RHODES
Over the course of this academic year, Rhodes House enjoyed a series of memorable events that highlighted not only individual effort but, more importantly, a strong sense of community and collective spirit.
Steepo in the first term provided a valuable opportunity for the boys to demonstrate determination and resilience. While the House did not feature prominently in the later round-up and did not secure standout performances overall, the true significance of the event lay in the unity and commitment shown by all participants. Several individuals, however, deserve recognition for their efforts. In the junior races, Henry Bidnell finished on impressive 6th, closely followed by Henry Chilvers on 7th and Zac Burton on 8th, Otto Segalini-Bower and Rex Hastings also competed strongly, finishing 13th, 14th respectively. In the senior race, Oscar Dagleish achieved a commendable 9th place. These performances, while not headline-grabbing, reflected perseverance and contributed positively to the House’s overall effort.
Following a restful and well needed Christmas break, the momentum in Rhodes was energetic as ever, with fifth pupils receiving their early maths GCSE grades. We would like to congratulate all Rhodesians who completed this challenge, with special mentions to Aiden Wat for achieving a spectacular 199/200 marks. Shortly after the start of term, it was Rhodes’ turn to host our annual House Dinner.
House Dinner was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the term. The evening was marked by a vibrant atmosphere and a shared sense of enjoyment. The night began with a welcoming speech from Head of House Ollie Hughes, followed by a multistage quiz, in which ‘guess the teacher’ was the favourite! A key feature of the night was the auction, expertly run by Tarquin Brown and Ollie, whose enthusiasm and energy helped drive proceedings. Their efforts, combined with the generous contributions of those present, resulted in a significant sum being raised for the House. The night ended with some wonderful live music, and a charity auction that raised over £1500 for our charity Men’s Minds. A great way to finish a great night! More than anything, House Dinner served as a reminder of the generosity, talent, and willingness to contribute that exists within the House, with everyone playing a role in making the event such a success.
We can’t forget some of the incredible socials we have had this year, including our Rho-pear (Ryder) cup golf competition with Pearson, and our donut socials with Aberdeen and Toynbee. But I think all Rhodesians would agree that the best social of the year was the netball social against Burgess. This involved the all the boys splitting into age-group teams and facing the girls’ netball teams. Another standout moment of the term came with House Song. The House came together to deliver a memorable and energetic performance that captured the spirit of the competition. The full House achieved an impressive third place overall, while the ensemble group secured fourth place; both excellent results given the high standard of competition. Special recognition must go to Barney Roberts, whose efforts in organising and leading the ensemble were instrumental in bringing the performance together. The rendition itself proved to be a real crowd-pleaser, with the House enthusiastically performing to Walk the Moon. Eddie Hardy’s now-famous actions added an extra layer of entertainment, encouraging widespread participation and ensuring the performance was both engaging and memorable. Among the many highlights was the ‘East Meets West’ evening in Rhodes, an exceptional event that seamlessly blended global culinary experiences
Sport also played a central role in the term’s successes, with strong performances across both junior and senior levels contributing to a solid overall House standing. To finish off the year, the last major House event that Rhodes took part in was House Hockey. The boys went out with the same un-stunted confidence and expectations for success, only this time we did not disappoint ourselves. The juniors were guided under the watchful eye of manager Thomas Skerry (skez), putting on a masterclass in hockey, and securing a second-place finish. It was the senior team’s turn to champion in the afternoon, remaining unbeaten throughout all their matches, and winning back the first-place trophy to Rhodes. Indeed, it certainly was an impressive performance for all, in particular, a special mention goes to Sam Powell who pulled the hockey save of the century with an outstanding one-handed stop. We would also like to congratulate Sebastian Robottom, who has recently completed the exhausting cycle to Paris. Football brought further success, with the senior team finishing in first place. However, when combined with the junior results, the house achieved an overall second-place finish. Tennis also brought in some success, Rhodes finished in an overall third position. Nonetheless, the performances across both sports demonstrated skill, teamwork, and determination.
Rhodes marked an important milestone with the Fifth Form as they reached the end of their GCSE year and began their period of study leave. It was a moment of both celebration and reflection, recognising the hard work and commitment shown by the students throughout the year. The students were treated to a lavish cheeseboard, a fitting gesture to mark both the conclusion of one chapter and the beginning of another. The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and quiet excitement, as the boys shared in the moment, looking back on their experiences while also turning their attention to the challenges ahead. The gathering served as a reminder of the strong bonds within the House, and of the support network that will continue to play a vital role as they navigate their exams and the transition beyond GCSEs.
The penultimate week of term brought with it further celebrations, as students from Shell, Remove, and the Lower Sixth came together to mark the end of the year. It was a lively and inclusive occasion, offering a chance for different year groups to connect and reflect on the months gone by. The gathering captured the spirit of the House at its best, with a shared sense of achievement, camaraderie, and anticipation for what lies ahead.
So, looking back on this incredible academic year, which has not only been successful for Rhodes, but also packed with so many memories which truly embody the sense of community and house spirit that characterises our house. We would like to say a massive thank you to everybody who has made Rhodes what is this, and we look forward to what will be achieved next year!
Ollie Hughes (Head of House), Sam Powell (Deputy Head of House) and Sebastian Robottom (Academic Prefect)