d'Overbroeck's College Oxford

Harry’s first experience of d’Overbroeck’s came in February 2002 when he took part in our Jazz Course, a one week workshop for 11-16 yr olds that takes place annually. He was attracted by the small class sizes, a reputation for good teaching, and the open relaxed atmosphere at d’Overbroeck’s, and decided to transfer from the school where he was at in Reading. He joined at the beginning of Year 9 in 2002.

Highlights for him of the past few years at d’Overbroeck’s have included Little Shop of Horrors, Public Speaking, and last year’s Winter Recital. In the Little Shop of Horrors, he played Mr Wright, a ‘geeky’ character, and Pat Martin, a one line part who appears at the end. His interest and skill in Public Speaking has had the opportunity to develop, and this year he led the d’Overbroeck’s team to victory in the Oxfordshire Public Speaking Contest, arguing the case for ‘Why Public Schools should be abolished’, (something he doesn’t actually agree with!). In last year’s Winter Recital Harry recited a Shakespeare Sonnet, and played a piece of Bach on his Saxophone. He also took part in the Drama Competition, which was ‘A Midsummer’s Night Dream’.

Due to a leg injury when he was quite young, that excluded him from sports and many outdoor activities, Harry tinkered with the computer at home, teaching himself many sophisticated software programmes and developing a keen interest and talent in graphic design. As his father is a photographer he has also had the chance to learn about this area and the two interests came together last year when he started producing the programmes for the Drama competition and Little Shop of Horrors. He has even taught himself HTML programmes and has developed a number of web sites, including his own and one for his father. He will be joining the Lower Sixth Form this September, studying Economics, English, French and Drama & Theatre Studies AS and A levels. He is most looking forward to Drama & Theatre Studies, a subject he thinks he’ll really enjoy.

Going into the Sixth Form, he’s hoping things don’t change too much – he’s enjoyed the past 3 years so much he wouldn’t want that to change. He is looking forward to the larger numbers of students, and to being able to focus on less subjects but the ones he most enjoys at a more intense level. He wants to continue with his Public Speaking, playing and learning more tennis, and would very much like to get involved in the Young Enterprise, where students learn how to set up a business from scratch. And what does he want to do in the future? His ambition is to work in a field related to one of his skills and where he can do what he most enjoys. Careers he is contemplating include web design, publishing, journalism, or a theatre Producer or Director.