A Playlist of Vintage and Contemporary Classics

On Wednesday 1 July, we were delighted to welcome Rock Choir to Caterham School for their fourth House Song competition.

House Song has always been a huge highlight of the Summer Term calendar. As we all gathered in the Marquee at 2:50pm after a full morning and short afternoon of rehearsing our allocated songs in our House bases around the school site, it immediately became clear that we were in for another immortal competition. The House Spirit was on full display from all the Houses, and everyone savoured their three minutes of on-stage fame.

Ridgefield opened the show by singing Jess Glynne’s Rather Be, an iconic ode to friendship and deescalating daunting situations. (As daunting as it often is to step onto a big stage, everyone took this challenge in their stride.) The Boarders continued to celebrate these themes by singing With A Little Help From My Friends – as performed by The Beatles, rather than Joe Cocker or Pop Idol runners-up Sam and Mark. Lewisham then performed their interpretation of Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours, with Amelia stepping superbly into their leading role.

Harestone’s rendition of Bill Withers’ Lean On Me featured some apt choreography and was a wonderful celebration of the Houses’ community values. Aldercombe represented the early 2000s with their cover of Natasha Bedingfield’s Unwritten, which they had fittingly been rehearsing in the Library all morning. Underwood joined Ridgefield on our roll call of Jess Glynne tribute bands by singing I’ll Be There, with a mixture of great harmonies and some very loud sections. Newington had the honour of closing the show with their spirited performance of Fontella Bass’ Rescue Me, during which their mascot, Newton, was abruptly rescued.

By the time Newington had left the stage, Mrs Mesher, Mrs Moore, and Mrs McCartney were probably regretting taking their seats at the Judges’ Table, as there were so few details that were separating the Houses from each other. With 210 possible “top three” leaderboards, and all 210 of them being eminently possible, the judges deliberated carefully. They ultimately awarded third place to Harestone, second to Underwood and first to Aldercombe. Congratulations to them, to their choir and House leaders, and to all the representatives from the other Houses.

The joy of House Song is all-consuming. Having been a once-shy child who never used to go anywhere near a big stage but discovered the magic of the performing arts in my later school years, I loved seeing that joy in full force during this week’s performances. Time will tell if House Song 2026 is the origin story of any top-flight singers or presenters.

Here’s to next year in the performing arts – a year which is currently unwritten.

Mr R. Evans
Teacher of Chemistry, Head of Ridgefield