King Alfred House 2013-2014
was an absolute vintage year! It
has been a brilliant one for the
House, one in which the boys
themselves have shown great levels of
thought and pride in all that it stands for.
We can naturally go for the bragging
rights of being inter-House Futsal, Senior
Hockey, Swimming, Water Polo and Tug
'o' War Champions - of which the boys
and I are extremely proud. It was the
organisation and encouragement of the
6.2 (led so ably by Simon le Gallais and his
inspirational House speeches) that led us
to these sporting Everests. Max Germain
was superb as the Vice-Captain and Blaine
Tottle's competitive drive encouraged
all in House to give these events a go.
I shall forever be in debt to Jamie Wild
and his uncanny ability to sweep all
before him in that most electrifying of
inter-House events: the Plunge at House
Swimming (I believe he is undefeated in
an unprecedented three attempts).
They have been supported by the 6.1
trainee prefects so well. Henry Breeze,
Jamie Shapland and Kristian Willmott
really got the Christmas spirit flowing as
the resident House elves, and our mass-
visit to Hollywood Bowl for Christmas
Celebrations, dressed in onesies or other
suitably festive attire, shocked the locals
I think. We had a wonderful time, and
James Turpin, Zach Spiers, Harvey Walsh
and Eric Tsai all contributed so much to
the well-being within House as well.
Lent term is dominated by the King Alfred
and Meynell Show, and once again it did
not disappoint; I was delighted to see the
spectacular range of acts. The enjoyment
of taking part in
something so special
for such good causes
(and the relief once
it's over) was palpable.
The highlight was the
staff Synchronised
Swimming sketch - as
opposed to someone
doing a dreadful
Paddy McGuiness
impression.
The summer term, my last in charge,
passed by all too quickly. The traditional
hog roast on the last night was a
perfect occasion, with speeches that
were profound, heartfelt and deeply
personal. We said goodbye to Mr West
and Mr Mason, whose long service in
King Alfred has been much appreciated
and admired.
Moving On
I have loved my time in charge of
this distinctive and special boarding
house. The boys, all part of my family,
have given me such a sense of pride
and I shall miss not being there to
watch them grow and flourish into the
outstanding young men they have and will
become. Unfortunately I will not miss their
appalling jokes, untidiness, lateness and
that strange lingering smell of boys and
deodorant.
I remember very clearly the day that I
had to tell the boys about my move from
being a Housemaster; it was emotional and
extremely difficult, with the realisation of
how much a part of each others' lives you
are. In the time I have been a Housemaster
I have experienced virtually every emotion
possible and been highly privileged to share
the lives of over 100 young men as they
have traversed the difficult times of being
a teenager and a young adult. I have seen
them at both their best and their worst,
yet the resilience, good humour and sheer
character they have shown have inspired
me to get up each morning. It has been
the journey of a lifetime and the memories
I take with me of laughter, high jinks and
some completely unbelievable situations
will stay with me forever; they may even
one day appear in my memoirs (with
names changed to protect the innocent).
I could not have done the job without the
help and support of a great tutor team, but
special thanks must go to Mr Shaw and
Rose Derrick (the most amazing Matron),
who have given me sound advice all the
way. Equally, my wife, Julie, and children
have been a full part of King Alfred House;
Harry and Darcie love the boys and will
miss them incredibly.
I want to wish Mr and Mrs Florey every
happiness and success in their new roles.
I hope they find it as rewarding and
exhilarating as we have done and I know
the House is in good hands.
King Alfred
By Nick Gresswell
Inter-House Futsal Champions: Henry Breeze,
Zach Spiers, Bryn Llwellyn, Hugo Gerwat, Robert
Wilmanns, Ed Blowers, James Turpin and Jordan
Clayton
Tom Oxland, Hamish Halliday, TJ Haller, Henri Willmott,
Tom Potter, Alex Carter, Ollie Gibbon, Angus Crouch,
Manu Martin and Ollie Martin at Vivary Park High Ropes
Mr Gresswell at the King
Alfred and Meynell Show
Zach Spiers, Harvey Walsh, Alex Madge, James
Turpin, Henry Breeze, Kristian Willmott and James
Shapland celebrate Christmas at Hollywood Bowl
House Reports
10