Today was the first day of term. There were no lessons, of course, as it was a time for the boarders to settle in - some to their new school,  and some to their first taste of education in a foreign country - to make new friends and begin to find their way around. It has gone well. All seem happy. There are some pictures, mainly of the new boys, below. Lots more over the next few days.

 
Watching an expert. They'll surely be able to do it soon!

This is called bouldering.

 
Doing well, apart from one of our most experienced climbers (bottom)!

This is good fun.

Rather duller, but really important:

This was the scene at about 1845. At the start of the term the fire procedure is always demonstrated and explained: the boys go straight from supper to their dormitories and then to Chapel when they hear the fire alarm. Chapel is the meeting point after supper (during the day the boys go to the tennis courts). You can see Mr Baker (Senior House Parent) talking to the boys in the picture above.

As it was the first day of term, today the Assembly was at 1005. The Headmaster began by asking the new boys to put up their hands. He welcomed them to Caldicott, and then asked the 'old' boys to remember when they were new, and how strange it can all seem. He urged them to look after the new boys and to offer to help them if they look lost. He then introduced the new staff and asked everyone to help them if they look lost, as well!

He asked the boys to remember the anti-bullying policy, on page 59 of their calendars. Bullying is being persistently nasty to someone. Mr Doggart says that it is one 'hate' which is acceptable. It is fine to hate bullying! As well as the obvious bullying, it includes such things as not letting boys join in our games.

Mr Smith (Deputy Headmaster) then told the boys important information about routine, organisation and the School Council.

• BOOT ROOM: The 3rd-6th form boys all have games today. Boots must be moved from the changing room to the allocated space in the boot room.
• BLACK BOX: This is outside the dining room. If you feel worried first of all talk to any teacher, your tutor, a senior boy. The box is for those cases when you feel unable to do that: the problem will then be dealt with. However, it is also useful for suggestions to improve the school!
• SCHOOL COUNCIL: Mr Smith began by asking what percentage of suggestions have actually been implemented. J Pickering said 60%, but S Tallis was closest with 80%! In fact the correct figure is 78%. There will shortly be a display of Council suggestions which have been applied.
• He then told the boys that if the outside bell is rung for a long time - about a minute - all boys go to the Centenary Hall. It happens very rarely: last year the electricity to the school was off, it was getting dark, and the boys were checked, supervised and kept safe.
• Finally he explained changed arrangements for breaktime drinks and biscuits to reduce the queues.

Mr Wild then told the boys the music examination results from last term. Everyone passed, and they received a well-deserved round of applause.

Finally Mr Cooper told the boys what to do if there is a fire alarm. There will be a practice later this morning!

Well done to all of the boys in 2C and particularly the new boys, who had not used a spreadsheet before. After logging on and using the word processor, they all then used Excel to produce a chart showing the house competition at about 1430. The one below is by G Cusworth (8.06), though any of them could have been used. Well done also to the 'old' Caldicott boys, who were here last year and were able to put images on the bars.

Scores now (2000):  C22, J26, M27, W27

On Sunday about twenty old boys returned to Caldicott to either play in or support the annual Old Boys’ Touch Rugby. Once again two old boy sides played against a staff team and a team made up of present Sixth Form.

The staff did quite well but the Sixth Form did even better, winning one and drawing two games. However, the spoils went to the combined old boys from Wellington and Eton.

Thanks to all who turned up, and to MAS for blowing the whistle throughout.

Same time same place next year if anyone fancies a game!

JHS

All pictures below by new boy D Norton.

And finally ... it's not all about rugby, but in every way a great afternoon!