Old Lawrentian News 2010/11

HEADMASTER’S UPDATE
Last year I wrote saying that
the Sports Centre was taking
shape. This year I can say it
has been officially opened.
We were very lucky to secure the
services of Martin Johnson. He
was very generous with his time.
He officially opened the Centre,
then toured it and chatted to the
pupils. He was very impressed by
the facility and he has seen a
good number of such centres.
He then addressed the whole
school and spoke with passion
about the importance of sport, not
just at the elite level but as a way
of staying fit for everyone and for
the making of lasting friendships. I
was very impressed by his ability
to talk so fluently without a script.
He then spent a long time signing
autographs and chatting to staff
and pupils.
You might be interested to know
that he made no charge for his
visit but we did make a donation to
one of his favourite charities which
is the Adam Cole Foundation.
You might like to consider
supporting it yourself when we
come to celebrate winning the
next Rugby World Cup.
The College has always had a
fine reputation for its drama and
that is certainly being maintained
at present.
Last term saw a top class
production of The Crucible. This is
not an easy play, even though it
has much to say to the modern
world, about the susceptibility of
the public for various types of
witch-hunt and the dangers
caused when a group mentality
takes over from sensible
individuality of thought.
The cast coped well with having
to delay their performance for a
week as a result of thick snow!
There were several individual
performances revealing what I
would describe as an ‘inner
power’ beyond their years.
HEADMASTER’S UPDATE
We have a crop of young actors
coming through the school who
have real talent. It is exciting.
Do not forget we are always
interested in talent and ability.
If you know of any potential
students who would enrich the life
of our community, I am always
willing to discuss bursaries and
scholarships with their parents.
Nick Marchant highlighted in his
President’s Message the 10%
boarding discount for OLs’ children
and grandchildren, so please feel
free to make a discrete enquiry to
me, via my PA, Mrs Mills on 01843
572900 or vm@slcuk.com.
Another great excitement last
term was watching our Under 15
XV win their final game of the
season against Chatham House
and so complete an unbeaten
season.
It is a long while since we have
had such a triumph and the boys
have done very well. I, as an
experienced rugby coach, was
impressed by their commitment,
their style and their willingness to
try and make things happen during
their games. There is room for
technical improvement which
coupled with good physical growth,
could make them a very good side
in two or three years’ time.
Having the Sports Centre has
made a great difference already,
especially when the weather was
unseasonably bad earlier towards
the end of last term.
I am sure the quality of many of
our teams will improve even further
as will the general levels of fitness
across the school.
I am also delighted to see the
building being used just for the
sheer pleasure of playing games,
dancing or keeping fit.
The climbing wall has also proved
to be very popular and many,
including a good number of my
staff, have tested their nerves and
courage scaling up it this term.
The annual House Singing
competition was also an occasion
for nerves of steel especially if you
were a judge.
The quality of the acts was
outstanding. It is a student-led
event which makes it all the more
impressive.
Both sections were won by
Lodge. However, the competition
was so hot that the debate over
who should have won raged on for
days. It was much more exciting
than Strictly or the X Factor.
The final highlight of last term
were two lovely Carol Services.
The Christian life of the school
6
7