Sharp Showers Fail To Dampen Spirits At House Olympics

In the words of the famous crooner Mr Manilow, the 2015 Shells House Olympics event 'made it though the rain'.

Only once in its history has the first big event of the House calendar, designed to welcome our new Shell pupils and parents, been forced indoors. Thanks to the hardiness of pupils, staff and parents, 2015 did not succumb to the elements despite a couple of severe showers. Our House Heads and Sixth Former helpers also cleverly adapted all 8 events to avoid the need for sharp turns.

Spirits were in no way dampened and both our new Shells and the mix of Upper and Lower Sixth House representatives were exceptional throughout the morning. Our Shells threw themselves wholeheartedly into the events, while our Sixth Formers were excellent marshals of the challenges and brilliant at urging the new pupils on.

Remarkably the Boys and Girls were ranked identically. After winning the Shells' Scrabble competition earlier in the week, Fairfax was also delighted to win the House Olympics. Bayley, 2014-15 House champions, came a solid second and Wheatley third. After running in fourth, a current habit, Crow House Head Mr Andrew Phillips (Boys' PE) admitted the new house rallying call may have to be 'at least we were not 5th' unless fortunes soon change! If Baker and Billing, Houses disbanded in the early 90s, are ever resurrected, the battle cry may need adjusting again!

Bablake's House system is a real strength and the friendships made across the year groups are very strong. This year, to develop the benefits, our weekly House assemblies will break into vertical tutor sessions every few weeks. These sessions will be led by our Sixth Form pupils, with staff attached as support. More information will be conveyed to pupils via their form tutors this week in registration.