Over the Counter Medicines

A message from Sister Sue Wallace in the Medical Centre:

Please can we remind you that boys and girls  are not permitted to bring any over the counter medicines or remedies in for use within school. Should you son or daughter require medicating then please could they see their matron in the first instance,  as all houses hold a supply of over the counter medicines as does the Medical Centre.

Christmas is coming to Skipwith

Matron and I could not help ourselves today and ventured out to the shops to get the Christmas decorations for the final 2 weeks of term. We found 2 willing volunteers to start setting the tree up which leaves us the task of transforming the entrance hall over the weekend. As of Monday, tinsel will be a welcome addition to the boys rooms...

A Discovery...

We are so fortunate to have such an old and quirky house to work in and every now and then it yields a little surprise. Today the year 9 boys discovered an old copy of the Daily Telegraph stuffed between a window and a wall. After initially disproving that it was a treasure map or that the wall actually contained buried treasure, the boys went on to unpick the carefully folded and very fragile newspaper. They discovered that it had come from 1985 and also learnt a great deal from it. Apparently there was a famous lady called Margaret Thatcher, the Queen was still the queen and advertisements were for ancient devices called 'typewriters'.

Winter Concert

A fantastic Winter concert last night and great to see so many Skipwith boys involved. Certainly one of the best Winter concerts of recent years and one for the boys to be very proud of. Very well done to Matthew Aldridge, James Bailey, Harry Berkley, Toby Brough, Ashley Copeland, Jordan Gibson, James Hargreaves, Tom McCooke, Max Watson, Alex Williams, Will Berks, Jo Unsworth, Henry Blois-Brooke, Tom Arnold, Mr Bradley, Christian Hjortland-Marks, Kieran Leach and Nick Bond!

Look after yourselves

It would seem that some boys are being hit by the vomitting bug that has been mentioned in the press. Please remember that if boys do show symptoms of this then they are required to be away from school for 48 hours after the final symptoms have shown. For the boys please remember:

- wash your hands regularly;

- us the alcohol gel dispenser;

- cover your mouth when you sneeze;

- keep yourselves clean!

House Cross Country

House cross country has been reduced from the usual three outings to one all important cross country race. Mr Crisford can work out the time taken to cross the course for every student in the school and so points are awarded not for who is the fastest individual, but which house is the fastest when the times are averaged out. Consequently it is so important that everyone gives it their very best next Wednesday. We have fast runners in the house and we should have some fast walkers too. It would be great for the house to achieve a win next Wednesday, so be prepared!

Not even December yet...

...but it does not matter here where the build up to Christmas officially gets going this week. It looks like someone has brought the Christmas tree from Trafalgar Square and placed it in the Great Hall and the parents association have done a superb job of decorating the hall as well. This weekend coming is a long exeat weekend with school finishing in time for the Henley Christmas fayre on Thursday afternoon. Plans are also in place in Skipwith house for the last 2 weeks of term to be festive and joyous as we all gear up for our long awaited holidays!

Catering Awards

Skipwith is also home to one of the most important departments in the school - the kitchen! We would like to congratulate Steve Beaumont and his team for scooping 2 industry awards for their outstanding service. We are very proud to have you in the house!

Harry off to Nantes

Huge congratulations to Harry Vardigans who has been selected alongside Max Hearnden (Orchard) to go to the Nantes training camp over the Christmas holiday for rowers who are showing to be good contenders for places in the Junior World Championship team or the Coupe de la Jeunesse team representing Great Britain next summer. A very good achievement and although it is still early days I am sure both boys are hungry to compete at this level.

Rugby Tomorrow

Due to waterlogged pitches here at Shiplake, we are now informed that all home games are now to be played away at Merchant Taylors School. Please look at http://www.shiplakesports.org.uk for more information. Boys are expected o return to Shiplake at 5:30pm.

Celebrating Excellence

In Skipwith House we like to celebrate boys who have done well and achieved excellent things. Skipwith boys do so much to be proud of and from time to time we like to show just how proud we are. Most boys will earn excellence slips from teachers and coaches, but for those who serve the house in a particularly excellent way, there are these specially commisioned postcards. To be given one of these is an excellent achievement in recognition of service to the house. I have been fortunate enough to write a few of these this week due to some outstanding contributions and excellent character shown by some of our boys which has made my week. Well done and thank you to those who received them.

Year 9 English

Year 9 boys have been creating creepy radio trailers in English - looks like they have been having fun!

Festive Photos

Okay, we are not quite in December yet but we can almost start getting in to the spirit of things with a festive photo competition. I am looking for photos around the theme of 'Skipwith at Christmas'...or as close to it as you can be. I would like to be able to show these off on the landing television and on the blog in the last week of term. Please email your entries to Mr Settle by Saturday 8th December. The winning entry will win a prize. Parents and tutors can enter as well!

Happy Faces

To celebrate a long run of achieving greater numbers of excellence slips compared to other houses whilst also boasting relatively few incomplete works and infractions (with a few exceptions!) the boys have been treated to doughnuts and squash at break today. Lots of sticky fingers, sugary mouths and happy faces (not to mention a few confused looking ones). Keep up the good work boys!!



Sports Fixtures

Mr Beckett has kindly pointed out the following information:

Please use http://www.shiplakesports.org.uk for fixture info. All info is there including:


• Match Kick Off
• Match location
• Team sheets
• Staff in charge
• Coach leave time
• Return time
• Other info

Anti-Bullying Week

This week is National Anti-Bullying Week. This nation-wide initiative is an attempt to raise all issues regarding relationships and how we treat each other. Assemblies will be devoted to this theme and a competition is being run to produce a poster, song, poem or collage addressing the key theme; "We're better without bullying".

Final Week of Term

It may seem a little way off, but plans for the end of term are already well under way and I am sure some parents would like some details for their own planning. Here is a brief run down, but please do email me if you require more details. The online calender is also worth watching in case of last minute changes.

Monday 10th - Junior Rugby Awards Ceremony 3:30pm Great Hall
Tuesday 11th - As normal
Wednesday 12th - Senior Rugby dinner (black tie)
Thursday 13th - As normal until lunchtime and then Skipwith House outing to Royal China at 1:30pm. Buses will leave earlier than usual at 4pm, which is also now the pickup time for day parents. Parents may collect their sons from the Royal China restaurant from 3:30pm if they wish, but please let me know in advance if you wish to do this. Boarders will have a special evening of activities.
Friday 14th - Christmas Carol Service at St. Mary's Church Henley-on-Thames. Starting at 11:30am all boys are expected to attend. Boys may go straight there with parents or they may come to the house in the morning as normal and travel from school.

GB Rowing Trials

Yesterday saw the opening round of trials in this years search for a junior rowing team to represent Great Britain at the Junior World Championships, Coupe de la Jeunesse and Home Countries. Harry Vardigans, Marek Lapham and Alice White from Skipwith were all showing their hand at these early identification trials and did superbly well. Harry coming 28th, Marek 79th and Alice making the top 20. These are very encouraging indicators with 150 boys in attendance at these trials. Watch this space...

Junior Leader

Somewhat late, but congratulations to Carl Harris who succeeds James Fenton as the Skipwith Junior Leader. I am sure he will do a great job in the period up to Christmas.

Winter Concert

The winter concert takes place in the Great Hall on Tuesday 27th November. The flyer can be found here.

Christmas Dinner

Due to popular demand I am arranging to take the house out for a Christmas meal at the Royal China restaurant in Henley. The restaurant has agreed to feed nearly 100 of us (!) on the afternoon of Thursday 13th December. The boys will return to school for buses home which will leave at the earlier time of 4pm on that day. Four weeks to go and hopefully that is something we can all look forward to!

Ballroom Rehearsals

Year 12 boys are taking the opportunity to learn some new skills on the dance floor by attending the ballroom rehearsals at Queen Anne's school every few weeks. Last night was another success as the boys returned looking weary but still finding the ability to skip and dance up the stairs to their dorms. Feedback from Mrs Knight is that the boys were 'fab'.

Friday Night Lights

Excitement is certainly building at school for the friday night lights at Henley Hawks tomorrow. Supper will now be early fo a prompt 6pm departure for boys going to Henley. A reminder to bring warm clothes. Refreshments are being made available at the following prices:

burgers £3.50

jumbo sausages £3.00

bacon rolls £2.50

chocolate bars 80p

hot drinks £1

cans £1.20

Update: A great night had by all and a thrilling 22-8 victory for Shiplake. Well done to James Riley, George Davis, Joe Carey and Bodie Deane from Skipwith House.

Mufti Day

To raise money for Children in Need this Friday will be a Mufti Day. Cost for wearing own clothes is £2 per person although some restrictions apply (no pyjamas, tracksuits or 'suggestive' clothing etc.). Boys travelling to Friday night lights on Friday evening are reminded to also bring a warm jacket as it will be cold pitch side.

Joseph Rehearsals

Rehearsals for the upcoming college production of Joseph are well under way with 3 Skipwith boys taking lead roles. James Bailey, Joe Bartlett and Henry Waller are hard at work to provide a polished performance.

Half Term

Was it really only just over a week ago that I was up the Seattle Space Needle with this smashing bunch?



Friday Night Lights

Next Friday evening is the highly anticipated Friday Night Lights event at Henley Hawks RFC, where the Shiplake 1st XV will play Lord Wansworth School.

Kick off is at 7pm and all are very welcome. Refreshment stalls are available and if it is anything like last year the atmosphere will be amazing.

If boys wish to attend then they should inform Mr Settle on Monday so that transport can be arranged. Buses to the event will leave college at 6:30pm and return around 9pm. If parents intend to collect their sons from Henley Hawks then this would also be useful to know.

Skipwith Gallery

It is time for a clear out of the Skipwith Gallery as it is getting too big! If you have seen a picture of your son and want to download it then you have until Monday, after which you can contact Mr Settle for a backup.

Rugby

A tough day at the office for our rugby teams, but good to see a number of Skipwith boys out on the fields playing today.

Year 9 Social at the Abbey

The year 9 boys were dressed to impress last night as they attended the Abbey School social. The gossip was hot in house this morning but I understand from various interrogations that all went well...and to plan...

House Cross Country

For those enthused by the prospect of house country this coming monday, it has now been postponed until Wednesday 5th December. This means we have a month to train and be ready to dominate the event!



Remembrance Day Service

All boys and their parents are warmly invited to the College's Service of Remembrance this Sunday in the Great Hall. Although not mandatory it would be nice to see many of you there. Boys will be expected to be in uniform if they do attend. The service begins promptly at 10:45am with refreshments afterwards.

Progress Review Honours

The following boys have done extremely well to come in the top 10 of their respective year groups in either attainment or effort or both. I am extremely proud of their efforts and they are certainly setting good examples for everyone else:

Year 9: Henry Blois-Brooke, Christian Miller
Year 10: Matt Fenton, James Fenton, Louis Bossons-Sartain
Year 11: Tom Berkley, Harry Berkley, Josh Hemsley, Matt Horsfall, Markland Tidswell
Year 12: Harry Vardigans

Battlefields Trip

Year 9 boys visited the Belgian Battlefields at the start of the half term break. Many thanks to Christian Marks for the following:

The battlefields trip is a journey that a few year 9’s will never forget. The journey to France started outside Skipwith house. As soon as everyone was on the coach we drove to Dover in high expectations, however we where all exhausted from the 5am start. We all arrived in France after having an interesting boat journey over the channel. We visited the first of many cemetery’s and were amazed by the stories of the deaths of thousands of young solders. After we finished all of the battlefields and cemetery, we started heading off to the hotel called the Tea Room and so we all headed up stairs and went to bed. And so our first day our battlefields trip was over.


It was day two and we headed off to the battlefields for the whole day. We were all in deep shock when we saw the huge craters and shell explosions in the trenches and not to mention the space between the German and British trenches. Once again we go back to the hotel at about 7pm in France. We all settle into the hotel for the last night. After a restful night at the Holiday Inn express we all made our way back to Shiplake to be reunited back with our parents. To be quite honest he best part of the trip must have been watching the fantastic film of War Horse on the way back to England, but I did spot mistake in the movie and surprisingly that was that the German trenches being straight, the reason this is wrong is because the trenches had be curved because of a few reasons. For instance you can not down shoot a bullet through the trenches with there being curves of mud around the trenches.
I would like to thank …
Mrs. Stratton
Mr. Cooksey
Mr.& Mrs. Brown
Mr. Morgan

by Christian H. Marks



Welcome Back!

The new half term gets going tomorrow with lots to look forward to in the coming weeks, not least of all our build up to Christmas! House competitions include the very important House Cross Country which will be upon us very soon and everyone is required to particpate whether you are a good runner or not - everyone gets valuable points!

Over half term, the maintenance team have been busy painting and creating extra spaces in the corridors. The year 10 rooms have also had new carpets laid, and I am hoping that desks and lockers have found their way back to their normal places by now.

Many boys were involved in trips over half term. Duke of Edinburgh award expeditions took out most of years 10 and 11, year 9 visited the battlefields in Belgium and the senior rowers have been on the West Coast of the USA.

I am sure stories of what went on will emerge in the coming days but the rowers certainly had an amazing time racing in some of the biggest races in America and coming in very resectable finish position only behind some of the strongest teams in the USA. Aside from racing they also visited iconic sites such as Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Seattle Space Needle as well as being given the VIP tour of the Boeing Factory, normally resrved for Heads of State and people buying the aircraft!

Progress reviews from last half term were very encouraging across the board but hopefully the boys will be returning with clear targets and knowing the areas in which they need to improve. This will be a very busy half term and lots of work will be covered so hopefully those reviews can be improved upon where they need to be. We will be encouraging this in house as well.