THE HARROVIAN
Vol. CXXVI No. 5
www.harrowschool.org.uk/theharrovian
October 13, 2012
Commemoration Concert
Speech Room
6 October
This impressive collaboration between John Lyon’s two schools
the piece with notable refinement and an underlying sense
here in Harrow is always a heart-warming experience. Of course,
of fun appropriate to this lighter Mozart. The last movement
in some ways it is our prime act of homage to the yeoman
had considerable grace and charm with variety of colour and
farmer of Preston who in 1572 asked Queen Elizabeth for a
dynamic; and a rich bloom of tone which can only somehow
charter to found (or if you insist, re-found) a school on top of
be experienced when hearing live string playing.
this clayey lump of Middlesex. Beyond that, though, it is just a
The first number by The Joint Big Band, which assembled
small expression of the togetherness that the two schools share
next in the well of Speech Room, was composed and conducted
– a long-running and leading expression of shared values. As
SM. His new piece Strange Times was really attractive – a
far as most of the audience was concerned on Saturday night,
slinky, smoky, sax- and trombone-rich mix with a strong role for
though, it was just a showcase of the best school music making
the rhythm section. The players caught a convincing big band
you are likely to hear.
feel and performed the piece with real conviction, capturing
One of the chief features of the evening which makes it so
a slightly darker mood than some offerings from this stable.
special is its variety – there is
Mr Lewis Evans from John
such a collection of different types
Lyon directed the group with
and periods of music that there
slightly changed personnel in
is surely something for everyone
the second number, Temperton’s
to enjoy.
Thriller (made famous by Michael
The proceedings got under
Jackson). This provided great
way with a welcome from DNW
contrast, being fast, jazzy and
before the Joint Orchestra, led by
full of drama and exhilaration.
Nathan Cho, The Head Master’s,
We look forward to an exciting
dived straight into Night on a Bare
year of band music, based upon
Mountain by Mussorgsky. This
the skills and commitment on
was the first contribution by John
display here.
Lyon’s new Director of Music,
The meatiest work in the whole
Mr Keith Brown. The work he
evening was the Coronation Mass
selected proved a great hit with
by Mozart, performed by the
The Joint Orchestra with DNW
players and audience alike. (We
Joint Choir of about 80 voices
heard the orchestration by Rimsky-Korsakov.) It was given
and with a select orchestra of about 25 players, conducted by
such a vivid and bright performance that the scene was truly
DNW, and with Mr Martin Singleton at the organ. The voices
set and the story really told, as St John witnessed the horrors of
produced a marvellously rounded and in-your-face sound, but
Satanic happenings on the barren hillside. At the start he took
with ever-changing shades and dynamics. The problem of how
the piece off at such an amazing speed that one feared for the
to perform the solo soprano part was solved by the agreement
orchestra’s ability to keep up – but keep up they certainly did.
of one of our outstanding singing teachers, Miss Mary Nelson,
Congratulations to Mr Brown, who certainly seemed to have
to join the forces. Her beautiful contribution was incalculably
the key to unlock this little Russian gem, creating a genuinely
important in providing the necessary power and authority at the
exciting, involving and atmospheric performance. A brilliant
top of the structure, but lower voice solos were scarcely less
start in all ways!
well done by members of the choir, notably Daniel Lewis, West
A quite different musical experience followed when The
Acre. Overall, though, the weight and unanimity of the sound
John Lyon Male Voice Choir assembled, directed by one of
impressed, not least in the quieter moments of the Benedictus
the performers, David Grimes, with Mr Brown at the piano.
and Agnus Dei. This was a considerable achievement, considering
Their first number was Hallelujah by Cohen, which had a gentle
the early stage of the school year and the limited time to prepare
swinging style, with rippling accompaniment. Their second
such a rich and complex work.
number was You Raise Me Up by Lovland, a warm, sentimental
The Joint Orchestra re-assembled for the grand finale.
number, which the singers gave a sincere performance, connecting
Following on from last year’s performance of the 1953 Coronation
with the audience.
March Orb and Sceptre, this time DNW delighted us with Crown
The Harrow School String Orchestra was next to assemble,
Imperial, the march William Walton composed for the 1937
under the direction of DNB, and led by Jacky Wong, The Knoll,
Coronation . The conductor explained that he hoped to keep
to play the last two movements of Mozart’s Divertimento in B
the spirit of the Jubilee year going just a little longer, and in
flat major, KV 137, Allegro di molto and Allegro assai. Selecting
that aim, he was surely successful. From the outset, the work
the two allegro movements gave plenty of opportunities to
exuded animation and vibrancy, yet managed to build up to an
show off the group’s sizzling playing, but they also shaped
ear-cracking peroration, including organ highlights, played by
The Harrovian is published weekly during term time by Harrow School as both an organ of record and a forum for comment, debate and the expression of
individual opinion within the School. Articles are submitted anonymously and any views expressed do not necessarily reflect official School policy.
October 13, 2012
T H E
PJE. While the opening tune and some of the bridging passages
emphasised Walton’s jazz age inspirations, the broad trio theme
was stretched out lusciously to emphasise its spine-tingling
nobility. “In beawtie berying the crone imperiall” (William
Dunbar) indeed! We look forward to hearing this work again
in the Royal Albert Hall at Churchill Songs.
New Beaks 2012
Members of the Joint Choir, including
Danel Lewis, second left, back row.
Nothing was likely to come off very well following that. After
prolonged applause for all the performers from a large audience,
we streamed out into the night, refreshed and looking forward
to many further delights in the unfolding musical year.
DNB and the strings.
A collection was taken as the large audience left for the
charity Shelter Box. This is an international relief charity and
a global Rotary Club project. It was set up in 2000 to provide
rapid aid to families all over the world made homeless by
disasters. The collection raised £839.41.
Photos Rachel Marchant
Frank Pearson
We regret to report the death at the age of 77 in Edinburgh
on 24 September of Mr Frank Pearson. Mr Pearson was a
Master at Harrow from 1967 to 1973; later Headmaster of
Truro Cathedral School from 1973-79 and Head of Arts and
Languages at Welbeck College from 1979-83. We send our
condolences to his family.
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H A R R O V I A N
We welcome the following new beaks who have started at
Harrow this term:
Alastair Land (WMAL) replaces MLM as Deputy Head Master.
He was born in Manchester and raised in Cheshire, attending
Manchester Grammar School. After a gap year in Kathmandu,
he read Natural Sciences at Trinity College, Cambridge. He
spent nine years at Eton College and then a similar period
at Winchester, where he was Master in College. He takes an
interest in all school activities, especially the HRC, running,
endurance events, the gym and reading. Outside school he is a
member of the Linnaean Society of London and is completing
an OU degree. He comments that he is most impressed by the
dynamism of boys and beaks alike.
Josh Abraham-Steele (JAS) is a post graduate assistant
teacher who is helping with history teaching and with sports
with a particular interest in rugby and athletics. He comes from
Bedford and went to University College, Oxford, where he took
his degree in Modern History. He won Blues in two years for
athletics and was captain in his second year. In 2011-12 he
completed a Graduate Teaching Programme at the University
of Bedfordshire, teaching full time in the state sector. He is a
tutor in The Head Master’s.
Will Blackshaw (WJCB) is a post graduate assistant teacher,
who is helping out in the Geography department and with
sports and outdoor pursuits. He attended Exeter School and
then Clare College, Cambridge, where he took a degree in
Geography and Management. He played rugby for his college
and the University U21 team. Building on this experience
and considerable mountaineering experience in the Alps and
Himalayas, he is not only running the Junior Colts Bs rugby, but
also looking forward to working with the Duke of Edinburgh
Scheme. He is the Resident Tutor in Gayton House, where he
reports feeling at home already.
Chris Bradford (CSB) has joined the Maths department. He
grew up in Henley on Thames and attended the Oratory School
before going on a scholarship to St John’s College, Durham,
to read Theoretical Physics, where he received College colours
for both hockey and squash. He then taught for a year back at
the Oratory School before taking up a PhD in the Institute of
Particle Physics Phenomenology. He stayed for a further year
before deciding that teaching was his calling and coming to
Harrow. He hopes to complete his research at King’s College,
London, exploring the dark energy problem, looking at early
universe QCD phase transitions producing the impetus for
cosmic expansion. He is a tutor in Elmfield.
Joanna Bratten (JKB). Dr Bratten replaced JNJ as Head of
English. She describes herself as “mostly from Ohio” in the US,
where her early education culminated in a BA in English and
Drama. Moving to Britain, she took an MLitt in Shakespeare
studies followed by a PhD at St Andrews, researching the twentieth
century British novel. Although perhaps her top interest is in
drama, she is also “slightly obsessed” with art, opera, books,
jazz and the double bass. She taught at Charterhouse from 2001
and has been on the SMT at Cheltenham Ladies College for
the last four years. She is a tutor in Rendalls.
Madeleine Copin (MSC) has joined the Maths Department.
Her family is French and she was raised in various countries
in the Middle East, where she attended a number of schools,
latterly Latifa School for Girls in Dubai. She read maths at
Trinity College, Cambridge and is currently studying for a
History of Art Degree with the OU. After a period in The City,
she taught for four years at Winchester and then was Head of
Maths at Portsmouth Grammar School for two years before
coming to Harrow. She is interested in cryptics and advanced
maths and has joined the HRC. She is the Shell tutor in Lyon’s.
She is married to WMAL.
Laurence Hedges (LWH). Mr Hedges replaces SNT, who
T H E
H A R R O V I A N
has become House Master of Rendalls, as Director of Art. Mr
Hedges went to school in Croydon and after a Foundation Course
at Epsom School of Art, took a first degree at the University
of Plymouth and then a master’s degree at Wimbledon School
of Art. After stints as a lecturer at the London College of
Communication and at Kingston College of FE, he moved to a
large comprehensive in Bedfordshire, then to Dauntsey’s School
before becoming Head of Department at Bromsgrove School. His
most recent post has been Director of Arts at Wellington College
in Berkshire. He has already become immersed in Harrow life,
running “twilight” sessions for Art Scholars, giving a lecture
in the Cross-Curricular series, training for Long Ducker and
tutoring in The Park.
Steve Kennedy (SMK). Dr Kennedy originates from
Vancouver, Canada. He has a degree in Politics from the
University of Waterloo as well as one in Greek and Latin from
the University of Victoria. In this country he took an MA in
Theology at the University of Exeter, and then won a research
scholarship to complete a PhD in Classical Philosophy at the
same university. He then stayed in Exeter to teach at Exeter
School and The Maynard School. He meets with the Philosophy
Society and is helping to judge the Verney Prize. He does some
“rec soccer” and will look after ice hockey next term. He is a
tutor in The Park.
Peter Kirk (PJK) teaches PE and sport part-time. He was
educated at Methodist College, Belfast, and Loughborough
University, where he studied PE, Sports Science and Recreation
Management, as well as taking a PGCE. He taught PE and
science at St Albans Boys School before becoming Head of PE
and Rugby at Latymer Upper School, where he worked for eight
years. He himself played rugby for Old Albanians and London
Scottish RFC and is keen on triathlons and climbing, as well as
any outdoor adventure activities. He is a tutor in Druries and
coaches the 3rd XV. He comments on the impressive amount
of space and the facilities available for sports here.
Ben Layer (BGL) has joined the Chemistry Department. He
originated in Banbury, Oxfordshire, where he was educated at
The Warriner School and Banbury Sixth Form College before
going on to Jesus College, Cambridge, where he gained an
MSci in Natural Sciences and undertook a research project
looking into the uses of Conducting Polymers in chemical
sensing devices. He will be coaching football and is a Sixth
Form tutor in The Park.
Tom Lyle (TRPL). Mr Lyle has joined the Chemistry
Department and is Assistant House Master in The Grove. He
was educated at Cranleigh and Oriel College, Oxford, where
he took the MChem degree. One of his main interests outside
the labs is singing and he has toured many parts of the world
and had a hit show at the Edinburgh Fringe with the group Out
of the Blue. The group also came second in the International
Competition of Collegiate Acapella singing in New York. He
is also a keen sportsman and played hockey to university level.
Coming from the Isle of Wight, he also explains that he is a
keen sailor.
James Melville (JLM) is a post graduate assistant teacher.
Though born in Leeds, he lived in Harrow from 1995 till 2001
and attended Orley Farm School. From there he went to Dean
Close School, Cheltenham and then to St Cuthbert’s Society,
University of Durham, where he has completed a degree in
Classics. He is a keen sportsman and will be coaching all
major sports. His family live in Boulder, Colorado, and he is
a fan of Baseball and American Football. He is the Fifth Form
tutor in Elmfield.
Carole Meunier-Murphy (CMM) is the new French Assistant.
She comes from Fontainebleau La Rochelle and took a degree in
English at university in Paris. She took a PGCE at the University
of Hertfordshire and has taught in a college in Uxbridge and
at a primary school in London. She enjoys running, swimming
and cycling, and reads history, and French literature. Other
interests are cooking and wine. She in impressed to come to
October 13, 2012
Harrow, not least as she used to see it at the beginning of “The
Persuaders” on French TV.
Chris Pollitt (CTP). Mr Pollitt replaces CST, who has become
House Master of The Grove, as Head of Economics. He is also
Assistant House Master of Bradbys. He is a proud Yorkshireman
from Skipton, yet has been a season ticket holder at Burnley
FC for 18 years. He was Head Boy at Ermysted’s Grammar
School and went on to read Economics and Management at
Worcester College, Oxford. He has taught Economics at St
Edward’s School, Oxford for the last four years. His interests
include soccer (obviously) and athletics, as well as playing the
saxophone and clarinet. He adds that he is teaching himself to
say “graaaaph”, not “graff”.
Association Day
29 September
A good number of Old Harrovians arrived on the Hill on
Saturday 29 September to revisit the School and see it in
action on a non-exeat weekend. Many of the Old Harrovians
used this opportunity to show the School to their young family
members, wives and partners, and all were greeted by the
Harrow Association and the raised Harrow School flag on a
cool and sunny day.
The Reverend James Power commenced Association Day in
Chapel by delivering an amusing sermon, beginning with the
first few verses of a well known camping song:
“Oh, you can't get to Heaven in an old Ford car
'Cause an old Ford car won't get that far
Oh, you can't get to Heaven in a ping pong ball
'Cause a ping pong ball is much too small
Oh, you can't get to Heaven in a limousine
'Cause the Lord ain't got no gasoline”
The Alfa on the Ducker Fields
This was apt as there were ten Old Harrovian classic car
owners arriving as he spoke to park and display their cars on
the Ducker pitches at the inaugural meet of the OH Motoring
Club. JEP went on to speak about the Old Harrovian community
and the benefits of Association which encapsulated the spirit
of the day.
In the Old Harrovian Room the Head Master spoke and
answered questions from the Old Harrovians present about the
School today before the annual general meeting of the Harrow
Association at which John Batting, The Park, 1972², Chairman
of the Harrow Association, presided.
After a delicious lunch in the Shepherd Churchill Hall for
38 Old Boys, their wives and partners, some went on to see
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October 13, 2012
the Museum of Harrow life and exhibitions in the Art Schools.
Some others went down to see the display of Classic Cars which
included two Bristol motors owned by Sir George White, The
Head Master's, 1962³, and his son Philip, Druries, 2001³, an
Edwardian racing car from 1907 which was still in good order,
a D-Type Jaguar replica and a beautiful red Alfa Romeo Disco
Volante. The meet was organised by Richard Wrightson, Bradbys
1998³, and Ian Wallace, Bradbys, 2000³, and we look forward
to future meetings organised by these two.
Those who went on to watch the rugby were not disappointed
to see the first XV win valiantly against Bedford on the Sunley
pitch and tea was taken in the Shepherd Churchill before Songs
at 5pm in the Old Harrovian Room. All enjoyed the School
XII’s singing and joined in for a few classic Harrow Songs to
round the day off.
H A R R O V I A N
wanted to get as much rest as possible before the expedition
actually started.
All twenty five of us, along with our teachers in charge, Mr.
Baron and Dr. Kennedy, woke up early the next morning to
enjoy a nice hot full breakfast at Regency Cafe near the town
centre of Kington. All of the D of E participants were eating
as much as they could – bacon, sausages with rounds of toast
and baked beans, fearing that they would not have the chance
to eat as much in the next few days during the expedition. We
had all finished our breakfasts in an hour and were ready to
New Views
Over the course of the past few weeks, a small group of
boys have been meeting in the Ryan Theatre to discuss an oft
overlooked aspect of creative writing: playwriting.
Playwriting is often considered too much of a task; whereas
poetry and prose require little or no speech at all, theatre is
essentially dialogue-driven, but also necessitates a great amount
of condensed description in stage directions.
The reason behind these meetings is that Harrow has been
selected by the National Theatre as one of the few schools in the
country to take part in its playwriting scheme: New Views. New
Views is the National Theatre’s annual playwriting programme
for 15-19s. Each year hundreds of students from across the
UK learn about playwriting from some of the finest writers in
the business (including Roy Williams, who gave the Rattigan
Society lecture in September this year) and write their own
30 minute plays, with one play chosen to be staged at the NT
with a professional cast.
The National Theatre has posted videos on its New Views
website in which playwrights give advice on crafting stories,
creating characters and scripting dialogue, amongst further details
about the programme in general. http://new-views.tv/
Camp Fire at Far Hall
start our expedition. Three groups, including my group, were
heading to Knighton, while the other two groups were heading
to Far Hall.
The journey to Knighton was a pleasant walk as the Offa
Dyke’s Path was a fairly distinct route to follow for some of
the way. There were only one to two steep hills to climb that
day. The trickiest part of the day was actually in the towns,
both leaving Kington and finding the campsite at Knighton. The
weather had been nice for the whole morning until after lunch
when we had to walk in the rain for about an hour or so. We
did not take as many breaks as we had planned to, but we did
have enough breaks to keep ourselves hydrated for the walk.
When we arrived at the campsite at Knighton, the first thing we
did was to put our tents up whilst setting up Trangias to boil
Duke of Edinburgh
Silver Qualifying Expedition – Wales
20 – 23 September
Immediately after our Rugby practice or matches, my team
mates for the Duke of Edinburgh expedition and I quickly
rushed back to our houses to collect our backpacks and hand
luggage before getting onto the coach that was bringing us to
Kington on the border with Wales.
To be honest we were not as energetic as we could have
been due to the fact that we had a four-mile cross-country run
followed by two full-contact rugby sessions in the previous
few days, and some of us had already got blisters on our feet.
Nevertheless, that did not stop us from taking on the four-hour
coach journey which was split into two halves, with a short
half-an-hour break at a service station where we all bought
refreshments from either KFC or Burger King.
It was around nine when we arrived at the Youth Hostel
at Kington. Everyone felt tired after the long coach journey.
We left our backpacks and luggage in our allocated bedrooms
before we started planning our route cards for the next few
days. After the assessors, Dr Summers and Mr Braham, had
introduced themselves, every group began to plan and had
finished their route cards swiftly and efficiently. Everybody
52
Enjoying life while the sun shone
some water. After we had fed ourselves with cooked meals, and
snacks, we gathered around and talked to each other for about
an hour or so. And before we slept, we left our boots, socks
and water proofs to dry before we set off the next day.
We woke up at seven on the next morning. To maximise our
efficiency, for each pair of us, one of us put down the tent whilst
the other cooked the breakfast for the pair. This was quickly
done and by the time we finished our breakfasts, took showers
T H E
H A R R O V I A N
and were ready to leave, we had only spent around an hour. That
day my group and two others were heading to Far Hall, near
Dollau in Wales. My team all agreed on the fact that this was
the hardest walk of the three. According to the planned route,
we were supposed to take various paths and tracks to reach our
destination. It was easy at first but as we went along, the paths
were not as distinguishable as we thought they would have been.
My group went off-track three times. Out of those three times,
twice we were able to realise that we had gone in the wrong
direction and quickly track back in order to return to the original
route with the help of the compass bearing. However, the third
time we had gone a bit too far and therefore we had decided to
take the wrong and longer route that would lead us back to the
right route. Nonetheless, we enjoyed walking that day because
the weather was extremely pleasant with warm sunshine. We
did climb up to a summit where the scenery of the fields and
mountains was just mesmerising. Every member of my group
who had a camera took photos from that hill.
We did the usual routine of setting up tents and cooking when
we reached the campsite of a farm field at Far Hall. This time
we were allowed to build a campfire among each group. Mr
Braham had set aside some wood for us. We quickly found other
firewood, twigs and cardboard to set the campfire up. Again
after eating, we gathered around the campfire and spent a few
hours together and having fun before we all went to sleep to
re-energize for the next and last day.
The last day of walking was the shorter distance out of the three
walks but the weather was the worst of the whole expedition.
The forecast was very poor, so we got up particularly early to
reduce the time we stayed out under the rain. We woke up at
6:30 am and had departed by 8:00am. In the first four hours we
had walked about 15 km up the steep climb over the Radnor
forest. After that we have decided to take it more easily with a
slower pace in the rain. The last bit of the walk was the most
difficult part of the day as the hill was fairly steep with a very
muddy track. When we reached the destination, it meant that
we had finished our expedition as well. It was good to have
Mr Braham welcome us at his home.
We were all cheered because despite the fact that the expedition
was quite tiring, it was actually quite a joyful and memorable
experience. My team mates and I have got to know each other
more and have learnt to work with each other very well. We
all then headed down to a pub down in the village where we
had snacks as we watched part of Manchester United playing
against Liverpool. We could also dry off as we waited for the
other groups to come in, and then headed for the coach to
take us back to school. We owe thanks to all who made this
trip possible.
Photos JPMB
Cross-Curricular Lecture Series
Donatello and Brunelleschi: Friendship and Failure
in Renaissance Florence
JRE
26 September
JRE’s favourite city in the world is Florence. So he told us at
the beginning of his talk in the OSRG. He loves everything
about it, from the amazing architecture to the quality of the
food and drink (and to prove it he provided a glass of delicious
Limoncello, made just outside the city, to everyone attending the
talk). He set out in this talk to tell us an inspiring story about
an artistic partnership of some force in Renaissance Florence,
between the architect Filippo Brunelleschi and the artist Donato
di Niccolò di Betto Bardi, known more commonly as Donatello,
two of the most celebrated men of their period.
JRE is the first to admit that he is no art historian, but the
story he told is one which captures the imagination. Brunelleschi,
October 13, 2012
known throughout his life by the nickname Pippo, was born into
a poor family. He like many artists of the time he started his
career as an apprentice goldsmith. He showed promise from an
early age, but even so, few would have guessed that he would
be the architect of the crowning dome of the Basilica di Santa
Maria del Fiore, the huge main church of Florence, which had
begun to be built 81 years before he was even born. JRE told
of how the young Pippo learnt his trade diligently studying
classical architecture, living as a vagabond on the streets of
Rome with his friend Donatello. During this time, Pippo took a
great interest in the Ancient Pantheon of Rome. At that time no
one knew how the huge dome of that building had been built.
Perhaps this is what inspired Pippo to return to Florence and
to enter a competition to complete the almost-finished Basilica,
which now lacked only the dome.
When Pippo presented his design, it was considered impossible
and he was ridiculed, but nonetheless his plan was accepted
after years of deliberation by the judges, perhaps to see whether
he could actually do it. To general amazement, after years of
work the dome was complete, using a revolutionary herringbone
brick layout. It was not until 1970 that a full explanation was
given of why exactly the dome did not collapse, and no larger
dome was built until well into the 20th century, with modern
materials.
As JRE said himself, this was really the story of Pippo, and
the lecture was well received thanks to JRE’s enthusiasm for
his chosen topic.
Science and Poetry: Collaborations and
Commonalities
LJD
2 October
Part Four of this eclectic series brought to the OSRG after
prep not only the diehard intellectuals but also those genuinely
interested in resolving the difficulties of choosing either the path
of science or the path of literature through their lives.
ADT welcomed Miss Dunn, herself an Oxford English graduate
and married to AFW, a Cambridge science graduate, as perhaps
the best possible person to explore this important issue.
She opened he comments by saying that she wanted to
challenge the commonly held view that arts and sciences are
incompatible. She added that she was aware that many boys
felt great difficulty in deciding to focus on sciences or arts in
the Sixth Form and at university. However, she went on to
explore the commonalities between arts and science by taking
four examples of collaborations between some of the greatest
thinkers in their fields.
Firstly, she spoke of Galileo and Milton, who lived in a
time of much less distinction between the two disciplines. She
emphasised by reference to Book 1 of Paradise Lost that Milton
was by no means against Galileo’s theories.
Secondly, she spoke of Newton and Thomson. Exploring
some of the latter’s poem “On the Death of Sir Isaac Newton
(1727)” she described the warmth of feeling between the two
and described Thomson’s verse as almost an attack on his
fellow poets and their romantic ideas.
Thirdly, she spoke of two men who were actually close friends
– Davy and Coleridge. They were involved in real two-way
collaboration, for instance in Davy’s gas experiments (Gillray’s
famous cartoon making an entertaining illustration). Miss Dunn
read from the reports of these experiments, in which Coleridge
was involved, and explained that Davy wrote poetry himself.
Lastly, and bring the story right up to date, she described to
us the collaboration of brain-scanning expert Warren S Warren
and poet Paul Muldoon. Their study of the brains of people
reading poetry produced a variety of interesting observations
about which parts of the brain were active at different times.
In conclusion, Miss Dunn observed that collaboration is always
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October 13, 2012
productive and that, after all, we are all searching for the truth
in our attempts to understand the world and everything in it.
We were left at the end of a specially interesting and challenging
lecture with thoughts prompted by Simon Armitage’s poem
“The Shout”. Take a look at:
http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/singlePoem.
do?poemId=88
The Harrovian Quiz
How many of the 27 member states of the European Union
can you name?
Answers on page ...
Right-Wing Politics According to
Schoolboys
Response and Revision
“I often think it’s comical how Nature always does
contrive/
That every boy or girl that’s born into the world alive
Is either a little Liberal or else a little Conservative”
W.S. Gilbert
Last week’s article “Right Wing Politics according to
Schoolboys” ­– an admirable effort to shoehorn some real
views into the tired old organ of The Harrovian­– inadvertently
confirmed my suspicions, about the understanding of left-wing
politics, finishing with the tired and insipid platitude “All men
are created equal.” Marx, Gladstone, Locke and Webb were
almost certainly turning in their graves. Equality has never
been a guiding precept for social democracy, nor will it ever
be. Socialism is a political philosophy which doesn’t so much
seek to restore the natural order of things or stifle the individual
spirit as much as attempting to put into the hands of the State the
ability to work for the good of the whole in its collective ends.
An organized and unified community, in the words of Sidney
Ball’s Moral Aspects of Socialism “allows one to be more of
an individual, and consequently more of a social person.”
Unfortunately, an environment like Harrow is not particularly
receptive to progressive political discourse. But it completely
misunderstands (or fails to tap into) the direction in which
left-wing thinking is moving today.
At the Labour party conference in Manchester, Ed Miliband
pulled the ideological ace from his sleeve, exploiting the same
Disraelian One Nation seam that Cameron had so egregiously
mined back when he was a fresh-faced opposition neophyte,
but embellishing it with populist brio. Drawing on Danny
Boyle’s chest-thumpingOlympic opening ceremony, Miliband
is attempting to construct a nationalist backbone over which
he can drape the idea of the Big State. The Liberal Democrats
have for years existed as a slop tray for classical liberals and
disillusioned lefties, but Miliband is well on his way to claiming
the elusive centre ground.
In the wake of Miliband’s ideological prestidigitation, the
Cameroons can do nothing more than wait. With the next
general election only three years away – Clegg and Cameron
introduced a Fixed Term bill back in 2010 to ensure that no
incumbent PM can call a snap election – Miliband looks well
on his way to 10 Downing Street, so long as he can revise his
approach to taxation, industrial policy and immigration. He
may not look or even sound the part, but Red Ed has exceeded
everyone’s expectations.
In brief, the vacillating and infuriatingly non-committal
article produced in last week’s Harrovian was not an accurate
54
T H E
H A R R O V I A N
reflection of left-wing political discourse today. Harrow’s
default conservative position is sadly inevitable considering
the School’s history, but by no means should we conflate the
views of a small pocket of Harrovian bigotry with school-wide
political opinion.
Shell Drama Presentations (1)
Sunday 7 October
7.30 pm in the Ryan Theatre
The material for each presentation has been chosen and rehearsed
by senior boys with the Shells from each House. Any kind
of dramatic work was permissible, provided it kept to 15-20
minutes’ duration. The presentations are non-competitive, but
there will be brief comments at the end of each piece.
Thanks are due to Curt Pierson and Kieran Kinsella, for all the
technical arrangements, Maggie Bishop and Pat Warwick Smith
for help with costumes, Beak Supervisors, House Masters and
Matrons for their general assistance and support, as well as to
the Masters’ Secretariat for the production of the programme.
THE PARK: The Lion in Winter by James Goldman
The Park made a good start to the evening with a confidently
performed extract depicting a royal family with serious issues.
The leads, King Henry, Queen Eleanor and Alais Capet, gave
strong performances and delivered their lines with authority,
though they could have been clearer at times. The princes
were also well-cast, to display their similarities but, later, their
fundamental differences in how they interacted with the other
characters, and how they viewed themselves. The technical
aspects were well managed in a performance which required
multiple scene changes, and the whole performance came across
as confident and well rehearsed.
CAST King Henry II of England Lucas Marsden-Smedley
Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine Olly Santini
Alais Capet
Alexander Byrne
Prince Richard
Edoardo Bergamo Andreis
Prince Geoffrey
Oskar Denby
Prince John
Finn Carney
King Philip II of France
Max Prasad
Directors
Anthony Chater, Edward Eden
& Lorenzo Bergamo Andreis
Lighting Operator
Oliver Tippett
Sound Operator
Harry McCullagh
Stage Crew
Sebastian Cator, Sameer Mohinani
& Thomas Winter
LYON'S: Streuth, by Michael Green
It was not only the actors in this performance that were
new boys, but also the directors, and credit is due to them
for undertaking this important role so early in their Harrow
careers. There were strong performances throughout the large
cast of this oft-performed and well loved play, which depicts
a rather disastrous am-dram production, with excellent comic
timing and awareness of a difficult script. Comic additions,
such as the disconcerting interjections from the wings, were
nice touches, and it was entertaining to see the increasing
frustration of those few ‘cast’ members who were taking the
play-within-the-play seriously.
CAST Inspector
Conor O’Shea
D’Arcy
Henry Vanderspuy
Mrs D’Arcy
Gordon Robinson
Hubert
Noah Van Surell
Major
Jack Oelhafen
James
Alexander Rushton
Cook
Oliver Rosson-Jones
Prompt 1
Akhil Seth
T H E
H A R R O V I A N
Prompt 2
Vicar 1
Vicar 2
Sergeant
Directors
Stage Crew
Curtis Ho
Antoine Bernard
Spencer Chritchley
Tife Osho
Max Gordon & Louis Van Hove
Ga Kitada & Harry Neville
DRURIES: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Act V, Scene 1 by
William Shakespeare
This was another confident performance of another playwithin-a-play, Pyramus and Thisbe. The suitably sturdy wall
delivered the opening lines with confidence, and the titular
leads were similarly strong, although articulation could have
been a little clearer at times. Thisbe was portrayed as rather
more provocative than usual (the Matron’ costuming must be
credited) and the self-proclaimed terrifying Lion was suitably
harmless. The death scenes were full of mock-melodrama, the
tedium of which was captured in the mute and masked character
of the Grim Reaper (I’m not entirely sure what Shakespeare
would have thought of this addition).
CAST
Pyramus
Josh Hamwee
Thisbe
Charles Cadogan
Wall
Oscar Gairard
Lion
Alexander Wendelken-Dickson
Moonshine
Tom Tapp
Grim Reaper
Leo Pembroke
Director
Danny Rafique
Props and Lighting OperatorEddie Eyton
Stage Crew
Srinivas Calindi
RENDALLS: Il Fornicazione by Michael Green
This was perhaps the strongest ensemble performance of the night.
The premise was an amateur operatic society whose orchestra
had unfortunately been upended into a ditch on the way to the
theatre, that is, all except for the conductor and the triangle
player. But the show must go on, and the opening aria from the
Contessa was excellently performed. The entrance of her lover
Alfonso was wonderfully over-melodramatic, as he exclaimed
that the wings of passion upon which he had flow to his love
had, alas, carried him all too slowly. As the two embraced each
other the Countess suffered a wardrobe malfunction thanks to a
rather hastily fitted skirt, but this merely added to the comedy.
The languorously self-indulgent death scenes, with all three
leads gasping on the floor as their lives ebbed away, but still
repeatedly finding the strength to deliver their last words, were
brilliantly timed. The performance was well cast and rehearsed
and credit is due to the directors.
CAST
A Triangle Player
Krishan Emmanuel
A Conductor
Samuel Shashoua
The Countess Formaggio Sam Kawkabani
Maid
Henry Adeson
Alfonso
Jack Firoozan
The Count Formaggio
Toni Fola-Alade
Omnes
Charlie Dunn, Cameron Dunning
Krishan Emmanuel & Alfie Norris
Directors
Sam Collins, Daniel Firoozan
& Ed Griffin
Props and Lighting OperatorAshley Chow
Sound Operator
Taiga Morishita
BRADBYS: Gosforth’s Fete, by Alan Ayckbourn
Another shell-drama favourite, this was one of the more
demanding pieces in terms of its technical aspects, and the
technical team handled the challenge successfully. Milly opened
the play well, presenting herself as perfectly innocent, that is,
until she reveals that she is pregnant (and not by her fiancé).
Said fiancé Stewart was suitably outraged and his efforts
to maintain his dignity while being dressed in a Boy Scout
October 13, 2012
uniform had the audience laughing. The titular lead was clear
and strong, as was the unfortunate Mrs Pearce who ended up
not only electrocuted, but soaking wet. The bumbling vicar
displayed good comic timing, though he could have been a
little louder at times.
CAST
Gordon Gosforth
William Ouvaroff
Milly Carter
Freddie Wilkins
Mrs Pearce
Alexander Nevile
Vicar
Andrew Taylor
Stewart Stokes
Harry Markham
Gosforth’s Assistant
Stan Helly D’Angelin
Directors
Ed McBarnet & Nico Wiggin
Lighting Operators
Ed Bayne & Rahul Shah
Sound Operators
Ciaran Jordan & Milton Zuanic
Stage Crew
Reuben Hembury-Stroud
Alex McFadden, Jake Tanner
& Masayuki Tonoki
THE KNOLL: Are You Being Served? by Jeremy Lloyd and
David Croft
The large ensemble cast needed to be very well-rehearsed for this
performance of an extract from the classic sitcom, and this was
certainly achieved by the (almost equally large) directing team.
The lines were clear and always with good timing, necessary
for a piece so prolific in its use of the double entendre. Mrs
Slocombe was the most impressive performer, and her scene
with Miss Brahms and the male customer was brilliantly done.
Mr Humphries minced his way around the stage with a slightly
unnerving confidence, and the German nurse was as terrifying
as was necessary. Indeed there were strong performances all
round, and the extract was well chosen by the directors.
CAST Mrs Slocombe
William Gillham
Miss Brahms
Jacob Forrest
Mr Rumbold
Henry Webb
Mr Peacock
Alexander Smith
Mr Lucas
William Heywood
Mash
Andre Obi
Mr Humphries
Henry Keith
Mr Grainger
Oliver Farquharson
Male Customer
Fabian Dobree
Nurse
Justin Stollery
Mannequin
Odysseus Alfa
Directors
Stage Crew
Daniel Abu, Matthew Carter
Dhiren De Silva, Guy Heilpern
& Guyan Ratnavel
Odysseus Alfa
& Daniyal Magomedov
Rufus – A Film
Starring Rory Saper, Newlands
Rufus is an Independent Feature Film that was shot in Dundurn,
Canada, just outside Saskatoon in the Province of Saskatchewan.
It was shot from 21 January through till 29 February 2012 with
21 shooting days in total and a small (in film terms) budget
of $2.1 million.
Rufus (Rory J. Saper) is about a tormented, lonely vampire
who discovers that he can be human. He has forever lived on
the run and is constantly in fear of those around him discovering
what he really is. With Conrad, the town he comes to, being
such a small place, everyone immediately knows of his arrival
and everyone wants a piece of him for there own particular
desires. He is taken in by the Conrad County Sheriff, Hugh
Wade (David James Elliot) and the Sheriff's wife, Jenny Wade
55
October 13, 2012
(Kelly Rowan) much to her dislike. They look after him whilst
the Sheriff attempts to explain where he has come from and his
abnormal behaviour. Rufus is thrown straight into relationships
as he is befriended by the unconventional girl next door Tracy
McKay (Merritt Patterson) as well as the unique meeting between
him and the jock of the local school Clay Huxley (Richard
Harmon) who does not like to have a newcomer threaten his
popularity and dominance in society. Rufus however, quickly
reveals what he really is when he, out of retaliation, attacks
Clay, unleashing the vampire he is so ashamed of.
T H E
H A R R O V I A N
more lighthearted than I expected with some humorous elements
mostly focuses on extremely intense ideas and beautifully deep
and sinister emotions.
Rufus is completely finished and on the 21 September 2012, I
was lucky enough to be invited out for the Calgary International
Film Festival where the first public screening of Rufus was
held. The Distributors eOne are extremely happy with the
film I'm told and potentially want to try and sell it to Europe
and Asia, depending on how well it does. The Director Dave
Schultz and Producers, Bruce Harvey and Anand Ramayya are
also thrilled with the final outcome and hope that Rufus will
do well in relation to other films of its type. Below is the films
IMDb page for information and below that is the music video
which was released as a promotional tool for the film.
http://m.imdb.com/title/tt2256811/
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GXIzz_QzMKk
I was given a copy of the film to bring home from Canada
however I was warned to only show it to my family. So, hopefully
in the near future, a screening could be organised here at Harrow,
if there are pupils and staff who would like to see it?
Tutor Trip Report
As the film progresses, we see that even this minuscule town
that Rufus finds himself, has got plenty of dark secrets of its
own and that Rufus regrets the person he is as he murders
those who push him over the limit. Things start to get more
sinister when a Doctor from the institution that Rufus escaped
from almost 100 years ago, Aaron van Dusen (Kim Coates)
turns up at Conrad trying to indoctrinate Rufus and the Sheriff
into thinking that Rufus is better off with him where he can't
harm people. With Rufus being a vampire, he has the ability
to heal himself, explaining his advanced age, and the limited
capacity to heal others which could lead to breakthroughs in
science, all of which van Dusen would very much like to get
his hands on.
Rufus, as said by the Director, Dave Schultz, is not actually
a vampire and this film is not a vampire film. This film is just
a very slightly sidetracked coming of age story. Rufus is a
metaphor for the secrets that we all have and hide from each
other to prevent prejudice and be seen to be within the boundaries
of the norm. Being different is not allowed and Rufus wants to
be the normal kid in class rather than the uncontrollable killer
with claws and fangs.
After watching Rufus, I personally believe that the film is
extremely diverse and honestly unique in its own way, setting
itself apart from the typical vampire stories like Twilight. Rufus
is about the horror, the disgust and the hardship that ties in
with having supernatural features. Having said this, it is much
56
ACB's recent tutor trip introduced a novel concept to the Saturday
evening tradition. Whilst the prospect of stuffing one’s mouth
with popcorn at the cinema seemed somewhat appealing, the
eleven Upper Sixth boys of Lyon’s decided that they’d prefer
to stay in the House this time, to be greeted with a meal much
nicer than any restaurant could ever offer.
Kamal Afzali’s cooking skills proved an absolute revelation,
having spent a good two days preparing a Chicken Makhani
that was neither too spicy for our inexperienced taste buds,
nor too bland for our demands. Disorganised as ever, the full
ingredients list was delivered to ACB just a mere 36 hours
before the event, requiring her to dash to Waitrose to buy
exotic spices, garlic puree, and other such items. The meat
was then marinated overnight before it was carefully cooked
for a few hours in the Upper Sixth Common Room (which, I
might add, still smells of Makhani – but that’s not necessarily
a bad thing).
The meal then ensued the way any other meal would
amongst boys our age – with plentiful talk, jokes and games.
The independence and convivial atmosphere that the Common
Room gave us, without the need to bear other restaurant
guests in mind, was certainly a bonus worth having. The most
rewarding aspect, however, was learning from Kamal about
Afghan cuisine and its traditions.
The success of the evening was most notable in the enthusiasm
our group showed in the aftermath – we have now decided
that we shall make a tradition out of this. Every now and then,
we will meet in a similar way and setting, each time with a
meal prepared by a member of ACB’s very cosmopolitan tutor
group, to reflect the vast cultural mix that our year group in
Lyon’s has to offer (e.g. Malaysian, North Welsh, Nigerian,
French, etc..).
The plan, therefore, is to involve as much teamwork as
possible and improve our cooking skills and repertoire before
heading to university. Although it was hard on this occasion
to get everyone to cook together (there wasn’t that much
chopping to do), we can be sure that on future occasions we
will all have some part to play in the preparation, cooking and
clearing up process.
As far as we’re aware, this has never been done before at
Harrow but it is an idea that is certainly worthy of consideration
for all tutor groups wishing to do something other than just
eating a pre-prepared meal in a local restaurant. Thank you
Miss Brooking and Kamal!
T H E
H A R R O V I A N
Inter-House Cross Country 2012
It was neck and neck this year in the senior competition with
both Elmfield and Newlands having each won a round and
come second in the other. However in the final round Newlands
crucially were able to field all bar one of their sixth formers
and overcame by force of numbers as well as fitness. This was
the first season since MJT’s first year as house master (2007)
that Elmfield has not been champion of the senior competition.
However, they well and truly made up for it in the intermediate
event where they dominated all three rounds. Individually in
the seniors Ogyen Verhagen was well out in front each week,
although he usually allowed AKM, and sometimes JRE, to lead
the way. Louis Clarke put in an outstanding performance to
win the first round of the intermediates in a blistering time.
The following two rounds went back to form with the older
Lascelles Hussey victorious.
October 13, 2012
2
3
Louis Clarke (Bradbys)
Ben Horgan (Newlands)
Inter-House Relays
Results
A Teams
Senior
1
2
3
4
The Knoll (44:36)
Newlands (45:25)
Druries (45:28)
Elmfield (46:40)
Intermediate
1
2
3
4
Elmfield (42:57)
Bradbys (45:22)
Newlands (45:59)
Lyon’s (46:21)
Overall
1
2
3
4
Elmfield (1:29:37)
Newlands (1:31:24)
The Knoll (1:32:06)
Bradbys (1:32:17)
B Teams Overall 1
2
3
4
The Knoll (1:37:09)
Elmfield (1:39:25)
Newlands (1:39:30)
Lyon’s (1:43:30)
Fastest individual laps
Seniors: 1 Oygen Verhagen, The Knoll, 10:20); 2= George
McDonald, Bradbys, Tom Crawford, Newlands, Kier Hamilton,
Newlands, (all 11:00)
Inters: 1 Lascelles Hussey, Elmfield, 10:13), Ben Horgan,
Newlands, 10:21), Louis Clarke, Bradbys, 10:24)
The Elmfield Winning Team
The relays were as keenly contested as ever with the final
result not apparent until the sums had been done. George
McDonald gave Bradbys an early lead in the senior race but
once Ogyen Verhagen hit the front in the second leg The Knoll
led thereafter. Newlands and Druries followed, but crucially,
though in fourth place, Elmfield were only two minutes behind.
Meanwhile Elmfield’s first three intermediate runners of William
Blount, James Cleverly and Fergus Blount, were putting in a
commanding performance with consistent laps of 11 minutes or
less. Lascelles Hussey then took off to deliver an outstanding
final lap of 10mins 13secs, the fastest time of the afternoon
across both age groups. Their outstanding team effort gave the
Elmfield quartet the fastest intermediate time since 2004, before
which the course was slightly different. More importantly they
secured an overall victory for the house, meaning that Elmfield
retained the Redcoat Steeplechase Cup.
Cross Country Relays 2012
Beaks celebrate a hat-trick
The beaks had been training all summer long in preparation for
this rare sporting challenge amongst the boys. Long gone are
the days when the Beaks v Boys matches were the highlight
of any sporting season – cricket, squash, fives, tennis and even
rugby featured annually on the calendar. Somehow though we
still slip a game of soccer past the censor and even the annual
Grove v Beaks Harrow footer match – but the fiercest challenge
Team Results
Teams
Seniors
1
2
3
Newlands (35 points)
Elmfield (34 points)
The Knoll (29 points)
Intermediates
1
2
3
Elmfield (36 points)
The Knoll (31 points)
Newlands (28 points)
Individuals (best performance)
Seniors
1
2
3
Ogyen Verhagen (TheKnoll)
Tom Crawford (Newlands)
Max Gairard (Druries)
Intermediates
1
Lascelles Hussey (Elmfield)
No room for Mo in this team
must be the cross country relays. Out in front from the gun,
the ever youthful AKM and Iron Man MJT gave the Beaks a
cracking start and veteran CJFB then clung on valiantly to give
the Director of Studies the perfect challenge of overhauling
Fergus Niven of The Knoll on the taxing path up through the
farm. The winning margin over the leading boys’ House was
just 6 seconds, enough for the Beaks to celebrate a third victory
in as many years
The keenness of the Beaks to pull on the lycra saw them
57
T H E
October 13, 2012
raise 12 teams – a perfect match for the boys – although only
the two top teams managed to finish amongst the House ‘A’
teams. As well as these two ‘Elite’ teams, the Beaks fielded a
very competitive Ladies’ team, a team from the Art Schools, the
Gappers IV and a very impressive ‘Juniors’ team of masters’
children; the other 8 teams could justly be described as ‘mixed
ability’. If we had known that Albie Tremlett would record a
sizzling 11:35, he might have been snapped up by the Elite
squad. PBs were recorded by 8 beaks: TMD, DJE, JRE, PDH,
SFM, ERS, IAS and ELW. No fewer than 11 new beaks took
part, with only two brave enough to disregard the clause in their
contract requiring a full role in the ‘cultural and sporting life
of the school’. The Deputy Head, clearly a man in a hurry, set
a fine example with an impressive lap of 11:40.
With the Master i/c Fun ever more persistent in his
encouragement to colleagues to escape their desk for an hour
or so, the excuses from non-participants are becoming more
imaginative. As well as the usual coughs and colds, painful
ligaments, bruised toe nails and school run duties, one beak
(who will remain nameless) made quite sure of his escape
by flying to Belfast to attend the Headmasters’ Conference.
However, perhaps the prize for the most inventive Scrimshanker
of 2012 goes to the colleague who quoted the scriptures to
justify his absence. Apparently, “in quietness and trust shall
be your strength” saith the Lord, can be loosely interpreted as
“calm down and pour yourself a gin & tonic”. Now, there’s a
thought………………..
Team results as follows:
Elite 1
Elite 2
Gappers
Beaks 3
Artists Juniors
Beaks 4
Beaks 5
Ladies
Beaks 6
Beaks 7
Beaks 8
44.30
46.58
50.21
50.27
52.05
52.31
54.34
55.30 55.39
56.05
56.57
57.14
AKM, JRE, MJT, CJFB
JA-S, TMD, NGJ, RJH
Rupert, Drew, Conor, Pat
WMAL, NP, IH, NJM
SNT, JF, IAS, LWH
Albie, Sam, Sally, Ben
ERS, TRPL, JAPB, SMK
BGL, RJT, PDH, GHW
PD, SJA, ELW, Daisy
PWK, JLM, TMK, JEP
DJE, WJCG, CTP, CSB
WJCB, SAH, SFM, HXM
Squash
The School v Eton
Thursday 4 October
Seniors Won 4-1
S Masuda, Rendalls, Won 3-0
L Bose, The Head Master’s, Won 3-0
HWF Goodfellow, Moretons, Lost 1-3
D Bernardi, Newlands, Won 3-0
GD Ratnavel, The Knoll, Won 3-0
2nd V Won 4-1
JA Jordache, Moretons, Won 3-0
RG White, Moretons, Won 3-2
EAF Buxton, The Head Master’s, Won 3-2
HAI Thompson, The Head Master’s, Won 3-1
HR Norris, Rendalls, Lost 2-3
Juniors Won 3-2
JCE Gairard, Druries, Won 3-0
HH Buxton, The Head Master’s, Won 3-0
ALC Green, The Grove, Lost 1-3
AJ Norris, Rendalls, Lost 0-3
OZ Gairard, Druries, Won 3-2
In an attempt to gain entry to a half-decent university, the captain
58
H A R R O V I A N
is desperately trying to build up his CV. This has involved
becoming a member of The Dissection Society, The Shepherd’s
Pie Committee, and The Board Games Society (Scrabble Club).
He is rare among the Japanese in claiming Welsh ancestry, so
that he can join The Jones Society. The Samurai have many
skills, which allow them to merge seamlessly into most societies,
and one is dissection. Another is food.
Masuda dissects food and opponents with clinical precision.
No doubt rats and hamsters stand equally little chance. He
began by surveying the Etonian with mild disdain, much as he
would a dead rat. In the first game he made small exploratory
incisions and prodded at a few minor intestines. Naturally,
the Etonian looked uncomfortable in being so easily opened
up. His discomfort increased in the second game as he was
prised apart to expose most of his favourite organs. Masuda
may just have been playing with a scalpel as with a racket. In
the third, the Samurai made major cuts and extracted several
bits and pieces, leaving them lying messily around the court.
It was cold, scientific, and achieved without a glimmer of
emotion. This is how Masuda goes about his squash, and it is
chilling to watch. As the Etonian gathered up his organs before
vacating the court, there was just a hint of a demonic grin on
the Samurai’s face.
Bose and Bernardi, though member of fewer societies, are
learning from the master and both have dissection potential.
Bernardi was so focussed in the first two matches this term
that he didn’t even notice that his opponents were female, even
though they had skirts and a pony tail. If he had twigged that
he was playing against a different species, he could well have
been reduced to jelly. As it was, he was oblivious and so won
both with ease. When Bose plays a female he just bullies her
into defeat with little mercy. On the Clinical Dissection Index
(CDI) Masuda is 9.7 out of 10, Bose 6 and Bernardi 5.
However, there is little that is clinical about the way that
Goodfellow, Jordache and Ratnavel go about their work. They
are not scientifically detached, remote, or cold. Emotion often
rears its ugly head, and there is no room for that on the operating
table. Ratnavel is twitchy and noisy. Twitching is not good for
accurate dissection or for good squash. In fact, Ratnavel looks
more like something that ought to be dissected rather than a
dissector, and that raises the spectre of cannibalism. Not many
doctors scream over exposed innards either. No, Ratnavel is
about 2.5 on the CDI.
There is no room for a wide range of facial expressions during
proper dissection either. These just get in the way of scientific
detachment. Masuda hasn’t changed his facial expression since
2009 when he had a dodgy Spaghetti Bolognese. Bernardi may
raise a quizzical eyebrow on occasion, while Bose must surely
be wearing a mask. Goodfellow and Jordache may display the
full range of facial expressions within five minutes of starting,
perhaps betraying the fact that they cannot dissect with any
consistency. Both are 3 on the CDI.
However, the lowest scorer on the CDI is White (1.3). He is
the exact opposite of clinical, whatever that is. In a lab, he would
spend hours prodding his rat with a spoon wondering whether
it was ethical to incise. If he was a cat, he would spend hours
playing with his victim until it perhaps died of exhaustion. If
he was a squash player he would only play a winning shot by
accident. But White puts us through this torture only because
of an inspired piece of deception. Two days before the match
De Silva did not turn up to training. Normally you can set your
watch by De Silva.
Coach: Where is De Silva?
White: He’s off eccer. His knees are really painful.
Coach: Will that mean Thursday as well?
White: Almost certainly.
De Silva’s absence secured White’s place. De Silva was in
fact playing rackets for the School and was as fit as a fiddle.
There is clearly no relationship between the CDI and Native
Guile.
T H E
H A R R O V I A N
Fives
The School v. St. Olave’s (away)
25 September
Harrow won 3-1
J.D. Lawson Baker, The Head Master’s, & Z.J.A. Smith,
Bradbys. Lost 9-12; 12-5; 12-8; 8-12; 13-14.
October 13, 2012
R. Dhaliwal & T.M. Skinner, The Grove and Elmfield
Won 9-12; 12-6; 12-7; 3-12; 12-1
S.W. Curtis Green & P.F. Anson, both Elmfield
Lost 8-12; 3-12; 12-6; 8-12
O. Adeaga & T. M. Jones, The Grove and Bradbys
Lost 2-12; 8-12; 4-12
T.M. Neville & T.M. Skinner, both Elmfield
Won 14-13; 2-12; 10-12; 12-6; 12-7
N.A. Omaboe & O.A. Ayodeji, both Rendalls
Lost 1-12; 1-12; 2-12
H.R. Newall, Druries & E.L.W. Short, Rendalls
Won 5-12; 12-5; 8-12; 12-10; 12-10
H.R. Newall & E.L.W. Short, Druries and Rendalls
Lost 4-12; 10-12; 5-12
R.S. Wijeratne, The Head Master’s & A.J. Nevile, Bradbys
Won 11-12; 12-8; 10-12; 12-6; 12-11
M.J.H. Hulse & R.P.W. Mountain, Bradbys and Elmfield
Lost 5-12; 6-12; 10-12
Fives v. Orley Farm
Tuesday 2 October - Home
Won 12-0
1. A.J. Nevile & R.S. Wijeratne, Bradbys and The Head
Master’s
Won 12-1; 12-0
2. E.C.C. Bayne & R.A.F. Hembury-Stroud, both Bradbys
Won 12-0; 12-0
3. A. Huo & J.P.E. Ayoub, both The Head Master’s
Won 12-1; 12-7
4. D.F.P. Giercke & G.F. Reid, Rendalls and Moretons
Won 12-1; 12-1
5. R. Shah & A.J. Taylor, both Bradbys
Won 12-6; 12-0
6. O.J. Denby & A.L.C. Green, The Park and The Grove
Won 12-0; 12-2
7. C.R. Dunn & H.M.C. Collins, both Rendalls
Won 12-0; 12-2
8. S.G.S. Mohinani & F.R.C. Wilkins, The Park and Bradbys
Won 12-7; 12-4
9. J.M.C. Bowie & J.P.L. Tanner, The Grove and Bradbys
Won 12-2; 12-4
10. M.P. Zuanic & S.H. Helly D’Angelin, Bradbys
Won 12-5; 12-2
11. R.J. Oelhafen & A.T. Aldous, Lyon’s and Druries
Won 12-2; 12-2
12. C.J. O’Shea & N.P.P. Van Surrell, both Lyon’s
Won 12-9; 12-5
Fives vs. Eton (away) 04.x.12
Played 16: Won 7, Lost 9
Z.J.A. Smith & T.M. Nevile, Bradbys and Elmfield
Lost 2-12; 5-12; 10-12
A.J. Nevile & E.C.C. Bayne, both Bradbys
Lost 6-12; 3-12; 4-12
R.S. Wijeratne & A. Huo, both The Head Master’s
Won 12-9; 12-8; 12-10
G.F. Reid & D.F.P. Giercke, Moretons and Rendalls
Won 12-3; 12-1; 12-5
J.P.E. Ayoub & O.J. Denby, The Head Master’s and The Park
Won 12-5; 12-6; 12-1
A.J. Taylor & R. Shah, both Bradbys
Won 12-5; 12-5; 12-2
H.M.C. Collins & T.M.J. Seely, Rendalls and The Head Master’s
Won 12-9; 12-10; 12-7
J.M.C. Bowie & F.R.C. Wilkins, The Grove and Bradbys
Won 12-7; 12-8; 12-1
R.J. Oelhafen III & S.G.S. Mohinani, Lyon’s and The Park
Lost 3-12; 5-12; 11-13
Quiz Answers
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom
1. Z.J.A. Smith & T.M. Nevile, Bradbys and Elmfield
Won 12-5; 12-9; 12-4
2. R. Dhaliwal & T.M. Skinner, The Grove and Elmfield
Won 12-3; 12-6; 12-3
3. S.W. Curtis Green & P.F. Anson, both Elmfield
Won 12-1; 12-4; 12-3
4. O. Adeaga & O.A. Ayodeji, The Grove and Rendalls
Won 12-3; 12-5; 14-11
N.J. Kaba & W.P. Ogden, Elmfield and Lyon’s
Lost 8-12; 4-12; 4-12
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Irish Republic
Italy
The School v. Berkhamsted
Tuesday 2 October - Home
Won 4-0
59
T H E
October 13, 2012
H A R R O V I A N
Rugby
The School v. Wellington
6 October
Harrow lost 17-25
Playing Wellington away is never easy; they have a stand,
‘stooges’, girls and always a good rugby team. On the back of
three successive victories the Harrow XV went into the game
with high confidence and after a sublime chip and chase try
from Harry O’Hara, Newlands, it seemed as if the streak was
to continue. However after two soft tries from Wellington,
Harrow went into the break on the back foot.
Another try from Wellington after half time meant Harrow
had a difficult task ahead of them to pull the game back. Yet a
good team try, finished off by Morgan Ward, The Park, showed
the true grit and determination the team had to win the game. A
Wellington penalty followed by another try put the game out of
reach and even a classy finish by Shaquille Jack, Lyon’s, could
not overturn the deficit. It was a disappointing game, not least
because of some game-changing ill-fortune but also because
the XV had had such a strong start to the season and could
have easily won the game. Final score 17-25.
2nd XV: Harrow lost 22-7
3rd XV: Harrow lost 30-5
Colts A: Harrow drew 21-21
O.R. James, Newlands 2, 3 con; B.A. Plumb, Newlands 1 try .
Colts B: Harrow lost 10-13
O.J. Mason, The Head Master's, W.S. Kim, Rendalls.
Colts C: Harrow won 38-17
B.S.D. Greenberg, The Grove, 3; T.J.C. Bardsley, The Knoll,
2; W.T.W. Playne, Elmfield; F.C. Blount, Elmfield, 4 con.
Colts D: Harrow won 60-0
G. Pernas, Moretons, 2; M.R.E. Coglin, Moretons; J.L.C.
Figg, Lyon's; A. Rambusson, Newlands; B.H. Barclay, Elmfield;
R.S. Wijaratne, The Head Master's, 2; N.H. Tai, Bradbys; J.R.
Chia-Croft, Lyon's; Watson x 3 con; L.A.M. Gut, Newlands, 1
con; A.J. Hutchinson, The Head Master, 1 con.
Junior Colts A: Harrow won 20-19
D.J.K. Hubble, Lyon's; C.T. Sirker, The Knoll, 2; T.J.H.Y.
Leung, Elmfield.
Junior Colts C: Harrow won 33-0
M.J.H. Hulse, Bradbys, 2; R.P. Malhame, The Head Master's;
J.W.E. Park, Bradbys; J.A. Harkness, The Park; L.S.G. Clarke,
Bradbys, 3 con; R. Hughes, Lyon's, 1 con.
Junior Colts D: Harrow won 40 - 5
J.B.R. Hamilton-Ely, Elmfield, 2; M. Asir, Bradbys, 2;
Stanton-Ife, Z. Musallam, The Knoll.
Junior Colts B: Harrow won 41-12
P.J.S. Fricker, Lyon's, 3; O. Adebayo, Bradbys, 2; A.G.N.
Sutherland, The Head Master's; D.H.S.J. Jenkins, Newlands;
A.J. Wardlaw, Newlands, 3 con.
Yearlings A: Harrow lost 0 - 31
Yearlings B: Harrow lost 14-18
J.M.C. Bowie, The Grove; S. Shashoua, Rendalls, 1, 1 con.
Yearlings C: Harrow won 31-19
Yearlings D: Harrow won 64-0
Yearlings F: Harrow lost 19-34
Ways to contact The Harrovian
Articles, opinions and letters are always appreciated.
email the Master in Charge [email protected]
or Desk Top Publishing [email protected]
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