Woodlands - Girls

House Report 2007-2008

“Life is rather like a tin of sardines, we’re all of us looking for the key.” Alan Bennett

Spending only a few minutes in Woodlands, the buffeted and bemused onlooker could suppose that the frenzy of activity before them is a frantic search for the “key”. However, this is the more mundane, but nevertheless, busy reality of the daily lives of ninety-two girls. Cries of “Janet, where’s my…” (anything from socks to GCSE coursework could be inserted here) to “My hair! Why does it always rain?” are frighteningly frequently heard. Games sessions are succeeded by aches, groans, pains, hobbling and shrieks (both from the hockey players going through the ordeal of the ice bath and the Fifth Form watching the rugby boys take theirs in the Tod’s garden) and the evening dash to say goodbye to boyfriend and make it down the path in two seconds flat to avoid the ordeal of “the tutors”, ensure that life is certainly never dull and the volume is rarely below deafening in the foyer. However, it is essential to look beyond the maelstrom for in doing so there is much to celebrate and even some who are possibly already enjoying their fishy feast!

House Music brought us our first taste of the Woodlands House ceilidh band. Gemma’s arrangement of I am a Man of Constant Sorrow was delightful and ran a deservedly close second place in the ensemble element of the competition. As is customary the numerous and enthusiastic choir finished the performance by dancing, singing and winning!

The Woodlands Music Evening saw a reprise of the ceilidh band but this time playing other songs form their repertoire under Sophie’s enthusiastic but calm leadership. Soloists abounded but the quality was universally high in spirit of the evening’s premise being to let some who may not feel sufficiently confident to “star” in School concerts have a go. The evening was affably hosted by Mairi and Gemma who have given much musically to the House over the years.

Sports competitions regularly bring out the best in us and the House matches certainly prove the rule. Hockey was a hotly-anticipated and keenly-fought contest. Woodlands were victorious in both the junior and senior matches. Arguably the sporting highlight of the year’s House matches was the senior tennis competition where the opposition had five out the six first team players but Woodlands managed somehow to power through to seal the win. As defending Sports Day Champions we all had much to live up to but with the team lists published there was a slight feeling of “maybe next year”. But little did we know and led admirably by Amy the pre Sports Day events saw some excellent and successful performance that provided the House with what proved to be an unassailable lead. Robynne and Ciara picked up deserved Victrix Ludorum awards to complete a memorable afternoon. From winning a set; to gaining a rounder; saving a goal or putting in the final tackle, the list of those who contribute to the silverware is obviously too well-populated to enumerate but the pleasure and buzz gained permeates through the entire House.

Clearly, at the cornerstone of what the girls do is their academic achievement. With girls taking places at Universities as far afield as Oxford and Aberystwyth and diverse as Bath and Stirling, we are proud of all they have achieved. Cara Duncan and Charlotte Garvan both scored in the top ten nationally in their A level Art; both the AS and Intermediate 2 results give rise to confidence for next year and the GCSE girls worked with a determination and maturity which belied this years and gave many a headache as to what to take in the Lower Sixth. For many the anxiety of receiving their results was lessened by the knowledge that they had done their best and worked as hard as they reasonably could.

Keeping the girls on the right track is only achieved by a considerable amount of teamwork and behind-the-scenes support. The tutoring staff are unwavering in their good humour and gentle chiding; Janet and her team of Dora, Margaret and Denise seem to be able to reclaim the house from mountains of laundry, dirt and debris with an uncomplaining efficiency that is breathtaking and Emma and her team of prefects organised many a fun social evening and led the way with ever more outlandish and ambitious event outfits. The harmony of the House is principally due to all these individuals working together and we are very grateful to them for all their efforts.

So to come back to where we started – did we find the key? Some certainly did and supped richly on all that Strathallan and Woodlands had to offer. For others the quest is just beginning but for Woodlanders there is often a hunger and a desire that guarantee that much will be achieved and enjoyed even as the search continues.

Abi Tod

House Ethos

Members of the House are expected always to do their best, to give new things a try rather than reject them out of hand, to make the most of their time in the school by responding to opportunities on offer, and to contribute to the well-being of others and to the good reputation of the House.

• To create a safe, welcoming environment which allows the pupils’ educational, emotional, physical and social needs to be met.
• To create a climate in which the considerations of others is evident in the good behaviour and politeness of its members.
• To encourage a high level of participation and co-operation in the daily life of the House.
• To provide a clear and reasonable structure of rules which will be enforced consistently by the House Authority.
• All pupils have the right to be treated as individuals, their views and privacy are to be respected, and their varied talents to be encouraged.

For further details on Woodlands House please refer to the Woodlands House Handbook.