Burrleaks

Never mind the shock horror on Wikileaks - here are some the real surprises of State Dept analysis that never made it to Iceland.

Iranian Supreme Council: hey, a sincere bunch of men of faith. Sure they say some stuff, but everyone has to talk up their corner, especially with mid-terms in prospect.

Putin: this guy knows what he's doing. Some great ideas for breaking deadlocks in House committees.

Berlusconi: a really original mind, loved by his people. Lots of them.

UN Building: look, a gentleman doesn't open another's mail. Tell our guys that if they start overhearing stuff in the elevators, then they should get off at the next floor and walk. We have a reputation to uphold.

I cannot, of course, reveal my sources.

Exeat weekend

This weekend is the long exeat this term - we stop after lessons on Thursday afternoon, and everyone is free to leave by 1530. Year 10 parents will be welcomed at the teachers' conference. I shall not be there, as I am helping out as minibus driver for the year 9 rugby tour of Gloucester and Bath.

Vitor is Victor

Vitor de Moustier (blue shirt) won the Junior Cross Country event this afternoon, leading from the start.

In the Seniors, Sam Evans came second, and James Rossi-Bull third.

I took equal pleasure in watching several friends urging on the last boy to finish, which he did with some style.

Overall results:

Juniors standards - Burr came 5th

Seniors standards - Burr came 1st

Overall - Burr came 2nd (well done Everett).

Next week we have the second round of standards - and the Championships.

There are more photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/charly.lowndes/20101122CrossCountryRunning#

House Parliament

The Burr Parliament met last night - a happy coalition of year groups. Here are some notes, with comments following up several points.

Burr House Parliament – Monday 15th November 2010

Year 9 - Daniel DiGiulio and Barney Aldridge
Year 10 – Charlie Phillips and Chris Leung
Year 11 – Duncan Pullman and James Rossi-Bull
Year 12 – Tom Thornton-Smith and David Gooddy

1. Baths: need an overhaul, especially the one in old Burr. We hope eventually to replace the battered old one with a new bath/shower.

2. Fans – all are welcome to bring fans in for warm weather - when it comes.

3. PS3 – a great hit – now a better TV ? Or a projector ? Arrangements for use - If there's a queue , then all four players change at the end of a game. CAML to investigate broken handset.
We have started to work on plans to move the PS3 into back room, and revive pool table. Ideas include: Blinds/blackout card – or insulation ? Seating for four people; remove benching on one wall. Decoration in back room – perhaps a painting project like the diner ? Heating is an issue.
There is a small budget for improving the back room.

4. Meanwhile in Room 16 – no more games.

5. Lavatories – flush ! May need to help things down with loo brush.

6. Don't walk back from showers barefoot – use flipflops or slippers to keep the floors dry.

7. Showers – use downstairs affects flow of hot water to top landing. Unlikely to be a solution to this.

8. Weatherproof sides to bike rack ? Something to bid for when funds allow.

9. Lights in old Burr – and light fitting in 6th form landing. These are already on the maintenance to-do list - Matron will chase.

10. One big mirror somewhere on ground floor ? Matron is working on this. It might go above the first short flight of stairs.

11. Extra toaster ? We will try to buy one – it will need to be plugged into the kitchen, as the diner already has enough devices on one socket.

12. House ferret ? I need to be approached by a parent. It would need to be the responsibility of one family.

13. Desks in year 10 rooms – see Matron.She has made notes of the most damaged ones .

14. Ladders in James and George's rooms – see Matron. They seem safe enough.

15. Door slamming in year 9 corridor: Matron will ask Mark if he can adjust the closer spring tension.

16. Chairs in year 9 and 10 – could they be more comfortable ? Something for the long-term plan.

Music evening

BTEC Music students offered a short recital before supper on a dark, foggy evening. Amongst the players was guitarist Tom Thornton-Smith.

Saturday Night's All Right for ... Pay TV

One lucky member of Burr House was at ringside to see the ultimately disappointing Haye/Harrison boxing match on Saturday. Others watched it on TV at our house - paying a pound a head which has gone into the poppy box. Mr Brownley, resident tutor across the road in Everett, came to join us.

On parade

Many of us took part in the Remembrance Day service at school, and then later at the village War Memorial.

Duty training and Wednesday nights

Year 12, included the three Burr girls Hadeel, Katherine and Tasha, as well as visiting dayboy Zac Bigley, joined me for a discussion on How to Be on Duty - waking the House up, maintaining good order and decorum during the day and especially prep; and managing bedtimes without open war breaking out.

Each year I am delighted to have a fine bunch of sensible sixth formers to help make Burr a safe and happy place: it seems especially true this year.

And we managed to cover everything and still finish only a minute after kickoff in the Manchester derby.

Wednesday preps have become, for an experimental period, less tightly structured, which allows those who follow the Premiership to watch live games; others went to the History Film Club showing of "Defiance". Preps are still set and so far most have managed to arrange their evenings around getting their work done - which is part of the purpose, to encourage indivdual responisibility while creating an opportunity for clubs, societies and events. Next week the College Prefects will be organising a year 9 floodlit football tournament.

Old boys

It was good to meet Finch Field-Hall and Richard Lightwing (Head of House in 2001) at the OVS reunion in London last night. Lesley was talking to more recent leavers Matt Adamski and Alvin Tang. I think Matt probably does have red eyes. He's studying fashion design and working for Abercrombie and Fitch. We remembered Paddy Jasper's modelling contract for A&F in year 11 - his excuse for not being able to get a haircut.

We also saw Will Sparks, Ed Adler and James Belgum; and from a little further back, Harry Engelen.

Former Burr tutor and Head of Design and Technology Julian Seaton is visibly enjoying retirement.

Phil Davey, who retired last year as Head of Media Studies and 6th form tutor in Burr told me that he uses the engraved zippo lighter, presented to him by Burr, every day.

Senior Football

Nadal collected the Senior Football trophy for Burr at an Assembly this morning. It looks good on a shelf in the reptile pit.

More risk assessment

Mr Starr has joined the senior air rifle shooting activity -

the dogs help me set up the targets before starting.

The school record (for pupils) is still held by Ed Bowers.

Risk assessment

Activity: cider making.

Risks: falling out of trees while picking apples.

Apples demonstrating the inexorable pull of gravity

Fingers catching in cider press

Sharp knives for cutting apples

Later: effects of cider. Starting gravity: 1050 (=strong).

House Art

Sam Evans has taken on the challenge of encouraging everyone in Burr to submit a piece for the House Art Competition.

I'm not sure if we can pull off the dream of emulating Christo (the man who wrapped the Berlin Reichstag, amongst other things) and wrapping the Art School. If any blog readers know of a good source of cheap or free fabric for such a venture - please let me know !

And then there were three

Much joy in Burr yesterday when the Headmaster appointed our Head of House, Nurdaulet Sarkytbayev, to be a College Prefect.

Burr now has three: Ed Bowers, JB Brown and "Nadal".

Autumn leaves

Autumn leaves

Remembrance Sunday

I hope that as many of the Burr extended family will either be able to join us, or to think of us, on Sunday 14th November. We will be organising parts of the Remembrance Day Service. Lesley is involved in the Poppy Appeal so there have been boxes of poppies everywhere.

Application time

Burr is suddenly full of forms and CVs. Year 11 are applying for their Sixth Form places - they will also go through a short interview. While I'm confident that everyone will be offered a place, the process is a good introduction to the reality of having to explain what you want, and why you are the person to have it.

At the same time I'll be looking for applicants from year 10 for the post of Junior Leader - the beginning of taking responsibility for making things happen. It may be as simple as helping manage hymn books and seating at Assemblies, or working with others to organise a quiz, giving a guided tour or helping run a charity fund raising event. I expect to be able to name the first Leader for this year quite soon.