Off to the USA

The senior rowers are off to San Francisco today. If you would like to keep track of their exploits then see their blog www.shiplakecollegeusatour2012.blogspot.co.uk or twitter @shiplakeusa2012.

 

An exciting week ahead...

There is certainly a lot going on this week even though it is very short. Years 10 and 11 Duke of Edinburgh Award participants are off on their practise expedition, year 9 have their first parents' conference on Wednesday afternoon and the senior rowers are heading out to San Francisco on Tuesday morning. They are under expert guidance and as such I will be away from college until Tuesday 6th November. If you do have any issues or questions this week then I would be grateful if you could direct them towards Mr Bradley who is at the helm in my absence.

Follow the Green Cross Code



Some boys may treat their walk home with a casual attitude, but unfortunately one boy nearly had an accident when crossing the road yesterday at the top of Mill Lane. He was very lucky, and boys should remember not to be totally tuned in to their head phones when near roads or crossings. You could do worse than to listen to the green cross code man!

 

For current boys, which famous character did the green cross code man go on to become?

Absence

If your son has the misfortune of being ill or perhaps is unable to attend school for another reason, please inform us by emailing either Mr Settle or matron as soon as possible so we can account for them at morning check.

Thank you

Skipwith Half Colours

Colours are often reserved for year 13 boys who have made a significant contribution to the house in their time here. Quite rightly, we do not just give these away and they have to be earned often not only through years of commitment to the house but in fulfilling the duties bestowed particularly on year 13s. However, we now have a half colours award in the form of these amazing yellow socks. Boys in year 12 or below may earn the right to wear these IF they are deemed to be worthy of house half colours. For this, evidence of continued service and dedication to the house and its activities must be seen. They must be earned and I am very keen to see our first recipients earning them within the next term. Until they are earned, plain black socks only must be worn.

Party Time

The Friday night socials begin in earnest with a trip to the Abbey in Reading for the year 9 boys on Friday 9th November. Boys wishing to go and have some fun should let be know by Wednesday...quite frankly I can not understand why you would not want to go. Hopefully, all will sign up very soon.

Charity Walk

The final amount donated by Skipwith boys for the charity walk was £3709.25.

Thank you to everybody who sponsored the boys!

OVS Dinner

Yesterday was a hectic day on the river with 8 crews comprising of old vikings from the past 50 years taking to the water in a reunion regatta. This was followed by an excellent meal with over 220 guests in attendance. The evening was ended with the unveiling of the new rowing honours board which features the names of every boy to have rperesented Shiplake at Henley Royal in the last 50 years. Inspecting his name was current Skipwith year 12 Harry Vardigans who no doubt would like to see it repeated on the board this year.

Music Recitals

Skiwpith boys were involved in 2 evening music recitals last week and impressed their respective audiences with a display of great talent. Very well done to:

Matthew Aldridge (French Horn)
Max Watson (Violin)
Alex Williams (Piano)
Tom McCooke (Clarinet and Guitar)
Ashley Copeland (Oboe)
Nick Bond (Guitar and Voice)

Bread or Hot Dough?

Two year 12s and not much to do on their afternoon off turned their hands to bread making today. I was expecting a lesson in how to bake bread, but I think hot dough is probably a better description of what was made. If at first you don't succeed....

Helping Hands

Never one to be shy of a camera opportunity, Harry Hogan in year 12 is showing what a kind bunch year 12 can be. Year 7 needed expert guidance on how to operate a pillar drill, and Harry was more than happy to oblige. Perhaps we all need to take a leaf out of his book.

Skipwith Entrance

Efforts are continuing in the aim of producing a bright and attractive environment for the boys to work in. The entrance hall to Skipwith has seen a lot of change in recent months and now we also have a brand new television display, from which the boys can see the daily notices. This television is also to be used to highlight the many great things that Skipwith boys do, through a collection of photographs. Some boys have also decided to create a video based on the theme of 'Life in Skipwith'.

Let your imaginations run wild! I would like this to be a great showcase to visitors and everyone at the college for Skipwith boys and their exploits.

Short Stories by James Bailey

Skipwith boy James Bailey is working hard on writing a series of short stories. An example of one of these can be found here. A warning that this is not for the easily scared!

Well written James!

Wet Bob

In some other educational institutions, rowers are commonly known as wet bobs. Perhaps these photos demonstrate why this title even extends to senior rowers.

Excellence!

Since the start of term Skipwith boys have earned themselves a grand total of 203 excellence slips, putting us streets ahead of every other house. Well done boys and keep up the good work!!

Uniform

As most people know, Shiplake takes a great deal of pride in the appearance of its students and here in Skipwith House we are no different. To this end we want to help the boys get it right when they may stray from what is acceptable. For those of a disposition to let their trousers wander south we have belts. For those who think bright pink socks are a better shade than black we can can also offer a good line in black socks. However, these do not come free and boys might want to think twice before receiving a bill for this extraordinarily kind service.

Looking good made simple - by year 9

A new addition to the house

Why is it that boys and dogs make such a perfect mix? I am really pleased that Mrs Stratton's new spaniel, 'Dex' will be visiting the house every Monday. A really lovely dog and the boys are loving his presence too!

Senior House Rugby

It was great to see the house seniors coming together to put in a good team effort in the Senior House Rugby. Convincing wins over Welsh and Everett have probably put us in 3rd place overall behind Orchard and Burr. The boys worked well together and made some excellent tries. Thanks to Captain James Riley and the team.

Some excellent photos here courtesy of Mr Carey.

Sponsor Money

With only a handful of boys still left to hand in their money we are looking at a house total of around £3500. Thank you so much to Skipwith families and friends who have supported the boys in raising money for some great charities.

Boys on buses

The bursar also wrote to parents of boys using the school bus service yesterday with regard to routes and prices. Whilst on the subject of buses, some boys are taking the opportunity to 'dress down' whilst on the bus. All boys should be clear that when they are seen walking to and from bus stops they are still very much representing the school and they should be wearing their uniform with pride. If you are recieving an untidy looking school boy at the end of the school day then perhaps you could remind them of this?

Likewise, day boys arriving at school should be in full uniform even when walking down the drive from the bus or from cars. Thank you for your help in encouraging this.

From the Bursar...

Please can day parents observe that pupils should be dropped off and picked up at either of the turning circles. Unfortunately, a number of parents are still dropping off in Orchard and Skipwith car parks and also by the Skip Yard.


We have a relatively small, built-up site with a lot of young pedestrians. As the days shorten, it becomes increasingly important that traffic through the centre of school is restricted, particularly during breakfast and evening meal sittings.

Harvest Festival

Items are starting to come in for the harvest festival this Sunday. If you have any contributions then please do get them to matron by Saturday morning. The service will be held in the Parish Church at 7:30pm on Sunday. Pupils and parents of day boys are welcome to attend if they wish to. The dress code is smart casual.

Junior House Leader

I am pleased to announce that James Fenton has taken on the role of Junior House Leader for the remainder of this half term. I am sure he will do an excellent job.

House Council Minutes

Year 9 – Ross Johnstone


- Year 9 happy with provision of break time snacks
- Some year 9 struggling with organising their time for prep – advised to look at different working times during the day. Year 9 prep is currently being looked at by Mr Mackey
- Mr Settle suggested a small common room in the year 9 corridor would make year 9 more comfortable away from the hustle and bustle of the kitchen and day room – to be investigated further

Year 10- Carl Harris

- More toasters in kitchen are well received and new day room is nice.
- A house football was requested – Mr Settle had 2 at the start of term which have since gone missing. Recommended that year 10 supply their own.
- Request for coke to be stocked in matron’s tuck shop – to be investigated further by Mr Settle
- Year 10 don’t like being asked to leave the house at lunchtime if they have no work – Mr Settle confirmed it is fine to use the common areas in the house if you do not want to work, but that study rooms must only be used for studying. If rooms are not being used appropriately then boys can be expected to be asked to leave the building.
- Year 10 would like to be able to eat food in their rooms. Carl put forward an excellent argument for this. Mr Settle has agreed that food can be consumed in rooms but any mess or time wasting as a result, would result in this privilege being removed. If boys do wish to eat and chat then they must use the common areas only.

Year 11 – Absent

Year 12 – Bodie Deane

- Year 12 would like new computers installed –Mr Settle would like to remind year 12 that they all have laptops with wireless capabilities and so do not need new computers. The provision of computers in the house is adequate for our needs.
- Showers in 6th form corridor are stuck on one temperature which although nice does not allow for any adjustment – Mr Settle to enquire as to possibility of getting this changed.
- Mr Settle reminded year 12 that they have an electric hob for use in the evenings which was requested last year but that no one has since used. Evening tutors to be given access to the hob to make this accessible should the boys want it.

Any other business

- The representatives agreed the atmosphere in the house was good and that improvements to the layout of the house have had a positive effect.
- Ross Johnstone and Bodie Deane will go forward to the School Council and Food Council this Thursday evening at 17:15 in the OVR.