The central pillars of Shiplake are its core values - the three I’s - inclusive, individual, and inspirational. This is our DNA and gives us direction, provides cohesion, and fosters a genuine sense of mission.
We are inclusive, where all pupils are valued regardless of academic prowess, artistic flair or sporting ability, with opportunities for all to join in and try new things. We are individual, where each pupil strives to set his or her personal best. And we are inspirational, where we all turn up to school with a positive attitude and energy determined to make things happen and write our own stories.
There have been several instances over the last couple of weeks which have demonstrated those values and in Monday’s Whole School Assembly (10 February), the Headmaster shared some of those, emphasising it is important that we demonstrate our values through our acts rather than just words.
In debating, we saw a personal best for our senior debaters who had a significant victory that ensures passage to the regional finals. Extremely well done to Rufus Goggins, Alfie Malcolm and Ava Pearson who all did an excellent job in representing the College.
In academia, we must say congratulations to Year 13 pupil Ava Pearson who received an offer from Cambridge University. This is the first time in six years that a Shiplake pupil has received an offer from either Oxford or Cambridge and should provide inspiration to everyone that whatever you are aiming for, it is potentially within your grasp if you work hard enough.
In rugby, our boys’ U16 rugby 7s team won the Gordon’s 7s Shield Competition and in netball, we had four senior girls’ teams in action with three wins. However, what was even more positive than the result was the note received from one of the opposition coaches:
‘I just wanted to say once again how lovely it was to play against and alongside your girls today in the Sports Hall. Thank you for being so accommodating with our student absence and helping us by playing two of your girls each quarter on our team. The sportsmanship shown by your girls was fabulous and I just wanted to pass on my thanks to you and the girls formally.’
And in drama, our production of My Fair Lady, which took place last week in the Kenton Theatre in Henley, was a demonstration of all three core values. It included lots of pupils, saw each pupil give their absolute best, and it was inspirational – it made people leave with smiles on their faces and a real feelgood factor. A lot of hard work went into the production and a special mention went to the principals, backstage crew, and the staff To Bethany Redston (Eliza Doolittle), James Lucking (Henry Higgins), Felix Collar (Colonel Pickering), George Watson (Alfred Doolittle), Will Griffith (Mr Pearce), Jack Dag (Freddie Eynsford Hill), and Grace McKean (Mrs Higgins) - you were all spectacular! And to the staff, thank you to Mrs Farrell for driving Drama in the school and having overall responsibility for the production. Thank you to Miss Griffiths who has overseen all set, costume and tech in the show. Thank you to Mr Jones (Orchard) who has helped choreograph some of the numbers and worked backstage during the shows. Thank you to Ms Davies who has been on hand for all and any admin tasks and working on scenes with the cast. Thank you to Mrs Haynes who has supported the singing, and thank you to to Mrs Rapple-Moore who as Musical Director, brought this show to life, and gave up more time than anyone to prepare the music.