Goodacre's

Junior House Hockey Success

Congratulations to the Junior House team who managed to win this competition despite missing some of their top players due to other activities. The first round was against Skrines where a full strength team ran out winners 4-0 with goals from Tom Russell, Calum McCoss and George Smith. However on the final day of play we had 4 members of the team away at a piping competition, one at a tennis competition and one on crutches. This meant fielding only 8 players against the 10 men fielded by Matheson’s but a last minute goal from Calum McCoss and some resolute defending from Stan Shillington ensured a gutsy 3-2 victory. A similar story developed against Patchell’s where Goodacre’s again started with 8 against the 10 of Patchell’s but again a late goal from McCoss and some great goalkeeping from Fergus Campbell brought about a 1-0 victory. In the final match against Reid’s we were back to a full complement of players as Ivan Lazorko and Harvey Strachan joined the fray. Harvey proved to be the match winner with two fine goals in a 3-1 victory. This was a great result for Goodacre’s defying the odds against Patchell’s and Matheson’s and highlights the boys desire to win and strength in depth.

Senior House Hockey           

Unfortunately success was to elude us in this event but we were far from humbled. The tournament started well enough with a 5-0 victory over Skrines but a last minute goal conceded against Reid’s resulted in only a 1-1 draw. These were not bad results since Reid’s were full of confidence having beaten pre-tournament favourites Patchell’s and we were without two of our key players (Dudgeon, McCoss) through injury. In the final round of games we went down 2-1 to Patchell’s after a wonder goal from their German International star and fought out a 1-1 draw with Matheson’s. Highlights of the tournament for us included Roddy Bevens nutmegging the Patchell’s goalkeeper and Freddie Campbell showing how hard a hockey ball can be hit.

Junior House Football

This is turning out to be a vintage season for the Junior boys. They have now added the Junior Football trophy to the cabinet to sit proudly alongside the Rugby and Hockey trophies. They started with a four goal victory over Patchell’s (Smith, Campbell, Russell, Black scoring) and then disposed of Matheson’s with a 2-0 win. In the penultimate match against Skrines goals from Black, Russell and Smith ensured a 3-0 victory and set up a winner takes all battle with the unbeaten Reid’s side. First half goals from Russell and Smith put us 2-0 in front but a superb fight back from Reid’s brought them level by the final whistle. However, the trophy belonged to Goodacre’s due to a superior goal difference.

Caritas Sevens

The annual Caritas Sevens proved to be a happy hunting ground for both the College and the House this week. 8 of the 11 players that were selected to play belonged to Goodacre’s (Campbell, Everett, Barge, Dudgeon, Carmichael, McCoss, Bailey, Bevens) and they certainly enjoyed their run to the semi-final beating Merchiston on the way. However, they were to lose in a hard fought semi-final to RGS Newcastle by five tries to three. Newcastle subsequently went on to win the whole event. Well done to all involved.

Module Success

The January Module results yielded some extremely good results for boys in the House. None more so than Adam Dudgeon who claimed two perfect modules in Maths scoring 100% in each. Ollie Carmichael followed suit in his Geography module also claiming full marks.

Robert Page can also be satisfied with his efforts obtaining 3 A grades in his three modules and just missing out on full marks in his Geography exam. Alexander Everett, Peter Lidstone, Stephen Hems and Julian Wagner can all be pleased with their showing  in their Biology and Geography modules. Well done to all.

 

House Colours

Michael Bodie has been awarded with his Junior Colours after his superb performance in the House Swimming event where he was named Junior Victor Ludorum. This was on the back of an impressive run in the House Steeplechase.

Senior Colours were awarded to Stuart Bailey for a great run in the House Steeplechase followed by an unbeaten performance in the pool. Adam Dudgeon also received his colours for his splendid run in the Steeplechase having just recovered from knee surgery and for another unbeaten performance in House Swimming.

Fraser Bodie also earned his colours for his performance in the pool coupled with him having attained the first flying scholarship for Glenalmond for a number of years. Well done to them all.

Awesome- Beat That!

Goodacre’s produced a level of performance that will prove nigh on impossible to beat in future years in the House swimming competition. In 26 events Goodacre’s emerged victorious in 24. This is an outstanding achievement and pays testament to the boys' endeavour and willingness to get involved.

The team was led superbly by Blair Gordon and James Rivers who were competing in their last ever competition but given that virtually the whole team will be available again next year augurs well.

Special mention must go to Michael Bodie (3rd Form) who won the Junior Victor Ludorum and Blair Gordon (Upper 6th) who won the Senior Victor Ludorum. Individual race winners included Michael Bodie, Freddie Cox, George Smith, Blair Gordon, Adam Dudgeon, James Rivers, Fergus McCoss, Fraser Bodie and Stuart Bailey.

Junior Girls and Boys

Junior Boys Only

Senior Boys Only

Junior and Senior Boys Combined

Steeplechase Success  

Once again House spirit came to the fore as the boys took the steeplechase honours. The Senior boys won their event with sterling performances from Blair Gordon (3rd), Stu Bailey (5th), Adam Dudgeon (7th), Fin Barge (8th) as well as the rest of the senior boys. The top twenty from each House scored points and it was great to see all 23 possible runners from the House taking part with the only absentees being those signed off games by the Medical Department. I am especially pleased with the enthusiasm from the boys to get involved and their determination to run hard for the benefit of the House and ultimately for their own personal pride.

Alex Everett and Ollie Carmichael had their own personal battle, which spurred both on to top twenty finishes with Alex just edging out Ollie in the end. The spirit of the House is epitomized in Adam Dudgeon's performance as he is still on the road to recovery having had knee surgery recently. Fraser Bodie also ran well considering his arm was in a splint.

The Junior event was also a great success with Stan Shillington coming home in second place. Our 3rd position in the junior event would have been so much better had Kester Black not pulled up 50 yards from the line after suffering stomach cramps whilst in 4th place and one of our top runners from last year, George Smith, was unable to compete. Nonetheless, the rest of the Junior boys ran well and their points tally was crucial in securing the overall victory for the House.                     

Goodacre’s Ski Trip

Goodacre’s is combining forces with Reid’s House and are planning to go skiing during the first week of the Easter Break next spring. The trip will run from the 21st March until the 28th of March and will include ski lessons, lift passes, meals , transfers etc.etc. If you want to find out more on the resort then please log onto the following website www.tjmskitopia.com . We are looking to entirely fill the Chalet l’Ours Blanc and thus far places are filling up.

 

 

A few recent photographs illustrating some of Goodacre's successes of last term.

Sweet taste of Success

Top Gun

Fraser Bodie (L6) has been allocated a place on the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme.  This is twelve hours of flying training that may culminate in a solo flight, and goes a long way towards an eventual Private Pilot's Licence.  He is the first cadet from Glenalmond to get a place on one of these coveted courses for a number of years (you have to have completed a Gliding Scholarship first, which he has). Well done Fraser.

New Tutor

Unfortunately Mr Jade Blackman, who was third form tutor, is now stuck in New Zealand having run into some visa difficulties. Our thanks and best wishes are sent around the globe to him as he now embarks on a sports science degree in his homeland.

Mr. Mark Nicholls has been appointed to replace Jade and will take over tutorial responsibilities. Mark is a keen outward-bound enthusiast who will be working in the PE department whilst running the third form adventure training programme and playing an active role in the CCF. He certainly has a lot of interesting ideas with regards to tutor outings and the Third Form wait with baited breath.

House Colours

Sam Collins was awarded his Junior Colours for outstanding contribution to the House and indeed the College throughout his first term at Glenalmond. Sam played Junior Colts rugby and House rugby with great determination and skill throughout the term as well as representing the House in Partsong and Ensemble competitions. He was also a member of Chapel Choir and the Orchestra throughout this time.

Senior Colours were awarded to Ollie Carmichael for outstanding contribution to House music, House rugby and House Soccer. This was all on top of representing the first XV and the Pipe Band. Congratulations are also due to Ollie for being selected to represent the College at the Dicey Conference at Trinity College, Oxford which is aimed at some of the countries top six formers to explore and debate the balance between Government, the rule of law and individual freedom.

Freddie Campbell was also awarded Senior Colours for his contribution to House rugby and College rugby last term. Freddie was unlucky enough to break his arm during a match last term but his reaction to adversity was superb. Rather than wallow in self pity Freddie took it upon himself to help out with the Junior Colts coaching and on the departure of Mr Blackman he was responsible for training and selecting the Junior Colts B XV. This attitude was commendable and I know he cannot wait to get involved in this term hockey when his wrist permits.

Well done to all three.
 

Outside Interests

It is great to see that the boys in the House expand their interests beyond College. Their achievements are to be commended and pay testament to their determination and enthusiasm. Sam Collins (3rd Form) sings in the Aberdeen Cathedral Choir when he can, whilst Kester Black (4th Form) continues to make progress in the Scottish tennis circles. Elsewhere in the fourth form Tom Russell has had successful trials at Grange Hockey Club, Stan Shillington has represented the East of Scotland at U16 level in cricket and George Smith and Freddie Cox have represented Caledonian U16 Cricket teams. Freddie has also played cricket for Scotland at U15 level. Merlin Carnegie (5th Form) is currently undergoing training to become a ski instructor whilst Ross Clark and Elliott Hardie (5th Form) are representing Melrose in the rugby world. Both Stuart Bailey and Fergus McCoss (L6th Form)  turn out for Atholl Rugby Club when School commitments permit them whilst Ollie Carmichael(L6th Form) represents the Caley Reds. On top of this Blair Gordon turns out for Scotland in the Orienteering world and remains their cover star on the web page. All in all it is a varied and commendable contribution when you consider this is on top of their College commitments which are numerous.

Junior House Rugby

We set out ready to defend the title that we had not lost for 5 years.  However, we knew that our opposition had improved dramatically since last year.  This was proved when we managed a hard-fought, but confident 12-0 victory over Patchell’s in our first match.  Freddie Cox and Tom Russell scored to make a good start to the tournament.
       
In our next match, against Skrine’s, we took the chance to use some of our reserves.  We were four tries and three conversions up by half-time and only managed to score another one in the next half as Skrine’s put up a solid defense. 

Matheson’s had just drawn to Reid’s, last year’s runners-up so we knew we had a tough game ahead of us.  Coach Oli Carmichael gave an inspiring team talk before the match which led to Mori Thomson scoring in the first half and then Vitia running the pitch from the restart to score an excellent try.  Matheson’s came back with a try but this was quickly countered as Seryn Burden made a great break to set up Tom Russell in the corner. This gave us a 17-5 victory and meaning that a draw against Reid’s would seal the title for us once again.

A 0-0 draw dampened our celebrations as an unexciting final was not the desired finish to an excellent tournament, but we were lucky to escape with overall victory as Junior House Rugby Champions.  Special mention to Zander who put in a huge, possibly try-saving hit, at the expense of his back!

Final scores:

Patchell’s: 12-0    Tries: Cox, Russell.  Conversion: Smith

Skrine’s: 33-0       Tries: Thomson, Smith 2, Malkov 2.  Conversions: Smith 4

Matheson’s: 17-5 Tries: Thomson, Malkov, Russell.  Conversion: Cox

Reid’s: 0-0          

Seryn Burden was named player of the tournament for great running and support work, not being rested for a single game.
       
        By George Smith (captain)

Starting Over

The long summer holidays came to an abrupt end last week and Goodacre’s boys returned in high spirits having sunned themselves in the tropics of Madagascar and Tanzania to name but a couple of destinations.

The 5th form return on the back of some excellent GCSE results and the Lower 6th enter their final year looking to build on the solid foundations laid at AS Level.

A week into term the House has now settled into a lovely rhythm and the wide-eyed new boys are now part of the furniture. We welcomed 7 new third formers, two new Lower 6th formers and also welcomed back Jack Willoughby who returned from Eton College having completed a very successful lower 6th year at the “Glenalmond of the South”.

It was also pleasing to see the continued involvement of the Goodacre’s boys in College rugby providing 6 of the starting XV for the firsts and this level of involvement continues throughout the other Senior and Junior teams.

The House has now turned its attention to the House Music competition trying to improve on the excellent performances of Santana and Wham last year.

The new House Council has also been selected and sitting on this body will be Roddy Bevens (Chairman), Dougal Gordon, Fraser Bodie, Harry Chamberlain, Stan Shillington and Rory Maclachlan.

The "Green Machine" is now up and running and looking forward to what will hopefully be another enjoyable and successful year.

This year the Goodacre's Tutors are:

3rd Form: Mr Mark Nicholls
4th Form: Mr Jeremy Gardener
5th Form: Mr Mike Watson
L6th       : Mr Brian Elrick
U6th       : Mrs Alison Haylock