The weather was kind allowing the traditions of the day to go ahead smoothly.  The 820 pupils marched past the Mayoral party and local dignitaries to the accompaniment of the School’s famous Band, who are now rehearsing for their next major event at Lord’s for the 1st Test on Saturday, 19th May.  Two junior pupils presented posies to the ladies of the Majoral Party.

The Senior Grecian (Head Pupil), Jacob Tremlett, gave the traditional oration to which the Lord Mayor warmly responded.  Jacob spoke particularly of the unique diversity of CH pupils whose lives have enriched his education.  He also gave thanks to teachers and those in particular who have helped him during his journey and for the benevolence of the Foundation and its supporters, many of whom were represented on Speech Day.

Academic prizes were given to pupils for excellence in particular subjects.  Awards and trophies given by Livery Companies and other generous supporters were presented for special achievements and breadth of education.  View the full list here.  A full range of photographs will be available soon in the website Photo Gallery.

The cadets were treated to a four-course meal following the protocol of a Military Officers’ mess. They were joined by a number of Old Blues currently serving in the Armed Forces.

Speaking after dinner, the Officer Commanding, Major Matt Commander, thanked the student Non-Commissioned Officers for their hard work in planning and organising the activities this academic year.

The CCF is flourishing at CH, with cadet numbers at record levels across all three services. Cadets enjoy a varied and challenging training programme in military skills, leadership and adventure training.

Drawn mostly from the Senior and Saxons Elite Player Squads, nine Aviva Premiership clubs are represented for the three-Test series, with the party captained by Player of the Season, Harlequins’ Chris Robshaw.

Twenty-nine of the squad have been capped at full international level, a further eight have played for the Saxons, while there are four members of last season’s Under 20 IRB Junior World Championship squad – Saracens’ Owen Farrell (Land Rover Discovery of the Season), London Wasps Christian Wade, the second highest try scorer in the Aviva Premiership (nine), London Irish back Jonathan Joseph and London Wasps lock Joe Launchbury.

Below is one of two winning poems 'The first three weeks at CH' which was written and read at New Entrants Day by Eden Stoppard a current 2nd former.

Autumns Coming

Anxious feelings tumble down like
Brown leaves
Swirling round my new Dr. Martins
I'm excited though

The whirring of the sewing machine
as it places my identity on lots of
new clothes
my sports kit looks especially cool
my suitcase closes with a thud

I stand at the door feeling my heart beating rapidly
my breathing quickens
my brother casually hugs me and stomps off upstairs

I climb into the car and try not to look back
tears sparkle at the edges of my eyes
I try to amuse myself by reading a book
my stomach churns with nervousness

We drive up to the school
I'm amazed by its size even though I’ve been here before
despite my anxiety I’m keen for my parents to go
because I want to go upstairs
but they insist on helping lug everything to my room
they eventually leave
I have to bite my lip to stop myself crying

The first three weeks are a blur
everyone makes friends quickly
and it doesn’t take long to
get used to the uniform
because everyone’s wearing the same thing

On the morning of leave weekend
there's frost on the cars and windows
Winters coming

Cadet Lance Corporal Tomas Higginson said, "The camp was excellent, we got a chance to go flying, gliding, rock climbing and many other things too. It was hard work to wake up early, keep our uniform looking good and improve our drill but it was a really enjoyable week."

Flight Lieutenant David Mulae, Officer Commanding Christ's Hospital RAF Section, said, "RAF sponsored camps are an excellent opportunity for Air Cadets to experience living on an RAF base and take part in multiple opportunities. Cadets get to meet, and work together with, pupils from other schools and make firm friendships in a very short space of time. The staff on camp work hard to make sure the pupils do as many structured activities as possible and this camp was no exception with a weekly programme bursting at the seams with fun, challenging and well organised activities. Easter and summer military camps are yet one more example of the wide variety of opportunities available to all pupils at Christ's Hospital School."

Currently all pupils LE (Year 9) and above are eligible to join the CCF and are able to take part in many exciting, and highly subsidised, activities all year round.

Hazel Rowland-Jones, Assistant Director of Sport said, "There was a great atmosphere particularly in the second match, when the crowd became very involved in supporting the home team and I am sure that this will lead to a resurgence in hockey once the games have finished.  The blue with pink water-based pitch was easy on the eye and the girls were in awe of the pace the game was played at and the high level skill of all the players.  It was a also great opportunity for the girls to see the facilities for the Olympic events in July."

“Having arrived at the centre in Betws-y-Coed, we were given an overview of the tasks we would carry out during the following two days.  On the first day, we set up various experiments along the Afon Conwy to determine the change in the river from its upper course to its middle course.  We recorded measurements for factors such as velocity, hydraulic radius and channel depth. Although the Welsh weather proved testing, we remained focused upon our task and enjoyed the experience. Following our evening meal, we combined each group’s results so as to show whether our previous hypotheses were correct.  With the IB students being the main focus with their coursework approaching, it provided excellent revision for the AS pupils too with their looming exams.

“The following morning, we woke to snow and the AS pupils anticipated their trip up Nant Ffrancon Valley, Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve.  Once snowballs had been thrown, the AS group were ready to begin their excursion. As we fought against the wind and snow on the way up, the experience was incredible, and the view of the U- shaped valley from further down (out of the blizzard) was beautiful. We returned to the centre to change and dry off before entering Betws-y-Coed village for a Human Geography study on Tourism. The use of surveys enabled groups to investigate the reasons for visiting the village and we made our own brief videos encapsulating different characters and families and their explanations for visiting. For many, this visit also entailed a visit to the cafe and a mug of hot chocolate. That evening we revised our physical glacial landforms and slept after some games and mugs of tea.

The IB students also enjoyed a day in Llandudno, where they looked at disparities.  They braved the very windy conditions to complete several surveys and observations before retreating for a warm cup of tea.   The views across the town were beautiful.  On the way back, the IB Deps attempted to visit a local wind farm to discuss energy issues, however the heavy snow blocked the road.   Overall the Field trip in Wales proved highly beneficial and fun for all involved.”

For some the highlight of the stay was the superb performance of Ionesco’s Les chaises at the legendary Théâtre de la Huchette in the Latin Quarter, for others the visit to the equally Parisian artists' community at 59 rue de Rivoli.  We are grateful to several bodies, in particular to the Cyril Randolph Trust, whose financial assistance enabled as many as possible of our senior French students to have this opportunity.

"The U13s were the stars – they played group matches against U14s before playing off for the U13 trophies.  Molly Todd ruthlessly dispatched three U14 girls before claiming the title of National U13 Singles Champion, Tamsin Denny and Phoebe Thornhill won through as U13 National Doubles Champions.

"The competition was stiff at U14 & U16 level.  Louise Mathias narrowly lost a group game against the eventual winner 10-12. She then lost a hard fought semi-final against a girl about twice her size, but ended up as U16 Singles plate winner. Similarly Mary Ward and Olivia Crossman lost a doubles knockout round narrowly, but went on to win the U14 Doubles plate."