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Anson<br />
House Report<br />
As I sit down to write my first Anson House Report the words that Mr. Thomas spoke to me<br />
in January when I took over the reins of Anson House from him resonate in my head; ‘Being<br />
the Head of Anson House has been a privilege and the most enjoyable part of my<br />
job, the pupils of Anson House enjoy a community spirit that is second to none which ensures<br />
that everyone is fully committed to one another and all House events.’ In my short time as Head<br />
of Anson House I can endorse that sentiment. I have been impressed by the competitive spirit, desire<br />
to participate and of course, the hunger for victory exhibited by every member of the House!<br />
Before reviewing the year, I would like to wish some highly valued members of staff a fond farewell. Mrs.<br />
Lonsdale has been a remarkable member of Anson House, who has been the guiding light as deputy to<br />
several Heads of House throughout her tenure and I am sure that she will have a wonderful, well-earned<br />
retirement. I know that she will wear her yellow t-shirt with pride! All of the staff and students of Anson<br />
House really appreciate her guidance and dedication over the years and wish her the very best for the<br />
future. I would also like to thank Mrs. Weetman, for the time she has given to Anson and offer her my<br />
very best wishes, even if it is to the opposition, in her new role of year 8 tutor in Talbot! Now we have<br />
welcomed into the House Mr. Johnson, who has clearly seen the light by re-joining us from Talbot as our<br />
new Deputy Head of Anson House and Miss Butler, who is the new form tutor for 7A.<br />
Mrs Lonsdale and the Sixth Form team, attracted a large number of entries and was made even more<br />
enjoyable when the staff team won! This money was used to support several charities who do fantastic<br />
work for cerebral palsy and towards our sponsored child in Malawi.<br />
A quotation that I am very fond of says: ‘whether you think that you can succeed or whether you think<br />
that you cannot – you are right!’ In Anson, I am pleased to say that I am surrounded by positive people<br />
who ‘think they can’, they put themselves forward at all opportunities and step into the breach in hours<br />
of need. We are a House of involvement where everyone is prepared to support one another and play<br />
their part. It is this unwavering attitude to all that is undertaken that truly makes Anson House the<br />
great community that it is. Anson House is a House of success because we don’t just think we can, we<br />
persevere until we do!<br />
I would like to echo Mr Thomas’s wise words. I have found it a privilege to be the Head of Anson<br />
House. I have thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the role this year and I am proud of the outstanding<br />
effort and attitude that each and every member of Anson House has displayed. Thank you all!<br />
Mr L J Harwood<br />
Head of Anson House<br />
Every Inter-House competition was approached with the enthusiasm and commitment that makes Anson<br />
House ‘the dream team’, where not only did we always field a full team, but we also had an eager<br />
group of volunteers queuing up to act as reserves if required (you know who you are). I was delighted<br />
with our victory in the public speaking competition which was earned through the hard work and dedication<br />
of a team of writers and orators. The examples of; the whole of 9A, lead by Mrs. Smith, who took<br />
the time to co-write and edit their speech and a rather nervous pupil who volunteered to speak in front<br />
of the entire school to ‘see if they could do it?’ demonstrates the true character of the Anson House<br />
student. I was equally pleased with first places in the Junior Polyathlon (the team gained an incredible<br />
38 out of 40 points!), the Senior Polyathlon, the Junior Baking Competition, the Senior Baking Competition<br />
and of course, the runaway victory at Sports Day. Where we came second, never third, it was<br />
a close run thing and bodes well for continued success in future years! In choosing teams I have been<br />
overwhelmed with the generosity of support from all quarters and can express nothing but admiration<br />
and pride for all students who have contributed to the myriad of successes that we have enjoyed this year.<br />
I would also like to express my thanks to the incredibly hard working and caring team of Tutors in Anson<br />
House who have supported and encouraged the students to not only achieve their aims but to reach<br />
way beyond them. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening walk on Cannock Chase with Miss Lewis and 8A<br />
and was thrilled to attend a fair organised by 7A (recent winners in the ’best form in the School competition’)<br />
where mine and the students’ highlight was getting soaked in the apple bobbing stall! Many others<br />
have also played their part in raising money for worthwhile causes by organising a variety of events including<br />
raffles and ‘guess the number of sweets in a jar’. The annual Big Fat Quiz, once again overseen by
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