Shiplake College News

Ahead of their Hockey Night Lights fixture this evening, Friday 15 November, we caught up with Captain of Girls' Hockey (and Joint Deputy Head of College!), Sophie Pendlebury, for today's 'A Conversation With...' feature!

When did you join Shiplake College and what subjects are you currently studying? 

I joined Shiplake College in Year 12 in September 2023, and I am currently studying PE, geography, and business CTEC. 

As Captain of Girls’ Hockey, how are you all feeling about this week's match against St Joseph’s School? 

I am feeling confident about our fixture. The girls have worked so hard this season, and we have progressed and developed so much as a team together. We just need to give it our all and do what we have been practicing in training and the result will come! 

What are your predictions ahead of the match? 

I am hoping for a win on Friday. Our playing record this season has been very good so we just have to carry that winning streak on, but I know it will be a close and intense game. 

What kind of role has hockey played for you during your time here? 

Hockey has played a big role in my time at Shiplake. It has taught me to push myself out of my comfort zone, especially last year when I was a Year 12 pupil playing with the then Year 13 pupils. It has also taught me to be more confident in my leadership abilities, especially now that I am Captain of Hockey this season and, finally, it has helped me to make and develop friendships through the close nature of the team. 

How will it feel playing in front of a big crowd, including our Lower School girls, and how do you think it will inspire them? 

It will definitely be a nerve-racking experience playing Infront of a big crowd as we do not do it very often. However, I know the girls will step up to the plate and play their best hockey. It will also be lovely having the Lower School girls there, as I know they look up to us senior pupils. I hope that we can inspire and motivate them to carry on playing so that it will soon be them experiencing the excitement of a Hockey Night Lights fixture. 

You're not just Captain of Hockey but also Deputy Head of College - what kind of role do you have with the Prefects and what exciting things are coming up? 

My role with the prefects is to organise school events as well as being a friendly face on site for people to talk to or answer any possible questions. Some upcoming events that we have coming up include a Prefects vs Chapel Wardens netball event. This will hopefully be a lot of fun and will get people involved. 

What are some of your most memorable moments at Shiplake?  

My most memorable moment at Shiplake has definitely been the Iceland geography trip we have just come back from. This was so much fun, and we did once-in-a-lifetime activities such as snorkelling between the two tectonic plates and climbing a glacier. My favourite hockey memory is during last year’s Hockey Night Lights event when we were all in the changing room waiting to run out; everyone was so excited and ready to play! 

What do you plan to do after Shiplake College? 

After Shiplake, I am planning to go to university to study sport business/management. 

Our girls’ 1st XI hockey team take on St Joseph’s College this evening at Reading Hockey Club. Pushback is at 5.00pm and we hope to see many of you there!