Boarders' Bulletin June / July 2025

Traditionally, the final half term of the summer is a time to wind down and take things a little easier — but that certainly hasn’t been the case in Scott! We’ve been busier than ever, and it’s been fantastic to see the girls come together and shine in a wide range of sporting achievements.

The start of term saw the Inter-House Football Tournament take place. Sadly, not all houses were represented, but it was fantastic to see Lynx Scott field a team of very talented individuals. Their hard work and skill paid off, resulting in a well-deserved victory!

This term saw our first combined Scott and Blubery trip to the theatre to see Wicked — a fantastic production that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. It was a wonderful evening and a great opportunity for both houses to come together.

Our Year 13s returned for their final hurrah — the Leavers' Ball. It was a truly special evening and lovely to see the girls together one last time, celebrating their journey. We’ve got everything crossed for their summer results and wish them all the very best for the exciting adventures ahead

Daisy showcased her outstanding equestrian skills this term, proudly representing the school at Hickstead. A fantastic achievement and a real testament to her dedication and talent!

All year groups enjoyed their final tutor trips of the year, each with a unique and fun experience. Year 12s were treated to a relaxing visit to a nail bar, Year 10 tested their teamwork and problem-solving skills in an escape room, and Year 9 had a great time paddleboarding. We were also delighted to welcome back Elena from Italy, who joined us last year — and we're excited that plans are already underway for her return in Year 12.

Our senior swimming success this term was a direct result of the incredible determination and team spirit shown by the Scott girls. This was followed by an equally thrilling performance on Sports Day, with standout achievements on the track securing Lynx Scott the runner-up position overall. We now have everything crossed as we await the announcement of the House Sports Champions later today!

As we reach the end of another action-packed year in Rammell, it’s been a fantastic final few weeks to round things off in style.

Firstly, we waved goodbye to our Year 11 and Year 13 boys as they headed off for a well-deserved summer after months of hard work and exams. They’ve been a credit to the house throughout the year, and we wish them every success with their results next month. For those moving on, they leave a real mark on Rammell and will be very much missed by staff and boys alike.

There’s been no shortage of sporting success to finish the year on a high. In the eagerly awaited House Football competition, an unbeatable Sellers Rammell side went on to claim the title once again. It was a superb effort, with goals, teamwork, and a fair bit of competitive spirit on display. Our boys also shone in both the Swimming Gala and Sports Day, bringing home plenty of house points and achieving some excellent individual results along the way. It’s been great to see so many boys throwing themselves into the final events of the year.

Of course, the glorious run of sunshine we’ve enjoyed has meant the BBQs have barely stopped, with heroic amounts of chicken consumed and the house snack cupboard constantly in demand. The pool has proved a popular retreat for the boys to cool off, with some very relaxed afternoons spent swimming, lounging, and playing water polo after busy school days and at weekends. Our Parkrun regulars have continued to impress, clocking up the kilometres and representing Rammell brilliantly at various events — a real credit to the house community.

And as always at this time of year, we’ve been busy welcoming the new boys for next year during their trial visits. It’s been fantastic to meet them and give them a taste of Rammell life, and the early signs suggest we’ve got another great cohort joining us in September.

What a whirlwind of a year it’s been at Blubery! As we wrap up another action-packed term, it’s hard to believe just how much we’ve squeezed in. The final half term has been bursting with sunshine, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

With the summer heat in full swing, the ice cream van became a regular and very welcome visitor — perfect for cooling off after busy days. Our morning boarders' swims continued with enthusiasm, and the pool has been a hub of activity whenever the sun was shining.

One of the highlights was our theatre trip to see Wicked — a magical experience for those who signed up. Braving the train once again, the girls joined Scott and enjoyed a fabulous evening of music and drama.

Trips were in full swing across the year groups. Year 12 kicked things off with a visit to The Milk House, followed by a scenic (and sweaty!) walk home on the hottest day of the year. Year 10 followed in their footsteps the next week, enjoying the same treat - minus the walk home! Year 9 had a change of plans from bouncing at Gravity to striking it lucky at the VIP bowling lanes, followed by a well-earned McDonald’s feast.

Evenings were filled with the smell of BBQs and the crackle of s’mores as we made the most of the long summer nights. The Boarders' End of Year Event was a spectacular finale — Heads of Houses took over flipping burgers for the evening - giving the catering team a night off! Huge thanks to the Matrons for their prep, and the Estates Team for setting up. The inflatables were a massive hit, especially the assault course, bungee run, and Gladiator beam — perfect for settling a few friendly rivalries!

Sports Day brought out the competitive spirit in everyone, with a special shout-out to Poppy for taking the medal in Year 9 — well done!

As the academic year draws to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what has been a truly vibrant and memorable time in the life of Crowden House.

This summer term has been one of the hottest on record, and the boys have made the most of it—cooling off with plenty of ice cream, dips in the outdoor pool, and even during our rather surreal but thoroughly enjoyable curling trip! The new garden space has come into its own, with the gazebo and barbecue becoming firm favourites for revision breaks, evening chats, and weekend gatherings. The fire pit has hosted everything from toasted marshmallows to philosophical debates, and the lawn has echoed with the clatter of KUBB blocks as the boys embraced this brilliant Swedish game with typical Crowden enthusiasm.

We’ve packed in a huge amount over the past few weeks: from cricket matches, the Swimming Gala and Sports Day to the Boarders’ Bonanza and our warm hosting of students from mainland China, who brought fresh perspectives and energy. These moments, big and small, have reminded us of the strength of our community and the joy of shared experience.

As someone once said, “An army marches on its stomach,” and this term our House has certainly flourished around the dinner table. Under the summer sun, our Cornwallis garden transformed into an alfresco dining hall: three Year-group feasts exploring Greek and American cuisines, impromptu BBQs, and - even better - a roaring outdoor pizza oven that brought us all together.

But Cornwallis is about much more than good food. It’s about character, community and celebration. Now that our exams are behind us, we must bid farewell to some of our finest young men. As House Captain, Julian has led with integrity and compassion and his guidance has inspired us all. Alongside him in Year 13 Harry and Freddie have set a standard we will strive to maintain and Tim, Oscar and Nathan in Year 11 have also contributed to the success of the House. We wish them all the best of luck and look forward to them perhaps returning one day, eager to hear how Cornwallis has shaped the next chapters of their lives.

As we close one door, we open another. I’m delighted to announce that Lester will take up the mantle of House Captain this September. He’s already brimming with fresh ideas for Cornwallis and I have every confidence he will lead with the same spirit Julian demonstrated. We also celebrate Hugo’s appointment to the Senior 5 school leadership group which is another proud moment for our House.

Meanwhile, our Year 9 and 10’s have begun planning their dorm moves and consolidating their friendships for next year. It’s heartwarming to see bonds forming so naturally and I cannot wait to see how they all develop in the coming months.

Sport and adventure have powered our term too. Early-morning swims, park runs, water polo sessions and outstanding performances in the School swimming gala and on Sports Day have challenged and cheered us. Boarders outings to Thorpe Park, local fishing spots and water parks added just the right touch of excitement too.

The staff appear to have enjoyed it too with four members having joined the runs - another record! Do not fear though, Park Run will be back in September!!