Like a duck to water.........

.........or water off a duck's back?!

Difficult to beat these?! - but a prize for the best one-liner on this photo (email to the Housemaster)

Skipwith's Masterchefs

Richard Gray (Y10) and Mo Najeeb (Y9) did themselves and the House proud by entering Shiplake's Masterchef competition and made it through to the third round when they were judged on the quality of their bread making. In the earlier round (see pictures) Richard and Mo demonstarted their expertise when they impressed the eyes and tastebuds of the judges with their cup cakes.

Junior House Basketball Winners!

At the end of last term Skipwith Juniors performed superbly and won the House Basketball competition. The final was an extremely close game against Orchard and at the end of normal time the scores were even; it took a 'golden basket' from Harry Vardigans to clinch the title. Carey, Deane and Vardigans used their height advantage throughout the tournament and Will Solomons particularly impressed from Year 9.
The squad were:-

Joe Carey, Bodie Deane, Harry Vardigans, Rory Moore, Will Solomons, Philip Green, Markland Tidswell, James Bailey.

A massive congratulations to all - who gave a great 'lift' to the House and its Housemaster!

More CCF Field Day

Bodie Deane, Joe Carey and Rory Moore ready for inspection.

Tom Arnold as the proud flag bearer

Bodie Deane...........about to become one huge butterfly!

CCF Field Day

Included here are a selection of photographs taken at Bramley (by Mr. Lowndes), when the CCF contingent took part in their Field Day and Biennial Inspection today (Tuesday 29th March).

Photographs include:-

Harry Vardigans checking he has not broken a nail........or lost it in Richard Gray's wok!

Found it!

Nick Bond (Dan Williams, Tim Noyce) - are knot amused!

Nick Bond perfectly balnced until........

Tim Noyce...........with different views on the world...

Going, going........

Gone!

Dub Brady showing how easy it is.

Vardigans and Williams showing off their guns!

House Rowing

A fabulous time was had by all down at the river on Saturday afternoon as the Boat Club hosted the internal House Rowing competition. The categories were:-

J14 Quads

Y11-13 Single Scull

Y11-13 Double Scull

Y10 - 13 Eight

The J14 Skipwith crew were Harry Berkley, Tom Berkley, Phil Green , Matt Horsfall and Joe Bartlett (3rd Place)

Chris Troup, pictured, (1st VIII Cox) was in the Single Scull (5th place)

Charles Simpson and George Davis, pictured, made up the Double Scull (3rd Place)

The Eight, pictured, were Jonnie Brewin (Cox), Harry Vardigans, Marek Lapham, Dub Brady, Joe Carey, Bodie Deane, Rory Moore, ,and Hasnain Majeed

Prefect Appointments for Skipwith

Congratulations to our very own Head of House, Edward Sykes, who was today appointed as a College Prefect during senior assembly (in front of our visiting Inspectors). After starting the year without any Skipwith representation on the Prefect body, we can now lay claim to having two as Ed joins the earlier appointed Claudia Le Blanc who is also our Chapel Warden. Both fully deserve their position after, what I am sure was, initial disappointment but have now been rewarded for their commitment, dedication and leadership skills. They have remained proactive in their roles, have shown initiative and are an example to others - and are indeed perhaps role models, which was the theme of the Headmaster's Assembly!

Galaxy Size Progress!

In-House awards (of Galaxy chocolate bars) were given out on Saturday to those who had the best average effort grades or the most improvement in each year group. Congratulations to the following:-

Y12 - Tim Noyce, Ian Brown, Daniel Williams, Katherine Howells, Alex Campbell, Shana Hicks
Y11 - Jonny Donald, Marek Lapham, Tom Merryweather
Y10 - Tom Arnold, Harry Vardigans, Rory Moore, Richard Gray, Bodie Deane
Y9 - Harry Berkley, Matthew Horsfall, Sam Mummery, Philip Green, Tom Berkley.

All Song and Dance

Two artistic events which took place towards the end of the first half of the Spring term were the BTEC Concert and the Ballroom Ball. Skipwith's Gracie Miller (Y13) performed superbly as the lead singer of her 'Gods' in the Tithe Barn and the photograph shows that she appears to be enjoying the occasion. Many of Skipwith's Y12 (pictured from left to right: Tim Noyce, Dub Brady, Alex Campbell, James Dempster, Charlie Simpson, Jack Corrigan-Stuart, Dan Williams) looked immaculate as they lined up for their photo shoot before the Ballroom Ball. They had been practising their steps on Friday evenings during the last term and a half, which culminated in this dinner and dance with girls from Queen Anne's and boys from The Oratory. All boys danced superbly but special mentioned went to Charlie Simpson for his style in the Waltz. Don't they look so grown up - it only seems like yesterday when they started in Year 9!

House Music Competition

On Friday afternoon, the House Music Competition took place in the sports hall. I was delighted with the way that all pupils in the House entered in the right spirits and gave it their all. The compulsory song for all houses was 'Jonny B. Goode' and if a little hesitant at first the boys and girls soon lost any inhibitions in turning Skipwith in to 'Skip-quiff' for the performance. I must thank them but also particularly Mr. Bradley who had thrown himself in to the task of rehearsing for many hours in the previous two or three weeks - much blood, sweat and tears! Skipwith gained second place for this performance, perhaps feeling a little 'robbed' of the top spot. We will not mention the overall position when combined with individual performances and the second song of choice! The latter may have suffered from 'musicality' in the eyes and ears of the judges, with their colourful version of 'Wake me up before you go girl' but I would like to thank Henry, Chris, Michael and Charlie (Y13) for taking a lead, James, Alex and Charles (Y12) and James, George and Jonny (Y11). I would like the 'musicians' to put themselves forward for next year and in the future, but I am thankful that they had the confidence to 'step up to the plate' and perform for the House. They had obviously been working on their 'guns' before wearing the new sleeveless look for Spring 2011!