b'THE ELLESMERIAN36The House Singing happened just before half term and pulledwere particularly impressive and prepared some fascinating and well the usual crowds combining staff, pupils and parents.This yearsresearched arguments, despite in the end the confusion of which side theme was Queen and Woodard House performed I Want towas debating for, for or against. They lost out in the end due to a re-Break Free as their unison song and Somebody to Love as thedebate about cats or dogs against Wakeman-Lambart. Our seniors also part song.The House also had to perform a hymn. This time offound the going tough and were put to the test by the Talbot team, who year brings stress on the House members. The rehearsals for alleventually clinched the debate, but only just. Our chaps and ladies did of these songs are squeezed into a terribly short time frame, whichwell and deserve credit for their efforts, but unfortunately a Woodard makes for an increasingly tense and anxious atmosphere as the night ofplace in the final eluded us this year. the performances draws near.This said, I must take this opportunity to thank all members of the House for participating fully and making theThe final academic competition of the Lent term was the House quiz. rehearsal times so enjoyable. Once again this year, Mrs Reynolds, MrsAs the time had been changed to quiet time, it meant that the Arts Underhill, Mr Davies, Mr Nicholson and Mr Coupe who brought theirCentre was packed with pupils willing Woodard on. The team individual musical skills and talents to the whole House effort and werecomprised of two sixth formers, Dylan Jones and Toby Ballion, and two much appreciated. Id also like to thank Mr Whitley and Scott Phillips formiddle school pupils, Peter Swinnerton and Jack Tomlinson. The all-male their support behind the scenes. team were pitted against Talbot. After an initial lead, Talbot started to pull ahead. Things were still close when we hit the on the spot round, which sees one member of the team under the spotlight, literally. Toby stepped up to the plate for Woodard, and after initial stage fright he did the House proud. Sadly the draw of questions on the night suited Talbot better and therefore, they went through to the final, but I know the boys are itching to show what they are made of in next years quiz.The Lent term always culminates in the formal House dinner. It is a great event that sees not only Woodard House staff, pupils and their parents attend to celebrate the Woodard year, oh and have a lovely three course meal as well. The highlight of the evening is always the House captains speech where they talk about their time in office, remembering the highs and the lows of the year. Sadly, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was cancelled this year at the eleventh hour. It was unfortunate that Zac and Paula couldnt make their much anticipated speeches, especially as they had prepared them so well in Zacs Mum also really got into the spirit of turning Zac from head ofadvance. Hopefully they will be able to come back to next years dinner House into Freddie Mercury for his time in the limelight on the podium.and celebrate their year in office with next years captains. On a weekly basis leading up to the event, Zac came to me looking increasingly forlorn, as his Mum had provided him with yet another part of his Freddie outfit. Dr Hansford he would say, Mum has got me a pair of fishnet tights followed by a few weeks later now shes got me a PVC skirt!,can I not just wear the House jacket!. Zac appeared on the night, with a look of worry on his face and a wee wobble on his heels. However, he neednt have worried as he went down a storm on the night as he hoovered into big school and took the podium in front of the Woodard pupils. The whole House got into the spirit of the Queen songs, with many of them playing inflatable air guitar, piano and saxophone. A couple even donned Brian May wigs so that Zac didnt feel on his own without his Queen band mates. The House captains did a sterling job of bringing everybody into full unison as our conductors. The part song pupils lead by Rhian Jones also did a fabulous job and many staff commented how they thought we were the best House. Sadly, even with Mr Davies helping judge we didnt win the coveted prize. However, Zac has found a way of earning money during his university days as he could defiantly become a Freddie Mercury impersonator. This year has been a year of highs and lows, but what always impresses The House Debating Contest produced some intense high pressureme about the House is the dedication and devotion to Woodard. This debating from all teams.Our senior team consisted of Louis Mellor,never wavers despite the lows. It is this above all else that if this was an Vincent Cheung and Ed Paul and the junior team were Tessa OBrien,interhouse competition, Woodard would win hands down every time. Peter Swinnerton, and Tabitha Leonard. In the junior team TessaSo finally I want to say thank you to Zac, Paula, Louis, Charlotte, Rhian provided the backbone of experience (and an increasingly capable oneand Ellen, the Woodard staff, parents and pupils as well the wider at that) Tabitha and Peter, as well as the boys in the senior team wereWoodard community for another memorable year. I look forward to debating for the first time and had no past experience.This did notwelcoming you all back in school and as always as we go forward to a prevent them from providing some solid arguments and defending thenew year Ill end with the final cry of WOOOODARD! House against difficult questions from the opposition. They did a sterling job and I am sure they will feature in future House debates. The juniorsRJH'