HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Chritmas and a prosperous and successful New Year!

"Tom Morgan Enterprises"!

A huge "thanks" from us all to Tom Morgan who provided entertainment and food for our social on Monday evening. Tom provided the PS3 so that many could enjoy a game of football and, for the more robust, a chance to shoot each other! Tom's efforts were very much appreciated, not least by a Housemaster who was running short of ideas!

More Awards!

Congratulations to James Warren and Ed Bowers on their recent academic effort awards and to Tom Morgan and David Hawes for their certificates recognising the number of "Excellent Slips" they have been given.

Special congratulations to Ed Bowers for being awarded his Owl Tie. This recognises the huge effort Ed puts in to a wide range of school activities and the tireless devotion he shows to The College.

Rugby Players Honoured

The annual Rugby Club Dinner was held on Tuesday evening and the highlight was the awards ceremony where a number of Year 13 received awards. For the 2nd XV, Freddie Wilcox was chosen as the players' player and skipper Bertie Piasecki-Jarvis was awarded his half colours. 1st XV awards included half colours for Joe Jenkins, Adam Roels and Sam Quelch and full colours for James Dobree-Carey, Theo Duthoit and Joe Southwell. The players' player was Theo and skipper Elliott Quelch was the coaches' player and also received the much-coveted Blazer Badge.

Well done to all who received awards and all the others who played senior rugby this term.

Year 13 Musicians

The musical talents for many of our Year 13 boys were on display tonight at the Christmas Concert. The Headmaster payed tribute to four boys in particular who have shown great loyalty and commitment to College music since their arrival in Year 9. Freddie Wilcox, James Warren, David Hawes and Oliver Fogden were asked to take a bow of their own in recognition of all they have done. Nick and Tom Woodford, Fred Mallin, Nick Ellis, Harry Coaker and Alex Roberts also performed in various groups and ensembles throughout a very enjoyable and lively concert.

Headmaster's Choirmaster Appointed

One of the most sought-after jobs in school was filled last week. The eagerly awaited appointment of Headmaster's Choirmaster was filled by none other than Alex Humphreys. Alex's joy at the news was plain for all to see. He now has the weighty job of preparing his carefully selected choir for their first public performance, at the Christmas Dinner. Rehearsals have started but the repertoire is a closely guarded secret. Good luck, Alex!

Cross Country

It was their last chance to impress in one of the more gruelling competitions of the year, and Year 13 boys did not disappoint! Sam Evans finished second in the first race and Adam Roels came in third place in this week's race. That's it! No more cross country for Year 13 (ever?)!

GB Trials

Toby Bownas and Nick Gordon set off on Friday for the GB rowing trials. The pair have already enjoyed success in a head of the river race in London and, most recently, on their USA tour, where they recorded an impressive victory. On saturday they compete in singles. Good luck!

Project FAT NG (AKA BTEC Band)

BTEC groupies were treated to another fine performance by Gracie, Tom, Alex, Nick and Fred. Among the songs performed were James Blunt's High, Free falling by John Mayer and Always Attract by You Me at Six. The band are becoming a favourite and if you have not heard them yet, you should get along to their next gig.

South West Rugby Success

Very well done to James Dobree-Carey who has been selected to play rugby for the South West Division. After a grueling selection process and a nail-biting hour long wait after the final selection match, James was told the good news. We wish him well as he starts his representative rugby and this incredibly high level.

Prefect Appointment

Congratulations to Nadal Sarkytbayev on recently being appointed a School Prefect. He is pictured here (centre) on his recent Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition with Nick Hartley and George Reeves. Congratulations also to Claudia le Blanc who has also been appointed.

Half Term check list

I wish everyone, boys and their families, a very happy and relaxing half term holiday. Good luck to the rowers who travel to America and those taking part in the Geography field trip to Iceland. I'm off to Belgium and France with Year 9, visiting the First World War battlefields.

Please don't forget:

• UCAS applications
• Holiday work
• Sleep

Have a good time!

Boston Bound...

Eight Year 13 boys head "State-side" today for a twelve day rowing tour of the USA. They start in Boston then move on to Philadelphia and finish in New York. They will train and compete in two races whilst, no doubt, fitting in a spot of sightseeing. Rumour has it they are due to watch an NBA basketball game.

Good luck to Jamie Macleod, Oliver Vizard, JB Brown, Sam Evans, Toby Bownass, Adam Roels and cox, Chris Troup (somehow missing from the photo!).

Success for Gordon and Bownass!

Nick Gordon and Toby Bownass achieved a superb result in a recent Head of the River race in London. The pair came third in the Junior Pairs Competition. Well done.

Progress Review Success

Sam Quelch, Nadal Sarkytbayev, Nick Ellis and James Warren all received certificates from the Headmaster in a recent Assembly in recognition of their achievement and effort in the first Progress Review of the year. Congratulations!

BTEC Band plays Lady Gaga

Gracie Miller, Tom Woodford, Alex Roberts, Fred Mallin and Nick Ellis, otherwise known as The BTEC Band played Plan B, The Raconteurs, Train and Lady Gaga in the recent A Level recital. They had the audience clapping and stamping in response to their lively and infectious performance. One of the highlights was the first public appearance of Fred's red ukulele!

House Committee

The College House Committee met for the first time on Wednesday. A number of issues were discussed, ranging from safes to SKY TV and washing machines to Wii. It was agreed that
A Level artists would supply some new artwork and that some money would be spent on buying new pictures for walls in common rooms and corridors. It is hoped also that safes will be provided for every room.

Future projects include looking at producing hoodies for the House, buying an ipod docking station for the games room, a DVD stand for the Day Room and purchasing a new washing machine, such is the popularity of the boys' new-found domestic skills!

The Committee also intends to arrange a number of social events this year.

House Football

Congratulations to Skipwith for their crushing defeat of Welsh in the first round of the House Football Competition! Burr and Everett shared the honours in a tightly contested game, finishing with three goals a piece.

Local Sporting Award

Rowing scholar "JB" Brown has been awarded the Easington District Sports Achievement of the Year by his home town. He has now been nominated for the Durham County award which will be announced later this month. Congratulations!

Trip to Premiership Rugby

A number of Sixth Formers made the short journey through Reading today to the Madejski Stadium to witness London Irish beat Gloucester.

Prefects and Chapel Wardens Blessed by The Bishop

This year's Prefects and Chapel Wardens were commissioned and blessed by Colin, Bishop of Dorchester, last week. In a special chapel service, these senior pupils promised to serve the community as best they can and to ensure that all those in their care are looked after to the best of their ability. Congratulations to Prefects Jamie MacLeod (Head of College), Ed Bowers, Toby Bownass, Ollie Vizzard, Elliott Quelch, Bertie Piasecki-Jarvis, Nick Woodford, James Warren, JB Brown, and James Dobree-Carey.

Well done also to Chapel Wardens Ed Bowers, David Hawes, Fred Mallin, Joe Jenkins, Alex Humphreys, Oliver Fogden, and George Reeves.

Early Success for 1st XV

The 1st XV enjoyed the taste of success early in the season; they convincingly beat King's School, Ely in their pre-season match and last Saturday produced a stunning second half perfomance against Reed's School to beat them 33-20.

Congratulations to Elliott Quelch on being appointed captain of Rugby.

Cycling for Charity

Three Year 13 boys, Jamie MacLeod (Head of College), Ed Allen and Ollie Vizzard were among a group of five Shiplake pupils who cycled from Henley to Paris (roughly 270 miles). They were raising money for three very worthy causes; Help for Heroes, Face of Henley and the forthcoming Boat Club trip the America. Fatigue, saddle soar and the heat did not prevent them reaching their destination in just four days. They hope to raise a couple of thousand pounds.

Welcome to College House

A very warm welcome to all our new Year 13 boys; we hope that you will be very happy and flourish in your new house. We extend this welcome to parents, families and friends, all of whom are welcome to come and see us at any time.

The Housemaster, Nick Brown, Resident Tutor, Emma Arnold and Matron, Fatma Bensaad are always available to talk to you and will do all they can to ensure that you settle in and enjoy your final year at Shiplake.

College House is a very special place and should provide all its residents with a peaceful and happy environment where all can enjoy the company of their peers. The boys have already made a fantastic start and I have enjoyed the atmosphere they have created. We adhere to the very simple philosophy that if they behave like adults, they will be treated like adults.

I hope everybody has a happy, fruitful and memorable year and wish everyone "good luck" as they enter what is, without doubt, the most important year of their schooling.

Mitchem hits 76 to secure first victory for 2nd XI.

The 2nd XI cricketers secured their first victory today, beating Henley College in a nail-biting finish. Shiplake batted first scoring 164, with skipper Ben Mitchem scoring an impressive 76. In reply Henley reached 156, needing 10 off the last over. Zac Bigley bowled a tight final over conceding only 2 runs. Well done to Y13 players, Ben Mitchem, Harry Wilson and Oly Watkins-Murphy.

Four in a row for cricketers!

Our 1st XI have enjoyed four victories on the run with such impressive scalps as Magdalen College School and Bloxham. Skipper, Olly Gould and James Luscombe, James Black and Tom Whittingham have all made significant contributions to these fine wins. Particularly noteworthy are the half centuries by Olly and both James B. and James L. Well done, and good luck against Reeds on Saturday!

Drama success!

Many congratulations to our A2 Theatre Studies students for pulling off a superb performance of their devised examination piece, Sam and Hal. This powerful and moving series of short plays combined the very distinctive styles of Samuel Becket and Harold Pinter. It has to be said that Miss Saker's interval summaries helped some of us to understand the action but the skill and energy of James, Kristian, Ed, Harry and Christian can not be denied. Well done!

Captain of Tennis

Many congratulations to Chris Payne on his appointment as Captain of Tennis. We wish him luck for a successful season.

A Level Drama

Next week sees performances of the A Level Theatre Studies production Sam and Hal. This devised piece forms a considerable part of the students' final A Level grade. Performances run from Wednesday 28 to Friday 30th April in the Tithe Barn.

We hope that Kristian Dyer, James Gifford, Ed Harris, Harry Wilson and Christian Young break their collective leg!

Congratulations to Harry for producing a most professional looking poster.

Happy Easter!

May I wish you all a very happy and productive Easter holiday.

After a short and, hopefully busy break, the boys will return to their last term at Shiplake. Before their minds turn to The Leavers' Ball, the long summer ahead and other such temptations, there is the small matter of A Level examinations!

I hope all boys return ready for the immense challenges that lie ahead and can muster the energy, single-mindedness and cooperation that will give them the best chances of success. Quiet work and preparation will be the order of the day in College House from the evening of Tuesday 13th April. It is crucial that we create an atmosphere conducive to hard work and, to this end, Miss Arnold, my Tutors and I will be coming down very hard on boys who disturb others.

It is quiet possible to strike a balance between hard work, rest and play and I hope that all the boys will return ready for what awaits on the games fields, courts and river.

May I make a few other reminders:

• Car owners must display a College permit, hand their keys to me and, with ever increasing congestion, park with sense and care.


• All medication must be registered with the Medical Wing, even over the counter medicines such as paracetamol.


• Weekend arrangements must be clear and transparent and I would ask parents to continue to support me in this.


• Whilst we do not have exam leave at Shiplake, once a pupil has finished his exams, he may go home until the last week of term. Further details on this will follow.


• Details regarding the Leavers' Ball will be sent separately. Parents are most welcome to attend this as they are the Leavers' Service which preceeds the prize giving ceremony on Speech Day.

See you next term!

Hockey Honours

Fifteen Year 13 boys were honoured at the annual Hockey Club Dinner. The highest awards were made to long-standing members of the 1st XI, Callum Thomas (captain) and James Luscombe; both boys were awarded the highest sporting honour of a Blazer Badge, for three years of dedicated service, skill, sportsmanship and, no doubt, a huge stash of goals! James and Callum were also named as the two outstanding players of the season. Other awards are listed below:

• Players' Player: Olly Gould (1st XI) and Alex Baker (4th XI)



• Most Improved: Brough Downey (1st XI), Fred Versen (4rd XI)



• 2nd XI Colours: Jordon Foster, Nick Harper, Tom Imlay, Ben Mitchem, Harrison Lewis



• Half Colours: Rob Skinner, Brough Downey, Chris Payne



• Full Colours: Oliver Watkins-Murphy, James Luscombe, Olly Gould, James Black

Congratulations to all for a really successful season.

Seven of the best for old rivals!

The 1st XI hockey team ended the season with a crushing 7-1 defeat of rivals Pangbourne College! Hatricks for James Luscombe and skipper Callum Thomas and a goal for Oli Watkins-Murphy could not have provided a more fitting close to a successful season.

In all, 25 members of Year 13 represented the College in senior teams. James Black, Brough Downey, Olly Gould, James Luscombe, Chris Payne, Rob Skinner, Callum Thomas and Oli Watkins-Murphy were all regulars for the 1st XI. Special congratulations also go to other senior captains; Jordon Foster (2nd XI), Billy Pinto (3rd XI) and Harry Wilson (4th XI). The College Housemaster would also like to pay tribute to the "dream team" of the season, his very own 5th XI!

The Hockey Club with be celebrating yet another successful season at the annual dinner to be held on Wednesday.

New Prefect

We were delighted to hear that Harrison Lewis has been made up to a School Prefect. Harrison proved his quiet and efficient approach to College life as one of the Year 7 Support Group leaders. Recently he and Hannah Fitzgerald organised a very successful Mothering Sunday Service in the Parish Church. Congratulations, Harrison!

Choosing the right path

Continuing the series of talks by Heads of Houses, last week Welsh's Ross McCafferty talked about making the right decisions in life. He said that our lives reflect the choice and decisions we make and that choosing the right path is essential to our own happiness and that of others. He quoted the Headmaster when he said that "choice, risk and consequence" should never be far from our thoughts. Every path, he said, has hurdles and potential accidents and he quoted the statistic that more teenage road accidents are caused by speeding than by drink driving. He urged his audience to make a "life plan" and not to fall into someone else's and ended with the sound and empathetic advice, "never put your own happiness at the expense of others".

Captain Gould

Congratulations to Olly Gould on his appointment as Captain of Cricket. Senior cricketers have been hard at it in the indoor nets this term and we wish them luck for a successful season.

World Premiere!

The Spring Concert provided a platform for a number of Year 13 pupils to perform. Foremost amongst these was James Gifford who performed, as part of a string quartet, a world premiere of his own composition, Devil's Tango. The imaginative and evocative piece, using long passages of pizzicato, was one on the highlights of a varied and most enjoyable concert. Later in the same concert James sang Purcell's plaintiff song Music for a while. Other Year 13 pupils taking part included Nick Harper and Sam Neale who sang in the Chamber Choir and Andrew Gilligan who played a very sexy Pink Panther on his alto saxophone.

Anonymous praise for the College House Blog!

I'm a real novice when in comes to blogging, but this entire blog makes a fabulous read...so I couldn't resist giving someone something to read in return. Well done, Nick and well done everyone in College House.
PS: I especially like to read the sporting round-ups as we've just watched a magic match where the 1st XI hockey stormed through the freezing temperatures to win 4:3 at Reading Astro today. Luscombe, Black and Thomas shone as a tremendous threesome again but the whole team played with incredible skill and determination the whole match. Nationals standard, I'd say!

You don't have to be a saint!

Continuing the series of talks in Assembly by Heads of Houses, this week it was the turn of Skipwith's Robert Skinner. Taking St David as his inspiration, Rob talked about the qualities of leadership and empathy. His central message to the assembled companies of Years 11, 12 and 13 was that you don't have to be a saint to make a difference. He concluded that we all possess courage and bravery and have the ability to do good; it is down to our own determination and resolve (or lack of it) as to whether or not we make a difference.

Y13 sing their hearts out!

The annual House Music Competition always provides some memorable moments. This year Y13 boys and girls excelled in teaching, conducting, playing and singing. In the week leading up to the competition College House was deserted as all its members strove to encourage and rehearse their own Houses. The competition itself was keenly fought, with Burr just securing a win.

Academic excellence

Congratulations to the following who received awards from the Headmaster in Assembly this week for excellent work and effort: Cornel Mgbangson, Oliver Watkins-Murphy and Tom Imlay.

I could have been a window cleaner.

“Understanding my journey from a thirteen year old with no sporting talent to a scholarship at Shiplake College and then hopefully onto Harvard is an improbable story,” James Briggs told us at Senior Assembly this morning.

“My school reports read “able but must try harder” and when my friend asked me to join his window-cleaning business when I left school, I contemplated it. At that time his company consisted of him, a sponge, a ladder and a bucket,” said James.

One evening on Scarborough beach another friend invited James to have a go at rowing. Five months later James stood on the podium at the National Indoor Rowing Championships with a medal round his neck.

“When the offer of a sports scholarship to Shiplake came I had to think long and hard. It was 260 miles away and my friends were concerned that I would become a soft southern pansy.”

“Looking back it is strange how luck, destiny or fate can shape such pivotal moments in our lives. But we must have the determination and perseverance to make the most of those opportunities. When I am asked to do a 5km ergo I have a choice. But to achieve we have to remove ourselves from our comfort zone, to broaden our outlook and to move on. Never say never.”