Look after yourself...

We are coming to the point in the term where bugs and viruses are being spread around. A few boys went off sick last week with similar symptoms so I thought a timely hygiene reminder might be in order.

- A plastic cup dispenser is now installed in the kitchen, so please do not not just fish cups out of the sink without washing them - use the plastic cups instead!

- Alcohol gel is available at the top of the stairs - feel free to use it.

- Wash your hands after going to the toilet and before you go and eat.

- If you cough or sneeze then cover your face.

Changes for Year 10

When year 10 return tomorrow, they may notice some changes to the set up of their corridor. We are constantly looking at ways in which we can improve the working conditions for the boys so they can work in peace and be free from interuption. Year 10 are currently the only year group without a designated changing room, instead they change in their study rooms which is inconvenient to those wishing to work...but not any more. From tomorrow the boys will be studying in 2 rooms with the smaller of the 3 rooms being a changing room. The hope is that this will create a more positive working environment for all of the boys. We will of course monitor the changes and will be stressing the need for these boys to use this facility rather than leaving their clothes strewn across their study room floor.

House Council

The Skipwith House Council will be meeting tomorrow evening to discuss the recent changes to the house and what can be done to improve life for Skipwith boys. Representatives are:

Bodie Deane - Year 12
Henry Waller - Year 11
Carl Harris - Year 10
Ross Johnstone - Year 9

All boys are encouraged to feed their ideas through to these representatives for tomorrow and future meetings. Minutes will go up on the blog afterwards.

House Sport

The inter house rivalry will be palpable this week as 3 contests are decided. Tomorrow sees the final rounds in the Junior House Football whlst the seniors are able to demonstrate their sporting prowess as they contend the Senior House Rugby on Saturday. Hopefully, they won't suffer too many injuries as they then have the Senior House Football 2 days later. Good luck to all the teams and don't forget your yellow rugby shirts this week - let's start filling the trophy cabinet!

Junior House Leaders

This week boys in year 10 were informed of an opportunity to become Junior House Leaders. The boys were invited to write letters of application for the position, the deadline for which is tomorrow morning. This is a role that is being re-established in some houses to encourage boys in year 10 to be more pro-active in setting good examples and giving them some experience of leadership and having responsibility. The plan is for the Junior Leader to be awarded on a half termly basis.

The first applications have already come in and are beautifully hand written. I really hope there will be a few more making there way to me tomorrow morning.

Blessing Prefects and Chapel Wardens

Bishop Colin visited the college this morning to bless the new prefects and chapel wardens. It was a pleasure to have coffee with him this morning and he had a short tour of Skipwith House to see exactly where our boys work and rest. The boys gave him a warm welcome and we hope he will be back to see us again soon.

Sponsorship Money

Please expect your sons to start asking for sponsorship money this week now that they have endured the 20 mile walk. Money can be collected and handed over to Mr Settle or Mr Bradley. It would be great to get as much of this in by early next week as possible.

Thank you!

Harvest Festival

The College harvest festival service this year will be held on Sunday 7 October at 7.30 p.m. in the church. You are all warmly invited to attend this service which, this year, will be organised and led by members of the Welsh House community. As in previous years, we will be supporting the Churches in Reading Drop-in Centre (CIRDIC) which supports homeless and vulnerable people, particularly the young. If you would like to make a harvest donation, they would particularly like the following items:


• Any type of tinned meat
• Breakfast cereals
• Coffee
• Sugar
• Marmite, chocolate spread
• Squash
• Tinned peas, carrots, custard, soup
• Salad cream, peanut butter,
• Biscuits
• Bottles of handwash

These items can be delivered to me in the Rev’s Den or the matrons will have a collection box in each House.

Charity Walk

More stories to follow on this but I am pleased to report the first few are starting to come through. Jo Unsworth was the first Skipwith (Gilson) girl to cross the line. James Riley (college prefect) came in 4th place and Tom McCooke was the first Skipwith day boy to come in. Well done to all of them and the many others following in the coming hours.

Arrangements for this week

I would like to draw parents' and pupils' attention to the College Calender for this week. Please note that on Wednesday there are no rugby matches and instead Thursday period 5 will take place after Wednesday lunch.

We do have a block fixture against St. Edwards on Thursday afternoon with matches starting from 2:30pm.

Year 9 exeat begins after these matches have concluded and are therefore not required in school for Friday. Year 9 parents do not have a reception this Thursday evening as we had ours at the end of the first week (which seems like a long time ago now!).

Sponsored Walk

This Monday is the whole school 20 mile sponsored walk. Hopefully most of the boys have already collected a good amount of sponsors, so please expect collection next week. The 4 charities being supported are The National Autistic Society, Gap Africa, Combat Stress and the Chiltern Centre for Disabled Children.

On Monday, buses will run as normal and the boys are expected to arrive at the normal time. We will brief the boys thoroughly before they board buses to take them to Moulsford. Own clothes are allowed and of course comfortable foot wear. It is quite a sight to see over 400 people walking the tow path so parents please make sure clothing is appropriate to the day and that they are ready for any weather!

The buses will run as normal in the evening and any boys who look like they may be struggling can check out at a check point and be back at school in time to get their bus home. I would strongly recommend that parents have foot baths at the ready.

Shiplake Open Day

Today has been a very busy day at the college. Not only due to the sport in the afternoon but also the main event which has been the open day. I was so proud of all the boys in the house this morning who helped make this day a success whether as tour guides, subject helpers, house guides or activities demonstrators. The boys looked smart and the house was looking at its best. A massive thank you and well done for putting on a good show!

Junior House Rugby

The riverside pitches were covered in yellow rugby jerseys this afternoon as the Juniro House Rugby got underway. Skipwith entered 3 teams which meant that all of our junior boys were involved to some extent as either players, replacements or the ever important team support. It was tough going in the warm sunshine and although we don't think we have come in first place, we are eagerly anticipating the results. Well done to all involved and thank you to the parents who came to watch and support the house as well!

The A teams looking a bit tired!

Then and Now...

How Skipwith has changed. Formerly the residence of Robert Harrison and his family, here are photos of room 101 (year 9 room) in both 1891(as a master bedroom) and 2012 (as a year 9 study room). What a difference!

Saturday Rowing

For the senior rowers, Saturday afternoon means 16 kilometres in single sculling boats. This is a gruelling training session and requires great amounts of will power. Skipwith boys are not afraid of this and are happy to get stuck in. No pain - no gain!

Senior Football

The opening rounds of the senior house football kicked off yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately, our B team had to withdraw due to other school commitments, however the A team went on to play well against Welsh, Everett and Orchard B. Although an outright win eluded them, the boys played well together and will be eager to improve in the next rounds of the competition.

Junior Football

An excellent opening round to the junior house football resulted in our A team achieving a convincing 3 - 0 victory over Welsh house, whilst our B team drew against both Everett and Orchard B. Some superb skills were on display today and it was great to see boys from years 9 and 10 mixing and working together on the football field. Evidence if it were needed that Skipwith house is a cohesive unit!

Huge congratulations to Jack Tooley, Miles Bridgeman and Adam Hunt for scoring the 3 goals in the A team match.

How to cook a monster?

Former Skipwith housemaster, Mr Dix, kindly left a courgette plant growing in the garden of Tudor Cottage when he left. Not being a green fingered fellow I may have left it a little too long, but imagine my surprise when I found this monster hanging off it! The question is...how do you cook it??!

Rowing

With a tour to the West Coast of the USA in a matter of weeks the boat club are hard at work. A number of Skipwith boys are actively involved with the senior rowing programme at Shiplake and are looking forward to what should be an amzing trip to San Francisco and Seattle. Mr Settle might be getting a little excited about this too!

An Olympian Returns

Will Satch (son of Miss Satch) returned to the water for the first time today since winning his Olympic Bronze medal. Under the watchful eye (and encouragement) of his mother, Will had to reacquiant himself with his single scull for a trip down to Leander club in Henley. I think he preferred the pair...

 

U15 Rugby

His face says it all...Scott was not happy. The U15 rugby team did not exactly come bouncing up the stairs this afternoon after a draw for the B team and a heavy defeat for the A team against the Oratory School. Still I'm sure this has fired the Skipwith boys up even more for their forthcoming football and rugby matches in the house sport competition.

 

Rugby Arrangements for this Week

Rugby Arrangements Week 3

By following the above link you can see the most up to date version of this weeks rugby arrangements. Please note that Seniors not attending the Premiership game this Saturday may leave at 12:30pm, but please do contact me if there is any doubt. Rotation sports do continue as normal.

Year 9 Rowing

Today was a momentous day in the lives of our year 9 boys. They finally got to go rowing! The boys were introduced to the octuple sculling boats and the keen eye of Coach Crisford. Perhaps after these first few strokes we have some national champions in the making or maybe even the next generation of Olympic hopefuls.

Thank you so much to Hugo Javadi-Babreh for taking some excellent photos which are now in the House Gallery.

Headmaster's Olympic Quiz Night

The Parents' Association are holding a quiz night on Saturday 6th October at 7:30pm. Food is also available on the night.Parents are invited to form teams of up to 8 people. Further details and bookings are available from Sue Bond in the School Office.

A flyer for the event can be found here.

A Night to Remember!

Last night the Skipwith House parents enjoyed the annual black tie dinner. We enjoyed some fabulous food prepared by our excellent catering team and had an opportunity to catch up with friends and meet new ones as well. The hall was humming with conversation interspersed with laughter and clinking glasses.

With 60 people in attendance, this event is certainly growing in popularity and I hope everybody is already looking forward to next year! There are photos in the house gallery (apologies for the poor picture skills from the photographer...).

Special thanks to Tom Merryweather (Head of House) for taking time to offer a warm welcome as the parents arrived, and of course Henry Blois-Brooke (year 9) for serenading us during pre-drinks with his excellent violin playing.

Get involved with the blog...

Being a housemaster for such a large house with boys busy and involved in so many things on a daily basis means that I miss a lot of the good things that go on...and there are a lot of good things. If parents would like to email pictures of the Skipwith boys in action for the blog then it would be great to get them posted. Likewise if any boys would like to contribute reports, articles or photos then please do email them to me. The aim is to build up a comprehensive record of what we achieve as a house and what the boys achieve as individuals because there is a lot to be very proud of!

Saturday Rugby

The U14s had less luck this morning, losing their games against Reading Blue Coat but it was good to see a number of Skipwith boys involved in the first team for the local derby match.

 

Ballroom

Just as we prepare for the new season of Striclty Come Dancing on BBC1, our very own year 12 boys have been learning the ropes at Queen Annes'. They came back with lots of praise from Mrs Knight:

A very successful evening last night.  The boys were brilliant they did us proud.  Both Queen Annes and the Dance instructors said they where the best group they had every had.  A credit to Shiplake.  I have already received emails from other boys wanting to sign up.

Where have the holidays gone?

Unbelievably we are 2 weeks in to the new term already. The holidays seem a distant memory but one parent has provided this happy picture to remind us of them!

Rugby Tomorrow

From Mr Beckett:

On Saturday, the OVS will be playing Henley Hawks 2^nd XV on New Field, KO 1.30pm. I have heard there are quite a number of OV’s (around 100) playing or watching the match, so if you would like to see a few old faces from the past 5 years of leavers, then pop down to New Field from about 1.15pm onwards. The day is organised to be a charity day in support of Wooden Spoon Society (www.woodenspoon.com). The 1^st XV match v Blue Coat will KO around 2.45pm and most of the OV’s will be staying to watch.

For year 9 parents, the rugby match versus Reading Blue Coat kicks off at 10:30am on the riverside pitches. All boys in year 9 can be collected from 12pm. Boys not involved in matches will still have timetabled activities but can also leave at 12pm.

Under 14 Rugby

News has filtered through that both U14A and B teams won their matches against Windsor Boys this afternoon. Huge congratulations, and hopefully it is the first of many victories - well done boys!

Year 9 Hockey

Year 9 had the opportunity to try their hand at Hockey today. Next week they will try Rowing and they can make a choice as to what they specialise in after half term. Under the superb coaching of Dr Snellgrove and Mr Gould they were already demonstrating some pretty handy skills.

CCF Starts

Tuesday afternoon is reserved for CCF activities. Today the new year 10 recruits recieved their new kit and the expert supervision of older students who have already risen through the cadet officer ranks.

Drop Off and Collection

Parents who drive to school to drop off or collect their sons are kindly reminded to use the turning circle at the top of the drive. This improves the safety for the many others who are walking around the main site and prevents any unnecessary delays for parents who may get blocked in by other college traffic.

Major Games



Monday afternoon is for major games. For a lot of boys this means training for upcoming Rugby matches. For others this is a chance to let off some steam in the gym, or relax by playing badminton or football. Here you see some of the boys being put through their paces in the senior rugby session.

 

Back to work

The boys were back in to work mode at 5pm this evening, and settling in to the house routine...without too much grumbling. The boys have to use their time from 5pm to 5:40pm (or later!) for quiet focus on their prep. The last few sessions have been very good (other than when I am trying to get photos of them in prep) but parents must expect their boys to take prep home after the school day has finished.

Peer Support

An elite band of year 12 students have spent some time at the start of term being trained for the College Peer Support team. The team is put together to provide another layer of pastoral support at the college and to provide an avenue for students to raise their concerns or worries with a trusted and trained member of the student body. In Skipwith we are lucky enough to have 2 of these great assets. Tom Arnold and Harry Vardigans will make themselves available to others should they need someone to talk to. Tom will be working in Everett house, whilst Harry (pictured) is on hand to help the Skipwith flock. Congratulations to both of them and good luck!

Year 9 Rugby - Saturday 15th September

This Saturday there are U14 A, B and C fixtures at home against Reading Blue Coat School. Kick off is at 10.30. All Year 9 pupils will go to period one (08.40 – 09.40) and then change for rugby. Pupils not involved in this fixture will have a games/practice session at 10.30. All year 9 boys will be free to leave for the weekend at 12.00.

Now we really get going...

After last weeks excitement, start of term events and induction activities this week sees the start of the real work. The usual routine of lessons, sports and prep will kick in from tomorrow for all year groups. The house staff are prepared to help the boys through this and to support them during prep. Parents should also be expecting their sons to bring some prep home in the evening and I would urge you to check that this is being done. If you are not sure whether prep has been completed at school or if they are not doing enough then please do get in touch with your sons' tutor.

At the end of this week the big excitement is for the parents instead of the boys. Plans are going very well for the Black Tie Dinner and myself, Matron and Mr Bradley are looking forward to seeing many of you there.

Year 9 Parents Reception

It was a great pleasure to meet the year 9 parents this evening. I hope you enjoyed the opportunity to get to know each other a bit better. The year 9 boys have been a pleasure to have in house this week and have made a great start to their time at Shiplake. There will be a further opportunity for parents to get together next week of course at the Black Tie Dinner. Final numbers are around 70 for the dinner, so it really should be an excllent evening to look forward to!

Dragon Boats

This afternoon the house went Dragon Boating on the Thames. The boys and girls were split in to mixed teams of 10, giving everyone a chance to mix with students from different year groups. Fortunately the sun kept us warm as there was a fair bit of splashing going on. Mr Crisford was pretty upset at not winning but he will get over it in time. Cake and drinks were available for the boys to replenish their energy after their gruelling 200m sprints in the dragon boats.

I hope everyone had a great time and it was gratifying to see everyone getting on and coming together as a house. Lots of photos in the gallery.

An Island Adventure

Although we could not offer an overnight adventure on the island, we did manage to create a lot of excitement and inadvertently a bit more adventure than we had perhaps planned for!

The year 9 boys were ferried to the island by Miss Erasmus and Mr Settle and were set loose in to the wild to go and explore this amazing piece of nature. An initial surprise came when they disturbed a hornets nest and unfortunately some boys were given a piece of the hornet's mind. This created a bit of anxiety as the boys realised they had to be careful when playing in the woods. The evening carried on and the boys barbecued their own food under the watchful eyes of their superb tutors. We were visited by Mr Jones, the deputy head, who realised that on this night, the island was the place to be! Fortunately his visit also brought the utensils so we could get the cooking under way...

After learning the improtance of having a properly cooked chicken breast the boys had more time to play in the woods and a mass game of 'it' took over the island (minus the hornets corner of course!).

The boys were ferried back to shore and greeted by the head master who was then told of their adventures. I hope the boys had a good evening and again there are lots of photos in the gallery of this great adventure.

Capsize Drills

Year 9 boys were put through their paces by the boat club yesterday as they had to go through the annual rite of passage that is the capsize drill. In order to start rowing at Shiplake the boys had to show that they could swim on circuit of the school pool and then capsize a boat and handle it safely back to shore.

This always creates a lot excitement and perhaps some anxiousness, after all who would really want to throw themselves in to the Thames. However, all boys passed and can now look forward to their first few proper strokes in the coming weeks.

Lots of photos in the house gallery of every boy for the parents to see.

Sponsored Walk

On Monday 24th September, the whole college will be walking 20 miles from Moulsford to Shiplake along the River Thames in aid of several charities that have been put forward by Shiplake pupils. Sponsorship forms were emailed to parents at the start of the Summer holidays and extra hard copies have been made available in house. This is quite a challenge and worthy of a lot of support from friends and families so please expect your sons to present you with a sponsorship form in the next few weeks.



Saturday

This Saturday sees the first block fixture against Reed's school. The boys will know the times and locations of their matches. Details can also be found on the school website.

Year 9 have rugby training in advance of their first matches next week and will be ready for collection at 3pm.

Back to Routine

Today the boys got back in to the routine of lessons, games and prep. The boys seem to have taken on board the need to use their prep time wisely and the atmosphere in the house during prep was excellent - long may it continue!

One of the changes to take place in the house over the Summer was the introduction of year group changing areas. The boys are being encouraged to use these rather than change at their desks so that every boy in the study room has a chance to work in a peaceful uninterupted atmosphere. They are slowly coming to terms with this and I hope this has a positive effect on their prep time.

The year 9 boys were fortunate enough to eat at the headmaster's house this evening as he laid on a barbecue just for them. I'm sure the dogs may have got a sausage or two as well.

Sunday Evening Service

This Sunday there will be a service in the Church at 7:30pm for students and parents. This is a voluntary service for day pupils and their parents and all are welcome to attend. If youwould like to attend then the dress code is smart casual.

Dragon Boating

This Friday the house will be Dragon Boating on the river here at school. This is an excellent opportunity for the house to come together and get involved in an excellent team sport. The boys (and staff!) will be in mixed teams. Whilst they are battling it out on the river, Matron will be providing drinks and snacks on the river bank.

The year 9 parents reception will now be taking place at 6pm in the Morning Room of Skipwith House. This can be found as you walk through the main door, turn right and go to the end of the corridor.

Full House

The house was full again today after the return of years 10-13. It was great to be able to welcome everybody back to a new year and a fresh start. The afternoon was spent reaffirming old friendships and catching up after 2 months. The boys took to the rugby pitch and for quite a few it looked like a shock to the system after an easy Summer vacation.

Year 9 boys had an easy afternoon getting to know each other more whilst taking time to bite in to some horrible goo for their mouthguard fitting. Tomorrow, they will have a chance to impress the headmaster as he hosts them for an evening barbecue.

New Year 9 Boys

Today was the first day of the new year and as is tradition we welcomed the new cohort of year 9 boys in to the school first. It was apleasure to meet all of the Skipwith parents this morning and it was great to see all the boys looking so smart on their first day.

 

 

The boys have had to take in a lot of information today so may be a bit overwhelmed this evening, but they will soon settle in to the rhythm of life in Skipwith House. Some parents have mentioned that they are not recieving emails from the house. If they are not appearing in your junk email inbox, then please get in touch and I will check that all of the details are correct.

 

More photos will be added to the house gallery as the week progresses. Today features some of the boys first rugby practice this afternoon.