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St Edward’s:
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Chapter 3 / Houses
this, at the heart of all that happens in Apsley and the School
is a real focus on the academic life. Boys are encouraged
to be purposeful and effective workers and to understand
the value of what they put in to their work and what they
subsequently get out of it.
And so the picture builds of what Apsley is and what it
stands for: a place where all talents can be recognised and
encouraged, where pupils feel able to make the most of the
many wonderful opportunities they have available to them
and where they can grow as individuals in a supportive
environment. The relationship between year groups is excellent
and something that the younger boys can really learn from. We
have an eye always on the future and intend that the boys will
be ambitious, happy, grounded and successful, while learning
to think of others.
Ollie Richards
Housemaster, Apsley (E)
Apsley (E)
As we saw in the introduction to this chapter, Apsley took its
name from Apsley Paddox, the building half a mile to the north
of the School, bought in 1925 under Warden Kendall. Apsley is
on the north side of the Quad, where it is central to the School.
We draw great strength and pride from that: Apsley is at the
heart of the School both physically and emotionally.
I have just started my third year as Housemaster and have
been very aware that in recent years Apsley has enjoyed great
success in the dramatic life of the School. In January 2013
there was a fantastic House production of
Loot
by Joe Orton,
and in the previous term we had six cast members of the
School production of
Romeo and Juliet
. No other House can
boast of such impressive involvement. The subject is popular
both at GCSE and A Level. Creative ability does not end
there: we contribute to choirs, various orchestras and some
of the work that the boys create in the Art Department and
in Design and Technology is remarkable. There is real talent
within these walls in all things creative. This extends to the
sports fields and rivers as well. First teams in major and minor
sports have been very well represented by Apsley boys in
recent years, as have the whole range of teams in the Lower
School. The 2012 undefeated Yearling A XV had four Apsley
boys in it. Recent House competition success has come in the
Senior Tennis and Junior Football events. In addition to all of
Centre left: Ollie
Richards,Housemaster,
with his family.
Left: Apsley’s pupils
andmuralonthestairs.
Below: House
Challenge team, 2013.
Left:The view through the upper staircasewindow in Apsley.
Below: Erik Bagger in full flight for the U14A.
Bottom:The cast of
Loot
, January 2013: Luke Stevenson, Celia
Higson(Oakthorpe),JamesBuxton,SimonBurns,WillSargent
and Alex Hayes (seated).
Apsley in the sun.