Novo Shield
The Novo Shield that hangs in the Main Hall, above room M130 dates back to 1909. It was the prize for a sporting competition established by the editors of the Novo magazine, funded by profits from magazine sales.
In a June 1909 article, the editors announced the launch:
Before the end of the term the Novo Shield will hang upon the eastern wall of the great hall; and for decades to come, we trust, this shield will be looked up to with ever increasing interest and appreciation. At the end of each summer term, the Football, Cricket and Sports Masters will meet in conference and, after duly considering the claims of all prominent footballers, cricketers, runners and jumpers, will announce the name of the boy they deem most worthy to be considered the best all-round athlete of the year; and his name the Editors will have engraved upon the shield. Thus will the Novo’s offering become the honour roll of those who, year by year, by their achievements, their improving talent, their disciplined keenness, and their healthy sportsmanship earn the proud distinction of the First in Games.
The shield does not appear to have any names carved onto the metal plaques, and little information can be found within following issues of the Novo magazine. Perhaps we can infer that the competition ran out of steam fairly quickly.
The shield was ‘rediscovered’ in the cellars in 1984, so it must have been taken down from the wall years beforehand. The idea of awarding the ‘Novo Shield’ to a student seems to have had a comeback as there is reference to it being awarded in the November 2008 Novo magazine. Again, the prize does not appear to have stood the test of time.