Prefect appointments

Skipwith House is delighted that Connor Cummings, James Hargreaves, James Fenton and Anna Davies have been appointed as prefects for next year. They thoroughly deserve it and are fantastic role models.

March 2015 - Part 2 - Cross Country

A bitter-sweet competition for Skipwith this year as the Seniors won the Championship Cup and the Girls were outstanding, winning the Girls Cup too. It was inconceivable to think we could finish last and second last overall then, but we did, due to the skewed nature of finishing places. Skipwith had a fantastic top, not many in the middle and densely populated bottom! Next year will be better I'm sure. Many thanks to those giving it their best.

March 2015 - Part 1 - House Music

At the beginning of the year I was quoted saying that of all the House events to win, House Music was the one I'd choose. It is all inclusive and great fun. We came second...but considering last year's 5th place, I am happy with the efforts of the House and glad we could put on a good show. Orchard once again beat us by the narrowest of margins and it hurts to talk about it still.

Highlights included Jordan Gibson winning the Individual event and the full house song was loud and proud. Video highlights available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgRuhA3vSzs

February 2015 - Part 2 - Ballroom Dancing Success

The Ballroom Dancing competition allowed Skipwith boys to shine. Sam Ryder-Smith, Harry Berkley, Liam Peachey and Jonathan Meadows all were first or runner up in a number of events. The big prize, The Challenge Trophy was won by a quintet including Peachey, Ryder-Smith and Berkley. There was opportunty for those not so fast on their feet to be quick-witted and the combination of Jordan Gibson and James Hargreaves on the microphone brought the evening to an immaculate close. Comments from Mrs Knight below:

‘Not only did the boys dance to a very high standard but they did themselves and Shiplake proud. I cannot congratulate them enough for both their behaviour and dancing, which was by far the best we've seen in years. The evening was capped by a brilliant speech by Jordan Gibson and James Hargreaves. A great time had by all!’

February 2015 - Part 1 - Oliver

The Junior School production of Oliver was fantastic. Many Skipwith boys were involved either behind the scenes or in the thick of the action. It was great to see so many of our year 9 and 10 boys opting into this creative area of school life. Full report here: http://www.shiplake.org.uk/media/news/article/216/Juniors-Serve-Up-Oliver-Spectacle

January 2015 - Part 3 - England Rugby Visit

An auction prize, won by our very own Harrison Richards (and family) saw Mike Catt and James Haskell visit Shiplake for a training session with the U14 teams. Full story here: http://www.shiplake.org.uk/media/news/article/209/U14s-Coached-by-England-Legends

January 2015 - Part 2 - House Art

Wow, some sensational pieces on display for House Art in January. Skipwith pipped to the post by Orchard for the prize but very proud and in awe of the talent of display. Some examples posted below:

January 2015 - Part 1 - Senior House Rugby

Senior House Rugby unusually took place in January, rather than during the rugby term. Wells-Furby and Eggar struggled against more powerful teams in Welsh and Everett but competed well with Orchard's teams and Burr. Here is an extract from the College website

"In the bottom half of the table, the battle for fourth place went down to the final game between Skipwith Wells-Furby and Burr House, who both finished with two wins. Kick off was decided with a Haka face-off, and in the end the yellows proved more intimidating as they recorded a bonus point victory. Orchard Lapping and Skipwith Eggar played out the only draw of the competition, but Lapping avoided the wooden spoon thanks to a hard-fought win over Skipwith’s other side"

                                                       Haka v Burr

                                                        Wells - Furby

                                                         Eggar

Christmas and New Year catch up

Happy New Year!

Apologies for the long delay in entry. I thought I would share some pictures of Christmas in Skipwith and of the Senior House Rugby event held last week.

At Christmas we had a visitor. Bobo the Christmas Elf. He wished to join in with the fun but remain anonymous so he wandered from place to place and kept an eye on the antics of the boys in various areas. Unfortunately, some students thought he was spying on them so they moved him and surrounded him with fruit so he could not see. He spent the rest of the time recovering in the safety of a cushioned drawer in the Skipwith office. It was good to have him around, if only for a few days!

We also had Advent Bells with clues for finding chocolate goodies, Christmas music and a Christmas film in the Eve Lecture Theatre followed by Christmas Lunch on the last day.

Christmas Jumper day was a great success and we raised over £100 for the Reading drop in centre. Everyone looked very dapper too!

 The Carol Service at St Mary's was absolutely terrific. The readings and choir were fabulous and the singing from pupils and parents was full of gusto. A great way to end the term.

The Junior and Senior rugby awards were held towards the end of last term. Some photos of the black tie event and prize winners follows:

Year 9 Poems for Remembrance

THERE I WAS

THERE I WAS, DRUNK WITH FATIGUE,
BLISTERS EVERYWHERE WITH NO GUN ROOM TO SPARE.
A BULLIT AT SPEED, HAS NO INTEGRITY TO SUCCEED.
 THERE I WAS STANDING WITHOUT A BIRD IN SIGHT,
BUT ALL ARTILLERY SHELLS HAVING A FLIGHT.
 THERE I WAS, PUT TO THE GROUND,
BUT ALL I COULD HEAR WAS NO SOUND.
 

By Jamie Gibbs

I AM A SOLDIER

I AM A SOLDIER, FIGHTING FOR MY COUNTRY

I’M TERRIFIED, TO PUT IT BLUNTLY.

I SOON LEARNED AND ACCEPTED MY FATE;

I WAS GOING TO DIE AND BE LEFT IN A CRATE

SO PLEASE DO ONE THING FOR ME,

TO MAKE THIS EASIER FOR MY FAMILY.

PUT MY MEDALS ON MY CHEST

AND TELL THEM ALL I DID MY BEST

TELL THEM ALL NOT TO CRY, FOR I AM A SOLDIER

AND BORN TO DIE.

By William Brunning

WAS IT WORTH IT?

I LOOK UPON THE FIELD OF THE SOMME,

AND THE SCARS OF MANY A WRATHFUL BOMB.

I STOP AND TAKE A BRREATH,

STRUCK BY THE SCALE OF DEATH.

WAS IT WORTH IT?

YOUNG MEN, EAGER TO ENLIST,

OBLIVIOUS TO HOW MUCH THEY WOULD BE MISSED.

THEY WERE CUT DOWN, NO MATTER HOW BRAVE,

ALL THEY ARE NOW IS A NAME ON A GRAVE.

WAS IT WORTH IT?

By Duncan Eglinton

MUD

HOBBLING THROUGH SLUDGE, THE MEN THEY CAME

SOME PARALISED AND MANY WERE LAME.

NOT WANTING TO REMEMBER THE TERRIBLE DAYS WHERE THEY LEFT ALL THEIR FRIENDS IN THE MUD AND DECAY.

AT THE START, THE MEN SIGNED UP READY FOR A THRILL,

NOT KNOWING THAT THEY HAD BEEN SENT OUT TO THE KILL.

COLD BLOODED MURDER BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES,

FIGHTING LIKE JUST SUICIDE.

DULCE ET DECORUM EST

WHOEVER KNEW THERE WOULD BE SUCH A MESS

PRO PATRIA MORI  

WHAT A TERRIBLE STORY.

SO TRY TO IMAGINE GOING OVER THE TOP

WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE WAR OR IMPLORE IT TO STOP?

By Jack Parrott