Stopfordian 2010–2011 - Stockport Grammar School

The Stopfordian 2010–2011
The Fallows’ Shield competition had become very tense by
the Summer Term. Valuable points were earned in the Tennis,
Rounders and Cricket. The sun shone on the Senior Sports
afternoon which was well attended, with exciting finishes in
many of the track races and close contests in the field events.
The weather held out and the sun appeared intermittently for
the Junior and Intermediate Sports Day in June. Thanks to the
super efficient PE Department, the events ran like clockwork
and pupils enjoyed both participating and spectating.
Michael Solomou had a stand out performance in discus and
broke yet another record. Mr Ehegartner and I would like to
thank everybody who took part and gave their all. Many
Nicholsonians competed in the maximum number of events
which epitomises the dedicated team spirit instilled
throughout the year.
Tennis was another well-attended event at every level.
Juniors, Inters and Seniors had to rotate the teams between
matches as we had such a big team out. This year more and
more pupils are getting involved in the House system to help
enhance their school life and experiences, which is a great
ethos to push forward in future years.
Mr Ehegartner and I wish our fabulous House Captains every
success for the future and thank them wholeheartedly for all
the work they have done this year for Nicholson House. They
have organised and supported teams at events and performed
assemblies which are always entertaining and on occasion,
thought provoking! They have been a great asset to the
mighty Nicholson and flown the red flag with pride. The
successful applicants for House Captains for the next
academic year are Holly Allcock, Sophie Skelton, Millie
Ralston and Chris Spencer. Congratulations are deserved in a
tough field within a keen and dedicated year group.
It is at this stage I would like to thank all the House staff from
Nicholson for attending and helping out at assemblies and
supporting the House throughout the year. Mrs Hicks has
been a rock in arranging charity related events and for this we
are very grateful. Mr Ehegartner also has had a storming first
year as Head of House, with a very loud and motivating
presence alongside his imaginative ideas and genuine
enthusiasm. It has been a pleasure. I hope next year we can
have even greater successes in House events and push
forward the fundraising to new heights!
R. J. Upton
VERNON
House Captains:
Phoebe Broome
Alicia Warner
Alistair Griffin
Ronil Rawal
It has been an exciting year for Vernon and something of a
roller coaster ride for myself, beginning in September 2010 as
new House Mistress. Having defected from Nicholson and
been accused of ‘treachery’ by some members of that – now
rival – House, I was a little apprehensive. As I took to the
stage to deliver my first House Assembly, I truly felt the same
sort of nervous energy that the new House Captains must feel,
as they stand with the brief of delivering an entertaining
assembly to a quarter of the school! I need not have worried;
the pupils of Vernon welcomed me openly. Over the first
term, with the help of the veteran, Mr Corbett and support
from my excellent predecessor, Mrs Fenton and the other
House staff, we soon all settled into our new roles.
October started off with enormous success as House Captains,
Alicia Warner and Phoebe Broome led the Senior Hockey
players to a confident victory. Superb teamwork and far more
pupils than we needed meant lots of energetic players and
supporters, all demonstrating the Vernon Spirit for which the
House is so reputed. That same spirit buoyed up the House
when the Senior Boys came fourth in the basketball and what
an entertaining series of games! What the lads lacked in skill,
they more than made up for in mutual support and some very
amusing team photos.
By the end of term, Senior Netball and Inter Hockey events
were done and dusted and House Captains were dusting
down their party outfits to hit the social event of the term, the
First Year House Party. Nicholson did a great job of organising
and the evening was a roaring success. Both Father Christmas
and the Nicholson bear attended and both danced with
exceptional skill and finesse. The Christmas Quiz was an
exciting and tense affair with Arden pipping us at the post,
before the pizzas were scoffed and the real dancing began.
The party mood led to the Nicholson bear receiving some
amorous attention, but I believe he is still single!
Vernon did not do so well at the end of term Senior quiz,
though not through lack of effort, and this low point was
swiftly forgotten by an action-packed Chess tournament
in January. This particular competition was new to me and I
was astounded by how exciting it was. With cheering
Activities and Awards 25