The Daring Decade
William
of Waynflete started this school 530 years ago, the last 10 years has been both
daring and defining. Freshman Jai Hooshmand attempts to round it all up by
talking to an institution of the school known as Mr. Spowart.
But
can Magdalen fend off those momentous events with its own? With events ranging
from triumphant sporting accomplishments to ground-breaking exam results, MCS
definitely is a true rival and its tremendous undertakings are surely secretly
covered by the BBC, if not the Oxford Mail. But out of these magnificent deeds
can there be a TOP 10? And who
better to decide than the school's longest- serving veteran, Mr. Spowart.
The
classroom of 106 often resonates
with the sounds of catapults, rhombuses, conjugations and laughter during
lessons. However as I entered, Mr. Spowart was sitting at his table whiling
away the echelons. I sat down and he walked over as he started to speak,
listing his top ten proudest moments at MCS from 2000-2009. Well, hold on tight
boys and girls (soon!), here we go with Spowart’s Top Ten: ___________________________________________________________________
At No.10…….The
trips to the mountains every year. He also achieved the very prestigious rank
of “Winter Mountain UK
Trailed
by No.9….… The decision to welcome girls
to the Sixth Form. Mr. Spowart is cautiously looking forward to them. He
believes the school will progress well socially with the arrival of girls. He
did think that the school was doing fine as it was and that the move came as a
surprise to everyone, but said that change was good. Wonder what the girls will
think of this "Latin legend"!
Modestly
at No.8….... His own centenary term
at MCS. He felt very dedicated to the school and was delighted that the master
was so thoughtful at organizing the presentation of the cake. He would also
like to thank the catering staff for all their efforts in making it. Dead right
it was delicious!
No.7 not far in
front……. The construction of the
magnificent Refectory. Mr.Spowart has seen many structures 'go up and pulled
down' at that same spot. He says the building has brought to the school a sense
of modernity and has made a fine place for a reception, something that the
school hadn’t had before. He also briefly mentioned what used to be there: first a cafeteria with a few classrooms,
which eventually got removed as the classrooms were contaminated with asbestos.
The cafeteria was left behind until the Refectory was built. He did however
like the old ramshackle MCS and thought that the atmosphere was really
comfortable.
Miles
ahead at No.6 ……. Callender winning the
Sports Day two years in a row. As a Callender tutor he is delighted that they
have progressed so well in sports. Being in Callender myself, I feel obliged to
keep up their good work!
Closely
followed by No.5……. The Sunday Times (a prominent but
inexperienced subsidiary of the Melting
Pot) School
Of The Year UK
At
No.4……. General teaching at the
school. Mr.Spowart (or as he has been affectionately nicknamed “Spowy” or the
“Spowmeister”) felt that general teaching round the school has reached greater
heights over the years and more and more pupils are getting drawn in to
learning by the fantastic teachers at the school. This year 30 people have got
into Oxbridge, a record for over thirty years. Apart from just teaching Latin,
he also occasionally teaches students about Linea
B, Greek and Roman gods, reads them myths, swings rhombuses, delves into
other ancient languages, fires catapults and a whole lot of other stuff.
No.2……. Rowing
at MCS. As most of you know, Mr.Spowart is the rowing guru of the school. A few
gifted rowers have caught his attention and one of those is a certain Simon
Steele. In the Fifth Form, Simon won over 13 events and three trophies in a day.
Generally Mr. Spowart is extremely happy with rowing in school and is proud of
the school’s victories.
There
are two events both as significant as the other that had to be put to 1st
and 2nd, he couldn’t decide so he ranked both as No.1 ……. Firstly, Dr.Hands arriving. Mr.Spowart remarked that he enjoyed meeting him
and that the success and dexterity of his mastership waits to be seen.
And
finally…. The end of Mr. Halls’ era.
Mr. Spowart described him as “A trusted man who really made the school progress
to new heights. He was a kind man who gave his all to us; I hope he enjoys his
time at Wimbledon .” (Well, I personally have
never met the man but by all accounts of him heard around the school, he seems
like a person I would like to meet)
__________________________________________________________
Well
there you have it, the beauty of media, an entire decade’s worth of events
summed up in just a few paragraphs. But what can MCS look forward to in the
coming years? "Magic mirror on the
wall, what events are coming for us all?" "Well,"
she replied, "Four moments are what
I predict, and each one is just as contentious; the first one is a new Head Girl? The second is a bit more
intense, the school buying itself off
the college? The third possibility is a bit absurd, The Melting Pot buying the Oxford
As
new experiences and commitments beckon in the new decade, everyone is thinking
to the future. Who knows, perhaps in 2020 someone else will be doing exactly
what I am, thinking back to what the BBC are already branding “The Teenies,” and perhaps Mr.Spowart will have yet
another interview. I would have
graduated from MCS; Dr. Hands looking back at his glorious decade; the Melting Pot still be going strong (I
think) but editorial staff will have an entire reform and the Inquirer will still be “criticizing” everything. It all waits
to be seen.
To
the next 10 years we can follow two great men and their anecdotes:
Either
“If
something is hard to do, then it’s not worth doing.”
Homer Simpson
OR
“Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp. Or
what's a heaven for?”
Robert
Browning
Surely
I'm dead right? Jolly good!
Carpe Diem
Jai Hooshmand
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