michaelmas Term. Both were on
the theme of fighting for change and here once again, I have to name
names. The first of these services was led by Amber, who talked with
eloquence and passion about the need to fight defeatism in order to
save our planet. The second service was led by Jojo Kang, who spoke
with equal eloquence and conviction on the nature of ‘fighting’ itself
and how lasting change is affected not through the physical, but the
moral ‘fight’. In both services, the readings and prayers were very well
delivered, testament to the desire among House members to do
things correctly. Also, it was in the Chapel that the Michaelmas Term
drew to a close with the Meynell Carol Service that was very well
attended and meant an impressive end to the calendar year.
Often the Competitive House system brings about thoughts of

Despite the truncated nature of the competitive calendar, there were

many highs – too many, in some ways, to mention them all in the
space afforded here and certainly too many to list the names of
every student who has played a part in securing so much success
(and there is always a good chance that I will forget someone
deserving). That said, there are two names that must be mentioned
at the outset: Amber Coxill and Harry Hudson, who captained the
House extraordinarily well. Back in September in our first meeting in
St Patrick’s, many assumed they were joking when they said that we
would win something that Meynell never win. Skip forward a few
months to a chilly February evening, and it was clear that they had
not been joking at all. We were celebrating a victory that was as
well-deserved as it was unexpected…but more on that night later.

sporting contests, but there is so much more. Away from the
sporting field, Meynell flourished. In House Photography, the theme
was the environment and we had far more entries than any other
House and had half of the winners too. Success did not end there.
February saw another more cerebral competition: House Debating.
The Juniors did well and argued commendably, but it was the Senior
Team, comprising Mariella Steele, Ronan Phillips and Rory Smith, who
– to ape Churchill – took the English language and marched it off to
war as they successfully argued that they would rather be cavaliers
than roundheads. Their deft rebuttal of opposing points and
aggressive assertion of their own ideas was skillful, convincing, and
often very amusing!
On the subject of amusement, the House Play in October was
outrageously funny. Ronan Philips directed and starred in ‘Amy and
Amiability’ from ‘Blackadder the Third’. The risqué and often ribald
humour suited our players and they brought the house down with a
thoroughly professional, compelling piece of comedy. The judges saw
it that way too with Meynell winning in seven of the 11 categories,
including Best Blackadder, Most Entertaining Baldrick, Best Technical
Organisation, and Best Director. Still in the more academically
competitive realm, our House Quiz team put in a sterling effort and
lost to the eventual winners. Kezia Hutchings’ coolness under the
spotlight was hugely impressive and success is surely on the cards
next year.
Outdoors on the playing field, the Michaelmas Term frequently saw
us enjoy taking part more than winning. On the rugby pitch, the
Junior, Intermediate and Senior Boys played with enthusiasm and
good grace, though the scarcity of rugby players in the House made
for a difficult day’s play. Due to the lockdown, the Senior Boys never
had the chance to play football, the sport at which so many excel,
though a weakened team did finish second in the indoor
tournament. The strength in depth of the House’s footballers was
evident as the Junior Boys won their competition comprehensively.
The Senior Girls finished a close second on the hockey pitch in a
creditable display of term work and perseverance and did so again in
the indoor event in the Lent Term.
Meynell might not have won with the oval ball, but the cricket ball
was a different matter. Both the Junior and Senior Boys thumped
their way to victory in the Sports Hall during Indoor Cricket. Their
THE ELLESMERIAN
bowling was disciplined in all matches, but the savagery of
the batting led to convincing wins. The Senior Girls also
displayed brutality with the bat as they smashed their way to
the final of their indoor event, only for it to be cancelled due
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to the lockdown along with the netball tournament, where
hopes were high of a repeat of last year’s all-conquering
performances. Basketball brought success too for the Junior Boys,
while the Senior Boys came a creditable second. The girls took to the
basketball court with enthusiasm and certainly had more shots than
any other House, though finding the net proved rather elusive.
Cross Country proved to be another successful event, with half of
the winners wearing red. Jacob Popplewell and Lola Oke won
Intermediate Boys and Girls by a country mile and Maia Hall cruised
home for the Senior Girls. As with last year, the House spirit saw
some imaginative warm-up routines in the Sports Hall and a little
‘friendly’ rivalry with Talbot, a rivalry that would become even more
fraught a few nights later in Big School and House Singing.
When I was given the chance to become Housemaster, I was told
frequently, that Meynell were unbeatable on the rugby pitch and
terrible at singing. The former has yet to happen, but last year we did
come second in House Singing, much to a few people’s surprise. The
last time Meynell won was shrouded in dust, so other Houses had
every right to write us off as the songs were allocated. We got ‘We
Will Rock You’, which I was told on a number of occasions, was a
‘Meynell song’ by which it was meant that musically it might be
simple enough for us to just about manage. We also had as our hymn
‘Forty Days and Forty Nights’. Very quickly, Amber put paid to any
notion that we would be there to make up the numbers. Practice
began at once and soon the somewhat straightforward songs had
become something else, something much more intricate. Practice
after practice took place in the Chapel, Big School, the Arts Centre,
St Patrick’s, and the Old Sports Hall. Our Part Song was Killer
Queen, expertly arranged by Kizzy Lumley-Edwards, and practice of
this went on late into the night.
On the morning of House Singing, the College was dusted with frost.
By lunchtime, the temperature had barely crept above freezing and
final rehearsals began. It was clear that strange things were happening
when we headed out to the netball courts, many shivering in the
cold, to bring things together. A couple of hours later, the judge’s
summary of each House’s performance mentioned “perfect” and
“Meynell” together in the same sentence before Big School was filled
 THE ELLESMERIAN with cheers as it was announced that we had won the
trophy that had eluded the House for so long. Within an
hour, we received messages from a former Meynellian who
remembered winning in 2005 and a former House Captain
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who was in New Zealand!
If the year had ended there it would already have been remarkably
successful for Meynell, but there was still time for a delightful House
Dinner that was full of laughter, humour, and exemplary manners. A
large number of parents and siblings attended, which was very
pleasing and led to a wonderful atmosphere of celebration and
enjoyment. Amber and Harry delivered their speeches with their
usual eloquence, verve and wit, and a slide show allowed everyone
to see just how much fun we’d had during the preceding months.
Breaking the Trend
Amber Coxill, Captain of Meynell, reflects on a remarkable
February night
The night of House Singing was the most nervous I had felt in a long
time. When I applied to be Captain of Meynell, one goal stood out; I
wanted to win House Singing. I am fiercely competitive, so in the
weeks leading up to the performance, I was determined to get
Meynell up to a standard where we could win. This would clearly be
a tall order. We spent an alarming amount of time attempting to get
the House to all stand up in unison, let alone sing!
The afternoon of the competition itself marked a significant change
in the energy of the House. Moving around from venue to venue, the
members of Meynell grew more and more confident. I knew from
the first rehearsal that we had potential to win, but it wasn't until
one of the last rehearsals, when I stood and watched the House
singing perfectly on the outdoor netball courts that I think the
members of the House realised what I had seen since the beginning.
Everyone was co-operating, singing louder when they were
Looking forward, Amber and Harry are followed by Ronan Phillips
and Sophie Ward, who will also excel. A new Leadership Team is
ready to work with the superb team of Meynell tutors and together
we will win again. Unlike previous years though, we have things to
defend that have eluded us for too long. Our name is engraved on
the House Singing trophy and, for that to happen again, we will have
to work hard, rehearse, laugh, cry, and go into the cold to rehearse
some more. This year, members across the House have secured
successes in many fields, some sporting, some cerebral, some
dramatic and others more artistic. Collectively, Meynell is made up of
many different characters, but we excel as a House because together
our differences are our strength.
DB
supposed to, using the right articulation and (miraculously) clapping
in time! In that moment, I thought back to the very first rehearsal,
when most people were too nervous to sing at all, and couldn't help
but grin at how far the House had come. I was so proud of each and
every individual. Singing on stage is out of most people's comfort
zone, so the fact that the House was standing, ready to give their all
in front of the rest of the school was incredible.
Despite my determination to win, my mantra throughout the weeks
leading up to the performance was just to have fun and let the rest
of the House have fun too. I knew that a lot of people were very
reluctant to participate, in part because of Meynell’s long history of
underachievement in the singing stakes, and I knew that they weren't
going to be any more eager if I shouted, or picked out individuals. I
vowed from the beginning to try not to be critical, to always give
positive feedback, especially to the part singers. The individuals who
joined Meynell’s Part Song were a slightly unconventional group -
many of them had never been in a Part Song before, some had
never even sung in a choir before, so their bravery was admirable.
Just like in the main rehearsals, I was determined to have fun, and we
definitely did, incorporating funny voices, dances and movement into
our performance.
After the House performed, I was incredibly moved. Standing in front
of the stage, I could see the determination in each and every
person's face, and I think most people were genuinely surprised by
how well they had done. The mutters that spread through the
Meynell section after the adjudicator called our performance of the
hymn "perfect" seemed to support my theory that the praise they
received was unexpected.
Meynell had not won House Singing in over a decade, and there was
a slightly unreal, unbelievable atmosphere that this was the night that
we broke the trend.
THE ELLESMERIAN 25
 THE ELLESMERIAN
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Competitive Houses
TALBOT
Housemistress: Mrs. A.S. Done
House Tutors: Ms C. Allen, Mrs C.S.Dilks, Mrs C.A. Empson,
Miss L. Killen, Mr R.J. Macintosh, Mr D.J. Morgan, Mr H.B. Orr,
Mr G.Owen, Mrs. S. Phillips, Mr S.J. Prescott, Mrs R.E. Waddams,
Mrs N.J. Welti, Mrs C. Westwood
Captains of House: R.E. Holland, L.J. Deekes
As usual, Talbot House was fully involved in all events and competitions
this year, demonstrating that our motto “Prest d`accomplir” and our
House spirit continue to be alive and remain the most important
characteristics of the House.
In our regular meetings, we continued to encourage students from
across year groups to work together on the huge array of different
House competitions. We were proud to see even more friendships
developing this year over the latest House events. The atmosphere in
Talbot was, once again, one that created a real sense of belonging and
fostered the team spirit, along with a fair amount of healthy
competition. Talbot always celebrates the talent of all its members and
provides opportunities for students who might not normally seek the
spotlight to take a central role.
Our enthusiastic House Captains this year were Rosie Holland and
Louis Deekes. Together, they have been positive role models for the
other students, leading Talbot to great success. They have organised a
variety of events to a high standard and ensured that our reputation as
one of the serious contenders for most competitions remained intact.
Prefects Alex Selby, Sarala Chatterjee, Iwo Hachulski and Robert von
der Luhe ably supported them.
The academic year certainly got off to a very good start for Talbot. In
the House Plays Festival, we impressed the audience with a very good
production inspired from Blackadder the Third. Rosie Holland did an
amazing job in organising and motivating everybody. The production
received very good feedback from the audience members who were
impressed by the comic timing and versatility of the cast composed of:
Louis Deekes, Honor Graham, Hugh Marsh, Robyn Welti, Natasha
Dalziel, Dan Cooper, Rosie Wood, Amy Jefferies, Georgia Edwards,
Ruby Marsh, Jac Jones, Lynx Ananfack Noumey, Robert von der Luhe
and Marija Barysaite. Rosie Wood won best Prince George, Louis
Deekes won best Mrs Miggins and Rosie Holland won best director.
Talbot actors also came runners-up for the most entertaining
ensemble with the “Parliamentary Scene”, which is a fantastic
achievement for all that took part. A great number of students were
involved in the play this year, with enthusiastic participation from all
year groups.
Staying with the arts, we also hit some high notes this year on the
musical side of College life. After winning the House Singing a few
times in recent year’s, we had high aspirations in this year`s competition
and everybody really wanted another win. The theme this year was,
‘Queen’. As our unison song, we sang ‘Radio Gaga’ and our hymn this
year was ‘I will sing the wondrous story’. As usual, Talbot put a lot of
effort and enthusiasm into rehearsals and a full range of talents were
on show. The House spirit really came through again; all members gave
it their very best and should be commended for their commitment
and participation in the event. We placed second in the end, but many
commented on and praised Talbot’s polished performance. Special
thanks should go to Honor Graham, Robyn Welti, Natasha Dalziel,
Rosie Wood, Charles Wood, Reuben Gallagher, Hugh Marsh, Ruby
Marsh and Dan Cooper who took part in extra rehearsals with Rosie
and Louis, as part of the part song ensemble. Despite not winning, the

House came together magnificently once again, making this moment
one of the many highlights of this academic year.
Continuing on the academic front, the Lent term saw Talbot performing
very well in the House Debating Competition. Both Junior and Senior
Teams qualified for the finals. The Juniors (Guy Welti, Lili Harvey-
Hemming and Lucy Neil) won the final against Wakeman-Lambart with
–‘This House believes that a “woke” bloke is a joke.’ They were by far
the best team in the competition and made us very proud with their
convincing performances. The Seniors (Louis Deekes, Robyn Welti,
Robert von der Luhe and Charles Clavier) also performed very well in
the final against Meynell but were defeated in the end.
The House Photography Competition was another good event for
Talbot this Year with Honor Graham winning the Middle School
competition. The judges liked her urban scene depicting an aspect of
human geography, with good use of colour and the reflections of the
skyscrapers in the water.
We also performed well in the House Quiz competition where we
reached the final after beating Woodard in the semi-finals. Unfortunately,
as the Lent Term came to a sudden and unexpected end this year, the
final didn’t take place. Throughout the year, Talbot continued to be a very
strong contender for the Academic Cup and was leading on the
Academic board at the time when we switched to online lessons.
Turning to sport, the Michaelmas term focuses on Rugby and Hockey.
Talbot’s performance in rugby was a pleasing one this year. The seniors
won their category with very good performances from Charles Munro,
Lynx Ananfack Noumey, Charles Clavier, Ryan Lindsay, Hugh Marsh,
Henry Powell and Harry Bradshaw. Special congratulations should go to
Douglas Harper who also won the Knowles Shield for being nominated
as Player’s player. On paper our seniors didn’t look favourites to win but
the team spirit gave us the lift needed and our boys were unbeatable.
Unfortunately, Inters and Juniors didn’t perform as well but we hope that
they felt inspired by their older role models and will improve in the years
to come. Our Junior Hockey team was also a revelation, wining the
Hockey competition with outstanding performances from Georgia
Munro, Honor Graham, Katie Evans, Natasha Moore, Ellie Huntbach,
Sophie Greenwood, Julia Smith and Lucy Neil.
THE ELLESMERIAN
In the Lent term, the main sports are normally Netball and
Football. Unfortunately, due to the unprecedented situation,
they couldn’t take place this year so the only big sporting
event of the Lent term was cross-country. Although not
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everybody’s favourite event, for us it was again a good
opportunity to demonstrate Talbot’s strong spirit. This year we
won the Merit Cup once again, for being the House with the biggest
number of participants completing the race. As usual, we experienced
a great atmosphere and some brilliant running. Perhaps most notable
contribution to Talbot’s win came from Daniel Cooper. Despite having
to endure double knee surgery not long ago, he got out there and ran,
showing tremendous character, which is what the true spirit of Talbot is
all about. Overall, the House came second but there were some
notable results from the Juniors who won their category (Reuben
Gallagher and Oliver Covill placed in the top 5 for boys) and Douglas
Harper who was the winner in the Senior Boys’ race.
Although this year ended unexpectedly, we would like to thank our
leavers for their efforts. We are sad that we didn’t have the chance to
say a proper goodbye to those who are moving on, but as they do, we
hope that being part of Talbot encouraged them to flourish, gain self-
confidence, work as team, enjoy success and learn from failures. We
learnt this year that we cannot control everything that happens in life
but we can still be ready to perform at our best and achieve in all
circumstances.
We sincerely wish all our leavers good luck in all they do and hope that
the spirit of Talbot will remain with them for the rest of their lives. For
those returning, we can look ahead to a better year, hopefully one
without major disruptions and one with even greater success for
Talbot.
AD
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30

Competitive Houses
WAKEMAN-LAMBART

Housemaster: Mr. D. W. Crawford

House Tutors: Mr M.P. Clewlow, Mrs K. Curzon, Mr J.H. Cowley,

Mrs H.L. Davenport, Dr M.T. Gareh, Mrs M.E. Hutchings, Mrs J.A. Kirk,
Dr J.L. Marsh, Mrs C.A. McClelland, Mr M. Needham, Mr G.W. Phillips,
Mr P.E. Swainson

Captains of House: M.P.J. Curzon, J.G. Redshaw

Another summer flew by and suddenly we were all back together for
a new year. Under the leadership of Jake Redshaw and Molly Curzon,
our Sixth Formers had an evening of silly team games and a
barbecue to kick off the term. Three-legged football, a tug-of-war
where the rope turned out to the biggest loser, an open-air quiz and
a water balloon relay all meant that nobody was able to retain their
dignity and instead just had a good time.
The term ended on a high as Wakeman-Lambart took the overall
honours in the House Rugby and Hockey Festival. A very spirited
effort by the relatively untried Junior Boys’ team meant that we
closed out the win, and the Intermediate Division was also clinched
by the men in yellow, though more decisively. The Senior Boys put up
two wins in their games, only to lose the third by a single point, and
so finished as runners-up. The girls also had a very good day, with the
Juniors finishing second thanks to a bit of useful arithmetic, and the
Seniors proving utterly dominant as they topped their division with
maximum points.

Into the Spring Term, and intellectual matters saw the Debating and
Semi-Finals of the House Quiz. The Junior Debating saw the unusual
phenomenon of our opponents kicking off the contests arguing
The indoor sports for the Michaelmas Term brought mixed fortunes:
Junior and Senior Boys’ teams fell foul of goal difference calculations,
finishing third in the football both times, while the Girls’ teams
managed to dominate in the Senior competition and finish a
respectable second in the Juniors.

For the House Play this year, the Blackadder series took us back to
the days of the Regency, and directors Josie Evans and Gracie
Shallcross marshalled their cast and crew well to produce a romp
through alternative history. Promising debuts from Lucy Arrowsmith
and Leo Slack, and a suitably over-the-top appearance by Will Davies
meant that the judges were impressed with the performance: well
done all!

exactly the same side of the argument as we were, and by the time
things had been straightened out we went through to the final after
a sudden-death debate on This House would rather be a Cat than a
Dog. The Seniors found the luck of the draw against them and a very
composed performance sadly went unrewarded. A Junior Finals topic
about the impact of ‘woke’ culture proved rather a tough ask, and
sadly, we had to settle for second place. The Semi-final of the House
Quiz saw Wakeman-Lambart challenge Meynell: the contest
remained tight until the final third, when a good run of starter
questions allowed Wakeman-Lambart to seal the win: our high hopes
for the Final were smothered as world events overtook the
schedule. However, we just found time for the House Dinner before
the interruptions, and all had a very pleasant evening.
The House Cross-Country brought a good turnout on a cold
January afternoon, and though it is not historically a strong event for
us – I was disconcerted to see some of our runners overtaken by
cows in the neighbouring field – it was also good to see James Li-
Campbell bring home a win in the Junior division. The House Singing
is always a popular event – though I must confess to finding it
stressful as well as enjoyable – and this year the theme was to be a
homage to legendary band Queen. We went for the lesser-known
choice of Hammer to Fall and turned in a positive display, with
captain Jake Redshaw taking on the appearance of Freddie Mercury.
THE ELLESMERIAN
That was respectable enough, but better was to come: an
outstanding Part Song, where Alex Herbert-Adams arranged
Bicycle Race for eight-part harmony. With yellow jackets and
helmets, the Part Song team produced a veritable tour de
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France and stunned the audience and judges alike. In the end,
the final result didn’t go our way, but some things are still
pretty special, and I shall not forget our Part Song in a long time.
And this is where the story wraps up this year…and for some,
particularly those who move on to pastures new, it will feel like T.S.
Eliot’s words are appropriate:
This is the Way the World Ends, Not with a Bang but a Whimper.
I say… NO! Yet again this year, we have done new things, found new
talents, and pushed the envelope: in September, we will find that
spirit again and the Wakeman Army will welcome a new bunch of
recruits to swell the ranks. My great thanks to the House Tutors for
their support, and to Molly and Jake who have taken on their roles
with great gusto. Best wishes to Joe Patmore and Georgina Dawson
who will be picking up the baton in the New Year.
On holiday in America last year, I found a listings magazine featuring
an advert: the slogan was ‘LIVE VICTORIOUSLY’.
We’re going to keep doing that.
DWC
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34

Competitive Houses
WOODARD

Housemaster: Dr R.J. Hansford

House Tutors: Mr J.J. Baggaley, Mr A.P. Coupe, Mr C.R. Davies,

Mr C. Garratt, Mr J.N. Haycock, Mr A.J. Murphy, Mr J.W. Nicholson,
Mrs R. Paul, Mr A.D. Quentin, Mrs M. Reynolds, Mr E.J. Richards,
Mrs R.L. Schubert, Mrs J.M. Underhill, Mr J.S. Underhill

Captains of House: P. Lotze, Z.M. Mabaquiao-Lennox

The year began with the appointment of two new Captains of House
and their deputies. This honour fell to Zac Mabaquiao-Lennox to
Captain the boys and Paula Lotze to captain the girls. The Vice Captains
appointments were taken by Louis Mellor, Rhian Jones, Ellen Moseley
and Charlotte Moore.
The House plays represented another overwhelming display of skill and
talent from Woodard. This year we were dealt with the difficult task of
The Interhouse Boys indoor football is always the first sporting fixture
re-enacting Blackadder the Third. Our play ‘Ink and Incapability’ saw Dr
of the year. It received the usual raucous support from the sports hall
Samuel Johnson seek the Regent's support for his dictionary, but when
balcony. The Woodard supporters were in usual fine voice, especially in
it is used for firewood, it leaves Blackadder only a weekend to re-write
the senior boys match. Our house captain Zac, lead the Woodard
it. The play posed a real challenge for the director, Rhian Jones and the
senior boys, in some close games against Wakeman-Lambart and
cast, as Blackadder is a college favourite, and many staff and pupils know
Meynell, but sadly it wasn’t our day and Talbot were the ultimate victors
the lines and episodes inside and out. This meant that not only did the
of the trophy.
cast have to be word perfect, but that they had to create an authentic
version of the episode. With so many lines to remember, a number of
the cast struggled to remember all of theirs. On the night many pieces
of prop furniture had lines taped to them as a precaution to lapses of
memory. Ellen Moseley did a fantastic job as Blackadder and Elin Jones
was a funny and Hugh Lauriesque version of the Prince Reagent.
Connor Bruce played a great version of Baldrick, and could easily
replace Tony Robinson if Blackadder was ever to return to our screens.
As I’m also starting to realise there are a number of boys in Woodard
who jump at the chance of wearing a dress. This year Ed Paul stepped
into Jed Corbett’s red high heels as Mrs Miggins. He looked glorious in
his wedding dress and wig, which he carried off well. He had even
emblazoned his love of Woodard in lipstick across his back as the dress
didn’t quite fit. The play had many in the audience in hysterics and the
lapses of memory also added to this. As a result we ended up with
runner up prizes for the best supporting actor for Aaron Davies’s Dr
Johnson, the best dressed actor for Connor Bruce as Baldrick and the
best Mrs Miggins for Ed Paul.

As well as sporting competitions the Michaelmas term also sees a
couple of academic competitions that run in parallel. The first of these
was a Holocaust survivor’s competition that required pupils to look at
videos and written first-hand accounts of people that had been directly
affected by the Holocaust. As usual the Woodard pupils rose to the
challenge and Aditi Chezhian wrote the winning entry for the juniors.
Her letter to the editor of a newspaper explaining the moving
testimony of Beba Leventhal was an excellent read as well as thought
provoking. Vincent Cheung also gained a highly commended in the
senior section for his vivid account of Berthold Katz who was taken
from his native Poland to Shanghai.
The second competition was the photography competition which this
year had the theme ‘Geography’. Two members of year 10 Iona Taylor
and Jennifer Hooper both gained a commended for their entries.
In the last weekend before the Christmas holidays we had a lovely carol
service followed by mince pies and my gratitude goes to those
members of the House who read passages during the service: Mr
Nicholson, Yaroslav Yakymets, Harriet Otter and Emily Coupe. I must
also take this opportunity to heap praise upon the choir, which contains
many Woodard members, including our vice-captain Rhian Jones, who
did a stunning solo. The whole choirs’ singing was simply sensational, one
member of the congregation commented that they had seen the choir
at King’s chapel, Cambridge at Christmas and they felt that the
Ellesmere chapel choir surpassed them. If you were in attendance, you
will know exactly what I mean. Looking around the chapel one could
see the congregation transfixed upon them and totally mesmerised by
the beautiful sounds they made and the ethereal atmosphere with the
candlelit chapel. The fact that Mr Coupe (the Director of Music) is a
Woodard man goes some way to explaining why the choir have
reached such high standards.
The Michaelmas term concluded with the festival of Hockey and Rugby.
As usual the events drew the usual crowds of spectators despite the
Arctic conditions. Having been the victors of the House rugby last year,
pressure was on the boys of all age groups to bring home the trophy.
There was also a little trepidation as our lucky mascot Mr Murphy
wasn’t able to attend the matches this year. We had three teams, a
junior, inter and senior team. All the Woodard boys played their hearts
out all afternoon in all their matches. Although we didn’t win this year,
we did in the end place second in the junior and inter competitions and
third in the seniors. However, it has given the boys a thirst for victory
next year and they will be back with a fighting spirit.
THE ELLESMERIAN
The girls Hockey which also took place on the same afternoon,
comprised of two teams, one made up of Junior members of
the House from Years 9 and 10, and a senior team of years 11
to 13. Considering the senior girls teams faced an impressive
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team from Wakeman-Lambart that was comprised of many
first team members. The junior girls team also faced some
formidable sides also, namely in their case, Talbot which had a number
of girls that play for Shropshire. This didn’t faze the girls and there was
some excellent tackling by both teams. In the end the girls lost out to
two very good teams. However, like the boys the girls are raring to
come back next year and show what they are made of.
The Lent term was one of the busiest I have ever known for Woodard
it saw the House involved in several events including the debating, the
House quiz, cross country, basketball, indoor cricket and House Singing.
As well as delivering two House chapels and the formal dinner.
The first sporting event of the Lent term was the senior boys’
basketball. It was an exciting afternoon, with some sharp shooting from
Maxi Lai and Vincent Cheung. We had winning matches against Talbot
and Meynell, bit lost out just to Wakeman-Lambart.
One of the highlights of the school calendar is the House cross country.
For once the day was dry, but the wind was biting. We left the old
sports hall with excitement and high spirits about what was about to
unfold. The starter’s gun went and off went a sea of colour, including the
hoard of purple Woodard tops. Within 15 to 20 minutes, the front
runners started to cross the line and it was great that to see that many
crossing the line early were wearing purple. It’s fair to say we had some
absolute fabulous performances from the members of the House. Luke
Evans and Brooke Illingworth couldn’t wait to tell me of their positions
in the junior race. They must have been so ecstatic at the time they had
missed me cheering them over the line. The actual results always take a
few days to filter through and Mr Williams had kept his cards close to
his chest to the overall winners of the event. It was a complete surprise,
but a great one, that Woodard took the trophy as the overall winners
of the cross country. It just showed that when Woodard work together
we are a force to be reckoned with.
Other sporting events this term included girls indoor hockey, indoor
cricket and both boys and girls basketball. The junior girls’ basketball was
one of the most exciting matches I have ever seen. It kept the
spectators on the edge of their seats through all three of Woodard’s
matches. In every match, just when you thought all was lost, the girls
managed to gain hoops with seconds to spare. All the girls played
brilliantly, but there were some noticeable performances from Iona
Taylor, Jennifer Hooper and Tabitha Leonard. It was well deserved that
they won the cup.
Woodard also had to write and deliver two chapels during this term.
The House captains decided on the theme of Internationalism. As so
many pupils in Woodard are not British, they felt that it was an area that
needed representation. The first chapel was written by Paula Lotze (the
girls’ House captain) and Molly Tumelty and the second was written by
Alanah O’Brien in Year 12. This is no mean feat, even with Reverend
Gration’s guidance. Both chapels went smoothly and a number of staff
emailed to say what an excellent job the pupils had done. The pupils in
House also had to attend prayers with Reverend Gration. Each week
saw a different year group attend prayers in the Lady Chapel. It is always
with a great deal of trust in the pupils that they to turn up when they
are expected. I was proud to hear that they had all religiously been
there.
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The House Singing happened just before half term and pulled
the usual crowds combining staff, pupils and parents. This year’s
theme was Queen and Woodard House performed ‘I Want to
Break Free’ as their unison song and ‘Somebody to Love’ as the
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part song. The House also had to perform a hymn. This time of
year brings stress on the House members. The rehearsals for all
of these songs are squeezed into a terribly short time frame, which
makes for an increasingly tense and anxious atmosphere as the night of
the performances draws near. This said, I must take this opportunity to
thank all members of the House for participating fully and making the
rehearsal times so enjoyable. Once again this year, Mrs Reynolds, Mrs
Underhill, Mr Davies, Mr Nicholson and Mr Coupe who brought their
individual musical skills and talents to the whole House effort and were
much appreciated. I’d also like to thank Mr Whitley and Scott Phillips for
their support behind the scenes.
Zac’s Mum also really got into the spirit of turning Zac from head of
House into Freddie Mercury for his time in the limelight on the podium.
On a weekly basis leading up to the event, Zac came to me looking
increasingly forlorn, as his Mum had provided him with yet another part
of his Freddie outfit. “Dr Hansford” he would say, “Mum has got me a
pair of fishnet tights” followed by a few weeks later “now she’s got me a
PVC skirt!”, “ can I not just wear the House jacket!”. Zac appeared on
the night, with a look of worry on his face and a wee wobble on his
heels. However, he needn’t have worried as he went down a storm on
the night as he hoovered into big school and took the podium in front
of the Woodard pupils. The whole House got into the spirit of the
Queen songs, with many of them playing inflatable air guitar, piano and
saxophone. A couple even donned Brian May wigs so that Zac didn’t
feel on his own without his Queen band mates. The House captains did
a sterling job of bringing everybody into full unison as our conductors.
The part song pupils lead by Rhian Jones also did a fabulous job and
many staff commented how they thought we were the best House.
Sadly, even with Mr Davies helping judge we didn’t win the coveted
prize. However, Zac has found a way of earning money during his
university days as he could defiantly become a Freddie Mercury
impersonator.
The House Debating Contest produced some intense high pressure
debating from all teams. Our senior team consisted of Louis Mellor,
Vincent Cheung and Ed Paul and the junior team were Tessa O’Brien,
Peter Swinnerton, and Tabitha Leonard. In the junior team Tessa
provided the backbone of experience (and an increasingly capable one
at that) Tabitha and Peter, as well as the boys in the senior team were
debating for the first time and had no past experience. This did not
prevent them from providing some solid arguments and defending the
House against difficult questions from the opposition. They did a sterling
job and I am sure they will feature in future House debates. The juniors
were particularly impressive and prepared some fascinating and well
researched arguments, despite in the end the confusion of which side
was debating for, for or against. They lost out in the end due to a re-
debate about cats or dogs against Wakeman-Lambart. Our seniors also
found the going tough and were put to the test by the Talbot team, who
eventually clinched the debate, but only just. Our chaps and ladies did
well and deserve credit for their efforts, but unfortunately a Woodard
place in the final eluded us this year.
The final academic competition of the Lent term was the House quiz.
As the time had been changed to quiet time, it meant that the Arts
Centre was packed with pupils willing Woodard on. The team
comprised of two sixth formers, Dylan Jones and Toby Ballion, and two
middle school pupils, Peter Swinnerton and Jack Tomlinson. The all-male
team were pitted against Talbot. After an initial lead, Talbot started to
pull ahead. Things were still close when we hit the on the spot round,
which sees one member of the team under the spotlight, literally. Toby
stepped up to the plate for Woodard, and after initial stage fright he did
the House proud. Sadly the draw of questions on the night suited Talbot
better and therefore, they went through to the final, but I know the
boys are itching to show what they are made of in next year’s quiz.
The Lent term always culminates in the formal House dinner. It is a
great event that sees not only Woodard House staff, pupils and their
parents attend to celebrate the Woodard year, oh and have a lovely
three course meal as well. The highlight of the evening is always the
House captains speech where they talk about their time in office,
remembering the highs and the lows of the year. Sadly, due to the
coronavirus pandemic, the event was cancelled this year at the eleventh
hour. It was unfortunate that Zac and Paula couldn’t make their much
anticipated speeches, especially as they had prepared them so well in
advance. Hopefully they will be able to come back to next year’s dinner
and celebrate their year in office with next year’s captains.
This year has been a year of highs and lows, but what always impresses
me about the House is the dedication and devotion to Woodard. This
never wavers despite the lows. It is this above all else that if this was an
interhouse competition, Woodard would win hands down every time.
So finally I want to say thank you to Zac, Paula, Louis, Charlotte, Rhian
and Ellen, the Woodard staff, parents and pupils as well the wider
Woodard community for another memorable year. I look forward to
welcoming you all back in school and as always as we go forward to a
new year I’ll end with the final cry of WOOOODARD!
RJH
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Lower School
38

“ An inspiring education is the key to

unlocking the world, a passport to
freedom – Oprah Winfrey

The 2020 Summer Term must go down as the strangest term of my

thirty plus teaching years. I am sure that many parents will share those
sentiments regarding this phase of time. I know that I speak on behalf of
all teachers in Lower School when I say I am very much looking forward
to the time when school can get back to some degree of normality and
have ‘live’ and not ‘virtual’ children in our classroom spaces. We have all
faced personal challenges and the strain on families has been evident.
”
As usual, Mrs Phillips has noted a few memorable events specifically
from KS2. This academic section of Lower School is as vibrant and busy
as ever! The younger pupils really impressed when managing new online
skills through the Summer Term.
Mrs Philips noted that September 2019 saw the arrival of many new
faces into the Key Stage 2 department at Lower School and everyone
quickly settled into their new classes. As well as the new routines in
lessons, many pupils enjoyed new experiences through activities and
clubs, from Chinese lessons to shooting.

Challenges continued through the term in the form of the Further

Learning Programme and many pupils relished the opportunity to take
their learning beyond the classroom. The Michaelmas Term expeditions
were no exception to this either. All pupils enjoyed the varied
programme. Year 3 and 4 visited Shrewsbury Museum to undertake a
workshop on portraits and explored the Jack Field Tile Museum,
Ironbridge where they designed and made their own tile.

Year 5 also visited Shrewsbury Museum to learn about life in prehistoric

Britain, using artefacts from the museum. They explored what life was
On a more uplifting note, however, it has been incredible to see how like for our ancestors. The history focus continued for Year 5 when they
resilient our pupils have been and we are incredibly proud of them. We experienced life as a Celt at Brymbo near Wrexham. Here is an
constantly remind them that the skills that they have developed through account written by Megan Pritchard.
this whole episode will be great skills for the future. Pupils will be more
robust should they face these challenging times again. They will also
build upon these foundations in preparation for the world of
employment ahead. In addition, many memories will have been made to
recollect the positive family experiences that have taken place too.

This end of year summary will therefore take on a slightly different

format this year. It was with sadness that we could not collect together
at the end of the year for Speech Day and the Strawberry and Fizz
celebrations on the terraces. Assessment of academic progress
continued as normal but there were no end of year examinations. As a
result, academic awards were not presented.

This year was a special year for Lower School as we celebrated our
20th year. HRH Princess Anne kindly accepted our invitation to open
the new Lower School building all of those years ago and we proudly
display a letter from her to commemorate our 20th anniversary. We
had a celebratory tea with the children in November to mark the
occasion. It was wonderful to invite back many old faces and past Head On Tuesday 22nd October, Class 5P went on a school trip for our
Boys and Girls. It was lovely to take a moment to reflect on all that has History project. We went for a chance to live life as a Celt in a place
been achieved and all the memories made over time. called Brymbo.

First, we had to go to the classroom to pick up our lunch. I took a
cheese sandwich, an apple and a chocolate bar, which are all my
favourite foods! At quarter past nine, we got on the bus and started our
journey. Finally, at quarter to ten, we arrived.
When we got off the bus, we met a person called Angharad who was
our guide for the day. She led us up the hill that was very steep. We
went into a classroom and hung up our belongings. We got inside and
she showed us her swords and shields.
Next, she dressed us up in tunics and shawls. We got to paint each
other’s faces and put gel in our hair. After that, we went outside and
weaved part of a wall with sticks. This stage is called wattle. Then, we
went into a replica roundhouse. Inside it was cold and damp so we all
sat down on logs.
After talking about the Celtic lifestyle we went back to the classroom.
After a short break, we all had a go at weaving, shield designing and
spinning wool. Next, we had our lunch and I sat with Immy and Izzy.
When we had cleared up, we made small thumb pots out of clay,
making sure we marked the bottom with our initials so we would know
which was which.
We then went back outside to finish putting the daub on our Celtic
wall. Then we headed down to the woods, as we passed the
roundhouse we felt the soft roof made out of moss. We were going for
spear throwing training and all had a go at hitting the target but nobody
hit the centre. We then returned to the classroom through the woods.
We had finally reached the end of being a Celt so we put our Celtic
clothes back and got on the bus. We had a great day in Brymbo and I
will be definitely be coming again!
Year 6 pupils visited Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre near Craven
Arms to practise their orienteering skills and then Blists Hill Victorian
Town to see what life was like more than 100 years ago.
This account of the visit was written by Oliver Earl.
In October we went to Blists Hill, a Victorian village. It took about an
hour and Kitt and I played Top Trumps on the way.
The first thing we did was go to get changed into Victorian clothes to
go to the Victorian school. When we were in the school we had to
write on a black board with chalk then we had to do PE. After that we
went to the chemist shop. It was very interesting to see all the old
medicines they used. We had lunch in an old cabin. For lunch we had
some sandwiches, crisps and a Freddo. Then we went to the brick
THE ELLESMERIAN
making hut. We all made a brick by getting some clay and
putting it in a mould with sand then putting the cover on,
making sure it is pressed hard. When we finished making our
bricks, we went to the bread shop and got some bread. Next
39
we went to the pen shop which was very interesting. After that
we went to the iron monger and I bought an anvil paper
weight.
Second to last we visited the fair where there were some cool swings
where you had to pull a rope to go higher and higher in the air. Next,
we went to the sweet shop where there were loads and loads of
sweets to choose from like bon-bons, sugar mice, and many more. It
was very good.
On the way back from Blists Hill I sat with Alex and Kitt. It was the best
day ever!
The academic thrust continued in the second half of the Michaelmas
Term and Year 5 and 6 completed the annual Primary Mathematics
Challenge run by the Mathematical Association.
Amongst the many events leading up to the end of the Michaelmas
Term, the Monduli bazaar is a favourite, especially with our Lower
School pupils who organise stalls to make their own valuable
contributions to this worthwhile charity.
During this festive week at Ellesmere College, Key Stage Two pupils
performed their play ‘Lights, Camel, Action 2! The Sequin’.
The stable was transformed into a dance studio as the traditional
nativity characters return to tell the story of Jesus’ birth.
The Key Stage pupils learnt some fabulous songs and dance styles
ranging from gospel to hustle and ceilidh to conga. The judges – Megan
Griffiths, Kitt Baillon and Nathaniel Clewlow – entertained the audience
in their roles of Little Sheep, Funky Camel, and Caesar.
The whole cast were congratulated on a lively, polished performance.
On a more general note, it is lovely that music usually drifts through
Lower School from first thing in the morning to the end of the school
day, when the choir robustly go through their paces. We have had a
number of wonderful Monday evening musical teas and concerts. Once
again it is an opportunity to thank the music staff for their dedication
and care of our budding talent. This term, school has been eerily quiet.
There has been a worldwide recognition of how nature has come to
the fore whilst enjoying the undisrupted time during our human
lockdown. Birdsong and farm animal noises have been the new sounds
punctuating the day here at Lower School through the Summer Term.
 THE ELLESMERIAN Oscar Crossen (Head Boy of Lower School)

After joining Ellesmere College in Year 7, I never thought I would be

asked to be Head Boy of Lower School a year later and I feel incredibly
40

lucky to be given the opportunity and responsibility. The past year until
lockdown had been packed with lots of activities, sport matches, music,
inter-school and the fun inter-house competitions. We always look
forward to Survive and Thrive every Wednesday afternoon when we
were given the opportunity to learn new skills including sailing, mapping
and a favourite was hedge planting to create new wildlife areas using
plants kindly donated from The Wildlife Trust.

Sport is a big part of school life and there are so many opportunities.
I’ve really enjoyed learning to fence and my highlight was qualifying to
represent the West Midlands in the National Epee Championships in
May, but sadly it was cancelled. Another new sport to me was Rugby
Sevens and Mr Murphy coached us how to play rugby in a completely
The New Pupils Tea on the first Sunday of term was a lovely affair. It
different style. This really extended my game.
was once again wonderful to welcome new families to join our Lower
School community. It is amazing how quickly those children settled and
indeed it is wonderful to see how much they have achieved in just one
year. End of Year report writing time is a satisfying process as one
recounts all that each individual child has achieved in their personal
journey. Many of our pupils begin to realise that they enjoy different
activities from previously and, with our ’have a go’ attitude at the
College, many new experiences have taken place.

This year we have continued with our focus on kindness and respect of
others. In our troubled, social times I feel that we do celebrate diversity
and respect for the individual. We truly do promote that every single
child should have equality of opportunity. The school is placing focus
upon High Performance Learning, which has no academic bounds. We
believe that with hard work and effort, plus a degree of perseverance,
resilience, and determination, a pupil can achieve amazing personal
levels.

The past few months have been very different for everyone. Although
we haven’t been in school physically, we have been able to attend
virtually and use Microsoft Teams to join lessons and complete our
work from home. This has really helped keep us on top of our studies
and we’ve just completed our ESB presentations remotely. I would like
to say a big thank you to Mrs Owen for giving me this fantastic
opportunity and it’s been great being in a team with Deputy Head Boy
Myles Webster, Izzy, and Deputy Head Girl Georgie Prescott. I would
also like to thank all the school staff from the cleaners to teachers and
cooks to caretakers, everyone’s contribution is appreciated. I can’t wait
to see everyone in September, hopefully, and I hope everyone has a
lovely summer.
Isabel Gray and Oscar Crossen were asked to be the Head Boy and
Isobel Gray (Head Girl of Lower School)
Girl of Lower School this year and I would like to personally say well
done and thank you for the work that they have done. It has been
Year 8 has been a great year! It has been full of lots of fun expos and
wonderful to see them both grow in confidence and really embrace
sporting events. My favorite expo this year was definitely when we went
their role. I think they amazed themselves with what they have achieved.
to the Science Museum at the very beginning of the year. I liked it
I am very proud of them!
because it was very interesting but still fun. Another highlight for me has
been the huge variety of regular sports matches and tournaments that I
I suppose it would be with mixed emotion that they got to the end of
have taken part in.
the Summer Term. However, they wouldn’t have the anxiety of making a
formal speech in front of a large gathering of families. Knowing the two
I have also taken part in the STEM challenge where we had to use skills
of them, though, they would have stepped up to the plate admirably.
from DT and Mathematics to create something to give to people in
Instead, they have offered a little prose to share their experiences from
Africa. We made a giant lift/zip line with baskets attached, full of food
this year.
and medicine, and we managed to secure first place!

I have really enjoyed this year and can't wait for Year 9 and moving into
Middle School. There will be lots of new lessons e.g. Business, Media, and
Drama, and we will even be able to take part in D of E or CCF.
THE ELLESMERIAN
Lower School pupils have genuinely engaged in the various
sporting opportunities provided. Sport has provided a platform
for self-awareness and growth alongside developing physical
skills. There have been many lessons learnt about teamwork,

I would like to say a huge thank you to Mrs Owen for this amazing
opportunity to be Head Girl, and I hope the next Head Girl enjoys it as
much as I have... Hopefully school will be starting normally again in
September and I look forward to seeing everyone again soon.
We sent both Isabel and Oscar mementoes of their time in Lower
School and we will watch their progress with fondness as they carry on
their academic journey through Middle School.
2019/20 was the first year of a new system for boarding too. The Year 7
and 8 boarders moved to St Patrick’s boarding House for boys and St
Aidan’s for the girls. Mr Owen and Mrs Done reported that
the boarding pupils embraced the change and formed a supportive
group who enjoyed many experiences throughout the year together. It
was impressive to see our spread of different nationalities too.
41
resilience, and dealing with success and failure.
The KS2 year groups enjoyed playing football, rugby, netball, and hockey.
Their core skill levels have advanced and the challenge of competition
against other schools has provided a benchmark.
The Year 7 rugby team recorded an unbelievable season. Their
performance was outstanding and they ranked as one of the best U12
sides in the country. They followed this with an impressive football
season. The Year 8 boys also enjoyed winning seasons across their
sports. The girls showed great determination and effort over the two
terms. They are on an upward development path.

Chapel Services have continued to provide a focal point for our College
week. The Reverend Gration appreciated the work of our Chapel
Prefect, Amelia Robinson, particularly this year. Amelia undertook her
responsibility seriously and we are indebted to her for arranging weekly
volunteer readers for Chapel Services and also a rota of pupils to
perform Acolyte duties.

It is correct at this stage to also thank the Deputy Head Boy, Myles
Webster, and the Deputy Head Girl, Georgie Prescott, for their sterling
work this year too. Plus the House Captains of the respective
competitive Houses.

We enjoyed many inter-house events throughout the year. Indoor

cricket, rugby, football, netball, hockey, and the whole school House
Cross Country saw the students battle with great determination for
their respective Houses.

What is seen is the joy and engagement the pupils have with sport.
Having fun playing sport with friends is the most enduring of memories,
at whatever level. It has been brilliant to see so many involved and
improving their physical and social skills through the pursuit of wide
sports experience.

It is important now to look with optimism to the future. We will look

forward to meeting new families once again in September and
welcoming back our current pupils after the strange times experienced
at the end of this academic year. We will look forward to some sense of
normality.

Brownlow – Alix Nicholas and Ethan Oliver I finish reflecting on a few words from Dalai Lama:
Phillips – Fran Appleby and Josh Norris “Here we choose to be optimistic, it feels better.”
Heywood – Stephanie Edwards and Archie Floate
SO
As we know, sport has taken a huge hit during the lockdown. We know
that the majority of our pupils will particularly have missed their school
sport through the Summer Term and we look forward to the future and
getting to play again.

Mr Williams, Director of Sport, shared that what has been encouraging

this year has been the opportunity for those who want to play sport
for a school team. Despite the shortened sporting year the students
have thrown themselves behind the various teams.
 THE ELLESMERIAN

Middle School
42

“ Education is the most powerful

weapon you can use to change the
world – Nelson Mandela

”
We also brought in a new ‘Certificate of Achievement’ for those
students who have worked above and beyond in their lessons and
were presented during the assemblies.

PSHE had a revamp. Dr Gareh had laid down a great foundation in

this area and so I felt it was an ideal opportunity to enhance the
programme further. The students have been able to interact with the
programme content by watching videos on topics that have included
the themes of personal development, mental health, and the
environment to name but a few. We also had outside speakers in to
deliver a range of talks, including the prison service and the national
citizenship scheme.

This is something we will continue to build on to give students a

better understanding of certain issues and also on what happens in
the wider world away from Ellesmere.

It all changed at the start of this year. Dr Gareh moved to the role of
Head of Sixth Form, I took on the leadership of Middle School, and
Mrs Curzon became the Assistant Head of Middle School. I would
like to thank Dr Gareh for all his hard work and support during my
time as Assistant Head of Middle School.
It was great to see so many Middle School students take part in the
House Plays, not just those who were performing but behind the
scenes too. It takes great teamwork in a very short period of time to
bring something together that is a joy to watch.

As usual, we were extremely busy from the very start of the year.
New changes were implemented, which were seen through the new
style assemblies and a new PSHE programme that was introduced.
The year always starts with the online safety course, which is
paramount to students’ understanding and awareness of their use of
the internet and social media.

As the year progressed, we saw the new style assemblies take place. I
wanted Middle School to have a platform and have a voice to share
their ideas and passions and I thought the Middle School assemblies
were a perfect space. The tutor groups worked together to deliver a
wide range of subject matters; Women’s Rights, Environmental Issues,
and Mental Health were amongst some of the most thought-
provoking subjects that were delivered with passion, conviction, and
confidence. I was extremely pleased by the commitment and
compassion shown by our students in their delivery.
 THE ELLESMERIAN
The Middle School play was the Demon Headmaster. The
cast were fantastic, and Cal Adlard made the role of the
Demon Headmaster his own. All cast members did an
amazing job, as did the stage and tech team in supporting

43
this production, especially as on the first night there was a
power cut, yet all the cast and crew acted like true
professionals. The second night was a roaring success and went
without any glitches or issues.

Just before half term the whole school took part in Expeditions; the
range of activities and their diversity is reflected in the D of E, Arts
Award, Tennis and swimming camps, and CCF Camps.

The Arts Award expedition saw the group go to Blackpool to look

at a range of creative areas. They were given a tour of the three
theatres of the Pleasure Beach, attended a show in the evening, and
also had a visit the Madame Tussauds attraction. The Navy section of
the CCF went to Dartmoor, where they took part in a three-day
expedition that included mountain biking and some of the same
training as new recruits in the Navy. They also went to Plymouth,
where they took part in raft building at a Navy outdoor training
centre. You can see from these two activities the wide range of
experiences that Middle School students have the opportunity to Christmas lunch was, as usual, a great way to get the whole of Middle
take part in. School together to celebrate the end of a full and busy term.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed this gathering before the Christmas
The Duke of Edinburgh award saw over 100 Middle School students break.
take part in the scheme. Those doing the Bronze award walked
around the LLandegla area and camped for one night. The Silver House Singing was another event where Middle School students
award participants headed over towards Betwys y Coed where they showed great enthusiasm and conviction in their House
camped for two nights. performances. I am always amazed by their dedication and the loyalty
they show for their Competitive House. This year’s event was won
by Meynell, with one of the winning performances of the House
being ‘We Will Rock You’ by Queen.

Another event that sometimes get overlooked is the House

Debating competition. Middle School students who took part in this
event did themselves proud. They had to research and deliver a
considered argument/debate on a particular topic and did so with
confidence and clarity. This is not an easy thing to do but it was great
to see. I’m sure that all student who took part will continue to grow
from strength to strength with their confidence in the future.

Year 11 Careers Convention was again another very successful

event, giving students the opportunity to gather information about
their future ambitions. Visits to the 6th form Houses also helped to
focus on what the future at Ellesmere might hold for them in the
Sixth Form.
 THE ELLESMERIAN
With the world gripped by a global pandemic in the form of
the Coronavirus, it meant that school had to close in line
with the government guidance in March. However,
Ellesmere’s students were still able to access their learning by
44
their online lessons and interaction with their teachers. They
have showed great resilience, determination, and
resourcefulness in their work ethos, which should be commended
and of which I am extremely proud of their endeavours during this
time.
This unprecedented situation that we found ourselves in meant we
were unable to say our usual goodbyes for the summer and this was
more prevalent with the Year 11. I am sure we will see many of them
back in school at the start of the academic new year.
Middle School English in Lockdown
During the lockdown, the very name of which conveys a sense of
creative stasis, students proved that once the shackles were off, they
thrived in the space afforded by online learning.
The Summer Term saw students return to lessons in an unfamiliar
setting, the virtual classroom of Microsoft Teams. With a degree of
trepidation, teachers and students embarked together on the
Ellesmere Certificate in Spoken & Written English, a qualification
designed to recognise students’ imagination, hard work, and
intellectual playfulness.
Incorporating one of the central tenets of High Performance
Learning that teaching should be ‘with them not to them’ the various
components that made up the Certificate were broken down into
‘steps’ that students could follow independently. Teachers offered
advice and encouragement and on many occasions actually had a go
at the tasks themselves, which frequently served to highlight just how
much more creative young people can be than adults!
During the term, students had to work hard, persevere, and self-
regulate as they embarked on a wide array of tasks that led each
student to analyse and then read aloud from a literary work, deliver
a 5-minute presentation, write imaginatively, and respond to non-
fiction and literary texts in a creative fashion.
Videos flew in from around the world of compelling readings from
poems, speeches, plays, and novels. The breadth of material that
students chose to analyse and recite was impressive: an extract from
Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Oprah Winfrey’s speech at the Golden Globes,
DH Lawrence’s Piano, Wilfred Owen’s Smile, Smile, Smile.
Given the freedom to choose topics for a 5-minute presentation
resulted in Teams being used skilfully; some students decided to share
their screens and control the lesson while others videoed their
presentations and some added audio and video files to PowerPoints.
In the space of a few weeks, students’ agility was evident as they took
risks in the virtual world, suffered setbacks and then persevered, all
of which sets them up well for the future where technology will play
an increasingly important role. The range of topics for the 5-minute
presentations was refreshingly wide with students talking eloquently
about eating local meat, the Bermuda Triangle, the existence of hope,
niche computer games, pay equality, and the badger cull to name but
a few.
When it came to imaginative writing, the task was simple: using the
track list from The Greatest Showman as a prompt, write something
compelling. To encourage creativity and playfulness, the form of
writing and length were not prescribed and the results were striking.
Some chose to write articles, others diaries, poems, short stories,
tautograms, or monologues. Speeches were crafted and a number
decided to challenge themselves further by writing a collection of
pieces of equal length, say 66 words. Some were amusing, some
moving, some provocative, but all showed a desire to write for the
fun of it, something that all too frequently gets lost in the treadmill of
exam preparations. This component of the term’s work proved so
popular that teachers had a go too, as well as students in other
years.
The creativity did not end there. Year 9 read Animal Farm and
produced satirical posters that revealed their grasp of Orwell’s
thoughts on totalitarianism.
Year 10 read from The Explorer’s Daughter by Kari Herbert and
made all manner of things that captured the dilemma she faced as
she watched majestic narwhal being hunted by people who needed
every part of them to survive. Captivating stop-motion videos,
paintings, poems, and stories were created that clearly demonstrated
that students had read carefully, reflected on the writer’s thoughts
and emotions, before looking for original ways of conveying their
understanding.
 THE ELLESMERIAN
The final component of the Certificate was a literary visit to
Bhutan as students read from Beyond the Sky and the Earth
by Jamie Zeppa. They worked collaboratively to create an
advert for the Bhutanese government aimed at the UK

45
tourism market. Once more, the students’ radio, print, online,
and TV adverts demonstrated how well they could make
links between a piece of writing about a distant land and the
production of a targeted, engaging advert.
 THE ELLESMERIAN
Sixth Form
46
“ It is during our darkest
This year will certainly remain long in the memory of Ellesmere College
as it was the year that I became Head of the Sixth Form following the
retirement of the legend that is Mr Philip Wood, a position which he
took on in the year I joined the College in September 2000 (I think!!!).
As a friend and colleague and on behalf of a generation of pupils, I
would like to pay tribute to his time in this post and thank him for his
patience, kindness, dedication and professionalism.
There was also a bit of disruption due to a world pandemic but in true
Ellesmerian spirit we all adapted incredibly quickly and continued on
with the business of preparing for the future. That future currently looks
slightly different to that which we were expecting at the start of the
year but it is one that we will all be ready for.
Examination Results
Despite the absence of formal examinations in the Summer Term, our
Upper Sixth students worked extremely hard in their chosen subjects
and gained offers from the usual mixture of top universities both in the
UK and abroad and I must commend them in the way they completed
their studies despite all the uncertainty and they thoroughly deserve the
grades and success that they have achieved. As we are unable to
formally mark their leaving with the cancellation of the Sixth Form Ball, I
moments that we must
focus to see the light –
Aristotle
”
look forward to being able to celebrate their success with them at the
College as soon as we are able.
The summer of 2020 was a stressful time for all students expecting
examination results. All exams were cancelled nationwide due to the
closure of schools with teaching staff using a set of criteria to set
suggested grades for each student. The grades were then processed
through an algorithm set by the government and grades set from this.
Upon the release of the A Level results it was apparent that the system
was unfair and illogical and didn’t reflect the students’ capabilities
accurately.
The government decided fairly quickly that the grades would be
replaced by those that teachers had suggested but during the time this
took, some students had already lost their places at first choice
universities. However, the reversal of grades was very much welcomed
and students once again celebrated an excellent year of results.
The 2020 Ellesmere IB results saw 100% pass rate with 57% achieving
30 or more points. The pass level to gain the full diploma is 24 points,
with an award over 30 points being equivalent of A*AA grades at A
Level.

The BTEC group of six students, who opted to complete the Extended
Diploma - equal to 3 A Levels – also achieved a 100% pass rate. Over
50% of grades achieved were at Distinction star or Distinction with
one student attaining the highest mark possible, three Distinction Stars.
THE ELLESMERIAN
Williams’ ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ and Webster’s ‘The
Duchess of Malfi’. Subsequent sessions built on this
metacognitive approach with workshops in the Arts Centre
where drama served to develop a deeper grasp of each

47
The average outcome for the BTEC Extended Diploma by Ellesmere writer’s work.
students is equivalent to ABB at A level.

The A level results were equally impressive with 100% pass rate and
routes secured to university by most. A number of students secured
impressive A*/A in all subjects and destinations include Music at
Cambridge (Homerton College), Medicine at Birmingham, Chemistry
at Birmingham, Classics at Durham, Law at Cardiff, Mathematics at
Imperial College London and Bath, Music at the Royal Welsh College of
Music and Drama, Physiotherapy at Liverpool, Philosophy at Newcastle,
and Product Design Engineering at Nottingham University.

Wine Appreciation Society

After the Christmas break, we were delighted to welcome back Miss
Zoe Evans (OE 2004) to the College deliver this course to 20 pupils
based on the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 course. Alex Herbert Adams focuses on the final scenes of ‘The Duchess of Malfi’
Zoe left Ellesmere College after the sixth form to study Agri-Food
Marketing at Harper Adams University and also obtained a placement
with Majestic Wine. She then went to Marlborough, New Zealand and
worked on a vineyard and winery for a year before returning to work
for Halfpenny Green Wine Estate, as a Vineyard Manager and Assistant
Winemaker. Although the course was cut slightly short due to the
pandemic, all involved really enjoyed the experience and appreciated
the knowledge and insight into the world of wines that Zoe was able
to offer.

I must also commend our Lower Sixth pupils this year as they have
responded to the challenges of online teaching for a term with
exceptional maturity and the skills that they have developed in doing
so will certainly be a real asset to them once they leave us next year. I
have no doubt that that this group of pupils will be able to support
each other and those in the year groups below in adapting to whatever
changes we face when we return in September.

MTG
Year 13 capturing the whole of ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’

Looking at the Bigger Picture in English

In a period when we were locked down, focusing creatively on the big
picture set students free.

This year has seen a number of new approaches take root in Sixth
Form lessons. The seeds were planted by the College’s adoption of
High Performance Learning where the core belief is that all students
can, if they are given the opportunity, develop the characteristics and
attitudes of the most successful learners. Activities were designed in A-
Level Literature and International Baccalaureate lessons to build
intellectual resilience, playfulness, and flexibility. Students on both
courses found that there was a lot of scope for creativity and
imagination in the English classroom, whether it was in New Block or
the lockdown space of Microsoft Teams.

One particular focus was meta-cognition and looking at a literary work

on a macro, or ‘big-picture’ scale. Prior to the lockdown, this approach
saw desks covered in rolls of paper, a blank canvas on to which a
particular play’s plot line could be captured with key scenes magnified
and contextual information added. Given the freedom to create these
canvases collaboratively, the outcome was often visually compelling and
Money Nopsuwanwong ’s intricate notes about the Duchess and her brothers
allowed for links to be made within and between A-Level plays such as
 THE ELLESMERIAN
Looking at the big-picture also helped A-Level students to
better understand narrative arcs, highlight emotionally charged
scenes, and create useful revision materials. Wonderfully
detailed storylines were created of Ishiguro’s ‘Never Let Me
48
Go’ and ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, with one student even
taking the opportunity to retell the whole play from antagonist
Stanley Kowalski’s point of view in a rap!
A ‘big picture’ of ‘The Duchess of Malfi’, complete with severed hand
Year 13 get all dramatic with their A Level plays
Focusing on writers’ use of language is an important area of study for
A-Level. Given the task of simply selecting a key image from a
particular chapter in ‘Never Let Me Go’ and then finding a creative way
of conveying the ideas and emotions contained therein led to drawings,
poems, monologues, and montages. It was evident that being able to
Aaron Davies depicts Kathy H., one of the young clones, bringing tears to
Madame’s human eyes as she dances to ‘Never Let Me Go’ by Judy Bridgewater
choose the form of expression increased engagement and the hard
work and care put into these pieces was striking. Without always
realising it, students were analysing passages closely and exploring the
subtler effects of language and imagery.
Julia Ostaszyk and Estella Behrens make satirical links between current
events in America and ‘Animal Farm’ in their political cartoons
In the Language and Literature course studied as part of the
International Baccalaureate, approaching literary works and non-fiction
texts creatively led to some very interesting results. Orwell’s ‘Animal
Farm’ was given new dust jackets or turned into a pack of Top-Trump
cards. Editorials in the New York Times became political cartoons. The
unbearable isolation of Alfred III in Dürrenmatt’s ‘The Visit’ became a
playdough tableau and Nick Carraway’s unreliable narration in ‘The
Great Gatsby’ inspired flash fiction with unpleasant narrators.
Estella Behrens and Johanna Futter redesign the dust cover of‘Animal Farm’
Rosie Wood’s elephant, inspired by the travails of one of the clones, Tommy,
and his woeful attempts to create ‘art’ whilst a student at Hailsham
THE ELLESMERIAN 49
THE ELLESMERIAN
University Destinations
University Applicant Results (Places Offered) 2020
50

Name University Course

Jono Adam University of Bath Sport (Performance)
Dylan Adlard Shrewsbury College Fine Art
Shihab Al Khonji Aston University, Birmingham Engineering and Applied Science
Harriet Allday University of Liverpool Biological Sciences
Lynx Ananfack Noumey Nottingham Trent University Real Estate
Marija Barysaite University of Reading Art and Psychology
Philippa Bowers Lancaster University English Literature
Harry Bradshaw Oxford Brookes University Business Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
Connor Bruce University of Stirling Business Law
Sarala Chatterjee Lancaster University Mechanical Engineering
Ananya Chezhian University of Birmingham Medicine
Emily-Rose Coupe University of Edinburgh Sociology and Social Anthropology
Amber Coxill Homerton College, University of Cambridge Music
Patrick Crowe Leiden University Linguistics
Flora Cui University College London (UCL) Education Studies
Molly Curzon Newcastle University Philosophy
Henriette Czech University of Münster Economics and Law
Shannon Dalligan University of Birmingham Psychology in Education
William Davies Nottingham Trent University Economics
Louis Deekes Northumbria University, Newcastle Quantity Surveying
Leon Depre KU Leuven, Brussels Business Administration
Oscar Desimpel Ghent Economics
Lloyd Edwards Liverpool John Moores University Law
Josie Evans University of Liverpool Physiotherapy
Harrison Fletcher Leeds Beckett University Physical Education
Toby Freer-Carmichael Newcastle University Marine Technology with Naval Architecture
Iwo Adam Hachulski NYU Abu Dhabi Economics
Douglas Harper Loughborough University Geography (deferred 2021)
Daniel Harris University of Surrey Business Management (Entrepreneurship)
Georgina Hebson University of Salford Journalism: Broadcasting
Alex Herbert Adams Leeds College of Music Music
Patrick Hey Cardiff University Ancient History
Rosie Holland Cardiff Metropolitan University Sport and Exercise Science
Yun Hong Imperial College London Mathematics
Ewan Hoskin Durham University Sport and Exercise Science
Harry Hudson Nottingham Trent University Property Development and Planning
Charlie Hutchison Loughborough College Applied Sports Science with Management
Rhian-Carys Jones Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Music
 THE ELLESMERIAN
51
Tobi Laguda University of Bath Mathematics
Hin Yeung (Maxy) Lai Cardiff University Mechanical Engineering
Yik Long (Evan) Lai University of East Anglia Business Finance and Management
Yuhan (Rain) Liu University College London (UCL) Economics
Paula Lotze Maastricht University, Netherlands Economics
Malte Ludwig Hanover Chemistry
Arun Luis De Montfort University Mechanical Engineering
Zac Mabaquiao Lennox St Mary's University, Twickenham Sport Rehabilitation
Pratham Manchanda University of Reading Law
Ruby Marsh Oxford Brookes University Business and Marketing Management
Nathaniel McAllister Manchester Metropolitan University Business Management (Foundation Year)
Adam Metcalf Loughborough University Criminology and Social Policy
Charlotte Moore Cardiff University Journalism, Media and Sociology
Ellesn Moseley Leeds Beckett University Sport and Exercise Therapy
Lavinia Mottershead Oxford Brookes University Business and Management
William Mullock University of Birmingham Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
Charles Munro Nottingham Trent University Property Development and Planning
Pia Murray Swansea University Psychology
Charlie Nelson Cheshire College Media
Money Nopsuwanwong Norwich University of the Arts Textile Design
Henry Powell University of Hull PPE
Poppy Prescott Bristol, University of the West of England Media Production
Mimi Quinton Durham University Classics
Filip Radu Cardiff University Law
Jake Redshaw University Academy 92 (UA92) Media and Communications
Maka Sasaki Cardiff University Civil and Environmental Engineering
Glenn Sebuabeh University of Wolverhampton Business Management
Alexander Selby Liverpool John Moores University Civil Engineering
Gracie Shallcross The University of Edinburgh English Literature (Deferred to 2021)
Anna Smail University of Nottingham Product Design Engineering (Study Abroad Year)
Scott Stevens Cardiff University Civil Engineering
Alfie Thelwell Nottingham Trent University Real Estate
Molly Tumelty University of Birmingham Chemistry
Elise Veitch University of Chester Primary Education (5-11) with QTS
Robert von der Luhe Nottingham Trent University Biomedical Science
Anastasia Xie University of Sheffield Journalism Studies
Christine You University of Kent International Business
Sam Zakers University of Birmingham Physics
 THE ELLESMERIAN
52

The Combined
Cadet Force
Overall Review

The Navy Section went to Gutter Tor Refuge

on Dartmoor for some walking, adventure
training, and survival training. They also visited
HMS Albion and a WW2-torpedo base
called Pier Cellars. This venture was a huge
success and is bound to be repeated at some
stage in the future. The RAF section went to
Inskip Training Centre and took part in
various teambuilding and leadership tasks as
well as adventurous training.

Unable to secure accommodation at

The Contingent returned in
September in rude good health with
many new students opting to join
one of our three sections. After the
initial six weeks of the Michaelmas
Term the various groups deployed
on our October Expeditions.
Nesscliffe Training Camp due to priority units
using the area, The Army Section had to
change their plans at the last minute. Given
the subsequent weather, the decision not to
basha out on a training area for three days
proved an extremely good one! The Army
Recruits Section went to Quinta to take part
in Basic Training and Fieldcraft, including
cooking in the field, navigation, basha building,
camouflage and concealment, and night
exercises. As always, Alistair Nurden and the
team at Quinta did everything they could to
ensure that our visit was a success. The
Contingent Officers and senior NCOs
delivered an outstanding experience that was
enjoyed by all. B Company (the Year 10 and
11 Army cadets) went to N Wales and took
part in a three day expedition under canvas
as part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Silver
Award. B Coy have a growing reputation for
their effort and enthusiasm, along with their
knowledge and commitment. This was only
enhanced by their positive response to this
challenge.
A significant number of Lower Sixth cadets
took part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold
Award expedition training in canoes.
Throughout all of these expeditions – which
were a great success – the Contingent
Officers were given outstanding support from
the senior NCOs who really stepped up to
the mark.
The Biennial Inspection took place on
November 7th with the Reviewing Officer
being Wing Commander Peter Gilbert OE.
Extraordinarily, this was Peter’s first day and
duty as an RAF Officer, having transferred
from his previous role as a Brigadier with the
Reserve Army. He was accompanied by his
brother Major David Gilbert OE and nephew

Major Huw Gilbert OE. It was a delight to welcome them all back to
College. Despite atrocious weather, the day went well and the Wing
Commander left with a fantastic impression of the Cadet Corps and
the way it is supported by the College and Cadet Training Team.
THE ELLESMERIAN
53
I was particularly disappointed not to be able to say farewell to our
senior NCOs at the end of their time with the Contingent. Normally
this parade is marked with various presentations, recognising their
contributions to the Corps. These awards will eventually find their way

A few days later Remembrance Sunday saw the cadets parade at the
service in Ellesmere. The Contingent Colours were paraded in Chapel
at the College Service of Remembrance by Cdt Sgt Sarala Chatterjee
and Cdt Corporal Kit Lewers, who both did a magnificent job.

Sadly, the rest of the year is very much a story of what might have
been. Weekly training through the winter months saw the three
sections working through their syllabuses and towards those
opportunities that normally lie ahead of the cadets in the second half
of the academic year. The suspension of training meant that this year’s
Easter Camp at Dundonnell could not take place. Summer
expeditions, Central Camp, and the Imperial Meeting at Bisley would
also become casualties.

to their respective recipients. What does not change however is the

fact that these young people have given and gained a huge amount
from their experiences with the CCF. We were able to award The
Blake Hartley Trophy for Best Cadet to Cadet Sergeant Major Alex
Selby, who we hope will be able to be presented with the cup at
some stage in the future.

After a very strange year I would like to thank my fellow officers for
their unwavering help and support in delivering such an exciting and
positive experience to our cadets.

Lt Col M P Clewlow, Contingent Commander

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54

The Combined
Cadet Force
NAVY Section

The Navy Section provides a great

environment where students can develop
powers of leadership by means of training,
thereby becoming more self-reliant,
resourceful, and confident.

In the early part of the year, cadets enjoyed

the chance to develop their sailing skills on
the Section’s fleet of racing dinghies on
Whitemere, whilst also learning more about
navigation, the Navy’s history, and its
traditions. One tradition the Section is proud
to uphold was the Remembrance Sunday
parade through Ellesmere to St Mary’s
Church. This year, Cadet Neil laid the
College’s wreath.

In October, the Section headed en masse to

The Navy Section of the CCF is part of
the diverse enrichment activities
offered by the College and allows
students to glimpse what life in the
Royal Navy has to offer.
Dartmoor for a superb ‘expo’ where map
reading and survival skills were tested. Cadets
toured HMS Albion, one of the Navy’s
Amphibious Assault Ships, before heading to
Pier Cellars, a former torpedo range, for
more leadership challenges, barbeques, and
laughter. Promotion interviews were held as
well, resulting in cadets Stevens, Davis, and
Kelly being promoted to the rank of Able
Cadet, 3 Star.
navigation, and self-defence. All cadets
delivered presentations on specialist topics,
one of many tasks that help them to become
confident communicators.
The section would like to welcome on board
Dr I Tompkins and hope his time with the
Section will be an interesting and enjoyable
one.

After Christmas, the Section returned to DB

shore-based sessions that covered fire-safety,
first aid, unarmed combat, maritime
 THE ELLESMERIAN
55
After a hot meal and a chance to warm up, cadets were shown how
to construct a basha, a basic shelter made from a small tarpaulin,
before they had to practice making their own until they got it right; if
they didn’t manage it, they would be in for a tough night as the whole
Section was to stay outside. Clearly there would be a lack of sleep,
which was compounded by each cadet having to spend an hour on
patrol between midnight and daybreak. When dawn came, the cadets
had to pack away their bashas and prepare for another day out on
Dartmoor. That no one grumbled or complained was testament to
the cadets’ positive attitude and simple acceptance that they would
have to work hard.

Tuesday saw Port and Starboard watches swapping activities. Under

surprisingly blue skies, Port Watch now headed out on mountain bikes
and Starboard Watch headed out on foot, climbing up Gutter Tor
before arriving at Ditsworthy Warren House, the derelict cottage that
was the location for Spielberg’s ‘War Horse’. From there, cadets took
Michaelmas Expedition it in turns to lead the various legs of the march, thereby practicing and
developing their map-reading and leadership skills in very challenging
Berets, bashas and blisters, the Navy Section’s terrain.
week on Dartmoor
During the October Expedition Week, or ‘expos’, the Navy Section of
the CCF departed on Sunday 20th October for Gutter Tor Refuge on
Dartmoor. After an orientation briefing, the cadets were split into Port
and Starboard watches and began preparations for the week’s
activities. Rising at dawn the next morning, the two watches went
their separate ways. Port Watch embarked on a gruelling 20km march
across Dartmoor with full bergens. Starboard Watch set off on a
similarly challenging mountain bike course. Both watches
demonstrated perseverance and resilience in the face of waist-deep
bogs, the biting wind, and rugged terrain (not to mention broken bikes
and blisters).
 THE ELLESMERIAN Dartmoor by racing through the challenges, even having time to look
around the ruined chapel and the Coastguard Station at Dare Point,
see a herd of deer amble along the cliffs, and show genuine empathy
and concern for society by pushing a lady in a wheelchair up the
56

coastal path.

By lunchtime, the cadets’ thoughts turned towards the rising tide and
the promise of a chilly afternoon as they knew they would have to
demonstrate empathy and collaboration in raft building teams in the
harbour at Pier Cellars. A lot of creativity went in to raft design as
cadets linked their prior knowledge to the task in hand: constructing
something out of barrels, planks, and rope that could keep all team
members out of the ‘oggin’, Navy slang (or ‘Jack speak’) for the sea.
Although the success of the finished rafts was somewhat short-lived,
and all cadets shivered as their creations fell apart in the gathering
tide, they did show the resilience to try again. This rather creative
team activity was followed by a more straightforward challenge: a race
to try and climb onto a barrel before a swim across the harbour.
Despite a lot of hard work, no one managed to stay on their barrel
for more than a few seconds but all cadets made it across the
harbour, with commendable confidence on display from those who
found it challenging. After the cadets were hosed down and
showered, the shivers stopped and the barbecue and fire pit were lit.

Cadets were up way before dawn on Wednesday in their full Number

3 uniform, shoes polished and berets worn correctly, for a visit to
HMS Albion, one of the Navy’s amphibious assault ships capable of
delivering Royal Marines ashore by sea and air. Before departing,
however, came the chance to realise a core Navy skill: the salute. One
of the Navy’s many traditions is that all personnel come to attention
and salute as they step onto the ship’s deck, so as the sun rose over
Dartmoor, all cadets had to practice their salutes until they were
correct.

Onboard HMS Albion, the Section was fortunate enough to see the
ship being prepared for an imminent exercise with the French Navy.
Cadets were able to sit in the Captain’s chair on the bridge, see the
operations room and walk in the footsteps of marines as they
followed the ‘assault route’ to the transport dock, where two huge
landing craft can be launched to carry troops, tanks and other
hardware ashore. Five decks down, engineers explained how they
keep watch 24 hours a day to keep the ship running and how, two
decks above them, the hospital and chaplaincy tend to the physical,
mental, and spiritual needs of the crew. Cadets were able to link their
knowledge of the Navy’s past and present to HMS Albion and
understand its capabilities and role in the modern world.

After returning to dry land, the Section headed off to Pier Cellars, a
WW2 torpedo range and what for many cadets would prove to be
the most challenging part of the expo: Promotion Board. This would
see each cadet being interrogated by three officers for fifteen minutes
about their contribution to the Section and what they would offer
should they receive a promotion. The questions were tough and
cadets had to be mentally agile and confident to respond, but respond
they did, eloquently and enthusiastically.
Thursday began with an orienteering challenge around Dare Point
that was designed for naval recruits at HMS Raleigh, the Navy’s basic
training camp at Torpoint. Collaborating again as Port or Starboard
Watch, the cadets showed they had learnt from their time on
As darkness fell, Port and Starboard watches showed their creativity,
thinking flexibly and with intellectual playfulness as they delivered their
presentations about HMS Albion through actions more than words.
These were followed by what could loosely be described as ‘Britain’s
Got Talent’ with a cadet and staff winners being chosen after a dance-
off, then it was another night of cleaning the dormitories, packing kit,
and a few hours’ sleep before a 4:00 a.m. start for the return to
Ellesmere.
DB
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58

The Combined
Cadet Force
RAF Section

The Summer term had seen an exodus of
loyal, keen Y13 students destined for
University Air Squadrons and bright futures,
which left somewhat of an age gap in the
section. The Y11 cadets had some very big
shoes to fill but immediately went about that
task with such enthusiasm. The cadets made it
clear that their support for the section was
unquestionable and they were determined to
do their best to lead the new, younger cadets
by example. I cannot thank them enough for
this attitude as it rapidly removed my anxiety
that the year would be a struggle.
There are two major highlights of the year
and those are our flying trips to 8AEF at RAF
Cosford and the October Expos to Inskip
Training Camp in Lancashire, which is
becoming a regular and favourite destination
for our section.
The new cadets worked hard to pass their
Part One test of the new progressive syllabus
in order to be considered for a flying slot and
were very successful. Flying is always one of
the activities with fierce competition for
places.
Inskip did not disappoint this time around
either. It offers fantastic opportunities to
throw the cadets together and get them to
bond as a section. Oh, and the food is
fabulous and plentiful!

Well this was always going to be a

strange year for the RAF section but it
turned out to be exceptionally so.

The following piece is one from a new Y11 cadet stepping up to take
responsibility within the section:
During my time in CCF I have taken part in lots of fun and engaging
activities, my favourite of which was flying and shooting. Flying is by
far the best activity that I have undertaken during my time at
Ellesmere College because of the sense of pure unadulterated
freedom that is achieved in the small cockpit of the Grob tutors that
we get to take to the skies in. Once you are up in the air you will
often be given the choice of flying around yourself or having the pilot
fly you thru some aerial manoeuvers and sometimes – if you are
lucky – you may even be taught some aerial acrobatics such as a
loop-the-loop; however, they make sure to tailor each flight to the
individual’s wishes. The other best activity, shooting, is done in two
parts: training to use the weapon and shooting it. Whilst training with
it can be a bit boring at some parts, the shooting more than makes
up for it.
THE ELLESMERIAN
59
I vividly remember the first time that I had the privilege of
experiencing flying through the RAF section at Ellesmere College. It
was a clear and sunny Wednesday and I had just finished a gruelling
maths lesson and I was waiting in reception for a minibus to ferry me
off to RAF Cosford for the experience of a lifetime. When we
arrived at the fateful location, we quickly disembarked the bus and
headed into the waiting room where we would be doing some pre-
flight safety drills and nervously waiting for out turn to take off. After
what felt like an eternity it was finally my turn. I put on the helmet
and flying suit and then I was escorted over to the aircraft that I
would be flying in. After introducing myself to the pilot, some more
pre-flight checks and taxiing over to the runway, we took off. Once
we had reached a sufficient altitude, the pilot handed the controls
over to me and instructed me through some turns and how to best
handle the aircraft. We progressed to the next natural step – loop-
the-loop, barrel rolls and other assorted tricks and manoeuvers. The
first warm up trick was experiencing more gravity than usual, no
gravity, and negative gravity, which is achieved by putting the plane
into steep dives and ascents. After thoroughly experiencing all the
tricks and manoeuvers that I could, it was about time to land for the
next person to have their turn and a quick landing later I
disembarked the aircraft and headed back inside with a smile
plastered on my face for the rest of the day. Suffice to say every time
there has been another opportunity to go again, I have taken it.
My thanks to Bruno Kington-Brady for that contribution.
As the new “young blood” progress into the 6th form there is a lot
to look forward to and I am looking forward to working with a great
team.
Flt Lt Kim Collins
 THE ELLESMERIAN

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

60

This year we have seen 150 Ellesmere of our students never fails to impress. Volunteering in Lower School
with young readers, work in a home for the elderly, litter picking, and
students participating in the Duke of fundraising for a host of charities has seen students step up and
Edinburgh Award Scheme. impress those around them with their mature and focused
commitment to the wider community and the wider world.
With 60 students working towards their Bronze, 51 towards their
Silver, and 39 committing to the Gold Award, we have seen students Everything was moving along nicely, and groups were making
developing new skills, volunteering in their local communities, progress towards completing their awards in good time. Then, with
challenging themselves to intensive training, pushing their physical Easter, came lockdown and a series of significant changes to the
fitness to the limits, and doing all of this with a drive and normal running of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. With Summer
determination to succeed, as well as with big enthusiastic smiles. Expeditions looking less and less likely as the months progressed, The
Duke of Edinburgh made some significant changes. With a more
This year has seen our students really striving to achieve their awards
by taking more responsibility for gathering of evidence. A series of
planned visits from a Duke of Edinburgh Operations Officer saw all
students introduced to the updated eDofE system and left them
feeling more confident with the app, thus making it easier to update
their award evidence on the go. Continued support has been
provided on a regular basis by staff with drop-in clinics and half
termly sessions integrated into the Thursday afternoon activity slot, in
a bid to ensure students develop the habit of updating as they go. I
believe it is the combined efforts of staff and students that have seen
40 Bronze, 13 Silver, and 13 Gold awards being awarded between
September 2019 and May 2020; this is 29 Awards up on the
previous year and sings of our students ever-growing independence
but also the supportive environment that we provide.

As ever, September began with preparation for the October 2019

Practice Expeditions. Success was seen across the board with
valuable lessons being learnt at every level. Students continue to
participate in a wide range of activities, skills, and voluntary
commitments. This year we have seen physical skills in hockey, netball,
rugby, football, dance, badminton, gymnastics, and sailing. While our
students have participated in skills groups for chess, public speaking,
baking, and shooting to name but a few. Our volunteering
opportunities continue to grow, and the ambition and commitment

flexible approach to the physical, skills, and volunteering elements of
the award being adapted to allow students to continue to work
towards fulfilling the time commitments from the safety of their
homes, the organisation created a new award certificate to mark
continued commitment.
Where students were not able to complete their Assessed
Expeditions, they have worked towards achieving this new, adapted
award for the year that acts as evidence of their completion of the
three assessed sections. This provided students with yet another
opportunity to demonstrate their independence, commitment, and
determination to achieve.
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61
Bronze Award
September saw 60 Bronze Duke of Edinburgh students begin
preparation for the October Expeditions. Students in the Army,
Airforce and Duke of Edinburgh Activity began training and
developing skills in map reading and compass work, as well as
developing expedition first aid. Sessions in tent making, meal planning,
and the final kit check meant that groups were able to take to the
hills surrounding the Llangollen, Llandegla areas with confidence.
We saw some excellent navigation of tricky routes taking place and
weather conducive to smiles and fun. The expedition provided
opportunity for mistakes to be made and for mature discussions
about the challenges of such expeditions to take place. For this large
cohort, it is safe to say the practice acted as a valuable experience
and ensured all participants were clear about how best they needed
to prepare for the challenges of the Summer, be it carrying less,
including more treats and snacks, being more ambitious with their
meals (having spotted the juicy steak one student munched on!) or
ensuring they wore in their boots more.
After a well earned half term rest, the Bronze cohort returned to
the start of their skills section. We know Ellesmerians love a challenge
and are keen to develop and try new things and this year novice
bakers took to the kitchen; novice chess players took up arms; and
those seeking to learn skills in communication and presentation took
to the board room. For three months, these groups committed a
minimum of 1 hour a week towards developing a skill before turning
their attention to voluntary work to support the local community or
charities close to their hearts. The ambition and dedication of the
Year 9 and 10 students was a joy to behold and it is only sad that
some of their plans were put on hold as a result of the Covid-19
lockdown.
It would be wrong to assume, however, that this is where our DofE
journey ended for the year. Students have continued to work
 THE ELLESMERIAN
towards the newly introduced certificates for completion of
Bronze Skills, Volunteering and Physical, which see them
committing 3 months towards two and 6 months towards
one of their choosing. Students have volunteered at home to
62
support their families, they have continued to develop their
physical fitness and have even pushed their skills set further
by continuing to bake and play chess from the comfort of their own
home.
Although the year has not ended with the traditional Expedition, the
students have achieved something very significant: they have faced
challenges head on and made the very best out of a challenging
situation. The Duke of Edinburgh scheme is about challenging the
individual, encouraging team-work, developing resilience and
problem-solving skills. What our cohort have proven is that they are
capable of all these things and as a Leader and Assessor, I could not
be prouder.
Colette McClelland
Silver Award
The Silver Award continues to grow in popularity. In 2019 we had 25
pupils come through from Year 9 to complete the award. For the first
time we had a number of Titan swimmers who joined us for the year.
They weren’t able to come with us on expeditions because of their
swimming commitments, but Abigail Febrey is going to complete the
expedition part of her award in the Swiss Alps with the International
School in Esslingen, which will be a little more extreme than having
to complete it in North Wales.
We also welcomed Mr Needham, a teacher of History, English, and
Drama as a leader of the award, as we sadly lost Mr Nicholson on a
Thursday afternoon due to his new role as the exams officer. Having
had many roles before teaching, including being in the Merchant
Navy, Mr Needham was an excellent addition to the team and has
been able to whip the less committed members of the award into
shape on Thursdays. We haven’t lost Mr Nicholson totally as he is,
when exams allow, still very much a part of the Silver Expedition
team along with Mr Taylor, but we wish Mr Nicholson well in his new
role.
The Michaelmas term started off with the usual training for the
practice expedition that runs the week before the October half
term. The term started out with team building and leadership tasks
that allowed Mr Needham and myself to pick the walking groups.
Once these were decided the groups got stuck into producing route
cards and marking out on maps what would hopefully keep them on
the right track during their walk. To ensure they were as ready as
possible we took time out to polish the pupils’ navigation skills, tent
assembly, and menu planning, so they could walk in the right
direction, stay dry, and eat something – all essential when trying to
complete an expedition in the Welsh wilderness.
The morning of the practice expedition was sunny, which is always a
relief to staff and pupils alike. Once kit checks and packing were
done, we all bundled off in the minibuses to Betws-y-Coed, which
would be our base for the next 2 days. We set the first group off,
who confidently strode into the distance with compass and map in
hand, only to return 10 minutes later, as the staff had predicted, as
they’d headed off in the wrong direction. This didn’t bode well, but
they set of confidently again to find they had walked in a big circle
and come back to the start! Third time lucky they set off and, with
me being eagle-eyed on the tracker, they got into the swing of things
and found where they needed to go. This had put the other two
groups behind but, luckily learning from the mistakes of the others,
they set off at pace behind them. The first day saw the pupils walking
in a loop up to Llanwrst and back to the campsite just outside
Betws-y-Coed. The day took the pupils into woodland and past old
slate mines and nature reserves. By the time the final group appeared
in camp it had gone dark so the pupils had to put their tents up by
the light of head torches, but they still managed to make an
impressive pasta tea. On the second day pupils took a walk from
Betws-y-Coed and through more woodland to Swallow Falls. Luckily
all pupils set off in the right direction and got back to camp with light
in the sky and the relief that walking with a heavy backpack was over
for the time being.
After October half term, the pupils moved on to completing their
skills and volunteering sections of their awards. As always, we
combined forces with the Bronze Award to complete these sections.
Pupils completed a range of activities including life skills, which saw
pupils learn to talk with the older generation of Ellesmere at
Ellesmere Town Hall, as well as becoming proficient tea makers and
bingo callers. Others refined their skills in baking, playing chess, and
interview and leadership skills. Volunteering took the shape for many
as charity fundraising and, as we moved into the pandemic, helping
out family at home.
The pandemic sadly curtailed the final assessed expedition, and
although I was all for having the pupils complete a virtual one at
home, including camping out in their back gardens, the DofE
recognised that it would be difficult for the pupils to complete their
awards this year. So luckily for the Silver Award participants it meant
they didn’t have to complete a virtual expedition I had planned and
they could be awarded a special 2020 Silver DofE Award. I’m just
hoping next year is a less dramatic and also a less virtual one.
RJH

Gold Award
This year saw 37 students from Year 12 sign up for the Gold Duke of
Edinburgh’s Award here at Ellesmere – two more than the previous
year which highlights the enduring value and relevance of the
scheme.
For most Ellesmerians, the time needed to devote to their respective
physical, volunteering, and skill activities is merely a continuation of
what they do already, but it is nonetheless impressive. We began the
year splitting the groups into two – one who maintain their
involvement with CCF and the other, larger group who involve
themselves on Thursday afternoons by volunteering to help coach
Lower School pupils or support their reading during Quiet Times.
Others worked with charitable causes outside of the College or
spent time during the evenings helping younger boarding pupils settle
and engage with the wider, College community.
Towards the end of September, work began on preparing for the
upcoming October Expeditions where both groups would undertake
the necessary three-day intensive canoe training to equip themselves
with the skills needed to manage the canoes, stay safe on the water,
and (hopefully not need to!) rescue each other. We looked at basic
canoe craft and kit requirements in College and were also being
supported by our in-House Nursing Team with three bespoke First
Aid Sessions providing some memorable renditions of ‘Staying Alive’
whilst trying to revive plastic dummies in New Block!
During the October expeditions, the groups learnt crucial skills and
techniques for competency and survival on the water. Throughout
this introduction to canoeing, they soon learnt the dangers and the
‘no nonsense’ policy so cherished by our fearless instructors – aka
‘The Drummonds’ and Sue Tuerena. It also seemed that all the
Geographers knew all the correct terms for the rivers, therefore
immediately giving them more brownie points. A particular highlight
of the October training sessions is always “Capsize Day” on
Whitemere, where our intrepid canoeists have to jump into cold,
THE ELLESMERIAN
late-October lake water and learn how to manage sinking
craft, panicked group members, and then how to right a
canoe properly. As ever, this came as shock to most, but all
the groups did very well to work together in challenging
63
conditions and understand how the task ahead could be
managed safely.
As preparations began for the April Practice Expeditions – a
scheduled three-day canoeing trip from Welshpool to Ironbridge –
the world was rocked by Covid-19 and plans had to change. The
DofE responded with alternative plans – the ‘Certificate of
Achievement’ – and allowed a more flexible approach to
opportunities to volunteer, stay fit, and learn new skills from home.
Typically, our Ellesmerians responded positively and it has been
hugely rewarding to hear of people running in Welshampton, cooking
in India, rearing calves in Cheshire, and helping local OAPs in
Montgomeryshire. This diversity is the essence of the award and the
essence of the community at Ellesmere; the groups’ ability to adapt
has been remarkable but – given their quality – not surprising. I thank
them for this and applaud their efforts.
As things stand, most of the skills, volunteering, and physical sections
should be completed by next October which will mean a host of
completed ‘Certificate of Achievements’ and – touch wood – an
opportunity next year to reschedule the expeditions so that we can
get as many down the Rivers Severn and Wye as possible.
Jim Underhill
The future
Looking to the future, we will be working to provide students with
the opportunity to complete their awards whilst also pursuing the
next level in the early stages of next year. We are working with the
Duke of Edinburgh organisation to develop and adapt plans to
ensure all have the opportunity to complete in the safest and most
efficient way.
 The Arts
THE ELLESMERIAN 64

Drama
Summer Term
Like everything across the country and indeed the world, our
Summer Term events were cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic.
As you will be aware, students start preparing and rehearsing for
events well in advance and this is true for the 32 strong cast of
what should have been this year’s Lower School Production ‘High
School the Musical’.
Middle and Senior School students had been busy working on a
new and exciting creative opportunity called ‘Brainstorm’ – a
Dance Drama based piece of performance that looks at the
teenage brain and its neurological connections.
As soon as is safely possible we will, of course, ensure both these
exciting productions go ahead along with their original casts,
whenever that may be!
Senior School Production
Little Shop of Horrors
This year’s Senior School Production saw the Drama and Music
Departments working together to create our unique and highly
entertaining version of the cult show Little Shop of Horrors. Just
before Christmas, Production meetings started and plans were put
into action for the creation of the set, costumes, props, and, of
course, the all-important Audrey II Plants! Having been on a school
theatre trip in May to see Little Shop at The Storyhouse in Chester,
we were able to give all four versions of Audrey a home for our
own production! Acting, singing, and band rehearsals ensued and the
cast of Senior School students worked incredibly hard over an
intense rehearsal period to learn their material and rehearse the
scenes and musical numbers.
THE ELLESMERIAN
Little Shop of Horrors presents the tale of shy amateur
botanist, Seymour Krelborn (Huw Lloyd) who tinkers his nights
away in the basement of Mr Mushnik’s (Ronan Phillips) failing
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flower shop, hoping to create a fetching plant hybridization that
will save the shop and his much-needed job. His only other
work perk is working alongside floral designer Audrey (Mariella
Steele & Maddie Freer-Carmichael), a lovely girl that looks for
love but lands a sadist Dentist – Orin Scrivello, DDS (Monty
Henderson). Seymour’s salvation appears in the form of a man-
eating plant – Audrey II (Puppeteer: Alex Herbert-Adams) – with
the power to give poor Seymour everything he lacks in life.
When Audrey II’s appetite becomes insatiable, Seymour must
choose between the high life or the high road. Beautifully
accompanied by the street urchins Ronnette (Rosie Wood),
Crystal (Emily Ashley) and Chiffon (Kizzy Lumley-Edwards), the
tale of Audrey II’s rise to fame is told by a number of different
characters: the Skid Row Homeless, shop customers, Radio
Interviewers, Mr Bernstein, Mrs Luce, Skip & Snip Agents, and
Patrick Martin (Leo Slack, Abigail Manford, Grace Warren, Alice
Parton, Jojo Kang, Amy Storey-Gibbons, Sophie Ward, Lucy
Arrowsmith, Zoe Mabaquiao-Lennox, Emily Curzon, India Freer-
Carmichael, Mako Sasaki, and Ellen Dawson).
A live band made up of Jack Arrowsmith (Drums), Amber Coxill
(Bass), Mr Kevin Whitley (keyboard), Mr Scott Phillips (Piano), and
Mr Tony Coupe (Musical Director) worked incredibly hard on
providing the music and sound effects for the show whilst the set
construction, movement, and placement of the different sized
Audrey II pods and set dressing was meticulously planned and
carried out by Danylo Zagorii and Mr Ray Zajankauskas. Students
not only shone on stage, the backstage responsibilities were led
and managed by Deputy Stage Manager Danylo Zagorii, Lighting
by Ceri Morgan, Sound Operation Ben Gibbons, Stage
Management Kit Lewers, and Assistant Stage Manager Jonty
Lewers, with Maria Kjeldbjerg, Maria Campos-Pinal, Estella
Behrans, Mrs Julie Kirk, and Mrs Jennifer Hunting assisting with
costume, make up and personal props.
Mrs Rachel Schubert (Director) commended the full cast,
musicians, and backstage crew on their commitment, enthusiasm,
and company work ethic, which meant the production was put
on stage in less than four weeks of rehearsal. The production
performed a matinee performance for Ellesmere Primary School
students, as well as playing to packed audiences over three
evenings. Once again, the talented students and staff at Ellesmere
College have thrived on the passion and commitment for the
Arts at Ellesmere, creating and presenting a fantastic production
that will be well remembered for years to come.
National Youth Theatre & British
Youth Music Theatre Success!
Drama and Music Scholar Mariella Steele is living her dream
after being accepted by both the National Youth Theatre and
the British Youth Musical Theatre companies this spring.
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Acceptance to the National Youth Theatre (NYT) opens
the door for Mariella to the possibility of performing in
London’s West End, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and on
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the company’s continental tours.
The British Youth Musical Theatre (BYMT) place will see
Mariella appear in an innovative all-female production of
Cabaret Macabre in Plymouth later this year – depending on
the Covid-19 situation.
Both theatre companies are difficult to get into as competition
for places is tough and standards are extremely high.
“I have auditioned for the NYT for the last three years – so
you might say it’s third time lucky,” said Mariella. “I did my first
audition at 15, and this made me realise that there is a lot of
competition and it’s difficult to be offered a place. Some
people have had several attempts to get in and many never
make it at all. My first reaction when I found out was relief, as it
had weighed on my mind and I had wanted it so much over
the last three years. Later that same day I took a Zoom call
and that made me feel part of something really big. I’m really
excited about it but disappointed that the three-week course
due to take place in London won’t be happening as planned
because of the Covid-19 pandemic. There will be a week’s
Zoom course which I will be ‘attending’ and hopefully the
physical course will go ahead later. The NYT put on
productions in the West End, at Edinburgh Fringe and on
continental tours, offering great opportunities – it’s all very
exciting.”
“Being accepted by the BYMT is also a great honour and I’m
hoping Cabaret Macabre will be able to go ahead as planned
in Plymouth later in the year. It’s a creative new show with an
all-female cast and is being staged as part of Mayflower 400 –
celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s
historic voyage to the New World.”
Mariella’s mother, Sue, said: “We are extremely proud of
Mariella and so pleased with her achievements in these difficult
times. We would also like to thank the staff at Ellesmere
College for all their help with Mariella’s drama and music at the
school. “
“It’s an amazing double celebration as Mariella has been
accepted by the NYT and the BYMT – both tremendous
results.” Rachel Schubert, Director of Drama at Ellesmere
College, said: “This is fantastic news. I am delighted for Mariella
and know there will be exciting times ahead in relation to both
NYT and BYMT. Both are very difficult to get into and
competition for places is very high, Mariella has done very well
indeed – she should be very proud of herself.”
Cre8 Arts Evening
For my Gold Arts Award leadership project I worked
alongside fellow Arts Award student Mariella Steele on
directing an Arts Showcase at school called ‘Cre8’. We decided
to take on this challenge because we wanted to improve our
leadership skills as well as our understanding of what goes into
the planning of an event behind the scenes. This annual event is
a student-led celebration held every February to show off
Ellesmere students’ talent in the Arts from across the whole
school.
In preparation for the event we created a plan which
contained all of our ideas, in addition to what we needed to
do and how we would go about doing it. Creating a plan
significantly helped us as it made it easier for us to see exactly
what we needed to do and enabled us to decide how we
should take on each task.
There were a number of different tasks Mariella and I had to
complete as the event organisers, such as completing a
detailed Risk Assessment, organising a clear line of
communication between the performers and ourselves,
creating a rehearsal schedule, and communicating what stage
and set requirements were needed, as well as what technical
resources were needed for the evening.
Next, Mariella and I did hours of research in order to find the
right charity that we wanted the event to be in aid of. This is
when we came across Hope House, which is a charity
supporting over 750 local families who are caring for terminally
ill children. After reading about the charity and watching many
videos we felt that Hope House makes a huge difference in
our region by providing such an outstanding amount of care
and support to young people and their families, which is why it
was clear that it was an amazing cause to donate to. We
emailed the charity straight away to inform them about our
event and we were very grateful to get a quick and polite
response from Lynsey, who is the fundraising team leader at
the charity, who told us she was thrilled to have us support the
charity and that she would love to come to the event. We
exchanged many more emails with her leading up to the event
and at the beginning of the show she delivered a heartfelt
speech about the charity and their vision. In order to raise as
much money as possible for Hope House we sold drinks in
the interval and organised a raffle. Lynsey kindly gave us
donation buckets as well as some information leaflets, banners,
and balloons to decorate the foyer with.
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Senior School Competitive
House Play Festival

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Blackadder the Third
This year’s Senior Competitive House Plays Competition saw
Meynell, Talbot, Wakeman-Lambart, and Woodard taking on
four plays from the well-known television series Blackadder the
Third. Senior School students edited scripts, organised
rehearsals, and directed four highly entertaining performances
of Ink and Incapability, Amy and Amiability, Dish and Dishonesty,
and Sense and Senility.

Please see below for the Directors reviews of their

performances as well as Top Tips for next year’s festival!

R Schubert

After lots of planning, organisation, emails, and rehearsal the

day of CRE8 arrived! Excitement and nerves were high not
Meynell House
only for the performers but also for Mariella and I!! During
Amy and Amiability Blackadder the Third
Drama Club we began to set up the foyer and decorate it with
the banners and balloons provided by Hope House as well as
I was very fortunate this year to direct and work with a great
to lay out the drinks, refreshments, and programmes. I also
cast for Meynell House. The cast all got along well and worked
took on the challenge of putting together a drum kit, which I
hard on producing a highly entertaining performance of our
had never done before and proved not to be the best at, so I
Blackadder play. One of the biggest challenges I faced as a
was given some help from Danylo in Year 11 who was stage
Director was organising when and where the rehearsals could
managing the event and providing all the technical support for
take place as my cast are all very busy people involved in many
the show.
different aspects of College life. However, after speaking with
my team, the cast pulled together and we were able to put a
We met with Lynsey from Hope House half an hour before
plan of rehearsals into action. Thankfully, due to the cast who
the show was due to start to talk with her about Hope House
were perfect for the roles they were given, we were able to
and our showcase. Her kind and friendly nature certainly
crack on with rehearsals and start thinking about personal
calmed our nerves and we are very grateful that she gave up
props and costume.
her time to come to the show and spread awareness about
the charity.

Over 28 different acts entertained our packed audience.

Everyone was kept entertained by students from Years 3 to 13
who performed ballet, drama duologues and monologues,
played instruments, and sang on their own or as part of a
choir. Overall, we were delighted with how the event went, as
the talent on display highlights the determination, commitment,
and brilliance of each of the students at Ellesmere College.
Ronan Phillips in Year 12 acted as the host for the showcase,
and did a tremendous job as he always managed to keep the
audience in high spirits and laughing throughout the show.
Thanks to the refreshments, raffle ticket sales, and donations
we managed to raise £126 in aid of Hope House.
The Blackadder the Third episode we had been given was
‘Amy and Amiability’, which is fantastic, witty writing as well as
I believe that organising CRE8 has taught me a lot about
an enjoyable play to direct. The main premise of the story
teamwork and leadership and has really helped me to improve
revolves around Blackadder (Ronan Phillips) needing money
my confidence and increased my appreciation for the teachers
fast. He tries asking Prince George (Patrick Hey) but upon
at Ellesmere College who plan events like this every term! I
finding out the Prince has no money he enlists the help of
thoroughly enjoyed this experience and it has inspired me to
Baldrick (Charlie Anne Williams) and decides to find the Prince
take on more tasks like this in the future.
a wife. He searches with Baldrick for a wife for the Prince until
he finds Amy (Kizzy Lumley-Edwards), who he thinks would be
Amy Storey-Gibbons
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rich enough (and mad enough) to marry Prince George.
However, Blackadder is betrayed by her as she takes him
prisoner and takes all the Prince’s belongings for herself.
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Nevertheless, Blackadder is saved by the ever-heroic
Baldrick and captures Amy returning all the King’s
belongings and gaining the reward for her capture. However,
before Blackadder can enjoy his winnings his happiness is cut
short by Prince George, who unknowingly stumbles across
Blackadder’s stash when he goes looking for a midnight biscuit!
All in all, the cast did a brilliant job at portraying this highly
entertaining story, which made my work as a director much
easier and very enjoyable. I am lucky enough to get the chance
of working with many of them again next year on House Plays.
I think it was this blend of enthusiastic performers and a great
storyline and script that allowed Meynell House to win a
number of The Ellie awards this year.
Ronan Phillip
Talbot House
Dish and Dishonesty’ from Blackadder
the Third
Being Head of Talbot, I felt that it was essential for me to involve
myself in this year’s House Plays. Having spent the past 10 years at
Ellesmere College, this year was the first time I have ever
participated in any form of theatre production, and it has left me
gutted that I have never previously taken part.
Talbot were given the play Dish and Dishonesty from the
Blackadder series. Here, Pitt the Younger (Tash Dalziel), who, at the
time, was the new Prime Minister, had planned to strike Prince
George (Rosie Wood) from the civil list by bankrupting him.
Meanwhile, Blackadder (Honor Graham) makes plans to elect the
clueless Baldrick (Hugh Marsh) as MP, who’s only concern in life
was the thought of turnips. Despite Blackadder believing he could
take full charge of Baldrick’s decisions in parliament, he was left
startled when he found out that Baldrick had spent his entire
fortune on a giant turnip. Other characters in the play were Mrs
Miggins (Louis Deekes), Hanna (Amy Jefferies), Talbot (Daniel
Cooper), Biggun (Robyn Welti), Mr Speaker (Georgia Edwards),
Journalist (Ruby Marsh), and Pitt the Even Younger (Henry Powell),
as well as the team of fat men and backstage helpers. We also had
the use of a fantastic set design and props, which really supported
our performance very well indeed.
Overall, I had the largest cast to work with and, despite rehearsals
not always being the most productive – with the odd occasion of
us either eating McDonalds or ending up on the astro for social
hockey – we certainly had the most fun.
The thing I enjoyed the most was getting to know people across
all the year groups, who I could guarantee I would never have had
the chance of speaking to otherwise. In addition to this, another
great prospect was the freedom we had to make the play our
own and the sense of achievement when seeing the end product. I
learnt many various factors, which included things relating to
drama, such as lighting and stage directions, as well as individual
aspects, such as the importance of stepping out of your comfort
zone at times in order to experience new things. I’d say the main
challenge was organising such a large group of people to ensure
that we all ended up in the right places at the right time. Therefore,
my tips for future directors would be to stay organised but enjoy
the experience and make it fun by adding your own unique ideas
to the script.
Rosie Holland
Wakeman-Lambart House
‘Sense and Senility’ – Blackadder The Third
In October 2019 Josie Evans and I took on the role of
directing Wakeman-Lambart’s Senior School Competitive
House Play. The chosen theme for this year’s competition was
“Blackadder the Third” (originally a TV comedy written by
Richard Curtis). The task was to recreate an Episode from this
show for the stage. Wakeman’s chosen script was “Sense and
Senility”, an episode in which Prince George (played by Leo
Slack) narrowly escapes an assassination attempt by one of his
many unhappy subjects. Desperate to improve his public
image, the prince hires two actors (played by Lucy Arrowsmith
and Maddie Freer-Carmichael) to give him lessons in public
speaking. However, Blackadder (played by Emily Ashley), has a
deep hatred for actors and with the help of Baldrick (played by
Georgina Hebson) they try to get rid of the actors by any
means necessary.
The cast and crew were a joy to work with in this production;
we would often find our stomachs ached after rehearsals from
laughing too hard at the simplest of moments. Josie and I found
that organisation was key to creating this successful production
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and we often had meetings to discuss set, props, and casting
weeks before it was due to go on stage. Directing the play Whether it be the difficulty of fitting rehearsals into a very
alongside my good friend Josie and the entire cast and crew busy calendar, having to re-cast at points during the play (!),

was certainly a highlight of my time at Ellesmere College.
Gracie Shallcross
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learning lines and getting everyone to remember where they
should be and when, we all enjoyed the experience, learnt
lots of things about ourselves and each other, and will
ultimately never forget the experience!

Woodard House
Ink and Incapability – Blackadder the Third
This was my first experience of directing a play and I was
excited and nervous about the challenge! My first task was to
put a reliable cast together. I didn’t realise how hard this would
be at the time. With lots of other College commitments, it was
extremely difficult to get everyone together for rehearsals at
the same time and this resulted in me having to alter my plans
on a number of occasions.
The Blackadder play we had been given was Ink and
Incapability. In brief, Baldrick burns the only copy of a very
important dictionary, leaving Blackadder only one weekend to
re-write it. Dr Samuel Johnson seeks Prince George's
Top tips for next years Directors: make the most of your
rehearsal time and make sure everyone learns their lines early!
But most importantly, you need to work together with a
common vision, enthusiasm, and enjoyment!
Rhian-Carys Jones
Middle School Play
The Demon Headmaster
An enthusiastic cast of over 30 Middle School students took
on the script of The Demon Headmaster. Audiences were
entertained over two nights by the students of St. Champions,
who decide to take a stand against their strange and secretive
Headmaster who has plans to take over the world!

Directed by Mr Mark Needham, Middle School students

patronage for his new book, A Dictionary of the English
Language. The Prince, seeking to amend his reputation as an
‘utter turnip-head’ is interested, but Blackadder tries to turn
him against the idea, condemning the dictionary as "the most
pointless book since 'How to Learn French' was translated
into French". It soon emerges that Blackadder resents Johnson
for apparently ignoring his novel ‘Edmund: A Butler's Tale’,
which, under the pseudonym of Gertrude Perkins, he had
secretly sent to Johnson in the hope that he would get it
published.
presented the well-known story of the mysterious goings on at
St. Champions School. Strange things happen at Lloyd (Jon
Irwin) and Harvey Hunter's (Mika Fischer) school. When their
new foster sister Dinah (Abigail Manford) arrives, she wants to
find out why . . . but can she escape the Demon Headmaster
(Cal Adlard)? The story follows the strange antics of Lloyd and
Harvey’s school friends (Grace Warren, Monty Henderson,
Darcy Ward, Zoe Mabaquio-Lennox, Julia Smith, Emily Curzon,
and India Freer-Carmichael) with the entertainment of Eddie
Hall (Huw Lloyd) and his glamorous assistant Gloria (James
Joynson), until the situation reaches a point where the truth
starts to come out! Students from Years 9-11 worked hard on
creating a suitably mysterious chain of events leading to the
downfall of their hypnotic Headmaster!

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of directing a play, and the

result was better than I had hoped for. I found the experience
of working as part of a team important, and learnt that leading
a group and directing a play relies heavily on good teamwork,
communication, and everyone trying to achieve the same
shared vision and goal. Sometimes this was difficult and
compromises had to be made, but the key thing was trying to
encourage everyone to work together to create something
that everybody could be proud of.
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70

Music

An Evening of French Music

After last year’s very successful performance of Handel’s Messiah
with Ellesmere College Choral Society, there was no doubt the
stakes were going to be raised… and raised they were! Director of
Music, Anthony Coupe, set the bar high with an all French repertoire
that consisted of Gabriel Fauré and Maurice Duruflé’s Requiems.
Fauré’s Requiem has a much darker tone that juxtaposes with
Duruflé’s imagery and colour.

The beginning of the academic year brought with it a new

excitement and eagerness to learn new music and partake in such a
tight-knit community. Although Monday nights would seem too late
to arrive at the College under the dark of the night, the community
were always ready on time. I would sign in for registration at my
Boarding House and then make my way to the Chapel, where the
atmosphere was alive with people, many friends, who were all smiling On the night of the concert, 14th March, we welcomed Eleri Lloyd
and awaiting the start of the rehearsal. We only had the timeframe of (Harp), Gerry Howe (Organ), Gemma King (Soprano), and Oli
a few months to learn both requiems and that meant that all voice Ashley (Baritone) as our guests. Ellesmere College Choral Society
parts had to work together and equally hard. There really was much put on a wonderful evening of beautiful music that I will not forget.
to learn! As we moved towards our deadline, little did we know that As I head on to study piano at Leeds College of Music, I am already
a great threat was looming quietly overhead. The coronavirus looking forward to returning to College as an OE next year to see
outbreak began to pervade daily life and in the lead up to the what the Music Department will do next!
concert it was becoming a worry to many people whether the show
would go on. Thankfully, it went ahead, and very successfully too. Alex Herbert-Adams (Year 13)
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Fantasia
A showcase of the talents of Ellesmerians young and old, Fantasia was truly one to remember. From the spectacular performance of the songs
from 'Joseph' by students from Prestfelde Primary School and our own Lower School Choir, to the moving rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone'
by the Chapel Choir conducted by OE David Mullock, the night was filled with a huge variety of incredible performances.

The evening began with a performance of songs from 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat', by Andrew Lloyd-Webber. Conducted by
Mr Coupe, and accompanied by a band compromised of Jack Arrowsmith, Amber Coxill, Scott Phillips and Mr Whitley (who later became the
band for this year’s production of 'Little Shop of Horrors') our young singers came together to offer a lively and entertaining set. The final song
'Any Dream Will Do' ended with raucous applause, a standing ovation, and a request for an encore from the audience. It was a brilliant exhibition
of the combined talents of Ellesmere and Prestfelde – made even more impressive by the fact that they'd only rehearsed as a full ensemble earlier
on that day. The first act ended with a performance from the Chamber Choir, who sang two pieces – an expressive and delicate rendition of
Stopford's 'Ave Verum', and, to contrast, an uplifting performance of Carole King's 'You've Got A Friend'.

The second half contained more solo pieces, but began with a rousing display from the Senior Orchestra playing a John William's medley. The
performance marked my conducting debut, which I enjoyed immensely. We then heard a beautiful and expressive performance by Rhian Carys-
Jones (Walker Music Scholarship 2018-2020), singing Handel's 'Chio Mai Vi Possa', accompanied by Mr Whitley.

Ellesmere College Choral Society, comprising students and members of the local community, sang a set of madrigals including 'Fair Phyllis' by
Farmer and 'Now Is the Month Of Maying' by Morely, conducted by Mr Coupe. I was fortunate to also have the opportunity to perform a solo in
the concert. As a huge fan of John Williams and an aspiring film composer, I chose to perform 'Across the Stars', from Star Wars Episode 2 on the
French Horn.

We welcomed back Seren Devismes (OE and recipient of the Walker Music Scholarship 2016-2018), who is now at Birmingham Royal
Conservatoire studying the voice, to perform the beautiful 'O Mio Babbino Caro' by Puccini. Working through a series of challenges set by her
sons Kit and Jonty, Bells Lewers then performed a movement from Mozart's 'Sonata for two pianos in D major' alongside the legendary and
recently retired Pat Wood. The evening ended with performances from the Chapel Choir who sang Schwartz's 'When You Believe'. This was
followed by ‘The Call’, a setting of the George Herbert poem dedicated to the Mullock’s son, Graham. The evening ended with the baton being
passed to David Mullock to conduct an emotional performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.

This fantastic evening was a proper celebration for the Ellesmere community and we were honoured to raise money for two fantastic charities:
Pancreatic Cancer UK and the Peter Messenger Memorial Fund.

Amber Coxill (Mullock Music Scholar 2018 – 2020 / Year 13)

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Silent Movie Festival
Over the last three years at the College we have built a
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tradition of screening silent movies with live orchestral

accompaniment. This year we extended this to a two-day
festival. As always, this was a collaboration between Charlie Nelson
(Year 13), a passionate advocate for this genre, and the Music
Department. From Laurel and Hardy and Chaplin shorts, last year we
presented our first feature, Buster Keaton’s ‘Steamboat Bill Jnr’.

On Thursday 11th October 2019 we presented a new orchestral

score by Neil Brand to the 1928 film ‘Oliver Twist’, starring Jackie
Coogan as Oliver and Lon Chaney as Fagin. Thought to be lost, a
copy was discovered in the Czech Republic and the BFI
commissioned a new score to be written for its reconstruction. The
film is both comic and tragic, and in its more serious moments
directly tackles the impact of nurture and neglect respectively on House Singing
individuals.
This year’s House Singing event took place on Thursday 13th
February. The theme was ‘Songs by Queen’.

House Unison Song Part Song Hymn

Woodard I Want to Somebody The Day of
Break Free to Love Resurrection
Wakeman- Hammer to Fall Bicycle Race O Worship
Lambart the Lord
Meynell We Will Rock You Killer Queen Forty Days and
Forty Nights
Talbot Radio Gaga Don’t Stop I Will Sing
Me Now

Having the opportunity to sing with a live rock band is such a

fantastic experience for the students and added to the occasion,
which saw some fantastic performances.

Students Mako Sasaki, Zack Yin, Amber Coxhill, Sophie Ward, Emily
Ashley, and Alex Herbert-Adams performed alongside professional
players to make up the ensemble. It gave students and members of
the local community in the audience a chance to experience
something simultaneously old and new, whilst seeing the performers
stretching to the highest levels of challenge to synchronise picture
and sound.
Marks were awarded for the musicality of the performance, the
timing, tuning, expression, and how the students looked on stage.
Claire Thompson joined us as our external adjudicator, working
alongside Mrs Fisher, Mrs Waddams, and Mr Davies. As they
deliberated, the students were entertained by a group of our
teachers delivering an amazing and unique performance of Bohemian
Rhapsody, with Mr Cowley on lead guitar.

On Friday 12th October we welcomed Jonny Best, a professional Once the scores were in, this year’s winner was . . . Meynell, who gave
pianist with a specialism for improvising to silent movies. After fantastic performances in their Hymn and Unison song. They were
warming up the audience with Laurel and Hardy’s ‘Angora Love’, closely followed by Talbot, who were awarded second in the Unison
Jonny brought the comedy feature ‘Speedy’, starring Harold Lloyd, to song category, placing them second overall.
life – including several long frenetic chase scenes.
A fantastic event, enjoyed by all!
Between experiencing orchestral scored music and improvised piano
accompaniment over two evenings, the audience had an opportunity Kevin Whitley
to experience the two principal ways in which audiences would have
experienced silent movies in the first half of the twentieth century. I
must say a huge thanks to Neil Brand and Jonny Best, who have
thoroughly supported us over the past three years, as well as
Charlie, who, through his love of silent movies has brought joy,
inspiration, and perspiration to all involved.

Anthony Coupe
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Oswestry Music Festival
Students who progressed to overall finals were:
Noah Fisher
Jack Arrowsmith
Emily Ashley
Josh Norris
Freddie Heasmer-Jones

The Oswestry Town Council Cup for the overall winner of the Senior Competition went to Old Ellesmerian Harry Fradley.

Ellesmere 1st Places

Class Student
70 Oratorio Rhian-Carys Jones
72 Gilbert and Sullivan Kizzy Lumley-Edwards
63 Vocal Solo 15 and Under Josh Norris
79 Musical Theatre Ensemble 12 and Under KS2 Musical Theatre Group
80 Musical Theatre Ensemble 15 and Under KS3 Musical Theatre Group
64b Musical Theatre 15 and Under Huw Lloyd
20 String Solo 12 and Under Freddie Heasmer-Jones
23 String Solo 21 and Under Emily Ashley
73 Vocal Duet 15 and Under Robyn Welti and Anouska Newton
66 Vocal Test Piece 18 and Under Kizzy Lumley-Edwards
12 Organ Solo 21 and Under Robyn Welti
57 Vocal Solo 9 and Under Isobel Philbin
34 Drum Solo 9 and Under Kit Fisher
35 Drum Solo 12 and Under Noah Fisher
39 Drum Solo Backing Track 15 and Under Noah Fisher
37 Drum Solo 18 and Under Jack Arrowsmith
39a Drum Solo Backing Track 21 and Under Jack Arrowsmith
75 Vocal Ensemble 21 and Under Ellesmere Excelsis
78 Youth Choir 21 and Under Chapel Choir
53 Windband 25 and Under Porthmere Windband
55 Youth Orchestra 25 and Under Senior Orchestra
Vocal Solo 18 and Under Kizzy Lumley-Edwards
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Ellesmere 2nd Places

Class Student
70 Oratorio Rhian-Carys Jones
71 Opera Kizzy Lumley-Edwards
72 Gilbert and Sullivan Rhian-Carys Jones
74 Vocal duet Rhian-Carys Jones and Amber Coxill
68a Musical theatre 18 and under Mariella Steele
68b Musical theatre 21 and under Emily Ashley
61a Musical theatre 12 and under Nathaniel Clewlow
63 Vocal solo 15 and under Huw Lloyd
81 Musical theatre ensemble 21 and under Senior Musical Theatre Ensemble
64b Musical theatre 15 and under Amy Storey-Gibbons
22 String solo 18 and under Emily Ashley
23 String solo 21 and under Zack Yin
42 Instrumental Duet 21 and under Lucy Arrowsmith and Amber Coxill
60 12and under vocal solo Noah Fisher
8 Piano 18 and under Alex Herbert Adams
13 Piano duet 12 and under Freddie Heasmer-Jones and Kyara Heward
28 Woodwind solo 21 and under Sophie Ward
34 Drum solo 9 and under Isobel Philbin
39 Drum backing 15 and under Kit Fisher
48 Instrumental Ensemble Lower School Band
76 Youth choir 11 and under KS2 Choir
78 Youth choir 21 and under Chamber Choir
51 Chamber music ensemble 18 and under Flute Choir

Ellesmere 3rd Places

Class Student
71 Opera Rhian Carys-Jones
68a Musical theatre 18 and under Sophie Ward
62 Vocal test piece 15 and under Olivia Philbin
23 String solo 21 and under Mako Sasaki
42 Instrumental duet 21 and under Sophie Ward and Emily Ashley
Sophie Ward and Emily Farr
27 Woodwind solo 18 and under Sophie Ward
33 Brass solo 21 and under Amber Coxill
Lucy Arrowsmith
35 Drum Solo 12 and under Freddie Heasmer-Jones
39 Drum backing 15 and under Kit Fisher
8 Piano solo 18 and under Sophie Ward

Music Captains 2019-20
Senior School Music Captains: Middle School Music Captains:
Alex Herbert-Adams and Rhian Carys Jones Christopher Davies and Robyn Welti
A career in Music
We are delighted that three of our esteemed Six Form musicians will
be continuing their musical education at university.
Amber Coxill, winner of the Garnet Prize for Creative Music, has
gone on to Homerton College, University of Cambridge to study
Music. As one of our Music Scholars, Amber embraced all aspects of
College life from academic to co-curricular. Her contributions and
exceptional musical talents saw her awarded Music Captain, House
Captain for Meynell and a key member of the College choirs.
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Lower School Music Captains:
Josh Norris and Charlotte Goss
Rhian-Carys Jones, winner of the Marsh Cup for Musician of the Year,
is now attending the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama,
Cardiff. As a recipient of the Walker Music Scholarship in 2018, Rhian
has made the most of every opportunity in all areas at the College,
and particularly in the creative arts arena where she excelled in
music, singing, drama and House Competitions.
Alex Herbert-Adams, winner of the Marilyn Amako Cup: Soloist, is
studying Music at Leeds College of Music. A talented, hardworking
young man, Alex’s commitment to music and College life through his
Ellesmere career saw him appointed Music Captain, performed as a
key member of the choir and his dedication to the Arts has been
exemplary.
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Art
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A Level Art
78

Christine You

Dylan Adlard

Lynx Noumey-Ananfack
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Phillipa Bowers Money Nopsuwanwong

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Molly Curzon Marija Barystaite

Poppy Prescott
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GCSE Art
80

Beaut Kittirattanaviwat

Christopher Davis
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Aiham Nadeen

81
Alex Bain Ioan Parry-Jones

Kirin Bao Natasha Dalziel

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Harriet Otter

Tommy Davies
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Harry Lloyd Brown

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Will Bryson
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Harvey Winstanley Charlie Cooke

Design and Technology

Ben Blood George Joynson

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Anna Smail
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Ellesmere in the News
St Hilda's Boarding House officially opens
Ellesmere College has officially opened its second Sixth Form girls’
boarding House welcoming new residents at the beginning of the 2019
Michaelmas term, marking an historic day for the College.
Ellesmere already had one senior girls' boarding House - St Oswald's -
and two senior boys' boarding Houses - St Bede's and St Luke's - but
an increase in demand for girls’ places sparked the need for expansion.
The new House, named St Hilda's, was officially opened at a special
ceremony and has been converted from an existing building at the
College, increasing the capacity for senior girls boarding into the Sixth
Form by 26 places, as well as many more day students.
Headmaster, Brendan Wignall, said: "We are delighted to announce the
opening of St Hilda's and to have welcomed our first students into this
new residence - another significant development in the history of
Ellesmere College. It will be a great asset to us and be of major benefit
to our girls at what is an extremely important time in their education,
providing them with the best surroundings to enhance their
educational, personal and social development. Demand has always been
high for boarding places at the College and this was the ideal moment
to make the move and increase our capacity. It will also benefit our day
students through further individual study areas, meaning all our Sixth
Form pupils can continue to have personal study space."
Tatler Magazine featured: "Best school for
future Olympians"
We were delighted to be featured in the Tatler Magazine recently as
one of the Top 5 Schools in the Country for Future Olympians!
The College has a long and established pedigree when it comes to
sportsmen and women at Olympic level, and are proud of the
philosophy that students here can have both a successful academic
career and achieve sporting excellence without compromise.
The article in Tatler Magazine says:
"When the Team GB junior swimming selectors are seeking new stars
they know that Ellesmere's Titans have a proven record of success. This
year five Ellesmere College students represented the British Swimming
Team at the European Junior Championships in Russia - the largest
cohort from any one club in the UK, and 13 students have made
qualifying times for Tokyo 2020. They follow in the footsteps of Old
Ellesmerian Freya Anderson who took Gold in the Women's 100m
freestyle in 2017 and double gold in Helsinki in 2018. But it's not just
swimming that the selectors are looking at - overall 13 Ellesmere pupils
qualified for the Rio Olympics in various sports and with a sparkling
new indoor tennis centre and a recently launched Professional Football
Academy, it looks like Ellesmere pupils are set to shine in Tokyo.
We're big fans of their approach: rather than getting hot and bothered
about league tables, they're more concerned with nurturing struggling
pupils (they have one of the best learning-support teams in the
country) and stretching the talented through the endless opportunities
of their academic enrichment programme."

Exceptional results for inaugural ILM3 course
Ten Sixth Form students who undertook an inaugural leadership and
management course launched at the College last year have celebrated a
100% pass rate.
Year 13 students Rosie Holland, Jake Redshaw, Lavinia Mottershead,
Alexander Selby, Sam Zakers, Louis Deekes, William Davies - Head Boy,
Ross Murdoch, Sean Allen and Thomas Keay are delighted with their
results.
The course is suitable for those aged over 16 who hold, or are looking
to take on, positions of responsibility. It helps young leaders further
develop the skills to lead others confidently and effectively.
Dr Tom Gareh, Head of Sixth Form, said: "We are delighted with this
outstanding result! Congratulations to the pupils and Mr Chris Garratt -
Head of History, Classic & Politics at the school - who coached the
pupils through each stage of the award process and instructed them on
different leadership models and styles. This innovative course allows
pupils to gain a range of key management skills that can be put into
practice, build leadership capabilities and bring out leadership potential,
which may be of benefit in College roles such as stepping forward to be
a Prefect or a sports team Captain."
"It also strengthens employment applications, supports and enhances
UCAS and other course applications, professional development and
career progression, and increases self-confidence. The course results in
an official accreditation which is useful across a range of employment,
career and educational settings. This first course has been an
outstanding success, something we are now carrying forward
confidently into a second course during the new school year."
The IET Faraday Challenge was a disaster!
Lower School played host to the Autumn IET Regional Heats of the
2019 STEM Faraday Challenge and it was a disaster...but all teams rose
to the challenge!!
Alongside our two teams from Year 8, there were teams from Terra
Nova School, Prestfelde School and The Corbet School.
Students were challenged to design and build a prototype device to
support communities after a disaster. This could be a vehicle or
something to enhance a rescue plane, etc. It had to have some
THE ELLESMERIAN
electronic component involved in the design and each team
then had to present their ideas and demonstrate their
prototype.
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All teams did incredibly well with some great ideas on how to
help people in a disaster zone including:
- Designing amphibious vehicles
- Parachute systems to drop aid into disaster zones
- Adjustable seating to change the function of the plane
- Systems to get cargo off the plane
The winning team - Team 4 - from Ellesmere College designed a winch
and pulley system to get goods from the plane to the people in need of
aid quickly and efficiently.
The winning team were presented with their trophy by the Faraday
Challenge Leader, and each took home an Amazon voucher for
themselves as well as gaining a place on the league table.
Head of Physics, Miss Amy Darrant, explained, 'The Faraday Challenge
focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
skills. This task was really exciting as the students were working with a
real life example and how they could help those affected by a disaster
zone.
Participating in the School's winning team were: Joshua Norris, Jack Bell,
Amelia Robinson, Myles Webster, Georgie Prescott and Isobel Gray.
Tennis Academy student in winning Welsh
team
Aditi Chezhian, a Year 10 student at Ellesmere College, has helped Team
Wales retain the Junior Home Nations Tennis Championship title - the
first time Wales has successfully defended the title in the competition's
history.
Aditi took the massive step up from the 14 and under age category last
year to compete in the 18 and under group at this year's event, despite
being only 14 years old. She played and won her match against a player
who was much older, and who was ranked in the top 20 in the country.
She was congratulated by the Welsh National Coach who said that she
is the most improved player this year, and she was chosen for her
steady performance - especially with her reaching the semi-finals of the
16s and 18s at the Scottish Junior Open Nationals this summer.
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88
Aditi's win contributed to a very successful tournament for Team Wales
who won the 18U and 12U age groups and came third at 14U, giving
them an overall win.
The Junior Home Nations 2019 tournament was held over three
action-packed days at Wrexham Tennis Centre in September, with Team
Wales battling it out with England, Scotland and last year's hosts Ireland.
Stephen Welti, Senior Performance Coach and Director of Tennis, said:
"Aditi continues to make impressive progress, her selection to play for
the 18U team was a tribute to all her dedication and hard work. She
played for the 14U team at last year's event when she was 13 and to
step up to play at 18U is a tremendous leap. It shouldn't be
underestimated. It's a whole different deal going from playing against
players of your own age or younger to being the youngest and possibly
having to compete against players three years your senior. It's massive at
that age. It was a wonderful weekend of tennis and it was amazing to
see all the competitors across the three age groups performing to such
a high standard. Aditi played extremely well, was part of the successful
18U team and the overall winners - an impressive landmark for Welsh
junior tennis as they became the first Welsh team to retain the Junior
Home Nations title."
Rugby Director helps break World Record!
On Sunday 20 October 2019, 1,217 young rugby players from Clubs
across Shropshire and beyond broke the world record for the largest
Rugby Union coaching session led by our very own Director of Rugby
Alex Murphy, at the Oswestry Showground.
Previously the world record was held by Tokai University Rugby Football
Club in Japan, with 602 participants in a training session.
The event was organised by Warren Howell of Oswestry Rugby Club in
aid of the charity 'The Movement Centre' which supports children with
movement disabilities based at the Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen.
Alex, along with members of the College Rugby Academy team, said he
was confident of their success, speaking at the event: "We've got good
connections with Oswestry Rugby Club, so when Warren got in touch
about the World Record attempt we were happy to support them. I've
never been involved in a World Record attempt before. The brief was
to keep it short and to the point, but we'll be putting on a fun session.
The only problem we have is there isn't a lot of room for them, but I'm
pretty sure we can break the record and it is great to be supporting
something like this."
Kai Owen, a Shropshire-born England rugby player, also made a special
appearance on the day to support the attempt: "This is really good," he
said, "It's exciting to see and to see all the kids who are looking forward
to it."
Curtis Langley from The Movement Centre said: "I just want everyone
to go for it, take part for the full half hour and you'll be World Record
holders!"
The Clubs that participated included: Oswestry, Whitchurch,
Shrewsbury, Chester, Wrexham, Newport, Bridgnorth and Telford.
Hugh Jackman gives his best wishes to the
Ellesmere Arts Centre
Internationally renowned actor - Hugh Jackman - best known for his
roles as Wolverine in the 'X-Men' film franchise and P.T. Barnum in 'The
Greatest Showman' - has gifted the Ellesmere College Arts Centre with
a signed photograph and message of good wishes to everybody
working and studying in the Department.
In 1998, Hugh Jackman played the lead role of 'Curly' in the Royal
National Theatre's production of 'Oklahoma!' - a performance which
gave him his international break and an Olivier Award for 'Best Actor in
a Musical.' Earlier this year, he arranged an 'Oklahoma!' reunion where
the original cast accompanied him onstage during the first half of his O2
Arena Tour. Howard Ellis, who recently performed in the Brightman &
Bocelli tribute concert here at Ellesmere College, played the role of Joe
in the production and understudied Hugh in his role as Curly, and was
invited to join Hugh on his tour.
During rehearsals, Howard would often find himself discussing the
excellent work being done at the Ellesmere College Arts Centre with
Hugh, and this led to Hugh very kindly writing a message of good
wishes to the Department.

Director of Drama, Mrs Rachel Schubert, said: "We are all huge fans of
Hugh's work here at the Arts Centre, and we are so incredibly proud
and grateful that he has taken the time to send his best wishes. It is
wonderful that we are able to display his support for the Arts here at
Ellesmere College."
Gulwali Passarlay: My journey as an Afghan
refugee
Gulwali Passarlay, the internationally renowned author of 'The Lightless
Sky', opened the hearts and minds of our Year 8 Geography students
and deepened their understanding of the plight and resilience of young
refugees with an inspiring talk during his visit to the College as part of
the Survive & Thrive programme.
Gulwali, an Afghan political refugee, came to the UK in 2007 after
undertaking an incredible journey where he travelled a total of 7,150
miles through 10 different countries in order to reach safety and escape
a war-torn Afghanistan.
Through telling his story to schools and through his book, Gulwali
hopes his story will explain why refugees choose to leave their
countries and families behind, battle feelings of loneliness, fear and guilt,
and will allow people to see them not only as asylum seekers, but
individual human beings with incredible stories.
The talk was truly eye-opening for students, and some fantastic
questions were asked regarding Gulwali's emotions during the
experience and how he was able to remain hopeful. He concluded his
talk by explaining how he hopes to end the negative stigma associated
with refugees and asylum seekers, and hopes to use his passion towards
social change in order to inspire young people into having a more
engaged participation in politics and policy-making. He also encouraged
students to be kind and never to pass judgement as ultimately, you
never know what somebody has been through.
THE ELLESMERIAN
Ellesmere students named as Duke of
Edinburgh Ambassadors
Two Sixth Form students will be using their leadership and
89
management skills to guide other participants to achieve Duke
of Edinburgh (DofE) Awards after being nominated as official
ambassadors.
Elise Veitch and Patrick Hey attended training events in Shrewsbury to
bring them up to speed on what is required of their new role before
heading back to the College to begin helping other students on the
road to gaining their DofE Awards.
Mrs Jenna Underhill, Housemistress and Teacher of Business and
Economics, said the awards were an integral part of the College co-
curricular programme. "The Duke of Edinburgh Awards have played an
important role in the lives of many of our students over the years. The
College is the largest single contributor to the DofE programme in
Shropshire, and our students receive their Gold DofE Awards at
Buckingham Palace each year," she said. "As a centre for the awards we
can nominate up to two ambassadors who will help and guide fellow
students through the programme. We nominated Elise and Patrick who
already have a good understanding of what the role entails, and as
ambassadors must be active participants in the Gold or Silver
programme, and have undertaken training sessions designed to help
them fulfil that role.
It's an excellent initiative for Patrick and Elise to be involved in. The help
they provide will prove invaluable to other award participants and they
will also be advancing their own award goals by ticking off scheme
requirements like volunteering, developing management and leadership
skills, content creation and event planning."
Ashley Williams, operations officer for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards
Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire, said: "Patrick and Elise were amazing
at our training event. They were full of enthusiasm, quick to build
rapport and very knowledgeable about the DofE. They make a great
team and I have no doubt that they will do a brilliant job as
ambassadors."
 THE ELLESMERIAN Olympic selection for Titans coach
The Titans Director of Swimming, Alan Bircher, is relishing the
opportunity of helping Team GB to Olympic success in Tokyo
next summer.
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Alan has already achieved a great deal of success in
competing and coaching and is just one of eight coaches selected by
the British Olympic Association to accompany the Team GB
swimming squad to Japan.
The former World and European silver medalist swam for Team GB
from 1997 to 2008 racking up 10 British Championships and two
European Cup titles. More recently he has coached World, European
and Commonwealth medalists along with multiple national
champions and medalists. He is also playing an integral role in the
ongoing success of the Titans swimming team - which boasts a
record unrivalled by any other programme in the country in
providing swimmers to represent their country.
Alan will now form part of the select team of eight who will be
responsible for ensuring Team GB swimmers will be at peak
performance heading into the Olympic Games.
"It's a great honour to be selected as a coach for Team GB at the
Olympics - particularly when you consider how few of us will be
going to Tokyo," he said. "My role will be to lead the marathon
swimming, open water, which is the same position I've taken up at
the last European Championships in 2018 and this year's World
Championships.
"The Olympics are always something particularly special for
competitors, Team GB has some excellent swimmers right now and
it is up to our coaches to ensure the team is fully prepared and
ready to go.”
Lower School celebrates 20th anniversary!
The 20th anniversary of the Lower School was celebrated with a
special tea and a letter of congratulations from the Princess Royal.
Princess Anne, accompanied by Algernon Heber-Percy, the Lord
Lieutenant of Shropshire, officially opened the Lower School 20 years
ago and the 20 year anniversary letter from the Princess Royal was
given pride of place at the celebrations.
The afternoon tea on Friday 15th November included former Lower
School Heads of House and current Head Boy and Head Girl, present
pupils, their teachers and guests, with music for the occasion provided
by the Lower School Orchestra.
A junior section has been in place at the College for more than 50
years but it was not until 1999 that a dedicated building and play area
was created on the same site as the Senior School for students aged 7-
13.
Mrs Sharon Owen, Head of Lower School, said: "It was a memorable
celebration to mark our 20th anniversary. It was lovely to see so many
people there, the tea was amazing, enjoyed by all and everyone wanted
a look at the letter from the Princess Royal.
Pratham continues MUN success with UAMUNC
Conference
Pratham Manchanda, a Year 13 student of Politics, Economics and
Chemistry, has added to his long and successful record of Model United
Nations (MUN) conferences with his participation in the 2019 United
Ambassadors Model United Nations Conference (UAMUNC).
United Ambassadors is a worldwide educational organisation who
arrange conferences, and are directly associated with the United
Nations; they organise two annual conferences - New York and Geneva.
The conferences utilise the same procedures that occur in real United
Nations conferences, and feature real UN Ambassadors as guest
speakers. In addition, delegations from countries across the world such
as Ghana, Pakistan, South Africa, Dubai, etc, present at the conferences.
As part of the academic team, Pratham was appointed the position of
"Secretary of GA 3", and his role involved ensuring that the committee
were following legitimate procedures and were being properly
moderated.
Pratham found out about UAMUNC via a group that promotes MUN
conferences on-line, and in order to be appointed to the role, he had to
go through several rounds of online interviews where he was
competing with thousands of other applicants.
 THE ELLESMERIAN
"All the nerves and excitement built up. I jumped early in the
class, I think I was third in the ring, and then had to wait and
watch everyone else hoping we had done enough. I was so
happy with the way Annie performed.

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"I'm really building up vital experience and would like
showjumping to be my career. I have some amazing friends in the
business, work with some brilliant trainers, and this is the biggest event
we've won - so fingers crossed for the future. This win is a massive one
for me.

"We won the event on the Tuesday

and returned on Friday and Sunday
to take part in other non-school
national events. Annie competed on a
bigger course and she jumped really
well again. I also rode my new gelding,
Galip, and we had a great week with
some good placings."

Harriet has been riding since she was

about four, progressing through pony
classes to horses and acquired Annie
from her brother about three years
ago. She has two more horses and
Reflecting on the experience, Pratham said: "To achieve this position, I started riding more competitively
had to have a lot of MUN experience and had to possess a lot of when she was given Annie.
knowledge about the UN in general. However, even after four years of
MUNs, I was pretty new in terms of procedure and we all had to be
trained online to make sure everything occurred as closely as possible
'Lights, Camera, Action!' for Year 10 at Glyndŵr
to how it does in the UN."
University
A group of Year 10 pupils visited Wrexham Glyndŵr University for a
creative media taster day where they were given the chance to sample
"Model United Nations has always appealed to me because of its
some of the technology on hand for students studying creative media
opportunities to discuss varied topics of global concern. I enjoy the
courses at the University - and to use it to make their own productions.
intensive research into other countries' foreign policies and meeting
fellow Sixth Formers from all over the world."
The group were given an introduction to the world of visual effects
by lecturer Steve Jarvis, who showed them how television and film
Pratham has now been a part of 40 MUN conferences both as a
productions are being transformed through the use of technology.
delegate and a chair in a number of countries, and this has provided him
They were also given the chance to use Glyndwr's BBC-standard
with significant development in public speaking, leadership skills,
television production suite under the guidance of lecturer Steffan
negotiation and organisational skills, alongside a direct experience in
Owens, who helped the pupils film and edit interviews with their
diplomacy, all of which has been a great boost to his confidence. His
teachers to demonstrate the use of the facility's cameras, production
positive reputation within the MUN circuit could lead to more potential
desk and more.
involvement in events organised by the UA and their partnered
organisations.

Harriet and Annie are jumping for joy after win

at Bolesworth!
Harriet Otter, a Year 12 student, raced to her biggest win to date when
she and her 14-year-old mare Annie jumped clear to win the Just for
Schools 1.10m Individual Final held at Bolesworth Castle in Cheshire in
the National Schools Championship.

Harriet is a member of the College’s Equestrian team and other notable

achievements include an appearance with Annie at Hickstead, the
Mecca of showjumping, last year.

Harriet said: "It was amazing to win at Bolesworth - a great experience.

I always go in the ring with the state of mind that we are going to win
but there were so many good riders there from across the country, we
were competing against 17 other horses and riders on the day.
 THE ELLESMERIAN Karen McGowan, Wrexham Glyndwr University Recruitment
and Liaison Officer, added: "Students on Wrexham Glyndwr
University's creative media courses get to use some of the
latest technology on their courses - with new degrees, such as
92
contribution will help someone achieve their dreams, just like I did.
Teenagers need to know the opportunities available to them, the
careers that can be made and how much job satisfaction can be had
out of a life in the arts world as well."

our recent BSc in Visual Effects, being added all the time.

"This visit was a chance for the College's media students to get a taste
of some of those experiences themselves - and to hear more about
some of the ways our students get to use their studies in careers in film,
television and more.”

"It was a packed morning of activities, and the first visit by students from
Ellesmere College to the university. We hope they had a great day, and
we look forward to working with the College in the coming months to
help develop their pupils' interest in studying towards a career in the
creative industries.”

The EDGE Lecture Series – Charlie Adlard

Internationally renowned artist, Charlie Adlard, came in to College to
talk to some of our Sixth Form students about his career and
experiences in becoming a professional illustrator.

In an interview with Head Boy, Will Davies, Charlie told the audience
how important creative subjects are to both education and in the
business world. He answered many questions relating to a career in the
world of Art and how he sought opportunities in a very competitive
field of work.
The John Muir Award Encourages Students
Journey of Discovery
Lower School students are now able to participate in a UK-wide
environmental award scheme designed to help them gain a greater
awareness and understanding of natural environments by encouraging
them to 'Discover, Explore, Conserve and Share' a 'wild' place.

The John Muir Award runs alongside the current Survive & Thrive
programme for Year 7 & 8 students and offers a 'real world' practical
approach to teaching and learning. It encourages students to proactively
be a part of decisions about the way we do things, both locally and
globally. The students plan their own activities in order to improve their
self-confidence, and team work which includes exploring habitats,
identifying various species, and mapping human impact on the
environment. The activities embrace many different learning styles and
abilities, leaving it especially effective with children and young children
who have special needs. This provides a sense of achievement for all
participants as they develop new skills which they can use as they
progress through their education.

Charlie was a budding artist from a very young age, he recalls drawing
comic strips from as young as six years old and was drawing and
sketching at every opportunity. He studied Art at College and lived in
London for a while, seeking work, before returning to his home town of
Shrewsbury.
Charlie is most well known for being the penciller on the Walking Dead
since 2004; his other notable works include Savage, the X Files and the
2000AD series, including Judge Dredd, and Armitage. He is a regular
supporter of Ellesmere College and has previously featured unseen
artwork, life drawing sketches and original pieces from published works
at the College's National Art Exhibition.
Students will also continue with the current Survive & Thrive co-
curricular activities including conservation, landscape, art and expressing
ideas, sailing, cycling, media, shooting, orienteering & mapping - all good
disciplines to experience and help prepare for Middle School activities.
We believe that the John Muir Award encourages students to respect
and care for their environment, and provides them with an opportunity
to share their experiences with their local communities. In addition,
students develop a range of core employability skills such as problem-
solving, decision-making, effective communication and team working,
while also providing them with experiences that they can discuss in
future interviews.

"I've been involved in Art as Education more in the last few years, due
to my role as UK Comics Laureate, and have become increasingly aware
of the importance of such things. I hope, in some small way, my
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94

Monduli Green
It will be no surprise to learn that Covid-19 has made this year a
challenge for Monduli Green – apart from general uncertainty about
what is happening out there, in the UK events were cancelled after
Easter, and some supporters were unable to continue their regular
donations.
However, we did have a breakthrough!
All the pictures this year are from the permaculture training.
Permaculture is a method of building permanent fertility into the soil and
includes natural methods of water saving, composting, and reduction of
erosion. The intention is to build resilience into the land and farming
systems in Monduli. Hopefully the people we know in Monduli will not
have to leave the land they have lived on for so long.

As you may remember from previous postings, our biggest issue is Thank you all for your support of this project. Though few of the people
climate change and the chaos it is ravaging on weather patterns. For we work with have heard of any city but London in the UK, they all have
example, two years ago there was drought, and then last year it basically heard of Ellesmere College! Though I retire this year, I will continue to
rained the whole year. Though this constant rain sounds good, it actually update Ellesmere on our progress and hope you will remain interested
completely destabilised usual planting and harvesting patterns so that in what happens in Monduli.
once again crop yield was significantly down. This might be manageable
for farmers in the UK – who probably have some savings from previous CA
years, or some future projects they can hold back, or perhaps some
government support to call upon. In the rich world, we have land we can
sell, homes and land we can turn to other uses, free health care and
insurance policies. For a subsistence farmer in Monduli, they are not so
lucky. They can always cut down on the number of meals, I suppose.
Again.

But, let me get to the breakthrough. A chance meeting brought some

permaculture experts from Wales in touch with Monduli. After some
research we discovered there was a permaculture trainer – John Melau
Laizer – in Tanzania. Unfortunately, he lives in Zanzibar, which is very far
away. Then, during the Covid-19 pandemic he was locked down in
Arusha, which is very close! So, once the lockdown ended, we managed
to engage John to train 10 farmers from Monduli for 2 weeks. A
representative from local government also attended.
THE ELLESMERIAN 95
 Sport - Rugby
THE ELLESMERIAN 96

Rugby - 1st XV
After a disappointing preseason, the Ellesmere 1st XV faced their first
official match of the season. Underprepared and far from match fit, the
first week saw a slightly different approach.
On the first Wednesday of the Michaelmas term, the players found
themselves in the Sports Hall classroom for a squad meeting. The team
were reminded of the Ellesmere’s rich rugby history and the one
hundred and twenty-two years of rugby heritage that they are tasked
with upholding. The players were informed that their responsibility was
one of “stewardship” and leaving the 1st XV black and white jersey in a
better place than when they inherited it. This message seemed to hit
home and have the desired effect as the 1st XV went on to achieve an
unbeaten domestic season.
The first game saw them face Christ College Brecon for the third time
in consecutive seasons. Having lost the first two encounters, it was a
case of “third time lucky” for the 1st XV. Seemingly intent on making a
statement for their opening game, the Ellesmerians dominated the
opposition from the off. They took command of the territory and
possession, racking up an early lead of 22 points. However, perhaps it
was the lack of fitness or preparation, but the game finished a lot closer
than they would have liked as the opposition scored three late tries,
which took the shine off the score line at 22-17.
The Ellesmere 1st XV continued to right previous wrongs by beating
Wilmslow High – a feat that had not been achieved since 2014.
Lessons from the previous week had been learnt and Ellesmere were
patient and disciplined in their approach; the applied pressure
eventually paid off, with the visiting team conceding several late tries.
The winning run continued with wins in the cup against Sir John’s
THE ELLESMERIAN
97
Deane’s College and King Henry VIII School. An experimental senior
side was fielded against Lymm School in the second round of the cup,
which proved to be the only blotch on the record for the season.
This year’s local derby against Adams Grammar was cancelled when
the opposition struggled to raise a side. The 1st XV continued with
their winning streak in their domestic season with wins against Castle
Rushen, Caldy Grammar, Rydal Penrhos School, and St Anselm’s School.
One of the highlights of the season was the centenary celebration of
the North Midlands Rugby Federation. The North Midlands asked if
the Ellesmere team would be willing to play against a select team made
up from Wrekin and Abraham Darby. The 1st XV were only too happy
to oblige. As part of the celebrations, Old Ellesmerian and Head of
World Rugby, Bill Beaumont, was guest of honour while Luke Pearce,
an Aviva Premiership referee, officiated the match. Fortunately, the
home side did not disappoint and put on an excellent display of open
expansive rugby. The dominant forward pack was complimented by a
threatening backline. The defensive organisation was ruthless and kept
the opposition out for the entire duration of the game. The Ellesmere
1st XV were deserved winners finishing the game 42-0.
An unbeaten season is quite an achievement. There are always
countless variables that can influence whether a game of rugby is won
or lost, such as the strength of the opposition, injury, playing conditions,
and team preparation. To overcome these is no small feat. It takes time
and a great deal of effort. However, what is more commendable is the
way that these young men matured and learnt some valuable life
lessons over the course of the season.
AJM
 THE ELLESMERIAN
98
Rugby - 2nd XV
Summary of results
Christ College Brecon - Won 39 – 12
Wilmslow High School - Lost 12 – 14
King Henry VIII, Coventry - Won 28 – 22
St. Anselm’s College, Wirral - Won 26 – 10
This was a most unusual season for the 2nd XV. Due to a lack of
numbers playing rugby in the Lower Sixth, and the fact that many of
our usual opponents were not putting out a 2nd XV, we separated
into an U16 squad, which trained together. A few older players trained
with the 1st team and some were made available for the above
fixtures. These were the only opponents who would play a 2nd XV.
For these, we played our U16 squad with about three older players. It
is remarkable that with such a disjointed way of training we managed
to be successful.
Our first game was a home fixture against Christ College. We split the
game into thirds, each of twenty minutes. We lost our captain, one of
the Lower Sixth players, in the first 10 minutes but with some
adjustments we coped well and were soon dictating the tempo. We
scored three good tries to lead 15-0 after the first third. We stretched
our lead to 27-0 by the end of the second third but we were tiring.
The final third revealed our fitness levels and, despite scoring twice, we
let Brecon score two consolation tries.
Our second game was a close one. The difference was that our very
young side did not possess the discipline required to win a close
match at this stage. It was a game that helped shape our season.
Our third game was an away game in Coventry and it was pleasing to
see that the boys were committed to representing the College even if
that meant hours on the road. A couple of experienced Upper Sixth
formers were available for the match and they made all the difference.
The young side came from all over the globe: England, Wales, France,
Norway, Belgium, Fiji, and Mexico were all represented in the Black
and Gold. The game was a real battle, with the lead changing hands
several times. However, we had learnt how to remain disciplined and
focused from the previous game and we snatched the victory in the
final seconds of this game. It was a hard fought and well-deserved
victory.
From this point, the team separated and the U16 squad trained and
played fixtures. The young players grew stronger both mentally and
physically. A belief was instilled that was absent before and so, when
the 2nd XV came back together for the final game of the season, it
was a much stronger team. Only one Upper Sixth player and two
Lower Sixth players joined the team but they gelled immediately. We
trailed early on from a well-worked try but our newfound mental
strength saw us respond positively to end the half, leading 14-5. The
second half followed much the same pattern with the opposition
scoring early to make it a four-point game. However, despite extreme
pressure, we remained solid. No longer would the boys accept
anything but their all.
It was a good end to the season. It was great to see how far the boys
had come on from the beginning of term. Boys who had not played
for several years were out representing the College and cementing
bonds that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. I am sure that
Mr. Baggley and Mr. Haycock will agree that it was a tough season but
a very rewarding one.
DJM

Rugby - U15
The first match of the season was against Christ College. For a first
match of the season there is always going to be a bit of rust and
getting used to working with new players. However, things soon
started to click, and the score went away from Christ College, with
tries from Jack Tomlinson and Josh MacAndrew twice, and a try from
Farrell Given to give the team a 28-7 win.
Next up was Wilmslow High School, who didn’t start well but made us
pay for our mistakes. However, throughout the match Ellesmere
showed their resolve to keep in touching distance and eradicated their
mistakes to sneak a 32-28 victory, with tries from Jack Tomlinson, Josh
MacAndrew, Reuben Roberts, Drew Murdoch, and Yuanfang Wu.
Our next match was against King Henry VIII Coventry. It was a fairly
one-sided affair, with Ellesmere coming out on top 54-0. Tries were
once again scored by Jack Tomlinson and Josh MacAndrew but were
joined by Maxwell Blakesley, Reuben Roberts, Charlie Sweeny, and
Farrell Given.
Adams Grammar came next and were the ideal team to prepare us
for the upcoming match against Old Swinford Hospital in the NatWest
Cup. It took us a while to get into our stride but with a little focus on
the game we came out on top 31-12 with a hat-trick from Josh
MacAndrew, and tries from Reuben Roberts and Drew Murdoch.
The match against Old Swinford Hospital was the most important of
the season. In the first match we played up the hill and put on a heroic
goal line defence, but the pressure did eventually tell too much and we
went into the half 5-0 down. In the second half it took us a while to get
into our attacking stride but we did eventually get over the line thanks
to Reuben Roberts levelling up the game. Unfortunately, a lapse in
THE ELLESMERIAN
99
concentration and defence soon after the restart enabled Old
Swinford to take the lead again, and chasing the game left us slightly
exposed. This allowed them to score again and led to our first defeat
19-7.
The boys were disappointed after the end of the match but our new
focus was to go undefeated for the rest of the season. The first test
was against Calday Grange; despite poor handling conditions for both
teams due to the weather, we managed to come out on top 17-7 with
a brace from Jack Tomlinson and a first try from James Mallin.
Wrekin came next and after a cagey start we managed to assert our
authority and came away with a 43-21 win thanks to a hat-trick from
Reuben Roberts, and braces from Jack Tomlinson and James Mallin.
Our last match of the season was against St Anselm’s College
Birkenhead and from the off we were under pressure. We gained
control of the line-out and the match turned into a dog-fight in poor
weather conditions. We also had to cope with 14 men for a period of
time, but there was nothing to separate the two sides and the match
ended 5-5.
The season has been fantastic and everyone involved in the squad has
played a vital part in our success. Their attitude has been superb
throughout and this has echoed through training and has allowed them
to be successful on the pitch. Some individuals have continued to
flourish and have been selected for U16 Development Squads for both
Worcester and Sale; these individuals are Will Owen, Jack Tomlinson,
Reuben Roberts, Harrison Vernon, James Mallin, and Josh MacAndrew.
MH
 THE ELLESMERIAN 100

Rugby - U14

Summary of results The fourth match of the term was against a very impressive King
Christ College Brecon - Won 31 – 26 Henry VIII team. We played well in patches during this match and were
Wilmslow - Lost 5 – 48 rewarded for our efforts with a try for scrum half Ethan Bishop.
Thomas Adams - Won 29 – 21
King Henry VIII - Lost 5 – 51 Following on from the King Henry VIII match we had a tough fixture
against Adam’s Grammar School. We were outplayed during much of
Adam’s Grammar - Lost 0 – 45
this match and lost heavily.
The Corbet - Lost 36 – 41
The Marches - Won 20 – 12 Next up was Corbet School. We were 24-5 ahead at half time but
Oswestry School Tournament - Won 1st place ended up losing 36-41. Tries were scored by Alex Phillips, Gallagher
Rydal Penrhos - Lost 5 – 36 (3), James Li-Campbell, and Dafydd Craven-Jones, along with three
conversions from Dale.
The season begun with a match against Christ College Brecon. It was
a good match to begin the season with and we scored some good After the Half Term break we recorded our first win in four matches
tries. It also gave us an idea of what we still needed to work on. Tries against the Marches School 20-12. Tries were scored by Edward Bell,
were scored by Marcus Davies (2), Elliott Catt, Henry Dale, and Henry Hearn, Catt and Davies. The next match against Calday Grange
Hearn, with Davies also converting two of the tries. Grammar was abandoned at Half Time due to snow.

The following weekend saw us travel to Wilmslow School. This was to
prove a tougher encounter and the difference between the two teams
was the backs; when Wilmslow got the ball out in the wide areas they
were able to capitalise, we were not. However, our tackling and fitness
later on in the match were also a factor.
The following Wednesday we were back to winning ways against
Thomas Adams. Tries were scored by, Dale, Davies (2), and Reuben
Gallagher (2), with Davies again converting two of these tries.
We then had ten days to rest before entering a 10-a-side tournament
at Oswestry School. Every school played each other and we ended up
winning all our matches, and winning the tournament; a great effort by
all the players involved!
Our final match of the term was against Rydal Penrhos. We played
well but Rydal were the better team and deserved to win. It has been
a challenging term at times; however, every player should be happy
with their efforts and they will, I am sure, take the lessons learned
from this year as they move forwards into Year 10.

ILR
 THE ELLESMERIAN 101
Rugby - U13

Summary of results Having succeeded in their first two games on the road, the third
Christchurch Breacon - Won 25 – 5 match of the season against Henry VIII School was the first home
Wilmslow - Won 45 – 20 game and turned out to be a far more attritional affair where the
Henry VIII Coventry - Lost 25 – 35 visitors won a hard-fought game by 35 – 25.
Adams Grammar - Won 35 – 20
Corbett School - Won 25 – 10 The team had gained valuable experience from the opening three
Caldy Grammar - Abandoned matches and as the season progressed into October they were able
St Anselm’s - Lost 0 – 50 to produce far more organised and composed performances; the first
of these came at Adams Grammar School where they were able to
see out the game 35 – 20 winners. This time Yegor Ognov achieving a
The U13 team began training in September with an immense amount brace of tries. This game was quickly followed by a mid-week game
of energy and enthusiasm which helped to inspire a really healthy where discipline and hard work led to another convincing victory of
competition for places. Several new additions into Year 8 bolstered 25 – 10.
what was already a strong year group. Some of these new recruits
were seasoned club players but others were completely new to the From this point on, as the term drew to an end and the weather
game but proved to make a valuable contribution as the season closed in, more hard lessons were to be learned about resilience and
progressed. fortitude. The home game against Calday Grange had to be
abandoned at half time due to fears of hypothermia setting in during a
This positive energy was on display during the opening match against freakish snow storm and a growing list of injuries.
Christchurch Breacon with a comfortable 25 – 5 win. George Owen
opened the scoring, with Harvey Leonard and Tom Dyson also getting The final game of the season against St Anslem’s proved to be a
on the score sheet. The next match against Wilmslow quickly followed bridge too far but should not detract from what was overall a very
and turned out to be an even better performance where Ellesmere successful and enjoyable season. The whole squad made incredible
came out winners by 45 points to 20. Man of the match, James Raw progress throughout the term, had fun, and grew as both individuals
scored some crucial tries to secure the win. and as a team.

JED
 THE ELLESMERIAN 102

Rugby - U12

Summary of results attack score against Wilmslow, where we turned the ball over on our
Christ’s College Brecon - Won 80 – 0 22 and then went through half a dozen pairs of hands to score at the
Wilmslow High School - Won 55 – 0 other end of the pitch; ensuring that Harry Underhill could maintain
King Henry VIII School - Won 60 – 0 the ‘bragging rights’ at his club after dispatching Oswestry in the area
Adams’ Grammar School - Won 60 – 0 tournament; our first try against Caldy, which brought up our century
for the season; two or three last ditch try-saving tackles; and the
The Corbet School - Won 100 – 0
team’s desire to somehow engineer a score for Finn Baggaley against
Calday Grange Grammar - Won 55 – 0
Rydal and the look on his face when he succeeded.
Shrewsbury High Prep - Won 60 – 0
Rydal Penrhos School - Won 55 – 0 This meant that it all came down to our final game against an
St Anselm’s College - Won 55 – 0 unbeaten St Anselm’s side. With a huge crowd, including the
North Shropshire Tournament: Headmaster, the team rose to the occasion, tearing into the
Oswestry School - Won 30 – 0 opposition at every opportunity and giving their best performance of
The Marches School - Won 35 – 0 the season, rounding it off with a Jacques brothers’ special!
St Martin’s School - Won 40 – 0
Sir John Talbot’s School - Won 35 – 0 To go a whole season winning all matches is a great achievement, but
to do it whilst scoring 144 tries (everyone got at least one) and
without conceding a single point is truly remarkable and probably
Coaching games is a bit like panning for gold – occasionally you come
unprecedented at the College. These boys undoubtedly have the
across a small nugget that makes it all worthwhile. This year, with half
potential to do great things!
the squad having come through KS2 and the other half starting anew,
we were fortunate to find a 24-carat ingot of attitude, desire, and
My thanks to Mr Luckas for help coaching and the army of parents
ability, which swept aside all comers. Indeed, it was clear from the very
who outnumbered opposition support at every match. Most
first match that we had a group of boys who could all run, handle,
importantly, thanks go to Mr Richards who was the chief architect of
tackle, and ruck, and with the side built around Harry Underhill, and
this fantastic season, and Harry Underhill who always led from the
Thomas and Adam Jacques, who had all played the previous year, we
very front. Finally, to the boys who played and made everything a
knew that a good number of sides would struggle to cope with them.
pleasure – in the immortal words of Neil Diamond, “Good times
never seemed so good.”
As the season progressed, our pattern play became much slicker,
communication improved, and our blitz-defence was almost
WJH
impossible for opponents to resist. A few highlights were a counter-

Rugby - 1st VII
After the injury disrupted season of the Michaelmas term, Ellesmere
were looking forward to getting their rugby sevens season underway.
As usual, the squad put the hard work in throughout the cold dark
January and February nights, working on their patterns of play and
developing a level of fitness required to cope with the demands of
the sport. Training this year had prepared the squad well, as they
were always shadowed by a talented group of younger players.
The first tournament saw the players revisit the school that had
caused so many injuries in the Michaelmas season – Christ College
Brecon. However, the ghosts were soon laid to rest as the
Ellesmerians got their campaign underway with a win against
Eastbourne. Despite playing some excellent sevens rugby, Ellesmere
lost to rugby giants Llandovery school and Hartpury college, which
placed them into the plate competition. One of the highlights of the
tournament was knocking out the hosts in the Plate semi-final beating
Christ Brecon 24-12. Unfortunately, Ellesmere failed to take home the
silverware, as they lost to a side that they had previously beaten:
Eastbourne.
Several changes were made for the Solihull tournament in order to
rest some tired bodies. Ellesmere failed to build on the progress that
had been made on the previous weekend and resulted in mixed
fortunes. The squad won three matches and lost three matches in
some closely fought games.
THE ELLESMERIAN 103
The chance to learn from their mistakes was lost when poor weather
resulted in the North of England Sevens tournament being cancelled
for the second year in a row.
Ellesmere have a very good track record in the Kings Worcester
tournament with winning the tournament in two previous occasions
and coming runners up several times. The fields at Droitwich RFC are
well suited to Ellesmere’s possession based game and make for
excellent sevens. Unfortunately, none of this had an effect on this
particular day which saw a poor showing from the boys in black and
white. The tournament got off to a poor start with the boys losing to
local rivals Adams Grammar. The next two games did not fair much
better but the Ellesmerians were spared the embarrassment of a
whitewash by beating the Coventry/Bablake Barbarians side.
Rosslyn Park is always a great experience for the pupils to be part of,
in one of the biggest school boy Sevens tournaments in the world.
They get the chance to go toe-to-toe with some famous rugby
schools and it’s a reward for their hard work throughout the season.
Unfortunately, the results did not go as planned, although the
Ellesmerians gave an excellent account of themselves during their
stay.
AJM
 THE ELLESMERIAN 104

Rugby - U16 VII

This will go down as the season that had no fixtures. Over recent
years it has become more difficult to find tournaments for this age
group, and with the national tournament cancelled this year due to
Covid-19 it meant that no games were played. However, we
trained hard, learnt the game, and were able to go toe to toe with
the 1st team before the virus hit.

Squad:
S. Appleby, J. Barker, I. Craven-Jones, H.Cuckson, T. Davies, F. Given,
A. Linington, S. Patmore, R. Roberts, W. Selby, I. Shute (Vice-Capt.),
J. Tomlinson, B. Zakers (Capt.).

I would like to thank all the boys for their excellent attitude and
commitment. I would also like to thank the 1st team for training
with us and providing strong opposition in training games.

DJM

Rugby - U15 VII

The Rugby Sevens programme at Ellesmere College has historically

been a great opportunity for players of all ability to upskill, improve
conditioning, and experience the challenge of tournaments. This
has certainly the case for the U15s this year and, although
unforeseen circumstances resulted in all but one tournament being
cancelled, I have no doubt that all players involved developed
considerably throughout the term.

As always, the first half of the Lent term focused around training
and preparation, with many players improving their conditioning,
developing new skills, and gaining a new understanding of how
rugby can be played. Although we approached the Sevens season
as a means to develop players individually, the drive to perform in
competition pushed all players to focus on the Adam’s Grammar
Sevens Tournament. With a squad consisting of mainly forwards,
we knew that gaining silverware would be a challenge and,
although we were unable to do this, we were competitive in all
games.

Playing against Liverpool College, the effort that all of the boys had
put into training came to fruition in a performance that dominated
in both attack and defence. The team was able to find balance
between maintaining structure and playing intuitively, resulting in a
number of well-worked attacking phases and scores. The vision
and execution from Reuben Roberts in the middle, supported by
the ball carrying from Jack Tomlinson and Josh McAndrew on
either side, needs to be mentioned. Coaching the boys this term
has been a great experience and I have no doubt the progress
they made will stand them in good stead for U16s and senior
rugby next year.

HL
 THE ELLESMERIAN 105
Sport - Girls’ Hockey
 THE ELLESMERIAN 106

Girls’ Hockey – 1st XI

Summary of Results being able to socialise together. Rising to the challenge and
Cardiff Met Pre Season Festival enjoying the opportunity to experience a university setting,
Wrekin College - Won 3–2 together with the benefits of video match analysis, the squad
Shrewsbury Ladies’ 2nd Team - Won 9–0 enjoyed some excellent play.

Wrekin 7s Tournament – 1st Our first match of the season saw a brilliant start with many
Match 1 Oswestry School - Won 2–0 strong performances. Ellen Dawson equalised Wrekin's early first
Match 2 Shrewsbury Colleges - Won 3–0 goal, making the score level at 1-1, from a well-executed short
Match 3 Shrewsbury School - Won 3–0 corner. After dominating play at our attacking end, another goal
Match 4 Denstone College - Drew 0–0 followed, scored by Ellen Dawson in an exact replica of the first!
Semi Final: Stafford Grammar - Won 2–1 The third and final goal by Ellesmere was scored by 1st Team
(penalty flicks) Captain, Lavinia Mottershead. A later goal from Wrekin saw the
Final: Wrekin College - Won 1–0 final score at 3-2 Ellesmere. Special mention to Alanah O'Brien for
some spectacular saves. This first result set the tone for the
County Hockey Tournament 1st. (On goal difference) matches that were to follow.
Match 1 Moreton Hall - Lost 0–2
Match 2 Shrewsbury School - Won 4–0 The team was in good spirits as we made our short journey to
Meole Brace in brilliant sunshine. It was a slow start to the match,
Oswestry School - Won 5–0 with Shrewsbury Ladies' overloading their defensive 'D', making it
Stockport Grammar School (National Cup Round 2) Won 2–0 difficult for our attacks to create goal scoring opportunities. Three
Shrewsbury School - Won 2–0 great goals in the first half however, gave the team the
Cheadle Hulme (National Cup Round 3) Lost 0–3 encouragement needed to sustain their attempts on goal. A
change of tactics, directed by Mr Taylor at half time, saw the team
2019 promised to be an exciting season from the start. The first implement a new strategy to create space at our attacking end
ever pre-season tour to Cardiff Metropolitan Festival of Hockey and thus resulted in a quick succession of goals. Effective passing
gave the newly formed squad the chance to be put through their and full use of the pitch meant that the opposition could not quite
paces and to try new positions in a competitive setting, whilst also keep up with the pace. Final score 9-0.

We entered the Wrekin Sevens Tournament as defending
champions and, after a commanding series of matches in the group
section, beating Oswestry, Shrewsbury College, Shrewsbury School
and drawing with Denstone College, we went into the Semi-Final
as runners-up only on goal difference. The gritty semi-final against
Stafford Grammar finished 0-0 and went to penalty flicks. Stafford
stepped up for the first flick and sent it wide. Millie Forster took
the first flick for Ellesmere and skilfully place the ball in the bottom
corner of the goal. 1-0 Ellesmere. Stafford then took their second
flick which levelled the score 1-1. The second flick for Ellesmere
was then taken by Ellen Dawson who rocketed the ball passed the
keeper on the left-hand side. Alanah O’Brien proved her
international credentials, saving a fantastic second stroke in
spectacular fashion, to rapturous applause from the side-line and
supporters. Final score 2-1. Final v Wrekin College – a composed
performance by the Ellesmere Team, transferring the ball beautifully
and creating an opening in the Wrekin defence, which resulted in a
goal by Millie Forster just before the five-minute mark. Ellesmere
then went on to defend with self-assurance and a calm disposition,
successfully defending two short corners. Final score: 1-0
Ellesmere.
THE ELLESMERIAN 107
being put safely away in the back of the goal by Sophie
Ward. Final score: 4-0 Ellesmere. Fortunately for Ellesmere,
the four goals proved beneficial, as we went on to win the
County Tournament on goal difference as Moreton Hall had
lost to Shrewsbury School 0-2.
The National Cup Round 1 match against Leicester Grammar
School unfortunately could not take place, which led us to move
straight into Round 2 against Stockport Grammar School. A
convincing win of 3-0 saw us into the next Round. We knew that
Cheadle Hulme were going to be a tough team to beat and this
proved to be true. Despite having much of the play in our
defensive end, we defended valiantly, with the score remaining at
0-0 for two thirds of the game. However, it was not meant to be;
three goals were scored against us, within moments of each other.
Final score 0-3.
The 1st Team should be incredibly proud of the sustained success
that they have enjoyed this season; testament to their
commitment, not only to the game, but to each other.

We then moved swiftly on to the annual County Hockey

Tournament at Shrewsbury School. After a disappointing and slow
start in our first game against Moreton Hall, the team came back
with a determined attitude for the second game against
Shrewsbury School. Stepping out with a rejuvenated spirit, the girls
worked hard and played their style of hockey, which led to an early
goal by George Dawson. A relentless press saw Shrewsbury
concede another goal by Ellen Dawson before half time, making it
2-0 Ellesmere. An exciting second half, dominated by the Ellesmere
attack, saw a textbook goal by Charlie-Ann Williams, receiving a
well-executed cross from Ellen Dawson. The fourth and final goal
was very much a group effort, after a short corner, before finally
 THE ELLESMERIAN 108

Girls’ Hockey – 2nd XI

Summary of Results Whitchurch Ladies Hockey Club was a thrilling game driven by
Wolverhampton Grammar - Lost 1–3 energised and enthusiastic players on both sides. Dominated by
Whitchurch Ladies Hockey Club - Draw 1–1 Ellesmere in the first half, we were pleased to see the team holding
Wrekin - Lost 1–2 their positions, driving the ball wide and moving with pace. The final
Bedstone - Draw 0–0 half saw us struggling to convert several penalty corners, which is a
Shrewsbury - Lost 0–2 testament to Whitchurch and their experience and determination
Moreton Hall - Lost 0–2 in defence. The Ellesmere team played with focus and
demonstrated impressive skill in this exciting fixture. The goal was
This season has seen the 2nd X1 squad face strong teams both scored by Amy Evans and was set up beautifully by a sequence of
home and away. As ever, the squad have trained hard and play that began in our defensive circle.
developed the skills and tactical play worthy of strong opponents
and have always played with smiles and positivity. With a number of The Wrekin match saw the team losing their structure and as a
Year 13 veterans mixed with new to the squad Year 11 players, we result the game was a challenge. Out of position, the team lacked
have seen a real change in the squad dynamics and it is safe to say the width to utilise their pace on the ball and instead ended up
that the final results did not always reflect the strength and congested in the centre of the pitch. At their strongest they drove
determination of this group of young women. the ball wide and moved with pace and confidence into the
oppositions ‘D’ and this is the game we want to play. There is a lot
Our first fixture of the season saw a new 2nd XI squad take to the to learn from this game; confidence to hold position became the
pitch without a training session behind them. Skill was on show central focus of our next training sessions.
from the start but confidence was lacking. Suffering an initial loss of
3 goals in the first half did not stop this determined and capable This was an incredibly exciting and well-matched fixture that saw
squad. They returned after half time with focus and a few key areas both teams work tirelessly to win the ball. Ellesmere held their
to develop and that is what they did; the second half saw the team positions and played an exceptional game, moving the ball with
win 1-0. pace and accuracy. Special mention must go to the outstanding
work of Beaut Kittirattanaviwat and Ruby Marsh who took free hits
Movement on to the ball, pressure on the opposition, pace when with pace and opened up the game through tactical and accurate
taking free hits improved and saw a positive and energised passes. The team tackled with strong and steely determination and
Ellesmere side do what Ellesmere teams do best – improve and played their best tactical passing game of the season so far. It was
face challenges head on. This was an exciting start to the season. unfortunate that we were unable to convert but this gave us our
next training focus and so we moved onwards and upwards.

After a heavy defeat to the Shrewsbury squad last year (9-0), we
were keen to prove our worth on the pitch. The team lacked
structure throughout the game but their determination and desire
to win the ball was faultless. In the moments where we held
position the squad moved the ball with pace but a lack of accuracy
often led to us having to chase the ball down again. Where we
were at our strongest was when we worked the ball out wide from
a defensive stance and this clearance afforded us time to gather our
calm. The work of the defensive line up was strong and despite 3
goals crossing the line the team saved, cleared, and defended a
barrage of skilful shots on goal; a testament to their ability to work
well under pressure.
THE ELLESMERIAN 109
It was a very enjoyable season and saw players’ progress and
develop their skills whilst enjoying the game for all of its
challenges and intricacies. We have had to say a fond farewell
to many of our Upper Sixth Leavers and wish them the very
best in their future endeavours, but we also look ahead with
excitement at next year and all that this team can build on.
CEM

The Moreton game provided an exciting and closely contested

match. As the game progressed our confidence grew and with
confidence came a determination to win the ball. In the first half we
lacked structure but after half time we addressed this and moved
the ball with pace to avoid tackles. This allowed us to keep the ball
and use our power and speed to move it effectively up the pitch.
We had a few near misses but displayed great strength in attack. As
ever the defence showed a grit and determination to clear the ball
and worked effectively as a unit. Sadly, in the dying minutes of the
game, fatigue led to the concession of two goals.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 110

Girls’ Hockey – U15

Summary of Results We had to wait another month for our next match due to a few
Wrekin College - Won 2–1 matches unfortunately being cancelled but, looking at it positively, it
Newcastle Under Lyme - Drew 0–0 did give us time to work on fitness, essential core skills, and set plays
Shrewsbury School - Lost 0–3 ahead of the competitive away match against Shrewsbury School. A
Oswestry School - Won 6–1 difficult and challenging game where Shrewsbury proved too strong
Shrewsbury School - Lost 0–2 for us and won 3-0. Despite the score there were a lot of positives to
take from it and I felt that the girls developed as players from this
The season began with high hopes as there were a number of match; it was a turning point in the season where things started to
talented Hockey players that I had coached a couple of years click in to place.
previously and, with a few new faces, the prospect of a busy term of
Hockey was very exciting. The girls started the term off well and The latter part of the term was a successful one and probably where
attended squads and games practices promptly and with great I felt the team really started to progress and reach their potential.
determination to improve themselves and develop as players. Again, it was unfortunate that we had a few games cancelled but we
secured a great 6-1 win against Oswestry School.
Honor Graham and Georgia Munro led the team well and showed
excellent leadership and motivational skills getting the girls together The final game saw us up against Shrewsbury School again. This game
ahead of the first game against Wrekin College. A sunny and relatively was totally different; we were more competitive against them and it
warm September afternoon, this was a game that we intended to use wasn’t until the last part of the 2nd half where they scored 2 goals to
as a warm-up match and work with different formations. A take the victory. However, it was great to see the progress we had
competitive match and a game that could have gone either way but made.
in the last 10 minutes of the 2nd half we were able to score the
winner to secure a promising 2-1 win. All in all, a great term of Hockey. All girls contributed and many of the
U15 girls were called into the U16 squad to strengthen their team.
Our next game, three days later, was slightly more challenging, and Well done to all and good luck as you progress up into senior
with a smaller squad than expected it was a game that could have Hockey.
gone either way. Both teams had chances to score the winner but a
fair result in the end. HLD
 THE ELLESMERIAN 111
Girls’ Hockey – U14

Summary of Results struggled to convert any of our opportunities into goals. We held our
Wrekin College - Lost 0–2 shape well against Oswestry, winning the game 1-0. This meant that
Newcastle-Under-Lyme - Won 1–0 we faced Moreton Hall in the semi-finals. This was a close match but
County Hockey Tournament - =3rd place the score remained level until the final whistle. As a result, we had to
Shrewsbury School - Lost 0–1 face penalty flicks; the team showed great character when stepping up
Rydal Penrhos - Won 1–0 to take or face the penalties but Moreton edged the victory. We then
Moreton Hall - Lost 0–4 faced Wrekin College in the 3rd/4th place play-off. We had a couple
Shrewsbury School - Drew 0–0 of good goal scoring opportunities in the dying seconds, but by the
North Shropshire Tournament - Runners-up final whistle, in the fading light, the two teams could not be separated
and it was agreed that we would share 3rd equal place.

We began the season with a match against Wrekin; for many players,
this was their first competitive experience on a full 11-a-side match
and a big step up from the 7-a-side format they were used to. Despite
this, we grew into the game and special mention must be made of the
defensive unit for showing grit and fortitude against Wrekin's
relentless attack. Substantial progress was made over the course of
this first match and the team showed a lot of character.
Next, we faced Newcastle-Under-Lyme School. From the very first
whistle we had the majority of possession and peppered the
opposition ‘D’, deservedly taking the lead in the third quarter. Even
when tired legs started to show, we kept going and any forays into
our defence were repelled with strength and discipline. A thoroughly
deserved victory.
We faced Shrewsbury School twice following the County tournament,
suffering a narrow defeat and securing a hard-fought draw. Some
committed defending and tenacity in midfield meant that only one
goal was scored over the course of both these matches.
Our match against Rydal Penrhos was played in sleet and snow and
we fought hard to win the game. Unfortunately, we could not carry
these winning ways into our match against Moreton Hall. Despite
some strong runs into the opposition ‘D’ and some near misses, we
were not able to get on the scoreboard.
In the Lent term we hosted the North Shropshire tournament,
beating Sir John Talbot 5-0 and the Marches 1-0, but a 1-0 defeat
against Oswestry meant that they pipped us to the top spot.

In the opening match of the County Tournament, against Thomas LK

Telford, we dominated possession throughout but struggled to make a
breakthrough. We managed to score in the final 30 seconds and
secured a narrow victory. After an early goal against Shrewsbury
School, we managed to keep them at bay for the rest of the game, but
 THE ELLESMERIAN 112

Girls’ Hockey – U13

This season has been one of learning, adventure, and excitement for
the U13 Hockey Team. The season offered many fixtures to test the
team's progress as the months passed by and the girls learned to play
with different styles and formations to suit a variety of opponents.
The team were unfortunate in many fixtures, missing out on achieving
their aim of a win. With the morale of the side high, and each
member of the team putting full commitment into training, the side
grew in confidence and skill.

As the season aged so did the maturity of the team. This saw them
scoring goals in closely fought games and getting ever closer to
realising the dream of a victory.

The final game of the season saw the side nervous, knowing this was
their last chance as a team to bag an all-important win. This final game
against Oswestry School was full of excitement and courage shown
by both sides in both attack and defence. The Ellesmere side were
delighted when the final whistle blew, ending the game 2-1 in their
favour. This was a fantastic ending to an enjoyable journey.

SJT
 THE ELLESMERIAN 113
Girls’ Hockey – U12

Summary of Results
Newcastle-under-Lyme - Won 7–1
Adcote School - Drew 2–2
Terra Nova - Lost 0–1
Bedstone College - Won 2–1
Oswestry School - Won 4–1
Packwood Haugh - Drew 2–2
Moreton Hall - Lost 0–6
Rydal Penrhos - Lost 0–1

It has been a promising first season for our U12 Team, enjoying
both the highs and the lows of wins and losses. The focus has been
on introducing and revising the basic principles of positional play
and fundamental stick skills.

Enjoying success in the first match of the term against Newcastle-

under-Lyme School, the team was fortified with a desire to
succeed. This was then followed by further wins against Bedstone
College and Oswestry School. Two tight draws against Adocte
School and Packwood Haugh were exciting games to watch and
kept spectators on the edge of their seats right up until the final
whistle. The last game of the season against Rydal Penrhos gave the
team the chance to showcase the progress that they have made
since the beginning of the term. Many more goal scoring
opportunities were created but we were sadly unable to convert
these into goals. We look forward to next season and the next
stage in this team’s progression.

CSD
 THE ELLESMERIAN 114
Girls’ Hockey – U11/U10
This year the U11 team have been full of excitement and energy.
Their passion has shone through whilst on the field of play. Many of
the girls were still very much in their developmental stage of hockey
with new rules and general understanding of the game at the front of
their minds. This said, the side were not afraid when it came to taking
on their opposition head on!
As the team progressed through the term they began to settle in to
the Ellesmere style of play, trying to link passes and exploit space on
the pitch. Many of the results did not go the way the team would
have wished, narrowly missing out on victory by small margins. The
U11 team managed a tenuous victory against Adcote in a 1-0 nail
biter of a game and also a draw with Moreton Hall.
I am tremendously proud of this young side and look forward to
working with them and seeing them progress next season.
ST
The U10 Team have been wonderfully
enthusiastic in their approach to hockey this
season and have energetically embraced every
training session. Friendly games against other
schools have nurtured a sense of excitement as
we have boarded the coach, enjoyed the
experience of playing against unfamiliar faces in
new surroundings, and then sampled match teas!
The team have shown that there is much
potential and we look forward to all that next
season has in store as the games step up a gear.
THE ELLESMERIAN 115
Sport - Netball
 THE ELLESMERIAN 116

Netball – 1st VII

Summary of Results Next up was The Marches who presented us with much more of a
North Shropshire Tournament Winners challenge. We were pushed all the way until eventually getting to
County Cup 5th Place grips with their tactics and strengths, enabling us to win 39-24.
Rydal Penrhos - Won 33 – 9
Marches - Won 39 – 24 We then entered a tricky run of matches against some tough
Shrewsbury High - Lost 21 – 29 opposition. A very cold, wet and windy Saturday morning at
Shrewsbury School - Lost 16 – 24 Shrewsbury High resulted in a disappointing loss. Unfortunately,
Wrekin College - Lost 7 – 52 our normal fast flowing game was affected by the conditions and
Denstone College - Won 18 – 10 we struggled with getting the ball to our shooters due to their
Newcastle Under Lyme - Won 20 – 12 strong defence. I feel that this was a game that we should have
won but we need to be more careful in possession and adapt to
Oswestry - Won 44 – 13
conditions quicker.
Moreton Hall - Won 20 – 11
Next up was Shrewsbury School where unfortunately we failed to
keep our heads when the pressure mounted. Despite performing
Our usual start to the season began with a competitive North well in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, we lost our way in the final
Shropshire Tournament held here in September with unusually quarter, only managing to score three goals. The final score was 16-
warm weather. We were strong in all three games and swept our 24 to Shrewsbury.
opposition aside quite easily with all round strong performances.
This gave the girls a huge boost of confidence going into the To complete our difficult run we had a home fixture against
County Cup. However, the usual strong opposition in Shrewsbury Wrekin College. This was not quite a fair match as 90% of their
High and eventual National Cup qualifiers Wrekin were as strong team were Severn Stars academy players (England netball
as ever and we fell behind in our group to them. Despite this the superleague franchise). Although our team were not of the same
early signs of a good strong squad made the girls excited to get level they put in a good performance and kept working hard
started in January. despite the disheartening score-line. I was very proud of their
team spirit despite going down quite heavily to a very good side.
First up was Rydal - we started extremely well, racing into an early
lead. By half time we were 22-6 ahead, we then were able to
rotate positions and explore our options.

We moved on quickly from this and concentrated on our next
opposition. We worked hard in extra training and squad sessions
to prepare and reaped the benefits in an exciting encounter with
Denstone College. The match was very even throughout with
some fabulous netball being played however, our final quarter
performance was our best netball yet and we were able to
strengthen our defence, only allowing them two more goals. Our
attack was slick, we were too fast and accurate in the end for our
visitors and we enjoyed a very well deserved victory.
THE ELLESMERIAN 117
Although the season was sadly cut short this was a
thoroughly enjoyable campaign with a fantastic squad of
hardworking girls. They were a pleasure to coach and I am
very much looking forward to next season.
TC

Our confidence was restored and we were excited for

Newcastle’s visit. We worked hard on our zone defence in
preparation which worked like a dream on the day. The attack
played their part too, once again we were victorious.

Next up were local rivals Oswestry - the girls played their best
netball, with all areas contributing to an exciting and fabulous
display of netball. We became totally dominant after half time
which enabled us to rest and rotate players, showing the depth of
the squad.

We then hosted Moreton Hall which sadly became our last match
of the season due to the early closure of the College. We started
very poorly and gave ourselves a tough job going into the next
three quarters. The girls duly rose to the challenge and managed
to keep their heads. With some very determined performances
they pulled the score-line back round and eventually came out
winners of a tough match which tested our girls both mentally and
physically.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 118

Netball – 2nd VII

Summary of Results Arguably, the opponents we fear the most are Wrekin, we matched
Rydal Penrhos - Won 25 – 1 them play for play in all areas and did not allow them to gain any
Thomas Adams - Won 32 – 8 dominance and, as a consequence, the resulting draw felt like a victory.
Shrewsbury School - Drew 15 – 15
Bedstone College - Won 27 – 16 The confidence we had gained from the Wrekin match was carried
Wrekin College - Drew 12 – 12 into our game against Denstone. The weather was appalling but
Denstone College - Won 19 – 14 netball players are a hardy bunch; they played through Arctic winds
and sleet as they continued to exert the kind of pressure that had
Newcastle-Under-Lyme - Won 13 – 8
seen them triumph in previous matches.
Moreton Hall - Won 20 – 2
We then played host to Newcastle-under-Lyme School. Both sides
The term began with the great luxury of having a large squad to select were evenly matched and it was hard for either team to gain a
players from and there was a good deal of competition for places. The stranglehold on the game. We were able to regroup to secure the
team welcomed new players and old to the squad and they gelled win.
quickly to form a formidable team.
Our final match of the season, was against Moreton Hall. We hit the
We began the season with a home win against Rydal. We started ground running in the first quarter and dominated the game
strong and kept up the relentless pressure, preventing the opposition throughout. We were able to rotate positions to enable the girls to
a chance to get into the game. On the back of this, we then travelled play a variety of roles with all players demonstrating versatility and it
to Thomas Adams and continued our winning streak. Although the was great to see the enjoyment of experiencing the game from a
opposition were able to trouble the scoreboard at times, our pace different perspective throughout the squad.
allowed us to complete another strong performance.
Throughout the season the team played with great character,
We then faced Shrewsbury School. The game ebbed and flowed and enthusiasm, and sportsmanship and are to be congratulated on their
the result could easily have gone either way but we showed a good unbeaten season. An impressive achievement, which is well deserved.
deal of tenacity to cling on for a draw. Our match against Bedstone
was played indoors and we took a little time to get into our rhythm. LK
However, once we did, there was no stopping us; fierce defending,
athletic centre court play and some metronomic shooting secured
another well-deserved victory.

Netball – U15
This season has seen a talented and determined U15 side rise to the
demands of a busy fixture schedule and, ultimately, excel. It is exciting
to work with a group of sportswomen who strive to learn from every
experience and do not view a loss as a loss, but rather as an
opportunity to improve and learn more about themselves as players
and as a team.
Our season began well with wins against Rydal, Adcote, Thomas
Adams, and Oswestry. The first fixture of the season can be a
challenge as the squad is newly established, but in this season debut
against Rydal, the U15 squad proved themselves to be a hardworking,
focused, and committed team. The player of this match was Honor
Graham, who demonstrated outstanding defensive skills throughout.
The match against Sir Thomas Adams was a high speed, high octane
game that saw the team hone their attacking and defensive play.
Accurate shots on goal demonstrated the growing confidence of our
shooters, while defensive play from all members of the squad saw
well-timed, impressive interceptions. The player of this match was
Georgia Munro, who again demonstrated skill and control in her
match play.
Fixtures against Shrewsbury High, Shrewsbury School, and Bedstone
College saw us defeated; however, each game demonstrated the skills
and competence of our outstanding players. Against Shrewsbury High
we witnessed some outstanding Netball with an excellent game from
both sides; the teams played with a professional and friendly manner
throughout. Shrewsbury selected Darcy Ward as their Players’ Player
while Anna Maughan was awarded Player of the match.
THE ELLESMERIAN 119
Shrewsbury School were a capable opponent who dominated in the
first quarter. The squad returned determined to prove their ability.
Skillful play saw them fighting back but, unfortunately, a win was not on
the cards.
Our fixture against Bedstone College saw the team depleted in
numbers as several players were unavailable. Stand in players were
impressive and stepped up to produce good performances. Abigail
Febrey joined us having never played netball before. She picked up the
game quickly and made two excellent interceptions. Julia and Carmen,
joined the squad and demonstrated great skill. Due to wind, both
teams struggled to control play but we adapted and demonstrated
skill in attack and defence. Player of the Match was awarded to Tabitha
Leonard, who played a strong game from start to finish.
Our match against Moreton Hall saw a determined Ellesmere side
produce another strong performance off the back of a tournament
win. Swift match play saw effortless movement of the ball around
court. Teamwork at its best!
It is interesting to note that the game of the season saw the team
narrowly lose to Oswestry 24-25. It just goes to show that winning is
not everything – performance and team effort are the things that
really count. Players’ Player was awarded to Darcy Ward, while
Elizabeth Oldroyd was voted Player of the Match for her consistently
outstanding and mature match play.
The under 15 Netball squad has been a joy to coach this term and
end the season on a high. I can’t wait to see what this young and ever-
developing side go on to do in the future.
CAM
 THE ELLESMERIAN 120

Netball – U14

Summary of Results Unfortunately, the home match against Shrewsbury School saw
North Shropshire Tournament - 1st the opposition take an extensive early lead which, despite our best
Rydal Penrhos - Won 41– 1 efforts, remained elusive.
Adcote School - Won 35– 8
Oswestry School - Won 23– 18 Following this disappointing loss, the team picked themselves up.
With renewed determination, they demonstrated some
Shrewsbury School - Lost 12– 27
outstanding teamwork in the quadruple fixture at King’s Chester,
King’s Chester - Won 18– 14
where they beat the hosts as well as Rydal Penrhos and Abbey
Abbey Gate School - Won 27– 2 Gate School.
Rydal Penrhos - Won 32– 2
Thomas Adams - Won 35– 3 Despite a couple of losses against some worthy teams, the U14
Newport Girls High School - Lost 13– 41 Team finished on a high, playing against Moreton Hall and finishing
Denstone College - Lost 10– 19 victorious with a decisive 19-4 win. All in all, it has been a
Moreton Hall Won 19– 4 productive season and we look forward to taking the positives and
implementing them as the U15 Team in 2021.
This season has been a highly successful one for the U14 Team. At
times they have been put through their paces and the score-line CSD
has got a little too close for comfort; however, when playing with
the full squad, they have shown strength and depth.

Early success in the year saw the team crowned as North

Shropshire Schools’ Tournament winners. This momentum then
carried forward into the early season matches against Rydal
Penrhos, Adcote, and Oswestry.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 121
Netball – U13

Summary of Results and with a few changes to positions we started to gel more as a
Rydal Penrhos - Won 9–7 team. We travelled to Kings Chester to play a mini tournament
Oswestry - Lost 13 – 17 involving Rydal, Abbey Gate College, and Kings. We started very
Adcote - Lost 2–5 well, with an exciting win against Abbey Gate. This was then closely
Kings - Drew 1–1 followed up with a convincing win against Rydal. Lastly we played
Moreton Hall - Lost 4 – 13 Kings. Unfortunately our fitness began to let us down and our
Queens - Won 12 – 1 shooters began to struggle. We lost out in the end but this was
Abbey Gate College - Won 8–2 overall a better team performance than we had been showing at
Kings - Lost 4–7 the beginning of the season.
Rydal Penrhos - Won 16 – 6
We then went away to play our county tournament and
Denstone College - Lost 3 – 10
encountered some tough opposition, which showed how much
more work this young squad need if they are to compete at this
A very mixed season for the Year 8 netballers with a good mix of level. Our last match of the season was a home fixture against
wins and losses. Denstone College. We unfortunately lost out to a strong
Denstone team who managed the cold conditions on the day
We started our season with a tight match against Rydal. The game better than we did.
was very close throughout but a strong last quarter sealed the
victory with some solid defensive work and excellent shooting at Overall, it was a very up and down season. There are lots of
the attacking end. We then travelled to Oswestry and, despite a positives here though with some very committed netballers. I am
determined performance, we lost out in the end. sure with extra attention and effort they can go on to improve
and develop as a very competent team.
Onto our next match and again we were a little disappointing with
our passing and inability to convert our goal scoring opportunities. TC
We continued to have difficulty scoring in our next two matches.

Finally, the girls started to realise the benefits of extra sessions and
we were able to work on our circle work, which showed in our
excellent win away at Queens. By now the squad was taking shape
 THE ELLESMERIAN 122

Netball – U12

Summary of Results
Rydal Penrhos - Drew 5–5
Adcote School - Lost 5–6
Oswestry School - Won 13 – 6
King’s Chester - Lost 0–6
Queen’s Chester - Lost 4–5

The U12 Team has made terrific progress this season. They worked
hard to put the principles and tactics covered into matches. A
particular highlight of the season was their match against Oswestry
School; we demonstrated some terrific shooting which ensured an
early lead, with a determined defence meaning that possession was
not wasted.

Competition this term has been tough, but the team have never
failed to give their best and have improved their knowledge and
understanding of the game. Next season we will continue to build
on the foundations that have been laid.

CSD
 THE ELLESMERIAN 123
Netball – U11

This year, our U11 team consisted of some U10 and U9 players
who played valiantly against experienced opposition. This meant
that all of the girls in KS2 had the opportunity for match play to
consolidate their skills. This is very encouraging for the future.

CSD
 Sport - Football
THE ELLESMERIAN 124
 THE ELLESMERIAN 125
Football – 1st XI

Summary of Results played some good football, which made it a very pleasing spectacle
Abbey Gate College - Won 0–4 for the neutral, but quite tense at times for both coaches. The
Oldham Hulme - Won 6–4 difference in the end was our calmness on the ball and not getting
Wolverhampton Grammar School - Won 0–2 frustrated when things did not go our way, which the opposition
Liverpool College - Won 2–3 did as the match progressed. Some great goals were scored again.
Denstone College - Cancelled Leo Buckle, solid in the midfield, opened our account with a great
Old Ellesmerian’s - Won 6–1 goal, followed by goals from Charlie Munro, Mullock, Desiempiel,
Old Swinford Hospital - Cancelled Glenn Sebuabeh, and finally Buckle again at the end. If we were to
Abbeygate Abbey Gate College - Cancelled be critical of ourselves it would have been that we conceded four
goals, which was something we were looking to rectify for the next
The season begun traditionally, with an away match at Abbey Gate match.
College. This has been a happy hunting ground for us the last few
years and this was to prove the case again. We controlled much of The next match was a tough away game at Wolverhampton
the pace and played the better football throughout. As the match Grammar. They have always been a good team and playing them at
wore on it was plain to see that the opposition were becoming home has always been tough. However, the last few years we have
more and more frustrated, which suited us just fine. We scored had good results against them and once again we were to have
some wonderful goals. Harry Hudson bagged himself a hat-trick, another. The match never really got to fully flow. Players on both
before Oscar Desiempiel scored a fourth, a brilliant Mazy run teams were getting frustrated with the stop-start nature of the
which he finished in the bottom corner. We could have scored match, largely down to the referee. This meant we were never able
more and should have scored more. However, praise must also be to fully build up any momentum. However, we persevered and
given to a solid defence of Seb Courdy in goal, along with Vincent were eventually rewarded when Hudson scored the first of his
Cheung, Lloyd Edwards, Max Molter, Will Mullock, and James two goals. It remained 0-1 for a long time until we were eventually
Prescott. able to take a bit of pressure off ourselves when Hudson scored
his second. The last ten minutes were a bit nervous for us as we
Our next match was at home, against a team we lost narrowly to were down to 10 men, with Will Rogers very harshly sent off for a
last year: Oldham Hulme Grammar. This ended up being a high- second bookable offence, which even the opposition after the
scoring match, with 10 goals in total being scored. Both teams match thought was harsh.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 126
The final match before the Half Term break was away
against Liverpool College. During our time as 1st XI
coaches we have never won at playing away at Liverpool,
only at Ellesmere last year. This was going to be a tough
ask, made even more so as three days before the match,
whilst playing for the Academy team, Mullock went off
injured and would not be fit for this match. However, we
approached the match very well and, despite going down to an
early goal, we bounced back and played some good football. We
were rewarded with two goals for Munro, before Jack Tabberner
sealed the win with a brilliant header. By now some of the
opposition players were starting to lose their heads and this
forced the referee to blow up a few minutes early, thus sealing us
the first win at Liverpool College in six years of us being 1st XI
coaches.

After Half Term we were supposed to have played four more

matches. Unfortunately the weather was against us for the
Denstone College match and we had to cancel this. The following
Saturday we played a decent Old Boys team. We actually went a
goal down to begin with, but then showed our superior fitness at
the start of the second half, scoring four goals in four minutes,
effectively finishing the tie off. We eventually scored six goals, with
Sebuabeh, Hudson, Munro (2), and Juhyeong Park (2) all finding the
net. Although we did not know it then, this was to prove to be our
last match as the stark effects of the Covid-19 lockdown
restrictions came to bear down on us, forcing us to cancel the
remaining two fixtures. We had an undefeated season and would
like to think we would have remained unbeaten too, beating Old
Swinford and Abbey Gate in those final two matches. Well done to
all of the players on an excellent season, despite it being cut short
at the end.

ILR and SJP


Football – 2nd XI
Summary of Results
Oldham Hulme - Draw 1–1
Wolverhampton Grammar School - Lost 0–1
Liverpool College - Won 3–2
Concord College - Draw 2–2
Wrekin College - Won 1–0
It is never easy to gain momentum in the first fixture of the season
against a quality side. However, a draw against Oldham Grammar
School got the season under way, particularly as the referee
commented that he had never referred a game where a side had had
so much possession but not won the game. Ellesmere must have had
80% of the possession in both halves. Oldham scored against the ‘run
of play’, with Ellesmere becoming complacent. Players ‘doing their
own thing’ meant the team lost shape and allowed the opposition to
exploit this lack of cohesion. Plenty of chances were missed a both in
the first and second halves until Ioan Craven-Jones, playing at centre
back, came up for a corner and scrambled the ball into the net.
Victory should have been achieved against Wolverhampton but
somehow, we managed to lose a game where, again, we played most
of the football but found it difficult to score. However, the victory
against Liverpool was excellent and everything fell into place – good
organisation, patient possession, positive attitude, and confident in
front of goal. Although Liverpool managed to get back into the game
in the second half, Ellesmere very much deserved their victory.
THE ELLESMERIAN 127
The ‘status quo’ was resumed against Concord College, who were a
good side and where a draw was a fair result. This was followed by a
close win against Wrekin College.
The value of being organised and keeping to the game plan paid
dividends for this team against some good sides. As the season
progressed the team began to trust each other more and, as a result,
the team played some great football at times.
There is no doubt that this team had some really good players and
the overall positive results ledger did reflect the footballing ability of
this team. Playing against other schools’ senior teams and trying to
play positive football enabled this team to develop for the better.
William Brookshaw was an excellent goalkeeper. Ioan Craven-Jones,
Findlay Reddington, and Ben Zakers were excellent at the back,
sometimes keeping us in games longer than we deserved at times.
These players particularly improved, enabling the team to have a back
four that was not easy to penetrate.
In the more difficult games, the transition from defence to attack and
vice-versa proved to be difficult to execute. However, when the boys
did get it right it was very good, with players providing valuable
service from out wide and through the midfield.
GO
 THE ELLESMERIAN 128
Football – U15
Although the season sadly ended prematurely, there were lots of
positives for all the players to take from it. Our philosophy for the
season was to develop students through the art of football; we
worked in all four corners of the FA model, giving a great balance
to the teaching and learning that took place.
With so many strong and charismatic candidates to choose from, it
was a very difficult choice to choose a captain. We decided to go
with Oliver Moore due to his professionalism and the positive
influence he had on the squad. Our first game was away against
Abbey Gate College. Both sides came in level at half time, our
players were frustrated that they were not winning! Mr Horton
and I were proud of the desire that the team had shown, but a
last-minute penalty dampened the dream as we lost 2-3.
With the squad hungry for the next game, there was an extra zip
in training and a determination to improve. The game arrived and
it was at home to Lakelands Academy. It turned out to be an
incredibly one-sided affair, with us being victorious by a margin of
8-0. It felt good to not just win but win comfortably!
Which each training session, the players continued to impress and
improve and we began to see a squad of strong and
compassionate young men coming to fruition. The squad were
very much together as one and ready for our next game against
Oldham Hulme Grammar at home. It was a tricky game, which
ended with us losing 3-5. The key thing to note was that the team
were 0-4 down and fought back to make it 3-4. Yes, we still lost the
game, but it was great to see a ‘never say die’ attitude from the
players.
Our penultimate game saw us at home against Wolverhampton
Grammar. Mr Horton and I stood and watched in amazement as
the team came out 7-1 winners in a well-deserved victory for
Ellesmere. The morale of the squad was high and they were ready
for the big challenge of Liverpool College at home.
The game started brilliantly for Ellesmere, with the team 1-0 up
and dominating most of the first half. A few unfortunate errors
resulted in us being 1-4 down. The opposition were very clinical
and made the most of what we gave them. The game finished 2-6,
and emotions became high. It was understandable with the stakes
and intensity of the game, but an important opportunity for the
squad to learn about temperament.
That game turned out to be our last of the season, sadly, but it was
an incredible rollercoaster ride filled with so many lasting
memories and key skills developed for all the players involved. It
was a pleasure for both Mr Horton and I to be part of such a
journey and we hope they continue to play the game and always
aim to develop into great human beings.
MS
 THE ELLESMERIAN 129
Football – U14

Summary of Results The players all improved throughout the season, and their willingness
Abbey Gate College - Lost 2–4 to work as a team was always evident. Work ethic, connection, and
Lakelands Academy - Won 2–1 commitment were the clear strengths of this group throughout the
Wolverhapton Grammar School - Lost 1–3 term and all players bought into this ethos. Special mention must go
Liverpool College - Lost 2–4 to Sean Zou, James Li-Campbell, and Ethan Bishop, whose energy
helped to galvanize the team throughout all of the matches played.
Sean Zou, in particular, consistently provided good leadership and was
It has been an enjoyable experience coaching this team alongside Mr effective in both attack and defence.
Richards this year and we have been successful in achieving our main
objectives of developing players and being consistently competitive. The U14 season was all about laying foundations for those players
Although our Win/Loss record is not necessarily what we had hoped who wish to progress to the senior teams in the future. The players
for as a group, we measured our success on fortitude, teamwork, and should all take pride in the progress they have made throughout the
approach to training; I am confident in saying that we progressed in all season and will hopefully continue to enjoy football next season and in
of these areas. the years to come.

All of the matches were both positive and competitive, giving all squad HL
players the opportunity to challenge themselves in game situations
throughout the term. The squad improved their performances
consistently from one game to another against increasingly higher
quality opposition, many of whom take football over two whole terms.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 130
Football – U12
Abbey Gate College Won 3-1
A good start to the term. For the first game we lacked structure, and
that allowed Abbygate to take advantage of the strong wind. We
defended well and arrived at half time 1-1. In the second half we used
the conditions well and pressed their ball carriers successfully. Two
good goals were thoroughly deserved. Our effort was first rate. A
promising start.
Oldham Hulme Drew 4-4
After a long bus journey and a short warm-up, we struggled to
contain a side that could pass the ball well. Harry Liley in goal made
some great stops but the pressure inevitably yielded a goal for the
opposition. We then started to connect with passes and created
several chances, with Tom Jacques finishing a good move.
Unfortunately, we conceded another before half time. The second half
proved interesting. We levelled the game with a great strike from Luke
Christi, then conceded two quick goals with about 15 minutes to go. A
brilliant free kick by Harry Underhill gave us hope and we threw
everything at them. With only minutes to go, Tom Jacques equalised. A
fair result with a very determined performance from us.
Adams Wem Lost 0-4
It was disappointing to follow up such a gutsy performance with a
game full or errors. Missed chances and capitulating with the ball
resulted in a comfortable win for Adams. Tough lessons learnt.
Liverpool College Won 4-1
A stunning performance throughout. We passed the ball well and our
movement and chasing was first rate. Some brilliant saves from Harry.
Best performance of the season so far.
Shrewsbury High Won 4-0
A very strong performance both in attack and defence. Our work rate
was excellent. We had the lion’s share of the possession and
constructed some excellent goals
Lakelands Academy Won 4-1
We played some very good football in extremely tricky conditions on
Astro with a strong wind. We played into the wind in the first half but,
despite dominating possession, we let a goal in. Four second half goals
followed. Jonny Davies’ free kick from half way secured a super
performance.
Unfortunately, the last game of the season was cancelled. However, it
was a great season. Much improvement was shown by all and a great
spirit in the team. Many thanks to all the parents who supported the
side.
ILW
 THE ELLESMERIAN 131
Football – U11A/U11B

U11A Summary of Results The next fixture saw the U11A and U11B teams travel to
Woodside Primary - Lost 4–3 Packwood Haugh School. The U11A took on board some of the
Packwood Haugh - Draw 2–2 advice and experiences from their match against Woodside Primary
Ellesmere College - Lost 2–5 and played with a bit more structure and organisation. The match
Ellesmere College - Lost 1–8 eventually finished 2-2, which is about the right score. Goals were
Ellesmere College - Cancelled scored by Nicholson and Aspinall in this match. The U11B found it a
Oswestry School - Lost 4–1 bit more tough going in their match. Although we played well in
patches, we gave the ball away too much in key areas of the field
and were punished for this.

U11B Summary of Results The visit of Oswestry School was our next fixture. The U11A match
Packwood Haugh - Lost 5–2 ended up being a bit one-sided as the match wore on. Too many of
Oswestry School - Lost 2–3 our players were trying to do it all themselves and thus not playing
Shrewsbury High Prep - Cancelled to their strength as a team. This was the difference in the end.
Oswestry School - Draw 2–2 Oswestry were much more organised and made us pay for some
poor decisions in key areas on the pitch. Our two consolation goals
were scored by Nicholson. The U11B match was a much closer
The U11A team begun their season with an away match against affair and they were unlucky to lose at the end of a thrilling 2-3
Woodside Primary School in Oswestry. This was a very good fixture, match. The team played well and were much improved since their
with both teams producing some good football at times. The match against Packwood earlier in the term.
opposition had one very good player, who was probably the
difference in the end; however, we gave a good account of ourselves Between the Oswestry matches and the visit of Penley Madras,
and the match could easily have gone the other way. Our goals were some of the U11A and U11B players had the opportunity to play in
scored by Ewan Nicholson (2) and Reuben Ashton. However, praise the annual Ellesmere College 6-a-side Tournament. Despite some of
should also go to Ralph Cornwell in defence, alongside Tristan our players not being able to participate, those that did gave a good
Aspinall and Henry Bates in goal during the second half. account of themselves and did well in their group and the knockout
stages.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 132

The final match before the Half Term holidays saw Penley Madras
Primary School visit us. This was a tough match and we lost this 1-8,
our biggest defeat of the term.

The first match after Half Term was supposed to be against

Shrewsbury High Prep School. Unfortunately, they found out that
there was a clash with an internal school event at their place, which
they were unable to get out of. This meant that we only had the one
fixture against Oswestry School at Oswestry before the end of
term. Both the U11A and U11B teams travelled to Oswestry. The
U11A team were not able to gel as a team and eventually lost 4-1,
our only goal being scored by Ashton. The U11B’s fared much better
though, drawing 2-2 in an entertaining match by all accounts, which
was a good way for them to finish their term off.

As always, well done and thank you to all the pupils who played this
term.

ILR and GO
 THE ELLESMERIAN 133
Football – U10/U9

U10 Summary of Results The U9 team also played some matches this term. These were
Moreton Hall - Won 2–4 treated like development matches, where the emphasis was placed
Penley Madras - Won 7–2 on skill development and player enjoyment and participation. The
Moreton Hall - Won 2–6 match against Oswestry was very good match, with all out Year 3
and 4 boys playing in this match. It was good to see some of the
skills they had been learning throughout the term coming to fruition
on the field of play. The match proved to be a 4-4 thriller in the end,
U9 Summary of Results
with both teams having the opportunity to win it at the end.
Oswestry School - Draw 4–4
However, it remained a draw and a fine match. The last match was
Moreton Hall - Lost 3–1 against Moreton Hall. Again, the same emphasis was placed on this
match, and both sets of players came away from the match having
had the opportunity to hone the skills from training into a
The U10 team played Moreton Hall on two occasions throughout competitive situation. Well done to all the boys on their participation
the term. On both occasions we gave a good account of ourselves and hard work!
and ended up 4-2 and 6-2 winners respectively. During the first
match our goals were scored by Nathaniel Clewlow (2) and Gabriel ILR and GO
McKay (2). During their second match the goals were scored by
Clewlow (2), McKay (2), Kitt Baillion, and William Ward. The match
against Penley was a tough match, despite the score line suggesting
otherwise. We had to work hard for our win and ended up playing
some good football and scoring some good goals. However, praise
must also go to our goalkeeper Samarth Kumar, who stopped some
important shots in this match.
THE ELLESMERIAN 134

Sport - Boys’ Hockey

 THE ELLESMERIAN 135
Boys’ Hockey – 1st XI

Summary of Results Our next opponents, William Brookes School, sent over a similar type
Abbotsholme - Lost 7–0 of team to ours, made up of mainly Year 10s, some Year 11s and a few
William Brookes School - Won 4–2 Sixth Form students.. We classed it as a 1st XI game but it may be
Wrekin College - Won 4–2 unfair to say we were playing their 1st XI. We had drawn and lost to
Rydal Penrhos - Won 2–1 these guys last year, so we knew we were going to be in a tough game.
Old Swinford Hospital - Won 8–0
We warmed up well, which is always a good sign, and this translated
Wrekin College - Won 2–0
into a very good start for us. Inside the first 20 mins we were 2-0
Shrewsbury Sixth Form - Won 3–2
up, with goals from Charlie Sweeny and Oscar Desimpel. In the 10
minutes before half time, William Brookes pulled one back, but nifty
work from Jacob Popperwell saw Ellesmere lead 3-1 at half time.
After a strong season last season, and with the mass exodus of Year The second half was equally as exciting and, with all the squad being
13s from the side, this was always going to be a tough year and an rotated, it was great to see everyone get a good go in the game. It
even tougher first fixture. Last time we made the journey over to was a bit of a stalemate in the first 20 of the second half but William
Abbotsholme we lost 14 (ish) – 0 so there were a number of Brookes broke the deadlock and scored to make it 3-2. This brought
challenges to face for this new team. With a wearying bus journey Ellesmere back to life and, after creating a number of chances, we
and a short warm up it was not long before we were 4 goals down, were finally given a short corner. The ball was rolled out to Oscar,
mainly as a result of our undercooked short corner organisation and who beat his defender and reverse struck it in the net. 4-2. A very
our lack of streetwise-ness in key areas of the pitch. Key players kept pleasing result and no more than the team deserved.
the score under control; Oscar Desimpel was a solid playmaker in
midfield, running himself into the ground, as was Jacob Popperwell, The game against Wrekin 1st XI started with Ellesmere conceding
who was named man of the match for Ellesmere – not bad for a inside 10 seconds! Not a great start. Once Ellesmere had got
Year 10. Ellesmere went into half time 5-0 down. themselves into the game it became more of an even contest.
Before too long Ellesmere had equalised through Sam Appleby (Year
The second half was a much brighter affair. Ellesmere had taken on 10), who managed to get his stick onto the end of speculative cross
board the advice at half time and began to show more cohesion and and squirt it over the over line. Both teams were fairly backwards in
pitch craft. A couple of goals came in quick succession for coming forwards but, with Ellesmere edging the skills battle, we
Abbotsholme, but Ellesmere managed to keep them goal-less for managed to get another goal (Oscar Desimpel) to lead 2-1 at half
the last 20 minutes of the match. A huge amount was learnt in the time.
game and plenty for us to work on.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 136
The second half was much more entertaining; Ellesmere It was a nervy start to the second half, with Ellesmere trading
were by far the more dominant side and set about pressing chances with Shrewsbury. Finally, the deadlock was broken with Guy
home their advantage. Before too long, Ellesmere had raced Welti finishing off some slick work in the D. Shrewsbury never gave
out to a 4-1 lead (helped in no small part by Stoic and up and perhaps had the better of the last 10 minutes of the game,
resilient defence) with two goals from Jacob Popperwell deserving their eventual equaliser with 3 minutes left on the clock.
(Year 10). Wrekin mustered a late charge and pulled a goal With 45 seconds on the clock, the Shrewsbury keeper was alleged
back in the last 5 minutes, but the win was well deserved. Another to have deliberately kicked the ball out, resulting in a short corner. A
great effort from the boys, who continue to improve and ‘step up’ precise insert from Sweeney and a couple of touches later, Oscar
against older, more physical opposition. had the ball in the back of the Shrewsbury net. Final whistle 3-2.
Result. Another good day at the office.
We began the game against Rydal in near perfect conditions – bright
sunshine and no wind…. the calm before the storm one might say. A really pleasing term of hockey where young players stepped up
and showed what they were capable of at 1st XI level. Things
Once again fielding a young side, Ellesmere began in typically slow continue to improve with Boys’ Hockey at Ellesmere.
fashion. It was fairly end-to-end stuff, but Ellesmere took their time in
creating anything that was going to trouble the Rydal keeper. This JJB
allowed Rydal to keep a lot of possession and make half chances of
their own. Eventually their possession percentage proved too much
and they went 1-0 up. This sparked Ellesmere into life. Excellent
teamwork and linking play saw Ellesmere create wave after wave of
attacks upon the Rydal defence, but each time the final touch just
eluded them. With 10 mins to go it seemed it would be ‘just one of
those games’, but up stepped Captain Courageous, Oscar Desimpel,
who had his own ideas, managing two individual goals of real class to
seal the win for Ellesmere. Phew.

The game against Old Swinford was a pretty one-sided affair from
start to finish. We were without one of our influential playmakers,
Jacob Popperwell, but other players stepped up to fill his shoes.
Oscar was the star of the show with 4 goals, but other goals from
Louis Deekes (2), Sweeney, and Appleby completed the scoring. The
next fixture, however, was the return fixture against Wrekin – the
first one Ellesmere won 4-2 (at Wrekin). The game was tight all the
way through. Both sides had stepped up their games from the
previous encounter and both teams had something to prove.

Wrekin had the better of the first 15 minutes, creating good chances
but excellent defence and goal keeping denied Wrekin the lead.
Ellesmere got their act together and started to move their way up
the field and make chances of their own. Just before the break the
pressure told and Jacob Popperwell scored a well worked goal.
HT 1-0.

The second half started brightly but Wrekin were a determined

group who were not about to lose two games against their county
rivals. Ellesmere hung on and, again, began to apply the pressure.
Ellesmere started to win the little battles in the middle of the field,
and this resulted in a string of short corners. It was from the last of
these short corners that Oscar, after taking a great first touch, netted
to make it 2-0. Ellesmere hung on for the last 10 mins to win. A
really close and competitive game.

Our final fixture, before the world changed, was versus Shrewsbury
Sixth Form; perhaps our toughest test since Abbotsholme in the first
game of the season. Shrewsbury took the lead after some ‘no-
nonsense’ defending from Toby FC resulted in a flick. Ellesmere
equalised after mounting a well-organised attack with some old
fashioned ‘pass and move’ stuff.

Sport - Equestrian
The Ellesmere College Equestrian team members continue to grow
in number, with some outstanding performances by junior members
of the school. We had some very successful and enjoyable days out
competing earlier in the year, with both individuals and teams
qualifying for national championships in jumping and dressage
disciplines. Thanks must go, as always, to the committed and hard-
working parents, who are always enthusiastic and uncomplaining
about the early starts and groom's duties! Thanks, also, to Mrs Jamie
Spencer-Blow, who has been an excellent team manager, organising
teams and entries for events. In addition to competitions, we have
been very fortunate to have had jumping training sessions with Mrs
Polly Stockton, whose experience at the highest levels of eventing
was very much appreciated.
Achievements this year have included:
Three riders, – Jake Stockton, Imogen Spencer-Blow, and Harriet
Otter – qualified for the Hickstead All England Jumping Course, with
Harriet winning her qualifying class.
THE ELLESMERIAN 137
Three teams qualified for the NSEA National Plate Show Jumping
Championships. At this event Imogen Spencer-Blow was individual 1st
in the 80cm class & 2nd in the 90cm class.
In dressage, a team qualified for the NSEA plate Championships 2020
and individual qualifications went to Anna Maughan and Tabitha
Leonard.
We look forward to riding events being back on track for the
2020/21 season and we welcome new team members, so if you are
interested in representing the school in riding events, please get in
touch.
KC

The team, comprising Bella and Imogen Spencer-Blow, Jake Stockton,

and Tessa O'Brien, qualified for NSEA National Show Jumping
Championships.

We had three individual qualifications for NSEA National Show

Jumping Championships. The successful riders were Harriet Otter and
Imogen and Bella Spencer-Blow, with both Imogen and Harriet
winning their qualifying classes.
 Sport - Shooting
THE ELLESMERIAN 138

As with other sports teams, our competitive season was decimated
throughout 2020.
Our season started well with teams entered in the Schools’ Postal
Leagues and a visit to Appleton for the Autumn Open shoot in early
October. The latter was a 60 shot prone match on electronic targets,
shot under International ISSF conditions. This is the same demanding
course of fire as the Olympic prone match and the College shooters
did exceptionally well. Anna Maughan took 2nd place in Class B,
followed closely by Toby Baillon in 3rd and Charles Clavier and
Carmen Kilgannon in 5th and 6th.
Of note, two Ellesmere Alumni were also competing – Richard Lay
took 2nd place in Class X and Alan Bain won Class A. it is very
pleasing to see ex Ellesmere Shooters competing at the highest levels
– Richard Lay is on the Welsh National Squad and Alan Bain is now
part of the England Junior Squad.
There have been some outstanding achievements from our juniors
too. Francine Gilmore continues to shine in both Pistol and Rifle and
there were excellent results from Ben Warrington and Elise Howell.
THE ELLESMERIAN 139
The British Schools Regional Pistol event was again held at the
College in November 2019 and with a record entry there were
some excellent results for the College with Francine Gilmore and
James Caldwell reaching the final in the Intermediate class and
finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively, thereby qualifying for the National
Final. Ollie Loud made the Junior Final, finishing 5th, a tremendous
achievement. Francine, James and Ed Astbury shot brilliantly as a team
to qualify for the National Team Finals. Molly Curzon, Harry Evans and
George Joynson also qualified for the Team Finals in the Senior
Category.
On a very cold and wet day at the end of November, the College
team travelled to Bisley for the Schools’ National Long-Range
Championships. After a very long journey, it was difficult for our
shooters to get settled and in increasing gloom as the light faded, the
team was handicapped by shooting in the later details. However, there
were some encouraging individual results: Carmen Kilgannon Finished
2nd in the 14’s age group, with Anna Maughan 6th; Francine Gilmore
placed 3rd in the 13’s age group and Toby Baillon 8th in the 16’s.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 140
And so, to the National Finals at Stoke Mandeville in January
2020 – little did we know this was going to be our last
serious competition! After some fantastic competition and a
very tense Olympic knockout final in the Intermediate event,
Francine Gilmore was edged into the Silver medal place by
only 1.8 points out of a maximum 240! Disappointment was
short lived however when it emerged that with James Caldwell and
Ed Astbury Ellesmere College had been crowned National Team
Champions!
Unfortunately. Our major events and matches tend to take place
from Easter onwards so there is nothing further to report from
Appleton where we regularly compete at 50m and 100 yds against
open competition. The same goes for our major Schools competition,
the Ashburton Shield, which takes place in July and was cancelled this
year for the first time since the 2nd World War!
Having managed to field teams in the Schools’ league in the
Michaelmas term, it was an opportunity for new emerging talent to
go through their paces in competition. Fortunately, we also managed
to compete in our annual Tri Tournament with Sedbergh and
Shrewsbury, resulting in a win for Ellesmere against both schools!
There have been some other positives during this disrupted year with
Kezzie Hutchings being selected for England Schools in the Home
Countries International and Toby Baillon being accepted on to the
Northern Regional GB Junior Squad. These are exceptional
achievements in any year but with our restricted program it is even
more so.
Looking forward, we currently have one of the strongest groups of
shooters at the College that I can remember, and we sincerely hope
that we shall be able to prove that when normal competition
resumes!
TR
THE ELLESMERIAN 141
Sport - Badminton
 THE ELLESMERIAN 142

Badminton

This year our badminton team, ably led by captain Maxy Lai, has once First team players:
again had a positive season overall. Maxy Lai, Enke Tse, Russo Wai, Aiham Nadeem, Gavin Yang, Taiyu Qiu,
Elise Veitch, Christine You, Mako Sasaki, Carita Wang, Nan Wongchai,
Our current team has played matches against Wrekin College, Angela Jin
Shrewsbury School, Bedstone, and Oswestry School. The team
confidently secured wins against both Oswestry School and Overall, it has been a good year for badminton at Ellesmere College.
Bedstone, a fantastic achievement. With a strong boys team this year, Thanks to our coach Des Machin, and to Maxy for his invaluable
who were able to gain victories over both Shrewsbury and Wrekin at assistance.
home, future prospects look bright in the sport.
REW
It was especially encouraging to welcome into the squad several new
players. Some of these were playing competitively for the very first
time and showed both skill and good team spirit. The whole team
worked hard during training, thus ensuring that all matches were
competitive and entertaining. We will miss the members of the team
from Year 13 who will be moving on next year.
THE ELLESMERIAN 143
Sport - Fencing
 THE ELLESMERIAN 144
Fencing
The highlight of the year was going to be Ellesmere’s debut at the
2020 Public Schools Championships. There was a squad of ten
fencers ready to go but, at the last moment, the Covid-19 lockdown
put paid to all plans. We will do all we can to be there in 2021.
There are approximately 30 students participating in College fencing
sessions, from Year 6 to 13 and all abilities. As coach, I’d like to pay
tribute to everyone who’s helped with coaching younger beginners
and everyone who’s taken their turns refereeing, fixing kit, and so on;
there is a great club atmosphere. This also means there is a strong
pool of people to draw on for matches and competitions.
The Wakeman-Lambart team won the first ever House competition,
very keenly fought for, in fact. Three Ellesmere fencers qualified
through their results at the West Midlands Youth Competition to
represent the West Midlands in the National Championships – Oscar
Crossen, Francine Gilmour, and Ed Astbury. Four fencers took the
plunge and entered an ‘open’ competition in Birmingham – Ed
Astbury, Alex Norris, George Joynson, and James Joynson – and
discovered they can hold their own with anyone. The girls’ team –
Mako Sisako, Julia Ostasyk, Johanna Futter and Rain Liu – won their
match against Shrewsbury School. The boys lost narrowly – they have
a target for next year. The date for the match has already been set!
DH
 THE ELLESMERIAN 145
Sport - House Comps
Rugby

House Rugby Results

This year we introduced a new format: Rugby X. It proved a great success, with more tries being scored and a mix of sevens and full 15-a-side skills
being shown. The spirit in which the games were played was excellent and it showcased some of the fantastic rugby talent we have at Ellesmere.

Seniors Inters Juniors Overall winner

1st Talbot (Shield) 1st Wakeman-Lambart (Shield) 1st Wakeman-Lambart (Shield) Wakeman-Lambart (Cup)
2nd Wakeman-Lambart 2nd Woodard 2nd Woodard
3rd Woodard 3rd Meynell 3rd Talbot
4th Meynell 4th Talbot 4th Meyell

Knowells Shield for Players Player Doug Harper (Cup)

Lower School Rugby – Year 7 and 8

1st Phillips 2nd Heywood 3rd Brownlow

 THE ELLESMERIAN 146

Football
Senior Boys and Junior Boys Indoor Football
Senior Boys Wakeman-Lambart v Wooodard 1st Meynell (PD)
Meynell v Woodard 2nd Talbot
1 Talbot v Wakeman-Lambart 2 3rd Wakeman-Lambart
2 Meynell v Wakeman-Lambart 0
Talbot v Wooodard
2 Meynell v Talbot 3

Junior Boys 1 Wakeman-Lambart v Wooodard 1 1st Talbot

3 Meynell v Woodard 1 2nd Meynell
0 Talbot v Wakeman-Lambart 0 3rd Wakeman-Lambart
2 Meynell v Wakeman-Lambart 1 4th Woodard
6 Talbot v Wooodard 2
1 Meynell v Talbot 2

House Cross Country

Senior and Middle School Cross Country

Junior –first 5 boys and first 3 girls I Senior and Inter – first 10 boys and first 5 girls to count

Meynell Talbot Woodard Wakeman-Lambart

Junior Boys 62 45 54 59
Girls 29 21 6 37
Total 91 47 60 96
Position 3 1 2 4 Junior cup

Inter Boys 166 178 218 282

Girls 35 48 65 68
Total 201 226 283 350
Position 1 2 3 4 Inter cup

Senior Boys 226 238 158 230

Girls 65 58 76 31
Total 291 296 234 261
Position 3 4 1 2 Senior cup

Overall Total 583 569 477 707

Position 3 2 1 4 Athletics standard cup
 THE ELLESMERIAN 147
Merit cup (largest representation from a House)
Meynell Talbot Woodard Wakeman-Lambart
Junior 13 14 12 11
2 1 3 4
Inter 34 38 32 32
2 1 3 3
Senior 38 36 37 33
1 3 2 4
Total 85 88 81 76
Position 2 1 3 4 Merit Cup

Junior
Boys winner - James Li-Campbell (Wakeman-Lambart)
Girls winner - Brooke Illingworth (Woodard)

Inter
Boys winner - Jacob Popplewell (Meynell)
Girls winner - Lola Oke (Meynell)

Senior
Boys winner - Doug Harper (Talbot)
Girls winner - Maia Hall (Meynell)

Lower School Cross Country

Year Group Brownlow Heywood Phillips
4/5 39 76 26
2 3 1
6 43 46 82
1 2 3
KS2 Placings 1 3 2
7 109 111 55
2 3 1
8 56 50 107
2 1 3
Totals 165 161 162
KS3 Placings 3 1 2
Overal Total 7 9 8
Posistion 1 3 2
 THE ELLESMERIAN 148

Individual Cross Country Placings

Age group 1st 2nd 3rd
Year 4/5
Boys Reuben Ashton (P) Tristen Aspinall (B) Ralph Cornwall (P)
Girls Imogen Spencer Blow (B) Anna Underhill (H) Megan Pritchard (P)

Year 6
Boys Gabriel McKay (B) Ewan Nicholson (H) Henry Bates (B)
Girls Nina Fisher (H) Meg Griffiths (P) Lucy Chadwick (H)

Year 7
Boys Thomas Jacques (P) Adam Jacques (P) Harry Underhill (H)
Girls Cici Noss (P) Bella Spencer Blow (B) Faith Harris (B)

Year 8
Boys James Raw (H) Myles Webster (H) Alex Sharpe (P)
Girls Georgie Prescott (B) Elexi Povey-Abbott (P) Francesca Appleby (P)

Senior and Junior Girls’ Indoor Hockey

Senior Girls 2 Wakeman-Lambart v Wooodard 0 1st Wakeman-Lambart
1 Meynell v Woodard 0 2nd Meynell
0 Talbot v Wakeman-Lambart 3 3rd Talbot
2 Meynell v Wakeman-Lambart 2 4th Woodard
2 Talbot v Wooodard 2
2 Meynell v Talbot 1

Junior Girls 0 Wakeman-Lambart v Wooodard 1 1st Talbot

1 Meynell v Woodard 3 2nd Wakeman-Lambart
1 Talbot v Wakeman-Lambart 2 3rd Woodard
1 Meynell v Wakeman-Lambart 2 4th Meynell
5 Talbot v Wooodard 0
0 Meynell v Talbot 5
 THE ELLESMERIAN 149
Basketball
Boys’ Competition
Junior Boys 2 Meynell v Talbot 2 1st Meynell
3 Wakeman-Lambart v Woodard 1 2nd Wakeman-Lambart
4 Meynell v Woodard 0 3rd Talbot
2 Talbot v Wakeman-Lambart 16 4th Woodard
10 Meynell v Wakeman-Lambart 0
13 Talbot v Woodard 0

Senior Boys 4 Meynell v Woodard 6 1st Wakeman-Lambart

2 Meynell v Wakeman-Lambart 3 2nd Woodard
0 Talbot v Woodard 4 3rd Meynell
6 Meynell v Talbot 4 4th Talbot
2 Wakeman-Lambart v Woodard 0
3 Talbot v Wakeman-Lambart 8

Girls’ Competition
Junior Girls 0 Meynell v Talbot 10 Points difference was the
8 Wakeman-Lambart v Woodard 10 same so it goes on points scored.
2 Meynell v wo12 1st Woodard
4 Talbot v Wakeman-Lambart 2 2nd Talbot
2 Meynell v W/L16 3rd Wakeman-Lambart
4 Talbot v Woodard 4 4th Meynell

Senior Girls 0 Meynell v Woodard 4 1st Talbot

2 Meynell v Wakeman-Lambart 0 2nd Meynell
16 Talbot v Woodard 0 3rd Woodard
0 Meynell v Talbot 4 4th Wakeman-Lambart
2 Wakeman-Lambart v Woodard 3
6 Talbot v Wakeman-Lambart 2

Unfortunately, the Indoor House Cricket, House Football, House Netball and Boys House Hockey were all cancelled due to the College’s closure
during the Coronavirus pandemic.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 150
Sport - The Academies
Cricket
Ellesmere College Cricket Development Programme with Academy
Pathway is very much about providing playing and practice
opportunities and exposure to a cricket pathway for both boys and
girls from total beginners into school teams and clubs to country and
beyond to professional level.
- Past players have played at professional level, the U15 England
selection event ‘The Bunbury Festival’, represented the
professional club academies, and MCC University academies.
- The school continues to be named in the Top 100 Schools in the
UK for Cricket by the Cricketer Magazine.
- The College annually has players (boys and girls) representing
Wales, Shropshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, N.E. Wales and Eryi.
- National team achievements have included being Regional
Champions (Midlands) and Semi Finalists of the National U14
ESCA/ECB National Competition, U15 Lady Taverner’s National
Indoor Finals, and the later stages of the HMC National T20
competition.
Cricket is an integral and inclusive part of the provision at Ellesmere
College and provides a supportive environment where players,
irrespective of their ability, strive to achieve their full potential. The
Cricket Development Programme with Academy Pathway
encourages our players to be leaders and independent thinkers in an
aspirational team environment and a ‘Team Ellesmere Culture’ of self-
improvement, where enjoyment is an absolute priority. Where players
display a positive attitude to cricket our coaches facilitate a growth
mind-set, including looking to provide exposure to challenging cricket
experiences that allow for accelerated learning to take place through
continuous meaningful practice and match situations.
Ellesmere College has once again been named as one of the Top 100
schools for cricket in the country by the world’s leading cricket
magazine, The Cricketer. Ellesmere College was selected from
hundreds of applicants to make the final list against an extensive list of
criteria that each school had to meet.
A spokesman for the Cricketer, said: "The competition this year was
fierce, with over 350 applications. All entries were forensically
examined against an exhaustive set of internal and external criteria
and we were delighted to include Ellesmere College in the list to
feature in the world's leading cricket magazine. Ellesmere has a strong
cricketing tradition, with several players going on to represent
Lancashire, Warwickshire, and Glamorgan Academies. Sixth Form
students have also achieved places at MCCs six university cricket
academies in England and Wales, which aims to provide talented
young cricketers the chance to receive top-level coaching and playing
opportunities whilst furthering their education. Any boy or girl
wishing to play cricket has the opportunity to do so. Any boy of girl
aspiring to become a county and/or professional cricketer has the
opportunity to do so.”
Ben Wright (U15) has been selected for the EPP Cheshire Cricket
Programme. Oliver Moore (U15) has progressed well for
Staffordshire. There are recent pupils who are playing at U19 County
Academy level: Connor Davies, Josh Andrady, Harry Newton, Sam
Ellis and others have played at County 2XI level, including Ben
Gibbon

Partnerships
Cricket for girls
Throughout the winter the College continued with its ‘Cricket for
Girls’ initiative. This included the delivery of a consistent coaching
programme for girls at the school, building interest, participation and
skills in cricket and the recruitment of a high-quality cricket coach:
Evelyn Jones ECB Level 2, England Senior Women’s Academy, recent
Lancashire C.C.C. Captain and now Warwickshire and Warwickshire
Phoenix.
- The College enters the Lady Taverner’s U13 and U15 Cricket
Competitions and the Schools Magazine National U15 and
Senior Competitions.
- Achieved National Finals of Lady Taverner’s in 2013 as Regional
Champions.
- Hold County Fixtures and Festivals at Ellesmere College.
- Players are encouraged to attend County trials and play for the
local clubs.
- There are over 30 matches for the girls, including both different
formats, friendly fixtures, and national and local competitions.
- The girls’ Winter Programme starts in September with indoor
matches (small group, inter-House competitions) and small
group coaching and open invitation sessions during lunchtime.
Hosting of matches/festivals/camps/conferences
Shropshire and Staffordshire use the facilities (for boys and girls) for
training throughout the winter and matches during the summer, and
the College has been a training camp for disabled cricket. The School
very much sees itself as a community hub for local cricket and Coach
Education, making itself available to the wider community and not just
the private sector.
Other counties play fixtures against the College, including Cheshire,
Eryri, and North East Wales in particular. Once again, the College
hosted the SCB Coaches Conference in January. Former Kent Cricket
Club Coach Jason Weaver held a Skills Workshop initially for the
College’s promising young Cricket Academy Pathway Players as part
of a major initiative with Cricket Shropshire. The workshop featured
practical and theory training, with some intense fielding skills sessions
to emulate under pressure fielding situations, as well as a Q&A with
the Ellesmere Cricket Academy players, who were all very keen to
hear and learn from Jason's wealth of coaching experiences. Also
THE ELLESMERIAN 151
assisting in the coaching session was Eve Jones, who currently
leads the Cricket for Girls programme at the College, and who
has just signed for Birmingham Phoenix in the ECB 110 ball
tournament as well as moving from Lancashire to Warwickshire
CCC Women in the County league format.
Rod Jones, the Cricket Academy Head Coach at Ellesmere College,
commented: "The session was intense, with a view of working under
pressure whilst doing the basics. The players got a lot out of the
session, which hopefully they'll take into their games." Jason then led a
Coaches Coaching session at the College with the Shropshire
Country Cricket coaches.
The College reached the final selection to host The Bunbury Festival,
a prestigious cricket event for the best U/15 cricketers from all over
the country. Teams are selected from areas, ie. North, Midlands, South
etc., with some of the best coaches and dignitaries from the ECB
attending. David Graveney OBE and his team visited the school at the
beginning of the year. Although the school was not selected for the
event, the ECB e-mailed to confirm that they would like to ‘come and
watch some cricket’ and confirmed that Ellesmere would be a
Bunbury Festival candidate for 2021.
The Pathway Programme
The Cricket Development Programme with Academy Pathway
includes a Winter Training Phase and a Summer Fixtures Programme
which involves the following:
Winter Phase
Review of all the factors that affect performance including technique,
fitness and psychological aspects from the previous season and target
setting for the coming summer fixtures.
Summer Fixtures Programme
Focuses on game management (tactics and psychological aspects).
The Cricket Development Programme offers coaching sessions (both
selective and open) to all age groups (including boys and girls)
throughout the year. During the Summer Term there are open
coaching sessions every lunchtime and over 20 pupils (both boys and
girls) attend the sessions each day.
The College’s Learning Platform for KS3 and KS4 PE and games has
been developed to offer support, advice and challenges that can be
undertaken in the home environment for cricket (and other sports),
facilitating the value of encouraging young players to be independent
thinkers and to have personal ownership of their own cricketing
development.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 152 This includes sections on the following:
- Recently recorded sessions by the school’s male and
female Cricket Professionals offering support and advice –
accessible on Ellesmere YouTube and the College’s
Learning Platform.
- Social media recorded coaching sessions, including Chance
to Shine Street Workout sessions from other local and
national professional coaches and players related to all
aspects of the game – accessible on Ellesmere YouTube
and the College’s Learning Platform.
- General fitness advice and guidance – accessible on
Ellesmere YouTube and the College’s Learning Platform.
The evolving and adaptation of the fixtures programme to include
different formats was in order to take account of different abilities
and changing attitudes of students and their parents, alongside the
increasing pressures from other school activities eg. school and
national exams, academic school trips and expeditions. The
development of the different playing formats has included timed
games, 50, 40, 30, 25, 20 over games, kwik cricket pairs starting at a
set number of runs, six a side games etc. etc. – adapting the format to
the different situations and circumstances. One such particular format
has been the development of indoor cricket and the whole school
House/small group indoor competitions in order to:
Prior to the end of term the U13s and U15s, Boys and Girls
prepared for the County Mixed ‘Chance to Compete’ tournaments
that were due to be played in the New Year. While the U13s
improved throughout their games, they just missed out as overall
winners. However, the U15s won all their four games to become
County Champions. The team included William Owen (Captain),
Tabitha Leonard, Sam Appleby, Laurence Jones, Georgina Munro,
Edward Bell, Elliott Catt, and Sam Linnington.
Also in the Lent Term, Meynell won the Junior Boys Indoor House
match title by beating Wakeman-Lambart in the final in a low scoring
match. Oliver Moore top scored in the game, ensuring the victory for
Meynell. In the Senior Boys Final, Wakeman-Lambart were all out for
34 with Lloyd Edwards taking 2 wkts for 4 runs and Harry Hudson 3
wkts for 7, which included a hat trick. In reply, Meynell knocked off the
Wakeman-Lambart total inside 5 overs for the loss of 3 wkts. Thus
Meynell were overall champions. While the final of the Senior Girls
was not completed due to lockdown, the semi-finals were tight
matches with a great atmosphere. Talbot were due to play Meynell in
the final, which would have been a well contested match.
GO

- Facilitate interest for both girls and boys in cricket for all abilities.
- Identify talent early in the year.
- Facilitate development of skills and tactics in the game situation.

Ellesmere College is proud of its National Indoor Cricket History. It is

professed that Ellesmere College is the national ‘home’ of indoor
cricket – “Ellesmere College Sports Hall where Indoor Cricket was
developed and first played’ in 1970/71. “The eight clubs in North
Shropshire, who had been party to the original decision to attempt
to devise Indoor Cricket, formed a league in October, 1970”. Indoor
House competitions include girls and boys (senior and junior). It
involved a substantial programme throughout the year starting in
September, continuing right through to the end of June the following
year - 8 competitions, 26 teams.

U11 Boys Champions: Team Hurricane

U11 Girls Champions: Team Lightning
Junior Boys Champions: Meynell
Senior Girls Champions: Talbot and Meynell (shared)
Senior Boys Champions: Meynell
U15 Mixed: County ‘Chance to Compete’ Champions

The U11s girls kicked off the Power Play Festival in October with two
U11 sides – Team Lightening versus Team Thunder. Lightening,
captained by Nina Fisher, won by 8 runs. Lightening batted first and
scored 56 runs for 3 wickets (41 total). Thunder captained by Lucy
Chadwick scored 48 in reply for the loss of 3 wickets. There was an
even closer game in the boys U11s with Team Hurricane, captained
by Nathanial Clewlow, victorious by 6 runs over Team Storm.

Sport - The Academies
Rugby
The Ellesmere Rugby Academy were fortunate to be one of the least
affected sports by the pandemic this academic year. With the main
season taking place from September to December, Ellesmere were
able to carry out their usual fixture list and training.
This was yet another action-packed season, with lots of fixtures being
played across all the age grades in school from the 1st XV to the
under 12s. There were a number of highlights, such as the 1st XV
enjoying an unbeaten season, while at the other end of the school
the under 12s achieved the impressive feat of not even conceding a
single point against them, which ranked them as one of the best
school teams in the country!
There was also the usual further rugby representative honours, with
a number of boys being selected for County level and Academy level.
Some of these included James Mallin, William Owen, Reuben Roberts,
Jack Tomlinson, and Harrison Vernon selected for the Worcester
Warriors under 16 Academy, and Josh MacAndrew being selected for
the Sale Sharks under 16 Academy. Further up the school, Lynx
Noumey represented Leicester Tigers at Under 18s, while Will Davies
and Ben Rowley represented Worcester Warriors under 18s. Ben,
incredibly, went on to be selected for the England under 17s training
camp. Interestingly, Lynx and Ben actually went head to head when
Worcester played against Leicester, which was a special moment for
Ellesmere Rugby.
THE ELLESMERIAN 153
One of the main highlights of the season was the senior tour to
Canada. A group of 24 Ellesmere students, made up of Year 11 and
Sixth Form, travelled to Vancouver during half term. This was an
incredible opportunity for these young men to experience the rugby
and culture that Canada has to offer. The tour saw the pupils stay in a
number of locations around the Vancouver and Vancouver Island area.
The team flew out on the Friday but had very little time to
acclimatise, as their first game took place the following day against
Burnaby Lake RFC. However, the travel seemed to have little effect
on the team. The Ellesmere boys went on to rack up an impressive
80 points against the hosts. After the game, the players were able to
mix with their hosts and enjoy the hospitality.
Sunday saw the group pack up and take the ferry across to
Vancouver Island, where they were able to enjoy a trip to the
impressive tree top zip line park. This saw a lot of the pupils (and
staff) well out of their comfort zone. Following this, they checked into
their hotel, where they would stay for several nights. While on the
island they trained at the same rugby club that the College had
previously visited ten years ago, which was a poignant moment for
some of the staff who were on the same trip. The following day,
Ellesmere travelled to the impressive Brentwood school. Here,
Ellesmere played their second game of the tour on the picturesque
oceanfront playing fields. This was a tougher encounter, with the
visitors having to work harder for their win. The following day saw the
pupils enjoy some down time with a trip to Victoria, an afternoon
meal, and attending a local ice hockey game.
The team travelled back to the mainland the next day, where they
checked into their third hotel of the tour. That evening, the team
played their toughest game of the tour against Meraloma RFC. This
would prove to be a bruising encounter, with the hosts taking an
early 12-point lead. However, despite a few tired legs, Ellesmere were
able to control some territory and score 19 unanswered points,
giving them a well earnt victory. In the remaining two days, the team
were able to enjoy some downtime, where they explored Vancouver
city and enjoyed an excursion to the Capalino suspension bridge park
before a long flight home.
AJM
 THE ELLESMERIAN 154

Sport - The Academies

Golf

The Golf Academy continued to grow this year as the numbers
playing golf both full and part time increased significantly. Students
have been able to play or train every day either on the course at
Mile end or on our new simulator.
The start of the Michaelmas term saw the main independent
schools’ events taking place:
The Scottish open in Kingsacre
The Southern open at Collingtree
The Schools’ Cup at Collingtree
HMC Foresomes
ISGA matchplay
Unfortunately, the Northern Open and the Shropshire schools
events were both cancelled. We were competitive in all other
events. Dylan Jones and Claudia Hasting both qualified for the
Junior European Open, which was played in October. It is widely
believed to be the toughest test in junior golf in Europe, as the
Champions Week Finals in Andalucia, Spain are staged over five
rounds on two of the top courses in Europe.
From September 2020, we are advancing our provision with the
addition of a new coach, Rob Ashbrook, to head up and run the
Academy. We are very pleased to welcome Rob to our staff; he
has a wealth of experience. We will move our main golf course to
Hill Valley, which is a superb facility. With Rob on board we will be
able to increase golf tuition to a wider range of students and we
are all very excited about the continued development of the
program. We now have a main base in and around the golf
simulator room and interest continues to grow.
We will continue to have our strength and conditioning work
delivered by Darren Ruff in our refurbished fitness centre.
We are very excited about our provision for golf moving forward
and the 2020/2021 season should see Golf return as one of the
first inter-school events.

At October half term, we enjoyed three days of expos. We played

at Henllie Park, Hawkstone Park, and Mile End and really enjoyed
the challenge of three courses in three days.

We continued to utilise the excellent facilities at Mile End golf club

and are very grateful to the club and James Davies for supporting
out golf program. James has provided first class tuition to all our
Academy golfers throughout the year. We also enjoyed the work
on our school course and the addition of the Golf simulator
provided superb feedback to the academy golfers. We now have
the simulator set up in its own bespoke room. Skytrack has been a
brilliant addition to the Academy and allows players to really focus
in on their technique. It also provides another facility when golf has
been weather-affected.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 155
Sport - The Academies
Football

After two successful years, the Academy went into its third year
looking to build on previous foundations. The 2019/20 year was a
milestone in that it was the first time the Academy played in
competitive league and cup competitions, and looked to compete
against other colleges and schools around the Shropshire area. With
the introduction of video analysis and a structured training regime
based around the games, it proved to be highly successful not only in
the results but also in the enjoyment of the players; they relished the
games programme and stood up to the test brilliantly.
The under 16 team entered a Cup competition, only to be knocked
out in the first round by a much physically stronger Lacon Childe
school. It was a great experience for the Academy’s younger players
to taste competitive football, and a feather in their cap to be
personally congratulated by the opposition manager, who admired
their quality and standard of play.
The Academy is looking forward to another successful year, building
on what they’ve achieved in such a small frame of time.

The Academy was effectively split into two teams: an under 19 and DR
under 16 team, some players being eligible to represent both. The
under 19 team entered a league and had fixtures every Wednesday,
both home and away, against a variety of opponents in terms of
strength and quality, so each game posed a different and exciting
challenge. The first term proved to be the Academy’s most
productive in terms of performances and results; there were some
real highlights like the exhilarating 3-3 draw against Coaching
Connections and the excellent battles with Shrewsbury College.
After the Christmas break, the team found it difficult to regain the
fluidity they had before and performances varied. However, what
was most pleasing of all was the attitude and character that shone
through alongside the way they helped each other; that is what
sport is all about. It was unfortunate that we will never know how
the league would have finished due to the pandemic, but what is
certain is that it has only whet the appetite for more.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 156
Sport - The Academies
Titans Swimming Academy
Ellesmere College Titans – An outstanding season stopped short…
The Titans pride themselves on getting the performance when it
matters most, and the 2020 Olympic season looked to be no
different than any other for this program of elite athletes, which has
produced no fewer than twenty-one international athletes in the
past 5 years.
The ethos of the program is simple: to enable each of its swimmers
and staff to think big, become the best that they can be, and excel at
the highest level possible. The program’s Director of Swimming and
leader of the program already had his ticket punched for the Tokyo
Olympic Games as a coach – it was then the turn of the Titans
swimmers. This was unfortunately cut short with the Covid-19
pandemic and, as we focus on what this holds for the swim program,
we, as ever, will be back stronger and more formidable than ever in
2020-21.
The Titans program has produced twenty-one internationals in the
past five years and is the hotspot for achieving junior success and
preparing athletes for the transition from age/youth athletes ready
for the senior accolades. The previous season saw no fewer than
eight Titans swim for GB: Freya Anderson, Charlie Hutchison, Joel
Thompson, Lauren Wetherell, Pia Murray, Adam Metcalf, Amelia
Rodd, and Hector Pardoe.
The season for Ellesmere College Titans was concluded just after the
short course cycle and we have reported on this showing the
success we had in readiness for the Olympic trials.
Short Course cycle sets Titans up for an Olympic Long Course
cycle!
The 2019 / 2020 season showed great promise as the National
Squads geared up for the Olympic Trials and the Age Group Squads
get ready for the Nationals. Training hard. Competing hard and
excelling. It’s what a Titan does. Day in. Day out.
As we looked forward to the ‘business end’ of the season, here is a
summary of what we had already achieved at every level of the club
in preparation for what would have been a great season:

Introducing Age Development swimmers to Racing (September
2019)
The first ‘meet’ of the season saw Titans collaborate with the Otters
to put on a Level 4 gala at both Oswestry Leisure Centre (sprints
and middle distance) and Ellesmere College (long distance).
Away from the ‘lights and pressures’ of a Level 3 gala, this was an
ideal opportunity for the Age Development Squad to familiarise
themselves with the process of getting ready for, participating in, and
learning from a structured meet. It also allowed the older Age
Performance swimmers to shake off their summer cobwebs, as well
as for a few of the National swimmers to update their short course
times.
Although the focus was on process, some very long weekends
produced a bunch of PBs and a dozen new club records for the
800m and 1500m distance events. Congratulations to the Distance
Records: Cici Noss, Katie Hale, Evie Floate, James Raw, and Ollie
Covill.
The National Team County Championships (October 2019)
An outstanding team performance earned promotion to Division 1 last
year but, despite some terrific performances this year, three moments of
bad luck saw the Shropshire team slide back to Division 2.
Congratulations to all the Titans who won their Shropshire caps in
2019 and good luck to everyone for this year’s selection. Charlie
Hutchison (Captain, 17), J. Hutchinson (13), J. Lee (13), G. Smith (15),
O. Covill (14), J. Adam (18), Anna Smail (Captain, 17), B. Illingworth
(13), H. D’Ammassa (14), E. Floate (14), K. Hale (13), A. Febrey (14),
A. Rodd (17), A. Evans (16), G. Vasiliauskeite (16)
Congratulations too, to Pia Murray, this year’s Lancashire Girls
captain, also from Titans.
Duel in the Pool (October 2019)
October also saw the coaches indulge in a little bit of inter-squad
competition with the National swimmers to break up the normal
training routine. And so was born the ‘Duel in the Pool’ between the
Purple Team, led by Alan Bircher, and the Black Team, led by Danny
Proffitt.
THE ELLESMERIAN 157
With pageantry that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a
Pinewood set, the two teams swam against each other on a
cold Friday night in the College pool, not only building racing
character but swimming for team and supporters, one of the
loudest nights in the pool this season for Titans. And the result?
Victory to the Director of Swimming and the Purple Team.
Alan Bircher – Olympic Coach (October 2019)
The Titans were already certain to be at the Olympics in Tokyo 2020
following the appointment of Alan as Team GB’s Marathon Coach.
Commenting on the Team GB appointments, British Swimming Head
Coach Bill Furniss said: “I would like to congratulate the eight coaches
we are nominating to the BOA to work with our Olympic team. All
have come through a tough selection process and proved their ability
to deliver results in the performance arena. The early appointment of
our coaching staff follows the pattern established in the last Olympic
cycle. The coaches will now be an integral part of team development
activity as they build relationships with the athletes at camps and
competitions in the lead into the Olympic Games.”
Manchester International (October 2019)
The Manchester International Swim Meet was contested Short
Course with a focus on process and skill. Despite this, it’s hard to
hold a Titan back when it comes to racing. If they race, they want to
win. And they want to win fast.
With Charlie Hutchison looking very focused and measured in taking a
clean sweep of Golds, Stephen Taylor, Adam Metcalf and Joel Thompson
were pushing the boundaries and setting new records for fun.
Qualifying for 52 finals, the Titans achieved a medal conversion rate
of exactly 50%. It was good news too for the younger Titans as they
contested a significant number of finals with Emily Farr taking two
Bronze medals as she powered through her races against much older
opposition in the Junior category.
English Schools Swimming Association (ESSA) – Secondary Schools
(November 2019)
In November, teams from four Shropshire Schools made it through
the qualifying rounds to contest the 62nd ESSA Secondary Schools
Team Championships:
• Adams Grammar, Newport, Shropshire
• Ellesmere College, Ellesmere, Shropshire
• Idsall School, Shifnal, Shropshire
• Thomas Telford, Telford, Shropshire
Ellesmere were represented by Emily Farr, Hettie D’Ammassa, Katie
Hale, and Evie Floate who had qualified in both the 4x50 Free Relay
and the 4x50 Medley Relay. Seeded 3rd and 1st going into the finals,
 THE ELLESMERIAN 158 the girls comfortably made it through the heats into both
finals. Squeezed out of medals in the Free Relay, the girls
dominated the Medley relay from start to finish to bring the
winning Shield back to Ellesmere as Intermediate Girls,
National Schools Champions.
Stockport Open Meet (November 2019)
Ollie Covill fought hard to qualify for three Junior finals. Earning a
Gold medal and a Silver medal he continues to drive his pace and
stamina forward gala after gala. Showing no signs of fatigue after
becoming a National Schools Champion, Evie Floate picked up the
last of the Junior medals for the Titans to add a silver medal to the
overall haul.
Age Development – Stafford Apex (November 2019)
With the older Titans all in Stockport, Coach Danny took his young
charges to Stafford, where they acquitted themselves with distinction.
Top of the pops was Tristan Aspinall. Junior by name, mighty by
stature. That said, nine of them placed in the Top 10 for their Age
Group and the future looks bright for them at County level and
above as they raise the Junior Titan’s flag.

Freya Looking Good for Tokyo (December 2019)

It’s really important not to jinx Freya’s progress so far this season,
which has gone, to say, ‘Swimmingly’!

Freya Anderson was in imperious form in Stockport, setting new

British short course records in both the 100 Free and the 200 Free.
Watching her race her GB teammate Holly Hibbott had the gallery
on its feet and cheering her on from the rafters.

Adam Metcalf continued his record-breaking form from Manchester,

setting new standards in both the 50 Breaststroke and also the 50
Freestyle. It may be early in the season, but Adam looks fresh and
strong.

With George Smith setting a new Titans record in the 100

Breaststroke on his way to collecting five gold medals, and Charlie
Hutchison taking four gold medals, the Senior Titans looked fit and
strong throughout the weekend.

The Junior Titans competing at Stockport also looked in fine fettle,

with seven of them making it through to Junior Finals.

In the Age Groups, the irrepressible Jake Hutchinson topped the

charts in his age group in another productive weekend that saw him
make three Junior finals and pick up a gold. The sublimely talented
and hardworking Cici Noss added another Titans record to her
burgeoning collection, this time in the 100 Breaststroke as she swam
well ‘above her age’.

In sublime form at Titans meets throughout the cycle and with

standout performances for Aqua Centurions in the ISL, Anderson
opened her account with the Centurions by setting a new 200m
Freestyle British Record. This speaks volumes for the talent, hard
work, and skill of one the country’s brightest medal prospects in
Tokyo, and sent Anderson into the European Short Course
Championships brimming with confidence.

However, this was only an appetizer for what was to come in

Glasgow as Freya powered to two European Titles by taking gold in
both the 100 Free and the 200 Free. Winning is one thing, but to win
in such style is another, as Anderson posted the 3rd fastest 100m
Free time in the world this year to stun an appreciative and admiring
Glasgow crowd.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 159
Director of Swimming, Alan Bircher
The season was cruelly cut short for the class of 2019-20
and this was tough to take for a fantastic group of athletes
and people. Every one of the athletes had given everything
up until the closure and I personally had great expectations
for what the Olympics season could hold for this group. I can
only thank each and every one of them for the effort they have put
in for this great program.

It’s now time for the young Titans to refocus and be ready to take
the mantels set by this group of truly brilliant people. We move
forward and we go harder.

Stay Positive

AB
The Tally (December 2019)
Titans dedicated one of their training sessions before Christmas to
swimming every recognised Olympic swimming event instead of one
of their normal sets to help raise money for the Level Water charity.
A national charity, Level Water exists to provide 1:1 swimming
lessons for children with disabilities.

Ranging in difficulty from Bronze (all events up to the 800), Silver (all
events up to 400 plus the 1500), Gold (all individual evets), to Goat
level (all the Olympic Events including relays), the Titan 'goats' were
awesome and encouraged a whopping £377 in donations.

Well done to the swimmers and a huge Thank You to all of the Titans
family that supported this great cause.

Manchester Snow Pen (December 2019)

Ten swimmers nipped up to Manchester for their final gala of the
short course season in December and simply dominated the meet.
Between them, the ten Titans won a staggering 69 medals and
achieved a medal conversion rate of 88%.

Bristol Open Meet (December 2019)

Rounding off the Age Squad Christmas meets, Junior Aspinall
continued his excellent form at Stafford, by winning 8 of his 9 events
to top the Titans medal table.

Edinburgh, Scottish Short Course Nationals (December 2019)

NMD finished December by travelling to Edinburgh to compete in
the Scottish Short Course Nationals. In a top-quality meet, they won
23 medals, with Freya Anderson yet again stamping her authority on
a meet. Congratulations to Amelia Rodd for her Gold and three
Bronze, to Lauren Wetherell for her two Silvers and two Bronze, and
also to the other seven Titans who medalled.

Adam Metcalf continued his record-breaking form, this time setting

four new records and leading a cluster of Titans who ‘raised the bar’
to new heights. Together they claimed 11 new records and took the
tally of new records to over 50 for the season so far. In the record-
breaking posse were Charlie Hutchison, Joel Thompson, Lauren
Wetherell, Maia Hall, and Stephen Taylor.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 160

Sport - The Academies

Tennis

Unfinished business describes this year well. The College hosted over
thirty LTA sanctioned events in our Indoor Tennis Centre with another
fourteen planned, which the LTA cancelled in the Summer term. Out
of ten teams entered into National competitions this year, only one
event was completed, with the others being initially postponed and
then cancelled by the LTA due to the Covid outbreak. Despite this, the
academy players had many successes, and when competitive play
hopefully resumes next year we can expect to continue where we left
off.
both won the county groups, beating teams from Moreton Hall,
Shrewsbury, and Telford, progressing to the regional knockout rounds.
Once again, both teams played skilfully, beating off all competition from
across the Midlands, and were due to play in the Regional Final in
Tipton when the LTA took the decision to cancel all competitions. The
following players should be congratulated for representing teams that
remained undefeated all year: Emilis Jukna, Benni Kuenlen, Robert von
der Luhe, Dan Edwards, Daniel Ott, Emma Hinterleitner, Mey Funke,
Hettie Czech, Marija Barisaite, Alexandra Strauss.

Age group National Championships, Year 10

Every year since the Elite Academy was formed in 2012, at least one
team has reached the National Final of a National LTA Schools
competition. Last year it was the Girls’ under 13 team and this year the
boys stepped up to the plate in the under 15 event. They had some
stiff competition on the way, beating teams from Shrewsbury, Telford,
and North Wales before competing in the regional finals at Tipton.
Leicester Grammar, King Edwards, and Warwick fell by the wayside and
our boys moved on to Bolton to play in the National Final in
December. The event was a great success, with Ellesmere finishing in
the Top 4 in the UK. Congratulations to Jacob Popplewell, Peter
Swinnerton, Matthew Harris, Harry Fenton, and Guy Welti.

Senior Students National Competition

These events start in September and run through to the Regional and
National Finals at the end of the Lent term. The Boys and Girls teams
 THE ELLESMERIAN 161
Aberdare and Glanville Cups
Unfortunately, these prestigious school competitions take place mostly
through the Summer term and therefore did not happen this year.
However, with two exceptions, the players who would have competed
this year will be returning in September so our teams next year will be
strong.

Individual successes
With the main tennis season cancelled you would think that there
would not have been many opportunities for our players to shine.
However, two girls, Lili Harvey Hemming and Aditi Chezhian, were
selected for international events representing Wales. Aditi was part of
the Under 18 Welsh Team (despite being only 15) that beat England,
Scotland, and Ireland.Aditi Chezhian was presented with the John
Beswick Award by Shropshire Council. This award is given to an Level One National Coaching Course
individual who has not only represented their country, but has This year the College hosted a level one Coaching Course, delivered
performed to the highest standard. Former winners include Freya by Stuart Twigg from Impact Tennis, on the Indoor courts, with fifteen
Anderson, Ellesmere College’s own World Champion swimmer. of our students having the opportunity to learn how to coach tennis.
Twelve students passed and can now add this qualification to their CVs.
In addition, Cameron Parry in Year 7 completed an LTA course in
assisting at mini red competitions. Who knows where this may lead.

Thank you to our Captains, Ananya Chezhian and Dominic Robinson.

They leave Ellesmere after many years of service to the College teams
and will be missed, both as team players and as training partners in the
Elite Squads.

Let’s hope that next year we can get back to business as usual.

SW
 THE ELLESMERIAN 162

Ellesmere College
Parents’ Society

The Ellesmere College Parents’ Society (ECPS) exists to connect

parents (past and present) through fun and exciting events, whilst
raising money for both the College and various charities.

At the 2019 AGM the following Committee was confirmed for

2019/20:

Member Role College Students

Janet Kelly Chair James – Year 11

Susan Coll Secretary Susan Edwards – Year 9

Stephanie Edwards – Year 8

Melissa Christie Treasurer Luke Christie – Year 7

Max Christie – Year 5

The school year started well and we had many events planned for
our new and existing parents. Our new committee had been
selected ahead of the summer break and were ready to assume their
positions.
• October 2019
On the 1st October we held our first event of the year, a Coffee
morning with two purposes; to welcome new parents to the school
and introduce them to the ECPS, and to raise much needed funds
for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The event was once again held in the College’s ‘Terraces Tuck Shop’
and was well attended. Students from Lower School also helped
raise some extra funds through selling a variety of delicious cakes
that they brought into College to sell. £234.50 was raised for
Macmillan Cancer Support
• November 2019
November saw the return of the ECPS Creativity Day for our craft
loving mums, making impressive felt decorations and decorating
Christmas cakes. This is always a fun social event where parents get
to sit and chat to each other as they perfect their crafts. It was also a
delight to have lunch in the College’s Dining Hall.

• January 2020
Our traditional Burns’ Night celebration is a much anticipated event
with tickets selling out long before they’re printed. This year was no
exception! We toasted the haggis and enjoyed a wonderful seven
course Scottish dinner washed down with a dram or two of whiskey.
Following the meal, the band started up and everybody was on their
feet displaying some impressive ceilidh dancing
THE ELLESMERIAN 163
Little did we know that the year would culminate here. With quiz
nights, coffee mornings and our favourite event of the year, Ladies’
Lunch, in the diary, none of which were able to go ahead.
As parents, we would like to commend the College on how they
dealt with the restrictions that were imposed on them. Impressively,
every lesson was taught online to the timetable as soon as schools
were closed. Tutor support continued and our children’s academic
and pastoral needs were met. We look forward to the next
academic year and hope that some normality can resume.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 164

Old Ellesmerians
The Ellesmerian Club
The year got off to a great start for The Ellesmerian Club, little did we
know what it would have in store for us… and the rest of the world.
The Coronavirus pandemic has been devastating and far reaching. We
send our condolences to all families who have been affected, in
particular to the family of one of our own; John Hilton (Woodard
’48), who sadly lost his battle with Covid-19 on 7th April.

Later in November, the College hosted the North Midlands Rugby

Football Union's (NMRFU) Centenary School's Challenge Cup
between Ellesmere College 1st XV and Wrekin College 1st XV with
Abraham Darby 1st XV. We were joined by some very special guests,
namely Sir Bill Beaumont, OE and Chairman of World Rugby, and his
The Club’s first event of the year was the annual Northern Dinner,
former Headmaster at Ellesmere, Mr Ian Beer along with his wife
which returned to the fabulous Stanneylands in Wilmslow. There was
Angela. The home team were victorious and were presented with the
a fantastic turnout and an enjoyable evening was had by all. Our
inaugural cup by Bill at a reception in Big School.
thanks go to Head Boy, William Davies and Head Girl, Charlie-Ann
Williams, for joining us.
Unfortunately, our future events, planned for the remainder of 2020,
were cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. These included; an
A group of us frequented Belgravia’s Antelope for the termly CITY
international reunion in Hamburg, two further City Drinks events, the
Drinks event in October, this is always a jovial get together with great
annual OE Luncheon in May, coinciding with the Ellesmere Art
food, drink and company. It’s always good to see so many Ellesmerians
Exhibition and Classic Car Rally. For the first time in the College’s
of varying generations.
history, Speech Day was also cancelled, preventing us from shaking
the hands of our new cohort of ‘Old Ellesmerians’ to whom we wish
the very best of luck in their future endeavours.

The Club Executive has been busy working in the background and
have taken to holding their meetings online. The Club have plans in
place to get to know their members and will be sending out
questionnaires enquiring as to what the membership would like from
them. We are also excited to welcome the Club’s new Chairman in
September 2020.

Throughout the closure of College in the Lent Term, the Club have
funded several projects, enhancing the College for its students. The
most spectacular project to be completed was the final stage of the
Cloisters windows. In February, the Club’s Executive Committee
kindly agreed to help fund the door at the end of Cloisters, leading to
the Headmaster’s house, which was not included in the initial project,
In November, the College held its annual Remembrance Service.
however, this together with a bequest from Nigel Ainscow, a former
Chapel was full with Old Ellesmerians, Staff and students, with the
Woodard Housemaster, and a generous donation from Lynne
Choirs performing impeccably. It was a beautiful and poignant service
Stewart-Harris who left the College last year as a Teacher of Business,
led by Father Phillip Gration. Old boys read out the names of the 218
enabled this doorway to be completely refurbished with an oak frame
Old Ellesmerians who lost their lives in the First and Second World
and stained-glass side windows depicting the final stages of the
Wars, it was a very sobering and emotional moment. Following the
Raven’s journey. These two projects have transformed Cloisters and
service, many of us stayed for a wonderful lunch.
allow them to be a worthy extension of Big School at functions.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 165
All of the hard work by John Harvey (Woodard ‘69) and Bill
Newbold (former teacher) researching the Rolls of Honour,
for both World War I and now World War II, have led to a
need for a number of names to be added to the existing War
Memorial tablets and there are no longer enough spaces. A
third and final tablet was installed to the left of the main
tablet in August. Engraving of the new findings will commence when
Covid permits! At the same time the Club reframed the portraits of
our two Victoria Cross holders and these now hang alongside each
other above the new tablet.

The Club has a display cabinet outside Dining Room that was not in the
best of repair. A new cabinet was purchased and erected in the same
location. More in keeping with its surroundings, the cabinet is also larger
allowing better displays.

Looking ahead to next year, we hope to be able to reintroduce social

The Lady Chapel is much used by Father Phillip and he had asked if
the Club could help in the provision of a second altar which would
enable him to face the congregation. Using a design provided by
Father Phillip, the Club installed this during the summer holidays.
Getting the 200kg Purbeck stone altar top up the stairs was
somewhat of a challenge!
events enabling us to get out there and meet the Club’s membership.
We have a Northern Dinner and a London Dinner in the calendar, along
with City Drinks, the OE luncheon, Golf Day and even a family fun day.
More details will follow when the Government advises us that it is safe
for large gatherings. In the meantime, we wish our community well. Keep
in touch with each other, stay safe and take care.

A problem solver with a passion for public health

Charlotte Dixon left Ellesmere as Captain of School in 2016. She went onto
Lancaster University to pursue her dream of studying Medicine.

During her first year at Lancaster, Charlotte joined the Royal Lancaster
Infirmary (RLI) as a Clinical Support Worker (CSW), a role that carries the
responsibility of looking after the personal care of patients: the opportunity
provides great experience for an aspiring medic and is one of the few jobs
flexible enough to fit around the demands of studying Medicine.

Things began to change very quickly for Charlotte in early March. Placements
were suddenly cancelled, then exams followed suit; her housemates (being
international students) took the decision to leave for their home countries as
travel restrictions began to be applied around the world. Knowing that she
wasn’t at risk of bringing Covid home to anyone, Charlotte decided to pick up
more and more shifts in A&E and the Respiratory wards at the RLI. Here she
saw first-hand how Covid attacks the respiratory system, causing blood oxygen
saturation to crash to levels that you just don’t see in living people.

As the pandemic built, the work became more and more stressful, with one
shift in particular where Charlotte, one other CSW and two nurses, had to
manage a ward of nearly thirty patients by themselves.

Charlotte’s lifelong ambition has been to study Medicine and join the Army
Medical Services. She is a problem solver with a passion for public health and
health education. As she embarks upon her fourth year at university, we would
like to thank Charlotte for all of the selfless work she has carried out
throughout the pandemic.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 166
Old Ellesmerian raises over £30k for Help for Heroes
When Ex-Royal Marine Stephen Bannister (Meynell 2002-2007) turned 30 in September 2018,
he marked the occasion by setting himself a gruelling 13 month challenge to raise £30k for the
Armed Forces charity, Help for Heroes.

Branded as the ‘Run for 30’ campaign, the fundraiser saw Stephen take part in a minimum of two
endurance events each month - These included Paris and Berlin marathons and an Iron Man triathlon in
Sweden. With five marathons and five triathlons within a list of 25 events, Stephen’s fundraising efforts
achieved an impressive total of £34,800. He was delighted to have beaten his fundraising target.

"I would like to say thank you to everyone who has shown their support and belief in me and the
campaign this past 13 months. This month I will be visiting Phoenix House, Catterick, to present a cheque
for the final amount. Turning 30 in September 2018 motivated me to raise £30k for Help for Heroes
because I'm ex-forces and feel I've been fortunate in life, so I launched my Run For 30 Campaign. My aim
was to do all I could for Help for Heroes. I have been fortunate, and in some cases lucky, in my life and I also consider myself lucky enough to have
served as a Royal Marine in the Armed Forces. I had 28 events lined up from very early on, from fun mud runs to Iron Man triathlons and finished the
campaign with a black tie charity dinner. We have a Wall of Patrons where any individual who donated £30 plus or any corporate sponsor donating
£500 plus had their own 'brick' on the wall. There have been some amazing gestures of support along the way and I am extremely grateful to everyone
who took part for their efforts and donations."

Stephen wishes to continue his support for Help for Heroes and has extended his fundraising campaign, which is now aptly called ‘Run for Heroes’, with
a goal to raise £40,000. Hopefully competitive events will make a return in 2021 to make this possible for him.

The EDGE small way, my contribution will help someone achieve their dreams, just
like I did. Teenagers need to know the opportunities available to them,
the careers that can be made and how much job satisfaction can be had
out of a life in the arts world."

Students were also treated to a very interesting talk by Ryan Morley.

Ryan left Ellesmere in 2010, choosing not to go to university, he became
an Intelligence Analyst within the Royal Air Force.

The intellectual life of the College stretches way beyond the confines of
the classroom, we believe that students can learn a great deal from
those who have gone before them so are always delighted to welcome
back OE speakers to inspire them!
This year our students saw several very exciting speakers. These included
internationally renowned artist, Charlie Adlard. In an interview with
Head Boy, Will Davies, Charlie told the audience how important creative
subjects are to both education and in the business world. He answered
many questions relating to a career in the world of Art and how he
sought opportunities in a very competitive field of work.
Through the last 5 years, Ryan has found himself in the middle of key
world events; from the hunt for Jihadi John, to the response following the
Tunisian terror attacks and the airstrikes against Syria. The intelligence
world is something many are aware of, but few ever interact with.
Military intelligence is full of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
Despite often being the youngest person in the room, Ryan has
influenced the decisions of key decision makers, including the Prime
Minister.
Designed as just one element of Ellesmere's Leadership and
Entrepreneurship programme, The Edge lectures are designed to give
our students a helping hand when entering the world of university and
work. By connecting to the 5,000+ Old Ellesmerians worldwide, the
younger generation can gain from their expertise and experience,
creating mentoring and work experience opportunities in many
professional fields.

Charlie is most well known for being the penciller on the Walking Dead
since 2004; his other notable works include Savage, the X Files and the
2000AD series, including Judge Dredd, and Armitage. He is a regular
supporter of Ellesmere College and has previously featured unseen
artwork, life drawing sketches and original pieces from published works
at our National Art Exhibition.
Charlie said, "I've been involved in Art as Education more in the last few
years, due to my role as UK Comics Laureate, and have become
increasingly aware of the importance of such things. I hope, in some
Offered to all Sixth Form and Year 11 students, the programme has
proven to be very successful since it started in 2012. Students have had
the opportunity to see and speak to OEs and parents of many
professions including doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, military,
entrepreneurs and many more.
If you would be interested in offering a talk on your career or
business, please contact Olivia Beckett: olivia.beckett@ellesmere.com
/ 01691 626541.
 THE ELLESMERIAN 167
Four generations of Ellesmerians David introduced his son Paul to the College in 1980. Paul
made an impression straight away and was awarded the Shell
Classical Studies Prize in his first year. In true family tradition,
Paul was also a talented Rugby player and represented the
U16, 4th, 3rd and 1st XV teams. He played 1st XI Cricket for
three years and was a member of the College’s Stamp and
Chess Clubs.

It was recently brought to our attention that one of our esteemed

Sixth Form students, Alice Parton, is indeed a fourth generation
Ellesmerian.

Alice’s Great Grandfather, Geoffrey, was introduced to the College

over 100 years ago. In 1919, Alfred Parton enrolled his son Geoffrey at
Ellesmere by recommendation from a friend who had two sons at the
College. Geoffrey joined as a student in the January of 1919 and
attended until the summer of 1920. Geoffrey was a member of
‘Conqueror’ House – now known as Talbot. During his short stint at
Ellesmere he represented his dorm and the 1st XV Team in Rugby and
took an active interest in many sports including U15 High Jump (at
4’4”), Cricket, Football and Steeplechase. He was awarded Full Colours
for his contribution to Rugby and left College to pursue a career in
agriculture.
Geoffrey went on to have two sons, David and Alan, who both
attended the College from the age of 10 to 16.
Alan joined Ellesmere in 1942 and was an active member of the
Athletics Club. During the Lent Term of 1946 he was awarded Junior
House Colours. Alan left Ellesmere in 1948, following his father’s
footsteps to work in farming.
This brings us to the fourth generation Ellesmerian of the Parton
family. Alice joined the College in Year 10 in 2017 and has completely
thrown herself into College life. She was awarded Junior House
Colours in 2018 and is a gifted sportswoman. Alice has represented
both the College and her County in Hockey, she was on the winning
team of the U16 National Hockey Cup and regularly played for the 1st
XI team throughout Year 12. As Captain of the U17 Shropshire Hockey
team, Alice’s team won the U17 Midlands Cup for the first time ever.
Alice also plays 1st team Netball and is regularly winning prizes at
prestigious Horse Riding competitions, most recently coming 3rd at the
Weston Park Horse Trials. In addition to her sporting successes, Alice
took part in the Senior School Production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’
and is a talented artist.

David came to Ellesmere in 1946 and was a popular member of the

Talbot House. Like his father before him, David was a keen sportsman,
representing the College in many sports with Rugby being a firm
favourite. In his final year at College, David played a Soldier in the
Senior School play, ‘Julius Ceasar’.

David continued his close bond with the College after leaving; he was a
respected member of The Ellesmerian Club for many years and was
the Club’s President in 2004, he was also a member of the Old
Ellesmerian Masonic Lodge, in 1978 he was installed as the Lodges
Worshipful Master.

If you have an interesting story connected to the College we’d love to

hear from you: olivia.beckett@ellesmere.com
Ellesmere | Shropshire | SY12 9AB | United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1691 622321 | Fax: +44 (0)1691 623286 | E-mail: registrar@ellesmere.com