Competition to win the Allard Shield, so-named for the 2015-2016 Head and Deputy Head Chapel Warden Dom Allen and Guy Pollard, kicked off in spectacular style yesterday with a Pancake Race. Two teams are going head-to-head in a variety of events in order to win the coveted shield; the Prefects, led by Head of College Emily Wilkinson, and the Chapel Wardens, led by Head Chapel Warden Austin Burnand. On a blustery and cold Tuesday afternoon, it was frying pans at the ready as participants flipped their pancakes before racing along the course in a bid to win Round One of the contest.
The Allard Shield was donated last year by Dom Allen and Guy Pollard, to help create light-hearted competition between the Prefects and the Chapel Warden. The different challenges in place to decide a winning group are suitably fun and entertaining. On Tuesday 28 February, the competition started with a Pancake Race. Head of College Emily Wilkinson led the Prefects out of Burr House to cheers from the gathered crowd, whilst Austin Burnand led the Chapel Wardens out of the John Turner building. Despite the rain, a large crowd of pupils and staff had gathered to see the race. The two teams were tasked with flipping the pancake twice, before running down the race course and passing the frying pan on to the next member of their team, in what became an incredibly tight relay race. The Chapel Wardens were reigning champions of the Allard Shield from last year, but yesterday the Prefects were determined to win the title. It was this determination that allowed them to edge the victory – both teams came out swinging, but the Prefects just pipped the Chapel Wardens to the post after a mammoth effort.
The race was only round one of three; keeping his cards close to his chest, Reverend Stephen Cousins wasn’t giving much away about the rounds still to come. However, he did mention that it would be a sporting game – possibly basketball – and a tug of war could be on the cards.
The race was followed by a pancake supper and bingo, which was a huge success. Reverend Cousins commented: ‘we had 90 pupils for the pancake supper and bingo, which was a great turn-out and the pupils had a brilliant time. The pancake supper is always a highlight – thank you to everyone who helped make this possible!’
