Life in Mertens House this term has been full of action and new beginnings; a new Housemaster, a new Lower 6th 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 5th; 6th Rob Key U6). Overall, Mertens was ranked 3rd.
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
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