House Blog Spring Term Second Half 2025

28 March 2025 - Rubens

Go in faith – In Fide Vade – is the Christian motto at the heart of our School. Martin Luther King said that faith is “taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase”. I believe that Spring is the Term of Faith; belief that the dark, cold days of January and February will subside; and faith that the warmer days will return. Naturally then, Spring is also “the time for planning and projects,” as Leo Tolstoy reflects in Anna Karenina. Spring is the perfect time for a bit of Spring cleaning as happily sung by Mole in The Wind and the Willows. “I’m spring cleaning! I’m spring cleaning!” This happy chant warmly welcomes in the season of new beginnings and the welcome return of World Book Day, which the pink posse absolutely loved throwing themselves into. We took a House photo outside Chapel; the sun was shining down and it felt like the most glorious way to celebrate the joys of reading.

A fresh start or a fresh set? If you’re forming a new band, what songs to perform is a significant moment for any group of performers. Congratulations to Bea in Lower V for fronting her new band at Roc Soc, hosted in Archer Recital Hall with an audience of Lower V – Upper VI girls and our guests from Harrow. Singing ‘Kiss me’ by Sixpence None the Richer, Bea was absolutely incredible and looked very confident as the ‘front man’ for her group. We know Bea has also auditioned for the Whole School production of Guys and Dolls, so we look forward to seeing her talents shine on the stage next year too!

On Sunday 2 March, Rubens girls took part in their Roman Catholic confirmation and celebrated the culmination of months of study for this. The service was held in Wycombe Abbey’s Chapel and the sun was indeed shining for the congregation. Congratulations to Charlotte, Aryana, Talia, Lara and Alice.

We are also very proud of the three Rubens girls who have left for Australia on the exchange programme. Well done Rozzie, Clemmie and Miranda! We look forward to hearing your stories from Down Under!

Next term, the Upper V will quickly jump into their GCSE examination timetables. They have taken the time to reflect on their time in Rubens knowing that this time next year, they will have almost completed their time in the pink palace. Do enjoy the following thoughts from the Upper V girls:

Emma: Describing Rubens as simply a boarding House doesn’t do it justice. To me, Rubens is a home (and a Pink Palace!) where sisterhood thrives. Over my four incredible years here, I’ve forged lasting friendships and created countless unforgettable memories with my fellow boarders. Despite its large size, Rubens has nurtured a vibrant and close-knit community spirit that makes every day special. I feel immensely fortunate not only for the modern dorm rooms but, more importantly, for the unwavering support from my “sisters” and staff. Go Rubens!

Mati: At Wycombe, House Games is a central part of our community and undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable parts of being in a Senior House. Many of my fondest memories of Rubens come from cheering for each other on in Sports Day or coming together to take on Pitt in House Lacrosse.  Competing brings all year groups together and fosters a strong sense of House Spirit. These moments of teamwork and shared laughter make it an unforgettable part of Rubens life.

Elisia: It’s been a busy but exciting half of Term with lots of fun activities in House. A highlight has been hustings for our L6 Mons positions next year. It was great to be able to share and hear all the ideas and initiatives of our year group with the rest of the House and was exciting to look forward to potentially implementing some of these and taking on new leadership roles next year!

This half of Term we have also been rehearsing for the upcoming House Singing Competition, which has been a great way to get together as a House community and work towards a Whole School event. It’s always entertaining to see what other Houses have come up with and rewarding as all the rehearsing make the final performance come together. It’s been an enjoyable half of Term and I’m definitely looking forward to the last couple activities coming up such as House Outing to finish it off! 

Liuqing: Boarding at Rubens has been a wonderful experience. This half of term, Upper V hustings particularly brought excitement, reflection, and a real sense of community. I think the event really highlighted what makes boarding here so special—the encouragement, ambition, and constant support that make Rubens feel like home. Hustings reminded me of how much we’ve grown, and it makes me excited to step up and help shape the future of our House. I am looking forward to the House Outing and House Singing next week – this will be a great end to the Term!

Annamaria: This Half Term has been a blast! From House Singing to the best fruity Friday’s in Wycombe, the vibe has continued to be electric. Many of us have been involved in events such as LAX Nationals, MUN conferences and Highlights. Girls who were new to the School have settled in and new friendships are flourishing. The Upper Vs had Hustings this term, where the rest of the House votes for the Lower VI Mons positions. It was a nerve racking experience but everyone’s speeches were amazing and very funny. Not only that, we have been putting our blood, sweat and tears into our House Singing and are sounding harmonious. As we gear up for the upcoming months, with hopefully some much needed sunshine, there is so much more along the way. Whether it’s aiming for the next House Singing champions, or some delicious weekly chicken nuggets from Mrs Pearce, there is never a dull moment here in Rubens.

Cherry: Boarding in Rubens this term has been a heartwarming experience. Whether it’s Toastie Tuesday or Fruity Friday, we’re always together as a community. Even though as an Upper V, I am in year group dorms, Rubens still allows me to get to know many younger girls. Highlights of this Term have been Netball Funals, where the Rubens Second House team were able to secure a tight win, and pizza baguettes on Saturday nights.

Louise: I absolutely love the sisterly bonding that happens in Rubens. The mixed-year group dorms create the perfect setting for the most beautiful friendships. Whether it’s sharing stories, helping each other with schoolwork, or just laughing over silly moments, the connections we make are real and incredibly special. These friendships feel like a second family, and I treasure every moment spent with my amazing dormmates. Even when you get to Upper V and you share dorms with your own year group, the relationships you form within your dorms are everlasting and just so memorable. 

Lucy: This Half Term has flown by in a whirlwind with all that Rubens has offered. My highlights of the Term have been the well-deserved win in Netball Funals and the Houses imitation of Bruno Mars for our House Singing. Though it doesn’t really matter what we are doing as the community of Rubens supports us whenever. It’s been a pleasure to watch my year-group step up as leaders of the House and share their ideas at the recent hustings. Still the term has a lot to offer, with the upcoming House Singing Competition and House Outing to Zizzi and Bowling in High Wycombe.

Dottie: This year has been amazing in Rubens, especially being able to have late night chats with my dormmates in the Upper V only dorms. My highlights of this Term include hustings, community evening activities such as toastie making, and rehearsing for House Singing! I’m really looking forward to the House Outing, and our final performance of ‘Marry You’. 

Alicia: Boarding in Rubens has been such a fun and memorable experience! Although we aren’t in mixed ages dorms in Upper V, we still have the opportunity to spend time with our sisters in the younger years whether it’s through coming together to practice for House Singing or evening activities in House. As Upper V we have a special opportunity to do ‘little lights’ and ‘lights out’; putting the younger girls to bed. This weekly opportunity brings lots of laughs, dance routines and chats and allows us to get to know the younger girls better especially those who are new or whom we haven’t previously shared a dorm with. ‘Little lights’ is definitely my favourite time of the week and makes being in Upper V even more fun!

Ava: This half term in Rubens has been amazing. My favourite thing has been getting to know more and more younger girls by doing different things in House or in School. I really enjoyed the Mons application process as it allowed me to thoroughly reflect on my time in Rubens and appreciate how amazing this House is. I’m incredibly excited for next term and I’m looking forward to finding out the next Head of House and if we win the Commendation Shield! Finally, I can’t wait for the House Outing this term as they are always so fun and a great way to connect with my year group. 

Amelie: Rubens is a House that has created many invaluable memories which I will undoubtably cherish indefinitely. Whether it is the evening activities or supporting each other in House Funals, Rubens is a House which embodies sisterhood. Personally, over the past four years that I’ve been in Rubens, it has allowed me to flourish into the person I am today. This is honestly because of the amazing staff and girls that have created such a supportive environment.

Ashvini: I love Rubens because it’s such a welcoming and inclusive community. The Pink Palace is more than just a place—it’s a home where sisterhood and friendship thrive, nurturing each of us to grow and achieve our best. Whether you’re a younger or older girl, a Boarder or a Day Boarder, we’re each a Rubens girl through and through! 

So we can now sit back and enjoy the view of Spring with the crocuses and daffodils throughout the site of Wycombe. Indeed, Robin Williams observed that Spring was “nature’s way of saying, Let’s Party!”. I hope you all have a wonderful Easter that is celebratory and reenergising.