The Sixth Form Boarders on Safari!

A great idea from Mrs Matthews in Summerhill … a 'Safari' Supper: starter in Summerhill, main course in Fonthill, and dessert in School House! Cue frantic food preparation and house tidying, followed by a three course meal and games to follow. Well done to Minnie, Alix, Els & Chrystal for making superb chicken fajitas and accompaniments for 30! 

Thanks for coming!

Meanwhile, the Year 9 -11 boarders return through the rain from their pyjamas, duvets, snacks and film night in Summerhill. Apparently they didn't stop laughing!

Boarders' Team Building @ 'Outposts'

The Year 9 and Year 12 boarders were thoroughly challenged during their day at 'Outposts' in the Quantocks. Groups of boarders from different houses faced challenges including water crossings, balance beams, rope traverses, a shooting range, and physical puzzles, having to work together to achieve tasks in a certain time. Everyone braved the weather to get stuck in, and were rewarded with a delicious barbeque supper at the end of the day before returning to school tired but with a great sense of achievement. 

Dipti, Noelina and Monica try to balance the beam … you nearly did it, girls

Isha tries her hand at the air rifle range

Janice makes it across the ravine

The Sixth Form boarders celebrate making it to the end of the day

The Sixth Form starting the 'gun' race

  

Standing Up for What They Stand On - Youth Strike for Climate Change

Truly following the house motto - 'Principled and Passionate' - many Fonthill girls attended the Youth Strike for Climate Change demonstration in the city, as part of the global movement to campaign for more governmental action on climate change. It is great to see the girls - along with members of the whole Kingswood community - pledging their support for raising awareness about this crucial issue. It is also great to see the passion for such a wide range of causes that exists amongst the members of the house.

13 girls - from all year groups - attended the demonstration

Placards at the ready! Some of the demonstrators assemble with those from other houses

Demonstrating in the city

House Performance 2019

The first weekend, as ever, was dominated by the House Performance Competition. Teaming up with the boys from Hall, Fonthill girls from all year groups prepared Elton John's 'I'm Still Standing' - learning the lyrics and the dance moves choreographed by Head of House, Minnie. Rehearsals went well, despite many of the Upper Sixth leaders of the house suffering from having celebrated an 18th birthday the night before! Meanwhile, a more select group prepared for the ensemble piece: this year 'Sweet Caroline' performed by a wide array of instrumentalists and vocalists. 

Everyone enjoyed the evening's performance, and put their all into getting a win for the house. In a close competition however, the judges ruled that School and Upper's performance was just a bit more 'polished', and Fonthill and Hall were narrowly in second place therefore. This was also true of the ensemble, who narrowly lost out to Summerhill and Middle. 

Back at the house, everyone agreed that the result was a fair one, especially since School and Upper won for the first time in 17 years! The most used words to describe the event were 'fun' and 'enjoyable' - house spirit already strong, even at the beginning of the academic year!

Rehearsals well underway ...

… and choreography coming together

The ensemble group perform 'Sweet Caroline'

Hall and Fonthill give it their all for 'I'm Still Standing'!

  

House Allocation Done! - the Year 8 Welcome Party

With the help of Lower Sixth and Year 11 pupils, the house welcomed the 15 Westwood Year 8s who had been 'allocated' to Fonthill. Introductions, and 'competitive' house colours-themed cupcake decorating ensued. It was lovely to help make Sarafina, Amelie, Izzy, Suruchi, Monica, Kezzy, Libby, Lauren, Daisy, Sudipti, Clemmie, Emmy, Bea, Noelina, and Alice all feel part of the Fonthill family, as well as new girls Christine, Vivienne & Scarlett.

Congratulations to Jess and Jenny!

Winners of this year's House awards go to Jess and Jenny!

'Spirit of Fonthill' is given each year to a girl who embodies the spirit of our House through her positive attitude towards House and School life, showing kindness to others, volunteering to help peers and/or staff, or willingly offering to participate in House events.  It's the students' choice and this year it was lovely to see so many different people nominated again across all year groups.  However, in first place, was Jess who was described as someone who is ‘always bubbly’, ‘always participates in House events’, ‘always kind and supportive’ and ‘friendly, fun and helpful’. I agree with all of these statements and whoever wrote that she is ‘just a lovely girl and deserves it 1000 times’.

'Wright Way' is for somebody who has trodden the right path and who goes that extra mile to help out; somebody who is pro-active, seeing what needs to be done before being asked, or somebody who acts with humility and not seeking the limelight. It is always a hard decision for Fonthill tutors as there are so many girls this could apply to. We decided to award it to Jenny who always acts in the right way, who has regularly and consistently gone well beyond the extra mile, has been unfailingly reliable regardless of how many commitments or deadlines, taken her responsibilities as House prefect exceptionally seriously, and on many occasions really is acting behind the scenes – a true unsung hero in all senses - coming in to school even when on study leave to continue her key role in the theatre tech team. A complete star!