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".