House Meetings

Every Friday morning, the House gathers in the Common Room for the weekly House meeting. This is a chance for rewards and recognition of effort to be handed out; great sports result to be mentioned etc etc. Every now and then, one of the 6th Formers is asked to say a few words as a 'Thought for the Day'.

Last Friday, it was Sam Castle's turn and the topic was leadership. His short speech is below...

Leadership

Today we have many idols, whether they are sports players, music stars or actors, they are people we idolise and look up to. However, are all our heroin’s leaders?

Leadership is a key asset to all forms of life, whether it be on the sports field, in the classroom or out on the lash with some boys, in all of these situations a role model is needed to guide and encourage us to perform our best in all situations, no matter how successful the outcome is.

A good leader must have the discipline to work towards his vision single-mindedly, as well as to direct their actions and those of the team towards the main goal. Action is the mark of a leader. A leader is someone who does not suffer, but is always doing something in pursuit of a vision, that is inspiring others to do the same. A leader must be confident, dedicated and most importantly positive, because without that positivity who will be there to carry your team-mates over the line?

 Within a school community leadership is imperative. These particular leaders are so important as they are there to aid people towards their goals, simply by doing what is necessary and right, in order for the community as a whole to be happy, and function properly. Without leaders at school who’s going to be there to stand up to bully’s? Who’s going to be there to make that massive hit in the first minute of a rugby match? Or more importantly who’s going to be there to lift up those who are down and upset? It is clear that we need leaders.

Therefore, this weekend I want you to take one for the team. Encourage and lift your teams spirits if you go 1-0 down. Display those great skills of manliness by taking your friends to that big party on Saturday night, rather than staying inside gazing at Cheryl Cole on the X-factor. But more importantly, be that role-model that we look up to by being positive at all times, no matter what you are feeling. And by displaying these qualities I can guarantee you will guide you and your team to a massive victory, just like Andrew Strauss is doing against the kangaroos down under.

Sam Castle

New Prefects...

Before the snow descended on Ardingly, a second round of Prefect Interviews was held in Mertens House to recognise the growing leadership shown by various 6th Formers in the House and at House events. I am very pleased to announce four new House Prefects who have stood out this term by their outstanding contribution to House events and leadership within the House.

They include...   Moritz Bongartz, Marcus Large, Sam Castle and Jordan Dudas.

I know they will do a fantastic job as prefects and add to the great team that we already have.

Mr Curran

Snow Days...

Mr Hilton

Cedric Surmann

Zakir and Assad sandwiching Will Spence..

and the result...

Cedric, Moritz and Jordan

The Mertens Igloo...



..and again 10 seconds later...



Mertens House Mascots...

The Mertens House mascots getting ready for Xmas!!

Snapshots from the Steepo - Mertens take the Honours!!

James Eagles looking very intense!

The leaders of the Steepo

Mertens House Steepo 2010

Largey, Maynard and Moritz

Mike, and the Two Henrys

A well earned reward...

Mertens House House Music Competition

Jamie Monks, Zakir Ramani, Sam Castle, Marcus Lau, Jordan Dudas, Marcus Large, Calvin Lam, Tom Prosser

Mertens House A Capella Group

Such Rhythm!

Zakir, Jordan, Marcus



Marcus Large performing a duet with Jamie Monks



Michaelmas Term – Mertens House

Life in Mertens House this term has been full of action and new beginnings; a new Housemaster, a new Lower 6^th and a new Shell. The house motto is ‘Possunt Qui Volunt’ – which loosely translated means ‘Those who want to are able’. The Michaelmas term 2010 has certainly provided everyone in the house with the opportunity to engage in all that the Mertens community has to offer.

Mr Curran, his wife and two young sons have settled into life as Housemaster and have been welcomed into the house by the great support of Nick Tester, Assistant Housemaster and Marian Moore, Matron and warm and welcoming face of Mertens.  Jack Curran (1) is now a regular feature welcoming faces as they arrive at Mertens!

The new prefects have taken on their roles enthusiastically, meeting regularly to discuss and debate how to take the House forward. Shaun Lam accepted the role of Head of House and is a respected and popular boy in the house. We have a House Council, comprised of selected representatives from each year and the Council has met twice, ensuring all voices in the house are heard.

With Mr Curran’s competitive nature at the helm, Mertens rose to the challenges of the   inter-house competitions; beginning with the Steepo in October.   After a couple of early morning practice sessions (a sight to behold with most of the boys up at 630am in the early Autumn  mist),  Mertens  won the Youd Cup for the six best senior runners (1st Alan Taffinder U6; 2nd Ben Scott U6; 3rd Josh Higgins U6; 4th Cedric Surmann L6; 5th Leo Ko 5^th; 6th Rob Key U6). Overall, Mertens was ranked 3^rd.

In November, all Mertens boys proudly supported the House Music Competition, which was led for us with a piano-solo by Marcus Lau (Céline Dion “My Heart will go on “). Marcus was also brilliantly supported by Marcus Large (vocal) and Jamie Monks (guitar) playing “For the first Time” by The Script. Our Lower Sixth boys took to the stage with ease and an ensemble starring Marcus Large, Jordan Dudas, Sam Castle, Tosin Afalobi, Jamie Monks, Zakir Ramani, Calvin Lam and Tom Prosser got a fantastic reception (being asked to perform again at the main school assembly!). Everyone trained hard under the supervision of the musically talented Mr Tester and got some great feedback from the panel.  The boys, many with very little musical experience, are to be praised for putting together an amazing programme.

In addition to the inter-house competitions, the boys themselves arranged smaller fund-raising events including a pool and FIFA tournaments to support some of the school's charities.  For Children in Need, several boys in Mertens House, ably led by Tom Prosser and William Salt managed to stay awake for 24 hours playing Xbox and PS3. Overall,  they have raised over £275 which is a credit to them and their determination.

Mertens is more than just a boarding house where the boys keep their belongings, work and sleep. It is a community of which all people connected to the House from Housemaster to Assistant, Tutors, Matron, Cleaners and boys are part.  Overall this Michaelmas Term was a great and promising start to the new school year and we hope that the next terms will be as great as this one.

Cedric Surmann, Moritz Bongartz & Mrs Curran